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Champions League Twenty20 2008 Schedule

2008-11-30T19:08:00.002+05:30

Champions League Twenty20 2008 Schedule

Champions League Twenty20 is the platform for the best teams in the
world. This team will compete for a US$6,000,000 prize. Champions will
play against Champions to achieve the goal.

Champions League Twenty20 starts from December 3, and is an initiative
of three founding member boards; the BCCI, Cricket Australia and
Cricket South Africa. Bangalore, Mumbai and Chennai are the location
where the inaugural edition will be played.

The eight competing teams contains the champions and runner-up from
Twenty20 competitions played in the founding board countries, it also
has champions of England and Pakistan. The plan for 2009 is to
increase number of teams to twelve.

Following is the match Champions League Twenty20 2008 Schedule:

Champions League 20 20 (Twenty20) Schedule

Match Dates Cricket Team vs Cricket Team Venues
3 December 2008, Wed 16:00 IST, 10:30 GMT Middlesex Crusaders Victoria
Bushrangers Brabourne Stadium Mumbai
3 December 2008, Wed 20:00 IST, 14:30 GMT Rajasthan Royals Natal
Dolphins M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
4 December 2008, Thu 16:00 IST, 10:30 GMT Sialkot Stallions Western
Australian Warriors M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
4 December 2008, Thu 20:00 IST, 14:30 GMT Chennai Super Kings Victoria
Bushrangers Brabourne Stadium Mumbai
5 December 2008, Fri 16:00 IST, 10:30 GMT Middlesex Crusaders Pretoria
Titans MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
5 December 2008, Fri 20:00 IST, 14:30 GMT Rajasthan Royals Sialkot
Stallions Brabourne Stadium Mumbai
6 December 2008, Sat 12:00 IST, 06:30 GMT Western Australian Warriors
Natal Dolphins M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
6 December 2008, Sat 16:00 IST, 10:30 GMT Victoria Bushrangers
Pretoria Titans MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
6 December 2008, Sat 20:00 IST, 14:30 GMT Chennai Super Kings
Middlesex Crusaders MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
7 December 2008, Sun 12:00 IST, 06:30 GMT Natal Dolphins Sialkot
Stallions M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
7 December 2008, Sun 16:00 IST, 10:30 GMT Rajasthan Royals Western
Australian Warriors MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
7 December 2008, Sun 20:00 IST, 14:30 GMT Chennai Super Kings Pretoria
Titans MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
8 December 2008, Mon 20:00 IST, 14:30 GMT Group B winners Group A
runners-up M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
9 December 2008, Tue 20:00 IST, 14:30 GMT Group A winners Group B
runners-up MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
10 December 2008, Wed 20:00 IST, 14:30 GMT Final, MA Chidambaram
Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 25 November 2008 09:01 )

Build A Solar Panel and Save On Costs

2008-11-23T11:01:00.001+05:30

Build A Solar Panel and Save On Costs

by Dave Tee

The advantages of renewable energy are becoming more and more apparent. Many of us would like to make free energy but the initial costs are so high.

If you have searched online to find out how to build a solar panel i am sure that what you did find seemed overly technical. This is why i recommend you buy a do it yourself guide from a reputable source which is designed specifically for those of us who are not technically minded. I am one of them but still found no problems understanding what was involved.

Solar panel costs have risen dramatically over the past few years so it makes more and more sense to spend a fun weekend with whoever wants to help making you own homemade solar power.

Think of the achievement.

Think of the lower electricity costs.

Think of the lower impact on the the planet.

And also think of the savings you are making.

The guide i talk about on my site is written by a man with a lifetime of experience in solar power and wind turbines. Yes his guide also shows you how to have a home built wind generator.

Solar energy benefits are enormous. You can cut your bills dramatically and it was you that made the free energy.

You can reap the benefits of solar energy for a fraction of the cost of buying new.For less than a few hundred dollars you will be saving masses on your electricity bill and home built solar power has other benefits. You are helping to save the planet and think how much you can boast to your friends.

So rather than purchase a solar panel why not have some fun as well as saving on energy costs and have homemade solar panels.

Good luck and make some free energy.

About the Author

http://www.squidoo.com/how-build-solar-panel

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Beautiful Backyard Bird Watching

2008-11-23T10:56:00.000+05:30

Beautiful Backyard Bird Watching

by sam bryant

Bird watching has become a backyard hobby for many people and bird feeders are the best way to attract these birds. Different birds are attracted to different seeds. Acorns, for example, attract chickadees, jays, quails, and woodpeckers. Millet, on the other hand, attracts doves, finches, pheasants, native sparrows, and Carolina wrens.

Seeds from a black locust tree will attract quail while magnolias will draw in towhees, red-eyed vireos, and woodpeckers. Willows, on the other hand, will bring in grosbeaks, grouse, and redpolls. One of the newer technologies in bird feeding is the tube feeder. These tubes are easy to use and release seeds slower than other methods, so they save you money. Also, larger birds with bigger appetites do not use tube feeders. Solidified bacon fat, interestingly, will attract several species of birds including bluebirds, jays, and ravens. A collection of bird species love insects such as ants and an anthill can be a very attractive backyard feature.

Hummingbirds and orioles are drawn to aloes and agaves while amaranth attracts juncos and tree sparrows. On the other hand, bluebirds, catbirds, great crested flycatchers, jays, mockingbirds, tanagers, thrashers, thrushes, and waxwings like amelanchier (juneberry, shadblow, shadbush, and serviceberry) and make a good looking addition to any yard. Versatile and attractive, amelanchier species can be found anywhere in North America.

Both humans and birds like berries, especially ripening blackberries. The best time to offer these in your feeder is when they can't be found anywhere else. The winter season creates a demand greater than the supply. Strawberries will attract catbirds, prairie chickens, crows, grouse, quails, robins, and sparrows while raspberries will attract bobwhites, bluebirds, buntings, chickadees, orioles, band-tailed pigeons, titmice, and waxwings.

A bird-friendly backyard is likely to be attractive to birds looking to raise a family. The friendly attributes include sources of water, food, grit, and salt. Predator control includes keeping your felines away from the birds and keeping snakes, raccoons, and opossums out of your yard. Sufficient covering is needed for a roosting place and nest sites. If you have cats it is important to keep at least three yards of short grass around the bird bath so the bird can spot the cat and get away in time. From inside, cats can still enjoy the birds by perching on their favorite piece of furniture (available at www.catdograt.com) and viewing the feathered flyers without endangering them.

Bird baths are a successful way to attract birds, especially in the summer. These yard decorations have been popular for a hundred years. If you learn to chisel you can create baths from large rocks or boulders. A bird bath is a great place to focus your binoculars, if you have them. Bird watching is best if you can get one to feed out of your hand. Chickadees can be trained to feed from your palm. If you'd like to attract cardinals, grosbeaks, nuthatches, or titmice, get a sunflower. An excellent selection of bird feeders, bird houses, and bird baths can be found at www.decoryard.com.

About the Author

Author Sam Bryant is owner of bonshops.com

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Attributes of a Perfect Cheerleading Costume

2008-11-23T10:53:00.000+05:30

Attributes of a Perfect Cheerleading Costume

by Marc levack

Cheerleading is becoming popular in nowadays. Cheerleaders perform at various occasions like games and carnivals for the moral boosting. They are generally popular among mass attraction games like soccer and basketball where they help in regaining confidence of the player and entertaining the spectators. Cheerleaders help players in reducing the stress and cheer them during the game. To remove the tension cheer dances are performed. It includes Gymnastics, Tumbling Dance with perfect music beats. Cheerleading groups also perform during social functions and celebrations like church functions and parties.

If Cheerleaders perform with smart cheerleading attributes and attractive performance, they can attract more crowds towards the program. The cheerleading dress and other cheerleading attribute that makes performance better and attractive are very important.

A perfect cheerleading dress consists of several sub components. Essentially their top, skirts, hair bows, and shoes. Skirts are one of the main dresses of cheerleaders. It helps in identifying various cheerleading groups. If they are smart, it can hold attraction of thousands. There are different types of cheerleading skirts like cheerleading camp skirts, cotton cheer skirts, double-knit cheer skirts, Lycra cheer skirts, micro-fibre cheer skirt, skirts w/built-in shorts, and lank shirts with custom options. Cheerleading uniforms like double-knit cheerleader uniforms and micro-fiber cheer uniforms are very popular. Popular cheerleading shoes are chasse cheer shoes, adidas cheer shoes, Asics cheer shoes, kaepa cheer shoes, and infinity cheer shoes along with socks.

Other attributes are accessories like their hair ribbons and megaphones. Broad ribbons should be preferred so that hairs can be tugged properly else hairs can open while performing resulting disturbance in the dance. Cheerleading bags are also important in which they carry all their necessary things. One of the most important attributes is cheerleading pomp. More fantastic the pomp more good and attractive will be the performance. Pomp like flash pomp, holographic, metallic, plastic or wet look pomp depends upon the performance and organizations.

All these thing should be bought with special considerations. It is like symbol by which various groups are recognised and remembered. For an everlasting performance from dress to shoes and pomp all are noticed by organisers and crowds. Cheerleaders are for making the environment tension free so their attributes should always be colourful and nice. From a distance it should look graceful not awkward. It should have decency along with gracefulness for cheerleaders as they have to perform in front of many people and at different places. So their attributes should be according to place and event.

About the Author

Yella Ribbon is a primary provider of excellent quality designer hair bows for cheerleaders. For shopping or more information please visit: http://www.yellaribbon.com

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Master Blaster faster Tendulkar....

2008-11-16T17:57:00.001+05:30

Master Blaster faster

Recordkar
dulkar

Just have look at the records held by Sachin Tendulkar. No wonder
why British Prime Minister is suggesting him for the honor of Sir
.........

New Records................
1. Highest Run scorer in the Test Cricket
2. First Cricketer to pass 12000 run in the Test Cricket

Records Held by Sachin Tendulkar
1. Highest Run scorer in the ODI
2. Most number of hundreds in the ODI 41
3. Most number of nineties in the ODI
4. Most number of man of the matches(56) in the ODI's
5. Most number of man of the series(14) in ODI's
6. Best average for man of the matches in ODI's
7. First Cricketer to pass 10000 run in the ODI
8. First Cricketer to pass 15000 run in the ODI
9. He is the highest run scorer in the world cup (1,796 at an
average of 59.87 as on 20 March 2007)
10. Most number of the man of the matches in the world cup
11. Most number of runs 1996 world cup 523 runs in the 1996
Cricket World Cup at an average of 87.16
12. Most number of runs in the 2003 world cup 673 runs in 2003
Cricket World Cup, highest by any player in a single Cricket World Cup
13. He was Player of the World Cup Tournament in the 2003
Cricket World Cup.
14. Most number of Fifties in ODI's 87
15. Appeared in Most Number of ODI's 407
16. He is the only player to be in top 10 ICC ranking for 10 years.
17. Most number of 100's in test's 40
18. He is one of the three batsmen to surpass 11,000 runs in
Test cricket, and the first Indian to do so
19. He is thus far the only cricketer to receive the Rajiv
Gandhi Khel Ratna, India 's highest sporting honor
20. In 2003, Wisden rated Tendulkar as d No. 1 and Richards at
No. 2 in all time Greatest ODI player
21. In 2002, Wisden rated him as the second greatest Test
batsman after Sir Donald Bradman.
22. he was involved in 664-run partnership in a Harris Shield
game in 1988 with friend and team mate Vinod Kambli,
23. Tendulkar is the only player to score a century in all
three of his Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy debuts
24. In 1992, at the age of 19, Tendulkar became the first
overseas born player to represent Yorkshire
25. Tendulkar has been granted the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna,
Arjuna Award and Padma Shri by Indian government. He is the only
Indian cricketer to get all of them.
26. Tendulkar has scored over 1000 runs in a calendar year in
ODI's 7 times
27. Tendulkar has scored 1894 runs in calendar year in ODI's
most by any batsman
28. He is the highest earning cricketer in the world
29. He has the least percentage of the man of the matches
awards won when team looses a match.. Out of his 56 man of the match
awards only 5 times India has lost.
30. Tendulkar most number man of match awards(10) against Australia
31. In August of 2003, Sachin Tendulkar was voted as the
"Greatest Sportsman" of the country in the sport personalities
category in the Best of India poll conducted by Zee
News.
32. In November 2006, Time magazine named Tendulkar as one of
the Asian Heroes.
33. In December 2006, he was named "Sports person of the Year
34. The current India Poised campaign run by The Times of India
has nominated him as the Face of New India next to the likes of
Amartya Sen and Mahatma Gandhi among others.
35. Tendulkar was the first batsman in history to score over 50
centuries in international cricket
36. Tendulkar was the first batsman in history to score over 75
centuries in international cricket:79 centuries
37. Has the most overall runs in cricket,
(ODIs+Tests+Twenty20s), as of 30 June 2007 he had accumulated almost
26,000 runs overall.
38. Is second on the most number of runs in test cricket just
after Brian Lara
39. Sachin Tendulkar with Sourav Ganguly hold the world record
for the maximum number of runs scored by the opening partnership. They
have put together 6,271 runs in 128 matches
40. The 20 century partnerships for opening pair with Sourav
Ganguly is a world record
41. Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid hold the world record for
the highest partnership in ODI matches when they scored 331 runs
against New Zealand in 1999
42. Sachin Tendulkar has been involved in six 200 run
partnerships in ODI matches - a record that he shares with Sourav
Ganguly and Rahul Dravid
43. Most Centuries in a calendar year: 9 ODI centuries in 1998
44. Only player to have over 100 innings of 50+ runs (41
Centuries and 87 Fifties)(as of 18th Nov, 2007)
45. the only player ever to cross the 13,000-14,000 and 15,000
run marks IN ODI.
46. Highest individual score among Indian batsmen (186* against
New Zealand at Hyderabad in 1999).
47. The score of 186* is listed the fifth highest score
recorded in ODI matches
48. Tendulkar has scored over 1000 ODI runs against all major
Cricketing nations.
49. Sachin was the fastest to reach 10,000 runs taking 259
innings and has the highest batting average among batsmen with over
10,000 ODI runs
50. Most number of Stadium Appearances: 90 different Grounds
51. Consecutive ODI Appearances: 185
52. On his debut, Sachin Tendulkar was the second youngest
debutant in the world
53. When Tendulkar scored his maiden century in 1990, he was
the second youngest to score a century
54. Tendulkar's record of five test centuries before he turned
20 is a current world record
55. Tendulkar holds the current record (217 against NZ in
1999/00 Season) for the highest score in Test cricket by an Indian
when captaining the side
56. Tendulkar has scored centuries against all test playing
nations.[7] He was the third batman to achieve the distinction after
Steve Waugh and Gary Kirsten
57. Tendulkar has 4 seasons in test cricket with 1000 or more
runs - 2002 (1392 runs), 1999 (1088 runs), 2001 (1003 runs) and 1997
(1000 runs).[6] Gavaskar is the only other Indian with four
seasons of 1000+ runs
58. He is second most number of seasons with over 1000 runs in world.
59. On 3 January 2007 Sachin Tendulkar (5751) edged past Brian
Lara's (5736) world record of runs scored in Tests away from home
60. Tendulkar and Brian Lara are the fastest to score 10,000
runs in Test cricket history. Both of them achieved this in 195
innings
61. Second Indian after Sunil Gavaskar to make over 10,000 runs
in Test matches
62. Became the first Indian to surpass the 11,000 Test run mark
and the third International player behind Allan Border and Brian Lara.
63. Tendulkar is fourth on the list of players with most Test
caps. Steve Waugh (168 Tests), Allan Border (158 Tests), Shane Warne
(145 Tests) have appeared in more games than
Tendulkar
64. Tendulkar has played the most number of Test Matches(144)
for India (Kapil Dev is second with 131 Test appearances).
65. First to 25,000 international runs
66. Tendulkar's 25,016 runs in international cricket include
14,537 runs in ODI's, 10,469 Tests runs and 10 runs in the lone
Twenty20 that India has played.
67. On December 10, 2005, Tendulkar made his 35th century in
Tests at Delhi against Sri Lanka . He surpassed Sunil Gavaskar's
record of 34 centuries to become the man with the
most number of hundreds in Test cricket.
68. Tendulkar is the only player who has 150 wkts and more than
15000 runs in ODI
69. Tendulkar is the only player who has 40 wkts and more than
12000 runs in Tests
70. Only batsman to have 100 hundreds in the first class cricket

Air Quality Remains a Threat to Olympics…But What about to North Americans?: by Janice Henker

2008-08-12T08:31:00.001+05:30

Air Quality Remains a Threat to Olympics…But What about to North Americans?

by Janice Henker

A big buzzword that has been associated with the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing has been air quality. It's almost to the point where the poor air quality in Beijing is getting more attention than the Olympic athletes, or the event itself. On a positive note, the Olympics are finally bringing a lot of attention to an important issue, which until now, has not remained at the forefront of the news for any lengthy period of time.

We recently saw one of our athletes arriving in China wearing a mask, in an attempt to safeguard himself from the microscopic particles spewed out by vehicles and factories. This made quite a statement, and the athlete defended himself, saying he meant no offense, but that his success as an athlete was a stake, and he wasn't taking any chances with China's poor air quality.

The irony with this situation, really, albeit attention grabbing, is that the athlete's mask did nothing to protect him from the harmful airborne chemicals in China's capital. His mask may indeed have filtered out some minor dust particles in the air, but without a significant carbon filter, did nothing to protect him from the more dangerous, and indeed deadly, chemical components. In other words, the athlete was no better off wearing the mask, than not wearing it.

With growing concern over the health safety of our athletes in China, many of us in North America are wondering, if our athletes are arriving in Beijing wearing actual masks, then perhaps air quality is a bigger issue than we thought. Granted, the situation in China is severe, but are North Americans really breathing air that is that much better?

The answer is yes and no. That is, yes, in most parts of North America, we do not have some of the smog and pollution problems that are present in China. But, no, that doesn't mean the air quality is good either. So what exactly is the quality of our North American air?

The U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) states, "In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors."

Like it or not, we can't just escape air pollution by staying indoors all day. In fact, the air indoors can be worse. Up to 100 times worse. The U.S. EPA states, "… health effects may show up either years after exposure has occurred or only after long or repeated periods of exposure. These effects, which include some respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal. It is prudent to try to improve the indoor air quality in your home even if symptoms are not noticeable."

Enjoy the 2008 Summer Olympics for the sportsmanship, the competition, and the pure talent. But take a moment to learn from what Beijing citizens know all too well: air quality can have a huge impact on your quality of life; just look at the impact it has already had on the Olympics.

About the Author

Janice Henker is an air quality expert with AllerAir, a company that has been designing and manufacturing air purifiers for families and businesses across North America for over 10 years. We care about every breath you take!

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Pai Gow Poker Game: by Tarun Sharma

2008-07-23T10:23:00.001+05:30

Pai Gow Poker Game

by Tarun Sharma

Let's learn some different type of poker other than Texas holdem, 7 card stud, 5 card draw and Omaha. Yes, pai gow poker.

Let's learn some different type of poker other than Texas holdem, 7 card stud, 5 card draw and Omaha. Yes, pai gow poker. Now you must be wondering that pai gow sounds little Chinese; yes you are right this game is a mixture of the Chinese game pai gow and our very own American poker. Definitely this is not one of the most popular forms of poker but still widely played. It can be played by up to seven players.

It is played with one deck of 52 cards, plus a joker. Interestingly, joker can be used only as an ace, or to complete a straight, a flush, a straight flush, or a royal flush. The important thing here to remember is other than the usual ranking of hands we have one more winning hand that is "Five Aces" (five aces including the joker). Surprisingly, five aces beat all other hands including royal flush.

Each player is dealt seven cards. The cards are arranged to make two hands; a two card hand and a five card hand. The five card hand must rank higher or be equal to the two card hand. Finally both of your hands must rank higher than both of your opponents hands (both five and two card hands). Further the two card hand can only have two combinations; one pair and high card.

After the cards are arranged in to two hands, they are placed on the table face down. Once you put them down, you can no longer touch them. The dealer will turn over his cards and make his hands. Each players hand is compared to the dealer's hands. If the player wins one hand and loses the other, this is known as "push" and no money is exchanged. If dealer wins both hands then he/she wins the players stake and vice versa. Now what if there is a tie, the only advantage with the dealer here is he/she wins all ties.

After the hand is played, the next person clock-wise becomes the dealer and the next hand is played. The major disadvantage to this game is that there is no skill involved and you rely too much on luck. Also the odds are poor compared to playing with a pot.

About the Author

Kindly visit us for Titan Poker Bonus Code and also view our updated poker strategy articles and more stuff.

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Poker as an Intellectual Sport: by Jack Reider

2008-07-23T10:21:00.001+05:30

Poker as an Intellectual Sport

by Jack Reider

It is very difficult to adjust poker to any classification since poker has strongly located on the numerous television channels declaring exclusively sports orientation. Nowadays, poker receives large distribution around its supporters so that each poker enthusiast knows the basics of the game. Can we treat poker as a real sporting event like football or baseball? Let us address the dictionary definition of the word sport:

1. Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.

2. An active pastime or recreation.

From this characterization, we understand that sports should meet some basic requirements. Any kind of sports consists of physical activity, skills, rules and a competitive element. Since the aspect of physical activity conveys the basic obstacle in our question, we shall leave its discussion for the end.

Does poker encompass a clear set of rules?

Without any doubt, the concept of poker is guided by precise rules and ranging. Acceptable regulations define a true course of the game, and some actions are under an interdiction. Infringement of rules can cause terrible consequences. Public reprimand and disqualification are the unique measures of punishment applied by a sports management.

Sport is a competition of skills, and poker is a competition of skills too?

The ability to understand what is a good hand and when it is necessary to leave the game defines the creditable player. However, players can make similar decisions based on probabilities knowledge or correct strategies. The magnificent poker player is the player capable intuitively to feel a bluff, who is able to analyze and systematize tendencies of other players and the one who is capable to bluff convincingly with a hopeless combination on hands. Poker is a competition of cunning, a deceit and intuition, which, in my opinion, are the same skills, as dexterity, force and accuracy.

Can poker game be competitive?

In any display, poker bears on surface dark human emotions because when money is involved, there is no place for compassion. There will always be people, who cannot lose the game with dignity, but when they lose money, they are not capable to control themselves; therefore, strong feeling of rivalry is required very much in poker. It is necessary to forget about morals; in fact, your purpose is to win.

Is physical strength involved in poker competitions?

While poker demands certain intellectual force, its physical component equals the "Achilles' heel". Certainly, players should strain all muscles of a back and a back part of a body to remain sitting in a soft armchair sometimes more than 10 hours, but I doubt that any medical association will define this condition as "active".

Can we define poker as a sport?

Proceeding from our definition of sports, poker includes many of its components. Poker is a competition with a variety of strategy and tactics, which the skilled player will use on a way to success with much greater efficiency. Poker is not competition of physical strength, and, in my opinion, this is a sufficient evidence not to consider poker as a high-grade kind of sports. It is wonderful game, which everybody can enjoy in land based casinos or poker rooms and online poker rooms as well. At the best, poker resembles the best intellectual sport I know.

About the Author

Jack Reider is writing his PHD on Caesar and Augustus, but also frequents the race track. He runs an online gambling guide to betting and online casinos.

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Roulette 101 - Play Like a Pro with 4 Easy Tips: by Josef Gagne

2008-07-23T10:07:00.000+05:30

Roulette 101 - Play Like a Pro with 4 Easy Tips

by Josef Gagne

Roulette is a simple game that can yield high profits for a gambler. The house edge is very high in the game of Roulette, so the best option is to have a complete understanding of the game. A little luck never hurts either. Following these four easy tips can increase one's chances of success with roulette.

1. Know the basics. Understanding the basics of Roulette is essential for anyone who wants to master the game. The object of Roulette is to pick the winning number that appears on the Roulette wheel. Players can bet combinations of numbers, choose the color, or choose whether the number will be odd or even. There are two types of Roulette wheels. The American wheel has 38 numbers because of a (00) slot. The European wheel has 37 numbers (0-36). In America, the house edge is 5.26 percent, which is significantly higher than Europe's 2.63.

2. Understand betting in Roulette. There are many bets that can be made in Roulette. The two types of bets are inside bets and outside bets. A Straight Up bet is a bet on a single number. This risky bet pays 35 to 1. Split Bet is a wager on two numbers that pays 17 to 1. While safer than a Straight Up bet, the odds are still against the player. Street bets or a line bet is a bet on a whole row of numbers. This bet pay out is 11 to 1. A Corner bet or Quad bet occurs when the chip is placed so it touches the four corners of the numbers being bet. This bet pays 8 to 1. The Basket bet is the worst bet in Roulette because the house edge is 7.89 percent. It is a five number bet on zero, double zero, and numbers-1-2-3. This bet pays 6 to 1. The final inside bet is a double street bet which is a wager on six numbers paying 5 to 1. The outside bets are the Dozens bet and the Column bet, which are both 12 number bets paying 2 to 1.

3. Know when to bet and how much to bet. The dealer has to keep the wheel moving at all times and spins the wheel in the opposite direction of the ball movement. While the ball is still moving one can place bets. Many players place bets while the ball is in motion because they can grasp a more accurate idea of where the ball will land. Be cautious when doing this, however, because when the ball starts to slow down the dealer will call out "no more bets." The size of your bet can greatly affect your overall performance. Some players bet too high, which is not advisable in such a game as Roulette. The house edge is high, and so the best bets are moderate. A mass amount of moderate wins is just as good as one big win. However, a few moderate losses are certainly better than one big loss.

4. Play at full roulette tables. Playing at a full table will give you about 30 spins an hour, thusly reducing the time in which your money is exposed to the brutal house edge. Also, do not worry if someone else has already placed chips on a number, there are different colored chips in Roulette so you can place your bet on someone else's.

There is no sure fire way to win roulette because it is largely a game of chance. However, understanding the game, and being a wise gambler can help increase one's chances for wins. Full Roulette tables are always the best, and lower risk bets can amount to more than high-risk bets. In the end, Roulette is a game of chance; so a bit of luck is always a good thing to have.

About the Author

Joseph Gagne enjoys roulette and other UK online casino games. Learn more at http://www.casinochoice.co.uk.

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Sports Wagering Online- Scope and Options: by Jason Adam

2008-07-23T09:00:00.001+05:30

Sports Wagering Online- Scope and Options

by Jason Adam

Playing games at your own pace!

Times have changed, and today just about everything, be it for your convenience or for that matter, entertainment, is barely a mouse click away. The same holds true for casinos. Now, you don't need to go to a casino to enjoy a game, all you need to do is connect to the Internet and pick from the vast number of options you have. In fact, whether you are seasoned player or a new entrant in the arena, you can enjoy the same thrill that a casino offers through the Internet, while enjoying the comfort and convenience of your home. The choices available are unlimited, be it sport betting, roulette online, betting on Las Vegas NFL odds, poker, or blackjack, to name a few. All you need to do is pick a game and get started!

The option to play for free

A number of online gambling sites offer the opportunity to play for free. In this case, if you are new to the game, you get the opportunity to understand the game before you put your money at stake. At the same time, this also offers you the freedom to experiment with different games before you decide to finally play one for real, be it sport betting, roulette online, Las Vegas NFL odds, or any of the tens of games available only. Even if you are seasoned player, once in a while, you might want to play just for fun without putting your money at stake. This also allows you to play the game at your own pace and establish a comfort level before you actually start playing for real. So ideally, when you log on to an Internet gambling casino, check if it offers the option to play for free. The best online gambling casinos, in most cases offer this option.

Downloading or playing online?

Most of the best online gambling casinos offer the feature to download the game. This aims at ensuring a more pleasurable gaming experience. Though some players do not like this as downloading the game usually takes a little time. In such cases, the usually choose to play directly from the browser, which of course, requires you to have a good and reliable Internet connection. Whatever you choose, it is important to be able to select the best online gambling site, whether you decide to download the game or not. In most cases, the site leaves the option to you to decide. A limitation that stems from downloading games is that you have to be very sure that you want to play the game. In case you download the game and realize that it does not interest you, you would actually end up wasting a lot of time. On the other hand, if you are sure about the game that you want to play, downloading it would ensure that you enjoy it more.

Rules of the game

Ideally pick an online gambling site that clearly lists out the rules of the games. In fact, there might be a few basic differences pertaining to how to play the game on different sites, so it makes sense to quickly browse through the rules before you start playing. Also a number of the best online gambling casinos offer tips on how to play so that you win through and through! In certain cases, the sites also offer reviews of different games, especially if it is a new game and also posts the comments of other players. These can be rather interesting and can help you to select the game that you would enjoy the most. So take a few moments out before you start playing and read through these.

Its better to be safe!

Now undoubtedly, the options available for roulette online, best internet blackjack, Las Vegas NFL odds, internet sports gambling, and other casino games are unlimited. Yet, before picking the best online gambling site, you need to exercise a little caution. It is important to ensure that the casino is legitimate. You could find this out by browsing the site of the casino. In case a casino is not legitimate, for all you know the personal information that you provide to play the game, might land in the wrong hands. At the same time, in case you decide to play for real and transfer the funds to the casino, you might just realize that your money is lost. So make sure that the casino is legitimate before you start playing.

Also, ensure that the site you pick should offer you the option of withdrawing your money at any point of time. In case a site requires that your account has to hold a minimum balance before you can start playing, make sure that the site is safe. It makes sense to conduct a little research on your own and pick the best online gambling casinos. After all, it is definitely better to be safe than sorry!

About the Author

The author is one of the top experts in the sports betting industry today. He has spent last 10 years consulting with the online gaming industry. He has developed best odds system & world wide betting platforms. He has helped to create marketing and business plans for many online gaming companies. He has also established the first customer award and relation management software for sports betting & online casinos. These services can be accessed at SportFanatik

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Take Your Online Poker Game to the Next Level: by Laura Bastowe

2008-07-23T08:59:00.000+05:30

Take Your Online Poker Game to the Next Level

by Laura Bastowe

Playing Poker online can be quite satisfying, and financially rewarding, if one uses the best possible online poker strategies. Some online poker players simply rush into games and hands without thinking about their options. This usually leaves the unsuspecting online poker player with a lot less money than he or she started with. With these four easy tips, you can help yourself avoid the pitfalls of many poker players.

1. Don't be afraid to enter tournaments. Poker tournaments can often be the most fun and the most profitable. It has been said that tournaments depend largely on luck, but don't let that deter you. A solid poker player can make great strides in any type of game. However, luck certainly is a factor. You should be conscious of the buy-in and be willing to lose that amount of money. As you get deeper and deeper into the tournament, the blinds will increase and you should closely monitor the flop. In some of the cheaper online tournaments, new players will lose their money extremely fast. It is important to capitalize on this if you have a good hand. Playing a tournament came can be very fun, so any serious poker player should try to enter and win at least one tournament.

2. If you must, switch your table. It is a very good idea to switch the poker table you're playing at least once a session. This is especially important if other players at a certain table have started to notice your habits. Also, a fresh set of opponents means a fresh set of betting habits and a fresh set of money. The advantages to staying at one table are familiarity with opponents, but your poker experience will certainly be more rewarding if you switch around tables.

3. Manage your money wisely. In order to have poker success, you must be financially savvy. Set limits for yourself based on your poker ability, financial situation, and your aversion to taking risks. It is always a good idea to set a lower limit because the competition is often easier there. Some players play games at two different limits. This can be quite beneficial. Playing in an easier game just for safety, and playing in a tough game can lead to increased winnings. Also watch your betting. Never bet too high too often, because this almost always leads to trouble. Finally, be mindful of short run and long run gains. Using lower limits will lead to gains in the long run, but high limits have the potential for gains in the short run. The best idea is to play to your strengths and to not lose all your money in the short run.

4. Know when to quit. This is a very important concept to grasp. Some poker players keep playing and playing until they have serious financial issues. If you keep playing in order to "break even" then you have played for too long. Additionally, if you start to lose your focus on the game and other opponents, and you constantly think that everyone is bluffing, than you have been playing too long. Even the best poker players have good days and bad days. One element that makes a poker player truly great is that he or she knows when to stop playing. If you start to feel as if you must play just one more hand, than you should stop playing immediately. Quitting at the right time can save you quite a bit of money and will lead to more enjoyable poker experiences in the future.

Online poker can be very fun, and also has the potential to be profitable. The best suggestion is to simply play smart. Keep an eye on your bets, and don't hinder yourself by taking on too many hands. Know when to quit and manage your money wisely. Change tables every now and than for variety. Last, but certainly not least, have fun!

About the Author

Laura Bastowe writes about a variety of online games but specializes in online poker. Learn more at http://www.whichpoker.com .

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The Grand History of Poker: by Scott Hanksworth

2008-07-23T08:57:00.001+05:30

The Grand History of Poker

by Scott Hanksworth

The history of poker has been debated heavily over the years. Today, it is a wildly popular game, but its origins are not known by many. It is likely that the name "poker" came from the French word "poque," which evolved out of the German word "pochen" (which means "to knock"). However, some historians doubt that the origins of poker are the same as those games bearing similar names. The Persian game "as nas" is very similar to poker. The Persian game may have been taught to the French settlers in New Orleans by Persian sailors. Additionally, poker has been connected with the game "primero" which was popular in the Renaissance. Bluffing was incorporated in the English game "brag."

An English actor by the name of Joseph Corwell said that the game was played in the city of New Orleans in 1829 with a deck that had 20 cards. The game spread to the rest of the United States by way of the Mississippi riverboats that traveled up and down the Mississippi frequently. Gambling was very popular during riverboat trips.

After poker spread, the game started to incorporate a 52-card English deck. After the deck change, the flush was introduced. Draw poker, stud poker, and the straight were all introduced to poker during the Civil War. The wild card was developed around 1875 in America. Lowball and split-pot poker followed suit in about 1900. The U.S. military spread poker to many countries, including Asian countries.

Poker tournaments became popular after the World Series of Poker began in Las Vegas in 1970. American casinos have had poker tournaments and tables ever since. During the seventies, strategy books first became available. The first two of these types of books were "Super System" by Doyle Brunson and "The Book of Tells" by Mike Caro.

In recent years, poker has gained massive popularity for two reasons. The first reason is the introduction of online poker. There are many online poker sites today, and millions of people from around the world log on every day to play poker. The second reason that poker has become vastly popular is because of the introduction of the hole-card camera. This camera has turned the game into a spectator sport. The World Series of Poker is frequently on ESPN and has had a rapid increase in registrants in recent years.

About the Author

Scott Hanksworth prefers CelebPoker (http://www.celebpoker.com/) to play internet poker online.

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Top Five Online Poker Advantages: by Jack Reider

2008-07-23T08:53:00.001+05:30

Top Five Online Poker Advantages

by Jack Reider

Famous poker rooms enclose hundred thousand people playing online poker simultaneously. Online play is faster and more convenient than a live game: some players watch TV, talk on the phone or read while others even play in more than one game at a time. Without a doubt, online gaming, especially poker, possesses unique features that turn online experience into a real pleasure. Any person with a computer and proper internet connection can learn poker game and earn the game's initial capital from zero.

Let us take a closer look at incredible advantages of online poker industry.

Economical Benefit

One of the main reasons of online poker development is that unlike the online casino where you are not guaranteed against dishonesty of a casino, online poker gives much more sufficient opportunities for absolutely fair prize of money. Poker players have a very clear economical benefit by playing online. They can play about 10-15 times more hands per hour online with multiple tables and the rake is significantly lower at the higher limits. In addition, they are not necessary have to be professional poker players because in most cases it is enough to acquire simple poker strategy and to know elementary mathematics to win the game.

Accessibility

Probably the greatest advantage with online poker is its fast accessibility. It is always possible to find a favorite game to play twenty-four hours a day from anywhere in the world, as well as from the comfort of player's home. Once upon a time, a poker fan had to travel long hours in order to get access to poker room, but now no airfare, no hotel room and no bar tab are needed to get access to live poker game. In addition, the accessibility of online poker has speeded up the education process of various poker players. The quickest way to learn poker is actually to read up on basic strategy and play at micro-limits online.

Promotions

While the practice of free money promotions is quite common in various casinos, online poker rooms have needed to develop new ways to honor faithful customers. The most common way of doing this is through deposit bonuses, where poker player receives a bonus code when placing money into an account. The bonus code adds either a percentage or a set amount of chips to the value of the deposit. Moreover, several online poker rooms employ VIP programs, monthly promotions and referential bonuses to reward loyal players.

Clear Pot Odds

When you play in a live game, some players find it difficult to keep track of pot odds and determining if they are getting the correct odds to call a bet or not. When you play online, you always know exactly how much money is in the pot. You can easily calculate the pot odds for each decision you have to make. If you are unsure, you can refer to an out chart and even quickly use your calculator to do the math. This is not something you can do sitting at a table with other players.

No Physical Action

Sitting down in a live game and facing other players can be very intimidating for a new player. Playing online poker resembles video game as you sitting in front of your computer facing a monitor instead of a live person and nobody can see if your hands are shaking because of nerves. On top of all, it is hard to read your opponent by his physical actions, a skill which in right hands turns into a powerful advantage. Since online betting lacks physical players, it takes away the advantage of the old time card sharks who rely on reading your "tells".

About the Author

Jack Reider is writing his PHD on Caesar and Augustus, but also frequents the race track. He runs an online gambling guide to betting and online casinos.

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Understanding Your Internet Sports Betting Options: by Sebastien Veilleux

2008-07-23T08:52:00.000+05:30

Understanding Your Internet Sports Betting Options

by Sebastien Veilleux

Internet Sports Betting

The Internet has grown tremendously over the past decade. From placing sports bets to buying a car, the Internet has made our lives extremely comfortable. The Internet has been a great tool for sports bettors. The wealth of information that's readily available has helped sports bettors make more informed decisions. In the old days, you were limited to whatever you heard on the street.

Understanding your Internet sports betting options

The Internet offers you a choice of hundreds of established online casinos and sports betting portals that offer superb features and great bonuses. Since they have a lower overhead than a traditional brick and mortar gambling operation, online gambling destinations can be very liberal when it comes to a signup bonus and ongoing promotions. Online sports betting destinations are online 24 hours a day and just a click away.

The options available through Internet sports betting sites are numerous and varied. Equipped with the right information, you can enjoy a plethora of betting options. Much like the stock market, knowing when to bet a moving line can be the key to success. Most online sports books are simply followers of other lines. Paying attention to line moves is vital to winning long-term. Thanks to the Internet, it's now possible to watch line moves from the comfort of your favorite chair.

The Internet today, provides a number of quality sports betting online services. Not only do sports betting portals offer terrific betting odds for a number of games like horse racing, baseball, football, basketball, auto racing, golf, hockey, and tennis, some of them also give you free cash. The good sports books will give you a signup bonus and bonuses for re-depositing.

Some frequently used sports betting terms:

Arbitrage: Betting the same event at separate sports books in order to lock in a profit by taking advantage of different betting lines.

Bankroll: Total capital available for betting sports.

Bookmaker (or bookie): A person who accepts bets.

Chalk: A favorite (usually, a heavy favorite).

Circled game: A game in which the sports book has reduced its betting limits, usually because of weather or the uncertain status of injured players.

Futures: A type of wager involving the outcome of a season or how a particular team or player will perform over the course of a season.

Hook: A half-point in the betting spread.

Line (sports betting lines): The point spread or odds on a game or event.

Lock: A bet that cannot lose; a term that is often misused and abused by disreputable touts.

Match-up proposition: A betting option that pits two players against one another in a contest or event, often used in golf and auto racing wagering.

Nickel: $500.

Parlay: A bet in which two or more events must happen in order to win; if any one of them does not happen, the wager loses.

Point spread: The number of points added to or subtracted from a team's actual score for betting purposes.

Sports book: The part of the casino that accepts bets on athletic contests.

Vigorish (or vig): The commission charged by a bookmaker.

Quick Sports Betting Tips & Strategies

1.Make each bet a small percentage of your overall bankroll. For example, if you had a $1,000 bankroll and wanted to make each bet 1% of that, your average bet would be $10. As you win, you bet amount goes up.

2.Don't chase losers. Keep your bets solid and follow your defined sports betting parameters. Just because you lose three bets in a row does not mean you will win any time soon. If you don't pick winners well, this could go on for some time. Keep to your guns.

3.Straight bets are better than parlays. Sure, parlay bets offer the chance to win a lot of money for a small bet, but straight bets will be your consistent winner over time. Everyone plays parlays, but don't make them the focus of your sports betting activity.

4.In horse racing, don't bet a horse to just show. If you think the horse is good enough to be a front-runner, bet the horse to win, place and show. If the horse is not good enough for this type of bet, in your opinion, the horse is not worth laying any money on to begin with.

There are four solid sports betting tips & strategies to make you a much better sports bettor. Your next move is to head over to your favorite sports book and put these sports betting tips & strategies into practice.

About the Author

The author is the founder and players manager of AdvantageSportsBetting.com and one of the top experts in the sports betting industry today. Advantage Sports Betting is a world leader in online sports betting, casino, poker and a proud member of the Betcorp family of gaming sites. The company is publicly listed on the Australian & London Stock Exchange.

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2006 NFL Playoff Picture: What Teams Are in It

2008-07-22T21:29:00.002+05:30

2006 NFL Playoff Picture: What Teams Are in It

by Greg Melikov

Eight of ten NFL teams that made last year's playoffs are expected to again fight it out for a trip to Super Bowl XLI in Miami.

The main contenders, determined by several online sportsbooks, pro football experts and strength of schedule, presented David Letterman style are this baker's dozen:

13. Cincinnati Bengals, 18-1, could win 10 games, but schedule isn't easy: Pittsburgh twice, New England and Carolina at home, and Indianapolis and Denver away. A healthy Carson Palmer will make the difference and extending blindside quarterback protector Levi Jones' contract helps, but the Steelers once again stand in the way.

12. Miami Dolphins: 17-1, must win 10 to secure Wild Card berth. The team closed '05 with six consecutive victories. Daunte Culpepper and Joey Harrington are necessary upgrades at quarterback. Strengthened offensive line should allow aging defense enough breathers to be more effective. Nick Saban's new offensive and defensive coordinators and a shored up secondary are a big plus, but the schedule is no pushover: road games against Pittsburgh, Chicago and Indianapolis, New England twice and Kansas City at home.

11. New York Giants: 16-1, expected to win nine games, but will that be enough to make the playoffs? Defensive free agents led by former Dolphin cornerback Sam Madison must perform from the start. Improving Eli Manning can make a big difference, but must avoid quarterback miscues.

10. Chicago Bears: 15-1, should easily win nine games and dominate NFC North like in '05 when the rest of the division's composite record was 18-30. Free agents bolster the special teams unit, Brian Griese will keep Rex Grossman on his toes at quarterback and three defensive backs assure depth in secondary. Schedule favors Bears with only tough games at home against Seattle and Miami and away at New England.

9. Washington Redskins: 14-1, face season of 'ifs'. Playoffs attainable if Mark Brunell has one more solid year, if Jason Campbell can step in at quarterback when needed, if Santana Moss can continue putting up great numbers and if receivers Randle El and Brandon Lloyd can perform. Wild card berth within reach if Redskins do as well as last year's 5-1 against NFC East rivals. Toughest game is at Indianapolis.

8. San Diego Chargers: 14-1, are in three-way battle in AFC West. Philip Rivers must minimize mistakes in starting role, but receiving corps is weak. LaDanian Thomas anchors ground attack while the defense is sound except for a secondary that must improve. Toughest games: Denver twice, Pittsburgh at home and Seattle away.

7. Denver Broncos: 13-1, probably only 11 victories needed to win AFC West. Another 8-0 at home can lead to 13-3 repeat. Second solid season by Jake Plummer should lead to conference showdown against Steelers, one of two tough regular season contests, at Pittsburgh and New England. Difficult home games: Indianapolis, Seattle and Cincinnati.

6. Seattle Seahawks: 10-1, can again go unbeaten in NFC West since three rivals were 15-33 in '05. Unbeaten at home, Seahawks' schedule favors repeat of 13-3 record and return to Super Bowl. Most formidable opposition: Chicago and Denver away and San Diego home, but the Super Bowl runners-up haven't done well the following season finishing with losing records the last five straight years.

5. Carolina Panthers: 10-1, could win 11 games again with addition of Keyshawn Johnson to lessen pressure on ace receiver Steve Smith. Running back DeShaun Johnson and linebacker Dan Morgan must bounce back from injuries. Doing well on the road is a good omen since Carolina plays at Cincinnati and Washington. Toughest home games: Cowboys, Giants and Steelers. Check out the futures line at your favorite sportsbook for a killer potential win.

4. Dallas Cowboys: 9-1, posting 10 to a dozen victories within reach since they missed playoffs because of two last-minute losses. Receiver Terrell Owns will make Drew Bledsoe better and kicker Mike Vanderjaqt vastly improves floundering kicking game. Only question mark: offensive line. The two tight end, two receiver, one back offense will improve running game. Toughest games are at Carolina and home against possible Super Bowl foe Indianapolis. Just might play the Colts again on Feb. 4, 2007.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-1, only Super Bowl winner with a pair of back-to-back championships could win 11 or more games. Although losing running back Jerome Bettis to the TV broadcast booth and Randle El to Washington, offensive weapons remain in place as well as bulk of the defense. If Ben Roethlisberger shows no ill effects from his motorcycle mishap, the Steelers can journey to the ninth Super Bowl in South Florida.

2. New England Patriots: 8-1, can take AFC again despite free agency losses because of easier regular season schedule than last year when it lost to three playoff teams, but defeated Steelers. The defense will be stronger. Hardest tests are at home: Denver, Chicago and Indianapolis. The B & B combination of coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady hoping for fourth Super Bowl victory in six years makes this an exciting proposition for sports betting.

1. Indianapolis Colts: 11-2, lost two key cogs on offense, but defense continues to improve – last year to 11^th from 29^th in '04. When the Colts reeled off 13 consecutive wins in '05, it appeared they might go undefeated, but coach Tony Dungy rested the offense that, thanks to Peyton Manning, was third overall, first in passing and fourth in receiving. Two losses in a row quickly brought back starters for final season victory.

Mike Vanderjaqt went to the Cowboys, but Colts signed clutch Super Bowl kicker Adam Vinatieri whose last-second field goals won two of New England's three Super Bowls and was margin of victory in the other.

The running game, 16^th last season, lost Edgerrin James to Arizona, but drafted LSU tailback Joseph Addai fits in quite nicely. Faster than James, he runs well between tackles, fights for extra yardage and is hard to bring down. Just the guy you need when football betting is involved.

Indianapolis last year defeated main AFC South challenger Jacksonville twice and New England and Pittsburgh during the regular season before losing to Steelers by three points in playoffs. Toughest games in '06: at Denver, New England and Dallas which could be a preview of the Super Bowl.

And the Super Bowl winner is: Colts 27, Cowboys 21. Thanks goodness for online gambling – Get you future bets in today.

About the Author

Greg Melikov has been handicapping and writing about horses for decades. His articles and columns appear globally in print and on the Internet. Greg is a retired newspaperman who became a racing fan at 13 when he saw 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation whip 20 older horses at old Arlington Park.

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5 “Extra” Things to Remember On Every Dive: by Ian Scott

2008-07-22T21:29:00.001+05:30

5 “Extra” Things to Remember On Every Dive

by Ian Scott

Don't leave the dock without it

When you pack your gear bag, your checklist probably includes the usual gear and emergency equipment, mask, fins, regulator and one of those kits with a few extra o-rings, neoprene patches and regulator mouthpieces. Here are a few extra things that you can throw into your gear bag that will make your dive more comfortable, confident, and safe.

Citrus beverages

When I surface, the first thing I want to do is get the taste of ocean out of my mouth. As much as I appreciate the smell of the sea and the salty air, I'm not so enthusiastic about having it on my tongue. Water is refreshing, but I find that I can drink a few liters of bottled water and still taste the remnants of the sea in my mouth.

After experimenting with dozens of beverage candidates, I find that Five Alive is hands-down the best cure for oceanmouth. Other citrus juices are good, but none are quite as effective as Five Alive. The better ones were those that contain acidic juices like pineapple and grapefruit.

The juice serves another purpose: rehydration. It seems counterintuitive that spending an hour submerged in water can cause dehydration, but it's true. The air in your tanks is very dry – necessarily so, since moisture in a tank will rust it from the inside. Just breathing in that dry air for an hour will silently dehydrate you. Drink something when you get back to the boat and you can avoid the symptoms of dehydration such as headache, nausea and dizziness.

Long-sleeved rashgard or cotton shirt

Did you know that the chemicals in sunscreen are poisonous to reef-dwelling marine life? You need to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation, but you don't want to slather on the SPF lotion before your dive. Cover up the old fashioned way with a cotton shirt or a long-sleeved rashguard.

Laminated Dive Table Chart

Are you dependent on your computer? Go back and review your certification training and learn how to calculate your residual nitrogen using tables. Computers are great tools, but it behooves every diver to remember how to manage their nitrogen levels without gadgetry.

A "dry bag"A dry bag needn't be anything fancy – inexpensive bags with resealable flaps are available at most camping or marine supply stores. They don't need to be watertight to 100 ft – since you leave them on the boat in your gear bag. My favorite is a bright yellow, rubber bag with a top that folds over three times and tucks into itself for an easy watertight seal. Many divers on a budget will use a variety of disposable resealable freezer bags.

In my dry bag, I keep:

Tissues – a necessity. After purging my mask a few times, my sinuses get rebellious.
Cotton Swabs – some gentle attention to get the water out of my ears.
A photocopy of my identification & passport – just in case
Band-aids – because I stub my toes on boats
Everything that was in my pockets – Before donning my wetsuit, my dry bag (by virtue of its sealability) is a good place to keep a cell phone, camera, wallet, jewelery, car keys, etc.

Tell someone where you are going and who you're with.

Make this a habit, so you don't need to be concerned when an emergency arises.

First, make sure the dive operator knows who you are, where you are staying, and who to contact in case of an emergency. If you are injured during a dive, the dive operators might whisk you directly to the nearest hospital, medical clinic or decompression chamber. If the medical staff can't determine your identity, it can complicate your medical attention.

Second, tell someone who isn't diving with you where you are going. That could be others in your party, the hotel concierge, or a phone call to a relative back home. Tell them the name of the dive shop, your destination, the departure time and estimated return time for your dive excursion. If you know it, include the names of the boat, its captain, and divemaster. If you are traveling alone or diving in a group, write the information down and leave it with the hotel office. If your hotel is near a popular diving spot, they will be used to that sort of thing.

About the Author

Ian Scott is an experienced diver and freelance writer for thescubaguide.com – a site that offers information every scuba enthusiast can use. Information on scuba masks, buying scuba gear and more.

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A Brief History of Swimming Pools: by Cass Richards

2008-07-22T21:28:00.001+05:30

A Brief History of Swimming Pools

by Cass Richards

Swimming is, by far, one of the most popular pastimes in the world. It is also one of the oldest. As an organized activity, swimming dates back to around 2500 BC. Swimming was immensely popular in ancient Egypt, and there are a number of relics from the period which depict the act of swimming in vivid and awe-inspiring detail. In ancient Greece and Rome, swimming was taught to boys as part of their elementary school curriculum. Furthermore, the first known public swimming pools were built in Rome.

Under the direction of a wealthy Roman lord named Gaius Maecenas, the first heated swimming pool was also built for public use. Plato, himself, once declared that anyone who could not swim lacked a proper education. Who dares to argue with him? Aside from the Greeks and Romans, many other ancient cultures have left evidence of their love for swimming; among them the Babylonians, Assyrians, and Phoenicians. There is also evidence of competitive swimming in Japan over 2000 years ago.

In the 1830's, swimming became extremely popular in England with the establishment of various swim clubs. At the time, the breaststroke was the most oft used technique. In 1885, Captain Matthew Webb became the first man to swim across the English Channel and the breaststroke was his technique of choice. Two of the most popular swim clubs from the time were The Otter Swimming Club and The Leander Swimming Club.

In 1896, the first of the modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece. Naturally, competitive swimming played a significant role. The swimming event was held in the Aegean Sea, in the bay of Zea. The gold medalist for the swimming event was a fellow named Alfred Hoyos Guttman. Of the event, he said that his greatest struggle "was against the towering twelve-foot waves and the terribly cold water." Swimming continues to play a prominent role in the Olympic Games.

Swimming continues to be the sport of choice for many of today's athletes. Most cities have public swimming facilities, where you can swim for competitively or merely for fun. In fact, a number of public swimming areas also offer lessons for a very reasonable price. If you are a keen swimmer, you might even consider installing a pool in your backyard. With summer just around the corner, it would be a good time to start planning.

About the Author

Cass Richards is an avid swimmer. In her spare time, she writes for swimmingpools101.com – an informative online magazine dedicated to swimmers everywhere, with extensive information about swimming pool equipment, chemicals, accesories and more.

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A Golf Drill For Making Consistent Shots: by J Cavell

2008-07-22T21:27:00.001+05:30

A Golf Drill For Making Consistent Shots

by J Cavell

The only consistent thing about all amateur golfers is their inconsistency.

They will play three holes and not hit one good shot. Then they hit thee good shots in a row which inevitably keeps them coming back for more.

Hitting consistently is a must in the game of golf. Many players look down the line & let their clubs get too vertical on the downswing.

This can be the cause for three unwanted golf shots;

1 - Taking too much turf

2 - Steep divots

3 - A ball spinning off to the right.

The key to avoiding these three common errors is having a good initial setup.

Let's look at an example. If you have too much bend in your upper body & your arms extend to far away from your body, there could be a lot of tilt.

This specific example can be responsible for four common problems:

1. The club head getting too vertical on the back swing.

2. Steepness in your back swing.

3. The club getting stuck in the ground.

4. A reverse rotation of your arms.

Standing taller at address & getting the end of your golf club more toward your belt buckle, will put you in an ideal set up position.

Doing all of this doesn't necessarily mean that your swing will get more "rounded out" or produce a consistent shot. The good news is that there is a simple drill to help out...

A. Let's Call This The 15, 10, 5 Drill

This easy drill consists of four steps.

Step #1 - Take a practice swing with the ball 15 inches above the ground. By swinging so high, you should observe a nice rounded swing (almost like a baseball swing). Remember after the swing through to square up the clubface.

Step #2 - Now take another practice swing with the ball 10 inches above the ground. Swing right around & through it.

Step #3- Now, take another practice swing with the ball 5 inches off the ground. Again, swing right around & through it.

Step #4 - Finally, try it from the tee. Make sure the grip end of your golf club is pointing at your belt buckle.

Helpful golf lessons can be found at http://www.Authority4Golf.com

About the Author

J. Cavell is an amateur golfer from New Jersey who loves the game of golf. Like others, he wants to improve his golf game to make it a more pleasurable experience. He is a valued contributor to http:// www.Authority4Golf.com

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A Golf Lesson - Changing How You Address The Ball, Old Vs. New: by J. Cavell

2008-07-22T21:26:00.003+05:30

A Golf Lesson - Changing How You Address The Ball, Old Vs. New

by J. Cavell

Swing problems are found in every amateur golfer's game. These days, a lot of people believe that golf becomes easier when you isolate & eliminate swing problem variables.

When I first started to play golf I had a real difficult time find the right swing. I could recognize it when I saw other golfers swing correctly, but it eluded me for some time. What finally helped me was to concentrate on iron shots using this training method until I perfected my swing.

Traditionally the theory for hitting irons was to change how you addressed the ball based on the loft of the club. As the loft of the club is increased, the position of the ball address should be shifted to the right and your stance should become more & more open.

This method required that each club required its own unique stance. That made it necessary for the golfer to remember too many variables and provided a greater chance for error.

Today, most professionals believe in the KIS method (Keep It Simple).

Let's take a look at this simpler method. When you keep it simple, the right foot is moved closer to the left as the loft of the club increases. With the shaft of the club shorter, the ball is now placed a little closer to the golfer.

With this method, whichever club is used the stance is always kept square to the line of flight and the ball is always played off the heel.

Try this new method and see if it doesn't improve your short game. Take some time to practice at the range before you take your new found education to the course.

About the Author

J. Cavell is an amateur golfer from New Jersey who loves the game of golf. Like others, he wants to improve his golf game to make it a more pleasurable experience. He is a valued contributor to www.Authority4Golf.com

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A Guide to Snowboarding in Tignes: by John Blackett

2008-07-22T21:26:00.001+05:30

A Guide to Snowboarding in Tignes

by John Blackett

(by a man with Brï¿½viï¿½res in his heart and a snowboard on his feet)

Ancient history tells us of a place where skiing was encouraged as soon as it was born. Way back in the 1920s the area welcomed the first pioneer skiers with open arms. The same warm welcome has been extended to Tignes Snowboarding enthusiasts ever since they started to appear in the mountains during the 80s.

Espace Killy offers endless opportunities to boarders, whatever kind of riding they are looking for.

Miles and miles of beautifully groomed piste is a carver's delight. You can carve all day without repeating a piste or hitting a mogul if you don't want to! The pistes are excellent for jibbing too, with kickers appearing off the sides of many pistes, the Palafour being one of the best examples.

If you want to push yourself in this direction it's the park you are headed for. Espace Killy actually has two!

The Val d'Isï¿½re park (easily accessible from both Val and Tignes) is a haven of kickers. From easy greens for everyone to try, right through to the awesome 17 metre black which is not for the fainthearted. There are also a good selection of rails and tabletops to hit here.

The Tignes park in Val Claret proudly boasts one of the biggest half-pipes in The World (comes with a health warning!) where you'll be able to join (or just admire) pros as they practice for their next comp. There is also another good selection of rolling kickers and rails here.

A boardercross track can be found on the Tignes side too, with rolling jumps, serviced by it's very own lift. Come here if you want to challenge your friends to a race, it's the perfect place!

If conditions are right Espace Killy can offer powder runs unequalled anywhere. Skiers have been coming here for so long because of this, and it is no different for snowboarders.

Running off the sides of the endless pistes is a great way to learn powder riding, and once you have a feel for that you can really start to explore. Easy open powder fields in Brevieres and Boisses are the next step. In poor conditions the trees in both these villages also offer shelter and visibility to keep you enjoying the hill.

But on a clear blue day nothing beats throwing down some lines on an untracked run of powder far from the madding crowd. There are big off-piste runs from the highest parts of the resort, starting with steep narrow couloirs to get the blood pumping, running out into big snow-filled powder bowls then through trees to the bottom of the resort. Many such runs are reachable without even a walk, and the best such run starts and finishes in our beautiful little village

The Vallon of the Sache has a piste high on one side, but off-piste riders can explore the full extent of this secluded valley which is a nature reserve. Classic riding, stunning scenery, rejoining the piste just a hundred metres above Brï¿½viï¿½res.... you can spend an hour coming down this one and still be back in time for lunch on one of the sun terraces of Brev's restaurants.

So whether you are coming to try boarding for the very first time, or you are an accomplished boarder looking for fresh runs or park practice, Espace Killy really does have it all.

Skiers and boarders alike should only venture off-piste in the right conditions, with the correct equipment, knowing how to use it. If you don't know where you're going then don't go. Never follow someone else's track. Ride off-piste at your own risk.

This narrative is dedicated to Dan Hedlund, a friend of Brev forever. Ride In Peace.

2005 copyright Ski Tignes les Brevieres. Tignes snowboarding | Brev for Boarders

About the Author

For your fully catered Tignes skiing holiday stay at the ski Chalet Bonjour Bonjour.Make the Chalet Bonjour Bonjour your choice for your Tignes ski chalet

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A Surprised Victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix: by Jill Woods

2008-07-22T21:23:00.000+05:30

A Surprised Victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix

by Jill Woods

Formula One driver Jenson Button has won his first victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix that took place in Budapest, while Schumacher got one point closer to Fernando Alonso during the race.

At the beginning, the rain was present in the race concluding with a little bit of sun but neither Fernando nor Schumacher could finish in good terms. For Button, the weather was not an impediment; actually the driver declared that after 10 laps he didn't want the race to end.

Jenson was followed by Pedro de la Rosa of Maclaren Mercedes and by Nick Heidfeld in a BMW Sauber.

The seven - time Ferrari champion Michael Schumacher was gone with three laps remaining and he said to be disappointed because "they had a great opportunity but they did not take it". Now Schumacher is second with 90 points and Alonso is first with 100 points.

After 113 races on his career since 2000 this is Button's first victory with 30.8 seconds ahead of De La Rosa. The driver started in 14th place on the grid penalized for an engine change Saturday. In fact, he was the first British winner since David Coulthard three seasons ago.

For Button, those laps were the best ones of his career especially after coming from 14th place and winning at the end. It was definitively a perfect way to triumph.

About the Author

Jill Woods is part of the skill writers team on sports for the gambling industry at I Bet IAS Sportsbook. Feel free to reprint this article just as it is posted.

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Advice on Buying Your Ski Boots: by John Black

2008-07-22T21:20:00.001+05:30

Advice on Buying Your Ski Boots

by John Black

The most difficult ski challenge you'll probably ever face is not the toughest black run in resort, but finding a comfortable fitting boot that also performs well. Remember before you buy your skis, it is important to get the right boots. Ski boots are the first piece of ski equipment that you should buy. It is crucial that your boots are comfortable, warm, and suited to your style of skiing. Unsuitable, ill fitting boots, will severely affect your comfort and ultimately dictate whether you have a great day on the slopes or one spent pining for the chalet. If you're going to spend serious money on any piece of equipment, spend it on your boots. Here is a check list to help make sure your next ski boots are the best ever!

ELEVEN STEPS FOR A COMFORTABLE FIT

1. AVOID BARGAINS - GET THE RIGHT BOOT, NOT THE RIGHT DEAL

Uncomfortable ski boots can ruin your expensive ski holiday so don't be persuaded by a bargain. Beginners and intermediates complain more about badly fitting boots than anything else. If you are buying your own boots get professional advice. You can find boots cheaply at discount stores, but it is unlikely that the sales people will have the knowledge required to assist you properly.

2. TAKE ADVICE FROM AN EXPERT - NOT A FRIEND!

Don't be taken in by the latest well-marketed product that may not be suitable for your actual ski needs and goals. Do not take advice from a friend. What suits your best friend may not suit you. You will be skiing in your boot - not your friend!

Boots should match your skill level, as well as complimenting your foot and leg shape. Find a specialist shop where you can take your boots back for minor but critical adjustments. Find a ski shop that offers as many different brands as possible.

3. TAKE YOUR TIME-LOT'S OF IT

Buying ski boots is a time consuming process that too many skiers rush through. You probably spent an hour selecting your last pair of shoes -and they're made from pliable materials! A plastic boot shell will not mould to your foot's subtle nuances, even if you wear it all day, every day, for 25 years, so take your time to make the right choice. Expect the process to take hours, not minutes. You should plan to try a variety of different brands, models and sizes.

4. SHOP WHEN NOBODY'S AROUND

If buying at home, it is advisable to test the boots out as much as possible before leaving for the slopes. Go to your local dry ski slope or Snowdome, so that if needed you can have them adjusted before leaving.

If buying in resort, research your shop before you buy. Some resort shops use casual/seasonal labour who may not have sufficient expertise. Ask for advice on internet forums, from your ski instructor or the chalet ski hosts. During the ski season resort shops are busiest early in the morning and when the lifts close. Trade skiing time for personal attention and go when everyone else is out skiing. Remember, your feet can swell up to a half-size during skiing, so do not buy a boot that is already too tight fitting. For the best fit, shop in the afternoon or evening, or after physical activity. This is when your feet will be at their maximum size!

5. GOOD BOOTS NEED GOOD SOCKS

Remember a pair of thin sports socks should be worn when buying and wearing your boots. The days of needing thick ski socks has long gone as boots now offer very good insulation. Don't forget to trim your toe nails.

The feet can perspire up to one pint in a day! A good thin ski sock is advisable to move moisture away from the foot and to aid the foot to slide into the boot (avoid friction). The best sock contains the right blend of fine synthetic fibres and high quality merino wool, as well as being very thin around the top of the foot, with a light padding across the rear heel and shin.

Do not wear two pairs of socks. Two pairs of socks are more likely to reduce the foot's warmth by increasing perspiration and creating bunching, thus restricting circulation, whilst thin socks allow a good fit letting your blood flow, and helping to keep your feet warm. For every two degrees that the foot drops in temperature, around twenty percent of control and function is lost - just try writing when your hands are cold!

6. TOO BIG IS A BIG PROBLEM

Ski boots that are too large should not be bought. A good fitting boot feels a little tight out of the box and may remain very snug during the first few days of skiing. There's a lot of padding in the boot and it is designed to take on the shape of your foot as you break it in. Relax. Your liner will. A new ski boot liner will compress to as much as 20% over its life, so it is important that a new boot starts off snug and firm. A boot that is too large will result in the foot banging about inside the shell as the liner breaks in. Most boots initially feel short and a little tight but compress to comfortable levels after being skied for only a couple of runs.

Buying a boot that is too big can be painful and cause injuries. In extreme cases, oversized boots can cause ankle sprains and bone breaks. Oversized boots also hinder skiing and promote fatigue. You'll find yourself in the "backseat," clawing your toes and tightening your thigh muscles and hamstrings to maintain stability and control.

7. BOOT FLEXIBILITY

Another common mistake is to buy a boot that is too advanced for your skill level.

A boot's stiffness or "flex" is a key consideration. How stiff your boots should be depends largely on your skiing ability. Expert skiers have traditionally favoured stiffer boots because they respond to the slightest movement. Beginners, on the other hand, need a softer boot to help prevent movement mistakes transferring to your skis.

Talk to your boot fitter about your experience, your needs, future expectations, plus any previous problems. Be honest about your ability; if you buy a boot above your ski level, it will slow down your learning and hold you back from your next skiing breakthrough. If you are a beginner the last thing you want is a stiff boot that you can't even walk in let alone ski in.

Your weight and strength also determine how stiff a boot should be. When you buckle a boot you should be able to bend your knees without having to lift your heels off the ground. Remember that it's going to be colder on the hill, and the boot will be even stiffer. If you can't make the boot flex in the shop you need a softer boot.

8. SHELL FIT IS VITAL

Ski boots are comprised of 2 basic components: the inner boot, for comfort and control and the shell, for transmission, performance and fit.

Good boot technicians can shim, trim or stretch boots but shell alterations are best avoided or kept to a minimum. To check shell fit, remove the liner and put your longest foot in the shell. Slide the foot forward until your big toe touches the front. The gap between your heel and the back of the boot should be between three quarters of an inch (10mm) and an inch (20mm or about 2 finger tips). This will give a good snug fit when the liner is reinserted, assuming no other parts of your foot are touching the shell. Remember to repeat this process on your other foot as one foot may be longer and narrower. If you feel contact with the shell, these are potential "hot spots" and your boot fitter may suggest another model or customization options.

If a boot passes the above test, you should try the boot with the lining, and buckle it up. Your toes should touch the tip of the boot when you're standing straight up but move back when you squat into a skiing or riding stance.

If the boot is fine everywhere except for one place, on bunions for example, a fitter can tweak the fit by grinding or stretching the shell.

9. MAKE IT AN ELIMINATION TOURNAMENT

Every brand of boot is likely to fit your foot differently. Nordica, for example, typically makes its boots wider, while Lange has a reputation for an extremely snug fit. Experiment with several brands of boots before you buy. Try different models and different sizes of the same model on your left and right feet. Keep the "winner" on and pit it against newcomers. Remember, though, your feet are probably not identical and may vary in size, so when you find "winners," try on both boots.

When you find a pair you like, carry out the following checks: Are your toes pinched? Try flexing forward (bend your knees). As you flex, your heels should stay down and your toes should be pulled away from the front of the boot. The important thing is that your toes touch the front of your boots when standing straight up, and your toes move back when you flex forward. Is your foot (heel) moving up and down in the boot after everything is buckled up? This should not happen. The boot should hold your foot snugly.

Walk around the shop for 10 or 15 minutes and let your feet decide. Flex repeatedly to seat the foot and start the foams compressing. The boots should feel better after this time, not worse. Does your foot go numb? Sometimes the foot feels the foot bed and not the shell of the boot when trying a boot on. Numbness can be caused by high arches, buckles being too tight, and boots that are really too narrow for your foot.

What is the honest difference in men's and women's boots? Try both on. Many makers out there have both models available. The women's model usually has more room in the calf area. Everything else is the same.

Do you have micro adjusters on all the buckles? These are a really great feature on many upper level boots. If you ski extensively during the season, your calf muscles will get larger. The micro adjusters are there to let you give a little more room to the buckle before going down to the next buckle snap.

10. BUY SKI SPECIFIC FOOTBEDS

Almost everyone can benefit from custom footbeds. They will support and stabilize your feet in the correct alignment, dramatically improving the fit. If you already have your own, remember to take them with you so you can try the boots on with them. If you don't have any, consider buying them at the same time as your boots - they will make your feet more efficient in the ski boot and aid in bone alignment. This will translate to better edging movements, and keep your feet from becoming tired throughout the day helping you to improve faster and conserve energy, especially if you have high arches.

Custom footbeds will ensure an equal distribution of pressure under and around the foot - no more hot-spots! They will also help towards proper and effective positioning of the 'steering wheel' (ankle joint) within the ski boot, for more precise pressure, energy transfer and better circulation through the foot.

11. BEWARE OF MARKED SIZES

Use the manufacturer's marked size only as a guideline. The sole length and inner cavities of supposedly similarly sized models can vary significantly. Boots marked 27.5 can vary from 305mm to 314mm. It's easy to check the sole length; it's embossed into the outside heel sidewall of nearly every boot. Liner construction and materials also affect size and fit. A manufacturer's Race model liner can feel too tight while the Freeride model in the same collection will feel just right because of the softer foams that are employed.

About the Author

For your fully catered Tignes skiing holiday stay at the ski Chalet Bonjour Bonjour. Make the Chalet Bonjour Bonjour your choice for your Tignes ski chalet

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All About Box Lacrosse: by Rob Daniels

2008-07-22T21:19:00.001+05:30

All About Box Lacrosse

by Rob Daniels

Box Lacrosse, also referred to as boxla or boxcrosse is an indoor version of outdoor field lacrosse. The difference between a field lacrosse game and a box lacrosse game is like night-and-day.

Box Lacrosse is predominantly played in Canada during the summer months. Box Lacrosse started in the 1930's as a means to bring revenue to hockey rinks in the off season. Additionally it kept players fit during the summer months.

In Canada box lacrosse is more popular than field lacrosse from which it was derived. The rules of box lacrosse and field lacrosse are very different and of course the surface of play is very different. Box lacrosse is played indoors, in hockey arenas (without the ice) or on indoor soccer fields.

The goal in box lacrosse is smaller than the goal in field lacrosse and the attacking team must take a shot on goal within 30 seconds of gaining possession of the ball. Play in box lacrosse is significantly rougher than in a field lacrosse game. The rules of box lax encourage passing and running which improves a players overall lacrosse skills and athletic ability.

Box lacrosse should not be confused with indoor lacrosse which is a newer version of the indoor game. Indoor lacrosse was intended to be less violent than the other indoor version of the game, box lacrosse, on which it is based. Indoor lacrosse is also played in regions where box lacrosse is not played. Indoor lacrosse was designed to combine the most exciting elements of box and field lacrosse. Box lacrosse is a summer game, while indoor lacrosse is played in the winter.

Professional indoor lacrosse combines the physical play of hockey with the high scoring, fast pace and play-making style of basketball. Indoor lacrosse is played with six men per side, a rougher and faster derivative of the outdoor game. There are more scoring opportunities, and far more big hits, making indoor lacrosse an intense experience for players as well as fans.

The two indoor games have become increasingly similar in recent years with the primary difference being the equipment used in game play. Indoor lacrosse allows only sticks with hollow shafts, while box lacrosse allows solid wooden sticks. Also indoor lacrosse games consist of four quarters of fifteen minutes each, while box lacrosse games consist of three periods of twenty minutes in length.

The age of indoor lacrosse is evident when discussions relating to the first World Indoor Lacrosse Championships arise. The first Championships were held in 2003.

About the Author

Rob Daniels is a professional writer representing http://www.lacrosse-shop.com and http://www.hockey-games.net some of his favorite sports.

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Are Martial Arts Street Effective?: by Norm Bettencourt

2008-07-22T21:13:00.001+05:30

Are Martial Arts Street Effective?

by Norm Bettencourt

The topic of how effective traditional martial arts is in today's world as a way of protecting oneself is still a very sensitive issue to a lot of martial artists. What is even more sensitive is the issue of how realistic and street effective is the newer styles that have come out since UFC/PRIDE have come into the picture. I am a Registered Black Belt & have nothing against the martial arts and have also studied styles such as Pankration. I know that the techniques I have learned in the dojo should stay in the dojo because they will only work there, that also goes with styles such as the "modern day or reality based systems" they are for sport only.

I work as a bouncer/bodyguard & also teach tactical self defense. Many of my students are black belts or have trained under reality based systems & have learned the hard way that what they learned in the ring or dojo is not street effective. Their common question is why didn't their system work? Part of the reason is that if a rule or law is applied to a system it will subconsciously hinder you when your adrenaline takes over in combat. There are no rules in the streets your mind should not have to sensor or think can I do this to beat this person? We respond exactly the same way that we train.

There is no time to switch gears from sport to tactical. If you are training and your coach or sensei says can't hit their or no contact to the eyes your mind will remember that and store it for future reference. Your self defense system should take into account your environment as well. Can you kick your attacker in the small space your in? Can you balance yourself while performing a technique on the icy sidewalk? If you grapple with him what if he has friends coming around, what do you do then? Street fighting or tactical self-defense should be in the simplest form of fighting. You don't have time to play a chess game, like you would see in a UFC match. Time is not on your side in a street confrontation nor are rules or morals. What we can learn from the UFC or mixed martial arts events when it comes to reality fighting is if it has rules of what not to do, do those things in a street fight because its got to be effective.

About the Author

Norm Bettencourt is the creator of TACT Self Defense which specializes in combat management tactics for mind, body & spirit. Visit Tact Self Defense

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Are The Padres Pulling Away For Good?: by Bob Acton

2008-07-22T21:12:00.003+05:30

Are The Padres Pulling Away For Good?

by Bob Acton

Whether it's the AL West or the NL West in MLB, the level of play seems to drop off substantially when rating the various divisions. In the AL West, the LA Angels and the Oakland A's are presently tied for the lead, but then a team like Texas drops four in a row and they still only find themselves 1 1/2 games back of first place.

Over in the NL West, I have a sneaky suspicion that the San Diego Padres are about to make a definitive move on their rivals who are playing sub-par ball. San Diego has won 4 in a row on the road and now heads to Colorado for a weekend set against a floundering club.

The Padres got some great news yesterday when their presumed ace, prior to the season, Jake Peavy won his first game in two months. Peavy helped himself on Wednesday with a homer, a double and four RBIs as the NL West-leading Padres rolled to a 10-3 victory.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers have lost eight straight, are 1-13 since the All-Star break and have been outscored 81-29 during this stretch. They are eight games under .500 (47-55) and a season-worst 7 1/2 games out of first place in Grady Little's first season as manager.

Peavy (5-10) threw 129 pitches over seven innings allowing two runs and five hits with eight strikeouts and three walks. The right-hander came in 0-5 with a 6.61 ERA in eight starts since beating St. Louis 10-8 on May 28. Peavy has seven hits in 36 at-bats this season including his first career home run on July 5 at Philadelphia. His eight RBIs equal what he had in 200 at-bats before this season.

The acquisition of first baseman Adrian Gonzalez has been the steal of the year as the former 1^st round draft pick in 2000 by the Florida Marlins has been nothing short of spectacular. He extended his hitting streak to 17 games on July 26. Gonzalez, who hit in 17 consecutive games from May 17-June 9, is the first player with two streaks of 17 or more games for San Diego since 1997 when OF Tony Gwynn had streaks of 19 and 20 games.

Prior to this year the hometown Gonzalez had hit only 7 homeruns and driven in 25 in just 192 at-bats, so the Padres are jumping for joy and they are getting excellent production out of Mike Piazza who has chipped in with 15 homeruns and 45 RBI's in just 250 at-bats.

Pencil in the Padres as the NL West champions and look for them to flex their muscles in the Rocky Mountain High state this weekend!

About the Author

Bob Acton is an experienced sports writer and handicapper, who has written for the sports industry for over 10 years. His years of writing for Sports Scene, sports consulting on 33 Made for Television and Major Motion Pictures and his work as an instructor at Pro Teach Baseball Academy, have made Bob a trusted and respected source in the sports world.

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