Blog Posts

Good to be back

10:34 UTC March 7, 2010 by Carl

After watching the Fulham vs Tottenham game last night we headed to a casino for the first time in ages. In fact regular readers of the blog since it started will have read some of my earlier posts regarding these trips. The journey took about an hour so we arrived at about 9pm.

Casinos tend to be quiet at around this time so it is a good time to go. You don’t have to wait at the bar or wait for coffee for ages either. As usual we took a friend for my partner as I hate playing and leaving her. She merely likes to watch and has no interest in gaming.

The blackjack game was a six deck shoe game (not my favourite) but I decided to play anyway. Sometimes when you manage to get an inexperienced dealer then they can often make mistakes. Although in England the mistakes are often picked up by the Inspector anyway.

However I don’t have any good news to report as every dealer that I encountered seemed competent to me. I merely played table minimums for about an hour and then became bored after losing about £10.

I hate the new electronic games inside casinos these days as they leave no room for creativity with regards to gaining an edge….at least not for people like me anyway who is old school. It felt good to be back inside a casino again, maybe I just need to find some now that have decent blackjack action.

Why not come and bet in the bwin casino with some great casino?

Execute Gambling Limits at Online Casinos

20:04 UTC February 27, 2010 by chris

With online gambling growing every year more and more casinos are opening up to cater to the growing masses interested in partaking in the online games. As these casinos open it becomes easier and easier for many people to get involved in online games, and if they’re not careful it can also mean many people losing track of their funds and getting themselves into trouble they would much rather otherwise avoid. In order to counter this, maintaining strict gambling limits on your own activities becomes imperative when looking at playing at a single casino or multiple casinos simultaneously.

When Playing at a Single Casino

Perhaps the easiest way to track your online spending and earnings, playing at one and only one online casino is the best way in most cases to ensure that you are keeping proper track of your funds and not losing them through needless wagers. In order to put a cap on your wagering habits decide before depositing your money how much you have available to you and are able to spend on gambling throughout a given week or month. Then, taking only a fraction of that money, deposit that and that alone in an online casino account for use. When that money is done do NOT, under any circumstances, add more until a the next period comes when you feel it would be appropriate to gamble – for example, if you deposit 10% of your funds for a two week period on Monday do not add any more money until Tuesday. This simple tip can help keep your money in check and prevent you from depositing more than you can comfortably afford to lose by limiting the total amount available to you to gamble online with. If you are successful in your wagers, it is also an excellent way to track your earnings for a period and withdraw a set amount back to your bank account for later use, helping keep your money under control.

When Playing at Multiple Casinos

A popular way to gamble in today’s online casino environment, playing at multiple casinos can be a tricky prospect as it involves carefully managing your funds across a number of different gambling establishments. In order to better protect yourself try implementing the same monetary limiting practice you would do at a single casino as described above, only further divide the total available funds by the number of casinos you intend to play at. Then, if at any point your funds at one casino run out but you still have money in another one, do NOT add additional funds to the empty account – even if the one that has money has more than enough to cover it. The chances of you soon losing that money are quite high, and any breaking of your money handling policy to go against your set gambling limits will only serve to weaken your position overall and put you on a path to a downward spiral that will most likely simply leave you in deeper and deeper debt rather than see any realizable return on any wagers.

Gambling 101

17:18 UTC February 25, 2010 by chris

The world of gambling can be exciting, glamorous and even nerve-wracking as you play for higher stakes in a dynamic social setting. There are also a few pitfalls for those new to gambling and many things to learn and become aware of to maximize enjoyment and avoid any potential problems. Whether you are new to gambling and are looking to play at a land-based casino or online, there are a number of things you can look at in order to maximize your enjoyment and hopefully increase your winnings and minimize losses. Some tips might also make you appear more experienced than you really are, and this can be very useful in a world where bluff and psychology are part and parcel of the game.

Perhaps the first aspect to look at with regard to gambling is the bankroll, or the amount of money you will take to gamble with. Set aside an amount of money that you know you can absolutely afford to lose and that is not earmarked for any other vital purpose-for example, paying the rent, mortgage or bills. If, during your stint at the casino, you lose heavily, do not chase your losses, even for a big bonus, as you will most likely continue to lose. Also, leave all of your credit and debit cards at home, so that you will not be tempted to keep betting when your cash runs out. Most land-based casinos have ATM machines-always remember that these are there for the casinos benefit-NOT yours. They are there so that the casino can make more money from failing gamblers.

If you are playing at an online casino, make sure that you read all instructions and agreements carefully before signing up. If you have any doubts or questions, be sure to contact the customer service people. If you are not happy with the response you get, look elsewhere-you have plenty of choice. With regards to choice, do not simply sign up for the first casino you find – make sure you read plenty of customer review where you can find out about how reputable various casinos are. There are plenty of customer forums for gamblers, and they are not shy in giving their opinions when they feel they have been poorly treated. It is in a casino’s interests to keep customers happy, so take reviews seriously, but make sure it is not a site simply liked to and sponsored by a certain casino. Stick to independent reviews. In addition, you can arrange an e-cash service to place your bets, as this will not require you to share your banking details online.

Whether you go to a land casino or an online one, try to only gamble for fun and do not get too caught up. Very few people actually make a living from gambling, and if you leave with some of your bankroll, you have probably had a pretty good evening. Remember, it is supposed to be fun.

Remember also to take regular breaks in order to keep yourself mentally fresh. This will keep your decision making sharp. Also, don’t enjoy too many of the free drinks on offer. The casino is not being generous, they know that too much alcohol will impair your judgment and they will more of your cash!

Remember to try the games that offer you the best odds of winning. These tend to include blackjack, craps, video poker and baccarat. It is recommended to avoid the slots, as the odds are particularly long for you on these. Remember also that, in all games of chance, the house has a definite edge-as this is how they make their money. One experienced gamblers tip is to increase your bet by 50% every time you win. Enjoy and bet safely!

Beginners Guide to Online Gambling

18:10 UTC February 23, 2010 by chris

Online gambling continues to grow in popularity, and with the ability it grants for punters to place bets and persue odds in the comfort of their own homes, it is easy to see why this option continues to prove popular with experienced and new gamblers alike. There are, however, several things for the beginner online gambler to bear in mind as they get ready to place their first online bet.

The number one factor is to find a suitable and decent online bookmaker with whom to place your bet. This is probably the most important aspect of the guide, as getting this right will enable every step taken afterwards to go that much more smoothly. As with any decision involving such a wide choice as people are faced with when considering online bookmakers, it is highly advisable for prospective gamblers to do their research on all potential and respective bookmakers. Remember that the internet is replete with all kinds of information, and ratings of online bookmakers are no exception.

Check out the online gambling forums where punters evaluate and report on the numerous online bookmakers. Make sure that the web sites and forums are independent, and you can be sure that you will get many forthright and honest opinions. You can also post questions on the forums and get advice from experienced gamblers as to which bookmakers have the best reputation and which always pay out as well as get advice on which casinos to avoid.

Also, ensure that the bookmaker offers betting on all the sports that you want to bet on, as it is pretty pointless to pay a deposit to a bookmaker that doesn’t allow betting on your favorite sports. Also, make sure that the web site can accept payments easily with regards to your deposit and bet payments. A lot of bookmaking websites will have various payment options, from credit to debit cards and also a variety of electronic payments, such as PayPal, Neteller and Moneybookers.

Once you have done all of these things, you will need to decide what type of bet to place, how much and on whom or which team. Perhaps the two most common types of bet are the money line and the points spread. The money line is the most widely observed, and it is a good, basic place to start. Simply, the person or team you bet on must win in order for you to win your bet, and if you choose to bet on an underdog in a game or event, you can expect a much more significant payout, due to the fact that favorites are expected to win in all events and sports.

As far as how much to bet, this must be a personal choice, based on your personal experiences. It may be a good idea to set up a PayPal account with limited funds at first, as this does not require you to share any of your card details. Once you establish confidence in your online bookmaker, you can then use your card if you wish. Also, do your research on teams and individuals you are looking to bet on, as this will provide you an edge when it comes to possible results.

Top Five Tips for Online Casinos

18:10 UTC February 22, 2010 by chris

Online gambling can be a great deal of fun, and can have a number of advantages over the traditional land-based casino for both new and experienced gamblers. Online casinos have become huge business over the past few years as they have made full use of online technology and people’s willingness to play online. So, just what are some of the top tips for potential online gamblers looking at the possibility of playing online?

First, and probably the most important of all tips, is to make sure that you always do your research regarding any casino that you are thinking of playing at. It is well worth remembering that, as the online casino and gaming industry has boomed in recent years, the Internet has seen a veritable influx of online casinos, and not all of them are legitimate. Many see the boom as a chance to make a quick buck before either disappearing or changing their operating name. Therefore, the first thing a potential online gambler should do is research the casino. Go to online gaming forums and read the reviews written by past and current gamers. They will be very straightforward about their experiences and will not shirk when they feel that they have been poorly treated. Make sure also that you are reading an independently-written review, as some review sites are ‘affiliate’ sites that write favorable reviews in return for a profit percentage of users clicking on casino links on the site.

Tip two is don’t pay any money or give any financial details at all until you have carried out all of your research and you are totally happy with the casino. Remember also that the vast majority of online casinos will offer free games, and this can be a great way, not only of getting to grips with the casino itself, but also to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of the various games on offer. This can be particularly good for those new to gambling or casino games.

Tip three is to just slow it down! Remember, you are not in a frenetic, fast-paced land-based casino, and as such, you have the advantage of time being on your side. Slow your play down and take your time – don’t be rushed. There is no time limit at online casinos, and no one is sitting around trying to rush you into making a call or decision. Use this fact to your advantage.

Tip four – just as it is not advisable to drink too much in land-based casinos, you should not be lulled into a false sense of security just because you are playing at home. Drinking at either type of casino will have an adverse effect on your judgment, and you will most likely lose more money. Remember, the casino still wants your money, even if you cannot see any of your opponents.

Tip five – Make sure that, on the casinos web site, you can see a button for online help, 24/7, and test it with a couple of questions before betting any money. Hopefully, you won’t ever need the service, but you will be very grateful indeed that it is there if problems ever do arise.

Things You Need to Know About Online Casinos

18:08 UTC February 21, 2010 by chris

There are many benefits to playing at an online casino. You don’t need to worry about getting all dressed up, you can indulge in any of your favorite personal habits that may be otherwise precluded by a visit to a land-based casino (smoking is one such obvious example), you don’t need to worry about any physical quirks of facial expressions giving away the fact that you are holding a bad hand or that you are beginning to feel tense or stressed, you can quit playing at any time, as well as being free to come and go, and take breaks as you wish. One huge advantage is that you don’t need to travel any distance at all when you feel the urge to play your favorite casino games – you can simply turn on your computer, go to your favorite online casino web site and away you go! Online casinos do have their own particular character, though, and there are certain things that patrons should become aware of when looking at web-based casinos.

First, and probably most obvious, you are not physically there, so it is hard to assess just what is real and what isn’t. How do you know, for example, if you are playing at a real, genuine online casino, or if you have merely arrived at a flashy, up-front web page with no substance behind it that will simply relieve you of your money, credit card details and, possibly, even your identity? Online patrons should realize that there are codes of practice and industry standards that the very best online casinos sign up to, and they are graded regularly on whether or not they continue to meet the strict criteria. Look for the logos on the website, and be very wary about any casinos not displaying membership. Beware also that some previously disreputable online casinos, having been made to cease trading under one name simply shut down and start up under a new moniker. This tends to be common practice among the worst offenders, which is why adherence to the codes of practice is important for gamers.

Gamers also need to remember that although online casinos may seem much more laid back and relaxed than their land-based equivalents, they are still playing casino games for money, and can still lose large amounts of money by doing so. In addition, deciding to relax by drinking more because you are in your home environment can backfire if you become so loose that your judgement becomes impaired.

New online gamers will also find the independently audited reports published and made available for their patron, which detail the payout levels of the casino. The published payout figure will give you a good idea of the percentage an online casino pays out and gives a good indication of how fairly the casino runs its games. Remember though that the figure is an average payout and some win much more (by bagging a jackpot), whilst some may lose far more.

Writing a casino book

14:16 UTC February 21, 2010 by Carl

I had someone contact me the other day by e-mail and ask me how to go about writing a book about casino games and how to beat them. I think that doing this in 2010 is very difficult. The first reason is that most of what there is to know has already been written.

This was the problem that I faced in 2006 when I wrote Princes of Darkness : The World of High-stakes Blackjack and again in 2008 when I wrote Killer Roulette. It is difficult especially with blackjack to really come out with material that has not been seen before. Although I was proud with both of my books that I did place material in both of those books that had never been seen in print before.

I basically told accounts of events that had happened in my life and thought that these would prove of far greater interest to readers than merely reading about even more theory. I do not like theory, especially mathematical theory and tables which basically turns me off with some exceptions.

It is different with poker, this game is evolving far faster than blackjack but with blackjack then the game has basically evolved. Sure there will be some new features on the games from time to time but this will be the casino industry trying to inject new life into the game.

For anyone who wants to write a book on casino games then I would advise them to write a factual entertaining book. It always helps to have some experiences to fall back on. If you don’t have any then why not join a casino or two. It will not be long before you have some stories of your own to tell.

After nearly 20 years of working in casinos and visiting them then you can imagine how much data I have at my disposal which is probably why I am writing on here :-)

See you soon

Come and experience the thrill of bwin casino and try out their exciting games.

Online Casino Affiliates Programs

18:03 UTC February 20, 2010 by chris

The advent of the internet and its growing popularity and usage around the world has helped open up a number of different potentially highly profitable online ventures that gamblers and advertisers alike can use to earn some extra money on the side – one of which is the usage of online affiliate programs. Designed to reward users for helping to spread the word about a casino to other players and attract more gamblers, casino affiliate programs alone have been the source of many people around the world developing a substantial monthly income that in some cases can equate to millions of dollars.

In order to fully take advantage of what an online casino affiliate program is, it is important to first understand how most affiliate programs work. When signing up for an affiliate program, a user is given a specific referral ID in order to help track their incoming clients they have brought to the casino, usually in the form of a link or banner ad that they can place on various websites for customers to click on. The affiliate link then tracks the user that clicks on the ad and, if that person signs up for the casino and deposits money, the affiliate will be granted a percentage of the money deposited directly into their own online account.

Affiliate programs can be highly lucrative ventures for many people to partake in and have helped thousands of people around the world develop a passive income that, with a little bit of work, can help them earn more than would normally be possible for them at a full-time job. These sorts of programs are also an excellent way for avid gamblers to receive rewards for referring their friends to the online casino and benefit from something that they may normally do for free. Different casinos can also offer significantly different affiliate bonuses depending on the establishment and payout structure, meaning some can be extremely profitable with little to no work necessary.

Just remember before getting too excited about affiliate programs that in most cases being able to successfully attract people via an affiliate system to a casino is hard work and may take considerable investment of both time and money on your part to do so. While it’s true that the payouts can be well worth the investment (as many new people are finding out each and every year) this does not mean that online affiliate programs are suitable for everyone and therefore dedicating yourself to affiliate programs should not be taken lightly. While it’s good to sign up for one if you intend to invite any friends to join you at the casino but don’t feel obligated to do so otherwise.

On the other hand, if you feel this is something you would like to dedicate yourself to and feel passionately about establishing yourself a good passive income online consider looking into various affiliate marketing training tools out there on the web. Studying these techniques as well as utilizing various SEO methods on websites can give you a long-term plan that can benefit you more in a year or two than you may be able to do working a standard 9-5 job.

Craps Strategies – Roll to Success

17:12 UTC February 18, 2010 by chris

Craps, like all other forms of gambling out there, requires a number of different skill sets and disciplines to ensure that you are regularly banking the most for your money. To do that, consider the following tips to keep you on track:

1 – Never lose your cool and play smart. Craps is a game that requires discipline while playing, and, just like any other game or competitive sport out there, it also requires discipline and training. Before even stepping up to the table, make sure that you set appropriate goals for yourself and can stick to them when needed. Turning $500 into $1000, for instance, may be a bit ambitious. Trying to earn $100 off of $500, though, could be much more reasonable and something you might be able to obtain. Setting your goals and maintaining them is your first step to success.

Once you realize what you need to do mentally in regards to your goal setting, also consider carefully what you need to develop in your skill base. Most often, the reason for failure at a craps table is not knowing the rules of the game and making poor bets. By checking up on all of the rules of the game and ensuring that you know all that there is to know about it before stepping up to the table, you can put yourself in a better position to be successful and help protect your wallet. Further, practicing your skills on a free table can help prepare you for wagering real money and can allow you to fine-tune your plays without any initial risk.

2 – Manage your funds. Unlike simply setting goals, this includes picking and choosing the right table and wagering appropriately so that you do not risk your hard-earned money needlessly all at once. Generally speaking, always try to select a table with a minimum wager of 1/20th of your total bankroll, or even 1/50th if you have the funds and are able to find one. This ensures that you are only wagering small amounts of money that you are able to afford losing from time to time, without risking your total funds. This, in turn, increases your chances of being able to keep playing and could allow you to turn a losing streak around, if you ever find yourself in one.

3 – Determine your play style and bet accordingly. Strategic betting to limit the house’s advantage over you is one of the keys to continued success in games of luck like Craps, and generally, there are two ways to do this: the safe or the safer way. The safe way simply means placing most of your bets on the Pass Line and have it backed by free odds, the Come Line with it backed by free odds or specifically on the six or eight. Doing this, will help limit the house advantage over you and keep you in the game. For the same reason, if you were to opt for hedging your bets rather than simply doing this, you could limit the house’s advantage over you even further by balancing out your bets. While hedging is a great option for reducing your overall losses, bear in mind that it will also reduce your overall winnings. That is why it is critical to decide which path is more suited to your style and stick to it throughout your session at the table.

The Value of Hands in Baccarat

17:10 UTC February 16, 2010 by chris

Baccarat may be a game of chance like roulette or craps, but at the same time, understanding the underlying principals of the game and how hands play a role in determining a game’s outcome is an important step in ensuring that you are not needlessly losing cash while at the table. While the hands may be simple in general, they can also be a bit tricky for some more standard card game players to get used to, so brushing up on your knowledge before placing your bets may be in order for even experienced card game players.

First of all, understanding the goal of baccarat is necessary in order to understand the mechanics of the game. Each round, two players are selected to be the objects of the wagers, one as the “dealer” and one as the “player.” As cards are dealt to each individual, the goal is to reach as close to 9 points as possible in a round, with 9 being the optimum number (much like a blackjack.) All calculations are based upon the face value of the cards in play, with aces being worth 1 point and kings, queens and jacks all being worth zero.

Unlike blackjack, however, if a player goes over 10 or “busts,” the player does not automatically lose the hand. Instead, the first digit from the total number created is dropped from the calculation and the resulting number is used for consideration. For example, if a player receives two 9s for a total of 18; the first 1 is dropped to give the player a total hand value of 8. This concept is important to bear in mind, as it can be both a fortunate and unfortunate turn for many people, because while 8 may be a strong number, the result could just as easily be a 9 and an ace, leaving the player with a total of zero points.

Once you understand the basic hand structure of baccarat, the primary challenge of the game becomes bankroll management and trend observation. While it is true that casinos generally have thorough card shufflers that guarantee the randomization of cards being dealt, some players may be stuck on a steady losing streak on the deals, and watching out for these trends could help you avoid a steady loss of cash. Further, it is always important to manage your bankroll and avoid wagering too much on one bet. Concentrate on keeping yourself in the game in order to maximize your odds of returns, as this is the only sure way that you can play for an extended period of time without worrying about what may come your way.

Moreover, of course, while playing baccarat, remember to have fun. Becoming overly focused on hand outcomes can easily ruin many players’ days and make them bitter towards others. Remember that the odds offered for you will be the same whether you are playing against the house or against another player, so enjoy your time and gamble wisely.


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