Questions In Regards To Books (General) For Regulars

[GoBlue]

1) What is the most that you can win from a book and feel safe that they will pay? I am sure that each site is diffrent so let's base it off your grading system, i.e. A,B,C ect....

FYI- I have used SBG and got paid like a champ - no probs and I beat them pretty good - 20k + over the NBA playoffs.

2) I got stiffed back in the day from this book called Top Turf - they were a joke - I was under the impression that all books pay now as I have not had any problems since then (13 years ago) with sports. So not getting paid is starting to worry me - thoughts?

3) I feel as though I have been cheated on online black jack by many sites, however. Is there anyway to beat any of the online casinos? I cussed out the Bodog rep and got kicked out as a result!

[Catsfan]

I will answer question # 3. NO
If you are lucky enough to win once do yourself a favor. Collect your winnings and contact the book and tell them to turn off your access to the casino. Some may disagree but I don't think there is any way to win at Blackjack over time at ANY online casino.

[isetcap]

1. This is a function of your own cashflow situation. Personally, I don't even like to have 6 figures in my Neteller account so I definitely won't keep that much in one specific book (that includes Pinnacle).

2. Use the SBR information freely and you will find all the answers you need about payment issues. Even poorly rated books usually manage to eventually pay out or else they become 'F' rated which leads to quick closure.

3. Here's a start...

http://forum.sbrforum.com/showthread.php?t=14923

[TLD]

1. If you in fact got paid by SBG, especially the amount you state, consider yourself to have dodged a bullet. Because, as you say, the amount you can win without getting punished for doing so varies greatly from book to book, with SBG being one of those at the low end of that scale.

I wouldn’t want to even speculate as to a dollar amount. But while some books probably are run by simpletons who look only at amount won or amount lost to decide if you’re a player they want, most books are at least as interested in how you’re winning.

If you’re betting games where they’re getting roughly balanced action, and because you happen to be a great handicapper (or very lucky) you’re winning big, then typically there is literally no limit on what you can win at a reputable shop and still be welcome there. They just want the volume; they don’t care whether you happen to be on the winning or losing side.

On the other hand, if you’re winning because you’re beating them to the number or otherwise betting in a “sharp” fashion that they recognize gives you the edge over them in the long run in a way that is not balanced by action on the other side, then they’ll show a lot less tolerance for you.

The countermeasures can vary. As far as their simply not paying, luckily that’s uncommon (except at books like the one you put in a good word for in your opening post).

Now there is a form of “not paying” that’s unfortunately a bit more common but still even most winning players won’t have to deal with, and that’s chitzy stuff like revoking bonuses, deleting loyalty points and other perks, not giving you the benefit of the doubt on close calls on grading issues, etc.

Much more likely is that your limits will be cut—from slightly to drastically—or you’ll simply be booted, and paid on your way out the door. Again, there’s no specific dollar figure for when the various countermeasures kick in, but you have a lot less to worry about in that regard at shops like Pinnacle, The Greek, WSEX, CRIS, Grande, etc.

By the way, while the SBR ratings have a decent correlation with your likelihood of being stiffed outright, they have little or no correlation with the books’ tolerance for winners in general. A high rating for the most part just means your money’s safe there. It certainly does not mean if you’re a skilled enough player to win that you’ll be welcome there indefinitely.

2. By no means do all books pay. You need to choose your books carefully after doing some research. The SBR ratings are a good start. Poster feedback here and elsewhere can be useful. (Use the search function.)

Beware of assuming that books that are allowed to advertise on the various “watchdog” sites are reputable businesses. There used to be some correlation, though it was always far from ideal. But in recent years that’s just gotten worse and worse, and now it’s in as horrible a state as I’ve ever seen it. More and more, the fact that a given sportsbook is accepted as a “sponsor” and lauded by the employees of a site means absolutely nothing except that they were willing and able to pay the advertising fees.

3. Yes, many people make money playing online casinos. For the most part it can’t be done without bonuses, as even the honest games have a built in house advantage (with rare exceptions, like reportedly an occasional online blackjack game). But once you factor in the bonuses, then yes, online casinos can be beat. The people who do this seriously seem to agree, though, that there were far greater opportunities in the past. Now things have tightened up considerably as places have become a lot more cautious with their bonuses and such.

[Aces]

Do not play casino games online anywhere anytime never ever. I got drunk one night after a great day of football and lost 5K playing Black Jack at Bo Dog. I play black jack at least once a week in the Casinos and I'm pretty good... drunk or sober. As far as your balance unless you are a whale (Very Large Player) theres no need to maintain a huge balance in any book. I prefer smaller balances in multiple books this provides you with an oportunity to shop lines play props etc. If a web site has problems you can simply use another book. Sometimes you can find a line off a point or so and take a shot at a middle bet. Stick with the A rated books and 20K will never be a problem. Keep your bankroll split up and then you wont have the IRS knocking on your door. Keep your withdrawals below 1k even if you have to do multiples to get your funds out.