Read our Head of Sportsbook's thoughts

Ahead of the Fantastic 5 weekend that featured a host of big sporting events such as Superbowl XLIX, Australian Open Final and the World Handball Championship Final our Head of Sportsbook sat down for another one of his infamous Q&A’s. Below is the full transcript:

Q1. From @TheValueFinder:  Where did you work before Pinnacle?

HoS: The poker tables

Q2. From @SamGoldJr: I love when you post Betshares because that is really useful info. Can we get more of them like one each day?

HoS: BetShare isn't definitive, but we're happy to give our followers a little extra data to work with.

Q3. From @joflag: What is more important, the numbers or eyeballing what happens on pitch/arena/field?

HoS: From a bookmaking perspective, it’s the other way. We price so many events that stats become everything, in the line, but the scouting delves into the specifics of a game. Numbers are public information. From the sportsbetting perspective, I think scouting may be more important than numbers. The numbers are incorporated...

Q4. From @keeppinnacleuk:  Are you ever coming back to the U.K.? Can you give an indication as to why you're not coming back?  i.e. is it cost? Rules?

HoS: Our twitter account keeps saying "We hope to be back, but have no timeline". That's pretty accurate. Love your account name though.

Q5. From @havenrl: Planning to add more prop bets to soccer markets?

HoS: Yes. Nothing concrete. We'll let our twitter operators know when they're coming.  

Q6. From @delyjk: What are you plans with your API? What features will you implement in 2015 into you API?

HoS: We do plan to put more emphasis on commercial support. We’ll add parlay bets by end of March. Proposition bets are next in line.

Q7. From @domcortis: Is PS success derived by being accurate in odds or having volume so that losses in some markets are balanced?

HoS: It’s a mixture of both, for certain. Of course, we want to be accurate. We’re always trying to be more accurate.

Q8. From an email: What skills do you typically look for in traders?

HoS: We get this one at every Q&A. We generally look for smart people, with game theory background a plus.

Q9. From @PAYTHEDONT: The US is changing with regards to the expansion of betting. What has to happen for Pinnacle to re-enter?

HoS: Far too much to explain in 140 characters.

Q10. From @Tip4TheWeekend: You recently came out and voided bets on a suspicious esports game, would you ever do the same with football?

HoS: We have a system we've trusted for a long time. If it alerts us, we'd trust it for any sport.

@Tip4TheWeekend:  Would you be willing to come out and say it was fixed? We can all see fixed games but bookies still pay out.

HoS: We raised a flag to highlight abnormal betting patterns but did not point a finger. Any judgement is reserved for relevant governing bodies.

Q11. From @Itfc1972: How can we apply for a trader position?

HoS: You can always send a CV to jobs@pinnaclesports.com. We're picky though.

Q12. From an email: During the World Cup, you accepted bets of up to 1m. Did that lead to a diminishment of emotional bets driving odds?

HoS: The larger the limits, the less likely emotional bets are to move the market, so no. You don't see a lot of emotional $1 million bets.

Q13. From an email: Do you have other betting companies betting with you in order to balance their books?

HoS: We don’t discriminate against any kind of action.

Q14. From @Covers: What looks like it's going to be a bigger handle for you guys; Super Bowl or World Cup Finals?

HoS: We don't usually comment on handle, but nothing is ever bigger than World Cup Finals. Superbowl is still pretty big though, even for us.

Q15. From @Dpr0v: Bet % on the SB?

HoS: I don't have the number in front of me, but the early move on New England will probably keep the majority on that side.

Q16. From @BettingBruiser:  When is pinnacle going offer more UFC props like 5dimes?

HoS: When people are betting more UFC. We'll happily provide if we see demand.

Q17. From @FazzerSports: Best guage of "sharp bettor" - consistently beating your closing number?

HoS: That's it. If you do it consistently, you'll be a winner in the long term. 

Q18: From @Itfc1972: Has the turnover reduced on premier league soccer since UK customers have to play elsewhere?

HoS: Not really. I thought it might have more of an effect, but its a big world out there.