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The Ultimate Baccarat Tips

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

A popular casino pastime is baccarat and this card game can be enjoyed at land casinos and online as well. While baccarat may have originated in the middle ages, there is nothing medieval about this game if you check out the amazing technology used to bring realistic gaming to players at top online casinos. There are several variations of baccarat, with varying degrees of skill involved, although the the more popular punto banco variant is strictly a game of chance.

If you want to try out something new like baccarat at online casinos, here are a couple of tips to help you get on your way:

The house edge in baccarat is relatively low, making this a profitable game if you play your cards right – literally speaking. If you want to make sure that you are getting the best odds, bet on the bank, because if you’re playing with an 8 deck shoe, the house edge is a little over 1% in this instance. The next best bet is a wager on the player, giving the house a 1.24% edge.
Avoid betting on a tie because out of the three possible main wagers, this is the one that offers the worst odds for you, the player. Yes, the 9-1 payout sounds tempting but your chances of landing it are low.
You can also improve your chances in online baccarat by getting to know the game and software. The good news is that you don’t need to use up your own cash on practice games because online casinos let you try out the games for free. Play-for-free options mean that you are able to try out the different betting options, get to know the different features of the game and also build up your confidence for the time when you switch to real money play. Baccarat is a game of chance but if your skills are honed enough and your confidence grows enough, the next natural step will be profitable play-for-real baccarat.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on your bankroll. Stick to the tried and tested tips: Don’t chase losses, decide ahead of time how much you can afford to lose and put aside a portion of all winnings so that you can build your bankroll up slowly by surely.

Tags: online baccarat
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Will I Make a Good Poker Bluffer?

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

It can’t be denied that bluffing is one of the most important strategies when playing poker, and this has been confirmed time and time again. The best poker players are exceptional bluffers, making it very difficult to read their faces and therefore speculate what kind of hand they’re holding. If you think you’re a good bluffer, that’s an excellent start and there are many ways to build on that confidence. Check here to see if you’ll make a good poker bluffer, based on your particular character traits:

Are you intuitive? If you have the knack to read into what people are thinking, then you’re halfway there to becoming a good bluffer. This entails being able to read subtle body language, facial features and speech mannerisms when other people don’t notice them. You can develop this skill by watching the way people talk (not only poker players) to see whether what they say and what they mean go hand in hand. Many times, you’ll be able to pick up on a little lie simply by watching how the speaker licks his (dry) lips or tugs at his ear. This skill will help you determine when the other player is lying or trying to bluff you, and therefore allow you to counter-bluff based on that knowledge.

Are you sneaky? The term ‘poker-face’ wasn’t invented for nothing! If you can pull someone’s leg without your lips twitching or bursting into hysterical giggles, you may have the ability to bluff your way through a poker game. This means being aware of your own body language and having the confidence to pull it off until the end. The slightest move away from your bluff will bring the whole pack of cards tumbling down – pun intended!

Are you assertive? Some of the best poker bluffers have worlds of confidence and are highly assertive. This doesn’t mean that they act like loud-mouthed louts every time they sit down to play poker. It just means that they have the confidence to convince other players that they have the best poker hand around the table, even if they don’t even have a pair!

Tags: poker bluffing
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Keen on Online Keno

Monday, October 10th, 2011

If you enjoy the lottery, then one particular game at online casinos should really appeal to you – online keno. There is probably no simpler game to play online and even if you’ve never picked numbers on a lottery card, you’ll be understanding the rules of this game in absolutely no time.

First a bit about keno: The game has its origins in ancient Chinese history and has transformed from those days into one of the most popular online casino games in the world. Keno is a game of pure luck, which means whatever you are told, there are no particular skills that can be learned to improve your chances of playing.

The rules of keno are very simple – you pick numbers out of those presented to you, mark them on a ticket and then wait for numbers to be drawn. If a certain number of your tickets match those drawn, then you are paid out. The more correct guesses you have, the higher the payouts.

There are a number of different ways of playing keno at an online casino, the most basic being the purchase of a straight ticket. All you need to do is mark off which numbers you think will come up in the draw and wait for them to be picked. Alternatively, way tickets can be used, whereby you use one ticket to mark off two or more sets of numbers that you think will come up in the draw. It’s important to note that both offer the same odds, the same chances of winning and the same payouts. Combination tickets mean that you are essentially combining the groups that were considered separate on the way tickets.

You can also play Top or Bottom where you mark off which of the two areas on the ticket you wish to bet on, or left or right which uses the same concept.

The bottom line is that Keno remains a very easy game to play, without much thought needed and with plenty of entertainment and winning opportunities. No wonder, then, that this game remains one of the most popular at top online casinos out there.

Tags: online keno
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Celebrating Multinationalism at Online Casinos

Sunday, October 2nd, 2011

The internet is probably one of the most significant inventions of modern times, breaking down international barriers and creating a global community of players from around the world who share one thing in common – the love of gambling online. Where else would you be able to play against a businessman in Tokyo, a housewife in England, a student in Australia and a mechanic in South Africa – all at the very same time? The fact that you can chat to them about the rules of the game, the strategies they know or simply about the weather is quite an amazing feat and I sometimes have to stop and marvel about this incredible invention.

As a result of the need to cater to so many different nationalities, online casinos are definitely multinational in character when it comes to the games being offered. Of course, certain online casinos will find a niche and cater to their particular markets (such as Asian games), but, in general, casino games – especially online slots – carry themes that appeal to players from all around the world.

To celebrate multinationalism at online casinos, here is a list of some of my favorite games found at top online casinos across the board:

Mexican Slots - Aztec Treasures, Gonzo’s Quest, Paco and the Popping Peppers, Salsa

French Slots – A Night in Paris, French Cuisine, Voila, Secret Code

USA Slots – Sevens and Stripes, The McMurphys, Texas Tea, Vegas Baby, Red White and Win, Heavyweight Gold, Alaskan Fishing

German Slots – Steinfest, Roll out the Barrels, Beer Fest

Italian Slots - Gladiator, Da Vinci Diamonds, Pinocchio, Belissimo, Crazy Pizza

Canada Slots – Eagle’s Wings, Northern Lights

Australian Slots – Aussie Rules, Diamonds Down Under

Russian Slots – From Russia with Love, Russian Attack, Day of the Tsar

Spanish Slots – Slota Bonita

British Slots – Robin Hood, Phileas Hog, Mule Britannia

Indian Slots - Cash n Curry, Kathmandu

Irish Slots – Celtic Crown, Rainbow Riches, Shamrock Isle

Egyptian Slots – Fortune of the Pharaohs, Cleopatra, Treasure Room, The Last King of Egypt

As you can see, each of these slot games have taken the very best that their countries represent and brought them to online gamblers to enjoy fun, international gaming across the reels.

Tags: multinational slots, online slots, themed slots
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Understanding Progressive Blackjack

Thursday, August 18th, 2011

When you think of progressive jackpots in the online casino world, most of us automatically think of progressive slot games. After all, who hasn’t heard of the million dollar jackpots linked to slots such as Mega Moolah and other slot classics? However, did you know that there are progressive jackpots that are also linked to other games, such as blackjack? The reason some of us may not be familiar with this fact is that they are not hit as often as progressive slot games, and their jackpot totals aren’t as high. Nevertheless, players across the board regularly enjoy progressive blackjack betting.

Progressive blackjack calls for players to make a small side bet, usually around $1, before they begin their regular play. This allows them to take part in additional pay outs. The game then continues as usual, with the player trying to get as close to the total of 21 with his cards, without going over the number, and also trying to beat the dealer’s hand.

The jackpot side comes in when a player lands certain cards that qualifies him for the bonus bet payouts. Payouts are usually received when consecutive aces are the first cards dealt in a hand. For example, four red aces or four black aces earn the player the jackpot, while three suited aces will result in a smaller payout, and so forth.

Everyone agrees that progressive jackpot is a neat twist to the classic blackjack game and adds a considerable element of excitement. The rules of progressive blackjack will differ from one online casino to another, and will depend on the blackjack variant being played. For that reason, it is wise to become familiar with the version offered by the online casino before playing for real money. This can be done by playing the free games at the online casino, which can be switched for real money action when you are sure about the rules and strategies required. In this way, you stand a greater chance of doing well in your blackjack gaming session, and also increase your odds of hitting the progressive jackpot linked to the game.

Tags: progressive blackjack
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Confessions of a Secret Scratch Card Player

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

I’m about to confess one of my deepest darkest secrets. Friends known me as a gambling man. With that image comes blackjack table pounding, poker card throwing, video poker machine spinning – you know the look, right? So here’s my confession: I love scratch cards.

Now, before you go sniggering off behind your cards, let me explain how this all came about. I, too, used to scoff at scratch cards. I thought they were games for old people, games that you played when you were so desperate that it was either that or counting clouds. I thought that scratch cards were the ultimate insult to gamblers who took years to perfect games of skill, who would study poker hands for hours, who would practice the ultimate blackjack strategy.

And then, one day, I started surfing around for a new online casino to play at and I stumbled upon one which looked pretty cool. I accessed its games lobby and wanted to press on slots but somehow got to their scratch cards collection instead. I, too, took on that snigger and decided to try one of those play-for-fun scratch card games to prove just how pathetic the game was. Only it wasn’t. It wasn’t boring, it gave me that instant gambling rush and, dare I say, it was actually fun.

I decided to try another just to prove to myself that I had hit one of those moments of madness. But after trying scratch card after scratch card I realized that it was too late. I had caught the scratch card bug. I had crossed over to the other side. I was really and truly an online casino scratch card fan.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to say that I am hooked. Scratch cards are the first thing I try out at an online casino. They say a lot about the software that is backing the site, they are easy on the pocket and they give you a great opportunity to make cool cash in the blink of an eye.

Did I give up my blackjack? No way. Did I desert my poker buddies? Absolutely not. But am I a scratch card convert? You bet!!!

Tags: scratch card
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Play Slots Smart

Monday, August 8th, 2011

A guy stopped me as I was heading off to the slot machines in Vegas last weekend and told me that he had seen what a “pro” I was by watching me from the side. He asked if I could show him how to beat the slot machines and make a profit on them. It still floors me when people think that you can beat the house when playing slots. I told the guy that there is no sure-fire way of creaming the dealer, and he was quite stunned to learn that I didn’t have a ‘pro trick’ up my sleeve which I use when spinning the reels. However, after a 10 minute conversation, I could convey to him a couple of important tips that I always stick by when playing the slot machines. So, OK, they won’t swing the RNG, but they can keep my losses down which – in the grand scheme of things – is a kind of slots strategy.

This is what I shared with him:

The slot machine is not going to grow legs and run off. Don’t be in such a hurry to play. Keep it calm and slow. I understand that the bright lights and whirring sounds trigger the desire to shove in coin after coin in the hope of winning the big jackpot – but if you don’t think before you play, and you rush through your gaming session, (a) you won’t enjoy it and (b) you will lose your money faster.
Forget the myth that the machine is ‘due to hit’. It’s not. The Random Number Generator ensures that every spin of the reel has just as much chance as hitting as the previous one – not any more or any less.
Get to know the slot machine. Don’t run head long into a gaming session without first familiarizing yourself with the machine. Check out the pay table. Recognize the coin denominations needed to operate the machine.
Practice online. You can practice slots for free, without risking your bank roll by accessing online casinos and trying out the games for fun. This way, you get to know how to play slots and can then try for real money, online or off.

Tags: Slots
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Fruit Machine Medley

Saturday, July 30th, 2011

Fruit machines are another word for a variant of slot machines that are often found in amusement arcades, pubs and casinos , and are especially popular in the United Kingdom. While fruit machines first found their popularity at offline locations, it wasn’t very long that they migrated online and they are also an important part of any good online casino‘s repertoire of games today. Fruit machines are such a well known form of entertainment that they are very much part of mainstream society. This can clearly be seen in the mention of fruit machines in popular films, books and songs.

One of the best known gambling songs about fruit machines was sung by the Ting Tings, simply entitled Fruit Machine.

The lyrics are as follows – enjoy!

You keep playing me like a fruit mach-ine
Puttin’ in change systematically
Winning streak that you had over me
It’s turned into your broken tragedy

Turn your pockets out onto the street
Now you see you’ve spent it all on me!
You see my true colors out of sink
Now your skin is a pair of sympathies

You’ve hit the bottom one hundred times before
Now feel the fever as I leave you wanting more
You thought you could turn and walk away
Taking chances that weren’t yours to take

When I don’t think so my foolish boy
Watch the next one taking all the joy
Hold me, nudge me, spinning me around
Where’s the money?
Can’t hear the clicking!

Ker-ching, Ker-ching
Ker-ching, Ker-ching
Ker-ching, Ker-ching
Ker-ching, Ker-ching

You keep playing me like a fruit mach-ine
Overstretch your gen-er-o-si-ty
For our band, it’s leading you astray

The little we had…
You’ve thrown it all away!

Go! Go! Go! (Yeah you’re on a role)
Go! Go! Go! (Yeah you’re on a low)
Go! Go! Go!

You find it hard to stop it yeah
You’re running like a steam train
Oh I like the way that you do that
Where’s the money?
Can’t hear the clicking!

Ker-ching, Ker-ching
Ker-ching, Ker-ching

Go!

[Instrumental]

You-keep-play-ing-me-like-a-fruit-mach-ine
You-keep-play-ing-me-like-a-fruit-mach-ine
You-keep-play-ing-me-like-a-fruit-mach-ine
You-keep-play-ing-me-like-a-fruit-mach-ine

Ker-ching, Ker-ching, oh!
Ker-ching, Ker-ching
Ker-ching, Ker-ching

Oh, you find it hard to stop it yeah
You’re running like a steam train

Ker-ching, Ker-ching
Ker-ching, Ker-ching

You-keep-playing-me-like-a-fruit-mach-ine!

Tags: fruit machine, gambling song
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Reaping the Rewards of Black Friday

Sunday, July 17th, 2011

April 2011 will go down in history as one of the darkest months for online poker in the United States, when the Department of Justice swooped down on some of the major sites and shut them down literally overnight. Sites such as Full Tilt Poker, UB.com and Poker Stars were flung from the top of the ladder and had to start dealing with the problem of paying out millions of dollars to their players. Poker Stars was able to start paying out almost immediately, and nobody can find fault with the way this site has honored all money due to its players. UB.com seems to be a lost cause and hasn’t even bothered making a statement regarding the money owed, while Full Tilt Poker is the site in the news most often these days, trying desperately to find investors so that players can be paid back the almost $1.5 million owed to them.

Nobody can argue that Black Friday threw the online poker world upside down, but, as my grandpa used to say “use the juice for lemonade and throw out the pips”. In other words, while Black Friday has been truly back for many players, there are some who have managed to find the good in this event. Take, for example, the fact that with so many players migrating from the top sites, other online poker rooms are offering some of the best offers seen in the industry in a very long time! From some of the best online bonuses, to excellent promotions that competitors simply cannot beat, players are absolutely spoiled for choice. Some sites, such as Party Poker decided to run a promotion where all entry fees into tournaments were abolished. Other sites have literally doubled their welcome bonuses so that players get more for their initial deposits. Some sites are even honoring the VIP status enjoyed by players at their former sites, and are matching those statuses at their own sites, with all the perks and unique bonuses that come with the territory. So while Black Friday was a black mark in online poker history, it has definitely triggered some excellent promos out there.

Tags: black friday, Online Poker
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Game, Set and Lots of Cash

Monday, July 4th, 2011

Wow! This year’s Wimbledon Men’s Final was an amazing match between two of the greatest players around, the Spaniard Rafael Nadal and the Serb, Novak Djokavic. Twenty four year Djokavic showed why he deserved to be crowned the world’s number one tennis player, beating a hugely talented Nadal, 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3. This was the first defeat on Nadal in four years and 20 matches at Wimbledon and no easy feat!

But Wimbledon being Wimbledon, there was a lazy, slow pace about the entire tournament and there were definitely times that I felt the need to pepper the whole sports event with a big dose of online gambling action. To keep with the theme of the last few days, I decided that it was definitely time to try out the brand new tennis themed slot game that Playtech launched recently, Tennis Stars. This game features forty pay lines which makes it a firm favorite with me before I even tried it out! I am really attracted to slot games with lots of pay lines – it somehow adds to the excitement and thrill of the game.

So what can I say about Tennis Stars? First off, it has a very rewarding free spins bonus round. If the wild Trophy symbol emerges on reels two to four, the free spins bonus round is triggered. Players are rewarded with 15 free spins and the chance to triple all payouts! What’s great about it is that the bonus round can be reactivated if the winning combination appears again in the free spins round.

The pair of rackets is the scatter symbol in Tennis Stars and if five of them appear, 100 times the total bet is paid out! Three or more trigger the bonus round. The Championship Bonus Round is definitely the highlight of this new Playtech game. You first take on the persona of a male or female tennis player, and then you have to chalk up points in an electrifying tennis match, with the chance of winning up to 50 times your total bet.

I loved the graphics, I loved the rewards and loved the slots game. With Tennis Stars, it was definitely a case of ‘game, set and lots of cash!’

Tags: playtech, tennis stars slots
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