We need expert help! Tell us about your experience with choosing a sportsbook...

[SBR Andy]

Greetings SBR Posters,

We are looking for your help. If you can answer the questions below by replying in this thread, it would be greatly appreciated as we work to provide the best sportsbook reviews.

1) What factors do you consider when choosing a sportsbook to bet with? What is the most important of these? You can list as many things as you like, but please list them in order of priority.

2) How useful do you find sportsbook reviews like this one?

Thanks for your time!

[bruloc]

Just saw Pinnacle's review... Geez... New SBR is not looking good.

[captrobey]

Well lets see

1 - Getting Paid .

Really anyone that says this is not the most important thing is lying. What good is a 150% cash bonus if they never have any intention to pay you.

2- Bonuses .

I like to deposit smaller never over $500 . Normally between $150 -$500 . Then work it up and take shots. The more i have to start with the better chance i have going All In and getting to my goal quicker.

3- Limits

Once i get to a certain point i will take a shot All in. I have been known to take $5000 bets at times if things are going well. I need better limits to do that. If i am at $3000 and my goal is $5000 at the time to cash out i would rather just take the shot all in to get there. But i need those better limits to do that.

4 - Customer Service

If i do need help i would like to be able to talk to someone that will not play games and help me if there is an issue.

5 - Edmond the Fishead

He lives in my closet and helps me with what clothes to wear and what soaps to use in the shower. Books need to acknowledge him and accept him.

[Ruifgalmeida]

I a recreational player since 2005, and I say getting paid is number 1 and tie to number 1 is good odds, a pinnacle kind of book is what I am looking for.

[Stallion]

1. The options for a payout
2. What currencies they accept.
3. Where the book is located
4. How trustworthy is the book
5. Reduced Juice
6. Sign-up bonuses or free plays
7. Rewards systems or cash back
8. Live chat customer service

[Colonist]

1) Payment speed/reliability
2) Low juice
3) Responsive and intelligent customer service
4) Does not limit players. Respond to sharp customers with better lines/offerings
5) Treat your good customers accordingly

[fighttoys]

1) Getting paid and speed of payment of course

2) Who offers the most lines/best variety in my preferred sport, boxing.
Ex:
Book #1 has 4 lines posted bad
Book #2 has 32 lines posted good

3) I compare at proboxingodds.com to see who offers better odds on an identical fight
Ex:
Book #1 -575 fighter A +425 fighter B good
Book #2 -625 fighter A +350 fighter B bad, lay more on the favorite and get less on the underdog

3)Prefer a book which posts lines early rather than one that waits til it's close to the event

4) Customer service: are they readily available to talk to in order to answer questions or resolve issues

5) Can I withdraw in U.S. currency with a reasonable fee? What currencies are accepted for deposit?

And yes, reviews are very helpful.

[jjgold]

Depends

USA books or offshore


USA wise

Payout speed is not really a factor They’re all pretty consistent because their legal books they have a lot of rules

Comparing juice 80% of them are the same in the USA because they use the European line providers but it’s important if you can find a shop that’s a little tighter margin than the others

Customer support I don’t know how many people really use it but I guess you can throw that in there

Software platform all real similar that’s not important

Bet options all real similar you can apply that FanDuel review to 90% of USA books and it would be very accurate

What would be important is how tolerant they are for winners that excludes 90% of USA Books

Sing up perks most important usa ratings

Offshore Is much more diverse so ratings are going to matter more

All the books offer bonuses but all different types

Many different margins as far as odds

Live betting platforms more diverse offshore

Payout speed

Software

You see much more discussion about offshore books because everybody has access to them or most do all over the world and there’s a lot more topics to talk about because so many and a lot unique

That can never happen in the USA except Nevada

USA books ok for casual players that want a different look But if you start picking off good numbers you’re going to get cut to five dollars very fast most books

New signups perks outstanding usa books

I grew up with offshore wagering so that always be number one to me for various reasons and obvious reasons

[pologq]

Greetings SBR Posters,

We are looking for your help. If you can answer the questions below by replying in this thread, it would be greatly appreciated as we work to provide the best sportsbook reviews.

1) What factors do you consider when choosing a sportsbook to bet with? What is the most important of these? You can list as many things as you like, but please list them in order of priority.

2) How useful do you find sportsbook reviews like this one?

Thanks for your time!

Regarding the review, it is a lot of writing. I would rather see bullet points with quick to scan data. Personally I will not read all that and a lot of the data I could care less about.

Tell me if they pay fast and how they pay
Tell me if they have easy deposits
Tell me about the interface and how it works on the phone as well as on a computer
Tell me about their lines compared to other sites
Tell me if they have a loyalty program and how it works. As a lower level bettor I value a loyalty program.

[newton0038]

#1 should be the books desire to be in top of everything. Getting verification PRIOR TO DEPOSITING. Then no issues at payout time. CUSTOMER SERVICE must be in the know of everything sports and betting. Don't patronize me with the scripted bullshit of " I hope this letter finds you well." Who the fuk talks like that, aggravating especially if you are responding to a dozen of the books email. Odds and lube prices are next up. What not to do....just take a look at the Ontario Proline odds. U lose when you win as they don't much like paying anything +ev.

[jackpot269]

1)Easy and fast payouts
2)Payout options
3)Easy deposits
4)Deposit options
5) Friendly and knowledgeable customer service
6) Easy to navigate site
7) a. Bonus and free play (what are the rules for using them and roll over requirements )
b. do you get them automatically or do I need to sign up for them or call CS every time

[Ian]

Question 1:

1) I want to know that my balance is safe.
2) I want to know if there are +EV opportunities available to me. That could be bonuses, promos, reduced juice, comps, etc.
3) I want lots of betting options such as props, futures, live betting, and especially minor market sports.
4) I DON'T want a book that is afraid of action and will limit quickly.
5) I want non-awful CS.
6) I want to be able to receive my money into my bank account without it being reported to the IRS. Certain ways of reporting cause the same withdrawal reported twice to the IRS (like when a legal book withdraws through paypal).
7) I DON'T want a book that will shoot angles on me.

Question 2:

I think the review is very good. As for constructive criticism, there is a lot to read. I think the review would be a lot cleaner if headings like "Fanduel Company History" and "Reputation" were clickable links to pages that contain what was written.

EDIT: Also, I thing your review should make note of fanduel's awful customer service and history of angle shooting in contests. A clickable link to poster feedback would help address things like this.

[pologq]

Question 1:

1) I want to know that my balance is safe.
2) I want to know if there are +EV opportunities available to me. That could be bonuses, promos, reduced juice, comps, etc.
3) I want lots of betting options such as props, futures, live betting, and especially minor market sports.
4) I DON'T want a book that is afraid of action and will limit quickly.
5) I want non-awful CS.
6) I want to be able to receive my money into my bank account without it being reported to the IRS. Certain ways of reporting cause the same withdrawal reported twice to the IRS (like when a legal book withdraws through paypal).
7) I DON'T want a book that will shoot angles on me.

Question 2:

I think the review is very good. As for constructive criticism, there is a lot to read. I think the review would be a lot cleaner if headings like "Fanduel Company History" and "Reputation" were clickable links to pages that contain what was written.

EDIT: Also, I thing your review should make note of fanduel's awful customer service and history of angle shooting in contests. A clickable link to poster feedback would help address things like this.

i like the idea of a link with poster feedback on the review of the book. good idea.

[Optional]

Just saw Pinnacle's review... Geez... New SBR is not looking good.

I would rate them slightly higher, but C- is a real reflection of how their standards have dropped in the last year or so.

#1 rating factor for me personally is can we rely on the book to address any problems, and always act fairly.

We used to be able to say that without any hesitation about Pinnacle for many years.

The last year that has completely changed. They can no longer be trusted to act fairly.

Plus. as the review says their handling of crypto payments is absolutely "Donkers" these days.

(Pinnacle management will understand exactly what that means)

[Optional]

#1 Will the bookmaker address problems when they come up, without a battle to find someone who cares.
#2 Do they offer the niche sports I like at market competitive odds.
#3 Do they offer markets earlier than other books.
#4 Website works fast and interface intuitive.
#5 Good range of props and exotic options.
#6 Does not limit any players to unusably low limits.

[capitalist pig]

I would rate them slightly higher, but C- is a real reflection of how their standards have dropped in the last year or so.
)

Is this a reflection on just Pinnacle or does this pretty much sum up non USA books in general at this time?

[Optional]

Is this a reflection on just Pinnacle or does this pretty much sum up offshore in general at this time?

Just Pinny and their management/policy changes I think.

[capitalist pig]

Just Pinny and their management/policy changes I think.

Thanks

[turk0011]

Just Pinny and their management/policy changes I think.

They also change their slogan. Formerly "Winners are welcome". Now, "Where Winners Bet". I don't want to clutter up messages, but their rates have been lowered in many events. The odds of equal probability used to be 1.96-1.97, now it is 1.934 -1914 in some events. Older Pinnacle service was very special, we misses.

[jjgold]

Pinny even though not the same old Pinny sport to sport has the best number 80% of time

[Juan Valdez]

Just saw Pinnacle's review... Geez... New SBR is not looking good.

Pinnacle review and rating has been updated since this post, but it's one of the tougher books to give an accurate rating and really depends on personal preference. Players who value quality of odds first and foremost will live and die by Pinny and will think that anyone who doesn't rate it an A is an ass. But when the industry is dominated by recreational players who want more entertaining options, Pinny aint it and isn't a good fit for the majority of players. Doesn't make it a bad book by any means, but it's just very limited in what it offers, and makes it hard to give a rating that everyone will be happy with.

And Opti is right, they can be total Donkers on the CS side these days.

[Barrakuda]

Hard to take reviews seriously if you have MGM as a A-...

They quickly limit everyone to peanuts, even people with no edge. I don't know anyone who likes that book.

If you want to know what would be most helpful, it would be comparison grid of every sportsbook offered in a given state -- not just ones you have an affiliate deal with. Also, a clear comparison of the new account bonuses being offered, incl. a history for each book, so we know if it's better to wait for a book to offer a better promo than presently available, or if the current one is unusually good for them.

[Barrakuda]

#1 Will the bookmaker address problems when they come up, without a battle to find someone who cares.
#2 Do they offer the niche sports I like at market competitive odds.
#3 Do they offer markets earlier than other books.
#4 Website works fast and interface intuitive.
#5 Good range of props and exotic options.
#6 Does not limit any players to unusably low limits.

Which US books qualify for #6? The only one I have seen with any kind of real tolerance is DK.