Of course, it's not to say that there is definitively no jadeite beneath the green surface. On the contrary, many times there is jadeite under the green layer. The so-called "line" and "patch" are just forms of expression, where "line" is the thickness and implies uprightness, and the "patch" is the area and implies flatness.
But those who truly understand gemstone betting won't rely solely on this one aspect, they also need to make a comprehensive judgment based on the whole stone's appearance, such as the python band, the texture of the pine flower, the water color, and other factors to draw a final conclusion.
The saying "Rather buy a line than a patch" is merely a reminder to bettors not to harbor excessive expectations for the thickness of green within the raw material.