Poker Chips – A Great Gift Idea

Poker, especially Texas Hold’em, has become extremely popular in the last few years. More people are playing regular games with friends than ever before. Most of the mania has come from the airing of the big time poker tournaments like the world series of poker on several major TV networks. People dream of becoming the next regular guy to make it big like the “Professor,” or Chris “money-maker.” Another big factor that has fueled the fire of the poker boom is the emergence of several online poker gaming sites. On these sites you can play real people from around the world for money or just for fun. This has allowed people to learn and practice the game with security of relative anonymity. Poker legends have actually been “born” on these internet gaming sites which makes them all the more alluring.

With the recent popularity of this age-old card game, poker chip sets have become a common and very well received gift. The cool thing is that they can be a great gift for someone who really loves playing poker, is just starting to be interested in poker, or simply for someone as a great addition to a game room or display case.

There are many great occasions to give a poker chip set as a gift; Fathers Day, Christmas, Valentines Day, or a Birthday. Another idea, if your loved one already has chips, is to purchase poker accessories which make a valuable addition to any poker chip set. Examples of these accessories include a poker table or table top, a card shuffler, specialized or personalized dealer button, and many others. These poker themed gifts can vary in price from hundreds of dollars for a large 500 chip set in a deluxe storage box to any of the small end poker accessories which can start as low as five dollars. Be assured, you will be able find something to fit any budget.

Poker chip sets are also becoming a very popular groomsman gift. It is often agonizing for the groom to try to come up with a gift that will be well liked by several different guys with different interests and tastes. Because of the wide variety of chip styles and designs and many different options of cases, any groomsman would love this gift, and you can find a great set to fit any budget. Most local printing shops are now able to engrave poker chips or poker cases with each of your groomsmen’s initials in them to make this an extra special gift. Once again, problem solved!

But lets not forget that these poker sets and accessories are not only for men, there are plenty of women who love poker and are often more skilled than their male family and friends. So if your stuck, trying to figure out what that complicated lady in your life would love to receive—and seems to have everything, think about poker. If she loves poker than she is sure to love these great gift ideas, and you by giving them will have shown your creativity and thoughtfulness.

Maybe the question isn’t why should I buy, but rather why wouldn’t I purchase a poker chip set or some poker accessories for the next special occasion in my loved one’s life?

Player-Dependent Basketball Offense

Offensive play is actually a team-dependent scheme. Each player must know their roles in making points. While there may be players who can dominate games, all players must take action in order to intensify all moves.

In this article, we have listed various responsibilities each player must take.

The Point Guard
He plays the offense and should at all times, watch the backcourt. He is more like an extension of the coach in the court. Therefore, he must bear these qualities:

•    Good ball handling including dribbling with both hands
•    Good ball passing
•    Must have good speed and agility
•    Must have hard-nosed defense
•    Must have good hits on outside shots especially in the absence of defense
•    Must be able to dish-off and penetrate whenever possible
•    Must have the ability to read the other team’s defense
•    Must have low ego and should not be mindful of the low publicity point guards receive

The Off-Guard
He is often referred to as the shooting guard or the second guard. In general, he is better than the other guard. He must have the following qualities:

•    Good handling and passing
•    Must be agile and should have quick footwork
•    Must be good in dribbling with both hands
•    Must be instinctive while playing
•    Must also be a good defensive player
•    Must be consistent with 15-20 foot shot
•    Must be good at dishing off and penetration
•    Must be good in reading defense play
•    Must know the moves even without the ball
•    His ego must also be kept low as his main objective is to help his teammates score and put points on the board.

The Center He is typically the tallest player on the court since he has to guard the inner court. He is one of the most important players in the game. His qualities must be the following:

•    Must be bale to move quickly
•    Must be aggressive in terms of rebounding and blocking
•    Must have a touch of arrogance mainly for intimidation. He is a king in his own territory
•    Must be good in short-range scoring
•    Must have good skills with power lay-ups and make shots on either side of the basket.
•    Must be good with jump shots and short hooks.
•    Must be good in defensive leadership and should coordinate with his teammates •    Must have good handling, good jumping ability, excellent upper body strength and strong hands
•    Must take advantage of the defense play The Small Forward He is considered as the most gifted player. He should have the following qualities:

•    Must be especially fast
•    Must have good rebounding skills
•    Must be a good ball grasper and passer
•    Must be good in defense anywhere on the court •    Must be excellent in scoring and fast breaks

The Power Forward He is more focused on the dirty works and is known for working as the “enforcer”, thus he doesn’t receive much recognition. Nonetheless, his actions are vital in offensive play. Like the center, he also controls the inside court. He must have the following qualities:

•    Must have good rebounding skills both for defense and offense •    Must be a good scorer, passer and a gutsy dribbler •    Must be an excellent hard driver •    Must be an excellent runner and should go all the way when on a fast break

Playing basketball with tenacious defense

During a basketball game, people commonly shout the word “DEFENSE!”. Come to think of it, do people in the stadium really know the meaning of the word? Does the basketball team, players and coaches, understand the meaning of the word? Is the value and importance of the word defense recognized? Sometimes basketball players themselves take it for granted. Everyone should remember that it is as important as scoring. A closer look at playing basketball defense is done in this article to clearly stress the meaning and importance of the word DEFENSE.

Defense is the team which doesn’t have the ball. Defense is also the act of protecting the basket and making it impossible for the offense, which is the team who has ball, to score. It can be considered as a state of mind which dictates the body to do measures to keep the other team from scoring. It is the “get the ball” attitude that fuels the defensive team along with the desire to win. Defensive skills can be taught and learned as long as the player puts his heart in it and realizes its importance in every basketball game.

Transition Play

Moving from offensive to defensive play should be done quickly. Defensive assignments should be set as soon as the basketball gets out of the team’s hands so the offensive team can’t get ahead. The mentality of the players at this point should be to get the ball back immediately.

Purpose

Put the offensive team under a lot of pressure. Don’t let the other team peak through an open shot or an open man. Guard every player and every corner and be aware of the moves and observe the play of the offensive team. Distract the ball handler through noises and movements so the communication between the offensive players will be disturbed. Put those arms up and use the body to block the ball handler’s view. Decrease the chances of giving them opportunities to establish their team play. Keep your eyes open for rebounding and ball stealing opportunities and get the ball back! Stay between the basket and the offensive player.

Be Ready

Keep the lead hand close to the ball and wave the other hand to prevent a pass from taking place. The defense player’s opposite foot of the offense player’s dominant hand should always be kept forward with the same hand extended out with the palms up. This will allow an easy steal if an opportunity comes.

There are three types of defense: the man on man defense, the zone defense and the combination of the two, which is the Box 1 defense. Man to man defense is the simplest and most common among the defenses. One player is assigned to guard a specific player of the offensive team at all times. For example the point guard of the defense team guards the point guard of the offensive team. Match-ups are determined based from the player’s height, speed and athletic ability.

Man to man defense is an aggressive style that allows forced steals and puts every offensive player under a lot of pressure. The danger of this style of defense is that when the offense player outsmarts the defense player, there will be no defense player to help continue to screen the ball because everybody else is preoccupied with guarding their own man. These results in the outnumbering of offense players versus the defense players which can help make the offense score.

In zone defense, each player is assigned to cover a specific area or zone instead of one player. There are many kinds of zone defenses. These are usually listed with numbers wherein the numbers correspond to the number of players in a particular zone. A 2-3 zone defense for example indicates that there should be two players manning the area near the three point line and three players manning the baseline. More often than not, a zone defense is limited to the key or the painted area.

There are some instances when a man to man defense and a zone defense is simultaneously put into effect. A box-1 defense for example generally is a type of zone defense where four of the players man their respective areas around the key. The fifth player, usually a guard, is assigned to guard a specific player on the opposing team, playing him in a man to man type of defense.

Playing Basketball at the Next Level

Have you ever wondered why certain basketball players don’t measure up to their potential?  Players that have incredible skills and abilities but then can’t make it beyond organized high school basketball are a dime a dozen.  There are many possible theories out there why this is so but we feel that the reasons are few and simple.  Our purpose for this article is to explain those reasons and give players the awareness they need to stand out from their peers and to make it to the level of competition they desire.

Lack of Focus
For most players it is very easy to get bored with details when it comes to fundamentals and technique.  Let’s admit, it’s a lot more fun to play pick up games than to work on things like proper foot movement, shooting technique, ball control and etc.  Because of this most players neglect to focus on small details of their game.  All great players have spent countless hours in the gym working on the fine details of their game and have made the commitment necessary to learn the proper drills and fundamentals that will enhance their skills.  At the High School level of competition a good player can still stand out and dominate their competition without focusing on the little things.  However once they get to the next level, if they haven’t developed the proper fundamentals and techniques of every facet of the game they will almost always under-perform and have serious regrets. So when you have spare time during the week, instead of organizing a pick up game start focusing on the small detailed fundamentals of your game and work on perfecting them.

Lack of Drive
Playing big time basketball requires a lot of your commitment and time.  Many players think they have the passion it requires to excel at the next level when in reality they aren’t even close.  Liking to play lots of basketball and pick up games doesn’t qualify you for having the necessary drive.  Those that really have the drive give up many meaningful things in their life just to dedicate more time to sharpening their basketball skills.  It’s a tough thing to do because when you’re young there are so many things that you want to get involved in. You want to spend time with your friends, you want to go to parties, you want to spend every waking hour with your girlfriend/boyfriend and that’s just to name a few.  The reality is, the game of basketball has become so competitive that if you don’t make it your #1 focus and then back that up by setting your priorities around it, you’ll be left in the dust.  Certainly we don’t feel that it’s necessarily wrong to have other interests than basketball, we just want to make it clear that those players that really have the drive make basketball their top priority.  Once again a player can actually do very well during high school with a lack of drive but once they get to the next level they will face the consequences.

Lack of Intensity
This is sometimes what people are referring to when they say that a player has the “it” factor.  Basketball players that are intense almost always succeed because they absolutely hate to lose or perform poorly.  A lot of players are extremely gifted and have tremendous skills but because they lack intensity they can never win the big games and will not be able to make it beyond High School Basketball.  Some argue that intensity is something that cannot be taught or learned.  They claim that it’s something you are just born with.  We adamantly disagree with that.  A player can learn and acquire intensity if they make an effort to do so.  Nobody can do it for them though and that’s what is so frustrating for most coaches.  You have to make the decision that you are an intense player and then you must perform with aggression and passion over and over again until it becomes a habit.  Once you truly develop intensity you will play with a very aggressive attitude and you will not tolerate poor performances by yourself or your teammates.  If it doesn’t bother you very much when you lose or under-perform you have a lot of work ahead of you.
Lack of Confidence
If you don’t think you are going to make every shot you put up you don’t have much of a reason to be on the court.  Great basketball players have enough confidence in their abilities and skills to take the shot when it’s there.  When players suffer from poor shooting or poor performance it often times has nothing to do with their mechanics or abilities and everything to do with their head.  Do whatever you have to do to develop confidence in your abilities.  If it requires you to spend hours and hours in the gym so be it.  Also work on your mental preparation.  Thinking about your shots and imaging you making them is just as important of a pre-game activity as stretching and warming up.  Don’t ever go into a game where you haven’t spent a good ten minutes meditating about your performance.  Go through scenarios in your head and imagine yourself handling them with confidence.  Make yourself aware of the fact that you will miss some shots from time to time but that it won’t hinder your concentration and confidence one bit.  It seems silly to a lot of people and that’s one reason why it doesn’t get done very often but it’s something all great players do.

Lack of Humility
It’s one thing to be confident about your abilities but if you’re so confident that you deny the weaknesses in your game you’ve hit a wall that will block your progression as a basketball player.  Nobody is perfect.  The minute you think you are so good that you don’t need to practice is when you start setting yourself up for failure. If you’ve become better than most players in your school and in your area, rest assured that there are players all over the world that have twice the skills as you and are competing to play at the same level you are.

Summary
Good skilled basketball players exist all over the world.  With the game of basketball becoming so popular and so competitive only the best of the best have what it takes to play at the next level.  Although it can be very difficult players can turn themselves into stars if they have the focus, drive, intensity, confidence and humility that is required to stand out.

Playing Better Soccer

Meticulous practice, an improved sense of controlling the ball and effective use of the multitude soccer skills during a match differentiates players who can play ‘better’ soccer from average players who can merely “kick a ball”. If you want to become the next Diego Maradona , Ronaldinho or even Tony Philliskirk you need to adopt lightning quick attacking skills, fearless defensive capabilities, powerful shooting, long or short passing and at the top ultimate control over the ball.

Before you can master the game of soccer you need to determine what position you want to play in. There is no doubt that hard practice and complete dedication is necessary to play better soccer. However, soccer practices vary based on the position of a player. If you want to be a goalkeeper and have balls pelted at you at 100 miles per hour all game then your practice will be different than a defender, midfielder or striker. Before considering further soccer coaching you need to have it clear in your mind where on the field you want to play.

Playing soccer like a professional player is quite different and requires practice under the supervision of a fully qualified and licensed soccer coach. To get one of the precious few places at a professional soccer club you have to adopt all types of soccer skills to set you apart from the thousands of other players who think they can “make it”.

At the same time, it is important to apply these skills and knowledge during a match. A soccer coach not only trains you but also teaches you to understand soccer sense and understanding of how the game is and should be played. The soccer coach determines the game strategy and subsequently the player’s formation. Traditional formations you may be familiar with are a standard 4-4-2, defensive 4-5-1 or more attacking 4-3-3. There are more complicated formations such as the defensive 3-2-2-3 and almost all-out-attack 1-3-3-3 option.

If you can understand a formation and know your role within it, take on board the overall game plan and then use and apply your skills when on the pitch you have the attributes of being a good soccer player. Based on your ability, strength and speed you can judge the best position for yourself on the pitch but it is the coach who can bring the best out of you and guide you in the right direction. Repeated and incessant practice and application of soccer skills are necessary to play better soccer.

Adopting the many different skills necessary to play soccer is the only way you have any chance of becoming a professional. Think back to the best players who you played in school with. Even if they seemed “amazing”, statistically they will be extremely lucky if they could play in the lower reaches of the professional game, apart from exceptional circumstances.

If you want to play as midfielder, defender or striker then you must learn both attacking and defensive skills and try to apply them during a soccer match. Attacking skills includes dribbling, kicking, lofting, turning, weighted pass and penetrating opponent’s defence through running with the ball. These are common attacking skills which you will find among midfielders and strikers. Defensive skills include making defensive wall during a free kick, redirecting the ball with defensive head and both long and short passes. For goalkeepers, diving and saving or defending a shot by using hand or head are basic techniques. However, in order to be the best goalkeeper, judging which way to dive for a penalty kick and successfully saving a free kick are what sets apart the best from the rest.

There are some general techniques, which are required irrespective of the position. Taking long shot, running without the ball to make space for other teammates, tackling an opponent,, controlling the ball with your chest, thigh, shin and ankle and taking long or short throws are some common techniques of playing soccer.

Apart from practice, you have to maintain a strict and balanced diet. Proper nutrition is essential for keeping your body fit and flexible and all professional clubs have some sort of dietician or nutritionist on the payroll. Like an athlete, you have to run with the ball throughout the 90 minutes, barely having a few seconds to take a break apart from the half-time interval. Only eat the foods recommended by your diet chart and concentrate on your practice – by this, you will develop stamina and the playing techniques necessary to becoming a better, or even professional, soccer player.

Playing Cards – Paper vs. Plastic

The same common supermarket question exists in the poker world as well. When it comes to playing cards there are two choices, paper or plastic.

Paper Playing Cards

Paper cards are the cards most people use growing up. They are cheap, easy to find, and most people are accustomed to their texture, thickness, and flexibility.

Paper cards are usually made of one to three plys of card stock covered in a varnish. This coating protects the cards, but it is not able to withstand everything.

The coating wears off as cards are shuffled and handled. Eventually the coating becomes thin enough that the cards are too difficult to comfortably handle and they need to be replaced.

The coating does not stand up to liquids well. Spilling a drink on a card will most likely ruin it. And, paper cards are not washable, so soap and water is not an option for removing cheese puff residue or any other dirt that the cards might attract.

Paper cards are not very flexible either. It is not difficult for a player to, either accidentally or on purpose, leave creases or marks on the cards. This immediately ruins the card for serious play, and often requires a new deck to be brought out.

Plastic Cards

Plastic cards do not suffer from the same drawbacks as paper ones. First of all, they are very slick. That slickness does not wear away in the same manner as it does on paper cards. They will shuffle and slide easily for tournament after cash game after tournament.

Plastic cards are incredibly flexible and will snap back to form after bending. This means that they can endure more player abuse and not become creased or marked.

And finally plastic cards can be washed. If they become soiled in any way, soap and water will clean them, not ruin them. Of course that means they stand up to wet picnic tables and spilled ice teas as well.

Many makes of plastic cards do not have a texture or feel that resembles paper cards. Often they are too slippery for less than nimble hands to shuffle. They can also feel flimsy when compared to paper cards.

Since many people are accustomed to the feel of paper cards, they are uncomfortable handling plastic cards and would prefer to replace decks more frequently than to make the switch. The truth is that because plastic cards last so much longer than paper ones, they are a much cheaper option per play than paper cards.

As in all things, there is give and take in deciding which type of card is best for you. Purchasing a deck of premium plastic cards is more of a commitment because they cost more and last longer. Paper cards are for many a comfortable short-term solution.

Playing Field for One of the Best Sports of All Time

When we talk about basketball, people always argue about legends and recent plays; basketball is often dubbed to be one of the best sports of all time. Often being played by men, these are the grounds which they show their skills. You can always find a basketball court near your neighborhood or anywhere in populated places. The playing court is where you can play the game; this section elaborates the characteristics of the basketball court.

Materials

The court consists of a rectangular area with baskets at each end. There are variations of the court when playing professional or street. A usual composition of an indoor court is composed of polished maple wood or any variations of hardwoods. Outdoor courts are often made out of asphalt, blacktop, cement or similar materials.

There are baskets at both ends, usually made of metal hoops with a dangling net to support the ball going down. The hoops are then attached to a rectangular backboard.

Size

Shapes and sizes of basketball courts differ, but the standard NBA (National Basketball Association) court is 94 feet long and 50 feet wide and the baskets are 10 feet above the playing court. The playing court size on a street court usually varies and may not have an exact size, but are usually based on standard outdoor courts.

Free Throw Lane

On both ends of the playing court, there is a free throw lane, which measures 12 feet wide and 15 feet long. The distance of the lane to the three point arc line is 4.9 feet. And also, the bottom block from the baseline is 4 feet. This is where players get a free chance of scoring when fouled, usually getting 2 free shots depending on the foul.

Three point arc line

This line is 20 feet from the basket; this is often one of the most difficult shots in the game of basketball because of distance alone. On basketball courts, the distance varies from college range and international or court size, but still proves to be very challenging to get a score outside this arc line.

There is also another kind of playing court which is often used on the streets called half-court basketball. These are one of the most common courts that you can find in neighborhoods, often being a practice court. These are usually made up of the same materials being used on other outdoor and indoor courts.

Playing Fantasy Football And Choosing Top Picks

Fantasy football is a huge industry. Every fall, millions of people around the world participate in the games. Some do it for money, some for just fun, and others for the ever-important bragging rights. Playing fantasy football and choosing top picks are the obsession of so many as the NFL season approaches, that taking a look at strategies for making the right picks is appropriate. Here are some strategies you should consider employing when it comes time for you so start playing fantasy football and choosing top picks this season.

First of all, when your fantasy draft rolls around, think depth. Rare is the fantasy season in which all of your players go untouched by the injury bug. Couple that with bye weeks and you will see how important depth is. So how do you draft depth? You have to think about what you are going to look for as the draft progresses. Watch for third year wide outs that may come into their own once they understand their team’s offense. They make great backups because it can take a few weeks for the breakout to happen. Also, look for hot rookies who may surge late to sure up your second and third string.

Secondly, you can’t really over manage your team. Every week that you are playing fantasy football you need to be paying attention to the details of your team. Because you drafted for a deep team, you are going to have decisions to make about your starting lineup every single week of the season. Look at matchups and how your players have done against opponents in the past. Trends can help you a lot if you see them. So use the internet to get information, stats, and to know when an injury can sway things your way or away from you.

Third, throughout your season of playing fantasy football, you should keep a close eye on free agents, the waiver wire, and try to make at least a couple of trades. Even if you had a really good draft, the way the season develops will help you with what changes you need to make to get over the top. Use your deep draft to sure up your starters and tighten your lineup as crunch time approaches.

Finally, make sure you are highly familiar with your league’s scoring system. Different fantasy football leagues emphasize different stats. Make sure you know, as you make trades and sign players, whether you need yards, touchdowns, or some other stat to catch those players ahead of you. It is easy to make assumptions, but sometimes a mediocre player can be great for your team if he can get you that one stat you need.

Playing fantasy football and choosing top picks is a science to many. However, these tips mostly fall under the category of common sense. If you follow them then you will have a fantastic chance of making the playoffs. Once you are in the playoffs, anything can happen; anything, including you winning it all and taking home money or bragging rights.

Playing The Parlay — Gauging Risks And Potential Gains

Probably the most familiar type of wager in sports betting is the straight or side bet. The term “straight” is a good way to describe it—winning is determined by one basic factor and the payoff is clearly stated. If a bettor puts money on a team and they win or beat the spread, if a spread is involved, the person placing the wager collects on that one bet.

In your trips to your favorite online sportsbook, you may have noticed that you could opt to play a parlay. It may have intrigued you, but you were unsure of exactly what it entailed and what risk factors were involved.

Note that some bettors won’t go near the parlay, due to the risk factors inherent in this type of wager. With a parlay, which in England is known as an accumulator, you make a series of bets all of which you must win in order to collect. If you lose any of the wagers, you lose the entire bet.

If this sounds risky, it is. One incorrect wager means you’ve lost the entire bet. What attracts bettors to the parlay is the payoff. The standard Vegas two-bet parlay pays 2.6 to 1. Put down $100 and if your parlay comes in you realize $260. A parlay with three wagers pays 6 to 1, which translates into a $600 payoff on a $100 wager.

Let’s say you wagered on a 3-game football parlay and won $600. How much would you win on three individual bets where you put $110 on each team? You’d realize $100 per wager. Because you’re placing money on three separate teams, the straight bets cost $330, whereas a three-team parlay would involve only $100. In a best case scenario with the straight wagers, $300 will get you an additional $330. The parlay results in a $500 net on $100 wagered. That’s the benefit; you get a much better return on your money from the parlay.

The greater risk in our parlay example comes from the fact that you must win all three wagers to make any money—it is all or nothing. Here are some tips on lowering your risk if you’re new to the parlay and want to try it.

One Sport

Many online sportsbooks will offer parlay tickets that feature numerous combinations of sports. You may see a ticket with four football games, three baseball games, and three hockey games. Stay away from that type of ticket, or if you play it bet on only one sport. Why?

Although mixing sports can be attractive, it’s tough to do for the beginner. Football, baseball and hockey are all very different animals and unless you’re an expert handicapper in each, which is rare, stay with the sport you know best.

Also, you’ll see greater benefit from learning even more about football, if that’s your strong suit, than trying to figure out hockey.

Once you have some experience betting your favorite sport in a parlay situation, start testing the water of the multi-sport parlay.

Limit the Number of Teams

Wow, that six-team parlay looks so attractive with its 40 to 1 payout! Wow, that six-team parlay is so much tougher to hit than that three-team parlay that pays 6 to1! Of course a six is more unlikely to payoff—it is 40 to 1 after all.

Limit parlays to no more than three bets. This gives you a greater chance of winning (add another team and your risk goes up) while providing an attractive return. Would I like to put down $100 and get back $4,000 on a six-team parlay? Sure.

However, hitting that number of teams on one ticket is extremely difficult. Is it impossible? No, it’s not. But you have a much better chance with a three-team wager.

Other Limits

Along with combining different sports, you can often mix various types of wagers, including point spreads, win/loss, over/unders, money lines, and more. Once again, simplify your process and play your strength as a handicapper and the strength of the teams on which you’re wagering.

If you’re more adept at predicting the over/under than you are at playing the spread, go with the over/under and vice versa. Look at it logically and realistically. How many times have you been right about the over/under and the win/loss in the same game? The answer is probably not very often.

Better yet, try a few mock parlays. Scan the latest offerings and put together some parlay tickets you might bet, mixing up the types of wagers. Be sure to do this over numerous betting sequences, for football at least three weeks or with baseball, basketball or hockey a week or two of games.

Remember—it doesn’t matter in the parlay if you only lost one game, or you didn’t know a particular player would change the outcome by performing poorly or a team won on a freak play. If you were incorrect on even one wager, no matter what the circumstances, you lost that parlay.

There are no Mulligans in sports betting and parlays are especially unforgiving. Play to your strength after you’ve done your research. Hunches are normally bad bets anyway; they are anathema in the parlay.

The Strongest Selection

One way to increase your chances of winning involves betting on numerous parlay tickets and including the same strong selection on each ticket, while varying the other teams.

As an example, the Chicago Bears are playing the Arizona Cardinals at home. Chicago looks very good in this contest, an almost sure thing if there were one in the world of handicapping. You decide you’d like to play 4 separate three-team parlays at $25 each (you’re still risking $100). In this scenario, you’d include Chicago on each ticket and then a combination of different teams on each of the four.

One parlay might be Chicago over Arizona, Dallas over San Francisco and Pittsburgh over Atlanta. The next parlay would still include Chicago over Arizona, while picking the New York Giants over Philadelphia and Seattle over Oakland. The third parlay continues with Chicago over Arizona but now has New England over Buffalo and Denver over St. Louis. Your fourth ticket would be Chicago over Arizona and could include Pittsburgh over Atlanta and Seattle over Oakland—a combination of teams from two of your other parlay tickets.

TICKET 1: Chicago over Arizona, Dallas over San Francisco and Pittsburgh over Atlanta.

TICKET 2: Chicago over Arizona, the New York Giants over Philadelphia and Seattle over Oakland.

TICKET 3: Chicago over Arizona, New England over Buffalo and Denver over St. Louis.

TICKET 4: Chicago over Arizona, Pittsburgh over Atlanta and Seattle over Oakland.

Theoretically, all of these games could end in your favor. If that happened, you’d be kicking yourself because you missed a 7-team parlay that would have paid 75 to 1 or $7,500 on a one hundred dollar bet. Making each a 3-team parlay with $25 on each ticket would result in a return of $600 at the standard 6 to 1 odds if all teams won. But chances are that won’t happen.

More likely than not you may hit one or, perhaps even two of these parlays. One winning ticket would result in a total return of $125, while 2 would get you $250. Either way, you’re ahead.

The important thing to remember about playing parlays, as it is with any form of wagering, is that trying to win big by taking high risks rarely results in success. You’re looking to win 55 to 60% of your wagers, which is what most experts do over the course of time. In the world of gambling, quick, high-risk bets can be exciting and occasionally lucrative, but wagers with a bit more certainty that are spread out tend to provide better results in the long run.

As with any form of wagering to which you’re new, be sure to do your homework, start slowly, and consider sound betting strategies when playing a parlay. You’ll still have a chance of winning more than you would with a straight bet, while staying in the game longer.

Poker Betting Limit: How to Pick One 4 U

Before you head for the nearest empty chair at an open poker table, hold on. There is one very important factor that you must check and verify before you start playing.

What? Check the betting limit of that particular table.
Why? This is what determines the professional skills of the poker players you will face and will also help you calculate approximately how much cash you need for this particular round of betting.

For the Casual Poker Fan:
You should try and begin by selecting a table with a low limit. Here, you will enjoy the relatively casual ambience and friendly opponents, who will not have a lot of experience playing and thus you stand a fair chance of winning. The slight problem with such games is that such kinds of tables are difficult to locate. In addition, those playing at such tables tend to play in a very conservative manner and this slows down the flow of the game. If you are still interested in looking for such tables you will be able to find them at the downtown casinos and gambling halls or at poker rooms not located on the Las Vegas strip itself such as the Palace Station.

Wish to Play Texas Holdem Instead?
Here too, select the lower limit games such as the 4/8 version. In this game, you will be allowed to increase only by four dollars and hence the name. Then, when you come to the last two betting rounds, you will have to double it to eight dollars. Likewise, you can also find the following limits: two and then four, three and then six, four and then eight, eight and then sixteen, fifteen and then thirty, thirty and then sixty and the last one which is pretty different to find (and which unless you are prepared to dish out large sums, you should avoid.) forty and then eight during the last two rounds of betting.

How Many Chips Should You Purchase In Such Games?
What you can do is multiply the end limit by about twenty and then make sure you have that amount. For example, if you wanted to join a table where the limit is two  and then four. Multiply four into twenty and you get eighty. So, this is the sum of chips you must bring in to the game by buying them from the cash counters in the casino.

Another option is playing Texas holdem with no limits whatsoever, but beware. Such games pull pros and then you will find yourself at a big disadvantage.

For the Experienced Poker Player:
Most pros prefer playing Texas holdem than other poker games. And such professionals opt for games with no limit or that have a high limit of at least fifteen dollars. Beware, these tables (You can find them in the top casinos such as the Bellagio and others on the strip.) are places where you can lose hundreds of dollars in minutes so unless you are aware of this or unless you want to swim with the sharks because you consider yourself a shark too, stay away.