Blog Posts

Playing online slots for fun

11:38 UTC October 29, 2011 by Carl

I was doing some research recently on the merits of playing online slots and I discovered that the strategy for playing them is actually much deeper than what I ever imagined. Firstly being very interested in game theory made me see connections between tournament poker prize pools and slot machines! By that I mean in how strong winning tournament players tend to go for the win more than normal players.
I think that this essentially means how huge pay offs make you a lifelong tournament winner.

However the analogy with slot machines is clear because to maximise your return from these things means going for the jackpots too! There are many analogies between slot machines and tournament poker and even poker full stop but to see them requires having knowledge of many different fields.

However it is only as a game theory exponent that I see these connections. Online slots are played for fun just like any other online gambling game but this is where once again there is far more connection with the two fields than what you think. Many serious poker players cannot get their head around the fact that millions of players the world over simply play poker for gambling and recreational reasons. In their eyes then there are “proper” ways to play the game. This of course is a lack of understanding regarding what poker is to millions of people.

How to Become a Better Slots Player

16:15 UTC July 26, 2011 by bwin Casino Blog

In order to achieve success at slots and to become a good slots player, you need to play as frequently as you can and understand that there will be problems that arise. Many assume that it is difficult to learn slots and to become successful at such a game, but it is not. Here are a few tips to get you going:

  • Don’t assume that each slot game is the exact same. While the playing process is very similar, there will be certain details that set each game apart from the number of reels and paylines to the payout odds. All of this will need to be factored in when you play.
  • Play as often as you can. You can’t learn how to do something well if you don’t take plenty of time to practice. You will feel more comfortable with what you are doing the more you play. In addition, you may even figure out some tips on your own that can help you to enhance your overall winnings.
  • Realize you will find problems such as losing streaks. Losing streaks are inevitable and everyone faces them at some point in time. Simply learn how to deal with it – calmly. Learn the tricks of the trade as to what you should do when you go on a losing streak. Take some time off, get a breather, etc.
  • Most machines pay out the best money and the most frequently when you place the maximum bet. This isn’t always true, though, and a good rule of thumb is try each bet several times in a row and see how it goes. While slots are on a RNG, there are some tricks.
  • The most important thing is to have fun. Playing slots can be very exciting, especially when you win. So let loose while you learn, and have fun!

How to Choose a Slot Machine

23:47 UTC July 3, 2011 by bwin Casino Blog

With hundreds and hundreds of slot machines just waiting for you to pick them, it’s hard to actually make the decision of which slot machine you would like to play first. This goes for online at an online casino or in a land-based casino. In fact, land-based casinos place their slot machines in places that are high in traffic to ensure that they lure players to gamble. It might sound a little crazy but they actually put a lot of thought into where they place slot machines. Enough of that, though, let’s get into it, shall we?

Slot Machines Aren’t All Created Equally

This is something very important that you should always keep in mind. One slot machine is not the same as another. Some have higher payouts while some have lower payouts. Some require more per line than other slot machines. This is true for both online casinos as well as land-based casinos.

Think About Your Budget

Before choosing the slot machine that you would like to play, consider your budget. You don’t want to play a slot machine that will cost $5 per payline if you only have about $50 to play with. You would be better at sticking to denominations of $1 or less; otherwise, your pocket will drain rapidly and you will be headed home with a depleted bankroll. While slot machines with lower prices to play will generally pay more frequently, they won’t pay as much as higher denomination slot machines.

Consider Payouts/Examine the Payout Table

Many gamblers – especially beginners – would never even consider taking a look at the payout table unless they get a winning combination on the slots reels. However, the payout table will inform you of the minimum amount you must play in order to win a specific amount and it will also show whether or not you must play the maximum bet in order to qualify for the highest jackpot available – which is usually the case, by the way. The payout table will also inform you of whether or not the slot game has bonuses and/or awards, which is a huge factor when choosing a slot machine. You want the most for your money while getting the highest percentage payout at the same time.

Progressive or Non-Progressive Slots

An important decision that you will need to make is whether or not you want to play a progressive or a non-progressive slot machine. Progressive slots are usually connected with one another throughout the casino sort of like a network of computers at an office building. As a general rule, there is a huge jackpot that is available for grabs although your chance of actually getting it is minimal. Non-progressive slots are simple slot machines that may not have a huge jackpot from the combination of plays from a number of different slot machines, but they do have better chances of winning although the payouts will generally be smaller. Either is great but progressive slots give you that extra chance to win big. Ultimately, however, the choice is yours.

Switch It Up

Just because you start out on one machine doesn’t mean that you have to stick with it the entire time. You won’t know what is best until you switch it up a little and have a look at other machines. Try different casinos rather than just sticking with one single casino. You will notice that some slot machines will payout better than others and some casinos (online and offline) will have better overall payout percentages than others. It’s similar to getting the best car insurance, shop around for the best payout!

For any player that is new to the world of gambling or maybe a player that has simply forgotten about the basics, the above-mentioned tips should help you choose a slot machine online or offline.

Free Spin Bonuses

15:43 UTC March 1, 2011 by bwin Casino Blog

Online gambling is an industry that is continuing to grow each and every day. Online casinos are beginning to find new ways to offer bonuses and promotions to their players because there is a lot of competition online and casinos need to try to keep their players somehow from leaving and going to a rival casino. One of these ways is by utilizing free spin bonuses.

A free spin bonus can actually mean a couple of different things. A free spin bonus can come during the progress of a game if you hit a certain lineup of symbols on the reels or it can be a bonus of free spins that you are given as a promotion due to a new game or as a celebration of a holiday.

Free spin bonuses usually come with online slots games, which is one of the more popular games at online casinos. If you receive a free spin bonus during a game, which can usually be acquired a number of different ways, you will receive a certain number of free spins and the slot machine will spin automatically until those spins have all been used. For example, if you hit a free spin bonus of 10 free spins then the slot machine will spin 10 times for free automatically with no need for you to do anything but sit back, relax and watch the reels spin to reveal what you win.

On the other hand, free spin bonuses can often be given due to a holiday or to announce a new game. For example, last month, 888 Casino was offering new players free spins for a year in addition to the sign-up bonus that they were offering at the time. New gamblers would receive a single free spin each day for 365 days provided that they had a real money player account. Another casino that offered a similar promotion was Europa Casino in celebration of Valentine’s Day by offering 1,000 free spins to new and existing players. This is a concept that is becoming increasingly popular with more online casinos offering some type of free spin bonus promotion similar to this one.

Free spin bonuses are definitely a way to get more out of a slot machine regardless of the concept behind the free spins. Check out your favorite online casino and see if they are offering any type of free spin promotion as well as what games that they offer that come with a free spin bonus throughout the game.

Video Poker can be profitable

16:04 UTC February 2, 2011 by Carl

In Las Vegas a few years ago there was news of a video poker machine that returned more than 100% of stakes. The news was that the machine paid back 100.10% which I am sure was a marketing ploy on behalf of the casino but it worked because once word spread then video poker players were flocking to find this machine. However as a video poker player (which I have never been) then there are certain things that you need to do. You may say that what has someone who has no experience of ever playing video poker doing giving advice on it?

Well when it comes to getting the maximum out of these situations then there are clear definable things that you can do and need to do to maximise your profit. The first step is to find out what the correct basic strategy is with the type of video poker that you are playing. There will be differences from machine to machine or from game to game and this is similar in many ways to blackjack.

In fact the process of playing video poker is very similar in many ways to playing basic strategy in blackjack. In that game then it isn’t possible for basic strategy to get you an edge and it usually isn’t in video poker. So the next and probably more vital step it to maximise your bottom line by getting as much additional financial help as you can. This means getting sign up bonuses and loyalty bonuses and you may just find that you are playing even with the house and the possibility of being +EV exists.

Tips for Advanced Slots Players

01:35 UTC November 22, 2010 by bwin Casino Blog

Many individuals that have been playing slots for some time now wonder if there is something that they can do to increase their chances of winning.  Slots is specifically a game of chance regardless of how experienced or inexperienced you are at the machines.  With that said, there are a few things that you can take into consideration when you are playing but there is no specific strategy or information that is going to guarantee that you will win or that your chances of winning will increase.

Understand Slots is Based on Chance

This is where many people mess up.  There are so many people that play slots that are destined to believe that the game is rigged and that if they are on a losing streak that they will win big in the next few spins.  However, the results of a slot machine are completely 100% random and are not specifically generated in any way.  There is no pattern at all so don’t think that if you continue to play, spin after spin, that a specific pattern is going to appear because you are wrong.  It is best if you just head to the machines knowing this and understanding this to avoid getting stuck on the idea.  Every single outcome is completely different and independent from the previous as well as the next.

Play the Maximum Bet

If you want to get the most out of your money then you’ll want to play the maximum bet on every single spin.  By playing the maximum bet, when you win, you will receive the highest payout.  Often times, by playing the maximum bet, you can also be entered into progressive jackpots that are connected to the slot machine.  Be sure to check out the machine to see if it has a progressive jackpot.  Simply put, the more you bet the more money you are going to win.

Play Loose Machines

Sometimes casinos will advertise the payout percentages for slot machines so if you see one with a high payback percentage then jump on it.  However, if you can’t figure out which slot machines are loose and have the highest payback percentages, take a look at the $5 and up slot machines as these normally provide the highest percentages on paybacks.

Bankroll Management is Important

If you play slots on a regular basis then it is very important that you understand and can comprehend good bankroll management.  You need to set a pre-determined amount that you are willing – and can afford – to spend each time you head to the slot machines.  Don’t ever change this amount after you are at the casino or after you start playing online.  There is a reason that you came up with the number you did and by taking out more money to play with, you are practically playing with fire as a number of terrible outcomes can come from this – financial problems, marriage problems, etc.

Don’t Attempt to Win Back Lost Money

This is just as important as bankroll management.  If you keep trying to win back the money that you have lost, you are simply asking for trouble.  You are going to find yourself in a huge hole that you likely cannot get yourself out of.  And, if you can, it’s going to take a lot of time and more money spent.  Eventually, it will stress you out.  So, if you lose all the money that you went to the casino with, don’t worry about it because if you are doing proper bankroll management, it was money that you can afford to lose.  Maybe you’ll have better luck next time.

Have FUN!

Above all else, just have fun while playing the slot machines.  When you lose a spin, two or three spins, don’t get aggravated and become frustrated.  Relax and just have fun!  It is the best strategy to come by for slots.

Tips for New Slots Players

01:34 UTC November 22, 2010 by bwin Casino Blog

Slot machines can be very fun and exciting to play.  They also don’t take a large amount of your time and you can leave just about any time that you wish.  In addition, one of the best things about slots is that you can have a very small bankroll and be able to pan it out for an entire night full of fun!

Are you new to the slot machines?  One of the most important things that you should understand is that slots is fully a game of chance and chance only.  Apart from this, there are a number of things that you should be aware of.  Let’s take a look at the things that slots newbies need to be mindful of.

Numerous Choices of Slot Machines

First things first, you can play slots via your computer at an online casino or you can get dressed up and head out to a live, brick-and-mortar casino to play the slot machines.

When you walk into a land-based casino, or open up an online casino, the choices are going to astonish you!  In fact, the choices that you have will overwhelm you.  There are so many different types of games, so many different types of betting limits, etc.  You’ll see a number of slot machines that vary in the number of reels that they have.  Most slot machines have one, three or five reels.  However, nowadays, there are multitudes of slot machines that have up to 30 or so pay lines.  This means that you’ll pay more to play all 30 lines but you’ll have more chances of winning with a single spin.

One of the best things about slot machines is that you don’t have to take the time to learn advanced, extensive strategy or learn the complicating rules of a game.  You simply need to take a look at the payout table so you’ll know if you won, although the slot machine will alert you when you have.

No Skill Needed

It’s easy to play a slot machine because it’s a game of chance and luck.  There is no skill about it.  Slot machines do not have a memory – they actually have a random number generator built inside.  This means that the results you receive when you spin the slot machine are completely random, every single time.  There is no “fixing” the machine or cheating.  This also means that just because you won big in your last spin doesn’t mean that the slot machine won’t hit big again.  There is no specific pattern to slot machines.

Bet Denominations

The main difference between one slot machine and another is the denomination of bets.  Usually, you can choose the minimum bet, which is one or the maximum bet, which is three.  Take a look at the payout table.  You’ll see that the higher your bet is, the higher your payout will be if you should win.  While the bets usually range from one to three, this is on very standard and old-fashioned machines (which are still available in online casinos and land-based casinos); however, with the newest machines, you may find that you can bet up to 50 bets per line depending on the machine that you are playing at.

Your Bankroll Can Go Further Than In Other Games

Final tip:  If you are just looking for a good time, a night out with friends and you want your bankroll to last as long as possible then you should by all means play the minimum number of coins and probably find a slot machine with low minimum bets.  You can find penny machines, nickel machines, quarter machines, dollar machines, five-dollar machines, twenty-dollar machines, one hundred dollar machines, etc.  The range is endless so regardless of what it is that you are looking for whether it is a specific betting amount, a specific type of game or a specific named game, you will be able to find it with slots.

Online Casino Slots Strategy

09:00 UTC June 8, 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

03:46 UTC May 28, 2010 by bwin Casino Blog

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.

Top 5 Most Played Casino Games

01:56 UTC April 18, 2010 by bwin Casino Blog

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).


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