When someone with limited experience achieves better than expected results it is referred to as beginner’s luck. The term is most often used in reference to a first attempt in sport or gambling. For example, if Mike beats veteran golf player Joe in his first game, Joe might attribute this to beginner’s [...]

Basketball is a sport in which two teams of five players each try to score points on one other by throwing a ball through a hoop (the basket) under organized rules.
Since its invention in 1891, it has developed to become a truly international sport. Organized league play originated in the YMCA and [...]

Handicapping, in sport and games, is the practice of assigning advantage through scoring compensation or other advantage given to different contestants to equalize the chances of winning. The word also applies to the various methods by which the advantage is calculated. In principle, a more experienced player is disadvantaged in order [...]

A horse race at Del Mar.
Horse racing is an equestrian sport which has been practiced over the centuries; the chariot races of Roman times are an early example, as is the contest of the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology. It is often inextricably associated [...]

Tennis launches corruption review
BBC News, UK
A series of scandals involving gambling damaged tennis’ reputation last season. A match involving world number four Nikolay Davydenko is still being …
Coaching hire draws criticism
Charlotte Observer, NC
… were appointed by tennis’ governing bodies. The sport’s leaders want to avoid more problems after a season that included [...]