Lost Season For Liverpool?

By Tim Robertson
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Liverpool have had the sort of week that can define a season, and it did not go well.

In the space of four days, the Reds twice lost at home to Arsenal — first exiting the FA Cup at the first hurdle in a 3-1 loss, then suffering a dramatic 6-3 defeat to a young Gunners side in the Carling Cup quarterfinals.

Barring an incredulous repeat of their Champions League victory two years ago — they must beat reigning Cup holders Barcelona to progress — Liverpool’s hopes of silverware are over for another season — but worse, injuries suffered this week will put a big dent in their bid to hold on to a top-four place in the Premiership.

Both Mark Gonzalez and Luis Garcia were carried off on Tuesday night. Gonzalez will be out for at least three weeks with a damaged shin, but Garcia’s injury was far more serious and he will not play again this season.

That will deny him the opportunity to play against former club Barcelona next month.

Losing the versatile Spanish international is a big blow for Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who has asked his players to rebound with a big victory away at Watford on Saturday.

“I hope the result will galvanise everyone at the club, we must concentrate on the Premiership and be firmly focused on what is ahead,” he said. “We can analyse what has happened in these last two games and use that to our benefit in the future.

“The players now understand how important the Premiership is, and we will be ready to face Watford.”

With confidence heavily dented and an away record that hardly boosts confidence — Liverpool have won three and drawn two of 11 contests on the road — the Reds face the very real prospect of an upset at Vicarage Road.

WagerWeb.com still heavily favours Liverpool at -200 compared to +500 for the Hornets, but Watford played well in a 2-0 defeat at Anfield earlier in the season, and the relegation-battlers are likely to come at Liverpool — a recipe for success against a side on edge.

That defeat at Watford could even be contemplated shows how far Liverpool have fallen since preseason predictions that they would challenge for the title.

In the wake of Tuesday’s loss, Benitez admitted the club were still miles behind their rivals in building a competitive team.

“We are also looking for young players, but Arsene Wenger has been working on this for 10 years, we have been doing it for just a couple,” the Spanish coach said. “But we need to keep trying our best in the market and work quickly if you have the money.

“And if you have money, then you must work at bringing in the best young players. … If you want top-class players you must spend money, not only at senior level but at youth level too.”

Benitez has been busy trying to put that into practice this week, sealing an 18-month loan deal for Argentinian defender Emiliano Insua, a six-month loan for young Italian goalkeeper Sebastian Padelli, as well as pursuing the signing of 20-year-old midfielder Sebastian Leto from Lanus in Argentina.

But they are players for the future.

This season is already looking like another lost campaign for Liverpool.

Women’s Aussie Open Preview

By Marty Gitlin
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

If the Russians were this superior to the Americans at something more important during the Cold War, every backyard would have had a bomb shelter.

While eight of the top 13 seeds in the Australian are from Russia or former Soviet Union territories, the United States was shut out of the seedings completely. In fact, nobody is even close.

Venus Williams has withdrawn from the event, but she no longer rates. And sister Serena is now ranked 95th in the world. She seems to have lost interest in tennis completely.

What really weakened the field was the withdrawal of top-seeded Justin Henin-Hardenne, who is skipping the event for family reasons. That leaves Russian Maria Sharapova as the No. 1 seed. WagerWeb.com lists Sharapova at +225 (2.25-1) to snag the title.

The cream of the women’s crop has been bunched by bettors. Frenchwoman and defending Australian Open champ Amelie Mauresmo, who has slid up to the second seed, is at +350 (3.5-1) with fourth-seeded Belgian Kim Clijsters next at +500 (5-1).

A strong bet might be third-seeded Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, who has yet to be recognized for her talents. WagerWeb.com lists her only at +2000 (20-1) despite a higher positioning than fifth-seeded Nadia Petrova (+1400, 14-1), sixth-seeded Martina Hingis (+1800, 18-1) and even 10th-seeded Nicole Vaidisova (+1600, 16-1).

One relative long shot who has also not earned the respect of bettors is eight-seeded Swiss Patty Schnyder (+8000, 80-1). If Schnyder upsets Sharapova in an expected quarterfinal showdown, she’s capable of winning the championship.

Hingis faces a tough draw. She meets 2005 Melbourne Open semifinalist Nathalie Dechy of France in the first round and will likely face Clijsters in the semifinals.

The withdrawal of Venus Williams with a lingering wrist injury might still leave her sister as the top American hope based on talent along, though several Americans are now ranked ahead of her, including Meghan Shaughnessy (No. 37), Shenay Perry (44), Jamea Jackson (45), Venus (46), Vania King (60) and Laura Granville (68).

Perry, in fact, is scheduled to be Mauresmo’s first-round opponent (victim?). Serena Williams, meanwhile, is on a collision course with Petrova in the third round.

Russians everywhere. But at least they’re only armed with tennis rackets.

Men’s Aussie Open Preview

By Marty Gitlin
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

One might ask why they bother playing out the men’s draw of the Australian Open.

Well, it gives a bunch of guys some exercise. And, hey, second place is nice.

The champion is all but a foregone conclusion. Sensational Swiss Roger Federer will be shooting for his 10th Grand Slam title. WagerWeb.com lists him at -300 (1-3) to achieve that goal – and for good reason. The only time he seems to lose, particularly in Grand Slam events, is to clay court specialist Rafael Nadal in the French Open.

Federer is arguably the most dominant player in history for two reasons. One is his undeniable talent. The other is that compared to other eras, such as the 1970s and ’80s, when Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl graced the courts, there is little premier competition these days.

Federer should breeze through early play, though U.S. Open semifinalist Mikhail Youshny might await in the third round. Federer might also struggle against likely quarterfinal opponent, Marcos Baghdatis, a surprise finalist a year ago.

WagerWeb.com posts the second-seeded Nadal at +600 (6-1). He is not nearly as dominant off clay and is on a collision course with Britain’s tough Andy Murray in the fourth round. James Blake, the top American hope along with Andy Roddick, and two-time Grand Slam winner Lleyton Hewitt also loom in the bottom quarter of the draw.

The inconsistent Roddick might be overrated a bit at +1200 (12-1), especially considering he is seeded sixth. Third-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko could prove a stronger bet at +2000 (20-1). The same holds true for fourth-seeded Croatian Ivan Ljubicic (+2800, 28-1) and the fifth-seeded Blake (+2000, 20-1). Eighth-seeded David Nalbandian (+2000, 20-1) has risen quickly through the ranks.

Last year, Nadal and Murray were the lone players to defeat Federer, who compiled a 92-5 record and appeared in all four Grand Slam finals and won three. He was the first player since Aussie great Rod Laver in 1969 to accomplish that feat.

The toughest first-round matchup among the contenders belongs to Blake, who is slated to meet former top-ranked Carlos Moya. Roddick would be severely tested against likely third-round foe and 26th-seeded Russian Marat Safin, who won the 2005 Australian Open.

Safin, however, must overcome young German sensation Benjamin Becker in the first round. Becker rose a whopping 419 places to No. 58 in the world in 2006.

Federer? Is he more likely to lose to injury or an opponent? Probably an opponent, but it’s close.

Beckham To MLS

By Tim Robertson
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Eleven years after it was launched, Major League Soccer has come of age.

The announcement that David Beckham is to sign for the Los Angeles Galaxy has instantly put the league on the international map. While the 2007 season may kick off in April, it will come to life in July, when the world’s most recognizable footballer lands on the West Coast.

Beckham has agreed a five-year deal that could earn him around $250 million – almost $1 million per week – but this is good business for everyone, from the Galaxy to Beckham to the Melrose Avenue boutiques that can look forward to accepting Posh Spice’s credit cards.

Galaxy jerseys are likely to become one of the biggest sellers in the world as Beckham’s army of fans – particularly in Asia – rush to buy his latest colours, while Galaxy games will be broadcast around the world, opening up the league and its players to new markets.

Beckham becomes the first player to take advantage of the new MLS rules allowing clubs to break the salary cap – Beckham’s deal obliterates it – to sign one “designated player,” and there can be no better standard-bearer if the league wants to attract a new influx of international talent.

Indeed, in the hours after Beckham signed, FC Dallas manager Steve Morrow confirmed he was working on a deal to bring former Holland midfielder Edgar Davids from Tottenham to Texas.

According to reports, the structure of Beckham’s deal is complex – his salary of around $10 million per year is only a fifth of the total value, which also takes into account image rights, sponsorship deals and a stake in the Galaxy franchise itself.

But unlike when Pele, Franz Beckenbauer et al signed for the New York Cosmos in the 1970s, this deal will pay for itself through the hype Beckham will attract.

In making the move, Beckham has fulfilled a long-standing pledge to finish his career in the U.S., but crucially for the league, he has done it at the age of 31 – meaning he still has 2-3 seasons in him before age really begins to catch up.

It is easy to think that Beckham is washed up already. Dropped from the England team after resigning the captaincy in the wake of a poor World Cup, Beckham has spent much of the Spanish season so far on the bench.

But he was still wanted by the club, and left the offer of a new two-year deal on the table to make this move. Beckham showed he can still be effective at the World Cup, and there were also a queue of suitors in the Premiership and elsewhere in Europe who would have gladly signed him up.

Instead, Beckham has embarked on what he believes is a long-term project.

“I don’t want to go out to America at 34 and people saying ‘He’s only there to get the money’,” said Beckham, who already owns a training centre for young soccer players in Los Angeles. “Soccer in America is the biggest played sport up to a certain age. That’s where I want to take (the game) to another level.

“I think potentially it can go higher in America than anyone can believe.
“There are so many great sports in the USA. There are so many kids playing American football and basketball. Soccer is huge all around the world except in America, and that’s where I want to make a difference with the kids.”

The vision Beckham and the Galaxy share is to make Los Angeles the first MLS “Super Club”. Right now, the only place the club sits alongside the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United is on Beckham’s CV, but the ambition to be recognised on the world stage is there.

That is for the long term. In the short term, it is MLS itself that benefits the most.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber gushed over Beckham’s decision to join the league.
“David Beckham is a global sports icon who will transcend the sport of soccer in America,” he said. “His decision to continue his storied career in Major League Soccer is testament to the fact that America is rapidly becoming a true ‘soccer nation’ with Major League Soccer at the core.”
Beckham’s arrival in Los Angeles – even though it comes midway through the season in July – will make the Galaxy preseason favourites to win back the MLS Cup crown they lost this season.
Whether or not the arrival of one player – no matter how big a name – is enough to decide the destination of the title remains to be seen, but make no mistake – this is a pivotal moment in MLS history.

Shaq Is Close

By Marty Gitlin
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

A comforting sight at practice Thursday in the massive form of Shaquille O’Neal has bolstered the hopes of the Miami Heat.

O’Neal won’t play Friday night at Golden State or the following night in Utah. He said he would need at least four or five practices to return, which could also count him out against his former Los Angeles Lakers team Monday night.

The Heat should benefit against the Warriors from the return of forward Antoine Walker and James Posey, who had been placed on the inactive list Jan. 3 for failing to meet team conditioning standards. Neither will start, however.

WagerWeb.com lists Miami as a 5-point underdog at Golden State.

WORSE THAN EXPECTED: Among the lone bright spots for Boston this season has been the continued development of guard Tony Allen.

Not anymore.

Allen, who had been averaging 20 points a game over the last two weeks, will miss the rest of the season with two torn ligaments in his left knee. His injury occurred when he landed awkwardly following a meaningless dunk late in a 97-84 defeat to Indiana on Wednesday.

The battered Celtics, who have lost eight of their last 10 games, are already missing leading scorer Paul Pierce with a stress fracture in his left foot. Forward Wally Szczerbiak will miss a week due to ankle injuries and starting guard Delonte West is out with a sore back.

The Toronto Raptors aren’t complaining. They are a 5.5-point favorites Friday night in Boston, according to WagerWeb.com.

BOYKINS BACKCOURT BOOST FOR BUCKS: The Denver Nuggets claimed they wanted to see diminutive guards Earl Boykins and Allen Iverson on the court at the same time.

They apparently didn’t like what they saw. Though the pair scored plenty of points, they presented matchup disadvantages. And with Carmelo Anthony returning after serving four more games of his suspension, they believed Boykins was expendable.

That’s why they traded the explosive 5-foot-5 bundle of energy to the decimated Milwaukee Bucks, along with guard Julius Hodge and cash for reserve guard Steve Blake.

Boykins, who has scored 20 or more points in eight of 10 games since the arrival of Iverson, should provide much-needed punch. The Bucks will be without starting point guard Mo Williams (shoulder) for 2-3 weeks, as well as backcourt mate and NBA fifth-leading scorer Michael Redd (knee) for at least a month. Starting forward Charlie Villanueva (shoulder) is also out indefinitely.

Boykins will help Milwaukee fans forget fellow waterbug point guard T.J. Ford, who was traded to Toronto during the offseason.

WagerWeb.com lists Milwaukee as a 6.5-point underdog Friday night in Philadelphia and Denver as a 2.5-point underdog against visiting Houston.

DRIBBLES: The Detroit Pistons had to be happy Thursday night. Only two games were played, but both of their top Central Division rivals lost. Chicago dropped its fifth in six, 86-83, to visiting New Jersey. It marked the second time in a week the Nets erased an 18-point deficit to defeat the Bulls, who fell behind Indiana into fourth place in the Central. Meanwhile, surging Cleveland was stopped dead in its tracks in a 109-90 loss at sizzling Phoenix. Suns point guard Steve Nash tied a personal best with 14 first-half assists and finished with 21 in just 31 minutes. The Pistons, who remain a half-game behind Cleveland, are 7.5-point favorites Friday night in Atlanta. … A home win against weak Charlotte on Friday night would vault New York to within a half-game of first place in the Atlantic Division. The Knicks are 6-point favorites, according to WagerWeb.com.

Eagles Soaring Behind Garcia

By Tim Sullivan
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

As it turns out, Jeff Garcia isn’t quite finished just yet. He just needs a supporting cast around him, that’s all.

He had one in San Francisco, and became a Pro Bowler. He didn’t have one in Cleveland and Detroit, and became expendable.

But he has one in Philadelphia — a running back, a tight end, a quality line and a host of young, hungry receivers. And as a result, he is 3-1 as a starter and has the Eagles (8-6) in the No. 1 wild-card slot in the NFC, should the season end today.

“It has been a lot of fun,” Garcia said. “A year ago, I really was not thinking that this could happen for me.”

But to steal an overused cliche, what a difference a year makes. When Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb went down last month, it appeared the season would go with him.

After all, that’s what happened last season when Mike McMahon took over for McNabb.

But the thing is, Garcia isn’t McMahon. He is a mobile, accurate, sturdy, ad-libbing quarterback who has made the most of his opportunity. Leading the Eagles to a 36-22 victory over the Giants on Sunday, Garcia marched the Eagles 80 yards with relative ease for the winning score in the fourth quarter.

Now, the Giants’ defense completely collapsed around him. But, either way, he did make plays, he did silence the crowd, and who knows, he may have buried the Giants once and for all.

“It was about togetherness as a team. It was about having fun as a team and winning as a team,” Garcia said. “That was really what it was about. There were times when the defense had to step up and come up with a big play. There were times when the offense had to do their thing. There were times when special teams had to do their thing. When you talk about an all-out effort, that was really what we got.”

They’ll need another one on Christmas Day. That’s when they play the Cowboys (9-5) in Dallas in a game that could — and probably will — decide the NFC East. Monitor the line all week on WagerWeb.com. By the way, something tells us that Garcia will have a huge hand in the game, win or lose.

“He is a competitive little son of a gun. Thirty-six years old; I’m glad he has that amount of energy at thirty-six, but that can be trouble at times,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said. “He’s bounced back and played well.”

And of course, let the storylines begin as Terrell Owens and Garcia face each other as opponents this week. The former 49ers tandem had a few too many rifts during the years in the Bay Area, and this seems like a perfect week to dig them all up.

But the Eagles, quite frankly, don’t care.

“Jeff has done a great job. I’ve said it pretty much for three weeks now that he’s been in there,” running back Brian Westbrook said. “He comes in, he doesn’t make many mistakes, he runs this offense, he leads the team, and with him back there we have a chance of winning and that’s what we need.”

We’ll see if he can keep it up.

BREAK UP THE BILLS: As long as we’re digging up old sports cliches, how about the standard: “This is a team you do not want to play down the stretch.” If you’ve heard this one lately, chances are it was in connection with the Bills (7-7), who have won four of five and just posted their first shutout of the season, a 21-0 whitewash of the Dolphins.

It’s too bad Buffalo isn’t in the NFC, or else it would be alive and well. As it is, the Bills have been reduced basically to spoilers. But, let’s face it, they’ve been pretty good at it. And the biggest reason might just be quarterback J.P. Losman, who has thrown for seven touchdowns in the past three weeks.

“When you have your quarterback in control of everything,” receiver Lee Evans said, “it helps your offense out a lot.”

Buffalo plays host to Tennessee (7-7) Sunday. Monitor the line all week on WagerWeb.com.

EXTRA POINTS: Don’t buy into the Jake Delhomme Era coming to an end in Charlotte, a rumor that made the rounds over the weekend. Even if John Fox drafts a quarterback, it probably won’t be until late in the draft. And let’s face it, Delhomme has taken an expansion franchise to two NFC title games in a three-year span. … Backup QB Tarvaris Jackson could get the call for Minnesota on Thursday night against Green Bay, in place of Brad Johnson.

Brawl Suspensions

By Marty Gitlin
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Madison Square Garden has long been known as a fight site.

Ali-Frazier. Louis-Marciano. Hagler-Robinson.

These famed brawls were inside a ring and the combatants wore gloves.

Not so Saturday night. The Nuggets had landed a haymaker on the Knicks in a game of basketball, then a boxing match broke out. No bell sounded before New York reserve Mardy Collins grabbed a driving J.R. Smith by the neck and yanked him down to the floor.

That’s when all hell broke loose. By the time order was restored, all 10 players on the court had been ejected, including Denver scoring machine Carmelo Anthony, who landed a punch on Collins, and New York guard Nate Robinson, who battled Smith in the stands.

The result, announced Monday, is that Anthony has been suspended for 15 games, while Smith and Robinson will be gone for 10 games each. The two Nuggets have combined to average nearly 50 points a game this season.

Other suspended are Collins (six games), Jeffries (four games), Denver forward Nene and New York center Jerome James (one game each for leaving the bench). All the suspensions start tonight, when Denver hosts Washington and New York hosts Utah.

In addition, both organizations have been fined $500,000.

NBA Commissioner David Stern cited several factors in determining the severity of the fines and suspensions.

“Teams will be held accountable for the actions of their employees – management and players alike,” he said. “Players must take advantage of a break or pause in a heated situation to stop and restore order, instead of escalating the situation. Players must heed directions from referees and others who are trying to maintain order and not continue to put fans, referees and peacemakers in harm’s way.”

The uncertainty surrounding both games had prevented WagerWeb.com from posting odds by early Monday afternoon, but expect the Nuggets-Wizards line to be much different than it would have been because of the suspensions and …

ARENAS BURNING UP ARENAS: Wherever Gilbert Arenas plays these days, explosions follow.

But Sunday night was ridiculous.

The Washington guard scored a franchise- and personal-high 60 points in a 147-141 overtime victory in Los Angeles against the Lakers. It marked Washington’s third road win of the season. Arenas scored 14 consecutive points during one sizzling stretch.

Arenas has pulled the Wizards out of an early-season slump. He is averaging 38.7 points in his last seven games while shooing 49 percent from the field.

The performance against the Lakers marked the highest point total by a Washington player since guard Earl (The Pearl) Monroe scored 56 in a 1968 game, coincidentally, against Los Angeles.

DRIBBLES: New Orleans is losing games on the court and players off it. Guard Peja Stojakovic has already missed nine games with what was believed to be back spasms, but has now opted for back surgery. He’s averaging 17.1 points a game and shooting 41 percent from 3-point range. Forward David West will undergo surgery on his right elbow. Top reserve Bobby Jackson has also been out with a cracked rib. The decimated Hornets play at Miami on Monday night and are 7.5-point underdogs, according to WagerWeb.com. … It could have been worse for Toronto point guard Jose Calderon, who was removed from Sunday’s win at Golden State on a stretcher after hurting his lower back going for a rebound. His neck was immobilized, but he had movement in all his limbs and is now listed as day-to-day. The Raptors have won three straight games despite the loss of Chris Bosh (left knee injury). … Orlando rookie guard J.J. Redick has finally received a bit of playing time due to injuries. He has played 50 total minutes in four games and is averaging 2.8 points a game. He has hit just 4 of 15 shots from the field.

NBA Dunks New Ball

By Marty Gitlin
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Even David Stern can commit a turnover.

Stern displayed a rare ability for a league commissioner to reverse course at the risk of ego gratification by scrapping the unpopular microfiber composite ball for the standard leather one.

When they ring in the new year, they will bring back the old ball.

Despite a slight increase in scoring and decrease in turnovers with the new ball, the reaction of the players to it had been overwhelmingly negative. Stars such as Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James criticized the preseason switch, adding that the players should have been consulted first.

Stern admitted as much after the players union filed an unfair labor practice charge against the league on Dec. 1. He also heard players and coaches complain that the new ball cut their hands.

The team likely most affected by the change will be Boston. The Celtics are the only NBA team scheduled to play on both Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

“One day we’re going to play with one ball, and the next day we’re going to play with another one,” said Coach Doc Rivers. “It’s just like the park. That’s what it’s going to feel like. Whoever brings the ball on Jan. 1, that’s the one we’re going to play with.”

Speaking of the Celtics, they are playing some strange basketball these days, but they’re not complaining. They fell behind by more than 20 points against New Jersey on Saturday before rallying to victory.

And Monday night, they nearly blew a 30-point lead early in the third quarter. The Knicks closed to within three points with 1:28 remaining before the Celtics closed out the 97-90 victory.

PAUL STANDS TALL: There’s been no sign of a sophomore slump for New Orleans/Oklahoma City point guard Chris Paul.

The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year performed brilliantly in nearly single-handedly defeating the Cavaliers on Monday night in Oklahoma City. He outplayed James in a surprising 95-89 victory despite the absence of teammates Peja Stojakovic, David West and Bobby Jackson due to injury. Paul finished with 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting, 11 assists and five rebounds. James was held to a season-low 15 points.

Paul, who broke down the Cleveland defense consistently on penetration, is averaging a team-high 18.8 points a game. He is fourth in the NBA at 9.0 assists and third with 2.1 steals per game.

DRIBBLES: Two torrid teams meet Tuesday night when the Los Angeles Lakers play at Houston. According to WagerWeb.com, the Lakers are 2.5-point underdogs. They will play eight of their next 10 games on the road after opening the season with 15 of 20 at home. … The Pacers suspended guard Stephen Jackson for Tuesday night’s game in Chicago due to a heated exchange with Coach Rick Carlisle just before halftime during Saturday’s blowout loss in Cleveland. Key starters Al Harrington and Jermaine O’Neal were also sidelined with injuries Monday. It all added up to a 106-91 loss to the host Bulls. … Philadelphia 76ers team president Billy King said he won’t comment on trade talks for Allen Iverson until they are completed. Iverson is still with the team in name only. His locker has been cleared out. Meanwhile, the 76ers lost their eighth consecutive game Monday night, 81-79, to Portland. Andre Igoudala (27 points) was the lone Philadelphia starter who scored in double figures.

Super Blackjack Tips

By Jordan Walters
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Blackjack — for many it’s not just a game, it’s a way of life. Blackjack was the casino game that really got the information products’ ball rolling. It started many years ago, and no other game has spawned so many books, videos, classes and seminars.

I don’t know anyone who has been in a casino at least a few times who hasn’t played a hand or more of Blackjack. With that in mind, let’s talk Blackjack tips. Here are seven super Blackjack tips to absorb.

Blackjack Tip One: Sit at Third Base

If you are playing in the real world, make it a point to sit at third base, which is the seat immediately to the right of the dealer.

Blackjack Tip Two: Counting Cards Online

If you are playing online, don’t worry about counting cards. The computer uses a fresh deck for each hand. Therefore, counting doesn’t help you. Many people don’t realize this, so I thought it was wise to point it out.

Blackjack Tip Three: Single or Double Deck Only

Make it a point to never play Blackjack dealt from a shoe. Single deck games in the real world are the best. Double deck is second, and everything else is trash. If you are playing online, check to see how many decks are used. Most good online casinos will offer single deck.

Blackjack Tip Four: Bet Size

Before you sit down to play, figure out what your typical betting unit will be. If you aren’t sure, try dividing your bankroll by 20. For instance, if you are willing to lose $100 maximum, bet $5 units or less.

Blackjack Tip Five: Don’t Always Double Down

Yes, I know what lots of Blackjack drones say about doubling down — always do it, they say. However, if you become a Blackjack pro, you’ll understand that there are times when doubling down isn’t in your favor. For instance, if the dealer has a 10 or face card up, think twice.

Blackjack Tip Six: Split 8s

If the dealer has a 7 or less showing, split your 8s. The general idea is that you’ll have a decent shot at pulling 18 or better on one hand and pushing — by winning one hand and losing the other. The alternative is to keep your 16, which is a lousy hand. Now, if the dealer has a 6 showing, you might want to stand pat.

Blackjack Tip Seven: Don’t Split 10s or Faces

This is a tip for the new players. No matter how tempting it might be, don’t split 10s or faces. Why would you? Your hand is 20, which is one point under the best possible total. Yes, I’ve seen this done plenty of times by new and greedy players. It usually results in disaster.

There you have it. Seven super Blackjack tips to put in your back pocket. Take a moment and scan through them again. These seven tips are something that every winning Blackjack player must know — and does.

Bengals Hit Their Stride

By Tim Sullivan
WagerWeb.com contributing writer

They started in September with plans on defending their AFC North Division title, gaining home-field advantage and making it to the Super Bowl.

They now sit in December as the wild-card leaders, and they probably won’t get much better than that.

But that’s just fine by the Cincinnati Bengals (8-5). Especially considering that just four short weeks ago, they were one game below the .500 mark.

“If we want to be the team that we believe we are,” Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis said, “we’ve got to go play and win football games.”

They’ve done a good job of that, obviously, on the four-game winning streak they’re riding. The Bengals have defeated the Saints, Browns, Ravens and Raiders in that span and scored 27 or more points in three of those.

But if you listen to this bunch, you get the idea that they’re just warming up. Forget the three-game losing streak that bridged October and November. Forget the fact that they’re still two games behind Baltimore (10-3) in the North.

As far as they’re concerned, everything’s just fine, thank you.

“Hopefully,” quarterback Carson Palmer said, “we’re playing our best football these next three weeks.”

That won’t be easy, no matter how lethal the offense has been of late. The Bengals travel to Indianapolis (10-3) on Monday to face the suddenly desperate Colts. Cincinnati is +3 on WagerWeb.com.

Then, the Bengals close with the Broncos (7-6) and Steelers (6-7).

“I know I’m a little ahead of myself, but once we get past Indy,” wide receiver Chad Johnson said, “I think we’re kind of home free.”

Of course, Johnson probably had the same feeling when the Bengals opened 3-0, only to lose five of their next six.

But, either way, it’s abundantly clear that in today’s NFL, all you need to do is make the postseason. After that, anything is truly possible. The Super Bowl champion Steelers, after all, were a wild-card team out of this same division last year.

So stay tuned.

JETS JUMPED: The Jets (7-6) spent a good part of last week pronouncing themselves as legitimate contenders in the AFC wild-card race, only to be humbled by Buffalo, 31-13, at home on Sunday.

All is not lost in New York, though. The schedule — as it has been most of the season for first-year Coach Eric Mangini — is favorable down the stretch. The Jets face Minnesota (6-7), Miami (6-7) and Oakland (2-11) to close it out.

So, despite the fact that they’ll need to win out and get some help along the way, the attitude remains positive on Long Island.

“You’re always fighting human nature,” Mangini said at the team’s headquarters in Hempstead, N.Y. “You come off a big win, you fight the human nature of, ‘Everything’s OK, things are good.’ If you come off a big loss, you fight the human nature of, ‘The sky is falling, things are so bad.’ It’s never the case in either of those scenarios.”

He makes a good point, especially considering how much this club has achieved opposed by what it was supposed to achieve.

But the moral-victory stuff needs to wait until the offseason. Whether or not they belong there or were expected to be there, the Jets are still alive and need to be focused solely on that fact.

“We’re,” safety Kerry Rhodes said, “going to keep playing.”

The Jets are 3-point underdogs for their Sunday date at Minnesota on WagerWeb.com.

EXTRA POINTS: Former 49ers and Seahawks coach Dennis Erickson moved one step closer to a return to the NFL, when he left Idaho for Arizona State yesterday. Hey, if he can get a Pac-10 job after leading the Vandals to a 4-8 record, anything can happen right? … Seattle wide receiver Darrell Jackson (turf toe) is unlikely to play Thursday night in the NFL Network game against the 49ers (5-8). The Seahawks (8-5) are -9.5 on WagerWeb.com … The news is worse for Lions running back Kevin Jones, who has a foot fracture that will require surgery and at least six months of recovery time.