Online Casino Score

There is a great deal of controversy regarding how to handle skilled gamblers (card-counters), especially those playing Blackjack. In many cases the debate is based on lack of knowledge of the game or misconceptions by the surveillance, security and pit management departments. Depending on casino policy and the casino personnel, these opinionated differences can lead to liabilities.

Casino Policy

All casinos should have some type of policy on how to handle skilled players. This is commonly decided by upper casino management and verified by the legal counsel. The result of this collaboration is specific procedures that confirm how to handle players of high skill that are less than desirable customers.

Liabilities

Skilled Blackjack players do not hugely affect the casino’s bottom line. Instead they are a liability when practicing fraud by using false names. Another liability is that these players are using card counting methods which can be discovered through their betting and playing patterns.

Single card counters can easily be detected by surveillance and/or security. As a result, their income is minimal. On the other hand, card counting groups that risk little money and place large wagers when the cards are favorable can impact the pit income greatly when allowed to operate for an extended period of time.

The biggest liability is the actual lack of policy for handling these players. Without a procedure, the casino staff can mishandle patrons resulting in terrible public relations with potential customers. Also, this type of behavior often leads to lawsuits against the casino because they are treating players like criminals.

Why a Policy is Important

A detailed policy must be implemented prior to the opening of a casino to avoid these situations. There are too many areas where public relations can greatly diminish as well as legal battles can ensue as a result of improper customer relations. There is so much potential for liabilities within the casino business. Some are easily noticeable while others are hidden.

It is a shame when situations such as the previous go overlooked and the casino must engage in legal battles and poor press when it could have simply been avoided with policy and procedure. Once a policy is in place, security, surveillance, management and floor personnel will develop a better understanding as to how to manage these individuals and save the casino from the trouble and hassle of negative results.

Surprisingly, online roulette has many variants, each offering a different house edge. As a result, game selection is extremely important. House edge is calculated by the total amount going to the casino for each $100 wagered. To maximize your profits, it is important to select the roulette variant with the lowest house edge.

There are two variants that should be avoided altogether. These include:

• Mini Roulette
• American Roulette

Mini Roulette contains the numbers 1 through 12 and 0. The rules are the same in that all bets lose if the ball falls on 0, except those that wagered on 0. Since there are less numbers on the board, 0 will occur much more frequently resulting in a high house edge of 7.69 percent. Since the edge is even higher than slots, it is a mistake to wager on this variant of Roulette.

American Roulette is a popular variant of the game. The board contains 38 total numbers: 1-36, 0 and 00. Once again all bets automatically lose if 0 or 00 is called, other than those that wagered on 0 or 00. Consequently, the house edge is 5.26 percent, which is also higher than the other variant of Roulette as well as most slot games.

There are two variants that will maximize profits and should be played including:

• European Roulette
• French Roulette

Although not offering the lowest house edge, the most popular form of the game is European Roulette. There are 37 total numbers, 1 through 36 and 0. Again, all bets lose if 0 is called, except those that bet on 0. This is a better game option because there are more numbers and only one that is an automatic loss. Also, the house edge is only 2.57 percent, a considerable improvement over slots and the other two Roulette variants.

French Roulette follows the same structure as European Roulette except one rule: La Partage. If 0 is called, half of all wages not placed on 0 are returned as opposed to an automatic loss. Therefore, the house edge is only 1.35 percent. The only issue is that French Roulette is not offered at many online or land-based casinos.

When searching for a Roulette game, it is advantageous to select French Roulette. If unavailable, the next best variant for maximizing your winnings is European Roulette. Try to avoid American and Mini Roulette games as the house edge is much too high.

There are a number of variants of video poker games found at both online and land-based casinos. For a new player, this can be a difficult choice. Also, beginners will need to find a game appropriate for their skill level.

Luckily, there are a few tips for novice video poker players. These pointers include:

• Avoid multi-hand games
• Choose the most basic variant
• Research different online casinos

Online casinos make these tasks much easier for new players. The video poker games are usually divided into two categories; single hands and multi-hand games.  Single hand games are just that, one hand per session. Conversely multi-hand games can range from 4 to 100 simultaneous hands. An increased number of hands equates to faster-paced game play and a more interesting experience. Ideally, new players should begin with single hand games until they feel comfortable.

Since there are so many different types of video poker games available, it is important to choose the most basic variant which is Jacks or Better. This is because the play is simpler than other versions and the strategy is easier to learn. Other types add new elements that improve variety, but might be confusing to a new player. Additional variants include; the addition of wild cards, Deuces Wild and Aces and Faces.

Most online casinos offer video poker with the Jacks or Better variant. However, does one software provider have an easier Jacks or Better game than another? The rules and payout will be the same, there is a single feature found in some casinos that make the game play much easier; when a player has a winning hand combination the software automatically marks them as “Hold”. This feature prevents new players from throwing away a winning hand.

As a result, new players should conduct research to find online casinos that offer this feature. It can easily be found by perusing different casinos and even emailing the support desk so you do not have to sign up at multiple sites to find this beneficial feature.

New players to video poker should not be disheartened by finding the simplest version of video poker. Instead, look at it as making an informed choice as a customer and saving your hard earned money from placing wagers on complicated games. By practicing and following the previously mentioned tips, you will be able to advance to different versions quickly.

There are 16 cards in a standard 52-card deck including tens, jacks, queens and kings. As a result, any player has a 31 percent chance of being dealt one of these cards. On the other hand, all other cards only have less than an 8 percent chance of being dealt. Therefore, this emphasizes the significance of hand value 10 in the game of Blackjack.

Due to this high chance of receiving one of these 16 cards, a strategy can be formulated. The following simple strategy is not as good as analyzing and utilizing data from computer simulations to formulate strategies. However, this helps the player understand the significance of value 10 cards in Blackjack and can assist with creating a solid strategy for when the value 10 card is not present.

There are only two options for this simple strategy. These include:

• Stay
• Hit

All other situations can be added later to create a much more complicated strategy but we will focus on the simple approach for the time being. This strategy is based on the postulation that the next card distributed to either the player or dealer will be of 10 value. Since almost one-third of all cards hold a value of 10 in the game of Blackjack, this is a reasonable hypothesis. If your total hand value equals 11 or less, then you must hit as exceeding 21 is impossible, even with a 10.

If your hand value from the first two cards equals 12 or more, the best action to take is stay. Since 31 percent of all cards are valued at 10, it is likely you may bust. However, this is based on the dealer’s face-up card. If between 2 and 6, it is likely they will have to draw another card. Chances are the hand is a 12 or 16 which means the dealer must draw. If the card is a 10, the dealer will bust and you win.

If the dealer’s card is between 7 and 11, with a 10 face-down they could have 17 to 21. Therefore, it is pointless to stay on a 12 to 16. It is best to take the chance and hit for one additional card. If the hand is 17 or higher, it is competitive and best to stay.

For committed Blackjack players, using this strategy can be an improvement in edge for the player by up to 1 percent. This may seem little, but in the long-run it is quite a significant advantage.

There are multiple games available online that offers only a small house edge which in-turn maximizes your winnings over the long run when playing correctly. Wheel of Fortune is not one of those games. Although it is a fun and exciting game with excellent audio and visuals, the house makes big bucks from their edge.

The wheel is comprised of 54 slots, each containing a symbol which indicates the winner if the wheel falls on that symbol. Most wheels contain seven different symbols with the following;

• $1
• $2
• $5
• $10
• $20
• Joker
• Casino logo

In an online Wheel of Fortune game there are boxes to select the specific symbol you would like to place a wager (online casino interfaces vary). The dollar amounts indicate the monetary value9 you will win if the wheel lands on that slot. The rules of Wheel of Fortune are simple; you place your bet on the symbol (dollar amount) you would like to wager on and the dealer spins the wheel. Wherever it stops, the house pays out according to that dollar amount.

The average payout of hitting the Joker symbol is 40-to-1. This may appear to be a great return on a $1 investment. Unfortunately the odds of hitting are terrible since there is only a single Joker on the wheel. Therefore the odds are 53-to-1 to hit with the casino paying out 40-to-1. The house edge in Wheel of Fortune is 11 to 24 percent.  Some casinos offer a payout of 45-to-1 to hit the Joker symbol. This lowers the house edge a bit but it remains extremely high.

Next time you visit a land-based casino, take notice of how the Wheel of Fortune games are placed near the exit. Since this is a terrible way to make money because of the exorbitant house edge, casinos figure players will make one final Hail-Mary of a wager as they leave, hoping to recoup some of their losses. Usually this ends in even more of a monetary loss.

Although fun and exciting, the casino version of Wheel of Fortune is nothing like the game show. The odds are greatly against the player with poor payouts. Many visitors play this game for a short time due to never winning and losing a large chunk of their bankroll. A word to the wise, try to steer clear of this one unless you want some quick thrills with no payout.

Video poker is an extremely popular casino game because of the payouts. Some pay a return of over 100 percent while others pay close to 100 percent. When playing correct poker, over the long run, Video Poker has the potential to be profitable to many players. However, a few simple mistakes can take away the slight advantage you may have. Therefore it is vital to utilize strategy and play hands correctly throughout the course of each session.

Each video poker game has its own strategy in order to be successful. At a casino or online, it is beneficial to utilize a strategy card. It is similar to a cheat sheet, displaying the correct method of play for each hand. Utilizing this card will help you maximize your return. Practice at a play money table in an online casino using the strategy card prior to entering into a live game.

Once prepared for a live game, head to a real-money game with your strategy card. While utilizing the card, the main tactic to implement is the basic strategy. This is primarily used by beginners but is relevant to all players. The basic strategy can be used for three common Video Poker games including:

• Jacks or Better
• Deuces Wild
• Double Bonus Poker

The strategy is based on the odds given on the chart. To use it, simply glance at the hand you are dealt. Next start from the top of the strategy chart and move down the list until you reach your hand. The hand nearest the top is the correct hand to play. Many charts come color-coded to make it easy to find the correct hand. Also, lower-case letters such as “s” indicate cards of the same suit. For example, QJs indicates Queen-Jack suited (of any suit).

Strategy cards are an invaluable tool in Video Poker. They can give you an edge which results in maximized profits with the correct playing technique. It is always beneficial to have handy at a casino or at an online casino in the case there is a hand which you do not know how to play.

Video Poker can be a simple game if you are familiar with the rules and hand-rankings in poker. Strategy cards will help you a considerable amount. There are other Video Poker strategies available, but for beginners, focus on the basic strategy. Once mastered, move on to the advanced strategy which is more complicated but can slightly further improve your edge.

Baccarat is an extremely popular game across the globe. Due to the exciting action and its simple rules, Baccarat is now being offered to customers at online gaming sites. Since it’s a card game, it’s difficult to trace back to the exact origin. There are many different versions depending on the country where it’s played. The first card game was invented approximately 2000 years ago in Asia.

In the 14^th century, crusaders brought back various card games to Europe from Asia. At this time, the first printed deck of cards was developed. Christopher Columbus is generally credited with bringing card games to the Americas. The suites were actually created to represent the feudal classes in society.

Like the suites, face cards also had significance. During one period, the faces on the cards were those of Kings, Queens and Soldiers. Some famous figures include:

• Charlemagne
• Alexander the Great
• Julius Caesar
• King David

Famous queens that were placed on cars include:

• Helen of Troy
• Joan of Arc
• Athena
• Rachel

Jacks represented famous knights:

• Roland
• Etienne de Vignoles
• Sir Lancelot
• Hodgier Le Danois

It is thought that around 1492 the game of Baccarat came to fruition in Italy. The original game was based on the Nine Gods, an ancient Roman tradition. As the story goes, 2000 years ago in Rome nine Gods were praying at the base of a virgin. The virgin threw a nine-sided die.

She needed to roll an eight or nine to be crowned as priestess. Rolling a six or seven meant she would lose her status. Anything less than that, she would walk into the sea. Baccarat uses these same numbers for specific actions and to claim a victor.

The first name associated with Baccarat is difficult to pinpoint due to the variations in the game across different European countries. In France, the game was originally outlawed in casinos since royalty felt they only had a right to play. This version migrated to South America, then north to Cuba. Around 1958, the game traveled to the Sands Casino in Las Vegas which is where it made its big American debut.

Currently Baccarat is offered in almost every casino in the world and many online. Although there are two primary versions (French and American), the rules are fairly similar. The game of Baccarat is quite diverse so it can be played at low limits or in the high roller room.

Like many games, it’s difficult to pinpoint the origin of Keno. There are several different stories of its derivation. The most popular version among scholars is that it originated in ancient China. It’s rumored that during the Han Dynasty, Cheung Leung invented the game in 200 B.C. as a method of raising money during times of war when supplies were rationed. The game raised necessary money and food to support the army.

Keno Migration in China

As a result Keno became popular and spread through China. It has also been theorized that Keno helped raise money to build the Great Wall of China. The game even migrated onto the battlefield. With the help of pigeons, betting numbers and winnings were passed around to various players on the battlefield from different cities. Due to this evolution, the game became known as the White Pigeon Game.

Supporting Theories

Various ancient poems have stated that Keno derived from China. Despite being a betting activity, game helped children learn Chinese letters, numbers and other characters. The Keno boards in Chinese establishments continue to use the old language characters but have decreased the number from 120 to 80.

Migration out of China

With the invention of the railroad, Chinese labor was greatly utilized to help construct such a massive undertaking. With new connections via railroad to major cities around the world, Keno spread to other areas of Asia and into different continents. At this point, gambling became illegal in China. Those who were participants either took it underground or moved out of the country.

It has been theorized that because of gambling becoming illegal, many immigrants transported the game to San Francisco during the gold rush and building of railroads. Even today, there are remnants of traditional Keno. For instance, in the Chinatown district, there’s a popular lottery game mirrored from Keno.

Unfortunately during the 1800’s, the game wasn’t taken as seriously as today. Within the past 20 years, casinos have started offering the game. Almost every gaming establishment on the Las Vegas strip provides some form of Keno. In casinos today, the characters are replaced with numbers to appeal to a larger crowd. Depending on the property, there are different strategies and house edges.

Keno has survived wars, famine, depressions and rebirth over thousands of years. During this time, it has also evolved into the popular game we see today. Will it last another thousand years as it is now? Only time will tell.

There are many decisions to make in Caribbean Stud Poker with the most important whether to call or fold. There are many hands which require specific actions to be successful. The process begins with the player placing an ante bet. Then, they are dealt five cards while the dealer receives one face-up. This is the most critical decision in the game. The player can fold and relinquish the ante bet or call and risk twice the ante.

In many circumstances, the decision is simple and obvious. If the player holds a high ranking hand, they must call regardless of the dealer’s face-up card. High ranking hands include:

• Two pairs
• Three of a kind
• Straight
• Flush
• Full house
• Four of a kind
• Straight flush
• Royal flush

On the other hand, there are some hands that can be immediately folded. For instance, if the player’s hand doesn’t qualify with the dealer’s (contain an Ace or King). In this circumstance, the player would lose both their ante and bet if the dealer’s hand qualified for play.

The most common hand in poker is a pair which is dealt approximately 40 percent of the time. Over the long term, when the rank of the player’s pair is greater than that of the dealer’s open card, the player will win more times than they lose. As a result, calling and risking a single bet is the most logical action to take.

Over the long term, when the pair is less than the dealer’s open card the player will lose more times than they win. If no ante was wagered, the correct move is to fold the pair. When an ante bet is present, instead of folding it’s correct to call so as to not lose the bet.

The subjective hands are those that contain an Ace or King but with no poker hand ranking. In these instances, the third highest card in their hand becomes vital to correct game play. If the third highest card is a Queen or Jack, the correct move is to call. If the dealer’s hand qualifies but isn’t ranked, the player’s AKQ will beat AKJ or less.

If the player’s third card is less than a Jack, the dealer’s open card is the deciding factor. The play here is to call only if the dealer’s face card matches any one of the player’s cards as it reduces the probability of the dealer having a pair.

Once these ideas are mastered, you’ll have an edge in Caribbean Poker. The most difficult part of poker games is the subjectivity involved. Whether to call or fold is a difficult decision in many cases and requires a systematic approach.

Red dog is not as well known of a game as casino staples like blackjack, Texas hold’em or 5 card draw. Like those three, it is a card-based game generally found online. Many internet gaming sites offer Red Dog, usually in the table games section. The rules are fairly simple as the same poker rankings apply to the game.

Red dog has two main differences from regular poker. These include:

• Suit has no relevance
• Aces are always the highest hand

The action begins with the player making a bet prior to the dealer distributing two cards face up. If the cards show consecutive values then it’s a push. If the cards are of equal ranking, a third card is dealt. If the third card equals the other two, the player wins and receives a payout of 11 to 1, if not the hand is a push.

The game becomes interesting when the two cards are not consecutive or equal. The dealer publicizes the numeric difference between the two cards. The player can bet the amount up to the original wager then the final card is dealt. If it falls between the value of the first two cards, the player wins; if not they lose. The payout is as follows: spread equals 1 payout is 5 to 1; spread equals 2 payout is 4 to 1; spread equals 3 payout is 2 to 1 and spread is 4 or more payout is 1 to 1.

The house edge for Red Dog is 2.75% which is comparable to European Roulette and far less than slots. If visitors wager on European Roulette, they should have no reservations placing bets with this game. Red Dog is much easier to learn than other casino games. Due to this simplicity players may quickly lose interest. At the same time, it’s an extremely fast paced game. If beginners know how to play poker, they should have an easy time learning Red Dog.

Red Dog is a fairly new and exotic form of poker. Its simple rules and fast paced game play make it a perfect game for beginners and those looking to wager on new contests. An increasing number of casinos are offering this game as its popularity continues to rise. Although it will never replace the standard casinos games, it is a nice addition to the repertoire of any online gaming casino.