CRIS??

[LawyerTx]

Having had accounts with Hurricane Sports (stiffed :mad and Casino of the Americas (paid after a couple of anxious months ), I'm wary of letting my money out of my sight.
I currently have accounts with books that seem quite stable, but am impressed that CRIS offers halftime lines on virtually all college football games. (I don't really want to play all of them, but occasionally long to play one that is not on the menu at "conventional" outs.)
I know CRIS claims to the oldest, biggest, finest, firstest, etc., but I would like to hear from those on "my" side of the wagering window who have had actual experience.
Thanks.

[LawyerTx]

So much for experimenting with emoticons.
Looks like I would have as much trouble with smiley faces I did with the books.

[ShiftySheik]

Their telephone servive is excellent. You don't get stalled on the phone. Payouts are prompt and there is no charge for shipping. Their web site can be very slow, sometimes unvailable. It looks like a bandwidth problem. They're a good book for everything except baseball.

[Underdog7]

LayerTx - Long time "no hear". You want some input about CRIS.

"very very SHARP LINES but very very STABLE"

[sportshobby]

Your money is very safe there. And this is one of the few offshore books that can actually get a check on my doorstep in less than 24 hours.

[SAMMY3]

They are strong.......real strong!

[Mikawl]

Can someone post their web address?

Thanks!

[mikewise]

www.betcris.com

[Underdog7]

WWW.BETCRIS.COM

[OffshoreSnoop]

Cris is in bed big with Don Best. They do pay though.

[intheknow]

The model for what a sportsbook is! The US govt. will run out of money before this book does. They take all comers and set the line for the industry. There is not a book worth it's salt that doesn't have CRIS's line on their Don Best premium service. Usually the first to take THE hit. They have been slow in Customer Service and Post Up areas, but hired or bought (ABC Islands) the right people to fix that.
If I needed a place to park $100,000 to hide it from the wife in a divorce, I'd send it to the "Cigar", CRIS.

[LawyerTx]

Thanks to all who replied for input and insight. Not to demean others, but I've followed the posts of ShiftySheik and Udog7 for the past couple of years and appreciate their opinions. FWIW, given the comments of SS and Udog7 and others, I've opened an account with CRIS. I was interested in SS's comment that the CRIS internet service is slow. I've been a satisfied client for a couple of years of WWTS, but no online service could possibly be slower and more awkward to use. Lo and behold, the first thing to hit me between the eyes when logging into the CRIS site was the fact that CRIS and WWTS utilize the same wagering program. Now, another question, born of cynicism. Casino of the Americas had the glossiest of brochures, mailed gratis rotations, and generally did all of the right things -- right up to the end. Other than because of what the book says about itself, what makes us think that CRIS (or any other offshore out) is so strong and/or reputable that it can't fail??

[sportshobby]

Lawyer, that's a good question. I think four factors pretty much sum it up: longevity, deep pockets, bookmaking style, and customer service.

Longevity says that a book has had time to get established, pay the setup and initial advertising fees, and get through any short term losses (which will happen). Deep pockets are necessary to last through the losing streaks.

Bookmaking style is important, because in some cases (not CRIS) the books get themselves in large one-sided positions that threaten their existence. Taking big positions with off numbers, or dealing two "option" lines are examples of gambling on the part of the books.

And finally, without good customer service the customers will leave and go elsewhere.

CRIS gets good scores on all these points.