Online Casino Spotlight

Why is a good blackjack strategy in such high demand? Any educated card player knows that blackjack is one of the few casino games that can actually promise a savvy player a profit. Taking the right strategy to the right table can also mean taking money home every time you play, and every gambler knows that there’s no incentive that’s more inspiring than money.

That said, some blackjack fans have decided that they can make more money by fleecing their fellow players than by trying to master the game. When searching for solid strategy advice it can be hard to weed out the frauds. If you’re a blackjack beginner, don’t waste any of your  burgeoning bankroll buying strategies or systems – you can find everything you need to win for free. Here’s a basic breakdown of what you need to know to beat online blackjack.

How to Win at Blackjack

One reason that many first-time blackjack players fall for bad strategies or system scams is because they don’t really understand how to win the game. It’s pretty straightforward. Unlike other popular card games like poker, blackjack players don’t compete against each other, so the only hand you have to beat is the dealer’s. Sounds easy enough right? To beat the dealer, you must get a hand that’s closer to 21 than theirs without going over. And that’s just the beginning. What makes winning the game especially challenging is the fact that you can only see one of the dealer’s cards when choosing your moves, plus they get to make their moves after all the players have finished.

Hit/Stand Strategy

Winning blackjack then is all about knowing when you should hit and when you should stand. One advantage that players have over dealers is the house rules. Per casino rules, dealers must stand on a hand of 16 or 17 (it varies by casino). Hypothetically you have no way of knowing what the dealer’s face down card is (we’ll get to card counting next). So, most hit/stand blackjack strategies advise players to pretend that the face down card has a value of ten. You will then use the dealer’s hypothetical hand to determine whether your hand is high enough to stand or if you’ll need to hit. Many blackjack strategy sites offer cheats that can tell you the best times to hit or stand for every possible hand.

Card Counting

Most movies you see about blackjack pros are really about card counting. Card counting is a strategy wherein the player tracks which cards have been pulled from the deck and uses that information to determine what cards are left in the deck and by extension what cards are now likely to be dealt to them and/or the dealer. When combined with a good hit/stand strategy, card counting can make blackjack very lucrative, but many casinos have taken measures – like using shoes – that make this strategy difficult to implement.

Have you ever performed a Google search for an online casino? The results may appear endless. If you browse through them, you will notice that most look similar. They have a professional feel, offer many of the same games, and have bonuses or other incentives. How do you choose one from the stack? Choosing an online casino is largely based on personal preference, but there are a few tips that will help you narrow down your search.

Five Tips for Picking an Online Casino

1. Use a referral: People rely on the reviews of their friends, family, and coworkers to help them pick everything from doctors to grocery stores so why not an online casino? If you know someone that frequents casinos online, ask them where they play.

You can also use the internet to get honest reviews from thousands of players. People love sharing their opinion. A quick search for the name of the casino and “review” will give you a dozen reviews from other players.

2. Find a casino with several gaming options: If you are a Texas Hold ‘Em player you don’t want to spend your time at an online casino that specializes in Omaha. Look at the games the casino offers on a daily basis, and make sure they have the ones you enjoy playing before you sign up.

3. Look for bonuses and incentives: Several online casinos offer bonuses and sign-up incentives for new players. This can come in the form of free play, or special games. Online casinos have to compete with each other just like brick and mortar casinos. You can capitalize on this competition; just find the online casino with the best incentives.

4. Make sure the online casino is safe: Most online casinos have a high level of security to protect both them and you. However, some online casinos may only appear professionally managed. Do your research before you give your personal information to any online casino. A quick internet search should give you enough information about the casino’s security to help you make a decision.

5. Choose a casino that suits you: Most importantly, you need to enjoy the online casino you choose to play in. Play around with the site to get a feel for it, if you do not like the way it is set up, move on to another one. Make sure you like the games and feel comfortable with the minimum and maximum betting limits. After all, it is your money and you should be happy.

While there sheer number of online casinos can seem daunting, you can find one that fits you perfectly with a little research. If you end up not being happy with the casino, move on to another one.

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.

Keno is one of the oldest casino games in the world and still among the most popular.  From the early days in China to the local lotteries to online casinos throughout the web, this game has certainly come a long way.  Though quite vague to some, Keno is relatively simple when you know what to expect.

Getting Started

Whether it is online or in a land-based facility, each player receives a ticket known as a Keno board.  This board contains eighty numbers.  The object of the game is to predict as many of the twenty numbers presented in each round as possible.  When playing online, the numbers are selected by the RNG (random number generator) in the casino software.  You have the option to place a wager on any number you believe will come up, picking anywhere from one to ten numbers.  If your numbers match the randomly selected numbers, then you “hit.”  The more numbers you predict, the higher payout you receive.  The actual payout of course, all depends on how much you bet.  In Keno, the most common bets are of $1, $3 and $5 denominations.

You begin the game by choosing the numbers you want on the Keno board.  In most online casinos, you have the option to allow the software to select random numbers on your behalf.

You can also deselect numbers if decide to make another selection.  Once you choose your numbers, you will notice the potential payout in the corner of the screen.  After making your wager, you can then choose how many games you want to play.  Most casinos let you play one, five, or ten games at a time and have features that provide detailed information on each game played.

Keno Strategy

Since the game of Keno has several potential number combinations, calculating these probabilities and the odds can be a very overwhelming challenge.  How difficult is it?  Well, there are literally far more than three quintillion possible combinations that could come up each round.  Don’t let this get you down, because you don’t have to be a mathematical genius to win at keno.  Here are few strategic tips to take with you:

Make a Good Bet – Even when your bankroll is dwindling, it still might be a better to make a $5 wager opposed to a $1 bet.  Over the long run, payouts for these bets will turn out to be far more significant.

Pick the Right Spots – If you want to stick around when playing Keno, choosing the right number spots on the board is very essential.  This of course, will take some getting used to, but over time you will learn to select the spots that enhance the possibility of some of your numbers being drawn.

Be Realistic - Keep in mind that Keno is a game of pure chance.  Because the numbers are randomly generated, it is virtually impossible to predict the outcome of any given round.  Sometimes things will work in your favor, sometimes they won’t.  That’s the beauty of games like Keno because you never know what your luck might call for.

Similar to many other casino games, the wild symbol in slots can serve as a substitute for another symbol to give you a winning combination.  More than any other, slots are games centered around specific themes.  In many cases the wild symbol is usually the theme’s most important symbol and therefore, a key aspect to the overall game.

Wilds and Multipliers

A large majority of the online slots games you encounter have wilds that also act as multipliers.  When this symbol is used to round out a winning combination, the payout for that combination is multiplied.  For example, in the popular online slots game T-Rex, the T-Rex is the wild and this symbol payouts double.  In this same game, five of the Stegosaurus symbols in a payline payouts out a total of 5,000 coins.  If you have four of these symbols along with the T-Rex wild, you are then paid out 10,000 coins.  The multiplier quantum is fixed with most casino slots games.  This means that the wild symbol multiplies payouts based on a fixed amount regardless of the number of wilds used to form the winning combination.  However, you also have slots games in which the multiplier depends on the number of wilds that show up in he winning combination.

Types of Wilds

Some online slots games have wild symbols that are designed to add to the excitement of the game.  These are games that incorporate a number of different wild symbols.  The most common of these symbols is the stacked wild.  When this symbol is displayed, all the symbols in each reel become wilds.  If these symbols show up in reels one or two, big payoffs are often the result as the number of winning combinations gives you a simultaneous hit.

The expanding wild symbol is another type of wild commonly found online casino slots games.  Similar to the example above, this is another case where the entire reel is filled with a wild symbol.  However, these symbols are not displayed individually as is the case with the stacked wild.  Instead, the wild expands to cover the reel as a single symbol, hence the name, expanding wild.

One of the newest type of wilds incorporated into online casino slots is the exploding wild.  With this variant, various other symbols are randomly converted into wilds for only a single given spin.  This wild symbol is an integral part of the Call of Duty 4 slots game, where the conversion is followed by an explosion, thus the name, exploding wild  The T-Rex game has exploding wilds but the conversion works in a different manner.  For example, the T-Rex eats every other dinosaur on the reel and then turns them into wild symbols.

When it comes to online slots games, the wild symbol is your friend.  In many types of slots, they are able to trigger bonus rounds to help you obtain extra credits and additional winnings.  Whether it is a stacked, expanding or exploding type, the wild is one symbol you definitely want to see one your computer screen quite frequently.

If you truly want to be successful at online gambling , then you need to make it a habit to learn more about the odds out in cyberspace.  While it seems like everyone would naturally seek out the more favorable options, research has shown that the average player consistently chooses casino games in which the odds lean more in favor of the house.  This indicates that players are either strictly in it for the fun, or simply don’t know the importance of, or to effectively calculate the odds.  The best way to get to the bottom of this issue is to take a look at a few games that have different levels of odds that work in your favor.

The Friendly Dice

Most gamblers have a clear understanding that craps is one of the best games you can play when it comes to favorable odds.  Being that it is essentially a skill game, craps is one that has proven to reward the player who has taken the time to make themselves familiar with all the intricacies involved.  In addition to blackjack, pai gow, poker and other casino games that typically rely more on smarts than blind chance, craps enables you to lower the house edge in a manner where it does not turn out to be an overwhelming hindrance against your success.

While craps is one of the better games to play, there are an alarming number of unfavorable odds to be found, mainly when proposition bets are involved.  If at all possible, prop bets are something you want to stay away from.  These type of bets are appealing to the proverbial risk taker who loves the thrill of knowing that a huge sum of money can either be won or loss on a single roll of the dice.  However, the more knowledgeable players should never be confused with the adrenaline junkies who come out broke more often not.  Any craps player who really understands the game will leave the tempting prompt bets to those who don’t know any better and simply can’t help themselves.

Picking the Right Wheel

If you are looking to play roulette online but still want to maintain reasonable odds, the type of variant you decide on will have a substantial impact on where you stand in this regard.   Anyone familiar with the game knows the European style of roulette comes with much better odds than the American version.  This is because there is only one “double zero” slot to worry about.  The result of this factor is that there are far less European roulette games to be found at the internet casinos.  On a good note, these versions do exist and can be found if you do a little research.

Once you have all of this information at your disposal, there may be a chance that you still prefer games that do not offer very good odds.  When this is the case, at least you will know and be able to make an informed decision instead of just going with the flow like so many other players.

Anyone who plays casino games, especially the land-based variety, has probably noticed that these games have a certain lingo that goes along with them.  This is also the case with online game play and even some of the books you may read about casino games.  Each game has its own specific lingo and if you’re a newbie, it can make for a rather frustrating experience.  Blackjack is a big hit in both real-world and online casinos, so if this is your game, you will want to check out this short glossary on some of the most common terminology.

Blackjack – First and foremost, blackjack equates to 21 and represents the object of the game.  If your cards add up to 21, a blackjack normally pays out 3 to 2 unless the dealer also hits.

Bust - In the game of blackjack, a bust means that your cards total over 21.  For some players, it could also refer the complete loss of your bankroll.  Hopefully you won’t have to use the term in this regard too many times.

Break - This is often used interchangeably with the term bust.

Counting – This describes the process of keeping up with the number of 10 point cards remaining in the desk.  The main purpose of counting is for a player to raise their bet when the deck is rich with 10 point cards, a strategy that works in your favor.

Double – Often referred to as double-down, a double is when you couple an additional bet with your original bet.  Because it is like playing an additional hand, a double can greatly improve your chances of winning.

Double for Less – If you don’t have enough in your bankroll to go a full double, you can take the next best option and double for less.  This means you put up a wager in between a half bet and a full bet to get an additional card.

Five Card Charlie – This describes a situation when you draw five cards without busting.  In some variations of blackjack, a five card Charlie qualifies as an automatic win and bigger payout as well.

Hard Hand – This refers to a hand that can result in a bust if hit.  It generally describes any hand worth 12 points or more that does not include an Ace.

Insurance - If the dealer is showing an ace, insurance gives you the option to put up an additional half wager that the dealer has 21.  If the dealer indeed has blackjack, you break even on the hand.  If not, you lose half the bet and play proceeds normally.

Soft Hand - This refers to a hand that can’t be busted with an extra card; more specifically, any hand with a total of 11 or lower, or any two-card combo that contains an Ace.

Spanish 21 – This a version blackjack with the 10 cards removed.  As you have probably guessed, Spanish 21 is a rule that favors the house but usually has a higher payout.

Wonging – Named after pro blackjack player Stanford Wong, Wonging describes the act of watching a blackjack game and then entering the game when the point count is in your favor.  This is something you want to be very cautious with when playing in a real-world casino.

The game of blackjack is one that can be found in virtually ever casino on and offline throughout the world.  Despite its popularity, many players are often intimidated, believing that it is a difficult game to play.  In actuality, the main focus of blackjack is simple.

The Deal

Blackjack starts with each player putting up their wager and then being dealt two cards.  The dealer, perhaps the most critical player, also receives two cards.  All of your cards are dealt face up while the dealer only exposes one of their cards.  Unlike other games, it doesn’t really matter if other players can view your cards as you are essentially playing against the dealer and the house.

The Goal

With blackjack, the ultimate goal is to get as close to 21 before the dealer does.  The most important factor is that you can’t go over or you’ll be busted.  Cards go by face value with all picture cards being worth 10 and the Ace being 1 or 11.  If your initial two cards do not up add up to 21, or a number that is relatively close wherein you feel that you can beat the dealer, you can ask the dealer to “hit” you to get an additional card.  You are free to receive a hit until striking 21 and winning, or going over 21 and losing your bet.

Stand or Hit

Once you are satisfied with your point total, you can choose to “stand” and give the next player an opportunity.  When the dealer gets his or her turn, they get a chance to turn over their other card.  If the dealer has a total of 16 or less, they must take a hit.  They must stand with 17 or more.  If the dealer comes up with a soft 17, which is an Ace and 6 where a hit can’t cause a bust because they can use it as a one-point card, the rules vary among casinos on whether or not the dealer must take a hit.

If the dealer gets busted, everyone still alive in the game wins.  If the dealer does not bust, money is evenly distributed to players who have a higher point total.  When there is a tie in blackjack, no one wins any money.  Casinos make their money on the concept of if both the player and dealer busts, the house wins.  Although you don’t aim to bust, causing the dealer to bust is very important and a key strategy in the game of blackjack.

Additional Blackjack Rules

In blackjack, you also have the option to double down, which means you take an additional card for double your bet.  Another option is the spit, which is a situation where you use two cards of the same value that act as the as the initial cards for two new hands, which gives you double the bet as well.  You can also take what is known as an insurance if the dealer shows an Ace.  If so, you break even when the dealer hits blackjack and lose the bet if they don’t, in addition to what is won or lost in regard to the outcome of the hand.

Slots are among the some of the easiest casino games to play both on or offline.  However, one could argue that playing online is far less of a hassle because all you need to do is fire up the software, kick back in your computer chair and start playing.  It has been said that online slots offer slightly higher payouts in comparison to those found at land-based casinos.  In fact, statistics show that the payout percentage of online casinos is an estimated 95 to 98% while the their real-world counterparts are at around 85 to 90%.  This has given many the incentive to make their way online for a shot at the slots.

Types of Online Slots Game

What several enjoy about playing slots online is the wide variety of games they have to select from.  Some of the variations you might find at an internet casino include:

Classic Slots

Often referred to as basic slots, classic slots make up one of the most popular games you will find at an online casino.  This is mainly because the players believe they have a better chance of winning than with other types of slots.  With classic slots, you have single pay lines and multi-pay lines as well as three and five reel variations.  When pulling the lever on a game of classic slots, you can dramatically increase the probabilities of winning by going with max bets instead of low-balling your way down to nothing.

Feature Slots

These slots are a big hit in both online and land-based casinos.  They give you a number of components such as wilds, bonus rounds, multipliers and scatters.  These elements intensify the challenge of the game and increase the chances of winning as well.  Most feature slots function as multi-line slots, allowing you to win free spins or more cash.

Multi-line Slots

Multi-line slots typically consist of three or more reels; some actually go up to as many as nine.  Additionally, these slots almost always offer two or more pay lines.  It isn’t uncommon for the pay lines on a multi-line slots game to exceed the 40 mark.  What makes these type of slots so popular is that they offer bonus rounds and progressive jackpots that get pretty big, pretty fast.

Bonus Slots

Hence the name, bonus slots come bearing multiple bonus rounds.  While you need to trigger the bonus rounds, the triggers are often plentiful and vary between different games of bonus slots.  After finding out what the bonus round has to offer, you then attempt to multiple your winnings by playing the initial game.

Progressive Slots

Progressive slots are a major hit in the world of online gambling, primarily due to their huge jackpots.  These slots can either be single or multi-line and may also contain features such as bonus rounds.  Players flock to progressive slots because they usually run on quality gaming software, almost anyone can play and if we didn’t mention, the jackpots are crazy.

Conclusion

These are just some of the slots games you have to play with online.  While the rules vary slightly, all are simple to play and can be just as, if not more fun than the real deal.

Online casinos have been around for more than a decade now but really exploded over the last five years or so.  These web-based platforms present a dynamic virtual atmosphere that mimics the real-life casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City nearly to the tee.  Best of all, there are plenty of options for game play, thus finding your favorite game should be quite easy.  Here are some of the most popular casino games you have to choose from.

Baccarat

Though many people are not familiar with the game, baccarat is a major hit in online casinos.  The object of the game is to draw a hand with a face value as close to 9 as possible.  You begin with two cards, add their value and if they equal 10 or higher, the first digit is discarded.  From there, you play the hand against the dealer.  In baccarat, the winner isn’t necessarily based on who has the better hand.  Instead, you place a wager on who you think will win a particular round – you or the dealer.  Make the right choice and you get paid out at the odds, no matter whether you lose the hand or not.

Blackjack

Originated centuries ago in Europe, Blackjack is one of the most exciting and easiest casino games to play.  The object is simple – draw your cards until the face value adds up 21 or close as possible.  You start out with two cards and can be hit with more until you decide to stay or get busted.  The dealer than draws until they reach 17 or bust.  You generally get paid 1:1 odds if you win.

Roulette

Poker is huge, but roulette is crowned as the “King of Casino Games.”  What makes roulette so fun is that it is a game of pure chance with little to no skill involved.  The wheel consists of number slots, usually colored black or red.  You place your bet on the number or color you think will come up, the dealer spins and drops a silver ball into the wheel, which bounces about until it stops at one of the slots and reveals the winning number.  If it stops on the one you chose, you could win big.

Slots

Online slots are basically the same as those you would find in a real casino.  Simply place your bet, pull the virtual level and the drums go spinning.  Once they stop, the images are aligned and of course, different configurations result in different payouts.  The most exciting part about online slots is the progressive jackpots as they tend to mount up very quickly.  Some pots even climb into the millions.

Video Poker

Just like Saturday night poker at your buddy’s house, the goal of video poker is to build the most powerful hand you possibly can.  You place your bet and the virtual dealer gives you five cards.  If you get something good on the first try, click the buttons underneath your cards to hold them.  The dealer discards the ones you don’t choose and deals you more cards, which result in your final hand.  With a good casino, the payouts are increasingly higher the better your hand gets.  With poker being such a phenomenon right now, finding a casino that offers video poker should be a breeze.