Back when I was a regular in Las Vegas while covering boxing, I got to know many professional gamblers and handicappers; all of whom told me you neded to hit 60% of your plays to make a living….
Anything less than that and the vig would eat away at your profits….
They also advised me not to try and make a living at sports gambling, because 90% of the players lost their ass….
It was good advice and over the years I’ve limited my gambling to small wagers for fun and always made sure the rent was paid….
The bottom line is most people lose money and a 60% success rate is rare….
Which is why I’m shocked at what’s going on with my NFL pick’em contest with sexy and talented Chicago attorney Tamara Holder….
A few weeks ago, the Fox News legal analyst challenged me to a handicapping contest, promising to kick my ass and embarrass me in front of my audience….
So far she’s backed up her words….
In Week 1, Tamara went 10-6 against the spread, an impressve 63%; a number that any Vegas professional would take…
After her glorious win, Holder assured me it was “Beginner’s luck” and I would certainly beat her in Week 2….
Knowing a set up when I see one, I disregarded her words and prepared even harder for our Week 2 battle….
Certainly she couldn’t hit 63% two weeks in a row and I would bounce back with an impressive win….
It turns out I was right, she couldn’t hit 63% two weeks in a row; because she hit an obscene 77%….
You read that right, 77%. Tamara went 10-3 against the number and whipped my ass again….
If that isn’t scary enough, since last Sunday afternoon she’s gone 16-4 ATS, an ungodly 80%.
Her totals for the two weeks? 20-9, which translates to 69%….
Beginner’s luck, my ass….
There are no words to describe this; other than embarrassing, humbling and disheartening. I do find solace, however, that Tamara is winning at a record pace and nobody on earth could match her….
After two weeks, I’m down by six games and in danger of getting blown out before this thing gets started. Hell, if I don’t gain some ground this week I might have to go to the Neiman Marcus site, buy her the shoes she wants and be done with it….
Time to roll up my sleeves….