Gambling ethics/incorrect lines

[saint]

Question: How would you handle this situation? This is a true scenario-

I use a local bookie. He used to take bets via phone. Now he farms it out to a 3rd party offsite internet book. I log in, place bets, etc. We settle in person.

For tonights 1st half lines for the ULL/Ark St, the line is listed as the following (correct):

ULL -2.5 1H
Ark St + 2.5 1H

However, I went to play the actual line, and when inputting bets, the confirmation lists the following lines:

ULL + 2.5 1H
Ark St + 7.5 1H

This basically presents an 10 point middle (Both bets win if ULL is up anywhere from 0-7, and Ark St is up anywhere from 0-2). The 'risk' is losing the vig basically.

Two roads to take:

1. Call the bookie and tell him, maybe ask or hope he throws out a credit or free play

2. Say fawk him, he's a bookie, if he farms out his lines and the third party screws up then it's on him.


Which road do you take?

 

[BuckwheatJWN]

I have always told on bad typo lines. On just bad lines, never. To me it's like changing the tags on merchandise in stores (pre-barcodes. LOL)

 

[airportis]

why risk playing a faulty line when he could catch it and just no action your bet because the line was an error?

I dont really get the "f the man", "hes a bookie f him" mentality

these guys/sites offer you an outlet to bet on something that is not legally acceptable in most states....they arent forcing you or holding a gun to your head to make bets, you do this willingly so why the attitude of "f them"?

 

[saint]

I have always told on bad typo lines. On just bad lines, never. To me it's like changing the tags on merchandise in stores (pre-barcodes. LOL)

Not disagreeing. So which of those would you qualify this as ?

 

[saint]

Airportis I never said that was what I thought. I said that could be one line of thinking.

One could make the point that's he's responsible for what lines are put out.

I was curious to read the responses. An ethical question pertaining to what many consider an unethical hobby. The downside is that some who may play it may not admit it here.

 

[Scrapiron]

I have called in to let my local know on this type of thing more than once. Each time he said he wouldn't have honored the bet anyway in an obvious faulty line.

 

[airportis]

I am sure there are quite a few who would play it. Mainly those who would also keep overpaid prize money in a contest that you tied.

You could argue he is responsible for the lines but dont online books always have the discretion to cancel any bets where there is an obvious line error? Isnt it in the T's&C's for most books?

 

[Jord20]

Airportis I never said that was what I thought. I said that could be one line of thinking.

One could make the point that's he's responsible for what lines are put out.

I was curious to read the responses. An ethical question pertaining to what many consider an unethical hobby. The downside is that some who may play it may not admit it here.

Why is it an unethical hobby? Or why would one think it is?

 

[bert07]

same situation book wise
my book cancels mistake line plays. Seen it happen a couple times
no action is the result

 

[saint]

I am in agreement with you guys. The interesting aspect to me is that when u play online with big books they stand to profit or lose. With these 3rd party books though they aren't paying the bettors the local is. They get their cut regardless so their motivation to track this isn't great. Actually if they are getting paid a % of wagers placed like vig then it actually makes them more $$.

 

[MadJack]

You know it's wrong or you wouldn't have asked. Simple as that.

It's really no different than; if you cash a check for $20 at the bank and they give you $100, would you tell them or keep it?

If the books are crooks, they will take your bet, and if you lose, take the money and if you win, call 'bad line'. No pay.

You can't win.

One book intentionally did that to Beantownjim many moons ago and basically told him to fuck off.

That thread is here somewhere in general.

 

[saint]

You know it's wrong or you wouldn't have asked. Simple as that.

One book intentionally did that to Beantownjim many moons ago and basically told him to fuck off.

That thread is here somewhere in general.

I agree.

And that's amazing that it was done to BTJ of all people. :mj07: :mj07:

 

[autt_4]

Winners never cheat and cheaters never win!

It's all about character and the guys on this site have class! Good work dude!

 

[wareagle]

You know it's wrong or you wouldn't have asked. Simple as that.

It's really no different than; if you cash a check for $20 at the bank and they give you $100, would you tell them or keep it?

If the books are crooks, they will take your bet, and if you lose, take the money and if you win, call 'bad line'. No pay.

You can't win.

One book intentionally did that to Beantownjim many moons ago and basically told him to fuck off.

That thread is here somewhere in general.

Wow, I've never seen you post that. So in fact btj got jobbed?

I love him that much more. Get him posting again.:0074

 

[Mr. Poon]

Wow, I've never seen you post that. So in fact btj got jobbed?

I love him that much more. Get him posting again.:0074

I did a quick look for it. BTJ had way too many threads/problems with books.

 

[Skipper]

Never worth it. To me, at least, it is stealing. My "local" has always worked with me on lines, giving me early lines, etc.

I would think if you call him out on it, you get rewarded in some way.

 

[BuckwheatJWN]

Not disagreeing. So which of those would you qualify this as ?

Sorry I didn't get back to you. I'd classify it as a typo. Agree with Airportis. Majority of times these mistakes are caught at some time and someone will look at you as a person who can't be trusted. I know guys who thinks when a "local" doesn't give the same line as in the USA TODAY they are being cheated. LOL

 

[saint]

I did a quick look for it. BTJ had way too many threads/problems with books.

:0008 :0008

http://madjacksports.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95934&highlight=cascade

 

[gjn23]

Never worth it. To me, at least, it is stealing. My "local" has always worked with me on lines, giving me early lines, etc.

I would think if you call him out on it, you get rewarded in some way.

funny because my local is a douchebag and moves lines against you all the time becasue he knows what you're going to bet

example:

2 teams parlay
bears -7 at 10am + raiders -7 at 1pm

bears lose

get the afternoon line

raiders -8

happened all the time.

 

[BuckwheatJWN]

funny because my local is a douchebag and moves lines against you all the time becasue he knows what you're going to bet

example:

2 teams parlay
bears -7 at 10am + raiders -7 at 1pm

bears lose

get the afternoon line

raiders -8

happened all the time.

Maybe you ought to place "if lose" bets. At least he'd get the message you think he's "cheating" you. :shrug: