YouBet Express

[Tom]

I have had two years of totally unacceptable service from YouBet. Last night, i tried their web version and i couldn't believe it - it worked! Small picture, but clear and there was actually movement in the video.
I went back tonight, with several sets of PP's printed out, handicapped and ready to go. Only problem is that there is no website tonight!
I must have been dreaming last night. Technology is just not there with these bozos. Enough is enough.
I am switching to the racing channel. YouBEt is NOBet
from now on. Too bad they didn't use some of their contest and promotion budget to hire a couple of people that actually knew which end of the computer to stick the disk in.
Tom

[so.cal.fan]

I can't figure out why Chris McCarron has joined up with them, again.
He told someone last year, not to buy their stock because they had "too much competition". I have always thought this was true.
Perhaps, someone will buy them out? Use what little technology they have?
It could be one of the tracks (group of tracks) will buy them out and initiate phone betting.

[Tom]

The idea and the set up are great-multiple tracks jsut a click away, wagering at the touch of a button, up to date changes, odds, exotic payouts, what more could you ask for?
How about the damn thing to work?
I hope someone buys them and then acutally fixes it up.
It could be a great site.
Tom

[PaceAdvantage]

I think you guys are being WAY too harsh here. For $5.95 a month, you get tons of tracks to bet on, live odds, live video (which I admit, can be fairly unwatchable at times), AND the ability to bet right up until they spring from the gate with the click of a mouse. NO OTHER ONLINE WAGERING SERVICE CAN COMPARE (if they even exist).

And to Tom, I have not once not been able to access YouBet express on the web. I use it at least once or twice a week, and have been since Beta.

The only thing wrong with YouBet is the pausing in the video feed. I have a cable modem, and there are many times where I can't watch the race because the video freezes....other than that, it's close to perfect. They've had their times in the past when they've been down, but I haven't experienced a down day in close to a year.

Until they get their act together in the video department, their are other sources of racing video feeds, but the only way I'll give up YouBet is if they go out of business and cease to exist.....

==PA

[Bobby]

I've been with YouBet for about 1 1/2 yrs and have never had any real problems, with the exception of one weekend last Feb. or March. System was down the whole weekend. It sucked. Although I mainly use the CD version, I've never had any problems with YouBet Express. Don't get me wrong, I get booted off or disconnected occasionally but I can get back on within 1 or 2 minutes 99% of the time.

[MikeH]

I used UBet for almost a year until TRN came along. I had nothing but trouble, and they clearly were not interested in my business.

PA: Are you reading what you are posting in here?

"For $5.95 a month, you get tons of tracks to bet on, [Winticket has all the tracks that UBEt has, and it's free] live odds [live odds are available from both Brisnet and the Racing Channel for free], live video (which I admit, can be fairly unwatchable at times), AND the ability to bet right up until they spring from the gate with the click of a mouse." [You can do the same thing with Winticket, and, once again, its free.]

The only thing in your post that you can't get for free is the live video, although many of the tracks are available in streaming video or through the Philly Phone Bet system for customers (again for free). So what you are paying for is the video, which is very unreliable, from what I have seen and heard.

Don't get me wrong. I think that UBet has the right idea. But they clearly lack the correct management and staff to implement it. As small as Beulah Park is, its live video is more reliable (free to Winticket customers) than UBet's ever was when I had them.

I still personally think that the Winticket / TRN combination is the best for serious players.

[PaceAdvantage]

Actually, what I'm paying for is the ability to place a wager on my computer at the click of a mouse on 8-12 thoroughbred tracks at any given moment. I get odds, video, programs, and assorted other goodies all on one screen, without having to dial a phone, deal with an operator, or annoying voice-prompts from an automated phone-in system.

The video isn't the primary thing for me...it's just icing on the cake....getting the bet down at the last possible moment is what is number one on my priority list.


==PA

[Whitehos]

After reading your post Tom I went to UBet X and it worked fine. I'm no fan of their management but still think they are the best of all the bad ones.
Whitehos

[Bobby]

In my opinion, to compare YouBet to any other online wagering service is like trying to compare a brand new Mercedes to a Chevy on blocks. YouBet is at least 3 years ahead of all of them. For example, the last time I used WinTicket its interface was basically Bris's Supertote, a big green screen with odds, W/P/S pools and that's it. To be honest, I think $5.95 is a bargain, considering YouBet's financial woes (although I must admit I've gotten the last 6 months free because I participated in a survey). Plus, the video has gotten better since the summer.

[smf]

I know some of you don't like the idea of a dish on the roof, but I agree w/ Mike---TRN is the way to go. If I had to pay $100 a month for the service (man I hope they don't read this), I'd plunk it down in a heartbeat. No hesitation whatsoever.

I used to think that the REAL advantage was being at the track. After going to Chuck E Cheese at Grand Prarie tonight, I have done a complete 180 on that opinion. No way I can be more successful at LS than in my own home. It was the worst (a) eating experience I've ever had in my life, and (b) a very frustrating experience as a whole, even tho I cashed heavily on Mondamin (6-1..? ..uh, ok!) who I just knew I couldn't get better than 5-2.

**Whenever you walk away with a huge profit and you're totally pissed, something's wrong.** In that light, I believe youbet will always have a shot at succeeding. MANY tracks just can't get it right.

About TRN....Guys, you can really put together a solid "horses to watch list" with the dish quality picture. I can't emphasize that enough. I couldn't get the same "things" watching the track jumbotron as I can watching my own tv (quality picture).

I hope ubet does succeed. I've kept my account with them out of loyalty-- they stuck their neck out first and took all the hits which I appreciate. I'm pulling for them.

I have been a UBET customer for over 2 years and a TRN customer for 2 months. I have given up on video on a PC. TRN cost $30 a month a DSL cost $40, don't have access to a cable modem, but if it still freezes up, it is not a option I would pick at any cost. I think the PC and the internet is just the wrong media for video, especially action video like racing.

Of all the odds boards and on-line wagering desktops, I think UBET has the best by far, so for me the combination of TRN for video and UBET for odds and wagering is the best currently available.

Don't know how long UBET will be around, if they fold I hope someone buys the rights to the software interface.

Many TV shows today have a internet component where people can play along or be interactive with a show on TV. It seems to me racing is ideal for this, watch the race on TV, handicap and wager on the internet.


P.S. PA love the new software for the board. You got a real winner here, and even a spell checker!!!

[GR1@HTR]

Overall I give it the thumbs up. Yes I hate the down time, errors they have with online wagering and so on, but what is my alternative(internet wise)? Most of the wagers I make are from work right before lunch so it is soooooo convenient to log on and place my wagers vs calling out my wagers next to my co workers.

I like mrdezo take, mix it with live TV feed.

The online video is and for the most part will always be bad. But live online video will for the most part always be bad unless we have new technology break through. Only way for youbet to improve video feed is to increase bandwith. An increase in bandwith for them means more expenses and lower revenue. Unfortunately, I don't think that is going to be on their list anytime soon due to their financial situation. Hope they make it.

[stuball]

I hope YouBet survives and can correct it problems..it is a great technology
that is still in the developemental stage...remember your first time on the internet?
I do an it was not a great experience but we stuck with it and improvement
came about over time..I know it can be aggravating but it is a great
convenience to be able to sit at home and (work). Why does everyone laugh
at me when I say that word? I probably work harder than many people do
at their so called (work). Wishing great success to all who do their home(work)
now and in the future..Have a nice day!!!!!!!!!

Stuball

[MikeH]

GR1 -

Have you looked at Winticket.com? They're owned by the Beulah Park Racetrack, and it is totally internet-based. Plus you can submit your wages from any browser - you do not need special software.

[Dave Schwartz]

Although I get along okay using Racing Channel, I really wish I could actually wager from a website.

Unfortunately, here in Nevada we can't get any services. No YouBet, no OhioTab, nothing (except Racing Channel). You'd think we were living in California or something.

[Druther]

Hey, I resemble that remark, Dave.

[GR1@HTR]

Mike H,

Have not tried winticket but might do so now since they might let Tx residents play tx tracks.

[baravot]

Tom,

I have been a YouBet subscriber for 2 years and while I have experienced the A/V problems, I still regard it as one of the best deals around. I agree with what PA said in his post and will only give it up if they go out of business. It wasn't that long ago that I had to invest a considerable amount of time and effort in getting to a place where I could watch and wager on races, so the convenience and access to a multitude of tracks makes it well worth putting up with any frustration using their product generates. There is plenty of room for improvement in their product, and they seem to be working on upgrading it. In the meantime, be grateful you don't live in one of the prohibited states!

[PaceAdvantage]

Originally posted by MikeH
GR1 -

Have you looked at Winticket.com? They're owned by the Beulah Park Racetrack, and it is totally internet-based. Plus you can submit your wages from any browser - you do not need special software.


http://racing.youbet.com is also completely internet based, although I think you can not use Netscape at the moment.....


==PA

[Tom]

Well.....
I certainly never expectd this much of a response!
Seems to a lot of pros and cons.
All I can relate to is my own lousy experience with them.
$5.95 a month is admittedly cheap, and it is basically why I keep YouLose.Com around-I go to the Penn website and watch thier video, which is TV quality, as are most other tracks I have found outside UB.
My question is if these websites can offer good video, why can't UB?
Too each his own. We didn't all agree on the Florida re-counts either, but we are still friends....aren't we?
Tom TIC)