Packer, Steelers neck-and-neck with bettors
By Case Keefer, Las Vegas Sun
Those looking to bet on a side in Super Bowl XLV based on where the smart money is coming in are going to run into a problem.
Sharps or professional sports bettors have split opinions on Sunday’s game where the Green Bay Packers enter as 2.5-point favorites over the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to one prominent Las Vegas bookmaker.
“We’ve gotten a lot of large plays on the Steelers and a lot of large plays on the Packers,” said Jay Rood, MGM Resorts International sports book director. “I’ve taken money on both sides from guys who we’ve dealt with in the past and whose opinions we really respect.”
The betting public’s feelings are also equally divided. Walk into any sports book in town this weekend and chances are half the room would prefer Terrible Towels, while half would rather take cheeseheads.
That was the case at the Mandalay Bay sports book Friday night. Scanning the room revealed an equal number of Steelers and Packers hats.
In the back of the book, two friends from Fresno, Calif., debated the betting options detailed on the board. The first mentioned Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers as a reason why he leaned toward the Packers. The second naturally disagreed.
