November 07, 2009
November 07, 2009
South Africa To Join Online Bingo Phenomenon
Tsogo Sun partners with Dragonfish. Read the full story at http://www.classicasinos.com/news/BingoNews/ns_03102009_324.html
British Nationals Arrested In Bingo Bust
Six Britons were arrested in Turkey for playing a charity game of bingo. Read the full story at http://www.classicasinos.com/news/BingoNews/ns_23122008_115.html
Understanding Online Casino Dice Games
Dice games are games of chance. The lure of dice games begins much before players are even aware of gambling. Games like Monopoly and Cluedo have pumped up generations of children. Therefore it is natural for players to have an affinity for online casino dice games. Online casinos offer two dice games. One is craps and the other is sic bo. Craps is the better known of the two games. Not only is it a standard fixture in land based casinos
but has been popularized in movies and on television. On the other hand sic bo is a game of Asian origin and therefore considered to be part of an alien culture. This makes craps the first choice online dice game for many new players. However new players soon realize that sic bo is a simpler game to understand. In sic bo players bet on either the combination of numbers appearing on the faces of the dice or the dice totals. What is more important is that each bet is settled in a single roll. At the end of every roll players have either won or lost their wager. Bets are not carried forward. On the other hand in craps the more commonly placed wagers are carried forward and settled over a number of rolls. Players have to come to terms with concepts like come out rolls
points
right bettors
wrong bettors
buying bets and laying bets. Therefore though sic bo is an alien game it is much simpler to figure out. However
new players must understand that it is neither the familiarity nor the simplicity that should be the factors that dictate where they should wager. If they go by these factors they are bound to lose money and lose quite heavily. The only criterion for wagering is the long term return that the bets provide. Bets that have high house edges provide lower long term returns and bets that have low house edges provide higher long term returns. Therefore new players must look at the house edges of the various bets offered in craps and sic bo. There are two benchmarks that players can use as house edges. One is the house edges offered by blackjack and video poker games
which is around 0.5%. This is assuming best play
something that new players may not be capable of delivering. The second benchmark is the house edge offered by online slots games
which is about 5%. This does not require any strategy and is achievable by all players alike. Hence new players looking at online dice games should touch only those bets that offer a house edge of less than 5%. Unfortunately sic bo has only two such wagers. These are the Small and Big bets. The Small bet wins on totals of 4 to 10
except for triples. The Big bet wins on totals of 11 to 17
except for triples. Both bets pay even money and have a house edge of 2.78%. Hence players who are attracted to sic bo for whatever reason should stick only to these two wagers. Players who are looking at single roll wagers in craps have even less choice. The only bet that they can look at is the Field bet. This bet wins if the next number rolled is 2
3
4
9
10
11 or 12. This bet has a house edge of 2.7% but only under certain payout conditions. These are that one of 2 or 12 pays out at 2 to 1 and the other at 3 to 1. There are many multiple roll bets in craps that have house edges of less than 5%
but then new players have to be prepared to make an effort to understand the intricacies involved. Articles from Casino Advisor
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November 05, 2009
Neighbors of Zero Bet in Casino roulette
Usually the bets in roulette are extremely simple. The chip is placed on a set of numbers and depending on the number of numbers in the set the payout table determines the amount won. However French roulette introduced a number of unusual bets called ‘call bets’ that are more complicated in nature. These bets involve a number of chips being wagered simultaneously at different places on the roulette layout. Some of these chips may cover single numbers
some may cover two numbers and some may cover even more numbers. Sometimes one chip is placed on a set of numbers and sometimes more than one chip is placed on a set of numbers. Therefore it is not immediately apparent as to what the payout will be. In fact the payout varies with the actual number called in the spin. Many new players who place wagers on call bets rarely bother about understanding them because the software does all the calculations. However prudent roulette players should be aware of the details. This article covers one of the most common call bets
the neighbors of zero. The neighbors of zero bet does not follow the layout on the roulette table but follows a continuous sequence of numbers on the roulette wheel of which zero is at the center. The full sequence consisting of 17 numbers is 22
18
29
7
28
12
35
3
26
0
32
15
19
4
21
2 and 25. However the bets have to be placed on the layout. Therefore this sequence is broken into splits (2 numbers)
trios (three numbers) and corners (4 numbers) and nine chips of equal denomination are wagered. Two chips are placed on the 0
2
3 trio; one each on the 4
7 split
the 12
15 split
the 18
21 split
the 19
22 split and the 32
35 split and two chips on the 25
26
28
29 corner. If each chip is $1
then the question that needs to be answered is what will the neighbors of zero bet of $9 payout? Splits payout 17 to 1
trios payout 11 to 1 and corners payout 8 to 1. Hence the payouts for all possibilities can be listed.
If any of the 20 numbers not in the given sequence are called then the payout is zero and the player loses $9. If any of 0
2 or 3 are called the player receives a payout of 11 to 1. Since his wager on the trio was $2
he will receive $22 and be returned his original wager of $2. He will lose the remaining $7 of his original wager. Hence his net win will be $15. If any of 25
26
28 or 29 are called the player receives a payout of 8 to 1. Since his wager on the corner was $2
he will receive $16 and be returned his original wager of $2. He will lose the remaining $7 of his original wager. Hence his net win will be $9. If any of the numbers from the five splits are called the player receives a payout of 17 to 1. Since his wager on each split was $1
he will receive $17 and be returned his original wager of $1 for that split and lose the remaining $8 of his original wager. Hence his net win will be $9. Complicated as the neighbors of zero bet may seem
it has the same house edge as any other bet in this version of roulette. Therefore this bet is neither more favorable nor less favorable than any other bet
it is only different. The above explanations are based on a European wheel that has only a ’0′. Articles from Casino Advisor
Downloading Vegas Technology Software
Vegas Technology software can be downloaded from the lobby of any Vegas Technology powered online casino. Clicking the download link should start the download process automatically. In some cases the player may be taken to the download page of the casino web site where the entire process is explained. The player can click the download link on this page if the process had not started earlier. Downloading and Installing Vegas Technology Software Video Tutorial: Attention: In order to view our tutorial on how to download and install Vegas Technology software you’ll need to have the Adobe Flash player installed on your computer. Get Flash
Player – Click Here var fo = new FlashObject(“template/v1/f/tutorials/vegas-technology-install-tutorial.swf”
“vegas_technology_install_tutorial”
“483″
“393″
“#000000″); fo.addParam(“quality”
“best”); fo.addParam(“allowfullscreen”
“true”); fo.addParam(“wmode”
“transparent”); fo.addParam(“menu”
“false”); fo.write(“vegas-technology-install-tutorial”); Set of Steps for Downloading and Installing Vegas Technology Software: Step #1 On clicking the download link a pop up box appears that gives the players three options. One is Cancel
which should be exercised if the player had not intended to download the software. The second option is Save. This option saves the installer on the player’s desk top and the installer then has to be clicked to initiate the installation process. The third and recommended option is Run. This directly runs the installation process from the web. Step #2 By clicking the Run button the process is initiated. The pop up box displays the progress indicating how much has been completed and also the estimated time remaining for the process. Step #3 Once Step #2 is complete a security warning is displayed on the screen. The warning gives the name of the file and the name of the Publisher. The player is asked if he is sure that he wants to run the software. In case the player has any reservations he can abort the process by clicking on the Don’t Run button. Vegas Technology is a reputed online gaming software provider and the player should have no hesitation in continuing with the process. Hence he should click the Run button. Step #4 This creates the Install Shield Wizard. The player is again given the option of canceling the download process. However he can proceed to the next step by clicking the Next button and in the next stage he should click the Install button. Once the installation is complete the software informs the player accordingly and prompts him to click on the Finish button in order to exit the Install Shield Wizard. Step #5 Clicking the Finish button in Step #4 should directly load the online casino. In case this fails to happen then players can click on the casino icon that was installed on the desktop in Step #4 in order to load the casino software. The loading of the casino can take a few minutes depending on the speed of the player’s Internet connection. Step #6 Once the casino has been loaded the player is asked to select whether he wants to play for fun or play for real money. The registration and account opening process depends on the choice made by the player. In both cases the player has to confirm acceptance of the casino terms and conditions. The player also has to confirm that he is over 21 years of age. Vegas Technology recommends the following minimum system requirements. The operating system should be Windows of at least version 98. The processor should be Pentium with at least 128 MB RAM. The screen resolution should be at least 800 x 600 pixels with minimum 256 colors. Articles from Casino Advisor
Microgaming Online Casino Tournament Interface
Online tournaments are a popular activity at Internet casinos. All online gaming software providers build in tournament structures into their software. However
online tournaments are inherently different from normal wagering at Internet casinos. The major factor in online tournaments is that the players performance is judged relative to the performances of other players. In normal wagering other players do not come into the equation at all. In normal wagering the player chooses his own bankroll
small or large
whereas in online tournaments the starting stack is fixed according to the rules of the tournament. Rebuy tournaments allow players to replenish their chip stacks for a fee. In normal wagering the player can wager for how long he wants whereas online tournaments usually stipulate a time frame for each player. The
se differences necessitate that different parameters are tracked by players in online tournaments and they require different information so as to be able to make the best decisions. Microgaming understands this very well and therefore provides a slightly different screen for their games during tournament play. The basic game functions as usual
only the additional information required is provided in a clear and concise manner. This article explains the more important of the features that are tracked during tournaments and that appear in the Microgaming tournament interface. This interface appears in three columns on the left-hand side of the bottom toolbar. Win Box: The Win Box appears in the left-most column just below the alias of the player. The amount of coins that are won in the tournament by the player
which decide his position in the leader board is displayed here. Coins: This is displayed just below the Win Box. The amount displayed here represents the chip balance available with the player for wagering. Once this is used the player will need to rebuy. Play Time: The Play Time is displayed in the middle column just above the game statistics and options buttons. In online tournament each player is given a fixed time to wager. The Play Time indicates the amount of time left for the player to complete his participation in the online tournament. Once the play time reaches zero the tournament session will automatically close. The right-most column shows three tabs each of which provides relevant information of the players position vis--vis other players. My Place: My Place displays the players rank on the leader board with the players immediately above and below him. It also displays the amount won by him. Top 5: Top 5 displays the rank
names and balances of the top five players in the tournament and gives the player and idea of how many more chips he needs to accumulate in order to figure in the top five. Show in Window: The Show in Window link takes the player to the complete leader board in a different window. Since the number of players in an online tournament can run into several hundreds or even thousands the complete leader board is split into a number of pages that can be navigated using the arrows. The information displayed includes the players position
alias
coins and win box. Where am I?: In case the player wants to locate his entry on the full leader board described above he can have to scroll through a large number of pages. In order to save him time Microgaming has incorporated a “Where am I?” link on the first page itself that will take the player directly to his entry. Articles from Casino Advisor
Understanding eCOGRA Audit Reports
All online casinos get their games audited for fairness by reputed independent agencies. This is not only a requirement imposed by their licensing authority but also serves to demonstrate to their customers that they are operating a fair business. eCOGRA is one of the most commonly used agencies by online casino operators. Their reports are usually displayed in the public domain by the online casinos. Players who are just starting out at online gambling should take a look at these reports and understand what they imply. There are three sets of certificates that are given by eCOGRA. The first certificate is issued after to the initial audit. This certificate asserts that eCOGRA is satisfied that the games are fair
the casino operates honestly and behaves responsibly and monetary deposits are safe. The second set of certificates pertains to the Random Number Generator in the various online casino games. These certificates are issued separately for blackjack
roulette and video poker. The certificates pertain to a six month period. All the outcomes in all the games during the six month period are analyzed by eCOGRA for randomness based on standard statistical tests. The certificates state that the Random Number Generator guarant
ees that each card in blackjack and video poker and each number on the roulette wheel have an equal chance of being selected. The most important and useful a report is the Percentage Payout Review. This is conducted on a monthly basis by eCOGRA. The report displays average percentage payouts for various game categories. The report states “The figures reflect the percentage of total player unit winnings to the total unit amount wagered by the players in the month under review.” The data is presented for the following categories: all games
slot games
table games and poker games. The individual categories are the important ones and merit separate discussion. It needs to be first clarified that these figures are the actual average percentage payouts obtained during the month. They need not reflect the theoretical payouts of the games based on the mathematics involved on the configuration of the games. However
in games that do not require players to make decisions apart from the amount wagered the actual payouts and the theoretical payouts will not differ significantly. The average percentage payout for slot games at Platinum Play casino was found to be 95.60% in September 2009. This means that for every $100 wagered on slot games players were paid out $95.60 and the casinos retained $4.40. Given the nature of slot games
where no player decisions are required
players can expect this kind of return from slot games. The poker games referred to are the video poker games. The report indicates an average percentage payout of 99.51%. This needs further elaboration. Video poker games require strategic decisions from the players. Players who are able to make optimum decisions all the time will realize average percentage payouts that are more than the specified number. However players who are not good at video poker games may realize average percentage payouts that are significantly below the reported number. Hence new players should not blindly assume that they will be able to get the return of around 99.5% on video poker games. The table games are the most difficult to decipher. They usually include games like roulette and craps in which no strategic decisions are required. They also include games like blackjack in which players decisions play a major role in determining the average payout ratio. Hence it would be unwise to draw any conclusions about individual games from this report. As players continue to wager at an online casino they should make it a practice to check out the Percentage Payout Review and follow the trend. If nothing else it would give them satisfaction that they are wagering at an online casino that is fair to its customers. Articles from Casino Advisor
Parlay launches TV bingo in Canada
Bingo software supplier Parlay Entertainment has signed a deal with (CGTV) to allow Candians to play bingo and casino games on their televisions. The CGTV cable channel will allow Canadian players to play free games
including bingo
blackjack
video poker
slot machines and skill games. They will be able to play at www.cgtvcanada.com. Allan Weinrib
Senior Director [...]
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October 31, 2009
888ladies Bingo Cruise 2008
You and a loved one could be escaping the chill this November 2008 and setting sail on a thrilling luxury cruise in the Caribbean Islands
and this is not just any cruise… it’s the 20th annual World Championship Bingo Tournament & Gaming Cruise! Read the full story at http://www.classicasinos.com/Bingo_Promotions/888ladies_Cruise_2008.html
New 888ladies Bingo Sign-on Bonus
You don’t need any beginners’ luck at 888ladies cos the pampering begins right away! 888ladies is giving you 5 pounds free upon registration (no deposit required!) plus a 150% Deposit Bonus on your first 10 pounds – that’s 20 pounds for immediate play! Read the full story at http://www.classicasinos.com/Bingo_Promotions/new_888ladies_signon_bonus.html
Win yourself a very Merry Christmas
5
000 to fill your stockings this Xmas! Read the full story at http://www.classicasinos.com/Bingo_Promotions/888ladies_Xmas_shopping.html
New Special Sessions at High Roller’s Room
Starting this Monday 20th
BingoHall High Roller’s room will host special promo Happy Mondays! Read the full story at http://www.classicasinos.com/Bingo_Promotions/New_Special_Sessions_High_Rollers.html
Pennsylvania Legislators Evaluates Approval of casino games
Legislators in Pennsylvania are still reviewing on whether or not they will allow casino in the state. Lawmakers are still not decided on the licensing cost and tax rate for the casino games.
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October 16, 2009