You can hear Aerosmith singing "Sweet Emotion" more and more as betting crosses all barriers all the time.

Yes we need a strong base cold number to start any handicapping in our tool box, but situational and emotion are part of the process that has taken quantum leaps in the last generation of betting.

We are now playing basketball games on an aircraft carrier. I sure respect the reason we did, showing appreciation to those serving and who have served our country. Amazingly enough, the number was in jeopardy with two minutes to go, showing the fact that the hard cold spread against Michigan State was right and in place.

Buffalo WR David Nelson caught the TD pass and then ran over to give a hug to his "main squeeze" – a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Now, let me first handicap that. After showing the picture of him and her he definitely out-kicked the coverage there.

I’d like to see the number for them dating this time next year. I have a better chance of being President.

The judges for the "Pac Man" fight were, to some degree, overtaken by the names of the fighters whose name was on the back of the jersey. I had Manny Pacquiao eeking out a win but nowhere near the 116-112 that was served up by one judge.

Obviously, the Penn State-Nebraska game brought emotion to a level we have never experienced and hope never to get to again. It was almost scripted with Nebraska building up a lead and watching the Lions come back and make a game of it.

I believe emotion was part of the second half run, although that can only be conjecture. We can break down any matchup and look inside the number every time you step up to the window. Emotion can never be quantified to what it really means. That is why I believe the human touch will never be taken out of the equation in today’s betting world.

Take care,
Jimmy V.

Re-printed with permission of Gaming Today.