The writer known as ParlayThis made an interview to our man at the Helm, Fernando. We thought it was a well-written piece and we wanted to share it with all of you guys and thank him at the same time for the press time:
Bookmaking 107 With Hollywood's King of Pucks
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Bookmaking 107 With Hollywood's King of Pucks
By Parlaythis
November 6th, 2003
Perform a search, and you'd be hard-pressed to find an established sportsbook without any complaints leveled against it in the past couple of years.
Malcontents bemoaning its inconsistent racetrack menu and absence of phone support regularly rake even mighty Pinnacle, the leading purveyor of discount-price offerings, over the coals.
Now Hollywood International, the venerable Costa Rican operation boasting perhaps the industry's lowest percentage of dissatisfied customers, if the forums provide any indication, dives into the suddenly burgeoning reduced-juice market by allowing players the choice to wager online at -107, or its equivalent 14-cent straddle on asymmetric moneylines.
In an abortive foray into cut-rate pricing two years ago, Hollywood actually dealt NFL and NBA lines at -107 for bets up to $500 in a promo aimed at Bettor's World readers. This time, however, a much broader selection of decreased juice options, accompanied by higher associated $1000 limits, appears here to stay.
Will, Hollywood's excellent public representative familiar for his exhortations to gamblers to "Bring it on gentlemen, just bring it on," now spotlights his colleague, "a man of legendary skills and reputation. The man with opinions that are worth MILLIONS, the brains behind the numbers. The man at the helm at Hollywood International: Fernando."
With its much-anticipated decision, announced on opening day of the current NHL season, to add reduced-juice hockey to its existing slate of -107 odds for sides, totals, halves and quarters, Hollywood threatens to ignite a latter-day version of Fernando mania.
We had the opportunity to speak at length last week to the veteran bookmaker, also described by Will as the "Offshore King of Pucks," and found Fernando to be passionate and enthusiastic about his job; deeply immersed in the sports and bookmaking that he delights in talking about. He repeatedly emphasized the importance of staying "a step ahead" of the crowd in setting his lines.
Q. Why do they call you "The King of Pucks"?
Fernando: In the early eighties, I used to bet a lot of hockey. Vegas didn't even have a Canadian line then, but a New York guy did. In '83 to '88, I started putting up my own line. There's nothing better than being at a game, watching when you have a bet. But hockey is not a TV sport.
Q. Can you tell us more about your background in the industry?
Fernando: I was probably already booking on a small scale in the 1970's, taking $100 and $150 bets in about 1978. When I first started out, I worked 11am to 1:30pm, and 5 to 8pm, but now this has become a 24-hour business. In '82, I started getting bigger. I stopped in 1995, did a little scalping for three years, and then took some time off. Seventeen months ago, I started with Hollywood.
Q. Is the -107 line permanent now?
Fernando: Yes, and it applies to halftime lines as well. It's a $1000 "hard" limit - you can't bet more than that at -107 even if the line moves. Internet only. Parlays are standard, 13-5 on two teams, 6-1 on 3-teamers.
Q. Is your 14-cent line always identical to your conventional line, except that you pay 3 cents less for the favorite, and take back an extra 3 cents on the 'dog?
Fernando: Yes.
Q. Will posted, "This deal is indeed for everyone, unless you're playing steam. If you're asking us to book steam plays at reduced juice, you might as well ask us to write you a blank check."
Exactly what kind of player would be ineligible to wager at reduced juice?
Fernando: We haven't stopped anybody. A lot of customers are betting $1000 on the Internet and giving us plenty of other action also, at full juice and higher limits.
Q. Hollywood's been on the (Don Best) screen for almost 4 years of its nearly decade-long existence, and has a reputation for taking on all comers. What do you have to do differently to book to wiseguys?
Fernando: I've always dealt to wiseguys and public customers. Wiseguys tend to offset the public, so it's good to have a mix. Some people just want to book squares, but I like the mix better.
Q. Do you get those opinionated lines of yours from actual opinion, or simply because you're inclined to move on action instead of air?
Fernando: Off numbers I make and my handicappers make. I have confidence the line will move in my direction, more often than not. Of course, you always want two-way action, but I try to anticipate. If I make a line 12 points, and everybody else has it at 10, I'll offer it at 10 ½ to try to stay a step ahead.
Late last month, a poster complained that Hollywood chopped some of his friends' limits in college football to $3000 on sides and $1000 on totals. Will declined to elaborate openly on the full details, but pointed out, "Our limits have remained the same for MOST of our legitimate players."
Q. Why did you recently cut (certain players') limits for NCAA football?
Fernando: We get a lot of one-way action in college football; it's much harder to move a number to get buybacks than in the pros. We don't want to get too heavy on one side. College football lines can move 4 points or more.
Q. Last January, you dealt Tennessee -3 -150 vs. Pittsburgh in an NFL playoff game, instead of going to -5 or -6. Why were you so reluctant to move off the '3'?
Fernando: That game landed on 3 (the Titans won, 34-31, in OT), didn't it? So I guess 3 was a good number. It ended up costing us money. They would've laid us 3 ½, 4 points. This year, we're trying to balance. Last year, when we left the spread at 3, we'd get a lot of people just buying off the 3 anyway. We're not allowing buying off the 3 in NFL or colleges. We stopped early this season.
Q. Do you have any plans to further expand your wager menu and, if so, how?
Fernando: We're doing a lot of NFL props. On about 4 games a week, we'll offer 20 to 25 props on each. It's a lot of work. Right now, we just do it for the NFL; there's not as much volume on other sports. We wrote much more action than expected on Monday Night Football (October 27). We offered 27 props - each one must have had someone who bet a thousand dollars on it. We might start thinking about NBA props, on the top players, for TV games. Right now, it's still too early with all the new players.
Q. We keep reading that the books aren't enjoying a particularly good NFL season, and any time the favorites cover, we're told it's bad for the books. Is this true?
Fernando: For square shops, yes, Hollywood, no. Our main concern is the games falling on the number.
Q. I notice that you list more soccer leagues this year (English Premier and Division One, Scottish and Irish Premier, Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, MLS and Mexican Apertura -- all with 3-way lines). Will also posted an invitation to players to just call if they want to get down on a match that's not displayed. Any plans to offer half-ball or Asian Handicaps and totals?
Fernando: I was born in Argentina. I love soccer. I'm watching a lot more games now that I'm no longer in the U.S. There's not really a market for soccer, except in Europe. It's pushing up a little bit. We wrote lots of action last year, during the World Cup.
Q. Since you're noted for your expertise in hockey, what mistakes do you think most bettors make when wagering on the NHL, and what should they look at more?
Fernando: They fall into favorite traps. It's best to try to get a live dog.
Q. I've noticed, especially last year, good relative value at Hollywood on ½-goal favorites at a plus moneyline, like -1/2 +105 to -1/2 +135. Do you feel the public tends to underestimate the significance of the half-puck between evenly matched teams?
Fernando: Most games today are being played to 4 ½ or 5 goals. It used to be 6 ½ to 7. Favorites that used to be -1/2 -130 are now ½-flat. They have adjusted because totals are so low. So far this year, you're not seeing many overtime goals; more games are ending in ties.
Q. Is the reputation of hockey for drawing sharp money, but not much public interest, justified?
Fernando: When something doesn't have the volume of other sports, sharp people don't think the bookmakers place as high a priority on making lines for it. It's the same for golf, auto racing, and tennis.
Q. Any plans to offer NHL moneylines?
Fernando: We feel the Canadian Line (combining a ½-goal or greater handicap with a moneyline) is the fairest for the player to bet.
Q. What about NHL overnights?
Fernando: No, because I don't get my numbers until the morning. In the NHL, you have too many injuries and back-to-backs. Our hockey is done early in the morning, but we are posting up NBA overnight lines for up to $1000. Bookmaking could be profitable if you have good numbers. Eleven-to-ten doesn't guarantee anything. Players who want to bet higher than the limits must be respected. That's why we have limits. Each side thinks they have they have the edge. You won't see any book taking really high limits overnight. It's mostly a convenience for people who want to be able to bet before they have to leave for work.
Q. On the first day of the season (Wednesday, October 8), Will told everyone you recommended the Wild +1/2 -117. Why did you like Minnesota in that game?
Fernando: That's just the excitement of opening day. We lost that game, 1-0. We had a loser that day.
Q. Last season, in game 2 of the NHL finals between the Devils and Anaheim, you hung a 3 ½-goal total (3 ½ over -150). It went under. Had you ever put up, or even seen, such a low total before, and what do you recall about that game and the series?
Fernando: That was an excellent Stanley Cup, especially for me; I had New Jersey on a futures bet. You had probably the 2 best goalies in the league. We liked the under in that game.
Q. What are you offering for the NBA?
Fernando: We have sides and totals, quarters (all 4), first halves and halftimes, all at -107 (for reduced-juice wagers online). Our moneylines are 14 cents up to -185; we never use -190. When it goes above that, say to -260/+220 (full juice), you still only get 3 cents each way. So you'd get -257/+223. NBA betting is very quiet right now (I interviewed Fernando on opening day - Tuesday, October 28 - after the morning rush had subsided). Especially the wiseguys - they might be waiting until the weekend, after they've had a chance to see a few games. We probably will keep NBA futures (to win the championship, or Eastern or Western Conference Title) up for a month, but not season win totals. Season wins came down. We left the futures up in baseball, and got a lot of people betting KC and San Francisco when those teams got off to good starts. The NBA looks wide open, especially in the West. On paper, the Lakers look like the greatest team ever. But you never know with the NBA. With all the turmoil and injuries, you never know.
Q. Will you ever offer alternative handicaps, like 2 ½ runs in baseball, or 1½ goal on a hockey game lined at ½?
Fernando: Alternative lines are probably not a bad idea, but with our software we can only place one line on each game. At Olympic, a lot of small bettors like to bet all those props they have. You need a lot of manpower. As time goes on, if they write business, you probably will see that in the future, some sportsbook will have 15 different lines on a game. There are plenty of choices right now with halftimes. NFL halftimes are unbelievable and growing. It's one of the busiest 20 minutes there is. It's the best kind of business for a bookmaker; you have phones ringing off the hook. With NFL halftimes, if you watch enough games, you almost have a feel for it. The second half will play like a script in the NFL -- not so much in college. After watching so many, you just try to have a feel for it and get 2-way action.
Q. Why should a serious bettor play at Hollywood?
Fernando: We don't move on air. We try to stay a step ahead, and that means using different numbers. If we're always the same, then a new customer doesn't need Hollywood. We want Hollywood to be a "must out." The best way to get customers in the door is to offer them something different.
Thanks a lot, Fernando.
Parlaythis123@hotmail.com <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hope I'm not stepping on anybody's toes. Just thought it was a good read...
Will
Hollywood International
1-800-220-0002
Bookmaking 107 With Hollywood's King of Pucks
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Bookmaking 107 With Hollywood's King of Pucks
By Parlaythis
November 6th, 2003
Perform a search, and you'd be hard-pressed to find an established sportsbook without any complaints leveled against it in the past couple of years.
Malcontents bemoaning its inconsistent racetrack menu and absence of phone support regularly rake even mighty Pinnacle, the leading purveyor of discount-price offerings, over the coals.
Now Hollywood International, the venerable Costa Rican operation boasting perhaps the industry's lowest percentage of dissatisfied customers, if the forums provide any indication, dives into the suddenly burgeoning reduced-juice market by allowing players the choice to wager online at -107, or its equivalent 14-cent straddle on asymmetric moneylines.
In an abortive foray into cut-rate pricing two years ago, Hollywood actually dealt NFL and NBA lines at -107 for bets up to $500 in a promo aimed at Bettor's World readers. This time, however, a much broader selection of decreased juice options, accompanied by higher associated $1000 limits, appears here to stay.
Will, Hollywood's excellent public representative familiar for his exhortations to gamblers to "Bring it on gentlemen, just bring it on," now spotlights his colleague, "a man of legendary skills and reputation. The man with opinions that are worth MILLIONS, the brains behind the numbers. The man at the helm at Hollywood International: Fernando."
With its much-anticipated decision, announced on opening day of the current NHL season, to add reduced-juice hockey to its existing slate of -107 odds for sides, totals, halves and quarters, Hollywood threatens to ignite a latter-day version of Fernando mania.
We had the opportunity to speak at length last week to the veteran bookmaker, also described by Will as the "Offshore King of Pucks," and found Fernando to be passionate and enthusiastic about his job; deeply immersed in the sports and bookmaking that he delights in talking about. He repeatedly emphasized the importance of staying "a step ahead" of the crowd in setting his lines.
Q. Why do they call you "The King of Pucks"?
Fernando: In the early eighties, I used to bet a lot of hockey. Vegas didn't even have a Canadian line then, but a New York guy did. In '83 to '88, I started putting up my own line. There's nothing better than being at a game, watching when you have a bet. But hockey is not a TV sport.
Q. Can you tell us more about your background in the industry?
Fernando: I was probably already booking on a small scale in the 1970's, taking $100 and $150 bets in about 1978. When I first started out, I worked 11am to 1:30pm, and 5 to 8pm, but now this has become a 24-hour business. In '82, I started getting bigger. I stopped in 1995, did a little scalping for three years, and then took some time off. Seventeen months ago, I started with Hollywood.
Q. Is the -107 line permanent now?
Fernando: Yes, and it applies to halftime lines as well. It's a $1000 "hard" limit - you can't bet more than that at -107 even if the line moves. Internet only. Parlays are standard, 13-5 on two teams, 6-1 on 3-teamers.
Q. Is your 14-cent line always identical to your conventional line, except that you pay 3 cents less for the favorite, and take back an extra 3 cents on the 'dog?
Fernando: Yes.
Q. Will posted, "This deal is indeed for everyone, unless you're playing steam. If you're asking us to book steam plays at reduced juice, you might as well ask us to write you a blank check."
Exactly what kind of player would be ineligible to wager at reduced juice?
Fernando: We haven't stopped anybody. A lot of customers are betting $1000 on the Internet and giving us plenty of other action also, at full juice and higher limits.
Q. Hollywood's been on the (Don Best) screen for almost 4 years of its nearly decade-long existence, and has a reputation for taking on all comers. What do you have to do differently to book to wiseguys?
Fernando: I've always dealt to wiseguys and public customers. Wiseguys tend to offset the public, so it's good to have a mix. Some people just want to book squares, but I like the mix better.
Q. Do you get those opinionated lines of yours from actual opinion, or simply because you're inclined to move on action instead of air?
Fernando: Off numbers I make and my handicappers make. I have confidence the line will move in my direction, more often than not. Of course, you always want two-way action, but I try to anticipate. If I make a line 12 points, and everybody else has it at 10, I'll offer it at 10 ½ to try to stay a step ahead.
Late last month, a poster complained that Hollywood chopped some of his friends' limits in college football to $3000 on sides and $1000 on totals. Will declined to elaborate openly on the full details, but pointed out, "Our limits have remained the same for MOST of our legitimate players."
Q. Why did you recently cut (certain players') limits for NCAA football?
Fernando: We get a lot of one-way action in college football; it's much harder to move a number to get buybacks than in the pros. We don't want to get too heavy on one side. College football lines can move 4 points or more.
Q. Last January, you dealt Tennessee -3 -150 vs. Pittsburgh in an NFL playoff game, instead of going to -5 or -6. Why were you so reluctant to move off the '3'?
Fernando: That game landed on 3 (the Titans won, 34-31, in OT), didn't it? So I guess 3 was a good number. It ended up costing us money. They would've laid us 3 ½, 4 points. This year, we're trying to balance. Last year, when we left the spread at 3, we'd get a lot of people just buying off the 3 anyway. We're not allowing buying off the 3 in NFL or colleges. We stopped early this season.
Q. Do you have any plans to further expand your wager menu and, if so, how?
Fernando: We're doing a lot of NFL props. On about 4 games a week, we'll offer 20 to 25 props on each. It's a lot of work. Right now, we just do it for the NFL; there's not as much volume on other sports. We wrote much more action than expected on Monday Night Football (October 27). We offered 27 props - each one must have had someone who bet a thousand dollars on it. We might start thinking about NBA props, on the top players, for TV games. Right now, it's still too early with all the new players.
Q. We keep reading that the books aren't enjoying a particularly good NFL season, and any time the favorites cover, we're told it's bad for the books. Is this true?
Fernando: For square shops, yes, Hollywood, no. Our main concern is the games falling on the number.
Q. I notice that you list more soccer leagues this year (English Premier and Division One, Scottish and Irish Premier, Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, MLS and Mexican Apertura -- all with 3-way lines). Will also posted an invitation to players to just call if they want to get down on a match that's not displayed. Any plans to offer half-ball or Asian Handicaps and totals?
Fernando: I was born in Argentina. I love soccer. I'm watching a lot more games now that I'm no longer in the U.S. There's not really a market for soccer, except in Europe. It's pushing up a little bit. We wrote lots of action last year, during the World Cup.
Q. Since you're noted for your expertise in hockey, what mistakes do you think most bettors make when wagering on the NHL, and what should they look at more?
Fernando: They fall into favorite traps. It's best to try to get a live dog.
Q. I've noticed, especially last year, good relative value at Hollywood on ½-goal favorites at a plus moneyline, like -1/2 +105 to -1/2 +135. Do you feel the public tends to underestimate the significance of the half-puck between evenly matched teams?
Fernando: Most games today are being played to 4 ½ or 5 goals. It used to be 6 ½ to 7. Favorites that used to be -1/2 -130 are now ½-flat. They have adjusted because totals are so low. So far this year, you're not seeing many overtime goals; more games are ending in ties.
Q. Is the reputation of hockey for drawing sharp money, but not much public interest, justified?
Fernando: When something doesn't have the volume of other sports, sharp people don't think the bookmakers place as high a priority on making lines for it. It's the same for golf, auto racing, and tennis.
Q. Any plans to offer NHL moneylines?
Fernando: We feel the Canadian Line (combining a ½-goal or greater handicap with a moneyline) is the fairest for the player to bet.
Q. What about NHL overnights?
Fernando: No, because I don't get my numbers until the morning. In the NHL, you have too many injuries and back-to-backs. Our hockey is done early in the morning, but we are posting up NBA overnight lines for up to $1000. Bookmaking could be profitable if you have good numbers. Eleven-to-ten doesn't guarantee anything. Players who want to bet higher than the limits must be respected. That's why we have limits. Each side thinks they have they have the edge. You won't see any book taking really high limits overnight. It's mostly a convenience for people who want to be able to bet before they have to leave for work.
Q. On the first day of the season (Wednesday, October 8), Will told everyone you recommended the Wild +1/2 -117. Why did you like Minnesota in that game?
Fernando: That's just the excitement of opening day. We lost that game, 1-0. We had a loser that day.
Q. Last season, in game 2 of the NHL finals between the Devils and Anaheim, you hung a 3 ½-goal total (3 ½ over -150). It went under. Had you ever put up, or even seen, such a low total before, and what do you recall about that game and the series?
Fernando: That was an excellent Stanley Cup, especially for me; I had New Jersey on a futures bet. You had probably the 2 best goalies in the league. We liked the under in that game.
Q. What are you offering for the NBA?
Fernando: We have sides and totals, quarters (all 4), first halves and halftimes, all at -107 (for reduced-juice wagers online). Our moneylines are 14 cents up to -185; we never use -190. When it goes above that, say to -260/+220 (full juice), you still only get 3 cents each way. So you'd get -257/+223. NBA betting is very quiet right now (I interviewed Fernando on opening day - Tuesday, October 28 - after the morning rush had subsided). Especially the wiseguys - they might be waiting until the weekend, after they've had a chance to see a few games. We probably will keep NBA futures (to win the championship, or Eastern or Western Conference Title) up for a month, but not season win totals. Season wins came down. We left the futures up in baseball, and got a lot of people betting KC and San Francisco when those teams got off to good starts. The NBA looks wide open, especially in the West. On paper, the Lakers look like the greatest team ever. But you never know with the NBA. With all the turmoil and injuries, you never know.
Q. Will you ever offer alternative handicaps, like 2 ½ runs in baseball, or 1½ goal on a hockey game lined at ½?
Fernando: Alternative lines are probably not a bad idea, but with our software we can only place one line on each game. At Olympic, a lot of small bettors like to bet all those props they have. You need a lot of manpower. As time goes on, if they write business, you probably will see that in the future, some sportsbook will have 15 different lines on a game. There are plenty of choices right now with halftimes. NFL halftimes are unbelievable and growing. It's one of the busiest 20 minutes there is. It's the best kind of business for a bookmaker; you have phones ringing off the hook. With NFL halftimes, if you watch enough games, you almost have a feel for it. The second half will play like a script in the NFL -- not so much in college. After watching so many, you just try to have a feel for it and get 2-way action.
Q. Why should a serious bettor play at Hollywood?
Fernando: We don't move on air. We try to stay a step ahead, and that means using different numbers. If we're always the same, then a new customer doesn't need Hollywood. We want Hollywood to be a "must out." The best way to get customers in the door is to offer them something different.
Thanks a lot, Fernando.
Parlaythis123@hotmail.com <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hope I'm not stepping on anybody's toes. Just thought it was a good read...
Will
Hollywood International
1-800-220-0002
