Football: October 2002

NFL football is more popular than ever. Each week people flock to the sportsbooks to make their wagers. The outcomes are tough to predict. Many are doing well betting on teams that are underdogs. The linesmakers are smart and are adjusting the lines to reflect that current trend. Still a good rule to adhere to is, "When in doubt take the points".

There's a new book out by Fred Renzey, " 77 Ways To Get The Edge At Casino Poker". Renzey is a retired mechanical engineer who has written a book that will help the novice and semi-pro player. His perceptive insights and 77 concepts are designed to improve your game. It's published by Bonus Books and is available at bookstores and on the internet.

If you want to hear a very entertaining guy that puts his money where his mouth is check out Lem Banker, the most famous sports bettor in history each Friday on my radio show on Keno Radio 1460 AM from 2-3 PM. He's the real deal and a throwback to the good old days of Las Vegas. He was part of the gambling in-crowd when Sinatra and the Ratpack played the Sands. Lem gives out his college and NFL picks for the weekend and spreads a little heartfelt joy to make Friday afternoon just a little bit better. In a world of unhappy people that see the glass as half-empty, Lem is drinking life's nectar from a cup that is overflowing.

How many times have you gotten a tip on a horse and the ticket wasn't worth the paper it was written on it. Then the next time you don't bet it because you promised yourself that you wouldn't do that again, the horse wins going away. Just wondering if it only happens to me…

Don't you just love people that are so sure that their favorite team can't possibly lose their next game against their arch-rival and give you 20 reasons to back-up their argument and when you ask them how much they bet and they say they don't bet, doesn't it take the starch out of their reasoning. World Champion poker player Amarillo Slim says, "If I say it, I'll bet on it". I respect that.

Hunches can get very expensive in the casino. Learn about the games you are going to play. Split aces and eights at blackjack. Bet the pass line and take full odds in craps. Bet one or two come line bets and take full odds. Allow fate or luck or whatever you want to call it do its' magic. Set a limit on each session's losses. Don't allow yourself to get in too deep when you begin to chase your losses. It is normally a very downhill spiral. Keep your wits about you and ask the dealers for help if you're not sure what to do. If you win place a bet for them, they'll appreciate it and look out for you.

As Always…Good Luck!