Online Casino Spotlight

In the not so distant past, slot machines paid out by spilling quarters in to a tray at the bottom of the machine. The player then collected the quarters in to a bucket and drug them to the cashier stand where they could be traded in for larger bills. Recently, most casinos have switched to a voucher system for their slot machines. These ticket systems benefit both the casino and the players in many ways, but there are some downsides to the system.

Loosing your ticket is the same as loosing your wallet.

For some reason, most people have an easier time keeping track of actual cash then they do their slot machine ticket. This could be due to the fact that the ticket is only one small piece of paper and it can easily get lost if placed in a pocket or tossed casually in a purse. Be sure to keep your ticket safe, those little pieces of paper can mean big money and there is nothing you can do if you lose one.

If you forget to redeem your ticket, you could loose your winnings.

If you walk out of the casino with your slot machine ticket in hand, forgetting to cash it out, you may be risking loosing your winnings. Most casinos have a limit on how long as ticket is good for, but typically, this range falls within thirty to ninety days. This is fine if you plan to visit the casino again, but if you were on vacation and leave with the ticket, you face some difficult times ahead. Some casinos offer a mail-in policy. If you mail the ticket in with all of your information, they will mail you a check equal to your winnings. However, not all casinos have this policy and some require that you show up in person to redeem a ticket.

Sometimes you may forget your ticket is actually cash.

The ticket system makes it easy for people to forget that they are playing with their money and not just “credits.” This can cause players to spend more then they intended, play a machine longer then they wanted, or go over their betting limit. Remember that your ticket is worth money and so are the amount of “credits” you see on the screen.

If you are careful with your ticket, the voucher system on coin-less slot machines may actually be a more enjoyable experience for you at the casino then the traditional slot machines.

Slot machines are the most popular and frequented games at the casino. Most casino floors are packed wall to wall with various types of slot machines. While slot machines are often a place for beginners to get their footing, proper etiquette should still be followed at the slot machines.

The 4 Golden Rules of Slot Machine Etiquette

1. Do not play more then one slot machine at a time: We have all seen it, that slot player that is sitting at one machine while also playing the machine next to him or her. If there is several of that type of machine, or the casino floor is not too crowded, this is only a minor annoyance. However, on a packed Friday night when someone is playing both of the only kind of machine on the floor it can be down right frustrating. Playing more then one slot machine is not only bad form, but may get you kicked out of some casinos. In short, just don’t do it. Stick to one slot machine at a time.

2. Do not lurk around the slot machines: Another classic, while you are playing a slot machine you notice someone behind you waiting to jump on as soon as it doesn’t pay out for you. While it is perfectly fine to wait for a machine you want to play to open, standing around behind the person playing is considered bad form. It may also get you in trouble with the casino depending on their policies. If you do want to wait on a machine, do so from a respectable distance.

3. Obey the smoking rules: Most casinos still allow smoking on the casino floor. However, each casino is different and has their own set of rules. For example, some casinos do not allow pipe or cigar smoking. If you are going to smoke a pipe or cigar, verify that it is allowed with a casino employee before you do it. In addition, several casinos have started smoke free sections. These sections are not always clearly marked so pay extra attention the signs, and only smoke where you are allowed.

4. Do not sit at a machine unless you are playing: It may be tempting to sit down next to your friend and watch them play a slot machine, but if you are not playing that machine, you should not be sitting at it. When you are sitting there, a player will walk by and assume it is in use. Even worse, some casinos have a policy against this. If they notice you sitting there, they may kick you out.

Playing the slot machines at the casino is a fun pastime for pros and beginners alike, but following proper etiquette is just as important as it is everywhere else in the casino.

Slot machines are one of the most popular games at the casinos. Slot machines are something anyone at any skill level can play. While there is very little learning curved involved in slots, applying a few techniques will help you up your winnings, extend your play time, and have more fun on your casino trip.

5 Tips for Playing Slot Machines

1. Use your reward card. Most casinos offer some type of reward card. These cards are used by the casino to track how much you are spending. The amount you spend, win, and time you spend playing are converted in to bonus prizes given out by the casino. These prizes can vary from comps at the casino’s buffet to free playing time at a slot machine. Some casinos even offer incentive bonuses for new joiners and extra prizes on one’s birthday. In short, it pays to use your reward card. Always pop the card in the slot machine before you start playing.

2. Play the maximum bet on a progressive slot machine. If you were to hit the jackpot on a progressive slot machine and you were not betting the maximum your payout would be much lower then what lured you to the slot in the first place. If you are going to play a progressive slot, it is important that you bet the maximum allowed. If you can not afford to bet the maximum, play a slot machine that doesn’t pay on progressive.

3. Divide your bankroll. Most people go in to a casino with a set amount they plan to spend. Before you start playing, give your bankroll a limit. For example, if you plan to spend $500 and want to play at least five slot machines, only spend $100 at each slot. This way your entire bank roll does not go to one slot machine. Also, if you are on a gambling vacation and plan to spend more then one day at the casino, divide your bank roll in to days. This will ensure you do not run out of playing money on the first day.

4. Do not play your winnings. An easy trick to make sure you walk out of a casino with some cash in hand is to save your winnings. Any time you get ahead on a slot machine, cash out and keep your winnings separate. You can continue you to play on your bankroll up to your limits, and this way you still walk out with some cash.

5. Start out low and work up to maximum bets. While it does not pay to bet low on a progressive machine, betting lower on a standard slot will help you build up a bankroll and make your money last longer. People get excited when they walk in to a casino, and that excitement may cause them to blow their whole bank roll on large bets right at the start. Start off with a smaller amount until you build up a bankroll and your money will last longer.

Slot machines are a fun way to spend time at the casino. Larger casinos will have dozen machines with different styles and games. Using a little technique will help you up your winnings and have a better time at the slots.

Fans of the hit HBO TV show, Sex and the City, got a surprise recently when the show made its way on to the casino floor in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada. International Game Technology, a company that makes casino equipment like slot machines, created the Sex and the City game with permission from HBO, and several casinos across Nevada recently unveiled the new game on the floor.

Sex and the City- The Slot Machine

The Sex and the City game is one of many slot machines based after popular movies and TV shows. The trend is not a new one, and most casinos offer several games based on characters from hit shows. Sex and the City’s predecessor include Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Green Acres, and the Wizard of Oz to name a few. These games are extremely popular for the recognizable themes and fun-play.

The Sex and the City game feature all the main characters of the show; Samantha, Charlotte, Miranda, Carrie and Mr. Big. It is a modern style slot machine with several betting lines and an interactive bonus. The slot machine also has video clips from the show, voice-overs, and a soundtrack.

International Game Technology’s Multiplay

One of the most drawing features of the multi-progressive slot machine is the incorporation of International Game Technology’s Multiplay feature.

Multiplay is a technology offered exclusively by the slot-machine maker. In Multiplay, the player can play up to four games at once on the same screen. This means the player is betting more then usual, but there are also more chances to win. With four games running 30 pay lines a piece, it’s a hard thing to pass up.

Sex and the City Bonuses

On top of the Multiplay, the Sex and the City slot machine has attractive bonuses.

There are a total of five bonus rounds in the game that offer nine unique patterns. This is a far cry from the standard singular bonus round featured on most slot machines, and it is paying off. Most players are playing all four Multiplay games on every round in hopes of hitting one of the many bonuses.

The bonus games consist of Simply Fabulous, Hello Lover!, Change of Dress, and Perfect Present. While the games vary, they are all interactive. The bonuses either offer free spins or give the player a chance to pick prizes on the screen.

Overall, the Sex and the City slot machine is such a big hit for the casinos that one has to wonder if more HBO style games are in the works.

The Global Gaming Expo dazzled attendees with slot machines that featured games with HD, 3-D graphics and animated characters, touch-screens, and rich video game features.  Slot machines designed around popular themes and culture hogged the spotlight at the G2E held inside the Las Vegas Convention Center.

WMS Industries highlighted a gamed based on the successful movie trilogy Lord of the Rings, while International Game Technology showcased a slot machined inspired by the popular HBO show Sex and the City.  Bally Technologies unveiled its games featuring liquid –crystal displays and new cabinet deigns as well slots with innovative bonus rounds to increase player interest.

Taking the experience to the next level, some vendors have embedded movie theater-esq audio systems into their slot machine chairs!  Imagine sitting in your slot machine chair and feeling the surround sound of your casino game.

Due to the positive turnout and reception, the manufacturers were more pleased with the 2009 event than they have been about prior shows.  For example, Patti Hart, International Game Technology CEO, felt the “sense of energy and anticipation” at the 2009 G2E, attributing the positivity to the attendees’ enthusiasm regarding new products.

Amidst a struggling economy, many of the casino corporations, as well as independent operators, have been reluctant to significantly update their slot machine floors.  To cope, casino managers have tried hard to maximum the life of their older, outdated games.  However, small but hopeful signs that the economy is heading in the right direction have raised the enthusiasm and outlook of slot manufacturers and investors alike.

Joe Greff, a gaming analyst at JPMorgan, told investors that the company is impressed with many of the newer products on the market and believe that they show significant improvement over products introduced at some of the previous G2Es.  He said JPMorgan feels these improvements are necessary because innovative and more competitive content is mainly what investors are looking to see as gaming expansion continues to open up new revenue opportunities.

Representatives from the slot machine manufacturing sector noted that the G2E isn’t all about sales as the trade show is more geared towards showing the casino industry what is in store for the coming months.

Steven Kent, gaming analyst at Goldman Sachs, remarked that the strength and technological innovation of today’s games are of such excellent quality that they should be able to catalyze replacement sales.  Macquarie Securities gaming analyst Simkins, echoed those sentiments by stating that the long-term prognosis for equipment manufacturers is in great shape.

Other highlights of the trade show consisted of IGT’s 3-D Center Stage series, a franchise that includes a network of slot machines link together and complimented by a 103-inch HD TV screen.  Among the many themes is one based on the hit reality television series American Idol.  Players can assume the persona of one of the show’s panel of judges in the bonus round and also enjoy clips of past Idol contestants.

They are a staple of casinos throughout the world. Dozens of the “one-armed bandits” are filtered throughout the casino floor. The sounds of slot machine activity in a casino are non-stop. While there are numerous games to play in every casino, the slot machines are the ultimate revenue generators for most casino operators. About 70 percent of the average casino’s income is generated through slot machines.

The slot machine is a rather basic concept. A button is pushed to spin three or more reels. A player wins when a certain combination of symbols show up on the reels. So, how did this basic game became a goldmine for casinos?

Earliest machines date back to 19th century

The first slot machines were developed in the final decade of the 19th century. In 1891, the Sittman and Pitt company in Brooklyn, New York produced a machine that would become a precursor for future slot machines. Their machine was based on poker. It contained five drums with a total of fifty cards. With the help of poker’s popularity, the machines began to show up in bars throughout New York City. However, there was a significant drawback for Sittman and Pitt’s invention. There was no payout mechanism built into the machine. The establishments that used the machines would offer their patrons various items, if the player received a winning hand. The players were usually paid with drinks, food or cigars to reward winning hands.

It didn’t take long for someone to develop a machine that included a payout mechanism. In 1895, Charles Fey invented a machine that was a little more advanced than the one developed by Sittman and Pitt. Fey’s machine made it far easier to calculate a win. His machine featured five symbols instead of fifty cards. Fey substituted the five drums with three reels. This made it far more easier to calculate payout mechanisms. The symbols used by Fey were diamonds, hearts, horseshoes, spades and a cracked Liberty Bell. This led to his invention being called the “Liberty Bell” machine.

Fey’s initial slot machine was quite unique. It was made of over 100 pounds of cast iron. The payout of fifty cents for three Liberty Bells was a high reward at the time.

Modern machines took shape in the 1960’s

While slot machines continued to grow and evolve in the first half of the 20th century, there were still some elements that were lacking. In the early 1960’s, the Bally’s corporation came up with a significant new slot machine. Their “Money Honey” slot device became the first slot machine to be completely electromechanical. While the mechanical slot machines had several issues to deal with, the new electric machines proved to be more reliable and secure. The upgraded machine included a bottomless hopper (the holder into which coins get paid out) with automatic payouts of up to 500 coins.

The slot machine technology has continued into the 21st century with several more advances for players to explore when gambling at casinos or online.

Russia’s recent crackdown on gambling has led to an increase in online casino activity in the country. On July 1st, Russia put new legislation into effect that basically shutdown the casino industry in the nation. Under the new laws, casinos and slot machines are now restricted to four remote areas of the country. The restricted areas are the Altai region in Siberia, the Western exclave of Kaliningrad, the Primorsky region on the Pacific Coast and in the proximity of the southern cities of Krasnodar and Rostov. There are no casinos in these areas and potential casino investors are hesitant to get involved because of the remote locations.

Crackdown has been in the works

The desire to curb gambling in Russia began in earnest in 2006. Then-President Vladamir Putin felt that the industry was contributing to the “alcoholization” of the nation.

The casino industry took off in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet regime in 1991. Slot machines became prevalent in gambling halls, shops and malls. Now, the glittering casinos that were built in Moscow in the 1990’s are being phased out in favor of restaurants, fitness clubs and shops. A former slot machine hall in central Moscow has now been transformed into a currency-exchange bureau, a fast food restaurant, and a cellular store. Some vendors from nearby shops were happy to see the changes.“It’s a lot quieter here now, after all those weird gamblers disappeared,” said Alexandra Tarpishcheva, a saleswoman at a nearby restaurant.

While the casino industry did provide 400,000 jobs in the country last year, the government has felt that the negatives of gambling have outweighed any positives in recent years.

Citizens exploring other options

The ban hasn’t stopped Russian citizens from exploring some other gambling options. The use of lottery machines and online casinos have dramatically increased over the past three months. In recent months, “lottery parlors” have been opening up in the country to sell instant lottery tickets. Also, internet cafes offering access to online casino resources have tripled. The government feels that some loopholes in the new laws are being exploited.

“We are seriously concerned about the rise of surrogate technologies,” Moscow deputy mayor Sergei Baidakov said at a news conference earlier this month. “They are the byproduct of imperfect legislation.”

Lawmakers have said that they will attempt to close the legal loopholes in the current legislation. Authorities have been looking to shut down any illegal casino and slot machine operations that are deemed to be in violation of the law. Earlier this month in Moscow, over 30 slot machines were seized by the police. Over the past three months, about 35 underground casinos have been shutdown by authorities.

In the end, the growth and popularity of online gambling will likely win out over the long haul in Russia despite the new restrictions. The United States prohibition of alcohol in the 1920’s has provided a clear example of the problems that can develop when citizens are restricted from engaging in a popular social activity.

Video poker is a universal favorite, extremely popular in casinos both on and offline.  This game is based on traditional Draw Poker but also offers some of the elements found in modern slot machines.  The best thing about video poker is that it is widely available online in free and real-money varieties.  Playing is easy.  All you have to do is get familiar with the basics.

Basic Video Poker Rules

The rules of video poker couldn’t be any more simple.  In most cases, you simply place your wager and hit the “Deal” or “Draw” button to receive your cards.  After analyzing the cards, select the ones you want to keep and hit the “Hold” button underneath them.  Press the button again to get more cards and continue this process until you win or lose.  If you win, receiving your payout is easy as pushing a button.

Video Poker Bonus

If you win a hand of video poker, most casinos give you an option to play a bonus round that allows you to double your initial winnings.  In the bonus round, one card is usually dealt face-down and another is dealt face-up.  Your job is to predict whether the subsequent card will be higher or lower than the original card.  If the card is higher, you win the bet and double your wager.  If it is lower, you lose your initial winnings.  If the value of the cards equal a tie, a “push” is the result and you neither win nor lose and get to keep your winnings.  Because the bonus round is optional, keep in mind that you generally have to click a button to initiate the bonus game.

Winning Combinations

When playing video poker online or in a land-based casino, the combinations for winning hands are ranked as follows:

Jacks or Better – A winning pair is only compromised of Jacks or higher.  Anything lower does not count as a winning hand.

Kings of Better – Similar to the combination above, this qualifies a winning pair as Kings or higher.

Two Pair - Two pairs of cards with the same value.

Three of a Kind - Three individual cards of the same value.

Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same value.

Five of a Kind – Four cards of the same value plus a Wild Card.

Straight - Five cards in sequential order but not of the same suit.

Flush – Five cards of the same suit in any order.

Straight Flush – Five sequential cards of the same suit.

Royal Flush – Five sequential cards of the same suit.  The first card must be a 10 and the last card an Ace.

Wild Royal Flush – A Royal Flush composed with a Wild Card.

There are a number of online casinos that offer huge progressive jackpots for Royal Flush hands and other rare winning combinations to entice new players.  If you are a video poker pro, this could be your opportunity to strike it big and claim a very healthy payout.

Slots go back to the 1800s, actually derived from the video poker concept originated by two entrepreneurs in Brooklyn, New York.  These games have certainly come a long way as today’s slot machines are fully computerized and more advanced than ever.  In fact, some no longer accept coins, requiring that you either insert your dollars for multiple spins, withdrawn tickets or prepaid cards.  There is certainly no shortage of slot action on the net as online casinos have many styles, themes and payout structures to try your luck with.  Believe it or not, people have won millions of dollars working the slots in both land-based and online casinos.  While it may not be your one-way ticket to financial freedom, these tips should go a long way when you sit down to pull the lever.

1.) Take the Max Bet

Most of the modern slot machines are far more than one-coin, centerline machines.  Today’s variations allow you to insert multiple coins for each spin.  Although you could end up losing more money faster this way, there are many advantages to be gained as well.  Some slot games multiply the amount you are paid on the winning spin, and others add additional lines you can be paid on.  The simple fact is that the more coins or bets you play, the greater your chances of winning big.  In addition, playing the max bet will get you qualified for the progressive jackpot, which refers to a huge prize for obtaining a rare combination that goes beyond the actual odds of hitting it.  If you really think you can win at slots, the max bet is the way to go.

2.) Get the Payback You Deserve

As you probably know, most casino games are played in accordance to the odds.  The house already understands that they have a certain edge in each game played.  For example, they could be aware that the house will win an average of $1 for every $100 bet on the banker in baccarat.  Similar to baccarat, slot games are designed to pay back a certain percentage of the money they rake in.  So a 99% payback machine may payback $99 for every $100 it takes in, while an 75% payback game would pay back $75 out of every $100 taken in.  If you get the option, the one you would rather play is probably quite obvious.  The moral to this story is that when playing slots online, try your best to make yourself familiar with the payback percentage of certain games and then choose the ones in your favor.

3.) Forget About Cold and Hot Streaks

Other than the payback aspect, there is really no reason you should expect a particular slot machine to be hotter or colder than any other one out of the bunch.  This essentially means a machine that has just paid out big still has the same percentage chance of losing or paying out on the next spin as it did before.  However, a slot machine that has gone a number of spins without paying out the player is more likely to hit on the next spin than any other with the same payback setting.  While it is all about chance here, this is a key strategy you can take with you when sitting down at the casino downtown or the one hosted by your computer.

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.