The gaming regulator of the Philippines revealed that the PHP500-million integrated casino resort project of Galaxy Entertainment Group in the country’s most popular holiday destination – the island of Boracay – was put on hold until the Macau-based operator is able to convince the president that the project would be beneficial for the region. As […]
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As reported earlier this year by multiple Spanish media outlets, Cirsa Gaming Corp, one of the world leaders in gaming and leisure activities and the Spain’s largest casino and bingo hall operator casted a spell over several US hedge fund giants, like the Advent International, Apollo Global Management, Blackstone Group and Cerberus Capital Management who were all found to be swirling around Cirsa, competing for its fair hand.
Malta has been known as the online gambling hub in Europe for many years now and at this point, it is synonymous with the place where iGaming developers prefer to operate and let their businesses thrive. As it was confirmed this Friday, the authorities have given green light to as many as three blockchain regulation […]
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In the summer of 2016, the world got it’s first taste of consumer usable, mainstream, beloved augmented reality with the release of Pokémon Go. The game spread like wildfire throughout the globe, maintaining a huge player base even today.
Pokémon Go is not an esport and would have to make major changes to become one. However, the game does leave some precedent for what augmented and virtual reality can do for esports in the future.
The technology is growing ever closer, with AR now being a default for products like the iPhone X. Truly innovative and cutting edge, it’s difficult to predict where exactly virtual reality and augmented reality will take us.
It seems like a time when VR or AR are entirely ubiquitous is still in the distant future, but it will come. The question for esports fans is this: what will augmented and virtual reality do for esports?
The esports community has already seen the first inklings of virtual reality. In 2017, Oculus teamed up with common esports sponsor, Intel, and the Electronic Sports League to create the Virtual Reality Challenger League.
At this point, the league seems to be a novelty above all else, being showcased at several ESL events. The league supports two games at the time of writing: Echo Arena and The Unspoken.
What we’ve seen from the league so far is promising. The players are more active in their role, navigating the games with more physicality. The viewers don’t benefit much from this, however.
The viewing experience is much the same, as players are seen navigating the games on screens that show what’s happening in game.
However, ESL has been working to change the viewing experience starting as early as 2016. It was reported in April of 2016 that ESL was beginning to work on virtual events where viewers could join alongside ESL events in a digital arena.
I would expect that this technology will also enrich the viewing experience by creating in-game spectatorship. Just like you can go to an arena to see actual football, you’ll soon be able to step into a virtual one to watch Madden.
Black Box VR is outside of the esports realm for now, but also something esports fans should keep a watch on. This virtual reality company helps people to have a more intense workout by allowing them to play a virtual reality game.
While the technology is more likely to come to gyms before it comes to esports, I would expect that VR games will be played similarly.
The only certainty with virtual and augmented reality technology is that it will increase the level of physicality in esports significantly and eventually lead to a more exciting game play experience. With players using themselves instead of an extension of themselves, there’s more room for player skill to play a factor.
Augmented reality may help to create more physical esports in a much different way. If you tuned into Cartoon Network in the 2000s, you likely remember the Yu-Gi-Oh! cartoon/anime. While they were playing with the same cards that were printed on cardboard, arenas in the show would create physical representations of the cards.
Star Wars toyed with a similar idea in dejarik, the sci fi version of chess played by Chewbacca and C-3PO. It’s reasonable to expect that augmented reality will lead to great possibilities for traditional games to become even more exciting.
The first company to create a card game that uses AR to recreate the experience shown on Yu-Gi-Oh! will be very rich.
Finally, I expect AR and VR to be the nail in the coffin for traditional sports. As the two work in combination to create a more exciting spectator experience, there will be a fever pitch.
Traditional sports, like football, have managed to survive because of the raw physicality. This physicality will now be brought to esports, but with no margin for error.
The concussion controversy leading to the NFL’s lowest rated season in history will never be a thing in virtual reality — the esports themselves will never lead to injury. I’m not expecting traditional sports to go away entirely, but I do expect more people to tune into the Madden Esports League final than the Super Bowl in the near future.
Augmented reality will almost certainly make a splash in the esports community before virtual reality does. I expect that within the next few years a company will create a “heads up display” technology that will be the foot in the door for mainstream VR and AR tech.
That technology will make it easier for fans to keep up with stats, navigate around events and become immersed in esports culture.
Virtual reality’s most immediate affect will certainly be to bring the esports community closer together. Because virtual reality is so interesting to esports fans, but remains unavailable to the general public, it will likely begin in a shared space. In fact, we’ve already seen this with the rise of VR lounges throughout 2017.
When the ESL spectator technology comes out, it’s a near certainty that these will convert into a sort of “esports bar.” People will be able to use virtual reality technology to watch and become part of the event while being surround by real people with similar interests.
Where esports spectatorship has been mostly a private hobby in the past, there will now be a pillar upon which local communities will be built.
Both AR and VR technology will be great for the esports betting community as well. Augmented reality technology should greatly streamline the experience of online betting. Keeping up with scores and odds will now be much more passive, which will be a great convenience for anyone who loves esports betting.
Should “esports bars” become a thing (which they almost certainly will) the opportunity for esports betting will also greatly increase. Betting is so ingrained in sports culture that it seems almost impossible to have one without the other. Not only will this be great for the casual bettor, but could lead to a payday for the esports betting pro.
The two are being worked on by tech companies across the world, meaning their day of ubiquity is always on the horizon.
Both an entrepreneurial esports fan or a savvy esports better will have a field day if they find themselves on the forefront of AR and VR. The two will rework everything, and the early birds will get the worm.
The post How Augmented and Virtual Reality Could Affect Esports appeared first on GamblingSites.com.
Poker action is in full swing at the King’s Casino located in Rozvadov, the Czech Republic and this is clearly visible by the enthusiastic poker players currently participating in the long-anticipated partypoker Grand Prix Germany Main Event. The first three live starting flights already finished and this brought even more players to the overall players […]
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The Kentucky Derby has been one of the most popular annual sporting events in America since it started in 1875, and it is one of the most unique American traditions.
Whether you are looking for an excuse to wear an elaborate hat, or you want to watch other people show off their extravagance, or if you simply want to sip a mint julep in the southern sun, the Kentucky Derby is the place for you.
But horse racing wouldn’t be the same without the chance to place a wager on the winning horse. In fact, if it weren’t for the gambling, horse racing would probably cease to exist. Today’s technology means that you can place a bet from anywhere using a variety of different websites, so you don’t have to go to the Derby to enjoy gambling on it.
There are lots of simple and fun ways to choose your winning horse. You may decide based on the name of the horse or because the jockey is wearing your favorite color.
Or maybe you’re a chalk player who always backs the favorites, or you may have a tradition of choosing a chestnut-colored filly. Or perhaps you always place your bet on horse number 7 because that was your great aunt’s lucky number.
If you are just betting for the enjoyment of it, these methods are all perfectly acceptable. However, if you would like to increase your odds of winning, you will want to use a little bit more strategy when you choose your selection.
Below are some tips for selecting a winner. Remember, though, that no wager is ever guaranteed. These tips are meant to help you make your choices strategically, but there is always an element of risk when you are betting. The risk is what makes it thrilling!
If you really want to increase your odds of choosing a winner, don’t wait until the day of the Kentucky Derby to start thinking about it. Here are a couple of ways that you can start getting ready even now.
The prep races for the Kentucky Derby start as early as September of the previous year, so there are plenty of opportunities to watch and learn. There are still two prep races that have not yet aired. The Arkansas Derby and Lexington races both take place in mid-April.
If you missed the earlier races, it is usually possible to watch them later on horse racing websites like DRF (Daily Racing Form).
On the opposite side, you can also use the Kentucky Derby as a learning experience. The Kentucky Derby is the first race of the Triple Crown Series.
It is followed by the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, each of which occurs three to five weeks after the Kentucky Derby. To win the Triple Crown, a horse must win all three of these races in any given year. So far, there have only been twelve horses who have won the Triple Crown Series!
Watching the early races will help you to be familiar with the horses, the jockeys, and the trainers. An educated guess is better than just a guess, and watching these races is one way to get your horse-racing education. Betting on those earlier races will also give you a chance to practice the other tips and get yourself familiar with the odds.
Another thing that you can do to prepare yourself is to begin studying the form guides. Form guides, or sometimes called racing forms, are merely records of information on each racing horse. We will explain form guides in more detail in the next section.
If you are not accustomed to reading a form guide, it can be overwhelming. Give yourself a chance to explore a few different examples of form guides so that you are ready to learn the form guide on the day of the Derby.
The most important way to make a strategic choice is to have as much information as possible before you begin. Form guides or racing forms are the best sources of detailed, up-to-date information when it comes to horse racing.
Each race will have its own form guide with information about that race, the distance and conditions of the track, and the specific horses that are competing in that race.
You should read the Kentucky Derby racing forms before the race to familiarize yourself with each horse, its trainer and jockey, and its weight and age. They will also tell you the father and mother of each horse, which is very relevant information because horse racing is a sport that often revolves around breeding.
Some information on the horses’ past performances is also included on the form guides. However, they only list the most recent races and the horse’s place in that race.
For example, if a horse has had a good winning streak but lost the last two races, you may ask yourself why. If the winning races were all over a short distance, but the losing races were both long distances, you can use that information to predict the horse’s performance for this distance.
Don’t just pay attention to information about the horse itself. Jockeys and trainers make a big difference in the likelihood of a particular horse winning.
The form guide will tell you who the rider and the trainer are, but if you are not familiar with their stats and styles, you need to do some research before placing your wager.
As you can see, the racing guides are an excellent place to start when gathering information. But they don’t give you the whole picture, especially if you are unfamiliar with some of the other races.
The daily racing program will have some more information, but these are only available on the day of the competition, and they still don’t have all of the information you might want. Use this information to guide your decisions, but look at more details found through horse-racing websites like Brisnet, Equibase, and the Daily Racing Form.
They will give you every possible detail, although some of them require a fee for specific information.
There is an unending amount of information that you can consider when you are choosing a winning horse. Don’t let the abundance of material get you overwhelmed, though.
Once you become acquainted with each of these sources, you will begin to understand which factors are crucial and which statistics you can dismiss. You will also become familiar with the terms, the people, and the symbols used, so it will get easier and easier to understand. This will help you with your horse racing betting in general, not just for the Kentucky Derby.
Another way that you can guide your picks is to watch the horses, whether that is in person or through live streaming before the race begins. Horses’ physical appearance, specifically on the day of the Derby, gives you some significant clues to how they are feeling.
If the horse has pricked ears that are pointed up, it is feeling confident and alert. Signs of general well-being like a shiny coat and well-toned muscles are a big positive. If the horse is hanging its head or has its ears flattened, it may be either inattentive or anxious. If the horse is sweating profusely or is fidgeting a lot, it is nervous and is wasting vital energy that it will need during the race. Check for a coat that is dull or if it seems to be carrying extra weight because these are signs that it is not in good health.As the Derby approaches, more and more experts will start to publish their favorites and the horses that they might bet on themselves. These experts are usually racing analysts that work for the racetracks or the betting companies, and they are often journalists who publish information about the races.
Experts are there for a reason, and while they won’t always be correct, it is a good idea to listen to their perspectives. If it is possible, be sure to know WHY they are making their predictions. This will help you to narrow down the ways that you agree or disagree with them.
Don’t be afraid to bet against the experts or the favorites, though. There is approximately a 70% chance that an outsider will win the race, and outsiders will usually have higher odds which will mean a larger payout. Pay attention to what the experts are saying and the odds that a bookmaker is using, but consider each of them with a grain of salt.
If you have strong reason to believe that an outsider will win, don’t be afraid to trust your own judgment.
To sum it all up, the more that you know, the better your wager will be. Knowing how to read and interpret the information that is available to you is half of the battle. You also need to know what information is the most important, though.
For example, a suitable trainer with a history of wins is probably more predictive of the winner than the horse’s lineage.
The more that you can develop your own system, the more confidence you will have in your bets. There are never any guarantees, but if you use these tips to arm yourself with information, you will significantly increase your chances of choosing a winning horse at the Kentucky Derby, and any other horse race for that matter.
Once you put these strategies to use (and hopefully win!) for the Derby, you will be even more excited to place a bet on the other two races in the Triple Crown Series, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
Over time, these techniques have the potential to take you from being a random beginner to becoming a successful bettor. No one wins every time, but you definitely CAN win often enough to make it worthwhile.
The post Four Powerful Tips for Choosing a Winning Horse in the Kentucky Derby appeared first on GamblingSites.com.
The Japanese government endorsed on Friday a bill setting the broad regulatory framework for the establishment of a casino industry in the country. The document – known as the Integrated Resorts (IR) Implementation Bill – will now be submitted to the Diet, the country’s parliament, for voting.
Day one of the 2018 NFL Draft is officially in the books, meaning all 32 NFL teams probably feel like they got the elite talent they fell in love with.
Some of those teams nailed their picks, and in some spots, they got value so good that they actually exceeded expectations. If things work out as that value might suggest, said teams may end up looking quite smart down the road.
There’s also the other side of the first round of the draft. That’s the losing side.
As bold as some moves can appear, going beyond your draft board can produce reaches or flat-out bad fits.
A few teams went outside the lines in round one, and if things don’t unfold the right way, everyone will eventually look back at these as either being reaches or simply terrible picks.
Which teams hit these extremes the best and worst in round one? Let’s look over how the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft unfolded to find out.
I’m not saying Mayfield isn’t a tantalizing talent, because he absolutely is. He’s got a compact build, a strong arm, nice mobility, and he plays with a fire.
Unfortunately, even with new shot callers in the front office, this is such a classic Browns move.
The two big ones are his small stature and some genuine character concerns. After getting comparisons to former Browns draft bust Johnny Manziel, it’s a little shocking that Cleveland still threw caution to the wind and made this pick.
Another thing aligning Mayfield with Manziel is that both of these quarterbacks were former Heisman Trophy winners. While not always a death sentence, Heisman winners historically do not go on to have successful pro careers.
None of this means Mayfield will be a failure, but Sam Darnold was arguably safer, and Josh Allen had more upside. Mayfield’s stock had heated up, but this still felt like a reach.
While that’s possible, the good news is that Mayfield was projected for a high Over/Under, and he did end up getting picked early in the draft. If you went with the Under at any NFL Draft betting sites, you certainly came out in the green.
Again, Ward is another guy who is a stud talent and very well could end up being a fantastic pro football player.
However, he was the first defensive back taken in this draft, and the consensus did not have him pegged as the best available.
At corner alone, Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick was regarded as the top cover man, while safety Derwin James was arguably a better overall secondary pick.
That doesn’t mean the Browns didn’t make a great pick, but there’s an argument here that they could have traded down and still landed Ward.
That, or they could have grabbed a better prospect in this spot like Fitzpatrick, the best pass rusher in Bradley Chubb, or the best offensive lineman in Quenton Nelson.
Cleveland obviously loved Ward enough to make this splash, but the value just wasn’t there.
McGlinchey is another guy that was a fantastic prospect, but maybe not one that necessarily felt like a top-10 lock.
I was looking at either a go-to number-one wide receiver like Calvin Ridley here or a big impact defender, yet the Niners went a completely different route.
Rebuilding the trenches is never sexy, yet often pretty smart, so it’s hard to come down on John Lynch and company too hard here.
That being said, not everyone would agree McGlinchey was even the best offensive tackle available at this point, while the Niners passed up on some truly elite talent.
Jimmy Garoppolo really doesn’t have a reliable wide receiver to throw to. Considering no receivers had been selected at this point, San Francisco had their pick and opted to go tackle instead.
The same goes on the defensive side of the ball, where studs like Derwin James, Tremaine Edmunds, and others were still waiting to hear their name called.
McGlinchey is probably going to go down as a solid pick for the 49ers, but it still felt like a reach.
The Raiders committed a similar gaffe just six picks later. They actually traded down from the 10th spot, and with this draft pick, they took a raw offensive tackle that wasn’t even consistently projected to be taken in the first round.
Miller absolutely has the talent and upside to project well down the road, but experience, consistency, and durability raise some red flags. Offensive linemen often look like locks, and then they’re simply not, so taking a guy with some technical and consistency issues right off the bat at 15 feels like a bold call.
Depending on who you ask, Miller was a second-round pick at best in this draft, while the Raiders really had the opportunity to snag some high-level talent at 15th overall.
It doesn’t feel like they maximized their pick value, while trading down could have netted Jon Gruden and co. more picks, and they probably could have still had Miller fall into their lap.
There were a few more reaches throughout round one of the 2018 NFL Draft, but the last big one is Penny, who wasn’t even the third-best running back on most draftnik’s boards.
Seattle had the need for a running back, which understandably triggered this reach.
The running game hasn’t been good for the Seahawks ever since Marshawn Lynch left town, and they probably felt like they had to get that situation right again.
Of course, Penny might not be the answer, and he arguably was far from the best rusher available when they picked. Sony Michel, Derrius Guice, and even Nick Chubb were all graded better than Penny by most draft gurus.
Maybe Seattle knows something everyone else doesn’t, but it still feels like they could have snagged a better value here and went after Penny in round two.
On the betting side of things, Penny did contribute to three running backs being drafted in round one. Depending on where you bet on the NFL Draft, the Over could have won you some money.
There are cases to be made for the top offensive guard (Quenton Nelson) going 6th overall and Josh Allen (7th) also sliding, but Josh Rosen falling to the 10th spot makes for a bigger steal.
Rosen has talked a loud game all offseason, and he didn’t win at UCLA, but he was a smooth operator, put up solid numbers, and brings pro-level talent to the table immediately.
The beauty here is that Rosen had the talent to be argued for the #1 pick in this year’s draft and Arizona badly needed a franchise passer.
All the Cardinals have right now is an often-injured Sam Bradford and the pedestrian Mike Glennon. For a team that was competing for a shot at the Super Bowl just a few years ago, that simply will not do.
The Cardinals aimed high here and got a guy who can win from within the pocket and has the demeanor of a champion.
Only time will tell if he actually pans out as their long-term starter, but he was graded extremely high and slid further than expected. By definition, AZ got themselves a steal.
Just as big of a steal landed one pick later when arguably the top cover man in the 2018 NFL Draft was yanked off the board by Miami.
The Dolphins had been said to be interested in grabbing a new franchise quarterback, but Rosen was plucked off the board ahead of them, and then they were staring at the best defensive back in this draft class.
Fitzpatrick was not the first corner selected in this draft, but he probably should have been. This was the most complete secondary talent available and was regarded by most as a lock for the top five for much of the draft season.
It didn’t shake out that way, but that allowed for Miami to beef up their secondary with a flat-out stud.
An even bigger steal came at the 16th pick when the Bills landed stud Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds after some trades.
Buffalo landed their second big selection of round one, but Edmunds in a lot of ways is a way bigger steal than getting Josh Allen at 7th overall.
Allen will likely be more important for Buffalo’s long-term success, but Edmunds is a freak athlete that was projected well inside the top 10.
A number of teams could have and probably should have pounced on him before he got to the 16th spot, as this kid is just insanely athletic and versatile.
He’s a pure defender that can be used all over the place and could be a real problem for opposing offenses, both as a stopper in the open field and as a pass rusher.
Edmunds felt like a lock for the top 10, so for the Bills to get him here is frankly amazing.
There was another huge steal just one pick later as stud safety Derwin James finally saw his own free fall come to an end.
Much like Edmunds, James looked like a lock to be taken inside the top 10 throughout the draft process, but somehow, he slipped through the cracks.
James offers the ideal size, physicality, speed, fluidity, and instincts for the safety position. Perhaps inconsistency in general pushed him down some teams’ boards, but this is a freak game-changer in the making.
Already blessed with a sound defense across the board, the Bolts just got a heck of a lot better on that side of the ball.
Ridley couldn’t help but tear up when he found out he was selected by the Falcons at pick 26, both because his dream was finally realized, and his epic slide was over.
Perhaps part of his joy came from teaming up with former Crimson Tide stud Julio Jones, as well as former league MVP passer Matt Ryan.
Regarded by many as the most complete wide receiver in the 2018 NFL Draft, Ridley inexplicably plummeted down draft boards despite having the speed and playmaking ability to be a true difference-maker at the next level.
Size questions may have dropped his stock slightly, but that didn’t really explain D.J. Moore being taken ahead of him.
With Jones showing him the way, something tells me Ridley’s plight to prove how wrong the rest of the league was will be a story to follow.
From a sports betting perspective, Ridley’s free fall was quite disappointing, as it impacted the number of wide receivers taken in round one.
He and Moore gave bettors two to work with, and depending on the Over/Under wagers out there, it could have been problematic.
I had to include one more steal for the first round because the Ravens swooped in and grabbed Louisville dual-threat passer Lamar Jackson at the last second.
It really looked like Jackson was about to slide into the second round, with the Philadelphia Eagles ready to make the round’s final pick, but Baltimore made a trade to get Joe Flacco’s eventual successor under center.
Only time will tell when Jackson will supplant Flacco and if he’ll pan out, but considering he was being talked up as a top-15 pick, this certainly qualifies as a steal.
It was odd throughout the draft season to see so-called draft experts knock his ability as a passer, but it was great to see someone go out of their way to express their confidence in him.
Needless to say, if you placed any bets that Jackson would be taken in round one, you converted them – just barely.
Overall, this was one heck of a first round. Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson are probably the headlining acts, both because they started and ended this thing and because they’re without a doubt two of the most polarizing figures in the 2018 NFL Draft.
There were several big reaches and impressive steals, and to be honest, there were too many to cover in depth.
These were the ones that likely left a lasting impact, however, and are probably the players that fans will look back on the most.
The best part is that the draft continues on through the weekend, so fans can embrace more of this excitement and even place wagers on NFL Draft prop bets as they follow along.
The post The Biggest Reaches and Steals from Round One of the 2018 NFL Draft appeared first on GamblingSites.com.
Bacta and CORCA, the Committee of Registered Club Associations, have agreed an informal programme of co-operation on matters of mutual interest, following a meeting between senior representatives of the two organisations.
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In the poker industry, there is rarely a time where nothing happens and there are no poker festivals in progress. Players willing to participate in such have the opportunity to do so at all times and the rich schedule of upcoming events of the World Poker Tour proves it with its upcoming and highly anticipated […]
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The 2018 NFL Draft officially arrives on Thursday, April 26th, putting to bed speculation surrounding the first pick in the draft.
It’s been a wild ride to get to this point. Sam Darnold was once the locked-in favorite, and even after almost being supplanted by a number of elite prospects, he still may very well be the guy for the Cleveland Browns at #1 overall.
That’s at least what most sports betting sites think, as Darnold has been the clear frontrunner no matter where you look.
Sports bettors can hop on Darnold as the top pick in this year’s draft, or they can take advantage of all of the hype surrounding other players, as well as Cleveland’s presumed inability to make a decision.
Of course, nailing the top pick – whether you’re the Browns or just someone betting on it – is just the beginning.
That pick will set in motion a domino effect that could end up having numerous big names free fall down draft boards. Whether it’s just overrated talent, big trades that shake things up, or a lack of need at a position, there are a handful of players that could slide on day one and possibly all the way out of the first round.
Anything can happen in the draft, and if there are going to be some top prospects sliding, it may impact how you wager on various NFL Draft prop bets.
To help you place your wagers, here’s a look at five big-name prospects that could drop more than expected, and how it could impact the rest of the draft.
It might not be a great idea to bet on Rosen to be the #1 player off the board this year. While the odds are tempting (+2200 at MyBookie.ag), he’s been regarded as the most likely quarterback to slide in this year’s stacked draft class.
That isn’t to say Rosen isn’t good. He comes with an NFL-ready skillset and looks about as smooth in the pocket as any passer in this draft.
The main problem is that Rosen didn’t win at UCLA and also doesn’t have the elite physical traits some of the other top passing prospects possess.
Rosen isn’t the best passer, but he’s a good one. Still, because he’s probably only the fourth-best quarterback going into the 2018 NFL Draft (and some would argue he’s even behind Lamar Jackson), there is a chance he slides.
If there isn’t a crazy quarterback run in the first five picks, a lack of need and interest in other positions could send a guy once seen as a viable #1 option outside of the top 10 or worse.
I name Nelson with some hesitance, as he is absolutely the best offensive lineman in this draft and the best guard by quite a bit. From a sheer talent perspective, he would seem to be a locked and loaded pick within the top five.
NFL scouts looking for a nasty guard who can dominate on the line with athleticism and power will find a stud in Nelson. Fundamentally and technically sound, Nelson feels like a can’t-miss prospect in a draft loaded with questions.
Literally every team could use a player of his talent, but a lot of teams picking early lack a franchise quarterback or will be hard-pressed to pass on studs like Saquon Barkley, Bradley Chubb, and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
I still don’t think a slide outside of the top five is a lock, but it could certainly happen, and if it does, it may not stop there. Based on need and the other talent available, it’s really not that crazy to imagine this beast of a man sliding somewhere in the 8-10 range.
At some point, though, even teams that may like another player at a different position will have to weigh the risk of bypassing such a flat-out stud.
Ridley is at greater risk of sliding further than both Rosen and Nelson. Rosen has at least been in the mix for the first overall pick in the past, while both guys have been regarded as top-five possibilities for quite some time.
Ridley hasn’t risen quite that high, but he’s still been regarded as a potential top-10 pick. Considering he is the consensus #1 wide receiver talent this year, he absolutely could still hear his name called early.
Ridley has great speed and route tree knowledge, but he’s a little smaller than you’d like your top receiver to be. Strength, size, and consistency are the main red flags – not enough to push him too far down in the first round, but enough for some teams to consider other wide receivers ahead of him.
There is a solid group here. D.J. Moore, Courtland Sutton, and Christian Kirk are all viable round-one prospects, so depending on what teams think, it’s possible Ridley could be leap-frogged by any of them.
Of course, while Ridley could slide, the real question is just how far he might fall.
I think he’s still locked into the first round, but when you look at the first 15 picks in this draft, it’s not crazy to suggest nobody picks a wide receiver.
Chicago, San Francisco, Buffalo, and Washington are your best bets in the top 15. They all need wide receiver help in some fashion, but they also need talent elsewhere. If the Cowboys and Ravens don’t take a wide receiver in round one, Ridley’s slide could continue.
Toss in the possibility that Sutton or someone else goes over Ridley, and his fall could go further than people think.
I still think wide receiver is pretty top-heavy, and teams are going to select a handful of them in round one.
However, if you’re trying to gauge who the first receiver off the board will be, looking at D.J. Moore (+160) and Courtland Sutton (+380) as value bets at My Bookie might not be a terrible idea.
There are only three realistic top-level cornerbacks slated to be taken in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and there’s no denying Ward is one of them.
Scouts that crave speed (4.32 40-yard dash time!) and top-shelf man coverage are going to be very high on Ward, who comfortably slides in as this draft’s second-best corner prospect.
The problem? Ward may lack the ideal size some scouts will be looking for, which could better suit him on the inside as a slot corner.
That doesn’t destroy Ward’s draft stock necessarily, but if that is how certain teams view him, they may feel less inclined to invest a top-10 pick in him.
This is a fantastic athlete who can stick with anyone at the next level. He’s absolutely a top-10 threat, but in addition to size/strength question marks is the issue of need.
Everyone needs a stud cornerback in the NFL, but the main teams that would pounce on him early could also address other areas. The Bears don’t really need a defensive back this early in the draft, while the 49ers and Raiders could opt for the best linebacker available.
I love the talent here and corner feels thin up top, but if enough teams fall in love with other players and/or don’t view Ward as a #1 cover man, he could conceivably slide out of the top 10.
The last guy to keep tabs on is Marcus Davenport, who is a total freak and is probably going to be a menace at the next level if he falls into the right hands.
“Fall” is the keyword here, unfortunately, as this was at one point a guy working his way into the top 10, but a few issues may cause a free fall.
The biggest drawback is Davenport’s immense size. He is perfectly built for the line in a 4-3 and hypothetically could be a terror on the edge in a 3-4 system as well.
Davenport has the athleticism to play anywhere, but if teams running a 3-4 system don’t believe he can consistently get the job done in coverage on the outside, that could outweigh his athleticism and pass-rushing ability.
In addition to the possible scheme issue, consistency has been a problem. If teams feel Davenport is more of a flash in the pan against weaker competition and/or is system-specific, they may stay away.
The main thing working in Davenport’s favor is the fact that this draft class is not loaded with high-level pass rushers. There are a few, but he’s on a short list, and teams looking to give their pass rush a jolt should be giving him a long, hard look.
I still think Davenport is a likely lock for round one, but he’s not the top-15 slam dunk I thought he was months ago.
Overall, I still think all five of these guys stay inside round one. While this year’s draft process has felt fairly unpredictable, I do think most of the guys projected inside the first round are destined to be there.
The players at real risk are the ones already projected in the 20-32 pick range, and they wouldn’t necessarily qualify as “big falls.”
Of everyone, the biggest guy to keep an eye on is Rosen. His situation could end up being quite similar to Aaron Rodgers’. He’s an elite passing talent, but a loaded position and the combination of talent and need elsewhere could end up hurting him.
It will be interesting to see how the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft unfolds, but the biggest takeaway is how this could impact NFL Draft betting. If you feel any guys are slipping enough to go outside of round one, that may affect how you wager on positional and school bets.
This breakdown also gives you an idea of how to approach player-specific bets that deal with the Over/Under on their draft range, while these guys sliding (or not sliding) could also understandably play into Over/Under wagers for other players.
There is a lot to consider this year, even if all you’re doing is just watching the draft. If you plan on betting on it, make sure you do your research and feel comfortable with your bets before hitting “submit.”
Whatever you do, enjoy the draft, and good luck with your wagers!
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The World Poker Tour continues ahead with its rich schedule of poker festivals around the world. The next stop which is preparing to welcome the worldwide poker festival is going to be the good old Las Vegas which will see the start of WPT Bellagio Elite Poker Championship action on 1st May with an eagerly […]
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Online gambling in all forms has really taken off in a big way, seemingly overnight. Of course, the truth of the matter is that online gambling enjoyed a steady climb on the web over several years.
Thanks to other rapid advances in key tech areas like bandwidth and mobile gaming capabilities, more internet users are getting into gambling online, exploring the myriad of options that are now freely available.
At the dawn of the online gambling age, the level of doubt regarding this brave new world of virtual or digital gambling was significant, which is in stark contrast to the attitudes expressed today.
One way to look at it is that the industry has had enough time (around three decades now), to prove that it can be a safe and viable gambling option. It really all boils down to how you choose your sites and actual gambling options.
Online sports betting is a great example of just how wide the scope can get when it comes to gambling or betting online. While most online casinos stay pretty much rooted in core offerings such as slots, table games, live dealer games, and so on, online sports betting sites seem to keep expanding their markets and betting options.
When most people think of online sports betting, they usually think of horse racing or NFL football. This kind of makes sense, since whenever you see anyone talking enthusiastically about betting on sports, it’s usually fantasy football, ponies (horse racing), dogs (greyhounds), or European football (soccer).
So that’s great, but what about other options? What if you really want to try your hand at online betting, but none of the “regular” sports float your boat? Luckily, most online sportsbooks offer alternatives to the usual sports betting markets, and these are collectively known as “novelty betting.”
Yes, believe it or not, most top online sports betting sites have a good sense of humor and know that their players’ preferences consist of more than one dimension.
Sure, it is exciting to bet on the Super Bowl or Stanley Cup, but it can be just as much fun betting on who will win the best supporting Oscar, or which one of the Kardashians will embarrass themselves in some or other way.
Let’s face it, not everyone loves sports, but almost everyone loves to bet on the outcome of an event or popular topic. Take the massive presidential race that happened between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, for example.
Most of us couldn’t even believe that it was actually a real presidential race, since it seemed more like some sort of ridiculous and grotesque publicity stunt!
While everyone was shocked, outraged, dumbfounded, or happy, you can bet that some people were laughing all the way to the bank, cashing in their bets at top online bookies all over the web!
Novelty betting is a bit of catch-all term which can cover a lot of betting options. Basically, it simply means betting on things that are not related to sports. So, this can include politics, as our example above demonstrates, or entertainment, which can include the latest social media gossip, events in the world of music, TV, or film, and even the weather. One of the newest novelty betting options to hit the online betting niche is Bitcoin betting.
This is not all that surprising considering just how massive Bitcoin has become all over the web. It should probably also not come as much of a surprise to learn that more and more online sportsbooks are now offering players the chance to fund their accounts with cryptocurrency, in place of the regular “terrestrial” currencies.
Essentially Bitcoin is what is known as a “cryptocurrency,” which means that it only exists on the web and is not a “real” currency like dollars or Euros are.
Bitcoin is not only different from the so-called terrestrial currency based on how it exists; it is also unique in that it is completely decentralized.
Bitcoin can be bought online by exchanging your regular currency for Bitcoin via a Bitcoin-specific e-wallet such as Coinbase. The important thing to keep in mind here is that Bitcoin increases in value as more web users begin to see the benefits of investing in and using Bitcoin online.
Betting on the success or failure of Bitcoin is the latest craze that is starting to sweep online sports betting sites, as this popular cryptocurrency begins to get on more and more web users’ radars. The speculation is rife as to the ultimate fate of Bitcoin. At this stage, there are as many supporters as there are detractors of the popular cryptocurrency.
Will it continue to expand as it has been doing over the past few weeks? Is the bottom eventually going to fall out of the Bitcoin boom? What about direct competitors to Bitcoin such as Ethereum or Crypterium? Will Bitcoin manage to stay at the top of the food chain?
Bitcoin betting can be an exciting alternative to your regular Monday night football betting, or can be a great way to get into online betting in a fun and very “now” kind of way.
An increased number of online sportsbooks are starting to offer all sorts of Bitcoin betting markets, so you can bet on anything from how high you think the value of Bitcoin will peak at to how soon the Bitcoin bubble will burst.
Betting on Bitcoin could become your best online betting discovery yet!
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The King’s Casino located in Rozvadov, the Czech Republic is expected to once again welcome one of the leading festivals on a global scale and this would be the partypoker Grand Prix Germany. Over the span of 4 days, poker enthusiasts will have the chance to test their limits and poker skills at the wide […]
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For the vast majority of recreational gamblers, the sole objective is to walk away with more money than they came with.
To this end, casual players tend to stick with casino games that are widely known and easy to play. Classic games like blackjack and video poker certainly have their strategic foundations, but even if you’ve never played a hand in your life, you’d still stand a decent chance of doubling up on a single bet.
But the casino floor is filled with dozens of games, and when side bets and other supplementary gambles are factored in, players are confronted with countless ways to wager. Without a solid game plan going in, a casino rookie can easily stumble into a longshot bet that offers very poor odds on earning a return.
Games like the slots, keno, and most of the bets on the craps table are notorious for offering players a high house edge to overcome.
Unfortunately, these are among the most popular games in the room, simply because they don’t involve complicated strategies – or any skill at all, for that matter.
For whatever reason, recreational gamblers flock to games of chance that provide the lowest probability of success. Perhaps these games are dressed up with fancy mechanics, such as rolling the dice in craps, or maybe casino newbies just don’t know any better.
In any case, I’m here to help you avoid that fearful fate. Below you’ll find my list of the seven casino bets that give you the best chance to double your money.
For each of the wagers listed, you’ll find the house edge rate players are faced with over the long run. House edge is the preferred metric for measuring a casino game or wager from a theoretical standpoint.
In other words, if you were to bet $100 over and over again on a particular game, the house edge number reflects the theoretical amount that the house would hold.
But while house edge is perfect for assessing a casino game’s viability over the long run, it’s not as accurate in terms of a single bet. For the sake of this exercise, I’m assuming that my readers are hoping to double their money on a one-time wager.
In that case, it’s best to examine the bet’s overall probability of producing a winner – and in some cases, a tie (or a “push”).
As you’ll soon discover, a few bets known for their low house edge rates aren’t nearly as beatable when you’re shooting for a short-term score. Conversely, some bets that are notorious for higher house edges are actually quite fair when limited to a single wager.
Without further ado, check out the seven best casino bets for doubling your money before your next gambling excursion.
For the first entry, most readers will need to refresh their memory on what Pai Gow Poker is and how to play it.
To get you started on that front, I recommend this quick video tutorial on Pai Gow Poker which was produced by WinStar World Casino and Resort:
But for folks who may be at work, or otherwise unable to view the video, here’s a crash course on the basics. Pai Gow Poker is a table game pitting the player against the dealer, much like blackjack or Three Card Poker.
Please note that alternative forms of the game exist in which players compete against one another, but we’ll stick to the standard player-versus-dealer format for clarity.
You’ll begin by placing a basic ante bet, prompting the dealer to slide you seven cards from a randomly shuffled deck. From there, your job is to “set” these seven cards into two hands, one containing five cards and another containing two cards.
The five-card hand is known as the “high” hand, and it follows the basic rules for making poker hands (two pair is better than one pair, three of a kind is better than both, etc.).
As for the two-card hand, you can either form a pair or simply two high cards.
The catch is that your high hand must always rank higher than your low hand. Thus, with a deal like 7-7-A-K-Q-4-2, you’d want to set your high hand as 7-7-Q-4-2, while the low hand would use the A-K.
The dealer does the same with their own seven-card deal, and at showdown, both your high and low hands are compared to the dealer’s equivalent.
You can find an online Pai Gow Poker simulator and take a whirl to get the hang of things. And when you do, be sure to click the “House Way” button on occasion, which simply lets the dealer set your hand in the best possible combination. Brick-and-mortar casinos allow players to use the House Way, which makes setting hands far less complicated.
Now that you know the score, let’s dive into the details of what makes Pai Gow Poker one of the safest bets in the house.
As you can see, the house edge of 1.46% is rather reasonable, but remember, that’s a long-term measurement. For folks looking to double up on one big bet, the key numbers to look for are the win probability and push probability, which stand at 29.94% and 40.45%, respectively.
In other words, you’ll wind up a full winner on just under 30% of Pai Gow Poker hands – which isn’t very good at all. But crucially, you’ll wind up tied with the dealer just over 40% of the time, producing a push. This occurs when one of your hand components beats the dealer, but the other loses to their equivalent. In the event of a push, you simply get your ante bet back, and a new hand begins.
Thus, on any given hand of Pai Gow Poker, you’ll double your money roughly one-third of the time.
You won’t find many casino wagers which offer just a 29.61% of a pure loss, making Pai Gow Poker one of the safest tables to park yourself at while searching for a quick score.
No need for tutorials or simulators for the game of War, which so many of us grew up playing on rainy days.
The official version of War, appropriately named Casino War, plays out in almost identical fashion to the fun-filled game of your youth. You play against the dealer, and each of you is dealt a single random card from the deck. High card wins, and in the event of a tie, a “war” is declared, with three more cards dealt out and the high card once again winning it all.
That’s it for Casino War gameplay, which is why so many casino rookies wander their way to the tables. Nothing is easier than a simple game of high card, and as you might expect, the odds are essentially a coin flip in either direction.
In fact, you’re saving almost half in terms of long-run equity playing this game as opposed to double-zero roulette (5.26% house edge). But it’s all about win probability for this exercise, and at 50.27%, you’re actually favored – if only slightly – to beat the dealer on any given hand.
As you learn more about the gambling world, you’ll wind up realizing just how rare a positive expectation wager can be, so Casino War deserves credit for giving players a fighting chance.
And as it turns out, Casino War offers the highest win probability of any game on the list, making it the perfect place to double your chips in short order.
Most casino rookies think they know all about craps, which is Hollywood’s go-to game when filming a gambling scene.
But despite those hackneyed calls of “Gimme a seven, momma needs a new pair of shoes,” craps involves much more than rolling the dice and hoping for the best.
Take a good look at the betting layout used on a traditional craps table:
As you can see, players have dozens of wagers to choose from, ranging from the safe and snug Pass Line bet to exotic longshots like the “Hard Eight.”
Combine that complex betting board with a crowded table ringed by gambling fanatics, and many first-time players are put off by craps. The scene can be lively and loud, with dealers and floor staff feverishly tracking bets and calling out slang terms.
This leaves a lot of players on the outside looking in, as they want to take a shot but don’t want to interrupt the proceedings at hand.
Fortunately, all of those exotic wagers are completely optional. Indeed, a craps student can get by quite well when sticking to the game’s basic starting bets: the Pass Line and the Don’t Pass Line.
For a full introduction to the world of craps gameplay, check out another video tutorial, which we have included a link to.
To get the game started, all players must place an ante bet on either the Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line. Nine out of 10 players you meet will be backing the Pass Line, which pays out a direct winner when the “come out” roll (aka, the initial roll to start a game) lands on 7 or 11. Pass Line bets are losers when the come out roll lands on 2, 3, or 12, which regulars refer to as “crapping out.”
Betting on the Pass Line is considered the “right” way to play, as you’ll turn a winner along with most players present. And at 1.41 % house edge, the Pass Line offers a relatively player-friendly experience.
But while nine out 10 players are hoping for a Pass Line winner, you’ll inevitably encounter a lone wolf who has their money on the Don’t Pass Line. These “wrong way” bettors win when the come out roll lands on 2, 3, or 12, so they’ll be celebrating as the rest of the table loses their Pass Line bet. On the other hand, a Don’t Pass wager loses when the come out roll hits 7 or 11.
Oddly enough, the vastly less popular Don’t Pass bet offers a slightly better house edge of 1.36%.
In any case, however, you’ll need to place one of these two ante bets to get in the game. When you do, you’ll enjoy a healthy win probability of 49.29 % – providing a classic coin-flip gamble.
At this point, you’re probably wondering what happens when the come out roll lands on any other number but 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12. That’s a great question, as those rolls create the conditions for a real game of craps.
Once the come out roll lands on either 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number is established as the “point.” From there, Pass Line bettors are hoping to see the second roll (and all subsequent rolls until the game ends) land on the point number before landing on 7. Of course, Don’t Pass bettors are looking for a 7 to land before the point is hit for a second time.
And finally, craps offers a secondary wager known as the “Odds” bet directly after the come out roll. This bet actually carries no house edge to speak of, making it a darling among intelligent gamblers, but for the sake of clarity, this double-up exercise was limited to Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line bets only.
Even so, you should definitely be “taking the odds” on your initial wagers to produce even higher payouts when the bones are rolling in your favor.
The classic conception of casino gambling is roulette, which challenges players to do nothing more than guess where a ball will land along a numbered/colored wheel.
And while most casual gamblers take their shot at the game’s holy grail – the 35-to-1 payout for correctly guessing an exact number – roulette offers several wagers that are much more reasonable. Remember, to score that 35-to-1 return, you’ll need to beat 1-in-36 odds against on a single-zero “European” style wheel, and 1-in-37 odds against on the “American” style double-zero variety.
Those are enormously long odds, and while the payout is quite sweet, you’ll be watching the wheel spin in vain more often than not.
Instead of chasing single-number bets, roulette players simply hoping to double their money are much better served by backing one of the game’s three even-money wagers.
Roulette wheels are famously colored red and black – aside from those pesky green zero spaces working for the house – and you’ll receive a 1-to-1 reward for landing on the correct color.
Additionally, the numbered spaces featuring 1 through 36 allow players to bet on whether the next number landed will be odd or even. Once again, this bet offers a 1-to-1 return on your wager.
Finally, with 36 numbered spaces on board, you can bet on either half of the set, with the 1-18 and 19-36 groupings each providing a 1-to-1 payout.
Because of the unique relationship between the probabilities and payouts of roulette bets, all of these wagers carry the same house edge percentage of 5.26% (on American double-zero wheels). In fact, every wager on the board except for one carries that same house edge rate, which is rather high when compared to the other games mentioned here.
But with a true win probability of 47.37% on the even-money bets, you’ll essentially be flipping a coin for a chance at doubling up.
Despite a bevy of scenes featuring superspy James Bond outdoing his foes at the baccarat table, this simple guessing game is actually one of the more boring casino gambles I’ve ever encountered.
Your job is simple enough: guess which one of two randomly dealt hands will reach a total closest to 9. These hands are called the “Player” and “Banker” hand, and both begin with two cards. Any 10 or face card serves as a 0, and any total that exceeds 10 drops the first digit to reveal the hand’s actual value. Finally, a complex system of rules known as the “tableau” is used to determine which, if any, of the two hands will draw a third card.
When it’s all said and done, winning your bet on either the Player or Banker hand produces an even-money payout (less a 5% commission, which I’ll ignore here for the sake of clarity).
As a baccarat player, all you need to do is guess which hand will wind up as the winner, which should offer a basic coin-flip scenario. You can also bet on the two hands finishing in a tie, but that longshot wager is one of the worst in the house, so it’s best to stick to the game’s two main bets.
Due to the rules requiring the Banker hand to “act” last when it comes to drawing a third card, the Banker bet (1.06% house edge) is actually slightly better than the Player alternative (1.24%).
You’ll wind up winning on the Banker bet 45.85% of the time, which is pretty decent, all things considered. But when you add in the 9.51% probability that the two hands will tie, resulting in a push and your bet being returned, your chances of losing the bet stand at just 44.64%.
In other words, you’ll have more than a 50% shot to either double up or keep your original bet in play.
Video poker has long been preferred by sharp players who pride themselves on strategic thinking. Armed with enough knowledge about a video poker variant, a skilled player can achieve house edge rates of under 0.50% on most games.
By far the most popular version of video poker, Jacks or Better is a universal game that provides the template for all other formats. Make sure to look for machines paying 9 coins for a full house and 6 coins for a flush, as this “9/6 full pay” game offers the best possible odds on Jacks or Better.
And as an added bonus, video poker payouts escalate after the base pay of 1 coin for one pair, so you’ll have a 45.46% shot to double your money at the very least. Make a higher hand than one pair, and you’ll wind up bringing home 2-to-1, 3-to-1, and even 800-to-1 payouts (for landing the elusive royal flush).
Most gambling beginners take their first shot at beating the house by playing blackjack, and for good reason.
This skill-based game operates according to basic strategy, giving good players plenty of room to maneuver and make profitable plays. The house edge of 0.40% is one of the lowest around, and on any given hand, you’ll have a 42.20% chance to double your dough.
Add in the 8.48% odds of a push, and you’ll only lose your bet 49.32% of the time.
The house is ALWAYS expected to win in the long run. But if you want to have the best chance to double your money at the casino, these seven bets are well worth considering.
By combining a relatively low house edge with a high percentage chance to win, they’re significantly better than many of the alternatives.
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SPIRIT GAMING announces the very first European installation of the Dealer Assist BlackJack from Interblock
Malta is worldwide known as one of the progressive locations where online gambling has the chance to develop and thrive due to the optimal conditions in the online gaming industry. This could happen with the help of the expert Malta Gaming Authority which oversees the field and which recently announced that Heathcliff Farrugia has been […]
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The Indian state of Goa and its authorities are putting in quite the effort to improve the gambling industry in the region and boost its performance. However, one of the recent moves of the government caused an immediate response from the companies operating in the field, as many of them were dissatisfied with the unwanted […]
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Becoming an advantage player is the pinnacle of gambling. This means that you’ve mastered a certain gambling technique or game well enough to make long-term profits.
“Profits” is the key word here because many people fixate on how much money they’ll make as an advantage gambler.
Obviously, the money is important. Otherwise, why would you choose such an unconventional way to make money?
But what many players overlook is the strategy research that they’ll need to do. Furthermore, they also fail to learn how much time it takes to become an advantage player.
I’m going to ignore the monetary side of advantage gambling and discuss the research side. Specifically, I’ll cover what games offer an advantage, research for each method/game, and how long it takes to become a successful long-term gambler.
The first thing that you need to understand before embarking on your research is what forms of gambling offer an advantage. In other words, you don’t want to pour hours into studying three-card poker, only to find out that there’s no advantage-play method.
Here are several games that advantage gamblers can win with.
Blackjack – Card counters, hole carders, and shuffle trackers can all gain a long-term edge Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) – You choose optimal sporting lineups in tournament-style formats Poker – Poker has created more professional players than any other form of gambling Sports Betting – You’ll earn profits as long as you win 52.4% of your bets (assuming 10% “juice”) Video Poker – You can win on full-pay Deuces Wild (100.76% payback), 10/7 Double Bonus (100.17%), and Double Double Bonus (100.07%)You can collect long-term profits through all of these games. You can also try “comp-hunting,” which involves combining generous comps with near-100%-payback games.
But that doesn’t mean every advantage-play technique is created equally.
First off, house-banked advantage gambling has an added element of difficulty because the casino can ask successful players to leave. You’ve probably seen movies where card counters try to stay under the radar (e.g., the film 21).
The house doesn’t care if you win in player-vs.-player games like poker and DFS. After all, the point of these gambling activities is to out-perform other players.
But the downside is that strategy is more complex for these games because you’re facing human opponents who can think critically. Contrast this to card counting or video poker, where optimal strategy doesn’t change.
You want to take all of this into account before deciding what game or advantage-play technique you’ll pour research into. Here are my personal rankings for the best advantage gambling methods and games.
Poker – Has the hardest strategy, but also the most opportunities to become a winner. Plus, poker strategy can be found all over. Card Counting – Downside is that the best card counters only have a 0.5%-1.5% edge. Upside is that it’s easy to learn card-counting techniques. Sports Betting – This is much harder than casual sports fans think. But like poker, sports betting offers numerous opportunities to win. DFS – Newer advantage game that has created some pros. The drawback is that a small percentage of DFS players win the bulk of profits. Video Poker – You can gain an edge on three different games. But these are all found in Nevada casinos only. Hole Carding – Anybody can spot the dealer’s hole card with enough practice and effort. But it’s difficult to find a dealer who consistently lifts their hole cards too high. Shuffle Tracking – Being able to track 10-value cards is a very lucrative skill. The downside is that shuffle tracking is the most difficult advantage method to learn. Dealer Signatures – You can gain a solid edge by finding a dealer who consistently spins the ball in predictable sections of the wheel. But the jury is out on how effective dealer signatures are. Wheel Bias – This is an archaic method that relies on a worn-down wooden roulette wheel. But most modern wheels have metal frets, meaning they don’t break down and favor certain numbers. Comp Hunting – Casinos are much stingier with comps these days. You’re highly unlikely to receive enough comps to earn a profit.I’m not going to cover all of the gambling methods that I discussed above. The reason is because a few of them are so obsolete that they’re not worth discussing.
But I will briefly cover what research you need to do for the top advantage-play games and techniques.
Poker has been around long enough to where players used to only be able to study strategy through books and magazine articles. But the internet has greatly changed how poker players can research strategy.
Players have access to online articles, training sites, Twitch and YouTube videos.
Twitch has especially become popular because you can watch professionals stream their online poker sessions. This gives you a real-time look at how poker pros handle different situations.
Training sites, articles and YouTube videos are all good for learning specific poker skills. For example, you can find many videos and articles that are solely dedicated to 3-betting.
Poker has more resources for you to research than any other advantage game. This is good from the perspective that you’ll never be lacking in terms of strategy materials.
The only catch is that every other player can research the same materials. This has helped amateurs bridge the gap between themselves and advantage players.
Card counting all begins with learning a specific method that’ll help you keep track of card values. One of the easiest strategies for doing so is the Hi-Lo method, which involves assigning values to different groups of cards.
Here are the card groups, along with what values they represent.
2 through 6 = +1 7 through 9 = Neutral 10 through ace = -1Cards valued 2-6 receive a positive value because they help the dealer avoid busting out when trying to reach a hard 17. The goal is to bet more money when a positive count is higher.
Aces and 10-value cards receive a negative value because you don’t want these to come out of the shoe until later. The more 10s and aces there are, the better chance you have of getting a natural blackjack and earning a 3:2 or 6:5 payout.
Learning a card counting system is only the tip of the iceberg, though, because you also need to practice it and avoid casino detection.
One of the best ways to practice counting is by using a free online card-counting program. These flash different cards onscreen, and you need to keep count as the cards are dealt.
You also might want to do some hands-on research in low-stakes blackjack games. You can try to count cards while playing the lowest limits possible to get used to the casino environment and surrounding distractions.
Another good place to do research is in blackjack/gambling forums. Here you can learn some of the different ways that the pros avoid being made as card counters.
Of course, you can always buy a book and get a more detailed take on how to beat this game.
Good sports bettors thoroughly research matches before placing a wager. Some of the different aspects that you can research before betting include:
Against the spread (ATS) records Home and away ATS records Individual matchups Injury report Line movement News Recent history between teams/players Sportsbooks that have the best odds Weather (outdoor games)Researching all of these different factors takes time. And a good rule of thumb is to never make more than 2-3 bets in a week, considering the time commitment to quality wagering.
Bettors can also use software to help make their picks. Dozens of websites have software that delivers detailed stats on matchups.
Some of the perks that you can get through software include public betting percentages, sharp money betting percentages, special picks, and real-time odds updates.
The only catch is that you must pay to use this type of software in most cases. But this can be worth it for really serious bettors.
Daily fantasy involves putting together the best lineup you possibly can for a given situation. And the biggest skill you can have involves knowing which players are undervalued based on their salaries.
Spotting undervalued players helps you put together good lineups under the salary cap. You can then use the extra money to go after high-profile players with expensive salaries.
DFS articles are found all over the internet. You can also watch plenty of videos where experts discuss their daily/weekly picks.
Some DFS pros put together algorithms that give them a leg up on the competition. In fact, many amateurs think that DFS is hopeless due to these programs.
But keep in mind that the vast majority of algorithms are unsuccessful when navigating daily fantasy’s unpredictable waters. Therefore, anybody can pick winners with enough research and experience.
Video poker is the only casino game where the house voluntarily gives you a long-term chance to win. But again, you have to play full-pay Deuces Wild, 10/7 Double Bonus, or 10/6 Double Double Bonus to gain an advantage.
Any other type of video poker game and/or pay table won’t deliver over 100% payback. And considering that these machines are only found in Nevada casinos, the average video poker player won’t win in the long run.
But if you do live around or are visiting one of Nevada’s major casino hubs, then you’ll find beatable video poker machines.
You can find which casinos offer of the aforementioned games by visiting the website vpfree2.com. You then navigate to the “Casinos” tab at the top and search for Vegas, Reno, or any other Nevada casino town.
This search will produce a list of video poker machines in these town’s casinos. You then browse through the casinos to see which ones offer games with over 100% payback.
The next step is to purchase video poker training software. These programs point out correct and incorrect decisions as you play video poker.
The goal is to practice enough to where you can automatically make the right choices.
You might be wondering why you should buy software, rather than use free programs. And the answer is that free trainers don’t cover the three games I discussed before.
If you have no intention of going to the Silver State, then don’t worry about buying the software. But if you’re taking a trip there and want to become an advantage player, then it’s worth spending $50 or so.
North American casinos see blackjack dealers receive one face-up and one face-down card (a.k.a. hole card). The dealer peeks at their hole card to ensure that they don’t have a natural blackjack.
Dealers are trained to peek for a blackjack without exposing their card to players. But some dealers – either through inexperience or carelessness – will lift their hole card too high.
Anybody who consistently does this is referred to as a “flasher.” And a trained eye who spots the flasher’s hole card will gain up to a 13% advantage.
You need to sit in either the first-base seat (to dealer’s immediate left) or third-base seat (to dealer’s immediate right) to have the best shot at seeing the hole card.
Another way to spot the dealer’s hole card is by doing so when they slide it under their upcard (a.k.a. front loading). Sometimes a dealer may accidentally lift the card while performing this action.
In either case, you need to do a tremendous amount of research to find dealers that are bad enough to expose their hole cards. I’ve seen estimates that only 1 in 200 dealers are flashers.
This means that when you do find a flasher, take extra precautions to ensure that nobody knows you’re peeking at the hole card. Don’t lean at an unnatural angle and risk drawing scrutiny.
If casino security or a pit boss notices this, they may watch the dealer closer to see if they’re exposing their hole card. The result will be the dealer receiving better training to avoid flashing in the future.
Shuffle tracking is a very advanced technique that involves tracking 10s and face cards (a.k.a. high cards) throughout the hand and shuffle.
By tracking these cards, you’re hoping to have a general idea of when they’ll be dealt. You then bet more when a 10-value card is coming because it improves your odds of getting a blackjack.
In expert hands, shuffle tracking is an incredible advantage gambling method that gives you up to a 50% edge.
But the drawback is that this technique is far more advanced than simply counting cards. In fact, you need to count cards too so you know how many high cards are left in the deck.
Another downside to shuffle tracking is that you’re relying on specific shuffles to win money. If the dealer shuffles too much, then it’s impossible to track high cards with any consistency.
Here’s an example of a shuffle style worth tracking.
“Zero shuffle,” meaning the shoe is separated into piles and shuffling is only performed between piles One pass, meaning the dealer only goes through one round of shuffling One riffle, meaning the dealer only riffles the piles onceAnother big aspect to consider is how long you need to spend researching each form of advantage gambling.
The truth is that there’s no limit on the amount of time you can spend mastering an advantage casino game. But some lend themselves to easier study than others.
Here are my estimations on how much time you should dedicate to each advantage-play method.
Poker – Spend one hour studying strategy for every hour you play in the beginning. Switch this ratio to one study hour for every 4-5 of hours of playing once you become better. Card Counting – You can learn a card counting system in well under an hour. But you should spend 20-25 hours practicing your strategy and researching ways to blend in with amateur players in the beginning. Sports Betting – I recommend spending a few hours reading general sports betting strategy articles to start with. You should also put 0.5-1 hour into researching each bet. DFS – This is another game where you should spend several hours reading general strategy as a beginner. Put 0.5-3 hours into creating an optimal lineup and transport it into different matches. Video Poker – Practice with a video poker trainer for the appropriate game for 10-20 hours. I recommend spending another 1-2 hours practicing each week so that your skills stay sharp. Hole Carding – You must spend countless hours playing at different blackjack tables in order to find a flasher. Once this work is done, make sure that you don’t give up that you’re a hole carder. Shuffle Tracking – I recommend that you first start out by becoming an expert card counter. Then you should spend another 20-30 hours perfecting your shuffle tracking skills.This all depends upon what your goals are with advantage gambling.
If you merely want to earn some extra money from your hobby, then it’s very likely that your research will pay off. Many players can gain an edge with enough hard work and research.
But if you’re expecting to become a professional gambler, then it’s questionable whether you’ll be fulfilled. You often need special qualities, such as the ability to contain emotions during a bad gambling run.
Most gamblers who set out to become pros never do so, either because they give up or because they lack certain traits.
Giving up doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re a quitter or sore loser. Instead, you can simply decide that being a professional isn’t as great as it once seemed.
I suggest that your first goal should simply be to gain an edge, regardless of how small it may be. You can then decide whether to go all-out in trying to make a living through gambling.
The key thing to consider before you embark on becoming an advantage gambler is the research involved – not the money.
Everybody dreams of the riches that they’ll win as a pro gambler. But not many think of how they’ll spend countless hours doing research and grinding in casinos.
Knowing what kind of research and effort is involved helps you better make an informed decision. And if you’re fine with what you have to do to become an advantage player, then you’ll be set.
This also gets you started on the right path, so that you can research your preferred game the best way possible. Use this post as a guide to help you figure out what advantage-play method you want to pursue and what’s the best path to reach your goals.
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