It doesn’t matter if you play live or online – understanding poker statistics is a vital part of the game.

Of course, it’s much easier to access these stats in online games, as you can use various trackers and software which display key online poker player statistics. But even in a live setting, you can get a very solid understanding of your opponent’s play by observing them in action.

Let’s talk about what you should look out for in your games.

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1. VPIP (Voluntarily Put $ In Pot)
2. RFI (Raise First In)
3. 3bet
4. Fold to 3bet
5. Fold to steal
6. C-bet
7. Fold to c-bet
8. Went to showdown
9. Aggression % by street
10. River call

1. VPIP (Voluntarily Put $ In Pot)

VPIP stands for “Voluntarily Put Money ($) In Pot” and helps you understand how often your opponent is choosing to play.

If a player performs any voluntary action like raising, calling, or even limping, and chooses to play the hand, his VPIP stat increases.

Of course, if he’s sitting in the big blind and was forced to post it because of the game structure, but then folded to a raise, this does not count as an action and does not influence this stat.

While it only gives basic information, you can profile your opponents by how often they choose to play, since many recreational players opt to get involved with way too many hands making their range too weak.

If you notice these tendencies, it can help influence your final decisions.

2. RFI (Raise First In)

Preflop raise or raise first in (RFI) shows how often the player decides to enter the pot by raising when everyone before them folds.

While good players have similar VPIP and RFI stats, since they often enter the pot by raising if they decide to play, you will find opponents who have a wide gap between these numbers.

This is a huge indication of weaker players because they usually decide to limp or call a raise instead of raising, and take passive lines post-flop most of the time.

You should look to play as many hands as possible against these players, because they will usually call your bets and rarely bluff, so you will always know where you stand.

3. 3bet

This poker statistic shows how often a player decided to re-raise instead of calling or folding when someone already entered the pot by raising.

The higher the 3bet stat, the more aggressive your opponent is.

As a rule of thumb, you should be looking to play fewer hands against players with a high 3-bet percent because you will be forced to fold a lot when facing aggression.

It is better to avoid these situations with the weakest part of your range, and only play reasonable hands or add more 4-bet bluffs in the mix.

4. Fold to 3bet

Knowing how often your opponent folds to 3-bet after raising is one of the most important online poker statistics.

If you find opponents who are opening too many hands, they are also likely folding to 3-bet too often. If that’s the case, you can add many weak hands to your 3-betting range and exploit their mistakes.

Contrary to this, if these players choose to call many 3-bets after raising with a wide range, you can exploit it by 3-betting only a strong part of your range.

No matter what, knowing this stat will help you adjust against various opponents and put them in some tough spots.

5. Fold to steal

Fold to steal shows how often a player in the blinds folds when facing a raise, and is something you should evaluate when choosing which hands to play from later positions.

The player sitting in the big blind is especially important because they get the best odds and close the action, so will likely be your main competition.

If you find an opponent who is folding a lot, you can raise with more hands than you usually would, or even open every single one of them if the big blind is particularly weak and you find yourself on the button.

Of course, if you’re up against a tough opponent who’s not so keen on folding and chooses to 3-bet a lot, the best adjustment would be to fold your weaker hands and choose a tighter approach.

Knowing how often people fold to steal can be very valuable when choosing what hands you opt to play, so always consider your opponents and how they react to your raise.

6. C-bet

Continuation betting (known as c-bet) is a situation where the preflop raiser opts to continue his aggression and bet after the flop.

If you notice how often a specific player is c-betting, you can adjust your play against them and even build your entire strategy based on this information.

Even though c-betting is a very wide and complex topic, people rarely change their strategy and mostly keep doing the same things over and over again. If you caught someone c-betting too much or way less than they should, you could make simple adjustments and exploit irregularities in their play.

Thinking about your own strategy, one thing that you should avoid is c-betting too often and then being forced to fold almost your entire range after checking.

Instead, put some medium-strength hands in the checking range to protect it, and you will be a much tougher opponent to play.

7. Fold to c-bet

The name is self-explanatory. This poker statistic shows how often your opponent folds when facing a continuation bet.

Often players chose to play too many hands and then fold to any bet if they miss the flop, which is probably one of the worst strategies to have.

Against these players, you should forget about balancing and c-bet every single time you miss yourself to take advantage of their mistakes.

However, if you’re up against a player who’s not very keen on folding, the previous strategy would cost you a lot of money. Instead of betting all your bluffs, you should choose to continue with hands that have some equity and give up with complete air.

Of course, it’s not as simple as that, but knowing how often other players are folding on the flop can help you make superior decisions, so always observe your opponents.

8. Went to showdown

Went to showdown stat lets you see how often your opponent goes to showdown after seeing the flop.

If your opponent has high “went to showdown” stats of more than 35%, it means you should not try to bluff them. Instead, you should be value betting more medium-strength hands, because they are not going to fold if they have any piece of the board.

Contrary to this, if your opponents rarely go to showdown, it means they are only playing very strong hands after the flop, and you should be looking to punish them every time you get a chance to bluff.

Of course, it’s way easier to observe this in online games, where you can quickly see the difference. But even in a live setting, you will notice who is calling down no matter what and who is opting to check/fold most of the hands on the flop, so make adjustments based on that information.

9. Aggression % by street

I am referring to Flop Aggression %, Turn Aggression %, and the same stat for the river.

These numbers show how aggressive players are in any given street, and how often they perform an aggressive line by betting or raising, instead of calling or checking. It’s quite a good indication of how aggressive the player is in general.

While many have reasonably high aggression stats on the flop because of an automatic c-bet, you will find plenty of opponents who play later streets passively, and this is where you can take advantage.

You can categorize various players to see when you should be barreling multiple streets or when you should check your strong hands and let your opponent dictate the action.

Many aggressive players love to bluff, so give them a chance to lose their money.

10. River call

River call efficiently shows how often your opponent is calling with weak hands.

So, whenever you see a player with river call efficiency lower than 1, you know they’re losing money when calling on the river, which is quite hard to do because of all the strong hands players have in these situations.

When you notice something like that, you can be sure they are calling way too wide, thus can value bet more often.

A final word on poker statistics

All of these poker statistics should be in your HUD (heads-up display) when playing online. When playing live, the theory behind these poker statistics should still be observed to help you make better adjustments.  

Be sure to check out some more poker articles by Tadas, such as the 10 most common mistakes in Texas Hold’em or the most common poker cheats.

Lead image credit: PokerTracker

Zinno gives his side

More than a week after being accused of stealing $19,000 from a fellow poker player’s bag, Anthony Zinno has broken his silence on the situation. Posting briefly on X (formerly Twitter) Thursday morning, Zinno denied the allegations from Corel Theuma, adding that he will reveal more “after the legal matter finishes.”

I’d like to share some thoughts, and I’ll provide all details after the legal matter finishes:

We had all made it into the money, which ended the day. The ballroom was shut down for the night. I stood up to leave and then noticed a lost bag close by. My first instinct (it was a…

— Anthony Zinno (@AntZinno) February 8, 2024

Zinno explained that Day 1B of a $3,000 buy-in event at December’s WPT World Championship festival had concluded and he saw an unattended bag nearby when he was getting ready to leave. He took the bag to try to get it back to its rightful owner.

Zinno said that he wanted to figure out who the bag belonged to, get in contact with them, and meet up. When he was unable to do that, he took the bag to Encore Las Vegas lost and found and that was that. Zinno said he saw money in the bag, but did not count or otherwise touch it.

“I absolutely deny what is being alleged,” Zinno concluded.

Moment of forgetfulness leads to accusations

The theft allegations came to light in late January, first mentioned on the “Only Friends” poker podcast, then gaining traction on the Two Plus Two and Poker Fraud Alert sites. On January 29, Corel Theuma posted on X to tell his side of the story.

ran back to the poker room only to find the bag, which he said contained $20,000, missing

The beginning is the same as Zinno’s: Theuma accidentally left his bag at the poker table at the conclusion of the night. When he realized what he had done, he ran back to the poker room only to find the bag, which he said contained $20,000, missing. Nobody he asked knew about it.

The next day, Theuma called the casino’s lost and found and was told his bag was there, but only had $1,000 in it. He picked up the bag and filed a police report. That night, he got a call saying the police wanted to speak with him at the casino. When Theuma arrived, he said he saw Zinno being questioned. He claims that police told him that they saw Zinno on security footage pick up the bag and take it to a restroom. Theuma also claims security told him that Zinno had been banned from all Wynn properties.

Police report a mixed bag

The police report corroborates the meat of Theuma’s story, but does contain some details that differ. For example, while Theuma posted on X that he left the Encore ballroom (where the poker tournament was being held) to go outside and catch a cab, the police report says he told investigators that he went to use the restroom and “had to” leave his bag at the poker table.

Theuma told PokerNews that he did not say that.

doesn’t say how much time had elapsed since Theuma left

The police report confirms that Zinno was identified on security video taking the bag, though it doesn’t say how much time had elapsed since Theuma left. It also varies a bit from Theuma’s claim that he was told Zinno was seen on camera entering a restroom, instead reading, “Zinno walks quickly passing several security guards and exited the casino in a Lyft ride.”

The report also says that Theuma told the police officer that he “only had 19k to tip cocktail waitresses.” It is unclear what that exactly means.

Anthony Zinno is one of the most successful live tournament players of the past decade, with nearly $11.5m in earnings. He has four World Series of Poker wins in his career, three World Poker Tour titles, and earned WPT Season XIII Player of the Year honors.

Zinno’s story largely matches what the police report says he told law enforcement. In addition, the report confirms what Theuma admitted on social media, that he could not prove that the bag originally contained $20,000, though he said he will do his best to prove it.

Anthony Zinno has not yet been formally charged with a crime.

The post Poker Pro Anthony Zinno Speaks Out Against Theft Accusation appeared first on Vegas Slots Online News.

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SOFTSWISS, one of the leading technology suppliers to the iGaming industry, was designated the Crypto Company of the Year at the International Gaming Awards recently held in London. The title awarded for the second consecutive year to the experienced technology company represents a testimony of the company’s commitment to delivering supreme gaming solutions to a wide range of industry stakeholders on regular basis.

Gaming Award Ceremony:

The gaming award ceremony, held as an introduction to the globally recognized ICE London fair, hosted an array of leading developers, suppliers, and other iGaming companies to honor their achievements. The International Gaming Awards event is a chance to summon worldwide gaming experts and enthusiasts, but it also represents a prominent charity event serving as a bridge between the industry and the wider community.

It was in these pleasant circumstances that SOFTSWISS received a flattering award in the Crypto Company of the Year category. As indicated by its title, the award is dedicated to the companies working to provide clients with innovative gambling features and experiences and paying a particular attention to crypto solutions. The selection procedure requires that the outstanding crypto sector performance be evidenced for each nominee and compared to its competitors. The assessment method used in 2023 was repeated in the 2024 award edition to render the same result and bring the prestigious title of the Crypto Company of the Year to SOFTSWISS for the second time in a row.

Crypto-Friendly Solutions:

The recognition seems a natural step forward for the technology company as SOFTSWISS is considered a path finder in the field of crypto-friendly solutions for online gaming industry. The company started with Bitcoin technological solutions in 2013 to expand cryptocurrency offerings to almost 20 digital coins to date. One of the most important SOFTSWISS developments, In-Game Currency Conversion feature, testifies about the company’s continued dedication to improving player experience.

This feature is a result of the innovative in-house approach to new developments that regularly resonate with the most selective player requirements. The conversion feature allows players with crypto currencies to engage in games originally designed for monetary deposits. As a result, 85% of all bets in crypto casinos powered by the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform were placed using this feature in less than a year after its launch. SOFTSWISS is recognized as an expert in crypto-friendly solutions sharing its expertise through crypto reports and podcasts to offer a valuable support to strategic decision-making processes.

Andrey Starovoitov, Co-CEO at SOFTSWISS, reportedly commented: “We are delighted to receive this award, and it signifies more than just recognition for our recent achievements. The title of Crypto Company of the Year holds deep meaning for those who led the way in integrating digital currencies into iGaming, actively advocate for crypto solutions, and generously share expertise in this field.”

Light & Wonder Incorporated and Everi Digital expand their long-term partnership and take it to the next level through a new deal. The partnership with Everi Digital, Everi Holdings Incorporated’s online gaming business, will allow Light & Wonder to expand across new markets in the UK, Europe, and Latin America.

Global expansion

Light & Wonder’s fans in the UK will be happy to hear that new games from Everi Digital’s impressive portfolio will be available to them through an advanced Light & Wonder online ecosystem.

When it comes to European expansion, the Italian players will get a chance to try some of Everi Digital’s games in the summer of 2024, while other countries will follow the lead and get access by the end of 2024.

Besides the European market, the companies will expand to South America, where the players will be able to enjoy thrilling Everi Digital’s titles from the first quarter of 2024.

Everi Holdings Incorporated became a leader in the industry when it came to providing both land-based and online casinos with fantastic content and advanced products such as financial technology services, player loyalty solutions, and bingo. The company is famous for following the newest trends, including launching fantastic video instant-win style games and perceived skill games that are about to be launched soon.

The partnership between Everi and Light & Wonder was established four years ago, and since then the companies have strengthened their positions in the North American market, offering a range of captivating content to the players in the continent.

Thanks to the success of the previous deals, they decided to expand it further. It means a lot to Light & Wonder since the deal is the latest phase of its long-term iGaming strategy, which includes establishing new partnerships with successful game developers and strengthening its position as one of the leading content providers in the world.

Light & Wonder’s portfolio currently consists of more than 3.500 games developed in-house and obtained from third-party studios. All of them provide a safe and secure gaming experience since they’re enriched with various responsible gaming tools.

Mutually beneficial partnership

Jordan Brent, the Digital Commercialization Vice-President at Everi, said: “This exciting collaboration with Light & Wonder allows Everi Digital to deliver our award-winning engaging gaming entertainment experiences to new players and markets. We are looking forward to providing our innovative content to a new segment of online players, driving the continued growth trajectory of our collective iGaming business.”

Steve Mayes, the Digital Partnerships Senior Director at Light & Wonder added: “Everi Digital’s content has proven hugely popular with players in North America and we look forward to sharing its games across more of our global network. We are always looking to expand the scope of our online content and stepper and skill games on Everi’s product roadmap will help achieve that goal.”

Source: Campbell, Alan, “Light & Wonder Signs Expanded Deal Allowing Everi Digital to Further Global Reach”. European Gaming. 2/6/2023.

The post Light&Wonder Extends Its Partnership with Everi Digital to Expand to New Markets appeared first on Casino News Daily.

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Warnings and a boon

While the NFL has warned both the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers not to gamble on anything while they are in Las Vegas, it has stated they can do so once the Super Bowl is over.

According to the Daily Mail on Wednesday, head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs Andy Reid revealed the NFL warned his players not to bet in Vegas “literally when we got here.”

Reid stated an NFL security representative met with his team “the moment they landed” in the city, with part of the discussion intended to clarify the league’s gambling protocol. Reid explained that the rep “made it very clear, restating the rules and regulations and temptations here, obviously, in Las Vegas.”

the NFL warned both teams in Super Bowl LVIII not to gamble on anything

In January, the NFL warned both teams in Super Bowl LVIII not to gamble on anything, even slot machines at casinos.  

Distractions, distractions

The NFL Executive Vice President of Communications Jeff Miller reinforced the warning during a media briefing last week. “When on business there is no gambling, whether it be sports gambling or otherwise,” Miller told reporters.

caught or identified gambling in a casino would be eligible for the disciplinary process”

Miller said the ban affected the entire staff of both the Chiefs and their opponents in Sunday’s showdown, the 49ers. He stated: “Any player, coach, personnel, yours truly, who would be caught or identified gambling in a casino would be eligible for the disciplinary process.”

As Las Vegas prepares to host its first ever Super Bowl, the two protagonists are staying in hotels reportedly about 25 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. Miller, however, said this was less about gambling distractions and more about players’ wellbeing and preparation.

After the game

According to The Bleacher Report, the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero stated that while the league banned the Chiefs and 49ers from gambling in Vegas before the big game, the “NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed to end the ban at the conclusion of the Super Bowl.”

According to reports, Super Bowl winners will pocket a $164,000 bonus for lifting the Vince Lombardi trophy. While the losing team will no doubt not want to be seen by fans celebrating and gambling in Vegas casinos, it could be another story entirely for the champions–to–be, flush with their extra cash.

The post NFL Warns Chiefs Not to Bet in Las Vegas but Ban Ends After Super Bowl appeared first on Vegas Slots Online News.

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Our article will cover the specifics and games of the three most popular land-based gambling establishments in Eindhoven. We will also provide you with information regarding the gambling regulations in the Netherlands, places you can stay in Eindhoven, and additional important information regarding the casinos. Read along to learn more.

Legality and Gambling Regulations in the Netherlands

Eindhoven is the fifth largest city in the Netherlands, and people from all over the world visit this exciting destination. There are many entertainment venues and facilities, including three large land-based gambling establishments that we will cover in this article.

Before we start exploring the three best gambling locations in the city of Eindhoven, we have to say a few words about the gambling laws, regulations and legality of land-based casinos in the Netherlands.

All Eindhoven casinos must abide by the responsible gambling policies in the Netherlands, and meet the requirements in the country. This is important to make sure the games and activities are absolutely fair, legal and safe.

All legal gambling operators, including the best online casinos in the Netherlands, must have a valid gambling licence, and players need to be of legal gambling age, which is 18 and over.

The Best Eindhoven Casinos – All You Need to Know

Our article will cover the best land-based establishments that are present in Eindhoven, NL. Further on in the post, you will learn everything you need to know about these popular gambling destinations.

All three of the top Eindhoven casinos follow the strict gambling laws and regulations of the country. They are licensed establishments and fully comply with the requirements of the Dutch Gaming Authority (Kanssepelautoriteit).

The next sections of our article will cover everything about these three gambling establishments in Eindhoven – the games, working hours, and all the essential information you’ll need to start your gaming adventure in this city.

You will also learn about places you can stay at if you’re not living in the city, and should you need more information about the gambling activities in the country, our post in Dutch about the online casinos in the NL can be quite helpful.

Holland Casino – Largest Eindhoven Establishment

Located in the centre and the busiest part of Eindhoven rests the Holland Casino Establishment. This brick-and-mortar venue will provide excitement and a wonderful gambling adventure for every player, and in our opinion, is a place worth visiting.

This casino in Eindhoven isn’t exclusive to this city – it is a chain of establishments located in several parts of the Netherlands, but it’s good to see that it also has a branch in this popular Dutch city. The operator also has an online casino, as outlined in our Holland online casino review.

Here is some useful information regarding the establishment:

As one of the best Eindhoven land-based gaming establishments, Holland Casino provides its visitors with many amenities, such as a wide selection of games, luxurious restaurants, and frequent live events. There are over 120+ slot machines, part of the Mega Millions Jackpot – its progressive amount can reach 1,000,000€.

This Eindhoven casino’s game offerings include many live poker games and is hosting major poker events such as the Dutch Open Poker series. This makes up for an outstanding gambling experience for every visitor to this establishment.

The casino offers an outstanding selection of games. Some of the most popular slots include Jin Ji Bao Xi Grand, with a jackpot reaching €50,000, and others like Goldfish Feeding Time. There are also several roulette and blackjack tables.

Jack’s Casino in Eindhoven– Outstanding Game Choice

Like the Holland Casino, Jack’s also has an extensive selection of all game types. The casino offers a compelling package of amenities, ensuring that visitors have an outstanding experience. Here is some info regarding the location:

The games in this casino range from slots to table games like roulette and blackjack. There are over 20 live table games for you to enjoy, as well as 100 slot machines with varying jackpots.

Other amenities found in this casino in Eindhoven include a great shopping centre, luxurious restaurants and bars, and frequently hosted game tournaments.

The Jack’s Casino brand is well-known in the Netherlands, so visitors will be delighted with the provided services and casino games. Furthermore, the casino staff is very friendly and will happily assist you with anything.

Fair Play Eindhoven Casino – Fabulous Entertainment

Fair Play is another exciting establishment for visitors to enjoy. It has over 30 branches in the Netherlands, and one of them is fortunately in Eindhoven. This only shows that the operator is a proven brand that shows commitment to players’ desires. You’ll find the key details for this venue below:

Fair Play Casino does not provide accommodation, and there are no restaurants, so you’ll need to find an outside establishment if you want to grab a bite. Fortunately, it has a wide selection of games for players to enjoy.

Let’s talk about the casino’s games. They range from slot machines to poker and some table games. Fair Play includes 30 slot machines, some of which include Random Bells, Lucky 888, Extra Joker, and more. There are also roulette tables for you to enjoy, such as the Grand Crystal Roulette.

It’s important to mention that the Fair Play Casino has three branches across Eindhoven, allowing visitors to select the one that’s most comfortable for them.

Hotels, Parking Places and Restaurants in Eindhoven

This section of our post will provide you with information regarding your stay in this city. You’ll learn more about the Eindhoven casino parking places, hotels you can stay in, and everything you need to have a comfortable experience in the city.

If you plan on visiting the Holland Casino, staying at the Little Grand Hotel in Eindhoven would be your best option. It encompasses all you would expect from a four-star hotel and is close to the casino, providing you with easy access. The Holland Casino’s restaurants will have you covered with the rest.

The Fair Play land-based establishment is located very close to the Holland Casino, so your choice would be either Crown Hotel Eindhoven or the Little Grand Hotel again.

Jack’s casino is located on the south side of Eindhoven, so transportation will likely be needed to reach it. Fortunately, like the other Eindhoven casinos, parking spaces are available. It’s good to see that all three main Eindhoven casinos are easily accessible for visitors and locals.

And if you ever plan to visit another city in the Netherlands, the casinos in Rotterdam will surely offer you a comparable and enjoyable experience to what you’ll have in Eindhoven.

Additional Information and Conclusion

It’s time to conclude our article regarding the casinos in Eindhoven and provide you with our final impressions. We can confidently say that the gambling experience in this Dutch city is going to leave you very satisfied. With three large casino establishments available at your disposal, you’re in for a good time.

The casinos are easy to reach, with excellent transportation, parking, and many hotels available nearby. The luxurious Holland Casino, for example, not only offers a perfect gambling experience but also provides its visitors with exceptional amenities such as a grand restaurant, bars and beautiful brick-and-mortar interior.

All of this ensures that you will certainly have a great time in Eindhoven, as it is a proven top gambling destination in the Netherlands.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the section below, you’ll find quick answers to the segments discussed in the blog. We covered a lot, and the most common inquiries are below – you can click on the links that will take you to the relevant section of the blog post.

Unlike playing in a casino online, there is something special about sitting down at the poker table and getting into the heart of the action. Then again, you may find yourself in a sea of sharks depending on the game.

There are five poker players who transcend the popularity of online casino games and dominate the felt as only the best poker players in the world can.

Phil Ivey

Ivey may very well be the most famous and best poker player ever. He rose to prominence during the poker boom of the 2000s and has since become the face of Full Tilt Poker. The ten WSOP bracelets certainly don’t hurt his case, either. In 2022 alone, Ivey cashed almost $6 million, making him one of the most successful players ever.

Benny Glaser

Though he may not be the name that Ivey is, Glaser has become a mixed game specialist rather than getting involved in the traditional world of No Limit Texas Hold’em. He’s had success in person and online, winning four British WSOP bracelets. Since 2015, he has become one of the best poker players going, becoming arguably the best in the online realm.

Daniel ‘Jungleman’ Cates

A college dropout turned poker player, Cates had won more than $11 million in online poker by 2011. Cates has since moved into the live environment, winning the WSOP $50,000 Players Championship event in 2021 and 2022. With $11 million in live tournament cashes since, he’s easily become one of the top names in the world.

Jason Koon

Koon, an American, is sixth on the all-time winnings list, having accumulated more than $41 million just from live poker. He left Party Poker to represent GG Poker and has become perhaps the most consistent super high roller performer out there. Don’t let the one WSOP bracelet fool you, either. He won $18 million in high roller events a year ago and he defeated the legendary Phil Hellmuth in Poker Go’s High Stakes Duel III to win $1.6 million. 

Stephen Chidwick

The Englishman Chidwick is currently fourth on the all-time money list but often flies under the radar. He consistently finishes highly in tournaments but keeps a low profile. With one bracelet, more than 20 top 10 finishes, and a whopping 64 finishes in the money at the WSOP, it’s hard to argue with the resume Chidwick puts together.

Conclusion

Though the landscape has changed from the times of Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, and others who dominated the early 2000s poker scene, there are still dominant names running the show. With millions in winnings and consistent finishes at the WSOP, it is easy to see why these players qualify as some of the best in the world.

The post Top 5 Poker Players Today appeared first on Casino.com Blog.

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Welcome to the definitive guide on soccer positions. In this guide, we’ll look at all positions in soccer, including the required skill sets, responsibilities, names, and associated numbers. We’ll also cover formations and any abbreviations you ought to know. Ready? It’s time for kick-off…

What Are The Positions In Soccer?

Players are grouped into four categories in a soccer roster (or squad). They are:

• Goalkeepers
• Defenders
• Midfielders
• Forwards

Within these categories, there are different specialist positions with a variety of roles, responsibilities, and names. While soccer positions are constantly evolving, and may vary from team to team, they are traditionally grouped as:

We will look at each of these positions and their different variations below, but it’s important to understand that soccer is a highly nuanced sport, especially at the professional level.

Goalkeeper

What they do: Goalkeepers are primarily responsible for preventing the opposition from scoring goals. They do this by stopping or ‘saving’ shots from opposition players, reading the game and clearing any balls that are played in behind their defenders, or catching or punching crosses.

If a keeper can stop the opposition from scoring for the whole game, this is known as a ‘clean sheet’, and in most major tournaments and leagues, there are awards for goalkeepers that achieve the most. In the Premier League, it’s known as the ‘Golden Glove’.

As well as their goal-stopping capabilities, goalies are also increasingly required to have high-level passing skills. Most present-day coaches try to play possession-based football, where the whole team passes around the opposition from one end of the pitch to another, and this all starts with the goalkeeper.

Key Skills: Shot stopping, catching, punching, organization, communication, agility, reflexes, anticipation, passing and kicking.

Famous players in this position: Ederson, Allison, Thibaut Courtois, Manuel Neuer, Oliver Kahn, Iker Casillas, Peter Schmeichel, Gianluigi Buffon, Gordon Banks, and Lev Yashin. 

Full-back And Wingback

What they do: Full-backs play on either side of a defense. They work together with other defenders to stop opposition attacking players from creating chances and scoring goals.

Known as either a right-back or left-back, they often face one-on-one situations against opposition wingers or forwards, but must offer an outlet when their team has the ball, and provide offensive support for their forwards.

This traditionally unglamorous position has developed a lot over the past few decades, and modern full-backs are now often viewed as a key creative component of their team. Former full-backs like Dani Alves, Phillip Lahm, and Roberto Carlos helped revolutionize the position and showcased how effective full-backs could be in maintaining possession, building attacks, and carving opportunities out for offensive players.

Wingbacks do a similar job to full-backs but have more of an emphasis on an attacking play, supporting their forwards and attacking players to try and create chances for their team. Historically, wingbacks played a lot further up the field than full-backs, but many of the best current full-backs in the world, like Trent Alexander Arnold and Kyle Walker, are often expected to do both jobs and cover the entire flank, or even move into midfield spaces.

Key Skills: Tackling, positioning, tactical awareness, interceptions, passing, crossing, speed, stamina, dribbling, communication and versatility.

Famous players in this position: Trent Alexander Arnold, Kyler Walker, Achraf Hakimi, Dani Carvajal, Dani Alves, Phillip Lahm, Roberto Carlos, Javier Zanetti, Ashley Cole, Cafu, Nilton Santos.

Center-back

What they do: Center-backs, also known as central defenders or center-halves, play at the heart of a defense, and their primary objective is to stop the opposition from scoring and creating goal threats.

Usually playing as a pair or a three, center-backs help to organize their team’s defensive structure, ‘mark’ opposition attacking players, build their own team’s attacks, and win both offensive and defensive aerial duels. Often center-halves are the biggest, strongest players on the pitch, and use this physicality to disrupt and dominate the opposition in both boxes.

Center-backs can have different roles within their team, depending on the team’s tactical requirements and the player’s skills. For example, John Stones (Manchester City) is known as a technical ‘ball-playing’ defender who is comfortable on the ball and starts attacks with clever passes.

On the other hand, Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus) was known for aggression, tenacity, and ‘no-nonsense’ defending which were skills that were more traditionally associated with center-backs.

Key Skills: Tackling, positioning, tactical awareness, blocking, interceptions, passing, strength, communication, leadership, heading, jumping, and anticipation.

Famous players in this position: Virgil van Dijk, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Piqué, Carles Puyol, Vincent Kompany, John Terry, Fabio Cannavaro, Paolo Maldini, Ronald Koeman, Franz Beckenbauer, and Bobby Moore.

Center Midfield

What they do: Central midfield is one of the most diverse and sophisticated positions in soccer. Center midfielders usually play one, if not a combination of the following roles:

Holding or defensive midfielder

Defensive midfielders protect their center backs and break up opposition attacks with interceptions and tackles. They are also responsible for offering an initial outlet to build attacks and need excellent passing skills.

Box-to-box

Outstanding all-rounders, box-to-box players have to do everything on the pitch, helping their teams both offensively and defensively. Using a combination of physicality, hard work, and technical skill, box-to-box players are equally likely to be seen making a key tackle in their own half as shooting on goal or providing a key pass for a striker.

Number 8

Similar to a box-to-box midfielder, number 8s have outstanding all-round ability but are more focused on controlling the possession and tempo of a game and building their team’s attacks.

Playmaker or attacking midfielder

Also known as attacking midfielders, or “number 10s”, playmakers try to create chances and score goals for themselves or their teammates. They often play between midfield and attacking players. They require outstanding touch, vision, passing, and shooting skills.

Central midfielders need to have diverse skills and may be required to play different roles even in the same game. Real Madrid star, Jude Bellingham previously wore the number 22 which signified the fact he could be a number four (holding midfielder), eight (box-to-box midfielder), and ten (attacking midfielder) at the same time. It highlights the importance of versatility in this position.

Key Skills: Passing, awareness, vision, dribbling, control, tackling, interceptions, pressing, shooting, stamina, tactical awareness, communication, leadership, versatility, technique and playmaking.

Famous players in this position: Jude Bellingham, İlkay Gündoğan, Kevin De Bruyne, Pedri, Luka Modrić, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, Zinedine Zidane, Bobby Charlton and Lothar Matthaus.

Wingers Or Wide Forwards

What they do: Wingers (also known as wide forwards) are attacking players that play on the flanks. They try to create and score goals for their team. Traditionally, wingers operated in the wide positions of a midfield four, however, many modern coaches play with a 4-3-3 formation and use two wide forwards and one central striker.

Wingers are often the quickest and most skillful dribblers in the team and usually have lots of individual battles with the opposition full-back throughout a match.

Wingers either look to run past opposition defenders on the outside, and cross balls into the box for their teammates to attack, or they cut inside and look to shoot or play passes around the opposition in central areas. Both require excellent close control, attacking vision, and pace.

Key Skills: Speed, acceleration, dribbling, control, passing, crossing, shooting, tactical awareness, technique and playmaking.

Famous players in this position: Lionel Messi, Vinicius Junior, Mohamed Salah, Gareth Bale, Neymar, Rivaldo, Arjen Robben, Ryan Giggs, Stanley Matthews, George Best, and Garrincha.

Striker Or Center-forward

What they do: Also known as the ‘number nine’ position, strikers are primarily responsible for scoring goals for their team. Usually, they operate in central areas (which is why they are also known as center-forwards) and act as the goalscoring focal point of the team.

Strikers are matched up against central defenders, so have to have outstanding physical attributes. They either need to be able to hold off defenders and protect the ball so their team can build attacks, or to have the speed to run behind them. The best strikers in football history could often do both.

Prolific strikers can be the difference maker for their team. After all, goals win games. The best strikers can dig their team out of a sticky situation with a majestic piece of play or outstanding finish. This is why the striker position in soccer often costs more money than players in any other position.

Key Skills: Shooting, technique, control, positioning, tactical awareness, composure, passing, pressing, strength, speed, heading, jumping, and anticipation.

Famous players in this position: Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Luis Suárez, Robert Lewandowski, Samuel Eto’o, David Villa, Alan Shearer, Gerd Müller, Pelé, Ronaldo, and Alfredo Di Stéfano.

Formations

It’s also important to understand formations. Formations, tactics, and player responsibilities are constantly developing, and it is the coach’s job to get the most out of their team. There are no restrictions on where players can go on the field, or what they can do (within the rules). That’s up to them and the coach.

Soccer coaches or managers set their teams up in formations that dictate where the player will most often be on the pitch, and what their responsibilities are within the team. The most common formations in the modern era are:

• 4-4-2
• 4-5-1
• 4-3-3
• 4-3-2-1
• 4-1-3-2
• 5-4-1
• 4-1-2-1-2 diamond
• 3-5-2

Each formation has its pros and cons, and a coach might want their players to be very rigid and disciplined within it, or give them more freedom and expression on the pitch. It’s the player’s job to understand what the coach wants, and then execute it in the game.

Soccer Position Numbers

All soccer players wear numbers on the back of their jerseys, and they often correspond to the position that the player plays on the pitch. Historically, players wore the correct number for their position, and ‘squad players’ were assigned a number above 11.

Nowadays, though, it’s not unusual to see a modern superstar wearing a non-traditional soccer number. Liverpool’s Trent Alexander Arnold wears the number 66, while Man City’s Phil Foden wears 47. Legendary Brazil striker Ronaldo Nazário also wore number 99 in his time at AC Milan because his favored number 9 was already taken.

But, most commonly, the soccer positions by number are:

1. Goalkeeper
2. Right-back
3. Left-back
4. Center-back
5. Center-back
6. Central defensive/holding midfielder
7. Right winger/forward
8. Central/box-to-box midfielder
9. Striker
10. Playmaker/attacking midfielder
11. Left winger/forward

Soccer Position Abbreviations

All soccer field positions can be abbreviated down to two or three letters, instead of using the full name. If you’ve ever built your own soccer team online or played a soccer management simulation game, you’ve probably discovered this before.

The full list of abbreviations are:

• Central defensive/holding midfield – CDM

• Attacking midfielders – AM

• Right winger/forward – RW

• Left winger/forward – LW

Soccer Positions Summary

In this article, we’ve covered everything you need to know about the detailed world of soccer positions and numbers. Remember though, soccer number positions are just theoretical. Just because a player usually plays a specific position, or wears a particular number, doesn’t mean they can’t go into a certain area of the pitch, attack and defend, or even play multiple positions in one match.

As the game develops and coaches are looking for more innovative ways to beat opposition teams, traditional positions are becoming a thing of the past. Players are increasingly required to take on more responsibility on the pitch, so don’t be surprised to see star strikers working as hard defensively as they do in the attacking third, or for a full-back to be their team’s main creative outlet. Positions are just a guide. Coaches, players, and teams are all unique.

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For more on soccer, check out our articles on the best soccer teams of all time and the richest soccer teams.