Cash In On Signs of the Times

By Sean Benhabib
8-15-06

When betting on sports, a gambler should always consider the clock and what is going on in the world. It sounds stupid, but a lot of money can be made knowing how well the San Diego PADRES just happen to play on Father's Day, or the Sacramento KINGS on the good Doctor King's birthday, Martin Luther that is. After a while, just knowing what movie is being released should be grounds for a sizeable wager on the Pittsburgh PIRATES, like when the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie, Dead Man's Chest, came to theaters just last month.

There are so many things going on in the world at once; typhoons, earthquakes, birthday's of famous political figures. Sometimes just knowing what's happening can lead to a sizeable financial gain. Take the San Diego PADRES for instance. Did you know that they are 8 – 2 on the last 10 Father's Days with large pup size victories at Chicago, Minnesota, and in Anaheim just this year. It doesn't hurt knowing the names of the teams of course.

Earlier this year, the Dallas STARS of the NHL won on Oscar night by 5 goals in Chicago over the Blackhawks. On July 4, the Washington NATIONALS got a 9th inning home run from Ryan Zimmerman to beat the fighting fish from Florida 6 – 4. Allz I'm sayin' is that it doesn't hurt to know the calendar and what is happening on certain dates to cash in. Just make sure you know the teams.

Since 2001, the Sacramento KINGS have played on Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday 5 times, and they are 5 – 0. This method is not fool proof. No wagering methods are. Just take the PADRES on Father's Day. Eight out of 10 still ain't bad.

Sometimes gambling can be taken to another level. Like betting on a 10 – 43 PIRATE squad during a road trip to Milwaukee when Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Man's Chest, is getting released nationwide. Plus 143 I believe that line was. Do you believe in the cosmos? The Blackhawks sure did on Oscar night.

After a while it can get silly. The FIGHTING CAMELS from Campbell University covered a 12 ½ point spread against the Jacksonville Dolphins during the First of Muharram, the Islamic New Year. Trailing by 4 at the half, a Colonials of GEORGE WASHINGTON squad outscored the Explorers from LaSalle by 16 in the second half covering the 11 ½ point spread by ½ point, 77 – 65, on February 22, 2006, George Washington's Birthday. On Cinco de Mayo, also of this year, the San Diego PADRES again beat a tough Cubs team from Chicago 1- 0 in 11 innings. These are dates, times, and holidays fellas. Know the teams.

Of course one may not wish to wait 2 or 3 months, 14 or 15 weeks between January and March, May and July. These are exotic bets. They don't happen that often, unless you know that a 6.2 earthquake just shook Indonesia and that the SHOCK of the WNBA are in Connecticut to blow past the Sol in overtime, 77 – 73, like they did on May 27 of this year. I've done stupid things like look up the events pages on the internet just to get an idea of what teams may have a chance that day. If you stick to the basics though however, it shouldn't be that tough. Snakes on a Plane is opening this Friday nationwide.

This method eliminates the numbers and takes a much more spiritual approach to the game. It's the hunch, the feeling, the whim materialized; a very difficult thing to do, but manageable. The purpose is simple. Numbers often lie. Consider the Cardinals just this past weekend in Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates. During the last 7 years, St. Louis is 39 – 13 in the Steel City. That's over 80%, winning on the road, and a very reasonable wager if you bet on them to win the series at -160. After taking 13 of the last 15 series in Pittsburgh, anyone would have to be a fool not to bet on St. Louis with that kind of a number. However, Pittsburgh buried the Cards in game 1 and squeaked out a one run victory in game 2. That's a monumental upset folks. The numbers don't always tell the truth and this method is one way of putting the soul back into a wager. It takes the time tables and the events that have transformed our history and banks on them. They're primary institutions. Take advantage of them. Rely on them for financial support. Hope it's not a day when things will be fixed because this is one hole, a crack in the arsenal of the black magic. Time.

The snakes are in San Diego next weekend to take on the Pads. Snakes on a Plane is getting released Friday. I'd bet on the Diamondbacks.

Ed Note:  Make sure to go to BodogSportsbook.com next Martin Luther King Day to put some money on the Sacramento Kings.  :)