Why don't book offer all lines in .5 instead of whole numbers?

[blix177]

I just realized this, book lose a lot of money per game that ends up as a tie. I mean if each game gets matched perfectly 50/50 on each side of the action, they should make a lot of juice. But considering that game ties after the spread all that juice is essentially lost.

By offering most game at a .5 they eliminate this problem, and they can always modified the odds by using modified juice like +103 on one side and -117 on the other.

[Mudcat]

I guess they must compare the bets they get with a proper line - to the bets they would lose due to the line being shaded if they were forcing a half point - and find it better business to just use the proper line even with the occasional push.

If the whole industry colluded so they all did it then it might have a chance. But books don't tend to cooperate with each other very effectively.

[blix177]

But the lines can be still effective, given the proper odds to the adjusted line. Kinda like moneyline is just adjusted point spread line adjusted juice.

[yisman]

yeah, I once started a thread about the same thing

[blix177]

The reason I notice this was because last time I was playing live betting, I could have won 200ish or 400ish regardless of the winning team. But it end up a tie after the spread.

[yisman]

http://forum.sbrforum.com/handicapper-think-tank/163004-why-dont-books-keep-everything-half-points.html

[IrishTim]

Because they would have to move the juice and would probably lose some action because people don't like laying juice more than -110 on spreads/totals.

[MonkeyF0cker]

Because they would have to move the juice and would probably lose some action because people don't like laying juice more than -110 on spreads/totals.

Not only that, but longer odds at the same spread (in cents) equals less vig for the book.

[MonkeyF0cker]

If the spread is 7.5 -110/-110 the vig is 4.55%. If the spread is 7.5 -120/+100, the vig is 4.35%.

[hhsilver]

The reason I notice this was because last time I was playing live betting, I could have won 200ish or 400ish regardless of the winning team. But it end up a tie after the spread.

that must have hurt. I had it happen like that , but for nearly as much.

I wonder why Matchbook allows for possible push in live betting and allow the chance to lose all the commission. Once the game starts , that 1/2 difference wouldn't affect volume.

[raiders72002]

Vig would have to be adjusted like MF said otherwise the pros would eat up the books.

[jgray]

If the spread is 7.5 -110/-110 the vig is 4.55%. If the spread is 7.5 -120/+100, the vig is 4.35%.

Help me understand this because I'm not sure I follow. Is it a product of fact that one of the sides in the -120/100 breakdown makes nothing for the book on the win?

[MonkeyF0cker]

No, jgray. It's simply a matter of percentages in the numbers. 10 cents from $2.00 is not the same as 10 cents from $1.00 on a percentage basis. If the book is trying to offer unbiased lines, they have a smaller margin of error (or bias) when they move numbers and also lower profits if they do get it right.

[MonkeyF0cker]

In other words, it would essentially lower the theoretical hold for the book.

[blix177]

Well my Cav game ended up a tie again; if only it was .5 off ...