Pinnacle Sportsbook operates on the lowest bookmaking margins in the business, which means the best possible pricing for bettors. Those that understand how important the smallest edge is to successful sports investing understand that they can not afford to pass on Pinnacle. The sportsbook has become somewhat of a high-volume, high-value sports betting warehouse.
When Pinnacle Sports, located in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, came online in 1998, most bookmakers were battling for business using bonuses as their main weapon. Pinnacle’s quick-moving low juice lines educated players on the value of line shopping; and it wasn’t long before Pinnacle began taking business from the competition.
The growing customer base allowed Pinnacle more flexibility to safely book reduced juice at, what eventually became, the industry’s highest wagering limits. Pinnacle’s no-nonsense approach to bookmaking more closely resembled a stock trading website than the traditional online sportsbook. Pinnacle allowed the highest concentration of sharp players to shape its line, which in turn shaped the rest of the sports betting market. Today it is impossible to find an online bookmaker or a Las Vegas sportsbook that doesn’t pay attention to Pinnacle’s numbers. Pinnacle’s lines were so sharp that they became the first online sportsbook to move odds by pennies (odds changes equating to a fraction of what it would take to move the spread a half point). Last year Pinnacle was able to reduce its margin even further on NFL spreads, cutting the cost from -105 to -104 style pricing.
Pinnacle’s website and betting screens are as sophisticated as its bookmaking style. Many books use the ASI software platform; however Pinnacle’s is almost unrecognizable due to in-house enhancements. Modifications include a proprietary spread drop down option that allows bettors to buy and sell points, and an account history option that is unmatched by the best online banking websites. Pinnacle took sports betting 101 a step further by offering dynamic lines, which lets players watch the odds move live with color changes without the need to refresh the browser.
Customer service is handled almost exclusively by email, allowing Pinnacle to keep their operating costs low. The company’s efficiency means some players can go years without ever having to contact client support. On the rare occasion there is a book error or player dispute, the customer is addressed promptly and courteously.
Overall, Pinnacle is a great book for the moderate to larger size internet bettor looking for the best betting odds for both American and European sports. This is the undisputed best sportsbook for the professional player, without a close second in sight.
On 1/11/07, Pinnacle sent waves through the gambling industry by leaving the American market. Many of the sharpest players were left without a place to make large wagers and were forced to reduced their overall betting volume.