Search Results

Crooked punters

August 8th, 2010 by Carl

Inside all casinos are crooked punters. This is not confined to casinos of course but reflects life in general. Where there are avenues to get your hands on money or places where money is available then scam artists will frequent these places.

Whether it is poker cheats inside a card room, slot machine cheats trying to rig a machine inside an arcade or cheats inside a casino…..they exist and not only that…..they also approach staff who they think are potential targets to help them in their dirty work.

I know this for a fact because I was approached not once but numerous times when I worked in gaming. Many of the punters knew where staff used to hang out after work or before work or even on off days. This could be local 24 hour Snooker clubs or nightclubs…..they knew where we were.

I remember one punter who approached me to take out some sort of loan that he could arrange for me for £50,000. I forget what type of loan it was and this is going back 13 years so the details are very vague in my memory. But he claimed that this loan debt would be written off if I lost my job and that we could then spilt the money.

I never trusted this guy anyway at the roulette tables so I was never going to trust him here. It was academic anyway as there is no way that I would ever get involved with something of this nature. I should have reported it but he had become sort of like a friend so I didn’t like to do that. It was only later that I realised that the “friendship” thing was more than likely manipulated by him for this purpose.

Fruit machine secrets??

August 7th, 2010 by Carl

In England, slots are often called “Fruit Machines” which is a reference to the different types of fruit that were seen on the reels (or at least this is where I think the reference comes from).

I recall an instance back when I was in gaming where a Chinese punter would often take down the jackpot and I watched him once do this on all four machines simultaneously in the space of about an hour. That to me defied the laws of probablility and the jackpot on those machines was £250 at the time (since risen to £1000).

So he took £1000 in £1 coins to cash desk and I can still picture the scene of our cashier counting them all out even now. I have always been aware that there are techniques to beat slot machines even though the slot machine companies try to keep this under wraps. I think that this principle is the same as poker in that the people who really know the truth simply do not tell.

In fact this is more so than in poker, you can be a good coach without it affecting your long term income in poker. But to divulge the secret of how to get the better of slot machines would be very counter productive as the slot machine companies would quickly eradicate the problem area. This also knocks on to information that you pay for as well. The spies from these companies will be out there and will quickly identify any system that works and then adjust their machines to counter this.

So the fact of the matter is that I do not know how to beat slot machines and if I did know then I wouldn’t tell. The only reason why someone who knew would tell would be to do with how much you could expect to make as an hourly rate and if that did not compare to doing something else that paid more then there would be milage in selling the information in that instance.

Online Casino Slots Strategy

June 8th, 2010 by bwin Casino Blog

When players set out to play slot machines at an online casino they will want to make sure they have a good slots strategy so they can increase their chances of having a good time and winning. While it may be true that slot games are more about luck, there are some things players can do which will help them to have better chances. The decision a player makes about the online casino they choose to play at will be their most important decision regarding slots strategy.

Players should find an online casino with a high payout percentage, this slots strategy will not want to be overlooked. One of the nice things about online slot machines is the fact that players do have the ability to compare those percentages. While selecting an online casino with higher payout percentages does not guarantee they will win a certain amount, it will be a good slots strategy that will definitely take them in the right direction. A good payout percentage is considered to be one of 95.6% or higher. However, an online casino claiming a payout percentage of 99.99% is more than likely stating so as an advertisement stunt. A good slots strategy will always start with smart decisions.

The next step players will want to take which is a good slots strategy is to choose an online casino powered by reliable and stable software. The software will be what determines the security of the games, the graphics, and the other features which players will count on to provide them with the ultimate slots play. By choosing wisely, players will be able to count on this software to run error free and payout those wins. There is a lot of useful content online which will help players to spot the good software.
Another good online casino slots strategy is for players to start off with a good money management system. They should make a budget for themselves and set aside a certain amount of money they can afford to lose; this will be the money they will play with. It’s important for players to stay disciplined and stick to their budget. Since each online casino will offer different denominations in their slot machines, this part of a player’s slots strategy will be easy as well. They will be able to play slot games that easily fit into their bankroll.

Perhaps the most important part of a player’s slots strategy when it comes to playing at an online casino will be to focus on the fun. This may sound a bit out there, but a major reason for playing slot machines should be to have a good time. Players won’t want to spend time on the slots when they are irritated and the game is making it worse. An online casino is there all day and night, so players should enjoy the experience and take a break when it starts to get to them. Having fun is the best way to approach any type of online gambling.

Different Types of Online Slots

May 28th, 2010 by chris

As time goes by more and more innovations are made in the gambling world, particularly in regards to one of the classic symbols of any casino: the slot machine. Having originally been created with a simple 3-wheel design modern machines have taken slots to a whole new level, offering a multitude of betting options and variations to suit the particular style or desire of any customer attracted to their classic allure. While some land-based casinos may be somewhat limited in what they can offer due to machine regulations and restrictions online gambling organizations, on the other hand, offer a wide variety of different game types and play options a few mouse clicks away that may not be available elsewhere.

Aside from the variety of both free and paid for slots one of the most common types of modern-day slots founds in any number of formats is a multi-line machine. These today generally offer up to 25 different payout line combinations with varying wagers and help add a sense of variety to the classic “old school” one-line games. Additionally the flexibility of multi–line machines allows for a number of different sub-games or options to be available as well.

One such type of slot that offers interesting sub-games for players to enjoy is a “free spin” game. These machines offer players the chance to win free spins of the wheel with whatever wager they originally placed when they won the spin, keeping all of the winnings that are earned during those free goes just as if they were paid for. This can allow players to play more and have a higher chance of realizing a return on their investment with a limited bankroll – a much-appreciated gesture by many gamblers who like to play slots casually and simply enjoy the game without spending too much at once.

Both free spin and, of course, multi-line games can also offer what is known as a progressive jackpot. This means that the more the game is played without the big jackpot being given out the higher the jackpot will be. Sometimes this can be only a few hundred dollars if the jackpot was won recently, yet in many cases it can be up in the range of thousands upon thousands of dollars if it has been sometime between successful jackpot wins.

Of course, classic games are available online as well, with many online casinos offering traditional variants of slot machines for more “classic” gamers looking to relive an old feel. Due to the digital nature of online gambling this allows many vendors to actually offer game versions and services that you be unavailable at many land-based casinos that could have removed older games some years ago due to maintenance issues and the need to upgrade equipment. Digital casinos, on the other hand, can easily maintain any number of slot games for a flexible number of players making them the best choice possible for many people looking to track down their old favorite machine and play again something they may not have seen for years.

Slot machine myths

May 11th, 2010 by Carl

There are many myths that surround slot machines but the most famous of myths involves machines that are said to be “hot”. This term is used when a machine has been quiet for a while but it now paying out frequently. The modern slot machines have randomisation algorithms written in almost like random number generators with online poker sites when it comes to poker.

So it is basically an illusion if you see that a certain machine that hasn’t paid out for a while is now doing so with a greater frequency. It is no different to trying to repeat this process but using lottery numbers instead.

If the numbers 44,45 and 46 had not been drawn at all over the space of 50 consecutive draws then this does not mean that those numbers are immediately due. This strange view of randomness is common with many people but random results take unbelievably large sample sizes to even out.

On roulette, each number should arrive once every 37 spins on average. So if a number had not arrived at all in 500 spins then it is not magically due. If the number 2 had appeared 27 times over 1000 spins and the number five had failed to appear then this does not mean that there will be a glut of number fives coming over the next 1000 spins.

The fives should eventually even out with the two’s but that could take hundreds of thousands of spins or even millions before that actually happens……do you want to be wagering money in the meantime on that eventuality?

This is the same with casino slots so don’t become fooled by what is nothing more than randomness.

Top 5 Most Played Casino Games

April 18th, 2010 by chris

All around the world there are countless different ways to gamble, with many different casinos offer a large selection of choices for both casual and professional visitors alike to relax, have a good time and potentially win large sums of money. The most popular games around the world right now for all players, however, are iconic and can be found in virtually every corner of the world in some form or another thanks to their timeless qualities and unerring intrigue.

Slots

The top game of choice to be found at any online casino, slots offer players a quick, easy and fun gambling experience that can potentially pay off greatly from time to time. On top of that, the automated nature of slots means that players are never pressured into an action by their peers and can enjoy their time at the machine as much as they would like without needing to worry about affecting those around them.

Video Poker

Similar to slots in the sense that it is computer-controlled and 100% automated, video poker is one machine-based game that if the right strategy is used in the right game can result in the player actually having over a 100% return on investment over time – something that is virtually unheard of in any gambling establishment.

Craps

One of the major iconic games of the casino world, craps has remained a favorite gambling game for players around the world for over 100 years. Before craps even came about dice games used for gambling date back thousands of years, meaning the modern day craps is but a continuation of a long-standing tradition of gamblers dating back as far as ancient Rome.

Roulette

Along with craps roulette has long been one of the most popular gambling games found in modern-day casinos the world over. Originally designed and first used roughly 200 years ago in France it has been a major attractor for both casual and serious gamblers alike ever since its birth due to its simplicity, excitement and reliance more upon luck than anything else for determining the outcome of a spin – making it an excellent option for many aspiring gamblers to being their career on.

Blackjack

The number one card game the world over, blackjack is another one of the few games available in casinos that can offer skilled players the chance at actually earning more than they lose against the House in the long run – something that is an elusive dream for most gamblers due to the fact that virtually all games found in gambling establishments will never let this occur even on the best of days. Simple, easy to learn and easy to enjoy, blackjack has grown to become not just one classic form either but a multitude of different games in the form of various styles that allow slight variations on the rules to help keep people interested and offer additional ways to win that standard blackjack games may not offer (such as Spanish 21, where decks contain no 10s and players may wager on one of their cards matching the dealer’s face-up card for a big win).

Become a Successful Slots Player with These Tips

March 28th, 2010 by chris

This article is not full of strategy as there is really no way to beat a slot machine seeing as how a random number generator operates them.  The outcome of a spin is random; there is no strategy that will change that.  However, there are some tips that will help you become a successful slots player.

Goals and Bankrolls

First of all, set a goal and bankroll limit and be sure to stick with them both.  Don’t’ take money with you to the casino that you need for financial reasons.  Pay your bills first, allot money for yourself and your family until your next payday, and then take a look at what’s left.  Take out a safe amount that you can afford to lose and only use that money – don’t get more!  Don’t borrow from friends or family either as this only causes major problems.  You should also set a goal – say if you lose a certain amount that you will stop playing for the day and go back at another time.

Progressive Jackpots – Max Bets

When playing progressive jackpot slot machines, be sure to play the maximum bet.  Why?  Well, the progressive jackpot only pays out on the maximum bet at its fullest potential so if you were to be betting under the maximum amount, you won’t receive the full amount of the jackpot should you hit it.  These jackpots can be very large since they are combined from all the slot machines on the same network (likely within the same casino) so you don’t want to miss your chance of winning it or having to take less of what you could have won because you weren’t playing the max bet.

Be Emotionally Intact

When playing any type of casino game, you should ensure that you are emotionally able to play.  Make sure you are in a good mood.  If you’ve had a bad day at work or at home, don’t run to the casino to get in a good mood.  More than likely, your negative mood will affect your playing ability and you’ll wind up losing instead of winning.  Your bankroll will diminish quickly and for no reason.  Simply only go play slots when you are in a good mood to ensure that you keep the most of your bankroll possible.

Don’t Leave After a Big Payout

When a slot machine hits big, don’t leave.  Despite the myths and rumors about slot machines not paying out for a while because it just paid out big, slot machines will still pay out.  They are set on a random number generator, not a generator that is able to tell when the machine paid out big and when it didn’t.

By following these four simple tips, you will better yourself as a successful slots gambler.  Most of all, though, have fun while playing.

A Few Reasons Why Online Slots Are More Favorable Than Land-Based Slots

March 26th, 2010 by chris

Many casino gamblers prefer online slots to land-based slots, but why?  Online casinos as well as online slots provide a large number of advantages than local land-based casinos.  Below you will find a few reasons why online slots are favored more heavily than land-based slots.

Play Simplicity

First off, one of the obvious reasons is that there is no dress code.  No need to make sure there is gas in your car.  No need to plan a trip to Vegas or Atlantic City.  With our ever-improving technology of computers and computer software, you have the ability to play from your own home – comfortably and with ease.  Just boot up your computer, connect to the internet, launch your internet browser, and simply login! Voila!  Begin playing!  It doesn’t matter whether you are in your pajamas or shorts, you can play.  You don’t have to dig in the closet to find clothes that match a specific casino’s dress code policy.  With the variety of online casinos today, you will have no problem finding somewhere to play – it’s sort of like finding a casino to play at on the Strip in Vegas!

Game Access and Availability

When you visit a land-based casino, you probably have specific games that you enjoy playing.  More than likely, you’ll enter the casino and venture off to the location where your favorite games are located only to get there and probably be completely full.  You probably spend hours on end waiting for the game to open up so you can sit down and play – you’ll probably spend those hours elsewhere limiting your bankroll as each minute passes.  With online slots, you will not have to wait in a line to play your favorite game.  There could be a million people that want to play the same slot game that you do and you will all get to play at the same time because online casino software is created in order to accommodate an abundant amount of people at one time.

Larger Assortment of Games

As previously said, online slots are made to accommodate a large number of people so that there is no waiting.  There is no waiting in line to play a specific game.  It’s as if you could walk into a casino and play any game that you are interested in because no one else is there playing.  You can click your mouse here and there and go from one online slot game to another.  There are also a larger number of online slots to choose from than what you would find yourself choosing between in a land-based casino – different numbered reels, different types of games, different payouts, different bet limits, etc.  While the land-based casinos have these, they are limited due to the amount of space that they have.  A live land-based casino can only hold so many slot machines and other games.

Progressive Jackpots

Many are unfamiliar with progressive jackpots.  These jackpots are jackpots that have been compiled from several different games at one time.  In land-based casinos, progressive jackpots are limited to the number of slot machines within the building (as is the variety of games, as stated above).  With online casinos and their slot machine games, progressive jackpots could include a multitude of games from a specific network, such as the maker of the site’s software.  For example, if there were five online casinos that used the Ongame Network software for their casino and games then the progressive jackpot would be compiled from those five sites.  The Internet can create large networks, much larger than those found on land.

Higher Payout Rate

Due to the fact that online casinos have less overheard costs than land-based casinos have, they are capable of providing higher payout rates on slot games.  In addition, online casinos offer a variety of bonuses such as first deposit, new player, and other buy-in bonuses.  This alone creates a huge liking to online slots.

Bet Adjustment and Maximum Bets on Slots

March 23rd, 2010 by chris

If you are new to playing slots then you haven’t yet figured out that there really isn’t a strategy to utilize. With slots, even online, there is a random number generator set into place that determines the outcome of every spin.  Because of this, there is nothing that the player can do to change that.

There are many avid casino gamblers that say there are a variety of betting systems or other strategies that can be utilized to successfully beat the slot machine; however, they’ve never been proven to work efficiently.  With slots, your only hope is your luck.  Simple as that, no matter how hard it is to hear it.  There is so structured system that you can use, no betting system that you can use – online slots are merely based on your luck or misfortune.

Although every spin is random, when you feel that it may be time for a winning spin, up your bet.  Increase your bet, which will increase your payout should you win on this particular spin.  Many casino gamblers go several spins and if they see no win, then they simply increase their bet and do it all over again.  When the slot machine is not hitting at a specific time, some casino gamblers will adjust their bet accordingly to a smaller bet until the machine starts hitting or when they think that it may start hitting soon, which is when they increase their bet to receive a larger payout should the machine hit.

After winning, many will continue to play the same bet that got them the win, but after a few spins and no wins, they go back to a small bet.  If they receive a win in those first few spins after the first win, then they continue until they see no wins for several spins in a row.

It is important not to ever to do the above if you are playing on a progressive slot machine game.  The reason is because the progressive jackpot is only paid on winning spins if you are making the maximum bet.  Therefore, if you are playing a progressive slot machine game, it’s important to play the maximum bet.  Otherwise, if you were to hit a large payout, you will only get small fraction of what you would have gotten if you had been on the maximum bet.   So, remember, if you are playing a progressive jackpot machine, be sure to stick with the maximum bet.

If you raise your bet at a slot game and hit the big money, remember, it was just luck.  Slot machines are random and so is your payout.  There is nothing that you can do to alter the outcome of any spin.  The outcome of the spin is what it is and if you are lucky if you win and it is just a misfortune if you don’t.

How to Gamble Safely and Responsibly

March 15th, 2010 by chris

Anyone that has been attracted to gambling in any serious way probably has at least one story of gambling away their entire bankroll and facing a long walk home or a night sleeping in the car, or worse on some cases. In order to ensure that you avoid some of the pitfalls that are coherent with getting somewhat carried away with your gambling, there are a number of steps you can take in order to help prevent these things from happening to you.

The first thing you should do is make sure that regardless of how you may feel at the time, you should leave your credit cards at home.  Although you might consider taking one with a limited credit line for any emergency that may arise. Remember to be strong and use your common sense – which can rapidly diminish in the heights of gambling fever. Losing all of your hard cash at the poker table or in the slot machines is definitely NOT an emergency. Save it for if your car breaks down or a similar event as gambling always has a risk and you can never guarantee success – even multinational professionals lose from time to time.

You should also only take the exact amount of cash that you intend to gamble and – most importantly – that you can comfortably afford to lose. This is absolutely crucial, as taking the money that should be set aside for such things as groceries, rent, mortgages or utilities will merely tempt you to use the money in the event that you start losing. Therefore, simply bypass the inevitable temptation by leaving your cash set aside for necessities at home.

Once you are at the casino, resist any temptation you may have to drink while you play. Many casinos start by offering you complimentary drinks while you play. Don’t imagine that this is some wonderful courtesy of their customer services as they know full well that the more you drink the more your sense of judgment will be dulled and therefore, the more money you will lose. Not drinking will also help to prevent you from reacting foolishly if you start to lose money, for instance marching to the ATM (also there for the casinos benefit, not yours) and immediately withdrawing $500 or more.

Moreover, despite the fact that it may sound a little odd as advice goes, remember to wear a watch – and that the battery is new enough to guarantee accurate time. Once you are in the casino, it is very unlikely that there will be any mode of timekeeping, as the whole point is to make most gamblers lose track of time so that they gamble more. Wearing a watch will not only help keep you aware of how long you have been in the casino but it will also alert you to how rapidly you are losing money. If you have lost almost your entire bankroll within the first half hour then it is probably best to leave as soon as possible and think about coming back another time.  It may just not be your day.


Security & Trust