1. #1
    BigBollocks
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    Americans With Sizeable Balances Should ONLY Be With These 3 Book Families...

    Feel free to say so if you feel otherwise (or if you think this post is dead on the money), but if you have substantial money offshore I believe you have only three book family options. I'm talking five figure to six figure balances in which you can trust you're OK at all times. I've held sizeable balances and have spoken with owners at many books listed on here, but in today's climate I just cannot advise anyone to play anywhere other than these three book families. Let me also say that I put 1 and 2 ahead of 3 by a decent margin, but still trust 3.

    These three book families are (again 1 and 2 trump 3 by a margin imo)....

    1.) The Spiro Books----theGreek and BetJamaica. The guy's been paying people instantaneously since the dawn of internet wagering and even well before that, and would literally die before not honoring players' funds.

    2.) The "Cohen" family books---WSEX and Matchbook.
    These guys have also been on top of things for over a decade, and value integrity above all as well. These guys are a little more brainiac-like as opposed to Spiro's street smarts style, but they're all tremendous and have served a great purpose in the offshore world. And to a lesser extent.....
    3.) The CRIS books---CRIS, Bookmaker, and Diamond in particular. Again, the longevity and long term success of these books cannot be ignored. I don't put them in one and two's class as they've been very petty with Americans post-legislation, and have shown to not care as much about customer satisfaction. Those depositing with less than $2K should be made aware that the CRIS books DO NOT want your action, and will gouge you at every opportunity to keep you away. However, those with sizeable balances will love their opening lines with larger limits.



    I'll go ahead and shoot down two A- books that should both be rated lower while I'm at it as well. BetOnline has very suspect ownership and management, some of whom have been involved in books that have taken everyone's money and ran in the past. I don't see how they don't eventually suffer the same fate as BetCascade. I'm also surprised that anyone would still play at Bodog, but they do sponsor forums and sponsor them well. Calvin Ayre has robbed countless investors and backers in the past, and will one day run with everyone's money again. Also, Bodog has made no effort to ease customer's fears and worries whatsoever post-US legislation. Not only does Bodog deal duel lines, have low limits, and post their lines late, they don't make customer withdrawals and satisfaction a priority whatsoever anymore either.

    Anyone wishing to discuss Heritage, 5Dimes (rudest customer service in the business), Legendz, etc, feel free and we'll chat about them. These would be some of my 2nd tier US accepting books, but I stand firm behind my 1, 2, and 3 books and why I wouldn't trust anyone but those three with five or six figures longterm. GL...

  2. #2
    Dark Horse
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    I would agree. Diamond does include BetPhoenix (low juice), which looks promising for next year.

    I'm including Canbet. Is open to Americans who sign up with foreign address. OK to bet from the US.

  3. #3
    ShamsWoof10
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    and of course my favorite still... the Sportsbook.com family...


  4. #4
    Tunes
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    Can't argue with WSEX/Matchbook. I posted a few weeks ago about having a mid-five-figure balance at WSEX and wondering whether they were good for it, in the past 8 weeks have received 3 checks from them and got the checks within 5business days each time. Also had a low-five-figure balance at MB and got a check within 3 business days of requesting one.

    Was feeling a bit queasy about having so much in one place, but everytime I worry WSEX and MB come through.

  5. #5
    ShamsWoof10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dark Horse View Post
    I would agree. Diamond does include BetPhoenix (low juice), which looks promising for next year..
    I tried signing up with this BetPhoneix... FFFFFFFFFFFF*CK that... The CS has no clue and I was transfer five times with NO ONE knowing what the hell I am talking about... I just called to get my account number and after five transfers was unable to do that...

    I DO NOT recommand this book until it's CS gets a clue...


  6. #6
    Doug
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    agree

  7. #7
    eyeball
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    I agree any of the others you are taking a risk.

  8. #8
    HedgeHog
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    I use the categories you mentioned, plus 3 others: 5-dimes,Skybook, and ABC Islands (all B to A Books), which offer outs I can't get at your "Big 3". I do agree with the safety message implied: "Stay away from Shit books like Sham's beloved Sportsbook.com"

  9. #9
    ShamsWoof10
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    Hey HDog did you ever get credited for those parlays (loss/refunded)...?


  10. #10
    jjgold
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    I would not play at any other books

    good list

  11. #11
    Doug
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    I'd put First Fidelity next on the list, and 5D below them, and not use any others unless much smaller.

  12. #12
    ShamsWoof10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Doug View Post
    I'd put First Fidelity next on the list, and 5D below them, and not use any others unless much smaller.
    I didn't see them on SBR's rating's guide... Are they under something other then First Fidelity..?


  13. #13
    HedgeHog
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    Quote Originally Posted by ShamsWoof10 View Post
    Hey HDog did you ever get credited for those parlays (loss/refunded)...?

    Nope. That's why it's almost all A Books (and some good B's) for me from now on.

  14. #14
    ShamsWoof10
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    Really..? Bill didn't get an answer for you..? Did they say they were not going to do it or have they just not gotten around to it yet..?

    I have 15K in there so that shows you how confident I am...


  15. #15
    raiders72002
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    BB, good post. I agree with a lot of it but I would add a lot more books to the low to medium 5 figs.

  16. #16
    vanman
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    BB as a matter of interest where would pinny fit into your list if they were available to US punters.

  17. #17
    BigBollocks
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    Thanks guys, if these are helpful to any newcomers lurking on the site it was worth the write up (albeit perhaps stating the obvious to many veterans on here).

    Vanman I'd put Pinny right up there with theGreek and WSEX families. As to what's the superior book between Pinny, theGreek, WSEX, BetJamaica, and Matchbook, that's entirely dependant upon your preferred style of betting. Obviously for low juice on straight bets it's Matchbook and Pinny hands down. For opinionated lines with larger limits where the book owner throws caution to the wind it's theGreek and Pinny. For horses it's BetJM, and for trading futures and such it'd be WSEX. Again, it's all dependant on your individual needs, but they're all the cream of the crop. GL...

  18. #18
    Stumpage
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    Good post BB. Excellent points. You're spot on with Cris. They has been taking a lot of heat lately for their gouging, and rightly so, but I am quite comfortable with having a large balance there.....

  19. #19
    vanzack
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    Matchbook has handled huge balances for me without a hitch since I have started there a couple of years ago.

    For me, I cant think of a better book.

  20. #20
    NapoleonEli
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    Quote Originally Posted by HedgeHog View Post
    I use the categories you mentioned, plus 3 others: 5-dimes,Skybook, and ABC Islands (all B to A Books), which offer outs I can't get at your "Big 3". I do agree with the safety message implied: "Stay away from Shit books like Sham's beloved Sportsbook.com"
    I got a check from sportsbook.com in less then 2 weeks. I think thats pertty good.

  21. #21
    exstatman
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    I got my withdrawl from 5Dimes via ** in about an hour.

  22. #22
    HedgeHog
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    Quote Originally Posted by NapoleonEli View Post
    I got a check from sportsbook.com in less then 2 weeks. I think thats pertty good.
    I don't doubt SB's abilty to pay, only their willingness to pay. They stole money out of account for "correlated parlays". What they decided not steal, I got in two weeks just like you. Forgive me for not being as happy as you are.

  23. #23
    jjgold
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    5 Dimes is ok but at times they look to take from you if your not looking.


    Fidelity is ok

  24. #24
    NapoleonEli
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    Quote Originally Posted by HedgeHog View Post
    I don't doubt SB's abilty to pay, only their willingness to pay. They stole money out of account for "correlated parlays". What they decided not steal, I got in two weeks just like you. Forgive me for not being as happy as you are.
    That sucks. I would too be pissed off if someone stole some of my money. Hope all get resolved soon if possible-GL on that.

  25. #25
    SPECULATOR 13
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    Reply

    BB what about :tradesports ?i am with them and matchbook,GRANTED they are not even in the same galaxy as MB but they are EONS ahead of BETFAIR(whom doesn't even have u.s.odds)and the other exchanges.They are the only EURO. that i would ever bother with.
    also old chum what is your opignion of Canbet?,i have never been able to have a clear idea of what they are about.On other review sites including this one you will find people saying that they F*CK around like all the other British books with crazy limits on both winners or loser trying the cat-up.Other guys(mostly Australians) tell you that they are the best & to be fair i also red from some u.s. guys whom have said that they wish they they could still bet them.On their website they post limits for the NFL at$15000(sides)!!! & A SOLID $3500 for the NHL(sides)!!! Do you believe that?
    I would appreciate your input.
    thank you.

  26. #26
    rick_213
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    I Need Your Help!

    Hi I was just wondering if you know that these books are that exceptional and are based out of costa rica, do you know or know anyone that would know how to deal with the reverse situation.

    I have a large balance tied up with a low grade sportsbook and they are making every excuse imaginable to not pay me my money.

    What should I do to attempt to recover my funds?

    Thank you for listening!! I will take your advice in the future if I can ever get my money out of these scammers.

  27. #27
    BigBollocks
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    Quote Originally Posted by SPECULATOR 13 View Post
    BB what about :tradesports ?i am with them and matchbook,GRANTED they are not even in the same galaxy as MB but they are EONS ahead of BETFAIR(whom doesn't even have u.s.odds)and the other exchanges.They are the only EURO. that i would ever bother with.
    also old chum what is your opignion of Canbet?,i have never been able to have a clear idea of what they are about.On other review sites including this one you will find people saying that they F*CK around like all the other British books with crazy limits on both winners or loser trying the cat-up.Other guys(mostly Australians) tell you that they are the best & to be fair i also red from some u.s. guys whom have said that they wish they they could still bet them.On their website they post limits for the NFL at$15000(sides)!!! & A SOLID $3500 for the NHL(sides)!!! Do you believe that?
    I would appreciate your input.
    thank you.

    Hey Speculator. Often times you can get the best prices with exchanges, and it looks like you're thinking right in trying to always get the best prices on everything you play (which is humongous if you want to win longterm). Tradesports has been around for a long time, and have never given anyone any problems that I know of. I'm with you on Betfair needing vast improvement, but they do pay as well and are continuing to expand their clientèle globally.

    Canbet is an extremely solid book, and have been since their start-up in Australia. They will cap you out if you play for big amounts and prove to be adept at what you're doing, but you'll never experience any trouble there with payouts and such. You can't go wrong with Canbet in terms of integrity, although their odds on many tennis and golf bets are far short of what say a Pinnacle's odds are. Best of luck this weekend mate...

  28. #28
    BigBollocks
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    Quote Originally Posted by rick_213 View Post
    Hi I was just wondering if you know that these books are that exceptional and are based out of costa rica, do you know or know anyone that would know how to deal with the reverse situation.

    I have a large balance tied up with a low grade sportsbook and they are making every excuse imaginable to not pay me my money.

    What should I do to attempt to recover my funds?

    Thank you for listening!! I will take your advice in the future if I can ever get my money out of these scammers.

    Hey Rick, sorry to hear about your troubles. Hopefully you've e-mailed your problem into sportsbookreview and had them look it over and attempt to contact the book in question for you. If you've already done that and had no luck, let me know the book when you get an opportunity and I'll give you some more places to go....

  29. #29
    HedgeHog
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    Quote Originally Posted by rick_213 View Post
    Hi I was just wondering if you know that these books are that exceptional and are based out of costa rica, do you know or know anyone that would know how to deal with the reverse situation.

    I have a large balance tied up with a low grade sportsbook and they are making every excuse imaginable to not pay me my money.

    What should I do to attempt to recover my funds?

    Thank you for listening!! I will take your advice in the future if I can ever get my money out of these scammers.
    Name the book!!! You were asked this same Q in your thread. (Sorry BB for hi-jacking your thread temporarily).

  30. #30
    SPECULATOR 13
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    Quote Originally Posted by BigBollocks View Post

    Canbet.... They will cap you out if you play for big amounts and prove to be adept at what you're doing, but you'll never experience any trouble there with payouts and such.mate
    BB thanks a bunch,
    so if Canbet are going to do this cap bulsh*t when you win a little,they would probably cut you out when you are losing also to prevent you from coming back.The English book do not welch on payments either you just can't win anything (or go on a major losing streak and try to recoup))with them.From what you said it seem to be same story for Canbet?no?

  31. #31
    BigBollocks
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    Quote Originally Posted by SPECULATOR 13 View Post
    BB thanks a bunch,
    so if Canbet are going to do this cap bulsh*t when you win a little,they would probably cut you out when you are losing also to prevent you from coming back.The English book do not welch on payments either you just can't win anything (or go on a major losing streak and try to recoup))with them.From what you said it seem to be same story for Canbet?no?
    Always glad to share what (little) I know . As for Canbet, I don't think they're nearly as bad as some of the other English books. They have more of a global clientèle, and are still huge with many Aussies (where they originated). Unlike some of the English books you mentioned that will quickly limit anyone that bets for big amounts (win or lose), Canbet tends to only limit players that have shown the ability to win big amounts over the long term. If you consistently won and were up say 50K or 75K Euro over six months, you'd most likely be limited to 100 Euro a play. I'd put Canbet pretty high up there, so long as you can get the best prices with them (Pinnacle has the better price nine times out of ten though). GL...

  32. #32
    Poker Pirate
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    I dont disagree with what you've said, if i had a 5 figures in any books thats where id want em.

    That said jus the other day, 5dimes gave me a speedy, if not instant cashout to *** (american btw) Wouldnt be uneasy w/ a sizable (highish 4 digits) balance here, I believe their limits are low anyway.

  33. #33
    Skankdog
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    Legendz 2nd tier? Dude, you must not have seen their operation lately!

  34. #34
    jjgold
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    Legendz not even close to the top 7 books

    not even close I tepeat

  35. #35
    flyingillini
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    Heritage is as safe as any other book out there I will tell you that much.

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