Archive for July, 2008

New Casino Games Approved for UK Casinos

Pai Gow poker has bonus payouts at odds of up to 8000 to 1, beat the dealer and your in the money!In the gambling news this week the UK Gambling Commission has approved three new games for use by casino licensees. They are: Let it Ride Poker (aka Let ’em Ride), Pai Gow Poker (pictured left), and the four variant of Texas hold ’em poker.

The Commission’s list of approved casino games and the rules for casino games have been updated to include the new offerings. (Non-remote casino operating licensees must only offer or permit to be played casino games that appear on this Commission document, with the exception of any Commission approved trial of a proposed new game).

Here’s the full list of what you can legally play at UK-licensed Casinos while you sip that martini, Bond style or show off cleavage in your slinky red dress. 12 new side bets have also been approved by the Commission, six of which are part of the new games while the other six relate to already permitted games.

Approved casino games listing from the UK Gambling Commission

 

 

 

 

 

 

UK players: Gain an advantage! Prictice and develop your strategy to maximise wins on these games online before you head down to your local casino. We recommend the following safe, secure licenced online casinos for UK players:

Spin Palace Casino – powered by the latest version of Microgaming Casino software
Bet365 Casino – powered by stylish Playtech Casino software
Paddy Power Casino – powered by no download Wagerworks Casino software

You can check them out in detailed casino reviews using the links below or follow this link to compare the most popular (and safe) casinos for British players.

>>Spin Palace Casino Review
>>Bet365 Casino Review
>>Paddy Power Casino Review

Add comment July 28th, 2008

Lots of “Party on dude” moments in this new slot from Microgaming

New slot from Microgaming Casino gamesRemember the 1989 quirky hit movie “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”?  The team at Microgaming has just released their brand new no download slot game that’s based on the movie. (And, as Ted would say…Awesome!)

Join a Keanu Reeves (Theodore Logan), and Alex Winter (Bill S. Preston Esq.), two dodgy teenagers, as they travel through time encountering notable figures in history to help them graduate high school – and pursue their real dream – The Wyld Stalyns band.

Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure slot machine is fun!Despite the truely bogus nature of the lead characters, this is game actually a highly advanced, interactive pub slot with a host of win features such as multi-line cascading reel wins (you know, where a win line vanishes so the reels reset potentially giving you more wins), two bonus feature games and a Wyld (wild) symbol. The game offers fixed win lines, so all 5 lines are permanently in play. It’s easy to play and fun.

Watch out for the time travelling telephone box (no, not the blue Dr Who one!). In this new slots game three phone boxes in view triggers a feature game, where you choose to target planets to shoot either manually or on auto-play. This “Circuits of Time Bonus round” pays 10 to 1000 times your original bet. The second bonus game is triggered at random (any spin can do it) and you get to choose to play the guitar or let Rufus do it for you. The notes determine your free spins and payout. You win WinSpins that can pay from 8x to 500x your original bet.

If you’re a Brit, bets between 10p and £10 are accepted on this medium volatility, 96% – 97% percentage average payout game, which can deliver a maximum payout of up to £70,000. (If you play in USD or CAD that’s like 10 cents to 10 dollars, paying a max of $70,000)

The New Bill and Ted Pub Slot requires no casino software to be downloaded and you can play it for free or for real at these 2 great online casinos:

Click to visit Ladbrokes CasinoLadbrokes Casino (sorry, no US residents)

Click to visit Strike it Lucky casinoStrike it Lucky Casino (Players from around the world including US residents from 39 States are welcome)

For more on these two popular Microgaming-powered online casinos check out the detailed independent reviews at CasinoLabRat.com and Gooners Guide to Gambling.
>>Ladbrokes Casino Review
>>StrikeItLucky Casino Review

Add comment July 25th, 2008

Win at Blackjack with the best mathematical odds

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games and is played by millions of players the world over. Players have always sought a method or strategy that offers them the best chance of success. Because of the random way in which cards are dealt in Blackjack, sustained winning and losing streaks do occur and while playing Optimal Strategy Blackjack is no guarantee of success, it does offer the best odds over a sustained period of time.

The table below shows you Optimal Blackjack Strategy (how to play the best mathematical odds). Depending upon which cards you hold and the value of the dealer’s face-up card there are courses of action you can take which are considered to be statistically the most advantageous way to play.

A “hard number” is one which is made up of two cards not containing an Ace. A “soft number” is one which contains an Ace and has two potential values. For example, if you have A-5 then you have either 6 or 16, giving you more options than if you have 10-6 to make 16.

Blackjack Strategy Table 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Best Odds Blackjack Play

 

 

 

Opimal Blackjack Strategy recommends that you should not split 10s, that you should look to double down when you have eleven, against anything other than a dealer’s Ace, and that you stand with 12 against a dealer’s 6. This may not be the way that you usually play, but it has been mathematically determined to be the best way of increasing the odds in your favour.

Here are some basic Blackjack tips professionals think you should always adhere to;

– Always split Aces, except when the dealer is showing an Ace
– Do not split a pair of 5s
– Stand on a hard 13 through to 16 if the dealer is showing a 6 or lower
– If the dealer is showing a 4,5 or 6 you should stick on 12
– You should always continue to hit until you have 17 or better if the dealer is showing a ten
– Always stand once you have a hard 17 or higher. The odds of you not busting are far too low for it to be worth the risk
– Always stand when you have A-8 or A-9

Hard and soft – tricky seventeen:  A lot of players find 17 a difficult number in Blackjack. It is always sensible to stand on a hard 17, but here we demonstrate the same is not the case with a soft 17 (an ace and a six). Though 17 is a good hand, you have the chance to improve your holding without the fear of busting.

Drawing any card with a 10 value will mean you still have 17, while an Ace, 2, 3 or 4 will improve it. That leaves only a 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 to weaken your hand. As you can see, eight cards either improve or maintain the strength of your hand and only five weaken it. This means that soft 17 is sometimes a good time to Double Down.

Play your hand, not your stake: Whether you are following optimal strategy or your own system, most players agree that it’s important to make decisions based on your cards and not the value of your stake. For example, if you’ve been dealt 14 and the dealer is showing a 10 then the optimal strategy is to hit and take another card.

However, if a player is playing too high a stake for the size of their bankroll they will often stand, because they don’t want to risk busting their hand. If you find yourself in this position it might be a good idea to make your stake a little smaller.

Doubling Down: Playing a stake which is out of their comfort-zone can also cause players not to take full advantage of the “Double Down” option. Doubling Down enables the player to gain full value when they have a good situation. If a player’s original stake is too large, they are often discouraged from making the Double Down, and are unable to gain that value.

Splitting pairs: In contrast to the reluctance players sometimes feel to Double Down, they are often too keen to split pairs of 10 value cards. If the dealer is showing a 5 or a 6, the player tends to think they have an easy chance to win two hands.

However, why would you want to break up one of the best Blackjack hands you can be dealt, and risk making two worse hands? There are many times when you should split your paired cards but when you are dealt 20 it is a good idea to stand every time.

The most popular online casinos for Blackjack: (And where we like to play Blackjack)

Click to visit this popular UK owned casinoBet365 Casino (Fast-play standard single player, 3-player and 5-player Blackjack games, no USA players)

Click to go to popular Microgaming Blackjack casinoBlackjack Ballroom Casino (39 Blackjack variants, stylish single-deck through to eight deck games, US OK from 39 States)

Click for Bodog Casino - fast, fun, fair Blackjack playBodog Casino (No download Flash Blackjack or download for more game options , US players welcome too)

Our current favorite Blackjack game: High Streak European Blackjack Gold at Blackjack Ballroom. The High Streak Bonus wins pay up to 10 to 1 for a winning streak and the game is almost photo realistic.

Add comment July 20th, 2008

Roulette: the King of Games

The game of Roulette as we know it today was played in Paris as far back 1796 and is believed to derive from a fusion of the English wheel games ‘Roly-Poly’, ‘Ace of Hearts’, ‘E.O.’ and a French board game already known as ‘Roulette’. Named after the French word for “small wheel”, Roulette is often known as the ‘King of Games’, associated as it is with the glamour of the Casino.

It is easy to play and we think offers enough betting options to suit the tastes of both the serious player and those just looking for the thrill of a quick lucky bet.

This item explains the bets available on Roulette, and looks at some of the betting systems which exist around one of the most popular of all online Casino games.

European Roulette plays on a standard European Roulette wheel and one which is found in casinos all over the world. The numbers are ordered clockwise round the wheel as follows:

0-32-15-19-4-21-2-25-17-34-6-27-13-36-11-30-8-23-10-5-24-16-33-1-20-14-31-9-22-18-29-7-28-12-35-3-26

This will be the wheel most instantly recognisable to most players outside of North America. This wheel has 36 numbers and a single zero.

The American Roulette wheel uses 36 numbers, the same as its European cousin, but adds an extra option with a ‘double zero’. The clockwise sequence of numbers changes to:

0-28-9-26-30-11-7-20-32-17-5-22-34-15-3-24-36-13-1-00-27-10-25-29-12-8-19-31-18-6-21-33-16-4-23-35-14-2

The extra ‘double zero’ option and the different sequence of numbers open up whole new bets for the player to make.

Roulette Pro or French Roulette has a wheel layout identical to the European one; the only difference is that a selection of convenient ‘French bets’ become available to you. These special bets are highlighted for you in the diagram (left) and are very popular with many players who like to play sections of the European wheel.

French Roulette WagersVoisins du Zero: This bet, meaning ‘neighbours of zero’, covers a total of 17 numbers with nine units of currency. Players placing this bet are hoping that the ball lands in the section of the wheel surrounding the zero. Any winning bet will see a return of at least twice the original stake.

Tier: Also known as ‘Tiers du Cylindre’, this bet covers the third of the wheel roughly opposite the zero. 12 numbers are covered, with just six unit stakes. Any winning bet will pay the player three times their initial stake.

Orphelins: The ‘Orphans’ bet covers the two sections of the wheel not included in either the ‘Voisins du Zero’ or ‘Tier’ bets, and consists of eight numbers played with five unit stakes. Any win on ‘Orphelins’ is guaranteed to pay out at least double the original wager.

Selecting numbers and Roulette Betting systems
If you’re new to the game then it’s best to keep your betting simple. There are many straightforward bets available that allow you to enjoy the Roulette experience while you become more confident in your play. Try sticking to straight up numbers or placing even money bets such as red/black and odd/even.

Odds on Standard Roulette Bets
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Play Roulette online

 

 

 

 
Favourite Numbers
Over time, players often develop their own system of betting based on a strategic plan. However, each new spin of the wheel produces a random result, and no system is absolutely guaranteed to make a profit over a period of time. Using favourite/significant numbers is as good a strategy as any other if you want to enjoy playing Roulette.

Betting Systems
Many players like to employ betting patterns that steadily increase the size of their bets until a winning spin comes along. The most well-known example is the ‘Martingale System’, in which you double your bet every time you don’t win. Many players believe this to be a sure-fire winning system, but the risk of the Martingale System is that a player invariably starts to bet ever increasing amounts of money to do little more than break even. Even when starting with a stake of one unit of currency, a losing run of seven straight spins using the Martingale System will mean that the eighth bet needs to be 128 units to return a profit of just one unit.

To discourage this betting pattern many casinos set table limits. Long sequences of numbers and colours can and do occur at the Roulette wheel, and it is not extraordinary to see a sequence of, for example, many reds. You should enjoy sustained winning streaks when they happen, but be wary of wagering ever greater numbers of chips when the spins are going against you!

Our favourite casinos for roulette offer a great range of different Roulette games:
1. Playtech-powered and ultra-popular bet365 Casino – European Roulette, American Roulette and Roulette Pro (French betting options) Sorry, No USA residents as real money players.

2. Microgaming-powered Blackjack Ballroom – With 6 Roulette games including the new Gold Series photo realistic French Roulette for gaming connoisseurs. (Players from around the world are welcome including USA residents from 39 States)

3. Irish gambling site Paddy Power Casino (Wagerworks software) No download roulette games including one with a great ‘Hot Streak’ bonus for bigger payouts – if the luck of the Irish is with you! (Sorry, No US based real money players)

>>Detailed reviews to each of these online casinos are available at CasinoLabRat.com.

Add comment July 14th, 2008

Davinci Diamonds Proves Popular Slots Game

New new new…
Just a quick blog post to tell you about the latest casino slots game I’ve been playing in July. I personally love this slot – and I don’t often say that! It’s new at top Irish online gambling site Paddy Power Casino and you can play it for free or for real money. Your call. But do play it as it’s great!

Davinci Diamonds Slot Game: new at Paddy Power Casino

Davinic Diamonds slot from WagerworksIf the tasteful Davinci style paintings (of course including the Mona Lisa) don’t appeal,  the glittering emeralds, sapphires, rubies and diamonds are bound to. Very stylish indeed. A nice change for a casino slot game.

When you get a win line, Davinci Diamonds slot machine triggers the tumbling reels feature that explodes (dissolves?) the payline icons and lets the reel refill to give you another chance of winning off the same spin. Excellent.

There are wilds galore it seems to trigger win lines and you can win up to 300 free spins, which in my view is pretty wow. Bonus spins are triggered by 3 or more gold filigree ruby encrusted bonus symbols.

Click to visit Paddy Power CasinoAbout Paddy Power Casino: (Sorry, no real money USA residents)

Paddy Power Casino offers something really different! The no download instant play casino games are fun and all games not only display real expected payout rates (like 99.8%) – but you can also play them all for free without registering if you like! 

In my view, Paddy Power Casino has selected only the very best casino games to offer and while there are great classics like 6 different roulettes and 7 Blackjacks – try the unique slots games. Amazing.

Paddy Power Casino’s games are powered by Wagerworks software. They are Flash animation games and play directly in your browser window. Most PC operating systems (like XP, Windows and Vista) are supported, Mac users are recommended to use Safari.

>>Read a Detailed Review of PaddyPowerCasino and it’s latest offers

Add comment July 1st, 2008


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