Understanding the terms

Whether you are a high-roller (whale) or a curious novice, online gaming has lots to offer. With all the regular promotions, sign-up bonuses and tournaments on offer, it’s wise to understand exactly what is meant and how to qualify for these offers.

Online casino bonuses regularly change, but there are some commonalities that will help to define this feature more clearly. Games like craps, blackjack and even roulette oftentimes do not allow bonus money to be used. But more importantly are the wagering requirements attached to receiving bonus money.

A wagering requirement is a rule that a certain number of wagers have to be placed before you qualify for receiving your bonus money. For example you may have to bet your initial deposit plus a bonus, multiple times before you can withdraw any money from your account. How many times – anywhere up to 37 is the typical answer.

Why are there wagering requirements?

The online casinos want to make sure that gamblers don’t withdraw all their cash every time they accept bonuses or promotional offers. This is termed a play through requirement or a wagering requirement. It’s very important to note whether the wagering requirement includes the deposit plus the bonus, or simply the bonus alone.

The wagering requirement means that a player must put a certain amount of cash into play before they qualify for the bonus cash. A 10X bonus wagering requirement with a bonus of $40 would require that $400 be put into play before the bonus is awarded. Remember that these aren’t open-ended invitations; you may have to see how much time you have to do it.

Can you win with this system?

Yes. It’s a matter of time before a player understands both the game and the wagering requirements. The stats on game plays will show that after the preset number of wagers – say 37 – a normal player would break even or at least be able to win. The better a player you are, the greater your chances of taking home your initial deposit and bonus money, plus extra.

Online casinos naturally stand to benefit the longer you play but it’s free money to you if you win. Once you’ve won, it can take a while before you receive your money, but with the high payout percentages – 96% and higher – you’re assured of receiving your winnings.

An important point to be made with mobile gaming is that the technology used to play the games must be present on the gaming device itself. Hi-tech internet software allows the game software to run easily over the air. There is presently widespread development in countries such as India, China, Israel and the USA to further enhance and develop new mobile gaming technologies.

How it comes together

The mobile games are downloaded through the mobile operator’s network. It can also be done via the mobile handsets upon purchase – Bluetooth, memory card, or through infrared connections. Most mobile games use Java platforms.

Owing to the limitations on the mobile gaming devices, operators rely on less detail and more gameplay. At present mobile games are on sale through network carriers and operator portals. These channels allow for limited game descriptions and rely more heavily on screenshots to promote the games.

The technology is allowing for enhanced 3D graphics plus single and multiplayer options. It’s this networking ability in the mobile gaming market that has marketing executives in a buzz as it allows for collective wireless gaming for a global audience.

At present the global wireless market has more than 1 billion users, and it is growing at 20 percent per annum. Of particular interest to the sector is the youth market. These are the people who have been raised on video gaming technology. This is the reason that device manufacturers and developers have teamed up with wireless operators to develop a range of products and services appealing to this market.

Examples in the pipeline

There is a tremendous volume of innovation going on to incorporate Artificial Intelligence into games. The goal of course is to create the most ideal gaming enjoyment possible for players. The games based on AI would learn to adapt in response to the player’s actions and various general rules.

Nokia’s N-Gage game deck is another example of technology in progress. This is a part gaming device, part mobile phone and part music player – essentially a multi-functional handset specifically designed for the tech savvy generation.

Not to be outdone are the new generation of PlayStation and Xbox consoles. These soon-to-be-launched machines will be available soon. But there are many other 3G based mobile phones that are looking more and popular as the tech age gains momentum.

Naturally the online casinos are eager to keep their clientele gaming as long as possible. The goal is to maximize your gaming pleasure while minimizing your cash outlay. The specific game in question will determine the strategy to employ. Thus the goal becomes one of making your online gaming experience pleasurable and memorable.

Tips to make it work for you

A sure way to get the most out of an i-gaming experience is to select a licensed and reputable online casino. A big brand name such as the inimitable Europa Casino offers scores of A-grade games from Playtech and others. Swiss Casino is another high-flyer with an impressive array of odds and quality gaming from Playtech. Choosing the games that are right for you is an important part of the equation.

Winning at online casinos is as much about strategy and luck as it is about common sense. But going for the big payday has caught more than its fair share of players. More time spent gaming without limits will be good for the house and not so good for the client. It’s the idea that you’re one spin away from a jackpot that keeps people interested. Incremental losses result in a desire to recover those losses. It’s then that players may burn through their bankroll and get into a jam. However there are many ways to safeguard against reckless gaming.

By selecting the right casino gaming software upon registering, you will improve your chances of success. A good rule of thumb is to enjoy your choice of online casino as a guest player before gaming for real money. Winning is appealing – the more the better – but setting a few benchmarks will surely help to limit losses due to reckless spending. Realistic goals lead to sensible gaming. Be sure to check the online casino layout; read the fine print and understand that if you’re not 100% satisfied there are other options at your disposal.

What are your goals?

If your goals are lots of time gaming with your favourite online casino then play low limit games.

Defining your goals at the outset will save you and your wallet lots of indignity.

Setting out with a certain bankroll is a step in the right direction.

Deciding on what you’re going to be gaming on is really important – so do your homework beforehand.

Card playing

Much can be credited to the China of old. Owing to the fact that the Chinese used paper currency, it is said that they had much experience shuffling paper money in 900 A.D – a possible prelude to card shuffling. Many cultures and religions can lay claim to adding their contribution to card playing. It is not only the Chinese, Japanese, Indians, Greeks, Egyptians and Romans who were actively involved in gambling, but many other nations along the way.

Twists and Turns

Throughout history gambling has gone through periods of regulation, prohibition and close scrutiny. King Henry – an avid gambler – banned gambling; Native Americans embraced gambling; Revolutionary Americans played federal lotteries but gambling survived and always prospered. Today the USA lays claim to Nevada and Atlantic City among others and indeed the world sports many bricks and mortar casinos.

Online gambling gains traction

The e-boom of the 1990s gave rise to online gambling. By 1994 Antigua and Barbuda passed the Free Trade and Processing Act which essentially legislated to allow gambling licenses. Soon thereafter Microgaming was born – a world leader in hi-tech leading gaming software for poker rooms and casinos. As early as 1995 Microgaming’s Gaming Club opened and in 1996 InterCasino was launched as was the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Canada. The latter regulates online gaming from the Mohawk territory of Kahnawake.

The late 1990s were marked by strong revenue growth in the industry. And around the same time, Intertops became the first online sports book, licensed under the gaming laws of Antigua. Today they cater to tens of thousands of daily wagers in almost 200 countries. Of all the online gaming attractions, online Poker is tops. Party Poker, Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars and other notable brands have become household names in this big-revenue industry. Many of these companies list on leading stock exchanges where they trade as blue-chip enterprises.

Amidst ongoing moves towards regulation and the USA’s Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), online gaming is still in flux. While the US market has limited participation via payment processors to outside and unregulated online casinos, the world market for e-gaming is growing at a healthy rate. eCOGRA provides for safe online gaming practice and there are moves to regulate gaming in the USA. Such measures could generate much-needed tax-revenues and greater control over the industry. Big name operators such as 888 Holdings, William Hill, Bwin and Playtech are navigating the waters and operate under European and other licensed operators. The industry is expected to generate in excess of $20 billion by 2010.

The future of online gambling is already here, with online casinos of all creeds and colors. Now you’re invited to read about the history of the games.

A good rule of thumb is to know the game. This means learning the odds in this game of luck. Each and every spin is unrelated to the previous spin and there is always a 50/50 chance (barring the green zero) that black or red will come up. Playing these colours generally guarantees a win half of the time. This goes for odds & evens, hi-low, rows & columns etcetera. There is no failsafe system to employ, but one can limit the house advantage by choosing European over American Roulette. European Roulette has a lower house edge.

Roulette wins are big on single numbers where gamers are often low on luck. It’s advisable to go in with a budget and stick to it. Play first for free, get used to roulette gaming before using real money. Deposit your winnings and play with your original stake. The best part is online roulette tables don’t fill so you’ve always got a spot to play. For example placing $1 bets on all four corners of a number will cover more of the table than placing a $5 bet on that same number. And remember that your guess is as good as anyone else’s, so it’s worth a shot.

Busting the myths

• Payback percentages are not lower when there is greater demand for a particular slots machine
• Winning slots machines are not necessarily placed where they are most visible including online
• Playing a machine that hasn’t hit a jackpot isn’t going to bring you any closer to winning one
• If a slots machine has recently recorded a big jackpot win it can still generate more winnings

So what are the techniques for playing slots then?

• First choose a reputable and licensed online casino
• Make sure you read and understand all the fine print
• Find out the payout percentage rates of the online casino
• Choose a game whose rules you clearly understand

It’s good to remember that slots machines can account for up to 80% of all casino revenue. This means it’s serious business and players should know what they’re doing. Many popular online slots games are 5 reels, 25 payline video slots. They often offer progressive slots options – meaning the jackpot mounts exponentially as you get deeper into the gaming.

How you would play

A typical video slots game requires you to hit a button for your preferred number of paylines. The more paylines, the more the spin costs and the greater the likelihood of your hitting a jackpot. Many video slots offer from 5 to 50 paylines and sometimes more. Some slots even accept $100 wagers per spin.

Everything from fabulous Marvel comics superheroes to weird and whacky games are available in today’s slot machines.

Here are some tips:

• Remember to game responsibly
• Play the maximum number of paylines
• You may want to stay informed of special promotions on slot machines
• Always go for higher-bonus slots
• Go for online casinos offering first time sign-up bonuses
• Work off your budget and don’t exceed it

Symbols and graphics

Features common to all modern video slots are wild and scatter symbols. Wilds are substitutes and scatters trigger winnings across various paylines. But there’s even bonus rounds where players get to add to their winnings as they move into a separate screen and rack up some bonus credits. Online slots have the added advantage of simulating real-life casinos replete with superb audio and graphics and some of the best animation around. Companies such as Playtech and Microgaming are world leaders in this field.

Jackpots

Today’s online slots machines can pay out figures in the millions. There are multiple smaller jackpots which are being won on a daily basis so it’s certainly worth a try.

But there are ways of putting the percentages in your favour. Firstly you’ve got to decide what version of roulette you’re playing. European Roulette offers better odds because unlike the American version, there is no 00 meaning there is less chance your number won’t come up.

Players get their own colored chips

In order to get gaming, players are given different colored chips. If you win, you simply exchange your chips for cash. Playing is really easy. You take a look at the table and decide which numbers, odds or evens, or color you feel is going to come up. That’s it essentially. But there are many, many betting options where bets are divided or multiplied depending on how much you wager, where your chips are placed and how lucky you are.

Get spinning

The croupier waits for players to place their bets and then gives the wheel a big turn. Momentarily before the ball is about to drop into a slot, the croupier will announce ‘no more bets’. Once the croupier has placed the dolly on the number the ball has landed on, everyone but valid winners will lose their chips and the winners will be rewarded.

What are the odds and rules in roulette?

In European Roulette the house advantage is 2.7%; on American Roulette tables the advantage is 5.26% and a whopping 7.9% on the 5-number combo 0-00-1-2-3. It is important to note that there are no guarantees in roulette. Say for instance the ball lands on red 25 times in a row, there is no greater likelihood that it will land on black next spin around other than 50% (barring the green 0).

Crunching the numbers

• A wager on one number only typically pays 35 to 1
• A two-number wager, known as a split bet, pays 17 to 1
• A three-number wager, known as a street bet, pays 11 to 1
• A four-number wager, known as a corner bet, pays 8 to 1
• A six-number wager pays 5 to 1
• A wager on the outside dozen or column, pays 2 to 1
• A wager on the outside even money bets, pays 1 to 1

Some rules to look out for

Things like the ‘En Prison’ rule and ‘La Partage’ rule are common lingo in roulette. On even-money bets that show results on a zero, some casinos allow players to take back 50% of the bet or let the bet rollover – ‘En Prison’ for another spin. If the second result is zero the bet is lost. The ‘La Partage’ rule differs somewhat. If the player loses half the bet, the player has no recourse of leaving the bet ‘En Prison’ for a second spin.