Patent Trolls Suck! Save Bodog!

I don't know a heck of a lot about patents or domains but I do know this much: it's not cool to get rich by making a mockery of decent companies. And don't even get me started on how it's so not cool to patent something that you didn't invent or have even used. (I wonder if there's a patent on walking while chewing gum...or computer keyboards...or ass wipe.)

I'm sure you've heard by now that Bodog.com lost their home/URL to the patent trolls over at 1st Technology LLC, who convinced some drunk judge over in Washington State that Bodog Entertainment's software violated one of their patents.

Whatever.

So these hideously greedy and greasy trolls over at 1st Tech took control over Bodog's domains and offered to sell them back to Bodog for $48 million. Are they mental? Like Bodog's founder Calvin Ayre would just hand over millions of dollars to these bottom feeders. Uh...I really don't think so. (Bodog has since found a new domain...a bigger and better one over at bodoglife.com!) But it ain't over till it's over and this is far from over.

Join the movement to save Bodog! Sign the petition to put a stop to this insanity!!

2007 WSOP: Top Stories of the Week

The WSOP kicked off last Friday with a record-breaking champion in event #1. The $5000 Mixed Hold’em event was won by Steve Billirakis who was 21 years and 11 days old when he won the bracelet. That broke last year’s record for the youngest bracelet winner held by Jeff Madsen, who was a whole month older than Billirakis. It was expected that Madsen’s record would stand for a long time; this new one surely will last a few years.

A couple of days later, event # 3 broke a previous record for a non-WSOP main event with 2,891 entries. It ranks as the third-largest poker tournament of all-time, coming in behind only the WSOP main events of the last two years. The almost $4.5 million prize pool was shared by 270 players that cashed, with the first-place prize of $727,012 going to Irishman Ciaran O’Leary, aka "Big C".

One of poker’s brightest stars has to wait a bit longer for his first WSOP bracelet. Gavin Smith is considered one of the best that has not yet won a bracelet, and that label will get bigger after he lost a head-to-head battle against event #4 winner Michael Spiegel. Spiegel battled back from sixth place to win $251,957 and the bracelet against a seasoned final table.

Event #5 was one of the tournaments that was created for the pros this year, and the Pot Limit Omaha & Seven Stud Hi/Lo event turned out to be the professional battle we all expected. Big names like Annie Duke, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, Josh Arieh, Scotty Nguyen, David Benyamine, and Tom Schneider were all still around with ten players left. Schneider emerged as the eventual winner of the $214,347 first prize and bracelet.

Finally, up-and-comer Erik Cajelais of Montreal is on the verge of winning his first WSOP bracelet. The young star has been tearing up the tournament scene and is rumoured to be crushing big cash games for the last two years. He is head to head with seasoned pro and WSOP bracelet winner Burt Boutin, and has roughly a 4 to 1 chip lead over Boutin.

With all of this occurring in the first week of the tournament, 2007 surely will be a special and memorable year at the Rio. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Technorati tag(s): wsop, josh arieh

Free NBA Picks: Cavs Will Win

Now you can't say I've never given you a gift before because here's some betting advice you can practically take to the bank: LeBron James and the Cavs will eliminate the Pistons to take the NBA Championship.

Don't believe me? Here's another sports betting information site that agrees.

Bet on the NBA Finals odds here.

Technorati tag(s): nba finals

Who Will Win the 2007 WSOP Main Event?

"Nobody" will win. Well, what I mean is another unknown will walk away with millions. Just like last year.

I won't even pretend to know a whole lot about No Limit Texas Holdem Poker, but I do know a thing or two about the WSOP...having watched it closely for the last three years. (Hell yeah I paid for the live PPV Main Event last year!)

But even if you don't play poker religiously you can still have some fun betting on the WSOP. Here's a poker blog that's got some cool WSOP predictions. And for some fun WSOP prop bets, check this site out.

Technorati tag(s): no limit texas holdem, wsop

Betting on the Belmont Stakes?

If you've never bet on the ponies before, now is your big chance. (And if you've never bet on a Triple Crown race before, this is your last chance this year.)

The last of the three Triple Crown jewels, the Belmont Stakes runs this weekend at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York and it is the longest and demanding of the Triple Crown series. Favored to win this year's Run for the Carnations is Curlin.

Bodog Sportsbook odds to win the 2007 Belmont Stakes:

Imawildandcrazyguy 20/1
Tiago 10/1
Curlin 6/5
C P West 12/1
Slew's Tizzy 20/1
Hard Spun 5/2
Rags to Riches 3/1

For more horse racing analysis, read this article by DRF's Steve Davidowitz.

Technorati tag(s): belmont park, belmont stakes, belmont stakes odds

Anaheim Ducks: 2007 Stanley Cup Champions?

With the series largely lopsided at 3-1, the NHL Stanley Cup Final could come to a screeching halt tonight in California. The Anaheim Ducks are one win away from winning their first Stanley Cup. The Ottawa Senators, on the other hand, are one win away from another disappointing playoff run. (Well, that's not exactly fair considering they made it to the Final Round this year. But a loss is a loss.)

But then the Ducks know a thing or two about losing in the Final Round. This is their second kick at the can and some are wondering if they've got what it takes to finish.

"We learned a lot of lessons the last two years," said Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer, a three-time Cup champion with New Jersey — including in 2003 over Anaheim. "All those past situations, we'll be able to go back and those will help."

Me? I'm betting on the Sens to take this one. Their backs are so far up against the wall they've got no choice but to win or die trying.

For more betting info, check out Sport Betting Information.

Bodog's got the NHL hockey odds on tonight's game!

Technorati tag(s): stanley cup final, nhl hockey odds

NHL Playoff Betting: Free Stanley Cup Predictions

Don't tell me I don't know anything about hockey. I still remember the day when Wayne Gretzky was traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings. (It was a sad day indeed.) I grew up watching hockey, okay? And yeah... it may not be as "cool" as football or basketball, but it takes balls to strap on a pair of blades and skate around an ice-cold rink, taking shots at the goalie and pounding your friends into the boards. Ever tried it yourself? Then shut your trap. Ice hockey is brutal. (Todd Bertuzzi's sucker punch on Steve Moore is a perfect example of how brutal it can get.)

But I digress.

The NHL playoffs are underway and several teams have made a case for themselves as serious contenders for the Stanley Cup. "See ya, wouldn't want to be ya" Calgary Flames and Minnesota Wild. Better luck next year (ha!!). And I'm sorry, Penguins fans, but this is not going to be your year either. So... who will take home the Stanley Cup?

Odds to win the Stanley Cup favor the Anaheim Ducks at 9/2 and I couldn't agree more. Bet with your head and not with your hearts, hockey fans. The Ducks are not my team, but I really can't see the Vancouver Canucks winning it all... sadly.

Lindsay Lohan is a Lesbian

So what. I mean so what if she's into girls and so what if she isn't? Should it be that big of a deal? Apparently so.

The latest rumor that "Mean Girls" star Lindsay Lohan is having a 'lesbian love affair' with DJ Samantha Ronson has gossipmongers up in arms. How could a beautiful, young celebrity like Lohan possibly entertain the idea of giving up men for women? And furthermore, what could she possibly see in Ronson, who (let's face it) looks a bit butch?

Former Hollywood publicist Jonathan Jaxson says, "Maybe she was tired of the boys and that is why she decided to spice it up with BFF Samantha Ronson."

Maybe. But maybe Lohan isn't doing anything of the sort and she's just hanging out with her friend? Unless someone has seen the two go at it the possibility that this might actually be nothing more than two girls enjoying each other's company should at least be considered. Call me crazy.

What are your thoughts? Got any photos to prove that this is more than just a rumor?? Send 'em my way!

Pamela Anderson: Sexy and Single!

No, Pamela Anderson is not getting back together with former Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee. And no, the former Baywatch beauty is most certainly not planning on making up with ex-hubby Kid Rock. The latest news coming from the very sexy and very single mother of two is that she has every intention on staying single.

"Like any other single mom I've tried to create a healthy example for my kids. That's why I realised early on that we are better off on our own right now, but I will work on my friendship, if nothing else, with their father who has admittedly made mistakes but adores us," Anderson writes in her Web site. "People do need time to grow up sometimes. I have faith that we're heading in the right direction. I'm really not interested in bringing any other men into our lives."

You go, girl. Besides... what with that pending lawsuit (Pam Anderson and Denise Richards are being sued by two phototgraphers while filming "Blonde and Blonder") Pammy has enough to deal with...and really? It's going to take more than one man to keep this hottie happy.

My March Madness Bracket Bites

Every year at around this time I look forward to filling out my March Madness bracket. I keep a close tab on my teams as they make their way through the NCAA men's basketball Tournament. And every year I watch my teams get killed. Well, it's come down to the Final Four and I've got three teams left in the running: University of Florida Gators, Georgetown Hoyas and Ohio State Buckeyes. Don't even get me started on Kansas. And no, I'm not feeling at all smug about my chances on winning any damn prizes in my office pool.

To say that my bracket has taken a beating is an understatement. But if Florida and Georgetown meet in the Championship -- and if Georgetown wins it all -- then all will not be lost. Go Hoyas. (Wanna put some money on this weekend's games? Here's a site that's got great college basketball odds.)