Thursday, September 18, 2008

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 casinĂ² 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.