Let’s talk about online casino facts you may not know so far. Over the past two decades, online casinos and gambling sites have grown from strength to strength and today represent the most popular way for players to enjoy their favorite gambling games without ever needing to leave the comfort of their homes. If you’re known to enjoy a couple of rounds at the online casino every now and then, this article may be for you. Here are some fun gambling facts you might not have been aware of until now. #1 – IT’S A MAN’S WORLD Among the first online gambling facts, you should know that most of the player base is predominantly male. Statistically speaking, about 11% of internet users actively engage in regular online gambling, with around 80% of those being male. Of course, these figures focus not only on slot machines and table games but also on sports betting, amongst others. Another interesting fact is that these players tend to be over 30 years old most of the time, which is great news as problem gamblers tend to be younger most of the time and are 7.5 times more likely to develop an addiction than when compared to their female counterparts. Regarding live casino games, it’s also statistically shown that men tend to prefer this option more than women. If you happen to be new to the world of online casinos, then live casinos offers a scenario where a live dealer is streamed on a 24/7 basis from a live casino studio, offering an online gambling experience that’s as close to real life as it gets. #2 – THE DEATH OF THE ONE-ARMED BANDIT Because land-based slot machines originally included a large lever on the side that was used to get the reels spinning, many referred to these games as one-armed bandits in the past. However, with the introduction of modern slot machines, all you’ve got to do is press the spin button most of the time to get the game going. In the past, slot machines were exclusively used for gambling purposes, but since many online casinos will allow you to play these same games for free these days, there’s also an element of entertainment that’s associated with these games too. Another interesting fact about modern online slots is that many of them are branded to represent movies, bands, and even video games that you’ve enjoyed in the past. For this reason, among interesting facts about online casinos is that you can experience your favorite bits of pop culture come to life on the reels, many a time, without the need to whip out your credit card before you’re entirely sure this slot is for you. #3 – IN THE VERY BEGINNING When it comes to online gambling, the first thing that generally comes to mind for most people is online casinos, however, did you know that the first form of online gambling actually involved a lottery instead? In 1994, the internet was still in its infancy and was considerably much slower than the broadband high speeds we’re used to today. Regardless, an online company called InterCasino launched the world’s first online casino and briefly introduced the first online lottery after this. This new concept completely revolutionized the way we think of money-stake games. It paved the way for the industry that was about to change everything we ever thought about gambling – how about that for a dose of online casino facts for the day? #4 – MODERN GAMBLER STATS The average age of online gambling players is between 18 to 39 years of age, which is interestingly lower than the general population’s average age of 37. These figures dispel the notion that online gambling and frequent casinos is generally reserved for older players. Apart from that, another fun fact about gambling is that statistics also show that the average online gambler is rather affluent, with a median household income of around $75,000 per year. These figures are above the median household income in the US, for example, which currently stands at just over $60K. This leads us to believe that if you’re on the lookout for online gamblers with disposable income that’s above average, then online casinos are generally a good place to make that connection, as well as being able to interact with live dealers. Finally, modern-day gamblers have proven to be even more tech-savvy, with around 85% playing from their computer and laptop devices and the remaining 15% resorting to their mobile phones or tablets in order to enjoy their favorite games. #5 – MEN LOVE SKILL WHILE WOMEN PREFER LUCK When it comes to game choice in modern online casinos, studies have indicated that men are more likely to gravitate towards skill-based games, while women would more often pick out luck-based games. As a general concept, this makes sense, as men are generally more likely to enjoy being analytical and logical, while women will often rely on emotion and intuition. For this reason, when looking up interesting facts about gambling to include in this update, we discovered that table games are still amongst the most popular form of online casino games amongst male online gamblers, while most women online casino players will often opt to play slot machines or bingo amongst others. Then again, there’s no hard and fast rule, and of course, there are exceptions to every rule and statistic. However, there are always other fun facts about casinos to keep in mind the next time you’re about to strike up a conversation in a live casino lobby. #6 – THE DEVIL’S GAME You might not already know this, but roulette is often referred to as the Devil’s game by many players from around the world, and the reason for this is actually quite interesting. If you add up all the numbers displayed on the wheel, you’ll end up with a total of 666, which is sometimes also referred to as ‘the number of the beast’. Even though some might find this to be a little scary, it’s all just superstitious fun. Statistically speaking, most would agree that spinning the roulette wheel is one of the best games in terms of win potential, which makes it so massively popular in both brick-and-mortar as well as online casinos. Because you can bet on red or black, there’s almost a 50% chance of landing a win on each spin, which is very high compared to other games such as Blackjack or Poker. Even though the odds are relatively low in this game, there’s still the chance of earning your bet back at the end of the round. We say almost and not a confirmed 50% due to the fact that American roulette wheels have an extra double zero ‘00’ pocket when compared to their European counterparts, which could set this percentage a little off if you happen to be playing this variant. #7 – THE MOST POPULAR OF THEM ALL When it comes to the world of online casinos, the most popular table game at gambling sites is Blackjack, and this definitely doesn’t come as a surprise. Thanks to the simple nature of the game, along with the fact that it’s both skill and luck based, the age-old game of 21 beats all records when compared to other popular table games such as Baccarat or Poker, for instance. Another online casino fact that you’re going to want to keep in mind is that when it comes to the house edge, this is kept relatively low when it comes to Blackjack, with players offered the chance to potentially land a winning hand more regularly than they would in other games. The fast pace of the game also contributes to the entertainment factor of this game, however, when it comes to fast games, online slots definitely rank in first position, with game rounds taking a couple of seconds and no previous knowledge of gambling games generally required. #8 – IT’S BIGGER AND BETTER ONLINE Due to physical limitations, brick-and-mortar casinos needed to choose their game selection carefully in the past to ensure that they were able to house all of their games within the premises, however, this is definitely not the case with online casinos. Offering hundreds, sometimes thousands of game options, online casinos can load up as many games as they like without ever needing to worry about where to park the next slot machine, which is another fun fact about online casinos to keep in mind. Apart from that, online casinos are also known for offering bigger casino bonuses and promotions with lower wagering requirements, starting with a welcome bonus that generally includes a bonus as well as free spins in some cases, as well as a series of regular promotions that offered by the casino either directly through their website or by means of email notifications which are delivered directly to your inbox. #9 – LIFE CHANGING MULTI-MILLION JACKPOTS When it comes to jackpot online casino games, some of the biggest wins recorded have been in the eight-figure region, with the largest recorded win to date happening in April 2021 with a 20p spin. In this case, a Belgian player landed the life-changing spin of a lifetime and bagged an impressive $23.6 million win on Microgaming’s Absolootly Mad Mega Moolah game. Other impressive wins that happened in jackpot online casino games include a $23.5 million win on Mega Moolah, also by Microgaming in 2018, which subsequently made its way to the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest win at an online casino. In third place, we’ve got a $21 million win on NetEnt’s Mega Fortune that was one by one very lucky player in Finland, while another $19.9 million win was won once again on Mega Moolah by a player from Cheshire, UK. #10 – ONLINE CASINOS NEVER SLEEP And finally, our last interesting fact about online casinos today - while there was a time when players needed to abide by the opening times of their favorite land-based casinos, the advent of online casinos changed that concept completely. Available seven days a week, 365 days a year, on a 24/7 basis, you’re always one click away from your favorite games as long as you’ve got a decent internet connection – it’s really safe to say that the world of online casinos has literally revolutionized the game from start to end. This means that rather than needing to plan a trip to the casino, online gamblers are now able to enjoy their favorite online casino games, including live casino with live dealers anytime, anywhere, from all devices, including computers, tablets, e-readers, as well as their mobile phones, and keep their online gambling account topped up via credit card which is pretty handy.

March Madness is an annual college basketball tournament in the United States that takes place every March. It's one of the country's most popular and highly anticipated sporting events, with millions of people tuning in to watch the games on television or attending them in person. The tournament's history dates back to 1939 when the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) organized a postseason invitational tournament to crown a national champion. The tournament was initially limited to eight teams, but it gradually expanded over the years, with the current format including 68 teams. In this article, we'll highlight everything you need to know about this year's tournament and tell you all about March Madness betting promos. What Is the 2023 March Madness? The tournament is divided into four regions (East, West, South, and Midwest), each containing 16 teams. The March Madness tournament features 68 teams, and there are two ways for a team to qualify. The first way is for a team to win its respective conference tournament. All 32 Division I conferences have an automatic bid to the tournament, with the winner of each conference tournament being granted a spot. It doesn't matter if a team has a poor regular season record; it's in if it wins its conference tournament. These 32 teams are known as "automatic qualifiers." The second way for a team to qualify is through an at-large bid, which the selection committee awards. The committee is responsible for selecting the remaining 36 teams in the tournament, considering factors such as a team's overall record, the strength of schedule, and quality wins. Teams that receive an at-large bid typically have strong regular season records but could not secure an automatic bid by winning their conference tournament. The teams are selected through a "Selection Sunday" process, during which a committee of experts announces the participating teams and their seedings (rankings). The tournament is then played in a single-elimination format, with teams being eliminated after a loss until one team is crowned the national champion. Because there are 68 total teams, four teams play in a qualifying tournament known as the "First Four" for the final sport in the 64-team tournament. The tournament's popularity can be attributed to several factors, including the high level of competition, the excitement of a single-elimination format, and the widespread interest in college basketball among American sports fans. There are a lot of March Madness betting sites that offer different markets surrounding the competition. You can do your March Madness betting online from the comfort of your home, even during the games. The tournament is also known for its "Cinderella stories," where lower-ranked teams upset higher-ranked teams, making it a thrilling experience for viewers. The unpredictability also enhances the experience of users that are doing March Madness betting on games. [sigma-mt-blog-post-play recordids="643778,641365"] 2023 Madness: Odds, Lines, and Spreads March Madness is one of the biggest events in college sports and one of the most popular times of year for sports betting. Here's a breakdown of the different types of odds, lines, and spreads that you might see in March Madness betting trends: Odds: The March Madness betting odds for a particular game will tell you how much you can win if you place a bet on the winning team. For example, if a team is listed at +150 odds, that means you would win $150 for every $100 you bet on that team. On the other hand, if a team is listed at -150 odds, you would need to bet $150 to win $100. Spreads: The spread is similar to the March Madness lines, but it is the difference in points between the two teams. For example, if 7 points favor one team, the spread would be -7 for that team and +7 for the underdog. The March Madness spreads balance the betting action and make the game more interesting to bet on. When it comes to NCAA March Madness, many different betting options are available, including individual game bets, futures bets on the overall tournament winner, and prop bets on things like the total number of points scored in a game or the number of three-pointers made by a particular team. The most important March Madness futures bet is who is going to win the National Championship. These March Madness odds are usually evened up because it's so hard to predict who will be crowned the National champion, and this year is no exception. Here are the odds to win March Madness 2023: Houston (+650) Kansas (+800) Alabama (+900) Purdue (+1000) UCLA (+1000) Baylor (+1500) Arizona (+1700) UCONN (+2000) Texas Tech (+2500) Tennessee (+2500) Gonzaga (+2600) Marquette (+2600) Indiana (+3000) TCU (+3000) Saint Marys CA (+3500) Creighton (+4200) Virginia (+4500) Kentucky (+4500) March Madness Betting Promos March Madness is one of the biggest events for sports betting sites, and many sportsbooks offer March Madness promotions and March Madness bonuses to attract new customers and reward loyal ones. Some common March Madness betting promos include free bets, matched deposits, and enhanced odds on certain games or outcomes. Some sportsbooks also offer cashback bonuses or parlay insurance, which can help mitigate losses for bettors who place multiple bets. You can also participate in the bracket challenge and compete with other users by trying to achieve the perfect bracket. As always, it's important to read the terms and conditions carefully before taking advantage of any betting promo to ensure that you understand the requirements and restrictions. For example, Bet365 offers a March Madness sign-up promotion that allows you to claim up to a $200 bonus for a $1 bet. However, the minimum deposit you need to make is $10. The qualifying wager must be placed within 30 days of the registration and contain a selection of -500 or higher. Finding promotions like these is crucial for improving your public betting on March Madness and will definitely enhance your betting experience. Bracket Challenge Another aspect of March Madness's popularity is the pursuit of a perfect bracket, which is when someone correctly predicts the winner of every game in the tournament. While it's theoretically possible to achieve a perfect bracket, the odds of doing so are astronomically high, with some estimates putting the odds at 1 in 9.2 quintillion if you are looking at each matchup as a 50/50 chance. For those who follow college basketball, the odds are lower at 1 in 120.2 billion. As a result, March Madness bracket pools have become a popular social activity, with around 70 million brackets competing against each other to see who can come closer to a perfect bracket. It's not uncommon that there are March Madness bracket betting picks at various sportsbooks, rewarding the user that comes closest to a perfect one. For those who follow college basketball, the odds are lower at 1 in 120.2 billion. As a result, March Madness bracket pools have become a popular social activity, with around 70 million brackets competing against each other to see who can come closer to a perfect bracket. It's not uncommon that there are March Madness bracket betting picks at various sportsbooks, rewarding the user that comes closest to a perfect one. No one has ever managed to have a completely perfect bracket, which is understandable, considering the odds of that happening. The closest anybody has come to achieving the perfect bracket is Gregg Nigl from Ohio. In 2019, he correctly predicted the outcome of the first 49 tournament games and was the first person to have a live bracket during the Sweet 16 part of the tournament. Quite impressive, considering the odds and the number of people participating in this challenge. March Madness Betting Strategies Regarding the March Madness betting strategy, there are several factors to consider. There are a couple of March Madness betting tips. One of the most important is momentum. With the tournament being a knockout format, a team's recent form can be critical to its chances of advancing. Teams that have performed well in their conference tournaments should be considered in the early rounds of the tournament. However, it's important not to rely on the conference tournament winner as the best bet. Sometimes, a team that has consistently performed well but flown under the radar might be a better choice. This is where the eye test comes in handy, as it can help you evaluate a team's overall talent level and potential to perform well in the tournament, especially when doing March Madness live betting. Another key factor to consider when betting on March Madness is the powerhouses of college basketball. Even if a team hasn't been in great form during the regular season, it might save itself for the tournament. Teams like Gonzaga, North Carolina, and Kentucky are perennial basketball powerhouses, and they should always be on your radar when evaluating potential bets. Finally, it's important to note that #1 seeds are historically the best bets in March Madness. They have a long history of making it to the Elite 8 and beyond, so they should be March Madness best bets considering they have the best odds to win March Madness. However, it's important to remember that upsets are always possible in the tournament, and you should never rely solely on past performance when evaluating potential bets. Overall, you can increase your chances of making successful bets during March Madness by considering momentum, paying attention to basketball powerhouses, and keeping an eye on #1 seeds. March Madness and NBA Draft March Madness can significantly influence the NBA draft, as the tournament provides a platform for college basketball players to showcase their skills on a national stage. Many NBA scouts and executives closely follow the tournament, looking for potential draft picks and evaluating players' performances in high-pressure situations. In previous years, several NBA players have used March Madness as an opportunity to boost their draft stock. For example, in 2019, Ja Morant of Murray State made a name for himself with his standout performances in the tournament, which helped him become a top-three pick in the NBA draft that year. Similarly, in 2018, Villanova's Donte DiVincenzo performed remarkably in the national championship game, which helped him become a first-round draft pick in the NBA. March Madness can also provide a platform for lesser-known players to gain attention from NBA scouts and executives. For example, in 2016, a player named Damian Jones from Vanderbilt had a strong showing in the tournament, which helped him become a first-round draft pick in the NBA. Usually, some of the biggest prospects coming into the NBA are featured in the "Big Dance," as NBA teams look closely at how the top picks lead their teams. However, in 2023 the situation might be a little different as there is a possibility that the top four picks won't be coming from the NCAA at all. Victor Wembanyama, a 7-foot-3 wunderkind from France, is projected to be the first overall pick in the upcoming draft and is currently playing for Metropolitans in the French league. Scoot Henderson is a close second and plays for the G-League Ignite, an NBA project that allows players to play professionally straight out of high school. Finally, twins Amen and Ausar Thompson will probably be in the top five picks in the upcoming draft. They play for the City Reapers in the Overtime Elite League, another project allowing high schoolers to go straight to pros. There are still major prospects to look out for in this year's NCAA tournament. Alabama's Brandon Miller is leading his team to the top of the Southeastern conference, one of the toughest in the NCAA. Other important prospects include Jarace Walker from Houston, Keyonte George from Baylor, Cam Whitmore from Vilanova, and G.G. Jackson from South Carolina. If you are considering placing March Madness prop bets, one of these guys could be a good pick. March Madness Fun Facts With its long tradition in the history of college basketball, March Madness has had many unforgettable moments. We all hope this season's edition will again be full of great games, moments, and upsets. Let's take a look at some of the interesting things that have happened in the tournament since its creation. Best March Madness Player Ever? Two players stand out when we talk about the two best college players of all time—Christian Laettner and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Christian Laettner, the all-time leading scorer in March Madness history, played for Duke University from 1988 to 1992. Laettner scored a total of 407 points in 23 NCAA tournament games, averaging 17.7 points per game. He also holds the record for most free throws made in the tournament—142. Laettner was a key player on two Duke championship teams in 1991 and 1992 and is widely considered one of the greatest college basketball players ever. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, formerly known as Lew Alcindor, won three NCAA men's basketball championships during his college career at UCLA. He played for the Bruins from 1966 to 1969, leading them to titles in those years. Abdul-Jabbar was a dominant force in college basketball, winning three consecutive National Player of the Year awards and setting numerous records, many of which still stand today. He is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time at college and professional levels. The Biggest March Madness Bets It's difficult to say what the biggest bet ever won on March Madness is, as sportsbooks typically don't disclose individual bettor information. However, some notable March Madness bets have resulted in large payouts over the years. One of the biggest was a bet placed on the Villanova Wildcats to win the 2016 NCAA tournament. The bettor, who was identified only as "D.J." by the sportsbook, placed a $1,500 futures bet on Villanova to win the tournament at 50-1 odds before the start of the tournament. Villanova went on to win the championship, and "D.J." collected a payout of $75,000. Billionaire Warren Buffett placed another famous March Madness bet. In 2018, Buffett offered $1 million per year for life to any Berkshire Hathaway employee who correctly predicted the Sweet 16 teams in the NCAA tournament. The bet was free to enter and open to all employees, and the odds of winning were estimated to be around 1 in 2.4 trillion. No one won the prize, but Buffett still gave $100,000 to the employee who made it the farthest in the competition. Biggest Upsets in March Madness History March Madness is known for its unpredictability and exciting upsets that have shocked the basketball world over the years. Some of the biggest upsets in NCAA tournament history include the 1985 championship game, where Villanova defeated heavily-favored Georgetown; the 1991 Duke victory over UNLV, who were the defending national champions and had won 45 consecutive games; 1998 Valparaiso win over Ole Miss on a last-second 3-pointer, the 2012 Lehigh upset over Duke, and the historic 2018 UMBC upset over Virginia, the first time a 16-seed had ever defeated a 1-seed in the tournament. These upsets have produced some of the most memorable moments in March Madness history, and fans worldwide look forward to seeing what surprises and Cinderella stories will unfold in future tournaments. FAQ Who has the best chance of winning March Madness 2023? The lowest odds to win the March Madness in 2023 are for the University of Houston at +600. What are the chances of winning the March Madness bracket challenge? The odds of having a perfect bracket are around 1 in 120.2 billion if you follow college basketball. Who is the most accurate March Madness picker? The closest anybody has come to achieving the perfect bracket is Gregg Nigl from Ohio. In 2019, he predicted the outcome of the first 49 games and was the first person to have a live bracket during the Sweet 16. Try to beat him by participating in March Madness betting promos.

The World Cup 2022 in Qatar will mark the second time an Asian country has been selected to host one of the most popular events in the world, after the joint venture of Japan and South Korea in 2002. Qatar is the smallest country ever to host, and previously that was Switzerland, which hosted the 1954 tournament. However, Switzerland is more than three times the size of Qatar and was only required to host 16 teams. TIt certainly was a surprise in 2010 when the Asian country won their bid. Eleven associations expressed interest in hosting, but in the end, Qatar defeated 4 other finalists: the United States, Australia, Japan and South Korea.   About the Competition The World Cup 2022 is scheduled to take place between November 21st and December 18th. For the first time, the World Cup won’t be played during the summer months but in mid-season due to the high temperatures in Qatar. This year will be the last time the World Cup is played in the current 32-team format, where they'll be divided into eight groups with four teams, meaning that two teams from each group will move on to the Knock-out stages. Namely, FIFA expanded the 2026 World Cup to 48 national teams. In Qatar will participate: 13 teams from Europe (UEFA) Four teams from South America (Conmebol) Six teams from Asia (AFC) Five teams from Africa (CAF) Four teams from North America (Concacaf)   How Does the World Cup FTP Competition Work? Every player in the WC F2P competition needs to predict the results of the six fixtures proposed by the system. Getting this right would be an extremely impressive accomplishment. What's interesting to know is that the reward is equally impressive — Wikibet will award a €5000 prize to the lucky player who uses his or her football knowledge to guess all the results correctly. To participate in World Cup free-to-play competition, players only need to register on their preferred website, which is part of the grand World Cup Free-to-Play network. After that, they are free to predict the results and win the prize.   Participating Teams In the sections below, we'll provide information for each team.   Group A Qatar Since the time of winning the bid in December 2010, Qatar clubs have worked on promoting the competition by acquiring household football names. For the last couple of years, football legends like Xavi, Laurent Blanc, and Zico have been coaches in the Qatar Stars League. Moreover, Xavi participated as a player in the final years of his career, and Wesley Sneijder, Samuel Eto'o, and many other experienced players did the same. Qatar's national team consists of players that only compete in their national league. They are heavy underdogs in the competition, led by Spanish coach Felix Sanchez. Netherlands The Netherlands is the group's favorite, and in its history, the national team reached the final game three times (1974, 1978, and 2010) but never managed to bring the trophy home. The Dutch never lost a World Cup soccer match by more than a goal. The 2022 team doesn’t have the star players the Netherlands used to have (Wilkes, Lenstra, Cruyff, Neeskens, Rijkaard, Gullit, Van Basten, Robben, Van Persie). Still, the team coached by the eminent Louis van Gaal qualified in an impressive fashion, with only one defeat and a 25-goal difference. Ecuador Somewhat a surprise, Ecuador booked a trip for WC and left Chile and Colombia without qualification. Ecuador qualified for four out of the last six World Cups, the first time being in 2002, and their best result was in 2006, when they reached the round of 16. Experienced Argentinian coach Gustavo Alfaro built a hard-fighting team that looked to Enner Valencia, the best goal scorer in national team history, to put them over the top in close games. Senegal A long time had passed since Senegal beat the defending champion France in 2002, in its first World Cup appearance, when they reached the quarter-finals. Senegal entered the WC on a high note, winning the Africa Cup of Nations in January for the first time in history. The attack revolves around Sadio Mane, a Champions League winner with Liverpool FC who transferred to Bayern Munich this summer. Team captain Kalidou Koulibaly also switched teams and became a member of Chelsea FC. Team manager Aliou Cisse, captain of the 2002 team, has many players from the English, Italian, Spanish, and French leagues at his disposal.   Group B England England came close in the last two big competitions. Manager Gareth Southgate took over the team without expectations and inserted new blood immediately, which he continues to do. As a result, the team qualified for the WC, without a defeat and with only three goals conceded. Captain Harry Kane is surrounded by young talents that need to prove they are ready to take the next step. The team also had a chance to beat the USA national team, which put a dent in England’s 2010 WC hopes when they fought out a draw that led England to a massive defeat against Germany. Wales The Wales national team qualified for the World Cup, the second time in history and the first time since 1958. Gareth Bale, captain and Wales's best scorer ever, scored all three goals in the second qualifying round when Wales beat Austria and Ukraine to qualify. He and fellow experienced players Aaron Ramsey, Chris Gunter, Wayne Hennessey, and Joe Allen, led by former national team player and now coach Rob Page, have one last campaign to secure their place in history after finishing third in the UEFA 2016 European Championship. United States of America The USA is hoping for a good tournament before playing on their own home field in the 2026 World Cup. In 2018, they broke a streak of six consecutive trips to the WC after an embarrassing defeat by Trinidad and Tobago that allowed Panama to qualify for the first time in history. After that, coach Gregg Berhalter took over the team and had an impressive 76%-win percentage. He looks towards younger players that got their chance in the top European leagues in the last couple of years: Christian Pulisic Weston McKennie Brenden Aaronson Sergino Dest Tyler Adams George Weah’s son Timothy Iran Iran qualified dominantly by finishing first in their group in both the second and third rounds, in front of South Korea, with a better score in direct matches. Iran has an experienced side, and they qualified for the third time in a row and the fifth time in the last seven World Cups. Croatian coach Dragan Sko?i? counts on forwards Sardar Azmoun, Mehdi Taremi, and Karim Ansarifard, led by captain Ehsan Hajsafi to give them an opportunity to keep them in games and reach the Knockout Stage for the first time in the national team history.   Group C Argentina Lionel Messi, one of the best World Cup players, has the last chance now in Qatar to win the trophy for Argentina and match the success of Diego Armando Maradona. The most capped player and the best scorer in the history of a two-time World Cup winner is playing with a whole new group of players, and only he and Angel Di Maria have had the experience from the 2014 World Cup Final game when Germany beat them. Team manager Lionel Scaloni hopes that a new generation of players that have already transferred to the European top three leagues (England, Italy, and Spain) can help Messi reach that final step. Poland Another football legend hopes to reach the heights of his predecessors. Robert Lewandowski and his team look to make amends for a very bad outing in 2018. Czeslaw Michniewicz coached only one qualifying game during the play-off final against Sweden because previous coach Paulo Sousa left to coach Flamengo 3 months before. Nevertheless, Poland has enough talent in the top European leagues to make some noise and try to repeat the success of the 1974 and 1982 teams that finished third. Mexico An experienced side, led by an even more experienced coach in Gerardo Martino, like the USA, hopes to record a good result before hosting the World Cup in 2026. This is the last chance for players who left their mark on the national team, like captain Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera, Raul Jimenez, Guillermo Ochoa, and Hector Moreno, to go past the quarter-finals, which is Mexico’s best result since 1970 and 1986. They will seek help from talents like Hirving Lozano, Jesus Corona, Santiago Jimenez, Jorge Sanchez, and Edson Alvarez. Saudi Arabia Like Qatar, all the Saudi Arabian players perform in their country’s top league, but unlike them, this is Saudi Arabia’s sixth World Cup. Since their debut in 1994, they haven’t gone past the group stage. The team’s biggest asset is coach Herve Renard, who has experience coaching four African national teams, having won two Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015, and he qualified for the 2018 WC with Morocco, ending the country’s 20-year wait.   Group D France In 2020, France hoped to repeat the success of the 1998/00 generation, which held both World Cup and European Championship trophies. Unfortunately, manager Didier Deschamps couldn’t do what he did as a captain of the French team as a coach. However, now he does have a chance to defend the World Cup trophy, which he couldn’t do as a player because he retired in 2001. France is among the top favorites for the trophy. They field a star-studded team with Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, Ngolo Kante, and Antoine Griezmann, supplanted by new talents in Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga. Denmark Denmark had an outstanding qualifying campaign, having won 9 out of 10 games, with the final game resulting in a loss after the team had already qualified. The team also conceded only three goals. Manager Kasper Hjulmand has constructed a team that has a chance to go past the quarter-finals for the first time in history. The vast majority of players perform in the top 5 European leagues. They rallied around Christian Eriksen and his miraculous comeback to the field after his cardiac arrest at the 2020 Euro Cup. Tunisia Qatar 2022 marks the sixth time Tunisia qualified for the World Cup, but the team never went past the Group Stage. They finished in front of Equatorial Guinea and Zambia in Group B of the second qualifying round and then beat Mali 1-0 on aggregate to secure their place in Qatar. Coach Jalel Kadri got his chance to lead the team after being an assistant two times. His squad, led by captain Youssef Msakni, plays in leagues worldwide, but not many have top-tier experience. Australia Australia qualified for the fifth time in a row, sixth time overall, and only once went past the group stage. The team qualified through the AFC qualifiers. They had all eight victories in the second round, but things didn’t go as smoothly in the third round. They finished third behind Saudi Arabia and Japan and only qualified after beating the UAE in the fourth AFC round and then Peru in the Inter-confederation play-off. Former Australia player Graham Arnold coaches the national squad, and the team is made up of players mainly performing in British leagues, with some home-grown talent getting the opportunity.   Group E Germany The four-time WC champions qualified easily, with nine wins in ten games and a 32-goal difference. The vast majority of the team plays in the Bundesliga, and as always, the squad’s biggest advantages are their camaraderie and determination. The team got the extra kick they needed when charismatic Hansi Flick took over the team from long-time coach Joachim L?w. Currently, they are on a 13-game unbeaten run and are, as usual, among the top favorites to win the tournament. Spain Spain is looking to win their second trophy. After three consecutive wins at big tournaments between 2008 and 2012, the team suffered several unexpected exits, but resurfaced in Euro 2020 when they finished third with a young, up-and-coming team led by coach Luis Enrique in his second stint with the team. The squad captained by Sergio Busquets features young stars like Pedri, Gavi, Ansu Fati, Dani Olmo, but also those with heavy experience like Jordi Alba, Cesar Azpilicueta and Koke. Japan Japan didn’t miss the World Cup after appearing for the first time in 1998. In six trips, the team reached the round of 16 three times and could be looking to go beyond that. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu has players from Europe’s top leagues at his disposal, led by captain Maya Yoshida. In recent years, Japan’s best players have competed in the German Bundesliga and English Premier League and acquired much-needed game experience. Costa Rica Costa Rica has become a force in Concacaf recently, but they had to beat New Zealand in the Inter-confederation play-off this year to qualify. Joel Campbell scored again to book the team’s second flight to Qatar. Along with Campbell, three other players have more than 100 caps for the national team: Keylor Navas, Celso Borges, and captain Bryan Ruiz. They lead the team coached by Colombian Luis Fernando Suarez, but it would be hard to expect them to surpass their best result when they reached the quarter-finals in 2014.   Group F Croatia In the last tournament, Croatia achieved the best result in national team history by reaching the final game, where France beat them. The team kept the majority of its core team and manager, Zlatko Dali?. the legend Luka Modri? is still captaining the squad, but also Ivan Peri?i?, Mateo Kova?i?, Mateo Brozovi?, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida, are expected to be present in Qatar. Twenty years before Russia, Croatia finished second and competed three times with exits from the group stage. Belgium The Belgian side has for years been marked as a team expected to go deep into the competition. Their stars play for some of the world’s best clubs: Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard, and new AC Milan player, young Charles De Ketelaere. Manager Roberto Martinez has one more chance to bring this generation to World Cup glory. Their best finish was third place in Russia four years ago, and they qualified convincingly with six wins in eight matches. Canada One of the biggest surprises in the qualifications was the way Canada qualified. They finished in first place in the second round of Concacaf and left Mexico, the USA, and Costa Rica behind them. Head coach John Herdman won two bronze medals with Canada women’s national team and now manages the men’s team to qualify for its second WC, 36 years after their debut. Offensively, the team relies on young stars Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David and captain and most capped player Atiba Hutchinson. Morocco Led by former Yugoslavian football legend Vahid Halilhod?i?, Morocco qualified with six wins in six matches in the second round and a convincing 5-2 aggregate win against DR Congo in the third round. Romain Saiss captains the team that relies on Youssef En-Nesyri for goals. Most of the squad plays in Europe, with some players having top-level experience.   Group G Brazil The five-time World Cup champions are consistently among the favorites, but they are looking for their first title since 2002. Head coach Tite got the second chance after the quarter-finals exit four years ago. Brazil features some of the best players in the world in their respective positions: Neymar, Alisson, and Casemiro, but also eternal players like Dani Alves and Thiago Silva. As a result, they finished first in the Conmebol qualification without a single defeat. Interestingly, Brazil also played in a group with Serbia and Switzerland in the 2018 WC. Serbia Aleksandar Mitrovic’s late goal against Portugal secured Serbia’s first-place finish in UEFA qualifying Group A. This will be Serbia’s 13th World Cup, but third as an independent country. The team participated nine times as Yugoslavia and finished fourth in the inaugural World Cup in 1930 in Uruguay and 1962 in Chile. In 2006, the team finished last as Serbia and Montenegro. Football and national team legend Dragan Stojkovi? coaches the team led on the field by Ajax player Du?an Tadi?. Besides Mitrovi?, Serbia also has a new Juventus player Du?an Vlahovi? spearheading the attack. Switzerland The Switzerland team also had a great qualifying campaign. They finished in front of European champions Italy, who later failed to qualify through a play-off. The squad has a new manager, former national team player Murat Yakin. Still, the team kept the core from Russia: Xherdan Shaqiri, Grant Xhaka, and Yann Sommer, and they're looking at Haris Seferovi? and Mario Gavranovi?, two players of Balkan descent, to score goals. Cameroon Cameroon is the first African side to reach the quarter-finals, a feat they achieved in 1990 when Roger Milla became a World Cup legend. Since then, the team has exited the competition in the group stage five times in a row. They suffered six losses in the last two tournaments in six games. With Samuel Eto’o retiring, the head coach and Cameroon’s most capped player, Rigobert Song, looks to captain Vincent Aboubakar to provide goals, along with Bayern Munich player Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.   Group H Uruguay Two-time champion Uruguay (1930 and 1950) always fields hard-fighting squads. There will be no exception in Qatar, where new head coach Diego Alonso will try to repeat the success of his predecessor, Oscar Tabarez, who led the team to 4th place in 2010. This is the last chance for some Uruguayan legends to participate in the WC, starting with Luis Suarez, but also for captain Diego Godin, Edinson Cavani, goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, and Martin Caceres. Portugal The Portugal national team managed to bounce back from a last-minute loss to Serbia in the final game of the European qualifying group stage by beating Turkey and North Macedonia in the play-off. This could be the final shot for the best player in Portugal history, Cristiano Ronaldo, to reach World Cup glory. The team has enough talent and is led by result-oriented head coach Fernando Santos, but so far, the squad couldn’t reach the heights set by Eusebio, who led the team to a third-place finish in 1966. Ghana Ghana will participate in its fourth WC in Qatar. The national team was one of three African sides to reach the quarter-finals, and they came closest to the semi-finals. They needed the team’s most capped player and best scorer, Asamoah Gyan, to score a penalty against Uruguay in extra time, but he failed, and Ghana was knocked out in a penalty shootout. The new coach, Otto Addo, was appointed before the third-round double-leg match against Nigeria, and he managed to qualify the team on away goals. South Korea South Korea qualified ten times for the World Cup before Qatar, and only two times did they pass the group stage — when they were hosting in 2002 and reached the semi-finals and in 2010 when they reached the Round of 16. Portuguese coach Paulo Bento is counting on captain Son Heung-min, a seven-time best footballer in Asia award winner, to lead the team past the group stage. They qualified easily, with 12 wins in 16 matches.   Conclusion Even though some circumstances are different, there's no doubt that World Cup 2022 in Qatar will be a sensation around the globe, like all the previous World Cups. It will be interesting to see how the national teams will approach this mid-season system of competition, what team will find the edge that will help them reach the final stages, and in what form will players appear after just half a season of club football.

Understanding betting odds is crucial to mastering online sports betting. The array of numbers, symbols, and formats can make you wonder how to approach it. Our objective is not just to explain the betting odds but to equip you with the knowledge to use them to your advantage. What Are Betting Odds? Betting odds provide a numerical representation of the likelihood of various outcomes. Essentially, odds refer to both the chance of a particular outcome occurring and the potential financial return on a bet placed in anticipation of that outcome. When a bettor places a wager, the odds at that time dictate the potential payout. Higher odds indicate a lower probability of the event happening, reflecting a higher reward for bettors willing to take on the risk. Conversely, lower odds suggest a higher likelihood of occurrence, offering smaller rewards for more probable outcomes.? The concept of odds is not just about predicting winners or losers but understanding the value proposition behind each bet. Odds in betting reflect the bookmaker's assessment of the probability of each outcome, but they also include a margin to ensure profitability. As a result, savvy bettors look beyond who they think will win and consider the odds's value. By comprehending the nuances of odds, bettors can better strategize and manage their bankrolls. This kind of strategizing applies to everything from the most popular and niche sports betting to less common esports betting. Calculating Odds Sports betting odds are calculated based on the probability of an outcome, adjusted by the bookmaker's margin and other market factors to ensure profitability and reflect the betting market accurately. Bookmakers utilize complex algorithms and expert knowledge to assess all factors that could influence the outcome. By grasping the basics of sportsbook odds and how they reflect the probability of outcomes, punters can assess the value of each bet more effectively. How to Read Odds Understanding how to read betting odds is crucial for making informed decisions on where to place your bets. By familiarizing yourself with the following formats, you can strategically plan your wagering to maximize potential returns: Decimal odds of 2.00 mean you double your money if you win (your stake plus the same amount as profit). Fractional odds of 1/1 (even money) also mean you double your money. American odds of +100 are the equivalent of decimal odds of 2.00 and fractional odds of 1/1. What Do the + and - Mean in Sports Betting? Minus (-) and plus (+) symbols are key to gauging your potential payout, whether you're betting on the favorite or the underdog. The minus (-) sign is typically assigned to the favorite, indicating the amount you need to bet to win $100. For example, if a team has odds of -150, it means that a bettor would need to wager $150 to win $100 in profit if that team wins.? Conversely, the plus (+) sign marks the underdog, showing how much profit you'd make from a $100 bet. For instance, if a team has odds of +200, it means that a $100 bet on that team would pay out $200 in profit if they win, in addition to getting back the initial $100 bet. Factors Behind Odds Variation Bookmakers offer varying odds for the same sports event, reflecting their assessments. When you bet on football, for instance, the bookmaker might list a team at +130 while another offers +120 for the same outcome. Odds are subjective, based on the bookmaker's perception of an event's probability rather than a precise calculation. The diversity in odds across bookmakers means savvy bettors can find value, leveraging their knowledge of the sport and betting principles to gain an edge. While sports betting is inherently challenging, understanding these nuances can improve your chances of making profitable wagers. Advantage of High Odds High odds in sports betting typically indicate that bookmakers consider an outcome less likely to occur. However, the potential reward for betting on such outcomes is correspondingly higher, offering bettors the chance to win more money relative to their stake. Whether higher odds are more beneficial depends on a bettor's strategy, risk tolerance, and the specific circumstances of the event being wagered on. Advantages of high odds: Higher payouts: The most apparent advantage of high odds is the potential for higher payouts. Betting on an underdog or an unlikely outcome can yield significant returns if the bet proves successful. Value betting: High odds can sometimes represent value bets. If you believe the probability of an outcome is higher than what the bookmakers suggest, betting on high odds can offer excellent value. Excitement factor: For some bettors, the thrill of potentially winning a large payout from a small stake makes betting on high odds attractive. Moneyline or American Odds Defined Moneyline odds, also known as American odds, is a popular way of representing odds in sports betting, particularly in North America. It shows the odds for a particular outcome in terms of how much you need to wager to win $100 or how much you would win for a $100 wager. Let's use a hypothetical example of a basketball game between Team A and Team B to explain how American odds work. The Team A moneyline is -110, while the Team B moneyline is +120.? The negative odds indicates that Team A is the favorite. A moneyline of -110 means that in order to win $100 in profit, you would need to wager $110. So, if you bet $110 on Team A and it wins, you would receive a total payout of $210 ($110 initial bet + $100 profit). The positive odds indicates that Team B is the underdog. A moneyline of +120 means that a $100 bet on Team B would yield a profit of $120 if they win. So, if you bet $100 on Team B and it wins, you would receive a total payout of $220 ($100 initial bet + $120 profit). This means that Team A is considered more likely to win, according to the oddsmakers, but you would need to risk more money to profit from a bet on Team A. On the other hand, betting on Team B carries higher potential winnings because they are considered less likely to win. Calculating Implied Probability with American Odds Implied odds suggest the likelihood of a specific outcome happening, expressed as a percentage. This tells us how likely an event is to occur according to the odds. If you think the chance of an event happening is different from what the sportsbook suggests, you might adjust your bet accordingly. For example, if you believe a team has a 60% chance of winning, but the sportsbook's implied probability is 52.4%, it might be a good opportunity to bet. Remember to include the vig or the bookmaker's fee when you convert odds to percentages. The total implied probability exceeds 100%, showing the bookmaker's profit margin. Removing the vig helps you see the odds that oddsmakers expect for the game. Calculating implied probability can be summarized as: Risk/Return = Implied Probability While this formula is straightforward in theory, it can be complex to apply it.? Decimal Odds in Sports Betting Before the widespread adoption of decimal odds, betting markets in Europe, Canada, and Australia primarily utilized them. Today, nearly all major online bookmakers worldwide use decimal odds as their standard, except for some US-based bookies. Decimal odds are regarded as the simplest to understand among various odds formats. Unlike American odds, they encompass both the total payout and the stake per unit wagered. For instance, a bet at odds of 1.5 means that for every $1 staked, the total return would be $1.50. Similarly, a bet at odds of 2.25 results in a total return of $2.25 for every $1 staked. A bet at even money, represented as odds of 2, doubles the stake, returning $2 for every $1 wagered. To calculate your total payout using decimal odds, multiply your stake by the decimal odds of the bet. This calculation gives you the total amount you would receive, including your original stake, making it a straightforward method to determine potential winnings. Working Out Implied Probability with Decimal Odds Implied probability: 1 / decimal odds As an example, the following equation can be used to estimate Tampa Bay's implied probability of winning: Implied probability: 1 / 2.40 = 41.7% And Cleveland's chances of winning: Implied probability: 1 / 1.61 = 62.11% Understanding Fractional Sports Betting Odds Fractional odds are most common in events like the Kentucky Derby, displayed on sports betting sites as figures like 9/5 or 1/2 and referred to as "nine to five" or "one to two." These odds indicate the ratio of profit to the stake. The number on the left (the numerator) shows how often the bookmaker expects the outcome to fail, while the number on the right (the denominator) indicates the expected successful outcomes. Examples of Fractional Odds Consider a hypothetical match where Gennady Golovkin fights Canelo Alvarez with odds of 8/13. This suggests that for every 21 matches (8 losses + 13 wins), Golovkin is expected to win 13 times, giving him a 61.9% chance of winning (13 wins out of 21 total events). For Alvarez, imagine odds of 11/2 in a scenario where the fight occurs 19 times. This implies Alvarez would win 8 out of these 19 times, resulting in a 42.1% chance of victory. Calculating Potential Winnings To calculate potential winnings for Golovkin at 8/13 odds on a $10 bet, you use the ratio to find the profit ($10 * 0.615 = $6.15). Thus, your total return would be $16.15 ($10 stake + $6.15 profit). When betting $10 on Alvarez with hypothetical odds of 11/2, your potential winnings are $10 * 1.375 = $13.75, leading to a total payout of $23.75 ($10 stake + $13.75 profit). The Concept of Vigorish (Vig) The total probability exceeding 100% (e.g., 61.9% + 42.1% = 104%) illustrates the bookmaker's overround or vig, ensuring profit regardless of the outcome. This overround is why the combined implied probabilities of all possible outcomes often exceed 100%. Maximizing Success with Favorable Betting Odds In sports betting, discerning what good betting odds are and how odds work is key to long-term success. They are not merely numbers that appear favorable at first glance. They represent a deeper understanding of value, risk, and potential return. Identifying such odds involves a blend of analysis, intuition, and strategy, laying the groundwork for informed and thoughtful betting decisions. Favorable odds increase your chances of placing a winning bet while providing a satisfactory return on investment. The pursuit of such odds should be at the heart of your betting strategy, guiding your decisions and shaping your approach to sports betting.