Super Bowl XLII MVP - Bodog Odds

If you’re looking to place a bet on Super Bowl XLII, Bodog can meet all your wagering needs. We’ve been looking at the various Super Bowl odds all week, from the halftime show to who‘ll win between the Patriots and the Giants. This time around, let’s take a look at Bodog’s odds for the Super Bowl MVP.

SUPER BOWL MVP - BODOG ODDS

Odds to win MVP of Super Bowl XLII

Ahmad Bradshaw 15/1

Amani Toomer 15/1

Antonio Pierce 45/1

Brandon Jacobs 10/1

Corey Webster 45/1

Eli Manning 7/2

Gibril Wilson 40/1

Lawrence Tynes 20/1

Michael Strahan 30/1

Osi Umenyiora 30/1

Plaxico Burress 8/1

Sam Madison 45/1

Steve Smith 33/1

Adalius Thomas 45/1

Asante Samuel 15/1

Benjamin Watson 30/1

Donte’ Stallworth 20/1

Jabar Gaffney 20/1

Junior Seau 25/1

Kevin Faulk 12/1

Laurence Maroney 5/1

Randy Moss 4/1

Rodney Harrison 18/1

Stephen Gostkowski 25/1

Tedy Bruschi 25/1

Tom Brady 1/ 2

Wes Welker 5/1

Field (any other player) 11/2

Who will the MVP of the game thank first?

Teammates 2/1

God 5/2

Family 2/1

Coach 5/1

Doesn’t thank anyone 6/1

For more Super Bowl XLII odds, see the links below:

Super Bowl XLII - Bodog Player Prop Bets

Super Bowl XLII - Bodog Odds and Predictions

Super Bowl XLII MVP - Bodog Odds

The Rundown - Movie of the Week

For this Movie of the Week selection, we’re going to jump back to 2003 and take a look at an excellent action flick entitled The Rundown. Action films aren’t as fashionable as they were in the late 80s and early 90s, which is a real shame, because this gem would have ranked right up there.

THE RUNDOWN - CAST AND PLOT

The hero of The Rundown is a man named Beck (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson). All he wants to do is pay off his debt to the crime boss he works for and then retire to a quiet life of running a restaurant. And he’s just one job away from realizing his dream, but his last mission may prove his toughest. He’s being sent down to the South American town of Helldorado to a retrieve a man named Travis (Sean William Scott), who just happens to be the son of his employer.

When he arrives, Beck not only has to deal with the slippery treasure-hunting Travis, but also the seductive barkeep Mariana (Rosario Dawson) and the iron-handed ruler of the town, Hatcher (Christopher Walken).

The surrounding jungle plays a big part in the action, and Beck’s code of not using guns will be seriously put to the test. Along the way, we get pissed-off rebels, horny baboons and the search for a legendary treasure dubbed El Gato by the locals.

All in all, it’s one helluva ride.

POSITIVES

1. The Cast - Great performances by everyone involved. The Rock is at his ass-kicking best, while Rosario Dawson looks and acts like the hottie she is. Sean William Scott is perfect as the somewhat-annoying Travis, and Christopher Walken is….well, he’s Christopher Walken, dammit.

The supporting cast is also solid, with nice performances turned in by Ernie Reyes Jr. as the kung-fu rebel names Manito and Ewen Bremner as the Scottish bush pilot Declan.

2. The Direction - Lots of modern directors don’t seem to know how to shoot an action scene. Between rapid-fire editing and shaky camera techniques, the audience can’t make heads or tails of what’s going on during a fight. That’s not the case in The Rundown, as director Peter Berg takes an old school approach by actually letting you see what’s going on. What a novel idea! Berg, by the way, is also a fine actor in his own right and has transitioned to directing with such projects as The Kingdom and Friday Night Lights.

3. The Action - You get plenty of bang for your buck in this flick. There’s a ton of action, and the first and last action scenes are especially strong. There’s also a showdown between Beck and the rebels about halfway through the film that is also excellent. Amazing what they can do with computers these days, as it really looks like Beck is falling out of a massive tree - and hitting every branch on the way down.

And if you ever wanted to see an action hero take on half the stars of a pro football team, be sure and watch the first scene, as Beck tries to get some collateral from a gambling-addicted star quarterback in the form of his Super Bowl ring.

4. The Showdown - A lot of films let you down when it comes to the climax, but that doesn’t apply to this picture. There’s a massive showdown in the streets of Helldorado, and Berg does a great job of using music to help heighten both the tension and the action. When Beck is pinned down by gunfire and the music begins to swell, get ready to hold onto your hat. All hell is about to break loose!

NEGATIVES

Nothing, in my opinion. This is a tight-as-hell action film from start to finish. I’d love to see a sequel, but I’m not gonna hold my breath.

OVERALL

If you’re a fan of action films, you owe it to yourself to see The Rundown. Plenty of action, laughs, and Christopher Walken explaining to his henchmen about the Tooth Fairy. What more could you want?

For more Movies of the Week, click the following:

Cloverfield - Movie of the Week

The Rundown - Movie of the Week

UFC 81 - Full Card and Bodog Odds

The next UFC event is right around the corner. This Saturday, February 2nd, the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas will host UFC 81: Breaking Point. This card features some great matches, including Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia taking on Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira for the UFC Interim World Heavyweight Title. As it’s unlikely that Randy Couture will be returning, the winner of this bout will probably soon be crowned the full-time champ.

Former WWE Heavyweight Champion and NCAA wrestling champ Brock Lesnar will also make his UFC debut by taking on former champ Frank Mir in the main event. Jeremy Horn will return to the octagon, filling in for an injured Thales Leites in a match against Nate “The Great” Marquardt.

David Heath was originally supposed to take on Tomasz Drwal, but Drwal had to withdraw to a knee injury. Instead, Tim Boetsch will be stepping up to take on Heath.

FRANK MIR VS. BROCK LESNAR

This is an intriguing main event, as Mir has shown flashes of brilliance in the past but has also disappointed on occasion. Lesnar is a physical specimen with solid amateur wrestling credentials, but his MMA knowledge is still limited. Let’s take a brief look at each man.

Frank Mir

Standing 6’3” and weighing in at 255, Frank Mir calls himself “The Baddest Man on the Planet.” A former UFC Heavyweight Champion, he has a MMA record of 10-3. Of his wins, 6 were by submission, 2 by decision, 1 by knockout and the other was a DQ win. He holds wins over fighters such as Tim Sylvia, Tank Abbott and Wes Sims. His most recent win came against Antoni Hardonk.

In 2004, Mir suffered a broken femur and major ligament damage in a motorcycle accident. An interim title was created while he recover from his accident, but he was stripped of the title when he could not return after 14 months.

While he’s not likely to knock someone out, Mir is highly dangerous with submissions. On the flipside, all of his losses have come by TKO, so it’s best if he takes a fight to the ground. There have been questions about his conditioning in the past, as he has appeared to gas in some of his fights.

Brock Lesnar

Lesnar was a 2000 NCAA Division I champion in wrestling. He later moved on to compete in the WWE, then left the company to try his hand at professional football. He was offered a spot in NFL Europe, but he declined and moved into the world of MMA.

Standing 6’2” and weighing 265 pounds, Lesnar’s first (and only) MMA match came on June 2nd, 2007 against Min Soo Kim, although Choi Hong-man was originally scheduled to be his opponent. Lesnar mounted his opponent and forced a submission due to strikes in under two minutes.

While it was an impressive win, Lesnar only has one MMA fight under his belt compared to 13 by Mir. Plus, there’s a good chance that this one will go to the ground considering the background of both participants, and that’s where Mir is especially dangerous.

But whatever the outcome, give Lesnar credit for coming in and fighting a legitimate opponent and not just some punching bag.

Now let‘s take a look at the odds being offered by Bodog.

UFC 81 - FULL CARD AND BODOG ODDS

(Light Heavyweight) David Heath -270 vs. Tim Boetsch +210

(Welterweights) Keita Nakamura -265 vs. Rob Emerson +205

(Middleweights) Terry Martin -220 vs. Marvin Eastman +180

(Welterweights) Chris Lytle -600 vs. Kyle Bradley +400

(Middleweights) Ricardo Almeida -130 vs. Alan Belcher EVEN

(Lightweights) Tyson Griffin -450 vs. Gleison Tibau +300

(Middleweights) Nate Marquardt -225 vs. Jeremy Horn +185

(Heavyweights) Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira -180 vs. Tim Sylvia +150

(Heavyweights) Brock Lesnar -140 vs. Frank Mir +110

For more MMA action, check out the following:

UFC Fight Night 12 - Full Results

UFC 80 - Full Results

UFC 81 - Full Card and Bodog Odds

Super Bowl XLII - Bodog Odds and Predictions

Super Bowl XLII is right around the corner, and this week we’ll be featuring numerous articles on all the different wagers you can make leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. There are hundreds in all, but one of the most popular bets is on who will win the game.

Of course, you no doubt already know the results of the last series of games, but let’s take a look anyway.

NFL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Chargers 12 @ Patriots 21

Giants 23 @ Packers 20

SUPER BOWL XLII - BODOG ODDS

With only two teams remaining, the Patriots are now one game away from a perfect season, and they’ve already won more consecutive games in a season than the undefeated Dolphins team of days gone by. Will they make history, or will the Giants continue their string of upsets in the playoffs?

Here’s what our old pals at Bodog think:

Giants +11 ½ vs. Patriots -11 ½

DARE TO PREDICT

I went 1-1 during the Conference Finals, bringing my overall record to 115-102-13. With only one game left, let’s see if I can get another win before the season draws to a close.

Giants +11 ½ vs. Patriots -11 ½

For more Super Bowl gambling action, check out the following:

Super Bowl XLII - Bodog Player Prop Bets

Super Bowl XLII Music - Bodog Odds

Super Bowl XLII - Bodog Odds and Predictions

Shamron Moore - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe is the lovely Shamron Moore. She's a model and has been featured in magazines such as Low Rider. She's also been a Playboy Cybergirl.

Shamron Moore - Babe of the Day

Super Bowl XLII Music - Bodog Odds

When you think of the Super Bowl, you probably also think of the musical performances and the commercials. Super Bowl XLII won’t be any different, as Jordin Sparks and Tom Petty have been recruited to liven up the proceedings. Not surprisingly, Bodog also has some odds available for these titans of the entertainment industry.

JORDIN SPARKS - NATIONAL ANTHEM ODDS

By winning American Idol at the age of 17, Jordin Sparks became the youngest competitor to do so. She has since went on to release a solo album, with “Tattoo” becoming her first top-10 single. At Super Bowl XLII, she’ll be performing the National Anthem for millions of viewers across the planet.

How long will it take Jordin Sparks to sing the National Anthem?

Over 1 minute 42 seconds -115

Under 1 minute 42 seconds -115

TOM PETTY - HALFTIME ODDS

A rock ‘n roll legend, Tom Petty (along with his Heartbreakers) has been nominated for 17 Grammy Awards since 1981. In 1999, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Still going strong, Petty will be entertaining the masses during the Super Bowl XLII halftime show.

What song will Tom Petty sing to end his halftime show at the Super Bowl?

Free Falling 2/ 3

Don’t Do Me Like That 5/1

Learning to Fly 12/1

Great Wide Open 9/1

Last Dance with Mary Jane 4/1

Runnin’ Down a Dream 7/5

For more articles on sports betting, see the following:

Super Bowl XLII - Bodog Player Prop Bets

Vargas vs. Mayorga - Fight Preview and Bodog Odds

Super Bowl XLII Music - Bodog Odds

Super Bowl XLII - Bodog Player Prop Bets

Each year, NFL fans live for one specific day. Now, that day is just one week away. Of course, I’m talking about Superbowl Sunday, and this year’s contest pits Tm Brady and the New England Patriots against Eli Manning and the New York Giants.

Can the Patriots go 19-0 and finish off a perfect season, or will the Giants pull off one of the biggest upsets in the history of sports? You’ll just have to watch Superbowl XLII to find out.

In the meantime, you can do a little wagering on the event. Bodog has went absolutely crazy, and they’re offering 200 different player prop bets. That’s right, I said 200 different player prop bets! God bless you, Calvin Ayre.

Here are just a few of the player prop bets that you can take a stab at:

SUPER BOWL XLII - BODOG PROP BETS

Eli Manning’s first pass of the game will be:

A Completion 1 /2

An Incomplete Pass 8/5

An Interception 8/1

Brandon Jacobs total rushing yards will be:

Over 65 ½ -115

Under 65 ½ -115

Will Plaxico Burress score a touchdown?

Yes +125

No -165

What will happen first for Tom Brady:

Throw a Touchdown -350

Throw an Interception +275

Tom Brady’s Total Touchdown Passes will be:

0 TD Passes 20/1

1 TD Pass 7/1

2 TD Passes 2/1

3 TD Passes 3/2

4 TD Passes 3/1

5 TD Passes 7/1

6 or More TD Passes 10/1

Randy Moss’ Longest Reception will be:

Over 35 ½ yards -120

Under 35 ½ yards -110

The Player to Score the Last Touchdown will have:

Odd Number Jersey -300

Even Number Jersey +240

For more football goodness, take a look at the following:

NFL Conference Championships - Bodog Odds

NFL Week 8 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

Super Bowl XLII - Bodog Player Prop Bets

Agnes Bruckner - Babe of the Day

This 22-year-old Babe of the Day is Agnes Bruckner. She's appeared in such films as Murder By Numbers, Peaceful Warrior and Blood and Chocolate.

Agnes Bruckner - Babe of the Day

Australian Open Finals - Babes and Bodog

On Friday, the finals of the Australian Open will take place. If you love hot women, then it’s a match made in heaven. That’s right, Russian babe Maria Sharapova (bottom) will be taking on Serbian sweetie Ana Ivanovic (top). While I’m not crazy about tennis, I am crazy for these two hotties. Let’s take a closer look.

MARIA SHARAPOVA VS. ANA IVANOVIC

Maria Sharapova

This 20-year-old champ stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. While she is ambidextrous, she generally favors her right hand. Her playing style puts her in the category of an offensive baseliner.

The highest-paid female athlete in the world, Sharapova has won two Grand Slam singles titles. She won Wimbledon at the age of 17, then captured the U.S. Open title in 2006. While she has reached the finals of the Australian Open before, she has yet to win it. In fact, she’s looking to become the first Russian to ever win that title.

She was the fifth seed coming into the Australian Open, but she scored impressive wins over Lindsay Davenport and Elena Dementieva to reach the quarterfinals. There, she ended #1 ranked Justine Henin’s 32-match winning streak. After beating an injured Jelena Jankovic, she advanced to the finals.

Ana Ivanovic

Residing in Switzerland, Ivanovic stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 160 pounds. She is currently the number three female player in the world. Like Sharapova, she is also considered an offensive baseliner.

In 2007, she reached her first Grand Slam final at the French Open, but she was defeated by Justine Henin. She also reached the semifinals at Wimbledon.

She was the fourth seed going into the Australian Open, and this was the first time that she had reached the quarterfinals of this event. She defeated Venus Williams, then beat Daniela Hantuchova in the semifinals (she trailed 6-0, 2-0 to begin the match).

AUSTRALIAN OPEN - BODOG ODDS

Naturally, Bodog has a betting line for this match. Take a look.

Maria Sharapova -650 vs. Ana Ivanovo +400

Oh, I almost forgot - there are also some guys playing on Friday in the men’s finals. Some guy named Federer is taking on some dude named Djokovic. Bodog also has us covered on that one.

Roger Federer -300 vs. Novak Djokovic +220

For more sports betting, check out the following:

NFL Conference Championships - Bodog Odds and Predictions

UFC Fight Night 12 - Full Results

Australian Open Finals - Babes and Bodog

UFC Fight Night 12 - Full Results

The UFC held UFC Fight Night 12 on Wednesday night at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas Nevada. In case you didn’t get a chance to see this great show as it happened, here are the full results.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT 12 RESULTS

Winners are in bold print. Bodog odds are also included.

Preliminary Card

(Lightweight) Corey “The Real Deal” Hill (-170) vs. Joe Veres (+140) - Hill won by TKO at 37 seconds of the 2nd round.

(Lightweight) Cole “Magrino” Miller (-170) vs. “Lil Heathen” Jeremy Stephens (+140) - Stephens won by TKO at 4:44 of the second round.

(Lightweight) “Handsome” Matt Wiman (-200) vs. Justin Buchholz (+160) - Wiman won by rear-naked-choke at 2:56 of the first round.

(Lightweight) “The Bully” Gray Maynard (-450) vs. Dennis Siver (+300) - Maynard won by unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards)

(Lightweight) Alberto Crane (+350) vs. Kurt “Batman” Pellegrino (-500) - Pellegrino won by TKO at 1:55 of the 1st round.

Main Card

(Lightweight) Thiago Tavares (-875) vs. Michihiro Omigawa (+575) - Tavares won by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

(Lightweight) Alvin “The Kid” Robinson (+135) vs. Nate Diaz (-165) - Diaz won with a triangle choke at 3:39 of the 1st round.

(Middleweight) Drew McFedries (EVEN) vs. Patrick “The Predator” Cote (-130) - Cote won by TKO at 1:44 of the first round.

(Welterweight) Mike “Quick” Swick (-185) vs. “The Peoples Warrior” Josh Burkman (+145) - Swick won by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-29).

For more MMA action, check out the following:

Jones Jr. vs. Trinidad - Full Results

O.J. Simpson Trial - Bodog Odds

UFC Fight Night 12 - Full Results

Katie Cassidy - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe is Katie Cassidy, daughter of pop idol David Cassidy. She's starred in movies such as Black Christmas and When a Stranger Calls and has a recurring role on the 2008 season of Supernatural.

Katie Cassidy - Babe of the Day

UFC Fight Night 12 - Full Card and Bodog Odds

The UFC will be holding their next MMA event on Wednesday, January 23rd at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas Nevada. This one will be dubbed UFC Fight Night 12, and it will be available free of charge on SPIKE TV. With the fight only hours away, the card has been set in stone and the odds are available from Bodog. Let’s take a look.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT 12 - CARD AND BODOG ODDS

Keep in mind that Bodog allows a maximum bet of $500 on each fight. Good luck!

Preliminary Card

(Lightweight) Corey “The Real Deal” Hill (-170) vs. Joe Veres (+140)

(Lightweight) Cole “Magrino” Miller (-170) vs. “Lil Heathen” Jeremy Stephens (+140)

(Lightweight) “Handsome” Matt Wiman (-200) vs. Justin Buchholz (+160)

(Lightweight) “The Bully” Gray Maynard (-450) vs. Dennis Siver (+300)

(Lightweight) Alberto Crane (+350) vs. Kurt “Batman” Pellegrino (-500)

Main Card

(Lightweight) Thiago Tavares (-875) vs. Michihiro Omigawa (+575)

(Lightweight) Alvin “The Kid” Robinson (+135) vs. Nate Diaz (-165)

(Middleweight) Drew McFedries (EVEN) vs. Patrick “The Predator” Cote (-130)

(Welterweight) Mike “Quick” Swick (-185) vs. “The Peoples Warrior” Josh Burkman (+145)

For more MMA action, check out the following articles:

UFC 80 - Full Results

UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - Full Results

UFC Fight Night 12 - Full Card and Bodog Odds

Amber Heard - Babe of the Day

This promising young Texan has appeared in numerous television shows and movies. Catch her in the upcoming horror flick, All the Boys Love Mandy Lane.

Amber Heard - Babe of the Day

American Idol 7 - Bodog Odds

American Idol has returned for a seventh action-packed season. It debuted on January 15th, and Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson are all back.

CHANGES FOR 2008

There’s a possibility that contestants may be allowed to use musical instruments this year. This is something that shows like Norwegian Idol, Canadian Idol and Australian Idol all allow. It’s also been reported that judges were much nicer during the audition process (especially Simon), following numerous complaints from last year. Of course, one has to wonder how long the British terror can keep his tongue in check?

AMERICAN IDOL - BODOG ODDS

With the top show in the country being back on the air, it’s no surprise that Bodog is offering a series of prop bets. These include:

Will the winner of American Idol 7 be Male or Female?

Male -110

Female -130

Which celebrity will be the first to appear as a guest judge, performer or mentor on American Idol 7?

Sanjaya Malakar 9/2

Blake Lewis 5/1

Jordin Sparks 3/1

Liza Minelli 6/1

Michael Jackson 9/1

Paul McCartney 15/1

Gene Simmons 13/1

Bono 8/1

Bruce Springsteen 10/1

Justin Timberlake 11/1

Rihanna 7/1

Britney Spears 50/1

Tay Zonday 100/1

What region of the U.S. will the winner of American Idol 7 be from?

West 2/1

South 1/1

Midwest 5/2

North East 4/1

What audition city will the winner of American Idol 7 be from?

San Diego 3/1

Dallas 5/2

Omaha 6/1

Atlanta 2/1

Charleston 7/1

Miami 6/1

Philadelphia 5/1

For more gambling articles, take a look at the following:

UFC 80 Results

Bodog Changes Domain Name

American Idol 7 - Bodog Odds

Cloverfield - Movie of the Week

I don’t go to the movies much anymore. With screaming children and dumbasses who talk throughout the film, I’ve found it much simpler to just get my movie fix from Netflix. However, a film occasionally comes along that causes me to leave the confines of my house and make the trek to the local cinema.

Cloverfield is one such movie.

But did it live up to the hype? Was it Godzilla for a new generation? Well, read on and find out.

CLOVERFIELD - PLOT AND CHARACTERS

Rob (Michael Stahl-David) is about to leave New York behind and take a job in Japan. His brother Jason (Mike Vogel), best friend Hud (T.J. Miller), Jason’s girlfriend Lily (Jessica Lucas) and many others throw him a surprise party. During this event, we learn that Rob slept with longtime friend Beth (Odette Yustman), and the relationship between the two has become strained. This becomes particularly evident when Beth shows up to the party with another guy. Things go downhill from there, and Beth and her date eventually storm out.

Meanwhile, Hud has been stuck with filming goodbyes to Rob from the various party-goers. In between, he tries unsuccessfully to flirt with Marlena (Lizzy Caplan), a friend of Lily.

While Rob sulks about his relationship with Beth, and his friends try to comfort him, all hell suddenly breaks loose. Nobody knows what’s going on at first, but it soon becomes clear that something is attacking Manhattan. Something massive and seriously pissed off.

That’s when the video camera wielded by Hud comes in handy, as he begins documenting the mayhem and rapid breakdown of society. People die, the military opens fire, and the thing stomps about the city and flattens everything in its path.

But there’s more to this film than random action. Rob gets a call from a frantic Beth. She’s trapped in her apartment, bleeding, and needs help. In a fit of heroism, Rob decides to journey across a city-gone-mad and save his true love. Think Saving Private Ryan with a romantic angle and less Nazis.

The journey to rescue Beth eats up most of the rest of the film’s less-than-90-minute run time. There’s a little more to the story, but I won’t spoil it for you.

POSITIVES

1. While things get going in pretty short order, you still learn plenty about the characters and come to care about their individual fates. It just goes to show that characters can quickly be established through solid scriptwriting.

2. The creature is pretty cool, although you won’t get a really good look at him until near the end of the film. I’d hate to see that thing coming down my street!

3. And the creature is not alone. He sheds these weird tick-like creatures off of his body. These little bastards are fast and tenacious, and they seem to love to pounce on regular folk like you and I. I also loved the sound they made. Relentless.

4. Imagine being right in the middle of a showdown between Godzilla and the military. That’s Cloverfield in a nutshell. While they don’t seem to have a lot of success, the military still looks cool blazing away with their ineffective ordinance. With all the racket, this is a great one to see in a theatre with the volume turned up.

5. Nothing to complain about with the acting. Solid performances all around.

6. Hud. This big goof films the action and provides us with a measure of narration. Through most of the movie, we see what’s going on through his eyes. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s funny as hell. Whether he’s trying to impress Marlena in the middle of the chaos or talking about flaming hobos as the group travels through the subway tunnels, Hud is the one guy that you’ll want to see make it through the movie intact.

7. The movie takes place at night, in a loud environment, with the main characters surrounded by a city full of strangers. What better way to enjoy the movie than in a darkened theatre, surrounded by strangers, with the volume turned up?

8. The movie is only slightly over an hour long. Even if you don’t like Cloverfield, it’ll be over soon enough.

NEGATIVES

1. If you get motion sickness, don’t even try to see this one at the theatre. There’s so much herky-jerky movement that you’re bound to be running for the bathroom at some point. Trust me, I’ve already heard a number of stories of this happening to people.

2. While the monster is cool, it’s no Godzilla. Don’t go in expecting some new movie monster icon, and you won’t leave disappointed.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I thought Cloverfield was a solid movie experience. It was something unique, at least until studios start trying to rush out other movies to cash in on its success. Plenty of action, some well-timed humor and it wasn’t any longer than it needed to be.

Don’t watch this one on a television set. It was made to be enjoyed on the big screen.

J.J. Abrams, the film’s producer (and the man responsible for shows like Alias and Lost), once again displays his Midas touch.

Cloverfield - Movie of the Week

Melissa George - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe is Melissa George, an Australian actress who has appeared nude in the pages of Australian Playboy. You might also recognize her from television shows such as Alias and Friends and movies like 30 Days of Night and Turistas.

Melissa George - Babe of the Day

Microgaming Unveils 5 New Games

Microgaming, a leading gambling software developer, has announced five new games that are ready for immediate play at casinos powered by Microgaming software.

NEW MICROGAMING CASINO GAMES

European High Streak Blackjack - Adding a new twist to the game of blackjack, this European version adds a side bet where players can rack up money based on their rate of success in consecutive hands. Odds can go as high as 10 to 1 on the bonus winnings. This is the latest in Microgaming’s Gold Series.

Little Chief Big Cash - This video slot has 5 reels and 25 pay lines, including free spins, multipliers, wilds, scatters and a second screen bonus bonanza. The chief symbol is wild, and landing him as part of a winning combination will double your winnings.

Treasure Island - With three reels and a one-line pay line, this game also offers a nudge and hold feature. The pirate them is quite obvious, and fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise should love this one.

Mark of Medusa - This video slot machine has five reels and 25 pay lines, and anywhere from 15 to 25 free spins can be delivered at a time. There are re-triggers on free spins and a three-times multiplier also adds a nice dash of flavor.

Polar Bash - A five reel, 20 pay line slot, Polar Dash combines the Australian free spin concept with the American bonus genre to create a game packed with multiple opportunities for rewards. Win up to 25 spins, or enjoy features like two scatter routes with multipliers or a second screen bonus.

For more gambling information, be sure to peek at the following goodness:

DOJ Gets Millions from Internet Giants

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Microgaming Unveils 5 New Games

Roy Jones Jr. vs. Felix Trinidad - Full Results

Saturday night at Madison Square Garden saw boxing legends Roy Jones Jr. and Felix Trinidad meet in the ring. Who won? Who lost? Well, read on and wonder no longer.

JONES VS. TRINIDAD - FULL RESULTS

(Lightweight) Angelo “La Cobra” Santana (Pro Debut) vs. Kenny Keaton (0-2) - Santana won by KO over Keaton in just 33 seconds of the first round.

(Heavyweight) Gabe “Big G” Brown (18-7-4, 12 KOs) vs. Paul Marinaccio (23-3-1, 10 KOs) - This fight ended in an eight-round majority draw. Scores were 78-74 for Brown and 76-76, 76-76.

(Heavyweight) Emanuelle N’wodo (21-4, 17 KOs) vs. Ezra Sellers (29-7, 26 KOs) - N’wodo won by KO in the 2nd round. Sellers was knocked down twice in the fight.

(Welterweight) Luis Collazo (28-3, 13 KOs) vs. Edvan Dos Santos Barros (9-5-1, 7 KOs) - Collazo won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds. The scores were 99-91, 100-90 and 100-90.

(Junior Welterweight) Devon Alexander “The Great” (14-0, 8 KOs) vs. Demarcus “Chop Chop” Corley (31-8-1, 17 KOs) - Alexander won by unanimous decision over 12 rounds. Scores were 116-111, 118-109 and 118-109.

(Junior Middleweight) Alex Bunema (29-5-2, 15 KOs) vs. Roman “Made In Hell” Karmazin (36-3-1, 23 KOs) - Bunema made a terrific comeback and dropped his opponent in the 10th round. He then finished him off at 1:24 of the same round.

(Heavyweight) Andrew Golota (40-6-1, 33 KOs) vs. “Merciless” Mike Mollo (19-1, 12 KOs) - With his eye swelled shut from the midway point of the fight, the 40-year-old Golota won a unanimous decision over 12 rounds (116-110, 116-112 and 118-109).

ROY JONES JR. (52-4, 38 KOs) vs. FELIX “TITO” TRINIDAD (42-3, 35 KOs) - Jones dominated from midway on and captured a unanimous decision (116-110, 117-109 and 116-110). The bout took place at a catch weight of 170 pounds. Look for Trinidad to go back into retirement and Jones to go looking for another big money fight.

According to Bodog, Jones was a -335 favorite, and Trinidad was a +265 underdog.

For more gambling news, click on the following:

Upcoming Boxing Matches and Bodog Odds

NBA Championship - Bodog Odds

Roy Jones Jr. vs. Felix Trinidad - Full Results

Movie of the Week - Coming Soon!

There's more to life than just gambling (well, for some of us anyway). Besides our sizzling Babe of the Day feature, we're also about to add another column here at Dare to Gamble. Coming soon, our Movie of the Week will offer a weekly recommendation for your cinematic viewing pleasure.

Movie of the Week - Coming Soon!

UFC 80: Rapid Fire - Full Results

Saturday night saw UFC 80: Rapid Fire go down at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England. The scheduled main event featured B.J. Penn taking on Joe Stevenson for the vacant lightweight title (after Sean Sherk tested positive for steroids and then lost an appeal).

RESULTS FOR UFC 80

Preliminary Card

(Welterweight) Paul Taylor vs. Paul Kelly - Kelly wins by unanimous decision.

(Heavyweight) Colin Robinson vs. Antoni Hardonk - Hardonk wins by TKO at 17 seconds into the first round.

(Light Heavyweight) Alessio Sakara vs. James Lee - Sakara wins by TKO at 1:30 of the first round.

(Lightweight) Per Eklund vs. Sam Stout - Stout wins by unanimous decision.

Main Card

(Middleweight) Kendall Grove vs. Jorge Rivera - Rivera wins by TKO at 1:20 of the first round. In our preview article, Grove was a -500 Bodog favorite, while Rivera was a +300 underdog.

(Light Heavyweight) Jason Lambert vs. Wilson Gouveia - Gouveia wins by TKO at 37 seconds of the second round.

(Welterweight) Marcus Davis vs. Jess Liaudin - Davis wins by KO at 1:04 of the 1st round.

(Heavyweight) Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Fabricio Werdum - Werdum wns by TKO at 4:34 of the second round. Gonzaga was a -280 favorite, and Werdum was a +220 dog.

(Lightweight Championship) B.J. Penn vs. Joe Stevenson - Penn wins by rear-naked choke submission at 4:02 of the second round. Penn becomes only the second person in the UFC to win titles in multiple divisions (the other being Randy Couture). Penn was a -285 favorite in our preview article.

For more gambling action, get your ass on over to the following:

UFC 80 - Bodog Odds

Kimbo Slice vs. Tank Abbott

UFC 80: Rapid Fire - Full Results

NFL Conference Championships - Bodog Odds and Predictions

The NFL Conference Championships are here, and we’re just a few short weeks away from SuperBowl XLII on February 3rd. Before we get to this week’s games, let’s take a look at what went down last week

RESULTS FROM NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

Giants 21 vs. Cowboys 17

Chargers 28 vs. Colts 24

Jaguars 20 vs. Patriots 31

Seahawks 20 vs. Packers 42

I expected the Packers and Pats to win, but I was sure surprised by the efforts from the Giants and Chargers. It figures, as the Cowboys/Packers and Patriots/Colts would have no doubt been the most compelling games. Oh well, at least Tony Dungy got himself a Lombardi Trophy before he retired.

Norv Turner finally got a playoff win, and Wade Phillips…well, Wade is just gonna have to wait until next year. Talk about a disappointing end to the season for the Cowboys! Of course, that’s what happens when you have to keep playing a team over and over during the season. The Cowboys downed them twice in the regular season, but they just couldn’t secure the hat trick.

THIS WEEK’S INJURY REPORT

Here’s a brief report on some of the injuries going into Sunday:

San Diego Chargers

LB Shawne Merriman - Probable (illness)

DT Jamal Williams - Questionable (ankle)

TE Antonio Gates - Doubtful (toe)

RB LaDainian Tomlinson - Will play (knee)

QB Philip Rivers - Doubtful (knee)

Green Bay Packers

CB Charles Woodson - Probable (toe)

CB Will Blackmon - Questionable (foot)

LB Nick Barnett - Probable (hamstring)

New England Patriots

SS Rodney Harrison - Probable (thigh)

FS Mel Mitchell - Out (arm)

QB Tom Brady - Probable (shoulder) NOTE: Brady will play. He’s always listed as probable with a shoulder injury.

New York Giants

CB Sam Madison - Questionable (abdomen)

CB Aaron Ross - Questionable (shoulder)

WR Plaxico Burress - Will play (ankle)

BODOG ODDS FOR NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

Here are the most up-to-date odds from our pals at Bodog:

Chargers +14 ½ @ Patriots -14 ½

Giants +7 ½ @ Packers -7 ½

DARE TO PREDICT

Well, I went 3-1 last week, with only that damned Colts game spoiling a perfect week. Still, that brings my overall season total to 114-101-13. Not too shabby, although I’d still be in the hole if you were factoring in vigorish and the like.

My picks for this week look like this:

Chargers +14 ½ @ Patriots -14 ½

Giants +7 ½ @ Packers -7 ½

I expect the Pack to get the win, but the snow and high winds in Green Bay could turn this one into a defensive struggle. I’m looking for a low-scoring game.

As for the other game, I figure the Chargers used up all their luck against the Colts. Expect the Pats to go wild on them.

For more NFL playoff odds, take a look at the following:

NFL Divisional Round - Bodog Odds

NFL Wildcard Weekend - Bodog Odds

NFL Conference Championships - Bodog Odds and Predictions

Nectar Rose - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe is Nectar Rose. You might remember her from such films as Serenity and Not Another Teen Movie.

Nectar Rose - Babe of the Day

Leah Cairns - Babe of the Day

Today's babe is Leah Cairns, who is currently starring as a pilot on the hit series Battlestar Galactica. But this isn't your typically brainless beauty. She once spent eight years backpacking across the world, eventually journeying to 36 different countries.

Leah Cairns - Babe of the Day

2008 NFL Draft Order

The 2008 NFL draft order has been set! Where does your favorite team pick? Well, just take a look below.

2008 NFL DRAFT ORDER

1. Dolphins
2. Rams
3. Falcons
4. Raiders
5. Chiefs
6. Jets
7. Patriots (from Niners)
8. Ravens
9. Bengals
10. Saints
11. Bills
12. Broncos
13. Panthers
14. Bears
15. Lions
16. Cardinals
17. Vikings
18. Texans
19. Eagles
20. Bucs
21. Redskins
22. Cowboys (from Browns)
23. Steelers
24. Titans
25. Seahawks
26. Giants
27. Jaguars
28. Chargers
29. Cowboys
30. Niners (from Colts)
31. Packers
32. Patriots (forfeited)

OBSERVATIONS

There already speculation that badass runner Darren McFadden may be snatched up by the Raiders with the 4th pick. That sounds about right, as the Raiders took Michael Bush last year, and he should be ready to go in the 2008 season. This is one franchise that just can’t seem to get it right (which explains why prospective head coaches actually seem to avoid taking a job with the Raiders).

Considering they’re undefeated at the moment and Bodog favorites to win the Superbowl, the Patriots are sitting pretty with the 7th pick in the draft. No doubt, they’ll draft another solid role-player who’ll contribute for years to come. They would’ve had two first rounders, but they had to forfeit their other pick due to the Jets filming scandal.

LSU defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey is projected to go to Miami with the first overall pick.

With the Michael Vick mess in the rearview mirror, look for the Falcons to take their (hopeful) franchise quarterback with the 3rd overall pick.

The Cowboys have two picks in the first round (22nd and 29th). Look for that wacky Jerry Jones to make some kind of draft day move.

For more football articles, click below:

Bodog Odds for 2009 BCS Champion

Arena Bowl XXI Results

2008 NFL Draft Order

2009 BCS National Championship - Bodog Odds

Another season of college football is behind us, and LSU emerged as the 2008 BCS National Champions after spanking Ohio State by a score of 38 to 24. Can they do it again next year? Well, our pals at Bodog are already taking odds on the 2009 BCS National Title.

Just remember, the maximum bet you can make is $300.

2009 BCS NATIONAL CHAMPION - BODOG ODDS

Alabama 50/1

Arizona 80/1

Arizona State 40/1

Arkansas 100/1

Auburn 25/1

Boise State 80/1

Boston College 100/1

California 40/1

Cincinnati 60/1

Clemson 30/1

Florida 6/1

Florida State 50/1

Georgia 6/1

Georgia Tech 100/1

Illinois 25/1

Iowa 100/1

Kansas 30/1

Kansas State 100/1

Kentucky 80/1

Louisville 80/1

LSU 10/1

Maryland 80/1

Miami Florida 60/1

Michigan 50/1

Michigan State 70/1

Missouri 20/1

Nebraska 80/1

North Carolina 100/1

North Carolina State 100/1

Notre Dame 60/1

Ohio State 6/1

Oklahoma 8/1

Oklahoma State 60/1

Oregon 40/1

Oregon State 80/1

Penn State 30/1

Rutgers 50/1

South Carolina 50/1

South Florida 50/1

Tennessee 30/1

Texas 12/1

Texas A&M 80/1

Texas Tech 50/1

UCLA 70/1

USC 3/1

Virginia 80/1

Virginia Tech 15/1

Wake Forest 60/1

Washington 80/1

West Virginia 12/1

Wisconsin 40/1

Field (any other team) 15/1

For more gambling articles, check out the following:

Stanley Cup Odds from Bodog

Las Vegas Top 10 Lists

2009 BCS National Championship - Bodog Odds

College Gambling Ring Busted!

On Monday, two athletes from the Ohio University baseball team (one former and one current) were charged with conducting illegal sports gambling. The crimes are considered misdemeanors and carry a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

Brent Decoster is a former player on the Ohio baseball team, and Andrew Shisila is a senior who primarily serves as a relief pitcher for the Bobcats.

The operation was exposed by email in November, and the university then turned the evidence over to the police. While it has also been reported to the NCAA, it is unknown whether Shisila will lose a year of eligibility as punishment.

Two other players were also suspended for placing bets, and a total of eight people were involved in the betting ring. The bets were only made on professional sports, and there is no indication that players tried to influence the outcome of their own games (other than winning, of course).

Next time they want to bet, maybe they’ll do the smart thing and visit Bodog.

For more gambling news, click on the following:

Horse Racing Comes to China

Top 10 Steals of the NFL Draft

College Gambling Ring Busted!

Sanaa Lathan - Babe of the Day

You can see this Tony-nominated actress in such films as Blade and Alien Vs. Predator.

Sanaa Lathan - Babe of the Day

Upcoming Boxing Matches - And Bodog Odds!

As you may have been able to tell from previous entries, I love the sweet science of boxing. There’s nothing more exhilarating than watching two grown men beat the absolute crap out of each other (in a very calculating fashion, of course).

Sadly, the Heavyweight division has been in a shambles for the last few years, but things are bound to pick up sooner or later. Until then, the lighter weight divisions are still providing thrills with the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Kelly Pavlik and many more.

With mixed-martial-arts in a boom period, boxing has really been feeling the heat. If they don’t continue to grow, they risk losing even more fans to a sport which doesn’t involve Don King and questionable decision after questionable decision (and John Ruiz).

But there’s good news on the horizon. The next few months will be featuring a string of solid bouts, at least a few of which should be crowd pleasers. Without further delay, let’s take a look at some of these upcoming matches.

BOXING - UPCOMING MATCHES AND BODOG ODDS

Mike Mollo (-185) vs. Andrew Golota (+145) - These two will meet at Madison Square Garden on January 19th for the WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight Title. The Fedelatin title?! Have to admit that I’ve never even heard of that one.

Mollo is a journeyman fighter with a big overhand right and a 19-1 record. Possessing a ton of charisma, he’s been a big hit with fight fans, defeating guys like Kevin McBride (who previously defeated Mike Tyson).

His opponent will be Andrew Golota, an almost-was fighter who became known for twice self-destructing in the ring against Riddick Bowe. He later went on to be robbed of a world title in two controversial decisions (against Chris Byrd and John Ruiz). Currently on a two-fight winning streak, his record stands at 40-6-1-1.

Roy Jones Jr. (-335) vs. Felix Trinidad (+265) - Voted “Fighter of the Decade” for the 90s, Jones has lost a lot of his luster after losing three of his last five fights (twice to Antonio Tarver and once to Glen Johnson). At 38 years of age, one can only imagine that his once-legendary speed is beginning to betray him.

His opponent will be Felix Trinidad, a fighter who seems to retire every time he loses a fight. At one time considered the best fighter around (having beaten Pernell Whitaker, Oscar De La Hoya and David Reid), he never seemed to fully recover from being dismantled by Bernard Hopkins in 2001. His last fight was in 2005, which was a decision loss to Winky Wright.

The former three-division champ is no doubt looking for a big payday with this one, and a possible return to the limelight if he can win.

Considering Jones’ age, it seems crazy to me to have him as a -335 favorite. If I were betting on this one (and I will be), Trinidad looks mighty attractive at +265.

Kelly Pavlik (-185) vs. Jermain Taylor (+155) - This fight will take place in February 16th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pavlik’s titles will not be on the line in the rematch.

The last fight for both men was their September 2007 clash for the WBC and WBO Middleweight titles. Pavlik won that fight with a TKO in the seventh round. Taylor’s trainer, Emmanuel Steward, has no doubt reconsidered his observation that Pavlik was “overrated.”

ON THE HORIZON

Wladimir Kitsch (-500) vs. Sultan Ibragimov (+350) - February 23rd, 2008

Samuel Peter (-450) vs. Oleg Maskaev (+300) - March 8th, 2008

Manny Pacquiao (-160) vs. Juan Manuel Marquez (+130) - March 15th, 2008

For more boxing, be sure and take a peek at the following:

Cotto vs. Judah - Fight Results

Mayweather vs. De La Hoya - Bodog Props

Upcoming Boxing Matches - And Bodog Odds!

Horse Racing in China - Will It Happen?

For the first time in almost fifty years, it looks as though gambling on horse racing may soon be allowed in China. According to the Xinhua news agency, the government in Beijing has approved horse racing in the city of Wuhan, and they are mulling over allowing betting on a trial basis next year.

A LONG TIME COMING

China has not allowed gambling on horse racing since the Communists won the Chinese civil war in 1949. In the early 1900s, the city of Wuhan was a center for horse racing in the country.

Jockey clubs were allowed in the early 1990s, but all forms of gambling (except for the state lottery) have remained illegal in China.

MAJOR ECONOMIC BENEFIT

Experts have estimated that China loses billions of dollars in potential revenue each year due to illegal gambling such as underground casinos, private lotteries and Internet betting.

Once operational, it is estimated that a national horse racing industry could create three million jobs and yield 40 billion yuan per year in tax revenue.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

According to a survey of Wuhan residents, 83 percent think that the introduction of betting would have a positive social impact, and 51 percent expressed an interest in wagering on the races.

Initially, around 250 horses from jockey clubs around China will compete. Betting will not be launched until the races draw around 2000 horses.

According to a spokesman for the China Sports Lottery, “The proposal for betting on horse racing is being reviewed and discussed, but there is no concrete information on when or whether it will begin.”

With any luck, we’ll be able to jump on Bodog in a few years and wager on Chinese ponies.

For more gambling articles, check out the following:

UFC 80 - Full Card and Bodog Odds

Fund Your Online Gambling Account at Wal-Mart

Horse Racing in China - Will It Happen?

Gina Philips - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe, Gina Philips, is the star of such films as Jeepers Creepers and Dead and Breakfast.

Gina Philips - Babe of the Day

2007-08 NBA Championship - Bodog Odds

While the NBA season is already underway, there’s still a long way to go to determine the 2007-08 NBA Champion. Speaking of which, let’s take a look at the odds on favorites (and underdogs) as provided by Bodog. Just for the heck of it, I’ve put any team who’s currently above .500 in bold print.

2007-08 NBA CHAMPIONSHIP - BODOG ODDS

Atlanta Hawks 60/1

Boston Celtics 6/5

Charlotte Bobcats 400/1

Chicago Bulls 60/1

Cleveland Cavaliers 20/1

Dallas Mavericks 5/1

Denver Nuggets 14/1

Detroit Pistons 9/2

Golden State Warriors 25/1

Houston Rockets 20/1

Indiana Pacers 100/1

Los Angeles Clippers 200/1

Los Angeles Lakers 10/1

Memphis Grizzlies 500/

Miami Heat 100/1

Milwaukee Bucks 200/1

Minnesota Timberwolves 3000/1

New Jersey Jets 50/1

New Orleans Hornets 25/1

New York Knicks 500/1

Orlando Magic 20/1

Philadelphia 76ers 250/1

Phoenix Suns 4/1

Portland Trailblazers 20/1

Sacramento Kings 150/1

San Antonio Spurs 7/2

Seattle Supersonics 300/1

Toronto Raptors 35/1

Utah Jazz 20/1

Washington Wizards 70/1

For more on the NBA, check out the following:

NBA Negotiates with Las Vegas

2007 NBA Playoffs - Game 1 Winners

2007-08 NBA Championship - Bodog Odds

NFL Divisional Round - Bodog Odds and Predictions

The divisional round of the NFL playoffs is here. This is where we really separate the big boys from the pretenders. But before we move forward, let’s pause to take a look at last week’s winners.

WILD CARD WINNERS

Jaguars 31 vs. Steelers 29

Titans 6 vs. Chargers 17

Giants 24 v. Buccaneers 14

Redskins 14 vs. Seahawks 35

DIVISIONAL ROUND - BODOG ODDS

Here are the odds for this week’s divisional round, courtesy of Bodog.

Seahawks +8 @ Packers -8
Jaguars +13 @ Patriots -13

Chargers +9 @ Colts -9

Giants +7 ½ @ Cowboys -7 ½

DARE TO PREDICT

Last week, I went 1-2-1. I thought for sure the Redskins would keep their momentum going, but I was way off on that one. It also looks as though Joe Gibbs will be retiring again. Thanks for the memories, Joe.

Anyway, that brings my total record to 111-100-13. As always, I’m hoping to get a perfect record this week and boost my stats, but I’m not going to count on it.

Seahawks +8 @ Packers -8
Jaguars +13 @ Patriots -13

Chargers +9 @ Colts -9

Giants +7 ½ @ Cowboys -7 ½

By the way, I still think the Patriots and Cowboys will win, but I think the Giants and Jags will give them a tough time. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, as I would love to see “America’s Team” take on the undefeated Pats in the greatest Superbowl match-up of all time. Hey, I can dream, can’t I?

While I expect the Packers to pull out a win, you never known with Favre taking on his old coach in Mike Holmgren. The guy taught him a lot of what he knows, so he’s certainly the best qualified to try and shut him down. Still, the Seahawks have a solid yet unspectacular offense, and the Packers have a smothering young defense. This one could be a real coin toss. I may regret taking the Pack at -8.

Lastly, I expect the Colts to destroy the Chargers. While the Colts don’t have the Titans’ defense, the Chargers may not have Antonio Gates. When the dust clears, I just don’t think the Chargers have the weapons to hang with Manning and company.

For more on the NFL, check out the following:

A Look Back at NFL Odds from Bodog

NFL Wild Card Weekend - Bodog Odds

NFL Divisional Round - Bodog Odds and Predictions

Ona Grauer - Babe of the Day

This lovely can be seen wielding a sword and fighting zombies in the trashy flick House of the Dead.

Ona Grauer - Babe of the Day

NFL Odds from Bodog - A Look Back

With the NFL season winding down, I thought it would fun to look back at some of the Bodog odds offered before the season got started. So let’s jump on in the Dare to Gamble time machines and get this party started! (Please note that winners are highlighted in bold.)

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Calvin Johnson - 9/2 (756 receiving yards and 5 total touchdowns)
Marshawn Lynch - 5/1 (1,115 yards rushing and 8 total touchdowns)
Adrian Peterson - 13/2 (1,341 yards rushing and 13 total touchdowns)
JaMarcus Russell - 7/1 (not much playing time in 2007)
Brady Quinn - 9/1 (only attempted 8 passes in the regular season)
Brandon Jackson - 10/1 (a major bust for the Pack, but they lucked out with Ryan Grant)
Anthony Gonzalez - 18/1 (did a nice job filling in for the injured Marvin Harrison)
Sidney Rice - 20/1 (396 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns)
Dwayne Bowe - 20/1 (995 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns)

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Patrick Willis - 7/1 (led the league in tackles with 174 total and 135 solo. Also had 4 sacks. One coach referred to him as a “rolling ball of butcher knives.”)
Gaines Adams - 8/1 (finished with 28 solo tackles and 6 sacks)
Jamaal Anderson - 12/1 (26 solo tackles and no sacks)
Lawrence Timmons - 12/1 (11 solo tackles and no sacks)
Anthony Spencer - 12/1 (28 solo tackles and 3 sacks)
LaRon Landry - 14/1 (63 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks)
Darrelle Revis - 18/1 (74 solo tackles and 3 interceptions. Also had 17 defended passes.)
Paul Posluszny - 18/1 (had season cut short due to an injury)
Reggie Nelson - 25/1 (58 solo tackles, 1 sack, 11 passes defended and 5 interceptions).
Jon Beason - 30/1 (finished 3rd in tackles with 140 and had one interception.)

OVER/UNDER FOR NFL TEAMS

I thought I would include some of the more mentionable ones:

Falcons - Over 7 ½ -150 Under 7 ½ +120

Ravens - Over 9 ½ -115 Under 9 ½ -115

Panthers - Over 9 -105 Under 9 -125

Bears - Over 10 ½ -105 Under 10 ½ -125

Browns - Over 6 -120 Under 6 -110

Packers - Over 7 ½ +110 Under 7 ½ -140

Dolphins - Over 7 -125 Under 7 -105

Patriots - Over 11 ½ -115 Under 11 ½ -115

Raiders - Over 5 -135 Under 5 +105

49ers - Over 7 ½ -135 Under 7 ½ +105

SUPER BOWL XLII

Cowboys 15/1

Packers 50/1

Giants 20/1

Seahawks 12/1

Patriots 3/1

Colts 8/1

Jaguars 30/1

Chargers 6/1

To continue this extended flashback, be sure and click on the links below:

Odds for Super Bowl XLII

Bodog Odds - NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

NFL Odds from Bodog - A Look Back

Erica Leerhsen - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe is scream queen Erica Leerhsen. She has starred in such gory classics as Wrong Turn 2, Blair Witch 2, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake.

Erica Leerhsen - Babe of the Day

Women in Poker Hall of Fame is Announced

The women of poker will finally get their proper recognition with the February 2nd unveiling of the Women in Poker Hall of Fame. Located in Binion’s Casino in Las Vegas, the Hall of Fame will see Barbara Enright, Susie Isaacs, Linda Johnson and Marsha Waggoner as its inaugural inductees.

The event will be hosted by Mike Sexton of the World Poker Tour, and it’s open to all members of the Women in Poker Hall of Fame. Membership costs $75, with 20 percent going to the Breast Cancer Angels Foundation.

HALL OF FAME REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for induction, a player must meet the following requirements:

1. They must have contributed in some way to the world of poker.

2. They must be a supporter of women’s poker.

3. They must have been an active player or industry leader at least 15 years prior to induction.

POKER TOURNAMENT

And what would a Hall of Fame ceremony be without a celebratory poker tournament? After the ceremony, a $500 buy-in no-limit event will take place. This event will be open to the public.

MEET THE INDUCTEES

Susie Isaacs - Has been playing poker since 1986. She won back-to-back ladies titles at the World Series of Poker in 1996 and 1997. A writer for Card Player magazine, she was also featured on the show Poker Royale.

Barbara Enright - She won the pot-limit hold’em event in 1996 to become the first woman to win a major World Series of Poker event. She has also won two bracelets in the ladies WSOP events. She’s also the only woman to make the WSOP main event final table. She is also a member of the Poker Hall of Fame.

Linda Johnson - She is the former publisher of Card Player magazine, an announcer for the World Poker Tour, a writer and respected player. She organizes Card Player Cruises, and was the original chairperson for the Poker Players Alliance. Known as “The First Lady of Poker,” she also runs the WPT Boot Camp and hosts charity events and seminars.

Marsha Waggoner - Starting as a blackjack dealer in Australia, Waggoner made extra money by playing poker on her nights off. In the 80s, she moved to L.A. and started playing poker to support her three kids. She went on to finish in the money in 100 major tournaments, including 18 times at the World Series of Poker.

For more poker action, be sure and check out the following articles:

European Poker Tour - Day One Recap

Report from the 2007 WSOP

Women in Poker Hall of Fame is Announced

Franka Potente - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe is Franka Potente. This German actress has starred in films such as Run Lola Run, The Bourne Identity and Blow.

Franka Potente - Babe of the Day

UFC 80 - Bodog Odds and Full Card

The UFC will return on January 19th, 2008 for UFC 80: Rapid Fire. This event will take place at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England.

The main event will feature B.J. Penn and Joe Stevenson fighting for the Lightweight Championship. This match was originally supposed to be for the Interim Lightweight Title, but it was changed after former champ Sean Sherk was stripped of the title following a positive test for anabolic steroids.

UFC 80 FULL CARD

Preliminary Card

(Lightweight) Per Eklund vs. Sam Stout

(Light Heavyweight) Alessio Sakara vs. James Lee

(Welterweight) Paul Tylor vs. Paul Kelly

(Heavyweight) Colin Robinson vs. Antoni Hardonk

Main Card

(Middleweight) Kendall Grove vs. Jorge Rivera

(Light Heavyweight) Wilson Gouveia vs. Jason Lambert

(Welterweight) Marcus Davis vs. Jess Liaudin

(Heavyweight) Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Fabricio Werdum

(Lightweight Championship) B.J. Penn vs. Joe Stevenson

UFC 80 - BODOG ODDS

While all of the odds have yet to be released, here’s what’s available so far from our buddies at Bodog:

Gabriel Gonzaga -280 vs. Fabricio Werdum +220

Kendall Grove -500 vs. Jorge Rivera +300

B.J. Penn -285 vs. Joe Stevenson +225

For more MMA action, check out the following:

UFC 79 - Full Results

UFC Flashback - UFC 2

UFC 80 - Bodog Odds and Full Card

Donna Feldman - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe is Donna Feldman, an American model of Israeli descent. You might remember her as the holder of suitcase #22 on Deal or No Deal. She will also be on the television show Las Vegas and then appear in an upcoming Adam Sandler movie.

Donna Feldman - Babe of the Day

Germany Bans Online Gambling!

Bad news for fans of German online gambling. The 16 German states have voted unanimously to approve a gambling treaty which bans online gambling in the country. Even worse, the new law went into effect on January 1st, 2008.

THE NEW LAW

The new law is designed to prevent online gambling companies from taking bets from German citizens. Banks and Internet service providers will be required to block payments, and online gambling is now prohibited in Germany.

Of course, this will no doubt be challenged by the online gambling industry. On top of that, the European Union will be steamed, as this is in direct opposition to their stance on online gambling and their desire to maintain a free flow of goods and services within the EU borders.

In fact, several constitutional lawyers have already stated that the new law goes against both the EU and the German constitution. Frankly, considering all the trouble that this has caused for the U.S., it’s something of a surprise that Germany would follow suit.

If the case is brought before the European Court of Justice (and it most certainly will be), it’s almost a certainty that the court will rule against the law. The only hope Germany has is to prove that the treaty is not protectionist . Good luck with that.

ULTERIOR MOTIVES

Is the German government really trying to help its citizens, or does it have an ulterior motive? Some have voiced their concern that this is simply a ploy to eliminate the competition for state lotteries.

According to Jens Schumann, Tipp24 AG Chairman, “Successful companies in the sphere of state lotteries are to be eliminated through the argument that this will protect the population from gambling addiction. Everyday you can see how seriously the state is really taking the issue by looking at betting outlets, casinos and amusement arcades, which continue to face no advertising restrictions.”

Things that make you go, “Hmmmmmm.”

JUST MY OPINION

Germany may find it hard to keep this new law afloat. While the United States can sit over in North America and thumb its nose at the rest of the globe, Germany is smack dab in the middle of Europe and will have to deal with the opposition every single day.

I have a feeling that the European Union is getting tired of dealing with all the crap which stems from gambling.

For more gambling articles, be sure to check out the following:

DOJ Gouges Internet Giants for Millions

Bodog Changes Domain Name

Germany Bans Online Gambling!

Mercedes McNab - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe is Mercedes McNab. She made a name for herself on both Buffy and Angel. Since then, she has went on to pose in Playboy. You can catch her showing off her boobs in Hatchet, a horror film recently released on DVD.

Mercedes McNab - Babe of the Day

NFL Wild Card Weekend - Bodog Odds and Predictions

The 2007 NFL regular season is over, and the playoff brackets are finally set. Let’s take a look:

NFC PLAYOFF TEAMS

Dallas Cowboys (13-3) First round bye and home field advantage throughout playoffs.

Green Bay Packers (13-3) First round bye and division winner.

New York Giants (10-6) Clinched wild card spot.

Seattle Seahawks (10-6) Division winner.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) Division winner.

Washington Redskins (9-7) Clinched wild card spot.

AFC PLAYOFF TEAMS

New England Patriots (16-0) First round bye and home field advantage throughout playoffs.

Indianapolis Colts (13-3) First round bye and division winner.

San Diego Chargers (11-5) Division winner.

Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5) Clinched wild card spot.

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) Division winner.

Tennessee Titans (10-6) Clinched wild card spot.

WILDCARD WEEKEND - BODOG ODDS

Here are the current odds for the wildcard weekend, as provided by our pals at Bodog.

Redskins +3 ½ vs. Seahawks -3 ½

Jaguars -2 vs. Steelers +2

Giants +3 vs. Buccaneers -3

Titans vs. Chargers (Odds not yet posted)

DARE TO PREDICT

Last week, I went 6-6-1, bringing my regular season record to an end at 110-98-12. But why stop now? Might as well keep going through the whole freakin’ season. So here goes.

Redskins +3 ½ vs. Seahawks -3 ½

Jaguars -2 vs. Steelers +2

Giants +3 vs. Buccaneers -3

Titans vs. Chargers (I‘m guessing that the Chargers will be a -7 favorite.)

And while you’re at it, be sure and check out these wacky items from Dare to Gamble:

NFL Week 17 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

NFL Week 16 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

NFL Wild Card Weekend - Bodog Odds and Predictions

Marisol Nichols - Babe of the Day

I first remember seeing today's Babe, Marisol Nichols, back when she played the daughter on Vegas Vacation. At the time, I remember thinking, "Damn, she's fine." Imagine my surprise when she got even better looking years later on 24.

Marisol Nichols - Babe of the Day

Happy New Year from Dare to Gamble

Here's wishing all our readers a very happy 2008. Check back with us throughout the new year (daily would be best), as we'll really be taking it up a notch.

Happy New Year from Dare to Gamble

UFC 79 Full Results - Silva vs. Liddell

The most recent UFC event took place on December 29th at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Entitled UFC 79: Nemesis, it featured the main event of Georges St. Pierre taking on Matt Hughes, as well as the long-awaited match between Wanderlei Silva and Chuck Liddell. PRIDE fighter Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou was also set to make his UFC debut, taking on undefeated Lyoto Machida.

Hughes was originally scheduled to take on Welterweight champ Matt Serra, but Serra was forced to withdraw after suffering a back injury. St. Pierre stepped in, and the two men were scheduled to fight for the Interim Welterweight title, with the winner taking on Serra.

UFC 79 RESULTS

James Irvin vs. Luis Cane - Irvin won by DQ at 1:51 of the first round due to an illegal knee strike by his opponent.

Roan Carneiro vs. Tony DeSouza - Carneiro won by TKO at 3:30 of the second round.

Dean Lister vs. Jordan Radev - Lister won by unanimous decision. All judges scored the fight 30-27.

Mark Bocek vs. Doug Evans - Bocek won by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the fight 29-28 for Bocek.

Manvel Gamburyan vs. Nate Mohr - Gamburyan won with an ankle lock submission at 1:31 of the first round.

Rich Clementi vs. Melvin Guillard - Clementi won by rear naked choke submission at 4:40 of the first round. Clementi delivered a crotch chop after the match, causing his opponent to go back after him. Guillard was pissed even after both men were led back to the dressing rooms. Dana White even went back to try and calm Guillard down.

Lyoto Machida vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou - Machida won by arm triangle choke submission at 4:18 of the second round. While Machida’s fights are usually booed by the crowd, he finally seemed to win them over with this effort. And another PRIDE fighter looks very mortal.

Eddie Sanchez vs. Soa Palelei - Sanchez won by TKO at 3:42 of the third round. The UFC named this the knockout of the night.

Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva - Liddell won by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 and 30-27). Both men beat the hell out of each other, and the crowd was really into this fight. Silva is now on a three-fight losing streak, but the crowd really seemed to appreciate his effort. Too bad this fight couldn’t have happened years ago. The UFC named this bout as the fight of the night.

(Interim Welterweight Title) Georges St. Pierre vs. Matt Hughes - St. Pierre won with an armbar submission at 4:52 of the second round. He dominated Hughes throughout the fight. The UFC named this the submission of the night.

BODOG UNDERDOGS

Unfortunately, there were no major upsets in the main card, according to Bodog odds. Machida, Liddell and St. Pierre were all favored, but that doesn’t mean that UFC 80 won’t be completely different. That’s the great thing about MMA.

UFC 80: RAPID FIRE

The UFC’s next fight will be on January 19th at Newcastle, England. The card is already set, and the main event will feature BJ Penn taking on Joe Stevenson for the undisputed Lightweight title (Sean Sherk was stripped of the belt after testing positive for steroids). Check back with Dare to Gamble for more info on this upcoming event.

And while you’re at it, take a look at these fine articles:

UFC 79 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

Kobe Bryant Demands a Trade

UFC 79 Full Results - Silva vs. Liddell

Denise Milani - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe is busty model Denise Milani. You can find her all over the Internet in various states of undress.

Denise Milani - Babe of the Day