All Forums | General Discussion

having a local sports book vs vegas based sportsbook

...
Participants:
Search model icon
Views: 1986
Posts: 41
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Sep, 2013
Posts: 1889
Posted: #1
what do  you guys think is better? pros and cons? thinking about switching from my local to bovado
 
Rookie
Participation Meter
Joined: Feb, 2011
Posts: 567
Posted: #2

PRO:

 

#1 Selection, Bovada must provide a line across a broad spectrum of sports.  Local bookie isn't going to provide, for example, NASCAR head to head matchups.

 
MVP
Participation Meter
Joined: Dec, 2008
Posts: 16675
Posted: #3
CON:


Bovada will not buy you a beer after they take your money.  Your local just might.
 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: May, 2010
Posts: 5575
Posted: #4
All of the differences tell me offshore is the better way to do.

Local bookies will grant you credit, that is a very bad thing.  I should not have to explain that point.

Local bookies are people and they bring drama.  I have been stiffed by many locals in my life... some are better than others.  If you use 5dimes or Bookmaker you will NEVER get stiffed.  

Offshore you can place many more types of wagers, 24/7 for sometimes days before the event.  Locals only take the nights action on very strict rules of hours, etc.

The biggest one is the credit.  Most gamblers get in trouble due to poor money management and getting in debt - not poor handicapping.  The credit issue is the biggest problem with locals.
 
Legend
Participation Meter
Joined: Jan, 2003
Posts: 32148
Posted: #5


bovada sukks. 

Stay away from anything Calvin Ayre.
~~~~~ZOSO~~~~~
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Sep, 2013
Posts: 1889
Posted: #6
main reason why i want to switch because i was loosing to much money credit. when you are down you bet to much money and end up loosing way more then planned. i have a few friends that use bovado and has said good things about it.
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Sep, 2013
Posts: 1889
Posted: #7
bovada*
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Sep, 2013
Posts: 1889
Posted: #8
losing* sorry for my shitty spelling
 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: May, 2010
Posts: 5575
Posted: #9
OK so you agree gambling on credit is a bad thing

Forget Bovada... I don't care who told you it is good.

5dimes or Bookmaker... 5dimes is better IMO it has reduced juice

GL


 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Sep, 2013
Posts: 1889
Posted: #10
@sportsfan i tried to join 5dimes once but it was just to much of hassle. they wanted me to mail a copy of my drivers license and all this bullshit. bovada was just easier so i think im just going to go with them.
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Sep, 2013
Posts: 1889
Posted: #11
whats so bad about bovada
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Sep, 2008
Posts: 1545
Posted: #12
Bovada posts lines when it's convenient for them. Sometimes you won't even get lines at all. 

Also, I think any respectable book asks for your drivers license and a copy of your credit card (If that's how you deposit). It's for YOUR protection. 
 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: May, 2010
Posts: 5575
Posted: #13
Quote Originally Posted by jriv189:

@sportsfan i tried to join 5dimes once but it was just to much of hassle. they wanted me to mail a copy of my drivers license and all this bullshit. bovada was just easier so i think im just going to go with them.

Yep there are a few hoops to jump through... that is for your protection.  Veterans of offshore gambling got over this a long time ago.

Go ahead with Bovada... but when you hit a lucky streak and want to cash out... well don't say nobody warned you.  The only way to do offshore wagering is with a A+ sportsbook.  Myself and several others here are 20 year veterans of this racket.  The advice is good advice.

best of luck
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Sep, 2013
Posts: 1889
Posted: #14
how does the 5 dimes payout work? do they send you a check?
 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: May, 2010
Posts: 5575
Posted: #15
They have a website and CS reps to explain all that.  
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Sep, 2013
Posts: 1889
Posted: #16
so your saying bovada wont pay me out
 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: May, 2010
Posts: 5575
Posted: #17
I'm going to retract my comments about Bovada.  I looked it up and they are ranked "A" on sbr.com

I respect SBR.  I have no personal experience with Bovada, but they carry that ranking for a reason.  I doubt there is any reason for concern of being paid.  For my money, I stick with the A+ books... but that might be splitting hairs.  I just know from experience that 5dimes and Bookmaker are titans in the industry, and there are virtually no CREDIBLE complaints about them

GL if you like Bovada and you find it convenient I think it should be OK
 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: May, 2010
Posts: 5575
Posted: #18
I have some advice for anybody using any offshore books.  You will have to communicate with CS reps now and then over a wager, or deposits or withdrawals.  It has always been my experience that using the online chat is the best way to interact.  There are sometimes people that do not have the best English speaking ability, and there are cultural differences, and usually the connection quality of a phone call is not the best.

Use online chat to discuss matters... do not argue... if you have an issue be respectful.  If your matter is not resolved to your liking, it might be time to find a new book.
 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: May, 2010
Posts: 5575
Posted: #19
I read over the review on Bovada.  Seems they had payout issues back in 2012.  Their rating was A and it was reduced to B.  They later got their payout issues back on track, and SBR raised them to B+ then A- then A all in 2012

Any payout issues are a concern to me.  But the art of payouts for an offshore book to US customers is a delicate task to say the least.  It takes many 3rd person transactions.  

One warning flag I noticed is that when Bodog shut down operations, all customers were transferred in mass to Bovada.  Bodog was a very corrupt site with shady characters.  The leader of that ring was charged and jailed by US Marshalls if my memory serves me.  That connection is not a good thing in my mind.
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Dec, 2006
Posts: 4298
Posted: #20

I've never had a local deal me a sucker line or refuse to pay or close down in the middle of the night.

If I owe him I pay on tuesday and he buys the first drink-If he owes me he pays on wednesday and buys the first drink. I can bet on his website or phone# and he gets his lines from some offshore and I can bet WNBA halftime or just about anything else.

Bottomline- An A+ local is the best of all worlds.

 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: May, 2010
Posts: 5575
Posted: #21
Quote Originally Posted by 666LES:

I've never had a local deal me a sucker line or refuse to pay or close down in the middle of the night.

If I owe him I pay on tuesday and he buys the first drink-If he owes me he pays on wednesday and buys the first drink. I can bet on his website or phone# and he gets his lines from some offshore and I can bet WNBA halftime or just about anything else.

Bottomline- An A+ local is the best of all worlds.


I won't disagree with you there.  I just have never had an A+ local.  I have had many bad experiences.  If you are disciplined, that maybe the best route.  Most gamblers are not disciplined, therefore the gambling on credit issue comes into play.


 
Legend
Participation Meter
Joined: Jan, 2004
Posts: 38704
Posted: #22
Quote Originally Posted by jriv189:

whats so bad about bovada

Nothing if you don't care about getting a good line.  Nothing if you don't care if they actually post lines in a timely manner.  
 
All-Star
Participation Meter
Joined: Sep, 2002
Posts: 12927
Posted: #23
Quote Originally Posted by 666LES:

I've never had a local deal me a sucker line or refuse to pay or close down in the middle of the night.



You can call your bookie at 4:AM?   How about calling him every 5 minutes to tell you the lines?   And I am sure your local has given you a sucker line on the home town team.  if your bookie has a website, it is not working 100% either.

And most local bookies will stiff you if you win too much, so you've been lucky not getting stiffed.  Or maybe you don't win too much...

 
All-Star
Participation Meter
Joined: Oct, 2008
Posts: 11310
Posted: #24
666 is right if you have a good relationship with a solid local bookie nothing beats that...no worry about $ tied up in a sketchy country overseas, no chance of your credit card/personal info being sold or floating around, and straight cash every week or other week depending your arrangement w/o a withdrawal fee
 
 
Rookie
Participation Meter
Joined: Jan, 2014
Posts: 701
Posted: #25
An A+ local while tough to come by is the best route (next to playing at Pinny, nothing will ever beat that). The question is how to find them and know they are legit. I have had several terrible ones who have not paid out. And two who have always done me right, including multiple $20K+ payouts. Of course they want their money too, there is no effing around. 

But as others have mentioned, it's all credit which means bad news for 95% of gamblers. If that is an issue for you, have them set you a max limit of what you can lose in a week and you won't be able to bet past it.

The other con can be if your local uses a website, quite often they have bad lines (high juice, shaded lines etc.). Sometimes those bad lines work in your favor. But at least it's open 24/7.

I haven't played with Bovada but I wouldn't go anywhere else from my local unless Pinny opened back up to the US.
All Forums | General Discussion
About Us
Contact Us
Careers
Our Team
Brand
Testimonials
Betting Guides
Sportsbook Reviews
Sports Betting News
Podcasts
Responsible Gaming
Sports Betting
US Betting Sites
Canada Betting Sites
Canada Casinos
Best Betting Apps
Contests
Streak Survivor
King of Covers
Ultimate Race
Office Pools
The Covers community has
618,670
lifetime members worldwide
Covers 25 Years Logo Established in 1995,
Covers is the world
leader in sports
betting information.
Site Map Help Privacy Terms of Service youtube logo facebook logo twitter logo instagram logo linkedin logo google news logo
Covers is verified safe by: Evalon Logo GPWA Logo GDPR Logo GeoTrust Logo Evalon Logo
Copyright © 1995 - 2024 CS Media Limited All Rights Reserved.

If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so.It is your sole responsibility to understand your local laws and observe them strictly.Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality.Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it.As a condition of using this website, you agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from your use of any services on any third party website that may be featured by Covers.