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There’s been so much action going down at OG headquarters that I haven’t had much time to post any blog entries. Along with trying to qualify for the WSOP main event, we’ve been crying in our beer about the Lakers losing the NBA finals. Not crying as much as Phil Ivey though…

Although we got close at Full Tilt, I missed out on playing the WSOP in Vegas the cheap way this year. If I want to play now, I have to pony up the $10k, plus flights, plus hotel…. Instead of doing that I’m just going to mark in my calendar to start trying to qualify earlier next year and not leave it until the last minute again!

My full action junkie attention span of 30 seconds is now focusing on something you may not have heard of, let alone thought to bet on before. It’s kind of like NFL, but no pads allowed.

You might not have known, but Ed’s an Aussie from way back. And in Australia this week is Rugby League’s premier event. The ‘State of Origin’ is the equivalent of the Superbowl in terms of viewer interest and TV ratings. It’s a mid season series of three games between players from two states - Queensland and New South Wales - where the majority of Rugby League players originate. Us Aussies pick strange contests to make a big deal out of…

They leave their club teams and play for their state. In the history of the series, each side has won an equal number of times - it’s been an amazingly tough and evenly matched contest over the years. And players play harder than than do in any grand final. The rest of the actual club season is almost an anti-climax once the State of Origin is finished.

But anyway, I’m a Queenslander, and we’re known as the ‘Maroons’ or the ‘Cane Toads’. New South Wales are the ‘Blues’ or the ‘Cockroaches’. And we hate each other at this time of year! Queensland is a slight favorite after winning 30+ to nil in game two, but game three is in Sydney where we always struggle to win.

If you’re interested in having a bet on something new than try taking a punt on the State of Origin at Bodog >> yes it’s a big enough event worldwide for even Bodog to offer odds!

Queensland is the slight favorite, but like I said they’re on the road, so I’d rate NSW as the slightly better bet at 2.35 for the win or 1.83 with the 4.5 point head start.

You cheer with your heart, but bet with your head right?

Go Maroons!

Ed

Back before Euro 08 started, we picked Russia as our longshot for the tournament.

We prety much based our pick on the odds and the coach. No Guus Hiddink team should ever be 26-1…

But they have tough task ahead of them, in playing Spain tonight for a spot against Germany in the final. Bodog Sportsbook has them at an outside chance of 3.45 to beat Spain, who are paying 1.95. (convert sports odds formats with the OG calculator)

Russian keeper, Igor Akinfeev had some oinspiring words for his team mates before the semi final. “We shouldn’t be afraid of anything,” he said.

“We have almost made it to the top of the mountain, but we want to reach the peak. Neither Spain nor us want penalties. It’s not good for the nerves and only puts more grey hair on our heads.”

We’ll be watching the game and cheering home our 26-1 bet. Do us proud you Russkies!

Phil Ivey hasn’t had a good week.

Various news sources have reported that the Full Tilt Poker pro has bet $2 million on the Lakers to win the NBA championship.

We don’t know when he made this bet, but it was sometime before game 3, because he tipped staff at the WSOP to get the TV near his table to show the game instead of the level information for the tournament everybody else was busy playing. He was playing too, but the Lakers captured his attention more than any cards in front of him.

Other losses this week include $80,000 worth of re-buys and add-ons in the 2-7 Lowball tournament where he didn’t cash. And $100,000 to PokerStars pro Daniel Negreanu on a golf bet.

If he has in fact bet $2 mil on the Lakers, he’s in some trouble after their game 4 capitulation. Here at OG, we’re still stunned at how a Phil Jackson coached team could squander a 24 point lead at home. They were -7 favorites with the oddsmakers, paying just 1.30 (-330) for the win versus Boston’s 3.65! (+265)

The Lakers are now a longshot to win the title, after starting the series as favorites. No team has ever come from 1-3 down to win an NBA Championship.

Phil won’t be the only one crying about that…

Ed