Posts filed under 'Gambling News'
Just off the international media scene, Nevada’s Gaming Control Board has released a warning about an iPhone application said to make card counting more accessible to the average blackjack player.
According to the release, the Northern California Tribal Casino originally caught wind of the program called “A Blackjack Card Counter,” which can be downloaded and used on either an iPhone or an iPod Touch.
Released on Jan. 15, the application gives users a choice of four card-counting strategies and calculates “significantly more accurately,” according to the Gaming Control Board.
In a memorandum that the Nevada Gaming Control Board circulated to casinos, board member Randall Sayre sounded the alarm about Blackjack Card Counter, an iPhone application that sells for $1.99 on Apple Inc.’s App Store.
“This program can be utilized on either the Apple iPhone or the Apple iPod Touch portable music player,” Sayre said in the memo (download PDF). “Once this program is installed on the phone through the iTunes Web site, it can make counting cards easy.”
It’s currently being advertised with an “As Seen on CNN” stamp for $1.99.
Among the application’s features is a “Stealth Mode,” which shuts off the iPhone screen – making the phone appear to be turned off. However, the user can still continue to track cards by pressing the screen at the spots where the keys would normally show.
Computerworld reports that Blackjack Card Counter is not the only app for card counting on the App Store. The rival “Card Counter,” a “card-counting practice program”, sells for $2.99. Card Counter is more popular than Blackjack Card Counter; the former is currently No. 30 on the App Store’s list of best-selling games.
Is it legal?
“Just as a reminder, use of this type of program or possession of a device with this type of program on it — with the intent to use it – in a licensed gaming establishment, is a violation of NRS 465.075,” said Sayre. Counting cards with a device is a felony under Nevada law and is punishable by prison terms of between one and six years, or a fine of no more than $10,000, for the first offense.
… MMmmm? Well, I’m off to download it to the iphone I won a couple of months back at Bovada Casino.
>> Check out the latest casino news and player reviews on site at CasinoLabRat.com.
February 19th, 2009
It’s a dead heat!
Not one, but two winners have come out of the annual CasinoLabRat.com “Best Christmas Casino Slot” survey this year. Over 200 slots fans voted on their favourite Christmas themed slots game (think snowmen, a certain portly gent, Christmas puds and candy canes or just lots of bells and red nosed reindeer) – and two slot machines came out on top.
When all the votes were in and counted, (we even included votes for feasting, shopping sprees and summer fun at the beach themed games as it takes all sorts!) most players, regardless of which hemisphere they were in, agreed that Microgaming had once again excelled themselves and provided the ultimate in Christmas slots fare.
Wanna know which ones they are?
New Deck the Halls (released in early December 2008) and an old favourite with plenty of free spins: Ho ho ho.
We recommend you check out these winning Christmas slots games at the following Microgaming Powered casinos:
Blackjack Ballroom
Spin Palace Casino
Ladbrokes Casino
(They’ve actually also got quite a few more popular Christmassy games including Jingle Bells, Gift Rap and Santa Paws).
For casino gamers who are US based, unfortunately finding quality Christmas-themed slots games gets a bit tricky… (if you’ve already got an account at popular Blackjack Ballroom Casino you can actually safely carry on playing the great Microgaming slots listed above…but if you haven’t, unfortunately these guys can accept no further registrations from Americans at this time).
I must admit my fav game at American player-friendly Bodog Casino is their new NFL Playoffs Blackjack…perhaps not a “Christmas theme” (or even a slot), but certainly timely! Check it out at BodogLife.com Casino where you can play for free without download or registration (or of course get stuck in and play for real money). They do have one Christmassy slot: Frozen Assets (snowmen and penguins) but if you’re not into 3-reel classic slots I’d stick with the blackjack.
The other two Casinos we know are popular with US-based players are Bookmaker.com’s Casino and JustBet Casino Club – but unfortunately they offer no specific Christmas slot machines to play
Wishing you a great Christmas and a prosperous 2009 from the team at Casino LabRat.com!
December 23rd, 2008
Online Slots Feature Japan’s Most Wanted.
Can you hear that? It’s the sound of online slots leading to the arrests of Japanese criminals?
The Japanese software developer Famista, Inc. has recently announced their intent to release an online slot that replaces cherries and money signs with the mug shots of Japan’s most wanted criminals.
Famista has stated that, at least initially, the online slot will be free so as to maximize the visibility of the criminal’s faces to the public. If someone hits a jackpot, lucky them, they will win additional information on the suspect whose mug got them the win.
Apparently Famista missed the more obvious and probably popular prizing solution which would to be to award the winner with that criminal as a personal servant for life should they be able to assist in their capture.
Just imagine, the spinning faces slow and begin to fall into place and yes, you got a match! Three Haruko Tanaka’s! Assist in his capture and this infamous drug czar will serve you biscuits and tea until the day you die!
Famista representative, Takashi Saito, said in a statement that, “There are many Internet sites that display photos of those on the wanted list, but they are not necessarily visited frequently. By mixing it with entertainment, we thought we can make some contribution to the police efforts.”
Want to play some more traditional online slots that actually pay you out in cash? Head over to the Bodog online casino for some of the very best in biz.
For more on Bodog Casino*:
>> Check out the latest Bodog Casino review at CasinoLabRat.com
>> Compare Bodog Casino to other online casinos popular with American players
* Bodog has entered into a licensing agreement with Morris Mohawk Gaming Group for operations & marketing of gaming in North America. Morris Mohawk Gaming Group is located in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake, & is licensed to offer gaming to users worldwide.
November 16th, 2008
Now here’s an example of the kind of luck I’d like to have. A lucky player called Doreen P. from Germany played slots for just 2.5 hours on October 6th and in that time won 2 Progressive Jackpots one after the other!
Yes, they weren’t THE big one (ie MegaMoolah is still still at over $/GBP/EUR/C$ 4.27 million), but consecutive payouts of €12,774.28 on Lots-a-Loot 5-Reel Slot and €31,173.79 on Cash Splash 3-Reel Slot are pretty amazing none-the-less. Statistically speaking it “just doesn’t happen” or at least gets lost in the rounding errors when calculating probability – not that the outcome of any casino game is in any way linked to the outcome of another!
Here’s what Doreen told the crew at Spin Palace Casino (who were just chuffed for her!)
“I’d like to sincerely thank you again for the phone call with the winning notification. Actually, I could hardly believe that I’d won two times within a few hours. I am thrilled about it and will probably fulfill one or two of my desires – to buy a new Jeep and take a nice holiday.”
In fact, there’s actually been payouts on 3 Microgaming Progressive Jackpots all won within a 4 day period at Spin Palace Casino (Doreen’s 2 wins, plus a Canadian player, Brendan D, won a tasty C$24,874.22 on Wow-Pot slot).
Feeling lucky?
Check out Spin Palace Casino – one of the original and most popular online casino powered by Microgaming. For more info on this UK owned casino read the Spin Palace Casino Review at CasinoLabRat.com – or the SpinPalaceCasino Review at popular gambling guide, GoonersGuide.com.
October 14th, 2008
Video Poker is simple to play but requires some knowledge and skill to master. Poker players will be familiar with the basics of video poker hand construction and rankings – and if you’re not, it can be picked up quickly!
You are dealt five cards and must decide which cards to keep and which to discard in order to stand the best chance of constructing a winning hand. Any cards discarded from the original five dealt are replaced from those remaining in the deck.
You don’t need to beat any other hand, and are paid out according to the ranking of your hand on the pay-out table. The stronger the hand the better the prize. Like all poker games the ultimate goal is to hit the Royal Flush and win a huge jackpot!
Video Poker Game Variations
The most popular and commonly played Video Poker is ‘Jacks or Better’, where you have to achieve a pair of Jacks, or better, to win a pay-out.
Most online casinos offer a good range of video poker variations including 10s or Better, Deuces Wild and Aces and Faces. The pay-out tables vary from game to game.
One popular development is the ability to play multiple lines at once, ranging from 4-line, 10-line, 25-line and even 50 and 100-line games!
No matter how many lines you play, the game is the same. In Multi-Line, your decisions will affect all lines. If you’re playing 25-line and keep a pair of Kings, while changing three cards, then on all 25 lines you retain a pair of Kings, and three new cards will be dealt for each of the 25 lines. This offers a great way for players to maximise their wins. Any guaranteed win will count on all 25 lines and stands a chance of being improved on all of them.
Some online video poker games now offer a Progressive Jackpot and can be very rewarding indeed!
Video Poker Optimal Strategy
Play Max Coins: The highest pay-out in Video Poker results from play the maximum number of coins per hand. Of course, always play within your means and keep to limits you are comfortable with. So lower your starting stakes to the minimum and try to play the maximum coins per hand if you’re looking for that jackpot pay-out!
Optimal Strategy: As with any other form of Casino gaming, when it all comes down to it you rely on your instincts and gut feelings to play video poker. If you feel lucky and get a hunch then follow it. There is a way of approaching ‘Jacks or Better’, however, that is considered to be an optimal strategy and mathematically superior to other ways of playing. The optimal strategy is one which is played with an eye firmly on the Royal Flush – check out the following table.
>>Compare the best online casinos for video poker here at CasinoLabRat.com
>>Try new Wild Viking at Bet365 Casino – you get to place both roulette & poker style bets
September 19th, 2008
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.
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
July 28th, 2008
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.
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)
Bet365 Casino (Fast-play standard single player, 3-player and 5-player Blackjack games, no USA players)
Blackjack Ballroom Casino (39 Blackjack variants, stylish single-deck through to eight deck games, US OK from 39 States)
Bodog 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.
July 20th, 2008
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.
Voisins 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.
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.
July 14th, 2008
Hi LabRats, your casino reviews are cool – I’m currently playing slots at Blackjack Ballroom. Can you suggest a decent Bingo site? I’m Welsh, but currently based in Australia. Thanks Gr8_28.
Is there a BingoLabRat.com in the pipeline? (We like your Poker and Casino sites)
BallsUpBob.
Can you guys please include some Internet Bingo in your reviews. It’s all pretty confusing choosing a bingo hall. I hear some are not safe or have cheap prizes compared to others. Help!. Bingofan.
At CasinoLabRat.com we occasionally get asked about Online Bingo. (Some recent examples above). We’re not experts on Bingo and none of our team plays regularly – so we won’t be launching a BingoLabRat site any time soon (no no-it-all rats here!).
We can suggest, however, that you take a look at a new Bingo Guide onsite at popular online gambling site GoonersGuide.com. In addition to rating and recommending bingo sites to play it also covers questions like:
– How do you win money playing Bingo online?
– Is Internet Bingo safe?
– What if I disconnect?
>>Check out the new Online Bingo Guide.
Best regards,
Mike
May 24th, 2008
Ladbrokes Casino and Jackpot Factory’s Wild Jack Casino are among the first on the Internet to launch the latest game in the hugely popular Microgaming Gold series table games.
New Multihand Hold’em High, like all Microgaming Gold Series games, has outstanding photo realistic graphics that add dimension to online play. This sophisticated, top-of-the-line game really does set the benchmark for other casino software developers to attain in terms of smooth, fast realistic card action and generous gambling opportunities.
Designed to appeal to both casino and poker players, this new game combines in our view the best features of each, mixing stylish table game action with classic Texas Hold’em Poker.
Dealing from a single deck you can play up to 5 poker hands at once, using the community cards to complete your hands. The original 2 cards dealt must form part of the final hand for payout and the minimum win hand is 2 pair, Jacks or Better paying out at 1:1. The unlikely but occasional Royal Flush rewards you handsomely with a 500:1 payout. The side bet option in new Multihand Hold’em High can top up certain wins too (King & Ace of Spades pays 50:1, King & Ace suited 25:1, and any 2 cards of the same suit pays 5:2).
All in all, we think this makes for one of the more entertaining casino games – the team at CasinoLabRat.com has declared new Multihand Hold’em High a ‘gotta try it’ game.
(BTW: Our casino game ratings start at “not even with a long pole”, “don’t bother”, “yawn” and “they’ve got to be joking!” through to “fun, but not for long”, “yep, can get into this”, “gotta try it”, “you’ll love this” and “why play anything else?”).
Check out new Multihand Hold’em High – for free play for real money – in the “New Games” section at these two popular Microgaming casinos:
>>Ladbrokes Casino (Sorry, no US players – lots of currencies and a wide variety of payment methods are accepted at this popular and safe global gambling specialist)
>>Wild Jack Casino (Players from around the World including those from 39 States of the USA are welcome to become members at stylish Wild Jack Casino. Wild Jack is a member of the Jackpot Factory Group of online entertainment sites)
For more information on where to play this new online poker table game check out the latest detailed Casino Reviews at CasinoLabRat.com:
>>Ladbrokes Casino Review
>>Wild Jack Casino Review
May 12th, 2008
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