Whether we like it or not, luck plays a role in life and especially in investing. – the linkfest investigates.

In light of the Amaranath Advisors blow-up, Going Private asks investors, “…how well are we prepared to be on the wrong side of luck?”

Speaking of luck, the shareholders of Harrah’s Entertainment (HET) are feeling a little luckier than usual. Chad Brand at the Peridot Capitalist looks at how investors should play the deal.

Peter Edmonston and Michael J. de la Merced in the New York Times report on the what effect the Harrah’s bid may have on other publicly-traded casino companies.

Christopher Palmeri at BusinessWeek.com reports on the challenges ahead in completing a deal for the gaming company.

Andy Serwer at Fortune wonders whether the market’s “business as usual” attitude towards the Amaranth blow-up is indicative of complacency.

IndexUniverse.com provides some background on the volatility in the gasoline market caused by commodity index shifts.

Adam Warner at the Daily Options Report on how volatility represents opportunity, not just risk.

Barry Ritholtz at the Big Picture on whether new home sales are really stabilizing.

Ticker Sense has a neat graph showing the relationship between commodity prices and CPI.

John M. Berry at Bloomberg.com thinks the Fed is focusing on the right indicator, core inflation.

The Stalwart notes how some investors are playing “real estate poker.”

Randall W. Forsyth at Barrons.com has identified a closed-end fund that should benefit from a blue chip rally.

Gregg Wolper at Morningstar.com thinks you should stay away from emerging market, closed-end funds trading at a premium.

Paul Kedrosky at Infectious Greed thinks the Nasdaq may not have solved its “IPO problem.”

Random Roger dives head first into the question of fundamental indexing.

Christopher Davis at Morningstar.com with a useful reminder of ways to minimize Uncle Sam’s take at tax time.

Chris Anderson at the Long Tail on why better recommendations are worth so much to companies like Netflix (NFLX).

DealBook points to a item on a new found “spiritual guru” who has garnered a following on Wall Street.

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