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Are you a power player or a calm and collected casino player?

Are you a power player or a calm and collected casino player?

If you love to play poker online, you might not know it, but you might fit into a certain type of category. Whether you are new to online gambling or have been at it for a while, everyone has a unique poker strategy. Recent studies have shown that players can be placed in a few categories.

Different players will show varying personal and social skills. However, no matter who they are, there are common patterns that are easy to spot. There are about 7 types of poker playing styles. See if you fit into any of them.

Fish

This is a type of player who, during online casino poker, tends to call bets but does not raise often. This is despite how weak or strong their hand is. Fish are at times rewarded when they get lucky cards, which come on the board. It might cause them to overestimate their skills. They will usually whine about being out-kicked all the time, and they claim to have bad luck at poker.

Rock

At the opposite end of a Fish is the Rock. These players do not take any risks and only play in the top range. The Rock bides their time until the ultra-premium hand appears. They only play Queens, Kings, Aces, and in some cases AK. If a Rock raises you, then you know they have a very good hand.

Newbie

This person has little understanding of how poker works, and they have no desire to learn how things work on their own. The Newbie is someone who is quite intelligent but has almost no experience. In most cases, they are just naïve.

Maniac

Maniacs will play almost any hand. They will also re-raise or raise with any cards. They can be drunk or simply wish to have a good time by keeping the action going. It might seem to play against a Maniac. However, they pose a major threat since they will test you often, which will add many swings to your bankroll. They can place the whole table on tilt, leading to a profitable situation for players who stay calm and use the right strategy.

Mr. ABC Poker

The ABC Poker refers to players who do not use any sophistication; everything is done by the book. This player is above a Newbie. This is not a compliment, and they can usually be outclassed with a bit of aggressive play. While this strategy might have worked in the past, playing ABC Poker could put you in a lot of trouble.

The Coffee Houser

These players use a strategy where they try to mislead others about how strong their hand is. For instance, if a Coffee Houser is holding two AA cards, they might make a claim showing their hand is much weaker. This is often acceptable behavior in the UK, but it is not accepted in the US.

Sharks

These types of players are extremely crafty. They understand all aspects of the game. They also understand all other types of players and they can change the strategy to match them. Besides that, they know how to stay calm, and you will have a hard time reading them. They are good at retraining their good hand so that someone else thinks they have a better hand. These players also know how to read others and make it look like their hand is really bad. Beating them is usually an uphill task.

They also know how to draw as much money out of each game. It is especially so when they are playing with aggressive players. When they find an aggressive player, they understand how to squeeze the most out of them. In some cases, they will fold even when they have many chips. This will make other players have a hard time reading them. They will also make comments to other players to set them up so they can bluff in the future. These types of players usually play in high stakes games. They are not shy about gambling thousands of pounds of their own money. Additionally, they often take part in competitions.

Summary

Now that you understand what kind of a player you are, you might want to improve your skills. It could also help you to understand what type of player another person might be. This way, you could try to beat them at their own game and strike it rich. Part of being good at poker is knowing yourself and knowing your opponents.

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UK Casino Sites Will Have To Tread Lightly In 2019

UK Casino Sites Will Have To Tread Lightly In 2019

Online casinos continue to gain popularity thanks to a number of factors. Many gambling companies are looking to maximize profits from this widely growing industry at all costs.

That is why regulatory bodies have put in place policies and procedures to safeguard players. It’s not enough to simply have rules and regulations though; gambling companies need to understand them and take responsibility for properly applying them. They need to meet their anti-money laundering and responsible gaming obligations or risk facing serious consequences. Unfortunately, after a series of investigations, serious failings have been found within casino systems. This has led to a serious crackdown on sveral of the online casinos as the industry’s regulators strive to tackle these problems. These regulatory changes are rocking the top uk casino sites as the industry faces uncertain times in 2019.

Last Year’s Crackdown on UK Online Casinos and Gambling Companies

The UK Gambling Commission together with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have undertaken the largest enforcement action, issuing record fines and banning online casinos that are operating without effective standards. The crackdown, as reported by the BBC, has resulted in fines of nearly £14 million with Casumo being fined £5.85m, Daub Alderney £7.1m, and Videoslots ordered to pay £1m in lieu of a financial penalty. These figures are far beyond the record fines issued to a gaming company in 2017, which was £7.8 million.

There are also several other operators that have been issued with warning letters and a further six remain under investigation. Other than the casinos themselves, a number of high-ranking officials responsible for the failings have also been stripped of the licenses to serve as directors of casino site. Others were issued with warnings and a few are still under investigation. In addition, CZ Holdings was banned from operating in the UK. All this goes to show the seriousness of the commission into ensuring safe gambling.

Creating a Better Gambling Environment

There are several robust requirements that all businesses in the gaming industry must adhere to if they wish to continue operating in the UK market. Some of those that regulatory bodies are focusing on include:

No More Unfair Promotions

Oftentimes, casinos offer unfair online promotions that trap players’ money. For instance, players may be required to play multiple times before they can be able to withdraw their own money or take part in publicity to collect winnings. The CMA said gambling sites must not attach unreasonable terms and conditions to their offers and promotions, and punters should be able to cash out whenever they want. Three companies (Ladbrokes, William Hill, and PT Entertainment) have been forced to change their online games promotions following pressure from the regulator. All gambling companies will have to promptly adopt similar changes to improve transparency or risk facing regulatory action

No More Unfair Small Print

Casino customers have complained that small print allows casinos to withhold winnings. Many times, punters have been allowed to place huge stakes without any checks. When they finally win, casinos withhold some of their winnings citing terms and conditions, which are always hidden away on their sites. UK casino sites will now face tougher action if they use unfair small print to mislead players. They will also be fined if they break advertising rules, including those created by third-party marketing affiliates.

Minimise Problem Gambling

Casinos have a social responsibility to ensure responsible gambling. Unfortunately, gamblers are being tempted to spend more than they can afford. For instance, they get offers of larger stakes to join the VIP status. This can very detrimental to players, especially those struggling with gambling addiction. Casinos are now required to make more affordability checks before upgrading players to VIP status. A review of Casumo Casino showed that the company failed to trigger any action even after three of their customers showed potential signs of addiction. Daub Alderney was another casino to be fined for inadequately monitoring its customers’ activities.

Stop Money Laundering

UK casino sites also have a responsibility to safeguard against crime. They are required to know their customers well, track play, and even intervene to prevent crimes of money-laundering. This area has seen a lot of progress but more needs to be done. Videoslots was once fined for not adhering to its anti-money laundering obligation. In one incident, a customer failed the automated identity checks and ended up providing a fraudulent driving license. The customer then went ahead to register several fraudulent credit cards, which were used to gamble with large amounts. Both incidences were not detected by the casino’s system on time.

Restoring Faith in a Defunct Market

The ever-growing size of the gambling market means it remains lucrative. On the other hand, regulatory bodies are striving to reassure players that consumer protection is at the heart of the industry. This means that UK casino sites will have to adhere to the new measures and industry initiatives if they wish to remain in the business and most importantly, restore players’ faith in online casinos.

Casino, Poker

Notice them and avoid them – Common poker mistakes made at the casino

Notice them and avoid them – Common poker mistakes made at the casino

Poker can be a hard teacher when it comes to learning from your mistakes – the lessons tend to be expensive! So it’s vital to reflect on your play and recognise when you have made one of the classic beginners poker mistakes in your game. It’s the only way to learn to avoid this weakness the next time you play.

Let’s take a look at the most common poker mistakes, and the online poker tips that can help you avoid them.

1. Don’t look for coin flips

Coin flips are when you’re relying on the fact that you, and another player, have an almost equal chance of winning, so you go all-in at the pre-flop stage. Typically in Hold’em, this will involve balancing the winning odds of a pocket pair that you possess, against the winning odds of overcards that may be held around the table.

While you may see players going “all in” in TV tournament play, this is not going to help you win cash games. Even a pair of 8s can face a daunting number of higher pairs in the game. So don’t follow this strategy until late in the game, when the number of higher overcards, or pairs, should have reduced. Taking big risks with small pairs, is a quick way to end up broke.

2. Don’t overplay

Cash management is a top skill in poker, and if you are playing 95% of the hands that are dealt, you are draining cash by playing hands that have no chance of winning. Your online poker strategy should involve making tough choices about what’s worth playing, even if that means you spend half the time folding, and watching the play. And when you get a good hand, you need to maximise the pot. That means your best online poker strategy, is not to raise too aggressively, since this may make more cautious players fold. You hope for a similar hand around the table that will keep someone in, and thus build up your possible winnings.

3. Don’t play without a good bankroll

In UK online poker, people frequently play with a very low bankroll. This affects their play for the worse. If you can’t afford to lose the money you’re playing with, or you can’t stay in the game if you lose a particular hand, your fear and caution can bring about the very losses you dread. You have to be willing to go all-in, if that’s what’s required to win the hand.

4. Don’t give your hand away through your bets

You’ll have realised early on, that the way you bet can tell the other players in the game, a lot about the hand you have. In particular, the size of your bet can be a signal. As described above, it’s possible to disguise a good hand by betting small, to keep other players contributing to the pot. This can be a reasonably sound strategy, but it has one important drawback. The longer people stay in, the higher the chance that one of them is going to draw a hand that beats yours.

On the other hand, another common poker mistake, is to raise by an amount that dwarfs the pot, and makes everyone fold. So look at what’s in the pot, and think about raising two or three times that level to start with. You’ll soon get a feel for what the game will bear.

5. Don’t underestimate how important position is

The dealer has the great advantage of acting last – and as the dealership moves round the table, everyone will get this advantage at some point during the session. The dealer is able to observe bets and responses as they go round the table, which can offer a huge advantage.

As you get better at playing poker, the quality of your game will improve – and so will the quality of your mistakes. Sophisticated professional players make mistakes too, but they tend to lose less on them, and to make them less often.

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The casino game with real money making power – Baccarat

The casino game with real money making power – Baccarat

Baccarat is an ancient card game that has been around since the 15th Century, first appearing in Italy and then becoming popular with the French Aristocracy. As such it sometimes has a perceived complexity that some people may find a bit intimidating. With that in mind, we have put together this guide to clear away any mystique and explain the rules which are surprisingly easy once you get to grips with them. While online baccarat is not as common as poker, it is growing in popularity and is an exciting option for those wanting to experiment with a new table game. It is hugely popular with Chinese gamblers and there are a ton of baccarat games online to win money at.

Types of baccarat

There are many different types of baccarat but the three main ones that you are likely to come across are baccarat banque, punto banco, and chemin de fer. Punto banco is the English edition of the game and the most popular variation to be found in physical casinos and online. Chermin de fer is the French version and the title means ‘iron box’, named as such because the cards used to be held in an actual iron box. Baccarat Banque is also a French game and is similar in style to chemin de fer. All three games are fairly similar differing only really in the dealing of the cards and rules around the banker. In this review, we will stick solely to punto banco as it is the one you will almost certainly come across when playing online baccarat.

How to play

The first thing that will surprise you if you are coming from a poker background is that no matter how many people are playing only two hands get dealt in a game – players do not get their own hands. In a nutshell, the goal of baccarat is to form a hand where the points equal to 9, or as close as possible without going over. The dealer deals out two cards to the player and the dealer (or banker) and whoever is closest to 9 is the winner. If either side has 5 points or less the dealer will deal one more card, but only one more, three cards is the maximum. So how does the scoring work? Number cards keep their number value, and face cards are worth zero. If the cards have a total over 10 then the digit on the left is dropped – 15 becomes 5, 12 becomes 2 and so on. As you can see it is a very simple game. Three bets only can be made in baccarat – on the banker, on the player, or on a tie. It is a game that requires little to no skill to play relying on chance but which has a good house edge for players.

The shoe, or the bank, is what contains the cards – 8 shuffled decks with no jokers. Players take turns being the banker and the player, and there is no advantage for any particular role while playing as it all comes down to the luck of the cards. There is a version of baccarat called mini-baccarat where instead of these roles, the dealer turns all of the cards over so everyone can see them which some say produces a less intense experience.

Baccarat game strategy and baccarat tips

As baccarat is really a game of chance it is difficult to develop any in-game strategy to beat the dealer. Keep in mind though that the banker’s hand has a slightly higher statistical chance of winning more often at just over 50%. Card counting is also virtually ineffective in baccarat and nothing compared to other games like blackjack. One of the best strategies to take when playing online baccarat is to keep an eye on your bankroll and manage it as well as possible. Don’t blow out your bankroll by making massive bets and don’t go on tilt to win back lost money. Make sure to set limits on how much you are prepared to lose and just walk away if you hit them. Likewise, it can be good to set a winning limit and when you hit it, collect your winnings and go and enjoy them.

Conclusion

Playing baccarat games online can be a fast and exciting alternative to poker and other table games. As you can see the rules are simple once you get to know them and it is a fun and social game to play with other punters.

Casino

The Red Carpet Status Of Online Casinos – Being a VIP Player

The Red Carpet Status Of Online Casinos – Being a VIP Player

If you’re a regular online poker player you may have heard of vip programs. You may be wondering what are they and how can you get vip status.

In this article I’ll show you exactly how you can join vip programs and start earning loyalty rewards. Firstly though, what is an online casino VIP program?

Just like a store loyalty card earns you points, the same applies to online casinos. The more you visit the site and spend money the more you will be rewarded.

Online casino bonuses vary with some offering a welcome bonus when you sign up as a member. This could be in the form of cash, loyalty points, or the opportunity to play a game for free.

Be aware that you may need to deposit a certain amount of money, or gain so many points before any welcome bonuses can be accessed. Don’t let this put you off as some are very generous.

Some vip programs even have a referral program. They’re normally structured in tiers which means the more new members you refer, the greater the bonus.

Some casino loyalty programs offer very impressive prizes. These may include holidays, birthday gifts, high tech gadgets, or cash back.

High end prizes usually demand large cash deposits in your account. Just spending a few pounds every week won’t make you a wealthy vip player!

One of the perks of joining an online casino vip program is waiting less time for withdrawals to be processed. It can be frustrating to make money then having to wait days before you see it in your bank account.

How do you join poker vip programs?

Every online casino has different rules regarding vip programs. The best thing is to do plenty of research before making any final decisions.

Some will automatically place you at vip entry level, while others demand a large amount of money in your account before allowing you in as a vip. There are even some that charge players to become vip members.

If you have a high vip level, many casinos will assign you your very own manager. You may also be invited to attend exclusive vip events and will be treated like royalty.

You may be invited to poker tournaments and live music venues. You could also be attending events in luxurious 5 star resorts courtesy of the casino vip program.

You’ll be well looked after by your vip manager who’ll ensure everything is tailored to suit your needs. Expect to enjoy a wonderful and memorable experience at any one of the events you attend.

Just imagine the fantastic lifestyle you could be enjoying as a high level vip member. However, it will take time and a lot of money to reach. You’ll need to be very active in the casino and play regularly, but the rewards will be worth it.

How do casino loyalty programs work?

Normally you’ll find most casino loyalty programs offer a bonus percentage as well as free spins. This depends on the amount of cash deposited and varies between different casinos.

If you’re someone who is planning to spend regular large amounts of cash it will definitely pay you to spend time researching as many casino loyalty programs as possible.

As you will be spending a lot of time and money on the program you want to find one that has the best loyalty program to suit your budget. Casino loyalty programs usually have several different levels. The more you place deposits and play, the more loyalty points you’ll gain.

For example, you may enter a program at bronze level, then move up to silver, gold, and finally platinum. As you move up a level you’ll gain more valuable perks.

Always stick with one casino loyalty program. It won’t pay you to keep changing and you’ll lose out on points and some of the fantastic rewards on offer.

Play on your mobile device

If you’re an avid online poker player there will be times when you’re away from your laptop and want to enter the casino. Most poker vip programs are mobile friendly these days but always check first.

How can I deposit money?

Most online poker sites allow you to deposit by either debit or credit card. You could also consider using e-wallets. These are popular since they’re encrypted and consider that bit safer.

How long does it take to withdraw winnings?

You shouldn’t normally have to wait more than a day to claim your winnings. However, be aware that the card you used to place your deposit will be the one to receive money.

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The power lies in your hands with casino Free Spin bonuses

The power lies in your hands with casino Free Spin bonuses

Free Spins Bonus – What it is and How Best to Use One

For anyone new to the world of online casinos, a free spin bonus must seem like the best possible giveaway. They are very popular among online casino players, but are they as good an offer as they seem? One of the main reasons for the introduction of the free spin online casino bonus was to attract new players across the virtual threshold and to encourage them to play. Over the years the free spins bonus has proved to be very successful, but those who are new to the world of online gambling are bound to appreciate the following explanation.

What is an online casino free spins bonus?

A free spins UK casino bonus provides players (usually new ones) with a chance to spin the reels without having to pay. Anyone choosing to play a standard video slot will have to pay a certain amount of money, every time the reel spins. With a free spins online casino bonus, no such payment has to be made. Free spins can also be given away during a free bonus round, as part of a game being played. It is possible to win as a result of a free spin. However, any winnings will come with a certain wagering requirement. This will have to be met before a withdrawal of funds can be made.

Different types of free spins online casino bonus

There are different types of free spins bonus you can take advantage of. Although they are basically the same, there are a few small differences.

  • Promotional free spin bonus – often given away by an online casino to promote a new game.
  • New player free spins – these are usually given away to players who have just signed up to open an account. You will often find them attached to a welcome or other promotional bonus in order to reduce the chances of a new player abusing the offer.
  • Mobile free spins – it seems that casinos are up for encouraging players to use their mobile devices for playing casino games. It’s common to find online casinos offering mobile players exclusive bonuses or free spins.

On a more serious note – wagering requirements

A free spins UK casino bonus is a great way to try out games for free. In fact, they can sometimes be an offer that’s too good to refuse. But a word of caution is required, because more often than not, there will be wagering requirements attached to the offer. This means the casino is not giving away free spins just for the fun and entertainment. On the contrary, they are expecting something in return. And that’s for players to keep playing and spending their own money, rather than playing for free. To encourage players to keep playing wagering requirements are added to the offer. What this means is that players have to spin through winnings a specified number of times before withdrawals can be made. It could be 10 times, 20 times or even more. There are online casinos that have wagering requirements of as much as 80 times.

Other bonuses available at an online casino

There are a number of other bonuses you can find being offered at an online casino. A welcome bonus, for example, is given to new players when they sign up for an account. Loyalty bonuses and VIP programs are designed to reward regular players. There are also bonuses that require no deposits as well as those that need a certain amount to be deposited before a player is eligible.

Are free bonuses as good as they seem?

There’s no denying that free spins are a good offer, but as with most things, there is a catch. This comes in the form of the wagering requirements, that we’ve jest explained. The free spins cost nothing and if you win the money will be added to your account. However, if you want to withdraw those winnings at some point in the future, you’ll need to meet the specified wagering requirements. And don’t be fooled if the casino is calling them turnover requirements, wagering, or spin through. These are basically the same thing. Let’s give you an example of how it works. With your free spins you win £30 and the offer has a 10x wagering requirement attached. The £30 winnings have to be spun thorough to the amount of £300, before a penny can be withdraw from the account. There are a few casinos with no such requirements attached to their free spin offers, but there really aren’t that many.

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The Power of Cryptocurrency and the Impact on Online Casinos

The Power of Cryptocurrency and the Impact on Online Casinos

Cryptocurrency in online casinos has introduced a whole new dimension to gaming in the form of digital types of currency that use cryptographic codes to ensure information security and confidentiality. Although there are a number of similarities with traditional payment methods such as transactions, balances and a payment network, there are many additional benefits such as very low fees and speedy transactions in what is known as block chain technology.

Bitcoin casino use was first introduced by some top level casinos who allowed customers to use this method of payment for online slots. Since then a huge growth in cryptocurrency has been seen in online casinos in the UK and abroad with some governments even backing the move to introduce this innovative new technology into the gambling economy.

However, many people may not realise that there are a whole host of other digital currencies that can now be utilised to make games more exciting and accessible to a variety of players in UK online casinos and which also conform to the 3 pillars of cryptocurrency which are clarity, transparency and security.

CRYPTOCURRENCY: ONLINE CASINOS

New forms of digital currency have recently been developed that can be utilised to make games more exciting and accessible to a variety of players in UK online casinos. Although some have not yet been adopted across the board, there are clear signs that a significant increase is imminent in the gaming industry.

Although Bitcoin is still used widely and is the forerunner of the other cryptocurrencies it is not as popular as it was due to declining value, meaning that an average casino wager equates to just a fraction of a Bitcoin. Add to that the problems some users have in deciphering how much is being spent per bet due to the nature of Bitcoin values which run into strings of zeros after the decimal point, and it is easy to see why other digital currencies are gaining momentum in many online casino UK environments.

Online casino cryptocurrency now includes not just Bitcoin but a multitude of new types of payment methods such as:

  • ETHEREUM: this cryptocurrency is gaining favour in many UK online casinos due to it’s relative stability compared to others that fluctuate more in value. Gamers can hold the currency in Casino Wallets knowing that it will maintain a steady value.
  • ERC20 TOKENS: Many casinos have introduced these tokens which are also Ethereum based and allow for storage in Ethereum wallets and also enhance fair betting. As with some of the other online casino cryptocurrencies they are not yet being used wholesale in all online casinos but are being hailed in some quarters as the next big thing in online casino UK gambling.
  • DASH: This online cryptocurrency is not currently accepted in as many UK online casinos as Bitcoin at present but is ideally suited for gaming purposes. It is easier to understand the values involved and offers more anonymity than Bitcoin so is expected to increase in popularity and use in the future.
  • LITECOIN: Litecoin is also one of the original cryptocurrencies along with Bitcoin casino use and is based on the same principle as Bitcoin but is less costly and has a better block time speed.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

Currently there is an unprecedented growth of cryptocurrencies in online casino use which is set to become more prevalent in the near future.

Bitcoin casino use in gaming is currently becoming less popular but is still the easiest cryptocurrency to come by. However, Ethereum and Ethereum tokens are now much more widely available and have a lot of versatility and consistency to recommend them. Other cryptocurrencies will gradually become widely available as more gamers turn to these methods of payment.

Having greater choice and better value for money can only be a good thing for the future of gaming in online casinos in the UK and will potentially offer customers more flexibility and control than traditional methods of payment.

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The power of virtual reality and the future of online casino

The power of virtual reality and the future of online casino

Technological advancement is the new best friend of UK online casinos within the burgeoning sphere of virtual reality. iGaming is one of the most dynamic web-based industries of the 21st century so it comes as no surprise that the virtual reality casino is a powerful business marker for the ability to offer the ultimate gaming experience for customers. As popular as online gaming has proved to be, with a multitude of bonuses combined with highly entertaining games, many bettors are loyally attached to the atmosphere and magnetic glamour of land-based casinos. These days, however, there is a new kid on the block, offering the power to emulate the excitement of a real-life visit to the casino with all its glitzy allure. By giving the customer the significant convenience of not having to step out of their front door, the virtual reality casino is responding to technological changes that no longer render virtual reality a niche concept.

With technological improvements in virtual reality, it’s entirely possible to imagine stepping into the glamour of the casino. Now, the physical senses can appreciate the unique atmosphere, with players able to tour their surroundings, visit a bar, interact with avatars, something which cannot be replicated with the conventional online casino. Consider the excitement of sitting near Phil Hellmuth or Kathy Leibert as players pit their wits against the big boys and girls of gaming royalty, all without having to change out of their pyjamas! Put like this, it makes sense that for UK online casinos able to give their customers the thrill of a three-dimensional casino experience, the future of virtual reality casinos can be very bright indeed.

Online Casino Software

Developments are such that since the 90s when virtual reality technology at that time failed to deliver on expectations, the concept has quickly moved from specialist to mainstream. Fast forward to the 21st century and advancements in the online casino experience can now offer to customers the 3D version with an accompanying glamour no longer exclusive to the land-based set. It’s important to recognise, however, that as technology moves forward in the VR arena, customers will be able to play some but not all of the kinds of games that are available at the 2D online casino. This is likely to change, with the advent of apps such as Riftsino, making the online casino experience witness a shift of virtual reality from space-age hype to gamer reality.

The popular and well-loved games are all playable in 3D, including poker and gin rummy, as well as blackjack tournaments and roulette. Into this standard mix, several innovative online casinos have developed successful virtual reality games such as Miss Midas and Jack’s World. The fundamentals for fully immersive 3D gaming experiences start with a decent virtual reality headset as well as checking PC/Mac compatibility. It is important to note that anyone can play virtual reality casino games as long as they have a device such as a desktop or mobile, appreciating that the games themselves can be viewed in 3D.

Virtual Reality Slots

Although Oculus Rift has been primarily used by video gamers, its technology is being successfully applied to virtual reality slot games, with big names including NetEnt and Microgaming responding to the popularity and industry-empowering rise of virtual reality. Riftsino has opened the virtual doors to other UK online casinos who are embracing the technological new age with a range of brand bespoke apps that can be used with Oculus Rift headsets.

With the crucial addition of real money play, the immersive 3D experience is now readily available which includes customers able to sit at the slot machines, have a tour around the casino, as well viewing the machines to either side, as any player would in the bricks and mortar casinos. As popular as they are, the slot machines can offer devoted players the casino atmosphere in an equally immersive way as the virtual poker player.

The UK online casino industry is fully aware of the benefits of technology, intrinsic as it is not only to ever greater business success but opening the way to new audiences who not only appreciate the virtual reality experience but expect it in more of their web-based leisure interactions. Online gaming is no exception, and developments within the virtual reality sphere are sure to remain dynamic. To keep up with developments in the online casino industry, be sure to check out our archives for more articles.

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One American and one European Blackjack Table: Which do you Choose?

One American and one European Blackjack Table: Which do you Choose?

When playing blackjack in an online casino, you’ll sometimes be offered the choice between playing the European variant of the game, or the American variant. So, how do you choose which one to play? The answer is that it depends on your personal playing style and which set of rules you prefer, as both have advantages and both are fun games. The differences between the two types of blackjack game are laid out below, for those who are new to playing in the UK’s best online casinos.

Decks Used In American and European Blackjack

The first difference you’re likely to notice is that the decks used are different: in European blackjack, only two decks are used while in the American variant, between six and eight decks are used. This typically means that American blackjack has a greater house edge.

The Hole Card in American Vs European Blackjack

The hole card is something which exists in the American version of the game, but not the European. In the European game that you may be familiar with, the dealer is dealt one card face up and does not get their second card until other player’s hands are complete. This means he cannot check for a potential win until later on.

In the American rules, he is given his second card face down straight away. If the face-up card is an ace, then he can check the face down card, which is the hole card. If the hole card gives him a blackjack, the hand ends straight away. Some people like this innovation as it prevents wasting time and money on a round that the dealer was always going to win.

Doubling Down and Splitting Within European Blackjack Rules

One of the biggest differences you’ll find between European and American blackjack is the rules around doubling down and splitting, which will have a huge impact on your strategy in these games. In short, doubling down is choosing to double your wager – a good choice if you’re pretty certain that your hand is better than the dealer’s hand. In European Blackjack rules, this is fairly regimented: you can only double down if your hand has a value of 9, 10, or 11.

There are also different rules on splitting, which refers to dividing your initial cards into two different hands, which not only doubles your bet but allows you to win more money. In the European blackjack rules, you are only allowed to split a hand once, and even then you can only choose to split a pair of cards that both have a ten value – so a number ten or a Jack, Queen, or King.

These fairly strict rules on splitting and doubling down means that European blackjack players tend to be more conservative in their strategy, and less aggressive. When choosing which kind of blackjack to play, this is something you should take into account.

Doubling Down and Splitting Within American Blackjack Rules

The rules on doubling down and splitting in American blackjack are quite different from in the European version and are likely to make a big impact on your play style. In the American rules, players can double down no matter what their total is, and are even able to double down after splitting. In terms of splitting, the restrictions are much freer also – you are able to split any pair of cards up to 3 times, which would leave you with a total of four hands.

These more lax rules encourage a more aggressive style of play in which players split and double down a lot more – something that some players are wary of, but some really enjoy.

Late Surrender in American vs European Blackjack

Late surrender is another innovation in American blackjack that does not exist in the European version. Essentially, it allows a player to admit defeat at the start of the game, having seen their initial two cards. Many players like this option, as it allows them to lose only 50% of their stake – a great idea when a player feels they are unlikely to win with the hand they have been dealt.

If you spend a lot of time playing blackjack online, it’s likely that you’ll develop a natural preference for either the American or European rules. If you’re still choosing which one to play, think about how you enjoy playing and what you want to get out of the game. If you prefer an aggressive, fast-paced style with lots of strategic splitting and doubling down, you may prefer the American style. However, some favour the European style for offering a more conservative game with a smaller house edge. Carefully consider what you want, but bear in mind that both games are very fun and potentially lucrative.

Casino

Roulette systems worth knowing

Roulette systems worth knowing

Roulette is a hugely popular game online, and everyone wants to know the best roulette tips, to learn how to win consistently and beat the odds. This is where it pays to understand some of the different roulette systems. Today we are going to look at some of the most successful roulette online systems being used today.

The Martingale

This is the most famous roulette system of all time, which is also very popular with online dice games. The basic idea is that you just double you bets every time, until you win. With a big enough bankroll, this should lead to a guaranteed win every time, however in practice, most casinos have actually stopped this being a guaranteed winner by creating maximum wager limits.

The Reverse Martingale

As you would expect this is pretty much the reverse of the Martingale, where you double your wager after each win, but stop after a loss. Over the long term this is equally risky, but as with the normal Martingale, you can adapt it to create extended systems which lower the risk somewhat, usually by stretching the losses or wins.

D’Alembert Roulette Strategy

This roulette strategy is so-called after the frenchman Jean-Baptiste le Rond d’Alembert. He believed, wrongly as it turns out, that for every time a coin toss returned a head, the chance of getting a tail was increased. So for a set stake in his system, you start with, lets say £10, if you lose, you stake £20, if you lose again you stake £30, each time increasing by your original stake. In theory you should eventually cover your losses and gain a profit.

The Contra D’Alembert Roulette System

The formal name for this roulette strategy simply means The Reverse D’Alembert Roulette System. The system is as you would expect, following a loss the base bet has the base bet added, and following a loss the base bet is the previous bet minus the base bet. For example starting with £10, it would be £20, win again, £30, but then lose, £20. The reverse suits winning streaks, but is equally as fallible as the normal D’Alembert.

The Fibonacci Roulette Strategy

As you may suspect from the name, this roulette system applies the well known Fibonacci mathematical sequence, generally known for illustrating patterns in nature. The wagering sequence follows the fibonacci sequence, raising in value 1 step forward for each loss and two steps back for each win, with the wager always being the sum of the previous numbers in the sequence. There is, of course, a corresponding reverse of the system, but it will not be included in this list, as in practice, it is rarely very successful.

Labouchere Roulette Strategy

This is probably the second most famous roulette strategy, which has been named after the English aristocrat Henry Labouchere. In essence it is another negative progression, meaning wagers are increased after losses, similar to the classic Martingale. It is more balanced however, as it attempts to recoup a players losses over a number of rolls rather than all in one.

The system really needs a pen and paper as it is slightly more complicated to work out. So here goes, lets say you want to get £10 profit;

  • Divide 10 into a number sequence, we’ll say 3 numbers for this example
  • 10 = 1, 2, 3, 4 (these can be any numbers, as long as they add up to 10)
  • Bet the first and last, so 1+4 = 5
  • If it losses add the 5 to the end to make 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
  • Then bet first and last, so 1+5 = 6
  • If it wins, erase the first and last to leave 2, 3, 4
  • Bet first and last so 2+4 = 6
  • If it wins erase the first and last which just leaves 3
  • Bet 3, if it wins, total profit will be 6

Each win the first and last numbers are erased, each loss the wager is added to the set of numbers. This continues until the set is complete, and desired profit is earned, at which point another set of numbers is chosen it starts again.

These are a few of the most famous roulette systems to help you play roulette online, but always remember only bet money you can afford to lose.