On the face of it blackjack is a simple game. The objective is to have a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer without going bust. However if the fine print of the rules is itemized then one finds about ten items that impact the payout percentage of the game. These include factors like number of decks, whether the dealer hits or stands on a total of soft 17 and how many times can a hand be respilt. Online casino software providers have mixed and matched these rules in order to create subtle variations in the blackjack games. Microgaming alone provides about 50 variants. When the variants of the other software providers are added the number would increase significantly.
Therefore it is essential for the discerning gambler to understand the variants and the impact they have on the payout percentage. This will help the players to choose the more appropriate variant of blackjack from this point of view. One of the most important factors is the number of decks used in the game. Online blackjack games are played with between one and eight decks. Again using Microgaming as an example, Vegas Single Deck Blackjack Gold is played with one deck, Bonus Blackjack Gold is played with two decks, Big Five Blackjack Gold is played with five decks and Microgaming European Blackjack uses eight decks. The simple tip is that as the number of decks increases the expected payout percent decreases. Therefore players are best equipped playing games with single decks.
Another key rule is whether the dealer is whether the dealer should hit or stand on a total of soft 17. A soft total has an ace that can take the value of 11. If the dealer is allowed to hit on a soft 17 he gets the chance to convert the value of his ace to 1 and thus is likely to increase his hand value. Hence the payout percent to the player is expected to be better if the dealer is forced to stand on a soft 17 and therefore players should look for those variations. In Vegas Single Deck Blackjack Gold the dealer hits on a soft 17 whereas in Classic Blackjack Gold the dealer stands on a soft 17.
In general restricting the options of a player results in a decrease in the expected payout percent. Some of the restrictive impositions in common use are not allowing a player to double after a split, restricting resplitting to two times and not allowing a player to respilt aces. Therefore players should avoid those blackjack variants that have these restrictive provisions.
However the issue is not so simple. Each of the above discussions assumes that other conditions are constant. This is rarely so. Online gaming software providers combine the favorable and unfavorable conditions. But this is not a cause for worry. There are several blackjack calculators available on the Internet. Players need to plug in the conditions and get the numerical value of the expected payout percent. This leads to a simple comparison of the blackjack games.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Microgaming Blackjack Statistics
Microgaming offers about 40 blackjack games in its portfolio. Most of the games provide a number of statistics that are generated continuously during the session. Many players never access these statistics. However some of the statistics do provide helpful clues and enable players to plan their online gaming. This article discusses some of these statistics and how they can be used.
The statistics are accessed using the button provided in the bottom toolbar. In most Microgaming blackjack games the button displays the '%' sign. One of the problems associated with the statistics function is that the data is not saved. When the player opens a Microgaming blackjack game there are no statistics available. As the player wagers the statistics are generated and can be accessed. Therefore players who are intending to wager on blackjack as their staple game would need to save the statistics on their computers. Statistics become meaningful only if a large number of games are played and therefore it is advised that the players engage in a session of about 500 games and then save the statistics. The statistics can then be used as a reference data.
The statistics box has a number of tabs. It opens to the default setting of 'General'. This tab displays three values, which are hands played, session time and hands per hour. The 'hands per hour' value is obtained by dividing the hands played by the session time. This information is very useful in planning the bet amount. Players would work out their bankroll per session based on their overall funds availability. They would also work out the time they want to allot per session based on their overall time availability. The 'hands per hour' statistic tells the player how many hands he can play in the time he has allotted for the session. Then the player can divide his total bankroll for the session by the number of hands he expects to play in that session and arrive at the amount he must wager on each hand. Instead of following this systematic procedure if the player wagers an ad hoc amount on each hand he may exhaust his bankroll before the intended end of the session. This could tempt him to deploy more funds than he had originally planned to and this is the first step to get into the problem gambling trap.
A decision that players have to make in every blackjack hand is whether to hit or stand. This decision is to some extent dependent on the dealer's initial card and the expected final hand value. For example if the dealer is expected to go bust then the player would stand on his present hand. Or if the dealer is expected to reach a hand value of 17 then the player may hit in the hope of getting a higher valid hand value. In the game statistics box there is a tab 'Dealer's Final Hand'. For each value of the initial card the table gives the percentage distribution of the final hand value. This tells the player what is the most likely final hand value of the dealer for the dealt initial card. This information can be used to decide whether to hit or to stand.
The statistics are accessed using the button provided in the bottom toolbar. In most Microgaming blackjack games the button displays the '%' sign. One of the problems associated with the statistics function is that the data is not saved. When the player opens a Microgaming blackjack game there are no statistics available. As the player wagers the statistics are generated and can be accessed. Therefore players who are intending to wager on blackjack as their staple game would need to save the statistics on their computers. Statistics become meaningful only if a large number of games are played and therefore it is advised that the players engage in a session of about 500 games and then save the statistics. The statistics can then be used as a reference data.
The statistics box has a number of tabs. It opens to the default setting of 'General'. This tab displays three values, which are hands played, session time and hands per hour. The 'hands per hour' value is obtained by dividing the hands played by the session time. This information is very useful in planning the bet amount. Players would work out their bankroll per session based on their overall funds availability. They would also work out the time they want to allot per session based on their overall time availability. The 'hands per hour' statistic tells the player how many hands he can play in the time he has allotted for the session. Then the player can divide his total bankroll for the session by the number of hands he expects to play in that session and arrive at the amount he must wager on each hand. Instead of following this systematic procedure if the player wagers an ad hoc amount on each hand he may exhaust his bankroll before the intended end of the session. This could tempt him to deploy more funds than he had originally planned to and this is the first step to get into the problem gambling trap.
A decision that players have to make in every blackjack hand is whether to hit or stand. This decision is to some extent dependent on the dealer's initial card and the expected final hand value. For example if the dealer is expected to go bust then the player would stand on his present hand. Or if the dealer is expected to reach a hand value of 17 then the player may hit in the hope of getting a higher valid hand value. In the game statistics box there is a tab 'Dealer's Final Hand'. For each value of the initial card the table gives the percentage distribution of the final hand value. This tells the player what is the most likely final hand value of the dealer for the dealt initial card. This information can be used to decide whether to hit or to stand.
Roulette Tips on Betting Options
Roulette can seem like a pretty difficult game to play if you haven't actually been introduced properly. The theory is simple, but when you add in all of the different bets and really want to win you need to follow some tips. The first tip that can ever be offered when you are learning Roulette is to play the outside bets only. We will get into an explanation of why so that you understand where this tip is coming from.
On the Roulette table you have inside and outside bets. The inside bets have the lowest probability for you to win at the game and the better house edge. When gambling you will want to choose a bet that have the most advantages for you and not the house. In Roulette this means you need to place one of the several outside bets.
The most come outside bets will be the even money bets. These are bets in which you place your wager on 18 numbers. The 18 numbers can be odd, even, black or red. The reason it is called even money bet is because you win 1:1 odds. You also have the highest probability of winning at 1.111 to 1.
Other outside bets allow you to bet on 12 numbers in the column. This is a little riskier than the even money outside bet, but it is a sure chance of getting a win more often. The Roulette wheel is only going to land on one number every spin. This number is going to be random and the marble will be changed out after 8- 12 hours of play depending on the casino, so that there is no issue. Even betting on 18 numbers you still have a chance to lose because you might have played on red with a black number coming up. This is the gamble you take, but knowing that if you play 18 numbers you will get 1:1 back you have a better chance of stock piling a little money over time as you play with less risk.
If you do decide to place an inside bet rather than the outside bet, you should cover that bet. In other words you should place the outside bet that will cover the inside bet you just made. This way if the number you chose is hit, you get more of the winnings, but if it misses you still have a chance to recoup your losses with the outside bet.
By playing with this tip to only play outside bets you get to have fun longer. If you blow your winnings on high chances you aren't going to be playing for a long period of time. This statement is true of online and land casinos because the games and rules of the same. You need to play with a winning strategy and tips in order to make sure you come out winning more than you not winning. Gambling is a risk by definition, but there is no sense in making it harder.
On the Roulette table you have inside and outside bets. The inside bets have the lowest probability for you to win at the game and the better house edge. When gambling you will want to choose a bet that have the most advantages for you and not the house. In Roulette this means you need to place one of the several outside bets.
The most come outside bets will be the even money bets. These are bets in which you place your wager on 18 numbers. The 18 numbers can be odd, even, black or red. The reason it is called even money bet is because you win 1:1 odds. You also have the highest probability of winning at 1.111 to 1.
Other outside bets allow you to bet on 12 numbers in the column. This is a little riskier than the even money outside bet, but it is a sure chance of getting a win more often. The Roulette wheel is only going to land on one number every spin. This number is going to be random and the marble will be changed out after 8- 12 hours of play depending on the casino, so that there is no issue. Even betting on 18 numbers you still have a chance to lose because you might have played on red with a black number coming up. This is the gamble you take, but knowing that if you play 18 numbers you will get 1:1 back you have a better chance of stock piling a little money over time as you play with less risk.
If you do decide to place an inside bet rather than the outside bet, you should cover that bet. In other words you should place the outside bet that will cover the inside bet you just made. This way if the number you chose is hit, you get more of the winnings, but if it misses you still have a chance to recoup your losses with the outside bet.
By playing with this tip to only play outside bets you get to have fun longer. If you blow your winnings on high chances you aren't going to be playing for a long period of time. This statement is true of online and land casinos because the games and rules of the same. You need to play with a winning strategy and tips in order to make sure you come out winning more than you not winning. Gambling is a risk by definition, but there is no sense in making it harder.
Save Bets In Microgaming Roulette
One of the advantages of roulette is that it offers a number of betting patterns so the players can break the monotony by switching to different patterns. And unlike in craps the different patterns offer identical and reasonable house edges. If a player chooses simple patterns like betting on red, betting on a single spot and betting on a column he has to place chips at only one spot on the layout and he is through. Toggling between bets is very convenient. However, most players would want to use more complicated betting patterns. These may include betting on the digits of their telephone number, a combination of simple bets to extend the coverage and neighbor bets that cover a number of consecutive spots on the wheel. In this event the player would have to place chips at several places on the layout and it can be inconvenient to switch bets often.
Most online roulette games offer a way out by allowing players to save bets. Then all the player has to do is click on the appropriate button and the chips are placed on the layout as he desires. Different software providers and even different variants of roulette from the same software provider would have slightly differing procedures for saving bets. The procedure to be followed in Microgaming's American Roulette is being described as an example.
First the player needs to go into the expert mode by clicking on the EXPERT button. In the bottom toolbar there will be an EDIT button with eight numbered buttons below it. Initially none of them are active. By clicking on the EDIT button the player is taken to the screen that enables him to save the bets. On the left hand side of the screen is the normal roulette table layout. If the desired bet has already been laid out in the game it can be transferred to this layout by clicking the GET TABLE BETS button. Otherwise the chips have to be placed on this layout. Suppose the player wants to place a $1 chip on each digit of his telephone number that may be 9821056839. He should select the $1 chip and click on each of the digits of the telephone number. The spots 0, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 will have bets of $1 and the spots 8 and 9 will have bets of $2. Then by clicking the SAVE LAYOUT button this bet is saved at Bet Layout 1.
By clicking the NEXT button a fresh layout is revealed on the screen. Now suppose the player wants to save a neighbors bet. The relevant part is the center of the screen that shows a roulette wheel layout. The player can cover from one to eight neighbors on either side of the chosen number. If the player chooses two neighbors he will be able to cover five consecutive numbers on the wheel. To select the desired neighbors the player has to click on the button next to the number of neighbors he wants to select. He then has to click on the central number he has chosen on the wheel. This highlights the sequence of spots selected. By clicking the ADD TO LAYOUT BUTTON the selected chip denomination is placed on each of the spots in the table layout on the left of the screen. The pattern can be saved as described earlier.
The player can return to the game by clicking the BACK TO GAME button. Now under the EDIT button, buttons numbered 1 and 2 are active. By clicking on button 1 the telephone number pattern can be wagered and by clicking on button 2 the neighbors pattern can be wagered. In all Microgaming's American Roulette can save up to eight patterns.
Most online roulette games offer a way out by allowing players to save bets. Then all the player has to do is click on the appropriate button and the chips are placed on the layout as he desires. Different software providers and even different variants of roulette from the same software provider would have slightly differing procedures for saving bets. The procedure to be followed in Microgaming's American Roulette is being described as an example.
First the player needs to go into the expert mode by clicking on the EXPERT button. In the bottom toolbar there will be an EDIT button with eight numbered buttons below it. Initially none of them are active. By clicking on the EDIT button the player is taken to the screen that enables him to save the bets. On the left hand side of the screen is the normal roulette table layout. If the desired bet has already been laid out in the game it can be transferred to this layout by clicking the GET TABLE BETS button. Otherwise the chips have to be placed on this layout. Suppose the player wants to place a $1 chip on each digit of his telephone number that may be 9821056839. He should select the $1 chip and click on each of the digits of the telephone number. The spots 0, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 will have bets of $1 and the spots 8 and 9 will have bets of $2. Then by clicking the SAVE LAYOUT button this bet is saved at Bet Layout 1.
By clicking the NEXT button a fresh layout is revealed on the screen. Now suppose the player wants to save a neighbors bet. The relevant part is the center of the screen that shows a roulette wheel layout. The player can cover from one to eight neighbors on either side of the chosen number. If the player chooses two neighbors he will be able to cover five consecutive numbers on the wheel. To select the desired neighbors the player has to click on the button next to the number of neighbors he wants to select. He then has to click on the central number he has chosen on the wheel. This highlights the sequence of spots selected. By clicking the ADD TO LAYOUT BUTTON the selected chip denomination is placed on each of the spots in the table layout on the left of the screen. The pattern can be saved as described earlier.
The player can return to the game by clicking the BACK TO GAME button. Now under the EDIT button, buttons numbered 1 and 2 are active. By clicking on button 1 the telephone number pattern can be wagered and by clicking on button 2 the neighbors pattern can be wagered. In all Microgaming's American Roulette can save up to eight patterns.
Choose the Pass Line Bet with Free Odds
Craps is a very popular land-based casino game. Therefore it is no wonder that all online casinos offer this game in their portfolio. As in land-based craps, the Pass Line bet is one of the most popular bets in online craps. There are many reasons for this. It offers one of the lowest house edges among all the craps bets, that of 1.4%. The bet is played over a number of rolls and is therefore sufficiently engaging. It is also complex enough to interest the seasoned craps player.
In online craps the wager for the Pass Line bet is placed on a band marked Pass Line. After the wager is placed the first roll of the series is made. In craps parlance this is known as the come out roll. If in the come out roll 7 or 11 are rolled then the player wins without any further rolls taking place. Likewise if in the come out roll 2, 3 or 11 are rolled then the player immediately loses his wager. The action begins if any other number is rolled in the come out roll. That number then becomes the point for the subsequent rolls in the series. If the point is rolled before 7 then the player wins. However, if 7 is rolled before the point then the player loses. Whether the player wins during the come out roll or later he receives the payout of 1 to 1.
Land-based craps games offer a supplementary bet to the Pass Line bet, which is known as the Free Odds bet. Unfortunately not all online casinos offer the Free Odds bet, but some of them definitely do. The Free Odds bet allows players to place another wager on the same outcome and the additional wager has no house edge. It pays as per the mathematical calculations. Hence the house edge of the combined wager decreases to less than 1.4%.
The payout for the Free Odds bet is not 1 to 1 as in the case of the Pass Line bet. It depends on the number established as the point. If the point is 4 or 10 then the payout is 2 to 1; if the point is 5 or 9 then the payout is 3 to 2 and if the point is 6 or 8 then the payout is 6 to 5. The combined bet works as follows. Suppose a player wagers $5 on the Pass Line bet and after the point is established as 4 he wagers another $5 on the Free Odds bet. If the player loses then he loses the entire $10. If the player wins then the payout is calculated in the following manner. For the Pass Line bet his payout is 1 to 1 and therefore he receives $10 from the online casino, which is to say that he wins $5. For the Free Odds bet his payout is 2 to 1 and therefore he receives $15 from the online casino, which is to say that he wins $10. In all he receives $25 and after deducting his wager he wins $15. The payouts for the combined bets in case of other points can be similarly calculated.
Usually the Free Odds bet is restricted to between the amount of the original wager and double that amount. Players should choose the amount of the Free Odds wager very carefully so that they do not lose out if the online casino rounds off the payout to the minimum chip size. If they do not exercise this caution the players can lose the advantage offered by the Free Odds bet. And since not all online casinos offer the facility of the Free Odds bet, serious craps players should locate an online casino that does so and register there.
In online craps the wager for the Pass Line bet is placed on a band marked Pass Line. After the wager is placed the first roll of the series is made. In craps parlance this is known as the come out roll. If in the come out roll 7 or 11 are rolled then the player wins without any further rolls taking place. Likewise if in the come out roll 2, 3 or 11 are rolled then the player immediately loses his wager. The action begins if any other number is rolled in the come out roll. That number then becomes the point for the subsequent rolls in the series. If the point is rolled before 7 then the player wins. However, if 7 is rolled before the point then the player loses. Whether the player wins during the come out roll or later he receives the payout of 1 to 1.
Land-based craps games offer a supplementary bet to the Pass Line bet, which is known as the Free Odds bet. Unfortunately not all online casinos offer the Free Odds bet, but some of them definitely do. The Free Odds bet allows players to place another wager on the same outcome and the additional wager has no house edge. It pays as per the mathematical calculations. Hence the house edge of the combined wager decreases to less than 1.4%.
The payout for the Free Odds bet is not 1 to 1 as in the case of the Pass Line bet. It depends on the number established as the point. If the point is 4 or 10 then the payout is 2 to 1; if the point is 5 or 9 then the payout is 3 to 2 and if the point is 6 or 8 then the payout is 6 to 5. The combined bet works as follows. Suppose a player wagers $5 on the Pass Line bet and after the point is established as 4 he wagers another $5 on the Free Odds bet. If the player loses then he loses the entire $10. If the player wins then the payout is calculated in the following manner. For the Pass Line bet his payout is 1 to 1 and therefore he receives $10 from the online casino, which is to say that he wins $5. For the Free Odds bet his payout is 2 to 1 and therefore he receives $15 from the online casino, which is to say that he wins $10. In all he receives $25 and after deducting his wager he wins $15. The payouts for the combined bets in case of other points can be similarly calculated.
Usually the Free Odds bet is restricted to between the amount of the original wager and double that amount. Players should choose the amount of the Free Odds wager very carefully so that they do not lose out if the online casino rounds off the payout to the minimum chip size. If they do not exercise this caution the players can lose the advantage offered by the Free Odds bet. And since not all online casinos offer the facility of the Free Odds bet, serious craps players should locate an online casino that does so and register there.
Tips for Online Casino Slots Betting Options
Unlike in games such as blackjack and video poker, online slots do not require any inputs from players once the wager is placed and the reels are set in motion. However, some decisions are involved in deciding how to place the wagers and these are commonly referred to as betting options. Though these decisions are extremely simple in nature they must not be taken carelessly because they can have long-term implications.
There are a few slot games that are played with fixed bets. But other than that all online slot games provide for at least two betting options. These are selection of the number of paylines and fixing of the line bet. Many online gaming software providers offer paylines with single coin wagers and players are required to choose only the coin denomination. Some software providers allow players to choose both the number of coins and the coin denomination in finalizing the line bet betting option.
There is only one tip for selecting the number of paylines and it is inviolable. 'Always wager will all paylines enabled'. There are two reasons for this. In all online slot games winning combinations pay out only on enabled paylines. If there is a combination that pays out on any payline and that payline has not been selected then the player gets nothing. Also in most progressive jackpot online slots the progressive jackpot can only be hit by getting the winning combination on the highest payline. This means that the player has to enable all paylines in order to hit the progressive jackpot.
In certain slot games activating all paylines can be a problem for low rollers. In particular are those online slots that have 40 or more paylines. In such cases the total amount wagered per spin, which is referred to as the total bet, becomes at least 40 times the line bet. Hence the line bet must be chosen judiciously. Here online slot games that allow players to choose the number of coins per payline must be considered separately. In progressive jackpot online slot games it is mandatory to wager the maximum number of coins to be eligible for the progressive jackpot. Therefore players wagering on such games have no option but to choose the maximum number of coins per payline and make all their adjustments only on the coin denomination. In the normal online slots players can choose that combination of coin denomination and number of coins which brings them closest to their desired line bet.
Whether the selection of the line bet involves a single decision of coin denomination or a multiple decision of coin denomination and number of coins, it has to be made based on the player's bankroll for the session. This is the most prudent way and is essential to ensure that the player does not fall into the trap of problem gambling. The player first fixes his bankroll for the session based on his overall funds availability and he then fixes the number of spins that he would like to play in that session. This would give him his total bet per spin. Dividing this amount by the number of paylines in the online slot game will give the player a ballpark number for the line bet. Even though it may seem complicated to the uninitiated, the process is extremely simple and takes less than a minute to perform. All online slots players should get used to this.
There are a few slot games that are played with fixed bets. But other than that all online slot games provide for at least two betting options. These are selection of the number of paylines and fixing of the line bet. Many online gaming software providers offer paylines with single coin wagers and players are required to choose only the coin denomination. Some software providers allow players to choose both the number of coins and the coin denomination in finalizing the line bet betting option.
There is only one tip for selecting the number of paylines and it is inviolable. 'Always wager will all paylines enabled'. There are two reasons for this. In all online slot games winning combinations pay out only on enabled paylines. If there is a combination that pays out on any payline and that payline has not been selected then the player gets nothing. Also in most progressive jackpot online slots the progressive jackpot can only be hit by getting the winning combination on the highest payline. This means that the player has to enable all paylines in order to hit the progressive jackpot.
In certain slot games activating all paylines can be a problem for low rollers. In particular are those online slots that have 40 or more paylines. In such cases the total amount wagered per spin, which is referred to as the total bet, becomes at least 40 times the line bet. Hence the line bet must be chosen judiciously. Here online slot games that allow players to choose the number of coins per payline must be considered separately. In progressive jackpot online slot games it is mandatory to wager the maximum number of coins to be eligible for the progressive jackpot. Therefore players wagering on such games have no option but to choose the maximum number of coins per payline and make all their adjustments only on the coin denomination. In the normal online slots players can choose that combination of coin denomination and number of coins which brings them closest to their desired line bet.
Whether the selection of the line bet involves a single decision of coin denomination or a multiple decision of coin denomination and number of coins, it has to be made based on the player's bankroll for the session. This is the most prudent way and is essential to ensure that the player does not fall into the trap of problem gambling. The player first fixes his bankroll for the session based on his overall funds availability and he then fixes the number of spins that he would like to play in that session. This would give him his total bet per spin. Dividing this amount by the number of paylines in the online slot game will give the player a ballpark number for the line bet. Even though it may seem complicated to the uninitiated, the process is extremely simple and takes less than a minute to perform. All online slots players should get used to this.
Consider Bonus Games While Choosing Online Slots
Slot games drive the online casino industry. The player is never strapped for choice. On the contrary the player often faces difficulties in choosing the slot game he wants to play. The payout table is usually the deciding factor in selecting the slot game. Some slot games offer comparatively lower payouts in the payout table and these games are given the skip. Players who do so are making a mistake. Slot games that offer low payouts through the line wins in the payout table makeup by offering attractive payouts in bonus games. Therefore players must consider the bonus games alongside the payout table while choosing online slots.
One of the most common types of bonus games is the free spins bonus round. The number of free spins offered, the payout multiplier and whether the free spins can be re-triggered are some of the factors that players need to consider. However, if the free spins bonus round is to compensate for low payouts in the payout table then it must offer something extra. There are many ways in which online slot games build in this extra payout in the free spins bonus round. Very often the wild symbol behaves differently in the free spins bonus round. It can act as a multiplier and sometimes it appears more often in free spins. But it really works wonders when it expands to cover the entire reel. And if that reel containing the expanded wilds is held fixed through the remainder of the spins then the payouts can really pile on. In such cases a low-paying payout table should be acceptable because the real benefits lie elsewhere.
There is a Microgaming online slot game called Doctor Doctor. It offers a unique free spins bonus round. Two special symbols can appear during this bonus round. One is the yellow capsule that adds more free spins. The other is the blue capsule that increases the multiplier. If this free spins bonus round is triggered it usually results in high payouts.
The second type of bonus round is the bonus game on the second screen. There is considerably more variety in this type of bonus round. Also there are no clear cut parameters like number of free spins and multipliers. Hence it is more difficult to estimate the potential payout of such games. One way to evaluate such games is through the number of levels. Multi-level bonus games tend to pay out more. A recently released online slot Kung Fu Monkey has a three level bonus game on the second screen with fantastic payouts.
One way to evaluate the bonus game on the second screen is to actually play it. Players can switch to the free play mode and play the online slot till the bonus game is triggered. Repeating this procedure a few times will give a fairly good idea of what level of payouts to expect. They can then factor in the bonus game on the second screen with the free spins bonus round and the regular line payouts.
Another factor that players need to consider is the number of paylines. The more the paylines the more often will winning combinations occur and therefore will make up for lower payouts. Alaskan Fishing has 243 paylines, which is the maximum possible in a 5 reel slot with three rows of symbols. Therefore the maximum line payout of 500 is not all that bad a deal.
One of the most common types of bonus games is the free spins bonus round. The number of free spins offered, the payout multiplier and whether the free spins can be re-triggered are some of the factors that players need to consider. However, if the free spins bonus round is to compensate for low payouts in the payout table then it must offer something extra. There are many ways in which online slot games build in this extra payout in the free spins bonus round. Very often the wild symbol behaves differently in the free spins bonus round. It can act as a multiplier and sometimes it appears more often in free spins. But it really works wonders when it expands to cover the entire reel. And if that reel containing the expanded wilds is held fixed through the remainder of the spins then the payouts can really pile on. In such cases a low-paying payout table should be acceptable because the real benefits lie elsewhere.
There is a Microgaming online slot game called Doctor Doctor. It offers a unique free spins bonus round. Two special symbols can appear during this bonus round. One is the yellow capsule that adds more free spins. The other is the blue capsule that increases the multiplier. If this free spins bonus round is triggered it usually results in high payouts.
The second type of bonus round is the bonus game on the second screen. There is considerably more variety in this type of bonus round. Also there are no clear cut parameters like number of free spins and multipliers. Hence it is more difficult to estimate the potential payout of such games. One way to evaluate such games is through the number of levels. Multi-level bonus games tend to pay out more. A recently released online slot Kung Fu Monkey has a three level bonus game on the second screen with fantastic payouts.
One way to evaluate the bonus game on the second screen is to actually play it. Players can switch to the free play mode and play the online slot till the bonus game is triggered. Repeating this procedure a few times will give a fairly good idea of what level of payouts to expect. They can then factor in the bonus game on the second screen with the free spins bonus round and the regular line payouts.
Another factor that players need to consider is the number of paylines. The more the paylines the more often will winning combinations occur and therefore will make up for lower payouts. Alaskan Fishing has 243 paylines, which is the maximum possible in a 5 reel slot with three rows of symbols. Therefore the maximum line payout of 500 is not all that bad a deal.
3 Vital Rules to Winning Blackjack
There are plenty of rules to play solid, basic blackjack and many little pocket cheat sheets to memorize. What we're talking about is the more subtle aspects of the game. Follow these and we're positive the odds will fall closer to your favor.
Watch the Tables before Sitting
This may not seem obvious at first but once you see the dunce on the end hit 16 when the dealer's showing a 4 you'll understand why you don't sit there or why you get up as soon as your dunce-meter hits STUPID. One bad player ruins your game. Sitting at a table where everyone understands the basics is very important. It may take only five minutes to figure it out, but the time standing will override the time pulling out your wallet.
What are the Casino's Rules
Does the Dealer stand on 17 or are they able to hit a soft 17 (Ace,6 or Ace, 5, Ace or any other combination of an Ace with a set of low cards). How many decks are in the shoe? Fewer decks makes it easier to keep track of the cards. Can you surrender? Some casinos will allow a player to surrender half their bet before receiving any more cards. Players should take advantage of this when the odds are less than 25%.
How much Time You Got
The odds are in the house's favor but so little that winning is very possible. If you are playing correctly and losing the odds will swing your way. You have to be patient. Impatience is how players run from bad table to bad table never hitting that winning streak.
Watch the Tables before Sitting
This may not seem obvious at first but once you see the dunce on the end hit 16 when the dealer's showing a 4 you'll understand why you don't sit there or why you get up as soon as your dunce-meter hits STUPID. One bad player ruins your game. Sitting at a table where everyone understands the basics is very important. It may take only five minutes to figure it out, but the time standing will override the time pulling out your wallet.
What are the Casino's Rules
Does the Dealer stand on 17 or are they able to hit a soft 17 (Ace,6 or Ace, 5, Ace or any other combination of an Ace with a set of low cards). How many decks are in the shoe? Fewer decks makes it easier to keep track of the cards. Can you surrender? Some casinos will allow a player to surrender half their bet before receiving any more cards. Players should take advantage of this when the odds are less than 25%.
How much Time You Got
The odds are in the house's favor but so little that winning is very possible. If you are playing correctly and losing the odds will swing your way. You have to be patient. Impatience is how players run from bad table to bad table never hitting that winning streak.
Craps - How to Roll
If roulette is the cold, sterile, sophisticated martini then craps is the loud, brash and bawdy shots of tequila with a Bud chaser. There is never a casino moment when the craps table isn't rocking. People are high-fiving, pumping fists and screaming. There is no better advertisement for casinos than a lively craps table. It's bedlam. Exactly what a casino desires. For the newbie the action is inviting and intimidating as a club with a rope line and big bouncer. You want in, but how do you get in without making an ass of yourself. Here's a primer on the game and the table.
- The Shooter: This is the person tossing the dice.
- The Point: On the Shooter's "Coming out" roll, he makes a point if he rolls a 4,5,6,8,9,10. This becomes the number the shooter must make before rolling a 7 to continue rolling. If he makes a 7, he passes the dice to the next Shooter.
- The Pass line: This is a bet made prior to the Shooter's first roll. You can up the bet but a new person can't bet until a Shooter's made point or there is a new shooter. With a pass line bet you are betting the shooter will make their point before rolling a 7 (crapping out).
- The Don't Pass Line: Think bizarro pass line. You are betting the shooter will hit a 7 before hitting their point.
- Come Bets/Don't Come Bets: Like the pass line bets but made after the come out roll.
- Place Bets: Place a bet on any of these numbers: 4,5,6,8,9,10 and win if you hit before a 7 is rolled.
- Buy/Lay Bets: A buy bet wins if a 4 or 10 is rolled before a 7. Lay bets are won if a 7 is rolled before a 4, 5, 9, 10
- Horn Bets: Single roll bets betting on a 2, 3, 11, 12 to come up.
- Field Bets: Single roll bet made on 2,3,4,5,9,10,11,12.
- Big Red: Single roll bet on the number 7.
Now that you know how to bet there's no reason you can't stroll right past the crowd on the rope line and into the club. Pick up the dice and roll.
- The Shooter: This is the person tossing the dice.
- The Point: On the Shooter's "Coming out" roll, he makes a point if he rolls a 4,5,6,8,9,10. This becomes the number the shooter must make before rolling a 7 to continue rolling. If he makes a 7, he passes the dice to the next Shooter.
- The Pass line: This is a bet made prior to the Shooter's first roll. You can up the bet but a new person can't bet until a Shooter's made point or there is a new shooter. With a pass line bet you are betting the shooter will make their point before rolling a 7 (crapping out).
- The Don't Pass Line: Think bizarro pass line. You are betting the shooter will hit a 7 before hitting their point.
- Come Bets/Don't Come Bets: Like the pass line bets but made after the come out roll.
- Place Bets: Place a bet on any of these numbers: 4,5,6,8,9,10 and win if you hit before a 7 is rolled.
- Buy/Lay Bets: A buy bet wins if a 4 or 10 is rolled before a 7. Lay bets are won if a 7 is rolled before a 4, 5, 9, 10
- Horn Bets: Single roll bets betting on a 2, 3, 11, 12 to come up.
- Field Bets: Single roll bet made on 2,3,4,5,9,10,11,12.
- Big Red: Single roll bet on the number 7.
Now that you know how to bet there's no reason you can't stroll right past the crowd on the rope line and into the club. Pick up the dice and roll.
How To Play Bingo
Even the simplest games have rules. Before you lay down money for a card make sure you know how to play bingo. The basic objective in bingo is to achieve a certain pattern on a card using a combination of letters and numbers. The first person to get the specified pattern wins and a new bingo game begins.
The first step in starting to play bingo is getting your bingo card. If you're playing for money than then each card will cost a certain amount. This could be anywhere from a few cents to hundreds of dollars depending on the jackpot level. There are even progressive games where the jackpots can reach into tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most bingo games will allow players to purchase and play multiple cards during a single game.
Once you have your card you'll see that it is a 5 by 5 grid of numbers with the letters B-I-N-G-O across the top. Each letter will correspond to one column below. The center bingo square is usually a free space. You can go ahead and cover this space with a marker if you like.
Now you listen for the letters and numbers being called, such as B-11. Find column B, the first column, and look for the number 11 below. If you have the number 11 in column B then mark it on your card. The game continues in this fashion until someone covers the specified pattern on his or her card. The pattern will often be a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line of five grid spaces. The free space may be used to complete the winning pattern. Another common pattern is covering all four corners on the card. A popular bingo variation is called blackout bingo, where every number on the bingo card must be covered.
If you complete the pattern then yell out "BINGO!" At this point the game will stop and your bingo card will be verified for accuracy. If everything checks out then you've won the game and get the jackpot. If multiple players win at the same time the jackpot is usually split equally between the winning players.
That's basically all there is to playing bingo. It can be a very fun and social game. Some online bingo sites even have bingo games that you can enter for free and still win money. So get out there and play, and good luck to you!
The first step in starting to play bingo is getting your bingo card. If you're playing for money than then each card will cost a certain amount. This could be anywhere from a few cents to hundreds of dollars depending on the jackpot level. There are even progressive games where the jackpots can reach into tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most bingo games will allow players to purchase and play multiple cards during a single game.
Once you have your card you'll see that it is a 5 by 5 grid of numbers with the letters B-I-N-G-O across the top. Each letter will correspond to one column below. The center bingo square is usually a free space. You can go ahead and cover this space with a marker if you like.
Now you listen for the letters and numbers being called, such as B-11. Find column B, the first column, and look for the number 11 below. If you have the number 11 in column B then mark it on your card. The game continues in this fashion until someone covers the specified pattern on his or her card. The pattern will often be a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line of five grid spaces. The free space may be used to complete the winning pattern. Another common pattern is covering all four corners on the card. A popular bingo variation is called blackout bingo, where every number on the bingo card must be covered.
If you complete the pattern then yell out "BINGO!" At this point the game will stop and your bingo card will be verified for accuracy. If everything checks out then you've won the game and get the jackpot. If multiple players win at the same time the jackpot is usually split equally between the winning players.
That's basically all there is to playing bingo. It can be a very fun and social game. Some online bingo sites even have bingo games that you can enter for free and still win money. So get out there and play, and good luck to you!
Slot Machine Tips
The following is a short-listing of quick slot machine tips. These tips are meant as a supplement to basic slots strategy. Follow these slot machine tips for some general slot machine guidelines and a bit of advice from experienced slots players.
- Each slot machine spin is completely independent. This means if someone gets a big payout at a slot machine you recently left, you didn't actually miss out on the payout. It's highly unlikely you would have gotten the payout if you had stayed at the machine because the outcome is due to the rapid generation of random numbers and not the number of spins.
- A machine is never due to hit a jackpot. Each time you spin the reels at a slot machine you have the same chance of hitting any jackpot regardless of whether or not the machine has recently hit this jackpot. This means that a machine can go many days without a significant payout or could have two giant payouts in a row.
- Three-reel slot machines with only one payline usually offer the best overall percentages for coming out ahead.
- Avoid multiple-payline slots. It seems like your odds would be better with the increase in paylines but the payout rates aren't nearly as good as those found on single-payline slots.
- Avoid progressive slot machines. The huge payouts are very tempting but the random number generators in these machines are programmed to produce a higher number of reels and symbols, decreasing your odds.
- Higher denomination machines often have higher payback percentages. You'll usually do better playing a single coin in a dollar slot machine than three coins in a quarter slot machine.
- To win jackpots and the highest payouts you should always play maximum coins.
- Play the number of coins you feel comfortable with. Yes, more coins often means a better payout, but it's your money and if you'd rather play under the maximum amount then you should do so.
- Faster play does not increase your chances of winning. A person playing slots faster may appear to be winning more but it's just because they're spinning more within a given amount of time.
- It doesn't matter if you pull the handle or hit the Spin button. People have their superstitions but the slot machine couldn't care less.
- The number of coins played has no affect on the outcome of the spin. However, number of coins played may affect the payout.
- Know when to stop spinning. Decide on your bankroll before you sit down at a machine. When that money is gone it's time to go.
- Decide when to move on. If you don't win a payout in a certain number of spins (say 6 or 8 or 10 etc.) then move on to another machine. This strategy will keep you from losing all your money back to a machine that isn't paying out. At the same time it will keep you winning at a loose machine.
- The loosest slots are often in high traffic areas. Look for loose slots near the cashier, main casino aisles, restaurants, and shops. Despite popular opinion, casinos do not hide their best paying machines. It's in their best interest for people to see winners.
- Most casinos will "cap" (hold) a machine for you if you want to take a break. Ask a slot or change attendant if you want your machine capped, but be sure to take your money with you.
- Use your player's card. You can get a lot of great free stuff with a player's card and it only takes a couple minutes to get one.
- Don't forget to take your player's card when you leave. If you do you can usually get a new one from the casino with your balance intact.
- Each slot machine spin is completely independent. This means if someone gets a big payout at a slot machine you recently left, you didn't actually miss out on the payout. It's highly unlikely you would have gotten the payout if you had stayed at the machine because the outcome is due to the rapid generation of random numbers and not the number of spins.
- A machine is never due to hit a jackpot. Each time you spin the reels at a slot machine you have the same chance of hitting any jackpot regardless of whether or not the machine has recently hit this jackpot. This means that a machine can go many days without a significant payout or could have two giant payouts in a row.
- Three-reel slot machines with only one payline usually offer the best overall percentages for coming out ahead.
- Avoid multiple-payline slots. It seems like your odds would be better with the increase in paylines but the payout rates aren't nearly as good as those found on single-payline slots.
- Avoid progressive slot machines. The huge payouts are very tempting but the random number generators in these machines are programmed to produce a higher number of reels and symbols, decreasing your odds.
- Higher denomination machines often have higher payback percentages. You'll usually do better playing a single coin in a dollar slot machine than three coins in a quarter slot machine.
- To win jackpots and the highest payouts you should always play maximum coins.
- Play the number of coins you feel comfortable with. Yes, more coins often means a better payout, but it's your money and if you'd rather play under the maximum amount then you should do so.
- Faster play does not increase your chances of winning. A person playing slots faster may appear to be winning more but it's just because they're spinning more within a given amount of time.
- It doesn't matter if you pull the handle or hit the Spin button. People have their superstitions but the slot machine couldn't care less.
- The number of coins played has no affect on the outcome of the spin. However, number of coins played may affect the payout.
- Know when to stop spinning. Decide on your bankroll before you sit down at a machine. When that money is gone it's time to go.
- Decide when to move on. If you don't win a payout in a certain number of spins (say 6 or 8 or 10 etc.) then move on to another machine. This strategy will keep you from losing all your money back to a machine that isn't paying out. At the same time it will keep you winning at a loose machine.
- The loosest slots are often in high traffic areas. Look for loose slots near the cashier, main casino aisles, restaurants, and shops. Despite popular opinion, casinos do not hide their best paying machines. It's in their best interest for people to see winners.
- Most casinos will "cap" (hold) a machine for you if you want to take a break. Ask a slot or change attendant if you want your machine capped, but be sure to take your money with you.
- Use your player's card. You can get a lot of great free stuff with a player's card and it only takes a couple minutes to get one.
- Don't forget to take your player's card when you leave. If you do you can usually get a new one from the casino with your balance intact.
How To Win At Roulette
The fact is there isn't really much you can do to consistently win at roulette. There are lots of roulette systems that claim they can teach you how to win at roulette, but I wouldn't bet on their results. Unlike blackjack or poker, roulette is completely independent of your actions or previous rounds. Don't be suckered in by systems that sounds good in theory, they don't tend to work in practice.
If you're in the United States and you're playing roulette then you're probably playing at an American wheel with both single and double zeros. For this kind of wheel, playing with standard Vegas betting rules the casino has a 5.26% edge. One way to increase your chances at roulette is to look for single zero wheels (European wheels), where the house edge is reduced to 2.7%. In the United States these are often only found in high roller areas. However, they can be commonly found online and outside of the US.
If you can't find a single zero roulette table then any betting systems you decide to use should have similar results. Simply find a system you're comfortable with and that seems to work for you. The only bet you should be sure to avoid is the five number bet, 0-00-1-2-3. This bet is only found on double zero tables and has a house edge of 7.89%.
The most important thing to remember when playing roulette is that the house always carries a significant advantage. This means that the longer you play the more likely you'll end up in the negative. If you have a lucky run and make some money then walk away before the casino takes back your winnings. Also set your loss limit before sitting down to play. Don't get caught up in the action and lose more than you can afford. Roulette is a pure game of odds, so good luck and remember you're there to have fun.
If you're in the United States and you're playing roulette then you're probably playing at an American wheel with both single and double zeros. For this kind of wheel, playing with standard Vegas betting rules the casino has a 5.26% edge. One way to increase your chances at roulette is to look for single zero wheels (European wheels), where the house edge is reduced to 2.7%. In the United States these are often only found in high roller areas. However, they can be commonly found online and outside of the US.
If you can't find a single zero roulette table then any betting systems you decide to use should have similar results. Simply find a system you're comfortable with and that seems to work for you. The only bet you should be sure to avoid is the five number bet, 0-00-1-2-3. This bet is only found on double zero tables and has a house edge of 7.89%.
The most important thing to remember when playing roulette is that the house always carries a significant advantage. This means that the longer you play the more likely you'll end up in the negative. If you have a lucky run and make some money then walk away before the casino takes back your winnings. Also set your loss limit before sitting down to play. Don't get caught up in the action and lose more than you can afford. Roulette is a pure game of odds, so good luck and remember you're there to have fun.
Craps Tips
The following is a short-listing of quick craps tips. These tips are meant as a supplement to basic craps rules and strategy. Follow these craps tips for some general craps playing guidelines and a bit of advice from experienced craps players.
- Ask the dealer for help. A good dealer is always willing and able to answer your questions.
- Keep your hands to yourself! You don't want to disrupt the game by getting your hands in the way of a toss. Keep them off the table when the dice are being thrown.
- Don't throw your money away. Take a moment to review the table and game in progress before you put your money down.
- Don't get in over your head. Stick to tables that have a minimum you're comfortable with. I bad run at a high minimum can have a very bad effect on your bankroll.
- Give the dice a good toss. Don't try to slide them across the table or drop them. One false roll is fine for a beginner but don't make a habit out of it.
- Pick up after yourself. It's your responsibility to pick up your winnings. Don't expect the dealer to hand them to you.
- The optimum long play strategy is to make Pass/Don't Pass and Come/Don't Come bets.
- Never make a Line or Come bet that you can't back up with full Odds. The Odds are where you can minimize the house edge.
- Place the six or eight to win in multiples of $6. These are the only worthwhile place bets on the craps table.
- Don't get in the middle. The proposition bets in the center of the table have a high house advantage. Some carry a casino advantage as high as 16%!
- Keep it to yourself. If you are a Don't Pass bettor never yell, "Come on, seven!" It's extremely rude to root against your fellow players.
- You may need to ask the dealer to place some wagers for you.
- Ask the dealer for help. A good dealer is always willing and able to answer your questions.
- Keep your hands to yourself! You don't want to disrupt the game by getting your hands in the way of a toss. Keep them off the table when the dice are being thrown.
- Don't throw your money away. Take a moment to review the table and game in progress before you put your money down.
- Don't get in over your head. Stick to tables that have a minimum you're comfortable with. I bad run at a high minimum can have a very bad effect on your bankroll.
- Give the dice a good toss. Don't try to slide them across the table or drop them. One false roll is fine for a beginner but don't make a habit out of it.
- Pick up after yourself. It's your responsibility to pick up your winnings. Don't expect the dealer to hand them to you.
- The optimum long play strategy is to make Pass/Don't Pass and Come/Don't Come bets.
- Never make a Line or Come bet that you can't back up with full Odds. The Odds are where you can minimize the house edge.
- Place the six or eight to win in multiples of $6. These are the only worthwhile place bets on the craps table.
- Don't get in the middle. The proposition bets in the center of the table have a high house advantage. Some carry a casino advantage as high as 16%!
- Keep it to yourself. If you are a Don't Pass bettor never yell, "Come on, seven!" It's extremely rude to root against your fellow players.
- You may need to ask the dealer to place some wagers for you.
Poker Tips
The following poker tips are meant to provide some basic tips for intermediate poker players. The tips are based on the experience of seasoned professionals. Basic poker tips can provide a nice supplement of information to players that have a grasp of poker strategy but little actual experience.
Play at your skill level
Don't step into a tournament if you're just learning to play poker. If you want to make money, be sure you know who your opponents are and be sure you can play at least as well as they can.
Don't play above your limit
Most experts agree that you should start with at least 50 times the table limit.
Know when to fold 'em
Top poker players typically play 20 to 30% of their starting hands. You can remove some of the luck element of poker by concentrating on higher value starting hands.
Study your opponents' habits
You can almost learn as much about a player's hand by watching their behavior as you can by actually seeing the cards. How do they bet when they're buffing? How do they act when they have a good hand? The way to win at poker is to know what your opponents are holding before they lay their cards down.
Don't call unless you would be willing to raise
Basically, only call if you think you have the best hand at the table. If you wouldn't raise then you may want to consider abandoning the hand.
Learn to bluff but use it sparingly
Top poker players only bluff when they know they there's a low risk of being called. Don't depend on bluffing to get yourself out of a string of bad luck. That's a good way to lose all your money.
Keep your opponents on their toes
If your opponents have taken this course than they know to study your actions in the same way you should be studying theirs. The best way to beat a diligent player is to be unpredictable. A player that is easy to understand is a player that is easy to beat.
Know your position and how to use it
The ideal poker position is the dealer, or button, as it is the last position to act. In this position you have the advantage of watching all of the betting action before you need to make a decision.
There's nothing wrong with online poker
Online poker is a good place to test your basic skills and figure out a good strategy. At the casino, you'll have to play more wisely against possibly more skilled competition.
Know what the best hand is when you make your bet
For example, if the board is single suited and your best hand is a three of a kind then you need to consider someone may very well have a flush.
Don't get too greedy
It's much better to win some small pots than lose a few big ones. If you have the best hand and the pot is big enough, go ahead and push as big a raise as you can in an attempt to take it down at that point. Don't feel bad about not making as much as you could have had you let people stay in.
Don't worry be happy
Play when you're felling good. If you're feeling angry, tired or sad you probably won't play your best. Remember, it's a game and it's supposed to be fun.
Do your research
In addition to these courses, there are many good poker books dealing with poker strategy and how to play the game. Also, take notes on what works for you and what does not. It is important for you to come up with a style of play that fits you and improves your game.
Play at your skill level
Don't step into a tournament if you're just learning to play poker. If you want to make money, be sure you know who your opponents are and be sure you can play at least as well as they can.
Don't play above your limit
Most experts agree that you should start with at least 50 times the table limit.
Know when to fold 'em
Top poker players typically play 20 to 30% of their starting hands. You can remove some of the luck element of poker by concentrating on higher value starting hands.
Study your opponents' habits
You can almost learn as much about a player's hand by watching their behavior as you can by actually seeing the cards. How do they bet when they're buffing? How do they act when they have a good hand? The way to win at poker is to know what your opponents are holding before they lay their cards down.
Don't call unless you would be willing to raise
Basically, only call if you think you have the best hand at the table. If you wouldn't raise then you may want to consider abandoning the hand.
Learn to bluff but use it sparingly
Top poker players only bluff when they know they there's a low risk of being called. Don't depend on bluffing to get yourself out of a string of bad luck. That's a good way to lose all your money.
Keep your opponents on their toes
If your opponents have taken this course than they know to study your actions in the same way you should be studying theirs. The best way to beat a diligent player is to be unpredictable. A player that is easy to understand is a player that is easy to beat.
Know your position and how to use it
The ideal poker position is the dealer, or button, as it is the last position to act. In this position you have the advantage of watching all of the betting action before you need to make a decision.
There's nothing wrong with online poker
Online poker is a good place to test your basic skills and figure out a good strategy. At the casino, you'll have to play more wisely against possibly more skilled competition.
Know what the best hand is when you make your bet
For example, if the board is single suited and your best hand is a three of a kind then you need to consider someone may very well have a flush.
Don't get too greedy
It's much better to win some small pots than lose a few big ones. If you have the best hand and the pot is big enough, go ahead and push as big a raise as you can in an attempt to take it down at that point. Don't feel bad about not making as much as you could have had you let people stay in.
Don't worry be happy
Play when you're felling good. If you're feeling angry, tired or sad you probably won't play your best. Remember, it's a game and it's supposed to be fun.
Do your research
In addition to these courses, there are many good poker books dealing with poker strategy and how to play the game. Also, take notes on what works for you and what does not. It is important for you to come up with a style of play that fits you and improves your game.
Blackjack Tips
The following is a short-listing of quick blackjack tips. These tips are meant as a supplement to basic blackjack strategy. Follow these blackjack tips for some general blackjack guidelines and a bit of advice from experienced blackjack players.
- Always split 7's against a dealer's card of equal or lower value.
- Always split 2's or 3's against a 4, 5, or 6.
- Always split Aces and 8's, no matter what the dealer's up card is.
- Never split face cards, 10's, or 5's.
- Always stand on hard 17 or higher
- If the dealer has a 10, hit until you have 17 or higher.
- Hit a soft 17 against a dealer's 10.
- If allowed, surrender hard 15 against a dealer's 10, and 16 (but not a pair of 8's) against a dealer's 9, 10 or Ace.
- Never take insurance unless you are counting cards
- Keep your emotions under control.
- The dealer is only the messenger, don't take you're losses out on him.
- Don't blame other players. If players at the table are upsetting you with their playing strategies, you can always move.
- Study the last man at your blackjack table; if he seems inexperienced or desperate, move on.
- Losing your money isn't worth the price of a free drink.
- Set loss limits and win goals.
- It is always to your advantage to play on a game that offers the fewest decks. The house edge goes up substantially when you go from one deck to two, but the change is less dramatic as you add more decks.
- Look for the following combination of rules that are favorable to the player:
single deck game
surrender, both early and late
double down allowed on any two cards
double down allowed after splitting pairs
multiple pair splitting allowed
resplitting aces allowed
dealer stands on a soft 17
deep deck penetration
- Always split 7's against a dealer's card of equal or lower value.
- Always split 2's or 3's against a 4, 5, or 6.
- Always split Aces and 8's, no matter what the dealer's up card is.
- Never split face cards, 10's, or 5's.
- Always stand on hard 17 or higher
- If the dealer has a 10, hit until you have 17 or higher.
- Hit a soft 17 against a dealer's 10.
- If allowed, surrender hard 15 against a dealer's 10, and 16 (but not a pair of 8's) against a dealer's 9, 10 or Ace.
- Never take insurance unless you are counting cards
- Keep your emotions under control.
- The dealer is only the messenger, don't take you're losses out on him.
- Don't blame other players. If players at the table are upsetting you with their playing strategies, you can always move.
- Study the last man at your blackjack table; if he seems inexperienced or desperate, move on.
- Losing your money isn't worth the price of a free drink.
- Set loss limits and win goals.
- It is always to your advantage to play on a game that offers the fewest decks. The house edge goes up substantially when you go from one deck to two, but the change is less dramatic as you add more decks.
- Look for the following combination of rules that are favorable to the player:
single deck game
surrender, both early and late
double down allowed on any two cards
double down allowed after splitting pairs
multiple pair splitting allowed
resplitting aces allowed
dealer stands on a soft 17
deep deck penetration
Why the impatient gambler loses, and how to win
Don't like to lose? Get really upset when you lose? You might not be cut-out for sports betting unless you can change your attitude. As you will see below, losing days, weeks, or even months are inevitable. They are built into the fabric of life thanks to the laws of statistics. The key to being a winning sports bettor is to understand and embrace the realities instead of fighting them.
Bursts and streaks are inevitable - in life and in sports betting
Don't believe it? Think you can somehow find a way to win consistently without suffering losing streaks? Think again!
Consider the stock market. According to Money Magazine (April 2008), had you invested in an S&P 500 index fund in August 1997 and sat tight for 10 years, you’d have racked up an 88% return. Had you missed just the 20 best days in the market over that period, you would have had a 20% loss!
Think about what that means. Out of 3,650 days, 20 were big winners and the rest, in aggregate, was losers! Stock returns come in bursts. The same is true in sports betting (especially when picking underdogs in moneyline sports like baseball and hockey).
Streaks happen. Winning streaks happen. And, as much as we like to deny their existence, losing streaks happen. Even in a season where you hit an unbelievable 60% winners (as good as it ever gets), there will be losing days, losing weeks and maybe even a losing month.
Consistent day-after-day winning just does not happen. Read that over again if you must. The point is, you need to expect losing streaks. And, you can't get too bent out of shape when they happen. If you expect them, you won't get too upset. Getting upset only makes things worse as that emotion forces you to do the wrong thing (chase or stop). You need to stay the course, again, shooting for 55%-60% winners over the long haul.
If a losing day or a losing week gets you too upset, you are probably betting too much. You need to be able to take those short-term hits so you can be around for the long term spoils. Bet a small enough percentage of your bankroll that you can survive the short-term losing streaks.
Begin to manage your sports wagering like a business that doesn't need a good day, or a good week, or even a good month, but rather needs to show a profit at year's end. If you can cap out 55%+ this is the only way it can be done!
What's the difference between winning and losing? Not much.
To further demonstrate how hard it is to "win" consistently, check out these probabilities, presented so you can get a feel of what winning feels like. The best way to describe what winning feels like? It feels like losing!
Yes, you read that right - it feels like losing, and that is why most gamblers crumble to the psyche that initializes their demise!
Let us explain. Let's say your having success gambling. You are a long-term 55% handicapper, yet somehow it doesn't feel like it is supposed to feel.
Here is your answer:
Let's say you average between 3-5 plays a day, let's say on average 4 plays per day. If you are a 55% gambler making 4 plays per day this is your statistical expectation:
WINS LOSSES PROBABILITY
4 0 9.15%
3 1 29.95%
2 2 36.75%
1 3 20.05%
0 4 4.10%
So, what does this tell us? It tells us that the chance you'll have a winning day, after the juice/vig is considered is less than 50/50! To have a winning day in this scenario, you need to win 3 or 4 out of 4. The chance of that is happening 39.1% (29.95% + 9.15%). So, over 60% of the time you - a winning gambler - will be losing money!
Now you can see where the problem lies. A gambler goes 2-2 on his well capped plays, but after a 2-2, or 1-3, or the rare 0-4 decides he needs to make money for the day, and plays an ill-advised game. Or, he bets too much to try to catch up. Unconsciously he has just reduced his chances of being a 55% capper, even though he is!
It goes beyond basic money management. It takes a substantial amount of bankroll discipline to accept losing 60.9% of the time, in order to win. WHY? Because it feels like losing! Until this is understood, the sports bettor, even the one that can hit a good winning percentage,will show a loss at years end.
In the end, remember:
•Even at 60% winners you lose 52.48% of all days you bet!
•As counterintuitive as it may sound, winning feels like losing
•Don't fight the losing days or weeks. There will be many of them. Take a deep breath and ride it out until the winning streak comes along.
Bursts and streaks are inevitable - in life and in sports betting
Don't believe it? Think you can somehow find a way to win consistently without suffering losing streaks? Think again!
Consider the stock market. According to Money Magazine (April 2008), had you invested in an S&P 500 index fund in August 1997 and sat tight for 10 years, you’d have racked up an 88% return. Had you missed just the 20 best days in the market over that period, you would have had a 20% loss!
Think about what that means. Out of 3,650 days, 20 were big winners and the rest, in aggregate, was losers! Stock returns come in bursts. The same is true in sports betting (especially when picking underdogs in moneyline sports like baseball and hockey).
Streaks happen. Winning streaks happen. And, as much as we like to deny their existence, losing streaks happen. Even in a season where you hit an unbelievable 60% winners (as good as it ever gets), there will be losing days, losing weeks and maybe even a losing month.
Consistent day-after-day winning just does not happen. Read that over again if you must. The point is, you need to expect losing streaks. And, you can't get too bent out of shape when they happen. If you expect them, you won't get too upset. Getting upset only makes things worse as that emotion forces you to do the wrong thing (chase or stop). You need to stay the course, again, shooting for 55%-60% winners over the long haul.
If a losing day or a losing week gets you too upset, you are probably betting too much. You need to be able to take those short-term hits so you can be around for the long term spoils. Bet a small enough percentage of your bankroll that you can survive the short-term losing streaks.
Begin to manage your sports wagering like a business that doesn't need a good day, or a good week, or even a good month, but rather needs to show a profit at year's end. If you can cap out 55%+ this is the only way it can be done!
What's the difference between winning and losing? Not much.
To further demonstrate how hard it is to "win" consistently, check out these probabilities, presented so you can get a feel of what winning feels like. The best way to describe what winning feels like? It feels like losing!
Yes, you read that right - it feels like losing, and that is why most gamblers crumble to the psyche that initializes their demise!
Let us explain. Let's say your having success gambling. You are a long-term 55% handicapper, yet somehow it doesn't feel like it is supposed to feel.
Here is your answer:
Let's say you average between 3-5 plays a day, let's say on average 4 plays per day. If you are a 55% gambler making 4 plays per day this is your statistical expectation:
WINS LOSSES PROBABILITY
4 0 9.15%
3 1 29.95%
2 2 36.75%
1 3 20.05%
0 4 4.10%
So, what does this tell us? It tells us that the chance you'll have a winning day, after the juice/vig is considered is less than 50/50! To have a winning day in this scenario, you need to win 3 or 4 out of 4. The chance of that is happening 39.1% (29.95% + 9.15%). So, over 60% of the time you - a winning gambler - will be losing money!
Now you can see where the problem lies. A gambler goes 2-2 on his well capped plays, but after a 2-2, or 1-3, or the rare 0-4 decides he needs to make money for the day, and plays an ill-advised game. Or, he bets too much to try to catch up. Unconsciously he has just reduced his chances of being a 55% capper, even though he is!
It goes beyond basic money management. It takes a substantial amount of bankroll discipline to accept losing 60.9% of the time, in order to win. WHY? Because it feels like losing! Until this is understood, the sports bettor, even the one that can hit a good winning percentage,will show a loss at years end.
In the end, remember:
•Even at 60% winners you lose 52.48% of all days you bet!
•As counterintuitive as it may sound, winning feels like losing
•Don't fight the losing days or weeks. There will be many of them. Take a deep breath and ride it out until the winning streak comes along.
How to Bet on Sports
The Wall Street Journal estimates that 100 million Americans wager close to $100 billion on sporting events each year. What are you missing out on?
The first ever sports bet probably happened a long time ago. It probably started between two cavemen. We’ll call them Grok and Akk. You see Grok once told Akk that he could run faster than a charging Saber Tooth Tiger. Akk scoffed at this notion but Grok was adamant. Akk relented with the prospect of Grok’s new spearhead if he wasn’t fast enough. The two agreed.
Akk won the makeshift wager and Grok, well, he became a belch.
As competition and man evolved we have continued to bet. It is one of the few intangibles that have carried over from those Grok-Akk days. We humans still have that innate desire for competition and risk. Sports wagering is yet another outlet for that intrinsic need.
We all love sports but not all of us can compete at a high level. So we do it everyday in business. We invest in stocks and we compete for partnerships, raises and promotions. We participate in office pools.
It all adds up to taking risks. How much are you willing to give in order to gain is as individual as it gets.
So we can’t run with Dwyane Wade, hit like Zach Thomas or throw like Roger Clemens so we find other ways to remain an active part of the sports we love and love to watch.
Today, the stakes aren’t as high as the day Grok became Meow Mix, but that action has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry. Today, we wager with dollars and cents and when we win, we still get that tremendous rush and when we take a beating, we feel like something the cat caught.
This article is designed to guide the beginning bettor through all the betting basics and terminology they will need to place that first bet, start wining and get back in the big game. It's not a comprehensive guide to all online gambling but will give you the basics to get started in sports betting.
Wining in sports betting is like the icing on the cake and we’ll help get you ready for that first big slice.
THE FIRST STEP - FIND A PLACE TO WAGER
To get started you will want to decide on a sport to bet on and a sports book to make your wager.
Selecting a wager outlet used to be a very secretive mission and your betting options were limited to what an individual “bookie,” or “book maker,” was capable of covering. These limited choices resulted in odds stacked against the bettor and a lingering apprehension when it came time for payouts.
As sports betting became a larger and more accepted practice, sportsbooks rose above their disreputable “bookie,” counterparts to enter the digital age. Online sportsbooks now have the security of being a large company ensuring the best benefits for many bettors.
Sportsbooks will take your bets in exchange for a commission - usually 10% of the wager. This is also known as the “juice,” or “vig,” or “vigorish.” In theory, the sportsbooks don't care who you bet on - they simply take half of their bets on each "side" and make their 10% commission.
You have the opportunity to place bets on just about any sport you would like. From boxing to basketball, baseball to football for both college and professional games or events, these online giants can cover them all.
Of course, make sure you follow the local laws where you reside as it relates to placing wagers.
ESTABLISH A BANKROLL AND BET SIZE
Many novice sports bettors don't even think about money management. They simply pick an arbitrary bet size and fire away. This strategy (or lack thereof) is very risky. It's always better to think about your bankroll and pick the right bet size based on your bankroll. Please read our article about bankroll management.
DEVELOP REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS
Expecting to win every bet? Of course not. But how much are you expecting to win? You might be surprised to know that the best profressionals in the business rarely achieve 60%. Most hit 55%-59% on a long term basis. But don't be discouraged. Hitting anything above 52.38% is profitable and 55%-59% is very profitable. Please review our articles on Return on Investment (ROI) expectations and how to manage your own expectations. The key is to recognize that you shouldn't come in and expect to break the bank right away. Successful sports bettors win by applying a disciplined approach over a long period of time. If you are looking to double your money in one weekend, you are setting yourself up for dissapointment.
MAKING THE WAGER
So now you are armed with the knowledge of the sportsbook, bankroll management and expectations, you are ready to place your first wager!
For this example we will use two teams from the NFL and take you through how to bet the two most common types of wagers – ATS or “Against the Spread,” and betting the OVER/UNDER.
Let’s say the San Diego Chargers are playing the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football. You like the Chargers because they are having a great season, prolific offense, strong defense and they are racking up wins. Since the San Diego offense has been clicking, you also think that a lot of points will be scored during this game.
The next step is to go to a sportsbook and look up NFL and then find this particular game. Here's what you might see:
TEAM SPREAD TOTAL
San Diego -3 (-110) 44 (-110)
New England +3 (-110) 44 (-110)
The line shows that San Diego is -3, with a total of 44-points. The reason why there is a line is because one team is going to be favored over another to win the game. This way the oddsmakers can level the playing field, making the bet attractive to both sides. In this case San Diego is the favorite and New England is the underdog.
This means that if you are placing your bet on San Diego, the Chargers will have to beat the Patriots by at least three points for you to win your bet. If they lose the game or win by less than three, you lose your bet.
Additionally, the second number shows 44, which is the OVER/UNDER score. By betting the OVER, you are putting money on the possibility that the sum of both team’s score will be greater than 44-points at the end of the game.
Next to the line for each type of bet (ATS, OVER/UNDER), you will see the odds. The odds simply mean the chances of the team wining the bet and how much money you will win in relation to how much you bet.
The (-110) indicates that the sportsbook is charging a 10% "juice" on these bets. That means that you will have to risk $11 for every $10 you wish to win. Again, this is the sportsbook's profit.
Now you would like to place your bet in the hopes of winning $100 from each wager. You would bet your $110 ATS on the Chargers to win and cover (win by three or more points), and $110 for a total score of 44-points for a total wager of $220.
On Monday night, the Chargers roll to a 31-20 victory and you have won both of your bets!
The Chargers 11-point margin of victory was more than enough to cover the spread of three points needed to get the win for a cool 100 bucks. A total score of 51-points at the end of the game also means you have won your OVER/UNDER bet for another $100 stack. Not bad for your first bet.
SPORTS BETTING GLOSSARY
Betting Straight Up - Winning straight-up means simply winning on the scoreboard without any regard to the point spread. Betting straight-up would be to take a side or a team and bet on them to win outright.
ATS or “Against the Spread,” – Betting with a point spread or line instead of on the straight-up result. Taking points on an underdog or giving points on a favorite.
Side – Like betting straight-up, a side bet is a wager on a particular team, or side to win a contest.
Betting the totals/over/under - The line on a given contest, representing the combined number of points/goals scored by the two teams; see over/under. Betting the over/under is a bet on whether the combined total of the points or goals scored by the two teams will exceed or be less than a specified number.
Half time total – Betting on a team or total in the first half of the game only.
Parlays - A parlay bet is a bet with two or more teams where all the teams must win for the bettor to be successful. Parlays are viewed by sharp gamblers as a sucker bet because the house edge (juice) is large.
Teaser - A bet on two or more teams where the line on each team is adjusted in the favor of the bettor. All bets must win in order to win a teaser.
Betting the “Money Line,” - The amount you must bet to win $100 (if betting a favorite), or the amount you win if you bet $100 (if betting an underdog). This is a bet based on the straight-up result of the game without a spread.
Betting the “Puckline,” - Used only in hockey. A “spread” usually set at exactly 1.5 goals. Favorites lay -1.5 goals while underdogs “get” +1.5 goals.
Now that we have covered the betting basics, we can breakdown some of the “exotics,” or “promotional,” bets.
Promos/exotics - Any wager other than a straight bet or parlay - also called a prop or proposition.
Betting “futures,” - Wagers made, or lines/odds posted on an event or outcome taking place some time in the future, like betting during the season on the eventual Super Bowl winner.
So the practice of betting on sports has come a long way from those cold days in the cave. Betting systems have advanced and online sports books have made betting and pay outs easier and handicappers can help you make the winning selections.
PICK ME A WINNER
The ability to pick winners has been a much sought after skill since Akk’s cave-mate Erk deduced that the four legs of the Saber Tooth tiger were twice as many as Grok’s two legs. This observation gave Akk the inside knowledge and statistical analysis to make an educated decision when agreeing to the bet. Erk shared this information with Akk and Akk got the win. Akk gave Erk a shiny new rabbit skin for his help and the handicapping industry was born.
Handicapping is the attempt to predict the outcome of sporting events by compiling research and analysis to determine a winner.
Nowadays, there is much more information to pour over and many factors such as the team’s or individual’s history, trends and the proper way to use the point spread and odds can make the difference between selecting a winner or loser.
Today, handicappers develop and employ their own system to determine who has the best chance of winning. Handicappers sell their observations and advice to bettors that would like to increase their chances of winning.
There are a few things to understand when deciding whether or not to use a handicapper. The first is to understand that the average bettor is not going to have the time or the access to complete the necessary research to make winning picks – keeping up with all the numbers is a full time job!
Handicappers complete all the research and sell their selections to the general betting public.
The next thing to consider is the cost associated with employing the services of a handicapper. But consider that a handicapper may charge $200 a month to provide bettors with picks, but if these picks win or “hit,” and the bettor can make $600 per month on those winning selections, the handicapper’s fee is well worth it, especially compared to losing on your own.
There are a few things to look for when selecting a handicapper. The first is that the handicapper you select should be honest and up front with their history as a handicapping professional. All of their past picks, performance record of wins and losses and how they determine their picks should be out in the open.
Also be wary of any handicapper that use the terms “lock,” or “sure thing,” because any seasoned gambler will tell you - there is no such thing. Additionally, stay away from the high pressure sales pitch. You should feel comfortable about whom you have managing your money, and that in essence, is what a handicapper will do for you. After all, you are placing these bets on the basis of their picks so remember: they work for you and not the other way around.
Well there you have it - a simple yet comprehensive guide to help you make your first bet. We have also compiled a glossary of betting terms you can refer to for additional information.
Good luck!
The first ever sports bet probably happened a long time ago. It probably started between two cavemen. We’ll call them Grok and Akk. You see Grok once told Akk that he could run faster than a charging Saber Tooth Tiger. Akk scoffed at this notion but Grok was adamant. Akk relented with the prospect of Grok’s new spearhead if he wasn’t fast enough. The two agreed.
Akk won the makeshift wager and Grok, well, he became a belch.
As competition and man evolved we have continued to bet. It is one of the few intangibles that have carried over from those Grok-Akk days. We humans still have that innate desire for competition and risk. Sports wagering is yet another outlet for that intrinsic need.
We all love sports but not all of us can compete at a high level. So we do it everyday in business. We invest in stocks and we compete for partnerships, raises and promotions. We participate in office pools.
It all adds up to taking risks. How much are you willing to give in order to gain is as individual as it gets.
So we can’t run with Dwyane Wade, hit like Zach Thomas or throw like Roger Clemens so we find other ways to remain an active part of the sports we love and love to watch.
Today, the stakes aren’t as high as the day Grok became Meow Mix, but that action has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry. Today, we wager with dollars and cents and when we win, we still get that tremendous rush and when we take a beating, we feel like something the cat caught.
This article is designed to guide the beginning bettor through all the betting basics and terminology they will need to place that first bet, start wining and get back in the big game. It's not a comprehensive guide to all online gambling but will give you the basics to get started in sports betting.
Wining in sports betting is like the icing on the cake and we’ll help get you ready for that first big slice.
THE FIRST STEP - FIND A PLACE TO WAGER
To get started you will want to decide on a sport to bet on and a sports book to make your wager.
Selecting a wager outlet used to be a very secretive mission and your betting options were limited to what an individual “bookie,” or “book maker,” was capable of covering. These limited choices resulted in odds stacked against the bettor and a lingering apprehension when it came time for payouts.
As sports betting became a larger and more accepted practice, sportsbooks rose above their disreputable “bookie,” counterparts to enter the digital age. Online sportsbooks now have the security of being a large company ensuring the best benefits for many bettors.
Sportsbooks will take your bets in exchange for a commission - usually 10% of the wager. This is also known as the “juice,” or “vig,” or “vigorish.” In theory, the sportsbooks don't care who you bet on - they simply take half of their bets on each "side" and make their 10% commission.
You have the opportunity to place bets on just about any sport you would like. From boxing to basketball, baseball to football for both college and professional games or events, these online giants can cover them all.
Of course, make sure you follow the local laws where you reside as it relates to placing wagers.
ESTABLISH A BANKROLL AND BET SIZE
Many novice sports bettors don't even think about money management. They simply pick an arbitrary bet size and fire away. This strategy (or lack thereof) is very risky. It's always better to think about your bankroll and pick the right bet size based on your bankroll. Please read our article about bankroll management.
DEVELOP REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS
Expecting to win every bet? Of course not. But how much are you expecting to win? You might be surprised to know that the best profressionals in the business rarely achieve 60%. Most hit 55%-59% on a long term basis. But don't be discouraged. Hitting anything above 52.38% is profitable and 55%-59% is very profitable. Please review our articles on Return on Investment (ROI) expectations and how to manage your own expectations. The key is to recognize that you shouldn't come in and expect to break the bank right away. Successful sports bettors win by applying a disciplined approach over a long period of time. If you are looking to double your money in one weekend, you are setting yourself up for dissapointment.
MAKING THE WAGER
So now you are armed with the knowledge of the sportsbook, bankroll management and expectations, you are ready to place your first wager!
For this example we will use two teams from the NFL and take you through how to bet the two most common types of wagers – ATS or “Against the Spread,” and betting the OVER/UNDER.
Let’s say the San Diego Chargers are playing the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football. You like the Chargers because they are having a great season, prolific offense, strong defense and they are racking up wins. Since the San Diego offense has been clicking, you also think that a lot of points will be scored during this game.
The next step is to go to a sportsbook and look up NFL and then find this particular game. Here's what you might see:
TEAM SPREAD TOTAL
San Diego -3 (-110) 44 (-110)
New England +3 (-110) 44 (-110)
The line shows that San Diego is -3, with a total of 44-points. The reason why there is a line is because one team is going to be favored over another to win the game. This way the oddsmakers can level the playing field, making the bet attractive to both sides. In this case San Diego is the favorite and New England is the underdog.
This means that if you are placing your bet on San Diego, the Chargers will have to beat the Patriots by at least three points for you to win your bet. If they lose the game or win by less than three, you lose your bet.
Additionally, the second number shows 44, which is the OVER/UNDER score. By betting the OVER, you are putting money on the possibility that the sum of both team’s score will be greater than 44-points at the end of the game.
Next to the line for each type of bet (ATS, OVER/UNDER), you will see the odds. The odds simply mean the chances of the team wining the bet and how much money you will win in relation to how much you bet.
The (-110) indicates that the sportsbook is charging a 10% "juice" on these bets. That means that you will have to risk $11 for every $10 you wish to win. Again, this is the sportsbook's profit.
Now you would like to place your bet in the hopes of winning $100 from each wager. You would bet your $110 ATS on the Chargers to win and cover (win by three or more points), and $110 for a total score of 44-points for a total wager of $220.
On Monday night, the Chargers roll to a 31-20 victory and you have won both of your bets!
The Chargers 11-point margin of victory was more than enough to cover the spread of three points needed to get the win for a cool 100 bucks. A total score of 51-points at the end of the game also means you have won your OVER/UNDER bet for another $100 stack. Not bad for your first bet.
SPORTS BETTING GLOSSARY
Betting Straight Up - Winning straight-up means simply winning on the scoreboard without any regard to the point spread. Betting straight-up would be to take a side or a team and bet on them to win outright.
ATS or “Against the Spread,” – Betting with a point spread or line instead of on the straight-up result. Taking points on an underdog or giving points on a favorite.
Side – Like betting straight-up, a side bet is a wager on a particular team, or side to win a contest.
Betting the totals/over/under - The line on a given contest, representing the combined number of points/goals scored by the two teams; see over/under. Betting the over/under is a bet on whether the combined total of the points or goals scored by the two teams will exceed or be less than a specified number.
Half time total – Betting on a team or total in the first half of the game only.
Parlays - A parlay bet is a bet with two or more teams where all the teams must win for the bettor to be successful. Parlays are viewed by sharp gamblers as a sucker bet because the house edge (juice) is large.
Teaser - A bet on two or more teams where the line on each team is adjusted in the favor of the bettor. All bets must win in order to win a teaser.
Betting the “Money Line,” - The amount you must bet to win $100 (if betting a favorite), or the amount you win if you bet $100 (if betting an underdog). This is a bet based on the straight-up result of the game without a spread.
Betting the “Puckline,” - Used only in hockey. A “spread” usually set at exactly 1.5 goals. Favorites lay -1.5 goals while underdogs “get” +1.5 goals.
Now that we have covered the betting basics, we can breakdown some of the “exotics,” or “promotional,” bets.
Promos/exotics - Any wager other than a straight bet or parlay - also called a prop or proposition.
Betting “futures,” - Wagers made, or lines/odds posted on an event or outcome taking place some time in the future, like betting during the season on the eventual Super Bowl winner.
So the practice of betting on sports has come a long way from those cold days in the cave. Betting systems have advanced and online sports books have made betting and pay outs easier and handicappers can help you make the winning selections.
PICK ME A WINNER
The ability to pick winners has been a much sought after skill since Akk’s cave-mate Erk deduced that the four legs of the Saber Tooth tiger were twice as many as Grok’s two legs. This observation gave Akk the inside knowledge and statistical analysis to make an educated decision when agreeing to the bet. Erk shared this information with Akk and Akk got the win. Akk gave Erk a shiny new rabbit skin for his help and the handicapping industry was born.
Handicapping is the attempt to predict the outcome of sporting events by compiling research and analysis to determine a winner.
Nowadays, there is much more information to pour over and many factors such as the team’s or individual’s history, trends and the proper way to use the point spread and odds can make the difference between selecting a winner or loser.
Today, handicappers develop and employ their own system to determine who has the best chance of winning. Handicappers sell their observations and advice to bettors that would like to increase their chances of winning.
There are a few things to understand when deciding whether or not to use a handicapper. The first is to understand that the average bettor is not going to have the time or the access to complete the necessary research to make winning picks – keeping up with all the numbers is a full time job!
Handicappers complete all the research and sell their selections to the general betting public.
The next thing to consider is the cost associated with employing the services of a handicapper. But consider that a handicapper may charge $200 a month to provide bettors with picks, but if these picks win or “hit,” and the bettor can make $600 per month on those winning selections, the handicapper’s fee is well worth it, especially compared to losing on your own.
There are a few things to look for when selecting a handicapper. The first is that the handicapper you select should be honest and up front with their history as a handicapping professional. All of their past picks, performance record of wins and losses and how they determine their picks should be out in the open.
Also be wary of any handicapper that use the terms “lock,” or “sure thing,” because any seasoned gambler will tell you - there is no such thing. Additionally, stay away from the high pressure sales pitch. You should feel comfortable about whom you have managing your money, and that in essence, is what a handicapper will do for you. After all, you are placing these bets on the basis of their picks so remember: they work for you and not the other way around.
Well there you have it - a simple yet comprehensive guide to help you make your first bet. We have also compiled a glossary of betting terms you can refer to for additional information.
Good luck!
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Saturday, December 12, 2009
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Make sure you stop by the Chat Rooms, the Chat Masters and roomies are friendly and fun and the bingo games are awesome. Win tons of FREE BB's at the 24/7 Chat Games. With the side games, you can play your favorite slots without missing out on Bingo and your chat buddies.
Spoting Bet
Sportingbet is a British company, which has been very popular in the field of sports betting since their inception in 1998. The company has attracted customers from across the globe by their excellent facilities offered in sports book. Sportingbet is amongst those companies that provide the best odds in UK. The experience of the company in the industry is illustrated by the special promotional offers provided by the company. Sporting Bet
Rummy Royal
RummyRoyal is a company that offers online skill-based Rummy games. As opposed to gambling, where the games' outcome is leaning on chance, skill games are absolutely legal in the states, and so are RummyRoyal's Rummy games.
RummyRoyal is proud to provide its members with an advanced gaming software. Our most reliable customer and financial care support team complete our optimal support alignment designed to provide our members with all the information and help they need.
Pregame
Pregame.com is where sports bettors get ready with information worth betting; featured by the biggest names in media, including ESPN, Sports ABC, CBS, AOL, AP, and the Wall Street Journal. Pregame.com
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