Finally quit playing poker...
...not that I was playing that much with all the blogging and surfing and all. Despite my new strategy, I still lost a few hundred Yahoo bucks (only won one hand).
Looks like I need help:
Welcome to TexasHoldem-Poker.com
This is a free Texas Holdem poker resource page, providing poker strategies and tips to get your game in shape. If you're visiting to find an established online poker room, visit PacificPoker (play for free or real money) or PartyPoker
Whether you play Texas Hold em for fun with your friends or for real money at a casino or online poker room, we'll show you how to improve your game and increase your chances at success.
The strategy pages to the left are all essential to a complete Texas Holdem poker education. For quick reference, check out our "how to improve your game" page.
So I did. But I'm not going to follow this tip any time soon:
Play for keeps! Playing at an online casino's free table can be a minor learning experience. However, it doesn't truly help you improve your game. Most players at a free table will bluff their ass off for no good reason. They have nothing to lose by doing so. When real stakes are involved, players start to consider the real elements of poker. Suddenly these outrageous bluffs are no longer feasible, and players realize that there are also "check" and "fold" options.
It turns out that this advice site is a front end to PacificPoker. I declined the free download of their poker software. They offer money and practice games, but obviously drive you to the former.
The PacificPoker site is sponsored by 888.com, a gambling site with casino games as well as poker. But where's the sports book? They don't have one.
So, who does ESPN's Joe McDonnell recommend on his website? BestLineSports.Com, that's who.
Now I've ventured into a world that I don't understand at all, which is why my credit cards are safely tucked away. Although I'm sure they're nice people:
Bestline Sports International is located in Panama City, Panama.
Licensed and regulated by the government of Panama, Bestline Sports is one of the first to establish an international sports wagering service. Over the past 12 years, Bestline Sports has enjoyed steady growth and is now–according to College & Pro Football Weekly–one of the leading international online sports books.
Recognized for its superior online service and broad range of wagering propositions, BLS prides itself in offering fair odds and fast payouts. Bestline Sports conducts regular customer satisfaction surveys and welcomes your comments and feedback.
So do these places cater to the novice? I'm sure they LOVE novices, but do they cater to them? Let's start with the simplest bet:
A Straight bet is a play on any one team in a game of your choice. The team wagered on must win by the posted point spread. It could be on a side to win, the total or even a proposition or future bet. All Straight bets must lay 10% juice unless otherwise indicated. Games that are a tie are No Action and the money is refunded. The point spread may fluctuate at any time as it moves with the money.
Game totals: This is a combined score of both teams for the game wagered on. You can wager that the game will go over or under the total.
10% juice? I guess the other 90% is looking for the real killer.
So let's find a simple explanation. Il dado:
The main object of sports betting is to beat the 'Oddsmakers' or the 'Odds Compilers' and win some money. Additionally, placing a bet on your favorite sport event makes the game exciting and more enjoyable.
Betting is done through Sportsbooks (US) or Bookmakers (UK) entities that accept bets. You can bet on the outcome of several sporting events, such as; Baseball, Basketball, Football, Tennis, Hockey, Snooker and Soccer games.
To place a sports bet, you go to a sportsbook, physical or online. You could also bet over the phone with many sportsbooks. Note that a sports book or sportsbook is not the same as an oddsmaker. The sportsbook simply accepts sports bets. An oddsmaker is a person who sets the betting odds.
You need to state what you are betting on by making a selection, the type of bet and the amount you are wagering. Your selection will obviously depend on the odds offered, so you will want to examine the range of odds available before you make a decision.
There are many types of bets you can place. Some sportsbooks may offer more betting varieties and combinations than others....
Straight bet or Single. This is the simplest and most common bet. You bet on a winner at given odds.
Point Spread. This bet lets you bet on a winner from two selections who have been made equal by allocating appropriate points to the underdog team. The Point Spread is the number of points allocated and is shown with a + sign for the favorite and a - sign for the underdog. The favorite has to win by more than the Point Spread for you to win, otherwise you lose your bet even if the team wins. Inversely, if you bet for the underdog, that team has to lose by less than the Point Spread for you to win. If the favorite wins by the exact Point Spread, then it is a push or a tie. You get your bet back. To eliminate a tie result, the oddsmakers sometimes include a half point spread. Since scores use full numbers only, one team has to win outright....
And il dado also offers some gambling do's and don'ts:
Before you start play set your budget limit and stick to it. Set also your profit target amount and make it reasonable....
If you lose your set limit and cannot bear to watch others gamble, leave.
Never borrow money to gamble and don't lend either. Lending money to a friend who is losing badly is a sure way of losing him - and probably the lent money too.
Always keep a low profile, whether you are winning or losing.
Do your homework before you gamble online, not after. Read the rules, check the terms on bonuses and cashing out, in particular....
Check if the online casino is a member of a known association. This won't be a guarantee, but it surely reduces the risk of being let down....
If you suspect you have a gambling problem, contact Gamblers Anonymous.
Don't be afraid to bet. If you are not up to it, don't gamble....
Don't increase your bets to try to recover losses.
Don't take your check book, ATM card, credit or debit card to the casino....
Don't bet more than you can afford especially on a new game or a game that you don't know all the rules of.
And here's one that I heard before, from betvsi.com:
[W]hat are the odds of you picking every game correctly on a given week? Be selective and look for the 3 or 4 solid games that you feel most strongly about having picked correctly. Don't try to come up with a wager on every game, simply for the sake of having some action going.
So, with all of that, what are the odds on the Redskins game? Courtesy Yahoo, as of 11pm Thursday night:
Favorite - Open - Today - O/U - Underdog
at Washington - 6 1/2 - 6 - 33 - Chicago
Well, I hope the oddsmakers are right.
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