Online Casino Spotlight

Horse race wagering is the same at all tracks and off-track betting locations. However, understanding which bets to make and how to make them is the key to feeling more comfortable and thus making smart wagers when at the track or online.

There are two primary types of bets that can be made on horse races. These include:

• Straight bets
• Exotic bets

Straight bets are the most popular type of wager and account for most of the money bet. In most cases, this type of wager is made in increments of $2.00. The four straight bets that can be made include:

• Win
• Place
• Show
• Across-the-board

With the win bet, you collect if your selected horse places first. To collect on the place bet, your horse must acquire first or second place. To collect on the show bet, your horse must place first, second or third.

Finally, the across-the-board wager is when you bet the win, place and show. You combine the three onto one ticket so a bet of $2.00 will cost you $6.00. If you win, you collect the winnings for all three bets. If your horse places in second you collect the winnings for place and show. If in third place, you collect for show only.

The four types of exotic bets include:

• Exacta
• Quinella
• Trifecta
• The Box

With the exacta wager you choose two horses to come in first and second place in the same race. The box covers all possible ways to win so those who bet the exacta also bet the box. The quinella is like the exacta where you select two horses to place first and second with the difference being the order does not matter. The trifecta is a wager that requires selecting three horses to finish in the exact order.

Finally, the box gives you a much better chance of winning. Although it requires placing multiple bets and thus more money, your winning percentage significantly improves. For instance, if you bet $2.00 on the exacta and box them, your horses can place in any order and you still win.

Betting on horse races can be an exciting way to spend money as long as it is done responsibly. Learning the different bets and which ones are the best is the key to an improved comfort level and thus a more fun experience.

Omaha is a form of Texas Hold’em due to the five community cards. However, the rules of the game are much different. Omaha can be played either with a no-limit, pot-limit or limit structure, similar to Texas Hold’em. There are two distinct versions of the game:

• Omaha High
• Omaha Hi/Lo

The rules of Omaha are fairly simple. All casinos supply a dealer that is not actually playing. You are playing against all other individuals at the table. As a result, the dealer button indicates the last person to bet. The button moves to the left following each hand. Blind bets are posted to create a starting pot.

The player to the left of the button posts the small blind or one half of the minimum bet. The player to the left of the small blind is the big blind and they ante a full minimum bet. The remaining players at the table do not post any ante’s until the blind rotates to them. Therefore, each player will have a chance to be the dealer, small and big blinds.

The game begins with the dealer distributing four cards to each player face down. The small blind always receives the first card and the dealer has the last. The first betting round begins with the player to the left of the big blind and rotates to the left. Each player can call, raise or fold. The big blind also has the option of checking since they already have a bet in the pot.

Next, three cards (known as the flop) are dealt face up in the middle of the table. These are community cards that all players can use to make their hand. Another betting round commences beginning with the player to the left of the button.

The next round is known as the turn and an additional face up community card is placed in the center of the table. Once again, the first bettor is the left of the dealer button. The last round is the river in which the final of the five community cards is distributed.

To win, each player must use two of their four starting hand cards and three community cards to make the best five-card poker hand. In many instances, there is a tie in which the players split the pot. There is never a sixth card that acts as a tie-breaker.

The preceding rules are for Omaha High. This version derives from the requirement that the winner have the best or highest hand. Both variants of Omaha can be found in land-based and online casinos across the globe.

Soccer is the most watched and followed sporting event in the world. Both online and sportsbook players are big fans of the sport. As a result, more soccer-themed slot games have become available. However, one little-known game is the progressive soccer keno game, aptly name Soccer Keno Progressive.

The Board

There are little differences from keno except for one twist: the soccer theme. The game is played with a grid consisting of 80 numbers laid out on a horizontal soccer field. Each half of the field has five columns of numbers. From the nine total options available, the player must first pick a shirt color. When the player selects a number from the grid, a colored shirt appears with that number on the back.

The layout of the grid is conducive to the player becoming creative with their number choices. For instance, the player can choose numbers that consist of their favorite soccer formation on one side of the field. On the other hand, the player can create a formation on both sides of the playing field.

The Game

20 keno balls are selected and are rolled into slots. The pattern of the balls is representative of a soccer ball. Each one has a specific number marked on them. Finally, tiny soccer balls appear on the grid in specific number slots. If any of those match the selected numbers, the background changes to yellow and the sounds of cheering spectators is released indicating a win.

One nice aspect of playing a Soccer Keno Progressive name is that it can be played for fun without the need to wager money. Unfortunately the progressive jackpot is only available those who wager money and mark 15 numbers on the screen. If the player guesses 12 or more numbers, they win a portion of the jackpot. The total amount won is calculated from amount wagered and a multiplier based on the number of matches played.

Soccer Keno Progressive games are tremendously easy to learn and follow due to the basic features. At many casinos, there is an Auto Pick feature. This allows the player to select their numbers once and then automatically play those same numbers during their session.

Soccer Keno Progressive is a fun and exciting way to place bets consistently and easily. With the theme of the most popular sport in the world, there are sure to never be a lack of available players.

Texas Hold’em is one of the most popular forms of gambling to date. This is primarily due to the commercialization of the game. Everywhere you look; there are advertisements for online poker rooms and television shows featuring Hold’em tournaments. The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has greatly expanded over the past decade.

Texas Hold’em is a fairly simple game to learn. There are two types of Texas Hold’em games:

• Limit
• No-limit

Limit Hold’em games have arranged betting rounds with an incremental and maximum bet. On the other hand, No-limit Hold’em has some structured betting with no increments or maximum bet. This is the most popular form of Texas Hold’em for tournaments. Both types can be found at online poker rooms.

What differentiates the pros from the amateurs is their ability to not “go on tilt.” This occurs when players make long-shot bets to attempt to catch-up. In the end, this will cost more than simply stopping play.

The game begins with the player in the small blind posting half a bet and the big blind posting a full bet. These are considered an ante. The small blind is directly to the left of the button and the big blind is to the left of the small blind. The button moves to the next person after each hand.

Next, two cards are dealt to each player. These are known as a starting hand or whole cards. After the starting hand is distributed, bettors can make their first wager. The player sitting to the left of the big blind makes the first move with the option to call, raise or fold. Players may take action until everyone has had a chance to bet. The competitor in the big blind can check (if no one else has raised), fold or raise.

Three community cards are then dealt face-up into the middle of the table (the flop). Another betting round ensues starting with the first active player to the left of the button either checking or wagering. After betting commences, an additional card is dealt face up into the community cards. Another betting round occurs with the first active player to the left of the button taking action. This is known as the turn. The final card is dealt face-up with another betting round (the river).

Any players still left in the hand show their cards (known as the showdown). The person with the best five-card hand (two whole cards and three community cards) wins the pot. In the chance there is a tie, the pot is split evenly.

Texas Hold’em is an easy game to learn but extremely difficult to master. The best way to be a winning player is by experiencing many different hands and reading Hold’em books about strategy. The most important idea to remember is always play your hands the same way regardless if you are winning or losing.

Most online tournaments offer some type of rebuy back into the competition. A rebuy is where players continue to play (even after they are knocked out) in a tournament by paying the rebuy fee which gives them a fresh stack of chips. For those players that continue to rebuy, a dilemma arises.

The Dilemma

As players rebuy numerous times into the competition, their chances of winning decrease significantly. They will end up spending more than needed without any assurance of winning. As a result, it is difficult to calculate the proper number of rebuys.

Freeroll Tournaments

Most online gaming sites offer daily, weekly or monthly freeroll tournaments in which there is no entry fee. However, there is almost always a rebuy fee. The most advantageous move for a freeroll is to play with the first set of chips and if you lose, don’t rebuy. If the player has the means and is committed to rebuying, they should have a pre-determine number of buy-ins and then quit.

A Strategic Myth

One strategy commonly used in tournaments is to fix a specific score which will allow the player to jump into the leader board once this score is acquired. This is incorrect since the leader board is constantly changing positions so a fixed score may not be accurate later. Also, the player’s bankroll is overlooked when utilizing this strategy. To determine the number of rebuys, the availability of funds to buy back in is the most important decision-making factor.

One Exception

Sometimes there are instances where looking at the player’s board is beneficial in deciding whether or not to rebuy. For instance, if the leader reaches a point where it would be next to impossible to break into the prize pool due to the score, its best to simply save your money for other tournaments by not buying back in.

A Solid Strategy

A good rule to follow is limit yourself to only 5 to 10 rebuys per tournament. If 5 significantly diminishes your bankroll then plan for fewer. A considerably larger bankroll with a significant prize should rebuy an upwards of 10 times. Just remember not to exceed the weekly betting budget and decide on the maximum number of rebuys prior to player registration.

Tournament rebuys can be a successful method of entering the prize pool; however they must be used sparingly. Always have a plan prior to the beginning of the tournament, that way you will hit your mark and potentially make a profit.

Although the house has an edge in online roulette, as in all games, there are specific moves which will save you a few bets during game play. These bets can lower the house edge and give you a higher winning percentage. Since there are several betting patterns found in the game, players can break the monotony by switching to different wagers. The benefit is the various patterns offer similar house edges.

The Simple Patterns

The simplest patterns are betting on a single spot, betting on a color, or wagering on a column. In this case, the player simply places a bet on one area of the board and waits for the results. There is usually no strategy in these bets as the player is wagering based on a feeling.

More Complicated Patterns

Most players prefer to engage in more complicated betting patterns. Some wager on the digits in their telephone number. These are a combination of simple patterns that extend coverage to many numbers. Also, they are neighbor bets to win in many areas.

Saving Bets

Online roulette games offer a way for players to save bets. Online gaming software providers offer different variants of Roulette with different bet-saving procedures. One example is offered by Microgaming Software.

The player must first go into expert mode by click the EXPERT button. The bottom toolbar will display eight numbered buttons. By click the EDIT button, the player will be transported to the bet-saving area. Click GET TABLE BETS to transfer a current wager to this layout. If the player wants to place a $1 wager on their 10-digit phone number, they place the bet on the numbers and click SAVE LAYOUT.

Clicking the NEXT button will reveal an updated layout. For neighbor bets, simply click the button next to the number of neighbors they want to select. Then click ADD TO LAYOUT and choose a denomination. This betting pattern can then be saved. To return to the action, click BACK TO GAME.

Microgaming software allows many features, such as saving a bet, not found with several other online software providers. This method will allow the player to save betting templates for later use which can give you a better edge once you develop specific patterns. This is a feature that more software providers should add to their software. It is an extremely helpful function for the player throughout the game.

The name Sic Bo varies depending on the location in which it’s played. Other names include Tai Sai and Dai Siu. In Asia specifically, all three names are used to describe the game, it simply depends in which country you’re playing. The English translation is hi-lo or big and small.

Until recently the game has never been a big deal in Asia. North America wasn’t exposed to the game until the late 1900’s. It was introduced by immigrants from China that brought the game with them. Just years later, the game can be found in several casinos throughout North America.

There are six specific Sic Bo terms that should be memorized:

1. Tai Sai or Dai Siu
2. Spin
3. Re-Bet
4. Clear
5. Chips
6. Layout

As previously stated, Tai Sai or Dai Siu is a regional name for Sic Bo depending on which area of Asia you plan on playing in. A three version translate to hi-low or big and small. Spin is another important term in that it indicates the action of the dice being shaken in the cup. Those that spin must place a wager at the Sic Bo table.

A re-bet occurs when a player places the same wager value within the same betting section on the table for the next betting round as they did in the previous. For instance, if a player bets on the small with a $10 bet and then places the same wager for the next round.

Clear is a commonly used term for many dice games and it generally indicates when the table is wiped clean and all wagers are given to their prospective players. Chips indicate the physical pieces of plastic and clay that the players bet with. Different colored chips represent different monetary values within different games. When playing online, the process is to simply click the wager you’d like to place.

Finally, the layout is the grid of the table. This includes different areas of betting that players are allowed to make. Similar to a craps table, the grid has different sections for different actions like an area to throw the three dice. The dealer usually regulates where to place a bet, where to throw the dice, etc.

Knowing the history, rules and proper terminology used at the table will help you become a more proficient player. Sic Bo has been in the United States for only a short time. As more casinos add the game to their property, it could become one of the most popular games available.

Slots have a rich history beginning over 100 years ago. They went from a mechanical machine to the glitz, glamour and appeal we see today. The first slot machine was produce in 1895 by Charles Fey. Over the next 12 years, Fey tweaked and perfected this machine until it was ready to be sold to Mill Novelty Company. The first slot machine was named “Mills Liberty Bell.”

The Old Design

The original slot machine design had both feet and toes and was completely made of cast iron. The toes soon disappeared from the design leaving feet which were tremendously detailed. The first machine also had reels, similar to those available today. The reels had actual playing cards (king, queen and jack) instead of bars. Also, each time a player won the spin, a bell would ring. This has since been replaced by a bell that sounds when the max jackpot is won.

The New Design

It’s interesting to note that many current slot designs continue to be based on the design of 1907. Many older machines were limited to 20 symbols that could be achieved. The newer machines contain computer memory that can store hundreds of randomly generated symbols. Also the three reels are rarely still used. Instead many machines currently provide five reels.

Operation Bell

In 1910, the Operation Bell slot machine was introduced. The design was based on the Liberty Bell. It contained a coin entry with various fruit symbols. Many machines were modeled after Operation Bell. The slot machine weighed over 100 pounds and sold over 30,000 units.

Wooden Machines

The design of the machines changed again in 1915 to wooden material. The wooden material provided a quieter gaming environment in addition to lower costs and an easier production cycle. A double jackpot was also added to the machines. In 1931 Mills added color and began producing the first themed machines to improve the fun factor. As a result Lion Head, War Eagle and Roman Head were released to the market.

It took thirty years from conception for the slot machines to become popular with the gambling community. Bugsy Sigel first introduced slot machines into the Flamingo Hilton Hotel during the 1940’s. At first the main players were females as it gave them something to pass the time while waiting for the high rollers to finish playing.

Slot machines have had many different designs over its 100 year time frame. It began with heavy cast iron material and has become a lightweight electronic machine designed to please the senses. Since slots comprise 2/3’s of U.S. casino’s revenue, the designs will continue to be innovative and appeal to the masses.

Keno is in the same game family as the lottery and bingo. Compared to other games, Keno offers the best payout with the least amount of risk. It’s a simple and exciting game where the player can really just sit back and relax.

History

There are several stories as to where the game originated. The common consensus is that it began in China around 200 B.C. It’s theorized to be a game that was created to help cities prosper during times of war when supplies and food were limited. As a result the game helped numerous cities and spread through China. Skip ahead to the 19^th century when Chinese migrants came to the United States to work on the railroads. In addition to their labor they brought Keno.

Availability

It’s played across the world in casinos, lounges and betting parlors. It’s also available in gaming communities like Las Vegas or Atlantic City while you eat dinner or even while you play other betting games. Within land based casinos, there are Keno Runners that take your ticket and place the bet for you. Once the spin has completed, they will report back the results. They can even collect your winnings and hand-deliver them.

The televisions within lounges or other areas that offer Keno will display the numbers on the monitor which you can compare to your ticket. Another prevalent form of Keno is online as a video.

The Rules

The rules of Keno are fairly straightforward; select between 4 and 10 numbers between 1 and 80. Players also have the option of playing multiple tickets with multiple wagers to improve the chances of landing a winner. In order to play simply take a ticket found in the lounge area or at a table. Mark the numbers according to the amount of money you want to wager.

Once completed, hand the ticket to a Keno runner who will wait until the following round of game play. If the balls are dropped onto your numbers, you’ll collect the winnings according to the odds of each number.

Game Differences

Many online or video Keno games have a minimum bet of five cents. On the other hand land casinos require a minimum bet of $1 per ticket. Also different casinos have different payout structures in the chance that you win. Additionally the type of ticket determines the amount won. If the game is progressive, you can win a great deal of money for a dollar bet. House edges also vary but are around 30 percent.
Keno has a long and rich history in which it was passed down through wars and half way across the world to become a popular betting game. It’s exciting to play and easy to win, especially if you have lady luck on your side.

Pai Gow Poker is a poker game of Asian origin with rules similar to regular poker. The player is dealt seven cards with the object being to make the best five card and best two card hands. Pai Gow Poker follows the normal poker hand rankings. All players compete with the dealer and must have a higher hand ranking with both hands in order to win.

The Skill Factor

With Pai Gow Poker being one of the few games available online where the player makes a decision rather than a bet, the popularity has significantly increased. The key to winning is balancing the two hands to give the player the maximum chance of a victory. For this reason many online casinos have added this game to their repertoire. With so many gaming sites offering Pai Gow Poker it can be difficult to decide which is best.

The Evaluation Period

Many players only register at one casino and stick to that. They usually stay because of promotional items and bonuses. This puts them at a great disadvantage and results in lost money over time. Most players like to register at multiple casinos to evaluate different games and play with different types of patrons.

What to Look For

All Pai Gow Poker games are the same; the rules and payouts don’t change. However, there are two primary subtle differences, the house way and the commission. The house way allows the player to split their hand into two. The advantage is optimum splitting of the cards; the disadvantage is that it eliminates the skill aspect from game play. This is optional and should be used by first splitting the cards in your head, then taking action.

The second requirement relates to the commission taken by the house, which is generally 5 percent. For instance if you win $1, the casino pays out $0.95. Some online casinos implement a minimum commission. For example it you win a $1 and the commission minimum is $0.25, the casino only pays out $0.75. Therefore you’re winning less with those requiring a commission minimum.

Pai Gow Poker can be exciting and requires skill to master. Part of that is that ability to select the proper casino that maximizes your skills and winnings. This is accomplished by finding those casinos that offer the house way rule and do not have a commission minimum requirement. Finding a casino offering these two tips will help you maximize your earnings.