• 28Apr

    If you have ever played craps, you probably noticed the don't pass betting area that wraps around the table right beside the pass line. Chances are that no one had a bet on it either. This does not mean that it is a bad bet. In fact, the don't pass is the best bet on the craps table.

    Mathematically, with a don't pass bet the casino only has a 1.36 % advantage over you. Once a point is established, and you can lay odds against the point number, the house advantage begins to drop dramatically. If you lay double odds, the advantage for the casino is 0.45%.

    So why is it that you so rarely see players betting the don't pass? First of all, it is poorly promoted by casinos as an option. When you walk up to the table and ask how to play, the dealer will tell you to make a pass line bet. It's not unheard of for a dealer to suggest the don't pass, but it is done infrequently.

    Secondly, people often are not interested in playing the don't pass. They feel that they are betting against the shooter and that this is rude and will bring them bad luck. To be honest, a don't pass bet is betting against the shooter. The person throwing the dice is trying to roll the point number before rolling a seven. However, the don't pass bet will win if the seven DOES roll before the point number is repeated.

    Although business and social forces discourage don't pass betting, it remains an option on the game and there is no reason not to play it. The seven is the most common number that the dice are going to roll and this means it is more likely that the don't pass will win when there is a point number.

    The toughest part about winning on the don't pass is during the come out roll. At this stage of the game the don't pass will lose when a seven or eleven roll. But if your bet can survive the threat posed by the seven during the come out roll, then you have an excellent chance of winning.

    Sometimes don't pass players are so concerned about surviving the come out roll that they place proposition bets on any seven, eleven, and/or twelve. Their strategy is to recoup the loss on the don't pass with a win from the proposition bet, but DO NOT do this. Hedging your bets is only a good idea with political contributions and should not be done in a casino. All proposition bets are a waste of money and should only be played purely for fun. If you are going to play the don't pass, stick with it and do not be distracted by other bets on the table.

    Playing the don't pass often requires patience. You make your don't pass bet, lay your odds bet, and then have to wait for the seven to roll before the point number. It might actually take a while for the don't pass to win because many rolls of numbers inconsequential to your bet might be rolled before you win. With this patience factor in don't pass betting, it can be too tedious for some people to enjoy.

    Even if don't pass betting lacks the glamour of pass line bets, it is the best bet on the table according to the mathematics of probability. Playing the don't pass is not meant for those rare times when a craps table is full of screaming players who are winning fantastically. This is a hot table in which the shooter is actually rolling the point numbers, and you definitely should not be on the don't pass when this happens. Fortunately, it is easy to switch to the pass line if you want to do so because you can pick up your don't pass bet whenever you want. You are not required to leave it there like a pass line bet.

    Many a craps player having lost a bunch of money pursuing the dream of a big win on the pass line has won back money by grinding away at the don't pass on a cold table. Some craps players are devoted don't pass players and they never bother with trying to win at a hot table. To successfully play the don't pass you will likely need patience and the discipline to avoid making other bets counterproductive to your goal of winning.

  • 25Apr

    Because most of us simply do not have unlimited fund for play, and possibly lose, at the Holdem tables or any other gaming table, we must practice bankroll management. You probably have numerous questions about bankroll management in Holdem poker such as how much you should have in order to begin playing, strategies to determine your bankroll and the games you should place, how to use poker room bonus programs to build your bankroll and how to play in limit versus no limit games.

    Let’s look at these questions and concerns one at a time. We will begin by studying how much your starting bankroll should total and which games you should choose to start.

    A beginning bankroll should contain only those funds which are in your discretionary budget for entertainment. Never short your utility or home payments to build your bankroll to a large figure. There are no guarantees that any portion of your bankroll will return with you from the gaming tables. Sure, you could win big and double or triple your starting bankroll, but never count on gambling winnings as a source of income to pay your bills. It just isn’t smart playing strategy if you take any part of your crucial expense budget with which to wager.

    Plan in your budget an amount of discretionary income earmarked as ″gambling entertainment funds″. These monies, no matter how large or small the sum that goes into this category, should be used only for your wagering purposes. If you win and add to the funds, your bankroll will last longer, perhaps growing sufficiently to add to next month’s budgeted bankroll. Or you can choose to keep your winnings in a difference fund to save for a purchase for you and your family.

    The size of your beginning bankroll should be based on the games your select. If you are happy playing at $1/$2 limit Holdem tables, you can easily play with only $10 per hand. But if you want to get involved with $10/$20 games, you’ll need a much larger bankroll. Ideally, begin with a bankroll of $200 or more so you can play a while in the low limit games, and a bankroll of $600 or more if you like the high limit games. If you are a novice, the low limit games are the tables on which to practice and develop your skills.

    Most online casinos offer a sign-up bonus program as well as rewards for repeat deposits to your players account or for referring a friend to signup and make a deposit. While these bonuses are great and can be used for actual play, be sure to read the terms and conditions to learn any restrictions placed on these bonuses such as withdrawal limitations when using these funds. Prepare to adhere to any special terms placed on your player bonuses. These funds can be used to build your bankroll and increase your playing funds.

    Every player that is not in the advanced skill category should stick to limit games, going no further than pot limit games. The bets can rise to a level that is just too expensive for a less-than-expert Holdem player in the no limit games where any bet is acceptable. Unless you have unlimited wealth, betting $200 or more in a single bet just doesn’t make sense until you know every technique and trick to use to help you win. Don’t lose your shirt by betting outside your budget. Low limit games are just as much fun as no limit, inexpensive games. The thrill of winning the pot is just as big even if the amount of chips is smaller than in the big games.

    Remember to always gamble responsibly. Part of gambling responsibly means that you determine how much you can easily afford to lose in the event you don’t have a lucky gaming session and stick with that bankroll, never going back for more funds. Don’t let the excitement of the game entice you to do something that isn’t smart and is potentially financially dangerous. This will let you keep the fun of the game going with none of the stress that players who don’t follow the bankroll suggestions experience all too often.

    Because most of us simply do not have unlimited fund for play, and possibly lose, at the Holdem tables or any other gaming table, we must practice bankroll management. You probably have numerous questions about bankroll management in Holdem poker such as how much you should have in order to begin playing, strategies to determine your bankroll and the games you should place, how to use poker room bonus programs to build your bankroll and how to play in limit versus no limit games.

    Let’s look at these questions and concerns one at a time. We will begin by studying how much your starting bankroll should total and which games you should choose to start.

    A beginning bankroll should contain only those funds which are in your discretionary budget for entertainment. Never short your utility or home payments to build your bankroll to a large figure. There are no guarantees that any portion of your bankroll will return with you from the gaming tables. Sure, you could win big and double or triple your starting bankroll, but never count on gambling winnings as a source of income to pay your bills. It just isn’t smart playing strategy if you take any part of your crucial expense budget with which to wager.

    Plan in your budget an amount of discretionary income earmarked as ″gambling entertainment funds″. These monies, no matter how large or small the sum that goes into this category, should be used only for your wagering purposes. If you win and add to the funds, your bankroll will last longer, perhaps growing sufficiently to add to next month’s budgeted bankroll. Or you can choose to keep your winnings in a difference fund to save for a purchase for you and your family.

    The size of your beginning bankroll should be based on the games your select. If you are happy playing at $1/$2 limit Holdem tables, you can easily play with only $10 per hand. But if you want to get involved with $10/$20 games, you’ll need a much larger bankroll. Ideally, begin with a bankroll of $200 or more so you can play a while in the low limit games, and a bankroll of $600 or more if you like the high limit games. If you are a novice, the low limit games are the tables on which to practice and develop your skills.

    Most online casinos offer a sign-up bonus program as well as rewards for repeat deposits to your players account or for referring a friend to signup and make a deposit. While these bonuses are great and can be used for actual play, be sure to read the terms and conditions to learn any restrictions placed on these bonuses such as withdrawal limitations when using these funds. Prepare to adhere to any special terms placed on your player bonuses. These funds can be used to build your bankroll and increase your playing funds.

    Every player that is not in the advanced skill category should stick to limit games, going no further than pot limit games. The bets can rise to a level that is just too expensive for a less-than-expert Holdem player in the no limit games where any bet is acceptable. Unless you have unlimited wealth, betting $200 or more in a single bet just doesn’t make sense until you know every technique and trick to use to help you win. Don’t lose your shirt by betting outside your budget. Low limit games are just as much fun as no limit, inexpensive games. The thrill of winning the pot is just as big even if the amount of chips is smaller than in the big games.

    Remember to always gamble responsibly. Part of gambling responsibly means that you determine how much you can easily afford to lose in the event you don’t have a lucky gaming session and stick with that bankroll, never going back for more funds. Don’t let the excitement of the game entice you to do something that isn’t smart and is potentially financially dangerous. This will let you keep the fun of the game going with none of the stress that players who don’t follow the bankroll suggestions experience all too often.

  • 24Apr

    Bingo became very popular many years ago. When the game was first introduced it was mainly geared towards the more mature lady. Over the years bingo has become a phenomenon, attracting people of all ages, both male and female.

    With the ever-increasing popularity of the online casino industry, bingo had to become the next big thing, and so it has. Over the last year online bingo has gained in momentum with many online bingo halls popping up left and right. They all offer their customers the same incentives as an online casino. People don't have to go out to play bingo anymore. They can get more for their money in the comfort of their own home

    What's the difference when playing online bingo?

    There are many differences when playing online bingo to your local bingo hall. It's very much like playing bingo in a seaside arcade. In a bingo hall the customer buys their tickets for the session, which includes the national game, and play on the table games for either cash or prizes in between the main sessions of bingo. Online bingo differs because games are played non-stop, 24/7 and offer their customers many choices. There are 75 ball bingo games, which is the American format. The games include winning patterns of different shapes or numbers. There are also the popular 90 ball bingo games, which are the more traditional UK Bingo format. Customers can play many cards at once. Every so often the online bingo hall will offer a progressive game where the prize money is very high, which has to be won in a certain amount of numbers.

    One of the great features of playing online bingo is that the numbers are automatically marked off for the customer and when a card is won the customer doesn't have to call but wins straight away. The customer doesn't have to worry about missing numbers or pressing a button to call a winning ticket. The online bingo hall does it all for the customer. There is a tactical strategy behind this feature. Online bingo halls don't just offer their customers bingo but many other games also. There are slot games, video poker and even an online casino facility. While the bingo game is in progress the customer can take part in other games. This is why the numbers are marked off automatically and the games are paid without calling so the customer can play other games simultaneously.

    Like online casinos, the online bingo halls offer bonus incentives. Sign up bonuses and monthly bingo bonuses are always offered or depending on certain online bingo halls they may offer their customers a deposit match.

    The graphics are always inviting. They're stylish and glossy, fast and always efficient and secure.

    Playing bingo online is great fun and a fantastic alternative to playing at your local bingo hall.

    For more information about online bingo visit UK Bingo.

  • 22Apr

    Pssst…! Wanna know a secret?

    How about the secrets of choosing a profitable casino?

    A casino that will maximize both your profits and your entertainment expectations is extremely important. A lot of people end up at casinos due to the proliferation of "fun books" that are mailed or given out at tourist bureaus. These coupons will give you free hot dogs, drinks or coffee cups. But is this really the best method to choose a casino?

    Wanna know the secrets that craps pros use to choose their most profitable casino?

    Let's find out!

    If you play craps for profit, you need to carefully choose a resort that will maximize your comps while offering favorable playing conditions. For example, some casinos offer 100X odds while others offer only 2X odds. And, some casinos offer comp credit for your spread rather than for individual bets. Both of these are terrific advantages for the craps player.

    However, after you have finished playing for the required amount of time and get your "free" meal or show, you might find that this is not exactly what you wanted. For example, say you visit a particular casino that offers 100X odds but they have standard rooms, no major show, and there is only one mediocre restaurant. Even though this casino offered superior playing conditions, you're bound to get tired of going there several times a year.

    Another casino offers only 2X odds, however, they offer a superior show, five different restaurants, and a Jacuzzi suite. Although this casino's craps policies are less favorable than the first one, you might end up getting more value for your money in the long run.

    Now before you gamble, you should call a casino on their 800 number and ask to speak to a casino host. Tell him (or her) that you would like to try their casino out. Ask about the different restaurants, shows, and rooms they offer. Ask if they base comps on individual bet or spread. Ask about the minimum bets and play required to get a free room. Write down the answers and call the other casinos you're interested in, so you can make an accurate comparison. The "ideal" casino is different for every crapshooter.

    A friend of mine smokes cigars and chooses his casino by the brands of cigars that are offered as comps. Someone else might only want to stay in a hotel that offers a jacuzzi, or an adjustable bed. Perhaps you would like a casino that has several different room floor plans, or one that has two shows instead of just one. One resort might have a terrific Chinese restaurant, while another might have a good Italian one.

    In many casinos the high odds being offered do not compensate for the inferior quality of comps. Quite often, a casino offering 2X odds might be a better deal than one offering 100X odds.

    Pssst…! Now you know the secrets of choosing a profitable casino!

    (c) 2006 by Larry Edell

  • 21Apr

    Gaming chips have been made from a wide range of materials in an almost infinite variety of styles since the birth of gambling and the need to keep track of winnings. The most common material types used today in the manufacture of modern poker chips are plastic, clay composite, and acrylic composite. Clay chips, the oldest of the bunch, have been manufactured in America since the late 1800s.

    Back in the 1800s, poker players seemed to use any small valuable object imaginable. Early poker players sometimes used jagged gold pieces as well as chips – primarily made of wood and clay. By the 20th century, poker chip designs began to play a greater prominence, and the smooth edges of older chips gave way to chips with engraved slits to keep them neatly stacked together. Most recently, affordable plastic poker chips appeared in the 1940s.

    There is no doubt that poker has grown steadily in popularity ever since its origin in the 1800s. With the explosive growth of online gaming and specialty TV shows, public interest in poker has accelerated faster than ever before. Many people are first introduced to poker by TV shows such as Bravo's "Celebrity Poker Showdown" or the Travel Channel's "World Poker Tour," and many will play their first hands online. Despite online poker's rise, nothing replaces the feeling of shuffling heavy clay poker chips in your hand, throwing chips into the center of a casino table, or stacking tall piles of chips after showing a victorious hand.

  • 18Apr

    Are you interested in playing craps online? Are you tired of all the crowds and pressure of real casinos? Then I think the time as come for you to move on to cyber casinos. Your hour of transition has come - and it is now!

    The biggest advantage to playing online craps is the convenience. No more travelling hundreds of miles to find a casino. You can play anytime, anywhere there is a computer connected to the Internet. With the development of mobile gambling, you won't even need a computer. You'll be able to play for fun or for money from any PDA or cell phone with access to the Internet.

    The next big plus to playing online craps is that it's a great way to learn about the game. You can read up on the rules and strategies of craps, how to play craps, and its betting options. And then start playing without risking a penny of your real money. You can play as much as you want and when you think you are ready, you can play for real money at a cyber casino.

    Some cyber casinos offer software that you'll need to download and install in order to play craps. While some offer games that require no download and are played in your browser window. Which you choose is entirely up to what you prefer.

    Usually, the craps downloadable software has better graphics and smoother game play than the no-download games. Read the website information on system requirements to be sure that the software will run on your computer. Most craps downloadable software is designed to run on most computer systems.

    One of the most reputable cyber casinos, VegasUSA , offers a craps game download so you can enjoy all the entertainment of craps in the comfort of your own home. Yes you read it right, in the comfort of your home. In order to read more about this follow this link A%20REVIEW%20OF%20VEGASUSA%20CASINO%20WEBSITE.

    Although%20playing%20a%20craps%20game%20download%20can%20be%20quite%20different%20to%20playing%20at%20a%20real%20casino,%20many%20of%20the%20concepts%20remain%20the%20same.%20The%20graphical%20user%20interfaces%20used%20by%20the%20craps%20game%20from%20VegasUSA%20is%20very%20realistic.%20Therefore,%20while%20playing%20this%20game%20it%20is%20not%20hard%20to%20imagine%20yourself%20in%20Las%20Vegas%20playing%20and%20winning%20real%20money!

    Since%20you%20control%20the%20environment%20that%20you%20play%20online%20craps%20in,%20you%20probably%20won't%20have%20as%20many%20distractions%20as%20in%20a%20land%20based%20casino.%20You'll%20be%20able%20to%20keep%20better%20track%20of%20time%20by%20a%20clock%20in%20your%20home%20or%20just%20by%20looking%20out%20the%20window%20to%20see%20the%20daylight%20change%20outside.%20You%20won't%20have%20noisy%20casino%20patrons%20distracting%20you%20or%20scantily-clad%20waitresses%20offering%20you%20free%20drinks%20to%20throw%20you%20off%20your%20game.

    Craps%20online%20is%20in%20fact%20growing%20rapidly%20on%20the%20internet,%20and%20many%20craps%20tournaments%20have%20begun%20emerging%20to%20satisfy%20a%20growing%20demand%20for%20this%20great%20game.%20Check%20out%20this%20list%20of%20tournaments%20at%20VegasUSA cyber casino for more details on how to enter. Have fun with craps online and win some huge casino jackpots!…Read More: Online Craps

  • 16Apr

    Several years ago while losing at Blackjack, I was told by a floor supervisor that I didn’t have enough “points” to get a free buffet for my wife and I. “What!” I exclaimed. “I just lost five hundred dollars at this silly game and you’re saying that’s not enough to feed us?” I became indignant; then sullen; then I began to analyze just how casinos decide who gets comp’ed. The result of my research is below. Please profit from it -so you and your wife don’t ever go hungry:

    1. Use Your Player Card. A Player card issued by a casino is intended to “track your play.” As you move through a myriad of slot machines (and table games) it records information on how much you bet, when, and low long was your “session.” This information is then sent to the main Customer Service computers that award you either “comp points” or even cash. The whole idea is simple and it really does work. If you play for seven hours on a dollar slot machine and lose five thousand dollars, you had better have been using a player card. If not, the casino never “sees” your play, and won’t give you the comps you’re entitled to.

    2. Blackjack Tips. When you come to a blackjack table, give your card to the dealer. He’ll pass it back to a floor supervisor who will enter your player ID number into his pit computer. He’ll also record your buy-in amount, and how much you are betting per hand. Not each hand, but an average hand. If you want to increase comps, buy-in for large amounts, and start with at least $25. per hand. Twenty-five is the minimum amount the house will start to give you comps. Now later on, when he turns away, you can lower your bet(s). Unlike slots, you can get away with this move.

    3. Stay Put. If you don’t get enough time at the table, you won’t earn many comps. I learned a long time ago that ten or fifteen minutes sessions at table games go virtually “unseen” by the comp people. If you must change tables, mention to the floor supervisor that you’re moving “a couple of tables down.” That way, he’ll record your play as a continuous session. Going from pit to pit is a good way to lose your comps. If the floor manager who started your session can’t find you after awhile, he’ll clock you off the session and you’ll never get decent comps, no matter how much you bet. Casinos like long sessions, at high rates of play.

    4. Chit-Chat with the Floor Manager. If you’re playing a table game and the floor manager is around, he’s watching your play. He’s looking for how much you’re betting and whether or not you’re winning or losing. But did you know that a floor manager (often mistakenly called a Pit Boss) is given the latitude to comp you and your wife by his own decision? If you’ve talked to him (or her) and struck up a friendly conversation, he’s probably ‘gonna give you that buffet comp, just because he likes you. Ask him some questions. Ask for his advice. Let him know you are interested in whatever he has to say. Sometimes he’ll feel sorry for you and use his discretionary power to award you a comp. This is especially true when you stray off the reservation and play in a hotel casino you’re not staying in. You may have to ask for the comp, but it a cinch he won’t give it to you if he doesn’t know you.

    5. Make Contact with Casino Hosts. Depending on the level of your play, a Casino Host (sometimes called Casino Marketing Reps) are good people to know. They can offer you reduced air fares, set up lines of credit, reduced or free rooms, take food and beverage bills off your tabs, and generally make you much more liable to come back. They can even use their influence to get show tickets or rooms in other cities. You may not consider yourself a high roller, but the casino still wants your play. Establish a relationship with a Casino host, by name, and call him before you plan your trip. (I started a relationship with a Casino Host at the Mirage and it has served me quite well.) He might even upgrade your room or comp the whole thing. As you may have guessed, a Casino Host rewards you according to your play, so don’t get unrealistic expectations about your level of comps.

    I know Vegas is a wonderful place to stroll. There are so many things to see and do. How could you possibly stay in one joint? You can’t. The casinos know that, too. But if you want maximum comps, be disciplined enough to return to your “home casino.” Lots of little sessions spread all over town do not equal good comps. Besides, if you’ve “done Vegas” before, it’s tiring running around all over the place. Stay in one casino and you’ll reward yourself with more comps.

  • 13Apr

    SELECT A CASINO. Rule number one. Be a member of no less than six online casinos so you can rotate and move around from casino to casino during play. Select only well~known casinos with excellent reputations for paying quickly and maintaining industry~ accepted randomizing algorithms (more on this later).

    SELECT A BETTING LIMIT. But only if it’s $1/2, $2/4 or $5/10 blinds. This section will discuss the research, the math, and the studies on human nature that prove conclusively that high~stake limit tables are not the place to make money. They are however an excellent place to lose large amounts of cash in a big hurry. The return on investment (ROI) is best at medium limit tables.

    SELECT YOUR STAKE. No decision here if your smart. You must have 50 to 100 times the Big Blind. Any less and your chances of making money nose dive. More will only improve your table ‘cred’and help to intimidate weaker players.

    SELECT A TABLE. Spend at least 15 minutes watching the play at each table. Review your notes if recognized players are present. Check out at least three tables before you start. Then select the loosest table. To win at Texas Hold’em Poker you must play tight in loose games and play in loose games only. If all the tables are tight, run. Go back to Step 1.

    SELECT A POSITION AT THE TABLE. Watch for the tightest player at the table. Pick a spot to that players left. We have dedicated an entire chapter later on to table position strategy.

    TAKE NOTES ON PLAYERS. Record playing styles. Do they raise before the flop? Do they fold before the flop? What’s the size of their stake? Do they react quickly or slowly when their turn

    1. comes up? What kind of cards did they play on? Everyone should take player notes at casinos like Party Poker where they offer the feature. Don~t know how to take notes? Just right~click on the avatar (picture) of the target player and click ~Player Notes~. That feature is there for a very good reason -use it.

    TURN OFF CHAT. It’s distracting and rarely valuable. If you want to chat, use MSN -but never while you’re playing for money.

    TURN OFF TV’s, MUSIC, OTHER DISTRACTIONS. Now is not the time to catch the score on your favorite game or consume a bucket of chicken. If anyone’s going to be distracted, it should be your opponents. Let them miss cues, watch their stack disappear and wonder what happened.

    PLAY TIGHT. Follow the Food Chain Theory. Learn the rules. Understand the odds. Bet like a’shark’, not a’fish’.

    PLAY FOR ONE HOUR -then take a break, regardless of whether you’re winning or losing. This will keep you sharper than the other players who are hanging on for that one last win.

    And there you are. Ten steps that will make you thousands, maybe a lot more over time.

  • 13Apr

    There is always a huge amount of debate on the issue of safety of online casinos. This debate has become more intense especially over the past few years, due to the fact that they have started to gain immense popularity in the recent past and continue to do so now. The good news is that the search for safe online casinos can finally be considered complete, since paying money over the Internet is no longer a matter of tension or stress. Those days are gone where online payments were stressful and risky. In today’s times, security measures are put to use in order to ensure that whenever you pay money at an online casino, they will definitely give you all that you have paid for.

    At the same time people wonder as to where to find the safe online casinos. Your first bet would easily be to look for the directories of online casino. Having found that make sure you read through all the featured reviews that they have in the directory. When you get round to reading these reviews based on that information you will be able to figure out the casinos that are safest. However do be warned that you cannot be completely sure that the advice you receive from the mentioned directories will always be sound advice. Although having said that it is still true that the ones vouched for are more often than not considered safe online casinos by all standards.

    Apart from turning to the directories when on your search for safe online casinos, you might also consider checking out the famed Internet blacklist to be sure of the casinos that you want to stay clear of. This way you will be sure of the casinos where you do not wish to play as it would be too much of a gamble — so to speak!

  • 13Apr

    "These two have no idea what they're about to walk into. Down here to have a good time, they figure 'why not give poker a try?' After all, how different can it be from the home game they've played their whole lives?"

    –Matt Damon as Mike McDermott in "Rounders"

    For most of us, our first poker experience was nowhere near a casino. Either we learned from friends or family members in home games, or we plugged into the online poker craze. Still, the idea of playing poker in an actual brick and mortar (B&M) casino, with all the attendant sights and sounds, is very tempting for most. So what do you need to know when transferring your home or online skills to casino play? There are many distinctions between online and B&M play, but two factors you may immediately want to consider are tells and casino type.

    1. Tells

    The main concern most people have when moving from online to B&M play regards tells. A tell is a physical action a player performs that may give opponents a clue to his hand, such as putting a hand to the face when bluffing. Online, since your opponents cannot see you, physical tells are not really concern (there are online tells, but that is beyond the scope of this article). In fact, one popular poker site has an advertising campaign where they invite those players who have a "bad poker face" to join, since no one can see your face online. In the movie "Rounders," quoted at the beginning of this article, the villain is undone by the way in which he handles an Oreo cookie depending on whether or not he has a big hand. In reality, tells are rarely this extreme. Most of the time when you play in a casino, especially a "tourist" casino (see following), your opponents are much more concerned with what they are holding than what you are. Even when an opponent scrutinizes you, staring you down while contemplating a call, they're generally just considering how much they like their own hand. Real tell-spotting requires long, careful observation of a player's tendencies; you're not likely to give much away on an individual hand. Professionals like to give the impression that they can just look right into your soul and know what you're holding, but there's a lot more to it than that. If you're really worried you can buy a pair of reflective sunglasses to wear so no one can see your eyes. You can also always wait a predetermined amount of time (five or ten seconds) before acting whether your hand is strong or not so strong and pick a predetermined spot on the table to stare at while waiting for someone to respond to your action.

    2. Type of Casino

    All casinos are not created equal. Ten years ago, before the explosion in poker popularity, most casinos did not have a poker room at all, or at best, a small section of the blackjack floor partitioned away where two or three $1 to $2 limit games might take place. Obviously, things are different now, but there are still distinctly different types of casinos where one might play poker. The first is a Card Club. These are most commonly found in places like California, where poker as a game of skill is legal, but some other gambling games are not. Although they have expanded to other games, these clubs are primarily designed to play poker. As such, you are likely to find the most experienced poker players here, although not necessarily the strongest and they have their share of tourists as well. The more common type of casino is a Las Vegas Style Casino. These casinos have made fortunes on blackjack, slot machines and roulette and did not really focus on poker in the past as it is not a big money maker for the casino. Unlike the other games, which are against the House (the casino) and are structured so that the House always wins in the long run, poker is a game where the casino only makes money by taking a percentage of each pot (called "the rake," usually no more than $4 a pot) for themselves. Although now rare, some casinos take "time" instead of a rake, meaning every half hour a representative of the casino comes around and collects a predetermined amount of money from each player in the game.

    Of these Las Vegas Style Casinos, you will find what I think of as Poker Casinos vs. Tourist Casinos. A Poker Casino is one that has always had poker as part of its draw. These include The Bellagio and The Mirage in Las Vegas and the Taj Mahal and Borgata in Atlantic City. A Tourist Casino is one of the aforementioned casinos that did not have poker at all until the recent boom made it worthwhile as a draw to get players into their casino. Of course both of these types of casinos cater to tourists, but the Poker Casinos are where you are more likely to find professionals. Which of these types is more to your taste is for the individual to decide.

    The most important thing to remember is that whether it's online or in the casino, poker is poker. Play a smart game and you should rake in the chips, whether they're virtual or made of clay.

« Previous Entries   

Recent Comments

  • Магазины мебели, Уголок и Мягкая ...
  • Good evening, I offer a escort Kiev true "girlfriend experie...
  • I apologise, but, in my opinion, you commit an error. I can ...
  • Hi, Congratulations to the site owner for this marvelous wor...
  • Good afternoon! Escort girl information there. evening in K...