Bingo Online - A Smoker’s Paradise

Apr 28th, 2009 Posted in Slots | 8 comments »

A smoking ban in the UK in all enclosed public places will take effect from the beginning of 2007, with a complete ban in licensed areas by the end of 2008. So how will this White Paper affect the numbers attending bingo halls in the UK long-term, where a substantial percentage of players smoke

The White Paper on Public Health plans (released in February 2006 and can bee seen here www.publications.parliament.uk) suggests that most enclosed public areas, including offices and factories, will become smoke free. Only private clubs, where MPs voted to allow smoking, and pubs which do not serve prepared food would be exempt. This means that up to 90% of bars and restaurants will be smoke free within a few years.

Some figures suggest that almost two out of the three million people who regularly play bingo are smokers (according to the Bingo Association). Of those two million, a large majority are women, who will be forced to play their favourite social game without a smoke.

Well, the vote on the smoking ban was conducted in the House of Parliament by MPs who, while exempting the 20,000 or so private members clubs, have not exempted the many hundreds of UK bingo halls.

The Smoking, Health and Social Care Bill came into effect in Scotland in March 2006 and has already starting to have serious effect on the bingo and casino industries, with 5 major clubs closing down since its implementation. Estimates show that up to 70% of bingo players in Scotland smoke, and bosses are suggesting that most players are turning up later and leaving earlier in order to light up a cigarette, reducing the session times and the average expenditure. While pub owners claim the ban has had little effect, both Mecca Bingo and Carlton say that the ban has hit the industry hard. Early indications show that the ban has led to a definite fall in customers. However numbers attending bingo halls has been steadily declining in the UK since 2000 with only 2.8% of adults attending in 2004.

It has been estimated that up to one third of the UK’s bingo halls will close due to the ban. This would mean a massive loss to the industry and the £2 billion in revenues taken by giants such as Gala and Mecca each year. This will also have a knock-on effect as bingo suppliers and the like, will find their demand for their business reducing.

But all is not lost for these companies. Both Gala and Mecca have online bingo products launched for a while now, and with Gala recently deciding to go alone with their independent software, it seems they are gearing up for a change in direction and are placing more emphasis on revenues from online bingo in the future. So does this mean Gala are preparing for the drop in numbers to their bingo halls, and will players switch to online bingo more increasingly as the ban takes effect. There are certainly enough online bingo game sites to provide for the three million or so land-based players who may make the switch. But will these players find the same social element and enjoyment online as they do in land-based bingo halls.

Well, one thing is for sure, they may have more money to spend at online bingo. According to the NHS's smoking advice, a 20 per day smoker will spend approximately £30,000 over the next 20 years. It forecasts that the smoking ban will lead to 700,000 people quitting cigarettes altogether. A leading NHS doctor suggests also that when people stop smoking, they want to reward themselves in other ways, with perhaps a holiday or a new car, and this could also mean more disposable income to spend on light entertainment such as online bingo. It may be that a person might think that the £5 per day saving on smoking might be worth spending on online bingo games, which provides it own element of reward.

Online bingo does provide a high social element too. The chat rooms that accompany such games, provide users with the ability to meet and talk to friends, allows users to participate in fun chat room games and has the added bonus of the home being a smoker’s paradise, just about the only place where smoking cannot be banned.

Of the 30% in revenues that are spent in slot machines at bingo halls, there is also provision at online bingo for players to continue playing slots, as many of the online sites have slot machines games and other light games to enjoy while in between bingo games.

So, all is not lost for the land-based bingo player. In fact, the UK market is almost over-run with bingo sites waiting for players to make the switch. And with bingo halls banning smoking, you can suggest that the cross-over to online bingo won't be far behind.

Slot Machines - Good and Bad Locations

Apr 26th, 2009 Posted in Slots | no comment »

Although no one will ever truly know where the casinos are likely to place the loosest slots, we do have some suggestions based on research, staff experience in casinos, and talking to various casino personnel. These suggestions are simply that: suggestions. They may or may not apply to a particular casino. Plus, casinos are notoriously subject to changing their procedures if the players get too lucky!

THE GOOD LOCATIONS FOR SLOTS

Here’s where our research and experience indicate that the best machines may be located:

* One row in from the major aisles. Lots of people can still hear the jackpots and the casino avoids customers walking down the aisle with no intention of playing slots except for the odd coin or two on the run.

* Near food and snack bars. The reasoning here is that the sound of jackpots will encourage people to eat faster and get out to play the slots.

* Generally, any location that is highly visible from other slot machines. People tend to spend more dollars when they see other slot players winning.

THE BAD LOCATIONS FOR SLOTS

Here too, the suggestions, while based on research and experience, may or may not apply to the casino you are in. With that disclaimer, here is where we feel the tight machines are located:

* Near table games. People at table games, especially blackjack, have no intention of playing slots and the noise of jackpots going off will simply irritate them and perhaps cause them to leave. This same rule applies to machines near the sports betting areas.

* Near show or ticket lines. People in these lines are not going to get out of line to play slots. For the most part they are done gambling for that time and the sound of jackpots is wasted on them.

* Any remote or low traffic areas. Remember, casinos like for the most people possible to see a jackpot when it’s won to encourage them to play.

Top Five Slot Tips

Apr 26th, 2009 Posted in Slots | no comment »

Playing the slots has been, and continues to be one of the most popular forms of gambling in casinos. This is surprising considering the fact that around 99 percent of those who play end up emptying their wallets in very short periods. It's true, with a house advantage around ten percent, it's easy to loose your money to the "one-armed bandits." Although there are no surefire techniques to winning consistently, there are many things you can do to ensure you'll hear that sweet sound of sirens and falling coins. Here are five hot tips.

1. Find the loosest slots: the first tip is the most obvious; always play the slots with the best payout. In general, slots in Vegas are the loosest. Some casinos will boast a 98 percent payback rate, but his can sometimes be misleading. Upon closer inspection, you may realize that a casino has slots that have "up to" a 98 percent payback. Its then up to you to figure out which machine in the casino actually has that payback rate. Your best bet is to talk with the locals; they always seem to know which slots are the loosest.

2. Play progressive jackpots: progressive jackpots don't have a set amount of winnings. Rather, the jackpot increases a certain percentage as more money is played on a given machine. Most progressive machines will show you the jackpot as it increases, and this adds to the excitement of playing. When selecting a progressive machine, always seek out the one with the highest payoff. One machine may offer a $3,500 jackpot while a few machines down, the jackpot may be $5,500. Always play for the higher amount.

3. Go where it's hot: you should only stick to a single machine if it hits at least every three or four spins. Don't play a cold machine in the hopes that it will eventually heat up. Remember, the longer you stick to a single game, the lower your odds for winning become and the house advantage takes over.

4. Take what's yours: I know this seems a bit obvious, but don't forget to collect all of your winnings out of a machine, and make sure you receive full payment by pressing the cash-out button. You'd be amazed at how much money is lost because players who have had a few too many cocktails neglect to cash in all of their stored credits.

5. Win in other ways: there's more than one way to skin a cat. Even if you don't cash-in huge while sitting before a machine, remember that there are other ways to walk away a winner. Casinos give away millions of dollars in comps in the form of hotel rooms, valet parking, meals, show tickets, and even cash. Be sure to join a slot comp program, and shop around for the best deals. Although comps are another way to feel like a winner, you should never play slots just for the comps. Although it may feel like a good deal, your losses at the slots will usually outweigh any comps that you are given.

Gambling Myths 101

Apr 21st, 2009 Posted in Slots | no comment »

Myths and rumors come with every gambling game. However undesirable, they can be a good source of recreation. The major cause of these beliefs and tales is the uncertainty related with gambling.

Slot machines were first played in the late nineteenth century. Since then the machines have changed with more reels and increased number columns and slots, however, the basic concept of operating them remains the same. Players seem to devise various strategies to be a winner. The most common strategy advocated is to play safe with one's money. Play the machine till a pre-decided sum of money and if the trend of loosing does not change save the rest of the money. Another advice given by the experts is to prefer casino cards to casino meters. Other self proclaimed 'experts' boast to beat slot odds. This can hardly be true as the slot results are generated randomly through electronic number generators.

Blackjack is a pro-player game. The techniques and strategies suggested by some cannot be claimed to be foolproof. Playing with a single deck is believed to be easiest. With the increase in the number of cards the house advantage also increases and the out come of the game becomes highly unpredictable. Card counting requires skill and one needs to be a master of blackjack to carry out this technique. Though it involves simple mathematics, it can take hours to judge other player's hands to play a safe bet. Another technique is shuffle tracking. It is believed that mostly shuffles do not lead to random arrangement of cards and there is probability that certain sequences go unshuffled. This technique can be quite unreliable. Another argument is that the seating arrangement can affect the outcome of the game. This appears to be a myth and is discarded by most strategists.

Lotteries have the worst odd than any other gambling game. The most common myth suffered by the player is that "I can Win". This myth forces millions to participate and can also lead to ha\heavy losses for a few. Another myth is playing one's lucky numbers. This number can be the birth date, wedding date, or any other anniversary. Some people may also refer to numerologists.

Horse racing is one of the most popular and expensive forms of betting. The technique most people employ while betting on a horse is 'Handicapping'. This involves studying the horse's history - its performance, pedigree, medical history etc before betting on it. A rather fashionable practice to bring good luck is to wear fancy hats. The ladies wear colorful hats at the Kentucky Derby traditionally as a good omen.

While myths can be quite harmless and funny at times, a more unethical technique desperate players employ is cheating. The various methods used include the us of a tampered dice, commonly called a 'loaded dice', marking the cards with juice or special ink, or resorting to tricky shuffles. Cheating is essentially antisocial and should eb curbed.

Myths and folklores related to the games are good as long as they are healthy. However, if the player looses his rationality completely, they can be dangerous as well, leading to heavy financial losses. Myths are a mixture of hidden facts and lots of speculation and one should treat them as a part of the game.

Online Casino Bonus Schemes Review

Apr 20th, 2009 Posted in Slots | no comment »

32Red Online Casino

32Red are a UK registered casino based in Gibraltar who aspire to provide the best online casino gaming experience. They have all the casino games you would expect to find at an online casino including Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette and many more each with a number of variants to choose from, as well as a vast number of slot machines.

Welcome Bonus When you sign up with 32Red online casino you can claim a welcome bonus of up to £100 for free. Their welcome bonuses are at 100%, that is they'll double your first deposit up to £100. The £100 welcome bonus is for slots only, which means to qualify for it you'll have to stick to the slot machines, fruit machines, Keno and scratchcards.

32Red also offer a £50 welcome bonus for new players with far fewer restrictions on which games can be played with the bonus. Basically you can play all the games they have with only a handful of exceptions. For both bonuses there is a wagering requirement of 25 times the combined first deposit and bonus before winnings can be withdrawn.

Monthly Bonus Regular customers with 32Red can enjoy a £50 bonus each month. The bonuses are by invitation only and customers must have wagered over £100 of their own money to receive an invitation. There is also a wagering requirement in that players must make a total in £2000 in wagers after receiving the bonus before winnings can be withdrawn.

GameAccount.com

Game Account is not exactly an online casino, rather it offers players the chance to win cash prizes at games of skill. They offer both multi-player and single player games and tournaments of gin rummy, backgammon, solitaire, 3-card poker and tournament blackjack. For those of you that have never heard of tournament blackjack, the aim is to have a higher chip stack than the other players rather than to win money from the house. The player with the highest chip stack after a predetermined number of rounds wins a fixed cash prize.

Presumably in order to avoid the effects of recent legislation Game Account only offer games of skill and not games of chance. Therefore you will not find any casino games based on chance, like roulette.

Welcome Bonus Like a great many online casinos, GameAccount.com offers new real money players a 100% bonus on their first deposit, up to £100, when they sign up. As usual, the bonus cannot be withdrawn until a certain value of wagers has been made. I could not find any exact figures on the site but I assume it would be the standard 25x. However, I would advise contacting GameAccount and checking the exact details before you sign up.

Also bear in mind that GameAccount.com charge a 10% rake on the winnings made on any particular game and charge a 5% commission on withdrawals. Remember to account for this or you might find you've won less than you thought.

Refer a Friend Bonus If you can persuade a friend to sign up, and that means a real person not just you with a different email account, then you could be eligible for an extra bonus. There is an additional bonus for the member who successfully refers the most people every month. These bonuses cannot be withdrawn, however.

Note: As far as the author is aware, these details were correct at the time of writing. However, online casinos can change their bonus schemes and their terms at any time and it is advised that readers should check the casino’s terms and conditions thoroughly before signing up.

Online Gambling - The Gamblers Paradise

Apr 20th, 2009 Posted in Slots | no comment »

Online gambling – The incessant gamblers paradise

For all those gamblers who had to make the effort to get up out of their chair and physically go to the casino, here is some good news! Technology has come of age. Now gamblers can sit at home in front of their PCs and play their favorite casino games. And who knows, maybe even win thousands while experiencing a game of poker, blackjack or even poker with 3D annimation and lifelike sounds of an actual casino. The internet has become extremely popular in the past 2 or 3 years as to offer the best gambling facilities online. These online gambling sites have near exact characteristics of the real thing. And the best part is that they are interactive, so you can play and meet with lots of people from around the world. Most of the reputable online casinos offer new features, prizes and bonuses daily so there’s always something new for the online player. Here is what you are likely to find on an online gambling site.

Features of online gambling

The best thing about online gambling is that it has all that a casino offers and more. You can find a variety of casino games like poker, blackjack, craps, baccarat, bingo, lotteries, slots, and more. Not only that but you’ll find many variations of these games as well. Some online casino boast as many as 150 different games and more. There are jackpots and bonuses and some of these sites offer casino credit too.

Some of the other features include tournaments and matches with other players and opponents and exclusive offers like user home pages, e-mail ids and player statistics. The graphics and animation used is superb, and gives the real feel of the casino.

A word of caution though before you gamble at a casino do not be lured in by the biggest bonuses. Always take care while gambling online, and be sure that these sites are registered with the right body and recognized as respected and honest casinos. Especially if you are transferring or betting money online. Also make sure they are virus free and do not cause any irreparable damage to your PC. Have a virus protection program on your pc before downloading any software.

Once you’ve taken these precautions and practised a while you could become the next big jackpot winner!

Is There A Casino in Heaven?

Apr 8th, 2009 Posted in Slots | no comment »

The first time I entered a casino I fell in love. I fell in love with the glamour, the noise and the lights. But mostly I fell in love with the action. There is nothing like a busy casino at 2 o'clock in the morning. You've got your high rollers, your hustlers and your little old ladies playing the slots.

I can look back on my gambling career through the men I married. The first man I married, I'll call him Big Daddy, was 55 years old. I was 19. I was just a kid but I had all the attributes gamblers loved. I had big boobs, a big personality and a killer smile. Wrap that up in a tight skirt and spiked heels and I could have ruled the world.

Big Daddy loved Black Jack. He loved Black Jack more than he loved me. That was his game. And he could sit for hours playing hand after hand. He once sat for eight hours straight without leaving the table. Not even to go to the bathroom. Now that is dedication. He was like most amateur gamblers. He lost consistently. Every once in a while he would have a good night and we would celebrate big time. But those were rare. Like I said he was an amateur and not a professional.

The second man I married, I'll call him Johnny, loved the crap tables. Dice was his game and he lived and breathed it. He even slept with a pair of lucky dice under his pillow. Johnny would have tremendous lucky streaks where he couldn't lose. It was incredible. At times it was like he could will a 2 or a 3 or a 12 be rolled. But he could never walk away. No matter how big his bank roll was he had to play until he lost it all. But that was Johnny.

The third man I married was a professional gambler. He made his living by it. And he had rules and systems he always followed. And he always won. Poker was his game and the one rule he always lived by was to walk away from the table before your luck did. It didn't matter how hot he was or how much money he was up, he knew when it was time to walk away. And he always did. And like I said, he always won.

The first time I ever walked into a casino I fell in love. And even today, when I walk into a casino, I fall in love all over again.

Copyright 2005 by Pamela Pompeii. All rights reserved.

Rules and Strategies for Roulette

Apr 8th, 2009 Posted in Slots | no comment »

Roulette offers the greatest variety of possible ways you can wager. If you’ve never tried it, the game is easy to learn and we'll show you strategies that will help make you a winner. Remember that luck comes easier if you know what you're doing.

Even though there are 11 different kinds of bets, it is an easy game to play. The only skill required is deciding how much and on which number(s) to bet. Like in all gambling, if you ant to win at Roulette you must rely on both luck and strategy.

Roulette is played on a wheel having 38 compartments numbered 1 to 36, 0 and 00. The same numbers are printed on the table lay-out where wagers are placed. The number fields are alternately red and black, except 0 and 00 which are green. The numbers themselves alternate between high/low and odd/even, with the 0 directly opposite the 00. The wheel spins counter-clockwise while a little white ball rolls in the opposite direction. The ball drops into one of the slots and that is the winning number.

Look at the table layout carefully you’ll see that there are ″inside″ and ″outside″ sections. You'll understand how ″inside″ and ″outside″ betting works after you've become familiar with the 11 different types of roulette bets you can make, along with their payoffs:

THE SIX INSIDE BETS:

One Number: Pays 35 to 1. Put your wager on any number from 1 to 36, or 0 and 00. Be sure your chips are inside the square and do not touch the line. Two Numbers: Pays 17 to 1. Place your chip (or chips) on the line between two numbers. If either number comes up you win. Three Numbers: Pays 11 to 1. To choose a row of 3 numbers position your bet on the line that separates the ″inside″ and ″outside″ areas. Four Numbers: Pays 8 to 1. To make this bet, place your wager on a four-number intersection. You win if one of the four numbers is hit. Five Numbers: Pays 6 to 1. Don’t make this bet! It’s the only one that gives the house an extra 2 ½% advantage! Six Numbers: Pays 5 to 1. This bet is placed between two three-number rows on the line that divides the ″inside″ and ″outside″ fields.

THE FIVE OUTSIDE BETS:

12-Number Column Bet: Pays 2 to 1. Put your wager in one of the spots marked ″2-1″ at the opposite end of zero and double zero.

12-Number Numerical Bet: Pays 2 to 1: Choose between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd twelve. You’re betting on numbers 1 to 12, 13 to 24, or 25 to 36 respectively.

18 Numbers Red / Black. Pays 1 to 1. To make this wager, place your chip(s) on the red or black diamond.

18 Numbers Odd / Even: Pays 1 to 1. There are 18 of each. Take your pick. 18 Numbers High / Low: Pays 1 to 1. Will the winning number be between 1 to 18, or between 19 and 36?

If the minimum total wager is $5 and you are using $1 chips, you may place one or more in each of 5 different ″inside″ spots or bet all of them on one number, as long as the total adds up to the table minimum. You may cover as many inside numbers as you wish, as long as the total does not exceed the table maximum.

When making outside bets, you can not divide the table minimum over several fields. The whole amount must be placed as one wager on one decision. You may, of course, place more than one bet and/or bet more than the required minimum, but not more than the table maximum.

Never bet more than you can afford to lose, and always quit when you have won as much as you set out to win - such as double your stake. Start cautiously, until you know exactly how the game works and you feel confident.

Casino Online Reviews

Avoid These 4 Roulette Myths and Play Like a Pro!

Apr 6th, 2009 Posted in Slots | no comment »

Roulette is a fun exciting and simple game to play, requiring no skill. This makes it very popular.

With its popularity a number of roulette myths have grown up and players who believe them cut their chances of success dramatically. Here are the most common ones:

Roulette Myth 1: All Roulette Wheels Are the Same

The first roulette myth is that all roulette wheels are the same - they are not.

For example, you have the European and American wheels to choose from and the European is the best one to play, as your odds of success are better.

Why? Quite simply, you have 37 slots rather than 38; this means the house advantage is just 2.70% on European wheels, whereas it is 5.25% on American wheels on all bets.

So it's obvious, get the odds in your favour from the start and play European roulette wheels only.

Roulette Myth 2: Each spin of the roulette wheel is not random

The second and perhaps the most common of the roulette myths is: The history of previous spins has an affect on the outcome of the next spin.

For example, if the ball falls on red 10 times in a row players feel that black has a higher chance of coming up next - this is not true.

The odds remain 50% - 50% and this would be the same if the ball had fallen on red 20, or even 30 times. The reason for this is that every spin is an independent event and previous history is irrelevant to predicting future spins.

Many players also like to look for and bet on ’sleeping numbers’ - numbers that has not been hit for a long time.

There is no logic behind such a bet as we have seen - the chances of that number coming up is 1 out of 36 numbers on every spin.

Just because one number has been ’sleeping’ does not make it more likely that the number picked will come up on the next spin.

Roulette Myth 3: You can beat roulette with a mathematical system

This leads on from myth 2 and sees many people buying mathematical systems to beat roulette consistently.

They can't work by their very nature. Why? Quite simply if there is no past data that can analysed - so how can you have a mathematical system with no reliable past data? You can't!

Roulette is a game of pure chance and a system that claims to make money consistently from such a game is a contradiction in terms.

Roulette Myth 4: Money management systems

Money management cannot affect the house advantage on any bet, nor guarantee that you will win more money.

The house has an advantage before you apply a money management system and has that same advantage after you apply money management systems, the house edge does not change.

If the house always has this advantage, you cannot change it, or manage it.

So How Do You Make Money?

Well you are half way there by not falling for the above roulette myths!

Furthermore, while roulette is a game of chance you can take certain steps to put the odds in your favour as much as possible and you can find a variety of roulette strategies, tips and ways to increase your profit potential on our website at: http://www.online-roulette-strategies.com

Sit N Go Tournaments: A Primer

Apr 6th, 2009 Posted in Slots | no comment »

Today, I will talk to you about one of my favorite ways to play poker. It’s called a Sit N Go tournament. The slang for a Sit N Go tournament is a SNG. Basically, a Sit N Go is like a mini tournament. A traditional tournament, like the World Series of Poker, spans days. Players in those tournaments are like marathon runners in some ways. You really need to be conditioned to succeed in them; otherwise, your mind will run you out of the tournament quickly.

A Sit N GO Tournament is like a little slice of heaven. You get the tournament play in a bite-sized piece. The typical Sit N Go tournament takes under one hour to play. A typical SNG consists of one full poker table. Players buy in, and most of the money is put into a pool that’s divided among the top finishers. The winner, of course, receives the most money. Usually, the top three finishers get paid. Sometimes a poker room will expand it to include four paying slots. It’s really up to the poker room.

Venture into any online poker room and you will find Sit N Go tournaments go on around the clock. They come in all sizes to suit anyone’s budget. Smaller limit players usually buy into the $5+$1 Sit N Go tournaments. While these tournaments don’t offer large cash windfalls, they do offer the lower limit player a great opportunity to get familiar with tournament play and to build up a little bankroll.

Money Breakdown

Earlier I told you about a $5+$1 SNG. The total cost to enter is $6. $5 of that goes into the prize pool and $1 goes to the poker room. The typical SNG will have 10 poker players in the tournament. In this example, there would be $50 in the prize pool. A common breakdown of prize disbursement would be: $25 for 1st place, $15 for 2nd place, and $10 for 3rd place.

Quick Strategy Thoughts

When playing in a SNG, it’s important to play with a tournament-based strategy. Don’t play the same as you would in a ring game. There are two main types of players you will find at the SNG tables.

First is the all out type tournament player. This poker player will, if playing no limit, go all-in frequently. This player wants to either score a large amount of chips fast to set him or her up for the tournament or go out quickly.

The next type of strategy is the sit and wait player. This poker player will play beyond ultra tight. This player is hoping that other players knock themselves out so he or she can get close to the money spots. The problem with this strategy is that if you aren’t gaining chips your opponents are. Tournament poker is not about wading it out. It’s about gaining chips.

Sit N Go tournaments are a great way to play poker. You can get a ton of play for your money. Anyone thinking about getting into tournament play should start with SNG tournaments first.