How We Rate
Our methodology, in plain English — and why operators can't buy a better score.
SharpPromoPicks exists to answer one question: which US sportsbook is actually worth your deposit right now? We test and review every operator we list, score them on the five things that move your bankroll, and rank them. Scores are editorial and independent — no operator can pay for a higher rating or a better position.
The SharpScore
Every sportsbook gets a SharpScore from 0 to 5. It's a weighted blend of five category scores (below), rounded to one decimal. A higher SharpScore means a book that prices sharper, pays faster, and gets out of your way. We re-check scores regularly and immediately after a major product change, promo overhaul, or licensing update.
What we score
Odds & pricing: we compare prices across major markets — moneylines, spreads, totals, and popular props. Books that consistently offer better prices (lower vig, frequent boosts) score higher, because better odds are a direct, compounding edge on every bet you place.
Payout speed & reliability: how fast withdrawals actually land, which methods are supported, and whether payouts are consistent or stall. Your money should be yours on demand.
Mobile app: real-world speed, stability under load (think Sunday afternoon NFL), ease of building a bet, and whether the app matches the desktop feature set. Most bets happen on a phone, so this carries real weight.
Customer support: availability (24/7 vs business hours), channels (live chat, phone, email), and the quality and speed of answers when something goes wrong.
Live (in-play) betting: depth of in-play markets, how quickly lines update, cash-out behavior, and streaming where offered.
How we test
We open funded accounts, place real bets, request withdrawals, and contact support like any customer would. Bonuses and terms are read line by line — including rollover, minimum odds, and expiry — so the "value" we show reflects what you can realistically claim, not just the headline number.
Honest by default
Every review shows pros and cons. If a book has slow payouts or a thin live menu, we say so. We only feature licensed, regulated operators, and we never publish a stat or claim we can't stand behind.
How we stay independent
We earn a commission when you sign up through our links. That's how the site is free to use. It does not influence a SharpScore, a ranking, or what we write — editorial decisions are made separately from commercial ones. If that ever changed a verdict, we wouldn't publish it.
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