Columnist Jeff Haney: Super Bowl prices can vary, so shop around

Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001 | 9:01 a.m.

Jeff Haney's sports betting column appears Wednesday. Reach him at 259-4041 or haney@lasvegassun.com

The question "What are their odds to win the Super Bowl" does not always have a simple answer.

A quick survey of a sampling of Nevada sports books reveals quite a disparity in odds among Super Bowl contenders.

The following represent the best and worst odds on selected teams bettors will find after checking out the following books: Stardust; Caesars Palace and related properties; Mirage properties; Coast Resorts; Station Casinos; Leroy's; Terrible's; and Cal Neva (based in Reno with two Las Vegas-area outlets).

All odds are as of last week -- that is, heading into this past weekend's action. (As always, odds can and do change by the minute.)

Jets: Best -- 40-1, Cal Neva. Worst -- 12-1, Leroy's.

Steelers: Best -- 15-1, Cal Neva. Worst -- 9-2, Leroy's.

Raiders: Best -- 3-1, Stardust, Terrible's, Mirage, Cal Neva. Worst -- 2-1, Leroy's, Caesars, Stations.

Eagles: Best -- 20-1, Cal Neva. Worst -- 5-1, Leroy's.

Bears: Best -- 20-1, Mirage. Worst -- 5-1, Leroy's.

Rams: Best -- 2-1, Stardust, Cal Neva. Worst -- 3-2, Coasts.

Dolphins: Best -- 15-1, Cal Neva. Worst -- 4-1, Leroy's.

Ravens: Best -- 8-1, Caesars, Cal Neva, Stations, Mirage. Worst -- 3-1, Terrible's.

Seahawks: Best -- 100-1, Stardust. Worst -- 15-1, Terrible's.

Browns: Best -- 100-1, Mirage. Worst -- 30-1, Coasts.

Giants: Best -- 25-1, Cal Neva. Worst -- 8-1, Leroy's.

Packers: Best -- 11-2, Mirage. Worst -- 5-2, Leroy's.

49ers: Best -- 20-1, Stardust. Worst -- 7-2, Leroy's.

Falcons: Best -- 200-1, Cal Neva. Worst -- 40-1, Leroy's.

Saints: Best -- 25-1, Cal Neva. Worst -- 6-1, Stations, Leroy's.

Lions: Best -- 9,999-1, Cal Neva. Worst -- 150-1, Terrible's.

For a while, it looked as if there would be no college hoops log book on the market this season. Several companies that had published them in years past opted not to do so, saying the last-minute schedule changes so common in college basketball were driving them crazy.

But Peter Ruchman, general manager of the Gambler's Book Shop, says a college log book is available thanks to a local bettor who produced his own.

"He came in and said he was giving me the master copy," Ruchman said. "All he wanted us to do was print and distribute them to our customers at cost, so that's what we're doing."

Ruchman said the cost of printing each book should run $10-15, and the store will not make any profit on the item.

"We're saying, 'Merry early Christmas, Las Vegas,' so come down and get them," Ruchman said.

The Gambler's Book Shop is at 630 S. 11th Street and online at gamblersbook.com.

"That was a huge swing for me," said Knievel, referring to the money he would have lost had the Yankees hung on. "I heard the crowd (in the sports book) cheer and I thought, 'Oh, no.' Then I saw it was the guys in the white shirts (Diamondbacks) rallying, and I almost couldn't believe it."

Knievel gave back some of the winnings a couple of days later, when Tennessee came up short against Baltimore in a Monday night NFL thriller.

Knievel had a ticket on the Titans, who were stopped at the goal line as time expired -- which must have put Knievel in the mood to break every bone in someone else's body.

"I sent a letter to the owners of the Titans saying that was the most pathetic display of football I've ever seen," Knievel said.

Knievel, 63, who has homes in Florida and Las Vegas, is planning to open an Evel Knievel theme park near Primm.

Forsythe went 5-2, including a win on his best bet, the Steelers over the Bengals. Trushel went 4-3. The contest, which started with 16 entrants, carries a $10,000 first prize.

In this week's matchup, defending champ Dave Cokin faces Las Vegas Sports Consultants oddsmaker Pete Korner at 9 p.m. Friday in the Stardust race and sports book.