GAMBLING ARTICLES

TEXAS HOLD'EM

Playing Solid Texas Hold'em Before you rush into playing Texas Holdem online, it might be wise to take a few basic things to heart. This will not only improve your chances of winning, but will allow you to avoid wasting your money hoping for an improvement on a hand you should never have played in the first place. Have an idea of starting hand standards Not all opening hands are created equal. There are obviously certain hands that have more of a chance of standing up. Get hold of Sklanksy's guide to starting hands as a guide to what to hold and what to fold. Be aware of your position Position is vital in Texas Hold'em. There is less margin for error when you're sitting in early position (closer to the dealer button) than if you're last to act. If you bet with a marginal hand pre-flop from early position you can easily end up being raised or even re-raised by players betting after you. This puts you in the unpleasant position of immediately having to decide whether your hand is worth the extra two bets in order to see the flop, or whether you should fold and lose the bet you already made. In late position you can see it coming and fold without having to waste a bet. Fit or fold If the flop doesn't fit your hand, that is, improve it, then don't hesitate to fold. You'll be tempted to hold on past the flop in the hope of improving your hand on the river, but you'll end up missing more than you'll catch, and lose money overall. You will of course have to endure watching other players make winning hands on the river with hands that weren't helped by the flop, and will have to resist the urge to hold on to drawing hands for longer. You'll also see flops that make the hand you've just thrown away, but this happens less often than you would think. Once you've folded, forget about the cards you had. Be disciplined This is possibly one of the most difficult aspects of playing poker. It means throwing away hands that you might prefer to hold on to in the hope that the flop will give you a shout. It also means folding after the flop if it doesn't fit your hand, or if it brings cards that threaten what you thought was a good hand. If you're holding a pair of Jacks and the flop brings an Ace, you can be pretty sure someone has another. At this point your pair is most likely not the winning hand so have the discipline to discard them - you'll lose more money than you'll win by holding on and hoping for another Jack on the turn or river. Be able to read the board As soon as the flop hits the board, work out what the best potential hand is, and compare what you have, or what you think you might get to this hand. If you don't do this you run the risk of spending money drawing to a hand that is already beaten. This is known as "drawing dead". Even seasoned players fall victim to tunnel vision brought on by having drawn the nut flush, and miss the fullhouse that beats them. To try your hand at this game, a good place to try is 7 Sultans Poker, and get $10 free no deposit required!

FIND CRAPS CONFUSING?

Learn Basic Craps Craps is played with two dice and the game consists of two distinct phases: the coming out phase and the point phase. In the coming out phase, your aim is to roll a 7 or an 11, while betting on the pass line. This bet will lose if a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled (any of these numbers are known as Craps). If you should roll a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, a point is established. In the point phase, you have to roll the same number as the point, before you roll a 7. The betting strategy takes a while to learn but once you get the hang of it, you'll see how easy the game is to play. An alternative is to be on the don't pass bet. On the come out roll, you will win on craps and lose on 7 or 11. Should a point be established this would win if a 7 is rolled before the corresponding number. In both phases of the game, a number of side bets can be made increasing your chances of winning. Craps terminology can vary from casino to casino. For the most part you will be called the "shooter". If you throw a 7 or 11, it is called a "natural". Want some tips? A good strategy is to make pass line bets or don't pass bets by placing the true odds bet once the point has been established. You do this by clicking to the right of the point chip, and your second true odds bet will be placed. Another good bet is to place the 6 or 8 to win bet. Proposition bets: These bets can be made at any time and, except for the hardways, they are all one-roll bets. any craps: You win if a 2, 3 or 12 is thrown. Pay-off 8:1 Any sever: You win if a 7 is rolled. Pay-off 5:1 Eleven: You win if an 11 is thrown. Pay-off 15:1 Ace deuce: You win if a 3 is rolled. Pay-off 15:1 Aces or boxcars: You win if a 2 or 12 is thrown. Pay-off is 30:1 Horn Bet: Acts as bets on 2, 3, 11 and 12 all at once. You win if one of these numbers is rolled. Pay-off is determined by the number rolled. The other three bets are lost. Hardways: The bet on a hardway number wins if it's thrown the hard way before the easy way or a 7 is rolled i.e. as a double. Hardways bet on 8 will win on 4-4, and lose on 7, 6-2 or 5-3 To try your hand at this game, a good place to try is Aces High Casino, they have a great bonus of buy $50, get $75 free!

SIC BO

Another Great Dice Game Dice are the oldest surviving gaming implements known to man. However their exact country of origin is unclear, and working this out is extremely difficult as remains of dice games have been found in nearly every continent and country in the world, from Asia to Alaska and from Africa to South America. Some of the oldest dice related artefacts have been discovered during excavations of ancient Egyptian and Sumerian tombs. There is archaeological evidence which indicates that dice games were played by all classes of ancient Egyptian society. Historical sources reveal that king Ramses III (c. 1182-1151 B.C.) was a big fan of dice games, he even had himself and two ladies of his harem portrayed on the high gates of the temple of Medinet Haboo playing dice. As prominent as they are as gaming implements, dice were first used in ancient cultures as tools of divination. African, Asian and European Soothsayers used dice to predict peoples fortunes, and it was from this practice that they developed into a gambling device. Dicing games have taken a number of differing forms; the earliest involving the throwing of sticks, bones, seeds and stones. The Greeks and Romans used four-sided knucklebones and anklebones as dice, however the home of the modern six-sided dice was most probably the Orient. The die assumed an important role ancient Greek and Roman culture symbolising good fortune and chance. Online Sic Bo is a digital version of a game originating from eastern oriental roots, very similar to a popular English game known as Grand Hazard. Online Sic Bo is also similar to the game known as Big Six, with respect to how bets are placed. Sic Bo is a new game in the Internet gambling world, but one well suited to it. Sic Bo (and of course online Sic Bo) is in essence a simple dice game. After bets have been placed on the board, a small cage containing three dice is spun and the dice are deposited onto the table. Each area of the board that contains winning bets based on the dice roll are lit up, and it is very easy to see if your bet was a winner. There are several different types of bets on the layout of our online Sic Bo table. Players may wager on any one of the six dice sides. If that number comes up on any one of the dice, the player is paid even money. If two of the dice come up with same number the bet is paid at 2 to 1. If all three Sic Bo dice show the chosen number the bet is paid at 3 to 1. You may also wager on a combination of two particular numbers. Say you were to bet on 2 and 4 coming up. If one dice shows a 2 and another shows a 4, your bet is paid 5 to 1. Online Sic Bo also allows bets made on the total of all three dice. You may bet on any total from 4 to 17. The payoff on this bet varies from 6 to 1 up to 50 to 1 depending on the total bet. The most common words you may hear around a Sic Bo table are 'small' bets and 'big' bets. If you're betting 'small' it means your betting the total of all three dice will be between 4 and 10. If you're betting 'big' your betting the total will be between 11 and 17. From a house edge perspective your best bet for online Sic Bo is the 'small' bet. To try your hand at this game, a good place to try is Aces High Casino, they have a great bonus of buy $50, get $200 free!

Poker Room Review

7 Sultans Poker 7Sultans Online Poker carries the luxurious Eastern theme into the poker room. The games and software are full of stunning animations and graphics - you'll really feel like you're playing in a real poker room. See the cards being dealt, players betting & folding, chips moving into the pot, and the winning players collecting their chips. The game summary feature helps you keep track of all the activity in the hand. Need to remember how the other player bet pre-flop? You can quickly scroll through the summary and remind yourself. You can also chat live with other players from across the globe using this same interface. All the games are there: Texas Hold-em, Omaha, 7-Card, 5-Card, 1-on-1, Single- and Multi-table Tournaments. Loads of Freerolls with worthwhile money prizes are constantly available. If you're new to online poker you can play all the game variations for free with virtual money before venturing out for real. You'll constantly find enticing promotions running at 7Sultans Online Poker, like the Bad Beat Jackpots, where you can win money even if you lose the hand! 7Sultans Online Poker goes to great lengths to ensure your security and peace of mind. All transactions are protected by secure Internet encryption methods, and the support team is on standby 24/365 to deal with any issues or queries you may have. Shuffling and card randomization are independently and regularly audited by PWC. The poker software also includes sophisticated collusion detection techniques. Click here to visit 7 Sultans Poker.

BACCARAT 101

Basic Baccarat This popular game is believed to have started in France back in the 1830s and is still around today. So what are the basics? You have three betting options; Player, Banker or Tie Your bet is to predict who will have the higher hand total or if both hands will end up being the same amount. Every card that totals 10, or a combination of cards that totals 10, is equal to 0. for example 4 + 6 + 9 = 9 or 9 + 3 = 2 The Player and banker will be dealt a maximum of three cards and a minimum of 2 cards. In terms of the player, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are natural stands. All other two card combinations will receive a third card. In terms of the banker, 7, 8 and 9 are natural stands. All other two card combinations will receive a third card. The Strategy: As the house has a built-in edge where the banker is concerned, consider placing more bets on the banker. Patterns are important when it comes to many casino games and Baccarat is no exception, so pay attention, especially when it comes to Tie bets. Speaking of Ties, as this bet has the highest Payout on the table, the probability of it appearing is lowest of the other two bets, so bet sparingly. To learn more about Baccarat, or to try your hand at this fun, easy to play game, visit Millionaire Casino, it has a great sign up bonus running now.

5-REEL VERSIONS OF PLAYERS' FAVORITE PROGRESSIVES

Press Release 5-REEL VERSIONS OF PLAYERS' FAVORITE PROGRESSIVE Isle of Man, April 29, 2004 - Turnkey software provider, Microgaming, announces the launch of their April 2004 new games release including 5-reel versions of progressive jackpot favourites - Cash Splash and Major Millions. Additionally, two brand new five-reel, nine-payline video slots and a Jacks or Better addition to the popular x10 Power Poker series have also been released. The classic Cash Splash slot that pioneered the big win progressives' rush on the Internet now has a trendy companion in Cash Splash Progressive Video Slot. The difference from the original game is striking, as the new game not only features fresh, vibrant graphics and high speed action, but is a five-reel, nine-line gaming experience with a wild multiplier and scatter symbol that can double the jackpot. The Major Millions progressive that created several instant millionaires is now available in an exciting new 5-reel version. Players can choose between the original three-reel format of this progressive and an extensively upgraded five-reel video slot platform that offers players 15 paylines for a maximum bet of $3 - that's fifteen chances to pull The Big One in Internet gambling! Both the 3-reel and new 5-reel versions are linked to the same progressive jackpot through the trusted Jackpot Madness network giving players more choice and more chances of seriously big wins. For 5-reel, 9 payline video slot players, Skull Duggery offers scatter and wild symbols in an amusing, high spirited pirate treasure game. This new game has a humorous Caribbean flavour, filled with oddball characters and luscious "wild" fruits. Vinyl Countdown is a new 5-reel, 9 payline video slot that is bound to strike a chord with the rock n' roll generation of the 50's and 60's. With its fun retro-theme, catchy tunes, great sound and bright and breezy graphics, rock n' roll enthusiasts are sure to be pleased. Video poker players can enjoy ten times the fun...and ten times the reward on a brand new Jacks or Better game just added to the x10 Power Poker gambling suite. Gamblers can play ten hands at once, with a different 52 card pack for each hand. There is plenty of opportunity in this game as players can wager between 1 to 5 coins per hand and as little as one cent to two dollars for a chance to win jackpots up to US$80,000. Behind the razor sharp, high quality graphics and fast gameplay on all the new games is Viper, Microgaming's state-of-art gambling software that empowers the player with a host of optional assists, features and analytical information to enhance the gambling experience. No other software on the market offers as wide a range of facilities as this. About Microgaming Established in 1994, Microgaming is a leading supplier of online gaming solutions. Microgaming's mission is to develop software and management systems that allow our operators to manage reliable, credible and profitable online gaming enterprises and to champion the interests of the player through fair play, transparency initiatives and the promotion of responsible gaming.

WOMEN'S POKER

Women and Poker by Aunt Bubba Want to know a great place to meet men, flirt with them, make them give you all their money, without them expecting anything in return? Well alrighty then. All you have to do is join an online pokeroom and you are off and running. Playing poker online is usually cheaper than regular online casinos, you can play for hours on a small amount of money. The pokeroom has a social atmoshpere, nobody expects you to be a virtuoso player, no one can see you beaming if you're holding four aces, and people won't know what sex you are if you want to be secretive. If you want lots of male attention, pick a cute sexy alias for yourself. The guys might think you're an easy mark at first (heh heh), they probably won't notice that you're winning all their money, whilst you have fun flirting back. Poker was once only a man's game, but not anymore. Welcome to the new world of poker. While the majority of successful poker players are men, more women are getting involved and taking the game seriously as a way to make money. They also bring a different perspective to the game, because even in this day and age, there is still a lot of "us versus them" thinking among male players. And thank goodness, because when your male opponents think that way, it makes you money. Find out more about how and where to play poker, visit the poker pages. It's fun--honest.

MEN AND BINGO

Do Men Play Bingo? by Cashin Cary We all know that Bingo has been around for a long time, it brings to mind thoughts of old Aunt Martha, church socials and that sort of thing... But lately men have been looking at Bingo in a whole new light. Recently, Bingo has taken the online gaming world by storm. And it's not just the USA that has a hand in online Bingo. Players from around the globe are literally flocking to these new online Bingo halls to the tune of 100 million players worldwide! Even though the estimated number of players online is staggering, only about one third of today's Bingo players are men. But these numbers are growing as men are discovering a whole new way to (you guessed it) meet women. Now you might think that the majority of women who play Bingo online have blue hair and canes, but that is not the case. The average player age is well under 50. You don't need much cash (you can play for hours on just a few dollars), and very few social skills to make a big splash playing Bingo. Most Bingo halls already have a solid community structure as well as a chat feature. This makes it easy to slide right in next to the blonde from Sweden and strike up a conversation. And right now, at this point in the game, men are always in demand. Suffice it to say the odds of you being the only rooster in the hen house are pretty good. Still think Bingo is just for little old ladies? Find out more about how and where to play Bingo, visit the Bingo page at our sister site Totally Great Stuff.com. You'll have a good time-I promise.