Common Sportsbook Mistakes

Sportsbooks primarily rely on algorithms and formulas, but they can still make mistakes because they depend on fallible humans. Although rare, this raises the question of the consequences that occur when a sportsbook commits an error.

Sportsbooks typically handle these situations on a case-by-case basis, regardless of whether the mistake works in your favor or not, and their approach may vary from one book to another.

Throughout this discussion, we will walk you through the usual mistakes that occur in sportsbook betting and elucidate how trustworthy and regulated books usually tackle them.

Most common sportsbook mistakes

While sportsbooks generally operate with few errors, occasional mistakes may still arise, including a few missteps that bettors themselves can make.

• Occasionally, a sportsbook might unintentionally establish inaccurate lines or odds, resulting in an error.
• The live betting system has encountered a glitch: With the increasing popularity of placing real-time bets on games, there is a potential flaw in the algorithm that could result in inaccurate figures.
• Selecting the opposite side unintentionally: Lack of attention can result in choosing the incorrect side of the bet.
• Keeping track of betting odds changes, especially in live betting, is extremely important due to the rapid shifts in lines and odds.

Can you remove a bet you made by mistake?

Picture this scenario: You plan to place a bet on the Dallas Cowboys, who were predicted to lose by 3.5 points against the Philadelphia Eagles. Unfortunately, due to a time constraint, you accidentally select the Eagles -3.5 and place the wager without realizing your mistake.

If you mistakenly placed a bet on the Eagles but want to switch to the Cowboys, doubling your bet is one solution. However, it’s important to note that this approach has a downside – you will lose some of your money due to the vig or juice. The vig is the standard -110 odds on both sides of a point spread. While it may not be the best solution, there are other options available to address this situation.

Sportsbooks frequently provide a cash-out feature that allows bettors to recover a portion of their wagered funds. In cases where mistakes are quickly identified, it is possible to cash out the entire bet and receive a full refund. However, this typically requires the spread to remain the same. If the numbers change in either direction, it is likely that one will be tied to the original bet or may choose a lower payout by cashing out.

Regardless of the situation, it is crucial to maintain patience when placing your bets and carefully assess each wager to ensure it matches your intended result.

What happens if a sportsbook makes a mistake on a betting line (posts the wrong odds)?

If you happen to notice a betting line on the board that seems significantly different from what you anticipated, there is a possibility that a glitch has occurred, resulting in incorrect numbers being displayed.

The result of this scenario can vary among different books. Some sportsbooks may decide to void the bet entirely, whereas others might honor mistakenly placed bets, leading to substantial advantages for bettors.

Can you take advantage of sportsbook mistakes?

While there is a possibility that this may ultimately prove to be unproductive, there is no harm in making an attempt to capitalize on a sportsbook error. The best-case scenario would be if the sportsbook honors the bet despite their mistake, potentially leading to a free victory for you.

In the event of a system error claimed by the sportsbook, an unfortunate consequence would be the nullification of all wagers made on that specific bet. Consequently, it would be as if these bets never occurred, and bettors would be refunded their money.

How often do sportsbooks make mistakes with odds?

While occurrences are uncommon, odds can be found for nearly every aspect of the sports world. Due to the vast scope of sports betting, it is unavoidable that some errors will occur. Although these mistakes make up only a small portion of the sportsbook’s overall experience, there have been recorded instances of such errors taking place.

It is consistently fascinating to observe how sportsbooks tackle their errors. In some cases, they may choose not to honor a bet if they believe it would be unfair to lose money because of an apparent mistake.

Alternatively, taking a different viewpoint, it can be argued that fulfilling the bet would create a favorable image among current and potential customers, ultimately increasing the chances of turning them into loyal patrons.

Online sportsbooks participate in fierce competition to entice users, going as far as offering substantial sign-up bonuses. They are willing to accept immediate financial losses, confident in their ability to ultimately outperform the bettors in the long run.

What do you do if a sportsbook mistake doesn’t pay out?

In this scenario, there are limited options available for you to pursue. Generally, sportsbooks have policies in place to safeguard themselves against liability for errors, implying that if you happen to win a bet due to a mistake made by the sportsbook, it is unlikely that you will receive a payout.

If you believe you are eligible for a payout, you can choose to contact the regulatory authority in charge of overseeing sports betting in your state. This language is typically found in the rules and regulations section or FAQ page of an online sportsbook.

What is the biggest sportsbook mistake ever?

Over the past few years, there have been a few notable occurrences, but a significant blunder occurred in 2018 when FanDuel Sportsbook in New Jersey made a highly visible mistake. At a critical juncture, the Denver Broncos were behind 19-17 and urgently striving to secure a game-winning field goal.

FanDuel made a glaring error by mistakenly labeling Denver as a +75000 underdog on the live moneyline, despite the Broncos having a favorable position in the red zone. Anthony Prince, a sports bettor, spotted this mistake and decided to place a $110 bet on the Broncos, which could potentially reward him with an astonishing $82,610 if they won. Luck was on his side as Denver emerged victorious in the game. However, FanDuel initially denied the payout and offered Prince a settlement of $500 along with tickets to three New York Giants games.

In the end, FanDuel decided to fully acknowledge the winnings of Prince and other bettors who had placed bets at the mistakenly low odds. As a result, these bettors effortlessly gained some extra money, which could potentially draw in more customers to FanDuel.

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