How to improve your soccer bets using the rateform method

How To Improve Your Soccer Bets is a series of articles that describe some well known and well used statistical techniques that will help the soccer punter make more informed bets. Each of the techniques has its own advantages and disadvantages and using them in isolation will improve your chances of winning. However, together they will prove invaluable in your battle with the bookies. In each article we will describe in detail how a particular method works giving you enough information for you to go ahead and create your own forecasts. We will also give you information as to where you can already find websites that use this technique in comprising their weekly forecasts.

The statistical methods described in this set of articles will help you to arrive at a better decision about the match, or matches, that you are betting on.

In this article we will be describing the well known Rateform method. The Rateform method has its origins in The Rating Of Chessplayers by Professor Elo, and from the Punters Revenge by Tony Drapkin and Richard Forsyth. The basis of the Rateform method is that each of the two teams taking part in a match is given a point score that is based on their current form. Although this sounds very simplistic, and it is, its calculation is a little more involved.

Here are the basic rules…

1. Each team is given a point score representing their current form.

2. At the start of the season each team is given 1000 points.

3. When a match is played both teams contribute some of their points towards a kitty.

4. The home team supply more points into the kitty than the away team. This is done to reflect the home teams advantage of playing at home.

5. The winning team takes the kitty, unless the result is a draw in which case both sides share the points. In the case of a draw the away side gains points and the home side looses points.

Here is how a typical calculation is made…

home team points total = HTPOINTS

away team points total = ATPOINTS

home team contribution to kitty = HTKITTY = 7% of HTPOINTS

away team contribution to kitty = ATKITTY = 5% of ATPOINTS

the kitty therefore = KITTY = HTKITTY + ATKITTY

if the result is a HOME WIN then

home team receives KITTY points added to HTPOINTS

away team receives zero points added to ATPOINTS and looses its 5% contribution to the kitty

if result is an AWAY WIN then

home team receives zero points added to HTPOINTS and looses its 7% contribution to the kitty

away team receives KITTY points added to ATPOINTS

if the result is a DRAW then

home team receives KITTY / 2 points added to HTPOINTS

away team receives KITTY / 2 points added to ATPOINTS

Let’s look at a simple example of how you could apply this…

To calculate the possible outcome of a match based on rateform the away rateform is subtracted from the home rateform and the difference is compared against set values for home, away and draw possibilities.

For example we could make our set values as follows:

AWAY WIN  -250 DRAW 150  HOME WIN

RATEFORM DIFFERENCE = HOME TEAM RATEFORM – AWAY TEAM RATEFORM

So, if the RATEFORM DIFFERENCE is less than -250 then the match is likely to be an away win, if the RATEFORM DIFFERENCE is greater than 150 then the match is likely to be a home win, and if the RATEFORM DIFFERENCE lies between then the outcome is most likely to be a draw.

Now it’s your turn…

Of course you may choose to use different values to those shown above and by experimenting you may come up with better values to use. You could also decide not to reset each teams points to 1000 at the start of the season but instead let them carry over into the next season. Another alternative would be to have a rolling calculation where you calculate the rateform for each team on say the last six months.

If you have the necessary skills you could go away and build your own spreadsheet of data or even write a piece of software to take in results and fixtures and apply the Rateform method to your data. Or, if you’re lazy like me, you could grab some free software that already does this for you. If this last option is for you then visit 1X2Monster where you can download a FREE copy of the Footyforecast 2.0 software which utilises all of the statistical methods described in this series of articles. You will also be able to download FREE weekly database updates for your software, how cool is that?

Here is a list of all the articles in this series…

How To Improve Your Soccer Bets Using The Rateform Method.

How To Improve Your Soccer Bets Using The Footyforecast Method.

How To Improve Your Soccer Bets Using The Win Draw Loss Method.

How To Improve Your Soccer Bets Using The Simple Sequence Method.

How To Improve Your Soccer Bets Using The Score Prediction Method.

How To Improve Your Soccer Bets Using The Superiority Method.

How to get the most out of your camping food

Camping is a passion shared by many of us mostly through the summer but others will even venture in the cold winter season. Camping is always an adventure as no matter how well you prepare yourself there is bound for something to happen out of the blue and make your trip extraordinary.

Planning Your Camping Food

There are a few points to consider when planning for the camping food and they are: first and foremost, the amount of time you will be gone, you need to consider the fact that you will have a bigger appetite when camping then when you are at home because of the fresh air and exercise.

Quantity is not the answer to extra food but nutrition, so, think in terms of how nutritious the food you are about to pack is and not its quantity. However, while thinking about nutrition don’t ruin your camping pleasures by packing totally boring food with no taste that you don’t particularly like but you just bring it because you think it is good for you to eat.

While some energy bars will be handy now and then, you will also enjoy sitting around the fire camp in the evening cooking a traditional camping meal; so, plan ahead efficiently thinking about nutrition, quality and the fun that you are planning to have while enjoying your camping food.

Packing The Camping Food

Yet another angle that needs your organization skills is that you need to pack every meal separately and probably mark them as well so that you don’t have to unwrap everything when in search for the meal you have in mind.

If you are placing them in a backpack, place them in the order you think you will eat them so you don’t have to empty your whole back pack to get to the next meal. This is especially important if you are doing some hiking as well and will be carrying all your belonging in the backpack everyday.

Plan At Least One Traditional Camp Meal

Camping is all about enjoying the outdoors and getting away from the hi tech world and daily routine, therefore, indulge and plan in advance at least one specific camping meal that you will make from scratch in order to truly enjoy camping food in the great outdoors.

Camping is a tradition with many families but camping food seems to slowly but steadily loose its touch due to many reasons; don’t loose the charm of camping by going hi tech on the food as well, add some adventure and fun in that department as well, it will be memories well cherished and time well spent.

Hunting knives choosing the best blade for you

Hunting knives, tactical knives and pocket knives are the type of tools that every hunter needs at some point or another. When it comes time to prepare your game for transport off the mountain or to take care of some camping basics like cutting or chopping, it is important to have a sturdy, reliable hunting knife that you can count on to last for several hunting seasons. If the tactical knife or pocket knife is perpetually dull or flimsy it is very unlikely that you will enjoy your time hunting and may in fact result in a lack-luster hunting season. That is why it is important to make sure to always have the right blade on you at all times, and to choose the right blade. Many people do not know that there is more than one blade type, when really there are three main blades that a person can choose from, depending on their individual needs.

Drop Point Blade Hunting Knives

The drop point blade is the most popular type of tactical knife blade on the market today. The drop point has a sharp curve to the blade and it is forged of a thick, durable steel blade that can stand up to just about anything. The edge of the drop point blade makes it one of the most utilitarian of the three knives mentioned here. It can be used to jab or point as well as slice, and it is very useful for efficiently skinning game after it has been killed.

Clip Point Blade Hunting Knives

The clip point blade is another one of the more popular types of hunting knives out there. Although the clip point is not nearly as popular as the drop point blade, the clip point blade is made of thinner steel and the blade is flat, with a point to it. The clip point blade is perfect for skinning game as well, but the clip point blade is also perfect for other uses that are not related to hunting, like cutting ropes or branches or other things of that nature. The clip point blade is a useful knives for hunters to have, and is one of the most commonly used and carried types of hunting blades out there.

The Skinning Knife

Skinning knives are other popular hunting knives, although they are not nearly as multipurpose as some of the other tactical knives on the market. Skinning knives are just for that, removing the skin of a game animal from the meat. Skinning takes a certain type of blade in order for the meat to be as well preserved as possible. If you find that you lose a lot of your game during the skinning process, you may want to consider purchasing a skinning knife in addition to a more tactical blade.

Having reliable hunting knives is an important element of successful hunting, whether you are a big game hunter, waterfowl hunter or fisherman. By knowing the various blade types available you can determine which best fits your needs and your use level. Remember that there is more to a knife than the style of its handle or its price. The craftsmanship and style of the blade are the fundamental elements that will make the hunting knife a valuable addition to your hunting equipment.

~Ben Anton, 2007

Camping gear - what you need to know

There's something about heading off to visit Mother Nature, with nothing but you, lots of trees and a cheerful campfire. It's the best way to experience total peace and quiet. There are no other people, no smog, nothing to do but relax for the weekend. If this sounds irresistible to you, then make sure you do some planning before you head off.

Check out what sort of camping gear you already have. While you might be keen to escape the modern world, it might not be so much fun if you're sleeping on hard ground with a thin sleeping bag and it starts to rain. Don't worry if you don't have all the gear you need for your great escape into nature. If you look online you'll find plenty of sites where you can look at camping gear, compare different styles and brands, then buy what's right for you.

It can be a bit more difficult to know what you need if you've never been camping before. Generally, a tent is necessity. You can chance the weather, but that's only for the very hardy souls! Perhaps if you're going to be close to some well protected caves you can get away without a tent, but otherwise you'll be very glad you have one when that thunderstorm rolls in. Persistent insects and wildlife are also less of a nuisance when you're in a tent.

If you're planning on cooking any food over the campfire, a good campfire grill makes life much easier. If there are fire restrictions or there's no wood available for a campfire, then take along a camping stove. You'll also need some basic cooking utensils, including some pans. Never use your best utensils out of the kitchen; they inevitably get burnt, melted, lost or almost impossible to clean.

Just in case the stars aren't sufficient, a strong torch with fresh batteries or a camping lantern can help. If you need to go wandering in the night, you'll want to be able to check out your surroundings. For sleeping, make sure your sleeping bag is suitable for the conditions you'll be encountering. If you have a lightweight summer bag and it starts to snow, you won't get much sleep because you'll be shivering the whole night.

If you're really planning to get away from the world, to the point that you won't be near your car at night, then you'll need a backpack to carry everything with you. Modern designs are truly wonderful, with all sorts of features to make carrying a pack more comfortable. You can find packs suitable for anything you might plan to do, including strolling round a local park right through to heavy going trekking in the wilderness. Take the time to think about what you need to use the backpack for, perhaps even visit a camping store and chat to the salesperson, but if you choose wisely you won't regret it.

Remember, in the end it's important to travel light when you're going camping. You don't want to have so much stuff in your backpack that you can't even lift it! It's easy to get carried away and buy far too many things and spend a lot of money, but it doesn't need to be that way. Take the time to think about the sort of camping you're likely to do, where you're likely to go, what the weather conditions will probably be, and then choose carefully. By doing that, you'll get the maximum use out of whatever camping gear you buy, and so you'll get great value for money.

Online flash casinos - no download casinos

The world of online casinos has grown tremendously in the last few years. The technology involved is state of the art, the visual appeal is astonishing and the special effects that each of the casino games offers is wonderful to say the least. The traditional manner in which to play at the online casinos is in a download format where you can save the casino software to your desktop. What many people overlook is the ability to play in an awesome online casino that you don't need to download. The flash online casino. This format opens up in a window from your browser and offers you the same thrill you're accustomed to in the download variety.

The spectacular Flash Casinos listed on this website are designed for everyone, the new and the veteran gamblers. The graphics are absolutely stunning and very realistic, the sound effects include all the bells and whistles that get your blood pumping at any casino. Also, you can choose from dozens of casinos that offer their casinos in a flash version.

Safety and security are equally matched in the no download flash casino, your personal information and your financial transactions are top priority for the casinos, so they implement high tech security measures to insure that you are 100% safe in playing and making deposits and withdrawals.

Along that same train of thought, you get the same quality deposit and withdrawal options to choose from and in most cases your deposits are in your casino account immediately so you can begin play right away. Some of the most popular methods are Neteller, Click2Pay, UseMyBank and Citadel. Check each one of these out to see which one suits your particular needs the best. There are many to choose from, so we're sure you'll find one or more that you can use.

As for game selection, flash casinos offer all the most favorite casino games and some that you won't find in the no download versions. There are Slots, Video Poker, Table Games, Card Games and a variety of parlor games that will be a huge hit. They also offer Progressive Jackpot Games that have jackpots so huge that it's unbelieveable.

For the best in flash casinos, check out the flash casino listings on Online Flash Casinos and head out to the casinos today to try your luck. You'll find some great casino reviews there too, so you can evaluate the casinos ahead of time and get all the pertinent information about each casino before you deposit your hard earned money. While you're there, take a look at the selection of no download poker and bingo too. And if you'd like a little more information, you can find information on specific no download casino games like Slots, Blackjack, Keno and more.

If that's not enough, check out the live odds for those of you who are into Sportsbetting. You'll find everything you could need right at your fingertips at Online Flash Casinos!

Outdoor fireplaces can add fun to the backyard

More and more families are reacquainting themselves with the fun staying and home and entertaining has to offer. Whether this is by personal choice or it's deemed best for finances, the reality of the matter is staying at home and having a little backyard fun can make for some great memories. One of the things that can be added to the landscape to really kick up the entertainment appeal of a home are outdoor fireplaces.

Professionally designed and even homemade outdoor fireplaces can offer a lot of perks for a regular backyard landscape. They can be made to serve a number of different purposes, too. Here are some of the top reasons families consider these fireplace creations:

* Beauty. Outdoor fireplaces can be nothing more than beautiful things to look at. Those who enjoy sitting in their backyards over the indoors often add these to the landscape to create a conversation peace for friends, family, and guests.

* Affordability. It is often simply a lot cheaper to add a backyard fireplace to a home than one that's included on the inside. Since they won't require structural changes to the house, these are great choices for those on a budget that still want to enjoy the beauty of a fireplace.

* Heat. Many geographical locations are just a little too nippy to enjoy the outdoors for too long. Outdoor fireplaces can extend the ability for a family to enjoy dinner on the back porch for a few more weeks going into the winter and even longer. For this alone, many families find backyard fireplaces great choices to add. They are also wonderful options for use at "bonfires" as they tend to be a bit safer.

* Cooking. Outdoor fireplaces that are built correctly can double as cooking devices, too. This means real wood can be used to cook everything from marshmallows to hot dogs, steaks and more. Depending on the size and design, an outdoor fireplace might even work as a brick oven for making outstanding, outdoors pizzas and more, too.

* Entertaining. There's just something comforting about lining up chairs and a table in front of an outdoor fireplace for outdoor entertaining. This is another big reason why many families add these to their backyard landscapes. When included in full backyard kitchen designs, these can be amazing to have around.

Outdoor fireplaces come in two basic types - those that people make themselves and professional installations. Both are more than acceptable to use, but it's important to make sure these fireplaces have proper screens and grates, are designed to contain the fire correctly and offer proper ventilation. It's also a good idea to ensure they are located in a place where any flying embers won't cause a fire hazard and do keep small children away from them when they're in use.

Providing a way to make a backyard truly spectacular, outdoor fireplaces have a lot of practical purposes. Beyond their looks, these devices can be great for cooking, heating and more. Generally more affordable than their indoor counterparts, these designs can be as elaborate or as simplistic as a homeowner might desire.

Golf travel cases protecting your valuable equipment

Protection for your golf clubs should be in your priority when you are on a golf vacation. Quality golf clubs can cost more than a $1000. Sure you can purchase insurance to cover your loss or damage but new clubs will not have the same feel as your present set. A quality golf travel case would be also be good insurance a great safeguard for your golf equipment. Mobility, security, material, wheels, warranty and prices are some of the factors you should take into consideration in picking and choosing your golf travel case.

As distinguished from a travel bag, travel cases are cases where you put your regular golf bag. There are two kinds of golf equipment travel cases. They are classified either as hard sided or soft sided cases. Travel bags are generally heavy bags specifically designed for travel.

Choosing whether having a hard case or a softer padded model depends on what kind of transport you usually ride. Hard travel cases are typically recommended for those who normally travel by air. Airlines often require size and weight requisites for your checked baggage. You would normally have to sign a waiver if your golf clubs are in a soft sided case.

When traveling, it is good to have a travel case. You don’t need to transfer all your golf equipment from your regular golf bag to the travel bag each time you go out of town. You just have to put your golf bag, with all you golf gear in your travel case.

You should also think about what material is used in your golf travel case. Hard cases made of rotationally molded polyethylene would give your equipment maximum protection. They are more durable than cases made from other materials. This material also provides maximum longevity to your golf case.

Hard rubber wheels are much more preferred than those made of plastic. Plastic wheels crack easily when you have too much weight on your luggage. Naturally, you would want your wheels to be quiet and roll easily and smoothly. They should also have resistance from hard impacts.

Transporting your luggage here and there would definitely be damaging to your equipment. Rough handling may undermine the quality of your golf clubs. Locks and latches of your golf case should be made of industrial strength steel. For hard sided cases, they should also be secured with high quality rivets. See also if the travel case you are buying has enough protection for your clubs. Notice if there is adequate foam padding for the club heads.

Warranty is also an important thing to consider. Protection does not have to be limited on those things you put in your travel case. It would be better if your golf case is also protected from defects in materials and craftsmanship. You should decide on which manufacturer offers the best guarantee of their products. Bear in mind that most soft sided cases do not come with any warranty.

Prices have to be considered. There is a wide range of golf travel cases to choose from. You should expect to pay more than $150 for adequate hard sided case. Soft sided cases do not cost as much as hard sided cases but can still cost more than $100. You should be cautious about how much money you are paying and is it worth the protection you are getting. The higher costs of name branded products do not always equate to more protection of your equipment.

Useful tips to survive an avalanche

A little forethought and organization will payoff in a great memorable adventure for that next outdoors excursion you may have planned.

Gas lanterns give off bright light but are noisy and will be the most expensive of all lanterns to operate. You will have to pack extra propane bottles Then you have the glorious Sunset and after that why not get together with your neighboring campers for a story telling session and singsong round the campfire. If you thought a Camping Vacation would be 'roughing it' and 'hard work' then think again, yes it will take some planning but that's half the fun and it won't be that much work.

Lets see first you will need some type of shelter a plastic trap 8 by 10 will make a good tent some rope 50 ft will be lots the ј inch nylon rope will work. Tie the rope between two trees and place the tarp over the rope. Stake down each side of the tarp with screw driver numbers need 6 to 8 I buy them at flea markets and garage sales.

There’s no avoiding the weather when camping. “The United States has the most extreme weather conditions in the world, second only to China,” says Susan Weaver, of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service. “Weather can change quickly and is very specific to each area.”

Check with the state fishing regulations for exact dates and detailed fishing information, including proper license requirements. Some fishing opportunities will require overnight backcountry use permits. It is always important to respect the park you are fishing in, in order to maintain the quality waters that protect the natural fish populations and food sources for bald eagles, ospreys and otters among others.

A large van called an RV in employed by many campers, or more commonly in the UK a caravan is attached to a car. Both of these serve as basic mobile homes, with beds, gas and sometimes electricity. A definite upcoming trend is more and more people seeking untouched locales and wilderness.

Are your kids begging you to take them camping, but you just can’t find the time to take them on a camping trip? Or would you like to introduce your kids to the fun of camping for the first time, but aren’t sure if they will enjoy it, or might get scared? Either way, camping out in your backyard will be a fun way to spend the evening and night with your kids.

Useful Tips to Survive an Avalanche

You may be an adventurer or mountain climber wanting to conquer some of the highest peaks in the world, including Mt. Everest. You may simply be skiing in the Alps or somewhere in Colorado. If so, then you’ve encountered snow and know what it’s capable of.

In saying “capable of”, it can be used for fun or can be a source of danger. Accidents can always happen in the snow, where the white color and cool temperature makes it more dangerous. Avalanches are often a possibility, and should that happen, you have to know some survival tips because you have to act quickly and decisively.

An avalanche is something that you cannot really prepare for, since you don’t know when it will strike. But knowing these survival tips when it occurs and when trapped under an avalanche is a matter of life or death. Here are some of the tips: Close your mouth. Closing your mouth during an avalanche when you are caught in the flow of the snow will prevent the snow from entering your mouth and will not hamper your breathing as much. Hold your breath for as long as possible until the snow sliding stops.

The point is to treat your family to an unforgettable outdoor adventure, so it doesn't matter how you plan to camp or where you intend to go. There are many websites that cater to campers with information on where to find the most affordable camp gear as well as the most popular items to buy and use when camping.

Given below are the kind of clothes you should get from the stores in order to keep you comfortable during your trip and the technologies following these clothes.

Both sports demand having the proper equipment and knowledge for safety reasons. Many National Parks offer established climbing routes that will have a wide range of difficulty levels; usually no permits are needed, unless an overnight stay in backcountry is involved. It is important to check weather conditions beforehand and use caution, never climb alone.

If you are going to use candles you will have to be very careful that you do not start a fire. Rememer that the hot wax of the candle can burn you if you get it on your skin. The thought of camping alone can be very intimidating, especially if you’re a woman. Ideally, it is not something recommended to women new to camping. Some of the functions of these websites include being able to search by state, campground, lake, or forest name. You can access maps of each campground to see the layout of the grounds and how close each site is to shower, bathrooms, playgrounds, beaches, etc... This feature is great because you may choose which site you would like to reserves and check for availability.

Other things to bring candles will work if you do not have a flash light but be very careful as a candle can start you tent bedding on fire and will cause a forest fire so never leave a candle un attended.

Camping mixed with outdoor activity is a great way to get ourselves involved with nature. National Parks can provide an excellent backdrop for some of your outdoor activities.

Swim through the snow. Like in a swimming pool, you can swim through the snow even if it’s more difficult than in water. This constant movement may help you prevent from being trapped underneath a large pile of snow where that is nearly impossible to get out of. Drop the stuff. Let’s say you are skiing when the avalanche occurs, or are carrying something heavy. This added weight will drag you further down into piles of snow, which you don’t want to happen. If it does happen, it will be harder to get out since you’re under a greater amount of snow to start with, and you also have to lift yourself along with the added weight to get out. Make air pockets. This is extremely useful when trapped under the snow, since it will allow you to take in some air while you are trying to make your way out. You just simply cup both hands around the nose and mouth and breathe normally. This cup will prevent you from taking in snow as you breathe. Be innovative. If it seems impossible for you to get out, think clearly. Merely thrusting an arm to the surface can be a factor. A man once urinated his way out of the avalanche, with his urine melting the snow. If he thought of that, you can think of something too.

Finally, if you’ve survived the ordeal, be sure to report to the proper authorities. Others might be trapped as you were. You’re their hope for survival. Don't forget sunscreen, bug spray and hygiene items. Toilet paper and paper towels are absolute necessities. Bring along some soap and toothpaste, but leave the hair gel and makeup at home. Mother Nature doesn't care what you look like. She just wants you to enjoy your stay.

Camping is a great way to enjoy amazing outdoors and be close to nature. It is not just another holiday; it's a way of life. While camping out, one is surrounded by nature and serenity.

It is a good idea to know what you should and should not do when coming across animals. Parks often will have signs up if animals have been sighted in the campground.

Looking Good--Last but certainly not least: If you've never set up your tent before, it's best to practice at home until you can do it in your sleep (bit of an exaggeration...but you know what I mean). This will save you any embarrassment later on in the 'Real World'.

Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition. You’re number one priority when you’re camping should be to have a good time and enjoy nature – something that is difficult to do when you’re sick and exhausted. Be sure to take camping food with you that will keep you well fed and your energy level up. Energy bars and gels don’t usually weigh a lot and pack a serious nutrition punch, making them great for the trail. If you don’t cook a lot at home and don’t plan to while you’re camping, do yourself a favor and eat more than candy bars and licorice. Just about anyone can boil water, so just about anyone can take some prepared camping foods on their trip and eat well. More on Wilderness Survival Tips. When you know where you will be going you have to select the type of shelter you will need. Are you sleeping in the open or using a tent? What type of tent you select will have a direct impact on how comfortable and dry you will be if it rains. You may need to get a tent with windows and ventilation and waterproofing.

As I rounded a bend blasted through granite, just wide enough to accommodate a horse-drawn wagon, I braked suddenly and gasped.

Then we had enough space for dressing or cooking. The bench-seat in back folds out into a comfortable bed, so we were all set for camping.

Instead of going up to other campers and saying, “Hi, I’m Kerry and I’m here by myself” ask questions like “How can I contact you if I experience a problem” or “is this campground regularly patrolled?”Don’t advertise you are by yourself by finding campsites away from walking trails

Things you should know when camping

So, everything’s ready for your first camping trip, eh? Everything on your checklist has been prepared and you’ve already practiced with your camping equipment. The food, the drinks, even the first-aid kit is stocked. You’re set and raring to go! Well, congratulations on being well-prepared. You’ve come a long way indeed. But you still have to know a few important things before running off into the wilderness and plunking down that tent. Here are a few things that a first-time camper should know about.

Camping means working too, not just playing. Even if you really, really want to get away from it all, there are some things that you just can’t possibly avoid, like chores. When you go camping, you still have to do some of them. Picking out a good campsite, setting up your tent, unpacking your gear; these all entails some work on your part. Not to mention starting a fire, cooking, washing dishes, and cleaning up your trash.

Something will bug you. Right here and now, let’s make one thing perfectly clear. If you stay outdoors, you’ll meet bugs and insects of all shapes and sizes. There may be only a few, or there may be quite a lot, but be certain that you’re going to be bugged. What to do? Keep your campsite clean and tidy. Soda cans, food scraps, pieces of chips and cookie bits; they all attract insects, so make sure you gather and dispose your trash daily. Never eat inside your tent and don’t leave food lying around.

Don’t wear perfumes and colognes outdoors, too. They can and will attract insects. If you must, use unscented deodorant. Remember that lanterns and bright lights are like lighthouses to bugs, so if you have one, put it in a spot far away from your sitting area. Always bring along plenty of insect repellants.

Wet mornings are unavoidable. Even if it wasn’t raining the whole day or last night, chances are everything will be soaked by the time you wake up. That’s because of dew. Warm weather, coupled with high humidity, makes for an ideal environment for morning dew. This is a fact of nature and just cannot be avoided, so the next best thing you can do is to take down any dry or about-to-dry clothes off the clothesline, and cover anything you don’t want to get wet, preferably with a tarp, just before setting down for the night.

Waste not. Trash can really pile up at your campsite at a rate you wouldn’t believe, especially if you’re new to this. So you better bring along plenty of plastic bags to dispose them with. Use the campground’s garbage disposal areas for this. Avoid burning your trash in the campfire at all costs. If you’re fishing, don’t clean the fish at the campsite, too.

Never a good night’s sleep. Right now is a good time to tell you that no matter how comfy and warm and soft is your sleeping bag or air mattress, you’ll probably never sleep as good as you do when you’re at home. To make the best out of it, bring some sleeping pads along with your bag, as they add much-needed cushioning and insulation from the cold ground. They can also add more cushioning, which should make your sleep more comfortable.

Wood from the forest – not for campfires. Picking up wood that’s lying around your campsite and using it to build a campfire is not allowed. Why? This wood is essential in replenishing the nutrients in the ground for the plants and trees. So you can think of it this way: If every camper got wood from the forest for their fires, soon there would be no forest!

Botswana casinos

Botswana is one of Africa's success stories; a country of diverse natural habitats, generous resources, and a fast-growing tourist sector, attracted by its proximity to South Africa and also by its superb game reserves and national parks. Botswana casinos are a growing sector of the economy, and casinos have sprung up in several cities in the country, including the capital, Gaborone, and the northern capital, Francistown. Consequently, the Botswana government has taken great steps to ensure that the development of Botswana casinos continues in line with the growing numbers of foreign visitors.

Francistown is the largest city in northern Botswana and also home to two casinos, the Marang Hotel, and the Admiral at the Thapama Hotel. The city was the site of southern Africa's first "gold rush" in the mid 19th century, which brought people in from all over the globe in search of their fortune. Unfortunately for them, the gold proved difficult and costly to mine, and most of the mining operations fell into disuse, though a few remain. Nowadays, the casinos of Francistown provide visitors with the chance to strike it lucky; there is still gold here, if only you are fortunate enough to find it!

Apart from Francistown, the other main center for Botswana casinos is the capital, Gaborone. This is home to Botswana's largest casinos, the Grand Palm Hotel Casino Resort, which has 17 table games and over 250 slots and video gaming machines, the Gaborone Sun Casino, which is the oldest and biggest casino in Botswana, as well as a new development at the Gaborone Hotel. As a result, the capital is making a bid to attract some of the gambling business away from its northern rival, and make itself a valuable stopover for foreign visitors on the way to the national parks of Chobe and Okavango in the north of Botswana, which are the country's prime tourist attractions at present.

Africans love gambling, and Botswana casinos are set up to appeal to locals as well as visitors from abroad. Recognizing this, the government has been careful not to overburden the Botswana casino industry with regulations and red tape, although the industry is obviously carefully scrutinized to ensure that it maintains the highest standards of probity. Accordingly, the Botswana casino sector continues to expand to meet the demand of visitors from far and wide, eager to find their fortune, like the prospectors of old.

New jersey nets tickets - will the nets return to the nba finals

New Jersey Nets tickets have been a popular choice among local sports fans in recent seasons, as the Nets have somewhat-quietly put together a highly-successful run after years of being a complete afterthought on the NBA landscape. Their team is as athletic and entertaining as any in the league, and they’re always a threat to contend for the Eastern Conference title. The Nets are once again an interesting team as we enter the 2006-7 NBA season, and below are some details regarding their prospects for the upcoming season.

Additions

The Nets were relatively quiet during the offseason, but they did make a series of small moves to address their offensive struggles from last season. They signed G Eddie House, who is known for his instant offense off the bench. He’s also been known as a defensive liability, but he’s the perfect cure for any team that needs a spark during a game.

The only other move of even minor significance was drafting PG Marcus Williams from Connecticut. Starting PG Jason Kidd is 33, and he started to tire down the stretch last season after logging huge minutes. If Williams can provide some consistency off the bench, he’ll not only keep the Nets rolling on offense but will also give Kidd the opportunity to rest more during the season and remain fresh as the playoffs come around.

Strong Suit

The Nets’ strength is clear, and that’s perimeter scoring. Their “Big Three” of Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter are deadly when they’re shooting the ball well, and if they are hitting their jumpers, all three can create big-time problems for opponents with their ability to drive the lane and either finish or dish to an open shooter.

When they are clicking, New Jersey Nets tickets are worth the effort to obtain, as they can provide a highly-entertaining display of basketball. Not to mention, Carter is in his contract year, and although he’s gained a bit of a reputation for being soft and not always playing hard, you can bet he’ll be motivated to cash in on one more huge contract during his career. A motivated Carter should be a scary thought for the rest of the NBA.

Outlook

Like many other NBA teams, there are a lot of “ifs” regarding the Nets. IF Kidd, Carter and Jefferson, along with talented C Nenad Krstic can stay healthy, the Nets will be a high-scoring team. IF they continue to play decent defense as they did last season, the Nets will be able to overcome those nights when the ball isn’t going in the basket. IF the Nets’ divisional rivals remain a weak group, as only the Celtics look like they’ll be legitimate playoff contenders this season, then the Nets will win their division and get into the playoffs.

However, it doesn’t look like, even if all of these “ifs” work in the Nets’ favor, that they’ll be able to compete with the likes of Miami, Detroit, Cleveland and even Chicago in the Eastern Conference. That proclamation should come with a caveat, however - Carter is as talented as any player on the planet, and if he’s as motivated as most think he will be, he’s good enough to win games almost by himself.

Regardless, New Jersey Nets tickets will definitely allow fans to see one of the most interesting and entertaining teams in the NBA this season.

Building muscle how is it really done

Most people believe that in order to build noticeable muscle size, they have to devote many hours in the gym, 5 or 6 days a week for many years. This is untrue, yes, hard work is required, but to devote that much time is unnecessary.

Substantial muscle growth can be achieved with 40-minute sessions 3 days a week, sometimes much less if done correctly. Muscles will only grow in size when they have fully recovered from the gym workout, then, and only then will muscle growth happen. If your goal is to achieve maximum muscle growth in the shortest possible time then there needs to be more rest days than actual workout days.

It's difficult for some people to believe that substantial muscle growth can be induced with only

2 or 3 days a week at 40 minutes a session, or less. It can be done and it is being done by many, however, there is a catch:

These "few and far between" gym sessions will have to be short and extremely intensive. More intense than ever, you have to justify your days off. You have to give your body a very good reason to grow bigger muscles. The sessions will be about what you thought you could not do, but somehow managed to do.

Eg: if you're lifting a certain weight and you know you can only get 8 reps, you will push yourself further than ever before and squeeze out another 2 reps of that weight, with the help of your training partner or someone else of course. You will need help with the last 2 reps but the idea is to execute a greater effort than you are used to doing, this creates the environment for greater muscle growth (all other things being equal).

Below is an example of an 8 Week "every other day" muscle building routine. It's an example of how short the training sessions should be. It can also be done taking 2 days rest in between training sessions. I am assuming that you have weight training experience behind you, and also that you are familiar with the jargon. If not, then I would not recommend that you push yourself too far until you have built up your strength and fitness level. You should always get the go-ahead from your GP or health professional before starting or changing any physical exercise program.

Warm ups are not included in the below.

Day 1:

Chest - 2 sets 10 reps 1 exercise. Use the same weight for your 2nd set.

Biceps - 2 sets 8 reps 1 exercise. Use the same weight for your 2nd set.

Day 2: REST.

Day 3:

Thighs - 2 sets 10 reps 1 exercise. Use the same weight for your 2nd set.

Hamstrings - 2 sets 8 reps 1 exercise. Use the same weight for your 2nd set.

Calves - 2 sets 12 reps 1 exercise. Use the same weight for your 2nd set.

Day 4: REST.

Day 5:

Shoulders - 2 sets 10 reps 1 exercise. Use the same weight for your 2nd set.

Triceps - 2 sets 8 reps 1 exercise. Use the same weight for your 2nd set.

Day 6: REST.

Day 7:

Back - 2 sets 10 reps 1 exercise. Use the same weight for your 2nd set.

Abdominals - 2 sets 10 reps 1 exercise. Use the same weight for your 2nd set.

Day 8: REST.

Day 9: Start again.

Notes:

You will need someone to help you for the last 2 or 3 reps of every set.

So if you're doing a set of 10 reps, the weight should be heavy enough to allow only 8 reps

on your own, and you will need help to get the other 2 reps to make it 10.

If you're doing a set of 8 reps, it's really only 5 or 6 reps that you can get on your own; help will be needed to complete the 8 reps.

Increase the weight every week, even if it's only 5lbs in total. Safety takes priority over ego.

On the 4th week reduce the rep range by 2 for all sets and continue.

The idea is to put forth a much greater intensive effort than you imagine you can. The reward for these infrequent efforts is, shorter training sessions and more rest days away from it and of course much Greater Muscle Growth. Many people are now achieving greater results through smarter training methods, spending less time in the gym with more free time to enjoy other activities. Excessive hours and days in the gym is, at last! No longer the way to go.

For more information on how to achieve the greatest Muscle Growth in the shortest possible time visit explosivemusclegrowth. com/explosive-muscle. html