LAS VEGAS -- So, you're sitting at a bar in Vegas and playing some poker, watching a few NFL games on TV and pulling your phone out to access the sports betting apps.
You're trying to make some in-game bets on the phone, looked away from the poker screen, and missed a possible royal straight flush.
OUCH!
Why can't they have one screen for video poker, slots and keno as well as sports betting?
Well, now they DO! The only issue at the moment is, you'll have to book a flight to Wisconsin. Then head to the St. Croix Casino in Turtle Lake, or, the St. Croix Casino in Danbury.
Actually, you'll need to fly into Minneapolis, rent a car, and drive the 76 miles. But once you get there, order a few brews, sit down at any screen, and go NUTZ!
However, just finished a marathon negotiating session with Mrs. Ecks-Rated and think I might have secured one of these multiple screen bad boys for my house. Had to give Mrs. Eck a new dining room set and a Duvet.
Not sure what a Duvet is, think it's some kind of fancy-schmancy wine, but if I can get it for less than a DIME, it's all good. So, forget about Wisconsin and stop by the Ecks-Rated Casa when you come to Vegas!
GIMME A SLICE PLZ!!!
There is such a thing as world champion pizza maker, and his name is Michael Vakneen. Actually, Vakneen competed at the World Pizza Games and won first place for the United States and second in the world.
He just opened a joint called ∅∅ Pie & Pub here in Vegas in the Chinatown section, at 3853 Spring Mountain Road. You'll need to set aside an hour and change because there’s no takeout, no delivery and NO reservations.
What makes it so special? He uses a wood-fired oven that pizzaiolos have been using in Napoli for over 100 years.
Pizzaiolos, if you're wondering, is the Italian word for pizza maker. When we went to Zero Zero, some friends told us to order the Diavola pie. T
he Diavola is spicy, and has Red Sauce, Fior Di Latte, Spicy Sausage, Giardiniera, Spicy Soppressata, Marinated Roasted Peppers. Don't have a clue about the ingredients, but it sounds fabulous, and, it's ONLY $22 bucks.
If you're not into spicy, try the Funghi, which has White Sauce, Fior Di Latte, Mozzarella, Garlic Butter Mushrooms, Charred Green Onion, Parmesan, Chives and Sea Salt. All for $21 bones.
LOX & BAGELS!!!
Before we get to the Lox & Bagels selection, just heard that USC QB Caleb Williams wants partial ownership from the NFL team that will select him in the 2024 Draft.
Okay Mr. Williams. Maybe not at the moment. NOT after throwing THREE INTs against Notre Dame and looking more like Zach Wilson than Patrick Mahomes. C'MON Caleb, READ THE FREAKIN' ROOM!
Even after last week's loss, LOX is still above water at 67%, but I know we can do better.
What does better look like? How about Jacksonville as a 3-point underdog against the Saints.
The Jaguars opened at -1, then the line was HAMMERED because of the injury to Trevor Lawrence, all the way to New Orleans -3. You might see it a little lower come game time.
Apparently, Lawrence is a quick healer and says he is gonna play. If we see Trevor warming up and ready to roll, we will rock the Jags. Why?
These guys LOVE to play on the road, and are 3-0 so far this season, 5-0 since the end of 2022, both straight up and against the spread. Jax for the money! But ONLY if Lawrence starts.
Benjamin Eckstein is a nationally syndicated sportswriter/oddsmaker. His column, America's Line, with the Ecks & Bacon appetizer, has run in the New York Daily News and over 100 other papers since 1988. You can follow him online at www.americasline.com. He is beloved by most, when he picks winners, and detested by others, when he picks the occasional loser. If you wanna piece of Eck, hit his [email protected].
