Betting for Value on Valentine’s Day

A Guy’s Guide To Bluffing and Betting For Value On Valentine’s Day

In theory, Valentine’s Day is supposed to be a day to celebrate romantic love with a spouse or significant other. So as the big day arrives, I thought I would chip-in some thoughts and tips on emotions and betting.

Valentine’s Day generates big spending, in the tens of billions of dollars annually in the United States. From retail sales of candy, jewelry, lingerie, cards, flowers, dinner and other gifts, the heart-filled holiday is a major event, like the recent Super Bowl that attracts massive media and betting interest including proposition wagering.

Since I’m a poker player as well as a sports handicapper, analyst and bettor, I thought I would put the cards on the table, offer a semi-bluff or two, and chip-in additional insight with Fairway’s formula for fun and a victory on Valentine’s Day. Here’s how to beat the ‘house’ on Valentines Day. Listen up guys. Since most women run the house you live in, today’s the day to reward your spouse/friend/lover. You don’t need to ‘overbet’, just make sure you get involved in the game and are focused and paying attention!

I have plenty of experience with women and girls, as I’m a father of three (3) daughters. I know a little bit about the ‘full court press’ and how women and girls negotiate, ‘bluff’ and use their own smarts and game to get ‘value’. I’m also someone that has been head-butted, blind-sided and hit with cheap shots by women including an x-wife. It’s no fun or fair to be a victim of nastiness or an unruly referee, but the woman often makes the rules and arbitrate on the matters arising from the play. Men can get taken to their knees, and while you would like the woman on hers, you must be prepared for ‘bad beats’ and unfortunate results that are not always fair. Just like the sports we watch and wager on at the sportsbooks.

Here are some of my thoughts and Fairway’s Facts from the felt and in handicapping Valentine’s Day. Whether married or single, take this advice and play these hands on Valentine’s Day. Just remember to not let your emotions get the best of you!

1. Bet for Value – Maximize Profit. Some hands win more than others. Know the ‘value’ of your hand (partner) and play your cards right. Pay attention and you’ll win more hands and the heart of your partner. Bring home flowers rather than chocolate. Know her favorite foods, restaurants and places to shop. Pick up and clean up at the house. If time, take her car for a wash and fill up the gas tank. This is not the time to ‘bluff’ or ‘slow play’ You must be aggressive, bet and take control. It’s okay to show a little emotion here.

2. Look for Tells – What she likes to do. If you haven’t been paying attention and listening, you’re in trouble. If you’re not a poker player, you’ll know about going broke soon enough if you can’t heed this advice.

3. Buy the Pot – Bluffing to win the hand. This is a guys best bet, if you have more money than creativity. If you spend more time staring at her than talking with her, you better ante up. Jewelry is preferred, but do not buy a ring! Don’t overbet; a necklace is fine, and hopefully you know whether she likes gold or silver. Can’t go wrong with either one? Believe me, you can and you won’t get away with a ‘semi-bluff’.

4. Cracking the Hand – Beating a big hand. This isn’t the day to offer her a new set of enhancements (pocket ‘Aces’). But you need to come up big here by showing her you care. Make her feel important. Show some emotion. Buying a gift? Think ahead and shop for value – buy something on sale! Take her to dinner and offer some wine. If you have not already cleaned up something at the house, take a shot in the bathroom and kitchen rather than thinking you’re ‘owed’ one in the bedroom because you suffered a ‘bad beat’ recently.

5: Proposition Betting – Bet the Yes! This is not the time to bet the coin flip prop. You want her to say yes, and increase your chance of return love. So look for more value props on yes, and know that cash is king. Will she prefer cash over candy? Yes -300, No +240. Time to lay some juice for the sure thing. Gift cards are acceptable, but you must know what she likes!

6: Be A Winner – You don’t have to make a big bet to be a winner. Just be sure to call your loved ones including your mother and daughters. Send a cute Valentine’s text with a heart or flower. Add a short video for more creativity. Try this also with your girlfriends, spouse, friends and lovers. Tell them you care about them and show some genuine heart. Fire a few chips at the pot, and even if they come ‘over the top’ and force you to play for more, you’ll leave a winner knowing you paid attention to them and showed plenty of heart.

Good luck as you shoot for Love and Victory on Valentines Day.