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Weekly Q&A with Doc's Sports Expert Handicapper Raphael Esparza


by Doc's Sports - 12/5/2017

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz

This a great time of the year to bet on sports with the help of Doc's Sports Services. In this week's discussion with one of our expert handicappers, Raphael Esparza , we will cover some of the hottest trending topics in the world of sports betting, including a possible US Supreme Court ruling that could dramatically impact the legality of sports betting in the United States.

Raphael rose through the ranks in the sports betting capital of the world to be known as the Vegas Sports Informer during a long and successful career in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry that, at its peak, had him holding the prestigious position as the Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria. Raphael retired from the sportsbook industry in 2013 to devote all of his time running a successful and diverse sports investment service from his home base in Las Vegas as well as from the Big Easy in New Orleans. The following is this week's Q&A with one of Doc's most interesting handicappers.

Doc's Sports: There is so much going on with sports betting this time of the year given the sheer amount daily action on the board, but we wanted to start this week's discussion by getting your personal thoughts regarding a pending US Supreme Court ruling that could pave the way for legalized sports betting in a number of states other than Nevada?

RE: That story did create quite a stir throughout the sport betting industry in the United States, but it could take until June for a final decision to be rendered in New Jersey's case against the federal government. I would say that it is too close to call right now with a likely 5-4 vote either way. The question is how bad does the highest court in the land what to make a statement that protects a state's rights ahead of US laws in matters of this nature.

Doc's Sports: Going back to a state that already offers legalized sports betting within its borders, how much of Week 12's substantial loss in the NFL did the Las Vegas sportsbooks make back with the results of last week's games in which some popular betting favorites failed to cover?

RE: There were still too many big favorites covering to overcome the gains the sportsbooks took in from both Philadelphia's straight up loss to Seattle and Pittsburgh's inability to cover on Monday night against Cincinnati. This resulted in a slight gain for the betting public. One of the biggest losses the books absorbed on Sunday was New Orleans covering against Carolina along with another cover by New England.

Doc's Sports: You had Alabama in your top four when it came to the field for this year's College Football Playoff even before Georgia knocked Auburn out of the running with a victory in the SEC title game. Now that the Crimson Tide are officially in the field of four, is this year's national title theirs to lose?

RE: Alabama is hyped as a favorite because of the sheer amount of money bet on the Tide to win it all. This is still a very good team, but by no means will it have an easy path to another national title. You know that Clemson will be bringing its A Game in the semifinal matchup, and either Georgia or Oklahoma is capable of giving Alabama a battle in the title game should it get past the Tigers this time around.

Doc's Sports : The college basketball season is quietly heating up even with most of the betting action still geared towards football. What are a few of your biggest takeaways from a betting standpoint given the early-season results in college hoops?

RE: My top two surprises in a positive light would be the early play of Texas Tech at a 6-1 through its first seven games, including a big win against Northwestern, along with Duke living up to all the hype with its stellar play on the court. The early contributions from the Blue Devils' freshman class have been impressive to say the least.

My two biggest disappointments would be Arizona with a 5-3 record that speaks for itself and the Big Ten as a whole. I am not sure if we will see any team from that conference make some serious noise in the 2018 national title race.

Doc's Sports: We already know that you are a huge MMA fan, so what are your current betting odds that a proposed heavyweight fight between Francis Ngannou and current champion Stipe Miocic does come together in time for UFC 220 on Jan. 20 in light of Ngannou's recent victory in Saturday's UFC 218?

RE : Given just how dominating Ngannou looked in that fight, I would have to think that there will be some sense of urgency to get this title bout on January's card in UFC 220. MMA fighting needs a marquee matchup to get the New Year off to a fast start, and this fight would fit the bill.

Click here to visit Raphael Esparza's Insider's Page at Doc's Sports for more information on his amazingly-profitable sports handicapping picks. Also, get $60 worth of Esparza's member's picks absolutely free - no obligation, no sales people - you don't even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit for any sport Esparza handicaps. Click here for $60 worth of free picks from Raphael Esparza .

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