Caesars’ Palace Poker Poker

READ MORE: Caesars' Palace, Las Vegas, Poker, Poker Rooms, The Venetian

One of the oddest holdouts from the poker room boom on the Vegas Strip was Caesars’ Palace. For what is probably the most recognizable name in Vegas to be without a poker room surprised and disappointed many players, us included. Now, it appears they’re going to rectify the problem, with The Venetian also hopping into the fray. From the Las Vegas blog:

“Venetian’s poker room is no less impressive, finally taking shape next to valet with 10,000 square feet and over 40 tables, making it the biggest poker room in Las Vegas. There were rumors they would go the poker ambassador route and hire a big name to bring publicity and attract the big games from Bellagio, but so far no word. I hear Daniel Negreanu’s available…

“Next month, Caesars Palace readies their own poker room, touting 30 tables and 8,500 square feet. A separate 6,000-square-foot room will hold additional tables for tournament use.”

We could give a crap about The Venetian, it’s Caesars’ move here that resonates. They’re the Mecca of gambling on the Strip, and to have a big poker room and our favorite sports book under one roof couldn’t get us giddier.

New Poker Rooms to Open [LasVegasVegas]
Caesars’ Palace
Venetian

Chopping Lines: Never, Ever Bet on a Wanny-Led Bunch

READ MORE: Chopping Lines, The Venetian, University of Nebraska, University of Pittsburgh

Guest Pick by The Venetian

Saturday, 3:30PM

Pittsburgh Panthers (0-2)

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Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-0)

Best Line: Nebraska -10

The NFL Rejects Tour 2005 sets up camp in Lincoln, Nebraska this week as Bill Callahan’s Cornhuskers meet Dave Wannstedt’s Panthers. Callahan will once again attempt to fit a square peg into a round hole this year, bringing his NFL-branded spread offense to a program long-associated with a bruising defense and power running game. Thankfully, Coach Callahan hasn’t yet ruined the defense, which has sprung for four touchdowns in the first two games and held both opponents in single digits.

On the other side, there isn’t much that has gone right for Coach Wannstedt since he retuned to his alma mater. First, a home trouncing from this year’s golden boys, Notre Dame, then a stupefying loss at MAC weakling Ohio University. The offense was miserable in Ohio, managing only a lone FG after returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Pitt fans are doing the unthinkable…wondering if running Walt Harris out of town was such a good idea.

Pick!: NEB -10

Chopping Lines: We Just Like Saying “Gamecock”

READ MORE: Chopping Lines, Steve Spurrier, The Venetian, University of Alabama, University of South Carolina

Guest Pick By The Venetian

Saturday, 3:30PM

#24 Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0)

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South Carolina Gamecocks (1-1)

Best Line: South Carolina +2.5

It took all of two weeks for Steve Spurrier to regain the coaching form he seemed to have left behind as coach of the Washington Redskins, losing a close one between the hedges to Georgia, 17-15. The Ol’ Ball Coach hasn’t disappointed yet, converting Lou Holtz’ run-oriented offense into an adequate air attack in less than a month. Under the radar, South Carolina’s defense has also quietly put together a solid couple of games, led by defensive back Ko Simpson.

However, South Carolina’s disturbingly-named Cock ‘n Fire offense will have a big test on their hands against Alabama’s nationally-ranked defense. The Tide’s run stoppers have given up just 56 total rushing yards in the first two games against Southern Miss and Middle Tennessee State. Of course, we’re not sure there have been any run plays in Spurrier’s playbook since Fred Taylor graduated. The Alabama offense, led by eighth-year, oft-injured junior Brodie Croyle, will come out conservative, as usual, allowing the defense to set the tone.

The Gamecock faithful, one of the nation’s most underrated, brought Spurrier in to win these kinds of games and we don’t expect him to disappoint.

Pick!: USC +2.5

Chopping Lines: With All This Orange On The Field, Is This A Football Game Or A Highway Project?

READ MORE: Chopping Lines, Syracuse University, The Venetian, University of Virginia

Guest Pick by The Venetian

Saturday, Noon

#20 Virginia Cavaliers (1-0)

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Syracuse Orangemen (1-1)

Best Line: Syracuse +8

Last year at this time, things were looking good for Al Groh. Virginia was being touted as a possible ACC favorite and national darkhorse. He had All-Americans all over the defense and offense and recruiting classes that had the media buzzing. Then, his Cavaliers laid eggs against Florida State, Miami, and Virginia Tech, exposing the passing game, and imploding against Fresno State in December. With many of the key players departed for the NFL (Heath Miller and Alvin Pearman) and injured (Wali Lundy and Ahmad Brooks), this isn’t the same team that rolled the Orange 31-10 a year ago.

The Greg Robinson era has started off mixed for the Orangemen, losing an ugly one at home to West Virginia before recovering against the Northeast’s favorite whipping boy, Buffalo. Paul Pasqualoni is gone, but his legacy remains with a boring offense, led by QB Perry Patterson and RB Damien Rhodes.

Both teams will attempt to run at all costs, with the Cavaliers having a talent edge in most areas. The question is whether that talent can come together on the road in the face of the Carrier Dome faithful. Low-scoring, boring, and dull, just the recipe for a possible home upset.

Pick!: SYR +8 (with a tempting money line)

College Football: No Pressure Kid, But Keep Winning Wouldya?

READ MORE: College Football Betting, NCAA Football, The Venetian

In the interest of full disclosure, we’ll let you know right off that The Venetian is a friend to Oddjack, and wrote up a a couple of NFL picks for us a few weeks back. Still, when someone has a pretty good weekend picking college football games, we want to recognize.

Against the spread for the weekend’s card he hit Clemson, FSU, Notre Dame, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. He missed only three in Utah, NC State, and Hawaii. Clemson, FSU, Illinois, and Notre Dame also managed to win outright as underdogs. 7-3? Not too bad at all.

Gamble With The Nerd - Weekend Edition [The Venetian]
Previously: The Venetian Picks, Archive [Oddjack]

Chopping Lines: Mean Machine Invades Bourbon Street

READ MORE: Baltimore Ravens, Chopping Lines, NFL Betting, New Orleans Saints, The Venetian

(Guest selection from The Venetian)

Baltimore Ravens (0-2-0)

Best Line: New Orleans -1

Brian Billick appears to enjoy challenges. The man once considered an offensive guru has seen fit to pair his world-class defenses with quarterbacks that would define mediocrity. Once again, the coach is trying to get us on board the Kyle Boller train, but tickets are definitely available. On the other hand, Boller’s primary duties this season will once again be handing the ball off to Jamal Lewis and driving him to his parole officer, so maybe his Dilfer-esque skills will suffice.

Just as Billick has appeared to lose all sense of offense after taking over a head coaching job, Jim Haslett appears to have forgotten how to coach defense down in Cajunland. Couple that with the enigmatic offense, an immensely talented group that shoots itself in the foot far too often, and you have the recipe for a coach on the hot seat. Aaron Brooks is in year five of the “if he can only cut down on the interceptions, we’ll have ourselves a QB” experiment, Deuce McAllister is running behind a revamped O-line, and Joe Horn is, well, Joe Horn. The talent is there, but it’s been there before and it hasn’t mattered. There is no good reason this team should not win the NFC South. Of course, don’t quote us on that when they finish 8-8.

Watching the Saints offense against the Ravens defense should keep you glued to the seat. Watching the Ravens offense against the Saints defense will make you wish you’d used Elmer’s instead of Super Glue. Who to take? Call Adrian McPherson’s bookie first to be sure, but we like the Saints.

Venetian PICK!: Saints

Chopping Lines: Hey Joe, You’re Not In Daytona Anymore

READ MORE: Chopping Lines, NFL Betting, Pittsburgh Steelers, The Venetian, Washington Redskins

(Guest selection from The Venetian)

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0-0)

Best Line: Pittsburgh -2.5

Sometimes you really should just leave well enough alone. Joe Gibbs is learning this the hard way in his Derail The Legacy Tour, now entering its second year. His first attempt to turn the clock back to the late eighties by locating every ex-assistant that the game had passed by was a relative failure, even with a suffocating defense. Attempting to awaken the offense, Gibbs brought in hired gun Bill Musgrave to run the show. Unfortunately, his field general will still be Patrick Ramsey. Backup Jason Campbell may be obligated to send part of his first-round pick money to Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams. While Clinton Portis is very good, Mr. Campbell won’t have any Vanderbilts or Mississippi States to stat-pad against.

Speaking of opponents, we hear Pittsburgh’s pretty good. Their defense didn’t seem to have much trouble with the Feeley/Frerotte combo last week against the Dolphins, so we can’t picture Coach Cowher’s chin trembling at the site of the Washington duo. Offense has been another matter as the Roethlisberger-led first team has been shut out in the first two weeks of the preseason. Expect a bit more action from the first teamers as they try to work out the kinks.

Betting on the Steelers and against the Redskins has been a pretty good idea recently and we don’t expect much to change.

Venetian PICK!: Steelers