Entries and programs for Magic City Jai-Alai pari-mutuel wagering games, now referred to as “Pelota” are available on the Magic City website and on links on the SayHiLi website for the Monday & Tuesday 1:30-pm performances next week.
Note that 4-players names have changed for the Battle Court H2H games to their last names, however, their previous Pelota season names will not change for Pelota games. Anderluck, Cool Fitness, Juice and Tennessee will play under those names for Pelota but will be playing as Correa, Williams, Joseph and Roque for Battle Court H2H. The BC H2H change for the four players is to accommodate the new sports betting fans with improved player recognition while still maintaining the original names for the Pelota fans who are used to their original playing names since 2018. Stu perhaps can wordsmith this better but this is what I’ve gleaned from the conversation Thursday afternoon.
As of Thursday, the start date for El Barba in Pelota games has been delayed and he is now expected to be safe for a March 1 start. The delayed start for El Barba is why Bueno, Bradley, Ben and Anderluck each have been back-filled into spots in Monday and Tuesday’s early Pelota games 1 & 2. Currently the Pelota doubles games feature 11 doubles teams with an additional team of Vuelo-RonRon expected to take the floor by March 1 when RonRon returns from his back injury. All 11 current Pelota doubles teams will make their debut in games 5 and/or 7 during Monday’s 2022 season opener. Check the entries for the teams.
Also, be sure to mark your calendars for the World Super Court 1st qualifier event which features 8-doubles team on Wednesday next week. The first match will start at 3-pm EST and you can watch this on watchjaialai.com.
Now, here’s some info on Magic City Pelota and Battle Court H2H schedules including a quote from Stu Neiman. Some fans don’t understand the days and times so here we go. H2H games are the future of Jai-Alai. Magic City asked the sports betting partner, BetRivers, what days and times Jai-Alai would have the best chance of succeeding and thus the 5-pm time slot on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday came to be. Competing against NFL is a huge disadvantage so the Sunday plan changes to Saturday later in the year when NFL starts up again. Also, some fans are curious as to why the Pelota games are before H2H at 1:30-pm instead of after the 5-pm H2H games. Here is the direct quote from Stu, “Pelota is a better warm-up for H2H.”
Be sure to tune-in on Monday at 1:30-pm for the kick-off of Pelota games with the new and exciting Battle Court H2H games at 5-pm where the team concept comes into play. As previously stated, the popular weekly FREE handicapping contest returns on week 2 on February 20th. Listen to Andrew during the broadcasts next week for details.
Also, be sure to check Pelotapress.com regularly for more info and blog stories involving Magic City and the world of amateur Jai-Alai.
Thank you Magic City Jai-Alai!! I’m looking forward to a fantastic year!!
Steve M.