If you’re not a betting man then the word ‘bookie’ might seem unfamiliar to you. You might have asked yourself at some point, “What is a gambling bookie?” In the simplest of terms, a gambling bookie is a person who offers you odds for sporting events and takes your wagers or bets. The word bookie is actually an abbreviation of bookmaker. A bookmaker’s job is not only to take bets, but to calculate the odds as well. In this day and age, you can find bookmaking services in online betting sites.
What a Bookie Does
A bookie earns by coming up with the right point spread or the right money line. He has to determine which team has the disadvantage and adds a handicap to the team with the higher odds to even things out. This will make things more interesting to the bettors. The bookie has to calculate the right spread in order to earn no matter what the outcome of the game is. If one team is getting all the bets, a bookie may change the spread (by changing the handicap).
Online Bookmaking
With the proliferation of online betting sites, is it still advantageous to put your money on your local bookie? Or are the online sportsbook (the place where bookies place bets) sites the way to go? Both have its pros and cons. But the trend nowadays is to go with the online sites. In online sites, you can do ‘live betting’.
In traditional bookmaking, the bookie stops accepting bets once the game starts. But with live betting the betting continues even when the game is underway. This creates a whole new betting dynamic because you can make decisions based on how the game is unfolding. Of course, the betting spread or the money line changes as the game unfolds. This type of betting can only be done online.
The Disadvantage
The only disadvantage with online bookies is that some of them can’t be trusted to pay out. That is why you have to do some research on the different online sportsbook sites out there. And to give you some headway, we’re presenting below some of the most reputable and trusted online bookies.
The Trusted Online Betting Sites
The top sites in the UK you can put your money on without apprehension:
- William Hill Casino
- Ladbrokes
- Coral Casino
The Top sites in the US who’s sure to pay you out:
- Bovada
- BetOnline
- TopBet
Other trusted sites that cater to the other parts of the world:
- 188bet
- Bet365
- Pinnacle Sports
- Paddy Power
You can now get started with these sites. These online gambling sites also offer huge bonuses when you sign up. There are also promos on offer from time to time. These are features unique to the online sportsbook sites. With this information on what is a gambling bookie, you can now start your betting career by choosing the site which holds the most advantageous point spread. But don’t burn your bankroll in just one go. Take your time and read more about online gambling to learn about the nuances of bookmaking.