Having fun with Slot Machines

• Author: Ed
• Filed under: Slots
• Date: Jul 23,2008

We’ve been playing around with online slot-machines recently, and believe it or not, some of them can be quite profitable.  In online casinos slot machines or fruit machines if you’re from the UK tend to be grossly overlooked mainly due to the great deal of random chance involved.  However; we find that house edge on some slots can be remarkably low and as a result makes it quite competitive with other games.
So – we’re going to tell you our favourite slots, and let you make up your own mind.  Are they worth it? Let’s try them and find out.

We’re a big fan of Jackpot City, and we love their machines, as to be honest; they are remarkably fair.  We find a-lot of slot machines with online casinos tend to be bolt-ons that just tend to grow-old and die.  We’re pleased to announce that Jackpot City actually does care about their online slots, and they do provide an enjoyable experience.

Jackpot City – Top 5 Slot Games.

5.  LotsALoot – this is a really typical slot or fruit machine.  It has three reels and is what is known as a progressive jackpot.  Everyone is fighting for the same big prize pool, and when someone wins, they win big.   $0.50 per spin, but you can wager $2.50.  The theme of this game is just the typical slot.  Its good fun, but it did get boring after a while.  The way the slot was set-up we managed to keep gaming for quite a while from winnings alone.  Sadly; we didn’t hit the jackpot.

4. Major Millions – This is another progressive slot (has a shared prize pool) and it is different to LotsALoot because it is a 5 reeler.  So it makes it that little bit trickier, and that little bit more interesting.  It has a very unique military feel and the progressive jackpot is scaled well so that it isn’t rigged too much in the casinos favour.  Jackpot starts at $250,000 dollars.  Can you win it?

3. Mega Moolah – This is another five-reel progressive slot.  We found that the majority of online slots to be progressive and we think that the reason for this is because it increases the house-edge that bit more, but it also allows for far more enticing jackpot prizes.  But – for this Slot we have a five-reel and four tier progressive slot.  This is a unique looking slot, in that it is safari-themed.  We really found this quite a-lot of fun, and it was pretty easy to play once we got the hang of it.  We found that the four-tier progressive jackpot system was also very good and with this amazing game, the Jackpot starts at a staggering $1,000,000 dollars.

2. Cash Splash - is a break away from the colourful and is once again a typical style.  The reason we’ve put this into number 2 is that it’s simple and not so complex.  We like the fact that we can just sit down and grind a few spins to see what we get.   Once again, we’ve got a progressive game here, but the classic style and simple play-style means that it does cater to a wide audience.  Jackpot starts at $5000 and we found winnings to be very consistent with this machine.

1. Secret of the Sword – This really is our number one.  A very good rendition of a video slot this game is all about our favourite digital superstar – Lara Cross.  This is a really well-made slot machine that features good graphics, and loads of options. In fact it is one of the most feature-packed slots we have ever seen.  We must admit we still haven’t won the jackpot, but this slot has kept us busy for a while.  It does take a bit of time to learn however, but the process is fun, and it does have some free spins to help.  If you’re new to video slots – let this one be your first.  It’s worth it!

Finding the best Casino Bonus

• Author: Ed
• Filed under: General, Reviews
• Date: Jul 21,2008

Welcome once again to the world of online casino gambling.  You should by now be aware of the many hundreds of online casinos operating on the Internet, you may also be aware of the many, many apparently "unique" offers they have to try and catch your interest and bring you to their tables.  But do you know some of these offers aren’t really as good as they’ve cracked up to be?  In times gone past, many casinos were very genuine about the offers, but as more and more players started taking them up – you guessed it, the terms and conditions grew larger and larger.  As a result, nowadays many casinos advertise a £200 bonus, but it is never really that straight forward, or is it?

Let’s take a look at the basic ‘bonus offers’ the casinos like to advertise

No-Deposit Bonus – This is almost as close as you can get to gambling for free.  Some casinos are completely honorable but we have found that others like to ensure you cant withdraw the bonus, or you have to play a certain number of hands / rolls before you get access to your winnings.  Take care with this one, and double check.  It’s great fun gambling for free, but when you actually win something and can’t claim it, it really does make everything seem in vain.

Referral Bonus – This one is not so obvious but it is there at most casinos, and it is a great way to increase your bankroll.  The idea is that you will tell your friend,and as a result the casino will get increased revenue.  So to say Thank you, they will give you a bonus for telling your friend.  Most casinos are genuine with this one because many have active affiliate programs already.  However once again, read the small-print make sure that you’re eligible and don’t try to cheat this one because they will catch you.

Deposit Match and Percentage Bonus – This is like the new player bonus below except a little different.  Chances are you’ll be told about this one either from the banner you clicked or the website its-self.  Basically Deposit Match, and Percentage based bonuses are where if you will deposit for example $50 the casino will match your deposit with another $50 or alternatively give you a 100%+ percentage bonus.  This is a great way once again to increase your bankroll.  Combine it with a referral bonus, ( tell your friend to join for the deposit match / percentage ) and you as well as your friend are in the money !

New Player Bonus  – Many casinos offer some of the incentives above to new players only.  First deposit bonuses can be a mixture of any one of the above, but they may be tied in with some rules such as amount of spins / number of hands played in order for you to get access to your winnings.  The casino isn’t giving you free money – they are giving you an incentive to stay, and they will do everything in their power to make sure that is the case.

All that’s really left is to find a reputable casino or two and start playing.  We have checked all our partner casinos and can guarantee they are reputable.  Feel safe when you play with one of our partners.  And obviously have fun and don’t be too much in one go!

Good Luck!

Putting Real Money into Play

• Author: Ed
• Filed under: Reviews
• Date: Jul 19,2008

We’ve looked at a range of online casino games recently, now we’re going to take a look at our favourite online casino.  If you’re following our craps guide, it’s about time you’ve gave it a try with some play money, and if you’re looking for some fun – we have the perfect casino for you.

Introducing the Lucky Nugget Online Casino

This is an online casino focused on one main thing – playing the game.  If you take a look at their website you will see that there are not a lot of options as they focus on one thing – playing casino! 

Originating from Gibraltar, this online casino has a wide range of online slots, and table games.  They accept many different payment options and we can recommend them as a safe and secure place to play.  In particular; they have a range of good bonus offers if you are a new member, and as a result this will increase your winnings substantially.  If you are considering joining the casino – be sure to join through our sign-up link and get your bonus.

Slot Games / Video Poker

As we mentioned above, there are a range of games, from slot machines with a range of single and multi line machines as well as some remarkably tight looking 9 line machines.    We never have much luck on low 1cent machines, so we recommend people use their higher deposit machines because bigger deposits = reduced house edge = more cash to win. 
They also have a large range of video poker games, and if you are a fan of this – they will surely please.

Progressive Games
For us, progressives tend to be a bit of a mixed hat as progressive games tend to give the house a much higher edge.  However – Lucky nugget manage to produce a range of progressive games that look fair to all parties involved, however we like to focus on non progressive games – however don’t be put off as they are a legitimate casino.

Table Games
Blackjack, Baccarat, Keno, Roulette, Craps – you name it they most probably have it.  Let us tell you they have some superb blackjack tables and craps tables – much better than another site we recently visited.  We must admit however, their poker rooms were slightly small but nothing out of the ordinary.

All in all we like Lucky nugget – They are a reputable smaller casino and they do payout on time.  Some things to be aware of are the fact that they are a little smaller so as a result they may not have the huge audience major sites have but this does create ‘quaint’ community.

Good luck playing at Lucky Nugget – At the very least give it a try with a negotiated start-up bonus.

Craps – What are the odds ?

• Author: Ed
• Filed under: Craps
• Date: Jul 17,2008

We’ve been through the basics, the rules and had a little bit of practice at this very addictive game.  So – how did your practice go?  I bet I can guess.  You found yourself winning a-lot of the time, and you now thing craps is a very easy way to make money online?

Sorry.  This just isn’t the case.  Craps is a game of chance.  When computers and chance get involved – you get problems.  However, I’m not telling you to stop.

To take our playing to the next level, we need to learn about the house-edge.  More importantly we need to find out a way to eliminate the house-edge.

So far we’ve learned about all the various bets we can place.  We now need to learn about the house-edge so we can minimize the chips the house takes from us.

Forget about place bets / lay bets / field bets / craps bets / hard way bets.  Forget about all those bets because the house edge is far too high.  What we’re going to focus on is the pass line, and the come bet.

House edge on the Pass / Come bet: 1.41%
House edge on the Don’t Pass / Don’t Come: 1.40%

Compare this to roulette European: 2.7% American: 5.2% I think I’ll stay with craps.  Craps is a game that is both more fun, and has lower house-edge.  But on a computer we really do need to be careful.   This is where good money management comes into play.

But, you probably witnessed in your test play-run that you were winning an awful lot.  If you model this into a chart you’ll find out that over the short-term – yes you do win.  But long-term you eventually succumb to the house edge and eventually start to hit the red.  So we need to limit the house-edge even more so that we can make more money.
What we’re going to do next – is look at a special betting technique.  Taking odds, Taking odds is a way in which you can reduce the house-edge to 0.6% and it is one of those "secret" blackjack strategies many people won’t tell you.  We will, but let’s save it for another day!

Craps. Pt.2

• Author: Ed
• Filed under: Craps
• Date: Jul 15,2008

We did have a post up previously but it seems to have disappeared, so here’s a repost.

So, we’ve had a look at the craps table, a look at some basic rules, now we’re going to take a loo at the huge variety of bets you can place.  This is where the game really gets complicated, and its where a bit of forward reading and thinking will get you to the goal posts that bit quicker.  So here’s a quick guide or (Pt1) of the "continued" post you will see directly  below.

So we’re going to start with a more detailed look at the table.

This is a great picture, as we can see everything. What you need to do, is split it down the middle. So now we have effectively 2 craps tables and the bit on the middle ( for proposition bets ). 

Pass Line / Don’t Pass Line
To start playing craps you really only need to know one thing.  The pass line.  This is the most basic bet.  But what is it ?  The Pass line bet is a wager that when the dice have their first roll ( the come-out roll ), it will either be a 7 or an 11. Winner takes double.
However – if there isn’t a 7 or 11 but a 4,5,6,8,9 or 10 your money stays in play and the number that gets rolled is called the "point".  Your now waiting for the point-number to be rolled again.  If a 7 gets rolled before your number you loose, also if 2 – 3 or 12 get rolled, you lose.  But, if he manages to roll your point-number before a 7 you win the bet.

Don’t Pass Line
You can probably guess that this bet is the opposite of the pass line bet.  What you are doing here is betting not on a 7 or 11 but for a 2 3 or 12.  When a point gets established – you’re betting that a 7 will be the first number rolled.

This bet is pretty much the fundamental game of craps.  A-lot of people stick to this bet when they play the game, because the odds for this game are greater.  The post below details many of the other bets,  Once you’ve had a quick read of that – just have some fun on a practice table for free.