Point spreads and money lines from sports wagering markets are used to evaluate the impressiveness of team streaks. Sports wagering data have previously been useful in assessing competitive balance in sports. Our appr...Point spreads and money lines from sports wagering markets are used to evaluate the impressiveness of team streaks. Sports wagering data have previously been useful in assessing competitive balance in sports. Our approach was motivated by the amount of media scrutiny that accompanied the winning streak of the NBA’s Miami Heat and the point streak of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks which occurred simultaneously for the most part in 2013. The topic came to the forefront again with the 2014-2015 winning streak of the Atlanta Hawks. Three streaks are highlighted in our paper. The length of the streaks, the quality of the competition, injuries, and a variety of other factors were mentioned in the media but the discussion was limited to subjective opinions as no way of properly weighing relative influence of the factors was identified. Wagering markets provide an excellent source of information for making these judgments. Several complementary measures are described and the most impressive team streaks within and across professional baseball, basketball, football, and ice hockey are identified.展开更多
The paper critically examines and refutes some of the standard arguments against Pascal＇s Wager, particularly, the ＂Many Gods Objection＂. The paper argues that Pascal＇s philosophical and theological opponents proc...The paper critically examines and refutes some of the standard arguments against Pascal＇s Wager, particularly, the ＂Many Gods Objection＂. The paper argues that Pascal＇s philosophical and theological opponents proceed far too quickly in dismissing his argument as implausible. Their determined attempts to tear down Pascal＇s Wager have caused them to miss its power and force. While the Wager may not be sound for today＇s multi culturally sophisticated audience, the Wager is quite cogent relative to Pascal＇s time, when theism and agnosticism were the only genuine possibilities. Thus, the paper concludes that Pascal＇s Wager is less vulnerable than most detractors seem to think.展开更多
文摘Point spreads and money lines from sports wagering markets are used to evaluate the impressiveness of team streaks. Sports wagering data have previously been useful in assessing competitive balance in sports. Our approach was motivated by the amount of media scrutiny that accompanied the winning streak of the NBA’s Miami Heat and the point streak of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks which occurred simultaneously for the most part in 2013. The topic came to the forefront again with the 2014-2015 winning streak of the Atlanta Hawks. Three streaks are highlighted in our paper. The length of the streaks, the quality of the competition, injuries, and a variety of other factors were mentioned in the media but the discussion was limited to subjective opinions as no way of properly weighing relative influence of the factors was identified. Wagering markets provide an excellent source of information for making these judgments. Several complementary measures are described and the most impressive team streaks within and across professional baseball, basketball, football, and ice hockey are identified.
文摘The paper critically examines and refutes some of the standard arguments against Pascal＇s Wager, particularly, the ＂Many Gods Objection＂. The paper argues that Pascal＇s philosophical and theological opponents proceed far too quickly in dismissing his argument as implausible. Their determined attempts to tear down Pascal＇s Wager have caused them to miss its power and force. While the Wager may not be sound for today＇s multi culturally sophisticated audience, the Wager is quite cogent relative to Pascal＇s time, when theism and agnosticism were the only genuine possibilities. Thus, the paper concludes that Pascal＇s Wager is less vulnerable than most detractors seem to think.
