[Taxt]

I'm thinking of trying out online sports betting for the first time, but I'm still unsure with who I should go with. I'm still trying to learn about all the bonuses and gimmicks and whatnot, I just want to make sure I don't get screwed.

A friend of mine told me I should go to Bodog, but from what I hear Pinnacle is the most trusted. They both got an A+ rating, but Pinn is "best for" professionals and Bodog for regular players.

I'm definitely not a pro by any stretch of the imagination, so should I got with Bodog or someone else, or does being a pro not make a difference? I don't plan on depositing a lot. My limit's gonna be around $200 at most, until I get my feet wet and am comfident enough in both myself and the book. So if someone could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.

Also, sorry if this kind of newbishness is looked down upon on these forums. Sorry

[Sam Odom]

Sign up w/Pinnacle and you'll stay with them to the end.

[jjgold]

If I was a newbie I would go with BoDog or Bet Jamaica, both great books that pay fast and have very nice software platforms. If you like betting early lines I would pick bet jamaica but if your just a regular bettor bodog is fine.

VIP also is a good small bettor type book as is Carib.

[tacomax]

Also, sorry if this kind of newbishness is looked down upon on these forums. Sorry

No, it isn't.

First of all, you want to make sure you get the most bang for your buck when you're depositing for the first time.

Bodog offer a 10% bonus with a 1 time rollover if you use anything apart from Neteller, if you use Neteller then it's a 3x rollover.

Pinnacle offer a 10% bonus with a 3x rollover (and the money must be kept in the account for 30 days).

VIP offer a 20% bonus with a 4x rollover.

Pinnacle generally offer the best prices out there so you might be best off going there although, depending on what you bet on, VIP might be a good choice for you with the higher bonus and Bodog might be a better choice for you with a lower rollover (if you don't use Neteller).

Bodog offer free withdrawals, Pinnacle offer one free withdrawal a month (but remember the 30 day hold on your money) and I'm pretty sure that VIP offer at least one free withdrawal a month but I don't play there so I can't advise.

Good Luck.

[gummo]

I think Bodog is the easiest book to use when just starting out.

[Yoshi]

Start with Canbet, 20% cash bonus with only 3x roll + a $50 free bet. -107 too, unlimited free WDs, cant go wrong with that.

Lots of other good bonuses at top shops, Greek and Jamaica come to mind first. After you got all those nice bonuses go to Pinnacle.

[Yoshi]

oops i forgot Canbet isnt anymore for U.S. clients...but if you are not from the U.S. its the book i would choose first.

[RickySteve]

Don't open a Pinnacle account unless you can fully exploit the signup bonus.

[bigboydan]

No, it isn't.

First of all, you want to make sure you get the most bang for your buck when you're depositing for the first time.

Bodog offer a 10% bonus with a 1 time rollover if you use anything apart from Neteller, if you use Neteller then it's a 3x rollover.

Pinnacle offer a 10% bonus with a 3x rollover (and the money must be kept in the account for 30 days).

VIP offer a 20% bonus with a 4x rollover.

Pinnacle generally offer the best prices out there so you might be best off going there although, depending on what you bet on, VIP might be a good choice for you with the higher bonus and Bodog might be a better choice for you with a lower rollover (if you don't use Neteller).

Bodog offer free withdrawals, Pinnacle offer one free withdrawal a month (but remember the 30 day hold on your money) and I'm pretty sure that VIP offer at least one free withdrawal a month but I don't play there so I can't advise.

Good Luck.

Nicely detailed Taco. The one thing you did forget to mention though, is the fact that bodog does use dual lines. However, I doubt this member would be flagged for betting smaller amounts like he's claiming but it's still a minor detail that might be worth mentioning upfront IMO

[BuddyBear]

try betjamica....I like it a lot.

[BuddyBear]

By the way, never ever bet at sportsbook.com

[pags11]

yeah, never bet a sportsbook.com

pinnacle, matchbook, betcris, betjamaica and cascade are the ones I use...

[slacker00]

I was a noob 18 months ago with only $200 for sports betting to get my feet wet, same as you. Now I probably bet $200 per game, on average.

I'd start with Bodog, which is a terrific beginners site. The bottomless bonus, plus you'll get square lines (soft lines), until you prove yourself as sharp (a professional) by winning consistently.

Next, I'd hit VIP, Bowmans, as your bankroll builds and you'll be able to better take advantage of bonuses.

If you can drop $5k into Pinnacle, then do it. Your money should be as safe as any US bank, but you've got the 30 day hold as well as $15k WR to churn out the bonus. Even now, it might take me a couple months to churn out $15k at Pinny, but since Pinny has such awesome lines, every day is a bonus. Pinny is hands down the best place to play, add a bonus on top of that and it's basically free money.

Don't open a Pinnacle account unless you can fully exploit the signup bonus.

I opened my Pinny account with only $500 a year ago and I'm still kicking myself! Too bad I couldn't have maxxed out their bonus opportunity. I've probably churned $50k through there since then.

[Sean]

I'm thinking of trying out online sports betting for the first time, but I'm still unsure with who I should go with. ..... Also, sorry if this kind of newbishness is looked down upon on these forums. Sorry

Welcome to SBR Forum. Questions like yours are exactly why forums like this exist. Absolutely no need for apologies. There are a number of good responses already to your questions. If you need help narrowing down your sportsbook selection(s), check out SBR's sportsbook reviews detailing most of the books already mentioned in this thread. Good luck!