Sharp vs. Square Sportsbooks

[El Sol]

<header class="entry-header"> Read this on a Betting blog, thought it was interesting

Sharp vs. Square Sportsbooks

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• Sharp Sportsbooks:
• We consider a sportsbook “sharp” if it:

• – Is a market-setting sportsbook or one that originates its own lines
• – Moves its lines quickly when the market gets “steamed” or takes a big bet
• – Welcomes professional action

Because sharp sportsbooks accept professional action and the highest limits, they do not shade their lines off the market. In order to maximize value by shopping for the best line, we recommend sports investors have at least one account at a sharp sportsbook.
Examples of Sharp Sportsbooks:

• – CRIS (Bookmaker)
• – Pinnacle
• – Greek (Olympic)
• – 5Dimes
• – Heritage
• – Carib
• – ABC (Jazz)
• – Grande

Square Sportsbooks
We consider a sportsbook “square” if it:

• – Waits for sharp books to open, then follows their lines
• – Does not move lines until the sharp books move
• – Caters to square, public bettors who like betting favorites and overs ( my favorite part of the article. The "no juice if you win" guys will certinly disagree with this)
• – Shade their lines towards public favorites, providing extra value for those willing to Bet Against the Public

In order to shop for the best line, it’s very important to also have an account at a square sportsbook. This allows value-minded sports investors to improve their winning percentage and units won by consistently getting down at better numbers.
Examples of Square Sportsbooks:

• – SIA
• – BetUS
• – Sportsbook.com
• – Bovada

[Cookie Monster]

In my view, there are two main types of books: Recreational and pro.

The recreational books usually give good bonuses and perks, have lines shaded to the public side and medium to low limits. They know they are beatable, so they have to limit or kick players pounding mostly inflated prices or props. SIA, Sportsbook, B365, Bodog, most Euros and many others are in this group.

The pros books have little or no bonuses, the lines are though to beat and limits are high. As they know it is hard to beat them, they seldom limit players (at most they cut perks). Pinnacle, Bookmaker and SBObet are pros. Exchanges belong here too.

Between those poles live most books. Some are closer to pros (as Greek), and some are closer to recreationals (rebatewager). Each one has their risk management. Some check biggest winners, some check withdrawing accounts, others check for steam or props, some others check for beaters of the closing line. In short, the more beatable is a book, the stinger the risk management should be to keep profitability.

[RonPaul2008]

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• Sharp Sportsbooks:
• We consider a sportsbook “sharp” if it:

• – Is a market-setting sportsbook or one that originates its own lines
• – Moves its lines quickly when the market gets “steamed” or takes a big bet
• – Welcomes professional action

Because sharp sportsbooks accept professional action and the highest limits, they do not shade their lines off the market. In order to maximize value by shopping for the best line, we recommend sports investors have at least one account at a sharp sportsbook.
Examples of Sharp Sportsbooks:

• – CRIS (Bookmaker)
• – Pinnacle
• – Greek (Olympic)
• – 5Dimes
• – Heritage
• – Carib
• – ABC (Jazz)
• – Grande

Square Sportsbooks
We consider a sportsbook “square” if it:

• – Waits for sharp books to open, then follows their lines
• – Does not move lines until the sharp books move
• – Caters to square, public bettors who like betting favorites and overs ( my favorite part of the article. The "no juice if you win" guys will certinly disagree with this)
• – Shade their lines towards public favorites, providing extra value for those willing to Bet Against the Public

In order to shop for the best line, it’s very important to also have an account at a square sportsbook. This allows value-minded sports investors to improve their winning percentage and units won by consistently getting down at better numbers.
Examples of Square Sportsbooks:

• – SIA
• – BetUS
• – Sportsbook.com
• – Bovada

The list of sharp books is so wrong.

5Dimes is not sharp at all (which is why they have the limit/delay people all the time)
Heritage is not sharp
Jazz is not sharp

[PittsburghPlayer]

Nice write up, so I am on the right side then with Carib, RIGHT?

OK, thought so. I just did a search on them and do not see ANYTHING negative about them. Except for the few that would have an extra TWELVE dollars in their pockets if that had SEVEN books and always had the sharpest number...

Fukk that. Just pick winners. Carib are winners! Always PAY and PROFESSIONAL...