How NFTs Could Be Used in Online Casinos

Home | News | How NFTs Could Be Used in Online Casinos


December 4, 2023

The NFT concept shot to fame at the beginning of 2021 when a long-time digital art creator, Beeple, conducted what is known as a “drop” in which a variety of his works sold for a total just shy of $70 million.

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are now all the rage, with everything from basketball cards to Tweets being minted as NFTs, to then be sold via online NFT marketplaces. So, how long before we see this phenomenon make its way into the of realm of online casinos and how exactly would they be used?

The first and most obvious usage of NFTs in the online casino is to offer them as alternative prizes. This could have widespread appeal among players who are well versed in the workings of cryptocurrencies and the systems that make them tick.

Similarly, a jackpot screen or rare special character symbol from a slot game could easily be turned into an NFT in its own right. This could ultimately revolutionise how online casinos run their various promotions and loyalty programs.

This adds intrigue, as the value of any given NFT can fluctuate greatly, meaning players would have to think carefully about whether to be renumerated in standard FIAT currency or in the form of an NFT.

It is highly likely that sooner rather than later NFTs will appear in some capacity in online casinos, but exactly how remains up for debate.

How To Play Safely At Online Casinos

Online casinos are fun and entertaining, however, it’s always good to remember to play safe, be it with regards to responsible gaming, playing on licensed sites or choosing secure payment methods.

During these emergency measures, the safety and well-being of our players is our top priority, which is why we’re reminding you of our safer gambling tools.

Gamble Responsibly

We want you to have fun but be responsible every time you play with us. LiveRoulette encourages its players to gamble responsibly, and to use your funds wisely. Borrowing money to play, spending more than you can afford or using money which has been saved for other reasons is not the right way to go, as it can cause problems for yourself and the people around you.

LiveRoulette has several responsible gaming tools in place to help you play in the right way. You can set up your own gaming limits, budgets and boundaries. We work together with the Global Gaming Guidance Group (G4) to provide players with the tools to prevent unhealthy gaming behaviour. Here’s a recap of our top tools:

Set Deposit Limits

If you’re spending more time at home or you’re spending more time online, you can control your funds with a daily, weekly or monthly deposit limit. You can set up these limits through My Account and accessing the Responsible Gaming page. You’ll also be prompted to set a limit when you first open an account.

Use Reality Checks

These days, most online casinos offer cool-off options, from 24-hour time outs to more permanent solutions. Need a reality check on your gaming? No problem. With LiveRoulette you can be notified through a Reality Check which helps you keep track of how long you’ve been playing. You can be informed every 15 minutes, 30 minutes, one or two hours, depending on the frequency you choose.

The Reality Check feature will automatically stop the game you’re currently playing until you either decide to continue with the game or you choose to exit. This feature gives you a detailed breakdown of your online casino activity, such as information about your current gaming session with regards to time spent and information regarding any wins and losses.

Take Time Out

Think you might be playing too much? Give yourself time to cool off by temporarily suspending your account.

For players who may wish to self-exclude on a more permanent basis, LiveRoulette and a number of online casinos allow you to register with GamStop. GamStop is a handy and free service which allows players to self-exclude from all online gambling companies which are licensed in Great Britain. To find out more information and to sign up for this service simply visit www.gamstop.co.uk.

Take A Self-Assessment Test

If you’re concerned about the possibility of developing a gambling problem you can try our online Self-Assessment test (if you’re a registered player), and see what the results show. If your test result has reason to concern you, consider activating a timeout on your account or contact customer support to receive further advice.

Protect Your Kids

It’s illegal for anyone under 18 to open a casino account in the UK, and we take all the necessary precautions to ensure we do not attract or target minors. All accounts are fully age-verified before anyone can play, and if an account cannot be verified for any reason it is suspended, and no play can go ahead.

Whilst you and your children might be spending more time at home, there are measures you can take to ensure that your children aren’t exposing to gambling sites:

  • Do not play in front of your children or minors.
  • Log out as soon as you’ve finished playing.
  • Keep any card details secure and out of reach.
  • Do not use auto-fill for email addresses, passwords and other account details such as usernames.
  • If you share your computer with people who are not yet of age, you can install software such as NetNanny to monitor, limit and protect your family from harmful content.

A Final Word Of Advice

Do not gamble if you feel anxious, tired or frustrated, and do not let your gambling get in the way of your daily activities. Gambling is not a solution to financial problems and should be done with your entertainment budget, not with your phone bill or rent money.

Decide how much you can afford to lose before you start playing, and remember once it’s gone, it’s gone. Apart from setting monetary limits, set yourself a time limit or a particular time window for play.

Get More Help

Should you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.

Tips for Juggling Poker and Work

The poker-work or poker-life balance is no different; poker players need to be able to prioritize their goals and ambitions, while still being able to earn a living and keep an active social life. In this post, we’ll be looking at how you can effectively balance poker and work to ensure you meet your poker goals while still maintaining a healthy life balance.

We will cover:

  • The Challenge of Balancing Poker and Work
  • Setting Clear Goals and Priorities
  • Time Management Strategies
  • Building Skills Efficiently
  • Utilizing Technology
  • Building a Support System
  • Staying Mindful of Mental Health

The Challenge of Balancing Poker and Work

Anyone who has played poker seriously knows just how much of a grind it can be. It almost becomes a second job in itself, as poker players spend hours grinding away at the tables and spend even more time studying the game in their downtime.

For people with a full-time job, maintaining a healthy balance between poker and work can be tough due to the intense mental demands of the game. It’s easy to become burnt out, either with poker, your job, or both, which leads to mental fatigue and a downturn in overall mood.

While balancing poker and work isn’t easy, we believe that it’s possible to do it in a healthy, productive way that allows you to maximize your time and achieve your goals.

Setting Clear Goals and Priorities

This leads us into our first tip – setting clear goals and priorities. If you’re struggling with your poker-work balance, take a step back and consider what things in life mean the most to you. Where does poker lie on that priority list? If it’s near the bottom, you may want to consider playing poker recreationally, leaving more time for the other things that matter more in your life.

However, if it’s near the top of your list, you need to set clear goals for yourself that you can easily track your progress on. We recommend choosing goals that are fully within your control, such as playing a certain number of hands in a certain timeframe rather than trying to win X amount by Y date.

The reason for this is that variance is a huge part of poker, and it can be disheartening if you fail to meet your goal through no fault of your own. By setting a clear, achievable goal, you give yourself something to work towards and a reason to log on and play each day.

Time Management Strategies

Once you’ve set your goal, you need to determine how much time you’re going to dedicate to achieving it. Create a schedule, and add in all of your non-negotiables that you need to do every week, such as work, chores, family time, etc. Once you’ve laid out your schedule, look for the gaps in it, and determine whether or not you could be playing poker during that time.

Pick out set times for you to play poker each week, ensuring that you have enough time to meet your goals. If you feel like you can’t make enough time to meet your goals, reconsider your targets and try to set something achievable.

After you’ve created your schedule and input your poker times, make sure you stick to it. It’s incredible how much time people lose to procrastinating in a day, but once you set out a schedule, you’ll find yourself gaining all that time back.

Building Skills Efficiently

Of course, being a dedicated poker player isn’t just about the time you put in on the felt, it’s about all the effort that you put in off the felt to improve your game. One of the hardest things to do as a working poker player is finding time to study; you feel that as you have a limited amount of time to dedicate to the game, you should spend all of it playing and honing your skills.

While this is a reasonable thought to have, all the best poker players take time away from the table to study and improve, so if you’re not doing this, you’ll be left behind.

One of the ways you can implement studying into your schedule is by improving the efficiency with which you study. Rather than sticking on a couple of training videos for 90 minutes, half-watching them while on your phone, you can spend a shorter amount of time doing focused study sessions that improve an area that you’re weakest in.

By participating in active study, you do not need to dedicate as much time to improve at a faster rate, leaving you more time to play.

Utilizing Technology

One of the ways to help improve your efficiency is by utilizing available technology. There are a number of tools out there that can improve your poker game that are far more advanced than anything that was around 10 years ago, so start using them!

Just look at how GTO solvers have evolved over the years; in the beginning, the only option available was PioSolver which took ages to run and required you to essentially memorize different strategies to use later on. Fast-forward to today, and there are tools that allow you to run simulations much faster, and then play out situations using those simulations against a computer, giving you a feel for how those strategies are implemented in-game.

When time is limited, using technology to improve your efficiency is an absolute must.

Building a Support System

While poker is an individual sport, many poker players credit their growth as a player to the people around them, wheter that’s other players who have helped them improve, or family members who supported them when no one else did. If you’re taking poker seriously, it’s important that you have a healthy support system around you that can help you manage the ups and downs of the game.

There are a number of poker forums filled with like-minded people, so if no one in your life understands poker the way you do, we’d recommend making friends on these sites. Having a group of people who know what you’re going through can help make the swings of the game much easier to manage.

Plus, talking poker strategy with other people can help you improve as a player. They may see things in a different way to you that you would have never considered, and open up a line of thought that otherwise would never have been pursued.

Staying Mindful of Mental Health

Dedicating a significant portion of your time to poker can be grueling, as it’s an incredibly intense game that requires large amounts of mental resilience. Some poker players cannot handle the swings of the game, and fly into rages when things don’t go their way. It’s important that anyone who seeks to play poker seriously stays mindful of their mental health, and takes breaks when they’re needed.

One of the hardest things to do in poker is stop playing, especially when you’re feeling emotional. These emotions drive you to continue playing for a number of reasons, but when you’re thinking emotionally, you’re not able to think rationally, and the quality of your decision-making will go down, further increasing your losses and worsening your mindset.

Plus, it’s not fair on the people around you. Why should they be punished for your negative choices?

Some people just aren’t cut out for poker, and it’s important to recognize when the game is taking too much of a toll on your mental health. If you feel the game becomes too much to handle, there’s no shame in reducing your hours or taking a break altogether.

Conclusion

Being a serious poker player while also working a full-time job is not for the faint of heart. It takes a lot of effort and dedication to put the hours in and work towards your goals, but with the right attitude and plan of action, it can be done. We hope that you take some of our tips and put them into practice in your own life; so get out there and start achieving your poker goals!

Explaining the UK’s financial promotions regime for crypto.

Although financial promotion rules are nothing new for the UK’s financial services industry, when it comes to crypto, there appears to be confusion over what is and what isn’t allowed, and who the new rules actually apply to. Our Global Head of Crypto and FinTech, Jason Tucker-Feltham explains all.

Within just 24 hours of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) releasing its financial promotions regime for the crypto industry, it had issued 146 alerts of unregulated crypto firms illegally promoting crypto assets in the UK.

While these startling high numbers could be interpreted as a reflection of the FCA’s commitment to safeguarding consumers and fostering a responsible crypto industry amidst ongoing regulatory developments, it also showcases how unprepared the UK’s crypto industry is. Or, at the very least, how difficult the FCA registration process for crypto firms can be. 

What is a financial promotion?

According to Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, a financial promotion refers to “an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity, communicated by a person in the course of business.”

In other words, financial promotions are advertisements or other promotional materials used by financial firms to market their products to consumers. Financial promotions can be disseminated via newspapers, mailings, product brochures, social media platforms (remember the Kim Kardashian scandal for touting crypto in 2022?), websites, in fact, any medium if they include an invitation or incentive targeting consumer credit activity.

The FCA regulates the conduct of nearly 50,000 firms to ensure the fairness, honesty, and competitiveness of the UK’s financial markets. According to the FCA Handbook, all financial promotions must be clearly identifiable, accurate, balanced, and not misleading. Promotions must explicitly mention prominent risk warnings and must not contain inappropriate incentives. Since financial promotions by firms can influence a consumer’s decision when choosing a financial product or service, they must comply with specific FCA rules. Firms must also, of course, be registered with the FCA.

The fact that the FCA had to issue so many alerts on the first day of the new regime emphasizes its vigilant approach to crypto asset promotions. 

Of course, it’s not only the UK that has measures in place to protect consumers from unregulated entities. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulates financial promotions in the US, while in Canada, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada protects the rights of consumers of financial products and services. 

Financial promotion punishments.

So, what punishment awaits the 146 companies that broke the rules on the very first day of the regime? Well, as per the FCA Handbook, anyone committing a financial promotion criminal offense may face up to two years of imprisonment and an unlimited fine. The FCA will assess the severity of the breach to determine the appropriate penalty level, which ranges from Level 1 to Level 5.

Crypto firms in the UK have been aware of the upcoming rules, and the potential repercussions of sending out financial promotions for quite a while. In 2022, there were 1,882 warnings issued, marking a 34% increase from the previous year. As a result, 8,582 financial promotions were amended or withdrawn, which was 14x more than observed in 2021. Financial promotion rules are nothing new for the UK financial services industry.

Riding the wave of crypto.

The rise of crypto and extreme market cycles have resulted in many wondering if they too could benefit financially from investing in crypto assets. Recent reports suggest there are as many as 88,200 crypto millionaires, including some fairytale stories of people amassing their wealth by investing very small amounts. However, the sheer number of cryptocurrencies that have ceased to exist is less highlighted, and as a result, many people’s investments have just been completely wiped out. As such, the financial promotions regulation seeks to protect the most vulnerable, especially from influential celebrity endorsements.

In March 2023, the SEC charged eight celebrities, with some of the most notable examples including Lindsay Lohan and Jake Paul, for failing to mention that they were partaking in a paid promotion.

UK’s proposed crypto regime.

The addition of crypto to the UK’s financial promotion regime marks a step toward a full crypto regulatory framework. Much like its European equivalent, MiCA (Markets in Crypto Assets), a core aim of the UK’s proposed crypto regime will be to protect retail investors.

The UK’s proposed crypto regime is expected to take effect in 2024, and crypto firms wishing to operate in the UK must register with the FCA and adhere to its regulations. 

The government’s proposed changes for crypto firms include the following: 

  • Establishing a world-first system for crypto lending
  • Introducing new regulations to safeguard consumers from market manipulation
  • Enforcing a market abuse system for cryptocurrency trading
  • Requiring crypto exchanges to have clear and detailed requirements for admission criteria
  • Mandating disclosures for new crypto assets
  • Offering a 24-hour cooling-off period for new investors
  • Banning referral bonuses

The FCA will regulate crypto firms under the current promotions law, which is expected to protect consumers from misleading or inappropriate crypto promotions. The FCA’s rules for marketing crypto assets include the following:

  • Advertisements must be transparent, fair, not misleading
  • Crypto asset firms must ensure consumers have the necessary understanding and expertise to invest in crypto
  • Crypto promotions must establish clear risk warnings

Weighing the benefits and drawbacks of the new regulations.

These new crypto regulations will prevent users from being exposed to unregulated platforms and crypto scams like the FTX scandal, which involved the collapse of a crypto exchange, in November 2022. The collapse was due to a liquidity crisis that revealed an US$8 billion hole in company accounts.

Of course, a potential drawback of the financial promotions regime is that only firms registered with the FCA or partnered with someone registered by the FCA will be able to operate in the UK, which may pose a barrier to entry for firms. This is because becoming FCA-registered in order to comply with the financial promotions regime could prove costly, not to mention time-consuming. Registering as a crypto asset firm falls into Category 6 of the FCA’s pricing categories, meaning that firms currently have to pay at least £10,000 to register. The FCA also imposes an annual fee following authorization.

Promoting crypto in the UK?

The recent publication of the UK’s revised ‘Future financial services regulatory regime for crypto assets’ marks a crucial advancement in the nation’s journey towards cryptocurrency regulation. The document, released by HM Treasury, outlines the present regulatory framework for crypto assets, definitions of different kinds of crypto assets, and a proposed policy approach to introducing crypto asset activities under the UK’s regulatory boundaries. As of April 2023, the FCA had registered just 41 crypto asset firms under its AML regime. 

Balanced regulation that ensures consumer safety while maintaining an attractive marketplace for crypto firms is crucial, especially to fully realize the UK government’s aims to become a major crypto hub.

Putting the KYC into crypto.

While KYC processes are an integral part in ensuring crypto exchanges can protect themselves and their customers from fraud and money laundering, they are also a requirement to be able to comply with FCA requirements. Having these controls in place will protect investors from financial losses and add stability to a notoriously volatile market.

IDnow’s highly configurable identity verification solutions work across multiple regulations, industries and use cases, including crypto. Whether automated or expert-assisted, our online identity-proofing methods have been optimized to meet the strictest security standards and regulatory requirements without compromising on customer conversion or consumer experience.

By

Understanding the UK’s financial promotions rules for crypto. 1

Jason Tucker-Feltham
Head of Crypto and FinTech at IDnow
Connect with Jason on LinkedIn

Casino Mythbusting: Online Roulette Fallacies

As one of the oldest table games in the casino world, it’s unsurprising that roulette has seen plenty of myths and superstitions develop over the decades. Unfortunately, some of these online roulette strategy fallacies can leave new players misinformed, resulting in making poor choices at the tables.

Within the latest of our casino mythbusting series, we explore five popular approaches to betting on roulette and determine whether they’re fact or fiction.

1. Pinpoint ‘Sleeping Numbers’ To Increase Your Winning Prospects

A sleeping number is a number on the roulette wheel that hasn’t won for several rounds. One of the biggest roulette strategies encountered as that players will bet bigger on numbers or colours that have been dormant for longer than usual.

False: There’s no mathematical explanation for certain numbers becoming ‘sleepy’. Experienced online roulette players simply put these scenarios down to variance. There are at least 37 different pockets for the ball to land on. Although statistically you have a one in 37 chance of making the right selection with each spin, that probability doesn’t improve for subsequent spins after losing ones.

2. Cover All Outcomes And ‘Force’ The Zero

The forced zero roulette system is popular with those who play online roulette. Typically, players will opt to place equal bets on zero, red and black for each spin. Let’s say you wager €2 on zero, €2 on red and €2 on black every spin. The minimum you’ll get back is €4 from winning on red or black – until you hit the zero. When the zero does come in, you’ll win €70 at odds of 35:1.

In theory, you should land the zero at least once every 37 spins, which should give you a chance to either break even or make a small profit during your online roulette session.

False: People believe that by betting on red and black as well as the zero pocket, they can ‘force’ the software into landing the ball on zero. Incorrect. Every online roulette wheel is determined by a 100% decentralised random number generator (RNG), ensuring wholly randomised outcomes for each spin.

3. Pick Your Lucky Numbers Over All Others On The Wheel

Some superstitious online roulette players will refuse to bet on any other numbers except their lucky numbers. But just like playing the lottery, are you any more likely to win by playing your favourites or someone’s birthday numbers?

False: Although certain numbers may have proved lucky in the past for some roulette players, this is pure coincidence. Roulette is a game of chance and no-one can guarantee whether the ball will land in one pocket or the next. It’s what makes it such an engaging game both to play and to watch. But to believe that certain numbers on the wheel can consistently be lucky for you over the long-term is incorrect and could damage your play.

4. Sit Down With Lucky Charms When You Play Online Roulette

Lucky charms and rituals are one of the most common superstitions in the casino and beyond. Whether it’s a horseshoe, a four-leaf clover or a rabbit’s foot or even sitting at a particular seat in front of the table, many roulette players choose to have these charms by their side, believing that they will influence the outcome of their gaming. It’s also true that some players will choose to wear clothes that they perceive to be lucky.

False: These charms sitting beside you at the roulette table are just that – charms. They have no influence or control over where the ball lands on the roulette wheel. Even the dealer has no control over that – they simply spin the wheel and let the ball do its thing! A lucky charm might make an individual player more comfortable at the table, but it has no effect on the outcome of a wheel spin.

5. Avoid Things That Can Bring Bad Luck Before Your Online Roulette Session

Aside from lucky charms, some people will also engage in pre-game rituals as they believe it gives them the best chance of winning on the roulette wheel. The perception of having a beneficial ritual might give players a sense of control over their gaming, but the reality is that crossing your fingers, knocking on wood or stacking your chips in a certain manner won’t bring you good luck.

False: Of course, movies like James Bond can make it seem like casino games such as roulette benefit from having a glamorous partner to bring you good luck. Unfortunately, not.

6. Roulette Strategy Can Help Your Bankroll Go Further

The realities of playing online roulette are that no-one can predict the outcome of online roulette wheels. The outcome of previous rounds never influences the outcome of the next. The RNGs of online tables reset for the next round, never taking into consideration previous results.

True: Although it’s impossible to account for the randomness of online roulette wheels, it is possible to make sensible, educated bets that spread your risk across the roulette table.

The reality is that roulette systems which encourage you to spread your chips across different numbers using inside or outside bets can help you to pick up small wins without taking huge risks with your bankroll. The key to enjoying your online roulette session and maximising your bank is to never get transfixed on the idea of number streaks or ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ numbers. Treat each spin on its merits with a measured approach.

How many of these myths did you manage to bust?


18+ | begambleaware.org | Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Terms & Conditions apply.

Five Amazing Things You’ll Find in Ontario Casinos

Did you hear the one about the antelope who only liked to gamble in casinos? It thought there were too many cheetahs out in the wild.

In all seriousness, there are lots of good reasons to visit Ontario casinos, and only some of them have to do with their zero-tolerance policy for apex predators. From amazing entertainment venues featuring top-tier talent to a mix of world-class restaurants and grab-and-go food vendors, you’ll have as much fun off the gaming floor as you do on it.

Every Ontario casino also has a PlaySmart Centre staffed with experienced, well-trained professionals who can answer questions about games and rules as well as provide information. It never hurts to learn more.

You wouldn’t go to Las Vegas without taking in a show, and there’s no reason not to take one in while in Niagara Falls, either, thanks to the new $130M OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino.

It’s a world-class entertainment facility with a capacity of 5,000 and not a single bad seat in the house – the furthest chair is just 45 metres from the stage. State-of-the-art lighting and sound systems help make performances larger than life, and a connecting glass tunnel provides easy, weather-free access from the casino.

If bigger is indeed better, then Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto – the largest casino resort in Canada – might be the best place to play in the whole country. The draw here isn’t just one thing, it’s everything.

The just-opened resort is situated on 33 acres of prime land within the Greater Toronto Area and features a whopping 328,000 square feet of gaming space, including nearly 5,000 slot machines and 145 live table games.

The facility is also host to a 400-room luxury hotel with four-star amenities and a 5,000-seat entertainment auditorium, as well as millions of dollars’ worth of beautiful and unique art. If you’re interested in the kind of vacation where you never need to leave resort property, this is it.

The one constant you’ll find at every Ontario casino is a PlaySmart Centre. These welcoming spaces have a “coffeehouse-meets-science-centre” vibe and provide a relaxing break from the gambling floor. They’re staffed by friendly experts who can offer advice, support, and resources for both novices and practiced players on what to do if you need a little assistance reining in your gambling impulses.

Leaf through guides, watch videos, and use the interactive kiosks to learn more about your favourite games to better understand how they work and your chances of winning, so you can plan and play confidently. This is a great way to establish positive play habits you can both use during your casino visit and carry forward into the future.

You can also speak confidentially with people who understand gambling behaviours. They’ll provide insights on your play patterns and suggestions on how you can healthily address any concerns you may have.

If you have questions about gambling, PlaySmart Centres have answers.

Seeing three cherries in a row on a slot machine is a thrill, but what might be even better is the food you can actually eat at Gateway Casinos & Entertainment restaurants.

Match Eatery & Public House, for example, can be found at many Gateway resorts, and offers a nice break from casino action. It’s a casual restaurant with a sports bar vibe and fancied-up pub treats, including “dirty” fries tossed in Cajun butter, car hop–style burgers, and crispy apple-cinnamon hand pies.

Regardless of your gambling proclivities, you’ll probably want to relax come the evening. And the Rideau Carleton and Caesars Windsor have you covered with lounge-style entertainment venues featuring live music and drinks.

The Joint, found on the second floor of the Rideau Carleton, is a cozy, atmospheric space with a central bar, VIP seating areas, and an outdoor terrace. It’s an intimate venue to take in smaller acts, and you can even book it for private events for groups of between 25 and 400 people.

Cosmos offers a similar lounge experience in a slightly larger area, with comfy chairs surrounding candlelit cocktail tables and a stage-front bar that ensures you won’t miss your favourite song when ordering refreshments. It’s a great way to sit back and unwind after a hard day wandering the casino floor.

Does The United States Have A Gambling Problem?

It’s time to admit America has a gambling problem.

This month marks 10 years since New Jersey launched regulated online casinos. Online sports betting has spread faster than online slots and table games. Nevertheless, the NJ casino launch — on Nov. 21, 2013 — is a significant date in the story of the United States’ gambling problem.

It marks the beginning of an experiment featuring both policy failures and funding successes along the way.

States address problem gambling when adding more gambling

It’s easier than ever to find regulated gambling products. So, more Americans than ever are being exposed to a potentially dangerous pastime.

However, states that have expanded online gambling are far ahead in combating problem gambling than states without it.

Consider:

  • Average per capita responsible gambling spending in 2021 was $0.32.
  • Average per capita responsible gambling spending among online casino states in 2021 was $0.69.

It’s counter-intuitive, but part of the answer to addressing US gambling habits is more gambling — more regulated games, sustainable tax revenue and significant resources to responsible gambling resources.

States don’t have to embrace online gambling to combat this problem, either. Increasing responsible gambling aid without legalizing new forms of gambling would be an improvement. It’s a necessary step even for states opposed to gambling expansion.

State borders haven’t kept gambling problems out of non-gambling states. Many Americans still play offshore at sportsbooks and casinos without adequate responsible gambling protections, especially when their state does not have legal options.

Plus, too many states have legal online gambling options to ignore problem gambling any longer.

Lessons learned, ignored from 10 years of NJ online gambling

A closer look at the Garden State offers a glimpse of the perils other states will face. Over 10 years, New Jersey has made just over $1 billion in tax revenue1 from online casinos. New Jersey and five other states have launched online casinos. Another, Rhode Island, will launch next year.

However, tax revenue isn’t the only thing increasing in online gambling states. When comparing studies from before and after online casino legalization, problem gambling rates increase, too.

A National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) report2 estimated 2.8% of New Jersey adults “are believed to manifest a gambling problem.” That report used data from 2013, months before online casinos launched in New Jersey.

Rutgers 2023 prevalence study3 estimated that 5.6% of New Jersey adults exhibited high-risk problem gambling behaviors. That’s double the NCPG estimate a decade earlier and triple the current national average. As advocates warned, easier access to gambling increased the number of people with gambling problems.

Consequently, the state’s responsible gambling spending also increased during that time. Per capita, New Jersey spent $0.10 on problem gambling in 2012. In the 2023 budget, it’s up to $0.34.

That money funds:

  • Public awareness campaigns
  • Problem gambling helpline
  • Counselor cross-training
  • Problem gambling treatment
  • Workforce Development

New Jersey has the nation’s second-largest online sports betting market, the largest online casino market and was among the first to legalize both online casinos and sportsbooks.

Its online gambling regulations are the foundation of other states’ regulations, and its example is the most prescient look at the future of American online gambling markets.

What is problem gambling compared to gambling disorder?

Problem gambling4 is gambling that has negative consequences on someone’s life. However, that definition is broad. It treats someone who drains their family’s retirement accounts and someone whose partner dislikes their gambling habit as having the same issue.

An estimated 3-4% of adults5 could fit this problem gambling description.

When most people think of problem gambling, they probably think of gambling disorder. Gambling disorder6 is a behavioral addiction in the DSM-V, characterized by gambling that cannot be controlled. People with a gambling disorder experience severe consequences from gambling. These patients deplete life savings and incur debts that are impossible to repay.

About 1-2% of the population could meet this standard for a gambling disorder.

The Harvard Medical School conducted the 1997 meta-study on problem gambling rates. It suggested that up to 5.45% of adult gamblers could exhibit a moderate or severe gambling problem.

That’s a lot of people quietly funding unsustainable gambling habits and even more families with loved ones who don’t know how fragile their finances are. When gambling is as easy as downloading an app, states will confront more cases like these.

Reasonable estimates suggest that 1-2% of a state’s population could have a severe gambling problem. Another 3-4% will have moderate gambling problems, which still require treatment and attention. States won’t be able to reap the benefits of tax revenue without containing the spread of these harms.

Online gambling states outpace others on responsible gambling spending

Online gambling companies’ taxes usually fund responsible gambling initiatives. New Jersey has minimum responsible gambling funding requirements7 primarily generated by gambling license fees. Oregon directs 1% of its state lottery funds8 to combat problem gambling. Arizona directs tribal contributions9 to a state fund, and 2% of that money goes to fund problem gambling services.

According to the National Association of Administrators for Disordered Gambling Services, the average per capita expenditure10 on problem gambling was $0.38 in 2022. The median per capita expenditure was about $0.22, showing how much most states underspend on problem gambling.

Only 19 states spent more than average per capita on problem gambling in 2022. All seven legal online casino states were among them.

What sets the high spenders apart is their funding of prevention, treatment and, in some cases, research. For example, New Jersey funds public awareness campaigns and counselor cross-training. That covers prevention and treatment. New Jersey is also a national leader in problem gambling research through the Rutgers Center for Gambling Studies.

Even Rhode Island, whose online casinos aren’t live yet, has treatment and prevention ready. In 2021, it spent 90% of its responsible gambling budget on treatment options. The state also has a self-exclusion program available. Even without funding research, Rhode Island seems ready to expand online gambling.

Responsible gambling trends are encouraging

At first, online gambling products launched in a regulatory Wild West. Today, state regulators are catching up to their online gambling industries.

For example, Ohio prohibited “risk-free” language in bonus ads that required customers to risk their money. Massachusetts adopted the same regulation when it launched a few months later.

States are also revisiting their sportsbook tax policies and responsible gambling plans.

Colorado changed its responsible gambling budget from $130,000 yearly to a $2.5 million grant program. Colorado also eliminated promotional write-offs, which had previously cut Colorado’s potential sports betting tax revenue in half.

States have learned the hard way that responsible gambling can’t be an afterthought. States will likely keep improving their gambling policies, whether expanding or continuing to oppose it.

Sports betting spread quickly; online casinos are next

While legal sports betting is live in 37 states, online casinos have barely made it out of New Jersey.

While sports betting is now tied to being a sports fan, online casinos are a type of traditional, long-stigmatized gambling.

Online casinos are more profitable than online sportsbooks, though. In New Jersey’s third quarter:

  • Online casinos made $469.6 million in revenue.
  • Online sportsbooks made $268.2 million in revenue.

Rhode Island will join Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia with its live online casino launch in early 2024.

Ten other states have proposed online casino bills and failed to pass them. Online casino bills have been discussed in states like Indiana, Maryland and New York, but none are likely to pass in 2024.

“No state is entering 2024 with momentum to legalize online casino,” said Matthew Kredell, senior lead writer for legislative affairs at PlayUSA. “And it’s more difficult to pass gambling legislation in an election year. While it’s possible a state comes out of nowhere similar to Rhode Island this year, it’s looking more like a set-up year to advance legalization discussions for 2025.”

Still, the $17.8 billion (through October) of lifetime online casino tax revenue11 in the six live states will be tough for state legislators to ignore. The next time funding needs become state issues, online casinos could gain fresh momentum.

State regulators focusing on advertising messaging

One of the flashpoints of US online gambling policy is advertising. Many regulators are concerned about how widespread advertising contributes to problem gambling in regulated and unregulated markets.

While they may not intentionally target children, online gambling ads are everywhere.

Social media feeds include sportsbook bonus ads. Sports betting commercials give the impression that sports betting is a key part of being a sports fan. Whether that leads young people to sign up for an offshore sportsbook is a question that demands a well-researched answer.

State regulators have tried many approaches and haven’t settled on an answer.

Ohio prohibited “risk-free bets” from being advertised unless those bets were truly risk-free. However, FanDuel had already phased that language out of its ads before Ohio enforced that prohibition. Massachusetts has proposed new advertising restrictions12 on ads that could reach young audiences. Ontario is stricter than any US market because it prohibits certain celebrities and athletes13 from appearing in sports betting ads.

However, stringency isn’t everything. If lawmakers and regulators adopt superficial policies, they’ll fail to address the root causes of problem gambling. Whether they keep that balance in view will decide how abruptly online gambling expansion ends.

Two potential futures of US online gambling

The United States faces two futures.

One is a future where states underinvest in responsible gambling programs.

Problem gamblers will lack the counselors to help them recover. Parents won’t learn their teenagers have gambling problems until their money is gone or they attempt suicide. States will retaliate against online gambling companies, turning public opinion against the most common source of responsible gambling funds.

The other is a future where states realize that online gambling imposes costs, whether it’s legal or not.

States like Texas would fund problem gambling. Patients with gambling disorders have counselors, Gamblers Anonymous chapters and other resources available, no matter where they live. Online gambling companies remain taxable and reliable sources of responsible gambling funds.

Deciding which future we live in is a decision lawmakers and regulators make daily. Hopefully, they will choose the responsible gambling future.

About this story

In evaluating how to cover the 10-year anniversary of regulated online gambling in New Jersey, the editorial team at PlayUSA decided a deep dive into the spread of online gambling and its consequences over the past decade was warranted.

As we started gathering statistics from various sources, we realized the definition of problem gambling is complicated. So, we set out to understand the definition. Then, using available public data, we strived to answer the question, “Does the US have a gambling problem?”

Chris Gerlacher was the lead writer on this project. He studied research that had been conducted on problem gambling and its prevalence rates in major markets. Then he identified state policies that addressed the concerns raised among industry analysts and problem gambling researchers.

The story was fact-checked and edited for accuracy by Matt Schoch and Kim Yuhl. Maria Healey and Jake Garza provided additional guidance. The final edit was performed by Ron Fritz, who published the article. Graphics were designed by Jenn Montgomery. Media relations are managed by Danielle Burrows.

Sources used in this story

  1. PlayNJ.com
  2. National Council on Problem Gambling
  3. Rutgers Center for Gambling Studies
  4. NCPG
  5. National Institute of Health
  6. NIH
  7. American Gaming Association
  8. Oregon.gov
  9. Arizona Department of Gaming
  10. National Association of Administrators for Disordered Gambling Services
  11. AGA
  12. Regulatory Oversight
  13. CTV News

Fair Use: For media inquiries, please contact [email protected]. When using this data, research and graphics, please attribute by linking to this article and citing PlayUSA.

The post Does The United States Have A Gambling Problem? appeared first on Play USA.

Pocket52 Poker Sports League Season 5 – Bigger and Better Than Ever!

Pocket52 Poker Sports League Season 5 – Bigger and Better Than Ever!


Posted by Laksh Pal Singh on 2023-08-23 at 9:41 PM

Pocket52 Poker Sports League Season 5 - Bigger and Better Than Ever!

That was what the Poker Sports League management promised us this year, and that is exactly what was delivered. This edition of PSL was grand in many ways, and I’d first like to thank everyone who made this event possible.

Nitesh Salvi – founder and CEO of Pocket52, title sponsors of PSL, Pranav Bagai, Siddharth Mishra, and Prajit Gambhir, the three musketeers who started this wonderful concept of PSL and have worked endlessly over the last five years to grow this mind sport!

Prajit, you legend. God only knows how many roles you have at PSL! From being COO to the auctioneer to commentary to ensuring that the show goes on every single time, big shoutout to you, brother, and to Vidur also for making sure every pre-show and every stream was super smooth. Sid and his production team, wow, man, I don’t even know what to say. You guys are so good at what you do! This year the production team of PSL has really outdone themselves. From every reel to every Instagram story to every update, I have to say the content was fabulous.

Obviously couldn’t have done it without your ever-so-talented team! Dashank, Madhur, and Pandey Ji, big shoutout to the three of you for doing such a great job and just being awesome people in general. I’m really fond of the entire PSL team and of course the man himself, the mastermind Pranav Bagai for making this happen on Jio Cinema- working day in and day out to achieve his vision for poker in India.

I want to thank all the owners for supporting this league every single year and spreading their love and passion for poker. This league would not be possible without you!

 

The Experience

Pocket52 PSL Season 5 was something else only. Everyone together on land in the same resort under the same roof, with no hassle of going onto the ship, everyone bonding and interacting.

Personally, for me, the highlight was interacting with the qualifiers from all teams, it’s really nice to talk with someone when you know they look up to you and whatever you’re saying has an impact on them.

It was really heartwarming to meet the Massani brothers, these boys were the heroes of PSL, and that’s another story to tell. Taking a domestic flight for the first time, these two brothers have come from Bhopal and won all our hearts. What gems of human beings, so much confidence, so much energy, I just loved it, to be honest. I had a great time with all my friends and all the other captains who I’m so close to off the felts!

The competition was heavy, and everyone was so passionate and into it. So yeah, GG to my boys – Dirty (Dhaval Mudgal) and Shardul (Parthasarathi) for also taking podium finishes, I had already told Shardul I was going see him heads up and win this time.

Big shoutout to Gaurav Sood, one of the best poker players in India, for playing the finale like an absolute boss man and ensuring I’m shitting myself on the rails while he’s reducing the chip deficit. Love you, Mozzie unlucky one, and you’ll be back stronger we all know it.

Shoutout to Romit (Advani) and Vaibhav (Sharma) for being fantastic team leaders- you win some, you lose some, and I am sure we will see you guys in the top 3 next season!

Now coming to my team, oh man, I don’t think I’ve ever felt such a sense of comradery and team spirit in my life. PSL adrenaline just hits differently. I’ve played a lot of tournaments in my life and hit a lot of one-outers for big money, but I’ve never jumped the way PSL made me jump and shout and scream, and it’s a different kind of excitement altogether.

Bringing a team format and making an individual sport a team game is honestly a genius concept! I would like to thank my team owners, Mr Puneet Mehra, Mehul Shah, and Rishi, for trusting me to lead this team again despite a not-so-great performance the previous year. Special shoutout to their families as well, Toral ma’am Divyansh and Prerna, for cheering on the Mumbai team and making sure our rail was the loudest and full of energy. Really happy that Mehul and Rishi also came down and really felt it with the team and were involved and there from start to finish.

Speaking about my team, I want to say I’m so proud of you guys – every point earned by each of you was crucial to us winning and reaching the finale. I remember the day we reached Goa and had our first team meeting, I was really impressed with Puneet sir because he gave a really inspirational team talk on Day 1 itself, which had a big impact on our team. I have to say one thing about my team, though, everyone was really into it, The togetherness and team spirit was really evident, and I think from Day 1, we manifested the win when we took that picture near the trophy.

Humaara wildcard kaisa ho, Alok Birewar jaisa ho! I think the best decision I made this PSL, other than my obvious retentions of Akshay Nasa and Honey Bijlani, was to sign Alok as my wildcard. I knew Alok wouldn’t do it for the money; he wanted to play PSL, he loves strategizing, he was railing every table every tournament, his team spirit was unparalleled, and the best in the league, so kudos bro I’m proud of you, and you did a great job.

Akshay Nasa, my player, said I am born ready when I asked him if he was going to play the finale. Our strategy was simple, get 250 BB in the finale, send Nasa, and ship it!! Shoutout to Ankit, our 2nd pro, for a great performance joining Nasa in the finale, and also getting the ever so-crucial points in the live MTT, but also for declaring that we’ve won before the league even started.

Honey Bijjlani, for doing more work than the captain, bhai this team would not have won without you, I openly state that you are going to be retained every year for Mumbai Anchors. Nitin Gulati for his passion for this team, getting merchandise and hoodies made for the entire team, thank you, bhai! Simran Malhotra, my fellow Pocket52 team pro, for never disappointing me, for being the number 1 woman player of the league, and for her spirit and love for the team.

Dhirendra Kumar and Avinash Tauro for being on top of things, speaking to the new boys, railing watching the stream making notes, top top performance guys. And of course the new boys Shravan and Nikaas, who I couldn’t believe, played live poker for the first time. They both killed it and got super important points for the team. Every single point contributed by each of you was crucial to this team’s success.

It was a rollercoaster of three days, with ups and downs and highs and lows; the excitement and energy were high, and it was the best three days of my life. Humne bahut chipkaaya, 3 straight days chipkaaya, but you gotta spike to ship, and there was no way Mumbai was not winning this season. Also, a big shoutout to my first mentor and dear friend Sahil Mahboobani for top-notch performance and taking down the Player of the Series, so happy for you, bro!

Lifting that trophy was a great feeling and something that’ll stay with me for life, I hope to recreate many more memories with PSL and Mumbai Anchors!

GG everyone, until next time!

Aaamchiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Mumbaiiiiiiii

Top 20 Companies That Hire Felons in 2023

In today’s progressive business landscape, companies have started offering former felons work opportunities since they started recognizing the value added by hard workers looking to set their past wrongs, rebuild their lives, and reintegrate into society.

In the world of second chances, the following 20 companies, all of which are wildly popular and successful, allow you to put your best foot forward.

So check them out right away!

Why Are Jobs Important for Ex-Felons?

Finding work is a crucial step for former criminals since it allows them to start a new beginning toward a better future. After all, employment provides food and purpose and is the gateway towards becoming a functioning member of society.

But for people with a felony conviction, landing a job is not always easy since prejudice towards former felons is still prevalent across all spheres of society.

Thankfully, some of the biggest companies started a workforce revolution, which is bound to spur further actions that will offer anyone a second chance at life.

Best Companies That Hire Felons in the U.S.

The list below includes businesses operating in various sectors, from retail to software development, but they are all advocating for inclusive employment practices.

Ultimately, a person’s abilities and willingness to work are more important than the stigma of a criminal conviction following them. So if you belong to this group and are looking for a personal and professional transformation, check out all these opportunities.

1. McDonald’s

Yes, you heard it right: McDonald’s hires felons! In efforts to diminish discrimination, many of its restaurants accept applications from people with criminal histories.

Although the precise locations of these restaurants are unknown, according to info from McDonald’s employees, a felony won’t be an obstacle to building a career there.

The company’s top priority is the applicant’s skill set. And skillful employees will get plenty of chances for advancement. The best part is: they get competitive salaries! 

2. Walmart

If you are not looking for glamour but a steady income instead, try Walmart!

This retail giant has always supported ethical hiring practices. As a matter of fact, Walmart endorsed the Ban the Box initiative and the Fair Chance Business Pledge.

They offer an open hiring procedure where candidates are asked about their criminal past during the review, but such histories do not necessarily disqualify them. 

Those with crimes have the opportunity to advance to managerial positions, except in areas dealing with firearms. Once on board, it’s critical to take advantage of all of Walmart’s options and follow the company’s rules of conduct.

3. Facebook

Facebook has been an equal employment opportunity company for a while now. This affirmative action employer explicitly states that applicants with criminal pasts will be taken into consideration based on their skills and experiences.

Like most other huge businesses, Facebook signed the Fair Chance Pledge, which removes all barriers to career development for the previously incarcerated. You only need to meet the skill and experience requirements to get a job there.

All in all, this software behemoth is committed to eradicating the stigma associated to former felons since it recognizes the benefits of a diverse workforce and giving people second chances. Best of all, Facebook offers competitive salaries and benefits.

4. Microsoft

Microsoft has frequently offered jobs to rehabilitated felons in the past and is still proudly continuing that tradition to this day. In fact, certain programs, such as the Workforce Foundation, have collaborated with this tech giant to offer felon-friendly jobs.

In addition, Microsoft also supports Ban the Box and the Fair Chance Pledge initiatives and regularly posts job vacancies on felon-friendly employment sites.

While the firm performs criminal record checks for safety reasons, it does not use the findings during its decision-making processes. Hirees even get the necessary training to develop the skills needed to advance their career.

5. Starbucks

If you are looking for a job that requires no special skills yet still grants opportunities to former felons and a decent and steady paycheck, check out Starbucks.

Plus, you get it all as a Starbucks employee, from health coverage and time off to subsidized education. That said, you’ll still be subjected to a background check, but your criminal past will not stand in your way of landing a job there.

If you prove you are a trustworthy candidate who will do the job safely and responsibly, then you’ll be welcomed as a new employee.

6. Coca-Cola

You can even find a job with the world’s leading beverage company, as Coca-Cola has been accepting felon applicants based on merit for a while now.

That said, applicants must still undergo certain background and criminal checks, which is a standard hiring procedure regardless of the candidate’s history.

If and when the applicant passes the hiring tests, they’ll be welcomed to the Coca-Cola family, which includes a healthy and friendly work environment, various training opportunities, and a path to advancement.

7. Verizon

Getting a job at Verizon is challenging for anyone, let alone former felons. But that doesn’t mean you cannot find work there with sufficient skill and persistence.

However, Verizon’s policy states that it will review the applicant’s criminal record to determine whether or not the circumstances surrounding the arrest and the exact charge are not related to the position and the performance required to hold it.

As long as you are honest during the hiring process, Verizon’s staff will not discriminate against you based on whether or not you’ve had trouble with the law.

8. Home Depot

Home Depot officially welcomes ex-felons ready to redeem themselves and build a new life. After all, the company signed the Ban the Box initiative and won’t ask applicants whether they have committed any crimes in the past.

That said, they still conduct background checks, and the type of felony committed may still weigh in their decision whether or not to hire a specific former criminal. For instance, sex or violent offenders are less likely to be hired than other ex-criminals.

Once you go for an interview, however, you can increase your chances of landing a job by being honest about your past and future and showing them that you can do the job and care about working there.

9. Delta Airlines

Airline companies weren’t typically open to hiring felons in the past, but with the global changes post the Covid-19 pandemic, they loosened up their policies; one such airline potentially hiring ex-convicts is Delta, but the process is lengthy.

For example, all applicants undergo rigorous testing and background checks, and some types of felonies may prevent you from getting a job there.

If and when you get in, however, you may be subjected to regular Covid tests and drug screenings, which airline companies generally enforce.

10. Ben & Jerry’s

Ben & Jerry’s is a progressive company in terms of its hiring policies since it does not discriminate against anyone and offers fantastic working conditions.

In the last decade, the brand has also jumped on the Ban the Box bandwagon, which means that applicants are not required to disclose whether or not they were ever convicted of a crime. Like it or not, ex-criminals are feared or looked down on.

Thankfully, Ben & Jerry’s offers equal opportunities to any applicant, and as long they pass the background screening and show their potential, they’ll be hired.

11. Unilever

You may also be able to find a great job at Unilever—a multinational company selling all sorts of packaged goods, ranging from baby food to beauty products.

Like most other companies, Unilever conducts the necessary background checks to ensure they are hiring the right applicants, but it does not typically discriminate against former felons—the brand runs the ‘Equity, Diversity & Inclusion’ slogan, after all.

That said, the hiring experience may vary based on the exact position, the interviewer, and the location where you are applying. If you are in the U.S., you will typically have to submit to a background screening in any case.

12. Amazon

When applying at Amazon, your résumé and interview skills will matter much more than your criminal past. There are positions available in any Amazon branch, including the warehouse, management, and development.

However, your chances of getting started with Amazon are better if you apply for a position in a warehouse before building your way up the ladder since Amazon’s HR managers will always check your background and the severity of your crime.

Reliable, diligent, and honest workers who do their job on time and improve their skillset will have an opportunity to advance with Amazon.

13. Intel Corporation

Few know that ex-felons can also get a job at Intel. It’s true! If you want to work at the cutting edge of technology, you can, criminal record or not!

This semiconductor giant has openly announced it’s hiring ex-felons by signing the Fair Chance Pledge, which was confirmed by an official statement released stating that criminal records will not prevent applicants from landing a job there.

Still, the nature and the gravity of the offense and the conviction will be taken into consideration and may weigh in depending on the position in question.

14. PepsiCo

Starting a career at Pepsi is not an easy task, but at least your criminal past will not typically prevent you from landing a job, provided you have the skills required.

Known for its broad range of snacks and drinks, PepsiCo, Inc. offers job opportunities across multiple areas, including administration, finance, legal, R&D, technology, marketing & sales, production & operations, and even supply chain work.

However, if you get your second chance there, you are responsible for maintaining the highest moral standards and adhering to PepsiCo’s fundamental principles.

15. Abbott Laboratories

If you have a background in the medical field, you can also apply at Abbott Laboratories, arguably the largest medical device and healthcare company in the U.S.

Abbott is a leader in workforce diversity, employing more than 100,000 people worldwide across every demographic and with different backgrounds. As proof of that, the company has been named as one of the most diverse employers on several lists.

At the end of the day, giving those with criminal backgrounds an equal opportunity to share their talents and knowledge is part of Abbott’s culture of tolerance.

16. Tesla 

Ex-convicts with advanced skills and degrees in engineering and manufacturing may be able to land a job at Tesla. Yes, that Tesla—the innovative tech pioneer that builds the cars and energy generation and storage systems of the future.

However, even if Tesla does not discriminate against former felons, its hiring process is quite rigorous, and only exceptional candidates are hired to work there.

That said, you will still have to undergo a complete background check, so you have to ensure everything else is in order, thus boosting your employment chances.

17. Tyson Foods

Similar to Walmart, Tyson Foods is a well-known food company that stands out for its fair hiring policies regardless of the applicant’s history or demographics.

Even when filling out your application, you won’t find a single question asking about past convictions, which means your skills and experience are key to landing a role. The company simply puts faith in people’s ability to change and turn over a new leaf. 

If you know where to look, there are plenty of job opportunities at Tyson Foods, and you’ll be well on your way to rebuilding your second life.

18. IKEA

Are you a fan of Swedish meatballs and puzzle-like furniture? Why not look for a job at IKEA, then? The company does not stigmatize ex-felons, anyway.

However, your success will vary based on your specific circumstances. Naturally, you’ll have to agree to a background check, and when past convictions come up, you have to explain yourself, show remorse, and state you are starting your new life.

Overall, the company’s recruiting strategy involves evaluating candidates on merit and guaranteeing a balanced and equitable hiring approach.           

19. Prudential Financial

When recruiting people with a criminal history, Prudential, one of the biggest and most renowned financial services firms, employs a thorough selection process.

However, given the delicate nature of Prudential’s operations, fraud-related convictions will prevent you from obtaining a job there. Because of that, you must have a stellar CV and an abundance of experience to offset other past convictions on your record.

That said, your chances of landing a job in the financial sector after completing a sentence are slim. Give it your best, but do not get disheartened if you don’t get in.

20. Uber

Last but not least, let’s talk Uber! Everyone has heard of and used Uber, probably. Have you ever thought: “Hey, that’s something I can do!”?

The good news is: yes, you can, since Uber has expressed its support for hiring anyone, even past convicts, since everyone deserves a second chance. To show its commitment, the brand has even joined a slew of companies supporting ex-felons.

Depending on your state of residence, you may also have access to certain training programs that will help you get a job with Uber. For instance, former felons in California can contact Defy Ventures, which provides job training to such applicants.

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, as more businesses recognize the worth and possibilities offered by these candidates, their chances of finding good employment will keep growing. While the primary benefit of these changes is the new work opportunities made available to former felons, other marginalized groups will also benefit down the line. After all, by advocating for fair policies and support programs, we empower everyone in society at large.

12 BEST HARRY POTTER BOARD GAMES


Harry Potter Board Games

Are you a big Harry Potter fan? This article is for you! With magic, beasts, and terrifying villains, there is no shortage of fun and crazy board games that can fit into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

In this article, we will break down 12 of the best Harry Potter games out there. So, if you are a big fan of all things Harry Potter, get your wand ready and prepare to venture through the Harry Potter world from your tabletop!

1. HARRY POTTER HOGWARTS BATTLE

QUICK FACTS

  • Cost: $49.90
  • Players: 2 to 4
  • Objective: Secure the safety of Hogwarts by battling and defeating villains who wish to gain power over the school. 

In Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle, players work together in a cooperative setting to stop the forces of evil from taking over the school. Players will take turns resisting the Dark Arts and battling it out in hopes of pushing the dark forces back. If the heroes fail, it surely spells disaster for not only Hogwarts but the world. Hogwarts Battle is not only one of our favorite Harry Potter board games but also one of the best deck building games out there!

HOW TO PLAY

Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle is a cooperative game, where players will choose classic characters from the series to play as. They must work together to stop villains from overtaking precious locations on the board. Players will have to survive the dark arts, and villain attacks. Then play their cards, collecting resources and attacking villains. Players will also need to gain influence so that they can better the cards in their decks.

2. HOGWARTS MAGICAL MAYHEM

QUICK FACTS

  • Cost: $39.99
  • Players: 2 to 4
  • Objective: Score the most points for your team.

Hogwarts Magical Mayhem is a fun 3D board game. This game is made of several mini-games where you can score points for your team, but watch out, doing poorly could cost you as well. From assembling the board to performing various dexterity-based actions, this game is made for everyone. 

HOW TO PLAY

To play Hogwarts Magical Mayhem players will join teams to compete as members of. There are 8 separate mini-games, some requiring different skill sets to complete. Players will compete to do their best at each mini-game which includes making potions, taming beats, finding the right pathways, beating the hydra, and more. We also can’t forget everyone’s favorite, a rousing game of quidditch. Once all the games are complete, players compare scores to see who is the champion of Hogwarts, 

3. CLUE: WIZARDING WORLD HARRY POTTER

QUICK FACTS

  • Cost: $37.33
  • Players: 3 to 5
  • Objective: Find the Suspect by knowing the place, spell, and the person who committed the crime. 

This is a magical twist on the classic game of Clue. Players will play as various wizards at Hogwarts. One of the Students has vanished and all the characters are suspects. Players will need to explore the grounds to rule out various wizards, spells, and locations. Once they have a solid accusation they can bring it to the Headmaster.

HOW TO PLAY

Just like classic Clue, players will roll dice to move around the board. As they do so, they will find help cards to rule out various spells, locations, and suspects. Players will need to watch out because there is a possibility of running into the dark mark. If a player comes in contact, they could lose house points if they do not have the right help cards. Losing all your house points removes you from the games, so be careful. When a player is sure of their accusation, they can make their way to Dumbeldore’s office to accuse! 

4. HARRY POTTER MAGICAL BEASTS

QUICK FACTS

  • Cost: $26.99
  • Players: 2 to 4
  • Objective: Identify the magical beast by collecting clue cards. 

In Harry Potter Magical Beasts players compete to collect clue cards to identify magical beasts. They must strategize to keep their clues safe from other wizards, and research to find what beast they are pursuing. 

HOW TO PLAY

To play Harry Potter Magical Beasts players will roll dice to move across the board. There is also a special side of the dice that causes the board to flip! Creating crazy circumstances and advantages for the wizard’s turn. Players will race, looking for clues across the board, and slowly compiling clue cards for different beasts. When a player manages to get 4 clue cards that identify a beast, they win!

5. TRIVIAL PURSUIT: WIZARDING WORLD HARRY POTTER

QUICK FACTS

  • Cost: $21.99
  • Players: 2+
  • Objective: Answer questions correctly and collect all 6 wedges.

It is the classic game of Trivial Pursuit, but it features categories and questions all about Harry Potter! Compete with your friends to have the most extensive knowledge of the universe. Race to be the first player to win. 

HOW TO PLAY

Players will roll dice to move in Trivial Pursuit: Harry Potter. After each movement a different player will read a trivia question, matching the category the current player landed on. If the player answers correctly, they may continue, or may sometimes collect a wedge. Once a player collects all the wedges, they can climb to the middle of the board to answer one last trivia question correctly to win. 

6. CATCH THE GOLDEN SNITCH

QUICK FACTS

  • Cost: $19.99
  • Players: 3 to 4
  • Objective: Earn more points than all other players

Catch the Golden Snitch is a fast-paced, dexterity-based board game. Players all take their turns simultaneously, making the play area chaotic. Players will compete to collect sets of cards to score, all while stealing, blocking, and always being on alert for the golden snitch. It is based on the game of Quidditch from the books.

HOW TO PLAY

Players all take their turns simultaneously in Catch the Golden Snitch. The players will receive their own decks to draw from. Players will draw cards and discard them as quickly as possible to collect sets of matching cards but never have more than 5 cards in hand. Players may get sets of items that award them points at the end of the game, pairs of seekers who only give points if they catch the snitch, and various other card types.

Some cards when collected prevent people from stealing from you. Others will allow players to throw a bludgeoner at another in an attempt to sabotage other players’ hands. Some sets allow you to steal other players’ sets. After a random amount of turns the golden snitch will be released into the air. The player who catches it first is allowed to score their seekers. The release of the golden snitch also ends the game. The player who earned the most points wins.

7. HARRY POTTER LABYRINTH

QUICK FACTS

  • Cost: $36.99
  • Players: 2 to 4
  • Objective: Collect all of your characters and return to your starting space.

In Harry Potter Labyrinth you will compete against the other players to find and collect all of your secret characters. You will constantly be changing up the board, and moving objectives. Race to find everyone and return to your starting is to be crowned the winner. 

HOW TO PLAY

On a player’s turn, they will look, secretly, at the current character they are attempting to rescue from the Labyrinth. Players will have to strategize a way to move across the ever-changing landscape by selecting and sliding in new tiles on their turn. Once a player reaches the character, they reveal their card and start searching for the next missing characters. Once a player has found all of their assigned characters, they will then need to make their way back to their starting location to win!

8. MISCHIEF IN DIAGON ALLEY 

QUICK FACTS

  • Cost: $24.99
  • Players: 3 to 5
  • Objective: Remove all the wrong items from your shop, while collecting all the correct items.

Mischief in Diagon Alley is a super fast-paced, real-time game. Players will be rolling their three dice and using their instruction to move around items on the board. The goal for each player is to quickly assemble all their shop’s items and remove all the wrong items from their shop. 

HOW TO PLAY

Players will simultaneously roll three dice. The dice will tell you what item you can move, what direction it can be moved from, and how many of the items can be moved. Players will roll, move the correct items to their shop, and the wrong items out. Rolling again immediately after finishing their previous roll. The first player to have all of the correct items in their shop, and no incorrect items, wins. 

9. MUNCHKIN HARRY POTTER

QUICK FACTS

  • Cost: $29.99
  • Players: 3 to 6
  • Objective: Reach level 10 by killing monsters. 

Munchkin Harry Potter is a Harry Potter board game mashup of traditional Munchkin and the Wizarding World. Players will decide on their character, defeat monsters in combat, and avoid curses and death at all costs. Players will compete and sabotage others in an attempt to be the first to reach level 10. 

HOW TO PLAY

Players will take turns fighting monsters, searching rooms, and playing cards. The goal of the Munchkin Harry Potter is to reach level 10, but to do so and win you must defeat a monster. Players will also be able to help or harm other players, by applying curses, giving cards, or helping to fight monsters. Beware of death, because you will have to start all over. 

 This version of the game can be added to others to make an even crazier experience. 

10. CODENAMES: HARRY POTTER

QUICK FACTS

  • Cost: $24.99
  • Players: 2+
  • Objective: Find all 15 Order of the Phoenix Members before time runs out.

In Codenames: Harry Potter players will split into two teams. Players will then take turns giving clues for the other side to correctly guess the members needed. Once all 15 of the members from both sides of the board are found, the players all win. Watch out! There are Ministry Officials and, even worse, a death eater on the loose! This fun Harry Potter game is a fun twist on classic Codenames.

HOW TO PLAY

Players will take turns giving their opposing teammates a single-word clue, followed by a number of cards this clue applies to. The opposing team will then think and discuss the clue before touching a tile to indicate a guess. If it was a Phoenix Member,  they are one step closer to winning and get to guess again. When it is a Ministry Official, they lose time and have to end the turn immediately. If it is the dreaded death eater, you have lost the game. Once finished their turn it is time for the other team to follow suit and complete their turn in the same fashion. If players manage to get all 15 members found before the end of the game, they win!

11. HARRY POTTER GUESS WHO?

QUICK FACTS

  • Cost: $34.99
  • Players: 2
  • Objective: Be the first to correctly guess who the other player’s character is. 

Harry Potter Guess Who? is a magic-filled version of standard Guess Who? The players will compete to see who can correctly figure out who the other player’s secret character is by asking wild and entertaining questions to their opponent. This is, without a doubt, one of the best Harry Potter board games for younger players.

HOW TO PLAY

Each player will choose their character and then take turns asking questions about them. On a player’s turn, they will ask a single yes or no question to their opponent. Their opponent will then answer honestly the question. The player will then go through their remaining choices and narrow them down by flipping them closed if they do not fit with the answers to their questions. The first player to ask the opponent if their character is “so and so” and be correct wins. 

12. HEDBANZ WIZARDING WORLD HARRY POTTER

QUICK FACTS

  • Cost: $18.99
  • Players: 2 to 4
  • Objective: Collect 5 chocolate frogs first.

In this game Hedbanz Wizarding World Harry Potter, players will compete to guess correctly what they have tucked in their headband. They have a certain amount of time to ask questions to get closer to an answer. If they successfully guess they earn a chocolate frog!

HOW TO PLAY

Players will on their turn put a card in their headband. There will be a timer to keep track of a player’s turn as well. The player may then begin to ask yes or no questions to determine what they have on their headband. If they are having trouble a player may use a potion which will have another player give clues in a different manner. If the player manages to guess correctly they gain a chocolate frog, and if there is still time they may draw a new card and begin to guess again. Once a player has earned 5 chocolate frogs, they win. 

YOUR HOGWARTS FANTASY IS WAITING!

If you or someone you know is a huge Harry Potter fan, these are some great games for you. These games range in difficulty, and mechanics meaning you’ll have many options for Wizarding World fun. This list of 12 Harry Potter games is sure to delight. We have taken all the guessing out of buying these games, and now you can decide which of these great games is perfect for you!

Looking for some more fun themed board games? Check out our list of the 11 best Disney board games!

Amber Crook
Latest posts by Amber Crook (see all)

O’Hara and Enrique’s Premier League Matchweek 12 Preview

After another week of VAR thrills and spills, the Premier League continues with its 12th round of fixtures this weekend.

Grosvenor Sport ambassadors Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique give their insight on three of the weekend’s key fixtures, including Wolves versus Tottenham, Liverpool versus Brentford, and a clash of the titans between Chelsea and Manchester City.

Watch the full episode of The Counter Attack with Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique here.

Wolves v Tottenham

Jamie O’Hara:

I feel like Tottenham can still take some credit from the Chelsea game, more credit than Chelsea maybe. They had nine players on the pitch, fought hard and still created chances towards the end of the game. I still think Tottenham will be the favourites for this game even without the likes of Micky Van De Ven, James Maddison, Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie.

In my opinion Wolves are a really good side and they’ve had a couple howlers when it comes to VAR decisions against them in the past couple of weeks. They lost to Sheffield United, but losing Pedro Neto will be an even bigger blow for them.

Wolves will have a problem creating chances without Neto, and Spurs have some big players of their own missing, but I still think they have the quality to win this game. James Maddison is out but even so I still think Tottenham have enough quality to win, even with Eric Dier in defence.

Score prediction: Wolves 1 – 2 Tottenham 7.5/1

Anytime goalscorer: Heung-min Son 27/20

Watch Jamie dissect Tottenham’s list of absentees on this week’s episode of the Counter Attack

Jose Enrique:

I have to give the Spurs players credit for their performance in the Chelsea game because they fought until the end with nine men. I know Tottenham have some important players out but for me they are still favourites for this game. This is a good opportunity for them to prove that they can still win even with key players missing.

Like with any team who aren’t one of the big six, Wolves missing their best player in Pedro Neto will seriously affect them, because they don’t have a massively strong squad. It is a big injury for them and they don’t have a proper replacement.

Players like Giovanni Lo Celso can come in for Spurs if Maddison can’t play and he is not a bad player by any means. He may not be Maddison, but he’s still good. Spurs still have quality and I think they will still get the job done.

Score prediction: Wolves 0 – 1 Tottenham 9/1

Anytime goalscorer: Brennan Johnson 29/10

Liverpool v Brentford

Jose Enrique:

Liverpool had many chances to score in their last game against Luton but the reality is that Luton did as well and they still only managed to draw the game. Liverpool look very weak defensively and even with the simplest stuff they don’t look assured. Even Luton were able to pick them apart with a couple of passes. I don’t why some people actually thought they could fight for the title, not a chance!

Liverpool have to win this game because they are back at home and coming into this game having just drawn to Luton which is just not good enough. They could have lost that game and they certainly didn’t deserve to win it.

Darwin Nunez missed so many chances against Luton and I think at home, with the backing of the fans, this would be a great opportunity to get on the scoresheet and regain some confidence.

Score prediction: Liverpool 2 – 0 Brentford 7/1

Anytime goalscorer: Darwin Nunez 57/50

Jamie O’Hara:

Liverpool were shocking the other night against Luton and it’s gone a bit under the radar because of all the other chaos in the league last week, but you can’t draw against Luton! However, Liverpool should still be fighting for the title – they spent money in the summer and they have to challenge.

Brentford have a tough task going to Anfield in what is a must win game for Liverpool. They’re certainly not a bad side and they look to have sorted themselves out after a shaky start but I still think Liverpool can edge this game just because of the quality they have up front in the likes of Mohamed Salah.

Score prediction: Liverpool 2 – 1 Brentford 7.5/1

Anytime goalscorer: Mohamed Salah 10/11

Chelsea v Manchester City

Jamie O’Hara:

What a game this is going to be with Chelsea coming into with confidence of the back of their 4-1 win at Tottenham. Chelsea like teams that come onto them and they find it hard to break teams down when they sit back, and Manchester City are not the kind of team to sit back.

I think this game is going to be a really good game with Chelsea liking playing on the counter and Manchester City wanting to take the game to Chelsea, it will be really interesting to see what happens.

I don’t think it is going to be as easy for City as people think and I certainly don’t think they are going to run riot, but I would still just edge the result in their favour. I think Cole Palmer has been brilliant for Chelsea and he is a top player – if Chelsea are to get anything out of this game it will be through him.

Score prediction: Chelsea 1 – 2 Manchester City 7.5/1

Anytime goalscorer: Cole Palmer 4/1

Jose Enrique:

I think Manchester City are way too good and they are going to destroy Chelsea. If Chelsea set out to sit back and play on the counter then they might have a chance, but if they try to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City and actually press them then City will definitely win.

Everyone that didn’t watch the Chelsea game against Spurs will just see the 4-1 scoreline and think that Chelsea are back and have a chance in this game, but I still see the same Chelsea. Against nine men if they didn’t win this game it would have been terrible.

I hope Chelsea win but I just can’t see any result other than a Chelsea win. Jeremy Doku has been on fire recently and he will definitely cause Chelsea problems.

Score prediction: Chelsea 0 – 2 Manchester City 7.5/1

Anytime goalscorer: Jeremy Doku 15/4

Watch the full episode of The Counter Attack with Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique here.

GW12 Predictions

Wolves v Tottenham

Jose Enrique: Tottenham 57/50

Jamie O’Hara: Tottenham 57/50

 

Arsenal v Burnley

Jose Enrique: Arsenal 2/11

Jamie O’Hara: Arsenal 2/11

 

Crystal Palace v Everton

Jose Enrique: Draw 9/4

Jamie O’Hara: Draw 9/4

 

Manchester United v Luton

Jose Enrique: Draw 5/1

Jamie O’Hara: Manchester United 33/100

 

Bournemouth v Newcastle

Jose Enrique: Newcastle 4/6

Jamie O’Hara: Newcastle 4/6

 

Aston Villa v Fulham

Jose Enrique: Aston Villa 8/13

Jamie O’Hara: Aston Villa 8/13

 

Brighton v Sheffield United

Jose Enrique: Brighton 1/4

Jamie O’Hara: Brighton 1/4

 

Liverpool v Brentford

Jose Enrique: Liverpool 2/5

Jamie O’Hara: Liverpool 2/5

 

West Ham v Nottingham Forest

Jose Enrique: Draw 27/10

Jamie O’Hara: West Ham 41/50

 

Chelsea v Manchester City

Jose Enrique: Manchester City 10/13

Jamie O’Hara: Manchester City 10/13

EDGAR: Everyone Deserves a Game Above Reproach


In the realm of competitive bridge, the emergence of EDGAR (Everyone Deserves a Game Above Reproach) marks a significant evolution, especially poignant in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This advanced software toolkit has not only embodied the legacy of Edgar Kaplan, a luminary in bridge ethics, but has also addressed a critical challenge that surged during the pandemic: the rise of cheating in online bridge.

The Pandemic and the Surge of Cheating in Online Bridge

The history of bridge has seen many shifts, but none as dramatic as during the COVID-19 lockdown. With in-person games halted, the bridge community turned to online platforms. This shift, while necessary, brought forth an unintended consequence: a spike in unethical practices. Cheating in online bridge became a significant concern, as the digital format made it easier for unscrupulous players to exploit the game, undermining the trust and integrity vital to bridge.

EDGAR: A Response to a Growing Challenge

The EDGAR Association, a non-profit organization, was formed in response to this growing concern. Its creation was driven by the need for a sophisticated system that could keep pace with the technological advancements of online bridge and provide a fair, efficient means of detecting and addressing cheating.

The Brain Trust Behind EDGAR

The team behind EDGAR includes individuals like Brian Platnick, President of The EDGAR Association, who brings a unique blend of engineering, legal, and bridge expertise. Franco Baseggio, a key architect of EDGAR’s software suite, contributes his mathematical and statistical skills. They are joined by Jack Oest and AJ Stephani, each bringing their legal and bridge-related acumen to the table, ensuring EDGAR’s approach is legally sound, technologically advanced, and deeply rooted in an understanding of bridge​​.

Innovative Technology: The Heart of EDGAR

EDGAR is a “software toolkit” meaning it is not just a single application but a suite of tools and functionalities bundled together to provide a robust solution for maintaining the integrity of the game of bridge. EDGAR comprises various components or modules, each tailored to address different aspects of game analysis and cheating detection in bridge.

Central to EDGAR’s toolkit is the “Kit-O-Matic” (KOM) detector, a system inspired by Kit Woolsey’s methodologies. KOM signifies a major advance over traditional double-dummy analysis, offering a more nuanced and bias-resistant approach to evaluating players’ decisions.

How EDGAR and KOM Function

EDGAR, with KOM at its core, analyzes extensive data from online bridge play. It identifies patterns of incriminating (‘hits’) and absolving (‘misses’) actions, aggregating them to form a reliable assessment of a player’s conduct. This process is essential in a landscape where cheating had become increasingly sophisticated during the pandemic.

The Impact of EDGAR on Online Bridge

It is hoped that EDGAR will transform the landscape of online bridge. By providing a fair, efficient, and comprehensive tool for detecting unethical play, it will restored trust in the game. EDGAR’s independent operation, free from any bridge organization affiliations, further ensures its unbiased and fair judgment.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Affiliation with Bridge Organizations: EDGAR operates independently of any bridge organizations, though it offers services to them​​.
  2. Reporting Cheating: EDGAR does not directly handle cheating reports. These should be directed through the channels provided by the game’s sponsor​​.
  3. Learning More About EDGAR: Information on EDGAR’s workings is available, with more details to be provided in the future. Interested individuals can refer to related pages for initial insights​​. See links at the bottom of this article.
  4. How does EDGAR differ from traditional cheating detection methods? EDGAR uses advanced algorithms to analyze patterns of play, rather than isolated instances, making its approach more comprehensive and less susceptible to bias.
  5. Can EDGAR be used for in-person bridge games? While primarily designed for online bridge, the principles and technology behind EDGAR can be adapted for in-person games, particularly those where detailed play records are available.

The Future of EDGAR

Looking ahead, EDGAR’s role in the bridge community is set to expand and evolve. A key milestone in this journey is the collaboration between The EDGAR Association and the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). This partnership is a testament to the shared commitment to upholding the integrity of bridge, especially in the digital realm.

The ACBL has expressed its enthusiasm about joining forces with The EDGAR Association, embracing the principle that “Everyone Deserves a Game Above Reproach.” Utilizing the tools provided by EDGAR, the ACBL is actively addressing the challenges of cheating in ACBL-sanctioned online games. This development is a significant stride towards protecting the integrity of bridge, a concern that has grown in importance in the era of online gaming.

Recognizing the dedication and patience of all who have contributed to safeguarding the game, the ACBL assures its members that an effective solution for detecting and deterring online cheating is on the horizon. With administrative procedures expected to be in place for the implementation of EDGAR by January 1, 2024, the bridge community can look forward to a new era of transparency and fairness in online bridge play. The ACBL’s commitment to this initiative underscores the crucial role of EDGAR in the future of bridge, promising a game that is not only challenging and enjoyable but also just and honorable.

Further details about this collaboration and its implications for the bridge community will be shared in forthcoming announcements. This partnership between EDGAR and the ACBL marks a pivotal moment in the history of bridge, heralding a future where technology and tradition converge to ensure the game’s integrity and enduring appeal.

 

EDGAR addresses the challenges posed by the digitalization of the game and ensures that bridge remains a testament to skill, strategy, and above all, integrity. The COVID-19 pandemic may have brought unprecedented challenges to the bridge community, but EDGAR has provided a robust solution, securing the game’s integrity for future generations.

RELATED LINKS

EDGAR Website

The EDGAR team has been posting a series of articles on Bridge Winners:

EDGAR: An Introduction

EDGAR: Bad Landings

EDGAR: The Tell-tale Heart

EDGAR: The Kit and the Algorithm

History of online poker: origin and evolution

Poker is perhaps the most popular card game in the world, and over the years it has undergone changes that have adapted it to the technological boom of modern society. That has led to the proliferation of online poker rooms, creating a loyal community of players who enjoy the game from the comfort of their homes from their smartphone or computer.

But, how exactly did online poker come about, and how has it evolved since the early days of digitization? Read on to find out.

How long is the history of online poker?

The history of online poker began in the 1990s, ushering in a revolution in the way people play poker. Although poker has been played in various forms for centuries, the ability to compete online completely changed the dynamics of the game. The first online poker platform was established in 1998, when Planet Poker launched its website. This event marked the beginning of a new era in the poker world.

During its early years, online poker-faced significant challenges, such as lack of regulation and players’ distrust in the security of transactions and the fairness of the games. However, as technology improved and stricter regulations were established, online poker began to gain popularity.

Who is Chris Moneymaker and why is he important for poker online?

The year 2003 was a turning point in the online poker history. This was the year that an accountant from Tennessee named Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker (WSOP), the most prestigious poker tournament in the world.

His victory was an extraordinary event because, instead of qualifying through an in-person tournament, Moneymaker had gained his entry into the tournament through an online satellite on PokerStars. His triumph inspired thousands of players to follow his example and play online poker.

Chris Moneymaker’s online poker player history lies in the importance of the fact that his victory proved that anyone could compete with the pros and win. His success story inspired numerous online poker players to pursue their dreams in the game. In addition, his path to victory began with an online qualifier, which further emphasized the impact of online poker on the poker scene.

His online poker player history has got a huge legacy: the well-known “Moneymaker effect”, which has translated into a massive increase in the popularity of online poker. Many players began playing online in hopes of replicating his success. This led to an explosive growth in the number of online poker websites and platforms. The media exposure Moneymaker received also contributed to the online poker boom.

Differences between online poker and conventional poker

Conventional poker, played in physical casinos or at gatherings of friends, has significant differences from online poker. Below, we explore some of the key differences and we explain some of the most important online poker facts you should have already learnt:

Accessibility

Online poker is extremely accessible. Players can participate in games anytime, anywhere, as long as they have an Internet connection and a compatible device. This means there is no need to travel to a physical casino or stick to a fixed schedule to play.

Variety of games

Online poker offers a wide variety of poker variants, from Texas Hold’em and Omaha to Seven Card Stud and more. This allows players to experience different styles and rules of play, which may be less common in land-based casinos.

Anonymity

In online poker, players can maintain a certain degree of anonymity. This can be beneficial for those who wish to avoid public exposure or keep their identity a secret.

Speed of play

Online poker tends to be faster than conventional poker. Hands are developed more quickly, as there is no need to shuffle cards or count chips manually. This allows players to participate in more hands in a shorter period of time.

Safety and fairness

Although there were initial concerns about security and fairness in online poker, technological advances and proper regulation have improved player confidence. Online poker platforms use random number generators and advanced security measures to ensure fair play.

Social interaction

Conventional poker encourages in-person social interaction, with players sitting together at a table, allowing communication and reading opponents’ reactions. In contrast, online poker is played in a virtual environment, which can limit face-to-face interaction. However, many online poker platforms offer chat and real-time interaction features to compensate for this lack of physical presence.

How to play Carousel & Game Rules – PlayingCardDecks.com

(Above is an ending layout from a game of Carousel Rummy)

(Above is an ending layout from a game of Carousel Rummy)

Card Game Rules

Carousel is a Rummy type game for 2-5 players. For 2 players, Carousel requires a standard deck of 52 playing cards and 1 Joker. For 3-5 players, Carousel requires 2 standard decks of 52 playing cards and 2 Joker. In Carousel Aces can be High or Low, however they cannot connect a King and 2. The objective of Carousel is to play all of your cards by melding them.

If you are looking for cards to play Carousel with, check out a standard deck here or one of our newest arrivals here.

For more Rummy type games, check out our guides for Canasta and Gin.

Set-Up

Before game play can begin, a dealer must be selected. Each player draws one card from a shuffled deck. The player with the lowest card becomes the dealer. Ties are broken by a redraw.

The dealer then shuffles the deck and passes out ten cards one at a time to each player. The remaining cards form the stock pile.

How to Play

Starting with the player left of the dealer, players try to meld off as much cards as they can. A player begins their turn by first drawing from the stock. If they cannot make any melds with their cards, they draw another card from the stock. If they still can’t make any melds, they draw a final card from the stock and end their turn, even if they can make a meld with the drawn card. 

Notably, a player may rearrange all of the melded cards as long as they return to valid melds at the end of their turn.

Melds

A player makes a meld by either having three or more of a kind or by having three or more of a run. A run is made of three or more cards of the same suit in increasing or decreasing order. When a player makes a meld they lay it face up on the table. 

Melds are communal, meaning once a meld is made, another player can continue the sequence/set with their own cards.

Joker

Jokers are wildcards. If a player has the card that the Joker is replacing, they can swap the two and get the joker to make their own melds. 

Knocking

Once a player has a hand of 5 or less points, a player can choose to “knock” and end the round.

Scoring

In Carousel:

Jokers are worth 25 points.

Face cards are worth 10 points.

Cards 2-10 are worth their face value.

Aces are worth 1 point.

Once somebody Knocks, the player with the least number of points in their hand wins the difference between their opponents’ hand and their own.

If a player Knocks after playing all of their cards, they win a 25 point bonus.

If a player Knocks while somebody else has a lower hand than them, the person with the lower hand wins the points for the round and a 10 point bonus.

For more information about Carousel, check out The Rummy Rule book here or Pagat.com’s article here.

Looking for more card games to play?  Check out this article:

40+ Great Card Games For All Occasions

About the author: John Taylor is a content writer and freelancer through the company Upwork.com. You may view his freelancing profile here. He has a B. A. in English, with a specialty in technical writing, from Texas A&M University and a M. A. in English from the University of Glasgow. You may view his previous articles about card games here and his LinkedIn profile here.

John Taylor Head shot

Last update date: 08/29/20

WSOP 2020 – Full Schedule and Information

📅 Wed, May 27, 11:00 AM $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,000 ⛁ 20,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Wed, May 27, 3:00 PM $500 Casino Employees Event 🂠 NLH 💰 $500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 40 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Only for casino employees  


  📅 Thu, May 28, 10:00 AM $500 BIG 50 – Flight A 🂠 NLH 💰 $500 ⛁ 50,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 50 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Thu, May 28, 3:00 PM $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better 🂠 O8 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Fri, May 29, 10:00 AM $500 BIG 50 – Flight B 🂠 NLH 💰 $500 ⛁ 50,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 50 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Fri, May 29, 3:00 PM $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller 8-Handed 🂠 NLH 💰 $25,000 ⛁ 150,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Sat, May 30, 10:00 AM $500 BIG 50 – Flight C 🂠 NLH 💰 $500 ⛁ 50,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 50 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Sat, May 30, 3:00 PM $1,500 Dealers Choice 6-Handed 🂠 Dealer’s Choice 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) No-Limit Hold’em, Limit Hold’em, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card St Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Regular, Pot-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Big O, Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw, Pot-Limit 2-7 Lowball, Triple Draw A-5 Lowball Triple Draw, Badugi, Badeucy, Badacy, No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw, No-Limit Five-Card Draw High  


  📅 Sun, May 31, 10:00 AM $500 BIG 50 – Flight D 🂠 NLH 💰 $500 ⛁ 50,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 50 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Sun, May 31, 3:30 PM 💻 $400 WSOP.com ONLINE No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $400 ⛁ 15,000 ⏳ 1 Day ⏱ 15 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Event played entirely online via WSOP.com desktop or mobile software.  


  📅 Sun, May 31, 6:00 PM $25,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em Championship 🂠 NLH 💰 $25,000 ⛁ 150,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 20 Minutes No Re-Entries 64-Player maximum field  


  📅 Mon, Jun 01, 11:00 AM $600 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack 🂠 NLH 💰 $600 ⛁ 30,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Mon, Jun 01, 3:00 PM $2,500 Mixed Limit Triple Draw Lowball 🂠 Mixed 💰 $2,500 ⛁ 35,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) A-5 Triple Draw, 2-7 Triple Draw, Badugi  


  📅 Tue, Jun 02, 11:00 AM $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em Super Turbo Bounty 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,000 ⛁ 20,000 ⏳ 1 Day ⏱ 20 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Tue, Jun 02, 3:00 PM $1,500 Seven Card Stud 🂠 Stud 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Wed, Jun 03, 11:00 AM $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Wed, Jun 03, 3:00 PM $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship 🂠 O8 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 4 Days ⏱ 60 / 90 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Thu, Jun 04, 11:00 AM $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Thu, Jun 04, 3:00 PM $1,500 HORSE 🂠 HORSE 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes No Re-Entries Limit Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Hi-Lo 8 or Better  


  📅 Fri, Jun 05, 10:00 AM $1,500 MILLIONAIRE MAKER – Flight A 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) $1 000 000 Guaranteed to Winner  


  📅 Fri, Jun 05, 1:00 PM $50,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em 8-Handed 🂠 NLH 💰 $50,000 ⛁ 300,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Fri, Jun 05, 3:00 PM $1,500 Omaha Mix 🂠 Omaha Mix 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better; Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better; Big O  


  📅 Sat, Jun 06, 10:00 AM $1,500 MILLIONAIRE MAKER – Flight B 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) $1 000 000 Guaranteed to Winner  


  📅 Sat, Jun 06, 3:00 PM $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship 🂠 Stud 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 / 90 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Sun, Jun 07, 11:00 AM $1,000 FORTY STACK No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,000 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Sun, Jun 07, 3:00 PM $3,000 HORSE 🂠 HORSE 💰 $3,000 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes No Re-Entries Limit Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Hi-Lo 8 or Better  


  📅 Sun, Jun 07, 3:30 PM 💻 $777 WSOP.com ONLINE Pot-Limit Omaha (7-Handed) 🂠 PLO 💰 $777 ⛁ 20,000 ⏳ 1 Day ⏱ 15 Minutes ♻ (3 Re-Entries) Event played entirely online via WSOP.com desktop software only.  


  📅 Mon, Jun 08, 11:00 AM $600 Pot-Limit Omaha Deepstack 8-Handed 🂠 PLO 💰 $600 ⛁ 30,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Mon, Jun 08, 3:00 PM $10,000 Short Deck No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 Short Deck 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Tue, Jun 09, 11:00 AM $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Super Turbo Bounty 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 1 Day ⏱ 20 Minutes No Re-Entries $500 Bounties  


  📅 Tue, Jun 09, 3:00 PM $10,000 HORSE Championship 🂠 HORSE 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 4 Days ⏱ 60 / 90 Minutes No Re-Entries Limit Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Hi-Lo 8 or Better  


  📅 Tue, Jun 09, 3:30 PM 💻 $800 WSOP.com ONLINE Freezeout Knockout Deepstack No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $800 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 1 Day ⏱ 10 Minutes No Re-Entries Event played entirely online via WSOP.com desktop or mobile software.  


  📅 Wed, Jun 10, 11:00 AM $1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed) 🂠 PLO 💰 $1,000 ⛁ 20,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Wed, Jun 10, 3:00 PM $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw 🂠 Lowball 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Thu, Jun 11, 11:00 AM $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout 🂠 NLH 💰 $2,500 ⛁ 35,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Thu, Jun 11, 3:00 PM $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better 🂠 Stud-8 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Fri, Jun 12, 10:00 AM $1,500 MONSTER STACK – Flight A 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 50,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Fri, Jun 12, 2:00 PM $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty 🂠 NLH 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 20 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Fri, Jun 12, 3:00 PM $1,500 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw 🂠 Triple Draw 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Sat, Jun 13, 10:00 AM $1,500 MONSTER STACK – Flight B 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 50,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Sat, Jun 13, 3:00 PM $10,000 Dealers Choice Championship 🂠 Dealer’s Choice 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 / 90 Minutes No Re-Entries No-Limit Hold’em, Limit Hold’em, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card St Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Regular, Pot-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Big O, Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw, Pot-Limit 2-7 Lowball, Triple Draw A-5 Lowball Triple Draw, Badugi, Badeucy, Badacy, No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw, No-Limit Five-Card Draw High  


  📅 Sun, Jun 14, 11:00 AM $800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack 🂠 NLH 💰 $800 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Sun, Jun 14, 3:00 PM $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed) 🂠 PLO 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Sun, Jun 14, 3:30 PM 💻 $500 WSOP.com ONLINE No-Limit Hold’em Turbo Deepstack (8-Handed) 🂠 NLH 💰 $500 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 1 Day ⏱ 10 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Event played entirely online via WSOP.com desktop or mobile software.  


  📅 Mon, Jun 15, 11:00 AM $500 No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout 🂠 NLH 💰 $500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Mon, Jun 15, 3:00 PM $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship 🂠 Lowball 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 / 90 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Tue, Jun 16, 11:00 AM $600 Mixed No-Limit Hold’em / Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed 🂠 NLH / PLO 💰 $600 ⛁ 30,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Tue, Jun 16, 3:00 PM $1,500 Razz 🂠 Razz 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Wed, Jun 17, 11:00 AM $10,000/$1,000 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 20,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Buy-In: $10,000 ($9,000 discount for ladies)  


  📅 Wed, Jun 17, 12:00 PM $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em SHOOTOUT 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Wed, Jun 17, 3:00 PM $25,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed 🂠 PLO 💰 $25,000 ⛁ 150,000 ⏳ 4 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Thu, Jun 18, 10:00 AM $1,000 Seniors No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,000 ⛁ 20,000 ⏳ 4 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Must be 50+  


  📅 Thu, Jun 18, 1:00 PM $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout 🂠 NLH 💰 $3,000 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Thu, Jun 18, 3:00 PM $10,000 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw Championship 🂠 Triple Draw 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 / 90 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Fri, Jun 19, 10:00 AM $1,000 Double Stack No-Limit Hold’em – Flight A 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,000 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Fri, Jun 19, 3:00 PM $2,500 Nine-Game Mix 🂠 9-Game 💰 $2,500 ⛁ 35,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Limit Hold’em, Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Seven Card Stud, Razz, Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better, No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw, No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw  


  📅 Sat, Jun 20, 10:00 AM $1,000 Double Stack No-Limit Hold’em – Flight B 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,000 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Sat, Jun 20, 3:00 PM $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed Championship 🂠 PLO 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 4 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Sun, Jun 21, 11:00 AM $800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack 8-Handed 🂠 NLH 💰 $800 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Sun, Jun 21, 3:00 PM $5,000 Freezeout No-Limit Hold’em 8-Handed 🂠 NLH 💰 $5,000 ⛁ 50,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Sun, Jun 21, 3:30 PM 💻 $500 WSOP.com ONLINE Freezeout No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $500 ⛁ 20,000 ⏳ 1 Day ⏱ 15 Minutes No Re-Entries Event played entirely online via WSOP.com desktop or mobile software.  


  📅 Mon, Jun 22, 10:00 AM $1,000 Super Seniors No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,000 ⛁ 20,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Must be 60+  


  📅 Mon, Jun 22, 2:00 PM $1,000 Tag Team Event 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,000 ⛁ 20,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes No Re-Entries Teams of 2  


  📅 Mon, Jun 22, 3:00 PM $50,000 POKER PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP 🂠 10-Game 💰 $50,000 ⛁ 300,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 100 Minutes No Re-Entries Limit Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Seven Card Stud, Razz, Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better, No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw, No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw  


  📅 Tue, Jun 23, 11:00 AM $600 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack Championship 🂠 NLH 💰 $600 ⛁ 30,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Tue, Jun 23, 3:00 PM $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better (8 Handed) 🂠 O8 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Wed, Jun 24, 10:00 AM $400 COLOSSUS – Flight A 🂠 NLH 💰 $400 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 4 Days ⏱ 40 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Wed, Jun 24, 3:00 PM $10,000 Razz Championship 🂠 Razz 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 / 90 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Thu, Jun 25, 10:00 AM $400 COLOSSUS – Flight B 🂠 NLH 💰 $400 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 4 Days ⏱ 40 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Thu, Jun 25, 3:00 PM $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed 🂠 NLH 💰 $5,000 ⛁ 50,000 ⏳ 4 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Fri, Jun 26, 10:00 AM $888 Crazy Eights No-Limit Hold’em (8-Handed) – Flight A 🂠 NLH 💰 $888 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 30 / 40 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) $888 888 Guaranteed for 1st Place  


  📅 Fri, Jun 26, 3:00 PM $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship 🂠 PLO-8 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 4 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Fri, Jun 26, 5:00 PM $888 Crazy Eights No-Limit Hold’em (8-Handed) – Flight B 🂠 NLH 💰 $888 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 30 / 40 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) $888 888 Guaranteed for 1st Place  


  📅 Sat, Jun 27, 10:00 AM $888 Crazy Eights No-Limit Hold’em (8-Handed) – Flight C 🂠 NLH 💰 $888 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 30 / 40 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) $888 888 Guaranteed for 1st Place  


  📅 Sat, Jun 27, 12:00 PM $250,000 Super High Roller No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $250,000 ⛁ 1,500,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Sat, Jun 27, 3:00 PM $1,500 Limit Hold’em 🂠 FLH 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Sat, Jun 27, 5:00 PM $888 Crazy Eights No-Limit Hold’em (8-Handed) – Flight D 🂠 NLH 💰 $888 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 30 / 40 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) $888 888 Guaranteed for 1st Place  


  📅 Sun, Jun 28, 11:00 AM $1,500 MYSTERY BOUNTY No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 50,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes No Re-Entries $1 000 000 in guaranteed bounties with 1 max-bounty of $250 000  


  📅 Sun, Jun 28, 3:00 PM $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship 🂠 Stud-8 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 / 90 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Sun, Jun 28, 3:30 PM 💻 $1,000 WSOP.com ONLINE No-Limit Hold’em CHAMPIONSHIP 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,000 ⛁ 20,000 ⏳ 1 Day ⏱ 15 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Event played entirely online via WSOP.com desktop or mobile software.  


  📅 Mon, Jun 29, 11:00 AM $1,000 Mini Main Event 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Mon, Jun 29, 3:00 PM $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed 🂠 NLH 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Mon, Jun 29, 3:30 PM 💻 $500 WSOP.com ONLINE No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $500 ⛁ 15,000 ⏳ 1 Day ⏱ 15 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Event played entirely online via WSOP.com desktop or mobile software.  


  📅 Tue, Jun 30, 11:00 AM Final 500 Salute to Warriors No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Proceeds to be donated to the USO and other Veteran Organizations  


  📅 Tue, Jun 30, 3:00 PM $10,000 Limit Hold’em Championship 🂠 FLH 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 / 90 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Tue, Jun 30, 3:30 PM 💻 $1,500 WSOP.com ONLINE No-Limit Hold’em (8-Handed) 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 20,000 ⏳ 1 Day ⏱ 15 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Event played entirely online via WSOP.com desktop or mobile software.  


  📅 Wed, Jul 01, 11:00 AM $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em MAIN EVENT – World Championship – Flight A 🂠 NLH 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 10 Days ⏱ 120 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Thu, Jul 02, 11:00 AM $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em MAIN EVENT – World Championship – Flight B 🂠 NLH 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 10 Days ⏱ 120 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Thu, Jul 02, 12:00 PM 💻 $10,000 WSOP.com ONLINE Super High Roller CHAMPIONSHIP (Freezeout) 🂠 NLH 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 30,000 ⏳ 1 Day ⏱ 20 Minutes No Re-Entries Event played entirely online via WSOP.com desktop or mobile software.  


  📅 Fri, Jul 03, 11:00 AM $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em MAIN EVENT – World Championship – Flight C 🂠 NLH 💰 $10,000 ⛁ 60,000 ⏳ 10 Days ⏱ 120 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Fri, Jul 03, 3:30 PM $400 WSOP.com ONLINE No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $400 ⛁ 15,000 ⏳ 1 Day ⏱ 15 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Event played entirely online via WSOP.com desktop or mobile software.  


  📅 Sat, Jul 04, 12:00 PM $1,000 + $111 Little One for One Drop – Flight A 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,111 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (∞ Re-Entries)  


  📅 Sat, Jul 04, 3:30 PM 💻 $500 WSOP.com ONLINE No-Limit Hold’em Turbo Deepstack 🂠 NLH 💰 $500 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 1 Day ⏱ 8 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Event played entirely online via WSOP.com desktop or mobile software.  


  📅 Sun, Jul 05, 12:00 PM $1,000 + $111 Little One for One Drop – Flight B 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,111 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (∞ Re-Entries)  


  📅 Sun, Jul 05, 3:00 PM $3,000 Limit Hold’em 6-Handed 🂠 NLH 💰 $3,000 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes No Re-Entries  


  📅 Sun, Jul 05, 3:30 PM $600 WSOP.com ONLINE 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $600 ⛁ 15,000 ⏳ 1 Day ⏱ 15 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Event played entirely online via WSOP.com desktop or mobile software.  


  📅 Mon, Jul 06, 12:00 PM $1,000 + $111 Little One for One Drop – Flight C 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,111 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 5 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (∞ Re-Entries)  


  📅 Mon, Jul 06, 6:00 PM $5,000 Mixed No-Limit Hold’em / Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed 🂠 NLH / PLO 💰 $5,000 ⛁ 50,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Tue, Jul 07, 12:00 PM $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Bounty 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes No Re-Entries $500 Bounties  


  📅 Tue, Jul 07, 3:00 PM $50,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha 🂠 PLO 💰 $50,000 ⛁ 300,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Wed, Jul 08, 12:00 PM $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Bounty 🂠 PLO 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) $500 Bounties  


  📅 Wed, Jul 08, 3:00 PM $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed 🂠 NLH 💰 $3,000 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Thu, Jul 09, 12:00 PM $1,500 FIFTY STACK No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 50,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Thu, Jul 09, 3:00 PM $1,500 Mixed No-Limit Hold’em / Pot-Limit Omaha (8 Handed) 🂠 NLH / PLO 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Thu, Jul 09, 6:00 PM $50,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $50,000 ⛁ 300,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Fri, Jul 10, 12:00 PM The Closer – $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em – Flight A 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Fri, Jul 10, 3:00 PM $3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 6-Handed 🂠 PLO 💰 $3,000 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 4 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Sat, Jul 11, 12:00 PM The Closer – $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em – Flight B 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Sat, Jul 11, 3:00 PM $100,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $100,000 ⛁ 600,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Sun, Jul 12, 11:00 AM $800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack 🂠 NLH 💰 $800 ⛁ 40,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Sun, Jul 12, 3:00 PM $1,500 Eight-Game Mix (6 Handed) 🂠 8-Game 💰 $1,500 ⛁ 25,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 40 / 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Limit Hold’em, Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Seven Card Stud, Razz, Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better, No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw  


  📅 Sun, Jul 12, 3:30 PM 💻 $500 WSOP.com ONLINE SUMMER SAVER No-Limit Hold’em 🂠 NLH 💰 $500 ⛁ 20,000 ⏳ 1 Day ⏱ 15 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) Event played entirely online via WSOP.com desktop or mobile software.  


  📅 Mon, Jul 13, 11:00 AM $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em Super Turbo 🂠 NLH 💰 $1,000 ⛁ 20,000 ⏳ 1 Day ⏱ 20 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)  


  📅 Mon, Jul 13, 3:00 PM $2,500 Mixed Big Bet 🂠 Mixed 💰 $2,500 ⛁ 35,000 ⏳ 3 Days ⏱ 60 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry) NLH, PLO, 2-7 NL, NL 5 Card Draw, Big O, PLO Hi-Lo, 2-7 Pot-Limit Triple Draw  


  📅 Tue, Jul 14, 3:00 PM $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em 8-Handed 🂠 NLH 💰 $5,000 ⛁ 50,000 ⏳ 2 Days ⏱ 30 Minutes ♻ (1 Re-Entry)   🂠 – Variant 💰 – Buy-In ⛁ – Starting Stack ⏳ – Level Time ⏱ – Level Time ♻ – Re-Entries

Get paid $2,000 to become a “Simfluencer”

Do you love The Sims? Do you dream of stardom? Do you ever think to yourself, “mejilawe pimewayajiniba tukiwe sijimosi”? If we’re speaking your Simlish language then this is the job of your dreams. Here’s your chance to become a Simfluencer.

To rev up the excitement around a new, rumored expansion pack set to release this fall, we’re putting on a contest to really get your sim-self excited about. You can now get paid $2,000 to play The Sims. Yep, that simple.

For those up to speed on their Sim economy, that’s a lot of cash when you think about it in Simoleon currency! Although we promise to pay in USD, your Sims are guaranteed to lap in the luxury too, with this new contest. 

Live your dream life virtually and in reality. The rules are even more simple than getting your Sims to mingle. Essentially, you’ll just need to play The Sims and do what you normally would do in the game – a real cushy job for those already tapped into the Simverse! Let’s get a bit more “Sim”-cific: 

How it works

  1. If selected, you will be required to download the most current version of The Sims 4 (free). 
  2. Then it will be necessary to get the High School Years expansion pack. We will be covering the purchase of the expansion pack in addition to the $2,000 prize money.
  3. Within the expansion pack, you’ll be given the choice to become a “Simfluencer” or “Video Game Streamer” – the choice will be up to the winner. 
  4. Depending on the career choice, the winner will have to report back their progress until they’ve achieved
    1. Mega-Siminfluencer, or
    2. Pro-Gamer

Above you’ll find the link that will take you to the entry page. Be sure to submit all the correct information so we can contact you if you win! Terms and Conditions can be found in the entry link.

Get ready to take the Sim world by storm and become a Simfluencer. It’s going to be lights, camera, action for you and this virtual world, so get ready. For those who have always been a lover of The Sims, this is your moment to make your “sim”-fluence and do something “sim”-nificant. 

Disclaimer

Casino.org has no affiliation with The Sims in any capacity. Casino.org is not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, maintained, authorized, or sponsored by The Sims brand. The use of any trade name or trademark is for identification and reference purposes only.

Fair Use

Feel free to use the data or visuals on this page for non-commercial purposes. Please be sure to include proper attribution linking back to this page to give credit to the authors.

For any press questions, please contact riley.clark[at]casino.org

Basic Blackjack Strategy in 5 Minutes

Blackjack, also known as Twenty-One, is a hugely popular card game, dating all the way back to the 17th century. And of course, in 2019, there are plenty of exciting live versions to try out. But first, you’ve got to get basic blackjack strategy down.

In this bite-sized blackjack strategy guide, you’ll learn all you need to know to get started on our Canadian online casino, in as little as five minutes! 

Splitting A Pair

Splitting
pairs is one of the more better-known blackjack basic strategies, and it was
first introduced to help players bring down the casino’s house advantage a notch or two. However,
splitting pairs is usually not always
used very effectively, so let’s see how to make this blackjack strategy
work for you.

You can split
a pair when you have a hand with two cards of the same value, such as a 2 of
Hearts and a 2 of Clubs. You split the pair by placing an equal chip right next to the original wager. Don’t put your additional chip on top – that means you want to double up (more on that later). Placing your chip
adjacent to the original lets the dealer know that you want to split your hand.

So which hands should you split? Not all cards are equal. For instance, it’s recommended to split a pair of aces (totalling 11) as splitting will give you a much two chances to land two stronger hands. It’s also a good idea to split eights, to potentially improve a hand of 16. Never split a pair of 10 though, as by splitting you might be sacrificing a really good hand. Low numbers aren’t recommended to split either.   Why is splitting such a useful blackjack strategy? Because with this strategy you could transform a weak hand into a winning one with one wager or one click, and potentially win more money.

Doubling Down – Hard And Soft Hands

Do you need a
good blackjack basic strategy to help you break even or even possibly win when
your odds are not looking good? Then
doubling down is the blackjack strategy you need.

Doubling down is when you’re given the opportunity to double your initial wager, however, you will then only be able to draw one more card. To double, simply place an equal chip on top of your first wager. Some casinos will have different rules on when you can double down: you can usually double down on any two cards but some casinos may only allow it when you draw a hand of 10 or 11. So, when should you double down? You usually should double down when you have the hard 8, 9, 10, and 11 cards. A hard hand is a hand that doesn’t include an ace.

But what happens when your hand includes an ace (known as a soft hand)? If your hand includes an ace and an eight card or higher, it doesn’t make much sense to double.

The Rule Of Nine

An easy way to decide whether you should double down or not on a soft hand can be summarised below:

  • If your
    dealer’s up-card and your non-ace card add up to nine or more, then double
    down.
  • If the sum
    of the dealer’s card and your non-ace add up to less than nine, then you can
    hit.
  • Never
    double down when the dealer holds a seven or higher.
  • Never
    double down when the dealer holds an ace either.

Surrendering A Hand

The blackjack
strategy of surrendering a hand can be confusing, due to its misleading name.
When you surrender a hand, it doesn’t
mean that you’re surrendering the
game, and can be a highly useful strategy.

So, how does
it work? After having a look at your two-card hand as well as the dealer’s
up-card, and the cards just aren’t looking so good, you can apply this method and surrender half of your wager. The dealer will then take half of
your wager, as well as your two cards and will place them in the discard pile.

You might be
asking why this blackjack strategy is so great if you’re losing half your wager? You’re
losing 50% of your wager instead of potentially losing all of it, so you can
retain half your stake for the next hand. 

Hitting And Standing

Our last blackjack strategy for today is
a summary of hitting and standing.
This is the bread and butter of playing a
game of blackjack, whether online, live or at the casino.

When you hit, you’re asking the dealer for another card and when you stand, it means that you’re happy with cards you’ve been dealt and don’t want any additional cards.

So, when should you hit and when should you stand?

Well, this all depends on what your dealer’s holding:

  • If the
    dealer has an ace, they have a high chance of hitting a 10 value card (10,
    Jack, Queen or King), so you should aim to have a hand of 17 or over.
  • If the
    dealer has a 10 card, they still have a strong chance of hitting 20. So we
    recommend you hit until 17 or higher to give yourself the strongest hand you
    can.
  • If your
    dealer has between seven and nine, at least they won’t be able to hit a
    Blackjack with their third card, but they can still get a high hand.  Hit until 17.
  • If your
    dealer has a card worth four up to six, you could potentially stand on anything
    above 12.
  • If your
    dealer has a two, you can hit up to a value of nine, but it’s wise to stand on
    a hand of 13.

And there you go, the four key components of blackjack basic strategy to help you polish up your skills. Why not try out the strategies you’ve learned by playing on LiveRoulette’s range of 15 live blackjack games, such as Exclusive Blackjack, Blackjack Party, and Infinite Blackjack, and show off your know-how?



18+ | begambleaware.org | Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Terms & Conditions apply.

September 2023 New Games Release

Summertime is coming to an end, but we are still bringing the heat at Casino.com!

This month, we are travelling back in time and adding some Ancient themed slots to our gaming portfolio. Explore the Pyramids, thunderbolts and more as we take a closer look at a few of the new additions that will soon be hitting the game lobby.

All upcoming games have different bonuses features, varying bet ranges, and their own distinct characters. Get in your time machine and take a trip to see what is being released in September 2023.

Queen of the Pyramids Mega Cash Collect

Queen of the Pyramids Mega Cash Collect is an Ancient Egyptian themed slot game from game provider Playtech. The game features symbols such as the Cleopatra Wild, a sphinx, and a scarab which are all all set against the backdrop of a visually stunning extravagant temple that has flames surrounding the game grid.

The slot has 30 paylines, ambient traditional music, and an RTP of 95.41% with a huge bet range starting from €0.10 going all the way up to €500. One of the exciting features of the game is the Cash Collect mechanic, as well as the Free Games Bonus Round opportunity.

If you are lucky enough to trigger the additional round, a special expanded grid with locked rows above the main reels will be presented with a new colour scheme, and huge win potential.

Look out for these icons: 

  • Cash Collect Symbol Land a Cash Collect symbol to collect bonus symbols and cash prizes.
  • Cash Spreader When this bright gold and red striped symbols lands anywhere on the reels, it will spread random bonus symbols on the extra reels, adding up to 5 coins to random positions on extra reels.
  • Sticky Cash Collect prizes up to 16x your bet as this symbol will turn into a jackpot Diamond and freeze until your next spin once the jackpot has been collected.

This slot game also 4 Progressive JackpotsMini, Minor, Major, and Grand. These can be randomly triggered by landing a Diamond icon and a Cash Collect symbol on the reels during any spin.

Will you find your diamond at the top of the pyramid?

Amazing Link Zeus Epic 4

New Games Release September 2023 Amazing Link Zeus Epic 4 online slot game machine gambling gaming Games Global Ancient Greece

Next up, we travel into Greek mythology for the 4th instalment of Amazing Link Zeus Epic. This is an electrifying slot game brought to you by Microgaming (Games Global) with 20 to 80 paylines, an RTP of 96.47%, and 4 distinct reel sets. Spin away to find symbols such as Pegasus, the harp, the vase, and the powerful Zeus Wild.

At the heart of the slot game lies the vibrant blue Amazing Symbol which can also turn gold with the right amount of force! Triggering 6 or more of these icons on a single reel, can ignite the Amazing Link feature, awarding 3 respins. With the locked symbols intact, your respins could lock more spins leading to a huge payout.

Unleash your power!

Eye of Horus Rise Of Egypt

New Games Released in September 2023 Eye of Horus Rise of Egypt slot game machine Gambling gaming Ancient Egyptian Hieroglypics online casino

We are going back to Ancient Egypt again, however this time we are looking straight into the Eye of Horus Rise of Egypt. This slot has been developed by Blueprint Gaming and has a standard 5-reel x 3-rows game grid with 10 paylines. There are Wild symbols, and a captivating bonus round where you can get a maximum win of 50,000x your bet.

Although this is another Ancient Egyptian game, this one is set on a backdrop reminiscent of hieroglyphic slabs giving you a completely different experience to other Egyptian style games. See if the eye can guide you on a path to riches!

Play for Real Money

To start playing Real Money bets, just simply sign in and place your bets. Whether you are keen to explore the Ancient Egypt, Zeus’ thunderbolts, or if you just want to play a fun slot game, our lobby has something for everyone.

And if you are registering for the first time and making your first deposit, you can claim your Welcome Bonus before playing on all of our new games. 

The Complete Guide to Roulette

How to Win at Roulette – A Comprehensive Guide (keywords: best roulette strategy, roulette tips and tricks, how to win at roulete)

Introduction: What is the Roulette Game and How Does it Work?

keywords: what is a rouletet game, how does aroulett work

Simple Steps To Play Roulettes Online With Minimal Risk On A Good Odds Table

keywords: how do you playroulettes online with no risk on high odds tables

Roulette is a game of chance.

The player bets on a number, color, or the “outside” ( odd or even ) to be revealed when the ball drops into one of the numbered pockets on the wheel.

The odds against each bet are established by roulette’s design with the intention that there should be no way for any player to know which pocket will receive the ball.

Ulasan Dafabet di tahun 2020

Ulasan Dafabet

Saatnya untuk meninjau salah satu operator game online yang paling lama berdiri, Dafabet! Saya telah menantikan  ulasan operator ini untuk waktu yang lama hingga sekarang, karena mereka memiliki reputasi yang sangat baik, namun sebagian besar ulasan kami adalah utamanya untuk kasino, situs yang berorientasi ke AS. Apa yang akan Anda temukan di bawah ini adalah ulasan yang komprehensif dan jujur ​​tentang salah satu kelompok terbesar di pasaran Asia. Mulai bertaruh di sportsbook terbaik sekarang dari sini.

Sebagaimana segera Anda simak, ada lebih banyak pilihan yangtersedia untuk Anda di Dafabet daripada kasino lain dalam ulasan kami tentangsitus judi yang sah. Hasilnya, ulasan ini akan sedikit berbeda dari yangmungkin Anda gunakan sekarang. Jangan khawatir, semua informasi terkait ada disini, saya berjanji!

Pergi ke dafabet

Tentang Dafabet

Dafabet didirikan pada tahun 2004 dan berbasis di Manilla di Filipina. Mereka berlisensi penuh berdasarkan yurisdiksi Filipina. Namun, kepemilikan perusahaan mereka terdaftar sebagai Bayview Technologies, yang memiliki alamat di British Virgin Islands. Para pendukung merek ini jelas berkantong tebal, dan Dafabet telah tumbuh menjadi salah satu operasi perjudian online terbesar tidak hanya di Asia tetapi di seluruh dunia.

Meskipun Dafabet terutama adalah kasino yang berorientasi ke Asia, terlihat jelas bahwa mereka agresif dalam mengejar  traffic internasional. Hal ini dapat dicontohkan dengan jumlah uang yang dihabiskan oleh perusahaan untuk sponsor tim sepak bola utama Inggris. Anda dapat menemukan logo Dafabet yang ditampilkan secara jelas pada kaus Celtic FC, Sunderland FC, Burnlea FC, dan Blackburn Rovers FC. Sponsor tersebut tidak murah dan biasanya hanya tersedia untuk para raksasa industri.

Siapa yang Bisa Bermain di Dafabet

Seperti yang telah kami sebutkan, Dafabet terutama merupakan kasino yang berorientasi ke Asia, sebagaimana terlihat dalam tampilan dan nuansa situs web dan halaman depan mereka. Namun, kasino tetap menerima pemain dari seluruh dunia, menampilkan permainan dengan lebih dari 20 mata uang yang berbeda sesuai keinginan pemain mereka. Ada beberapa pembatasan pada siapa yang bisa bertaruh di Dafabet; batasan ini biasanya berasal dari peraturan perizinan atau dari pemasok perangkat lunak itu sendiri. Sesuai dengan Syarat dan Ketentuan Dafabet, berikut adalah daftar negara-negara yang saat ini dibatasi untuk memainkan permainan mereka:

Hong Kong S.A.R., Macau S.A.R., AS atau wilayahnya, Israel, Inggris, Prancis, Spanyol, Portugal, Swiss, Irlandia, Siprus, Turki, Taiwan, Singapura, dan Republik Filipina.

Anda mungkin terkejut melihat negara seperti Inggris dan Irlandia yang tercantum di sini mengingat belanja Dafabet saat ini yang mensponsori klub sepak bola di negara-negara tersebut. Apa yang mungkin tidak Anda ketahui adalah bahwa dua liga sepak bola ini memiliki pengaruh yang luar biasa secara global, khususnya di Asia, jadi membayar mahal untuk mensponsori tim-tim itu masih sepadan dengan harganya. Seperti biasa, pembatasan ini dapat berubah setiap saat, karena itu adalah ide yang bagus untuk memeriksa situs web Dafabet sebelum Anda mencoba membuka akun.

Beberapa Keunggulan Dafabet

Jackpot

Astaga! Jika Anda seorang pecandu Jackpot seperti saya, maka saya yakinkan Anda bahwa Dafabet adalah tempat untuk Anda! Dafabet menawarkan tidak kurang dari USD 65.000.000 di live jackpot (pada saat ulasan ini ditulis) dengan puluhan permainan slot dan permainan meja. Ini adalah kumpulan game progresif terbesar dari kasino mana pun yang pernah saya ulas. Saya ingin tahu apakah itu karena tidak ada yang pernah menang jackpot ini, tetapi jujur, Anda bodoh jika tidak menyempatkan untuk memainkan beberapa permainan.

Cara menyampaikan informasi jackpot adalah apa yang sangat saya sukai tentang permainan yang ada di Dafabet. Ambil satu pertandingan sebagai contoh. Mesin slot mereka, Jackpot Giant, memiliki progresif saat ini hampir 7,5 juta dolar. Jika Anda mengklik permainan di tab Jackpot di halaman depan, jendela pop-up dengan grafik yang menunjukkan total jackpot bergulir masuk ke layar Anda. Di sana, Anda dapat melihat apakah ada kemenangan baru-baru ini, dan seberapa cepat game ini dikucurkan dalam beberapa hari terakhir. Informasi ini sangat penting bagi para pemain yang mencoba untuk menandai potensi terjadinya jackpot. Saya mendorong Anda semua untuk terjun dalam permainan ini secara khusus. Saya rasa tidak akan sampai ke angka 8 juta sebelum membayar seorang pemenang!

Aplikasi Seluler Tersedia

Sepertinya semakin hari kita tidak lagi tergantung pada laptop. Ini tidak mengherankan; perangkat seluler kita memiliki kekuatan komputasi yang hampir sama, dan dengan penyimpanan awan (cloud storage) sekarang telah menjadi hal biasa, menjinjing laptop seberat kurang lebih 4 kg menjadi hal yang tidak masuk akal untuk jaman sekarang.

Para penjudi online juga suka membuat taruhan melalui telepon mereka, tetapi bahkan halaman web yang dioptimalkan terbaik untuk ponsel bisa tampil dengan lambat, dan dapat mematikan para petaruh olahraga yang mencari keuntungan. Dafabet adalah yang terdepan dalam teknologi game seluler dengan menawarkan aplikasi untuk situs mereka, yang dapat diunduh untuk perangkat Android dan iOS. Aplikasi mereka memungkinkan Anda memainkan semua permainan mereka termasuk kasino dan poker, dengan tampilan dan nuansa layar sangat baik.

Ingatlah bahwa sementara kami selalu bersikap progresif di ruang judi online, operator seluler telah meluangkan waktu untuk menyaingi apa yang kami tawarkan. Untuk alasan hukum, banyak negara yang dibatasi untuk mengunduh aplikasi seluler Dafabet. Bagi Anda yang mengalami hal seperti itu, Anda masih dapat memiliki pengalaman luar biasa melalui halaman browser seluler mereka. Jika Anda memiliki kesempatan, Anda tidak akan kecewa dengan mengunduh aplikasi Dafabet.

Kekurangan Dafabet

Jumlah bonus tidak terdaftar dalam berbagai mata uang

Saya tahu, ini mungkin tampak seperti hal sepele untuk dipersoalkan, tetapi jika Dafabet memang mencoba untuk menarik lebih banyak penonton global, maka mereka harus memperbaiki bagian dari promosi mereka. Semua promosi tercantum dalam Ringgit Malaysia (setidaknya mereka untuk saya ketika saya membuka situs dari Kanada). Padahal, faktanya saya membaca seluruh situs dalam bahasa Inggris. Untuk seseorang yang mungkin baru dalam soal promosi di kasino online, ini bisa sangat membingungkan. Saya harus mencari secara online untuk mengetahui tingkat konversi (saat ini 0,23 USD untuk 1 RM) dan itu berarti menambah proses. Saya tidak terkesan bahwa konversi ini belum ditampilkan ke dalam teks setiap promosi.

Bonus Selamat Datang yang Tidak Menarik

Orang-orang di Dafabet tampaknya mencari para pemain yangserius, yang tidak hanya menyalahgunakan mereka untuk bonus deposit pertama dankemudian pergi. Akibatnya, Bonus Selamat Datang tidak terlalu menarik; sepertitercermin dalam bonus pertandingan hingga USD 150 (jumlah perkiraan berdasarkannilai tukar). Ada batasan tentang bagaimana Anda bisa mendapatkan bonustergantung pada apakah Anda bermain olahraga atau di kasino, tetapi Dafabetmenghabiskan lebih banyak waktu dan usaha pemasaran mereka untuk jackpot danpromosi yang sedang berlangsung.

Sportsbook Dafabet

Dafabet adalah situs taruhan olahraga pertama dan terkemuka. Ini terlihat segera setelah Anda sampai ke beranda situs mereka, sebagaimana logo dan informasi olahraga ditempatkan di lokasi utama. Sportsbook Dafabet menjalankan platform iCore dari Comtrade Gaming. Platform ini performanya sangat kuat dan dapat mendukung berbagai macam opsi taruhan dan olahraga yang signifikan. Saya sangat senang dengan kecepatan platform ini ketika mencari taruhan yang berbeda-beda.

Jenis Olahraga yang Tersedia

Anda tidak akan pernah merasa kekurangan pilihan olahraga yang dapat Anda pertaruhkan di Dafabet. Bahkan, liga dan permainan yang tersedia pada waktu tertentu bisa jadi sangat banyak. Saya menganggap diri saya seorang penjudi olahraga yang cukup berpengetahuan, namun saya tetap terkagum-kagum pada liga yang ada dalam daftar lines dan taruhan di Dafabet.

Ini hanya sedikit contoh dari apa yang dapat Anda pertaruhkan di Dafabet Sportsbook:

•     Liga Champions UEFA

•     Liga Utama Inggris

•     Bundesliga Jerman

•     La Liga Spanyol

•     Serie A Italia

•     Ligue 1 Prancis

•     Eredivisie Belanda

•     Liga Pro Jupiler Belgia

•     Liga Premier Skotlandia

•     Primeira Liga Portugal

Taruhan Live-Streaming dan In-Game

Bagi Anda yang menginginkan lebih banyak aksi daripada hanya bertaruh pada hasil pertandingan sebelum dimulai, Dafabet membuat Anda terpikat! Mereka menawarkan live streaming dari bermacam pertandingan olahraga besar (dan kecil), bersama dengan sesuatu yang mereka sebut SpeedBets. Pada dasarnya ini adalah taruhan in-game yang mengijinkan Anda untuk memasang taruhan untuk permainan berikutnya, pencetak gol berikutnya, dll. Apa yang menyenangkan tentang ini (dan bikin kecanduan) adalah Anda dapat membuat taruhan in-match tentang poin tenis individual (omong-omong, saya suka tenis). Pikirkan tentang berapa banyak poin yang dimainkan dalam pertandingan di Prancis Terbuka! Begitu. Banyak. Taruhan. Saat ini, bagi saya ini merupakan cara terbaik untuk lebih interaktif dalam permainan dengan serangkaian taruhan berjumlah kecil, dan saya berharap hal ini akan menjadi lebih populer di sportsbook Amerika Utara di tahun-tahun mendatang.

ESports dan Permainan Angka

Belum pernah merasa puas dalam berjudi pun setelah menjelajahi semua opsi di dunia olahraga yang sebenarnya? Jangan khawatir, Dafabet juga bersiap untuk kebutuhan bertaruh virtual Anda! Situs ini menawarkan platform taruhan eSports yang komprehensif, dan dengan feed Twitch yang dibangun tepat di halaman taruhan mereka, Anda dapat melompat terjun langsung ke dunia taruhan dan bertaruh untuk orang-orang yang bermain video game! Dunia eSPorts (dan taruhannya) sangat besar di Asia saat ini, jadi tidak mengherankan untuk melihat selusin live feed atau lebih dengan puluhan ribu pemirsa.

Nah, jika Anda seorang pecandu taruhan yang sesungguhnya, maka Game Angka atau Numbers Game Dafabet adalah untuk Anda. Jika Anda tidak akrab dengan Numbers Games, sebenarnya itu adalah permainan yang sangat mirip dengan Bingo karena ada 75 angka, tetapi bayangkan jika Anda dapat bertaruh pada angka tersebut seperti yang Anda lakukan di rolet? Pola taruhan antara Bingo dan Numbers Game sangat mirip, dan terdapat odds pada angka individual, kombinasi angka atau angka tinggi/rendah. Tidak hanya itu, ada ratusan game yang berlangsung bersamaan, jadi jika Anda mencari pola atau nomor favorit yang belum pernah keluar, Anda dapat melakukan semua riset yang Anda inginkan. Numbers Game sangat populer di pasar taruhan Asia, dan Dafabet memiliki sajian yang sempurna baik untuk para petaruh veteran maupun petaruh pemula.

Promosi

Dafabet telah mengatur promosi mereka agar terlihat unik untuk setiap permainan yang Anda mainkan. Masuk akal karena mengingat betapa berbedanya persyaratan bertaruh untuk setiap jenis permainan. Untuk sportsbook, Dafabet menawarkan beberapa opsi untuk bonus dan cashback, lebih jauh mencengkeram masuk ke dalam olahraga individu dalam upaya untuk mendorong bisnis dari seluruh penjuru dunia. Mari kita lihat beberapa promosi mereka saat ini:

Rabat Mix Parlay

Ini adalah promosi cashback untuk orang yang membuat taruhan parlay di berbagai olahraga yang berbeda. Dafabet mengandalkan petaruh yang tidak tahu banyak tentang satu olahraga dibanding yang lain, dan itulah mengapa promosi ini didasarkan pada taruhan multi-olahraga. Berikut detail dari situs web:

Rabat tanpa batas untuk semua taruhan Mix Parlay Anda, menang atau kalah! Semakin banyak Mix Parlay yang Anda pasang, semakin tinggi bonus rabat yang akan Anda terima.

Bagaimana Agar Memenuhi Kualifikasi?

Bertaruh setidaknya RM 10 pada Mix Parlay dengan odds minimal 1,2 untuk memenuhi syarat mendapatkan Rabat Parlay Tanpa Batas. Paling sedikit harus ada 2 pilihan pada taruhan mixed parlay untuk memenuhi syarat.

Pemain yang memenuhi syarat akan mendapatkan rabat 2,5% dari taruhan Mix Parlay mereka.

Bonus untuk pemain yang memenuhi syarat akan dikreditkan ke akun mereka dalam waktu 24 jam setelah taruhan mereka diselesaikan.

Tentu saja, ada beberapa kondisi untuk memenuhi syarat mendapatkan bonus ini, tetapi setidaknya mereka menjelaskan di depan tentang syarat-syarat ini dan memposting aturan tepat di halaman promosi.

Bonus Frekuensi

Ini adalah bonus dalam jumlah kecil namun terasa menyenangkan bagi pemain yang ingin membuat taruhan konsisten sepanjang bulan. Sebenarnya ini adalah bonus kesetiaan atau loyalty bonus, dan beginilah cara kerja Bonus Frekuensi:

Target bulanan: RM 550 dalam Deposit, dengan omset sebesar RM 1000.

Hadiah dinaikkan apabila target terpenuhi selama beberapa bulan secara berturut-turut. Bonus Frekuensi ini merupakan cara promosi sederhana yang sangat baik untuk menghargai pemain yang sering berkunjung ke situs Dafabet.

Program VIP

Dafabet memiliki Program VIP untuk petaruh olahraga yang disebut Dafabet FC. Persyaratan program ini cukup mudah: begitu Anda mendaftar untuk program (ya, Anda perlu mendaftar untuk turut serta), Anda akan menerima cashback otomatis setiap minggu, dan juga bonus ulang tahun khusus, bonus hari jadi, serta bonus isi ulang mingguan. Baca juga: Ulasan Sbobet

Casino Dafabet

Meskipun Dafabet sebenarnya sangat terfokus pada olahraga,itu tidak berarti mereka tidak menghabiskan waktu dan upaya untuk memberikanyang terbaik dalam penawaran casino online. Dafabet telah memilih pelaku industriraksasa Playtech sebagai penyedia platform casino mereka, dan ini berarti hanyagame terbaik yang mereka sediakan. Setiap kali saya melihat kasino beroperasidi platform Playtech, saya tahu bahwa mereka dapat dipercaya karena orang-orangdi Playtech tidak menerima siapa pun yang belum lulus uji kemampuan secara tuntas.Selain itu, game ini harganya tidak murah, jadi setiap operator harus memiliki modalyang banyak hanya untuk mendapatkan lisensi Playtech. Playtech memiliki daftarjudul yang luas termasuk konten luar biasa yang pasti akan menyenangkan parapembaca kami. Mari kita lihat apa saja yang ditawarkan oleh kasino.

Slot

Kami telah membahas fakta bahwa Dafabet menawarkan game slot progresif terbesar dalam industri casino online saat ini, dengan jutaan uang bonus tersedia untuk dimenangkan. Daftar slot selengkapnya dari Playtech sangat mengesankan.

Poker Video

Dafabet adalah tempat yang bagus untuk menemukan permainan video poker. Meskipun mereka tidak memiliki semua varian yang tersedia, tersedia 8 permainan poker video yang siap untuk memainkan semua fitur opsi multi-hands  yang memperluas kualitas dan kuantitas hands yang dapat dipertaruhkan pemain.

Permainan Meja dan Permainan Khusus

Dafabet menawarkan para pemainnya berbagai Permainan Meja (Table Games) dan Permainan Khusus. Seperti yang biasanya bisa diharapkan dari perangkat lunak Playtech, masing-masing permainan ini memang tangguh dan mengedepankan grafis dan gameplay yang sangat baik.

Promosi

Casino Dafabet memiliki seperangkat promosi sendiri yang dirancang untuk mengarahkan pemain ke permainan meja dan slot mereka. Meskipun saat ini tidak terlalu banyak promosi yang sedang berlangsung, satu pembeda yang bagus untuk casino Dafabet adalah bonus selamat datang bagi para pemain, di mana mereka menawarkan cashback 100% hingga RM 1500 untuk pemain slot ataupun pemain permainan meja. Persyaratan promosi tidaklah yang paling jelas dibandingkan promosi serupa di tempat lain, seperti tercantum di bawah ini langsung disalin dari situs web Dafabet:

•     Semua pemain baru akan bergabung dengan Cash Back Club secara otomatis. Ini berarti, semua pemain bisa mendapatkan manfaat Cash Back Club.

•     Jika pemain ingin mendapatkan Bonus Deposit Pertama 100% Cash Back Club hingga RM 688, pemain harus memilih RM sebagai mata uang pilihan dan harus menaruh deposit pertama kali minimal RM 50.

•     Jika pemain ingin mendapatkan 100% Bonus Slots Club First Deposit hingga RM1,500, pemain harus menghubungi Representatif Pelanggan Casino Dafabet sebelum menyetor deposit pertama atau sebelum memainkan game pertama.

•     Untuk memenuhi syarat mendapatkan bonus ini, pemain harus menyetor deposit pertama minimal RM 40.

Program VIP

Program VIP Casino Dafabet lebih detail dari versi Sportsbook mereka. Platform ini dibagi menjadi dua kategori, Cashback Club dan Slots Club. Setiap klub memiliki level yang berbeda dan setiap kali pemain melintasi setiap level akan meningkatkan settingan reward mereka. Terutama, insentif di setiap level dibangun berdasarkan tingkat konversi poin ke mata uang dan jumlah cashback yang diberikan kembali kepada pemain.

Apa yang saya suka tentang program ini selain tidak rumit adalah bahwa program ini jelas terbagi untuk mereka yang suka bermain permainan meja dan untuk penggemar slot. Sering kali keduanya dicampur dan itu dapat mempermudah Program VIP, tetapi Dafabet jelas menyadari hal ini ketika mereka menghadirkan program rewards mereka.

Poker Dafabet

Dafabet juga menghadirkan penawaran poker yang tangguh untuk para pemainnya melalui perangkat lunak Playtech iPoker. Perangkat lunak ini adalah aplikasi yang dapat diunduh yang menawarkan semua permainan uang tunai dan turnamen terbaik yang tersedia di jaringan iPoker. Menjadi bagian dari jaringan gabungan pemegang lisensi Playtech lainnya juga memungkinkan untuk penawaran hadiah yang lebih besar. Semakin banyak likuiditas yang dimiliki sebuah situs, semakin banyak yang dapat ditawarkan sebagaimana penawaran promosi juga.

Platform Poker Dafabet juga tersedia di perangkat seluler, meskipun di ponsel game ini tidak akan secepat dibandingkan unduhan aplikasi. Juga, jika Anda adalah tipe pemain yang senang bermain multi-hands saat bermain poker, Anda harus melakukannya dari PC Anda karena platform seluler saat ini tidak mendukung jenis permainan seperti itu.

Promosi

Dafabet menawarkan beberapa jenis promosi poker standar untuk pemain mereka, yang merupakan sesuatu yang ingin saya saksikan. Satu hal yang saya perhatikan adalah bahwa beberapa promosi poker mungkin terkait dengan jaringan dan tidak berbasis lokal, karena ini adalah satu-satunya penawaran yang terdaftar dalam USD di seluruh situs mereka. USD adalah mata uang standar untuk sebagian besar situs poker, jadi ketika melihat promosi mereka, penting untuk mempertimbangkan bahwa Anda mungkin menghadapi kumpulan pesaing yang lebih besar yang semuanya ingin membawa pulang hadiah! Mari kita lihat beberapa promosi yang kami sukai:

Freeroll

Semua orang suka mendapatkan sesuatu secara gratis, dan ini berlaku khususnya untuk komunitas poker. Dafabet menawarkan freeroll untuk semua jenis untuk pemain mereka, dari permainan mikro yang membayar hadiah USD 5 sampai ke freeroll deposan bulanan yang memiliki kumpulan hadiah ribuan dolar. Jenis turnamen ini adalah cara terbaik untuk membangun bankroll tanpa harus mengambil risiko apa pun, jadi Anda harus memainkan turnamen ini sebanyak mungkin yang Anda bisa saat Anda membuat akun di Dafabet.

Perbankan

Sebuah situs yang bergengsi seperti Dafabet tentunya memiliki metode pembayaran terbaik yang tersedia untuk para pemainnya. Dafabet telah berkecimpung dalam bisnis selama lebih dari satu dekade, yang berarti telah memiliki waktu untuk membangun hubungan jangka panjang dengan para pemroses pembayaran dari seluruh dunia. Karena itu, tidak akan ada masalah apa pun yang mengintai Anda sehubungan dengan setoran dan penarikan dana dari mereka.

Ada banyak opsi pembayaran yang berlaku di Asia, dan untuk daftar lengkapnya, Anda harus merujuk ke situs web Dafabet.

Pelayanan pelanggan

Dengan gembira saya menyatakan bahwa ketika saya menghubungi layanan pelanggan Dafabet, saya diberi pilihan bahasa apa yang saya inginkan untuk menerima layanan saya, dan agen tersebut sepertinya memiliki pemahaman penuh atas pertanyaan saya serta memberikan tanggapan yang sangat cepat. Di atas semua itu, hanya perlu waktu kurang dari dua menit untuk terhubung ke agen, yang sangat cepat dibandingkan dengan beberapa kasino yang telah saya ulas sebelumnya.

Dafabet juga menawarkan layanan pelanggan pemain mereka melalui email dan 24/7 telepon bebas pulsa dalam beberapa bahasa. Menurut pendapat saya, mereka disiapkan untuk memberikan Anda layanan pelanggan terbaik yang pada gilirannya akan membuat Anda menjadi setia sebagai pemain di Dafabet.

Apakah saya sebaiknya Bermain di Dafabet?

Tidak ada keraguan bahwa setelah tinjauan rinci tentang segala sesuatu yang Dafabet tawarkan kepada pelanggannya, saya akan sangat merekomendasikan bermain di kasino ini. Persembahan permainan dari Playtech adalah yang terbaik, layanan pelanggan cepat dan dapat diandalkan. Selain itu, perusahaan ini telah berkecimpung dalam bisnis selama lebih dari satu dekade dan memiliki reputasi yang sangat baik dalam hal keamanan. Meskipun saya belum tentu menyukai tim sepak bola yang telah mereka sponsori (go Tottenham!), saya akan memberi mereka apresiasi karena membelanjakan uang yang sangat banyak yang dibutuhkan untuk mencapai tingkat eksposur seperti itu.

PGCB Annual Report: Years After COVID Closures, Online Casinos Still Outpace Retail

The closure of retail casinos during the early waves of COVID-19 brought unprecedented numbers of players to online casinos, but this year’s annual report from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board shows that growth hasn’t slowed all that much in the years since. Regulated gambling in the state generated over $5.5 billion in gross revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, up 9.34% from the previous year and resulting in $2.36 billion in tax revenue. One of the biggest reasons for the successful year is the iGaming sector. Pennsylvania’s legal online casinos generated just over $1.5 billion in taxable revenue, an increase of 24% year-over-year.

Retail casinos also saw a record year with revenue of $3.4 billion. Slot machines saw a 1.74% increase, though table games brought in 4.11% less revenue. While retail casinos have bounced back from COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions, people are not rushing back as much as some might expect. That’s because online casinos continue to improve their game selection, technology, and overall experience, giving players more reasons to play online.

Online Casinos Have Seen Steady Post-COVID Growth

Online casinos in Pennsylvania launched in July 2019. In its first year, iGaming brought in $39.29 million, most of which came in the last two months. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which gave iGaming a huge boost.

In Feb. 2020, monthly revenue was just under $22 million. But after shutdowns, that number jumped to over $55 million in April and over $60 million each of the following months. Revenue has been growing since at a steady pace.

By March 2021, monthly revenue reached $100 million and never fell below that. Even as restrictions were lifted, iGaming revenue kept climbing. While many online services and businesses saw a sharp decline in revenue because the public wanted to partake in outdoor activities, online casinos kept witnessing an increase in revenue.

By Oct. 2022, iGaming monthly revenue reached the $150 million mark. For the 2022 calendar year, Pennsylvania’s online casinos earned $1.67 billion.

Bonus News Managing Editor Alex Weldon projected coming into the year that the 2023 calendar year total would surpass $2 billion. With the PGCB now having reported numbers through September, it looks like the state will pass that milestone comfortably. The total for the first three quarters is more than $1.5 billion, and Q4 is likely to exceed $550 million this year.

(Note: Revenue numbers in this section are larger than those reported by the PGCB because they represent an estimate of gross gaming revenue (GGR) before promotional tax deductions. The PGCB reports adjusted revenue, but Bonus uses GGR because it allows a fair comparison with other states, most of which report GGR. The PGCB’s fiscal year also runs from July 1 to June 30, while Bonus uses calendar years.)

Online Slots and Table Games Post Strong Results

The highlight of iGaming revenue was real money slots. Slots saw a 26.5% increase year-over-year and surpassed $1 billion in revenue for the first time. Table games also saw a double-digit increase. Meanwhile, online poker posted a negative result, but that’s not surprising, given the decreased interest in online poker. The $1.53 billion iGaming revenue breaks down as follows:

  • Slots: $1.07 billion, up by 26.5%
  • Table games: $428 million, up by 22.6%
  • Poker: $32 million, down by 9.4%

Slots surpassing the one billion mark is not surprising. Pennsylvania casinos offer over 8,000 slot games, and the number keeps climbing. The thousands of titles include adaptations of some of the most popular slots in retail casinos.

One of the most famous slots, Buffalo, recently debuted at online casinos. Other popular titles like Miss Kitty and Timberwolf are also making their way to online casinos. Retail favorites like variations of Willy Wonka and Wizard of Oz will also get digital versions in the near future.

The Popularity of Live Dealer Games Is Growing

One reason for the declining table game revenue in retail casinos could be the growing popularity of live dealer table games at online casinos. According to the PGCB, live dealer table games account for over 50% of online table games’ total revenue. According to the annual report, at the end of the fiscal year (June 30), 19 online casinos offered 75 live dealer table games.

Evolution Gaming, the sole studio in the state, offers all games. But that could change in the current fiscal year. Light & Wonder’s subsidiary for live dealer games, Authentic Gaming, recently made its US debut in Michigan. Positive results from Michigan could result in Authentic looking into a studio in Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile, another gaming giant, Playtech, expects to launch live games in the state later this year. Playtech Live CEO Edo Haitin told Bonus that a Pennsylvania live studio is under construction. A Playtech launch could mean a different type of live dealer games – game shows, such as Adventures Beyond Wonderland.

Another live dealer company, StakeLogic, will debut in the US next year. Bally’s selected StakeLogic as a partner in the upcoming Rhode Island launch. StakeLogic might look into other states, including Pennsylvania, depending on how the Rhode Island rollout goes. But that will likely be in a future fiscal year.

PSU Report Helps Explain Pennsylvania Gambling

A report from Pennsylvania State University (PSU) provides information on the gambling picture in the state and helps explain the continued growth of iGaming. According to the report, the average online gambler in Pennsylvania plays for enjoyment. Other common reasons to play online include:

  • The convenience of play
  • Ease of availability
  • Self-paced play
  • Flexibility in stake

The report shows that players seek a more flexible means to gamble. And while retail casinos generated higher revenue, a few other statistics from PSU’s report show that online casinos could close the gap in the future.

According to the report, online gamblers in Pennsylvania are much younger, averaging 38.8 years old. Those who frequent retail casinos are significantly older, 48.8 years old on average. Online players also tend to be more educated, and more report being employed. As younger generations lean toward digital services, iGaming will likely catch up to retail casinos in the future.

Increased Competition Is Helping iGaming

The success of online casinos is attracting more US and European game developers to Pennsylvania and other iGaming states. That has resulted in a competitive market with a large number of slots and other games. But the number of games is only one of the reasons for the continued growth of iGaming in Pennsylvania.

In addition to adding more games, many operators have launched new casinos, rebranded current ones, or introduced new technology. This year alone, there has been a lot of movement, including:

Additional rebrands are in the process or expected. Fanatics acquired Pointsbet earlier this year, and the Pointsbet app now features a “PointsBet, a Fanatics Experience” name. Expectations are for Pointsbet to rebrand to Fanatics. Additionally, Penn Entertainment recently acquired Barstool Casino & Sportsbook. While the company’s Hollywood Casino is live in the state, Penn’s branding deal with ESPN for the sportsbook could bring many new users to the company’s online casino.

Unibet, one of the smaller operators, introduced a new platform in July and hopes to increase its presence in the state.

The post PGCB Annual Report: Years After COVID Closures, Online Casinos Still Outpace Retail appeared first on Bonus.com.

9 Best Sites To Buy Instagram Story Views (Cheap & Instant)

One of the most important things to consider is pricing and affordability.

If you want your business to be profitable, then you need to consider the cost of a story views service. Many factors influence a website’s price, including how many pages and visitors you have and where you are located.

If you have a small or medium-sized company, paying for story view services monthly may be more affordable than paying for them upfront.

However, paying for story view services upfront will be much cheaper in the long run if your site has hundreds of pages or thousands of visitors each month.

You also need to consider what type of content attracts maximum traffic for your business.

If you have a lot of videos on your site, then it might be worth paying extra money for story views services because they can help promote these videos by showing them in search results alongside other relevant video results.

Neil Diamond Tribute Concert 2023 Ute Mountain Casino Labor Day Weekend

We are thrilled to announce that the world-renowned Neil Diamond tribute artist, Jay White, is gracing the Ute Mountain Casino stage this Labor Day Weekend for TWO NIGHTS – September 1 & 2, 2023.

Jay White is not just an artist; he is a master of his craft – captivating audiences with his striking resemblance and uncanny vocal similarity to the legendary singer. His performances are nothing short of a spectacle, blending the charisma, raw talent, and energy that made Neil Diamond an icon.

Tickets are just $25 and go on sale on August 17th at utemountaincasino.com. Don’t miss out on this musical extravaganza!

Grounded Vs Smalland: Survive the Wilds

So, you’ve found yourself longing to embrace the dangers of the outside world, eh? Well, as it turns out, fortune favors the bold, as does it offer such opportunities to those who are willing to compress themselves into bug-sized creatures no larger than a toddler’s thumb. And while we’re on the subject of such opportunities, it is indeed worth pointing out that there are, realistically speaking, two perfect offers to snatch up right here and now: Grounded, and Smalland: Survive the Wilds.

So, which of the aforementioned survival-crafting IPs should you willingly throw yourself into first? Well, if you are relatively new to the rather niche concept, then be sure to read on for a few more details on the matter. Grounded, or Smalland: Survive the Wilds? Let’s dive right in.

What Is Grounded?

To cut to the chase, Grounded is a survival-crafting game in which players are forced to endure the consequences of being a shrunken human in an oversized backyard. As a bug-sized hero, players must set out to create a new world—a community, even, where even the smallest folks can withstand the elements of the natural environment. There’s combat, crafting, and more than enough customization to keep avid builders plowing forward for days, weeks, and even months on end. What’s more, with developer Obsidian Entertainment being relatively active in the game’s progression, players can most definitely expect to see even more content grace the backyard over the coming years. So that’s good.

What Is Smalland: Survive the Wilds?

In a similar fashion as Grounded, the concept of Smalland: Survive the Wilds is all about survival. Moreover, it’s all about facing a world as a bug-sized humanoid—a critter, to most, who sits at the very bottom of the food chain. As such, players must venture out of their comfort zones and embrace what lurks beyond the foliage. Again, there’s plenty of combat, crafting, and biomes to explore and scavenge. So again, like Grounded, but with a few of its own bells and whistles, to boot. But more on that shortly.

Story & Lore

While both games have vastly different biomes to explore and secrets to unravel, the stories are, more or less, one and the same. That said, where in Grounded you take on the role of an everyday human who’s been shrunken to the size of a bug, Smalland instead starts you off as a bite-sized humanoid—a character who’s sent to return to the surface after the “Giants” have left all but the natural habitat behind.

Of course, the goal behind both games is one and the same: survive. Gameplay-wise, each title tasks players with building shelters, sourcing food, and crafting weapons and armors to withstand the elements and the critters that also call the world their home by birthright. As newcomers to these worlds, you must learn to adapt to their ways, and essentially do all in your power to find a foothold on the food chain, and more importantly, the circle of life.

So, which of the two tells the better story? Well, given the fact that Grounded has, after several years of fine tuning, reached its final destination, and is finally in possession of a complete storyline, we have to give credit where it’s due. Having said that, Smalland, even in its early access phase, has already managed to create something substantial and sustainable, which means we’ve still got a great deal to look forward to in future updates. If you’re after the whole “package”, though, then you’re better off picking up Grounded — if only to allow Smalland the chance to grow, so to speak.

Gameplay

Both survival-crafting games at heart, it’s easy to see why so many compare the two against one another. For the most part, you spend your in-game hours working to survive the day-to-day, using your basic survival instincts to unravel portions of key biomes and scavenge for the resources needed to survive. Like a lot of survival games, you begin both journeys with little more than the clothes on your back, which you are then asked to upgrade into an arsenal of armors, weapons, and other basic cosmetics.

Aside from the gathering of resources and other key materials, both games also offer an extensive range of consumable items, which are of course needed to keep your character afloat. To obtain such items, players are forced to either pick berry bushes, or engage in combat with other creatures for meats and other cookable pieces. Not a whole lot is different here, to be fair, nor is the combat experience, in general, which mostly consists of swinging makeshift weapons around in a typical bat-and-parry fashion. Easy to learn, but difficult to master, in most cases.

The good news is, from a mechanical standpoint, both games run incredibly smoothly, and without any major technical hitches or issues to disrupt the overall immersion. To this end, it’s hard to recommend one over the other, as both more or less have strong UIs and frameworks. But again—and I almost hate to say it—as Grounded has received thrice as many updates and patches in its run, the product as a whole definitely looks a lot cleaner, and performs better than the items on Smalland: Survive the Wilds’ docket.

Verdict

We’ll give Smalland: Survive the Wilds the benefit of the doubt and say that, as a game that’s still a long ways from seeing its finalized version, it is a generally fantastic survival game in all, and one that you’ll want to keep tabs on, too. That said, as Grounded is more complete than the former, it’s certainly a lot easier to dive right into what it has to offer without any major setbacks or progression walls.

On another hand, you shouldn’t ignore Smalland, either, as the experience it has already conjured is more than enough to see you through your first dozen or more hours. Truth is, if you’re a lover of all things miniature, and long for an adventure that takes place in a vast open world, then you can’t really go wrong with either of the two.

 

So, what’s your take? Have you picked a favorite yet? Do you have any useful tips for Grounded or Smalland: Survive the Wilds’ newcomers? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.

Qipco British Champions 2023: Tips and Predictions Expert Qipco British Champions Tips | Enhance Your Odds with Top Picks

British Champions Day, the official end of the British Flat racing season, is next Saturday (21st October 2023) and never fails to excite, bringing together the very best horses of the season and crowning the final champions.

This guide will take you through the main races of the day and their most likely contenders.

Get more information Horse Racing Competitions at William Hill

Predictions for Qipco British Champions

Top Contenders for the Qipco British Champions Title

Currently top of the overall British Champions series leaderboard is the 128-rated Mostahdaf, the winner of the G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and the G1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York this season.

Sitting behind Mostahdaf on the leaderboard is Hukum in second place, Westover in third, Paddington in fourth and Triple Time in fifth.

Dark Horses to Watch Out For

Nashwa, who is currently seventh on the leaderboard, has had a terrific season, having won the G1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket, been second to Mostahdaf in the Juddmonte International, ahead of the favourite Paddington, and produced the fastest split of them all when running third in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes. She could well creep up the rankings after British Champions Day.

Qipco Champion Stakes – 21st October 2023

The Champion Stakes is the feature race of Champions Day, and can send the winner into real stardom as all runners have proved themselves worthy of greatness all season long. The winner of this race really can be said to be the best of the best. The race being held in October, though, can lead to much softer ground than in the summer months, throwing up some surprise results.

Three-year-old King Of Steel will have had a good break by the time of this race, and is versatile ground-wise having run well on soft ground in the past. If back to his very best, he could be the winner here.

Bay Bridge must also enter considerations having run to his credit on a variety of ground this year, and having unexpectedly won this race last year. He likes the track at Ascot, and his trainer – Sir Michael Stoute – has trained the winner of this race three times previously.

Aidan O’Brien’s Continuous must also be taken seriously, going on any ground and winning this year’s G1 St Leger, then going on to run a creditable fifth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Bet on Qipco Champion Stake 2023/2024 at William Hill

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – 21st October 2023

Despite winning only one of her six runs this season, Nashwa has put up some remarkable performances in defeat, holding her own against colts brilliantly. This will be her first run at Ascot, but the track ought to suit her and she can cope with some rain. She has already beaten the likes of Paddington, and should come here fresh enough to make her presence duly felt.

Paddington’s season has been unbelievable, with six consecutive wins against both his own age group and older horses. He had, perhaps, had one race too many when finishing an unexpected third in the Juddmonte International at York’s Ebor meeting, but has now had two months off and should be able to bounce back to his best.

Tahiyra – already a winner at Ascot – has been consistent this season and no matter what the conditions, has never being seen outside the first two home. Having now won the G1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown against older horses, she should have a real chance here, but takes on colts for the first time.

Bet on Queen Elizabeth II Stakes 2023/2024 at William Hill

Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes – 21st October 2023

Harry and Roger Charlton’s Time Lock could be in with a chance here, having won the G3 Dubai Stakes at Newmarket by over four lengths. She will have to prove herself in this G1 company, but showed real ability in that race, and Ascot is a comparable track to Newmarket so ought to suit her.

Aidan O’Brien’s Jackie Oh, last seen running a very close second to Blue Rose Cen in the G1 Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp, should be high up in considerations, provided that she gets her preferred soft ground. She steps up in trip here, but that could be what she needs in order to get her head in front.

Ralph Beckett’s Bluestocking should also be considered, having finished a brilliant second to Savethelastdance in the G1 Irish Oaks at the Curragh in July. Going best on softer ground, which she is likely to get here, she could be a real player.

Bet on Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes 2023/2024 at William Hill

Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes – 21st Oct 2023

Shaquille, who has had a fantastic season, rising 26 pounds in the handicap from four consecutive wins, goes on any ground and, despite disappointing on his last run at Haydock, that performance was too bad to be true so can be ruled out. He has had plenty of time off now and should be ready to strike here at a track he has done so well on in the past.

Mill Stream could be in contention having loved the softer ground in France, where he won both the Listed Prix Moonlight Cloud and G3 Prix de Meautry over this distance. Rarely seen outside the placings, this son of Gleneagles could be competitive.

Sandrine was most impressive when last seen winning the G2 Park Stakes at Doncaster and is a course and distance winner having won the G3 Albany Stakes at Ascot in 2021. Softer ground has seen some of her best performances, and she has held her own against colts on numerous occasions in the past, so must be respected.

Bet on Qipco British Champions Sprint Stake 2023/2024 at William Hill

Ready to Bet on Qipco British Champions Racing?

Follow These Steps:

Step 1: Accessing the Latest Ascot Tips

Tips for British Champions Day can be found here and in our Ambassador blogs closer to Champions Day.

Step 2: Analysing the Tips for Each Day

It’s important to make your own judgement when reading tips, which can be a useful guide. Always refer back to the form when reading tips, so to better understand the tip itself and also to weigh up any other options.

Step 3: Placing Your Bets

Place your for British Champions Day here.

Step 4: Watching and Winning

The most exciting part! You can watch British Champions Day on ITV, in a William Hill shop or at Ascot itself.

Check Horse Racing Future Races at William Hill

The End Boss System w/ Doug Polk & Fabian Adler

Doug combined forces with his longtime coach Fabian “Frabb” Adler to create the incredible resource that is The End Boss System.

Doug and Fabian hold nothing back in this incredible course. While the main focus is heads-up strategy, all No Limit Hold’em players will benefit from the concepts and mechanics taught inside The End Boss System.

LIMITED TIME OFFER: Join The End Boss System by Sunday (October 15th) and get Doug’s course Inside the Arena ($499 value) as a free bonus.

Let’s take a look at what’s inside including 3 sneak peek videos. But first, a brief intro to the man known as Frabb.

Who is Fabian “Frabb” Adler?

Most people want to learn from a pro like Doug Polk, who has won millions of dollars in publicly tracked poker games.

But who does a pro like Doug turn to? 

When preparing for his challenge vs Daniel Negreanu, Doug wanted to find the best possible coach to help him maximize his win-rate.

He ended up turning to Fabian “Frabb” Adler, who Doug praises as “the most brilliant poker mind I’ve ever met.”

But you don’t have to take Doug’s word for it. Frabb has put up some incredible win-rates playing up to $50/$100 heads-up games. Here’s his graph:

fabian adler aka frab

The key details are in the top left: $907K in winnings (over $1 million in all-in adjusted winnings) and a 7.45 BB/100 win-rate.

Naturally, when it came time to build The End Boss System, Doug again turned to Frabb to help create the best possible course.

What’s Inside The End Boss System?

The End Boss System is the longest course in Upswing Poker history with over 40 hours of content divided into 8 sections:

  1. Introduction (1 hour)
  2. Preflop Strategy (1 hour + Preflop Chart app)
  3. Small Blind Single Raised Pots (7 hours)
  4. Big Blind Single Raised Pots (6 hours)
  5. Big Blind 3-Bet Pots (7 hours)
  6. Small Blind 3-Bet Pots (4 hours)
  7. 4-Bet Pots (5 hours)
  8. Heads-Up Play & Explains (5 hours)
  9. BONUS: Inside the Arena (10 hours)**

**Inside the Arena is a $499 standalone course, but it will be included as a free bonus with The End Boss System if you get it by Sunday (October 15th).

Top 10 Online Casino Games to Try at Big Dollar Casino

Online casinos have gained immense popularity in recent years, offering a thrilling and convenient way to enjoy the excitement of gambling from the comfort of your own home. Big Dollar Casino is one of the leading online casinos, known for its extensive game selection and fantastic promotions. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 online casino games to try at Big Dollar Casino, each offering a unique gaming experience that could lead to some big wins. So, let’s dive in and discover the best games this casino has to offer.

1. Slot Games

Slot games are the bread and butter of online casinos, and Big Dollar Casino has an impressive collection of them. From classic three-reel slots to modern video slots with stunning graphics and innovative features, you’ll find a wide variety to choose from. Some popular slot games at Big Dollar Casino include “Tales of Time Travel,” “The Cash King,” and “The Prize is Right.” These games are not only visually appealing but also offer the chance to win big with exciting bonus rounds and free spins.

2. Blackjack

Blackjack is a classic card game that’s all about beating the dealer’s hand without going over 21. It’s a game of strategy and skill, making it a favorite among casino enthusiasts. At Big Dollar Casino, you can enjoy various blackjack variants, including classic blackjack, European blackjack, and Atlantic City blackjack. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, blackjack offers a thrilling experience and the potential for substantial winnings.

3. Roulette

Roulette is another timeless casino game that’s known for its simplicity and excitement. Big Dollar Casino offers several roulette variations, including American Roulette, European Roulette, and French Roulette. Place your bets on your lucky numbers or colors and watch the wheel spin. Roulette is a game of chance, and the anticipation as the ball lands on a number can be truly exhilarating.

4. Video Poker

Video poker combines the excitement of slot machines with the strategy of poker. At Big Dollar Casino, you can try your hand at various video poker games, such as Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Bonus Poker. The goal is to create the best poker hand possible, and the better your hand, the bigger your payout. With the right strategy, you can significantly increase your chances of winning.

5. Baccarat

Baccarat is a classic card game that’s known for its elegance and simplicity. It’s a game of chance where you bet on the outcome of the game, whether the player’s hand, the banker’s hand, or a tie. Big Dollar Casino offers different baccarat variants, allowing you to choose the one that suits your preferences. It’s a fast-paced game that can lead to exciting wins.

6. Craps

Craps is a dice game that’s full of energy and excitement. It’s a bit more complex than some other casino games, but it’s worth trying at least once. Big Dollar Casino offers a user-friendly craps interface where you can place your bets and roll the dice. With various betting options and the potential for big payouts, craps is a game that can keep you on the edge of your seat.

7. Keno

Keno is a lottery-style game that’s simple and straightforward. It’s a game of chance where you select numbers and hope they match the numbers drawn. Big Dollar Casino offers different keno variations, and it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a relaxing gaming experience. While the odds of hitting all your numbers are low, the potential payouts can be substantial.

8. Scratch Cards

If you enjoy instant gratification, scratch cards are a fantastic option. Big Dollar Casino offers a variety of scratch card games, each with its own theme and potential prizes. Simply scratch off the virtual card to reveal the symbols underneath. If you match the required symbols, you win a prize. Scratch cards are quick and easy to play, making them a perfect choice for a casual gaming session.

9. Caribbean Stud Poker

Caribbean Stud Poker is a popular poker variant where you play against the dealer rather than other players. It’s a game of strategy and luck, and Big Dollar Casino offers an excellent version of it. The goal is to beat the dealer’s hand, and if you have a strong hand, you can win big with the progressive jackpot.

10. Texas Hold’em Poker

Texas Hold’em is arguably the most famous poker variant worldwide, and Big Dollar Casino offers an immersive online poker experience. Compete against other players in thrilling poker tournaments or join cash games to test your skills. Whether you’re a seasoned poker pro or a beginner, Texas Hold’em provides endless entertainment and the opportunity to win significant pots.

11. Live Casino Games

If you’re craving the authentic casino experience without leaving your home, Big Dollar Casino offers an impressive selection of live dealer games. These include Live Blackjack, Live Roulette, Live Baccarat, and more. In these games, you can interact with real dealers through a live video stream while enjoying the thrill of real-time gaming. Live casino games offer a level of immersion that’s hard to beat and provide an excellent opportunity to socialize with other players.

12. Progressive Jackpot Games

For those chasing the dream of a life-changing win, progressive jackpot games are a must-try. Big Dollar Casino features a range of progressive slots and other casino games, where the jackpot continues to grow until a lucky player hits the winning combination. Some popular progressive jackpot slots include “Mega Moolah” and “Major Millions.” These games offer the chance to win millions in a single spin, making them a thrilling option for ambitious players.

13. Mobile Gaming

In today’s fast-paced world, mobile gaming has become increasingly popular, and Big Dollar Casino doesn’t disappoint in this department. The casino offers a mobile-responsive website and a dedicated mobile app for a seamless gaming experience on your smartphone or tablet. You can enjoy your favorite casino games on the go, whether you’re waiting for a bus or relaxing at home. The mobile platform is user-friendly, ensuring that you never miss out on the excitement, no matter where you are.

14. Responsible Gaming

While the allure of online casino games is undeniable, it’s essential to prioritize responsible gaming. Big Dollar Casino takes responsible gaming seriously and provides various tools to help players maintain control of their gambling habits. These include deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and links to support organizations for those who need assistance. Remember, gambling should be an enjoyable and entertaining experience, and it’s crucial to play within your means and set limits to ensure that it remains that way.

Conclusion

Big Dollar Casino offers an extensive array of online casino games to cater to every player’s preferences. Whether you’re a fan of slots, table games, live dealer games, or progressive jackpots, this casino has it all. Plus, with a user-friendly mobile platform and a commitment to responsible gaming, Big Dollar Casino strives to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all players. So, don’t hesitate to visit Big Dollar Casino today and explore these fantastic gaming options. You might just find your new favorite game and have a chance at winning big. Enjoy your gaming adventure, and always remember to gamble responsibly for a satisfying and enjoyable experience. Good luck!

Chili Eruption Thundershots Slot Game Review

For a simple yet spicy casino slots experience, this title could certainly be one to consider. As the name suggests, the Chili Eruption Thundershots slot revolves around red and green chillis, with a total of three bonus modes being linked to these icons. The board itself sits in the middle of a desert, and a handful of cacti can be seen on either side. Chili Eruption Thundershots comes with a total of 5 reels, 20 paylines, and a minimum stake size of 0.10 per play!

This title was created by Playtech, a titan in the realm of online slots. In the past, they have released a huge variety of different games, such as Sahara Riches: Cash Collect, Full Moon Wild Track, and Flaming Bars. Playtech titles tend to come optimised for mobile devices, which also applies to their range of table games.

Featured Symbols

The standard symbols in Chili Eruption Thundershots consist of the J, Q, K, and A symbols that can be found in many online slots UK. Premium symbols are shown as a pair of maracas, a guitar, a sombrero, a skull, and a pinata. These can award players with up to 4x, 4x, 5x, 10x, or 15x, their stake size, respectively, should five land along the same payline. 

Wild symbols are also present, displayed as a bottle of hot sauce, or a splatter icon during one of the bonus rounds. Of course, wilds can replace any standard or premium symbol as part of a combination. There are also two different scatter icons, shown as red and green chillis, which are responsible for triggering the bonus modes in this title. 

Bonuses and Jackpots

The first bonus mode in Chili Eruption Thundershots is the regular free spins mode, which can be triggered if three chilli scatter symbols appear anywhere in view. Before the round starts, each chilli will reveal an additional number of free spins or a win multiplier, with the maximum sitting at 12 and 8x, respectively. If any other chillis land during the round, they can add more spins or increase the win multiplier, too! 

Now, during the base game, whenever a chilli symbol lands, it will be added to a pot at the top of the board. This can randomly become full, at which point either ‘Saucy Super Spins or the ‘Thundershots’ feature will trigger. If players are awarded with ‘Saucy Super Spins’, the pot will tip over, causing chillis and wild symbols to randomly be added across the reels. This is repeated at the start of each spin, and again, chillis can award extra spins or increase the potential win multiplier for the round. 

Finally, there is the Thundershots bonus, where players will be taken to a wheel featuring an assortment of different potential winnings. These include fixed values, free spins, and ‘Saucy Super Spins’. The wheel will be spun five times, with the outcome of each spin being totalled up and awarded at the end of the round. If players land on any bonus rounds, these will begin immediately after the fifth Thundershots spin has been finalised. 

Play Chili Eruption Thundershots at bwin

In conclusion, Chili Eruption Thundershots lives up to the spicey theme with the inclusion of three interesting bonuses. Two of these are made up of free spin modes, while the other grants the player a total of five spins on a wheel featuring various potential winnings!  

Is Chili Eruption Thundershots available to play at bwin?

Yes, Chili Eruption Thundershots and many other popular video slots can be found at bwin.

Which company created the Chili Eruption Thundershots slot?

Chili Eruption Thundershots was produced by Playtech.

How do players unlock the bonus mode in Chili Eruption Thundershots?

Like in many slots online, landing three scatter icons simultaneously will trigger the free spins bonus in Chili Eruption Thundershots.

How Hot Is the Sun? Colder, the Closer You Get!

One of the weird things about space is that things don’t always conform to what would seem like common sense. Take the sun, for example. You’d think that its surface would be hotter than its outer atmosphere, since the surface is closer to the nuclear furnace at the sun’s core. After all, when you’re sitting in front of a fireplace, it feels hotter when you get closer to it, right?

But the sun doesn’t work that way.

The photosphere, as the solar surface is called, is indeed pretty hot: between 6,700 and 11,000 degrees Fahrenheit (3,700 to 6,200 degrees Celsius). But the further you get from the sun’s surface, the hotter the atmosphere seems to get. At the sun’s corona — the outermost atmospheric layer about 1,200 miles (2,100 km) from the surface — the temperature soars to an astonishing 900,000 degrees Fahrenheit (500,000 degrees Celsius).

It’s All in the Waves

Besides the sun, some other stars exhibit this curious pattern as well, and for a long time, scientists struggled to figure out why. They developed a hypothesis, in which magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves distribute energy from below the photosphere directly up to the corona, almost like an express train with no local stops.

In 2013, British researchers used advances in imaging technology to examine the chromosphere, the layer between the photosphere and the solar corona, and actually examined the MHD waves. Their calculations confirmed that the waves could be responsible for transporting energy to the corona and heating that layer.

“Our observations have permitted us to estimate the amount of energy transported by the magnetic waves, and these estimates reveal that the waves’ energy meets the energy requirement for the unexplained temperature increase in the corona,” Richard Morton, a scientist for the U.K.’s Northumbria University, explained when announcing the discovery.

Ultimate Guide to a San Diego Casino & Resort Weekend Getaway

If you’re looking for an unforgettable weekend getaway in San Diego, look no further than Sycuan Casino and Resort. With a range of luxurious amenities, thrilling casino games, and exciting activities, Sycuan is the perfect destination for anyone looking to escape for a few days of relaxation, indulgence, and excitement.

In this guide to planning your perfect weekend getaway to Sycuan, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make your trip a success.

Overview of Sycuan Casino and Resort

Sycuan is San Diego’s premier casino and resorts, and it’s easy to see why. With a stunning location in the heart of the Dehesa Valley, Sycuan offers world-class amenities, thrilling casino games, and exciting activities for everyone.

Available Amenities

Sycuan is packed with amenities designed to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. From the state-of-the-art casino to the luxurious spa, outdoor activities, and stunning golf course, Sycuan also offers an endless array of options for relaxation and indulgence.

The casino at Sycuan Casino and Resort offers a wide range of games to suit all types of players, from beginners to high rollers. Whether you prefer slots, table games, or poker, Sycuan has something for everyone.

When you’re not at the casino, Sycuan offers a range of outdoor activities, including swimming, hiking, and more. If you prefer to relax, check out the spa facilities available at the resort, where you can enjoy massages, facials, and other treatments.

Location and Transport

Getting to the property is easy, thanks to the resort’s convenient location. Located just 20 minutes east of downtown San Diego, Sycuan is easily accessible by car, taxi, or ride-sharing service.

Once you arrive at the resort, getting around is easy too. Sycuan also offers a shuttle service to nearby attractions, and taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available.

Planning the Getaway

When planning your perfect weekend getaway to Sycuan Casino and Resort, there are a few key things to consider.

Accommodation and Rates

Sycuan offers a range of accommodation options to suit every taste and budget. From luxurious suites to comfortable guest rooms, there’s an option for everyone.

When choosing your accommodation, be sure to consider your budget and any specific needs or preferences you may have. We also offer packages and special deals, so be sure to check our website for the latest offers.

Casino Games and Activities

One of the biggest draws of Sycuan Casino and Resort is, of course, the casino! With a range of slot machines, table games, and poker options available, Sycuan offers something for every type of gambler.

If you’re new to gambling, don’t worry – Sycuan offers beginner’s classes and free lessons to help you get started. And if you’re not interested in gambling, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy at the resort. Try your hand at golf, go for a swim, or take a hike through the surrounding countryside.

Seemingly Endless Offers For Our Players

Club Sycuan is a loyalty program offered by Sycuan Casino Resort that provides its members with a range of exclusive benefits and offers. As a member, you will have access to discounts on dining, gaming, hotel stays, and other resort amenities, as well as special promotions, events, and offers throughout the year. Top rewards include cash back, freeplay, dining offers, membership pricing at golf shop, Personalized host services and more. Joining Club Sycuan is easy, and members can earn rewards and benefits simply by playing their favorite games, dining at the resort’s restaurants, and enjoying all that Sycuan has to offer. Whether you’re a casual player or a frequent visitor, Club Sycuan is the perfect way to get more out of your time at Sycuan Casino Resort.

Dining Options

Sycuan is also known for its top-notch dining options. From fine dining to casual meals, on site we have a range of restaurants to suit every taste and budget. Whether you’re in the mood for a gourmet meal or a quick bite to eat, you’ll find plenty of options at Sycuan. What dining options does Sycuan have in store for you?

Pink Buddha – The Pink Buddha at Sycuan Casino Resort is a contemporary Asian-fusion restaurant offering a unique dining experience with a menu featuring traditional dishes with a modern twist. Menu items are inspired but cuisines from China, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines and Hawaii

Double Down Grill – Located near the bingo hall, Double Down Grill at Sycuan Casino Resort is a casual dining spot specializing in classic American comfort food, offering a menu of burgers, sandwiches, and other hearty fare.

Bull and Bourbon – Bull & Bourbon at Sycuan Casino Resort is multi-sensory experience and high-end steakhouse offering a menu of premium cuts of meat, as well as a selection of seafood and other dishes, in a sophisticated and upscale setting.

Corner Deli & Pizza – Corner Deli & Pizza at Sycuan Casino Resort is a casual dining option offering a menu of classic deli sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and other quick bites, perfect for a convenient and satisfying meal. You can even check out signature creations like The Strikeout curated by Padres All-Star Pitcher Joe Musgrove

Viewpoint Neighborhood Kitchen – Viewpoint Neighborhood Kitchen at Sycuan Casino Resort is a modern eatery offering a menu of elevated comfort food and signature cocktails in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere with scenic views. The restaurant provides a unique dining experience, showcasing the best of casual cuisine in a stylish and welcoming setting.

Rank & File – As a traditional American restaurant serving a menu of classic dishes, including burgers, wings, sandwiches, and other comfort foods, with tasty food in a casual and family-friendly atmosphere. With its focus on hearty, satisfying fare, Rank & File is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a great meal with friends and family.

Entertainment and Nightlife

Sycuan has a range of entertainment options, including live music, comedy shows, and more. Check our website for the latest events and schedule your trip around a show or concert to make your getaway even more memorable.

And when the sun goes down, the fun is just getting started at Sycuan. The resort offers a range of nightlife options, including bars, lounges, and a nightclub, so you can keep the party going all night long.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Weekend Getaway

Are you in need of a weekend escape? Look no further than Sycuan Casino and Resort in San Diego! With its luxurious amenities, thrilling casino games, and exciting activities, Sycuan Casino and Resort is the perfect destination for anyone looking to indulge in some relaxation, fun, and excitement. And to help you make the most of your weekend getaway, we’ve compiled a list of tips to keep in mind during your stay. Whether you’re planning a romantic retreat, a fun-filled family trip, or a memorable getaway with friends, Sycuan Casino and Resort has everything you need to make your weekend unforgettable. So, pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable adventure at Sycuan Casino and Resort!

Know the Rules and Regulations

Before you start your gambling adventure, make sure to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations of the casino. This will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Manage Your Budget

Set a budget for your trip and stick to it. Sycuan has a range of pricing options and packages, so it’s easy to find the perfect option to fit your budget. It’s important to manage your spending to make sure you have a fun, stress-free trip.

Take Advantage of Promotions

We also often offer a variety of promotions throughout the year, including special deals on rooms, dining, and entertainment. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for the latest offers and promotions.

Use Loyalty Programs

Don’t forget about our Club Sycuan loyalty program that provides a range of benefits, including discounts on dining and accommodations, free play at the casino, and more. Sign up for Club Sycuan to start earning rewards and making the most of your trip.

Stay Connected and Keep Informed

Stay connected with Sycuan on social media and our website to stay informed about upcoming events, promotions, and other news. This will help you plan your trip and ensure that you don’t miss out on any exciting activities or deals.

At Sycuan, we understand the importance of balancing emotion and logic to create an unforgettable experience. We want to provide our guests with an escape from our daily routine, a chance to relax and indulge in the finer things in life, while also ensuring our safety and comfort.

With our world-class amenities, stunning location, and top-notch service, Sycuan Casino and Resort is the ultimate destination for anyone looking for an unforgettable weekend getaway. Book your stay today and start planning your perfect trip!

Explore and learn more about the popular game roulette

Online games in various forms have become popular in the UK and worldwide. On tradacasino.com you can explore many different games and play live roulette, one of the most popular and iconic games in the world.

Even if you’re not very familiar with casinos, you can probably still easily picture a Roulette wheel. Roulette is one of the most beloved and popular casino games, especially in the UK. And it’s very easy to see why. The popular game is played in the UK and worldwide for a number of reasons. It’s a fixture in casinos and very easy to recognize and play for most people. It’s fun and easy to learn quickly. Now, you can play Live roulette and many other popular casino games on Tradacasino.com from the comfort of your own home and still experience its many benefits.

Roulette is fun and easy to learn

Over the past years, online games have skyrocketed in terms of popularity in the UK and across the world. From slots to blackjack and roulette, there’s something for everyone. The roulette table consists of two parts. The wheel and the roulette layout. It’s composed of 36 numbered spaces, which are either coloured black or red and arranged in three columns of 12 spaces each, where the number 1 is on top and the number 36 is at the bottom. In a game of roulette, the players bet on which black or red numbered compartment of a spinning wheel a small ball will eventually come to rest on. It’s a game that offers excitement, chance and the planning of strategies. Visit roulette-games.co.uk and learn to play roulette with a step-by-step guide.

Games with pirate or Egyptian themes

On Tradacasino.com you can easily explore many other different games, which are both fun and exciting to play and easy to learn. Besides Live roulette, you can play Stolen Treasure, Spinberry Wilds, Treasure Mine, Sugar Rush and Big X. Some of the games have exotic and fun themes, such as a pirate theme in Captain Glum Pirate Hunter or Cursed Seas, or an Egyptian theme in the game Diamonds of Egypt. There are also games with a hint of magic, for example, Magic of the Ring or Magic Stars.

Roulette originated in France

One of the first forms of roulette is believed to have had its origin in France in the early 18th century. The game is named after the French word which means little wheel. It is derived from much older games, and since its birth, it has been developed and modernised many times. It was not until about the year 1790 that the game of roulette achieved its present layout design and wheel structure, and since then it has grown in popularity. Today it is one of the most popular games in casinos around Europe and the world. Read more about the origins of roulette on Britannica.

 

The Festival Series 2022 set to begin in Tallinn in June

The Festival in Tallinn

Malta – January 25th, 2022: The Festival Series Season 2022 is now set to begin in Tallinn, Estonia from June 27th – July 3rd, 2022, instead of Bratislava in March. The same games, the same concept and the same level of excitement and fun is guaranteed, just with a slight delay.

The decision comes following careful monitoring of the COVID situation across Europe, which sadly is still recording high numbers. And communicated since the inauguration of the series, player safety has always been the highest priority. Therefore, a COVID contingency plan was put into place from the start to protect our attendees and ensure that everyone who wants to play at our events has the option to travel to the location safely.

Players who have won packages for The Festival in Bratislava can be assured that they will roll over to the Tallinn stop. There will be no unusable tickets and no player will get left behind. This way, players can feel safer and more confident about attending the event.

The Festival Season 2022 will now kick off in summertime in the Estonian capital Tallinn. Venue will be the Olympic Park Casino next to the city centre.

“We want our first event in 2022 to be sensational” says Martin “Franke” von Zweigbergk, who is leading the event organization, “and we believe we can achieve this if we launch the Series at this slightly later date in Tallinn. The pandemic situation in Europe should be significantly better by Summer. After our successful first event last year it feels like a small eternity having to wait until June this year. However, we promise it will be worth the wait.” 

Now the full focus is shifting onto The Festival in Tallinn – set to be the first event of The Festival Series Season 2022 from June 27th – July 3rd, 2022. Preparations are in full swing with maximum effort to make this another memorable event after the fantastic inaugural event in Bratislava last year. More stops for The Festival Series will be announced in due course. 


About Acroud AB: ACROUD owns, operates and develops high-quality comparison sites, mainly in iGaming affiliation, for the purpose of helping our partners by channelling high-quality users to the Company’s customers – primarily iGaming operators. Through the sites, ACROUD generates high-quality users, primarily to global iGaming operators. The Company, which was founded in 2003, has just over 50 employees and is headquartered in Malta.

Situs Slot Populer 2023 Yang Lagi Populer




0




0

Read Time:3 Minute, 23 Second

Artikel ini akan membahas situs slot populer tahun 2023 yang patut dicoba oleh para pencinta judi daring. Anda akan menemukan tips, trik, dan strategi untuk meningkatkan peluang meraih kemenangan besar di mesin slot. Kami juga akan menjawab pertanyaan umum dalam bagian FAQ.

Situs Slot Populer 2023 Yang Lagi Populer
Situs Slot Populer 2023 Yang Lagi Populer

Selamat datang di dunia perjudian daring di tahun 2023! Era digital telah membuka pintu bagi penggemar judi untuk merasakan sensasi permainan slot tanpa harus pergi ke kasino fisik. Dalam artikel ini, kami akan memandu Anda melalui situs-situs slot populer tahun 2023 yang menawarkan peluang besar untuk meraih hadiah jackpot menggiurkan. Kami juga akan berbagi tips dan trik agar Anda bisa meningkatkan peluang kemenangan Anda di mesin slot yang Anda pilih.

Mengapa Memilih Situs Slot Populer 2023?

Sebelum kita masuk ke dalam strategi dan trik, mari kita pahami mengapa situs slot populer di tahun 2023 menjadi pilihan yang bijak:

1. Keamanan Terjamin

Situs slot populer tahun 2023 telah menjalani uji ketat untuk memastikan keamanan data pribadi Anda. Dengan bermain di situs terpercaya, Anda dapat bermain dengan tenang tanpa khawatir tentang kerahasiaan informasi Anda.

2. Koleksi Permainan Luar Biasa

Situs-situs ini menawarkan beragam permainan slot dengan kualitas grafis yang memukau. Anda akan menemukan tema-tema menarik dan fitur-fitur bonus yang dapat meningkatkan pengalaman bermain Anda.

3. Bonus dan Promosi Menguntungkan

Situs slot populer sering menawarkan berbagai bonus dan promosi yang menggiurkan. Ini dapat menjadi peluang emas untuk meningkatkan modal Anda dan meraih kemenangan besar.

Strategi dan Tips untuk Meraih Kemenangan Besar

Sekarang, mari kita jelajahi beberapa strategi dan tips yang dapat membantu Anda meraih kemenangan besar saat bermain slot online:

1. Pilih Slot dengan RTP Tinggi

RTP atau Tingkat Pengembalian adalah faktor penting dalam memilih mesin slot. Pilih mesin dengan RTP yang lebih tinggi, karena ini mengindikasikan peluang lebih besar untuk meraih kemenangan.

2. Kelola Bankroll Anda Dengan Bijak

Manajemen bankroll yang baik adalah kunci sukses dalam bermain slot online. Tentukan batasan berapa banyak uang yang Anda bersedia untuk diinvestasikan dalam permainan dan patuhi batasan tersebut. Hindari mengambil risiko dengan uang yang Anda tidak mampu kehilangan.

3. Pelajari Permainan Slot

Setiap mesin slot memiliki karakteristik dan fitur unik. Sebelum Anda mulai bermain, luangkan waktu untuk memahami aturan permainan, kombinasi simbol yang menguntungkan, dan fitur-fitur bonus. Semakin Anda memahami permainan, semakin besar peluang Anda untuk meraih kemenangan.

4. Manfaatkan Bonus dan Promosi

Situs-situs slot seringkali menawarkan berbagai jenis bonus, seperti bonus selamat datang, putaran gratis, atau program loyalitas. Manfaatkan bonus ini untuk meningkatkan peluang Anda meraih kemenangan besar. Pastikan untuk membaca syarat dan ketentuan bonus dengan cermat sebelum mengklaimnya.

5. Bermain Dengan Sabar

Saat bermain slot, penting untuk tetap tenang dan sabar. Jangan terburu-buru dan hindari godaan untuk meningkatkan taruhan secara drastis setelah mengalami kerugian.

FAQ: Pertanyaan Umum tentang Slot Online

Q: Kapan Waktu Terbaik untuk Bermain Slot Kakek Zeus? A: Slot Kakek Zeus adalah permainan yang mengandalkan keberuntungan semata. Tidak ada waktu yang pasti untuk meraih kemenangan besar, setiap putaran adalah peluang baru.

Q: Bagaimana Cara Meningkatkan Keberuntungan Saat Bermain Slot? A: Keberuntungan dalam bermain slot tidak bisa dijamin, namun bermain dengan bijak, memahami permainan, dan menjaga sikap positif dapat membantu Anda meraih kemenangan lebih sering.

Q: Apa Arti RTP pada Slot? A: RTP atau Tingkat Pengembalian adalah persentase uang yang akan dikembalikan kepada pemain dari total taruhan dalam jangka waktu tertentu. Mesin dengan RTP yang tinggi memiliki peluang lebih besar untuk memberikan kemenangan kepada pemain.

Q: Kapan Waktu Terbaik untuk Bermain Slot Olympus? A: Slot Olympus adalah permainan acak, sehingga tidak ada waktu yang pasti untuk meraih kemenangan besar. Hasilnya selalu ditentukan secara acak, jadi setiap saat bisa menjadi kesempatan untuk mencoba keberuntungan Anda.

Kesimpulan

Bermain di situs slot populer tahun 2023 dapat memberikan pengalaman yang mengasyikkan dan menguntungkan jika Anda mengikuti strategi yang tepat. Pilih situs yang terpercaya, kelola bankroll dengan bijak, manfaatkan bonus, dan bermain dengan kesabaran. Selamat bermain, dan semoga artikel ini membantu Anda meraih kemenangan besar dalam dunia slot online!


Happy

Happy


0 %


Sad

Sad


0 %


Excited

Excited


0 %


Sleepy

Sleepy


0 %


Angry

Angry


0 %


Surprise

Surprise


0 %

Water Activities Near Las Vegas to Make a Splash

Summers in Las Vegas are notoriously hot. One of the best ways to cool off? Getting in the water! Pools, kayaks, lakes, and more have all become popular activities on the hottest days in Las Vegas. Whether you want to stay in the city at Las Vegas pools or are looking to take a road trip to some lakes and waterfalls, read on for your guide to making a splash in Las Vegas so you can cool down on your summer vacation to the city.

 

Circa Stadium Swim®

 

If you’re staying in the city, Stadium Swim is the spot for a stylish summer cool down. This rooftop poolscape is a stunner, boasting six pools on three different levels, all sitting in front of a massive 40-foot-tall LED screen playing the sporting events of the day. You can chill in one of the 370 chairs lined up around the pools, but for those who want to party in style with some space, there are options like lily pads, daybeds, and cabanas for reservation.

What makes this pool stand out is its unique concept, unlike anything else you’ll find in Las Vegas. It’s like a sportsbook, complete with stadium-style seating, but with the bonus of swimming pools to jump into when the heat or the game gets too intense. Stadium Swim is open every day, all year round. Even better, guests at Golden Gate Las Vegas get free access to Stadium Swim to make your summer even cooler.

In a nutshell, this spot is perfect for sports fans who want to soak in some poolside action and have a blast. It’s a lively party scene, so don’t expect to be too focused on the game all the time – just enjoy the fun vibes, great company, and stunning views of the Fremont Street Experience!

 

Lake Las Vegas for Las Vegas Water Activities

 

Lake Las Vegas

 

Located in Henderson, just 15 miles from the Las Vegas Strip, Lake Las Vegas is a hot destination for Las Vegas water sports! Embark on an elegant cruise aboard your very own private yacht, complete with a crew and two fully-stocked bars for your enjoyment. Guests also have the option to rent paddle boards or kayaks on an hourly basis. For those looking to stay dry, a selection of electric boats is available for leisurely cruises on the sparkling water.

Thrill-seekers will love the on-lake Aqua Park and pulse-pounding water jetpack experiences, a surefire way for an invigorating adventure. For those seeking a comprehensive day of entertainment, Lake Las Vegas offers various adventure packages that feature yacht cruises, delectable dining, an exhilarating helicopter tour of the Hoover Dam, and more.

 

Lake Mead

 

For an escape packed with natural beauty, head to Lake Mead, where the views are expansive and the waters are refreshing. When it comes to lakes near Las Vegas, Lake Mead is the local favorite. It’s perfect for those who like to participate in watersports like boating, water skiing, and tubing. There are tons of options for scenic hikes and nature walks around Lake Mead that will help you break up the water fun and see the beautiful landscape from a different perspective.

If you want something a little more relaxed, a cruise might be the perfect way for you to enjoy the area. You won’t be getting in the water, but you’ll still be able to enjoy being on the lake. The Lake Mead cruise is a Mississippi-style paddlewheeler that offers a climate-controlled environment, and even offers fun champagne brunch and sunset dinner cruises to make for a truly unique way to see the lake.

 

Friends Kayaking the Black Canyon Water Trail Near Vegas

 

Black Canyon Water Trail

 

If you like adventure, look no further than the Black Canyon Water Trail! Located about 45-minutes outside of Las Vegas, this route flows along the Lower Colorado River through Lake Mead National Recreation Area between Hoover Dam and Eldorado Canyon. As you float along, keep your eyes peeled to spot tons of wildlife. You might even see bald eagles, coyotes, and bighorn sheep along the rocky walls and canyons. It’s a real wild wonderland!

Picture this: you’re on a kayak or canoe, floating along the Colorado River, with massive cliffs shooting up on both sides. The water is green and refreshing, and the skies are an endless blue. Can you believe this cool retreat is just a hop away from the glitzy Las Vegas Strip? You can paddle up to 30 miles of pure wilderness and solitude, with sandy beaches, cool caves in vibrant colors, and plenty of hidden coves and secret hot springs to explore. Plus, there are some excellent hiking trails like Gold Strike Canyon and Boy Scout Canyon if you’re up for some extra adventure.

 

Mount Charleston & Mary Jane Falls 

 

Looking to escape that scorching heat? Try Mount Charleston, a laid-back community just a 45 minute drive from Las Vegas. It’s like a breath of fresh air up there, literally! You’ll feel the temperature drop around 20 degrees, making it the perfect getaway from the skyrocketing temperatures on the strip. Hike your way up to some stunning scenic overlooks, ancient pine trees, and the famous Mary Jane Falls. It might not be the biggest waterfall in the summer, but you can still enjoy the peaceful babbling brook during the low season. 

 

From Las Vegas lakes to Las Vegas pools, there are tons of ways to stay cool in the desert heat. Whether you’re a sports fan looking for a party atmosphere, an adventurer seeking nature’s best, or simply someone wanting to beat the heat, the Las Vegas area offers a range of incredible experiences for every taste. Don’t let the heat stop you, get out there and make the most of your Las Vegas getaway! Book your room at Golden Gate Las Vegas to enjoy your summer vacation to the fullest.

Ricky Casino Review 2023 | Pros, Cons, Bonuses & Games

Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, PayID, Maestro, Neosurf, Neteller, Skrill, ecoPayz, Paysafecard, Bitcoin

Minimum Deposit: $20

Number of games: Over 2,000+

Bonuses: Up to $7,500 + 550 free spins

Wagering requirements: 50x

  • More than 2,000 online pokies
  • Huge welcome bonus up to $7,500 + 550 free spins
  • Live dealer games, including roulette
  • Accepts cryptocurrency deposits
  • Bonuses and free spins expire after 3 days
  • No sports betting available

Ricky Casino is an excellent online casino, with more than 2,000+ slot games, plenty of table games, live dealer games, and even demo versions so you can play risk-free to your heart’s content. 

It comes #1 in my list of best online casinos, and you will see why as you take a look at my in-depth review covering various important aspects.

Games: 10/10

Ricky Casino offers a huge collection of casino games that will please anyone from a beginner to the most avid player. With over 2,000 games to choose from, spanning pokies, progressive jackpots, roulette, blackjack, and video poker, you are certain to find something that is up your alley. 

Ricky Casino’s games are developed by the best in the business – gaming giants like Micrograming, SoftSwiss, and NetEnt, just to name a few. When I tested over 70 titles, I could tell each game has been painstakingly created, and therefore are of the highest quality in terms of graphics, design, characters, and playability.

Bonuses: 9.7/10

Many casino players enjoy welcome offers, where you can receive free bonuses. This allows you to play more without spending extra money, and pick up additional chances to win a big jackpot. Ricky Casino does not disappoint, with a generous offer of up to $7,500 bonus plus 550 free spins, spread across the first 10 deposits. This is how the bonuses can be claimed by new users:

  • 1st Deposit – 100% Up To $500 / 240 USDT + 100 Free Spins.
  • 2nd Deposit – 50% Up To $500 / 240 USDT + 50 Free Spins.
  • 3rd Deposit – 50% Up To $1,000 / 240 USDT + 50 Free Spins.
  • 4th Deposit – 50% Up To $1,000 / 240 USDT + 50 Free Spins.
  • 5th Deposit – 50% Up To $1,000 / 240 USDT + 50 Free Spins.
  • 6th Deposit – 50% Up To $1,000 / 240 USDT + 50 Free Spins. Once per day.
  • 7th Deposit – 50% Up To $1,000 / 240 USDT + 50 Free Spins. Once per day.
  • 8th Deposit – 50% Up To $500 / 240 USDT + 50 Free Spins. Once per day.
  • 9th Deposit – 50% Up To $500 / 240 USDT + 50 Free Spins. Once per day.
  • 10th Deposit – 50% Up To $500 / 240 USDT + 50 Free Spins. Once per day.

From this breakdown, you can see that the first deposit is a 100% bonus, while the remaining 9 deposits are only 50%. I took advantage of this by making a larger deposit on my first go. That way I received more bonus than if I deposited the same amount  spread over a few deposits.

Note that the minimum deposit to receive the bonuses is $30. Additionally, keep in mind that the free spins are applied to one particular slot game “All Lucky Clovers 5”. I enjoyed playing this slot, especially because it was free to play!

One of the great things about Ricky Casino is that they offer ongoing bonuses even after your welcome offer is completed. These change from time to time, but currently if you deposit on a Tuesday, you will receive a 100% deposit bonus, on Wednesdays you receive 200 free spins with a $30 deposit, and on Fridays you receive 50% deposit bonus. If you are a high roller, and make large deposits (over $1,500), then you can qualify for the VIP offers; receive 30% bonus on deposit amounts of $1,500 – $3,000.

Deposits and Withdrawals: 9.8/10

Having plenty of banking options are a must for any top casino, and Ricky Casino meets this criteria. There are various methods you can choose to deposit and withdraw money, with no transaction fees whatsoever. The only thing you need to be wary of is the minimum and maximum limits, as shown below.

Deposit methods

  • Visa/Mastercard/Maestro: $20 to $4,000
  • Neosurf, Neteller, Skrill, ecoPayz: $20 to $4,000
  • Paysafecard: $20 to $1,000
  • Bitcoin: 0.0001 BTC to 5 BTC

Withdrawal methods

  • Visa: minimum $20
  • Virtual Credit Cards, Neteller, Skrill, ecoPayz: minimum $20
  • Paysafecard: minimum $20
  • Bank transfer: minimum $300
  • Bitcoin: minimum 0.0001 BTC

Mobile Gaming: 9.4/10  

Many Ricky Casino users love playing games on their phone as a way to pass time when they’re bored, eg: on public transport, at work, or even on the toilet! Being able to access an online casino on your phone is a huge benefit. Ricky Casino does not yet have a mobile app, but you can easily visit the casino using your internet browser on your phone. When I tested the casino on my phone and iPad, I found that the site is perfectly optimised for each device, and it runs smoothly, with no delays or latency issues.

Customer Support: 10/10  

Ricky Casino has excellent customer service, and I scored them a full 10 out of 10 in this regard. There is a dedicated live chat support team available 24/7, and they are extremely helpful, no matter what your issue. They are staffed by real customer support agents, and not chatbots, so you can trust they understand what you are asking. 

If you prefer to communicate using email, that’s another option available to you. Simply email [email protected], and they will respond when they get to your email. This can take up to a few hours, but often it happens much quicker. When I tested out their email responsiveness, I received a reply in under an hour.

Security and Licensing: 9.5/10  

Ricky Casino is a legitimate and secure online casino. It has an authoritative license from Curacao, an international standard that guarantees the most honest and transparent interaction with players. It also guarantees that all actions, policy, and framework of the casino are performed legally. You can play at Ricky Casino without worrying about safety issues.

Alternatives to Ricky Casino

While Ricky Casino is my top choice of online casino, you may want to consider other options to find one that is more suitable for your needs. See the top four online casinos below to see which is right for you.

Welcome Bonus: $7,500 + 550 free spins

Welcome Bonus: $7,500 + 550 free spins

  • Over 2,000+ games
  • Deposit with Visa, Mastercard, PayID, Maestro, Neosurf, Neteller, Skrill, ecoPayz, Paysafecard, Bitcoin
  • Minimum deposit: $20
  • Wagering requirements: 50x
Welcome Bonus: Up to $5,000

Welcome Bonus: Up to $5,000

  • Over 2,000+ games
  • Deposit with Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, Neosurf, Neteller, Skrill, ecoPayz, Paysafecard, Bitcoin
  • Minimum deposit: $20
  • Wagering requirements: 50x
Welcome Bonus: Up to $5,000

Welcome Bonus: Up to $5,000

  • Over 1,250+ games
  • Deposit with Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz, MiFinity, MuchBetter, STICPAY, Paysafecard, Bank transfer, Bitcoin
  • Minimum deposit: $20
  • Wagering requirements: 50x
Welcome Bonus: Up to $3,000

Welcome Bonus: Up to $3,000

  • Over 300+ games
  • Deposit with Visa, Mastercard, Voucher, Direct bank transfer, MatchPay, Cryptocurrency (BTC, ETH, USDT, LTC, BCH, BSV)
  • Minimum deposit: $5 for USDT; $10 for Voucher, BTC; $20 for Visa/Mastercard, MatchPay; $50 for Bank transfer, ETH
  • Wagering requirements: 25x

Verdict

Ricky Casino is my #1 recommendation of the best online casino, and I suggest you try it out, if you are searching for a new casino. There are thousands of games available, plenty of deposit methods, excellent 24/7 live chat support, and tons of bonuses. It is licensed and regulated by the Curacao gaming authority so you can trust it is a safe, honest, and legitimate site.

Click the button below to visit Ricky Casino and discover everything it has to offer. Remember, you can play games for free without having to deposit money or even sign up! This is an excellent way to familiarise yourself with Ricky Casino before deciding whether you want to create an account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Ricky Casino is a legit online casino that is licensed and regulated by the Curacao Gaming Control Board. It is used by millions of players and many of them – including the team at Indivisible Gaming – consider Ricky Casino to be the best online casino.

Yes, Ricky Casino is a safe online casino that is licensed and regulated by the Curacao Gaming Control Board. It is trusted by millions of casino players, and is the best online casino.

Online Slots Glossary For Beginners

If you’re new to online slots and you don’t know your wilds from your win multipliers and your scatters from your stacked symbols, take some to browse our A-Z slots glossary. This article lists all the common terms you’ll encounter the next time you play slots online.

Hopefully, you should have a better handle on how online slots work after reading this glossary. Our goal is to help you become the next slots slayer right here at LiveRoulette!

A

All Ways: Otherwise known as ‘win both ways’ these slots can have hundreds of available paylines  which can pay from left-to-right or right-to-left, maximising your winning potential.

Autoplay: If you want to play a multiple number of spins without having to press ‘Spin’ each time, set your gameplay to autoplay a pre-selected number of spins.

B

Bonus Games: Most online slots have at least one bonus game, which is often triggered by scatters or wild symbols. These bonus games can range from free spins rounds to bonus wheels and “pick-me” features.

Branded Slot: A branded slot is one that’s themed around a specific franchise, such as a Hollywood movie or hit television series, featuring exclusive visual and audio content.

C

Cascading Reels: Symbols involved in winning combinations are removed from the reels, leaving gaps to be replaced by new slot symbols that drop in from the top. This gives you a chance to win multiple combinations on a single spin.

Classic Slot: A ‘classic’ slot is one which nods to old-school fruit machines, featuring the classic fruity symbols, bells, lucky sevens and BARS, amongst others.

Cold Game: More common on casino floors than online slots, when a slot game is said to be ‘cold’ it means it does not pay out as frequently.

Coins: The funds you add to your chosen slot are displayed in a coin value, based on the minimum bet size per spin.

E

Expanding Wilds: An expanding wild is a special type of wild symbol (see ‘Wild’ for full description). Whenever the expanding wild feature is active, a wild symbol will expand to fill an entire reel to bring greater winning potential.

F

Fixed Jackpot: Online slots with a fixed jackpot have a fixed maximum prize, usually triggered by landing five of a specific symbol on a payline, or sometimes triggered at random.

Free Spins: It’s possible to unlock extra free spins by landing certain win combinations, such as three scatter symbols on a payline. A free spin is quite literally a free spin of the reels.

Fruit Machine: The British name for a classic slot machine. Fruit machines are the classic three-reel, three-payline slots featuring fruit symbols, lucky sevens, bells and BARs.

G

Gamble Feature: Within some slot games it is possible to gamble the winnings from your spin. You may be asked to pick a card suit or colour, or to guess high or low on the outcome of a card displayed on screen. You could double, triple or even quadruple your money depending on the game, but it’s also possible to lose all your winnings.

H

High Volatility: A slot deemed to have high volatility means that it is programmed to give out less frequent prizes and jackpots. However, most high volatility slots tend to offer bigger prizes when they do pay out.

Hit-And-Run: This term is used to describe slot players that play on single payline slots using maximum coins for a few spins and move on to the next slot if they don’t win.

Hit Frequency: How often a slot pays out on average. For example, a game with a hit frequency of five is expected to yield a winning payline approximately every five spins.

Hot Game: The opposite of a ‘Cold game’, hot slots are those that are said to be paying out regularly and in large sums.

J

Jackpot: The jackpot of an online slot is the coveted top prize, and can be fixed, progressive or linked across a network of slots.

L

Linked Progressive Jackpots: On occasion, there are multiple slot games whose progressive jackpots are linked together, often branded slots based on the same franchise. It doesn’t matter which one you play, you will be playing for the same progressive jackpot.

Loose Slot: A ‘loose’ slot is one that is considered to have low volatility, paying out more regularly than a ‘tight’ or high volatility slot.

Low Volatility: Low volatility slots tend to have higher hit frequencies and are often great slots for beginners. The trade-off is that low volatility slots may have smaller prizes on offer.

M

Maximum Bet: The maximum bet is the largest stake you can place per spin on your chosen slot game, based on the number of active paylines and the maximum coin denomination available.

MegawaysTM: This is a popular slot game engine is designed to expand the number of rows played per reel, giving you up hundreds of thousands of potential ways to win.

Mobile Slot: Mobile slots are those optimised for responsive gameplay across desktop, smartphone and tablet devices, utilising the latest HTML5 technology.

Multi-Line: This term is used to describe online slots with more than a single payline.

Multiplier: A multiplier could be a specific symbol which can multiply your winnings by a predetermined figure. Multipliers can also be found in free spins rounds, when the more consecutive wins you land, the bigger the multiplier grows.

N

Near miss: Players that narrowly miss out on a winning combination on a payline describe this as a near miss.

Nudge: Inspired by classic fruit machine gameplay, some slots have a ‘nudge’ functionality included, allowing players to hit the nudge button to move a reel up or down one space to form a winning payline.

O

One-Armed Bandit: The first slot machines produced in land-based casinos, which required players to pull a lever to spin the reels.

P

Payline: A payline is the line that symbols need to align with to trigger a payout.

Pay Table: The pay table for any slots online is designed to fully explain the rules and payout sizes of each game. It outlines the low and high-value symbols to look out for on the reels.

Penny Slot: A penny slot game is one which requires players to pay as little as €0.01 per spin.

Pick-Me Bonus: A type of slot bonus screen whereby players must select on-screen options to reveal instant prizes.

Progressive Jackpot: A progressive jackpot is a rolling jackpot that continues to increase in value until it is won. A percentage of each player’s stake per spin is contributed to the progressive jackpot, so the more players play, the higher the pot.

R

Random Number Generator: All state-of-the-art online slots are powered by a random number generator (RNG), which is a tamper-proof algorithm designed to randomise the outcome of every spin.

Reels: These are the columns within which the symbols spin to create potential winning combinations.

Return To player (RTP): The RTP percentage gives slot players an indicator of how much they can expect to return from their spins. If a slot has an RTP of 97%, for every €100 you stake, you can expect to receive €97 back on average.

S

Scatter Symbol: The scatter symbol is often used to trigger bonus rounds, and is usually the only symbol on the reels that the wild does not substitute for.

Stacked Symbols: Whenever the same symbols appear on top of one another on the reels, they are considered stacked.

Stacked Wilds: Whenever the wild symbol appears on top of one another on the reels, they are considered stacked.

T

Total Bet: The size of the total bet in an online slot is the total number of coins staked across all paylines.

V

Variance: The variance of a slot is the payout rate of a specific game. Slots with high variance are programmed to pay out less frequently than low variance slots. Variance can be used interchangeably with volatility.

Video Slot: A video slot game is designed to be displayed on desktop, smartphone or tablet screens using virtual reels instead of mechanical reels.

Volatility: Highly volatile slots are those that pay out less frequently, but with typically larger payouts when they do. Low volatility slots are those that pay out smaller prizes over a greater hit frequency.

W

Wild: A wild symbol is one of the most lucrative symbols in a slot game. Wilds can usually substitute any other base game symbol to improve winning combinations, except scatters. The same way that a joker works in a game of cards.

Win Both Ways: Slots with win both ways functionality can pay out on paylines running right-to-left as well as left-to-right.

Z

Zig-zag: Some slot paylines are designed to go up and down the reels or diagonally. These are known as zig-zag paylines.

Ready To Play?

Now that our slots glossary has equipped with all the slot lingo you need, log in or create a new account to play online slots at our Canadian online casino today!

18+  | Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly | Terms & Conditions apply.

Roger and Lara Griffiths Lottery Winners ✔️ Full Story

In this informative post, we will do a detailed exploration of everything that happened to Roger and Lara Griffith. Who are they, how their lives changed after winning the lottery, and we will see how quickly Lara and Roger lost everything. Feel free to use the panel below to quickly jump to a relevant section in the post.

Roger and Lara Griffith and Their Backstory

Before Roger and Lara won the lottery, they lived an ordinary life in England. Roger was an IT manager, earning £38,000, and living happily with Lara. She was an art teacher, and both supported each other. They lived in a four-bedroom ex-council house in Boston Spa and always paid their mortgage.

Lara and Roger had a happy life and always hoped to win the lottery. Roger regularly played with hopes of winning one day. Generally, life was going well for the Griffiths, but all that would change in 2005 when Roger pulled a winning lottery ticket and won £1.83 million from the National Lottery. He bought the ticket from a land-based location, as back in 2005, there wasn’t such a huge diversity of lottery sites in the UK.

Suddenly, Roger and Lara were millionaires. The result was that both quit their jobs soon after they won. An understandable decision, considering they were now millionaires. They were living the dream as one of the very few lucky winners of such a huge jackpot. We will cover what happens next further on in the post, as well as how things took a turn for the worst.

What Did the Couple Invest Their Money In?

The moment lottery winners Roger and Lara Griffth received the news that they were the lucky winners of the National Lottery in 2005, their whole lives would make a huge turn.

All in all, they spent over £15,000 in only ten days. They decided to buy an £800,000 barn conversion in the village of Waterbury, West Yorkshire. This was a huge barn, one that only millionaires could afford, and was their dream come true. Roger Griffiths, the lottery winner, soon bought a £28,000 Porsche Carrera to fill up one of the two garage spots, while Lara purchased a £24,700 Lexus 4×4. Later, they also purchased more vehicles, including a £18,000 soft-top Audi.

Both Lara and Roger went on many holiday vacation destinations like Dubai, New York, and Monaco, staying in five-star hotel suites. These vacations weren’t the only ones they attended, as they also visited numerous other top destinations to enjoy their millionaire lifestyle.

Obviously, every person has the right to spend their fortune in the way they wish to. Some make unreasonable purchases, while others spend wisely and invest. If you’d like to see another point of view and read another story, check out the lottery winner Jane Park article.

An Aerial Photo of a Futuristic City with Highways

Lara Griffiths, the lottery winner, really liked shopping, so she bought handbags and many other luxurious items. A regular Saturday night that was an ordinary enjoyment of a movie plus a few beers turned into spending over £300 per night at One Aldwych. Roger had his teeth whitened and often bought very expensive designer clothes to represent his wealth.

As Roger loved rock, he decided to invest in his university rock band. They hired a publicist that cost him £1,000 per month and ended up recording only one single that sold 600 copies, costing him over £25,000. It was this way due to the rehearsals taking place in London. Even though the band had no success and didn’t meet Roger’s expectations, Lara was proud of him.

The couple bought even more properties in Wetherby, and one in Harrogate for over £200,000, with plans to sell them for a profit. However, the housing crash plummeted their investments. In only three years, their expenses surpassed over a million pounds.

And this is where things started to fall off. The once proud Lara accused Roger of overspending, and he accused her of doing the same. We will see where things took a turn for the worst in the next section.

Where It All Went Wrong

Here is the story of how Lara and Roger lost everything. Both realised that they were overspending and that in less than four years, Roger and Lara squandered their money. Over €1,1 million were lost, and the arguments and accusations started.

Lara blamed everything on Roger, as she claimed he was the one that wasted the fortune they had won. Everything started with a house fire on their main property in Wetherby, when a boiler ruptured and caused huge damages to their barn.

A City with Skyscrapers and Busy Traffic

Over €120,000 worth of repairs needed to be carried out, and the couple realised their money would soon be gone. This, according to Roger, was “the final straw of our marriage”. Roger said he was so overwhelmed and overly excited about becoming a millionaire that it took him over six months to get used to it. At that time, he has not realised that everything would fall apart and did not make any plans for smart investments. He thought, since he had that much, he didn’t need a job and that he and Lara were set for life.

The Couple’s Breakup, Accusations, and Blame

Another event occurred soon after when Roger and Lara’s relationship ended. She had found out that Roger was emailing another woman and soon accused him of being unfaithful. This was a claim that Roger dismissed, but it was the boiling point of their dying marriage.

Lara and Roger were not divorced yet, but that would follow soon after because both of them started constant arguments about their poor investment decisions. Lara was angry that Roger bought all these properties and cars and was disappointed about the large amount of money that went into his unsuccessful rock band.

She also claimed they had completely forgotten about their children, who were initially sent to very expensive private schools. They were worried they could not support them anymore, so the children were again moved back to their original public establishments. This, coupled with the crumbling of their planned investments to sell the properties because of the financial crisis, was when Roger and Lara’s relationship ended.

Two People Hugging in the Sunset

To his defence, Roger said that Lara was also overspending. Her art saloon needed to be sold as it was also not thriving, and he claims that she was needlessly organising trips to first-world countries and cities that were very expensive, with little thought put into the financial hit this would cause to them.

All in all, it turned out that being a lottery winner isn’t all good. They had a lovely life, never failed to pay their mortgage, and were able to support their children. Their jobs weren’t low paid, but the jackpot completely changed their lifestyle. Winning the lottery will do that, and many people do not feel sympathy for the Griffiths.

The couple had undergone many interviews by the media. After all, they were the popular winners of the National Lottery. Everybody knew about the Griffiths, and when news broke out that their life had fallen apart, the public’s opinion was negative. Roger and Lara did not work for this money – they got it by a lucky lottery win, and due to poor financial decisions, they lost it all.

What are Roger and Lara Doing Now?

What happened next is that the Griffiths took a devastating blow to a previously happy family. Lara currently still lives in the Wetherby barn conversion, and Roger still insists he pays for the mortgage, though this is not confirmed.

The Porsche was returned, and the many properties that they bought had to be sold at a loss. Although people did not feel much sympathy towards the Griffiths, it’s hard not to feel some for Roger. He did cause harm to the family with all this overspending, but he was left broken after their marriage fell apart and all the accusations Lara put on him. See the below list for a quick timeline of how the issues occurred:

  • ✔️ Roger won the lottery in 2005
  • 🔥 Roger spent £25,000 on his rock band
  • ✅ Lara and Roger started arguing
  • ☀️ Their children were moved to public schools
  • 👉 Lara blamed Roger for everything
  • ➡️ In 2011, Roger was left with just £7

Roger was in a thought circle of where it all went wrong and how he did not intend for any of this to happen. He stated that “the one thing that I did not want to do was to spend and squander all that money”, yet this is exactly what he did, along with Lara’s expensive purchases and vacations too.

Roger did not regret the years he had after the lottery win. He said that they were living the dream, the millionaire’s dream. Few experience such a luxurious lifestyle, and he thinks that every lottery winner should be able to experience it.

All in all, things did turn out to be bad for the Griffiths, as they could have spent their winnings in a much better way. This is the main reason the couple wasn’t well received by the public. If they had been smarter with their investments, been wary of the financial crisis, and put more thought into saving what they could, this could have been prevented.

Other Lottery Winners in the UK

Let’s have a look at some other lucky lottery winners in the UK. One of the most recent and biggest wins was in 2022 when Joe and Jess Thwaite claimed £184 million on a lottery draw that took place on the 10th of May. They wanted to stay anonymous, however, they finally revealed their identity during a press conference.

We must also mention the popular lottery winner Callie Rogers, who, back in 2003, had an ordinary life, living on only £3.60 per hour. Her life took a drastic turn when she won the Lotto Jackpot, earning a total of £1.87 million. We’ve compiled data of the top lottery winners in the UK below.

Biggest Lotto Wins in the UK
Name Sum
Joe and Jess Thwaite £184,262,899
Colin and Chris Weir £161,653,000
Adrian and Gillian Bayford £190,000,000
France Connolly and Patrick £114,969,775
‘Matt’ Matthew £500,000

These are our picks for the top lottery winners. No matter who you are, winning the lottery is surely a dream come true. As long as you keep track of your spending, of course. And for a detailed look at more lottery winners in recent times, see our page for the latest lottery winners around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the section below, you’ll find quick answers to the segments discussed in the blog. We’ve covered the whole life after the lottery win of the Griffiths, and the most common inquiries are below. Use the links to quickly go to the relevant section of the blog post.

1️⃣ Who are Roger and Lara Griffiths?

The Roger and Lara Griffiths lottery winners used to live an ordinary life with stable jobs and two daughters. They were a happy family that owned a four-bedroom ex-council house in England, but all changed after they won the lottery in 2005. Roger and Lara quit their jobs and started living the lives of millionaires.

2️⃣ What did the couple do with the money?

The lottery winners, Roger and Lara Griffiths, were quick to start their spending spree. Among the many huge purchases, they bought a barn, several cars, and invested in even more properties. All in all, they could have made smarter investments.

3️⃣ How did the Griffiths lose everything?

Soon, the Griffiths realised that they were overspending. Roger was buying way too many properties and investing in an unsuccessful rock band, while Lara was constantly shopping and suggesting expensive vacations. They eventually got into many arguments, and their marriage broke up. Soon after, Roger and Lara’s relationship ended.

4️⃣ When did Lara and Roger Griffith win the lottery?

The year when everything changed for the Griffiths was 2005. They were living ordinary lives until that happy moment when Roger pulled the winning ticket. As we all know, they should have been more careful with their spending, and today, they are a good example for other lottery winners for how not to spend your winnings.

5️⃣ What are the Griffiths’ lives like now?

Roger and Lara had to say goodbye to their millionaire luxurious lifestyle. After many poor financial decisions, Lara had to move to the barn they initially bought, while Roger lives in a small cottage, with little to no money. Had the couple made smart financial decisions and not quit their jobs, things would have been different.

Kemananan dan validitas Judi bola di Sbobet

Kemananan dan validitas Judi bola di Sbobet

Saat sebelum anda mengawali taruhan pastikanlah anda sudah pahami lebih dulu penting nya keamanan dan validitas perusahaan Itu, sbobet88 saat ini sudah jadi situs judi bola yang terpopuler dan terbanyak di tentukan beberapa pemain judi bola di indonesia atau internasional karena mempunyai beberapa faktor penting yang perlu anda kenali.

Pelindungan Data

Situs Sbobet yang terpercaya akan mempunyai keamanan yang kuat membuat perlindungan info individu dan keuangan pemain. Ini termasuk enkripsi data, pelindungan pada akses yang tidak resmi, dan peraturan privacy yang ketat.

Transparan

Basis Sbobet yang handal akan mempunyai info yang terbuka mengenai ketentuan dan ketetapan, termasuk langkah mereka mengurus dana pemain dan tangani manipulasi.

Lisensi

Sbobet ialah merk taruhan olahraga online yang diatur oleh First Cagayan Leisure and Resor Corporation, yang ditata dan mempunyai lisensi di Filipina. Ini memperlihatkan loyalitas pada praktek usaha yang legal dan benar.

Fair-play

Sbobet umumnya memakai generator angka random (RNG) untuk pastikan jika permainan di situs itu adil dan tidak diakali. Permainan casino online mereka dites dengan mandiri untuk keadilan.

Service Pelanggan

Situs taruhan yang handal akan mempunyai service pelanggan yang responsive. Ini memungkinkannya pemain untuk menangani permasalahan atau pertanyaan mereka secara cepat.

Validitas Negara

Validitas permainan judi online bervariatif dari 1 negara ke negara lain. Penting untuk pahami hukum permainan judi online di negara tempat Anda tinggal. Beberapa negara kemungkinan meluluskan permainan judi online, sedangkan lainnya melarang atau mempunyai peraturan yang ketat.

Umur Minimal

Situs Sbobet umumnya cuma meluluskan pemain yang berumur 18 tahun ke atas untuk bergabung. Pastikan Anda menaati syarat umur minimal di negara Anda.

Lisensi

Beberapa negara mempunyai tubuh peraturan yang keluarkan lisensi untuk situs judi online. Pastikan situs Sbobet mempunyai lisensi yang dibutuhkan di yurisdiksi Anda bila dibutuhkan oleh hukum di tempat.

Pajak dan Laporan

Di sejumlah negara, penghasilan dari permainan judi online bisa dikenai pajak. Pastikan Anda pahami kewajiban pajak dan laporan yang berjalan di negara Anda.

SBOBET Judi Online Terbaik Di Indonesia

SBOBET awalannya adalah perusahaan yang konsentrasi pada pengadaan pasar judi bola online dan taruhan bola. SBOBET mempunyai dua lokasi operasi resmi, dilisensikan oleh pemerintahan Filipina (Asia) dan Isle of Man (Eropa). Di teritori ini sendiri ada beberapa tipe pasar, karena tak terbatas pada sepak bola saja.

Agen SBOBET secara resmi masuk Indonesia di tahun 2000 dan jadi situs taruhan olahraga online pertama di Indonesia. Khusus untuk pasar taruhan sepak bola, anggota bisa bermain dengan online. Seiring berjalannya waktu dengan agen SBOBET yang tetap menebarkan ke semua media. SBOBET tak lagi terbatas pada taruhan sepak bola, tapi juga sediakan pasar judi online dari penjuru dunia. tidak hanya taruhan bola, saat ini pemakai sbobet bisa nikmati judi online yang lain, seperti mesin slot, arcade, kasino langsung, dan balapan. Sesudah waktu peningkatan, SBOBET saat ini sediakan pasar taruhan untuk game e-sports, menarget Bettor Milenium.

Selainnya agen taruhan sepakbola online paling lengkap, agen SBOBET Indonesia benar-benar hargai tiap pemakainya dan selalu mengutamakan kepuasan pemain dengan sediakan situs website taruhan sepakbola yang bisa dijangkau cepat. Saat sebelum laga diawali. Agen SBOBET secara resmi masuk Indonesia di tahun 1999 dan jadi situs taruhan olahraga online pertama di Indonesia. Khusus untuk pasar taruhan sepak bola, anggota bisa memasang secara langsung atau virtual. Seiring berjalannya waktu, agen SBOBET terus menebarkan sayapnya dan terbang tinggi. SBOBET tak lagi terbatas pada taruhan sepak bola, tapi juga sediakan pasar judi online untuk olahraga terkenal yang lain dari penjuru dunia. Tak lagi olahraga, saat ini pemakai sbobet bisa nikmati judi online yang lain seperti slot, arcade, mesin casino langsung, dan balapan. Sesudah berkembang, SBOBET saat ini sediakan taruhan untuk permainan lain nya seperti berikut.

Game Arcade

Arcade pas untuk pemain yang menyukai beragam game konsol bertopik. Menyuguhkan diagram yang cantik dengan kualitas gambar terbaik. Jika cara barusan sukses menuntaskan rintangan permainan judi arcade, mereka mempunyai hak untuk menang. selaku contohnya ialah permainan judi arcade online terkenal ialah tembak ikan, pancing ikan, bola terampil dan keno.

Taruhan Olahraga

Sbobet sediakan beragam tipe taruhan olahraga, termasuk sepak bola, basket, tenis, badminton, balap kuda, tinju, dan ada banyak yang lain. Anda bisa memasangkan taruhan pada beragam tipe acara olahraga di penjuru dunia.

Taruhan Live

Sbobet tawarkan taruhan secara langsung atau in-play, yang memungkinkannya Anda untuk memasangkan taruhan saat laga atau acara olahraga Yang berjalan. Anda bisa meng ikuti permainan langsung dan memutuskan taruhan secara real-time.

Casino Online

Sbobet mempunyai beberapa permainan casino online seperti blackjack, roulette, mesin slot, poker, dan permainan meja yang lain. Anda bisa bermain-main dengan uang asli atau dalam model demo untuk bergembira.

Live Kasino

Sbobet tawarkan permainan casino langsung dengan dealer betulan. Ini membuat pengalaman casino lebih autentik dengan pemain bisa berhubungan dengan dealer langsung lewat video streaming.

Taruhan E-Sport

Selainnya olahraga konservatif, Sbobet tawarkan taruhan pada persaingan esports seperti Dota 2, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, dan banyak. Esports makin terkenal di kelompok penjudi online.

Togel

Sbobet mempunyai permainan togel atau lotre yang bermacam. Pemain bisa pilih nomor-nomor untuk mengharap memperoleh hadiah besar.

Permainan Yang lain

Sbobet tawarkan beragam permainan yang lain seperti bingo, keno, scratch cards, dan permainan arcade.

Digital Opportunity Trust and the Mastercard Foundation are partnering for Going Beyond

OTTAWA, Canada, July 12, 2023 — Digital Opportunity Trust and the Mastercard Foundation are partnering to support over 300,000 young women and men to gain relevant entrepreneurial skills and foster a network ecosystem of support for young leaders.

The “Going Beyond – Partnering for a Youth-Led Future” project aims to scale DOT’s evidence-based, peer-to-peer model and will be executed in four African countries – Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania. The linkage to DOT’s model ensures comprehensive digital and business skills training, leadership development, coaching, peer-to-peer learning, and networking.

The Going Beyond project will foster a network ecosystem of support for young leaders with the aim of improving their quality of life and building their resilience, agency, and amplifying their voice. Notably, the project will also introduce a leaner, more scalable model for long-term, transformational change by fostering a community of practice among a continuously expanding ecosystem of partners.

Over five years, and with the support of DOT regional hubs in Africa, the Going Beyond project will progressively transfer the responsibility for delivering DOT’s programs and equip youth as leaders of the future through a three-pronged approach:

  • Strengthening the capacity of 40 local youth-led and youth-led organizations (YLOs) to deliver high-quality digital livelihoods programming.
  • Training and supporting 4,000 young people (Youth Leaders) under the guidance of YLOs as digital business coaches and facilitators to deliver locally appropriate and culturally relevant digital inclusion and enterprise growth programs to their peers.
  • Training 300,000 disadvantaged young people with nascent Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in digital and entrepreneurship skills, 70 percent of whom are young women.

Most importantly, the project places young people at the center of the solution, tapping into their creativity, energy, and passion for making a difference; going beyond conventional development practices and extending impact to new countries for both organizations, without the need to establish and operate new offices.

“The Going Beyond program, which will harness the power of young people to lead community-driven solutions and create and obtain dignified and fulfilling work in four countries – Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia – is an opportunity to tell a compelling story of youth leadership and capacity to transform Africa – and to catalyze the adoption of youth-led approaches across the continent,” says Janet Longmore, Founder and CEO, Digital Opportunity Trust

Violette Uwamutara, Regional Vice President of Africa, Digital Opportunity Trust agrees, “DOT is excited to serve as regional hubs for this project and build a network of connected individuals, organizations and MSMEs that share knowledge, support each other and shift the mindsets of their peers, communities and systems – trusting youth as the leaders of community transformation and our future.”

The ‘Going Beyond’ project aligns with the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy, which aims to enable 30 million young people in Africa to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030, particularly young women. It extends the impact beyond youth in work to advance youth leadership, digital skills, gender equality, and women’s empowerment.

Africa’s youth population represents a significant pool of human capital that can drive economic growth and social progress. Young people have the potential to be at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship in high-growth sectors such as technology, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy. Women and girls, in particular, can play a crucial role as powerful agents of change in their communities, contributing to economic growth and social progress.

Despite being a youthful continent, Africa faces significant challenges in harnessing the potential of its youth population. The continent has the highest youth unemployment rate globally – 20.8 percent in 2020 – more than 2.5 times higher than the adult unemployment rate. This situation is particularly dire for young women.

“Going Beyond is designed to envision young people as leaders in their communities, and we believe that a combination of YLO capacity building, locally appropriate 21st-century skills, entrepreneurship, and MSME support will be an effective means of bringing this vision to life while addressing youth employment in the four countries this project will be executed in. In addition, Going Beyond’s work, which is also in line with the Young Africa Works strategy, will help young women and men find dignified and meaningful work,” adds Reeta Roy, President and CEO, Mastercard Foundation.

When applied in this way, the youth-led model equips young people with market-relevant technical skills and the confidence to secure, sustain and thrive in the 21st-century working world, in turn creating a ripple effect of change in communities across the African continent, with young entrepreneurs becoming catalysts for broader behavioral change and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.

About Digital Opportunity Trust

DOT is a Canadian-based not-for-profit organization headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with a ‘footprint’ across 12 countries. DOT has locally managed offices in Africa, the Middle East; Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, Lebanon and Jordan; Canada and the UK. DOT’s presence extends to Ghana, Uganda, Malawi and Zambia through local partnerships with youth-led organizations. As a youth-led movement of daring social innovators who have the tools, knowledge, and networks to create opportunities and transform their communities in Africa and the Middle East, DOT has created an impact in over 25 countries as development innovators and catalysts placing youth at the center of its activity to unlock their potential, bridge the digital divide across communities, and inspire young people to realize their potential in an inclusive digital economy. www.dotrust.org

About The Mastercard Foundation

The Mastercard Foundation is a Canadian Foundation and one of the world’s largest foundations, with a mission to advance education and financial inclusion. It works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. The Foundation was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. The Foundation is an independent organization and separate from the company. Its policies, operations, and programs are determined by the Foundation’s Board of Directors and leadership. For more information on the Foundation, please visit www.mastercardfdn.org.

 

Wendy & Wendell’s Wonderful Wacky WASP Wedding

Do you enjoy dinner and a show? How about enjoying dinner with a side of non-stop laughter? Kill two birds with one stone and nearly die laughing during this unique theatrical experience. The Island welcomes you to a wedding party like no other!

Lawfully Wedded, Unlawfully Hilarious

Wendy and Wendell are already married. They had the traditional dream wedding with the groom’s family including ties and tails, dinner and dancing. Now the bride’s family wants their turn. Only, they’re doing things a little…differently.

They want a handfasting ceremony – an ancient Celtic ritual where the bride and groom’s hands are bound to symbolize their new life together. And they want the ceremony performed by a Wiccan priestess. 

To balance the unconventional nature of the proceedings, the family has engaged the services of professional wedding reception hostess, Helen Hunt.

Only Helen didn’t count on babysitting a drunk grandma, managing wiley parents, disciplining an admiral whose stripes ran contrary to military decorum, placating an ambitious bridesmaid or deflecting the attentions of a best man with a hidden crush.

In classic screwball form, mayhem ensues and it’s anyone’s guess how many marriages are intact when the dust clears.

Don’t miss this show of a lifetime with one of the best meals you’ve ever had! Cocktails are served at 5:30 with a dinner of baked chicken & ham, garlic mashed potatoes, a seasoned vegetable medley and salad Wedding cupcakes follow at 6:00. A vegan meal option is available at the time of ticket purchase. Cocktail attire is preferred.

Meet the Wedding Party

Based on the book by Christopher King, Wendy and Wendell’s Wonderful Wacky WASP Wedding is presented and performed by Players de Noc Incorporated. Players de Noc is a community theater based in Escanaba, MI.

They’ve been producing high-quality theatrical experiences, including plays and musicals, since 1974. This 100% volunteer company prides itself on nurturing new and local talent. They believe in creating thoughtful entertainment for audiences of all ages.

Players de Noc are sponsored by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. In their 48 years, they’ve produced a diversity of shows from West Side Story to Waiting for Godot to Anatomy of a Murder. Come see why this company is such a community treasure.

You’re Cordially Invited

Wendy and Wendell’s Wonderful Wacky WASP Wedding is certain to be the gala of the season. Get your tickets today and reserve your spot at the dinner table. Seat belts optional. 

Show Details

  • Date: August 10th, 2023
  • Time: 
    • Cocktails at 5:30 pm. 
    • Dinner/Showtime at 6:00 pm
  • Location: Island Convention Center
  • Ticket Price: General Tickets $50 
    •  VIP Tickets: $75 includes a gift bag and preferred seating (limited amount available)
    • Vegan menu available upon request at the time of ticket purchase
    • Place card seating will be assigned by the venue 

Bonus edition: ACR Stormers – Clips of the Week

ACR Stormers – Twitch Clips of the Week

Yesterday, we debuted our Clips of the Week article from our ACR Stormers stream team. And since we already got such great feedback on it, we decided to follow it up with some bonus clips.

Here are five more Twitch videos along with our own personal commentary.

ACR Stormer: G.R.R.127 – www.twitch.tv/grr127127
This man has obviously had better experiences with pocket aces than I have to be singing his way to victory in a 3-way pot all-in pre flop.

ACR Stormer: Cachitodiaz16 – www.twitch.tv/edudiaz17
With this kind of celebration for winning $4.50, I’ve decided to watch every day to see what he comes up with when he wins something substantial.

ACR Stormer: OcambI4 – www.twitch.tv/ocambl4
Pretty sure someone upstairs heard him asking for a clean runout on the turn.

ACR Stormer: dayjahvu – www.twitch.tv/dayjahvue
I get why she replayed it.  I think most players can relate to wanting to put hands like these from their sessions on permanent loop while they grind.

ACR Stormer: pokerpastor – www.twitch.tv/pokerpastor
He called for that like Babe Ruth in his famous home run.

How to Play Roulette and Where You Can Find It for Free

Roulette is a casino game with an infinite number of spins.

Players bet on the outcome of the ball in the roulette wheel, or its position relative to numbers on the board or in relation to other numbers.

The game is played by placing bets with chips on various portions of the roulette table, which can correspond either to numbers, colors, or even whether the player is betting “even” or “odd”.

Roulette is a game played with a spinning wheel that has slots for placing bets. In this game, the players place their chips on the table as they choose one of the numbers or colors on the wheel. The croupier spins the wheel and then spins it again after all of the players have placed their bets.

In order to win, you have to bet on a number or color that is coming up in a random fashion under one of those two spins. You can also bet on a specific range of numbers or colors by putting your chips at the back edge of those numbers or colors. There is also an option called “outside bets” which are any other number outside of 0 and 00 that you can place your bet on.

The odds at winning roulette

Lukas “Robin Poker” Robinson Puts Cruel Beat on Jaime Staples in Sunday Party

The say you need plenty of skills and a generous helping of luck if you want to win poker tournaments, and Lukas “Robin Poker” Robinson had both in abundance this weekend. The popular Liverpudlian streamer, who once streamed playing online poker for 1,000 hours in 100 days, collared Team PartyPoker’s Jaime Staples en route to taking down the event for $13,371.

Robinson was one of 1,026 entrants in the $109 Sunday Party, our $100,000 guaranteed weekly tournament. After an intense opening day that saw the field whittled to only 16 hopefuls, Robinson found himself third in chips.

Sunday Party Day 2 Top 10 Chip Counts

Place Player Chips
1 ASAP JARDA 15,000,542
2 Charly Error 12,886,617
3 Robin Poker 12,207,563
4 Joker_James95 8,465,319
5 Phaelzin 8,045,040
6 antiZZZ 7,823,916
7 xfnd 7,728,953
8 gunfire22 6,594,920
9 persevero77 5,155,973
10 Kenny11 4,121,305

Our very own Jaime Staples was the first of the eight finalists to bust, and he did so in cruel circumstances. The hand in question started with a min-raise to 600,000 from Robinson with pocket sevens in the hole, and a cll in the cutoff from Staples holding ace-jack of clubs.

The flop landed seven-five-queen with two clubs, and both players checked its arrival. The eight of clubs on the turn completed Staples’ flush, and nudged him into the lead. Robinson bet 1,200,000, and Staples called. An offsuit five on the river improved Robinson to a full house. Robinson went into the tank for a few moments before unleashing a 3,000,000 bet. Staples pondered his options, settled on a jam, and moved all-in for 10,167,932. Robinson instantly called, busting Staples in eighth, and claiming a 24.6 million pot for good measure.

Robinson kept hold of the chip lead for most of the final table action, but he trailed “antiZZZZ” when the Sunday Party reached the heads-up stage. The eventual champion won more than his fair share of early pots, and began establishing a lead for himself.

The final hand saw Robinson limp in on the button with pocket kings, and “antiZZZZ” check their ace-four of diamonds. “antiZZZZ” check-called a bet on the seven-six-eight flop, and a chunkier bet on the seven of diamonds turn, which put two diamonds out there. The river was the king of diamond, improving “antiZZZZ” to an ace-high flush but Robinson to another full house. “antiZZZZ” checked again, Robinson bet half-pot and snap-called when his opponent moved all-in.

Sunday Party Final Table Results

Place Player Bounties Prize Total Prize
1 Lukas “Robin Poker” Robinson $7,654 $6,077 $13,731
2 antiZZZZ $2,642 $6,066 $8,708
3 Charly Error $1,007 $4,020 $5,027
4 Joker_James95 $1,269 $2,609 $3,878
5 perservero $567 $1,783 $2,350
6 ASAP JARDA $952 $1,376 $2,328
7 Phaelzin $1,326 $1,014 $2,340
8 Jaime “jaimestaples” Staples $596 $808 $1,404

“t1ltaka” Captures Sunday Carnival Title

“t1ltaka” came out on top in the latest edition of the Sunday Carnival, outlasting 1,479 opponents on their way to reeling in $4,258 of the $35,000 prize pool, making for a profitable weekend at the PartyPoker tables.

The campion-elect finished Day 1 with 16,838,036 chips, enough for second place from 16 surviving players. “t1ltaka” still had much work to do before being crowned the Sunday Carnival champion, because everyone in the top six places at the start of Day 2 were armed with eight-figure stacks.

Sunday Carnival Day 2 Top 10 Chip Counts

Place Player Chips
1 jussi1 19,706,724
2 t1ltaka 16,838,036
3 UsteckaMACHINA 16,150,660
4 omegalulz 14,443,635
5 rica_games 12,076,626
6 DaiRoKKfish72 11,426,015
7 El-Filliponn 8,940,414
8 ACEofVADERS 7,229,576
9 Jamie197833 6,459,891
10 shevadio 6,073,928

With bounty payments included, none of the finalists took home less than $434 for their $22 investment, with the top four finishers each scooping more than $1,100.

That quartet were “El-Filliponn” ($1,172), “rica_games” ($1.708), runner-up “UsteckaMACHINA” ($2,541), and your champion “t1ltaka” ($4,258.

Sunday Carnival Final Table Results

Place Player Bounties Prize Total Prize
1 t1ltaka $1,947 $2,311 $4,258
2 UsteckaMACHINA $235 $2,306 $2,541
3 rica_games $219 $1,489 $1,708
4 El-Filliponn $189 $983 $1,172
5 MF96FM $76 $668 $744
6 jussi1 $476 $510 $986
7 DaiRoKKfish72 $165 $372 $537
8 Kamie197833 $137 $297 $434

Virginia’s July Sports Betting Revenues Make It 10th State to Pass $11B in Handle

Virginia’s sports bettors totaled $293 million in wagers in July, the last traditionally quiet summer month before the kick off of the NFL season.

From that just-shy of $300 million in bets, the 16 operators saw $27 million in adjusted revenues for a hold of 11.1%, according to the latest figures from the Virginia Lottery Board.

Overall, online sportsbooks saw their handle up 10% year-on-year, but down 8.8% on June’s $325 million in total wagers.

Tax Implications and Revenue Distribution

Virginia’s sports betting regulations mandate a 15% tax on the total AGR. For July, this translated to a tax revenue that was 4.3% higher than June, and a significant 25.6% increase compared to July 2022.

The distribution of this tax revenue is split between the state’s general fund (97.5%) and the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund Allocation (2.5%). For July, the general fund received an allocation of $4 million, while the Problem Gambling fund was allocated $102,880.45.

In comparison, June’s tax revenue saw the general fund receiving $3,841,208.48 and the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund Allocation getting $98,492.53, totaling $3.9 million. Cumulatively, for 2023, Virginia sports betting has generated impressive tax revenue exceeding $38.5 million.

Online sports betting dominated retail betting in Virginia in July, as is reflected nationally. However, despite — or maybe because of — being the state’s sole retail book, Hard Rock Bet at the temporary Hard Rock Bristol Casino did quite well. It accounted for 1.1% of the total handle, with $2.162 million in bets wagered during the month.

Operators and New Entrants

The Virginia Lottery’s report for July highlighted that 12 of the state’s sportsbook operators reported a net positive AGR, contributing to a total tax payment of $4.1 million. The remaining four operators, which reported negative AGRs, did not contribute to the tax revenue for the month.

Other than that, the state regulator does not reveal operator-by-operator statistics. Nationally, FanDuel and DraftKings dominate the scene, so a similar trend could be expected in Virginia.

One operator who won’t have been in July’s report, but will be in September’s future release, is Jake Paul- backed sportsbook Betr. The microbetting-focused sportsbook app finally debuted in Virginia this week after securing a license six months ago.

Its launch was delayed after regulators questioned why Paul didn’t declare an ongoing Securities and Exchange Commission filing against him at the time Betr was granted a license. The Lottery Board subsequently fined Betr $25,000.

It will be hoping its launch in Virginia won’t see it join one of the four sportsbooks that reported a negative AGR for the month. However, based on its last-place performance in Paul’s home state of Ohio in July, it could be tough for the new market entrant.

There are currently no more license slots for online sportsbooks in Virginia. But at least one more (and potentially two more) retail betting spaces could open up in 2024. Caesars Entertainment’s high-performing temporary venue in Danville will be replaced by a permanent Caesars Virginia Resort with an on-site Caesars Sportsbook next year, and a long-planned casino in state capital Richmond is also slated to feature a sportsbook.

CEP Main Shatters Records as PokerStars EPT Barcelona Kicks Off

 

With a groundbreaking turnout of nearly 2000 contenders, the CEP Main Event has shattered records and ignited excitement.

The conclusion of the PokerStars-sponsored Campeonato España de Poker (CEP) tour in Barcelona marked a significant milestone, with the CEP Main Event drawing an astounding crowd of nearly 2000 entries. This unprecedented turnout has set the stage for the upcoming prestigious European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona, while tax-related concerns loom and expectations of record-breaking participation abound.

The CEP Main Event, which featured a €550 buy-in, attracted a record-breaking 1960 players. This accomplishment solidified the Main Event’s position as the largest in CEP history, surpassing the previous record set four years prior with 1773 registrations. The surge in participation reflects an impressive growth of nearly 50% compared to the previous year’s event.

Held at Casino Barcelona from August 11, the 2023 CEP Barcelona stop experienced strong turnouts, despite uncertainties stemming from recent tax changes in Spain.

The trend of robust participation was evident from the outset of the CEP, with various events reporting exceptional attendance. The opening event, with a €330 entry fee, witnessed 822 entries—almost double the attendance of the previous year’s edition. Similarly, the Mini Main Event, featuring a €200 buy-in, saw 786 participants, marking a significant 30% increase compared to the previous year.

The culmination of this enthusiasm was the Main Event’s remarkable achievement, resulting in a total prize pool of €854,560 across its five Day 1s.

The CEP festival aligns with a broader global trend of increased interest in live poker events. From the World Series of Poker (WSOP) to regional events in Europe and Asia, record-breaking attendance is becoming the norm, underscoring the undeniable demand for live poker experiences.

With the CEP chapter coming to a close, attention now shifts to the highly anticipated European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona.

Commencing on August 21, the PokerStars LIVE Estrellas Poker Tour (ESPT) commenced, serving as an integral part of the main EPT festival.

EPT Barcelona, a cornerstone of PokerStars’ European destinations, is renowned for attracting substantial crowds. The city’s rich poker history dates back to 2004, hosting significant stops of the European Poker Tour. Last year, both the ESPT and EPT Main Events set attendance records, with the €5300 EPT Main Event becoming the largest-ever in EPT history, drawing 2294 players.

However, this year’s EPT Barcelona faces a unique challenge due to recent tax changes in Spain. These alterations impose taxes on poker players’ winnings, affecting both local and international participants, irrespective of their professional or recreational status.

While European Union players face a 19% tax rate, non-EU players contend with a higher 24% rate. This change in tax classification has raised concerns and uncertainty among players about the sustainability of EPT Barcelona’s historically impressive turnouts.

Nevertheless, the record-breaking attendance during the CEP festival provides assurance, suggesting another prosperous EPT Barcelona edition on the horizon.

Running from August 21, the EPT Barcelona series features the prestigious €5300 EPT Main Event scheduled from August 27 to September 3. Online satellites on the PokerStars platform have already begun, with buy-ins starting as low as €5.50.

 

 

Saratoga: A single for the $251,590 Pick 6 carryover

A quarter of a million dollars. That’s the approximate size of the non-jackpot Pick 6 carryover up for grabs on Sunday at Saratoga.

No one assembled a winning ticket for the $1 wager on Friday or Saturday, resulting in a double carryover worth $251,590, to be precise. And truth be told, there’s a chance no one will uncover the winning combination on Sunday either.

After all, Sunday’s card is an absolute beast to handicap. If you want to chase a huge payoff, here’s your chance, because the Pick 6 sequence contains a staggering 79 horses (averaging over 13 per race) and 4,608,000 possible outcomes before scratches. Even once you account for the fact 15 horses are also-eligibles and a few others are coupled in the betting, there’s still a huge number of potential Pick 6 outcomes to analyze.

Finding a single is pretty much a prerequisite if you want to play a competitive ticket on a modest budget. Singles aren’t easy to come by in a Pick 6 this deep, but there’s a viable possibility in Race 9, the Spinaway (G1) for two-year-old fillies dashing seven furlongs on dirt.

A field of 10 has been entered, and you might assume #9 Brightwork (5-2) is the single we have in mind since she’s 3-for-3 with a blowout victory in Saratoga’s Adirondack (G3) to her credit. But we’re going in a different direction, throwing our support behind #8 Ways and Means (7-5).

On the same day that Brightwork won the Adirondack, Ways and Means was a spectacular winner of a six-furlong maiden special weight at Saratoga. The Chad Brown trainee settled in midpack early on before seizing command and finishing fast to obliterate her rivals by 12 3/4 lengths in the fast time of 1:10.51.

Ways and Means is a daughter of Practical Joke, an early-maturing Brown trainee who won Saratoga’s Hopeful (G1) on Labor Day weekend. And the dam of Ways and Means is Strong Incentive, whose previous foals include the Brown-trained juvenile stakes winner Highly Motivated. Clearly Ways and Means has the pedigree to excel from an early age.

All this is a way of saying that Ways and Means looks like a two-year-old star in the making. If she improves upon her debut performance (which isn’t out of the question since Brown wins at a lofty 27% rate with last-out maiden winners), her Spinaway rivals may be running for second place. That’s why we’re willing to single Ways and Means in the Pick 6.

Good luck!

The 6 Best & New Zimpler Casinos Without an Account in 2023

Zimpler is a mobile payment method that allows users to make instant payments using their mobile phone. It is a Swedish-based fintech company that was founded in 2012 and has since become popular in the online gambling industry as an instant banking payment method.

Zimpler allows users to make deposits and withdrawals to their online casino accounts quickly and easily, and without the need for a credit card. It is a safe and secure payment method that uses encryption technology to protect users’ personal and financial information.

Zimpler is available in several countries in Europe (especially in Sweden and Germany), and is widely accepted at the top no-account casinos, which allow players to play casino games and place bets without a need to register an account.

In this article, we’re going to list the best and new online casinos that are currently accepting Zimpler payments. So, without further introductions, here are the top Zimpler casinos.

Betinia Casino is accepting Zimpler deposits

Betinia Casino is an online casino launched in 2020 that offers a wide range of casino games, including video slots, table games, live dealer games, and sports betting.

The casino is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and offers games from a variety of popular software providers, including NetEnt, Microgaming, and Evolution Gaming.

Betinia Casino also has a VIP program for loyal players and offers various bonuses and promotions to its users, new and existing. The casino supports multiple payment methods, including credit cards, e-wallets, and Zimpler instant bank transfers to provide players with convenient and fast transactions (deposits and withdrawals).

Nomini Casino is an online casino that was launched in 2019. It is owned and operated by Araxio Development N.V., a company based in Curacao.

The casino offers a wide variety of games, including slots, table games, and live casino games, from some of the top software providers in the industry. Players can also enjoy a range of bonuses and promotions, including a welcome bonus, weekly reload bonuses, and cashback offers.

Nomini Casino is licensed and regulated by the Government of Curacao. The casino also has a mobile-friendly platform, allowing players to access their favorite games on the go.

The casino is accepting several payment methods, including direct bank transfer with Zimpler, credit and debit cards, as well as popular e-wallets like Skrill, Revolut, and Neteller.

BankonBet is an exciting online casino and sportsbook boasting a large range of games, promotions and features that will keep players on the edge of their seats with every bet they place.

Users can find thousands of pre-match and live sporting events that give them an opportunity to win big while supporting their favorite teams in an array of different sporting events.

This operator also has a casino superb offering, with an ever-expanding list of casino games at the click of a button. Players will be impressed at the variety of activities that they can enjoy on the platform in a matter of minutes using Zimpler and other payment methods.

Kanuuna Casino is an online casino that caters to Estonian players. The casino offers a wide selection of games, including video slots, table games, live casino games, and jackpot games.

It is operated by the reputable company SkillOnNet Ltd and holds a license from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. Kanuuna Casino focuses on providing a user-friendly and immersive gaming experience for Zimpler deposits, featuring games from renowned software providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, Hacksaw Gaming, and Evolution Gaming.

The casino also offers various promotions and bonuses, including a welcome bonus for new players. It supports multiple payment methods and provides customer support in Estonia to ensure a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for its players.

Boost Casino is an online casino that was established in 2020. The casino is owned and operated by Ninja Global Ltd, a reputable company in the iGaming industry.

Boost Casino offers a wide range of games, including video slots, table games, and live casino games, from popular software providers such as NetEnt, Microgaming, and Play’n GO.

The casino aims to provide a fast and streamlined gaming experience, with a focus on simplicity and user-friendly features like Trustly and Zimpler BankID payments.

Boost Casino also offers various promotions and bonuses, including a welcome bonus for new players, free spins, and cashback offers. The casino is licensed and regulated by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board, ensuring a safe and secure environment for players.

Additionally, Boost Casino supports multiple payment methods and provides reliable customer support to assist players with any inquiries or issues they may have.

Ninja Casino is an online casino that was established in 2016. It is operated by the company NinjaGlobal Ltd and holds a license from the Estonian Tax & Customs Board.

Ninja Casino stands out from traditional online casinos by offering a unique and innovative approach to gaming. It is known for its “Pay and Play” feature, which allows players to deposit funds and start playing instantly without the need for traditional registration or account creation.

Instead, players can log in using their BankID or Zimpler’s Pay N Play service, which verifies their identity and allows for seamless transactions.

Ninja Casino offers a variety of games, including slots, table games, and live casino games, from top software providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, and Play’n GO. The casino emphasizes simplicity, security, and fast gameplay. It is available for players in several countries.

Online gambling using the Zimpler payment method is pretty straightforward. Simply select a Zimpler-accepting casino on this list, and click the ‘Deposit’ button. No registration is needed.

Casinos that accept Zimpler payments are all licensed and regulated by a top-tier entity. So you’re in safe hands. Although Zimpler is not available in many countries, those who can access it can enjoy super fast gaming and instant withdrawals.

With Zimpler, you don’t need to manually register an account, and this is why most of the Zimpler-powered casinos are called “no registration casinos“. To use Zimpler as a payment method, you’ll need to have online banking credentials available for supported banks. Zimpler is currently accepting payments from over 96 different banks around Europe.

Overall, Zimpler is one of the most secured and fastest way to start real money gambling at online casinos. It allow players to make instant deposit without a need to register an account, and withdraw winnings back to their back accounts in real-time.

Betsafe Expands to Kenya

With an established presence in more than 20 countries, Betsafe has finally made their sports betting experience available in Africa. The step was made through their Kenyan subsidiary; bet High Kenya LTD.

Betsafe has proven its dedication to football through its three-year-long sponsorship agreement with Kenya’s top-tier football clubs, Gor Mahia FC and AFC Leopards. This deal enabled them to touch base with Kenya’s most passionate football fans, to whom they will be able to provide their well-known range of betting experience. 

Alex Kobia, Acting Managing Director of BetHigh Ltd. puts emphasis on the fact that this launch is not only to provide the best possible sports betting experience, but to also serve as the industry standard for safe and responsible gaming.

Given that they are entering the market at such a crucial time for the Keynan Government and its new regulations for the industry, Betsafe is aware of the importance of safe betting. In light of the fresh efforts made with the help of the Betting Control and Licensing Board, Betsafe noted that they “will strictly adhere and fully support the Regulator in its objective of ensuring responsible gaming.”

A Unique Product Launch backed up by the two top-tier football clubs

Having that end goal in mind of providing the best service in the country, they have worked hard to tailor their product to the Kenyan market and their future users. Considering relatively low smartphone penetration in Kenya, most bettors still use basic phones, where SMS betting remains a popular and convenient way for placing bets. This is why Betsafe Kenya enables customers to place bets via SMS without the need for a gameID. The wager and stake can be set by simply texting #23333, and can be cancelled within a certain timeframe should the bettor change their mind. 

Fast payouts are a critical feature for both Betsafe and their customers, which is why they will do everything they can to ensure this is something that their customers can always count on.

Looking forward, in the span of a few months, they also aim to introduce and release several other new features, such as jackpots.  

In addition to providing Kenyans with the unique experience of online betting, the operator of Bet High Kenya Ltd. stated for CH that they plan to hire 150 employees during the upcoming 24-month period.

Alex Kobia’s final say on the launch was, “In essence, our ambition is to deliver a trustworthy product with safe and quick pay-outs, innovative betting services, passion, and commitment to Kenyan football, responsible gaming, and outstanding customer support.”

The 5 Best Poker Destinations in the World

But where should you go? You could try the old “spin a globe” or “throw a dart at a map” trick, but why do that when you can get expert insight into the best poker destinations in the world?

Depending on your location, some of these may be slightly beyond your bankroll, but there are plenty of places to play around the world, so we’re sure that you’ll find somewhere within your reach. The top destinations recognized around the world for their affinity for poker are:

  • Las Vegas, Nevada – United States
  • Macau – China
  • Monte Carlo – Monaco
  • Rozvadov & Prague – Czech Republic
  • United Kingdom

Las Vegas, Nevada – United States

Las Vegas Pond and view of landscape

To the surprise of absolutely no one, the first destination on our list is the fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. Home of the World Series of Poker, Las Vegas is considered a holy city amongst gamblers, and every poker player must make a pilgrimage to the famous city at least once in their life.

Located in the state of Nevada in the southwest of the United States, it’s a top vacation destination for poker players with dozens of poker rooms to enjoy. There are a number of hotels located on and off the Strip, with many casinos hosting their own poker room – allowing you to stay in the comforts of your hotel.

If you want to stretch your legs and look elsewhere, many players recommend the Golden Nugget or the Aria as two of the best poker rooms in the city.

Vegas is busy all year round, so no matter what time of the year you visit, you’ll be sure to find plenty of action. The World Series of Poker runs in the heart of Las Vegas every summer, so if you want the best chance of rubbing elbows with your poker heroes, we’d recommend taking a trip during the Series.

Macau – China

Macau China view of the city at night

Once described as the next Las Vegas, Macau has arguably become the gambling capital of the world, with millions of people flocking to it every year. It receives a large number of visitors from mainland China, where the laws around gambling are much stricter than those of Macau.

Those of you who have been to Vegas will find a lot of the hotels in Macau to be familiar, as they have their own Venetian Hotel, MGM Hotel, Wynn Hotel, and Rio Hotel! If you’re looking for the best place to play poker, we’d recommend either the City of Dreams, The Wynn, or The Venetian, as they’re the casinos best known for their poker rooms.

However, if you’re going to play poker in Macau, make sure you bring plenty of cash, as the lowest stakes in many casinos are $25/$50HKD, which is around $3/$6USD.

This is definitely a destination for the big spenders amongst you.

Monte Carlo – Monaco

Famous building in Monte Carlo

Another location popular with high rollers is the principality of Monaco. Seen by many as one of the most glamorous places on Earth, you’ll be surrounded by expensive yachts and high-end supercars, but the destination has a considerable amount of history to enjoy as well.

The iconic Monte Carlo Casino was founded in the mid-19th century by Monaco royalty. While the casino has gone through a number of redesigns and relocations over the years, the end result is absolutely stunning, with the renowned architect of the Paris Opera House designing the world-famous architecture.

While many of you will know the Monte Carlo Casino as one of James Bond’s favorite destinations, it’s also home to the Grand Final of the European Poker Tour, with thousands of players from across Europe descending on the principality every year.

Despite being best known as a tax haven for millionaires, there’s a surprising number of low-stakes games, making it the perfect destination for people of all bankroll sizes.

Rozvadov & Prague – Czech Republic

Prague, Czech Republic view of the city

The small town of Rozvadov on the Czech border may not seem like a likely destination at first glance, but it’s home to the biggest poker casino in Europe with over 200 tables! King’s Casino Rozvadov has been built-up by well-known businessman and high-stakes poker player Leon Tsoukernik – a regular player in some of the biggest televised games in the world.

The casino is host to a number of poker festivals throughout the year, and over the last few years has played host to WSOP Europe, as well as multiple partypoker, WPT, and Eureka Poker Tour events. If tournaments aren’t your thing, then don’t worry, as there are dozens of cash game tables available every day, with tables for all bankrolls.

There’s even a four-star hotel on-site, giving you the perfect place to relax after a hard day’s grinding.

However, if you want a little more vacation mixed into your poker vacation, then Prague might be more your speed. Located just a couple of hours from Rozvadov, the Czech capital has a thriving poker scene, with a number of hotels hosting regular poker games. Prague is also home to the second biggest EPT event of the year (behind Barcelona), and is a great location for players of all stake levels.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom

With so many fantastic poker venues available across the UK, it’s hard to pin down an exact location to visit! Of course, London has a bustling poker scene, with plenty of casinos within walking/Uber-ing distance of each other in the heart of the capital. The Hippodrome Casino is one of the best-looking casinos around and is a great place to play cash games, and just up the road, you have The Empire Casino, another place with plenty of cash game action.

There’s no shortage of places to play in London, with the Grosvenor Victoria Casino (locally known as The Vic), Aspers Casino, and Genting Casino all hosting dozens of cash game tables as well as a number of low-stakes tournaments.

If you want to travel somewhere a little cheaper than London, we’d recommend Nottingham – a small city around three hours north of London and home to the Dusk Till Dawn poker room. Owned and operated by Rob Yong, Dusk Till Dawn is the ultimate UK destination for poker players with hundreds of tables available. They offer a variety of cash games and tournaments each day and regularly host large events with huge prizes on offer.

Speaking of huge prizes, every year The Goliath poker tournament runs at the G Casino in Coventry – for £150, you get a shot to win a share of an over £1 million prize pool. Over the course of a week, the Goliath Poker Festival offers the biggest like poker tournament outside of Vegas, as well as a number of other tournaments and plenty of cash games for low-stakes players and high rollers.

There’s always something happening in the UK, so no matter what time of the year you come over, there’ll be a game waiting for you.

Summary

One of the great things about poker is that it’s enjoyed by millions of people all over the world. While these are some of the top poker destinations, there are thousands of other places around the world where you can enjoy this fantastic game. So, the next time you feel the grind of your regular poker room getting you down, consider taking a poker vacation!

Investigating the limitations of the UK’s fraud strategy.

We sit down with the financial crime trainer and apprenticeship coach to discuss why he left the police force, how criminal investigations have changed over time, the importance of education and accountability in an anti-fraud strategy, and why he would never become a KYC specialist.

Paul Stratton has always wanted to be a police officer. In fact, during a recent house clean-up, his wife discovered a childhood picture of Paul and his brother dressed up as characters from ‘Chips’ (an 80’s TV show about two motorcycle officers from the California Highway Patrol).  

However, after 22 years of working for Merseyside Police, including almost four years in the Fraud Unit, Paul knew he had to leave. 

“It got to the point where I was struggling with the lack of team ethos and internal politics. Before moving to the Fraud Unit, I was investigating domestic abuse, violent crimes, and sexual offences, and was starting to feel like an Uber driver, where the next job would just pop up in my inbox. I just didn’t have time to follow up as much as I wanted to with the people I had helped and that always bothered me. 

“Victim care is something that the police talk a lot about and I think it’s just become a soundbite. I don’t think we are doing as well as we could with victim care in certain areas of policing, and it frustrated me to just follow up with phone calls.” 

Little wonder then, that Paul left the police to pursue a career in fraud and financial crime training and raising awareness of the harm of fraud.  

The importance of education, accountability, and tangible messaging in the battle against fraud was a recurring theme in our discussion, as Paul believes a lack of consistent education – to the public, to the police, and the wider public sector – is a significant issue in the UK’s fight against fraud attacks. These rates, Paul believes, will not go down until that education gap is filled. 

Referring to the UK’s recently-released fraud strategy, Paul said: 

You can create the best strategy in the world, but it’ll just collect cyber dust unless there’s tangible messaging that is shared with the public. There’s no real messaging, and that’s where I fear it’ll fail.

Paul Stratton, financial crime trainer and apprenticeship coach.

“We can’t hold departments accountable because, besides the general aim to reduce fraud by 10% by 2025, there are no specific figures [that they wish to hit] or how they’re going to do it, and no one knows what they’re tangibly supposed to be doing. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak set out his five priorities for 2023, and, like them or not, they are clear, so why aren’t we doing something similar with the UK’s fraud strategy?” 

In this interview, we discuss everything from Paul’s skepticism regarding the strategy’s 400 promised new fraud officers, why he hates words like ‘scams’, ‘white collar crime’, and ‘money mules’, and why we’re still probably one or two generations away from fully recognizing the impact of social media and acting upon the dangers of online crime.

From detective at Merseyside Police to fraud specialist at Liverpool City Council, and currently, a full-time fraud apprenticeship coach and fraud and financial crime trainer, why the career change, and what are the main differences and similarities in roles, if any?

I spent 22 years with Merseyside Police, and never wanted to leave, in fact I still consider myself police, but I had to leave as I knew there had to be something better out there. Somewhere where a work/life balance is achievable.   

I brought the same principles and work ethic into my role at Liverpool City Council. In fact, it was working at the Council where I learned the most about fraud, corruption, bribery, conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality, social media, KYC, and all the other typical red flags you look out for in police investigations. 

What did a typical day look like at Liverpool County Council?

I oversaw the Whistle Blowing process, reviewing, and allocating cases, and I was the lead investigator for all allegations of internal fraud and potential criminal activity. I was also part of the council’s effective Due Diligence Group and developed the council’s new Fighting Fraud & Corruption Together strategy. 

In 2020-2021, Liverpool City Council received a lot of bad press due to claims of widespread corruption, which led to numerous police investigations and government intervention.

I started my role just after the controversy started, so a lot of my work was focused on trying to bring Liverpool City Council to a point where there was that awareness of fraud and best practices. So, I would work virtually every day on building and delivering educational and engaging training sessions.  

We talk a lot about anti-fraud culture, and counter-fraud culture – that’s a phrase that’s bandied around. But anti-fraud culture is a difficult thing to achieve, as that would mean everybody knows about fraud, and how to prevent it and protect themselves from it.

What led you to leave the Council and launch your fraud and financial crime training and consultancy business?

It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I am committed to providing quality training to delegates. Long gone are the days when trainers could just sit in front of a PowerPoint and talk for an hour. It must be immersive, with tasks, real-life examples, and problem-solving sessions. People want, need, and deserve more. This is especially true in the public sector, where there’s very little money to train people, so when a trainer does come in, it’s vital they deliver the best learning they can.

How have criminal investigations and intelligence operations changed in the two-plus decades since you began?

Since I started, back in 1998, it’s changed dramatically. For example, when I joined there was very little education on evidence-gathering at a scene, but now, with technology, recruits are even receiving Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) and social media training. 

Whether it’s over Facebook (which it inevitably is), or Instagram or Twitter, investigators need to know and understand how to secure digital evidence. That’s where a lot of the crime exists now. It’s not in person anymore – it’s online.

Would you say the perception of fraud has changed over the years?

Yes and no. When I started in the police, the Fraud Unit, which was called the Cheque and Fraud Wing, would only deal with cases of a certain amount; it had to be of high value for them to even become involved. 

Some police forces, like Merseyside Police, have now shifted to harm-based assessments, where they look at the harm caused by fraud. Yes, the monetary amount is important, but it’s not everything.

Paul Stratton, financial crime trainer and apprenticeship coach.

For example, £1 million in losses to a huge organization is a speed bump in relation to a single parent losing £500 in a month and being unable to pay the rent. You see this with romance frauds, where people lose everything.  

I think the perception of fraud can be too rarefied; we think ‘fraud’, we think “white collar crime,” and it’s a phrase I can’t stand, because many equate “white collar crime” with a business crime. 

The last suspect I ever interviewed before I left the police was a young lad involved in a gang that were dealing drugs and other types of criminal activities like selling fake Liverpool and Everton tickets. And they were doing all that through a bank account they’d created with the name of a vulnerable neighbor, and had done it horrifically easily at the time. There are increasing numbers of gangs moving into fraud and money laundering now.

What are your thoughts on the UK’s recently-released fraud strategy? Do you think it goes far enough, and is dedicating resources in the right place?

I think anything that looks at reducing fraud is a good thing. However, [in the strategy] there are a lot of new names for old teams, and reinventing the wheel somewhat, but that’s often law enforcement’s way. We go from priority to priority. You won’t have a burglary team for two years, but then you have a huge burglary problem, so you assemble a burglary squad and solve that problem, then move onto something else. Such is the lack of resources to specialize in everything at once. 

One of the things that I’m skeptical about is the government’s pledge to get 400 new specialist investigators. I don’t think these can be existing police officers, as no police force has enough staff to do what they need to do right now. So, I’m not sure where any new fraud specialists are going to come from, and whether they’re going to be trained or not. 

I also don’t think the fraud strategy factors in the educational component. The strategy may be on gov.uk, but are people seeing it in any kind of usable format? 

Are we doing enough education-wise with the public? I can’t ever remember seeing an advert on fraud prevention from the government. I see adverts about giving to charity and how people can spend money, but I don’t see adverts on how people can protect their money.

In the Foreword to the strategy, Home Secretary, Suella Braverman spoke of the need for coordinated collaboration between the police, the public and private sectors, as well as allies abroad. In your opinion, what is the most important component of a successful fraud strategy? Conversely, what hinders or can negatively impact the strategy, or a fraud investigation?

Intelligence sharing between the public and private sector and international arena is nothing new. The fact that, in 2023, we’re still talking about better intelligence sharing shows how far behind we are. From an investigator’s point of view, the mechanisms already exist for effective intel sharing. We have the National Crime Agency, which does a lot for police forces when they’re investigating abroad. 

For example, if I was investigating bank accounts or looking to get an IP address, we have Financial Intelligence Units that can act in the international arena. We have the Financial Action Task Force for money laundering.  

We need to look at how this affects investigators, and how we can make their jobs easier.  

I know they’ve assigned an MP (Member of Parliament) with the role of Anti-Fraud Champion [Anthony Browne, MP], which is fantastic, but I think it needs to be more effective than just naming someone a champion. Is giving this role to one MP enough? How is he going to do that amongst his constituency work, and other responsibilities? (Read more about the UK’s Anti-Fraud Champion, Anthony Browne here). 

Fraud accounts for 40% of all crime, 80% of that fraud is cyber. If this was burglary (or firearms), I can guarantee there’d be more press, and people would understand what steps the government is taking, and people would be more educated.

Paul Stratton, financial crime trainer and apprenticeship coach.

But, for some reason, fraud is just not considered as severe. It’s almost perceived as a sort of invisible crime, where a lot of victims may report it but be too embarrassed to tell people about it.

For example, with romance fraud, many people may think the victim has brought it on themselves and should have been wiser. 

I don’t like the term ‘money mules’; I call them money movers. I also don’t like the word ‘scam,’ people do not ‘fall for scams.’ They are defrauded by criminals. 

People may have a lack of empathy when they hear “falling for a scam,” and think how could they send £500 pounds to someone they’ve never met? Well, that’s the way of the world now – that’s how we meet people in 2023. We’ve moved on; we’re probably one or two generations away from a full understanding of the impact of social media. 

People now spend their lives online; on LinkedIn, on Instagram, everything’s done over email, if someone even rings you now, you think there’s a problem.   

I think it’s the same with fraud and understanding the full effects of it. I don’t think we’re going to get over the “How could they fall for that scam” for a couple of generations because people just think, “Well, I met my partner in person or I still bank in branch,” and it doesn’t work like that. Those days are gone. 

It’s for the same reason that people don’t like to be called “victims.” In the police, we call them complainants because they are complaining about a crime. 

Words matter.  

Apparently, just 1% of police resources are dedicated to tackling fraud, despite fraud accounting for 40% of all crime in the UK.  Why do you think fraud is such a neglected area?

Action Fraud has had a lot of bad press, and I don’t think people actually understand what they do. Not to diminish their work at all, but Action Fraud is like a call center and data warehouse. People call up and make a complaint; they’re not staffed by experts, or detectives or fraud experts.  

What hinders the effectiveness of Action Fraud is that we don’t tell people what Action Fraud is or manage people’s expectations enough to say that the complaint may not be investigated. So, when they get a letter a few weeks later, saying that the complaint is not being investigated, with no explanation, it’s tough. Whether it’s £50 or £5 million, you deserve a reason why the suspected crime isn’t being investigated, and you would get that if you were assaulted, for example. [Action Fraud will be replaced in Q2, 2024 with a new division. Read more about how it fits into the UK’s wider fraud revamp here.]

Mind the education gap? Investigating the limitations of the UK’s fraud strategy, with ex-police officer, Paul Stratton. 1
Paul Stratton and his little brother dressed up as characters from the hit 80’s TV show, Chips.

Apparently, just 1% of police resources are dedicated to tackling fraud, despite fraud accounting for 40% of all crime in the UK.  Was that your experience when you were working in the police? Why do you think fraud was such a neglected area?

Action Fraud has had a lot of bad press, and I don’t think people actually understand what they do. Not to diminish their work at all, but Action Fraud is like a call center and data warehouse. People call up and make a complaint; they’re not staffed by experts, or detectives or fraud experts.  

What hinders the effectiveness of Action Fraud is that we don’t tell people what Action Fraud is or manage people’s expectations enough to say that the complaint may not be investigated. So, when they get a letter a few weeks later, saying that the complaint is not being investigated, with no explanation, it’s tough. Whether it’s £50 or £5 million, you deserve a reason why the suspected crime isn’t being investigated, and you would get that if you were assaulted, for example. [Action Fraud will be replaced in Q2, 2024 with a new division. Read more about how it fits into the UK’s wider fraud revamp here.]

And that understandably has an impact on future reporting habits?

Of course, people just won’t bother reporting fraud. For years, victim support has been around the physical: assaults, sexual offenses, murders. But what do we do for people suffering financial and emotional loss because of romance fraud? Not enough. 

What most hinders an investigation, however, are the low numbers of staff, and inadequate training. Officers, detectives, and investigators all need to be trained, whether that’s in document fraud, cybercrime, or how to find an IP address from an email. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in the public sector, with local authorities. Although this is being changed with the recent Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship.

I suppose if complainants believe they are unlikely to receive any of the stolen funds back, then this would also have a knock-on effect in reporting rates?

Yes, you’re right, the ease with which Proceeds of Crime (stolen funds) can be moved around into multiple bank accounts is scary.  A lot of people may think that if it’s only £100, they won’t report it, because they’re not going to get their money back, and it’s more effort than it’s worth.  

Once that money is spent, even if the perpetrator is caught, it’s very difficult to get it back. 

Let’s say the perpetrator resides in the UK, and you get them, the likelihood is they’re doing it for a reason: because they have no money or they’re greedy, so they’ll just spend it. It may not bother them if they get convicted, because they’re not going to get a job where they need a DBS check anyway. 

Regardless of how much money has been lost, that shouldn’t necessarily factor into the decision to a) report it, and b) investigate it. We must look at harm. Unfortunately, currently, Action Fraud just does not do that.

The fraud strategy has earmarked £100 million for additional police resources. Is that enough?

No, it’s not; we lose millions of pounds every day to fraud. Again, it’s not the amount, it’s where it’s going.  

Putting maybe one more detective into a fraud squad will take the pressure off, and really help get more positive outcomes, but I think there needs to be real education, and refresher courses on, for example, the blockchain. Can some of the money be used to procure external services, and bring someone in to talk about it? We just don’t know. Can we bring experts in to help the police with investigations, because we don’t know everything.  

Of course, there’s a balance to strike, and you don’t want to saturate people with information on fraud and get people scared. Perhaps the best approach would be to properly publicize new fraud initiatives that show how the money is being used. Help teachers get training on fraud prevention, train doctors in how to deal with the mental health ramifications of fraud.

Education is a recurring theme, as is responsibility. Responsibility of the government to educate people, responsibility of victims to report complaints. What about companies and service providers, where does the responsibility lie there? What role will technology, and in particular KYC and identity verification services, play in the future of fraud prevention?

They bear a huge responsibility, don’t they? Having recently been onboarded by a company, it’s all completely digital now, isn’t it? One of the cases I dealt with before I left the police was with a new online bank, where a lot of criminals were using their friends’ photographs, passports and licenses to open bank accounts. 

Knowing Your Customer (KYC) is everything really. And, it’s not just knowing your customer, it’s knowing your applicants, and knowing your staff. It’s having all these things in place, especially in recruitment, as document fraud is rampant, so it’s a huge responsibility. 

You’ll have KYC specialists in banks, but what about the public sector and other private companies? In recruitment, for example, you’re relying on recruitment staff – are they getting the training they need? Are they all aware of the threats of fraud? Do they understand what KYC is?  

I can only speak from the public sector, but the public sector and local authorities can learn a huge amount from banks and a huge amount from the private sector. 

From a fraud investigator’s point of view, I think it’s going to get harder and harder, because long gone are the days where an applicant or consumer must come to a business, and if you’re opening a bank account nowadays, it’ll be online, and you don’t have to see anyone. 

I don’t envy KYC staff – let’s put it that way. It’s not a job I’d like to do; there’s a lot of risk on their shoulders to develop, keep themselves regularly updated.  

In this technological age, it’s also important to remember that fraud is about people as much as it’s about AI and machine learning. Someone must press that button at the start, and someone must be a victim at the end.

If you’re interested in more insights from industry insiders and thought leaders, check out one of our interviews from our Fintech Spotlight Interview series below.

By

Mind the education gap? Investigating the limitations of the UK’s fraud strategy, with ex-police officer, Paul Stratton. 2

Jody Houton
Content Manager at IDnow
Connect with Jody on LinkedIn

Euro 2024 Odds: Betting Predictions and Picks

Euro 2024 will be held in Germany from June 14 to July 14, 2024. We’re in the early stages of qualifications with no more than two games being played per side.

In total 24 will participate in the tournament, and 23 of those sides will come through the qualification process. As hosts, Germany automatically qualifies. 

We’re a year out from one of soccer’s most important tournaments – and with lots of qualifying matches left to play – but let’s take an early look at the odds board and who’s favored to win.

Odds to Win 2024 Euro

Odds to win Euro 2024
Team Odds
France +500
Germany +550
England +600
Spain +750
Portugal +1000
Belgium +1200
Italy +1200
Netherlands +1400
Denmark +2000
Croatia +3500

Odds as of June 13

Why Is France Favored to Win Euro 2024?

On an international level, the French are the second-best side. Les Bleus were runners-up at the 2022 World Cup. On that World Cup journey in Qatar, France took out some strong European opponents.

They bested Denmark 2-1 in the group stage (the Danish hold the ninth-best Euro odds), Poland in the Round of 16 by a score of 3-1 (Poland is at +5000 for Euro 2024) and then France dispatched the English 2-1 in the Quarter-Finals (England is third on Euro odds board).

Through the short qualification period, France is 2-0-0 with a +5 goal differential while keeping two clean sheets with wins over Ireland and the Netherlands. 

Star power is another big factor to consider, and the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge have the biggest star of them all in Kylian Mbappe. The PSG forward has no flaws in his game and dominates at every level. 

In Qatar, Mbappe scored the most goals (8), lead the tournament in goal-creating actions with 11 (five more than the next best-player) and was third for goal-creating actions per 90 (1.74). When it comes to unlocking a game there’s no better player in Europe or even the world than Mbappe.

Euro 2024 Value 

France enters the tournament as slight favorites, what sides have greater value and have a chance to win instead of the favorites?

Germany

The hosts are just behind France on the oddsboard at +550. Because of their host status, we don’t have any sense of the form their in. They haven’t played any games because they don’t need to qualify.

If not for a shock 2-1 loss to Japan in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, Germany would have likely gone much further. They bounced back from that defeat to the Blue Samurai with a 1-1 draw with a strong Spanish side before dismantling Costa Rica 4-2 to close out their tournament. 

The Germans will hope that youngster Jamal Musiala builds off a strong World Cup where he was credited with 7.67 shot-creating actions per 90 and an even better 22-23 Bundesliga campaign where he scored 12 goals and had ten assists for Bayern in his 19-year-old season. The kid is only going to get much better.

England

The English are the top-ranked side in Group C of Euro qualifiers with wins over Ukraine (2-0) and Italy (2-1).

Gareth Southgate’s side is winning games they should (against Ukraine) and those where they’re second best (vs Italy). Against the Azzurri, England only had 42% of the possession and 42% of the shots, they even went down a man in the 80th minute thanks to a Luke Shaw red card and still won 2-1. 

With Southgate’s contract over in December of 2024, this will likely be his final major tournament. His sides have come close to glory a few times but never won a title. Sadly for the three lions, their returns have been diminishing for the last few years.

England Under Southgate
Tournament Finish
2018 World Cup 4th
2022 Wold Cup 6th
2020 Euro Runner-Up
2019 UEFA Nations League 3rd
2021 UEFA Nations League 9th
2023 UEFA Nations League 15th

2024 Euro Dark horse

Every Euro tournament has its dark horse. A team comes out of nowhere and makes a deep run and upsets the landscape. 

In 2020, that was the Swiss who finished third in Group A and made it to the Quarter-Finals after beating France in the Round of 16.

Who should you have your eyes on in 2024?

Netherlands

The Dutch are no strangers to this competition. They won it once in 1988 and placed third four times. That last third-place finish came in 2004. 

At the 2022 World Cup, the Flying Dutchmen finished fourth with the third youngest squad in the competition. They had an average age of 26. Forward Cody Gakpo was a revelation with three goals in five matches for the Oranje in Qatar. 

There’s a lot to like about Holland. At +1400, keep an eye on their qualifying. 

Croatia

The Croatians are at the top of Group D with four points in two qualifiers. Remember, they finished as runners-up at the 2018 World Cup and then third in Qatar. Never discount Croatia at a major international tournament. With +3500 odds you could make $350 on a $10 bet backing them this early. That’s very tempting. 

Last Five Euro Winners

Last 5 Euro Winners
Year Team Opening Odds
2004 Greece +15000
2008 Spain +450
2012 Spain +250
2016 Portugal +1800
2020 Italy +700

 

Favorites typically win this tournament. They have deep squads overflowing with some of the most talented players in all of Europe. But every few years a dark horse goes all the way and is crowned Kings of Europe.

At +15000 Greece, and those who bet on them, haven’t yet forgotten about that tournament in 2004.

Last Five Euro Runners-Up 

Last 5 Euro Runners-Up
Year Team Score
2004 Portugal Lost 1-0 to Greece
2008 Germany Lost 1-0 to Spain
2012 Italy Lost 4-0 to Spain
2016 France Lost 1-0 to Portugal*
2020 England Lost 3-2 to Italy**

*After extra time
**Game tied 1-1 after extra time, ended 3-2 in penalties

The Euro finals are a low-scoring affair. Over the last five tournaments, three or more goals have been scored only once. It’s worth exploring the UNDER when the Final comes up in July of 2024.

How to Read Euro 2024 Odds

At any soccer betting site, you’ll see futures odds laid out like so:

  • England +500
  • Belgium +550
  • France +550
  • Spain +700

If you were to make a traditional straight-up bet, the favorite would be shown with the minus sign (-). In cases like these where there is no clear front-runner, the country with the lowest odds is the fave even if they’re all represented with the plus sign (+) which is generally used to demonstrate underdogs.

Let’s say you’ve looked at the group schedule and think Belgium is going to dominate and make it all the way to the top. A $100 bet would give you a payout of $650 – your original money is returned coupled with your winnings of $550.

Our Odds Calculator is a tool that will tell you how much you’d win based on the offered odds and amount bet.

What is a Futures Bet on the Euro Championship?

A futures bet is a wager made far in advance of a big event. Here, the bet is on the quadrennial Euro contest. It can be said that most bets are made prior to a sporting matchup, but futures can be placed weeks, months or even years in advance. In fact, as soon as the last championship is won, new odds will be released.

The odds will shift as the group stage gets closer and continue to move until right before the final is played on July 14, 2024, at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. If you see odds you like, take them to get the most value on your bets (should you win).

Live Roulette Glossary | LiveRoulette Blog

Contents

1. A Complete Roulette Glossary
2. Live Roulette FAQ

A Complete Roulette Glossary

American Roulette: A variant of roulette that features a double zero (00). The double zero sits next to the single zero on the betting board. This means there are 38 numbers in play and puts the house edge to 5.26%.

Backtrack: The outer section of the roulette wheel where the ball spins.

Biased Numbers: A section of numbers that is said to hit more frequently than is statistically likely. Biased numbers can be caused by an uneven or otherwise faulty wheel. Unless there is a software glitch, you’re unlikely to see biased numbers at an online roulette table.

Biased Wheel: An unevenly worn or faulty roulette wheel. In live roulette games, a biased wheel could cause certain numbers to hit more often than they otherwise would as it’s not spinning in an even, random manner.

Black Bet: An outside bet in live and online roulette. When you bet on black, you’ll win a 1:1 (even money) return on your money if any black number hits.

Bottom Track: The slanted inner rim of the roulette wheel that remains static during a spin. When the ball slows down, it slides from the backtrack and onto the bottom track before falling into a numbered pocket.

Carre: The French term for a corner bet.

Cheval: The French term for a split bet in land-based, online and live roulette.

Colonne: The French term for a column bet in roulette.

Column Bet: Like dozen bets, column bets allow you to cover 12 numbers with a single chip. There are three columns to choose from, and the payout on winning bets is 2:1.

Combination Bet: In general, a combination bet can be made with one or more chips and will cover two or more numbers. An example of a combination bet is a dozen, which covers 12 numbers in one section of the table.

Corner Bet: A single bet that covers four connected numbers. To make a corner bet, you must place a chip in the middle of a square of four numbers. This means you’re selecting all four numbers in the square. The payout for a corner bet in live or online roulette is 8:1.

Dealer: The person in control of a game, also called a croupier. When you play roulette, the dealer will be present and actively control the game. When you play roulette online, the game will be controlled by a random number generator (RNG).

Dozen Bet: A single bet that covers 12 numbers in one section of the table. Dozen bets are split into three sections: 1st (numbers 1-12), 2nd (numbers 13-24) and 3rd (numbers 25-36). Zero isn’t included in a dozen bet. If any number in your dozen hits, the payout is 2:1.

Double Zero: In American Roulette, double zero (00) is the additional number on the wheel.

En Plein: The French term for a straight-up bet in online and live roulette.

En Prison: A rule common in French Roulette, en prison literally means “in prison”. This rule applies to even money bets and allows you to either take back half your stake when zero hits or leave it “imprisoned” for the next spin. You’re choosing to either get a 50% rebate on a losing bet or keep your stake for the next bet.

European Roulette: The most common form of online and live roulette in the majority of casinos. This game is the older cousin of American Roulette. The main difference between the two variants is that European Roulette doesn’t feature the double zero. Because of this, it has one less number in play than its American counterpart. In total, there are 37 numbers in European Roulette, with a maximum payout of 35:1. The house edge is 2.70%.

Even Money: This term refers to a 1:1 payout. In other words, you win the same amount that you staked. For example, if you stake €1 and win, your total return will be your €1 stake back + €1 profit.

Five-Number Bet: This is a single bet that allows you to cover five specific numbers: 00, 0, 1, 2 and 3. If you win with this bet, your return will be 6:1.

High Bet: This is an outside bet in live and online roulette. When you bet on “high”, you’ll cover all numbers between 19-36. If you win, the return is 1:1 (even money).

House Edge: This term refers to the advantage the house (casino) has in any given situation. The house edge in roulette is created by a difference in the odds of any bet winning and the payout you receive. For example, the payout for a straight-up bet is 35:1. However, in European Roulette, there are 37 numbers on the table. This discrepancy (37:1 vs. 35:1) is where the casino gets its advantage. 

Inside Bet: Any bet made within the inner section of the table is known as an inside bet. Inside bets can be straight up or a combination of splits.

La Partage: When you play French roulette online or live, La Partage is a special rule that allows you to receive 50% of your stake back on even money bets. When it applies, if you make an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero, you’ll get half of your money back. This is similar to the En Prison. However, you don’t have the option to let your bet ride on the next spin with La Partage.

Line Bet: Also known as a six-line bet, this option allows you to cover six numbers (two rows of three) with a single wager. To make this bet, you split both rows with a single chip. The chip must be placed at the nearside end of the rows. The payout on this bet is 5:1. 

Marker: In live roulette, a marker, also called a ‘dolly’, is a small implement used to mark the winning number. When the round is over, the dealer will place a marker on the winning number and clear away all losing bets from the roulette table before paying out the winners.

Neighbours: In roulette, neighbours are numbers found next to/near each other on the wheel. These have relevance to certain types of bets, such as Orphelins.

Orphans: A type of bet that allows you to cover the numbers 6, 34 and 17 with a single wager.

Orphelins: A French term that refers to the process of betting on neighbours (numbers that sit near each other on the wheel). By betting on “neighbour” numbers (i.e. orphelins), it allows you to cover groups of numbers with fewer bets.

Outside Bets: Any bet outside of the inner table. Outside bets offer lower returns than inside bets. In roulette, the inner board is any betting option contained without the main, rectangular betting area. The inner board is where the individual numbers sit. 

Pockets: These are the slots where the ball lands on a roulette wheel.

Random Number Generator (RNG): When you play roulette online, the outcome is determined by a computer program known as an RNG. An RNG uses mathematics to generate random results. This allows online casinos to offer games that are as fair as their live counterparts.

Red Bet: An outside bet in live and online roulette. When you bet on red, you’ll win a 1:1 (even money) return on your money if any red number hits.

Sixainne: The French term for a line bet.

Split: A bet that covers two adjacent numbers. The bet is known as a split because you’re literally splitting the chip by placing it on the line between the two numbers. The payout for a winning split bet in roulette is 17:1.

Straight Up: A bet on a single number is known as straight up. The payout on winning straight up bets in roulette is 35:1.

Street: Similar to a line bet, a street bet allows you to cover three numbers in a row with a single bet. To make a street bet, you need to place a chip on the nearside end of a row. The payout for a winning street bet in roulette is 11:1.

Tiers Du Cylindre: Another neighbours bet in French Roulette, tiers du cylindre covers a third of the wheel. This bet requires you to cover 12 numbers with split bets. To make it, you split the following pairs: 5-8, 10-11, 13-16, 23-24, 27-30, and 33-36. The payout on this bet is 17:1, as any win will be a split bet.

Transversale: The French term for a street bet.

Trio Bet: Another term for a street bet in live and online roulette.

Voisins du Zero: A neighbours bet that’s popular in French Roulette. Voisins du zero translates as “neighbours of zero” and sees you cover the 17 numbers that flank zero on the wheel. You have to cover all 17 numbers with nine bets. You do that in the following way:

  • Two chips on the 0-2-3 trio
  • One chip on the 4-7 split
  • One chip on the 12-15 split
  • One chip on the 18-2 split
  • One chip on the 19-22 split
  • Two chips on the 25-26-28-29 corner
  • One chip on the 32-35 split

Zero: A number in the game of roulette. Zero is slightly different to other roulette numbers because it’s green. This means that it’s excluded from any outside bets. 

Roulette FAQ

How do live casino games work?

When you play live roulette or any other live casino game, you’re connected to a live game via a webcam. This allows you to see what’s going on at the table in real-time. In tandem with the live stream, RFID sensors on the table link to a computer program that allows you to place bets on the action via your desktop or mobile device.

What Are RFID Sensors?

These are small devices that record data in real-time. Each sensor records actions that take place on the table. These actions are then sent to a computer program so our system knows the result of each spin. This information is compared with the bets you made to determine whether you won the round or not.

Are Live Casino Games And Live Roulette Safe?

Yes. Live roulette and all live casino games are tightly controlled and regulated. In fact, every live roulette game you play online will be as fair as one in a brick-and-mortar casino. To ensure fairness and safety at all times, live roulette games have to be tested and monitored. These conditions form part of a company’s licensing duties. In other words, without proving a game is safe and fair, the company wouldn’t receive a gaming licence and, therefore, wouldn’t be able to offer products online.

Is There An RNG In Live Roulette Games?

No – with the only exception being Lightning Roulette. In this game, the location of the five numbers that are struck by lightning are controlled by a computer program called an RNG. This is very much similar to the process behind digital casino games such as online slots, blackjack and roulette, in the action is controlled by the game’s Random Number Generator. In this instance, the program does the job of a dealer and produces random results. In live roulette, however – bar Lightning Roulette, the dealer is solely responsible for controlling the wheel and, therefore, generating random results. 

How Can I See The Action?

All live roulette games online are broadcast to your screens via HD webcams. To ensure everyone has the best experience, you can adjust the quality of the stream to suit your connection. Additionally, many of the best live roulette games now feature multiple cameras so you can get different perspectives on the board and wheel.

What Types Of Live Roulette Are There?

As well as European, American and French roulette, live casino developers have created new variants in recent years. Games such as Lightning Roulette feature bonus options that allow you to potentially pick up enhanced payouts. As the popularity of live casino games grows, you’ll find more innovative offerings at LiveRoulette our Canadian online casino in the coming years.

To play live roulette and enjoy the action of a truly immersive online game experience, click the link below and join LiveRoulette today.

18+ | begambleaware.org | Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Terms & Conditions apply.

The Top Five Qualities a Casino Gaming App Must Have

Before considering the top five qualities a casino gaming app must have, the first thing you should do is recognize just how powerful your smartphone is. It can help you learn languages, order groceries, and even give you the tools to film and edit a full-length feature movie if you want to. In short, it can do a lot. Now imagine what it can do when it comes to delivering wow-worthy gaming experiences.

Casino gaming apps today can come loaded with a variety of games as well as helpful educational content. When done right, the overall experience takes advantage of the power of the smartphone platform. But how can you tell which apps are great and which ones should be avoided? That’s where we come in. Our list of the top five qualities a casino gaming app must have is the answer. Use it to find apps that are both fun to play and accessible.

  1. Game Variety
    Easily the biggest thing any awesome gaming app must have is a variety of games to pick from. Slots and table games (like Blackjack and Poker) are two types of games. But it’s the variety within the category that’s key. Take slots, for example. An app should offer choices within the category, including titles to pick from, different betting options, gameplay styles, reel structures, and varying payouts. When it comes to Blackjack and Poker, the same applies: different versions of each game, including themes, betting options, and even game style help give people a chance to find a game that delivers the fun and excitement they’re looking for. So why settle for an app that only has a few when you can have them all?!

 

  1. Game Demos
    A casino gaming app should help new players feel comfortable with the games themselves, before they play for money. Free demos are the best way to do this. In addition to being free, demos (and the app itself) allow players to learn at their own pace and in an environment they find comfortable. If this sounds like something you want to see for yourself, you can try OLG’s free demos here.It’s worth mentioning that PlaySmart takes this one step further, giving players access to more beyond a demo, offering up a virtual encyclopedia of all things gaming. It covers language and terms, odds, even tools to help manage your play. Pair that with a free demo, and not only will you be ready to play, but you’ll be doing it with games that match your style and budget.

 

  1. Player Data Protection
    When considering gaming apps, another quality to look for is how the app itself keeps you and your private info, well, private. Look into the privacy policies that you’re shown when you sign up. You should see details on whether or not your personal info and play history are protected. If not, think twice. And then check us out, because we have some the most advanced safeguards in the industry in place. Click here to read OLG’s privacy and cookie policy.

 

  1. Intuitive User Experience
    Not mentioning the actual design and user interface of the app would be a miss. Because that’s absolutely one of the most important things, as it’s how you interact with each and every game. Responsive, engaging, and exciting play doesn’t just happen naturally.It takes time and effort by developers to ensure the app works and behaves exactly as it should. For example, the OLG app has an intuitive user experience that is designed to provide seamless gaming. It’s simple and straightforward so players can easily browse through the app. Also, the app’s layout is visually appealing and organized, allowing players to quickly locate their favourite games, manage their account budget, and review their gaming history.

 

  1. A Player-Focused Support System
    Last but certainly not least, a quality gaming app must have a system in place that keeps the games fun for everyone with facts, tools, and advice on how to play your favourite games. We’re also talking about things like letting players control their time and budgets, helping players take a break from playing when necessary, and offering ways to gain insights on their player habits that could serve to curb problem gambling. It just so happens that PlaySmart has these in spades with the My PlaySmart Tools. And for good reason: OLG has been helping Ontario play responsibly for 25 years and counting.

 

Let the Online Game Play Begin

With the expansion of Ontario’s iGaming market, it’s now more important than ever to look for an online casino app that not only has the five points above, but also prioritizes the well-being of its players.

It’s worth mentioning, we’re no stranger to any of this. In fact, our PlaySmart program has been around since well before games went digital (and not to brag, but we’ve won awards for it too). Look for other unique offerings that will help you crank up your fun, in ways you may not have thought about. Like our play style quiz that helps you find out what kind of player you are, complete with a list of games that match your unique style.

 

Pennsylvania Has Solid July With $467 Million In Total Revenue

In its latest report, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) revealed that the combined total revenue generated from all forms of gaming during July was $467.04 million. That includes income from:

  • Slot machines
  • Table games
  • Internet gaming
  • Sports betting
  • Fantasy contests
  • Video gaming terminals (VGTs)

Online gambling revenue in Pennsylvania throughout July was $132.86 million, a yearly increase but a monthly drop.

Total tax revenue generated collectively through all forms of gaming and fantasy contests was $192.0 million during July 2023.

Pennsylvania’s online casino apps took in more money from players in FY 2022/23 than in any previous fiscal year. 

Pennsylvania gaming revenue reaches $467 million in total

Twenty Pennsylvania casinos collected $467,043,707 in total gaming revenue in July, a 6% monthly increase from $440,491,675 collected in June. July’s revenue figure is also an 8.85% yearly improvement compared to revenue generated in July 2022.

The best-performing Pennsylvania casinos throughout July 2023 were:

  1. Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course: $70,085,180
  2. Parx Casino: $56,108,246
  3. Valley Forge Casino Resort: $54,642,48

While Hollywood Casino and Valley Forge Casino showed a yearly increase of 25.62% and 32.07%, respectively, Parx Casino reported a 0.48% yearly drop.

PA online gambling revenue increases yearly, drops monthly

There are currently 10 online casino operators in the Keystone State that compiled $132,859,997 during July. The number is a 35% yearly increase from $98.57 million in July last year. However, it is a 19% monthly drop from the $164.3 million generated in June.

The top three PA operators in July were:

  1. Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course: $54,392,661
  2. Valley Forge Casino Resort: $29,221,202
  3. Rivers Casino Philadelphia: $26,825,080

Tax revenue generated from internet gaming play during July 2023 was $57.30 million.

PA sports betting revenue in July decreased from June

PA licensed sportsbooks won more than $32 million in total revenue during July 2023. The figure is a slight monthly decrease from June 2023’s $33.8 million. At the same time, the taxable revenue figure for July 2023 is a 26% yearly improvement compared to July 2022, when taxable revenue was $25.44 million.

In July 2023, the total sports betting handle was $338.45 million or 0.58% above the July 2022 total of $336.51 million.

Pennsylvania reported a record fiscal year 2022/23

Last month, the PGCB reported record tax revenue for the state for fiscal year 2022-23 of $2.3 billion.

Gaming revenue reached a record $5.5 billion, a 9% increase from 2021-2022’s previous record-high figures. Nearly $2.45 billion in revenue came from slot machines, while $974.0 million came from table game revenue. FY 2022/23 was the state’s second highest-performing fiscal year for slot machine revenue, after FY 2011/12’s $2.47 billion.

Pennsylvania’s online gaming sector of $1.53 billion also increased by 24% from the previous fiscal year.

Memoir by SharmaJI – PokerGuru

Memoir by SharmaJI


Posted by Naman Sharma on 2023-04-04 at 7:56 PM

SharmaJI Blog

After busting two recently found bankrolls, I was sure I needed to do something differently (mostly bankroll management errors and skill overestimation). I consider myself one of those ‘feel-players’ who know very few technical details about the game, but my love for poker is such that I keep bouncing back somehow.

Working for PokerGuru and seeing the journey of numerous poker enthusiasts and pros, I’ve sometimes been envious and uncertain. However, it has also been one of my biggest motivations to persevere despite losing considerable money.

I was on top of the world after scoring a career-best payday (3rd in PokerStars India’s Master Minds [8-Max] for ₹89,125) in November 2022, and it was smooth sailing for some time. January and February were drastic months for me as one thing led to another, and I went bust before realizing it.

On the other hand, March was a harbinger of new opportunities. Although I have much to learn, I was asked to stream for PokerGuru under the ‘SharmaJI’ moniker, one of the most exciting challenges I’ve ever been issued.

On March 30, right after reaching the PokerGuru HQ, the usual work continued, with everyone pitching in for the Daily Majors report. I was writing about a few of the ongoing NPS and ITM events, wondering when I would get to take down an event.

Around 6 PM, I started grinding on PokerStars, playing the ₹375 buy-in, ₹50K GTD Super Stack PKO 8-Max. Only fifteen minutes into the event, I busted out once, and in hope and desperation, I fired my second bullet, which did the trick for me. Moving one step at a time, I was doing everything quite cautiously and built a decent stack before the close of late registration. The next step was to wait for the money bubble to burst, which was a task. Somehow, I reached the money and entered the final table as one of the shorter stacks.

Won PokerStars India's ₹50K GTD Super Stack PKO 8-Max
Won PokerStars India’s ₹50K GTD Super Stack PKO 8-Max

 

On the FT, I worked my way up before a misclick of folding pocket aces once. Lady luck smiled upon me, and I found a double-up with pocket jacks. The game continued, and at the time of three-handed play, I was again the shortest stack before jamming jack-eight suited (diamonds) from the button and finding a double-up from another runner who held ace-king suited (spades). After that, I had the chip lead; from then on, it seemed like a cakewalk. I eventually shipped the tournament for ₹12,154.

Got lucky with J8 of diamonds
Got lucky with J8 of diamonds

 

What made March 30 even more memorable was my getting to the final table of two more PokerStars India tourney’s ₹1 Lakh Gtd Ultrasonic (4th for ₹7,754) & Late Night Last Chance [Hyper-Turbo] (4th for ₹1,089).

This is a start, and I feel blessed to be part of a community that is so supportive when at the end of the day, we are all competing against each other at the tables.

Also, a big shoutout to all who have been tuning into my streams. I hope to see you all on my next stream very soon.

4.3 3 votes

Article Rating

Top 10 Companies in the Capital Goods Field

Most companies offering goods and services rely on raw materials and capital goods obtained elsewhere. Multiple major conglomerates are creating these capital goods that facilitate manufacturing businesses that cannot develop them themselves.

Here, we take a peek at these wizards behind the curtain who help all kinds of companies produce anything from medical devices and medicine to cars and planes.

So read on to learn how the modern industry sector works.

What Are Capital Goods?

Put simply, capital goods are physical products used to create other goods—for example, tools, vehicles, machinery, chemicals, and even various spaces and buildings.

The capital goods industry plays a crucial role in driving economic growth and product innovation and development. After all, without them, we wouldn’t have the variety of consumer goods available today to make our lives better and easier.

The 10 Best Capital Goods Companies

So let’s delve into the top 10 companies in the capital goods field, exploring their market value, growth trajectory, and key details about their operations.

1. General Electric (GE)

  • Market Value: $121 billion 
  • Employees: Over 172,000

General Electric, commonly known as GE, is a multinational conglomerate based in Boston and New York. With a rich history spanning more than a century, GE has established itself as a leader in various industries, including aviation, healthcare, and power.

Businesses of all sorts use GE’s engines, software solutions, wind turbines, and even weapons on a steady basis. To stay on top of the game, GE invests a huge chunk of its yearly revenue into R&D of new competitive technologies to stay ahead of its rivals.

2. Siemens AG

  • Market Value: $134 billion 
  • Employees: Approximately 311,000

Headquartered in Germany, Siemens AG is a global powerhouse in the capital goods sector, as it successfully provides automation and digitalization products and services for several sectors, including construction, energy, healthcare, and transportation.

Specifically, the company is a well-known pioneer of several innovative technologies, such as medical imaging equipment and various industrial automation solutions. Lately, they’ve also been making significant progress in AI and machine learning.

3. Honeywell

  • Market Value: $138 billion 
  • Employees: Over 103,000

With experience dating back to the early 1900s, Honeywell was built into a technology and manufacturing giant producing cutting-edge capital goods for a while now.

While operating in the aerospace, building, and safety sectors, Honeywell offers a rich portfolio of everything from avionics systems and navigation technology to heating & ventilation products, various performance chemicals and materials, and protective gear.

4. Caterpillar Inc.

  • Market Value: $134 billion
  • Employees: Over 109,000

Also known as CAT, this construction equipment manufacturer became a global behemoth over the last decades and is now offering all sorts of mining and construction equipment, vehicles, and materials, as well as engines, power systems, and financial services.

A slew of industries across the globe are relying on Caterpillar’s premium products, including the mining and construction sector, agriculture, transportation, forestry, energy production, and many more. Without infrastructure, there’s no development, and without Caterpillar, building a country’s industrial infrastructure is rather difficult.

5. 3M

  • Market Value: $58 billion
  • Employees: Over 92,000

Originally known as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, 3M has evolved into one of the world’s leading capital goods manufacturers, producing everything from adhesives and laminates to medical and car products and software solutions.

Nowadays, 3M is focused on expanding its global presence across several industries (healthcare, electronics, construction, and automotive) and investing heavily in its R&D department to create breakthrough technologies.

6. Raytheon Technologies (RTX)

  • Market Value: $142 billion 
  • Employees: Over 190,000

Formed after the merger of Raytheon and United Technologies, Raytheon Technologies (RTX) has an expansive area of influence in the aerospace and defense sectors. On top of that, the company is operating in the space exploration and cybersecurity spheres.

So can encounter the brand’s stamp on anything from military equipment (missiles, radars, weapons, etc.) to cutting-edge cybersecurity software, aircraft, and aerospace products, such as avionics systems, flight control systems, landing gear, and more.

7. ABB Group

  • Market Value: $75 billion
  • Employees: Over 105,000

This Swedish-Swiss conglomerate has been one of the leaders in the capital goods sector for decades, thanks to its state-of-the-art robotics, automation, and electrical equipment.

You’ll find it offers anything from various robotic assistants to power generators, electrical components, and software platforms for automation purposes. For that reason, you’ll find its products in industries such as transportation, manufacturing, and utilities.

8. John Deere

  • Market Value: $132 billion 
  • Employees: Around 70,000

Deere & Company, commonly known as John Deere, is a renowned American manufacturer of construction, agricultural, and forestry machinery. Its commitment to quality, durability, and innovative solutions has contributed to its excellent growth and market value. 

With a strong customer base and a global presence, Deere & Company continues to expand its product portfolio to cater to the evolving needs of the agriculture and construction sectors, which products like top-notch tractors, harvesters, excavators, and more.

9. Hitachi

  • Market Value: $59 billion 
  • Employees: Approximately 300,000

This diversified Japanese conglomerate has operations in various sectors, including construction machinery, power systems, and information technology. Regardless of the sector in which it operates, Hitachi delivers innovative and unique products.

Thus, its portfolio includes all sorts of products, ranging from data storage and server solutions to power generators, industrial pumps, railway systems, medical imaging technology, mining equipment, and engine electronics for motor vehicles.

10. Emerson Electric

  • Market Value: $53 billion 
  • Employees: Over 85,000

Based in the United States, Emerson Electric is another company older than a century that has grown into a key player in the capital goods industry with a portfolio covering the manufacturing, energy, healthcare, electronics, and telecommunications sectors.

The company’s product line includes everything from automation solutions and commercial and residential systems to climate technologies, home tools and products, and networking solutions. On top of that, this giant is shaping technological advancements daily.

Conclusion

All of the companies listed above are powerhouses that drive innovation, growth, and technological advancements. After all, they supply essential machinery, equipment, and services to various other manufacturers. On top of that, they are also major employers with vast workforces and employment opportunities. 

Furthermore, sustainability is a key focus for these companies, as they keep on implementing environmentally friendly practices, investing in clean technologies, and promoting energy-efficient solutions. So as we move forward, these behemoths will keep on shaping the industrial landscape, the global economy, and our lives at large.

BJJ VS. JUJUTSU – Game Rules


BJJ VS. JUJUTSU title

With the popularity explosion of Brazilian jujutsu (BJJ) in recent decades, most people are unaware of what traditional “Japanese” jujutsu even is. Although both are relatively similar fighting styles, their utilities and competitive scenes are vastly different. In this article, we will compare Brazilian jujutsu (BJJ) and Japanese jujutsu, breaking down all the differences and similarities. Let’s dive straight in!

SIMILARITIES

BJJ VS. JUJUTSU similarities

Before we jump into the differences, let’s first highlight what is similar. As you may be able to guess, jujutsu originated long before the development of Brazilian jujutsu. However, interestingly enough, BJJ didn’t directly develop out of jujutsu. Instead, BJJ is based on the martial art of judo—which is based on traditional jujutsu. So, you can think of Brazilian jujutsu as the grandchild of jujutsu rather than an offspring.

Therefore, although the two jujutsu styles share many similarities, BJJ is slightly more similar to judo than it is to jujutsu.

The similarities shared between BJJ and jujutsu are as follows:

1) Both sports make use of similar combat techniques

In both jujutsu disciplines, fighters utilize many of the same techniques, such as throws, ground fighting, and grappling. However, the extent to which each of these skills is used differs between the two sports.

2) Fighters in both sports wear the same uniform

Most Japanese martial arts (jujutsu being one) require fighters to wear traditional robe-like uniforms known as “gi”. Although BJJ developed in Brazil, as evidenced by its name, this traditional attire has remained chiefly in practice. With that said, BJJ is more lenient on uniform requirements, and some events allow fighters to wear traditional MMA attire instead of a gi. Additionally, both sports use colored belts to signify a fighter’s skill level.

3) Both sports are fundamentally based on self-defense

Although jujutsu was initially developed for offensive and defensive war-time purposes, its modern use is almost solely that of defense. BJJ, meanwhile, is considered one of the most practical and efficient forms of self-defense training in the world.

4) The primary objective in each sport is to subdue/submit the opponent

As both martial arts are based on self-defense, each aims to subdue an attacker. Fighters can do this with several different joint-locking techniques or chokes.

DIFFERENCES

While Brazilian jujutsu (BJJ) and jujutsu may sound the same, they are, in fact very different sports with varying sets of rules and regulations. Here are the main differences between BJJ and jujutsu.

EVENTS

BRAZILIAN JUJUTSU

BRAZILIAN JUJUTSU gameplay

Competitively, most BJJ events are similar to most other combat sports: one-on-one matchups in which one fighter wins by either submitting their opponent or earning the most points. These fights range in length from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the fighters’ skill level (belt color).

JUJUTSU

While jujutsu does have a form of combat fighting that is similar to BJJ (known as “freefighting” or “contact jujutsu”), this style of jujutsu competition is extremely rare nowadays, especially in the West. The main reason for this is that most traditional jujutsu techniques were developed to actually injure, paralyze, or even kill an adversary. As a result, modern jujutsu fights generally can’t be authentic to the true nature of the sport.

Instead of traditional fights, most jujutsu competitions are done as performative routines. These events are often known as “duos” and feature two (sometimes more) teammates—one assuming the role of the attacker and the other the role of the defender—showcasing a display of various jujutsu techniques and combos. These routines usually involve some degree of improvisation, as judges will usually call out a certain type of attack that the defending fighter must react to. Of course, these routines are friendly performances.

SCORING

BRAZILIAN JUJUTSU

In a BJJ match, fighters can win by submitting their opponent (forcing them to tap out) or by accumulating the most points by the end of the match. These points can be scored with the successful use of various techniques, including:

  • Takedown (2 points) – Bringing a standing opponent to the ground
  • Sweep (2 points) – Switching places with an opponent who is on top and maintaining that new top control position
  • Knee-on-belly (2 points) – Placing a knee on the opponent’s stomach on the ground
  • Guard passing (3 points) – Getting past the opponent’s guard position, such as swiping their knees out of the way when they’re being used to keep distance between the two fighters.
  • Full mount (4 points) – Laying directly on top of their opponent’s torso
  • Back mount (4 points) – The same as the above, except the fighter on the bottom is lying on their stomach

The fighter must maintain these positions for at least three seconds to gain points (with the exception of takedowns and guard passes).

JUJUTSU

JUJUTSU GAMEPLAY

In contact jujutsu, fighters determine the match with a submission or knockout. However, matches can also be decided by points or the referee’s decision.

  • Submission: Just like in BJJ, a submission is scored immediately ends the match and is scored whenever a fighter forces their opponent to tap out. This often results from being put in a chokehold or a painful joint lock. A submission that results in a fighter losing consciousness is automatically considered a submission. Furthermore, any sort of outcry or scream of pain is considered a surrender.
  • Knockout: A knockout occurs when a fighter is knocked to the ground and unable to get up after a three-second count. If the fighter gets up before the three-second count is complete, it will be immediately considered a knockout if they get knocked to the ground again in a similar manner.
  • Points/Referee’s decision: Referees keep track of various effective techniques used by each fighter during a match. These points are factored in with the referee’s overall impression of the match (such as each fighter’s passivity) to determine the winner if no submission or knockout occurs.

In jujutsu duo performances, fighters are scored as pairs by a panel of judges based on their performance. Each pair of teammates are scored from 0 to 10, with this final score being influenced by the speed, accuracy, control, and realism of the performance.

RULES

Brazilian jujutsu and combat jujutsu share many of the same rules, many of which concern safety. This means that many of the same dangerous chokes, joint locks, and other techniques that intentionally cause unnecessary harm or risk of injury are prohibited.

Apart from safety, one major rule difference exists between these two sports: jujutsu allows the use of strikes (kicks, punches, knees, elbows, etc.), while BJJ allows nothing of the type (other than leg sweeps, which aren’t considered a kick). This is a significant difference, as it is the primary reason why BJJ is focused almost entirely on ground fighting while jujutsu consists of a healthy mix of standing and ground fighting.

UTILITY/POPULARITY

Since it was developed as a wartime combat style, traditional jujutsu is somewhat obsolete in modern times. After all, safety is a major component of any modern sport, and jujutsu was fundamentally supposed to be the opposite of safe. Instead, jujutsu is now embraced solely as a martial art, not necessarily a competitive sport (hence, the performative displays). As a result of this transition, jujutsu isn’t well-understood around the world, with it instead being kept alive by those fascinated by its long-standing history.

On the other hand, Brazilian jujutsu has been growing exponentially in popularity in the West, especially in the United States. Much of this growth has to do with the fact that BJJ techniques are relatively easy to learn and are effective in nearly any situation while used by just about any person. Furthermore, BJJ techniques aren’t necessarily intended to cause severe bodily harm. Because of this, many people don’t only practice BJJ for self-defense purposes but also as a daily form of exercise.

However, it’s worth noting that modern competitive jujutsu styles have also evolved over the years. These modern jujutsu styles may emphasize self-defense, grappling, and ground fighting, similar to BJJ.

OVERALL COMPARISON

Like most martial arts, many similarities exist between Brazilian jujutsu and traditional jujutsu. Both use similar techniques, with the main ones being grappling, ground fighting, throws, and various submission techniques (choking, joint locks). Furthermore, despite its Brazilian influence, BJJ still honors many Japanese traditions that are present in jujutsu and other Japanese martial arts, such as the wearing of the gi, the use of colored belts to signify rank, and forms of pre- and post-match gestures of respect between opponents.

In many ways, the main differences between these two jujutsu disciplines result from BJJ simply being a modernized version of traditional jujutsu. After all, BJJ was developed so that the average person could learn how to efficiently defend themself, while normal jujutsu was developed nearly 500 years ago as a form of combat training for highly skilled Japanese samurai.

While it is unlikely that jujutsu will ever surge to prominence again, Brazilian jujutsu is only expected to keep growing in popularity at a profound rate.

Lev

THE GUIDE TO PLAY – THREE CARD POKER

THREE CARD POKER IS A VERY SIMPLE GAME BASED ON THREE CARD BRAG.

The winning card combinations are based on standard Poker hands, so it’s probably best to learn these if you want to become a Poker whizz.

Place your bet on the box marked Ante.

You can place an optional separate bet on the Pair Plus box at the start of each game. This can be a stand-alone bet or in addition to your Ante bet. If you’re dealt any of the hands in the Pay Table below, you’ll be paid at fixed odds regardless of whether the dealer qualifies or has a better hand.

Pair Plus Pay Table

Straight flush 35 to 1
Three of a Kind 33 to 1
Straight 6 to 1
Flush 4 to 1
Pair Evens

There is also an optional side bet Prime on Three Card Poker. You can only place this bet once you have placed an Ante and/or a Pair Plus wager. The objective of this bet is to see whether the three cards dealt to you are of the same colour, that is, all red or all black, see Pay Table below.

Prime Pay Table

Prime 3 to 1 All your cards are the same colour
Prime 4 to 1 All your cards and the dealer’s
cards the same colour

 

The dealer will deal three cards to each player and three to themselves – all face down.

Look at your cards and if you want to stay in the game place your Play bet on the table. This should be the same amount as your Ante bet.

You do not need to play the hand and stay in the game, and can instead choose to Fold, which means you surrender your Ante bet.

If the dealer’s hand doesn’t have at least a Queen High it doesn’t qualify so your Ante bet will be paid even money and your Play bet returned to you.

If the dealer does have a Queen High, you win even money on both your Ante and Play bets if your own hand is better.

If the dealer’s hand is better than yours, you lose both bets. If you continue in the game by placing a Play bet, and your hand is a Straight or better you will receive an Ante bonus, see

Ante Bonus Pay Table

Straight Evens
Three of a Kind 4 to 1
Straight Flush 5 to 1

 

The rules are the same as above except you bet against the dice. You lose if a 7 or 11 is thrown on the first roll and win on a 3 or 12. If a 2 is thrown, it is a standoff and you neither win nor lose. If a point is established and then made, you lose. If a 7 is thrown before a point is made, you win. Your wager may not be increased after the establishment of the come-out point until that wager is either won or lost.

Once a point has been established you are then allowed to lay that point.

Winning Hands

Straight Flush Three consecutive cards of the same
suit, e.g. 4, 5, 6 of hearts.
Three of a Kind Three cards of the same
denomination e.g. three 6s etc.
Straight Three sequential cards of different
suits, e.g. 5, 6, 7 of different suits.
Flush Three unrelated cards of the same
suit, e.g. 6, 2, 10 of Clubs.
Pair Two cards of the same
denomination, e.g. two 6s.
High Card The highest value single
card, e.g. a Queen.

 

House Edge

On Pair Plus wagers: 2.7%

Overall game: 2.0%

Prime Side Bet: 3.62%

 

VIEW PDF

 

Comments

comments

Online Casino Games That Are Just Like Bridge


Card games like Bridge continue to provide timeless entertainment to players looking for a unique blend of skill and strategy. The thrill of forming partnerships, devising tactics, and outwitting opponents makes Bridge a truly engaging experience. However, if you’re looking for card games to win real money, you might want to check out online casino games. There are several online casino games that share some of Bridge’s intriguing features. In this article, we will take a look at each of these online casino games that come with all the thrills and excitement of Bridge.

Online Poker

Poker is a strategic card game where you use your cards to make the best possible hand. It’s fun because you can bluff your opponents and use your wits to outsmart them. You play with other people, just like in Bridge, and you can make friends and win money.

The goal is to try to make combinations like pairs, three of a kind, or a straight. You can play the game in demo mode for free or bet money to make the game exciting. To win more easily, learn the different hand combinations and strategies.

Online Blackjack

Blackjack is another card game to try out, though this game relies more on chance. In this game, you need to get a certain total without going over. The fun part comes when you play against the dealer and beat them.  Blackjack is one of the most popular card games at online casinos. This means you will find them at any online casino you come across, whether you’re playing at European online casinos or online casinos in Ontario. To play the game, you need to make a bet and you will be dealt cards. The goal is to add up to 21 or close, but not more. You can ask for more cards, or you can stay with what you have. If you get closer to 21 than the dealer, you win. But if you go over 21, you lose.

You can learn some basic strategies about when to hit (get another card) or stand (keep your cards) to boost your winning chances. For example, if you have a low total, it’s usually a good idea to get another card. Also, pay attention to the dealer’s face-up card, as it can help you decide your next move. Just remember, it’s all about getting closer to 21 without going over.

Online Rummy

Rummy offers all the excitement you get from playing Bridge. Like the others, this game comes with a mix of luck and skill, and you need to plan your moves ahead. You can play with friends or people from around the world.

To play online rummy, you will need playing cards. Your goal is to make sets (like three cards of the same rank) and sequences (like 3, 4, 5 of the same suit). You draw and discard cards to improve your hand. Once you have the right sets and sequences, you can declare and win the round.

Winning rummy is all about focusing on forming your sets and sequences quickly. Try to remember which cards your opponents are picking and discarding, so you can guess their strategies. Also, keep an eye on the Joker cards, as they can substitute for any other card. 

 

In conclusion, while Bridge remains a timeless classic, these online casino games provide a modern twist to the thrill of card games. From the strategic gameplay of online poker to the chance-based excitement of online blackjack and the cunning tactics of online rummy, there’s something for every card game enthusiast. So, whether you’re a seasoned Bridge player looking for new challenges or a newcomer eager to explore the world of card games, don’t hesitate to give these online casino games a try. Who knows, you might find a new favorite pastime and win some real money along the way!

Poker with friends app: how to choose the right one?

Poker as a social game is a great alternative for those who want to enjoy competitive poker without having to bet real money. This helps to avoid worrying about other aspects such as bankroll management, since the continuity of the game does not depend on the chips you have within your reach.

The social aspect of poker has led many to look directly for an alternative to encourage interaction between players without the pressure of betting money. And Pokerhub is one of the best alternatives for an all-round experience, with the best of competitive poker and cashless poker.

What is the best way to play online poker with friends?

There are many ways to enjoy online poker with friends, but the best way is to do it in an environment where clubbing is greatly facilitated. Because through a private club, it is much easier to access the gaming tables that lead directly to playing games with friends.

By restricting access to authorized persons only, the possibility of playing with unknown users is eliminated. This is also possible in the case of public clubs or free tables, but it is a different kind of experience.

Typically, those looking to play online poker with friends on an exclusive basis tend to associate with their friends in a club that is run by the group itself, making the experience much more tailored to what each individual prefers.

This has a direct impact on the variety of tables, game types, rules, limits and variants set at each table, making it much easier to tailor the parameters of the game to what the group really wants to find.

How to play online poker with friends?

The steps to do so are really simple, especially on Pokerhub. Because one of the hallmarks of its app is its accessibility, being able to access both with user credentials and in guest mode without registration, streamlining the steps to access the selection of tables in the club.

Using Pokerhub is really simple: just download the app, register or access in guest mode, collect the rewards (they are awarded daily after the first 24 hours) and find your club, search for a new one or create another one from scratch. It allows you to diversify groups to be able to associate each one with specific preferences, and you can add a name to each one and a different avatar to distinguish them.

Pokerhub is a poker app designed to enjoy poker with friends. Everything in it revolves around the social component of the game, including rewards, which can be used to buy loot boxes and various prizes to give you an edge in a game. Although it contains micropayments, Pokerhub has a fair and consistent reward scale, with daily rewards to reward the loyalty of its community.

More and more people are interested in enjoying a non-public poker experience with friends. This makes it easier to have control of the community and establish clear guidelines in terms of game modes, game types and other parameters.

Want to enjoy the best poker app to play with friends? Don’t miss it:

Private poker app to play with friends: why you should try it?

Play poker with friends on PokerHub: what are the advantages?

As a poker app for playing with friends, Pokerhub stands out in several ways:

  • Total accessibility. Pokerhub is an app designed to be easy to use. This helps you to have all the possible options at your fingertips, both for those looking to join a table instantly and for those who want to shape their own circle of players. What’s more, as soon as you log in, you’ll be able to learn the basics with an interactive tutorial, so you can try out all the options when you download Pokerhub for the first time.
  • Easy to use. Its controls are designed so that every option for interacting with your friends both on and off the poker table is at your fingertips. You’ll quickly become familiar with everything the app has to offer, so you’ll be able to take advantage of all the possibilities as soon as possible.
  • Unlimited possibilities. Pokerhub gives you the experience you’re looking for, whatever it is. When you enter you can access public poker tables, search for a club, create your own, access your club’s private tables… And you can enjoy the games either by logging in, with your user credentials, or in guest mode, which allows you to access the game directly without waiting.
  • Strong social component. Everything is designed for you to enjoy poker at its most social and interactive with other members of the community, especially with your friends. But remember that private games are only part of the Pokerhub experience. Part of the fun is that your social circle expands, and thanks to the organic traffic that Pokerhub boosts, you will be able to meet new players who are looking for the same thing as you.

La entrada Poker with friends app: how to choose the right one? se publicó primero en .

How to play Faro & Game Rules with Video – PlayingCardDecks.com

(This is the typical set up for the game Faro)

(This is the typical set up for the game Faro)

Card Game Rules

Faro is a historical casino game for two or more players. It requires a standard 52 card deck, an extra set of 13 cards for each rank, a set of betting chips for each player, and a penny for each player. In Faro, Aces are low and Kings are high. The objective is to win the most bets. 

If you are looking for cards to play Faro with, check out a standard deck here or check out one of our recent arrivals here.

For more casino games, check out our guides for In-Between and Baccarat.

You can also find an 1882 rule book to Faro here.

Set-Up

To set-up a game a Faro, place the extra 13 cards in two rows face up in the middle of the playing table. These cards make up the tableau. From the top left going right, the card order should be King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, and 8. The 7 should be placed to the right of and halfway down from the 8. The 6 should then be placed to the left of the 7 and directly below the 8. From the 6 going left, the card order should be 5, 4, 3, 2, and Ace.

The dealer sits opposite of the players with a faced down deck of shuffled cards in-front of them. Players bring their own chips to bet with. Every player receives a penny to bet against cards with.

 

How to Play

The dealer begins the game by showing everyone the top card of the deck. The card is then placed face up to the side of the gameplay area. Players then place bets on one of the cards in the tableau. Next the dealer draws two card from the deck and places them face up for all the players to see. The first card is the loser. The second card is the winner. Bets on the first card are lost. Bets on the second card receive 1:1 payout from the dealer.

The flipped over cards are placed to the side and another round begins. Players can move their bets around, keep them where they were or begin placing bets on multiple cards. Multiple players can bet on the same card. Gameplay continues until the deck runs out.

 

Misc. Rules

A player can bet that the winning card is higher than the losing card by placing chips next to the deck. Payout is 1:1.

A player can bet on the losing card by placing a penny on top of their chip. 

When the deck has three cards left, players can bet on the order of the final draw.

If the losing and winning cards are of the same rank, then the dealer receives half of the bet made.

If a player places a bet on a card that has already been drawn four times from the deck, the first person (player or dealer) who notices can say “dead bet” and receive the chips.

History

(A game of Faro in 1895)

(A game of Faro in 1895)

Faro was first played in 18th century France. It was named after the picture of an Egyptian pharaoh that appeared on many French playing cards. The game spread eastward towards Russia and eventually reached the American West in the 1800’s. By 1925, the game became virtually extinct as Baccarat and Blackjack took over as the more popular games at casinos.

For more information about Faro, check out David Parlett’s article here or Pagat.com’s article here.

 

Looking for more card games to play?  Check out this article:

40+ Great Card Games For All Occasions

About the author: John Taylor is a content writer and freelancer through the company Upwork.com. You may view his freelancing profile here. He has a B. A. in English, with a specialty in technical writing, from Texas A&M University and a M. A. in English from the University of Glasgow. You may view his previous articles about card games here and his LinkedIn profile here.

John Taylor Head shot

Last update date: 0/25/21

PokerListings set to do Live Reporting from The Festival Series in Nottingham (13-19 February 2023) 

Melvin Schroen – Live Reporter

For the first time in the history of The Festival Series, an event series is being held at the Dusk Till Dawn Pokerclub in Nottingham. PokerListings, represented by Melvin Schroen, will handle the live blog, and will provide all of you with all the inside information of this epic week of events. There will be a total of 35 unique tournaments being held, divided over the next seven days. The Series, who is mainly focused on mixed games and all the events around poker itself, will provide a guaranteed prize pool of £200,000 for the Main Event. Additionally, another great event will take place in the name of PokerListings Championships and it has a whopping £25,000 guaranteed. Both big events we will cover from A to Z for you, with the last-mentioned event currently already started with more than 80 entries in just two hours! 

Games for Everyone  

The Festival Series is known for its diversity in game selection, specialized in mixed games. With 35 unique events, there is of course enough to play for Hold’em fans, but the mixed games are right up there in the likes of Omaha, Mixed PLO/NLHE, PLO 4/5/6, PLO HiLo, Open Face Chinese, Short-Deck, and Sviten Special. So, if you like games with more than two hole-cards, the place to be this week will be the Dusk Till Dawn Pokerclub in Nottingham! Don’t forget about the following, for every event there is an amazing trophy to be won, which will be an unique portrait drawing of the winners photo. If that’s not enough yet, you will also get a signed comic book!

About the Main Event 

The Main Event of The Festival Series is a deep-stacked and nicely structured event with four opening flights. With 200,000 chips in starting stack, it is going to be promised to be a fun ride of action for everyone. With the first three days to be 30-minutes levels, the last turbo flight will be with 15-minute blind levels. A guaranteed prize pool cannot be missed and this time there has been set a whopping £200,000 as a guarantee, which promises to give the top spots a heavy prize.  

Players are allowed to re-enter once per starting day and can re-enter until the end of the first two levels of the second day, unique in its kind. Last edition in Bratislava was won by Dutchman Michel Molenaar, who collected a nice €126,650 score at the cash desk, in which another Dutch player in the name of Gerianne Dijkstra became second for €77,450.  

It is certain to be fireworks in Nottingham. And if you still have the chance to hop on a flight or train, you won’t be disappointed! 

Winner Bratislava Main Event : Michel Molenaar

Secure your package for the next stop in Malta!

There are several packages to be won for the next stop in Malta (15-21 May). Regardless of what you will play this week, in any discipline you can scoop a package worth 1,600! We have listed them for you:

Player of the Series

During the previous stop in Bratislava a true players ranking was introduced. Swede Totti Linde walked away with the package for The Festival Nottingham. To get hold of this all-round trophy, you will have the score the most points based on the ranking system. Meaning that you will either need to run very deep in the Main Event and make a couple of other notable finishes in other side events, or you simply play every single side event and cash in most of them. For more information check this link.

Cash Game Challenge

Are you a cash game player? Twice per day there is a cash game challenge, which mostly will be streamed live on the twitch channel of The Festival Series. It does not matter if you have deep pockets or not, regardless the buy-in level or blind level, it is all about the net profit in big blinds collected. All this needs to happen within the designated time frame which stands in line for this challenge. For more information check this link.

Franke’s Flip ‘n Go’s

The famous flip games are also part of the assortment in Nottingham during The Festival Series. Whoever wins the most flips throughout the whole week, takes home a package for the next event. Do you want to become the next flip master? Check out following link for more information.

PokerListings Championships

The PokerListings Championships is in full swing currently with Day 1A being played but hold your horses. Tomorrow there is another starting day as well. With a well-structured event and a 200K starting stack, there is enough space for some stunts. The winner does not only walk away with a heavy first prize, but also takes home the trophy + a package for the next stop. 

Related Articles


Pikku tauon jälkeen jatketaan

Pidettiin pieni tauko, nyt peli jatkuu tasolla bb ante 4K, blindit 2K/4K. 111/573 pelaajaa.

July 25, 2023 | Juhani Tyriseva

melvin shroen live reports from The Festival in Nottingham 2023
PokerListings set to do Live Reporting from The Festival Series in Nottingham (13-19 February 2023) 

Melvin Schroen – Live Reporter For the first time in the history of The Festival Series, an event series is being held at the Dusk Till Dawn Pokerclub in Nottingham.…

March 22, 2023 | Melvin Schroen

PokerListings Awards 2022
PokerListings Operator Awards – Winners 2022

Since 2020, we have been awarding the best poker operators and innovators in the poker business with our PokerListings Operator Awards. Every year the operators are nominated and awarded in…

January 11, 2023 | Bjorne Lindberg


Oliver Hutchins Wins the Trophy in the €500K GTD PPC Malta Main Event (€71,000)

Oliver Hutchins Wins 2022 PPC Malta Main Event United Kingdom’s Oliver Hutchins won the trophy in the €500,000 guaranteed PPC Malta €550 Main Event for €71,000 after a back and…

April 7, 2022 | Jason Glatzer


Final Table Payouts

PlacePrize1Oliver HutchinsUnited Kingdom€74,000*2Damir SavioCroatia€58,000*3Jingchun YuChina€31,0004Massimo RossiItaly€21,0005Wouter SchuurbiersBelgium€16,0006Federico CirilloItaly€13,0007Federico PetruzzelliItaly€10,0008Bradley GudgeonUnted Kingdom€8,0009Guiseppe DiBellaItaly€6,400 *Reflects heads-up deal.

April 4, 2022 | Jason Glatzer


Damir Savio Eliminated in 2nd Place (€58,000)

Level 41: 400K/800K (800K) Damir Savio It’s all over and Oliver Hutchins is the PPC Malta Main Event champion for €71,000 and the coveted trophy. Two hands after Hutchins doubled,…

April 4, 2022 | Jason Glatzer


Hutchins Doubles with Ladies to Take a Massive Lead

Level 41: 400K/800K (800K) Damir Savio jammed for 15 million from the button with 7 6 and Oliver Hutchins quickly made the easy call with Q Q from the big…

April 4, 2022 | Jason Glatzer


Stacks are Thin

Blinds have gone up to 400K/800K with a big blind ante of 800K. The lead swapped twice with small pots and Damir Savio currently is the table captain with 15…

April 4, 2022 | Jason Glatzer

Is Card Counting Illegal in Las Vegas?

There is absolutely no reason to worry about being handcuffed in the middle of a blackjack pit in Las Vegas for counting cards. Counting cards in Las Vegas is not against the law. Not only is card counting not illegal in Las Vegas, there are plenty of old-timers on the strip that will tell you that it was people like Edward Thorpe, the grandfather of card counting, that helped build Las Vegas into what it is today.

That being said, many casinos frown on moving your bet with the count, and being private businesses, they have every right to remove you from the floor and trespass you from the property. This is actually a two-edged sword, as the surveillance department will then send your picture out to many other properties. Most properties will then ask you to leave often before you’ve even made your first bet.

Can I get in trouble if caught?

What can and does get players arrested, especially after a couple of drinks, is not complying with security. If you find yourself in the unenviable position of being “walked”, don’t say anything and don’t touch anyone.

This isn’t the movies, they aren’t going to take you upstairs just to throw you down them. They just want to get you colored up and out the door with the least aggravation. But… should you touch one of them or perhaps even say something a bit hastily that you will regret in the morning, you will quickly find yourself on the floor in handcuffs with the police on their way.

In some cases, you might not even be asked to leave. Casinos have long ago discovered that just because you are attempting to count cards doesn’t mean that you are actually very good at it. Most novice card counters lose at the same rate as regular gamblers.

Casinos don’t have the people or the patience to watch your play for long, so they’ll ask you not to play blackjack anymore, or sometimes any table games, and leave you to the slots and video poker on the off chance you’re a degenerate gambler who happens to know a bit about card counting.

What Is Card Counting, And Why Isn’t It Illegal In Las Vegas?

What Is Card Counting, And Why Isn’t It Illegal In Las Vegas?

Card counting isn’t some sort of mental gymnastics that requires a Ph.D. It’s just keeping track of the high cards and low cards and betting more when there are lots of high cards. But this only works as the house advantage on Blackjack is quite low.

When casinos change the rules in their favor, you’ll need to bet more when the number of high cards are in your favor to overcome the new house odds. And some rule changes, like only paying 6/5 on blackjacks, are very difficult to overcome.

Using what cards have already been dealt to inform your betting and playing strategy is perfectly legal, but only when done without mechanical or electronic aid. People like Ken Uston built wearable computers as far back as the 1970s to try and beat the game. But the courts made clear that while using your brain was fine, outside aid wasn’t.

An interesting aside is that the Nevada Supreme Court has also found that using a dealer’s exposed hole card to inform your decisions isn’t illegal if you can see it unaided and, of course, the dealer isn’t showing it to you as an act of collusion.

Some things that will get you arrested include switching cards, adding/subtracting from your bet after the cards are dealt, using a computer or a phone to aid your play, using devices like a prism or camera to catch the dealer’s hole card, any sort of collusion with the dealer such as being overpaid on purpose or the dealer flashing you the next card before it’s dealt.

A Brief History Of Beatings and Blackjack In Las Vegas

When Bugsy Siegel opened the Flamingo Hilton in 1946, the population of Las Vegas was around twenty thousand. The mob would run this backward western town for the next three decades. By 1980 when most of the mob influence was on the wane, the town had grown to a metro-size area of over 500,000.

A Brief History Of Beatings and Blackjack In Las Vegas

As early as the 1950’s there are books by people who are beginning to lay out basic blackjack strategy and hint at counting. “Playing Blackjack to Win” was published 5 full years before Thorp’s seminal work “Beat the Dealer”. But Thorp’s computer-aided research caught the whole country’s imagination and even made the New York time best seller charts. 

As one might imagine, mathematically minded folks trying to beat the casinos and the mob weren’t a match made in heaven and much mayhem ensued. Thorp has even claimed that the mob tried to kill him in Las Vegas a few years after his book came out.

Ken Uston and a great many other card counters, some skilled and others not so much would also be on the wrong end of mob beatings over the years. Casinos often enforced their own justice up through most of the 1970s.  And this is where many people’s fears of card counting being illegal or punishable come from.

Ironically, after a short-lived panic, the casino managers up and down the strip realized that their now-packed blackjack tables were filled with people that believed the game to be beatable but lacked the skill to actually do it.  This belief that blackjack was vulnerable would fill blackjack tables and Las Vegas hotel rooms for decades to come.

Casinos would still make some changes to make the game a bit less favorable, first two decks, then as many as eight were added. The cut card was moved up so not as many cards were dealt out, rules like Five Card Charlie and surrender became a thing of the past. Not only did this lessen the pool of folks who could count cards profitably, but also the number of beatings that needed to be doled out.

The days of beatings are long gone, and about the only vestige left of the mob in Las Vegas is a museum downtown. The thrill of card counting and taking your shot at bringing down the house means there are still some who will risk it. And while the casino may ask you to leave if they believe you are counting cards, honestly, you are getting off lightly. No handcuffs and no bouncing down long flights of stairs.

How to Play Live Casino Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the easiest casino table games to grasp, but it can take you a little longer to master. With the aid of this comprehensive guide on how to play blackjack, we can equip you with the skillset and knowledge to have fun even when you are sat playing against a real dealer in the LiveRoulette live casino.

With over 20 live blackjack tables to choose from at LiveRoulette, there is always an opportunity to play a basic hand of blackjack or dabble with some of the side bet variants that can switch-up your gameplay. Before you get started, why not familiarise yourself with the basics of blackjack and get to grips with an optimal strategy to minimise the house edge.

The on-screen layout of a live blackjack table

From the moment you load up your live casino blackjack table, you will meet a friendly, professionally trained dealer to manage your game. You can see the seven-player seats around the table. Vacant seats will say ‘Sit Here’ and you only need to click to join the action.

The display of your account balance is in the bottom left corner of the screen and you can choose the size of your stake in the ‘Total Bet’ button next to it. Click the inner circle of your seat position once to bet one unit. You can also click on the side bet areas to place additional bets if you wish.

It’s possible to chat with the dealer and the other players at the table in real-time using the ‘Lobby’ button in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Card values in live blackjack

The values of cards in a game of blackjack are easy to follow. They correspond to their numerical value displayed on the card. Face cards (Jack, Queen and King) are worth ten, while an Ace can be worth either one or 11 and played however you see fit.

In-play actions available in live blackjack

Hit

By ‘hitting’, you’re requesting an additional card from the dealer to try and improve your hand(s). You can continue to hit cards until your hand value is 21 or greater.

Stand

You can choose to stand on your hand, which means that you are happy with the value of your cards and don’t require any more from the deck. You may choose to stand your hand to avoid exceeding 21 and going bust.

Split

When a dealer gives you two cards of equal value, you can split them. Splitting turns these cards into two separate hands, with the dealer giving you one additional card for each hand. You must pay to split. The additional bet must be equal to your starting stake.

Double Down

If you believe one additional card will improve your hand to defeat the dealer, you may choose to double down. You’ll only get one more card from the deck and you must double your starting stake.

Insurance

Whenever the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, the dealer will offer you an insurance side bet which can cover your losses if the dealer has a blackjack.

How many hands can you play in live blackjack?

You can play as many hands as you want at most live blackjack tables. Wherever there is a vacant seat at the table, you can normally use it to play multiple hands in different seats – providing you have the bankroll for it. Unlike other card games such as Texas Hold’em Poker, where it’s not possible to take up multiple seats at a table, you can do so in blackjack because you are not playing against the other players at the table, only the dealer’s hand.

What does bet behind mean?

At some live casino blackjack tables, you may have the option to ‘bet behind’ another active player at the table. This means that you will be betting on your chosen player’s hand to beat the dealer’s hand. Although you will have no say or control over how the hand turns out, you obviously have a choice as to which player you choose to bet behind.

Each active player at the table will have icons displayed next to their name, displaying how well they are playing. Those on a ‘hot’ or winning streak will usually have a gold medal or star next to their name.

How does the dealer play their hand?

You should now know how to play your blackjack hand at the tables, but do you know how the dealer plays their own hand? Put simply, if the dealer’s first two cards add up to 16 or less, they must hit and take an additional card. If their first two cards value is between 18 and 21, they must stand and take no further cards.

If the dealer has a ‘hard’ 17, they must stand. A hard 17 is a hand that does not contain an ace or has one or more aces with the value at one. If the dealer has a ‘soft’ 17, they must hit and take an additional card. A soft 17 is a hand that does contain an ace with the value being at 11.

The dealer’s hand automatically wins the round if your hand busts, or if the option is available to surrender your hand and half of your original stake. Their hand also wins if it is closer to 21 than yours. If you and the dealer have hands of the same value, then this is a ‘push’. In this event, you receive your original stake in full due to the tied game.

It’s worth noting that the dealer has very little say in how they play their hand. They must adhere to the house rules of standing on hard 17 and hitting on soft 17. Under no circumstances can they change tac and play their hand differently.

Available payouts at the blackjack tables

First and foremost, if you win a hand of live blackjack against the dealer’s hand, you will win a payout worth 1:1. If you bet €10, you’ll receive €10 in winnings, plus your €10 stake back.

It’s a little less straightforward for blackjacks. Some tables payout 6:5 for blackjack, while others will pay 3:2. For example, if you bet €10 and get a blackjack at a 6:5 blackjack table, you’ll receive €12 in winnings, plus your €10 stake back. If you bet €10 and get a blackjack at a 3:2 blackjack table, you’ll get €15 in winnings, plus your €10 stake back.

If you choose to take out the insurance bet, this pays out at 2:1 in the event the dealer lands a natural two-card blackjack.

Side bets in live blackjack

Although bet behind is also considered a side bet option, there are two primary side bets that you can place when sat at most of our live blackjack tables:

  • 21+3
    Let’s start with the 21+3 side bet. This one happens around the first two cards you receive, as well as the dealer’s visible ‘upcard’. If you can form a three-card poker hand using your first two cards and the dealer’s upcard (flush, straight, straight flush or three-of-a-kind) you will win a payout. The size of the payout depends on what kind of poker hand you can form. It typically ranges from 5:1 for a flush through to 100:1 for three-of-a-kind cards of the same suit.
     
  • Perfect Pairs
    Perfect Pairs is the second most popular side bet you’ll find at our live blackjack tables. This optional side bet requires you to find matching card values, card colours or, better still, two identical cards. You can win 5:1 for a Mixed Pair, such as a pair of eights of different suits. You can win 12:1 for a Coloured Pair, like a pair of sixes of the same colour i.e. diamonds or hearts. Finally, you can also bag 25:1 payouts for a Perfect Pair, which is two identical cards.

Understanding optimal strategy in live blackjack

The key to giving yourself the best chance of winning at the live casino blackjack tables is to adopt a smart strategy. A smart strategy is one that minimises the game’s house edge. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the betting techniques you should employ as part of an optimal blackjack strategy:

  • Doubling down on 10 and 11
    Some casinos will only allow players to double down on hands when their initial two-card hand is worth 10 or 11. Doubling down on 10 or 11 is a powerful play, particularly if the dealer’s hand is lower. It may even be prudent to double down when your hand is worth nine and the dealer’s hand is of a lower value still.
     
  • Splitting Aces and 8s
    If you have a pair of aces in your hand, this is a hard or soft total of 12. This is rarely a good situation to be in. There’s a high probability of landing a face card or a ten with your next card and going bust. Splitting them gives you a chance to potentially land two blackjacks or two cards valued higher than 12.

    A pair of eights is a hard total of 16, which means there are plenty of cards in the deck that could bust your hand when you hit. Splitting your eights into two hands gives you a chance to land a ten on both hands to achieve 18, which is a respectable outcome in this scenario.
     

  • Avoid taking Insurance
    Whenever the dealer’s upcard is an ace, you will get the chance to buy ‘Insurance’. This requires you to pay half the size of your original stake as a side bet, which pays out 2:1 if the dealer has a blackjack, ensuring you break even for the hand. The dealer will not have a blackjack more than 50% of the time, so Insurance is a statistically bad play – unless you are certain their next card will be a ten.
     
  • Surrender 16 against a ten (if allowed)
    If early or late ‘Surrender’, the best time to use it is when you have a hand value of 16 against the dealer’s ten. There are plenty of cards in the deck that can bust your hand and a similar amount that can give the dealer’s hand an unassailable advantage. That’s why it makes more sense to cut your losses and surrender half your stake in this position.

Live blackjack variations

Not content with conventional live blackjack games? We’ve got you covered. At LiveRoulette, you can immerse yourself in three different blackjack variations. All of which offer exciting, fast-paced gameplay, available on all desktop and mobile devices.

Speed Blackjack

Are you short on time? If you don’t have a moment to waste, Speed Blackjack could be the ideal solution for you. Powered by LiveRoulette partner Evolution Gaming, Speed Blackjack accelerates the gameplay wherever possible. The first two cards play as normal, but the next step is completely different.

In Speed Blackjack, the quickest players to make their decision to stand, hit, split or double down will play first with the dealer. It reduces the waiting time for experienced players that know what they are doing, even if it does not provide a mathematical edge to your action.

Infinite Blackjack

If you are someone that can only devote time to playing live blackjack during ‘peak’ hours, the chances are that most live blackjack tables will be full of players when you log in. There’s no need to worry about not being able to play though, thanks to our Infinite Blackjack tables.

As the name suggests, these low bet limit tables cater to an unlimited number of players, with no need to wait for a seat to become available. That’s because all active players receive a ‘community’ two-card hand. Subsequently, each player can play the remainder of the hand however they wish. There are no less than four side bets to choose from too.

Blitz Blackjack

Blitz Blackjack, powered by LiveRoulette partner NetEnt, operates on the same principle as Infinite Blackjack. All players receive the same two cards on-screen from the dealer and are then given the option to hit, stand and split the two cards to make the remainder of the hand their own. Again, there is no limit on the number of players that can play at these tables, which is great for peak hour gaming.

Blackjack is not a complex or scary casino game. You can grasp it within minutes and start to enjoy yourself at the tables of our Canadian online casino!

18+ | Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly |  Terms & Conditions apply

7 Game Slot Bertema Musik Teratas

Dari orkestra epik hingga lagu pengantar tidur yang ringan dan lapang, musik telah menjadi a bagian dari slot hampir sejak awal. Soundtrack sebuah game diintegrasikan melalui tema, gaya, dan karakter slot. Jadi, tidak mengherankan jika pengembang game telah memutuskan untuk menemukan beberapa gaya musik dan band paling terkenal untuk menjadi inspirasi bagi game itu sendiri!

Tidak ada kekurangan genre dalam dunia game, dan beberapa game slot yang paling menarik dan unik memiliki beberapa musik unik yang disajikan untuk menyempurnakan gameplay. Namun dalam game ini, musik adalah inspirasi sekaligus artis! Jelajahi 7 slot bertema musik Teratas yang telah masuk ke katalog slot!

1. Slot Motorhead

Yang pertama adalah permainan slot yang terinspirasi oleh band rock & roll legendaris Inggris Motörhead, yang menampilkan 76 paylines, 5 gulungan, dan simbol Ace of Spades Wild yang mencairkan wajah yang dapat memberi Anda hingga 10 putaran gratis. Di atas ikon yang mungkin Anda harapkan seperti a gitardan bintang, simbol pembayaran tertinggi tentu saja, vokalis band Lemmy.

Bergoyang dengan NetEntGamegrid yang dirancang dengan indah yang diletakkan di atas panggung dengan amplifier, speaker, api, dan petir. Coba dan picu Mystery Reels dan Fitur Bomber untuk mendengar gemuruh kerumunan, jadi ambil kapak Anda, buang kamar hotel (secara metaforis), dan mulailah berputar!

Tahun Rilis 2016
Pengembang Game NEtEnt
RTP 96,98%
Fitur Bonus Ya
Menang Maksimal 150x

2. Slot Guns N’ Roses

Permainan bertema musik, kasino online, perjudian, slot video, permainan logam rambut 80-an, desain grafis, slot video Guns n roses

Apakah Anda memiliki Nafsu Penghancuran? Kalau begitu, Anda beruntung karena ini adalah Wild di game slot Guns N’ Roses ini! Slot video 5-reel, 3-baris, 20-baris ini menampilkan grafik inovatif, soundtrack yang familiar, dan berbagai fitur bonus yang terinspirasi dari hair metal.

Anda dapat menemukan Encore Free Spins, Legend Spins, Game Bonus Crowd Pleaser yang menggabungkan Roda Bonus pemintalan vinil yang mengarah ke pengganda potensial. Bahkan simbol pembayaran yang lebih rendah dihiasi dengan mawar, dan gamegrid itu sendiri berada di depan tempat panggung luar ruangan dengan lampu terang dan kerumunan yang memujanya.

Pilih pilihan Anda dan bergabunglah dengan Axl Rose, Slash, dan anggota band lainnya ke dalam dunia rock and roll yang tak lekang oleh waktu.

Tahun Rilis 2018
Pengembang Game NetEnt
RTP 96,98%
Fitur Bonus Ya

3. Slot Kerangka Mariachi

Selanjutnya, kita menuju ke Meksiko untuk menjelajahi kegilaan Mariachi dalam permainan slot yang optimis, Esqueleto Mariachi. Tema Día de Muertos (Hari Orang Mati) menonjol di seluruh elemen desain dengan tengkorak gula, alat musik kerangka, dan ledakan kembang api di halaman kuno.

Sesuai dengan temanya, ada jumlah garis kemenangan yang eksplosif, 40, dan bonus seperti Cascading reels dan putaran bebas Mariachi. Dan di antara 5-reel, slot volatilitas sedang hingga tinggi, Anda mungkin menemukan simbol bayaran tinggi, yaitu tengkorak merah muda dengan kumis dan mawar di antara giginya – tentu saja!

Musik lokal menggelegar, dan malam masih muda, jadi mainkan slot pedas asli ini!

Tahun Rilis 2018
Pengembang Game Harimau Merah
RTP 96,13%
Fitur Bonus Ya
Menang Maksimal 1.257x
Permainan bertema musik, kasino online, permainan judi, slot video, Mariachi, musik Meksiko, Day of the dead sugar skulls

4. Slot Jimi Hendrix

Mulai sesi selai dengan slot lain dari NetEnt. Gim Jimi Hendrix adalah desain gim yang terinspirasi tahun 60-an dengan bunga, tanda perdamaian, dan palet warna yang diredam. Tapi jangan biarkan getaran dingin membodohi Anda, ada banyak hal besar yang bisa ditemukan di gurun goyang.

Tonton Purple Haze saat Anda menjelajahi 20 paylines, Crosstown Traffic Free Spins, Little Wing Free Spins, dan Wild, yaitu Jimi Hendrix sendiri. Pengganda, game bonus Coin Win, dan respin semuanya menambah suasana nyaman yang diciptakan game ini.

Pindahkan Rover, dan biarkan Jimi mengambil alih!

Tahun Rilis 2016
Pengembang Game NetEnt
RTP 96,90%
Fitur Bonus Ya
Menang Maksimal 400x

5. Slot Disco Danny

Untuk sesuatu yang sedikit berbeda, masuklah ke kota yang funky dan pergilah ke lantai dansa di slot bertema musik disko, permainan slot Disco Danny. Gim ini memiliki warna-warna cerah, desain psikedelik, dan putaran bebas yang dipicu oleh bola disko. Apa lagi yang bisa Anda minta?

Permainan bertema musik, permainan judi kasino online, permainan slot video, Musik Disko, desain grafis suar sepatu roda

Nah, jika jawaban untuk pertanyaan itu adalah sepatu roda, suar, dan pengganda hingga 50x, maka Anda beruntung! Slot kecil namun perkasa ini memiliki 3 gulungan, 5 garis pembayaran, dan RTP 96,04%. Anda juga dapat menemukan simbol klasik seperti BARS dan 7 yang menambah nuansa permainan jadul.

Tahun Rilis 2020
Pengembang Game NetEnt
RTP 96,04%
Fitur Bonus Ya
Menang Maksimal 3,333x

6. Slot Ozzy Osbourne

Pangeran Kegelapan sendiri telah memasuki dunia slot, dan seperti yang diharapkan, permainan dibuka dengan Ozzy Osbourne duduk di singgasana yang disajikan dalam gaya gotik. Headbang jalan Anda melalui 5 gulungan dan 20 paylines untuk mencoba dan mendaratkan simbol nilai tertinggi pada game ini, yang jelas Ozzy menggigit kepala kelelawar!

Pentolan Black Sabbath ini menawarkan bonus seperti fitur Coin Win, multiplier, Wilds, dan opsi Bonus Bet untuk hadiah tambahan. Estetika gelap dari game ini dipadukan dengan sangat baik dengan visual throwback, dan suara yang selalu berubah dari light ke heavy metal.

Tahun Rilis 2019
Pengembang Game NetEnt
RTP 96,67%
Fitur Bonus Ya
Menang Maksimal 2.500x
Permainan bertema Ozzy Osbourne slot video permainan perjudian kasino online Black Sabbath metal video slot permainan kartun kelelawar

7. Slot Rock’N’Lock

Terakhir dalam daftar slot bertema musik, adalah game yang menggambarkan raja roll and roll sendiri, Elvis, dalam tampilan grafis ala Las Vegas. Ada tanda neon, mobil klasik, 25 paylines, dan catatan emas dan platinum yang berfungsi sebagai simbol Scatter.

5-reel, 4-baris memiliki ikon seperti gitar, mikrofon dan headphone, dan jukebox. Fitur Lock the Records mengumpulkan simbol rekor di gamegrid, dan grid penuh catatan bisa membuat taruhan Anda mencapai pengganda 25x!

Biarkan saat-saat indah bergulir!

Tahun Rilis 2022
Pengembang Game Harimau Merah
RTP 95,69%
Fitur Bonus Ya
Menang Maksimal 2.340 x

Untuk mulai bermain taruhan Uang Asli, cukup masuk dan tempatkan taruhan Anda. Jika Anda mendaftar untuk pertama kalinya dan membuat yang pertama menyetorkanAnda dapat mengklaim milik Anda Bonus Selamat Datang sebelum bermain di semua game kami.

Roulette adalah permainan peluang, bukan keterampilan

Sejarah Roulette

kata kunci: cara bermain roulet dengan quarter, roulet versi spanyol

10 Game Kasino Teratas untuk 2018

kata kunci: tidak ada unduhan permainan kasino gratis tanpa deposit kode bonus amerika serikat pemain menerima permainan slot online gratis uang nyata kasino online direkomendasikan video poker terbaik blackjack live kasino dealer langsung kasino taruhan tinggi meja kasino slot rol tinggi kasino chico betonline bovada taruhan olahraga sportsbook

Roulette adalah permainan peluang di mana pemain dapat bertaruh pada hasil roda yang berputar, yang biasanya memiliki 38 atau 37 angka. Bola rolet dilepaskan dan dipantulkan sampai mendarat di salah satu slot bernomor pada roda, dan nomor yang mendarat menentukan nasib Anda.

Ada beberapa cara untuk bermain rolet online. Anda dapat memilih untuk bermain dengan atau tanpa house edge kasino. Sebagian besar kasino online menawarkan opsi ini serta fitur putar otomatis bagi mereka yang ingin duduk dan membiarkan permainan berjalan sendiri.