10 Ways to Stick out in a Sportsbook
We’ve all seen them before; gamblers accustomed to betting their games online that aren’t quite ready for the bright lights of the sportsbook. That’s more than ok, it’s a learning experience for every novice their first time and the only way to become a seasoned betting veteran is with experience. Ask questions of the patrons around you, observe others behavior, and think before you make a final decision. However, there are some sure fire behaviors to avoid if you simply want to blend into the crowd instead of making yourself look like a jackass. That’s what I’m here for, to offer that sage advice.
(Have your own ideas for behaviors people should avoid in the book? Send them here and we’ll update the list)
- Cheering at non critical junctures like the game depends on it. Let’s not kid ourselves, every basket in the 1st quarter of a NBA game nor hit in the first inning of a baseball game warrants excessive jubilation. Enjoy a cocktail, save the excitement for when it matters most.
- Acting exasperated when expecting the ticket writer to know exactly what you mean when you ask ridiculous questions. This will get you dirty looks every time from the lifetime sportsbook employee. Try to have 1 or 2 short concise questions the staff can help you with in a timely manner, not a laundry list of requests. Just a quick word of advice: asking about “if” bets, reverses, or the infamous 1 team teaser will only draw the ire from seasoned staffers
- Treating the cocktail waitress like she’s your personal butler. The women that call cocktailing a career are there to serve your drinks, not clean up your personal space. Make sure you tip them well for each round (even if you have free drink coupons) or you’ll wonder why they aren’t running to your section every 15 minutes to make sure your glass is always filled.
- Claiming you’re a Vegas expert. Yes, we all know the type who came to Sin City for 6 hours on a business trip yet they “know” every night club manager, restaurant owner, and hotel operator. Vegas has a small inner circle for those that work in the industry so dropping names or making up stories as an outsider will make you look like a moron much faster than a celebrity if you swing and miss.
- Walking around the sportsbook without a shirt on. I don’t care if its the middle of the summer and 117 outside, the book is air conditioned and you can act like a grown-up by wearing sleeves. You can be a meathead everywhere else in your life but acting like an adult by wearing a shirt when inside won’t destroy your “brah” reputation.
- Assuming the book is just like your living room and every game you bet on will be exactly where you’d like it to be positioned. Boys, this isn’t your house so understand the sportsbook is going to make executive decisions and showcase the day’s biggest games. I know you and your buddies from SMU are here from Dallas for a bachelor party but the Mustangs clash with UTSA is not getting a big screen with sound, zip it.
- Making a scene because you bet the wrong horse, wrong game, or wrong total because you didn’t check your ticket before leaving the window. It’s not that hard gents, look at your betting slip before returning to your seat. Believing the writer got it right and then having a nervous breakdown after the game is over because you have the wrong team listed is no one’s fault but your own.
- Showing no understanding for the betting index number by each team. Unfortunately sportsbook staffers can’t remember every team in every game being played on a busy sports day. Remember the 3 or 4 digit code listed next to each team and the entire process of placing your bets will go much smoother.
- Attempting to parlay the first half of a game with the full game. It’s not as if they’re correlated or anything like that, clearly books should be fine with you betting the Cowboys -4 in the 1st half and -7 for the game in a 2 team parlay (sarcasm). I worry about the reader who doesn’t understand why sportsbooks won’t allow this kind of bet and their long term potential for generating a profit from betting sports.
And for the #1 way to stick out in the sportsbook….
Forcing your beautiful girlfriend to sit in the book with you for 12 hours. Betting sports is a predominantly male activity and it goes without saying not every bettor shows the epitome of class towards our fellow coeds unfortunately. We want the book to be an environment where we all should feel comfortable bringing our wives, girlfriends, and daughters but until the culture in each environment changes, expect to stick out like a sore thumb if your girl walks in wearing heels and a sequin dress.
