Be there when your team kicks off its 2010-11 season.
Week 1 of NCAA football betting has finally arrived and not a moment too soon. Are you ready to get back into the game?
After the always-loathsome offseason, schools across the country are ready to square off for the title of nation’s best, and Bodog’s online sportsbook wants to make sure you’re not cut from the action.
College football kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 2 with fan favorite Marshall on the road against No. 2-ranked Ohio State, plus it’s a big first day back for the Hurricanes (No. 13), the University of Southern California (No .14) and Pittsburgh (No. 15), who play Florida A&M, Hawaii and Utah respectively.
And you can expect one mother of a work-out on Saturday, Sept. 4 as No. 1-ranked Alabama makes its debut against San Jose State, followed by a pair of games worthy of any player’s attention: both No. 6-ranked Texas Christian versus No. 24-ranked Oregon State and No. 18-ranked North Carolina versus No. 21-ranked LSU.
Will TCU succeed in holding off the Oregon State Beavers? Or will Jacquizz Rodgers lead his team over the Horned Frogs to make Beaver Nation proud? And with Jordan Jefferson in the saddle, will Louisiana State manage to overthrow the slightly-favored Tar Heels?
Be a player. Get off the bench and get your NCAA football Week 1 odds at Bodog Sportsbook.
NFL preseason week 4
As time-tested coaches, grizzled veterans and wide-eyed rookies of the NFL prepare for the fourth and final week of the NFL preseason all across the country, most guys back at home will be slow to move as they ease their way back into the game.
Don’t be that guy. Be a player.
Be the player that’s good and ready to jump into the game.
Your NFL preseason betting this week is headlined by a match-up with enough animosity to fill an hour of prime time television, regardless of whether Tom Brady and Eli Manning suit up for the contest or not. And in order to give the New York Giants/New England Patriots rivalry its due diligence, you’ll need to stay sharp from kick-off until the final whistle blows.
Fresh off a defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, New York will host the Patriots in a game bound to stir up memories of the 2007 Super Bowl. When the two clubs square off in New York this Thursday it will mark the sixth consecutive time the two teams have closed out preseason together, with each winning a game a piece since that fateful day in February of ‘07. Emotions will run wild in New Meadowlands Stadium this time around, which is why you’ll want to keep a clear head while placing your NFL bets on Bodog this week.
Elsewhere in the NFL, the Miami Dolphins will try their luck in Texas against the struggling Dallas Cowboys. In an attempt to get his disappointing squad up to Week 1 standards, Dallas head coach Wade Phillips has tossed around the idea of playing his starters in one last attempt to get them in season-worthy condition. It’s a bold move that might affect your approach to the preseason finale, so choose wisely when betting online.
One question on the minds of Broncos fans is whether or not first-year quarterback Tim Tebow will feel well enough to play against the Minnesota Vikings after cautiously missing Week 3 with sore ribs. Tebow originally sustained the injury in the opening round of the preseason begging the question of whether or not the former Florida Gator’s wild style of play is well-suited for the NFL.
What’s your call? Close out the NFL preseason on a high note with Bodog.
After all, you do have a long season ahead of you. (Can you say, “SWEET?”)
Be a player. Get your NFL football game odds, lines, props and futures at Bodog Sportsbook.
Houston Rockets Yao Expects to Be in Shape for the Upcoming Season
Just recently, Yao Ming, the All-Star center for NBA’s Houston Rockets, has been given a go signal by his doctors after undergoing a complicated foot surgery in July of 2009. According to Tom Clanton, the team’s doctor, Yao is now cleared to “resume his basketball activities.” Yao’s teammates were confident all along that he would be able to go back to the court just in time for the 2010-2011 season. Still, it was such a relief for Yao to be able to get a go signal from the doctors.
Injury details
On July of 2009, Yao Ming underwent a surgery to fix a broken bone on his left foot. This was after he suffered from a hairline fracture during a game versus the Los Angeles Lakers. Yao Ming was able to fully recover from the injury and surgery, and is now ready to join his teammates on the basketball court.
Yao excited for the upcoming training camp and season
Yao has stated that he was excited and “was looking forward to playing a great season.” He also thinks that he’s foot is ok now. During a workout session at the Toyota Center, Yao winced a bit when he landed on his left foot in an awkward manner. However, he was able to go back to the game only after a few seconds. Yao also said that he’s less afraid right now to test his foot compared to two months ago.
Daryl Morey, the team’s general manager, claims that the Houston Rockets will be very careful with Yao and will limit his minutes on the court early in the NBA season. This is to make sure that Yao’s recovery won’t be sidetracked by a possible injury or complication. Morey also said that Yao’s comback was definitely good news, and that he looks good, but he has a lot of things to catch up on before the training sessions and actual season games start.
During the early months of Yao’s recovery, he was doubtful about his future as an NBA player. However, with the support of his family, friends, and teammates, he was able to get past that difficult period. Right now, Yao is looking forward to the training camp (which is about one month away) and the upcoming NBA season (which is about two months away).
Rebuilding his stamina
Right now, Yao is more focused on rebuilding his stamina than causing another injury on his foot. This is why he tries not to push himself too hard, and to take one step at a time as he preps himself up. He’s got to be patient but he’s happy with his current progress. He is also doing his best to do everything he can to make up for missed training opportunities.
The training camp for Houston Rockets will begin on September 25. For a couple of pre-season games, the team will be traveling to China in the middle of October.
Ottawa Senators’ Bid for the Stanley Cup
The last time the Senators made it to the Stanley Cup Final was a mere three years ago, a feat you wouldn’t have considered likely considering their average performance during the past decade. But it was their dismal performance in the 2008-09 season, not making the playoffs, that has made them more determined than ever to return to the Stanley Cup Final.
Promising performance last season
The Senators ended their last season ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference. This achievement was in spite of injuries that hounded the team: Jason Spezza, Milan Michalek and Alex Kovalev missing several games, and starting goaltender Pascal Leclaire not playing for almost half the entire season.
Last season’s performance was promising, but it still highlights the need for more improvement. The Senators’ GM, Bryan Murray, knows this and has opted to keep his lineup intact. He is particularly focused on the offensive members of his team and is seriously hoping that the injuries that hobbled them during the previous season will be behind them this year.
On the defensive side, Murray has decided to continue with Pascal Leclaire and Brian Elliot, knowing that these two goaltenders complement each other well. Brian Elliot was able to effectively handle his role in the team during Leclaire’s absence due to injuries.
The focus on aggressive offense will continue to be the trademark of the Senators. They won’t be neglecting their defense, of course, but the offensive force that has garnered them last season’s ranking will continue to be the drive of the team to further improve this year.
Necessary changes in the team lineup
The management of the Senators have decided to allow Anton Volchenkov, a shot-blocker extraordinare, to sign a contract with New Jersey. The reasons for this move are the slow decline in game stats of Volchenkov the past several years, and the fact that in spite of his defensive prowess, he really doesn’t contribute much to the team’s offensive numbers.
Another big change in the Senators’ lineup is the recent acquisition of defenseman Sergei Gonchar, a veteran quarterback who will definitely plug any remaining holes in the Senators’ defensive line. His tenure in the league and his experience should also serve as a model for the younger players in the team, hopefully allowing them to show their best.
Nowhere to go but up
The changes in the lineup of the Senators will only boost their chances to further rise up the ranks of the league and eventually make a return to the Stanley Cup Final. Future injuries (or the lack of it) will determine their success. If all goes well, the Ottawa Senators should be able to make another fascinating run in the 2010-11 season.
The Minnesota Vikings and their Quarterback Hunt
Next season will be quite interesting for the Vikings as they plan their future after Brett Favre’s retirement, if and when he actually stops playing the game. The past two seasons have been a whirlwind for the Vikings. They have been waiting for the return of Favre, knowing all too well that their backup quarterback, Tarvaris Jackson, is in the final year of his contract.
No definite answer in sight
Currently, the best recourse for the Vikings is to seriously pursue acquisition opportunities in the quarterback market. It’s that or they beg Favre, who says he’s retiring by the end of the season, to continue playing. The Vikings are in a position where their lineup is in serious jeopardy because of the quarterback problem. And while they can still renew Jackson’s contract, it will be a tough play to execute since he doesn’t seem too keen to continue playing for his current team.
The signs point to Tarvaris Jackson accepting offers from another team. It should be an opportunity for him to finally exhibit his talents, even if it means accepting a lower-paying contract. No matter what happens though, it is expected that he will be focused on most likely his last season with the Vikings. He has trained himself well to be the backup guy in the team, as shown by his improving stats. If Brett Favre does lead the team to a Super Bowl, Jackson will have the pride of winning the trophy in his last year with the team.
Limited options for the team
Even the future of another Vikings quarterback, Sage Rosenfels, is in serious doubt after the events that have transpired so far in the preseason. It will all depend on Favre’s condition. Rosenfels is purely a backup to Favre, and chances are the Vikings will seriously consider any offer against Rosenfels if any team makes one.
Needless to say, the Minnesota Vikings continue to aggressively scout the quarterback market for viable prospects; names like Matt Hasselbeck, Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick come into mind. Whether they try to retain Jackson or not is irrelevant at this point. Even if they extend Jackson’s contract, they will just be delaying his eventual exit, considering the fact that he’s not in good professional terms with the whole team.
One game at a time
At this point, the Vikings will have to be content with the fact that Favre’s intention to retire by the end of the season is still questionable. Judging by his professional history, and the claims he has made throughout all those years, it seems likely that with the right offer the Vikings will have Brett Favre playing with them for at least another season.
Who Is Likely to Win the FIBA World Championship?
Finally, the FIBA World Championship will kick of this week. Held in Turkey, the tournament will start on August 28, with the gold medal tourney taking place on September 12 to conclude the two-week event.
Though the FIBA is nowhere near the astounding popularity of the World Cup, it is nonetheless one of the most anticipated events this year among basketball fans, sports bettors, and pro basketball leagues. Host country Turkey automatically qualifies to the event, along with the 2008 Olympic gold medalist team USA. Twenty two other countries will compete for the gold medal through the qualifying tournaments, which include group plays among the four 6-team groups. From there, the four top-placers will meet for the Round of 16, a single elimination round.
The FIBA fever is in the air, and among the top teams to watch out for, according to experts and sports bettors, are the following:
United States, U.S Team
The US team has a good chance to win the FIBA championship since they’ve already won 3 gold medals in the past and are known for their roster of the most talented basketball pros. However, their dominance in the Olympics may not be as astounding as in this competition, following the absence of Miami Heat’s Big 3 and Celtic’s Rajon Rondo. Some also say that the biggest competition of the US team in its group is Brazil. Nonetheless, their roster still consists of some NBA’s more powerful players like Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry, Chauncey Billups, Rudy Gay, Kevin Durant, Lamar Odom, and Andre Iguodala.
The US has a win odds of -150 to win according to Intertops sportsbook.
Spain
Spain may have a hard time with the World Championship this year, as it is grouped with other powerful teams like Canada, Lithuania, and France. But should Spain make it through the group play, it will surely put up a good fight for the single elimination as the defending champion. The absence of Jose Calderon (point guard) may affect their game, as he is one of the key players in the 2006 World Championship and the 2008 Olympics, where Spain gave the US team a hard time to win the gold medal. Still, Spain is hopeful with their roster of players including Pau Gasol, FIBA MVP in 2006, Ricky Rubio, and Rudy Fernandez.
Spain has a +300 odds to win found at Intertops online sportsbook list of data.
Other contenders for the championship
Greece is considered to be among the strong contenders, after winning the silver medal from the last championship event in 2006. The team has more experienced players and has good rapport since most of them are under the same professional league in their country. It is said that Greece might be the real opponent of the US team for the final game. Greece has an odds to win of +1200.
Argentina will also put up a good fight as one of the best-ranked teams. Beating other teams in its group like Serbia will already be a big accomplishment for Argentina. The absence of Manu Ginobili may affect their chances, but they still have other good players to rely on, such as Andrew Nocioni, Carlos Delfino, Fabricio Oberto, and Luis Scol who play in the NBA. Serbia has an +1400 odds to win compared to Argentina’s +2000.
Games to Watch for the Upcoming 2010-2011 NHL Season
The 2009-2010 season was one of the best for the NHL, after setting a new record not only for the Chicago Blackhawks, who won their Stanley Cup after a 49-year championship drought, but also as one of the most-watched games in the US based on TV ratings and sports betting activities. This makes Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals garner one of the highest ratings on NBC as the most-watched game in the US in 36 years. Following the skyrocketing success of the previous season, hockey fans and experts are looking forward to a strong 2010-2011 season.
Among the favorite teams to win the next Stanley Cup are the Chicago Blackhawks, Washington Capitals, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Atlanta and Minnesota may also have a good chance to make it to the playoffs, while Detroit may be a strong contender for the Stanley Cup based on sports betting odds. With all these bold predictions, sports bettors and fans are already counting the days before the regular season will kick in on October 7.
2010-2011 NHL season
About 40 days to go before the new NHL season begins, many are anticipating a more exciting roster of games not only from defending champion Chicago Blackhawks, but also from other teams, which showed a lot of promise and improvement on their performance. With new draft picks and some reshuffling among players, it is said that the 2010-2011 season will be just as exciting as the last season, if not better.
The opening game
For the season opening, the 5-game roster includes the national doubleheader for Hockey Night in Canada on CBC, the national tripleheader on VERSUS in the US, and the national game featured on TSN. Minnesota Wild is scheduled to play against the Carolina Hurricanes that day in Helsinki, Finland, at Hartwall Areena, as part of the NHL Face-off and the 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere. This first regular season game will be broadcast in the US through VERSUS and in Canada through TSN.
For the opening night, the Pittsburgh Penguins will host the game against the current Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia Flyers at the CONSOL Energy Center, the Penguins’ new home. This will be the middle game for the tripleheader of VERSUS. The regular season games will also kick off with the defending Stanley Cup champion, the Chicago Blackhawks, playing against the Colorado Avalanche, which will be hosting the game.
For CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, the doubleheader will feature the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first game. The Edmonton Oilers will also battle it out with the Calagary Flames in what is dubbed as the “Battle of Alberta.”
Regular season games held overseas
For four consecutive years, the NHL has been hosting games in different parts of the globe. For the 2010-2011 season, the games between the Sharks and Blue Jackets will be held in Stockhom, Sweden, on October 8 and 9, at the Ericsson Globe Arena. In Prague, Czech Republic, the Bruins vs. the Coyotes game will take place at the O2 Arena on October 9 and 10.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos at the Aug. 29 Preseason Game
NFL fans who are eager to watch their favorite teams this upcoming Aug. 29 preseason game are definitely in for a treat as the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos prep themselves up. Here’s the scoop on each team:
Injury recovery vital for the Denver Broncos’ comeback
Recent injuries have definitely made an impact on the team’s preseason performance. So far, the team’s rushing attack is feeble. The Denver Broncos only averaged a mere 3.2 yards per rush during a couple of exhibition games, and they only gained 111 yards, which is ranked in the league as 30th. Among the Broncos who had experienced injuries just recently include LenDale White who injured his leg, and Tim Tebow who injured his ribs. Fortunately, these players are slated to come back to the field by next week. As for the return of Knowshon Moreno (who injured his hamstring) and Ryan Clady (who injured his knee), the date is still uncertain.
Denver Broncos Line transition
Aside from the recent injuries, the lineup is also experiencing a transition. This is one possible reason why the performance of the Denver Broncos are languishing. Rookies J.D. Walton and Zane Beadles have both been getting repetitions extensively during exhibition and practice games. This is so to speed up their learning curve and to expose them to the rigor of the NFL.
The recent injuries and the lineup transition are two reasons why Denver Broncos are considered as the underdog for the upcoming Aug. 29 preseason exhibition game.
2010 Denver Broncos Preview
It seems that the future performance of the Denver Broncos will rely heavily on when its injured players will all be able to go back to the field. Despite the fact that some of the team’s players are not yet up and running, the team coach, Josh McDaniels, is hopeful that the team will be able to make a comback on the next exhibition game.
Current NFL odds for Broncos in bodog sportsbook shows:
Spread +2-110
Money Line +110
Total U36-110
Steelers’ performance make them the crowd favorite
The Pittsburgh Steelers are definitely the crowd’s favorite as their performance for the previous preseason games has been great. This is thanks to many things, including Tony Hills’ performance as the team’s offensive tackle. And because of such a great performance, Hills has proven that his patience and perseverance have definitely paid off. According to Hills, he had enough time to work on his game, sharpen up his techniques, and build his stamina just before the exhibition games during preseason.
2010 Pittsburgh Steelers Preview
Despite the early success, the Steelers still have a long way to go. Plus, the team needs to improve its tackle and add more depth. The team’s decision to hire Maurkice Pouncey as first-rounder (rookie) can have a great impact on the team’s performance in future games.
Current NFL Odds for Steelers at bodog sportsbook shows:
Spread -2-110
Money Line -130
Total O36-110
Bodog’s Top Casino Winners
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UFC 118 Odds: Penn vs. Edgar Betting Preview
The final big UFC event before college football takes over Saturdays is this weekend’s UFC 118 in Boston headlined by two bouts: a rematch between B.J. Penn and Frankie Edgar and an intriguing fight between mixed martial arts legend Randy Couture and former three-division boxing champion James Toney in his MMA debut. Odds and juice provided by bodog sportsbook with complete betting coverage of the UFC 118 event.
B.J Penn vs. Frankie Edgar betting preview
Edgar, nicknamed “The Answer,” pulled off a stunning upset of Penn via unanimous decision at UFC 112 back on April 10. Yet here he is as the underdog again despite being on a four-fight winning streak. Penn, considered the greatest lightweight of all-time by many, not only lost his title back in April, but it was the first time he’d been beaten in a fight at 155 pounds since 2002.
“I’ve been the underdog in my last three or four fights and I seem to perform well in this position, so I don’t mind it at all,” Edgar said to reporters.
In the first Penn-Edgar bout, the line opened at -800 and closed at a whopping -1150 for Penn; it was the most favored Penn had been in his career (he was never an underdog in a UFC title defense fight). This bout opened with Penn as the -340 favorite and quickly jumped to -365 thanks to a combination of heavy betting on Penn and heavy parlay action. But the line has now dropped to -325 in part because upsets last weekend in a Strikeforce event both Muhammed Lawal (-575) and Bobby Lashley (-800) were upset, thus busting a lot of parlays with Penn. Overall, “The Prodigy” is getting about 68 percent of the handle just on the line with Edgar (currently +250).
Other than against Penn, Edgar has only been an underdog once in his UFC career (UFC 98 vs. Sean Sherk, a unanimous decision victory for Edgar). Obviously it’s quite rare for a champion to get plus-money odds in a title bout as Edgar is here. The last time a champion was as big an underdog was in April in a Strikeforce event in Nashville when Jake Shields (+325) defended his title against Dan Henderson (-500), with Shields winning a unanimous decision.
This time around Penn (15-6-1) says he is preparing for Edgar (12-1) to try and take him down and not have a standup battle like the first fight. That bout was only the third time an opponent has taken Penn a full five rounds.
“I am ready for all areas in this thing,” Penn said. “Whatever Frankie tries to bring like any other fighter, I am going to be better, I don’t want to throw out my game plan or exactly what I am going to do. I am definitely going to be ready for whatever happens.”
Penn and Couture have one thing in common: They are the only two UFC fighters to win titles in two weight classes (lightweight and welterweight for Penn, heavyweight and light heavyweight for Couture). Couture is currently a big -575 favorite against Toney, a former middleweight, super middleweight and cruiserweight champion in the ring. But the boxing fans out there seem to have confidence in Toney (+350), as he is currently getting about 56 percent of the lean.
Randy Couture vs. James Toney betting preview
Couture (15-7 in UFC) hasn’t fought since February’s submission victory over Mark Coleman at UFC 109 and is 4-2 since unretiring. Needless to say, Couture will try to get Toney, an obviously superior and powerful puncher, on the ground as quickly as possible. UFC president Dana White has predicted a first-round finish from Couture. But remember that former heavyweight boxing champion Ray Mercer knocked out former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia at Adrenaline III last year. Mercer, in his official MMA debut, won that fight in only nine seconds.
Which is superior, MMA or Boxing
The Couture-Toney bout is drawing big action so far as no doubt MMA and boxing fans are frothing to see which sport’s athlete is superior. The opening line has pretty much stayed put because of two-sided action.
35 Million Loan Paid Off, Four Years in Advance
Recently, there were news of ongoing disputes regarding illegal casino operation in some states, leading to court battles between casino operators and state officials who are saying that some operators have clearly violated the law. This year, some casino and gaming companies have also claimed losses because of increased expenses, among many other reasons declared in their end of quarter financial reports. But at a time when the industry seems to be struggling with many issues at hand, a casino in Battle Creek, Michigan startled many after it was able to pull in a lot of revenue from its slot machines in less than a year, enough to to pay what they borrowed in full.
With this success story, some are saying that the casino industry is still strong despite the weakening economic data in different corners of the world. The news also seems to suggest that slots remain to be one of the more popular casino games around. In fact, slots are considered to be one of the top earners for casinos, providing about 70 percent of the total revenues. With this, many are hopeful that casino gaming and other entertainment ventures will be strong for the coming years.
The FireKeepers Casino and its profitable venture
The FireKeepers Casino started operations on August 2009, after borrowing a total of $35 million from the local revenue. Now, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, the owners of the casino, found the venture to profitable that they managed to pay off the full loan – four years ahead of schedule.
How is this possible?
Although the casino did not actually release exact figures, FireKeepers did pay off $1.93 million to the Local Revenue Sharing Board for its first five months of operation. The amount is the required two percent slot machine profits, which suggests that they had about $96.5 million earnings for the first five months, less possible expenses or other cash disbursements.
FireKeepers has under its roof over 2,600 slot machines that could earn as much as $7,000 each month per slot machine. The amount was calculated via the same amount paid by the casino owners to the local revenue sharing board.
The Tribal Chairperson Homer A. Mandoka commented that the loan payment made four years before its due date “attest to the success of FireKeepers Casino.” They have also decided to contribute four percent of the slot revenues to the State of Michigan.
The casino’s marketing director Michael Facenda commented about the quality of their service, adding that this is one of the reasons why FireKeepers have achieved excellent heights. He said that, “At FireKeepers, we strive to offer great quality service. We’re pleased with the facility and our progress to date.”
The tribe currently has 1,100 or more members located at the Pine Creek Reservation.
Casino venture greatly profitable
FireKeepers is not the only entity that attests to the success of the casino venture. Another establishment owned by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, the Four Winds Casino, reported a two percent sharing revenue of 6.22 million for its 12 months of operation. Its slots amounting to 3,000 pieces have been able to produce roughly 311 million dollars during its year-long operation.
Tampa Poker Prodigy John Racener All Set for WSOP Final Table
John Racener is all set for the World Series of Poker final table game, giving him the chance to win as much as 8.9 million dollars. The nationally televised event will take place on November 6, within the Rio Hotel and Casino in the City of Lights, Las Vegas.
“I want to be up here,” Racener says, indicating a level higher than his hair. As one of the promising players for the World Series of Poker Final Table, Racener is just a few weeks away from recognizing that dream with the whole world watching on November 6.
How Racener started and got this far
Racener did not really get to the position by a continuous streak of luck. Like most poker professionals, the 24-year old player lived the life of most poker enthusiasts. He even writes down his occupation as an Entrepreneur — Professional Poker Player in Facebook. So far, his career winnings add up to a whopping 1.7 million dollars.
It all started at age 16 when Racener asked his mother for a credit card, played poker online, and managed to get 30,000 dollars from his initial 50 dollars. This was done in the span of six months, turning Racener into a very well to do and adept poker player at barely 16 years old.
By the time he reached 18, Racener was playing at Seminole Hard Rock casino, winning up to $130,000 during a big online tournament. After three years, he again wins more than 103,000 dollars at Harrah’s Resort located in Atlantic City.
All set for the WSOP
Now, the 24-year old player is all set for the World Series of Poker. When asked, he commented that poker doesn’t really make him nervous. “It’s what I do. I have nerves of steel,” he added.
According to his mother, Racener have always been good with numbers and can be very hard to read. Dropped out of the University of South Florida, he was already staying up to play online, even staying awake until four in the morning. The winning streak was not always there and like most poker players, Racener started with a losing streak, making it necessary for him to get backers who will buy him into tournaments.
Currently, Racener’s manager is Jeff Gigante whom he met two years ago. Gigante recognized the prodigy and helped him get an agent and a financial adviser to make better use of his winnings. Gigante, a co-owner of the South Tampa bars, knew Racener, being an avid poker player himself. Now that Racener is all set for the final table of the World Series of Poker, Gigante is constantly at his back cheering him on. “I get to live vicariously through John’s life,” he says, adding that the whole thing gave him closure.
Summers Ending, Casino Tournaments Are Just Beginning
Crazy Slots, Go Casino, Online Vegas Casino and Grand Vegas Casino from the Golden Casino group will be celebrating Labor Day in style with a $100,000 Free Entry Slot Tournament. Beginning Friday, September 3rd at 10PM (ET), Play in the Labor Day Week-Long $100,000 Guaranteed Slot Tournament.
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You don’t have to pay a cent to enter this Tournament, and you can Win Real Cash! All you need is a real money account (no deposit required). Should you play your starting Tournament balance down to $20, you can always re-buy for only $12.99, which will give you $300 Tournament dollars.
In September, there will be 113 Tournaments to choose from including Pot Percentage, Blackjack, Video Poker and Slot Tournaments. There is always a Tournament running and certainly something for everyone.
Added Casino Tournament Details
Labor Day Week Long $100,000 Guaranteed
Starts on Friday, September 3rd at 10PM (ET) and ends on September 10th at 10:45PM (ET)
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Each tourney starts on a Friday (September 10th, 17th, and 24th) at 10 PM (ET), and ends on the following Tuesday
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Michael Jordan’s Sons Spending Big in Las Vegas
NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan was notorious for dropping six digits per day in the bright lights of Las Vegas, Nevada. Although his two sons have nowhere near their father’s talent on the basketball court, they’re a chip off the ol’ block when it comes to spending in Sin City.
The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Marcus and Jeffery Jordan, both who play basketball at the University of Central Florida, were dropping approximately $56,000 per day in Vegas. Keep in mind they were supposed to be there with Jordan for a Fantasy Basketball Camp and Marcus is 20 years old.
“Last night was stupid,” Marcus wrote. “… 35k at Haze… Totals 50k something the whole day.. Damn!! Going to the pool again today.. Gotta relax!”
We doubt they’re getting this kind of cash from Reggie Bush’s booster, luckily these kids got daddy to foot the bill. Not sure if M.J. wanted his kids dropping his cash on blackjack tables and popping bottles though.
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European Roulette Winner Reigns Over the Casino
Bodog players have many reasons to enjoy their time in our casino and Mark J. of GA has 25,700 of them. He was able to rack up $25,700 worth of winnings last night playing European Roulette – well played! While Mark was thinking of all the ways to spend his newfound riches, we had a whole slew of players racking up over $60k in winnings last night alone.? It’s been a great week for our casino players who have been enjoying their time playing Bodog’s table games and slot machines and winning big! Make sure to check out the rest of yesterday’s winners and let them serve as inspiration so you can make your way to our next casino winners list.
Other big Bodog Casino winners from yesterday included:
- Dave B. of FL won $17,011 playing Aztecs Treasure online slots.
- Alan R. of FL won $9,085 while playing online BlackJack.
- Shizuka S. of CA won $7,269 playing Goldbeard online slots.
- Scott B. of IL won $5,001 playing online Blackjack.
- William B. of FL won $4,000 playing Tri-Card Poker.
- Brent M. of IL won $3,800 playing Baccarat.
- Sheri S. of AZ won $3,716 playing Sevens and Stripes.
- Aaron A. of WA won $3,081 playing online BlackJack.
- Andreas W. of Vienna won $2,730 playing online BlackJack.
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Congratulations to all casino winners! We hope to see you next time!
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NBA News: Turnovers Galore for the US Team
While U.S. basketball still holds the esteemed position of being one of the best showcases of this sport, the most recent practice game of the U.S Team has shown that there is still much work to be done before the start of the World Championships less than two weeks from now. This game did not exhibit the finesse and the talent that is typical of any top-flight NBA game. It also placed into blinding light the variety of skills, styles and coaching techniques that is the hallmark of most of the teams in the NBA.
Partners instead of opponents
One reasonable argument why the squad performed as they did is the lack of chemistry. This justification is quite valid because only a few of the team members actually play for one team. The switch from being an opponent to a teammate is a difficult process to go through for players of this caliber. Yes, it takes time to establish a reasonably good working chemistry between team members, but time is not something these players have.
The U.S. coaching team isn’t that worried though. U.S. head coach Mike Krzyzewski believes that they have to wait for the start of the tournament before they assume that this is a serious problem. He thinks that since the U.S. Team isn’t close to one of the tallest teams in the tournament, they should still focus on improving the rebounding skills of the team. The argument is sound, but the need to address the turnover issue is much too glaring to be ignored.
Tournament rules
World Championship regulations are slightly different compared to NBA rules. This might be a detriment to the U.S. Team because its players’ styles are stongly attached to how they are coached in the NBA. Nevertheless, issues like overpenetration of the guards or too many passes during game play should be addressed and “trained out” during these few reamining exhibition matches.
These players are so used to playing in the NBA that even the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) composite ball is giving them problems. Much to the players’ dismay, the discernable difference in feel of the new balls is preventing them from getting into a good rhythm during the game. There is no escaping the regulations. It’s up to the U.S. coaching team and the players themselves to get used to the different ball and the variant regulations (at least from their point of view).
Familiarity breeds chemistry
The team still has a long way to go, but upcoming matches with China and France should give them a fairly accurate gauge of what still needs to be addressed before the start of the World Championship. Time isn’t on their side, but it isn’t what they should be worried about anyway. It is getting along with each other that will determine their success.
Slotland Player Wins More Than $148,000 Jackpot
Slotland just confirmed that one of their slots players won more than $148,000 in progressive jackpot after playing the Lucky Stars game, one of their more popular slot machines. The lucky winner was identified as SOUTHBELLE. The winner has been playing at Slotland for three years now and was able to grab a total of $148,711. Hitting the massive jackpot prize, the winner is excited about his/her biggest win since joining the online casino site.
Perhaps still overwhelmed by his/her fortune, the winner was honest to say that there’s still uncertainty on how the six-figure jackpot prize will be spent. However, SOUTHBELLE said that part of it will be used for helping his/her brother who’s struggling with debts lately. One thing’s for sure, the Lucky Stars winner will have a lot of fun with more than $148,000 at hand. The money will be spent with his/her family, according to the interview.
Lucky Stars
Lucky Stars is a 5-payline slot machine that has grown more popular than other slot games offered at Slotland.com. The Lucky Stars allows the players to win more with its bonus round and hold feature. For each payline, the player can win by hitting the right combination. Special bonuses are also for grabs, including the 10x multiplier during the bonus round. According to SOUTHBELLE, this particular slot game requires more strategies, making it more enjoyable than others. The hold feature, which randomly makes an appearance on screen, is also another amazing treat. Through this feature, the player can choose between having another spin or holding on to what he or she has.
Slotland manager Michael Hilary said that it took time before the jackpot prize hit the six-figure mark. This is because less people played during the summer season, and during fall, the jackpot was hit several times. They didn’t expect that the jackpot prize would amount to more than $148,000.
The slot games offered at Slotland are actually under the same jackpot. With max bets on this wide array of slot games, the prize pool can only grow bigger. For hitting the progressive jackpot, players are advised to play with the max bet, which is $2 for Lucky Stars. To win the progressive jackpot, the player has to hit five bars on the same line using a max bet.
Slotland games
Slotland offers a good selection of video poker games and slot machines. Some of their more popular games, such as Lucky Stars, is actually part of the Slotland collection that can also be played on mobile phones and PDAs. Another advantage from Slotland.com is that the games are available as instant play, which means that downloading or installing the software is not required. There are also games that can be played through Flash, a format that offers better graphics and audio quality.
NHL’s Chris Pronger Prepares Early for Another Run at the Cup
Chris Pronger is currently recovering from surgery of his knee last July 27. The Philadelphia Flyers defenseman decided to have this operation early in the summer so that he could have enough time to recuperate and train for the 2010-11 season.
Pronger has been carrying this injury since it occurred during the Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 1. Despite this, he was still able to lead the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals, ultimately to be defeated by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Silently nursing the injury
The Flyers’ performance during the last season was due in part to Pronger’s consistent performance. In fact, he led the team in average ice time per game, both in the regular season and postseason: 25:55 and over 29 minutes, respectively. Chris Pronger went through a maintenance training regimen throughout the season that saw him focus more on just playing the actual games, rather than spending the usual amount of time on practice. He and his trainer simply needed to preserve what’s left of his knee to last the season.
In spite of this unique training regimen, the fans, for the most part, didn’t even realize that he was nursing a serious injury. It is testament to the methods Pronger and his trainer have followed, and the simple fact that he was still completely dedicated to the team regardless of the injury. Impressive is the fact that of the remaining 17 games of last season, including the six games of the Stanley Cup Finals, he still averaged over 27 minutes in 14 of those games. He claimed that while he was hampered by the pain and the limited range of motion, the regimen he and his trainer developed simply allowed him to continue playing until the end of the season.
Looking cautiously ahead
Chris Pronger knows he won’t be 100 percent for the Flyers’ opener on October 7 in Pittsburgh. His focus now is on a wholehearted effort to go back to the game with full strength, rather than forcing himself to play early and risk the possibility of injuring himself again. It should be something to look forward to, considering his record in the league. His primary goals in this season is to come back and be in the active lineup of the team. Most likely, he will not get the same amount of ice time when he does, but he expects to at least be an active contributor to the game when that day comes.
His goals for this season is quite reasonable and can be attained. If you look at his successful career so far, the chances of him making a successful return is very good. This should be good news to his team. A return run to the Stanley Cup Finals should be an excellent present for him and his team once he returns.
New York Gets Ready for Casino Gambling
With the agreements already approved by state legislative officials and Governor David Paterson, it looks like casino gambling will be happening in New York City. About 4,000 video slot machines are expected to be set up at the Aqueduct racetrack in Queens by Genting New York, one the largest gambling companies in Southeast Asia and England. Just waiting for the approval of both the state attorney general and the state comptroller, the video slots are scheduled to be installed in the Big Apple next month.
Looming for years
The plan to start casinos in New York has been in discussion for a decade, with bids going on in between the Big Apple and casino companies. Over the years, the plan has been stalled due to problems between the two concerned parties, disputes and investigations, funding difficulties, and even bankruptcy of a casino company. What clinched the deal was Genting’s $380 million cash infusion, especially with the state needing funding immediately. A total of $300 million was asked to be given in advance by the State lottery officials from the casino company, and with this comes the approval for putting in their video slots. Add to that a staggering $1.5 million of daily state tax revenue as projected by Genting.
This is not the first attempt of the state to introduce gambling slots to the Big Apple. New York already introduced casino gambling before, in an effort to infuse revenue after the September 11 World Trade Center terrorist attack. Unfortunately, the introduction of video slots machines at the Aqueduct, along with eight other racetracks, wasn’t a hit and ultimately failed. The sponsor of this video slots attempt, the New York Racing Association, declared bankruptcy in the year 2006.
Plans for the site
Jay Walker, the senior consultant to the Genting Berhad, which is Genting New York’s Malaysian parent company, stated that they are aiming to develop a premier casino destination with the New York gaming scene. Walker was quoted saying, “We’re trying to create a first class, day trip destination casino, not slots in a box.”
The targeted area of the old Queens racetrack will be made up into a showcase, featuring a three-story atrium and a two-story gambling hall. An enclosed sky bridge leading to the subway station and the shuttle toward the John F. Kennedy airport will also be included in the plans. Restaurants are expected to be set up to draw in crowds as well as provide excellent convenience for residents and gamers in the area.
As opposed to the 2001 attempts, these new set-ups would hopefully click with Big Apple residents, tourists, and local gamers. With the plans already on paper, New York citizens should expect video game slots in their city next month.
NFL’s Fitzgerald Sprains His Knee
The NFL’s Arizona Cardinals are very careful in terms of treating their receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, with utmost care. This is because Fitzgerald just recently sprained his right knee. A possible consequence of this recent injury is that Fitzgerald may not be able to play for the preaseason games. Even though Fitzgerald just dismisses the incident as a “minor setback,” he still can’t give a final date as to when he will be able to come back to the field. According to Fitzgerald, he doesn’t set the timetables, and that he’ll just do what he has to do in order to prepare himself for the coming games and practice sessions. As a matter of fact, in a recent practice session, Fitzgerald just watched his playmates while his leg was encased in a leg brace.
The team’s coach, Ken Whisenhunt, has stated that the team will take a careful approach in treating Fitzgerald’s injured knee, but he expects the player to be back on the field just in time for the preseason opening game against St. Louis. The preseason opening game is slated for a schedule on September 12.
Details on how Fitzgerald injured his right knee
Fitzgerald injured his right knee when he was badly hit by Eugene Wilson as he caught from Matt Leinart a 16-yard pass. The accident happened during a recent Saturday night game. Before he left the game for good, Fitzgerald was able to play for another series. Fitzgerald stated that incidents such as this are very disappointing and frustrating. He also stated that it’s such a waste because he put in a lot of effort and his time during offseason, and then all his efforts were sidelined by a single injury.
As a result of the incident, he lost a significant amount of practice time. Fitzgerald stressed out the importance of not missing any practice session, especially since being a receiver is a position that depends a lot on perfect timing. Because the Arizona Cardinals have a new QB (quarterback), Fitzgerald needs to be able to fully assist the QB in every game. He also stated that everytime the team misses its receiver, the outcome isn’t really that good.
More about Larry Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald now enters his seventh season in the NFL, and he is well-known as one of the most reliable and durable receivers in the league. His current records stand at 59 touchdowns, and “523 career receptions for 7,067 yards.” Just last year, when he was just 26 years old, he was able to break Randy Moss’ records for the youngest NFL player to “top 7,000 yards receiving.” He was also able to achieve 9 scores and 42 catches for 705 yards within 6 postseason games.
As for durability, Fitzgerald was able to play for 47 consecutive games out of a total of 102 in his entire football career. Plus, he only missed four games during his career.
Online Slots Keeps Cranking Out the Cash
Caesar’s Empire online slots is one of Bodog’s most popular casino games!!!
Each and every player at Bodog Casino applies their own unique winning formula when hitting the slot machines but the one undeniable truth is that FUN is always part of the equation. Yesterday’s big winner, Michael S. of IL, can definitely attest to that after winning $61,296 playing Caesar’s Empire online slot machine.
There were a bevy of winners who raked thousands in cash yesterday from some of Bodog’s hottest casino games but the fun doesn’t end there because our winners list is constantly replenished with our latest power players. Read below for a full list of casino winners…
Joseph M. of MD won $20,484 playing Let’em Ride.
Tony C. of KY won $7,712 playing Sevens and Stripes.
Tony T. of NJ won $6,796 playing Caribbean Stud Poker.
Wayne J. of OH won $6,775 playing Double Double Bonus Poker.
William F. of CA won $5,623 playing Double Double Jackpot.
Robert C. of IN won $5,407 playing Caribbean Holdem Poker.
Jody C. of OH won $5,075 playing Enchanted Garden.
Todd R. of SC won $4,249 playing Blackjack.
Melissa B. of England won $3,636 playing Blackjack.
Congratulations to all of our winners who earned themselves a cash-filled weekend and a spot on our daily winners list. What will it take for you to be our next top Bodog Casino winner?
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Blackjack Champs Rule the Weekend With $82k
Online Blackjack is a big attraction at Bodog Casino and it could have something to do with the thousands in cash our players win day after day. Take this past weekend, where our casino players walked away with over $82k in cash playing their favorite online card game – blackjack. This weekend, James S. of NJ put his blackjack skills to the test and walked away as our top winner – scoring over $32,047 at the blackjack tables. While James made his way to the top so did a slew of other Bodog players. Check out our list of winners below and reserve your spot on our next winners list.
Other big Bodog Casino winners included:
• Christine C. of PA won $22,700 playing Joker Poker.
• Hector M. of CA won $22,707 playing Rain Dance.
• Joseph M. of MD won $16,978 playing online blackjack.
• Stacy W. of MN won $12,510 playing Fame and Fortune.
• Matthew K. of TX won $12,295 playing Cleopatra’s Gold.
• Nicholas C. of PA won $10,592 playing Derby Dollars.
• Desmond T of MO won $10,500 playing online blackjack.
• Douglas S. of BC won $9,470 playing Aztecs Treasure.
• Matt L. of OR won $14,940 playing Witches and Wizards.
Whatever type of casino action you may be after you can definitely get your kicks at Bodog Casino. Download our free casino software today and take your casino playing skills to the next level. ?Congratulations to all of our lucky weekend casino winners!
Check out these and dozens of other exciting casino games and remember that payday is everyday at Bodog Online Casino. Play today and win!
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