Tales from a Twitter convert

I’ve gone from a Twitter skeptic to a user and, now, an advocate.

This is saying something because I used to be somewhat of a Twitter hater. I vowed to never join, and figured the world needed another cyber outlet for people to express themselves like I need another bad beat.

Still, the conceptual motto, “What’s happening?” irks me when people take it literally. I don’t care what you are ordering for lunch, and I have no desire to share with the world what’s on my menu, either.

Not to mention, when the urge strikes me to say something, 140 characters usually won’t hack it. I need room for my words to breathe.

Even so, about 6 or 7 months ago I decided, as a trial experiment, to create a Twitter account and see if it helped with my sports handicapping. I had heard it was gaining a bit of momentum in that regard, and I wanted to see for myself.

It works. I have found Twitter to be a valuable source of game-day tidbits and information that I wouldn’t otherwise know. Regional media outlets that cover specific teams usually are pretty fast to Tweet news about late-breaking injuries, weather conditions and even the occasional pre-game quote can help you assess a team’s mindset. 

I’ve found it particularly helpful during this NFL pre-season, both because of the limited access to games and the rampant personnel moves because of the lockout. I’ve stored away many tidbits of information about how certain teams and players are p... [More]

Does the miracle-shot-making hockey kid deserve the prize money?

In case you haven’t heard of this story, here’s a little background: An 11-year-old kid from Minnesota made a miracle shot during a charity-game promotion last week, sending the puck 89 feet through a goal that barely was bigger than the puck itself.

The problem is, he did it under an assumed identity, sort of, and the question of whether he should receive the $50,000 prize money now lies in the hands of the insurance company that was hired for the event.

Media reports that surfaced yesterday painted a picture of a family eagerly waiting by the phone for the company’s decision in the hopes that this story, which started with the kid making the shot and getting high-fives from a bunch of NHL stars in attendance, will conclude with the ultimate happy ending.

A fistful of cash.

Unfortunately for the Smith clan of Owatonna, Minn., here is the most likely outcome: The suits at Odds On Promotions will let the national interest in this story subside a little before they say no.

And they will say no. Based on the history of payouts in such events, and the mode of operation for insurance companies in general, the odds are Nate Smith stands a better chance of making that shot 10 times in a row than he does of seeing a dime from Odds On Promotions.

Here’s what happened: The Smith family purchased three raffle tickets for the promotion and wrote the name ... [More]

Wherever you go, there you are

Figuring this was the best week in the year to take a break from my sports-consumed existence, I packed a duffle bag and left the betting-friendly but sweltering confines of Nevada and headed to the coast.

The timing was far from an accident. With only the MLB All-Star game and the British Open on the sports menu for the bulk of the week – neither of which had my wagering interest – I decided I could get away without suffering from that last-kid-to-the-Christmas-tree feeling that I was missing out on something while on hiatus from my home state’s betting parlors.
But I soon learned there was a lot of truth to the old adage, “Wherever you go, there you are.”

Sitting in a soothing hot tub on a pleasant chilly evening cooled by a tinge of coastal breeze, I looked in one direction and saw the ocean. Turn 180 degrees and I saw the resort’s palm trees illuminating the sky with festive lights.
 
My peaceful, sports-betting free existence didn’t seem so bad after all. Then, the hot tub’s motor turned off and one of the other spa-goers declared, “I’ll take care of it.”

I turned to where the hub of the spa’s control panel was located and saw the following image:



My reaction was one common among those in the trade: I had to wonder if this was a tip from the gambling gods for a futures bet on the AFC East. I decided the serendipity of the moment would have to be taken into consideration at the sportsb... [More]