[BrentCrude]

Talk about a gambling venue that doesn't get any coverage and it's legal in a few states.I have never been to Jai Alai but have heard that it's a highly skilled game.I think most of the players are from foreign lands so maybe that lends to the problem why no one makes a connection to star players.I think Vegas used to have it the first couple times I was there way back when but it was at the MGM and burned??I heard you can play exotics like trifectas etc.and the payoffs are high just like in horse racing when a long shot is added to the mix.I'm assuming it's competitive where there isn't a big divide between what are known as the best players and worst players sort of like in baseball where the difference between a great team and bad team is very little on most days.

Maybe if our nanny state government has it's way and bans sportsbetting they will join forces with the legal betting and they will promote betting on things like Jai Alai and it will become a growing sport?

[BigBollocks]

I've been to a few jai alai games and of course bet on them. A lot of these guys had to work real hard to get to where they are, and there have been several jai alai deaths in the past due to the speed of the ball. Jai alai will always struggle to succeed due to how much rigging has occurred in the past, and how easy it is to do now (thus making people hesitant). You're absolutely right about playing shots if the teams are pretty competitive, but once you get to know some of the players you'll find that some teams are super stacked while some teams literally have no chance. Cheers...

[jjgold]

I bet numbers only there, I think it is rigged though.

Some legal betting horse books offer it.

[ms61853]

I've bet on it a lot, and was actually pretty addicted to it back in the early 90s when I was living in Florida.

With a 20-25% house paramutual rake, I don't see how anyone is going to make any money off of it. I certainly never did.

Although I did once hit a a $900 quinella double on a $2 bet.

[Justin7]

There was a really good book out on betting this sport. Some guy did it with a computer where he didn't even watch the games. Short read, but entertaining.

[DaveRabbit]

I go to the Miami one but I don't bet nothing worth, sit there smoking cigars with the old cuban marielitos, play some card games, it can be fun sometimes with all the degenerate gamblers trying to hit it big

[Doug]

I used to, but it only exists in Fla ( in US) for live viewing. Good game, but hard to cap, pools are small, most money on tri's, followed by Q's.

Any team can win.

[THE HITMAN]

Like most of the others here, I've been a few times. Don't follow it, so when I go I just bet numbers or players that look pumped or something. Never for anything more than lunch money, tho. I agree that the takeout is high & is fixed. Although it may be fixed, it can work for you.................just find the fixer or fixee. Someone still had to come in first & second.

[SBR_John]

There is no doubt in my mind that cheating in that sport is higher than any other. Watch for steam plays. Of course you end up with a crappy number but the inside money comes in very late.

[Doug]

There is no doubt in my mind that cheating in that sport is higher than any other. Watch for steam plays. Of course you end up with a crappy number but the inside money comes in very late.

I disagree, John... There is almost no money in the pools to make a fix work out. I know jai-alai very well. I used to be an amateur player ( very good one), myself. I knew many pro players personally, practiced with pros regularly.

A player ( fairly good one) only makes like 100k.

One guy I knew well ( Wilfredo Cruz-Milford) , became a city cop after they closed down jai-alai in CT.

I probably know more about this game than any poster on any board.

[mad]

Mate, i got jai-alai out the ying-yang.

[jjgold]

It is all fixed just like harness racing

stay away you have no chance

[HAPPY BOY]

Miami Jai-alai was the shiit back in the 70's to mid 80's (thats when the players strike occured) in the 70's on a Saturday night it was standing room only. The pools where huge and a 6-7-8 trifecta could pay 5 or 6 grand, which was a crap load od doe in those days. The players were great, they are mainley Basque. ( a mixure of French and Spanish) Sadly Miami Jai-alai is a toilet now a days they barely get more than 200 patrons to attend. most of which play poker or bet the ponies on OTB. really sad that this once beautiful sport is going the way of the dinasoar.

[stuartfl]

There was a really good book out on betting this sport. Some guy did it with a computer where he didn't even watch the games. Short read, but entertaining.

Funny you mention this... the guy I believe you are talking about was a math teacher at Martin County High School (south of Palm Beach -20 miles). I heard about him while I attended high school there.

I bet Jai Alai in the 90's before they closed West Palm Beach down.... even played in a legue on weekends there. One of my most favorite sports to play! I live in NYC now, but wish they offered this sport to bet on throughout the north east. Didn't it originate in CT? (the first place it was played in the US before Miami).

[stuartfl]

I disagree, John... There is almost no money in the pools to make a fix work out. I know jai-alai very well. I used to be an amateur player ( very good one), myself. I knew many pro players personally, practiced with pros regularly.

A player ( fairly good one) only makes like 100k.

One guy I knew well ( Wilfredo Cruz-Milford) , became a city cop after they closed down jai-alai in CT.

I probably know more about this game than any poster on any board.

Hey Doug, when did you play?

[Doug]

I played (amateur) from about 1976-1982 at a place in Milford,CT (they are long gone).

I moved to San Diego in 1982, and didn't play much the next few years, only occasionally in Tijuana and the MGM in Vegas, I gave up the game for good by the late 80's when I moved to Colo.

I know about a half-dozen guys that made it to the pro ranks. I don't think any of those guys are still active.

[robmpink]

I disagree, John... There is almost no money in the pools to make a fix work out. I know jai-alai very well. I used to be an amateur player ( very good one), myself. I knew many pro players personally, practiced with pros regularly.

A player ( fairly good one) only makes like 100k.

One guy I knew well ( Wilfredo Cruz-Milford) , became a city cop after they closed down jai-alai in CT.

I probably know more about this game than any poster on any board.

Just curious. Why did they shut it down in CT. Lack of interest?

[robmpink]

I remember I bet it once in Cancun at the Caliente Sports Book. I was so high on Ketamine and Cocaine that I couldn't follow along.

[JoshW]

Anyone know an online book that takes bets on it? I assume not, but a player has asked SBR, so thought I would ask.

[Sportsgirl]

Its legal here in FL.
later

CP - where in Florida are you? I grew up on the Southeast coast.

[JoshW]

One last bump for the player looking for online betting on Jai Alai.

[thezbar]

I played (amateur) from about 1976-1982 at a place in Milford,CT (they are long gone).

I moved to San Diego in 1982, and didn't play much the next few years, only occasionally in Tijuana and the MGM in Vegas, I gave up the game for good by the late 80's when I moved to Colo.

I know about a half-dozen guys that made it to the pro ranks. I don't think any of those guys are still active.

I've bet on you in T.J. Small w orld

[beetman]

I went to Miami Jai Alai once and it was a fun time. I doubt it'll grow in popularity considering that the frontons in other parts of the country have closed and there's only 4 left in Florida.

[beetman]

The book about using a computer system to model jai alai wagering mentioned in this thread is Calculated Bets by Steven Skiena.

[picantel]

I have one less than 10 minutes away. Maybe I should go check it out.

[pokernut9999]

Used to go to West Palm Beach Jai Alai back in the 80's. Had the worlds #1 player "Bolivar "playing there. He was something else to watch as he dominated the game, and you could still make good money betting him.

[ritehook]

It is all fixed just like harness racing

stay away you have no chance

JJ is absolutely correct. The players decide prior to playing who is going to win. Not on every game, just selected ones. Which is the reason you'll often see the exotic bets pay less - or just a shade more - than the straight wagers.

It's tough enough to win at the honestly played sports. Why bet into a rigged game? Can be entertaining to watch in person tho - maybe for an hour or two, max.

(Source: personally knew some jai players - they are usually of Basque origin - in Tijuana, but who also played in Florida and in Connecticut. The same fix everywhere.)

[LVHerbie]

I wanted to go when I was down in Florida last year visiting my wife's family but my wife thought that "we were too busy for that, plus all you ever do is gamble anyhow" (which is basically true I guess)

[MartinCl]

Jai Alai seems to be renewing itself.
I found this pretty cool website were they talked about a new jai alai radio channel, selling jai alai polo shirts and other stuff. www.clubfronton.com

[Doug]

Just curious. Why did they shut it down in CT. Lack of interest?

Jai alai was killed when the casinos came to CT. We used to have 3 frontons....Bridgeport,Hartford,and Milford.

I think Foxwoods came into existence about 1990, Milford jai alai lasted until about 2000, now a Lowes or Home Depot, Bridgeport converted to dogs, I think Hartford is now a Carmax. Lost Plainfield dog track,too !

It was just diminishing handle, due to the 2 casinos ( Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun). It's hard to pay 40-50 players when you aren't getting the bets anymore... same in Florida.

[Doug]

I've bet on you in T.J. Small w orld

I never played pro.


Star players used to make big bucks at TJ, like 200k+ decades ago, now a player makes truck driver money.