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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

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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

Luke studied Economics at The University of Exeter before embarking on a career that combines two of his greatest interests, writing and sports betting. Despite a keen interest in soccer, he is open to exploring any sport where value might be present. He particularly enjoys analysing markets from different perspectives to try and find a profitable edge.

Luke Petty

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<h3>A close look at <g class="gr_ gr_119 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="119" data-gr-id="119">the France</g> vs. Croatia odds</h3>
The Money Line odds imply France are favourites to win the match with around a 50%* chance of winning the game in 90 minutes.
France <g class="gr_ gr_118 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="118" data-gr-id="118">are</g> well fancied to lift the trophy at odds of <a href="https://www.pinnacle.com/en/odds/match/soccer/fifa/fifa-world-cup">1.465</a>*.
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<h2>Get the best odds on <g class="gr_ gr_116 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="116" data-gr-id="116">france</g> vs <g class="gr_ gr_117 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="117" data-gr-id="117">croatia</g></h2>
Pinnacle <g class="gr_ gr_131 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="131" data-gr-id="131">offer</g> the best odds and highest limits on the World Cup final
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<h3>France vs Croatia predicted lineups</h3>
France:
Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez; Kante, Pogba; Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi; Giroud
Deschamps can name an unchanged side from the semi-final win over Belgium.
Croatia:
Subasic; Vrsaljko, Vida, Lovren, Strnic; Brozovic, Rakitic, Modric; Rebic, Mandzukic, Perisic
Kramaric provides an attacking alternative to Brozovic if Zlatko Dalic wishes to add fresh legs to his team. Milan Badelj and Mateo Kovacic provide useful midfield options.
<h3>France vs. Croatia stats</h3>
<ul>
<li>France have won six of their last seven knockout matches within 90 minutes</li>
<li>The French have kept clean sheets in four of their six World Cup 2018 matches</li>
<li>Every World Cup 2018 knockout stage match involving Croatia has gone to extra time</li>
<li>Both teams have scored in Croatia’s last four matches</li>
</ul>
2018 World Cup: <a href="https://www.pinnacle.com/en/betting-articles/Soccer/expected-goals-explained/B8Q2HGJ7XMJRZ58C" target="_blank">Expected goals</a> (per match)
France:
<ul>
<li>Expected goals <g class="gr_ gr_112 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="112" data-gr-id="112">for:</g> 1.3</li>
<li>Expected goals <g class="gr_ gr_113 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="113" data-gr-id="113">against:</g> 0.7</li>
</ul>
Croatia:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.pinnacle.com/en/betting-articles/Soccer/expected-goals-explained/B8Q2HGJ7XMJRZ58C">Expected goals</a> <g class="gr_ gr_114 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="114" data-gr-id="114">for:</g> 1.9</li>
<li>Expected goals <g class="gr_ gr_115 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="115" data-gr-id="115">against:</g> 1.3</li>
</ul>
<h3>Inform your France vs. Croatia prediction</h3>
France <g class="gr_ gr_108 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="108" data-gr-id="108">have</g> reached a second consecutive major tournament final but will not want to repeat their poor display during the loss to Portugal at Euro 2016. As they were ahead of that final, the French are favourites but this squad is an improvement from the 2016 version.
The addition of Mbappe to the 2016 side along with youthful replacements for Sagna and Evra at fullback has improved the team ensuring are worthy favourites to lift the trophy. Victories over Uruguay, Brazil and Belgium demonstrate the quality within the team.
This improvement is important since they are up against a Croatian side with more than enough talent to surprise the French on their day. The Croats have certainly been resilient during this tournament all three of their knockout round fixtures going to extra time.
They will hope fatigue does not become a factor as the final <g class="gr_ gr_98 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="98" data-gr-id="98">progresses</g>, especially considering France will have an extra day of rest after Tuesday’s victory over Belgium.
<h3>Key area: Which side will win the midfield battle?</h3>
A key part of France’s successful run in this tournament has been their outstanding defence. Didier Deschamps opted to focus on defensive solidity over an expansive attack and that approach has worked effectively as the tournament has progressed.
A large part of that defensive success has been due to the work of their central midfield duo of Paul Pogba and N’golo Kante alongside Blaise Matuidi’s energy on the left.
In the win over <g class="gr_ gr_96 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="96" data-gr-id="96">Belgium</g> that trio combined for a total of 11 tackles and five interceptions as the French became the only team to prevent the Belgians from scoring in Russia.
It will be vital during Sunday’s fixture that France <g class="gr_ gr_101 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="101" data-gr-id="101">are</g> equally as strong in the centre of the pitch since Croatia possess one of the tournament’s strongest <g class="gr_ gr_99 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="99" data-gr-id="99">midfields</g>.
Zlatko Dalic is likely to select Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric and Marcelo Brozovic in central midfield. Rakitic is a Champions League winner and <g class="gr_ gr_128 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="128" data-gr-id="128">regular</g> starter for Barcelona whilst Luka Modric is a contender for this years’ Ballon d’Or, awarded to the World’s best player.
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Brozovic, the youngest of the three, is also exceptionally talented and will grace the Champions League this season with Inter Milan. All three players are very comfortable on the ball and capable of both scoring goals and providing assists.
The French will be eager to prevent the Croatian midfield from being as influential as they were against England. Modric and Rakitic, in particular, <a href="https://twitter.com/11tegen11/status/1017321123166474241" target="_blank">were instrumental in shifting the ball</a> into wide areas where Croatia could cause damage.
Equally, Matuidi will be charged with shutting down Sime Vrsaljko who caused plenty of problems for the English when he linked up with Modric on the Croatian right side.
If Pogba, Kante and Matuidi can get the better of their opposite numbers then a French victory becomes much more likely considering their superior talent in other areas of the pitch.
<h3>France vs. Croatia: Where is the value?</h3>
Of <g class="gr_ gr_88 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="88" data-gr-id="88">course</g> the opening goal in a soccer match is <a href="https://www.pinnacle.com/en/betting-articles/Soccer/importance-of-first-goal-in-soccer/LCCJGXJXN985LV6N" target="_blank">always important</a> but it could be especially so in this matchup.
Due to the cautious way in which France play and the potential fatigue in the Croatian team an opening goal for France would likely lead to opportunities on the counter-attack for the dangerous Mbappe and Griezmann.
The French frontline <g class="gr_ gr_94 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="94" data-gr-id="94">were</g> uncharacteristically wasteful with these opportunities against Belgium but are unlikely to be so again.
Given that an opening goal for France is a fairly likely scenario backing France to score over 1.25 goals at <a href="https://www.pinnacle.com/en/odds/match/soccer/fifa/fifa-world-cup" target="_blank">2.080</a>* could offer value to bettors.
Likewise, Croatia taking the lead would eventually draw France out of their defensive game plan and result in a more open game. The Croatian midfield trio <g class="gr_ gr_92 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="92" data-gr-id="92">are</g> capable of creating scoring opportunities if France <g class="gr_ gr_93 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="93" data-gr-id="93">afford</g> them space.
As a result, over 1.5 goals to be scored in the game at <a href="https://www.pinnacle.com/en/odds/match/soccer/fifa/fifa-world-cup" target="_blank">1.578</a>* could be a sensible selection regardless of which side opens the scoring.
To make the most of our best value odds make sure to read more of Pinnacle’s expert&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pinnacle.com/en/betting-resources">betting advice</a>.

World Cup Odds

World Cup final preview: France vs. Croatia

France take on Croatia in the 2018 World Cup final. Looking for expert insight into the France vs. Croatia odds? Read on to inform your France vs. Croatia prediction.

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France take on on Croatia in the 2018 World Cup final. Looking for value in the France vs. Croatia odds? Read on to inform your France vs. Croatia prediction.