Arena League Football - Week 1

Tonight begins the 22nd season of the Arena Football League. Regular season games will be played until June 22nd, with ArenaBowl XXII taking place in New Orleans on July 27th, 2008.

There have been a few changes in the league, as it has been announced that the Austin Wranglers will be moving down to the af2 minor league. The Nashville Kats are out of business, and the Las Vegas Gladiators moved to sunny Cleveland. That means that a total of 17 teams will be competing for the championship currently held by the San Jose SaberCats.

2007 ARENA LEAGUE RECORDS

So how did everyone do last season? Let’s take a look.

Eastern Division

Dallas Desperados 15-1

Philadelphia Soul 8-8

Columbus Destroyers 7-9

New York Dragons 5-11

Southern Division

Georgia Force 14-2

Tampa Bay Storm 9-7

Orlando Predators 8-8

New Orleans VooDoo 5-11

Austin Wranglers 4-12 (moved to minor leagues)

Central Division

Chicago Rush 12-4

Kansas City Brigade 10-6

Colorado Crush 8-8

Nashville Kats 7-9 (now defunct)

Grand Rapids Rampage 4-12

Western Division

San Jose SaberCats 13-3

Los Angeles Avengers 9-7

Utah Blaze 8-8

Arizona Rattlers 4-12

Las Vegas Gladiators 2-14 (moved to Cleveland)

2007 TOP ARENA LEAGUE PLAYERS

And here’s a quick list of some of the top statistical players of the 2007 season. Can they do it again? Watch and find out!

QB - Chris Greisen (Georgia Force) 4851 yards 117 touchdowns 12 interceptions

RB - Dan Alexander (Played last year for the Kats. Now with the Chicago Rush) 426 yards 41 touchdowns

WR - Siaha Burley (Utah Blaze) 166 receptions 2129 yards 49 touchdowns

DEF - Rashad Floyd (Colorado Crush) 156 tackles 9 interceptions 2 defensive TDs

KR - Timon Marshall (Grand Rapids Rampage) 83 returns 1901 yards 6 touchdowns

K - A.J. Haglund (San Jose SaberCats) 128 Extra Points (missed 10) 10 FG (missed 8)

2008 ARENA LEAGUE - WEEK 1

Here are the games for Week 1 of the Arena Football League. Right now, Bodog only had odds up for tonight’s game, but the rest will soon follow.

Friday

New Orleans VooDoo +11 @ Los Angeles Avengers -11

Saturday

Dallas Desperados @ Georgia Force

Tampa Bay Storm @ Kansas City Brigade

Orlando Predators @ Philadelphia Soul

Arizona Rattlers @ Utah Blaze

Sunday

Columbus Destroyers @ Colorado Crush

Monday

New York Dragons @ Las Vegas Gladiators

San Jose SaberCats @ Chicago Rush

For more Arena League action, check out the following:

Arena Bowl XXI Preview

Arena Bowl XXI Results

Arena League Football - Week 1

Vanessa Minnillo - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe, Vanessa Minnillo, is best known as the host of MTV's Total Request Live. She has also served as a reporter for Entertainment Tonight. Sadly, she did not wear the above outfit when performing either of these duties.

Vanessa Minnillo - Babe of the Day

NCAA Basketball Updates

In case you’re wondering about the results of last night’s NCAA basketball games, I’ve went ahead and put all the winners in bold. Here’s hoping that you made a killing.

As always, the betting lines are courtesy of Bodog.

7:00 pm

Notre Dame +7 ½ @ Louisville -7 ½

St. Louis +12 @ St. Joseph’s -12

7:30 pm

Tenn Chattanooga +8 @ NC Greensboro -8

Tennessee St. +2 ½ @ Morehead St. -2 ½

Austin Peay +3 @ Eastern Kentucky -3

8:00 pm

Detroit +11 ½ @ Valparaiso -11 ½

North Texas +1 @ UL Lafayette -1

Maryland +3 @ Wake Forest -3

Loyola Chicago +3 @ Wisc Milwaukee -3

New Orleans +13 ½ @ South Alabama -13 ½

Illinois Chicago +1 ½ @ Wisc. Green Bay -1 ½

8:30 pm

UL Monroe +3 ½ @ Arkansas State -3 ½

Denver U +9 ½ @ Arkansas Little Rock -9 ½

9:00 pm

Wright State +12 @ Butler -12

USC +5 ½ @ Arizona -5 ½

Michigan State +5 @ Wisconsin -5

10:00 pm

Cal State Northridge +6 @ Cal State Fullerton -6

UC Davis +14 ½ @ Pacific -14 ½

Cal Riverside +8 @ Cal Poly S.L.O. -8

Louisiana Tech +19 ½ @ Utah State -19 ½

New Mexico State +3 @ Nevada -3

Washington +11 @ Stanford -11

Boise State -4 @ San Jose State +4

10:30 pm

Long Beach State +13 ½ @ Cal Irvine -13 ½

UCLA -7 @ Arizona State +7

11:00 pm

Washington State -2 ½ @ California +2 ½

11:59 pm

Idaho +11 @ Hawaii -11

NCAA Basketball Updates

NCAA Basketball Tonight - Bodog Odds

It’s Thursday, and that means more NCAA basketball action is coming your way. As March Madness continues to get closer, teams are making the final push for rankings on Selection Sunday. So why not get in on the action and place a few bets?

Just take a look at the odds below, courtesy of our friends at Bodog. And remember, all game times listed are Eastern Standard Time.

7:00 pm

Notre Dame +7 ½ @ Louisville -7 ½

St. Louis +12 @ St. Joseph’s -12

7:30 pm

Tenn Chattanooga +8 @ NC Greensboro -8

Tennessee St. +2 ½ @ Morehead St. -2 ½

Austin Peay +3 @ Eastern Kentucky -3

8:00 pm

Detroit +11 ½ @ Valparaiso -11 ½

North Texas +1 @ UL Lafayette -1

Maryland +3 @ Wake Forest -3

Loyola Chicago +3 @ Wisc Milwaukee -3

New Orleans +13 ½ @ South Alabama -13 ½

Illinois Chicago +1 ½ @ Wisc. Green Bay -1 ½

8:30 pm

UL Monroe +3 ½ @ Arkansas State -3 ½

Denver U +9 ½ @ Arkansas Little Rock -9 ½

9:00 pm

Wright State +12 @ Butler -12

USC +5 ½ @ Arizona -5 ½

Michigan State +5 @ Wisconsin -5

10:00 pm

Cal State Northridge +6 @ Cal State Fullerton -6

UC Davis +14 ½ @ Pacific -14 ½

Cal Riverside +8 @ Cal Poly S.L.O. -8

Louisiana Tech +19 ½ @ Utah State -19 ½

New Mexico State +3 @ Nevada -3
Washington +11 @ Stanford -11

Boise State -4 @ San Jose State +4

10:30 pm

Long Beach State +13 ½ @ Cal Irvine -13 ½

UCLA -7 @ Arizona State +7

11:00 pm

Washington State -2 ½ @ California +2 ½

11:59 pm

Idaho +11 @ Hawaii -11

For more articles on March Madness, check out the following:

March Madness - The Greatest Upsets

March Madness Stats from 2007

NCAA Basketball Tonight - Bodog Odds

Fantasy Football Info

The wheels on the ‘ol fantasy football bus just keep going round and round. Here’s the latest NFL news that could have an impact on your 2008 fantasy season. Oh, and be sure and visit Bodog for all your NFL wagering needs.

FANTASY FOOTBALL INFO

McFadden Burns - At the recent NFL combine, RB Darren McFadden reportedly ran the 40 yard dash in 4.27 seconds. Wow! I’d say his status as a top-5 pick is officially cemented.

Williamson a Bust? - While the trade won’t become official until tomorrow, the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed on a deal which would send former 1st-round WR Troy Williamson to the Jags for a second-day pick in the NFL draft. Despite loads of speed, Williamson has terrible hands and has never been able to elevate his game to the pro level. Here’s hoping that a change of scenery will do him good.

Bears Sign Another QB - The Chicago Bears added another QB to their arsenal by signing Kyle Orton to a one-year extension. Orton will compete with Rex Grossman for the starting QB job in 2008.

Hackett Moving On - Seahawks WR D.J. Hackett will become an unrestricted free agent this Friday, and it sounds as though he’ll be looking for greener pastures. Despite missing time with an injury last year, Hackett was productive at times, and he could very well become a dangerous wideout for some lucky team.

Kennison Released - The Kansas City Chiefs released veteran wideout Eddie Kennison on Tuesday. Talk about a long time coming.

Colvin Released - The New England Patriots released LB Rosevelt Colvin on Tuesday.

Faulk Gets Busted - Patriots’ RB Kevin Faulk was arrested last Friday for misdemeanor marijuana possession.

Muhammed Signed by Panthers - Looking to add depth at wide receiver, the Carolina Panthers have signed free agent WR Muhsin Muhammed.

Carr Cut - The Panthers have also cut David Carr. His once-promising NFL may be close to over.

Anderson Cut - The Baltimore Ravens parted ways with backup runner Mike Anderson. Expect the powerful and disciplines Anderson to show up elsewhere as a short-yardage back.

Vilma Seeking Trade - Jonathan Vilma, the Jets’ linebacker, has been given permission by the team to seek a trade. While he started off red-hot hot in the league, he has cooled down considerably over the last two years playing in coach Eric Mangini’s 3-4 scheme. If your league has IDP, this might be a great time to snag Vilma.

For more fantasy football info, check out the links below:

Fantasy Football News

Fantasy Impact from 2007 Draft

Fantasy Football Info

Oscar Winners and Bodog Odds

The 80th Annual Academy Awards were held on Sunday night, and movie lovers across the globe were holding their collective breath. Bodog customers were also waiting to exhale, as the well-known sportsbook was offering a number of bets based on the outcome of the various categories.

Since we covered the nominees in a previous entry, we thought it only appropriate to go back and look at the big Oscar winners. Bodog odds have also been provided.

2008 OSCAR WINNERS

Best Director

Despite some fierce competition, the double-threat of Joel and Ethan Coen finally won a Best Director award for No Country for Old Men. In many ways, this is also an Oscar for Fargo, Raising Arizona, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Miller’s Crossing and many other previous works. Considered strong contenders for the award, the brothers were only getting 2/7 odds on Bodog.

Best Supporting Actress

Many expected Cate Blanchett to walk away with this one for her portrayal of Bob Dylan, but the experts were stunned when Tilda Swinton pulled off the upset for her role in Michael Clayton. A 20/1 underdog, Swinton may have been the surprise of the night. She then proceeded to take the stage and reveal to everyone that co-star George Clooney is actually Batman, often wearing the Batsuit under his normal attire. Shocking.

Best Supporting Actor

This was an easy one, friendo, as almost everyone expected Javier Bardem (1/10) to win for his role as a cold-blooded killer in No Country for Old Men. A touching tribute to his mother followed, and you could almost see Bardem’s Hollywood stock rising.

Best Actress

Julie Christie was the big favorite in this category, but my jaw dropped to the floor when Marion Cotillard had her name called. The French actress was getting 15/4 odds for her role as Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose. I never saw that one coming.

Best Actor

Coming in with 1/10 odds, everyone and their dog assumed Daniel Day-Lewis would win for his role as an amoral oilman in There Will Be Blood. They were right. Now repeat after me, “I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE…I DRINK IT UP!”

Best Picture

There Will Be Blood and Michael Clayton both had a legitimate chance to win, but No Country for Old Men ultimately came out on top. Going into the show, it was getting 2/5 odds. Frankly, we need more Best Picture winners with a character referred to as “The Ultimate Badass.”

For more award show odds, check out the following:

Academy Awards - Bodog Odds

59th Annual Emmy Awards

Oscar Winners and Bodog Odds

Katrelle - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe is named Katrelle.

Katrelle - Babe of the Day

UFC 82 - Full Card and Bodog Odds

The next UFC event will be called UFC 82: Pride of a Champion, and it will be taking place on March 1st at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The main event of the night will feature MMA veterans Anderson Silva and Dan Henderson competing in a middleweight title unification match. Silva is the reigning UFC middleweight champ, while Henderson holds the PRIDE welterweight title.

Below is the full fight card. I‘ve also included the odds from Bodog.

UFC 82 - FULL CARD

Preliminary Card

Heavyweight bout: Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski (-385) vs. Jake O'Brien (+260)

Welterweight bout: “The Silent Assassin” Luke Cummo (-160) vs. Luigi Fioravanti (+130)

Welterweight bout: Diego “Nightmare” Sanchez (-525) vs. David Bielkheden (+325)

Welterweight bout: Josh “Kos” Koscheck (-500) vs. Dustin Hazelett (+300)

Lightweight bout: Jorge Gurgel (-200) vs. John Halverson (+160)

Main Card

Middleweight unification bout: Anderson “The Spider” Silva (-170) vs. “Hollywood” Dan Henderson (+130)

Heavyweight bout: “The Texas Crazy Horse” Heath Herring (+145) vs. “The French Sensation” Cheick Kongo (-175)

Middleweight bout: Evan Tanner (+170) vs. Yushin “Thunder” Okami (-220)

Middleweight bout: Chris “The Crippler” Leben (-165) vs. “Legionarius” Alessio Sakara (+135)

Welterweight bout: Jon Fitch (-625) vs. Chris Wilson (+425)

ANDERSON SILVA vs. DAN HENDERSON

Here’s a detailed look at the two men competing in the main event.

Anderson Silva

Current UFC middleweight champion. He is also the current Cage Rage middleweight champ, and is the longest-reigning champion in that promotion. Silva has also competed in Shooto, Rumble on the Rock and PRIDE.

Standing 6’2” and weighing 185 pounds, Silva is highly trained in both Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

On a 6-fight winning streak, Silva has a record of 20 wins and 4 losses.

He holds victories over men such as Rich Franklin (twice), Carlos Newton and Jeremy Horn.

His losses have come to Yushin Okami (by DQ), Ryo Chonan (submission), Daiju Takase (submission) and Luiz Azeredo (his 1st pro fight).

Dan Henderson

The current PRIDE welterweight champion, Henderson was also the last PRIDE middleweight champion (before the belt was absorbed into the UFC light-heavyweight title). He is the only fighter to hold two titles in different weight classes at the same time in a major MMA promotion. Founded Team Quest along with Randy Couture and Matt Lindland. He competed in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling.

Standing 6’1” and weighing 185 pounds, Henderson is an Olympic-level wrestler. He is also proficient in boxing, kickboxing, judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

On a one-fight losing streak, Henderson has a record of 22 wins and 6 losses. 10 wins have come by knockout, while one was by submission. The other 11 wins were by decision.

He has wins over Vitor Belfort, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Renato Sobral, Wanderlei Silva, Kazuo Misaki, Renzo Gracie and Murilo Bustamante.

He has lost to Quinton Jackson (his most recent fight), Kazuo Misaki, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Ricardo Arona and Wanderlei Silva.

Henderson fought twice in 2007, knocking out Wanderlei Silva and then losing a 5-round decision to Quentin “Rampage” Jackson.

MAIN EVENT PREDICTION

Silva really seems to be at the top of his game right now, but Henderson is too well-versed in wrestling to get caught like Rich Franklin did. Look for Dan to take this one to the ground early and try to pound his way to a decision victory. But even if it stays standing up, Henderson has the boxing skills to survive (just ask the other Silva named Wanderlei). The lower weight will probably also suit Henderson better, as his last fight was at light-heavyweight. Of course, Silva’s arsenal of strikes and submissions could end the fight at any time.

This will be a close fight, but I would bet on Dan Henderson even if the odds were even. Therefore, I certainly have to take him as a +130 underdog.

For more MMA action, see the following:

Kimbo Slice Fights

Cage Rage 21 Results

UFC 82 - Full Card and Bodog Odds

NCAA Basketball Update

Here’s a quick rundown of the important NCAA basketball games that were played over the weekend. Remember to start an account with Bodog to place wagers on all your favorite college teams.

Memphis Tigers 62 vs. Tennessee Volunteers 66 - The top-ranked teams in college basketball squared off on Saturday, and Memphis suffered their first loss of the season. It marked the first home loss for Memphis in 48 games.

With under 30 seconds to play, Tyler Smith sank a jumper to give the Vols a one-point lead. J.P. Prince then sealed the victory by making two free throws. Of the last seven times that the top two teams have played, the number-two rated team has won six of those games. Pretty amazing stuff.

Oklahoma State 61 vs. Kansas 60 - After beating 7th-ranked Texas, the Oklahoma State Cowboys pulled off another upset by downing the 4th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks. While Kansas was favored by 11.5 points, Byron Eaton of the Cowboys put up 26 points and hit some crucial free throws to put the game away.

UCLA 75 vs. Oregon 65 - Down by 11 points in the second half, the UCLA Bruins avoided the upset and got a 10-point victory. They were, however, favored by 14.5. Bad news for those who bet against the underdogs.

Drake 71 vs. Butler 64 - Drake was ranked 16th going into this game, while Butler was 8th. Favored by six points, Butler lost due partially to the efforts of Josh Young, who finished the game with 25 points (including three clutch field goals late in the game).

Duke 86 vs. St. John’s 56 - 5th-rated Duke crushed the Red Storm of St. John’s, going on a 32-9 run in the first half of the game. Even better, they covered the 23.5 point spread. Looks like the Blue Devils are back to their winning ways and ready to make a major impact when March Madness begins.

Texas 62 vs. Oklahoma 45 - Playing at home, the Longhorns beat down their Big 12 rivals to the tune of 17 points. While only favored by 7.5 points, they more than exceeded expectations.

For more NCAA action, take a look at the following:

March Madness Greatest Upsets

March Madness - Top 25 Rankings

NCAA Basketball Update

Fantasy Football News - Zach Thomas, Antonio Gates and More!

We promised you plenty of fantasy football news this offseason, and we here at Dare to Gamble always keep our word. The NFL Draft is only a couple of months away, and teams are really starting to pick up the pace. Between the NFL Combine and all the cut players and franchise tags, it’s just enough to get us through until the end of April.

And as we get closer to the NFL Draft and the start of the 2008 season, why not head on over to Bodog and check out all the great football odds they’re offering? Wager on the Rookie of the Year, the next Super Bowl champ or literally dozens of other options.

FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

Foster Gets the Axe - While he showed flashes of greatness, DeShaun Foster never lived up to the hype. It also didn’t help that he seemed perennially injured. But don’t cry for DeShaun, as he got $4.5 million in guaranteed money in 2006 after signing a new contract.

The door is now wide open for DeAngelo Williams, a player that many have been drooling over since he came into the league. Sure, he’s small, but so was Warrick Dunn. It’ll be interesting to see if the Panthers let Williams tote the rock all by himself, or if they’ll look to get a more physical back to pair him with.

Either way, you’ve got to bump Williams up a few notches on your preseason rankings.

Thomas Becomes a Cowboy - Seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas, recently cut by the Dolphins, has signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys worth up to $3 million. A tackling machine, Thomas will be allowed to roam the field and do what he does best. While he only played in 5 games last year due to an injury, he was on pace for another season over 150 tackles. This is a move to keep your eye on, especially if your fantasy league allows independent defensive players.

Welcome Back, Mr. Grossman - In a move that has left many experts scratching their heads, the Chicago Bears have signed much-maligned quarterback Rex Grossman to a one-year contract. While he did lead the Bears to a Super Bowl in 2006, he also threw 20 interceptions to 23 touchdowns. Last season, he started 8 games and put up 7 interceptions to just 4 touchdowns. Looks like it may be another dull year for Bears fans, at least until Grossman gets benched.

Gates to Have Surgery - Antonio Gates, the badass tight end for the Chargers, will reportedly have foot surgery in the very near future. Recovery time is expected to be four to six months, but he’s expected to be back for the regular season. While this is never good news, a fully healthy Gates is far more dangerous than a banged-up one. At this point, he’s still the man when it comes to fantasy tight ends.

For more NFL news, take a look below:

Fantasy Football News

Betting on NFL Football

Fantasy Football News - Zach Thomas, Antonio Gates and More!

Jenna Fischer - Babe of the Day

Best known for her role as adorable-yet-frumpy Pam on NBC's The Office, Jenna Fischer is packing a smoking hot body under her collection of loose sweaters and beige skirts. The above photo, by the way, it taken from the Will Ferrell comedy Blades of Glory.

Jenna Fischer - Babe of the Day

Six Online Casinos in Trouble

Six online casinos recently received some bad news. Music Hall, Nostalgia, UK Casino Club, Golden Reef, Challenge and I Big Casino have all had their right to display the eCOGRA “safe and fair” seal revoked.

The sites, all belonging to Casino Action in Kahnawake, failed to meet the required standards during the seal renewal process. According to eCOGRA, the sites did not conform to their “generally accepted practices.” Translation: there was something rotten in Denmark (or, in this case, Kahnawake).

eCOGRA ensures that online games are fair and honest, and attention is also paid to the safety of deposits and withdrawals. This is the type of bad publicity that can sink an online casino. If you’re a customer at one of these sites, this might be the time to change to a more reliable online casino like Bodog.

Arctic Poker, part of the Casino Action family, also had their certificate pulled. But unlike the above casinos, they simply failed to have it renewed in time. Still, it makes you wonder.

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

Online Poker Coming to California?

10 Craziest Proposition Bets

Six Online Casinos in Trouble

Erica - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe is the lovely Erica.

Erica - Babe of the Day

March Madness - The Greatest Upsets

Is it possible to contract March Madness in February? If so, then count me among the infected!

With the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament looming on the horizon, I thought it might be fun to take a look back at some of the greatest upsets in March Madness history. After all, that’s one of the many things which makes the yearly tournament an event to remember.

By the way, be sure and check out Bodog sportsbook for all your NCAA wagering needs. It doesn‘t get any better.

GREAT UPSETS IN MARCH MADNESS HISTORY

No. 2 Syracuse vs. No. 15 Richmond (1991)

The Orangemen of Syracuse were a national power in men’s basketball, while the Richmond Spiders entered the tournament knowing that a 15th seed had never won a tournament game. Richmond took an early lead and managed to keep it, much to the surprise of everyone (including Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim). Syracuse kept the game close, and they moved within a point with only 32 seconds left on the clock. But Richmond would not be denied, as they hit a trio of free throws in the waning seconds to clinch the win. The final score was 73 for Richmond and 69 for Syracuse.

No. 3 Notre Dame vs. No. 14 Arkansas-Little Rock (1986)

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame were ranked 10th in the nation, while the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans were 17-point underdogs. As the second half of the game rolled around, the Trojans started heating up and eventually connected on 15 of 19. The Irish made a strong showing, but on that night, the Trojans were just too much.

Texas Western vs. Kentucky (1966 - NCAA Championship Game)

Smack in the middle of the civil rights movement, the all-white powerhouse of Kentucky took on the all-black starting five from a small school in Texas. The Kentucky Wildcats were led by legendary coach Adolph Rupp and boasted star players in Louie Dampier and Pat Riley. The Texas Western Miners were huge underdogs, with the first all-black starting five in the history of the tournament finals. But when the dust had cleared, the Miners had pulled off a 72-65 victory and helped change the landscape of sports. Historically speaking, it is certainly the most important game in NCAA basketball history.

No. 1 Houston vs. No. 6 North Carolina State (1983 - NCAA Championship Game)

The North Caroline State Wolfpack had suffered 10 defeats during the regular season and nobody expected them to advance to the finals of the tournament. Led by plucky coach Jim Valvano, they had narrowly avoided elimination at the hands of Pepperdine, UNLV and Virginia.

The Houston Cougars, meanwhile, were led by the faux fraternity of “Phi Slamma Jamma,” better known as future NBA Hall of Famers Hakeen “The Dream” Olajuwon and Clyde “The Glide” Drexler. On a 25-game win streak, they were expected to crush the upstart Wolfpack.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the title. NC State was up by the half, a feat which left many observers scratching their heads. The Cougars battled back and went on a 17-2 run in the third, eventually taking a 43-35 lead. It looked to be over, but nobody bothered to tell the Wolfpack. Led by Dereck Whittenburg, the Pack came back and tied the game at 52 in the closing minute.

A missed free throw by Houston gave NC State the ball. They held on until the final seconds and then made their move, but a pass to Whittenburg was deflected by Drexler. Amazingly, Whittenburg was still able to grab the ball and heave it up from 30 feet away. It was short, but NC State player Lorenzo Charles flew through the air, grabbed the ball, and slammed it home.

The game was over, and the Wolfpack had just upset the Cougars by a score of 54 to 52. The image of Jimmy V running around “just looking for someone to hug” is one of the most lasting images in sports history.

No. 1 Georgetown vs. No. 8 Villanova (1985 - NCAA Championship)

The Georgetown Hoyas, led by future NBA great Patrick Ewing, had won the 1984 NCAA title, and most expected the powerhouse team to repeat. After all, the Villanova Wildcats had already fallen to Georgetown twice in the regular season.

But the third time was a charm, as Villanova slowed down the tempo and took advantage of the tournament’s lack of a shot clock in 1985. With just over 2 minutes remaining, Villanova took a 55-54 lead and then proceeded to hit 11 of 14 free throws in the closing minutes to seal the win. While the Hoyas had held opponents to under 40% shooting during the season, the Wildcats made a staggering 78.6% from the field that night. With a 66-64 victory, the Wildcats also became the lowest-seeded team to ever win the NCAA tournament.

For more March Madness, click on the links below:

March Madness - Top 25 Rankings

2007 March Madness - Bodog Stats

March Madness - The Greatest Upsets

Online Poker Coming to California?

Despite the U.S. government getting its collective panties in a bunch over online gambling, it appears that the state of California is now mulling over the possibility of starting its own Internet poker site. To further that end, Lloyd Levine, a California state assemblymen, has introduced a bill calling for an investigation into the site’s feasibility by the Department of Justice and the California Gambling Control Commission.

Mr. Levine seems to be under the impression that everything would be kosher as long as the players and servers were located in the state of California. A study of the UIGEA will have to be made, of course, but Levine seemed convinced of the benefits to the state. In fact, he’s already stated that he would push to legalize online poker in California if things go well.

The bill is scheduled to be heard by the committee on March 20th, so more information should be available at that time.

For more gambling news, check out the following:

Barney Frank IGREA Bill Support Grows

Fantasy Football News

Online Poker Coming to California?

Holley Ann Dorrough - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe is Holley Ann Dorrough, also known as Playboy Playmate of the Month for April 2006. This 34B-25-34 beauty listed her ambitions as being a wife and mother. I doubt she'll have any problem meeting those goals.

Holley Ann Dorrough - Babe of the Day

Fantasy Football News

God, I love fantasy football. That’s why this particular time of the year is so tough. Stuck in that limbo between the Super Bowl and the NFL Draft, all I’m left with are steroid scandals in baseball and another ho-hum season of the NBA.

But there’s some good news, fellow fantasy addicts! NFL teams are starting to make some offseason moves, and that provides just enough sustenance for guys like me to live on. From here on out, we’ll be updating you on all the latest fantasy football news as it hits the wire. Enjoy.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out Bodog for all your football wagering needs. You can bet that they’ll have some intriguing NFL Draft prop bets before long.

TAG, YOU’RE IT

A number of teams have been slapping franchise tags on players to prevent them from departing via free agency. Oh, they can still leave in most cases, but other teams will have to pay a steep cost to obtain their services (usually in the form of a couple of first round draft picks). Let’s take a look.

Albert Haynesworth (DL-Titans) - The Titans’ defense was a wreck when Haynesworth missed time with injuries last season. As such, they had no option but to use a franchise tag on him. He can still leave, but the Titans have the right to match any offer or receive two first-round picks as compensation.

Nnamdi Asomugha (CB-Raiders) - The Raiders have slapped him with an exclusive franchise tag. This means that no other team can negotiate with him until 2009. His salary this year will be $9.465 million, but contrarian Al Davis will reportedly be paying it out in nickels and pennies.

Corey Williams (DL-Packers)

Jordan Gross (OL-Panthers) - The one-year tender for an offensive lineman amounts to $7.45 million. That’s enough money to buy a lap dance about every two minutes for a whole year. Sweet!

Dallas Clark (TE-Colts) - The Colts placed the franchise tag on Clark, which would entitle him to $4.22 million in 2008. They then turned around and re-signed him to a six-year deal on Wednesday, February 20th.

Terrell Suggs (DL-Ravens) - This gives Suggs a one-year deal worth more than $8 million smackaroos. It should be noted, by the way, that the Ravens front office is now paying players in newly-printed smackaroos instead of actual U.S. dollars.

Jared Allen (DE-Chiefs) - Because he plays for the Chiefs, Allen gets overlooked when it comes to media attention. That’s a shame, as he led the league in sacks this year, despite missing the few several games of the season. This guy is an absolute hoss (glad I’ve got him in my dynasty league).

Marcus Trufant (CB-Seahawks)

TRADES

There haven’t been any major trades yet, but that isn’t stopping the Broncos from working the phones. They are reportedly shopping RB Travis Henry, LB Ian Gold and WR Javon Walker. Henry is due a $6 million bonus on February 29th, Walker gets $5.4 million on March 4th and Gold snags $500,000 on March 3rd.

While the Broncos could certainly avoid paying Walker the bonus if they cut him, his contract would accelerate and cost them a whopping $8 million against the cap. Taking that into consideration, and his injury-plagued 2008 campaign, it seems unlikely that Walker will be traded or cut. Expect to see him with a horse’s head on his helmet this season.

THE FIRST CUT IS THE DEEPEST

If players are getting traded or tagged, then you know a bunch of guys are also being kicked to the curb. Here’s a list of players who have been cut in the last month.

Bubba Franks (TE) - Formerly of the Packers, Franks was due a $500,000 roster bonus and then another $3 million once the season stared.

Trent Green (QB) - Formerly of the Dolphins, Green was one of the first casualties of the reign of new GM Bill Parcells. Expect him to land with someone else.

Zach Thomas (LB) - Another victim of Parcells, the 7-time Dolphins Pro Bowler has been shopping around the league with agent Drew Rosenhaus. The Patriots have already offered him a contract, but the two sides are still in negotiations.

The Atlanta Falcons - No, the whole team didn’t get cut, although it sorta seems like it. With Bobby “Chickenshit” Petrino gone, it’s time to start the rebuilding process. To that end, the team recently released DT Rod Coleman, LT Wayne Gandy, QB Byron Leftwich, CB Lewis Sanders, LB Marcus Wilkins, WR Jamin Elliott and TE Alge Crumpler.

Marty Booker (WR) - Another former Dolphin, the 31-year-old is getting a lot of buzz in free agent circles. He was due a total of $5.3 million this year, and there was no way in hell that Parcells was going to pay that.

Muhsin Muhammad (WR) - Cut by the Bears, the veteran wideout was scheduled to make a base salary of $1.6 million in 2008. Hopefully, that money will now be used to find a freakin’ quarterback.

For more articles on football, check out the following:

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year - Bodog Odds

2007 Fantasy Football News

Fantasy Football News

UEFA Cup - Matches and Bodog Odds

As I write this, a whole mess of UEFA Cup matches are just hours away. What’s the UEFA Cup, you ask? Well, if you’re from Europe, then you undoubtedly know the answer already. But if you’re from the U.S., then you might need a little refresher course.

THE UEFA CUP?

Also known as the European Cup 3, it’s a competition held for European club teams. Next to the UEFA Champions League, it is the most important competition for European football clubs.

It originally began in 1971 and merged with the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999. The reigning champions are Sevilla FC, and they’ve won back-to-back titles.

The finals for this year’s competition will be held at City of Manchester Stadium.

Without a doubt, there will be plenty of excitement and lots of men of different nationalities rolling around on the ground and faking injuries.

BODOG ODDS

What did you expect? Of course, Bodog has odds for the UEFA Cup. If they’ll post a betting line for J-Lo’s unborn baby, then you’ve gotta know that they’ll cover one of the most popular sports in the world.

All times mentioned below are Central Standard Time (US Time).

10:00 am Matches

Bayer Leverkusen -150 @ Galatasaray +400 (Draw +240)

Hamburg SV -250 @ FC Zurich +650 (Draw +310)

10:30 am Matches

Spartak Moskau +115 @ Olympique Marseille +220 (Draw +220)

11:00 am Matches

Panathinaikos -120 @ Glasgow Rangers +325 (Draw +225)

11:45 am Matches

FC Bavern Munchen -700 @ FC Aberdeen +1500 (Draw +550)

1:45 pm Matches

AC Fiorentina -330 @ Rosenberg +850 (Draw +350)

Atletico Madrid -200 @ Bolton +600 (Draw +260)

CF Getafe -160 @ AEK Athens +435 (Draw +245)

CF Villarreal -250 @ Zenit St. Petersburg +700 (Draw +300)

Girondins Bordeaux -200 @ Anderlecht +600 (Draw +260)

Helsingborgs IF +245 @ PSV Eindhoven (EVEN) (Draw +230)

Tottenham Hotspur -400 @ Slavia Prague +900 (Draw +420)

2:00 pm Matches

1 FC Nurnberg +140 @ Benfica +175 (Draw +220)

Everton -400 @ SK Brann +900 (Draw +420)

FC Basel +140 @ Sporting Lissabon +175 (Draw +220)

3:30 pm Matches

Sporting Braga +200 @ Werder Bremen +125 (+220)

For more sports betting action, check out these links:

World Snooker Championship

Dog Fighting History and Facts

UEFA Cup - Matches and Bodog Odds

Ebony - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe is none other than the lovely Ebony. After looking at what she's doing, I wish this photo had been taken about a minute later.

Ebony - Babe of the Day

March Madness - Final Four Preview? - Memphis vs. Tennessee

If you’re a fan of NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball, then Saturday’s game between the top-rated Memphis Tigers and the number-two-rated Tennessee Volunteers is one that you don’t want to miss. The Volunteers are currently 23-2, while Memphis is undefeated with a record of 25-0.

This will be the first 1-2 meeting since February of 2007, when No. 2 Ohio State defeated No. 1 Wisconsin by a score of 49-48. Since 1994, there have been six games played between the top two teams. In five of those games, the number two team won, so it‘ll be real interesting to see what kind of betting line is posted by a quality sportsbook like Bodog.

Tennessee had been ranked fourth, but losses by both Kansas and Duke allowed them to jump into the number two slot. It wasn’t easy, though, as the Vols almost fell on the road last Saturday against a fired-up Georgia squad (74-71).

But the pressure on Tennessee is nothing compared to what Memphis is experiencing. As the top-rated team in the nation, everyone is gunning for them.

On Saturday night, they took on UAB and were down by seven with only two minutes to go. But the Tigers showed why they deserve their ranking, erasing the deficit and taking the lead with 6.5 seconds left (courtesy of a Chris Douglas-Roberts three-point play). And even then, they has to wait for a final successful shot by UAB to be ruled after the buzzer, allowing the Tigers to pull off a 79-78 win.

Of course, both teams still have to get past their Wednesday night opponents. Memphis will be going on the road to take on Tulane, while Tennessee will be playing host to Auburn.

Regardless of who wins, expect both of these teams to be major players in the upcoming March Madness tournament. Tennessee got to the second round in 2006 and made the Sweet Sixteen last year. Memphis, on the other hand, has reached the Elite Eight for the last two years, even gong undefeated in conference play in 2007. Their overall record for the previous two seasons is an impressive 66-8.

For more March Madness….

March Madness - Top 25 Rankings

2007 NCAA Final Four Odds

March Madness - Final Four Preview? - Memphis vs. Tennessee

March Madness - Top 25 Rankings

March Madness is getting closer every day, so I thought it might be time to take a look at the current NCAA Division I Men’s rankings. These are the very same rankings which will be used on Selection Sunday to seed the teams and create the brackets, although they may change several times between now and then.

If you really love NCAA basketball and can’t wait until March Madness begins, why not visit Bodog and place a few wagers on your favorite team? It’s a great way to stay interested in all the games, even when your alma mater is playing one of the bottom feeders.

ASSOCIATED PRESS TOP 25

1. Memphis

2. Tennessee

3. North Carolina

4. Duke

5. Kansas

6. UCLA

7. Texas

8. Butler

9. Stanford

10. Xavier

11. Wisconsin

12. Georgetown

13. Connecticut

14. Purdue

15. Indiana

16. Drake

17. Washington State

18. Louisville

19. Michigan State

20. Vanderbilt

21. Notre Dame

22. Texas A&M

23. St. Mary’s

24. Kansas State

25. Marquette

COACHES POLL - TOP 25

1. Memphis

2. Tennessee

3. North Carolina

4. Kansas

5. Duke

6. UCLA

7. Texas

8. Butler

9. Stanford

10. Wisconsin

11. Georgetown

12. Xavier

13. Connecticut

14. Indiana

15. Purdue

16. Vanderbilt

17. Michigan State

18. Drake

19. Washington State

20. St. Mary‘s

21. Notre Dame

22. Texas A&M

23. Louisville

24. Marquette

25. Kansas State

RATINGS PERCENTAGE INDEX

The Ratings Percentage Index (or RPI) is designed to provide supplementary material for the selection committee to consider when selecting tournament seeding and at-large teams. While it factors in such material as record of opponents and winning percentage, it cannot include factors such as injuries, recent win/loss streaks, travel difficulties, etc.

It remains, however, a useful guide for the committee when Selection Sunday rolls around.

1. Tennessee

2. Memphis

3. Duke

4. North Carolina

5. Texas

6. Kansas

7. UCLA

8. Xavier

9. Georgetown

10. Drake

11. Vanderbilt

12. Connecticut

13. Wisconsin

14. Michigan

15. Louisville

16. Marquette

17. Arizona

18. Butler

19. Pittsburgh

20. Stanford

21. Clemson

22. Indiana

23. Washington State

24. Notre Dame

25. Dayton

For more March Madness, check out the following:

March Madness - 2007 Bodog Stats

2007 NCAA Final Four Odds

March Madness - Top 25 Rankings

Sacramento Kings Dancers - Babes of the Day

Our Babes of the Day are the jaw-dropping Sacramento Kings Dancers. These photos recently hit the Internet, and guys everywhere are no doubt masturbating themselves into a blind stupor.

Sorry for any typos. My vision isn't what it used to be.

Sacramento Kings Dancers - Babes of the Day

Bombs Explode in Myanmar Casino

If you’re checking out Dare to Gamble, then it’s reasonable to assume that you enjoy gambling. However, you probably don’t enjoy getting blown up (market research has determined that not many suicide bombers read our blog). If that’s the case, then you might want to avoid the casinos in Myanmar for the time being.

In fact, why not just stay home, register with Bodog casino, and enjoy a night of non-lethal gambling?

BOMBS EXPLODE IN MYANMAR CASINO

Early Monday at the Golden Triangle Paradise Resort Hotel in Tachilek, Myanmar, four bombs exploded. According to the state-controlled media, there were no injuries. Of course, aliens could have landed and the state-controlled media would deny it.

The blasts went off about 3 a.m. and were situated near the employees’ quarters of the hotel. According to an anonymous source, the blasts appeared to be intended to simply scare patrons and not blow their limbs in a thousand different directions. As of yet, nobody has stepped forward to claim responsibility.

TACHILEK, MYANMAR

Tachilek sits opposite the Thai city of Mae Sai. It is known as a center for heroin and meth smuggling, and it has a history of not-so-peaceful events.

Three bombs exploded last month in a railway station and a circus (who the f*ck blows up a circus?!!), killing two and injuring five others.

Most of this anti-circus behavior can be attributed to Shan rebels who oppose the military government in Myanmar. The country has been under military rule since 1962.

Things have been particularly tense since the government intervened during a peaceful, pro-democracy rally in September. Thousands of protestors were detained, and 31 somehow ended up quite dead.
Hmmm. I think I’m starting to sympathize with the Shan rebels.

On Saturday, members of the opposition contacted the Myanmar press and indicated that “destructionists” had been sent into the country by both internal and external sources. Their goal was to explode bombs and cause panic.

Mission accomplished.

For more stuff to read, why not look at the following?

Kimbo Slice vs. Tank Abbott - Full Results

Hillary Clinton Campaign Song - Bodog Odds

Bombs Explode in Myanmar Casino

Kimbo Slice Fights

After his recent fight with Tank Abbott, the legend of Kimbo Slice continues to grow and grow. From his days as a football player to working as a bodyguard for a porn company, people just can’t seem to get enough of the man also known as Kevin Ferguson.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Slice, I’ve compiled all of his fights which are available on YouTube. You may have to register with YouTube to watch some of them, but it’s free and only takes a minute.

KIMBO SLICE FIGHTS

Kimbo Slice vs. Tank Abbott - Aired on Showtime on February 16th. The video quality is less than perfect, but it’s free, so you really can’t bitch about it too much. Watch this one quickly, as it’s likely to be pulled down at any time. Abbott so needs to retire, although it’s strangely satisfying to watch him get pummeled.

Kimbo talks about his upcoming fight with Tank Abbott - Kimbo waxes philosophic on slangin’, bangin’ and how Tank Abbott made a reputation beating up old people and children. “Throw hands for the ten piece.” The English language will never be the same.

Kimbo Slice vs. Ray Mercer - Kimbo’s first fight inside a cage. His opponent is former boxer Ray Mercer, a man who many heavyweights avoided like the plague.

Kimbo Slice vs. Bo Cantrell - Don’t blink or you’ll miss this one. This was Kimbo’s second fight inside a cage, and was considered by many to be his first true MMA fight.

Kimbo Slice vs. Sean Gannon - Kimbo’s only bare-knuckle "loss", but many claim that Gannon cheated and used illegal chokes. You be the judge. Gannon got to fight in the UFC based on the popularity of this video.

Kimbo Slice vs. Adryan - Kimbo takes on a guy who looks straight out of the Aryan Nation. Short and brutal, but the quality of the video leaves a little to be desired. By the way, you’ll have to register with YouTube to see the fight, as some pussy determined that this would be unsuitable for children.

Kimbo Slice vs. Chico - Kimbo dedicated this fight to his dead friend Willie. I always knew Kimbo had a softer side (sniff).

Kimbo Slice vs. Big D - Our man Kimbo seems particularly crazed in this one, even allowing his opponent to get in some free shots. What a badass! Big D continually implores Kimbo to “just chill,” but Kevin Ferguson ain’t havin’ none of that, dawg.

Kimbo vs. Bouncer - Weighing in at 388 pounds, Bouncer knocks Kimbo down in short order. Our dawg is forced to throw in an illegal grapple, but who’s keeping track of the rules? From there, Kimbo mounts his patented backyard offense and it’s all over. I love Kimbo’s use of the phrase, “Let’s run this, dawg.” I think I may start using that one, myself.

Kimbo vs. Dreads - Kimbo wears a mouthpiece in this one. He also shows a compassionate side as he helps up his bloodied opponent. What a guy.

Kimbo Slice vs. Afropuff and Big Mac - Kimbo shows that he’s the ultimate alpha male by fighting two guys! To really top things off, one of his posse quotes a line from New Jack City. Doesn’t get much better than that.

For more tough guy antics, take a look at the following:

Kimbo Slice vs. Tank Abbott - Full Result

Heavyweight Boxing Tournament is Coming

Kimbo Slice Fights

Movie of the Week - Stay or Go?

I've been wondering whether or not I should really continue the Movie of the Week feature. I thought it might provide a nice change of pace and give our readers some choices the next time they go to the video store. Then again, this site is called Dare to Gamble, so people might just rather read about stuff pertaining to gambling.

Here's the chance to make your voice heard. Should the Movie of the Week feature stay or go? You can vote by sending us an email. What's our address? Well, take the name of our site (daretogamble) and add @gmail.com to the end of it. That'll get you where you need to be.

Voting will be open for one week. Hope to hear from you!

Movie of the Week - Stay or Go?

Monica Leigh - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe i the wide-eyed and sexy Monica Leigh. Measuring 36C-24-36, she was Playmate of the Month for March 2006 and Cyber Girl of the Year for 2006.

Monica Leigh - Babe of the Day

NBA All-Star Weekend - Full Results

Another NBA All-Star Weekend is in the books, and this was one of the most competitive series of events in recent memory. There were plenty of thrills for the fans, from the Three-Point Contest all the way to the Slam Dunk Contest. And, of course, let’s not forget about the actual All-Star Game.

Here’s a look back at how it all went down. I’ve also included the odds from Bodog, when applicable.

THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT

The Cavaliers must be doing something right, as two players drafted by the team ended up finishing first and second in the event. Of course, the eventual winner is now playing for the Raptors. That man would be none other than defending three-point champion, Jason Kapono.

When Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks (filling in for an injured Kobe Bryant) finished in third place, that left only Daniel Gibson (5/1) and Kapono (17/5). Gibson made four of the five money balls and ended up with a total score of 17. Kapono took his turn next and scored 25 points, winning the event and tying the event record set by Craig Hodges in 1986.

As an added bonus, Kapono took home $35,000 for the win, while Gibson snagged $22,500. Nowitzki also received some scratch for his troubles, picking up $15,000.

SLAM DUNK CONTEST

This year’s slam dunk contest featured a high degree of originality on the part of the contestants. A new wrinkle was also added, as the fans got to vote on the final round via text messaging.

Dwight Howard (2/1) started things off by standing on the baseline, tossing the ball off the reverse side of the backboard, catching it with both hands, then peering through the glass and dunking it home. He received perfect 10s for his effort.

Defending champ Gerald Green (13/5) countered by having a cupcake with a lit candle placed on the back of the rim. Green soared through the air, paused in mid-air to blow out the candle, and then threw down a left-handed jam.

The pair would move on to the final round, where both would show that they still had plenty of tricks up their sleeves. But while Green continued to impress (even performing a dunk without his sneakers), it was obviously Howard’s night.

He scored perfect 50s from the judges on his first two dunks in the final round, and then fans submitted their votes and made it official. Howard received 78 percent of the vote.

SKILLS CHALLENGE

Representing the Utah Jazz, Deron Williams (3/1) captured the Skills Challenge title, defeating runner-up Chris Paul (5/2) by almost six seconds in the final round.

SHOOTING STARS COMPETITION

The Shooting Stars Competition put together a current star from an NBA city, a past star from that city and a WNBA star from that city. They then played each other in 3-on-3 games. The eventual victors were the San Antonio team of Tim Duncan, David Robinson and Becky Hammon.

ALL-STAR GAME

Close throughout the first half, the West fell behind 95-79 in the third quarter. But they came roaring back to life thanks in part to Amare Stoudemire and Chris Paul. And with 6:52 left in the game, Dirk Nowitzki gave the West their first lead following a 17-2 run.

Ray Allen helped the East get their momentum back, scoring 14 of his 28 points in the last 3:14 of the game. LeBron James, meanwhile, was voted the MVP of the game after racking up 27 points, nine assist and eight rebounds. It was the second time in three years that James has captured the All-Star MVP trophy.

In the end, the Eastern All-Stars were able to hold off their spirited opponents and win the game by a score of 134-128.

For more NBA articles….

NBA All-Star Game Skills Challenge

LeBron James and NBA Finals

NBA All-Star Weekend - Full Results

Pavlik vs. Taylor II - Fight Results

On Saturday night, reigning WBC and WBO middleweight champion, Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik, once again faced off against Jermain Taylor. In their last encounter in September of 2007, Pavlik won his first world championship, and Taylor was handed his first career loss (and TKO‘d in the process). And while this bout was fought at a non-title weight of 166 pounds, there was more than enough pride on the line to keep things interesting.

While the fight was much closer this time, the bottom line was the same - another win for Kelly Pavlik (33-0, 29 KOs) and the second career loss for Jermain Taylor (27-2-1). Things were neck-and-neck until the 10th round, when Pavlik seemed to find another gear and begin to pull away. His body shots started to land, and then he rocked Taylor in the 11th round.

While the former champ was able to hang on and avoid a KO, he was not able to avoid the decision of the judges. They scored it 117-111, 115-113 and 116-112, all in favor of Pavlik.

Taylor will reportedly move up to super middleweight and compete, while Pavlik could possibly defend his titles against anyone from Felix Trinidad to John Duddy.

BODOG ODDS

As you may recall, we posted some of the various wagers that Bodog was offering on the fight. Let’s take a look at the winning bets (marked in bold print).

Who will win the Taylor/Pavlik fight?
(Super Middleweight) Kelly Pavlik (-200) vs. Jermain Taylor (+160)

Total rounds in the fight?
Over 10 ½ +165
Under 10 ½ -205

What will be the end result of the fight?
Pavlik by KO, TKO or DQ 5/6
Pavlik by decision 5/1
Taylor by KO, TKO or DQ 4/1
Taylor by decision 4/1
Draw 15/1

Will the fight go the distance?

Yes +200

No -260

Jermain Taylor vs. Kelly Pavlik II - Bodog Odds

Miguel Cotto vs. Jab Judah - Fight Preview

Pavlik vs. Taylor II - Fight Results

Kimbo Slice vs. Tank Abbott - Full Results

Saturday, February 16th, was the date for EliteXC: Street Certified and the long-awaited showdown between Kimbo Slice and Tank Abbott. Plenty of notable fighters were also on the undercard, including Yves Edwards, James Thompson and Ricco Rodriguez.

Here’s a list of all the winners. Hopefully, you decided to place some bets with Bodog . I did, and I couldn‘t be happier.

EliteXC - Preliminary Card

Moyses Gabin vs. Jirka Hlavaty - Gabin won by TKO at 2:32 of the first.

Lorenzo Borgameo vs. Mike Bernhard - Borgameo won by triangle choke submission at 4:11 of the second round.

Eric Bradley vs. Mikey Gomez - Bradley won by unanimous decision after 3 rounds.

Dave Herman vs. Mario Rinaldi - Herman won by TKO at :33 of round three.

Yosmany Cabezas vs. Jon Kirk - Cabezas won by rear naked choke at :58 of the second round.

Rafael Feijao vs. John Doyle - Feijao won by TKO at 2:17 of the first round.

Elite XC - Main Card

Yves Edwards vs. Edson Berto - Edwards won with a KO via a flying knee at 4:56 of round one.

James Thompson vs. Brett Rogers - Rogers won by TKO in the first round.

Scott Smith vs. Kyle Noke - Smith won by KO at :07 of round 2.

Antonio Silva vs. Ricco Rodriguez - Silva won by split decision.

Kimbo Slice (-450) vs. Tank Abbott (+300) - Kimbo Slice won by KO at 43 seconds of the first round.

For more MMA action, check out the following:

Kimbo Slice vs. Tank Abbott - Bodog Odds

Kimbo Slice vs. Ray Mercer - Full Results

Kimbo Slice vs. Tank Abbott - Full Results

Jermain Taylor vs. Kelly Pavlik II - Bodog Odds

Tonight, February 16th, Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik (the reigning WBC and WBO middleweight champ) and Jermain Taylor will square off for the second time in the last six months. The previous bout took place in September of 2007, and Taylor was the champion at the time.

Taylor dropped Pavlik in the second round, and the end looked to be near. But the 6’3” Pavlik survived the champ’s onslaught, and Taylor looked to be tiring by the sixth round. In the seventh round, it was all over. Kelly Pavlik was the new champion, and Taylor was left with the task of making the long climb back to the top.

“I took Pavlik for granted,” said Taylor. “I’m very focused for this fight; everything is on the line for me.”

But while Taylor has a chance to avenge his only career loss (27-1-1, 17 KOs), he won’t have a chance to regain the titles. This fight will instead be taking place at a catch weight of 166 pounds. Will the hard-hitting Pavlik (32-0, 29 KOs) be able to beat Taylor in back-to-back fights, or will the former champ regain his status as one of the best in the business?

Tune in tonight and find out.

THE UNDERCARD

The following fights will be taking place on the undercard of Taylor/Pavlik II. Odds are courtesy of Bodog.

(WBO Super Flyweight Title) Fernando Montiel (-140) vs. Martin Castillo (+110)

(WBC Super Flyweight Title) Cristian Mijares (-450) vs. Jose Navarro (+300)

ODDS FOR PAVLIK VS. TAYLOR II

Plenty of different wagers are available for this fight, including how long the fight will go, how the fight will end and even what scores the judges will have on their cards. For a list of all the available bets, be sure to visit those rascals over at Bodog.

Here’s a look at just a few of the available betting options:

Who will win the Taylor/Pavlik fight?

(Super Middleweight) Kelly Pavlik (-200) vs. Jermain Taylor (+160)

Total rounds in the fight?

Over 10 ½ +165

Under 10 ½ -205

What will be the end result of the fight?

Pavlik by KO, TKO or DQ 5/6

Pavlik by decision 5/1

Taylor by KO, TKO or DQ 4/1

Taylor by decision 4/1

Draw 15/1

Will the fight go the distance?

Yes +200

No -260

Knockdown prop bet

Taylor gets knocked down or out -125

Taylor doesn’t get knocked down or out -115

For more boxing odds, check out the following:

Jones Jr. vs. Trinidad - Full Results

Briggs vs. Ibragimov - Preview and Predictions

Jermain Taylor vs. Kelly Pavlik II - Bodog Odds

NBA All-Star Game - Skills Challenge - Bodog Odds

Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game continues to creep closer, but there’s plenty of excitement to be had on Saturday, too. Not only will the Slam Dunk and Three-Point contests be taking place, but Playstation will also be sponsoring the Skills Challenge.

By the way, I’d advise against wagering on Kobe Bryant in any events. On Thursday night, the news came down that he completely tore a ligament in his pinky finger. While he’s going to try and tough it out during the season, the doctor was quick to recommend surgery. Whether he can play at a high level with this injury remains to be seen, but he claims that he will play in the All-Star game. He will not take part in the Three-Point Shootout, however, and will be replaced with Dirk Nowitzki of the Mavericks.

PLAYSTATION SKILLS CHALLENGE

This event, geared towards ball-handlers, debuted in 2003. Participants are first required to shoot a layup. They must then dribble between three obstacles while sticking to the usual ball-handling rules. The player next makes two passes into a net. The first pass must not touch the ground, while the second is required to do so.

After this is completed, each player must make a jumpshot from 20 feet. Then, they are asked to complete an outlet pass into a third net. And finally, the player dribbles between three more obstacles and ends his turn with a layup.

Four players will be competing in the event, and the two with the fastest times will advance to the final round for a head-to-head showdown.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

Now let’s take a look at the previous winners and their times.

2003 - Jason Kidd - Nets (35.1 seconds)

2004 - Baron Davis - Hornets (31.6 seconds)

2005 - Steve Nash - Suns (25.8 seconds)

2006 - Dwyane Wade - Heat (26.1 seconds)

2007 - Dwyane Wade - Heat (26.4 seconds)

BODOG ODDS

Bodog is offering odds on all the events surrounding the All-Star Game, including the Skills Challenge. All players must compete in order for there to be action, and the maximum bet is $300.

Chris Paul 5/2

Deron Williams 3/1

Dwyane Wade 9/5

Jason Kidd 14/5

For more sporting odds, all you have to do is look below:

NBA All-Star Game - Bodog Odds

NBA MVP Proposition Bets

NBA All-Star Game - Skills Challenge - Bodog Odds

Daytona 500 - NASCAR - Bodog Odds

This Sunday, February 17th, will mark the 50th running of the Daytona 500. And NASCAR fans couldn’t be more excited, as this officially marks the beginning of the racing season. Not only is the Daytona 500 regarded by many as the most important race of the season, but it also carries the biggest purse of the year.

Expect ratings to be through the roof, as the number of viewers for the 200-lap event has surpassed all other races since 1995.

PREVIOUS DAYTONA 500 WINNERS

To get a little historical perspective, let’s take a look back at the winners over the last decade. I’ve also included the type of car driven by the winners.

1998 - Dale Earnhardt (Chevy)

1999 - Jeff Gordon (Chevy)

2000 - Dale Jarrett (Ford)

2001 - Michael Waltrip (Chevy)

2002 - Ward Burton (Dodge)

2003 - Michael Waltrip (Chevy)

2004 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Chevy)

2005 - Jeff Gordon (Chevy)

2006 - Jimmie Johnson (Chevy)

2007 - Kevin Harvick (Chevy)

You can’t get much more dominant than Chevrolet, as their cars have won 8 of the last 10 races. Wow! I’m surprised that Tony Stewart hasn’t gotten into a fight with the CEO of Chevy.

JOE GIBBS RACING VS. HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS

Six of the first ten starting spots will be filled with drivers from either Joe Gibbs Racing or Hendrick Motorsports. We’re talking racers such as Denny Hamlin (winner of the second qualifier), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (winner of the first qualifier), Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Casey Mears.

The Gibbs team left General Motors this season and switched to Toyota, tired of always being in the shadow of Hendrick (whose racers won 18 of 36 races in 2007). Now they get their chance to show who’s really better. With his retirement from coaching the Redskins, it’ll be interesting to see if owner Joe Gibbs has a greater role in things.

And also keep an eye on Dale Jarrett. The three-time Daytona winner will be retiring next month, so this will be the final 500 of his career. No doubt, a lot of people will be rooting for him to go out on top.

DAYTONA 500 - BODOG ODDS

So who’s gonna win this grueling test of skill and endurance? Well, Bodog is more than happy to provide odds for your consideration. Just take a look below. If you find a racer you really like, why not set up an account with Bodog and place a wager? The maximum bet is $600.

Bobby Labonte 80/1

Casey Mears 25/1

Dale Earnhardt Jr. 4/1

Denny Hamlin 10/1

Jacques Villeneuve 200/1

Jeff Burton 35/1

Jeff Gordon 5/1

Jimmie Johnson 5/1

Kasey Kahne 30/1

Kevin Harvick 25/1

Kurt Busch 12/1

Kyle Busch 10/1

Mark Martin 25/1

Martin Treux Jr. 17/1

Matt Kenseth 15/1

Reed Sorenson 90/1

Ryan Newman 35/1

Sam Hornish Jr. 200/1

Tony Stewart 5/1

For more odds, be sure and take a gander at the following:

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon

March Madness - Bodog Stats

Daytona 500 - NASCAR - Bodog Odds

Chaundra - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe is the sexy (and busty) Chaundra. An exotic name for a very exotic lady.

Chaundra - Babe of the Day

NBA All-Star Game - Bodog Odds

On Saturday, February 17th, the 57th NBA All-Star Game will take place at the New Orleans Arena. The game will be shown on TNT and broadcast to homes in more than 200 countries. This will be the first time an All-Star game has been held in New Orleans.

I can’t wait to see how many players get into trouble or end up being arrested on Bourbon Street. You just know that Commissioner Stern is keeping his fingers crossed, as the potential for a PR nightmare is almost tangible.

Besides the game itself, two of the biggest attractions during the All-Star weekend are the Slam Dunk Contest and Three-Point Shootout (both of which take place on Saturday the 16th). They’re popular because they draw some of the biggest names in the game, but they also don’t drag out for 2 ½ hours. You can sit down, watch them, and be done in just a few minutes.

If you’re a regular reader here at Dare to Gamble, then it should come as no surprise to find that Bodog is offering wagers on these upcoming events. Let’s take a look.

THE SLAM DUNK CONTEST

Nothing is cooler than watching NBA players soar through the air and perform a slam dunk. Legions of fans must agree, as the Slam Dunk contest seems to have become one of the most popular events during the All-Star festivities. Just for the fun of it, let’s look at the winners from the last decade.

1998 - No competition held.

1999 - Shortened season due to lockout.

2000 - Vince Carter

2001 - Desmond Mason

2002 - Jason Richardson

2003 - Jason Richardson

2004 - Fred Jones

2005 - Josh Smith

2006 - Nate Robinson

2007 -Gerald Green

And here are the odds for the 2008 Slam Dunk Contest. The maximum bet is $300, and the player must make at least 1 dunk attempt.

Dwight Howard 2/1

Gerald Green (defending champ) 13/5

Jamario Moon 29/10

Rudy Gay 3/1

THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT

Equally exciting is the Three-Point Shootout. I can still remember guys like Larry Bird and Craig Hodges draining shots from downtown while the crowd went wild. Talk about an exhibition of shooting prowess! Let’s see how things have shaped up over the last decade.

1998 - Jeff Hornacek

1999 - No All-Star Game due to lockout.

2000 - Jeff Hornacek

2001 - Ray Allen

2002 - Peja Stojakovic

2003 - Peja Stojakovic

2004 - Voshon Lenard

2005 - Quentin Richardon

2006 - Dirk Nowitzki

2007 - Jason Kapono

And now for the 2008 odds. All players have action, and the maximum bet is $300.

Daniel Gibson 5/1

Jason Kapono (defending champ) 17/5

Kobe Bryant 14/5

Peja Stojakovic 2/1

Richard Hamilton 5/1

Steve Nash 3/1

For more NBA odds, check out the following:

NBA MVP Prop Bets

NBA Playoffs Prop Bets

NBA All-Star Game - Bodog Odds

March Madness - Bodog Stats from 2007

Now that the Super Bowl is over, it’s time to move on to the next great betting opportunity. Of course, I’m talking about the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness. Beginning on March 18th, 65 of the best college basketball teams in the nation will gather to compete in a single-elimination tournament.

From there, the field will be reduced to the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight and Final Four. The championship game will take place on April 7th at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

March Madness is second only to the Super Bowl when it comes to the amount of wagering that takes place. Just look at any office building in the United States around March, and you’re bound to find some brackets hanging up for the local pool.

2007 BETTING RESULTS

Our friends at Bodog were nice enough to recently release a whole mess of tips and tactics for wagering on the upcoming tournament. You can check out the bulk of the articles here, but I especially wanted to look at some key betting results from the 2007 tournament. Hopefully, this may give you an idea of what 2008 has in store.

Favored Teams Against the Spread

Favorites against the spread (the closing line) had a combined record of 32-27-3.

Round 1 favorites were 21-10-1.

Round 2 favorites were 5-9-2.

Sweet Sixteen favorites were 3-5.

Elite Eight favorites were 2-2.

Final Four favorites were 1-1.

Favored Teams Straight-Up

Favorite teams straight-up had a combined record of 49-13.

Round 1 favorites were 27-5.

Round 2 favorites were 12-4.

Sweet Sixteen favorites were 7-1.

Elite Eight favorites were 2-2.

Final Four favorites were 1-1.

Games Where the Bookies Made a Killing

Miami Ohio covering +9.5 against Oregon (Round 1)

Virginia Commonwealth upset -6.5 favorite Duke (Round 1)

USC +3 over Texas (Round 2)

North Carolina -8 over USC (Sweet 16)

UCLA +2.5 over Kansas (Elite 8)

UCLA (+2.5) over LSU (Final 4)

Games Where the Bettors Made a Killing

Texas covers -8 against New Mexico (Round 1)

Pittsburgh covered -11 against Wright State (Round 1)

Oregon -3 over Winthrop (Round 2)

UCLA -4 over Pittsburgh (Sweet 16)

Ohio State -3 over Memphis (Elite 8)

Florida -3.5 over UCLA (Final 4)

Of course, each season is different, so be sure to keep that in mind. For example, I doubt Duke will be getting knocked out in the first round this year (although we can only hope).

For March Madness articles from last year, be sure to check out the links below:

NCAA Final Four Odds

NCAA Basketball Championship

March Madness - Bodog Stats from 2007

Cassandra Lynn - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe is Cassandra Lynn, the Playmate of the Month for February 2006. She's a real knockout with measurements of 32DD-24-34.

Cassandra Lynn - Babe of the Day

Britney Spears - Bodog Odds

News flash! Britney Spears has went completely nuts. Okay, I guess that’s really not breaking news, is it?

Seem like every time I get on the computer, I’m assaulted by a new wave of bizarre stories. And they just keep on pouring in.

- Britney shaves her head at a tattoo parlor.

- Britney loses custody of her kids.

- Britney hangs out with Paris Hilton and photographers get pictures of her vagina.

- Britney checks in and out of rehab for the 50th time.

- Britney starts dating a paparazzi (if you can’t beat ‘em, screw ‘em)

- Britney’s father is given control of her finances.

- Britney’s starts speaking with a British accent.

- Britney wields an umbrella and attacks photographers.

- Britney and her manager get into a screaming match.

- Britney bombs at the MTV Music Awards.

And the list just goes on and on. She’s starting to make Amy Winehouse look stable by comparison, and that’s really saying something.

I even read where photo agencies are accusing one another of hiring members of the Crips and Bloods to infiltrate groups of paparazzi and disrupt the competition. Now how in the hell did gang members get drug into this? Let’s just pray that Britney doesn’t start participating in drive-bys.

But I digress.

BRITNEY SPEARS - BODOG ODDS

Bodog has three new prop bets based on the latest drama surrounding Brit-Brit. Each bet has a maximum wager of $50. Enjoy.

Will Britney Spears visit or move to Louisiana by March 31st, 2008?

While she was born in Mississippi, Britney grew up in the town of Kentwood, Louisiana. Raised as a Southern Baptist, most of her family is still located there.

Yes +110

No -150

Will Britney publicly announce in 2008 that she is pregnant with Adnan Ghalib’s baby?

Who the hell is Adnan Ghalib? Why, he’s one of the paparazzi who follows Britney around. According to reports, he’s often acted as a “white knight” and tried to make sure that other photographers have treated her with respect. I guess it paid off, as the two started dating in December of 2007. Man, what a great deal! She may be nuts, but Spears is still smoking hot in my book.

Rumors recently started circulating that Spears was pregnant with his child, but he denied these claims. He did add, however, that Spears was “hoping” she was pregnant.

How many freakin’ kids is she gonna have, anyway?!

Yes +225

No -350

Will Britney or a member of her family file a lawsuit against Osama “Sam” Lutfi by March 31st, 2008?

Sam Lutfi is Britney’s manager. In recent weeks, her parents have filed to have a restraining oder issued against him. They allege that he has drugged Spears, cut her home phone lines and removed her cell phone chargers. And it just so happens that three other people have filed for restraining orders against Lutfi in the past. Hmmmmm.

Yes +170

No -250

For more celebrity prop bets, check these out:

Paris Hilton Interview with Larry King - Bodog Odds

David Hasselhoff to Rehab - Bodog Odds

Britney Spears - Bodog Odds

Academy Awards - Bodog Odds

On February 24th, 2008, the 80th annual Academy Awards will take place at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California. Honoring the greatest achievements in the movie industry, the show will be hosted for the second time by television funnyman Jon Stewart.

Of course, with the writer’s strike grinding on, there’s been some concern that the event might not take place at all (like the Golden Globes). Luckily, an interim agreement to end the strike was reached on February 9th, so it looks like the event should air as scheduled. I imagine a lot of clothing designers are breathing a collective sigh of relief.

OSCAR NOMINATIONS

While plenty of deserving films have been nominated for this year’s show, there are always a few that stand out from the pack. This year’s most nominated films include:

No Country for Old Men - 8 nominations

There Will Be Blood - 8 nominations

Atonement - 7 nominations

Michael Clayton - 7 nominations

Ratatouille - 5 nominations

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - 4 nominations

Juno - 4 nominations

THE OSCARS - BODOG ODDS

Of course, not everyone cares about the fashions on the red carpet or what film will win Best Editing. If you fall into this category, you might consider wagering on the outcomes to make things a little more interesting. Surprise, surprise! Bodog has you covered when it comes to odds for Academy Awards winners.

Let’s take a look.

Best Picture

It seems like most experts are picking No Country for Old Men, but keep in mind that Atonement won at the Golden Globes. Juno doesn’t have a chance in hell in this category, but I imagine it will snag a lesser award to give it some recognition.

Atonement 10/1

Juno 15/1

Michael Clayton 8/1

No Country for Old Men 2/5

There Will Be Blood 10/3

Best Director

The Golden Globes award for Best Director went to Julian Schnabel for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. While winners of the Golden Globe in this category have often went on to take the Oscar, I find it hard to believe that the Coen Brothers won’t walk away with this prize. They’ve had a long and prolific career, and they’ve only got a Best Screenplay (Fargo) award to show for it. It’s time for them to get a little recognition from the Academy.

Paul Thomas Anderson for There Will Be Blood 7/2

Joel and Ethan Coen for No Country for Old Men 2/7

Tony Gilroy for Michael Clayton 25/1

Jason Reitman for Juno 25/1

Julian Schnabel for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly 6/1

Best Actor

There’s no doubt that Daniel Day-Lewis will be winning this one. He’s already won the BAFTA award, Screen Actor’s Guild Award, Critic’s Choice Award and the Golden Globe for his role in There Will Be Blood.

An interesting fact about Day-Lewis: He took five years off from acting, became fascinated with shoe making, and served an apprenticeship as a shoemaker in Italy. It is rumored that he received free room and board in exchange for giving his teacher acting lessons.

George Clooney for Michael Clayton 8/1

Daniel Day-Lewis for There Will Be Blood 1/10

Johnny Depp for Sweeney Todd 8/1

Tommy Lee Jones for In the Valley of Elah 25/1

Viggo Mortensen for Eastern Promises 25/1

Best Actress

Julie Christie looks to be the favorite for her role in Away From Her. She’s gotten rave reviews from the critics, and she’s already won Best Actress awards from the National Board of Review, Golden Globes, Screen Actor’s Guild and the Genie Awards. This is Christie’s fourth Best Actress Oscar nomination (she won for Darling in 1965).

Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth: The Golden Age 25/1

Julie Christie in Away From Her 2/7

Marion Cotillard in La vie en Rose 15/4

Laura Linney in Savages 25/1

Ellen Page in Juno 6/1

Best Supporting Actor

The frontrunner in this category is Javier Bardem for his portrayal as a hired killer in No Country for Old Men. He’s already snagged the Golden Globe, Screen Actor’s Guild award, Critic’s Choice award and BAFTA award for his role as Anton Chigurh. Still, Casey Affleck has also gotten lots of positive buzz for playing Robert Ford in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

Casey Affleck for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford 9/1

Javier Bardem for No Country for Old Men 1/10

Philip Seymour Hoffman for Charlie Wilson’s War 16/1

Hal Holbrook for Into the Wild 12/1

Tom Wilkinson for Michael Clayton 14/1

Best Supporting Actress

This race may be a little tighter, but Cate Blanchett is the sensible choice. After all, she also received a nomination this year in the Best Actress category. She won the Golden Globe in this category for her portrayal of Bob Dylan in I’m Not There. Strangely, she looked more like Dylan than any of the men who portrayed him.

Cate Blanchett for I’m Not There 13/10

Ruby Dee for American Gangster 7/4

Saoirse Ronan for Atonement 20/1

Amy Ryan for Gone Baby Gone 9/4

Tilda Swinton for Michael Clayton 20/1

For more articles from the world of television and film, check out the following:

59th Annual Emmy Awards - Bodog Odds

The Rundown - Movie of the Week

Academy Awards - Bodog Odds

Amber - Babe of the Day

I like boobs, so I'm naturally all ga-ga over today's Babe, Amber. I think I'll just shut up now and let you admire the view.

Amber - Babe of the Day

National Heads-Up Poker - Bodog Odds

On February 29th through March 2nd, the National Heads-Up Poker Championship will take place at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. 64 of the best poker players in the world will be competing to determine the best head-to-head player in the world. The matches will later air in NBC and be hosted by Gabe Kaplan and Matt Vasgersian.

HOW THE HEADS-UP CHAMPIONSHIP WORKS

The tournament is a single elimination format and works much like a college basketball bracket. If you win, you advance to the next round. Lose, and you’re out of the tournament. A player needs to win six heads-up matches to become the new champion.

The night before the tournament begins, the first round matches are seeded at random. Players are split into four brackets - Spade, Hearts, Diamonds and Clubs. Semifinals are comprised of one winner from each bracket. The finals match is a best-of-three to determine the champion.

PAST WINNERS

In 2005, Phil Hellmuth Jr. defeated Chris Ferguson 2-1 to become the first champion. He received $500,000 and Ferguson picked up $250,000 for the second place finish.

In 2006, Ted Forrest defeated Chris Ferguson by a score of 2-1.

In 2007, Paul Wasicka defeated Chad Brown by a score of 2-0.

NATIONAL HEADS-UP POKER CHAMPIONSHIP - BODOG ODDS

As always, Bodog has you covered for all your betting needs. Here are the latest odds for the upcoming poker showdown:

Who will win the 2008 National Heads-Up Poker Championship which runs from February 29th through March 2nd?

Phil Ivey 28/1

Daniel Negreanu 28/1

Todd Brunson 35/1

Freddy Deeb 35/1

Chris Ferguson 35/1

Barry Greenstein 35/1

Gus Hansen 35/1

Phil Hellmuth 35/1

Doyle Brunson 35/1

Jennifer Harman 45/1

Erik Seidel 40/1

Joe Hachem 55/1

Howard Lederer 55/1

Mike Matusow 55/1

Greg Raymer 55/1

Antonio Esfandiari 65/1

Jamie Gold 65/1

Phil Laak 65/1

Gabe Kaplan 65/1

Johnny Chan 35/1

Annie Duke 65/1

Huck Seed 50/1

T.J. Cloutier 50/1

Jennifer Tilly 80/1

Clonie Gowen 80/1

Jason Alexander 80/1

Don Cheadle 100/1

Shannon Elizabeth 100/1

Brad Garrett 100/1

Will the winner be male or female?

Male -1200

Female +600

Will the winner be a former WSOP Main Event champion?

Yes +400

No -700

For more poker articles, check out the following:

National Heads-Up Poker to Air on NBC

Phil Hellmuth Makes History Again!

National Heads-Up Poker - Bodog Odds

Athena Lundberg - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe is Athena Lundberg. You can catch her in the pages of Playboy, where she was Playmate of the Month for January 2006.

Athena Lundberg - Babe of the Day

Cowboy Bebop - Movie of the Week

First off, let me be clear about one thing - I’m recommending the television series for Cowboy Bebop and not the movie. While the movie version isn’t bad, it’s nowhere near as good as the original series.

So now you may be asking, “What the hell is Cowboy Bebop?” Well, it’s a Japanese anime (animated) series which debuted on television in 1998. Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, it was popular enough to be brought to America and shown on the Cartoon Network’s fledgling Adult Swim program. The show proved as popular in the U.S. as in Japan, and a movie was later made to appease fans.

Now I know a lot of you might not be likely to commit to an entire 26-episode series, but you owe it to yourself to at least take a look at the first disc in the series. If nothing else, hop on over to YouTube and watch some of it.

COWBOY BEBOP - CAST AND PLOT

Throughout the show, we follow the adventures of the crew of the spaceship Bebop. They’re bounty hunters (also known as “Cowboys”) in the year 2071, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more distinct group of characters. The five main characters are:

Spike Spiegel - A former criminal, Spike is the resident hotshot of the group. Skilled in martial arts, he also knows a thing or two about piloting ships. An all-around badass, Spike is haunted by his past, especially an old flame named Julia and his former underworld colleague, Vicious.

Jet Black - Jet owns the Bebop, and he’s partners with Spike. In his mid-thirties, Jet is a former cop with a cybernetic arm (lost in the line of duty). He’s much more calm and reasonable than Spike, but he has demons of his own to contend with.

Faye Valentine - This sexy gal is nothing but trouble! Faye is an amnesiac who awoke from a 54-year cryogenic sleep and got tricked into assuming the debts of the man who woke her. Now she blows most of her money at casinos or the racetracks, but she always gets more by using her good looks (and a gun) to bring in the bad guys.

Edward - Ed is a 13-year-old girl who also happens to be a master hacker. When’s she’s not causing havoc on the web, she spends most of her time sleeping or eating. An odd character, but one of my favorites.

Ein - A Welsh Corgie, there’s a lot more to Ein than meets the eye.

Spike and Jet are around from the beginning, but it takes a while before the entire crew comes together. Still, it’s well worth the wait, as they fight the Syndicate (criminal underworld), telekinetic assassins, thieves, murderers and all manner of outer-space craziness. And that‘s in-between tracking down bounty heads (their name for bail jumpers)

POSITIVES

1. The Music - Music, especially jazz, plays a big part in the series. For a taste of what I’m taking about, click the link to see the Cowboy Bebop theme. If that doesn’t strike you as cool, then you probably shouldn’t bother watching the show.

2. The Characters - All the characters are unique and have their own background stories. Each one evolves as the series progresses, and you’ll find yourself really coming to care about this dysfunctional little family.

3. The Tone - While a lot of the episodes deal with matters of a serious nature, there’s also plenty of humor to be had. Frankly, there’s something for everybody when it comes to Cowboy Bebop. A word of warning, however - this show is aimed at adults, so young kids might not be as enthusiastic about it.

4. The Art - The animation for the series is top-notch. What else can I say? Granted, it’s not Akira, but it’s still pretty damned good and gives the world of the story its own unique look.

NEGATIVES

1. If you’re an impatient sort, then Bebop may not be for you. It takes six or seven episodes to get all the crew together, and many episodes move at a slower pace. This wasn’t a problem for me, but don’t say that I didn’t warn you.

2. I love anime, so I’m pretty used to the Japanese style of doing things. If you’re not, then you might have a hard time adjusting. Things aren’t always laid out as nice and neat as they are in American movies, and endings can tend to be ambiguous or just downright depressing. Once again, you have been warned.

3. Really, the only negative for me was that the show had to end. I wish they were still cranking out episodes!

SUMMARY

If you’re looking for something different, then you might consider giving this show a try. The writing and characterizations are strong, and the music will leave you tapping your foot. A really fun show, but one that also has a very sophisticated side. I just can’t believe that it took me almost a decade before I caught on to the brilliance that is Cowboy Bebop.

For more Movies of the Week, check out the following:

The Rundown

Cloverfield

Cowboy Bebop - Movie of the Week

British Casinos Are Back!

Six months ago, newly-elected Prime Minister Gordon Brown effectively killed plans to bring Vegas-style gambling to Britain. The original intention was to construct eight large, eight small and one massive casino in locations across the country.

Those in favor of the casinos were looking forward to the increased revenue for their cities. Manchester was especially excited, as they had been chosen to host the super casino.

Those opposed, mostly charities and church groups, cited a potential rise in crime but also opposed the move on moral grounds. Other residents were against the casinos due to increased crowds and traffic.

JUST AN OLD SOFTIE

Now, for whatever reason, it seems that Brown has had a change of heart. According to a letter sent to the Welsh and Scottish governments, the 16 large and small casinos will proceed, while the supercasino will remain shelved.

While recipients of the 16 casinos are happy to hear the news, Manchester is understandably pissed. They’ve even went on record as calling the whole thing a political stunt.

CASINO LOCATIONS

The smaller casinos (up to 10,764 square feet) will be located in Bath and North East Somerset, Dumfries and Galloway, Scarborough, Wolverhampton, Swansea, Luton, Torbay and East Lindsey and Lincs.

Larger casinos (measuring up to 53,820 square feet) will be placed in Leeds, Southampton, Great Yarmouth, Middlesbrough, Solihull, Milton Kenyes and Newham, Hull and London.

But don’ worry if you can’t make it out to these casinos in person. Bodog has an excellent online casino, and you never even have to leave your house to play!

For more gambling articles, check out the following:

Gambling News - Weekly Odds and Ends

Australian Open Finals - Babes and Bodog

British Casinos Are Back!

Aishia - Babe of the Day

I don't know much about today's Babe. Her name is Aishia, and she's fine as hell. That's about it, folks.

Oh, and it would appear that she enjoys chewing on her finger.

Aishia - Babe of the Day

Kimbo Slice vs.Tank Abbott - Bodog Odds

At the Elite XC event entitled EliteXC: Street Certified, Tank Abbott and Kimbo Slice (aka Kevin Ferguson) will finally have their long-awaited fight. There are also a number of other good matches on the card, and it all takes place on February 16th, 2008 at the BankUnited Arena in Miami, Florida. You can also catch the fight on Showtime, as they will be airing it at 10pm EST.

ELITE XC: STREET CERTIFIED - FULL CARD

(Lightweight) Yves Edwards vs. Edson Berto

(Heavyweight) James Thompson vs. Brett Rogers

(Middleweight) Scott Smith vs. Kyle Noke

(Heavyweight) Antonio Silva vs. Ricco Rodriguez

(Heavyweight) Kimbo Slice vs. Tank Abbott

KIMBO SLICE VS. TANK ABBOTT

This fight was originally supposed to take place back in October of 2007 at Cage Fury Fighting Championships, but it ended up being cancelled at the last minute due to a dispute within the promotion. Now that EliteXC has the reigns, let’s hope this battle finally comes off.

Kimbo Slice

Slice stands 6’2” and weighs in at 250 pounds. He is currently 2-0 in MMA, with wins over Ray Mercer (guillotine choke) and Bo Cantrell (submission from strikes). He trains with former champion Bas Rutten.

Slice got noticed when his fights started cropping up on the Internet, and he wisely capitalized on that by moving into the world of MMA. His first two fights were simple affairs, but Abbott will present him with his first real test.

Tank Abbott

Abbott has a MMA record of 10-13, with wins over Steve Jennum, Paul Varelans and Cabbage Correira. He’s lost to the likes of Paul Buentello, Frank Mir, Pedro Rizzo, Vitor Belfort and Don Frye. It’s obvious to anyone that his best days are behind him, as Tank has lost 7 of his last 10 fights.

Still, power is the last thing to go, and Abbott will be throwing bombs from the opening bell. If Kimbo doesn’t take him to the ground, a big right hand could turn out the lights.

Prediction

Tank has a puncher’s chance, but Kimbo should walk away with a KO win. Training with Bas Rutten will really help, and Kimbo may get a chance to demonstrate a few rudimentary submission skills. Tank’s cardio has never been great, so expect this one to end in the first round.

Still, with the odds he‘s getting, it might not hurt to throw a few bills down on the hard-hitting Abbott.

TANK ABBOTT VS. KIMBO SLICE - BODOG ODDS

Here are the latest odds according to our pals at Bodog. Remember, the maximum bet for this fight is $500.

Kimbo Slice -450 vs. Tank Abbott +300

For more MMA articles, check out the following:

UFC 81 - Full Results

UFC 74 - Updated Odds

Kimbo Slice vs.Tank Abbott - Bodog Odds

Gigi Edgley - Babe of the Day

Today's Babe, Gigi Edgley, is best known for her role as Chiana on the Sci-Fi series Farscape. With the demise of the show, this Australian cutie is branching out into movies and music. You can hear some of her songs on her MySpace page.

Gigi's MySpace Page

Gigi Edgley - Babe of the Day

Super Bowl XLII Betting Results

Super Bowl XLII is in the books, as the New York Giants stunned the sport’s world by defeating the previously unbeaten New England Patriots with a score of 17 to 14. Now that all the bets have been settled, let’s take a look back at some of the Super Bowl prop bets offered by Bodog and their eventual outcomes.

SUPER BOWL BETS

More pass completions - Manning or Brady?

Tom Brady -5 ½ (-115)

More touchdowns - Manning or Brady?

Eli Manning +1 ½ (-200)

Most passing yards - Manning or Brady?

Tom Brady -65 ½ (-135)

Who will reach 100 yards passing first - Manning or Brady?

Tom Brady -260

Who will be MVP of Super Bowl of XLII?

Eli Manning 7/2

Who will win Super Bowl XLII?

Giants +11 ½

Eli Manning’s first pass was a…

Completion 1/ 2

Bradon Jacobs’ total rushing yards were…

Under 65 ½ -115

Will Plaxico Burress score a touchdown?

Yes +125

Which will happen first for Tom Brady?

Throw a touchdown -350

Total touchdowns for Tom Brady?

One touchdown 7/1

Randy Moss’ longest reception will be…

Under 35 ½ yards -110

The player to score the last touchdown will have…

An odd number jersey -300

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

Over 1 minute 42 seconds -115

What song will Tom Petty sing to end the halftime show?

Free Fallin’ 2/3

DARE TO PREDICT

Well, I went with the Pats at +11 ½, so it looks like I ended my season with a loss. For those of you keeping score, my overall record picking against the line this year was 115-103-13. Could have been better, but it could have been a helluva lot worse, too. At least I beat some of the “experts” out there.

Now it’s time to start looking forward to next season.

For more NFL odds, see the following:

Super Bowl XLII MVP - Bodog Odds

Super Bowl XLII - Bodog Odds and Predictions

Super Bowl XLII Betting Results

Aisa - Babe of the Day

I don't much about today's Babe. I do know her name is Aisa, and she needs to stop covering up her breasts. What the hell is she thinking?

Aisa - Babe of the Day

UFC 81 - Full Results

On Saturday night, the UFC held their latest pay-per-view event. Entitled UFC 81: Breaking Point, it all went down at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

There were plenty of celebrities on hand, include sports stars like Barry Bonds (who got booed by the crowd). Pro wrestlers were also out in force to support Lesnar and pimp their own companies. They included The Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle and JBL.

Here’s a complete rundown of what happened, with Bodog odds included.

UFC 81 - FULL RESULTS

(Light Heavyweight) David Heath -270 vs. Tim Boetsch +210 - Boetsch won by TKO at 4:52 of the first round.

(Welterweights) Keita Nakamura -265 vs. Rob Emerson +205 - Emerson won by split decision. The scores were 30-27, 28-29 and 30-27.

(Middleweights) Terry Martin -220 vs. Marvin Eastman +180 - Eastman won by unanimous decision.

(Welterweights) Chris Lytle -600 vs. Kyle Bradley +400 - Lytle wins by TKO at 33 seconds of the first round. This was chosen by the UFC as their “KO of the Night.”

(Middleweights) Ricardo Almeida -130 vs. Alan Belcher EVEN - Almeida won with a guillotine choke at 1:08 of the first round.

(Lightweights) Tyson Griffin -450 vs. Gleison Tibau +300 - Griffin won by unanimous decision.

(Middleweights) Nate Marquardt -225 vs. Jeremy Horn +185 - Marquardt won with a guillotine choke at 1:37 of the second round.

(Heavyweights) Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira -180 vs. Tim Sylvia +150 - Nogueira won by guillotine choke at 1:28 of the third round. The UFC chose this as their “Fight of the Night.”

(Heavyweights) Brock Lesnar -140 vs. Frank Mir +110 - Mir won with a kneebar submission at 1:30 of round one. This was chosen by the UFC as their “Submission of the Night.”

UPSETS AND UNDERDOGS

For those of you keeping track, let’s see how the underdogs fared on Saturday night. The first three matches on the card were upsets, as Boetsch (+210), Emerson (+205) and Eastman (+180) all pulled out wins.

However, the only other upset of the night was Frank Mir winning at +110. Over a month ago, he was getting over +200, but is was bet down in the days leading up to the fight.

Still, I guess 4 underdogs out of 9 is actually pretty good.

For more on the world of MMA, check out the following:



UFC 80 - Full Results

UFC 81 - Full Results

Eli Manning vs. Tom Brady - Bodog Odds

Super Bowl XLII is just two days away, and sports fans around the world are looking forward to the New England Patriots vs. the New York Giants. But what about Tom Brady vs. Eli Manning?

MANNING VS. BRADY - BODOG ODDS

Both men have something to prove on Sunday. Brady will try to complete a perfect season and stop those old codgers from the Dolphins from popping a cork, and Manning will be trying to step out of the shadow of his older brother, Peyton.

Whatever happens, it’s one of the most compelling Super Bowl showdowns to come along in a while. Why not get in on the action by placing a few wagers over at Bodog? They got literally hundreds of available wagers for the Super Bowl, many of which feature Manning vs. Brady.

Here are just a few:

Eli Manning or Tom Brady - Who will have more pass completions?

Eli Manning +5 ½ (-115)

Tom Brady -5 ½ (-115)

Eli Manning or Tom Brady - Who will throw more touchdowns?

Eli Manning +1 ½ (-200)

Tom Brady -1 ½ (+160)

Eli Manning or Tom Brady - Who will have more passing yards?

Eli Manning +65 ½ (+105)

Tom Brady -65 ½ (-135)

Eli Manning or Tom Brady - Who will be the first to reach 100 or more yards passing?

Eli Manning +200

Tom Brady -260

For more Super Bowl XLII odds, check out the following:

Super Bowl XLII Music- Bodog Odds

Super Bowl XLII - Bodog Odds and Predictions

Eli Manning vs. Tom Brady - Bodog Odds

Jewel Staite - Babe of the Day

Somebody obviously altered this picture of Canadian hottie Jewel Staite, but it showed off her rockin' body s well that I just had to feature it. She's best known for her role of Kaylee Frye on the short-lived show Firefly and its movie, Serenity. You can now catch her on Stargate Atlantis.

Jewel Staite - Babe of the Day