Agent - RE: GolfingGods -
Count me as one of the customers that had a real problem making a withdrawl from GolfingGods by Neteller at the end of last season. It took about 40 days to get $900; finally, my request was processed one day when I least expected it . . . I was an optimist in leaving behind an open account with $45. At the start of this season, I was aware of the infusion of cash, so I used them for a few plays, which included an early hit on Aaron Oberholser, and in the last 45 days my Neteller withdrawls of $600 and $1500 were both processed instantaneously on the first attempt. On the other hand, my $1000 withdrawl from BetFred is still pending, although still within the 48 hour account review period posted in their Rules.
Why GolfingGods? Great prices for lots of outrights. And they started paying 5 places on Champions Tour events. Plus good coverage of all Tours (i.e., Nationwide) vis-a-vis other books, once again, in terms of outrights, and frequent Place Only or Top 10 only options as well. And now as active as any of my books in overnight offerings of in-running prices.
Other stuff to consider. There is not an 800 phone number to make inquiries simple and economical - just e-mails or toll calls. No parlays that I can see, which are readily available for small stakes on up at the other GB&I books. 5dimes style matchups are not offered - just "real" 2 Balls and 3 Balls, featuring the nasty ties lose pricing. But in bigger events, a few interesting props, such as scores of prominent players (i.e., Under 70, 71-73, or Over 73). And of course, only golf on the menu.
No question that the easiest move I ever made to improve my bottom line in golf wagering was to expand my price options by going from just 5dimes and Bet365 to GolfingGods, and now BetFred and Sportingbet. But adding too many books just makes it harder to monitor the various prices - I won't be adding more outs for golf, unless and until a Betfair style book becomes available to American customers.
The prices are shorter at Bet365, but there are usually a few more options (parlays; some unique matchups, with and without the ties lose feature; e.w. options (rather than just 1st) in specialty markets, such as wagers on Low 1st round, or Top Euro/Top Australasian/Top American w/out Woods/etc., in big events); but no Place Only or Top 10 only. Bet 365 also has in-running outrights during the course of most of the live T.V. broadcasts. Bet365 also has a rock solid financial reputation, and customer service over the phone has been impeccable for going on four years.
The choice depends on what you want or need. If you are mainly looking for matchups, DTB or Stanley can steer you in the right direction, but GolfingGods or Bet365 would not be the choices. For outright wagering, I would add both Bet365 and GolfingGods, or just one, with Bet365 easily possessing the higher rating and reputation for reliable payouts.
Notes on Returns for e.w. Outright wagers -
At various stages after Thursday morning, the e.w. options on outrights will shift (i.e., from 1/4 for Top 5, to 1/4 for Top 4, to 1/5 for Top 3, etc.), but the same payout applies for each of the paying positions - in the case of $10 X 2 = $20 for a 40/1 e.w. wager before the event, 2nd place and 5th place have the same return of 10 to 1 on $10.
However, a "dead heat" rule applies when players are tied for a finishing position. For instance, with 40/1 e.w. and 1/4th for Top 5, if your player is in a 3 way tie for 3rd, you get a full return of 10 to 1; if it's a 3 way tie for 4th, you get a return of 2/3 of 10 to 1; and a 3 way tie for 5th, the return is only 1/3 of 10 to 1; a 5 way tie for 2nd would pay 4/5 of 10 to 1; etc.
I hope some of this helps.
GL
:dizzy: