Choosing the Right Sportsbook

Many sports betting fans ask how I choose the right sportsbook for myself.

Many times the answer can come from those companies that offer betting services online, as that’s how they earn their living. They explain their benefits in writing online, but then many are not interested in how they earn their living, but rather would like to know the important things in choosing the right sportsbook.

Of course, most of that is just propaganda to get them to bet on sports with them and may not always create the best results. This is why they are many websites that describe themselves as being a Sportsbook Reviews website or a gambling watchdog website.

Unfortunately, many of these websites will take advertising money from a sportsbook or be part of a sportsbook affiliate program which in itself creates a conflict of interest as how can they be impartial if they are getting paid to do this.

So How do You Choose the Right Sportsbook

The answer is actually very easy and complicated as it all depends on your style of laying.  To see if a sportsbook is safe enough and private enough to play at, I like to use a combination of research

First, I check out about 10 sports betting review websites to determine the rating they have.  If they have an average rating or higher, for me that is good enough as long as I do not invest too much money in it.

Second, I check out sports betting forums because sports bettors are fast to point out their grief on a forum if they had an issue with a sportsbook.  So based on these two things I know whether I have enough confidence in a new bookmaker to send money to them.

Does the Sportsbook Fit my Style of Play?

First let’s talk about online or offline. The online sportsbook sites have a lower margin of profit compared to the bookies of the bricks and mortar establishments. A local book may offer a line on a game at a -140 odds whereas the online book may have the same game at -110, so there you would have to make a choice.

Secondly the online books have an advantage in that you don’t have to go anywhere’s to place a bet and no going to a bookies office to bet. Everything is done via the computer or a mobile device, and even as you watch a game on television or on your mobile,as most offer live betting if you care to bet that way.

Where you live can significantly reduce your available choices. That’s due to fairly recent United States Legislation, whereby U.S. Citizens are told it’s illegal to bet online in the USA. Many people interpret the law differently, but regardless if you’re a United States Citizen you should carefully consider that. Thus one should check the government regulations of the country in which they live. However, many U.S. Citizens bet online but they deviate from the system for which they make deposits and payouts.

The betting limits are another consideration as some books are for only the recreational bettors,which indicates they are not interested in the big players, so they place limits pertaining to the maximum winning , so depending on how much one plans to bet, it’s important to check this out when you read the rules and limits online.

Also one needs to consider the offered betting lines and their profit margins, which in common terms is the vig, or what the book will charge on each bet you make, so here you can shop for the best lines and the lowest vig’s offered.  There are some books that offer great lines and odds on special events.
Another important point is to attempt to find out what kind of historic record the sportsbook has for payouts, as some books are cited for slow payouts, and some have been accused of not paying at all. Normally that information is available online with sites that review sportsbooks or forums.

It’s also wise to check on the Banking options as that can make your life in the betting World somewhat easier, especially when depositing or requesting payouts for you winnings. In the case the sportsbook only offers one system for banking, like bank wires,you and most others would seek another sportsbook.

Last but not least, if you Bet on Sports at an Online sportsbook are the bonuses and promotions the sportsbook your considering adversely affect their offers, and are there strings attached pertaining to play through and payouts.

If all the above meet your satisfaction, check this out. Some sportsbook offer no promotions, but simply great betting odds for their clients. If 2 of the books offer the same odds but 1 offers special promotions with no strings attach, then go for it. Just make sure you weigh all the benefits, and good luck gambling

Sportsbook Conspiracy Theory or Just a bad Judgement?

Last Sunday Night´s NFL football game with the Steelers and the Chargers ended up with many angry NFL and and sports betting fans as well.

It was pretty obvious that the Steelers were going to win the game as per the point spread on that game being Steelers at -4 to -5. However, when Troy Polamalu returned an errant lateral 12 yards for an apparent touchdown on the final play and the the play was overturned it destroyed any chance of a bettor winning his bet on the Pittsburgh spread.

I lost money on that game and so did several thousand other bettors. All because of a misinterpreted play.

Sure they was a lot of confusion when the little man in black and white strippes got in huddle in the middle of the field to talk about which play was what. But in the end, sportsbooks ended up winning at least 20 million dollars. People have been killed for a lot less.

Perhaps someone should keep these referrees in check for a few months to see whether their spending habits have changed any.

Reduced Juice Sportsbook or Full Juice Sportsbook?

Recently, I´ve been asked by some people about the difference between a full juice sportsbook, like www.betjamaica.com and a reduced juice sportsbook like www.xsbet.com. So let me explain the difference between the two.

It´s all in the pricing as in how much the sportsbook will charge you to place a bet with them.

A regular sportsbook will usually offer a 10 cent line meaning that they get charge 10 cents for every dollar a player bets.

A reduced juice sportsbook however will charge the player less for placing a bet with them. For example, XSbet.com has its NFL sides starting at -105 meaning they will charge you 5 cents for every dollar you bet.

With this in mind, why would anyone not bet with a reduced juice sportsbook instead of a full juice sportsbook? It all depends on the type of bettor you are. A full juice sportsbook is able to give out bigger deposit bonuses and benefits for using their service because they charge more per bet while a discount price sportsbook is not able to do that because it is already giving you a big discount.

So if you are the type of bettor that will only place 20-30 bets during the NFL season, then they will more than likely choose the bigger bonus because if they win at the end of the season, they will end up cashing out more money due to the bonus.

On the other hand, if you have a bettor that bets 20-30 bets a week year round, then this bettor will probably choose to go with the reduced juice sportsbook because in the long run, they will save more money because they get charge less per bet.

Another way to put it would be to call a Reduced Juice Sportsbook a Sam´s Club and a Full Juice sportsbook a Kroger. You get more for your money.