What to Look for In Online Poker Sites

What to Look for In Online Poker Sites !

Online poker game websites have become more and more popular these days as a casino establishment alternative. They are a convenient way of playing a variety of poker games in the comfort of your own home. Online poker websites make virtual poker games readily available to the beginner and advanced poker player alike. However, there are a few things one should consider when trying to choose the perfect online poker website in which to play this entertaining game. Safety is one key thing to consider when looking to play poker games online and researching the site ahead of time may make your poker play a bit safer than if you were to simply jump right in without a second thought. Secondly, another thing that a prospective online poker player should look into with regard to an online poker website prior to beginning play is good odds as people who play this game online for money are looking to win. A third thing to search for within online poker websites relates to the type of poker games that the websites are offering. Lastly, it is always good to do some research with regard to what the betting limits will be prior to choosing an online poker website which you would like to utilize.

As internet safety is becoming a more serious concern these days, it is extremely important to know how your money will be exchanged before, during and after the poker games and what financial information you are going to have to give out in order to play poker online. In a world where internet scams are overly present, it is important to make sure that you are utilizing an online poker website that is a secure website. Therefore, it is important to know in advance that your financial information will not be transmitted in such a manner where there may be an opportunity for someone to get a hold of it and use it in a wrongful manner. Checking into all available safety features prior to starting to play online poker on a particular website is definitely a smart move and one which I highly recommend that you look into.

Another thing to look for when choosing a particular online poker website prior to playing this wonderful card game is what type of odds are going to be present in the online poker game. Online poker is a great way of having fun and maybe making a little bit of money in the process; however, it is important to know what your odds will be prior to sitting down at the virtual poker table. You will most likely be able to research odds by going onto the online poker website which you are thinking about using and seeing what they have to say on the subject. If that particular website does not post any odds information on it, then you might be better off moving on to another site that does publish that type of information.

As there are a variety of online poker games available to the beginner and advanced online poker player alike, it is important to know what online poker game websites offer with regard to particular types of poker games. It will not do you any good to start using a poker game website that only hosts a few types of poker games, especially if all of the ones which the website offers are ones in which you may be unfamiliar with. Therefore, it is best to research the online poker website prior to beginning a poker game so that you know what type of poker game will be played. If you are unfamiliar with the type of poker game being played but still want to give it a shot, why not try looking at a few other websites that describe the type of poker game which is being played on your chosen website. By doing a little research you will be able to brush up on the rules of that particular game thereby increasing your odds of winning.

Since many individuals have a set amount in mind that they wish to spend on entertainment such as online poker playing, it is important to look at different online poker game websites to see what their betting limits may be prior to utilizing a poker website. By searching different online poker websites you will be able to determine which website best fits your means. By doing a little research up front you are able to find out whether you want to use that particular website or if another poker gaming website is more your speed. Therefore, checking out the betting limits prior signing on with a particular online poker game website is highly advisable for poker players wishing to play online.

Because using the internet to peruse different online poker game websites will only tell you so much, you should also consider asking for recommendations from friends and family members. If you know any friends or family members that play poker online for fun, you should inquire whether or not they have any recommendations concerning the better online poker game websites. This will allow you to gain insight into what websites host the best odds, what ones have the lower betting limits and things of that sort. It is also a good way of finding out whether these individuals have had luck with a particular website or have been not so lucky with regards to winning on another online poker game website. Recommendations are a great way of retrieving some background information prior to getting settled with one particular online poker website. Always consider your options prior to choosing an online poker website because there will be ones that are better than other websites.

These are just a few things to consider when looking to find the perfect online poker website. If you take these tips into consideration, chances are that you will find the perfect online poker website that will make all of your gaming dreams come true.

Online Poker- Get Ready For Challenge, Fun And Excitement

Online Poker- Get Ready For Challenge, Fun And Excitement !

You love to play poker. You’ve tried to find your friends for a late-night game. Everyone seems to have plans. Don’t worry, you’re still going to have a great time playing online poker.

Just as in every other aspect of life, the Internet has opened up wonderful great new opportunities in the world of poker. Site that offer online poker are some of the most visited sites. They’re very popular for the more experienced poker players as well as the “newbies.” Online poker is a non-threatening way for those that have never played the game to learn and have lots of fun.

Traditionally, when you thought of poker, you would envision a bar room full of the questionable types, or a back room filled with smoke, where betting and danger evolved. All that has changed. Playing online poker you’re just as likely to be playing against the stay-at home mom or the office professional, as you are the average Joe who likes to play poker.

Online poker brings the game to every corner of the world, and allows everyone to enjoy the challenge and the excitement of winning. Don’t worry about gambling away the kid’s college money. Online poker offers you the chance to bet with free money as well as real money. So, whatever your cup of tea you’re sure to find an online poker site that will suit your desires.

You’ll find your favorite poker games online, everything from Texas Hold’em to Caribbean Stud Poker. If you’ve played it offline, more than likely you’ll find a version of the game when you search for poker online.

For many, poker online is more fun than playing offline. There’s many reasons online poker is so popular. Mainly it’s fun and exciting. Also, you don’t have to go anywhere except to your computer to play. Online poker is available anytime of day or night. If you’re not one of “the guys”, you can play online poker and no one will know the difference. Poker online is also a great way to learn and become skilled in a variety of poker games. That way when you do get the chance to play offline you’ll be ready.

After a few rounds of poker online, you may not even want to play offline. The excitement online is just as real, and the fun is great. It will liven up your day no matter what’s happening in the real world. Give online poker a try.

Poker – Know Your Limits

Poker – Know Your Limits

Whether you’re playing poker in a casino with your chips right in front of you or playing an online poker game in an internet casino, it’s easy to get carried away when you’re betting. If you’ve had to hitchhike home from Las Vegas because you broke the bank or if you are on the verge of getting a divorce due to the fact that you can’t afford to pay the internet bill because of your internet casino habit, take the problem seriously. There are meetings and support groups available for you. Ask your doctor for help.

However, if your problem is a little less serious than that: you tend to get a little overzealous with your betting when stakes are high and the heat of the online poker game is at a boiling point, then here are a few things for you to try. You can have fun playing online poker without losing your shirt – or having to worry about money at all. All you need to do is set a few guidelines for yourself!

-Set a limit. Just like you might hand your credit cards and ATM card over to your best friend and go to a brick and mortar casino with a specific amount of cash in your pocket, so too should you go to an online casino, use your credit card for one specific amount and then put it away.

-Enjoy a free amateur game. If you’ve bet your limit but still feel like playing online poker, play a few free amateur games. Most internet casinos have plenty to offer. If you enjoy yourself, maybe the next time around, you’ll throw your money onto their online poker table.

-Keep track. By all means, don’t lose track of how many deposits you’ve made into your internet casino account. Just because you might forget doesn’t mean it didn’t happen!

http://www.casinoguide.ws

The World Series Of Poker - Let The Games Begin

The World Series Of Poker - Let The Games Begin

In days gone by the game of poker was reserved for dimly lit barrooms, and back rooms filled with smoke. Times have changed. Poker has become nationally recognized as a game, not a bar-brawling excuse for fighting. Millions follow the world series of poker.

Initially the world series of poker was an event held in Las Vegas mainly to draw publicity. Now the world series of poker is nationally televised, and has huge crowds as the games progress. There’s even been best-selling books written about the world series of poker.

No longer an evil, threatening type, the world series of poker attracts the interest of everyone. Men and women alike are mesmerized by people like Mike "The Mouth" Matusow, who recently won $1,000,000.00 at the tournament of champions in Las Vegas. This tournament began with 114 players. The final table lasted more than eleven hours. Phil Hellmuth, gave Mike a close run being the second highest chip beginning the second day of the tournament.

There’s a wide variety of influences and personalities of those who play the world series of poker. Everything from the cowboy type, to Rene Angelil, who is the manager of the international diva, Celine Dion has made it to the world series of poker. The variety of the kinds of people who make it to the world series of poker isn’t limited to the old time evil perception of those who play.

One of the oldest and most well know poker legends who playing in the 2005 world series of poker was Doyle Brunson Brunson with a 50 year poker career, is perhaps the most widely known professional poker player. Unfortunately and surprisingly Brunson was eliminated on the second day of play at the tournament of Champions.

Steve Dannenmann a modest 39-year-old CPA and mortgage broker from Severn, Maryland got the attention of the poker world by outlasting 5,617 players in the main event at the 2005 World Series of Poker (WSOP). He was within one hand of achieving championship, but ended up as the second place finisher to Joseph Hachem. When asked about his achievement and winning $4,250,000 in prize money, Dannemann is reserved. He says he is just lucky to be playing with so many great players. Yet, as witnessed by his participation in the 2005 Wolrd Series of Poker, Dannemann's mild manner hides a tremendous talent in tournament poker.

The World Series of Poker is a fascinating event and the 2006 World Series of Poker promises to show-case world-class talent and excitement. Be sure to check it out.

http://www.playvideopoker.us/poker_rooms/

Learning How to Play Poker Online

Learning How to Play Poker Online

Poker is not entirely a game of luck, but rather a game of skill and how you can take the cards you are dealt and make them win. This requires knowledge of odds, bluffing, and the general rules of the game not to mention the other cards opponents have showing. So, if you are interested in playing poker online you can really learn how to play well and win money. It's not just about what you are dealt, it's how you play the cards you are dealt so focus on learning rules and strategy before you begin playing poker online for money.

Learning how to play poker in a real casino or with other people can frequently be intimidating and your nervousness and anxiety will take over making it more difficult to think and play your hands efficiently. Of course, in time, this wears off as your confidence builds, however there is a way to avoid this situation altogether and that is with online poker. You can easily enter an online poker room and start practicing and learn how to play. Also, most of the top poker sites have poker rooms where you can practice and play for free, so take advantage of this situation and log some hours in the practice poker rooms. You will build your knowledge of the game as well as your confidence and once you have become good enough you can give a paying room a try. You wouldn't enter a marathon without training and you should not enter an online poker site without practicing if you do not want to lose your money.

Strategy Strategy is important and this is the key factor that will help you win many games even if the cards did not fall just as you were hoping. Also, many players lack strategy and are too cocky to think they need it, so simply do some research on the strategy for your preferred poker game and implement these as you are practicing. The more your practice the easier strategy will become and before you know it your brain will simply be thinking in a strategic way. This is important and it will train you to become a really great poker player.

Of course, the online free poker games seem silly to many and just a way to pass the time like Solitaire or any other computer game. However, if you are truly interested in becoming a better player all you have to do is really focus on the practice games as if they were real games and the money was real as well, implement the strategies you are learning, focus on mistakes and why certain moves did not work, and you will really become a better poker player. When you are a better poker player you may begin playing for money online and will be prepared to play against the many talented card players that are in the online poker rooms.

Keep in mind, however, that the play tables are not as well laid out as the money tables, so after a few hands you should be able to learn and start winning a few hands. However, if you are not winning with the play hands after a couple hours of playing then you either play poorly or are not implementing the strategies you have learned, and likely a combination of both. Remember, if you are losing on a regular basis in the play tables then there is no reason to enter the money tables because you will lose again and this time real money. So stay focused when you are learning how to play and understand that if you can't win at the free tables you will never win at the pay tables. Once you have played the free games for a while and start winning some, then you should move on to some of the cheap real games. There are games for one cent and two cents online, so you should consider playing those as your second step in the quest to become a good poker player. While the free games will help you learn how to play the game and the basics, you must take a step up every once in a while to challenge yourself and to learn more in order to become a better player. As long as you continue practicing and moving up a step at a time you will become a great poker player and win a lot of money. However, if you try and join the professional players when you still are learning the rules of the game you will simply lose money and your self esteem. Don't let this happen and take it one step at a time.

Becoming a Player Now that you know how to become a player you need to start practicing. Check out some of the top 10 poker room sites on the Internet and then start playing the practice hands. By doing this you will be able to learn a lot faster and save your embarrassment for a bad move because you are in front of your computer screen and nobody can see you. In the past, learning to play poker took a lot of time and guts because individuals had to endure playing with those better than themselves and individuals who would surely beat them for some time. However, you can avoid this situation altogether by simply playing the free games online and taking advantage of all that is made available to you. Then, when you finally do make it to the money games you will be able to hold your own and will likely win which is a ego booster and will only help you to continue playing well. Don't think the free online poker games are a waste of time, but rather utilize them and make them teach you the ins and outs of poker so you become a truly great player.

http://www.holdemgambling.com

Casino, Sports Betting, and Lottery - A Comparison of the House Edge

Casino, Sports Betting, and Lottery - A Comparison of the House Edge

The house edge, which is the commission that a gambling agent such as a casino, a sportsbook (bookmaker), or a lottery administrator charges, is a yardstick that measures how a specific gambling game is fair and reasonable. It is one of the most important factors that every player should consider whenever he/she is engaged in any type of gambling, inasmuch as it indicates how much of the money wagered goes to the gambling agent's pocket and how much is redistributed to the winners.

Indeed, a house edge cannot be zero since casinos, sportsbooks, and lottery administrators have to make some money in order to cover their expenses, and to make some profit as well. Yet, a high house edge simply means that the players are unecessarily being ripped-off, and as a result, any gambling game with a high house edge should certainly be avoided by a knowledgeable gambler.

In this article, we shall compare, in the simplest way possible, the house edges of a roulette, an evens-odd betting, and a Cash 3 lottery game as representatives of the three major gambling categories.

The Equation

The easiest way to compute a house edge is to compare the actual winnings that are paid by the respective agents to the winnings that would be paid in a fair game or bet. A fair game or a fair bet is one in which no commission is involved; an obvious model is a game between friends. Therefore, in percentage form, the house edge is obtained by subtracting an actual game winning from a fair game winning and dividing the result by the fair game winning, finally multiplying by 100. Thus,

House Edge = [ (fair game winning - actual game winning) / fair game winning ] * 100

Roulette

Because of its simplicity and popularity, we shall consider the roulette as a representative casino game. A European roulette wheel has grooves marked by the numbers 0 to 36; the American wheel (also called Las Vegas wheel) has an additional groove marked as '00'. So, the European wheel has a total of 37 numbers, while the American wheel has 38. Internet casinos usually make available the option to select the type of wheel the customer prefers, but the brick and mortar casinos normally offer only one type. The winning number in a roulette game is the number corresponding to the groove where a spinning ball lands.

Now, consider a fair game in which 38 friends are playing the roulette at home, and each one selects a number and places a $1 bet on the number (no two or more players wagering on the same number). When the ball is spun and lands in a groove, the number marking that groove will be the winning number. The person who has selected this winning number collects all the money on the table thus making him win $37. On the other hand, if the game were conducted in a casino, the winner would be paid only $35. The difference between the two winnings applied in the above equation gives us the house edge of a roulette game as

( 37 - 35 ) / 37 * 100 = 2 / 37 * 100 = 5.4%

This means that every time you spend a $100 on an offline or online casino roulette, $5.40 goes to the casino and the rest is redistributed to the winners. Evidently, there are quite a number of casino games and the house edge varies from game to game, many of them having a house edge less than that of the roulette. For obvious reasons, a good gambler always prefers games that have low house edges, while the casino itself loves those games with high house edges. For example, the house edge of craps is 1.4% which makes it one of the most preferred casino games by the players.

Even-odds Sports Betting

Again, because of its simplicity, we shall consider an even-odds betting as a representative of this category of gambling. By even-odds we mean that the event (usually a sports game) has equal chances of going either way. An example is a tennis match between two competitive players each of which has an equal chance of winning the match.

A fair bet, in this case, is just a simple bet between two friends who just pick one of the tennis player as winner. If these two friends wager $1 each, the winner will collect $2, thus winning $1. If instead the bets are placed through a sportsbook, the winner will collect only $1.91, since the odds of an evens game at most bookies and online sportsbooks is 1.91. If you are not familiar with the decimal representation of odds, 1.91 is the same as 10/11 in UK notation and -110 in US odds notation. Odds of 10/11 mean that you'll win $10 when you wager $11; and odds of -110 mean that you have to wager $110 in order to win $100. Anyway, since the winnings paid by a sportsbook is only $0.91, the house edge of an even-odds betting will therefore be

( 1 - 0.91 ) / 1 * 100 = 0.09 * 100 = 9%

So, this is how sportsbooks make a living. Since several internet sportsbooks offer odds higher than 1.91 in order to lure bettors, the house edge could be smaller than 9%, which is one of the things that the bettor should be looking for when searching for a sportsbook. On the other hand, if the bettor is wagering on parlays the house edge would be significantly higher than 9%; for big parlays, it could go as high as 40%.

It should be apparent by now that the gambler is better off with casino games than sports betting. It should also be noted that while the house edge could be a major factor to consider while selecting a gambling game, it is by no means the only one. For instance, one should consider the fact that casino games are mostly games of chance, while sports betting also involves a learned decision in selecting a pick, consequently leading to a higher probability of winning a bet.

Cash 3

Depending on the state you are in, this lottery game may be known by a different name such as Pick 3, Play 3, Daily 3, etc. In this game, the player selects a three-digit number from 000 to 999, and plays the number as a straight or as a box. A straight play is a prediction that the number will come exactly as selected while a box is a prediction for the number to come in any order. For instance, if a player selects the number 672 and plays it straight, he/she will win if the number drawn is exactly 672. Instead, if the player plays 672 as a box, he/she will win as long as the drawn number contains a 6, a 7 and a 2, in any order (276, for example). Obviously, a straight game pays much more than a box game for the same amount wagered.

Now consider 1000 friends (maybe in a club) selecting a number as a straight, each for $1, so that all the 1000 possible numbers are covered. When the winning number is drawn, the person who has selected that lucky number will be deemed a winner and will cash in all the $1000 collected, so making him win $999. This is a fair game. In the case of state lotteries, however, the winner will be paid only $500 in most states. Some states may pay a little bit less, others may pay a little bit more, but $500 is more or less the standard. The winner therefore wins $499. The house edge for a Cash 3 game will therefore be

( 999 - 499 ) / 999 * 100 = 500 / 999 * 100 = 50%

This house edge applies not only to the Cash 3 game but also to all state lottery games such as Play 4, Cash 5, Mega, Fantasy 5, Lotto, Power Ball, etc. So, whenever you are playing the state lottery, remember that you are wagering only half of your money on the actual lottery; the other half, you are just giving it away. Where this other half goes is not the gambler's concern, since his/her main objective is to win some money in order to pay the ever present bills, or to get out of a miserable life, or to change his/her 20-year-old car. As regards contributing to education and other noble causes, there are other means of collecting money called taxes and charities.

Unfortunately, many states do not allow casino games, and furthermore, sports betting is illegal in the United States. The player is therefore left with no choice but to cross state borders in search of a casino, or more recently, to engage in online sports betting through the several offshore internet sportsbooks. Nowadays, there is a plethora of trustworthy online casinos and sportsbooks operating from Canada, the UK, Antigua, Costa Rica, and so on.

The Conclusion

As far as the house edge is concerned, it has been shown that casino games are the best choice for the gambler. On the other end, any state lottery is a pretty miserable game to play. Nevertheless, besides the house edge, there is also the possibility of winning to consider.

Casino games, like lotteries are mostly games of chance; the player just selects a number or numbers and waits to see what luck brings him/her. There is absolutely no basis to prefer one number to others. Some people try to analyze previously drawn numbers in order to see the trend and predict the next numbers. This strategy may work a few times, but not always. Keep in mind that it is the players, and not the machines, who remember the previous numbers. In short, the possibility of winning a roulette or the lottery entirely depends on luck.

While there is little or nothing that a roulette or a lotto player can do to initially select a possible winning number, the situation could be quite different in the case of betting. With a lot of information and some assistance from sports handicappers, it is possible to predict the outcome of a sports event with more certainty than predicting a Cash 3 number.

Offline and Online Casino Gambling

Offline and Online Casino Gambling

Gambling - offline as well as online casino gambling - has fast become a leisure activity attracting a growing number of people. Offline Casino gambling is often combined with travelling and vacations to Las Vegas, Atlantic City and quite a few other cities in the USA, with an increasing number of Indian Casinos included.

Casino gambling is also a popular pursuit in Europe as well as most parts of the world. However, for some the access to casinos are limited or absent. The internet however, offers a lot of gambling and gaming opportunities for those.

In USA we can identify at least five groups of casinos or casino gaming establishments

Luxurious land based casinos

Cruise ship casinos

Indian Casinos

Riverboat casinos

Local card gaming clubs

The first city that comes to mind when we talk about luxurious casinos is Las Vegas. There has been legalized gambling in Nevada for decades but the real boom has developed over the recent years. The growth of casinos and hotels in Vegas can seem out of control. Due to the invasion from gambling and entertainment hungry people from all over the world, Las Vegas has become the fastest growing city in the United States.

Though family resorts, with theme parks and other attractions for the juniors have popped up like toad hats over the years, developers in Vegas now tend to prioritize more adult oriented establishments. The opening of the luxury Wynn casino in May 2005 is a good example of this trend. Las Vegas - with all it's casino gambling jet set pomp and glitter - belongs to the adult generations.

The Indian casinos as well as the riverboat casinos and local gambling clubs are more sober alternatives to the luxury in Vegas. As the demand for gambling adventures are booming in all regions of the country, these kinds of casino establishments has grown equally.

The casino gambling alternative that most people find their way to is, internet casino gambling. The availability is outrageous and it is you who decide when to play and you can play from any location on the globe that has an internet connection.

If you are a newbie you can now train yourself to become an professional casino gambler from the comfort of your home. It's good not to feel the pressure from other players when you are experimenting with different strategies and gaining your basic gaming skills. Your best teacher is your mistakes; do them peacefully from your home, without any critical I-know-best voices. Another reason for playing casino online is that you save money on a hotels, restaurants and airfares. It is also easier for disabled persons to access an online casino than an offline. Remember that an online casino is like a real casino - it has the same games; black jack, poker, roulette, baccarat, craps and others - the same excitement and you can win real money.

Just one final advice: The internet is overloaded with gambling and casino websites. Among such a big crowd of gambling offers, there has to be some bogus ones Stay away from those and keep to recommended online casino gambling websites. Good luck!