Million $$$ Retirement

[Warrior]

Tonight is the final game of the MILLION $$$ NET WINNER PROGRAM as I am retiring from the Sports Handicapping business.

I'm getting a lot of questions via email since announcing my retirement a few days ago, so I'd like to address some of those questions here.

After all, the forums have been my place of refuge for about six years now. A place where my fellow peers, friends, foes, and critics meet to match wits and share info regarding the awesome hobby of capping.

First, let me get tonight's MILLION $$$ game out of the way so those who just want the game don't have to scroll through a bunch of stuff.

ALL TIME NET PROGRAM RECORD: 23-11/+7.95 NET GAMES
STREAK: 3-0
RUN: 10-1
LAST PICK: PISTONS +8 (GAME ONE)

TONIGHT: ANAHEIM ANGELS -170

The Angels ARE a MILLION $$$ NET PROGRAM GAME. Here are some more opinions on my final post of picks. The following are NOT Million $$$ Games:

CUBS
RED SOX
OVER COLORADO/YANKEES
UNDER PHILLIES/WHITE SOX
5-teamer: These Four plus Angels

Good Luck,
David K. Toop
aka dave
aka taxi driver
aka warrior

[Warrior]

Retirement...

I recently announced my untimely retirement from sports handicapping after 25 years in the business. I'd like to answer some questions publicly as I have received a number of emails since the anouncement a few days ago.


Am I retiring because I made my Million

No, that's just a title for my Net Program Games. I work in the Casino business as a dealer living day to day like most of us. I supplement my income during the Football Season with my annual Spread Report, which I will no longer be doing either.

Why am I retiring...

I am retiring to pursue my calling in the ministry, a calling on my life since 1989. I retired at that time but started capping again a couple years later. I retired in '98 again but it was shortlived. I am retiring for good this time.

Why cannot you do both...

My reasons for retiring have nothing to do with any supposed moral issues regarding gaming. If that were the case I would quit the casino biz. No, quite the contrary I have been outspoken against the restrictions the church puts on some things that do more to bound people up and keep them away.

My moral stance on gaming is no different that my moral stance on anything else: If you have a problem with it, stay away. In and of itself, a Margarita with a steak dinner is harmless. For any achoholic, it is inviting disaster. For a someone with a severe eating problem, a buffet is not a good choice; and for someone with a gambling problem, any form of gambling is a no-no. Common Sense.

So my reason for leaving has nothing to do with the supposed moral issue, but rather that I do not believe at this time that capping is a part of my ultimate and eventual future regarding His will for my life. Putting off retirement is putting off His will for me. And I'm tired of doing that. I'm ready, even excited.


With football season right around the corner, why now?

This time of year supplements my income and relieves a financial burden, but anyone can quit something when it's easy. Quitting after the Superbowl wouldn't be the least bit of a challenge. By then, I'm always ready for a break anyway. The fact is capping is my first love, and it doesn't need to be. Quitting when it's the hardest thing to do and involves the greatest sacrafice is what I need to do; any other way, and I'm not sure I could be honest with myself regarding my motives.


Will you return?

I have no plans of returning to handicapping. Although I have seen the Lord bring people back to something they gave up to pursue His purpose, but only once He knew He had their heart and the thing they gave up was no longer pre-emminent. So, I suppose anything's possible, but I don't see it happening outside of an occasional cameo to say high and drop a game.

In 1989 I was called away from a degree in accounting because it simply was not a part of my future regarding His ultimate will and my ultimate destiny regarding what He would have me do with my life. This is no different. I think writing could very well be a part of what He has in store. I've always been compelled to write.


So what about the Million $$$ Games Dave!?

What about them? They win, but I'm not capping anymore. No doubt I'll drop a game here and there, but it will not be my first priority anymore


Is there anything we can do to help?

I am blown away by all the positive feedback I've received by email over the last couple of days. That kinda' support is a real encouragement and morale booster. I cannot begin to even tell you. You think you have an idea of what people at the forums are like. Then you get all these incredible responses and moral support; it's very inspiring and makes you realize what's important and just how much people are willing to get behind you; how much good there really is in people. I can't say enough.

You guys blast each other sometimes, but let me tell you; think twice before you judge these folk at this forum. It's been an eye opening experience for me to see the heart of some of these guys. I cannot say enough. Thank you for the offers of financial support, but anything out of pocket would ruin the spirit of my post. A trade is reasonable though. Put a buck or two on Anaheim for me. I think my mailing address is still up at the site (I think). I'm in the process of deleting out everything.

L8r,
dave

[Roll Tide]

Real question, not being a smartass.

My faith has slipped since I was shot by my former wife in 1996. I died twice on that night. Once in the helicoptor on the way to the hospital for just under 2 minutes and once for just over 5 minutes while I was in the hospital talking to the doctors after they took the breathing tube out of my throat. The last was a bad experience since I was awake as my body just shut down, but I was able to hear everything until my brain went also. I am so sick of hearing about the light and what a joy it was to see it. I must be the only person that this has happened to that my pastor or next door neighbor who is also a pastor that never saw this so called light. I could care less that I didn't see it, but they are amazed that I didn't see the light with 2 death experiences. Since you do not know me nor do I know you, I have 2 questions that I have not been able to get answered since I am now a realist and basically do not believe there is a heaven, God, etc. and realize that most of the bible is just a bunch of crap. Every religion believes something different and believes their religion is the only true religion. I just don't think some guy in the jungle in africa who prays to a stone carving is going to hell.

1. Who made or how was God made? There is proof on how our solar system and pretty much how all of space was formed. 900 years ago people thought there was a god of the sun and the sea. That looks pretty stupid these days.

2. Do you think this seeing the light bit has gone a little to far?
Come on, when your dead your dead.

Any way, good luck with your calling.

[MemphisMafia]

Inspired :

By your decision and dedication to your commitments to the things that hold value to yourself .

I commend and applaude your choice , and even though I dont think I ever used (as with any) your projections I feel a great joy in reading this post . All to often in life we lose sight of whats really important to us untill its to late , not the case here !

In this life I have noticed the all powerful " Take and Less Give " attitude that prevails for the most part and its truely refreshing to lay my peepers on your prose today . I also have a big fondness for writing (like no one can tell ) albeit my grammar fails me often , never does my zest or zeal for the word !

It is a powerful tool that when used right can lead many to self examination and ultimately a healther outlook on thier day (not counting thier fellow-man) .

I hope and wish for you to be happy and lead many souls where the water washes away all doubt !

Angels it is , but just because I believe that someones on your side that I am not about to argue with .

Good Luck in the future , but I highly doubt its needed !

***MMM***

:cool: :cool: :cool:

[Warrior]

Thanks for the comments MM.

Tide,

I will post my response at the Non-Gambling Issues Forum...

dave

[savage1]

Warrior-I agree with EVERYTHING you say.
I believe all of are here for a divine purpose and reason, and I really admire you honesty and staunchfast beliefs.
I myself am 59 years old, and I think what you said and believe becomes more evident with age.
I will be looking for your answer to question posed in non-gambling thread.
Best of luck to you.

[S49erman]

Warrior/Dave,

Your humor and picks have been very appreciated by all here at bettorschat, But I believe you are making the right decision 100%. Follow your heart brother, and congrats on your new decision. God bless!

[Warrior]

SAVAGE YOU 59!!!!????? I never woulda' guessed by your posts...you dont' come across as being a day over 55...

Thanks Joe Montana Man. I wish I could say it's a new decision...that would suggest immediate obedience on my part...

Angels in a rout tonight folks...would like to go out with a win for the forum...last pick was Pistons in Game One easy winner...brought NBA Million $$$ Picks to 7-0...gotta' get in some braggin' rights on my last day...

dave

[savage1]

Warrior-actually I am 39 with an additional 251 months added on for good measure.
ps By the way since there is a lot of debate over the NBA game tonight, how about taking a shot at side and total for kicks.

[Warrior]

Okay I'll give it a shot:

First the total: You cannot go over in these Detroit Playoff Games. They are the Carolina Panthers of the NBA, controlling the game at will. Foul Shaq on the inbound and they are 2-0 and headed home. You know I was bummed. I posted the Pistons right here at this forum to be the NEXT NBA CHAMPIONS before the playoffs began. Back to the TOTAL: UNDER OR PASS.

My thoughts on the side are this:

The fashion is which the Lakers won and the Pistons lost makes this an easy call for me. If the Lakers had simply won this game in a dominating or even 'normal' fashion, then tonight's game would be a tough call.

But due to the mental part of the loss suffered by the Pistons, you gotta' like the Lakers to snatch back home court right off the bat while they Pistons are vulnerable. Some have said that this Pistons team is more solid that to wallow, and that is true.

But consider also the LIFE that the Lakers have found. Man, that shot. That one single shot is a NEW LEASE for the LAKERS. I believe the Lakers could beat ANYONE, ANYWHERE, tonight, based solely on that one shot. So really, whether or not the Pistons mope or not, I dont think it will matter. LAKERS are the play, but not a Million $$$ Play for this ONE reason: Piston Defense.

*UNDER OR PASS (prefer pass)
*LAKERS

dave

[Warrior]

HEAVY ACTION coming in on the Angels. Was -160 when I was going over the games this morning; -170 by the time I finished my games; and is currently -180 with 8 hours 'till first pitch.

dave

[ez winners]

Good luck Dave, your input will be missed. Wish you all the best.

[CoverBoy]

WAEROIR

WHERRYIORRR >>>>>EYE WYLL MYSS U ANND AWL THE FUNN WHE HAD OVA THE PASST MUNTHS >>>> KEN U STOP INN ONSE N A WYLE 4 A LAFF ORR 2 ???? >>>>> NO PLOBLUM >>> WHE AWL DYD GUD WIHT YAWR LOKCS >>>> ME LYKE LOX .. U LYKE LOKCS >>> EZ LUVE LOX >>> PULEEZE KEPE INN TUTCH OK ???? >>> I GO NAU TO LYBERRY >>> OK BIE !!!!! OUT !!! ANND NO POLUBLIUM > >> OUT!!!

LOTZ LUK 2 U .... BIE !!!! -KUVA BOI

[voskuhl43]

The drama (or antidrama, as in this case) on this board never ceases to amaze me.