# I have been watching a lot of Jai-Ali lately

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-watching-a-lot-of-jai-ali-lately/968583>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [July 26, 2022, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-watching-a-lot-of-jai-ali-lately/968583 "2022-07-26T11:32:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![by-tor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/by-tor/32/266_2.png) [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2022, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-watching-a-lot-of-jai-ali-lately/968583/1 "2022-07-26T11:32:53Z")

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I have been watching a lot of free Jai-Ali on YouTube and also the Jai-Ali Network. I would never bet on it but it is fun to watch.

At first I thought it was a pretty simplistic game and on the surface it is. But then I found that there are lots of nuances, tactics, positioning and skill. Every point plays out differently and even a poor player can beat a superior player sometimes.

The game that I watch is on a slightly shorter court with a shorter ceiling as well. They use a rubber ball instead of a plastic one. This all adds up to a very fast game.

Here are the links in case anyone is interested:

> **[Jai-Alai Network](https://www.youtube.com/c/JaiAlaiNetwork/videos)**
>
> This is the official home for professional Jai-Alai in the USA where new & existing Jai-Alai fans can enjoy exclusive content related to the FASTEST BALL SPORT IN THE WORLD!
> 
> What you'll find here:
> RELIABLE LIVE-GAME COVERAGE and short-form...

> **[All Access Pass](https://www.watchjaialai.com/browse)**
>
> Welcome to the Jai-Alai Network - your one-stop source for all things Jai-Alai. Sign up for free to watch live and on-demand!

At the highest skill levels, it almost becomes an art-form, like some other sports.

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**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2022, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-watching-a-lot-of-jai-ali-lately/968583/2 "2022-07-26T19:56:27Z")

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I used to bet on Jai-Alai in my twenties, before casinos became a viable option. It’s super fun to go in person but definitely has the stink of degeneracy to it.

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**Author:** ![by-tor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/by-tor/32/266_2.png) [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2022, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-watching-a-lot-of-jai-ali-lately/968583/3 "2022-07-26T23:02:06Z")

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Seems like a sucker’s bet to me but then, that is how I see most gambling. I guess if you are just betting for fun and can afford to lose, then it does not matter.

Anyway, it is too bad that it has lost popularity because it is an exciting game. Maybe it will bounce back some day.

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**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2022, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-watching-a-lot-of-jai-ali-lately/968583/4 "2022-07-27T15:13:28Z")

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I lived in South Florida during high school and definitely remember jai-alai in the paper and ads for it on TV. Even before Florida had a lottery, they had horse racing, greyhound racing and jai-alai.

Interesting that I don’t remember seeing it at the sports books in Las Vegas but I also wasn’t seeking it out.