Need a Book!

[RPP]

I want to start playing seriously, but I keep reading horror stories about online books not honoring wagers or simply not paying out. Who is a good book for someone like me that wants to put in about $200-400 and play maybe $25-100 per game throughout the year? I like Bookmaker so far. Can anyone tell me about their reputation? Do they pay?

I just don't wanna get screwed....

Thank.s

[Absolutelyonfire]

Can't go wrong with Bookmaker or The Greek

Good Luck

[Raven66]

I take it your American cuz of the lousy team avatar LOL/JK........Bookmaker sux, thet have high fee's for withdrawals. The Greek and BetJam are good. If your outside America Pinnacle beats everyone. 5Dimes got lot of options too.

[Hareeba!]

you say you want to start playing "seriously"
I take it from that you want to actually start winning?
If so you simply have to play where the odds are best because you can't win otherwise.
If you're in America that's pretty tough because you can't access Betfair, Pinnacle and maybe also SBO and 188?
The best you can access is very definitely Matchbook but only for straight bets and preferably close to game time when the juice is lowest and liquidity highest.

[DBurton81]

Go through a reliable bookie and avoid the hassle of online bullshit

[Hareeba!]

Go through a reliable bookie and avoid the hassle of online bullshit

no bullshit at the online bookies I choose to play at and superior odds to any other option

[RPP]

Does The Greek have any payout issues or player relations problems?

[PocketChange]

Does The Greek have any payout issues or player relations problems?

No, Greek is solid. It's a good choice. You should open up with Matchbook as well if you really want to get serious.

[BigOrangeTitans]

A new book to try that is getting payments out is thesportsbook.com. If your willing to try a new book they have good backing and a good sbr rating. Worth at least trying for a 50%signup bonus

[DBurton81]

Nothing compares to TheGreek in my own personal opinion

[Hareeba!]

Nothing compares to TheGreek in my own personal opinion

my own personal opinion is that you must have rather limited experience with other quality books

[kentucky_grass]

find a solid agent who is close by

[Nittany Lion]

If you want a great interface, a solid book that always pays out and a book that has been around for a long time, go with Bodog. There is no chance of getting screwed with Bodog. They are marketed all over the place and the founder is a billionaire. When you request a payout, you will receive a check in the mail within a week. I haven't requested a payout yet, but everybody on this forum says Bodog pays out fast. Of course they do have negatives, they put up their lines extremely late but if you are just starting out in your first online sports book I would go with them.

Before I chose Bodog I read everything about them, here is some interesting links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_Ayre

http://www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2006/0327/112.html

[mminkovski]

Bodoq will limit you right after your 4-5 wining bets.
Matchbook - it's only worth if you place the bets closer to start of the game
5dimes - reduced juice pays off

[Kevy]

The advice I would give to anyone going into any out for the first time in this current era
is to grill the customer service rep on the phone about when it comes pay out/withdrawal
time what are they going to be expecting from you and how it correlates to the type of
deposit method you are using. Back in the day only credit card deposits resulted in a bunch
of hoops to jump thru at pay out/withdrawal time. Now there are alot of books that even if
your initial deposit is by **/** think for some stupid reason they need a DL faxed in when those
methods are secure deposits.

[kentucky_grass]

Local

[BigOrangeTitans]

who'd you decide on anyhow?

[Sawyer]

Pinnacle, Sbobet, IBC, Greek, Betjamaica, Bookmaker, Matchbook, Betfair. These are solid. 5Dimes is good too but Tony is a headheache.

PS: I can't see any reason to use Bookmaker&TheGreek during baseball season. Matchbook&Betjamaica have far better lines. Matcbook is superb but liquitidty can be a problem. Usually, I'm using Matchbook for surebets (Arbitrage)

Betfair was good but after Premium Charge thing, it's not so good.

[DBurton81]

my own personal opinion is that you must have rather limited experience with other quality books

Actually have a lot of experience with plenty of quality books!

[DBurton81]

I know plenty of local bookies too if anyone needs one.