I think the guy you're referring to is a chalkie, or maybe
he goes to the Citrus with a chalkie, because a couple of years
ago he was right behind me. I guess he thinks he might cause a
player to miss a catch by yelling that just as the ball gets to
him. You're right, it gets annoying to hear that every ten seconds,
especially when it's pretty much right in your ear.
But that's not what my live jai-alai experience is about....so
I'll answer the question at hand. I always check through the program
to see which players or teams I want to key on in each game, and
then I look for reasonable combinations to play using those players.
As far as who I go with, I prefer to go with another jai-alai
fan, because it's just more enjoyable to be able to discuss the
action with another knowledgeable person, but I have gone alone
on occasion. I don't usually roam around looking for other people,
except at the Citrus, where there are always a lot of people I
know. I never pre-bet, always make my bets just prior to each
game. I do track points....it helps me keep track of who is playing
well and who isn't, which sometimes helps and sometimes doesn't.
I hear the hecklers, and I wish the players were allowed to come
into the audience and beat the crap out of them. I do talk to
the players, but only when I have something positive or encouraging
to say. If someone makes a mistake on the court, I may say something
aloud to the person I'm with, but it's never nasty, and never
directed at the player or loud enough for him to hear. Mostly,
though, it's about the enjoyment of watching a sport which, when
played at a high level, is beautiful, exciting, and unlike any other.
