Hi @capper2016, thanks for the feedback. To clarify the @steemsportsfund is actually playing the house, it funds both sides automatically to make the game more attractive for users, by funding both sides equally we actually lose out more than we win. Our @steemsports team (which is not affiliated with Steemit.com team) are integral to taking part in the Pay Plays, by playing they are battle testing the system and picking up on potential improvements and issues with the flow of the UI etc, we need them to play to give us feedback, also they are the ones who will eventually help onboard other users and are most passionate about our project, so it makes sense if they are allowed to play. @cryptoiskey for example has been playing the losing side on some games on purpose to help give a bit of liquidity.

The dropping of the spread is a tricky one, because then the game will be weighted very heavily on one side, if a strong team plays a weak team then everyone will bet on the strong team if there is no spread and there will be no money in the losing pool for the winners to win. That is basically the purpose of the spread, and to help prevent ties.

I hope this helps in answering your questions. :)