5dimes review

The review and verdict below represent the subjective views of the reviewer at the date of the review. Most likely this opinion will change over time, as bookmakers change their services from time to time. The verdicts should not be regarded as a common views of this bookmaker. Everybody must make up their own opinion about who they are dealing with. Bettingadvice.com can not guarantee the correctness of the informaton mentioned in the review.

[Open account] [Transactions] [Navigation] [Design] [Graphics] [Bet procedure] [Service] [Reliability] [Odds] [Events on offer][Verdict]

Overview:

www.5dimes.com
With top-of-the-line software and a reputation of being safe, solid, and with a tremendous number of betting options, 5Dimes brings the Las Vegas atmosphere right to your home.
Established in San Jose, Costa Rica in 1998, 5Dimes surpasses other Internet sites by offering a giant selection of lines, some of the best odds, 24-hour customer service, reliable payouts and secure transactions. Known for being a sportsbook for bigspenders. 5dimes are often mentioned as being in the same mould as Pinnacle, and rightly so

Opening account:

Opening account is very fast, without any unnecessary things. You don't have to put any credit card details, just simple informations as Name, Address, Mail and Password which is 6 to 10 characters long. Than it is done. The only bad thing at this start is that you don't have your own user name, but 5dimes generate 9-digit user ID. Also another "trick" for new user is minimum deposit, that is 50$ and also all account is maintained in USD dollars. No options for Euro. For some of users that two things couses problems. For all those reasons I'd give them only 6.
Our rating: 6/10

Transactions:

Transactions are not so good. Plenty of options for deposit like Neteller, Neteller instaCash, Direct money transfer, Click2pay, Moneybookers, SolidPay, e-gold, eWalletXpress and Deposit by phone, but no credit cards and no direct account transactions. Same thing is with withdraw. That is IMO big minus for them. But there is no problem for example depositing from moneybookers and then withdraw back your winnings. Only bad stuff is 15$ fee to pay when withdraw.
Our rating: 5/10

Navigation:

Navigation is also a bit strange, if we compare to other bookies. There is top frame menu, where you have options to choose sportsbook, other stuff like casino, racebook and also »cashier« option where you can manage your transactions. When you choose for example Sportsbook, another menu opens with Wager options, Pending bets, Transactions. Navigation system is a bit »old« IMO with clumsy menus, but when you get used to it, it works just fine. Each sport is divided into few sections, mainly by country's (for example, soccer is split to main European leagues, internationals, all others,etc) depending on offer for each day. Each bat has also other options on the same site, money line bet, handicaps, props... so just perfect to see everything on one place.
Our rating: 6/10

Design:

Design of the site is simple but ok. You have to get used to menus since they are not as in other known bookies. I have used them for a year or two now and mainly like them because of that.
Our rating: 8/10

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Graphics/speed:

Betting options are all in black/white colors and visible. No special graphic like flash or something. They just stick to plain and simple, which I like a lot. Site remains fast and easy to navigate.
Our rating: 9/10

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Bet procedure:

Biggest dislike here is that you have to make up your mind at the start what will you play. Will it be single bet, combo or something else, you have to choose before you see the odds on offer. So sometimes it is annoying when you change your mind and want to take combo bet. You have to do it all from the start. Another thing that bothers me with betting is also single bets. When you decide what to bet, and then click on the bet, it automatically takes you to another page with option to insert amount. It is not like other bookies when you can choose 2 or more single bets and than enter amount at the same time. You must do one by one. Also another minus is that for every bet you take, you must enter your password each time. It is very annoying thing, since you are already logged into your account.
Our rating: 6/10

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Service:

Service is thing that I like with them. You can call them, e-mail them or simply click on LIVE help from their main site and another pop up window opens. And you're able to talk to them like MSN. Simply ask them what you want. I've been using this help a few times and every time I got their reply in a few seconds, no matter what time it was. Simply very very satisfied with it. They are very kind during the talk and really try to help. Small disadvantage is that you have to use English language only.
Our rating: 9/10

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Reliability:

5dimes is established in San Jose, Costa Rica back in 1998 and although they are short time in business they constantly grow and it looks like they are reliable bookie. At least I put them higher that those "unknown" bookies.
Our rating: 9/10

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Odds:

Excellent odds! They have mainly better odds than other bookies which is my main reason I stick with them. Also they often "fail" to notice odds dropping at other bookies, so punters can use that to their advantage. Also what I like is their option to manually adjust odds on basketball handicap. Small advantage to them. Disadvantage for them is that they put out odds only one day before the game, mainly soccer is treated that way. And it is really sad, when you have to wait for games to be on offer. But NBA games are offered 2 days early. Also they offer handicap in tennis, which is good thing.
Our rating: 9/10

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Events on offer:

They have a lot of events on offer, from American football, basketball (NBA, WNBA, college basket, European leagues), soccer, auto racing (including motosports), golf, tennis, a lot of fighting bets, and in "Other sports" section we can find cycling, politics, handball, volleyball, hockey.. etc. It is one of those bookies where you can find almost everything. Also they offer a lot of tennis challengers, which other bookies left out. They don't offer live betting, which is disadvantage here for them. Also one of disadvantages would be that on smaller leagues they don't offer over/under bets, and mostly no handicaps on them, especially Asian handicaps. With that offer they would grow even more.
Our rating: 9/10

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Verdict:

Total score 76/100

5dimes lost points only due to registration and money transfers. If they can repair that would put them in top 10 bookies. With good customer service and better odds are still enough good to drag me there. Moneybookers are one of best options that every bookie should have. At least they figured it out. Too bad also that they create user names and we are not able to choose our own. Also I'd suggest them to make the bet procedure a bit easier, especially choosing between single and combo bets. Otherwise they are decent bookie and I surely recommend it, if you are prepared to overcome all the starting troubles. One thing that bothers me too is that we can not see the odds before you log into account. Sometimes it would be great to see them fast, not using that logging procedure first. But like I said, good odds are enough reason to at least try this bookie.

Try 5Dimes now !!

Review date:04.07.2007, by nightwatcher