do books have to honor their lines or not

[steve42]

I was looking at Olympics (great book) proposition bets on today baseball game when 1 stuck out big time. Kerry Woods runs allowed over under 6-. I figure it was probally a mistake but I put a small wager on it at under 6- -120. About a hour before the game I went back in and check the number again and now it was 6- un -160. So that means they did check the number they had posted. Woods dogged it today and was pulled in the second and end up giving up 3 runs. Olympic did cancel the bet half way thru the game. This weren't change my mind about Olympic as a great book, but I was wondering if I have a beef or not. Probally not. Thanks.

[bbuster]

No the books dont have to honor a line that is an obvious error. So now the question is define obvious. It often has a different meaning depending on who you ask. In general if you know a line is an error and you bet it then you are opening a window of opportunity for the book to treat you in an shoddy manner as that is often how they feel about the people that bet the wrong line. In your specific manner it should have been obvious that the number was an error. With the game total 7 1/2, 8 there is no way one teams starting pitcher can have a run total of 6. Should have been 3 or so.
Theoretically when betting these obvious errors you are giving the book an opportunity to cancel the bet if it wins and let the bet stand if it loses. In either case you have no beef. IMO it creates more of a hassle worrying if your getting freerolled than the edge your getting on the play, the the right thing to do is call them and let them know, or if you want play it and then call them immediately and say I played such and such it seems a little off can you check it. Also offer them the option of cancelling the bet.

[Texas]

Let me speak from experience. I bet a line that was obviously wrong (Texas +46.5 v. ULL). I guess that makes me a low life (learn something everyday). I did try to call my book for about 2 hours with no luck. To make a long story short they cancelled the bet and refunded my $$.

My personal opinion is that they should honor every line they post. I have made mistakes betting and tried to change them prior to the game with no luck. And took it in the gut as a result. They made me honor my mistake!

Anyway, just roll with the punches we are operating in a shaddy busy anyway.

Double up to catch up!!

[This message has been edited by Texas (edited 09-22-2000).]

[SonnyBoy]

House Rules. Advantage House.

[thegreek]

I know the fault lies with me for hanging up the wrong line.But it is very difficult not to make a mistake now and then. Should I close the account of anyone betting into an obviously wrong line?


Spiro

[bucky]

Two wrongs don't make a right. It is an opportunity to educate the player. Communicate with the player and explain your side of it. BBuster has given very good advice. If the player is not sure - ask him to call first to verify the line.

This only happens once to a player. What player would want to take a chance on something like this a second time? If you talk to your player about it I'll bet you have a good customer for a long time.

[Jeff]

Best thing to do is play the game for no more than you're average wager at the book, and then notify the book of the mistake. More times than not, the book will let you keep the wager as a thank you for notifying them.

[steve42]

I guess I made a mistake putting action on this bet. To be honest I thought it was a mistake but was not really sure. There has been other times where I have seen a line that did not make sense to me, but after the game was over and I lost, it did make sense. Heck the way Woods was pitching I started to figure they did know something I didn't.Thanks Spiro for responding. My mistake and I agree with bbuster on his advice.