Archive for July, 2007

How to Avoid Online Betting Scams (Part 2)

Tuesday, July 31st, 2007

In the last post we looked at some things that you can consider when evaluating how safe or legitimate an online sportsbook is.  Of course, as a reminder, I would like to say that these are only pointers and they do not guarantee, in any way, that you are safe from scammers.  Anyhow, let us look at some more tips on avoiding online betting scams.

Check out these management issues:  how long has the sportsbook been in business, how financially secure is it, and what kind of management does it have?  The first question is easily answered.  The second one would entail looking at listings such as the Stock Exchange.  The third one would entail more research.

One of the best measures for a sportsbook is customer service.  Check if they have service 24/7.  Try giving them a call.  Do their reps speak good English?  That is, is there no language barrier?  Are they helpful?  Courteous? Patient?  You want to know these things because if you encounter problems later on down the line, you would have to deal with them.

Last, evaluate their wagering rules and their bonuses and promos.  Though these things may not really give you a good gauge as to whether the site is legit or not, it is assumed at this point that you have a good idea regarding that already.  It is time to make sure that this site is going to give you your money’s worth!

How to Avoid Online Sports Betting Scams

Tuesday, July 24th, 2007

Wherever you go, there are always people who would try to take advantage of you – that is, if you let them.  This is a fact of life and is applicable to most any case.  Sports betting is not exempt, especially online sports betting.  So how can you avoid being victimized?  Here are some tips to help you.

Know where the online betting site is located.
  There are so many ways that people can con other people online.  One is to base their company in an obscure place.  Do your research and make sure that the sports betting site is located in a country that legally allows sports betting.  When in doubt, better look for another site that you are sure is legitimate.

Test the speed of the site. 
Though this may be a shaky point for others, I believe that a good sports betting site should be generous and smart enough to establish resources to maximize the betting experience.  Try using the site right before a major game.  If the connection is too slow, then I suggest that you go someplace else.  This means that the owners of the site are too cheap to invest in additional resources and this is not a good thing.

Check the payment options.  One way to check if the site is in good financial shape is whether or not they offer credit card payments.  If they do not, it may be a sign that they are not in good financial standing.  Credit card companies are quite strict when it comes to partnerships, so this is a good measure.

More to come.

Sports Betting at CasinoUnreal

Tuesday, July 17th, 2007

A relatively old player in the world of online casinos, CasinoUnreal has recently undergone a face lift.  Established in 2001, this online casino is now offering new graphics, features, and games.  In the beginning, it was just another online venue for playing poker and other games but with their revamp, they are now offering sports betting as well.

This is, of course, good news to all sports betting enthusiasts out there who are always on the lookout for online venues to play in.  Existing members of CasinoUnreal do not need to create new accounts to be able to gain access to the online casino.  However, they may be in for a huge surprise as everything will be different from what they are used to.  Upon logging in, players will not be greeted merely with the casino homepage but will be given three options and the choice between poker and sports betting.

They have a wide selection of poker variations, from 5 Card Draw to 7 Card Stud to Omaha, and of Texas Hold ‘em Poker.  For sports betting, of course, you can take your pick from different sports such as baseball, football, golf, hockey, rugby, and tennis.

You can choose to play either by downloading their software or using the flash mode.  The latter is actually a much appreciated update by their players who do not want to have to wait for the software to download.  The flash player makes it easier for anyone to just enter the site and play immediately.

How to Succeed at Sports Betting

Tuesday, July 10th, 2007

I don’t know about you but for me, anything that I try out I want to be successful at.  The thing is, success is not always guaranteed.  No matter that I want it so much, there are simply times when I cannot get what I want.  I know I am being philosophical here…anyhow, in sports betting, I would think that most people are aiming for success as well.  Otherwise, why keep on making your bets and placing your wagers?  Here are some tips to help you succeed in this activity.

I believe that the main thing to remember is the fact that there is no one way to succeed at sports betting.  There are many different systems and strategies and not all of them work for everyone in the same way.  That is why it is important for you to find your own strategy or adopt one which works for you.  This is probably the hard part.  In the beginning you would have to keep on trying our different systems and methods.  This would be akin to the trial and error method.  When you hit upon a system that seems to work for you, try it out for a while – measure the long term success.  If it lives up to your expectations, stick with it.

All the while that you going on with your sports betting activities, do not overlook a simple yet powerful thing – doing your homework and keeping notes.  These go hand in hand.  Search for information and keep track of your activities.  This way you can go back and look through your notes for future reference.

NBA Draft 2007 (Part 2)

Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007

Here’s another piece of very interesting news.  Again, I do not know exactly how it is going to help you make your wagers but I could not help but share this with you guys.  Remember Spencer Hawes from Seattle?   He has been drafted into Sacramento.  As it turns out he is a right-wing fan Governor Schwarzenegger.  Very interesting comments from the young guy:

Hawes says he “loves” Arnold, and that he brought True Lies with him on the trip to New York, with plans to watch it on the flight home. “Now it has a little extra meaning for me,” Hawes said.

Before we expect some kind of right-wing, basketball-and-politics partnership to form, though, Hawes might need to change his stance on global warming. Schwarzenegger, who most recently discussed the issue with world leaders during a tour of Europe, has become a leading figure in the fight for action against climate change. Hawes has a different view.

When I spoke with Hawes at the league’s predraft camp on May 31, he talked about a recent Public Debate class exercise at the University of Washington. In it, he said, he denied the entire existence — and human cause — of global warming. When asked for his take on Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, Hawes said, “It’s one big lie. I talked about that in my opening speech — it’s the media’s liberal overexaggeration of just about everything.”

I wonder how Hawes will be in his opening game in the NBA?  We have yet to see if his passion for politics will be anything like his passion for the game.