Online Casino Spotlight

In tough economic times, people want to save money every way they can, and several people have started to take advantage of coupons. You can find coupons for almost anything, including your grocery, a car wash, a purchase at a major retailer, and even a casino. Casinos offer coupons for all sorts of benefits from free food to free money to play with. Best of all, these coupons are free and not that difficult to get your hands on.

What are Casino Coupons?

Casino coupons differ from comps. Comps are handed out at random by casino employees such as the pit boss or dealer and that player must use the comp almost immediately. Casino coupons offer more leeway. A coupon is printed on a piece of paper and can be redeemed by anyone as long as it is still valid.

What are the Types of Casino Coupons?

The most common casino coupons are free meals at the casino’s buffet or restaurants, or free drinks at the casino bar. If the casino has a hotel, they may have coupons for discounted or even free stay. If the casino is a resort and includes spas or golf courses, players can enjoy coupons for those areas as well. The most popular casino coupons however include free play. These coupons can come in two forms. Standard free play coupons work the same as cash; players redeem the coupon at the cashier’s desk for a voucher and can use it anywhere in the casino. The second form of coupon increases a player’s bet. The player can place a bet at a poker table in conjunction with their coupon to double their bet.

Where do I Find Casino Coupons?

There are several places to find a casino coupon. The easiest way is to book a stay at the casino’s hotel through a travel agency. Casinos often give entire coupon books away to patrons staying at their hotel. You can also find individual coupons for casinos printed in the back of tourism brochures and gambling magazines. You can also ask a casino employee about their coupons. Several casinos are happy to pass them out to patrons who ask for them. There are also a number of casino coupons for online casinos. Performing an internet search, or joining a number of mailing lists for your favorite casino are sure ways to access the many available coupons.

Casino coupons are a great way to save a few dollars or get some extra rewards at a casino. Before heading to the casino, do your research to see if you can find any of these coupons. Once you get there, remember that it does not hurt to ask- you may be surprised at what you get.

In the land-based casino environment, the serious gambler rarely shows their emotions, especially when intense games such as poker are involved.  After all, doing so could prove to be very fatal.  Players can let their guard down and relax a bit more when playing online.  This is because they usually play at home by themselves or in the company of family or friends who don’t mind seeing them get excited should they happen to score a nice payout.  If you are lucky enough to win money by gambling online, you have all the right to scream, shout and jump for joy.  However, if you are not able to control your emotions when playing at home on your computer, unleashing your excitement in the online world could lead to your downfall just the same.

A Fall From Grace

Online casinos are able to offer games with a lower house edge because their operating costs are much lower than land-based casinos.  This equates to higher payout rates and greater opportunities for the player.  Unfortunately, players tend to part with larger amounts of money faster online than when gambling in brick and mortar casinos.  The main reason – players get lost in their emotions and continue to wager when they should just sit back and enjoy their winnings.

Take the player who just cashed out big at an online casino for example.  After winning, they brag and boast to their friends, relishing in their good luck and all the money they won.  Convinced that today is their lucky day, they continue to gamble, now wagering with the feeling of invisibility.  Unfortunately, more often than not, the player ends up losing all of their winnings and may even dip further into their funds to hand over more money to the casino.  Desperate to get it all back at all costs, they keep gambling and continue to lose.  A good rule of thumb for online gambling is to never play more than you originally intended to bet.  If you do, you could find yourself chasing elusive winnings that only stand to deplete your bankroll in record time.

If the player in the above scenario would have kept their emotion under wraps and applied rational thinking to their subsequent wagers, the outcome would have probably worked more in their favor.  There is nothing wrong with showing a little emotion when you win money from betting online.  However, if these are substantial winnings, you may want to consider withdrawing them before popping the champagne cork and celebrating into the night.  The last thing you want to do is blow the money you won and lose even more by trying to redeem yourself.

The Moral of the Story

When it comes to gambling online, it is important to adopt the skill of being able to control your emotions whether you win or lose.  This is not as easy as it may sound so if you have never played at an online casino, you may want to practice with some free games before you even put up a wager.  If not, you stand the risk of losing a lot of money and taking the first step on the road to compulsive gambling.

A series of poker boot camps are being launched in locations through out the globe hosted by Vanessa Rousso. These poker boot camps are set to start in 2010. Thousands of poker enthusiasts are expected to attend, hoping to gain insight on how a poker star made her wins.

Who is Vanessa Rousso?

Vanessa Rousso is a 27-year-old poker icon. In the few years she has been attending poker tournaments, Rousso has amassed over four million dollars in winnings. Rousso was the first female to ever make it to the finals of the NBC National Heads Up Poker Championship, where she came in second place. In addition to being a poker super-star, Rousso is also a spokeswoman for GoDaddy.com, and had a two-page spread in Sports Illustrated’s extremely popular Swimsuit Edition. She has also hosted televised poker tournaments, and will appear on “Bank of Hollywood.” A television show produced by e-channel and hosted by Ryan Seacrest.

Vanessa Rousso is now turning her sights towards teaching the skills of poker. She hopes to give her pupils a winning edge by using a combination of hands-on and instructional training about high-level poker strategy. According to Rousso, “My biggest passion outside of playing poker is in teaching poker strategy. I love watching that light bulb go off in my students’ minds when they discover something new.”

What is the Boot Camp About?

Vanessa Rousso’s boot camp aims to teach already-skilled poker players a higher level of strategy. The boot camp will encompass two types of training; lectures and hands-on experience. The lectures will all be held by Rousso, and will cover some of her own personal game theories. The hands-on training will work as a series of poker game stimulations where players will be allowed to try out the skills they learned during the lecture series.

When and Where the Boot Camps are Held

Vanessa Rousso’s first poker boot camp is being held in the Bahamas, at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. Rousso has dubbed this set of the boot camp circuit, “Strategy Symposium Under the Sun.”

The second in the poker boot camp set is being held in Biloxi, Mississippi. Hosted by Beau Ravage, “Poker Tournament Theory Boot Camp & Tournament” will last two days.

Rousso is currently working on the locations of several more boot camps to be held throughout 2010. These boot camps will all be hosted by a different location so poker players from around the globe can participate.

Any lectures or classes on poker are an excellent way for skilled poker players to up their game. A series held by a world-renowned poker player, who has a long resume of poker tournaments under her belt, is definitely worth the trip.

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world, so naturally, many new players are attracted to the online version.  For several players, the big problem is choosing from the vast selection of different variants.  Others have a tough time adjusting to the rules of the internet world.  If you have a general knowledge of blackjack but are new to playing online, this article will serve as the introduction that will help you get started.

Online vs. Offline Play

When playing blackjack in a land-based casino, the rules pretty much remain the same regardless of the venue.  Blackjack payouts at 3 to 1, a tie pushes and the dealer busts if their hand goes over 21.  However, the rules of the game often change when playing online, which is typically done to give the house a greater advantage.  For instance, in many online casinos, blackjack pays out at 1 to 1, the dealer wins on a tie, and rather than the dealer busting with 22, the hand round results in a push.

Despite the disadvantages that come along with playing blackjack online, there are still some benefits that make the game attractive to players.  One popular variant is a game known as Blackjack Switch.  In this exclusive online variation, players begin with two separate hands and can exchange the second set of cards dealt should it provide them with an advantage.  The downside is that the rules of this particular variant are in favor of the house, so the player is more susceptible to losing money than winning.  Because the dealer is allowed to hit on a soft 17 in a game of Black Switch, the return to the player is greatly reduced.

Online Blackjack Variants and The House Edge

Another thing you should know about playing blackjack online is that different variants are played with a different number of card decks.  The number of decks typically ranges from one to eight.  This has a huge impact on the player because the more decks that are used, the higher the house edge.  So while the basic rules remain the same, you can expect a lower average return when playing blackjack with more decks of cards.  The house edge is also increased as a result of the restrictions imposed on tactics such as splitting and doubling down.   A classic example are variants in which the rules state that you cannot double following a split or only double if the value of your hand is between 9 and 11.  Likewise, there are variants in which you can only split once or twice.  In these games, the dealer is usually required to stand on a soft 17, but the player’s advantage is neutralized by the restrictions placed on splits and doubling down.

Conclusion

If you are a master at playing blackjack in the real world and want to take your skills online, your previous experience is only half the battle.  There are so many variants online that it can make it feel as if you are playing an entirely new game.  For this reason, it would be wise to read up on different variants and their rules before making a wager online.

A unique modern gaming version of traditional card poker is Video Poker. Video poker is played using a computer gaming system, similar to the advanced slot machines. In video poker, there is no dealer and no other players; just you playing against the computer. The computer will deal the cards and you will click your way in to the hand.

Video poker has become popular in recent years. You can find video poker machines at most casinos and other gambling establishments.

A Closer Look at Jacks or Better Video Poker

Jacks or Better is a five card game that follows the traditional poker high hand limits. However, in Jacks or Better a player has to have a least a pair of Jacks to qualify for the hand. Any lesser combination results in a loss for the player.

Playing Jacks or Better Video Poker

In Jacks or Better, the computer, acting as the dealer, will deal out five cards to the player to start the hand. Much like traditional poker, the player will decide to raise or fold based on their hand. If the player chooses to raise their Ante bet rather then fold, they are then allowed to discard up to four cards from their original hand. The dealer will then deal the requested amount of new cards to the player. After the second draw the player will try to make a Jacks or higher hand from the cards they were dealt. If the player has a hand with a pair of Jacks or higher, they are paid out for that hand based on a pay structure determine by the video poker machine.

Betting Options in Jacks or Better Video Poker?

In Jacks or Better video poker, a player must place an Ante bet at the beginning of each round to buy in to the hand. The Ante bet often has a minimum amount that will be listed on the video poker machine. After the Ante bet is placed and the cards are dealt, the player will have one chance to raise their Ante bet and move on to the next part of the round.

If the player placed, and raised, and Ante bet they will play through that round of Jacks or Better. If they end up with a hand showing at least a pair of Jacks, the player is paid out based on a pay structure. Pay structures for most video poker games are listed on the poker machine itself and the payouts ma be quite lucrative.

Casino Hold ‘em is a card game that puts a unique spin on the popular poker variant Texas Hold ‘em.  The game was created by Stephen Au-Yeung in 2000, first going live in the casinos of Egypt, Russia and South Africa.  Today, it is played in more than hundred land-based casinos around the world and a countless number of online casinos.

Object of the Games

Casino Hold ‘em is very similar to Texas Hold ‘em.  The key difference is that it is essentially a house game, meaning that instead of competing against other players, you are playing against the casino.  The overall goal of the game is to beat the dealer by assembling the best hand possible out of your two initial cards and five community cards.  If your hand has a greater value than the dealer’s, you win.  Similar to Texas Hold ‘em, winnings vary depending on the hand you assemble.  Casino Hold’em also offers an added level of excitement by placing a side wager, a bet that pays out if a pair of aces or better is dealt within the initial five cards.

Antes and Side Bets

What makes Casino Hold’em such as desirable game is that not only is the player paid out at the standard rate of 2 to 1 if they have a better hand, but also higher winnings for rare poker hands.  The payout table for this game is typically as follows:

Royal Flush – 100 to 1

Straight Flush – 20 to 1

Four-of-Kind – 10 to 1

Full House – 3 to 1

Flush – 2 to 1

Straight or less – 1 to 1

Also known as AA+ bonus bets, side bets are paid out based on the value of your two initial cards and three community cards.  A Royal Flush usually payouts at 100 to 1, a Straight Flush 50 to 1, Four-of-a-Kind 40 to 1, Full House 30 to 1, Flush 20 to 1, and a Straight 7 to 1.  Take note that the pay structure may be different depending on where you play, a factor that often means the house has a greater edge.

House Advantage

In Casino Hold’em, the house edge, not including the side bet, will vary greatly depending on the rules enforced by the casino operator.  However, most pay tables are structured to show a house edge that ranges from approximately 2% to 2.5%.  In the ante table outlined above, the edge would be 2.16%.

Optimal Strategy

There is really no standard strategy for Casino Hold’em because the game play for each individual hand is based on the value of all five cards you receive.  For this reason, a number of strategy calculators exist to help players gain an edge.  Perhaps the best strategy is knowing that the skilled player raises at a rate of about 82%, meaning at worst, only 18% of the hands should be forfeited.   However, even these are just estimates that depend on a broad range of factors and mainly only apply when the player has little to no chance for a flush or a straight

Many online casino games are merely based on chance while others actually require skill and strategy.  The chance games offer the appeal of simplicity as all you do is click a few buttons and hope that you are lucky enough to win.  Some of the most popular examples are slots and roulette.   Players who opt for these games are often intimidated by their more strategic counterparts.  If you have been hesitant to play the more skillful casino games, we are here to tell you that a little strategy could be worth your while.

Common Strategy Games

There are quite a few online games that require strategy, with blackjack and the many types of poker being among the most commonly played.  So why would you want to pick up a more difficult game when you can easily play something simple?  There are mainly two reasons.  First off, strategy games tend to be more intriguing because they offer more of a challenge.  Perhaps the most important is reason is that these games have a payout percentage that is considerably higher than many chance games.  If you gamble online with the intent of winning money, this should give you all the incentive to step your game up.

Blackjack

Blackjack is often considered to be one of the most complex casino games that involve strategy.  This is because the player is constantly forced to make decisions and those choices increase in importance with each draw of the cards.  For example, not only do you have to choose whether to hit or stand, you also have to consider more advanced options such of splitting, doubling down, surrendering, and taking up insurance on your bet.  This is just the traditional game of blackjack.  There are many variations of the game and the strategy varies and can become more complex with each version.

Poker

Most types of poker require strategy as well.  This is especially the case with the popular variant known as Pai Gow.  In a game of Pai Gow poker, the player receives seven cards.  While there are many decisions that need to be made, the major element of strategy involved is managing two hands: a two-card hand, and a five-card hand.  The conditions that apply to these hands are often what intensify the importance of having a good strategy.  A certain level of skill is also required in other commonly played variants such as Texas Hold ‘em, Let it Ride and Red Dog.  It may not sound very intricate, but it is important for players to know when to adjust their bets, when to call, and when to fold.  The good thing is that this is skill that can be learned by simply playing and understanding how to analyze probable outcomes.

Strategic Features

Some online casinos offer features that make it a bit easier for players to apply sound strategy in skilled based games.  These features even benefit the chance player as they can wager in comfort with the reassurance that they will not blow their bankroll by making a bad decision.

When signing up for an online casino account, all players are required to accept an end user agreement, a form of documentation that contains all the terms and conditions under which you are allowed to play.  Some of this information is relevant to details about banking and transferring money to your casino account.  As a new player, you should read these terms and conditions to make sure you understand them before accepting the agreement.  This article will explain why.

Key Terms and Conditions

It is important to know that by accepting the end user agreement, you are authorizing the online casino to impose certain stipulations and obligations upon you.  For one, you must confirm that you are the legitimate owner of the money being placed in the account for wagering, meaning you can’t place bets with someone else’s credit card.  You should also know that this agreement frequently states that while you may place wagers immediately, you are not allowed to withdraw funds until your credit card company has confirmed the transaction.  This isn’t necessarily the fault of the online casino, but it is still something you need to consider.

Violation of the Agreement

If you violate any of the terms and conditions outlined in the end user agreement, whether they are related to wagering or banking issues, it could end up having a negative affect on the funds in your online casino account.  Should your account be suspended or deactivated for any reason, note that the agreement often states that the casino operator can withhold any contested payments, whether they are in the form of refunds, deposits or bonuses.  This is permission you give them when accepting the end user agreement.  If you happen to owe the online casino money, the operator is authorized by you to take various actions to get it.  A worst case scenario would involve them calling upon third-party collection agencies to recover the debt.

Dormant Accounts

One important condition that lies in the end user agreement relates to dormant casino accounts.  Some players sign up with multiple casinos, playing at one for a while and then venturing off to several others before coming back; if they return at all.  Quite a few players even leave money in their account that is owed to them.  This is why many casinos specify that a player has up to six months to withdraw money if their account is lying dormant and they are not participating at the casino.  Once this period ends, that money is no longer yours.  Since you accepted the end user agreement, you agreed to forfeit the funds and hand them over to the casino.  Operators have a reason for doing this, and it is primarily because maintaining casino accounts is a part of their operating expense.  If you are not putting yours to use, then they are not making any money from it.

Conclusion

You must only read and digest the end user agreement one time.  This does not have to be a hassle as it can be a fast and simple process.  In any event, you should definitely make sure you read and understand it before wagering at any online casino.

Baccarat is the most popular casino game among high rollers and whales. Baccarat is usually played in a separate roped off area in the casino. While it is portrayed as a game for the wealthy and well to do, the basics of the game aren’t too difficult to learn.

The basics of Baccarat

Baccarat or Punto Banco is a card game of chance. The standard playing table in the game is about the same size as a craps table. In the game, there are only two principal wagers to make. The bet will be on either the player (punto) or the bank (banco).

The value of hands in baccarat are unique but simple. In the game, cards 2-9 are worth face value. Tens, jacks, queens and kings all have a value of zero. The ace cards have a value of one. When hands are calculated, the tens digit is not included. So, the scores in baccarat range from a low of zero to a high of nine. Ironically, the baccarat name is derived from the worst hand (zero) in the game.

In North American baccarat, the casino banks the game. At the beginning of the game, two cards are dealt face down in alternate fashion. The initial card is dealt to the player. Then, the results of the two cards for the player and banker are revealed. Depending on the hands of each participant, the player and banker can either stand pat or draw another card. The highest hand will win the game.

A structured game

The game has some set procedures on when the player and bank must stand or draw. If either participant has a value of 8 or 9 from their first two cards, they must stand pat. For other initial outcomes, there are rules in place on whether a participant must stand or draw.  Here is a breakdown of what is required from the player and banker based on certain outcomes from their initial two cards:

• If the player has a total of 0-5, he will draw one card. If he has a total of 6 or 7, he will stand.

In turn, the banker’s play will be determined by the player’s hand. This will be based on whether the player drew a card, and on what card the player drew.

• If the player did not draw, the banker will draw if he has 0-5, and stands at 6-7.
• If the player draws a 2 or 3, the banker will draw if he has 0-4, and stands at 5-7.
• If the player draws a 4 or 5, the banker draws if he has 0-5, and stands at 6-7.
• If the player draws a 6 or 7, the banker draws if he has 0-6, and stands at 7.
• If the player draws an 8, the banker draws if he has 0-2, and stands at 3-7.
• If the player draws an ace, 9, 10, jack, queen or king, the banker draws if he has 0-3, stands at 4-7.

Finally, bettors are required to pay a 5% commission for winning wagers on the banker because it has been determined that over 8-decks of play, the banker will usually win three of four more hands than the player.

Poker can seem to be an overwhelming game for those who have never played it. Many have only seen the game on TV in the various major tournaments that are broadcast. Poker’s growth has been unmistakable over the last decade as beginners continue to learn and play in casinos and online.

The basics of Poker

Poker is derived from a family of card games. The games varies in how hands are formed, how cards are dealt, limits on bets, as well as how many rounds of wagering are allowed. In the initial round, the betting starts with some form of a forced wager. These wagers play a big role in the outcome of poker games. Because of this, poker is a game that involves some unique strategy when compared to some other casino games that are based strictly on chance. Each successive player must match the initial wager or fold from the remainder of the hand. They also have the option of raising the hand. Savvy poker players can bluff their opponents with certain moves or non-moves by remaining unemotional regardless of their hand. The betting round concludes when each player has matched the last wager or folded. If all but one player folds during the course of any given round, the remaining player wins without showing his hand. If more than a single player remains in contention after the last round of betting, all hands are then shown and the winning hand collects the pot.

Winning poker hands

While there are some variations depending on the exact poker game that is being played, there is a general order of poker hands that will lead to a victory. Here is a basic list of the top ten winning poker hands:

1. Five of a kind-This hand features four cards of the same kind plus a wild card. If multiple players have five of a kind, the player with the higher value cards will win.

2. Straight flush-A straight flush is a hand of any five cards in sequence of the same suite. A royal flush occurs when an ace is the highest card in the straight.

3. Four of a kind-The same as a five of a kind with one fewer card.

4. A full house-This hand features three cards of one kind combined with two cards of a different kind.

5. A flush-In this hand, the player holds only cards of the same suite.

6. A straight-This hand features five cards in sequence but of different suites.

7. Three of a kind-A lower version of five of a kind and four of a kind.

8. Two pairs-This hand features two cards of one rank combined with two cards from another rank.

9. A pair-A hand with two cards of one rank.

10. A high card-In this hand, no two cards have the same rank.

With a basic understanding of whether to bet or fold and the main winning hands in the sport, poker newcomers aren’t too far away from being able to feel like one of the elite professional players that they see each year playing for millions of dollars at the World Series of Poker.