1. #1
    benandjerry
    benandjerry's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 07-01-11
    Posts: 697

    The Players SPORTSBOOK RATINGS

    If this could be stickied that'd be great (I believe we can keep it a useful and informational thread that will benefit all players but should probably have waited for some feedback before requesting a sticky). I assume this thread will not get altered in any way since we do not censor at SBR. Afterall, this is a chat forum, and this particular sub forum is all about talking about our experiences with books.

    Please try to keep this on topic so it doesnt get mudded with crap, no flaming, no bashing etc, constructive critisism is always welcome, positive or negative. This is not an attempt to bash SBR's ratings system, but merely an attempt to keep an accurate rating system based on the sport fans of this forum, and maybe can be used in conjunction with any other ratings and reviews when deciding on a new book. Personally I've always preferred talking to people with experience at a place rather than purely relying on a review of someone who may or may not have revenue interests, so a combination of both may be the best.

    Going to to try to keep it simple A (great), B (good), C (mediocre, some reason for concern?), not going to mix in any minuses or plus' (with the exception of two who set the standard) for convinience sake at this point. Going to split up between US friendly books, and the rest, but they will all be held to the same standards when judged. Will try to keep the ratings as the general consensus of everyones feedback. Will mainly base it on safety (speculative ofc), reliability, banking, support, but also to a lesser extent limitations, line offerings, promotions. Will try to add a few good & bad about each place as well, but nothing extensive. Will try to keep it updated as well.

    Going to start off as best I can, but going to need help.

    non-US

    A+
    Pinnacle - Good: *.* | Bad: No telephone support?, low limits on some obscure events
    SBObet - Good: *.* | Bad: Low limits on some obscure events (includes some US sports in their eyes, its best area is football (soccer))

    A
    188bet - Does most things as good as pinny/sbo. To explain its slightly lower rating, slightly lower limits, does limit a few winners
    the greek - Reliable, standard -110 lines on most events so above books have better lines. Interface looks kinda 1999 but I'm actually quite fond of it, really fast...

    B
    dafabet - Should probably be A (just a tad below 188bet), reliable, pays fast, low margins etc, close to the above in most aspects, just a bit annoyed with them crippling odds of certain EU customers
    bet365 - One of worlds largest gaming companies, reliable, pays fast, pretty good margins on most markets, good live betting, maybe most wagering options of any book in the world. Unfortunately standard EU book policy of limiting winners apply
    ladbrokes - Imo post reliable gaming company in the world. Lots of markets. Standard margins on most events (-110 lines). Standard EU limit winners policy.

    C
    nordicbet - Slightly lower margins than most EU books, standard EU policy regarding winners and limitations. Payout relatively quick I believe.
    bwin - €50 global limit on all events besides parlays it appears. Probably the worst of the major EU books. Slow email support. Relatively slow payouts.




    US

    A

    B
    5dimes - Good place overall, quick payouts, lots of line offerings, low margins on some markets. Probably a top3 US out. Terrible servers during heavy traffic (know there are mirrors, but one should be able to login on main site), limit some winners, not the best quality of support. Also worrying how they handled a recent issue involving a wrongly graded wager.
    betdsi - Good support, pretty large amount of events lined, quick payouts, pretty fun free contests. Part of the Bookmaker family so assuming pretty good backing. Pretty slow site, for me, but always reliable. They hang a lot of lines pretty late, standard -110 lines, and may limit winners.

    C
    betonline - Start with the bad first here, downright terrible at payouts. Completely unacceptable, maybe to the extent that they shouldnt even make the list, but does anyway since they're quite large. Big question mark around the fact that they may try to stiff certain poker players by claiming chip dumping. Limit winners, standard -110 lines. Hangs a lot of lines, and often post lines early. If they could get the previous issues together they could've been a top US out.




    I hope you guys think this is a good idea (hell I just spent about an hour putting this together so it better be!) that we get together and discuss what kind of rating we as the players think each place deserves, and perhaps it can be of use to someone looking for another out. Apologies if there are some grammar errors or format isnt the most pretty, I didnt pay too much attention to it.

    Places I'm wanting to add, but wouldnt know without others feedback:
    bookmaker/betcris - I believe they're (almost?) identical only CRIS doesnt allow US players? I was thinking this may be the only US facing book that may be deserving of A?
    heritage - sounds like a decent place, dual lines and probably some other quirks, a solid B?
    legends - mostly really hear good about them, but sounds like a pretty small shop, B?
    bodog/bovada - dont think they're connected, but dont really know too much about them, someone I respects stay away from them or one of them, cant remember, not really thought about them much but they're somewhat popular as a US facing out I assume?
    sportsbook.ag - seems like a decent out to have as long as you dont have an overly large balance with them, terrible payout times (for US players) but they pay? C?
    a few like gtbets, jtbets, wagerweb etc which I really dont know much about at all, but probably should be listed if they deserve it since it appears there are some US players pleased with them.

    As for EU books there probably are a chunk more that should be included, I just dont have any experience with many of those either.

    Dont intend to bring up any mickey mouse operations that arent worth a shot, smaller places are fine only as long as they have a reputation trustworthy enough.


    So, anyone thinks this is a good idea, join in on the discussion please!
    Last edited by benandjerry; 12-18-12 at 05:59 PM.

  2. #2
    benandjerry
    benandjerry's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 07-01-11
    Posts: 697

    reserved

  3. #3
    RudyRuetigger
    Leave of absence until March Madness
    RudyRuetigger's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 08-24-10
    Posts: 64,799
    Betpoints: 53

    you are crazy if you think betonline is worthy of a C

  4. #4
    FindTheLock
    ...
    FindTheLock's Avatar Become A Pro!
    Join Date: 02-27-10
    Posts: 7,194
    Betpoints: 191

    I think bookmaker is solid for US players as well, much more deserving than betonline

Top