Why do they keep moving the price instead of the line?!!

[Capybara]

I always thought books/bookies wanted even betting on both sides, hence the line movement.... but I've noticed how a lot of times my site (SIA) leaves the line untouched but keeps f**king with the price -- this pisses me off!

Like for instance, NFL futures... Jets Over 7 wins is 1.57, Under 7 is 2.25. I'd love to take an over here if they'd just move the f**ker up to 7.5 or 8 and lower the price -- WHAT GIVES??!

[Mudcat]

You answered your own question. They want even betting on both sides. They must have more money on the OVER side - a bunch of bettors probably over-reacted to the Favre thing - and so now they're offering a good return on the UNDER hoping to attract a few bets and even things out some.

They also have the option of moving the numeral as you suggest. That might better balance the dollar action but it would leave them in a position of maybe having a bunch of pushes that would have been wins (for the book).

The linesmakers have to weigh all these possibilities and make their best decision for their book. While you are upset that you're not getting the OVER bet you want, someone else might really like the return on that UNDER 7, and they prefer it over an UNDER 7.5 or 8 line that would have less return.

Gamblers make decisions and linesmakers make decisions.

[jjgold]

Mudder if that was the case why was it not done for 100 years of booking?? They moved the spread instead and never touched the money line end of it. In a way it is price gouging and books have a formula that it works in their favor.