Friday, September 19, 2008

Casino Entertainment Basics

Casinos have recently been popular as locations for movies like “Oceans 11”, however slot machines and roulette tables have been identified with them since long. Besides all other things casinos are excellent one-stop locations for a variety of entertainment options. People believe casinos attract famous name entertainment found only in large cities or exclusive shows nowhere else found.

Short-term performances hosted by casinos; include pop groups in between their tours or permanent or extended run shows. Latest trend being, to build larger million dollar theaters, designed specifically for a single show.

Some acts are associated pretty closely with casinos. Penn & Teller, Cirque du Soleil, and David Copperfield though also known for TV shows and live performances, are yet still known for their casinos only. To get a newer audience base casinos are looking for more entertainment options. Cabarets though shall remain as a prominent option Broadway shows are troop setting up at casinos.

Family oriented options are also being tried as an option and are becoming popular, as some casinos are eager to be known as destinations for family vacation. A lot of shows with high adult content have been modified to make them acceptable for a younger audience also.

However casinos shall always keep there original moneymaking shows intact, despite all the changes creeping in. Big name singers like Celine Dion and Elton John are joining the band of performers, signing long-term contracts with casinos. Sports fans gathering for boxing shows remain a constant Friday night fixture. Showgirls and casinos shall always be one steady relationship.

It is seen as an extension to the existing work they are doing. This can be technically termed as value addition or sales promotion. Whatever one may call it but the fact remains that the sole purpose of this exercise is to get the masses to the casinos. Many of the casinos are trying to create the scenes of the past in front of the customers giving them a nostalgic sense. So you might end up sitting with the pharos at the dinner table or might be found playing with the dukes and the duchess’.

The major shows in the world are coming to the casinos. This is not only popularizing the casino culture but also vitalizing the experience of the customers who come to seek entertainment with betting. The pricing of these has been made affordable to attract more and more people from the various strata of the society. Incentives to the children are acting as promotional methods and are very successful. Adding to all these are the glamorous events like boxing fixtures etc. that take place at the gambling hubs.

All one can imagine is that the gambling related travel becoming the mainstay of tourism. If so happens the whole world will have to change their brochures and include entertainment providing casinos as their Unique Selling Proposition. Gambling is here to stay and the more glamorous it is made the more following it will have. if you can bring them to the casino you can make them throw some money on the table.

Casino Psychology

Casinos don’t gamble! But their guests do. The decor and ambiance of a casino is not a gamble that maybe the guests will like it. Everything is well thought out and designed to encourage the casino guests to stay and enjoy themselves. So what are these little gems which keep casinos hitting the jackpot and getting people through their doors?

Any visitor to Las Vegas or a large casino around the world will realise that once they walk through the doors they exit reality and enter a luxurious dreamland. The flashing lights and bright colours get would be gamblers into a trance/euphoric state. So how can a casino be designed in such a way that it encourages people to gamble more and for longer?

By playing the tables in Las Vegas or other large casinos it can be disorienting experience. This is due to the lack of clocks and natural daylight. No watches on dealers, no windows but fresh oxygen, bright lights and the chance to win a million and change your life forever. Players are not able to distinguish between night and day inside the heart of a casino.

Some casinos offer free drinks and snacks to keep players happy so that they are unlikely to move from where they are. Extra oxygen being pumped in to some casinos helps keep players alert and wide awake into the early hours of the morning. I have also heard that pheromones have allegedly been released from US machines to encourage aggressive gambling. But this seems a bit overambitious.

There's nothing like an almost win to encourage a player to keep putting coins into the slot machine or laying their chips on the table. An almost win will get a player to over-estimate their chances of winning. I suppose they think oh! I almost won if I play a bit longer this machine is going to pay out! When a gambler feels their skill can influence the outcome of the game like: throwing the dice they get a feeling of control and power which develops that keeps them gambling longer.

There is also the option of loyalty cards. Sun International has the (Most Valued Guest) MVG card and other casinos have their own version of something similar. From them the casino staff gets to know more about their regular players. What they like, how regularly they play, which of the machines is their favourite, what they like to eat and drink on the floor, when they have won and when its their birthday so they can be made a fuss over. The more you play the better discounts you get. Ideally players want to progress to something like a gold card where they get the biggest discounts and are the first to be invited to big tournaments.

If you get enough points on your card players are then entitled to lots of vouchers for free meals, free transport, free entertainment, free drinks and even free hotel rooms. I am sure it is the pleasure and power principle which keeps people coming back to casinos.

US Casino History

The casino in the United States has a long and often illustrious history. Gambling plays a part in American history from the beginning of the colonies, in the lore of the Wild West, in the history of the underground bars during prohibition, and more. Laws concerning gambling have changed over time, with growing prohibitions against gambling followed by a relaxing of laws.

Attitudes toward gambling varied in the early American colonies. Puritan-founded colonies, not surprisingly, disapproved most strongly of all forms of dice, cards and gaming. Colonies founded by the English were quite tolerant of gambling, and it was treated as an innocent pastime. By the early 1800’s, gambling, and even gaming houses, or casinos, had evolved in the newly founded United States. New Orleans, in particular, was a center for gambling, and casinos and saloons in New Orleans evolved games we still link with the old west, including poker and blackjack.

During the California gold rush, gambling was both legal and widespread, as government offices regulated and licensed the saloon and the casino. Faro, bluff, and dice games were popular. While New Orleans had been the gambling capital of America forty years earlier, San Francisco replaced it as the main site for gambling and casinos due to the free flowing gold of the California gold rush.

During the period between the late 1850's and early 1900's, California progressively criminalized gambling. It remained legal in Nevada until 1910; however, the casino never reached the glory in Nevada that it had in San Francisco. Gambling was also criminalized elsewhere in the country during this period. Needless to say, gambling did continue, but it was a phenomenon kept behind closed doors. During the era when gambling was widely illegal, casinos remained in operation in speakeasies, private clubs, and more.

Gambling once again began to be legalized in 1931, starting with Nevada. During the 1930's, some 21 states legalized racetrack gambling. Gambling continued in Nevada, and with low stakes bingo elsewhere. Casinos began to spring up in Atlantic City, NJ in the late 70's. In 1987, the Supreme Court made a fundamental decision allowing gambling on Native American reservations, and in the years since, casino gambling has spread throughout the country with modern and thriving casinos in many states. Riverboat casinos began to spring up on major rivers in many states during the same period, bringing gambling full circle to its early roots with riverboat gamblers on the mighty Mississippi in the early 1800's.

Casino Surrender

Boyd Gaming Legendary Stardust Resort & Casino First To Offer Innovative Blackjack Game in Las Vegas

Casino Gaming, LLC officially launched a new Blackjack game called “Casino Surrender” that is now available at the Stardust Resort & Casino. Casino Surrender is a Blackjack winning option that forces the casino to surrender, making a player an automatic winner against the house.

Casino Surrender does not change the traditional game of Blackjack. When playing Casino Surrender, normal Blackjack rules apply but with an additional winning option. That option applies when: a player is dealt a two-card 20 and the dealer’s up card is a 10-value card and the dealer does not have Blackjack; that player now has the winning option to force the casino to surrender and automatically win by keeping the original bet and in addition, winning half the amount of the original bet.

For example, a player bets $100 and is dealt a two-card 20. If the dealer’s up card is a 10-value card and the dealer does not have Blackjack, that player has the option to force the casino to surrender and win. Therefore the player keeps the original $100 bet and wins $50.

This new option is similar to the Insurance option currently available, but is a better percentage bet for the player.

“We believe Blackjack players, informed with the facts, would choose to sit at a Blackjack table with Casino Surrender instead of a standard Blackjack table because players will have the option to consider taking Casino Surrender at no additional risk,” said Frank Mugnolo, developer and owner of Casino Surrender. “It is the same ‘traditional’ Blackjack game with an added option for winning. The Blackjack layout for Casino Surrender is exactly the same as the regular Blackjack layout with an added ‘Casino Surrender’ logo printed on it.”

When playing Blackjack, and the dealer’s up card is a 10-value card, the player has to assume that the dealer has 20. Statistics show that when a player has a two-card 20 and is facing a dealer’s 10-value card, the players will lose or push almost 50 percent of the time. With Casino Surrender, the player now has a 100 percent assured winning option against the house when facing a dealer’s 10-value card without the hand being Blackjack.

Finding Casino Jobs

Conducting a casino job search is very similar to conducting any other type of job search. The first thing you need to do is determine what kind of work you are looking for and where you would like to work.

Many casinos are located in Las Vegas or Atlantic City, but these are not the only places where you can find casino work. If you have the freedom to relocate to take a casino job, this means that you can consider more opportunities, but you may be able to find work at a location near you, too.

Once you have an idea of what type of work you are interested in and where you would like to work, you need to make sure your resume is up to date. Even if you have spent some time on it recently, take another look to see where you can make a point of mentioning any hospitality or customer service experience you have.

Casinos are looking for staff members who are interested in providing exemplary customer service, and who are comfortable interacting with guests from many types of backgrounds. No two days working at a casino will be the same, and it takes a certain kind of person to be as polite at the end of a shift as when they arrived for work.

The Internet can be a wonderful tool for job seekers. If there is a specific casino you are interested in, you can surf over to that company's web site to see available positions. You will either be asked to submit an online form or to apply by e-mail.

Do make a point of applying for a job in the way the prospective employer specifies. Being able to follow instructions is an important part of working in a casino and failure to do so may mean that your application will not be considered.

Another option when looking for casino work online is to check one of the major job boards, such as Monster. To get an idea of what positions are available, simply type the word "casino" into the search box and press "Enter." You also have the option of searching for a specific job title using the word "casino" as a keyword. These sites will also let you narrow your search to a certain location so you are not seeing search results outside of your target area.

An employment agency may be able to help you find work at a casino as well. Since the agency screens applicants before sending them on to an interview with the employer, you may find it easier to get hired by using this method. Consider working for a casino through an agency on a temporary basis; this gives you the chance to show the casino management what you can do, and it also gives you the opportunity to decide whether that is the right working environment for you.

When it comes to looking for work, at a casino or in any other industry, don't discount the value of good, old-fashioned networking. Tell everyone you know that you are interested in getting a job at a casino and what kind of work you are looking for. If anyone gives you a tip about somewhere you should be looking, make a point of following up on it quickly. If you wait too long, you may find the position you are interested in is already filled.

There are many ways to search for work in a casino. Why don't you try a combination of techniques to increase your chances of being hired?

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Gambling in casinos

In most jurisdictions worldwide, gambling is limited to persons over the age of license (18 or 21 years of age in most of the United States and 16 to 21 in most other countries where casinos are permitted).

Customers gamble by playing slot machines or other games of chance (e.g., craps, roulette, baccarat) and some skill (e.g., blackjack, poker) (for more see casino games). Games usually have mathematically-determined odds that ensure the house has at all times an advantage over the players. This can be expressed more precisely by the notion of expected value, which is uniformly negative (from the player's perspective). This advantage is called the house edge. In games such as poker where players play against each other, the house takes a commission called the rake. Casinos often give out free items, known as comps to people who are gambling. Often, in most casinos, the more money a player uses the more benefits or comps the player get.

History of casion

The precise origin of gambling is unknown. The Chinese recorded the first official account of the practice in 2300 B.C., but it is generally believed that activity of gambling, in some way or another, has been seen in almost every society in history. From the Ancient Greeks and Romans to Napoleon's France and Elizabethan England, much of history is filled with stories of entertainment based on the games of chance.

In American history, early casinos were originally known as saloons. The creation and importance of saloons was greatly influenced by four major cities; New Orleans, St. Louis, Chicago and San Francisco. It was in the saloons that travelers could find people to talk to, drink with, and often gamble with. During the early 20th century in America, gambling became outlawed and banned by state legislation and social reformers of the time. However, in 1931, gambling was legalized throughout the state of Nevada, and Las Vegas, presently known as "Sin City", spawned America's first official casinos. Soon after, in the state of New Jersey, Atlantic City joined the Casino industry in 1978 to become America's second largest gambling city.

Casino

A casino is, in the modern sense of the word, a facility that houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are known for hosting live entertainment events, such as stand-up comedy, concerts, and sporting events

History of the term casino

The term "Casino" originally meant a small villa, summerhouse or pavilion built for pleasure, usually on the grounds of a larger Italian villa or palazzo. There are examples of such casinos at Villa Giulia and Villa Farnese. In modern day Italian, this term designates a bordello (also called "casa chiusa", literally "closed house"), while the gambling house is spelled casinò with an accent.

One of the first known casinos was established in Venice around 1638. During the 19th century, the term "casino" came to include other public buildings where pleasurable activities, including gambling, and sports took place. An example of this type of building is the Newport Casino in Newport, Rhode Island.

Not all casinos were used for gaming. The Copenhagen Casino was a theatre, known for the use made of its hall for mass public meetings during the 1848 Revolution which made Denmark a constitutional monarchy. Until 1937 it was a well-known Danish theatre.The Hanko Casino located in Hanko, Finland - one of that town's most conspicuous landmarks - was never used for gambling. Rather, it was a banquet hall for the Russian nobility which frequented this spa resort in the late 1800s, and is presently used as a restaurant.


American Gambling Basics

Casinos have always been a destination for the wealthy and the famous, however, these days they are hoping to be a regular stopover. But the gambling cannot be confined to one spot. However gone are the days when Las Vegas was the all and all destination for serious gambling.

The success of Las Vegan model inspired a lot of other states to legalize the concept of gambling resorts and palatial casinos as sources of churning hefty revenues.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 was path breaking in more then one way. Not only did it permitted casinos on land controlled by Indians, but it also proved to be the forerunner of a plethora of other laws aimed at liberalizing gambling scenario of the nation.

The act injected much needed money into the sagging and cash deprived economies of the states and was by and large successful on doing so simultaneously also providing a large number of jobs.

Another concept that soon emerged on the scene was that of River boat Gambling. Though the name strikes all the right chords in the heart and creating images of garishly decorated boats moving to and fro on the river Mississippi and other inland waterways. However there is one twist to the tale. While yes the boats are with the most exquisite of the Victorian decoration and to stir up a lot of chords, but they never leave the docks!! Thus they are nothing but casinos on water. While the rules in actuality vary from state to state and in some states such casino boats are actually allowed to cruise through water also. !!

The busy life of the up town leaves people with hardly any opportunity to have exclusive gaming holidays. The entire country of US today can be traversed with al the fun and frolic a gambler would ever want. The acts of different states though are a bit different. Starting with the northeastern experience there are various reasons that make the make state and districts such attractive destinations of gambling. The facilities available in them and what are the legal requirements for gambling in these states though vary to an extent.

Mid Atlantic is another popular destination the regulatory authorities in these states however ensure that the avenues for gaming are ample. The avenues available to any one planning a trip around the US with only one aim, and that being gambling are vast to say the least.

Gambling travel in the states can be best planned if some information which foremost includes the laws governing gambling in that state and the right places to be looked for are known. Following are the regions classified which cover the entire length and breadth of the US and to get the most out of the country’s best gambling experience each one must be paid homage to.

These include:

  • Northeast
  • Mid-Atlantic
  • Southeast
  • South Central
  • Midwest
  • North Central
  • Central Plains
  • Southern Plains
  • Northwest
  • Western
  • Nevada

Any plan should make sure that best of the above-mentioned are covered in totality.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Jaime Gold – Grand Prize Winner

2006 World Series Of Poker

Not so very long ago poker was just another card game, but not anymore. Poker has evolved – thanks to The World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour – into what might almost be considered a “sport” attracting unprecedented player participation, and literally “legions” of fans.

Just think of it, this 2006 World Series of Poker enjoyed the highest player participation in its 37 years of tournament existence, and the prize money was phenomenal. Chip leader Jaime Gold, of Malibu, California left the tournament with a record-setting $12 million dollars in prize money. However, he may not keep much of it. Part of his winnings – it is rumored up to 50% - will be claimed by Bodog, the online gaming company that reportedly advanced Gold’s $10,000 dollar entry fee, and perhaps other expenses. Jaime’s coach, the legendary WSOP poker champion Johnny Chan (ten WSOP Bracelets), is reportedly due 10% or $1.2 million dollars for his efforts, and what about the $1 million dollars Jaime said he would give to the dealers if he won the tournament ?

All told, that would leave Gold just shy of four million dollars – before taxes.

The 2006 World Series of Poker Tournament ran from June 26th to August 11th at Harrah’s All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The Tourney had a total prize pool of $82,676,084 million dollars. Twelve of the over 8,000 entrants into the Tournament took home over one million dollars apiece. They were:

* Paul Wasicka $6,102,499
* Mike Binger $4,123,310
* Allen Cunnigham $3,628,513
* Rhett Butler $3,216,182
* Richard Lee $2,803,851
* Douglas Kim $2,391.520
* Erik Friberg $1,979,189
* Don Friberg $1,566,858
* Fred Goldberg $1,154,527
* Lief Force $1,154,527
* John Magill $1,154,529

The 2006 WSOP Tournament enjoyed vast exposure. In addition to extensive television and newspaper coverage in the U.S. the games were covered by no less than several hundred reporters representing the newspapers of some twenty foreign countries who diligently tracked the progress of players at the event’s 200 poker tables.

Now, poker may not really be a sport, but playing in a major tournament is undoubtedly a real test of one’s mental endurance and physical stamina. Veteran players are well aware that the long hours of play and the tension accompanying big-stakes poker takes its toll.That is why massage therapists roamed the tournament floor during the 2006 WSOP. That is why some players arrived early to go through a stretching regimen. Experienced tourney players drink copious amounts of water and eat fruit and other nutritious foods to flush the system and supply energy. The smart ones avoid alcoholic beverages, knowing that staying alert and refreshed is a key factor in winning or losing. Being in shape and ready, like any athlete paves the road to success.

Bingo Caller

The bingo caller calls out the ball numbers as they come out of the cage in each bingo game.

In online bingo the voice is produced using special bingo caller software that can generate the right pre-recorded voice clip when the relevant ball has come out. This software allows the callers ‘voice’ to be chosen as well, and many sites have a caller that fits into their theme. A bingo caller on a US bingo game site would have an American accent, and use colloquial terms and phrases that US players can identify with. Similarly, a UK caller would have a British accent and use British slang. This software gives the game an authentic feel, which is similar to the experience of playing at a bingo hall.

The average bingo caller speaks fast and calls about 23 numbers per minute. Many callers use special bingo lingo in land-based games, especially in 90-ball UK bingo. These terms are usually centered around the numbers, such as ‘Kelly’s Eye’ for number 1, ‘Lucky Legs’ for 11, ‘Christmas Cake’ for 38 and ‘Clickety Click’ for the number 66. These terms make the game a lot of fun, but callers have to also call the number as well as the term. If the actual number is not called, this could lead to confusion or players claiming that their numbers were not called. These terms are generally not used in the online version of the game, although some caller software may incorporate this lingo into the game.

The bingo caller in land-based games also verifies winning cards. The average time to verify a winner is about 30 seconds. To ensure that they can keep up and keep the game’s momentum going, a bingo caller has to be able to speak quickly and most importantly, clearly. Words and numbers need to be carefully pronounced, as it could cause huge problems if players mishear a word, or if the numbers are mispronounced.

Being a bingo caller can be a rewarding experience. In the UK there is a Caller of the Year Competition that bingo callers can enter to win cash prizes and the opportunity to call the numbers in a Vegas casino bingo game. Winning Caller of the Year will also have the chance to become a bingo ambassador for their country. Many callers are also bingo enthusiasts, which is extremely important as they need to have an excellent understanding of the game.

Many halls recruit bingo callers. Serious players who are looking for a new challenge should consult their local bingo hall to find out if there are any bingo caller vacancies.

Price Per Head Bookmaking for Dummies

From the dawning of legal offshore gambling, came the Price per head concept …and no..it is not a cattle weight conversion project to get more dough out of your beef.

Price Per Head Agent Solution or Outsourcing Bookmaking to an Offshore Sportsbook by using online sportsbook software and technology provided by this type of companies, allows agents - credit bookmakers to outsource the writing of their business to sportsbooks or companies such as www.OldSchoolBookie.com (Contact them at 800-382-2825). How simple is it? Very… the betting agent simply points their clients to a phone number and/or website and allows them to place their sports wagers online with a simple Pin/Password system that is either chosen or provided to by the sportsbook. The gambling agent or bookmaker then pulls reports at the end of the week, and pays or collects what the client won or lost. The only money that trades hands is the money between the agent or bookmaker and the Price Per Head software provider . It is called a Price Per Head service fee also known as PPH fee.

This is a win win situation for all parties involved. The bookmaking agent and their players (package) receive abundant benefits from the Price Per Head Agent Solution

(i) improved earning potential for the agent, (ii) decreased legal exposure for the bookmaking agent, (iii) increased customer service for the gambling agent’s clients, and (iv) ability for the agent to do something other than answer wagering calls AND having to deal with figures AND trying to increase his business without having time to sit back on the pool deck with a cocktail in one hand and a cigar on the other. (they actually get time to enjoy the money they are earning…for those at home).

The number of Offshore sportsbooks operations that offer this type of development for the “Local bookie” has grown exponentially over the last twelve months with new offers sprouting daily, top of the line turnkey sportsbetting software and more and more handsome offers and promises to be the best. With so many choices, the mother of questions is: “How do I know which Price Per Head provider or sports book to choose?” “Where do I go?”

Well my little grass hopper…allow me to shed some light upon thee..

When evaluating an offshore turnkey sportbook operations , it is often difficult to actually see facts through fiction, for this reason, you must rely on the following to make a sound choice:

1. Years In Business: As you should always do when you are dealing with either your own clientle or your money (which is usually one and the same) make sure that the Company you choose for your PPH Provider has been around for at least 6 years…with a proven track record in the online gaming industry; needless to say. You must not afford to risk your clients or your sports season to a fly by night operator or ‘wanna be’ operator. Avoid new sportsbooks. We see them all time. Avoid excuberant bonus promises for your players and ridiculous promotions which you nor your players don’t really need. These marketing tricks may work for the weak at mind and bring you more evil than good.

The Real Deal:. David Brunner. Troy, CA, Agent holding 798 players, been in business for 13 years : “I have been around for some time. The PPH concept has been there since the beginning of time. Don’t let your self be led by the next Tom, Dick or Harry that crosses the street saying that he came up with the Price per Head concept. The trick to a turnkey sportsbetting business is not the fee you pay. It is keeping your players satisfied. I know for a fact that my players remain with me out of the relationship I have built with them. They trust me, hence they trust where I lead my onshore gambling business and they WILL follow. Big is never good. I have learned through painful experience that a big over-rated online sports book and casino service is not necessarily a good thing or a good place to put your moneys worth. They don’t treat your bookmaking business with the same respect as you do. They often will see you and your players as just another account number….another onshore bookie out of the pile. They see you as another market, another onshore betting agent they need to lure and conquer and will try to take your players and flush you out. Try to lean for a more conservative price per head operation …they understand that this market is not one you want to lead a head on battle with. They respect your work and your business and treat you with the professionalism you and your players deserve and expect. They will give you the availability to grow…YOU have the edge. Time in business is a must. Proven track record does not necessarily mean a flashy logo of some 2 wit “watchdog organization”. Believe me there are more than one of those out there endorsing their own book. Their own book??? Yes…their own offshore sportsbook…that’s right boys and girls…there are these so called watchdog or betting organizations which where created and owned by the same sportsbooks and casinos they so gleefully refer and endorse. Do your homework…a nice gold seal of approval from the somethingnot betting association of never never land is not necessarily a company touched by God.”

2. Location: This should be the first thing you do…Make sure that the PPH provider you choose is Legally Licensed and Bonded in the Country it claims to be in.

3. Reputation/Integrity: DO YOUR HOMEWORK….we are talking about YOUR business here = your money. I can never stress this enough…don’t believe everything you see (or read for that matter). There are several ways to run checks on the Offshore Sportsbooks and offshore per head services at hand. There are some verifiable and known sources: The Prescription, Bettors World, etc. Yet as mentioned before…be carefull. Not all is good and true . Google the Company in question. Check Internet Casino and sportsbook blacklists, there are hundreds of posting forums and Blogs out there with VERY useful information on the offshore gaming and casino industry.

The crem de le crem – Walter Fox, Full time bookie. Currently has 3 packages, over 1250 players. Patterson, NJ: “One of the hardest things to find when you are outsorcing your bookmaking business is someone who treats your business as their own. Size of the agent credit sportsbook and their reputation is always good…but not a must. As an offshore sportsbetting business grows..the big men behind it all become greedy. They tend to grow and grow…and at just the right time…sell out. There are tons of perfect examples out there, the companies you hear the most about, yes children, those were sold out, bought out, and merged. This is very common particularly in the sportsbetting offshore industry …companies being bought out by other companies which in return are bought out by yet another larger firm…and so forth down the line…its the Circle of life in the Corporate world. But as an internet gambling business changes from hand to hand so does the way it is managed. The staffing changes, policies change, Prices on fees or any special treatment that you may have had where thrown out the window…they threw a monkey wrench in your whole operation and your players are stuck in the middle of this whole mess. Where as a conservative price per head bookmaking operation…you see them, they go from season to season…and their quality of service never diminishes, their packages, their fees, their staffing….they remain the best in the industry…consider it as a family business..and you are part of that family.

The offshore online gambling industry now a days has grown to such proportions that its not like the old days where you saw small tiny offshore sports betting books sprouting like weeds in a garden left and right. Back then you had to be careful where you went because there was no telling what would happen to you and your players. But times have changed and its easy to spot a fly by night betting offshore operation with a wishy washy service…they rarely last through the 1st season. Go for the safe way…they are out there and when you do find a good price per head turnkey service stick to it like a bad habbit, you and your business will grow rather, when a company is tied to a loser post-up sportsbook, you know what to expect for your clients.”

4. Service / Offerings: Most turnkey sportsbooks now are open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, 365-days a year. If not they will remain open untill the last game of the day goes off the board. Reputable price per head sportsbooks will offer quarter lines, half time lines, game lines, money lines, propositions, multiple casinos, horse betting, and more. They will have internet access for your players and alternate back up sites for emergencies or problems on the main site. Their staff should be FLUENT in english. You should be able to understand the staff. An exceptionally reputable book offshore will look to accommodate your players by offering to actually hire personnel for your players language needs as is the case with OldSchool Bookie (www.oldschoolbookie.com) . Some onshore bookmakers have foreigners as part of their package and as additional service this book offers staff who can accommodate your players. You are looking for a price per head turnkey solution to better service your clients – therefore service is one of the key deciding factors on who to go with.

The who is who in the business – Jake Wesson, Floor Manager for BetEZ.com: “This isn’t rocket science…My business goes to the one who offers more options for me and my players. The more accessible the service is and the more wagering options that exist, the more money the betting agent will make. On the same note neither you nor your players should have to go through an intensive language comprehension course for foreigners. I see it time and time again.

Gambling agents that come to us and choose our per head turnkey services for their customers complain that X book has the worst english speaking clerks. They can barely understand them. I insist that every person I hire for my staff must be 100% fluent in English. Customer service is also a top prioirity for me. You may have the best english speaking clerks in the business, but if your players are getting shunned out from the customer service portion, its time for you to take your package and go elsewhere. You should consider the service mentioned above to be the minimum acceptable. Period!

5. Security: This is a MUST (needless to say) Your assets and your players should have the necessary security to continue doing business. An offshore Book that is offering you a PPH option must have safeguards and must keep your information and clients secure and anonymous. Always consider that if the company you are considering is publicly held, as is the case with most large Sportsbooks, then your security is compromised (it CAN BE accessed via the government). Integrity within the company you choose should never be left second hand. If their Integrity is at question, you can assume your data will be passed on to the wrong people.

6. The right to remain Silent - : Sammy Valeski, onshore bookmaker, 38 years in the buisiness: Security is Number ONE issue. You are moving your business off shore for convenience and lets face it….for protection. If you plan on going for the publicly traded bookmaking services offshore chances are you and your players information will be handled by more than one hand….and eventually will fall into the wrong pair of hands. Your business should not be compromised by the sportsbook solution you choose. You should have full trust in the one you are dealing with. If there is so much as an inkling of an idea that your business is being compromised, BAIL OUT!.

Roulette System To Improve Your Odds And Win More

If you've read any of my articles before, you know I always emphasize the fact that there are many viable systems for any type of gambling. Roulette is no exception. While admittedly one of the more difficult games to gain an edge in, I have found a few systems that really do make a difference. Here is an introduction to one of those systems.

The method is based on an electronic failure on a random computer program installed into internet and electronic terminals. The random program installed into these systems which distributes the numbers is only random within its probability quota.

What Does This Mean?

The random program installed into machines has number allocated occurrence probability. This means that every number is given a 1/37 chance of being drawn (0 & 18 Red 18 Black). Unlike real table roulette in a casino where a number is never guaranteed to be drawn, computer generated roulette has to provide a balance of numbers ensuring over a large total of spins each number would have been drawn a similar amount of times (within a few percent), this few percent is called the 'realistic waiver' which is supposed to add realism to computer generated roulette.

How Does This Help?

Well firstly it ensures a fair number allocation and obviously if you’re chasing a set number you know it will eventually come in. However it may not come in for 70 - 80 spins but then you will find it may come in 2-3 times within 10 spins. However this is not enough to invest money in chasing set numbers; however it compliments our FORCE THE ZERO system.

Force the Zero

This system is very simple, bear in mind the above explanation of number allocations. If you place equal bets on Red and Black every spin you will never lose any money, except for when 0 is drawn. However we have discovered a unique factor. When you keep betting Red and Black you will keep winning on color bets (even though you break even because you have bet on both Red and Black), but the computer registers a winning color bet every time so therefore we have discovered that that the color Green 0 starts to be drawn a lot more to combat the constant wins on Red and Black. Therefore bets on Green 0, Red and Black with a bet placement structure provide the basis of our system. This system has been tried and tested on numerous occasions on internet casino roulette and roulette betting terminals with fantastic results . The System also relies on target structure so that substantial profits can be made and continued.

There are four simple steps required to use this system, which I will be revealing in a future article. Until next time, I hope this information has got you salivating for roulette wins at your favorite casino!

Six Things You Should Never Do at a Casino

If you're a regular at casinos or are planning your first trip, check out this list of the top six things you should never do at an offline casino.

I never thought gambling could be so fun. The first time I ever went to a casino, the whole thing seemed a little intimidating. But, I soon found the thrill. I’m by no means a gambling addict, but I have come to love the “sport” and I’ve learn a bit about playing in a Casino along the way. Read on for a list of the top ten things you should never do at an offline casino:

1. Don’t ever believe the drinks are free. First, you’re dropping probably 20-50 bucks in the time you wait for the waitress to return. Then add her tip, usually a dollar, or she won’t be returning to see if you need a refill any time soon.

2. Don’t listen to the dealer in most cases unless he precedes his statement with “house rules”. House rules are the rules the casino has to play by (such as you should never split Kings in blackjack) and they’ve spent thousands of dollars deciding what gives them the best edge. So, a house rule is usually a good one. But, dealers are trained to make you have fun and have a good time – and to make sure you keep spending money. They may offer you “friendly advice” – but before you take any of it, ask them what the “house” would do in the same situation. Better yet, look up strategies on games like blackjack and roulette before going (You'll find a great interactive one here for online blackjack).

3. If you’re a woman, never carry a purse. Nothing brings a fanny pack back in style faster than sitting in front of a slot machine looking for somewhere to stick your purse.

4. Don’t stick around at a cold craps table. Call it superstition, call it whatever you like, but I’ve tried various craps strategies and the only sure fire thing I’ve seen happen every time I’ve played is that when the table goes “cold” (a term used to mean it starts losing a lot), it stays cold. If a craps table has a hot run and a few sevens in a row come out afterwards, pick up your chips and find a new table or grab some lunch.

5. Don’t play without your player’s card. Remember that almost all Casino’s have players cards which keep track of how much you gamble. A variation of things such as money spent per hand, time spent gambling throughout a day, etc. contribute to gaining points, but even smaller gamblers can usually score a “free” lunch after a weekend of gambling (see #1).

6. Don’t play if you’ve been drinking. By far, some of the biggest losses I’ve seen (and incurred myself) were after the player had downed a few drinks. Granted, the casinos aren’t supposed to allow obviously intoxicated customers play – but your definition or drunk and they’re definition of “obviously intoxicated” may not be the same. Gambling is like any other sport – best done when sober, possibly dangerous when not.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Sic Bo - Your Best Bet For Fun In Casino Games

I love Sic Bo. I know I shouldn’t – all the ‘serious’ gamblers out there tell me I’m wasting my time, that it’s a mug’s game.

But there’s something about the atmosphere of the game – the colors, the sounds, the lights – that really excites me.

For those who don’t already know, Sic Bo (pronounced See Bo) is an ancient Chinese game and one of the so-called Big Four games beloved of Asian and Far Eastern players. Every casino has an area set aside for its Asian clientèle. These areas are always characterized by their noisy, exciting atmosphere in which huddles of players stake vast amounts of cash on seemingly mystifying games with exotic-sounding names.

Sic Bo literally means "dice pair", but is actually played with three dice. Players have a variety of betting options on the roll of those dice. The dice are rolled in an egg-timer shaped cage to remove any suspicion of foul play. When the cage stops spinning, the results are displayed to the players, amidst much noise and confusion!

If you prefer to gamble online – as I do – you’ll find that Sic Bo is very faithfully represented. The look and feel is right and it captures the excitement very well. Not all online casinos offer Sic Bo, and there are some differences between software platforms and individual casinos. Before you play, consult a guide to online Sic Bo, such as the one at Fortune Palace which tells you what to look out for – and where to find it!

As one of the Big Four, it falls into the category of ‘Fortune’ games. To understand the games, you must understand why Asian and Far Eastern gamblers play them. Unlike the typical gambler, they are not necessarily seeking to get rich quick. Instead, they see these games as a way to test themselves against the world. To the Asian and Far Eastern player, luck is considered a moral attribute. If fortune is smiling on you, you are seen as blessed.

This explains why experienced Western gamblers stay away from Sic Bo, seeing it instead as a leisure game for wealthy ladies with no understanding of ‘real’ gambling.

But a deeper look into the odds of the game shows that good bets exist for those looking to apply one of the many betting systems devised over the centuries to take advantage of even money bets ie those with a 50% of occurring. Whilst no casino games has exactly a 50% chance, some lie close. In Sic Bo, these bets are the Big and Small bets.

Big is a bet that the total on all three dice will be 11 to 17. Small is a bet that the total will be 4-10. Neither bet wins if three dice of the same value occur – that’s where the house has its edge.

Strategists can use a system to extract a profit from Sic Bo using these bets. The most popular of these gambling systems are explained and tested at Fortune Palace.

But to me, this is missing the point of the game. As a ‘Fortune’ game, I don’t see Sic Bo as a fast track to riches, but as an enjoyable pastime and a way to see if fortune is smiling on me.

For fun in the casino, I think it’s unbeatable.

10 Best Online casinos

There are a number of online casinos where you can just log on to play the most exciting casino games. Here is a list of 10 Best Online casinos that you can play at any time and just anywhere!

1. Casino Circus- here is a casino that offers tremendously good gambling terms and different kinds of casino games. There are both types of rooms for the upper and lower limit casino players. It offers a pretty good amount of virtual games that you can play all from the ease of your home. Moreover, this casino offers a Cirrus Casino coupon, with which you can get extra bonuses too!

2. Freeware 50 Stars Casino- This casino games online can be easily downloaded from the internet and can be played at any time with fake money. You can even play with real money from the casino site itself.

3. Royal Vegas Casino- you do not need to own a fat purse if you are playing in this casino. The best Vegas casino is attracting more than 10,000 people every day. It is a paradise for people who love gambling and it offers high winning awards on initial bets.

4. Club dice Casino- it is one of the 10 Best Online casinos and here you can find some of the most interesting games and information on how to play the online games. This casino is one of the most spread out and reliable online casinos on the Internet.

5. River Belle Casino- this casino offers easy games for the beginners and even guides them how to play online casino. Learn all the pros and cons of online and offline casino and try your luck!

6. Cool Cat Online Casino- Would you like to entertain yourself at one of the 10 Best Online casinos? Then you should certainly try out Cool Cat online casino. We are sure that you will not be disappointed. You will be surprised by a wide variety of games available at Cool Cat online casino.

7. Roxy Casino- This place of leisure is considered to be one of the best gambling sites in the world. Therefore, you can try out this site and get to know more about one of the best casinos in the world. Look far and wide and you are unlikely to find a better casino than this one!

The other famous casinos among the 10 Best Online casinos are 888 Casino, Euphoria Casino and Sasino Casino.

Different Size Clay Poker Chips

There are many variations of poker chips in terms of style, weight and size on the market, but generally the ones that you see and use in the casinos are all made out of clay. Clay gives the poker chips certain feel and structure that adds a real presence, class and durability to the game of poker. 9 gram and 13.5 gram clay poker chips represent the high quality of poker chips that are available on the market today. Let’s examine these clay poker chips a little further in this article.

The clay poker chips that are used in casinos have certain requirements such as size, weight and quality. Manufacturers that sell chips to the general public make these chips of a very similar quality and upon the same guidelines as the authentic chips that are played on actual casino tables. This enables amateur and social players to have quality chips made by the best manufacturers, right in their own homes.

The normal clay chip size is 39 millimeters in diameter and weighs 11.5 grams. These are exact specifications so that each chip will be identical (unless of different color). The majority of Casinos, including those based in Vegas, tend to use chips between 9 gram and 13.5 grams according to their own needs. This keeps the chips uniform and easier to control and when different colors are used it helps players to differentiate their chips form their opponents.

There are many reasons that 13.5 gram clay is the substance preferred when it comes to poker chips. First of all, it gives the chips a solid and evenly spread weight. These chips feel smooth but heavy, and usually help players to remember the value of each chip. Clay can be imprinted to give a certain design or signature of owner which is usually what happens in Casinos – Casino branding is popular.

9g clay poker chips are professional grade poker chips that are perfectly and specifically designed to be exactly the same in style, texture, size and weight. Casinos pay a lot of money for the highest quality poker chips. These chips are custom made to have the design and look of that given casino. This is very important to all casinos; irrespective of their location.

Clay poker chips are special because they are all uniform and they look terrific. This means that they are exactly the same size and weight and the design and decorations are perfect. Abnormal chips are usually a sign of counterfeiting and fake chips from Casinos; therefore the manufacturers must be precise in their manufacturing processes. There is a lot of money riding on the quality of the chips and the level of difficulty that is applied to eradicating counterfeit practices.

Along with the size and weight, the outer coating of the poker chips is also quite important because this will prevent the decal from coming off if it is fiddled or deliberately tampered with. With high quality manufactured chips when the decal is removed, the chip should be ruined beyond repair. Therefore all clay poker chips are either played with when they are in their original state or they are removed from play altogether. It is neither easy nor cheap to produce such high quality chips but they really are a necessity for Casinos. Casinos must be confident with the quality and preservation of their chips which means that they are willing to put a lot into them.

But do not despair. Just because you are not a Casino does not mean that you cannot have casino quality 9 gram, 11 gram or 13.5 gram clay poker chips too. These chips are usually cheaper to the public because they do not have to pass through such stringent security guidelines. They will generally be made out of the same materials and taken through the same production process. And of course if you really want to, you can customize them to your liking, even with your own brand.

Casino cash comps

A lot of free online casinos will give players casino cash comps to test their software. As part of their promotion, the casino online promotions offer a no deposit gaming allowance. With all casino cash comps, you must check the casinos website for restrictions and other bet requirements. If you do not meet these requirements then I suggest you do not accept any cash comps. If the free casino cash was put into, your casino account without your request and you do not wish to accept the terms and conditions on the promotions then contact the casino support and ask them to remove the promotions with your obligations. This will allow you to cash out winnings at anytime you desire.

Casino Cash Comps are based on your theoretical losses. The casinos know that in the long run, you'll lose more than expected and at the same time, your chances of winning are few. They base their offers on the average expected results depending on the games and amount you play.

You're not going change their mathematical formulas, so there are only few things you can do to ensure that you're getting the best of what the casino marketers have offered. Inquire at the customer service center for information on how the club works. Some clubs have the same points that are used for cash back, meal comps and you'll have to choose between them at the time of redeeming your points. At other clubs, you will accumulate cash points and comp points separately.

Don't bet more than you normally would just for the sake of casino cash comps. Play your normal amount and take whatever comes your way, but you must know that if you chase comps with extra bets, a "free" meal or room can wind up costing more than if you had paid it yourself.

Take advantage of direct mail offers that are being offered almost all the time. The goal of casino cash comps is to encourage you to come back. Some of the most generous casino offers come through the mail--bonus cash, bonus slot club points, free meals, free tournaments, free or discounted rooms and more. The offers often have restricted dates and expiration dates. If you can manage, plan your trip accordingly for days that you can use the direct mail offers. Always try to combine offers. Sometimes you'll get multiple mailings from the same casino, and their offers will overlap. I once received an offer from a casino where I had played a bit earlier, but never stayed back for a free room. Just an entry into a video poker tournament, ensured me another mailing from the same casino, offering triple slot club points and a $50 food credit. As I was planning a trip anyway, it was too good to let go.

Casino Games Mastering Software

Casino on-line. How can computer programs help a player ?

In real casinos the use of computers and different electronic facilities is forbidden (though some casinos allow to use, for example notebook PCs while playing the roulette). In on-line casinos the situation is quite different – the very game is played by using a computer, and it is very difficult to forbid the use the support programs here. A question arises whether a player is capable to get the advantage over casinos using computer programs.

Training programs: One of the most wide spread types of casino programs are training programs. A novice acquires an opportunity to practice the casino game, familiarize with rules, controls and possibilities of the game. Video-poker and BlackJack programs are devised to teach the basic strategy of the game. They give prompts if the player makes decisions different from optional decisions. If players wants they can find programs helping train the card counting. Therefore training programs will be of use both for on-line and off-line players.

Analyzing programs: The next type of programs are analyzing programs. Normally, such programs are developed for casino games with wide range of rules and basic strategy (for example for video-poker and Black Jack). The main aim of such programs is the calculation of mathematic expectation, dispersion and basic strategy of the game. Black Jack programs can provide coefficients for popular counting systems. Such programs infrequently have a training module or the represent a package together with a training program. Casinos analyzing programs also include analyzing programs of roulette strategies. In a sense, the program is that you set a supposed strategy of the game and the program generates several millions of spins and shows how much you lose- a useful thing for those who like “never lose” roulette strategies. As you can see analyzing programs are not less and probably even more useful for real casino players.

On-line Casino Game Helpers: The third type of programs which can be called “On-line Casino Game Helpers” is required only for Internet casinos. Within this type of statistics gathering programs were popular reading off data from the screen and providing these data to the player for analysis, however nowadays almost all on-line casinos provide statistics therefore there is no any necessity for such programs. Now programs still exist which provide recommendations in respect of game optimization. Simple programs have the basic strategy, more complex programs immediately recalculate an optimal strategy of Black Jack depending on the card out of the game, that is they automate the process of card counting. But in on-line casinos their use is limited, because the casinos usually shuffle cards after each deal.

On-line Casino “Bots”: Finally, the fourth type of programs, again on-line programs, which includes “Bots” (a contracted form of “robots”). Bots are designed to fully automate the process of playing, for that purpose they read off the information from the screen, make decisions in accordance with set program (usually based on the basic strategy) and emulate movements and pressing of the mouse button. On-line casinos are quite tolerant towards the programs of the first three types, however, the use of bots in all on-line casinos is forbidden. The problem is not that the program can outgame casinos- it might be possible only in casino games beneficial for the player which can be hardly found on-line. On-line casinos are rather afraid of bonus hunters because using a bot you can easily “wash for” bonuses flat bet day after day.

However, judging by unproved rumours the biggest gain of $1.2 mln in on-line casinos was acquired using a bot (the game on $10000 in Caribbean 21).

Programs of first three types are freely sold. On-line Casino “Bots” programmers usually write for their own purpose. There are people using their written robots for simple “washing for” bonuses following the basic strategy, although they do not intend to sell them- they are afraid of toughening measures on the part of casinos in case of frequent use of the bots.

As a matter of fact, one more type of programs exist which can be characterized in short as “DECEPTION OF BUYERS”. If you see a program promising “never lose” roulette game (exact calculation of a falling number and manual control of a falling number) or cracking the casino server with accruing lots of money for you, pass by. At least will get nothing for your money and at most you will get the Trojan horse or lose relying on empty promises.

On-line Poker Programs: On-line poker programs are worth particular consideration. They include the programs of the four above mentioned types. Trainers exist enabling you to try to take on artificial intelligence (AI) of the program. At the same time some programs will advise you on the game optimization (at the extend as it is understood by the creators of the program). Analyzing programs exist calculating your chance for improving up to different combinations and running various simulations, for example they can compare the force of two aces and two twos. On-line casino helpers usually work with statistics. If earlier programs tried to gather statistics from the screen, now they import standard logs of poker rooms. Based on these logs information is provided in respect of the player and opponents. Your statistics can be analyzed when you have spare time finding negative points and the statistics on your opponents can be displayed on the screen while playing to optimise ga! me decision making. Moreover programs exist gathering and providing information on players you have never played with and which are not included into your statistics, however, poker rooms started on cracking down on these programs. Quite often you can see the warning on poker room web sites:

Q. Can you give me a list of acceptable programs?

Poker room. This is a list of programs that we are aware of and permit:

1. GameTime+ 2. Holdem Inspector 3. PokerAce Heads Up 4. PokerOffice 5. PokerTracker 6. PokerWeapon 7. Texas Calculatem

Q. Can you give me a list of programs which are prohibited?

Poker room. This is a list of programs that we are aware of and prohibit:

1. PokerEdge
2. PokerProphecy
3. StarSpy
4. WinHoldem
5. PokerSherlock

Poker bots exist and you can buy them but without an interface which will press buttons instead of you, however, experts make them quite easily. A bot championship with the prize fund of $100000 took place simultaneously with a recently ended WSOP tournament.

Although poker room bots are not desirable clients, poker rooms trying to crack down on them as well, and while improving poker bots fight against them will be tougher. The fact is that bots make the game less interesting for most players, sway of bots will result in giving up playing poker in Internet.

In general casino programs enable to minimize losses (in off-line even to pass to a beneficial game) and poker programs if used properly may considerably improve the game quality and make you a good plus player.

Cigar Lifestyle: Casino Etiquette

Whenever you enter a casino, there is a certain etiquette you must follow, a way of behaving that tells others, and yourself, that you belong. Some people do this by handcuffing themselves to their money-filled briefcase while others, such as my father, do this by handcuffing themselves to something less obvious and way cooler, such as a fanny pack. But casino etiquette isn’t just about how you carry your cash, it’s also about how you behave the entire time you are inside a money-making establishment. In order to truly be welcomed in a casino, you have to play your cards right in more than one way.

Tip Everyone: Casinos run on money (insert “duh” here) and many of the people employed make their money off of tips. For this reason, it’s important to tip everyone who provides you with assistance: the bell hop, the concierge, the cocktail waitress, the blackjack dealer who just busted, allowing you to collect big on your 200 dollar bet. Not only does this help them out, but it also helps you out: casinos remember people who tip well and they reward them with things like free rooms or free meal vouchers.

Don’t Linger at the Slots: Lingering over a game of blackjack or a game of craps is one thing, lingering over a slot machine is a completely different thing. When you do this, not only do you make the person playing nervous – no one, sans Paris Hilton, wants to be watched intently – but you also come across as someone who is letting someone else put in all the money, so you can swoop in and win the big payoff. Even if this is your intent, it’s typically frowned upon, if not by the casino then by the person sitting in front of the slot machine, losing all their savings.

Don’t be That Guy or Girl: Sure, casinos are full of alcohol, free alcohol. For this reason, being in a casino and not drinking can only mean three things: you’re underage, you’re pregnant, or you’re crazy. Though the alcohol flows in a casino like water, you still need to be careful that you don’t drink so much you start making a fool of yourself. Casinos are packed with cameras and security guards and acting extremely intoxicated, dancing on the poker table, or grabbing chips from the blackjack dealer as just a “joke” will result in an encounter with the pit boss, and probably expulsion from the venue. It’s also a good idea, no matter how much alcohol you drink and how much cash you lose, not to ask for your money back: turns out, they won’t give it to you.

Be Careful Where you Use Cell Phones: Cell phones in casinos are fine to use, you just have to be careful where you use them. Sitting at a bar, playing at a slot machine, or standing outside the game tables are fine places to reach out and touch someone, but sitting at a poker table or a blackjack table and talking on your cell phone will result in you being asked to leave. Dealers and pit bosses are pre-programmed to believe that everyone is cheating, and talking on a cell phone while playing a card game perpetuates this fear. Save yourself some trouble by simply not bringing your phone to the tables.

Casinos are a fun place to go. You can win big, drink freely, and easily get caught up in the moment. But, remember that casinos also have etiquette: follow the unwritten rules and don’t make your behavior your biggest gamble yet.