What is difference between gambling in Poland and the UK?

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Online gambling is well-developed in European countries. The majority of them try to regulate this sector on the governmental level. Some countries have a milder approach to gambling regulations. The other offers much stricter regulations. Such a dichotomy is a correlation between the gambling industry in Poland and the United Kingdom. Those looking for so-called “polskie legalne kasyna” in Poland may face the thought that their regulations are not as strict as compared to the UK gambling regulations. Is it true? Let’s analyze the differences in both countries.

Gambling regulations in Poland and the UK

The UK Gambling Commission is the official regulator that oversees the vast majority of the country’s gambling market. The exception is sports betting (bets on sports) controlled by the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit. However, although in Britain there have been established standards for gambling operators for years, state authorities are making the conditions more and more strict. This is connected, among other things, with the emergence of new directions in the distribution of gambling games, in particular the online segment, and complaints about non-payment of winnings.

In Poland, the law on gambling was adopted in 2009. In March 2021, the Polish authorities adopted a number of amendments to simplify the work of legal gambling operators. Amendments were added to the laws on the regulation of gambling to simplify the activities of licensed gambling operators and complicate the work of illegal companies. Hence, it is seen that the Polish gambling sector is less conservative as compared to the UK sector.

Which games are allowed?

In the United Kingdom, the list of legal and therefore licensed gambling includes the following: 

  • casinos, 
  • bingo, 
  • all types of betting, 
  • slot machines, 
  • lotteries, 
  • online gambling.

In Poland, the following types of gambling are permitted and regulated by law: 

  • casino games (poker, roulette, blackjack, slot machines, bingo, etc.) 
  • totalizers and bookmakers. 
  • Lotteries.

The main difference with the UK is that online casino activity is prohibited in Poland. With this in mind, there are many development companies operating in the country that specializes in creating virtual slots and are aimed at the foreign market.

Gambling restrictions imposed in both countries

 Since 2021, the UK government has banned the sale of lottery tickets and scratch cards to gamblers under 18. Minors were prohibited from participating in online lotteries. It used to be used to give kids instant win games that are a gateway to more complex gambling. However, the attitude of the UK population towards gambling is different. The international think tank surveyed more than 18,000 respondents in the UK to find out their attitudes towards online gambling and online betting. It turned out that many Britons are critical of their chances of winning, and a fifth did not think at all about the fact that you can play online. Young people there are very concerned about the harm caused by gambling. They are not sure that their credit cards are securely protected in the casino.

The situation in Poland is slightly different. The number of young people engaged in casinos is much greater. But they face other restrictions connected to the gambling sector. For example, advertising gambling activities in Poland is prohibited and strictly punishable by law. It is not allowed to advertise and promote casino gambling, card games, betting, and slot machine services.

Final words

As can be seen, it is difficult to say exactly which situation is better. Both Polish and UK regulations are acceptable and allow players to enjoy fair play online. However, the UK approach is somewhat more conservative but is examplar for many European countries.  

Dolphins preseason Bucs

Skylar Thompson forcing Dolphins to make hard choices

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Very few people knew the name Skylar Thompson when the Miami Dolphins drafted him in the 7th round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In fact, many were wondering why Miami would use a draft pick on a QB who many believed would be available as an undrafted free agent. Surely, there were other developmental players available the Dolphins could invest in during a win-now year.

However, from the moment he put on the uniform, Skylar Thompson was turning heads.

The 25-year old rookie out of Kansas State is showing extreme poise under pressure. Granted, he’s playing against backups the majority of the time, but his preseason performances are undeniably impressive. In just over five quarters of preseason play, Thompson has gone 29-of-38, with 347 yards and two touchdowns.

Even the team’s starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, can’t help but be impressed by Thompson’s play so far.

“I’ve been extremely impressed with Skylar.” Tagovailoa said after Saturday’s game. “Skylar handled the Tampa game extremely well, and then now he comes in a little later into the third quarter, gets his group going, has — I don’t even know how many plays he had. He probably had a 10-play drive leading up to the score that we had our first score that we had here at Hard Rock for this 2022 season. But I think he has handled it extremely well. He gave us an opportunity to kick a field goal to win the game. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, but I think he has done an extremely great job for us.”

To some draft pundits, Thompson’s success comes as no surprise. Matt Waldman – creator of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio since 2006, stated during his evaluation that Thompson has at least one trait that stands out above every other QB prospect in this draft.

“Thompson has the best pocket management of this class. He maneuvers from all types of pressure better than at least half of the NFL starters I’ve watched this year.  He also takes hellacious hits and maintains the equanimity to deliver an accurate ball.”

Perhaps what held Thompson back during the draft were the injuries he suffered at Kansas State. During his senior year in 2020, Thompson suffered an upper-body injury which limited him to only three starts. But in those games, he went 40-of-64, 62.5 completion percentage, 626 yards and four touchdowns.

He didn’t have much better luck in 2021, as he suffered a knee injury that allowed him only ten starts. However, he still put up decent numbers (162-of-233, 69.5%, 2,113 yards, 12 TDs, four INTs) and finished his career by winning Texas Bowl MVP honors in the team’s win over a depleted LSU roster, in which he went 21-of-28, 259 yards and 3 TDs.

Had he been healthy throughout his collegiate career, it’s safe to assume Thompson would not have fallen all the way to the 7th round. His lack of production at Kansas State was partly due to those injuries. It was also partly due to the demands of the scheme he was in. Nonetheless, coach Mike McDaniel saw something in Thompson that caused the Dolphins to deem it fit to use a draft pick on him.

So far, McDaniel appears justified in that assessment.

“He just gets better every day.” McDaniel said after the preseason loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. “This game the operation was better. There was one time that he kind of lost the play clock a little bit, and we had to burn a timeout, but more than anything, he really had command over everything. And he is starting to make plays that when one or two aren’t there, feeling the concept. And like that touchdown they threw to ‘Z. White’ on the left-hand side, that’s something that Skylar doesn’t make at the beginning of preseason. So, I’ve seen continued improvement, but he is very diligent about the process. He has got the makeup of what it takes to be an NFL quarterback. So I think all of his teammates can feel that too.”

Now given the opportunity to produce in a QB friendly offensive scheme, it’s clear Skylar Thompson’s production was not due to lack of skill. PrizePicks.com had Thompson’s O/U on passing yardage at 165.5 yards, assuming that he would play the entirety of the second half if not more.

In spite of entering the game with less than a minute left in the 3rd quarter, Thompson was nearly able to reach that prop. As he led the Dolphins down the field and nearly led what could have been the game-winning drive, Thompson went 9-of-10 for 129 yards and a touchdown, all in the span of barely over one quarter’s time.

Skylar Thompson wasn’t supposed to make things difficult. But he is. Now, the Miami Dolphins have a difficult choice to make. Do they run the risk of letting him test the waiver wire? There are surely QB-needy teams who would love to claim him as their own. Or, alternatively, do they roster three quarterbacks? That idea is unprecedented in today’s modern NFL, but the Dolphins may not have a choice.

Veteran backup QB Teddy Bridgewater has a contract worth up to $10 million. $6.5 million of it is guaranteed. The way it’s structured, as of this moment, releasing Bridgewater saves Miami a grand total of zero dollars in cap space. And it puts them in a deep hole financially as they would be forced to pay him that amount no matter what.

However, if the Dolphins can trade Bridgewater, that changes. Trading him saves Miami $4.5 million in cap space with only $2 million in dead cap. The hard part is finding a trade partner.

These are the questions Skylar Thompson is forcing the Dolphins to answer. His performance in preseason and in practice make it extremely difficult to justify waiving him. By the same token, keeping him instead of Bridgewater hurts the team financially. In 2023, Miami is going to need every penny they can save.

And if they simply keep all three QBs? Then another position that may need the extra depth will lose an important piece. The Dolphins are low on cornerbacks and good offensive line depth. Can they afford the extra roster spot? It’s up to Mike McDaniel to weigh the pros and cons and make that choice.

As for Skylar Thompson himself, he’s determined not to let the situation get to him as the preseason rapidly approaches its end.

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“That decision is out of my control.” He said. “All I can do is focus on being the best teammate that I can possibly be every day, continue to grow and try to learn and get better. That’s really all I’m focused on right now, and everything else I know will take care of itself whichever way that may fold. This is out of my hands. I’m just here to be a good teammate – help the team the most whichever way I can.”

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for eight years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

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5 Storylines going into UFC 278

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With UFC 278 around the corner, this PPV card is layered with many big names as well as many sleepers as well. Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards look to look up for a second time, this time with the UFC Welterweight Championship on the line. Luke Rockhold makes his return to the UFC Octagon for the first time in just over 3 years and takes on the devastating knockout artist Paulo Costa. On top of that you add elite bantamweight action with Jose Aldo taking on the rising Merab Dvalishvili who’s looking to make his win streak 8 on Saturday. In the Prelims we have undefeated Heavyweight Alexander Romanov looking to become 17-0 and secure his 6th straight win in the UFC. Let’s take a look at some of the top storylines going into UFC 278

  • How can Kamaru Usman add to his legacy?

Kamaru Usman has been on a path of destruction since entering the UFC, going on a 15-fight win streak, not counting the 2 wins he picked up on The Ultimate Fighter. With a win this Saturday, he can tie the legendary Anderson Silva for first place in UFC history with a win streak of 16. To answer the question of how Usman can add to his legacy this weekend starts with getting the win. If he gets the win this Saturday, he can have a legitimate claim of being the greatest Welterweight of all time. GSP certainly still is at the top of that conversation, but Usman getting a win makes that conversation much tougher. If Usman is able to get the finish over Edwards, that would mean he would have 4 finishes in 6 title defenses, all while only having 2 finishes leading into his championship fight. This would show the incredible growth that he has made as a champion, even further proving his dominance and legitimizing his spot as #1 Pound-for-Pound fighter in the world. 

 

  • Can Leon Edwards make adjustments from fight #1 

The last time Leon Edwards lost a fight was 7 years ago, to his opponent Saturday Kamaru Usman. Since that time, Leon has won 9 fights in a row, all while having bad luck getting fights scheduled during the Covid Era. During that time the southpaw has polished up his clinch work all while becoming one of the most technical strikers in the division. His ability to mix it up in close with elbows as well as work you from a distance is what makes him so dangerous. But when you have someone who is as gifted of a wrestler as Kamaru, what can Leon do to change the outcome of the fight this time. The obvious start to the answer is better takedown defense than the last fight. Usman had over 10 minutes of ground control time and that’s not including the clinch control time. If Edwards wants to win this fight, he needs to address this and try to change the game plan. Coming forward and putting the pressure on Usman would seem to be the most ideal strategy. When a wrestler is on their back foot they don’t have the same success on their takedowns as well as it makes it harder for them to cut off the cage. The second key would be to use those clinches early to damage Usman. We have seen that Kamaru has been rocked at times in his UFC career, so if Leon can put Usman on the back foot and use that pressure to land the cleaner strikes in the exchanges, he can change the outcome from the last time these two met. 

  • Will Luke Rockhold be able to get his first win in 5 years?

 

Luke Rockhold finally makes his Octagon return after 3 years and welcoming him back is the man with 11 knockout wins, Paulo Costa. Luke is 4 years removed from his last title opportunity vs Yoel Romero in 2018 and is 7 years removed from being a champion in 2015. That being said, after losing 3 of his last 4 fights by KO, he took some time to allow his body to heal and make the right decision regarding his future. His return is one that has made a lot of noise and his comments during fight week didn’t make it any quieter. The only issue is that he is facing a devastating striker in Paulo Costa. Say what you want to about him, his weight, or his online tactics, but you have to respect the man as a striker and a finisher. Luke can come back and win a fight versus Paulo but the path to victory is tough. He’s going to have to weather the early storm and pressure of Paulo while trying to land his own. Although Rockhold isn’t known best for his wrestling, this fight would be an ideal opportunity to show his octagon experience and fight IQ and take Costa down and try to wear on his gas tank. For Paulo, the path seems to land one punch clean on Rockhold, and you’re walking away with your win bonus. For Luke, the chin is suspect and although the skills are there for the former champion, it may seem that he is over the hill on his career and will be a marquee name for the UFC. But he can go there Saturday and put Costa’s lights out cold, & that is why we watch. 

  • Is Jose Aldo still elite?

 

When it comes to career longevity, Jose Aldo has to be one of the guys at the top of the list in the UFC. 14 years after his WEC debut in 2008, the former UFC Champion is on a 3 fight win streak after losing his initial bout at 135 lbs. Marlon Vera, Pedro Munoz, and Rob Font are 3 of the toughest bantamweights in this division and he was able to pick up wins consecutively on all 3. Now he faces a dangerous grappler in Merab Dvalishvili. Merab comes into this fight averaging 7 takedowns a fight which is an absolutely absurd number. He ranks #1 all-time in the UFC Bantamweight division with 63 takedowns. That number all-time enough to be ahead of former champion Rafael Dos Anjos and just behind guys like Colby Covington and Damian Maia. Aldo will have a tough challenge on his hand but one thing we know about him is that his takedown defense is one of the best of all time. During his time at featherweight, he had the 3rd best takedown defense of all time at 91%. During his 4 fights at 135lbs, he has only been taken down twice and he only spent 50 seconds being on the bottom in his last 3 fights. This fight will be a true test to see if Aldo is still elite, or if Merab is going to take that torch. 

 

  • Can Alexander Romanov continue his unbeaten streak

 

Undefeated Heavyweight Alexander Romanov is going to the Prelim Headliner, a spot usually reserved for someone who the UFC wants eyes on since it is the last fight for free before the PPV gets started. Romanov has been dominant since his time in the UFC winning 6 in a row in the promotion. He faces off against his toughest challenger yet, Marcin Tybura whose only loss in his last 6 fights is to #8 ranked Heavyweight Alexander Volkov. Romanov is a dominant submission fighter who loves to take his opponents down and wreak havoc. He even tends to throw his coach as a celebration after his wins as well. Romanov has yet to have met his match and his unrelenting pressure and ability to get his opponents on their back has been nothing short of spectacular. If Tybura is able to keep this fight standing, he has a chance of winning, but if Romanov gets this fight to the mat, I’m betting that the fight is over and Romanov walks out 17-0. 

 

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Why Shane Burgos signing with the PFL is a win for All Fighters

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When Shane Burgos signed with the PFL, it seemed like it was going to be just another UFC fighter crossing over to “MMA’s League”. But Shane Burgos makes for a unique case for multiple reasons, and for those reasons, his signing with the PFL could open doors for many more fighters in the future. The reason that Shane Burgos is a unique case because he is still in his prime, he was a ranked UFC contender, and he’s coming off a win streak with a chance to make more money. 

Shane Burgos entered the UFC at 7-0 with all of his wins coming by finish. He was still very young at 25 years old and had an extensive amateur career in which he was also undefeated. He was able to secure 4 “Fight of the Night” bonuses during his 11 fights in the UFC and has only taken losses to top ranked opponents. Add to that experience with the fact that he is only 31 years old in the prime of his career makes him a very dangerous contender in the upcoming PFL Season.

For Shane to leave on a win, in the prime of his career makes him different from guys like Rory MacDonald and Anthony Pettis. For both of those guys, they have already either fought for UFC gold or became UFC Champions in their tenure with the UFC. For guys like the 2021 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion Antonio Carlos Jr. and 2022 Playoff Contender Chris Wade, they were cut by the UFC and didn’t even have a chance to negotiate contracts with them. By going to the PFL, Shane opens the door for more contenders in the UFC to maximize their pay by going to the PFL and other promotions. 

The PFL presents a unique opportunity with their season style format and the million dollar tournament. Having fights lined up for you as well as the opportunity to fight for a million dollars is something that many fighters under the current PFL banner has touted as one of the biggest benefits of being signed to the PFL. They have a big platform on ESPN and ESPN+ as well as they bring a very unique perspective on the sport of MMA. They also have the opportunity to make superfights and marquee matchups with the more names that come on over. Shane Burgos vs Anthony Pettis? Sign me up. 

Now why is this a win for all fighters? For a long time, the UFC has been the main stage for fighters to build their name on and make the most amount of money. Bellator has taken a few fighters such as Benson Henderson and others, but Shane is one of the first in the modern era to be in his position and do what he did.

This also allows the opportunity for other fighters to test free agency and look at the potential other doors that could be open and be a better opportunity. Shane speaks about having to go home and look at his two daughters and when it’s all said and done, this is a career for many people, so when a door that is opened financially for one fighter, that door will remain open again when the opportunity arises.

 

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Best Centers in the WNBA Right Now

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The WNBA is filled with great players and big stars right now, but who are the best centers who have been tearing up the league this season? 

The following are powerful, skillful centers with all the attributes to dominate their rivals on the court. 

Jonquel Jones – The Connecticut Sun

The versatility that Jonquel Jones possesses means that she can slot in easily as a forward or center and makes her a potential favorite in the WNBA odds 2022 for MVP. 

She was born in the Bahamas and moved to the US at the age of 14, but represents Bosnia and Herzegovina at the international level. Jones has been in the WNBA since joining the Connecticut Sun following the 2016 draft.

She started as their backup center before claiming the starting spot in her second season, with a performance against Chicago Sky where she got 23 points and 21 rebounds marking her breakthrough as a genuine star of the women’s basketball scene.     

Her stats with the Sun have been getting increasingly impressive and she’s the current MVP in the league. Marketing opportunities have been slowly arriving for her, so you might see more of her soon, but her relatively low profile confirms the work that’s still needed to promote the WNBA. 

Tina Charles – The Seattle Storm

One of the big basketball stories of this summer was Tina Charles making an unexpected move from the Phoenix Mercury to the Seattle Storm. As the leading scorer in the WNBA in 2021, this was a huge move that should increase the chances of Seattle winning the Playoffs, although they’re currently not regarded as one of the favorites but could surprise a few people. 

Before that, she was a national champion in her college years with the UConn Huskies and has helped Team USA to collect three Olympic gold medals over the years as well. Her time in the pro league began back in 2010 when the Connecticut Sun picked her in the 2010 draft as the number one overall pick.

She quickly made an impact in the pro league, becoming the Rookie of the Year in 2010 as she set league records for rebounds and double-doubles. Charles has set a number of WNBA records since then and joined the New York Liberty and then the Washington Mystics before a short spell at Phoenix, where she seems to have been disappointed with the lack of success achieved by the team.

Candace Parker – The Chicago Sky

Parker recently joined Tamika Catchings in fourth place in the all-time rebounding list, with a totals of 3,316. This has been achieved during a long pro career where her versatility has seen her play as center and also as a forward. She was the first pick in the 2008 draft, joining the Los Angeles Sparks following her college career at the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers, where she was listed for the forward, center, and guard positions.  

During her college career, Parker made the headlines as the first female player to dunk during an NCAA tournament, and she also became the first player to do it twice in the same college game. Following that, she was the second player to dunk during a WNBA game. She led the Sparks to the Finals title in 2016 and then did the same in 2021 with the Chicago Sky.

Among her achievements, Candice Parker has twice been named as the most valuable player in the WNBA and has a couple of Olympic gold medals in her collection. Her move to Chicago as a free agent after 13 years in Los Angeles raised some eyebrows in the game, but it let her move closer to where she grew up and seemed to have given her a new edge to her game at the same time.

Teaira McCowan – The Dallas Wings

Following a highly successful college career with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Teaira McCowan joined the Indian Fever as the third overall pick in the 2019 WNBA draft. Her first season saw her post excellent figures that put her in second place in the league in terms of rebounding and earned her a spot on the All-Rookie Team.

Like many of the top WNBA players, McCowan has also played overseas, with Galatasaray of the Women’s Basketball Super League in Turkey. With Dallas, she’s recently made her way into the starting line-up and has climbed to second in the league for rebounding and free throw attempts since them. 

Her recent efforts have helped push the Wings towards the Playoffs, and they look to be in a strong position to have a chance of winning the Finals this year. A look at the WNBA Finals odds shows that Dallas is among the outsiders, behind favorites like the Chicago Sky and the Las Vegas Aces. However, the wings will be hoping that McCowan can guide them to an unlikely victory.

Top 8 College Football Teams to Bet on This Season

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The 2022 college football season will kick off on Saturday, August 27, 2022, and punters can now place wagers on the team they are rooting to win. However, before we start betting on competitions for 12 hours every Saturday, there are also some future bets with a lot of worth.

 

You’re probably interested in which college football team seems to have the best shot at winning the national championship as a bookmaker. Watch the top eight football teams bet on during the NCAAF 2022 season.

 

Oklahoma State

Countless individuals are looking forward to more Oklahoma State in 2022 because Spencer Sander and the majority of their starters on offense are returning. And, even though the team’s roster was destroyed by players who left for the NFL, current first-year coach Brent Venables has performed an outstanding job of reloading via the transfer portal.

 

As a result, Coldon, a Wyoming transfer, and Morrison, a North Carolina transfer, were ideal secondary additions. So remember to keep your eyes on them and to research them before anything else thoroughly.

 

Michigan

Michigan was among the major highlights of the 2021 season, having defeated Ohio State for the first time since 2011. Furthermore, the defending Big Ten champion, Michigan, is considered one of the top picks at +800 odds.

 

And even after losing seven starting players to the NFL, the Wolverines came back with a powerful offense but must fill several gaps on defense. As such, even though Michigan is one of the better bets on the college football betting board, ensure that you thoroughly research them and other competing teams.

 

Texas A&M

The Aggies hope to stop eighty-three years of dry spell without needing a national championship in 2022. Also, Haynes King’s competitive quarterback rivalry with transfer Max Johnson is vital.

 

Furthermore, the Texas A&M Aggies recruited the top class in 2022 and have intense talent on both sides of the field, along with running back Devon Achen. Therefore, everything will all ultimately boils down to who the number one quarterback is and whether they can indeed take advantage of the opportunity.

 

USC

Lincoln Riley’s hype at USC is likely justified based on his stellar record at Oklahoma, particularly with Caleb Williams as his quarterback for the upcoming two seasons. And, with all the talent gathered, it will definitely be a very great offense.

 

Furthermore, Riley is well-known for operating a solid defense because he is one of the competition’s most prominent offensive minds. And bringing back Williams at quarterback, the nation’s top receiver from last season, two top-level running backs, and two other powerful wideouts will only end up making their offensive line more challenging.

 

Kansas State

For the year 2022, the Big 12 appears to be fully open, with numerous teams capable of winning the conference. The Wildcats return 14 starting players from last season’s 8-5 squad, which includes the ten All-Conference performers.

 

In other words, Kansas State comes back with the most high performance on both sides of the field among all the Big 12 teams in the year 2022. The Kansas State team lost Skylar Thompson for the quarterback position, but they were able to replace him with Adrian Martinez, a transfer from the Nebraska team.

 

Ohio State

After successfully completing first in total offense a year ago, no one has reason to doubt Ohio State’s capability to move the ball. However, following his 347 passing yards in the Rose Bowl, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, receiver, will emerge as one of the season’s hottest names.

 

In addition, having Jim Knowles, who led Oklahoma’s defensive line to rank third last season, presently makes Ohio State an assertive, defensive back-led approach that can strike opposing players with diverse formations and different levels of coverage. Lastly, Cameron Brown and Denzel Burke will also serve as cornerbacks until safety Josh Proctor recuperates from his injury.

 

Alabama

Numerous players from the prior season return for Alabama. Moreover, coach Nick Saban also has managed to bring in a few more fresh players through the transfer portal.

 

Even though Alabama lost some key players during the offseason, some have decided to return, including Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young. Also, Alabama is among the most highly touted teams for bettors to back, so make sure to research their NCAAF odds properly before placing bets on them.

 

Georgia

Last year, the Georgia Bulldogs won the national championship game, having beaten Alabama 33-18. So unless they stay true to their game strategy and make as few changes as possible, they have a solid chance of repeating the upcoming season.

 

Georgia’s roster is looking strong, with five five-star draftees, including defensive lineman Mykel Williams and safety Malaki Starks. Furthermore, with quarterback Stetson Bennett’s eligibility set to expire at the end of the present season, the senior will also be aiming to win back-to-back championships.

 

Final Thoughts

The countdown to the beginning of another finals series of college football has officially started, and every week draws us nearer to the start of another season, so it’s time to begin looking forward with the NCAAF national championship odds. And fingers crossed, the above list of top eight eNCAAF teams with favorable odds will assist you in deciding which team to wager on.

 

Dolphins preseason Bucs

5 Takeaways from Dolphins Preseason Win vs Bucs

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The Miami Dolphins began the Mike McDaniel era with a 26-24 preseason victory in Tampa Bay. The franchise’s 11th head coach (14th if you count interims) hopes to be the fifth new head man to lead Miami to the postseason in his first year with the club. Saturday night’s preseason contest against the Bucs lacked most of the top names on either side, but the game still provided plenty of excitement.

Here’s a look at five takeaways from the Dolphins preseason win over the Buccaneers.

Skylar Thompson Makes His Roster Case for Dolphins in Preseason Win Over the Bucs

McDaniel and the coaching staff opted to sit starter Tua Tagovailoa for the Dolphins preseason opener against the Bucs. Presumed backup Teddy Bridgewater dressed for the game, but did not see the field either. That left the quarterbacking duties to Miami’s seventh round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, Skylar Thompson.

The former Kansas State Wildcat impressed in his debut, completing 20-of-28 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown. Thompson also rushed for 25 yards on three carries. He looked poised in the pocket and largely avoided the big mistakes throughout the evening.

One of the big questions entering the season is whether Miami will roster three quarterbacks this year.

Thompson may force the Dolphins hand in that regard following his performance in this preseason win over the Bucs. Miami probably shouldn’t chance Thompson potentially getting poached from the practice squad, a la Reid Sinnett last year. He may have earned his roster spot.

Lynn Bowden Looks Like a Valuable Piece at WR

Of all the Dolphins receivers to play in this contest, and not all of them did, Lynn Bowden Jr. looked like the player who took the most advantage of his playing time on Saturday. The Dolphins deployed Bowden in several roles during their preseason win over the Bucs, including eight offensive snaps at receiver as well as several opportunities on special teams. And he made the most of his offensive snaps.

Bowden led the Dolphins in receiving yards (55) and targets (4) on Saturday, hauling in the lone offensive touchdown. He flashed his potential on the outside with his double move against a helpless Bucs corner on the 22-yard TD catch. He also hauled in a 29-yard pass that could’ve also been a touchdown had Thompson hit him in stride.

Bowden’s versatility and explosiveness seems to have given him the edge in this training camp battle at wide receiver. Although Miami still sports a number of talented receivers on the roster, Bowden’s performance during the Dolphins preseason win over the Bucs may have solidified his hold on a 53-man roster spot.

Preston Williams did not see a target in his 13 offensive snaps on Saturday and managed just 13 yards on two punt return attempts. Mohamed Sanu, meanwhile, caught all three of his targets and finished with 39 yards.

Trill Williams’ Injured Leaves 4th Corner Spot Open

Another roster battle worth monitoring on Saturday was that of the fourth cornerback position. With the team’s top three spots accounted for with Xavien Howard, Byron Jones, and Nik Needham, players like Trill Williams and Noah Igbinoghene stood as the most likely candidates to fill that role.

But while Williams seemed to have the edge with his impressive showing at camp, the young cornerback suffered a season-ending knee injury late in the Dolphins preseason win over the Bucs.

Williams’ injury leaves the fourth cornerback spot wide open for the remainder of camp. The top options to fill that role currently on the roster include Igbinoghene, who’s struggled at times in camp, and journeyman Keion Crossen, who’s been primarily as a special teamer in his career.

Elijah Campbell may get a look considering his solid play on Saturday. 

Undrafted rookie free agent Kader Kohou has also turned heads in camp, though he didn’t play on Saturday due to an injury. The Dolphins could look to the free agent market at this point, or wait until later in training camp after a round of league cuts, to fill this position.

Benito Jones Could Fill Defensive Line Depth

The Dolphins cut Adam Butler earlier this offseason following a failed physical by the defensive lineman. Butler provided the Dolphins a solid rotational player along the defensive line, so losing him creates an opening for a young player moving forward. The first one that flashed as a potential replacement was Benito Jones.

Jones signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent following his four-year career at Ole Miss. He only played in six games as a rookie in 2020, making one tackle. Jones has spent the majority of his NFL career on Miami’s practice squad, but flashed his potential as a run stuffer in the Dolphins preseason win over the Bucs.

Jones registered three run stops in his 21 defensive snaps. He was in on five total tackles, including one tackle-for-loss. He’s a big-bodied defensive tackle who can thrive in Josh Boyer’s defense given the opportunity.

Offensive Line Depth Still a Question Mark

The Dolphins sat their top two free agent additions along the offensive line during this preseason win over the Bucs. Both Terron Armstead and Conner Williams enjoyed a night off. The three projected o-line starters who did play against Tampa Bay, Robert Hunt, Liam Eichenberg and Austin Jackson, all played through the first two offensive series (11 snaps).

2021 seventh-round pick Larnel Coleman started at left tackle and played 42 of Miami’s 45 offensive snaps. He surrendered a critical sack on third-and-goal on the Dolphins’ first drive, which led to a field goal, and struggled at times afterwards. His fellow tackle, Kion Smith, also surrendered a sack. Smith played on 34 of Miami’s 45 snaps.

Neither Coleman nor Smith flashed in their time on the field and the offensive line as a whole failed to open running lanes throughout the night. Miami’s other tackle on the roster, Greg Little, was ruled out prior to kickoff but could get a chance to prove his worth at some point this preseason. Otherwise, the Dolphins may opt to keep additional interior lineman, since Eichenberg can slide over if need be.

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More on the Dolphins Preseason Win Over the Bucs

For more on this Dolphins preseason win, check out the episode of The Final Yard postgame show on the 5 Reasons YouTube channel!

RELATED: 5 Breakout Candidates for the Miami Dolphins in 2022

Max Strus: Preparing for the Overplay

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When looking for some breakout seasons in the NBA last year, the Miami Heat would be a good starting point.

Somebody like Caleb Martin, who signed on a two-way contract, earned himself a pay-day as the Heat retained him this off-season.

A guy like Gabe Vincent who has had his ups and downs, finally found himself as a high level role player in this league. After Kyle Lowry went down for extended periods in the post-season, he stepped into that starting spot, and ended up being one of few Heat players whose numbers didn’t decline.

Then there’s Max Strus.

Somebody that mid-way through the season was viewed as a fringe rotation player. Can definitely provide shooting with the best of them, but where would they find playing time for him?

Spoiler alert: they found a spot for him. A starting spot at that.

Not only did he take advantage, but he excelled through and through. Somewhat saving a declining Heat starting lineup late in the regular season.

Fast forward to present time, things are viewed much differently around the league when it comes to Strus.

In a matter of months, he became the name nobody could pronounce correctly to one of the league’s most efficient volume three point shooters.

Last season, he attempted 6.5 threes a game and knocked down 41% of them. That only trailed Desmond Bane in efficiency with a minimum of 6 and a half triples attempted.

And to that point, he’s a known figure now.

Heat fans are familiar with this storyline slightly when it comes to Duncan Robinson. Specialist that nobody knows begins hitting the scouting reports.

It’s just the name of the game.

After Robinson struggled a bit this past season, it was clear there were a mixture of issues: a lack of confidence after some rough patches and teams simply overplaying him as a deep threat.

So that gets you thinking, during a point in the off-season where every evaluation must be in the minor crevices of player’s games: how is Strus going to deal with the similar overplay?

Well, let’s start by unpacking the dribble hand-off a bit…

 

 

Robinson perfected the hand-off on this Heat team, basically until defenses decided to completely turn the water off on him. Teams won’t directly approach that the same with Strus, simply due to the fact the DHO isn’t his homebase.

He has been more of a slip screen, spot-up, shoot in the face of his defender kind of shooter. Yet it should also be stated: Robinson and Strus approach the DHO much differently.

As many of you know, Robinson’s focus was to always stay glued to his screener after the catch. Stay locked shoulder to shoulder to eliminate the defender from slipping over the top easily, but that simultaneously means there’s less ground to cover.

Strus does the exact opposite.

He expands from the screener with an escape dribble, pretty much forcing his defender to pick up more speed. Why would you want that? Well, speeding up a defender means you’re taking away their control. Now you can make your next move as a counter.

By the way, both are good options. It just comes down to the comfort of the player.

Looking at the clip above, I show this because it looks like Strus’ training reps. When he works on his hand-offs, he stays loose and takes up major space with one or two lead dribbles, since that’s his primary comfort area.

You may be thinking, why does any of this matter? The answer is that minor tweak in his hand-off dissection will be the way he deals with defensive overplays in the natural flow of the offense.

Just take a look at this shooting pattern…

Other than the extra ball-handling reps in Summer League a year ago, Strus hasn’t been asked to do much with the ball in his hands. He attempted 6.5 triples a game last season, while 5.4 of those attempts he didn’t even put the ball on the deck before shooting.

Clearly that is no surprise, but it shows that he’s been planted strictly within his own role. And more importantly, he utilizes things that get him into his shooting rhythm.

But the catch high, keep high method hasn’t been the only thing to get him into a fluid shooting motion. While on a small sample size, he shot 41% from three following a single dribble, which included 44 shot attempts.

Much like his way of exploding from the screen on a DHO, this will be his way to create separation on over-plays. And trust me, there will be plenty of those over-plays next season.

Going back to some of the clips above, it’s a comfort process that is only growing this off-season: shot-fake, one-dribble side-step, and pull.

It’s pretty simple when breaking it down in these terms, but these are the things that will break him free as he rides the outside arc. Plus there’s the added factor that he is not fazed by heavily contested shots.

At all.

Hand in his face, two defenders blitzing. It doesn’t matter. He will shoot it the same way, with the same flick and the same lift. I’m very confident that teams won’t be able to eliminate him if it becomes a focus, but like I just pointed out, he’s going to have counters in the vault waiting.

The final counter may be the one that sees the biggest increase this season. While the roster doesn’t have a true 4, it’s obvious they do have an excess of guards. The way they will utilize them is to elevate the movement offense with extra mis-directions and motion with Bam Adebayo at the helm.

Meaning the higher the frequency in Strus mixing in these back-door counters, the better. Play-makers will be surrounding him in most of these lineups, so they’ll find him more times than not.

Lineup data is never a good starting point, but it’s always a good checkpoint to back-up a specific topic. When looking through some of the Heat’s best offensive duos this past regular season, there was a not-so undercover trend. (Minimum 400 minutes logged)

The top one was Max Strus and Bam Adebayo.

We’ve seen Bam dominate with prolific shooters around him before, so maybe this is just coincidental…

Number two was Max Strus and Jimmy Butler.

Well we know they have a great relationship off the floor, but it seems Strus was a good sidekick on the floor as well. Ah, maybe it’s just another coincidence.

Moving onto number three, we have Max Strus and Tyler Herro.

Hmmm. I know we’re strictly talking offense and Strus has told me in the past his focus on the floor with Herro is just to get him as many shots as possible, but it has to end there, right?

Wrong.

Number four ended up being Max Strus and Kyle Lowry.

All jokes aside, I know it’s just lineup data being revolved around the calculated offensive ratings with them on the floor, but I wouldn’t say this is way-off analysis. When going back through game logs, it was no secret things were clicking when Strus was waiting to take advantage of a defensive mistake.

But to tie this all back together, that most likely won’t be occurring as often next year. Defenses won’t adjust off of him, he will have to force the adjustment. We can go down the slippery slope of starting lineup hypotheticals, but stuff like this will be more crucial to keep an eye on.

Every shooter sees the overplaying defense after the breakout, but it’s just how you respond. Yet after laying it out there before, I’m confident he has the necessary counters to not only level out to last year’s version, but improve even more.

 

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Pro Tips: How To Win At Slots in Online Casino

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Gambling is more than just a hobby for some, it’s actually their career. There are pro gamblers out there who make money consistently by playing online casino games. Furthermore, they generate additional revenue by writing books or creating online courses on how to get better at these games. Typically, they talk about professional poker and blackjack, as those games allow players to rely on their skills. There are even big poker tournaments where the best of the best get to compete against one another and win millions. Unfortunately, there aren’t many tips that can help slot fans, which is absurd as slots are the most played games in any casino. So, let’s go over a few pro tips that can help you win in slots.    

 

Learn About RTP and Volatility 

Player agency is limited when it comes to slots, but you always get to decide which one you are going to play. This choice really matters. First, you get to pick the theme you like and get a more enjoyable experience. Second, and more importantly, your choice impacts how frequently you can win. This is why you usually hear suggestions to pick the slot title with the highest RTP:

 

  • OOH AAH Dracula – 99% 
  • Mega Joker – 99%
  • Blood Suckers – 98% 
  • Jackpot 6000 – 98.8%
  • The Catfather – 98.10%

 

Generally speaking, this isn’t a bad suggestion, but it’s not exactly the best advice. The RTP displayed can only be applied if you go through thousands of spins, and most players won’t spend that much on a single game. This is why volatility plays such a big role. Slots with high volatility have an extremely low win rate, but jackpots can be huge. Low volatility, on the other hand, means you can expect to see a winning combination more frequently, but the payout will be smaller. 

Why is this important? Well, if you plan to spend money for around 50 spins, it would be wiser to opt for a low volatility slot. Whereas if you are a big spender and want to go through hundreds of spins, you might get lucky enough on a higher volatility slot. 

 

Use Casino Bonuses for Slots 

Playing online gives you a chance to get 100 free spins no deposit or simply for signing up. These bonuses are mainly aimed at slot players since casinos want as many people as possible to play this content. This means you can get lots of free spins for specific games. However, most of the bonuses have wagering requirements, which many casual players might find annoying. To avoid these terms, you should search for no wagering slot sites which offer free spins without any wagering requirements. Luckily, there are lots of top UK no wagering slots nowadays, so you’ll be able to create accounts with multiple operators. You might not be able to choose the game where you can spend these spins, but still, you get the chance to gamble risk-free, so you should definitely use the opportunity. 

 

Play on Trusted Sites 

 

Another thing to remember is to pick the operator wisely. Basically, if you play on an unregulated foreign website, the operator might refuse to allow you to make a withdrawal. They might make some sort of excuse or simply make the withdrawal process tiresome. You should always read recent reviews and feedback from other players before you decide to create an account on an online casino. You should also go for sites that are licensed and comply with all of the latest regulator requirements, as these are a safer option. This way, you won’t get scammed online, and there is a regulatory body that can hold operators accountable. 

 

Set Your Budget 

Finally, you need to be careful with your spending when it comes to slots. This is a game with a low win rate, so don’t allow yourself to get frustrated. Only play with money you can afford to lose. Moreover, prepare for the worst outcome so that you won’t get disappointed. You are likely going to win lots of spins and extend your gameplay, but don’t expect to significantly multiply your funds. Most people play in order to hit the jackpot, so view your wins as free spins that will eventually help you get there. 

 

Conclusion 

As you can see, these tips are easy to follow, and they can be quite useful. It really boils down to managing finances and picking the game that favors the players. Hope you found this useful, and best of luck. 

Biggest Benefits of Playing Basketball for Students

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We often hear things like: “playing basketball will help you grow taller” or “sports will make you stronger and faster”. This is not inaccurate. It is not a myth or a misconception. There are tons of studies that show how beneficial basketball can be for those that practice it. But, it expands beyond growing taller or becoming stronger. 

There are tons of benefits from playing basketball, and this sport has the biggest perks for the younger generations. If you want to learn how basketball can improve the college student’s life, keep reading. 

  • Playing Basketball Helps You Get Higher Grades

Many argue that playing sports in college takes away the focus from the studying or leaves very little time for students to focus on their academic tasks. Well, this is not accurate. There is tons of research that point out to the positive effects on the academic performance in athletes. 

Sports help students beat the stress, which is the main reason why they lose motivation and focus. They also help them build time management and teamwork skills, which are essential for deadlines, as well as school projects. 

Yes, juggling academic tasks, practice and matches all at the same time is challenging. However, this is no reason to believe that students cannot do both. When they rid themselves from the stress thanks to basketball, they will spend less time writing their papers and be more motivated to study. On top of that, as a student, you can today easily find depression essays for your paper and get inspired by quality content from companies like EduBirdie. Essay samples can help you write your papers faster and better, and let’s not forget that you can even order when you don’t have the time to write them yourself!

  • Sports Encourage Socialization

School sports such as basketball are great for socialization. They create a feeling of belonging and boost the self-esteem in the players. For a student, socialization is very important and playing sports is one of the best forms of it. In a team, teammates develop lifelong bonds, and they also find it easier to socialize with fans of the game. 

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  • Basketball Has Tremendous Health Benefits for the Player

The health benefits of basketball as a sport are numerous. Start with strength and stamina – playing this sport often will boost the student’s agility, strength, and help them move faster. It also builds up the muscular endurance and builds upper and lower body strength. 

In addition to this, playing a team sport like this one has a positive effect on the strength of bones. A 2018 research shows that people who played sports like basketball and handball have more bone mineral density than people with a more sedentary lifestyle. 

Since the game of basketball requires a lot of focus and great coordination, it’s also an amazing balance booster. As students play, they need to move their body fast and react in the form of changing directions, pivot, run and jump. They also develop defensive moves, all of which offers them the opportunity to develop their motor skills.

Last but not least, basketball boosts the health of the heart. According to research data, it increases the resting heart rates and promotes the cardiorespiratory fitness health.  All this creates a much lower chance of developing cardiovascular diseases in the future. 

  • It Develops Self-Discipline and Concentration

In the game of basketball, everything happens in a set timeframe. This is a game of seconds where one choice can make all the difference for the score. The course of basketball can change rapidly so players, especially student athletes, need to work hard to develop their concentration while on the field. 

In addition to this, basketball helps students build up their self-discipline, both on the court and off it. They must follow the rules of the game, conduct sportsmanlike, and practice professionally. Even when they aren’t playing, they need to engage in workouts, maintain a healthy diet, etc. 

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Final Thoughts

We all know that playing sports is good for our health, but did you know that there are so many benefits of it for students? This will not only help you look good in front of the peers, create lifelong friends from your team, or make you look physically fit – it will also strengthen your health and boost important life skills such as concentration, critical thinking, and decision-making. All in all, it’s a great sport to practice. 

 

Author’s Bio

Matthew Torain is a sports blogger and writer for a popular content creation service. As a former basketball player in his college’s league, Matthew often shares his knowledge and tricks with young players. In his articles, you can often read about his experiences, as well as learn interesting facts about sports.