J.J. Jack Shit

2008 NFL Football Week 5 Betting Picks and Tips

2008-10-03T00:58:00.000-07:00

The season only gets interesting as we enter the month of October.

The 2008-09 NFL football season resumes this Sunday for Week 5 and after four weeks of football, we found out that the Packers made a huge mistake in giving up on Favre, Al Davis is really not fond of NFL coaches and Terrell Owens is the same Terrell Owens that we knew back in Philly.

And as we enter the fifth week of NFL football, as always, we have some good games for you that may very well earn you a dollar or two that will finally let you take your girl out to McDonalds. Let's start with this game between the Carolina Panthers and the assholes who took out Tom Brady for the rest of the year, the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Kansas City Chiefs, thanks to the woeful AFC West, can still end up tied for second best if they win over the Panthers this Sunday. They are 1-3 after four games and if the Chargers, who are currently sitting behind division leaders Denver Broncos, lose for some reason to Miami, they will let the Chiefs catch them behind the Broncos' asses.

Unfortunately, the Carolina Panthers are on the verge of their best five-game start since opening 5-0 en route to their only trip to the Super Bowl in 2003. Yep, these guys have been on fire on the field lately. That's why were picking those guys to win by a touchdown over Kansas City.

Next, a pair of the league's stingiest defenses will clash on Sunday in Baltimore when the Tennessee Titans look to improve upon the fastest start in franchise history against the Baltimore Ravens. Tennessee (4-0) has won a league-high seven straight dating to last season. They are still undefeated after four weeks and they haven't even trailed in the second half to anyone so far. The Ravens on the other hand, already lost to a Steelers team missing some of their key stars last Monday night. And with an undrafted rookie quarterback like Joe Flacco leading Baltimore against Tennessee, I'm not expecting these guys to stop the Titans' road to perfection just yet.

Tennessee Titans by a field goal.

The Chicago Bears will look to build on their latest victory on Sunday when they visit the winless Detroit Lions, who will play their first game in eight years without Matt Millen as the team's president. It has been well documented that the Bears this season could've been easily at 4-0, and against Philly last Sunday night, we saw how good the Bears can really be, getting to McNabb and denying him of any window he needs to get to his receivers. The Lions, on the other hand, have fallen behind 21-0, 21-0 and 21-3 in the first half of their first three games, respectively. This is a team without virtually anything going for them and with the Bears coming to Ford Field, it will only get worse.

Chicago Bears by 3.

Next, we have the Green Bay Packers looking to avoid a third straight loss when they host the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is doubtful for this one and the visiting Falcons are in perfect position to steal a win at Lambeau Field. Fortunately for the Packers, the Falcons are a miserable road team, averaging only 13.5 points on the road last season that landed them fifth worst in the NFL.

Our pick? Green Bay Packers edge out a three-point win over the birds.

A shaky start through the first few weeks of the season has the Indianapolis Colts in an unfamiliar position in the AFC South. At the other end of the field, another disappointing beginning for the Houston Texans has again relegated them to the division's cellar. They face-off this Sunday at Reliant Stadium and while the Colts may be struggling, I don't expect them to lose to the fucking Texans. (C'mon, who ya' kidding?) Peyton Manning is looking to finally turn this season around and having Houston this Sunday gives him the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Indianapolis Colts by two touchdowns.

The San Diego Chargers this Sunday will face-off with a Miami Dolphins team that may have found something within their offense that could surprise people this year, the ''Wildcat'' formation. For all ya'll who have no idea what that is, that's Miami having runningback Ronnie Brown taking direct snaps, throwing the football downfield and allowing him to set franchise records in rushing touchdowns. We all saw that two weeks ago when the Dolphins ended up with a shocking win over the Patriots. Will it work against the Chargers? I don't think so.

The Miami Dolphins may have taken advantage of an inexperienced quarterback like Matt Cassel but with an up and coming star QB like Phillip Rivers coming to town, he'll let Warren Sapp fuck him in the ass first before he lets the Dolphins take advantage of him too like they did Cassel.

San Diego Chargers by a touchdown.

The undefeated New York Giants will look to remain perfect Sunday when they host a Seattle Seahawks team expecting Deion Branch and Bobby Engram to make their season debuts. New York is one of three undefeated teams remaining. However, the Giants, who also had their bye last week, won't have their top offensive threat in this contest, with Plaxico Burress set to serve a one-game suspension. Fortunately for them, both Branch and Engram will have to shake off rust first and I'm not expecting these two to have that huge of an impact for Seattle when they take on the defending Super Bowl champs.

New York Giants by a touchdown.

Another huge game in the very competitive NFC East is set this Sunday as the 3-1 Washington Redskins visit the 2-2 Philadelphia Eagles. Since dropping their first game of the season to the defending champions from New York, the Redskins have won three straight games, including that huge win over the Cowboys in Irving, Texas. And while the Redskins already scored a win over the high-scoring Cowboys, the Eagles haven't yet, losing to that Dallas team three weeks ago at Texas Stadium. And as if that wasn't enough, losing to the Bears last week didn't help Philly one bit in the power rankings.

This could be one of the games to watch this week. Our pick? Washington Redskins by three.

The Denver Broncos will hope to find some answers defensively as they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday in a match-up of teams trying to maintain their spots on top of their respective divisions. Denver gave up 28.0 points and 421.7 yards per game in its first three contests, but averaged 38.0 points and 432.0 yards to go undefeated in that stretch. Although they had a hiccup last week, losing to Kansas City big 33-19, the Broncos still are one of the remaining good teams you can catch in the AFC.

Pick the Denver Broncos to get back to the win column with a win over Tampa Bay. After all, Denver is 8-1 every time they play the Bucs. Broncos by three.

The Buffalo Bills will once again try to extend their incredible undefeated streak as much as they can when they take on the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday. The Bills beat the Rams 31-14 last Sunday, improving to a perfect 4-0 record thanks to the breakout season quarterback Trent Edwards has been having. The Cardinals on the other hand, ended up limping back home after an East coast trip that cost them two straight games to drop them to 2-2.

I guess you can say that while the Buffalo Bills still have their Cinderella season running, reality has already set in for Arizona. Bills by a field goal.

We have a high-scoring contest this week as the Dallas Cowboys will try to bounce back from last week's loss Sunday when they host the still winless Cincinnati Bengals, who'll probably play without Carson Palmer again. Dallas looked like one of the favorites to come out of the NFC through their first three games. The Cowboys were averaging 32.0 points and 440.0 yards per game and their defense was coming off a stellar performance in a 27-16 win at Green Bay back in Week 3.

However, Dallas was not as sharp last Sunday, suffering a 26-24 loss to Washington in Texas. The offense gained a season-low 344 yards, while the defense yielded a season-high 381, resulting to Terrell Owens complaining again like the guy we loved to hate back when he was in Philly.

Fortunately for the Dallas Cowboys, the woeful 0-4 Bengals are coming to town and this is probably the perfect opportunity for T.O. and Tony Romo to vent all their frustrations on a Bengals defense that allows basically anything to score on them as if they were Paris Hilton's ass.

Dallas Cowboys by two touchdowns.

Looking to bounce back from a humbling defeat before their bye week, the New England Patriots will look to get back to the win column when they visit the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday. It's time to return to the ground game for the Patriots and with the 49ers, who have one of the worst run defenses in the league after four weeks, standing in front of them, I see no reason for Bill Belichick not to use his tailbacks on this one. Besides, they can't afford to have Matt Cassel screwing things up for them again right?

New England Patriots by seven.

Sunday Night Football, just like last week, will have another good ol' fashioned face-off between offense and defense. This time, the tough ground game of the Jacksonville Jaguars will test just how good the Steel Curtain of the Pittsburgh Steelers really is and with all these stars missing for the Steelers, I have a feeling Jacksonville will be on their way to win their third straight game of the season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers already lost two runningbacks, premiere back Willie Parker and Parker's backup, rookie runningback Rashard Mendenhall. Add that to the guys they already lost on the other end of the ball and you have a team trying to salvage the season with third stringers and signed free agents.

Bad news for Pittsburgh, good news for Jacksonville. The Jaguars have this irritating ''possession football'' going for them where they try to hold on to the football for as long as they can, not letting the opposing team have a chance of scoring with it and with Pittsburgh already losing some of their key stars, Jacksonville should have a field day on the ground.

Jacksonville Jaguars by seven.

Next, we have Monday Night Football as two struggling teams will look to finally get their season back on the right track when the Minnesota Vikings visit the Superdome looking to be more destructive as a hurricane when they play the New Orleans Saints.

The Minnesota Vikings have yet to show us the defense that landed them the No.1 ranked defense in the league last season. The New Orleans Saints, on the other hand, have surrendered 1,488 yards, the fifth-highest total in the league, through their first four contests, and while that defense has been better against the run, limiting opponents to 122.8 per game, it's still one of the worst in the league today.

Without any defense whatsoever coming from both squads, I guess you can say that this game will be won on the offensive side of the ball and when it comes down to that, the Saints should be in a better position to win it with Saints quarterback Drew Brees having a field day against what was once the best defense in football.

Drew Brees completed 23 of 35 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns against the 49ers last week, connecting twice with Lance Moore and once with rookie Robert Meachem, who had two receptions for a season-best 99 yards. The Saints were successful despite playing without injured receiver Marques Colston and tight end Jeremy Shockey and with the Vikings D yet to rediscover the defense that made it the best last year, the Saints should have no problem wining this game this Monday night.

New Orleans Saints by three.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 NFL Season NFL Week 5

New York Giants suspend wideout Plaxico Burress

2008-10-03T00:55:00.000-07:00

After three games, the Giants are probably tired of winning, that's probably why they took their premiere receiver out for two weeks.

Yes, the defending Super Bowl champions, New York Giants, are a perfect 3-0 this 2008-09 NFL football season. Eli Manning has finally matured at the quarterback position and the team looks like they're ready for another run at the Super Bowl.

And while Giants fans are pumped up about their team's early success, the franchise they're rooting for seems to have grown tired of winning quickly. That's the only explanation I can come up with after news broke out that the Giants suspended their premiere wide receiver Plaxico Burress for two weeks.

You read it, the New York Giants suspended the guy who caught that winning touchdown back in Super Bowl XLII against the Patriots. He was also the guy who they awarded with a whopping $35 million contract and finding out that this team suspended Burress for two weeks after winning all three of their contests at this point of the season is just puzzling, to say the least.

Apparently, the New York Giants are suspending Plaxico Burress for missing practice and not calling to explain his absence. The Giants are trying to push a ''team first'' concept and Burress going AWOL contradicts just that.

''We have had success here because of the team concept,'' New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said in discussing the suspension, which was handed down during a bye week for the 3-0 Giants.

''And the team concept means basically that everyone is accountable and responsible and that we don't let the other guys down. And that is what we are trying to do.''

Whew! For a moment there, I really thought they are going to start trying to lose some games on purpose. STILL, this entire thing will just kill the momentum the Giants generated this season.

Hmm... I wonder if they'll do the same thing to Eli Manning if the young QB missed practice to be with older brother Peyton in Indy?

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Plaxico Burress New York Giants

The 2008 NASCAR Season Invades the Talladega Superspeedway this Sunday for the AMP Energy 500

2008-10-03T00:50:00.000-07:00

Time to rev up the engines people. (In case you're not a fan of NASCAR like most of us...)

For the rest of you who are fans of oval tracks and the exhilarating art of turning left, the 2008 NASCAR season resumes at the Talladega Superspeedway for the AMP Energy 500 this Sunday.

The top three finishers in Kansas were Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle. Johnson still leads the pack with 5575 points, closely followed by Edwards with 5565. Biffle is right behind at third trailing by 30 points. Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick rounds up the top five of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Expect all five to come out strong, each looking to take the advantage as the season's Sprint Cup race heats up. Things to know heading to race number 30? Ten of the top 13 finishers were Chasers, the exceptions being David Ragan, 8th, AJ Allmendinger, 9th, and Elliott Sadler, 10th.

Jimmie Johnson, the race winner, did have the dominant car, starting on the pole and leading the most laps, 124 of 267. Kyle Busch finished 28th with mechanical problems, and Tony Stewart, who started 41st, finished 40th after his splitter was damaged during a trip through the infield grass.

Matt Kenseth led 49 laps and finished 5th, while Edwards led 31 and Casey Mears, 29. Martin Truex Jr., who looked strong in the early going and led 27 laps, finished in last place with a broken transmission.

Although there was not a huge shakeup in the points, a few important things did occur like Jeff Gordon moving up two spots to 6th. His 4th-place finish was his best thus far in the Chase and Gordon impressed fans with his determination to fight through illness all weekend.

Gordon is the last of the Chase drivers still within a one-race point's deficit behind 1st. The six are Johnson, Edwards, Biffle, Burton, Harvick and Gordon.

All the drivers from 7th through 12th are now more than one race out of 1st in terms of points. They are Clint Bowyer, 7th, Dale Earnhardt Jr., 8th, Matt Kenseth, 9th, Denny Hamlin, 10th, Tony Stewart, 11th, and Kyle Busch, 12th. Stewart took the biggest hit in the points, falling four spots to 11th. The three Joe Gibbs Racing teammates, Hamlin, Stewart and Busch, now occupy the bottom three spots in the Chase standings.

The most exciting moment of the Kansas race was Carl Edwards' wild attempts to pass Jimmie Johnson on the last lap, employing a technique he said had worked well for him in video games.

Video games? Heh heh... Don't expect video games to save Edwards this Sunday.

Who will win the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Kyle Busch 2.00

Dale Earnhardt Jr. 6.50

Jimmie Johnson 7.00

Jeff Gordon 11.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more NASCAR betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 NASCAR Season Sprint Cup

Ken Shamrock to fight Kimbo Slice this Saturday

2008-10-03T00:45:00.000-07:00

Wait... Shamrock? He's still fighting?

Apparently he is, and this Saturday we'll see him go toe-to-toe against Kimbo Slice in an EliteXC extravaganza. No, we have no idea what EliteXC is either other than the fact that its one of those media giants trying to cash in on the UFC's success. As far as Shamrock is concerned, BOY, I hope this guy is insured.

After becoming one of the best fighters in the UFC, Ken Shamrock has been reduced to a shell of his former self. He has this pathetic five-fight losing streak since making his debut in the EliteXC and signing himself up for a fight against a guy like Kimbo Slice is just dumbfounding.

For what it's worth, Shamrock is confident as always. And despite losing five straight fights in a cage, he believes he will be the first one to beat Kimbo this Saturday night.

''I'm gonna be too fast for him,'' Ken Shamrock said. ''He's gonna eat my punches and kicks.''

Quite confident huh? And for some reason, he's not worried about the fact that during this five-fight losing skid he's been having, he failed to survive past the very first round in each of them.

WOW.

''The only time he knocks anyone out is when they get tired,'' Ken Shamrock said. ''I don't respect his power or grappling ability. I'm gonna go in there and whip [him].''

It is no surprise that Shamrock is once again confident that his mastery of submission fighting will give him the improbable win over Kimbo. Of course, we all know better than to put our money on this old fart come fight night. Kimbo's response on Shamrock's comments was simple.

''Break my leg, will he?''

Can Kimbo Slice beat Ken Shamrock this Saturday night? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Kimbo Slice 1.31

Ken Shamrock 3.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more sports betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Ken Shamrock Kimbo Slice

Early Favorites to win the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic

2008-10-03T00:42:00.000-07:00

If you're fond of horseshit splattered all over your face, feel free to read this.

The 2008 Breeders' Cup world championships are coming and it will feature top class thoroughbred racing that will decide the year-end championship honors slated on October 24 and 25 at the Santa Anita Park.

The main event, if you will, is of course, the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic where the very best thoroughbreds will compete with some of the favorites to win it this year. Who are the favorites? Thoroughbreds like Big Brown, Colonel John, Pyro, Well Armed and Curlin should be some of 'em and here's why.

Big Brown has a record of 7-6-0-0 and is arguably the top contender to win the 2008 Breeders' Cup. Trained by Richard E. Dutrow, last year's Kentucky Derby champion was the second winner in history to break from post position 20. This colt is also the first horse since 1915 to win the Derby after only three lifetime starts.

Next we have Colonel John, the winner of the $1 million Travers Stakes Grade 1 by a nose at Saratoga last August 23. The contender worked four furlongs last September 14 on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface in 48 4/5 for trainer Eoin Harty. The colt is listed in the top three favorites headed for the $5 million 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic at the Oak Tree in the Santa Anita meet.

A Kentucky homebred son of Tiznow-Sweet Damsel, by Turkoman, Colonel John won both the Sham Stakes Grade III and Santa Anita Derby Grade 1 on Santa Anita's main track earlier this year. However, those races were run on a hybrid synthetic track consisting of both Pro-Ride and Cushion Track materials.

Well Armed could create some noise as well. Owner Bill Casner and trainer Eoin Harty were feeling quite satisfied watching Well Armed earning a spot in the Breeders' Cup Classic via a Breeders' Cup Challenge victory in the Goodwood Stakes. The colt has 22 points on the 2008 Breeders' Cup leader board as well as $1,160,000 earnings this year.

Probably the most anticipated showdown in the 2008 Breeders' Cup will be the winner-take-all battle for Horse of the Year between Big Brown and Curlin. Curlin, considered to be one of the most naturally gifted horses in recent years, exploded from a virtual unknown to Preakness winner in mere months by showing speed and tenacity beyond his experience.

It should be one heckuva' race.

Who will win the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic? Bodog sportsbook has the odds

Behindatthebar 41.00

Big Brown 6.00

Casino Drive 15.00

Colonel John 9.00

Commentator 17.00

Curlin 4.00

Divine Park 21.00

Duke Of Marmalade 6.00

Go Between 9.00

Harlem Rocker 26.00

Mambo in Seattle 51.00

Mast Track 51.00

Pyro 21.00

Student Council 26.00

Tiago 26.00

Well Armed 11.00

Zenyatta 15.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more horse race betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Breeders' Cup Classic Curlin

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and fired Raiders coach Lane Kiffin agree, Al Davis is a fucking asshole

2008-10-03T00:37:00.000-07:00

He he... Of course, we all knew that already.

You read it, while the Oakland Raiders this 2008-09 NFL football season continue to piss on the once great Silver and Black tradition Jerry Rice and Rich Gannon helped build in Oakland, Raiders owner Al Davis found even more ways for him to be the most hated man in the league these days.

For all ya'll who haven't heard, the Oakland Raiders, after losing two straight games to drop them to 1-3, have finally fired their head coach Lane Kiffin, thanks to Al Davis who blasted on his former employee in a way that would make Donald Trump himself look like a fucking angel.

In a letter addressed to the fired Lane Kiffin, it was clear that Al Davis was claiming Kiffin brought it upon himself to be fired. And although we are not sure how accurate Davis' accusations are, it was written in a way only the Raiders can pull off, pathetic but entertaining.

''I realized when I hired you that you were young and inexperienced and that there would be a learning process for you,'' Al Davis wrote in the letter. ''Your mistakes on player personnel and coaches were overlooked based on our patience with you. But I never dreamt that you would be untruthful in statements to the press as well as on so many other issues. Your actions are those of a coach looking to (sic) makes excuses for not winning, rather than a coach focused on winning.''

Davis also claimed that Kiffin didn't really want to have JaMarcus Russell as the team's quarterback, the guy Davis really really likes for some reason.

Of course, Lane Kiffin denies some of the allegations his former employer threw at him. He even said that he's almost embarrassed for his former employer for making such comments.

Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan, on the other hand, feels Kiffin's pain after firing. After all, he was also one of the Raiders head coaches Al Davis fired after only four games into the 1989 season.

Shanahan was fired after only four games into the '89 season. Not only was he fired mind you, he was fired with a pledge from Al Davis that he will not be paid what was left on his contract. Yep, just like what Kiffin is going through these days.

For what it's worth, Shanahan claims Davis at least liked Kiffin more than he did him. How? Read on.

''I was a little disappointed, to be honest with you. When you take a look at it, I was there 582 days. Lane Kiffin was there 616 days. So, what it really means is that Al Davis liked Lane more than he liked me,'' Shanahan joked during his weekly news conference.

''I really don't think it's fair. I won three more games, yet he got 34 more days of work. That just doesn't seem right.''

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Oakland Raiders Al Davis

Eagles visit Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday Night Football

2008-09-26T01:01:00.000-07:00

It's another edition of Sunday Night Football people and this week, we have a good ol' fashioned face-off between offense and defense.

Week 4 of the 2008-09 NFL football season continues at Soldier Field when the high-flying Philadelphia Eagles visit the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. The Eagles, with a healthy Donovan McNabb, are powered this year with one of the high-scoring offensive schemes in the league while the Bears, with all their problems at the QB position, don't have much of a choice but to try win games on defense.

However, as good as Philly's offense has become this season, taking on the Bears on Sunday Night Football without their solid running game may just be a big problem.

You see, Eagles runningback Brian Westbrook is questionable for this one because of the ankle injury he suffered against Pittsburgh last week and without a good running game to backup the quarterback, defensive teams (yes, like the Bears...) can have a field day throwing blitzes to the quarterback all game long.

STILL, the Philadelphia Eagles remain upbeat that they'll still be able to come up with a win over the Bears at Solider Field. After Tampa Bay had Brian Griese throwing 67 passes over that Bears defense en route to a 27-24 win for the Bucs, the Eagles believe McNabb can top that, or at least, do the same.

''Absolutely,'' Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb said, confident that he'll be able to break that Bears D like Griese did last week. ''I am going to go for 70, 75.''

For a quarterback probably coming into a game against the Chicago Bears without much of a choice but to throw it up in the air with a nonexistent running game, McNabb looked annoyingly arrogant.

Of course, we can't blame the guy. After all, he's having one heckuva' season after all the problems he had with injuries the last couple of years. McNabb has completed 70 of 105 passes for 838 yards, five TDs while only giving up one interception, good for a 102.8 passer rating.

Yes, the Donovan McNabb we knew that, together with Terrell Owens then, led the Eagles all the way to the Super Bowl a few years ago is now back and he has the entire city of Philadelphia thinking big again.

Of course, for Philly's sake, let's hope Brian Urlacher doesn't catch this guy standing around inside the pocket this Sunday.

Can the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football? Bodog Sportsbook has the odds.

Philadelphia Eagles -3 (1.83)

Chicago Bears +3 (2.00)

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Philadelphia Eagles Chicago Bears

Can Lewis Hamilton win the 2008 F1 Singapore GP?

2008-09-26T00:58:00.000-07:00

Why are we asking?

Since there's the prospect of rain in the very first night race in Formula One, we're asking if Lewis Hamilton can finally overcome the elements this Sunday after watching him slip all over the racetrack in Monza and Spa.

And with the 2008 F1 season nearing its conclusion, Hamilton knows he doesn't have much of a choice but to overcome, unless he wants to see the championship slip from his hands again.

Heading to the 2008 F1 Singapore Grand Prix, Hamilton is holding on to the lead with 78 points. Closing in on him is Felipe Massa who has 77 and since Massa is known to thrive in wet weather conditions, Hamilton better come up with his A-game come raceday.

For what it's worth, although Lewis Hamilton still hopes for dry conditions, he remains confident that they can do good even under the rain. But unlike Felipe Massa who has already shown what he can do under wet weather conditions, Hamilton has yet to show how good he is with water.

''The weather forecast says it will rain all week but every time I have woken up it is dry and quite warm,'' Lewis Hamilton said.

''It has been raining in the morning but has stopped by the time I get up so hopefully it will be the same this weekend. We always hope for a dry race as it is a lot easier to keep the car on the track and push it to the limit.''

''If we had a slower car in the dry I'd probably be praying for the rain but the fact is we have a competitive car in both conditions.''

''I think we start from scratch,'' Lewis Hamilton added, referring to this season's title race. ''There is only one point so I can't say I have a comfortable lead. I have to look at this race the same as I have the others this season and really try to attack this weekend.''

''We have a great package and we have done a great job to prepare the car and it is now down to me to give the right feedback and make sure I take the right steps over the weekend.''

Who will win the 2008 F1 Drivers Championship? Bodog Sportsbook has the odds.

Kimi Raikkonen 2.75

Lewis Hamilton 3.00

Fernando Alonso 7.00

Felipe Massa 7.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more F1 betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Lewis Hamilton 2008 Singapore Grand Prix

Injury to Brian Westbrook just might ground the Philadelphia Eagles this 2008-09 NFL Football Season

2008-09-26T00:56:00.001-07:00

Isn't it ironic that the high-flying Eagles just might be grounded with the loss of their ground game?

2-1. That's where the Philadelphia Eagles are after three weeks into the 2008-09 NFL football season. They're playing some of the best football ever seen from Philly since the days when Terrell Owens was still catching footballs from Donovan McNabb.

And although Donovan McNabb, finally healthy again, is the obvious reason why the Eagles have been this good so far this year, their consistent ground game has been a key as well, tightening up the other teams' defense to let McNabb send some cannons towards that wide open field.

The Philadelphia Eagles are fortunate to have Brian Westbrook perfectly compliment the team's passing game by coming up with one of the best performances on the ground by a runningback this season every single week.

Of course, it was bad news for the Eagles when they learned that Brian Westbrook suffered an ankle injury in their win over the Steelers last Sunday. The ground game is the base of any offense that allows quarterbacks to send that ball downfield while everybody's crowded in front of the center and with Philly's Westbrook slowing down with a hurting ankle, opposing teams can now just send their defensive backs 40-50 yards from the line of scrimmage while throwing blitzes towards McNabb.

And we all know what happens next when McNabb spends more time lying on the ground than usual right?

For what it's worth, Westbrook remains confident that he'll be able to return in time for his team's next game on Sunday. However, I don't think playing that injured ankle will let Westbrook help his team. The Eagles will visit Soldier Field to play the Chicago Bears for Week 4 and bringing a hurting ankle on the field across a monster like Brian Urlacher is OBVIOUSLY not a smart idea.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Philadelphia Eagles Brian Westbrook

2008 NCAA College Football Week 5 Betting Picks

2008-09-26T00:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some football games on the college gridiron you'll probably like before you can root for your favorite NFL teams this Sunday.

It's Week 5 of the 2008 NCAA college football season and if you lost some dough from that huge game between the USC Trojans and the Oregon State Beavers, here's your chance to break even.

Two unbeaten teams collide Saturday when the 4-0 TCU Horned Frogs visit the 3-0 Oklahoma Sooners. Oklahoma pounded on Chattanooga 57-2 in its season opener Aug. 30 before routing Cincinnati 52-26 the following week. After a 55-14 victory over Washington in their last game Sept. 13, the Sooners have outscored opponents 164-42 and are second in the Football Bowl Subdivision with a 40.7 average margin of victory.

Against the TCU Horned Frogs however, the Sooners will have to overcome the absence of defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger as he will be out at least four weeks because of a left foot injury. STILL, this is Oklahoma and not many people can beat these guys, especially in Sooners Country.

Another pair of winning teams face-off Saturday night as the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs square it off. Georgia (4-0, 1-0) came into the season as the nation's No.1 team but with perhaps the country's most intimidating schedule, the Trojans have quickly bumped them off from the top of the food chain. There were three other SEC teams in the preseason top 10, and the Bulldogs had to face two of them on the road.

The Alabama Crimson Tide, on the other hand, began the season ranked No.24, but has steadily climbed the poll in coach Nick Saban's second season in Tuscaloosa.

After a sloppy win over Tulane, Alabama has been impressive in its past two victories, beating Western Kentucky 41-7 on Sept. 13 and routing Arkansas 49-14 last Saturday behind Glen Coffee's 162 yards rushing and two scores. Coffee is gaining 8.6 yards per carry to rank sixth in the country among players who average at least 10 carries per game. The junior set the Alabama single-game record by averaging 16.2 yards per attempt at Arkansas.

Georgia and Alabama have met five times when both were ranked, with the Bulldogs winning all five meetings. Georgia has won three straight over the Tide since a 31-0 Alabama victory in Athens in 1995.

Next, we have the struggling Mississippi State Bulldogs looking to regain their form when they play the still unbeaten LSU Tigers, looking to defend the BCS national championship they won last season.

The Bulldogs offense has struggled as of late, committing four turnovers to increase their season total to 12. Mississippi State had gone eight consecutive quarters without offensive points before Robert Elliott’s 6-yard touchdown midway through the final quarter against Georgia Tech's second-string defense last week.

Expect the LSU Tigers to make a joke of what Mississippi calls a ''football team.''

Who will win the 2009 BCS national championship? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

LSU Tigers 13.00

Ohio State Buckeyes 7.00

Oklahoma Sooners 7.00

USC Trojans 4.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more college football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 NCAA College Football College Football Week 5

It's Lewis Hamilton vs Felipe Massa again in Singapore

2008-09-26T00:50:00.000-07:00

You read it, with one point separating these two, the race for the championship is as close as it can get.

With the 2008 F1 season resuming in Singapore, two drivers looking for the world championship at the end of the season will be going at it at full force, both looking to have the advantage when the engines start rolling.

And in case you're not following, the face-off between Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa will continue in the very first night race in Formula One, the 2008 F1 Singapore Grand Prix, and since it's another close finish for the championship, we're in for another classic.

Lewis Hamilton still leads the drivers' championship with 78 points while Felipe Massa is not far behind with 77. But since Massa is closing in on Hamilton's lead after each race, the momentum heading to Singapore is clearly with Ferrari's Brazilian icon.

That's why Lewis Hamilton knows beating Massa should be on top of his priority list.

''He (Massa) is the guy I have to beat. He has a good car and is a good driver,'' Lewis Hamilton said. ''Singapore is a night time circuit, which none of us have experienced before, but we'll be OK. I have to make every sacrifice in the last four races. I honestly feel confident in my ability to win the championship.''

Of course, Massa also knows what to do and that's keep his ass in front of Hamilton. Rain is the forecast for Singapore and since he always thrives under wet weather conditions, this Sunday's race just might give Massa the best opportunity to finally grab the championship lead from the British sensation.

''This year, we have seen a lot of rain in the races,'' Felipe Massa said.

''But we are keeping our feet on the ground and we are working day by day. All I must do is to keep trying and make sure I'm in front of Hamilton.''

Who will win the 2008 F1 Drivers Championship? Bodog Sportsbook has the odds.

Kimi Raikkonen 2.75

Lewis Hamilton 3.00

Fernando Alonso 7.00

Felipe Massa 7.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more F1 betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Lewis Hamilton Felipe Massa

Synthetic Track at Santa Anita for the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic may cause some problems for horses

2008-09-26T00:46:00.000-07:00

Yes, they found more ways to fuck these animals some more that are even worse than bestiality.

In case you haven't heard, the best thoroughbreds in the world are preparing to get it on again at the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic. Yes, this is the latest big race before horse racing gets going with its Triple Crown series again and whoever wins this one will be instant favorites to win horse racing's holy grail as well.

The 2008 Breeders' Cup will be run at Santa Anita on October 24th and 25th over a new synthetic surface. The surface is a Pro-Ride surface that was installed over the summer and replaces the mess of a surface that Santa Anita had last year that wouldn't drain and cost the track millions of dollars.

Training on the new surface has been going on for weeks and the reviews have been positive. If the track continues to get positive reviews it could be huge because the owners of Curlin might be persuaded to race in the Breeders' Cup Classic against Big Brown. If that race occurs it would be the biggest horse racing event in a long, long time.

Curlin is set to run this weekend in the Jockey Club Gold Cup as he attempts to pass Cigar and become the all-time money winner in horse racing history. The key for getting Curlin to race at Santa Anita will be a positive review of the new surface.

''I hate to go out on a limb, because we haven't raced on it yet, no one's lost a race on it yet, but I'm very happy with it right now,'' Ron Charles, Santa Anita's president, said. ''I'm excited about having a track that will perform well.''

The surface at Del Mar is Polytrack which has not received great reviews. The difference with Pro-Ride is that most of the surface is natural dirt.

''Everything so far I like,'' trainer Eoin Harty said. ''It's a very kind, forgiving surface, with a lot of bounce to it. When a horse puts his foot down, you wait 10 to 15 seconds, and the surface comes back.''

Of course, no one really knows what the horses feel until they stumble and die.

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Breeders Cup Classic Curlin

2008 NFL Football Week 3 Betting Picks and Tips

2008-09-19T01:03:00.000-07:00

It's the third week of the football season people and it only gets better.

The 2008-09 NFL football season continues this Sunday with a whole lot of games you can sure win some dolla' dolla' bills yo. Yes, we're trying to be cool. Sorry, we can't help it.

Starting things off for Week 3 of the NFL season, we begin with the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Kansas City Chiefs. After a rather awesome debut in Week 1, Falcons QB Matt Ryan looked more like a what he should, a rookie, as he made several rookie mistakes in a 24-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Kansas City Chiefs on the other hand, were even more miserable. The Chiefs have been unable to find anyone to stabilize the quarterback position this season with quarterback Brodie Croyle still out with a separated shoulder. They dropped their second straight game last week and while the first one was to the New England Patriots, losing to the Oakland Raiders 23-8 last week definitely raises reasons for concern.

Our pick? The Atlanta Falcons by a field goal.

Speaking of the Oakland Raiders, they will visit one of the league's early surprises as they take on the 2-0 Buffalo Bills. Unheralded quarterback Trent Edwards has led a resurgent Bills passing attack which finished third-to-last in the NFL last season. Edwards is fourth in the AFC with a 107.7 passer rating, having yet to throw an interception while completing 70.9 percent of his passes for 454 yards.

The Oakland Raiders, on the other hand, started the season with a 41-14 home loss to Denver but they were able to bounce back with a 23-8 win at Kansas City. Still, the Chiefs are struggling which probably made it easier for these Raiders to steal a victory. I don't expect these guys to do the same this Sunday against Buffalo.

Buffalo Bills by a touchdown.

Defending Super Bowl champions New York Giants will bring their still unbeaten record to the test next as they play the Cincinnati Bengals. A week after dominating woeful St. Louis, the Giants are looking for the 3-0 start against yet another struggling opponent Sunday. The Giants defense are just ridiculously good this year and grounding the high-flying Cincinnati Bengals shouldn't be much of a problem.

Pick the New York Giants to win by not one, not two, but three ''how do you like Eli now?'' touchdowns.

The New England Patriots are still unbeaten even without Tom Brady. And on Sunday, they will have a chance to rewrite history again by engineering the longest regular season winning streak in the NFL. A win over the very franchise that has perfection written all over them back in 1972, the Miami Dolphins, will stretch New England's regular season winning streak to 22, the best in NFL history, and since Miami these days is a fucked up shithole, the Patriots should be an easy pick.

Pick the New England Patriots to fuck up Miami so bad, everybody from that part of Florida will be scratching their asses all day. Pats by two touchdowns.

The Houston Texans will try to snap the two-game winning streak set by the Tennessee Titans when they meet Sunday. Even without Vince Young, the Titans have found a way to win with backup quarterback Kerry Collins and against the 0-1 Houston Texans, who are coming off a bye-week, I don't see any reason why the Titans won't win this one easy.

Pick the Tennessee Titans to win by two touchdowns.

Two teams with identical 1-1 win-loss records will collide Sunday as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers meet the Chicago Bears. Buccaneers QB Brian Griese is expected to go for his second start with starting quarterback Jeff Garcia out. Griese was splitting time with Rex Grossman and now starting Bears QB Kyle Orton in Chicago last season with Griese becoming the most effective of all the three. However, Kyle Orton is a different guy this season, at least after two weeks into the season anyway and since Orton has the Bears defense to correct his mistakes on offense, the Bears should be fine at home.

Pick the Chicago Bears to win by a field goal.

The surprising Arizona Cardinals look to make their first 3-0 start since 1974 as they visit the Washington Redskins on Sunday in the first of consecutive games on the East Coast. Arizona opened the season with a 23-13 win at San Francisco, then dominated Miami in a 31-10 victory last Sunday. However, the Washington Redskins could be a tougher nut to crack than most people expected. Against New Orleans, Redskins QB Jason Campbell showed us how good he can be, going 24-for-36 for 321 yards and a TD for the win. The Cardinals are good so far but the Redskins are just better.

Pick the Washington Redskins to beat the Cards by a touchdown.

Two teams on the opposite side of this season's standings meet on Sunday when the 0-2 Minnesota Vikings host the 2-0 Carolina Panthers. The Panthers will finally have their premiere receiver Steve Smith back after a two-game suspension as they try to extend their unbeaten streak to three. However, the Minnesota Vikings, despite dropping their first two games, still have the best ranked defense in all of football and I don't expect those guys to just be the welcome mat for the returning Panther.

Pick the Minnesota Vikings by a field goal.

The Denver Broncos, after two close wins, will try to go for a 3-0 start for the first time in five years when they play hosts to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler is quickly becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the league, he completed 36 of 50 passes last week for a career-best 350 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in a wild win over the Chargers.

Pick the Denver Broncos to blow New Orleans away harder than a hurricane. Broncos by a touchdown.

Both the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions have been struggling the last couple of years and I don't see any reason why you should even bother watching a game between these two pathetic football clubs.

Since the San Francisco 49ers will be at home, expect the Niners to accidentally win this one by a field goal.

Another pair of struggling teams will collide as the St. Louis Rams visit the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday. It seems only yesterday when the Seahawks were representing the NFC at Super Bowl XL against Pittsburgh. Then league MVP Shaun Alexander has parted ways with the team and is now looking for a job in the NFL. STILL, the Seahawks, with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, is still a good team and beating the 0-2 St. Louis Rams shouldn't be much of a problem.

Pick the Seattle Seahawks to outgun what was once dubbed as ''the greatest show on turf'' by a field goal.

The Indianapolis Colts will welcome AFC rivals Jacksonville Jaguars in what should be another classic rivalry game. The Colts, after losing to the Bears to kick off their campaign, found a way to barely win over the Vikings, 18-15. Despite 160 rushing yards from Vikings halfback Adrian Paterson, Peyton Manning was still able to lead the Colts to victory going for 311 yards in the air. The Jaguars, on the other hand, are yet to taste a win this season and I'm not expecting them to score their first W against the Colts in Indy.

Pick the Indianapolis Colts to score their first win at their new Lucas Oil Stadium by a touchdown.

It'll be all about defense next when the Cleveland Browns visit the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns, after all that hype about how hard it is to win at the Dog Pound, dropped their first two home games there, losing to the Cowboys first before losing to Pittsburgh last week. They will be on the road for the first time this year and when they take on the Ravens, being on the road will be the only thing different for these guys.

Pick the Baltimore Ravens to win a defensive struggle and give the Browns their third straight loss of the season.

And while that game will feature two of the best defensive teams in football, this one we have for you will be about two teams with contrasting styles of play. The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the best defensive schemes in football while the Philadelphia Eagles, with Donovan McNabb healthy again, came up with a superb passing game this year that just may rival the best offensive units we have in the game today.

It's defense vs offense in Philly this Sunday people and whoever wins this one should be an early favorite to win it all in Tampa. And since the Eagles ALMOST won that wild shootout against Dallas in Texas last Monday night, picking the Pittsburgh Steelers defense apart shouldn't be a problem. Besides, McNabb is just insanely good this year and as long as he stays healthy, the Eagles should be able to soar at the top this season.

Our pick? Philadelphia Eagles by two touchdowns people.

Next, we have Sunday Night Football and this week, we have two young guns who just might be able to become two of the premiere quarterbacks in the game.

Aaron Rodgers will try to extend what has been a Cinderella start with the Green Bay Packers as he brings that 2-0 winning streak to Irving, Texas to play the red-hot Dallas Cowboys who too have a solid 2-0 mean steak going for them coming to Week 3.

The Dallas Cowboys, led by Tony Romo, have overcome what was the first tough test to their mettle, beating the Eagles in a shootout, 41-37, last Monday night. The Green Bay Packers could be this year's Cinderella team but when you play the Cowboys in Texas, Cinderella runs could only turn quickly into nothing more but a fantasy.

Besides, Tony Romo has already been doing it for two seasons now while Aaron Rodgers is only in his first season as a bona fide NFL starter. Who will win this big Sunday Night Football game? Easy.

We're picking the Dallas Cowboys by two touchdowns just because we wanna' see Jessica Simpson happy.

On Monday Night Football, we have two teams from the AFC trying to take advantage of a conference now probably free of New England's dominance with their star quarterback Tom Brady out for the season.

The New York Jets will pay visit to the San Diego Chargers in a primetime NFL contest where both teams will be looking to win after disappointing losses last week.

Of course, the story is STILL Brett Favre as he continues to salvage what's left of his career in New York after spending all of his career in Green Bay. Favre was victorious in his debut with the Jets, tearing up Miami in Week 1 before losing to the Patriots last Sunday. The Chargers, on the other hand, lost two straight games in the final minutes and should be fired up to finally get their first win of the season.

STILL, this is Brett Favre and although that Chargers defense should be fired up for this one, Favre's greatness should help the New York Jets to just edge that Chargers D by a touchdown.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 NFL Season NFL Week 3

Watch out! Somebody's Hacking Into Your Poker Account!

2008-09-19T01:01:00.000-07:00

If you're playing most of your poker online, consider yourself warned.

Thanks to the thousands of dollars that can be stored in online poker accounts, it is no wonder that the poker community is now the target of high-technology crimes. Still, despite the stories you've heard about stolen passwords and account hackings, you never really think it could happen to you. Well, this story about notable pro Peter ''Zupp'' Jepsen may instill caution in your mind.

Danish pro Peter ''Zupp'' Jepsen was sent an e-mail by a fraudster who pretended to be employed by OTW Media, a Swedish production company that filmed the highly-popular poker show, ''The Game.'' Jepsen's interest was naturally aroused by the show's interest in him (after all, the best way to get someone's attention is to appeal to his vanity) and this resulted in an exchange of e-mails.

In one e-mail, Jepsen was asked to visit OTWMedia.com and open a file that was supposed to be in pdf format. Well, Jepson's momma didn't raise no fool because upon seeing that it was an .exe file, Jepsen scanned the program and found out it was a Trojan virus that could very well steal his passwords.

A series of investigations determined that the OTWMedia.com domain is not owned by the production company. Furthermore, OTW (who hosts its actual website) has denied that it has contacted Jepsen at all. The plot thickens because a second domain was found which is believed to be an attempt to duplicate the Unibet site.

Why Jepsen? It looks like these wanna-be Ocean's Eleven thieves actually bother to do their research. Jepsen, who by the way is most popular for winning the EPT3 Polish Open, won a highly-publicized, $500,000 pot at Full Tilt Poker's $500/$1,000 game last September 2. Jepsen scooped up the second biggest pot ever won in an online poker site against Tom ''durrrr'' Dwan.

So let this serve as a warning to all poker players who wish their hard-earned winnings to be left untouched. The next time you receive suspicious e-mails or phone calls, it is always best to verify the source. Otherwise, you might find yourself suddenly without a bankroll and out of the game.

Who will win the 2008 WSOP Main Event Final Table at the Rio in Las Vegas on November 9? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Dennis Phillips 4.00

Craig Marquis 11.00

Ylon Schwartz 9.00

Scott Montgomery 5.00

Darus Suharto 9.50

Chino Rheem 8.50

Ivan Demidov 5.50

Kelly Kim 26.00

Peter Eastgate 6.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more poker betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 World Series of Poker Online Poker

Final MLB Game at Yankee Stadium will feature a New York Yankees Team not worthy of the $209 M

2008-09-19T00:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, they paid a whopping $209 million for this team that won't make any playoff appearances this season.

Quite sad ain't it? The New York Yankees have struggled, to say the least, this 2008 MLB baseball season and it's unfortunate that the last Yankees team we'll ever get to see at Yankee Stadium this Sunday is a baseball club merely a shell of it's former self.

And in case you haven't heard, Yankee Stadium will be having it's last Yankee game this Sunday when the struggling New York Yankees play host to the Baltimore Orioles. With all of it's history, Yankee Stadium has become a staple in American baseball and the Yankees have pissed on all that this season with the kind of campaign that'll make your stomach turn.

There was a time when the New York Yankees, although they didn't have to be as pathetic as the 2008 team, were far from being a playoff team. It was 1993 and Yankee Stadium wasn't selling out every single ticket available.

Mariano Rivera, arguably the best closer in baseball today, was not even playing for the Yankees then, starting for the minor leagues where he kept on honing his skills until he got the nod.

STILL, that 1993 team was still way better than what we have now. That 1993 Yankees team was feisty, unlike this year's Yankees, who only has that whopping $209 million going for them and nothing else, ending the organization's 13 straight playoff appearances.

''There was a real sincerity about everyone on that team,'' Buck Showalter said, manager of that 1993 Yankees team. ''There wasn't anyone with a look-at-me attitude. There wasn't anybody worrying about having style.''

''Their substance was their style.''

Can you imagine what this dude will say about them Yanks' if New York loses to the Baltimore Orioles in the very last game at Yankee Stadium this Sunday?

Which team will win the 2008 MLB World Series? AcesAce sportsbook has the odds.

Boston Red Sox +300

New York Yankees +400

Cleveland Indians +1,000

Los Angeles Dodgers +2,000

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more baseball betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

New York Yankees Yankee Stadium

Carolina Panthers to get even better with Steve Smith

2008-09-19T00:55:00.000-07:00

Wow, the Panthers are 2-0. How about that eh?

Yes, the same team that has sucked on that field the last couple of years are perfect so far after two weeks into the 2008-09 NFL football season.

After two improbable comebacks against the Chargers and another against the Bears, the Carolina Panthers have put up an undefeated 2-0 record for the first time since 2003.

And while the Panthers may already have a Super Bowl run in mind, things should get a little better with Steve Smith returning after the team suspended him for two games for breaking the nose of teammate Ken Lucas in a training camp fight.

Smith is the leading receiver for this Carolina Panthers team the last few seasons and having him back should give Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme even more options down field.

''He's ready to roll,'' Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox said. ''Obviously he's excited to be back and excited that we're 2-0.''

Yeah sure, any coach should be excited to have a player of his caliber back on the field. But while the head coach may be giggling with anticipation, are the players also as excited as him? More specifically, Ken Lucas who got his nose shattered by the guy?

For what it's worth, the Panthers claim they have gotten over any hard feelings created by Smith's sucker punch on his cornerback. They also claim that Smith has already apologized to the team, especially to Lucas and Lucas has accepted.

The Panthers have the 0-2 Minnesota Vikings next Sunday and Carolina having Smith will definitely spread up that tight Vikings defense a little bit, the same defense that ranked no.1 in the league last season.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Steve Smith Carolina Panthers

More 2008 NCAA College Football Week 4 Betting Picks

2008-09-19T00:52:00.000-07:00

More picks, more picks and even more picks.

The 2008 NCAA college football season continues this Saturday with even more games that'll make you feel like you're back in college again. (Especially for all you old farts out there...)

We'll kick things off with the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Arkansas Razorbacks. Led by their head coach Nick Saban, Alabama will gun for their fourth straight win and improve on their no.9 overall ranking this season. The Arkansas Razorbacks, on the other hand, will vie for their third straight, looking to reclaim their spot as one of the college gridiron's best.

Saban led the Alabama Crimson Tide to a 7-6 record during the team's transition season in 2007, and all six of those losses were by seven points or fewer. Saban's first year gave Crimson Tide fans a reason to be optimistic about the program's future, and a 41-38 home victory over Arkansas was one of the highlights.

For the Arkansas Razorbacks, they started slowly in their last game Sept. 6, but salvaged a 28-27 victory over Louisiana-Monroe after Casey Dick completed an eight-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Williams with 1:22 remaining.

These two teams should give ya'll one awesome college football game to witness over the weekend.

The 23rd-ranked Clemson Tigers will look to continue rebuilding their shattered confidence when they host the South Carolina State Bulldogs on Saturday. It's the first meeting between these schools, and South Carolina State is expected to provide Clemson with another chance to improve its record before hitting the heart of the ACC schedule.

The Clemson Tigers beat North Carolina State 27-9 in their conference opener last weekend, but it wasn't the kind of performance that left Clemson coach Tommy Bowden pleased. It was clear after this game that Clemson needs to get its strong running game working.

You can expect to see just that this Saturday.

Who will win the 2009 BCS national championship? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

LSU Tigers 13.00

Ohio State Buckeyes 7.00

Oklahoma Sooners 7.00

USC Trojans 4.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more college football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 NCAA College Football College Football Week 4

Sebastian Ruthenberg adds another achievement after winning a 2008 World Series of Poker Bracelet

2008-09-18T00:49:00.001-07:00

Yes, this guy is definitely having one heckuva' year.

When PokerStars' EPT Barcelona ended, one thing was certain, professional poker player Sebastian Ruthenberg is having a great poker year. He won a 2008 World Series of Poker bracelet already and he now has an EPT trophy to go with it. Aside from bragging rights, the young German also takes home €1,361,000 in prize money. Not bad eh?

Sebastian Ruthenberg started the final table just shy of the chip lead (1,204,000) coming in second after Martin Nielsen (1,229,000). But anything can happen in poker and true enough, it was Nielsen who ended up being eliminated first when Jason Mercier flipped open a better two pair. Samuel Chartier followed Nielsen to the exits just moments later in seventh place after he was eliminated by Fintan Gavin.

EPT San Remo champion Jason Mercier ran out of luck when he pushed with a pair of sevens against Fintan Gavin's pocket queens.

The board didn't help and Mercier was eliminated in sixth place. Gavin continued his winning streak by taking out Dren Ukella who failed to make his nut flush draw. Urkella had to be content with a fifth place finish.

Daniele Mazzia's two pair was no match to Sebastian Ruthenberg's straight after Ruthenberg and Davidi Kitai both called his all-in and checked down the board. Mazzia's fourth place finish earned him €351,000.

Ruthenberg then took Davidi Kitai out when his pocket fours held up against A,Q of diamonds. Kitai won €455,000 for third place.

When the dust cleared, it was Ruthenberg against Gavin in heads up. Unfortunately for Gavin, his time in the spotlight was short as Ruthenberg used a nearly 5:1 chip advantage to win his first EPT title in just three hands.

Gavin settled for a second place finish and €792,000.

Who will win the 2008 WSOP Main Event Final Table at the Rio in Las Vegas on November 9? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Dennis Phillips 4.00

Craig Marquis 11.00

Ylon Schwartz 9.00

Scott Montgomery 5.00

Darus Suharto 9.50

Chino Rheem 8.50

Ivan Demidov 5.50

Kelly Kim 26.00

Peter Eastgate 6.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more poker betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 World Series of Poker Sebastian Ruthenberg

Steelers visit the Browns at the Dog Pound Sunday Night

2008-09-12T01:23:00.000-07:00

They say winning a game at the Dog Pound is one of the hardest things to accomplish in football.

And since we love to see the best of the best duke it out, we'll be hoping for that exactly when the Steelers visit the Browns at the Dog Pound as the 2008-09 NFL football season resumes this Sunday night.

Sunday Night Football will sure feature a defensive struggle between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns. Both teams still have one of the best defensive schemes in the league and while that defense won the Steelers a game against the Texans last week, the same can't be said of the Browns, who lost to the high-flying Cowboys 28-10.

STILL, it is well documented that Cleveland Browns Stadium is still one of the toughest places to win a football game and I don't expect those guys to drop another game at the Dog Pound for the second straight week.

The Steelers are entering the season with questions on their offensive line. They have two new starters there who were not that very good in protecting Ben Roethlisberger the past two seasons.

Roethlisberger was sacked twice by Mario Williams last week but still managed to hold on to win the game. They were also fortunate enough to have 183 yards rushing as runningback Willie Parker helped his team at the offensive end to beat Houston.

However, they will be visiting the Dog Pound this Sunday night and poor pass protection OBVIOUSLY won't win games there. Pick the Cleveland Browns to beat Ben Roethlisberger and his Pittsburgh Steelers by a field goal.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Pittsburgh Steelers Cleveland Browns

Favorites to win 2008-09 NFL Rookie of the Year

2008-09-12T01:18:00.000-07:00

Rookies, these guys determine how sports will look like in the imminent future.

And although we are still a long way from determining who's it going to be this time in the 2008-09 NFL football season, we are so excited about the return of football that we can't help ourselves but to give you our early picks.

And since the Associated Press started awarding the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 1967, running backs have been the consistent choice to take home the hardware. Of the 41 times the Associated Press did this, 31 of the winners were NFL runningbacks.

Runningbacks dominate this award because it is generally believed that this is the easiest position for a first year player to step in and contribute immediately. Quarterbacks and receivers, on the other hand, more often than not, need at least a couple years to learn the very complex NFL passing schemes.

Don't believe me? A classic example of this one is Eli Manning. (Until he plays like a dumbass again this season anyway...)

Who are our picks? Let's start with Darren McFadden, the Oakland Raiders rookie runningback. Although the Raiders already have an able runner in Justin Fargas, McFadden is just too talented for Oakland to pass up in the draft.

With his 6'2'', 215-pound frame to go along with 4.4 speed, the former star of the Arkansas Razorbacks is expected to get plenty of carries from day 1 and is the heavy favorite to win the 2008-09 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

QB Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons could also bring home the hardware at the end of the season. Oddsmakers dubbed him as the 10-1 favorite and with his selection, the Falcons officially closed the door on the Michael Vick era.

Perhaps the darkhorse to win it this year is the Baltimore Ravens rookie runningback Ray Rice. Oddsmakers put 25-1 odds on Rice to win the award. Even though he lacks the size for the running back position, the rookie showed a lot of strength and power in the preseason to go along with his great cut-back ability and lateral movement.

Rice has already secured a spot as the backup of Willis McGahee. And with McGahee injured, Rice has a better shot of showing everybody what he's got than most rookies coming in the league this year.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008-09 NFL Season NFL Rookie of the Year

The FIA screwed McLaren - Mercedes supertar Lewis Hamilton before the 2008 F1 Italian Grand Prix

2008-09-12T01:15:00.000-07:00

And this may have cast a dark cloud over what has been one of the best finishes ever seen in a Formula One race.

After what has become one of the best races of the 2008 F1 season, Lewis Hamilton was stripped of the win in Belgium after coming up with a rather wild maneuver to overtake then race leader Kimi Raikkonen.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton was penalized for cutting the chicane and gaining an advantage over Kimi Raikkonen to force the Ferrari driver to lose 25 precious seconds and deny him of what looked like a sure win in Belgium.

And since Raikkonen's teammate, Felipe Massa, finished second fastest after Raikkonen smacked the tire wall spinning after Hamilton's antics, he was awarded with the win and the full 10 championship points.

Hamilton is credited with six.

That leaves us with yet another close finish for the championship. Lewis Hamilton still leads the championship standings with 76 but now by just the slimmest of margins. Felipe Massa, after being awarded with the win in Belgium, now has 74.

Kimi Raikkonen, on the other hand, may have lost his chance to defend his world championship this season after after crashing out in Belgium, taking himself out of the title picture.

For what it's worth, McLaren plans to appeal the decision against their prized driver. F1's governing body, the FIA, will hear the appeal at a hearing of the World Motor Sports Council, a date for which has not yet been set.

Former champion and television commentator Niki Lauda said that Hamilton's penalty was the worst judgment in the history of F1. ''It's absolutely unacceptable when three stewards influence the championship like this,'' the Austrian said.

McLaren have had several run-ins with the sports governing body in the last 12 months. Before last year's Belgian Grand Prix, they were famously excluded from the constructors' championship and fined $100m for allegedly using confidential information belonging to Ferrari.

Who will win the 2008 F1 Drivers Championship? Bodog Sportsbook has the odds.

Kimi Raikkonen 2.75

Lewis Hamilton 3.00

Fernando Alonso 7.00

Felipe Massa 7.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more F1 betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Lewis Hamilton 2008 F1 Belgium Grand Prix

USC Trojans V Ohio State Buckeyes this Saturday

2008-09-12T01:11:00.000-07:00

Yep, we have the first BIG BIG BIG game of the season.

Arguably two of the top programs in college football history collide in Week 3 of the 2008 NCAA college football season as the Ohio State Buckeyes visit the USC Trojans on Saturday.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are on a roll, starting the season with a clean 2-0 slate, beating Ohio 26-14 after stomping on Youngstown State 43-0. They come to Trojans' territory gunning for a third straight win, looking to prove that they still are the team to beat on the college gridiron.

The only area of concern for the visiting Buckeyes is the status of tailback Chris ''Beanie'' Wells who was sidelined with an injured foot in their last game. Wells ran for 115 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in a season-opening 43-0 win over Youngstown State before getting hurt against Ohio.

He was ninth in the nation last season with 1,609 rushing yards.

STILL, Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel said he expects Wells will be able to play. The junior told Tressel that he's ''ready to carry 45 times on Saturday'' and like the naïve coach that he is, he believes every word his star tailback says. Hey, he doesn't have any choice but to.

''The only way we can be successful on the road at Southern Cal is be at our best, I mean, there's no way that we can do it if we're not at our best,'' Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel said. ''So I think all of us in the whole locker room recognized after the (Ohio) game that we weren't at our best.''

As for the USC Trojans, they will be led by quarterback Mark Sanchez, who is hoping to get USC back into the BCS national title game this season after quarterback John David Booty was unable to do so the past two years.

The USC Trojans have played in the last three Rose Bowls, including a loss to Texas for the 2006 national championship after beating Oklahoma for the BCS title the previous year.

Both teams have met in the Rose Bowl seven times and are squaring off for the first time in 18 years in the first game of the season between a pair of top-10 teams. USC has won 11 national championships while the Buckeyes have claimed seven.

This should get even Patriots fans excited about football again after watching Tom Brady walk out on them for the rest of the football year.

Can the USC Trojans beat the Ohio State Buckeyes? Visit Bodog Sportsbook for this huge college football game this Saturday.

Ohio State Buckeyes +11 (1.87)

USC Trojans -11 (1.95)

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more college football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Ohio State Buckeyes USC Trojans

More 2008 NFL Week 2 Betting Picks and Tips

2008-09-12T01:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, we have more picks for ya' starting with the champs.

The defending Super Bowl XLII champions New York Giants visit the St. Louis Rams and I have to stress that on paper, this could be as lopsided as Shaquille O'Neal taking on Ray Allen in a free throw shooting contest.

It's the Giants and the Rams this Sunday as the 2008 NFL football season continues for Week 2 of the greatest sport in th world. It doesn't get any better than that people and if Week 1 was to tell us anything about Eli, it would have to be the fact that he's ready to take on the challenge as one of the league's elite field generals.

The St. Louis Rams could only come up with three points to start the season in their game against Philly. And since the same Giants defense that put Tom Brady to the ground faster than 50 Cent would on a five-dollar whore will be taking over St. Louis, the Rams are in danger of coming up with less than three points.

Pick Eli Manning to lead the Giants to take advantage of the Rams by two touchdowns.

The New England Patriots and the New York Jets resume their classic AFC rivalry this Sunday as they meet for the first time this season at Giants Stadium. However, as colorful as this rivalry has become through the years in the league, things will be a little different this season.

The obvious one is of course, new Jets quarterback Brett Favre. This is his first Pats-Jets game and you just know that the immortal one is pumped up for it. Tom Brady, who was taken out for the rest of the season by Kansas City, will obviously miss what is sure to be another classic.

Normally, we would've taken the New England Patriots over the New York Jets by a gazillion points but since the Patriots will be missing Tom Brady, the reigning league MVP, we're picking Favre to win his first Pats-Jets game, leading the Jets by a touchdown.

Pick the Jets over the New England Patriots in New York City.

The Miami Dolphins were the first ones to fall victim to Favre's Jets and when they take on the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday at the University of Phoenix Stadium, ''victim'' will still be the title slapped on Miami when it's all said and done. Besides, there's nothing new with Miami anyway other than the fact that more retards joined them this year.

Miami losing Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas in the offseason was huge, that's why you should pick the Arizona Cardinals to win by a touchdown over the fucking retards from Miami.

Sunday Night Football will feature a defensive struggle between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns. Both teams still have one of the best defensive schemes in the league and while that defense won the Steelers a game against the Texans last week, the same can't be said of the Browns, who lost to the high-flying Cowboys 28-10.

It is well documented that Cleveland Browns Stadium is still one of the toughest places to win a football game and I don't expect those guys to drop another game at the Dog Pound for the second straight week.

Pick the Cleveland Browns to beat Ben Roethlisberger and his Pittsburgh Steelers by a field goal.

And finally, Monday Night Football will feature another one of those rivalries that makes football arguably the greatest game in the world. On one end, we have Terrell Owens trying to help the Dallas Cowboys to be great again. At the other end, we have Donovan McNabb trying to lead the Philadelphia Eagles back on top after his run-ins with Owens back in Philly a few years ago as teammates stopped the Eagles from doing so.

Donovan McNabb had a strong game last week after being taken out by injuries last season. With McNabb back in form to get 361 yards from the air, he scored three touchdowns to beat the Rams convincingly, 38-3.

The Philadelphia Eagles sure looked like they're ready to take over the NFC again and the Rams were the welcome mat.

The Cowboys on the other hand, did win their first game of the season but it was not as impressive as Philly's. The passing game was working as usual for Dallas as Terrell Owens nabbed one of Romo's passes for a touchdown to beat Cleveland 28-10.

There's something about playing against McNabb that brings out the best in Terrell Owens. The last time he played against Philly, he went for a whopping 174 receiving yards to humiliate his former teammates. Expect more of the same from T.O. against Philly this Monday night.

Pick the Dallas Cowboys to win the aerial show against Philly by a touchdown.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 NFL Season NFL Week 2

Can the Denver Broncos return to the NFL Playoffs and win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida?

2008-09-12T01:03:00.000-07:00

Because ending their three-year playoff drought should be their top priority.

Three years without a playoff appearance for Mike Shanahan and the Denver Broncos is absolutely disappointing. Worse, there are good players on this roster but not many exciting names or potential stars. Sure, the new 2008 NFL football season gives them new hope but the fact of the matter is, they can't expect things to get easier.

The Denver Broncos averaged 24.7 points per game, good for 12th in the league while allowing a disappointing 26.6 points in a very tough schedule featuring five games against playoff teams.

STILL there are some things that Broncos fans can look forward to like their still solid running game. That area of their offense is still considered to be a successful formula. With their conditioning, zone blocking and no nonsense cut and go style, Denver will always produce great system runners though we still have no idea if the altitude at INVESCO Field has something to do about it.

Denver needs a little luck in terms of injury for a change and a back that thoroughly understands the one cut and go system. Although as solid as their running game already is, a playoff stint was still nowhere in sight. They're hoping their runningbacks can finally carry them over the hump and if they get that guy who finally understands these intricate running schemes, finally making a return to the playoffs shouldn't be that hard.

Key additions to the team like LB Boss Bailey, who can instantly provide productive minutes alongside D.J. Williams, the Broncos are hoping their defense can pick up the pace as well.

The loss of center Tom Nalen, who is having a surgery on his knee, is a big blow to their running game. Add to that the disappointing season that runningback Travis Henry had last year.

Ryan Torain will be the key factor for the success of the Broncos' running game this season with Henry struggling. Selvin Young also did pretty well as a backup last year and the Broncos are expecting the same production from this guy.

They're hoping that they finally end up in the playoffs in this campaign.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 NFL Season Denver Broncos

Colts and Bears dance on Sunday Night Football

2008-09-05T01:20:00.000-07:00

And although this is not your favorite episode of 'Dancing with The Stars', the stars will come Sunday night, dancing to put the hurt on somebody.

The first Sunday Night Football of the 2008-09 NFL football season is turning out to be a good one as the NFL pits the two teams that played for the Super Bowl two seasons ago.

It's the Indianapolis Colts going up against the Chicago Bears, the first ''official'' NFL game at the Colts' new yard, the $720 million Lucas Oil Stadium. (Yeah, I know, ''Lucas Oil'' doesn't really have that nice ring to it but hey, since it's home to one of the best franchises in football history, we'll deal with it...)

The transition from the RCA Dome to the Lucas Oil Stadium has finally begun for the Indianapolis Colts. However, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Two seasons ago, the Colts took advantage the Bears' primary weakness to win Super Bowl XLI, quarterback play. Yes, no matter how good the Chicago defense was two years ago, poor quarterback play was still an issue as the Colts took advantage to give Peyton Manning his first Super Bowl ring.

Two years later, quarterback play is still an issue the Bears can't seem to get rid of. Like an irritating rash, the Bears, no matter what they do, always had this fucking things up for them. Was it mainly because of the immaturity of Rex Grossman or is it because of poor pass protection, leaving Grossman no choice but to look like an ass every goddamn Sunday?

Well, coming to this game, they will have Kyle Orton running things and if he can come out of this game against the Colts smelling like a rose, then we can start blaming Grossman for all the troubles the Bears have been having with the position the last couple of years.

For what it's worth, Orton claims he's ready to take on the challenge this Sunday night as he looks to redeem his team from the humiliation they got from Super Bowl XLI.

''I've learned a lot of stuff, and obviously I'm a different guy from '05 in all aspects of my life,'' Orton said, referring to his 2005 rookie season. ''I'm different just like everybody else is three or four years down the road.''

Who will win Sunday Night Football between the Colts and the Bears? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Indianapolis Colts -10 (1.95)

Chicago Bears +10 (1.87)

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Indianapolis Colts Chicago Bears

Chad Pennington leads the Dolphins against the Jets

2008-09-05T01:17:00.000-07:00

You just know Chad can't wait for this one.

Yep, Chad Pennington, the same guy who gets booed on his own field as much as Rex Grossman does in Chicago, will get the chance for some redemption once he leads his new teammates, the Dolphins, against the New York Jets, the very people who gave him the boot the moment Brett Favre landed on the Big Apple, in Week 1 of the 2008-09 NFL football season.

And while this game could've been better for Chad Pennington if it's going to be played in New York, starting anew with a new environment in Miami should suffice I guess. Besides, now that he's in Miami, he's got more things to worry about than grudge matches with the New York Jets.

Last season was a disaster for the Miami Dolphins, losing all but one game of the season to go a miserable 1-15. The Dolphins have not won a championship for nearly 35 years and despite having one of the most prolific passers of the modern era, that being Dan Marino, they did not convert several opportunities to win the big one during the guy's Hall-of-Fame career.

Of course, I'm not expecting Chad Pennington to be Miami's new Hall-of-Fame quarterback and I'm not expecting those guys to beat the Jets this Sunday either.

Besides, visiting them is THE Brett Favre, arguably the best football player to ever play quarterback. The New York Jets have been looking for a solid guy for the position to run their offense and with No.4 here, they may have finally found him.

STILL, you can't help but root for Pennington. After all, this guy deserves a break from everything that he's gone through in New York and Jets fans. Watching him win one over his former team should be nice I guess.

''I have enjoyed it, I've learned a lot, become a better professional and a better man because of my experience and my time in New York,'' Chad Pennington said, referring to his time as a Jet. ''I don't regret or feel ashamed about anything that happened to me in my time in New York.''

Can Chad Pennington lead his Dolphins to beat the Jets? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Jets -3

Miami Dolphins +3

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Chad Pennington Brett Favre

PokerStars added another er... Poker Star to maybe win a WSOP Bracelet in the 2008 World Series of Poker

2008-09-05T01:14:00.000-07:00

Well, they're hoping him to become a star anyway.

And although it's quite a bit late for him to be a part of the 2008 World Series of Poker, this guy definitely has what it takes to make a name for himself in this game. After all, those guys from PokerStars won't recruit him if he doesn't have shit now right?

Who is it? A dude that goes by the name of Alexander Kravchenko. And although that name sounds more like a guy who plays football for Chelsea FC, he is the new member of Team PokerStars.

A former business investor, Alexander Kravchenko started playing poker in 1997 and I guess you can say he's made a good use of his time on the felt. He made a name of himself when he made it in the money a more-than-impressive six times during the 2007 World Series of Poker.

Kravchenko even went so far as winning a World Series of Poker bracelet at the $1,500 Limit Omaha Hi/Lo event on that same year. He also finished fourth at the Main Event ensuring television time and instant worldwide recognition.

It was only natural for PokerStars to train its sights on Kravchenko. He holds the distinction of being the first Russian citizen to win a WSOP bracelet. He finished in third place at the Moscow Millions, a poker tournament that set the record for the largest prize pool in Russia. He also established credibility in the European poker community thanks to a fifth place finish at the 2007 WSOP Europe £2,500 H.O.R.S.E. event.

Furthermore, as of this year, Kravchenko's live tournament winnings exceed $2,700,000. With such a poker resume, who wouldn't PokerStars want him on their team?

So expect more big things for Alexander Kravchenko as he joins a stellar poker cast headlined by such luminaries as Chris Moneymaker, Joe Hachem, Daniel Negreanu, Barry Greenstein, Humberto Brenes, and Greg Raymer.

The inclusion of Kravchenko, who also happens to be number one on the Russian all-time poker career earnings list, shouldn't at all be a surprise.

Who will win the 2008 WSOP Main Event Final Table at the Rio in Las Vegas on November 9? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Dennis Phillips 4.00

Craig Marquis 11.00

Ylon Schwartz 9.00

Scott Montgomery 5.00

Darus Suharto 9.50

Chino Rheem 8.50

Ivan Demidov 5.50

Kelly Kim 26.00

Peter Eastgate 6.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more poker betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 World Series of Poker PokerStars

Who will win the 2008 F1 Belgium Grand Prix?

2008-09-05T01:11:00.000-07:00

It's crunch time in Formula One people.

You read it, the 2008 F1 season is closing in on the culmination of what has been another excellent season and the Belgian Grand Prix might just be the turning point for the top three Formula 1 drivers of the season in their quest for the world championship.

The 2008 F1 Belgium Grand Prix is on September 7 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium. This racetrack has been one of the most revered racetracks in F1. Spa-Francorchamps has been a mainstay of the world championship calendar since it began in 1950.

Renowned for its thrilling, high-speed corners and the capricious local micro-climate which can throw up blazing sunshine and heavy showers in equal measure, the mighty seven-kilometer circuit is still considered one of modern racing's greatest challenges.

Looking at the drivers' championship standings, McLaren - Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton still leads the pack with 70 points, six points better than Brazilian driver Felipe Massa of Ferrari. Third is Massa's Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen with 57 points.

For Felipe Massa, he will ride on his momentum after winning the Telefonica Grand Prix of Europe. After coming so close to win a grand prix back in Hungary, he made sure he will win in Valencia and no technical problems will stop him from doing just that.

Lewis Hamilton finished second and Kimi Raikkonen retired due to engine problem.

Spectacular driving skills are expected to be seen from these Formula 1 racers, especially from Lewis Hamilton, who is looking to further extend his lead over the rest of the field.

''Even before I first came here, which was back in 2002 for a Formula Renault race, I played it on my computer, it was always one of the best tracks. It has probably the most exciting corner in Formula 1, Eau Rouge, and it's one of the few circuits where you really feel like you're actually going somewhere,'' Lewis Hamilton said.

''You blast off into the forest and get to the top of the hill and can feel the whole circuit beneath you. It's one of the best challenges in Formula 1.''

Who will win the 2008 F1 Drivers Championship? Bodog Sportsbook has the odds.

Kimi Raikkonen 2.75

Lewis Hamilton 3.00

Fernando Alonso 7.00

Felipe Massa 7.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more F1 betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Lewis Hamilton 2008 F1 Belgium Grand Prix

AL Teams likely to make it to the 2008 MLB Playoffs

2008-09-05T01:08:00.000-07:00

Those guys from the MLB are probably hoping they'll still get a piece of the viewing audience with football season finally here.

Teams are beginning to make that final push for the playoffs as the 2008 MLB baseball season gets ready for its conclusion. Looking at the teams that might be playing until October, we will try to pick out the best of the lot and hopefully, this'll earn you a little something on the side to go with what is hopefully a profitable football weekend.

Let's start with the American League, the Los Angeles Angels from the American League West are considered to be one of the complete teams in the American League.

The Angels have a great pitching corps to go hand-in-hand with an awesome rotation. Their only weakness would probably be their bench and since benches are really only good in this sport for fisticuffs on the diamond, this won't hurt them that much.

In the Central Division, the Chicago White Sox are looking to dominate. The White Sox have a high powered offense with young players carrying the team this year. Although Chicago is not the only team being carried by young wheels this season.

The Tampa Bay Rays, aside from becoming the absolute Cinderella story of the year, is also a good young team that has great chemistry and plays very good small ball to produce runs.

They can also play a bit of the power game as well, especially when Crawford and Longoria are in the lineup. Their weakness? Obviously, their lack of playoff experience since winning seasons don't come by their side of the field that often.

Of course, we still have the Boston Red Sox, these guys pretty much has been the team to beat this decade. They've consistently made the playoffs and are a tough team to beat come playoff time.

Their weakness is probably their starting rotation if anything with the loss of key stars like Manny Ramirez.

Which team will win the 2008 MLB World Series? AcesAce sportsbook has the odds.

Boston Red Sox +300

New York Yankees +400

Cleveland Indians +1,000

Los Angeles Dodgers +2,000

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more baseball betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 MLB Baseball American League

Can JaMarcus Russell lead his Oakland Raiders to finally get a winning year in the 2008 NFL Season?

2008-09-05T01:05:00.000-07:00

Because the Silver and Black desperately NEEDS a winning year.

And just like any team starting a new campaign, the Raiders are once again full of hope coming into the 2008 NFL football season. Those guys have spiraled downwards since losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2002 Super Bowl and they have not yet recovered since.

Though not much was expected from the Oakland Raiders last year, top pick JaMarcus Russell decided to hold out into the season leading to Josh McCown and Daunte Culpepper leading an offense that started off well but struggled after the bye week in Week Five.

Runningback LaMont Jordan was off to a solid start until he injured his back, and when he healed, found that his job has been taken away from him by Justin Fargas, who rushed for over 1,000 yards, but failed to finish the season for the fourth time in his five year career.

The defense, while having a good young linebacker corps and two solid corners, struggled to stop the run, surrendering over 150 yards on the ground to their opponents in half of their games.

Looking at their off-season moves this year, one area of concern is that they may have overspent to restock their roster somewhat with talents like safety Gibril Wilson, cornerback DeAngelo Hall, and receiver Javon Walker. Although all are good pick ups, they failed to do much to address one of the worst run defenses in the league, and that could go back to haunt them again this year.

Tommy Kelly, who is coming off an ACL injury, will move inside to replace the retiring Warren Sapp at defensive tackle, but other than that, there are no major changes among the front seven on defense.

The things that the Oakland Raiders need to improve for them to have a winning season is to get better against the run. They also have to get improved play from quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who struggled in limited play late last season.

Lengthy contract negotiations kept him out of camp last year and put him behind in his development. But with a full camp and preseason under his belt this year, he should be ready to start displaying some of the talent that made him the overall no.1 pick.

The Raiders will need it.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Oakland Raiders JaMarcus Russell

Bernard Hopkins to dance with Kelly Pavlik October 18

2008-08-28T02:02:00.000-07:00

Can the Executioner slay a Ghost?

That's probably the mindset promoters of this Bernard ''The Executioner'' Hopkins vs Kelly ''The Ghost'' Pavlik extravaganza are in. Hopkins, even at the late stages of his career, is still one of the best in the game right now but when he's matched up against an undefeated Ghost like Pavlik, you have to ask yourself, how in the hell can you execute a freakin' ghost?

And when you're talking about the world middleweight champion Kelly ''The Ghost'' Pavlik, trying to slay THE Ghost is more of an impossibility. After all, he is not the undisputed king of the middleweight division for nothing and after surprising the world by beating then champ, Jermain ''Bad Intentions'' Taylor, Kelly Pavlik has arrived with a bang and by the looks of it, he's here for the long haul.

STILL, if there's one guy who can shock the world, it's Bernard ''The Executioner'' Hopkins. There are not many boxers who can claim they can stay on top of the game at 40. B-Hop has.

Hopkins is 43 for crying out loud people and he can still bitch-slap Manny Pacquiao faster than Pacquiao can eat duck fetus. When Hopkins' mother, Shirley Hopkins, passed away in 2003, she made her son promise that he will retire by the age of 40. Five years later, Hopkins is still mixing it up with the best in the business and since he can still go toe-to-toe with these younger guys, why retire?

Hopkins has already become the most exceptional over-40 fighters ever. Jeez... Not even Rocky Balboa himself can claim that. STILL, he is facing a tough opponent in Kelly Pavlik and since Pavlik already scored two victories over the very guy that took Hopkins out of the middleweight throne he's been sitting on for years, that being Jermain ''Bad Intentions'' Taylor, the guy Hopkins already lost to TWICE, ''a tough opponent'' could very well be an understatement.

Pavlik is obviously younger and stronger than anyone Hopkins has faced recently inside the squared circle. After beating Taylor in convincing fashion, Pavlik has become America's ''great white hope'' if you will. The only advantage Hopkins will be bringing inside the ring with him is his mastery of the game. He has become a crafty veteran after years and years fighting inside the ring. That enabled him to survive the wear and tear of the sport even at 43.

Let's hope he survives his battle with a ghost on October 18.

Can Bernard ''the Executioner'' Hopkins KO Kelly ''the Ghost'' Pavlik? Bodog Sportsbook has the odds. Bet now.

Bernard ''the Executioner'' Hopkins 3.75

Kelly ''the Ghost'' Pavlik 1.29

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for the best boxing betting odds there is available today.

Bernard Hopkins Kelly Pavlik

Who are leading the exciting 2008 English Premiership?

2008-08-28T01:57:00.000-07:00

And in case you were wondering, we meant that with a hint of sarcasm.

The 2008-09 English Premier League season is just starting to heat up as teams have already played at least twice in this early start of the season.

As of the current standings, Chelsea FC and Liverpool are on top, winning both of their fixtures with a total of 6 points each.

On the other hand, Blackburn Rovers, Hull City, Newcastle United, and Manchester United are all tied with the same number of points with 4.

There are 10 teams tied with three points apiece. Those teams are Aston Villa, Manchester City, Bolton, Everton, Middlesbrough, Fulham, Sunderland, Arsenal, Stoke City and West Ham.

At the bottom, we have Tottenham, West Brom, Wigan and Portsmouth, all scoreless still in the Premiership.

In other Premier League season news, Vince Grella of Torino has moved to Blackburn signing a four-year deal reportedly around £4million.

Grella ends a ten-year stint playing in Italy having first arrived in Serie A in 1998 when he joined Empoli.

He joined Parma in 2004 and Torino in 2007, but he has now sealed his move to the Premier League where he will link-up with Australian international teammate Brett Emerton.

Can Manchester United defend their title and win the 2008-09 English Premiership? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Manchester United 2.40

Chelsea FC 2.75

Arsenal 5.50

Liverpool 7.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more international football odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Manchester United English Premier League

Maybe this bitch will think twice before filing a lawsuit against PokerStars from now on eh?

2008-08-28T01:54:00.000-07:00

Online poker sure is a tricky business.

Why? A certain Natalie ''TheV0id'' Teltscher thought she was seeing a major payday after her account won $1,228,330.50 for first place in PokerStars' 2007 World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) Main Event.

Her dreams were burned to the ground, however, when PokerStars disqualified her after discovering that she never played in the event herself. What's a girl to do? Why, deny everything and file suit, of course!

Unfortunately for Natalie, who happens to be the sister of 2005 European Poker Tour winner Mark Teltscher, after being faced with overwhelming evidence of her wrong-doing, had no choice but to drop the charges.

Teltscher admitted during court proceedings that she never played in the online poker event but instead hired an ''agent'' to play on her behalf. The agent is said to have used ''TheV0id'' nickname and several other accounts in an all-out multi-accounting effort to clinch the championship.

To add drama and mystery to this already sordid tale, the agent in question was never officially named. (HINT: She is the sister of 2005 European Poker Tour winner Mark Teltscher.)

So what happened to the prize money? The full prize was awarded to the runner-up ''ka$ino''. The other poker players who made it in the money were also bumped up on the pay scale.

Wondering what happens to people who file frivolous law suits and then drop them? You should know that Teltscher wasn't left unscathed. To make up for the wrong she's done, she agreed to pay a sum of PokerStars' legal fees. Well, at least the lawyers are getting a part of the action.

Naturally, PokerStars is pleased with Teltscher's decision. In a press statement, PokerStars states, ''the decision of Ms. Teltscher to withdraw her claim fully vindicates PokerStars' decision to disqualify her from the tournament and subsequently defend the claim, actions which were taken in order to protect the integrity of the games on offer at PokerStars.''

In case you were wondering, NO, you can't pull this off at the 2008 World Series of Poker.

Who will win the 2008 WSOP Main Event Final Table at the Rio in Las Vegas on November 9? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Dennis Phillips 4.00

Craig Marquis 11.00

Ylon Schwartz 9.00

Scott Montgomery 5.00

Darus Suharto 9.50

Chino Rheem 8.50

Ivan Demidov 5.50

Kelly Kim 26.00

Peter Eastgate 6.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more poker betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 World Series of Poker PokerStars

2008 World Series of Poker Final 9 Part 3: Craig Marquis

2008-08-28T01:50:00.000-07:00

The online world probably has an official representative in the final table of this year's WSOP.

Craig Marquis is probably representing the online generation at the main event final table of the 2008 World Series of Poker. Even with well known players like David Rheem and Scott Montgomery on the poker table, Marquis now has his own name in poker he can be proud of.

Known as ''CraigMarq'' he has been tearing his opponents in the online world for about a year now. In 2007 he came 34th in the $5,000 PLH for $14,030 as well as 30th in the $1,000 NLH re-buys for $16,133 his biggest cash prize.

The 23-year-old Craig Marquis, from Arlington, Texas, has only been playing poker for about 18 months but has rocketed through the levels from $2/$4 to $200/$400 & beyond on Full Tilt. Given his background on the Internet it is hardly surprising that Marquis has just $35,759 in live winnings to his name, with all 3 of his cashes coming in the WSOP.

When he plays live poker, his signature Oakley sunglasses are firmly on his face to hide his eyes from competitors. During fifteen hour poker sessions, it's not unusual to see a cup of coffee at his side every two hours. His style of play is much focused and he takes his time when the cards cause a situation that requires deep concentration. Yep, he wants that 2008 WSOP bracelet bad.

Craig Marquis claims that live poker is too slow, making it easy for him to lose focus.

One would have thought that he would have entered an online satellite tournament to earn his seat at the WSOP, but instead he bought directly into the $10,000 Texas Hold'Em Poker tournament.

He quit his job selling cell phones after learning how to play poker, determined to go professional. He used his cash winnings to pay his bills and support himself while entering mid to high level staked cash games online.

Marquis is a heads-up specialist so expect to see his 10.2 million chips being used more regularly than some of his rivals. He won't be afraid to gamble and a quick double-up would make his 12/1 price start to look very appealing.

Who will win the 2008 WSOP Main Event Final Table at the Rio in Las Vegas on November 9? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Dennis Phillips 4.00

Craig Marquis 11.00

Ylon Schwartz 9.00

Scott Montgomery 5.00

Darus Suharto 9.50

Chino Rheem 8.50

Ivan Demidov 5.50

Kelly Kim 26.00

Peter Eastgate 6.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more poker betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 World Series of Poker Craig Marquis

No Maria Sharapova in the 2008 U.S. Open Championships

2008-08-28T01:47:00.000-07:00

Awww... Now this officially sucks.

The 2008 U.S. Open Championships is underway but it seems the last Grand Slam of the tennis calendar seems to miss something very very important, it's most marketable entity. I'm referring to Maria Sharapova and as sad as it may sound, yes, she'll be out of the tourney because of an injury.

You read it, the hot and sexy Maria Sharapova will miss the 2008 U.S Open because of an injury on her right shoulder. This marks the first major championship that she will miss since her Grand Slam debut back in 2003.

Sharapova claims that there is no surgery needed. She also tells she'll be back in two or three months. But STILL, a Grand Slam tournament without her long legs, short skirts and cute little panties is like dropping an atomic bomb on Florida when the Miami Heat is having a vacation in some other part of the world.

The world no.3 Maria Sharapova has played in each of the past 23 major championships, winning titles at Wimbledon in 2004, the U.S. Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in January.

A doctor who looked at tests on her shoulder from April told Sharapova that she has been playing with a torn rotator cuff tendon since spring.

''He actually couldn't believe that I've been playing this long with this injury. You can imagine that I was not very thrilled to hear that my medical team did not see this tear in my shoulder back in April,'' Maria Sharapova said.

''The good news is that it didn't get much worse since April, but we could have started the healing time back then instead of now.''

That leaves this year's U.S. Open without it's two past champions, Sharapova because of the injury and Justine Henin who retired already.

Visit Bodog sportsbook for more tennis betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 U.S. Open Maria Sharapova

2008 NCAA College Football Season bans Horse-Collar Tackle (among the other rules they changed...)

2008-08-28T00:54:00.000-07:00

And yes, these guys sure changed a lot for the coming season.

The 2008 NCAA college football season is upon us, giving college football programs a fresh start after successful or pathetic or even utterly miserable campaigns only teams from Miami can pull off.

And it certainly looks like the league is looking at it fresh as well, coming up with new rules that aims to give its fans a better brand of football that can compete or even surpass the professional atmosphere NFL football brings every week.

One of the new rules that stands out is the banishment of horse-collar tackles for the coming season. Following the NFL's lead and acting on the proposal by its Football Rules Committee (FRC) the NCAA will slap a penalty this season for horse-collar tackles.

Just what is a horse-collar tackle anyway? A horse-collar tackle happens when a player is yanked down to the ground from the inside collar of his shoulder pads or jersey. Banning these kinds of tackles will help football players to lessen the tendencies of suffering nasty back injuries.

''What we're hearing from trainers and physicians is we're getting some back injuries when the ball carrier is immediately snapped to the ground by being jerked quickly,'' Rogers Redding, NCAA football secretary-rules editor and coordinator of football officials for the Southeastern Conference (SEC), said.

''If the ball carrier is grabbed by the shoulder or jersey and just ridden to the ground over a couple of yards, that's not going to be a foul.''

Other changes include a clarification of rules on chop blocks or tackling a player below the knees. A chop block is now defined as any high-low combination block by any two players against an opponent other than the runner, anywhere on the field, anytime in the game and with or without delay between the hits.

The league will also implement a 40-second play clock that will start as soon as the ball is ruled dead from the 25-second clock they were using in the past that begins only on the game official's signal.

Who will win the 2009 BCS national championship? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

LSU Tigers 13.00

Ohio State Buckeyes 7.00

Oklahoma Sooners 7.00

USC Trojans 4.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more college football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 NCAA College Football Horse-Collar Tackle

How is Brett Favre doing with the New York Jets?

2008-08-22T00:27:00.000-07:00

Lost. That's for sure.

After all, any dude from Wisconsin will feel lost in a city like New York City. But since Brett Favre will start to salvage what's left of his NFL career playing for the city that never sleeps in the coming 2008-09 NFL football season, this is probably the first and last time we'll make fun of him.

Because hey, we like Brett Favre and you can bet your ass we'll love to see the guy succeed on his latest venture. Heck, as long as this dude suits up, it doesn't matter anymore if he's 50 or 60 and plays like a jackass, he's one of the best athletes of our time and just like any legend of the game, we want his show to move on as long as it can.

And while the Green Bay Packers look like they have finally moved on since trading away the biggest star of their franchise to New York, it's still uncertain what did the Jets actually got from arguably the biggest deal of the offseason.

The New York Jets need a solid effort from the quarterback position and by landing Brett Favre, they're hoping to have just that. But is Favre ready? Can he still overcome father time?

One guy in the Jets roster rooting for Favre to succeed is his teammate from Green Bay, New York Jets tight end Bubba Franks. Franks is more than happy to reunite with Favre in New York. He knows what no.4 can do and he is looking forward to catch some footballs from that cannon of an arm one more time.

''I'm glad he's been keeping himself in shape. It's good to see him playing football again,'' Bubba Franks said.

''He's picking them up real fast,'' Franks added, referring to the Jets offensive schemes. ''Brett's a quick learner. Football is football no matter how you draw it up. It's pretty much the same system. He'll pick it up pretty fast.''

Can Favre lead the Jets to Super Bowl XLIII at Tampa, Florida and surprise even himself? We'll know in the next few months.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Brett Favre New York Jets

Tom Brady, just how serious is your foot injury?

2008-08-22T00:25:00.000-07:00

For some reason, Tom Brady and his foot can't seem to cooperate as one cohesive unit.

You read it, as the 2008-09 NFL football season draws near, Tom Brady continues to have problems with his foot, dating as far back as Super Bowl XLII when his then undefeated Patriots lost to the New York Giants after Brady was seen in New York wearing a ''special boot'' of some sort.

And while Tom Brady continues to deny that this is the same injury that led to his New England Patriots losing to the Giants in the Super Bowl, we can't help but to think otherwise. After all, it is on the same leg.

For now, Tom Brady is trying to be smart about his latest injury, resting his injured leg until the regular season, where it counts, officially starts.

''Just trying to be smart,'' Brady said after skipping the trip to Tampa Bay for Sunday night's 27-10 loss to the Buccaneers. ''The preseason is important, but I think the idea is to be ready for when the regular season kicks off.''

''I'm doing good, doing good, just wishing I could have been out there last night. I'll try to get treatment this week. I'm feeling better every day.''

''Training camp is very physically demanding. There's some things that come up, whether it be a foot or an arm. It's just trying to be smart, trying to understand it's a long season and not going out there and aggravating something.''

Tom Brady's foot may determine if the New England Patriots will make a return to the Super Bowl and hopefully, win it for a change. Sure, Brady is a pocket passer and he really doesn't need that much mobility from his injured foot but since it was one of the reasons why they lost (their only one...) in what was suppose to be an undefeated run to the Super Bowl last season, the 'Brady Bunch' needs to fix this foot.

Quick.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

New England Patriots Tom Brady

Is U.S. Swimmer Michael Phelps the greatest Olympian ever in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China?

2008-08-22T00:22:00.000-07:00

Dominance. Yeah, Phelps is now the poster boy for that exactly.

Sensational American swimmer Michael Phelps did the impossible, winning eight gold medals, seven of them world records, in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The United States is lucky to have this guy playing for them. The question now is, is he the greatest American Olympian ever?

The answer is a resounding yes. Michael Phelps has beaten the 36-year-old record set by fellow American Mark Spitz, whose seven swimming gold medals at Munich in 1972 were the most at a single Games. That's until Phelps came up with eight this year.

His remarkable feat is considered to be one of the greatest accomplishments in Olympics history. The 23-year-old cemented his name to Olympic greatness as he won all of the gold medals in all of the events in swimming so far.

Michael Phelps now has 14 gold and 2 bronze medals in his Olympic career. He won six of the his gold, including a couple of bronze medals, in Athens 4 years ago. The rest he won this year, in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

One reporter agrees that Michael Phelps is indeed the best Olympian ever, saying that Phelps has a wide variety of skills to be considered as the Willie Mays of swimming. He also added that Phelps swims for distance, for sprints, for relays, in free, in butterfly.

He is the ultimate five-tool athlete.

''I really wanted to do something that no one's ever done before in this sport,'' Michael Phelps said. Nobody anticipated that the American swimmer will be THIS serious about it.

''The term 'Spitzian feat' may be outdated,'' American teammate Aaron Peirsol said, referring to the Olympic record Mark Spitz set in swimming. ''It may now be 'Phelpsian feat.''''

''When someone says you can't do something, it shows that anything is possible,'' Phelps adds. ''When you put your mind to a certain thing, it can happen. The biggest thing is nothing is impossible. All it takes is an imagination.''

A better way to close that statement is an Adidas logo. Unfortunately, we still haven't received any sponsorship deals from them. Hee hee...

Who will be the winners of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Most Overall Medals

China 1.80

United States 2.10

Russia 15.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more Olympic Games betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 Beijing Olympic Games Michael Phelps

Will the Ravens finally let Troy Smith lead Baltimore?

2008-08-22T00:19:00.000-07:00

It's about time.

With only a few more days before the brand new 2008-09 NFL football season explodes on your face, the Baltimore Ravens are still contemplating on when will they actually let the future arrive.

Of course, I'm referring to Troy Smith, the young quarterback who won a Heisman and yet, didn't see that many minutes last season, playing third string in the Ravens quarterback depth chart.

But after last year's starter Kyle Boller committed a team-high three turnovers in two preseason games, the Baltimore Ravens started looking for a positive change and as of press time, they're looking at Smith to give them just that.

This Saturday, the Heisman trophy winner will be put to the test against the St. Louis Rams in what would be Baltimore's third preseason game. I'm really hoping Smith does good because being a third string Heisman trophy winning quarterback is just not fair.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh claims he hasn't made up his mind on who will he start at quarterback when they begin their campaign for Super Bowl XLIII at Tampa, Florida. This Saturday's preseason game might just influence his decision drastically.

''He will play as much as we need to have him play,'' Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said. ''The thinking is that Kyle has had 42 starts and we have a good idea of what he is and what he's been. We need to find out more about Troy Smith. He needs those reps. He needs them against a defense in a third preseason game where they're game-planning him a little bit and we'll see how he does.''

For what it's worth, Troy Smith is ready to take on the challenge, bringing with him a sense of confidence only the likes of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady has.

''I am confident in what I can do and what I will do,'' Troy Smith said. ''Obviously being a young player, I haven't had that much time on the field. I'm very, very thankful for the situation and the opportunity and I'm grateful for everything to come.''

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Baltimore Ravens Troy Smith

2008 F1 Season resumes in Valencia with European GP

2008-08-22T00:17:00.000-07:00

After three weeks of absence, F1 racing returns.

Yep, the 2008 F1 season continues after a three-week absence probably to pave the way for the Beijing Games. Seven more races are left and at this point of the year, there's no clear cut winner for the world championship yet.

Still leading the drivers' championship standings is Lewis Hamilton. The McLaren - Mercedes driver has 62 championship points, overcoming a somewhat slow start to the season thanks to a pair of wins in his home country Britain and in Germany.

Defending world champion, Kimi Raikkonen, on the other hand, is not far behind. He only trails the young British phenom by five, scoring 57 championship points to pull within striking distance of winning the world title again with seven more races to go.

Raikkonen knows the F1 season is nearing its conclusion and in these last seven races, the fiery Finn is hoping to finish strong. It all begins in the 2008 European Grand Prix in Valencia where he looks to start well.

''We have to start well at Valencia, where it's more important than in other places to drive with continuity from Friday on,'' Kimi Raikkonen said.

''I hope I'll have a trouble-free weekend to try to set up the car the best way possible, especially for the qualifying lap. The qualifying will be extremely important, although I think that there are some possibilities on the track to overtake.''

''If it's hot that will help Ferrari. Like at Montreal you also need a bit of luck and I hope that it will not end for me as it did in Canada.''

''We just have to fight until the end and try to win.''

Raikkonen's teammate Felipe Massa, is also in contention for the world title. As of press time, the brilliant Brazillian has 54 championship points, only three points behind Raikkonen and good for third overall.

After a very disappointing finish in Hungary, you just know this guy will be out for blood.

Who will win the 2008 F1 Drivers Championship? Bodog Sportsbook has the odds.

Kimi Raikkonen 2.75

Lewis Hamilton 3.00

Fernando Alonso 7.00

Felipe Massa 7.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more F1 betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

European GP 2008 F1 Season

Which Country will win the Gold Medal Race in the 2008 Beijing Olympics? USA and China are favorites.

2008-08-22T00:03:00.000-07:00

Obviously.

The United States remain to be the country to beat in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. But for some reason, China has surpassed the proud U-S-of-A in terms of gold medal count.

USA, China, and Russia are the top three favorites to collect the most medals. They have been the biggest powerhouse countries for the past few years. In the 2004 Olympics, the medal count consisted of Team USA winning 102 medals, 32 of them gold, followed by Russia with 92.

China, this year's Olympic hosts, is only good for third with 63 medals then, probably the reason why many people can't seem to fathom how much the Chinese are leading in this year's race for gold.

The Chinese and the American anthems will be heard often during these events, specifically in the gymnastics competition. China's men athletes won the team title during last year's world championships, led by all-around winner Yang Wei. Xiao Qin won on pommel horse and Chen Yibing won on still rings. The Americans were shut out in the finals but only had two fourth-place finishes.

On the other hand, the U.S. women team defeated China for the 2007 world team title by nearly a point. Shawn Johnson won gold in the all-around and floor exercise, Nastia Liukin won gold on balance beam and silver on the uneven bars, and Alicia Sacramone won bronze on vault and silver on floor exercise.

China's Cheng Fei won gold on vault, Yang Yilin won bronze on the uneven bars and Li Shanshan won bronze on the beam.

China should thrive in weightlifting, having led the medal table during last year's world championships, with seven gold medals and 12 overall. The U.S. had none. Rowing should also put Chinese athletes on the podium, thanks to a $10 million, government-built training complex.

Who will be the winners of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Most Overall Medals

China 1.80

United States 2.10

Russia 15.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more Olympic Games betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 Beijing Olympic Games Team USA

Who should you pick in your 2008 NFL Fantasy Draft?

2008-08-15T00:22:00.000-07:00

Because the start of football season means it's time to live out your fantasies.

Unfortunately, that doesn't include a seven-hour ''humping'' marathon with Anne Hathaway. The 2008-09 NFL football season is upon us people and when full grown men talk about their fantasies, they're not talking about tits and ass but their own fantasy football teams.

Who should you pick in the first round of your fantasy draft? Did you win it all with your Tom Brady - Randy Moss combo? Or did you suffered a tragic loss playing for the championship when Brady and Moss both had terribly bad performances when the Patriots ALMOST lost to the Giants in their last game of the regular season? (Remember that? I almost did...)

Of course, the hot pick in this year's NFL fantasy draft is last season's rookie of the year Adrian Peterson. He has singlehandedly carried the Minnesota Vikings back from obscurity. They ALMOST made the playoffs to boot too.

I won't be surprised to see the young runningback beat LaDanian Tomlinson for the top spot in fantasy ratings this season.

However, as impressive as Peterson has become in fantasy football, there's this one guy that has done better, Philadelphia Eagles runningback Brian Westbrook. Westbrook became the poster boy for consistency last season, playing in 14 of the 15 games played with double digit fantasy points.

However, with the passing game making a return to the Eagles offense now that Donovan McNabb is healthy again, I'm not expecting Westbrook to have the same kind of numbers he had last season.

Tom Brady should still be a high pick. Even if you took out the MVP year that he had last season, he will still have a career completion percentage of 62 percent. His favorite targets; Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Ben Watson will all return to the Patriots offense so I'm not expecting Brady to ease up on his fantasy production.

And finally, there's Brett Favre. Unlike last season, Favre shouldn't be a high draft pick this time. There are a lot of quarterbacks out there that you can get who'll give you consistent numbers than what Favre, with his aging arm, can give.

However, Favre can still be a solid backup to your Tony Romo or Carson Palmer. Because hey, you'll never really know how good can Favre will still be until he plays his first game with the New York Jets.

How about that huh? The backup role is exactly what the Packers were planning to give him if he stayed in Green Bay and that's where he might end up in your fantasy teams. Sheesh... Fantasy football is eerily starting to become closer to real life.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds on that one people.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

NFL Fantasy Football 2008-09 NFL Season

Espinar wins PokerStars LAPT Punta del Este Title

2008-08-15T00:20:00.000-07:00

How's that for making a name for yourself huh?

While the 2008 World Series of Poker gets ready for the final table on November, Jose Miguel Espinar wanted to prove his poker prowess despite being a newbie in the game.

Well, do that he just did. Jose Miguel Espinar came out on top at the end of PokerStars' Latin America Poker Tour Punte del Este championship. This may have proven that despite starting his poker career only in December 2007, Espinar's previous cash win at PokerStars' Caribbean Adventure was not a fluke.

The LAPT Punte del Este, which kicked off last August 7, attracted a total of 351 players. It was a $2,500 buy-in tournament and the total prize pool exceeded $850,000. This meant that the Spaniard Espinar took home a very respectable $241,735.

This guy only started in late 2007? This is the stuff poker dreams are made of.

Espinar was third in chips coming into the final table but he soon emerged on top after eliminating Paulo Cesar Ribeiro and Jose Perez in quick succession. Espinar's luck seemed unbeatable early in the game when he hit quads to bust Ribeiro and dealt Perez with an ugly bad beat after his A-J won against Perez' pocket aces.

When the dust settled, it was Espinar and Alex Brenes left standing with Espinar holding a slight chip advantage. Heads up play lasted for several hours with both players choosing to play cautious. Unfortunately for Brenes, he ended up crippled after a hand involving A-10 and A-9.

In an effort to double up, Brenes pushed in desperation with an A-10 but it was Espinar's day when he hit the flop hard with his K-3. Brenes had to be satisfied with 2nd place and $127,675.

Lisandro Gallo finished in 3rd place for $93,630 while Alexandre Gomes came in at fourth place for $68,100. Other poker notables who made ITM at the LAPT Punte del Este were Alex Brenes' popular brother, Humberto Brenes, who cashed in at 20th place and Vanessa Rousso who displayed a strong showing by coming in 10th.

Just a little something while you prepare for the final table of the 2008 WSOP.

Who will win the 2008 WSOP Main Event Final Table at the Rio in Las Vegas on November 9? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Dennis Phillips 4.00

Craig Marquis 11.00

Ylon Schwartz 9.00

Scott Montgomery 5.00

Darus Suharto 9.50

Chino Rheem 8.50

Ivan Demidov 5.50

Kelly Kim 26.00

Peter Eastgate 6.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more poker betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 World Series of Poker Latin America Poker Tour

Can the USC Trojans remain on top of the BCS Rankings and win the 2008 NCAA College Football Title?

2008-08-15T00:17:00.000-07:00

If basketball has the Spurs, college football has these guys.

The USC Trojans have always been the picture of success in college football. However, as the brand new 2008 NCAA college football season opens up the door of opportunity for other teams to shine, can USC remain on top?

The last time the USC Trojans dominated the college gridiron is when Matt Leinart was playing. Leinart led the Trojans to an AP national championship in 2003, a BCS national championship in 2004, and an appearance in the 2005 BCS national championship game.

Since Matt Leinart went pro, the Trojans were left for John David Booty to carry on that winning tradition. And although he has, in some way, accomplished that task, the domination USC once had was gone.

Now that John David Booty has joined Leinart in the NFL, leaving the Trojans wondering if they can remain on top with two of their greatest quarterbacks gone, what's in store for USC this season?

For what it's worth, Mark Sanchez looks primed and ready to take over after successfully filling in for Booty when he was injured last season. Sanchez is fortunate to have a defense dubbed as ''best defense in the nation'' by many observers, to back him up too.

And if they can live up to the billing, the offense should have plenty of time to gel behind Sanchez. It's no surprise that USC, thanks to that defense, is once again a heavy favorite to win the BCS national championship game given their immense talent and schedule.

Playing in the PAC 10 awards the Trojans arguably an easier road too compared to those programs that have to do battle in the rigorous SEC.

Who will win the 2009 BCS national championship? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

LSU Tigers 13.00

Ohio State Buckeyes 7.00

Oklahoma Sooners 7.00

USC Trojans 4.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more college football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 NCAA College Football USC Trojans

Rivalries in the 2008 NCAA College Football Season

2008-08-15T00:14:00.000-07:00

Oh you just know it will be there one way or another.

Football has always been all about rivalries and coming to the brand new 2008 NCAA college football season, you can expect old rivalries renewed and new ones born.

And while we count the remaining days before the new season of college football begins this month, have you ever wondered which of the great rivalries in football will continue this season? Never fear. As always, we have you covered.

Starting of is the rivalry between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Wisconsin Badgers. Both teams have played 116 times, listed as the most played rivalry in NCAA college football history.

Both teams are set to meet again on November 15 when the Golden Gophers visit the Wisconsin Badgers, expect this one to be personal.

The Kansas Jayhawks have two rivalries going to be renewed this season.

First, the Jayhawks will be playing their rivals, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, in the coming season. These teams will be meeting for the 114th time on November 8. It doesn't get any better than a classic rivalry like that people.

Next up is their feud with the Missouri Tigers. Both the Jayhawks and the Tigers have played each other for a total of 115 games in their rich history with the NCAA. They started playing way WAAAY back in 1891. They are set to have another chapter of their long feud on November 29.

Of course, like any season in college football, the Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies are set to meet again in what would be another struggle for Texas. This has been an annual thing in college football and when these two Texas teams lock horns on November 27, it won't be pretty.

Being a Longhorns fan like me, I reckon the Texas A&M Aggies won't have a chance.

Who will win the 2009 BCS national championship? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

LSU Tigers 13.00

Ohio State Buckeyes 7.00

Oklahoma Sooners 7.00

USC Trojans 4.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more college football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 NCAA College Football College Football Rivalries

Donovan McNabb misses Terrell Owens

2008-08-15T00:11:00.000-07:00

How about that huh?

The brand new 2008-09 NFL football season is almost here and somewhere in Philly, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb has began to reminisce what would've it been if he and Terrell Owens got along.

You read it, apparently, Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb misses former teammate Terrell Owens, saying that is T.O. stayed in Philly instead of leaving for Dallas, ''it could've been great.''

''It could've been great,'' Donovan McNabb said. ''What did we have, 30 TDs? You don't see that type of combination very often. That's like Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison. We would've been up there.''

You really can't blame McNabb for thinking the way he does right now. He spent most of the last two seasons in the injury list while former teammate Terrell Owens came THAT close from reaching the Super Bowl again with the Dallas Cowboys.

McNabb knows too that Owens finally have a quarterback he can trust and listens to in Tony Romo. And while the Cowboys are slowly becoming the team to beat in the NFC, McNabb's Eagles are slowly falling to the pits of obscurity after every season.

For what it's worth, McNabb says he's healthy again.

''[Last year] was a grind, but the injury actually helped acclimate me to being the type of quarterback that I've wanted to be. It's helped me in certain areas,'' McNabb said.

Asked about the Eagles' chances this year, McNabb said, ''I still put us at the top of the NFC. I feel confident in saying that because all the best teams are pretty much in our division. The Giants and Cowboys are coming off great seasons and the Redskins had a decent year.''

STILL, after spending most of the last two seasons injured, McNabb knows he might end up elsewhere if the Philadelphia Eagles decide to rebuild. ''I might end up somewhere else,'' McNabb said. ''And I'm prepared for that.''

Maybe he'll join T.O. and play for the Dallas Cowboys too? Anything's possible people as long as the money is right.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds on that one people.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Donovan McNabb Terrell Owens

Can Poker Players in the 2008 World Series of Poker withstand this 36-Hour Cash Game Marathon?

2008-08-15T00:08:00.000-07:00

A contest of endurance.

That's exactly what poker players not participating in the 2008 World Series of Poker will have once the 36-hour poker cash game gets underway. Some people call it the toughest cash game in the world, obviously because of how long players would have to sit on that table.

A handful of the most-seasoned professional poker players will fight it out in a marathon high-stakes cash game in front of TV cameras. Poker TV doesn't get any better than this. It's no wonder Party Poker's ''Poker Den - The Big Game,'' the entity hosting this poker marathon, is back for a third installment in London's Poker Den.

The poker pros set to make an appearance are some of the best and most colorful personalities in the game. Scheduled to play are Phil Hellmuth, Dave Ulliot, Tony G, Jamie Gold, Phil Laak, Antonio Esfandiari, Brian Townsend, Mike ''The Mouth'' Matusow, Jennifer Tilly, Andrew Feldman, Sammy ''Any Two'' George, and Robert Williamson III.

The third game is going to be even more tasking for the seasoned veterans. While the first two Big Games were held for 24 hours, this year, the Big Game will run for 36. ''The Poker Den has come a long way since we started back in the summer of 2005,'' noted Eddie Hearn, head of the online gaming at Matchroom Sport. ''The Big Game has been such a huge success, and the two series so far have attracted the best players in the world.''

You can be sure you'll see some great poker action since the stakes are high. Players will sit down with either $10,000 or $20,000 and deal with $25-$50 blind levels. As usual, there will be a lot of straddling, guaranteeing a lot of action. Players are free to leave the table at any time.

The show will be filmed September 30 and October 1 and will be shown on Channel 5 in the U.K. next year. Commentator Jesse May will be present during the entire duration of the event.

Who will win the 2008 WSOP Main Event Final Table at the Rio in Las Vegas on November 9? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Dennis Phillips 4.00

Craig Marquis 11.00

Ylon Schwartz 9.00

Scott Montgomery 5.00

Darus Suharto 9.50

Chino Rheem 8.50

Ivan Demidov 5.50

Kelly Kim 26.00

Peter Eastgate 6.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more poker betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 World Series of Poker Poker Den

2008-09 NBA Regular Season Schedule is Here

2008-08-08T00:20:00.000-07:00

That's right, the NBA has released its schedule for the coming season.

And while we're still preparing for the coming football season ahead, the schedule for the 2008-09 NBA basketball season has arrived, teasing us on what we can expect in Boston's first season since the 80s as world champions.

And speaking of the Boston Celtics, they have LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on opening night at the TD Banknorth Garden where they will receive their NBA championship rings.

Cruel huh? Nights when you receive championship rings are suppose to be a night of celebration but with LeBron James and company coming to town, I'm not expecting Boston to remain in a celebratory mood after five minutes.

NBA Finals runner-up, Los Angeles Lakers, will be hosting the Portland Trail Blazers as Greg Oden finally makes his long-awaited debut in the NBA after sitting out the rest of what was suppose to be his rookie season.

Is Greg Oden really worth all the hype? I have a feeling Kobe Bryant will prove otherwise.

That's only day one of the brand new NBA season. Day 2, on the other hand, still has some interesting FIRSTS as well. How? Elton Brand and Jermaine O'Neal will each be making their respective debuts for their new teams when the Philadelphia 76ers host the Toronto Raptors. We'll know then which team improved their frontcourt better.

Still in Day 2, that insignificant moron, Dwyane Wade, will make his ''debut'' since getting his ass fucked by injuries last season as he tries to lead the fucked up Miami Heat team against the New York Knicks in a game between the two worst teams in the league.

And finally, Oklahoma City will have its first game as a full-time NBA city against the Milwaukee Bucks. Unfortunately, we still have no idea what the folks from Oklahoma will call their team.

Who will win the 2009 NBA Finals? Bodog sportsbook has the EARLY odds.

Boston Celtics 4.00

Los Angeles Lakers 4.50

Detroit Pistons 9.00

San Antonio Spurs 9.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more basketball betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008-09 NBA Season Schedule Boston Celtics

Bet you don't have this poker scandal in the 2008 WSOP

2008-08-08T00:13:00.000-07:00

Everything (or everyone) popular needs a good scandal and poker is certainly no exception.

UltimateBet is still under fire for the cheating that occurred on the vastly popular online poker site and as expected, owners of the site are doing damage control by training their fire extinguishers on a searing blaze trying to extinguish the flames. And all this while the 2008 World Series of Poker is going on.

UltimateBet proprietor Tokwiro Enterprises ENRG has issued an official statement after it turned over to the Kahnawake Gaming Commission its investigative results on the cheating that occurred on the poker site.

It confirmed what we already know, cheaters were able to view other players' hole cards and that the scheme dates back to at least early 2005.

Can you imagine how much hard-earned money the cheaters milked out of the defenseless poker players in that long period of time? Especially since a total of 19 accounts and 88 screen names were reportedly involved in this grand scheme. Evidence accumulated included IP addresses and withdrawal and transfer histories.

Naturally, Tokwiro is ''outraged'' at the cheating that occurred in the online poker room and is determined to get to the bottom of things. The company, however, is quick to stress that the illicit software used to cheat was installed prior to Tokwiro's purchase of the company which happened in 2006.

Tokwiro also vowed to be transparent to the players and that they will continue to release more information to the poker community and general public as the investigation continues.

Will this put a damper on online poker?

With the thousands of poker players all over the world scrambling for a game, that is unlikely. However, you can be rest assured that people will be more wary. Now let's hope they catch those cheats and refund some of that money.

Who will win the 2008 WSOP Main Event Final Table at the Rio in Las Vegas on November 9? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Dennis Phillips 4.00

Craig Marquis 11.00

Ylon Schwartz 9.00

Scott Montgomery 5.00

Darus Suharto 9.50

Chino Rheem 8.50

Ivan Demidov 5.50

Kelly Kim 26.00

Peter Eastgate 6.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more poker betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 World Series of Poker UltimateBet

Which team has gone better this 2008 NCAA College Football Season? Ohio State Buckeyes or LSU Tigers?

2008-08-08T00:09:00.000-07:00

Football season is finally here!

You read it, the brand new 2008 NCAA college football season has arrived and teams are once again set for new challenges, victories and setbacks. Looking back at 2007 BCS finalists; LSU Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes, both these teams have made in one way or the other significant roster changes. The question now is, who's better?

To start of with the LSU Tigers, these guys still doesn't need their quarterback to be great, but they need him to be consistent, just like Matt Flynn was last season. Even without Early Doucet, the receiving corps should be able to help out the new man under center.

Brandon LaFell could emerge as the new top receiver if he can get over his habit of dropping passes and Demetrius Byrd is a threat to score every time the ball is thrown in his direction.

Overall there is enough talent to win another BCS national championship, but a whole slew of inexperienced players better be experienced by the time the big conference games come around.

For the Ohio State Buckeyes, the 2008 version of the OSU offense should be exciting to watch. Nine starters will return on the offensive side of the ball and fans in Columbus, OH are ready for the Buckeyes to start this season and make another run at the BCS championship game.

The defense will be stifling, and turnovers should be the focus. Last season, the Buckeyes did not commit turnovers as often as coach Jim Tressel would like to see.

Fortunately, with stars at nearly every position on defense, opponents will find it difficult to match the output of the Ohio State offense, no matter how much they turn the ball over.

Who will win the 2009 BCS national championship? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

LSU Tigers 13.00

Ohio State Buckeyes 7.00

Oklahoma Sooners 7.00

USC Trojans 4.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more college football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Ohio State Buckeyes LSU Tigers

The 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup begins in NASCAR

2008-08-08T00:05:00.000-07:00

Well, we still have a few weeks before that happens but since nothing big really happens in NASCAR...

From 2004 through 2007, the championship system in NASCAR racing was known as the ''Chase for the Nextel Cup'', but with the 2005 merger of Sprint and Nextel, the name of the series became known as the Sprint Cup Series in 2008.

The 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup will begin with the Sylvania 300 on September 9 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway and will conclude with the Ford 400 on November 16 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.

This year's Chase for the Sprint Cup consists of the final ten races that conclude the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

The new system was changed last year and it follows a new format. Following 26 regular season races, the top 12-ranked drivers, determined by points accumulated during the season, will advance to contend for the Cup championship. Thus the 12 drivers' championship points are reset to a base of 5,000 points per driver, with a bonus of 10 points awarded to each driver for each win during the regular season.

The driver who finishes with the most points after the conclusion of the Ford 400 will be declared the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and will be presented with the Sprint Cup trophy.

During the Chase for the Sprint Cup, normal scoring applies, with drivers who win a race receiving 185 points for the win, 5 bonus points for leading a single lap, and 5 points for leading the most laps. This also marks the second year that the current system will be in effect.

The following are the race tracks where the final ten Chase for the Sprint Cup races are ran, one of them, the Texas Motor Speedway (Fort Worth, Texas) was added in 2005 as a result of outcome of the Ferko lawsuit.

Prior to this suit, the final three races of the NASCAR season, and thus, the final three race tracks for The Chase, will be held at the Phoenix International Raceway (Avondale, Arizona), Darlington Raceway (Darlington, South Carolina, eliminated by NASCAR as a result of the lawsuit), and Homestead-Miami Speedway (Homestead, Florida).

Who will win the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Kyle Busch 2.00

Dale Earnhardt Jr. 6.50

Jimmie Johnson 7.00

Jeff Gordon 11.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more NASCAR betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 NASCAR Season Sprint Cup

Former F1 champion Fernando Alonso to join Honda

2008-08-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Yes, he STILL has plans to join Ferrari but it looks like he would have to make a pitstop (no pun intended...) with Honda first.

As we go deeper and deeper into the 2008 F1 season, we learned that double world champion Fernando Alonso is going to leave Renault (again...) to become the No.1 guy in Ferrari.

However, as it turns out, Fernando Alonso would have to join Honda first before making the move that just might reshape the entire sport of Formula One as we know it. Whether you like the guy or not, Alonso is the most successful guy in F1 since Michael Schumacher and him joining Ferrari is like Kobe Bryant joining, say... the Pistons.

Alonso's move to Ferrari is scheduled some time in 2010. But after realizing that his current team is in no condition to compete with the top dogs of the sport, it looks like he can't wait that long. He wants to leave Renault now and give himself a shot of winning races again. Which brings us to his move to Honda next season.

After all, both Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa are set to be retained by Ferrari anyway until Raikkonen switches to rally and Massa gets tired of blown engines. (Hee hee...)

Of course, a return to McLaren - Mercedes is highly unlikely with Lewis Hamilton now lording over there. BMW, with their recent success this season, was also considered a likely destination but after those guys learned that Alonso has already agreed some sort of deal with Ferrari in the future, they were reluctant to sign the guy.

Honda on the other hand, needs all the help they can get and they would sign anyone, no matter what it takes, if that will give them a couple more wins. And I guess, ''borrowing'' a driver of Alonso's caliber is OK with them.

''Fernando is a wonderful driver who would be a fantastic asset to any of the top teams, including this one. The job Ross Brawn and I have is to build a world championship-winning team,'' Honda chief executive Nick Fry said.

Who will win the 2008 F1 Drivers Championship? Bodog Sportsbook has the odds.

Kimi Raikkonen 2.75

Lewis Hamilton 3.00

Fernando Alonso 7.00

Felipe Massa 7.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more F1 betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Fernando Alonso Honda

Maybe PokerStars will think twice putting up a 1.5 Million Guarantee in their Sunday tournaments eh?

2008-08-07T23:56:00.000-07:00

What happens when you offer a $1.5 Million Guaranteed Pot on a Sunday tournament online?

If the PokerStars Sunday Tournament 1.5 Million Guarantee is any indication, you'll find yourself with 8,431 entrants and a massive $1,686,200.00 total prize pool. This ensured a cool $204,198.82 to the winner and with that kind of prize money, you can be certain this tournament is taken seriously.

With such a monstrous field, did the online poker wizards stood a chance? Once again proving that poker is a game of skill, online phenoms Andy McLEOD and Zach ''nofingclue11'' Clark emerged as chip leaders going into the final table despite the sheer number of poker wannabes in their midst. (Yep, these guys should've just stayed home watching the 2008 World Series of Poker on TV...)

Unfortunately for both, despite their strong showings, Andy McLEOD and nofingclue11 ended up in 4th and 5th place respectively. Hey, don't feel too bad for them, that was $75,879.00 for 4th place and a very respectable $59,017.00 for 5th.

The final three saw RProps, betofetus and Fred_Brink battling for glory with Fred_Brink dead last with only 13,553 in chips. The three discussed a possible deal and luckily for Fred_Brink, the deal was never agreed upon.

With RProps having 43,391,921 in chips and betofetus having 27,284,169, Fred_Brink seemed to be well on his way out. But Fred_Brink doubled up against RProps and it was RProps who was out in third place with $93,584, 10 burning a hole in his pocket.

Betofetus had a slight chip advantage over Fred_Brink during heads-up play and this went on for 51 hands. But Fred_Brink won a 70-million chip pot in hand 52 with a bottom set and the tournament ended four hands later with Fred_Brink sealing a thrilling come-from-behind victory. Betofetus still goes home with a $137,425.30 payday.

Not bad for a day's work at the poker tables.

Who will win the 2008 WSOP Main Event Final Table at the Rio in Las Vegas on November 9? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Dennis Phillips 4.00

Craig Marquis 11.00

Ylon Schwartz 9.00

Scott Montgomery 5.00

Darus Suharto 9.50

Chino Rheem 8.50

Ivan Demidov 5.50

Kelly Kim 26.00

Peter Eastgate 6.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more poker betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 World Series of Poker PokerStars

Can the Indianapolis Colts overcome their Injuries?

2008-08-01T00:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, injuries are plaguing one of the best teams in football.

While we count down the remaining days left before the 2008-09 NFL football season kicks off, the Colts are on dangerous grounds these days with three of their main stars injured.

Bob Sanders has an injured shoulder, Marvin Harrison has an injured knee, Dwight Freeney's Lisfranc and probably the biggest of them all, Peyton Manning has an infected bursa sac.

With all these injuries, you've got to wonder, can these guys keep up with their AFC rivals, New England Patriots, and climb back on top of the mountain like they did a year ago?

Being the competitors that they are, the Indianapolis Colts are not giving up on hope just yet, after all, the brand new season is yet to start. In fact, they are coming into the season with a whole lot of confidence, claiming that they may have put together one of their most talented rosters in franchise history.

You have to wonder how in the hell can these guys claim that with their leader Peyton Manning out at least a month. STILL, Colts team president Bill Polian likes his team's chances this season. It is up to us to determine if all these are nothing more but wishful thinking.

''Talentwise, I think we're a bit better, but that remains to be seen,'' Bill Polian said. ''We'll find that out over the course of the preseason. I never make any judgments at this point, nor do I pay any attention to offseason standings.''

The Colts' chances of winning the big one again solely depends on the availability of their injured quarterback Peyton Manning.

Manning led the Colts to a Super Bowl win over the Chicago Bears in Miami and now that Super Bowl XLIII will return to Florida, the Colts would love to have Peyton back and get them another championship ring there again.

Besides, he can't just sit back and let little brother Eli have all the fun right?

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Sportsbetting.com has the odds on that one people.

New York Giants 12-1

New England Patriots 5-2

Dallas Cowboys 7-1

Indianapolis Colts 8-1

Want more odds? Visit Sportsbetting.com for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Indianapolis Colts Peyton Manning

Hulk Hogan and Kimbo Slice to star in a Kids' Movie?

2008-08-01T00:45:00.000-07:00

Wha?!?

For a guy like Hulk Hogan who clearly has the hots for his own daughter that he got himself a girlfriend that looks like her, and Kimbo Slice who just plain looks weird, coming up with a kids' movie that stars both of them was just unthinkable.

Who in the right frame of mind will choose to have these guys star in a kids' movie anyway? Stereo Vision Entertainment, Inc. (OTCBB: SVSN) has, announcing that the undefeated (and scary) Mixed Martial Arts star Kimbo Slice will co-star with the somewhat sick Hulk Hogan in a 3D kids' comedy, ''Kung Fu U.''

''Kung Fu U'' in 3D is a Disney-type comedy about of a bunch of nerds and misfits that are sent away by their wealthy parents to the Brentwood Academy (a.k.a. Kung Fu U) to learn the finer arts of self-defense.

It's a heart-warming romp where the rather weathered warriors come to the rescue for the kids, and in turn, the kids rescue the warriors' seemingly lost souls from what had been their eternal apathy.

It's a feel-good story that aims to reminds us that we're all the same, no matter what our age, or where we came from, and that we should all stick together.

Well, that's what they are hoping for us to see anyway.

''We're very happy to have Kimbo Slice co-starring in 'Kung Fu U.' He has an enormous media presence, and he'll fit right in with our star Hulk Hogan, and the other cast members in our made for kids 3D movie. We hope to have 'Kung Fu U' in 3D in theaters by the fall of '09,'' Stereo Vision chairman Doug Schwartz said.

Stereo Vision Entertainment, Inc. is a film production company focused exclusively on developing high quality, low cost, polarized 3D feature films.

They're also probably the sickest bunch of fucks in the movie industry after getting Slice and Hogan to scare the living shit out of your children.

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more celebrity propositions and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Hulk Hogan Kimbo Slice

While the Big Boys have the 2008 World Series of Poker, Doyle Brunson has his Costa Rica Challenge

2008-08-01T00:43:00.000-07:00

DoylesRoom has come up with another gimmick that hopes to drive people away from giving a damn about the WSOP.

The 2008 World Series of Poker is already set for the final table on November. Of course, November is still a little too far away from August and poker sites like DoylesRoom aims to keep you occupied until then.

Are you an avid poker player with a valid passport? Here's probably the perfect package for poker players up for an adventure. DoylesRoom is giving away a prize package for the Costa Rica Challenge tournament so the winner can play poker in a totally different environment.

This means, you can go on that much-needed vacation and still grind away at the tables. Well, this makes the thought of playing in Las Vegas suddenly seem pretty boring.

The tournament will be held at the luxurious 5-star La Condesa Hotel in Monte de la Cruz. The super satellites have been going on since July 21st and with the Main Event Tournament still pretty far off on September 11 to 13, there is more than enough time for poker players to get into the action.

If you are good or lucky enough to win the satellite, you get a $4,000 prize package which includes the $2,000 + $300 buy-in for the main event. The remaining $1,700 are for your travel and accommodations expenses. You'll even be decked out on official custom Team Brunson gear so everyone will know which team you are representing.

Running low on cash? Don't worry. You can still join in on the fun. A satellite as low as $4.80 + 0.50 run every Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:30pm EST. For every 10 players joining the satellite, one seat will be given out on the $48 super-satellite that is held on Saturdays.

If on the other hand, you have some money to burn, join the Sunday Satellite Final with the $400 + $40 buy-in. DoylesRoom will award one Costa Rica Challenge prize package for every ten players who join the event.

Who will win the 2008 WSOP Main Event Final Table at the Rio in Las Vegas on November 9? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Dennis Phillips 4.00

Craig Marquis 11.00

Ylon Schwartz 9.00

Scott Montgomery 5.00

Darus Suharto 9.50

Chino Rheem 8.50

Ivan Demidov 5.50

Kelly Kim 26.00

Peter Eastgate 6.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more poker betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 World Series of Poker DoylesRoom

No Maria Sharapova in the 2008 Beijing Olympics

2008-08-01T00:38:00.000-07:00

I know, it's so sad ain't it?

As we count the remaining days heading to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, news broke out that we won't have the privilege of watching Sharapova's panties dance around the tennis court when the biggest sporting event of the year starts on August 8.

You read it, the hot and sexy Maria Sharapova won't be playing for her mother country Russia, pulling out of the tournament because of a right shoulder injury. Sharapova, winner of three Grand Slam singles titles, said that an MRI exam and other medical tests showed she has two small tears in tendons in her shoulder.

Sharapova, before opting out of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, already pulled out of the WTA tournament in Montreal because of the said injury.

''After yesterday's match, I knew there was something seriously wrong with my shoulder,'' Maria Sharapova said in a posting on her web site under the headline that reads, ''No chance of me competing in Beijing.''

''This is something that needs a lot of time to heal, which really hurts me to say that I have to miss the Olympics.''

''I'm currently packing up really quick to hop on the plane and head to [New York] for a second opinion, but I wanted to let all of you know first that there's no chance of me competing in Beijing. The timing is so unfortunate and this makes me more sad than anything.''

Sharapova opting out of the 2008 Beijing Olympics means she'll have more time to prepare for the last Grand Slam of the tennis calendar, the 2008 U.S. Open Championships.

You just know we'll be salivating for her panties until the U.S. Open gets here.

Who will be the winners of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Most Overall Medals

China 1.80

United States 2.10

Russia 15.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more Olympic Games betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 Beijing Olympic Games Maria Sharapova

BMW Sauber is happy about their 2008 F1 campaign

2008-08-01T00:34:00.000-07:00

No matter what happens from this day onwards, BMW Sauber will be calling this season a dream one.

In case you've been living under a rock lately, BMW Sauber has been surprising racing fans this 2008 F1 season. Collectively, they are second fastest behind Ferrari for the constructors championship.

Their drivers? Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld sit four and five respectively behind Ferrari's Felipe Massa, who is in second place, and Kimi Raikkonen, who sits third.

BMW Sauber has really proven a point this season, ultimately giving their future a brighter light to it.

After Robert Kubica secured BMW's maiden win of the season in Canada, the Hinwil-based squad has already exceeded expectations and with still the second half of the F1 season ahead, this team is looking to surprise us even further.

''We are having an excellent season,'' Kubica's teammate Nick Heidfeld told the German media.

''We have already achieved three best marks: the first fastest lap, the first pole position, and the first victory.''

''Robert is coming out on top in some driving situations, particularly when it comes to heating the tires up in qualifying. Our different driving styles play a role in this,'' he adds, referring to his teammate.

''I would describe my driving style as very rounded and gentle on the car and tires. It was this that allowed me to keep going for 41 laps on the super-soft tires in Canada at the start of June.''

Can they keep this streak alive once the 2008 F1 Hungarian Grand Prix gets going?

Who will win the 2008 F1 Drivers Championship? Bodog Sportsbook has the odds.

Kimi Raikkonen 2.75

Lewis Hamilton 3.00

Fernando Alonso 7.00

Felipe Massa 7.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more F1 betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

F1 Hungarian Grand Prix BMW Sauber

While the 2008 World Series of Poker heats up, PokerStars heats up their Sunday Million Guarantee to $1.5 M

2008-08-01T00:29:00.000-07:00

That's one way to kick Full Tilt Poker down to the gutter eh?

Poker room giant PokerStars seem to be determined to put its competitors away especially with the Full Tilt Poker brand all over the 2008 World Series of Poker lately.

Starting August 3, PokerStars' extremely popular Sunday Million will now feature a $1.5 million weekly guarantee. And to further sweeten the deal, the Sunday Warm-Up (that occurs just a few hours before the Sunday Million) will now have a $750,000 guarantee.

PokerStars is the very first poker site to offer a $1 Million Guarantee in a No Limit Hold 'em tournament every week. For a measly $215 buy-in, poker players can expect a first prize that is more than $100,000.

Can you imagine the sheer number of poker players that are drawn to this kind of deal every single week?

The Sunday Million occurs weekly at 4:30pm EST. The Sunday Warm-Up (which also has a $215 buy-in) starts at 12:45pm EST. PokerStars has also increased its guarantee on the Super Tuesday tournament to $300,000 from its former $250,000. The buy-in for the Super Tuesday tournament is now $1,050.

Why is PokerStars doing this? The sheer number of participants in the Sunday tournaments easily covers the guarantee. The Sunday Million can attract as many as 8,370 poker players, creating a prize pool of $1.70 million.

The Sunday Warm-Up can have as much as 4,050 participants.

If you're too cheap or too broke to part with $215, satellites to the Sunday Million go as low as $3. Satellites are available all day long so if you want a chance to enter the Sunday Million and get the big bucks, head over to the world's largest online poker room and visit PokerStars.com today.

Who will win the 2008 WSOP Main Event Final Table at the Rio in Las Vegas on November 9? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Dennis Phillips 4.00

Craig Marquis 11.00

Ylon Schwartz 9.00

Scott Montgomery 5.00

Darus Suharto 9.50

Chino Rheem 8.50

Ivan Demidov 5.50

Kelly Kim 26.00

Peter Eastgate 6.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more poker betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 World Series of Poker PokerStars

New York Yankees want Barry Bonds

2008-07-25T00:32:00.000-07:00

You can't possibly put it simpler than that.

As the 2008 MLB baseball season enters the halfway point, teams are clamoring for any last possible move that may probably improve their roster a little bit more before Thursday's trading deadline gets here.

And as far as the New York Yankees are concerned, they already have their eyes set on one guy that may fill the void injured sluggers Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada left.

Who is it? Since they're missing two of the best hitters in their team, the Yankees are planning to sign probably the best hitter in the game. I'm referring to the indicted home run king, Barry Bonds people and whether you like him or not, the combination of Bonds and the Yankees have ''World Series contenders'' written all over it.

Sure, Bonds at 44 years of age can't possibly have that big of an impact to an already established team like the Yankees. After all, it is already too late into the season to sign the former San Francisco Giants slugger anyway. But hey, Thursday's deadline is still a few days away and ANYTHING is still possible.

Bonds in pinstripes could also mean more asses seated around Yankee Stadium. After all the controversies that has surrounded the guy throughout his career in baseball, he has become one of those commodities you would love to have on your team if you want to sell a butt-load of tickets.

The Yankees certainly don't want their rivals Boston Red Sox to beat them in signing Bonds right?

For now, the Bronx bombers are open to adding anything that can further improve their team. They are already playing great so far and adding a guy like Bonds wouldn't hurt them at all.

''We're playing great. That's the key thing,'' Yankees chairman Hank Steinbrenner said. ''Considering we're not 100 percent because of the injuries, it's pretty impressive. Where we can add, we'll look into it.''

Which team will win the 2008 MLB World Series? AcesAce sportsbook has the odds.

Boston Red Sox +300

New York Yankees +400

Cleveland Indians +1,000

Los Angeles Dodgers +2,000

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more baseball betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Barry Bonds New York Yankees

The 2008 Tour de France is just full of Dope now

2008-07-25T00:26:00.000-07:00

Because doping scandals have really been the flavor of this year's Tour.

The 2008 Tour de France was rocked once again by a third positive doping scandal following the news that Italian biker Riccardo Ricco tested positive for banned substances. Surprised? Not us.

Riccardo Ricco, who won two climbing stages already, was taken into custody by French police amid scenes of chaos outside his Saunier Duval team bus before the start of stage 12. Ricco was expelled from the race and detained, leading to his team pulling off from the Tour and pausing all of its activities. His Spanish team initially took to the start line for the 12th stage from here to Narbonne, however, because of Ricco's stupidity, the yellow-clad riders returned to the team bus.

''We've decided to suspend all cycling activities until we find out what has happened,'' team spokesman Matxin Fernandez said. ''Ricco is not just any rider, he's a top rider. So for the sake of our team and the Tour de France we have made this decision. We can't act as though nothing has happened, we have to accept the reality.''

Riccardo Ricco's positive test for the banned blood booster erythropoietin (EPO) was confirmed by the French national anti-doping agency (AFLD), which is carrying out all tests on the race as the race is being held under the auspices of the French federation.

The 24-year-old Ricco provided a urine sample that contained the banned substance CERA (Continuous Erythropietin Receptor Activator) after the fourth stage, a 29.5 km time-trial at Cholet.Ricco becomes the third cyclist to be taken in for questioning by French police. Spaniard Moises Duenas of the Barloworld team was also taken into custody after it was revealed he was also tested positive for EPO. Manuel Beltran (yes there's more...) left the race under a cloud for the same exact reasons.British rider David Millar, whose Garmin-Chipotle team is part of a movement to clean up pro cycling, was dismayed beyond belief when informed of the news before stage 12.

''It is amazing to me that someone could be so irresponsible and not have any love for the sport,'' said Millar, an admitted doper who served a two-year ban for drug use from 2004 until 2006. ''(Dopers) have this culture embedded in them that they don't think they can compete without doping. It's sad.''

Who will win the 2008 Tour de France? SBG Global provides a list of the top cyclists you can bet on. Bet now.

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2008 Tour de France Doping Scandals

Which Country will win the most Gold Medals in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China?

2008-07-25T00:23:00.000-07:00

It'll be all about BLING in Beijing.

How's that for a theme in the coming 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China eh? With merely days to go before the Beijing Games begin, athletes who will be competing in this grandest sporting event of the year are all set to go and win gold medals for their respective countries.

Different countries are pouring in tons of resources, hoping that their athletes will achieve national glory by winning a gold medal.

While the Olympics do not lack feel-good stories of athletes overcoming adversity to make it to the Olympic Games, the superpowers of the world have traditionally dominated the podium.

At the 2004 Athens Olympics, for example, the top-five nations that won the most gold medals are; USA, China, Russia, Australia, and Japan, with USA taking home 36 gold medals, closely followed by China with 32.

The biggest question now is, which of these superpowers will go on and win the most gold in the 2008 Olympics? China, as the host country, has a bigger chance of winning it overall since they will be participating in all of the events, while the United States of America is an automatic shoe-in to win the 2008 Beijing Olympics because, well, they the United States.

Still, host China could still give the United States some competition mainly because they improved a lot during the past 4 years, especially in boxing, weightlifting, gymnastics, taekwondo and judo.

China is capable of winning the total medal count but as far as gold medal count is concerned, it's entirely a different story. The United States is too dominant in sport disciplines like track and field and swimming to be displaced from the top.

China, on the other hand, is still at the stage of searching for gold in minor disciplines like weight lifting and shooting, disciplines that do not carry as many events as track and field and swimming.

Nevertheless, it is the competition and the excitement of combat which counts. As corny as it may sound, we are all winners in the Olympics.

Who will be the winners of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Most Overall Medals

China 1.80

United States 2.10

Russia 15.00

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2008 Beijing Olympic Games Gold Medals

Miguel Cotto vs Antonio Margarito for WBA Welterweight Title

2008-07-25T00:18:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a good one.

And in case you've been living under a rock lately, it's on this Saturday when Miguel Cotto will defend his WBA welterweight championship belt against two-time welterweight champion Antonio Margarito in what many are already calling as ''the fight of the year''.

Antonio Margarito knows he'll be the underdog when he steps into the ring with Miguel Cotto. Despite that, he will still have a whole lot of confidence coming into this fight. He has nothing to lose after all, and he is, a Mexican fighter.

In boxing, to say someone competes like a Mexican fighter is probably the highest compliment one can receive. Mexican fighters have become synonymous to fighting with heart and guts without a hint of fear. And Antonio Margarito, who is of Mexican descent, hopes to bring all that to the ring with him.

''All of the Mexicans, when they get up into the ring, are going to give it their all,'' Margarito said. ''They are going to do whatever it takes to win, even if they have to die in the ring.''

On the other hand, Puerto Rico, home to the WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, is a country as passionate about boxing than any other part of the world. Cotto knows he's bringing the pride of his country with him this Saturday, as well as a champion's, and you can't expect a champion like him to give in to Mexican pride on Saturday easily.

With the kind of hype this WBA welterweight championship fight is already generating, boxing fans are already winners. But who could be an even bigger winner than the fans? That's easy. Bob Arum, the guy who promotes both welterweight fighters. (And the sick fuck who introduced to the world an even sicker one, Manny Pacquiao...)

''When you have that many passionate fans as those in Mexico and Puerto Rico, and when you have two great fighters, you are going to get that type of a reaction,'' Bob Arum said. ''It's the same as when we had Italians and Irish and the Jews fighting each other in New York. It went on for years.''

''When (Ray) Leonard and (Thomas) Hearns fought it was Washington, D.C., against Detroit, and when (Marvin) Hagler fought it was New England against Detroit. There were fierce rivalries, and fans loved to watch those fights.''

Will we see another epic match this Saturday? There's only one way to find out.

Can Miguel Cotto beat Antonio Margarito to win the WBA welterweight title? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Miguel Cotto 1.38

Antonio Margarito 3.05

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for the best boxing betting odds there is available today.

Miguel Cotto Antonio Margarito

AFL Football's ArenaBowl XXII is this Sunday

2008-07-25T00:14:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't know. Because we certainly didn't.

The Arena Football League is ready to culminate their season with ArenaBowl XXII this Sunday. It'll be between the San Jose SaberCats and the Philadelphia Soul and both teams will showcase two of the best football quarterbacks in the country wasting their careers in the AFL.

Yep, I really mean they're simply wasting their football careers while playing in the AFL. Why not go take on the big dogs in the NFL instead of playing around a 50-yard makeshift football field? Jeez...

And when I stated that they are two of the best quarterbacks in football, I do mean it. SaberCats QB Mark Grieb is one of the smartest field generals in the AFL while Soul QB Matt D'Orazio could very well be the league's biggest Cinderella story. Who can lead their team to victory this Sunday?

Let's start with the San Jose SaberCats quarterback shall we?

San Jose QB Mark Grieb already has three ArenaBowl championship rings, going for his fourth one in seven years. Armed with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of California-Davis and a master's in education from Stanford, who knows what the guy puts in his playbook that made him so successful the last seven years in the league?

''He's a smart, intelligent guy on and off the field,'' AFL commissioner David Baker said. ''Maybe his arm is not quite as strong to throw that 10-yard-out on the far sideline. But I'll tell you that if you took [retired Green Bay Packers quarterback] Brett Favre to come and play for the San Jose SaberCats, I'm not sure he could beat Grieb in this game.''

The Philadelphia Soul QB, on the other hand, has a different story.

Nine months ago, Matt D'Orazio was a guy without anything to show for in the AFL but an aching back. He had absolutely no idea that he'll have the opportunity to lead the league's winningnest team to a win in ArenaBowl XXII against the defending champions this Sunday.

Oh by the way, THAT game will only be his second ArenaBowl game in three years.

''I didn't know that I was going to play that big a role,'' Matt D'Orazio said. ''I was ready and willing to take the backup role behind Tony, get healthy and try to learn as much as I could.''

Philadelphia Soul QB Tony Graziani suffered an injury, taking him out for the rest of the season and paving the way for the league to see what D'Orazio can do. Will his Cinderella run lead the Soul to the ArenaBowl title?

Let's find out shall we?

Who will win ArenaBowl XXII at New Orleans Arena? AcesAce sportsbook has the odds.

San Jose SaberCats +3.5

Philadelphia Soul -3.5

Want more odds? Visit Sportsbetting.com for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

San Jose SaberCats Philadelphia Soul

Chelsea FC will not sign Kaka but will re-sign goalie Petr Cech for the 2008 English Premier League Season

2008-07-25T00:10:00.000-07:00

To me, that's a very dumb move on their part.

For two straight seasons, we all saw Man-U literally snatch the Premiership away from Chelsea FC. And now that it seems the defending English football champions are on the verge of losing their biggest star, Cristiano Ronaldo, Chelsea has the opportunity of making it easier for them to win the title again by pursuing Kaka for the coming 2008-09 English Premier League season.

Instead, Chelsea FC decided not to pursue the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year but instead, re-signs longtime goalkeeper Petr Cech to a new five-year contract. That will keep him with the Blues until 2013. That probably means we won't see Chelsea winning the Premiership until 2013 too.

''I am very happy to have renewed my contract with them,'' Petr Cech said. ''Chelsea has grown in my heart, not just because of my teammates and all the people that work for the club, but also because of their fantastic fans.''

Cech is thought of as one of the world's top goalkeepers. He has led Chelsea to two straight Premier League titles in previous seasons and last year led them to a runner-up finish in the soccer betting Premier League, Champions League and League Cup.

''I have to say, I cannot wait for the new season to start,'' Cech said. ''I am confident that it will be a very successful season for all of us.'' His new coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, is very happy to have Cech signed. ''He is the best goalkeeper in the world, so I am very pleased that he will remain with me at Chelsea,'' Scolari said.

In other news, Chelsea may have wanted to sign Kaka but Milan has said he is not for sale. (So that's why they stopped going after the guy...)

Chelsea, however, is STILL in the running for forward Robinho from Real Madrid. ''We are interested in the player and we have had discussions with Real Madrid,'' Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon said. ''We have not made a formal offer and we will see where it goes.''

The Blues are also not letting Frank Lampard go anywhere despite his wishes to go to Inter Milan.

''We want Frank to stay, but if we cannot agree he will honor the last year of his contract,'' Kenyon said. ''We do not sell our best players.''

Lampard has been training well and Scolari is pleased. ''We are talking every day about Chelsea, what's the best way for Chelsea to play and about the positions that are best for him at times in the games,'' Scolari said. ''But not more about anything (else), only the way Chelsea win games with Lampard.''

Chelsea has also said that striker Didier Drogba will be out for about a month as he receives treatment on his injured knee. ''On Drogba, he has had a recurrence of the knee injury that troubled him last season and had to stay behind for treatment,'' Kenyon said.

''People have read something into the fact he is not here, but that is wrong. He is injured.'' Scolari believes that Drogba will be back soon. ''I think Didier will be training because he has a contract for us, and look, I think he is happy in Chelsea,'' Scolari said.

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Chelsea FC Petr Cech

Real Madrid STILL wants Cristiano Ronaldo

2008-07-18T00:55:00.000-07:00

You read it, the ''Cristiano Ronaldo Saga'' continues.

While the brand new 2008-09 English Premier League season inches closer and closer each day, Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo remains to be the focus of the football world.

Why? Two reasons. One, there's thing thing about Cristiano Ronaldo missing the first month of the coming English football season as he continues to recover from his severe ankle injury. Two, there's also this thing about him moving from Old Trafford to join Real Madrid in the Spanish league.

Real Madrid is the defending Spanish champion and if they do manage to land the Portugese footballer for the coming 2008-09 Spanish Primera Liga, another title for the Spanish football giants is very VERY likely.

If Ronaldo leaves Old Trafford, it would be hard for the Manchester United Red Devils to continue the success they had on the pitch the last couple of years. And yeah, the entire world of English football will never be the same again.

For now, Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon says it's up to Ronaldo if he wants to join their team or stay with Man-U. He also said that if Ronaldo wants to leave Old Trafford, it would be hard for Man-U to keep him.

''It depends on the player, on Ronaldo. Since I've known football it has been the case that the desires of the footballer are what decide matters,'' Ramon Calderon said. ''If Ronaldo wants to leave Manchester, he'll leave. If he wants to stay, he'll stay.''

''I don't think you can keep anyone in a place where they don't want to be, not even in a family. But I insist that for a formal negotiation to start Manchester United will have to open their doors to us.''

''Manchester have to want to talk.''

Making Manchester United talk about even the idea of Cristiano Ronaldo leaving is easier said than done. He is the best thing that has ever happened to them since David Beckham was taken away from them by (surprise, surprise...) Real Madrid.

Man-U will keep on delaying the inevitable as much as they can. You can bet on that.

Can Manchester United defend their title and win the 2008-09 English Premiership? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Manchester United 2.40

Chelsea FC 2.75

Arsenal 5.50

Liverpool 7.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more international football odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo

What happened to Barry Bonds this 2008 MLB Season?

2008-07-18T00:52:00.000-07:00

Remember Barry Bonds? Yes, he's last season's home run king. And yep, he is also the guy who just loves them steroids.

We are at the halfway point of the 2008 MLB baseball season and we haven't heard of any news whatsoever in regards to Barry Bonds other than his addiction to steroids.

Until now. Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris said Barry Bonds won't play in the MLB this season and has given up all hope of finding his client a job. He he... Borris said he is frustrated by baseball's lack of interest in his client after the season Bonds just had the year before.

After the San Francisco Giants let Bonds go, the slugger instantly vanished from the league. Other than the media exposure Bonds got in regards to his steroids scandal, it seems Bonds and baseball have gone separate ways and his agent doesn't like it one bit.

''I offered Barry at the minimum salary, and when I ran into a brick wall, that's when I came to the conclusion that he will not be in a major league uniform in 2008,'' Jeff Borris said.

''I'm not a negative person. I'm one of those 'never say never' guys. But it seems pretty clear to me that it's just not happening. We could go up and down the rosters of every single team and I could show you an awful lot of spots where he ought to be plugged in right now, but it's just not happening.''

''If everything were fair and equal in the world, Barry should get a fair market value offer. But since everything is not fair and equal, I decided to offer him for the minimum. I thought for sure there would be a taker, and there were none. If that doesn't raise the level of suspicion, I don't know what does.''

Hmm... Maybe if Bonds didn't have an affair with them syringes, then maybe, just maybe, things would be different. Isn't that right Jeff?

Which team will win the 2008 MLB World Series? AcesAce sportsbook has the odds.

Boston Red Sox +300

New York Yankees +400

Cleveland Indians +1,000

Los Angeles Dodgers +2,000

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more baseball betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Barry Bonds 2008 MLB Season

We remember Michael Schumacher and why he retired in F1 before the 2008 German Grand Prix gets here

2008-07-18T00:49:00.000-07:00

Why remember a guy who is already retired?

Well, aside from the fact that he may be bigger than Brett Favre in the racing world, Schumi is the last guy to ever win at Hockenheim, where the best drivers this 2008 F1 season will reconvene this Sunday for this year's German Grand Prix.

Yes, Michael Schumacher is the last guy to win here at Hockenheim back in 2006. Last year's race in Germany was held at the Nurburgring circuit where Fernando Alonso came out on top. Well, the guy's with Renault now and is in no condition whatsoever to win ANYTHING. Unfortunately.

As far as Michael Schumacher is concerned, yes, the German was the last Hockenheim hero in Formula One and with the 2008 F1 season making a return to the very circuit Schumi made famous, it is only fitting that we remember the six-time F1 world champion.

So why did he retired in the first place?

It has been said that Schumi called it quits when he learned that Ferrari is bringing in Kimi Raikkonen to be his teammate. Rumors came out that Schumi was scared that he might not measure up to the fiery Finn.

When Schumi was asked why he called it quits. We learned that it wasn't because of Kimi. It was because of Felipe Massa.

''I stopped because I didn't want my friend Felipe Massa to be unemployed,'' Michael Schumacher said. ''I would have had no problem going up against Kimi Raikkonen.''

Apparently, Schumi wanted to save Massa's career with Ferrari with his retirement. But now that rumors are coming out that Fernando Alonso will move to Ferrari next season, how in the hell can Schumi save Massa now?

As of press time, Massa and Raikkonen are tied at the top of the drivers championship standings with McLaren - Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton. If one of those two Ferrari drivers blinks, Alonso could be taking that guy's seat faster than that guy could say FUCK.

Who will win the 2008 F1 Drivers Championship? Bodog Sportsbook has the odds.

Kimi Raikkonen 2.75

Lewis Hamilton 3.00

Fernando Alonso 7.00

Felipe Massa 7.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more F1 betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

F1 German Grand Prix Michael Schumacher

Ronaldinho excited to play with Kaka for AC Milan

2008-07-18T00:46:00.000-07:00

Of course, coming to a new team, you should have absolutely nothing but excitement for your new environment right?

And when you are one of the biggest transfers of the offseason, I don't see why you should be any different. Ronaldinho is in the middle of what could be a series of HUGE transfers in international football this offseason and the former Barcelona star has nothing but praises for his new football club.

Ronaldinho is excited to play alongside another Brazilian, Kaka, trying to lead AC Milan atop the coming 2008-09 Italian Serie A season.

He was finally unveiled by AC Milan to its fans and Ronaldinho wasted no time in expressing how happy he was of having the opportunity to have a fresh start with the Italian football giants.

''This is a special emotion for me, a unique moment in my career,'' Ronaldinho said. ''Every player would like to play with Milan.''

Hmm... ''Every player would like to play with Milan'' huh? Didn't he blurted out the same exact words when he was transferred to Barcelona a few years ago? Hmm...

Speaking of, Ronaldinho also talked about his former club from the Spanish Primera Liga and as shocking as it may seem, the Brazilian had nothing but positive comments for the club that has excluded him from their plans for the future.

''They were important years, during which we won some important trophies together, but in the last period things didn't go well and it was right to separate,'' Ronaldinho said.

Now that it looks like Ronaldinho is ready to put the ''last period'' of his stay with Barcelona behind him, he is excited to play with a fellow Brazilian, not to mention the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year Kaka.

''We are close friends, it's true. We have always done well together in the Selecao. He's great and together we will have fun.''

Can AC Milan win the 2008-09 Italian Serie A title? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

AC Milan 3.75

Inter Milan 1.91

AS Roma 4.50

Juventus 6.00

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AC Milan Ronaldinho

Lewis Hamilton vows to win the 2008 F1 World Title

2008-07-18T00:43:00.000-07:00

Can he do it?

After almost winning the world championship last year, Lewis Hamilton had somewhat of a slow start to the 2008 F1 season. After winning the first race of the season in Australia, it took him five races before getting his second win of the year, his first one in Monaco.

And now that Lewis Hamilton found himself in a three-way tie for the championship after winning his home grand prix in Britain a week ago, I guess you can now say that he's back in the championship chase.

You can bet your ass Hamilton knows it too. The McLaren - Mercedes driver is now vowing to take the world title home to Germany in only his second year in Formula 1.

''I'm not going to build up your hopes but just to let you know that I'm working as hard as I can to bring the Championship home for all of us, keep your fingers crossed,'' Hamilton said.

''I've been racing since I was eight years old and every Sunday before the race I always have the same nerves and I can never control it.''

''I always try to come up with a formula or a way to deal with all the nerves and the race to make sure I win and it's always difficult. There is always something different happening; it could be raining or dry, you are always starting from a different position and there is always a different crowd and a different vibe.''

''So it's all about trying to take it all in and do the best job I can.''

Hamilton leads the standings for the drivers championship with Ferrari drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. All three has 48 championship points after nine races into the season.

The second half of the F1 season officially begins in Germany with the 2008 F1 German Grand Prix. Can Lewis Hamilton live up to the hype he created?

You can bet your ass defending world champion Kimi Raikkonen will have other plans.

Who will win the 2008 F1 Drivers Championship? Bodog Sportsbook has the odds.

Kimi Raikkonen 2.75

Lewis Hamilton 3.00

Fernando Alonso 7.00

Felipe Massa 7.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more F1 betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

F1 German Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton

Does former St. Louis Cardinals star Mark McGwire want a comeback this 2008 MLB Baseball Season?

2008-07-18T00:39:00.000-07:00

For now, all I can remember of the guy is the year when he made 70 home runs.

Other than that, every single time somebody talks about the guy this 2008 MLB baseball season, his steroid problems seem to become the topic of discussion. Yep, just like Clemens, Canseco and the poster boy for steroids, Barry Bonds.

Now, it looks like Mark McGwire wants to give people something else to talk about every time his name is mentioned. Rumor has it that the former St. Louis Cardinals powerhouse wants to make a comeback. You read it, McGwire wants to have baseball in his life again.

Mark McGwire is considered as one of the most famous men in baseball history. However, he hasn't made a public appearance at a major league ballpark in three years, has declined interview requests and passed on annual invitations to visit his former team, the St. Louis Cardinals, in spring training.

Mark McGwire, who made a record in Major League Baseball 10 years ago when he hit the single-season record of 70 home runs, had his last moment in the spotlight back in 2005 because of issues with regards to steroids use and other performance enhancing substance.

McGwire declined to admit that he is slowly returning to baseball. But there are people speculating that he wants to make a comeback. They say that they are convinced the 44-year-old Mark McGwire will be in a baseball uniform in the near future, not because he is in search of glory or a place in the Hall of Fame after two failed bids, but because his enduring passion for baseball is driving him back after he retired in 2001.

''The perception of Mark is so completely different than the reality,'' says Craig Daedelow, a friend of Mark McGwire who often sees and talks to him. ''People think he's out of the game, but they have no idea just how much he's still in the game.''

''He would be a tremendous hitting coach,'' Colorado Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd says. ''Really, he'd be great at just about anything he wanted to do in baseball. He has so much passion for the game, and so much to offer.''

Will we see the old big Mac back? There's only one way to find out.

Which team will win the 2008 MLB World Series? AcesAce sportsbook has the odds.

Boston Red Sox +300

New York Yankees +400

Cleveland Indians +1,000

Los Angeles Dodgers +2,000

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more baseball betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Mark McGwire 2008 MLB Season

Green Bay Packers certain Brett Favre stays retired

2008-07-11T00:28:00.000-07:00

And it looks like the Packers will make sure it stays that way... He he...

But then again, maybe not. But as far as the coming 2008-09 NFL football season is concerned, the Packers believe that the biggest star of their franchise to date won't suit up, staying retired since making the announcement at the end of last season.

You see, rumors began to come out last week that Brett Favre will postpone retirement for the third straight year and return to the field as football's ''Ultimate Packer.'' Of course, Favre initially didn't agree but since we are still a long way from the start of the season, you can't really blame Packer fans for hoping.

But after the Green Bay Packers made the announcement, confirming that No.4 will stay retired, will their fans still keep on hoping? Current and former team presidents of the Packers organization believes that Favre will remain retired and coming back for his 18th NFL season is not even a plan whatsoever for probably the greatest quarterback to ever play the game.

''I keep going back to his retirement announcement and how sincere and heartfelt that was,'' current team president and CEO Mark Murphy said. ''I think it's pretty reasonable that, as an organization, we're going to move on.''

The Packers' chairman emeritus Bob Harlan also added his thoughts on the said Favre comeback. ''What I remember about him is he was ready to retire, and that's how I feel today. I think down deep, that's exactly how he feels.''

A few days ago, news broke out about Favre claiming he still has the ''itch'' to play football. Unfortunately, the Packers have yet to address the public about this so-called itch.

''We've had 5-year-old kids ask us about it,'' Murphy added. ''It's obviously on a lot of people's minds.''

''No player leaves the game gracefully. It's kind of the nature of what makes great players great, is they're competitors and they always want to compete and they want that next challenge, and it's hard to find that next thing that's going to give you that excitement and adrenaline. That's what we're seeing a little bit here.''

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Sportsbetting.com has the very VERY early odds on that one people.

New York Giants 12-1

New England Patriots 5-2

Dallas Cowboys 7-1

Indianapolis Colts 8-1

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Brett Favre Green Bay Packers

Cristiano Ronaldo wants out of Manchester United

2008-07-11T00:24:00.000-07:00

Although he did not directly say it, you just have this feeling that probably the biggest star in football wants a change, starting with his team.

Before the 2008-09 English Premier League season begins, we already heard the news that could very well have a huge impact on English football. Real Madrid from the Spanish Primera Liga wants Cristiano Ronaldo out of England.

If Real pulls this off, Cristiano Ronaldo will be the second English football star they pried out of England, the first one being David Beckham, also from Manchester United. And while the club still refuses to sell their Portugese superstar, FIFA president Sepp Blatter himself hinted that Man-U should just let Ronaldo go if the player really wants to leave.

And guess what, Ronaldo agrees with him. FIFA president Sepp Blatter sort of described Man-U's refusal to let Ronaldo go where he wants to be, a case of ''modern slavery'' and although he did not directly pointed the finger on the reigning English football champions, you just know Old Trafford got the point.

Sure, Cristiano Ronaldo is not as well-known as a David Beckham yet but the guy still has his entire football career in front of him and being one of the biggest football stars in England already at such a young age, a transfer to Real Madrid just might do the young man good.

Although I strongly disagree of course, being a fan of Manchester United myself.

For now, all Ronaldo can do is keep on giving out hints that he wants out of Old Trafford and play for Real Madrid in the coming 2008-09 Spanish Primera Liga. Step one is agreeing with Blatter's comments about the whole ''modern slavery'' thing.

''I agree with the comments of the president of FIFA. What he said is right,'' Cristiano Ronaldo said. ''At the moment there is no agreement with Real Madrid. We have to wait for the next few days to see, but I do not know where I will begin next season.''

''This is all I have to say at the moment.''

Can Manchester United defend their title and win the 2008-09 English Premiership? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Manchester United 2.40

Chelsea FC 2.75

Arsenal 5.50

Liverpool 7.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more international football odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo

Gay suffers Muscle Strain coming to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China on August 8

2008-07-11T00:21:00.000-07:00

Hmmm... Too much of something is always bad.

And no, we're not talking about gay people here. It just so happens that an American athlete competing for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games has a name of Tyson Gay. And yes, he has a muscle strain.

After being told to restrict himself to light physical activity for the next two weeks, Tyson Gay pulled up abruptly in the first 40 meters of his 200-meter qualifying race last weekend and had to be carted off the track. Apparently, ''light physical activity'' for him is to compete in a 200-meter race.

Gay was diagnosed with a severe cramp in his hamstring and an MRI revealed the strain.

STILL, he remains confident that he'll be able to compete in the 2008 Beijing, China Olympic Games and not even his gay name would be able to stop him from doing so. (Sorry, I just had to put that one in...)

''I'll be 100 percent for the 100 and 400 relay,'' Tyson Gay said, referring to his scheduled races in the 2008 Beijing Games.

Gay is the defending world champion of the 100 and 200-meter Olympic race. He is scheduled to defend his crown on August 15 in Beijing.

The 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China begins on August 8, 2008. (Because the Chinese just loves the number 8 and they can't just let pass the idea of having an opening day scheduled as 08-08-08...)

''I was upset,'' Gay said after going down with the injury, ''but then again I was still thankful it didn't happen in the 100 and I still have the chance to go to the Olympics.''

Who will be the winners of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Most Overall Medals

China 1.80

United States 2.10

Russia 15.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more Olympic Games betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 Beijing Olympic Games Tyson Gay

Golden State Warriors grab Corey Maggette

2008-07-11T00:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, it seems Tinseltown lost yet another star in just a matter of days.

Looks like things have gone haywire within the Clippers camp as they prepare for the coming 2008-09 NBA basketball season. Merely days after losing Elton Brand to Philadelphia, the Clippers now lost their leading scorer Corey Maggette after the guy signed a lucrative free-agent deal with Golden State.

Tough huh? With Corey Maggette now becoming the newest Warrior in Oakland, the Clippers have now given up Maggette and Elton Brand in exchange for a Baron Davis who is probably in the last stages of a faltering career.

Although Davis still got some game left in him, his problem with injuries the last few seasons has been well documented. That's probably why the Golden State Warriors decided to give up on the guy now rather than wait for the guy's game dwindle further down to obscurity.

Having a player of Maggette's caliber replace a Baron Davis is STILL a solid move from the Warriors organization. Although we haven't seen much of Maggette last season because of his issues with Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy, the guy is still one of the better talents in the NBA and I think he'll be a good fit in the Warriors' system.

They were initially going after Elton Brand as well, but when the former Duke forward opted to sign with Philly, the Warriors shifted their attention to another Clipper, leading us to Maggette going to Oakland.

''He's been one of the most productive players in our league for the last several years, and provides us with additional versatility and veteran leadership,'' Golden State Warriors top basketball executive Chris Mullin said.

Maggette, despite being relegated to the bench most of last season, still managed to average 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists. All of those stats are just off career highs.

Who will win the 2009 NBA Finals? Bodog sportsbook has the EARLY odds.

Boston Celtics 4.00

Los Angeles Lakers 4.50

Detroit Pistons 9.00

San Antonio Spurs 9.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more basketball betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Corey Maggette Golden State Warriors

From a Car Crash to the 2008 World Series of Poker

2008-07-11T00:08:00.000-07:00

Such is the life of one Donald Hobbs.

While the best poker players in the world continue to get their feet wet in the 2008 World Series of Poker, one guy is about to join in on the fray. And while the rest of the field are going for a WSOP bracelet, this guy may have already won something bigger.

I'm talking about Donald Hobbs, the 24-year-old poker player who'll be making his debut for the biggest poker tournament of the year this Sunday. You see, this guy came out alive from a horrible car crash last year. And while the doctors then gave him almost impossible odds of survival, he did survive and now, he's ready to defy the odds again, at the 2008 WSOP.

''The doctors gave me a million-to-one shot of surviving,'' Donald Hobbs said. His brother Dewayne, remembered that in describing Donald's chances for survival, the doctors used the word ''impossible'' more than once.

Hobbs remembers the accident just barely. ''I don't remember much about it. I remember getting in that car, the car hitting that curve and then crashing.''

''I pulled myself out of the car and hit the ground. Some guy came by and dragged me away from the burning car. Last I remember I was talking to the ambulance driver, getting flown out to the hospital.''

Dewayne couldn't even imagine what his brother was able to accomplish.

''I'm in perfect shape, and the doctors told me I wouldn't survive what he went through,'' Dewayne Hobbs said. ''With him having the hemophilia, they told me it was impossible he'd survive, but I prayed and prayed and prayed. One of those prayers must have got through.''

Hemophilia is a disease that leaves the afflicted's blood less capable of clotting. Hemophiliacs bruise easily and their cuts bleed long contact. When bleeding spreads to the joints, it can cause a whole lot of pain.

Now that Donald has been able to accomplish the impossible, I guess winning a WSOP bracelet in the 2008 WSOP won't be that hard for this guy eh?

Which former WSOP Main Event champion will last the longest at the 2008 World Series of Poker? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Doyle Brunson 6.50

Joe Hachem 8.00

Phil Hellmuth 5.50

Chris Ferguson 5.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more poker betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 World Series of Poker Donald Hobbs

2008 Del Mar Season hopes to break the silence in Horse Racing after the conclusion of the Triple Crown

2008-07-11T00:05:00.000-07:00

More horse racing, ain't you tired of this shit already?

Whether you like it or not, we'll witness yet another spectacle of horse maltreatment as the 2008 Del Mar season gears up for its start on July 16 at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racetrack.

Dubbed as ''where the surf meets the turf,'' the 2008 Del Mar race meet opens with the Oceanside Stakes and will close with the anticipated $250,000 Del Mar Futurity, running until September 3.

Del Mar horse racing is the biggest event in California. From an old-fashioned race track started by Hollywood legend Bing Crosby and his high-profile gang in 1937, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club today is among America's best attended race tracks.

The Del Mar 2008 Race Meet comes a week ahead of the Saratoga 2008 race meet.

The track has a one mile main dirt track and a seven furlong turf course. The track runs during the summer at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and can stable more than a thousand horses.

In early 2007, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club installed a new Polytrack surface for a price of approximately 9 million dollars. On July 18, 2007, Jon Court became the first jockey to win a race on the new Polytrack surface.

The track races, stretching from July to September, presents the following graded stakes races; Grade 1 Bing Crosby Breeders' Cup Handicap, Del Mar Debutante Stakes, Del Mar Futurity, Del Mar Oaks, Eddie Read Handicap, John C. Mabee Handicap and the Pacific Classic Stakes, among others.

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more horse race betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2008 Del Mar Season Del Mar Futurity

Kimi Raikkonen wants to win the British GP again

2008-07-04T00:34:00.000-07:00

After losing what was his race to win in France, the fiery Finn is hoping for a better outcome.

And while a ''better outcome'' would mean he has to finish in first place after his second place finish in France, Raikkonen remains confident that he'll be able to get just that as we enter the halfway point of the 2008 F1 season.

After all, Kimi Raikkonen did won Silverstone last season. And after scoring no points whatsoever in Monaco and Canada prior to the French Grand Prix in France, where he still managed to finish second with a broken exhaust, the reigning F1 world champion needs all the points he can get to get back on top.

As of press time, his Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa leads the F1 drivers championship with 48 championship points. Kimi Raikkonen currently has 43, good enough for third overall behind the surprising Robert Kubica of BMW Sauber who holds the No.2 spot.

Raikkonen wants the double at Silverstone and he'll be able to have that if his new engine holds up just enough for him to win the 2008 F1 British Grand Prix.

With Lewis Hamilton, who will be competing in front of his home fans in Britain this Sunday, quickest at Silverstone in testing last week, the 28-year-old Raikkonen is fully anticipating a Ferrari - McLaren duel at the weekend, as it was last year when he came out on top.

''I did make a small mistake in qualifying when I ran wide in the last corner, just missing out on pole. But when you look at Hamilton's time, with fuel corrected, I was still quicker, and as soon as I had clear air and a clear track in the race, I was able to really push.''

''Judging by the test last week it is going to be very tight between Ferrari and McLaren again. That is nothing new for me as both teams have always been able to build a good car for Silverstone.''

''It will probably come down to hundredths of a second again as we fight for pole, and we will have to use every inch of the circuit in our favor.''

Who will win the 2008 F1 Drivers Championship? Bodog Sportsbook has the odds.

Kimi Raikkonen 2.75

Lewis Hamilton 3.00

Fernando Alonso 7.00

Felipe Massa 7.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more F1 betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

F1 British Grand Prix Kimi Raikkonen

Gilbert Arenas is NOT going anywhere, signs with Wizards

2008-07-04T00:30:00.000-07:00

That was a close call for the Wizards. Imagine if they lose Gilby and people will start dreading the day they drafted Kwame Brown again?

You read it, after all the speculations that Gilbert Arenas will be with another team before the 2008-09 NBA basketball season, the Washington Wizards came up with a whopping $111 million contract that will keep Agent Zero in Washington for at least six more years.

Yep, Gilbert Arenas was more than happy to agree. Although he was initially being offered with more money, $16 million more to be exact, Arenas agreed to stay with the Wizards and keep the chemistry of the team. He was initially offered up to $127 million by other teams.

''What can I do for my family with $127 million that I can't do with $111 million?'' Arenas, STILL a proud member of the Washington Wizards, said.

''I'm basically giving back $16 million. This is in line with what I've been saying the whole time. You see players take max deals and they financially bind their teams. I don't wanna be one of those players and three years down the road your team is strapped and can't do anything about it.''

Arenas agreeing to stay with the Wizards must have something to do with the team successfully signing Antawn Jamison back. He said that he won't re-sign with Washington if they fail to sign Jamison.

After Jamison agreed on the $50 million, four-year contract offered to him by the team, it was up to Arenas to live up to his part of the bargain.

I guess Arenas was a man of his word on this one eh?

''It's a relief,'' Arenas said. ''It was a burden at the same time. Your whole city is depending on you, wondering if you're going to make the right decision. I'm a franchise player and sometimes franchise players need to make franchise decisions.''

I'm not sure if sitting on the bench with an injury is part of Arenas' responsibility of making 'franchise decisions.'

Who will win the 2009 NBA Finals? Bodog sportsbook has the EARLY odds.

Boston Celtics 4.00

Los Angeles Lakers 4.50

Detroit Pistons 9.00

San Antonio Spurs 9.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more basketball betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Gilbert Arenas Washington Wizards

Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz won't play in the 2008 MLB All-Star Game because of Left Wrist Injury

2008-07-04T00:25:00.000-07:00

Too bad eh?

The 2008 MLB All-Star Game is fast approaching but unfortunately for one slugger from Boston, he won't be participating. And considering the success in sports this city had this season, seeing one of their biggest stars slowed down like this is just sad.

I'm referring to David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox. And yes, with him suffering a left wrist injury, he won't be playing in baseball's midsummer classic. Unfortunately for baseball fans, that's one less guy who can bring that ball flying away from the park.

''I'm going to go to the All-Star Game. Show respect for the fans. I'm not going to be able to play,'' David Ortiz said. ''I'm still working my way up. I'm feeling better everyday. I'm not going to tell you when I'm going to be 100 percent because I don't know.''

Uh oh... You read it right, Ortiz has no idea when will he be able to return to the Red Sox rotation this 2008 MLB baseball season. And with them having a World Series title to defend, him coming back should be big. Yes, bigger than his ass.

Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona is still hoping for the best.

''When we get to the All-Star break, it's hard to know exactly, but that's probably where he's going to start feeling like he can play,'' Terry Francona said. ''When we get toward that break, maybe we can start to turn him loose a little bit. Then again, maybe he won't be ready.''

David Ortiz led the Red Sox both in home runs made as well as RBIs this 2008 MLB baseball season. Ortiz had 13 homers and 43 RBIs. Clearly, this guy is as important to the Red Sox as Kevin Garnett is to the Celtics.

Which team will win the 2008 MLB World Series? AcesAce sportsbook has the odds.

Boston Red Sox +300

New York Yankees +400

Cleveland Indians +1,000

Los Angeles Dodgers +2,000

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more baseball betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

David Ortiz Boston Red Sox

Venus and Serena Williams meet in 2008 Wimbledon Final

2008-07-04T00:22:00.000-07:00

From what should look like one epic battle from Jurassic Park, the Williams sisters will relive their sibling rivalry this Saturday.

And for all ya'll calling me a racist already after reading that first sentence, you're a jackass. I have nothing against African Americans, it just so happen that the Williams sisters ain't my type. And as much as I would love to see Maria Sharapova play in the final match of the 2008 Wimbledon Championships, all I could do now is accept the fact that the Williams sisters were simply better at this point of the year.

You read it right, Venus and Serena Williams made it this far to earn a shot at each other hoping to win the 2008 All England Lawn Tennis Championships, as well as the title ''daddy's little girl'' probably, although both of them are absolutely NOT, in any way, ''LITTLE.''

Venus knows her sister will be up to the challenge come Saturday. Serena Williams, after disposing China's Zheng Jie, 6-2 7-6 (7/5) definitely has what it takes to beat the four-time Wimbledon champion.

''At this point our main focus was obviously both of us getting to the final. Then from there it's every Williams for themselves,'' Venus Williams said.

''Our goal is just to be healthy. I think if we can be healthy, then we can do well and continue to climb the rankings. Of course we believe we can be on top, but we just have to keep our fingers crossed, keep working hard, and go for it.''

''I'm looking forward to the final and I'm dying for Serena to get through. It's my seventh final and I'm looking forward to playing Serena in our third final. It's so exciting.''

Venus and Serena met each other for the championship both in 2002 and 2003 with Serena winning both. And while both Williams sisters are two of the best at what the do, there have been speculations that every single time the Williams sisters meet for a title, the outcome has been predetermined already.

Elena Dementieva, after losing to Venus in the semi-finals, agrees, saying that the 2008 Wimbledon women's final will be ''a family decision.'' To which Venus responded, labeling the speculation as ''ridiculous'' and ''offensive.''

I personally, would just want to see both these abomination of the woman body, off my court as quickly as possible.

Can Serena Williams beat Venus Williams for the 2008 Wimbledon Championship again? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Serena Williams 1.71

Venus Williams 2.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more tennis betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Serena Williams Venus Williams

Tiger Woods is unsure when will he return to Golf

2008-07-04T00:15:00.000-07:00

Yes, the world's most popular golfer is unsure when he'll be a golfer again.

That's right, with Tiger Woods having undergone surgery, now wearing a knee brace and would need to be in crutches for at least three weeks, the world's No.1 golfer is uncertain when he'll be able to make a return to the golf course and play competitively.

Woods, speaking for the first time since his reconstructive surgery on June 24, didn't have any timetable whatsoever to speak of when he made his first public remarks for the media since his operation.

''I really don't know,'' Tiger Woods said during a conference call to promote his AT&T National, a tournament near Washington, D.C., that he hosts but will be unable to attend.

''We'll have to see how this thing heals and everyone heals at a different rate. Some six months, some at nine and some at 12. To be honest with you, no one really knows until we start the rehab process and see how this thing goes.''

''My ACL wasn't all that great to begin with,'' he said. ''There wasn't a whole lot left. You need to train and develop your hamstring and glutes as much as possible to hold it. Everyone was surprised it lasted as long as it did.''

You read it, even a one-legged Tiger Woods can still win. Hell, Tiger won his four golf events to begin the 2008 season on one leg and HAT my friends, is simply incredible.

''That was to get me through the rest of the '08 season,'' he said. ''And then have it [reconstructive surgery] done after the '08 season. [But] I developed stress fractures and decided to bag it for the rest of the year.''

''I didn't play the Memorial because of that,'' Woods said. ''I basically couldn't practice. Couldn't play more than nine holes. After dealing with that, I decided to make the U.S. Open my last event of this season, no matter how it turned out.''

Don't worry Tiger, it turned out pretty well for you.

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more golf betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Tiger Woods

Ferrari exercises 'One Free Engine Change Rule' ahead of 2008 F1 British Grand Prix for Kimi Raikkonen

2008-07-04T00:11:00.000-07:00

Yes, and team Ferrari will be able to do that without any penalties whatsoever.

Thanks to a new rule introduced at the start of the 2008 F1 season, Ferrari will be able to change their engine in the middle of the year. And after their ace driver Kimi Raikkonen suffered a broken exhaust in France, the engine change was drastically needed.

Ferrari saw Kimi Raikkonen missed out on winning the 2008 F1 French Grand Prix after his car suffered a broken exhaust. That gave away concerns over the power unit of the new F2008.

Mechanics from the Ferrari pit crew have opted to change Raikkonen's engine for Silvertone in the 2008 F1 British Grand Prix and because of this new rule introduced at the beginning of the season, they can do just that without penalties.

A new rule was introduced at the beginning of this season that says any team can now have one free engine change at any point of the racing year after the same ruling refrained F1 teams from changing engines as much as they like in the past.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali expects his team to be as sharp as they were at Magny-Cours where, after Raikkonen hobbled with a broken exhaust, still managed to place second fastest behind teammate, Felipe Massa, who now leads the standings for the F1 drivers championship with the win in France.

''As far as Kimi's engine is concerned and keeping the rules in mind, to avoid a penalty, I think that we will use a new unit to try to reduce the risk,'' Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said.

''Obviously we want to add another success, but we know that we've got...motivated competitors, who will try everything.''

''Last week we had three very good test days here [at Silverstone] and we think that we're competitive. To win we have to be humble and keep our feet on the ground. We have to work concentrated and with great attention for detail. If we can manage that, we can add another good result.''

Who will win the 2008 F1 Drivers Championship? Bodog Sportsbook has the odds.

Kimi Raikkonen 2.75

Lewis Hamilton 3.00

Fernando Alonso 7.00

Felipe Massa 7.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more F1 betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

F1 British Grand Prix Kimi Raikkonen