Popular Casino Games – The Classic Games

June 26, 2014 Jeff Mott

Ask anyone to name popular casino games and odds are that more often than not the game they will mention is slots. This is due, at least in part, to the fact that slots are much more widely played games as opposed to some of the other traditional online casino games. Most people are drawn to the slot machines because they are so easy to play. All you have to do is push a button and watch the reels spin. What these players don’t always realize that there are other games that are not only easy to play, but also offer a greater risk/reward ratio. Take the game of roulette for example. It is solely based on a tiny silver ball spinning around a wheel that is numbered from zero to thirty-six. Winners are determined based on where the ball lands. However, it’s the fact that players can customize their bets according to their tolerance of risk that makes it very appealing to many players.

Another well-known classic online casino game is blackjack. Unlike video slots, whose outcomes are purely a matter of chance, blackjack falls on the other end of the spectrum because it is a game based on skill and strategy, not just luck. While slot machines are one of the more popular casino games in part because there are so many different ones to choose from, blackjack also comes in many variations, which helps to keep the game interesting. By applying even just a tiny bit of strategic knowledge, blackjack can be not only a hugely entertaining, but also potentially very profitable online casino game.

Popular Casino Games – The Top 3

While it may appear similar to blackjack, baccarat really is a horse of a different colour. Both popular casino games rely on the use of playing cards, but whereas blackjack has an element of skill built in, baccarat is entirely based on luck. The tie bet is an awful bet in baccarat because it gives the house an advantage in the 13-14% range. If you avoid the tie bet completely, then the house advantage is actually rather small. When it comes to action, this online casino game doesn’t pack a huge punch, but it is a great social game and if you play the live dealer version or within a multi-player environment, you get the opportunity to meet interesting people and share in a fun gaming experience.

Most people have heard of the game of craps, but that’s part of the reason why it’s not considered to be one of the popular casino games like slots. Craps has a reputation of being a difficult and complicated game to learn, which is unfortunate, because it is, like roulette, a pretty straight-forward game. You only need to decide whether to bet against or with the shooter; the shooter being the one throwing the dice. Certain rules apply to the outcome of the shooter’s toss and your fate in the game is, for better or worse, tied to the shooter’s wins and losses. Like baccarat, craps can be a great social game, and has the potential to be counted among the other very popular casino games, but with the excitement of blackjack or slots.

Online Casino Games – Choosing the Right One for You

June 16, 2014 Jeff Mott

When a beginner sets out to play online casino games, they don’t always know what they’re doing, or even which game they should start playing. Identifying the casino game that might best suit their tastes requires a level of knowledge and experience that a newcomer to online casinos often lacks. Not knowing which game to choose can lead to an unsatisfying gaming experience, and since a good percentage of these players may not be willing to give the casino a second try after this kind of disappointment, this guide will help make the selection process easier. Below, you’ll be introduced to several key factors that will hopefully have a positive impact on the decision making process.

Online Casino Games Risk-Reward Ratio

There are pros and cons for any game. For instance, every game has a different risk-reward ratio. Some of them even feature multiple bets with different levels of risk within the same game. How you pick these games will be a stylistic decision you’ll need to consider before making your selection. Consider, roulette, a game where evens bets are low risk and low reward. Alternatively, straight-up bets have a much greater degree of risk and a relatively high level of reward. Slots games are similar in that the ones with big jackpots have a higher volatility as opposed to the smaller jackpot slots that are considered low-volatility.

Learning Online Casino Games

The next decision you’ll be faced with is how much time and effort you’re willing to invest in learning how to play the game. In order to become even moderately proficient at a game like craps or blackjack, you’ll need to devote a fair amount of time to studying the games and practicing your newly-developed skills playing for fun before you’ll want to risk your bankroll. On the other end of the spectrum are games like keno and slots. These online casino games don’t require any special skills or strategies; you can simply start playing right away. So why would you ever choose a game that requires study and practice over a simple game? Well, it would depend on your reason for playing in the first place. If you’re looking for a really big payoff, then you’re better off sticking with the skill-based games because they have higher payout percentages. If your focus is more on pure entertainment, then you should stick to the less volatile games like roulette or slots. You can still win playing these games, the amounts you win will just be smaller.

Modern vs Classic Online Casino Games

One last factor to consider is based on whether you prefer modern over classic. If you’re drawn to a classic casino atmosphere, then you’re likely to experience greater enjoyment playing one of the table games like blackjack or craps. However, if you like a little more sizzle when it comes to your casino experience, and flashy lights and sounds appeal to you, then you’re probably better suited to play slots, keno, and other parlor games. Any one of the online casino games you’ll find at an online casino can provide countless hours of enjoyment and the chance to take home big winnings, which one you choose is simply a matter of personal taste and risk tolerance level. You also don’t have to choose one over the other exclusively; you can always play different types depending on your mood and the size of your bankroll.

Online Casino Blackjack – Winning Strategies

April 10, 2014 Jeff Mott

Some of the best odds available in any casino can be found at the online casino blackjack tables. Players that understand the basic elements of the game can thrive. Players whose combined winnings outweigh their loses combine a knowledge of statistics and counting cards to transform a classic game of skill and chance into a profitable and highly entertaining endeavor.

In addition to consistent practice and dedication to playing online casino blackjack, players can increase their chances of winning by following strategies and taking advice from seasoned online casino blackjack professionals. By following the eight steps below you with be that much closer to big winnings.

1. Develop Your Basic Online Casino Blackjack Strategy

If you’ve spend time wandering through the casino gift shops you’ve likely seen strategy cards for sale. Thanks to the internet you don’t need to spend the time or money to acquire this kind of information; it’s readily available online, for free. Take some time to look around and with a little research you’re sure to find a suitable one from any number of reputable sources.

Commit the information on the card to memory. These strategy charts indicate the best possible play, mathematically speaking for any online casino blackjack scenario. Look at the combination of your total points versus the dealer’s up card, and the strategy chart will identify the move that will give you the best odds to win.

2. Don’t be a Sucker

It’s a good idea to develop your personal betting style. This involves determining how much money you can afford to wager and when you should increase and decrease your online casino blackjack bets. Ignore any betting strategies that involve past performance such as the ones that you might receive as email spam or on online gambling forums. These strategies promise that you’ll never lose if you’re increasing or decreasing the amount of your bets based on wins or loses. You’ll be much better served if you avoid any betting strategy that defies the laws of math. Cards can’t tell if you’ve lost or won a hand so basing you wagers on previous wins or loses is risky.

However, providing you know how to count cards, you’d be increasing and decreasing your wagers based on an actual advantage. Your potential win/loss rate will be directly affected by your wagering strategy.

3. Understand the Basic Rules of the Game

Unless you’re just watching the action, don’t approach the online casino blackjack tables without a sound understanding of the basic rules of the game. Occasionally a blackjack game might have slight variations in the rules that can affect the outcome of the game. Spend the time familiarizing yourself with the most common rule variations and you’re much more likely to walk away a winner.

For example, some blackjack games have a 6:5 payout on 21 rather than a 3:2 payout, which is more common. A 6:5 payout works in favor of the casino so you’ll want to avoid it whenever possible.

4. Be Confident!

Confidence is a must when it comes to making important life decisions and this includes wagering at online casino blackjack. Blackjack dealers must abide by a strict set of rules, but as a player you’re not subject to these rules, which can be advantageous. This advantage should boost your confidence and lead to sounder decision-making.

5. Learn to Count Cards

Contrary to popular belief, card counting is perfectly legal and it is the optimal way to get a big leg up on the casino. Online casino blackjack card counting is no easy feat; it requires a great deal of dedication and practice. It transforms the game into one of positive expectations and gives the player a distinct advantage over the House.

So what does it mean exactly to count cards? Simply put, card counting is just a method used to determine how much or little one should wager on a given hand. Savvy card counters are able to keep track of how many of the different-valued cards are remaining in the shoe and how many cards have been played, and then place their bets according to the balance of the shoe. Some professional card counters suggest that practically anybody has the potential to acquire basic card counting skills and put them into practice at tables with even just 40 hours of training/practice. These 40 hours can translate into big bucks.

6. Do Your Research

When doing your research, make sure that you’re utilizing reliable sources. Don’t waste your money on eBooks or other cheap strategy schemes. The information they contain isn’t always reliable and any valuable tips they might contain can usually be found online, for free.

Two well-regarded books that are worth reading are: J. Philip Vogel’s Blackjack: The Real Deal and Stanford Wong’s Blackjack Secrets. Both of the authors are professional online casino blackjack players and their books are offer many helpful insights for beginners and those who have a basic understanding of the game but are looking to improve on their skills.

7. Stay Away From the Alcohol

A common strategy that casinos employ in order to disadvantage players is to ply them with free drinks. They know that too much alcohol can affect a player’s instincts and the quality of their decision making. Online gamblers are not immune to temptation either, especially if they have easy access to a liquor cabinet.

You’ll always have the option of celebrating your wins once your session is over. Stay alert, and if you really feel the need for a drink, step away from the table.

8. Mind Your Bankroll

If you prepare a bankroll strategy ahead of time you’ll have a much better idea of when to quit playing. Set aside a fixed amount of money for gambling, and once you hit your limit for wins and losses, take a break from the tables. Gambling involves a series of highs and lows so make the necessary allowances to adjust for these fluctuations. But be sure to stick to your limits in order to stay on track.

Online casino blackjack players who follow all eight of the tips presented here are likely to find themselves winning more often. There’s a significant advantage to be had by those who learn basic blackjack strategy and maintain a consistent card count in their heads, so follow these guidelines make your time at the blackjack table more profitable.