Gambling

Stats are through November 20

CHICAGO BEARS: The Bears have created some excitement this season in Chicago. They lead the NFC North Division. Thus far it has been a major turnaround from last season. They were 5-11 SU and 7-9 ATS. This season the Bears are 7-3 SU and 6-3-1 ATS. The Bears are definitely playing with a high level of confidence. Of the three teams behind the Bears I don’t expect any to challenge for the top spot in this Division. The Bears for the most part have not posted overly impressive numbers on offense. This unit has scored an average of 16.9 points in 10 games. The Bears had one big game where they scored 38 points. The defense has been the key to their solid start this season. The Bears have allowed an average of 11.0 points in 10 games. They have allowed 10 points or less in six of those games. Will the Bears continue this winning roll?

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: The Seahawks have created playoffs hopes in Seattle. They have a nice lead in the NFC West Division. I don’t expect any of the three teams behind the Seahawks to challenge for the top spot in this Division. This is another team that has made a turnaround from last season. They were 9-7 SU and 5-11 ATS in the regular season. The Seahawks lost in the first round of the playoffs. This season the Seahawks are 8-2 SU and 6-4 ATS. The offensive unit has been the key to their success. The Seahawks have scored an average of 27.2 points in 10 games. They have scored 30 points or more in five of those games. The Seahawks have allowed an average of 18.7 points in nine games this season. As the season progresses and this team continues to play well on offense and the defense improves going the distance in the playoffs is possible. How will the Seahawks play down the stretch?

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: The Colts currently appear to be in a league of their own. For the most part they have played a game of domination against the opposition this season. The Colts have a solid lead in the AFC South Division. I don’t expect the team behind the Colts to compete for the top spot in this Division. Last season the Colts were 12-4 SU and 8-8 ATS in regular season. The Colts lost in the second round of the playoffs. This season the Colts are 10-0 SU and 7-3 ATS. For the most part the Colts have been fine tuned on offense. The Colts have scored an average of 30.5 points in 10 games. They have scored 30 points or more in six of those games. The defense has played well in most of the games. The Colts have allowed an average of 15.2points in 10 games. They have allowed 10 points or less in five of those games. Could this be the season the Colts win it all?

Ken A.

I wasn’t too big on Wisconsin’s football team a season ago as I felt they were nowhere near as good as a 10-3 team should be and their true colors showed when Calhoun was out of the lineup last year and Iowa handled them easily. Experts expect Wisconsin to once again be solid in the Big 10, but the loss of Brian Calhoun will leave some big shoes to fill in the Badger backfield.

It also still remains a question as to how players will respond to first-year head coach Bret Bielema who takes over the reigns from Barry Alvarez. One thing that will make the coaching transition smoother is the fact that the Badgers have an experienced Senior QB in John Stocco. Stocco has started 25 consecutive game for Wisconsin and broke school records last season for passing yards and TD passes. His ability to throw the football, which is something Wisconsin QB’s don’t always have, will hopefully make the loss of Calhoun a little less costly. However, the Badgers have no experience at wide receiver. No returner caught more than one pass last season, but I’m not expecting the lack of experience at receiver to be a major set back for the Badgers.

Although Jamil Walker was the number 1 tailback heading into the spring, red shirt freshman P.J. Hill will likely end up getting the most carries for the Badgers this season. He’s nowhere near as good as Calhoun right now and you will likely see a tailback duo of Walker and Hill or Hill and fellow red shirt freshman Dion Foster, who has the quickest feet of any of Wisconsin’s 6 tailbacks.

Wisconsin is known for their huge offensive and defensive lines. The offensive line averages a height of 6’6’’ and a weight of 319 pounds. It could take a while for this unit to gel as Joe Thomas won’t be at 100% coming off ACL surgery and Marcus Coleman is a first-year starter at center, and with Kraig Urbik having to learn the right guard position, the Badgers offensive line may be exposed early in Big 10 play, but should be as good as any in the Big 10 by season’s end. The slight hurdles on the O-line will hinder the running game as well and will likely cause Wisconsin a loss to Michigan in their first Big 10 bout.

The defensive line is also big and will probably be the strength of the Badgers this season. You can expect to see plenty of performances this season like the Badgers put together in last season’s Capital One Bowl when they limited a high powered Auburn offense to just 236 yards and 10 points. I still contend that Auburn simply didn’t show up, but it is apparent that the Badgers have talent on the defensive side of the ball. Expect a 5-3 or 6-2 Big 10 season, probably 6-2 with their losses being to Iowa and Michigan. Wisconsin has enough players in place to make coach Bret Bielema’s first season an easy ride ending in a noteworthy bowl game.

Here we will look at playing blackjack to win by using 2 simple card counting strategies that can be used by anyone and are quick to learn. In fact the second one here can be learned in under 5 minutes and is the perfect novice’s introduction to card counting!

The basics of how and why card counting works are covered in part 1, so lets look at some systems straight away.

1. Hi-Low System

One of the most popular methods of card counting systems in use is the point count – Hi-Low system. This system is based on assigning a point value of +1, 0, or -1 to cards dealt to all players on the table, including the dealer.

Aces and 10-point cards are assigned a value of -1. Cards 7, 8, 9 each count as 0. Cards 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 each count as +1.

Logic Of The Method

As the cards are dealt, the player keeps a running count of the cards coming out, and makes bets based on the current count total.

The higher the plus count i.e. the higher percentage of ten-point cards and aces remaining to be dealt from the deck indicates the advantage is with the player and bet size should be increased.

If the running count is around zero, the deck is neutral and neither the player nor the dealer are in an advantageous position.

The higher the minus count, the greater the disadvantage to the player, as a higher than normal number of ’stiff cards remain. In this case a player should only be making bets of minimum size.

The More Cards Dealt the Higher the Probability

As the dealing of the cards progresses, the credibility of the count becomes more accurate as there are fewer cards and more past data available to study.

The size of bets can be increased or decreased with the probability of winning when the deck is rich in face cards and aces, and size of bet decreased when the deck is rich in ’stiff’ cards.

It is important to note that a players decision process, when to hit, stand, double down, etc. is still based on basic strategy, however, alterations in basic strategy play is sometimes recommended based on the current card count.

For example, if the running count is +2 or greater and you have a hard 16 against a dealers up card of ten, you stand, which is the direct opposite of what basic strategy will tell you to do.

However if you consider that the deck is rich in face cards you are more likely to bust in this situation, therefore you should override basic strategy.

Therefore, if the point count is +2 or greater in a single deck game you should increase your initial bet.

Hi/Low & Multiple Decks

In multiple deck games your bet should be increased when the ‘TRUE COUNT’ is +2 or more. What’s the difference between a running count in a single deck game versus the true count with a multiple deck?

The true count in a multiple deck game is based on the actual number of decks left play.

For example, in a single deck game if the first six cards dealt are small cards you have a running count total of +6, which is an advantage to the player.

If the first six cards dealt in a multiple deck game are all small cards you also have a running count of +6.

This does not give the player the same advantage because several decks are left to be dealt and therefore more cards to come out of the deck.

The Player must therefore use a true count as your reason to increase bet size.

If you’re at a six-deck game, and the first six cards are low ones, the count per remaining deck (the true count) is still just a little over 1, as there is just a bit less than 6 decks remaining to be played.

True Count & Running Count

To determine the true count, you need to do the following:

Divide the ‘running’ count by the number of decks remaining i.e. the number of decks left, whether they’ll actually played or not.

In a six-deck game for example, a deck or more may be cut off by the dealer after the shuffle, but this is not taken into account when calculating the true count.

Figuring out the actual number of decks remaining isn’t as hard as it first appears.

Simply look at how many cards are in the discard tray.

This system takes a bit of practice but is not as difficult as it first appears and if you are playing blackjack to win its a great method.

Lazy Card Counting

Want a simpler system to win at blackjack that still works?

It requires no complex calculations and demands little of your memory.

You already know that a deck rich in face cards is an advantage to the player so you wait for your opportunity.

All you need to do this is observe the cards coming out of a deck.

For example, if you are playing and after a few hands you observe that very few face cards or aces were played you have a situation where the next hand could be good for you and you can increase your bet accordingly.

The key to success with this method is to ONLY look for extremes.

The absence or predominance of dealt high cards is easy to spot by any player regardless of experience.

It is an easy method and is a good place to start in card counting.

If you are new to card counting and want to play blackjack to win quickly, then these two methods are an ideal introduction and if applied correctly will help you win some big pots.

You will notice many of the strong defensive teams advanced in this past weekend’s blitz of NCAA tournament games. Texas A&M was a good example of a sound, disciplined, though undersized, defensive team that exceeded expectations. The Aggies knocked off Syracuse in the first game, 66-58, playing their style, a slow, defensive game. Then in the next round, they should have upset LSU, until a back-breaking three-pointer in the final seconds beat them 58-57.

Still, Texas A&M went 2-0 against the spread as defense kept them close. UCLA was impressive on the defensive end, as Ben Howland had the troops playing some terrific D. Great defense from upstarts Bradley and George Mason led the way in their Sunday upsets over Pitt and North Carolina.

After 9 of the first 16 games went over the total on Thursday, an almost even 9-7 split on totals, notice that the next three days the unders ruled 11-5, 6-3 and 5-3. Like in all sports, defense is most important when the games mean more. We all watched the Steelers romp through the NFL playoffs on their way to winning the Super Bowl. They pulled upsets over the Colts and Broncos with a ferocious defense leading the way.

Think back to the NBA Finals almost a year ago. Who faced each other? The Pistons and Spurs, certainly not teams where offense comes to mind as the strengths of each. Defense, and lower scoring games, are not uncommon with postseason games in all sports.

That’s what’s going to make this week’s games so interesting. On Thursday there will be a contrast in styles, as run-oriented Duke takes on a more defensive-oriented LSU team. The Blue Devils have been susceptible to teams that can crash the boards with big bodies, and LSU is certainly a terrific rebounding team behind Glen Davis and Tyrus Thomas. Shelden Williams was a force for Duke over the weekend, but he gets a tough test here. Also, it will be worth watching the foul situation as the Blue Devils don’t want to get Williams or JJ Redick in foul trouble, as they are a very different team without those leaders.

Another fascinating battle is run-oriented Gonzaga, which is not a strong defensive team, against UCLA. Like Duke/LSU, the Boston College/Villanova match-up will be a battle of a low-post oriented Eagles offense and an attacking, guard-oriented Wildcat offense. It’s also an interesting rematch, as BC used to be in the Big East last season and faced Villanova twice. For the record, each team won at home, but both games were super-close: BC won 67-66 at home, Villanova won 76-70 at home. This Friday’s meeting will be on a neutral court in Minneapolis.

Note that Texas plays West Virginia, and the two have already met. The Longhorns beat West Virginia 76-75 just before Thanksgiving in the semifinals of the Guardians Classic in Kansas City. And if you like underdogs, there is still Bradley, Wichita and George Mason, though unfortunately two are playing each other. Make sure you examine strengths and weaknesses of each teams, and don’t forget to examine defense, because it’s more important this time of the season!

Could you imagine living the life of a professional poker player? Imagine travelling the world playing in poker tournaments while raking in huge stacks of chips. Forget about having to listen to an overly pushy boss. Professional poker players don’t need to listen to anyone and they can work whenever they want. They don’t need to abide by the normal 9 to 5, let alone even have an alarm clock. Think of all the free time you will have when you only have to work a few hours of the day doing something you love. If you want to sleep in till one in the afternoon, go ahead. The unlimited freedom that comes with being a professional poker player is equivalent to being self-employed. The normal hassles of everyday work are not an issue for the person who knows how to play his cards right.

The glory of winning a poker tournament for the first time can be surreal. All it takes is some hard work and experience at the poker tables. If you are serious about taking your poker game to the next level, you’re going to need some practice. Get your hands on some poker books, open an online poker account, and start playing some poker. After each session you should analyze hand histories and think about how you can play better. I guarantee your game will improve and you will be well on your way to living the life of a professional poker player. Even if you don’t become a professional poker player, I wish you all the best in your poker journey.

Gambling is a world where it seems as though everyone’s trying to give you money. But the reality is that all the casinos and gaming dens lure you hoping to see your wallet shrink in size. Every gambler dreams of that one big win, but for most it remains a dream.

Slot machines are a comparatively less harmful way to take charge of how much you lose and win. It is a way wherein you can play with a relaxed mind and don’t need to plot, plan, or guess. Here the luck takes charge. Well, almost!

Here are a few tips to help you come out a winner when gambling on the slot machines:

• Don’t play on borrowed cash. This will only make you tense and keep that jackpot miles away from you. A positive and relaxed mind attracts treasures as you are less prone to overlook clues and information that could lead you to a win.

• Be very clear as to why you are near the slot machines at all. Are you there to enjoy yourself while you win some money doing ‘just so’, or are you after the ‘big win’. This will govern the type of slot machine that you will choose because the machines for small frequent small pay outs and less frequent big jackpot will be different from each other.

• Read your destiny in the symbols on the slot machine. When you select a slot machine, check how many symbols it has. The number of symbols is directly proportional to the combinations that can be made and therefore the number of times you are likely to win. But remember – more wins mean less winning amount.

• When to go for that biggie? Small wins will not keep you satisfied for long. Your palms will itch to play for the progressive big jackpot. Do not succumb to this desire until the progressive jackpot becomes exceptionally big. History says that when the progressively building jackpot becomes really big, it is very likely to burst. Wait for such an opportunity.

• For your own safety play slots at reputable online casinos that offer a bonus. This will not only give you peace of mind but also generous bonuses to play on.

• Remember to stop. Many players forget this simple rule and loose all the money they earned from playing slots and sometimes much more. It is easy to get carried away when you see the money roll in. True winners quit when they are still at a ‘high’.

The 2006 MLB season has been one of streaks for several teams and the most impressive recent one was the Oakland A’s 10 game streak prior to their trek to the Rocky Mountains! Oakland is one the verge of being swept by the surging Colorado Rockies and is you like playing home underdogs on the verge of a sweep tonight is the night.

In fact not only is Clint Hurdle’s team +112 tonight, the over/under is 9 and that is surprising considering the fact that the A’s have not scored a run in 22 innings.

Barry Zito seeks to win his sixth straight start on Wednesday as Oakland tries to salvage the finale of a three-game series against the Rockies at Coors Field. Zito (8-3, 3.51 ERA) is 6-0 with a 3.28 ERA over his last seven starts, including victories in each of his last five. The left-hander pitched eight strong innings on Friday, giving up three runs and eight hits while striking out a season-high 11 batters in a 7-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Rockies (36-35) have never seen, as Zito has never faced Colorado.

The Rockies have now recorded four shutout wins at Coors Field this season, the most in a single season in that stadium’s history. Colorado also registered shutouts on consecutive days at home for the first time in the 14-year history of the franchise.

Slumping third baseman Eric Chavez went 0-for-3 on Tuesday. Chavez is 6-for-39 over his last 11 games, dropping his average from .285 to .262. Oakland center fielder Mark Kotsay returned to the lineup and went 0-for-4 after missing the previous five games with back spasms. Kotsay had hit safely in his previous eight games, batting .333 (11-for-33)!

The Numbers Favor Colorado!

Matt Holliday is batting .462 (24-for-52) with 14 runs scored over his last 13 games for Colorado, which is 5-0 in interleague play this year. The left fielder is 9-for-18 with five runs scored against AL opponents this season.

Manager Hurdle plans to give right-handed hitters Choo Freeman and Ryan Spilborghs starts in the outfield on Wednesday in place of left-handers.

Brad Hawpe and Cory Sullivan and the Rockies are 7-3 against left-handed starters this season.

Colorado’s Jamey Carroll is hitting .423 over the past 14 games after going 2-for-3 against the A’s. … Oakland’s pinch hitters were 0-for-2, stretching the A’s hitless streak to 29 at-bats over spanning two seasons, including 0-for-19 this year.

Dare I suggest Colorado wins 6-0!

Bob Acton

Online Sports Betting

By this point, it’s really not much of a secret that millions of people absolutely love to kick back in their leisure hours and spend some time in online casinos. The numbers of Internet players have become staggering, too big for any one human mind to hold without bursting. And that’s just within the continental United States. Extrapolate that out to the rest of the wired world and it becomes pretty clear that what we’re dealing with is no less than a global phenomenon.

This should not come as the least bit of a surprise to anyone with more than two working brain cells to rub together. Why? Because people love to gamble, Einstein. And they also love to hunt for fun things to do on the Internet.

The totally predictable response to this rabid, universal interest in online gambling has been an equally seismic explosion in the number of web sites created to meet the demand. This is both a blessing and a curse, which is probably an example of some kind of poetic justice but I’m not sure just how. Doesn’t matter, anyway. All that matters is finding the best sites out there to meet your unique gambling needs. That’s right, your needs are unique because you are a very special person, no matter what you family or co-workers say.

It would be really handy for any online gambler to click the mouse and find the 10 best casinos in operation. And once that’s accomplished, then choose the best games and features from the top 10. Sounds like a pretty good deal, doesn’t it?

Here’s the rub: it ain’t that easy, pal. Exactly how do you choose from so many alluring options? Below is a list of some things to keep in mind as you embark on this harrowing but ultimately rewarding mission.

First, decide if you want to play for free or for actual, bona fide government-minted moolah. This may be the single most important decision you make when it comes to gambling online, so consider it carefully.

Assuming you’re gonna go for the real dough, you then need to figure out exactly how you will pay for your online gambling. Common options include credit cards or by using a system such as PayPal. Again, no hasty moves here. A well thought-out policy is crucial.

Now you want to do some research to determine which sites offer the most generous payouts and bonuses. These can really add up to a lot, so any site with meager offerings should not make your top 10 list.

Finally, you get to the fun part: what kind of game do you want to play? There are scads to choose from and it’s really not worth listing them here because they’re probably all over your monitor right now in flashing, colorful letters. Just make sure that one of the top 10 sites you’re visiting offers your favorite game.

Now get out there and get your game on!

Based on what we read and what we know, here’s what we feel are the Top 10 Poker Tips:

1) Playing too many hands

Most beginners play way too many starting hands, in fact top players typically play between 20-30% of their starting hands. Concentrate on higher value starting hands and help remove the luck element of the game.

2) Know when to hold’em, and know when to fold’em

Learn how to fold a hand, and don’t be a calling machine. Many beginners keep betting regardless of the board or what their opponent’s actions are suggesting. Top players frequently say it’s the hands you can lay down that are often the key to profitable play.

3) Choose less skillful opponents

If you want to win money. Sounds fairly obvious, but you should play at betting limits where you can beat the majority of players. Move down in limits if you are having difficulties winning money. In poker, always leave your ego at the door.

4) Watch your opponents habits

Especially when you aren’t in a hand. The best time to study is when you aren’t emotionally invested in the hand, and you can make more prudent observations. Watch how opponents bet, and how much they bet, in what position are they betting. Learning how your opponents play is key.

5) Betting to gain knowledge

Betting is not always because you have the best hand. Top players use various betting techniques to try to gain information. For example, a defensive bet is one that you can use early on to avoid calling a bigger future bet. A re-raise may be used to probe the credibility of your opponent’s hand.

6) Learn to put your opponents on a hand

Once you have mastered Tips #4 &5, it is time to put your knowledge to work. Try putting yourself in your opponents shoes, and learn to put them on a hand. Ask questions like “Why did he re-raise me that amount?”, and “Why did he only call in the previous betting round?”, “Maybe because he only called me, he has a kicker problem?”

7) Learn how to bluff and semi-bluff

…at the right times against the right players, and at the right frequency. Bluffing is often a misunderstood concept, and much to many beginner’s dismay most pros use bluffs quite sparingly. A bluff can be very effective when used rarely, and where there is a seemingly low risk of being called by your opponent.
Changing Gears

Unpredictability can be good. Most pros can figure out a really loose player by waiting for the nuts and being patient. However, an even easier opponent is a tight player or “rock”, who plays only the Group 1 type hands. You need to change your game up, and let them see that you can run bluffs, and can play some lower value starting hands. These changes should be subtle and shouldn’t dramatically affect the flop rate we mentioned in Tip #1

9) Understand player position

…and how it is critical. Not only is it important to play strong hands, it is even more important in what position you play them. For example, the ideal position is the Button (the Dealer), as you are last to act, and have the advantage of watching all of the betting action before you need to make a decision. eg. If the action before you consists of a bet, a raise, and a re-raise, and you hold a pair of Tens, you might think that folding is the right decision.

10) Read books and take notes

Players can always learn more if they want to be a better poker player. Keep notes on what works and doesn’t work for you, and eventually you will come up with a style of play that works uniquely for you and improves your game. Please see our list of Top Poker Books if you want to see some good selections.

So you’ve decided to try online gambling, hoping to have fun and make a few bucks. And wouldn’t you know it, you’re a winner! Whether you’ve won a small amount or a substantial sum, you might have a few questions about what to do next.

The biggest question you might have, especially if you have won a large amount, say in a poker tournament or by hitting a jackpot, is do you have to pay taxes on your winnings? If you live in the United States, the answer is most definitely yes. It does not matter that the site you are playing on is out of the United States’ jurisdiction. If you have won money, you are required to report it. The good thing is that you may use your losses to offset your winnings. You will be required to itemize all wins and losses on your tax form, so it will help to have proper documentation. It is not always easy to provide such documentation, especially for losses prior to your big win. For this reason, among others, you should always keep careful records of your online casino gaming. At the very least, most sites offer a “transaction history” listing your last twenty or so deposits and/or withdrawals from the site. If you print these out regularly, it will help you with your claim.

So what do you do now that you have had your big win? If you have generated this win through play and not hitting some kind of jackpot, you may be tempted to consider the idea of turning professional. After all, many people relish the thought of sitting at their computer playing Internet games all day for a living rather than trekking out to some regular job. A decision like this is almost always a mistake. Very few people are able to be successful as professional gamblers. You should be aware that while you may be very good at your chosen game, statistically even very poor players will have big wins from time to time. You need to consider whether your win was primarily a function of your skill, or a statistical anomaly. You also should think about the lifestyle a professional gambler has. There is very little security, and runs of bad luck can be disastrous. It also tends to be something of an anti-social and sedentary life style.

Your best bet is probably to take some of the money out, spend it on something nice, put some in the bank, and leave some to keep your bankroll healthy. Having a few extra dollars in your account to pad you from those long cold streaks doesn’t hurt, and neither does having a little fun with your hard earned winnings.

A final note: Try to keep playing the same way you did when you built your win. Some people may be tempted to “gamble it up” a little more because they have “money to burn.” Others may feel indestructible, as if the fickleness of luck cannot turn on them. It is best to keep your head about you, and realize your success is probably at best equal parts luck and skill. Similarly, when you experience a big loss, you should try to remember that if the cards (or dice, or whatever) are not with you, there is often little you can do except live to fight another day.