November 2008
A Funny Gambling Moment
Hi, my name is Joseph Pigliatti. I am also known as Joey the Pig, Second Story Joey, Blackjack Joey and Joey Ice Cream Cone. If you don’t mind, I prefer Joey the Pig.
Anyhow, the good people at www.gambleonthis.com have asked me to write an article about the funniest gambling moment I can think of. There are so many but I will try.
The funniest one happened at a Friday night poker game. There was me, Patty the Irish Pint, Tony Two Times, and Johnny Good Bones. You see, we had got together for a night of 7 card stud.
Now the funny thing was that the Bosses had set up a hit on Patty the Irish Pint earlier in the day. Patty had been skimming off the top from the numbers racket and the Bosses wanted to set an example. Patty was to be whacked during our poker game. Tony Two Times had the contract on him.
Anyhow, here we all are at the poker game and me, Tony and Johnny can’t stop smiling. There is something very funny about being in a room with a guy that is suppose to get whacked and he don’t know it but all the other guys do. Every time I look at Tony Two Times I start to giggle and Tony can’t keep a straight face either and then Johnny Good Bones would look at us giggling and he would break up too. You had to be there.
Anyhow, Patty the Irish Pint has got no idea what is going on. He thinks were a bit goofy for carrying on like we are but he is winning big at the poker table so he don’t care. Which makes it seem even funnier to us because here is this guy that is going to get whacked momentarily and he is winning big.
So here is the climatic part of the story. There is a pot worth about 20 grand and the only two players left are Patty and Tony. Patty calls Tony and Tony lays down a full house. But get this, this is the real kicker, Patty lays down his cards and he has 4 aces!
At that point I fell on the floor laughing. I was laughing so hard I had to slap the floor and gasp for air. When Tony Two Times sees me laughing like this of course he falls to the floor laughing also. He is laughing so hard he is literally pissing himself. And Johnny Good Bones is also on the floor laughing so hard he can’t breath.
At this point Patty the Irish Pint is beginning to suspect something. Maybe it’s because he sees three fat wiseguys rolling around on the floor laughing like kids. Anyhow, Tony Two Times takes his gun out and points it at Patty. But just as he does this he looks me in the eye and we both start laughing again! Tony is laughing so hard he can’t even aim his gun.
Patty then takes his gun out and points it at Tony. But before he fires the gun he drops dead! We found out later he had a heart attack. All the excitement or something.
Anyhow, I hope the good people at www.gambleonthis.com enjoy my funny gambling story. It brings tears to my eyes every time I think of it.
© 2005 by Joey the Pig.
Problem Gambling
Although gambling addiction affects less than 1 percent of all gamblers, it is an issue taken very seriously by land-based and online casinos around the world.
Gambling addiction is the compulsive, or pathological, need for an affected person to gamble. Problem gambling can affect all arenas of a person’s life causing financial, social, psychological, and even physical problems.
A problem gambler is someone who feels this compulsive need to keep gambling despite the affects it is having on his/her life.
There are certain criteria that define a problem gambler, including, but not limited to, gambling until every dollar is gone, gambling a longer period of time than planned, thinking about gambling causes you to lose sleep, you have tried to and can’t stop gambling and you leave bills unpaid and spend all your money on gambling.
Addiction gamblers don’t always necessarily gamble in regular methods, at casinos or lotteries, for example. People with this problem will bet and gamble on anything, even meaningless bets with friends or coworkers.
If a person is having trouble determining if they, or someone they know, has a gambling problem there are many tests online from various problem gambling institutes that they can accurately determine if they are affected.
Casinos and online casinos have also taken steps to identify and help problem gamblers, although they acknowledge the fact that most problem gamblers identify themselves first and seek help.
This article was written on behalf of Online Casino. At Online Casino we are dedicated to helping problem gamblers and completely advocate responsible gaming.
Personals - Online Dating Site Reviews
Online Dating Services Reviews: Know More, Learn More
In many areas, reviews are extremely important to give people certain insights of the pros and cons of a certain product or service. Hence, with the proliferation of online dating services, the reviews are vastly taking its share in the limelight.
On the Internet, the growth of online dating services review web sites are fast increasing. They do not just provide people the necessary reviews of a certain online dating service but they also provide some tips on how to choose the right web site for the services needed.
The Most Popular Reviewers
To date, many web sites are trying to come up with practicable reviews about online dating services. However, there are those that cuts above the rest.
Some of the web sites known to provide thorough reviews are Online Dating Magazine and Dating Dame.com. However, some of the typical press had already taken part in reviewing online dating services, such as Business Week, Newsweek, and PC Magazine. In turn, many people are finding the reviews on these sites more credible because of the mere fact that reviews came from credible sources and known areas in their field.
However, online dating services reviews do not completely offer 100% satisfication to people who wish to know more about online dating services. This is because the satisfication is certainly dependent on the personal experience of an individual.
Nevertheless, there are still people who depend on the reviews before they browse on a particular online dating service. Therefore, to help those who wish to get hold of the most viable online dating services available in the Internet today, here are two of the reviewed sites that were known for their quality of service and features.
1. Match.com
Most critics find Match.com as one of the best online dating service. Critics say that Match.com is the only dating service online that features keyword search. It also has colorful graphics and user-friendly interface, that is why, it gains good reviews from many credible online dating services review web sites.
Alternatively, reviews say that Match.com is the largest, most well liked online dating site in the industry today. It has approximately 15 million profiles to date.
2. Lavalife.com
According to PC magazine, a known professional online dating site reviewer, the best online dating service available in the industry today is Lavalife.com.
Reviewers assert that Lavalife.com has a funnier approach to online dating.
Therefore, for people who wish to get the best online dating services, it’s best to consult reviews first. What they will know will help them choose better sites.
Sportsbook Money Lines
The Money Lines, as some may call, are not as complicated as it appears. Unlike point spreads which represents probability based on game points, money lines represents probability with money.
A simple way to understand money lines is to think of it as an indication of the amount of money you need to bet to win $110 and the amount of money you will win if you bet $100. Money lines are preferably explained based on a $100 value since it used in most of the games but it doesn’t mean you can only bet a $100 on a game. You can bet with money lines with any amount of many and it will become proportional to the money lines odds.
Money lines are used mostly in popular sports like football and basketball. Let me explain you an example of money lines with a game of NFL where it is widely used.
For example, the Patriots are the favorite against the Steelers on an AFC game. Since the Patriots are the favorite, the money lines are fixed so they have a money line of -110. The Steelers being the underdog has a money line of +110. If the Patriots are your preference and you choose to bet for them, you have to bet $110 to play a chance on winning $100. If you decide the Steelers are in a come back still not more of a favorite like the Patriots but you still think they can win the game then you bet $100 to play the chance of winning $110. This is because the probabilities calculated by the oddsmakers that are made into money lines are balanced to win less money for betting on a team that has more probability of winning and winning more money for betting on a team that has less chance of winning.
It is not necessary to bet a $100 on money lines. You can choose to bet more or less and your winning will be proportional to the $100 and $110 value. For example if you bet $55 on the Raiders with a money line of -110 while the Jets have a money line of +110 and they win, you will receive $50. If you plan to bet $50 on the Jets and they win you get the amount of $55.
Money lines are very easy to understand and explain probability with an approach on showing who has a better chance to win and who doesn’t. Anyway, the easier way to understand money lines is by wagering. It is by experience of the process that you gain knowledge and your future betting experience will be really worth full.
Price Per Head Bookmaking For Dummies
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 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. More conservative operations understand that this market is not one you want to lead a head on battle with. They respect your work and will treat you with the professionalism you and your players deserve and expect and 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 bussiness 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 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. Where as a conservative price per head bookmaking operation goes from season to season & 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!.
Inside The World Of Online Poker!
Inside the world of Online Poker!
There are many online poker rooms that offer a variety of Poker games where one can play against real people for real or fun money. Millions from all over the world play Poker on the net. In many poker rooms, the different players at the table are represented graphically and players can play for micro limits such as $0.01/0.02 limits or for larger stakes such as $100/ $20. Players can use many online payment systems to deposit money to their Poker account, buy chips and place their wagers. Online Poker gives players the freedom to play anytime of the day, playing in the comfort of their own homes/office. Players can play for as long as they want to. They don’t need to wait until all their friends have had enough and want to go home. For those wanting to improve their Poker skills, the internet provides a means of practicing and learning about all kinds of Poker games’ strategy online anytime 24/7 365. There are numerous of different online tournaments and tons of different online games going on at any given moment. Online Poker players can also take advantage of added features provided by the online poker rooms such as hand histories, detailed player’s stats, opponents comments, and being able to analyze a table’s stats to look at the average pot being played.
Online Poker Tournaments: Most of the Online Poker Rooms offer a wide variety of Online Tournaments, many of them with huge money prize. From Limit Seven Card Stud to Pot Limit Omaha and No Limit Texas Holdem tournaments, there is always a huge selection of different Poker tournaments on the web for both new players and professional players alike. Online Poker Rooms offer both single and multi-table tournaments. Big online tournaments consist of thousands of players. In addition, many of the larger Rooms offer their most loyal players Private Tournaments in which players can set up their own online tournament structure inviting the players of their choice.
Online poker is a bit different from land based one as you don’t actually ’see’ the other players. You don’t have to see a player in person to identify a tell. As with land base Poker, the concept is still the same - get to know your opponent’s playing style and habits, because every action your opponent makes could potentially give you information on what kind of cards they are holding. With the variety of game choices available at online casinos, you can try everything you ever wanted to try but never did because you were of afraid of embarrassing yourself.
Online Casino Games
Online Casino Games
Blackjack
The objective of Blackj ack is for a player to come as close to 21 without going over,
while still having a higher number than the dealer. Prior to receiving any cards, the player must place a wager.
Once the wager is made, the player is dealt two cards face up. The dealer is also dealt two cards.
If the total value of the player’s cards is closer to 21 than the dealer, the player wins as much as he wagered.
The player wins if the dealer goes over 21.
Baccarat
Although many people do not know how to play, Baccara t is actually one of the easiest casino games to play.
It has been played in various forms since the early 1800’s. This Internet Casino offers the most popular version of baccarat, as found in most casinos in Las Vegas.
In Baccarat, cards are dealt to two hands, named Player and Banker. The object of the game is to correctly pick which hand will have the higher score. You can also place a bet on Tie, which pays 9 to 1.
To play Baccarat you simply choose whether you want to bet on Player, Banker, Tie, or any combination of the three.
Craps
To play the game of Craps, place your bets by placing chips on the Craps table. The table seems to have about a hundred different kinds of bets. Critical to the understanding of craps is that it is a game of rounds. The first roll in a round is called the come out roll. Sometimes the outcome of a round will be determined on the come out roll. In particular a 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12 on the come out roll immediately ends a round. If any other total is rolled (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) that number is called the point. The dealer will place a white puck on an area of the table to designate what the point is, in case you forget. If a point is rolled the dice will be rolled continuously until the same point is rolled again or a 7.
Casino War
The objective of Casin o War, is for a player to have a higher card than the dealer. If the player’s card is higher, then the player wins 2 times the amount wagered. In the case where the value of the player’s card and the dealer’s card is the same, the player can either fold or choose to “go to war” by raising the bet. If the player folds, the amount wagered is automatically lost.
If the player raises, an amount equal to the original wager is added to the bet and both the dealer and player receive three cards face down, and another card face-up. The highest face-up card wins. In the case of a win, player receives a win 2 times the amount wagered plus the raise amount.
For example, a player’s wager (ante) is $5 and the player raises $5 and the player’s card is higher than the dealer, the player would win two times the amount of the wager (ante) and will win the raise amount, which is a total $15. However, if the card is lower than that of the dealer, the player loses the wager (in the case above, the player would lose $10, both the wager (ante) and the raise). If after a war the player and the dealer have the same card value, then the player wins
American Roulette
American Roulette is the modern game of Roulette found in most casinos, especially those in Las Vegas.
Roulette is one of the oldest and most popular casino games in the world. It is also one of the simplest to play. The game of American Roulette consists of a wheel with 38 stops, and a ball that can land with equal chance in any of those stops. Players make wagers by placing chips in the betting areas of the Roulette table. After all bets are placed, the ball is spun and eventually lands on a number. Wagers placed on the winning number or on groups that include the winning number are paid a multiple of the bet. The house collects all other wagers.
European Roulette
European Roulette is similar to American Roulette except that the table is laid out in the traditional European format, and the Roulette wheel and table each have only one “0″ on them.
Roulette is one of the oldest and most popular casino games in the world. It is also one of the simplest to play. The game of American Roulette consists of a wheel with 38 stops, and a ball that can land with equal chance in any of those stops. Players make wagers by placing chips in the betting areas of the Roulette table. After all bets are placed, the ball is spun and eventually lands on a number. Wagers placed on the winning number or on groups that include the winning number are paid a multiple of the bet. The house collects all other wagers.
Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud Poker is standard Five-Card Stud Poker with a slight twist: one of the dealer’s cards is always displayed. Players compete against the dealer, rather than other players. The objective of the game is to beat the dealer’s hand.
There is also a Progressive jackpot available with this game. To play, place a side bet of $1. If the player is dealt any of the Progressive Pay Table Hand Rankings, he may win all or a portion (depending on his hand rank) of the progressive jackpot. The current jackpot is displayed at the top, which increases as players place these side bets.
To place a progressive bet, click on the coin slot. The light on top of the slot will light up red to show that you’ve placed the progressive bet. To undo the bet, simply click on the slot again.
Let Em Ride
Let Em Ride is a variation of poker, except that the player plays against the house and does not compete against the dealer or other players. The player is dealt three cards and the dealer is dealt two. The objective of the game is to get any winning poker hand consisting of a pair of 10’s or higher, using all five cards.
After placing the ante bet, the player receives three cards face up, and the dealer receives two cards face down. The player decides whether or not he wants to raise the original bet (by the same amount as the original bet), or continue without a raise to the next round of play. Once the player decides to raise or continue, the dealer’s first card will be shown. Now the player has another opportunity to raise or continue. If he decides to raise, the bet will again increase by the original bet amount. After the player raises or continues, the dealer’s second (last) card is shown.
After the dealer’s last card is shown, the player’s hand is evaluated as a normal poker hand, combining the player’s three cards and the dealer’s two cards. If the player has a pair of tens or any higher winning poker hand, the player wins. Otherwise, the player loses.
Pai Gow Poker
Pa i Gow Poker is a card game played with a 53-card deck consisting of a standard deck of 52 cards plus one Joker. In this version of Pai Gow Poker, the banker (or house) always plays as the dealer and covers all bets, and the player only competes against the dealer. The player receives seven cards, which must then be “set” or split into two poker hands: a five-card hand and a two-card hand. Once split, the player’s two hands are compared with the dealer’s two hands to determine the winner.
The bank pays the winner–minus a 5% commission–and the game ends. The commission is 5% of the bet and is rounded up to the next quarter. For example, a minimum bet of $6 would be a commission of 50 cents. (5% of $6 = 30 cents, but since the commission is rounded up to the next 25 cents; the commission is actually 50 cents. 5% of $11 = 55 cents, which makes the actual commission 75 cents.)
Red Dog
Red Dog is a simple game from the old West played with three cards. After receiving two cards, the player wins if the next card dealt is ranked between the first two cards. If all three cards are the same rank, the player wins 11 to 1. After placing the initial bet, the player receives two cards. If the two cards are different, the player must decide either to raise the bet (with an amount equal to the initial bet) or continue with the current bet before receiving the third card.
The player wins if the third card falls numerically between the first two cards. Winning hands are paid based on the spread between the first two cards–how far apart the first two cards rank. The player loses the total bet–including any raised bet–if the third card does not fall between the first two cards.
When the first two cards have consecutive ranks (for example, 5 and 6), then the hand is a tie and all bets are returned to the player.
When the first two cards have the same rank, the third card is automatically dealt. If the third card has the same as the first two, the player wins eleven times the initial bet. If the third card is different than the first two, the game is a push, and all bets are returned to the player
Keno
Keno is one of the oldest games played in casinos and is easy to learn. Keno is a lottery style game.
There is a Keno Card with numbers from one (1) to eighty (80). . The player selects a wager amount from the top right of the Keno Card, and predicts what numbers will be drawn by selecting one or as many as fifteen of those numbers on the Keno Card. The wager amounts are $1, $5 and $10 and stay the same regardless of how many numbers are chosen
After clicking on the Play button, twenty of the numbers are then drawn and rolled out randomly. The numbers that are drawn are rolled out on the bottom of the Keno Card and are highlighted on the Keno Card automatically. The more numbers that are correctly predicted, the higher the payout.
The Payout Table is shown to the upper left of the Keno Card and displays the payouts based on the number of catches (correctly predicted numbers) from your selections on the card.
Texas Holdem Poker
Texas Holdem Poker is the most popular casino card game by far. Texas Holdem is a “community card” game, meaning that some cards are dealt face-up in the middle of the table and shared by all the players. Each player has two down cards that are theirs alone, and combines them with the five community cards to make the best possible five-card hand.
Play begins by dealing two cards face down to each player; these are known as “hole cards” or “pocket cards”. This is followed by a round of betting. Most Holdem games get the betting started with one or two “blind bets” to the left of the dealer. These are forced bets which must be made before seeing one’s cards. Play proceeds clockwise from the blinds, with each player free to fold, call the blind bet, or raise. Usually the blinds are “live”, meaning that they may raise themselves when the action gets back around to them.
Now three cards are dealt face up in the middle of the table; this is called the “flop”. A round of betting ensues, with action starting on the first blind, immediately to the dealers left. Another card is dealt face up (the “turn”), followed by another round of betting, again beginning to the dealer’s left. Then the final card (the “river”) is dealt followed by the final round of betting. In a structured-limit game, the bets on the turn and river are usually double the size of those before and on the flop.
The game is usually played for high only, each player making the best five-card combination to compete for the pot. Players usually use both their hole cards to make their best hand, but this is not required. A player may even choose to “play the board” and use no hole cards at all. Identical five-card hands split the pot; the sixth and seventh cards are not used to break ties.
David Dymock Hailing from Hong Kong China Gives His Preferred French Ski Holidays
I’ve stayed in a few European ski domains e.g. Les Trois Vallees, Verchaix, Chamonix and Montroc, however during all my ski holidays Chamonix constitutes my most popular European resort to go for skiing holidays Europe.
The cradle of French Alpine history and dwelling to the astounding Mont Blanc - at 4807m Europe’s highest mountain - Chamonix Mont Blanc France sports a unrivaled historical snow track record, a abundant skiing season (Nov-Apr), incomparable extreme telemarking, and views horizons to die for. Furthermore Chamonix village has an international renown since it has a lot of the most dramatic, challenging, and exhilarating lift accessed skiing accessible anywhere in the cosmos.
The Chamonix valley is enormous likewise it is disconcerting, and that is before one include the neighboring skiing towns; for example Val Cenis, Les Menuires, Alpe d’Huez, Chastreix-Sancy and Flegere.
The Cham Ski ski lift pass includes 9 near, and 12 departmental snowboarding resorts; on skiing upwards of 3841m, as many as 260 snowboarding lifts, and 760 kilometers of ski runs - and the absolute majority of the skiing fields above 2000 metres. It supplies for every plane from initiates as well as expert skiers. Visit our ski areas section for detailed look at every the main resorts: Les Orres, Les Houches, Brevent, Hautacam, Savoie and Tignes-les-Brevieres.
The Secret of Protecting Your Pass Line Bet
Pssst…! Wanna know a secret?
How about the secret of protecting your pass line bet?
Many dealers will encourage you to make additional hedge bets on craps numbers (2, 3 and 12) to protect your pass line bet. You’ll always hear “any craps” bets called whenever a new shooter is coming out.
Wanna know the secrets that craps pros use to protect their pass line bets?
Let’s find out!
Any craps is the most common hedge bet and pays seven to one. This means that if you have a ten dollar pass line bet and a $1 any craps bet, you’ll win $9 ($10 - $1) if the 7 (or 11) rolls, and lose only $3 ($10 passline - $7 any craps) instead of $10 if the 2, 3, or 12 rolls.
It sounds OK, but let’s look at the numbers. At the end of 36 rolls, you’ve invested $36 (36 x $1) in these hedge bets. The 2, 3 or 12 will theoretically roll four times (once each for the 2 and 12, and twice for the 3) in 36 rolls. So if you win these craps bets four times, you’ve won $28 (4 x $7), and spent $36 (36 x $1) giving you a $8 ($36-$28) loss.
You can also bet $2 ($1 each) Craps and Eleven (C&E). Craps (2, 3, or 12) pays 7 to 1, while the eleven pays 15 to 1. If the eleven rolls you win $24 ($10 passline + $15 eleven - $1 any craps). The seven will win you $8 ($10 passline - $2 C&E). If the 2, 3 or 12 should roll, you’ll lose $4 (+$7 craps - $1 eleven - $10 passline) instead of $10.
This time, though, in 36 decisions, you’ve invested $72 (2 x $36) in hedge bets. The 2 and 12 will have each rolled once, and the three and eleven twice. You would make $7 on the 2 ($1 x 7), $14 on the 3 ($2 x 7), $7 on the 12 ($1 x 7), and $30 on the eleven ($2 x 15). This totals $58 ($7 + $14 + $7 + $30), but you’ve already invested $72 so you have a $14 ($72-$58) loss! Another winner for the house!
Finally, you can make a 3-way craps bet (on the 2, 3, and 12) for $3. This is different from the any craps bet because the odds are higher - 30 to 1 for the 2 and 12, and 15 to 1 for the three. So if the 2 or 12 roll you win $18 ($30 - $10 - $2) instead of losing $10, and if the three rolls, you win $3 ($15 - $10 - $2) instead of losing $10. This bet also means that you will win on the 7 and 11 (from your pass line bet) and on the 2, 3, and 12 (from the 3-way craps bet). In 36 rolls, however, this time you’ve invested $108 ($3 x 36). The 2 and 12 will roll once, and the 3 twice. At 30 to 1, the 2 and 12 pay $30 each, for a total of $60. At 15 to 1, the 3 pays $30 ($2 x 15). You made $90 ($30 + $60) but spent $108 for a loss of $18!
Unfortunately, as you can see, you can not profitably protect a $10 pass line bet by hedging it with craps bets. Some craps writers have maintained that a craps hedge bet is only profitable with a passline bet of $25 or more, with a $4 any craps bet. Let’s look at the math. If you bet $4 any craps you’ll win $112, which comes from $4 (bet) x 4 (number of times 2, 3, or 12 rolls) x 7 (payoff). You’ll lose $144 ($4 x 36) resulting in a $32 loss. So, it’s still not a good bet. In fact it’s worse than a $10 passline bet with a $1 any craps bet!
Now let’s look at the same $25 passline bet with a C & E hedge for $4. If the eleven rolls, you’ll win $83 ($25 passline + $60 eleven - $2 any). The seven will win you $21 ($25 passline - $4 C&E). If the 2 or 3 roll you win $1 ($28 - $25 - $2). In 36 rolls you’ve invested $144 ($4 x 36) . The 2 and twelve will each have rolled once, and the three and eleven twice each. You would make $14 on the 2 ($2 x 7), $28 on the 3 ($2 x 14), $14 on the 12 ($2 x 7) and $60 on the eleven ($2 x 30). This totals $116. So you’ve lost $28 ($144 - $116).
Finally, lets look at a $6 3-way craps bet with a $25 passline bet. If the two or twelve roll you win $31 ($60 - $25 - $4). If the three rolls you win $1 ($30 - $25 - $4). In 36 rolls on this bet you’ve invested $216 ($6 x 36). At 30 to 1, the 2 and 12 pay $60 each (30 x $2) for a total of $120 ($60 + $60). At 15:1 the 3 pays $60 ($2 x 15 x 2). You made $180 ($120 + $60) but spent $216 giving you a $36 loss!
Craps is a math game, and, as you can see, there is no way you can protect a pass line bet with craps hedge bets - whether your unit is $5, $10, or $25.
So - the secret of protecting your pass line bet is to save all the money you would normally use for hedge bets and use that money to make more “free odds” bets!
Pssst…! Now you know the secrets of protecting your pass line bets!
(c) 2005 by Larry Edell
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Winning Video Poker Machine Tips
Everyone has seen her, and most of us, at one time or another, have been lured to her by her bright colors and flashing images. The flash of neon and the alluringly undulating “Win! Win! Win!” which pulses across her screen. It’s the video game which gives the player just a hint of the chance of winning cash instead of points. Of course this little tease is known as the video poker machine.
Of course if you have fallen for the tease of the video poker machine, you’ll know that she doesn’t give up the cash as easily as she portends she will. That’s part of her appeal to the player, to get her to finally give in to them and pay off. She is a paradox of beauty and frustration.
Just once wouldn’t you like to beat her at her own game? Do you yearn to make her finally pay off to you? Then read on friend, for I have some tips which will maximize your chances to make the little beauty keep her promises of a win.
As with any game of chance where money is involved, the first rule to live by is to limit how much you’re willing to lose. Make a promise to yourself that you’ll quit before you lose your shirt. Know before you begin where to draw the line if you start to suffer huge losses, and make certain you stick to your pledge to walk away.
As you would in regular poker, take your time and look over your cards each hand. You should take an ample amount of time to consider what strategy you wish to pursue with each new hand. Since there are no other people involved, your mechanized opponent will be patient with you. I have yet to see a video poker machine with a time limit, so don’t feel pressured into hasty decisions.
Always play maximum coins, for the payout will be based on amount of coins played. Playing fewer coins doesn’t guarantee playing longer. Always pick a machine which gives the best payout to coin ratio. If you want to play longer with less coin, then seek out a lower coin machine.
Practice at the many free video poker machines available to you at online casinos. Most online casinos offer free to play video poker machines. Use these to both hone your skills and build your confidence in playing video poker.
Playing video poker can be as much fun as playing regular poker. It presents you with unique opportunities and allows you to play at your own pace. If you follow the above tips, you’ll also increase your chances of walking away a winner.
Look up your favorite professional poker players including David Plastik and Chris Jesus Ferguson at www.poker-player-profiles.com today.