The Betting Slip (a true story)

[Johnny Karp]

Well, I'm happy that Arsenal won I often bet against my favorite team just to be covered: I'm happy if the team wins but I can be happy if they don't win too because I'll get some money

[Johnny Karp]

Since the NHL season is starting today I guess I have no other option than to test my betting skills on the opening games Although the early season games often bring surprises I guess I will stick to the favorites, let's see what I chose.

Carolina at Minnesota - Minnesota to win (5/6)

This game will be played in Helsinki, Finland, so there is no home advantage for either of the two sides. None of the two reached the play-offs last season so they will surely be looking to make a good start this term. Minnesota coach Todd Richards is quite confident so I'm going to trust him: "If you look back at last year our start, we were a team trying to find itself from the first drop of the puck and we didn't get there until about November," Richards said. "It should be earlier rather than later, and really that's my focus."

Montreal at Toronto - Toronto to win (5/7)

I think that the Maple Leafs will clinch this one because of the home advantage and also because Montreal will miss one of their best players, Michael Cammalleri. He was assessed a one-game suspension for a slashing incident involving Nino Niederreiter in Saturday’s preseason game against the Islanders. The left wing led the League in goals with 13 during last season's playoffs.

Chicago at Colorado - Chicago to win (10/13)

Last season's Stanley Cup winners have to get off to a good start, they might still be the best team in the league and I expect them to prove that right away. They did let go quite a few players but Stanley Cup hero Patrick Kane, Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Toews and Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith will continue to be a part of the team's core for years.

Here is the betting slip, I placed the combo bet at Sports Interaction:



Wish me luck!

[blueday]

I really do wish you luck Johnny.  Would be nice to see a win to bring you back into an overall credit on this thread.

Good luck! 

blue

[Johnny Karp]

I really do wish you luck Johnny.  Would be nice to see a win to bring you back into an overall credit on this thread.

Good luck! 

blue

Thanks Blue. Anyway, it's not all about winning or losing, the important thing is to have fun in the process and not to be upset if you lose.

[blueday]

I agree but a little "tickle" now and then keeps the spirits high.

I wish you luck.

blue

[Johnny Karp]

And now the results:

Carolina Hurricanes at Minnesota Wild 4-3 (predicted a win for Minnesota)

Brandon Sutter scored twice for the Hurricanes, including the game-winner late in the second period, and Jussi Jokinen had a goal and an assist. The result, a 4-3 win for the Hurricanes over the Minnesota Wild in the first game of the NHL season could give them a lot of confidence going forward. The goalscorers: CAR:  Sutter, B. (PPG, 19:50 in 1st), Babchuk, A. (05:58 in 2nd), Jokinen, J. (PPG, 11:16 in 2nd), Sutter, B. (18:03 in 2nd); MIN:  Latendresse, G. (03:33 in 1st), Cullen, M. (PPG, 09:52 in 2nd), Burns, B. (PPG, 16:39 in 3rd)

Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs 2-3 (got this one right)

I got this one right even though it wasn't easy. The Leafs accomplished in a single game what took them nine tries last year, beating the Montreal Canadiens. The goalscorers:  MTL:  Boyd, D. (12:19 in 1st), Halpern, J. (02:28 in 3rd); TOR:  Brent, T. (06:42 in 1st), Kessel, P. (08:57 in 1st), MacArthur, C. (01:36 in 3rd)

Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche 3-4 (predicted a win for Chicago)

Last season's Stanley Cup winners got off to a bad start in Colorado as the Avalanche youngsters taught them a lesson. Colorado clinched the game in overtime thanks to Paul Stastny who scored with 1:20 remaining in overtime, his second goal of the game. The goalscorers:  CHI:  Bickell, B. (PPG, 04:37 in 1st), Hossa, M. (18:24 in 2nd), Sharp, P. (PPG, 10:25 in 3rd); COL:  Stewart, C. (16:30 in 1st), Duchene, M. (06:13 in 2nd), Stastny, P. (PPG, 13:51 in 2nd), Stastny, P. (03:40 in OT)

That's how it went this time, I was not far from getting all three results right because, as you can notice, all the three games were quite tight and one of them went into overtime.

[blueday]

Very close indeed.  Best of luck on your next bet...which I'm looking forward to.

blue

[Johnny Karp]

Thanks Blue, I guess I'll bet on some soccer games next week.

[Johnny Karp]

OK, it's time for this week's betting slip! Since there are a wealth of soccer games playing today all around Europe in the Euro 2012 qualifying groups I chose to place a fairly risky 10 match combo! Let's see what I chose:

Scotland v Spain
Straight Up Winner Spain   1.36   
I'll surely be watching this game tonight as I enjoy watching the Spanish team regardless of their opponent. They won't have an easy game in Scotland but I reckon their superior skills will bring them a victory.
   
Iceland v Portugal
Straight Up Winner Portugal   1.30
Portugal had a troublesome start to their campaign but now they seem to be back on track. A trip to chilly Iceland is never easy but I hope that the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani will bring a win for Portugal.        

France v Luxembourg
Straight Up Winner France   1.02
Not much to say about this one, France will surely win it unless a disaster happens.
       
England v Montenegro
Straight Up Winner England   1.15
I think I will be watching this game too and since I'll be cheering for England I thought that a nice stake to it wouldn't be too bad.    
   
San Marino v Moldova
Straight Up Winner Moldova   1.15   
San Marino just got thrashed 8-0 in Hungary and although Moldova are not a top team I think they will not miss the opportunity to get the three points.
    
Netherlands v Sweden
Straight Up Winner Netherlands   1.55   
This one is tricky, Sweden are a solid team but since I am a keen admirer of the Dutch side I hope they will give their home crowd something to cheer about.
   
Denmark v Cyprus
Straight Up Winner Denmark   1.30   
Cyprus showed they are no pushovers by beating Portugal in the opening game but I think that they lack the strength to pull off another memorable result in Denmark. 
   
Liechtenstein v Czech Republic
Straight Up Winner Czech Republic   1.10   
It would be quite shameful for the Czechs not to win this one, I'm counting on their will to defend their pride. 
   
Kazakhstan v Germany
Straight Up Winner Germany   1.06
I think it will be a fairly easy one for Germany, they might score quite a few goals too.    
    
Armenia v Andorra
Straight Up Winner Armenia   1.05
Andorra is one of the weakest teams in Europe and although Armenia are not nearly world class they should win this one with ease.

Here is the screen shot of the betting slip from Intertops.com



Placing such a combo bet on 10 games is always risky, there is always the chance of just one game going wrong. I hope it won't happen though

[blueday]

Good luck to you Johnny.  I hope you are right with all your predictions.

blue

[lipstick_xoxos]

Hi Johnny,

What will you win if you got them all correct $58.84?

Lips

[Johnny Karp]

@Blue
Thanks for the good luck wish.
@Lips
Yes, I'd win 58.84 bucks.

One of the games ended a few hours ago, Armenia beat Andorra 4-0. One down, nine more to go...

[lipstick_xoxos]

Thanks for your reply and Good luck Johnny! Lets hope the remaining 9 are winners!

Lips

[Johnny Karp]

Germany beat Kazakhstan 3-0, eight more to go...

[Johnny Karp]

... and another one went well, Czech Republic beat Liechtenstein 2-0! Seven to go...