VIP - March Madness Reload Bonus DENIED

frommagio · #1 03-22-2006, 11:17 PM

Hey guys. I received a VIP Bulletin via email - " Last Chance to grab a 20% Reload Bonus.... The brackets are out so let the “Madness” begin. The number one seeds are in with Duke, Memphis, Connecticut and Villanova making it....", etc., etc.

But it turns out that the fine print says you can't take the bonus if your last action was a withdrawal. I suppose that you're only eligible if you lost your prior roll?

Well, sportsbooks all around the net are offering reload bonuses, so obviously it's no problem for my March Madness fix.

Anybody have recomendations on books that want to reward their customers with reload bonuses?

playersare · #2 03-22-2006, 11:20 PM

most sportsbooks will not give reload bonuses to customers who already carry a "net positive" balance (withdrawls > deposits). bodog is one major exception, and there may be some smaller books which may be flexible as well. VIP is definitely not one of them though, in my experience.

frommagio · #3 03-23-2006, 09:53 PM

OK, that's good to know. I fired off an email to them, asking directly whether their policy is that reload bonuses are for confirmed losers. In my case, I was actually down a small amount when I cashed out, but I understand that they could be viewing me as a "bonus whore."

On the other hand, I prefer to view myself as an intelligent consumer. As long as I've fulfilled the requirements of any bonus that I've been offered, I see no reason why the next guy should get an extra 20% on his March Madness deposit while I stand by and watch.

If I were a 60% handicapper with a long record of sticking it to the books, that would be a different matter. But for now, at least, I'm just some guy looking to enjoy a part of my poker winnings - definitely I should be a desirable sportsbook customer.

WaimanaloSlim · #4 03-23-2006, 10:23 PM

Here's the rule and mathematical formula they use:

"If your account shows a lifetime profit (Deposits - withdrawals - account balance = any negative number), you will not be eligible for a reload bonus."

From: http://info.vipsports.com/en/sports/bonus_reload.htm

youtalkfunny · #5 03-23-2006, 10:41 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I prefer to view myself as an intelligent consumer.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just the sort of customer VIP doesn't want.

In fact, I'd bet that if 2+2 offered free advertising to VIP, VIP wouldn't want it. It's no secret that VIP doesn't want anything to do with anyone who might be "sharp".

That's not a knock on VIP. If I owned/operated a sportsbook, that would be my strategy, as well.

frommagio · #6 03-24-2006, 12:51 AM

Well, thanks for the information. That forumla is quite interesting - I confirmed it on that link. Even though I'm down $25 lifetime at their site ($200 deposit, $175 withdrawal, including burning the bonuses), I don't qualify due to another rule - last move was a withdrawal.

Now, two more questions -
1. I found VIP by going the FAQ in this section, and moving into the affilates and site ratings from there. Do we think that perhaps we need to update it a bit?

2. Based on what somebody said about BoDog, why would anybody go anywhere else (or at least, any place without a reload bonus)? Even a great handicapper would appreciate a reload bonus, no?

Of course, if you are simply too good, you might need to give up your bonuses in order to have your action accepted.

Maybe they think I have the potential to be good someday!
Based on what, I cannot say...

playersare · #7 03-25-2006, 03:05 PM

[ QUOTE ]
1. I found VIP by going the FAQ in this section, and moving into the affilates and site ratings from there. Do we think that perhaps we need to update it a bit?

[/ QUOTE ]
no specifc sportsbook is recommended by the forum. the rating guides used by so-called "watchdog" affiliate sites are mainly concerned with safety of funds, not necessarily customer-friendly bonus terms. VIP is very reliable in terms of making payouts, but they basically hate anyone who is not a gigantic loser. good players get their limits cut quickly, and eventually may even get kicked out completely (you get all your money back of course). site ratings do (and should) not imply whether you will make a lot of money playing there or not.

[ QUOTE ]
2. Based on what somebody said about BoDog, why would anybody go anywhere else (or at least, any place without a reload bonus)? Even a great handicapper would appreciate a reload bonus, no?

[/ QUOTE ]
Bodog's lines and juice are really not that great compared to what's out there. plus they are one of the latest to come to market on gameday, and online limits can be mediocre considering how much money they spend on marketing and their proprietary software. I always keep a grand or two in there in case a good opportunity comes up, but I could NEVER imagine them being my primary source of action.

[ QUOTE ]
Of course, if you are simply too good, you might need to give up your bonuses in order to have your action accepted.

[/ QUOTE ]
High limits, low juice and good bonuses are almost never interrelated. if you're dropping $1000 a side on every game, a discount from -110 to -105 is worth a LOT more in the long run than a free $200 bonus here and there. Similar to online poker, bonus whoring is good when first building your bankroll, but as you get more experienced, juice is much more important, especially with middles and scalps.