Gambling certainly has its ups and downs. At one point I had won ten hands in a row at blackjack and the next I had tripled my bet, gotten a split with a double-down and lost them all. Suddenly I was in the hole. I won 10 hands, lost three, and was in the hole! The gambling part is great, the frustration part is terrible. We all live with the ups and the downs. Life is full of them.

To help compensate the unpredictable nature of gambling I have always been good at budgeting my bankroll. Well, except for a trip to Tahoe with my girlfriend when I was 18 and had $110 to my name and we were planning on staying the weekend. Live and learn!

Anyway, for most people the budgeting part is terrible because it's so boring, but it's so important. If you don't do some money management, it is unlikely that you will ever build a bankroll, or even know how much money you can afford to spend on your gambling entertainment.

Most gamblers just head out to the casino, play for a few hours, and then drive home wondering if they overspent. Aside from the obvious hope to win, gambling is entertainment. You can expect to win, but realistically you should know that unless you are a card counter or a professional poker player, it is most likely that your gambling will be like a night at the movies with dinner - an expensive dinner.

So, do yourself a favor and take what you can afford to spend when you go to the casino and leave your credit cards at home!

Sure, we all know that you might not win during your trip to a casino, but you can actually lose your shirt! That's not just a saying. Shirts and sweaters are high on the list of things lost at casinos. You might want to consider just what to wear to your local casino before you make a trip there! You might not have to carry that extra jacket or shirt around because many casinos have a coat check.

You would be amazed at the number of items found in casinos. Right now, cell phones are at the top of the list. I just don't understand why so many people insist on taking their cell phone out and leaving it on chair next to them. On the other hand, one of my favorite things that people lose are their canes and walking devices. If you need a cane, how do you walk-off without it after playing the slots? Who was it that said, "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most?"

As for those strange things people lose, Ken Uston, the legendary blackjack card counter, once financed a team of blackjack players who used tiny computers fitted to their shoes and a receiver that was smaller than a pack of cigarettes. After a team member lost the receiver, Uston called the casino and said he lost his hearing aid amplifier. The lost and found department said, "Yes, we have your hearing aid," so he drove to the casino, tipped the security officer $5 and headed back out the door with his device!

It probably wouldn't surprise anyone if they heard that money was the thing most lost in casinos, but my friend Trinidad had an announcement for our group the other night. He asked, "Hey, did anybody lose a bunch of bills held together with a rubber band? Yes? Well that's good, because we found the rubber band! Here it is."

Yup, that's right. I owe an apology to every New York Giants football fan for ever doubting that their team had a chance against the Patriots. Go Figure. Just because they were peaking at just the right time (like, hmmm, what, a few years ago) and the Patriots had hit a plateau (like, hmmm, what, a few years ago), I still didn't expect the Patriots to go away empty-handed. Of course that's why I don't bet sports for a living.

Sure, I'm great at baseball, but apparently I can't even pick the winner in the Super Bowl, much less the weekly contests or the playoffs. However, I can admit when I'm wrong. So, I was wrong.

In the meantime, Giants coach Tom Coughlin keeps his job, Eli gets his second Super Bowl MVP, and the record books record his 10 of 14 passing numbers for 118 yards in the final quarter. For what it's worth, the crazy display was his seventh game-winning drive of the season. OMG. Does anyone remember Payton today?

Photo Courtesy (West Springfield High School)

This year's Superbowl is just a day away, and it's time to make my prediction. I'm obviously qualified to make a prediction because of my extensive background in football. As you can see from the photo above I played football in high school. I'm the one with the circle around his head. No, not a halo. That's something my mother added to point out the kid that most needed a haircut. You can also check-out professional Sports bettor Mark Franco's Super Bowl Picks if you doubt my ability.

As you can see, I'm part of a fairly large crowd. In fact, because of the size of the team I didn't get to play much during games. In fact, this picture is a lot like the actual games we played, because most of the action I saw was from the bench. Bummer!

However, if you are one of the millions of viewers who will be tuning in to Super Bowl XLVI - February 5 at 6:30pm ET on NBC, you might have a bet riding on the game, regardless of what the NFL says about gambling. Legalized sports gambling has been introduced and voted on in several states, but Nevada reigns supreme, having offered bets on every Super Bowl!

Sunday the Patriots will try to avenge their loss to the Giants just a few years ago in the Super Bowl. This year's contest will shape up much the same. The Patriots are on a long wining streak and the Giants struggled early in the year but are peaking at the right time. The Giants averaged 25 points per game and the Patriots gave up 22 points per game, I expect the Giants to score 23.

The Patriots averaged 32 points per game and the Giants gave up 25 points per game, so I give the Patriots a 28 point start. In addition, I give the Patriots a point for the longer streak and a point for the better road record. They also get 4 more points because they won 13 games this year to the Giants 9. I expect the score to be Patriots 34 - Giants 23.

Super Bowl Parties at Casinos

Now for the important stuff - like where to watch the game. Obviously we can't all make it to Indianapolis to see the game in person. However, aside from your best buddy's house (or the guy with the huge TV and great snacks), most casinos this weekend will have some kind of a Super Bowl party. Expect there to be crowds in many locations! And, remember to call ahead to your favorite casino and find out when the doors open, and what the fees are. Call the concierge desk or the player's club to find out.

My best advice is to show up around the time they open the doors and stake out a good table or seat, then leave your buddy in charge and hit the slots.