Game Rules

Game Rules

I. Black Jack


A GUIDE TO BLACK JACK

Here you will find some basic information about the game Black Jack. There are also some strategy tips and links to other Black Jack sites.


How it works

The game of casino blackjack, or 21, is by far the most popular table game offered in gambling establishments. If you are unfamiliar with the rules of casino blackjack, or simply need some clarification on the finer points, you've come to the right place! This page will tell you everything you need to know to play the game, and describe the various rules that can differ from one casino to another.


Object of the game

The basic objective of the game is that you want to have a hand value that is closer to 21 than that of the dealer, without going over 21. Other
players at the table are of no concern. Your hand is strictly played out against the hand of the dealer. The rules of play for the dealer are
strictly dictated, leaving no decisions up to the dealer. Therefore, there is not a problem with the dealer or any of the other players at the table
seeing the cards in your hand. Indeed, if you're playing at a shoe game, the player cards are all dealt face up. In any event, when you're just
learning to play, don't hesitate to show the dealer or other players your cards and ask questions.


Choosing a table

Before playing the game, you'll need to find an appropriate table at which to play. If you're a newcomer to this process, there are a few items to
keep in mind. You'll want to pay attention to several details about each table that you approach. The most important item is the sign declaring
betting limits. Both the minimum and the maximum allowable bets should be clearly posted on a sign on the table top. Look around to find a table
that suits your bet sizes. Often, you'll find that the lower limit ($3 or $5) tables are quite crowded. In most casinos, the signs are color coded to
match the minimum bets posted on them: Next, you'll want to make sure that the table you have selected is actually for blackjack, and not another
of the various table games offered at the casino. Blackjack tables will almost certainly have the phrase "Blackjack pays 3 to 2" printed on the
table felt. The next item to observe is the type of game being dealt.
Beginners are usually better off playing the "shoe" games where 6 or 8 decks are used. The advantage for beginners in this game is that all of the
player's cards are dealt face up in front of each player, and the dealer can help with playing questions and decisions.


Buying chips

Once you are seated at a table, you'll need to purchase some chips from the dealer for your bets. Wait for a break in the action, and place your
cash out in front of you on the table felt. (Some casinos might make you wait until the dealer shuffles to join the game). An appropriate buy in
amount is anywhere from 10 to 20 times your average bet. Don't try to hand your cash to the dealer. For security reasons, he can't take anything
from your hands. Simply lay the cash on the table; he'll pick it up and change it for an equal value of playing chips. You won't be getting any
change back either. He'll change the entire amount; push the chips across the table to you.

Take a quick look at the chips to make sure that you know the values, and that you were given the correct amount for your cash. If you have any
questions, just ask the dealer. Part of his job is to help players learn the game.


Values of the cards

In blackjack, the cards are valued as follows:
An Ace can count as either 1 or 11.
The cards from 2 through 9 are valued as indicated.
The 10, Jack, Queen, and King are all valued at 10.

The suits of the cards do not have any meaning in the game.

The value of a hand is simply the sum of the point counts of each card in the hand. For example, a hand containing (5, 7, and 9) has the value of 21.
The Ace can be counted as either 1 or 11. You need not specify which value the Ace has. It's assumed to always have the value that makes the
best hand. (A hand that contains an Ace is called a "soft" total if the Ace can be counted as either 1 or 11 without the total going over 21.


Making a bet

On the table felt in front of your position, you'll find a circle or box for your bets. Before each hand begins, place your desired bet into the circle in one stack. If you are betting multiple denominations of chips, place the larger valued chips on the bottom of the stack, and the smaller value chips on top. Once the cards have been dealt, you aren't allowed to touch the bet in the circle. If you need to know how much you have bet for doubling or splitting (explained later), the dealer will count down the chips for you. Once the hand is over, the dealer will move around the table to each
position in turn, paying winners and collecting the chips from losing hands. After the dealer has paid you, you can remove your chips from the circle, and place your next bet. If you want to let your winnings "ride", you'll need to form one stack of chips from the two or more stacks on the table after the dealer pays you.


The deal of the cards

Once all the bets are made, the dealer will deal the cards to the players. He'll make two passes around the table starting at his left (your right) so
that the players and the dealer have two cards each.

In the shoe games, the players cards will be dealt face up, and the players are not allowed to touch the cards. If you're just beginning, you'll probably want to start at the shoe game where you don't have to worry about handling the cards.

In the handheld games, the player's cards are dealt face down, and the players pick up the cards. When handling the cards in a handheld game,
here are a few important things to remember. You are only allowed to touch the cards with one hand. You must keep the cards over the table.
Any cards that the dealer subsequently deals to your hand must be left on the table, not added to the cards in your hand. Once the cards are dealt,
play proceeds around the table, starting at the first seat to the dealer's left, also called first base. Each player in turn indicates to the dealer how
he wishes to play the hand.


How the dealer plays his hand

The dealer must play his hand in a specific way, with no choices allowed.
There are two popular rule variations that determine what totals the dealer must draw to. In any given casino, you can tell which rule is in effect
by looking at the blackjack tabletop. It should be clearly labeled with one of these rules: "Dealer stands on all 17s": This is the most common rule. In this case, the dealer must continue to take cards ("hit") until his total is 17 or greater. The dealer has no choices to make in the play of his hand. He cannot split pairs, but must instead simply hit until he reaches at least 17 or busts by going over 21. If both a player and the dealer make blackjack, the hand is a tie or push. The dealer will usually pay your winning blackjack bet immediately when it is your turn to play. In the face down games, this means that you should show the blackjack to the dealer at that time. .


Surrender

One of the least common decisions, but it is appropriate to begin with surrender, because this decision must be made before any other choice
about playing your hand. Surrender offers you as a player the choice to fold your hand, at the cost of half of the original bet. You must make that
decision prior to taking any other action on the hand. For example, once you draw a third card, or split, or double down, surrender is no longer an
option.


Hitting/Standing

The most common decision a player must make during the game is whether to draw another card to the hand ("hit"), or stop at the current
total ("stand"). The method you use to indicate your decisions to the dealer depend on which kind of game you are playing.

In the face up shoe game, you indicate that you want another card by tapping the table behind your cards with a finger. You'll be required to
make the hand signals, rather than just announcing "hit" or "stand" to the dealer.. If you go over 21, or "bust", the dealer will collect your bet, and
remove your cards from the table immediately. When you decide to stand, just wave your hand in a horizontal motion over your cards. The
descriptions are a lot tougher than the actual play. Just pay attention to what other players are doing and you'll fit right in.


Doubling Down

Among the more profitable player options available is the choice to "double down". This can only be done with a two card hand, before another card has been drawn. Doubling down allows you to double your bet and receive one, and only one, additional card to the hand. If you are playing in a face down game, just toss the two cards face up on the table in front of your bet. In either type of game, add an additional bet to the betting circle. Place the additional bet adjacent to the original bet, not on top of it. The dealer will deal one additional card to the hand. Players are allowed to double down for any amount up to the original bet amount, so you could double down "for less" if you wanted.


Splitting Pairs

When you are dealt a matching pair of cards (remember, ignore the suits), you have the ability to split the hand into two separate hands, and play them independently. Let's say you are dealt a pair of eights for a total of sixteen. Sixteen is the worst possible player hand, since it is unlikely to win as is, but is very likely to bust if you draw to it. If you get additional pairs (in the first two cards of a hand most casinos will allow you to replete making yet another hand. The most common rule allows a player to split up to 3 times, making 4 separate hands, with 4 separate bets. If double after split is allowed, you could have up to 8 times your initial bet on the table if you chose! Some casinos restrict re-splitting, and some allow unlimited splitting. Splitting Aces is a very strong player move, so the casino restricts you to drawing only one additional card on each Ace.


Insurance and Even Money

Insurance is perhaps the least understood of all the commonly available rules for Blackjack. This is not necessarily a bad thing because the insurance bet is normally a poor bet for the player, with a high house advantage. However, that's not always the case.

If the dealer turns an up card of an Ace, he will offer "Insurance" to the players. Insurance bets can be made by betting up to half your original bet amount in the insurance betting stripe in front of your bet. The dealer will check to see if he has a 10_value card underneath his Ace, and if he does have Blackjack, your winning Insurance bet will be paid at odds of 2:1. ) This is why the bet is described as "insurance", since it seems to protect your original bet against a dealer blackjack. Of course, if the dealer does not have blackjack, you'll lose the insurance bet, and still have to play the original bet out. The basic strategy player should simply never take the insurance bet, even the "even money" variety. "Card counters" on the other hand can often detect situations where more than one third of the remaining cards are ten valued, and the bet is then a profitable one. So, unless you know the bet is favorable, just ignore it.


Cashing in

When you're finished playing, you'll want to take your chips to the cashier to exchange them for cash. If you have groups of smaller denomination chips in front of you, the dealer will probably want to "color up" your chips. This simply means exchanging groups of smaller denomination chips for larger valued chips. Wait until the end of a hand, and then simply push your chips out in front of you between the betting boxes, so it can't be confused for a bet. The dealer will count down the chips, and return to you a smaller stack of chips of equal value. You can take these to the cashier for cash, or to another table for more play.

That's really all there is to know. If you've never played the game before, it can be a little intimidating at first. Just sit down at a table with a friendly looking dealer and give it a try. After 10 minutes, all these details will be easy. Like many things, it's easier done than said!



II. History

The history of the game.


Black Jack is known the world over as vingt-et-un, 21, pontoon, California Aces or in America as Black Jack.

Blackjack is a European game. Many believe it is a variation of a French game called "Vingt-Un". Two of blackjack's nicknames, "Van John" and "Pontoon" can sound much like a corruption of the French game.

Blackjack itself is a nickname for the game of twenty-one. This nickname arose due to the practice of casinos paying a bonus to hands consisting of an Ace and a Jack of spades (a Black Jack).



III. Rules

The basic rules and some variations.


There are plenty of rules variations that may affect your odds of winning. The single most important variation to consider from one casino to another is the number of decks employed. The rule of thumb is the fewer decks the better. The use of four decks reduces your odds by 0.54% compared to a one deck game.

Another rule is the policy concerning dealer hands of soft 17. The most common rule is that the dealer stands on all 17s (including soft hands) which is good from the player's point of view. Casinos that allow their dealers to hit on soft 17 hurt your chances of winning by 0.2% compared to those who don't.

Some casinos allow the player to double down after splitting a pair. That rule improves your odds by 0.1% (it's not much, but still...).



IV. Strategy

Simple basic strategy tips and charts, and also some advanced strategies.


Black Jack's "best odds", also called the Basic Strategy Total of 5, 6, 7, and 8 always hit.
Total of 9 double down if dealer shows deuce thru six, otherwise hit.
Total of 10 Double down if dealer shows Deuce thru nine, otherwise hit.
Total of 11 always double down.
Total of 12 Stand if dealers shows Four thru Six, otherwise hit.
Total of 13 thru 16 Stand if dealer shows Deuce thru Six, otherwise hit.
Total of 17 thru 20 Always stand.
Soft total of 13 thru 16 Double down if dealer shows four thru six, otherwise hit. Soft total blackjack and hard total blackjack.
Ace and Six Double down if dealer shows Deuce thru six, otherwise hit. Ace and six blackjack strategy.
Ace and Seven Double down if dealer shows three thru six. Stand if dealer shows Deuce, Seven or Eight. Hit if dealer shows Nine, Ten or Ace.
Ace and seven blackjack.
Ace and Eight Double down if dealer shows six, otherwise stand.
Ace and Nine Always stand.
Ace and Ace Always split Aces.
Deuce and Deuce Split if dealer shows three thru seven, otherwise hit.
Three and Three Split if dealer shows four thru seven, otherwise hit.
Four and Four Double down if dealer shows five or six, otherwise hit. (If double not allowed split if dealer shows five or six)
Five and Five Double down if dealer shows Deuce thru nine, otherwise hit. Pair of gambling fives on blackjack.
Six and Six Split if dealer shows Deuce thru six, otherwise hit.
Seven and Seven Split if dealer shows Deuce thru seven, otherwise hit.
Eight and Eight Always split Eights.
Nine and Nine Stand if dealer shows Ace, Seven or Ten, otherwise split.
Ten and Ten always stand on Tens.



To put it differently, here are the six basic strategy rules for splitting:
1. Always split aces and 8s.
2. Split 2s and 3s against a dealer up-card of 4 to 7.
3. Never split 4s, 5s, or tens.
4. Split 6s against a dealer up-card of 3 to 6.
5. Split 7s against a dealer up-card of 7 or less.
6. Always split 9s, except against a dealer up-card of 7, ten, or ace.

Here are the basic strategy rules for standing with a hard hand:
1. Stand on 13 against 2 or 3.
2. Stand on 12 against 4 to 6.
3. Stand on 17 against 7 to ace.



V. Card counting

Card counting isn't really a topic for beginners, but here is some basic information about card counting anyway. It may help you decide if card counting is something you should try or not.

Playing basic strategy correctly is often enough to get a basically even game, however to achieve a long term advantage for the player, card counting techniques must be used. There is no point in trying to learn how to count cards without first knowing the basic strategy correctly, so make sure you first know the basics before attempting to learn advanced techniques.

Most people think that card counting means that you have to memorize every card as it's played. Fortunately, there is a much simpler way. It requires no memorization at all, just some very simple arithmetic. The key is to assign a plus or minus value to each card in the deck, then to total these values as each card is dealt. All the cards from the 2s to the 6s hurt your chances of winning. It's to your advantage to have those cards removed. For that reason, you will assign a +1 value to each of these cards and add +1 to your count each time one of these cards goes out of play by being dealt to someone's hand.

The tens and aces are the cards most favorable to the player. Each time one is removed, your chances of winning the next hand suffer. Therefore, you will assign every ten and ace a -1 value and add -1 to your count each time one of those cards is dealt. The remaining cards, 7s, 8s, and 9s, have so little impact on your chances of winning that we will assign them a value of zero. The point values you have to remember for this count system are as follows:


2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A
+1 +1 +1 +1 +1 0 0 0 -1 -1



Through the game, you keep a running computation of each card as it is dealt. Your count begins at zero before any cards have been dealt from the deck or shoe.

You must re-calculate your running count when playing in a multiple-deck game. You keep a running count just like in a single-deck game, however before deciding how much to bet on a hand you must first convert the running count into a true count. You do this by dividing the count by the approximate number of decks still un-dealt. You can either look at the shoe and estimate about how many decks are left in it, or you could look at the discard rack to get an idea of how many decks that are left in the shoe. The total you arrive at is your true count.

Your disadvantage is usually about 0.5% at the start of a new shoe, and your odds improve with about 0.5% for each true count. For example, your advantage would be about 1.0% with a true count of +3.

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II. Slot Machines


Getting Started

You might wonder why there are so many more slot machines in a casino than anything else. Well, the answer is easy: slots make the casino the most money.


Slot machines are regulated to only payout a certain amount and if you are lucky it could be you, even though the math is on the casino's side.

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Slot machines generally pay between 85 and 98 percent, depending on the game. You should pay close attention to each machine you play and familiarize yourself with the payout rate. That ways you can make sure that you got paid the right amount. Not listed on the machine? Ask an attendant.

The last point needs to be stressed. Pay attention to your machine! Nothing will ruin your day more than finding out that someone hit the jackpot yesterday as soon as you walked away from the machine. In a casino, the attendant will pay the larger jackpots.

How many coins should you play? Always play the maximum. You will always have better odds of earning your money back by playing full coin. Some machines won't even give you a chance to win the jackpot unless the maximum coins are played. You will surely kick yourself if you get a set of good reels but the payoff was only a third because only one out of three coins was played. The ratio varies from one machine to another but you're guaranteed no chance of winning the jackpots.


History of Slot Machines

An American invention, slots have since become very popular all around the world. The most notable places include Europe, Africa, South America, Asia, and the Caribbean. As a 29 year-old Mechanic, Charles Fey manufactured the first reels for gaming in 1887, a heck of a long time ago. San Francisco was the town to be in if you was a precognitive zombie at the turn of century, and what fun it would be to be there now. The first machines were manufactured by hand by Fey himself and placed in the local gambling palaces on a 50% rental basis. So in addition to being the inventor, Fey was also the first proprietor of the machines. Somewhat surprisingly, and against some modern mythology, Fey's first machine was not any more bulky or any cruder than modern day examples. Nor did its reels carry the fruit symbols common today. The first slot machine was actually called the Liberty Bell, how appropriate a name for the game that has become a symbol of American culture and capitalism. The original symbols included the standard playing card imagery we are all used to - hearts, diamonds and spades- along with bells, horseshoes and a star. This original machine can still be seen today in a collection at the Liberty Belle Saloon and Restaurant in Reno Nevada, which is owned and operated by Fey's own lineage.

Presented in 1887 as a 'New Nickel Operated Machine', Charley Fey, machinist and gamer, provided the world with what would become a phenomenon. The San Francisco Chronicle described Fey's machine: "A machine featuring 3 reels mostly hidden with Horseshoes, Spades, Diamonds, Hearts, and Bells symbols on reels. The device is operated by depositing a nickel in a slot to release the handle, when the right combination of symbols stop in the window the player is awarded coins ranging from 2, on 2 Horseshoes to 20 for 3 bells. Most of those present agreed the machine should be a great success"

A great success it has been, without room from disagreement. The movement of money is an interesting thing in and of itself. Just how much money was fed into the machines in Nevada and the Caribbean to get to the $300 million yearly gross revenue? If we do a little basic math… working on the average that 10 cents of each dollar deposited is retained by the player, then $3 billion worth of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, ect move through the 50k of machines.

You may be familiar with the name 'Big Bertha' when it comes to the reels. This machine was designed to accept half dollar and dollars, and to pay back about 80% of what it takes in. The box is made for the most part to be a propaganda machine, catching customers imaginations and desires in one big metal image.

Well it worked, which is proofed by the appearance of the Super Big Bertha. This six by ten foot super slot machine is said to have cost more than one hundred and fifty thousand dollars to produce. A Five horsepower electric motor is needed to power the twenty inch wide chain driven wheels. With eight reels containing 20 symbols each, there are 25.6 billion different possible combinations. That's right BILLION. Only one of which actually pays the 1 million dollar promised prize. A little more basic math shows that with these odds, one individual would have to put about 205 billion one dollar spins to work to mathematically hit the million dollar prize. Not the best return on investment ever conceived, except from the casinos point of view.


Slot Tips

Here are some slot tips that will help you out in the casino.
1. Always play the maximum bet. In the long run your chances will be better for a bigger payout.
2. Get yourself a comp card. If you lose all your money you may get a free meal in return!
3. Know the slot machine you are about to play. Read the machine and get a feel for the different ways you can win.
4. Get your money. Make sure you cash out the slot machine before heading to another.
5. Never leave your machine. Wait for an attendant to come by. If someone plays your machine before you get the payout, you are out of luck.
6. Know your limits. Bring a bankroll and stick to it, you'll thank yourself later.


How the Casinos place their slots

Slot machines do make money for casinos, of course they do, they wouldn't host the games if they didn't, and all casinos follow a specific marketing plan. You, as a slot machines player, are extremely fortunate since they follow the same general placement pattern. Careful thought has gone into the placement of each machine. No machine is placed at random, or by "accident." The casinos know exactly what they're doing. Believe it. The good news is: now YOU will, too! Until fairly recently, the placement within the casinos of the 96 - 99% machines was top secret information. Since no job in the casino industry is 100% secure on any level, the disclosure of such information meant instant termination and permanent "black-balling" from the industry to those who dared breach the "code of silence."

So, where do the casinos place their best slot machines? The answer is below. Cherish it for it is critical to your success as a slot player.

1. Near the change booths - casinos want other players who are waiting in line to receive change to hear the unmistakable sounds and sights of players hitting mid-level and top jackpots. This will, supposedly, motivate other players to get more change and play more machines. It works.
2. On elevated carousels - high payoff machines that are visible from nearly any angle from the gaming floor also serve to motivate other players to put more money into THEIR chosen machines. It works.
3. Near the coffee shop/cafe/snack bar - casinos frequently place their best machines in these locations to motivate players to eat quickly and get back to the gaming floor as soon as possible. When a player takes a "time out" for food or drinks it's time spent not playing the machines. No play = no revenue for the casino.
4. Slot aisles known as "crosswalks" - crosswalks are areas that players must walk through to get to other slot aisles. Again, the same principle applies: the casinos want slot players to witness frequent jackpot (mid-level or top) payouts. Passers-by using these carefully planned pathways are more likely to be drawn into the main slot aisles, where the mid-range and tight machines are waiting to fleece them.
5. Locations highly visible from other slot aisles - same philosophy, same reasons as cited above.
6. Round or rectangular, free-standing kiosks within the main casino - nearly all casinos sublet space to the manufacturers of slot machines (Bally's is a prime example). These free-standing kiosks are not strictly bound by the individual casino's marketing principles, and may have a larger percentage of "loose" machines.

Does this mean that every machine in these top 6 locations is "loose?" Of course not. It simply means that the highest concentration of loose machines can be found within these areas. How can you tell which slot machines may be the better ones? Observation, my friends. It is always your best tactical weapon in the search for the casinos' best machines. You must be able to observe how the machines are playing at the exact moment you stand and face them.

Now that you know where the BEST machines may be located within ANY casino, you need to also know where the MID-RANGE and TIGHT machines are ... so that you may AVOID them. Use the Site Navigator below to learn more. Knowledge is power, after all.

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III. Roulette


Playing roulette online casino can be just as fun and exciting as playing in the casino. We have created this section for people who are interested in learning more about the games of online and casino roulette.


Roulette Basics

Roulette is a game that gives a player the chance to earn big winnings. An ivory ball circles in the rotating roulette wheel that consists of 36 numbers plus 0 and 00. Eventually, the ball stops randomly on one of the 38 numbers. The player's job is to predict the outcome of each spin by placing bets in the fields of the roulette table. Each player wagers against the bank. Your winnings will be based on how well you have predicted the ball's final resting place by placing your chips accordingly.


Betting:

There are 9 different ways to place roulette bets. Each bet covers a different set of numbers and has a different distribution.


Roulette Casinos

There are thousands of different places to play roulette online. Just where you choose to play online depends on a number of factors - are you playing just for fun, or for real money? Are you only interested in playing roulette online, or would you like a wider selection of games?


Why We Play Roulette

Betting, waiting, watching… as the ball makes its passes in the outer rim, gradually slowing down and breaking from upper track.


Anticipation

Betting, waiting, watching… as the ball makes its passes in the outer rim, gradually slowing down and breaking from upper track. Spiraling down to the rotor, the ball crosses over, strikes a numbered pocket, then a few short hops later, hopefully comes to rest in one of our favorite numbers.

It's easy to get caught up in the excitement as the event unfolds right before your eyes. I can't imagine feeling more excited than seeing the ball enter the rotor right before my targeted sector of pockets and watching as it dribbles right into one of my heavily favored numbers!! What an adrenaline rush! Or the ball descends half a wheel away, but through the benefit of a strange bounce, it is suspended on the rotor's edge… waiting for my area to come into play! Then, bam, it takes a turn right into one of my pockets. Of course, the reverse happens as well. Either way, it is a roller coaster ride of emotions. It is the "highs" and the "lows" that make it addicting. Will I experience the depression of a near miss? Or will I enjoy the nirvana of a straight up win?!? …hold on to your hernia belts!



Tradition

What's a casino without a roulette wheel? Imagine Rick's Café in Casablanca or James Bond's savvy wagering without a roulette wheel around. In fact, countless movies with scenes situated in a casino will frequently show a roulette wheel to help the viewer realize, "Yeah, we're in a casino now." It has been the dominant symbol of casino gambling. From movies to television shows to photographs - a roulette wheel is usually visible… and why not? Roulette is the oldest of all the modern casino games, dating back almost 300 years. Couple this long history with romantic notions of breaking the bank, and you have an irresistible lure. There are plenty of stories to go around of big wins and near misses. Ask anyone of the patrons playing roulette. They'll usually have some personal stories to share. Perhaps they even know some of the romantic tales of past heroes who tempted fate and were victorious. My favorite roulette story starts off… "One of the most spectacular and popular gamblers at Monte Carlo was a handsome young American named William Nelson Darnborough from Bloomington, Illinois. How he beat roulette at Monte Carlo from 1904 to 1911 has been a well-kept secret." Darnborough, in fact, beat the casino to the extent of $415,000. A sum, no doubt, equal to 10 or 15 times that amount in today's dollars. If you would like to hear the rest of the story, you'll have to buy Russell Barnhart's book, Beating the Wheel. With painstaking attention to details, Barnhart has included many more interesting stories.


Diversification

There's something for everyone… from the more conservative "even-money" bettor to the more aggressive long-shot artist, and everything in between. There's a bet to go with every temperament. Unlike the game of craps, for example, the house's edge is consistent for conservative betting all the way up to the 35-to-1 straight up wagers. The French 2.70% edge or even the American 5.26% edge kills the double-digit edge found on the center of a craps table. Because of the variety of wagers, many systems have been developed over the past couple of hundred years with roulette in mind. Whether it's the Martingale, the Labouchere, the d'Alembert or a half-dozen others that come to mind, there are numerous betting systems available to employ. And now, with the popularity of the electronic tote board, systems players can easily canvas the pit for various combinations of results. Of course there is no way to beat the game with a purely mathematical approach, but when applied in moderation, it will help enhance your enjoyment of the game as well as your accounting skills.


Appreciation

Some folks just develop an appreciation for the finer things in life. Adding a touch of sophistication makes life interesting. Things like art, music, fashion or just fine dining help us to develop a more civil side to our personality. As an engineer, I appreciate the precision crafted mechanism of a casino roulette wheel on one hand, along with the richly appointed hardwoods and chrome trim on the other. Like a fine Swiss watch or an expensive German auto, there is a beautiful mixture of old-world craftsmanship and state-of-the-art manufacturing technology. Just like the automobile or the watch, a finely tuned roulette wheel is a joy to observe!


Recreation

The game can be an elegant, leisurely break from the rest of the casino. With a sense of civility and decorum, where else can the common folk and the aristocracy both share the plush surroundings of a relaxed and quiet atmosphere? Roulette is often characterized as a serious, but unhurried game, graced by Kings and Queens. With plenty of time between spins, you'll have ample opportunity to play your systems. You can calculate your next series of wagers or socialize with neighbors. Relax and enjoy the company of that attractive blond on your right or that shapely brunette on your left who needs assistance reaching the layout. Of course, not wanting to appear sexist in any way, how about rubbing elbows with that dashing young Duke, or some friendly conversation with that handsome, witty Texan? You can make an event out of playing the game. Because of its slower, more relaxed pace, you can stop and enjoy the company at hand. Indeed, the game is faster here in the States, but you can still stop to chat with your neighbors if you're feeling social. In North America, only a small percentage of gamblers consider roulette to be their favorite game. It can provide a welcome diversion or change of pace for the many other patrons.


Remuneration

The biggest reason, I believe, that many play roulette is to make money! Whether playing systems or hunches, everyone seems to have an opinion on the proper method of play. If we thought that we had no chance of winning, we simply would not play. Most patrons will play if they feel they have some chance to beat the game, even if it's a "lucky" win. But is it possible to beat this game over the long term? I believe it is… if (and that's a big "if") you have the proper strategy and dedication to know how to employ it. While mathematical systems alone will fail in the long run, the right predictive methods can, and have beaten the game. In future articles we'll discuss such topics as "dealer's signature," "biased wheel play" and "visual tracking," to name a few. So stay tuned…

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IV. Video Poker


Video Poker is a somewhat contemporary invention, a fusion between traditional poker and modern slot machines. The video poker game is a match between you and the machine. During a game of video poker the dealer aka the machine will deal you a hand of five cards.

After you receive your hand you must decide which cards to hold (keep) or discard. The objective is to finish the game with the strongest hand possible. The payout at the end of the game is dependent on the value of the hand you are holding. If you have won, the game will offer you an additional opportunity to increase your winnings by participating in a doubling phase.

Popular Las Vegas Online Casino video poker games include: (MGS) Aces & Faces, Deuces & Joker, Double Joker, Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, Joker Poker, Louisiana Double, Tens or Better.


Video Poker History

The exact origins of poker are often debated and no precise answers exist. Furthermore there are no clear explanations as to how the game initially was created. Based on the fundamental principles of the game its believed to have been created many, many moons ago. It is widely accepted that contemporary poker was a derivative from many different games.

The earliest references to poker were allegedly made by Jonathan Green way back in 1834. His writings mentioned the rules of a game he referred to as the "cheating game." A card game which was being played in riverboats all along the Mississippi River during this time. After discovering that he had assumedly made the first references to the game he chose to call it poker.

Also highly contested are the origins of the word Poker. Many dictionaries indicated that it was derived from and eighteenth century French game, poque. There are also many dictionaries that make reference to a German game known as pochspiel. Others say it may have originated from the Hindu word, pukka.

The game of video poker was made possible by of the invention of the computer chip, thus its origins can be traced back to the mid 1970's. The actual term "video poker" is used to refer to the many variations of the original poker game.

Video poker is a combination of slot machines and the normal five-card draw poker game. The obvious differences are that video poker is played against a machine apposed to humans. The primary goals are still the same - to achieve the certain hands indicated on the payout table for the particular game you are playing. Each game may have unique rules and payoffs, but all are played in a comparable manner based on the original poker game.


How to play Video Poker at Las vegas casino

Playing video poker requires only a basic understanding of the makeup of various poker hands. The game play itself is simple yet understanding exactly which cards to hold or discard will take practice and knowledge.

When beginning play chooses the coin size you want to play.

Then choose exactly how many coins you want to bet.

Then all you need to do is click deal to start a game.

Your first hand of cards will then be displayed in the play area on your screen. Make sure you look them over carefully. You should evaluate the cards in your hand and compare them with the payout schedule on your screen. Any winning hands will be indicated on the payout schedule and, if you have automatic hold enabled, the cards will automatically be kept for you.

In power poker you will be able to hold an entire column of cards by clicking on the card in that row in the first hand and unselect a column of cards by clicking on that card again. Each time you choose to keep a card a bar saying held will be displayed across the card.

Hold the cards that can potentially give you the highest payout.

Click the draw button to get your new cards. If your cards make up a winning hand you will be offered an opportunity to double your money or to collect your winnings.

If you have won, the game will offer you an additional opportunity to increase your winnings by participating in a doubling phase.

The allow double option in the options menu of the game, is on by default. This toggles the doubling option on or off, so you can choose the option you want. If this option is not turned on the game will not allow you to double on a winning hand.

The doubling option gives you a chance to increase your winnings. After completing a winning hand you will be given the chance to double the payout, or to collect your winnings. The double and collect buttons will be highlighted. To collect your winnings, click the collect button. The game will then be finished and you will have a chance to play again. If you want to try and win even more, click the double button.

When you click the double button, the cards will be removed from the screen and a further five cards will replace them. The dealers' card will be exposed, while the remaining four cards will be left face down. Select one of the faces down cards by clicking on it. The four cards will be revealed and the card you selected will be highlighted. If the card you chose has a denomination greater than that of the dealers' card, you will win an amount double that of your original payout. You will then be given the chance to double your payout again or to collect your winnings. If your chosen card is of an equal denomination, it is a tie, and you will have a chance to collect your original winnings or to double up. If the card you chose is of a lesser denomination, you lose and will not receive any payout.

Once you have collected your winnings you can begin another hand by clicking on the deal button.

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