I have to say that my imaginary handicapping is not going well. But the Houston / Oregon State game really reminded me of why I made the decision to no longer bet on the games.

As I was watching the game as someone who had nothing real on the game, I could simply enjoy the game. But the end of it made me have flashbacks. I also know that my handicapping page must be imaginary – because I ended up on the right side of the chaos for a change.

My guess is this is not the case thanks to Covid – but imagine a full Vegas Sportsbook with a huge crowd watching the game. Some might be watching as fans – but most are watching because they have bets on the game. And here are some important numbers. Houston was an 8 point favorite, and the over/under was set at 129.

For the record, I had Oregon State and the 8 points, and the under. With 21 seconds, Oregon State hit a layup to make the score 64-58. Houston gets the ball in and immediately gets trapped in the corner. Out of desperation, the ball gets thrown down the court and Houston’s Justin Gorham gets to the ball first. Maurice Calloo from Oregon State reached to foul him and knocked Gorham to the ground. And the official called an intentional foul.

And I could hear in that imaginary sportsbook the screams. Because the intentional foul would not only give Houston the chance to get the lead to the 8 point spread, but they would keep the ball!!!! I can hear the cheers of those with Oregon State bet slips as Gorham missed the second free throw to keep the game a 7 point game. But everyone knows what is coming next – the next foul.

This time Gorham makes both free throws and now the cheers from the Houston supporters start screaming as their bet slip is now winning. As long as Oregon State doesn’t score in the last 10 seconds, they now win.

And of course, Oregon State rushes down the field, get the ball to Maurice Calloo and he throws up a heavily guarded desperation three-pointer. And it goes in!!!! The Sportsbook goes crazy on the Oregon State side of the room as the lead is back to 6 points. Meanwhile, there is a lot more screaming happening! That is because there is still 3.7 seconds left. And that three-pointer just made the score 67-61. And so those with the under at 129 are furious. They now only have 1 point of a cushion and you have to figure Oregon State will foul to extend the game.

Houston passed the ball in after the time-out, two Oregon State players trap the Cougar in the corner to try to force a turnover, and I can hear it in the Sportsbook! FOUL HIM!!! WHY ARE YOU NOT FOULING HIM!!!!! PLEASE FOUL HIM!!!!! The Beavers knowing they could not score 7-8 points in 3 seconds tried to quickly force the turnover and then gracefully gave up.

People with Houston slips are screaming in agony as they rip up their tickets without getting the free throws to have a chance to tie the line. People with the over slips are screaming in agony as the rip up their slips frustrated by the shocking ending. And those with the under or Oregon State +8 are screaming for joy as they walk to the window to collect their winning and likely bet on the Baylor / Arkansas game.

In a period of 20 seconds, an entire Sportsbook is going crazy as the lead goes from 6 to 7 to 9 and back to 6, and stops 1 point short of getting to the over/under line.

I miss the excitement of a Vegas sportsbook. I don’t miss being the person who tended to be screaming while ripping up my bet slip.