Horse racing is one of the oldest sports in the world. Betting on the sport started in the 16^th century.

The main goal of betting on a horse is to win money although some people do it for fun and socialization. In the past, gamblers filled racetracks and enthusiastically placed wagers on specific horses. Today, the racetrack remains a popular sport for socialization and gambling.

Another large chunk of gamblers no longer head to the tracks. They join the fun online and bet on their favorite horse. Off-track betting in the US started in 1978. The entire sport has evolved and horse wagering has evolved with it. This article dives deep into odds in horse racing to help you understand how it works.

Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/jockey-racing-on-horse-16008244/

 

Unveiling the Mechanics of Horse Racing Odds

In horse racing, odds represent the price tag and payout upon specific runners on the track. The odds are a representation of the bet you should place and the amount you should expect in case of a win. They differ based on different factors such as how popular the horse is and its winning history.

Many people nowadays choose to sign up for horse betting on online gambling sites. The number of sites available online could be overwhelming. If self-exclusion worries you and you want to try something that is not listed on Gamstop, there are options available. Choose the best horse racing betting sites not on Gamstop and get exclusive offers. The offers may include:

• Free horse racing betting options.
• Cashback benefits on your losses.
• Bonuses up to 100% on your stake.
• Express bets on specific races.
• Match-up bonuses.

What are betting odds and how do they work?

One thing that confuses beginners is knowing how the odds work in horse racing. In the simplest terms, odds represent the amount an odds company (bookie) offers you against the bet you place (bettor). Odds, whether in a racing track or online, appear in different forms.

You might see odds displayed as 7-2 or something like 3/1 or even 4-1. They can be any ratio but it is important to know what the ratio means. The forms present the amount you must bet and your possible win. For instance, a 3/1 odds shows you can win $3 for every $1 you bet.

Two formats of betting odds

Another important thing to know when learning about how do betting odds work horse racing is the format of betting odds. When you are ready to bet online or at a horse race track, you will notice that odds are displayed in two formats. Traditionally, odds makers display them as fractions but in some regions, they are displayed as decimals.

Fractional odds

Fraction-based odds on the board usually read something such as 2-1, 3-1, 10-1, and so on. There is no difference if you see them reading as 2/1, 3/1, 10/1, and so on.

The numerator shows the units you will likely win. The denominator shows the stake required to risk to grab the chance to win then units in the numerator. For instance, in a 3/1 odds you must risk $1 to win $3.

Source: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/equestrian-sport-young-girl-rides-horse-championship_28993691.htm

Decimal odds

It is easy to read decimal-based odds. On the board, they read in decimals such as 1.6, 3.1, 2.0, and so on.

These figures show the exact win you will likely get against your bet. To know your possible win, multiply your wager with the decimal. For instance, let’s say your wager is $40 and the odds are 1.6. Your possible win would be $40 x 1.6 = 64 (including your stake).

How to calculate betting odds and payouts

A lot of gamblers wager on horse racing without knowing how odds in horse racing work. Understanding how the odds work and payout calculation strategy is important. It can help you correctly decide the amount to wager. Odds makers calculate the payoff based on the exact odds but they round it off to the nearest dime.

If you are at the racecourse and betting with the track’s pool betting, what matters are the rules that apply to the specific track. To understand the exact payout, you need to understand the total value in the win pool (all money consolidated in the pool from bets on the winning runners). You also need to know the total bet on the specific horse. Regardless of the total money in the pool, the odds makers do not pay out all of it.

Some of it must remain in the pool as profit for the company while the balance is paid out. The track takes 14% to 20% of the money in the pool before making any payouts.

To help you understand the payout, take the total in the pool and subtract the take. From the balance you get, subtract the total wager placed on your favorite horse. Again from the value you get, divide the wager placed on the horse.

For instance, let’s say the pool’s total is $1,200 and the wager on your favorite horse is $400. This is how you’d calculate.

1,200 x 15% = $180

1,200 – 180 = $1,020

$1,020 – 400 = $620

$620 ÷ $400 = 1.55 which is rounded off to 1.50

Straight bets

A straight bet means wagering on a runner that will take number one in the race. If the horse wins, your bet wins. You have three straight bet options.

• WIN. If you bet on a WIN, it means your favorite horse will be number one.
• PLACE. If you bet on PLACE, it means the horse may either be number 1 or 2.
• SHOW. Another option is SHOW which means the horse can take either number 1, 2, or 3.

Exotics bets

Exotic bets require you to bet on two or more horses/races. It is riskier to wager on exotic bets but they attract a greater reward. For instance, you may bet on the winners in two, three, or more races. The bet requires more knowledge about how specific exotic bets such as perms, trixies and so on. 

Best odds in horse racing

Once you understand how horse racing odds work, you also need to understand the best odds to choose. When choosing odds, it is best to choose the bookmaker with the best odds. The best strategy is to wager on the BOG (best odds guaranteed) strategy. In this strategy, you will get the highest value if the odds drift at the beginning of a race.

For instance, let’s say you wagered before start and the odds were 4/1. By the time the race starts, let’s assume the odds have changed to 6/1. If your favorite runner wins in a BOG strategy, you will be paid based on 6/1 and not 4/1.

Let’s look at another instance where the odds drop at the start of the race.

Your bet could be based on 4/1 odds before the start but the odds might drop to 5/2 at the start. If your favorite wins, you will be paid based on 4/1 and not 5/2.

Another option is to place bets where odds are higher. For instance, let’s say you bet on a horse with 1.60 odds and another with odds of 4.50. If the latter wins, you get a higher payout, although there is obviously less chance it will win.

 

 

 

 

The PDC World Championship is just around the corner and the world’s greatest players are set to again compete for darts’ biggest prize.

Many narratives could unfold based on who wins this year’s competition. There could be a player who wins their third major title in less than a year, we could see last year’s champion defend their honour, or we could see a true great of the game win the tournament for the fourth time. 

The PDC World Championship odds offer a strong idea of which of these narratives are most likely to present themselves come the turn of the year. 

Luke Humphries is the outright favourite

The outright favourite to win the PDC World Championship this year is Luke Humphries. He has had a remarkable few months having secured his first major in the World Grand Prix before quickly following it up with a victory at the Grand Slam of Darts. 

pic.twitter.com/AvclNHMYAO

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 19, 2023

Humphries has a level of form and momentum behind him that nobody can rival at present. In a darts bet on the upcoming competition, he is offered as the 7/2 outright favourite to become the world champion. World Darts betting suggests Michael van Gerwen is the most likely to claim victory at his expense, offered at 9/2.

Humphries could secure a short-term treble of major victories with a victory at Alexandra Palace over the new year, but the Dutchman could also secure a legacy-defining moment if he were to triumph.

Van Gerwen has a chance to become a four-time champion

Van Gerwen went into 2023 with a remarkable 45 titles already to his name. This year he has increased that tally to 47 after winning the Premier League and the World Series of Darts Finals.

There could still be an impressive feat which relates to becoming a four-time world champion within his sights. He has previously won the PDC World Championship in 2014, 2017 and 2019 and he is one of the most fancied picks to win the 2023/2024 tournament.

Phil Taylor is the record World Championship winner, and his 14-trophy haul will surely never be caught by the Dutchman. Nevertheless, the Dutchman could extend his personal record and strengthen his legacy as one of the greatest players that Darts has ever seen.

Michael Smith to go back-to-back?

Michael Smith of course has the experience of having won the most recent edition of the competition. However, despite this, he is not quite tipped for success to the level of Humphries and Van Gerwen.

Smith is offered at 8/1 to become the world champion for the second straight year. His overall 2023 form has not been very impressive, he lost in the early rounds of all of the major events, besides a semi-final finish at the World Grand Prix.

Michael Smith is the 2023 PDC World Darts Champion after a brilliant 7-4 win over Michael van Gerwen in the final #darts #DartsWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/Azfhk3oUVs

— Darts Behind The Oche (@DartsBehindThe) January 3, 2023

Some players use landmark victories as a platform to go on to achieve more within the sport. However, in Smith’s case, it seems his world title success was a huge peak that he may not be able to return to.

All three of these players have different factors and levels of experience that play in their favour. Whoever wins the World Championship will undoubtedly create exciting headlines.

This trio all have interesting narratives they could write, while a surprise underdog winner could perhaps be even more thrilling.

Humphries has a slight lead in the early betting markets, but anything could happen at the biggest event on the darts calendar.

 

 

 

Source: Unsplash

Casino games and sportsbooks are designed to generate revenue for the house. There are lots of tactics and strategies that players can use, but at the end of the day, the house always wins.

However, this isn’t entirely true now, is it? We have professional gamblers who can win more consistently compared to casual players. We also know that experienced gamblers invest a lot of time to choose from the best online casino sites that are on review platforms like iCasinoreviews.info. This means, there are a lot of factors, like bonuses, that can swing the odds in your favour. 

The goal of the article is to provide readers with betting strategies and casino strategies. Some of them will be easy to use, while others are more complicated to execute.

Still, they only work in legitimate casinos that are safe for players and audited for fairness. So make sure you pick a reputable fast payout operator from a list at iCasinoreviews.info to ensure fairness and quick access to your winnings. Now let’s get started.

Easy-to-Follow Roulette Strategy

The iconic Devil’s Wheel is one of the oldest and most popular games in both land-based and online casinos. There is an easy strategy that all casual players are using, and it involves placing 50/50 bets (red or black, high or low, odds or even).

The idea is to double your bet every time you lose. This way when you eventually win, you recover all of your losses. The only problem is if you end up on a big losing streak, your losses will accumulate.

The other problem is that casinos have a maximum bet size, which at some stage you may hit before you are able to recover your losses. This is why we don’t recommend this strategy – which is often referred to as the “Martingale Strategy.” More information about this is detailed here.

Instant Win Games

There is a new category of gambling content in online casinos. These are instant win games or mini-games, and you can find titles like Aviator, Spaceman, Plinko etc.

This strategy works on games like Aviator where you can cash out fast. If you click cash out in the first few seconds you get a small multiplier on your bet, like 1.05x the stake. The idea here is to bet large sums of money and cashout instantly so that you can get meaningful wins.

Perfect Blackjack and Card Counting

Source: Unsplash

It’s difficult to play blackjack if you are a new player because learning perfect blackjack requires a lot of time. One of the best online casino strategies to help you bypass this obstacle is to simply use your phone and your PC. Open the guide in one tab and consult the chart about each move before you decide to hit or stand.

You can also use card counting to improve your odds, and once again if your phone is nearby open the calculator app. For this, it’s better to play blackjack in the live dealer category, because more players can be at the same table. You can even invite your friends to help you keep track of the cards remaining in the shoe. The card-counting strategy requires you to add or subtract numbers depending on the value of the cards that appear on the table.

• Low-number cards from 2 to 6 are counted as -1
• High-number cards from 10 to 1 are +1
• 7,8 and 9 are counted as 0.

As cards appear you need to add the numbers together and keep track of the result. Once the deck shoe is nearing its end you’ll get a good idea of which cards remain.  If the score is positive that means most of the remaining cards in the shoe are low value. While if the score is negative the majority of the remaining cards are high value. When the score is negative your odds of hitting blackjack are better, which means you can bet more and expect higher returns.

However, online casinos usually have continuous shuffle machines or dealers shuffling after 4-8 decks of cards, rendering card counting pretty much pointless. This strategy is therefore only likely to work in a regular casino rather than an online casino.

Arbitrage Betting Strategy

When it comes to sportsbooks the best betting strategy is to look for arbitrage bets. This will require you to have multiple accounts with different sportsbooks that don’t use the same data for odds generation.

This is also easier to pull off if you bet on sports like Tennis that don’t have a draw outcome. In essence, if one operator favours one team or player, and the odds with other operators favour their competitor, you will win regardless of the outcome. You can bet a substantial amount of money on both outcomes because you will come on top either way.

It’s also worth noting that player activity impacts the odds. Meaning if a player base that uses one operator overwhelmingly supports Team A, while a player base with another operator supports Team B, the odds will be affected. It’s one of the reasons why arbitrage bets are even possible. Given how there was a recent increase in the number of people who gamble online, and how many casual gamblers simply follow the odds that are provided by default, arbitrage bets are becoming more common.

Still, it’s difficult to find these opportunities. There are many sports out there, and you don’t know whether two different operators are using different algorithms. After all, there are tons of sister sites out there that don’t look anything alike, and yet are owned by the same company.

However, the problem with arbitrage betting is that the bookies positively hate it and have software set up to detect when people are arbitrage betting. They will close or restrict your account very quickly if they suspect you are arbing.

Conclusion

These were some of the easy-to-follow casino player development strategies that pretty much anyone can use. Of course, if you want to play in real casinos you cannot rely on your friends to help you like you can when playing online.

 

 

 

Followers of our top recommended golf tipster, the Golf Insider, were popping the champagne corks on Sunday evening as they landed a HUGE 125/1 winner! 

It was a dramatic final round over in Bermuda on the PGA Tour as Colombian Camillo Villegas shot a superb 65 to win the Butterfield Bermuda Championship by two shots, tipped at a massive 125/1 by the Golf Insider. 

And for good measure he even gave members the 2nd place as well – 22/1 Alex Noren!

A perfect 1-2 landed, and another massive three-figure, winner-of-a-lifetime for members of the service.

You can check out the Golf Insider here.

That just adds to a long list of impressive winners the Golf Insider has landed, including:

• Martin Laird – WON at 250/1
• Marc Warren – WON at 150/1
• Chris Kirk – WON at 125/1
• Rasmus Hojgaard – WON at 200/1
• Andrew Dodt – WON at 150/1
• Corey Conners – WON at 175/1
• Cameron Champ – WON at 150/1
• Hennie Otto – WON at 80/1
• Thomas Pieters – WON at 66/1
• Martin Kaymer – WON at 70/1

Amazing stuff. Plus there have been a whole host of high-priced placed finishes as well, which are too numerous to mention here.

The really good news though is that…

You can join now and claim a 50% Discount for the first month.

In total the Golf Insider has made over £20,000 profit at advised stakes since starting up in 2014 at an ROI of 20%, which is sensational tipping.

He absolutely crushed it in our live trial as well with winners at prices of 250/1, 150/1, 20/1, 30/1, 12/1 and 50/1.

And just think for a second…

When you compare 125/1 and 250/1 winners to the likes of football, or horse racing, when was the last time you backed a winner at these odds?

No need for some multi-team Hail Mary perm, or a through-the-card accumulator… you could return a £1,500 profit by backing one single player, for just a tiny £5 EW stake.

This service really does offer the chance to bet small, but to win BIG.

But besides these headline tournament winners, members of the service also receive a comprehensive service, each week, that covers the PGA Tour and DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour).

It’s not just outright winners then that you’ll be looking to back, but Round 1 3-Ball bets, Top 20s and First Round Leaders (given at the year’s four Major championships).

So it’s a comprehensive and top class golf service.

Don’t miss out on any more huge winners like this weekend’s at 125/1.

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Alt: League of Legends predictions 

With the end of the Knockout Stage, the Worlds 2023 League of Legends championship can finally, truly begin.

We have a total of eight teams who have fought hard and secured their place in the competition. A few of the teams were able to get early spots in the competition thanks to their heavy endorsements.

Others have had to fight hard from the very beginning. Every battle has led them to this. The real competition is about to get underway, so we have decided to look at these teams more closely.

Which one has the true potential to be the next League of Legends World Champion?

Upcoming Schedule

We can tell you the upcoming Worlds schedule so you know what to expect these weeks. The first match-up will be in just a few days. 

Matchups	Date
Quarterfinals	November 2nd – 5th
Semifinals	November 11th – 12th
Grand Final	November 19th

This year’s League of Legends Worlds Championship will be held in South Korea. This will also be the 13th edition of the annual Riots tournament.

The tournament has undergone significant changes these past years to accommodate new game modes. In light of the pandemic, recent safety precautions and procedures have also been implemented. 

 

Quaterfinal Predictions

Let us first start off with the general feel of the quarterfinal matches. These will be the upcoming fights for the eight teams competing: 

• GEN vs BLG – Gen.G and BilliBilli Gaming have both shown to be strong contenders. Both have proven just how tough they can get in the thick of it. So long as they stay consistent, the predictions go towards GEN. They have a more dominant approach that could overwhelm BLG.
• NRG vs WBG – NRG, so far, have the best possibility out of the two. Both teams have struggled in the early stages of the competition. NRG has the best chance of showing us something new, which could earn them a win and a place in the semi-finals.
• JDA vs KT – JD have proven their strength time and time again. KT has succeeded expectations so far, but JDA has proven to be the best of the two. It’s only a matter of time before they demolish KT in their match.
• LNG vs T1 – This match-up could be the most unpredictable yet. Both teams have had an amazing career. However, T1 has shown to improve themselves in every match constantly. Every opponent they have faced has been tough. If anyone has a better chance, it would be T1.

Many bets are already being placed on some of these teams. You can have a go yourself by looking at our reviews and seeing which team has the most potential. You can sign up for online casinos that have sports bookings in the Esports industry.

You may even benefit from online bonuses, which can offer you more money to bet with. Look for a free £5 no deposit and learn how this bonus can help you in other casino games. This gives you more options to spend your money. First, take a look below to see our predictions and assess yourself who is worth a penny. 

Team Info

Now that we’ve looked at the upcoming matches, here is some general info on teams you will be seeing duking it out in the realms of Runeterra. 

JD Gaming

This team has become a fan-favourite in the current Worlds 2023 tournament. This team has made accomplishments faster than any other team in the contest. Their achievements have certainly earned them a place here.

After securing many titles and three clean matches, it makes sense their popularity has grown. Their consistency and ability to remain dominant in the field is not only what makes them winners but an unstoppable force. 

LNG Esports

LNG has had some easy matches in the early stages. They have been able to fight pretty well, all things considered. Their matches against Fnatic and Cloud9 have been able to showcase their skills regardless of difficulty.

What people are most excited about is their match against JDG. If there is any team that can stand a chance against the unstoppable JD Gaming, it will be LNG. If they can succeed in giving them a run for their money, they will have already surpassed expectations. 

Weibo Gaming

If there was any team that is the opposite of consistency, it would be Weibo Gaming. Sometimes they can be untouchable.

An impressive opponent that can take on any possibility. Other times, they can perform so badly that any rising team could take them on. This can make them unpredictable, so it may prove risky to bet on them. 

Bilibili Gaming

BLG were strong contenders early on. However, they seem to be slipping in their recent matches. Their evolution seems to be going backwards, making more mistakes as the games continue. They could prove to be an equal match for the likes of T1, but if these mistakes continue, it’s not looking good. 

Gen.G

GEN are nothing short of competence. Every member of the team is always up to par with the strongest players out there. Besides being impressive, there is nothing else to really say. They perform well, have sold strategies, and that’s it. If they can keep it up all the way to the finals, they may finally have something interesting in their history. 

T1

T1 has always been an unpredictable powerhouse. Back in the spring contest, they finished second. During the MSI, they finished third. Every contest brings them so close yet so far. It will be up to them to push themselves even further to take home the championship. Their victory can only be secured if they can surpass what they were initially capable of. Let us hope they don’t give in to desperation when push comes to shove. 

KT Rolster

KT have had a few cards against them in their rise to the top. Whilst a team like LNG have made do with a simple schedule, KT has had to face setback after setback. Even against the odds, KT has still been able to push through and prove they deserve to be here. The only way they will quit is if the game itself shuts down completely. Such perseverance is commendable and has earned them the title of a “true underdog”. 

NRG

NRG is the only team from North America that has made it to the Knockout Stage. This is one team that nobody predicted would have made it this far. Every other team has underestimated them, and it’s always been their undoing. What makes them more impressive is that most of the team are amateur players. If they can succeed where others have fallen, this will make them the most praised Western team in League of Legends history.

Alt: Information about teams 

Place Your Bets

Now that you have looked at each team, it’s time to place your bets. You can sign up for an online sports booking site to view the Knockout Stage matches coming in the next few weeks. You can choose to make bets just before the match or days in advance. Be sure to look at the ever-changing odds as the matches progresses. We have many unpredictable teams competing this year. Some of them may not only surprise you but offer rewards you never expected.