sportbet: money is not money?

[Chilly]

Its been a long time since posting, but I lurk 5 days a week.

I had this experience with sportbet today, and wanted to hear some feedback. Today, I messed up, and surpassed sportbet's on-line limits for baseball totals (so my first question is why they can't have software that prevents you from betting more than allowed). I forgot they were a dime limit. I called them up immediately afterwards, and told them what I did (I bet an extra nickle). I said I noticed the line was still the same, would they take my full wager? The phone person said she didn't know, and asked a floor manager. He said, "no." They would cancel my wagers past the 1000 limit. I asked if they would take more over the phone, and he said, "no." I told him the line was still the same: why not? So he was nice and asked the linesman, who said, "no."

Fair enough, I suppose, but this is similar to an old thread about money versus a particular player's money. If they kept the same line, and would take wagers on the same line from anyone else, why would they not take my money?

In most any other way, I enjoy sportbet. Good phone service; dime line; great lines; overnight lines. But this makes me wonder--why is there a limit on a person but not the overall take on a game? If they are afraid of unbalanced action, why didn't they move the line in this case. I just don't get it. Since sportbet gets so many raves, I'd like someone to explain to me why I should not move my money to wsex, or goto, for example?

thanks in advance for any comments,

Chilly

[ShiftySheik]

They'll let you double hit a game by phone after they move the line. When someone calls in a large bet the clerk will call out the bet to the BM. With online betting the BM may not notice it right away. Maybe they didn't notice your bets until after you alerted them.

[PEPOCAS]

chilly.

goto is the same way these ****ing people are clowns. it seems to me each player has his own personal limit on each game or sport.
you the player have to make sure you did not go over the limit on that particular game. i would be wrong if i bet the yanks -120 for a dime and then bet them again 5 five hours later -135 for another dime. sportbet,goto,island get your ****ing act together regarding your online software. i bet 20 games a day i don't have time to make sure i didn't go over your set limit on me. if your online software accepts my wager don't email a hour later saying the bet is cancelled because of a limit, fix your mickey mouse software.

[Chilly]

Actually, (1) I was told by sportbet that they would net let me wager more a dime on a total, period, whether I called it in or not, and (2) I also use goto and they let a bet stand where I did the same thing.


BTW: the line on the game they won't let me bet is still available, 2 hours later!

Chilly

[sportshobby]

Internet software should implement whatever limits the book wants to make. If the software allows a bet, it should be a bet just as if it were a clerk.

I'm really puzzled about the rule against multiple limit bets by phone. I thought Sportbet was one of the books that moved the line based on action. If so, they should have a few minutes to make any adjustments to the line they want, then take another hit. What gives?

[reno]

The Unified Gaming software is antiquated and slow. Any wannabe serious sportsbook--such as Island, Sportbet, and Go To- should change software. I have come to the conclusion that Unified Gaming software completely sucks.

By changing software, Island, Sportbet, and Go To, which have poor phone service, can start taking major league hits online and spare us the pain of dealing with their second-rate phone service.

[Chilly]

Sorry for posting so much in my own thread when I asked for feedback (don't worry a.vamp, you will NOT get a serious challenge for the posting award), but I just got an e-mail message from sportbet saying what I already laid out--they are cancelling my wager past a dime. At least they notify you(?).

Reno: why do you think phone service is poor? What books should I compare it to? I thought it was better than average, but maybe I'm too small time to notice.

Finally--the line is STILL there: ANA O 11 +105

Chilly

[This message has been edited by Chilly (edited 08-01-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Chilly (edited 08-01-2000).]

[sportshobby]

Other than the problem you've noted here, my only complaint on the phone service is that it could be quicker. User name and password are too long, have to be repeated several times, and average time to make a bet is several minutes. At least this has been my experience.

This is nothing terrible, just something that could be improved.

[reno]

Chilly, it is very slow compared to the Don Best books. And time is money when I'm trying to get down. By the time I make a bet and get it confirmed at these joints, I could have made 3 bets at places like Skybook, Sports Market, and WWTS.

[Chester]

Originally posted by Chilly:
Its been a long time since posting, but I lurk 5 days a week.

I had this experience with sportbet today, and wanted to hear some feedback. Today, I messed up, and surpassed sportbet's on-line limits for baseball totals (so my first question is why they can't have software that prevents you from betting more than allowed). I forgot they were a dime limit. I called them up immediately afterwards, and told them what I did (I bet an extra nickle). I said I noticed the line was still the same, would they take my full wager?

Chilly, Hello my name is Chester I am the wagering director of Sportbet.com, first thing I would like to say to you is that I do not make the rules but it is my job to enforce them. Second I have no control over what software we use here, however I do control the lines. You were told on the phone that your bet was good for a dime then immediately thereafter I had customer service send you an e-mail stating the same.
The reason that you are not given anymore is because I make a habit of enforcing the rules that are given to me and not breaking them.

The phone person said she didn't know, and asked a floor manager. He said, "no." They would cancel my wagers past the 1000 limit. I asked if they would take more over the phone, and he said, "no." I told him the line was still the same: why not? So he was nice and asked the linesman, who said, "no."

Fair enough, I suppose, but this is similar to an old thread about money versus a particular player's money. If they kept the same line, and would take wagers on the same line from anyone else, why would they not take my money?

In most any other way, I enjoy sportbet. Good phone service; dime line; great lines; overnight lines. But this makes me wonder--why is there a limit on a person but not the overall take on a game? If they are afraid of unbalanced action, why didn't they move the line in this case. I just don't get it. Since sportbet gets so many raves, I'd like someone to explain to me why I should not move my money to wsex, or goto, for example?

thanks in advance for any comments,

Chilly

[This message has been edited by Chester (edited 08-02-2000).]

[Chester]

Chilly,
Hello my name is Chester I am the wagering director of Sportbet.com, first thing I would like to say to you is that I do not make the rules but it is my job to enforce them. Second I have no control over what software we use here, however I do control the lines. You were told on the phone that your bet was good for a dime then immediately thereafter I had customer service send you an e-mail stating the same.
The reason that you are not given anymore is because I make a habit of enforcing the rules that are given to me and not breaking them.

[mls]

Chester - a "wagering director" that doesn't have the authority to go over a dime limit??

I have read some good things about you but it sounds like whoever owns sportbet.com has made you a glorified clerk ... what a waste of talent IMO.

Actually I was gong to postup for football with sportbet but honestly, with no one there that has the authority to exceed a dime limit now and then, sounds like no one is trusted to really run the shop ...

[Chester]

Originally posted by PEPOCAS:
chilly.

goto is the same way these ****ing people are clowns. it seems to me each player has his own personal limit on each game or sport.
you the player have to make sure you did not go over the limit on that particular game. i would be wrong if i bet the yanks -120 for a dime and then bet them again 5 five hours later -135 for another dime. sportbet,goto,island get your ****ing act together regarding your online software. i bet 20 games a day i don't have time to make sure i didn't go over your set limit on me. if your online software accepts my wager don't email a hour later saying the bet is cancelled because of a limit, fix your mickey mouse software.

PEPOCAS,
You are correct each player does have a limit but with me here at Sportbet you can bet me the Yanks -120 and then you can come back and bet me -121,-122 and so on and so forth to your hearts content. Question for you I do not believe that you know me sir so what gives you the right to call me a clown, if you have a problem here you can call and speak to the GM Jake, otherwise I will assume that you are a happy camper.

[sportshobby]

Chester, you have to overlook all the insults. They seem to be unavoidable in the forum.

Could you please clarify the rules with regards to multiple limit wagers? Is a second limit wager allowed, so long as the line moves in between? Is the rule the same for sides and totals?

Thanks

[GM]

MLS,

I felt the need to jump in here as Chester is a very passionate man, when it comes to his work, and I don't want him getting too worked up. Rest assured, he has complete authority to take ANY limit that he wants. He is the Wagering Director, and that means that he gets to say yay or nay to any bet. He does enforce our limits, though, as he should. Our limits are there for a reason, but if you ever feel that our limit is too low, please ask to speak to him and he will see what he can do. It is up to him and him alone.

Chilly,
I am glad that you are happy with our service and I appreciate the compliments that you gave us. If you need anything in the future, please let me or Chester know.

Reno,
My first reaction to your comment about our phone service was that of disappointment and (truthfully) anger. I mentioned before that that was one of the things that I was going to focus on and improve. I feel, in the time that I have been here, that our phone service has improved. I think that our clerks are friendly and helpful and I am sure that most would agree. If you ever experience otherwise, please ask to speak with me.

Chester mentioned, as did I, if you are ever unhappy with the service provided you by Sportbet or Island Casino, please don't hesitate to call us at 800-214-1788 or 800-511-4844 and ask to speak with me. I am here to help. Thank you for your time and best of luck to all!

Jake Slater
General Manager
Sportbet and Island Casino