Roulette is a popular table game of more luck than strategy that began in the French Riviera and Monte Carlo for the rich but can be played practically anywhere today. The table limits are lower and you can find many different types of the casino game.
The goal of roulette is to guess which numbered pocket the spinning ball will land on in the wheel. A roulette wheel is shaped like a bowl and around three feet in diameter. There are two common forms of the game: American Roulette and European Roulette. American Roulette has 38 pockets: 1-36, 0 and 00. European Roulette has 37 pockets: 1-36 and 0. Therefore, European Roulette has a lower house advantage at 2.7% rather than American Roulette’s 5.26%. Because of that, European Roulette isn’t found in many American land-based casinos, but it is widespread online. It’s another way online casinos are better than land-based casinos.
For the numbers 1-36, half are red and half are black. The 0 and 00 are green. You put your chips on the corresponding roulette layout and the dealer, or croupier, spins the wheel. Your bet must be down before the dealer calls out “no more bets.” The dealer also collects chips and distributes payouts after the spin. Each play has their own color of chips. Each table has minimum and maximum bets. The layout has 48 boxes for red, black or green bets known as inside bets. There is 11 boxes for outside bets like red/black, odd/even and high/low.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Trying out Blackjack
Blackjack is another card game that is based on strategy and a bit of the luck of the draw. You won’t find a faster table game at the casino, so it’s the hardest game to stay in control of your bankroll. You will go on good streaks and bad streaks. You just have to learn to stomach the losses and know when to quit.
In blackjack, your opponent is the dealer, as is the case with other players at the table. You want your cards to total as close as possible to 21 without going over. Cards 2 through 10 are worth face value. Face cards are worth 10. An Ace gives you a dangerous hand in a good way. An Ace is worth 1 or 11. Hands with an Ace are called soft hands, while those without one are called hard hands, because the value can’t change. In other words, if you go over 21 with an Ace as an 11, it can change to a 1 and you can keep going in the hand.
Blackjack is a game that can be exploited by card counters, so casinos will use up to six to eight decks. It’s the same for online casinos, which use a random number generator (RNG). However, you can still find better odds for blackjack online than in a land-based casino.
When you tie the dealer in blackjack, it’s called a push and you get your original wager back. A hand worth 21 usually pays out 3 to 2, aiding the house advantage. Most dealers are required to stand on a hard 17. For a soft hand with an Ace, always hit or double down when your other card is a 2 through a 6. Don’t split hands when you aren’t sure what to do. Basic blackjack strategy says to not split 5s or 10s, but rather split 8s to avoid a 16.
The house edge in blackjack is 5%, but basic blackjack strategy can reduce that to 0.5%, so read up. Be patient. Even the professionals only turn a 1-2% profit. Card counters make up less than 1% of all players and it isn’t a good long-term strategy.
In blackjack, your opponent is the dealer, as is the case with other players at the table. You want your cards to total as close as possible to 21 without going over. Cards 2 through 10 are worth face value. Face cards are worth 10. An Ace gives you a dangerous hand in a good way. An Ace is worth 1 or 11. Hands with an Ace are called soft hands, while those without one are called hard hands, because the value can’t change. In other words, if you go over 21 with an Ace as an 11, it can change to a 1 and you can keep going in the hand.
Blackjack is a game that can be exploited by card counters, so casinos will use up to six to eight decks. It’s the same for online casinos, which use a random number generator (RNG). However, you can still find better odds for blackjack online than in a land-based casino.
When you tie the dealer in blackjack, it’s called a push and you get your original wager back. A hand worth 21 usually pays out 3 to 2, aiding the house advantage. Most dealers are required to stand on a hard 17. For a soft hand with an Ace, always hit or double down when your other card is a 2 through a 6. Don’t split hands when you aren’t sure what to do. Basic blackjack strategy says to not split 5s or 10s, but rather split 8s to avoid a 16.
The house edge in blackjack is 5%, but basic blackjack strategy can reduce that to 0.5%, so read up. Be patient. Even the professionals only turn a 1-2% profit. Card counters make up less than 1% of all players and it isn’t a good long-term strategy.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Trying out Slots
Slots are the most basic of casino games. There’s a reason why they are so popular. It’s a simple game with big payouts. It’s just a matter of sticking around long enough for those payouts. There is no real strategy. You just need to choose the right type of slot, how much to bet and check the payouts before playing.
Most slots these days have five reels and multiple lines to play on, along with a bonus feature. These slots allow you to play the entire position of the reel instead of fixed lines like the classic 3-reel, 1-payline slots. Video slots are the most popular online, like the Real Series from RTG or the i-Slots from Rival Gaming. Just a 1-reel game has 243 ways to play. Many slots have scatter features, offering even more ways to win.
The only bet in slots without a house advantage is the double up bonus, which is available after a win. You are usually allowed up to five of these in a row. The best advice is to always play the maximum amount on slots so you can get the maximum jackpot. Find a cheaper slot if it’s too much. Some slots have a higher payout percentage than others. If you’re playing in a casino, check the fine print on the side of the machine. If you’re playing online, the online casino is required to advertise the payouts percentages. Progressive jackpots are linked together from multiple machines, sometimes even from affiliate online casinos. These can reach into the millions of dollars.
Most slots these days have five reels and multiple lines to play on, along with a bonus feature. These slots allow you to play the entire position of the reel instead of fixed lines like the classic 3-reel, 1-payline slots. Video slots are the most popular online, like the Real Series from RTG or the i-Slots from Rival Gaming. Just a 1-reel game has 243 ways to play. Many slots have scatter features, offering even more ways to win.
The only bet in slots without a house advantage is the double up bonus, which is available after a win. You are usually allowed up to five of these in a row. The best advice is to always play the maximum amount on slots so you can get the maximum jackpot. Find a cheaper slot if it’s too much. Some slots have a higher payout percentage than others. If you’re playing in a casino, check the fine print on the side of the machine. If you’re playing online, the online casino is required to advertise the payouts percentages. Progressive jackpots are linked together from multiple machines, sometimes even from affiliate online casinos. These can reach into the millions of dollars.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Trying out Bingo
Bingo is a game similar to keno, but has a few key differences. The goal of both is to match randomly drawn numbers to those on your card. In keno, you choose your numbers. In bingo, you play with the numbers on your card. There is no strategy to help you win like many table games. Bingo is simply a game of luck that won’t hurt your bankroll too much. The jackpots aren’t as big as keno, but the house advantage isn’t as high either.
Bingo will definitely take up some time. A few games can monopolize an hour or two, which is a good thing if you’re low on cash and want to get away from the gaming floor. The numbers are called out and you try to match them to your card. A board of recently called out numbers can help you catch up if you fall behind. The numbers must be matched in a pattern like a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line to win. Make sure you know which pattern is a winner before the game starts because there are special ones like four corners (of the card) or a butterfly pattern.
Bingo is widespread online with different varieties of the game and can still be found in some gaming halls of casinos. In land-based casinos though, most of them are electronic bingo stations on the gaming floor. It does all the work for you with a touch screen, unlike in the past when you used a dabber highlighter to mark your card.
Bingo has a field of 1-75 with 15 numbers for each column. “B” has 1-15, “I” has 16-30, “N” has 31-45, “G” has 46-60 and “O” has 61-75. Each card has 25 spaces, including a free space in the middle. Be the first the yell “Bingo!” once you have a pattern to win. After some practice, you will be able to play multiple cards at once.
Bingo will definitely take up some time. A few games can monopolize an hour or two, which is a good thing if you’re low on cash and want to get away from the gaming floor. The numbers are called out and you try to match them to your card. A board of recently called out numbers can help you catch up if you fall behind. The numbers must be matched in a pattern like a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line to win. Make sure you know which pattern is a winner before the game starts because there are special ones like four corners (of the card) or a butterfly pattern.
Bingo is widespread online with different varieties of the game and can still be found in some gaming halls of casinos. In land-based casinos though, most of them are electronic bingo stations on the gaming floor. It does all the work for you with a touch screen, unlike in the past when you used a dabber highlighter to mark your card.
Bingo has a field of 1-75 with 15 numbers for each column. “B” has 1-15, “I” has 16-30, “N” has 31-45, “G” has 46-60 and “O” has 61-75. Each card has 25 spaces, including a free space in the middle. Be the first the yell “Bingo!” once you have a pattern to win. After some practice, you will be able to play multiple cards at once.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Trying out Craps
Craps can be an intimidating game for new casino players but once you understand the different bets and basic rules, you will have no problem fitting in with others at this table game.
In craps, you are either the shooter or a bystander. The shooter rolls the dice. A 7 or 11 is an automatic win. A 2, 3 or 12 is called a “crap out,” where you lose automatically. If you roll any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10), you keep rolling until you hit that number again. The first number rolled is known as the “pass-line point.” Once you establish a pass-line point, you want to avoid rolling a 7. If you roll a 7, you lose and pass the dice to the next player. If you match the pass-line point before rolling a 7, you win.
If you are not the shooter, you bet that the shooter will match the pass-line point or won’t. It’s not considered appropriate to bet against a shooter on a hot streak. If you don’t want to roll, you can pass to the next player, even after a pass-line point has been established. The first roll is called the “come-out roll” where other players win even money if you roll a 7 or 11 and they bet with you.
Craps can have up to four staff people: the boxman, two dealers and the stickman. The boxman oversees the game and resolves problems. The dealers are at both ends of the table and take wagers. The stickman dishes out the dice and calls out betting options. A plastic disk called the “puck” keeps track of the roll with a black side labeled “off” for a come-out roll or white side labeled “on” for a point. If a point has been established, the puck is placed on the corresponding numbered box on the table.
Craps has a house edge of only 1.5%. The odds of any number coming up are 1 in 36. A 7 or 11 hitting has 22% odds and a crap out has 11% odds.
In craps, you are either the shooter or a bystander. The shooter rolls the dice. A 7 or 11 is an automatic win. A 2, 3 or 12 is called a “crap out,” where you lose automatically. If you roll any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10), you keep rolling until you hit that number again. The first number rolled is known as the “pass-line point.” Once you establish a pass-line point, you want to avoid rolling a 7. If you roll a 7, you lose and pass the dice to the next player. If you match the pass-line point before rolling a 7, you win.
If you are not the shooter, you bet that the shooter will match the pass-line point or won’t. It’s not considered appropriate to bet against a shooter on a hot streak. If you don’t want to roll, you can pass to the next player, even after a pass-line point has been established. The first roll is called the “come-out roll” where other players win even money if you roll a 7 or 11 and they bet with you.
Craps can have up to four staff people: the boxman, two dealers and the stickman. The boxman oversees the game and resolves problems. The dealers are at both ends of the table and take wagers. The stickman dishes out the dice and calls out betting options. A plastic disk called the “puck” keeps track of the roll with a black side labeled “off” for a come-out roll or white side labeled “on” for a point. If a point has been established, the puck is placed on the corresponding numbered box on the table.
Craps has a house edge of only 1.5%. The odds of any number coming up are 1 in 36. A 7 or 11 hitting has 22% odds and a crap out has 11% odds.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Trying out Keno
Keno is a lottery-style casino game similar to bingo. That isn’t to say that it is just like bingo. It will take up some time and won’t hurt your bankroll too much. There are some different variations of it at online casinos. But it has much better payouts than bingo.
The game started in China and you choose one or more numbers from a field of 1-80. You match randomly drawn numbers just like in bingo. Each game is called a race. The payout depends on how many numbers you match, how much you bet and if the bet was at a special rate. Keno is based entirely on chance so there is no real strategy.
You choose between one and 15 numbers for each game. Twenty of 80 possible numbers are drawn. Therefore, you only have to match 15 of the 20 drawn numbers to get the jackpot, which can be from thousands to millions of dollars. The average keno jackpot is $10,000. You mark your ticket by putting an “X” over your chosen numbers. When playing 15 numbers, six must be matched for a payout. Depending on how many numbers you bet, the house edge is 22%-50%, making it an unfavorable casino game.
Keno has two ways to play: a straight bet or a way bet. Straight bets allow you to pick individual numbers, up to a total of 15. Way bets group the numbers selected into sets, which gives you more ways to win. So, if you select six numbers, they can be separated into three groups of two numbers, giving you four ways to win (a straight bet, plus three groups). This way bet is like playing four different tickets. Circle your numbers to keep track.
The game started in China and you choose one or more numbers from a field of 1-80. You match randomly drawn numbers just like in bingo. Each game is called a race. The payout depends on how many numbers you match, how much you bet and if the bet was at a special rate. Keno is based entirely on chance so there is no real strategy.
You choose between one and 15 numbers for each game. Twenty of 80 possible numbers are drawn. Therefore, you only have to match 15 of the 20 drawn numbers to get the jackpot, which can be from thousands to millions of dollars. The average keno jackpot is $10,000. You mark your ticket by putting an “X” over your chosen numbers. When playing 15 numbers, six must be matched for a payout. Depending on how many numbers you bet, the house edge is 22%-50%, making it an unfavorable casino game.
Keno has two ways to play: a straight bet or a way bet. Straight bets allow you to pick individual numbers, up to a total of 15. Way bets group the numbers selected into sets, which gives you more ways to win. So, if you select six numbers, they can be separated into three groups of two numbers, giving you four ways to win (a straight bet, plus three groups). This way bet is like playing four different tickets. Circle your numbers to keep track.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Trying out Texas Hold'em Poker
There are a lot of varieties of poker but the most popular is Texas Hold’em Poker. It has grown with televised poker tournaments like the World Poker Tour and World Series of Poker. Online poker has grown the game as well, especially among young people.
Texas Hold’em uses the regular 52-card deck and no Jokers. You form a five-card poker hand from seven total card. Throw chips into a pot with each round of betting. Five community cards are dealt to the center of the table. Texas Hold’em itself has its own varieties like no-limit, limit, Omaha and antes. The most common type of the game is Hold’em using blinds.
The betting starts with the small blind and big blind. The small blind is the player directly left of the dealer. The player to the right of the small blind is the big blind. When the blinds are in, each player gets two hold cards. The player to the left of the big blind bets opens the wagering by calling the big blind, raising or folding. Other players can do the same until it comes back to the big blind, who gets the final say. Any amount of raises are allowed in No Limit Hold’em, but Limit Hold’em allows for only twice the amount of the big blind.
The first three community cards are known as the flop in Texas Hold’em. A round of betting follows and then the fourth community card is dealt known as the turn. After another round of betting, the fifth community card comes, known as the river. The last round of betting decides the hand. If only two players are left in the hand, it’s called going “heads-up.” Practice the five basic poker strategies to be successful at Texas Hold’em Poker.
Texas Hold’em uses the regular 52-card deck and no Jokers. You form a five-card poker hand from seven total card. Throw chips into a pot with each round of betting. Five community cards are dealt to the center of the table. Texas Hold’em itself has its own varieties like no-limit, limit, Omaha and antes. The most common type of the game is Hold’em using blinds.
The betting starts with the small blind and big blind. The small blind is the player directly left of the dealer. The player to the right of the small blind is the big blind. When the blinds are in, each player gets two hold cards. The player to the left of the big blind bets opens the wagering by calling the big blind, raising or folding. Other players can do the same until it comes back to the big blind, who gets the final say. Any amount of raises are allowed in No Limit Hold’em, but Limit Hold’em allows for only twice the amount of the big blind.
The first three community cards are known as the flop in Texas Hold’em. A round of betting follows and then the fourth community card is dealt known as the turn. After another round of betting, the fifth community card comes, known as the river. The last round of betting decides the hand. If only two players are left in the hand, it’s called going “heads-up.” Practice the five basic poker strategies to be successful at Texas Hold’em Poker.
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