Here is a possible hidden gem for your 2008 baseball wagering

[bigboydan]

I stumbled across this the other day and thought I'd share my finding with everyone on them.

The hidden gem is no other than BetAtlas (SBR rated "B-")

Based out of Costa Rica they have been around since 1995, and are part of the HorizonSports S.A. family of books which includes BetHorizon, BetByInternet, WorldWideWagering, just to name a few.

They currently are offering a .10 cent on baseball (up to -190), and their limits are not bad either ($3,000 sides & $1,000 on totals). Their lines are nothing to write home about, and even though it hasn't happen to me yet they could cut your limits.


They do offer some rather nice reload bonuses from time to time, however the standard bonus structure for new customers aren't the best IMO ($25-$2,500 20% Free Play or 10% cash bonus upto $5k). The one thing I do like is that if a player does keep his account active with them they will receive a free sports pager.


Their customer service could stand to improve a bit in my humble opinion only, but then again what books couldn't though really.


The one real big turn off for me though is their depost options suck! They only accept Western Union, MoneyGram, Cashiers Checks, Bank Drafts or Bank Wires for U.S. players. Although they do still take Neteller for non-U.S.,Canadian, and Turkey customers. Although I do like the fact that they offer 1 free payout per month (bank wires or fedex checks), which you usually get within 3-5 business days.


I currently see no outstanding complaints levied against [iSBRFORUM]BetAtlas[/iSBRFORUM] at this time. In fact the only one I recall seeing recently was this one SBR poster RickySteve made back on 2/15/08. However this problem has been rectified to both parties satisfaction. In case anyone is curious to see what his greevince was, here it is.

[purecarnagge]

looks solid. But how fast are the lines up?

[bigboydan]

looks solid. But how fast are the lines up?

They do offer overnight lines (nickel max.), however I'm not sure when they post their lines though.

[BigBollocks]

It doesn't seem like anything to write home about, particularly with the Matchbook's of the world offering one cent lines with five figure overnight amounts listed.

[NEP Dynasty]

What is a "one cent" or a "ten cent" line in terms of baseball?

[BigBollocks]

One cent: -169/+168
Ten cent: -172/+162

And when a book talks about "breaking their ten cent line at -190," that means you'll see ten cent disparities up to -190 (e.g. -190/+180), but any favorite above -190 will see fifteen point lines (e.g. -191/+176). They'll then have a point where it becomes 20 cent and so on. This is why playing at books with superior numbers and ML vig is so important in baseball and hockey in particular.

GL...

[TLD]

Though Matchbook doesn’t really offer one cent lines. They charge a fee. Yeah, if you don’t count the fee it can be as low as one cent lines, but that’s like saying Greek’s -140/+120 line is “a 0 cent line if you don’t count the juice”—an equally meaningless or at least misleading claim.

Matchbook’s lines are always at least five cent lines, and depending on when you’re betting and how much you’re trying to get down and such, they can be a lot more.

[NEP Dynasty]

Thanks guys

[BigBollocks]

Though Matchbook doesn’t really offer one cent lines. They charge a fee. Yeah, if you don’t count the fee it can be as low as one cent lines, but that’s like saying Greek’s -140/+120 line is “a 0 cent line if you don’t count the juice”—an equally meaningless or at least misleading claim.

Matchbook’s lines are always at least five cent lines, and depending on when you’re betting and how much you’re trying to get down and such, they can be a lot more.

You're right that I should have mentioned the fee, which is 2% commission. Even so, a roughly five cent line at high limits is a pretty solid option.

I think we can all agree that TheGreek is a non-player when it comes to baseball.

[TLD]

Of course I didn’t say Matchbook is a bad book for baseball, nor that Greek is a good book for baseball.

But how are you doing the math that the lines aren’t a minimum of 5 cents?

[BigBollocks]

It's always at least five cents with the 2% factored in on both sides, you're right sir. Still not a bad option with the limits available (even overnight). If you're playing for $500 or less, you can often find better lines at 5Dimes overnight after factoring in the vig.

Not mentioning Matchbook's vig was a huge oversight on my part. Thanks for informing the posters of this (you are clearly deserving of Ganch's praise lol)...

[TLD]

I certainly agree with you that Matchbook is a very valuable book to use for the baseball bettor. Possibly the best if one were somehow forced to use only one book.

[INVEGA MAN]

I might give them a try since they are a B- here

[jjgold]

The BLR software actually is decent, also has injuries listed under lines which is useful

[bigboydan]

The BLR software actually is decent, also has injuries listed under lines which is useful

Not to mention the fact that BLRTech browses the forum looking to better improve their existing software.

[mofome]

Thanks BBD!

[bigboydan]

On a side note and FWIW...

I did forget to mention that they have a mirror site.

http://216.194.163.110/

[treece]

it looks like they only take deposits and withdrawals over the phone which i don't really like.

[Justin7]

They are the king of spam. I opened an account but never funded it. Now I get 2-3 emails every week from them.

[bigboydan]

I can live with the spam emailing Justin. The problem I hate is when I receive the constant cold callings from books though, and that hasn't happened to me from [iSBRFORUM]BetAtlas[/iSBRFORUM] just yet thank god!

FWIW: I have received a few worthy emails from them offering me a nice reload bonus (25% with a 5x's rollover).

[treece]

anybody know if you have to call them to deposit and withdraw or is it all done online?

[bigboydan]

anybody know if you have to call them to deposit and withdraw or is it all done online?

Yes... You have to call them in order to do your transactions sir.

[bigboydan]

Anyone know offhand what the latest withdraw times are on Fedex checks at BetAtlas are these days? I'm hearing it could take up to as many 10-15 days these days.

[RickySteve]

Anyone know offhand what the latest withdraw times are on Fedex checks at BetAtlas are these days? I'm hearing it could take up to as many 10-15 days these days.

My last 2 withdrawals took at least 3 weeks each.

[bigboydan]

My last 2 withdrawals took at least 3 weeks each.

That doesn't sound to encouraging to me considering I was planning on playing their for baseball this year.

Thanks for the info Mr.Ricky