Pinnacle
Founded: 1997
Licensed by: The Netherlands Antilles Gaming Commission
Location: Curacao , Dutch Antilles
Bonus: 10% up to $500 with a 3x rollover
Banking: Neteller is accepted

Review:
Pinnacle rates as our personal favorite sportsbook on the web. Why? Because it's a no-frills outfit which deals the most competitive lines in the industry. While other books are offering odds at -110, Pinnacle deals at -105. Also, Pinnacle has the reputation of dealing what insiders call an 'opinionated line'. Their linesmakers are some of the sharpest in the industry, and most seasoned wise guys will at least check to see 'what Pinny's doing' with a game before they get down. If Pinnacle appears to be leaning towards one side, many experienced bettors will take that side; or, if their numbers disagree with Pinnacle's, they'll just avoid the game. A classic example of this, mentioned elsewhere on this site, occurred a couple years ago during the Miami, OH/ Bowling Green game. Bowling Green came in to the game as real media darlings, with a top 25 ranking, yet they opened as a 7 point dog ( Miami was no slouch that year either). While the squares were scrambling to take the points on the ranked team Pinnacle quietly moved their line to Miami -7.5-a move that raised eyebrows amongst the sharps, as it was now clear that Pinnacle was begging for more Bowling Green money.

The fact that Pinnacle isn't afraid to offer a renegade line leaves them exposed to scalpers and middlers; and, in fact, many middlers do quite well here. Pinnacle isn't in the habit of offering reload bonuses, and their customer support only ranks as average, but when a book works on a margin this slim we can understand if they don't offer all the trimmings.

In any event, cashouts here are always no-hassle-which is the real thing that matters.

What Makes Pinnacle Special:
A couple things, actually, although the most important to us are the 10 cent NHL lines. As mentioned earlier they are currently the only book that offers 10 cent hockey lines, making Pinnacle an absolute must for anyone looking to get down on ice hockey.

Summary:
Bonuses: 10% start up and no reloads
Soft lines: The best lines in the business. The preferred book for professional players.
Promotions: Not much in the way of contests and giveaways.
Customer Support: No phone support, but email support is excellent.

Founded: 1997
Licensed by: Dutch Antilles
Location: Dutch Antilles
Bonus: 20% up to $200
Banking: Accepts both Neteller and Fire Pay.



Review:
VIP Sports may be the best sportsbook out there for players who aren't looking to make a living out of beating the books. The sign up bonus is fantastic, the reload bonuses are equally generous, and in our opinion the customer service is the best in the industry. VIP actually offers live chat, and-I hope you're sitting down-it actually works! Baseball fans will be happy to know that VIP deals a 10 cent line. The minimum bet is $5.00, and VIP is constantly offering all kinds of great promotions, contests and giveaways. Which brings us to our next point.

What Makes VIP Special?
In a word, the promos! Take a look at the various promotions that are going on right now:

•  Close call parlay. Anyone who's ever had an 8-teamer ruined by the late Sunday night game will appreciate this, as VIP will offer a payout for 4,5,6,7, and 8 team parlays where all but one of the teams on the card covered.

•  ½ juice on Wednesday hoops. Need we say more?

•  Slam Dunk Challenge with $15,000 in guaranteed prize money

•  $50,000 Sport of Kings challenge.

Believe me when I say this is only a sampling of the strange and outrageous promos that VIP is constantly running. When it comes to funky freebies, VIP is the best book out there.

Summary:
Bonuses: Great start up and reload bonuses.
Soft lines: Ten cent baseball lines, but rogue lines on other sports are rare.
Promotions: One of the wildest selections of promotions in the industry.
Customer Support: Setting the standard for all offshores.

5 Dimes

Founded: 1999
Licensed by: Costa Rica
Location: Costa Rica
Bonus: 20-50% match play depending on method of deposit (see 5 Dimes website for more info).
Banking: Accepts Neteller


Review:
A couple things worth mentioning here. First, the clerks speak English. This may sound like a minor point, but anyone who's tangled with a customer service rep from India over an uncredited bonus knows exactly what I'm talking about here. Also, 5 Dimes is a very sharp outfit; so sharp, in fact, that they can offer some unheard of reduced juice specials, such as 5 cent lines on overnight MLB action.

A quick word about 5 Dimes: We've somewhat violated rule number 2 on our list, as the sign-on bonus is no great shakes. Also, 5 Dimes has a reputation for being somewhat paranoid about bonus hustlers, so anyone looking to meet the rollover and get out should be warned that this isn't the book for you. We don't like this policy, and in fact we've spoken out against it, but we still have to recommend 5 Dimes because of their impeccable reputation for timely payouts and courteous customer service. Were it not for this thorny bonus issue 5 Dimes would be right there with Pinnacle at the top of our list; as it stands they're still a very solid outfit.

What Makes 5 Dimes Special?
The sheer volume of bets offered. They offer every teaser under the sun (15 team 20 pts., etc.), and a whole range of buy and sell points bets. Because the linesmaker is so sharp 5 Dimes also offers a wide spectrum of alternative lines that you can't find anywhere else. A favorite shop for professional players, and serious recreational bettors who like to bet into odd lines.

Summary:
Bonus: They could stand to improve the match play bonuses.
Soft lines: Lots of exotic lines, and you have to love the 5 cent overnight baseball lines.
Promotions: Like Pinnacle, this isn't one of the book's strengths.
Customer Service: An efficient, pleasant, well trained staff. One of the industry's finest.

Bet Jamaica
Founded: 2003
Licensed by: Registered Players Paradise , Jamaica
Location: Jamaica
Bonus: 20% on deposits up to $500, 10% on everything over $500
Banking: Both Firepay and Neteller are accepted.



Review:
BetJamaica is a member of the Olympic Sports Group family, which rates as one of the most established sports betting groups in existence. They have a great sign-on bonus, and their software is some of the best out there. We're always partial to books that have a little chutzpah, and BetJamaica fills this requirement by offering 10 cent lines on baseball. Customer service is better than average, although I wouldn't go so far as to say that it's extraordinary. Cashouts are a breeze, and one withdrawal is free per month. Unlike a lot of 'sharp' books, Bet Jamaica offers a fair number of funky promotions throughout the year, which is great for recreational players. The minimum bet is only $2, so you don't need to be a high roller to open an account.

What Makes BetJamaica Special:
Where do we start? The sports database on the homepage is a real treat; in fact, a guy could spend hours screwing around with it and not get bored (trust us, we've done it). They also offer a nice reload bonus (up to 10% on selected deposit methods) and feature overnight lines; two things that make this another great book for middlers.

Summary:
Bonus: 20% on the initial deposit is as good as it gets.
Soft lines. Not as crazy as Pinnacle or 5 dimes, but you can find some real values here.
Promotions. BetJamaica offers a veritable rainbow of fantastic bonuses and specials.
Customer Service: Wonderful. We've never received any attitude at all from customer service.

Skybook

Founded: 1997
Licensed by: Costa Rica
Location: Costa Rica
Bonus: 50% Signup Bonus
Banking: Accepts Neteller and InstaDebit


Review:
Skybook reminds me somewhat of BetJamaica in that it's a book that hasn't made its reputation on any one feature but seems to find a way to do everything well. The sign-on bonus is a real monster for heavy hitters, and they offer an above average range of contests and free giveaways. Customer service is great, as this is another book which has actually taken the time to make sure that their live chat feature actually functions.

What Makes Skybook Special:
In a word, the free half point. Skybook has somehow found a way to offer a free half point on straight wagers on all college and professional games. Note: this does not apply to the 3 and the 7 in football, but that's understandable, as if it did Skybook would probably be out of business in a week. Nevertheless this little bonus can get you off the 7 in the NBA, or off the 10 in the NFL, and that alone makes this book worth checking out.

Summary:
Bonuses: 50% Signup Bonus
Soft lines: Free half point on lined games. What more could a bettor want?
Promotions: Something pops up from time to time, but not one of the book's strengths.
Customer Support: Phone calls are handled quickly and professionally.

Overview: Like WWTS, Bowman's is older than dirt. I opened my account here in 1998, and even then they were already considered one of the most established offshores in the industry. Cashouts here are absolutely zero hassle, and the rest of the support staff is superlative. They've been in the business forever, and they've gotten customer relations down to a science. Go ahead and pore over the sportsbetting message boards on the web-you won't find anyone who has a single negative thing to say about Bowman's.

What Makes Bowman's Special: Again, like Bodog, we have to go with the square lines. During baseball season Bowman's routinely hangs lines that shade the favorite by five cents more than the market line, which means 'dog bettors will have no trouble finding exceptional value. Along the same line you'll also find hoops and football games lined a half point more towards the favorite.

Summary:
Bonuses: Got to love the 10% reloads
Soft lines: Like Bodog, Bowmans gets a lot of square action.
Promotions: A standing special for -105 lines on ESPN college games.
Customer Support: A top-tier, English speaking staff.

Bodog
Founded: 1995
Licensed by: Costa Rica
Location: Costa Rica
Bonus: 10% sign up bonus
Banking: Accepts Neteller




Review:
Another great book for the serious sports bettor. I could do without the 20 cent lines in baseball, although you can usually find enough value on the rest of the board to make an account here well worth your while. The common reload bonuses are also exceptional (10% on reload deposits), and they usually offer some kind of otherworldly reload bonus around September; making this a great spot to deposit some dough at the beginning of the NFL season. Next to VIP Bodog may have the best menu of promotions and contests in the business. Recent promos include at $10,000 betting account sweepstakes, and a whole host of $1,00-$2,000 giveaways.

What Makes Bodog Special:
Square lines. In my experience Bodog offers some of the squarest lines in the entire industry, which makes having an account here a must for anyone who's usually betting on the less popular side of a contest. For instance, during the Super Bowl Bodog was the first book I know of to move from Philly +7 to Philly +7.5--- a real coup for those of us who were riding on the backs of the Eagles. If you're primarily a dog bettor (and I hope you are!) you'll find more than your share of juicy lines here.

Summary:
Bonuses: 10% start up bonus, and 10% on reloads.
Soft Lines: Twenty cent lines in baseball, but plenty of great lines for 'dog bettors.
Promotions: No shortage of free money giveaways.
Customer Support: Knowledgeable and pleasant support team.

Bet WWTS
Founded: 1991
Licensed by: Australia
Location: Antigua
Bonus: 20% up to $100
Banking: Accepts Neteller




Review:
Bet WWTS is the old granddad of the offshore industry. To give you an idea of how long this book has been around, the WWTS stands for 'World Wide Telephone Service'. They don't offer many wacky promotions, and they don't get involved in offering rogue lines, which might make you wonder why we recommend them. The fact is that this is a well run outfit which in Internet years has been around absolutely forever. Of all the books on this list this one has always felt the strangest to me, as you just don't hear much about them-depsite the fact that they're one of the oldest and most respected offshores out there. I can only attribute this to the fact that a) they rarely do anything newsworthy, and b) they never screw up, which keeps them off the message boards. How reliable is this book? Well, let's put it this way-they're actually a publicly traded company. That should give you some idea of the kind of financial stability this book brings to the table.

What Makes BetWWTS Special?
OK, I'm going to do it again; I'm going to violate one of our rules for recommended books. The fact is that BetWWTS really doesn't offer anything special, but I just have to put them on this list; if only because they're one of the oldest and most reliable books in the industry. If I had to put my life savings in an offshore this would be the one. Their reputation is just that clean.

Summary:
Bonuses: . 20% for the sign-up, but there's a $100 max.
Soft lines: Ten cent baseball lines, and the occasional rogue line springs up.
Promotions: Bet WWTS doesn't get very involved in promotions.
Customer Support: . Fantastic customer support staff.