Help (advice Needed)

[Nolan Dalla]

This entire NFL season, I will be in Las Vegas. Since I will be in the sportsbooks on most Sundays, that leaves me with a problem. I'm not sure how to post halftime bets this season to the Messge Forum. Since I plan on playing (and recommending) many halftime plays this season, this is a real problem for me. I have done more work on halftime betting than anything else, and I think I can hit in the 55 percent range with just a base use of statistics and common sense from watching the 1H.

What idea is the use of a cell phone. I do have a web browser on my cell, but I'm not sure if you can post from it. I send and receive e-mail from the cell all the time, but I think it's different to post to a Message Forum at a website. Complicate this matter by there being only 15 minutes of open time to get the lines, contemplate the wager, make my own bets, then post -- and this is a BIG problem. Add the fact that sometimes 3-4 games go to the half at once, and this is a big mess.

Anyone have any ieas or suggestions?

Thanks.

ND

 

[ferdville]

A simple and relatively inexpensive PDA like the Motorola Talkabout will enable you to send e-mails from any location. However, I don't think you could post to the Forum with one. You would have to e-mail somebody that could then post. That seems to be timeconsuming at best. I'm no technophile, so maybe somebody else can come up with a better idea. The Talkabout would take you longer than a cell phone. But Nolan, you know that cellphones are prohibited in sports books. You wouldn't want to get 86'd!

 

[yyz]

Personally, I think with the limited amount of time you will have, and the nature of not being able to use computers/phones in a sports book, make this an impossible task.

I would think you will not have sufficient time to allocate to handicapping, if you are trying to post plays.

 

[Nolan Dalla]

About cell phones being banned in sportsbooks -- this is a non- issue. I can step outside for 2 minutes and make a call or connect to the Internet through the browser on the phone. Most books, I have found you can walk just a few steps and technically be out of the book and make and take calls. Bellagio is a prime example. You can see all the screens from the poker room, but since it's not technically in the sportsbook, you can use cell phones in there. Mandalay is the same way. With Hilton and Stardust, you can just step outside because there is a side door. I see people congrgate there all the time. Orleans and the "local" properties, you can just walk into the casino area. That issue is not an obstacle. What is -- is the technical aspect.

Thanks so far, for the responses.

I don't have and have never used a Palm Pilot. Can you post with those ?

Nolan

 

[fletcher]

you got mail

 

[acehistr8]

Nolan I am looking to solve the same problem right now. I have a class this next semester on Monday nights and will need online access on a PDA during that time. Right now I have looked into getting a Handspring Visor and Mistrel modem. This is a small modem which plugs into the expansion slot on the Handspring. Has gotten very good reviews so far. The only downside is the monthly service fees, which on some of these things can run $30 - $40 a month for unlimited service. Personally I think its worth it. I have needed a new PDA for some time, so that cost is basically sunk to me since I needed it anyway. The modem will run $99 or so but you need to make a 6 month service contract commitment to get it. I have looked into various web surfing phones, I just found the tiny screens too madening to use.

One site I have found really helpful for doing research is wireless.cnet.com. They have tons of reviews there on a number of different things. Have not decided which way to go yet, but will be getting something in the next couple of weeks.

Modem Review:
http://computers.cnet.com/hardware/0-7618925-404-3383002.html?tag=pdtl-list

If I come accross anything else in my travels, I will post it here. Would appreciate the heads up if you find anything that works for you as I would look into it as well.

---

fletcher could you let me know if you found a decent solution to this problem? Thanks.

 

[Nolan Dalla]

Great suggestions, gentlemen.

I will look into the device, Phil. That's probably a good investment for me.

I think I may make a merger with Fletcher too, that way when I run bad he can carry me as dead wood.


Nolan

 

[MadJack]

nolan, i'll be around on sunday's all day long for 95% of the season. you can call me and i'll post them for you.

 

[ferdville]

If you simply want to e-mail Jack and have him post, your options are many. The Motorola Talkabout is cheap and you can pay as little as $23.85 per month for service. It allows you to make address books, etc. - just not all the bells and whistles of Palm Pilot, etc. However, they are much cheaper and I have not had any problems in several months sending and receiving e-mails. Something to consider along with the fancier ones.

 

[Nick Douglas]

If Jack isn't around call my cell and I'll post them if I am home. Email me and I'll send you my number. GL.

 

[acehistr8]

Nolan, just came across this. The phone/pda is $499, its through Sprint, so not sure how much the service runs.

http://www.handspring.com/products/treo300/index.jhtml

I can see though that since this is meant to be a phone/pda it is pricey service wise. Their 4000 minute plan with 8MB of data use per month is $60. They define 8 mb per month as 1500 emails or 500 web page uses. I am on my way out the door to visit Sprint, its right down the street from my office, will check back and let you know what the deal is.

 

[dawgball]

The best hand-held unit, IMO, is the Blackberry devices which I think Ace is referring to. It is a PDA system that you plug a earpiece into and can use it as a fully functional cell phone as well. This is the next step in hand-helds and cell phones. It has a fully functional keypad that is relatively easy to use. The buttons are obviously small but not too small to be helpful.

Let me know if I can help.

 

[acehistr8]

Nolan I am looking to solve the same problem right now. I have a class this next semester on Monday nights and will need online access on a PDA during that time. Right now I have looked into getting a Handspring Visor and Mistrel modem. This is a small modem which plugs into the expansion slot on the Handspring. Has gotten very good reviews so far. The only downside is the monthly service fees, which on some of these things can run $30 - $40 a month for unlimited service. Personally I think its worth it. I have needed a new PDA for some time, so that cost is basically sunk to me since I needed it anyway. The modem will run $99 or so but you need to make a 6 month service contract commitment to get it. I have looked into various web surfing phones, I just found the tiny screens too madening to use.

 

[acehistr8]

Nolan am posting this with the treo 300. SWeet unit. Will post a full review when I get back.

-------------------
I have to say this is one impressive unit handspring has put out. It couldnt be easier to connect to the internet. There is an icon to click on where you can put your bookmarks, clicking on one of them brings up the page. I imagine for this use you could make one bookmark the NFL forum, just to save yourself the time.

Couple of minor drawbacks which are a pain, but given the functionality of the unit, I can overlook. One is the speed. It is not great, definitely more like a slow dialup speed than any sort of DSL/Cable you may be used to. Second is the way the pages display, it can be awkward at first scrolling through all the data. For instance when Jacks pages load, you need to wait for all the sponsor pictures to load, then the links, then the forums. However once I found my way around, I had no problem logging in. I also checked espn.com and mlb.com. Again the graphics are decent, but I was easily able to monitor the afternoon MLB games. Also the columns may be mis-aligned given that pages are designed to fit a browser and not a smaller window like this. But I didnt really mind, I could see Houston 5 Cincy 1, so who cares if it looks offkilter sometimes.

But once they load, it is easy as hell to use. The mini keyboard on there is fantastic, real easy to use with your two thumbs. You could probably be on and off the forums in under 5 minutes posting your plays. Typing is a breeze.

The cost is not cheap however. The unit itself is $499, though I will look online first to see if there are any cheaper deals. The pricing plans can be confusing, but since I wont use this for many phone calls at all, I looked at the $50/month plan. It includes 4000 voice minutes and 2MB of data, but you can add 6MB per $10 onto your plan. So for $70 you could have 4000 minutes and 14MB of data - @150 emails and 2100 web pages.

(If you order through Handspring, they have a rate plan 3500 minutes and 20MB of data for $75/mo)

There is also a $10 per month Month-Month option. I will probably pay this for a couple of months to make sure it works for me before plopping down the cash on a one or two year contract.

All in all, as a gadget geek I was very skeptical at first but once I got my hands on it, I am very impressed with this unit. Recommend you find a Sprint store near you that might have one in stock you can play with.

 

[Nolan Dalla]

Problem Solved...
goddamn, you guys are incredible!

Okay -- her's the solution -- I'll look into one of those space unit things you guys are touring. I need better communication means (other than the phone) so I'll get in line with the suits and buy a palm pilot, or external phone jack/hookup.

I'll also make a phone list and put in all five of your names and numbers. That way, if someone is away I can call the next person.

May I ask a favor in that each of you who volunteered, send me a short e-mail with your phone number? I need the phone where YOU can be reached on an NFL Sunday.

I already have MadJack and Flether. I'd like the other three of you to send me the number, if you don't mind -- that way I won't be badgering one person all time time and this can be shared duty. I also might like to ask those that volunteer to help to read the Message Forum back to me for insights from some of the respected cappers. I TOO LEARN FROM WHAT I READ HERE.

You guys are fantasitc. We're going to break balls this season, hopefully not our own.

Nolan