bwin – the world's biggest online gaming platform

Following on from yesterdays post and I want to continue my look at the inner workings of casinos and what they really are and peoples perception of them. In this aspect it is similar to poker in so much that there is no real badness inherent in the business.

The only badness if it can interpreted as that is from the people that frequent them and not from the owners themselves. Basically the casino is what it is……..it is a place of business where business people make money by providing entertainment for others. It is certain members of the public who have misconceptions regarding casinos that some people  see them in a totally different light.

This is why some people see them as cheats or as places where criminals and other various types of low life hang out. There is an element of truth to this but this just reflects life in general. The types of people that you may see in casinos will be the same types of people that you see in other areas so it is rather unfair to throw that label at casinos by inferring that they are only ever inhabited by crooks and low life.

Casinos are still one of the few places where a single woman would in all likelihood not be molested in any way shape or form. You really couldn’t say that about many of the bars and nightclubs in most major towns and cities. So casinos are forms of entertainment first and foremost and how much you want to pay for that entertainment is basically up to the individual.

I had someone ask me a few weeks ago about whether or not they should pursue a career as a Croupier and asked my advice. Firstly my own personal experiences in gaming were probably negative on the whole. Although having said that, I have gaming to thank in so many other ways as well. Gaming and my career in gaming basically was the launch pad to be where I am today so I can hardly be too critical even then.

At the time I thought that it wasn’t a great job but I was going through tough personal problems and working nights and being away from home was difficult. But for a single person who maybe has left school with few or no qualifications then it is a good way to build a career doing something that many people find glamorous.

Also the pay is far better in the casinos where I worked since I left and casinos do promote from within. So a croupier will not always stay a croupier and will usually be promoted to Inspector within two years providing that you work at a casino that has them.

The next step up after that is to “Pit Boss” and this is where you actually supervise the pit area and report to managers and the General Manager. I know many people personally who have gone all the way from Croupier to Pit Boss and to Manager. Also I am sure that had I still kept in touch with my past colleagues that there will also be one or two who are now General Managers of their own casino.

It is also a chance to see the world as well if you go on the cruise ships although doing so can harm your promotion chances if you are changing casinos too often.

It was revealed a short while ago that gaming agents in the USA are investigating a claim from a known high roller that he was deliberately kept in a state of intoxication just so that he would continue gambling money.

The casino chain in question is Harrahs and this is a real shock seeing as this is one of the biggest casino companies in the USA. The gaming control board are interviewing witnesses who reportedly can back up the claim that Terence Watanabe was deliberately supplied with alcohol at Caesars Palace and the Rio.

It has been mentioned that Watanabe lost an estimated $112 million on the tables in 2007 alone. But the mystery of the case deepens when it also comes to light that Watanabe owes numerous millions in unpaid markers. But the rules of the Nevada gaming regulations state that any player who is in a visibly intoxicated state must not be permitted to continue.

So if these allegations are proven then allowing him to continue would not only be a violation of gaming regulations but by deliberately feeding a player alcohol is also more than likely breaking numerous laws. But some people are claiming that this claim by Watanabe is nothing more than a ploy to divert attention away from his own criminal practices.

All will be revealed in the coming weeks I am sure but that promises to be a very long and drawn out case indeed and one that is highly complex in nature once the full details are understood.

Yesterday was not a good day, it started badly…..continued poorly and got downright horrible towards the end. My three horses that I backed on the Grand National all fell within a few fences of the start (my worst ever National).

I also backed Hull to beat Burnley and they got beat 4-1……AT HOME! Then last night we had a casino trip and I was playing blackjack for about three hours inbetween watching the golf in the bar. I only intended to play for an hour but I committed the ultimate sin…….I played on to get my money back.

I didn’t play badly, blackjack isn’t like poker where a player can tilt. With blackjack then you simply do what needs to be done and the increased bets are necessary. You always know of course that the edge with a game like blackjack is so wafer thin that a loss on any one particular night is a strong likelihood.

I ended up losing about £300 which was six of my maximum bets. On top of that I had the misfortune to have not only an annoying dealer on my table who I felt like telling to shut up but also a really annoying punter. Both of them had backed the winner of the National (what a surprise) and both of them couldn’t believe that I hadn’t.

Sometimes I really hate the people who frequent live casinos and this has certainly not changed since the days when I used to work in them as a croupier and Inspector. Is it any wonder why I spend so much time on my computer. No annoying dealers, no tobacco smoke and no travelling……absolute bliss!

Strategy for Splitting Cards in Blackjack

This article will explain when you should split your cards and when you should keep them together in the game of Blackjack.

Many beginners are unaware that you are allowed to split your two cards when playing Blackjack; however, you are only able to split your hand when you receive a pair.  When splitting your cards, you are creating two hands instead of just one.  For example, if you were to receive two seven’s and you decided to split them, you would then create two new hands allowing a new card to be dealt to each hand.

In addition, just for extra information, when playing at live casinos, some will allow you to split one of your two hands should that hand receive a card that creates a pair.  This would then cause you to have three hands.

Below, you will find some general guidelines that will help you decide whether your cards should stay together or if they should part.

If you are dealt two 10’s or two face cards – also known as Court cards, (such as Jack, Queen, or King) – don’t split them.  If you have this type of hand to begin with, your hand totals 20, which is a very likely win and has a lot of potential, which is not something that you want to split up and more than likely give up your win.

If you are dealt two four’s or two five’s, don’t split.  Having a hand that totals 8 or 10 as a start has high potential due to the fact that it is likely if you hit that you will receive a card somewhere between 10 and an Ace.  It is practically a win situation and by splitting, you could cause more trouble than the hand is worth.

If you receive a pair of 8’s, they should be split unless there is an Ace, Court card, 9 or 10 in the banker’s hand.  The dealer, or banker, is more likely to win when they have a high card, which means your hand is weaker.  It is very likely that this hand will be lost and in order to minimize losses, there is no need in splitting the eight’s and having to bet for two hands.

If you get a pair of 2’s or 3’s and the banker’s card that is showing equals 7 or lower then split.  With a low showing card on the banker’s behalf, the banker has a weak hand.  Therefore, it just simply makes sense to split the cards and create two play hands to double your money that you’ll very likely win.

Always split 7’s if there is a five, six, or seven as the showing card of the banker.  The banker’s hand really isn’t all that great right now so by splitting your 7’s, you are creating the chance of receiving two hands that are much more improved than one that totals 14.

Last but not least, if the banker has a showing card of 8 and you have a pair of 9’s then split.  This is the only time that you should split your 9’s, though.  The banker will assume that they have a total of 18 and if you have a total of 18 (because of the two 9’s), then it will turn into a standoff.  However, by splitting your two 9’s, you increase your chances because more than likely, you will get a 19 on at least one of your hands.

I hope that the above guidelines will help you the next time you play Blackjack and receive a pair.  By taking the above outlined splitting strategies, you can minimize your losses and maximize your gains at the same time.

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.

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!

There have been many changes within the gaming environment inside my home city of Sheffield over the years. The three casinos inside that City have each been top dog at some stage in the past. Back in 1990, it was Napoleans that was the number one spot in the City with Grosvenor and Bonapartes bringing up the rear.

Then in 1996, the A&S Leisure Group moved their Bonapartes Casino to a brand new location in Sheffield and a brand new casino. This was far bigger and more plush than the other two and suddenly the new Bonapartes became top dog and jumped from 3rd to 1st with Grosvenor being demoted to third behind Napoleans.

The landscape has changed again and the new G-Casino (former Grosvenor) has just opened and even though I have yet to go personally, I have spoked with many people who have. Apparently it can blow the other two out of the water and is by far and away the best casino in Sheffield.

This now makes the 1990-1996 top dog Napoleans bringing up the rear and this will be a blow for A&S Leisure in Sheffield. Years ago the Sheffield Grosvenor casino was considered the weak link in Grosvenor’s chain and there was talk afoot at one stage that it would be bought out by the Staki’s Group (who went on to be Gala) and that the location was to be moved.

I can’t really say that I will get to see the new G-Casino since they will more than likely be aware of my history although I don’t know what they think that I am going to do. I am actually quite happy about the situation though and I quite like the thought of Grosvenor being top dog.

See you soon

Carl

There is a special type of buzz when you enter a casino with the intention of taking money from them. Casinos at the end of the day are businesses and any business is concentrating on making money and not on losing it.

But at the end of the day they are providing entertainment. They don’t mind people winning money as long as winning money is all that they are doing. There is of course a world of difference between winning money and earning money. When you are earning money then you have a positive long term expectation.

You are no longer winning money by getting lucky like a normal punter but slowly extracting money from the casino. It is possible that some card counters could be allowed to ply their trade if the casino was gaining in some other way.

For instance I once knew of a gaming manager who allowed a winning small-stakes counter to ply his trade simply because he didn’t want to risk upsetting the big hitting roulette players that he came in with who were his friends.

It is when you know that the casino don’t know what you are doing that creates the biggest buzz. This is something that a lifetime of online poker cannot replicate. This constant cat and mouse game is in itself quite a thrill.

Alas of course, it is very difficult to make blackjack a career. This is why I was playing online poker just a few years later. Just like with online poker where you are struggling to find profitable games, it is often better to play semi-professionally or as a serious amateur than to try and go full-time.

I certainly do recommend though that you try and play blackjack in a live setting because it will be well worth it.

See you soon

Carl
Or alternatively why not come and play blackjack on bwin online casino

I had someone e-mail me a few days ago who wanted to ask me about becoming a croupier and how easy it was. They had read my blackjack book which kind of painted a somewhat negative picture of life as a croupier.

Despite what I said in that book, there are many advantages to becoming a croupier. Firstly it is something where a person can create a very respectable career without having loads of qualifications. Anyone can be a croupier almost, as long as you don’t have a criminal record or maybe visible tattoos then you should be able to train as a croupier.

There are probably other factors that prohibit someone from becoming a croupier as well but not having qualifications isn’t one of them. The natural career path in the UK used to be a six week training course followed by doing the actual job for real.

Then anyone with at least 18 months experience as a dealer would be considered for promotion to Inspector. Then there were further career advancements to Pit Boss and then Manager followed by General Manager.

So a person could end up with a very good job if they showed the proper initiative and attitude. The money at that time wasn’t great but then again I am referring to the area where I worked and I am going back to 1998.

There is always the possibility for croupiers to work abroad and many follow that option and see exotic places whilst getting paid to do so. I never personally had that option because I had a family at the time but it can be a far better career for single people in many aspects.

Working night shifts isn’t for everyone but I didn’t mind it as I always liked to get out of bed whenever I wanted rather than having to be forced to get out of bed first thing in a morning. So all I can say is that the career has different appeal to different people depending on individual circumstances so do not be put off or swayed by anything that I have said either in this post or in the past.

see you soon

Carl
Play blackjack online at bwin