Nothing beats the excitement of the horse track. Sure, the casinos do have their appeal, but they’re somewhat limiting on the types of entertainment they offer. Casinos also limit who can visit and in a very short period of time, you could be out some serious cash. For the finance and family friendliness factors, head to the races!
You don’t need to visit the Kentucky Derby to enjoy the thrills of the track. Horses race at venues all across the country. The horses, the people, and the atmosphere make the racetrack a great destination for everyone. The races are just about the only gambling venue that allows families with children. With so much to do, a good time will be had by all.
Many racetracks have special Family Fun Days with additional activities to keep the little ones amused. The adults (most states allow gamers age 18 and up) can wage their bets on their favorite horse. And it doesn’t have to be expensive. Based on odds of winning, wagers start at around two dollars. A day at the track is something new and exciting to do without breaking the bank. And, if you’re lucky or skilled, you may even be cashing in before it’s all over.
The racetrack program is your guide to the races. It details the horses’ names, descriptions, and odds. Use the program as your map to plot which horse you’re betting to win, the amount of your wager, and how the winner will end (win, place, or show). The “win” is the first horse to cross the finish line, “place” is second place, and the third horse “shows”. To better assist you when determining the outcome of a race, pick up a daily racing form. It details recent histories of horses and how they placed. The form will give you a better feel for which contestants to bet on. Studying the odds will prepare you for possible outcomes.
If you’re feeling especially adventurous, wage your bets on more complex placements with each race. The odds of winning exotic wagers are less, but the payouts are typically much greater. With the “exacta”, for example, the horses you’ve chosen to cross the finish line in first and second place must end in exactly that order. The “trifecta” features first, second, and third place winners in the very order you placed them on your racing ticket. Or, win big and gamble on a series of races (a new race starts about every twenty minutes). For a “Pick 3”, the winning horse you’ve selected must win three consecutive races. Although the stakes are high for these types of wagers, the chances of winning a Pick 3, 4, or 5 decrease exponentially versus simpler options.
Many racetracks are covered by the local newspaper’s sportswriter. A seasoned horse betting professional offers top picks based on history and facts of the contestants in a particular race. The track offers this information for a nominal fee. Horse handicapping is great information to have a better understanding on which racer will fare best.
With these tools to your disposal, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying your day at the racetrack. Pick your favorite horse, choose one that’s had a history of winning, or elect a random selection. If you bring your children, consider involving them in helping you make choices. The kids will have fun watching the horses whip around the course. Everyone will enjoy the food and the fun atmosphere. Racetracks are a great place to have some bonding time with your family while opening possibilities to make your bank account grow. And even if you don’t win, you’re only out a few bucks.
Based on this article, Keith Olbermann would like to be back, but it doesn’t sound like the folks at ESPN are holding their breath waiting for him to return.
Frankly, it doesn’t make sense, unless they give him a shot doing documentaries. ESPN is a huge business, and Olbermann is too much of a wild card. They don’t need him.
While it may come as a surprise to many people, sports celebrities really do have relevant, real things to say that don’t revolve entirely around sports metaphors. Some of the more surprising entries on this list are a young football star who also authors children’s books, a motivational book by a disgraced world champion cyclist, and a sports memoir by one of the most celebrated novelists in America. All of these books are penned by people who are or were athletes. Some are funny, some painful, and some just outright strange. Here are the top seven books written by athletes!
This riotous memoir of a literary type trying to make the third string for the Detroit Lions football team (I’m not even going to get into all the problems with that idea) is not a boy makes good story by any stretch of the imagination. What makes this book great is Plimpton’s candid and vivid description of life in the locker room, a place most fans will never get to see outside of television.
Theo Walcott has made a big name for himself in UK football as the youngest player ever to be signed to the notorious Arsenal team from the Saints. He quickly added being the youngest player, at only a couple of months after his seventeenth birthday, to be invited to the England national football team. Bringing his experience as a striker to a quartet of children’s books with lessons such as perseverance, physical fitness, and the power of friendship and teamwork, Walcott proves that athletic doesn’t mean unable to communicate.
When this book came out, readers and reviewers alike raved about the inspiring story of Armstrong’s fight against testicular cancer and his determination to win. However, the allegations of doping that have dogged Armstrong for a decade and a half finally exploded earlier this year, transforming an inspiring story into a punch line worthy of comedian Robin William’s sketch in “Live at the Met” supporting Armstrong and resulting in the stripping of numerous awards and accolades Armstrong had “earned.” It’s not about the bike, Lance? Truer words may never have been written.
In terms of sheer likability, impeccable personal conduct, and recognizability, Mary Lou Retton may well be the most popular female athlete ever to grace the planet, never mind the gym mat. Her transition from star athlete to wife, mother, and motivational speaker was capped off by gaining her author credentials. In Gateways To Happiness, Retton relies heavily but not entirely on athletic metaphors to discuss topics such as time management, adhering to a plan, and never giving up. This highly rated book is a must have not just for the content, but for the charmingly accessible way it’s written.
While the name may not mean much to you, odds are you and/or your wife have seen The Prince Of Tides, starring Barbara Streisand and Nick Nolte and based on Pat Conroy’s book of the same name. Conroy takes a trip back in time to The Citadel, one of the most respected military academies in America, for an inside look at cadet life both on and off the court. Featuring a clueless coach and the stiff upper lipped command staff and cadets themselves, this book is an unflinchingly honest look at a place most writers consider taboo to write about.
Having a list like this and not giving a nod to the Duke of Dunk would be like talking about chefs and omitting Wolfgang Puck or Gordon Ramsay. In this short but memorable book, Jordan dissects the rules he lives (and plays) by, including tips on how to beat self-doubt and conquer fear, the importance of focus, and how to both lead and follow. This book is a must-have for anyone who’d like to get their team motivated by a man who has built an empire on doing exactly that.
7) You Cannot Be Serious
By John McEnroe
To round out the list comes this offering from the undisputed Bad Boy of Tennis. (Pre-McEnroe, the world thought there was no such thing!) This brutal, candid, funny, and honest dissection of his racquet-hurling antics on the court and his erratic behavior in his personal life is by turns savage and charming, just like “Johnny Mac” himself. While it’s not exactly motivational reading, this book is still worth giving an afternoon or two, especially on a day when you just “pulled a McEnroe.”
Yardbarker is partnering up with Prilosec around key sporting events this Fall, including the upcoming NASCAR race next weekend in Talladega, to promote the new product called Prilosec OTC Wildberry. Larry the Cable Guy will hit the tailgates at the following events:
• NASCAR at Talladega – Oct 7
• Michigan at Nebraska – Oct 27
• NASCAR at Phoenix – Nov 11
• Lions at Packers – Dec 9
Prilosec OTC is also running a contest at www.WildberryFlavor.com fans can win a chance to attend 3 of the most important sports events in America. Check it out!
Odds-based betting can be exciting and even profitable if you know what you’re doing. To master the odds, you must escape some common misconceptions as you outsmart fellow bettors and conniving bookies.
Not Just Playing Favorites: Finding the Winners
In sports betting, you gain an edge only when you know more than the average bettor does. Prior to placing a bet, you should research:
• The location of the game.
• Any player injuries.
• Expected weather conditions.
• The team’s recent performance and morale.
Once you know these less-publicized elements of the game, study how each team has performed under similar conditions in the past.
Not Just Even Money: Evaluating the Money Line
In odds-based betting, the risk and reward are rarely even. Most commonly, you will find one of two types of odds.
Fractional odds: These odds are represented as a pair of numbers, where the first number represents how much you will gain if you win and the second number represents how much you must wager. A 6/1 bet would mean that you wager $1 and would gain $6 if you won, while a 1/3 bet would mean that a wager of $3 would receive a $1 gain.
Money line odds: The odds are displayed as a positive or negative number greater than 100. If the number is positive (e.g., +200), this figure represents how much you stand to profit from a $100 wager. If this number is negative (e.g., -110), the figure represents how much you must wager in order to make a $100 profit.
Even if you were fairly confident that Team A was going to win a match, if Team B had 4/1 odds or a +400 money line, your money may serve you better when wagered on the weaker team.
Not Just Win-Lose: Playing the Side Bets
Most matches have side wagers, which can help you hedge your bets. The two most common side wagers are:
The Point Spread: You predict how much your selected team will win by.
Total Points: You predict how many total points will be scored in the match.
If you’ve done your research, placing these bets is a good way to decrease your total risk and increase your potential reward.
Not Just a Local Bookie: Playing the Right Sports Book
Every bookie and casino runs their betting slightly differently, with the most important difference being the percentage of withheld commission. Since online casinos like www.casinotropez.com are able to cut out some of their operations costs, they typically take a lower commission on bets. A “good commission” (or “percentage”) will be around 10%.
Casino odds are structured to ensure that the casino makes money over the long-term. Your bets should be placed in the same way. To further maximize your gains, take advantage of any commission discounts, VIP club offers, or other extras provided by your sports betting group (for example, also German casino players can use Europa casino bonus code to get a little extra).
By following the steps above, you can trim the commission of the casino and outperform your fellow bettors.
