By Marc Lawrence — ESPN lead sports gambling writer David Purdum authored an excellent read into the dying art of the parlay card – the hard-copy, pencil-and-paper betting sheets – and what Vegas wiseguys that play these cards are up against these days. He writes… The Professional Bull Riders World Championships are in town, drawing record crowds. Instead of the classic tones of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, country music blares in front of the New York-New York hotel and casino on The Strip. Vests and button-down, long-sleeve shirts, tucked into tight-fitting jeans with showcase belts, are en vogue. Canned beer and cowboy hats are everywhere, as PBR fans mill around outside T-Mobile Arena ahead of the quarterfinal round. Little do they know that an imposter is on his way: a 44-year-old professional gambler who is in disguise and on a mission to beat the town’s bookmakers. But the gig is almost up: The longtime wise-guy hustle he’s trying to pull off tonight is on its last leg, and a staple of American sports betting could be on its way out. Click here to read more. NBA History Book Cleveland: 11-3-1 $ vs. Raptors, including 6-1 as a dog … Oklahoma City: 3-9 $ home vs. Bulls … Portland: 10-0 SU vs. the Suns. Grinding Out The Profits From this year’s Playbook College Bowl Stat Report: the PAC-12 is 2-20 ATS in bowl games the past three seasons, including 0-15 ATS against foes coming off a win. That’s enough to make them the lead story at many a Gambler’s Anonymous meeting. |