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Las Vegas - HOW FREAKIN' GOOD are the oddsmakers? The consensus Over/Under total on how many medals the USA would win was posted at 112.5. The Stars & Stripes picked up 113!!!

ECK-MAIL REPORT: For the inquisitive readers of America's Line, we will dip into our E-mailbag during the week to answer some of your questions.

The e-mails that we respond to will have the first name and last initial of that person. So if you e-mail, and want an answer, you're in print baabbbeee!

Max P. from Houston, Texas, wants to know how many parlays to bet each week during the NFL season. Listen Mad Max, and I say that with LOVE, because the original film was not too bad, NO PARLAYS! Why? Parlays have been and are the BIGGEST money makers for the sportsbooks. Are you sure Eck? Well, according to the gold standard, the Nevada Gaming Control Board, sportsbooks held (which is money WON) around 30% on parlays. When you look at the various major sports, they all held LESS THAN 5%! My next door neighbor is a pharmacist, and a pretty bright guy. Loves to bet football and plays six, eight and 10 team parlays every week. He regularly hits 80% or better on his picks, but has never won a STINKIN' dime. When the sportsbooks see parlays coming in, they start to drool, and you can actually see dollar signs dancing in their eyes. So, Max, NO FREAKIN' PARLAYS! But THX for reading, and, THX for writing.

If you want to jump into our E-mailbag, it's, Ben@americasline.com.

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