What is your opinion about bonuses?

[mnorrell]

You never answered my question -

What would you rather have:
A. 10% Bonus and -110 line OR
B. No Bonus and -101 line?

If it was as simple as you make it then the obvious answer if B. However, you use the most extreme examples with 10% being the bonus.
I will say that I was unaware of the -101 that you can get, so I guess the correct answer is it depends. You can find a few books including Heritage, where I play, which will offer you 100% cash bonus to join. So, it now comes down to how you reach the rollover amount. If you bet more games via ML, teasers, parlays, etc. then it would be best for you to take the rollover. However, if you solely bet the spread, then unless you get an outrageous bonus it would be better to go with the -101 lines.

[eyeball]

Online book that offer these great bonuses are betting most bettors will lose all their money before they can roll it over. They wouldn't be offering these "bonuses" unless they are making money. I'll take the bonus at places like BetJamaica that has a 4x rollover, but wouldn't accept a bonus from books that want you to roll it over more than 4x.

Imagine going to play blackjack at a casino, you throw down $500 and they say we'll give you an extra $100 but you have to bet the $500 plus the $100 a certain amount of times before you can cash out and leave the table. Would you do it? I wouldn't.

Smart post

[ayuntalo]

i dont know if you guys see this but..
for example you wager a lot and able tocomplete a rollover..didnt you just gave the bonus back by paying the juice?

[eyeball]

i dont know if you guys see this but..
for example you wager a lot and able tocomplete a rollover..didnt you just gave the bonus back by paying the juice?

Maybe, but if you were "wager a lot" at another book you would stilll pay the juice

[Jonah]

Wow Matchbook gives you -101 consistently. News to me.

[odysseus]

What would you rather have:
A. 10% Bonus and -110 line OR
B. No Bonus and -101 line?

Exactly. The only way a book like "A" can attract players is by offering bonuses. Why on earth would anyone do it otherwise and throw away all that juice!

[King_Suckerman]

Exactly. The only way a book like "A" can attract players is by offering bonuses. Why on earth would anyone do it otherwise and throw away all that juice!

....so always play with a bonus...........makes sense to me.

[bluefish]

I really like them.

[Banjo Man]

If your hitting action with 10 cent juice on even money and you take a 100% bonus with a 10x roll then your going to break even... if you complete the rollover and ask for a payout. Lots of luck with that scenario... Was offered 100% (freeplay) on $500 by Bethorizon with 10x roll-HAHA , decided to take the 20% cash 6x rollover...

[nikosgr]

A combination of bonus abuse, arbitrage, and multiple accounts, is the most lethal for a bookmaker, and the most profitable for a player.

[odysseus]

A combination of bonus abuse, arbitrage, and multiple accounts, is the most lethal for a bookmaker, and the most profitable for a player.

makes sense

[Boner_18]

I like a bonus that is proportional to my bankroll across all books. That way I can scalp it out. If the rollover is just too big for your total bankroll you will never get it out.

[Richkas]

Never take a bonus.

[nikosgr]

Bonus abusing is a science, and those who know it well, are paid well.

[jjgold]

A lot of hidden rules with bonuses

I prefer places like rebatewager and take the 25% back on loses

[Odessa]

A lot of hidden rules with bonuses

I prefer places like rebatewager and take the 25% back on loses

Exactly, if you're a looser then Rebatewager is the place for you, otherwise Matchbook.

[onesite]

IMHO, bonuses are a waste of time. I prefer to go with no bonuses, at least I know that if I win I can collect my money right away. Bonuses are a marketing gimmick after all, it's not real money. They work for some, especially those who are casino oriented, but not for me, I'm strictly into sports.

[onesite]

At the end of the day, bonuses are just an advertising tactic, they're not real money so they're not a real benefit. Yes, you could win with bonus money, but we know that's not always the case. I always choose to deposit and not get any bonuses. If I win I can withdraw immediately without having to fulfill any rollover requirements.

[seaborneq]

I just reached the DSI prick bonus with a 1250 dollar deposit. You just have to win. No matter the bonus or rollover, if you win it really does not matter.

[Eagle1958]

I don't like them. My money is my money to cash out when I want to not when someone else will let me

[socalaaron]

Bonuses are just an excuse for the books to limit you from withdrawing.. Or hoping that you will lose your winnings as you are forced to continue to play in order to meet a rollover. More trouble than they are worth.

[unusialsusp5]

they are quite confident most will not make the rollover requirements. because they know that the majority of bets are on over totals and teasers that players subtract instead of add and with that knowledge most players are doomed. (11th commandment: doth shall not subtract on a 2 team or 3 team teaser) yes, they know players will subtract those 7-8 pt favorites down to 1-2 pts. and they lose outright all the time. never mind you have to win 4 games to make a profit on teasers. even if you lose 1 game out of 4 you're even. of course about 75% of totals bets are on the over because everyone thinks they can wrap up their bet by the 3rd quarter. this is no way to watch a football game worry about the clock ticking off with too many punts and turnovers in wrong end. too maddening to watch and bet football that way. stay clear of totals and subtracting on teasers and you will be on your way to at least breaking even some season.

[austin]

At the end of the day, bonuses are just an advertising tactic, they're not real money ...

eh, not real money? they are real money alright in my books. it is indeed an advertising tactic, but an expensive one for the bookmakers. recent example: betfair casino fiasco

[seaborneq]

I don't like them. My money is my money to cash out when I want to not when someone else will let me

Put your money in the Bank then. You want someone to take your action and take all risk, and pay you when you want it immediately. Wrong biz buddy.

[Hoja Verdes]

very good... yes the book that i typically deal with gives great bonuses but insist that you roll it over 8x... very difficult to do.

Not difficult at all actually, and for you to say otherwise means you have no patience and probably don't have the discretionary income to be gambling anyway. Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. If rolling over a bonus 8x makes you lose discipline or basic money management skills, then you maybe you're better off without it. But anyone with patience and time over a long season should not have no problem with a rollover.

[captrobey]

Rebatewager gives you a percentage of your losses back and theres no rollover

[dark star]

I will take a bonus that has a 5x roll.That really seems like no problem to achieve;8x-12x rollover=don't bother.

[Smoke]

bonuses will make you a "bonus whore"

[eyeball]

Not difficult at all actually, and for you to say otherwise means you have no patience and probably don't have the discretionary income to be gambling anyway. Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. If rolling over a bonus 8x makes you lose discipline or basic money management skills, then you maybe you're better off without it. But anyone with patience and time over a long season should not have no problem with a rollover.

I agree if you are playing with money management and not going in and out, why not? It's free money..

Even if it took you 3 months so what? If you don't need the money, why not complete the rollover. If you loose it well you lost their money.

I am not sticking up for any book but if a book gives you a 50% freeplay, they want to see some action for their money.

Just like in Vegas you are not going to get comps if you dont give them a certain amount of play.

[seaborneq]

I agree if you are playing with money management and not going in and out, why not? It's free money..

Even if it took you 3 months so what? If you don't need the money, why not complete the rollover. If you loose it well you lost their money.

I am not sticking up for any book but if a book gives you a 50% freeplay, they want to see some action for their money.

Just like in Vegas you are not going to get comps if you dont give them a certain amount of play.

Could not have said it better. This is big time gamblers and books, not the government and welfare.

[sneak-a-peak]

Not difficult at all actually, and for you to say otherwise means you have no patience and probably don't have the discretionary income to be gambling anyway. Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. If rolling over a bonus 8x makes you lose discipline or basic money management skills, then you maybe you're better off without it. But anyone with patience and time over a long season should not have no problem with a rollover.

Very good post

For people who know what they are doing bonuses are good to get and have in the arsenal (this is war you know) so some talk of them being more destructive than useful I will never understand. Rollovers aint shit if you're winning cuz you will keep playing and eventually complete it, I have never had a problem rolling over any.

Maybe rebatewager is a good solution for people who dont like bonuses....

[Monte]

It's free $$$ at most books, because if you want you can always scalp it out and should still come out with some $$$ if you are not retarted.
But there are some books like Justbet that have such horrible lines/limits, a bonus there is a pain in the butt (and that is prolly why they send me offers each week, bitches).

[richb7a]

I do not a bouns when I use five dimes, I have a limit on reduced juice, it is better to ake money, and be able to your money as fast as possible

[jairocon]

As many have said - if a good book offers a bonus, there's no reason not to take it, if you're going to be generally playing there for a while.

[seaborneq]

10X rollover no problem. Just win baby.