I've been betting with the same local bookie on-again, off-again for a few years now. I have paid him ~$20,000 over that timeframe including $1,900 two weeks ago.

Last week, I lost $3,000 (my limit), and was planning on paying him Tuesday or Wednesday (standard). However, I received a text from him on Tuesday that if I don't pay up immediately, my wagers this week won't be honored. Funny he says that because I hit a parlay on Monday, and I'm up ~$10,000 this week.

Here's my dilemma: A) I don't feel comfortable paying him now that he has threatened to not pay me (how do I know if I'll even get my money back?), and B) What should I do if he doesn't pay me?

Is this right:

-Ending balance on Sunday: down $3,000. Due the following week, usually Tuesday or Wednesday.

-Monday: previously placed parlay hits for +$10k, new balance of +$7k

-Tuesday: bookie wants you to pay the $3k balance from Sunday, and presumably for you to carry a +$10k balance going forward?

I can see his side that you are supposed to pay what you owed Sunday, and he pays Monday winnings the following week. I think it would come down to previous settle ups, whether you're paying full balances or what was owed at the end of the week.

With my guys, I pay the outstanding balance if I win between Sunday and pay-up day, and will take a reduced balance if I was collecting and lost on Monday night. Never had problems. I don't think I've ever wiped out a balance after it came due, but before I paid. If I did, I wouldn't expect to have to pay him. Personally, I would be concerned with getting my money back the way you have phrased the history and conversation.

Thanks for the reply.

That's correct. It's not uncommon to rollover with this bookie (on both sides), and I had every intention of paying him until he "threatened" me. Now I feel stuck. I either pay him the $3K today and hope I get my current winnings back or I deal with him next week when he owes me ~$7K.

Has he ever paid you that high an amount before?

sounds like he's been getting crushed on NFL so far

He obviously owes that money to someone and he either broke even or lost last week. I doubt if he killed it last week he would threaten you like that. You sound like you have been a good customer of his of the years. I would stop betting with him for the week and pay what you owe. When he does pay up, you can reevaluate from there whether or not you want to continue with him.

In my experiences, bookies will continually find excuses not to pay because most of them can't handle the swings. I think when a group of them start one of these accounts, they think it's a license to print money and they should never lose. you gotta be careful about who you bet through.

i meaaannn

He has paid me $4K or $5K before. He owes me ~$7K so it's not that far off.

tell him this sounds really sketchy....and say that ive been a loyal customer of yours for a few years but it sounds like you don't have the $ to cover it. Id rather wait till next week till you pay me. after all, you owe me $ right now.

I will stop playing altogther will we settle up the following week (because we are stuck in the middle).

Also throw in that you have friends you'd probably refer to him, but payment is important...and any hint of non payment is a business/rep killer.

well its Thursday nite now what ended up happening?

I woulda played it cool, pay the guy as he asked and make sure you collect the following week. unless you are stone cold confident he wont pay you out on your parlay it seems to be the only real play (since you've played with him for years and he presumably has other clients.) my guess is he hit a cash crunch or was just salty about you hitting that parlay. play nice, dont make another wager (he wants you to do that for sure) until you get paid then reassess. that's what I'd do.

but yea, so what happened?

This is what I said to the bookie on Wednesday (his response in quotes):

I've paid $20K over the years. I'd never not pay as my history shows.

"I don't care have much you have paid."

Threatening to not honor my bets when I'm up $10K this week doesn't give me comfort in knowing that I'll get my money back. And I won two weeks in a row and never received a penny.

"I highly doubt that."

Ask [the middle man]. I didn't get paid two weeks in a row.

"I'm telling you to pay today. That's what is happening."

That won't happen after threatening to not pay me. I have no idea if I'll get my money back. Just a tip, if the rule is any future bets don't count until you pay then A) you should tell me that from the beginning (NOT after I won money), and B) how come this didn't apply any other weeks? Had I known about this from the beginning then I would have had no problem meeting up today with cash. But the fact that I find out about this "rule" after I win money is BS. And I'm not even a new client -- I created an account years ago.

... no response on his end

My account has since been locked, and I have not heard back from the bookie or the middleman.

Poorly played by you imo

This is messed up. Obviously you are a good client but he DGAF. Just speak with your wallet. Take him the 3k today, place no more wagers with this guy and collect your 10k next week. If he doesn't pay make sure everyone in the gambling community knows, word spreads fast.

Most books would have no problem just +ing you 7k so this sounds like his money may be tight. Whatever happens you need to look for a new bookie immediately.

sorry to hear that OP - sounds like you just got boned tbh. sometimes it's a risk we take playing off-book.

hope you end up getting your money back at some point

Just found out who the main person is, and he went to school with one of my good friends. I talked to my friend, and he said the guy is always traveling and had always wondered how he got the money.

I'll be putting pressure on him when payment is due next week.

Did you pay the 3?

Nope. I found out that someone I know just received payment from the Mayweather/McGregor fight. Talk about slow paying.

It sounds like he's not gonna pay the 7...just make sure you tell everyone who will listen what he did. Get the word out, his business will take a huge hit. All a bookie has is his reputation.

wow this is so gross, feel for u OP

Jesus christ, talk about poorly played.

You should have just paid him. Hes looking for any excuse to not pay you. In his mind, he can argue that you were free rolling him; betting a ton hoping to win so that you wouldnt have to pay for the prior week. Or you lose a bunch more and just disappear, not paying for both weeks. Not saying hes right, but thats what hes thinking.

Youre probably ****ed now unless you can go around him. Your best move now is to be as cordial and cooperative as possible until you get paid. Then never ever betting with him again and tell everyone you know that hes a scum bag

Goto the cops and tell them that you're scared for your life and were threatened by them both.

These bookies will take advantage of the customer as long as they can get away with it and unfortunately i think you just gave him a reason. aggressivity/hostility never pays off until you are sure the guy is a Ponzi Moron

update??

why use a bookie rather than just bet online in ur jammies?