It’s with bittersweet emotion we give the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs its proper send off.  The 2 month journey that ended with the Blackhawks capturing their 3rd cup in 6 years began back in mid-April with 16 teams vying for the greatest trophy in sports.  Rather than try to capture the emotion of the postseason in words, this Hockey Night in Canada montage does a much better job.  ENJOY...

UFC 188 Velasquez vs. Werdum: El Luchador Mexicano A tribute to Mexican* Fighters All fight analysis provided by @Gamblou Welcome Enthusiasts to UFC 188 from Mexico City. We feel a responsibility today to pay tribute to the rich and fertile history of Mexican fighters. From the mid 1970’s when we became passionate for fighting it was obvious that Mexican fighters compete not simply as individuals. Mexican fighters tote pure passion with them into every fight. They arrive with a deep seeded desire to exit the competition victorious. The fury by which the Mexican fighter competes is less for self and more for Country, heritage, their people and family. Boxing (fighting) history can’t be told accurately without firm reference to the rich history of Mexican fighters and their fights. From the early 1970’s we were privileged to be able to watch fighters like Saldivar, Azteca, Canto, Olivares, Sanchez, Zarate, Castillo, Marquez, Corrales, Lopez, Barrara and more. These fighters (I was able to see many of these men fight in person, others on TV… and yes there was TV then) were pure, proud, professional warriors who didn’t begin to actually fight until they were stunned, wobbled and rocked. Orgullo* remains part of the makeup of the Mexican fighter today. The purity of will by which Mexican fighters compete is tangible; one can see it, feel it, smell it and witness it. Just watch these proud professionals vie and their ‘never give up’ attitude cannot be overlooked. We are privileged to pay our respects to Mexican fighters as today’s card is held in Mexico City. The slate features several Mexicans that will display exactly what we are describing in this piece. More importantly we highlight Mexican pride because it is our belief that today’s Co-Main event will...

Future prices are on the move in the Women’s World Cup.  The tournament hasn’t quite reached the mid point but certain teams have shown themselves to be pretenders (or contenders) in their quest for international glory.  Team USA entered the competition as short favorites against a competitive of field but have moved to the 2nd post amid some offensive struggles.  Germany, despite their tie against Norway, has seen their price drop from a peak of 4-1 down below the 2 range.  France remains the side people aren’t paying attention to but the trendy wiseguy pick before things got started last weekend in Vancouver continue to sit in the 6-1 range.  Looking for a little long shot or maybe just a value play? Japan +1275, Sweden +3550, and even Switzerland at 100-1 could be intriguing as we head towards the knockout stage. Women’s Soccer   Women’s World Cup 2015 Winner Sat 6/13  1:00PM Hosted by Canada Germany   +195 USA   +300 France   +575 Brazil   +1250 Canada   +1250 Japan   +1275 Sweden   +3550 Norway   +3650 England   +4000 Australia   +6500 Netherlands   +8000 Spain   +8500 Switzerland   +10000 China   +12000 South Korea   +15000 Nigeria   +25000 Mexico   +25000 Colombia   +25000 Cameroon   +29000 New Zealand   +30000 Costa Rica   +70000 Ecuador   +250000 Ivory Coast   +750000 Thailand...

There are aspects of sports gambling that become time sensitive…other parts of the business remain prescient no matter what. Sure, this video was recorded a year ago but it still serves to coach up new bettors on concepts they can fine tune in order to take their game to the next level. Troll away amigos, no idea what I was thinking on the shirt and tie combo...

The 3rd tennis major of the season gets underway in London at the end of this month.  For those who think Grand Slams are dominated by chalk, well guess again.  In 2 of the last 3 majors we’ve seen massive longshots in Marin Cillic (US Open) and Stan Wawrinka (French Open) cash pay days of 125-1 and 50-1 respectively.  So much of a player’s prospects to win a major hinge on the draw they’re dealt so trying to identify value this far out can obviously be a bit of challenge.  There should be no surprise that world #1 Novak Djokovic remains nearly a scratch favorite to win Wimbledon given the way he’s dominated this season (last Sunday’s match not withstanding).   As far as the ladies are concerned, Serena Williams will continue her quest for the 2015 Grand Slam opening as a 7-4 favorite over a very competitive womens side typically ripe with upsets.  Aside from Serena, the only other women with odds listed in the single digits are Petra Kvitova (7-2) and Maria Sharapova (8-1).  Happy hunting to those looking to beat the market and lock up value before the professionals make their move.   If you’re looking for good tennis follows not only for the majors but year round I highly recommend @So_Money_Sports @Stuckey2 @Winafy   WIMBLEDON ALL ENGLAND LAWN TENNIS AND CROQUET CLUB – LONDON, ENGLAND JUNE 29-JULY 12, 2015   ODDS TO WIN MENS SINGLES: NOVAK DJOKOVIC        11/10 ANDY MURRAY             3/1 ROGER FEDERER           6/1 STAN WAWRINKA          12/1 RAFAEL NADAL           15/1 GRIGOR DIMITROV        20/1 KEI NISHIKORI          25/1 TOMAS BERDYCH          30/1 MILOS RAONIC           30/1 MARIN CILIC            40/1 JO-WILFRIED TSONGA     40/1 NICK KYRGIOS           40/1 JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO  50/1 JOHN ISNER            100/1 DAVID FERRER          100/1 BERNARD TOMIC         100/1 JERZY JANOWICZ        125/1 GAEL MONFILS          125/1 ERNESTS GULBIS        125/1 FELICIANO LOPEZ       150/1...

UFC FN68 New Orleans: Tae Kwon Do, TKO’s and Zydeco Welcome Enthusiasts. Today’s UFC card from the Crescent City features more dogs than the Westminster Kennel Club. We’ll prance right in! Fight analysis provided by Gamblou UFC 2015: 36-45 + $602.00 (All GambLou.com releases are understood to be a standard and hypothetical $100 per position unless otherwise stated. We use $100 to easily track our results as every GambLou.com release is accounted for each Monday AM. Public accounting allows us to display our profitability while providing our readers with 110% disclosure). -Let’s Fight- Morales -170 vs. Quinonez +160 Morales arrived to weigh-ins 4lbs overweight which means distraction and lack of professionalism. Morales will want to stand and bang but Quinones will be able to get him to the mat for a maul where he will own advantage. Those following us on twitter know we jumped Jose Alberto as soon as Chimmy wallowed onto the scale. Quinones +160 (half) Abreu -175 vs. Collier +165 Abreu is dynamic on the floor with his Jiu-Jitsu but will he employ it as IQ has not been his strength. Collier arrives the much taller, younger longer fighter and owns distinct advantage on the feet. We feel Collier is the more desperate fighter after looking great for a round in his last fight before getting iced with a head kick. We believe the live dog is Collier +165( half) Rivera Jr. -130 vs. Caceres +120 Nothing will make a UFC fighter work his arse off more than the cut line where each of these fighters stand after two consecutive losses each. Rivera is a striker that has some power but he is shorter, older and giving up 3” of reach to Caceres. Caceres is the better-rounded fighter who has been...

Once again, we have at arrived at Belmont Saturday with a chance to see history, as American Pharoah attempts to become the first horse to win thoroughbred racing’s greatest prize, the Triple Crown, since Affirmed in 1978. He is heavily favored to do so, but so were almost all of the others who’ve been in his position in the intervening years, including the most recent failure, 2014’s California Chrome. Seven other colts stand in his way, but the daunting 1 ½ mile oval at Belmont may his biggest competitor; that and the Ghosts of Failed Attempts. Are American Pharoah and Victor Martinez up for the challenge? Let’s look at his challengers: All analysis provided by Ky Derby Jay Mubtaahij – Arrived at the Kentucky Derby off a nice score in Dubai with a bit of fanfare, and a fair share of supporters. I was not one of those, and he seemed a bit too slow for that crowd. He validated my concerns, with a dull 8th finish. He had of the best trips of the field, and had no valid excuse. That said, he still has one of the top trainers in the world in his corner, and could be eligible for an improvement off the extra five weeks of seasoning. He also figures to offer a bit of value. I would consider him for exotics, but I can’t see him winning the race. Tale of Verve – Wellllll…I completely discounted this guy in the Preakness, and he lit up the exacta and trifecta prices with an improbable 2nd place finish. He basically picked up the pieces of a shattered race, and passed horses that had stopped. He did earn career best figures across all formats, but it wasn’t like he had big numbers...

The pinnacle of European club soccer takes place Saturday from Olympiastadion in Berlin, pitting the class of much maligned Serie A, Juventus, against Spanish blue blood FC Barcelona.  For such a big game we brought in a new guest posted to share his take on Saturday’s big match Analysis provided by Ryan Faulkner After a long wait, it’s finally here. The Champion’s League final will be played Saturday in Berlin. These two sides have taken completely different approaches to arrive at this final tilt. Barcelona have what many consider the world’s best attack while Juventus come in sporting the tournament’s best defense (as of Thursday morning they will be without the services of Chiellini due to a calf injury which moved the line .18 cents in Barca’s favor). Before we get to the picks, let’s take a look at what each side brings to the table and why they can win. Why Barca can win… We start with the Spanish side who come in with the three-headed monster attack of Messi, Suarez and Neymar. Barca have scored at least 2 goals in 9 of the last 10 matches and are coming off of a 3-1 triumph over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Ray final and yet another La Liga title. This is a side that have not been held to a clean sheet since February 21st when Malaga found the net at 7 minutes and then proceeded to play 10 men behind the ball for the remaining 83 minutes. Expect Barca to be aggressive on the attack, especially early, as if they can get Juventus down a goal it will pull Juve out of their comfort zone of playing back on the counter and force the Italian side into offensive aggression that doesn’t suit...

The NBA finals tip off tonight and the competition won’t be reserved for just the players on the court.  Bettors around the world have been plunking down their gambling dollars on both sides of the series wager creating a huge divide between the Pros and the Joes.  Depending on where you look the series price has ranged from as high as Golden State -275 / Cleveland +235 at Westgate Superbook compared to a line that dipped as low as Golden State -190 / Cleveland +165 at the MGM Mirage properties late Wednesday night. The difference of opinion between the professionals and the public isn’t new but sportsbooks hanging such a wide range of prices reflects how differently everyone sees the potential outcome. “So far our action has been Cavs, Cavs and more Cavs…….seeing money on the Cavs in game 1, on the ML in game 1, and to win the best of 7 series,” Chuck Esposito, Race and Sports Director at Sunset Station, told me about the betting pattern he’s seen emerge at his properties.  Stations is a large casino corporation here in Nevada known for catering to more of a recreational betting clientele at their various statewide locations. Stations wasn’t alone when it came to the flood of Cavaliers money early and often regarding series wagering.  In a press release issued by Michael Grodsky of William Hill late last Friday, Grodsky indicated a similar trend taking place at his properties from the moment William Hill posted a series price. Since NBA Finals Series wagering opened on early Thursday morning (May 28th), bettors have been continuously flooding the windows with Cleveland Cavalier wagers.  The Cavaliers opened as a +210 underdog to defeat the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.  The Cavaliers’ Series Money...

Sometimes when you’re asked to join a brand new podcast as a guest; you don’t ask questions.  Yesterday 2 of Chicago’s rising stars (or legends in their own mind) in sports media Sam Panayotovich and BartstoolBigCat  broke out the Stanley Cup banter among other things to get Blackhawks fans ready for the Finals that drop the puck Wednesday night in Tampa.  I wasn’t there to sugarcoat my observations or predictions for what should be an entertaining match-up between 2 of the league’s more talented offenses.  They can take the boy out of Chicago but not the Chicago out of the boy…well except when it comes to trying to make a few bucks. From start to finish the podcast will entertain the hell out of you but if you’re just looking for gambling banter tune in around the 11:30 mark sit back and enjoy.  Chicago sports fans will also be interested to hear our thoughts on what major Chicago franchise not named the Blackhawks wins a championship next.  I’m thoroughly convinced the answer will surprise you… Click here to listen to the podcast Chicago Blackhawks (Series Prices)                   -140     (5/7) Tampa Bay Lightning (Series Prices)                  +120     (6/5) Odds to win 2015 Conn Smythe Trophy as NHL Playoff MVP                        Jonathan Toews (CHI)                            7/2 Tyler Johnson (TB)                                4/1 Patrick Kane (CHI)                                 9/2 Ben Bishop (TB)                                    5/1 Duncan Keith (CHI)                                5/1 Steven Stamkos (TB)                             8/1 Corey Crawford (CHI)                             12/1 Nikita Kucherov (TB)                              15/1 Marian Hossa (CHI)                                25/1 Patrick Sharp (CHI)                                25/1 Victor Hedman (TB)                               35/1 Valtteri Filppula (TB)                              40/1 Alex Killorn (TB)                                    40/1 Ondrej Palat (TB)                                   40/1 Brent Seabrook (CHI)                             40/1 Brad Richards (CHI)                               50/1...

UFC FN 67 Condit vs. Alves: Grappling in Goiania Fight Analysis provided by @Gamblou Welcome Enthusiasts. Tonight we have UFC FN67 and Game 7 of the NHL’s Campbell Conference Finals. As much passion as we carry for both competitions we must say that an NHL Conference game 7 trumps any gaming endeavor…period. We’ll be viewing the hockey game closely and performing all UFC Due Diligence after these fights take place so with that understood Selectivity rules tonight. -Let’s Fight- UFC 2015: 34-42 + $652.00 (All GambLou.com releases are understood to be a standard and hypothetical $100 per position unless otherwise stated. We use $100 to easily track our results as every GambLou.com release is accounted for each Monday AM. Public accounting allows us to display our profitability while providing our readers with 100% disclosure). Breese -175 vs. Dutra +155 We discussed this fight with Gabriel Morency (@sportsrage) on his MMA Meltdown radio show this week (21 minute mark). Our due diligence is in and we’ll side with the Brazilian who enters this fight the more experienced and desperate (for a win) fighter. Breese brings no UFC experience and to open one’s career in Goiania against a home countryman who’s going to give his best is one tall order. The veteran Dutra opened up -105 and the price is rising. Be patient and get every penny of value on this mangy home dog. Dutra +155 (half) Bectic -500 vs. Martins +400 Mirsad Bectic should be the chalk here but at a number closer to the -245 he opened. Sure he is a promising prospect with outstanding wrestling skills and cardio out the arse.   Bectic fights a fine Brazilian striker that is a taller, longer, motivated southpaw in Lucas Martins. We simply cannot ignore the physical...

The NBA is one game away from their potential star studded dream scenario.  Assuming Golden State avoids the first ever 3-0 series collapse in league history, the Warriors will open as considerable favorites against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA finals.  For a few sportsbook operators, Golden State raising the Larry O’Brien trophy would be anything but an ideal result for their future book. William Hill opened the Warriors at 15-1 back in June of last year while the Cavs were listed at 50-1 BEFORE Lebron James elected to take his talents back home to Cleveland.  Most books, including William Hill, were able to stay comfortably ahead of the Cavs crush of future money that flooded the market once LBJ finalized his plans. However, they were not so fortunate to stay ahead of the upstart Warriors swell of support amid their hot start and surprising season.   Entering the conference finals Golden St represented 39% of the remaining future tickets at Will Hill equating to 66% of overall money wagered.  The Cavaliers accounted for 27% of future tickets but a much more manageable 18% of money being wagered. Westgate Superbook also finds themselves in a situation where a Golden St championship creates a losing scenario for their NBA futures pool.  Back on June 9 Golden State opened at 20-1 while Cleveland was listed at 60-1 to win the title.  In a brief conversation with Jeff Sherman last evening he said that while a Warrior victory would indeed be a small loser for his book the current position wasn’t substantial enough to impact the way they plan to book the finals.  For casual bettors unfamiliar with what this industry jargon means, sportsbooks always have the option of shading series prices accordingly to steer action.   This...