Betting Corner: Learning the Line

With the legalization of sports betting in the U.S. there are going to be endless opportunities to capitalize on NFL games while getting to watch some awesome football in the process. The NFL is the most heavily bet on sport in the country, and we can only expect those numbers to increase with the new laws in place. In this article, we highlight some strategies that can be used to beat the bookies and cash some winning tickets.

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Destination Deadwood: South Dakota’s Casino Hotbed

The town of Deadwood, South Dakota was born in the heady days of the Black Hills Gold Rush. The discovery of gold in the Black Hills in 1874 and in Deadwood Gulch in late 1875 led thousands of settlers to the area, erecting a town almost overnight in 1876. Many of the most famous (and infamous) characters of the Old West passed through the town at one time or another. Outlaws like Jack McCall and lawmen like Seth Bullock spent considerable time in Deadwood, and the city remains an integral component of the mythology of the Old West.

Deadwood has a special place in the American consciousness, these images established by countless cowboy and outlaw dime store novels, films, video games, and television shows that celebrate the rich history of the town. However, times have changed and these days, Deadwood has been transformed from a rough and tumble mining town, to a world-class destination for casino gaming, outdoor excursions, historical tours, historic preservation and more. (more…)

Top Sportscasters: Our Top Nine Who Shine

Dick Vitale – ESPN Images

A sportscaster can really make a moment happen. The best out there can take an average play and make it into a good one or a good play and turn it into a great one. They have a way of increasing your stake in a game without the viewer realizing it, making everything more meaningful with their ability to use their words – or sometimes not speak at all – to correctly capture the gravity of a given sporting achievement.

Some sportscasters on this list are well known for their work on the national level, while others may be a little more obscure. One thing that is for certain is that any game called by these sportscasters in their prime was a must see event. (more…)

Video Poker: Sunshine in Casino Land


I believe that knowledge is a valuable asset if you want to excel at most things. That includes all sports, bridge, chess, science, math and a long list of myriad topics, including gambling. The gaming industry, however, is unlike most others in that certain topics are off limits and will never see the light of day.

For example, the highest level of device technologists is called a bench tech (most manufacturers have around ten levels) and you will never ever see one on any casino floor or even on site. I spoke to a bench tech once due to unusual circumstances and he told me that they take their secrets to the grave. So, when a level one or two technician tells you which machine to play or how they work you should take it with a grain of salt. But there are many branches of gambling facts that are not just accurate but potentially profitable. The tough part is shining a light on legitimate facts so you can differentiate between the sunshine and the fairy tales. (more…)

Craps: The Darkside Dilemma

Last issue I discussed the feelings of rightside players when it came to darksider craps players. Darksider is another name for “don’t” players, which are those players who prefer to bet against the shooter’s point and often against the various box numbers rightside players want to be rolled.

The rightside players are the norm, maybe 95 percent of the players. They bet with the shooter and want long rolls and many points and box numbers rolled. Rightsiders, as a rule, tend to dislike darksiders; some even seem to hate them as they think darksiders are happy to see the other players lose their bets. (more…)

Breeders’ Cup: Elite Racing Returns to Churchill Downs

Awesome Again with Pat Day up wins the 1998 Breeders Cup Classic at Churchill Downs

Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, has been the home of countless historical moments for over a century, primarily centered around the Kentucky Derby. From the elite champions such as War Admiral (1937), Omaha (1935) and Secretariat (1973) to the major upsets like Giacomo (2005), Charismatic (1999) and Mine That Bird (2009), every Derby leaves a lasting impression on those who attend or watch.

Up until 1988, the Fall Meet at Churchill Downs primarily gave horseracing fans a preview of the upcoming Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders, but would not host very many other notable horses. That changed in 1988 when the Breeders’ Cup, then a relatively new day of championship racing, made its debut under the famous Twin Spires.

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