Jeff Haney

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Records against the spread unlock the doors to team performance: Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011; When the San Francisco 49ers visit Detroit for Sunday’s matchup against the Lions, the game will be hyped as a clash between a pair of NFC division leaders. For bettors, it will have added significance: It’s a showdown between the only two teams in the NFL that are unbeaten against the point spread this season.
At the betting window, extreme is in: So far, scores back up the theory that no line is too large a risk when wagering on NFL’s best or worst teams; Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009; A major undercurrent of the football betting season has been driven by the notion that the gap between the haves and the have-nots in the NFL has not been bigger in recent memory.
Surprising Cincinnati looking like a good bet: As season heads into final stretch, NFL offers few surprises; Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009; With the homestretch of the NFL season in sight, nearly all of pro football’s divisional races are playing out true to expected form.
How likely Colts, Saints are to go 16-0: Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009; With the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints undefeated through 10 regular-season NFL games, several proposition wagers in Las Vegas are asking whether either team — or both — will finish the job and post a perfect record.
Sports writer Jerry Izenberg unabashedly old-school: Veteran sports writer has harsh words for some on TV and the Internet, says newspapers are still the best way to stay informed; Monday, Nov. 23, 2009; Our profile of author and longtime sports writer Jerry Izenberg that appeared in the Sun last month was designed to be just that: a look at an engaging local personality, a nationally recognized figure who recently took up residence in Henderson.
Officially, they want to be regulated, but ...: Unofficially, large online poker sites have the best of both worlds; Friday, Nov. 20, 2009; The state of the online poker business in America is ... still muddled.
World Series of Poker shows new breed of poker pros: Popularity of game has led to legit card players popping up from all lines of work; Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009; The thumbnail sketches of the two ultimate survivors at last week’s World Series of Poker final table were familiar to anyone who follows the game.
Talk turns to Manny Pacquiao ﬁght with Floyd Mayweather Jr.: ‘Whole world’ wants to see it, Pacquiao’s trainer says; Monday, Nov. 16, 2009; Grandiose pronouncements were uttered about when and where negotiations would begin for a proposed fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Boxers, others weigh in: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009; After turning pro as a 106-pounder in 1995, Manny Pacquiao has won world championships in six weight divisions and could win a seventh by taking Miguel Cotto’s welterweight belt.
Pricing out wagers on Pacquiao-Cotto: Friday, Nov. 13, 2009; I would not go so far as to call the betting line mispriced in Saturday’s fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand, particularly as it continues to drift higher in favor of Pacquiao.
One for the ages: Pacquiao-Cotto match drawing international attention, might set pay-per-view record; Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009; When Manny Pacquiao was hailed as the hottest boxer in the sport at Wednesday’s prefight news conference at the MGM Grand, it was not just lip service.
‘A chip and a chair’ axiom proven again at World Series of Poker: Winner’s comeback recalls improbable 1982 win of Jack Straus; Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009; The night before play began at the final table of the World Series of Poker, I spoke with Tony Shelton, seeking a vintage Las Vegas perspective on the tournament.
Miguel Cotto camp says big cut in June fight an asset now: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009; In broad terms, Saturday’s showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto shapes up as a classic clash of speed versus power.
Freddie Roach talks tough; Manny Pacquiao backs it up: Boxing trainer a master of getting under the other guy's skin, says he'll take any advantage he can get; Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009; Freddie Roach has earned a reputation as boxing’s finest trainer. More than this, in recent years Roach has become a master of psychological gamesmanship. Roach has developed a knack for making just the right remark to get into the heads of his opposition before a fight, for playing those mind games — “pushing the barriers, planting seeds,” as ringside color commentator John Lennon put it.
Miguel Cotto turns up heat readying for Manny Pacquiao: Friday, Nov. 6, 2009; On orders from Miguel Cotto, the heat was turned way up inside the Pound 4 Pound Gym on La Cienega Boulevard this week.
The biggest stories in World Series of Poker: A win by the World Series of Poker’s chip leader would rival that of Moneymaker’s breakthrough, but Ivey is also compelling; Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009; Before the start of the 2003 World Series of Poker, I recall seeing Chris Moneymaker’s name on the list of entrants at the old Binion’s Horseshoe downtown and marveling that someone would have the temerity to compete in the tournament under such an outlandish pseudonym.
Mike Tyson shows talent ringside, on the mike: The former champion turns in a surprising performance as a commentator for TI bouts; Monday, Nov. 2, 2009; The most surprising and delightful performance of Saturday night’s fight card at Treasure Island was not Yonnhy Perez’s upset victory against Joseph Agbeko in an outstanding bantamweight title bout in the main event.
Of King and King Kong: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009; Renowned promoter’s return to Las Vegas features 118-pound title fight
Don’t sleep on Manny Pacquiao, trainer warns: Friday, Oct. 30, 2009; The term “to throw out” in sports prognosticating means to dismiss a particular result as fluky.
Even obscure pros have passionate fans in eclectic Vegas: Mention of early 20th-century Welsh boxer sparks vivid memories; Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009; People come to Las Vegas from all over, and they bring their allegiances with them.
Odds have Yankees as favorite, but don’t bet on a Phillies sweep: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009; The five most recent World Series have lasted only 22 games combined — three sweeps and two that ended with Game 5.
Don King says bantam bout to bring ‘glory’ back to Vegas: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009; It stands to reason Don King would invoke the memory of the “Rumble in the Jungle,” another late-October boxing match, in hyping Saturday’s show at Treasure Island on the Strip.
Legend’s ﬁnal chapters to have Vegas viewpoint: Newark’s Jerry Izenberg is still writing, from his home in Henderson’s hills; Monday, Oct. 26, 2009; His long friendship with Muhammad Ali has given Jerry Izenberg countless cherished memories.
Cotto faces test of size, sizzle: Fighter will likely need to pair big knockout power with his weight advantage to topple Pacquiao; Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009; In the most hotly anticipated fight of 2009, welterweight Miguel Cotto likely will have to synthesize two qualities — strength and knockout ability — to score an upset victory against Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand. Cotto’s best hope is that his natural size advantage could neutralize the firepower of Pacquiao.
Yearbook gives readers ideas for college hoops bets: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009; Treasured by bettors for its well-researched reports on every Division I team, the annual Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook has arrived at the Gambler’s Book Shop in Las Vegas (1550 E. Tropicana Ave.).
Reassessing the spreads: It’s time to check on how teams have performed against expectations; Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009; Andy Iskoe, the veteran Las Vegas author and sports handicapper, has long espoused a technique in football betting that entails examining each team’s record against the point spread about one-quarter to one-half of the way into the season.
Beware faltering relief: Phillies enter series as ’dog, expert says for good reason; Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009; The Philadelphia Phillies, the defending World Series champions, are aiming to become the first National League team to repeat since the Big Red Machine of the mid-1970s.
Houston Rockets expected to fall, cream puffs to rise: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009; Three of the NBA’s bottom feeders — the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Washington Wizards — are due for the league’s most substantial improvements this season.
Fighting toward a finish: Chad Dawson looks forward to his last match, seeing more of his wife, kids; Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009; Chad Dawson has spent so much time in Las Vegas preparing for prizefights that he has come to think of the desert city as his home away from home.
Ivey’s popularity trumps his chip count: Friday, Oct. 9, 2009; If the odds on the final table of the World Series of Poker were based solely on the number of chips each player has, Phil Ivey would be a long shot.
This week in baseball: Who’s favored, and by how much, in today’s extra game and beyond; Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009; The Minnesota Twins opened as a minus 155 favorite (risk $1.55 to net $1) against the Detroit Tigers (plus 145), with an over/under of 8 1/2 runs, in today’s “Game No. 163,” a one-game playoff to determine which team will face the Yankees in baseball’s postseason.
Putting Cinderellas to work: How betting BCS busters can pay at the sports book; Friday, Oct. 2, 2009; They’re being called Cinderellas, party crashers, BCS busters and, depending upon where your loyalties lie, possibly some unprintable terms.
An NBA season to top last year's? Unlikely, if you believe the odds: Sports book odds say the Lakers or another leading team won’t top last season’s best win total; Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009; The Cavaliers and the Lakers were the class of the NBA during the 2008-09 regular season, with Cleveland winning 66 of its 82 games and L.A. winning 65. This week, all Lucky’s sports books in Nevada posted a selection of proposition wagers linked to the forthcoming NBA season, scheduled to begin Oct. 27.
Full of quirks, Bob Stupak refused to go out ‘calling’: Monday, Sept. 28, 2009; The Bob Stupak I’ll remember liked to talk about sports betting and gambling exploits.
When the game is on the line: Sports handicapper puts his faith in three of the NFL’s top power backs; Friday, Sept. 25, 2009; The three NFL running backs who provide the most value to their team, according to Las Vegas sports handicapper Joe D’Amico, are Brandon Jacobs of the Giants, Michael Turner of the Falcons and Adrian Peterson of the Vikings.
Oddsmakers unmoved by the Maple Leafs’ move for more scoring: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009; When Toronto acquired Phil Kessel, one of the NHL’s most promising young scorers, in a big trade with Boston last week, it was a signal that Maple Leafs management is serious about making a playoff run this season.
Bet on it: Manny Pacquiao will be next to ﬁght Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Monday, Sept. 21, 2009; With his engaging smile and handsome face, Oscar De La Hoya exudes the aura of a gifted salesman, a top producer. It has served him well as he has built his company, Golden Boy Promotions, into a major force in the boxing business since its inception eight years ago. This was a tough sell, though. De La Hoya was trying to convince an assemblage of irascible boxing types late Saturday night at the MGM Grand that Shane Mosley, rather than Manny Pacquiao, would make a better opponent for Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Mayweather’s next fight.
Confidence abounds: Each a multiple former champion, Mayweather and Marquez face off; Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009; Floyd Mayweather Jr., a six-time world champion in five weight divisions, does not deny that tonight’s headliner matches two of the best boxers in the sport.
Spoiling for a good ﬁght: Marquez camp wants to see Mayweather in top form; Friday, Sept. 18, 2009; Boxing insiders who try to make a case for an upset victory by Juan Manuel Marquez in Saturday night’s showdown against Floyd Mayweather Jr. invariably point to Mayweather’s absence from the ring of nearly two years.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. emulates boxing greats in return: Mayweather’s hiatus from ring has a couple of historical parallels you might not recall; Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009; When comparisons are drawn between Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s hiatus from boxing and other memorable comebacks in the sport, names such as Muhammad Ali and George Foreman usually come up right away.
Oddsmakers: Mayweather will top Marquez in decision: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009; Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s self-imposed 21-month hiatus from boxing has not discouraged oddsmakers or the betting marketplace from making him a heavy wagering favorite in his return to the ring Saturday.
Father is back in Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s corner: Ice thawed, Mayweathers enjoying camp; Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009; Floyd Mayweather Sr. looked and sounded tired and acknowledged he felt a bit rundown. It was late on the night that Mayweather’s fighter, Ricky Hatton, had scored an 11th-round technical knockout of Paulie Malignaggi in November at the MGM Grand.
Chicago Bears long shot at any odds: Expectations for Bears overinflated with new QB, handicapper says; Friday, Sept. 11, 2009; Already a trendy team among NFL prognosticators, the Chicago Bears officially became a chic pick when Sports Illustrated predicted they would reach the Super Bowl.
HBO playing up drama: Network again turns to ‘24/7’ series ahead of Marquez-Mayweather; Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009; The sixth installment of HBO’s “24/7” franchise, this one designed to generate interest in the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Juan Manuel Marquez fight scheduled for Sept. 19 at the MGM Grand, has developed quite a following among boxing insiders.
Apt picks for a sports betting hall of fame: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009; No one has bothered to establish a hall of fame for sports bettors. Howard Schwartz wants to correct that oversight. Schwartz informally introduced a list of 14 potential candidates for a sports betting hall of fame last week at a gathering of sports handicappers, poker players and other gambling figures at his store on East Tropicana Avenue.
A radical theory for next trip out to sports book: Local bettor says: Just bet on college football’s best teams; Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009; College football bettors, particularly those in Las Vegas, tend to exhibit symptoms of hipper-than-thou syndrome. They take pride in their knowledge of the most obscure teams and conferences that appear on the betting board. They would no sooner back a so-called public team, a top BCS title contender, at the window than they would wear a sandwich board proclaiming, “I’m a square.”
Statement match: Roger Mayweather not shy about touting nephew as world’s best fighter; Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009; Floyd Mayweather Jr., the guest of honor, arrived fashionably late for a barbecue lunch outside his Chinatown boxing gym Wednesday.
Breather from bravado: Two fighters separately offer refreshing breaks from braggadocio; Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009; Before his fight against Juan Diaz last week in Houston, Paulie Malignaggi told anyone who would listen that the judges at the Toyota Center would show a bias in favor of his opponent.
Poker show 'Face the Ace' shuffles, redeals: Live audience in Vegas will have bigger role in TV program hosted by actor from ‘The Sopranos’; Friday, Aug. 28, 2009; When “Face the Ace” made its premiere on NBC this month, its launch was accompanied by a drumbeat of provocative buzzwords.
Lem Banker talks life, love and betting sports: Lem Banker, famous for his gambling prowess and celebrity friends, weighs in on the state of sports betting and tells his underdog love story; Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009; On their first date, the gambler and the beauty queen went to the races at Monmouth Park on the Jersey shore. Delores Vicario, who went by Debbie, was a model in New York’s Garment District and a showgirl at the Riviera hotel in Havana. Lester Banker, who went by Lem, was still a small-timer, though he would go on to become the most celebrated professional sports bettor in Las Vegas.