[durito]

Right after the downgrade.

Phoenix isn't there at the moment either. But, that may be just because their tech guy dropped out of itt.

[smitch124]

What I find odd is that when I bookmark the BetPhoe and Matchbook sportsbooks in Firefox, they both have the Betphoe logo next to them on the bookmark drop menu.

[Fishhead]

Lame move on SBR's part...........wow.

[Thremp]

I've gotten ridiculed by RickySteve for a similar observation in the past. I'm not sure whether he honestly believed that SBR works for the player's best interests or they just want to get paid like everyone else.

[sinkhole]

matchbook site is so ****ing bad, always down and slow

[eberetta1]

and matchbook is ranked number 2 by sbr posters???
You would think BetPhoenix would be in the top 5 if smitch and thremp's observations were true???

[Thremp]

Originally Posted by eberetta1

and matchbook is ranked number 2 by sbr posters??? You would think BetPhoenix would be in the top 5 if smitch and thremp's observations were true???

Since a popularity contest is run by... SBR or... is an open poll?

[RickySteve]

If you think this site lacks integrity, there are plenty of others out there. All the best to you.

[Fishhead]

Originally Posted by RickySteve

If you think this site lacks integrity, there are plenty of others out there. All the best to you.

[MBENZ]

Who replaced them,Blowdog?

[TheBeautifulGame]

It looks like Intertops did

[trumpdown]

I wonder how much to advertise? Must be an extremely considerable amount.

[HedgeHog]

Originally Posted by eberetta1

and matchbook is ranked number 2 by sbr posters???
You would think BetPhoenix would be in the top 5 if smitch and thremp's observations were true???

MB has gone downhill since that poll was taken. I'm most disappointed in the lack of liquidity in college hoops this season.

[GRUMPERZ]

MB sucks. One of these days they will get their act together.

[Johnpoints]

Always a couple guys into conspiracy theories....

[losturmarbles]

Originally Posted by RickySteve

If you think this site lacks integrity, there are plenty of others out there. All the best to you.

are you suggesting that sbr is impartial in it's rankings?

[gafl]

Thats funny. The 2 logos that match on my bookmarks are Matchbook and SBR.

[Chuck Sims]

When asked why Matchbook suddenly was downgraded from A- to a B, the obvious answer to those that have posted for a few years is that Matchbook has decided not to advertise once the NFL regular season ended.

Sure enough, Matchbook's banner has been taken down. So there you have it, refuse to grease the palms of SBR and your sportsbook rating drops from A- to B.

Matchbook has been far and away the best sportsbook for live betting and the NFL. No one comes close to MB when MLB starts.

[Thremp]

I'd venture its not that the rating is unfair, just the casual correlation between the two events. In addition to the lack of concern about other ratings that lends belief to the "lol follow the money" attitude.

[Dark Horse]

my 0.02

Pretty easy to determine correlation. Just do a side-by-side comparison of upgrades/downgrades with recent addition or removal of banners. Small sample size could still be a problem.

SBR has played a very significant part in educating the public about offshore sportsbooks. But that public is well informed now. And the industry has stabilized. So you have a public less inclined to give their money to scam books, and a decrease in scam books.

SBR and the forum still play a powerful role in keeping books honest. If a book cheats, we all know it. Don't underestimate that role. There is no other forum, anywhere on the internet, with a better understanding of the offshore betting industry.

But SBR had to evolve. It had done too good a job to remain the same. It had a vast knowledge of the industry, but that knowledge wasn't very profitable. So SBR found a way to bring in advertising dollars without compromising its standards too much. Ratings, to a certain extent, can be bought. But not to a great extent. There is still a huge difference between the books that advertise here, and the books that advertise elsewhere. But there really isn't much difference anymore between A and B rated books. SBR can never say that, because doing so would cut into its own profits. And they do share some of those profits here with contests. And, of course, there is nothing wrong with making profits.

So the line between A and B books has become fuzzier, but that's all. In return SBR has become much more dynamic, and offers people here a very impressive array of tools, from SBRlines to the betting tools, and the many free contests. And if you really don't trust the SBR ratings, you can always go by the poster ratings of books at the top of the page.

The above is only my estimation. The reality may be different. In any case, it goes to show that details should be seen in a bigger context. If you want to complain about the advertising banners, without seeing all the benefits that SBR offers (without undercutting its integrity), do so at the risk of advertising your own ignorance.

(There is another side to the coin. Books will be hardpressed to find a better target audience than here. So when a top outfit, like Matchbook, no longer wishes to advertise here, they are obviously cutting costs. The question is why.)

[tltaylor89]

probably about 80k a year to advertise + bonus dollars for people signing up

[losturmarbles]

i'll buy most of that dark horse. good summary.

as to why matchbook no longer wants to advertise here? probably just not worth it.

[BrianLaverty]

Originally Posted by tltaylor89

probably about 80k a year to advertise + bonus dollars for people signing up

SBR is really bringing in that much money per site?? Seems way tooo high

[BrianLaverty]

And its funny to me that anyone on here can accuse SBR of selling ratings.

You wanna see sites that sell ratings? go to covers, eog, therx, etc. and look who advertises there. Sportsbook and Covers are pretty much in bed together.... I criticized them and got banned a few years ago... when all that money was confiscated by the "cheating"

[JoeVig]

Originally Posted by HedgeHog

MB has gone downhill since that poll was taken. I'm most disappointed in the lack of liquidity in college hoops this season.

I think the poor liquidity in college ball shows everywhere. Knee jerk line moves when the least bit of money shows up on a side, and low low limits.

[Chuck Sims]

Quite a few sportsbooks do not advertise in the off season. There should be no concern about Matchbook's decision.

[JELLYBEAN]

who cares

[trumpdown]

Originally Posted by tltaylor89

probably about 80k a year to advertise + bonus dollars for people signing up

$6-7k per month sounds pretty reasonable as I don't see them advertise on other forums. Actually sounds very reasonable. Although them not being a "traditional" book perhaps the ROI isn't as great. As in all business the best advertising is word of mouth. MB should take this to heart.

[patswin]

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

my 0.02

Pretty easy to determine correlation. Just do a side-by-side comparison of upgrades/downgrades with recent addition or removal of banners. Small sample size could still be a problem.

SBR has played a very significant part in educating the public about offshore sportsbooks. But that public is well informed now. And the industry has stabilized. So you have a public less inclined to give their money to scam books, and a decrease in scam books.

SBR and the forum still play a powerful role in keeping books honest. If a book cheats, we all know it. Don't underestimate that role. There is no other forum, anywhere on the internet, with a better understanding of the offshore betting industry.

But SBR had to evolve. It had done too good a job to remain the same. It had a vast knowledge of the industry, but that knowledge wasn't very profitable. So SBR found a way to bring in advertising dollars without compromising its standards too much. Ratings, to a certain extent, can be bought. But not to a great extent. There is still a huge difference between the books that advertise here, and the books that advertise elsewhere. But there really isn't much difference anymore between A and B rated books. SBR can never say that, because doing so would cut into its own profits. And they do share some of those profits here with contests. And, of course, there is nothing wrong with making profits.

So the line between A and B books has become fuzzier, but that's all. In return SBR has become much more dynamic, and offers people here a very impressive array of tools, from SBRlines to the betting tools, and the many free contests. And if you really don't trust the SBR ratings, you can always go by the poster ratings of books at the top of the page.

The above is only my estimation. The reality may be different. In any case, it goes to show that details should be seen in a bigger context. If you want to complain about the advertising banners, without seeing all the benefits that SBR offers (without undercutting its integrity), do so at the risk of advertising your own ignorance.

(There is another side to the coin. Books will be hardpressed to find a better target audience than here. So when a top outfit, like Matchbook, no longer wishes to advertise here, they are obviously cutting costs. The question is why.)

sharp post

[jjgold]

Matchbook volume is consistently getting worse. They are poorly managed and poorly marketed.

Wsex is underfunded and a high risk book.


I doubt matchbook will be around in 3 years.

[sdtrader]

I hope so it is the basically the only exchange for US players these days

[Chuck Sims]

Originally Posted by jjgold

Matchbook volume is consistently getting worse. They are poorly managed and poorly marketed.

Wsex is underfunded and a high risk book.


I doubt matchbook will be around in 3 years.

jjgold made the same prediction of BetFair. The guy is as square as they come.

[losturmarbles]

Originally Posted by jjgold

Matchbook volume is consistently getting worse. They are poorly managed and poorly marketed.

Wsex is underfunded and a high risk book.


I doubt matchbook will be around in 3 years.

says the man who gets a monthly check from rebatewager

[RickySteve]

Originally Posted by jjgold

Matchbook volume is consistently getting worse. They are poorly managed and poorly marketed.

Wsex is underfunded and a high risk book.


I doubt matchbook will be around in 3 years.

Never thought I'd be guilty of saying this in earnest, but, "Nice post, JJ."

[Igetp2s]

I don't completely disagree with Matchbook being downgraded, but it would still be nice for SBR to offer an official explanation. The void they left allows room for conspiracy theories and wild speculation.

Ratings changes are meaningless without any official commentary.