Dare to Gamble

NFL Odds for Conference Championships from Bodog

2009-01-15T15:18:00.000-06:00

This Sunday, the NFL conference champions will be decided. Surprisingly, the NFC will be represented in the Super Bowl by either the Arizona Cardinals or the Philadelphia Eagles. I don’t think many people could have predicted that one. In the AFC, the Steelers will host the Ravens in what’s sure to be the very definition of smash-mouth football.

Last week, I went 2-2 on my picks. I liked the Cardinals at +10, but I was really surprised that they trounced the Panthers as bad as they did. The Titans and Giants both losing threw me for a loop, as at least one of the #1 seeds usually makes it to the conference title round. It just goes to show that anything can and will happen in the NFL.

By the way, my season record picking against Bodog’s line is now 100-89-4. Let’s see if we can boost it just a bit:

BODOG ODDS FOR NFL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

As you’ve come to expect, my picks are in bold print:

Philadelphia Eagles - 4 ½ @ Arizona Cardinals +4 ½ (the over/under is 47 points)

Baltimore Ravens +6 @ Pittsburgh Steelers -6 (the over/under is 34 points)

NFL PROP BETS FROM BODOG

In addition to offering odds for each game, Bodog is also featuring a ton of prop bets for the die-hard bettors out there. Here are just a few examples, but be sure to check out Bodog’s online sports book for many, many more.

Which team will record the most sacks in the Conference Championships?

Cardinals 7/2

Ravens 5/4

Eagles 2/1

Steelers 8/5

Who will have the most passing yards in the Conference Championships?

Kurt Warner 11/10

Donovan McNabb 11/10

Ben Roethlisberger 5/2

Joe Flacco 9/2

Who will have the most rushing yards in the Conference Championships?

Brian Westbrook 33/20

Willie Parker 8/5

Le’Ron McClain 5/2

Edgerrin James 4/1

Willis McGahee 5/1

Tim Hightower 7/1

For more NFL betting articles, check out the following:

NFL Betting Lines and NFL Prop Bets

NFL Wildcard Weekend - Bodog Odds

UFC 93 - Betting Odds from Bodog

2009-01-13T13:10:00.001-06:00

UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson will take place on January 17th at The O2 in Dublin, Ireland. This will mark the first UFC event to be held in Dublin, and it’s also the first UFC event of the new year.

In the main event, former middleweight champ Rich “Ace” Franklin will move up to light heavyweight to challenge former PRIDE champ, Dan “Hondo” Henderson. According to reports, the winner of this match will be paired against Michael Bisping as coaches for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter.

In the co-main event, light heavyweight Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will return to the octagon after a shocking loss to Forrest Griffin. He’ll take on Mark “The Hammer” Coleman, a former UFC heavyweight champion and member of the UFC Hall of Fame. There‘s some bad blood between these two, but we‘ll discuss that later in the article.

UFC 93 - FULL CARD AND BODOG ODDS

Below is the full card for UFC 93. I’ve also included the current betting odds from Bodog, just in case you want to wager a little cash on your favorite MMA superstar. Check back with Bodog daily, as odds will be offered on all fights prior to Saturday’s event.

Preliminary Card

Welterweight bout: Martin Kampmann vs. Alexandre Barros

Light Heavyweight bout: Eric Schafer vs. Antonio Mendes

Light Heavyweight bout: Tomasz Drwal vs. Ivan Serati

Welterweight bout: Thomas Egan vs John Hathaway

Lightweight bout: Nate Mohr vs. Dennis Siver

Main Card

Middleweight bout: Jeremy Horn vs. Rousimar Palhares

Welterweight bout: Marcus Davis -135 vs. Chris Lytle +105

Middleweight bout: Alan Belcher +240 vs. Denis Kang -300

Light Heavyweight bout: Mark Coleman +300 vs. Mauricio Rua -450

Light Heavyweight bout: Rich Franklin EVEN vs. Dan Henderson -130

MARK COLEMAN VS. MAURICIO RUA - BAD BLOOD

On paper, this would appear to be a huge mismatch, but so did Griffin vs. Rua. While Coleman is a member of the UFC Hall of Fame, he’s also 44-years-old, hasn’t fought in over two years, and his last match was a thorough beating at the hands of Fedor Emelianenko. Still, he does hold a win over Mauricio Rua.

At PRIDE 31, Coleman and “Shogun” Rua faced one another. Coleman, with Phil “The New York Badass” Baroni is his corner, quickly took his opponent down. Rua got up a short time later, but Coleman managed to grab his legs and trip him. Rua landed awkwardly and dislocated his elbow.

That’s where the trouble started. While the fight should have been over, Coleman followed up by punching Rua repeatedly. Once the ref had stopped the contest, an overly-psyched Coleman pushed the referee aside and started yelling at Murilo “Ninja” Rua, who had entered the ring to check on the condition of his fallen brother.

All hell then broke loose when members of the Chute Boxe Academy (which Rua was part of) entered the ring. Chute Boxe member Wanderlei Silva began struggling with Baroni, but Baroni punched Silva and tackled him to the ground. Before the melee was stopped, Coleman managed to stomp on Silva’s throat.

Coleman later apologized backstage, but the members of Chute Boxe refused to accept. Both sides vowed to settle the score at a later date.

Looks like that day is finally here.

For more MMA action, see the following:

UFC 92 - Full Results and Bodog Betting

UFC 89 Results - UFC 90 Betting Odds from Bodog

Natalie Gulbis - Babe of the Week

2009-01-13T13:06:00.002-06:00

This week's Babe is LPGA star Natalie Gulbis. Besides winning her first major tournament in 2007, Gulbis is also known for having dated Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, writing a column for FHM and having an absolutely kick-ass body.

NFL Betting Lines and NFL Prop Bets

2009-01-08T18:25:00.000-06:00

The Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs are upon us! That means there are only eight teams left in contention for the Lombardi Trophy. If you’re looking to wager on some football, the clock is quickly running out, so why not head on over to Bodog’s Sportsbook?

Every week, I pick against the line provided by Bodog. Last week, I went 3-1, giving me an overall record of 98-87-4. Now it’s time to do it all over again.

Also keep in mind that guys like Anquan Boldin and LaDainian Tomlinson may not play. This could greatly affect the outcome of their games, so make sure you’re informed before placing any football wagers.

NFL BETTING LINES - DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

My picks for the week are in bold print. If you decide to make some football bets yourself, good luck.

Saturday Games

Ravens +3 @ Titans -3

Cardinals +10 @ Panthers -10

Sunday Games

Eagles +4 @ Giants -4

Chargers +6 @ Steelers -6

NFL PLAYOFFS PROP BETS

In addition to offering wagers on the NFL games, Bodog also offers dozens upon dozens of prop bets for all facets of the game. Below are just a few examples. For a complete list, click on the Bodog link above.

Who will record the most passing yards in the Divisional Playoffs? (max bet is $300)

Kurt Warner (ARI) 3/2

Donovan McNabb (PHI) 5/2

Jake Delhomme (CAR) 5/1

Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) 5/1

Philip Rivers (SDG) 5/1

Eli Manning (NYG) 10/1

Kerry Collins (TEN) 15/1

Joe Flacco (BAL) 15/1

Will Ed Reed (Ravens) get an interception in his game? (max bet is $300)

Yes +175

No -215

Total rushing yards for Kerry Collins? (max bet is $300)

Over ½ yard -115

Under ½ yard -115

Total receiving yards for Larry Fitzgerald? (max bet is $300)

Over 94 ½ yards -125

Under 94 ½ yards -105

For more NFL betting articles, see the following:

NFL Wild Card Weekend - Bodog Odds and Predictions

NFL Week 17 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

International Gambling News - Online Gambling News

2009-01-06T18:32:00.001-06:00

Here at Dare to Gamble, we try to report on Online Gambling News and U.S. Gambling News as often as we can. We realize, however, that we also have a number of readers from around the globe, so this installment of International Gambling News is especially for you. It’s also good reading for anyone planning to travel abroad on a gambling vacation.

MONKS ARRESTED FOR GAMBLING IN KOREA

They don’t screw around in South Korea, especially when it comes to monks engaging in illegal gambling. Last week, The Korean Times reported that police in Boeun, South Korea had busted five Buddhist monks for taking part in an illegal poker game at the Mount Songni Hotel.

What were they doing at the hotel? They were attending (I kid you not) a national Buddhist event. By the time they were caught, the monks had wagered over $7,000.

If I ever get to Korea, I’ll feel better knowing that those dirty monks are being taken care of. There’s nothing worse in my mind than a monk jonesing for a poker fix.

NEW GAMBLING LEGISLATION IN KAZAKHSTAN

And just when I was about to pack my bags and head off to sunny Kazakhstan….

A bill to increase gambling regulation in the country was passed in the senate during its first reading. It’s designed to close several loopholes in the law regarding gambling. Ultimately, it will make gambling within the border of Kazakhstan totally illegal. That’s bad news for citizens of Kapchagai and Shchuchinsk, as those were the last two places in the country to contain casinos.

CZECH REPUBLIC TO OFFER ONLINE GAMBLING LICENSES

On January 5th, the Czech Republic started offering online gambling licenses. The Czech sports book Fortuna Group helped pave the way for this new policy.

While legislators worried about underage gambling, the policy already in place by Fortuna Group helped alleviate their fears. This same policy will be adapted for online casinos, required players to first regiater with a land-based casino to verify their age. Transactions will take place via “payment cards,” which is designed to keep a player from blowing their life savings at online blackjack or online slots.

SLOT MACHINE LIMITS TO INCREASE IN U.K.

A resolution in the U.K. has been passed to increase the limits on slot machines. Bookmakers, pubs and clubs with slots can not take wagers of up to $1.47 per spin and pay out up to $102.88. The previous limits on slot machines were 74 cents per spin and $51.47 in payouts.

This increase is expected to boost tax revenue by 20 percent, resulting in an overall increase of over $40 million. As it stands now, U.K. slots take in about $14 billion per year and pay out around $12 billion.

Critics (led by church groups, of course) are complaining that this will further encourage gambling addiction. Critics of the critics have told them to shut the f*ck up (just kidding, but I wish that were the case).

For more gambling news, check out the following:

Gambling News - Vegas Casinos and Online

New Bonuses and Games Offered at Bodog

Niki Gudex - Babe of the Week

2009-01-06T18:29:00.002-06:00

This week's babe is Australian mountain biker Niki Gudex. She also works as a graphic designer and model and has been voted one of the 100 Sexiest Women in the World by the Australian version of FHM magazine.

NFL Wild Card Weekend - Bodog Odds and Predictions

2009-01-02T14:22:00.002-06:00

The NFL regular season is finally in the books. As always, it was a year full of surprises and disappointments. Teams like the Cardinals and Falcons went way beyond the expectations of their fans, while the Cowboys and Broncos left fans pulling out their hair. If your team did suck, take heart. Next season brings a whole new opportunity.

Just like last year, we here at Dare to Gamble will be following the games all the way through the Super Bowl. We’ll be posting the betting line from Bodog’s sportsbook, and we’ll also be making our own picks.

For my Week 17 picks, I ended with a record of 8-4-1. That gives me an overall record of 95-86-4. I’m happy to be above .500, but we’ll keep going and try to improve throughout the playoffs.

2008-2009 NFL PLAYOFF TEAMS

The following NFL teams will be competing in the playoffs of the 2008/2009 NFL season. I’ve listed each team in the order they were seeded.

AFC Playoff Teams

Tennessee Titans (#1 seed)

Pittsburgh Steelers (#2 seed)

Miami Dolphins (#3 seed)

San Diego Chargers (#4 seed)

Indianapolis Colts (#5 seed)

Baltimore Ravens (#6 seed)

NFC Playoff Teams

New York Giants (#1 seed)

Carolina Panthers (#2 seed)

Minnesota Vikings (#3 seed)

Arizona Cardinals (#4 seed)

Atlanta Falcons (#5 seed)

Philadelphia Eagles (#6 seed)

2008-2009 NFL PLAYOFFS - WILD CARD WEEKEND

Here are this week’s playoff games, with the odds provided by Bodog’s sports book. As always, my selections for the week are in bold print.

Saturday

Falcons -1 ½ @ Cardinals +1 ½

Colts -1 @ Chargers +1

Sunday

Ravens -3 ½ @ Dolphins +3 ½

Eagles -3 @ Vikings +3

For more NFL playoff action, click on the following links:

Week 17 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

Week 16 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

Robbie Maddison and Rhys Millen - New Year's Eve Stunts

2008-12-31T18:57:00.002-06:00

There’s gambling on sports or casinos and then there’s gambling with your life. If you like the former, your best bet is to check out Bodog’s online casino and sports book. If you’re into the latter, you need to tune in to ESPN tonight to watch two motorcycle daredevils risk it all on New Year’s Eve.

ROBBIE MADDISON - MOTORCYCLE DAREDEVIL

Just after midnight (EST), freestyle motorcycle star Robbie Maddison will attempt a death-defying stunt in front of the Paris Las Vegas. As you may remember, Maddison set the Guinness World Record last year with a jump of 322 feet and 7 ½ inches (the equivalent of a football field).

This time around, he’ll attempt to jump his bike over 120 feet into the air and land on top of the 96-foot tall replica of the Arc de Triomphe outside of the hotel and casino. If that part of the stunt works, he’ll then drop from the arc and freefall 50 feet into a landing ramp.

“I have to stick it. If I don’t, I probably won’t ever ride a motorcycle again,” said the 27-year-old Maddison. He added, “There’s no way I can mess this jump up and walk away from it.”

The jump will be broadcast on ESPN and is part of the Red Bull: New Year. No Limits telecast.

RHYS MILLEN - NEW ZEALAND DAREDEVIL

Rhys Millen, a stunt driver and former Formula D drifting champ, will also be attempting a dangerous stunt at 11:30 EST on ESPN. If he succeeds, he’ll become the first man to do a backflip in an off-road truck. This one will take place outside of the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

While he claims to have made seven practice jumps, Millen was also prevented from performing the stunt last year after injuring himself on the final practice run.

“The pinnacle will be to drive away from it,” said Millen. “This jump is kind of a test for my team and myself to prove that we could kind of cheat the laws of physics and basic dynamics.”

We here at Dare to Gamble wish both these daredevils good fortune. As for the rest of you, we wish you a very safe and happy New Year’s Eve. If you’re drinking, be sure and get a designated driver. Killing somebody and going to jail is a pretty crummy way to start 2009.

For more gambling news, check out the following:

Gambling News - Vegas Casinos and Online

Meet Members of Team Bodog

UFC 92 - Full Results and Bodog Betting

2008-12-29T12:29:00.000-06:00

UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008 was held on December 27th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. One of the company’s strongest cards ever, the event featured three fights which could have easily headlined. In the end, there were a number of shocking upsets, and some talented (and lucky) bettors out there walked away with a lot of money.

But enough talk; let’s take a look at all the winners and losers from UFC 92.

UFC 92 RESULTS

Preliminary Card

Heavyweight) Dan Evensen vs. Patrick Barry - Barry defeated Evensen via TKO (leg kicks) at 2:36 of Round 1

(Welterweight) Brad Blackburn vs. Ryo Chonan - Blackburn defeated Chonan via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

(Heavyweight) Antoni Hardonk vs. Mike Wessel - Hardonk defeated Wessel via TKO (Strikes) at 2:09 of Round 2.

(Light Heavyweight) Matt Hamill vs. Reese Andy - Hamill defeated Andy via TKO (strikes) at 2:19 of Round 2

(Middleweight) Yushin Okami vs. Dean Lister - Okami defeated Lister via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Main Card

(Heavyweight) Cheick Kongo vs. Mostapha Al Turk - Kongo defeated Al Turk via TKO (Strikes) at 4:37 of round 1

(Middleweight) C.B. Dollaway vs. Mike Massenzio - Dollaway defeated Massenzio via TKO (Strikes) at 3:01 of round 1

(Light Heavyweight) Quinton Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva - Jackson defeated Silva via KO (Punch) at 3:21 of round 1

(Interim Heavyweight Championship) Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira (-c-) vs. Frank Mir - Mir defeated Nogueira via TKO (Strikes) at 1:54 of round 2

(Light Heavyweight Championship) Forrest Griffin (-c-) vs. Rashad Evans - Evans defeated Griffin via TKO (Strikes) at 2:46 of round 3

UFC BONUS AWARDS

At the end of each pay-per-view event, the UFC awards an additional $60,000 bonus for the Knockout of the Night, Submission of the Night and Fight of the Night. Here are the recipients of these bonus awards:

Fight of the Night - Rashad Evans and Forrest Griffin each received $60,000 for taking part in the fight of the night.

Knockout of the Night - Quinton Jackson received an additional $60,000 for his one-punch KO of Wanderlei Silva.

Submission of the Night - Nobody claimed this award, as all fights either ended in a decision or a knockout.

UNDERDOGS FROM BODOG

In our previous article on UFC 92, we listed the odds from Bodog (the best sportsbook around, by the way). Now it’s time to look back and see which underdogs actually came out on top.

1. Brad Blackburn defeats Ryo Chonan by decision - Blackburn was a +160 dog coming into this fight.

2. Quinton Jackson knocks out Wanderlei Silva - After losing both of their previous matches, Jackson was getting +110. However, he shocked the MMA world by knocking out Silva with one left hook. He should now be in line for a shot at the light heavyweight title.

3. Frank Mir stopped Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by TKO - Mir was a big dog at +275, and I didn’t think he had a chance against the iron-chinned Nog. But he proved everyone wrong by landing repeated uppercuts and becoming the first fighter to actually stop the Brazilian legend. He’ll now get a shot at Brock Lesnar’s heavyweight title.

4. Rashad Evans won the light heavyweight title by TKO’ing Forrest Griffin - The betting line was even for Evans, but that didn’t stop the undefeated fighter from taking Griffin down and beating him until the ref was forced to call a stop to the contest.

For more MMA action, click on one of the following links:

UFC 92 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

UFC 88 - MMA Betting from Bodog

Kristi Leskinen - Babe of the Week

2008-12-29T12:25:00.002-06:00

This week's Babe is Kristi Leskinen, a freestyle skier from Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Kristi has made FHM's list of "sexiest women," and she's also the first female to pull off the difficult Rodeo 720 maneuver in competition.

UFC 92 - Bodog Odds and MMA Predictions

2008-12-25T19:22:00.001-06:00

On Saturday, December 27th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the UFC will hold their last pay-per-view event of 2008. Entitled UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008, the show will feature three bouts worthy of main event status. These include interim heavyweight champ Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera taking on former heavyweight champ Frank Mir to see who gets a shot at Brock Lesnar, the third bout between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Wanderlei Silva, and Forrest Griffin defending his light-heavyweight title against undefeated Rashad Evans.

UFC 92 ODDS FROM BODOG

If you’re looking to place a bet on one of the fights, Bodog has you covered. There are 10 fights on the card, and Bodog is accepting sports wagers on all of them. Be sure to check back often, as the lines will certainly move as the fights get closer.

Here are the current Bodog odds for UFC 92:

Preliminary Card

(Heavyweight) Dan Evensen +190 vs. Patrick Barry -240

(Welterweight) Brad Blackburn +160 vs. Ryo Chonan -200

(Light Heavyweight) Matt Hamill -500 vs. Reese Andy +300

(Heavyweight) Antoni Hardonk -365 vs. Mike Wessel +285

(Middleweight) Yushin Okami -350 vs. Dean Lister +275

Main Card

(Heavyweight) Cheick Kongo -325 vs. Mustafa Al Turk +250

(Middleweight) C.B. Dollaway -150 vs. Mike Massenzio +120

(Light Heavyweight) Quinton Jackson +110 vs. Wanderlei Silva -140

(Intermin Heavyweight Championship) Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (-c-) -350 vs. Frank Mir +275

(Light Heavyweight Championship) Forrest Griffin (-c-) -130 vs. Rashad Evans EVEN

FIGHT PREDICTIONS FROM THE EXPERTS

Sherdog.com polled a number of fighters, trainers and other experts, asking them their take on the outcome of the major fights of the night. Before you lay down a bet, you might want to take these opinions into consideration.

Silva vs. Jackson - Out of 35 experts polled, 20 picked Silva to sweep the series with Jackson. Another 10 picked Rampage to win, while 5 others couldn’t decide on a clear-cut winner.

Nogueira vs. Mir - Out of 35 experts, a whopping 30 picked Nogueira to win the fight. Four others picked Mir, while one lone expert couldn’t make up his damned mind.

For more MMA action, check out the following links:

UFC 91 - Full Fight Results

UFC 74 - Preview an Odds

NFL Week 17 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

2008-12-25T12:25:00.001-06:00

The last week of the 2008 NFL regular season is here! Hope everyone is having a great Christmas holiday, and maybe you can win a few wagers this week to pay for all those gifts you charged on your credit card.

Last week, I went a horrible 4-11. That’s my worst week of the season. That brings my season total to 87-82-3. Yuck.

NFL WEEK 17 INJURIES

Before you start making wagers, be sure to see who’s injured or resting in Week 17. While some teams will still be giving it their all, others will be mailing it in or resting starters for a playoff run. Proceed with caution when wagering on Week 17 NFL games.

Ben Roethlisberger had his ankle heavily wrapped after last week's game, so expect Byron Leftwich to start.

Marshawn Lynch (shoulder) could be inactive, as the Bills have no shot at the playoffs.

Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jaguars (knee) might miss the game.

Calvin Johnson of the Lions has a bruised knee.

Anquan Boldin of the Cardinals (shoulder) is out.

Bengals WR Chad Johnson (hamstring) is likely to be inactive.

Cowboys RB Marion Barber (toe) did not participate Wednesday and will likely be out.

The Broncos plan to start RB Tatum Bell with Cory Boyd and Alex Haynes getting some touches too.

Clinton Portis is expected to play for the Redskins in week 17 but his workload could be limited.

2008 NFL PLAYOFF TEAMS

And just in case you’re wondering, the following NFL teams have already clinched a spot in the playoffs:

Tennessee Titans

Indianapolis Colts

Pittsburgh Steelers

New York Giants

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Atlanta Falcons

The rest of the playoff contenders will be decided this week.

NFL WEEK 17 BODOG ODDS AND PREDICTIONS

For more games, check back regularly with Bodog’s sports book. My picks for the week are in bold print.

Raiders +13 @ Buccaneers -13

Lions +10 @ Packers -10

Giants +7 @ Vikings -7

Bears +3 @ Texans -3

Panthers -3 @ Saints +3

Rams +14 @ Falcons -14

Chiefs +3 @ Bengals -3

Titans -3 @ Colts +3

Browns +10 ½ @ Steelers -10 ½

Cowboys +1 ½ @ Eagles -1 ½

Jaguars +13 @ Ravens -13

Dolphins +3 @ Jets -3

Broncos +8 @ Chargers -8

2008 NCAA BOWL GAME ODDS

Here are some of the odds for the major NCAA bowl games courtesy of Bodog.

(Rose Bowl) Penn State +9 ½ vs. USC -9 ½

(Orange Bowl) Virginia Tech +2 ½ vs. Cincinnati -2 ½

(Cotton Bowl) Mississippi +5 ½ vs. Texas Tech -5 ½

(Liberty Bowl) East Carolina -3 vs. Kentucky +3

(Sugar Bowl) Utah +10 ½ vs. Alabama -10 ½

(Fiesta Bowl) Ohio State +9 vs. Texas -9

(BCS Championship Game) Florida -3 vs. Oklahoma +3

For more NFL and NCAA action, click on the following links:

NFL Week 16 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

NFL Week 15 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

Merry Christmas from Dare to Gamble

2008-12-25T11:09:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas from all of us here at Dare to Gamble! If this holiday season finds you without anyone to "stuff your stocking" or "roast your chestnuts," just look at the lovely ladies above and dream of candy canes and yule logs.

Malia Jones - Babe of the Week

2008-12-25T11:03:00.002-06:00

This week's Babe is surfer and model Malia Jones. With her mixture of German, Hawaiian and Spanish-Filipino blood, she's an exotoc sight, indeed. She's been a model for Sports Illustrated, as well as appearing in Maxim, People and Cosmo.

NFL Week 16 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

2008-12-19T12:06:00.000-06:00

Week 16 of the NFL season is upon us! Hard to believe that the NFL regular season will soon be over. It’s been a wild year so far, and no team appears unbeatable this year. Even the mighty Titans have looked mortal in recent weeks, and it’s anybody’s guess as to who will walk away with this year’s Superbowl title.

Last week, I compiled a record of 4-7-1 against the line set by Bodog’s sportsbook. That brings my season total to 83-71-3. Not bad, but I plan on improving it before the year is done. I’ll be making picks all the way through to the SuperBowl, so be sure to check back weekly with Dare to Gamble.

NFL INJURIES FOR WEEK 16

Before making any wagers this week, here are some injuries that you might want to take a look at:

Marion Barber (Cowboys RB) Toe

Kellen Winslow (Browns TE) Ankle

Reggie Bush (Saints RB) Placed on IR

Deuce McAllister (Saints RB) Knee

Kevin Smith (Lions RB) Ankle

Adrian Peterson (Vikings RB) Ankle

Anquan Boldin (Cardinals WR) Shoulder

Brandon Jacobs (Giants RB) Knee

Frank Gore (49ers RB) Ankle

Kevin Curtis (Eagles WR) Calf

Zach Miller (Raiders TE) Shoulder

Matt Hasselbeck (Seahawks QB) Back

Jeff Garcia (Bucs QB) Calf

Matt Forte (Bears RB) Toe

NFL WEEK 16 PREDICTIONS - BODOG LINE

Here are my picks for this week. As always, my selections are in bold print:

Ravens +4 @ Cowboys -4

Steelers -2 @ Titans +2

Dolphins -4 @ Chiefs +4

Cardinals +8 @ Patriots -8

Bengals +3 @ Browns -3

49ers -5 ½ @ Rams +5 ½

Saints -7 @ Lions +7

Chargers +3 ½ @ Buccaneers -3 ½

Jets -4 ½ @ Seahawks +4 ½

Texans -7 @ Raiders +7

Bills +7 @ Broncos -7

Eagles -5 @ Redskins +5

Falcons +3 @ Vikings -3

Panthers +3 @ Giants -3

Packers +4 @ Bears -4

For more NFL action, see the following links:

NFL Week 15 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

NFL Week 13 - Odds and Predictions

Gambling News - Vegas Casinos and Online Gaming

2008-12-16T14:09:00.000-06:00

The world of online gambling and land-based gambling never takes a break, and you can always count on new gambling stories cropping up. A number of major developments occurred in the last week, from the purchase of the Treasure Island Casino in Las Vegas to the first casino operator to offer mobile gambling for the iPhone.

GAMBLING ON THE iPHONE

It was just announced that All Slots Casino will be the first online casino to offer mobile gambling for the iPhone and the iPhone Touch. Aimed at audiences in France and the UK, this Microgaming software will offer roulette, blackjack and the Tomb Raider slot machine. Both English and French versions of the games will be available.

Games will be available with the iPhone’s touch screen controls. In addition, all games can be accessed through the iPhone’s web browser, thus eliminating the need to have the games downloaded and installed. The customer can also choose whether to play the games vertically or horizontally.

TREASURE ISLAND CASINO SOLD

The Treasure Island Casino in Las Vegas has just been purchased for $775 million by Phil Ruffin. As you might remember, Ruffin is the same Kansas businessman who sold the New Frontier 19 months ago for a whopping $1.2 billion. He also ranks 215th on the Forbes’ list of the 400 richest Americans.

After getting out of the Las Vegas casino business, Ruffin had been passing the time by investing in municipal bonds and stocks. He grew bored with that and decided to get back on the Strip. According to Ruffin, no major changes are planned.

DISCOUNTED ROOMS AND MEALS IN NEVADA

With many Nevada casinos suffering through hard times, the old tradition of offering discounted rooms and meals to customers is making a comeback. And for gamblers with loyalty cards, some hotels are even offering hotel rooms for free.

For example, the Terrible’s-owned casino in Primm is advertising passes to rides and shows, as well as free rooms. South Point is offering half-off on their meals, and Excalibur is providing a 2-for-1 buffet. Meanwhile, the Sahara is offering free slot machine play.

As the economy continues to suffer, be on the lookout for more casino comps and casino discounts.

PARTYGAMING NEARS DEAL WITH DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

The biggest shareholder of PartyGaming, Anurag Dikshit (what a name), is close to reaching a deal with the US Department of Justice in order to avoid serving any prison time. Mr. Dikshit was charged with taking US bets over the Internet, a violation of the 2006 UIGEA.

Dikshit owns 27 percent of the online gaming company, and it’s been reported that he has agreed to pay $300 million in fines and assist the DoJ in their investigation.

PartyGaming was once the biggest online poker site, but profits have dropped since they were forced to drop U.S. customers two years ago. Other online casinos, such as Bodog, have continued to defy the ruling and continue to provide gambling services to America. While many believe that the restrictions will eventually be loosened, that’s not stopping the Department of Justice from conducting their current witch hunt.

For more gambling news, click on the following links:

New Online Slot Machines Available

Online Poker News

Jennifer Barretta - Babe of the Week

2008-12-16T14:05:00.002-06:00

This week's Babe is Jennifer Barretta. A top 9-Ball Billiards player, Jennifer has appeared in FHM magazine and been voted as one of ESPN's"25 Sexiest Female Athletes." While I'd love to sink one of my balls in her side pocket, I doubt it's going to happen.

NFL Week 15 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

2008-12-12T10:48:00.002-06:00

I was on vacation during Week 14 of the NFL season, so I didn’t have any picks for last week. I did, however, make some picks in Week 13, so let’s see how I did.

Week 13 turned out to be pretty good for me, as I compiled a record of 8-4 against Bodog’s line. That brings my season total to 79-64-2. Not perfect, but it could be worse.

Now let’s see what kind of damage I can do for Week 15 of the NFL season.

NFL INJURIES - WEEK 15

Before you place any NFL bets, here are a few injuries you might want to be aware of:

Patrick Hillis (RB - Broncos) - Out for the season

Frank Gore (RB - 49ers) - Looks to be game-time decision with an ankle injury.

Fred Taylor (RB - Jags) Placed on IR.

Clinton Portis (RB - Redskins) Not on the injury report this week.

Marion Barber (RB - Cowboys) Questionable with a toe injury.

Kevin Curtis (WR - Eagles) Questionable with a concussion.

Jeff Garcia (QB - Bucs) Questionable with a calf injury.

WEEK 15 NFL - PREDICTIONS AND BODOG ODDS

Packers -2 @ Jaguars +2
Lions +17 @ Colts -17
Redskins -7 @ Bengals +7
Buccaneers +3 @ Falcons -3
Bills +9 @ Jets -9
Titans -3 @ Texans +3
Chargers -6 @ Chiefs +6
Steelers +2 @ Ravens -2
Broncos +7 ½ @ Panthers -7 ½
Patriots -7 @ Raiders +7
Giants +3 @ Cowboys -3
Browns +14 @ Eagles -14

For more NFL betting, see the following links:

NFL Week 13 Odds and Predictions

NFL Week 12 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

Gambling News - O.J. Simpson - Bodog Winner

2008-12-10T13:26:00.001-06:00

I’m back! It was nice to have a week off, and I actually feel like the old batteries are halfway recharged. That being said, let’s jump right back into the wonderful world of gambling. We’ve got some lost time to make up for.

There’s been a lot going on lately in the worlds of gambling and sports. To kick off this week’s columns, I thought I would review some of the biggest gambling news from last week (with some sports news thrown in for good measure).

SLOTS WINNER AT BODOG

First off, I want to congratulate S.R. from California. Last week, he won a whopping $17,400 playing the Aztecs Treasure slot machine over at the Bodog Casino. Way to go!

Slot machines are just one of the many ways you can win at Bodog. They also offer online poker, online blackjack, roulette and a number of other fun casino games. And don’t forget about their world renowned sports book.

Speaking of sports…

PACQUIAO VS. DE LA HOYA

On Saturday night, Manny Pacquiao defied the crtics, moving up two weight classes and defeating “The Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya. Pacquiao, the national hero of the Philippines, dominated the multi-time champion, and De La Hoya’s corner threw in the towel after the ninth round.

The live gate made more than $17 million, and pay-per-view revenue is said to have exceeded $70 million. It becomes just the fourth non-heavyweight bout to get more than 1 million pay-per-view buys.

BCS BOWL GAMES ANNOUNCED

There was the usual amount of controversy surrounding the National Championship, as the University of Texas was left out in the cold. Meanwhile, the #1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners (defeated earlier in the year by UT) were tabbed to play for a national title against Tim Tebow and the #2 ranked Florida Gators.

The other major BCS Bowl Games include:

Orange Bowl—No. 12 Cincinnati vs. No. 19 Virginia Tech

Fiesta Bowl—No. 3 Texas vs. No. 10 Ohio State

Sugar Bowl—No. 6 Utah vs. No. 4 Alabama

Rose Bowl— No. 5 USC vs. No. 8 Penn State

SMOKING BAN COSTS AUSTRALIAN CLUBS MILLIONS

An indoor smoking ban was enacted last year in Australian clubs and pubs. Since that time, it’s been estimated that these businesses are losing $1.7 million per day in poker machine revenue. In the first year of the ban, 2,100 jobs have been lost, but at least nobody’s dying from second-hand smoke (just liver disease).

O.J. SIMPSON GOES TO JAIL

Last Friday, O.J. Simpson, the former running back for the Buffalo Bills, was found guilty of leading a gang of armed thugs in an effort to reclaim sports memorabilia from two collectors in Las Vegas. Simpson reportedly rejected a plea bargain which would have given him 3 years in prison. Instead, he’ll be serving at least 15 years. Simpson, now 61 years old, could very well end up dying in prison.

The conviction came 13 years after he was found not guilty by a jury for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Somewhere, Fred Goldman is smiling his ass off.

For more gambling news, see the following links:

Clonie Gowen Files Lawsuit Against Full Tilt Poker

Bodog Odds for 2008 Heisman Trophy

Lokelani McMichael - Babe of the Week

2008-12-10T13:17:00.004-06:00

This week's Babe is Lokelani McMichael. She's an American surfer, model and triathlete. She's also the youngest woman to ever finish Hawaii's Ironman competition.

Heather Mitts - Babe of the Week

2008-11-29T11:43:00.002-06:00

I'm taking a week off starting on December 1st, but I wanted to leave everyone with a little something to tide you over. This lovely lady is Heather Mitts. She's been voted the "Hottest Female Athlete" by visitors to ESPN's website. In addition, she's been part of America's 2004 and 2008 gold-medal-winning Olympic soccer teams.

Poker News - Online Poker News

2008-11-29T11:39:00.001-06:00

Poker news! Poker news! Poker news!

With so much going on in the world of poker, I decided to dedicate a whole entry just to focus on some recent poker news. For more gambling information, be sure and browse through our previous articles here at Dare to Gamble.

BINION’S NEW POKER ROOM

Binion’s, the original home of the World Series of Poker, has recently opened up a new 10-table poker room. The walls of the room are covered with historic photos, as well as several large-screen plasma televisions. The Poker Hall of Fame and Binion’s Gallery can be found out in the concierge area.

Players can enjoy comp privileges, special hotel room rates and food service. The casino also takes a maximum rake of $3 on all live poker games.

Of course, this room is no doubt intended to bring in the high rollers. If you’re a poker lightweight like me, you might be better off trying Binion’s 45-table poker tournament area.

And if you don’t even want to leave the house, you can always log onto Bodog’s online casino for some of the best poker around.

POKER HALL OF FAME

The 36th and 37th members of the Poker Hall of Fame were recently inducted. While the Final Table of this year’s World Series of Poker was being played, Duane “Dewey” Tomko and Harry Orenstein were being honored for all their accomplishments and contributions to the game of poker.

Orenstein survived the Holocaust and went on to win the 1996 World Series of Poker Seven-Card Stud event. He’s also cashed twice in the Main Event, including a 1995 trip to the Final Table.

He’s also an accomplished inventor, holding more than 100 patents on numerous children’s toys. In addition, he also holds the patent on the “Hole Card Cam,” the device credited with revolutionizing poker on television.

Tomko has won three WSOP bracelets, and he’s finished second in the Main Event on two different occasions. He also holds the record for the longest streak of entries into the Main Event (35 years).

CRYPTOLOGIC JOINS WITH BOSS MEDIA

It was recently announced that Internet Poker giants CryptoLogic Inc. and Boss Media would be joining forces. Scheduled to take place during the first quarter of 2009, this merger will involve the two companies combining their network of licenses into an even larger version of Boss Media’s International Poker Network. This will include such popular online games as InterPoker and ParBet.

POKER IN TEXAS

If you live in the Lone Star State, you know it’s impossible to find a legal game of poker in Texas. That may soon change if Jose Menendez (D - San Antonio) gets his way. Menendez has introduced a piece of legislation known as the “Poker Gaming Act of 2009.” He also introduced a similar bill in 2007, but it died on the committee level.

According to the bill, possible places for legal poker games to take place include bars, tribal gaming facilities, pari-mutual outlets and social clubs. A Poker Gaming Revenue Fund would also be created, with 50% of the net proceeds going towards things like homeless shelters and the state’s housing trust fund.

Tournaments would also be allowed, with buy-ins ranging up to $100.Bad-beat jackpots would also be allowable with a $250 maximum payout.

For more poker news, see the following:

Clonie Gowen Files Lawsuit Against Full Tilt Poker

Meet the Members of Team Bodog

Happy Thanksgiving from Dare to Gamble

2008-11-27T12:37:00.002-06:00

Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Dare to Gamble. I'd love to "stuff her turkey," if you know what I mean. :)

NFL Week 13 - Odds and Predictions from Bodog

2008-11-27T12:32:00.000-06:00

Week 12 of the NFL season is done, and what a week it was! For those of you keeping score, it was the highest-scoring week in NFL history. Everywhere you looked, team were putting up 30+ points like it was nothing.

Of course, Week 13 is a whole new ballgame, so who knows what’s in store for us. Whatever the case, it’s not going to stop me from making my weekly picks.

Last week, I complied a solid 10-5 record picking against the line over at Bodog. That brings my season total to a respectable 71-60-2. If I can just keep my momentum going, I may have a really nice record by the end of the NFL season.

NFL INJURIES - WEEK 13

Before you place your bets, there are a few injury situations you might want to take note of.

Brian Westbrook (RB - Eagles) He’s going to try to play, but expect him to be hampered by a high-ankle sprain. This injury has played havoc with Westbrook’s numbers over the last month.

Steven Jackson (RB - Rams) He practiced some this week, but it’s still up in the air as to whether Jackson will play or not. Even if he does, expect the Rams runner to be less than 100%.

Reggie Bush (RB - Saints) Bush should make his return this week after missing four games with an injured knee. It might take a week or two for him to round into shape, but the Saints can afford to be patient - they scored 51 against the Packers on Monday Night Football.

Brady Quinn (QB - Browns) After trying to play through a broken finger, Quinn is out for the year. Derek Anderson will once again be the starter for the Browns.

Plaxico Burress (WR - Giants) Plaxico continues to struggle. The Giants, however, have been just fine without him.

Clinton Portis (RB - Redskins) Portis may be less than 100%, but expect him to play.

Willie Parker (RB - Steelers) Parker may miss another game due to injury, but Mewelde Moore will be a more than adequate replacement.

NFL WEEK 13 - BODOG ODDS

My predictions are in bold print. Odds are courtesy of Bodog.

Niners +6 ½ @ Bills -6 ½

Saints +4 @ Bucs -4

Panthers +3 @ Packers -3

Giants -4 @ Redskins +4

Ravens -7 @ Bengals +7

Colts -5 ½ @ Browns +5 ½

Falcons +4 ½ @ Chargers -4 ½

Broncos +8 @ Jets -8

Steelers +1 @ Patriots -1

Chiefs +3 @ Raiders -3

Bears +3 @ Vikings -3

Jaguars +3 @ Texans -3

For more NFL action, see the following:

NFL Week 12 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

NFL Week 11 - Bodog Odds and Predictions

Danielle Lloyd - Babe of the Week

2008-11-25T17:31:00.003-06:00

This week's Babe is Danielle Lloyd, a 24-year-old with measurements of 32DD-26-35. An English fashion and glamour model, she held both the Miss England and Miss Great Britain titles. She was stripped of the latter after nude photos appeared in the December 2006 issue of Playboy Magazine.