Sportbet/Island - Standard Operating Procedure?

[sportshobby]

Is it standard operating procedure at Sportbet and IslandCasino to put the player on hold every time a player calls to as a line on a game? I suppose the clerk is going to ask the linesmaker what is the line. But surely the clerk can see what the line is from his/her screen. I'm curious if this is the procedure for everyone, or if I'm being singled out for some reason?

What's even more frustrating is that when the clerk returns, I'm being given a different line than is posted either on IX or on their website.

When I ask for the line, I already know what it is (or what is posted). I've seen the line, I'm ready to make a play, trying to formalize a "quote". When a new line is given, it just wastes my time and the book's time because I'll pass.

[GM]

Sportshobby,

I assure you that you are not being singled out. However, the clerk does have to notify the linesman, and the other clerks in the room, who they have on the phone.

As for your frustration, if you are given a different line than what is posted on the IX or the live lines, you must remember that these were live when you logged on, however our linesmen do move on our action.

If you, or anyone else, has any further questions and/or comments, please don't hesitate to call us at 800-214-1788 or 800-511-4844. We have spoken before and I welcome the opportunity to do so again.

Jake Slater
General Manager
Sportbet and Island Casino


[This message has been edited by GM (edited 10-09-2000).]

[ShiftySheik]

When you see a good line you can:
a) bet it online for 500-1000.
b) call to get down more at the risk of not getting the number.

Sometimes it's a tough call...it depends how much the line differs from the consensus.

[Jeff]

That's a key difference between the premium service and Island Xpress.

It's important to remember the IX has a 2 minute delay, whereas the premium screen books are required to honor the number on the screen.

From what I understand with the Island/sportbet software online, it takes a minute for the change to take effect on the website.......

[Sergius]

When I played at Island, I was put on hold when I called as well. But I almost always got the number listed on the Island website.

[tim]

What are the current limits for basketball and hockey on the ISLAND & SPORTBET INTERNET only??

[reno]

Shify Sheik, World Wide Wagering is also like Island Casino and Sportbet. You can punch the sure bet in online for a nickel, but if you call and ask for 2 dimes (the limit), many times you get a different number, and if you then try to punch the play in for a nickel, the "original" number is always gone.

Places like Island, Sportbet, and World Wide will never be topnotch books as long as this type situation exists.

[GM]

Tim,

Thank you for your question. We are currently offering limits of 5k and 2k on Basketball, 3k and 1k on halftimes. The limit on the overnight lines will be a nickel on the side only. Hockey totals will be a 1k on the side and a nickel on the total.

Of course, if you wish to bet more, just contact us and Chester will see what we can do. Again, if anybody has questions or comments and would like to talk to me, please feel free to call. Thank you and best of luck this week!

Jake

[tim]

Jake, I'm confused. You're taking 5000 side/3000 total on NBA & College hoops on the INTERNET?? Also, what are the regular NHL side/total limits on the NET??

[sportshobby]

It is good to hear from the other players that I'm not being singled out in this practice, yet it is nonetheless frustrating. I haven't been able to get a bet in either place for a few weeks now. I know the line will sometimes move before I get to it; but after trying unsuccessfully over and over, it seems futile.

Jeff, there are times when the line shows what I'm after, before and after my attempt for several minutes. So either the screens are really off, or I'm being quoted a "special" line.

Shifty, if the website would allow me to log in and stay logged in until I need it, I'd try your strategy. But to log into the website each time I want to try and place a nickel wager is just too much trouble.

Jake, sorry to air my problem out in public. But this is one of those cases in which I need to compare to others' experiences there to figure out what to do in my own case.

[GM]

Tim,

Sorry about that. In my haste to post a response for you, I failed to answer your question to the fullest. Our limits on basketball (college and pro)over the Internet are 1k on the sides and totals. Same applies for half-time lines. Overnight lines have the limits that I posted previously. Thanks for allowing me to clear that up for everyone. Best of luck this week!

Sportshobby,

Please don't feel the need to apologize. I understand where you are coming from. You simply wanted some feedback from your peers. I always encourage our clients to post their grievances, as most of the time, the players are just as good, if not better, at explaining how situations should be handled. I wish you the best of luck!

Jake


[This message has been edited by GM (edited 10-10-2000).]

[Damage INC]

Jake,

Have a question about your online baseball
limits. On your site under the limits section, your limits for baseball read
3000 on sides and 1000 on totals. At the bottom of the limit chart, it says "For Internet wagering, the maximum wager per ticket is $500 on straight bets and $250 on parlays and teasers, but multiple tickets may be placed to reach the limits listed above." Did your baseball limits change
of late? Before I could bet to win a dime
on a fav or wager a dime on the dog with no
problems. The last few days when trying to place a dime on the dog, I get the message "You have reached the maximium wager for this selection
You already have $x,xxx.xx wagered on this selection. Maximium wager is $1,100.00.
It's sort of a pain to figure out what the
true max limit online is. For example, I wanted to bet a dime on Seattle today, the
max I could bet was 758 and change.....