Meta Game Universal Casino Game Creation Platform

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

British company, Meta Games Universal, recently launched a platform where providers have the ability to create their own casino games. Currently the software is in the trial stage but is already the talk of the industry. CargoF permits providers to create different games within their platform without any type of programming knowledge.

CargoF utilizes a user-friendly interface with various tools, similar to website creation software. The toolset and interface can be downloaded directly from the company’s website. The primary advantages include:

  • Lower costs
  • Product differentiation
  • Development time reduced

One of the biggest benefits of this software is the lower costs. By easily creating games within the company, outside contractors do not need to be hired. Another benefit is having a huge advantage over the competition. With a vast game differentiation, the casino will be able to provide games which their competitors do not have. Finally the development time of new games will be reduced because of the easy to use interface.

Historically, creating and developing new games has been a slow, daunting and expensive task. With so many of the same games available, the factors involved in creating new options aren’t worth the overall cost. This software will decrease these factors and even allow for casino-specific branding of new games.

The graphical user interface within the CargoF software allow for complete customization with options to change the look and feel of the newly created game. Due to this customization, the casino’s that utilize this software will not have games with a copied feel to them. The executables and coding is automatically generated providing a high level of guaranteed quality as well as streamlining the overall development process.

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As more casinos are established its difficult to differentiate games, platforms and other aspects. Online gaming sites needs to attract new customers by offering a product that the competition doesn’t have. CargoF is the answer. Creative new interactive games in a customizable environment are the future of online gaming.

Once the CargoF software has completed testing and is released, casinos will be chomping at the bit to get their hands on this software. This will change the face of internet gaming by giving the customer betting games they’ve never seen. Accompanying these new games will be rich graphics and crisp audio. Over the next few years consumers will be able to play some of their favorite games in an interactive betting environment.

Common Blackjack Strategy Concepts Explained

Monday, May 24th, 2010

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

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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.

How to Pick an Online Casino

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

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.

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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.

Introduction to Online Blackjack

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

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

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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 Rules and Strategies

Monday, August 31st, 2009

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

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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.

Going Wild with Online Slots

Friday, August 7th, 2009

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.

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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.


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