Gambling on Masters Sunday? It’s a safe bet – Press & Sun-Bulletin

Rob Centorani , rcentorani@pressconnects.com | @PSBRob Published 11:01 p.m. ET April 12, 2017 | Updated 24 hours ago

Sergio Garcia's playoff victory over Justin Rose on Sunday in the Masters didn't turn out well for at least one gambler.(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)

Never have I heard, Honey, can you please stop gambling away our mortgage payment?

Thats a good thing.

If youve spent any time around competitive environments, youve been exposed to gambling. Want to settle an argument? One person says Roger Maris hit his record-setting home run on the final day of the 1961 season and another guy swears it came on the second-to-last day.

If, Wanna bet? arent the next words out of someones mouth, you hang around different clientele than me.

Spent a lot of time in pool halls, even co-owned the room that existed for decades in the Binghamton Plaza for a year a 12-month unpaid vacation as I remember it. When that place was popular, money seemed to change hands in 30-second intervals.

Pool gave way to golf in the 1990s. The gambling increased, round after round, each one with something riding on it.

Then things settled down. In a two-year span, I became a father, changed jobs, lost contact with pool and golf buddies, and before you knew it, life became boring.

But one day a year takes me back to my 20s and 30s. One day when responsibilities are cast aside, a day I turn into a deadbeat dad, a no-show husband, let my hair down and have fun with the boys.

Twenties fly out of my pockets with regularity. Investments come from a variety of angles, different sizes and its all so confusing.

Im talking about Masters Sunday. The one day unlike any other. I run a pool, enter another, Im in a season-long golf league and Sunday is the time to gather with the fellas for numerous drafts. Throw in some side action here or there and a lot is happening.

By 4 p.m. Sunday, I had reason to root for Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler, Jimmy Walker, Matt Kuchar, Ryan Moore, Charl Schwartzel, Kevin Chappell, Brendan Steele, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Jordan Spieth. I also had reason to root against many of those players.

In the playoff, I needed Rose to hit the fairway and Sergio Garcia to miss it (the opposite happened). Also had reason to pull for Garcia to miss his birdie putt in the playoff (he made it).

My easiest path to a payday was Rose winning the tournament. Early on the back nine, he had a two-shot lead and still led by a stroke after 16 holes. Had that lead held, it would have led to a fruitful windfall.

Of course, Rose blew the lead. Nothing else panned out, either.

Yep, took an 0-for. It happens and for one day a year, just good, clean fun.

Couldnt imagine going through that on a daily basis not anymore.

Anyone who says gambling isnt stressful, be it on ones own talents, or sweating out some pro or college game on TV, probably isnt being truthful.

My response to that nonsense?

Wanna bet?

Centorani can be reached at rcentorani@pressconnects.com. Follow him on Twitter at @PSBRob

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Gambling on Masters Sunday? It's a safe bet - Press & Sun-Bulletin