Series in the offing predictions...polls?

[Lostman]

why is that? wouldn't the favourites winning mean that what was predicted by the bookies themselves came about, and hence resulted in the least unexpected and thus the worst (or best, depending on your point of view) odds? basically, aren't the bookies 'best' covered in terms of losses in the eventuality of their predicted winners winning?

[unless, of course, the odds are more affected, from the get go, by the sums being bet either way, as opposed to their own considered analysis of the matchups. must confess that i am no expert at the betting game and so am quite intrigued as to how it works.

When bookies make lines they try to get half the action on either side. However, they are rarely able to get this split when the public bets.
For example some simple money lines (to win) you get might be this.

Team A: -200 ( play 200 to win 100) Favorite
Team B: +150 (play 100 to win 150) Underdog

There is always such a discrepancy and so if the underdog wins, the book collects 50 commission. Ideally you use an exchange service that has much smaller commissions.