Where is it offered anyways other than Florida? I always wanted to see it, but seems just about every place that used to offer it closed up. The one time I was in Ft. Lauderdale and had nothing much to do on a Monday night, I found out that is their dark night at Dania. So I may never see it other than in the opening to "Miami Vice"! Looks like an interesting game to watch for an hour, is it actually kind of boring?
WildBill
If you ever saw the "game" you would realize how easy it would be to "predetermine" the outcome.
Used to be a fronton at the MGM in Vegas, attended many times. If you are not privy to a pre-determined outcome, I see no way to make money (from the parimutual gambler"s point of view).
VVV
If you ever saw the "game" you would realize how easy it would be to "predetermine" the outcome.
Used to be a fronton at the MGM in Vegas, attended many times. If you are not privy to a pre-determined outcome, I see no way to make money (from the parimutual gambler"s point of view).
VVV
Wildbill- If you ever get a chance to go, check it out. It's a fun game to watch. Sit as close as you can and you'll see the speed and skill involved in Jai-Alai. But as Vini said from a betting standpoint, it's tough because the players could easily tank a key point here and there and they are so good that you'd never know it. They're good athletes.
Unfortunately as you said, there are very few venues left. I used to go to Buddy Berensen's Hartford Fronton. I think I was 13 when I went for the first time and I loved it. When I tried to make my first wager, the clerk asked me how old I was and I told him "18 sir". He punched out my tickets and I was all set. I could barely see over the counter. Good memories.
I think the thing to do is go when you get an opportunity, have dinner or a few hot dogs and enjoy a wonderful game but keep your wagers to a $2.00 quinella per game just for fun. The pari mutual takeout is probably about the same as at the track so it would be a difficult game to beat.
Unfortunately as you said, there are very few venues left. I used to go to Buddy Berensen's Hartford Fronton. I think I was 13 when I went for the first time and I loved it. When I tried to make my first wager, the clerk asked me how old I was and I told him "18 sir". He punched out my tickets and I was all set. I could barely see over the counter. Good memories.
I think the thing to do is go when you get an opportunity, have dinner or a few hot dogs and enjoy a wonderful game but keep your wagers to a $2.00 quinella per game just for fun. The pari mutual takeout is probably about the same as at the track so it would be a difficult game to beat.
I currently bet Dania and Miami jai alai at OTB parlors in Connecticut. I fell in love with the sport when World jai alai opened in Hartford in mid 1970's. Jai alai and poker are the only two gambling activities that I can honestly say I have come out ahead in over the last 20 years. Everything else(sports mostly), I get absolutely hammered. No luck, no skill...no money. Anyway, if you want to make money at jai alai, you should only handicapp the singles games. There is a definite skill factor involved for the players to consistantly win these games. The guys that are good in singles definitely win more consistantly. Also, the guys who really can't play singles hardly ever win. Look at the stats in the program. Some guys never win. Anyway I had a great week last week and of course it subsidized my week one football. Good luck and stay away from those doubles games.
I used to practically live at Jai Alai when they had it here in Tampa. It is mostly a numbers game where the odds of certain numbers hitting are very relevant to their post position. Here's how it goes in case someone has never been, usually it takes 7 points to win the game and they play in order. The board starts out....
1- 0
2- 0
3- 0
4- 0
5- 0
6- 0
7- 0
8- 0
#1 plays #2 in the first game, if #1 wins then he gets one point and #2 goes to the bottom. The board would then look like....
1- 1
3- 0
4- 0
5- 0
6- 0
7- 0
8- 0
2- 0
#1 then plays #3, the next one up. As long as you win you keep going. After you go through once then the next round the points count as 2 each. Usually it doesn't go very long after that. Once a man gets 7 points than the game is over and the betting pools are paid due to how many points they have. For instance if the board looked like this...
7- 7
5- 3
3- 0
2- 6
4- 1
8- 0
1- 2
6- 0
The win money would be on 7 since he got to 7 points first. The place would be 2 (6 points), the show would be 5 (3 points). The trifecta would be 7-2-5. If two numbers are tied in points they will have a play-off to determine the winner, those are hard on the heart.
Because the way the game is played certain numerical combinations are very rare. You can go all season and not see an 8-7-6 trifecta. If you do see one it will pay quite nicely.
Back when I went they said about 90% of the players who were professionals all come from a small town in Spain (Basque?) that was known for Jai-Alai. Anyway there will be a test on Monday....
1- 0
2- 0
3- 0
4- 0
5- 0
6- 0
7- 0
8- 0
#1 plays #2 in the first game, if #1 wins then he gets one point and #2 goes to the bottom. The board would then look like....
1- 1
3- 0
4- 0
5- 0
6- 0
7- 0
8- 0
2- 0
#1 then plays #3, the next one up. As long as you win you keep going. After you go through once then the next round the points count as 2 each. Usually it doesn't go very long after that. Once a man gets 7 points than the game is over and the betting pools are paid due to how many points they have. For instance if the board looked like this...
7- 7
5- 3
3- 0
2- 6
4- 1
8- 0
1- 2
6- 0
The win money would be on 7 since he got to 7 points first. The place would be 2 (6 points), the show would be 5 (3 points). The trifecta would be 7-2-5. If two numbers are tied in points they will have a play-off to determine the winner, those are hard on the heart.
Because the way the game is played certain numerical combinations are very rare. You can go all season and not see an 8-7-6 trifecta. If you do see one it will pay quite nicely.
Back when I went they said about 90% of the players who were professionals all come from a small town in Spain (Basque?) that was known for Jai-Alai. Anyway there will be a test on Monday....
You can bet into the following jai-alai pools at SPORTSBETTING.COM
• Dania Jai-alai
• Miami Jai Alai
Of course you'll get full odds on all bet types plus live video.
http://www.sportsbetting.com/racebook/index.html
• Dania Jai-alai
• Miami Jai Alai
Of course you'll get full odds on all bet types plus live video.
http://www.sportsbetting.com/racebook/index.html
