When Did Dave ''Devilfish'' Ulliott Rise to Fame?

David "Devilfish" Ulliott was a legendary British professional poker player who rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was known for his charismatic personality, aggressive playing style, and distinctive devilfish tattoo on his arm.

Ulliott was born on April 8, 1954, in Hull, England. He started his career as a pool hall owner and then as a bookmaker, before transitioning to professional poker. He quickly made a name for himself on the UK poker scene, and was soon regarded as one of the top players in the country.

Ulliott's aggressive playing style earned him the nickname "Devilfish", and he quickly became a fan favorite. He was known for playing with confidence and a devil-may-care attitude, often bluffing his way to big wins. Despite his aggressive playing style, Ulliott was a well-respected player among his peers, and was widely considered to be one of the best players in the world.

In 1997, Ulliott made his first major international appearance at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas. He finished in the money in several events and quickly established himself as a major force in the world of poker. He continued to perform well at the WSOP, with several more money finishes, including a runner-up finish in the 2000 WSOP Main Event..

Ulliott's success at the WSOP helped to raise his profile even further, and he soon became a regular on the international poker circuit. He continued to play well, winning several high-profile tournaments, including the Irish Open and the European Poker Tour. He also wrote several books about poker, sharing his strategies and insights with the poker world.

Despite his success, Ulliott was never one to take himself too seriously. He was known for his quick wit and sense of humor, and was always up for a good laugh. He was also a generous philanthropist, often donating to charity and supporting good causes.

In 2015, Ulliott was diagnosed with colon cancer and he passed away on April 6, 2015, at the age of 60. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest poker players of all time and was widely remembered as a true gentleman of the game.

Ulliott's impact on the world of poker cannot be overstated. He was a pioneer of the game in the UK, helping to establish it as a major sport and bringing it to the attention of the world. He inspired countless players to take up the game, and his influence can still be felt today.

In conclusion, David "Devilfish" Ulliott was a legendary poker player who left an indelible mark on the world of poker. He was known for his aggressive playing style, quick wit, and larger-than-life personality, and will always be remembered as one of the greats of the game. His legacy continues to inspire players around the world, and he will always be remembered as a true icon of the poker world.

Photo: Canva

10 Things A Luxury Man Cave Must Have

A man cave is a space designated for men to relax, unwind and enjoy their hobbies and interests. Whether it’s a basement, a garage, a spare room or even a shed, the man cave should reflect the personality and interests of the person who inhabits it. Here are ten essential items that every man cave should have. 

1) Comfortable Seating: A man cave is not complete without comfortable seating. Invest in a comfortable couch, recliner, or a combination of both. Make sure to choose seating that’s durable and easy to clean, since it will likely be used frequently. 

2) Entertainment System: A large flat-screen TV is a must-have for any man cave. Pair it with a top-quality sound system for an immersive movie and gaming experience. You can also consider adding a gaming console or a Blu-ray player for even more entertainment options. 

3) Refrigerator: A man cave is not a man cave without a fridge. Whether you’re relaxing with a cold beer or just want to keep drinks and snacks handy, a mini fridge is a convenient addition to any man cave.

4) Lighting: Good lighting is essential for any space. In a man cave, you want to create an atmosphere that’s both cozy and inviting. Choose lighting fixtures that complement the room’s décor and can be adjusted to suit different moods. 

5) Wall Art: Your man cave should reflect your personality and interests. Hang up posters, prints, or even paintings that reflect your passions, whether it’s sports, movies, or music. 

6) Bar Area: If you enjoy entertaining guests, consider adding a bar area to your man cave. This can be as simple as a small bar cart or as elaborate as a custom-built bar complete with a sink, refrigerator, and plenty of storage space. 

7) Pool Table or Football Table: If you love playing games with your friends, a pool table or foosball table is a must-have for your man cave. Not only are they fun to play, but they also serve as great conversation pieces. 

8) Storage: A man cave is a space for hobbies, so you want to make sure you have plenty of storage for all your gear. Whether it’s a tool cabinet for your workshop or shelves for your books and collectibles, storage is key to keeping your man cave organized and clutter-free. 

9) Decor: Personalize your man cave with decorations that reflect your personality and interests. Whether it’s a vintage sign, a sports jersey, or a collection of action figures, decor is an easy way to add character and style to your man cave. 

10) Music System: No man cave is complete without a great sound system. Whether you prefer classic rock, hip-hop, or country, a top-quality sound system will allow you to enjoy your music in high-fidelity. You can also consider adding a turntable for a true audiophile experience. 

In conclusion, a man cave should be a space that reflects your personality and interests. From comfortable seating to a top-quality sound system, these ten items are essential for creating the perfect man cave. So go ahead and create your own personal haven, where you can relax, unwind and enjoy your hobbies and interests.

Photo: Pixabay (free) +Canva

10 Reasons You Shouldn't Play Slot Machines

Why You Shouldn't Play Slot.

1) High House Edge: Slot machines have a high house edge, meaning that the odds are stacked against the player. The house edge can range anywhere from 2% to 20% or more, depending on the machine and casino. This means that over time, players are likely to lose more than they win.

2) Addiction: Slot machines are designed to be addictive, with bright lights, flashy graphics, and sound effects that keep players engaged and playing for longer periods of time. This can lead to problem gambling and financial difficulties. 

3) No Skill Involved: Unlike other casino games such as poker or blackjack, there is no skill involved in playing slot machines. Players are completely at the mercy of luck and the random number generator (RNG) that determines the outcome of each spin. 

4) No Strategy: Unlike other casino games, there is no strategy for playing slot machines. Players cannot control the outcome of each spin and there is no way to increase the odds of winning. 

5) No Realistic Expectations: Slot machines offer players the illusion of winning big, with progressive jackpots reaching millions of dollars. However, the odds of hitting a jackpot are extremely low and players should not have unrealistic expectations of winning. 

6) No Control Over Spending: Slot machines often have the ability to play multiple coins per spin, making it easy for players to spend more money than they intended. This can lead to significant financial losses, especially for players who are not careful with their spending. 

7) No Opportunity to Win Consistently: Unlike other casino games, there is no opportunity to win consistently at slot machines. Players cannot improve their odds of winning and are likely to experience long losing streaks. 

8) No Social Interaction: Slot machines are typically played alone, offering players no opportunity to socialize or interact with others. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. 

9) No Information About Payouts: Slot machines do not provide players with information about the payouts and odds of winning. This can make it difficult for players to make informed decisions about their gambling and spending. 

10) No Limitations on Betting: Slot machines often have no limits on the amount that can be bet, making it easy for players to lose large sums of money in a short period of time. This can lead to serious financial difficulties and debt. 

In conclusion, there are numerous reasons why you shouldn't play slot machines. With a high house edge, potential for addiction, no skill or strategy involved, and a lack of information about payouts and betting limits, slot machines can be a dangerous form of gambling that can lead to significant financial losses and other negative consequences. It is important for players to be aware of the risks associated with playing slot machines and to make informed decisions about their gambling behavior.

Photo: Pixabay (free) 

Betting Like It's 1984

How many times have you searched Google for winning racing tips? 

What did you find? 

You may have found a number of successful websites including one of ours called Eric Winner. The trouble with so many punters is that they are not looking for long-term profits but an instant return on investment. Nothing wrong with that thought. In fact, it is something that all gamblers, bettors, investors would love to have in their armoury.  

Reading the literature to many ''Get Rich Quick'' schemes you kind of notice the fancy font that's highlighted in bold.   

I guess many people are not really looking for a gamble at all. Just a way of pretty much guaranteeing that they will win. 

Would you like a crystal ball?

Now you are probably reading that last sentence thinking I am making fun of the situation that so many gamblers find themselves. Who can tell the future? 

However, all investments are basically trying to foretell the future. If only I could see five minutes into the future! For starters, I would win Lotto. That would be a cool million or so even on a bad Saturday night. I guess if we could do that we would be hoping we could choose when we had that five minutes just to take advantage of the Euro Lottery for a £100M. 

Sadly, we can't see into the future. Well, not just yet. 

You've seen the film Groundhog Day?  Re-living the same day time after time, in the hope of making it to a perfect...day.  

I have found a novel approach to gambling which is very much like a cross between Groundhog Day with a touch of uncertainty, but giving enough confidence that you should make a profit. 

Interesting. 

Here's an interesting question. Would you like to know which horse is likely (ideally definitely as we are talking Groundhogs here) to be backed? 

You are watching the betting pretty much sure Joe Bloggs racing in the 4:20 Wolverhampton is going to be backed. Substantially backed. 

It would be like knowing the future. Wouldn't you like to know how to do that?

You won't believe this...

I'm going to tell you how to do it for free.

How? 

Well, you may never have considered that non-runners are very interesting. Frustrating. Yes. You notice a non-runner when eight runners turn to seven and your each-way bet comes third. Bloody non-runners. 

However, these non-runners are like a goldmine.I know you have a puzzled look on your face. You're thinking I've either been drinking grandpa's medicine or taken a knock to the head or wallet. 

They are a goldmine!!!!!!!!!

Here's what you are looking for. A non-runner which is heavily backed. It's as simple as that. Because you can pretty much guarantee the same horse, running at a similar level will be backed next start. I've seen it happen time after time. Obviously, you need to be betting on the exchanges to make a profit or hold a juicy no-lose gamble. But it is a glimpse into the future without the need for a time machine or crystal ball. 

Don't believe it works? Watch and you will see. 

Photo: Pixabay free for commercial use and no attribution but given 

Should I Follow the Money When Betting?

Did you see that well-backed horse - hosed up!

How many times have you seen a horse backed off the boards win? When you flick through the results they all seem to win. But is that really the case? I don't know many different areas of horse racing, but I do understand two-year-old horse racing to a very high standard. After studying this niche for over 30-years, I can speak with some authority. However, in truth, the only way to make an objective assessment is to run a statistical test on the data to see if it is significant.

Data has power and limitation. 

I have little doubt following money within two-year-old racing is worthy of note from a trainer perspective. I have run studies on all juvenile trainer debut runners and horses making their second start. A good few trainers are very consistent and this is backed up by regular profits.I don't want to detail any specific names because this information is hard to find. It is similar to following the seam of gold and hope it leads to a major find. 

What I would say, is that two-year-old horse trainers have a much better strike rate on their second start compared with debut. Hardly surprising, hey? Although a couple of trainers feature just about as good results on both starts. This proves how fit some trainers get their horses. It is important to understand the intent of owners and trainers. If they don't want to win on debut they are very unlikely to do so.  

Interestingly, the betting is very important for most horses racing on their second start. In fact, I would suggest that a small drift from one price to the next can be the difference between winning and losing. Anything can happen in racing. Even the biggest, most powerful stables, can win a 50/1. Simply because they prove a surprise package or the opposition are poor or a favourite disappoints. 

In general, the betting of most two-year-old horses is significant. Smaller trainers can get lucky and have a real star in their stable but even these are usually known as a talent before the start of the race. They are backed. 

Photo: Pixabay free for commercial use and no attribution but given  

Remember Peter Winkworth? I Do...

It’s definitely TIME FOR A TOOT now as she wins well @haydockraces very many congratulations to Peter Winkworth @PiersWinkworth @CallumSheppy and all the team at home 👏👏🏆🏆🥂🥂🍾🍾 pic.twitter.com/AhZUJfi2bs

— Charlie Hills (@cbhills) October 19, 2018

The title of this post...

I guess there are many, many...many, Peter Winkworth's in the world. 

I've calculated there are 510 in the United Kingdom!

I'm joking, of course. However, I am a fan of Peter Winkworth who, these days, is known as a racehorse owner. I know he breeds a number of thoroughbred racehorses, too. Readers may remember that not so many years ago he was a racehorse trainer.    

I was sad the day he retired from training because he was a very good handler and I used to make the most of his two-year-olds which often went very well at huge prices on their second start.   

Anyway, time moves on. He's still a great man in my estimations because he knows his horses. 

My niche within this sport of kings is two-year-old racing. Well, guess what I noticed today? Talk about an open-ended question, hey. 

3:00 Nottingham - 

EBF Stallions Oath Restricted Maiden Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Sire And Dam Restricted Race) (Div II)

Surfman. I know what you're thinking...who or what is surfman? Is it about a man surfing? No! It's a two-year-old horse owned (surprise, surprise) by Mr Winkworth (Peter).  

This bay colt is a son of Kingman out of a Group 3 winning mare who was in training back in 2008 by the man himself. In fact, Shimmering Surf may have won just once in thirteen starts but total prize winnings over £100,000 detail a smart performer. In addition, she achieved an official rating of 107. Sadly, the mare died in 2017 at the age of 10.  

Surfman, bred by Winkworth, was the last of the mare's offspring. Interesting to note that he was sent through the sale's ring and fetched 140,000 guineas. 

Looking at this bay colt today, he is a big, strong horse. Varian has done a good job getting him ready for his debut over today's distance of 1m 1/2f. Backed from 6-1 - 9-2, connections clearly fancied this February foal to go well. He didn't disappoint finishing a worthy third place losing by a head and a neck. 

I really like the look of this colt. He has size and substance. There's no doubt he was ring rusty, inexperienced but showed an equal measure of ability. 

Just like the good, old days, I'm sure Peter was hoping for a winning debut. But you can bet he will be even more determined to see a win on Surfman's second start. 

A great reminder that even though so much changes in horse racing - often little changes at all.  

Surfman has Peter Winkworth dreaming of Derby success https://t.co/BTj1fGYqta pic.twitter.com/WT5yFjyTB9

— Horse Racing News (@HorseRacingUK) May 28, 2019

The Day My Brother Won £4,000 for £20

It's the kind of bet you just dream about. To bet just £20 in the hope of winning £4,000. 

I know it sounds a flight of fancy. Surely such bets never happen?

It simply cannot be done. 

Now I'm not saying it is easy to find such a horse but make no mistake it happens on a daily basis to some lucky punter. The favourite doesn't win every race: sometimes that win goes to the least fancied of all horses - the outsider.  

I've had a few big wins in my time. My brother is a past master of latching onto a winning angle by spotting a big, big, no bigger than that, priced winner. In fact, he has done it a number of times. 

Remember a horse called Puggy, trained by Roy Kvisla? I doubt it! However, readers may remember the trainer in the UK for two or three seasons venturing from his homeland in Sweden where he still trains today. 

You have to go back a number of years when this two-year-old made her debut in 2006. However, it is a day which sticks in the memory. 

This daughter of Mark Of Esteem cost 75,000G at the yearling sales. She turned out to be a real star turn who progressed to race at Group class at two and even competed in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, finishing 8th, beaten just eight lengths. 

Take a look at her race record here.  

The dream bet. 

What a day. Tony has always been very good at spotting a decent horse just by its look, physique, presence.... It's one of those things that is difficult to put into words but he has found many winners priced 100/1+ when betting on the exchanges. I know it sounds incredible but I can guarantee it is true. 

3:20 Salisbury (31st August 2006) European Breeders Fund Quidhampton Maiden Fillies' Stakes

I didn't even know he was having a bet! The strange thing is that he didn't even know until about five minutes before the off. 

Watching on the TV he noticed Puggy. A good-looking filly. He had that certain feeling. Kvisla was such a new trainer to the UK and bookmakers simply wrote off his chances and priced his horses as if they had no ability. That was a lesson some layers would learn to regret. 

Puggy wasn't some cheap buy, she had good breeding, and was priced with bookmakers at odds of 66/1. 

Wow!!!!!!!

Mega odds. 

I had no idea of any of this until I received a phone call a few minutes after the race. I had been watching the race myself as I follow the two-year-old racing. 

He sounded very excited. 

This is what he said:

''I just had a bet on Puggy. I bet £20 on Betfair at odds of 200/1 and won £4000.''

He was ruing his luck because he tried to place another bet of £20 in-running at similar odds but the bet wasn't taken. 

All because he liked the look of a horse.

Puggy won by one-and-a-half lengths, readily. It was the only race she ever won. Not because she was limited, simply because she raced at the highest level. She was beaten at Listed class on her second start by a short head, placed third behind Finsceal Bio in the Rockfel Stakes (Group 2) at Newmarket. This bay raced fourteen times in her career and achieved a highest official rating of 102. 

As a broodmare, she passed on her ample ability to Avenir Certain. Sired by Le Havre, she cost just 45,000E at the yearling sales. Trained by J-C Rouget, in France, she won her first six races including two Group 1 successes. She achieved an official rating of 112 when finishing third at Newmarket in 2015. Her total earnings: £864,922.

Sometimes those big priced winners do happen. 

Photo: Pixabay free for commercial use and no attribution