Saturday, November 24, 2007

Its a matter of math in Poker and Black Jack

Some professional poker players with an aptitude for math actually started out playing blackjack while taking advantage of what certain humans can claim as an aptitude for math. Why would you need to be good in math to play blackjack?

I mean all you have to do is count to twenty one – right? Well the real math in black jack starts in the fundamentals of the game, the deck, the betting, and the odds.There is a reason why blackjack is the most popular casino game. If you are exceptional at math skills, you stand a good chance to come out ahead – even long term. Yes you can beat the house, but casinos are pretty wise to somebody actually winning consistently as a result of counting cards and skewing an advantage for the player.

You might have heard about Andy Bloch (and some MIT buddies), one of the first WPT final table participants who was actually banned from certain casinos for playing blackjack.It didn’t start there though because a card counting system was widely devised and available way back in the 1960’s, but because you still needed some math prowess to execute the system, putting it into profitable play was an entirely different matter. Not only that, once the casinos knew about an available system, they put up hurdles as well like using multiple decks and/or cutting a random portion of the deck out of play.There are definitely a set of equivalent skills in poker and blackjack that may appeal to certain types of players and that has transpired in busy blackjack tables at casinos where poker is popular too.

You can find many poker players venturing over to the blackjack tables between tournaments, breaks or waiting for a table. It’s the gambling instinct yes, but it’s also a math game. I find a lot of good poker players like other puzzles too, crosswords, sudoku, chess, and of course the ultimate dice game, backgammon. Gus Hansen, Howard Lederer and Dan Harrington started out playing backgammon before moving to the more lucrative poker arena.One thing blackjack and poker have in common is a puzzle to solve. They both have that critical deep thinking requirement for progressing in your game – either one. And it’s not just thinking about what to do at the table.

It’s analyzing your most likely profitable or positive EV move in a given situation. You need to get good at calculating odds edge, betting skills, and your winning probabilities. That may require a lot of introspective away from the table between games too, but that’s what winners like Andy, Gus, Howard and Dan do.At the very least with a little study and patience, your blackjack buck will go a longer way in the casino even though the house still has an edge, you can consider it your entertainment expense without having huge expectations of yourself.

Slot Machines

Slot machines are a classic form of casino entertainment and with the advent of computer technology slots have been given a new lease of life. It is more than 70 years since they first appeared in casinos and they are still firm favorites. Despite all the legends of crafty player with magnetic rings to control the reels or eagle-eyes that can count the number of spins slot machines are straightforward to play and there is nothing that you can do to better your odds once you play a turn.

The pleasure in playing slots comes from the tranquility of being in full control without dealing with other players, dealers, or waiting around for the next round to begin. Add to that the prospect of making high winnings and it is easy to understand why slots are still so popular. Using video technology modern slots can have several 'reels' on the screen and jackpots can be won by making lines that go in diagonals or are even just if a certain number of the same symbol shows up anywhere on the screen after the spin.Although there isn't much that you can do to change your odds once you spin the reels there are a few tricks you can pull to better your winning chances before you hit the 'spin' button.

The first detail to be aware of is that not all slot machines have the same return percentage. This is the percentage of money that is returned of the cash that is put in. Return percentages can run from as low as 87% to as high as 98% so of course you should try for the higher return percentages.The second most important rule to abide by is to always play the maximum bet. Most slots allow you to choose how many credits you want to play with each spin. Almost always the pay-out on a maximum bet will be proportionately higher than if you play less credits. If you are going to win then you want to make the most of it!Modern communications have enabled an interesting new addition to the world of slot machines are progressive machines. These are slots that share a common jackpot that can be between all the machines in the casino or even between different casinos.

The longer the machines are played without anyone winning the higher the jackpot climbs. The jackpot on these machines can be astronomical running into millions of dollars but will only be available if you play a maximum bet.

Another good reason to hit the 'max' button every time.Finally to make sure you don't walk away disappointed you should always carefully bankroll your cash every time you play. Any winnings you make along the way you should put aside and not put back in the machine. That way even if you don't come out ahead at the end of your session you may at least have something to show for you efforts.

Called bets in roulette

Once you have noticed set patterns of betting, it means that you have reached a high level of observance; but noticing by itself may not help explain what you are seeing. You may have noticed that your follow players are placing bets in apparently pre-determined positions; they go to them so quickly, that it seems that they have a pattern. They don't; what you are seeing are Called or Announced Bets.



These types of bets are according to the wheel and not the range of numbers it contains. For example if you bet on 1st 12 on the table you are betting on numbers 1-12, even though those numbers don't appear on the wheel in that order. A Called Bet enables you to bet according to the sequence in which the numbers are set on the wheel itself.



Called Bets are used on single-zero tables only and are particularly popular in UK and Europe: There are a number of different types, but the 3 main Called Bets are Voisins du Zero, Tiers du Cylindre, Orphelin.



Voisin du Zero: This 'Neighbors or Zero' bet, refers to the top section of the wheel if 0 is at the top. The range is from 22-25 inclusive and so the full bet covers 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25. All of these numbers can be covered by placing chips in the following 9 position on the table; 2 on the 0,2,3 Street; 1 chip over the 5 and 7; 1 over the 12 and 15; 1 over the 18 and 21; 1 over the 19 and 22; 2 on the corner of 25, 26, 28 and 29, and one over the 32 and 35. So in total there are 2 chips on streets, 5 on splits and 2 on a corner.



Tier du Cylindre: This section is the one directly opposite the 0 but including less numbers; the Tier runs from the 27 to the 33 inclusive, which comes out as 12 numbers. These may all be bet on by placing chips in the following 6 splits; 1 chip on the 5 and 8, 1 on the 10 and 11, 1 on the13 and 16, 1 on the 23 and 24, 1 on the 27 and 30, and finally 1 on the 33 and 36.



Orphelin: The Orphans bet refers to the numbers left over on the sides of the wheel not included in the Tier or the Voisins. These add up to 8 numbers; 17, 34, and 6 from the right side, and 1, 20, 14, 31, and 9. All of these numbers can be covered by 5 positions; a straight up bet on 1, and then split bets on 6 and 9, 14 and 17, 17 and 20, and 31 and 34.



It sounds far more complicated than it is; once you're aware of the concept you will notice it in action more frequently, and see the value of its logic.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Poker humor


Basic Rles Texas Holdem

Texas holdem is the poker player's game of choice and where the big prize money is to be made. Many players want to play Texas Holdem to win and win big.

Here we will cover the basics to get you started on your route to playing Texas Holdem and hopefully winning some big pots.
In its no limit form, it is used now in world class poker tournaments, and is the most popular of all the poker games today by far.
The game is played from two to ten players usually, though it can accommodate up to 22.

Playing the Game

To begin, the dealer will deal 2 cards face down to each player (these are known as a players ‘hole cards').
The first round of betting will then follow immediately.
As the initial round of betting completes, the dealer will deal the first 3 ‘community cards' face up (this is also called the ‘flop'). The second round of betting then follows.

At this point, the dealer will deal the 4th community card, again face up (called the ‘turn' or fourth street). The third round of betting then follows.
The dealer will deal 5th community card face up (called the ‘river' or fifth street), and the 4th and then the final round of betting begins.
All players use any combination of their 2 hole cards plus the 5 community cards to create the best possible 5 card poker hand.
The highest scoring hand then wins the pot and the hand is completed

Rules and Playing Etiquette

Although it's a relatively easy game to learn, there is still a great deal of strategy to follow if you aim to win. Let's start with the basics of the game and the order of play.

Where you happened to be sitting can be crucial in Texas Hold'em.
For example, if you are the last to act on a particular hand, it allows you to watch and react to what opponents are doing.
Keep in mind if your first you are at severe disadvantage as you do not know how to react as the players have given you no indication of how strong or weak their hands might be.

The rule is that the dealer is always the last to act in a given round of Texas Hold'em.

So, in order to keep the game fair, there is dealer rotation around the table.
The ‘dealer' (or virtual dealer) has the advantage of acting last for any round. After the end of every round the dealer button rotates one player clockwise.
In Texas Hold'em not every player will paying an ante.
Instead, the first 2 players to the left of the dealer must post ‘blind bets' before the dealer deals the first 2 cards.

They are known as ‘blind bets' as the player pays the bets before seeing their cards. They therefore enter the game ‘blind' with no idea how strong or weak their hand is

Actually the first player to the left of the dealer makes a ‘small blind' bet, and the second player to the left of the dealer makes a ‘big blind' bet. This works in the following way

The ‘big blind' bet will equal the small bet, and the ‘small blind' bet will be about half of the small bet.

For example a $20/$40 game would have a big blind of $20 and a small blind of $10. The first round of betting use the blinds to begin
Therefore, the $20 big blind would be the starting amount players must call to remain in the hand.

Also if no players raise the starting bet, the blinds are not required to re-pay their bet to remain.

That is, if no player raises the starting bet the big blind would not need to pay anything more to stay in, the small blind would have to pay the balance of the $20 bet, which in this case would be $10 to remain.

Also, it's crucial to remember that players ‘hole cards' are only as good as the community cards. What does this effectively mean?

It means that having an A-K in the hole is not very good odds for the player.
If the community cards are, say Q-Q-9-9-J. The cards do not match into any hand of value.

Furthermore, it can be assumed some other player could make a full house of queens or nines!

Finally, it's very useful to watch the flop.

You can gauge the quality of your hand as 5 of your 7 cards can tell you how good your hand is in relation to the others, by watching the way they bet or react.

The Best Hand Does Not Always Win!

This covers the basics of Texas Holdem; the rest is strategy and experience.
Texas Holdem is a game of psychology and not always the best hand wins.
The psychology of Texas Holdem is not learned over night. It takes a long time and you need practice on how to play your cards, or more importantly the players you are competing with.

It is the psychological aspect that makes the game so exciting. In Texas Holdem it's a brutal battle where only the strong survive but if you can the rewards can be immense.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Where have our Online Gambling rights gone?

What if your Government made smoking illegal? - Criminalizing online gambling is no different!

As a former online gambler I am still fuming mad at why any government feel they can curtail the rights of its citizens on split moral grounds. What is different about online gambling as opposed to say smoking. Can you imagine the repercussions if the Government was to ban all forms of smoking? It would be disastrous for them come election time.

But they have scant regard for online gamblers who prefer to entertain themselves in the privacy of their homes and not be subject to the noise, the alcohol and the illicit sexual activities associated with some land gambling destinations. Let’s not beat around the bush here, whenever you go to any land based casino you are bound to be subtly approached very subtly by girls and guys playing their trade. But this is not the case if you decide to gamble in online casinos

Why must I subject myself to that kind of activity when I could simply lie on my bed and enjoy my favorite activity without causing harm to anyone. I don't have to drive back home in the wee hours of the morning feeling sleepy and putting other peoples lives in danger. I think it is pure hypocrisy on the part of any Government to pass legislation to curtail legitimate rights and freedoms enshrined in our constitution.

I cannot wait for the day when democracy will prevail in this country again and I can feel comfortable knowing that what the statue of liberty stands for still holds true in this land. Maybe I should get involved in porn or smoking or take up guns and go fight women and children in foreign lands as these seem to be the things that are revered and treasured by the current administration.

Nevertheless as it stands they have criminalized anyone who gambles online, what a shame. There are certainly ways to get around it for the die hard gambler but sometimes the hassle is just too much. This is definitely one scenario where our European brothers and sisters are way ahead of us. Of course we do live in a global marketplace as far as jobs and careers are concerned and maybe that's an option to explore for the future.

Slot Appeal

What does the thought of a slot machine suggest to you? For me, it inspires the notion of symbols, reels, handle, exhilaration, coins and a whole lot of fun.

Slot Excitement

Imagine the thought of all the thrill, excitement and anticipation of a slot machine rolled into an online package that is available at the touch of a button. Remember the attraction of the slot machine – a fun game with the rush of the sound of coins or tokens clanking as they make their way out of the machine into eager hands. For the main part, this in a way has changed – most believe for the better. Although traditional "one arm bandit' machines may still be located in land based casinos and other amusement parks, slot machine entertainment has found its way onto the Internet. Although you cannot physically insert a coin into an online slot machine, software providers make every effort to create games with bright graphics and realistic sound effects in order to enhance the virtual slot machine experience. This has proved to be a very successful venture, as the popularity of online slots becomes increasingly widespread.

Online Slot

Thanks to advances in technology, the innovation of the Internet has brought many exciting concepts and perhaps seemingly unattainable ideas closer to home. As an apparently endless source of information, the Internet has also created online shopping and even casinos as a form of online entertainment. Now that we have reached the subject of online casinos, I am sure that you will agree that no casino would be complete without the presence of the slot machine. Out there with all the top casino attractions, the modest slot game is the favourite pursuit of many casino visitors.

Simple to play and great fun, the slot machine has produced hours of entertainment for many, many people, over the years.

From the old to the new …

It all began in 1895 with the creation of the first slot machine by Charles Fey. Together with the Mills Novelty Company, Fey developed the idea and created the Mills Liberty Bell in 1905. From then, it would have been difficult to stop advancement and in spite of a few challenges along the way, the slot went rolling on.

Nowadays, even Charles Fey would probably have been surprised to note to what extent his simple machine has developed. Today, hundreds of different slot machine attractions may be accessed at the best online casinos. The online slot has almost produced its own little world of entertainment. These colourful forms and methods of amusement are available in different kinds and themes. There are now topics to suit almost every type of interest, from beach and shopping, to football and food – pirates and treasure to animals and gold. Apart from various themes, there are several different types of slot machine, such as 3 reel, 5 reel and even progressive jackpot slot games.

Whatever the type – whatever the theme, slot machines produce excitement, great fun and the opportunity to win real money prizes.

Sit n Go Strategy

Sit-n-go tournaments are simply small impromptu poker tournaments that begin once all the seats at the table are filled. Sit-n-go tournaments come in a variety of formats; the most common consists of only the people sitting at the table. Although occasionally some poker sites will offer a multiple table sit-n-go tournament in which the payout is a somewhat different. Professional poker players often shy away from this type of tournament, largely due to its unpredictability, but for a beginner an effect sit-n-go strategy can provide you with many necessary lessons at the table.

Your strategy for a sit-n-go poker tournament should be played like a series of battles, each one leading up to the final war. Since typically only the first three places get prize money, you should play the sit-n-go as you would a bigger tournament during the first leg. During your first three levels of blinds you should not attempt to play fast and loose. The only way to stay beyond the first three levels of blinds is to play tight. By playing ‘tight’ I mean that you should just play solid poker, no tricks, and no bluffs. By playing only premium hands, you are buying yourself time later in the tournament once a few players have been picked off. Patience during the first few rounds of blinds will pay off heavily in later rounds. This isn’t to say that occasionally playing a few ‘not so great’ hands won’t pay off, but just be aware of your position when and if you decide to bet early on a so-so hand.

Next, your goal should be to double up during the first four rounds of blinds. If you don’t double your stack during this time, it will be extremely difficult for you to remain in the game as the blinds increase. By doubling up, you decrease the chance of having to play a tricky hand at an inopportune time later on. But, if you double up during this time, you will have effectively bought yourself more time in the tournament and your stack isn’t getting demolished by the ever-increasing blinds.

To effectively win a sit-n-go tournament, or at least place in the money, you should begin to steal blinds during the last leg of the tournament. If you’ve got the big stack of chips in front of you, feel comfortable bullying your short-stacked tablemates in hopes that they will get blinded out of the tournament. But remember; only the top three positions make it into the money, so when there are five or less people at the table, all the short stacks will play tight and wait for the next two players to get eliminated. If a short stack is going to make a move on your stack, force them to pay for that move. More importantly; make sure stealing the blinds doesn’t backfire by always paying attention to your opponents and your position, don’t assume because he’s short-stacked that he doesn’t have the nuts this hand.

Sic Bo The Game

Sic Bo is a fun and interesting game, played with three standard dice. However, like any casino game, there are a whole host of specific words and terminology that are used by players in the casino. Read on to discover what these terms mean. You never know; it might also improve your game as well as your knowledge.

Any Double - this bet pays 8-1 and stipulates that two of the dice faces will show any matching number.

Any Pair - another way of saying “any double”.

Any Triple - a bet that all three dice faces will show any matching number, with a 24-1 payout.

Betting Limits - these are set at minimum and maximum amounts that can be bet.

Big Bet - an expectation that the dice totals will be between 11 and 17.

Cage -the dice are tumbled in the cage before being rolled.

Combination bet - an expectation that two dice will show two numbers which the player specifies.

Dice - three standard dice are used for this game.

Dice Face - betting on a specific number to show on any number of dice. Even money is paid if the number shows on one dice, 2-1 on two dice and 3-1 is paid on three dice.

Double - this bet pays 5-1 and states which number will show on two of the dice.

Even bet - requires the dice totals to add up to an even number to win.

Layout - as with many casino games, the layout of the table shows the bets and the payouts.

Lose On Any Triple - if a triple is rolled then all small and big bets will lose.

Lucky Dice - a common slang name for sic bo.

Odd bet - requires the dice totals to add up to an odd number to win.

Sic Bo - the Chinese dice game which translates as “dice pair” even though three dice are used.

Small Bet - an expectation that the dice totals will be between 4 and 10.

Spin - the spin is when the cage is set in motion so that the dice can be rolled.

Three Dice Total - the specific total of all three dice is predicted.

Three Single Number Combination - a three number combination is stated and needs to be rolled exactly for the player to win.

Totals -the totals of all three dice faces are gambled upon with this bet.

Triple - to get a 150-1 payout, all dice faces needed to show the named number.

Two Faces -a combination bet that requires the player to suggest two of the numbers that will be rolled, with the payout ranging from 6-1 to 60-1.

Responsible Gambling

Online gambling is a big attraction. It is convenient because you can play from home and it is cheap because the minimum stakes are more than affordable. The attraction can be fatal because first time winners want to keep on winning and first time losers want to recoup their losses.

Most players get over this initial fascination and get into a healthy realistic rhythm. But there are those who get carried away and waste their time and fritter away their earnings in an unending bout of online gambling. Hence it is essential to know how to gamble responsibly so that you do not fall into the trap. There are three kinds of personalities that have found to characterize compulsive gamblers.

The first consists of those who do not have a reality check. They live in a dream world and even before they start online gambling they have planned what they will do with their winnings. Itineraries for round the world trips have been planned and real estate to be purchased has been located. Some have even identified charities to which they will donate funds. Unfortunately the funds never materialize.

The second characteristic is emotional insecurity. People who find it difficult to interact with other persons are very comfortable sitting in front of their monitors. They have few emotional needs themselves and do not know how to respond to the emotional needs of others. Video poker makes no emotional demands on them and it is one happy relationship till the bill starts mounting up.

The third characteristic is the get rich quick bug. Those who believe that they can become rich without blood, toil, sweat and tears are likely victims of compulsive gambling. Responsible gambling is to have self-imposed mechanisms in place that will prevent you from being sucked in the whirlpool of compulsive gambling.

You are crossing the line if you are wagering tomorrows lunch money on “red” in roulette. You are crossing the line if you are postponing the economics assignment due tomorrow for one last fling at blackjack. You have already crossed the line if you are borrowing to deposit in your online account. And you have already crossed the line if your wife is preparing the divorce papers.

If you are too far gone then do not worry. Organizations like Gamblers Anonymous, Responsible Gambling Council and the National Center for Responsible Gaming are at hand. The first thing you have to accept is that you cannot gamble again. Unless you are prepared for that you rehabilitation will not begin. Counseling and interacting with others in your position are mechanisms used by these organizations to cure compulsive gambling. But the only lasting solution is to develop another interest to replace online gambling.

I believe that prevention is better than cure and have my own mantras. If I win I set my original bankroll aside and splurge the rest. I do not gamble to pay the installment on my loan or my credit card bill. And if I lose my bankroll I open up a can of baked beans instead of eating out that night.

Online Poker Strategy

Online poker rooms make it easier for the average person to play poker without having to wager vast sums of money, and this is especially true of the free online poker rooms. Whatever your game is though, be it free or not, you will find that knowing some online poker strategy and game plays will be of great help to you.



It is true that with the advent of online poker, more and more people are learning to play poker, and as such it behooves the new player to learn as much online poker strategy as they can. This will not only give them an advantage over the other poker players who don't use any type of strategy to play, but it also gives you a better starting position, as you will be ready for any contingency.



The main trick to winning at online poker, or indeed any type of poker, is practice and experience. Without either by your side, no amount of knowledge of online poker strategy and game plays will be of help to you.



To that end, it is to your benefit if you spend more time playing the game of poker rather than reading about poker strategies and things. Leave that to a time when you are better able to play poker without having to stop and think about whether or not you have a possible good hand or not!



In short, use online poker strategy and game plays only when you have the knowledge and the know-how to play poker properly.



Another thing that you will want to keep an eye out for when you are looking into these online poker strategy and game plays, is whether or not they are out and out poker cheats, or even whether they are borderline poker cheats.



Either way you will want to be careful when you are dealing with these strategies which fall into gray areas as you could be penalized for having used them, even if you were unaware of what they were to begin with. Remember, ignorance is not an acceptable excuse in most places, and you want to be very careful when dealing with strategies and things which could be construed as cheating.



When all is said and done however, you will find that once you are more conversant with playing the game of poker, using an online poker strategy will be of help to you, but only when you have become conversant with the game.



Until then you might as well be playing blindly for all the good utilizing an online poker strategy will do for you. Learn to play poker first, then go in for the poker strategies. This is the first poker strategy that you should learn.

Finding the best Gambling Websites on the Internet

When it comes to online gambling webmasters promoting casinos for the category of Best Gambling Websites, I have a problem as to the credibility of what some webmasters will promote on their online gambling websites. For the sake of being a responsible online gambling webmaster you should decide as to what type of casinos that you will promote on your online gambling website.

As an gambling webmaster promoting the different casinos on the internet, one should be quite fussy as to which ones to promote. The credibility of an internet gambling website may be at risk if you are promoting the wrong casinos, as you may end up getting complaints made and posted on different online gambling forums if players have problems with certain casinos.

When choosing those casinos for the category of best gambling websites you should definitely check to see if there are many complaints made about them on the internet. Definitely some gambling forums to check on a routine basis are the Casinomeister, GPWA forums and the Casino Affiliate Programs forum when checking out the credibility of the different casinos on the Internet.

One may definitely have a problem with some online casinos that use predatory terms for their gambling bonuses when it comes to the play through requirements for the player's bonus and deposit. When some casinos have a play through requirement of 40 or more times for both the bonus and deposit this is when to realize that they are using predatory terms as the chances are greater of you loosing your money to them.

Another situation to watch with some of the casinos is problems with them paying out the winnings to their players as well as their affiliates. The Casinomeister website definitely is a good source for checking out those casinos that have been categorized as rogue casinos of which the RTG casinos have the worst record on the Internet.

When it comes to promoting the RTG casinos there are probably only about ten that are worth promoting. The problem with many of the RTG casinos that are on the Internet operate without gaming licenses which gives the player no protection or recourse if they have problems, so be aware of the problems with the RTG casinos.

Overall that the Microgaming casinos have the best reputation with players and the least of problems that you will find of any of the software providers on the internet. When it came to choosing online casinos for best gambling websites the Microgaming casinos should get first place due to their popularity as being the most honest and reputable casinos on the internet.

Remember when checking out those casinos when looking for best gambling websites to check out their credibility prior to playing online. There is nothing worse than having created yourself a problem or situation that you may have prevented if you would have done some checking prior to you playing.

Enter the world of Blackjack Tournament

Once you've played blackjack for awhile you may want to consider the idea of competing in a casino's blackjack tournament. I know that's what I did. I started out competing in smaller tournaments which would be held during the week. If you visit a casino during the week your odds of finding a small blackjack tournament should be pretty good. If you decide to enter one of the smaller tournaments you can expect to pay a small entry fee which is common for the most part. Once I had a chance to play in a few tournaments and become a regular in a casino or two, I eventually began receiving invites to special tournaments. These invitational tournaments were usually held as a type of award for players that have shown their loyalty to the casino. These tournaments are only for players who are invited, will include a free room, and usually last for a weekend or a few days time.

If you're going to enter a tournament there's probably a lot you're curious about. I know that when I entered my first tournament there was a lot I wish I would have known. With that in mind I have compiled a few things I was most curious about in order to help you as you enter your first set of tournaments.

What kind of prizes will I be eligible to win?

It is sort of hard to answer this question because it's really going to depend on the type of tournament you are entering. Each casino is going to give you different prizes and some casinos will have a better selection of prizes you can win. Obviously you're going to want to know which tournaments are worth entering and which are not. You are probably going to have to use your best judgment because each will be different.The majority of casinos will offer a tournament where you receive the majority of your entry fee back in prizes. This is definitely a good deal on your end. It is something you want to look for when signing up for a tournament. Before you sign up you should be able to find a list of prizes and information about the tournament. It'll be in your best interest to read the information and decide for yourself, whether the tournament is worth entering.

Does each tournament have special rules?

The answer to this question is yes and no. Each tournament is going to have its own rules based on the casino that you're playing at. You should arm yourself with knowledge by reading all the information before you enter the tournament. You need to know things like how much the minimum and maximum bets are going to need to be, how many rounds will be played, and whether you're competing against those that are at your table or everyone in the tournament. If for some reason you are not able to get the rules to the tournament before hand I would highly suggest you not enter because you will have no idea what the rules are and what prizes will be given. This will make it hard to determine whether the tournament is worth entering or not.

How much time and money needs to be involved?

In my experience this really depends on the tournament that you're entering. Some won't cost very much money at all and will be finished the same day you start them while others may cost a little bit more and last for days. Generally, the casino will inform you of how much time the tournament is going to take. Depending on the tournament you may play a starter round which leads to final rounds. Ultimately, this just depends on the casino.As for money, you will either be using chips or money. If you're going to use chips the casino will give you a certain amount of starting chips in most cases. These are the tournaments where everyone pays a fixed price and works through their chips as they advance to the finals. However, there are some tournaments that have players using their own money. Obviously, it will be in your best interest to find out the time and cost before you enter.

When do I have to register to play?

Depending on the tournament you may be able to sign up the same day just a few hours before the action starts. The majority of the other tournaments will let you sign up 24 hours before the tournament begins. You'll be able to locate a registration table at the casino. At the table you'll be able to pay your fee and they let you know the time the tournament will begin and the table you will be playing at. The most important thing to remember at this point is that if you have any questions you should ask them now. You cannot wait until the tournament has begun and things are not going your way to ask something that you should already know.

Some things you will learn at registration will be that you have to be at your designated table 15 minutes prior to the start of play. If you're late expect to be disqualified because most casinos will disqualify you. Think of it like this. If you're a few minutes early you will have a chance to check out your competition and get comfortable in your element of play. One last thing to keep in mind is that you are not playing against the dealer in these games of blackjack. The house advantage will be low and you'll need to watch out for the other players. If you stick to your steady strategy and play with a cool head on your shoulders you'll be fine. I know this strategy always works for me!

Do you have what it takes to cheat at poker?

Nearly everyone who takes up the game of poker, at one time or another considers the possibility of trying to cheat. After all, wouldn't it be great to take everyone's money without going through the effort of playing well and suffering bad beats? At first glance, cheating seems incredibly attractive. As a cheater, you have a secret advantage over other players, increasing your chance of winning, and if you do things well enough, nobody ever knows what you're up to. Wow. You could even go on to become fabulously rich.

Okay, hold it right there. Not so fast. Let's jump out of this little daydream for a moment and look at this matter realistically.

The truth is that cheating is not for everyone. Some people simply do not have the mental and emotional makeup to execute it properly and live with themselves afterwards. Here's the question: Are you one of those people who would be able to pull it off, or do you fit into the huge category of players who, when it comes right down to it, simply cannot bring themselves to actually play the game unfairly?

Let's find out. I have devised a little quiz for you. Answer the following three questions:

Question 1: You are seated in a home poker game. The player to your left unknowingly holds his cards in such a way that you are able to see them. Do you:

A. Tell him you can see his cards so he can correct the problem and not let it happen again. After all, that’s common courtesy, and telling him is the right thing to do.

B. Keep this information to yourself and use it to your advantage. Additionally, you hope he never notices that he is holding his cards like that.

Question 2: You are playing in a casino. While dealing a particular hand, the dealer inadvertently flashes one of the cards, and you see what it is. No one else notices. Do you:

A. Announce to the everyone at the table that you saw one of the cards being dealt. You figure that everyone you're playing with is also entitled to know what that card is.

B. Keep quiet. Secretly, you hope the player receiving that card stays in the hand that so you will know one of his cards and have an advantage over him.

Question 3: You are in a game among friends. While one of the players is shuffling the cards, you happen to notice the card that ends up at the bottom of the deck. Do you:

A. Ask him to shuffle the cards some more. You inform everyone that you caught a glimpse of that bottom card. Of course, they all appreciate your honesty.

B. Keep your big mouth shut. During that hand, the card you saw will be out of play. Knowing that fact gives you an advantage, which you’ll gladly take.

How did you do? If you answered each of these three questions with Choice 'A', then you are a great person, an honest and ethical human being, and I would want you for a trusted friend. However, and I say this pointedly, you are not someone who should ever consider the possibility of cheating at poker. You do not have the mental or emotional wherewithal to be able to pull it off.

On the other hand, if you answered each of these questions with Choice 'B', then perhaps you have what it takes to attempt to cheat. Your mental and emotional makeup is such that you might be able to endure the rigors necessary to pursue a course of cheating.

So, if you are among this group, does that mean you should now go forth and start trying to cheat when you play poker? Absolutely not! Cheating is never advisable, even for those who are capable of doing it. Cheating is always an immoral and disgraceful activity. There is nothing admirable about a cheater. I strongly advise you: Do not start down the path to cheating, no matter what.

This test is meant merely to provide you with a little insight into how your mind (and heart) works with regard to the prospect of cheating. What did you find out? Are you a person who might be capable of cheating at poker? If not, then take comfort in the fact that you are ethically sound, and please don't ever consider the possibility of cheating. If, however, you are a person who has the inherent ability to cheat, then I say this to you: Don't do it anyway! Venture forth into the world of poker, and take with you your newfound knowledge about yourself. After all, through knowledge, comes empowerment.

Card Couting Blackjack Strategy

Card counting is a form of blackjack strategy that is quite popular with the more experienced players. It can seem rather complex to learn and implement, but it really is not that difficult. However, a person who only plays blackjack for fun, card counting may not be the best blackjack strategy to undertake. It is more for the advanced player who is serious about winning.

Card counting is often frowned upon by casinos and venues. That is why when doing it a player must be extra careful not to revel they are. It takes skill and good abilities to get away with card counting in blackjack, but it works so well that it is worth it.

The idea of card counting is that after dealing the cards a player is wanting to find out if the deck is holding high cards or low cards. A deck holding high cards is good for the player and what they are looking for. The reason for this is that the dealer must hit, they do not get a choice where as the player does. So when a deck has a lot of high cards it is likely the dealer will bust.

Card counting does not involve counting every single card. Instead a point system is used where each card is assigned a point value. The player counts the cards and then adds up the total which will let him know how the deck is holding.

The most common counting system is assigning negative and positive values to cards. The lower cards having positive numbers where the higher cards have negative numbers. The player is wanting a high total number in the end as this would indicate that the deck is holding higher cards.

Card counting can be simplified, but it is the implementation of the card counting strategy that is the trick. Players who count cards have to be observant and quick in order to successful implement card counting.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Casino Review River Belle



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As a member of the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC), River Belle has adopted their code of conduct. Further to this we are licensed to conduct business by the Government of Gibraltar.

At River Belle Online Casino, you aren't just a Player, you're a Passenger. And we consider our Passengers our greatest asset. Once you step aboard, you can expect complete privacy and security. We make use of the latest 128-bit encryption and firewall technology, and are partners with the most respected E-Commerce partners in the industry.

And that's just the beginning. With over 140 realistic, interactive games, online gaming has never been better. River Belle has something for everyone to appreciate, including exciting monthly promotions, an exclusive loyalty program, safe and secure deposit options and 24/7 customer support. With all this on board River Belle, it's no wonder that more and more Passengers are choosing to cruise to winnings with us!

Keno

Keno is a simple and popular game. It is played with a ticket that has numbers 1 to 80 printed on it. Each player can select between 1 and 15 numbers and mark those numbers on the ticket. The casino then draws 20 numbers at random. The player is paid out in proportion to his wagered amount and depending on how many numbers he had marked and how many of his marked numbers were included in the 20 numbers drawn by the casino. There is a predetermined payout table that covers the above possibilities and is revealed to the players.

Then why should one not play keno? There is one and only one reason. The payout tables have been so devised that the casino has a house cut of around 25%. This means that for every dollar wagered the casino makes 25 cents. This house cut is far greater than that for table games like roulette and blackjack, which is a few percent. It is even greater than the house cut for slots, which are notoriously referred to as one-armed bandits. Despite this keno has been popular for over 2000 years and its popularity shows no sign of abating. Why?

Keno offers players a chance of winning a huge prize by investing a miniscule amount. It does not matter to them that the huge amount is not commensurate with the risk. The big prize in keno is for marking fifteen numbers on the ticket and getting all fifteen called in the twenty numbers drawn by the casino. In most casinos one dollar bet on this would result in a prize of $40,000. The odds of catching all fifteen numbers are over 400 billion to 1. Hence for a mathematically fair game the prize should be $400 billion. But to almost everyone $1 lost is insignificant and $40,000 won is more than welcome.

Each game provides $1 worth of value even without the prize. The reasons are many. People play keno for a while to unwind from the pressures of the blackjack or poker table. Their minds refreshed after a game or two of keno they return to more serious gambling. Online gamblers play keno alongside their more serious business. They just have to mark their numbers once if they want to keep repeating the pattern. The computer checks out their numbers and credits their winnings, if any. They simply click once to replay the game.

Keno is an occasion for socializing. Because the game does not involve major concentration people play it while chatting, whether online or in gaming halls. Women compare recipes while men check out baseball scores. They eat and drink and have a lot of fun. Players mark out numbers in all sorts of crazy patterns like crosses, squares and triangles. They feed in their birthdays, their ages, their house numbers and anything else they can think of. The message is loud and clear. Do not play keno for serious gambling, play it for fun.

Why online Casinos are better than real Casinos

Online casinos and online gambling is the fastest growing industry online. Since the beginning of the internet boom, the world wide web has become a main staple of life, making it easier for a number of individuals. One can pay their bills, buy arena tickets, and even interact a live conference meeting all from the comforts of their home. These advances are all part of the online phenomenon. It is no question, that online gambling and gaming is one of these remarkable advances. You can now do all your sports betting, poker playing, and whatever gambling you choose to do online. So you may ask why are so many people interested in gambling online, versus at the real casino? The answer is actually quite simple.

Online casinos offer peace of mind and relaxation in a comfortable environment. Instead of playing at a noisy casino on the strip where you can easily be distracted, online casinos give you the opportunity to play in whatever type of atmosphere you choose. Picture yourself in a crowded casino with haunting eyes from your competitors staring you down, trying to intimidate your every move. With rowdy onlookers throwing you off your game and adding unwanted pressure and tension, wouldn´t it be nice to eliminate all these distractions and play at your own pace. Playing at an online casino, you don´t have all these elements that can put you in a bad frame of mind. For most, gambling in a bad frame of mind leads to the loss of money. With online gaming, one can play on their own schedule and play wherever there is a internet connection. With all these appealing benefits, it is really no wonder why online casinos are so popular and growing at such a rapid pace.

As was explained earlier in this article, online casinos have numerous features that attract people to play. One must know that you should always do your best to follow the rules set for you while playing at a certain sites casino. However, online casinos do not have as many rules as as the real life casinos. Take for instance, some casinos don´t allow you to smoke inside their building or one can´t talk on a cell phone while gaming. With online gambling you can do as you please, hopefully in a safe and lawful manner. Isn´t it nice to be able to light up your cigarette, pop open a beer and sit at the computer and talk on the phone and not have to worry about some floor manager reprimanding you. In addition, maybe you don´t look so hot and don´t feel all that great on a particular day, you can go to the online casino and not have to worry about fixing yourself all up to go gamble.

One of the biggest benefits of online gambling is that you can gamble with free money. Numerous casinos allow you to play for free with the opportunity to win real money. Intelligent marketing strategies are at work. These gambling services are very willing to pay-out money in return for satisfied clients and more business. One negative thing is that you won´t be able to win a huge online jackpot but you can earn enough bonus bucks to raise your bets and compete more frequently.

For many individuals the constant noise and unwanted tension that comes with a real life casino is a major distraction. The answer for you is to use online casinos to satisfy your gambling crave. This way of gambling gives you the freedom to play whenever you want in whatever environment you please. With all the benefits online casinos offer, it is hard not to join the phenomenon.

Online Casino financial Advise

Choosing an online casino isn’t just to do with game selection and welcome promotions, although both of those things are important. I’ve noticed a few things to look out for when choosing an online casino with regard to financial arrangements that simply make life so much easier; here they are:

Currency

Make sure that the casino you’re looking at deals in a currency that is convenient for you. Virtually all casinos will display on their homepages, usually towards the top right-hand corner of the page the currencies accepted by them.

Payment Methods

There are a number of different payment methods available in general. The most commonly used are credit card, personal checks otherwise known as bank-drafts, prepaid card, e-wallet payments, and wire transfers. Within each of these general categories there are a number of options, as there are multiple service providers for each of these possibilities. Therefore it is important to see which providers are accepted by the casino, and which of these are convenient for you. Other things to look out for with regard to payment methods are the amount of time it will take for the credit to appear in your casino account, and also if there are incentives given by the casino itself to use one method or another.

Withdrawal Options

Do not assume that all methods of payment may be used for withdrawal also; it is not the case. You must check what your options are for withdrawal and decide if you are happy with 2 different methods or whether you should simply choose a deposit method that will also allow for withdrawal. Also always be sure to know how long withdrawal of monies will take with your chosen method, the procedure involved, and which funds you are allowed to withdraw, for example credit from a bonus would probably not be eligible for withdrawal.

Maximums and Minimums

It’s really important to understand what the maximum amount of money is that you can withdraw within a specific time; equally the minimums and maximums for deposits. You will be hard pushed to find a casino that has no limits on withdrawals and deposits, but what you want to look for is a casino with a good range, a low minimum deposit, and high maximum deposit and withdrawal. It’s also important to know if the maximums are per deposit, per week, or per month.

Billing Info

If you are paying by credit card especially, it is worth finding out exactly what company name will come up on your credit card bill. The name is usually that of the casino’s financial services partner; knowing what that is might save you an inquiring call to your credit card company.

Bookmaker online Poker

Online Poker is currently one of the most popular activities within the online gaming industry. Millions of players around the world start to look at online poker rooms under a new light, specially after noticing that every year the final tables at the world poker tournaments count more and more online players.

Online Poker is, without a doubt, the greatest training ground for poker champions from all over. Even the former champions are now looking for online poker rooms to keep their skills sharp and remain competitive.

BookMaker Online Poker gives you the opportunity to enjoy online poker games with real players from all around the world. BookMaker Online Poker offers Hold'em and Omaha games with a great variety of table limits for you to choose from, all of them providing a true multiplayer poker experience that will make you feel like you're playing in a Vegas card room.

You can play free and real money games in a variety of tables, offering different limits and various poker games. BookMaker Online Poker welcomes you to the experience of real online poker action, that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Play Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, 7 Card Stud and much more.

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Friday, November 16, 2007

Online Poker can help you win against Pros

Poker is no doubt a very popular casino game and its popularity is increasing all the more due to the advancements in technology and television as well as it is a game that appears to be appealing and challenging to the players. Today while home computers with internet connections has become common for every house except for the few the fun of gambling can be easily experienced sitting at home in your private atmosphere in the same way as you might have enjoyed it playing at any casino. Presently there are many casinos on the Internet where a person can play online poker without skipping any kind of excitement of being at a casino. There are also other pokers which have daily tournaments, large tournaments and run qualifiers for seats at land based tournaments. There are many famous poker players who have earned a fortune with this game and have become a famous icon in this world.

To enjoy the actual feelings of playing poker at a casino on you computer you need to download software that is available at poker websites. Many of these software programs fortunately also allow the Internet poker player to chat with the other players anywhere around the world that they are playing against. Even the poker players who do not have a windows running system are still able to play Internet poker with the help of these software.

These online poker websites also run promotions for new players that register at their site. These bonuses often match the amount of the deposit that the player makes one hundred percent up to a certain amount. They also run special poker games or tournaments with large cash prize pools, or with prize packages that will include buy-ins for a land based tournament and include airfare, hotel accommodations, and spending money for the winning poker player that is last to leave the final table of a qualifier and many more that is enough to entice players to play more and avail these opportunities to make fortune. There are poker games at poker websites that can be played for points rather than money. There are even poker games that can be played for large amounts of money.

Online poker websites are not only enjoyable place but also a place where online poker players can improve poker skills so that they can beat the online poker professionals easily and triumph over their magnificent achievement.

Choose the right Online Poker Room

Over the past five years or so, Texas Holdem has grown in popularity exponentially. Online poker play has grown just the same. It would almost seem that there are new Texas Holdem online poker rooms created everyday. The truth is that there are actually only about twenty poker rooms that have legitimate traffic. The rest of the poker rooms, one should be advised to stay away from. There are ways to avoid the bad rooms and find the rooms that are trustworthy. The worst thing you can do is to deposit money into a holdem room and never get to use that money.

Traffic is the first thing you should look at before choosing the right poker room for you. Look to see how many players are there and also search should the poker rooms lobby. This lobby should offer a wide range of poker games, especially Texas holdem, and have a number of tables to play at. When surveying the lobbies, look for different limit levels and and different buy-in amounts. So if you are looking at this area and you see little traffic and a small selection of tables to play at, try and select another poker room to play at.

Another thing to look for when searching for a legit online poker room is the games it has to offer. Search to see if the site has games such as Omaha, Stud, and even Horse. Sites that offer only Texas Holdem usually are not worth your investment. It goes back to the traffic issue discussed earlier in the article. The more games offered, the more traffic, thus the more trustworthy the poker room should be.

When selecting the right online poker room graphics and game flow are important. You want to make sure that when playing, the game runs smoothly without crashing. Most of the Texas Holdem online poker rooms reveal their flaws after about 15 minutes of playing. As far as graphics, be sure you are comfortable with the layouts and overall look of the poker room. It is no fun if you are playing at a table and you are constantly distracted by the look of your play area.

One of the most important things to know before choosing a poker room is how much the site rakes from each pot. The standard rake is five percent are up to three dollars. A standard Texas Holdem online poker room takes five cents per every dollar that goes into the pot, usually there's a cap at around three dollars. You should know that this is the industry standard, most of the big rooms have the same, with a few having less. If you do choose to use a smaller poker room, be sure to check their rake so you know that you are not being robbed.

Possibly the most important item to know before playing at a particular room is knowing if your money is safe or not. Check to see if you are able to freely pull your money out and easily deposit money in. If I win I want to be able to take my money out. Poker rooms with the highest volume of player, usually are the safest with your money. Also you want to withdrawal money by using the same method you used to deposit it. You don´t want to find out that the deposit options are normal, but when you withdraw there is a whole new set of rules to go by. So there are a few of the things to look for when choosing the right online poker room for you. Always gamble responsibly and have fun playing poker online.

Progressive Slots - What is the difference?

So, you're presented with an option of 10 different progressive slots; their jackpots as you're looking at them vary from 'that'll get me a nice new car' to 'OMG this will change my life', but which one to go for? Really what's the difference between them all? Here's a little info on some of the most popular progressive slots available:

It's Good to be Bad

This is a 3 reel slot, which restarts it's jackpot at $100, 000 every time it's won. The max number of coins that can be put in as one bet is 3, this is also the minimum you must put in in order to qualify for the progressive jackpot; the denominations it accepts are 25c or $1. The payout works like this; each time you get a loosing spin you get a push on the Free Wining Spins counter; if you get to 29 the jackpot is yours. However, if in the course of those29 you get just one winning spin, you go back down to zero. If you decide that you no longer wish to collect your Free Winning Spins, you may redeem them by hitting the 'cash in' button.

Shopping Spree

This is a 5 reel slot from Real Time Gaming, boasting 9 pay lines. Other features of the game are a Mystery Grab Bag Bonus Round and a Cash Symbol Scatter Bonus. The cash symbols result in the earning of credit; 3 symbols equal a max of 350 credit. The Mystery Grab Bag Bonus Round is entered in to only once 3 Mystery Grab Bags symbols have been collected; you then choose a symbol which may give you up to 4000 credits. The progressive jackpot is won by getting 5 Diamond Rings in your payline. The name of the game comes from your winning options; you can choose between the jackpot or a shopping spree worth $100,000.

Iris 3000

The Iris 3000, is a great little slot, also a 5 reel from Real Time Gaming; it's particularly exciting because of its ability to turn into a 7 reel slot. The graphics are fantastic with lasers determining your destiny. With a 2 credit bet you get one laser beam which if it stops above a closed door means an option for increased winnings. With a 3 credit bet however, the lasers are able to open closed doors and give you a 7 reel game, and in some circumstances the ability to increase you winnings by 10. The progressive jackpot of the Iris 3000 starts at $100, 000; it has one payline; and accepts 50c denominations.

Crazy Dragon

Crazy Dragon is a classic 3 reel slot, with a free spin feature which accesses the progressive jackpot. Each spin will cost a dollar, and the non-progressive jackpot is 3,000 coins. A three coin minimum is necessary for winning re-spins. In order to win the progressive jackpot, 100 re-spins must be acquired; these are obtained in a progressive manner by getting parts of the dragon in the payline.

Obviously there are lots more, but just for starters, I hope this helps.

The Game of Live Roulette

If you've ever been to a live casino before that offers more than just an army of slot machines, the chances are you've had a chance to witness the excitement that surrounds the live roulette wheel. Maybe you've been part of the action itself and felt the strange attraction people have to this game of chance in particular. Whether you've seen the game up close or not, though, chances are you're familiar with the wheel, it's array of black and red-framed numbers, and the little white ball that decides people's fate. Where did it come from, though, and how has the roulette wheel spent its time in existence?

While there is no conclusive evidence to back up just where the roulette wheel came from, some theorize that the French mathematician Blaise Pascal invented it. This is only one theory, though its origins are most likely in France, considering the name roulette is French for "little" wheel. The first modern roulette wheel used in gambling was presented in 1796 in a casino in Paris.

It traveled to the United States in the 1800's, where an extra pocket was added to bring the number up to 31. This created the two forms of roulette wheels that are around today, aptly dubbed the "American" and "European" wheels. If you want to increase your chances of winning, play on a European wheel if given the chance. Since there are only 30 pockets, it will be easier to get the one you want.

Since its inception, live roulette has become one of the most popular casino games for years. In Europe, it is much more popular than other games, due to the fact that the odds of winning are much better than with other games. In America, a general love of poker, which has been on the rise, recently, beats out the popularity of roulette. Its popularity has made it a staple in casinos, and it's unlikely that the roulette wheel will go anywhere anytime soon.

For a newcomer to the game of live roulette, the first point to note is that there are two main types of bets you can try on the roulette wheel. These correspond to the layout of the wheel itself. You may place an inside roulette bet, which takes into account the arrangement of numbers which run around the inside section of the roulette wheel.

The second broad type of bet is known as an outside bet, which also brings into play the possibility of betting on whether the ball will land in red or black, for example.

Within these two types of bet, there are lots of alternatives that a player can bid on; you may choose to bid on the likelihood of the ball landing on a specific number, or on a group of numbers, or even on whether the ball will land on an even or odd number.

While live roulette may seem confusing for the newcomer, once you get to know the variations in bets available on both the inside and outside options, you will begin to understand exactly how the game is played - and perhaps even place a roulette bet yourself.