The Super Bowl is over; the game went under. The media covered the game; the Eagles covered the game. Isn't football great?
Even the Pop Warner Super Bowl got some ink. The White Oak Warriors (MD) edged out the Dale City Cowboys (VA), 20-16, and the mighty Warriors had only given up 14 points going into the Super Bowl.
Unfortunately, the game was off the board.
If you didn't understand the previous line, you might not enjoy (or understand) the rest of this column.
If you did, well, then play on (pun intended).
The old adage says, "It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game." But didn't Vince Lombardi say, "Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing?"
A wise man once said, "It's not how you play the game, it's who you play the game with." Okay, so maybe nobody said that. And actually, when you think about it, in gambling it only matters if you win or lose. To that end, some would argue that gambling is only a problem when you are on the losing end. Otherwise, it's just an addiction.
If you gamble — whether it is once a year on the Super Bowl (NFL, not Pop Warner) or 300-plus days a year — then you probably have a preferred medium for placing your bets.
There are three common ways to place a bet: go to Las Vegas and literally "go to the window;" go online; or call a bookie. For the sake of comparison, we'll assume Vegas is not a readily available option for most people.
If you're like most people, then you place your bet and watch the game at home or at a sports bar.
So who to play with?
Any bookmaker will tell you that online gambling has dramatically hurt their business. But they're still around. No credit cards, all cash. No web site, only phone calls.
And then there is Internet gambling. Spreading like Paris Hilton on a Saturday night, it's quick, easy, and state-of-the-art. No busy signals. Just pay, point, click, and bet.
While it might not be considered an age-old question, the issue of online gambling vs. the good old-fashioned bar bookie has stirred much debate.
While one might think at first glance that there is no good reason not to bet online, when you look closely, you'll see that betting online is no lock.
Issue: Reliability/Accessibility
Online: Internet gambling sites are a dime a dozen. Some are accredited and licensed, some are not. Most of the sites make it easy to confirm your bet once you make it. I've never heard of anyone not getting paid in full from an online book, but there is always that chance that the next time you call you'll be greeted on the other end by the following message: "The number you have reached is not available. In fact, it is floating somewhere near Antigua." Also, with the Internet, come technical difficulties.
Bookie: It's not uncommon to get a busy signal when calling "your man." And what about when your guy has the nerve to think he's entitled to spend time with his wife, play with his kids, or have a life on Sunday at 12:55 PM ET? Although we all agree that's unacceptable, it happens. In fact, one bettor switched to the Internet for that sole reason — his guy was not available on one day of an NFL playoff game. I should also mention that a bookie might cut you some slack if you call right at kickoff (or tip-off, or face-off, or first serve, or post time — you get the point) or a second or two after, while that is not an option with online sites.
Line: Online -5
Issue: Paying Out
Online: Since you put your money up in advance, there's no flexibility here. The blow of losing is softened a bit when you gamble online because the money is already gone and you don't need to worry about meeting some guy at a bar in the middle of the day, or about him calling your cell phone when you are trying to watch "Desperate Housewives."
Bookie: Most bookies will set a figure that if the player reaches — plus or minus — it is time to "settle up." So if you are down only half of that figure at week's end, you probably will not need to pay out immediately and can have a chance to win your money back. This can be good or bad, however most players, when given the option, will carry their debt over to the next week.
But when it's time to pay up, it's time to pay up. And don't worry about not "leaving home without it," as your guy does not take American Express, Visa, or any other credit card. For obvious reasons, they are not into paper trails. It's a cash business. But it's important to note that in most cases (not all, and it mostly depends on the amount of debt), these guys will not go Tony Soprano on you if you don't have their money. The 21st century bookie is not named Rocco, Vinnie, or Big Al, but rather it's lawyer Larry who lives next door, banker Bill who coaches soccer, or even friend-of-the-family Fred who coaches (and probably takes bets on) little Jimmy's youth basketball game.
Line: Bookie -3.5
Issue: Getting Paid
Online: Internet books will mail you the money, wire it or sometimes put it back on your credit card. There are fees associated with these transactions, and some would argue it's not right to pay anything on top of the 10% juice you already pay (on losses). Also, if you are mailed the money and you bet regularly, there's a decent chance you'll have to mail it right back by the time it arrives. In short, no actual cash is transacted, which means no opportunity to collect money from a nameless guy with a bad limp and terrible hair, an experience that is strange, scary, and kind of fun.
Bookie: All cash, all the time. It is rare that a bookie will "be short" and not be able to pay out in full, so that's not really an issue. The predetermined settle up figure allows you to play strategically (if you're close to that number on the downside and don't want to payout — or can't payout — you can curtail your betting). Obviously, this can work for or against a bettor. But, as mentioned above, it can be exhilarating to meet your guy (or the guy that collects/pays out for him) for the first time, especially when you discover you went to Hebrew school with his son.
Line: Bookie -1
Issue: Legality
Online: Different states have different laws, but it's safe to say you probably won't get arrested for placing a Super Bowl bet over the internet. But credit card companies are making it more and more difficult (read: high fees, hassle) for a user to put money into an online gambling account.
Bookie: As long as you are placing the bets and not taking them, you should be fine. But there is always risk that your man will get pinched, in which case you simply find another one. There is always someone willing to take your action.
Line: Online -2
Issue: Coolness Factor
Online: Nothing too glamorous about placing bets over a computer. It does, however, allow you to be more discrete and secretive. It is efficient and organized. You avoid reaching into your pocket for a crumpled piece of paper with numbers and dollar signs scribbled every which way.
Bookie: Let's be honest, it's somewhat cool, not to mention empowering, to creep into a corner, light a cigarette, pop open your tiny cell phone that has a bill that may or may not be paid in full this month, depending on what happens in the next three hours, and say, "458. Yeah, plus 230, that's a check. Gimme two dollars ($200) on the 'Skins, a dollar parlay on the Bills and 'Boys, and a nickel ($500) tease on the Fish and the Bears. Oh yeah, and what's the line the Lakers tonight? Thanks." While it's not advisable to bet that much, using the language is half (okay, maybe less) the fun. And just think, then you can be "that guy" (who gambles with a bookie) at the party.
Line: Bookie -9
Issue: Customer Service
Online: If the computer didn't process your wager, it sucks to be you. There is no negotiation about figures or bets placed. If you want assistance, technical or otherwise, you'll wait on hold for 10 minutes to talk to someone who speaks little or no English and who may or may not know what a point spread is.
Bookie: A bookie will usually record his calls for the purpose of disputes and discrepancies, which come up often. They make mistakes. Depending on your relationship, he may or may not give you the benefit of the doubt and/or be reasonable.
Line: Online -4
Issue: Miscellaneous
Online: Internet books will flood your e-mail, but will also offer the occasional free wager or account credit. If an image of a scantily-clad woman smiling on the Internet smiling at you eases the pain of giving away money, then online gambling sites are for you.
Bookie: One bettor, or "player" as they are often called, received a bottle of champagne from his bookie around New Year's. Granted, it was after this person handed over a substantial sum of money, but that's not the point (or is it?). The guy made this poor sap feel special. The aforementioned guy with the limp and bad hair could just as well be Dom, a bookie out of New York that someone I know played through. Regardless of how you were doing with, Dom would want to know how you were doing in life, or how your family was. Dom passed away a couple of years ago, presumably with money from many gamblers, but also probably with their respect.
Line: Pick 'em
Bookmakers come in all shapes and sizes. But "your guy" is your guy, someone you can call your own.
Online gambling is the way of the present and probably the future. With talk of legislation to regulate online books, it's probably not going to go away.
Then again, a compelling argument can me made that every red-blooded man should have a good mechanic, a good barber, and a good bookie.
And wasn't this country built on capitalism and free enterprise? (Cue patriotic theme music.) Is not every man entitled the right to make an (dis)honest buck? Do American consumers not still value a "personal touch?" (Even if neither player nor bookie knows the other's name.) Shouldn't we stand up for the little guy? And, most important of all...
Who will win next year's Super Bowl? And by how many?
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