Gambling Blog

While the new iPhone OS 4.0 is set to bring a lot of great changes to one of the most popular electronic devices ever created, not all users stand to benefit equally. Nobody should skip the upgrade, but some categories of users will benefit more than others. This is an overly-simplified breakdown of the situation, but it should help iPhone owners understand what they can expect from the upgrade.

What will OS 4.0 bring to the iPhone? First and foremost: multitasking. Apple has finally found the last piece of this puzzle, and their dev team figured out how to let iPod and related devices run more than one app at once, all without killing the battery. A double-click on the Home button will bring up a screen of currently-running apps, and a second click will focus on the target app instantly. Early reports say this new multitasking support is surprisingly efficient – though beware, users will be limited to running 4 apps at once.

Other new features include a few enhancements to the user interface. Users will be able to arrange apps inside folders, change the background behind the icons, and store up to 2,000 icons instead of the current 180.

Business users

This class if iPhone users stands to benefit the most. The new Multitasking will more than quadruple the power of the iPhone, and will reduce the amount of time it takes to complete every-day tasks. Increased security measures, like the ability to encrypt emails, and PIN codes, will certainly benefit enterprises. The new “unified inbox” system in the mail app will also benefit business users, letting them manage multiple email accounts simultaneously.

Casual users

Again, the new multitasking support means a big change in how the iPhone operates. Casual users can now stream internet music through Safari while reading an iBook, for example. The ability to customize the iPhone’s interface even further by changing the background will make the device even more personal. A host of other new features, from the ability to rotate photos to a new 5x zoom on the camera, will all come together to make OS 4.0 a big step-up for casual users.

Gamers

This class of user stands to benefit the least from the upcoming iPhone OS 4.0. Apple is excited about the new Social Gaming Network, but time will tell how this system will pan out. Flash is still not supported, so it means that a lot of the best online games are still not going to work. Fortunately, many game providers are offering alternatives – online games designed specifically for the iPhone. Many mobile casinos, for example, offer real-money casino games like slots and poker that will run inside Safari, letting gamers take things to the next level by putting a few dollars down on their skills.

3G and the second generation iPod touch owners

Sorry, because of your outdated hardware, you won’t be able to take full advantage of some of the new features that OS 4.0 will bring. Most notably, your device will not support the new multitasking feature, so you will still only be able to run one program at a time.

Original iPhone and iPod touch owners

No luck here. The first-gen devices simply won’t support OS 4.0. Owners of these devices should really consider an upgrade.

What about iAd?

One new “feature” that will be introduced with OS 4.0 is not going to be as welcome as the others: iAd. This new mobile advertising system will introduce in-app advertising. The system will allow full-screen video and even interactive advertising content to be launched from within an application, without the need to send the user out to Safari to offer this sort of content. In a way the new system will be less intrusive than before, but at the same time it might just open the iPhone up to even more spam.

Overall, previews and hands-on reviews of the new OS 4.0 are very positive. Most users stand to benefit on at least some level from the upgrade, and all users are encouraged to take the plunge. The only people who are left in the dark are owners of older devices – and of course those poor souls who don’t yet have an iPhone of their own!

Check the mobile section on BlackjackChamp.com for the latest mobile casino reviews

While the new iPhone OS 4.0 is set to bring a lot of great changes to one of the most popular electronic devices ever created, not all users stand to benefit equally. Nobody should skip the upgrade, but some categories of users will benefit more than others. This is an overly-simplified breakdown of the situation, but it should help iPhone owners understand what they can expect from the upgrade.

What will OS 4.0 bring to the iPhone? First and foremost: multitasking. Apple has finally found the last piece of this puzzle, and their dev team figured out how to let iPod and related devices run more than one app at once, all without killing the battery. A double-click on the Home button will bring up a screen of currently-running apps, and a second click will focus on the target app instantly. Early reports say this new multitasking support is surprisingly efficient – though beware, users will be limited to running 4 apps at once.

Other new features include a few enhancements to the user interface. Users will be able to arrange apps inside folders, change the background behind the icons, and store up to 2,000 icons instead of the current 180.

Business users

This class if iPhone users stands to benefit the most. The new Multitasking will more than quadruple the power of the iPhone, and will reduce the amount of time it takes to complete every-day tasks. Increased security measures, like the ability to encrypt emails, and PIN codes, will certainly benefit enterprises. The new “unified inbox” system in the mail app will also benefit business users, letting them manage multiple email accounts simultaneously.

Casual users

Again, the new multitasking support means a big change in how the iPhone operates. Casual users can now stream internet music through Safari while reading an iBook, for example. The ability to customize the iPhone’s interface even further by changing the background will make the device even more personal. A host of other new features, from the ability to rotate photos to a new 5x zoom on the camera, will all come together to make OS 4.0 a big step-up for casual users.

Gamers

This class of user stands to benefit the least from the upcoming iPhone OS 4.0. Apple is excited about the new Social Gaming Network, but time will tell how this system will pan out. Flash is still not supported, so it means that a lot of the best online games are still not going to work. Fortunately, many game providers are offering alternatives – online games designed specifically for the iPhone. Many mobile casinos, for example, offer real-money casino games like slots and poker that will run inside Safari, letting gamers take things to the next level by putting a few dollars down on their skills.

3G and the second generation iPod touch owners

Sorry, because of your outdated hardware, you won’t be able to take full advantage of some of the new features that OS 4.0 will bring. Most notably, your device will not support the new multitasking feature, so you will still only be able to run one program at a time.

Original iPhone and iPod touch owners

No luck here. The first-gen devices simply won’t support OS 4.0. Owners of these devices should really consider an upgrade.

What about iAd?

One new “feature” that will be introduced with OS 4.0 is not going to be as welcome as the others: iAd. This new mobile advertising system will introduce in-app advertising. The system will allow full-screen video and even interactive advertising content to be launched from within an application, without the need to send the user out to Safari to offer this sort of content. In a way the new system will be less intrusive than before, but at the same time it might just open the iPhone up to even more spam.

Overall, previews and hands-on reviews of the new OS 4.0 are very positive. Most users stand to benefit on at least some level from the upgrade, and all users are encouraged to take the plunge. The only people who are left in the dark are owners of older devices – and of course those poor souls who don’t yet have an iPhone of their own!

Check the mobile section on BlackjackChamp.com for the latest mobile casino reviews

Some people are quick to stereotype the demographic of players who enjoy online bingo in the UK, but is there any truth in the common perception that most internet bingo players are middle-aged housewives, staying their days playing bingo and winning money with their friends?

A BBC news article from December 2008 reports that the average UK housewife spends an astonishing 47% of her time on the internet, a figure that beats students (39%) and even the unemployed (32%). Much of this time was probably spent socializing at networking sites like Facebook, or playing games like online bingo.

These figures helps to establish the fact that housewives spend a lot of their free time online, and there is no doubt that many stay-at-home mums enjoy playing internet bingo games. After all, online bingo in the UK is an intensely social activity, with chat rooms available during all games letting players make friends all over the world, so it’s a great way for women to stay in touch when they can’t leave the house. But what do these statistics tell us about the reality of the sterotype – the one that says the average online bingo player is a middle-aged housewife?

According to a premium report published by Mintel Market Research in early 2009, the stereotype might have been true at one point in the past, but the picture is definitely beginning to change. The report states that online bingo is shifting towards a younger audience, with 20% of all players now coming from the 18 to 24 age group. The 18 to 45 age bracket accounts for 62% of all bingo players, which means that a full 42% of online bingo players are aged 24 to 45, but times are definitely changing.

There are more than three million active bingo players in the UK – a testament to the popularity of this online pastime. The variety of online bingo services available to players is growing every day. Look here to read reviews of some of the best UK online bingo bonuses, and to find links to help you see for yourself why this form of internet gaming is so incredibly popular.

Some people are quick to stereotype the demographic of players who enjoy online bingo in the UK, but is there any truth in the common perception that most internet bingo players are middle-aged housewives, staying their days playing bingo and winning money with their friends?

A BBC news article from December 2008 reports that the average UK housewife spends an astonishing 47% of her time on the internet, a figure that beats students (39%) and even the unemployed (32%). Much of this time was probably spent socializing at networking sites like Facebook, or playing games like online bingo.

These figures helps to establish the fact that housewives spend a lot of their free time online, and there is no doubt that many stay-at-home mums enjoy playing internet bingo games. After all, online bingo in the UK is an intensely social activity, with chat rooms available during all games letting players make friends all over the world, so it’s a great way for women to stay in touch when they can’t leave the house. But what do these statistics tell us about the reality of the sterotype – the one that says the average online bingo player is a middle-aged housewife?

According to a premium report published by Mintel Market Research in early 2009, the stereotype might have been true at one point in the past, but the picture is definitely beginning to change. The report states that online bingo is shifting towards a younger audience, with 20% of all players now coming from the 18 to 24 age group. The 18 to 45 age bracket accounts for 62% of all bingo players, which means that a full 42% of online bingo players are aged 24 to 45, but times are definitely changing.

There are more than three million active bingo players in the UK – a testament to the popularity of this online pastime. The variety of online bingo services available to players is growing every day. Look here to read reviews of some of the best UK online bingo bonuses, and to find links to help you see for yourself why this form of internet gaming is so incredibly popular.

Are you ready for some action ? Go to Bodog

Are you ready for some action ? Go to Bodog

Danish poker star Gustav (Gus) Hansen has had three major love affairs during his life. Their names are Tennis, Backgammon, and Poker. Some of these temptresses have treated him better than others, but to this day, each one holds a special place in his heart.

As a youngster, Hansen was an avid sports fan, and he had a knack for playing tennis. He made a very successful junior athlete, and competed in several major events. Hansen’s relationship with tennis faded away after his teenage years, but this old flame never quite died. Unfortunately, their last meeting did not go so well: in July of 2009, Hansen lost a €1.4 million wager he put on Rafael Nadal to win the French Open 2009.

As the years passed, Hansen’s love for tennis was replaced by a fascination with the classic board game backgammon. In 2000, he followed his love to New York City, where he hoped to make a living as a professional backgammon player. While his devotion to the game was never shaken, he eventually moved on, looking for bigger and better things. Backgammon, he said, was too small for his tastes.

This brings us to the biggest love of Gus Hansen’s life: that irresistible lady called Poker. He met her in the Ocean View Card Room in Santa Cruz, California in the early 90s, while attending college at the local university. It was love at first sight.

Since then, Hansen’s relationship with poker has blossomed, and he has gone on to win three World Poker Tour open titles, the 2007 Aussie Millions main event, season one of the Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament, the WPT Bad Boys of Poker invitational, and many other prestigious titles.

Today, Hansen calls himself a “sensible gambler”, a title that fits very well. His aggressive playing style and his propensity to throw down pre-flop raises are responsible for a pile of tournament winnings that exceeds $7,500,000. He has even made money while standing on the other side of the table, by founding then selling off a website called pokerchamps.com (Betfair bought it in 2005 for €13 million). Hansen admits to losing nearly as often as he wins, but for him, the game is more important than the end result.

In recent years, Hansen has been spending more and more with a sly gal named Golf, who he sometimes meets on the weekends while Poker is away. He has also been seen with both Squash and Soccer on more than one occasion. But these are just flings, and Poker doesn’t seem to mind – she knows that she’s still his one true love.

Danish poker star Gustav (Gus) Hansen has had three major love affairs during his life. Their names are Tennis, Backgammon, and Poker. Some of these temptresses have treated him better than others, but to this day, each one holds a special place in his heart.

As a youngster, Hansen was an avid sports fan, and he had a knack for playing tennis. He made a very successful junior athlete, and competed in several major events. Hansen’s relationship with tennis faded away after his teenage years, but this old flame never quite died. Unfortunately, their last meeting did not go so well: in July of 2009, Hansen lost a €1.4 million wager he put on Rafael Nadal to win the French Open 2009.

As the years passed, Hansen’s love for tennis was replaced by a fascination with the classic board game backgammon. In 2000, he followed his love to New York City, where he hoped to make a living as a professional backgammon player. While his devotion to the game was never shaken, he eventually moved on, looking for bigger and better things. Backgammon, he said, was too small for his tastes.

This brings us to the biggest love of Gus Hansen’s life: that irresistible lady called Poker. He met her in the Ocean View Card Room in Santa Cruz, California in the early 90s, while attending college at the local university. It was love at first sight.

Since then, Hansen’s relationship with poker has blossomed, and he has gone on to win three World Poker Tour open titles, the 2007 Aussie Millions main event, season one of the Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament, the WPT Bad Boys of Poker invitational, and many other prestigious titles.

Today, Hansen calls himself a “sensible gambler”, a title that fits very well. His aggressive playing style and his propensity to throw down pre-flop raises are responsible for a pile of tournament winnings that exceeds $7,500,000. He has even made money while standing on the other side of the table, by founding then selling off a website called pokerchamps.com (Betfair bought it in 2005 for €13 million). Hansen admits to losing nearly as often as he wins, but for him, the game is more important than the end result.

In recent years, Hansen has been spending more and more with a sly gal named Golf, who he sometimes meets on the weekends while Poker is away. He has also been seen with both Squash and Soccer on more than one occasion. But these are just flings, and Poker doesn’t seem to mind – she knows that she’s still his one true love.

A man from Norway has won over 4.8 million Euro online in Betsson Casino, with a stake of just 5€. This is the biggest payout in Betsson’s history, and right up there with the biggest online casino payouts ever.

10:17:28 PM Is this true???
10:17:50 PM Hi “Peter”, Welcome to Betsson Support, I am Mike. What can I do for you?
10:18:28 PM Hi. Take a look at my account balance.
10:18:43 PM Is this really true???
10:19:18 PM What do you mean?
10:19:35 PM Have I won the Jackpot?
10:19:56 PM One moment.
10:20:16 PM I am shivering now!!!!
10:21:29 PM One moment “Peter”, I am checking this now.
10:21:38 PM Thanks.
10:21:48 PM Hoping for a phone call
10:24:47 PM now???
10:25:08 PM I can confirm that you have won a Jackpot!
10:25:14 PM Do you want me to call you?
10:25:20 PM JESUS!!!!
10:25:50 PM Will some one call me to confirm it??
10:26:14 PM We can call you to confirm, if that’s what you want?
10:26:43 PM No, I can see that the money is on my Betsson-account.
10:27:04 PM Congratulations!
10:27:06 PM But how much is it (€4,850,000, ed) in Norwegian Crowns???
10:27:41 PM I can calculate, give me a second.
10:29:43 PM In Norwegian Crowns is it today 38 119 098,24
10:30:07 PM OMG, thx, thx, thx!!!
10:30:46 PM Your welcome. Again, congratulations!
10:30:58 PM If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
10:31:13 PM Thank you!!!!!

A man from Norway has won over 4.8 million Euro online in Betsson Casino, with a stake of just 5€. This is the biggest payout in Betsson’s history, and right up there with the biggest online casino payouts ever.

10:17:28 PM Is this true???
10:17:50 PM Hi “Peter”, Welcome to Betsson Support, I am Mike. What can I do for you?
10:18:28 PM Hi. Take a look at my account balance.
10:18:43 PM Is this really true???
10:19:18 PM What do you mean?
10:19:35 PM Have I won the Jackpot?
10:19:56 PM One moment.
10:20:16 PM I am shivering now!!!!
10:21:29 PM One moment “Peter”, I am checking this now.
10:21:38 PM Thanks.
10:21:48 PM Hoping for a phone call
10:24:47 PM now???
10:25:08 PM I can confirm that you have won a Jackpot!
10:25:14 PM Do you want me to call you?
10:25:20 PM JESUS!!!!
10:25:50 PM Will some one call me to confirm it??
10:26:14 PM We can call you to confirm, if that’s what you want?
10:26:43 PM No, I can see that the money is on my Betsson-account.
10:27:04 PM Congratulations!
10:27:06 PM But how much is it (€4,850,000, ed) in Norwegian Crowns???
10:27:41 PM I can calculate, give me a second.
10:29:43 PM In Norwegian Crowns is it today 38 119 098,24
10:30:07 PM OMG, thx, thx, thx!!!
10:30:46 PM Your welcome. Again, congratulations!
10:30:58 PM If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
10:31:13 PM Thank you!!!!!

Because online gambling in the UK is fully legal, competition among internet gambling sites is fierce. Every site on the net naturally strives to expand their player base, and to do so, they are willing to pour an immense amount of money into advertising campaigns. While the UK government has created very strict rules about advertising internet gambling services, they don’t do much to limit which companies can advertise, so the sites that the public hears the most about are not necessarily the most trusted brands in the business.

The following is an overview of the top-rated brands for online casino games and online bingo in the UK. Often, one site will offer both services under one account, which is a good deal for players who are interested in variety.

Intercasino
It’s almost as old as the internet, and it’s one of the most well-known brands in the online gambling world. They run a very solid Cryptologic casino with over 200 games available. Bonuses are strong ($225 for new players) and a VIP club treats strong players to extra benefits.

Spin Palace Casino
This is the flagship casino of the Spin Palace Group of online gambling sites. It is also one of the most complete Microgamign casinos on the net, with more than 400 different games available in the download suite. Look for regular tournaments on both blackjack and slots at this great site.

32Red Casino
This is another huge Microgaming casino, and this one is particularly famous for its excellent Club Rouge loyalty program, a great comps system that gives a little back on every wager. As an added bonus, UK players will recognize Patsy Kinset as the dealer’s voice (she played Sadie King on Emmerdale).

All Slots Casino
This Microgamign site supports over 400 games and runs great slots and blackjack tournaments. The casino is tied in with several others in the Jackpot Factory group through a networked loyalty program that benefits players by letting them spend their points at any participating casino.

Virgin Casino
The Virgin brand is notorious in the UK, and their online casino lives up to it. It is 100% instant play, so there is nothing to download or install. Hundreds of games and great promotions keep players busy all year long. Earn bonus points and trade them for store vouchers, airline miles, and more.

Foxy Bingo
While this site is just five years old, it is one of the biggest and best around. Inside, 40 rooms offer just about every imaginable form of bingo, from zany 75 ball pattern games to intense 90 ball coveralls. A free £20 welcome bonus helps new players try out a few games on the house.

Jackpot Joy Bingo
Fifteen styles of bingo fill the halls of this great site. Many games are only found here, like their Family Fortune Team Bingo that is modeled after the popular television game show. Join now for a 100% deposit match, and then jump in on some progressive bingo games to win massive prizes.

Wink Bingo
This is a bubbly pink site with a fun and playful atmosphere, but that doesn’t mean they’re not serious about bingo. With both 75 ball and 90 ball games offering jackpots as high as £10,000 the money here just never stops flowing. Grab £15 free when signing up, and get 10% cashback for life.

Virgin Bingo
The Virgin brand was already mentioned as a great casino site, but they run a tremendous bingo site as well. Enjoy 75, 90, and even unique 80 ball games, plus great chat rooms, non-stop promos, and weekly cashback bonuses. Players can even sign in using their Virgin Casino accounts.

Mecca Bingo
Every new player at Mecca Bingo starts off getting a 100% deposit match bonus up to £50, and that’s only the beginning. Daily specials give players lots of ways to win, while several rooms packed with non-stop games means there is always something happening. They even have Deal or No Deal bingo games!

These ten sites represent the best of the best in the world of online gambling in the UK. They are all industry leaders, and they do a good job of demonstrating the immense creativity that can be found in online gambling sites. Of course, these sites are just the crème of the crop, and there are quite a few more excellent casinos and bingo sites that cater to players in the UK.

At the end of the day, players can either give in to advertising and stick with just one brand because it’s always on the tele, or they can take some time to explore what is available, and decide for themselves which online gambling site best fits their style. What type of player are you?

Because online gambling in the UK is fully legal, competition among internet gambling sites is fierce. Every site on the net naturally strives to expand their player base, and to do so, they are willing to pour an immense amount of money into advertising campaigns. While the UK government has created very strict rules about advertising internet gambling services, they don’t do much to limit which companies can advertise, so the sites that the public hears the most about are not necessarily the most trusted brands in the business.

The following is an overview of the top-rated brands for online casino games and online bingo in the UK. Often, one site will offer both services under one account, which is a good deal for players who are interested in variety.

Intercasino
It’s almost as old as the internet, and it’s one of the most well-known brands in the online gambling world. They run a very solid Cryptologic casino with over 200 games available. Bonuses are strong ($225 for new players) and a VIP club treats strong players to extra benefits.

Spin Palace Casino
This is the flagship casino of the Spin Palace Group of online gambling sites. It is also one of the most complete Microgamign casinos on the net, with more than 400 different games available in the download suite. Look for regular tournaments on both blackjack and slots at this great site.

32Red Casino
This is another huge Microgaming casino, and this one is particularly famous for its excellent Club Rouge loyalty program, a great comps system that gives a little back on every wager. As an added bonus, UK players will recognize Patsy Kinset as the dealer’s voice (she played Sadie King on Emmerdale).

All Slots Casino
This Microgamign site supports over 400 games and runs great slots and blackjack tournaments. The casino is tied in with several others in the Jackpot Factory group through a networked loyalty program that benefits players by letting them spend their points at any participating casino.

Virgin Casino
The Virgin brand is notorious in the UK, and their online casino lives up to it. It is 100% instant play, so there is nothing to download or install. Hundreds of games and great promotions keep players busy all year long. Earn bonus points and trade them for store vouchers, airline miles, and more.

Foxy Bingo
While this site is just five years old, it is one of the biggest and best around. Inside, 40 rooms offer just about every imaginable form of bingo, from zany 75 ball pattern games to intense 90 ball coveralls. A free £20 welcome bonus helps new players try out a few games on the house.

Jackpot Joy Bingo
Fifteen styles of bingo fill the halls of this great site. Many games are only found here, like their Family Fortune Team Bingo that is modeled after the popular television game show. Join now for a 100% deposit match, and then jump in on some progressive bingo games to win massive prizes.

Wink Bingo
This is a bubbly pink site with a fun and playful atmosphere, but that doesn’t mean they’re not serious about bingo. With both 75 ball and 90 ball games offering jackpots as high as £10,000 the money here just never stops flowing. Grab £15 free when signing up, and get 10% cashback for life.

Virgin Bingo
The Virgin brand was already mentioned as a great casino site, but they run a tremendous bingo site as well. Enjoy 75, 90, and even unique 80 ball games, plus great chat rooms, non-stop promos, and weekly cashback bonuses. Players can even sign in using their Virgin Casino accounts.

Mecca Bingo
Every new player at Mecca Bingo starts off getting a 100% deposit match bonus up to £50, and that’s only the beginning. Daily specials give players lots of ways to win, while several rooms packed with non-stop games means there is always something happening. They even have Deal or No Deal bingo games!

These ten sites represent the best of the best in the world of online gambling in the UK. They are all industry leaders, and they do a good job of demonstrating the immense creativity that can be found in online gambling sites. Of course, these sites are just the crème of the crop, and there are quite a few more excellent casinos and bingo sites that cater to players in the UK.

At the end of the day, players can either give in to advertising and stick with just one brand because it’s always on the tele, or they can take some time to explore what is available, and decide for themselves which online gambling site best fits their style. What type of player are you?

Last weeks highlights:

Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich Soccer Betting Line:

Manchester United -½ -135 -135 2½ O -135 U +115 1½ O -140 U +120 Draw +260
FC Bayern Munich +½ +115 +365 2½ O -135 U +115 1 O Ev U -120 Draw +260

Half Time Line:

Manchester United -½ +130 +130 1 O -135 U +115 Draw +125
FC Bayern Munich +½ -150 +350 1 O -135 U +115 Draw +125

To Score First: Manchester United -210 FC Bayern Munich +160

To Qualify: Bayern Munich -115 Manchester United -125

Match Time: 02:45 PM Eastern Time Wednesday April 7, 2010

Last weeks highlights:

Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich Soccer Betting Line:

Manchester United -½ -135 -135 2½ O -135 U +115 1½ O -140 U +120 Draw +260
FC Bayern Munich +½ +115 +365 2½ O -135 U +115 1 O Ev U -120 Draw +260

Half Time Line:

Manchester United -½ +130 +130 1 O -135 U +115 Draw +125
FC Bayern Munich +½ -150 +350 1 O -135 U +115 Draw +125

To Score First: Manchester United -210 FC Bayern Munich +160

To Qualify: Bayern Munich -115 Manchester United -125

Match Time: 02:45 PM Eastern Time Wednesday April 7, 2010

Tiger is not his real name. This golf legend – perhaps the most famous golfer who ever lived – was born Eldrick Tont Woods. The name “Tiger” was given to him as a child by his father, and the nickname stuck with him through adulthood.

Woods’ father was a Vietnam vet. His mother was originally from Thailand. Both of his parents had mixed ancestry, making Woods one-quarter Chinese, one-quarter Thai, one-quarter African American, one-eighth Native American, and one-eighth Dutch. To keep things simple, Woods refers to himself as Cablinasian (Caucasian, Black, (American) Indian, and Asian.

In 1978, when Woods was 2 years old, he made his first television golf appearance, putting against showstar Bob Hope on The Mike Douglas Show. Before the year was up, he had won his first golf competition.  At age three, he shot a 48 over nine holes over the Cypress Navy course, and at age five, he appeared in Golf Digest. Woods established himself as a golf prodigy from an early age, and has yet to live down that title.

As a teenager, Woods’ career really picked up. He started getting noticed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus, and he was winning more big events than ever before. In 1994, at the age of 19, he moved on from his Junior League career to play in the U.S. Amateur Championship, becoming the youngest winner the event had ever seen.

After high school, Woods attended Stanford University on a golf scholarship. After two years of mixing school and golf, he left university, went pro, and immediately signed a $40 million endorsement deal with Nike – the biggest such deal the golf world had ever seen. Since then, the sponsorship deals have only increased, during Woods into the most marketable athlete the world has ever seen.

Woods has had an impressive pro career. To date, he has won 71 official PGA Tour events including 14 majors. His focus is on raw power, and he is known for his long drives. His short game is also good – his putting skills, especially when he’s under pressure, are a sight to behold. Despite his incredible skill he remains cautious in his game – he plays fewer big events than most pros, preferring to spend more time preparing for each one to be sure he plays the best game he can play.

The man’s skills have certainly paid off. Last year, Forbes confirmed that Woods is the first male athlete in sports history to earn more than one billion dollars during his career.

Woods has had a bad year, there’s no question about that. He’s lost many of his most lucrative sponsorships, and his charities have taken a hit. But as of April 2010 Woods back in the game, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, both Both William Hill and Ladbrokes, two of the largest online sportsbooks, have Woods listed as the 4-1 favorite to win the next Masters. Does he still have what it takes?

Tiger is not his real name. This golf legend – perhaps the most famous golfer who ever lived – was born Eldrick Tont Woods. The name “Tiger” was given to him as a child by his father, and the nickname stuck with him through adulthood.

Woods’ father was a Vietnam vet. His mother was originally from Thailand. Both of his parents had mixed ancestry, making Woods one-quarter Chinese, one-quarter Thai, one-quarter African American, one-eighth Native American, and one-eighth Dutch. To keep things simple, Woods refers to himself as Cablinasian (Caucasian, Black, (American) Indian, and Asian.

In 1978, when Woods was 2 years old, he made his first television golf appearance, putting against showstar Bob Hope on The Mike Douglas Show. Before the year was up, he had won his first golf competition.  At age three, he shot a 48 over nine holes over the Cypress Navy course, and at age five, he appeared in Golf Digest. Woods established himself as a golf prodigy from an early age, and has yet to live down that title.

As a teenager, Woods’ career really picked up. He started getting noticed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus, and he was winning more big events than ever before. In 1994, at the age of 19, he moved on from his Junior League career to play in the U.S. Amateur Championship, becoming the youngest winner the event had ever seen.

After high school, Woods attended Stanford University on a golf scholarship. After two years of mixing school and golf, he left university, went pro, and immediately signed a $40 million endorsement deal with Nike – the biggest such deal the golf world had ever seen. Since then, the sponsorship deals have only increased, during Woods into the most marketable athlete the world has ever seen.

Woods has had an impressive pro career. To date, he has won 71 official PGA Tour events including 14 majors. His focus is on raw power, and he is known for his long drives. His short game is also good – his putting skills, especially when he’s under pressure, are a sight to behold. Despite his incredible skill he remains cautious in his game – he plays fewer big events than most pros, preferring to spend more time preparing for each one to be sure he plays the best game he can play.

The man’s skills have certainly paid off. Last year, Forbes confirmed that Woods is the first male athlete in sports history to earn more than one billion dollars during his career.

Woods has had a bad year, there’s no question about that. He’s lost many of his most lucrative sponsorships, and his charities have taken a hit. But as of April 2010 Woods back in the game, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, both Both William Hill and Ladbrokes, two of the largest online sportsbooks, have Woods listed as the 4-1 favorite to win the next Masters. Does he still have what it takes?

The World Cup is one of the fiercest, most competitive, and passionately awaited competitions in the world of sports. This is partially due to the fact that, like the Olympic Games, the World Cup is only held once every four years.

The first World Cup was held in 1930 in Uruguay. Since then it has run every four years excluding the years 1942 and 1946 during which war was raging in Europe and FIFA’s operation had ceased. Qualifications for the World Cup are held during the three years between the competitions to determine who will be playing at the main event.

The qualifications for the 2010 World Cup involved 204 out of the 208 FIFA national teams. This being the case, it matched the 2008 Summer Olympics as the sports event with the most competing nations.

There are always a total of 32 teams that participate in the last leg of this amazing tournament. In preparation for the 2010 World Cup, 204 qualifiers were held. The reigning champions are Italy, but this is always a difficult title to defend. In the history of the World Cup, the most successful team is Brazil. Brazil has been deemed the champion team a total of 5 times but they only won 2 times in a row on 1 occasion (They won the title in both 1958 and 1962).

The 2010 World Cup will be held in sunny South Africa. This will be the 19^th World Cup and is scheduled to be held from June 11^th until July 11^th. This will be the first occasion in which the competition has been held in an African nation. The draw for the finals will be held on December 4^th in Cape Town.

As the FIFA World Cup is one of the most anticipated sports events of recent times, it is heavily televised. Over the month long event in 2006, a jaw-dropping 3,353,655 tickets were sold and an average of 52,401 viewers attended each match. A total of 69,000 fans watching the final in Berlin’s Olympiastadion. Aside from the almost 70 viewers at the stadium 715.1 million viewers watched the finale from home.

A lot of revenue revolves around this event, not just in the host nation but all over the world. Many people not only enjoy watching the sport, but participate in sportsbetting in online gambling sites, and make a lot of money based on game results. Gambling does not pertain only to the final event. Many people bet on all the matches and qualifiers leading up to the World Cup on gambling sites.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be hosted in South Africa with thousands and possibly millions of fans both watching and betting on the finals results.

Click here for the FIFA World Cup odds

The World Cup is one of the fiercest, most competitive, and passionately awaited competitions in the world of sports. This is partially due to the fact that, like the Olympic Games, the World Cup is only held once every four years.

The first World Cup was held in 1930 in Uruguay. Since then it has run every four years excluding the years 1942 and 1946 during which war was raging in Europe and FIFA’s operation had ceased. Qualifications for the World Cup are held during the three years between the competitions to determine who will be playing at the main event.

The qualifications for the 2010 World Cup involved 204 out of the 208 FIFA national teams. This being the case, it matched the 2008 Summer Olympics as the sports event with the most competing nations.

There are always a total of 32 teams that participate in the last leg of this amazing tournament. In preparation for the 2010 World Cup, 204 qualifiers were held. The reigning champions are Italy, but this is always a difficult title to defend. In the history of the World Cup, the most successful team is Brazil. Brazil has been deemed the champion team a total of 5 times but they only won 2 times in a row on 1 occasion (They won the title in both 1958 and 1962).

The 2010 World Cup will be held in sunny South Africa. This will be the 19^th World Cup and is scheduled to be held from June 11^th until July 11^th. This will be the first occasion in which the competition has been held in an African nation. The draw for the finals will be held on December 4^th in Cape Town.

As the FIFA World Cup is one of the most anticipated sports events of recent times, it is heavily televised. Over the month long event in 2006, a jaw-dropping 3,353,655 tickets were sold and an average of 52,401 viewers attended each match. A total of 69,000 fans watching the final in Berlin’s Olympiastadion. Aside from the almost 70 viewers at the stadium 715.1 million viewers watched the finale from home.

A lot of revenue revolves around this event, not just in the host nation but all over the world. Many people not only enjoy watching the sport, but participate in sportsbetting in online gambling sites, and make a lot of money based on game results. Gambling does not pertain only to the final event. Many people bet on all the matches and qualifiers leading up to the World Cup on gambling sites.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be hosted in South Africa with thousands and possibly millions of fans both watching and betting on the finals results.

Click here for the FIFA World Cup odds

Traditional brick & mortar casinos like the ones found in Las Vegas often pamper their best players by offering things like free steak dinners, complementary hotel rooms, and an endless string of delicious cocktails. Online casinos, on the other hand, have to do things a little differently – simply because virtual steak dinners really don’t taste very good. In order to fill in this gap, online gaming sites have invented bonuses.

Casino bonuses might seem complicated at first, but the concept is really simple. Bonuses are special incentives that reward players with free casino money. This money cannot be converted directly into cash; instead, it is used to play more online casino games. If players win while playing with bonus money, these winnings can then be withdrawn as real cash.

As with everything, there is usually fine print surrounding these bonuses that tries to keep players from abusing them. This usually involves inserting a delay between the time the bonus is given out, and the time that the money can be withdrawn. During this delay, players must wager a certain amount of money before winnings from a bonus can be cashed out. This wagering requirement is typically higher for games like blackjack, which have a low house edge.

Despite these measures, there are people who make a very good living preying on casino bonuses. They start out with a very large amount of money, and do a bit of searching to hunt down the latest casino bonuses. They usually go after welcome bonuses, since these are typically the biggest ones available. Bonus abusers will sign up with a new casino, make a deposit, grab the bonus, and then use the bonus cash to win quite a lot more money.

Once they have fulfilled the wagering requirement for the bonus, these bonus abusers will cash out and move on. There is definitely risk involved in this sort of “hit-and-run” activity, but when done just right, it has the potential to pay off.

Lately, many online casinos have been struggling, trying to figure out how to block bonus abusers. One strategy is to only allow one bonus per household (IP address). This keeps players from creating multiple accounts with the same casino just to get more bonuses.

Another strategy is to watch what country new accounts are created from. If a casino notices a rush of bonus abusers signing up from a particular country, the casino may stop accepting players from there. Many players dislike this sort of “blanket punishment”, since it clearly affects honest players too, who might suddenly find that they are not allowed to sign up at a particular internet casino.

The latest step that casinos are taking is to completely change how bonuses work. Instead of relying on fixed bonus systems, some casinos are using special formulas to calculate bonuses, based on variables such as how soon a player cashes out, or how quickly they fulfill a bonus’ wagering requirement.

Traditional brick & mortar casinos like the ones found in Las Vegas often pamper their best players by offering things like free steak dinners, complementary hotel rooms, and an endless string of delicious cocktails. Online casinos, on the other hand, have to do things a little differently – simply because virtual steak dinners really don’t taste very good. In order to fill in this gap, online gaming sites have invented bonuses.

Casino bonuses might seem complicated at first, but the concept is really simple. Bonuses are special incentives that reward players with free casino money. This money cannot be converted directly into cash; instead, it is used to play more online casino games. If players win while playing with bonus money, these winnings can then be withdrawn as real cash.

As with everything, there is usually fine print surrounding these bonuses that tries to keep players from abusing them. This usually involves inserting a delay between the time the bonus is given out, and the time that the money can be withdrawn. During this delay, players must wager a certain amount of money before winnings from a bonus can be cashed out. This wagering requirement is typically higher for games like blackjack, which have a low house edge.

Despite these measures, there are people who make a very good living preying on casino bonuses. They start out with a very large amount of money, and do a bit of searching to hunt down the latest casino bonuses. They usually go after welcome bonuses, since these are typically the biggest ones available. Bonus abusers will sign up with a new casino, make a deposit, grab the bonus, and then use the bonus cash to win quite a lot more money.

Once they have fulfilled the wagering requirement for the bonus, these bonus abusers will cash out and move on. There is definitely risk involved in this sort of “hit-and-run” activity, but when done just right, it has the potential to pay off.

Lately, many online casinos have been struggling, trying to figure out how to block bonus abusers. One strategy is to only allow one bonus per household (IP address). This keeps players from creating multiple accounts with the same casino just to get more bonuses.

Another strategy is to watch what country new accounts are created from. If a casino notices a rush of bonus abusers signing up from a particular country, the casino may stop accepting players from there. Many players dislike this sort of “blanket punishment”, since it clearly affects honest players too, who might suddenly find that they are not allowed to sign up at a particular internet casino.

The latest step that casinos are taking is to completely change how bonuses work. Instead of relying on fixed bonus systems, some casinos are using special formulas to calculate bonuses, based on variables such as how soon a player cashes out, or how quickly they fulfill a bonus’ wagering requirement.