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If you want to become a savvier player at the roulette tables, you must familiarise yourself with the roulette rules. These affect every bet you place.

This classic casino table game is one of the oldest games available in land-based and online casinos. However, to beginner online roulette players, the table can feel somewhat daunting, with so many betting options on the wheel and the unique roulette layout to get to grips with.

Roulette Rules: The Basics

There are several aspects to the game of roulette that you need to master, especially when it comes to staking real money. It’s not just the roulette wheel you have to think about, it’s the different ways to stake, when you can and can’t stake, and what you could win when the ball lands in your favour.

The Object Of The Game

To win at a round of roulette, you must put a stake of money on a desired number or collection of numbers. You do this by placing roulette chips of your chosen value on your selected number(s). Put simply, the object is to predict where you think the ball will land on the roulette wheel and bet accordingly.

All winning chips are returned to winning players, plus extra chip payouts in accordance with the table odds. All losing chips are taken by the table dealer and retained by the house. Of course, when you play live roulette online, the transfer of winning and losing chips happens digitally and in an instant, to accelerate your gameplay in between spins.

Basic Rules To Master

First, you’ll need to master the dynamics of the roulette wheel. Depending on the variant of roulette you choose to play you’ll have 37 (including the single zero) or 38 (including the double zero) numbers on the wheel. There will also be some differences in terms of your roulette table layout, or the way you place your stakes.

The Roulette Table Layout Explained

When we talk about the table layout, we’re referring to two things – the layout of numbers on both the roulette wheel and of the numbers on the table where you place your chips.

So, let’s briefly talk about the numbers. A typical roulette wheel will have a minimum of 36 numbered pockets. Additional ‘special’ numbers have been added to the wheel over time, too. For instance, a green single zero pocket is included in the European version.

These additional pockets were added to help the house increasing its edge. If you’re interested in how to calculate this in a game of roulette, you need to work out the following calculation:

(Odds Against Winning – House Odds) x Probability Of Success

For a roulette wheel with 37 pockets the calculation would be:

(36/1 – 35/1) x 1/37 = 1/1 x 1/37 = 1/37 = 0.0270270 (2.70% when multiplied by 100)

For roulette wheels with both a single zero and double zero, creating 38 pockets, the house edge almost doubles to 5.26%, which is why single-zero roulette tends to be more popular with players.

All About Red And Black

One thing you’ll notice on any roulette wheel layout is that the pockets alternate between red and black numbers. That’s designed to give you, the player an almost 50/50 chance of landing red or black. Why do we say almost? Because the addition of the single zero and the double zero makes it impossible for the probability of the ball landing on red or black to be exactly 50%.

As the payout odds of on red or black are even-money (1:1), this is where the house edge tips in favour of the casinos.

All About The Numbers

Taking a quick look at a
roulette wheel with 37 numbered pockets, you’ll probably notice that the
numbers are by no means in a specific order. This is to avoid any potential
bias of results over the long-term from a single roulette wheel.

In single zero roulette, the numbers are laid out clockwise in the following sequence: 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26.

The positioning of the numbered pockets on a double zero wheel, also known as American roulette, is laid out very differently. The sequence is designed to create a level playing field, with the single zero and double zero positioned on opposite sides of the wheel:

0, 28, 9, 26, 30, 11, 7, 20, 32, 17, 5, 22, 34, 15, 3, 24, 36, 13, 1, 00, 27, 10, 25, 29, 12, 8, 19, 31, 18, 6, 21, 33, 16, 4, 23, 35, 14, and 2.

As you can see, with single zero roulette wheels, the low and high-value numbers alternate as much as possible. You’ll very rarely spot two low or high numbers next to each other on the wheel. That’s in stark contrast to double zero roulette wheels, which are less balanced, with many instances of low and high numbers positioned next to one another on the wheel.

Roulette Betting Systems

The beauty of roulette is that you can stake on as many numbers as you wish if your bankroll allows. Though if you opt in to live casino offers and promotions, there may be limits placed on the amount of numbers you can cover in any game round, so always check the terms and conditions.

If you want to cover several single numbers or multiple groups of numbers, you can do so freely. There are three different types of bets you can make – inside bets, outside bets, and announced bets.

Inside Betting

Look at the standard roulette table layout and you’ll see that the main layout is comprised of the numbers zero through to 36. The other areas on the side of the table layout are specifically reserved for betting on groups of numbers – more on that shortly.

When you stake on an individual number or cover several numbers at once, these bets are known as inside bets. There are seven main inside bets you can make at any time:

1. Straight or straight-up
   A bet placed on a single number, such as red 7. Chips are placed inside the square of the number you want to stake on.
    
2. Split
   A bet placed on two numbers adjacent to one another on the roulette table, such as red 14 and black 17. Chips are placed on the connecting line between the two numbers.
    
3. Street
   A bet placed on three numbers located on the same line of the table. Chips are placed on the outer corner of the row of three numbers you want to stake on. An example is a bet on the row including 4, 5 and 6.
    
4. Six Line
   A bet placed on two adjacent lines of numbers. Chips are placed on the connecting outer corner between the two lines you want to stake on, such as the two rows containing numbers 28 – 33.
    
5. Corner
   A bet placed on a cluster of four numbers in a square. Place your chip in the middle of the four numbers. An example is a square containing 15, 18, 17 and 14 (looking at them clockwise).
    
6. Trio
   A bet placed on three numbers including single zero or double zero. Chips are positioned on the line connecting the single zero or double zero with the two additional numbers 1 and 2, or 2 and 3.
    
7. Basket
   A bet placed on the numbers zero, 1, 2, and 3. Chips are placed on the outer corner of the table connecting zero and 1.

Outside Betting

All outside bets made on the roulette table are placed outside of the field of numbers. Outside bets cover the sectors that span larger groups of numbers than you can otherwise cover with multiple inside bets. With outside bets, you can cover virtually half the numbers during a single spin, compared to just six with a single inside bet.

For all these bets, choose your outcome and simply place your chip/s in the square marked with the bet you want.

1. Odd/Even

    

2. Red/Black

    

3. 1 to 18/19 to 36

    

4. Dozens
   A bet placed on whether the 1^st 12, 2^nd or 3^rd 12 on the table.
    
5. Columns
   A bet placed on whether the next number the ball lands on will be within the first, second, or third column of the table. Chips are placed inside the first, second, or third “2 to 1” squares next beside numbers 34, 35, and 36 respectively.

Announced Betting

Most commonly found in French roulette and some European roulette games, there are additional announced bets that can be made. These are a combination of different numbers, and usually, you’ll find a secondary table aside from the one where you can place inside and outside bets. Here are the five announced bets:

1. Voisins du Zero
   A bet placed on the single zero and seven numbers either side of the zero, comprising a trio bet on zero, 2, and 3, five split bets on 4 and 7, 12 and 15, 18 and 21, 19 and 22, 32 and 35, one corner bet on 25, 26, 28, and 29.
    
2. Le Tiers Du Cylindre
   Translated to English as “one-third of the wheel”, this bet covers six different split bets on 5 and 8, 10 and 11, 13 and 16, 23 and 24, 27 and 30, 33 and 36.
    
3. Orphelins
   A bet placed on all the numbers not covered by a Voisins du Zero bet or a Le Tier Du Cylindre bet, spanning eight numbers and known as the orphans. It consists of a straight-up bet on 1 and four split bets on 6 and 9, 14 and 17, 17 and 20, 31 and 34.
    
4. Jeu Zero
   A bet covering all three neighbours of the single zero on either side of the wheel. It consists of a straight-up bet on 26 and three split bets on zero and 3, 12 and 15, 32 and 35.
    
5. Neighbours
   A five-number bet covering 26 and its two neighbours on either side.

Roulette Payouts And Odds

Inside bets tend to have much larger payouts than outside bets. That’s because they cover no more than six numbers per spin. Meanwhile, outside bets can cover half of the numbers on the wheel during a single spin, so the odds of winning on any single number is increased.

The below table shows the payout odds of each main roulette bet:

Does this all make sense? Try your hand at live roulette today!

If you feel like you now have a good grasp of the available bets you can make at the roulette table, strike while the iron is hot and put your knowledge to the test with a few rounds of online roulette at LiveRoulette.

Our hugely engaging live streamed roulette games are managed by professional dealers, with minimum bets allowing you to stake as low as €0.10 per chip.

18+ | begambleaware.org | Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Terms & Conditions apply.

Did you know that January is International Brain Teaser Month? We always emphasise physical health, though now and then it’s important to give your brain a good workout. Brain teasers are a fabulous way to keep your mind challenged and focused.

Nowadays, there are a plethora of teasers out there, from puzzles to phone apps with daily reminders, from easy tasks to seriously sophisticated! Here are our top five ways to challenge your brain!

Plus, check out our Facebook page where we’ll be sharing some brain teasers just for you!

1. Riddles

Two trains are heading towards each other on the same track, on the
same day, both at seven o’clock. Why do they not crash? To answer this
question, your brain needs to think “outside of the box”. You can test yourself
trying to figure out the answer, and once you know, try challenging your
colleagues and friends.

Riddles are a great way to sharpen your brain, and usually very fun!
These brain teasers pose questions that have to be answered using the
information within the riddle. At times these teasers are simple, and they can
be answered relatively quickly. At other times the questions are more taxing. 

By the way, if you haven’t figured it out yet, the answer is one train is travelling at 7 pm and the other at 7 am.

2. Optical Illusions

Do you remember the magic eye? Optical illusions were all the rage back in the 1990s, long before the internet became an indispensable part of our lives. Optical illusions were a sensational trend as everyone tried to see things others found hard to see!

The magic eye series of books featured auto-stereograms, which allow some people to see 3D images by focusing on 2D patterns. But don’t worry if these don’t work for you. Optical illusions don’t work on everyone: depth perception requires both eyes to work in conjunction. This means people with impaired depth perception or people who have one exceptionally dominant eye (in other words, a “lazy eye”) will often find it more difficult to spot the image.

3. Classic Board Games

Playing a board game with friends is an excellent way to keep your brain ticking. It’s best to look for games that involve strategy or an element of problem-solving. One such example is quiz games, since they tap into many areas of our brain and there’s a race against time element to them.

Scrabble is also an excellent board game that stimulates the brain and helps you grow your vocabulary. You can play with a large group of friends and really make a night of it

4. Download An App!

If you want to set your own goals and challenge yourself daily, then why not download a brain training app? There are countless brain-training apps which let you go through a personalized training program to improve your focus, cognitive skills and processing speed. Most apps will include games intended to boost productivity, self-confidence, and learning ability on the go.

5. Puzzles

Sudoku is an obvious choice when it comes to brain-teasing puzzles, though if maths isn’t for everyone, word searches, crosswords and even dot-to-dots are all great puzzles to play where your brain is in an active thinking state.

Other than print-based problems, why not consider adult jigsaw puzzles consisting of thousands of pieces! You can even find 3D puzzles these days, and these are excellent for your brains visual and spatial skills!

Keep Your Brain Fit In 2020 With A Mental Workout

There are so many ways to challenge yourself. Brain teasers help exercise your brain and are a
welcome addition in the fight against cognitive decline. Along with physical
exercising, eating healthy, and socialising as much as possible, brain teasers are a refreshing activity!

You can also use the hashtag #BrainteaserMonth to find mentally-stimulating challenges on social media, or even post your own if you’ve seen or thought of a fun and challenging question or puzzle to give to others, so go on, give brain teasers a go!

18+ | begambleaware.org | Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Terms & Conditions apply.

There are so many different online slot games available these days which boast a range of intriguing themes – and that sometimes means that both new and existing players won’t know which to try next.

However, we believe that there are some classic titles out there that everyone should have a spin on at least once. One which we recommend is the Bonanza slot, a game which has gone on to be hugely successful in the online slot world.

In this guide, we’re going to take a look at all of the key details you need to know before you play Bonanza slot on our Canadian online casino, including:

• The history behind the game
• The themes it embraces
• How its gameplay ensures you have plenty of opportunities to win.

About The Bonanza Slot

The Bonanza slot is a gold mine themed game which was once described by developers Big Time Gaming as one of their “greatest creations to date”.

Why? The six-reel slot includes a layout which can shift and change as the game goes on. The big benefit of this? It creates literally thousands of ways for players to win prizes. This is the Megaways^TM mechanic, which we’ll talk about shortly^.

The History Of Bonanza

Gamers got their first chance to play the Bonanza Megaways^TM slot at the end of 2016. Big Time Gaming launched the title in December that year and were immensely proud of the way that the game combined Reactive Reels and Megaways.

Interestingly, a little-known fact about the game is that Big Time Gaming developed it with the Twitch streaming platform in mind. Slots were really taking off on the channel in the months before Bonanza was released thanks to the Slot Stars trend, so the developer hoped to engage viewers and create an experience that was fit for the fun and commentary of the streaming channel.

The Inspirations Behind The Slot

But what are the key themes that you can expect to see when you begin to play Bonanza slot online? Well, the game takes you back in time to the 1800s and the California Gold Rush, when people became obsessed with the idea of heading to the state to seek out their fortune in gold.

The slot is set against a mountainous landscape with the rocky reels almost resembling a landslide, especially when the symbols cascading down with each spin. A wooden cabin sits on the left-hand side of the display, while on the right a stream keeps a water wheel gently spinning as the action unfolds. Keep your eye on the four mine carts that sit at the stop of the screen. These move across the tracks during spins to add new symbols to the central reels.

Some clever audio effects help to create an immersive atmosphere too, with the occasional tapping of hammers and picks giving you the impression that men are hard at work within the mine. In addition, when the spins begin, a lively country soundtrack kicks in and gives the game an upbeat, fast pace.

What Is Megaways?

The Bonanza slot is probably one of the best0known online slots which features the renowned Megaways^TM technology. The concept was invented by Bonanza’s developers Big Time Gaming and first debuted on the slot Dragon Born at the start of 2016. However, due to the immense popularity, they have gone on to give other developers access to it for their own titles too.

Megaways^TM is a reel modifier system which means that the amount of symbols on each reel can chance with each spin. So a reel may at one point feature just four symbols, while on the next spin it could have up to seven. This means that a whole host of different combinations of symbols can be created during the game, with the very emphasis of the action being transformed by just a single spin.

But why is it called Megaways^TM? Well, the shape-shifting abilities of the game mean that players have access to a grand total of 117,649 ways to win! It’s easy to see why Bonanza has proven so popular with many gamers.

How To Play Bonanza Slot Online

So now you have all of the key information about the story behind the Bonanza slot, it’s time to discover the basics.

Bonanza slot free play may be available at some online casinos, but here at LiveRoulette we’re all about playing for real money. Stakes can begin from €0.20 and can run all the way up to €500 a spin while wins could go up to 10,000x your stake!

Choose your stake, hit Spin and you’re off! A win is created by matching consecutive symbols from left to right, beginning with the left-most reel. The carts at the top of reels 2, 3, 4 and 5 add an extra symbol each.

Symbols

The Bonanza slot features a range of different symbols, including precious stones such as sapphires, emeralds, rubies and diamonds. Other symbols include the letters A, K, Q, J, 10 and 9, while during the course of your play you will also see Scatters and the explosive Wild symbols – which are shaped as dynamite.

The diamond is the most valuable commodity that you might see pop up on your reels. If you manage to land six of them, you’ll get a win multiplier of 50x your stake.

All your winning combinations on a single spin are added together, while winning symbols also go on to cause a ‘reaction’ during the game. This means that those symbols disappear, and new symbols drop from above onto the reels, creating more opportunities for you to win.

Wilds And Scatters

The wild symbols in the Bonanza slot only appear in the carts and they can substitute any symbol except for the Scatter icon. Speaking of scatters, players who are fortunate enough to get four GOLD scatters will win 12 free spins within the game, while any extra scatter symbol adds five more spins to your total.

Free Spins

The holy grail of slots, and Bonanza is no exception! An unlimited win multiplier becomes available during this round, and while it starts at 1, it increases by 1 when win reactions take place. Further scatter symbols may appear in the carts at the top of the screen and if they do, you will benefit even more free spins!

But what level of stake is used during a Free Spins round? It depends on what you were playing with before it began, as the stake which triggered the period will be used across its duration. Any winnings will be displayed at the end of the round and will then be credited to your account before the regular action begins once again.

Key Statistics

From max win to RTP and more, here are the game’s key facts and figures.

• 96% – the theoretical return to player or RTP.
• 117,649 – the maximum number of ways to win per each spin.
• 120,000 – the maximum win available in coins.
• 7 – the maximum number of symbols available on each reel.
• €0.20 – the minimum stake to play.
• 12 – the base number of free spins when you trigger the special round.
• 10,000x – the max multiplier you could land in the game.

Why Play Bonanza?

Online slots may come in many different shapes and sizes these days, but few can match the experience that is on offer when you try your hand at the Bonanza Megaways^TM slot.

With its combination of dynamic gameplay, vibrant graphics and immersive audio, it has become one of the most popular games of its kind within the online casino world. In fact, after just a few spins, we think you’ll discover just why it has become regarded as classic of the genre just a few years after its launch.

So why not open an account with LiveRoulette and see for yourself why the Bonanza slot is so highly regarded? With 117,649 ways to win on offer, we’re sure you won’t regret it.

How Well Do You Know Bonanza?

When was the Bonanza slot released?

a) 2015
b) 2016
c) 2017

How many ways to win does this slot have?

a) 116,749
b) 117,649
c) 115,649

What is the most valuable symbol in Bonanza?

a) Diamond
b) K
c) Ruby

What do the GOLD scatter symbols award?

a) 12 free spins
b) a re-spin
c) a brand new symbol appears on the reels

How are wins awarded?

a) Left to right on consecutive reels
b) Right to left on consecutive reels
c) Any direction on the middle four reels

18+ | begambleaware.org | Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Terms & Conditions apply.

Being a roulette enthusiast, you’re probably already quite familiar with both online roulette and roulette betting systems. The Martingale, Fibonacci, and Labouchere each promise to deliver a structured way to win, drawing players like yourself in with the hope of a secret formula to beat the house. Ever since advanced betting systems existed, they’ve attracted both supporters and detractors, but here in the digital age, the question is whether these systems can work in the virtual environment.

So, let’s get started! Whether you’re an old hand at playing roulette games online or just getting into the field, the allure of using advanced betting strategies is strong. But, can they improve your odds or help you manage your bankroll more effectively? We’ll get to the bottom of that in this article — diving deep into the most popular systems and exploring the alternatives.

The Appeal of Betting Systems

Why is a system like the Martingale oh so appealing? Well, the answer’s pretty simple: they offer structure in a game with unpredictable outcomes. After all, roulette is a game of chance. Each spin of the wheel is independent, meaning what happened before or what will come after has no bearing on each result.

It’s only human to crave patterns and order, though, and a betting system offers a sense of control to gamers. They hinge on the promise that, with a specific plan, you can maximise winnings and keep your losses to a minimum.

So, does this structured approach really hold water when applied to online roulette?

Popular Roulette Betting Systems

To answer that, let’s first take a closer look at the most popular betting systems used in roulette gaming.

Martingale – The Classic Approach

Most gambling novices will have some awareness of the Martingale system, which indicates both its popularity and relative accessibility. The theory behind the system is quite simple — doubling your wager after a loss will eventually lead to a win large enough to cover all losses and generate an overall win.

While this system sounds logical on paper, using it comes with significant risks, especially in an online setting. For instance, most online casino platforms impose betting limits, which will cap both the value of your bets and the amount you can make in a single game. Plus, the Martingale assumes that you’ll have an unlimited bankroll to play with, which really isn’t the case for the vast majority of us.

Then, of course, there’s the issue of the dreaded house edge. Even when using this system, the house edge of the platform you’re playing at remains unaffected by your betting pattern.

Fibonacci – Slow and Safe?

Alternatively, the Fibonacci system, based on the mathematical sequence (where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones), offers a more gradual approach to roulette betting. Instead of doubling your wager post-loss, you instead apply the sequence of 1,1,2,3,5,8 and so on. After each loss, you move to the next number in the sequence, and after a win, you move back two steps.

It’s certainly a more palatable approach than the Martingale, but it’s not without its (very similar) flaws. Underlying the system is the assumption that you’ll eventually win, which is never guaranteed, sadly! While most people get lucky eventually, it’s important not to depend too heavily on that!

Labouchere – The Cancellation System

In comparison, Labouchere is a bit more complex and involves creating a sequence of numbers, e.g. 1 to 5. Your first bet is the sum of the first and last numbers in the sequence, say 1+4 = 5. If you win, you cross the numbers off and move on to the next pair. If you lose, you add the amount you just bet to the end of the sequence.

Labouchere is a flexible system that you can tailor to your bankroll and tolerance levels, which is what makes it appealing. However, it’s a strategy with a greater degree of risk, and need we remind you again of the house edge…?

Alternatives to Betting Systems

It’s really important to recognise that we’re dealing with randomness in roulette – whether you’re playing brick-and-mortar roulette with a randomised wheel or digital roulette with a Random Number Generator. The betting systems discussed can – for sure – modify the stakes of a game, but they’re not doing anything to the fundamental odds. Nothing can! So, what should you do instead?

Instead of relying on a single betting system, consider deploying strategies that can genuinely improve your chances of winning in online roulette, beginning with effective bankroll management.

Set strict limits for how much you’re prepared to spend per wager and per gaming session. And don’t forget to set a limit for how long you’re willing to play per session either.

Another way to maximise your winnings online is to play European roulette. The single-zero version of the game offers far superior odds to the American variant. Finally, make sure you’re taking advantage of all the bonuses and promotions available to you. Offers for existing customers can extend your playtime or even provide free spins — it’s not all about those new sign-up bonuses!

As the curtain closes on the Flat season of 2024, we have seen several outstanding moments from our favourite equine performers. Some have been models of consistency throughout the season and others have shocked us with stand-out performances.

Our list looks at the best moments of the Flat season of 2024.

Bet on horse racing here with William Hill

Standout performers

When looking at the best performers of the season, three horses jump out for their level of consistency across the season, which has seen them landing lucrative prizes and proving themselves as the best in their respective divisions, displaying several of the best moments of the Flat season.

City Of Troy

Undoubtedly the star performer of the year is Aidan O’Brien’s City Of Troy.

Starting his campaign in the 2000 Guineas he disappointed but it’s since become clear that wasn’t his true running, bouncing back in his next appearance to take out the Group One Epsom Derby in a dominant performance.

He strengthened his claim as the star three-year-old performer when recording victories in the Group One Eclipse at Sandown and Group One Juddmonte International at York, beating a fellow cast of three-year-olds as well as his elders. A truly sparkling campaign.

He’s headed to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup Classic where he is 6/4 to make history and win.

Bluestocking

If you’d have told any racing fan at the beginning of the season that Ralph Beckett’s filly Bluestocking was to win this year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, it would have seemed almost unbelievable.

Since winning on debut as a two-year-old, it’s clear she was talented but couldn’t seem to get her head in front, in what was a frustrating three-year-old season. Finally, she did on seasonal reappearance in May in a Group Two at York, scoring comfortably by six lengths before following up in the Group One Pretty Polly at Curragh, proving herself as the best female horse in the UK.

She then stepped up again taking the Group One Prix Vermeille, proving herself against international before taking out the feature Group One Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe from several proven international Group One performers. What a season she’s had.

Kyprios

It’s impossible to talk about the best moments of the season without mentioning the dominant Kyprios, who is a flawless seven out of seven this season.

Earning his place amongst the best stayers of all time, Kyprios upped his count of Group One victories to eight after four Group One victories this year and has proved himself to be the best stayer in the UK and Ireland over the last couple of years.

His roll of honour this year features the Group One Ascot Gold Cup, Group One Doncaster Cup, Group One Irish St. Leger, Group One Prix Cadran as well as a victory in the Group Two Long Distance Cup at Ascot Champions’ Day to cap off his season.

Porta Fortuna

The Donnacha O’Brien trained Porta Fortuna has emerged as the leading three-year-old filly.

Just beaten in the 1000 Guineas after coming from a disadvantaged track position, she then went on a run of three Group One victories.

The first coming at Royal Ascot when winning the Coronation from Opera Singer, she then followed up at Newmarket when successful in the Falmouth before completing a prolific campaign with a dominant victory of the Matron Stakes at Irish Champions Weekend.

Another horse headed to Del Mar in two weeks’ time, she is 4/1 for the Breeders’ Cup mile.

Standout moment

Goliath

Arguably the best performance of the year was Goliath’s rout of the Group One King George at Ascot, where he was victorious by over two lengths despite jockey Christophe Soumillon celebrating as he crossed the line!

Drawing alongside his leading rivals two furlongs out, he picked it up before displaying a devastating turn of foot to put the race full of worldwide Group One winners to bed with the eventual Arc winner Bluestocking behind in second!

The race earned him a Timeform rating of 128, the joint-highest rated horse in the world and it’s hard to disagree with the assessment. It’ll be fascinating to see where he goes next.

Check out the latest odds on horse racing here with William Hill

Welcome to our 2024 NFL parlay picks page, where we compile the same-game parlays and multi-game parlays from our experts Mitch Bannon, Tony Farmer, and Nick Holz. We’ve got our Odds Shark staff parlay below, followed by our same-game parlays for this week’s games.

As the teams hunt for the NFL playoffs, let’s hunt for our own big parlays to pop off.

Odds Shark’s Staff Parlay (+4365)

After nailing a OS staff parlay early in the season, we’ve lost two weeks in a row. But, we’re back with a Week 7 staff super parlay:

Steve’s Pick: Keon Coleman Anytime TD (+175)

Yeah, I know the Bills signed Amari Cooper, which is great for this bet. L’Jarius Snead will spend his time following Cooper around, so our boy Coleman can roam around freely. The Bills should be able to move the ball against this Titans defense, and when they get in the red zone it’ll be Coleman time. Getting the former FSU stud a touchdown this week would be a nice little reminder to the rest for the league that the Bills have weapons and they know how to use them

Tony’s Pick: Panthers commanders over 51.5 (-110)

Both teams are dealing with a bunch of injuries on defense and those units are awful even when they’re healthy. Both teams should be able to move the ball at will on offense. I’m expecting fireworks.

Ninja’s Pick: Drake Maye OVER 202.5 Passing Yards (-115)

I can’t help it as I find myself wrapped in the excitement of the Drake Maye era.

I expect another solid outing from the North Carolina Product against a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that doesn’t get to the quarterback and, according to PFF, a coverage unit is bottom six in terms of catch rate (75.4 percent), yards allowed per coverage snap (7.06) and explosive pass plays allowed (16.2 percent).

Nick’s Pick: Chiefs-49ers Under 47.5 (-110)

Despite their prowess the Chiefs own the NFL’s 31st ranked offense by explosive play rate. On the other side I think the 49ers offense is being overvalued. They’ve played the likes of the Rams, Cardinals, Patriots and Seahawks which is sure to boost the box score. Expect far more of a defensive showdown in this Super Bowl rematch.

Mitch’s Pick: Lamar Jackson Anytime TD (+135)

The Buccaneers’ defense has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards and the most ground touchdowns (four) to QBs. That sounds like an absolute dream for Lamar Jackson, who has 403 rushing yards and two ground touchdowns already this year.

Here are the rest of our Week 7 parlays:

Over the next several years, the “Going Beyond – Partnering for a Youth-Led Future” project, a collaboration between Digital Opportunity Trust and the Mastercard Foundation, will equip 300,000 young Africans with the skills and mindset they need to thrive as entrepreneurs in a digital world. 

But that kind of generation-altering transformation does not happen overnight. It starts with a single act. In this case, the first ripple in our wave was to partner with six inaugural, and remarkable youth-led and youth-serving organizations in Malawi and Tanzania. These organizations then recruited Going Beyond’s first cohort of young women and men, and trained them as Youth Leaders to impart critical technology and business skills to their peers. 

The Youth Leaders are then embedded in their communities to create the next, bigger wave of the ripple, here’s a look at what they’ve seen and learned along the way. 

Partnership is a leap of faith: With Going Beyond, DOT is applying more than two decades of experience in training young people around the world in digital business skills. Our partner organizations, meanwhile, arrived at the table with their own track records of creating change for young people in their communities. Working together demanded each party adapt the way they worked, which required both trust and courage. DOT worked alongside the partners to strengthen their organizational capacities, and then both groups  teamed up to adapt DOT’s digital business curricula to their local realities. For both groups, the payoff was significant. “One plus one is not equal to two – one plus one is equal to three,” explains Neema Walter, co-founder of Sheria Kiganjani, a partner organization in Tanzania. “When you and I both bring our ideas, it creates new ideas that are much richer than what any of us started with.”

There is no shortage of passion for change among Africa’s youth: Over the last few months, each of the six Going Beyond partner organizations recruited 20-30 recent graduates to become the program’s first of many cohorts of digital business facilitators. This process was met with great excitement, with some organizations receiving as many as 1000 applications. “Most of them were very qualified, so it was an incredibly hard decision,” says Elijah Lumbani Mkandawire, CEO of mHub, a partner organization in Malawi. “The number of applications speaks to the appetite that young people here have to make change in their communities.” The deep pool of applicants also allowed each organization to recruit young people ready to live up to the project’s name. “We chose youths who are problem solvers, capable of going beyond the challenges they face,” Neema Walter explains.

At the same time, our partners saw that inclusion doesn’t happen without intention: At the end of the selection process, each organization had assembled a remarkable cohort of Youth Leaders from diverse backgrounds, ranging from trained social workers to activists for youth with disabilities to the owner of a small bakery specializing in cinnamon rolls. But none of that happened by default. Organizations had to make deliberate efforts to seek out Youth Leaders who would reflect back the diversity of their communities. For instance, Hakizetu, a partner organization in Tanzania, said they were at first concerned by how few applications they received from young women. But instead of throwing up their hands, they went to work. They visited women’s groups at local universities and pitched the project, and created new posters that showed women leading the trainings. “Sometimes women are scared, they just don’t feel they can do it,” explains Lydia Ibrahim, the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at Hakizetu. By the end of the recruitment process, Hakizetu had more applications from women than men!  

Similarly, Songambele, an organization that works with young people with disabilities in Tanzania, made a point of recruiting Youth Leaders who were themselves living with a disability. “What excites us most is to see youth with disabilities getting the opportunity to be the change agents for their communities, because a lot of Tanzanian society still sees them as incapable of doing anything,” explains Happiness Manjuu, Program Officer at Songambele. This deliberate effort at inclusion allowed the Youth Leaders to also view their backgrounds as a source of strength.  “When I teach my peers, I am going to start with my personal story,” says Murshid Kinje, a Youth Leader in Tanzania. “Each of us has our own story.”

Knowledge flows in every direction: After they were selected, the Youth Leaders came together for a ten-day training hosted by the organization that had selected them. The goal of those two weeks was to prepare them to facilitate their own trainings on digital business skills for young people in their communities. Many participants remarked on the practicality of the skills they learned, which set the program apart from much of the traditional classroom learning they had received in the past. “Traditional education often falls short of creating the skills people need to thrive in the real world,” explains John Shayo, a Youth Leader from Tanzania. Also unique in the program’s approach was the idea that everyone in a classroom – from the facilitator of the session to the participants – has valuable expertise to share. “One highlight for me was the idea that when you’re working with youth, you’re going to learn together, unlearn together, and relearn together,” explains Generose Oscar, a Youth Leader from Tanzania. “I look forward to learning from them too.” 

Making waves: In August, the first cohort of more than 120 Youth Leaders finished their training and were deployed to their communities. Over the next six months, they will lead a series of six-week facilitation sessions on digital business skills for local young entrepreneurs. Youth Leaders expect these training sessions to be life-altering for many participants. “It’s something many of us take for granted, but when people learn to use a computer or smartphone for the first time, there’s a certain glow that comes over their faces,” explains Banji Sinoya, a Youth Leader in Malawi. “They begin to understand how much is out there that they didn’t know before.” That, in turn, could turn their lives in a new direction. “I am excited to get to know everyone and be part of their story of success,” says Nyanzobe Makwaia, a Youth Leader in Tanzania. “I love to leave my footprints in someone else’s life.” 

You can join the journey: At every stage of Going Beyond, the project’s impact multiplies. “DOT has engaged us, the youth-led organizations, and then we are engaging the Youth Leaders and they are engaging their peers,” explains Elijah Lumbani Mkandawire, CEO of mHub in Malawi. “At every level, more and more young people’s lives are being changed.” You can be a part of this movement by investing in the future of Africa’s young people, partnering with DOT to expand the organization’s impact, or simply sharing the stories of these dynamic African changemakers to inspire others. Every action contributes to transforming the future of the continent’s young people. Together, we are going beyond!

Will the new rules be enough to tackle APP fraud, or will it simply cause more problems? Now, more than ever, banks need to innovate and educate to keep one step ahead of the fraudsters.

In a monumental move that has been applauded by consumer protection groups, the Payment Services Regulator (PSR) has mandated that from October 7, victims of Authorized Push Payment (APP) scams in the UK must be refunded (up to £85,000) by the account holder’s bank within a maximum of five days. 

This amount of £85,000 is significantly lower than the originally proposed £415,000, which was initially met with reservations by the UK Payments Association that it would “threaten the viability of smaller payment companies” . Other concerns were expressed by trade association, UK Finance, which feared the move would encourage more ‘complicit fraud’ and incentivize fraudsters to claim compensation money.  

However, for the customer, especially those who have fallen victim to APP scams, the move could not have happened sooner. 

“This landmark decision should act as a reminder of the responsibility that banks have to their customers and a wake-up call to ensure their fraud-prevention and identity verification tool stack is fit for purpose, especially for social engineering-type attacks.”

It is hoped that the move will go some way to reducing the amount lost to APP scams, which in 2023 was estimated at a whopping £459.7 million.

A positive step forward – for the customer at least.

Before the recent ruling, there was no guarantee that victims of APP scams would be refunded, or who they should even turn to for help. For the unlucky few whose bank refused to refund, their last call was often to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).  

From April to July 2024 there were 8, 734 complaints about fraud and scams, half of which were regarding APP scams. This was a significant increase on the same period of 2023 (6,094). 

The year on year rise in APP scam complaints can be attributed to; 

• Increase of ‘multi-stage fraud,’ which sees funds pass through numerous banks, resulting in consumers submitting multiple claims.  

• A growth in people inadvertently using their credit or debit cards to pay fraudsters, which are not covered by the Contingent Reimbursement Mode code or the new PSR rules. 

• More online fraud cases submitted by professional representatives, including claims management companies.

Building trust through KYC in banking.

How can you set up a KYC process that satisfies your customers and meets regulatory requirements? Download now to discover:

• What is KYC?
• The importance of KYC in the banking sector
• Regulatory impact on KYC processes

Read now

What is an APP scam?

While there are many different forms of APP scams, the end goal is always the same: to deceive individuals or businesses into sending money by fraudulent means. One of the most common forms of APP fraud is a romance scam. Read the story about how one British woman made it her mission to expose the romance scammers and even wrote a book about how she did it.

Other forms of APP fraud include: 

Purchase scams, where victims use a fake website or link in an attempt to purchase goods or services. 

Impersonation scams, where criminals pose as a well-known company or brand, such as a delivery firm, retailer or even HM Revenue & Customs and claim they have a parcel or bill that needs to be settled, for example. 

Investment scams occur when victims are duped into sending funds to a fraudster posing as someone with a ‘too good to be true investment.’ 

Read the story about how one man was contacted on Linkedin with ‘the offer of a lifetime,’ and proceeded to lose almost a million dollars.  ‘The rise of social media fraud: How one man almost lost it all.’ 

There are many others, including loan fee scams and lost pet scams. In fact, there are new APP scams created regularly, which is one of the reasons why APP scams are so dangerous and why the FOS is kept so busy. 

“Fraudsters’ methods are always evolving, and we continue to see that reflected in the complaints brought to our service,” said Pat Hurley, Ombudsman Director for Banking. 

“We are currently receiving – and resolving – around 500 fraud and scam complaints a week. In all the cases we receive, we’ll look at the individual circumstances and investigate whether a business did everything it was required to do. When we do uphold complaints, we expect firms to learn from our findings and apply them to any future interactions with their customers.”

What are banks currently doing to tackle APP fraud?

For banks, preventing APP fraud can often feel like a frustrating game of ‘Whac-A-Mole’; where after finally addressing and educating their customers on one form of APP fraud attack, a new variant suddenly springs up. This is why many banks employ AI to monitor transaction behaviors and cross reference historical spending patterns to flag potentially fraudulent activity. However, relying solely on AI can sometimes result in false positives or missed cases of social engineering. 

In general, banks tend to rely on specific risk signals, which are used to ascertain if a) the transaction is valid and authorized by a trusted account holder or b) the flagged activity is a genuine risk. However, as APP scam payments are authorized by the account holder, a regular bank’s defense systems do not necessarily flag such transactions as anomalies.  

From October 7, banks will be able to pause transactions for up to 72 hours when there are “reasonable grounds to suspect a payment is fraudulent.” Previously, banks had to either process or refuse a payment by the close of the next business day.

UK Fraud Awareness Report

Learn more about the British public’s awareness of fraud and their attitudes toward fraud-prevention technology.

Read now

Can customers do anything to protect themselves against APP scams?

Of course, new regulations like October 7’s ruling may go some way to lessening the impact of APP fraud, by forcing banks to be held responsible, but as APP fraud appeals to human naivety, it can be particularly difficult to protect against. However, there are steps customers can take to protect themselves:

• Too good to be true? If the offer or investment sounds too good to be true or is too cheap to be true, then there’s a good chance it probably is.
• Is that really you? Is the bank, delivery company or even Keanue Reeves really contacting you? Fraudsters will impersonate anyone. If you’re unsure that the real company is contacting you, get in touch via official channels to check!
• I beg your pardon? Fraudsters know that it’s often only a matter of time before people cotton on to the deception, which is why they tend to pressurize people to authorize payments as soon as possible.
• How do you want to pay? If a company or person you have dealt with before is asking you to transact via a different payment method, then this is a red flag. 
• Why do they want that? Do not give passwords or addresses or any other Personal Identifiable Information out over the web.

Why are APP scams so common?

The main reason why APP scams have become so commonplace and pose such a threat to the public isn’t because they are particularly sophisticated – after all, APP scams are essentially just social engineering. According to Lovro Persen, Director of Document and Fraud at IDnow, it is the sheer scale of attacks that people are subjected to that makes APP scams so dangerous. 

“More must be done to raise awareness of the dangers of APP scams, especially with the more vulnerable groups like the elderly or the desperate.On paper, the decision to make compensation compulsory is positive, however, I do worry that banks may need to raise interest rates on loans and other services to make up for the loss of profit. In this regard, the financial compensation will affect the bank’s bottom line even more than it currently does.”

So, will compulsory compensation stop APP fraud?

Clearly, the fight against APP fraud is one that will not simply end on October 7. In fact, according to UK Finance, it may even make it worse: 

“We continue to express the opinion that the PSR’s approach may encourage more complicit fraud and exacerbate the APP risk as fraudsters capitalize on a reimbursement model which requires minimal consumer evidence, nor demonstration of consumer caution and a limited opportunity for payment service providers to investigate and challenge the consumer claim. This will inevitably increase the attractiveness of the UK to criminal entities.” 

The battle against APP fraud will not be won overnight. It will require regular regulatory updates to protect the industry. It will need a commitment from banks to educate their customers on the dangers of different forms of APP fraud. It will also require banks to innovate with new methods of fraud detection to not only protect their business bottom line and their customers but also ensure the customer journey is not too dramatically impacted.

How video identity verification can add an additional layer of protection against APP fraud.

While there will always be fraudsters on the lookout for new and inventive ways to deceive unsuspecting members of the public, banks have a responsibility to make it as difficult as possible for them. 

As APP fraud relies so heavily on real-time social engineering, a hybrid approach that combines automated detection with real-time human verification can provide an extra layer of defense and help to spot potential coercion. For example, when certain high-risk triggers are detected, such as unusually frequent payments to a new payee or a large, unexpected transaction, a live video verification session can be initiated to verify the transaction before it proceeds. 

This allows the agent to ask specific questions to verify the legitimacy of the transaction and identify potential fraud tactics, such as: 

“Can you explain the purpose of this payment?” 

“Have you been in contact with this payee before?”

“Is there any urgency pushing you to authorise this payment?”

VideoIdent Flex is designed to detect fraud at critical touchpoints, offering seamless real-time video verification for high-risk transactions. This solution is not only effective for onboarding and authentication but also plays a vital role in preventing APP fraud at the point of transaction. By combining AI risk scoring and live agent verification, banks can ensure that suspicious transactions are flagged and reviewed before being authorized.

Interested in more information about VideoIdent Flex? Check out our recent blog, ‘How video identity verification can help British businesses finally face up to fraud.’

By

Jody Houton
Senior Content Manager at IDnow
Connect with Jody on LinkedIn

As climate change adversely impacts Southwest Colorado, the Ute Mountain Ute Indian tribe plans to invest in utility-sized, renewable energy projects to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, reduce its carbon footprint, generate jobs, and develop new sources of tribal income. The Ute Mountain Ute Indian tribe has embarked on an ambitious, multi-year plan to build four solar projects to generate a total of 500 million megawatts of electricity to power homes and businesses in three states. According to the solar energy industry’s association, one megawatt can provide power to about 164 homes.  The ambitious goal to become a major solar energy provider was developed during the past 10 years, when the tribal government began a series of feasibility studies and renewable energy projects including wind-generated, solar, and hydroelectric power. 

With more than 250 days of sunshine a year, Ute lands were ideal for solar.  And in 2020, the tribe completed construction on its first solar project – a 2.2 million dollar solar farm located just to the west of Ute Mountain Casino. The farm generates one megawatt of energy. Enough to supply electricity to the casino and hotel, the tribe’s farm and ranch enterprises, and a hundred homes.

With that success under its belt, the tribe now hopes to find investors and utility partners to turn the sun into another income-generating enterprise to replace revenues lost from declining oil and natural gas production.  “We really have to look at where we’re heading into the future. Fossil fuels are not completely gone cause they really bring about 60 to 70% of the energy for our homes. Renewables is starting to be new. It’s been here a while, but it’s starting to come about now.  Hydro is another one. Nuclear is another one… And we just need to really work together to take care of mother nature, take care of mother earth. And that’s the perspective of native people is we need to take care of where we’re at, where our surroundings are, and really look toward the future.” said Chairman Heart.

Chairman Heart said the tribe now is working with a Public Service Company of New Mexico to build a solar farm south of the Colorado border on US Highway 160.  Two more projects are scheduled for Colorado, and a fourth for Southeast Utah to serve tribal members there.  The timeline is contingent on attracting investors.

• Advanced AI Technology: Field Vision utilizes advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms to analyze numerous variables in real-time during NFL games, providing accurate predictions on possible gameplay outcomes.
• Real-time Data Analysis: This cutting-edge app collects and processes vast amounts of game data, including player performance, team tendencies, weather conditions, and historical data to generate predictions.
• Predictive Modeling: Field Vision employs sophisticated predictive models that learn from past and current match data to forecast future game outcomes accurately.
• User-friendly Interface: The Field Vision app is designed to provide in-depth, real-time insights in an easy-to-understand format, making it accessible for all NFL fans, from novices to experts.
• Enhances Viewing Experience: By providing AI-generated predictions, the app enhances the viewing experience for NFL fans, adding an extra layer of suspense and excitement to the game.

Wouldn’t it be nice if somebody could devise some sort of easy-to-use app that consistently makes accurate NFL predictions? Sure, a lot of NFL sports bettors have created extensive spreadsheets, formulas, and other prediction tools that have worked to a certain degree. However, few if any have ever been consistent enough to trust.

Well, it looks like the sports betting community’s prayers may have been answered. Thanks to modern technology and innovative forward-thinking, an ex-NFL agent, a Nike executive, and a Stanford data scientist have come up with an AI-driven football prediction app called Field Vision.

This app’s creators claim that Field Vision offers users the most accurate game and player predictions.

Image Credit: BOY ANTHONY/Shutterstock

What is Field Vision AI?

Founded by CEO Scott Bouska and Chief Data Officer Cameron Taylor, Field Vision was made available at Google Play and the App Store just prior to the start of the 2024 NFL season. This groundbreaking app uses cutting-edge AI technology to offer NFL fans exclusive game and player predictions.

With its advanced predictive analytics, users can refine their football betting strategies, more accurately anticipate player outcomes, and elevate their understanding of the game.

The most exciting aspect of the app is that it is designed to accurately predict the outcomes of NFL games. It offers a few other cool things, too, like:

• Matchup Analysis: Field Vision AI identifies the biggest mismatches on the NFL schedule every week. The app uses data from the last 5 years and bases its predictions on a variety of factors, including schemes, coaches, game plans, and the players.
• Top Picks: Field Vision analyzes the weekly schedule and offers a list of the strongest picks.
• Score Predictions: Field Vision uses AI to make its final score predictions based on a thorough analysis of team and player matchups.
• Rankings: Field Vision automatically creates rankings based on the various strengths and weaknesses on a team and player level.
• Expert Opinion: The Field Vision app grants access to a weekly blog that offers insight, analysis, and the top betting recommendations for each game.
• Proprietary Metrics: Field Vision provides innovative metrics and state-of-the-art analytics so that you can unlock a deeper understanding of how specific players and teams perform in various scenarios. You can see if players are trending up or down.

Where to Download the Field Vision App AI

If Field Vision sounds like something you’d like to try, you can get the app at Google Play and the App Store. However, it isn’t free. The app comes with a subscription that costs $9.99 per month or $49.99 annually.

Many will see this as a good deal, considering how some other similar subscription prediction tools can cost hundreds of dollars per month.

Additionally, Field Vision doesn’t just help NFL bettors. This tool can be immensely helpful to fantasy football players as it analyzes individual matchups to help predict individual performance.

While Field Vision only predicts American football at the moment, developers are already thinking ahead to applying it to other major sports like baseball, basketball, and hockey.

Image Credit: New Africa/Shutterstock

If Successful, How Will Field Vision Affect Bookmakers?

Let’s imagine a scenario in which Field Vision delivers on its promise to offer consistently accurate predictions every time. You fork over the $9.99 per month and immediately start seeing significant success with your sports bets. This is where things get interesting.

You see, sportsbooks, especially online betting operators, have become well-known for severely limiting bet sizes for winning bettors. Some sports betting sites outright ban profitable bettors.

As such, it would be reasonable to expect that the bookmaker would eventually limit you or shut you down completely after you demonstrated that you’re a winning bettor.

Sports Betting Sites Already Control Winning Bettors

Let’s take this a step further and imagine that every NFL bettor is using Field Vision for their NFL picks, and they are kicking the daylights out of sportsbooks.

Don’t you think that the betting operators would stop offering NFL odds? After all, taking NFL bets would be a money-losing proposition for sportsbooks.

We must then consider the possibility of the Field Vision model being successfully applied to all other sports. What then?

Well, it would be a safe bet to predict that the sports betting industry as we know it would cease to exist. At the very least, it would become totally unrecognizable. All because sports became too predictable.

What Can We Reasonably Expect?

Field Vision is the first of its kind in terms of technology and availability to the general public. However, AI and machine learning have been used for years in several sectors, including professional sports.

The Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers are just two examples of the many NFL teams that leverage AI and machine learning to gain an advantage over opponents.

Even though Field Vision is definitely cutting-edge and futuristic, most reasonable folks don’t expect Field Vision to be 100% accurate. Many are skeptical of it even being able to achieve that magical 53% win rate, which is the win percentage needed to earn profits over the long haul.

Well, that 53% applies to spreads and totals. Being able to reach that seemingly modest benchmark would be an impressive feat.

Image Credit: alphaspirit.it/Shutterstock

Overcoming the X-factors in Prediction

One aspect of NFL football and sports, in general, is that there are so many X-factors that simply can’t be predicted. For instance, technologies like AI and machine learning aren’t yet at the point where they can expect when a sudden and strong gust of wind will coincide precisely with a field goal attempt.

Even the most modern technology can’t accurately predict whether a star quarterback will get injured or if the stud linebacker will slam back a batch of bad oysters on his way to the stadium.

The thing is that predictive software like Field Vision doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective. As mentioned, those who bet on spreads and totals only need to be right about 53% of the time to yield a profit. If it can do that, then Field Vision users have something to celebrate.

Heck, even if it consistently missed at a 53% clip, it would still be useful because you could profitably fade the app’s picks.

The March of Technology

Technology is evolving at break-neck speed these days, but finding perfection in a sports betting prediction tool is still a bit of a pipe dream. As of week 3 of the 2024 NFL season, we haven’t seen any panic from the bookmakers.

Even though it’s early, you’d think the app would have made a few headlines if it was living up to the hype early on. Then again, it’s a new app that’s only been downloaded around 500 times so far at Google Play. It’s too early to judge.

Should You Try Field Vision?

Field Vision might not be perfect, but there is no reason to believe that it won’t at least help some bettors. If not in terms of profits, then at least in terms of understanding the prediction process better.

One nice thing about Field Vision is the price. $9.99 is a drop in the bucket compared to the sky-high prices of other sports prediction tools. This makes the app affordable for almost everybody, including small-time recreational bettors. Because of this, NFL bettors should definitely give the Field Vision app a go.

In addition to the possibility of success and gaining better insight into NFL betting, the Field Vision app is a fun tool to use. Uses can deeply immerse themselves in the features and functions for hours on end. It will help them expand their betting horizons and see things from multiple angles.

Remember, you can always cancel your subscription if the app falls short of your expectations.

Image Credit: Andrew Angelov/Shutterstock

Should we All be Using AI For Sports Betting?

Unlike a couple of decades ago, NFL bettors now have access to a ton of stats to use to their advantage. However, sports betting statistics nerds are still trying to find out how to best use those figures.

For instance, how much weight does one place on the number of sacks a team recorded 4 or 5 years ago? How does the number of a receiver’s dropped passes three years ago factor into the equation today?

You can have all of the information in the world, but it’s useless unless you understand how to use it. Only time will tell if the forward-thinking creators of the Field Vision app have it figured out.

Just remember that the development of highly effective sports prediction software could spell the end of sports betting as we know it. It’s a bit of a conundrum, to say the least.

Title Image Credit: Owlie Productions/Shutterstock

Sweepstakes casinos are different from land-based and real money online casinos because they use virtual currencies instead of real cash. The first type is gold coins, which work like credits for playing free slot games, similar to social casinos. The second type is sweeps coins, which have real value and can be exchanged for cash prizes or gift cards. Sweeps coins are what make these casinos legal in almost every US state.

What are Sweeps Coins?

Sweeps coins are a virtual currency with real value that you can’t buy directly. Here’s a breakdown of what that means:

• Non-purchasable: Sweepstakes casinos can’t legally sell anything of value, so they don’t sell sweeps coins directly. Instead, you get them for free through welcome bonuses, promotions, or when you buy gold coins (you’ll get some sweeps coins based on how much you spend).
• Promotional currency: Sweeps coins are used for promotional purposes, often in a mode called “Sweepstakes Mode.” Players can switch between using gold coins and sweeps coins whenever they want.
• Monetary value: Sweeps coins have real value, usually equal to 1 sweeps coin = 1 USD. Once you meet the bonus requirements, you can turn your sweeps coins into real cash prizes.

Can You Buy Sweeps Coins at Sweepstakes Casinos?

A real sweepstakes casino will never sell sweeps coins because it’s against the law. To stay legal, these casinos must also ensure players can get free entries without buying anything.

This “giving away” of sweeps coins has led to a common workaround. Casinos can legally sell gold coins, which have no real money value, and often include free sweeps coins when you buy gold coins. Many sites offer sweeps coins with some, or even all, gold coin purchases.

Do Sweeps Coins Have Real Value?

Each sweepstakes casino has its own rules for sweeps coins, but they all have real monetary value because you can exchange them for cash prizes after meeting certain conditions.

It’s important to know that you don’t actually own the sweeps coins (or gold coins) in your account. They can’t be transferred or shared and can only be used at the casino where you got them. To redeem sweeps coins for cash prizes, you need to:

1. Create and verify a free account at a sweepstakes casino where you can play (check the eligibility criteria in the terms and conditions).
2. Wager the sweeps coins you received from bonuses while playing games to make them redeemable (look at the Sweeps Rules for playthrough requirements).
3. Gather enough redeemable sweeps coins (usually between 50 and 100) to request a cash prize.

How to Get Free Sweeps Coins

Before you can get free sweeps coins at your favorite sweepstakes casino, you need to register. Signing up is free and usually the only step required to claim the welcome bonus. While the registration forms might look different across sites, they generally ask for the same basic information. For example, here’s how Stake.us does it:

Many sweepstakes casinos also let you skip the sign-up process by logging in with your Google or social media accounts.

Once you create your account, you can access most of the casino bonuses available on that platform. The types and amounts of bonuses vary by site, but top sweepstakes casinos often give you both free gold and sweeps coins when you register. Check out our detailed reviews to learn more about specific bonuses at the best social casinos in the US. Here’s a quick look at some common promotions to help you get free sweeps coins:

• Welcome Bonus: When you sign up, you usually get a free pack of gold and sweeps coins. Some casinos may offer an additional bonus after you verify your account.
• Daily Login Bonus: You can claim a small amount of free virtual currency daily (once every 24 hours). Many top sweepstakes casinos offer increasing rewards for regular logins.
• Mail-in Bonus (AMOE): You can get free sweeps coins by sending a handwritten postcard to the casino’s parent company. Check the “Alternative Method of Entry” section in the terms and conditions for details on what to write.
• First Purchase Bonus: You might receive a discount when you buy gold coin packs. For example, Chumba Casino offers a 200% value deal on its 10,000,000 GC + 30 free SC pack.
• Referral Bonus: You can earn bonuses by inviting friends to the casino using a special referral link.
• Social Media Promotions: Many sweepstakes casinos run giveaways and contests on social media. Follow your casino on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok to stay updated on new events.

Remember, all sweeps coins you receive—whether from gold coin purchases or promotions—are considered bonus funds. Be sure to check your casino’s Bonus Rules for details on wagering requirements and minimum redemption limits.

Getting Sweeps Coins through Gold Coins

Players can buy more gold coins at sweepstakes casinos, but first, they need to have a verified account. This involves completing a KYC (Know Your Customer) check, which usually requires your full name, address, and proof of payment method ownership, like a photocopy of your credit card.

Verify Your Identity

The process is straightforward. You’ll be directed to the in-game store when you try to buy gold coins. If your account isn’t verified, you’ll be taken to the KYC form to fill out. Completing this form will also allow you to redeem your sweeps coins once you meet the bonus rules.

Next, you’ll choose a payment method. After selecting the gold coin bundle you want, you’ll choose from options like Visa, Discover, or Apple Pay. Different casinos support various payment methods, so choosing one that suits you is good. For example, WOW Vegas offers various payment options, including credit cards, e-wallets, online banking, and cryptocurrencies.

At most sweepstakes casinos, the payment method to buy gold coins will also be used to transfer your cash prize after redeeming sweeps coins.

Gold Coin Bundle Options

There are two types of offers for gold coin bundles: “purchase match” offers and “deals.” Purchase match offers give you the same amount of free sweeps coins for your payment (like paying $30 for 30 free sweeps), while deals provide better value for larger bundles (like a $90 bundle giving 98 free sweeps).

You can find packs containing hundreds of thousands or even millions of gold coins. It’s a good idea to evaluate the value of each bundle based on the number of free sweeps coins you get.

Redeeming Sweeps Coins for Cash Prizes

Redeeming cash prizes from sweeps coins differs from cashing out at regular online casinos. Instead of withdrawing money, you redeem your sweeps coins for cash prizes. This process is similar to transferring your winnings to your bank account, but specific rules for sweeps coins make it unique.

First, remember that all sweeps coins are treated as bonus funds, so you must meet the bonus rules to redeem them.

The wagering requirement specifies how many times you need to play through your sweeps coins before you can redeem them. You need to use your sweeps coins in casino games to turn your “unplayed balance” into “redeemable coins.” Most sweepstakes casinos have a 1x rollover requirement, while some may require up to 3x.

Once your sweeps coins are redeemable and you have enough in your account, you can convert them into cash using one of the supported redemption methods.

Sweepstakes casinos typically offer a limited number of redemption options. For example, Stake.us only accepts cryptocurrencies, while WOW Vegas offers methods like Trustly and Skrill.

The redemption process is straightforward. If you’re playing at a reliable sweepstakes casino like Sweeptastic, you can find the “Redeem” button on the lobby screen.

If you don’t see that option, check the “My Profile” section for “Redemptions” or a similar menu. Click on “Redeem Coins,” and if your account is verified, you can choose a redemption method and specify how many sweeps coins you want to redeem.

Sweepstakes Coins Minimum Redemption

The minimum SC redemption limit is the least number of redeemable sweeps coins you need to convert into a cash prize. This limit is 100 SCs on average, so you must collect and wager 100 sweeps coins to request your cash prize.

The minimum redemption amount is usually lower at some sweepstakes casinos offering gift cards. For example, sites like Stake.us, High 5 Casino, Funrize, and NoLimitCoins provide both gift cards and real cash prizes. Remember, the bonus rules always apply, no matter which prize you want to claim.

Costs, Exchange Rate, and Time to Process

Sweeps coins are a virtual currency with real monetary value that can incur various fees. Reputable sweepstakes casinos like WOW Vegas and Chumba Casino typically don’t charge fees, but your payment method, such as a credit card or e-wallet, might.

While transaction fees are rare, you may face small charges if you enter incorrect banking details or cancel a redemption.

Most casinos value sweeps coins at a 1:1 ratio with USD for simplicity. However, some, like Fortune Coins and NoLimitCoins, use a 100:1 ratio. This can make tracking your coins more complex but allows for more flexible wagering options.

Instant redemptions are uncommon. You usually have to wait several hours to over 10 business days, depending on the casino and payment method. Generally, cryptocurrencies and credit/debit cards provide the fastest payouts, while online banking methods tend to be slower.

Best Way to Use Sweeps Coins

When using sweeps coins, treat them like real cash. It can be tough since they’re often free and virtual, but wasting them means losing chances to win real money without spending your own.

Most sweepstakes casinos use a dual-currency system, so only use sweeps coins for wagers after you’ve practiced and learned the rules of your favorite games with gold coins.

Focus on games that can lead to big wins, like high RTP slots or jackpot slots. Also, check the Bonus Rules to see which games count toward the wagering requirements. For instance, you might be able to play live dealer games with sweeps coins, but only slots may count toward making them redeemable.

What Are Low Stakes Casino Destinations?

First up, it makes sense to explain exactly what is meant by low stakes casino destinations.

These are casinos where it is possible to play with a small amount of money, rather than ones where the minimum bet is set at a level where players need to be high rollers to enter.

Affordable casino destinations are popular among people who enjoy gambling but do not have a large bankroll, or those who are new to casinos and just want to dip a toe in the water.

By going to low stakes casino destinations worldwide, the risks of losing money are reduced as a result.

While most players will lose cash rather than winning money at the casino, sticking to low stakes cuts the financial risks involved in playing games such as craps, blackjack, slots and roulette.

Las Vegas Surprisingly Among Low Roller Casino Destinations

It may come as a surprise that Las Vegas can be a top low roller casino destination.

For a lot of people, Vegas has the reputation of the home of gambling. There are countless slot games in Sin City and a lot of action for poker players too. Anyone who prefers table games also has an almost endless choice to pick from – and the good thing is the range of stakes available.

While the famous casinos that are in a prime position on the Las Vegas Strip are not exactly known for low stakes gameplay, moving a bit further away from the main spots can pay off.

Many casinos that do not attract the tourist crowds have plenty of low stakes action. However, it is a good idea to visit during the day and during the week, rather than on an evening at the weekend.

When there is less demand for casino games is when low stakes tend to be offered. It is not uncommon for $5 a hand blackjack or roulette wheel games to be available, while many casinos have penny slots.

Even on the Strip, there are enough spots to make Vegas a great low stakes casino destination as well.

Players could try their luck with low stakes games at O’Sheas Pub Las Vegas, which can be found within The Linq Promenade. Cheap beer and a fun time are guaranteed at O’Sheas, while there is live entertainment too.

Casino Royale, Circus Circus and Excalibur are some of the other top low stakes casinos in Vegas.

Try Atlantic City For Affordable Casino Destinations

Along with Vegas, Atlantic City is probably the most famous gambling location in North America, although Reno is another city worth mentioning in this category.

Atlantic City casinos offer a wide range of stakes, catering for high rollers through to those who just want to play a few hands of blackjack without breaking the bank.

Among the low roller casino destinations worth visiting in Atlantic City are the likes of Harrah’s and Borgata, both of which often have $10 tables, especially during quieter periods.

Unlike in Vegas, however, it is quite rare to find a $5 casino game at Atlantic City, so visitors might need to push their budget a bit higher if they are planning to go to this low roller casino destination.

Atlantic City is also the home of attractions such as Absecon Lighthouse, which stakes a claim to be the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey, as well as the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall Pipe Organ Tour and Recital.

Low Stakes Casino Destinations in Europe

Europeans and those heading to the continent can also pick from some low stakes casino destinations.

London is known for being one of the most expensive cities in the world, but those who go to the city can still enjoy some low stakes gambling while seeing the sights such as Big Ben.

One such low stakes casino destination in London is Aspers Casino Westfield Stratford City, where £1 tables are even available in a special low stakes zone.

Visitors to the casino can play roulette and blackjack for just a pound during certain hours. Entry to Aspers Westfield Stratford City is free but players who are fortunate enough to cash out £1,500 or more during their visit will require Aspers World Membership and a valid photo ID.

The Hippodrome Casino is another option for low rollers who want to gamble while in London.

At this location, which is known as the biggest entertainment and casino venue in the country and welcomes millions of visitors every year, there are four floors of gaming to explore.

Named the Casino of the Year in 2023, the Hippodrome is also the host venue for Magic Mike Live, which has been described as one of London’s fastest selling shows.

On the mainland, Prague has a growing reputation as one of the top low stakes casino destinations in Europe. Casinos worth visiting include the Rebuy Stars Casino Savarin Prague and King’s Casino Prague.

The latter venue houses Europe’s biggest poker room but there are plenty of slots and table games such as roulette and blackjack to enjoy at King’s too.

Monte Carlo is known as one of the top places in Europe to go for gambling. However, the Monte Carlo Casino is more aimed at high rollers rather than those who do not have a lot of cash to splash.

Nevertheless, the Monte Carlo Casino is worth checking out. Found in Monaco, it opened 158 years ago and is known for only welcoming foreigners – there is a rule banning all Monegasques from gambling.

The Casino de Monte-Carlo is known for having featured in many movies over the years, particularly the James Bond spy franchise.

Never Say Never Again and Golden Eye have both featured the casino, which can also be spotted in Condorman and The Castle of Cagliostro, as well as the animated children’s film Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.

Is The Star Sydney a Low Stakes Casino Destination?

While gambling is popular in both Australia and New Zealand, this part of the world is not home to many low stakes casino destinations at the present time.

The Star Sydney is the second largest casino in Australia – taking the silver medal behind Melbourne’s Crown Casino – with the 2,000 seat Sydney Lyric theatre and 3,000 seat Event Centre both here.

At the Star, guests can play from AUD $25 per hand in the Sovereign Room, while the Inner Sanctum caters more for high rollers with its table bet ranges more like AUD $100 to $500,000.

Crown Melbourne is actually the largest casino complex in the Southern Hemisphere, having moved to its current location on the Yarra Promenade some 27 years ago.

Guests can choose to stay at one of a trio of hotels – Crown Towers, Crown Promenade, and Crown Metropol – that are part of the casino resort. Crown Melbourne uses the YourPlay system, which means visitors have to set loss limits for both time and money.

Gambling in New Zealand is not quite as popular as in neighbouring Australia, but there are still half a dozen casinos to pick from.

For a low stakes casino destination in New Zealand, the best choice might just be Christchurch Casino, which was the first location of its kind to open in the country back in 1994.

With more than 450 gaming machines to enjoy and 32 table games at the casino, players are spoiled for choice when they walk through the doors of Christchurch Casino in New Zealand.

Visitors can also watch the big game at the Monza Sports Bar and take a break from gaming by having a drink or some food at the Skylark Bar and Lounge.

Where Are Asia’s Best Affordable Casino Destinations?

Macau attracts gamblers from all corners of the globe, but low stakes casino destinations are thin on the ground. High rollers will love Macau, but those on a limited budget may struggle to find games in this incredibly glitzy and glamorous part of the world.

However, Macau is still worth visiting with the Venetian having the largest casino floor in the world. There are almost 2,000 gaming machines at the casino, along with more than 500 table games.

In Macau, the Grand Lisboa is perhaps the best place to go for some lower stakes action. But guests should expect to still need to be gambling a significant amount of money on each hand here.

Singapore has luxury gambling resorts such as Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa. The former was described as the world’s most expensive standalone casino property when it opened.

Resorts World Sentosa, meanwhile, is one of the top tourist attractions in Singapore.

It is home to the S.E.A. Aquarium, which is one of the biggest oceanariums on the planet, as well as Universal Studios Singapore.

Formula One fans should definitely think about taking a trip to this location as it is the home of the Singapore Grand Prix, which has become one of the most eagerly awaited dates on the sport’s calendar.

The Philippines is home to some of Asia’s most affordable casino destinations, particularly in Manila.

One of the top options to go for is City of Dreams Manila, a luxury resort which houses the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recipient Nüwa Spa.

Open 24/7, some low stakes games can be found at City of Dreams, particularly during the day rather than on a weekend evening, where the action is more targeted towards high roller players.

Wild Aces Poker Sports Club is also worth visiting for a low stakes hand or two in the Philippines.

Various low stakes casino destinations worldwide are available in the Philippines, but Wild Aces Poker Sports Club deserves to be ranked up there with the best of them.

Nine-Eight suited, like other suited connectors, is a fun hand to get dealt. So many possibilities!

However, some nuances make Nine-Eight suited different from other suited connectors. 

I’m going to help you play this hand more like a pro. Here’s what I’ll cover in this article:

• How to play 98-suited in common preflop situations
• 3 tips for playing 98-suited when you miss the flop
• 3 tips for playing 98-suited when you hit the flop

Let’s get to it.

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How to Play 98-Suited Preflop

Position is critical when considering how to play suited connectors before the flop.

These are the positions that will be referenced in this section:

Unopened Pots

98-suited is strong enough to raise from any position in a 6-handed game. Limping in an unopened pot should be avoided.

If you are playing a 9-handed, 98-suited should be folded from the first 3 positions*. It is not strong enough to raise with so many players still to act behind you.

The exception is if you’re at a table of weak and/or passive players against whom you have a big edge. You can generally loosen up and raise 98-suited in that case.

Against a Raise

98-suited has a unique property: when it makes a straight on a Qx Jx Tx flop, Ace-King also makes a straight. This might seem minor, but it actually has a notable impact because of the prevalence of Ace-King in preflop ranges.

When you’re in the Hijack through the Small Blind and face a raise, for example, 98-suited should almost always be folded. You could 3-bet with it a small fraction of the time, if anything.

Interestingly, this is a much more passive strategy than we see with lower suited connectors like 87-suited through 54-suited. Those hands 3-bet at a much higher frequency than 98-suited, even though they are weaker in terms of absolute strength.

This is an esoteric concept, but if you’re interested in learning more about it, check out this article:

Why 5♠ 4♠ is Better Than 9♠ 8♠ (And How That Should Impact Your Strategy)

The Big Blind is the only position in which 98-suited is worth playing against any single raise. This is because you are getting great pot odds and because there are no more players left to act beside you and the opener.

The best approach from the Big Blind is to mix between 3-betting and calling with 98-suited. The closer the open-raiser is to the Button, the more often you should 3-bet (i.e. 3-bet less often against early position and more often versus later position).

You can, of course, adjust based on the players at your table. But now you know the “GTO” way to play 98-suited against a raise.

Against a 3-Bet

You should always continue with 98-suited against a 3-bet. The hand has plenty of equity and playability to make calling the best option.

The one exception is when you are playing against a really tight 3-bettor. If you know they’ve always got the goods, don’t give them action — just get out of the way and move onto the next hand.

Against a 4-Bet

I’m going to hone in on how to play versus a 4-bet after you’ve 3-bet from the Big Blind.

In this scenario, you should mix 50/50 between calling and folding when out-of-position. If you’re in position (meaning the Small Blind is the 4-bettor), always call.

Note: This strategy is only good against a strong opponent who actually 4-bets aggressively. If you are playing against a player who is not going to bluff enough, then calling with 98-suited would be a huge mistake.

3 Tips for Playing When You Miss the Flop 

Most of the time, you won’t flop a pair with 98-suited. That’s what these 3 tips are for.

Tip #1: Consider check-raising when you flop an open-ended straight draw out of position

Example: You defend from the Big Blind with 9d 8d and the flop comes Jd Ts 5h. You should look to check-raise at a high frequency.

Including a mix of both strong hands and bluffs is essential when building a strong check-raising strategy.

Open-ended straight draws are ideal bluffs because they carry strong equity and give you the potential to make stronger hands (like Ace-high) fold. By occasionally check-raising with these draws, you can win either by completing your straight or by forcing your opponent to fold a superior hand.

Tip #2: If you raise preflop and flop a draw, c-bet almost every time

Example: You open-raise from the Cutoff with 9h 8h and the Big Blind calls. If the board comes Qs Js 5h, you should fire a c-bet at a very high frequency.

To keep your strategy balanced and effective, bet with gutshot straight draws, open-ended straight draws, and flush draws to apply pressure on your opponent.

By c-betting draws, you maintain a good mix of bluffs and potential value hands. These draws offer opportunities to improve on later streets. And when they hit, you can capitalize by maximizing value and potentially stacking your opponent.

Tip #3: If you 3-bet and the flop has two broadway cards, c-bet even if you totally missed

In 3-bet pots, you have a significant range advantage on “double broadway” flops (i.e. two cards above Ten). These boards connect strongly with the value hands in your range, so c-betting is often the best move. 

Even if you completely miss, like holding 9h 8h on an As Ks 5d board, it’s still crucial to bluff. Not c-betting in this scenario is a fundamental mistake (unless you’re up against a calling station that never folds).

3 Tips for Playing When You Hit the Flop

Sometimes you’ll actually flop a pair or better. That’s what these tips are for.

Tip #1: Check back with middle or third pair in single-raised pots

Example: If you open-raise from the Button, the Big Blind calls and the flop comes Js 9d 4c, you should mostly check back with your 98-suited.

With marginal hands like middle pair and third pair, the goal is usually to get to a cheap showdown by playing passively. And when you improve to trips or two pair, you can start playing more aggressively.

Additionally, checking back allows you to capitalize on opponents who over-bluff (since they’ll bet into you on later streets and your pair is strong enough to call a bet).

Tip #2: Slow-play your two pairs when the flop is monotone

If you’ve been reading my articles regularly, you have probably read that slow-playing is something you should do very seldomly.

Well, here is one situation in which you should slow-play some of your strong hands (two pair or better): monotone flops.

For example, let’s say that the flop came 9h 8h 4h after you’ve called from the Big Blind with 9d 8d. When faced with a bet in this scenario, you should always just call.

Your opponent can already have a ton of better hands (flushes and sets) and is very likely to hit more on the turn or river. So, while your absolute hand strength is two pair, your relative hand strength is something like a top pair.

You have a great bluff-catching hand at this point, nothing more. Don’t bloat the pot by fast-playing or you’re gonna have a bad time.

Tip #3: If you raise preflop and flop top pair, mix between c-betting big and checking (in position)

On low boards, you should mix between betting large and checking back with your flopped top pair.

Let’s go through an example and I will explain why.

You open-raise from the Button and the Big Blind calls. The flop comes 9d 6s 3s and you’re holding 9h 8h.

In this spot, your range has a lot of missed hands in it. All your double broadway hands missed (Queen-Jack, Ace-Queen, etc). Your range cannot support a high c-betting frequency because of all those missed hands.

Your opponent also has a large amount of the same types of missed hands. For this reason, a bigger bet is better as it will push the large majority of those missed hands with one or two overcards out of the pot. 

When you opt for this strategy of using a bigger bet, the threshold of betting for value goes up. For this reason, mixing between c-betting and checking with your top pair weak kicker is optimal, as this hand cannot go for three streets of value. But it is very vulnerable to all those overcards which are very likely to come on the turn or the river.

Wrapping Up

There you have it, the 5-minute guide to crushing it with 98-suited. Take this knowledge to heart, execute correctly at the tables, and get ready to have more big blinds coming your way!

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