Risk/Reward with D Books and Below

**rolemand** · 05-11-06, 02:09 PM

Don't even try the F's. Even if you had a low balance I don't see how the reward of a small bonus on a small deposit or slightly better lines for a small bet is worth any risk. Why worry? Be happy stick with the better rated books.

**Willie Bee** · 05-11-06, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by Newguyintown

What type of risks are we talking about here. The rating guide says: "poor, some risk to player funds." Is it a book-by-book evaluation?

New Guy, good question. Unfortunately, there's not just one answer. What makes one book a 'C' or 'D' isn't going to automatically make another book a 'C' or 'D.' One operation might be financially secure but has a history of canceling bets. Another site may never cancel bets or stiff players, but is unproven and not as financially sound.

I'm sure you already have been, but if not you should check out each sportsbook, and their family relation, through the search feature at our front page Click Here. And if you have any specific questions, e-mail Bill Dozer.

Your exploration, for lack of better word, of lower grade books is interesting, and we'd love to hear more about it as you go.

**bigboydan** · 05-11-06, 04:39 PM

those D or lower books are always a shakey proposition, and not worth the risk at all. IMO.

if your going to use D type books. you really better explore them well before depositing your funds first.

**Bill Dozer** · 05-11-06, 06:26 PM

Willie's giving some good advice. If you want to play at a low rated book, find out what is behind the rating. The risk takers might play at a new book with a bad business model because they feel they can be one of the first ones in and out. (hey, the guinea pigs are always good for feedback

) Some players will roll the dice on a book that cancels winning wagers but would not play at one that could collapse. Ratings are a good starting point but players who are venturing away from the herd should check the data. Forums, Google, SBR search, it can all help.

**Mudcat** · 05-12-06, 12:54 PM

NGIT, I hope you will post your experiences as you go along and we can discuss specific sportsbooks.

I have been thinking, as a matter of business strategy, to get into more lower rated books. It's not something I recommend at all for the casual player but I believe that, if it is done in a controlled way with a very low percentage of overall bankroll, it can be good business.

As you say, it's all about risk/reward. For example I have made a ton of money out of a certain D rated favorite whipping boy of the forums. I've had to deal with a couple of slow pays and that's about it. Just being known to them as a guy who uses posting forums helps a great deal.

When you get right down to it, it is not that often that books just fold with everyone's money. If you monitor posting forums, you can usually see trouble coming.

I don't think I would venture into the F's though.

But there are a few guys around that I know employ this kind of strategy so let's talk.

**SBR_John** · 05-12-06, 07:33 PM

I'd say one would want to look at at their business opportunity if it includes playing at D+ and lower rated books. At last count there were 60+ books rated A or B and we have not even gotten to the C's yet.

**Newguyintown** · 05-13-06, 03:32 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys. I don't anticipate needing these books until the next NBA season starts in all likelihood. But good advice Willie to do it on a case-by-case basis and do a bunch of research. Thank you Bill for confirming this view- that's exactly what I'll do.

Mudcat, I agree with you that its probably a good business strategy. The places where I have made the most money have definitely been C books and in one case I made a ton off of what I think was at that time a D+ book, maybe a C-. Obviously you'll have to be cautious and likely curb your unit (so you don't have to keep huge balances) but cashout frequently and what's the worst that can happen? You'll lose a unit or two. Finding some D gems out there might really lead to fantastic opportunites.

New Guy in Tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooown

**Stumpage** · 05-13-06, 08:34 AM

Personally, I have always drawn the line at about B-. However, for the very same reasons that Mudcat stated, I too decided as a possible business strategy to expand my market so to speak, venturing tentatively into the D+ sportbook world.

Mudcat, by your description I have a strong feeling that I joined on with the same whipping boy as yourself, and I have found the experience to be surprisingly rewarding in terms of CS and payouts. Still though, I found myself "holding my breath" so to speak up until my first payout, not in a David Blaine sorta way but I was slightly nervous up until the moment of deliverance into the Neteller Promised Land.

**Mudcat** · 05-13-06, 08:47 AM

Originally posted by Stumpage

Personally, I have always drawn the line at about B-. However, for the very same reasons that Mudcat stated, I too decided as a possible business strategy to expand my market so to speak, venturing tentatively into the D+ sportbook world.

Mudcat, by your description I have a strong feeling that I joined on with the same whipping boy as yourself, and I have found the experience to be surprisingly rewarding in terms of CS and payouts. Still though, I found myself "holding my breath" so to speak up until my first payout, not in a David Blaine sorta way but I was slightly nervous up until the moment of deliverance into the Neteller Promised Land.

Yeah it's not for the faint of heart.

And like I say, I don't go around recommending this kind of strategy to anyone else. I almost hesitate to talk about it openly at all. It's only for a certain type of player with a lot of bankroll to spread around who has exhausted all the higher rated books.

Everyone should start with the higher rated books.

But if I see a D book with a 30% bonus, and I do some homework and see a certain kind of feedback on them, I believe it can be worth the risk.

**The Great One** · 05-13-06, 09:59 AM

Originally posted by Mudcat

Yeah it's not for the faint of heart.

And like I say, I don't go around recommending this kind of strategy to anyone else. I almost hesitate to talk about it openly at all. It's only for a certain type of player with a lot of bankroll to spread around who has exhausted all the higher rated books.

Everyone should start with the higher rated books.

But if I see a D book with a 30% bonus, and I do some homework and see a certain kind of feedback on them, I believe it can be worth the risk.

What do you mean when you say "have exhausted all the higher books"?

Do you mean them not taking your bets because of your winning % or just getting a better line at at D book?

**Mudcat** · 05-13-06, 10:30 AM

Originally posted by The Great One

What do you mean when you say "have exhausted all the higher books"?

Do you mean them not taking your bets because of your winning % or just getting a better line at at D book?

I'm mainly talking about bonuses. From my perspective, there is very little reason to risk these lower rated books other than bonus money.

Some lower rated books have soft lines too - and that's important - but I don't think I would risk playing with them for that reason alone. There has to be a healthy bonus in the mix.

Many books stop giving you bonuses after you have taken a payout - and if you play at a book for a long time, you're bound to run up a balance at some point and want to take a payout - so that's what I meant by exhausting them.