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Get In The Game - with Nigel Ridgway of bet365

Written by: Nigel Ridgway (2005-06-09 22:08:20)

GOLF
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Booz Allen Classic
Th Jun 9 – 6:00 pm EST (USA)/22:00 GMT
Fr Jun 10 – 4 pm EST (USA)/20:00 GMT
Sa Jun 11 – 3:00 pm EST (ABC)/19:00 GMT
Su Jun 12 – 3:00 pm EST (ABC)/19:00 GMT
A particularly strong field this week, including three of the world's top four, and eight of the top ten (no Woods or Toms), but a tricky tournament for punters to get stuck into. The problem this week is determining which players will be using the week to fine tune their games ahead of next week's US Open, and many of the bigger names will not be overly concerned about winning. Throw in the fact that none of the bigger names in the field are particularly on their game right now (Singh was particularly bad last week) and there's a strong case for looking further down the betting list.

One name which jumps out is that of Jim Furyk, who has done everything but win this year. He's had five top-10 finishes in the last three months, including two runners-up spots, and would have been closer than 8th last week but for a very slow start. He was also joint-fifth the last time this course was used for the US Open in 1997, so has to be worth a saver at least this week. The main bet, however, is going to be on Bo Van Pelt at a more attractive 66/1. These odds look generous for a player who has made the frame in two of his last five starts (including out-playing Tiger Woods for most of the final round last week). What's more, he's not qualified for the US Open so he can concentrate fully on this week's event. The final pick goes to Olin Browne at a massive 150/1! Three of this year's last four starts are ties for 21st or better but the clincher is his tie for fifth here back in 1997.

Nigel's Three Off The Tee … Jim Furyk 16/1, Bo Van Pelt @ 66/1, Olin Brown @ 150/1. Each-way Ό odds, 1.2.3.4.5. Betting In-Play available throughout

NASCAR
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Pocono 500
Su Jun 5 – 1:00 pm EST (FOX)/17:00 GMT
The NASCAR series heads to Pennsylvania this Sunday for the Pocono 500. The favorite coming into the race is Jimmie Johnson (7/2), and that's no surprise when you consider that he swept the season here in 2004. In fact, in both races, Johnson led for the most laps in both races and there was never any doubt who was going to win. He's sure to go well again but, at a bigger price, a better bet could be Kasey Kahne (8/1). Kahne came into this race last year as a rookie and made it on to pole after the qualifying session before finishing 14th. A few weeks later, in the second Pocono race, he fared much better with a third place finish, and will have a good idea of what it takes to win this week. Jeremy Mayfield (20/1) has two of his four career wins here, although the last was back in 2000. In this race last season, he battled all race long until grabbing the lead with 32 laps to go, only to find Johnson too good. Still, that proved he can still perform well at Pocono and he's a good each-way bet this week.

Nigel's Checkered Flag: Kasey Kahne @ 8/1; Jeremy Mayfield @ 20/1 (Each-way 1/4 odds 1.2.3)

bet365 selected Pocono 500 prices … Jimmie Johnson 7/2, Greg Biffle 13/2, Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne 8/1, Mark Martin 10/1, Ryan Newman 12/1, Jeremy Mayfield 20/1, others on bet365 website.

NBA PLAYOFFS
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DET Pistons vs SA Spurs
Th Jun 9 – 9:00 pm EST (ABC)/Jun 10 – 01:00 GMT
Su Jun 12 – 9:00 pm EST (ABC)/Jun 13 – 01:00 GMT
Tu Jun 14 – 9:00 pm EST (ABC)/Jun 15 – 01:00 GMT
Th Jun 16 – 9:00 pm EST (ABC)/Jun 17 – 01:00 GMT
Here we go for Game 1 off the 2005 NBA Final between Detroit and San Antonio. The series format is 2-3-2, and before Thursday night's game we bet San Antonio 10/27 and Detroit 11/5. As well as home court advantage, the Spurs can also count on the skills of Manu Ginobili, and that could tip the series the Spurs way. The shooting guard from Argentina has certainly stepped up his game in the playoffs, averaging 21.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He's also shooting a red hot .512 from the field and .462 from three-point range. In our Series Correct Score betting, the favorite was a Spurs 4-2 win at 5/2 (8/1 the other way). You could also have snapped up Spurs to win Game 1 AND the series at 8/13. All these markets will be updated after each game, while during play you can bet on the Points Spread, Game Total (over / under), and Who'll Win the Next Quarter. Game 2 is Sunday at 9.00pm ET.

Series Pick: San Antonio @ 10/27; Spurs to win 4-2 @ 5/2

HORSE RACING
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Belmont Stakes
Sa Jun 11 – 5:30 pm EST (NBC)/21:30 GMT
Afleet Alex, winner of the Preakness Stakes last month, is 8/11 favorite for the third leg of the US Triple Crown. He will face ten rivals on Saturday night, including Kentucky Derby hero Giacomo (7/2), who was third in the Preakness. The duo will race from stalls nine and five respectively, and are the only two horses in the field to have contested the first two Classics of the season. All of their rivals are stepping up in grade, and the highest rated among them is Reverberate (8/1), second to Oratory in the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes.

AFL
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Colorado Crush @ Georgia Force
Su Jun 12 – 3:00 pm EST (NBC)/19:00 GMT
The stage is set for the 19th annual championship of the Arena Football League, between the Georgia Force and the Colorado Crush. Historically, the two teams have only met once before, a 44-40 win by the Force in 2003 – the first AFL game in Crush history. On balance, Georgia should just be favorites (-3.5 @ 10/11). The Force surprised many by taking the tough Southern Division and then proving talent can overcome experience by winning its two playoff games. The Crush won the Central Division, and then defeated San Jose for the first time ever followed by an overtime win over Chicago. That win over Chicago was extra special as Chicago had won both their meetings this year. So, in what could be a scrappy encounter, the best bet could be Chicago getting the start (+3.5) The Crush have been winning scrappy all year, and the winner is likely to be the team to have the last kick at the goal posts.

ArenaBowl Pick: Colorado Crush (+3.5) @ 10/11

Get in the game and be lucky!

Nigel

Please be aware that prices are subject to change. All times EST (unless otherwise noted) and are subject to change. Check local listings.

NIGEL RIDGWAY, an experienced punter and betting shop owner of many years, believes that “The key to successful gambling is getting value for money.” Nigel was once forced by local bookmakers, to stop writing a tipping column in a UK newspaper, because he was costing them a fortune. Find out what offers and lines are hot at bet365.com