Thread by @SportsbkConsig

Story time from the book:

At this time last year, we were preparing for March Madness. The day the book turned off the odds, closed the windows, and sports shut down is a story for another time.

There will be a tourney this year, and here is a guide to be prepared in case..

you forgot. It’s only been a year, but you know the Boy Scouts motto “Be Prepared” applies in the sports book as well.

The Scout motto means that you are always ready to do what is necessary to help others. It also means you are ready, willing, and able to do what is..

necessary in any situation that comes along..

One of my best co workers ever named Linda dubbed March Madness “Boy Band Week” in the book, and she was right..

It’s mostly a guy’s trip, groups of dudes, hanging out, drinking and betting on basketball non stop..

In the book..

you knew right away who the lead singer was, who the wannabe front man was, who the back up singers were, who the roadies were and who had game & got the chicks..

Covid took it all away in 2020 but it’s back this year, albeit in limited form, but here’s another one for you..

If you stay ready, you ain’t gotta get ready..

Here is your March Madness stay ready for the book guide:

1) Sign up for the apps. A few of them. And do it early. And by early, I mean a day or two before the games start on Friday.

More outs is better for you, even if you..

are sitting in the same book all weekend. Plus, you have flexibility to not wait in line, make a bet from anywhere including the shitter, and you can bet in game.

Like betting Gonzaga, it’s a No Choice Play (referred to as an NCP) to get an app, preferably multiple apps, ..

and funded IN ADVANCE and NOT right at tip off time of the games..

2) Get the lay of the land.

This means don’t walk into the book on Friday and go “who do I talk to about reserving a VIP seat?”

Likely, the seats have been reserved or purchased already. Yes, believe it..

or not, books charge money, sometimes BIG money, to sit there with your friends, drink, bet games and watch them..

Shocking, I know, but it is what it is..captive audience & capitalism at its finest..it’s not the book employees decision, and it’s not their fault so leave them..

out of your diatribe that “it’s bullshit.” We know, you know, but that’s the price, do you want the seat or no? And do you want to make a bet? That’s all we need to know here.

3) Tip everybody. I mean everybody. Writers. Supervisors. Waitresses. Bartenders. All of em. And..

I don’t mean give them a tip as in who you like in the Oral Roberts-Alabama first half either. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, gives a shit about your bets but you and the band.

I mean, straight cash, homey. Valet guy on the way in and everybody who comes in contact with you..

It doesn’t have to be a lot, but it has to be real. You do that, remember people’s names, and be nice, you will be AMAZED at the level of service you get. Hell, you might even get a winner or two from a “sharp“ guy..

Last one but just as important as the rest & must be..

applied everytime..

4)Have a game plan at the window beforehand ON EVERY TRIP.

I’ve been that guy, and I’ve seen that guy from behind the counter. DON’T be that guy.

Game numbers ready. Sheets organized in hand. Phone in your hand to refer to only if necessary.

Money out..

and ready to be dropped on the counter, unless you are a bag guy and it’s in a sweet ass backpack or gym bag. Fannie packs are making a comeback (or so I have heard), but have the cash ready before we run it through the counter..

Treat it like an audition. You got two minutes..

to make a good impression. Don’t linger when it’s busy, be ready to keep the line moving, and drop a few bucks on the way in or when you win, and you will have good karma & drink tickets to last the whole weekend..

It’s the most challenging week for most of the employees, yet..

also the most fun and the one we remember the people and stories from..

Every year, I am reminded of a Sunday at the end of the first weekend in the book (will be Monday in 2021)..

It’s 6:15 am, just worked 14 hours Thursday, 14 hours Friday, and 12 hours Saturday..

Non Stop, lines of people 100 deep, ticket after ticket, just enough time to go home, take a nap and do it all over again..

I have to look down at my name tag to remember my name is Dave at this point..

A man about 5’5”, approximately 60 years old, looks like a retired..

professor approached the counter..with a slight accent that sounded like my old Italian uncles, he asked “do you have odd to win it all?”

Keep in mind, I just put 100 sheets with these odds in the enormous display case maybe 50 feet away from him, but we all know he can’t see..

the case & no way he can bet without a sheet..

My legs stopped working the day before, and my patience was gone sometime Friday afternoon..

No chance in hell I am walking over to the case & telling him to get one himself was never an option..

Against my better judgment..

I say “We have them. Who do you want?”

Overjoyed, he steps to the counter, and starts calling out teams on the wrong Syl-LA-bull..

“WEES-con-sin.?”

30-1..apparently not high enough

“How about Ark-CAN-saw?“

250-1

“Give me $5 on them.”

He looks on a piece of paper in his..

hand that I cannot see and goes,

“South Care-o-LEE-na?”

200-1.

“5 dolla on that.”

Then there is a pause. Not long, not short, just a pause.

He then says “How about Ox-fer?”

WHAT? I think I misheard him. I ask “who did you say?”

He looks me right in the eye and says..

“the odds on Ox-Fer?”

I know I am tired, there are only 20 teams left at this point, but I sure as hell have no idea who he is talking about..

I scan the odds screen hoping to find this alleged Ox-fer..I got nuthin..

Like the scripture from above, he pulls out a crumbled..

sheet from Caesars..

I ask once more..

He points at the sheet..

Oh yeah, there it is..

XAVIER!!!!!!!!!

Of course!! It was there all along. I deadpanned “oh, Ox-fer. They are good. 90 to 1.”

The professor jumps with excitement and says “give me 5 on Ox-fer!”

I had to..

I said “You want $5 on Ox-fer?”

Like a voice from heaven, he comes strong. “YES, give me 5 on OX-fer!”

As I printed the ticket, the supervisor ran to the back, yelling “Ox-fer. We love Ox-fer.”

Never saw the professor again, but root for goddamn Ox-fer every year..

Wherever..

you end up watching the games, at home or in the book, be prepared, have fun and win the Ox-fer every time you make a trip to the window for the Madness..

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