Get Out and Vote! [Early Voting Begins Today in Nevada]
Early voting begins today in Nevada.
Over the next 14 days, Nevadans can vote at more than 100 temporary polling places set up all over the Silver State.
Read MoreShould Las Vegas Be Funding New Sports Stadiums?
Earlier this week, there was a rumor floating around LasVegas that the Rio casino property might be purchased by an investor, demolished, and replaced by a new Major League Baseball stadium. Some locals even speculated the Anaheim Angels could be headed across the Cal-Nev border and might “play ball” here as early as 2021.
Read MoreNFL Week #5
I’ve been an NFL handicapper for 24 years, posting my picks publicly. Periodically, I’ve felt compelled to make adjustments to my handicapping methodology. If something’s not working, then try something else.
The NFL changes over time. New rules and the renewed emphasis on existing rules can severely impact the outcome of games. Virtually all rules changes now favor offenses, which means higher scoring games, and increased variance (i.e., games are less predictable). Moreover, climate controlled domes and rubber grass clearly favor offenses (perfect conditions for passing).
There are other factors which increase variance. Calling upon the judgment of referees makes outcomes tougher to predict. The quality of coaching and quarterbacking also changes, making results less foreseeable. Running backs were once the most important players on any team. Now, running backs are far less consequential than quarterbacks, receivers, and even key offensive linemen.
More passes per game and yards-per-completion have also helped to spike variance. This makes statistics- and trend-based handicapping somewhat obsolete. Higher variance reduces the value of key numbers and diminishes the effectiveness of teasers. Then, there’s the longer extra point, creating more misses — which also deducts the impact of key numbers. In short, even though we’re only a month into the schedule, this regular season has become a clear illustration of wildly unpredictable results, calling for some adjustments to handicapping and perhaps even a shifting focus on the types of bets we make.
None of this is accidental. Higher-scoring, less predictable games are more fun to watch (I hate high-scoring games). High-scoring, less predictable games are good for fantasy football. With the NFL going through some trouble of its own, with CTE image problems and a slip in television ratings, I believe the league has made a clear decision to create higher-scoring, less predictable games which will attract viewers. So, this is the landscape we must adjust to now.
Hence, I’ve incorporated several adjustments and shifted my focus on the types of bets I’ve made and recommend this week.
Read MoreThis Should Be An Episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm (or Seinfeld)
Something strange happened to me today.
I had coffee with a buddy of mine. Let’s call him “Rick.”
Rick told me this story. The previous day, Rick ran into a mutual friend of ours at a restaurant. Let’s call the mutual friend “Randi.”
Read MoreLet’s Remember 10/1/17 Not as a Day of Infamy but a Day of Unity
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the horrific shooting in Las Vegas in which 58 innocent lives were lost and 841 were wounded. Here are my thoughts about how we’ve coped with the tragedy.
Read MoreNFL Week #4
Lost in Translation: What We Writers Really Mean
Writing is truthtelling, but the creative and business side of writing is mostly telling lies.
I consider writing to be a noble pursuit. It’s both selfish and selfless.
I write this for two reasons. First, I’m fortunate to be a writer. Second, I’m as fortunate to know many writers.
Read MoreThe Emperor Has No Close
This is Part 2. Read Part 1 HERE.
Read MoreNFL Week #3 Picks
Last week, was brutal. I finished 3-6-1, for a net loss of – $1,070. Here’s a look back at the damage:
Read MoreFear and Loathing in Las Vegas at a Trump Rally
Those who fail to learn after being fooled over and over again are doomed to be fooled over and over again.
Writing about a Trump MAGA rally is like narrating an orgy. I look around and I can’t believe I’m here. Everyone else seems to be having a ball of a time. Boobs and asses pack the room and are bouncing everywhere. There’s lots of screaming. But no one here strikes me as someone I want to get too close to, let alone touch. Please, I hope no one recognizes me.
Read MoreFacing the Firing Squad
