Safe Online Casinos:  Where to Find Them

Safe Online CasinosSafe online casinos are not a myth.  They really do exist.  In fact, generally speaking, online casinos are as safe as any other form of online entertainment.  It is absolutely possible to participate on online gambling sites without compromising your safety and security.  That being said, like any other online transaction, you should use common sense and apply tried and tested measures to ensure that nothing goes awry.  In some ways, gambling online is less risky (and less expensive) than playing at land-based casinos.  You don’t have to travel to find safe online casinos.  All you need is a secure internet connection.  Of course when it comes to spending your hard earned money, you will want to take every precaution possible so that nobody has an opportunity to take advantage of you.  Below, we listed some of the “gambling commandments,” which are basic rules you can follow to maximize your enjoyment at safe online casinos.

How to Identify Safe Online Casinos

A quick scan of a safe online casino website should reveal a telephone number you can call to speak with a customer service agent.  Don’t assume that the number works; call to verify that you can actually speak to a customer service representative.  It’s very important to establish a reliable line of communication so that in the event that there is a problem or dispute in the future you will have a means to resolve it.  Avoid any casino that doesn’t have a functional phone number.  Some casinos do offer email support but this is no substitute for phone contact.

  1. A quick scan of a safe online casino website should reveal a telephone number you can call to speak with a customer service agent.  Don’t assume that the number works; call to verify that you can actually speak to a customer service representative.  It’s very important to establish a reliable line of communication so that in the event that there is a problem or dispute in the future you will have a means to resolve it.  Avoid any casino that doesn’t have a functional phone number.  Some casinos do offer email support but this is no substitute for phone contact.
  2. Only play at licensed online casinos.  These are often identified by some sort of “seal” that is displayed on the website.  Safe online casinos will make these seals prominent as they serve as a visual cue to potential customers that they have received approval from a regulatory body.  This is important because if you find yourself in a dispute with the casino you will have the option to register a complaint with the licensing body.  Licensing bodies must act with complete transparency in order to maintain their reputation, so they are highly motivated to resolve any grievances.
  3. Membership to any online casino requires users to agree to a set of terms and conditions.  This is a binding agreement between the player and the casino.  Only play at safe online casinos that post these terms clearly on their website.  But even then, once you have located the terms and conditions, you should still read them thoroughly.  Pay particular attention to any “fine print” as this can affect your ability to withdraw any potential winnings from the casino.  If you don’t agree with the terms and conditions, simply move on and choose from the other safe online casinos.
  4. Conducting some online research can be extremely helpful when looking for safe online casinos.  Gambling sites and message boards will help steer you in the right direction.  There’s no better way to learn about the pros and cons of a gambling site than from previous members.  Things to look when conducting your research include negative player experiences, failure to pay out winnings, cheating scandals, and malware.  When an online gambling site has been labeled as being “rogue” by webmasters and gamblers it’s a good rule of thumb to keep your distance.

Following the gambling guidelines above and you can pretty much be assured that you’ll have a safe and enjoyable online gaming experience.

Online Casino Baccarat 101:  A Beginner’s Guide

Online Casino BaccaratOnline casino baccarat is among the most popular of all the casino games. There are many variations to the game of online casino baccarat.  Two versions of the game, railway and deux, are skill-based, whereas the North American version of online casino baccarat are strictly games of chance.

Online casino baccarat, the game favored by the one and only James Bond, is a simple, yet very sophisticated game.  The player has limited betting options, which makes the game very easy to play.  You can bet on the banker’s card, your card, or you can bet on a tie between you and the banker.  To win the game, you need only obtain cards that have a total value that is the closest to 9.  Face cards have a value of 10, aces have a value of 1.  If the total count is ten or more the player must discard one.  The remaining card is the card value.

Online Casino Baccarat Terms

  1. Natural:  A natural hand consists of two cards that add up to 8 or 9.  Unless both hands are equal, a natural hand is an automatic win.  If the hands are equal, then the tie must be broken by drawing additional cards from the deck in order to determine a winner.
  2. Le Petit:  A score of 8 is referred to as Le petit. When you have Le Petit, your opponent cannot draw a third card.  Le Grande is a score of 9.
  3. Draw a card:  A third card can be drawn if your score is between 0 and 5 and nobody else scores Le petit or Le grand.
  4. Banker:  The banker is one of the two hands is a game of online casino baccarat.  The banker doesn’t have to be the dealer.
  5. Face cards:  Face cards include King, Queen, Jack and Tens.  The value of face cards is zero.
  6. Player:  The hand that is not the banker is referred to as the “player.”

Online Casino Baccarat Tips and Strategy

  1. Avoid spending money on so-called “winning baccarat systems” as they are usually just a scam and won’t lead to big winnings.
  2. Learn the rules of online baccarat before you start playing.  Familiarize yourself with the terminology, some of which is included above.
  3. Practice by playing online casino baccarat for free before wagering for real money.
  4. Know your odds before placing your bets so that you understand the probability of winning each hand.
  5. Money management is an extremely important element of good strategy and should never be overlooked, no matter which game you play.  Set a limit for each gambling session and stick to it no matter what.

The fact that online casino baccarat has a reputation for being a sophisticated and somewhat exclusive game can be intimidating.  Casinos will try to give the impression that this game is special and is reserved only for the rich and famous.  This is simply not true.  Online Baccarat is a simple game to play and can provide lots of quality entertainment for players from all walks of life.

Deposit Bonuses:  Are They Really Your Best Bet?

Deposit BonusesDeposit bonuses are one of the primary means that online casinos use in order to attract new members.  These seemingly lucrative offers will often be enough to entice new players to register.  However, more experienced gamblers have been debating the true value of these deposit bonuses for almost as long as the online casinos themselves have been in existence.  We’ve provided a quick rundown of the pros and cons below so that you can determine which side of the debate you fall on.

The most common type of promotions that are given out by the casino are deposit bonuses.  This is because the casino is guaranteed some sort of a deposit.  That, plus the fact that the house has an edge on almost every game, means that it’s almost a certainty that they will recoup their “losses.”  Once you accept the bonus offer you are bound to the casino’s terms and conditions.  These are also referred to as bonus rules.  These rules outline things like which games can be played.  This often means slot games only; but it doesn’t include progressives.  Sometimes you can find deposit bonuses for video poker or table games like blackjack, but these deposit bonuses aren’t as generous.  With these bonuses you will usually have to wager twice as much in order to satisfy the wagering requirements that will allow you to cash out your winnings.

Deposit Bonuses:  The Cons

Wagering requirements are usually anywhere from 10 to 50 times your total bonus amount.  For this reason it is extremely important that you look closely at the wagering requirements prior to accepting any deposit bonuses.  Imagine that you take a $200 deposit bonus on a $100 deposit.  This would give you a bankroll totalling $300.  Now if this bonus has a 20 times wagering requirement, you would need to place $6000 ($300 x 20) in wagers before you will be eligible to cash out any winnings.  If the wagering requirement was 50 times, you would need to wager a whopping $15,000, which would be extremely difficult to accomplish.  Most people will go broke before they ever satisfy the play through requirements.

Deposit Bonuses:  The Pros

This doesn’t necessarily mean that you shouldn’t take a deposit bonus when it’s offered to you.  Having a bigger bankroll does increase your odds of winning.  However, you need to make sure that the wagering requirements are reasonable enough so that you have a real shot at collecting your winnings when all is said and done. By refusing to accept deposit bonuses you won’t need to satisfy any wagering requirements and you will be free to cash out your winnings right away.  Professional gamblers will often go this route.  They prefer not to deal with the hassle of a wagering requirements and not having to tolerate any game limitations.  But these gamblers are often starting out with a healthy bankroll.  Novice gamblers sometimes prefer having the extra funds to play with.  For this reason, determining whether or not deposit bonuses are a safe bet is not a black or white situation.  You need to weight the advantages and disadvantages carefully and then make the choice that suits you the best.

 

Rogue Online Casinos: How to Identify Blacklisted Casinos

Rogue Online CasinosRogue online casinos, otherwise known as blacklisted casinos, are casinos that have proven to be untrustworthy and unreliable.  Rogue casinos should be avoided at all costs.  They are casinos that have, in one way or another, violated the trust of their members.  There are several different ways that a casino can be deemed as being rogue.  Below, we’ll outline some of the most common reasons why a casino might get blacklisted.

Rogue Online Casinos Do Not Pay Their Members

The main reason why a casino may be labeled as being rogue is that they don’t pay their players.  Once this happens, online rogue casinos are almost immediately blacklisted and it is very rare that such a casino would be able to re-establish their reputation once this has occurred.  Not paying members is a cardinal sin in the online casino world.  Even fellow operators have zero tolerance for this type of action because such a practice can affect the credibility of the entire industry.  There can be circumstances in which a player doesn’t qualify for payment, and in such cases they should not be considered rogue online casinos.  However, the casino must take considerable measures in order to communicate with the players and explain clearly exactly why it is that they would not be getting paid.

There are numerous websites and portals that are dedicated to protecting players.  They often maintain lists of rogue online casinos that serve as an invaluable resource for gamblers.  In addition to listing rogue online casinos they also promote online casinos that have earned a good reputation.  If you’re new to the world of online gambling, this should be your first stop.

Rogue Online Casinos Do Not Pay Their Partners

Many online casinos have marketing partners, known as affiliates, who receive a share of the casino’s revenue in return for referring players to their site.  It’s not uncommon that a casino would continue to pay their players, but not their affiliates.  When this happens you should definitely consider it to be a major warning sign.  Online casino operators know that if the word gets out that they don’t pay their players they will receive a lot of negative attention and will probably lose most, if not all of their members before long.  However, sometimes they will withhold payments to affiliates in the hopes that they won’t notice or complain.  If an affiliate does complain, and the accusations are deemed to be valid, they will usually be considered to be a rogue online casino.  This is because it’s very likely that if affiliates aren’t being paid, it won’t be long before players aren’t being paid either.

Rogue Online Casinos Terms and Conditions Aren’t Player-Friendly

Another factor that casino lead to a casino being labeled “rogue” is unfair terms and conditions.  When the rules and requirements set out by the casino are hidden, unclear, or clearly disadvantage the players, this can be considered rogue behaviour.  Reputable online casinos will make any rules relating to casino bonuses, deposits and withdrawals very clear to the players before any wagers are made.  When casinos modify their terms and conditions as a way to avoid paying players their legitimate winnings they are sure to be considered one of the rogue online casinos.

Most online casinos are regulated and operate with the utmost care and concern for their players.  However there are always a few exceptions.  For this reason, be sure to do your research before depositing your money at any online casino.  By doing so you can be sure that your money is safe and you can focus on enjoying the games!

 

Online Slots Games – A Beginner’s Guide to Playing

Online Slots GamesOnline slots games often fill the casinos because they are extremely popular with players.  One of the reasons that online slots games are so popular with players is that they are so simple to play.  Despite the fact that there are thousands of different online slots game variations, they can all be played in a similar fashion.

You only need to learn to play one variation.  Once you’ve done that, you can apply the same principles to each of the other games.  Below is the basic information every slots player needs to know in order to have the best playing experience possible.

#1: Reading the Pay Table

Before you invest any money in online slots games you should familiarize yourself with the game first.  Take a good look at the pay table.  Pay tables will indicate if there are any special betting requirements for the bonus games, jackpots, and prizes.

#2: Choosing a Coin Denomination

Find a machine that best suits your particular budget.  Aim for getting in at least thirty spins.  If your budget is tight, a slot machine with big denominations is probably not your best bet.

#3: Inserting Your Money

After you’ve picked a game to play, you’ll need to purchase some credits.  For online slots games, this means making a deposit at the online casino, which will give you a corresponding amount of money to use for wagering.

#4: Selecting a Bet Size

Once your account has been credited with your deposit you will need to determine how much you want to wager. You can “Bet Max” to place the largest bet possible, or you can choose from one of the other options:

  • Bet One – Pressing this button uses one credit.  You can press it multiple times to increase your wager.
  • Bet Max – This button allows you to wager the maximum number of coins for a single spin.
  • Spin Button – Press this button to repeat your most recent wager amount.
  • Coins per line – This button allows you to bet one or more coins for each pay line

Once you’ve picked the amount of your wager you simply need to spin the reels of your chosen online slot games.  You can repeat your bets by clicking the “Spin” or “Max Bet” buttons.

#5: Cashing Out

If you are lucky enough to win, you can click on the cashier button.  This will take you to the casino’s banking section.  Here you can place a withdrawal request for some or all of your winnings.

Additional Online Slots Games Buttons

Although they’re not always available on all online slots games, below are some additional buttons that you might come across and what they mean.

  • Help – Help buttons gives players access to basic information about the slots game.  It usually includes things like game rules, bonus rounds, and any other important details related to that particular game.
  • Start Feature – Some bonus feature slots have a “Start Feature” button. You may be required to press this button after hitting the necessary symbols for the bonus round. Clicking on this button will start your free spins.
  • Gamble – Australian-style video slots and some other games give you the option to gamble your winnings. Click this button to advance to the gamble screen where you can take a shot at doubling your current win.
  • Live Chat – Some online slots games will have a “Live Chat” button you can click on to start an online chat session with a Customer Support Agent.  You can ask them any questions you might have and get a response in real-time.

Online slots games can provide countless hours of entertainment and potentially huge winnings.  That being said, keep in mind that the payout percentages are low in comparison to other games.  Budget yourself and wager accordingly to extract maximum entertainment value.

 

Slot Machines:  Understanding The Most Common Myths

Slot MachinesSlot machines are among the most misunderstood of all casino games. This is important to understand because slot machines are also some of the most popular games and are beloved by the majority of online casino players.  Unlike the early slot machines, modern slot machines, whether they be spinning reels or video slots, operate using a Random Number Generator.  Commonly referred to as RNG, this is what determines the payouts and combinations for slot machines. It cannot be manipulated or altered in any way; online slot machines are purely games of chance.

Slot Machines Myth #1 – Combinations are Equal in Terms of a Win 

Slot machine winning and losing combinations are all pre-programmed. There are many more losing and small winning combinations than big wins and large jackpot combinations.

Here’s a simple example of how slots work.  Assume that the optimum combination starts at number one and the combinations will get worse as the bigger the number gets. The following combinations will be available when you place your bet by spinning the reels:  1,2,2,3,3,3,4,4,4,4,5,5,5,5,5,6,6,6,6,6,6,6,6,7,7,7,7,7 etc.  As you can see, the top jackpot appears just once and as jackpots get smaller, they appear more frequently. The more the online slot machines are played, the more losing combinations or “near misses” will appear.

Slot Machines Myth #2 – A Near Miss Mean a Win is Close

Anyone who plays online slot machines regularly can tell you that after playing for some time you’re likely to hit several combinations that are very close to a big payout.  This is not unintentional.  These “near misses” are meant to make you feel that a big win is extremely close at hand.  It’s hard to walk away when you can feel that a huge jackpot could be just a click away.  The hard truth is that these near misses are just misses.  There is no reason to think that you’re any closer to a big win because the RNG controls every combination and these aren’t based on any previous combinations.  This is just a ploy by the slot machine manufacturers to keep you playing.

Slot Machines Myth #3 – Avoid Them After a Jackpot Win

Because the outcome of every spin is unrelated to any other, just because a jackpot has been one it doesn’t mean that the slot machines have “gone cold.”  There is just as much of a chance of a machine paying out a jackpot twice in a row as there is if there were multiple spins between wins.

Slot Machines Myth #4 – Worst of the Casino Bets

Sometimes people will try to steer players away from the slot machines because they tend to have lower payout percentages than other casino games.  This is not entirely true.  For example, craps tables offer bets that have worse odds than the majority of slot machines.

Sure, there are other casino games that offer much more competitive payout percentages.  However, these games generally require a certain level of skill in order to capitalize on the higher payouts.  Without the necessary skills, players can easily end up being worse off than they would have been had they opted for games of chance like slot machines.

Cashback Bonuses – Important Things You Need to Know

Cashback BonusesCashback bonuses are a specific type of bonus offered by online casinos to attract new members and to reward existing members for their loyalty.  Cashback bonuses are just what the name suggests.  The casino returns a percentage of a player’s loses.  The bonus is usually in the form of credits or cash, which can then be used to place additional wagers at the casino.  Cashback bonuses are extremely popular because they provide a measure of “risk-free” gambling.  Although they are frequently given to long-time members of the casino, with so many casinos fighting to get new players in the door, cashback bonuses are occasionally offered to new players as well.

Cashback bonuses are a way for casinos to thank players and encourage them to redeposit.  The amounts of these bonuses will vary depending on the type of software used by the casino, and how their promotions teams targets their members.  Cashback bonuses are rarely tied to wagering requirements.  They won’t make a player rich, but they can be a great way to help recover from what could otherwise be a devastating loss.

In land-based casinos, cashback rewards are often given in the form of comp points or VIP services.  They can be used for room upgrades, meals, and perks other than actual cash.  At an online casino, it’s possible that the bonus might distributed as cash or credits once a week or every couple of weeks.  Generally speaking, the more a player spends, the more cashback money they receive.

Some cashback bonuses are applied automatically, and some require the players to submit a request with the casino’s cashier in order to claim them.  In order to determine how much you would need to wager in order to receive a cashback bonus you must read the terms and conditions.  They will include critical information such as the wagering requirements, eligible games, and whether or not there’s a cap on the offer.  In some cases the casino will set a maximum cashback amount and they may also require a minimum amount in the player’s account before paying out.  All of this information should be set out in the terms and conditions.

Be careful not to accept a cashback bonus until you’ve determine that it will actually be beneficial.  You may find that taking it is not worth risking you eligibility for other promotions the casino may offer.  If you’re just trying to extend your bankroll and don’t plan on re-depositing often then a cashback bonus is probably as safe bet.

Types of Cashback Bonuses

Casinos offer cashback bonuses in the form of cash or credits. Cash rewards are generally paid at a lower rate than casino credits.  So, if you are planning to re-deposit, stick with the credits so you can benefit from a higher bonus percentage.

Cashback Bonus Values

When looking for cashback bonuses you’ll want to keep an eye out for the most lucrative offers.  Look for an online casino that will give you a range of offers so that you can benefit the more you deposit.  Pay attention to the bonus percentage as well.  Some online casinos are more generous than other.  Smaller percentages are usually in the 20% range, whereas some can go to 50% and above.

VIP Cashback Bonuses

Sometimes online casinos will award cashback bonuses based on a players VIP level.  Higher percentages are offered to gold or platinum level players.  Therefore, the higher the player climbs on the VIP ladder, the bigger the awards they can expect to receive.

Frequency of Cashback Bonus Payouts

Cashback bonuses are usually paid out on a weekly or monthly basis.  Monthly payouts can be frustrated due to the wait, but the casino will generally compensate for this delay by offering a larger bonus percentage.

 

Online Baccarat Myths – Discover the Real Deal

Online BaccaratWhen people describe the game of online baccarat they will often reference James Bond.  This is because baccarat was the game favored by the iconic English spy.  Bond represents the ultimate in style and prestige.  Baccarat’s association with the notorious spy has both helped and hurt the game.  It has definitely increased the profile of the game and contributed greatly to its popularity.  However, it has also made the game seem far more intimidating to play than it actually is.  But that is just one of the many common misconceptions when it comes to the game of online baccarat.  Below are some other myths that have persisted throughout the years.

Online Baccarat Myth #1: The Martingale System

If you’ve spent any time researching betting strategy you will no doubt be familiar with the Martingale system.  This controversial strategy can be applied to many different games including blackjack and baccarat.  It is based on the idea of doubling one’s bet after each loss so that a win would not only cover all previous loses, but would also generate a profit equal to the original wager.  Because the Martingale system only works at tables that have no maximum betting limits, you’d have to do some looking around to even locate such a table. You also need a substantial bankroll that lets you cover the exponential cost of doubling your wagers. Most players don’t realize until it’s too late just how fast a $10 bet can turn into $1,000.

Online Baccarat Myth #2: Counting Cards

Card counting is highly effective way for blackjack players to beat the casino.  Contrary to popular belief, the practice is not illegal.  However, most casino prohibit card counting one, which does suggest that it does indeed work.  And yet, because baccarat and blackjack have some things in common people will often mistakenly believe that the principles of card counting can be applied to both games.  This is definitely not the case.  Unlike in blackjack, the cards used in a game of baccarat don’t get returned to the shoe.  So not only is card counting virtually impossible to do in a land-based game of baccarat, it’s entirely impossible to do with online baccarat.

Online Baccarat Myth #3: Profitability

All casino games have a house advantage.  This means that over an extended period of time, everyone loses.  That being said, baccarat holds just a 1.24% advantage over the player.  This makes online baccarat a far more profitable game than other casino games such as roulette and can be a much better investment than slots.

Online Baccarat Myth #4: It’s a Highroller’s Game

As was stated at the very beginning of this article, online baccarat has a reputation of being a glamorous, exclusive card game.  The simple truth is that you need little-to-no-skill to play online baccarat. You don’t even need to know what the cards mean before you start playing; it’s that easy.  So don’t be intimidated by the game.  It’s one of the most accommodating games you’ll find at the casino!

Online Casino Reviews – Can They Really Be Trusted?

Online Casino ReviewsOnline casino reviews are often touted as a quick and easy way to determine where online gamblers should place their wagers.  On the surface, this seems like sage advice.  After all, it can take a fair amount of time to thoroughly test each possible gambling destination.  Not only do you need to evaluate the games, you also want to examine the payment options, promotions, and the quality of customer service.  Done properly, online casino reviews can be a huge time saver.  And, when done by expert reviewers, they can also uncover pros and cons that might otherwise be missed by a novice gambler.

Why Some Online Casino Reviews Can’t Be Trusted

So what’s the problem, right?  Well, if the online casino reviews are unbiased then there’s no problem at all.  Unfortunately this isn’t always the case.  Affiliates for online casino companies have been known to provide positive reviews solely based on the financial relationship they have with the casino.  The affiliate may write online casino reviews that claim the games are better than they actually are, that the service is excellent when it may be sub-par, or that the casino is reliable and trustworthy when they might actually have a history of complaints.  The affiliate’s goal is only to get you to register and deposit at the casino.  Once they accomplish this the casino will either pay them a flat amount for each player or they will pay a percentage of the profits generated by that player.  Whichever casino pays the most, gets the best review.

3 Simple Step for Spotting Phony Online Casino Reviews

Step One:  Knowing when online casino reviews can be trusted is no simple feat.  These phony reviews can be pretty convincing at first glance.  But there are a few tips you can follow to sniff out a bogus one from a legitimate one.  First of all, if there is a promotional banner or link accompanying the review hover your mouse over it and then look at the web address that’s displayed.  Does the url link directly to the casino (i.e., www.casinoname.com)? Or, is it followed by a bunch of characters (i.e., www.casinoname.com/?c=123&s=home).  If it’s the latter, then it’s likely an affiliate links, which tracks your information and makes it possible for the site owner to be compensated by the casino for the lead.  Again, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the online casino reviews are biased.  It merely suggests that there is a possibility that it is designed to encourage you to register at the target destination.

Step Two:  An online casino review that only highlights the positive aspects of the casino is also suspect.  If the reviewer only has praise and doesn’t indicate any areas for improvement then you should be a bit skeptical.  It’s rare that an online casino will score perfect marks in all areas.  They might have great games but lack great customer service.  Or they may offer exceptional customer support, but don’t offer a broad range of payment methods.  Nobody’s perfect and a good review will give you the information you need to make an informed decision.  Maybe it doesn’t matter that there aren’t a lot of different payment methods available.  As long as they accept your particular payment method you might want to give that casino a whirl; especially if they rate high in other areas.

Step Three:  If you’re still not sure whether or not you can trust an online casino review try playing for free.  You won’t have to deposit any of your money and you can compare your experience to that of the reviewer.  If you identify the same highs and lows as the reviewer then you can probably rely on their other reviews as well.  Once you identify reviewers you can trust you can benefit from their experience and save your valuable time for playing!

 

Online Casino Tournaments – No Guts, No Glory

Online Casino TournamentsOnline casino tournaments come in many different forms.  But they all have one thing in common.  Online casino tournaments allow players to extend their play time considerably.  Some tournaments let you compete against the casino, while others allow you to challenge other players from around the world.  Online casino tournaments are extremely popular because they offer loads of excitement and often huge prize pools as well.  Below is a brief rundown of some of the most popular types of online casino tournaments.

Online Casino Tournaments vs Traditional Tournaments

Thanks to the World Series of Poker (WSOP), most people are familiar with poker tournaments.  Many of the participants go on to become international poker stars.  But online casino tournaments are also very popular and come in a variety different flavors.  In addition to poker, you’ll also find blackjack, roulette, video poker, and the granddaddy of them all, slots tournaments.  Players find online casino tournaments so attractive because there are no special skills required in order to participate.  And, best of all, you can play from home.  The money you save on gas, food, and other expenses can be used on the games, giving you greater chances of winning.

Online casino slots tournaments offer minimal buy-ins and huge jackpots.  In many cases you are also given the opportunity to rebuy.  This means that even when you lose, you can still buy your way back into the game and qualify to win the prize pools.  Software giants such as Microgaming are renowned for offering all kinds of captivating and creative online casino tournaments.

Online Casino Tournaments – Freerolls

Freerolls are a type of tournament that you’ll find at online and traditional brick-and-mortar casinos.  Sometimes these competitions are open to anyone, others require players to amass a predetermined number of points before they qualify for entry.

Prizes offered by this kind of online casino tournament can be exceptional, but they seldom compare to the massive jackpots provided by other online casino tournaments.  Some freerolls feature cash prizes but more often than not, they include such things as bonus points that can be used at the casino, free entry into bigger tournaments, and gadgets.

Online Casino Tournaments – Satellites

The biggest tournaments, like the WSOP, offer cash prizes in the millions.  They allow players to compete against the very best gamblers the world over and the champions often achieve a level of fame.  Unfortunately, they often come with substantial entry fees, which means they’re not usually accessible by the average player.  The only problem is that the buy-ins for these games are outrageous and totally unaffordable for your average player. This is where satellite tournaments come into play.

Satellites are online casino tournaments where the games feature a significantly lower buy-in.  There are no cash prizes offered, but if you win, you are given a discounted or a fully-funded entry free to a larger tournament.  Satellite tournaments are available for every major event.

A simple online search will help you locate a variety of online casino tournaments.  However, before you start playing, make sure that you’ve read the rules and regulations thoroughly.