BlackJack Card Counting

Hi-Lo System

The Hi-Lo system is one of the easier and more popular card counting system for blackjack.

The Hi-Low consists of assigning a point value of +1, 0, or -1 to every card dealt to the player. Each card is assigned a specific point value in the Hi Lo System. Aces and 10-point cards are assigned a value of -1. Cards 7, 8, 9 each count as 0. Cards 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 each count as +1.

2,3,4,5,& 6 = +1
7,8,& 9 = 0
10 to A = -1

If player 1 is dealt a 3 and 9 (+1, 0), player 2 has a 10 and a 5 (-1, +1), player 3 has a 7 and a 2 (0, +1), and the dealer's upcard is an Ace (-1), the running count in a single deck would be +1. That's not too bad, right?

All a counter using the Hi-Lo System must do is add and subtract by 1 and keep a true count of the deck. Try to look at a two cards at once and figure out the combined count so you aren't tallying every single card. Also, a good card counter will sit at 3rd base (last position to be dealt at the table) so he/she can easily see the cards being dealt. This is a very simple system but if you play it right, you can get great results.

To become a proficient card counter in blackjack when you are at the casino it is important to practice at home. You can also practice at home. Keep track of the running count using the hi-lo system. When you finish the deck, the count should be at 0. When you can get through the entire deck in 30 seconds with no problems, you have become quite proficient.

Conservative Poker

Be conservative.
Poker players, and even entire poker games, can be characterized as either tight or loose. A loose player stays in every hand until the showdown, bets and raises with mediocre hands, and generally loses more money than he makes. A tight player folds most hands before ever making a bet. He doesn't spend money throwing chips into the pot to save earlier bets. He knows a bad hand is a bad hand, and he won't play with it. Poker is a game of patience. Good players know they will lose a little money on many hands, waiting for the right hand to come along.

Know when to be aggressive.
It's certainly possible to play too tight. When a good hand comes along, raise, and raise again. That's when a good poker player earns her money.

Know the odds.
You don't have to be a mathematician, or even memorize long tables of statistics. Just be observant and consider how many cards of each kind are in a deck.
In a game of Texas Hold'em, if you have three of a kind, this is usually a good hand. But if there are four Diamonds on the board, chances are at least one other player has a Diamond in his hand, and that Flush would easily beat your set. Time to fold.
In a Seven-Card Stud game, imagine that you're holding four Clubs to a Flush. You can bet aggressively on drawing that fifth Club if there aren't any others showing, because that increases the odds that there's another one in the deck. If there are already five Clubs showing in other players' hands, the odds of drawing to that Flush are significantly lower.

Weigh cost against the pot.
Sometimes you might have a hand you wouldn't normally play with. If you've stayed in the hand, and you're close to the river, consider how much is in the pot versus how much you have to call to stay in. If it will only cost you $5 to stay in a hand with $250 in the pot, it's worth the risk. You could lose with that hand 40 times, but if you win it once when there's a significant pot, you'll make money. A big pot can make bad odds good.

Have standards.
You won't have time to consider odds and ponder all the possible outcomes of a hand at the table. Know the game you're playing, and know what kind of opening hand you should play with. If your opening draw doesn't meet your standards, fold.

Bluff rarely.
A bluff works best when no one expects it. They won't expect a bluff from a conservative player, or from one with a reputation for never bluffing. You have to bluff occasionally, though. Otherwise, the other players will know you have a good hand any time you bet aggressively, and they'll fold.

Although poker is game of chance at its core, there are good poker players and there are bad poker players. A bad player will get lucky now and then, and every good player hits stretches of bad luck, but over the long term, a good player will make money at poker. In fact, there are quite a few professional poker players in the world.

Winning at Blackjack

Here are some basic rules to abide by when playing BlackJack and the best advice I can give you is to learn them and just do them! Statistically they should produce a winning outcome.

1. Your deal is Less than 11
If your first two cards are equal to eleven or less you always draw another card. No matter what card the Dealer is showing you must always assume that the dealer has a ten hidden.

2. Your deal is between 12 to 16
If your cards total 12 to 16 (Danger Zone), whether you draw or stand depends on what the dealer is showing.
If the dealer has a card showing between 7 to an Ace, you should draw until you are over 16.If the dealer has a card showing between 2 to 6, you should not draw another card.
Exception: If you have 12 and the dealer is showing a 2 or 3 you should draw one more card only.

3. Your deal is between 17 to 20
If you have cards total between 17 to 20, you should never draw another card. The only time you should draw another card under the above circimstances is when you have a soft 17 or 18.
When the player has a soft 17 or 18 it is a good idea to draw if the dealer is showing any card from a 9 to an Ace.

Insurance is often not recommended, since you are betting that the dealer will receive a BlackJack (21). You are playing to beat the dealer not bet that he will beat you.

Tips on Roulette

Five Roulette Tips to Dramatically Increase Your Profits!

Five Roulette Tips to Dramatically Increase Your Profits!Roulette is the third most popular casino game worldwide, after slots and video poker.Why is it so popular? Well it is fun, exciting, easy to play, and has certain glamour attached to it, thanks to James Bond!The fact that it is so simple to play means that many players just play roulette without thinking about how to maximize their winning potential.

Roulette Tip 1: Play European Roulette

The best roulette wheel to play is the European wheel as it reduces the casino advantage to an acceptable 2.63%.The American version with an extra 00 almost doubles the house advantage, so stick with the European wheel.

Roulette Tip 2: Best Bets

Another advantage on the European table is the en prison rule on even-money bets.When the 0 comes up, your bet remains, (is captured), for the next spin. If you win on the next spin, you aren't paid for the win, but you are allowed to take your original bet back; so you only lose half your bet. The House edge on even money bets with the en prison rule and single zero is now reduced to 1.35% making it the best bet on the table.Talking of best bets lets look at the worst bet in roulette - The five number bet of 0, 00, 1, 2, 3 blasts that 5.26% out of the house with an edge of 7.89% to the casino, so avoid this one!Generally, stick to the bets with lower odds, and avoid single number bets. Playing red or black gives you a chance of winning 50% of the time minus the house edge. This is an attractive bet as it keeps you in the game longer, has respectable odds and allows you to maximize your bankroll.

Roulette Tip 3: Don't Get Emotional!

Don't get emotional when you play. Keep in mind roulette is a game of pure chance, so make sure you set a bankroll you are happy with IN ADVANCE, and when it's lost you leave the game.Roulette is very emotional and exciting, so it is easy to spend those chips quickly, without thinking about it!Also, don't get angry or frustrated if you lose Roulette is a fun game first, moneymaking is a bonus.

Roulette Tip 4: Don't Believe In Sure Fire Systems

You will see roulette systems on the net offered for just a few dollars that guarantee you huge consistent profits. Yeah right! If they were true, keep in mind the vendor would not be selling them! They would keep the system to themselves and make a million or more!Roulette is a game of chance, so forget sure-fire systems.

Roulette Tip 5: Why Are You Playing?

Of all our roulette tips this is the first one we would ask players to consider.You need to ask yourself, is your overriding aim in gambling, to make money or have fun?If you answered fun, then roulette is for you. If your overriding motivation is to make money, then you should pick a game like blackjack, where you can actually put the odds in your favour.Blackjack is not as exciting, or as much fun as roulette, but you will have the opportunity to make much more money!Roulette is fun, exciting, and with the above tips, you can put the odds a little in your favour.

Play to Win at Online Casino Games

Online Casino

Gambling online has become very popular over the past 10 years. Since the inception of the first online casino in 1995, the industry has exploded to offer a large array of different online gambling products. Today's online gambling market offers players a huge selection of online casinos, virtual bingo halls, online poker rooms sportsbooks, online lotteries and much more.
Players have discovered the fun and pleasure of playing at virtual online casinos. You don’t have to dress up, can play in the comfort of your own home, and can play as often or as little as you like. Other more tangible reasons are :
  • Convenience Without Distractions
  • Free Money (all sites have bonus money for new players)
  • Less Pressure (time to think without pressures from other players and bystanders)
  • Security (online transactions are secured)
  • Play For Free First (opportunities to practice all you want before starting)
  • 24/7 Support

Choosing a Good Site

Choosing safe and secure online casinos is an important step for beginners in online gambling. Most beginners go to online gambling review sites and forums to find out which are the reliable online casinos. Most people who post reviews and comments about online casinos are gamblers who experience playing in these casinos. They wouldn't think twice about complaining against a bad casino or to recommend a good one.

Tips when choosing a place to go gambling online:
  • Is the online gambling site licensed? If the gaming site is licensed generally you'll see a logo at the bottom of the page showing where they hold their gaming license This logo may not always be very obvious so you may need to look closer. If it's not on the homepage then dig through the site till you find where they're licensed. If you don't find any indication that they're a licensed in a gaming jurisdiction such as Gibraltar, Kahnawake, Antigua, Isle of Man, Malta or other I'd advise against playing there.
  • If the casino features a PriceWaterhouseCoopers logo at the bottom of their website it means that the sites payout percentages are audited by PriceWaterhouseCoopers one of the largest accounting firms in the world. This is a good indication that the online casino is legitimate.
  • If you see any additional logos for the IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) or eCogra then the casino is definitely worth exploring further as these are two regulatory bodies that ensure the online casino is operating according to their policies and standards.