Archive for June, 2010

A Review of the Gambling Ship Act

Monday, June 14th, 2010

The terminology, “Gambling Ship” pertains to a vessel that operates one or more gambling establishments. A common misconception is that this term indicates only a water vessel that goes out to International Waters for the sake of gambling and placing bets.

Other terminology

Gambling establishment indicates a gaming business with the intention of gambling which includes accepting, recording and registering bets. This also means playing a game of chance (other than the lottery) for money or other value. The term vessel is used to designate all water and air crafts used as a means of transportation across water and air.

What does this act do?

The Gambling Ship Act prohibits all citizens of the United States, those on an American vessel or those within the jurisdiction of the United States from operating a gambling ship or establishment. Furthermore, the act bans taking part, dealing in gambling games or operating a gambling device that enables players to induce a bet.

What are the consequences?

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The consequences of disobeying this law are a hefty fine or imprisonment for no more than two years or both. Those that fall within this law include:

  • The owner of the American vessel
  • The owner of any vessel within United States control
  • The owner of any vessel and being and American citizen

Other addendums

Within this act, there are two additional addendums. These include:

  • Transportation between shore and ship
  • Transmission of wagering information

The transportation between shore and ship section deems it unlawful to operate a transport vessel that moves passengers from one point to a gambling ship while not within United States jurisdiction. The penalty for this infraction is a fine per passenger transported to the gambling ship.

The second addendum is the transmission of wagering information which prohibits utilizing wire communication facilities for placing wagers on any contest or receiving money from bets placed. The penalty is imprisonment for up to two years. Of course there are certain states that are excluded from these laws and allow for registered river and ocean liners to conduct gambling tours and packages.

Although this law might be harsh, it’s for the protection of United States citizens. As technology improves, types and methods of gambling are becoming more innovative. Consequently new laws are passed to keep gambling at a minimum, in regulated areas of the United States.

How to Play Bingo in an Online Casino

Friday, June 11th, 2010

The simple and exciting game of Bingo has gone beyond the traditional paper cards and live caller. Bingo has found its way to many popular online casinos, and it continues to expand its reach due to the growing and continued popularity. All the live action that makes Bingo such an exciting form of gambling can be found online, and many Bingo enthusiasts are replacing their marker for a mouse.

Bingo at an Online Casino

Playing Bingo at an online casino is similar to playing Bingo in a Bingo Hall or traditional casino. The rules of the game are the same. The player purchases one or more Bingo cards. A caller, or in the case of an online casino- a computer, randomly selects a letter and a corresponding number. If the letter and number match the player’s cards, they mark that number off until they get Bingo. There are several different types of Bingo games that are played in online casinos. Traditional Bingo is the most popular, where the player must get all the numbers in a line to win. Four square and wild card Bingo are also extremely popular at online casinos.

The Differences in Online Bingo

Many people find playing Bingo online easier then playing in a traditional Bingo hall or casino. In an online casino there are no physical cards to keep track of, and no mark to make. The player only has to click on the chosen number and letter, making it easier for many people to stay ahead in the game. The possibility of missing a call is eliminated at an online casino. Online casino Bingo games may differ slightly from traditional games. While most online casinos offer all the types of Bingo an avid player is used too, the casino may also include some of their own original games.

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Where to Play Online Bingo

You can find many Bingo games online at popular online casinos. Before signing up for a game, be sure to read all of the online casino’s policies. Also check for special promotions and tournament. Many online casinos run specials throughout the year for free Bingo cards, discounted games, or special tournaments.

Utilizing a Blackjack Strategy to Enhance Your Game

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Professional Blackjack players always walk into the casino with some type of strategy. Since Blackjack is one of the few games in the casino where the player can have an advantage over the house, it’s best to practice and eventually master these strategies in order to be successful.

The basic strategy of Blackjack is developed utilizing mathematics. Different strategies have been tested over the many years since its conception. When utilized properly, Blackjack strategy reduces the edge the house has over the player to a minimal amount. Strategies are adjusted to conform to different variations of the game.

Getting Started with a Strategy Chart

The most effective method for learning the basic Blackjack strategy is by memorizing a basic strategy chart. This chart illustrates exactly how to play your initial two cards against the dealers one face-up card. Memorization of the basic strategy chart is only one piece of the puzzle. Proper starting play is beneficial, but your moves after taking a hit are just as important.

Playing Pairs

Here are a few tips for playing paired starting cards:

  • Aces or eights  – Split
  • Twos or threes – Split if the dealer has 2-7 or else hit
  • Fours – Split if the dealer has 5-6 or else hit
  • Fives – Double down if the dealer has 2-9 or else hit
  • Sixes – Split if the dealer has 2-6 or else hit
  • Sevens – Split 2-7 or else hit
  • Nines – Split 2-9, stay if the dealer has 7,10 or ace
  • Tens – Stay

Playing Hard Hands

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The following are tips to play two starting cards that do not hold an ace:

  • If you have less than eight, hit
  • Nine – Double down if the dealer has 3-6 or else hit
  • Ten – Double down against 2-9 or else hit
  • Eleven – Double down against 2-10 or hit if the dealer has an ace
  • Twelve – Hit against  2 or 3, stay against 4-6, hit everything else
  • 13-16 – Stay against 2-6, otherwise hit
  • 17-21 – Stay

Playing Soft Hands

These final tips pertain to starting cards that contain an ace:

  • Holding ace 2 or ace 3 – Double down against 5 or 6, or else hit
  • Ace 4 or ace 5 – Double down against 4-6 or else hit
  • Ace 6 – Double down against 3-6 or else hit
  • Ace 7 – Stay against 2, 7 or 8; double down against 3-6 or else hit
  • Ace 8 or ace 9 – Stay

By following these basic strategies, you can become a better poker player and have a more defined view of the game. More advanced techniques used in Blackjack build on this basic strategy.

Casino Security – How to Protect Your Private Information

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

The internet opened a brave new world for gamblers. Suddenly, we can join in on our favorite table games, play the slot machines, or even participate in poker tournaments all from the comfort of our homes. With the invention of online casinos, one no longer needs to plan a vacation for a chance to gamble, you can gamble anytime and anywhere you can get an internet connection. However, anytime there is money involved, there is a small risk of theft, and on the internet that theft can mean more then just your wallet, your entire identity could be at stake.

The Risks of Gambling at an Online Casino

The majority of online casinos have several methods of protecting your private information, such as encryption, which jumbles your credit card number making it hard for a hacker to steal. However, there is always a small risk when submitting personal information online. Internet hackers can steal your private information. Your computer is also at risk. Worms and viruses are common on the internet, as well as online casinos. Worms can steal your personal information or take control of your computer, making it a gateway for hackers. Viruses can literally destroy the components of your computers hard drive.

How to Protect Your Computer When Gambling Online

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Before gambling online chose an online casino that uses heightened security methods, most casinos will list this information on their website. Be sure the online casino has a contact number for their business so you can get help if you need it. It is essential that you only work with a casino that makes security a top priority. If you are unable to locate any information on their website which discloses the means in how they protect their clients, this is a severe warning sign.

Gambling at an online casino that has security measures in place to protect you is only half the battle. There are also software programs you can download and install on your computer for added protection against viruses, Trojans, and worms. Install an anti-virus software program that has routine or automatic scans. These programs will search your computer for any possible threat and remove it before it becomes a problem.

The Most Popular Online Betting Systems

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Betting systems can be an easy way to add excitement to chance-based games that leave little room for more traditional strategies. While no system has yet been proven to actually improve a player’s odds at a casino game, when used in moderation systems can be a good way to add interest to a game and also make it easy for regulars to track what they’ve spent at any given table. Below are two of the most popular online betting systems currently in use.

The Martingale System

The Martingale system is incredibly simple and is designed not to make its user rich but to always put them just slightly ahead. This system has been applied to everything from craps and roulette to sportsbetting and could easily be used for making multiple bets on any game or event that has a variable outcome. The logic behind the Martingale system is that it is extremely unlikely that a player engaging in a long session wouldn’t win a single bet. Of course if the player in question is making bets with outrageous odds then this logic is flawed, so the Martingale is best used by a player that prefers even-money bets.

Utilizing the Martingale system is simple. Most players start by making their table’s minimum bet. If you win, then you repeat the bet indefinitely until you lose. When you lose, you will double the bet. If you win that bet then you go back to your original bet, but if you lose again, you double the bet again, and so on and so forth.

The Labouchere System

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At one point the Labouchere system really was a sure thing. That’s because it was originally designed to take advantage of biases in old roulette wheels. These days, casinos are quick to replace wheels showing any wear, and online wheels obviously never break down, so today the Labouchere system should be used strictly for entertainment.

The Labouchere system instructs users to write a list of numbers. If you’re playing a short session, then you’ll write a short list. If you’re playing a long session, you may choose to either write a longer list or to repeat the short one multiple times. Remember that the size of the numbers you include will ultimately determine the size of your bets. For this reason, many players opt to write a simple sequential list like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.

Your first bet should be the sum of the first and last numbers on your list. If you win, you’ll cross those two numbers off and add the next two numbers on each end of the list. If you lose, you’ll write the amount lost at the end of the list and then add it to the first number on your list to determine your new bet. If you win enough to cross off the list, you can start over again with the same list or write a new one. Players that have exceeded a logical betting limit with their list should consider it a loss and start over again.

Are You Betting too Modestly at the Poker Table?

Friday, June 4th, 2010

How you place your bets is just as important as how you play the game at the poker table. While you may break even, or make it out ahead, if you are overly cautious with your bets, you could be costing yourself a lot of wins. While being too aggressive can run you through your entire bankroll before the poker game is over, being too modest with your bets can take the thrill and the wins out of the game. Take a look at your betting style and see if you are being too modest at the table.

Are Your Bets too Modest?

If you think you have a good hand, do you raise? Modest betters are hesitant to raise, even if they are pretty sure they are holding a good poker hand. They are too afraid of loosing both their ante and their raise that they shy away from the potential wins. A better strategy is to raise a good hand, but raise it cautiously. Do not bet more then you can afford to loose.

If your first deal is a bad hand, but you can turn it around, do you fold? Modest betters are quick to fold, sometimes too quick. While you shouldn’t play a hand you are certain is going to be a loser, you shouldn’t be too quick to fold either. Poker is about taking risks, and sometimes you have to wait for the second draw to see how a hand turns out.

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If another player tries to out bet you, do you fold? While a poker player should never price himself or herself out of a hand, modest betters will often feel too much pressure when another player starts to raise. If you know you are holding a high card hand, get in a competitive mode and match that player raise for raise.

Do you avoid higher stakes poker games? No player should join a table with stakes higher then their bankroll can reasonable afford, but modest betters often avoid those high stakes tables regardless. If you have a good skill for the game, and the bankroll to handle it, why not join a high stakes table every once in awhile? Higher stakes can mean bigger wins and more excitement.

You should never bet more aggressively then your bankroll can handle, but being too modest at the poker table takes a lot of the thrill out of the game. Try easing yourself in to being less cautious with your money, you may be surprised at how much fun you have, and how much you win.


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