Betting the Bridgejumper
A "bridgejumper bet" is a morbid term, but it's also a fitting moniker for a sports wagering technique that is far more common that many might realize.
Bridgejumper bets refers to "bets that can't lose" – umm, famous last words. So, the wager requires risking a large sum of money in order to win a small amount of money.
Think of it this way: The bet "can't lose," right? So, you might as well fire as much money as you can get down on the game (or total or prop). Obviously, bridgejumper bets violate every single rule of smart money management when it comes to sports gambling.
Why is it a bridgejumper bet? Well, if you lose, you look for a bridge and jump. As I said, sports betting can be pain.
For instance, let's say Team Canada is playing Switzerland in Olympic hockey. Canada is listed as a heavy favourite. Team Canada "can't lose" this game, or so it seems. So, the bridgejumper bet is wagering on Team Canada and laying (in this case -1500) to win 100 – which is laying 15-1 odds. All Team Canada has to do is win the game. By the way, this was the line and pregame situation at the 2018 Olympic Games. In that game, Team Canada beat Switzerland easily 5-1. This bridgejumper bet won, exactly as predicted.
The trouble with bridgejumper bets is – eventually one of the mismatched teams will upset the favourite. We all know – upsets happen. So, you could win 15 consecutive bets in a row, and be ahead, let's say -- $1,400. Then, one loss on Team Canada could cost you all your winnings, and then some.
I enjoy doing bridgejumper betting. I like to start with a small bankroll and use it specifically for heavy favourites, then stair-ladder the bankroll up slowly to a bigger number. A lot of small wins can add up to a big win. Most recently in February, March, and April I started with $100 for this purpose. Then, as of last Saturday night, I ran it up to $2,080 betting nothing but bridgejumpers. Unfortunately, I got greedy and went for a shorter price and got burned.
Nolan Dalla
Had I not bet a -$400 favourite (which isn't a bridgejumper – those are typically -$1000 or higher), I'd still be in action. Had I stuck with teams that have clear advantages over their opponent to the degree that the underdog has almost no shot to win (again, famous last words), who knows how long I might have run with the bankroll?
Some bettors enjoy doing the opposite. They like to wager on longshots and hope one eventually cashes. That can be fun, too. But I also like the bridgejumper bet, which usually provides are more wins than losses. You will probably win several bets in a row. But a word of caution: Stick with true bridgejumpers. Don't get greedy. I got greedy, went for a shorter price in a bad situation, and lost.
Since I live in Las Vegas, there's no bridge to jump from. So instead, I'll try again. Time to start over with a $100 wager and try to run it up.
Monday morning is a new day and a fresh beginning.
Checking out the odds tonight at SPREADS.CA
