Category Archives: Roulette

000, Misc, Poker, Roulette, Slots

Other Casino Games That Blackjack Players Would Love

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Dragon Dance SlotsBy Steve Conway.

Blackjack is one of the most popular online games of all time. Every day, millions of people fire up their web browsers and search for blackjack games to play, whether they’re riding the subway to work or are simply relaxing at home with a drink. Plus, blackjack has also become popular across the iOS and Google Play app stores, where you can now download tons of different blackjack games and compete against other players.

However, as any blackjack player will admit, the game can become a little repetitive after a while. This is natural, as it’s very limited in terms of gameplay and rules.

As a result, many blackjack players are turning to other online casino games – and this article is going to tell you all about a few of them.

So, if you want to discover some exciting online casino games, make sure to read the suggestions below.

Slots

Let’s start with a fun one: slots!

Slots have been a crowd favorite across the US for decades. From land-based casinos to bar corners, slot machines have been easy to access in social places.

Now, thankfully, you can play online slots Canada online at places like Spin Palace. This is great for players who want to experience short, action-packed games whenever they’re feeling bored.

For example, if you’re taking a break at work, you could grab your smartphone and play a couple of games of slots to re-energize yourself.

Poker

Blackjack is so popular because it’s a very simple card game – pretty much anyone can learn the rules to it.

Poker, on the other hand, isn’t.

Poker is a tough game to learn due to the complexity of the hands and the number of other players that can be involved. However, it’s one of the most rewarding casino games that you can ever play when you get the hang of it.

As a starting point, make sure to memorize the different poker hands. Also, try subscribing to poker channels on YouTube that provide players with different in-game advice and tactics to try.

Roulette

Roulette is an all-time casino classic.

The concept is simple: you bet on either red or black. Or alternatively, you can play a riskier style and bet on individual numbers that you think the ball will land on.

Roulette is one of the most searched for games online, so make sure to give it a try if you want a different kind of experience.

Scratch Cards

Have you ever been to your local convenience store and purchased a scratch card? If yes, did you know that you can now play scratch cards online? It’s a lot of fun.

For example, if you’re a fan of Monopoly, you can now play Monopoly-themed scratch cards by searching for them on Google. Remember to play with a budget, though, as it can be tempting to buy lots of different scratch cards due to how fun it is.

Monopoly Scratch Off

Conclusion

In conclusion, make sure to try the above-mentioned casino games if you’re a blackjack player that wants a different kind of experience. All of these games are easy to access online – plus, if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to find some nice bonuses.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Steve Conway is a passionate traveler who explores the globe in pursuit of adventure, sun-soaked beaches, and azure waters.

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000, Baccarat, Poker, Roulette

The Best Alternative Table Games to Try

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By Dan Cormac.

When it comes to gaming online, there is no doubt that you will have a lot of amazing choices to choose from. After all, when you even look at all the different casino gaming options at your disposal, there is really an endless amount of entertainment out there for you. However, you don’t even need to spend money on games or consoles in the modern day to play. You can play the likes of top-quality casino games through your web browser, with no download required.

Playing online casino games is truly something that a lot of people can enjoy massively. After all, the best sites will have large amounts of variety and quality spread throughout. This means that no matter your playing preference, you will be sorted in terms of entertainment. It also provides a window of opportunity for you to try out new things as well. For example, if you are a big fan of playing blackjack online, then you might want to try out something new. Other table games can be just as interesting as blackjack, and trying new things is always good. If you are interested in broadening your taste, then here are some of the best alternative table games for you to try.

Poker

Poker is perhaps the most iconic casino game of all time. The table game has been played for decades and is truly a staple in gaming. From being depicted in movies to being enjoyed all around the world, there is nothing quite like a game of poker. If you haven’t played poker before, it can often be a little bit tough to get into. However, the best way to learn is by playing. Try and learn the basic rules of poker, and then you will learn more as you go.  Be aware, however, that there are many variations of poker, of which Hold’em is currently the most popular.

Traditional Poker

Roulette

When it comes to games of chance, there are few better than roulette. You will stake your wager on either a color group, single number, or number group. Then, the roulette wheel will spin, and you will hope that your ball can land in the right place. The game is truly iconic when it comes to the world of casinos. If you haven’t had the joy of playing some great rounds of roulette, then that is something you might want to change. You can play online table games at the likes of Lottomart. Here, you can really make the most of your online gaming experience. However, remember that gambling is 18+ so please gamble responsibly.

Traditional Single Zero Roulette Table

Baccarat

Baccarat is one of the more sophisticated table games you can play at a casino. However, it is relatively simple to play. You are going to bet on either player, banker, or tie box. Once you have done this, the dealer will distribute the cards to the player. Numbered cards and the ace card will hold their regular value. However, face cards are worth zero. The aim of the game is to get as close to 9 as possible. When you go over the value of 9, 10 is reduced from your hand’s value.  In the photo below, for example, the 10 counts as 0 giving you the best possible hand, a 9.

Baccarat

IMAGE CREDITS: ShuttleStock.com and Wikimedia Commons

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000, Blackjack, Gambling, History, Horse Racing, Roulette, Sports

The history of gambling: From horse racing to card games

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Playing BlackjackBy We DigitizeWe Digitize.

Today, the most popular form of betting is sports betting. But how did betting begin, and what other betting games can you play?

Betting has always been a popular form of entertainment, and it has changed and evolved over the years. Learn how the most popular forms of betting originated and evolved.

Horse racing: The oldest sport in the world

Horse racing is arguably the oldest sport in the world. Horse racing dates back to the Olympic Games of ancient Greece in the period 700-40 BCE. Since then, the sport grew in popularity and spread to Medieval England, where horses were ridden by professional riders to showcase the animals to potential buyers.

Horse race betting started in the 17th century, and by the mid 18th century, horse racing had become such a popular sport, that it had turned into a proper sporting event, open to the public with larger fields of runners. Horse racing continued to grow in popularity up through the 1800s, and so did horse race betting. Today, however, the sport of horse racing has fallen in popularity, giving way to more popular sports.

Sports betting: A modern entertainment

Today, the most popular form of entertainment in sports, sports betting, has grown in popularity as well.  Although betting on sports has been illegal in most states for many years, the attitude towards sports betting seems to have changed drastically. With the legalization of sports betting the industry has grown, attracting millions of fans to participate in the old activity of sports betting. Now that people are becoming more and more interested in placing bets at their favorite sporting events, there is plenty of information to help you decide on a bet. Get your sports betting information here and start betting yourself.

Horse Racing

Blackjack: Luck or skill?

The game of blackjack is also very old. Some speculate, that the game dates back to the Romans. This theory, however, is not confirmed. Blackjack probably originated in France around the year 1700. In France, blackjack was called Ving-et-un, which means twenty-one. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the name of the game was changed from twenty-one to blackjack. The change occurred because casinos were promoting the game by offering bonus payouts, one of which was given if a jack of spades or clubs was dealt alongside an ace of spades. Eventually, the bonus payouts ceased, but the name of blackjack stuck. Today, blackjack is still being played in casinos. It is a game of both luck and skill.  For more information on the history of blackjack visit BlackjackHistory.com and click here to learn the rules of Blackjack.  

Roulette: A game of chance

Roulette was not a game, to begin with. It was invented by a French physicist and mathematician called Blaise Pascal in 1655. He intended to create a perpetual motion machine and not a casino game. In 1842, Francois and Lois Blanc added a zero to the wheel. This changed the game, giving the house a bigger house edge. The wheel was designed specifically for the king of Monaco, Charles III, whose kingdom was facing financial difficulties. By introducing the game of roulette with the added zero, the casinos of Monaco quickly generated income and made Monte Carlo a symbol of upscale gambling. Later, another zero was added, giving the house an even bigger edge.

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Gambling, Roulette

Predicting Roulette

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Roulette Wheelby Mike Emmerik

Roulette is a casino game that in principle is predictable, since bets are (usually) allowed after the ball has been launched, and hence (if you are a reductionist) the final resting place for the ball is predetermined. (Barring unusual events like stopping the wheel, or something falling into the wheel).1)According to Wikipedia, reductionism is any of several philosophical ideas regarding the associations between phenomena, which can be described in terms of other simpler or more fundamental phenomena. 2)Mike Emmerik provided the Blackjack Review Network some excellent information on the Australian casinos back in the 1990s.  Here is a short article he wrote regarding roulette during that time.  It is still worth reading today as it provides some good references for future study and research.  The references to casinos with single-zero roulette was no longer accurate and has been removed.  A few edits have also been made to the original article. If you are interested in future study, be sure to check out the roulette articles at BlackjackForumOnline.com.

No betting progression system will beat roulette. There are also systems based on biased wheels, which have some technical merit, but in practice the amount of time needed to find a biased wheel is prohibitive, and you never know for sure whether you have really found a biased wheel, or have merely experienced a statistical glitch. Two references below discuss biased wheels.

I became interested in the possibilities of predicting roulette after reading The Newtonian Casino (formerly The Eudaemonic Pie) by Thomas A. Bass. In this very interesting and readable book, the author hints at the possibilities offered by the rigid mechanics of roulette. A small team of us have spent 2 years researching this area.

Roulette Table

Bibliography

The Newtonian Casino, Thomas A. Bass, T A, Penguin, London, 1990. (First published as “The Eudaemonic Pie”, Houghton Miffin, 1985). ISBN: 0-14-014593-1. Inspiring, and very readable. The classic book on the subject.

The Mathematics of Gambling, Edward O. Thorp, Gambling Times, New Jersey 1984. ISBN: 0-89746- 019-7. Contains information on many gambling topics, including blackjack . The people in Newtonian Casino were influenced by this book. Short on details, but some valuable information from one who has owned a real wheel.

A Roulette Wheel Study, Ron Shelly, self published, Atlantic City, 1988. I bought this from the Gambler’s Book Club in Las Vegas for about US$50. This handbound book is written from the perspective of a person in the casino industry (Ron is a consultant). Very interesting work. Contains detailed diagrams of wheels, how to service them, systems, scams, history, and the law. The author gives his address as P.O. Box 90971, Austin, Texas 78709.

Beating the Wheel, Russell T. Barnhart, Lyle Stuart, New York 1992. ISBN: 0-8184-0553-8. Mostly about biased wheels, a subject of little interest to me. Some great stories, and a few pointers to other works.

Roulette for Profit, Geoffrey Lewis, Jady Davis Games Products, Broadbeach 1991. ISBN: 0-9595715-4- X. Good statistical treatment of biased wheels.

The Money-Spinners, Jacques Black, Faber and Faber, London 1993. ISBN: 0-571-17037-4. Some great stories about the great roulette scams and successful players, such as Darnborough and Jaggers. Entertaining, but no technical details or information. Also contains a small section on blackjack.

Other sources of information

In the 1990s, roulette was rarely discussed in the newsgroup rec.gambling.other-games; since most roulette “systems” do not work, and the subject was ridiculed there. Some gambling books and supplies could be obtained from one of the rec.gamblers, Chuck Weinstock (Conjelco) and other sources.  There was also the rec.gambling home page, where many other gambling related links could be found.

EDITOR NOTE:  Today, the Internet is your open library to everything.

Single Zero Roulette wheels

No matter what system you use (prediction, biased wheels, or (shudder) betting progressions), you are always better off with single zero roulette wheels. The double zero wheel often used in the US (house edge of 5.26%) is the primary reason for the lack of popularity of roulette in the US, and the single zero wheel (house edge 2.70%) is the main reason for the popularity of roulette elsewhere in the world. You would think that US casinos would figure out this simple fact, but there is evidence that US gamblers don’t realize the difference (where both single and double zero wheels are available in the US, the single zero wheels seem no better patronized).

Single zero roulette (usually not with European rules, i.e. en prison3)In roulette, the en prison rule is an opportunity to recover one’s stakes after a spin of zero, provided one’s bet was even-odds (i.e. high–low, even–odd, red–black).  For more information check out Wikipedia.) may not be at your favorite casino but may be worth the effort to find out. 

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Footnotes

Footnotes
↑1According to Wikipedia, reductionism is any of several philosophical ideas regarding the associations between phenomena, which can be described in terms of other simpler or more fundamental phenomena.
↑2Mike Emmerik provided the Blackjack Review Network some excellent information on the Australian casinos back in the 1990s.  Here is a short article he wrote regarding roulette during that time.  It is still worth reading today as it provides some good references for future study and research.  The references to casinos with single-zero roulette was no longer accurate and has been removed.  A few edits have also been made to the original article. If you are interested in future study, be sure to check out the roulette articles at BlackjackForumOnline.com.
↑3In roulette, the en prison rule is an opportunity to recover one’s stakes after a spin of zero, provided one’s bet was even-odds (i.e. high–low, even–odd, red–black).  For more information check out Wikipedia.
000, Casinos, Gambling, Other Games, Roulette, Slots

Playing the Casino and Chances of Winning

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Finding a game to play in a casinoBy Adam Walker

While online casinos have evolved quickly over the years to deliver an experience better focused on the customer experience, the truth in the background still remains that the odds are always somewhat tilted in favor of the house. After all, it is how the casinos make money. Players looking to win will always follow some general rules and strategy too.   Whether it be sticking to certain game providers such as Pragmatic Play or to certain games that provide the best winning chances it is always a challenge for the player. If you’re looking to play the odds at the casino, however, there are many games that are better than others.

Blackjack tops out the list

Blackjack is the undisputed top game if you’re looking to improve your chances of a win. Often tipped to be anywhere around 50% with a percentage either side, it’s understandable why it has remained a player favorite. You’re not competing against other players to increase your chances of losing, and in some instances what other players get can even help you, and with rules that are easy to understand it’s a game that’s accessible to a huge number of players too. If you’re looking for the best odds, blackjack will be the game for you. In general, the house has about a 1 per cent chance (or less) in advantage at most casinos. Depending on the rules of the house, the overall probability of winning a hand in blackjack is about 42.43%, with a tie at 8.48% and the chance of losing at 49.09%. You can see why it remains so popular.

Slots are at the other end of the scales

While the odds are never publicly stated, it’s well known that slot machines typically sit on the lower end of the winning percentage. While some consider online casinos to be more fair than their offline counterparts, these games still round out in the lower percentages for winning and have even been touted as the lowest winning percentage game per time played of all casino titles. Some countries are issuing change that could lead these to be more player favored, but the lack of control and randomness certainly don’t help, and for many are a game that should only be played for enjoyment, and not in the hopes of securing a big win. The return to player is known as the RTP and it is calculated from 1 to 100. Most slots are between 92-97% and you should always look to play at slots that are offering 96% or above but this can be difficult, considering many do not advertise this. Despite the odds being out of favor for players, it still remains one of the longest standing and most popular casino based games and this is not set to change anytime soon.

A mix of games in the middle

Games of chance often float around the middle for most, with some that move more toward the blackjack odds than the slots odds and others not so much.   Many of these games like craps and roulette offer very much the same where they’re easy to understand and easy to play, making them much more accessible to new players with odds that aren’t terrible either. Some of these games often lend themselves to different wagering strategies too, so if you’re looking to try what has worked for others than these may be a great testing ground especially with low limit options too. The chances of winning at roulette obviously changes based on how you are playing but if you are simply going for red or black then it is 46.37% through American roulette and 48.60% on European roulette.1)In general, there are two forms of roulette – American (38 numbers with two zeros) and European (37 numbers with a single-zero).  The house advantage in American roulette is about 5.26% while European roulette is about 2.7%.  It is obviously better to play this game with European rules.  Players will also occasionally find some variations to these rules.  Casinos have even offered triple-zero roulette which increases the house advantage above 7%… ouch!!!!  If you are interested in the possibility of advantage play in roulette check out Arnold Snyder’s article published in 2012. The odds will of course change drastically if just going for certain numbers. Then for craps the odds of winning are around 50 per cent and the house is believed to have an edge of around 1.4 per cent (pass and don’t pass line), putting it in line with the other games on offer across the casino floor.  Odds wise, craps is by far the best casino game for the players besides blackjack.

Ultimately playing at a casino is always a gamble, but doing whatever you can to increase your odds of winning can certainly make your playing experience much better too. This is why you should always do your research before playing and then play the game that best suits you!

Photo Credit: Pxhere

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Footnotes

Footnotes
↑1In general, there are two forms of roulette – American (38 numbers with two zeros) and European (37 numbers with a single-zero).  The house advantage in American roulette is about 5.26% while European roulette is about 2.7%.  It is obviously better to play this game with European rules.  Players will also occasionally find some variations to these rules.  Casinos have even offered triple-zero roulette which increases the house advantage above 7%… ouch!!!!  If you are interested in the possibility of advantage play in roulette check out Arnold Snyder’s article published in 2012.
000, Gambling, Other Games, Roulette

What Makes Roulette Such a Great Game?

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RouletteBy Debz Aiken

Whether you’re a casino regular, enjoy online gambling on the weekends, like a little bit of a flutter when you’re on your holidays or have never gambled in your life you’ve probably heard of and know how to play roulette. Roulette is one of those games that’s expected to be present in every casino, wherever you go – it’s a staple of the gambling world but what makes roulette such a great game?

There is a very obvious reason why roulette has become so commonplace in casinos and online gaming alike, and that’s because of its simplicity. Games like poker can be really hard to follow even if you’re used to gambling, and it’s often so intimidating that many people decide it’s not worth bothering. Roulette is easy to learn because there’s so little to it, and that makes it the perfect game to play if you’re a total casino newbie.

Unlike the game of blackjack, roulette is a pure gambling game and any strategy you might pick will still result in the same house advantage.1)In general, there are two forms of roulette – American (38 numbers with two zeros) and European (37 numbers with a single-zero).  The house advantage in American roulette is about 5.26% while European roulette is about 2.7%.  It is obviously better to play this game with European rules.  Players will also occasionally find some variations to these rules.  Casinos have even offered triple-zero roulette which increases the house advantage above 7%… ouch!!!!  If you are interested in the possibility of advantage play in roulette check out Arnold Snyder’s article published in 2012.

Learning The Rules

Much like blackjack, there are always ways to get more info on how to play – however it is an easy game to get to grips with.

The rules of roulette are simple – you have a wheel split evenly into alternate black and red slots. All of these slots are numbered, and all you have to do is place a bet where you think the ball will land. The odds are calculated based on what’s on the wheel, which means they’re never going to change and you don’t have to worry about them changing after each round.

For a beginner, the idea of odds can be terrifying – particularly in something like horse racing where horses drop out as the race gets closer so the odds change constantly, especially at the last minute. Roulette is seen as a beginner-friendly form of gambling because it’s so consistent.

Placing bets in roulette
Placing bets in roulette


Choosing How To Play

There are also so many options to bet on that you can take years to perfect your own personal strategy and there’s what feels like an infinite number of variations to try. Yes, you can just bet on what color the ball will land on, or whether it will land on an odd or even number (although obviously you’re not going to make much money from doing this), but if you want to make things more interesting (and increase the odds) you can be much more specific in the bet that you place.

You could bet on the number being in a certain range – even this varies because you can choose how wide you want to cast your net in terms of choosing actual numbers (like 1-18) or first 12, second 12, etc. You could even go as far as to only bet on specific numbers and you can choose these any way you like.

Roulette is a great game because it’s both simple and incredibly complex. Its simple rules and the easy to follow format make it perfect for beginners. Conversely, the huge variety of bets you can make and the infinite number of combinations to try mean that it’s just as interesting to someone who’s been a regular in casinos for decades as it is to someone stepping up to the wheel for the first time.

Photo Credit: Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels 
Photo Credit: Javon Swaby from Pexels

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Footnotes

Footnotes
↑1In general, there are two forms of roulette – American (38 numbers with two zeros) and European (37 numbers with a single-zero).  The house advantage in American roulette is about 5.26% while European roulette is about 2.7%.  It is obviously better to play this game with European rules.  Players will also occasionally find some variations to these rules.  Casinos have even offered triple-zero roulette which increases the house advantage above 7%… ouch!!!!  If you are interested in the possibility of advantage play in roulette check out Arnold Snyder’s article published in 2012.