Archive for September, 2009

Computers and the Internet probably is the most fast-growing field of technology, so, in the nature of things, the casinos and poker-rooms try to ride the ground-swell and use new technologies that became available recently wherever it is possible.

The first online casinos have been made in simple HTML, but since the advent of Java language as well as with spread of flash technology online casinos started to use these technologies. In the course of time, offline casinos have improved graphics and sound and have added new games. Advent of online casinos had become the first considerate achievement in online gambling together with development of broadband access. In these casinos one plays not against computer dealer but against real dealers playing on the real equipment and the player may receive the video record of the course of this game. Roulette had become the first online game as it is easily broadcasted online and any number of players can parlay on one table because there is no need to make any decisions. The stakes are placed on a virtual table and after that the real spin is made; all gamblers receive one final number and payments corresponding to their bets. By the way, if there are a lot of gamblers in one casino it becomes unprofitable and almost impossible for the latter to swindle and that increases the attractiveness of game. Soon baccarat had become online too: the player does not make any decisions in the course of game and the cards dealing is made on a standard pattern. But in case of another popular game – blackjack had appeared some difficulties. Many players cannot simultaneously play at one table because they decide to take or not to take the card and these decisions may be different so the dealer cannot simultaneously execute them. That’s why online blackjack, as well as real, is played by one dealer against only a few players simultaneously. As a result this game usually has quite high bets.

Nowadays, there are a lot of online casinos offering three abovementioned games (for example, such games are usually offered in casinos with Playtech software), but at present there is no video poker, although there is talk on its promotion. There is an idea to propose players to use their web-cams: each player will film himself during game and transmit the data to a server which will distribute this data among other players. As a result one can see the opponent’s face during the game and that will add new options, especially for players’ psychology experts. Of course, these proposals are not realized nowadays but when they will be realized the Internet-poker will become quite similar to offline poker.

Another latest thing that is used in gambling is 3D graphics. Some years ago Intercasino had announced the advent of new version of software – “the first 3D casino”, although, in fact there were a few static 3D portraits of players. Since that time quite many casinos and some poker-rooms had produced so-called 3D software; usually there were completely static, pre-rendered pictures of people and table which had little in common with “real 3D”. But, in general, tridimensionality in casino is not very interesting – 3D table or even a dealer will not be a revolution, though 3D effect of poker had become quite revolutionary. PKR had become the first real 3D poker-room: it had been opened just on a year ago and during this short term it had become among the leaders on visiting statistics (more than 5000 players at a time, although some of them play for love), even despite of absence of Americans and option of one table game. PKR offers the option to look at the table from different views as well as to pick the unique appearance of player, and this is the case: there are a lot of types of faces, hair styles, hair colors, clothes, footwear and accessories, so it is almost impossible to meet two similar players not just at one table but in all room. Appearance and standard clothes are possible to obtain free of charge, though expensive suit or accessories are to be purchased for points (which are collected easily and quickly), and the player can digitize his own face so that his poker avatar is his perfect copy! The players do not sit still – they really move dibs, look at cards (your cards are not shown all the time, it is necessary to press the special button and the player will look at them), express emotions (some standard emotions – from pleasure up to teasing), to play tricks with dibs (a few tricks are free of charge and other are to be purchased for points), pronounce their actions and it is possible to choose the player’s accent. In general, all players agree, that PKR is most realistic of all computer rooms. Unfortunately, you’ll have to pay for all that beauty: firstly, the game runs a little bit slower than in other rooms, secondly, you can play only at one table, thirdly, the game is resource-hungry and on slow PC it runs slower. And finally this game is recommended only to owners of unlimited Internet access (as well as online casinos, however), because it requires quite a lot of traffic. Only its installation requires more than 600 Mb, and during the game the room eats away nearly 10 Mb per hour.

Nobody knows the future result of gambling and technology mix; maybe in some tens of years the effect of presence will be reached, though now we can play the real roulette by means of video broadcast and 3D graphics makes a computer game nearly real. We’ll wait for new interesting decisions which will make the game even more convenient and pleasant.

Online bingo games can be played using either use 75-ball or 90-ball rules. The rules are very straightforward; all that is needed to win bingo is to get all the numbers in a given pattern.

75-ball bingo is the version that is played in the United States and Canada. There are 75 numbers on the bingo board, as opposed to the 90 number UK bingo rules. Of these 75 numbers, there are over 6,000 possible number combinations on a bingo card, which consists of 24 random numbers between 1 and 75. The caller calls out the numbers that come out on the bingo board. To win bingo, players need to mark matching numbers that appear on their cards as soon as they are called.

Bingo cards have five columns that are each marked with a B-I-N-G-O letter. These make 25 squares, comprised of five down and five across. Numbers in the ‘B’ column range between 1 and 15, numbers in the ‘I’ column are between 16 and 30, in the ‘N’ column the numbers are between 31 and 45, in the ‘G’ column are between 46 and 60 and numbers in the ‘O’ column are between 61 and 75.

Bingo site rules vary from site to site. At Bingodrome and every gambling site, players have to be over 18 to play, as this is the legal gambling age limit. Multiple accounts are prohibited at Bingodrome, as this prevents players from abusing site policies. Players are held responsible for their registration details being kept safe at most sites. Once players have brought cards, they cannot undo the purchase. Basic player conduct rules are essential at Bingodrome, to prevent players from using abusive language and ensure players are not aggressive towards fellow players and Chat Leaders.

There are specific rules for depositing and payouts at each site, players should read these rules before playing. At most sites, players have to make a deposit to play bingo. These deposits vary according to the site policies, but are generally not excessive. At Bingodrome, a $25 deposit allows players to play. Many sites offer special deposit returns that give players a percentage of their deposit back. Bingodrome has a 100% deposit back promotion, and Bingodrome partners are eligible for a special 300% off the first deposit made. Players are limited to $500 per day and $2000 per month.

Bingodrome players can win Bonus Bucks in addition to cash prizes. These bonus credits are used to fund player accounts and do not count towards cash prizes. Bingodrome’s chat games have Bonus Bucks as prizes.

Players should be aware of each sites bingo rules before signing up. Players who have been playing without being fully sure of the site rules should make sure they are familiar with policies to ensure that they are playing responsibly.

The first time I was asked to play poker, I had to confess I didn’t have a clue about it. Then after my poker-savvy friend who extended the invitation explained the rules to me, I thought, “Ah-ha! I now know that I will never, ever learn to play poker, and all of my friends just want me to lose my money.” However, I eventually discovered that poker is not impossible to learn, and furthermore, online poker and Internet casinos are fun!

Wondering what the rules are? Fortunately, Internet casinos have the same rules for online poker as you would play around your kitchen table. The two most popular poker games are Seven-Card Stud and Texas Hold ‘Em. In both varieties you choose the five cards that represent your hand, and the highest ranking hand wins. Sounds simple, right? Well, before you head off to those Internet casinos, let’s discuss the ranks.

Basically, there are ten possible hands. Here they are from highest to lowest:

1. Royal Flush: Five cards of the same suit in order from ten to ace (10, J, Q, K, A). If you have a royal flush, bet the House!

2. Straight Flush: Five cards of the same suit in order, but not necessarily the highest. A straight flush can be 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; as long as it’s five in a row.

3. Four of a Kind: Four of the same value cards in any suit (four sevens, four queens, etc).

4. Full House: Three of one value card and two of another, any suit.

5. Flush: Five cards of the same suit, order doesn’t matter.

6. Straight: Five cards in ranking order, regardless of suit.

7. Three of a Kind: Three matching value cards, any suit (three fives, three aces).

8. Two Pair: Just like it sounds: two of one card, two of another, any suit.

9. Pair: Two matching cards.

10. High Card: If no one else in the game has any of the above combinations, the person with the highest card in their hand (Ace being the best) wins.

In Seven-Card Stud online poker, each player is dealt seven cards and chooses the best five to make their betting hand. With Texas Hold ‘Em, the Internet casino holds two cards in the “center” of the game, which each player can use in conjunction with their five dealt cards to make the best possible five-card combination. It can be a lot of fun to construct your poker hand once you learn the ranking order—and like me, you will find out that poker isn’t as hard as you think! Here’s a hint: keep a printed list of the rank of hands beside you while you visit the Internet casino. Nobody else can see you using it!