10 Reasons to Play Online Poker

 Since almost all poker players compete online, I thought I would write an article on 10 Reasons to Play Online Poker. My bias is that I enjoy playing at a poker club more, probably because my results are much better.

1. It is the Most Convenient Way to Play Poker

You can play poker 24/7 right from your desktop. And you can even watch TV, read a book, or multitask while playing.

2. It is Fun

It's fun to play poker, and online poker is fun since it's poker with some interesting additions like avatars, faster action, the ability to play multiple tables, and chatting with players, and being anonymous at the same time.

3. It Provides the Widest Choice of Games

Online poker lets you play the widest range of poker games possible. And most of these games aren't even available in a casino or card room. Only at online poker can you can be almost guaranteed to find Razz poker, Omaha or a mixed game.

4. There are at Least 100 Sites To Choose From

If you don't like one poker site, there are plenty to test out. While you may run into the top players at Full Tilt and Poker Stars, you may find that smaller sites like Bodog and Doyle's Room have less skilled players.

5. You Can Learn How to Play Better, Much Faster

You can play for free online or for money. The more you play poker, the more your game can improve. The non-stop action at online poker allows you to get better. You can even play multiple tables at the same time.

6. It's Less Intimidating than Going to Play at a Casino.

Going to a card room can be risky. There is the trip to and from the card room. The location of the card room and the unknown characters you may run across. And, then, there is the intimidation of playing in person with a lot of strangers. With online poker, you don't have to worry about any of these things.

7. There are Advantages That Help Your Bank Roll.

Online poker has deposit bonuses, jackpots and rakeback. You don't have to tip the dealer. And you will find a lot more people playing poorly.

8. You Can Win Big Money.

Since there are more players entering events, the prize pools are bigger. The dream of a big win at the biggest sites is very alluring. In addition, many poker sites now have bad beat jackpots that can be worth $100,000+.

9. It Eliminates Your Poker Tells

Most players have poker tells that give away the strength of their hand. No one is going to pick up on your tells online.

10. You Can Play Online Poker Naked.

Or you can imagine that the women at your poker table are naked and beautiful.

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Online Slots - How They Work

Online Slots - How They Work
If you are the kind of person who plays lots of online games, you should try playing at online casinos. Instead of just wasting time you could also be wasting money. Actually you will have the opportunity to make lots of money if you get really good. The best way to learn and practice is through free online gambling websites. Most online casinos offer free versions of their software. This is so people can try out their casino and see if they like it.
Slots are the most common game found in any casino. These are machine games and the main attraction in all land based and online casinos. The traditional table games like blackjack, craps and poker require some skill in order to get the best odds and the best chance of winning. Slot machines do not require any skill or knowledge. Anyone can play and there are no legitimate guides to make you a better slot player. Anyone can play slots with a very small bet. Just bet the most coins allowed by the slot machine and you will have the same chance as anyone else.
Online slots select numbers randomly. This is through a program called a random number generator. These random number generators were originally developed in C language. This meant that software needed to be downloaded in order to use the online casino. Today almost all of the major providers of online casino software offer a Java version. The Java version allows players to use a browser based version of the casino that does not need to be downloaded. It is still necessary to have a flash plug-in pre-installed in your browser. These are common plug-ins and will not affect the performance of your computer. The spinning of the reels has no affect on the outcome of each pull or game. The outcome of each game is predetermined by the software. The spinning reels are there for entertainment purposes only. The technology behind land based slot machines has also changed. Slot machines are still played the same way as they have always been but the outcome of each game is now controlled by a computer chip. The chip tells each reel when to stop spinning.
Classic slot machines used a configuration of gears and levers around a metal shaft that held the reels in place. First, a coin detector unlocked the machine and started the game. The shaft was connected to the handle. The handle was pulled to get the reels moving. A braking system was used to stop the spinning reels. Sensors determined where the reels should stop spinning.
The change in technology has both prevented cheating and improved the casinos control over payouts. The technology in the cheating industry had surpassed slot machine security in the late 1980's. Mechanical devices and lights were being used to trick slot machines into paying out. Microprocessors have made these practices almost impossible. With more control casinos can change pay out rates at any time. They can lower the payout rates when the house is full and raise them to bring in more players during slow times.

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Play Smart in Casino Games

Play Smart in Casino Games
Online casinos have become such a hit among players. They can ensure that they don't have to get perturbed about raking in some moolah from them. Just participate in any game that you like and earning money is so easy. But players have to be alert in choosing a casino because the payments are being made on line now. They do have so many choices when choosing the payment scheme. So, never take part in the games of casino without going through its terms and conditions.
When you have accepted the set of conditions of a certain casino, you are obliged under the warranties of the casino. Under them, a player declares that he is the truthful owners of the funds use by him for wagering at the casino. So, if any player is using stolen credit card for playing at the casino, he must not do it. He should also not use any other options like check of accounts that are not in his name. Reading such conditions can have a huge impact on the amount that you can win through a casino.
Sometimes, some credit card companies do not allow their users to take the funds immediately that they have won in casino games. It takes some time for the credit card company to validate the transaction only after which the player can get his own funds in the account. However, the players sometimes don't follow these instructions of their card issuer and land the casino in some trouble. Thus, the players have to understand that they cannot indulge in such kind of behavior.
If the player does not follow any of these rules, it can have an adverse impact on the amount of funds he has with a casino. The casino can just refuse to give his funds for some time. The permission to hold back such funds is give by the player when he agrees to the terms and conditions of the casino. So, players should know before signing what these terms are.

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Card Counting and Winning in Blackjack

Card Counting and Winning in Blackjack
Do you have what it takes to be a blackjack master? A wide range of rewards awaits a blackjack winner. Moreover, blackjack winners normally win the respect of colleagues and co-players. So in what manner does one become an excellent blackjack player? If you're ready, then here are some more techniques you should remember.
Victory in any game is obtained through the use of the right techniques. In blackjack, card counting is the trick you should memorize.
One of the simplest techniques that can be learned is the card counting system. It is based on the principle of giving certain values to all the cards dealt. One deducts one for every ten or face value and adds one for every three to six value. Neutral cards are not given any numbers. So if you are dealt with a three-value card, you add 1; a ten-value card, subtract 1.
The method demands that the players keeps his 10s and splits his 8s and aces. Whatever the dealers cards are, the principle must be observed. A professional blackjack player knows that he mustn't completely trust the card counting method alone to win the game. As with any game, constant practice and learning the game fully well are crucial to winning.
Gambling rules may vary from one casino to another. So, it is important that a player knows beforehand if the card counting strategy is allowed in a particular casino.
Many promising blackjack starters grab the opportunity to learn more by getting DVDs that illustrate the technique more clearly. These videos also explain the various options a blackjack player has in every game. The on-off features of these videos add to an uncomplicated way of memorizing the method.
In addition, basic strategy cards and cheat sheets prove helpful to online blackjack players. A little more time and patience and the trick is easily learned.
Winning any game entails not only the want to get the price. Constant practice and correct implementation of techniques and tricks bring a player his deserved success. In the end, what matters most is how you played the game and not whether you won or lose.

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How to Win at Blackjack

How to Win at Blackjack - Win Blackjack Vegas With "Psychology"
If you want to get tips on how to win at blackjack, then this is the best article for you. This article will teach you the necessary strategies to win blackjack Vegas.
Just like in poker, a player must also have the necessary skills in order to win at blackjack. This is a very popular casino game in which many individuals would love to play. Having the right amount of skills and strategies will allow players to win huge amount of cash after each game. Of course, knowledge on the basic rules of the game is very essential.
There are a lot of techniques and strategies that are needed to be successful in this card game. One of the very important strategies that one must learn is how to understand the psychology in making decisions. This is what most of the players called "blackjack psychology". This is the main key to attain good results in each of your games.
When you are playing, you should know how to maintain mental discipline so that you can focus on you success. You must always stay firm in your goal to beat the dealer or make him bust. Most of the novices have this belief that they must focus on getting 21. This can be a mistake. The main goal in this game is to beat the dealer or make him go over 21. It does not always mean that you should have a solid card to win. Winning is still achievable with low cards such as 12 or 13 because, chances are, the house will end up busted.
Assuming that the next card will be 10 is a good way to win at blackjack. Majority of the card counts in this game are 10. In fact, 30% of the cards have a value of ten. That is why you should make your decisions assuming that the next card will be a 10 all the time.
In times that you will have a hand that is 17 or higher and if your hand has no Ace, always stay with that neglecting whatever the dealer has. You may end up losing but this one simple rule will always help you in the long run. Another tip is to remember that 12 or 16 are the worst cards because these are bust cards. However, it is still advisable to hit and risk busting when the dealer gets a higher card like 17 or higher than that. If you will not hit, the dealer will most likely win with a hand that is 17 or higher. Making your decisions based on what the house has is the key in winning. This is because your main goal is to beat the house. So, consider always the house cards and base your decisions on it.
As a player, you must also know how to "double down". This is a strategy that focuses on doubling your bet size with only one extra card after your original two card hand, making your hand to have 3 total cards. You should consider the dealer's card first before doing this strategy. Double down only when you have a 9 and the dealer has 3 to 6 card or when you have 10 and the dealer has a 2 to 9 card. You can also win at blackjack with huge amount of cash when you double down if you have 11 versus the dealer's 2 to 10 card.

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Blackjack Super-System: Money Management Chapter

Blackjack Super-System: Money Management Chapter
"Common sense is not so common." -Voltaire
Money Management
If you are going to make money at blackjack, you must manage your money perfectly. This is easy to do if you have discipline. Money management is vital. Basic strategy and progression betting are also vital. If a player follows these three things, he or she, has the potential to become a winning and world class player.
This chapter uses the example of a $100 bet. If you are a $5 or $10 minimum bettor, just adjust the numbers.
One of the worst things that can happen to a gambler is that he runs out of money. By knowing and following the guidelines in Blackjack Super-System, you increase your chances of staying in action. The nature of blackjack, is that at times, there are dramatic swings of winning or losing. The swings related to gambling are called standard deviation or normal fluctuation. You will benefit from knowing what is natural to the game of blackjack and using this information to your benefit.
The players who follow the guidelines in this chapter will have a better chance of winning and less chance at tapping out. Any time you have more betting units, you have a better chance to withstand the normal fluctuations inherent in blackjack. You can follow the money management guidelines in this chapter. You can follow the money management guidelines in Chapter 8 (Short Bankroll Play). You can size your wagers somewhere in between. Just understand the potential outcome of your actions. Read the last question and answer in Chapter 14 (Frequently Asked Questions) regarding standard deviation.
Let's assume that our goal is to make $100 minimum wagers. This would make our typical buy-in $1,000. A total bankroll set aside for gambling would be $50,000. For the average person, this is a lot of money to set aside for one cause. The money does not have to be in cash or chips. it could be invested in stocks or a money market.
Let's further assume that a gambler has set aside $50,000 for his blackjack project, has been studying, and has played and charted 100 practice sessions. Now this player is planning his first two-day trip to a casino. Therefore, he should bring $2,500 to gamble with. This is five sessions of ten units times a $50 minimum bet. I know I said we would figure this for a $100 minimum bet, but there is a reason for this.
As we are just starting this project, we want to make sure we are not starting in a long-term losing trend. We are doing everything we can to preserve precious capital. Taking $2,500 for a two-day trip is 5% of your total bankroll. Professional commodity traders do not exceed this short term risk, nor should you.
Let's take three typical scenarios that could happen:
1. You start winning
2. You stay about even
3. You start losing
1. You start winning.
Let us assume that after a few trips to the casino we have won. We are now ahead $1,500. We now have a total bankroll of $51,500. Now that we are ahead we can increase our bets to normal levels. This is done with ex-casino money. Our minimum bets are now $100. Our bankroll per two-day trip is now $5,000. This breaks down to five sessions of ten units at $100.
Two-day trip:
Five sessions, $1,000 per session $100 minimum bets
Keep betting at this level as long as you stay above your $50,000 total bankroll. At this betting level, if you should lose $3,000 in either playing day, quit for that day. If you should lose $5,000 for the trip, you have hit your stop-loss for that trip. You are finished playing for said trip.
2. You stay about even ($50,000 bankroll)
Some players will end up about even after a couple of months of playing. Again, to play it safe, drop your bet to $50 if your total bankroll is at $50,000 or below. Every chance we get we preserve capital, we do.
Let's say your bankroll is at $53,000 after a win. Now you can increase your bets to $100 minimum bets. If you are going on a two-day trip, take $5,000. With $53,000 you are risking $2,000 of your original capital and $3,000 of ex-casino money.
3. You start losing.
As mentioned, anytime your bankroll is at $50,000 or below, your bet is at $50. Let's say you are in a long term negative trend. Anytime your bankroll drops below $40,000, drop your minimum bets to $25. The negative swings do happen just as the positive ones. Do not be under the impression that they only happen to someone else.
If your bankroll drops below $40,000, cut your trips to the casino in half. Do this until you start to win. When your bankroll gets back up to $40,000, then you can increase your wagers to $50 and bring the trips to the casino back to normal. Cutting your trips to the casino and dropping your bet size will greatly reduce your exposure.
If you should increase your bankroll to $75,000, you could consider increasing your minimum bets by 50% ($150). Another alternative could be to wait until you reach $100,000 and then double your minimum bets ($200).
When winning like this, you could consider playing more often. Doubling your trips (or more) and increasing your wagers can be very profitable during these positive normal fluctuations.
By increasing your bets as your bankroll increases and decreasing your bets as your bankroll decreases, you are following the Kelly Criterion formula. This formula is what professional gamblers use to figure out their optimum bet size. The guidelines in this chapter are a simplified version.
Adjust the figures in this chapter to fit your total bankroll. We have covered when to stop playing when losing. Next we will go over when to slop playing after win. We can start by going over two examples that cost me $30,000 over just two trips. This was at the betting levels in this chapter.
The first painful event happened at Caesar's Palace in 1979. I had been playing for two days and was ahead $13,000. What I should have done at this point was to put my stop at $10,000 ahead. Instead, I kept playing and lost the $13,000 plus another $10,000. By not placing a stop at $10,000 ahead, it cost me $20,000.
Ten years later at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, I did the same thing. This time I was ahead $8,000 after the first day. I could not lose. I won every session. I was temporarily invincible. Then the tide turned. I could not win a session. I lost at least ten straight sessions. This trip was testing my very own self worth. Should I be gambling, etc. (See Chapter 12: Mental Edge).
By not placing my stop at $5,000 ahead, it cost me another $10,000. I ended up losing $5,000 when I could have been $5,000 ahead.
You go to the casino to win money. After you are ahead, you have accomplished your purpose. Place your stop win after you are ahead. Do not move these stops except up. Keep playing until you either hit a stop-win or a stop-loss.
Do not concern yourself with the long-term statistics of millions of hands. We are taking advantage of the short-term fluctuations.
Place your stops similar to these examples. Quit playing anytime you reach a stop.
If you are planning any one-day trips to the casino, set your stop-loss for one day at $3,000. This is assuming you are ahead of your total bankroll of $50,000. Your one day trip breaks down to three sessions of $1,000 each with $100 minimum bets.
One day trip:
3 sessions
10 units each, $1,000 per session
$100 minimum bets
If your total bankroll is below $50,000, set your wagers as follows:
One day trip:
3 sessions 10 units each, $500 per session $50 minimum bets
At this point in the chapter, you should understand:
1. Total bankroll requirements
2. Two-day bankroll requirements
3. One day bankroll requirements
4. Placing stop-wins and loss stop
5. Increasing bets during long-term positive deviations
6. Decreasing bets during long-term negative deviations
Now let us look at an example of what range the win-loss ratio may be for a day at the casino:
Win-Loss Ratio For A Day
Win(s) Loss(s)
0-3
1-4
2-4
3-3
4-2
5-1
6-6
7-1
In the first example, we lost three sessions and did not win any. This would mean we hit our stop-loss for the day and are finished playing for that day.
The next example is if we won one session and lost four. Assuming the dollar amount in this system, we lost $4,000 for these four sessions. The session we won will normally range from $1,000 to $4,000. The average win will come in at about $1,600. If our one win was only $1,000, we have lost $3,000 for the day and we have hit our stop-loss. If our one winning session was $1,600, we can take $600 and buy-in for $600 if another playing session is desired.
If our one winning session was $2,000, we would have lost $2,000 for the day. If another playing session is desired, buy-in for $1,000.
Our maximum session loss is 10 units (or $1,000). Never exceed losing a total of 30 units in one day. We do not limit our wins though.
Let us look at the last example of seven wins and one loss for the day. The loss was $1,000 and the wins ( 7 x $1,600 average win) would total $11,200 for a total win of $10,200.
The method to follow is to limit your loss for any given day. As you can gather from the win-loss ratio, we do not limit the wins. Our average win will exceed our average loss by using the progression betting system and by placing stops. Each play is broken down into an individual session.
Let's look at our chart again assuming the average win is $1,600.
Win-Loss Ratio for the day
(With Total $)
Win Loss Total $ for day
0-3 -$3,000
1-4 -$2,400
2-4 -$800
3-3 +$1,800
4-2 +$4,400
5-1 +$7,000
6-6 +$3,600
7-1 +$10,200
As you can see from the chart above you must:
1. Limit your losses.
2. Have an average win higher than an average loss. This is accomplished with progression betting Chapter 6.
3. Play more sessions during days that you are winning.
Besides following these guidelines, make sure that you are playing with money you can afford. Bet within your means. It is harder to win betting scared.
Play only when you are completely rested. It takes a lot of concentration to play like a pro. Stay away from drinking alcohol in excess before starting a playing session. Take at least a half hour break between sessions. This is especially important after a quick loss or after a big win. Expect losing sessions. Expect a string of losing sessions. Just like winning sessions, they happen. Play each session independent of other sessions! Never play to get even. Only play when conditions are perfect for you. Tailor what is right for you. Treat playing blackjack as a serious matter. Do not donate any money to the casino. Do not feel obligated to play more hands (or less) than is perfect for you.
Everything in this chapter (and the rest of Blackjack Super-System) is the complete opposite of what the casino wants you to do. Manage your money perfectly! The casinos will hate it.
Updates in 2011:
Blackjack Super-System was written in the year 2000. 11 years ago. There have been few changes in the last decade. The one change that I would implement is to quit the session after losing 4 consecutive hands. That seems to limit downside risk when running bad. Also, I am now buying in with 8 units instead of 10.
Anyone that can add one item to this system, that I incorporate, will get their purchase price refunded, with pleasure. I will notify all other buyers of any addition as well. Most of the things I hear are not an advantage but please try.
When you are up 8 units at the table, feel free to put 4 of those chips to the side. If you lose the 4, you can stop the session with a 4 unit win. This is a more conservative way of playing and being very careful with your bankroll. Or, you could just try to get to a minimum 10 unit win.
I am going back to the tables with a short bankroll due to circumstances unrelated to blackjack.
I am going to the casino with a one day bankroll of 20 units. In this case, it is $500. My first and second buy-in will be 8 units. If I lose both sessions and have not gotten stopped out by 4 consecutive losses, my third buy-in for the day will be 4 units. This will limit losses. If I get stopped out or had won a previous session for the day, my third buy-in would be 8 units. I will continue, or stop playing, according to the rest of this chapter.
Someone asked me how this system worked for me. It was a very good question. Besides what is in the book, I played heads up with the dealer. That may, or may not, make a difference but that is the way I played. I liked that occasional winning long run of cards. You cannot get that at a half full or full table as the shuffle comes too often. I usually played alone against the dealer with a 6 deck shoe.
If I bought in with 8 units, my goal is to get to a minimum 18 units. I might lower the unit size to guarantee a win for that session. Example: if I had 20 units and was suppose to bet 8 units in the progression, I would only bet 2 units. I sat down to win the session and am not jeopardizing that. Once I had the 18 units to the side, I would increase bets as 2, 4, 8 in this example until I hit 8 unit max bet size.
Notes From a Professional:
One of the most important things a gambler needs to do is limit his losses. When you do incur a loss, never press your bets to get even. Do not chase a loss. Decrease your wagers when losing.
To end up a winner in the long run, you need to press your bets when winning. Also, you need to retain the majority of that win. This is accomplished by using stop points (stops).

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How to Play Blackjack

How to Play Blackjack - Some Tips to Bear in Mind
Blackjack, as a lot of players know, is a game whose highest winning number totals to '21'. This is the reason behind why other people call the game twenty-one. But aside from knowing about the highest possible number for the game, there are some tricks that will help you learn how to play blackjack.
# 1 - Learn the basics of the game
This will include the fact that the game can be played using one up to eight decks of cards. Remember however, that the deck of cards is a multiple of two's, meaning, you can only play with two, four, six then eight decks. In larger venues, such as casinos, a special shuffling machine is being used before dealing these cards.
In one-deck as well as two-deck blackjack games, the dealer takes charge of dealing the cards to the other players. On the other hand, multi-deck games make use of a special tray called a shoe for dealing cards. Casinos are now starting to look for other machines that will take charge of both shuffling and dealing the cards.
# 2 - Know the objective of the game
Blackjack's main objective is for a player to beat the dealer. In cases when your cards go higher than what the dealer has, then you basically win the game. Make sure however that your total is not more than 21 or else you will get busted and lose to the dealer even when the value of his cards exceed 21.
# 3 - It is also essential to learn about card values.
The blackjack game does not focus much on the suit of the cards - be it clovers, spades, hearts or diamonds. It concentrates more on the face value of the card. Kings, queens, jacks and tens all have a value of ten. The ace card is valued at one or eleven while the remaining card numbers are quantified at their respective face values.
# 4 - You should also take note of differences when you play the game at home and when you play at casinos
If you play blackjack with your friends, the cards will be dealt facing down. From there, you can pick up your own cards to look at its respective values. This principle does not work the same way when you are playing through casinos. This is because the cards are dealt by the shoe with the card's face up. Plus, unlike in a game for fun, you will not be allowed to touch the cards when you play through casino venues.
Another notable difference between 'play for fun' and 'play for money' can be seen in the use of the blackjack table. When you play at home with your friends, you can use a table or even the floor. In casinos, a special blackjack table is used. This one is shaped like a semi-circle. Add to this, each player is given a circle or square on the table.
It is easy to learn how to play blackjack. Remember that things may be different once you play this game professionally. Take note that in casinos, you are given your own betting area where you can place the chips before the play begins. You can apply the same thing in an ordinary game depending of course on your agreement with the dealer and the other players.

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