Future Book Betting Traps And How To Avoid Them

By Ross Everett

Sports betting futures wagers can be an entertaining and profitable investment, but there are a number of pitfalls. These are some things to avoid:

You gotta shop around: More specifically, you have to 'shop points' just as you would with a straight bet. This is crucial in all forms of sports betting but particularly key with futures wagers. There are often greater variances in the prices from book to book on future plays than any other type of wagering proposition. The reason for this is simple--most books are less concern with what the 'other guys' are doing as they are with keeping their own position 'in balance'. All in all, the sports betting marketplace just doesn't react as quickly to changing futures prices as it does to individual game lines.

In a competitive field, don't obsess with picking the winner: This may sound like a strange concept, but once you understand the theory behind it it makes perfect sense. In a large field--the NCAA basketball tournament is a perfect example--the top few favorites are invariably priced at odds that are less than the 'true odds' of them winning. On the other hand, there are always teams that fly 'under the radar' available at higher prices that present a betting overlay.

In mathematical terms, we're simply not being offered odds on a favorite that offer a good value in comparison with the 'true odds' of the event occurring. Let's say we bet Duke at +200 to win the NCAA tournament. If we could magically play the NCAA tournament over 100 times, would Duke come out on top more than 33 times? If not, they're a poor value at the price. At a higher price, I might be interested but at +200 the value is simply not there.

Note that the more competitive the market, the more difficult it is to find good value on a favorite. In a smaller field, or in a field with one dominant competitor it can be easier. For example, say the UFC were to have a tournament involving heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and three male figure skaters. Even if Lesnar was slightly injured, or not at the top of his game he'd essentially have a 100% chance of beating the smaller, effeminate men who are untrained to fight. If a book installed Lesnar as a -1000 favorite in this spot, it could still be considered a good value. It's never easy to risk a lot to win a little, but from strictly a mathematical standpoint it makes sense.

Don't go for the big killing: Sports wagering is not a good arena in which to make a 'big killing'. It may happen from time to time, but it is extremely rare. A perennial doormat can come out of nowhere to win a championship at a big price, but the fact that it happens from time to time doesn't make it a good value. If you're a recreational player and want to throw a few dollars at a big long shot, no real harm. If you aspire to any degree of seriousness as a sports better, however, you need to maintain your discipline and commitment to value at all times. If you want to hit a big jackpot play the lottery or the slot machines, but don't try to do it in a sports betting paradigm.

Simply stated, the concept of value works the same at the bottom of the wagering ladder as it does at the top. Even if you're betting a big underdog at a huge price make sure that it accurately reflects the 'true odds' of the event occurring.

Don't bet one sided props: Sometimes sports books will offer silly bets just to get publicity or in some cases just to be funny. While there may be life on other planets, the 'true odds' of a Martian being named to President Obama's cabinet wouldn't justify a +5000 line that it would occur.

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and noted authority on sports betting odds comparison. He writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and betting odds portal sites. He lives in Northern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.

Chiefs Beat Struggling Redskins

By Ross Everett

The offensively struggling Kansas City Chiefs have finally found a way to win-play a team with a more stagnant offense than their own. The Chiefs gave Todd Haley his first win as a NFL head coach on Sunday with a---6 win over the Washington Redskins. Kansas City is now 1-5 on the NFL season, while the Redskins slumped to 2-4.

To successfully bet on NFL football you occasionally have to put aside W/L records and look at the underlying statistics. Those who did that found reason to take Kansas City as +6' road underdogs and were rewarded with the outright victory. Kansas City is now 2-4 against the NFL pointspread and has covered two straight while Washington is a dismal 1-5 versus the money. The 20 combined points went well UNDER the posted total of 36'.

After the contest, Haley sounded more relieved than excited about finally putting a "W" on the board:

"We made it pretty difficult, right down to the end. We've pushed through a very difficult period. We needed to get some positive reinforcement with a win."

Kansas City QB Matt Cassel also won for the first time since coming over from New England in the off season. His postgame comments were more upbeat:

"There's been a lot of change, but this has definitely been special. We rose to the occasion. We made some big plays. We put ourselves in a position to score points."

Embattled Redskins' coach Jim Zorn was stripped of his offensive play calling duties by team management after the contest. In one of his last decisions in that role, he pulled starter Jason Campbell at halftime and went with Todd Collins. He explained his move as follows:

"I felt the need to create a spark on our football team offensively and went with Todd. I think the guys responded well. We kept our spark, at times, and then we refizzled."

The Redskins have managed to win only two of their first six games despite being the only team in NFL history to play their first six games of the season against winless opponents. They'll get another chance to silence their doubters next Monday night as they host the Philadelphia Eagles. They'll have a bye the next week and return to action on November 8th against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Kansas City will try to string together back to back wins as they host the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer who has written on sports betting and how to successfully bet on NFL football. He has appeared as a guest on TV and radio talking about boxing, cricket and NFL pointspreads. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and a ferret.

Green Bay Trounces Detroit

By Ross Everett

The Green Bay Packers didn't do a good job protecting their quarterback last Sunday, but against the lowly Detroit Lions it didn't really matter. Packers' QB Aaron Rodgers was sacked five times, but Green Bay used a big first half offensive outburst to coast to a 26-0 NFL victory over the Detroit Lions. Rodgers threw two first half touchdown passes which was complimented by four Mason Crosby field goals as Green Bay improved to 3-2 on the season. The Lions slumped to 1-5 with the loss.

NFL football betting enthusiasts who backed the Packers as -14 home dogs easily cashed their tickets with Green Bay's third pointspread cover in five games. Detroit slipped to 2-4 against the spread.

In the victory, Packers' receiver Donald Driver passed Sterling Sharpe for first place on the franchise reception list. Sharpe finished his career with 596 receptions, Driver now has 602. After the game, he talked about the accomplishment:

"It couldn't it come in a better place -- at home in front of the fans I've played in front of for so many years. It feels good. Now I just have to wait on Sterling to call me and congratulate me."

Despite the convincing victory, cornerback Tramon Williams wasn't happy with the relatively narrow margin:

"It feels like a 50 to zero game, but we didn't quite get there. I felt we should've put more points on the board."

For the Lions, their quarterback woes continued. Matthew Stafford is already out indefinitely with an injured knee, and against Green Bay backup Daunte Cullpepper injured his hamstring in the third quarter and was replaced by the Lions' third string quarterback Drew Stanton. Cullpepper is now listed as 'questionable' on the official NFL injury report. After the game, he talked about Detroit's lack of offense:

"It's very disappointing, very frustrating. It's embarrassing to me not to be able to move it on the field and get points on the board. We've got to figure out a way to do that, simple as that."

The Packers will play on the road this Sunday, heading to Cleveland to face the Browns. The game is currently off the board as linemakers try to get a handle on the personnel impact of the Browns' struggle with a flu bug making its way through the locker room. Green Bay will host the Minnesota Vikings the following Sunday followed by a trip to Tampa Bay on November 8. Detroit has a bye this weekend and will return to action as they host the St. Louis Rams on November 1.

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a staff handicapper for Sports-1 Sportsbook as well as a widely published freelance writer specializing in fight sports, investing strategy and how to bet on NFL football. He is a respected authority on Internet sports betting, cigars and fencing. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a pet wallaby.

Seattle Slew's Legacy Of Horse Racing Greatness

By Ross Everett

Seattle Slew--the last living Triple Crown winner--died on May 7, 2002 at the age of 28. As one of only 11 Triple Crown winners in history, he is by default one of the greatest horses in the history of thoroughbred racing. Of those 11 legendary animals, Seattle Slew was the only one to complete the Triple Crown with an undefeated record, as well as the only one to have been purchased at a public auction. After retiring in'78, Slew became one of the most important and successful stud horses in the history of the sport. He sired 1,066 foals including 102 stakes race winners. Among this impressive group of offspring was the'84 Kentucky Derby winner, Swale. All told, Slew's offspring have won an amazing $76 million dollars at the race track. Slew's stud fee of $300,000 made him a very profitable horse even after his racing career was over. Slew wasn't a particularly attractive horse, but he had the toughness of a championship boxer and the sort of intestinal fortitude and desire that can only be given by The Creator.

The Seattle Slew story started at a public auction in Kentucky--not exactly a venue expected to produce a future champion. Slew, in particular, was an unlikely heir to greatness. He was somewhat clumsy looking due to a front right forefoot splay and had a shuffling gait at trot. Slew wasn't a beautifully majestic creature like his Triple Crown winning predecessor, Secretariat. In fact, he could have been considered borderline ugly--to the extent that he was nicknamed 'Baby Huey' by the Keeneland staff. What wasn't apparent at the time was Slew's mixture of championship intangibles--competitive desire, toughness, heart and enthusiasm. His owners had unwittingly stumbled onto an equine Muhammad Ali, and his competitive fire quickly became apparent to his trainers and jockeys. His first race came at Belmont Park in'76, and he entered--and won--three races as a two year old giving a glimpse as to what like ahead.

As a three year old, he quickly gained notice by winning his three Derby prep races, including the prestigious Wood Memorial. In the Derby, Slew got off to a terrible start as he stumbled from the gate much like War Emblem did in the 2002 Belmont. Unlike 2002's Triple Crown contender, however, Slew was able to recover from that miscue and basically force his way through a pack of other horses to position himself at the front of the field at the quarter mile pole. He went on to win the Derby by a length and 3 quarters. Another tough victory in the Preakness set up his Triple Crown winning run at the Belmont, which he won by 4 lengths.

Slew continued to campaign as a four year old, but in the days before the Breeder's Cup there weren't many opportunities for an older horse. He retired to stud in'78, where he sired champions such as the aforementioned Swale and'92 Belmont Champ AP Indy. Slew stood at Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, Kentucky from'85 until early 2002 when he was moved to Hill 'n' Dale Farm in Lexington, KY following a spinal operation.

In some ways, Slew had much in common with the heavyweight championship reign of Larry Holmes. He came so quickly on the heels of such incredible excellence--Slew was forever in the shadow of'73 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, Holmes on the heels of Muhammad Ali--that he never gained the appreciation he deserved during his prime. In hindsight, however, it has finally been noted what an exceptional horse he really was. Jockey Angel Cordero, who rode Slew during the twilight of his career noted "If I had a chance to take any horse in the world, if someone said your life is depending on riding one horse to win, I would take (Slew). I rode 44,000 horses, but he was special, he was different. He was muscled, like a wrestler. He ran different than any other horse. It was like he came from another planet."

Following his death in 2002, Slew was laid to rest at Hill 'n' Dale Farm in Kentucky under a statue memorializing his legacy.

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and noted authority on sports betting odds comparison. He writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and betting odds portal sites. He lives in Southern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.

Understanding Telepathic Communication

By Alex J Gould

Ninety percent of our brains are unused by humans. What that part of the brain is for remains undiscovered. The remaining ten percent is used to function in daily life.

The ability is within everyone to communicate using only the power of the mind. We are able to see what others are thinking without saying anything or using any physical effort.

We are trained from childhood to conform to our parent's expectations and the boundaries of society. The true powers of our minds are not explored as we are not encouraged or trained to think outside the box for fear of ridicule.

We push our natural abilities aside, but it still crops up sometimes when we somehow know who is calling when the phone rings or what someone is going to say before they say it.

Is this forewarning a form of clairvoyance? Or did your mind simply receive a subconscious telepathic call from the person calling you?

We connect subconsciously with others all the time. Our minds have the capacity to learn to do this on a regular basis anytime we feel a desire to. We can develop this natural ability to use at will.

Human telepathy is a natural inherent ability within most human beings that is usually never harnessed or guided into being one of the senses we use consciously in our daily lives. This doesn't mean we don't use it. It simply means the majority of people don't know how to focus their minds in such a way to make communication possible.

It's been scientifically proven that our thoughts have a frequency, much like radio waves, and they can be measured. If you can learn to harness the frequency of your thoughts and direct them where you want, then you'll begin to learn how to communicate using your mind alone.

Here are some ways to help improve your telepathic abilities.

*A trance like state - When you get into a trance like state and become very relaxed, you will be able to send and receive messages at will. It is somewhat like being hypnotized, your mind will be open and receptive to communication.

If you're working on your telepathic ability alone then spend some time learning how to bring yourself into a trance state.

*Focus - When you are relaxed and in a quiet place, think about a person you'd like to contact you. Focus on that person. Imagine that person receiving your message. Project positive, happy emotions and allow your thoughts to convey that you want this person to contact you. Don't feel as though you need to concentrate on a command. That simply won't work. Just continue to send positive impressions.

*Have faith - Never falter in your belief that this will work, know your receiver will get the message. Stay confident and use an open mind when exploring telepathy.

*Let go of the Trance State - Do not drift off, deliberately bring yourself back to reality and go on with day to day things. There is a good reason for doing this.

As soon as you are finished and withdraw your good feelings from the person, he or she will be prompted to contact you. This is because you cut off the communication and the person will no longer feel your presence. They will miss you more and take steps to reach out to you.

This is a great way to become focused on developing and using telepathy to communicate. You can use two people to practice and enhance your abilities.

A quick way to practice with two people.

*One Sends and One Receives - Determine who wants to be the sender and who will be the receiver. We will start with you being the sender.

The receiver should have a pad and pen ready to jot down any impressions he might receive. If the sender is focusing on a simple object, the receiver might feel as though he's making things up at first, but insist that all impressions and thoughts are written down for later comparison.

*See it - Use some simple images to focus on and send to your receiver. Things like a yellow sun, grapes, or a triangle. It will be easy for you to concentrate on these simple things and project them to your receiver.

*Transmitting Your Message - Close your eyes and focus on establishing a communication thought-tube between you and the receiver. Picture it clearly in your mind's-eye as connecting the two of you.

Visually place the object you want to send on or in the line you have visualized and then send it. Follow it all the way to your receiver and picture it clearly as you watch it going to its destination.

The act of visualization is a powerful tool in allowing your mind to focus on getting your message across.

*End Transmission - When you feel that your thought-object has reached its destination, stop projecting and allow your mind to be blank. This pause in transmission is important because it allows your receiver time to realize that an image really did appear. When it stops it also allows the receiver time to take a note of what image he saw.

*Receive - The receiver needs to approach this with an open mind and want to receive messages. It all needs to be written down as a record to refer to later. It is important to relax and let the message flow in.

All humans will experience flashes and images in their mind's-eye when their thoughts are still. Your receiver will at first believe he's making things up, but it's important to still record any impressions.

*Check the results - When the session is complete, see how well both of you done in sending and receiving images. Anyone will get some of them right as well have the ability to do this. It will take some training to do really well at it as a rule. A perfect score would be very unusual on the first try.

For best results, practice often.

About the Author:

Alex J Gould is a writer for the popular http://www.telepathyrevealed.com site. Discover the amazing experience of telepathy for yourself and find out the real undisclosed secrets of telepathic communication when you visit here.