Casino War is an excellent card game that is based on the childhood game of “war” or “battle”.

War is a game for two or more players and was considered a kids game because it was so easy to play. Using a standard deck of 52 cards, which are divided evenly and placed face down, each player then shows their top card and whoever’s card is highest takes the other cards and places them at the bottom of their deck. This continues until the player whose turn it is has no more cards and is declared the loser. There are more intricate versions and rules but this is the basic premise of the game that Casino War is based on.

Online Casino War
This simple card game favored by the younger generations has evolved into an exciting casino and online casino game loved by adults. Casino War is played with six decks, the suites don’t matter, the cards are ranked the same way they are in poker and Aces are always high. Some online casinos use different numbers of decks, and the house advantage increases with the number of decks in play.

Going to War
Whether you are playing at a table or online the dealer will deal a card face up to both you and himself. If your card has the highest value you win and visa versa. However if your cards are equal you can chose to “go to war” with the dealer. By choosing to go to war you will have to match your original bet, if you’re not happy with the risk you will surrender to the dealer and forfeit half of that original bet.

Once you have elected to go to war the dealer will burn three cards then give one to you, burn another three cards and deal one to himself. If this, your second card is higher than the dealers you will win your original bet but if it is lower you will lose both bets. Seeing as you never win your second bet the house advantage when it comes to Casino War is high. Surrendering has a slightly higher advantage for the house, so a player should try not to surrender. At some land based and online casinos a tie after a tie will result in a bonus equal to the original wager.

Types of Bets
There are three different types of bets in Casino War:

The Ante Bet: This is the wager placed on the outcome of the player’s card will be higher than the dealer’s. If the player’s card does top the dealer’s, he/she wins and is paid 1:1.

The Tie Bet: This is the wager placed on the likelihood of the player and the dealer both having cards of the same value. An ante bet must be placed before a tie bet but the values may differ, first so this is usually considered a side bet. The tie bet payout is 10:1.

The Raise Bet: If the first hand does result in a tie the player has the option to raise his/her bet. This is stage of the game is referred to as “going to war”.

A Few Things to Remember

* Make sure you are familiar with the payout system at the specific land or online casino you are playing at.

* If there is no tie, your chances of winning are 50:50, but if the cards do result in a tie, the house gains the advantage.

* Although Casino War may seem like a game of pure luck, players with excellent memories can improve their chances of winning but while there may be a place for card counting in the land-based casinos this strategy will not work for you online.

Casino War is one of the simplest card games around, and it’s great fun to play. If you’re new to the concept playing a few games of online Casino War this will help you hone your skills for when you hit the tables. Enjoy!

CasinoCashJourney.com offers strategies and tips on several casino games including Casino War.

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BetUS Casino makes it easy to play with their instant play software.  No download required.  At BetUS Casino, their slogan is what happens in Vegas, happens at home!

New players can choose to play for real money or to play for fun.  There’s 25 Las Vegas style casino games, 24/7 casino support by phone, e-mail or live chat along with weekly tournaments and huge prizes.  Games include slots, blackjack, video poker, craps, roulette and many more. BetUS Casino is powered by Digital Gaming Solutions software and is licensed in Costa Rica.

 BetUS has been in operation for over 13 years and is recognized as one of the original online entertainment companies.

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Tony G Poker is the newest poker room on CasinoCashJourney.com.  It’s part of the Playtech/iPoker Network.  The poker room was founded by poker pro Tony Guoga, aka Tony G.  Be sure to look for him at the poker room because he can be seen playing (under the nickname “Loudmouth”) at tables with low limit games and tournaments, including those with bounties on Tony G. Players get paid usually around $100 to knock him out! 

Enjoy the incredible Sit-n-Go Progressive Jackpots Tournaments where there are millions to be won.  A unique feature of the site is the Tony G Blog that is updated by Tony himself.  It features lots of posts on how to improve your poker game along with information on where Tony is playing in the world.

There are several types of poker offered on Tony G Poker and there are also casino games like blackjack, slots, video poker, roulette, craps and more. Playing currencies include US dollars, GB pounds and euros with support available 24/7 by phone and e-mail.

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It’s estimated that more than 100 million people visit casinos every year. Any way you choose to look at it, that’s a lot of people and a lot of gambling.

When it comes to the world’s top casinos, it’s about far more than just gambling. It’s true that for many casinos the gaming activities represent the largest proportion of their income, but most realize that it’s vitally important to offer visitors a whole lot more.

Modern casinos are entertainment centers and many of them boast about being a family-friendly destination, with entertainment options for all members of the family, young and old.

We’ve put together a list of some of the top casinos around the world. If you’re planning a Casino Holiday for the family, then these are definitely worth a look.’

American & South American Casinos
Las Vegas. Perhaps the most famous casino district in the world. Located in the unforgiving Nevada desert, Las Vegas is a veritable oasis of lights, tourists, entertainment…and money.

Of all the Las Vegas casinos, Caesar’s Palace must certainly be one of the most famed. With a huge gaming area, consisting of two wings – one for serious high-rollers and the other for Joe Average – the casino contains over 2000 slot and video poker machines, card tables, roulette wheels and pretty much everything you’d expect from a top, top casino.

The setting is opulent and impressive – it’s not called a palace for nothing. Classic vaulted ceilings combine with striking marble columns and archways to create an environment that projects grandeur. This is one Las Vegas casino definitely worth a visit and its no wonder it attracts as many tourists as it does gamers.

From the US we head south to what is considered South America ’s and specifically Argentina’s premium casino resort, the Iguazu Grand Hotel Resort & Casino.

Just a few minutes from the Iguaza falls, near the Tancredo Neves Bridge, the casino’s location must surely be one of its biggest draw cards. This European-styled resort offers an excellent range of gaming attractions with 130 modern slot machines, 27 Gaming Tables including Roulette, Poker, Baccarat, Blackjack and al the other casino staples.

This South American casino also boasts fantastic VIP rooms and exciting tournaments, bars, restaurants, massage and beauty services, 40 Executive Suites, 8 Corner Suites, 7 Junior Suites, 4 Master Suites an 18-hole golf course, outdoor pool and a full range of facilities for the business traveler.

African Casinos
The largest economy in Africa, South Africa is blessed with a number of fabulous casino hotels. While there are certainly many contenders for the country’s best offering, there is one, which stands out as an all-round attraction; Gold Reef City.

Just a few minutes from South Africa ’s busiest city, Johannesburg, the Gold Reef City Hotel and Casino resort is one of the country’s most popular attractions. The Hotel boasts 40 well-appointed, luxury rooms while the casino complex boasts a wide range of restaurants, a 300-seat theatre and an array of function areas.

Nearby, the Gold Reef City Theme Park provides entertainment for the whole family, with many exciting rides, tours, shows and other entertainment. Casino gambling here will expose you to nearly 2000 gaming machines and 50 table games.

Gold Reef City offers visitors an experience unlike anything they’re likely to find anywhere else. It provides a unique combination of gaming, family entertainment, historical fact and four-star luxury.

European Casinos
Casinos in Europe are luxurious affairs, places where ordinary men are made to feel like kings. Located on the Cote d’Azur in Monaco, between Italy and France, The Fairmont Monte Carlo is one of Europe ’s premium luxury resorts.

Favorably situated in an area that enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine per year, and often hailed as the playground of the super rich, The Fairmont Monte Carlo hotel is one of the largest on the continent. It has over 600 guestrooms and luxurious suites which overlook the Mediterranean Sea.

An architectural masterpiece, the Fairmont Monte Carlo boasts am open-air dining terrace, hovering above the ocean and a spectacular rooftop pool. Just 500 meters from the hotel is the famous Monte Carlo Casino.

Australian Casinos
They absolutely love gambling down under. In fact, Australia has the second highest number of gamblers in the world. As you’d expect from a nation of enthusiastic gamblers, there are quite a few fantastic casinos in Australia, one of which is the;

Conrad Jupiters Casino can be found in the heart of Queensland’s renowned Gold Coast. It is one of the main attractions in this subtropical holiday playground and offers a combination of international resort hotel luxury and the 24/7 buzz of Jupiters Casino.

Located on the gorgeous subtropical Broadbeach Island, the five-star resort is one of Australia ’s largest, with 21 floors and nearly 600 guest rooms. The Conrad Jupiters is unrivalled on the Gold Coast. The Casino and other entertainment make it a must-visit destination.

Book Your Casino Holidays right here!
Casino Cash Journey is an online casino directory that gives you the information you need to choose and book the right casino holiday destination. You can also find excellent online casinos – A great resource for finding the best hotel and casino resorts around the world.

Gin rummy, or Gin for short, is traditionally a two player game, but it can be adapted for 3 or 4 players. It’s game play is turned based, and uses a point system. A game is won by a series of rounds, usually to the total value of 100, but this figure can be negotiated to suit the players.

Gin rummy is a derivative of strains of poker and traditional rummy, and uses similar grouping structures called ‘melds’. One pack of 52 cards is used, and does not include the use of jokers or wildcards. Aces only count as low cards (Ace, two three…) and not as an afterthought of the King, as with many card games like blackjack and poker.

Dealing and Playing Gin Rummy
As with most card games a dealer is selected, and either alternates between rounds or on a winner deals/loser deals basis. Each player is dealt ten cards, starting from the non-dealing player and alternating between the two.

After each player has their ten cards, the dealer places the top card of the remaining deck, or stockpile, face up on a separate pile called the discard pile. That constitutes the dealers turn, and the focus now shifts to the alternate player, or in a clockwise direction in multi-player games.

The player in the spotlight must either choose to pick up the face up card for use in a possible meld, or take a chance on the unknown card at the top of the stockpile. Once the player has picked up a card, he or she needs to discard one card face up on the discard pile. This signifies the end that the turn. This system is very similar to traditional rummy and several forms of poker.

Melds, Knocking and Deadwood
A meld is a group of cards that you assemble in either sets or runs.

Sets are comprised of a minimum of three to a maximum of four cards with the same value and different suits. For instance three Sevens or four Kings.

Runs are a group of three or more cards of any suit that are in sequential order. A good example of a run would be a three of hearts, four of diamonds and a five of clubs.

Once a player has formed melds with the majority of his or her cards they perform the ‘knock’. This signifies the end of the current round, although it needs to be strategically implemented.

Whatever non-meld cards remain in both players hands are given a value and added up to reach a final score. These remaining cards are called ‘deadwood’.

Scoring at the End of a Round, and Tallying at the End of a Game
The object of gin rummy is to score as many points after each round to win the eventual game. Scoring comes into play during after a player has knocked, or once there are only two cards left in the stockpile. Face cards, or picture cards, are counted as ten points each. In home games it’s best to keep a pen and a piece of paper handy for scoring purposes.

* Once a player has knocked, they receive a score based on the difference between their deadwood and the opponent’s deadwood. For example, if the knocking player has a six and the defending opponent has a king, the difference of four points will be awarded to the knocking player. These are called Knock Points, and are only awarded if the defending player has a higher deadwood.

* An Undercut Score is awarded to the defending player has a lower deadwood than the knocking player. Usually the difference would go to the ‘knocker’, but no it is awarded to the ‘underknocker’, plus a bonus of 25 points.

* If a player is able to knock without having any deadwood in his or her hand (every card is used in melds), the player is awarded a gin bonus of 25 points, plus the total of the opponent’s deadwood.

* At the end of a game of gin rummy, a line bonus of 25 points for every round won is added to the scores of the players. This is an important element of the game, and needs to be considered from start to end.

The Final Curtain
The game ends when enough rounds have been played for one player to reach the 100 point mark (or other prearranged total), and could go into a series of games, depending on the game style, similar to a tennis match.

Strategies Under Fire
Keep you hand organized, but not enough to let your opponent see the capacity of your melds. Try to keep your hand grouped without putting them in obvious divisions. It’s also handy to not reveal where in your hand the card that you discard came from.

It’s better to discard the higher cards, which are not used in melds, rather than the lower cards. Remember that your opponent could knock at any time, and it is better to have the smallest deadwood total possible.

Keep your options open. Although the game has a large luck element, with a bit of skill you can create possibilities. For example, if you have two fives and a six, try to discard one of your other cards as either a four, five, or seven will create a future meld of either a run or a set. If you discard the six and pursue a set with the two fives, Murphy may just grant you that four you could have used.

Remember that it isn’t pleasant being undercut, but sometimes it can be the best defense against being “ginned”.

Be aware of the remaining stockpile. Keep in mind that the games enters a forced ending once the third last card is removed from the top of the stockpile, and your opponent will be more likely to knock during the time leading up to the remnants of the stockpile.

Online Gin Rummy
Join the millions who are experiencing easy and interactive play with online gin rummy. Play in tournaments, against your friends or just the house. With a little practice you’ll soon be cashing in on the biggest and most user friendly gin rummy action in the world.

It is said that craps is the oldest dice game on the planet and has been played since the times of the crusades and is commonly believed to have been derived from the game Hazard which was invented by Sir William of Tyre and his knights during the crusades. Hazard became exceptionally popular during the 17th century amongst the English nobility who frequented the up market gambling houses. Once the French discovered this easy to play and social game they changed the name to crabs, crabs was the name given to the lowest value of a throw of the dice in hazard. Eventually crabs came to the United States and was played feverishly and spread to the other parts of the country via the Mississippi river boats - each player bringing a new element to the game.

A famous dice maker, John H. Winn revolutionized the game by changing the layout of the board and introducing the “Don’t pass bets” area on the board. And the rest as they say is history.

Forms of Craps
Today three major forms of craps exist:

Casino craps - craps played at proper tables throughout most land based casinos in the world.

Street craps - played without a table, street craps is a more informal version of the game and is exceptionally popular amongst soldiers and students looking to pass the time before heading back to the books.

Online craps - combines both street and casino craps and present a more simple way of enjoying the game. Craps is very popular amongst online gamers and works exactly the same as table craps. The only thing missing from the online version is the social nature and camaraderie that takes place round the craps table. What is great, though, is that you can play on your own – you don’t need hoards of people around to enjoy yourself.

A great way to familiarize yourself with online craps is to play the free games available from the online casinos before playing with the experienced gamers. Casino Cash Journey is an online casino directory that gives you the information you need to choose the right online casino for you. It is a great resource for online craps, as well as a host of other exciting games, detailing information on the rules, terminology and patterns as well as a host of sites where you can play craps online.

Rules of Play
Played by one or more players, craps is won by a simple throw of the dice. Players take turns rolling two dice in a series of rounds. The player rolling is known as the “shooter” and the first throw of a new round is termed the “come-out roll”.

If the total of the two dice is 7, 11, 2, 3 or 12 on the come-out roll, the round ends immediately and another come-out roll must thrown. A total of 2, 3 or 12 is called craps while a result of 7 or 11 is called a win. If any other number if thrown on the come out roll the number becomes known as the point. Once a point is rolled the shooter will re-roll the die until the point number is rolled again, at which point the round ends and the same shooter throws another come out roll. If a 7 is thrown instead of a point the round ends and the person to the left of the shooter in the previous round becomes the new shooter.

The Table and Bets
A craps table is divided into three, the left side, center and right side. Each side mirrors its opposite side and contains the following sections:

* Pass and Don’t Pass Line Bets
* Come and Don’t Come Bets
* Odds Bets
* Place Bets
* Field Bets

There are several types of bets in craps which include Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line, Come, Don’t Come, Place, Odds, Field, Buy, Lay, Proposition Bets, C & E Split, Big 6 and Big 8, Any Seven, Any 11, Horn and Hop Bets. To explain them all in one article would be impossible. There are several online craps resources which will provide you with an in-depth description of the kinds of bets.

A Game of Etiquette
As craps is a game of dice and luck there are quite a few rules etiquette for table play. Keep these in mind if you are a first time player:

It is considered bad luck to say the word “seven” so use the phrase “big red” instead. It’s also considered bad luck for a shooter to leave the table after a successful come out roll or to change the dice in the middle of a roll.

All hands or elbows must be kept away from the table when a player is ready to roll as to not interfere with the dice. It is also considered bad form to have food or drink on the table rail.

Placing a late bet or placing a bet when the dice are not in the middle of the table are also frowned upon.

Don’t forget to tip the dealers!

So you’ve decided you want to get in on all this online casino action you’ve been hearing about. You head over to Google, looking to find a casino to start off with. Whoa! About a gazillion results – where do you begin?

For the newcomer to online casinos, knowing where to start is incredibly important to make sure your online casino experience is everything you hoped for. Choose the wrong site and you might be put off this incredibly exciting pastime forever. Choose right, and you’ll soon see just why it’s so popular.

To help you make your choice, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 best online casinos around.

1. Fortune Room Casino
How to play: This online casino allows players to choose to play via the download version or via a Flash version that requires no downloads.
Payment method: A variety of payment methods are available, like Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club. There are also a number of alternative payment options on offer.
Peace of mind: All activity is reviewed by a leading independent auditing company. You can also reach their support team 24 hours per day, 7 days a week via e-mail, telephone or live chat.
Games available: Fortune Room offers more than 160 different games, including traditional table games like blackjack, keno and craps. Also available are a many exciting slots, video poker and some great Progressive Jackpots.
Bonus or special offers: This online casino currently offers a welcome bonus for new players.

2. 7 Sultans Casino
This is on of the oldest online casinos around.
How to play: Play the no download Flash version, get the download or order your free software CD.
Payment method: Various payment methods are available such as VISA, MasterCard, Neteller, FirePay, Click2Pay, UKash, InstaDebit, UseMyBank, eCheck and PaySpark.
Peace of mind: One of the oldest online casinos around, 7 Sultans Casino is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and has all-hours customer support via toll-free telephone or email.
Games available: More than 200 games are offered at this online casino, including Progressive Jackpots, Slots, Video Slots, various Table Games and Video Poker.
Bonus or special offers: The 7 Sultans Casino offers a welcome bonus for new players.

3. Platinum Play Casino
This sleek, modern online casino is often touted as great one for newcomers, but even the seasoned online gambler will find something to entertain. The site’s simple, elegant lines make it feel nice and uncluttered.
How to play: Platinum play provides a no download “Casino Lite”, which allows gamers to play without downloading the full casino. For the full online casino experience, either download the software or order the free CD.
Payment method: A secure banking interface is provided and all major credit cards are supported.
Peace of mind: Platinum Play is a fully licensed and independently reviewed online casino.
Games available: Over 155 games are offered with some great progressive jackpots.
Bonus or special offers: Get a sign-up bonus if you’re a new player.

4. Royal Vegas Casino
Payment method: Choose to deposit into your account via Neteller, Click2Pay, FirePay, UKash, eCheck, Pay Spark, InstaDebit, UseMyBank, or just use any of the major Credit Cards. Currencies accepted include USD, GBP and EUR.
Peace of mind: This fully licensed online casino has an overall payout rate of nearly 97%. Payout reporting is done by independent auditors.
Games available: Over 100 games are available and include progressive jackpots.
Bonus or special offers: Royal Vegas Casino offers a deposit bonus.

5. Vegas Palms Casino
How to play: Play the Flash version without download or download the full software pack.
Peace of mind: All transactions are protected by SSL digital encryption and payouts are audited by a leading independent auditing company . Vegas Palms carries the eCOGRA’s Players Seal of Approval.
Games available: 192 games on offer of which 124 are slots games.
Bonus or special offers: A healthy deposit bonus is on offer.

6. Desert Dollar Casino
How to play: Get a free casino CD, download it, or play via the no-download flash version.
Payment method: All major credit cards are supported as well as a number of alternate deposit methods.
Player service: This online casino uses the Fortune Lounge customer service infrastructure, considered the best in the industry.
Games available: More than 125 games are offered and an expert mode is available with autoplay and best-strategy features.
Bonus or special offers: A great sign-up bonus is available.

7. Vegas Towers Casino
At Vegas Towers , you get more chances at winning big prizes, and, being in the Fortune Lounge Group, you can earn loyalty status with the group.
How to play: Play the web-based flash version or install the software.
Peace of mind: This online casino is fully licensed and has a secure banking interface.
Games available: Vegas Towers has a good selection of games, including fifteen blackjack games, a large selection of video and power pokers, and over 80 of the best slots online.
Bonus or special offers: Get a deposit bonus on your first purchase from this online casino.

8. InterCasino
One of the very first virtual casinos to start-up in the late 90s, InterCasino is pretty well-known in the industry.
How to play: This online casino is powered by Cryptologic software. For an optimum player experience, the download version is highly recommended. If you’re looking for a quick gambling fix, a no-download version is also available but this version contains only a fraction of the games available.
Peace of mind: The customer support is available through both email and telephone and, toll free numbers are available for countries around the world. InterCasino clients use the Electronic Cash (”ECash”) system to process online financial transactions. ECash is one of the most reliable and trusted e-commerce applications around.
Bonus or special offers: Get a deposit bonus.

9. All Jackpots Casino
This online casino is a great choice for novice and less experienced players. With large bonuses for small deposits, your bankroll will go further, especially if you’re on a small budget. Their excellent customer service is also great when you need help figuring things out.
Peace of mind: All Jackpots Casino provides safe, secure and reliable banking transactions and offers a wide variety of safe, online depositing methods.
Games available: The download version gives gamers a choice from 187 games while the flash version has 87 games. This online casino is host to the 8 largest jackpots on the net.
Bonus or special offers: The All Jackpots Casino offers a sign-up bonus.

10. Villento Las Vegas
Villento Las Vegas has a very sophisticated feel and will appeal to most online casino enthusiasts.
Games available: Villento offers over 240 games, with a great selection of table, slots and video poker games.
Bonus or special offers: Villento Casino offers a sign-up bonus.

Casino Cash Journey has a great online casino directory that gives you the information you need to choose the right online casino. It’s a great resource for finding the best bonus casino offers on the net. Be sure to keep an eye on this site for the latest bonus offerings and newest online casinos.

Two things used to come to mind when I hear the word bingo. The time I joined my grandmother and her friends for a game of bingo at a local church hall (for less than impressive prizes) and a song my mum used to sing to me. You know the one… “There was a farmer had a dog and bingo was his name-o B.I.N.G.O, B.I.N.G.O, B.I.N.G.O and… Bingo was his name-o”. While I quite enjoyed the song, the purple-haired ladies put me off a little. Needless to say I never really considered bingo to be my game of choice. That is of course till I discovered online bingo – a mix of competitive thrills; friendly chat sessions, luck of the draw and of course… excellent winnings.

Bingo’s Beginnings
Bingo originated in Italy in the 1500’s its precursor the Italian National Lottery. This lottery styled game spread quickly throughout Europe and reached America in 1929 in the form of a game called Beano. The first time the game was played was at a carnival where a man by the name of Edwin Lowe became enthralled by this simple game played with beans and cards. After creating a homemade version Lowe began holding beano evenings at home which were a great success. One night one of the players who had successfully completed their card jumped up in such excitement that they screamed bingo instead of beano … and the name stuck. Lowe successfully marketed the game and that is how it all started.

The In’s and Out’s of the Game
Essentially each player has a card (5X5 grid) or several cards depending on their skill level. Each of the 5 columns on the card is marked by one of the letters that make up the word bingo. There are 5 numbers under each letter and as the caller draws numbers the aim is for the player to cover each of the numbers on their card to win.

There are so many card combinations (somewhere between six and nine thousand) so it’s near impossible to cheat. Legend has it that the mathematician who developed the number combinations eventually drove himself insane. Players have to keep their wits about them as things move relatively fast and it is easy to miss out on the letter/number combination called out. Missing one could cost the player the game. Once a line, pattern or the entire card (depending on the rules being played) the player must shout bingo.

The prize is awarded to the first player to shout bingo (once their card has been checked of course) and the next round begins.

Online Bingo
Bingo was a hit at church fundraisers all around America and soon commercial bingo halls started popping up all over the States and later the UK . When bingo recently moved online the game took on a new slant entirely. Virtual bingo halls are a hive of activity; rather than spinning balls and a caller a random number generator will decide whether players enjoy success or not. A fun feature of online bingo is that players can chat with one another while they play, which is not accepted at land based bingo halls – it really is a very social game. Bingo has become the game of choice amongst online gamers that don’t want to take their games too seriously. It’s fun and that’s why they play – the winnings aren’t too shabby either!

Gone are the days when bingo was reserved for small scale charity events, our grannies or school fundraisers – Today bingo is the game of choice for countless people around the world. Online bingo spurred on a revival of an old favorite that is now enjoyed by young and old both online and off. It is such a great game because it has managed to retain its social nature – there’s no scheming or strategizing, just good, clean fun and of course the luck of the draw.

When you think about Roulette, you might think of James Bond placing bets according to decisions of a beautiful woman who’s ‘lucky’. But can it really be that random? And is it as easy to play online as it is in casino in Monaco?

The word Roulette means ‘small wheel’ in French. The outcome of each round of Roulette is indeed decided by the ball landing in one of 38 holes (American version), which are positioned around the edge of this wheel. These holes are numbered 1 to 36, with a 0 at one end and a 00 at the other. The basic betting consists of placing any number of chips against one of these numbers. If it lands on your number, you win 35 chips for every chip you have bet (called 35:1 payout).

Chances Are…
It is important to note that there is the same 1-in-38 chance at each spin of the wheel – the chances of the ball landing in a given hole are not increased by it not having landed there all evening. That is known as the ‘gambler’s fallacy’ and is a common though understandable error that people make when playing games of chance, such as dice games. ‘I haven’t had a six for twenty rolls so there must be one coming up…’ Wrong: the dice doesn’t ‘know’ what happened over the last twenty rolls – so it can’t affect what happens this roll. Same with the Roulette wheel.

Placing Bets in Roulette
It follows that placing your bets in Roulette is not an exercise in anticipating what may come up. The spread of your bets across the table is like a net, sitting there waiting to capture one of the numbers when it comes up. It would therefore be a perfectly respectable strategy to leave your bets on the same numbers for every spin of the wheel, and wait to see how often those numbers come up. For this reason, many experienced players have their own sets of ‘lucky’ or preferred numbers, which they largely stick to with some variation.

If the betting simply consisted of individual numbers, it would be that simple. But there are also various other outcomes you can bet on, which are more probable than a single number coming up – but carry correspondingly lower winnings.

The simplest options carry a better chance and therefore 1:1 payout – meaning you get one chip back for each one bet. These are to bet on one of the two colors the numbers are divided into, which are red or black; to bet on an odd or even number coming up; or to bet on a number in either the upper or lower half (1-18 or 19-36). Below the grid of numbers on the Roulette table, there are areas of the table that represent these options.

Above these sections, there are areas where you can bet on the lower, middle or upper third of the number range coming up. Because there are 36 numbers in total, these are called the first twelve (1-12), second twelve (13-24) and third twelve (25-36). These areas of the board carry 2:1 payouts, meaning you get two chips back for every one you bet. It is also possible to achieve 2:1 payouts by betting one of the three columns in which the numbers are organized on the table. You do this by placing your bet in a space at the end of the row you have chosen.

That, unfortunately, is the end of the simple part. From now on, it gets more complicated.

The remaining ways of betting are by selecting combinations of numbers. You divide the single-number payout by the number of numbers in your combination. If you recall the payouts for one number are 35:1, then the payouts for a two-number combination will be 17:1, for three numbers 11:1, for four numbers 8:1, or 6:1 for five numbers.

Due to the configuration of the roulette table, you cannot bet on any combination of numbers. They have to be adjacent for a two number bet, in which case your chips are placed straddling the two numbers; in a row across the table for a three number bet, in which case your chips are placed at the end of the row; in a square for a four number bet, in which case your chips are placed in the centre of the square. A five number bet has to involve either the 0 or the 00. It is a bet than 00, 0, 1, 2 or 3 will come up and is wagered by placing your chips at the end of the line dividing 0 and 00 from the squares marked 1, 2 and 3.

Online Roulette
That’s it! Online roulette follows the same rules except you control your bets with a mouse and there is a virtual wheel that generates a number randomly. Why not try your hand? There are a hundreds of online casinos these days, so your only problem might be which one to choose. The link at the beginning provides a directory of the best ones. Good luck!

A few months ago I bought a new mobile phone, while trying to figure out how to use it I stumbled across the games section and found backgammon. Up until this point I’d never played the game simply because I didn’t know how. After losing dismally the first few times I decided it would probably be a good idea to figure out the rules and strategies. It was extremely easy to pick up on the ins and outs of the game and I now find myself playing it whenever I have an extra minute or two to spare.

Needless to say I was absolutely thrilled when I found out I could play backgammon online!

Early Beginnings
It is hard to pin point the exact time in history that backgammon started being played but artifacts which have been found suggest that the pharos were playing it more than 5000 years ago. Different variations of the game were played in Persia, Greece, Rome, Egypt and the Far East and the game has had many names including Senat, Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum, Tabula, Alea and Nard. The word backgammon is said to have come from either the Old Saxon meaning of “back game” or the Welsh term that means “small battle”. If you’ve ever played it you’ll understand that it is a small yet rather fun and gripping battle.

Playing Backgammon
Backgammon is essentially a two player game which is played on a board consisting of 24 points that look like long thin triangles and 30 checkers. The board is usually made up of two sides with a fold in the middle – so there’s 6 points in each quarter of the board, the quarter on your left is your home board.

Each player gets 15 checkers of a specific color. The colors sometimes differ from game to game but they are usually either black and red or black and white.

Playing alternatively the aim of the game is to move all of your checkers from their various positions across the board at the start of your game to your home board.

Setting up the Board
The points each have their own numbers; beginning at the player’s home board, the furthest point from your home board is 24 which correlates to your opponent’s number 1 point. Before start of play you need to set up your board which can be done like this:

2 checkers on each point 24
5 checkers on each point 13
3 checkers on each point 8
5 checkers on each point 6

Each player then receives their own set of dice and the fun is ready to begin.

Choose who goes first by each throwing one die – the player with the highest number goes first. All you need to do is roll your dice and begin moving your checkers from your opponent’s home board and the outer board towards your home board.

Checkers can only be moved to any open point on the board. An open point is classified as any point that is not already occupied by two or more of your opponent’s checkers. As you’re using both dice you can use one die’s number to move one checker and the other’s to move another checker. Of course you could always the summation of both numbers to move just one of your checkers. If you throw a double, like 6, you then get to move 6 places 4 times. If you can not move according to the numbers on your dice you miss a turn.

If a point is occupied by one of your opponents checkers (this is called a blot) you may land on their checker which will then be placed on the side bar. Your opponent will then have to roll again in order to get the checker back into play; the checker will begin moving from the furthest point on the board.

Once you’ve played a few times you’ll learn the subtle ins and out of blotting – be sure to avoid leaving any of your checkers on a point on their own otherwise it will be your checker that goes back to the beginning – which can ultimately lose you the game.

Once you’ve mastered the basics you’ll begin to start thinking about various backgammon strategies and that is where the real fun begins.

Online Backgammon
The most popular board game in the world – backgammon is perfectly suited to online play. The beauty of online backgammon is that you can either play against other online players or against the computer, which suites beginners perfectly. In an age where children don’t want to seem to play the games their parents did online games like backgammon are helping keep traditions alive. Play backgammon online now.

From being played by pharos in Ancient Egypt to being played by web savvy individuals of all ages in the 21st century it’s safe to say that this awesome game is here to stay. Try it out… I can guarantee that you’ll love it!.