Steelers-Chiefs great matchup

Bob Cloud

Monday, Oct. 7, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Two popular betting favorites collide tonight as Kansas City hosts Pittsburgh on Monday Night Football.

The Chiefs (4-1) opened as four-point favorites and have remained so against the Steelers (3-1). The over/under stands at 38.

Jay Kornegay, race and sports book director at the Imperial Palace, said tonight's game has drawn consistent action on both sides.

"It's been pretty steady so far for this one," Kornegay said. "We've seen really even action on both sides. It's a great matchup. When you figure Kansas City gets three points for having the home field advantage, it comes down to a pretty even game."

The game pits two teams which were ticketed to play in last year's AFC championship game before Indianapolis knocked the Chiefs out of the playoffs early. It features a matchup of close coaching buddies in Marty Shottenheimer of Kansas City and Pittsburgh's Bill Cowher. Cowher was an assistant to Shottenheimer in both Cleveland and Kansas City before taking over the Steelers.

"The Steelers are a popular team that always draws action," said Kornegay. "The Chiefs are very popular as well, so that translates into a lot of interest."

Kornegay's book is offering several propositions, including the number of pass attempts by Kansas City quarterback Steve Bono (over/under of 32 1/2) and whether or not Chiefs running back Marcus Allen will score a touchdown (pick).

Woods, LVI draw support

Tiger Woods won the Las Vegas Invitational Sunday as a 15-1 shot at most area sports books, although a few had the 20-year-old at upwards of 30-1.

Kornegay said Woods drew a good amount of action to win, but was more popular in a matchup proposition vs. defending champion Jim Furyk.

"We had a few tickets," said Kornegay. "Actually, we had quite a bit of action on him compared to betting on the overall field. He's become a public figure, and he's going to draw interest every time he plays."

Overall, interest in the LVI was the best to date according to Kornegay. However, some players missed out on wagers because they didn't know the five-round affair opened on Wednesday instead of Thursday, the normal PGA Tour starting day.

"We're happy with the action on the tournament," he said. "It seems to increase every year. We had some problems with the tournament beginning on Wednesday. A few regular bettors came in Wednesday and didn't realize the tournament had already started. Next year we'll try to get it up sooner."

Odds and ends

* RAPID ROBERT CHIP: The Las Vegas Club will introduce a limited edition gaming chip honoring baseball great Bob Feller to coincide with Feller's appearance at the casino Oct. 15. Feller will meet with fans and sign autographs on that date from 4 to 6 p.m. The $10 chips will be available beginning at 2 p.m. Oct. 15 at the casino cage. "We're thrilled to give our customers the chance to meet one of the greatest pitchers in the history of baseball," said Las Vegas Club vice president Brady Exber. The casino has offered chips in the past honoring sports legends such as Babe Ruth, Dizzy Dean and Jesse Owens.

* TELE-BET SYSTEM: Mirage Re sorts will make Sports Tele-Bet, a system which allows bettors to make sports wagers via the phone, available to the public beginning Oct. 9. The system features 32 phone lines and provides bettors the latest odds on events, and also includes a fax-back service. A $200 balance is required to open an account, with a minimum of $10 for all team side, total, parlay money line, teasers and round-robin wagers. $5 parlay cards are available.