<?xml version="1.0"?>
<rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Sports- General Latest Topics</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/forum/64-sports-general/</link><description>Sports- General Latest Topics</description><language>en</language><item><title>**official Mma Thread**</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/87599-official-mma-thread/</link><description><![CDATA[<p>There seems to be enough interest in MMA on here to keep a good thread going about possible matchups, fight gossip, etc, etc.To start it off, I'll rant about the "comeback" of Randy Couture. I think he'll be beaten mercilessly by the champ, then get a bout against Cro Cop, be beaten mercilessly again, and fade back in to his commentator jacket.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">87599</guid><pubDate>Sat, 10 Feb 2007 01:49:50 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Official English Premier League Thread</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/71733-official-english-premier-league-thread/</link><description><![CDATA[<p>English Premiership has started.Chelsea has already lost to Liverpool, but they never beat liverpool. I'm pulling for Newcastle. This saturday should say alot.What're your thoughts?</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">71733</guid><pubDate>Fri, 18 Aug 2006 15:26:34 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Bill Simmons: A Debate</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/145549-bill-simmons-a-debate/</link><description><![CDATA[<p>I'm on record as being a bit of a Simmons hater, and extremely anti-Grantland.  I was just about to post something in the only Music thread I read ("What Music Are Guys Listening To?"), and decided to move it here, instead.  Because, you know: more appropriate.I really, really hate Grantland.  Most of it is useless or poorly-written; all of it could use a real editor.  Here's an example from today:<a href="http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/3137/youve-got-mail-bill-simmons-and-jonah-keri-discuss-desmond-jennings" rel="external nofollow">http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle...esmond-jennings</a>This is an email exchange between Jonah Keri and Bill Simmons, posted on ESPN.com's front page.  Somebody, anybody, argue thata) Simmons makes senseb) This article was deserving of publicationPlease.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">145549</guid><pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:07:18 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Boxing Thread</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/139506-boxing-thread/</link><description><![CDATA[<p>I watched the David Haye vs Valuev fight last night. It was better than I was expecting. Really surprised that he got the decision in Germany though as they are notorious for giving close verdicts to the home fighter. Then again with Don King in attendance, any result is possible!</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">139506</guid><pubDate>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:28:00 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Least Favorite Sports Show Personality</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/138916-least-favorite-sports-show-personality/</link><description><![CDATA[<p>I'm just wondering who you guys despise watching/listening to.  It could be anywhere, on any station.  I will give you a few of mine.I can't stand wathcing/hearing:<strong>Chris Berman</strong> - take a f*cking breath when talking.  This is why I can't watch the home run derby (I know its boring but he adds to me not watching it).  I love watching the NFL draft, but I watch it with the volume turned off.<strong>Chris Carter - </strong>half the time this idiot doesn't know what the hell is talking about and then he gets frustrated and nonsensical words just start pouring out of his mouth.  What makes matters worse is that he yells.<strong>Woody Paige </strong>- at first I thought the guy was funny, not anymore.<strong>Tony Kornheiser </strong>- This dude doesn't know jack shit about sports, period.Last but not least,<strong>Rod Allen - </strong>a color analyst here in Detroit for the Tigers.  I now watch the majority of the games with mute on and the radio on even though there is a delay.  He somehow was on the Detroit Tigers 84 world series team.  He had a total of like 37 at bats that whole year.  He plays it off as if he was a big reason to their championship.  There was even a drinking game created due to his stupid catch phrases.I have many more. What are some of yours?</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">138916</guid><pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:48:57 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Random Sports Observations</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/145861-random-sports-observations/</link><description><![CDATA[
<p>Hopefully a thread with this title doesn't already exist.  Anyway, I posted this elsewhere, but it's probably more appropriate here.
</p>
<div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="480" height="270" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" data-embed-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ny4W5otQbTE?feature=oembed"></iframe></div></div>When he thought of this, he must have immediately known that it was a huge winner.  I'm jealous of that moment.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">145861</guid><pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:29:06 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>*** Formula 1 Thread***</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/145063-formula-1-thread/</link><description><![CDATA[<p><span style="text-decoration:underline;">The time has come once again</span>The new season of F1 is here. Officially kicking off in a little more than an hour at 2am EST with the first qualifying session of the year taking place down in Melbourne, Australia at Albert Park.The first race of the year was slated to be held in Bahrain, but it was canceled due to civil unrest. Round 2 thus becomes Round 1.19 races this season (with a new track in India) and new technical changes should make this an exciting year in F1. Here are a few of the technical changes:-Pirelli Tires (back in the sport after 20 years)-Movable Rear Wing-K.E.R.S. makes a return after not being used last year (Kinetic Energy Recovery System)All races airing on Speed Channel in the U.S. (except for the usual 4 shown on FOX in mid-season)Reigning World Champ Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton and Button ready at McLaren. Alonso reppin' for the Tifosi, where - "Only the Championship will do." And a revived M. Schumacher looking ready to return to form in the car he helped Mercedes develope this year (unlike last year where the car he drove didn't have his "fingerprints" on it).Unfortunately we're gonna have to wait 'till next year for a race to return to the U.S., but we've got what we've got this year and it ain't bad... Including happily the return of the Canadian Grand Prix.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">145063</guid><pubDate>Sat, 26 Mar 2011 04:50:24 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Trendspotting: "head Trauma" Will Be Routinely Adopted By Sports Culls...</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/147478-trendspotting-head-trauma-will-be-routinely-adopted-by-sports-culls/</link><description><![CDATA[
<p>... as their excuse for retiring when they lose their place on the roster. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>These are not 'heroic decisions of personal sacrifice'.  They are guys who were about to get cut, or who already got cut, who save face by insisting it was really an empowerment issue.</p>
]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">147478</guid><pubDate>Sun, 29 Mar 2015 06:28:21 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>All Major Leagues 2014-15 Best Football Preview</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/147354-all-major-leagues-2014-15-best-football-preview/</link><description><![CDATA[
<p><strong>ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Newcastle United vs Liverpool</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Match Schedule</p>
<p>Date: 11/01/2014</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Newcastle has really hit form collecting six points from their last two games. Their form line now reads Won 2, Drawn 4, Lost 3, Scored 10 and Conceded 15. At home Newcastle have lost only the once against Man City, with two draws and one victory. Liverpool’s form line reads Won 4, Drawn 2, Lost 3, Scored 13 and Conceded 12. It seems Liverpool have hit a little bit of a lull. After that last second fortunate win against QPR and defeat against Real Madrid, they then had a disappointing home 0-0 draw with Hull. this match i will split my bet Liverpool for 1x2 and the AH Newcastle to score at least 1 goal.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Pick 1x2: <strong>Liverpool</strong></p>
<p>Pick Asian Handicap: <strong>Newcastle United</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>-------------------</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Stoke City vs West Ham United</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Match Schedule</p>
<p>Date: 11/01/2014</p>
<p> </p>
<p>These teams last played in March this year when Stoke City won 3 – 1. Last year Stoke City beat West Ham 1 – 0 on one occasion and West Ham won their other game, also 1 – 0. Stoke City is twelfth in the league with 11 points having won 3 games, drawn 2 and lost 4. They are tied for points with Hull City and Tottenham. West Ham United is fourth in the league with 16 points having won 5 games, drawn 1 and lost 3. They are one point behind Manchester City. Stoke still win this match.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Pick: <strong>Stoke City</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>------------------</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Everton vs Swansea City</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Match Schedule</p>
<p>Date: 11/01/2014</p>
<p> </p>
<p>These teams played at the end of September this year and Swansea City won 3 – 0. They also played in March this year and that game ended in a 3 – 2 victory for Everton. Everton is ninth in the league with 12 points having won 3 games, drawn 3 and lost 3. They are one point behind Manchester United. Swansea City is sixth in the league with 14 points having won 4 games, drawn 2 and lost 3. They are tied for points with Arsenal and Liverpool. This match is hard to predict if you base on stats and H2H of this team Everton is the high stats i`m going to safe my bet going to split.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Pick 1x2: <strong>Everton</strong></p>
<p>Pick Asian Handicap: <strong>Swansea City</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>All my bet teams is only my personal opinion. and i based all my bets on their last matches, history, etc. you can post your own team here so i can also have other idea.</p>
]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">147354</guid><pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2014 17:25:47 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>World Cup 2014</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/147244-world-cup-2014/</link><description><![CDATA[
<p>First topic:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What a ****ing horrible penalty call on Croatia. RIGGED!</p>
]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">147244</guid><pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2014 21:31:51 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Wimbledon</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/124465-wimbledon/</link><description><![CDATA[<p>Anyone for tennis?With Wimbledon just around the corner I thought I could get people's predictions, musingsand general thought of the World's biggest tennis tournament.Is Federer still the man and nailed on to win 6 on the bounce?Is Nadal in his head and ready to step up and take the crown from him?Is Djokovic good enough to unseat both of them and win major #2?Will someone else upset everyone except the bookies (Murray? Aye, right!)And for the ladies? Sharapova? One of the Williams? Jankovic? Ivanovic? Far more open than the mens and tough to pick a winner. But I'd be shocked if it wasn't one of these 5.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">124465</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:30:50 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Comprehensive Curling Coverage Beginning Feb 10Th</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/147037-comprehensive-curling-coverage-beginning-feb-10th/</link><description><![CDATA[
<p>I am giddy with excitement about this.</p>
<p>No joke.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="147037" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p>CNBC will present a daily curling program during the Sochi Olympics. The channel will televise 36 hours of curling coverage, including the men’s and women’s finals, over 12 days, beginning Monday, Feb. 10 and concluding Friday, Feb. 21. CNBC’s curling show will air daily from 5-8 p.m. ET from Feb. 10-21, except for Sunday, Feb. 16, when coverage will air from 4-7 p.m. ET.</p></div></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>The ultimate marijuana spectator sport. Heaven is the chronic and curling on TV.</p>
]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">147037</guid><pubDate>Tue, 31 Dec 2013 08:29:23 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>What Is All About Cricket?</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/147027-what-is-all-about-cricket/</link><description><![CDATA[
<p>Hi friends,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Does anyone knows to play cricket? Y it is not popular all around the world at all?</p>
]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">147027</guid><pubDate>Tue, 17 Dec 2013 12:04:18 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>To Those Who Played Multiple Sports,  What Event Gave U The Biggest Thrill.</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/146856-to-those-who-played-multiple-sports-what-event-gave-u-the-biggest-thrill/</link><description><![CDATA[
<p>I've played all the major sports, and I would have to say hitting a home run (especially out of a park) is the greatest thrill in sports.	I hit 7 home runs out of a little league park and there is nothing like it.  There is just something about hitting a ball perfectly (or almost perfectly) and seeing it sail out of a park.  In high school I never hit a home run but did hit a few triples over the head of the outfielder.  Even that was exciting and a great feeling.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In basketball a great thrill is stealing the ball while someone dribbling,  especially if they are standing still while dribbling and you time your move perfectly to steal the ball.</p>
]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">146856</guid><pubDate>Thu, 08 Aug 2013 08:22:04 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Fcp Epl 2012-2013 Season</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/146246-fcp-epl-2012-2013-season/</link><description><![CDATA[<p>League name: FCP SubmarinersJoin code: 194458-56628<a href="http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb.html" rel="external nofollow">http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb.html</a>You'll see a log-in box on the right hand side of the page for username and password. Registration is a snap and is free. This is a "No money" league, bragging rights only, so even casual fans who want to learn more about the EPL should have fun without too much worry.Your team will be salary-based (100mm budget per team) and you'll find each EPL player has been assigned a value. You can select manually or simply auto-fill.Post any questions on this thread.(Thx, Bob)</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">146246</guid><pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 13:32:46 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Ufc = Wwe; Silva Vs Weidman: Total Bs</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/146803-ufc-wwe-silva-vs-weidman-total-bs/</link><description><![CDATA[
<p>Did you see UFC 162? The Silva vs Weidman "main event"? <span style="font-size:14px;">You know what? After seeing this "match" and thinking about it, as I am new to UFC, a</span><span style="font-size:14px;">s far as I am concerned UFC = WWE; faked, scripted and not at all very believable. </span><span style="font-size:14px;">We are </span><span style="font-size:14px;"><em>really</em></span><span style="font-size:14px;"> expected to</span><span style="font-size:14px;"><em> believe</em></span><span style="font-size:14px;"> that:</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;">1</span><span style="font-size:14px;">) Silva has had </span><em>twenty seven</em><span style="font-size:14px;"> successes dropping his guard and letting his opponent hit him. Dropping guard and exposing face = </span>you win!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;">2) Just now, </span><span style="font-size:14px;"><em>this one time</em></span><span style="font-size:14px;">, that failed. Oh, my! </span>Oopsie<span style="font-size:14px;">! Silly me!</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;">3) At a time when he has been talking retirement or semi-retirement he </span>loses<span style="font-size:14px;"> his first big title defense match via "drop guard and take punch, fall down and act like knocked out." Silva is not looking at taking a pay cut for that impending retirement, huh? No, Nike keeps lots of yesterday's </span>athletes<span style="font-size:14px;"> on the payroll, don't they? Silva would not have any reason to lose and then pump a re-match for all it's worth </span>before<span style="font-size:14px;"> he retires. None at all. (I predict that he is lying, he will have a re-match)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;">4) For this fight, so many in the press said it was a "sure loss" for Silva (</span>Nostradamus<span style="font-size:14px;">, anyone?). Against a 9 time winner who has had only 9 matches. But against better guys with better records, they predicted Silva wins (?!?) Yea, makes perfect sense.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;">No, this was not a total set up by Silva at the least, now was it? No, no, the match did not have "WWE scripted event for your pleasure" written all over it, did it? Silva would not take a dive to </span>entice<span style="font-size:14px;"> a well </span>paying<span style="font-size:14px;"> rematch, so he can boost some $$ for that impending retirement, would he? Of course not!</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;">Hey, UFC! Here is an idea, let me help you out; when Silva "refuses" a rematch, you can have Weidman run over Silva's car with a monster truck, or "kidnap" Silva's wife to give him a reason to change his mind. Maybe have Silva rise up from a coffin sent to Weidman's home; "Alright, the mighty Silva, back from the grave, will now accept your challenge!"</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>TOTAL BS. Any one spends any money on this garbage, let me know. I got some land for sale, cheap. <img alt=":)" src="https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/uploads/emoticons/default_smile.png" /></p>
]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">146803</guid><pubDate>Sun, 07 Jul 2013 08:43:02 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Luiz Adriano Goal Agains Fair Play?</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/146451-luiz-adriano-goal-agains-fair-play/</link><description><![CDATA[
<p>I don't know have you seen this but in last UEFA Champions League round where FC Nordsjeland was hosting Schaktar Donetsk Luiz Adriano scored a goal which by many was said to be agains a fair play rules.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Here is the video of the goal. The whole situation starts at 0:30</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7IN9MZxj2k&amp;feature=related" rel="external nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7IN9MZxj2k&amp;feature=related</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>UEFA wants to punisch Adriano even tho he did nothing agains the official rules.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What do you think guys?</p>
]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">146451</guid><pubDate>Fri, 23 Nov 2012 23:49:02 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Uniform Czar Dave Dameshek's Annual Uniform Uber-Ranking</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/146283-uniform-czar-dave-damesheks-annual-uniform-uber-ranking/</link><description><![CDATA[<p>This is truly Shek's magnum opus. All 122 teams in the 4 major professional north american sports, listed from worst to best, with comments on each one.   <a href="http://davedameshek.nfl.com/2012/08/17/the-122-of-2012-the-uniform-monitors-ranking-of-american-pro-sports-uniforms/" rel="external nofollow">http://davedameshek.nfl.com/2012/08/17/the-122-of-2012-the-uniform-monitors-ranking-of-american-pro-sports-uniforms/</a>Talk about it..</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">146283</guid><pubDate>Sat, 18 Aug 2012 02:02:28 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>2012 London Olympics</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/146251-2012-london-olympics/</link><description><![CDATA[<p>The opening ceremonies begin later today which means 3 weeks of solid Olympic coverage and that I can care about Kayaking and the Shot Put for a couple weeks.Here's hoping that everything is safe.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">146251</guid><pubDate>Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:06:51 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>***the Official Croquet Thread***</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/142068-the-official-croquet-thread/</link><description><![CDATA[<p>This is the official thread for the new game I am playing...Croquet.The US team won the Solomon Cup this year for the first time in 18 years.This is where the US puts up a team against the Brits.They held this at my Home club..<a href="http://www.clubcorp.com/club/scripts/library/view_document.asp?S=NAV&amp;DID=8767&amp;GRP=10&amp;NS=PCH&amp;MFCODE=MIHCC" rel="external nofollow">Mission Hills</a>I just ordered <a href="http://morfordmallets.com/" rel="external nofollow">a custom Mallet</a>..$300I have played golf croquet and American Rules, but only watched the International Rules when the National Championships were held at our club a couple weeks ago.I told my buddies at Poker night that the Nationals were coming up and two of them came over to watch, both of them were blown away at how cool the game is when played by the actual rules, not backyard free for all croquet.Anyone else ever play/see real croquet?</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">142068</guid><pubDate>Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:40:13 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Official Euro 2012 Thread</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/146160-official-euro-2012-thread/</link><description><![CDATA[<p>Euro 2012 just got underway with tomorrow being day 4 of the tournament.Day 1 saw the hosts Poland versus the 2004 champions Greece. The match ended 1-1 with Poland possibly feeling like they let it slip away. The other match in group A saw Czech Republic lose 4-1 to Russia.Day 2 saw group B get underway with two 1-0 results. In the first game, Denmark shocked Holland by winning 1-0. The second game saw '08 runners-up Germany beat '04 runners-up Portugal by the same scoreline.Day 3 saw reigning World and European champions Spain face Italy in group C. The game finished 2-2 in what was an excellent match. In the second game, Croatia crushed Ireland's dreams by winning 3-1.Unfortunate result from Ireland today. Weren't good enough and Croatia deserved to win. Other than that, really enjoyed the tournament thus far. All games have been pretty entertaining and hopefully it keeps up. All the groups were very tough to call from the off so hopefully it'll be an interesting, entertaining and quality tournament.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">146160</guid><pubDate>Sun, 10 Jun 2012 22:56:27 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Fcp Epl Fantasy League 2011-2012 Season</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/145508-fcp-epl-fantasy-league-2011-2012-season/</link><description><![CDATA[
<a href="http://fantasy.premierleague.com/" rel="external nofollow">EPL Fantasy site</a>Code: 983831-235951Good luck and have fun!]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">145508</guid><pubDate>Fri, 05 Aug 2011 18:28:15 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Fcp Official Golf Thread</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/138647-fcp-official-golf-thread/</link><description><![CDATA[<p>Since I pretty much play 4x the amount of golf that I do poker lately, and since we really do not have a thread for everything golf, I figured I'd start one.  I don't have the time and energy to join a golf related forum anyway. :)I have played since I was 8 or 9, played in Hs, worked at a course as a kid, etc.  I went through a long period of time however where I didn't play very often and my game reflected it.  My low in HS was a 4 handicap or so, but for most of my 20s I'd say I played as a 6-9 handicap.  I'd go low here and there, but just as often I'd shoot in the mid 80s.About 4 months ago, I joined my parents country club (Salinas Golf and Country Club in Salinas, Ca, 70.1/128 and 6145 from the blue tees) and have pretty much been playing 4-5 times a week (to the detriment of my poker game).  I'm down to a 1.6 handicap, with a couple rounds under par.  An average day for me is usually a 74-75, and if I make birdie putts I go lower.  If I don't then it's a whole lot of pars.  Take me away from my home course though and I'm probably only a 3 handicap or so.I tend to play a draw and most people would consider me a 'long' hitter.  That is pretty subjective though, since I only average 275-280 or so and that is only long on the LPGA tour.  <img alt=":club:" src="https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/uploads/emoticons/default_icon_suit_club.gif" />  Even though I'm 6ft3, my swing problems tend to come when I get too flat and I start snapping everything.  I prefer a strong grip, although I have started experimenting with a weaker grip when I want to work the ball from left to right.  Like most mortals, I'm pretty streaky with the putter but I would consider my short game an asset.  My weaknesses are my long iron play (considering a hybrid but I'm old school) and still a tendency to try and hit the 'perfect' shot too often (better now though then when I was a kid).I play Mizuno MP32 irons, 3-pw with standard lie and lofts.  I'm in the process of getting slightly bigger grips since I have bigger hands.  I also carry a Cleveland 588 60* lob wedge and a 52* attack/approach wedge.  I semi recently got a '09 Cleveland Launcher driver (9.5*) and 3 wood (15*) and love both.  Prior to that I was playing an outdated Titleist 983k driver.  I am also one of the few people left who you will find a 2 iron in their bag, but as I said before I'm leaning towards picking up a hybrid. My putter is an older Odyssey 'white hot' model and I switched to the Bridgestone tour balls a month or so back and love them.I'd like to pick up a new set of irons eventually, maybe the Cleveland Red Tour model, or the Mizuno MP57s. If anyone has either set, I'd love to hear what you think of them.Anyway, I figured this thread could be used for anything golf related...Course reviews, equipment reviews, brag posts, problems with people's swings etc etc.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">138647</guid><pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:44:04 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Sports Gambling 201</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/125606-sports-gambling-201/</link><description><![CDATA[<p>I've floated the idea of writing up a basic outline of my approach to finding value in the sports wagering market a few times, and there has been at least lukewarm interest, so I decided to put in the time and do it.  I've mentioned a few times that I am a contrarian, but I've never fully explained exactly what the contrarian approach entails.  Anybody with more than a passing interest in this history of economic thought, specifically the investment philosophy of J. Maynard Keynes, has likely heard the phrase "contrarian investing" before.  Though I am far from the the first or best contrarian sports investor, I did stumble upon the basic concepts organically, coming up with the seed ideas during an econ class a while back.  I believe my personal history with respect to sports betting is at least of passing interest, so I include it here:I've always been a gambler.  I supported myself playing poker for a time, and still play with some regularity.  Notions of value and sustainable equity have informed most decisions I've made for as long as I can remember.  As a sports fan with tons of money floating around on various internet gambling sites, it is only natural that, at some point, I would be tempted to place some sports wagers.  I knew, however, that the books were very, very good at their jobs, and with the juice they charge on all their bets, there was no way for me to simply pick enough winners to have an edge.  I'd make a few bets, here and there, but there was no expectation of profit; it was simply for action, and I was perfectly comfortable with that.  There was simply no way I could interpret the available information better than my counterparts running the show and setting the lines.  Then, in Econ class one day, my professor started talking about John Maynard Keynes, and his personal fortune.  Apparently, he was a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contrarian_investing" rel="external nofollow">contrarian</a>, which meant -- very simply -- that he knew the public overreacted to recent news, good or bad, and tended to do the OPPOSITE of what the public at large was doing.  If a stock was cold, he'd buy.  If it was hot, he'd dump it or sell it short.  He took positions that were contrary to public opinion, because the public overreacted, and he made a fortune.  "Why can't this apply to sports betting," I thought.  The idea took root, and I started fumbling around, trying to figure out exactly how the sports wagering markets work, and how rational investors behave.  "If a team is exceedingly popular," I thought, "isn't it likely that the books will inflate the price on that side, and lower the price on the other?"  If everyone loves North Carolina basketball, and the line for the national semi-final opens at UNC -4, and 75% of the public is betting on UNC, is there likely to be any value taking UNC and laying the points?  CAN there be any value there?  Have you ever seen a side that looks just too good to be true?  A football team that's 2-4 in the conference and got blown out by a historically bad school the week before is favored by 3.5 at home against a 4-2 school that looks to be a program on the rise, and just came off a convincing road win?  "Team A is terrible, and they're LAYING points?  I can get Team B plus 3 points and a hook?  I am going to load.  up."  And everyone does.  Team B gets 80% of the action, and the line doesn't move.  People just keep drilling and drilling.  As far as everyone can tell, the line seems off by at least 7 points.  What's going on?Every number -- every single number -- that the books put up serves a purpose.  They don't feel charitable and decide to give everyone a huge edge one week.  They don't lose their minds.  They don't miss something, and get out-capped by those turds at Sigma Chi with their volleyball courts and double-popped polos.  If they install Team A as a 3.5 point favorite, they KNOW what people are going to think. They know they're going to get one-sided action, and if Team B covers, they're going to lose money on the game.  5% vig won't help they have to pay out 80% of the players.  So: the book puts itself in jeopardy, and allows the public to load up on a team.  They know how the public is going to react going in, yet they still do it.  Why?  What conclusion can we draw from this?  The books are rational, they're not profit maximizers (as they are slightly risk-averse in certain cases), but they're close.  WHY is Team A a 3.5 point favorite?Because Team A is actually an even bigger favorite.  The only way Vegas allows the public to load up on one side is if THAT SIDE HAS NEGATIVE VALUE.  The ONLY situations in which the books put up what LOOKS like a bad number is because THEY WANT EVERYONE TO THINK it is a bad number, and wager accordingly.  The books don't do bad numbers.  They don't give value on public sides.  In this situation, whether I can figure out the rationale behind the line or not, I'm going to be all over Team A.  I'm going to trust the books and lay the points.  And this is the fundamental nature of contrarianism.  It's ugly.  It's SICK.  I'm backing a team that looks like it has no chance to win outright, AND I'm laying more than a fieldgoal.  The books know which teams and which numbers the bettors will like, and they charge a premium to get on them.  The fundamental mantras of contrarianism are:THE PEOPLE SETTING THE LINES KNOW MORE THAN YOU DO.DO NOT TRY TO OUT HANDICAP THE BOOKS.THERE IS NEVER ANY VALUE ON PUBLICLY BACKED TEAMS. IF IT LOOKS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT IS.ALIGN YOURSELF WITH THE BOOKS.These are the basic assumptions from which all my plays come.  It's pure economics.  If two goods have equal intrinsic value, but one is significantly more popular than the other, the market will lead to a higher price on one good and a lower price on the other.  Only one good can show a profit.  When the books take one-sided action, they suddenly have a financial interest in the outcome of the contest, and are -- like the bettors from whom they take action -- sweating the outcome.  They're gambling.  When the books gamble, you'd better believe they're doing it with an edge.And thus ends your very crude, very basic introduction to contrarian sports wagering.  I'll address some of the more advanced topics in time, because there's more to it than just fading North Carolina and the Yankees every week, but I'd like to get some feedback first.If anybody has any questions (general or specific) or criticisms, I'd be happy to address them.Wang</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">125606</guid><pubDate>Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:59:15 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Fcp Fantasy Football League 2010-2011 Season</title><link>https://fullcontactpoker.com/poker-forum/index.php?/topic/142954-fcp-fantasy-football-league-2010-2011-season/</link><description><![CDATA[<p>Hey, guysJust getting this rolling by letting you know I created a league for a few work friends, but anyone here is welcome to join.I called the league FCP Submariners (I work in a building called First Canadian Place, hence the same FCP designation).Entry Code: 23059-8679EPL site link: <a href="http://www.premierleague.com/page/Home/0,,12306,00.html" rel="external nofollow">EPL site</a>At the same time, if we have lots of participants, perhaps a second league would be fun. Also, if anyone knows of a free La Liga/Serie A/Bundesliga fantasy league they want to get up and running, feel free to post it here.This league is FREE TO PLAY and is basically for bragging rights, however...Feel free to engage in casual wagering, provided parties involved agree to whatever terms are determined. I will not mediate any disagreements.Good luck and have fun.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">142954</guid><pubDate>Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:07:42 +0000</pubDate></item></channel></rss>
