From the Desk of the Chairman

For die-hard baseball fans, getting your fill of baseball content can sometimes seem like a challenge. Outside of the confines of MLB, it can sometimes be impossible to find any baseball games taking place out of season, especially outside of North America. That is why the market for baseball-themed video games and online games is so robust.

It allows us to step into the shoes of our favorite players and experience all of the action ourselves, from the comfort of our living room. If you're a die-hard baseball fan looking for some worthwhile games, read our definitive guide to find out. 

1. MLB '20: The Show 

When it comes to baseball video games, any ranking out there will mention the MLB series in spades. For long-time fans of the genre, the question of which installment is the best in the series is a hotly contested one that will invariably spiral into a vicious online debate. While there are many excellent titles worth playing, it is the 2020 version that captures the essence of the series best. The Show '20 is a masterpiece of baseball simulation, one that so comprehensively captures every minute aspect of the sport to give you probably the most realistic experience that you will possibly find on a console. 

2. Wii Sports Baseball

It might not be the most "serious" game on the roster, but the baseball experience on Wii Sports, probably the biggest game of all time, is not to be sniffed at. One of the only games in history that allow you to physically simulate the sport, thanks to the unique and iconic motion-sensor controller that has caused countless accidents in living rooms around the world. Create your "Mii" avatar, select your old-school baseball strip of choice, head to the plate, and swing with all your might. 

3. Baseball Frenzy 

Sometimes, a good game is one that is self-referential and pays homage to the sport, rather than simulating outright. This is certainly true of the online casino slot Baseball Frenzy, which anyone can play at a popular online casino such as Casumo or 888. This 5-reel slot features all of the iconic sounds and imagery from the sport, with a little bit of tongue-in-cheek humor to boot. What's more, baseball fans can even access free spins to play Baseball Frenzy online for free, without having to wager their own cash on the reels. 

4. MVP Baseball 2005

Is there any game out there in history that did more to popularize the baseball genre than EA's MVP series? We're willing to bet that the answer is "no". This is the game that gamified the pitch like nothing else, with the various strength and aim meters on the screen causing countless hours of frustration and entertainment for fans around the world. Meanwhile, running baseball commentary throughout the game, provided by real-world legends such as Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow, mean that this is a baseball game that has well and truly earned its spot in the Hall of Fame. 

Whether you’ve been big into football all your life, playing from a young age and being on the cusp of becoming a pro, if it weren’t for your dodgy knee, or whether you’re a casual armchair fan. We’ve all considered trying our hand at gambling, me personally I’m more into Esports, but I’ve been a Liverpool fan for 29 years at this point SO, you could say I’ve watched my fair share of football. Not all of it has been as good as the last few years, but it has been enjoyable more recently!

So, if you’re wanting to get into betting, where’s a good place to start? What should you be looking out for? Are there any particular betting stats you should be keeping your eyes on? As with pretty much everything, when it comes to staking YOUR money on things, you need to remember to be responsible, this is a risk and if you’re not prepared to risk it, don’t consider it. You’re not always going to win, just because Real Madrid are playing <insert local primary school name> Under 11s team at a packed Bernabeu doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed to win 20-0, crazier things have happened.

I want to preface this article by saying NEVER bet out of your means, just because you see you COULD make £10k by betting £100, if you can’t afford it PLEASE DON’T DO IT. Bet for fun and if that fun stops, stop. IF you end up losing yourself and losing a lot of money, please PLEASE PLEASE don’t chase a win to recoup it, if you’re struggling, please reach out and ask for help. We know how it can be and don’t worry, you’re not the only one. If you understand the risks, we’ll get into it.

So where do we begin? Well, the best way to start is to figure out HOW you want to bet. In my opinion it’s much better to use an app or a website since you have access to everything you need at your fingertips then. If you’d like to visit a brick and mortar store that’s not a bad option, they have staff there who can help point you in the right direction and as a beginner, it’s pretty handy for sure. BUT! Here’s my thoughts. Every betting company has new customer deals, things like deposit <money> and gain <+Money> as free bets, or some companies will have deals like massively increased odds on certain games for new customers. So for example, Liverpool to beat Wolves by 2+ goals, 10/1, new customers? 30/1, MAYBE not exactly to that extent, but you get what I’m saying! Take some time, mull over the options and once you’re settled on a place, we can move on!

Now you’ve decided where you’re going to make your first deposit, what should we be looking out for? There are a few schools of thought here. When I first started, what I’d do was deposit £10 a month, and I’d put small multi-line accumulators on every weekend. So I’d have maybe a treble where it would be say, England to beat Hungary, Portugal to beat Luxembourg and then Sweden and Greece to draw, you have two games on there that “should” be gimmies, England and Portugal which alone has odds of x1.19 as a double, with a 3rd that isn’t a guarantee which is used to give a solid boost to the odds, which in this case is the draw. In this case it boosts the odds to x3.92. That way you’re changing a £1 bet returning £1.19 into £1 that returns £3.92, it’s not a lot and it’s relatively risk free. 

In my opinion this is the BEST way to learn, you can figure out what potential markets you like, you can mess around a little more and have some freedom to figure out what your preferences are, you can figure out HOW the sites themselves work and check out any special markets. Another fun thing to do is tease yourself massively with a crazy pay out. By looking at all the fixtures in the football league for example and just saying every game will be a draw or just picking the favourite for every game. So for example, there are 13 world cup qualifiers tonight, if I pick the betting favourite in each game I get offered a 13 fold accumulator with a x277.19 return, is it likely to come in? Definitely not, but I can LITERALLY put 10p on this with a chance at returning £27.72, so it’s an interesting way to fiddle with things and test out some systems that you’re not familiar with.

There are just a few suggestions on how you could get started with your sports betting, not specifically just football. A question to all the experienced heads in the community,  as a beginner what methods did you use to try and maximise your profits? Did you join betting communities or did you fly solo? We’d love to know, let's share our experiences and help out the newbies in the community! Remember, bet responsibly folks!

Tom Brady broke the all-time passing yards record while facing his former team, the New England Patriots, at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, marking Week 4 of the 2021-22 NFL season.

Brady, at 44 years of age, continues to defy age, reason and redefine preconceived notions about America’s beloved game being only a young man’s game.

On Sunday, Brady, facing his former team New England at Gillette Stadium, broke Drew Brees’ all-time passing record, as he helped lift the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the 19-17 win over the Patriots. 

In the broad spectrum of things, it proved to be an uneventful moment. Barely registering in the stands and amongst fans. Had the NBC announcers not alerted viewers to the historic moment, it might have come and gone without commentary.

Suppose, the occasion of his return to his old stomping grounds for the first time since leaving for Tampa Bay last season overshadowed all else. NFL schedulers intentionally schedule this game for Sunday night football because they knew the hype and buzz surrounding the reunion between quarterback and former head coach would be enormous. And so, it was. 

It was all the media could talk about in the lead up to Week 4’s NFL action. How the reunion between Brady and Bill Belichick would unfold? Who would emerge victorious? 

Brady himself wasn’t immune to the occasion, and he released an emotional video before the game. It was a stirring tribute to his past and present and his journey from New England to Tampa Bay. And at the end of the game, following a narrow victory over the Patriots, he was visibly emotional, barely able to contain his feelings about what the day meant to him and the fact that he made history on the very same grounds where he hone his craft. 

In his post-game interview immediately after the game he warned, “I am not tearing up!” when the reporter observed what a special night it was. He admitted to being emotional all week as his return to Boston approached.

Nearly 20 years to the day after his NFL debut for the Patriots – which gave birth to one of the most dominant football teams over two decades in the history of the game and enviable quarterback-head coach partnerships – the veteran signal-caller returned to his old stomping ground to create more history, surpassing Drew Brees’ career passing yards record. 

Brees, now retired from football and part of the NBC cast, was there to witness Brady accomplish the incredible feat at Gillette Stadium.

“I just think it's an amazing statistic in that so many people can share in it with me," said Brady in his postgame news conference as he clutched the precious ball that took flight for those last few missing yards to eclipse Brees' record of 80,358 passing yards.

"Quarterback doesn't throw and catch, “ added Brady. “Quarterback can just throw it. It's yards. Passing yards have to be caught, so I just hope that everybody who caught passes from me over the years just had a little smile on their face tonight knowing they contributed to a very cool record.”  

Brady arrived at Gillette Stadium with 80,291 career passing yards – he needed merely 68 yards to break the record. When all was said and done, Brady went 22 of 43 for 269 passing yards. After he surpassed Brees, the former New Orleans Saints quarterback posted his congratulations to Brady on Instagram.

“We have had some epic battles over the years, but more importantly, have been able to develop a great friendship along the way. “ wrote Brees.  “Some may be surprised what you are doing at age 44, but I am not. Your commitment and dedication to this game, your team, and to being the very best, are second to none.”

Indeed, what Tom Brady is accomplishing in the game is second to none, and it’s earned him recognition for being the greatest player of all time even before he’s done with his career. That’s practically unheard of in sports. Usually, the greatness of a player in any sport is measured by posterity with the advantage of hindsight to compare and contrast sports athletes and their individual achievements in their entirety in order to determine who the best or greatest player of all time is. 

No NFL predictions could have ever predicted that Tom Brady, drafted almost as an afterthought in 2000 in the sixth round and at No.199 would become the greatest footballer to have ever played in the NFL. 

For years, many were reluctant to give him the credit he deserved. Often, he was most unfairly dismissed as being just a “system” quarterback, the product of Bill Belichick’s coaching genius and not a bona fide standalone talent. The debate about who was more responsible for creating the Patriots dynasty raged for years – was it Brady? Or was it Belichick? Many leaned towards the latter, arguing Brady would never be as successful as he was on any other team and without Belichick.

Well, on February 7, 2021, Brady put paid on that notion when he won Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – his seventh career Super Bowl victory.  And at the same time, he cemented his place in the history books as the greatest quarterback of all time, if not the greatest footballer of all time. 

Let’s face it, we all know why we tune in to the Super Bowl. We tune in for the action on the pitch, and to see if the NFL Super Bowl odds are true for the match in question. We watch for the exhilarating, edge of your seat excitement that comes with figuring out who will hit the next touchdown, and for the sigh of relief and ecstasy that we get at the end of the game when our favorite team wins that Super Bowl Championship trophy.

Of course, there are a lot of things to love about football beyond just the game itself. We get the chance to enjoy the companionship of friends and family as we watch the action unfold - it’s even a ritual TV watching experience for many. But there’s another reason why we often watch the Super Bowl. That’s right - it’s for the Halftime shows.

The half time shows in the Super Bowl are often something to really sing and dance about. They often feature big names and fantastic performances to remember, making each year a unique one. In order to illustrate our point, we’ve written this list of the 10 best star performances from Super Bowl halftime shows. Why not watch some of them back while you read? We’re sure you won’t regret it! 

1. Michael Jackson – 1993

Going way back to the 90’s to 1993, we have the acclaimed performance from the King of Pop Himself - Michael Jackson! This performance was truly spectacular and something to remember, featuring Jackson starting the show on two jumbotrons with a few body doubles. He sang a few crowd pleasers, including Jam, Billie Jean, and Black or White. We even got a treat watching his famous moonwalk! The show ended with a gorgeous performance of Heal the World alongside Los Angeles children. 

     2. Madonna – 2012

Before she released her big MDNA album in 2012, pop icon Madonna made her way onto the Super Bowl halftime show with a breathtaking 12 minute long performance. In the performance, guest stars were included - such as LMFAO, M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj. Cee Lo Green even got in on the action! A few big highlights included renditions of Vogue, Party Rock Anthem/ Sexy and I Know It, Like a Prayer and more. We especially enjoyed watching the performance, since it was so aesthetically pleasing with unique costumes. 

     3. Justin Timberlake - 2018

Who doesn’t like a bit of Justin Timberlake? Everyone loved his performance in 2018, and it was certainly a huge improvement from a situation with Janet Jackson 14 years earlier. He certainly redeemed himself in this 2018 show. In the show, Timberlake chose to sing some songs from his new album at the time, entitled Man of the Woods.

     4. Lady Gaga – 2017

If you wanted an eccentric Super Bowl Halftime show, you were most certainly going to get one with Lady Gaga. It was truly a sight to behold. Gaga graced us all with a fantastic show with hits such as Born This Way and an arrangement of the anthem, Star Spangled Banner. She also sang a few fan favorite songs like Poker Face and Telephone. At the end, she jumped off the stage and caught a glitter covered football as the sky lit up with gorgeous fireworks.

     5. Katy Perry – 2015

2015 brought with it a pop princess and… Sharks? This quirky performance was pretty exciting, with the titular artist riding onto the stage on a massive metallic lion. She delighted fans with a few hits including I Kissed a Girl, Roar and more. A massive 118.5 million people tuned in to watch, which at this point made it the single most watched halftime show in history. This record has since been beaten, but it’s an impressive feat nonetheless.

      6 . Beyonce - 2013

People had been wanting a Beyonce performance in the Super Bowl for many years, and they finally got it in 2013. She was even joined on the stage by Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland and they sang some Destiny’s Child favorites. The costumes were wonderful, the performance was spectacular - it was basically the performance of any super bowl fan’s dreams. We certainly love to see it! 

      7. Beyonce, Coldplay and Bruno Mars – 2016

Of course, that wouldn’t be the only time that Beyonce performed in the Super Bowl either. We were also delighted to see her make her way onto the stage with Coldplay and Bruno Mars in 2016. The audience participation here was fantastic, with fans holding up cards in various colors to create sunset colors before Coldplay began singing Viva La Vida. The show had energy, spunk and intrigue that fans went wild for, accumulating in a combined performance at the end from the three artists.

      8. Shakira and J-Lo – 2020

What better duo than Shakira and Jennifer Lopez for the 2020 54th Super Bowl? This performance consisted of a few great Shakira hits like She Wolf, Whenever, Wherever and More. J-Lo, on the other hand, sang Jenny from the Block, Get It Right, On The Floor and other hits. For the final performance, they sang together. It was great to watch! 

      9. Prince - 2007 

The first instance of rain in the Super Bowl came in 2007 with the Prince performance. It was a wonderful performance, including many great songs like Let’s Go Crazy, and covers of The Best of You from The Foo Fighters.

      10. Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney was a great choice for a half time performance as a former Beatle, and he certainly did not disappoint! He sang a few major hits like Drive My Car, Live and Let Die and for the finale, a stunning rendition of Hey Jude. It was most certainly one that Super Bowl fans would not soon regret in the many years to come. 

We’ve had many performances through the years, but these are just some of the best. We’re certainly excited to see what the 2021 Super Bowl brings! 

We are looking at college football to answer the question of which state does it better. Although players come from all over the country (and sometimes all around the world), it's the colleges that bring the talent!

This isn’t about which team produces the best scores, but which states create the best football players. It's these players who make Super Bowl winners and let’s be honest, that’s the real goal!

We will dive into current and historical legends to show which state can produce the most outstanding players! 

1.  Texas

Texas is filled with talents! Their “go big or go home” motto is so strong that losing is not an option. Although other states might have produced more elite players, the amount of talent that has come from Texas is too large to ignore!

Teas has produced 53 of the top 100 players since 2014. They churn out stars like it’s nobody’s business! 

The defensive tackler Ed Oliver won the Outland Trophy as just a sophomore, and it wasn’t long into his college career that he told the world he was joining the NFL. 

Baker Mayfield may have played for Oklahoma, but he was born and raised in Texas and is considered one of their own. The same with Kyler Murray!

If you look into many of the college states' history around the country, a lot of their talented players grew up in Texas and followed their high school’s education to earn their skills. Players like Rodney Anderson, who played for Oklahoma, Chase Young who played for Ohio State, and Ben Baogu who played for TCU. All of this talent was brewed in Texas!

2.  Florida

20 of the top-tier players you see at the NFL all come from Florida. That's an astonishing number that is only rivaled by Texas. Florida’s talents come not just from their college teams but also from their IMG Academy, which has projects all over the country. As they are all run by Florida, we are taking their numbers as part of the Sunshine State!

Just like with Texas, some of the best Florida players no longer play for their hometown, but that doesn’t take away from their homebrewed history. Playing for Ohio State, Nick Bosa is just as talented as Joey Bosa, both of whom are big names in their home state. Devin Singletary is undoubtedly the best Group Five player. Marquise Brown is one the fastest players in the sport!

Some of you might be wondering why Florida isn’t in the number one spot when players like Mitch Hyatt and Zack Moss come from the sunshine state, and although these players are outstanding, we are looking at the state that produces the best all-rounders.

3.  California

California has created star after star after star! In 2015, their run of single-handed best players was at breaking point, developing two fantastic players (Josh Rosen and Sam Darnold) who plowed straight to the NFL without continuing their senior season of college football!

Very few players get this privilege, which is why they are so good and why California isn’t higher up the list. Still, their 2015 run wasn’t a fluke as the state has produced 52 high-ranking players since 2014, which is a number that anyone should be proud of.

Jake Browning is one of California’s prolific players, and that title will stay with him for years to come. Double up with Khalil Tate; these boys are double threats for signal-callers.

California creates a wave of team players who make support offenses. Just take a look at the big names like Greg Gaines, Collin Johnson, and Bobby Okereke.

4.  Georgia

A lot of household names have come from Georgia, including Bradley Chubb, Roquan Smith, and Nick Chubb. These A-class players are just a few names that the state has in their arsenal, which is more than enough to make them a top contender in our list of the best football player creators.

Since 2014 Georgia has produced 46 top 100 players, and 4 of them have become national stars. 

Mississippi has become a great lover of Georgia and has collected players like Nick Fitzgerald and Montez Sweat, who are both raised on Georgia soil. Oklahoma had the same thought when they bagged Trey Sermon, who became an incredible player to watch. California even grabbed the Georgian favorite Demetris Robertson, who has become a top receiver in his own right!

Although the years have shown that talent comes in spurts, Georgia can and does produce amazing talent to share across the country!

5. North Carolina

North Carolina hasn’t produced a fantastic set of players in some time, but they do have a solid collection of steady and reliable sorts.

As a whole, North Carolina has only produced 6 top 100 players since 2014, but all of these players have been amazing across the country. Throughout the list so far, we have looked at the number of top players and not the players individually, but North Carolina needs to have a mention due to Bryce Love and Will Gier. Love was a Heisman Trophy runner-up and ran 2,118 yards in a season. He’s a world-class player who has brought North Carolina a ton of pride.

Will Gier has traveled around the country as every team wants him with them. He is a reliable and strong-willed offense who will hopefully encourage other North Carolinians to join in with his mentality.

Of course, we cannot ignore the likes of Dexter Lawrence, who is a powerhouse!

Pro Football Players. 

No one can deny that Football is probably the most loved sport in the US. We all love watching it, betting on it, and keeping up to date on how our favorite pro football players are doing. However, some superstars and much loved celebs have had a career in Pro Football at one time or another, and who can blame them, who doesn’t want to have a chance on the field. 

As much as it is a very loved sport, this sport is also probably the heaviest bet on sport in America, which means it is a big buck game, with fantastic sites like www.fanduel.com giving you all you need to win some cash on the next big game. You can place bets on who will win, by how much, and you can even bet on more player specific factors. 

The real question is, how many of today’s stars had a football career?

Phil Robertson. 

You may know this man from the popular reality television series ‘Duck Dynasty’. However, while he was in high school, he had the opportunity to attend Louisiana Tech in Ruston as a quarterback on a Football scholarship in the late 60s. He played the first-string quarterback for the Bulldogs, ahead of Pro Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw. He was considered to be a top prospect for the NFL, but instead he chose to follow his true passion, hunting. 

Mark Harmon.

You may know his man for his famous performance as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS. However, he is also the son of the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tom Harmon. His father was the first overall selection by the Chicago Bears in the 41 draft. He declined their offer and instead played for the New York Americans in the American Football League. 

Mark followed in the footsteps of his father when he was in college, where he played the same position for UCLA for about two years. In 73, he received the National Football Foundation's Award for All-Around Excellence. However, when graduated, he pursued a career in law and then became a very successful actor. 

Ed O’Neill. 

Ed is best known for his role as the main character on ‘Married… with Children’. He earned two Golden Globe nominations for this sitcom alone, and many fans will also remember his role as Jay Pritchett in ‘Modern Family’. 

However, before he became an actor, he attended Ursuline High School and earned a football scholarship at Ohio University, he then earned an invitation to the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp in 69. Yet, he didn’t make the cut. 

Terry Crews. 

Terry is well known for his role in ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ as well as some commercials. He earned an Art Excellence scholarship, followed by a full-ride athletic scholarship as a footballer at Western Michigan University. He played a major role in his team, WMU Broncos, Mid-American Conference Championship victory in 88. Furthermore, he also signed with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams in 91. 

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. 

Before Dwayne made his title as a real Hollywood superstar, he was crushing on the gridiron for the Miami Hurricanes. He played on the defensive line and was part of the 91 squad that won the national title- a team that also included the future Pro Football Hall of Fame player Warren Sapp. 

He did not get drafted into the NFL, and he spent some time with the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League. He leveraged the experience in his HBO series ‘Ballers’ in which he portrayed a star NFL player transitioning into a financial management career. 

Of course, ‘The Rock’ was also known for being one of WWE’s biggest starts. Football was not his only sporting stardom prior to his acting career. 

Burt Reynolds. 

Burt Reynolds became a big movie star, however, things would be very different if he stuck to his first career- football. He was first team all-state at Palm Beach high school, and he went on to play running back at Florida State. He was injured during his freshman year and was then later in a car accident that aggravated this injury, which ended any chance for him to have a football future. He finished his time with the Seminoles with just 146 rushing yards and two touchdowns, however, he still has a spot in the Florida State Hall of Fame. He later got a chance to combine his acting passions with his football passions in ‘The Longest Yard’. 

Staying entertained is part of leading a happy life, and it relaxes us when enjoying our spare time. The good news is that the modern world and the tech in it now give us more ways to do this than ever! While chatting on social media and streaming the latest movies are great fun, many people like to head online to play casino games and bet on sports. While both these things were not legal in most US states until relatively recently, many now legally allow people within their borders to enjoy them.

New Jersey is an excellent example of this and was a real trailblazer for online casino gaming and sports betting in the USA. In terms of online casino games, the state has many fully legal internet casinos to play at now. Just be sure to check out the Oddsseeker.com website first to find the best ones with the coolest games around. This casino comparison site will also show you the best NJ online casino free money sites to sign up with. 

In the same way that people have always loved to play casino games, sports are also something that many of us cannot live without. Whether you follow basketball, baseball, or football, this is true! As well as simply watching sports, many people also like to bet on them. This has seen the sports betting sector in both the USA and the world grow hugely in the last few years. 

But why do fans love to wager on sporting events? 

Why is betting on sports so popular? 

For those who do not get involved with sports betting, it can often be puzzling as to why people bet on sports. Of course, for dedicated sports fans, this is much easier to understand! Betting on sports allows you to get closer to the action and to feel closer to the teams you back. It also makes watching sports more exciting because you are personally invested in what is happening. 

The simple truth is that people like betting on sports to win money. Although you should always gamble responsibly, this is undoubtedly one thing that individuals find appealing. The other primary reason why sports betting is so popular lies in the sheer number of ways to bet and markets to bet on. The range of choices keeps it exciting and prevents it from getting boring. 

One increasingly popular way to wager on races or games is known as in-play betting. This is where bettors place wagers as the action happens in real-time. But what are the pros and cons of this way of betting on sports?

In-play sports betting – what are the pros?

As noted above, there are many ways you can choose to bet on sports. So, why do many opt for in-play betting? There are several pros which this way of getting closer to games offers. 

Firstly, this type of betting will usually offer the chance to cash out when play is taking place. That allows you to close a winning bet manually and bank any profit – even if the game is still playing or a race is still running. This can help you profit in the long term by taking home winnings when they are on offer and not losing them due to something happening later to scupper your bet. If you back the underdog to win in a soccer game and they score first, cashing out then means you make money even if the other side comes back to beat them. 

In-play betting is also great for making more informed bets on sports. Even with all the best research in the world, placing a bet before the action starts is always a risk. What if the side you back in football contains a player rated as one of the 50 best NFL players by franchise, but they get injured early on? What if a jockey’s mistake causes your horse to lose the race? 

In-play betting allows you to see how the action unfolds and means you can put on a bet from this position of knowledge. It also allows you the flexibility to change strategies as events unfold. In addition to this, in-play betting is simply great fun and offers faster-paced excitement than betting beforehand. 

What are the cons of betting in-play? 

For some sports fans, the fast-paced nature of betting as the action unfolds is too frenetic. If that is the case, it can be a more stressful way to bet. You also must factor in that odds for in-play bets are constantly changing – from shortening to lengthening out. This can sometimes mean you are not quick enough to place your bet and miss out on the odds you want before they change. For this reason, having a speedy internet connection is a must for in-play wagering. 

The changing nature of in-play odds can also see you worse off if you get on the wrong side of the action, compared to placing bets beforehand. A side in the NFL might be showing good value odds to win, but they could drop instantly in-play if they take the lead with only a few minutes left. As a result, you could end up backing the side at worse odds to win than if you put your bet on beforehand. You may also find that fewer games are available to bet in-play and you get so caught up in betting that you do not focus on the action as usual.

In-play betting is one option to consider 

For anyone new to betting on sports, it is vital to consider how you will bet and which markets you will bet on. This will then dictate which strategy you will use in your betting and how you will approach it. In-play betting is a fast-growing way of wagering on sports and has lots to recommend it. As with anything in life, there are a few cons too! With this in mind, it is crucial to understand it before diving in fully.

There have been some incredible franchises over the years. The Pittsburgh Steelers were the most successful team in history, the Green Bay Packers swapped one Hall of Fame quarterback for another, and the New England Patriots were hated across the country.

Success breeds jealousy, but it also encourages head coaches and players to up their expectations. The Kansas City Chiefs are the franchise that has stepped up to the plate in the last five years due to their incredible performances. They have been so good that they are now the NFL’s next ruling dynasty and may sit on the throne for decades.

No Letting Up  

Like all the great locker rooms, Kansas City has no desire to ease off the throttle and lose momentum. Sure, the Chiefs lost the Super Bowl to Tampa Bay, yet you can be sure they’ll try and rewrite that mistake this time out. The American football odds already rank them as the +450 favorites ahead of the Buccaneers at +700.  

When you look at what Andy Reid’s men have achieved since 2016, it’s an inevitable conclusion. The Chiefs added a fifth consecutive AFC West title in 2020, around six weeks before losing out in Super Bowl LV. The season before, Patrick Mahomes famously led a revival to beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 and claim Super Bowl LIV.

Add the 2019 AFC Championship game to that and it’s clear that Kansas City has the drive to challenge for honors for the foreseeable future. Recent history proves it beyond doubt.  

Hall of Famers  

What makes the Chiefs a fantastic football team is the people they have in the most important places of the franchise. NFL franchises always need to be loaded in offense and defense, as Green Bay highlighted last term, and patient owners are always welcome. However, the key positions are head coach and QB.  

In Kansas City and the entire state, supporters look at the two men and see greatness. Andy Reid is already a Hall of Famer in everyone’s eyes, even if the NFL hasn’t made it official yet. Mahomes, on the other hand, has transcended the quarterback position with his incredibly powerful arm and ability to hit moving targets on the run.

Of course, Mahomes is a legacy quarterback with a full career at his mercy. However, Reid is only 63 and may easily have another decade at the top level, health permitting. To put it into perspective, Mahomes is the +450 favorite for the MVP award, while Reid is +2200 to be the Coach of the Year.  

Strong Competition

Competition is what forces franchises like the Kansas City Chiefs to milk every ounce of talent out of the roster. Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are legends of the game that lead the chasing pack, but it’s the host of young players that will ensure Reid and Mahomes keep their eyes on the ball.  

The Buffalo Bills, who are +1100 third favorites for the Super Bowl title, have Josh Allen and will be contenders for years because of him. Lamar Jackson’s combination of throwing and rushing skills has the Ravens holding their breath this season, whereas Kyler Murray could transform the Arizona Cardinals’ fortunes.

These men are threats to the dominance of Patrick Mahomes, yet you can bet the Chiefs won’t shirk the responsibility. Instead, they’ll rise to the pressure and take on every contender that steps up to the plate.

The NFL has an array of excellent football teams, many of which can string together a Super Bowl-winning run. Overall, though, it’s the current Chiefs’ roster that appears as if it’ll go down in the annals of history.

You may be wondering what a professional footballer does with their free time, when they spend the majority of their days on the pitch or at the training ground. Well, it turns out, many of them are just like the rest of us, enjoying their downtime by playing games. Be it video games, PC or even casino games, here’s our list of 5 pro footballers who absolutely love gaming.

1.     Jesse Lingard

Kicking off the list (no pun intended) is Jesse Lingard. The England and West Ham midfielder is an avid video gamer who spends a major portion of his free time playing console games like FIFA and Call of Duty. In an interview at his parent club, Manchester United, Lingard reported that he only got into gaming after a disappointing cup final defeat in 2018. He also revealed that he isn’t the only Red Devil to enjoy online gaming, as Marcus Rashford, Dan James and Paul Pogba regularly join him to play Call of Duty: Warzone.

2.     Neymar

PSG superstar Neymar is one of the biggest gamers in world football, playing on both consoles and PC. In fact, he even has custom computers built for him. The left-winger has a whole host of games in his repertoire, including Pro Evolution Soccer, GTA and Fortnite. Recently, he actually became a playable character in the viral battle royale game! This collaboration comes as little surprise, as Neymar has always been a huge fan of the game, even playing on live streams with professional gamers like Ninja.

3.     Cristiano Ronaldo

Yes, that’s right, one of the greatest footballers of all time is a huge fan of games. Not the type you of games you might be thinking of, however. While others may spend their time on a PC or console, Cristiano Ronaldo is much more comfortable at the poker table. While he generally keeps his love of casino games private, the Juventus forward is known for promoting events and tournaments for popular poker companies. If you want to give similar casino games a try, check out online casino Canada for a variety of exciting options.

4.     Antoine Griezmann

Another player with a knack for video games is FC Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann. The French international is an enthusiastic console gamer, and has even become a part of Team Xbox. As part of the collaboration, Griezmann was given a personalized Xbox Series X, which he used to play games like FIFA and Fortnite.

5.     Gerard Piqué

Another player who loves to try his hand at the poker table is Spanish defender Gerard Piqué. In fact, he’s actually very skilled at the game. He is said to be as adept as some professionals, often taking part in high-level events like the World Series of Poker. He truly demonstrated his prowess by winning over £300,000 (over $400,000) at the European Poker Tour in Barcelona – a high-stakes game with a considerable £22k buy-in. 

So, there you have it. Professionals on the field, but definitely amateurs on a console, these five footballers are living proof that gaming is for anyone and everyone.

Casinos are places in which we should only be focused on our entertainment by the table or slot machine. To keep it that way we need to choose a good casino, because only if the place is proper, we can relax and enjoy our time without worrying about anything else. So, what are the features of a good in-site casino?

Professional croupiers and customer service employees

Finishing a dealing course is not a big deal, but it takes professionals to master all the moves and strategies of dealing. They know how to calculate the odds, figure out what cards will be drawn next and make sure that the game flows smoothly. Professional dealers help us feel comfortable, we trust that they count our payouts properly and there is no one in the room trying to cheat us. 

Casino employees also need to know how to keep casinos clean, they take care of glass and make sure that everything looks good and smells nice. They are taught to be elegant, nice and always with a smile on their faces. It is hard work since not every customer is calm and nice, especially when some of them are drunk. 

Interior design that suits you

Casinos differ from each other, some are small and cozy to play in while others are huge with hundreds of tables. Some have luxurious rooms with the mirrors on the walls or crystal chandeliers hanging above your head while others are rather dark and full with cigarette smoke. More modern casinos might be packed with neon lights and made in galaxy style. The most important thing that you need to be careful about when choosing a casino is how comfortable you feel in it.  If a basement-like small casino is not your cup of tea, find one that is more spacious and brighter inside.

Balance between quality and price

Casinos can be on every level of luxury you can imagine, but it comes with a price. Everything is good when the price is well-balanced taking quality of service into consideration, because then it is you who decides which casino you can afford to go into. The problem might be when the casino only seems to be luxurious and the price is high, but in fact the level of service is poor and you are unsatisfied.

Number of people

Whether you are entering a new place or entering it again, there is always that feeling of anxiety and nervousness. What if I win? What will happen then? Or what if I lose all my money? If you do not like that kind of stress, go into the casino when there are less people in it. On the other hand if you enjoy this buzz of crowd inside, choose a busy one during some fine night. 

If you see a casino that is constantly empty, that is a red flag for you. 

Violent gamblers are out

This feature is important since some gamblers can become hostile towards others while losing or getting drunk. You need to be sure that they are going to be moved out of the establishment by security to keep you safe while gambling. This should also involve kicking out even richer gamblers while they are getting too aggressive towards their competitors or dealers. 

Chips are well-secured

There are not many casinos in which you can play with real money anymore. That is why chips were invented. Chips are credits which can be exchanged in the casino for cash. When gambling with chips, you can lose as much as you want and still come out without losing your money. 

The best casinos have chips which cannot be copied and any attempt to do so is immediately noticed and the person responsible for this will not get away with it. Also, there should be a system that does not allow stealing of chips by people pretending to leave but in fact stay close enough in the casino.

Clean and tidy

Environment is also an important aspect of a good casino. Clean gaming floor isn't a characteristic of every casino out there. During gambling people spill drinks, smoke cigarettes and that is how the whole room might get sticky. A good casino is always clean and tidy including bathrooms that might be another part of the casino hard to keep clean during gaming nights. Drunk gamblers and massive numbers of people coming to casinos every night may create quite a mess and working janitors have hard times keeping it clean.

For a good casino, the gaming floor has to be tidy all the time and that is easy to check in person before you drop your money there.

Been opened for long time

When a casino is open several years it means that the business model behind it works and owners know what they're doing. You need to be cautious with freshly opened establishments since they have to earn your trust first and it is not easy.

Have a good marketing team that provides fresh promotions, daily bonus offers and news from the world of casino gambling

This will keep you intrigued, interested and coming back more often. Promotions are a way to make new customers and maintain loyalty programs for existing ones.