There is a misconception by many players that sportsbooks don't want winners. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Every bookmaker loves a winner, as long as they are, more often than not, a loser. Sportsbooks don't like players for several reasons and in this three-part series, we'll examine the top 3 reasons that a sports book will kick you out, show you the door and no longer welcome your action.

A wise and well-respected bookmaker told me once that all he wanted was "a chance to beat the player", meaning that he wanted a fair shake, with an honest gambler, to offer a fair line and then win or lose, let the chips fall where they may.

Let's start with a reason that gets people banned at certain establishments, but really doesn't apply to to many gamblers. There is a small portion of the sports betting public that is sharper than most, the wiseguys, the Sharpies. These are the guys who consistently beat the number, betting line moves before or as they are happening. These players win far more than they lose and bet large amounts, usually at multiple outlets.

Players like these are few and far between. And only a handful of sportsbooks will take action from this small group of players. Bookmaker is one that caters to all of the betting public. One operator at a very sharp betting shop told me that he welcomed bets from renowned (and notorious among sportsbooks) sports bettor Billy Walters, because he used that information. But, those times may be long gone in today's sports betting environment. Many books today, will allow some sharp action, but not the 1% of 1% of bettors. Places like Heritage Sports, BetOnline and 5Dimes, will allow some wise players, but other shops will simply show players who consistently beat the number the door. 

But, players who follow this type of "sharp action" are also frowned upon by bookmakers. Players who simply play the line moves, and who bet when numbers are in-flux are referred to as "steam bettors". These players aren't the aforementioned sharp players or line movers, these are the guys who follow that action. 

Take for example the Cleveland Browns +6 against the Chicago Bears. It's rumored that O'Dell Beckham, Jr. is off the DL and may play, so the line jumps to +5 within minutes of the news. Then steams straight to +3, where it remains until game time. Players who follow line movements, grabbed this number at +5, before it dropped any further.

If this is an isolated occurrence, then a bookmaker will simply chalk it up as a loss to a player who happened to bet at the right time. But if this is a betting pattern, then a player will get more and more scrutiny. Eventually, after doing this a number of times, the player may get shown the door.

Finally, in this vein and as part of the #3 reason that a sports book will kick you out is placing bets or "bearding" for one of the aforementioned types of bettor. The sportsbooks, especially offshore, can smell someone who is not who they say they are, or a bettor who is not gambling their own plays. 

There was a very good gambler a number of years back who was using girlfriends, female acquaintances and/or family members to place bets for him. The sportsbooks he played at using these 'beards' noticed that some thing was a little off. Typically women aren't firing away and winning way more than losing, especially larger bets. To confirm their suspicions, the book had several of these winning women call in to verify information. Needless to say, they got caught. When a gambler can't tell you if the last bet placed was on a favorite or a dog, there a problem. One book asked what the payout was on a parlay placed that day and the female account holder had no idea of odds, what a parlay even was . . . That's going to get you busted every time and have the sportsbook confiscate any funds in the account.

So, if you are that sharp, if you do chase steam or if you do place bets for one of these players, eventually, you'll get kicked out of your sportsbook.

Check back tomorrow as we examine the #2 reason a sports book will kick you out.