Video poker: Optimum Play; a book to help win at video poker

Video poker is a game that is not simply based on luck. A winning strategy is also a huge advantage and also the reason why a number of experts have thought of the idea of describing their techniques and detailing their advice ina book.

One of these books is “Video Poker: Optimum Play” by Dan Paymar. The book advises users as to how to ‘beat’ the machine, and how to make the right choices as the game progresses; indeed, is has been scientifically shown that a system can significantly limit the house advantage or, better still, even allow the player an advantage over the house itself.

Paymar moved to Las Vegas in 1980 and began his research into video poker in various casinos; creating and designing winning systems and strategies. He used a computer to confirm that his techniques worked before going on to publish his discoveries in his initial book, “Video Poker – Precision Play”. Additional work in subsequent years perfected his strategies, led to him modifying his methods and techniques, and finally, to the publication of “Video Poker: Optimum Play”.

The book primarily focuses on Jacks or Better video poker; the most popular form of video poker requiring players to achieve at least a pair of Jacks in order to win a money prize. However, Paymar’s book also covers other games, where the author is more than able to recommend excellent strategic advice for any video poker enthusiast.

The casino croupier; somewhere between myth and the hard truth.

When we find ourselves inside a casino in search of that elusive win – whether it be blackjack, baccarat or roulette – the croupier represents that somewhat detached person, indifferent to the coming and goings of the casino. He remains impassive whether the punter or the casino walks away with the winnings; cordial, discreet and as elegant as ever.

The role of the croupier is to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that the challenge undertaken between player and ‘fortune’ is transparent and carried out without obstacles from either side. The role of croupier is similar to that of one assisting at a duel, carrying the weapons; the only difference lying in the fact that at the casino the battle is between player and blind fate, where the croupier seems almost an intermediary between mortality and pure chance.

However, the role of croupier is like any other. It has its features that undoubtedly set it apart from the rest; with its qualities and also its defects; let’s take a closer look at what exactly comprises the work of the croupier.

As with any other job, croupiers require certain skills. They clearly require a high school leaving certificate but also a knowledge of foreign languages and preferably qualifications in the area of mathematics or accounting which guarantee a certain affinity with mathematical calculations. They clearly need to have a presence, as well as being astute and quick thinking; a test that is carried out by the casino on any aspiring young croupier. Croupiers also need to be able to build relations with the customers, relations which can become potentially fraught and difficult to handle when it comes to gambling.

There are, however, many types of croupier. There are not only those skilled at handling the roulette wheel, but also those who deal the cards for blackjack or baccarat. Others manage the slot machines and make rare appearances in the event of malfunction or big wins. In other words, croupier character and skills can vary considerably depending on the type of role required inside the casino.

It is by no means easy to be a croupier. Not only do they have to handle long shifts – including nights – but also have to be constantly attentive when at the table to make sure that everything runs smoothly; no easy task and not lacking in responsibility given that there is a constant flow of money to be handled and dealt with appropriately.

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Is it easy to win at online roulette? Find out how, with us…

Roulette is one of the casino games requiring a little more than a stroke of luck in order to win. You need that little bit of good fortune on your side and hope that –one way or another – this is enough to give you an advantage (regardless of the experience you have gained). This is why roulette ends up being considered a game of chance, even if – since its earliest days – enthusiasts have worked tirelessly to study the game and work out systems and tricks to improve the chances of wining.

One of the most renowned authorities was D’Alambert. He was not only an expert of roulette, but also remembered as a great mathematician, physicist, philosopher and astronomer, and was responsible for creating a system known as the Catch of D’Alambert. This system in essence is based on the so-called Martingale system, which works on a system of a progressive bets for each roll of the ball. In order to apply the Catch of D’Alambert, players increase the value of the bet each time they lose, and lower the value of the bet each time they win. It is a system that is especially recommended for players with no constraints on the amount they can bet.

Another system developed in order to win at roulette was the system created by the Austrian, Count Patat. His system allows players to achieve a win in 85% of cases, a win equivalent to 2 chips for each roll of the ball. The system requires payers to bet 6 chips on the first line column, 5 on the third, one between 0 and double 0, one between 8 and 11, one between 17 and 20, and one between 26 and 29.

Other winning strategies of particular interest include the so-called method of columns, the Pivot system of numbers, and – above all – the “hunt for zero” method. The latter system was developed by an Italian and lover of the ‘Lotto’ lottery game of chance and bases its strategy on winning by betting on 0. The system cannot be applied to American roulette; to follow the system correctly, players are required to bet two chips on a column, and two pieces on another column, with a chip always placed on 0. Doing so, the cost of betting on 0 should be successfully covered by the bets placed on the columns, with a win being achieved every time that the ball lands on 0.

Among some of the best known strategies is the simple chance method, which, in turn, was modified to create the Hot Wave 95 system. This system is simple to apply and capable of offering players interesting results. It is generally applied by players used to playing land-based casinos.

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Play with some of the best virtual casino horse races online

Did you know that some of the best online casinos offer players the chance to bet on racing, such as horse racing? We are, of course, talking about virtual racing but gaming enthusiasts are sure to be interested with winnings being allocated according not only to the right horse being betted on – based on its chances of winning – but also, logically, the initial bet placed.

If you have never tried out online virtual horse racing, why not try it out to start with and see how this type of online gaming works? Europa Casino offers users the chance to try out Derby Day, in complete security, and absolutely free of charge. Users needn’t register with the casino, or waste time filling in a never-ending series of empty boxes; just a few clicks and the game is underway.

Furthermore, Derby Day graphics are a real treat; simple, clear, able to make punters feel immediately at home and in a position to bet on the winning horse. What’s more, if you fancy betting on more than one horse at a time, just click on the menu at the top of the screen, which allows users access to a whole range of different games. You can bet on the winning horse, the second or third places, the horse that finishes either first or second, or the horse that finishes in either of the top three rankings. Punters can even bet on the 4th and 5th positions, indicating the finishing positions for the horses in question.

To get a clear idea of the qualities and features of the horses set to race, click on their names to the right of the screen. Each horse has a number from 1 to 6 and a specific colour. You can bring up the relative details of each horse by simply clicking on their names. This accesses the details of each horse and allows players to rank horse against horse and decide how and where to place their bet.

To the bottom of the screen, players can keep an eye on their current ‘bank balance’. Note that the initial figure is equivalent to € 2,000. This relates to the free game version and, as such, there are no ‘real’ winnings as only virtual money is involved. This also allows users to not worry about the amount being bet and take full advantage of this fact to enjoy themselves, learn how to play the game, and realise what constitutes a risk and what might just turn out to be profitable. Gaining experience and confidence, players might decide to play for real money. In order to do so, click on “Play for real”, register your details with the casino and try to win some ‘real’ money with virtual horse racing.

Download-free bingo; Bingo Day is now available in flash version

Have you already found your ideal virtual gaming room to play bingo online? If what you have managed to find so far doesn’t ‘set your pulse racing’ and you are still firmly set on looking for a Bingo Hall that meets up to your expectations, then why not try Bingo Day? Bingo Day offers a great alternative for players looking not only for Online Bingo, but also a site where they can thoroughly enjoy themselves, and stand to gain significant prize winnings, including special prizes such as a fantastic trip to Euro Disney worth € 2,500, and other fabulous not-to-be-missed promotional offers.

The real novelty, however, lies in the fact that Bingo Day can now be played in Flash. In other words, players can now enjoy online bingo without even having to download site software. Furthermore, they can enjoy themselves in complete security, safe in the knowledge that they are playing either for virtual stakes, or for real, with the chance to win some of the highest prizes that Bingo Day puts up for ‘grabs’ – not to mention the rich promotions that the site periodically offers players.

Playing Bingo in Flash version has never been either so easy or fast. Enter the site from the main home page, click on the “Play Bingo now” button and open the game screen display immediately; a brief wait before you are up and running with online bingo.

The Bingo Day site also allows users to keep up to date with the latest prize winnings, become part of the wonderful online community of players, and exchange ideas and opinions with other bingo enthusiasts. Site layout is simple for users to follow and boasts efficient effective round-the-clock technical support. All in all, Bingo Day can well and truly lay claim to be one of the Internet’s leading Bingo Halls.