What is your opinion about bonuses?

**Ninersnut** · 09-16-10, 08:04 AM

It's a double edged sword. It's basically up to the bettor. I usually take them tho.

**seaborneq** · 09-16-10, 08:25 AM

Take the bonus. You can always leave it on the table. Unless you have ESP you don't know if you will not reach it. I don't see any downside.

**Mr. Jones** · 09-16-10, 08:48 AM

Originally posted by thezbar

I avoid high rollover bonuses. Cash bonus with 3x rollover is about my limit. I'm beginning to think bonuses are more trouble than there worth.

Cash bonus with a 3x rollover is pretty much a thing of the past.

**unusialsusp5** · 09-16-10, 08:55 AM

if they're offering it. you know who's going to benefit in the long run. not worth paying extra juice to get a rollover bonus that much is obvious.

**jjgold** · 09-16-10, 09:44 AM

I prefer rebates

Bonuses are a fukkin hassle

**Willie Bee** · 09-16-10, 09:47 AM

Have to agree with JJ here, at least about the bonuses. Nine out of 10 complaints I've seen about sports book payouts begin with something like, "I deposited $500 at Bet XYZ and got a 20% bonus..."

**THE HITMAN** · 09-16-10, 09:52 AM

I usually take them unless it's with a questionable house like Betus where they promise them over the phone but after your funds are in they find a way to not give them to you.
I am not one to put in and pull out quickly, I'm generally not a premature ejaculator...........keeping funds a top flight house should not be a problem as good money management dictates that success in this hobby is not a sprint, but a marathon.

**MBENZ** · 09-16-10, 09:59 AM

Originally posted by Willie Bee

Have to agree with JJ here, at least about the bonuses. Nine out of 10 complaints I've seen about sports book payouts begin with something like, "I deposited $500 at Bet XYZ and got a 20% bonus..."

Most of the complaints are due to false advertising by the books,not living up to what they promote.I've never had a problem with Betjam or the Greek in honoring what they say.Some of these other outfits are not as oblidging.You have to also read the fine print in the bonus rules,some of these guys don't allow parlays,big dogs and in some cases ties lose.Used correctly at the right shop,there is no downside.

**sneak-a-peak** · 09-16-10, 01:01 PM

Bonuses are great! I have never had a problem rolling over any cuz of the volume I wager, also I'm in this for the long haul so withdrawing to early in any account hasn't ever been a issue for me.

So at the end of the day I consider it a small edge for me.

**Hareeba!** · 09-16-10, 04:39 PM

Originally posted by seaborneq

Take the bonus. You can always leave it on the table. Unless you have ESP you don't know if you will not reach it. I don't see any downside.

no downside?

try withdrawing your money if you come to the conclusion you can't make the rollover and you might learn something

**capitalist pig** · 09-16-10, 06:11 PM

I never take them, JMO.

later

**Dex17** · 09-16-10, 07:13 PM

In looking for a book, I think the bonus should be one of the last factors to look for. I think reliability/reputation is paramount. Also, I like looking at all the books' lines via the 'live odds' feature; some books are more in line with my typical picks than others. For NFL, Bodog typically is a half point higher, but they tend to have higher juice than places like Bookmaker.

In reference to bonuses, it seems a lot of you don't even want to take the bonus. Is there a reason why you would decline it? So what if you don't plan to rollover 5x, or whatever. If the reason's b/c it tempts you to place more action, that's pretty lame. Just take the bonus, ignore it, and when you rollover, smile and enjoy!

**seaborneq** · 09-16-10, 09:39 PM

Originally posted by Hareeba!

no downside?

try withdrawing your money if you come to the conclusion you can't make the rollover and you might learn something

I have never withdrawn with a bonus rollover being a factor. I either reach it or I don't. I can always take out what I put in. It is called forfeiting the bonus. Happens everyday. No book gives a bonus to every player, and not all players reach the rollover. Live on, you will see it is not a big deal.

**Hareeba!** · 09-16-10, 11:08 PM

Originally posted by seaborneq

I have never withdrawn with a bonus rollover being a factor. I either reach it or I don't. I can always take out what I put in. It is called forfeiting the bonus. Happens everyday. No book gives a bonus to every player, and not all players reach the rollover. Live on, you will see it is not a big deal.

different books have different rules I guess but I understand there are some which don't let you simply forfeit the bonus, they won't let you withdraw until you've done the turnover

**gags** · 09-17-10, 12:04 AM

Bonus hunting was my favorite past time for awhile..but yeah, it gets to be a pain.

**Dark Horse** · 09-17-10, 12:21 AM

Originally posted by Mudcat

I like bonuses very much

lol

Me too.

------------------------------------------------------

Free money. Take it.

If possible, negotiate a good deal and, of course, get it in writing.

**Hareeba!** · 09-17-10, 01:33 AM

Originally posted by Dark Horse

lol

Me too.

------------------------------------------------------

Free money. Take it.

If possible, negotiate a good deal and, of course, get it in writing.

enough of this talk about "free" money

it ain't "free" if it comes with conditions attached

**thechaoz** · 09-17-10, 01:50 AM

I've had no problem rolling over bonuses at Wagerchief, BP and Bookmaker since I started betting. You just have to understand that this is money that is not available right away, and bet as you usually would. If you push then you could get lucky and rollover, or the other side is total collapse. Any non degen/decent bettor should be fine. I agree though anything over 6X is too much for me and I'd much rather have reduced juice unless it's a really good deal.

**waddymark** · 09-17-10, 02:46 AM

Originally posted by Willie Bee

Have to agree with JJ here, at least about the bonuses. Nine out of 10 complaints I've seen about sports book payouts begin with something like, "I deposited $500 at Bet XYZ and got a 20% bonus..."

And I don't agree
Bonuses are free, never bad

**Hareeba!** · 09-17-10, 02:49 AM

Originally posted by waddymark

And I don't agree
Bonuses are free, never bad

absurd

**Kav** · 09-17-10, 03:15 AM

hate bonuses, i use to take them past when i first started betting offshore. realized after a while they were just a huge hassle. anything over 5X was a battle and a half.

betphoenix and wagerchief always use to give me FP's when i use to play with them. now they wonder why i dont play with them anymore anytime they decide to call me still lol. bad lines and high rollovers.

**Reno Paul** · 09-17-10, 03:18 AM

Gonna try to stay away from bonuses the next time I deposit.....Hate the big rollovers.

**sportscash** · 09-17-10, 04:13 AM

I stay clear of most bonuses these days.Too many rules and money gets tied up.

**BestPlay2day** · 09-17-10, 06:38 AM

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.

**kilochs** · 09-17-10, 07:31 AM

someone hating bonuses.....
so many people idiot.....

**magynuck** · 09-17-10, 08:02 AM

will take them if offered
at min 250 k volume per week rollover not a problem
very vanilla places(justbet) can take awhile but most are irrelevant

**Odessa** · 09-17-10, 08:44 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by waddymark
And I don't agree
Bonuses are free, never bad
absurd

It's amazing how many people are duped in thinking "Bonuses are free". As Hareeba mentioned, you pay twice more in commission without realizing that. Well, everyone learns it the hard way.

By the way.................. "There is no free lunch" - Milton Friedman

**Richkas** · 09-17-10, 08:54 AM

I never,ever have taken a bonus because I want my money when I want it. Its also been over 3 years since I have upgraded offshore. Its all local for me.

**katstale** · 09-17-10, 09:39 AM

I don't turn down free money from an honest book. With my play, rollover is not even an event for me UNLESS the book changes the terms of the arrangement midstream and lowers my limit.

**mnorrell** · 09-17-10, 11:15 AM

This is quite possibly one of the dumbest topics I've ever seen. First, if you need your money so bad that you cannot hold your money in the book for a while then you shouldn't be betting. As long as you have some self control with your bankroll, there is no reason not to accept the bonus. Who cares about an 6x, 8x, or 10x rollover when your betting the entire football season. Say you deposited 1k with a 10x rollover. As long as you had 625 worth of rollover in a WEEKEND, which is nothing over the course of a football weekend, then you will easily get the rollover by the end of football.

Taking the rollover shouldn't change the amount or way you bet. It just ensures that you have to keep the money in longer and win over an extended period. Anyone can get lucky and win 4 out of 5 game in a weekend and cash out, thus the idea of bonuses and require the better to do it over time. As long as you were planning on betting the entire season, there is no reason not to accept the bonus.

**Odessa** · 09-17-10, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by mnorrell

This is quite possibly one of the dumbest topics I've ever seen. First, if you need your money so bad that you cannot hold your money in the book for a while then you shouldn't be betting. As long as you have some self control with your bankroll, there is no reason not to accept the bonus. Who cares about an 6x, 8x, or 10x rollover when your betting the entire football season. Say you deposited 1k with a 10x rollover. As long as you had 625 worth of rollover in a WEEKEND, which is nothing over the course of a football weekend, then you will easily get the rollover by the end of football.

Taking the rollover shouldn't change the amount or way you bet. It just ensures that you have to keep the money in longer and win over an extended period. Anyone can get lucky and win 4 out of 5 game in a weekend and cash out, thus the idea of bonuses and require the better to do it over time. As long as you were planning on betting the entire season, there is no reason not to accept the bonus.

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

**mnorrell** · 09-17-10, 12:02 PM

Originally posted by Odessa

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

Name a book that gives you a -101 line if you do not accept the bonus and -110 if you do?

**Odessa** · 09-17-10, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by mnorrell

Name a book that gives you a -101 line if you do not accept the bonus?

Matchbook

Originally posted by mnorrell

Name a book that gives you -110 if you do?

Almost all other sportbooks.

**mnorrell** · 09-17-10, 12:31 PM

Originally posted by Odessa

Matchbook

Almost all other sportbooks.

Ok, that wasn't two different questions as your second answer is obvious. However, I was unaware that matchbook gives -101. That is if their site is working.

**Odessa** · 09-17-10, 12:37 PM

Originally posted by mnorrell

Ok, that wasn't two different questions as your second answer is obvious. However, I was unaware that matchbook gives -101. That is if their site is working.

You never answered my question -

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