How much per bet is considered recreational versus professional ?

**Hareeba!** · 12-30-10, 02:49 PM

Originally posted by BetterBizness

What if a guy is the sharpest $10/Unit better out there and takes his $1000 and turns it into $2,000 by season end... Is he considered Pro?

As previously stated, it is not so much the amounts bet but the style of betting which they use to identify sharp/pro-style action, so this guy would certainly be in their sights

**Dark Horse** · 12-30-10, 02:58 PM

I'm assuming that the original question relates to a book's perspective. Books are the ones asking such questions. And it really doesn't matter how good a player is, if he doesn't represent a tangible financial downside, he's recreational. Why would a book care about a $10 bettor?

**RollPlayer** · 12-30-10, 03:07 PM

I think pro is more a percentage of total income made from betting. If Bill Gates or Mark Cuban want to throw down $4,000 bets everyday they still wouldn't be considered pro bettors

**Hareeba!** · 12-30-10, 03:21 PM

Originally posted by Dark Horse

I'm assuming that the original question relates to a book's perspective. Books are the ones asking such questions. And it really doesn't matter how good a player is, if he doesn't represent a tangible financial downside, he's recreational. Why would a book care about a $10 bettor?

some may be different but I think most evaluate customers on their likelihood of them being a profitable account in the long term ... they don't really want customers who aren't going to be profitable for them

however as the normal response is to limit them to low stakes, there isn't much scope for upsetting the $10 punter, although as we've seen from recent posts they've limited as low as $1 and there are some shops which actually have a history of booting players

**Dark Horse** · 12-30-10, 03:39 PM

If it was me (as book), I would have a program tracking everybody's action points. I would copy the plays of the best players, who would be welcome, regardless of how much they won, as long as I could bet more (than they bet) on their plays at another shop. They only thing that could prevent me from doing so is if they consistently got the better line. So that would be my main concern.

**Hareeba!** · 12-30-10, 03:49 PM

Originally posted by Dark Horse

They only thing that could prevent me from doing so is if they consistently got the better line. So that would be my main concern.

precisely!
and that is the key element in them fingering players for lower limits / booting
whatever you want to call them, steam chasers, arbers, syndicate players or sharps they are the bane of bookies' lives

**nosniboR11** · 12-30-10, 06:20 PM

a pro should never have a set amount to play on any game, should switch depending on situation

**Hareeba!** · 12-30-10, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by nosniboR11

a pro should never have a set amount to play on any game, should switch depending on situation

most would do that but there are many and varied means for pros to earn their living so you can't say someone betting fixed stakes can't be a pro

however, surely this thread is not so much about whether players are legitimately professional but rather how the books perceive and label them?

only a minority of players labelled pros and limited by books would be earning their living at the game

**JohnnyC** · 12-30-10, 08:13 PM

If you bet less than 10 dimes per play you are a busto fuk in my book.

**Hareeba!** · 12-30-10, 08:16 PM

Originally posted by JohnnyC

If you bet less than 10 dimes per play you are a busto fuk in my book.

okay, I guess I must be one of those then, whatever it means

**solring** · 12-30-10, 10:13 PM

Originally posted by Dark Horse

A large section of pros are not gamblers but scalpers.

...and what percentage would you think that is?

**Legions36** · 12-30-10, 10:15 PM

Honestly who the hell cares what the actual amount is for pro or not, damn some of the questions on here are so stupid. Its either your making money or your not

**increasedodds** · 12-31-10, 10:21 AM

A book may classify you as non-recreational if:

You routinely bet steam
You routinely make bets that close at a worse number
You routinely bet +EV NFL teasers
You routinely beat them on props

Most books will leave you alone if you are not betting $500+ (Not worth their effort)
I'd be really surprised if any watch bettors under $100.

**Pew Pew** · 01-01-11, 02:40 AM

Okay IMO you know you're a pro if multiple books lower your limits

DDD

**Automat** · 01-01-11, 04:37 AM

well
i think if i forms a subtential part of ur income then u can be considered a pro..i suppose...

**Hareeba!** · 01-01-11, 04:44 AM

Originally posted by Automat

well
i think if i forms a subtential part of ur income then u can be considered a pro..i suppose...

my understanding of the point of this thread is what leads a sportsbook to treat a player as a pro (or as not being a recreational player) rather than how much income the guy makes and from where ... the sportsbook would rarely have any idea about that and is irrelevant to their process

**Automat** · 01-01-11, 04:49 AM

Originally posted by Hareeba!

my understanding of the point of this thread is what leads a sportsbook to treat a player as a pro (or as not being a recreational player) rather than how much income the guy makes and from where ... the sportsbook would rarely have any idea about that and is irrelevant to their process

lol..ok mine bad for misintepreting the topic

**maxvalue1** · 01-01-11, 05:33 AM

true pro...is when you hire runners/other bettors to get down plays for you...becuse you need more volume and most books wont accept your play..and of course you are consistintly making a profit

**Monte** · 01-01-11, 06:11 AM

ffs why are good people like dark horse posting in these threads?
Just let the trash die, the question is so stupid it should be obvious they are not seriously looking for answers...
also why is this in the industry forum?

**mikeanite** · 01-22-11, 05:01 PM

i am looking for answers... not a stupid thread at all. you read these so you don't make mistakes and get kick out for winning. another question, if you like to bet big, where do you go? is vegas my only option?

**YorkHunt** · 01-22-11, 05:43 PM

Mike I'll take your action.

**mikeanite** · 01-23-11, 12:58 PM

Originally posted by YorkHunt

Mike I'll take your action.

YorkHunt, you'll take the action but you won't pay the payout? lol

**jwbjwbjwb12** · 01-23-11, 04:18 PM

not about how much you bet but how much u are able to make over the course of a year. more about +units

**YorkHunt** · 01-23-11, 05:09 PM

I beg to differ mike. Get my email from a mod or message me.

**hubie69** · 01-24-11, 01:35 PM

He's not asking what defines a Pro, he's asking what the difference is between the ratings and what constitutes a book to be labeled for a "Professional" level. Clearly the difference between a Recreational player and a Pro Player is subjective, but thats irrelevant as it's not what he's asking. He's asking about the difference in the book ratings.