Category: Gambling and Casinos

Online betting is advancing in popularity at exponentially increasing rates. Many of the online casino gaming establishments are recognizing this fact and are stepping up to the plate to provide the general public better and more technical, yet more user-friendly software. Much of this great new software can be downloaded to your computer at no cost to you. In addition, many gaming sites are now allowing patrons to participate in the online casino gaming experience without actually gambling with real money. So even the most advanced and entertaining casino games can be virtually experienced without any wagering risk. To the novice gambler, or even an individual totally new to casino table games, poker, or even slots, this is a “eureka” type find and can be a great source of learning and practice. The most popular table gaming downloads include; Baccarat, Blackjack, Caribbean Stud poker, Craps, Let ’em Ride, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette, Red Dog, War and Tri-card Poker.

Baccarat
Baccarat has a reputation of elite class status among many, and although most people don’t understand the game, it is actually one of the easiest casino games to learn. There are really only two players that are dealt cards: the Banker and the Player. All participants then wager on which have the winning hand, or can wager a tie for higher odds.

Blackjack
There are many different forms of Blackjack or “21”. These include, but are not limited to: Multi-bet Blackjack, Caribbean-21, FaceUp-21, MatchPlay-21, Pontoon and Super21.

Basically, players try to beat the dealer in seeing how close to 21 they can get without going over. Aces can count as a 1 or 11, tens and face cards count as ten and the remaining cards are at face value. Each form has different variations on the rules.

Caribbean Stud poker
This game is much like Stud poker, except players compete only against the dealer, not the remaining players. The great thing about this game is that one of the dealers “hold” cards must be displayed for all to see.

Craps
On the roll of two dice, one can bet on every possible combination that can be imagined, all with different odds associated with it.

Let ’em Ride
This is a fun and easy variation of poker. Players are dealt three cards and play only against the house, which is dealt two cards. Using all five cards, the best hand that is ranked a pair of tens or higher wins.

Pai Gow Poker
Playing only against the house and dealer, each player is dealt seven cards. The hand must then be split into two hands; one hand of five cards and one hand of two cards. The split hands are then contrasted to the dealers split hands to determine the winner. The game is always played with one joker in the 53-card deck.

Roulette
One of the most popular and exciting table gaming downloads; Roulette is a pure classic game of chance. The American version features a horizontal spinning wheel with 38 numbered “stops” in which a rolling ball eventually falls into. The players place wagers on which numbered stop the ball will fall into before the ball is put in motion.

Red Dog
A classic card game from the old west in which a player wagers on a third dealt card ranking between the first two dealt cards.

War
A simple game of high card played against a dealer except “war” can be declared on any tie, and the bet can be raised for the additional War hands. Players are dealt only one card at a time and the winnings are usually double the amount wagered.

Tri-card Poker
Much like Caribbean Stud Poker, only with more betting options. Players can choose to wager their hand will rank a pair or better, compete only with the dealer, or both.

Besides casino table games, there are other great downloads that are not only impressive in their realism, but can supply massive entertainment value. Some of these advanced software packages include 20 line slots, video poker, slots and progressive table games. Make sure the gaming site offering downloads is of a high reputation and offer the most safe and secure online experience. They must also have a reputation of providing the download versions of the casino experience with as little invasiveness to your computer system as possible. The theory is that if you like the download versions of the casino style games, you will play them long enough to get good at your game. You would then want to go to their online betting site and play the authentic versions and experience the thrill of winning with real money.

There are many incentives for playing online. Some sites offer free plays, bonuses and prizes. Some offer regular free plays and rewards for referring new members. However, make sure the site you are wagering online or downloading from is an audited and certified gaming portal. When you visit a online betting site for the first time, look for information related to the authenticity of licensing and regulation. The length of time a site has been in the online casino industry is a good place to start. The trusted casino has been online for a minimum of ten or more years. A new or inexperienced online gaming site may suffer from lack of banking resources or funding. Many reputable sites are registered and licensed by recognized specific Government agencies. Some are not. Regulated sites are subject to audits by various fair gaming commissions. Random number generators are constantly monitored and audited for fairness by major firms licensed to do so.

Perform your due-diligence before making a commitment to wagering or joining a gaming site. You owe it to yourself. Double-check before you double-click to make the online betting site is safe, honest and secure. Having to worry about these concerns is the very last thing you need on your mind when you are engaged in having great online casino gaming thrills.

Most bingo players play bingo for two reasons: it is lots of fun, and nothing beats the feeling of winning lots of money. But did you know there is much more to just playing? Recent studies have showed that people who play bingo experience more benefits than most bingo players realize.

The benefits bingo players experience from playing is almost endless and includes mental, psychological, social and monetary benefits. More and more researchers are interested in investigating the effects playing regularly have on bingo players.

Researchers have proved that playing bingo keeps bingo players’ minds younger for longer! To play they need visual skills, in order to scan their cards and mark their numbers as quickly as possible, as well as rapid hand-eye coordination. Earlier researchers have thought that the above mentioned skills decline as people get older. This is not always true. These age-related skills decline partially due to a lack of use. By playing regularly, players have a bigger chance of maintaining their mental alertness.

Other results proved that bingo players scored higher and were faster and more accurate in the tests than people who do not play. Older bingo players had exactly the same mental capabilities than there younger counterparts, and both groups achieved the same level of performance. The only difference between the two age groups was that the younger participants were faster, and the older participants were more accurate.

More good news is that older bingo players don’t need to exercise as much if they play bingo. Other researchers have proved that playing regularly keep players’ minds trim and that the older they are, the more agile their minds are.

Some other results revealed that social activities, such as going to bingo halls or online bingo sites to play, are just as good for players’ health as physical exercise.

Studies on the psychological benefits of playing bingo regularly can improve bingo players’ social status, sense of worth, social interaction as well as productivity.

Research on the circumstances of the elderly in old age homes proved that the opportunity to play bingo helped some bingo players to escape from their depression, a common disease in old age homes.

Going to bingo halls or websites to play is also a great way of socializing and meeting new people. There are many stories of widows or widowers and other singles who met their soul mates at halls, or even in online bingo chat rooms!

It is also a great way for lonely people to meet new friends and to get out of the house. They can relax and interact with people who share the same passions and interests as them.

The last, but surely one of the greatest reasons people play, is winning. Bingo players love winning money and various prizes. Bingo players say that winning is an exhilarating feeling and that they will keep going back to get more of that winning feeling!

Thus to have a long, fulfilled life, bingo players should ensure they play bingo regularly!

First starting out in France in the 1700’s, blackjack has come along way and is, perhaps, the most popular game of chance. With the advancement of technology, however, blackjack is not only popular in casinos, but online blackjack is one of the most popular forms of online entertainment. The individual that does not play blackjack is often the individual who simply does not know how to play. The fact is blackjack is one of the simplest games to play.

The goal of blackjack is to get the total points of 21 in the hand of cards you are dealt. The most important blackjack rule is to not go over 21 points. If this happens, you bust, or in other words, lose the hand. You must also remember that in this game, unlike many other games, your opponent is not the other players sitting at the table. Your opponent is the dealer and only the dealer.

Play begins with all of the players receiving two cards, both face down. The dealer, of course, deals in clockwise. The dealer then will receive two cards; however, one of the dealers will be dealt face-up. This is called the up card. This blackjack rule will vary according to the amount of decks being used, as well as vary from casino to casino. All of the face cards (Kings, Queens, and Jacks) are worth 10 points, the Ace is worth 1 or 11 points (whichever works best for the player), and all of the remaining cards are worth their face value in points.

In this original hand, if a player receives the first two cards and they are an Ace and either a 10 or a face card, the player automatically wins and the payout is 3 -2. This is called a natural or blackjack. If the dealer has the same hand as the player, however, there is a standoff. If only the dealer gets blackjack, he or she wins all of the player’s bets as is.

The following are some blackjack terms you should know when playing the game. Again, it is important to remember that a blackjack rules can vary from casino to casino.

Choosing To Hit or Stand

If you want to get a higher total, you will want to take another card from the dealer. The correct terminology is to hit or draw another card. For example, if you were to receive an original hand of a 4 and a 5, you would have a total of 9. You would want to “hit” the hand and even if you received a face card, you would not go over 21, otherwise called bust.

If on the other hand, both cards you receive are face cards, totally 20, you’ll want to “stand” or in other words, not take anymore cards and stick to your original hand. If you take a hit and you bust, your bet is lost.

The dealer, when choosing to hit or stand, has to draw when his cards total is less than 16. The dealer has to stand when he has 17, or more. However, this blackjack rule varies, as in some casinos, the dealer has to draw on a soft 17.

Splitting Pairs

When a players first two cards are a pair, the player has the choice to split them up and have two separate hands. The player will bet the same on each hand and play each separately. If the player has a pair of Aces, after they split the hand, if they get a 10 or face card, it only counts as 21 points, not as blackjack.

Double Down

With double down, a player has the choice to double his bet on the original hand and take only one more card to improve the original hand.

Insurance

When the dealer’s up car dealt is an Ace, the player has the option to take insurance. This is a bet that is only half of the original bet the player placed. If the dealer gets a blackjack (by having a face card or 10 facing down), the player would win the game with a 2-1 payout. If it is not blackjack, the dealer wins.

Surrender

While this blackjack rule is not permitted everywhere, the player, when the original hand is dealt, may choose to give up the hand and instead of losing the whole bet, the player would only lose the half of it.

Hard Hand

A hard hand is considered a hand without an Ace in it. For example, if you have a hand of a 10 and a 9, your hand is considered to be a hard 19.

Soft Hand

A soft hand, on the other hand, is a hand with an Ace. If you have a hand with an Ace and a 9, it is considered to be a soft hand. If you were to draw a 10 in your next card, you still would not go bust. However, your hand would then be considered a hard 20.

When you visit a casino, you’ll often find there are many blackjack tables to join. The game of blackjack, due to its popularity, is often the most sought after game, so you’ll find more tables of blackjack then any other game in the casino. To help you choose a table to join, you’ll often find a sign that states the minimum bet at the table, as well as any variations of a blackjack rule.

Blackjack Online

When playing blackjack online, the major difference is that you are playing against a virtual dealer. The rules are generally the same as casino blackjack and the cards are dealt using a Random Number Generator to make sure the hands are dealt at random.

Ah, bluffing. When you get it right, you feel like a master strategist; when you get it wrong, you feel like a doofus. Bluffing is lying, to put it plainly. To be more specific, bluffing is lying about the strength or weakness of your hand. There is a common school of poker strategy that teaches to play every good hand as if it were a bad one and every bad hand as if it were a good one. Now while that may be a bit too simplistic to be applied across the board, it speaks to a sound underlying principle — you can win with a good hand and you can win with a bad one; it’s all in how you play.

If you’re playing No Limit poker especially you’re going to need to know how to bluff (and as a bonus consequence, how to tell when others are bluffing). Bluffing is generally more effective in No Limit poker than in Limit poker because in Limit poker, you can only raise so much at once, and you can only raise so many times in each round of betting.

A player in a Limit poker game is much more inclined to call a bet or a raise with a mediocre hand than a player in a No Limit game, and the main reason why is the size of the bet or raise. In No Limit poker, you can call “All In” at any of your turns and set the whole table on tilt. There’s just no equivalent in Limit play.

Now to extend the conversation on bluffing to the online poker arena, there are far fewer methods of bluffing online than there are offline. The main way to bluff online is to place a humongous bet or raise (when your hand doesn’t merit it, of course). You can try a bit of “coffeehousing” or blustering over the chat window, but if your opponents aren’t reading the chat window (or have that feature turned off) you’re wasting your time.

One way to heighten the impact of a bluff is to do it quickly and confidently. Though they can’t see your face while you’re doing it, like they could if you really were sitting across the table from them, but they can gauge how long it took you to come up with this maneuver based on how look it took you to execute it.

You’ll find 3 basic types of bluffs at the poker table, online or off:

The Stone Cold Bluff: Betting a huge amount right away with lousy cards; the choicest time to pull this is when you’re the last player to act in that round of betting and not much action has happened yet;

The Semi-Bluff: Betting on a potentially winning hand that for now is worthless (such as four cards to a straight or a flush); it’s considered a bluff because it’s currently a garbage hand, but since it could turn into “the nuts” or the best hand possible at that time, it’s considered to be only a semi-bluff;

Representing the Flop: Bluffing in two parts – first, raise a small amount in the initial round of betting, making folks think you have the beginnings of an excellent hand, though it seems clear you need to pull something useful on the flop to make it happen; in this round, you raise just enough to get the majority of players at the table to fold. After the flop, then, go ahead and bet a ton (maybe even going so far as to go All-In) suggesting that you just pulled whatever cards you needed on the flop.

It takes nerves of steel to pull off a good bluff, but it takes even more than that to fold when you believe your opponent is bluffing. If your hand is weak, especially, then no matter how convinced you are that your opponent is trying to pull one over on you, you still want to walk away and save your chips for another hand. If you don’t think you can win this round with the cards you’ve got, then by all means you can try bluffing. But if you sense you’re being bluffed, make sure you can beat it before you go ahead and call it.