Win if you win, (money back) if you don't

I just made a $1,100 wager on an NFL team I don't even know. Before you think I've plunged headfirst into the true Dark Side, let me say it's a better bet than even backing Ryan in the WSOP.

That's because it's a can't-lose promotion at Mansion, the Web site that sponsors poker babe Erica Schoenberg. Basically, it breaks down like this: you place a $1,100 bet on the Thursday, Sept. 7 game on the Pittsburgh Steelers, which is set at -110. So that's $1,100 to win $1,000.

If you win, fine. If you don't, the site pledges to refund your money within three days.

So free money, yay, if it happens.

There's been a lot of traffic on the 2+2 forums vetting this deal out. And I spent the good bit of a phone call in a closed conference room trying to sort it out myself. Everything I have seen makes me think it's legit.

But what this comes down to is the essential trust online gamblers have in the system. Yes, there's a chance (a small chance, I believe) the money may never be refunded. But if that happened, the core community would never play on that site again. It's as good of a bet to think Mansion will come through with its deal.

Why would Mansion do this? Well, they are trying to build their player base. It's not easy, given all the options. It's like being a Johnny-come-lately to the pokerblog scene. At least there you aren't dependent on other people actually using your site.

And that's the crux of it. Risk-takers who are piling on the cash in the Internet sea and those who stand on the shore, not knowing what to make of it.