Local vs. Off Shore

[The Peoples Champ]

Hi All,

I have been following BTB on Twitter but never ventured in to the forum until today. Seems like you guys have a pretty tight knit community here, which is awesome!

Hope this topic isn't off limits, but which do you guys prefer playing with, off-shores or locals, specifically as a US based player? I tend to feel my money is safer with my local, but I can get better numbers online. Does everyone else experience this, or should I find a new local?

Thanks, and can't wait to get involved in the community!

[Beyond the Bets]

I live in Las Vegas now, so the feeling of getting paid out ASAP is great. But as far as offshore vs. local, I prefer the offshore if it's good. For instance, 5Dimes pays out — and fast. Others, like BetUS or Sportsbook, have very shady payout histories and can't be trusted.

If I have to wait a day or two to get my money from 5Dimes, I don't mind. Besides, I don't like playing against local bookies since I feel bad taking money from people.

[itg_sports]

If you are going to use a local just be sure and check his legitimacy to the best of your ability. The guy I play with is "stand up" to say the least. It feels a little better to me to actually have a little small talk with a guy before passing over cash and on the flip side there is nothing like it when he drops off an envelope with with a few hundreds in it. I have played with him for 2 years now and know guys that have been with him for 10 years +.

On top of that he lets you play on credit, which means you get to keep your bankroll in your wallet rather than depositing it in an offshore account. I have seen this get a few guys into trouble but with a little discipline its no sweat.

He definitely has public lines but this usually plays out to my benefit when I am on Unders and Dogs (which is a lot more often thanks to this forum).

I normally use the offshore books for smaller plays and action but anything $30 up to $200 (which is about the max I'll play with my bankroll) I'm going with the local.

Oh yeah as far as not liking taking money from real people he rolls through here in a new Honda Accord which he calls his "company car" He called me on a Monday one time to tell me if I met him at the Starbucks he could pay me a day earlier than usual. He decided to drive his Range Rover that day.

[demartini777]

Off shore all the way. Local guys numbers seem skewed by city/region sometimes. They will limit Parlays and teasers too.

never been burned in our local Sports betting Group with 5 Dimes & the Greek in 16 yrs. haven't cashed out of Sportsbook.com yet so cant say but they have lots of props etc.

[ELP24]

I recently cashed out from Sportsbook.com. When I finally received my check I was shocked that my bank actually accepted it. I've seen fraudulent checks that looked better than this thing. Needless to say I'm not longer playing with them.

[louiemdj]

Sometimes you can get a couple extra points if you play local, unless of course you want the other side. In that case, you just have to stay away.

It's nice to have multiple options regardless.

[@World_Wide_Wob]

I can attest to Sportsbook being somewhat shady, but the check cashes every time.

For example, they send me "gift cards" that I can withdraw cash from at any ATM.

Sketchy, but effective.

[Tommy Under]

Just switched from local to off shore. Found local to not be as reliable, and happy with being able to bet games days or weeks in advance online. Not winning as much online though, probably because of the ease to place a questionable bet compared to local.

[Beyond the Bets]

What offshore did you go with Tommy?

Also, anybody with funds tied up with Sportsbook, proceed with caution and withdraw anytime your account gets up to an amount you'd be afraid to lose if they suddenly decided to "go under." I don't trust that book, don't recommend that book and have always been skeptical of them.

[@World_Wide_Wob]

Can you explain a bit more, BTB? You got me shaking in my boots now. Recently processed a rather large withdrawal request. It says 6-8 weeks to get your $, and in the past, it's taken about that long.

[The Peoples Champ]

Good responses so far, thanks guys! I really use my local, who is pretty limited, because I like the fact that I know where my money is. I, like many, just get concerned with being able to cash out from the off shores, even though I'm using Bookmaker which seems plenty reputable.

[gmen0844]

Local for me, Had to many issues with offshore taking a while to get money out, Ya lines not always the best but so easy to get money etc... We settle every monday its easy

[Beyond the Bets]

(11-28-2011 11:31 AM)@World_Wide_Wob Wrote:  Can you explain a bit more, BTB? You got me shaking in my boots now. Recently processed a rather large withdrawal request. It says 6-8 weeks to get your $, and in the past, it's taken about that long.

You're probably fine, but again, Sportsbook.com has virtually zero credibility with me based on past dealings with customers. There is a reason why SBR gives them a D- rating, and it isn't because they have lightning fast payouts and handle customer complaints ethically.

Also, a 6-8 week wait is ridiculous and criminal.

[kc7]

Thinking of opening up an offshore account. Should I do 5dimes or BetOnline?

[ChiefZilla]

(11-28-2011 03:07 PM)kc7 Wrote:  Thinking of opening up an offshore account. Should I do 5dimes or BetOnline?

I've been using BetOnline for about six months now, kc, and have no complaints. From the sound of things on this forum, though, 5Dimes is where it's at. Thinking about opening up an account on there as well. I got all my money out of sportsbook about a year ago (wasn't that much, but yes, it did take about 6-8 weeks). I probably cashed out 6 or 7 times with them and never had a problem with the checks or anything, but after seeing their SBR rating I decided to make the switch.

[Whiskeytown]

hey guys, another newbie to the forum.....

i use a "local" who is basically a good friend who puts my (small time) plays into his bookie (or takes my action himself, doesn't matter). so he's fair and trust worthy, i play on credit and we settle up weekly via paypal.

but i'd like to get back online so i can play things early, or grab a line a like without having to wait till he and i can connect. (for instance, last week i knew i'd like Saints over NYG, and woulda felt better just grabbing 6.5; but he doesn't get MNF lines til monday. so it was 7.5. i still played it, didn't matter, but sometimes those key numbers DO matter.)

my question is.... sounds like there's a few good recommendations in this thread, but are they all still tough to sign up? used to be easy, fund via paypal or simple one-step e-checks.... but last time i looked into it there was a lot of forms and faxing and hoops to jump thru that are difficult for me to pull off and maintain privacy.

[Sandlapper]

I finally went to 5dimes because I got so frustrated with my local. He wouldn't let you bet a game until an hour before game time and he constantly threw hooks on games that no offshore book did.

[kc7]

anyone ever use a visa gift card to fund a 5dimes account? If so, any issues?

[SkyBlues42]

(11-30-2011 09:48 AM)kc7 Wrote:  anyone ever use a visa gift card to fund a 5dimes account? If so, any issues?

I can't remember if I tried that before. I know I tried that with BetOnline, and it doesn't work, since the gift card I used was for the US.

I think the only way you can do something like that, is to get a All-Access prepaid card. Where you just load money onto it.

[The Peoples Champ]

(11-30-2011 09:48 AM)kc7 Wrote:  anyone ever use a visa gift card to fund a 5dimes account? If so, any issues?

Those can be frustrating because you have to make sure it's an international card, which only a few retailers sell, and even then they don't always work. Much more of a pain in the ass then it's worth imo.