Just in time for the holiday season, Vegas Technology powered casinos are now offering over 45 online casino games. English Harbour Casino features a larger selection for players with the newly added games - Money Shot Slots and Five Card Mulligan poker.

Money Shot is a 5-reel, 20 pay-line bonus video slot machine with a basketball theme and features an exciting bonus game along with free spins. Coin size ranges from 1¢ to $10.

Five Card Mulligan is a table poker game that has 3 different possible payouts with the ante, bonus and raise bet payouts. Five Card Mulligan is played against the dealer with a 52-card deck and the jokers removed. The best 5-card poker hand wins. If the hand values are the same, it’s a tie and the player’s ante/raise bet is returned back. The minimum wager is $1 and the maximum is $100.

English Harbour Casino has been in operation since 1997 and is licensed by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. English Harbour offers popular games like blackjack, video poker, a wide variety of slots and more with 24/7 customer support by phone, live chat or e-mail. The casino is currently offering new players a 100% welcome bonus with deposits of $50 up to $275.

Can you believe it? The Millionaires Club progressive jackpot is currently sitting at over $4.9 million and will make one lucky player a multi-millionaire! This online slot game can be played in two versions. The first is a 9-line, 5-reel video slot with a coin denomination of 10¢ to $20 and a bonus feature. The second version is the classic progressive slot with 3-reels, bonus game and wagering limits from 25¢ to $5.

Millionaires Club is only available at Cryptologic powered online casinos. Their software provides players with a realistic casino environment, wide game selection, secure transactions and more. Casinos powered by Cryptologic include some of the most trusted brands such as:

InterCasino has been online since 1996 offers more than 100 casino games. They feature a welcome bonus along with a monthly bonus.

Omni Casino features over 90 games, was first launched in November 1997 and have over a 97% payout rate.

Sands of the Caribbean was established in August of ’97 and offers a sign-up bonus along with a monthly bonus. Earlier this year, a Casino Cash Journey player hit the Rags to Riches jackpot totalling over $404,000!

For more information on how progressive slots work, read our progressive slots history section or to learn slots terminology, try our slots glossary.

This month, Cryptologic launched a newly designed online poker software that features better navigation, new choices and extra information. Other enhancements include an updated main lobby, poker tables and tournament area, which make it simpler for players to move about the software, select their game, choose wagering level along with finding information on the poker game and statistics on their play. Players can also play blackjack as well as any casino game right from a poker table or from the poker lobby – an industry first!

The main lobby: The updated layout of the main poker lobby allows players to easily find the game they are looking for and get further details on future tournaments and games. The new menu bar in the lobby arranges options that players have become accustomed to like account details, customer service information, along with exciting new options such as links to the latest poker news and promotions.

The poker tables: New poker tables show betting action with incredible visuals that highlight fold, check, bet and raise decisions and even allows players to save and view notes made on their poker opponents.

The tournament lobby: CryptoLogic has also made improvements to the tournament lobby. There are now icons to show special features and important information on current and upcoming online poker tournaments.

Blackjack and casino games: One key feature that no other online poker software currently offers is this - players can launch any of the more than 200 casino games. So, if a player is waiting for their turn at a poker table or looking through the tournament or main lobby, they can launch a game of blackjack or take a spin at slots.

Casino Cash Journey - Online Poker Info

If you’re interested in playing poker online, check out Casino Cash Journey’s how to play guides on Texas Holdem, Omaha Hi, Omaha Hi-Lo and Seven Card Stud.  All of these games are available at InterCasino Poker, Poker Plex, Sun Poker and William Hill Poker which are powered by the new Cryptologic poker software.

They say the house always wins…
Though there is no casino game in which the player has a greater advantage than the house, blackjack is the only game in which players can use strategies to ensure that the house has the least amount of advantage. So if you thought blackjack was simply about holding your breath and hoping for the elusive 21, you’re wrong!

This beginner’s guide to blackjack will give you some insight into the history of the game, basic strategies, card counting and the various online casinos that offer this exiting card game.

The History of Blackjack
Somewhere around 1700 the French began playing a card game known as “vingt-en-un” or “twenty-one”. The game began to gain popularity in the United States when casinos began offering fantastic payouts to players who drew an Ace and a Jack of spades or clubs (hence the name blackjack). Though casinos today offer greater payouts to players who are dealt an Ace and a face card (King, Queen or Jack) the nickname derived from its heyday has stuck. In more recent years the game has moved online, with online blackjack becoming one of the most popular casino games available on the Internet.

Blackjack Basics
The basic premise of the game is to be dealt cards totaling up to 21. Each player is dealt two cards. When a player is dealt a 9 or lower value card and an Ace they have been dealt a soft hand. When the player receives no Ace cards it is known as a hard hand. Once the cards have been dealt all players at the table, including the dealer (who keeps one card face down), each player is given the opportunity to make one of six decisions:

Requesting another card (Hit): When a player says hit me the dealer will deal him another card, if the addition of that card makes the total greater than 21 the player will have lost and be excluded from the game, if the card pushes the total to 21 the player wins and if the total has not yet reached 21 they are still in the game.

Keeping the hand you’ve been dealt: If a player is happy with the hand they will stand. Once this has happened the dealer will reveal his or her hand and the player who has accumulated 21 or the closet to 21 will win.

Doubling Down: A player may request to double down which doubles the bet they have placed. Once you have taken this action you can only be given one more card. The specifics of doubling down are usually specified by the table or casino rules so before playing make sure you are familiar with the house rules. If you are playing at an online casino this is usually quite easy.

Split: if a player is dealt two cards of the same value (two 8’s for example) he may split them to create two different hands. If you chose to split your hand you will have to place a new bet equal to the original bet.

Surrender: Some casinos will allow players to surrender the hand they have been dealt along with half of the original bet they placed before the dealer checks his hand. Once again it is important to ask the dealer for clarification on the table rules or check the rules section on the online casino you are playing on.

Insurance: When the dealers face up card is an Ace players have the option to take out insurance. You will place half of the original bet before the dealer checks his cards; if the dealer has blackjack you will win the insurance bet but still lose the original sum – which is clearly better than losing the whole lot. Unfortunately if the dealer does not have blackjack the player loses the insurance. It’s a risk but one that is well worth it, if used as part of a clever strategy.

Once a player has stood or gone bust by going over 21 the dealer will show his hand and will continue to deal himself cards until one of the following things has happened: if he has reached 17, a dealer will not usually draw another card if his cards total 17 due to the likelihood of going bust, if he has drawn 21 or if he has gone bust.

Basic Strategies
There are several strategy charts which will help you go from beginner to pro but the following suggestions will give you a good idea on what to do and what not do:
If your hand equals 17 or higher, but you have not gone over 21 – Stand.
If you have been dealt a hand with two Aces or two 8’s split!
If you have been dealt a hand with two tens or two face cards don’t split.

Card Counting
Card counting is one of the most popular blackjack strategies; it is the ability of players to mentally count; commit the cards played to memory and to judge how many high cards remain in the deck. This strategy has been banned by most casinos but isn’t really illegal as long as the player is not using a mechanical device to do so. Card counting is not possible when playing blackjack online as the deck is usually automatically shuffled after each hand.

Playing Blackjack Online
There are several online blackjack sites that offer various forms of the game. Whether you wish to play classic, advanced or high limit blackjack or if you wish to play in an online blackjack tournament you will find an online casino offering you exactly what you want.
The only thing better than hearing the dealer shout blackjack when looking at your cards is looking down and seeing an Ace and a Jack in one of the black suites – not only is the payout sweeter the satisfaction is far greater.

Our online casino directory gives you the information you need to choose the right online casino for you. It is a great resource for online blackjack detailing information on the strategies and rules of blackjack as well as a host of online blackjack tournament sites.

Casino Cash Journey has added a new online casino, Winners Goldmine. The casino currently offers new players a no deposit bonus along with first deposit bonus. See Winners Goldmine website for full details.

Winners Goldmine Casino is powered by G-Fed Games and features over 90 casino games which include progressive slots, blackjack, video poker and more. They also offer 24/7 customer support and can be reached by phone, e-mail or live chat.

Click here for Winners Goldmine Casino review.

Beware that fraudsters are once again trying to deceptively pursuade online clients of the online banking processor NETeller to reveal their account details on a bogus NETeller website.

Watch-out for an e-mail claiming to be from NETeller that says:

Quote:

Dear Customer,

According to our registries, we have recently detected that your account has been accessed from different IP addresses. This could be happening because your computer’s IP address is dynamic and varies constantly, or because you have used more than one computer to access your account.

Due to this event and in fulfillment with the current legislation, we have updated our computer systems to offer greater security to our clients, thus we will need you to access your account and verify it’s recent activity.

The security procedures require that you verify the activity in your account before December 11th, 2006. Otherwise, passed (sic) this date, our automated computer security system will suspend your account indefinitely.

In order to access your account and to verify it’s activity, you must click on the link below:

https://www.neteller.com/signin/index.jsf;jsessionid=L41254B68N74P472K58K21…..

We appreciate your help in this matter, as we work together for NETELLER to be a safe place to do businesses.

Customer Service Department
NETELLER

Unquote

NETeller users are advised to disregard this e-mail and to definitely avoid clicking on the link it contains. The URL is cloaked and the unsuspecting will be directed to a fake NETeller site which tries to get account details for potential misuse.

Did you know that you can experience the magic of winning without paying a cent? 7Sultans Casino is offering new players $50 free for a limited time. No deposit is required to play or transfer your winnings. See 7Sultans website for full details.

7Sultans Online Casino features over 210 casino games like slots, progressive jackpot games, video poker, blackjack and so much more. 7Sultans is one of the largest and longest running online casinos and is part of the Fortune Lounge Group. They’re well known for their superior software, outstanding customer support and top-notch security.

Click here for 7Sultans Casino review.

Microgaming has just released two new Christmas-themed online slot games:

Jingle Bells is a 3-reel, 5-payline festive video slot with glossy green holly and red berries along with golden bells.

Santa Paws, a 5-reel, 20-payline video slot with free spins, multipliers, scatter and two wild opportunities.

These games are available at several Microgaming powered online casinos like Crazy Vegas Casino.  Casino Cash Journey features a full review of Crazy Vegas Casino.

Online Blackjack, Get21.com is stuffing your stocking with over $70,000 in guaranteed prizes and winning tips this holiday season!

Get21 is a leading provider of online Multiplayer Blackjack Tournaments. One of the first to market the revolutionary multiplayer Blackjack service, this online blackjack site has established a beneficial affiliate program and aims to become the industry’s leading consumer brand for online Blackjack tournaments. Get21.com is powered by cutting edge gaming software, with a unique tournament format.

The holiday season is already in full swing at Get21, which is offering huge guaranteed prize pools for its fantastic multiplayer online Blackjack tournaments throughout December.

From Christmas through New Year’s Eve, Get21.com will bestuffing your stocking with over $70,000 in guaranteed prizes – including a very merry $2,500 guaranteed prize pool tournament on Christmas Day, gift-wrapped in $1,000 tournaments both on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

Ring in the New Year with Get21.com’s special $10,000 Grand Finale guaranteed prize pool tournament, guaranteed to make the end of 2006 unforgettable – and make honing your Blackjack skills your latest New Year’s resolution!

Blackjack buffs (whether naughty or nice!) will be rewarded with winning tips and fascinating articles in the new “Learn from the Pros” section on this online blackjack site - the best players and writers in the Blackjack Tournament arena are giving away the hottest trade secrets.

Get into the holiday spirit now with daily $500 and $250 tournaments, twice daily $100 tournaments and $50 and $25 guaranteed prize tournaments four times a day. And to make this season more miraculous than ever,Get21.com is offering additional $1,000 tournaments every other day.

So once you’ve finished hanging your Christmas tree ornaments – get started on the tournaments action! ‘Tis the season at Get21.com with more tournaments, bigger payouts and a festive Blackjack celebration!

Casino Cash Journey – Online Blackjack Info

Anyone interested in playing Blackjack online should visit the introduction to the exciting game of Blackjack on the Casino Cash Journey site – you will find everything from the history of Blackjack to how to play Blackjack and a Blackjack glossary to Blackjack strategy charts and free online Blackjack games.

Welcome to the Casino Cash Journey blog – Everything you need and want to know about online casinos!

Online Casino News and Reviews

We’ll be featuring posts on the different games you can play online as well their rules, reviews of various land based and online casinos, player tips, online gambling strategies, new bonus announcements and the latest in international gaming news.

In short the Casino Cash Journey blog is here to give you an insight into what online gaming is all about – subscribe to our feed to make sure you don’t miss out on a thing!