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What Are Blackjack Side Bets?Side bets are bonus bets placed on a round of Blackjack on outcomes beyond whether the player or dealer will win. The majority are staked at the start of the round before the cards have been dealt alongside regular bets and many have fixed odds that usually offer greater payouts than the simple 2:1 rewarded for beating the dealer.Play Blackjack at Pinnacle Casino

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Side bets provide an exciting way to make Blackjack games more interesting whilst offering you a greater number of ways to win. So what are side bets, what side bets are available and are they worth it? Read on to find out.

Blackjack Side Bets Explained

Finding a niche market in betting can often lead to value. This can be anything from specialist knowledge of handball betting to extensive experience in betting on Japanese baseball. Providing you know more than the bookmaker, there is money to be made.  &lt;Bet on soccer at Pinnacle&gt; They also make for interesting and potentially profitable bets, as they can be a little more reliable

Soccer odds

A corner is one of the most inexplicably exciting events in soccer. Only around three per cent of them lead to a goal, but you can guarantee that the attacking team’s fans will roar their approval and encouragement if their team are awarded one. Read on to find out how you can benefit from betting on corners.

Corners betting in soccer: Value in a lesser-known market

Poisson Distribution is a mathematical concept for translating mean averages into a probability for variable outcomes across a distribution. For example, if we know Manchester City average 1.7 goals per game, so by putting the Poisson Distribution formula tells us that this average equates to Manchester City&nbsp;scoring 0 goals 18.3% of the time, 1 goal 31% of the time, 2 goals 26.4% of the time and 3 goals 15% of the time.

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Poisson Distribution: Predict the score in soccer betting

What is Expected Value?The amount a player can expect to win or lose if they were to place a bet on the same odds many times over, calculated through a simple equation multiplying your probability of winning with the amount you could win per bet, and subtracting the probability of losing multiplied by the amount lost per bet.A simple example of Expected Value (EV) put into practice -&nbsp;if you were

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The Expected Value of a bet shows us how much we can expect to win (on average) per bet, and as such is the most valuable calculation a bettor can make when comparing bookmakers' odds. How can you calculate Expected Value in sports betting in order to predict your winnings? Read on to find out.

How to Calculate Expected Value

We have a team of editors and writers at Pinnacle, as well as a collection of external contributors, ranging from university lecturers and renowned authors, to ex-traders and esteemed sports experts. Collectively, the Pinnacle team and external contributors produce the educational content within Betting Resources.

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<h3>Evidence of how much things can change in baseball</h3>

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As baseball seasons go, 2018 has been defined by its imbalance. While the last four seasons have only seen four teams reach 100 wins and one suffer 100 losses, this year alone could come close (and exceed) those combined figures.

2014 – 2017 regular season records

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<h2>2014 – 2017 regular season records</h2>
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<div class="article-table-content">
<table class="article-table ">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Year
			</td>
			<td>
			Team with most wins
			</td>
			<td>
			Record
			</td>
			<td>
			Team with most losses
			</td>
			<td>
			Record
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			2014
			</td>
			<td>
			LA Angels
			</td>
			<td>
			98-64
			</td>
			<td>
			Diamondbacks
			</td>
			<td>
			64-98
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			2015
			</td>
			<td>
			Cardinals
			</td>
			<td>
			100-62
			</td>
			<td>
			Phillies
			</td>
			<td>
			63-99
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			2016
			</td>
			<td>
			Cubs
			</td>
			<td>
			103-58
			</td>
			<td>
			Twins
			</td>
			<td>
			59-103
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			2017
			</td>
			<td>
			Dodgers
			</td>
			<td>
			104-58
			</td>
			<td>
			Tigers/Giants
			</td>
			<td>
			64-98
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

2018 current and projected regular season records

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<h2>2018 current and projected regular season records</h2>
</div>
</div>

<div class="table-modal-content">
<div class="article-table-content">
<table class="article-table ">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Team
			</td>
			<td>
			Record
			</td>
			<td>
			Projected record
			</td>
			<td>
			Team
			</td>
			<td>
			Record
			</td>
			<td>
			Projected record
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Boston Red Sox
			</td>
			<td>
			90-39
			</td>
			<td>
			109-53
			</td>
			<td>
			Miami Marlins
			</td>
			<td>
			51-78
			</td>
			<td>
			64-98
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			New York Yankees
			</td>
			<td>
			79-47
			</td>
			<td>
			101-61
			</td>
			<td>
			Chicago White Sox
			</td>
			<td>
			48-79
			</td>
			<td>
			63-99
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Houston Astros
			</td>
			<td>
			74-49
			</td>
			<td>
			99-63
			</td>
			<td>
			Kansas City Royals
			</td>
			<td>
			38-90
			</td>
			<td>
			50-110
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Oakland A’s
			</td>
			<td>
			76-52
			</td>
			<td>
			94-68
			</td>
			<td>
			Baltimore Orioles
			</td>
			<td>
			37-90
			</td>
			<td>
			51-111
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Keep in mind those records were mostly accumulated before the trade deadline, when the good got better and the worst got worse.

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<h3>Understanding why MLB is unique in betting</h3>

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In addition to widely available data that can be used to inform the decision-making process in various fields (betting being one of the main beneficiaries), one of the biggest appeals of the MLB is that it is constantly evolving. Over the years there’s been countless shifts in how teams are managed and how the game is played, making it interesting and unpredictable.

MLB has effectively incentivised tanking in recent years – this is when a team endures a period of poor performance in the hope that it will result in much improved performance later down the line. The draft (which is common in most US sports) is an obvious reason for this with its worst finish gets first pick format, but MLB has also implemented a draft-slotting system that rewards poorer finishes with larger signing pools. Essentially, the teams that performed the worst are given greater resources and lesser limitations to work with.

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<div class="articleV2 unordered-list">
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.pinnacle.com/en/betting-articles/Baseball/ultimate-baseball-betting-guide/JU3J9V9HPREQ3VMS" id="articleLink" style="color: #f50;" target="_blank">How to bet on baseball: The ultimate baseball betting guide</a></li>
</ul>
</div>

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The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros are two recent and well-publicised examples of how tanking can ultimately lead to success. The fact that both teams won the World Series having struggled in the years prior was evidence enough of the benefits this approach can bring. Other front offices were quick to take note and implement something similar.

When Houston’s tank in 2011 resulted in a 2012 first pick, the Astros selected Carlos Correa over presumed #1 pick Byron Buxton and promptly signed Correa for less than the slot called for, presumably a pre-arranged deal. They used the left-over funds to sign supplemental first round pick Lance McCullers for more than the draft slot allotted. Thus, gaming the draft was born and the incentive to tank intensified.

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<h3>Always consider the importance of the individual game</h3>

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Billy Beane’s success with the Oakland A’s using a unique data-led approach built on Bill James’ notion of sabermetrics signalled an influx of analytically-minded executives in MLB front offices. Quantitative analysis, along with things like tanking, have brought with it a playoffs-or-bust mentality - with the incentives in place to lose, teams no longer treat playoff-irrelevant wins as important.

<blockquote>Over the years there’s been countless shifts in how teams are managed and how the game is played, making baseball interesting and unpredictable.</blockquote>

This means that when analysing upcoming games to bet on, it’s not just the strength of the opponent or what performance data might suggest that needs to be considered. Bettors should also be thinking about what the outcome of that specific game actually means to a team.

The concept of twisted motivations is a hard one to grasp in professional sport but it is evident in one form or another across the board – the Philadelphia 76ers “Trust the Process” and “Disgrace of Gijon” at the 1982 World Cup are just two examples that spring to mind. This is not a suggestion that teams will intentionally lose, but bettors need to be aware that they might be more motivated to win some games compared to others.&nbsp;

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<div class="articleV2 unordered-list">
<ul>
	<li>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pinnacle.com/en/betting-articles/Baseball/why-is-betting-on-baseball-so-popular/QR4JVN4LCVNTQ5NV" id="articleLink" style="color: #f50;" target="_blank">Why is betting on baseball so popular?</a></li>
</ul>
</div>

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Baseball is a rotation heavy sport. An MLB team has a 40-man roster from which to select their players (this comes from the active 25-man roster). Those new to betting may note that the starting pitcher is often listed alongside the odds for the game and (while some argue it is no longer as important as it once was) this shows the value that can be placed on specific individuals playing in a given game.

If the game you are looking to bet on doesn’t mean that much to one of the teams, it is likely that this will be reflected in the starting line-up - betting without having an in-depth look at each teams' line-up will cost you dearly.

&nbsp;

<h3>How the MLB schedule can impact your analysis</h3>

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Following on from the idea of approaching your baseball betting on a game-by-game basis, it’s also important to make team-by-team considerations as part of your analysis. Obviously, you require an elite level of skill to become a Major League Baseball player, but there’s a wide range of talent in the league and not all MLB players (and team line-ups) are created equal.

Different offences create different outputs and that means results against different offences mean different things. In the simplest possible terms, if pitcher X allows five runs against a Red Sox team that averages 5.41 per game and pitcher Y allows five runs against a Royals team that’s averaged 3.68 runs per game, the data on offer will show the same figures but pitcher X has obviously scored the greater accomplishment.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<div class="articleV2 unordered-list">
<ul>
	<li>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pinnacle.com/en/betting-articles/Baseball/top-10-mlb-moments/RHV2ZAMMBX8368AD" id="articleLink" style="color: #f50;" target="_blank">Top 10 MLB moments of the last 20 years</a></li>
</ul>
</div>

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Of course, runs per game is an awfully large sample and a metric that inaccurately characterises the team you’re betting on (or against). A number of factors need to be considered when assessing an offence (and therefore the starter who has faced them).&nbsp;

<blockquote>Betting without having an in-depth look at each teams' line-up will cost you dearly.</blockquote>

Toronto is a mid-ranked MLB offence. Using the Fangraphs’ OFF ranking (a composite offensive metric), they are 38.7 runs below average. In the previous 30 day period from mid-August, the Jays are ranked 18th, the last 14 days 20th and the last 7 days 21st. As statistical samples go, the more recent the results, the more relevant and this past week will be a more-accurate representation of the team you’re betting on today than, say, the first week of the season would be.&nbsp;

Pitcher-handedness is another factor that may seem like an obvious one to most bettors but it shouldn’t be overlooked. Some teams are better-able to handle pitching from one side or the other. The Jays rank just 18th in both wRC+ and wOBA against left-handers, but are 9th-best against righties. This is a great example of how the handedness of a starter should be influencing your bets.

Home field advantage is present in most competitive sports (some more than most) and baseball is certainly one of them. Toronto is 10th in wOBA and 13th in wRC+ when hitting at home, 13th and 12th respectively when away. Some teams, like the Rockies (with a stadium more suited to hitters) and the Padres (more suited to pitchers) enjoy broader ranges.

Another factor that bettors need to think about when trying to analyse the two teams competing in a single game is day vs. night. Using the Blue Jays as a point of reference again, they have a sOPS+ (day/night split OPS relative to the league, with 100 being average) of 97/109 for night/day. Again, this is far from an in-depth analysis but just goes to show how spending the time to delve a bit deeper into data can benefit bettors.

MLB odds

Why basic data isn't enough when betting on MLB

Why should bettors to be wary of the misinterpretation of data when analysing MLB markets? Read this article to find out.

The wealth of data in MLB exceeds any other sport and while it can be of great benefit to bettors, it needs to be used properly. Misinterpretation of data can often lead to making mistakes when placing a bet. How does the MLB schedule influence statistics and results? Read on to find out.