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Slots are the most common type of gambling that allows players to insert money and spin a set of reels with various symbols. As the reels stop spinning, the machine dispenses winnings depending on how many matching symbols appear. Casino owners used the game’s popularity to organize various tournaments. But, to fully understand how do slot tournaments work, you need to learn what a slot tournament actually is. Many of these tournaments were formerly held exclusively in brick-and-mortar establishments, but with the evolution of online casinos, they have since been ported to the convenience of desktop and mobile devices. What Is a Slot Tournament? Players in a slot tournament all play the same version of the same slot machine for a predetermined amount of time. Namely, they compete to see who can amass the largest amount of casino credits. By the game’s end, the winner is the participant who accumulates the most credits. Prizes — points, credits, virtual currency, or actual cash — are awarded to the participant who has amassed the greatest total after the competition. Slot tournaments’ appeal lies in the fact that everyone can join in the fun. The casino will reveal which slot machine will host the competition, hand out credit amounts and time limits to each player, and then watch the competition unfold. With a little bit of digging, you can find slot tournaments at different online casinos featuring traditional Vegas slots, video slots, and highly popular progressive jackpot slot games. These games have been created by adding crisp graphics, functionality, and more chances to collect bonuses and jackpots. How Do Slot Tournaments Work? Now we can turn our attention to the rules of play. So, how does a slot tournament work? Online casino slot tournament rules are very similar to those at brick-and-mortar casinos. You can always place bets up to a certain limit, regardless of the type of online contest you’re participating in. When the time runs out, the overall prize goes to the player with the most points or the one who has played the most games. Elimination tournaments are contests where one player or a team must beat all opponents or teams to win. In the end, the winner of a knockout-style tournament is the player who won the most points in a certain amount of time. You can earn points in one of two different methods. First, make sure you have studied the terms of a slot games tournament before signing up for it. Then, find out whether the only way to acquire points is to win or you can get them just by betting. You have a chance of winning based on the following: Bet amounts — Whether the player wins or loses doesn’t matter. What matters is that players keep betting to obtain more points. Prize amounts — The top players rank based on the money they’ve won. So, if you’re lucky, you can win a small entry fee. The usual entry cost for a slot tournament ranges from $25 to $100, depending on the casino, while the financial prizes for the tournament can be rather large. For instance, if each player in a slot tournament puts in $100, the total prize pool may be worth $100,000. Interestingly, prices are available for players down to the 2,000th place on the scoreboard, so everyone has a shot at winning something. In addition to the great cash prizes, players have the chance to win free spins or no-deposit bonuses. It’s a common practice for slot tournaments to give participants more than their entry fee would normally buy, so even if you don’t win anything, it’s still worth it to enter. Types of Slot Tournaments The variety of options in nearly every corner of the iGaming world is one of the biggest selling points of the industry, and that’s the case regarding slot tournaments. Besides learning how to play slot tournaments, you should also inspect and decide which type is the most suitable for you. Freeroll Slot Tournaments Participating in a freeroll tournament is free of charge, so you can enter the contest and compete for the big prize with no out-of-pocket cost. Freerolls typically run for a shorter period of time and are included in online casinos’ promotional incentives like sign-up welcome packages. Buy-in Tournaments Slot tournaments are usually cash-entry events because participants must pay the price to participate. These tournaments are also known as “buy-in” contests. Paying this fee doesn’t give you any special privileges during the tournament; it simply grants you entry. Sit n’ Go Tournaments The success of Sit ‘n’ Go tournaments in online poker has translated well to slot tournaments. There’s no set time limit like there is in scheduled slots tournaments, but these competitions are timed so that everyone begins and ends at the exact same moment. Therefore, every player in a Sit ‘n’ Go game must be at the table at the same time. Scheduled Tournaments A scheduled slot tournament warrants the implementation of some kind of slot tournament strategy. As these contests have a set starting time, a scheduled tournament can be either freeroll or buy-in. The only requirement is to register and be present at a predetermined hour and, in case it’s buy-in type, a paid fee. Reloader Tournaments During reload slot tournaments, players can pay to re-enter the competition. In this tournament type, competitors pay an entry fee to play for a predetermined amount of time. Generally, the event as a whole takes around an hour, with each round lasting five minutes. If players lose in the first five minutes of a round, they can re-buy a spot in the next round. These re-buys are optional, and players can use them at any time throughout the tournament. Extender Tournaments Extender tournaments are comparable to reloader tournaments. However, participants in extender tournaments have the opportunity to ‘raise’ their final score. Also, while playing, you have a chance to purchase an add-on that will increase your odds of winning, but this doesn’t ensure that you will be placed on the leaderboard. Survival Slot Tournaments Survivor tournaments can come in different variants but typically consist of three 5-minute rounds. Each of the three rounds features the same rules and gameplay, but the winner is determined after each round. In Round 1, all players who compete and finish in the top half will advance to the next stage. Only the top 10% from Round 2 will advance to the Final Round. At the end of Round 3, the top 10 players, i.e., the ones still standing, will be rewarded. These events have only a ten-second break between rounds, but they keep the greatest players interested and engaged the whole time. One-Shot Tournaments One-shot type tournaments are even more difficult and cutthroat than the survivor type. The punters only get one opportunity to demonstrate their expertise and, if successful, advance to the next round and go closer to winning the grand prize. Comped Tournaments Comped tournaments are free to enter competitions and are offered to regular customers. Casino websites that have a customer loyalty program, that’s well-established, host a wide variety of events to continue to keep their consumers entertained in the most exciting and engaging way possible. PCH Tournaments Publisher’s Clearing House (PCH) is a corporation that specializes in direct marketing and runs daily slot tournaments with both buy-in and freeroll options. Additionally, the company generates revenue through the sale of magazines and subscription services, allowing them to give away prizes ranging from one hundred to ten thousand dollars. Slot players enjoy participating in these tournaments because they provide them with the opportunity to win large cash prizes without having to spend any money. Slot Tournament Strategy What every player wants to know is how to win a slot tournament. Keep in mind that no tournament strategy guarantees victory because there’s absolutely nothing players can do to improve their chances of winning a single slot round. So, how can you better your odds of overall success? Concentration and playing speed are the two most important aspects. For the best possible outcome, it’s necessary to play the maximum number of spins allowed and bet on the maximum number of paylines. In order to keep the reels going after they’ve stopped, you’ll need to keep clicking the spin button. Remember not to sit idly awaiting credit addition, and don’t let close calls upset you. Pay attention to the task at hand rather than focusing on the competition. Although it’s natural to be curious about how you stack up against the competition, spending time doing so is pointless. Don’t answer the phone or do anything else that might pull your attention away from your goal (spinning the reels) until the timer goes off and you know where you stand. So, there’s no foolproof strategy for slot tournaments. Anyone telling you otherwise is either uninformed or trying to sell you a system that isn’t worth your time. Slots are just products with lights and reels. If you want to be successful at slot machines and in tournaments, you need nothing more than a little bit of luck. Tips for Playing at Slot Tournaments Now that you understand what is a slot tournament and how to devise your strategy by gathering the experiences of tournament players let’s look at a compiled list of the most essential tips that are easily applicable to the strategy mentioned above: Keep your finger on the spin button at all times because slot tournaments have a time limit on how long you have to use your casino credits. Whether you went ahead or behind in the game may depend on just a few key decisions. Play with the maximum bet if you want the maximum payoff from your winning spin. In order to come out on top in a slot tournament, you need to have the most coins at the end of the round. Be sure to bet across all paylines to give yourself the best chance of winning a slot machine game. If you hit it big at the slots, pay attention to the clock because the reels will stop spinning for a while. As soon as the slot machine finishes counting, you should start hitting the spin button to boost your odds of earning the jackpot again. Just ignore the other players who are trying to get your attention by talking or jumping about once they win a jackpot. The more time you waste fiddling with other things, the less likely it is that you’ll hit a winning payline and collect your prize. Conclusion So, these were the most important aspects and types of slot tournaments. The goal was to provide a comprehensive guide and answer the key question: ‘How do slot tournaments work?’ Namely, the possibilities are numerous, but the choice will come down to you and your personality. Are you a competitive person who thrives in high-stress situations, or do you like to take your time and plan your next move? If you nurture a competitive (but also sporting) spirit, you should consider slot tournaments for your gambling portfolio. Who knows, you may be the one who hits it big! FAQ What’s the secret to winning slot tournaments? Success with slot machines depends entirely on random chance. All you need to do is to spin quickly and maximize your earnings. Also, you should perform as many spins as you possibly can. For some players, using the auto-spin feature seem to be a good method. Do you use your own money in slot tournaments? It depends on the type of tournament, and if you don’t want to risk your own cash, you can always search for freeroll tournaments. What triggers a jackpot on a slot machine? The most elementary method of awarding a jackpot prize is randomness. However, it’s also possible that a specific set of symbols must be hit to trigger the jackpot. The second approach players use to win the slots jackpot is to play in the bonus round by collecting the required symbols in the correct order. Does playing max bet increase odds? Yes. Increasing your wager to the maximum level in most slot games will result in a bigger payout. In order to win a slot tournament, players need to have the most coins at the end of the round. Are slot tournaments rigged? There’s no reason for you to be concerned if you’re playing in a regulated, licensed casino that provides only tested RNG games. Each slot machine is programmed to generate results at random and have a predetermined payout percentage. How do slot tournaments work at casinos? At land-based slot tournaments, rules are pretty similar to the ones at online casinos. However, the one big difference when you’re playing by pressing a real-life button is that when you finish, you need to wait for an official to collect your score.

A slot machine is a gambling device that generates a game of chance, and it’s also known as a fruit machine and pokies in Australia and New Zealand. In this article, I’ll explain how to play slot machines, but before that, I’ll look into the history, terminology, and strategy so that you can fully understand the process and what it takes to win.   History of Slots In 1891 in Brooklyn, Sittman and Pitt created a gaming device that foreshadowed the current slot machine. This poker-themed set has five drums with fifty different card designs. Very soon, many bars in the city had at least one of these machines, which became an instant hit. People would put a nickel in, pull a lever, and the drums would spin, dealing out cards in the hopes of a winning poker hand. Given the lack of a standardized payment structure, players could win everything from free beer to cigars or drinks for a royal flush. The odds against getting a royal flush were doubled by cutting the ten of spades and the jack of hearts from the deck, increasing the house’s advantage. A player’s odds of winning could be further diminished by shuffling the drums around. In 1894, a San Francisco resident, Charles Fey, invented the first slot machine. Namely, he’s credited with inventing the now-familiar design of the Liberty Bell, which was a three-reel, one-payline slot machine with an automatic payment mechanism. Although Fey’s slot machine was an instant hit, the game has evolved significantly since its inception. In 1907, slot machine reels began featuring fruit symbols, while just playing card symbols were employed in the past. In the 1920s, Mills Novelty Co. developed a feature called Skill Stop, which allowed the player to pause the reels and try to affect the game’s outcome. Money Honey, the first ever electronic slot machine, was introduced in 1963 by Bally, a company well-known in Illinois’s video gaming terminal (VGT) industry. Fortune Coin Co. of Las Vegas, Nevada, created the first video slot machine in 1976 in Kearny Mesa, California. In 1978, IGT (International Gaming Technology) bought Fortune Coin Co. and their video slot machine technology. Reel ‘Em In, created by WMS Industries in 1996, was the first American video slot machine to feature a second screen bonus round. Since at least 1994, when the game Three Bags Full was released, Australia had machines of this type. Classic slot machines were crucial for the rise of Las Vegas as a casino heaven as they are ideal for first-time slot players because they are fast, easy to learn, and play.   How to Play Slot Machines In the following sections, I provided information about how to play slots in land-based and online casinos. Playing Online Slots When it comes to playing online slots, here are some things you should know: Do a research and pick a slot game with good RTP or return to player, percentage, and volatility. Try a demo version of the game, and if it looks good to you, start playing. Set a budget limit to manage your funds, so you don’t lose more than you want. Upon reaching the limit, stop playing for a while. Keeping in mind your budget, place bets on the number of paylines you see fit. If you bet on more than one paylline, you can get more winnings. Upon winning a big prize, players stop playing in order not to lose money. Slot Machine Etiquette When you’re playing in brick-and-mortar casinos, there are unwritten rules for playing slots: If you’re a dedicated gamer who often plays on many machines at once and switches between them, then ensure that the slot machine you pick isn’t used by anyone else. The seat could be taken even if there’s no one occupying it. Play only on one machine at a time when the casino is crowded. You’re playing against the casino, not other players. Don’t let defeat rattle you. It’s all about fun and has nothing to do with the machines, the staff, or the other players. It’s advisable to play while you’re feeling your best, and if you’re feeling hungry, sleepy, or grumpy, it’s best to skip the slots and save your money for a better time. Payouts Slot machines are set to return anything from 0 to 99% of gambled money. The theoretical payout percentage, known as return to player, is the proportion of money that should be returned to the player. What’s good to know is that the minimum potential payout percentage is often set by legislation and varies between jurisdictions. Winning patterns on slot machines are calculated to give the house a certain percentage of the real money wagered while giving the remaining funds to players. A return to player percentage of 97% means that after a large number of spins, say 1,000,000, the machine will pay out $970,000 on average.   Types of Slots In this section, I’ll provide more information about the different types of slot games you can find in online and land-based casinos. Classic slots The classic online slot is the most basic type of online slot game, sometimes referred to as one-armed bandit, an old mechanical machine with a lever that the player pulled to make the machine spin inspired the nickname. Classic slots are a good choice for players who like to keep things simple, as most classic slots have only one horizontal payline across three reels. People who have never played a slot machine before will appreciate how easy it is to play on it. Three-reel slots usually have fewer betting options and are preferred by players with smaller budgets and those who like to have a speedy gambling experience. The fact that they only have a few reels reduces the number of possible winning combinations. Also, the variance is very high, which means that players can either win big or lose fast. Although they use random number generators (RNG), online versions of classic slots usually pay more than their mechanical counterparts. The classic slot games have different symbols and easy-to-understand rules, so players win when they get three of the same symbols. In rare instances, 3-reel slots have bonus rounds and even wild and scatter symbols. Video Slots Video slots were made in 1970 and are also called 5-reel slots. They don’t have levers, so players had to press a button to start a round. Video slots have very appealing graphics, sounds, and videos that draw in all types of players. They were made by software designers to improve players’ gambling experience. Five-reel slots may be the real forerunner of online slots we see today. The maximum value that can be wagered on a single prize line in a video slot varies, which is why video slots quickly gained massive popularity. The advantage of having more paylines than three-reel slots means you have a better chance of winning. In addition, they also have bigger jackpots. One final thing that separates five-reel slots is the free-spin mode, which can include bet multipliers. Progressive Jackpot Slots All well-established online casinos have to offer this slot type considering these slots have a large progressive jackpot that keeps getting bigger over time. How do slots progressive jackpots work? A small amount of each player’s bet goes into the pot, and when the prize is won, the jackpot starts to grow again from a fixed sum — the seed. We can classify three sub-categories: Standalones — People who like to gamble should know that standalone progressive jackpots are not linked to other slots. They are only linked to one game, meaning that the jackpot will only grow as long as people keep playing that particular slot. Linked — Linked jackpots, on the other hand, are made up of prizes from more than one game. However, note that these games might not always be in the same casino. Sometimes, they might be spread out across different casinos that the same company runs. Wide-area ones — Wide-area progressive jackpots are the most appealing because they grow to huge amounts in almost no time. Fans of slot games can find slots that have what is called flat jackpots, and as you might expect from the name, prizes in these games never go up. All progressive slots have a jackpot meter that lets players see how much money has been added up at any given time, which can be very helpful because players can enter the games at best possible time. Before you land on progressive slots, you should keep in mind that you have to spin with the maximum value to be eligible for the biggest prize. If you make the maximum bet and get the winning combination that sets off the jackpot, you’ll get a much smaller payout. These slots have fewer regular wins, so the chance of someone winning the big prize isn’t too high.   Slot Elements In this part, I’ll provide an explanation of the elements of slot games. Reels To fully understand the game differences, you must familiarize yourself with the lingo. The reel is slang for a horizontal column, the most significant part of slot machines. Note that one reel can only display each symbol once during a spin. Upon landing on the screen, you’ll know if your combination is a winner. Most modern slot machines have five reels. However, the developers are constantly innovating complex new complex and sophisticated games. This resulted in slot machines with some fascinating visuals and 3- reel slots with two grids, but regardless of the number of reels, their function doesn’t change. Paylines A payline is a combination of winning symbols. It’s possible for winning symbols to align in any of these directions — vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or even in a zigzag pattern. Slot machines have progressed to the point where they can have a random number of paylines. In addition, players can bet on the maximum number of said paylines. Rows The rows, in conjunction with the reels, constitute the playing grid, the surface upon which the symbols are placed. The number of rows grew, just as it did for the reels and paylines. Also, the way rows and reels are tallied in dimensions is the only factor that differentiates them from one another. Symbols Even with the ever-increasing advancements made in the slot’s universe, the symbols used are considered classic, so even the newest slots carry the most popular symbol types. When these icons align properly, players get their winnings. Payout Table A payout table or pay table is a helpful guide that tells you how much you can win and how to use special features, paylines, betting requirements, and jackpots, if there are any. The length of the table depends on how complicated a slot machine is. Not all slots make it clear, but most include the expected return to the player (RTP) percentage in the pay table. When you look at the percentage, you can decide if this machine is more for people who just want to play for fun or if it’s better for people who like to take more risks and wait longer to win bigger prizes.   Symbols on Slot Machines Now that you know more about slot elements, let’s talk about symbols you can see in various slot games. Wild Symbols Wild symbols can complete paylines that wouldn’t have won without them because they can stand in for any other symbol, but wilds can’t substitute for other bonus symbols. As a result, a wild symbol may not have any monetary value in some slot machines, while in others, it may be the most valuable icon. Wild symbols generate excitement in players anytime those symbols appear randomly. In certain games, though, they show up just on specific reels, like the middle three of a five-reel slot machine. Scatter Symbols In online slot games, a scatter symbol is a distinctive symbol that can have various purposes depending on the game you’re playing. For example, they: could activate a variety of extra games or features may serve as multipliers can stand in for different symbols to assist players in completing winning combinations Multiplier Symbols Multipliers are special components that can increase your payout by a fixed amount. Some multipliers only activate during free spins or bonus rounds, while others appear randomly and rarely during regular play. Some icons increase your wins, while others add to line or total bets. Sticky Symbols Sticky symbols play a significant role in making slot games more fun to play. Namely, they are a type of wild symbol and are as common as wilds. If you come across a slot game with a symbol that stays on the reels for up to eight seconds, triggering other symbols as a catalyst for wins, that’s a sticky symbol. Bonus Symbols Slot machines typically use bonus symbols to initiate a bonus game, which are distinct from scatter symbols. The difference is that to activate the bonus game, you need a predetermined number of these special symbols to appear in specific positions on the reels. Usually, you need at least three bonus symbols to trigger a bonus game, and spins must be on active paylines. Stacked Symbols In essence, a stacked wild is a wild symbol that can expand to fill an entire reel. In most cases, you’ll see them clustered in groups of two, three, four, or five icons. Keep in mind that you’ll see stacked wilds on every reel when playing certain slot machines, while in others, they only appear on specific reels. Many video slots that offer stacked wilds on every reel tend to have high volatility in their play. However, when combined with multipliers, stacked wilds in the free spins bonus feature can boost the chances of winning big.   Strategies for Slot Machines Now that you know the terminology and general rules, you’re probably thinking about how to play slot machines? Are there any strategies involved? How to play pokies and maximize your winnings? The Multiplier Multiplier slots are video slots in which your winnings from a single spin are increased by a factor of two, three, four, or more. There are machines where the multiplier can go into the double digits, while some bet multipliers raise the line bet rather than the overall bet, so keep that in mind and read the pay table rules. It’s always advisable to research, find the best multiplier slots, and play to win on slot machines. In my opinion, these are the leading megaways slot machines: Bonanza Megaways by Big Time Gaming Gonzo’s Quest by NetEnt Valley of the Gods by Yggdrasil Pirate Kingdom Megaways by Iron Dog Studio Peggy Riches Megaways by Red Tiger The Buy-a-Pay Each coin played on a buy-a-pay slot machine grants access to a smaller chunk of the game’s payout schedule. Some slots have three pay lines across the reels, with the center reel being the only place to win on a single-coin wager, the top line will be added if two coins are placed, and the bottom line will be added if three coins are placed. Do not play the game if you’re not willing to bet the maximum amount required to unlock all symbols in a buy-a-pay. You lose if the three jackpot symbols line up and you haven’t wagered enough. The only way to play a buy-a-pay is to wager the maximum amount allowed. The Progressive You should always play at the maximum bet to have any hope of taking home the grand prize. Avoiding the progressive slots in which the jackpot is now at a low level is a strategy that makes sense. If you’re going to spend money trying to win the jackpot, you might as well do it when the prize has the potential to transform your life completely. The odds of hitting the jackpot are extremely low as some progressive slot machines appear to have a better record of paying out jackpots. To tell you the truth, that’s because many individuals play them. Lastly, if you’re able to locate them, play the standalones because these games have smaller jackpots that are won more frequently. How to win jackpots on slot machines? The best strategy is to do your research. These are leading progressive slot machines: Mega Moolah by Microgaming Gladiator by Playtech Mega Fortune by NetEnt Lightning Link by Aristocrat   Tips for Playing Slots Whether you play in brick-and-mortar or online casino, there are some things you should know in order to play wisely and safely. In the following sections, I’ll provide a few tips. Manage Your Money A crucial part of playing slots is effective money management, just like on quarter machines. For example, on a slot machine, a player can easily perform 800 pulls in an hour, so let’s say one pull requires two quarters, which means that a player wagered $400. You can divide your funds meant for slots into smaller parts, for example, $20-$30 for every half an hour on a slot machine to avoid spending all the money quickly or on the same machine. Play within your means, and don’t be afraid to cut your stakes or bail out if you reach the limit point. The fact is that you will lose money on a slot machine session, more often than not. Start with Little Bets It’s common for gamers to believe that the winnings wouldn’t occur immediately. So you should begin with little bets and work your way up, hoping to wager large when the winnings roll in, commonly known as “Prime the Pump.” When it comes to winning, you’re more likely to win in the early stages than in the latter stages. So, if you wager the same amount on every spin, the payback percentage will remain the same. Try Your Luck at Slot Tournaments A slot tournament is a competition between many people playing the same casino slot game over a given time period. In tournaments, players accumulate points by wagering on a particular slot machine, and the winner is the competitor who finishes with the most points. A single day may be the limit for some contests, while others may go on for several months. It’s essential to remember that different casinos have different restrictions, such as spinning at least once per day throughout the event or playing the minimum number of spins over the course of the competition. Who knows, maybe you’ll have a lucky day and obtain some prizes. Use a Casino Bonus Online casinos usually provide sign-up promotions, so you can play through the casino bonus before withdrawing. You can use the bonus money to play games or test new games before spending your money. Don’t bet more for prizes or exceed your bankroll. Play comfortably, then profit. Check Out New Slot Games It goes without saying that casinos put a lot of thought into picking slot games that will last a long time, but at the same time, they want to see a return on their investment as soon as possible. Consequently, casinos can occasionally enhance the payback rate on new slot machines or give special incentives that can be used on them. This is a terrific technique for players to potentially enhance their payout odds and helps the casino advertise the new games.   Conclusion At the beginning of this guide, I pointed out some historical points that I found important. Then, I explain what types of slots you should look for, what each element of a slot game does, and tips on how to play slot machines at land-based casinos. Moreover, I provided information about various slot types so you can potentially win more money. Lastly, if you’re interested in playing slot, you can check how slot tournaments work and, perhaps, participate in one and win real money.

Blackjack can be a game of strategy — but winning big in blackjack is a matter of timing and knowing when the right time is to double down. Namely, doubling down is among the most popular bets in blackjack, but many people don’t fully understand how the move works and how timing plays a crucial role in the process. I’ll explain when to double down in Blackjack because, In some cases, if you do this right, you’ll be upping your winnings in a big way. What Does Doubling Down Mean in Blackjack? When you double down in blackjack, you receive only one more card after doubling your bet. A possible problem in this scenario is that if you get dealt a low card, you can’t hit again, and you may lose twice as much money. So, it’s essential to know when to double down during a game of blackjack in order to win, and the key is to find the right balance between playing safe and taking risks to ensure that you have the edge over your competitors in the game. When to Double Down in Blackjack? Fortunately, basic strategies for blackjack have been meticulously mapped out using mathematical probability to tell you exactly when it’s best (on a long-term basis) to double down. Depending on the situation, there are three times when it’s best to double down, and as a result, you are in the likely position to finish with a high hand in situations below, whereas the dealer is most likely to lose. Here are the hands when you should double down: Hand total equals 11 Hard 9 or 10 Soft 16, 17, 18 Hand Total is 11 Undoubtedly, this is the most popular and well-known time for players to double down on blackjack. You’re more likely to hit blackjack if holding eleven in your hand, as one more card can get you close to it. In any case, you won’t break 21. As a result, many people opt to double down when their total number of cards is 11. Hard 9 or 10 The term “hard hand” refers to a hand in which no ace is involved (sigh). If your dealer is showing a lower card than what you have, which puts you in a better position than the dealer, it may be a good time for you to double down on your hand. Soft 16, 17, 18 “Soft” is the term used to describe a hand with an ace and another card. If you had a chance to play blackjack, you know that an ace can be a great advantage since it increases your chances of either hitting 21 or coming very close to it, depending on the situation. Even so, it’s important not to get overconfident when you see the all-important ace on the board. It’s a good rule of thumb that you should only double down in these situations when, once again, the dealer is showing the lower card in hand. When Not to Double Down? Double downing too frequently can backfire in an attempt to increase your winnings. However, there are some instances where it isn’t a good idea, and you’ll likely lose a lot of money quickly if you do so. There are times when you should not double down, such as: The dealer holds an Ace You have a hard hand over 11 The Dealer Has an Ace When it comes to blackjack, an ace can be quite a powerful card to have in your hand, which is why you should never double down when the dealer has one. In other words, the odds are in their favor if they hit blackjack or get very close to 21. Hard Hand Over 11 It’s not a good idea to double down if your hard hand is higher than 11, and you have a chance of going bust. Never take a risk if you’re unsure. Tips for Doubling Down in Blackjack To help you decide whether to double down or stick with your initial bet, here are some tricks and tips that you can take into account: If you’re ready to take the risk, push a stack of chips equal to your original wager next to your current wager. To avoid being perceived as tampering, new chips shouldn’t be added over the original bet. Remember to always double down on the same amount as your initial bet. When you show an 11, it’s almost always a good idea to double down, particularly for those new to blackjack. It’s usually impossible to double down after you split a hand. As the name implies, splitting is receiving two cards of the same value and then being given the option to split these two cards into two separate hands, from which you will receive two new cards from the dealer. Online casinos may allow you to do this, but most in-person casinos will not allow you to do so. After hitting, you cannot double down. Hitting is the act of taking another card from the deck. A rule states that doubling down can only be done after the initial two cards are dealt. Conclusion If you think that your hand has a much better chance of winning, you can double down and make an extra wager. Of course, it will cost you double the amount you were planning to bet, so you’ll risk more. Some games allow you to double down on a split pair as well, where, for example, if you are dealt a pair of 10s, and the dealer shows a 3, 4, 5, or 6, you can split your tens, double down on them both, and aim to make 21 with both hands. The downside to doubling down is that there is still some risk involved. The dealer always goes after the players and has more information at his disposal. Because of this, the house has a slight advantage over the players. Lastly, it’s good to know that only the player’s stake will be returned if there’s a tie. If you have more questions about when to double down in blackjack, check the questions below. FAQ Do you always double down on 11? Although there are some theoretical situations where you shouldn’t double down on 11, depending on the particular table rules, you can keep things simple and always double down on 11. In the long run, there is no doubt that this move will turn out to be profitable. Do you double down on an 11 against a 10? The player is in a strong position when holding 11 after two cards have been dealt because the player and dealer are trying to get close to 21. Therefore, doubling down is a good idea when the dealer shows a lower card than a 10. Should you double down on 12? Yes, you should double down on 12 because to double down, you need to have a hand value of 10 or 11 in order to make sense of the strategy. Considering that there’s a 30.7% chance of you hitting another 10-value card and making a high hand in this situation. Can you double down after hitting? No, there are practically no blackjack games in which you can double down after hitting. Should you double down on 10? No, you should always double down when you hold ten and the dealer holds a card lower than seven. However, you shouldn’t double your bet if the dealer also has 10 or 11. The value of doubling or not will be fairly equal if they have 7, 8, or 9. Can you double down after splitting? Once you have split your cards in most casinos, you won’t be able to double your bet once you have done so. However, a few casinos, especially online ones, allow split hands to be doubled. Use the same logic for each split hand you used for your initial hand if this is the case. When you double down in blackjack, what number of cards do you receive? The extra card you receive when you double down is the only one. New players in the game of blackjack make the mistake of believing that they will receive as many cards as they like. If a low card is dealt, doubling down the blackjack bet could result in a low total.

Do you want to start gambling but don’t know whether it’s legal in your country or not? Certain activities can have an age restriction, such as playing video games, drinking alcohol, or buying tobacco. Regarding gambling, the most common age limit is 18 years. In case you’re wondering how old do you have to be to gamble or place bets, in this article, I’ll point out age restrictions for many places, so stay tuned. In the following sections, I’ll go over age restrictions related to gambling and sports betting around the world. The United States In most states, the gambling age in the USA is 18, but there are some exceptions. States Casino Games Sports Betting Alabama 21 / Alaska 21 / Arizona 21 21 Arkansas 21 21 California 18 / Colorado 21 21 Connecticut 21 21 Delaware 21 21 Florida 21 18 Georgia 18 (cruises only) / Hawaii 21 / Idaho 18 / Illinois 21 21 Indiana 21 21 Iowa 21 21 Kansas 21 / Kentucky / / Louisiana 21 21 Maine 21 / Maryland 21 21 Massachusetts 21 18 Michigan 18/21 18 Minnesota 18 18 Mississippi 21 18 Missouri 21 18 Montana 18 18 Nebraska 21 18 Nevada 21 21 New Hampshire 21 21 New Jersey 21 18 New Mexico 21 18 New York 21 18 North Carolina 21 21 North Dakota 21 21 Ohio 21 / Oklahoma 18 / Oregon 21 21 Pennsylvania 21 21 Rhode Island 21 21 South Dakota 18 at Indian Casinos 21 South Carolina 21 (cruises only) / Tennessee / 21 Texas 21 21 Utah 21 / Vermont 21 / Virginia 21 21 Washington 18 21 West Virginia 21 21 Wisconsin 21 21 Wyoming 21 18 Europe The minimum age to gamble in Europe varies. In some places, the legal age to gamble is 21, while in others, it might be 20 or 18. Take a look below to find out how old do you have to be to bet and play casino games in Europe. For the UK, European Countries Casino Games Sports Betting Albania 18 18 Austria 18 18 Andorra / / Belarus 21 21 Belgium 21 21 Bosnia and Herzegovina / / Bulgaria 18 18 Croatia 18 18 Czech Republic 18 18 Denmark 18 / Estonia 21 21 Faroe Islands 18 18 Finland 18 18 France 18 18 Germany 18 18 Gibraltar 18 18 Greece 23 23 Guernsey 18 18 Hungry 18 18 Iceland 18 18 Ireland 18 18 Isle of Man 18 18 Italy 18 18 Kosovo 18 18 Latvia 18 18 Liechtenstein 18 18 Luxembourg 18 18 Malta 18 (25 for Maltese citizens) 18 (25 for Maltese citizens) Moldova 18 18 Monaco 18 18 Montenegro 18 18 Netherlands 18 18 North Macedonia 18 18 Norway 18 18 Poland 18 18 Portugal 18 or 25 (depends on the casino) 18 or 25 (depends on the casino) Romania 18 18 San Marino 18 18 Serbia 18 18 Slovakia 18 18 Slovenia 18 18 Spain 18 18 Sweden 18 18 Switzerland 18 18 Turkey 18 18 Ukraine 18 18 United Kingdom 18 18 Vatican City / / Asia Overall, there’s no doubt that Asia is one of the best places in the world to gamble. But what is the legal age to gamble there? In most Asian countries, you have to be between the ages of 18 and 21. Countries in Asia Casino Games Sports Betting Akrotiri and Dhekelia 18 18 Afghanistan Illegal Illegal Armenia 21 21 Azerbaijan 18 18 Bahrain Illegal Illegal Bangladesh / / British Indian Ocean Territory 18 18 Brunei Darussalam Illegal Illegal Cambodia / / China Illegal(except for lotteries) Illegal Christmas Island 18 18 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 18 18 Cyprus 18 18 Georgia 18 18 Hong Kong 18 18 Iran Illegal Illegal India 21 21 Indonesia Illegal Illegal Israel 18 18 Japan 20 20 Kyrgyzstan 18 18 Laos 18 18 Lebanon 21 21 Macau 21 21 Malaysia 21 21 Maldives Illegal Illegal Mongolia / / Myanmar 18 18 Pakistan Illegal 1Illegal Philippines 21 18 Qatar Illegal Illegal Russia 18 18 Saudi Arabia Illegal Illegal Singapore 21 18 South Korea 19 19 Syria Illegal Illegal Tajikistan 18 18 Thailand Illegal Illegal Turkey 18 18 UAE Illegal Illegal Vietnam 21 21 Canada Usually, the minimum age for gambling in Canada is 19 years old. However, like with most other countries around the world, it can vary geographically. Here are the exceptions: Quebec — 18 Manitoba — 18 Alberta — 18 Latin America The iGaming business has a lot to look forward to in Latin America. There’s stable growth, and more of it will come. South America is made up of 12 independent countries, each with its own laws about gambling. The legal gambling age is 18 years old. Oceania When it comes to Oceania, the usual gambling age is 18 years old. The only current exception is 20 for casinos in New Zealand. There’s no known legal age in Papua New Guinea. In the Federated States of Micronesia, it’s dependent on state law. It’s illegal in the Marshall Islands and Tokelau. Africa In Africa, the gambling age is usually 18 or 21, except for Nigeria, where the age limit is 20. It’s illegal in Algeria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, and Sudan. There’s no known gambling age for Tunisia, South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea. FAQ Why are the gambling age limits different? The legal age when you start being considered an adult differs from country to country, which is probably the main reason. What will happen if you gamble while you’re underage? In the US, the winnings will be taken away, and it’s not likely that something else’s going to happen. Though, if someone continuously goes to casinos underage will face some consequences. Also, the operators who let you in can face harsher punishments sometimes. Is the age restriction the same for land-based and online casinos? It usually is, but there are countries where the age limit differs between the two. Is there a connection between the casino bonuses and the age restriction? No, there’s no connection. You need to be 18 years old or above, and you can take advantage of the bonuses just like everyone else.

Whether we love them or hate them, we hate to love them. There is no doubt that slot machines are one of a kind. Since the 18th century, they have been a part of our lives. Back then, there were no themes, no fancy electronics, and no flashing lights to be seen. Using the famous poker deck, you could make poker for as little as a penny with a drum-powered machine. In the past two hundred years, pennies were worth much more than they are today. Since then, we have come a long way, and below are some interesting slot machine facts you may not know about. Fascinating Slot Machine Facts 1. Slot machines pay 90% of the funds they collect. 2. The hot and cold machines don’t exist. 3. Japan has more slot machines than the USA. 4. First slot games had five reels. 5. The first slot machine was similar to video poker. 6. Slot players are the ones who are addicted to gambling. 7. RTP percentage is higher in online casinos. 8. No strategy can be used in slots. 9. More than 80% of the casino revenue comes from slots. 10. Slots are a game of luck. 11. Slot machines have different names around the world. 12. Slot players are the ones who are addicted to gambling. 1. Slot Machines pay 90% of the funds they collect. Slot machines are responsible for 80% of a casino’s revenue, but it does not mean they aren’t very generous to the players. 90% of the money they gather is indeed paid to them. In other words, it doesn’t mean that nine out of ten people will be able to walk away from the casino with enough money to buy a Rolex, it doesn’t work like that. Initially, players are given small amounts of money, and as time goes on, the rest is accumulated into a succulent jackpot that can be won. 2. The hot and cold machines don’t exist. Among the many examples of the gambler’s fallacy, one of the most common is the belief that a slot machine game gets hotter or colder as time passes. The idea is that a game that pays out a lot of money is somehow “hot” and will continue to pay out in the future. Alternatively, if you’re playing a slot game that doesn’t pay out much, a game will remain “cold” and have a much lower probability of paying out in the future. There will always be streaks of luck, either good or bad, in any situation dealing with random results — retrospect only reveals those streaks of luck. Whether you won something on the previous spin or not, you’ll have a one in 1000 chance of winning a jackpot and a 1 in 1000 chance of winning it on the next spin. In terms of probability, a spin of the reels on a slot machine would be considered an “independent trial.” Thus, previous results do not affect future results. In modern slot machines, the results of the games are determined by a random number generator (RNG). As you can see, the program generates thousands of random numbers per second, each of which is associated with a particular result on the reels in the game. When you press the “spin” button (or pull the lever), the RNG (random number generator) stops. In a nutshell, it’s impossible to predict which number will land as far as I am concerned. That’s because there are too many numbers being sent through the machine at the same time. 3. Japan has more slot machines than the USA. It’s natural to think of Las Vegas when you think about gambling, as it is associated with the American culture, movie industry, and whatnot. However, you’ll be surprised to learn that Japan has surpassed the USA in the number of slot machines by a lot. Namely, studies have shown that there is a slot machine for every 27 people in Japan, while in the United States, there is one machine for every 350 people, which is a huge difference. However, there’s an exception with Las Vegas, which has a record of allocating one machine for every eight city residents. 4. First slot games had five reels. Online and electronic slots are making five reel slot games a resurgence, but until recently, they were only three reels. Since slot machines were inspired by poker back in the 18th century, five reels were needed when they were invented. However, at some point along the way, the design was simplified to only three. 5. First slot machine was similar to video poker. Developed in the 19th century, the first poker machine was based on a simple mechanical design. Each drum of the machine had ten cards, and each drum had five rolling drums. A five-card poker hand would randomly appear after the player spins the drums. The famous inventor Charles Fey, responsible for the invention of the first slot machine at the start of the 20th century, adapted the poker machine and added a “hold” feature. As a result, he named the game “Skill Draw.” The players could hold some of the cards after the initial spin and re-spin those cards they didn’t hold after the initial spin. 6. Slots with fruit symbols appeared after slot machines were banned in the USA. The term ‘fruit machines’ is frequently used to describe slot machines. In the early days of slot machines, it was common to feature fruit symbols on the reels, such as cherries, oranges, lemons, and plums. Since then, the nickname has been used to refer to slot machines in general, especially in the UK and Europe. In 1907, Herbert Mills developed an American slot machine sufficiently different to receive a separate patent from Charles Fey’s monopoly on American slot machines. Besides the mechanical differences, it’s important to note that he used fruit symbols on the reels instead of the then-customary numbers and suits. Also, it’s worth noting that when slot machine owners were questioned as to the legality of their machines, they replied that they had dispensed gum instead. Fruit symbols represented the flavors of gum that players could win. 7. RTP Percentage is higher in online casinos. Among interesting facts about online slots is that the slots pay better than their land-based counterparts. It’s common for land-based slot machines to have a return to a player percentage between the mid-80s and the low 90s. On the other hand, online slots tend to offer a return to player (RTP) percentage between 94% and 98%. Additionally, some Megaways slots have a high RTP in comparison to some classic slot titles. 8. No Strategy can be used in slots. In the internet world, you will find plenty of snake oil salesmen who claim to be able to tell you how these games work, how you can make more money at them, and how you can win more frequently. However, they are all equally worthless in the end. When machines are at rest, many like to share the idea that symbols on them can give you a clue about which ones are ready to pay out. It’s called the “zig-zag” system, which doesn’t make sense. The reels only show the results, as the real results are determined by the random number generator inside the machine. In the 1970s, there might have been some relevance to this type of thinking, but modern slot machines don’t have mechanical parts and aren’t subject to this prediction. In other systems, the gambler’s fallacy predicts which games are hot or cold. For example, John Patrick, the gambling author, attempted to predict whether a machine is hot or cold. And in one of his theories, he believes that you should stop playing a game if you have been playing it for seven spins in a row without any wins. While these systems and strategies make for exciting ways to pass the time and play, they don’t increase your chances of winning. 9. Slot players are the ones who are addicted to gambling. There has been a significant increase in slot players attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings and seeking similar help for their gambling addiction since the early 1990s. 10. More than 80% of casino revenue comes from slots. In the middle of the 1980s, the casino industry underwent a dramatic change. Slot machines were considered to be a distraction for women at the time when they were introduced. Instead, blackjack and craps were the games they played with their boyfriends and husbands. Interestingly, there were no stools in front of the slots back then, and they were placed in the hall or near the elevator to avoid taking up space on the gambling floor. Only a decade has passed since slot machines started generating twice as much revenue per year as all the table games combined in the industry. Gambling machines generated a total of 85% of the casinos’ revenues by the year 2003. 11. Slots are a game of luck. You can win at slot games in several ways, but luck will always play a significant part. As I mentioned, if you play slots on a physical machine or online, there’s no solid strategy to be followed to win prizes consistently. There is a reason for this since the bet is randomly selected through a computerized random number generator. Although, you can still use the RTP (Return to Player) and the slot machine’s payout percentage to get a better chance of winning. 12. Slot machines have different names around the world. There are a lot of funny names given to slot machines in different parts of the English-speaking world. Each of these names has some fascinating historical significance, and here are a few of the best tales behind them. The names range from cute terms like “puggies” to downright puzzling phrases like “liberty bells.” Conclusion Even though slot machines seem simple, they’re a fascinating phenomenon, and going through these slot machine facts will provide you with the necessary knowledge if you haven’t played them before. Through the use of these machines and the people who play on them, companies worldwide generate a great deal of revenue. No one understands these games better than casino management and game providers. In any case, if you’re a gambler who’s going to play slot machines, then you owe yourself to know as much as possible about them. What you could learn next is how slot tournaments work, so you can participate in them and potentially win money. Slot machine opponents argue against them in the same way that gun control advocates argue against guns. There is no doubt that some of their arguments are compelling. However, as far as the nature of these games is concerned, they seem to be significantly different from the nature of other games. Therefore, I believe there’s nothing wrong with responsibly playing slot machines. FAQ Who invented the slot machine? The slot machine was invented in the modern sense by Charles August Fey, who built his first coin-operated gambling machine in 1894. Why is it called a slot machine? “Slot machine” refers to a machine with slots for inserting and retrieving coins. The term “fruit machine” derives from the traditional fruit images on the spinning reels, such as lemons, plums, and cherries. What is the oldest slot machine? One of the very first slot machines that Charles August Frey invented was called the Liberty Bell. Due to the highest payout available from the machine, it was named after three bell symbols. How do slot machines determine payout? One of the slot machine facts is that the random number generator is capable of generating thousands of numbers, and each number has a different combination of associated symbols. Random numbers are generated instantly you press “spin,” which determines whether you win or lose. If the number matches a pay line, you win. When do slot machines reset? A local area progressive is connected to a group of other slot machines within a casino. Any play on one of those machines increases the jackpot for all those games. All of the machines reset their jackpots when a jackpot is hit on any of them.

Without a doubt, the best goalscorer in the World Cup history is Miroslav Klose. However, in this post, I’ll focus on the best goalscorers participating in the 2022 World Cup. So, when I say World Cup top scorers, I don’t mean overall in the history of just the World Cup, but in general. I’ll write about the players that are most likely to be among the best FIFA World Cup players this year. World Cup Overview FIFA World Cup is the most important sporting competition in the world, along with the Olympics. It happens once every four years, which adds to its excitement and importance. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be the last time 32 teams will participate. This format started in 1998, and FIFA expanded it to 48 teams for the 2026 World Cup in North America. Also, the Qatar World Cup will be the first tournament held during the winter months. That also means that, for the vast majority of players, the World Cup will be played in the middle of the club season. So, we’ll see the effects of this change for the first time. World Cup Schedule: November 21: Opening Ceremony, Group A Opener (Qatar) December 2: Final Group Games December 3-6: Round of 16 December 9-10: Quarterfinals December 13-14: Semifinals December 17: Third-Place Match December 18: Final Brazil leads all nations with five World Cup titles, and right behind them are Germany and Italy with four, but only Germany will have a chance in Qatar to tie for first place. The winner of the first World Cup, Uruguay, shares 3rd place with France and Argentina, each having won two times. Lastly, England and Spain each won once. The best goalscorer in the history of the World Cup is Miroslav Klose, with 16 goals, and he participated four times. However, when we speak about the best goalscorer in a single tournament, that title goes to Just Fontaine, who scored 13 goals for France in 1958. Who Is the Top World Cup Scorer? Germany’s Miroslav Klose participated in four World Cups between 2002 and 2014, scoring 16 goals in total. He debuted in Japan and South Korea when he scored five goals en route to the final game, where Germany lost to Brazil, led by the leading scorer of that tournament, Ronaldo, who scored eight goals. In 2006, he again scored five whilst playing on the home field, and Germany finished in 3rd place. In South Africa in 2010, Klose and his team again finished 3rd, and one of the best World Cup soccer players scored four goals this time. In his final appearance in 2014 in Brazil, Germany finally won their 4th title. The veteran striker contributed with two goals, his last being in a legendary semifinal game against Brazil that Germany won 7-1. Who Is the Oldest Goalscorer in a World Cup? Roge Milla is the World Cup’s oldest goalscorer at 42 years and 39 days. He set a new record when he scored against Russia in the 1994 World Cup, breaking his own record set in 1990. Also, in 1994, Milla was the oldest player to play in the tournament until Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon broke that record in 2014 (later broken again by Essam El Hadary). Milla is one of the Cameroon legends, having scored 43 goals in 77 matches for the national team. Who Is the Youngest Goalscorer in a World Cup? The youngest goalscorer was also one of the best players in the history of the sport – the legendary Pele. In 1958 in Sweden, Pele scored six goals in four games, the first being at the age of 17 and 239 days. The legend helped Brazil win three of their five World Cups in 1958, 1962, and 1970. To this day, he is Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 77 goals in 92 games. Pele broke the record set at the first World Cup in 1930 when Manuel Rosas scored for Mexico at the age of 18 years and 93 days. He is also among the World Cup’s top scorers, with 12 goals in 14 matches. Possible World Cup Top Scorers (2022) Player National Team Club Goals Assists 1. Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal Manchester Utd 117 42 2. Lionel Messi Argentina PSG 86 51 3. Robert Lewandowski Poland Barcelona 76 28 4. Thomas Müller Germany Bayern Munich 44 40 5. Kylian Mbappé France PSG 27 21 Cristiano Ronaldo Number 1 on the all-time list is the Portuguese menace, Cristiano Ronaldo. For his national team, Ronaldo played a record 189 times and scored 117 goals>/strong>, and he is the second player to surpass 100 goals, after Iranian Ali Daei. In the past, Ronaldo competed at four World Cups, and after 4th place in 2006, he didn’t reach the quarterfinals stage. Like his biggest rival, Lionel Messi, the Qatar World Cup is likely his last chance to win the most crucial football tournament and bring the first World Cup trophy to Portugal. He currently holds the 30th position with seven goals in 17 matches, but if he repeats his success from Russia, when he scored four goals, he can climb to 6th position and achieve a tie with World Cup legends Sándor Kocsis and Jürgen Klinsmann. Lionel Messi Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball in 2014, which is the award for the best player in the World Cup. He will probably have his last chance in Qatar to bring new glory to Argentina and match the success of his idol Diego Armando Maradona. So far, Messi has scored six World Cup goals in 19 matches. With his first one, against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, Messi became the 6th youngest World Cup goal scorer, one week before his 19th birthday. With 86 goals in 162 matches, Messi is the all-time leader of the Argentine national team in both goals and caps, with 30 goals more than second-placed Gabriel Omar Batistuta and 15 more matches than his long-time teammate Javier Mascherano. His 86 goals put him in 4th place among international goal scorers overall. Robert Lewandowski Interestingly, Lewandowski never scored a World Cup final goal because Poland qualified only once during Lewandowski’s impressive run in the last 12 years with his German football club. Since moving to Germany in 2010, Lewandowski has scored 103 goals in four seasons for Borussia Dortmund and 344 goals in 375 matches for Bayern Munich during the last eight seasons. Even in the World Cup qualifiers, the captain of the Polish national team has an impressive record of 30 goals in 37 matches. Lewandowski just turned 34, but he’s got a new challenge since moving to Barcelona, where he’s already scored two goals in two games. Like Messi and Ronaldo, Lewandowski has a final chance to add a World Cup success to his resume. Thomas Müller Another player who can surpass some legends and reach the top of the goal scorers list is Germany’s silent killer, Thomas Müller, who is somewhat surprisingly among the World Cup’s top scorers in history. The Bayern Munich legend has already played at three World Cups, and in Russia, in 2018, he didn’t score. However, he found the net five times each in 2010 and 2014, when he helped Germany win its fourth World Cup. After the group stage exit in 2018 and the Round of 16 exit at Euro 2020, Germany made massive changes, and Hansi Flick replaced Joachim Löw as the national team coach. Flick introduced a new generation starring: Kai Havertz Serge Gnabry Jamal Musiala Florian Wirtz However, Müller remained on the team to lead them on and off the field. In Qatar, he will get a chance to add to his tally of 10 goals as a member of Die Mannschaft’s strong attacking formation. Kylian Mbappé On the way towards the second World Cup trophy for France, Mbappé scored four goals, including two in an epic quarterfinal game against Argentina, and one in the World Cup final game against Croatia, for a score of 4-1, which put the game out of reach for the Croatian national team. Mbappé also made it to the youngest scorers list, sitting in 12th place of all time. PSG players have already scored 27 goals for Les Bleus in 57 matches. Mbappé will be 24 years old two days after the 2022 World Cup ends, so he has a chance to catch record holder Miroslav Klose during this one and the next two or three World Cups. Even though he was among the World Cup’s top players in 2018, he wasn’t considered for the main individual award, but that could change this year, and he’ll have an opportunity to become one of the Golden Ball winners. Player National Team Club Goals Assists 6. Neymar Brazil PSG 74 53 7. Luis Suarez Uruguay Nacional 68 37 8. Romelu Lukaku Belgium Internazionale 68 15 9. Harry Kane England Tottenham 50 14 10. Karim Benzema France Real Madrid 37 20 Neymar Most probably, there isn’t a more controversial player in football in the last decade than Neymar. His apparent diving and strange absences are constantly annoying football fans. None of them, however, can deny his offensive output. A 30-year-old PSG player debuted for the Seleção at the age of 18, and with his teammate Dani Alves he is chasing the two most capped Brazil players ever, fullbacks Cafu and Roberto Carlos. Neymar is currently 4th with 119 games but is second in goals with 74, just three less than football and World Cup legend Pele. Counting only World Cup appearances, Neymar scored six goals in 10 games in Brazil in 2014 and Russia in 2018. He has a new opportunity in Qatar to add to his score and help Brazil win their sixth title, the first since 2002. Luis Suarez Uruguay’s best player in the last decade participated in three World Cups and scored seven goals in total. However, his most memorable World Cup moment is an intentional handball that got him a red card but saved the net. After a penalty kick that Asamoah Gyan of Ghana missed, Uruguay managed to pass through to the semifinals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Suarez and his counterpart in the Uruguay attack, Edinson Cavani, got reinforcement in the form of new Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez. This trio, together with a strong core in the midfield, have a new chance to reach beyond the semifinals, something they’ve done three times since their second title in 1950. Suarez’s record on the national team is outstanding, he is currently: 4th in caps 1st in goals Scored 68 times in 132 matches Romelu Lukaku Romelu Lukaku played his first match for the Belgium national team two months before his 17th birthday, and he surpassed 100 caps for the Red Devils before turning 30. He played in two World Cups, scoring five goals in ten matches. With players like Kevin De Bruyne, the Hazard brothers, and their new hope in Charles De Ketelaere, Lukaku is looking to add to his all-time leading 68 goals in 102 matches for Belgium. If he remains in form, Belgium could take another step forward and reach the World Cup final. Harry Kane Kane had an outstanding first campaign and was among the best soccer players in the World Cup four years ago. With six goals in six games, he propelled England’s team all the way to the semifinals, where they fell short despite an early lead. However, the team came even closer to a trophy on a subsequent Euro 2020, where they lost in the final game in a penalty shootout. Harry Kane’s track record with the national team is on a record-breaking pace. He is second in goals behind Wayne Rooney, but it’s only a matter of time before he becomes an all-time leader, positioned in front of such legends as Charlton and Lineker. The national team’s captain scored 50 goals in 73 games after his late debut in 2015. Karim Benzema Karim Benzema’s return to the French national team gave their fans hope that they could repeat the success between 1998 and 2000 when France won both the World Cup and the Euro. However, Les Bleus fell short, exiting in the Round of 16. Nevertheless, the team looks prepared for the World Cup title defense, and bringing back Benzema after a series of controversies will help. Before being left out of the 2018 team, Benzema was on the 2010 team but didn’t appear on the field. In 2014, he scored three goals in five matches, but France got knocked out by champions — Germany. They have kept the core team and added more young talent to help Benzema add to his record of 37 goals in 97 games in his quest to surpass the French legend Michel Platini and move closer to Thierry Henry. Player National Team Club Goals Assists 11. Edinson Cavani Uruguay / 58 17 12. Aleksandar Mitrović Serbia Fulham 46 5 13. Gareth Bale Wales Los Angeles FC 40 22 14. Sadio Mane Senegal Bayern Munich 33 20 15. Ivan Perišić Croatia Tottenham 32 25 Edinson Cavani Another veteran who has already had World Cup success is the Uruguayan striker, Edinson Cavani, a member of a 2010 squad that finished in 4th place and both the 2014 and 2018 teams. In total, he played in 14 World Cup games and scored five goals. Adding just one more goal would propel him over some legendary players who scored five goals. Cavani has had success with the 2-time World Cup winners, capturing the Copa America in 2011 and his clubs, where he won 7 national titles. Cavani is the second of all-time in matches for Uruguay, behind his captain, Diego Godin. The forward appeared 133 times and scored 58 goals. This is the last trip to the World Cup for Uruguayan veterans and their final chance to improve on the successful 2010 campaign. Aleksandar Mitrović Former Newcastle United player, Mitrović became Serbia’s all-time top scorer at the age of 26. Mitrović was in top form last season for his team, Fulham FC, which again achieved promotion to the Premier League. Still, it was his goal against Portugal in the final minute of the game in the last qualifying match that highlighted his season. Partnered with Ajax’s Dušan Tadić and new Juventus player Dušan Vlahović, Mitrović will try to score again in the World Cup, where he has one goal in three matches during Russia’s campaign, and add more goals to his record-holding 46 in 74 matches. Gareth Bale Bale is another player with an outstanding international career to go along with his trophied club career. The Welsh captain won the Champions League with Real Madrid five times and had success with Wales in 2016 when they finished 3rd in the European Championships. Moreover, he helped the team reach the tournament finals for the second time in the national team’s World Cup history. During his international career that started in 2006, Bale played for Wales 106 times (2nd behind teammate Chris Gunter), and he is the highest scorer by a wide margin with 40 goals, 12 more than 2nd placed Ian Rush. Sadio Mane The biggest star of the Senegal national team is waiting for the World Cup in great spirit. He moved to Bayern Munich over the summer after leading Senegal to an Africa Cup of Nations trophy early in the year. Mane won every major trophy while at Liverpool, so the World Cup success would put him in consideration for the best African player of the 21st century. For the first time, Mane led Senegal’s team to two consecutive qualifications for the World Cup competition. However, his one goal in Russia didn’t help them advance past the group stages despite winning four points. With the help of teammates, captain Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea) and Idrissa Gueye (PSG), he will look to both surpass Senegal’s highest achievement (Quarterfinals in 2002) and become the first African country to reach the semifinals. Gueye and Mane are second and third in appearances, respectively, and Mane is already the team’s all-time top scorer with 33 goals in 91 games. Ivan Perišić One of the crucial members of Croatia’s 2018 World Cup team, Perišić has been a staple for the team since his debut in 2011. The new Tottenham Hotspur winger is a part of the Croatian core along with captain Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, and Ante Rebić, who continued with strong performances even after the retirements of Mario Mandžukić and Ivan Rakitić. Perišić’s overall national team goal-scoring record in 113 games isn’t eye-popping, which is understandable considering his position. However, among his 32 goals and 25 assists, he scored five goals and added three assists in two World Cup tournaments, including one of each in both the 2018 semifinal win and final loss. Currently, he is 4th in appearances and 3rd in goals for the Croatian national team, looking to add to his tally in possibly his last World Cup in Qatar.

From the very modest beginnings, starting in 1972, when five players competed in the Intergalactic Spacewar Olympics and the winner received a one-year subscription to Rolling Stone, we’ve reached the point where the biggest eSports tournaments are on the brink of becoming Olympic sports. The crucial trial period could be during this year’s Asian Games. The eSports program will include eight medal events and two demonstration events, with competitions being held in: Dota 2 League of Legends FIFA Arena of Valor Dream of the Three Kingdoms 2 Hearthstone PUBG Mobile Street Fighter V eSports Tournaments The biggest eSports tournament on arcade games occurred in 1980 on one of the most famous arcade games in history, Space Invaders. The tournament had over 10,000 participants. In 1993, Doom’s four-player deathmatch created the groundwork for online multiplayer games like Halo, Call of Duty, and Overwatch. However, when we think about eSports in today’s terms, the starting point was Quake’s Red Annihilation online tournament in 1997. The development of Twitch in 2011 was a game changer. It had 3.2 million visitors a month when it launched. A year later, that number exploded to 20 million. Finally, these tournaments had a platform where they could attract bigger crowds. From that point on, some of the biggest eSports events took place in quite well-known venues like: Arthur Ashe Stadium Staples Centre Wembley Arena Sang-am World Cup Stadium The International Without a doubt, the biggest eSports events are for Dota 2. And, the International has no match regarding prize pools, considering that last year, the tournament surpassed $40 million in awards. The International currently holds the top six positions for the biggest eSports Tournaments’ prize pools. Originally hosted in 2011 as a promotional event for the game, the International has been held every year since, except in 2020, when it was postponed due to the global pandemic of COVID-19. Since 2013, the game’s battle pass system has crowdfunded the prize pool. In the first ten competitions, the tournament had either 16 or 18 teams participating, but the format expanded in 2022. From the 8th to the 30th of October, the International 2022 will be the longest Dota 2 tournament to date. In addition, through the last chance qualifier, more teams will be added to the TI11 roster. Through the Last Chance Qualifiers round, the second and third-place finishers in each region will be able to fight for a seat on the main stage in one last LAN event, increasing the total number of teams from 18 to 20. After the LCQ concludes, the group stage will begin, with all 20 teams competing for the 16 available playoff positions. League of Legends World Championship The League of Legends World Championship is one of the world’s most renowned and watched events. It’s also the video game that receives the most attention from viewers across the globe. The success peaked in 2018 when 99.6 million people saw the final, and the prize pool was 6.45 million. More frequently referred to as Worlds, the Championship is the pinnacle of the annual professional League of Legends season. Teams battle against one another for the champion title, a Summoner’s Cup trophy weighing 70 pounds, and a multi-million dollar prize. The 2022 League of Legends World Championship is the twelfth iteration of this championship, organized by the game’s developers at Riot Games. This year’s event will take place from September 29 through November 5. Four venues in: Mexico City Atlanta San Francisco New York City Twenty-four teams from 11 regions earned a spot in the tournament through regional circuits in China, Europe, North America, South Korea, and Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau/Southeast Asia. Twelve teams had to compete in a play-in round to get to the main event. The group stage will separate teams into four groups of four, and the knockout stage will start with the quarterfinals. The 2022 prize pool is over $2.2 million. Call of Duty League In the 2022 season, 12 teams will compete in four Majors using a combination of online and LAN formats. Each Major tournament will take place over the course of four weeks, with the first three weeks consisting of each team competing in online qualification matches against five other randomly chosen teams. Following these three weeks, the rankings will be used to seed the teams into the main tournament, with the four worst teams moving to the Elimination Bracket. The League started on January 21 and will end on August 7. A Pro-am event will occur in the middle of the season, matching professional players against amateur players. In addition, a Call of Duty: Warzone tournament that will include Call of Duty League pro players, broadcasters, and other influencers will also be arranged. The Call of Duty League (CDL) is an esports competition run by the game publisher Activision. In 2019, the League was announced, and the first season began in 2020. The prize pool for the 2022 World Title is $2.55 million. You’ll recognize the format if you’re a fan of conventional North American professional sports leagues or the Overwatch League. Participants are city-based franchises financed by separate ownership groups. The League uses a tournament point system and playoff format, with players on the roster guaranteed a minimum annual salary and benefits, as well as a portion of winnings and revenue-sharing based on how well the team performs. Fortnite World Cup If there’s one game that skyrocketed in record time, from game release to the point of having one of the biggest eSports tournaments, then that is Fortnite. This year, for the first time since 2019, Epic is holding an in-person Fortnite competition. The creators announced the FNCS Invitational 2022, to be held in Raleigh, North Carolina, on the 12th and 13th of November. A total prize pool of $1 million will be up for grabs. During ten weekly qualifying events, players will be divided into five groups depending on the region they play in. The top 100 solo and 50 duo players will qualify for the Fortnite World Cup finals. There will be ten weekly Qualifier events. The top 100 solo and top 50 duo players will qualify for the Fortnite World Cup Finals. Namely, players will be divided into five groups depending on their region. The competition will begin with the Arena mode, where competitors must collect points to reach the Open event. During Stage 2 of The Fortnite Open, players will have three hours and up to ten matches to score the most points they can. Afterward, a group of elite players will go to the Open Finals. In the final stages, top players from every region will again have the same time frame of three hours and ten matches to score as many points as possible. Epic will then decide who is eligible for awards. Fortnite secured the largest individual prize win of any eSports athlete. Kyle Giersdorf, known as Bugha, was 16 years old when he won $3 million after a 10-week competition between April and June 2019. Valorant Champions The 2022 Valorant Champions is an impending eSports tournament for the Valorant video game by Riot Games. It’s the culminating event of the 2022 Valorant Champions Tour, the second iteration of this tournament. The competition is scheduled to take place in Istanbul, Turkey, between September 2nd and 18th, 2022. The total prize pool for the tour is $3.3 million. In November 2020, Riot Games announced the first ever Valorant Champions Tour. It was held in Berlin’s Verti Music Hall between the 1st and 12th of December. In 2021, the VCT attracted over 10,000 teams. In February of the same year, it was announced that the VCT Game Changers would be an additional tournament program for women and other marginalized communities. As the lowest division, Challengers were to be divided into six zones. If a team makes it through Challengers, they will progress to Masters, where they will no longer be separated into regions, and the top 16 teams from Masters will continue to Champions, the final event of VCT. The format of VCT was reworked for the second season. Namely, the number of stages in Challengers and Masters tournaments was lowered from three to two, although the basic structure of Challengers, Masters, and Champions remained the same. Challengers and Masters tournaments contribute to teams’ overall circuit points. In stage two of Masters, 16 teams proceed to the VCT’s global championship tournament, which is held annually. There’s a Last Chance Qualifier tournament for the last four teams, and the winner of the Stage Two Masters qualifies automatically. Honor of Kings World Champion Cup The Honor of Kings is a multiplayer online battle arena for the iOS and Android mobile platforms. The tournament has yet to be announced, but it is expected to be at the end of 2022. For the first time since 2020, the Honor of Kings World Champion Cup 2022 will involve teams from outside the United States, where 16 teams will compete for the $10 million prize pool. The tournament’s form of participation is also still up in the air. It may be held online or offline, depending on the general circumstances and travel limitations. However, since the Honor of Kings World Champion Cup is an S-tier event and so costly, it’s likely to be hosted offline like the majority of tournaments right now. An unprecedented amount of $10 million in prize money will be awarded in this event, making it one of the most lucrative in the history of mobile gaming. The PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC) has a prize pool of $6 million, which puts it in second place in the mobile gaming industry. In previous years, the Honor of Kings World Champions Cup already had big prize pools, ranging from 4.5 and 4.6 million dollars in 2019 and 2020 to 7.7 million in 2021. EVO Championship Series Maybe it isn’t among the biggest eSports tournaments, but not many will leave out EVO when it comes to historical significance. In the esports world, the Evolution Championship Series is a yearly competition devoted exclusively to fighting games. Like in Super Battle Opera, participants from across the globe participate in this event, mainly from Japan. The Battle by the Bay was the initial name of the inaugural Evolution, which included Super Street Fighter II Turbo and Street Fighter Alpha 2. In 2002, the event’s name was shortened to Evolution Championship Series or EVO. The number of people attending each tournament has steadily increased over time. Since 2005, it has occurred at several Las Vegas Valley locations. Sony Interactive Entertainment and Endeavor esports venture RTS will control the event jointly starting in 2021. In 2022, the Evolution Championship Series will return to the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for EVO 2022, which will take place between the 5th and 7th of August. Last year, the prize pool for 26 tournaments was $168,500. In Sunnyvale, California, a 40-player Super Street Fighter II Turbo and Street Fighter Alpha 2 tournament called Battle by the Bay kicked off the competition in 1996. Since its inception, the competition has grown, with more than 1,000 players in 2009. In 2004, the decision was made to switch from arcades to console versions. Other than official competitions, there’s a BYOC (Bring Your Own Console) section where many other games are played and side events are hosted. PUBG Global Championship The PUBG Global Championship is the culmination of the 2022 Competitive Season and is considered the World Championship for the game. The best 32 teams throughout the year will compete from November 1 until December 1. The PMGC 2022 boasts a $4 million prize pool, a decrease of $2 million from last year. With the PMWI in August and the addition of the game to the postponed Asian Games, the schedule is different than in earlier years. The PMGC 2022 will include the best teams from each Pro League (PMPL). Thirteen Pro Leagues are organized between June 20 and October 2. The top teams will participate in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, South East Asia, and South Asia PMPL Regional Championships. From the PMGC launch in 2020, Tencent couldn’t host it as a LAN event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time ever, after the imminent PUBG Mobile World Invitational (PMWI) and a better COVID-19 situation, PUBG fans are hoping for an offline event for the biggest event of the year. The PUBG Mobile World Invitational will be held in Riyadh from August 11 to August 20. Twenty teams will battle for $3 million in Saudi Arabia. Week one of the PMWI features the main event, where 20 teams will compete for $2 million. During the second week, The Afterparty Showdown will be played, where the top five teams from week one, six regional teams, and one special invite will participate. Overwatch League Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch League (OWL) is a professional eSports league for the video game Overwatch. The Overwatch League, like its Call of Duty counterpart, also follows the model of North American professional leagues. Twenty city-based teams, backed by ownership groups, began signing free agents to contracts for the 2022 season in October 2021. March 1 was the deadline for all teams to have a minimum of six players signed to season-long contracts. Like in the NFL or NBA, teams compete in the regular season to reach the playoffs. At BlizzCon 2016, it was revealed that its first season would begin in 2018, with a total prize pool of $3.5 million. Throughout the years, this amount remained in the same vicinity. Before the 2022 season, the maximum number of players on a team stayed at 12, while the minimum was six. Therefore, the players’ minimum salary was raised from $50,000 to $50,700. The 2022 Overwatch League season is the fifth iteration. The season is played on an early version of Overwatch 2, unlike the prior four seasons, which were played on Overwatch. It began on May 5, and the champion will be known by October 22. Apex Legends Global Series Championship Electronic Arts and Respawn Entertainment announced the Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) in 2019, with the first season beginning in 2020–21. The series uses a promotion and relegation format throughout the seasons, culminating in the ALGS Championship. The prize pool for the inaugural season was $2.58 million, and it was increased to $5 million for the second season. EA and Respawn expanded for the 2021–22 season, allowing Xbox and PlayStation players to compete. The competition consists of three phases: Split One Split Two ALGS Championship Five regional Pro Leagues constitute splits North America, EMEA, APAC South, APAC North, and South America. In each Pro League, 40 teams come through online qualifications and direct invitations based on prior performance. Then a total of 40 teams advance to the split Playoffs. Split Two playoff winners and Last Chance Qualifier event winners will proceed to the ALGS Championship match. Counter-Strike Global Offensive WESG had a $1.5 million prize pool in 2016 and 2017. After that, however, the primacy was taken over by PGL. The PGL Major Antwerp 2022, also known as PGL Major 2022 or Antwerp 2022, was the seventeenth Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Major championship. In Sportpaleis, twenty-four teams competed in the event between May 9 and May 22, with the majority qualifying via their respective regional competitions. It had a prize fund of US$1,000,000, half of what it was in 2021. FaZe Clan, the first foreign CS:GO team to win a Major, took the trophy, finishing above 23 other teams. The format was set in three stages: The Challengers Stage featured a 16-team Swiss System Format, with the Buchholz system and initial seeds used to seed matches. The top eight teams advanced to the Legends Stage, while the bottom eight teams were eliminated. The Legends Stage used the same format and seeding system as the Challenger Stage. Finally, in the Champions Stage, eight teams battled in a Single-Elimination bracket, seeded using the final rankings from the Legends Stage. FAQ Is there a dress code at eSports competitions? Competitors must wear official team uniforms during all on-site matches and interviews at major eSports championships. The logos must be visible at all times, and hoodies are not permitted. Other than approved headsets, they’re prohibited from wearing headgear or face masks. What types of games do eSports include? An eSport is any video game in which a player competes against another person. A few of the most popular esports game types are: Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas Battle Royales Real-Time Strategy Games First Person Shooters Fighting Games Sports Games Which are the best channels to watch live eSports games? The best place to watch the biggest eSports tournaments is probably Twitch.tv. This site is geared toward gamers who share their gaming experiences. YouTube Gaming users also have the option to broadcast their bouts.

Do you want to play poker like a pro? Then you’ve come to the right place. Today, I’ll explain what poker tells are and discuss what you should do in different scenarios when playing against gamblers. What Is a Tell in Poker? A tell in poker is a change in a player’s behavior, mood, or approach—a physical or verbal action that gives clues to that player’s strength of hand. Finding poker tells is based on the premise that people unwittingly reveal their cards via observable behavior. A player gains an advantage by observing and interpreting another competitor’s tell, especially if the tell is unconscious and dependable. Consequently, reading behavioral tells is possible only at live poker tables, while online poker players need to focus on unintentional patterns or actions. To become successful in poker tells, you must constantly evaluate the accuracy in the context of the situation at hand. Interestingly, a tell may be useful even if it’s just under 50 percent correct. In this scenario, if the pot was $400 and you paid $100 to call, you would have won $400. Let’s add that the only hand you can defeat is a bluff. If such an occurrence happened five times and you called every time, you’d need your opponent to bluff only once to break even. To put it another way, you’d have to win 20% of the time. If you were led to believe by a tell that there was a 40% probability that your opponent was bluffing, it would be in your best interest to call. Note the following fact: A player never bluffs, but he appears to bluff at the current moment. Namely, when you recognize the tell, the chances of him bluffing are far higher than when you don’t. If you want to learn how to read people in poker, you need to follow a couple of rules: Don’t glance at your cards; observe your opponent. Don’t stare at the flop, turn or river in Hold ’em; observe your opponent! When the next stud card appears, OBSERVE YOUR OPPONENT! Tells from Unaware Players In this part, I’ll go over common tells from unaware players Appearance Despite the fact that the vast majority of tells occur during play, we can gain valuable insight into our opponent’s strategy even when they’re not involved in a poker hand. You should pay attention to certain aspects of each player’s play for hints about their poker strategy. Well-dressed individuals, in particular, are more likely to play it safe. On the other hand, a guy with a tattered suit and a loosened tie is more likely to be in a gambling mode and play more loosely. Certainly, those who wear religious amulets and good luck charms or exercise superstitious habits tend to be more luck-conscious and liberal with their stakes than average players. Generally, women are less likely to bluff. To maximize your profit while you’re against an unknown opponent, assume that he or she will play like a stereotype until you discover otherwise. Players tend to remember denominations (like Ace, Deuce, and King) better than suits. Stacking Chips Stacking chips is rarely used as a ploy. The neatly organized stack suggests that the player will probably play carefully and hardly ever bluff, so look for more chips on his big stacks because that’s his profit. You may bluff by betting marginally more than his profit. When winning, players are hesitant to call, yet a bad call might cost them. After they enter a hand, don’t play medium-strength hands; try bluffing them and calling less when they bet. Uneven stacks indicate reckless play. Such a player’s approach is overly liberal, but he may profit from big hands with aggressive play. Call more frequently and bluff less. Sharing a Hand Sometimes a player will show his hand to a fellow player who has folded or a friend who has approached the table. Two-player hands reveal a lot about an opponent’s hand. If the observer arrives mid-hand, he’s the one to watch. He’ll employ kindergarten psychology and act the opposite of the hand’s strength. However, players are unaware that they tend to follow a trend when a hand is disclosed from the start. Usually, players with weak hands won’t display their hands for two reasons: First, he may unintentionally show that he plays poorly. Second, the spectator may tip off his opponent to his poor hand, losing him the pot. If gamblers share the hand, it’s likely good enough to warrant involvement. Strong players can utilize this tell to bluff. If you suspect that’s the case, observe the onlooker. The best tactic isn’t to bet or call without at least a solid hand. Glancing at Chips Players will only steal a look at their chips when they’re contemplating a raise, and almost always because they have improved their hand, which is the most useful tell you can notice. You’ll see it when you’re observing beginners, average, experienced, and even world-class players. First, be sure the glance isn’t an act. When players focus on their chips while thinking you’re observing, it’s definitely an act. However, the pattern of gazing at the hand, then the stack, then away, practically cannot be an act because they don’t know if you’re watching. Poker and computer expert Michael Wiesenberg provides a correlated tell. Bettors may look at your chips before making a bet, which is rarer than checking your own stack. If the gaze is quick and short, it usually suggests the player loves his hand and is ready to bet. On the other hand, if your opponent stares at your chips long after he sees his hands, he may be bluffing. Sandbagging is the term for swiftly glancing at chips, quickly looking away, and then raising. Even if you are sure your opponent will bet, you can still use sandbagging as a potent poker weapon. It’s conceptually identical to staring at the flop. Your opponent knows very well that the flop helped, so this studying is unnecessary. You won’t catch a bluff in these circumstances, nor should you bluff yourself. Other Common Tells Tell Strategy Players who ask for chips flamboyantly play aggressively and carelessly Call more often/bluff less often Hiding bankroll/wallet implies conservative play Call less often/bluff more often Leaned back/arms folded implies player is in no gambling mood, waiting for good hand Rarely enter a hand Leaned back/arm not folded, looking uninterested implies patience If you’re playing in front, play slightly weaker hands Stack scattered after a win, winner enters hand Very rarely bluff from scratch, give value to their hands A gambler shuffling hand indicates that the hand needs help to become very strong Use logic Uncontrollable shaking is a release of tension, not fear Fold unless you also hold a nuts hand Covering mouth with hand implies unconscious avoidance of examination Call with average or even weak hands Instinctive double-check for a two-pair or a suit in a hole Consider your own hand and play accordingly When a gambler takes time to enjoy a cigarette, he’s not afraid of the call 60% reliable, fold unless you have a very strong hand Sudden interest (leaning forward/stopping the humming) usually indicates a very good hand Enter with caution and don’t bluff Opponent is taking his/her time on a tough decision Encourage the calls if you raised on strength hands. If you’re bluffing, discourage the call Raising after a long hesitation is a bluff in 50% of the cases Call Lack of hesitation implies the hand didn’t improve Bet accordingly Closely protected hands are usually strong If this player opens, pass with all borderline hands Closely protected hands are usually strong If you hold a strong hand, check rather than open, knowing this player will open for you Tells from Actors Before using an actor’s tells, you need to be pretty sure that he’s acting and not just unaware. It’s probably an act if the player has a reason to think you might be recognizing a certain behavior, and he would benefit from you being wrong. Undoubtedly, strong players are less likely to give you tells. Not only would they withhold the most common poker tells world-class players often try to trick by turning some of the more obvious tells around. Weak Means Strong If poker players can persuade you that they have a bad hand when they have a great hand, they’ll win a few extra calls. Strong hands are why players go to great lengths to look weak. No player who actually holds a weak hand would ever disclose that. Neither would you expect a bluffer to admit he’s bluffing. It’s because they’re strong that they act weak. The Shrug Shrugging and then raising the poker player is suggesting he’s unsure about the bet and that his hand could be a lot stronger. Don’t take the bait here. There’s only one reason he would do this – he has a near-certain winner on his hands. The best strategy is to call only with strong hands; call with the majority of hands you would generally raise with and don’t bluff. The Look Away Those who glance away from the action are more threatening than those who maintain an eye on the bettors. They don’t want to do anything to discourage the bet, so be ready for a raise. There are no two ways to do this, so make sure your hand is strong before putting any additional money into this pot. If you raised first, you might want to consider abandoning your bet. Furthermore, the quick look away after seeing the flop is even more telling. Only play excellent hands and fold any that you believe might be mildly advantageous. If you have a strong hand, allow your adversary to do the betting for you, and dare not bluff. The Discard Those who act like they’re going to fold their hole cards before the action reaches them are a threat. Why are they doing this if they’re not attempting to deceive you? Essentially it’s a double move — a player tells the opponent in front that he can raise, and he encourages those behind to call. However powerful your hand may be, it’s best to let the opponent bet on your behalf. The Hesitation With the long hesitation, the goal is to make the initial bettor think that raising is a difficult choice. His lengthy delay is an attempt to make you believe his raise is weak. When a player does nothing to prevent a big bet, thinks for a long time, and then makes a big raise, it’s unlikely that he’s bluffing. If you’re willing to part with some nice hands, you’ll come out ahead here. What you save by not calling is real money, and you stay in the game waiting for the right opportunity. Strong Means Weak In terms of dollars, catching players who are acting strong is even more valuable. When you determine that a player is acting weak, you’ll often save a call, but the value is just a fraction of the total pot. Conversely, when you catch a player acting strong, you’ll utilize that to make a call and win the entire pot. The Stare Players stare at a bad flop, trying to appear dangerous. By seeming interested, they want to dissuade betting. As previously covered, you realize that players who like flops tend to look away. Now is the time for a good bluff. Also, call more liberally since he’s likely weak or bluffing. Players making eye contact with the bettor are trying to do the same. Another reason opponents keep an eye on your bets is to ensure they won’t get short-changed. You may assume an opponent is attempting to act strong when he’s only keeping an eye on your stake amount. Aim to elicit a call from a weaker hand by betting medium-strength hands. Bluff as a last resort. Reaching for Chips By grabbing his chips out of turn and looking at his cards, the gambler hopes to seem threatening and prevent them from opening with marginal hands, indicating that the outcome is a sure thing. In this case, you should open with any marginal hand, even those you wouldn’t have considered. Strong players may grab the pot early to provoke a call. The rules change when a player grabs the pot while an opponent is passing. The bettor seeks to win the pot by removing an opponent’s remaining uncertainties. Any player with a winning hand will let you call. Even with a weak hand, consider calling or raising to bluff. Other Actor Tells Tell Strategy If a player bets and then checks his hand as you grab for chips, he’s bluffing Check/Call ‘Accidentally’ exposing means players are trying to convey strength hands Call Active player looking as if the pot is far from his mind, is a dangerous opponent Don’t bluff, play only extremely strong hands and even then, check Pretending to pass to encourage bets Don’t bluff, don’t bet and pass Keeping their hands off their chips to encourage bets Don’t bet into or call without a very strong hand Looking at the bettor and reaching for chips to discourage bets Bet marginal hands for value. Think about bluffing, but be careful The player who gently slides his bet is hoping for a call Don’t call without an extremely strong hand The bettor who puts chips down with a little extra force hopes for a fold Call/Raise if you can’t win in a showdown Sweeping gestures with outstretched arms are used to lure a call by using strange behavior Fold unless you hold a strong hand The player who looks and bets at the same time wants to lure a call You need a good hand to call Player won’t look right at the bettor, but his eyes suggest otherwise Fold Looking away with eyes on the pot Don’t bet Verbal poker tells like sighs or sounds of sorrow imply good hands Beware Online Poker Patterns When it comes to gaining knowledge about our opponents, learning to recognize and identify typical online betting patterns is crucial in 2022. Bear in mind that online poker tells are different from those used in live games. It’s important to know some terms used at poker sites: Tanking implies taking a longer time to decide A strange or typed-in bet is a raise in the odds amount, like $7.99 Instead of verbal poker tells, there’s now a chat feature that should be considered Move Tell The Check Then Insta-Call Marginal hand, likely to fold if not improved Tank-Checking Hoping to see another card Tank-Calling Quite possibly a fairly strong hand Big raise after Tank Possibly nuts Massive Overbet Rarely a bluff Strange amount bets Value bets, not bluffing Complaining about lost hand Play often against this player Talker goes quiet Watch out Buying in for Unusual Amounts Be involved in hands against these players Conclusion If your goal is to play poker successfully, don’t jump to conclusions right away when you spot poker tells. Instead, take your time and display uncertainty. By using this approach, your opponent will be less likely to change his behavior, and you’ll be able to keep reading poker tells that your opponent gives. Finally, as the games grow harder, you must take advantage of whatever advantage you can uncover. You won’t improve your win rate if you disregard or don’t follow what other players are doing.