Category: Gambling and Casinos

No matter which poker book you read or which top pro advises you, there is a resounding communal opinion that when you are playing poker, actually watching the play and concentrating on the action at hand is a key part of winning.

While card rooms have a number of elements that could take away from the focus of the players, such as sporting events on TV or the appearance of attractive drink servers, there are relatively few distractions possible compared to what many online players face at home. Family members and friends about the house are usually not nearly as concerned about the game and can often be disrupting with conversation. Events like dinner, unexpected guests and phone calls can all prove to be very damaging to your poker results.

Even when the household is otherwise empty, we are often tempted to use poker playing time to simultaneously catch up on e-mail, reading or household chores. Most of us live a fairly fast-paced lifestyle which does not allows for as nearly as much free time as we would like. In order to compensate for our lack of fun time we often start multi-tasking and combining activities. While watching TV and folding the laundry may not be too detrimental to your daily living, playing poker and doing household chores can be devastating! More than a few loosing sessions have occurred in the matter of moments leading from a few missed bets or unwise calls that could have been avoided.

It’s hard enough to consistently beat the game of poker even when all the other circumstances are favorable (adequate bank roll, playing time, weak opponents), so any distractions, no matter how small, can prove to be the difference between winning and losing. It takes a lot discipline to become a winning player and a good players focus needs to be taken further than simply playing patient and folding weak hands.

Most beginners arrive at the casino slots with a multitude of misunderstandings in mind. The main one is the way in which a slot should be chosen. Sure, they all slots differ in terms of symbols, style and jackpot amounts, and this is what makes them attractive. And so, this is usually what dictates to a beginner which machine to choose. However, this is a major mistake. I shall save you from making that mistake right now!

The first consideration for any slot when you start out is the type of machine you are going to use. Understanding the different types available means that you don’t make any mistaken bets such as over priced coin limits, accidental max bets and so on. Knowing your machine is half the battle won, the rest is up to chance. You should choose your slot by type first. Then think about the flashy bits.

First up; the progressive jackpot. This is a slot which changes its jackpot payout in accordance with the amount it is played. This does not affect when the payout occurs, but does up the amount that can be won. The progressive slot offers the big money. Every time someone plays it the jackpot amount grows. When it is won, it resets; simple. However, don’t be fooled; the progressive jackpot amount can only be won if the player has opted for the maximum possible bet. Otherwise, the player wins a set amount and the progressive jackpot continues.

Next; the multi-spin slot. This is for hardcore slot players who want fast action and are willing to play big! These slots have several reels which can be held whilst the remaining slots are spun. An auto hold function is usually used as standard, though the computerised selection can be removed easily if wanted. Bear in mind though that the auto function holds the best reels for you! The multi-spin slots have more payout combinations, so get your teeth around them before you start.

And finally? Multi-line slots. These are made up of, as the name states, multiple lines which can each show a winning combination. However, only the activated lines will pay so make sure you bet correctly. Sometimes there are special symbols that do not have to be on the activated payline. These will create a bonus round or free spin, so look out for these on slots to get better value.

Once you have decided the type of slot that would be most fun and the best for you to play, then take a look at the themes. You can now take notice of the flashing lights and picture symbols, and safe in the knowledge that you’ve made the best possible decision.

Turn the channel to any high-stakes poker event, and chances are high that you’ll see at least one Hollywood celebrity in the thick of the action. With flexible schedules and larger-than-average bankrolls, celebrities have both the time and inclination to hone their poker playing skills in tournaments around the world. Some, of course, never rise above the rank of amateur, but others go on to become familiar faces in the world of poker. What follows is a list of ten of the best celebrity poker players in the world (listed in no particular order).

Ben Affleck – It’s hard to argue Affleck’s status as one of the best celebrity poker players in the world after he won the California State Poker Championship in June of 2004 (where he won $356,400). When he’s not acting in movies such as Daredevil or Armageddon, Affleck collects vintage video-arcade machines and has been known to take poker lessons from pros like Amir Vahedi and Annie Duke. His win at the California Championship also qualified him for a seat at the 2004 World Poker Tour final tournament.

Patrick Bruel – Patrick Bruel is a well-known French singer and actor, having performed in over 40 television and film productions and recorded numerous top-selling albums. He also happens to be a world-class poker player. So while he may go unrecognized by American movie audiences, poker players from around the world will instantly recognize his face. Why? Well, in 1998 Patrick picked up a World Series of Poker bracelet for winning the 1998 $5000 Limit Hold’em event. He has also placed in the money numerous times in WSOP events, and earned over $750,000 in live play events.

Jennifer Tilly – This Oscar-nominated actress has starred in such hits as The Fabulous Baker Boys and Bullets Over Broadway. However, she has publicly stated that she’s becoming more interested in poker than acting. One look at her accomplishments in the poker world and it’s easy to see why. In June of 2005, Tilly outlasted 600 other players and won her first World Series of Poker bracelet (and $158,625) in the Ladies’ No-Limit Hold’em event, becoming the first celebrity to do so. She has also won the World Poker Tour Ladies Invitational Tournament and competed in Poker Royale, Poker Superstars, and Celebrity Poker Showdown.

Josh Malina – With acting credits such as Sports Night and The West Wing, Malina is a respected actor of both the stage and screen. He is also an avid poker player. In fact, when he was struggling to get his career off the ground, he would often play poker in order to have enough money to pay his rent. Now that he’s financially secure, Malina is spreading his love of poker by producing Bravo’s Celebrity Poker Showdown.

Matt Damon – After starring in the poker film Rounders, you might expect the world-famous Damon to know his way around a deck of cards. He’s a regular entrant in the annual World Series of Poker, and his most interesting WSOP story occurred back in 1998. Miramax Studios entered both he and Edward Norton in the WSOP Main Event ($10,000 buy-in) to promote the upcoming Rounders. Damon played well, but he was eliminated on the first day by poker legend Doyle Brunson after Damon’s pocket kings failed to beat Brunson’s pocket aces.

Tobey Maguire – In October of 2004, the star of the Spider-Man franchise demonstrated his poker skills by winning the first-ever Phil Hellmuth Invitational Poker Tournament. He also picked up $95,480 for the win, causing Andy Bellin to remark to Phil Hellmuth, “This kid could be a legitimate pro.” He has finished in the money in several other events and has received lessons from poker pro Daniel Negreanu. And keep in mind that he’s only been playing seriously since 2004.

James Woods – Having starred in movies such as Salvador and Another Day in Paradise, James Woods is one of America’s most respected actors. And not only is he a familiar face in poker rooms across the country, he’s also the face of a new poker site. Their selling point is that players have a chance to match poker wits with top stars like Woods. Not that matching wits with Woods is a good idea, considering he has a 180 I.Q. In 2006, Woods finished in 24th place out of 692 at the L.A. Poker Classic for $40,000.

Mimi Rogers – When she’s not starring in hits like Lost in Space and Austin Powers, Mimi Rogers moonlights as a pretty darn good poker player. Tom Cruise’s ex-wife took first place on an episode of Hollywood Home Game, and also finished in the money during the World Poker Tour’s Shooting Star Championship.

Wil Wheaton – One of the stars of Stand by Me and Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wheaton plays in big-money games in Los Angeles all the time, is a frequent participant in online poker rooms, and was even invited to play in the World Poker Tour Championship. He is also a member of Team PokerStars and played in the 2005 World Series of Poker.

Gabe Kaplan – Best known for his role on Welcome Back Kotter, Gabe Kaplan is such an accomplished poker player that most no longer regard him as a “celebrity” player. His first World Series of Poker appearance came in 1978. In 2004, he finished third at the World Poker Tour’s No Limit Hold’em event, winning more than $250,000 in the process. He has also taken second place in the World Series of Poker Limit Hold’em event. His career tournament poker earnings exceed $680,000. He also serves as an expert poker commentator, having appeared on such shows as the National Heads-Up Poker Championship, Intercontinental Poker Championship, and High Stakes Poker.

If you have an access to a computer and Internet, you can gamble even sitting at your office or at home. So, now gambling is not a bet or a deck of cards, which we used to venture but consisting of hi-tech devices and a click of a button. Currently, the most modern form of gaming is through WAP enabled mobile phones allowing you to gamble even while traveling to your office or anywhere. This innovative gaming is a beneficial industrial segment in its own signification and it is spreading the entire world.

To set up online gambling, you need to download the game from net or take up versions that you can play without downloading. Now through online gaming each and every game which we play in a casino is available. Moreover, more outstanding casino games are there especially for cyber players. Online gambling permits you to play with or without real money. Winning real money is possible in online gaming. Meant for this, first of all you will have to stipulate an account with a fixed amount of money or buy counters through credit card. Online casino will credit your prize money to your online account or through online money transfer in the similar way.

Online gambling compared to conventional one offers better profit and prizes. As you can even play without real money people who are not known with the nuance of the game can familiarize and improve them, which is not in traditional gambling. You can clarify all your queries concerning the site, the rules of game, or any pending prizes through customer helpline number. This option confirms that the gaming site is good and reputed one.

Your system may be infected with virus while downloading software. Since nobody is legally responsible for it you will not even get any of your guarantee prize money. A reputed online casino will not do such a thing since it will affect the goodwill. Still, you may fall prey to those who are for a few quick bucks in this field. Hence, only visit sites that are trusted and genuine one which your friends or colleagues referred. Also collect information from net or from friends about the site. Also check the license issued by a government body which confirms its authorization.

Before signing up for online gambling you should read terms and conditions carefully. Make sure about the security measures before giving important personal information. Besides, as gambling is not legal in many countries make sure that the gambling portal that you are using is official. Be cautious, as this gaming may direct you to gambling round the clock since getting
infatuated. While doing electronic transaction which will levy a charge, you may not even understand your actual loss comparing with cash transaction.

You should only advance, keeping your individual requirement in mind since you understood either forms of gambling. Now what you want to do? Making big money along with practicing the ambience of a casino or just a time killing one, among from you has to choose.