Online Casino Group Share Prices Drop -poker news

After showing signs of recovery following the damage caused by last week’s BetonSports affair, share prices at 888 Holdings took another 6 percent drop on the release of its second quarter performance numbers. 888 shares fell 11 percent in early trade and by late morning Tuesday were 6.2 percent weaker at 148 pence, valuing the business at around GBP 564 million

The online casino and poker company reported that sales rose 23 percent in the second quarter but had nevertheless fallen short of expectations. Chief Executive John Anderson pointed to the traditional sector slowdown during the second quarter and this year’s World Cup as the main factors behind the drop in revenue.

Anderson also hinted at the possibility of 888 acquiring a non-U.S. facing sportsbook, saying that current low share prices in the sector could present good opportunities to buy an Internet bookmaker that is not involved in taking bets from the United States.

'I want a sports book, funnily enough, but it will be a sports book that doesn’t take bets from America,' said Anderson. 'The guy who plays poker with us on a Sunday afternoon, also wants to put a bet on Manchester United versus Everton on a Monday night, and we would like to provide that option.”

How to ... Play poker with the big boys

Don't deny it. You're tempted. Everywhere you look there is an article about Positively Fifth Street, the story of James McManus going to cover the World Series of Poker for a magazine and playing instead, finishing fifth and winning $247,000 against the world's top pros. You think: "I could do that."

Before you hop that plane to Vegas, you better be ready. Be like Mac--read plenty of poker primers by pros David Sklansky and TJ Cloutier and practice on computer programs for countless hours. Then, when you're going head-tohead with these pros, be ready to face intimidation. The pros will push you to bet over your head or overplay your cards. Don't do it. "If the pros see you as a conservative rock who only plays pots with strong cards, they'll give you more respect than you often get in a friendly home game," McManus says. Then, when you raise them, they'll actually fold.

And don't forget poker requires lots of luck. McManus brought a half-dozen

lucky hats and kept pictures of his wife and kids in his shirt pocket or on the table. It worked for him.

From the lab to the net--French connection

If springtime in Paris sets you daydreaming about Roland Garros instead of romance, make a date with Babolat. U.S. tennis pro Andy Roddick loves Babolat's Pure Drive racket. So, when the French company came out with the VS NCT Drive (unstrung $209) and VS NCT Control ($199) aimed at us normal folks, Fanscape checked it out.

NCT stands for Nano Carbon Technology--the rackets were built with carbon tubes using nanotechnology, which is the spaceage manipulation of materials on an atomic level. Though it's strange--actually incomprehensible--that NASA scientists spend time moving molecules to improve Fanscape's forehand, the racket certainly works wonders, especially when combined with the old-fashioned natural gut strings that made Babolat famous.

With these light but well-balanced rackets, the ball stays on the strings longer, giving extra control and more spin, yet it still jumps off with zing. Getting the power of a stiff racket without the awkward can't-feel-the-ball effect apparently comes not just from nanotubes but also from Babolat's Dual Woofer shock absorbing system. Sometimes it's better not to ask.

Sultan of swap: rare Bambino jersey up for bids

There are only six known Babe Ruth Yankees uniforms, and Lelands.com is auctioning off a flannel, pinstriped one with "G.H. Ruth" stitched beneath the collar. Bids are being accepted online and by telephone until May 30; Lelands.com president Michael Heffner says the winner may have to shell out $500,000. You can get a genuine, live major league rookie for less than that.

E-mail comments or suggestions to fanscape@sportingnews.com.