Mentally prepared? Yes,100%!
Treat him like an enemy? Perhaps. Depends on your definaition of enemy I suppose? Dictionary.com uses the word 'hate' in regards to having an enemy. By that logic, I'd say 'no' don't see your bookie as your enemy because it involves the very strong emotion of 'hate' and emotions cloud judgement. I also think you're a fool to think your BM is your friend though. Again, friendship is an emotion and emotions will cloud your judgement. A professional business relationship is the only way to go.
Should you lie to your bookie? Presuming your bookie is legit, 'No' you shouldn't lie to them. Coming from the other side of the counter I can tell you that generally the pros are straightforward because, well they're pros and they know you are too. Conversely and again, I'm speaking in generalities it's the wanna-be pros who don't have the real skills to hack it who have to resort to lying and taking shots.
Rape? That's a heavy-duty word. You're equating Spiro, Henry, Mickey et al to rapists? Really? That seems a little over-the-top to me.
You choose to search out a sportsbook, you choose to post up your money, you choose whether or not to bet the line given, you choose the amount, you choose the method to get paid when you win and yet they are raping you because of your choices? Or raping your wife? Sheesh.
I still maintain that it is necessary to have the MINDSET that the bookmaker is NOT your FRIEND and he wants to RAPE you of your money...
Mason is a Bookmaker and he is entitled to his opinion...
I disagree with it...
THE SHRINK
TRUE OR FALSE?
IN ORDER TO HAVE ANY CHANCE AT BEATING A BOOKMAKER, YOU MUST BE MENTALLY PREPARED. HE IS THE ENEMY. YOU MUST TREAT HIM LIKE AN ENEMY AND NOT A FRIEND. IF YOU MUST LIE TO HIM, THEN DO SO...
To say the bookie is an enemy is as foolish as saying your local grocery store your enemy. They provide you a way to get food and in turn they rely on you to stay in business. Neither can survive without the other.
I think that you are correct about most books, but I know a few books
that will do anything to get the best of you. Some books are like
Sharon Stones character in the movie Casino. Very greedy and evil.
How ridiculous many of these posts are. The books are merely outlets, very few want to rape you. Smart books operate with the mindset that they are truly earning their money on a percentage of handle. Someone will win and someone will lose. He shouldn't worry who does what. A few of course do get greedy and think if they kick out winners they will get more money, but it doesn't really work that way. Smart bookies know sharper players help balance out the book. However as fewer weak bettors remain this will become a bigger problem and we shall see how it shakes out. But smart bettors and smart books realize they often are partners. Books need players to drive volume and players need books to give them outlets. To employ enemy thinking is foolish and short sighted. No you don't need to be friends or buddies, but the real enemy of a bettor comes from other anonymous bettors. They are the ones who are keeping you from getting a better number, not the books.
To say the bookie is an enemy is as foolish as saying your local grocery store your enemy. They provide you a way to get food and in turn they rely on you to stay in business. Neither can survive without the other.
With all due respect, Billy Walters taught me to think this way and he is the most succesful sports bettor this industry has ever seen...
Sorry, but to employ enemy thinking is a prerequisite in order to be succesful at sports betting according to BW...
At first I didnt get it and I thought as you do...
It took some time to sink in but once it did, I haven't had a losing year...
Anyone who is trying to rape me of my money is not my Friend...
I agree with this reply...91023i2ndw;l
Interesting question........
You are correct about the enemy part......
Would love to see an example of what kind of lie you would
be telling to a book. I could see if you were "ghosting" "bearding"
placing bets for someone else but otherwise......
Lying is just cheating with words instead of money right?
I am reminded of a story where a guy placed a substantial bet on an NBA Total. I believe he bet the Over, only to have the Bookie call him back and say his line was wrong by 1 point (a single point on an NBA total!!!). The bettor had every right to keep his bet at the original line but relented for the whining Bookie and took the worse line. "Sure enuff", he ended up losing by 1/2 point instead of winning by the same. So yes, the Bookie is your enemy. By all means be civil to him, but don't be a "nice guy" and end up screwing yourself.
PS As far as lying to your Book...why not? In this case I would have said I had the same line elsewhere...the bet stands. Excuse the double post; I didn't mean to quote myself.
TRUE OR FALSE?
IN ORDER TO HAVE ANY CHANCE AT BEATING A BOOKMAKER, YOU MUST BE MENTALLY PREPARED. HE IS THE ENEMY. YOU MUST TREAT HIM LIKE AN ENEMY AND NOT A FRIEND. IF YOU MUST LIE TO HIM, THEN DO SO...