Expert: Al Pepper - 10/21/2009

Question
I bet a game and the bookie gave me three points. All my life it ment to me that the other team had to win by 4 pt+ to win the bet. Now my bookie says since the other team only won by 3 it is a push and no  one gets paid. I feel that this is wrong. You give me 3 pts you have to win by 3.4pts or greater. AM I wrong? If so tell me why? Tank you and look forward to your response.

Respectfully,
Gunnar

Answer
Hi Gunnar: By the rules of sports book betting, the bookie is telling the truth.  The game is a tie or push and all money is returned.  The way to think of it is that if you are taking the underdog, you are getting the points and your team is ahead 3-0 before the games starts.  So if the favorite wins by, let's say 13-10, from the betting standpoint, the score is a 13-13 tie.  

That's the rules.  Believe me, the bookie does not care for this outcome, because he is going to lose money on all the overhead costs it takes to return everyone's bets.  

In the future, to avoid this outcome, most bookies would have assigned a point spread of 2.5 or 3.5, instead of 3, to avoid the possibility of a tie.  Some bookies will try to be slick and say that ties lose.  I'd avoid those guys at all costs.

At least you didn't lose the bet.

Regards/AP