That answer to that is a simple one at first glance: it is headed into an era of regulation and accountability, one in which a Full Tilt Poker-like squandering of player funds will be just as impossible as the Absolute Poker/Ultimate Bet insider cheating. An era in which the perpetrators of such schemes won’t have to be held accountable, because it will be impossible for anyone to do anything as vile and despicable as conning people out of their hard-earned money. At first glance, the future does seem bright, and the game may yet get there indeed, but those who know a thing or two about the inner workings of the online poker industry understand that the legalized/regulated sort of online poker utopia depicted above – if it exists at all – is really far down the road, so far down in fact, that the industry may never get there in its current shape and form.

Online poker regulation has been underway in Europe for a while now, and what has been made clear by the process thus far is that small operators, be they honest or crooked, do not have a seat at the table. This fact has been reflected in the dwindling poker room review sections of major online poker portals like pokerstop.com, which saw many of their listed operators evaporate, the sites fallen victim to this current period of transition. Online poker giants like PokerStar and a handful of others have managed to secure licenses in most of Europe’s regulated markets, but whereas before there was one major online poker compact where players from all over the continent and even the world could play at the same table, the post-regulation market has become a mosaic of smaller parts, a fragmented shadow of its former self, where raising proper player liquidity has become a major challenge.

Although the EU has generally been opposed to this market-fragmentation which – at the end of the day – is about favoritism towards local interests, but only if the outside operator looking to break into the market isn’t a PokerStars-like 500 lb gorilla, many of the member states have gone ahead implementing protectionist measures thus essentially denying smaller operators any semblance of a chance to ever peddle their games and promotions to their citizens.

In the US, the outlook isn’t any brighter for the small guys either. As the legalized area of the US online poker market is slowly but surely expanding, having started out in Nevada and having later secured a foothold in New Jersey too, it is increasingly obvious that the new playing ground is by no means level. Local big dogs are muscling in, but since they possess neither the technological prowess nor the required experience in the vert, they strike up deals and partnerships with the major online poker operators to put together a viable business. The two legal online poker operators (Ultimate Poker and WSOP.com) currently pushing the frontlines in Nevada have thus far only managed to shed a light on the incondite nature of the intra-state market, which – in its current state – is basically screaming for inter-state compacts.

Starting up an online poker business under these conditions is no longer a matter of joining an established network and putting up a website, although that may indeed turn out to be a good thing in the long run.

While the San Antonio Spurs cruised through the Western Conference Finals against Memphis, the Miami Heat had everything they could handle against the size and youth of the Indiana Pacers. Naturally, throughout that seven-game marathon, the storyline seemed to change over and over again. We had the inevitable drama as Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh took some heat for their play, but as usual (since their choke job two years ago against Dallas), the Heat delivered in crunch time. So now we have a pretty evenly matched NBA Finals, and serious betters will be doing a ton of research and then checking out online gambling site reviews to make their picks and get the latest and best odds, though in the end this one really comes down to your gut.

We have one dynasty led by Tim Duncan, and one potential dynasty led by Lebron James. With Duncan, he’s basically ceded the leadership of the team to Tony Parker, and their “Big Three” with Manu Ginobili have more to do with legacy. The Spurs are a deep team, with these veterans supported by some excellent young talent. The professionalism and experience of the Spurs sets them apart from some of the other teams the Heat have played, so many think they have a shot here.

In Miami, Lebron was ridiculed for being “Robin” to Wade’s “Batman” several years ago, and while we can all mock him for pairing up with superstars to win, there’s no doubt today that he has emerged as the leader of this team, as he matured quite a bit after the humiliation of the Dallas series. Meanwhile, the inconsistency of Wade and Bosh has to worry Heat fans, though like I said earlier, they always seem to rise up. Lebron also has revenge on his mind, so the motivation is definitely there against the Spurs.

So sit back and enjoy what should be a great series.

In 2012, more than half of the adult population wagered on the Super Bowl. From sports books to casual office pools, fans bet an estimated $10 billion on this single game. Rapper Birdman placed $5 million on a Patriot win and lost it all. Losses are inevitable in sports betting, but a few tips can make sure you win more often.

Sports analysts spend a lot of time studying the statistics and numbers throughout the season so that they can accurately predict the outcome of future games. The industry’s top experts rarely meet an accuracy rate of more than 50%. Even computer betting systems fall short of perfection. AccuScore, for instance, is the system that powers many prediction forecasts including ESPN, CBS Sports, and Yahoo Sports and it is one of the most accurate with a success rate of about 55%. Expert picks are great guidelines but you shouldn’t rely completely on an educated guess when you make your wagers.

#1: The Underdog May Come Out on Top

Analysts and handicappers examine player abilities, recent game trends, and similar facts to decide which team has the best odds of winning. Other factors, such as the team’s drive or new play developments, affects the outcome of the game as well. It’s not very likely that the lowest ranked team will beat the team in the number one spot, but with a good point spread, underdog bets have great potential.

#2: Parlay Cards Aren’t the Answer

A reputable Sports Book allows players to wager on sporting events, political campaigns, awards shows, and more. There are also a variety of betting options available for each event. Parlay cards are popular with many sports games because of their attractive payouts. With a parlay card, a better can wager on multiple games with a single bet. If all the selections win, the payout is rather impressive. If just one team loses their game, however, the player wins nothing.

#3: Several Bets Are Better than One

It is tempting to put your entire bankroll on a ‘sure thing’, but there are no definite wins in sports betting. The best way to make sure you walk away with a profit is to place several small bets and not one large one. Payouts on smaller bets are less, but the odds of winning continue to improve with each wager.

Whether you’re new to sports betting or a seasoned sports book player, wagering on your favorite events and matches is fun and exciting. If you pay attention to the secrets above, it can also be profitable.

There are a lot of reasons why online sportsbooks have a nice edge over casinos; convenience of location (you can bet in your sweatpants from your La-Z-Boy!), time to peruse your options before deciding where to put your money down and a quieter atmosphere where you’re the only one in the queue on Sunday morning without the shouting or crowds. But perhaps the biggest draws for first-time online sports bettors are the handsome, and in some cases spectacular, bonuses deposited into accounts after initial sign-up. They’re generous and intended to both lure prospective bettors to that particular site, while also giving you, the customer, the means to make the most out of online sports betting.

However, with so many options, it can be difficult to find the best sportsbook bonus you can get and even where to start your search. You also want to be wary of bonuses that look too good to be true—in some cases, they are, and your experience can turn into a nightmare. So how do you find the best bonuses? And how can you maximize the benefit so every game turns into a payout? All it takes is a little know-how.

Do Your Homework
If school wasn’t your thing and you got by on as little homework as possible, take heart: this is the kind of at-home research and studying that literally pays off. Look for sports betting forums and online sports betting reviews to see what everyone is saying about the insane offers they’ve found. The more you learn, the better your odds are of finding the best bonus. Search for betting sites and advance the search settings to sort the results based on bonuses or click here to skip the search and start betting.

Types of Bonuses
The two most common bonuses are percentage bonuses and flat bonuses.

– Percentage bonuses match your initial deposit and range from 10-100%. For example: if you sign up for a sports betting site that offers a 50% sign-up bonus, and you play with $200 of your own money, your account will read $300—reflecting your $200 deposit plus $100 (or 50%). Of course, the best options are the sites offering a 100% match; however, keep in mind that most sites will place a ceiling (or limit) on your initial deposit amount. Some of the most competitive sites even offer “rollover” on bonuses up to five or six times.

– A flat bonus is a specific dollar amount offered upon sign-up, regardless of your initial deposit. If you’re new to sports betting, this is the better option, as you can keep your deposit low and use the bonus toward a bet. In order to stay competitive with all the other sites, flat bonuses are at least $100.
The bottom line is that sports bonuses are great for both the betting sites and you, as the competition for your business is high and you will always have options. If you find one that doesn’t look good…on to the next!

Last Thoughts
You can sign up for one sports betting site and faithfully keep to it, but consider taking advantage of as many different sign-up bonuses as possible. You’re not limited on the number of sites you sign up for, though you should be cautious and be careful that you don’t strain your finances.

Samantha Knight is a contributing writer and online sports bettor who also enjoys casino gambling in her spare time. She and her husband regularly host poker nights at their home for friends and family.

Notre Dame had a huge road win last weekend, and the Fighting Irish have certainly gotten everyone’s attention. After years of mediocrity, Notre Dame is certainly relevant again.

Take a look at the college football lines for this week and you’ll see Notre Dame is a 17 point favorite over Pitt? Can they cover? Here’s this week’s free pick from Vegas Vic:

3:30 Eastern (Saturday, November 3rd)
Pittsburgh +17 over Notre Dame
You have to figure the Irish are going to be somewhat flat in this situation if not totally flat in this situation as a double digit home favorite coming off of last weeks huge/satisfying national tv 30-13 upset road win at Oklahoma as a double digit road underdog crushing the Sooners. Lines do matter in perception. Who is the underdog and who is the favorite does matter in scheduling/situations/results. Pittsburgh is just good enough to give Notre Dame a fight and the Panthers are playing with double revenge having lost 17-23 and 12-15 the last 2 seasons vs Notre Dame. If the Irish show up flat in this situation off last weeks big win at Oklahoma they are going to be hard pressed to cover -17 points. If the Irish show up totally flat in this situation their 8-0 start ends with an outright Pittsburgh upset…

There you have it.