By Danilo Fleming
 Everyone who loves poker also loves to win. While all card games are games of chance, not all cards games are only games of chance. In terms of Texas Hold'em, there are some elements of skill and strategy that considerably improve a player's game, although a lucky draw of cards helps, too.
The most important move in Texas Hold'em is deciding whether or not to play a starting hand. In Texas Hold'em, experts agree that a tight and aggressive strategy is best. In spite of this information, many poker players play too many hands. The closer you are to the dealer, the stronger your hand must be because there are more players acting after you who can raise or re-raise the pot. It is important to be patient and wait for the right hand and the right time to play.
In early positions, wait for really high cards and pocket pairs. In middle positions, wait for high straight possibilities and moderately high pocket pairs. In late position, look for moderate to high straight possibilities and lower pocket pairs. Many players will
play any two suited cards from any position or an Ace with any small kicker. These hands are mistakes and will only cost money.
Don't let the blinds influence your betting strategy. Once you post the blinds, the money no longer belongs to you. You shouldn't bet on marginal hands even if you have posted further blinds.
Choosing whether or not to play a hand, after you have seen the flop, is your second biggest decision. If you continue mistakenly, it can be very costly to you. After the flop, your hand is 71 per cent complete. If you do not have the top pair, a straight or flush, then you should fold.
If you are in first position after the turn and have the best hand, betting is the best policy. If another player has a chance to bet before you and you don't have the best hand, fold. Too much money is lost by players who hope to catch a miracle card on the river.
When the river is revealed, there are two things to avoid. Don't call a losing bet or fold. Both will cost you money. Obviously, folding is the more costly of the two options. If there is a slight chance you have the winning hand, you should call.
At all times, you should attempt to read the board. It is easy to determine the best possible five card hand with three community cards displayed. This will help you decide how well your hand compares to your opponents' hands. Watch out for two things: when there are three suited cards on the board, indicating that someone can make a flush and a player raises when this third suited card is turned over, and when there is a pair on the board and a player can make four of a kind or a full house.
Even if you have folded, pay close attention to the game. You will want to know your opponents' tells and strategies.
The final winning poker tip is to never show your hand if you don't have to. You don't want to give away anything about yourself or your strategy by revealing your cards.
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A Season Preview Of The Atlanta Braves
By Arnoldo Watson
 2005 Overview:
Fourteen straight division titles speak volumes for the Atlanta Braves ability to field a competitive team year after year. 2005 was no different. Playing all year in a very tight NL East division, the Braves once again managed to reach the postseason with a 90-72 regular season record. The Braves exited early in the first round of the playoffs, losing in 4 games to the NL Central Houston Astros - but not before playing in the longest playoff game in history, an 18-inning, 5 hour and 50 minute epic battle which ended in the Astros advancing to play the Cardinals for the NL Championship.
The Jones boys led the offense once again in 2005. Outfielder Andrew Jones (.263 51 128), 3rd baseman Chipper Jones (.296 21 72) joined 1st baseman Adam LaRoche (.259 20 78), all star shortstop Rafael Furcal (.284 12 58) and 2nd baseman Marcus Giles (.291 15 63) to provide a fearsome starting lineup. Newcomer Outfielder Jeff Francoeur (.300 14 45) also impressed joining the team in July.
Pitching has always remained the strongest aspect of every Atlanta team over the past 15 seasons. In 2005 John Smoltz (14-7 3.06 230 innings) returned to the role of starting pitcher after closing games between 2001-2004. The relief role was shared by several pitchers until the Braves acquired Kyle Farnsworth (1-1 2.19 16 saves) midseason. Starters Tim Hudson (14-9 3.52), Jorge Sosa (13-3 2.55) and Horacio Ramirez (11-9 4.63) also helped provide quality starts en route to the Braves 14th straight postseason appearance.
Off Season Moves:
Key Braves loses in the off season include Furcal to the Dodgers, Pitching Coach Leo Mazzone to the Orioles as well as closer Kyle Farnsworth to the Yankees. Former big leaguer Roger McDowell will assume the new role as pitching coach as Atlanta also picked up Edgar Renteria (.276 8 70) from the Red Sox to replace Furcal at short. Pitcher Lance Cormier (7-3 5.11) was also traded from Diamondbacks for Johnny Estrada in three-player deal.
2006 Analysis:
The Braves pitching looks to be shaky in 2006. Expect starter Mike Hampton to miss the entire 2006 season due to Tommy John surgery. John Smoltz will be 39 in May and his right shoulder was subjected to the strain of over 230 innings in 2005 while Tim Hudson has spent some time on the disabled list in both of the last two seasons. Losing Farnsworth leaves a big hole in the closer's role. Lefty Horacio Ramirez is a solid fourth starter giving the Braves 200 innings that they badly needed last season. Expect Sosa to battle for the fifth spot in the rotation. Bottom line: John Schuerholz will need to get more bullpen help, including a legitimate closer, or the Braves are in serious trouble in 2006.
Offensively, although the loss of shortstop and leadoff hitter Furcal to the Dodgers was a huge blow All-Star and Gold Glove winner Edgar Renteria should see a resurgence in 2006, many believed Renteria had difficulties fitting in to the Red Sox team atmosphere - but he did manage an impressive 70 RBI. It's likely that 2B Marcus Giles will move up to the leadoff positive, with Renteria batting second in manager Bobby Cox's newly retooled lineup.
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A Preview Of The Florida Marlins
By Arnoldo Watson
 2005 Overview:
Most Florida Marlins fans never expected another repeat of the 1997 season when management completely gutted the World Champion Marlins but that is exactly what happened during the 2005 off season. Despite finishing tied with the Mets for 3rd place with an 83-79 record, Florida decided it needed to dramatically reduce payroll in the hopes of focusing on a new stadium plan. In just 12 short days between November 24-December 7 the Marlins dumped millions off their payroll by moving six everyday starting position players, two frontline pitchers, a closer and a setup reliever. When the dust finally settled only superstars Miguel Cabrera (.323 33 116) and Dontrelle Willis (22-10 2.63) remained.
The 2005 offense was led by Cabrera who posted almost identical numbers to his 2004 season ending totals. Cabrera was joined by newly acquired 1st baseman Carlos Delgado (.301 33 115) and outfielder Juan Encarnacion (.287 16 76) while pesky leadoff hitter Juan Pierre (.276 in 162 games with 57 stolen bases), 3rd baseman Mike Lowell (.236 8 58) and newly signed catcher Paul Lo Duca (.283 6 57) rounded out the rest of the starting lineup.
Willis simply dominated in 2005 by starting the season off with a 5-0 record with a 1.29 ERA. Dontrelle managed to enter the all star break with an impressive 13-4 record and 2.39 ERA. Starters Josh Beckett (15-8 3.37), A.J. Burnett (12-12 3.44) and newly acquired Brian Moehler (6-12 4.55) joined reliever Todd Jones (1-5 2.10 40 saves in 45 save opportunities) to complete the rotation.
Off Season Moves:
New appointed manager Joe Girardi and be surrounded by fresh, new faces in his 2006 debut. Hanley Ramirez is a top rookie prospect who was obtained in the Beckett trade from Boston, Ramirez has only played in two major league games and spent most of the 2005 season at AAA, where he batted .271 with six home runs, 52 RBI, and 26 stolen bases. Baseball America ranks Ramirez 10th on the Top 100 prospect list and he will likely get the starting shortstop position moving Cabrera to third base, his natural position.
The Marlins are also excited about outfielder Jeremy Hermida, who was the team's first-round pick in the 2002 draft as well as Eric Reed and Chris Aguila who are expected to get consideration in center and left field. Former New York Met Mike Jacobs (.310, 11 home runs in 30 games), obtained in the Delgado deal, and Wes Helms (.298 4 HRS in 2005) are expected to platoon at first base, while Josh Wilson (.257 17 82 in 143 games at Triple A Albuquerque in 2005) will compete for the starting job at second base.
2006 Analysis:
The Marlins will start 2006 with a bunch of fresh new faces. The fire sale provided the team with a bunch of untested talent which will make the 2006 roster look more like a AAA minor league team then anything else. New Manager Girardi will need to carefully evaluate who is ready to step into a full time role the team. Starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis is coming off his best year ever, so he will be expected to shoulder the load once again with Yusmeiro Petit, Sergio Mitre, Jason Vargas, Anibel Sanchez, Josh Johnson and Scott Olsen all getting consideration for a slot in the starting rotation. Scouts have recognized Johnson as a No. 2 starter and Olsen, a lefthander, is also highly regarded.
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Reduce Your Risks with a Good Horse Racing System
By Percy Kinney
 For the longest time, gambling has been shunned by prudes and puritans, as well as right-wing conservatives, and understandably so. After all, it is a highly addictive pastime that has seen the downfall of many people. You've probably heard the stories of people who gambled so much that they ended up incurring gambling debt after gambling debt, eventually becoming so broke that they ended up living on welfare, or worse killing themselves.
Indeed, in gambling, there's much to lose and very little to be gained. Still, there's nothing wrong in indulging in good, clean fun as long as you do it the right way with the right horse racing system.
Ride 'em Like Seabiscuit
Horse racing has been one of man's favorite pastimes for many centuries. In the days of yore, horse racing was enjoyed and well-attended by the aristocracy. Eventually, however, it became something that was patronized by the rich and the poor alike, and it remains so until this very day.
There are high stakes involved in horse racing, that's why most race tracks have developed highly efficient horse racing systems to cater to every patron's need. Whether you're a novice or a serious gambler, there's a horse racing system that makes sure you get as high a payout as possible, or at least come out of the race track relatively unscathed, ready to bet more another day.
An Honest to Goodness Business
A horse racing system is a business. But contrary to popular belief, it is a rather honest and straightforward business. Sure, it seeks profit for the company operating the race track and the horse racing system. However, it does not do so by taking advantage of the horse racing patrons.
Indeed, betting on a horse race is not like playing in a casino when you're playing against the house. A horse racing system is designed to let you play with the house. It provides you, the patron, with odds and probabilities, so you can make better and sounder decisions on which horse to put your money on. Your bet is processed through a computer system and you will be given a receipt of sorts that you can use to claim your winnings, if any. All this is meant to put you at ease and to show you that the horse racing system is something you can rely upon.
Betting Right
Of course, when it comes to betting, the decision lays on your hands. Though the horse racing system provides the odds and probabilities of the race, you still get to say the last word.
It is within your power to rely on your gut instincts, or to follow the herd. Whatever you decide on, bet prudently and wisely. Set a limit. Even if you feel like something is a sure thing, don't bet more than what you can afford. There's no sense in being greedy. After all, you can't expect to win every time, so you have to always remember: you win some, you lose some.
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Fly Fishing for Small Mouth Bass
By Percy Kinney
 Both by tradition and practical experience, fly fishing for bass in streams is small-mouth fishing. This bass likes clear, cool water without too much weed growth in it and with sand or gravel bottom. Those conditions are more common in streams than in lakes, at least in lakes in the southern or central section of the Middle West. As we go farther north, especially in Canada, these small-mouth conditions become pretty usual in lakes. As we go south, they become more rare in any except mountain rivers. These conditions delineate almost exactly the places where small-mouth thrive.
River small-mouth are splendid fly rod fish. They take flies with a zest that is almost unequaled. They take almost any kind of a fly, too-bass bugs, wet flies, exact imitations of natural insects, and flies that do not resemble anything in nature. These latter highly colored fancy type flies, however, according to recent studies of light refraction, may actually be good imitations of the way a wounded small minnow or aquatic insect floating on top of the water looks to a fish. Anyhow, river small-mouth take them all-and how they fight!
River bass live in fairly shallow water and, therefore, take a surface fly especially well. Because fish in shallow water are more easily frightened, river bass are less frequently scared by flies than by the larger and heavier bait casting lures. I have often seen a river bass turn to a fly that lit behind him and take it avidly, while a plug, bait cast that near the fish, made him scurry for the nearest hiding place. That doesn't mean bait casting isn't useful in fishing for river small-mouth, but it does restrict its use.
The mood in which to approach stream fishing for bass is much like that needed for trout fishing. You are again stalking your fish. If you keep this in mind, it will bring many bass to your creel or stringer.
Most small-mouth rivers can be waded, which is ideal for fly fishing; there is even more need to wade properly, because most bass rivers are bigger than the average trout stream.
As with trout, by no means all of a bass stream holds bass. The fish have their feeding positions, and their resting or hiding places, just as trout do. In general, bass pick the same kind of water to feed and rest in as do trout, though small-mouth usually select spots nearer to heavier and faster current.
Whether the bass will be in the riffles or in the pools depends chiefly on water temperature, time of day, stage of water (whether high, normal or low), hatches on the water, and on weather and barometric conditions. So lunar feeding periods also have an effect, but, in my experience, are not as great a factor in stream conditions as in lakes. Where the bass will be and what they will be doing is entirely governed by the combined effect of these natural conditions.
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