Here's a stupid question

I don't bet on sports much, meaning I've never bet at a sports book (I sometimes bet with friends). So here's the stupid question:

At a sports book, can you only place the bets the book has available, or can you propose your own bet?

For example, I'd like to bet the Cowboys won't win a playoff game this year. Now, I know I can wait for the playoff schedule to be determined, then bet against the Cowboys (should they go that far), but it's not the same thing.

I tried to make this bet with a friend. We agreed it would be a tie if the Cowboys don't make the playoffs. I've dinner riding on it :)

I have never once heard of that happening. You were on the right train of thought in getting a friend to take the other side. Or, I think you can propose a wager on anything at sites like intrade.com.

Thanks. I'll check Intrade. I've heard about it, but never really checked it out.

Well, I'm glad I dind't put down any money on that bet.

To be honest about it, I shoulnd't have made the bet once I knew the Eagles would play at Dallas. Anyway, I wound up losing.

I figured you won based on the way you explained the bet.

A wager like the one you proposed are proposition bets. Usually, the one you suggested would be ripe as a pre-season prop. Sometimes as a mid-season prop (wager closes before all teams play their 9th game). A UK sportsbook would have had that bet, maybe Pinnacle.

The 'Boys and Yanks are famous, and usually get a lot of props.