Pinnacle Does'nt fit or Feel right .

[Suff]

I expect to have about 30K in Total Letirride.com betting for 2003. Another 3K plus in Cash action from my 1/2 a dozen trips to the tracks.. and another 5K+ in action I have for the 9 days at Saratoga and another 6-8 in TVG action. I was planning on Comingling as Much as I can and chasing a HEALTHY 7% rebate from Pinnacle.

I've been using Pinnacke sports betting this week.. Nothing heavy...I'm just acclimating myself to the place. After 3 days I'm out. I have a Little Money left in there and I'll play with that and I don't think I can continue with them.

The betting Interface is Archiac. I mean, Fred Flinstone archiac.
No Video
No Charts
No Multiple Track ODDS
No WP Pools
No Double Probables
No Double Will Pays
No Pik3 Will Pays.

No NOTHING. A Hokey 2-bit interface.. I have to use a USERS NAME and Password to log onto PINNACLE, then I have to re-enter by users name and Password AGAIN to get to the ThouroughBred Betting Interface.. and then I have to re-enter my password for every Bet I make... unless I queue Them and send them as a GROUP>. and even then I STILL need to enter my password a THIRD TIME.. all this to bet ONE RACE!

I don't care for it at all.. Matter of fact. I hate it. If I use a Figure of 35K for 2004.. although I hope to play more... 7% of 35 is 2450 a Year... and I DO NOT want to leave that kinda money on the table.. But at the same time... I "dread" Pinnacle...

Sunday I bet 3 races.. and I had to FORCE myself to use it...

Anyone else have a Tough adjustment period when switching to Pinnacle? Or another Provider?

I'm actually quite shocked at how piss-poor an interface they have... I was looking forwrad to the 7% Rebate.. But its To painful a Transistion and too much work. I need 4 other screens open to get the informnation I need,,

Sunday I had TVG open for the Video.. I had watchandwager open for the WP Pools ..and I had NYRA Open for the PIK3 will pays.. I had Formulator open for the PP's and I had Pinncale Open to make the BET..

Crazy..

No can do. I retract my idea to switch 100% to Pinnacle. No way no how.

[Valuist]

I've used Pinnacle in the past but like most offshores, its about sports betting and horse racing is an afterthought. I didn't have a problem w/their sportsbook but I rarely bet racing online.

At least they seem reputable, which is important.

[PaceAdvantage]

Ever try YouBet Suff? They have video, multiple track odds (on one screen), WP Pools, Pick 3 Will Pays, plus more....and a great interface, including Wager Grouping....

Unfortunately, they are only offering rebates to harness players at this time...at certain tracks, they are offering a 5% BONUS on your net winnings (win bets only) in a race....

[Suff]

Originally posted by PaceAdvantage
Ever try YouBet Suff? They have video, multiple track odds (on one screen), WP Pools, Pick 3 Will Pays, plus more....and a great interface, including Wager Grouping....

Unfortunately, they are only offering rebates to harness players at this time...at certain tracks, they are offering a 5% BONUS on your net winnings (win bets only) in a race....

I've heard you sing thier Praises..and I did in fact open an account with them..But per usual they will not take CC customers from MA. Nither will TVG, or xpressbet.com. Thats when I started using letitride.com as the primary...

Then TVG came outh the ACH check thing, and I can deposit money and get money out instantaneously now with them. So I use TVG and watchandwager for those reasons... or that REASON... Easy to get money in and out...

After I opened up the Youbet account... They sent me a Bunch of Paper work to sign and wanted Cancelled check , just like I had already set up at 3 different Places.. so I never followed up with them because it appeared redundant to me...

I'll check in on them again before x-mas and seee if its a Better Fit now.. Thanks,,

[PaceAdvantage]

YouBet has the ACH thing going...you can deposit and withdraw directly into your checking account....

I don't know if I remember having to send them a cancelled check...it's been a while since I signed up for that option....

[trying2win]

SUFF,

--Thanks for enlightening us about Pinnacle.

--I was reading an article lately, where the author said "Time is
more valuable than money, because you can always replace money, but you can't replace time! Interesting bit of philosophy.

--The extra % earned on your bets at Pinnacle is nice, but if over a year you're spending an inordinate amount of time getting through the obstacles to place your bets, you have to ask yourself is it worth it? You might wind up getting shut out a few times. If that happens, and if your experience is anything like mine, 80% of the time when that happens to me, the horse I wanted to bet to win will come in...and usually pays a good price to rub salt in the wound! Maybe betting through another racebook with smaller rebates, but a friendlier interface that saves time to place your bets might be the answer.

--I use E-Horse myself for betting extra American tracks not available on simulcasting here in Canada. The rebates are smaller than Pinnacle, but the time saved (compared to what you described about Pinnacle, is worth it to me).

--In the past when my computer went on the blink once-in-awhile, or the E-Horse website wasn't functioning properly, I was still able to use the toll-free phone number to send in my bets there. When I've done that, I've never got a busy signal at E-Horse like I do sometimes on my T.A.B. phone line at my local racetrack.

--The only concern with E-Horse for me is...how safe is my money in my account there. I mean, they don't guarantee your deposits there like they do at our banks in Canada, up to a certain amount of money. Like I've mentioned before, I'm assuming E-Horse is well-financed and is stable, but I play it cautiously and don't leave more than a few hundred dollars in there at a time.

Regards,

Trying2win

[melman]

Suff as usual I have to agree with you. As with betting your pick of account betting has to be something you are comfortable with. I use phonebet.com of Philly Phone Bet which offers rebates and a nice setup for betting. One thing I and let me stress that word I would NEVER do is go back to account betting without getting a rebate. Like throwing money away in my view. That said it also depends on your level of betting. I hear all the time "the takeout is to high the takeout is to high" or "they do nothing for the regular player". I then ask some of the regulars at PHA if they have a rewards card for rebates and the they say no to much trouble. Gezz!!!!!!! Whatever account system you go with best of trips at the track. BTW I work for NONE of these companies.

[linrom1]

You can fax it all including a copy of the cancelled check to Youbet.

[cato]

Melman What is the amount of the rebate offered by Philly Phone Bet?

Are there any other rebates offered on TB horses by US internet betting platforms?

Cato

[sq764]

1) Youbet's 5% deal is ONLY on harness racing tracks, no t-bred tracks

2) Philadelphia Park offers no rebates..

3) I thought Xpressbet was my answer.. They cover Balmoral Park and they offer ACH deposits.. 2 big problems for me:

a) They offer very little video for their track menu and

b) There is nothing to withdrawal online.. You cannot even request a WD until your ACH deposit clears..

[Tee]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by sq764

2) Philadelphia Park offers no rebates..




What they do offer is called Player Rewards

http://www.philadelphiapark.com/playerrewards/index.html

[sq764]

Yes, they offer player rewards and they are offered at a higher level for larger players..

The drawback (for me) for Philly phonebt is they have zero online depositing or withdrawing..

[InsideThePylons-MW]

Why can't you have different video feeds and tote boards running while betting at a different place?

On a busy summer early evening, I use 3 Youbet feeds with one disk version toteboard navigator, a TVG video feed, a Winticket video feed with toteboard, and a Racing Channel exacta board on my 2 systems, all the while making 98% of my wagers where the conditions are in my favor.

[JustRalph]

Originally posted by InsideThePylons-MW
Why can't you have different video feeds and tote boards running while betting at a different place?

On a busy summer early evening, I use 3 Youbet feeds with one disk version toteboard navigator, a TVG video feed, a Winticket video feed with toteboard, and a Racing Channel exacta board on my 2 systems, all the while making 98% of my wagers where the conditions are in my favor.

and that's why they went to charging for bets etc...because people were using them for video only......without running their money through them.

You must have three hands too!!!! LOL

[melman]

Tks Tee, for the link. There are several that offer player rewards which is really rebates. Check out Fair Grounds web site and Penn National web site. If you use BRIS products take a look at BRISBET which gives a discount on BRIS stuff for using their service. All of this of course depends on your level of play. If you are a small better who does off and on betting may not be worth it to you. As Suff pointed out ease of use is another factor. I was with YouBet for years a they offer a fine product and for the smaller player that may be the way to go. I changed because I saw how much money I was not getting put into my account for nothing since I was going to bet anyway. Just consider the factors and make your choice. PA does YouBet still have the charge for the video service unless you meet a cetain level of betting?? I think that level is quite small but that is another thing to look at. Just for an example Cato, if you are betting at the $25,000 per month level or higher you should be looking at rebates or player rewards call it what you want. But that is just me I like free money. LOL

[Suff]

Originally posted by InsideThePylons-MW
Why can't you have different video feeds and tote boards running while betting at a different place?

On a busy summer early evening, I use 3 Youbet feeds with one disk version toteboard navigator, a TVG video feed, a Winticket video feed with toteboard, and a Racing Channel exacta board on my 2 systems, all the while making 98% of my wagers where the conditions are in my favor.

Whats up ISTp@mjw? I Hope your killin them. I could do what I did, with your suggestions, and probably get some type of system going that would work.

And when I play from home 3-4 days a week..and its what I am doing... I probably will. Lately I've been playing 2-3 races on Sat and Sunday. Working alot... also,, I have my share of things open in addition to my horse windows. Often I play cards, while I play the horses, so I'm in 2 or 3 other things already... so one or both of them have to go when I play for real.

I still "play" ....and that means my first objective is my enjoyment. First order of business has to be something I can navigate with not to much added fuss. We'll see.

Another thing... the 2nd reason I jumped back in this thread and posted to you.. The Racing symposium? Did you follow it? Here's a very good news report from Matt Hegarty @ DRF. I thought you'd find this interesting.

http://www.drf.com/symposium/2003/news.html

IN addition to some good information... The main point of the Article is that a Proffessional Player named David Cuscana was on the Panel that discussed Rebates. And it appears he was BALLS OUT on the Industry types... I've seen your points and thoughts on REBATES and This guy fought the Good fight for you at the Symposium....

An article worth reading.....