Heading into 2013, we made a decision to switch the week of
the trip. Vegas was getting too crazy for the opening week of the
tournament. Too many young kids clogging
up the sportsbook and impacting our table play.
We made a decision to go during conference tournament week as it
provided more games to bet and should be less packed. This was also the start of us drifting away
from craps. Eric was concerned that we
were going to get into a rut with these trips and for this one we had some great
stories. It started off poorly with Eric
missing his connection at LAX and having to take a United flight to get to
Vegas and Wiz and I having to wait for our rooms for so long they put us up in another
suite, where Eric and I had to share a bed. It soon turned into fun times as we had our
first bowling contest at Red Rocks, the golden ticket 24 course dinner in the
back room of Jose Andres’ restaurant, having Kid N Play save us all at the
craps table with a hot run, some crazy action in the salon, and a round of golf
at Spanish Trails. This course is an
average course that gets a lot of play. This
is where we played golf with the creator of UTH who sold his company for an
insane amount of money and is retired in Vegas.
I was getting a ton of strokes and played the best front 9 of my life before
returning to my normal play. And this
was the location of one of the greatest sports gambling stories from our
trip.
We get to the course – Spanish
Trail – and check in at the clubhouse. We were there as guests of a
Shufflemaster executive, register at the pro shop and expect to pay the greens
fees.
“Yes, guys, you will be teeing off in 30 minutes. The rate is $59”.
There’s dead silence for all of us for a good 15 seconds.
“Did you want me to double that rate for you?”
We were all stunned at the low cost for the round. Yesterday’s round at
Southern Highlands was $400 – and everyone agrees it was worth every penny. Now
here we are at a private club paying one-sixth that.
The golf was horrible; I was in no shape to stabilize my body on the lack of
sleep; the whole round was spent sliding all over the place during the swing. I
did birdie 18 after hitting driver off the deck on the tee box – it was the
only way I knew where the ball was going.
The drama, however, was with the parlay. My pick was Tennessee -1.5 vs Alabama. I have faith in Cuonzo Martin! The picture of the entire ticket is at right. (and, just for history’s sake, here’s a link to the scoreboard that day….)
On the 5th green, the finals from the Indiana (Don) and St
Louis (Layup) game came in about at the same time; we were 2-0. By the 8th hole,
NC State (Wiz) was well on top and cruising; Wisconsin (Leland) was hanging
tough with Michigan. On the 10th tee, my game was tipping off;
Mike’s game – Southern Miss – would not start until about the 14th hole.
On the 11th hole – the NC State game went final. 3-0.
On the 14th – The
Wisconsin game went final – that’s 4-0.
My game was at halftime, with Tennessee losing; the last 4 holes with most of
us watching the phones. Wiz started texting me “Roll Tide” messages and yelling
it from the group behind. On the 16th hole, Tennessee made a
run to close it within 4…..
….and never got closer. 4-1. At that time, Southern Miss got out to a 15 point
lead.
We had lunch at the club house (where we declined – declined! – a free round of
drinks from John Esposito, only one of the 10 most famous gamblers in Vegas)
watching the rest of the Southern Miss game – and my fate was sealed. I was
paying for dinner that night. Everyone in the group wished we would have split
the $4800 – except Wiz, of course.
Now I was pissed. An evening massage helped; and Lavo was the dinner that night
– so at least I knew I would get a good meal out of it. The staple courses at
Lavo: the giant Kobe bef meatball; Chicken Parmiagian, and (of course) the deep
fried Oreos.
Eric was so upset about this which made it all the funnier. He couldn’t wrap his head around why Wiz would be rooting against the parlay. I remember cringing on those text messages to Eric while we were playing and the two guys that were playing with us were so confused but thought it was hilarious with what Wiz was doing. Eric definitely got off so easy at dinner, with only footing a $300 bill as we picked up the wine and cocktails. I’m sure we will get to what happened to me, SEVERAL TIMES, in these parlays that explains why I get so pissed at the end result.
Onto the games: Theme
this week is stay away. Vegas needs to
get right after losing the last two weeks.
Lot’s of weird lines.
GB @ AZ -7: Stayed
away for this game.
Pit @ Browns -3.5:
Very excited for this game. I’d
prefer Keenum to start. Looks like Chubb is healthy. Will be taking the Browns ML in this one.
Dolphins @ Bills -13.5:
I really want to take the Dolphins here, but its on the road and the
Bills own them right now. Will stay
away.
Panthers @ Falcons -3: Both of these teams shouldn’t be
favored.
Bengals @ Jets +10.5:
Is there really a drop off between the Jets QBs? Think this is a let down for the Bengals
after their biggest win in the last 5 years.
Titans @ Colts -1 :
Biggest bet of the year here.
This line opened with the Colts as a dog and now they are favored. Got in early on the Colts.
49ers @ Bears +4 : Loved the Bears before hearing the news
on Mack and Hicks. Still think they will
win at home.
Eagles @ Lions +3.5: This seems like a trap. Will I be forced to take the Lions for the
second straight week?
Rams @ Texans +14.5: Mills
is starting still, so I’m going to stay away on this one.
Pats @ Chargers -6: Who have the Pats beaten? Jets twice and the Texans. The Pats aren’t that good, especially on the
road. I’ll take the Chargers
Jaguars @ Seahawks -3.5:
Only 3.5? Seems like such a trap,
but I can’t help it. Will be taking the
Seahawks with the Browns in a ML parlay
Bucs @ Saints +5.5: I
absolutely love the Saints in this spot.
Skins @ Broncos -3: I
don’t like the Broncos favored in any game, but its so obvious that
Cowboys @ Vikings +1.5 :
Money is coming in heavily on the Vikings with this line now at Vikings
-3. Makes me a little nervous on liking
the Vikings early this week.
Giants @ Chiefs -9.5: Why do the Chiefs continue to get such
respect. They looked horrible this year.
Something is off. I’ll take the points
in this one.
Best Bets 46-52-1
Jets
Colts
Bears
Chargers
Seahawks
Saints
Skins
Vikings
Giants
Supercontest: 13-20-2
Vikings
Colts
Saints
Seahawks
Chargers
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