Oddsmaker's mistake causes historic line movement on WNBA All-Star Game

ESPN ^ | 7/14 | David Purdum

[nickcarraway]

The over/under total on the WNBA All-Star Game moved more than 50 points Wednesday, a historic line movement on a number that a Las Vegas oddsmaker calls the "worst I ever made."

Las Vegas sportsbook Circa Sports, the first to hang an over/under on the total points scored in the game, opened it at 248.5. An hour before the game tipped off, the total was sitting at 195.5.

The 53-point movement was the largest shift that multiple veteran bookmakers could ever recall, and it wasn't caused by any attempt at corruption or by a rush of big wagers. Instead, it was simply a mistake by an oddsmaker who was short on time.

On Wednesday, around 7 a.m. PT, Matt Metcalf, sportsbook director for Circa Sports, saw an opportunity to post the first total on the WNBA All-Star Game on the betting market, he told ESPN. He had a morning meeting at 9 a.m. and still needed to get showered and dressed for work. Rushing, Metcalf said he looked at the total points scored in the previous All-Star Games and landed on 248.5 as the opening number for this year's game.

"At worst, I don't think this was more than 15 points off. That's as bad as I think it could be," Metcalf said. "I didn't think it would be the worst number ever."

Metcalf said he didn't take into account that WNBA All-Stars were facing the U.S. women's national team, which is tuning up for the Olympics and expected to take the game more seriously than traditional high-scoring All-Star Games that are often played with reduced intensity and lackadaisical defense.

"This is very different than a [typical] All-Star Game," Las Vegas Aces coach Bill Laimbeer told Sports Illustrated. "Normally everybody is kind of goofing around. That's not what USA Basketball

[Rummyfan]

I'm shocked.... SHOCKED.... that there is a WNBA All-Star game.

[Rummyfan]

And who other than the most devoted addicted degenerate gambler would wager on a WNBA game?!

[digger48]

They marry a gay Kenyan and become First Lady

[ETL]

I'm shocked.... SHOCKED.... that there is a WNBA All-Star game.

Yes, I much prefer women's football...

[Fido969]

Do a lot of people bet on the WNBA? I’d guess a $20 bet might swing the odds.

[HIDEK6]

Louise Alcindor, Petra Marovich, Wilma Chamberlin, Geraldine Lucas, Oprah Robertson.

[nickcarraway]

I was thinking, "who would be on a WNBA game?"

I looked it up and the final total in the game was 178. That means the under won by 17.5, even on the reduced spread. Maybe it's just that easy.

[Dr. Sivana]

Sometimes somebody will profess to be a fan of women’s basketball but if you ask them to name a single player, they come up blank.

The UConn fans mean it. When their championship run began I heard nothing but Rebecca Lobo and Jennifer Rizotti. Their team seemed to have fewer lesbians and have been well-coached by Gino Auriemma, who found his niche.