Welcome to the Honest Betting Reviews blog. Here you can find the latest updates on betting systems and tipsters currently under review as well as our tips on how to beat the bookies with the best winning betting systems we have profited from,

Low Risk Betfair Trading Strategies

When trading on Betfair, there is a danger of running up significant losses if results go against you. Without taking careful steps to protect your downside risk, this can be quite damaging to both your trading bank and morale. 

Ideally what we want to do when trading is to focus on low-risk trading strategies. That means our downside risk is minimised whilst we still have potential upside if the trade goes our way. 

Of course it is easier said than done in most cases! It takes a smart strategy and the correct setup to create genuinely low-risk opportunities. 

Sometimes a trading strategy can look low-risk on the face of it, but when you break it down, it can still blow up in your face and do severe damage to your trading bank. 

So we want to be sure that the strategies we use actually are low-risk in practice and don’t expose us to unexpected losses. We will go through some examples of these strategies below so you can see for yourself how they work. 

 

Not so Low Risk Strategy – Scalping

An example of a strategy that appears low risk at first, but can in fact be high risk is scalping.

Originating from financial trading, the term scalping refers to taking just a small number of ticks profit on slight fluctuations in prices. Often this can mean taking a profit from just one or two ticks movement in price.

Transferred to sports trading, the same principles apply. The aim of scalping is to get in and out of the markets quickly, taking a couple of ticks here and there and repeating it over and over, to build up profits gradually.

One market in which scalping is popular is the over/under 2.5 goals market in football. This market tends to move sharply downwards during a game if no goals are scored, allowing a profit to be made in a minute or less.

In theory, it can appear to be quite an attractive option. If not much is happening in a game and few chances are being created, the odds can move down quite quickly and a nice little profit can be secured. If there is an injury break it can be even easier to scalp a few ticks profit.

If a goal is scored during the brief period when you are trying to scalp, the trade will become a losing one. In itself, that is not really a problem. A good scalping trade can still be a profitable one, even taking into the account the risk of a goal being scored.

Let’s say for example that the under 2.5 goals is 2.0 in a match.

It might only take a minute for it to hit 1.97, leading to a profit of £1.50 from a £100 stake.

If there was a goal, the odds would be likely to jump to around 4.0, leading to a loss of approximately -£50.

The chances of a goal being scored in one minute are normally very low however – around 1-2% in most games (unless it happens to be very attacking).

So the trade is in itself a profitable setup – producing a profit of around 3% of the liability (£1.50 profit from a £50 liability) if a goal isn’t scored, but there being a probability of only 1-2% of a goal being scored.

However, the wrinkle in this strategy comes when a second goal comes very quickly – too quickly for you to trade out.

In this scenario, the loss would be much greater as the odds for under 2.5 goals would spike to around 10. 

This would make it questionable as to whether the trade was worth taking with a loss of around 80% of the stake.  

Although it doesn’t happen very often, two goals in quick succession does happen sometimes – more often than you might think. 

The other risk with the trade is that sometimes the odds get “stuck” and don’t move downwards at all for a good 2 or 3 minutes. This could be because the game is in an attacking phase, but sometimes is just the random movements of the market. It can be frustrating when this happens and there isn’t a lot you can do about it when scalping – it is just part of the process. 

In any event. this is an example of a Betfair trading strategy that on the face of it is low risk, but in practice can be higher risk than it seems and lead to bigger than expected losses.  

If you are looking for profitable football trading strategies, together with stats and guidance from professional traders, we would recommend checking out the award-winning Goal Profits here which has been fully reviewed and received a passed rating here at HBR. 

 

Lay the Draw (low risk and high risk approaches)

In a similar vein is the popular lay the draw strategy. There are many ways you can play the lay the draw trade, with different approaches having varying risk levels. 

The most basic lay the draw trade carries quite a lot of risk and is best approached with caution. 

In this setup, we just lay the draw at the outset of the game and wait for there to be a goal. So if we take the example below of Juventus v Lazio, we could lay the draw at 3.55 before the start of the game. 

Then we would hope there is a goal in the game. If there is, we should see the draw odds move to at least 4.0, giving us a profitable trade with a profit of around £1 from a lay stake of £10 (or a liability of £25.50).  

In the event there was a goal for Juventus after 44 minutes which gave a clear profit on the trade.

Lay the draw traders look for lots of these small wins to add up and produce steady bank growth. 

However, the risk with this setup is that if there is no goal, you risk losing your entire stake. 

Some traders therefore like to mitigate this risk by either trading out if there is no goal by around 65 minutes in the game, or backing the 0-0 scoreline to cover the liability on the goalless draw. 

Both of those approaches are valid and give us a trading strategy with much lower risk, but at the same time reduce the potential profit should the trade go right. 

It is also worth bearing in mind that much like the scalping strategy described above, two quick goals being scored before you can trade out can be very damaging. 

For example, there may be no goal until very late into a match, with the deadlock finally being broken in the last 10 minutes. This would give the opportunity for a very profitable trade, with the odds on the draw soaring. 

However, if there is an equalizer before you have had the chance to trade out, it could leave you staring at a large loss. 

Even trading out earlier in the game at 65 minutes has the risk of this happening, although at least in that case the loss would be smaller than it happening right at the end of the game. 

At the same time, if there was another quick goal before you could trade out it could go 2-0 rather than 1-1, thus landing a very healthy profit. 

Either way though, it is worth thinking about how you set up a lay the draw trade and how much liability you have if the game went 1-1 before you had the chance to trade out. 

Some traders like to only lay the draw in the first half so it is not too damaging if that scenario does happen.  

Overall then, lay the draw can work well as a low risk trading strategy if set up correctly – although it is tough to entirely eliminate risk from the trade. 

 

Tennis – the Double-Break Strategy

A low risk trading strategy that can work very well is the double-break strategy in tennis. This works best in women’s matches where breaks of serve are more common than in the men’s game. 

Essentially what you are looking for is a situation where a player goes a double break of serve up in a set. So that could be 3-0, 4-0, or 4-1 for example depending on who has served first. 

At that stage, the market will presume that the set is effectively over. However, contrary to what you might think, it is actually a good time to lay the player who is ahead. 

Let’s say a player starts a match at 1.90 and goes a double-break up in the first set at 3-0. At that stage, their odds may well fall to around 1.30. The presumption, as we say, is that they already have the set locked up.

However, in women’s matches in particular, there is actually a reasonable chance of a break back in the set. For an average server on the WTA Tour who is a double break up, there is an almost 50% chance they will be broken back at least once in the set and around a 15% chance they will lose the double break. 

Those are much higher numbers than most people would expect and mean you could make good profit from laying the player who is a double break up at 1.30. 

If they go on to be broken back once, those odds could easily shift to around 1.50-1.60, giving you a nice profit if you wanted to cash out at that stage. 

Or you could wait to see if they lose the double break entirely, which would see their odds return back close to the 1.90 they were originally. 

Alternatively you might choose something between the two, perhaps trading out half your position after one break back and waiting to see if they can get the double break back before trading the rest out. 

The beauty of this trade is that even if the player goes on to win the set without dropping serve, their odds won’t move much. Often the odds will still be around 1.30 at the end of the set, give or take a tick or two. Sometimes they are even above 1.30, meaning you profit anyway! 

So it’s a very low risk trade with considerable upside – and at least one break back happens more often than most people realise.  

If you are looking for more tennis trading strategies like this, we would recommend checking out Tennis Profits which is a complete trading package including stats, analysis and live trading by a professional trader. 

 

 

Golf – The Short-Term Strategy

Another relatively low-risk trading strategy comes in the golf markets and revolves around short term trades based on the in-play action.

This can be as short as trading over a hole a player plays or even just a shot they take. In essence it is about anticipating probabilities and how odds are likely to move based on what a player does. 

 

For example, a very simple trade would be to back a player before they are about to play an easy par 5 and lay them when they have finished it. Hopefully they will have birdied – and even eagled – it giving you a nice profit on your trade. 

The chances of a player making a birdie on a straightforward, reachable par 5 is pretty high these days, particularly if that player is in good form and driving the ball well. If they don’t make a birdie, the odds may only drift slightly, versus a bigger steam in if they make a birdie or eagle. 

Another example could be a player who is about to take a 20 foot putt for birdie. The market normally presumes they won’t make the putt, so in most instances there won’t be much of a move either way if the player two putts for a par, which is what will happen on most occasions.  

However, if the player does make a birdie then their odds will get a nice move in, allowing you to secure a profit from backing them before they putt and trading out afterwards.

This can work in reverse too for when a player faces a tough shot. There was a particular instance a couple of years ago at a European Tour event at the Le Golf National in France. 

At a tough par 3 over water, the wind was up and making it treacherous for the players. One after another they were stepping up and hitting it into the water or the high rough around the green, making bogey, double bogey or worse.

It was a great opportunity to lay players before they teed off and back them after they had finished the hole. Making a par wouldn’t push their odds in dramatically as they wouldn’t actually be moving up the leaderboard, but after a disaster on the hole their odds could easily double or more.

There are many chances to trade golf events in this fashion. It takes some practice to get a feel for when is best to trade and to know which players present the best opportunities. Good putters like Phil Mickelson in his prime or Jordan Spieth can be the best choices for the 20 foot putt strategy for example. 

It is also best to use this strategy on favourites (or those towards the top of the market) where there is decent liquidity and towards the end of a tournament (rounds 3 & 4) rather than at the beginning, so there are clear odds movements. 

With some practice it can work very well though and for low risk can produce some very decent returns. 

If you are looking to make a profit on the golf you can check out our top recommended golf tipsters here.

 

 

 

 

 

Breaking Records: The Legendary Football Matches with the Most Goals Scored

In the world of football, there are matches that etch themselves into history with their sheer spectacle and awe-inspiring goal counts.

These legendary clashes capture the hearts of fans and leave them in a state of euphoria.

Today, we embark on a journey through time to explore the football matches that broke all records, delivering an unprecedented number of goals.

From goal-fests that had spectators on the edge of their seats to matches that showcased the incredible talents of both teams, to lop-sided affairs and players deliberately scoring own goals, to allegations of match-fixing, we delve into the stories behind these epic encounters.

Prepare to be amazed as we relive the excitement and drama of these historic battles on the pitch.

 

Importance of goals in football

Football is a game of passion, skill, and strategy, where the ultimate objective is to put the ball into the back of the net. Goals are what make the game exciting and unpredictable.

They are the moments that ignite the crowd, create heroes, and define the outcome of a match.

Whether it’s a beautiful curling shot into the top corner or a scrappy tap-in from close range, every goal has the power to change the course of a game and leave a lasting impact on the players and fans.

In the history of football, there have been matches that have stood out for their extraordinary goal-scoring feats.

These matches have become the stuff of legends, talked about for years to come. Let’s dive into some of the record-breaking matches that have amazed and enthralled football enthusiasts around the world.

 

Guinness World Record for most goals scored in a single match

When it comes to record-breaking goal counts, the Guinness World Records hold the ultimate authority. The record for the most goals scored in a single match is an astonishing one.

The honor goes to a match that took place in Madagascar in 2002, where AS Adema beat Stade Olympique L’Emyrne (SOE) with an incredible scoreline of 149-0.

Although SOE had triumphed in the THB Champions League in 2001, their hopes were dashed in the following year. A draw in the penultimate match sealed their fate, handing AS Adema the trophy before the final showdown.

In the contentious penultimate game, SO L’Emyrne faced a late penalty decision that sparked protest among the team due to its questionable nature.

In response, they took an unconventional approach in the last match against AS Adema. Right from the start, SO L’Emyrne players deliberately scored own goals. They kept on going, racking up as high a losing score as they could, to the amazement of all those watching. 

The result was an astonishing 149-0 victory for AS Adema, shattering the record for the highest-scoring match by a wide margin.

Despite the audacious stunt, the consequences were severe. The coach of SO L’Emyrne and four players, including the Madagascan national team captain, lost their jobs, receiving three-year bans from the national Football Association.

Nevertheless, the orchestrated defeat secured an unexpected place for SO L’Emyrne in the Guinness Book of Records – and footballing folklore.

 

Check out this top football tipster with over 200 points profit made, fully verified.

 

Other Memorable High-Scoring Matches

That Madagascan match wasn’t the only high-scoring game in football history however. A few others that stand out for extraordinary scoring include: 

  • Plateau United Founders 79-0 Akurba – this match involved two teams from the lower leagues of Nigerian football in July 2013. After finishing the first half 7-0 down, Akurba completely capitulated, even scoring own goals and allowing free shots on goal from their opponents. The events on the pitch aroused obvious suspicions of match-fixing and after an investigation the Nigerian Football Federation ended up banning both clubs for ten years, with the players and officials receiving lifetime bans. 
  • Police Machine FC 67-0 Bubayaro FC – very similar circumstances surrounded another Nigerian match, played on the same day as the match above. Bubayaro stood six-nil down at half-time but then proceeded on the same path as Akurba, conceding goal after goal in highly suspicious fashion. The clubs and players suffered the same fate as those above, with the Nigerian Football Federation promising to stamp out match-fixing in their national football leagues.
  • Vanuatu 46-0 Micronesia – this match played in 2015 highlighted the challenges faced by some Pacific island teams due to limited funds and a small player pool. This predicament often leads to high-scoring international games involving teams from this region. Perhaps the most extreme example is Micronesia, considered by many to be the world’s worst footballing nation. During the 2015 Pacific Games tournament, they conceded an astounding 114 goals across three games, with this 46-0 defeat to Vanuatu ranking as their most serious drubbing. 
  • Arbroath 36-0 Bon Accord – In a match that remains the largest margin of victory in a competitive Scottish game, Abroath triumphed over the newly-formed Scottish side Bon Accord in 1885. This significant achievement occurred in the first round of the Scottish Cup, taking place at Arbroath’s Gayfield ground. This historic victory has contributed to the stadium’s reputation as an exceptionally challenging venue for opposing teams over the years.

So some huge scores there – ones it must have been tough to endure if you were on the losing side! 

Highest Scoring Premier League Game 

The highest scoring Premier League game to date was an eleven-goal thriller between Portsmouth and Reading in 2007, which finished 7-4 to Portsmouth. 

Interestingly the game had nine different goalscorers, which also ties the record for most different scorers in a Premier League game, along with the 5-4 match between Arsenal and Spurs in November 2004. 

Portsmouth striker Mpenjani “Benjani” Mwaruwari scored a hat-trick in the game as the hosts ran out comfortable winners in the end, despite only leading 2-1 at half-time.

Five goals were scored in the last fifteen minutes as the game turned into a scoring frenzy. 

Other high-scoring Premier League games include Spurs 6-4 victory over Reading (who were again involved in a goalfest in that 2007-8 season), Arsenal’s 7-3 thrashing of Newcastle in 2012, Spurs’ 9-1 drubbing of Wigan Athletic in 2009 and West Brom’s 5-5 draw against Manchester Utd in 2013.

Prior to the formation of the Premier League in 1992, the highest-scoring games in the old First Division were Nottingham Forest’s 12-0 victory over Leicester City in 1909 and West Brom’s 12-0 defeat of Darwen in 1982.

Not good days out for the travelling fans in those games! 

 

Most goals scored by a player in a single match

Apart from the Guinness World Record, there are notable matches where players have showcased their attacking prowess by scoring an extraordinary number of goals.

One such match occurred in 2001 when Australia’s Archie Thompson scored an incredible 13 goals in a World Cup qualifier against American Samoa, the most goals scored by a player in a single match.

Australia went on to win the match with a staggering scoreline of 31-0, setting a record for the most goals scored by a team in an international match.

This record-breaking performance not only showcased Thompson’s exceptional abilities but also highlighted the vast disparity in skill and resources between the two teams.

Matches like these raise questions about the fairness and competitiveness of certain competitions, emphasizing the need for a balanced and inclusive approach to the development of football globally.

Other outstanding individual records

While team records are impressive, individual records for most goals scored in a match can be equally awe-inspiring.

Another name that stands out in this regard is that of Bican, who scored an astonishing 10 goals in a single match in 1939.

His feat came while playing for Slavia Prague against ČAFC Prague, solidifying his place in football history. 

Bican’s achievement serves as a testament to the incredible skill and determination of individual players, as well as the importance of teamwork in creating opportunities for goal-scoring.

 

Check out our list of the Best Football Tipsters here

 

Memorable matches with high goal-scoring

While breaking records is impressive, it is the memorable matches that truly captivate the hearts and minds of football fans.

These matches are not just about the number of goals scored but also the drama, skill, and sheer entertainment they provide.

One such match was between Manchester United and Arsenal in 2011.

This highly anticipated clash between two English football giants saw a total of ten goals being scored, with Manchester United eventually coming out on top with a 8-2 victory.

The contest is unofficially referred to as the “Battle of the Buffet” after a previous encounter was marred by controversies, including a pizza being thrown at Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The 8-2 loss was Arsenal’s biggest league defeat since 1927 and represented a humbling experience for the visitors and manager Arsene Wenger in particular, made all the worse by his rival Alex Ferguson claiming he would “not have allowed” such a long run without winning a trophy as Arsenal had suffered under his opponent.

The game was marked by a hat-trick from England striker Wayne Rooney and a brace from his compatriot Ashley Young. United went into the half-time break 3-1 up and extended their lead with five more goals in the second half. 

The sheer intensity and quality of football displayed in this match made it an instant classic and a talking point for years to come – for Man Utd fans at least!

 

Impact of high-scoring matches on the sport

High-scoring matches have a significant impact on the sport of football. They create excitement, attract new fans, and generate memorable moments that become part of football’s rich tapestry.

These matches showcase the beauty of the game, the skill of the players, and the passion of the supporters.

From a marketing perspective, high-scoring matches are often seen as more entertaining and can attract larger audiences. They create a buzz around the sport, leading to increased ticket sales, TV ratings, and sponsorship opportunities.

The unpredictability and goal-scoring prowess displayed in these matches make football a compelling product that captures the attention of fans and advertisers alike.

 

Controversies surrounding record-breaking matches

Record-breaking matches are not without their fair share of controversies however. Whether it’s a lopsided scoreline, questionable refereeing decisions, or allegations of unsportsmanlike conduct or even match-fixing, these matches often spark debates and discussions among fans and pundits.

Some argue that such matches tarnish the integrity of the sport, while others see them as a unique and rare occurrence that adds excitement to the game.

The controversies surrounding record-breaking matches raise important questions about fairness, competitiveness, and the overall structure of football competitions.

They serve as a reminder that while goals and high-scoring matches are thrilling, they should be achieved within a framework that upholds the principles of fair play and sportsmanship.

 

Conclusion: The thrill of record-breaking football matches

In the world of football, record-breaking matches with the most goals scored are a testament to the extraordinary talent, passion, and drama that the sport offers.

These matches capture the imagination of fans, leaving them in awe of the beautiful game. Whether it’s a historic clash that sets a Guinness World Record or a memorable encounter that lives on in the collective memory, these matches define the essence of football.

As we celebrate the moments that have shaped football history, we are reminded of the power of goals to inspire, unite, and create lasting memories.

From breathtaking performances to unforgettable goals, the legendary football matches with the most goals scored continue to captivate and mesmerize. They remind us why football is more than just a sport—it is a universal language that brings people together and ignites the passion within us all.

Get Free Footy Tips from Pro Tipsters Here

 

Bridging the Thrill: Comparing Emotions in Betting and Casino Gaming

Photo by Carl Raw on Unsplash

Few experiences compare to the heart-pounding, adrenaline-fueled rush of betting and casino gambling in the wide range of human emotions.

It’s a journey through exciting and anticipatory landscapes rather than merely a dice roll or a wheel spin. Let’s examine how these two domains uniquely bridge the thrill by delving into their emotional fabric.

The Rollercoaster of Anticipation

Imagine this scene – as the roulette wheel starts its captivating spin, everyone’s attention is focused on the small ball twirling around its edge.

The players hold their breath then, hoping that good fortune will favor them. A casino becomes a theater of dreams because of the shared excitement and the suspense that fills the air.

Similarly, betting involves a symphony of anxieties and expectations leading up to the result, whether on horse races or sporting events. The emotional crescendo climaxes when the final whistle sounds or the finish line is crossed because every second counts. A social link is formed by bettors’ shared expectations as if they are all experiencing the same emotional rollercoaster.

For beginners, deciding how to begin their casino journey can be a daunting task. This is when one can check out the best online casinos. The website provides reviews of the top online casinos in Canada by experts so that you get all the information you need to make the right decision.

The Ecstasy of Victory and Agony of Defeat

There is a rush of excitement when you win a bet or hit the jackpot on a slot machine. It’s a triumphant moment that lights up the room, an emotional high that surpasses material winnings. It’s evident that winners have a strong bond – it’s a communal celebration that turns strangers into partners in success.

On the other hand, the pain of failure is just as powerful. The pain is experienced personally, regardless of whether it is a bad hand at poker or a lost bet on the underdog.

However, it is in these times of loss that the human spirit’s resiliency is put to the test. It’s not only about losing. It’s also about resilience to try again and accept that these games of chance are unpredictable.

The Social Symphony

Beyond the chips and cards, the spinning wheels and flashing lights lie the core of casinos and betting shops – the social experience.

These are locations where people make new friendships, laughing and banter fill the air, and the shared excitement brings strangers together in a temporary alliance.

The social side of these activities is just as important as the games themselves. Human interaction intertwines with the games, resulting in a vibrant ambiance surpassing other activities’ lonely nature.

Skill and Chance

There is a careful balance of skill and chance in both betting and casino gambling. Card games like poker necessitate strategic thinking and psychological aptitude, while games of chance, like slots or roulette, rely on luck’s fickle embrace.

This dynamic interplay provides depth to the emotional experience, from the satisfaction of a well-played hand to the adrenaline of a lucky break. Additionally, there’s more excitement than just the gaming tables.

Whether it’s an evening spent at the casino or a casual bet among friends, the memories made stay with the people.

Wrapping Up

Gambling and betting are emotional journeys, not just financial wins or losses. They are about the human relationships made amid the uncertainty of the games, the shared laughter, and the pounding hearts.

In navigating these realms, one chases fortunes and creates memories that echo through time. Therefore, relish the emotions, embrace the uncertainty, and enjoy the shared thrill.

 

Author: Barbara Freeland

Barbara Freeland is a seasoned writer and sports enthusiast. Having worked with brands across the globe, she has decades of experience in the creative and writing industry. When Barbara is not busy writing, she can play games with her friends in her living room or at a nearby casino.

 

 

 

 

How Does Rhino Hold Up as a Premier League Betting Platform?

When it comes to sports betting, few can rival the continued high volumes wagered on the Premier League.

The UK’s top-tier football competition is watched around the world by millions of fans, and from them, torrents of bets get placed on every game. Some estimate that around €1 billion is bet on each game; other figures from 2020/21 put the amount bet on the Premier League as close to €70 billion. Either way, it’s a huge sum of bets.

The appeal is easy to see. It’s one of the most competitive top-tier leagues for the most popular sport in the world. The top of the table isn’t all that matters, either.

The battle to avoid relegation is huge, and that can even bleed into Championship interest, where getting promoted awards the famed TV money, accounting for a payday of at least £100 million.

This is where Rhino comes into play. The sports betting platform covers all sports, but there is a particular focus on Premier League action when it comes to some of its extra elements. Here’s a look at how well the site holds up as a dedicated hub for betting on the supremely popular division.

Deep markets, strong odds, and in-play betting


Source: Unsplash via Braden Hopkins

It’d be fair to say that Rhino offers one of the smoothest online sports betting UK platform experiences going, with the layout of the site, dropdown sections, and overall speed making for a seamless way to bet. It’s quick and easy to get to any sport via the menu or scroll, the main odds can be tapped in from the home page, and in-play or extended markets are just a quick click away.

For the commonplace long list of upcoming Premier League games and the home, draw, and away odds, you can scroll through the Football section, select the competition directly from the top, or use the tabs.

Alternatively, you can go to the Premier League page. Here, you flick between game hubs and check out expected and real line-ups, live stats, head-to-head scores, incidents, heaps of stats, and the current standings.

Both in-play and pre-match, the markets run deep. On the pre-match screen, there are 120 markets to open up and explore, some of which have several betting options – like the first, anytime, and hat-trick Player to Score odds.

You’ve got the handicaps, totals, to win to nil markets, bookings, clean sheets, half-time results, corners, results, and a bunch more. Plus, there are the Bet Builder and Cashout options to utilise.

Extras for the Premier League bettors


Source: Kelvin Stuttard from Pixabay

Any good bettor will do their research first, and in the Premier League, there are few better stats resources than WhoScored. Rhino, however, does offer such a range of stats that it might be WH’s closest rival from the betting space. The game pages are loaded with stats, as mentioned before, but there are even individual team and player pages to explore.

For players, those who like their player markets will be particularly pleased. You can select any player at any Premier League club and see stats on header shots, left foot shots, right foot goals, what kind of attacks result in goals, how many times they’ve hit the woodwork, fouls, offsides, minutes, where they shoot from, and more.

It’s a truly valuable resource that’s just bundled in for anyone who visits the Rhino platform.

Rhino does everything that you’d expect and want from a betting platform very well, but clearly goes that extra mile to create a one-stop betting hub for Premier League wagering.

 

 

 

 

 

Join the Live Webinar: Oddball Laying Strategy Explained

We’d like to draw your attention to a special webinar being held tomorrow that you won’t want to miss.

It’s the Second Class Racing Live Q&A, which is being held at 7pm (GMT) on Tuesday 23rd January.

Reserve your free space here.

The goal of this event is simple: to introduce you to Mel Gee’s ‘oddball’ lay betting strategy…

Which, since the launch of his lay betting service, Second Class Racing…

Has had 9 out of 11 winning weeks – making 48 points, or £480 to £10 stakes.

We’ve been running our own review of the service here at Honest Betting Reviews and it has been going well, with promising results so far.

In the Q&A, the Bet Chat team will…

➡️ Break down Mel’s Second Class Racing strategy track record since launch…

➡️ Tell you why this is NOT like other lay betting strategies or services out there…

➡️ And then bring on Mel so you can ask him all your questions – about the strategy, lay betting in general, or how he stays looking so youthful!

And you’ll get the chance to be part of Second Class Racing, the service he’s built around it…

Reserve your free space now.

 

 

 

 

All Online Casino Markets: The Intersection of Sports and Gambling Trends Worldwide

Source: Freepik

As entertainment and sports intersect with technology, conventional media is converging with advanced gambling platforms. The lines between the two keep becoming blurred, with a large number of companies embracing the combination of sports streaming and sports betting. The trend is here to stay.

Growing Popularity of Online Sports Betting

Online sports betting is a colossal industry, incorporating a range of sports including basketball, football, horse racing, tennis, and more. The digital platforms have enabled players to place their bets in real-time, diversifying the conventional betting experience and offering a haven for sports enthusiasts to engage and converge.

The surge in online sports betting is contributing to the increased consumption of sports events, efficaciously reshaping the sports viewership landscape and fan engagement.

Online Gambling Is a Multifaceted Domain

The online gambling industry is confined to sports betting but extends to encompass a wide range of activities, including slots, poker, table games, and other casino games.

The digital evolution enables gambling enthusiasts to experience the thrill of gambling from the comfort of their homes. Thus, it contributes to its ever-growing popularity.

The variety, convenience, and accessibility of online gambling platforms are developing a dynamic environment where gamblers can explore multiple betting options and gaming opportunities.

The Strong Presence of Online Casinos

In tandem with online sports betting, online casinos are burgeoning as a strong component of the internet gambling universe.

With live dealer games, advanced graphics, and a myriad of gaming options, online casinos are becoming the go-to platform for many looking for winnings and excitement. These platforms offer an immersive experience, bringing the fun of Las Vegas directly to the screens of the users, offering a diverse range of games, such as slots, blackjack, roulette, etc.

Digital Transformation at a Faster Rate

The pie is only growing bigger with more companies and users setting foot in the industry. As businesses keep opening new digital channels, there will be new opportunities for the industry to grab new customers. In the process, millennials who are more likely to interact virtually will be attracted by the online activities that might increase the foot traffic in online casinos.

Customers look for customization, speed, and convenience. Online gambling is a highly regulated industry. Every state has its regulations and creates sections in the industry that make it challenging for companies to leverage innovative measures.

Banking Methods in the Online Casino Market

For online casinos, it is important to check you can deposit easily, securely, and quickly. As online gambling continues rising in popularity, offering players convenience. Using digital payment methods in online gambling platforms offers players a higher degree of convenience.

Players can access their favourite casino games from anywhere they want, provided they have an internet connection on their device. Moreover, as online casinos become more popular, more secure banking methods are being developed, enabling smoother and safer transactions.

Digital banking methods have come a long way with various methods designed to make transactions more secure and convenient. Popular payment methods include credit/debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies.

Based on the location and platform, players will find other banking methods in all online casino markets. These payment methods provide different levels of security and convenience. Thus, users must be aware of the various banking methods and select the ones that best fit their requirements.

As online casinos continue to use the latest banking technology, these methods are highly secure. Credit/debit cards and bank transfers, for instance, have significantly improved the security of transactions, offering a high protection level against online theft and fraud.

Additionally, online casinos are using two-factor authentication technology and data encryption, adding a layer of security to protect user funds and information.

Source: Freepik

Ensuring the Safety of Your Payments in the Online Casino Market

When money is concerned, you can never be too safe. It is the reason it is important to choose a reputable gambling site that takes security seriously. So, you should choose an online casino that follows the standards given below to ensure your financial security.

1.     Data Protection and Encryption

Ensure your online casino prioritizes robust data protection and encryption technologies to secure the financial information you share. This safeguards against the risk of unauthorized access by hackers or third-party entities. The implementation of watertight security measures is crucial to maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of your financial details, assuring players that their sensitive information remains safe and protected within the digital gaming environment.

2.     Licensing and Regulation

When selecting an online platform, it’s crucial to verify its licensing and regulation by a reputable authority. It ensures robust financial protection. Rigorous regulatory bodies issue licenses to operators demonstrating unwavering dedication to player security and effective safeguards against financial fraud.

This regulatory oversight provides users with confidence in the platform’s integrity, emphasizing the importance of choosing sites endorsed by credible authorities for a secure and trustworthy online experience.

 

 

 

 

Laying Horses For a Living

The notion of making a livelihood by laying horses appears quite appealing. After all, if bookmakers can do it, why shouldn’t we? It seems relatively simple to choose horses to lose, certainly easier than selecting winners anyway.

Yet, the truth is that earning any income from laying horses is challenging, let alone sustaining a living from it. Only a select few expert bettors can successfully navigate this path, requiring a considerable amount of skill.

In the following discussion, we explore the reasons behind this challenge and then examine some strategies that may offer a chance to profit from laying.

 

Why is it so Hard to Make Money from Laying Horses?

With the introduction of betting exchanges like Betfair, punters gained the opportunity to lay horses, a privilege previously exclusive to bookmakers who accepted bets on them.

The logic behind laying is grounded in the fact that only one horse can win a race, seemingly increasing the likelihood of success. Additionally, there are always underperforming contenders, those perennially finishing second or third but never claiming victory, or horses facing unsuitable race conditions.

However, the harsh reality is that turning a profit from laying is a very tough task.

A contributing factor to this challenge is that when laying at BSP (Betfair Starting Price), the odds are typically around 20% higher than the industry starting price (ISP) at which bookmakers operate—or close to it when accepting early-day bets.

Bookmakers incorporate an over-round, enabling them to offer less favorable odds than a horse’s true chances of winning, confident that punters will still place their bets.

Punters, lacking this advantage, must surpass bookmakers in skill when predicting which horses are likely to lose and represent poor value. While this is a formidable challenge, it is not insurmountable, as we’ll explore below.

 

A Few Pointers on Lay Betting 

Before delving into successful lay betting strategies, it’s crucial to understand some key fundamentals of laying that are essential for making it work in the long run. 

  • Staking: An integral aspect of lay betting involves meticulous consideration of your stakes. When laying a horse at odds of 11.0 for instance, you’re risking ten times your stake, resulting in higher liabilities compared to back betting. It’s imperative to assess how much you can afford to lose if the horse you’re laying emerges victorious and adjust your stake accordingly. Despite the increased liabilities, laying often comes with a higher strike rate than back betting, offering upsides to compensate.
  • Betting Bank: Your choice of a betting bank depends on the odds at which you’re laying. Planning for adverse scenarios is prudent when determining your starting bank. For instance, if you’re laying at average odds of 5.0 and your starting bank is £1,000, consider laying with a stake of £10. This would limit potential losses on a selection to £40, constituting 4% of your bank.
  • Staking Methods: Decide whether to employ a fixed liability or fixed stake. With fixed liability, you risk the same amount regardless of the odds. In contrast, fixed staking involves using the same amount irrespective of varying odds. Factor in commission, considering that even with Betfair’s 2% option (down from 5%), your laying activity needs to overcome this commission. In essence, you should aim for an edge of at least 3% over the market.

Now that we’ve covered these fundamental aspects of lay betting, let’s explore some strategies for laying with the aim of turning a profit.

 

Do Some People Really Lay Horses for a Living?

As previously acknowledged, generating income through laying horses poses significant challenges. This might lead you to question whether there are individuals who genuinely make a living from laying horses.

Indeed, there are fewer individuals who derive their livelihood from laying horses compared to those who make a living from backing them.

Notably, when exploring literature about professional punters such as Alex Bird, Patrick Veitch, and Dave Nevison, their focus often revolves around identifying long-shot value selections with odds of 20/1 and above.

Certainly, the fact that fewer individuals make a living from laying horses than backing doesn’t dismiss the possibility altogether.

There are indeed a select few elite individuals who consistently profit from laying, a subject we’ll explore further below.

The critical factors that allow them to do so include a deep understanding of identifying undervalued losers and implementing the effective bank management and staking strategies discussed earlier.

In a literal sense, there are people who lay horses for a living – the bookies. Whether they’re prominent online platforms like Bet365 or the individuals you encounter at the racecourse with their odds boards and wads of notes, bookmakers tend to thrive in this endeavor.

However, our focus here is on professional punters utilizing betting exchanges and the specific strategies they employ to make a living from laying.

 

The Expert Strategies for Laying Horses 

Okay, so let’s take a look at some expert strategies for laying horses on Betfair. These are the best ones we have found through years of research and testing strategies here at Honest Betting Reviews and are the kinds of approaches that professional layers take.

 

Low Liability Laying

Among the highly successful horse racing laying systems, one that stands out is the low-liability strategy known as Little Acorns.

This approach has demonstrated its effectiveness over a span of more than ten years. The longevity of a strategy is often considered the ultimate test of its robustness, and Little Acorns has certainly passed this examination with flying colors.

The Little Acorns system, introduced in 2009, has established itself as one of the most successful horse racing laying systems, boasting a track record of consistent profitability spanning over a decade.

The system relies on four straightforward rules and entails laying horses at odds-on (less than 2.0 on Betfair).

This strategy has not only made a healthy profit every year since its inception but has also undergone scrutiny, including our review that resulted in a solid 189 points profit, earning it a clear passed rating.

Little Acorns has received various accolades, including the Best Horse Racing Service 2020 award, as voted for by our members.

The system offers flexibility in staking options, presenting a choice between the higher-risk loss-recovery Fibonacci staking method and the safer but less profitable level stakes approach.

While the intricacies of how Little Acorns works are kept confidential, the system essentially identifies hot favorites with certain unfavorable characteristics, making them poor value to back and good value to lay.

Its enduring success has garnered a loyal following, with many users gradually building their stakes over the years to achieve substantial profits.

The system’s philosophy, encapsulated in its name, “From little acorns do mighty oaks grow,” underscores the idea of consistent, incremental profit growth.

Laying at odds-on ensures ample liquidity, eliminating concerns about multiple members laying the same horse and affecting prices. In the realm of expert laying strategies for horses, Little Acorns stands out as a tried and tested option.

 

Exponential Bet

The tools available to bettors in this day and age are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Back in the pre-internet days, a budding punter would only have a copy of the Racing Post, a racecard and maybe some “stable tips” to go on when trying to make their selections. 

Nowadays there is a wealth of information available online at the click of a mouse and all kinds of online tools to assist bettors. In particular there are now betting bots and automated systems that you can use to execute sophisticated betting strategies for you. 

One such suite of tools, which has a special focus on laying systems, is from the Exponential Bet team. Working in partnership with renowned bot developer Nigel Dove of Levelsoftware, they have developed laying systems that place bets automatically for you on Betfair. This happens through their Cloud Bet Bot software, which (as the name suggests) runs remotely on the cloud so doesn’t even need a VPS or leaving your computer on day and night to operate. Once set up, it just runs automatically in the background.

It is quite amazing to see this kind of technology available now and it opens up so many possibilities in the world of betting. Exponential Bet have a range of systems available. Their original approach was built around dutching and in-play betting, which we reviewed here, but they have evolved to develop laying systems including their “Lay Dutching” and “Racing Lays” strategies and are constantly testing out new strategies.

With this kind of technology available – in addition to trading software like Bet Angel and Fairbot that have options for automation – there are possibilities for developing sophisticated laying strategies that take advantage of factors like movements in the market, perceived value and other indicators to cream off small but regular profits. 

We see services like Exponential Bet as the future of betting and expect more tools like this to be released, giving users a potential edge over the market in their laying.

 

Over-Hyped Favourites

One of the straightforward yet effective laying strategies employed by professionals involves targeting over-hyped favorites.

This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in major racing meetings and festivals that receive extensive TV coverage and capture the attention of the average punter.

“Hot favorites” often become the focus of attention in publications like the Racing Post and are heavily tipped by popular tipsters.

This heavy endorsement tends to drive the odds down to levels below their true value.

The situation can escalate as TV pundits contribute to the hype, mentioning phrases like “this horse is being heavily backed” and “a lot of money has come in for this one.”

Such commentary can create a snowball effect, with more punters jumping on the bandwagon, further depressing the price. This cycle continues as the crashing odds attract additional punters, creating a self-perpetuating loop.

Extreme instances of this phenomenon are witnessed in so-called “betting coups” or “stable gambles.”

A recent example involved three horses from different yards lined up for a gamble on the same day. Multiple bets were placed the night before on Fire Away at 20/1, Blowing Dixie at 13/2, and Gallahers Cross at 33/1.

Bookmakers observed a series of substantial bets across various accounts, each poised to win hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Despite the horses being relative long-shots, the sizable liabilities raised concerns among bookmakers.

The bookmakers likely experienced heightened concern when the 20/1 shot Fire Away secured victory, getting the treble off to a successful start. 

The level of anxiety probably escalated further when Blowing Dixie also won its race just over an hour later, signaling that something unusual was occurring.

Word of the coup quickly spread across social media, with individuals sharing pictures of betting slips displaying substantial potential winnings if the final horse, Gallahers Cross, were to win its race. Mainstream media outlets picked up the story, amplifying the frenzy.

As the race approached, Gallahers Cross, initially priced at a massive 33/1 the night before, saw a dramatic shift in odds, being backed at odds-on.

This transformation occurred despite the horse’s recent poor performance, finishing last or next to last in four out of its last five races. The idea of this remarkable treble landing fueled the perception that it must be predestined or a setup.

The bookmakers, aware of the immense liabilities they were facing, slashed the odds, even though the actual chances of Gallahers Cross winning were far from better-than-even.

This created an enticing opportunity for laying, as the exuberance and hype had surpassed rational assessments of the horse’s true chances.

In the end, despite early promise in the race, Gallahers Cross finished well beaten into fourth place by over six lengths.

This scenario serves as a compelling example of exuberance and hype distorting the perceived likelihood of a horse winning a race. While the horse may have been targeted for this specific race, various challenges, including difficult conditions, strong competition, and the hurdles, could have derailed its performance.

The odds presented an excellent laying opportunity for those who recognized the disparity between perception and actual probability, allowing them to potentially profit with minimal liabilities.

 

The extreme example provided highlights a broader point about how hype and media attention can significantly skew odds.

While such instances are rare, less extreme examples occur regularly, especially with popular jockeys like Frankie Dettori, who can spark plunges on horses after early wins, particularly at major festivals like Royal Ascot.

Even at smaller meetings, there are frequent instances of hyped-up favorites and those deemed to have “everything in their favor” for a given day.

Interestingly, a study commissioned by Betfair contradicted the common belief that backing “steamers” – horses heavily backed in the market – is a profitable strategy. The research, based on a large sample size of bets, revealed that this approach was, in fact, unprofitable.

This emphasizes a key tool used by laying experts to generate profit: the ability to ignore the buzz surrounding horses that have been heavily backed and instead focus on a horse’s actual chances of winning a race.

By maintaining a clear-eyed perspective and avoiding the influence of market movements driven by hype, laying experts aim to make more informed decisions that align with the true probabilities of success.

 

 

Place Laying

Another potential laying strategy is to focus on the place market on Betfair rather than the win market. 

The advantages of this are that in general you will be laying at much lower odds than on the win market, thus limiting your liabilities and that whilst the focus of most punters is on the win market, little attention is paid to the place market leaving opportunities for the shrewd bettor.

The place markets are usually tied to the win markets but sometimes discrepancies do occur. Horse racing site flatstats have a “Win / Place Price Disparity” tool which can be useful for spotting such opportunities. The trick is to determine when such discrepancies are valid and when they are genuine errors in the market, which only time and practice, and a keen eye, can spot. 

There are also some horses who are ripe for laying in the place market due to being “all or nothing” types. These are the horses that tend to either win a race or crash out, but rarely place. They are the inconsistent sorts who can be ideal for place laying due to the way the place market tends to be priced up in relation to the win market rather than on its own merits.

 

Dobbing

Finally we have a strategy that involves both laying and backing and that is a practice known as “dobbing” (which might sound like something rude but in betting terms at least is not). We explain in more detail how it works here, but in short the acronym DOB stands for “double or bust” betting.

It involves finding those horses that are likely to shorten in price in-play. A DOB better would back such horses before a race and then lay them off in-play. Typically it would be at half the odds, so if backing at 4.0, they would lay at odds of 2.0, but that is not a hard-and-fast rule and can be adapted to the individual circumstances of the horse and race.

There are certain horses who are ideal for dobbing strategies including front runners and those who tend to go close in a high proportion of their races.

horse race

Front runner horses are ideal for dobbing.

There are now tools like Hedger Pro that can help identify such horses and provide back-to-lay trading opportunities.

It is surprising how often some horses shorten in price in-play and learning to spot such opportunities can be a lucrative endeavour for those shrewd enough to do it.

 

Conclusion – Laying Horses for a Living

Unless you happen to be a bookie, laying horses for a living is a tough task. There are a relatively small proportion of professional punters who make their income from laying as opposed to those who do so from backing horses.

That doesn’t mean it can’t be done however and there are increasingly sophisticated tools available now to aid punters in their quest to find successful lay bets.

We have outlined some of the best tools and strategies for laying above, to give a sense of how the experts do it and to hopefully aid you in your own lay betting.

As ever, whether you use one of the strategies set out above or your own laying system, please always gamble responsibly and only risk what you can afford to lose.

 

Members’ Choice Awards – Best Overall Betting Service 2023

So we come to the end of our awards for 2023, as voted for by you, the members of Honest Betting Reviews. There is just one award left to hand out – that of Best Overall Betting Service 2023.

Before we get onto that though, we just want to say it was great to see so much interest this year, with a huge number of people voting in the awards. 

We feel these awards are a good opportunity to mark out those services that have performed particularly well, introduced some new innovations and most importantly, hopefully made us all some extra income over the last year. 

In summary then, the winners we have had so far are:-

  • Best Horse Racing Service: The Bookies Enemy
  • Best Football Service: Predictology
  • Best (Other) Sports Service: Trade On Sports
  • Best Matched Betting Service: Profit Maximiser

Well done to all of those services on their awards. 

Anyway, now it is time to move on to the final award of Best Overall Betting Service.

Best Overall Betting Service 2023

So this award is for the best overall service across all categories,  whether that be matched betting, tipsters or trading services and in any sport.

It’s obviously the toughest award to win and the most sought after. 

Coming in third place this year was the winner of this award last year, Goal Profits. The football trading service is an-ever popular choice among members and continues to deliver the goods. 

In second place was winner of the Best Horse Racing award, The Bookies Enemy, which by the way just landed winners at 16/1 and 12/1 yesterday! 

Who won the award this time round though?

Well, there was a runaway winner of the award, notching up more votes than all the other services put together! 

We will also give honourable mentions to those who drew some support in the voting, including GeeGeez, Irish Cash Consortium and Hanbury Racing. 

This year’s resounding winner however was…

 

Predictology!

Yes after capturing the award of Best Football Service 2023 they have also run away with the spoils in the Best Overall Betting Service award. 

A huge congratulations to Jon Roberts who runs Predictology and his team on a lot of hard work that has gone into improving the service, which has been reflected in picking up these two gongs. 

Here is what Jon had to say on receiving news of the award: 

“Wow, to also be voted as the Best Betting Service for 2023, alongside the Best Football Service, is very humbling.

A huge thanks to you Dan, your readers, everyone who has voted for us and and everyone who has supported us over the last ten years.

We mentioned some of our key achievements in 2023 in the Best Football Award. Perhaps one that was overlooked was the launch of the Football Trading University in May, with over 250 students taking the course in 2023. The feedback from the FTU alumni has been amazing with so many sharing their success stories.

We’re supremely excited about what 2024 is going to bring and we feel this could be our biggest year yet with key focusing being:

– Automation
– Value
– Engagement
– Customisable Betting Solutions

Automation has been a major component of what we have offered for a number of years now. In fact, I’d go as far to say that, in many ways, we have been pioneers in creating and making available customisable automation solutions for both betting and trading.

This will continue to be a key focus for us in 2024 and only this week we launched version 1 of our new automated value betting solution. It identifies value betting opportunities, scans the betting exchanges and if the target price is available, bets into the market…all on auto-pilot for our members.

We provide a number of tools for members to quickly and effectively identify and take advantage of Value Opportunities in the market through our Value Trade Shortlists, Value Bets Live and AI generative analysis tools.

As alluded to above, we will be expanding our capabilities and effectiveness in this area alongside generating more automated solutions for locking in value.

Engagement with our members has always been a core focus for us. Over the years we have built up a strong community around the platform and make ourselves available in a number of ways including:

– Fast support response times
– Personalised guidance on betting strategy and betting portfolio development
– Discord community of over 2,000 members
– Extensive training and video guides throughout the site
– Live trading sessions held with Discord

YouTube has also emerged as a successful channel for us. We have posted more videos than ever before and even hosted our first live stream. We’ll be doubling down and providing a lot more content and engagement here in 2024.

The last pillar of our focus for 2024 is around “customisable betting solutions”. At this time, we can’t share much more detail on it but we are investing a significant amount of resources and finance into this project to provide a new and unique type of solution for bettors and traders. We can’t wait to share more on this towards the middle of 2024.

Once again, thank you Dan and to all those that voted. 2023 was already a fantastic year and this recognition from your readers has really put the cherry on the top for us.”

So well done again to Jon and his team and that wraps up our Members Choice Awards for this year.

Thanks to everyone who took part and has enjoyed Honest Betting Reviews over the last year. We really do appreciate your feedback, input and suggestions and we are looking forward to getting cracking on some exciting new reviews in the coming months (and a couple we have just started)! 

In the meantime you can check out Predictology for yourself here.

 

 

 

 

 

Members Choice Awards – Best Matched Betting Service 2023

Today we move on to the next in our series of awards voted for by you, the members of Honest Betting Reviews.

This time it’s the turn of the Best Matched Betting Service 2023. It’s normally a close-run thing in this category and this year was no exception. 

Matched betting was all the rage about five years ago with the bookies raining offers down on punters. It was quite easy to make good money from it for a while without needing to work too hard. 

The bookies did wise up it to eventually, so to make a profit from matched betting nowadays requires a bit more nous and skill. And probably the help of a good matched betting service! 

Anyway, without further ado let’s have a look at how the voting went this time round.

In third place was Outplayed (formerly Profit Accumulator), which won this award last year and made £2,822 in our review of it back in 2017. 

Taking the runner-up spot was Oddsmonkey, an ever-popular service that also passed a review here at Honest Betting Reviews and has remained a strong contender in this category ever since. 

But which service took the top slot this year?

 

Best Matched Betting Service 2023

Well this year’s winner is a service that has regained its crown after missing out on the top spot last year.

Yes, the winner is…

Profit Maximiser!

Congratulations to Mike Cruickshank, the developer of Profit Maximiser and generally known as the “doyen of matched betting.”

Profit Maximiser is the original – and we would argue, best – matched betting service and it continues to innovate and develop in reaction to the bookies’ behaviour. 

After missing out last year, this makes it the fifth time Profit Maximiser has won this award, an unprecedented achievement. It cements PM’s place as the number one matched betting choice amongst our members.

Here is how the voting went:-

  1. Profit Maximiser
  2. Oddsmonkey
  3. Outplayed (formerly Profit Accumulator)

It was a close contest this year, with Profit Maximiser narrowly edging out the competition to capture the top prize. 

Here is what Mike had to say on receiving news of the award:

“We are thrilled to once again be recognised as the UK’s top matched betting service. This award is a testament to the outstanding work and dedication of our entire team over the past year. We are grateful to our community for voting for us and recognising our efforts to provide an unparalleled matched betting service. Thank you to everyone who supported us along the way.”

Well done to Mike and his team on making it five wins in this category and we look forward to seeing what he’s got in store for PM members this year. 

In the meantime you can check out Profit Maximiser for yourself here. 

 

 

 

 

Understanding Vegas and its Casinos

Las Vegas is a land of contrasts. The famous Strip is all neon lights and excitement, studded with glittering casinos.

Then once you exit the city, you will find a desert filled with stark scenery, including rocky mountain ranges and vast canyons. Together they have helped to make Vegas a perennially popular destination for travelers from all parts of the world.

Of course the casinos are the primary attraction and the thing that the city is known for above all else. Few people go to Vegas without some interest in experiencing them during their stay.

Read on to learn everything you will need to understand about the casinos of Las Vegas

The Best Vegas Casinos and Their Games

First of all let us look at what the best casinos are out of the many to be found on the Strip.

Aria Resort and Casino

Found right in the heart of the Strip, this is one of the newer casinos in Vegas. It opened in 2009 and has become known as the top one for slots games.

They are the main focus and its slot machine floor is among the biggest of any Vegas casinos. It has close to 2000 games, so if you have developed a passion for slots like Lucky Lady Charm at online sites, you won’t want to miss out on it.

Aria boasts a slot tournament that is held multiple times each year as well as a high-limit slot room called SPIN.

Bellagio

The Bellagio is famous for the fountains at its front that have featured in Hollywood movies like Ocean’s Eleven. However, it is also well-known for having one of the finest poker rooms in Vegas.

This room has 40 poker tables and the games include Omaha and both no-limit and limit Texas Hold’em. If you play here you can take breaks from the games for everything from refreshments to neck or back massages.

The really high stakes poker is played in Bobby’s Room, at the back.

Golden Nugget

The Golden Nugget is on Fremont Street and is considered to have the most varied selection of table games. It is the place where new games often debut, such as the blackjack variant known as Free Bet.

That makes it a good choice if you want variety and adventure from your Vegas casino gambling.

MGM Grand

It is easy to forget that the actual gaming floors are only one part of the fun in the big Vegas casinos. They are multi-purpose entertainment complexes and the MGM Grand is the best one for all-round enjoyment.

You will find it on Las Vegas Boulevard and it is home to the Garden Arena, a concert venue that hosts the hottest live music and sports events in the world. Then there is the Level Up arcade, which has billiards, pop-a-shot and beer pong, plus CBS Television City. If you have ever wanted to be part of a focus group and give your opinion on the latest television pilots, here you can sign up to do just that.

How to Approach Vegas Casino Gambling

Now you know which casinos are the best for each type of game. There are some things that new players should bear in mind though.

Learn the Ropes

Whether you want to play the slot games or a table game, you will need to know how they work before beginning to bet. Practice in a low-stress environment before making your trip.

Know Your Limits

Playing at the Las Vegas casinos is a lot of fun. That makes it particularly important to set a betting limit before you start and resist any urge to go beyond it.

After all, you want to be able to experience the other attractions in the casino and the wider city, which means having some money left.

Take Advantage of Free Offers

If you play online casino, you will have some familiarity with free offers, but they are part of the Vegas casino experience too. All of them have rewards programs that can earn you bonus gaming chips, free food and accommodation, so if the rules seem reasonable, why not sign up for them?

The casinos also provide free drinks and snacks for players in their gaming rooms that make longer play sessions more enjoyable.

The House Edge

Every game has an edge in favor of the casino: that is how they make their money. Some games have a higher house edge than others though, e.g. American Roulette.

Making your biggest bets on those games where the house edge is lowest will be the best strategy to counteract it and keep your bankroll intact for longer.

Gambling at the Las Vegas casinos is a memorable experience that everyone should have, as long as they understand the rules.