I'm not going to derail the thread with an idealogical debate, but if I owned ABC Bookies, I would not accept bets from long-term winning punters, either. Why would I?!
It is an interesting discussion. Perhaps we could start a new thread with it if there is enough interest. To my mind there are a number of reasons to take sharp action:
1. To sharpen your prices. If the whole world wants to be on Man Utd @ evens but my sharp guy wants to be on Liverpool in same game i can lay the mugs until the cows come home at top price. If I don't have that steer I have to cut them at some point.
2. To bet them yourself.
3. Because if you give action you get action. If I was a punter that wanted to have £35k on Germany @ 2/7 today I would want to go to a bookie that would want to lay me next week if I won. If I am willing to put my money up shouldn't they be?
4. Because the fact punters not being allowed to win is not the message you want to send to your losing customers. Lots of punters aspire to be winners.
5. Because I prefer them where I can see them. If I throw them out they will come in again under a new name and they will have normal limits again.
Don't get me wrong I think winners should be restricted. They have to be. But offering £3.26 on a bet at evens on a regular market is, frankly, ridiculous.
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