-FH- USA SPORTSBOOK RANKINGS for FRIDAY 10/15/2010

[Fishhead]

What a bunch of jokers.

Unbelievable, as if you guys really have insight to rank these books properly.

1. Been playing offshore since pre-1997
2. Have many friends(contacts) that work in this business offshore that I once worked with in Vegas, on both sides of the counter
3, Currently play or have played at every book in the rankings and some 200+ others

[Shonner]

1. Been playing offshore since pre-1997
2. Have many friends(contacts) that work in this business offshore that I once worked with in Vegas, on both sides of the counter
3, Currently play or have played at every book in the rankings and some 200+ others

FH - No disrespect, you know that I respect you as a poster, as I have stated at least a few handful of times I am a fan of you. With that said, I can and will still disagree with you from time to time.

I just feel like ranking sportsbooks is a full time job and requires a lot of work.

I do not doubt that any of the books on your list aren't good books.

I wouldn't probably have posted this if it was just "top 10 in no order". A few problems I have are that Bookmaker being so high, and the inclusion of some other books that I feel aren't that good. I played at Cris way before they transferred their US players to their new operation and I know first hand the old Cris and new Bookmaker/DSI is nothing like it used to be. Dealing with them is like dealing with a big organization - they are slow, make a lot of mistakes, and don't give you personalized service. I feel like any books with payouts as slow as the CRIS group of books and with CS that bad shouldn't be that high.

With that said I do commend you for ranking some books that aren't in the top 10 SBR list.

I also assume (and I apologize if I am wrong) that you don't have insight each books' financial position, which to me is 100% necessary before ranking any book.

[KC]

I like this new list, keep most my funds at the top 3.

[Fishhead]

FH - No disrespect, you know that I respect you as a poster, as I have stated at least a few handful of times I am a fan of you. With that said, I can and will still disagree with you from time to time.

I just feel like ranking sportsbooks is a full time job and requires a lot of work.

I do not doubt that any of the books on your list aren't good books.

I wouldn't probably have posted this if it was just "top 10 in no order". A few problems I have are that Bookmaker being so high, and the inclusion of some other books that I feel aren't that good. I played at Cris way before they transferred their US players to their new operation and I know first hand the old Cris and new Bookmaker/DSI is nothing like it used to be. Dealing with them is like dealing with a big organization - they are slow, make a lot of mistakes, and don't give you personalized service. I feel like any books with payouts as slow as the CRIS group of books and with CS that bad shouldn't be that high.

With that said I do commend you for ranking some books that aren't in the top 10 SBR list.

I also assume (and I apologize if I am wrong) that you don't have insight each books' financial position, which to me is 100% necessary before ranking any book.

Shonner, thanks for the comments.

By doing these rankings on a weekly basis, I KNOW MANY AND MOST WILL HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS on what the rankings should be.

These days most everyone has a different opinoin about a certain book..........for instance, you may think Bookmaker is not a top ten operation and others would claim they are #1 or #2.............and this coming from respected bettors and posters such as yourself.

One of the very best things I feel by doing this is recieving comments such as yours above from a wide array of posters.......

[Shonner]

Shonner, thanks for the comments.

By doing this rankings on a weekly basis, I KNOW MANY AND MOST WILL HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS on what the rankings should be.

These days most everyone has a different opinoin about a certain book..........for instance, you may think Bookmaker is not a top ten operation and others would claim they are #1 or #2.............and this coming from respected bettors and posters such as yourself.

One of the very best things I feel by doing this is recieving comments such as yours above from a wide array of posters.......

No problem, my first post was probably a little harsh. I do feel your rankings add value because they offer a different perspective for new/unexperienced players that are looking for a 2nd opinion to SBR rankings. It tells players that it is OK to go outside of the top ranked books, which is a positive thing.

I find the most variance in player opinions are on Bookmaker/DSI and 5dimes. You see a lot of advocates and a lot of people bashing the books. It is very interesting.

[milwaukee mike]

shonner why would it matter if you had insight into a books' financial position?
betonsports was sitting on a bunch of cash before THEY STOLE IT ALL.
neteller was sitting on a bunch of cash before THEY GOT SHUT DOWN.
etc etc

fishhead good to see bodog in the top 10 (i would rank it top 3)

[Fishhead]

shonner why would it matter if you had insight into a books' financial position?
betonsports was sitting on a bunch of cash before THEY STOLE IT ALL.
neteller was sitting on a bunch of cash before THEY GOT SHUT DOWN.
etc etc

fishhead good to see bodog in the top 10 (i would rank it top 3)

Speaking of financial situations and guessing what Shonner believes is the importance in this.........................



Have played since pre-1997 in this business, routinely having no less than 10-12 active accounts, and have only been NOT PAYED/STIFFED one time................ACES GOLD

Remember, the FH ratings involve ALL aspects of an operation taking the little guy, as well as wiseguy into consideration...............but having said that, my safety recored has proven to be very good over the years.

Having said that, I GUARANTEE you if I proceed with these rankings of the TOP 15 for an extended period of time(4+ years and possibly less)........some shop in my rankings would begin stiffing people or flying the coop overnight and never to be heard from again...........THAT IS THE NATURE OF THIS BUSINESS

NEVER KEEP MONEY OFFSHORE YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE

My staff and me may include a SAFETY RATINGS GUIDE IN NEXT WEEKS -FH- RATINGS that will be RELEASED NEXT FRIDAY

[Shonner]

shonner why would it matter if you had insight into a books' financial position?
betonsports was sitting on a bunch of cash before THEY STOLE IT ALL.
neteller was sitting on a bunch of cash before THEY GOT SHUT DOWN.
etc etc

fishhead good to see bodog in the top 10 (i would rank it top 3)

You misunderstood. There are no absolute guarantees just because of financial position - but it is a very important measure. It shouldn't be assumed that just because a book is financially strong they are safe. BUT, in order to be safe, you should be financially strong.

To put it in perfect English, a book that is not financially strong has a higher probability of failing. That doesn't mean that a financially strong book can't fail.

[Shonner]

My staff and me may include a SAFETY RATINGS GUIDE IN NEXT WEEKS -FH- RATINGS that will be RELEASED NEXT FRIDAY

Very good idea.

I believe that safety should be the #1 factor in ranking a book. Safety is strongly related to financial position.