Sitdown #2 with National Tout Johnny Demarco

RobFunk · Aug 24, 2004

Johnny is the man. any guy who has a passion for free roll poker is ok with me

i got 8th in wsex morning free roll yesterday, it really pissed me off to play for 3 hours and come away with nothing. im not playing that damn thing anymore. but im doing the 2am one to garner enough points to play in the 10,000 free roll at end of month. the play is incredibly shoddy in the fpp tourneys ill get those 1000 buy in points. should have had it last night.

winkyduck · Aug 24, 2004

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by JohnnyDeMarco:
Winkyduck
Obviously there are a few bad places to call. You have to know though-the whole reason for someone to give you a free selection is to get you to buy their services. It is kind of like walking into a car dealership to test drive a car with zero intention or even being in the market to buy a new car.
What services have you actually paid for? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

i agree - free picks are given out to entice customers to sign up for the future. all i am saying is if you (you - being generic "you" as in whatever service i call) tell me you are going to give me "X" for free if i call - GIVE ME "X" when i call - FOR FREE! don't tell me in the ads the pick(s) is: absolutely, positively free with no hassles at all - and then have me call you - and find out NONE of that is true - which is the case FAR too often.

as for services i have dealt with/paid for: NONE. don't see any reason why i should. why pay someone to do pretty much the same percentage as i can - or even worse?

if i hit 53% by myself (hypothetically) to essentially break even, if i have a service giving me picks - now that percentage has to go up to at least 55% - if not higher - and i think we both know VERY FEW services that can do that consistently. there are some - and i will give them their credit - but the ones that are the best are NOT the scamdicappers we hear about. they are hardworking and honest guys.

i do blame a large part of the problem on the public - and their desire for the "get rich quick" scheme. if a handicapper ran ads saying, "I hit 55% of my games last year - give me a call," we all know hed be lucky to get ONE call because the public loves to hear guys/services who say stuff like, "I'll hit 90% for you - guaranteed." the guy at home who hears this starts dreaming of the new lifetstyle he will have with all the extra money he will be pulling in - especially with it being "under the table" so he doesn't mind paying something like $3,000 for picks - since he "knows" in the long run it is a minor investment to make figuring the ROI. it's not until he is out $3,00 plus the amount he lost on the picks that he starts to get upset - when in reality it is (partly) HIS fault for being so stupid.

NoTax · Aug 24, 2004

Im very interested in knowing more about these sports services as I dont win betting on sports

kidslick · Aug 24, 2004

miss funk i played in the freeroll a couple of hours ago 830pm went all in k/k/ and lost to 7/4 suited....will be there tomorrow morning for the 10 am and 1130 am freerolls also 500 dollar freeroll later that night..

RobFunk · Aug 24, 2004

miss funk is cool i think that is a good alter ego. i mean, shrinkage does the cross dress thing for some laughs so what is wrong with miss funk i ask you. lol.

listen kid, i just lost on all in with a flush spades i held ace for it to a weak ass full house. i really think flush should be worth more than full house in hold em. any dumb ass can go in with 3-8 unsuited and pull out a full house, but it takes skill to play out for a flush.

DrunkenHorseplayer · Aug 24, 2004

JD, if it's no secret that you inflate score phone records then why do you do it? And you don't even bet your own picks? You sound pretty slimy.

BROMOx · Aug 24, 2004

A quick question JD.

What percentage of sales do the guys make in your phonerooms? I have heard as little as 25% and as high as 40%. Whats the deal?

JohnnyDeMarco · Aug 24, 2004

Bromo
My daughter just moved to Chandler.

Not really sure about percentages because I dont have a phone room (havent in ten years) but guessing from others I know that do maybe 1 in 6 will sign up if you're pretty good. If you give them free games that win (2 or more) almost all of them will.

picasso · Aug 24, 2004

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by JohnnyDeMarco:
Picasso
Who would call you then?

"Yesterday we went 0-5 but today looks really good! Call me right now!!!!"

that will not work. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, my point was that you said your customers are 90% repeat business and that they only care about what you have for today, not what you did yesterday (according to a prior comment). Tossing out phony records just makes an already shady industry look worse. So, I guess it's just to lure in new suckers?

That said, while my tone makes it clear that I don't think much of your tactics, I do credit you for being upfront about it in these forums. In a warped sort of way, it's somewhat refreshing. And I guess if people are stupid enough to call your 900 number, perhaps they get what they deserve.

You mentioned that the "big games" are stored in Excel. What is your record in these games?

Also, do you attempt to handicap games? Do your plays come from someone else? Or are we just talking the dartboard approach as some touts are known to go with?

BROMOx · Aug 25, 2004

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by JohnnyDeMarco:
Bromo
My daughter just moved to Chandler.

Not really sure about percentages because I dont have a phone room (havent in ten years) but guessing from others I know that do maybe 1 in 6 will sign up if you're pretty good. If you give them free games that win (2 or more) almost all of them will. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sorry to be vague. I was wondering what % the phoneguys take from each sale they make. I have heard between 25% and 40%, but who knows. Seems a simple thing to set up a phone room, hire some guys, get some leads, and make the calls. Is there better money being made on 900 lines?

I know too many people trying to get my advice on starting something like this up. Seems all a bit shady. Any actual good shops out there?

Journeyman · Aug 25, 2004

Recently spotted this in Johnny Demarco's office

aceduecetrey · Aug 25, 2004

Johnny- I have to disagree with your statement about offshore books hurting the touting business. I feel it is the best thing that ever happened for the business. The biggest 2 reason are:
1: If you have a big client, you dont have to send him to vegas and put him up in a casino. Then if you do get lucky and go on a winning run, you have to worry about the moron losing all his money on the tables at nightm before he pays you.

2: Without Offshore books, you can not get the novice bettor. When a guy who knows nothing about betting calls you up and wants to start, you can refer him to the internet to find a offshore place. Before they came around you would have to tell him to look for a local book and that was a very touchy road to travel down.

JohnnyDeMarco · Aug 25, 2004

ADT
I disagree with your disagreemnt! Used to be everyone played on credit locally. Now they have to postup offshore-that drains the square player who used to have pocket cash to pay touts.

JohnnyDeMarco · Aug 25, 2004

Picasso
90% of my business is repeat (they're probably going the other way) However, I want as many new guys as I can get too.

JohnnyDeMarco · Aug 25, 2004

The Belch
Apparently you didnt read my whole thread/post. Why should I bet my own games when guys like you bet them for me? I spend more advertising then I could ever bet anyway-so that is a bet in itself. Call it slimy or whatever you want-that doesnt offend me at all.

max1234 · Aug 25, 2004

JohnnyDeMarco

posted August 25, 2004 11:49 AM

I spend more advertising then I could ever bet anyway-so that is a bet in itself.

LMAO.... that might be the weakest statement I've ever seen.

OMNIVOROUS FROG · Aug 25, 2004

When I grow up I want to be just like my favorite tout, Johnny DeMarco. Would you say you are a Statistical, Situational, Technical or Fundamental handicapper? Will you be entering the Hilton Contest? In your business, are capping skills or sales skills more important? Do you utilize high pressure sales tactics? Do you bait and switch? It seems like the evolution of touts is to provide information, schedules, and other non selections. Feist comes to mind there. You know the diminutive pony tailed one. Do you utilize handicapping software? Wow, Johnny, I have a ton of questions. Better stop there for now as I do not want to overload you. Best Wishes...OF

Sorry about your father.

casinghand · Aug 25, 2004

JD,

Why did you to get into the gambling business? Was it family related?

Are you really interested in the business of gambling/handicapping or only see it as a marketing opportunity to make money?

NoTax · Aug 25, 2004

How much money do I have to spend every day to gain the knowledge from this sports expert?

I think Im finally ready to give my money to someone since all the years of playing i dont remember having one winning day.

JohnnyDeMarco · Aug 25, 2004

MAx1234

what is weak about that? or do you wish you would of thought of it?

Ofrog,
I'd say Im a current game/time slot handicapper-meaning I'll promote the biggest game out there that starts early-then one that is mid afternoon and then one late. I have never baited and switched anyone in my life.