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heath - the argument you make is one my boss and I have all the time. I tend to be more of a reactionary bookmaker....reacting to what I see on the screen as opposed to what is being wagered at our casino. My boss takes your viewpoint; let the bets come in, increase our handle, and take our chances. The problem I have with that mentality is the people upstairs don't understand that books are going to have losing days. An example of my thinking. College football season, LVSC opens
up Marshall -10 over Ohio U. As the week goes by, the game is bet to -12. Now, if I know our casino will have some "wiseguys" coming in for the weekend, should I leave the game at -10 or move off "air?" The reason why I would move off of "air" is the matchup of the teams involved. I believe that LVSC does not make strong lines with lesser board teams. Also, the liklihood of any "square action" on this game is remote. So, I have the option of taking limit bets from wiseguys on a game we have little hope of getting any buy-back on. Or, my other option is to head off the bets by moving the game to -11(thereby taking one limit wager instead of 2), or moving the game to -12 and taking no action on the game. Let me tell you...if I let the bets come in on -10 and Marshall wins by 30; I have to answer for the loss. However, if the bets come in, Marshall wins by 3..I get no extra credit for taking the bets. In this business, it doesn't pay to try and be a hero.
Each casino is different in their approach on how to make/move numbers. I'd be much more apt to leave a number alone if we had internet or phone wagering here at our casino. But, the smaller of a handle you have, the more careful you have to be.
up Marshall -10 over Ohio U. As the week goes by, the game is bet to -12. Now, if I know our casino will have some "wiseguys" coming in for the weekend, should I leave the game at -10 or move off "air?" The reason why I would move off of "air" is the matchup of the teams involved. I believe that LVSC does not make strong lines with lesser board teams. Also, the liklihood of any "square action" on this game is remote. So, I have the option of taking limit bets from wiseguys on a game we have little hope of getting any buy-back on. Or, my other option is to head off the bets by moving the game to -11(thereby taking one limit wager instead of 2), or moving the game to -12 and taking no action on the game. Let me tell you...if I let the bets come in on -10 and Marshall wins by 30; I have to answer for the loss. However, if the bets come in, Marshall wins by 3..I get no extra credit for taking the bets. In this business, it doesn't pay to try and be a hero.
Each casino is different in their approach on how to make/move numbers. I'd be much more apt to leave a number alone if we had internet or phone wagering here at our casino. But, the smaller of a handle you have, the more careful you have to be.
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