Foots college and pro 10K and 5 on game day, full juice always. Hoops pro and mainstream college 5k and 2.5 for smaller college leauges. Bases 5 k and 2 dimes on totals and run lines. Everything else 2 dimes, but here is the rub, nothing is set in stone and those limits are guidelines only. Depending on whats going on in my market place you can get more if you act correctly. Its about 50/50 always on getting it. Also, first person in line gets the number, everybody else is ass out. I also would cater to every sharp and wise guy in town. They lose as much as they win and I will win more of there money in the long run then they will ever win of mine. I know how this game is played from the inside out and I am not afraid of them what so ever.
Therefore as far as promo's, I would run a lottery for the first set of numbers in town, with double limits for the duration of the lottery, 5 plays max per person, with a 1 dime minimium, must make a play if you get in.
The only other promo you really need is a libreal comp policy for the buffets and the snack bar. This brings people in by the droves. It causes them to over bet and makes yours the only place they go. Keep them fed for free and you keep them losing for life. Simple. Drinks are assumed.
It also elminates the need for any real contest.
I would anyway because I like catering to squares and small players. I would let them tell me what they really want and try to develop something around those ideas for them. This keeps them involved and loyal to your place of buisness because they get to have a say in some of there recreational activitys.
You can also bet 2 team NFL teasers at my place at 20, 30 and 40 cent juice up to 2 dimes as well as buy the half point - 20 on anything you want. But, ala Binions Horseshoe back in the day, if you want to buy off of or onto 3 or 7during foots in either direction you have to lay - 125.
Of all the things books did in Vegas during my days on the street, that was my favorite thing a book did to get people in. Positivly hilarious. They made a minor fortune on that move alone, I am sure. People running in there on Friday nights and Saturday mornings to bet -125 on a game, thinking that half point was really going to make a difference. WEEEE. They did not advertise it either, but all knew just the same. HA. I loved watching people do that move on Friday nights. It was one of the places to be, if you were me.
All day, any day on that move.