New Year’s Resolutions for Gamblers
January 5, 2012
New Year’s Resolutions are generally made with a great deal of thought and sincerity but no matter how well intentioned we are, they seem to be made to be broken! There are however some resolutions that you should take seriously, especially when it comes to gambling habits and what better time to consider these than at the beginning of 2012.
With that in mind we have set up a few gambling related resolutions to add to your list as a guideline for your online casino game play this year:
- Allocate a bankroll and stick to it: Allocate a monthly allowance for entertainment and break it up over the number of days you usually spend playing. Also, make sure this is the amount of money you can afford to lose. If you win then you’ll have extra to play with but don’t be tempted to dip into money for other expenses thinking you’ll win it back. Once your bankroll for the day/week/month is finished, stop playing or play for free instead.
- Learn to play the games before you play for real money: The more you know about each game, the more you’ll lower the house edge against you when playing. So commit to learning basic strategy for games like Video Poker and Blackjack, learn which are the most favourable bets in Craps and select your slot machines according to the type of game play you prefer so that you can get the most out of every game you play.
- Keep a portion of your winnings: If you win, don’t play all of your newfound money back to the casino, rather separate a portion of it out and treat yourself with it.
- Don’t throw good money after bad: Chasing losses is the quickest way to blow your bankroll and get into debt. If you’re losing, quit while you’re ahead and you’ll be able to play another day.
- Don’t play on credit: It is NEVER a good idea to play on credit card cash advances or loans, interest rates on these are high and you’ll end up losing more than if you only play when you have the money to do so.
- Don’t drink and play: Enjoying a drink while gambling is often enjoyable but don’t drink so much that your judgement is impaired, it will only lead to emotional rather than rational decisions and that can cost you money.
- Don’t buy into scams: There are no “winning systems” or “insider secrets” that you should ever pay for under any circumstances.
All of the best for 2012! Remember to always play responsibly at trustworthy online casinos like Ruby Fortune Casino.
Using Online Casino Chat Rooms
November 17, 2011
The internet has become one of modern day society’s social tools, from hobby forums to Skype, Facebook and Twitter; we connect, socialize and share information with a few clicks of the mouse.
Online casinos have recognized the importance of the social aspect of gambling and many offer casino players chat rooms wherein they can meet other players across the world and chat about the game they are playing or anything else for that matter while enjoying their online casino experiences. Many online friendships are forged in these types of environments and even if you don’t make friends, it’s sometimes nice to be able to share a comment or two as you play.
Using casino chat rooms to your advantage is possible when playing online, especially if you are new player and if you adhere to the etiquette of the chat room and respect those enjoying its facilities you will find that many seasoned players are able to help you out with any questions you have regarding the casino or the particular game you are playing and if you’re lucky you may just get a few insider tips from those with vast experience.
While you can always ask a casino’s customer support team for assistance if you get stuck, you may feel more comfortable seeking help or advice from other players.
If you’re new to online casino chat rooms, don’t be nervous, just follow these tips and soon you’ll be enjoying them in no time!
- Make an effort to read the specific rules and guidelines of the chat room you would like to join, some topics are not allowed at chat rooms and you’ll do best to stay within the parameters set out for each member.
- Follow the rules, don’t use profanity if it is forbidden and chat in the language specified, most casinos offer chat rooms for each language they operate in.
- Do not provoke, anger other players by chatting about inappropriate topics and don’t mock or belittle anyone, because everyone started out as a newbie at some point.
- Select a chat room for your favourite casino game genre as you’ll have more in common with these players than others with different interests.
Remember also that safety is still a priority and you should always keep the following in mind:
- Do not provide too much personal information in a chat room, never hand out contact or address details.
- If you arrange to meet someone you’ve met in a chat room in person, never go alone and ensure that you meet the person in a public place.
- Do not purchase any “casino secrets” from players trying to sell these to you…there is no legitimate information or casino game system that you can’t find for free online. Generally anyone selling anything like this is a scam artist and should be avoided.
If you follow this advice you will find that your online casino chat room experience is a fun-filled, rewarding one. Enjoy!
Making Big Money Off Small Budgets at Casinos
October 13, 2011
When it comes to playing at casinos we often get asked if a player can make big money at a casino with a small bankroll and while the short answer to that question is “yes” but you’ll need the illusive lucky streak to do it. There’s no way to get around that or manufacture luck. Here we take a look at the various player strategies you may encounter when attempting to win big at the casinos on a shoestring budget and whether or not they actually work.
Some players advocate betting on low probability high payoff bets at table games. An example of this would be betting on a single number at roulette where the payoff is 35:1 which means you can make $350 for the risk of a mere $10. When playing on an American Roulette (or double zero) wheel these kinds of bets have a 2.6% chance of success, this means that over a period of 10 spins with a bankroll of $100 you have a 23% chance of winning once in the ten spins which will earn you anything from $260 to $3,500, that means you have a 77% chance of walking away empty handed in around 15 minutes.
Side or bonus bets on table games are another popular strategy amongst players, these types of bets usually pay 1:1 or a small multiple of the original bet which means that they don’t yield huge fortunes even over a longer winning streak but also never result in huge losses, just longer game play and enjoyment.
Other players prefer to play slots and believe that “feeding” the slot machine will lead to wealth. With the huge variation in coin sizes you can keep each bet at a comfortable value but you have to keep in mind that lower value bets do yield lower payout amounts and while there are the potential for huge jackpot wins that yield exponential return, these are rare. In general frequent, low value wins lead to lots of excitement and good entertainment value while keeping you hooked at the potential to win the jackpot that will change your life forever while the house edge slowly eats at your bankroll.
Then there is the approach of “Playing with the casino’s money” wherein you make large wagers with bonus money or previous casino earnings rather than your own money. To make use of a simplified example with a $100 stake you make $5 Pass bets at the Craps table, when you win you double the bet to $10 using your own $5 and the $5 you just won, if you win the next bet you’ll be $15 up and so on. If you lose on the first round though your balance will be $5 down and “Pass bets” only carry a 49.29% success rate which means continuing in a winning fashion on a consistent basis is highly unlikely. Also, always keep in mind that winnings at a casino when using bonus money do carry wagering requirements which will need to be met before they can be cashed out…so while you may theoretically be playing with casino money, converting it to your own may be more difficult than you think!
While many of these methods may prove to be effective with a stroke of luck, statistically however, none are the holy grail of betting strategies, so all you can hope for is that you’ll play the right game at the right time. Good luck!
Help! There’s something wrong with my eWallet account
July 21, 2011
Every now and again we receive queries regarding eWallet account closures from online casino players who are unable to access their funds for some unknown reason. There is nothing more frustrating that settling in for a night of fun at an online casino only to find that you can’t play because you can’t access funds within your eWallet.
The initial reaction is usually panic and the feeling that one has been defrauded, and while this is quite understandable in a world where internet fraud is common, there is usually a legitimate explanation, especially when the eWallet provider has a good reputation or is a recommended provider within the online casino industry.
So if you find yourself in this predicament at one time or another, remain calm and follow our recommended steps to assist you in resolving the problem quickly and efficiently.
If your account is frozen
Oftentimes you may be able to access your account but are unable to transfer funds; this means that your account is frozen rather than closed. One of the main reasons for this may be due to the fact that you have reached your transaction limits for a certain period. You can confirm whether or not this is the case by contacting the customer support team for your given eWallet provider. If you have reached your transfer limit, then all you have to do is simply wait for the beginning of the new cycle. There is also the option of upgrading your account to offer higher transaction limits, but this should be done with careful consideration as this may be an indication of gambling addiction.
If your account is closed
Should you try to access your eWallet account and are unable to log in, first ensure that your username and password details are correct. If they are and you are not able to access the account, it may be closed. There are a number of reasons that an account may have been closed, although one of the most common is due to inactivity over a long period of time. The provider will regularly review accounts and close those that have not been used for long periods for security reasons. The best way to resolve account closure issues to contact the provider telephonically and undergo a verification process necessary to re-activate your account.
Another primary reason for eWallet providers closing player accounts is due to unusually large transactions being effected that do not fit the owner’s past payment history. Once again, the account closure is to safeguard your funds and ensure that no fraud is taking place. Again the best method of resolving this issue is contacting customer support to resolve the issue and undergoing personal verification processes to confirm that the transaction is genuine and was issued under your instruction. Should you be expecting a larger than normal transaction to occur, for example as a result of transfers from a big win at an online casino, then inform the payment provider upfront so that they are aware of the situation and can inform the relevant departments on their side and avoid closing your account unnecessarily.
If your account appears to be the target of fraudsters
One of the most serious and urgent reasons for account closure is when an eWallet account appears to be targeted by fraudsters or seems to be accessed by someone other than its rightful owner. eWallet providers employ state of the art software which is programmed to recognise certain unusual behaviours, for example access via multiple IP addresses or from different geographic locations or unusual erratic transactions etc. and the system will then close the account immediately.
Sometimes legitimate account owners may be mistaken for fraud syndicates if they access their account while on holiday abroad or allow someone in a different country to access it on their behalf, only to find out that the next time they attempt to do so, the account is locked. In the event of travel plans, always inform your payment provider beforehand to avoid unnecessary closures.
Another precaution providers may employ is password monitoring and if you enter your password incorrectly a number of times the eWallet software will close the account. This is done to avoid account hacking by criminals so always ensure that you concentrate when entering your password and if you have forgotten it, rather go through the retrieval procedure than continue to guess and end up with a locked account. If you do find yourself locked out of your account due to entering your logins incorrectly, you will have to contact customer support and submit to long and stringent verification processes. These do take time so patience will be required.
While it is very inconvenient to find that your eWallet has been frozen or even closed, when attempting to resolve any issues pertaining to your account, always bear in mind that the security of your funds is of the utmost importance to both you and your provider and there are legitimate security protocols in place to ensure the safety of your funds. Happy gaming!
Online Casino Games – Purely for fun or can they be profitable for players?
June 23, 2011
Casino games are a lot of fun to play, making online casinos very popular entertainment destinations for millions of people across the globe. We all know that casinos are in the business of providing entertainment but more importantly they exist to make money.
This means that they employ software designers to develop games that are engaging, entertaining and keep you coming back for more. When it comes to online slots the games are rich in colourful graphics, sound effects and features, and table games like roulette, blackjack, craps, baccarat and poker are designed to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a real casino, some even offer live casino dealers to further enhance the experience.
Let’s face it, playing at an online casino is the most fun you can have at home, other pastimes like watching TV or movies, these just don’t compare in the level of entertainment on offer.
Even though many people say they play these games purely for pleasure, everyone still does so in the hope of winning. And with every game there is a chance of winning, no matter how small. But moving casino games from being purely a pleasurable pastime into a profitable one, does take some knowledge on the players part. Here are a few important things to keep in mind when attempting to do that:
- Payout percentages, bonus offers and odds on games differ from one online casino to another, so always research the places that you play at to ensure that you are getting the best odds possible.
- Each type of casino game has different odds too. Video poker generally has the lowest house edge of all the games on offer at casino, so if you’re really only bent on winning it is your best option. Games like blackjack and poker can also make use of strategies to optimize your chances of winning.
- If you’re not playing purely to win but would like to maximize the chances on a game you love then makes sure you research variations in your favourite genre, you’ll be surprised how much the odds can differ!
- Learn the best game play strategies for the game of your choice and stick to them as far as possible, these will go a long way in helping you to win more often and sustain a bank roll that will keep you playing for longer.
- Online Casino Tournaments generally allow for a lot of play time for a minimum buy-in, plus there is always the opportunity to win cash prizes along the way.
While it is possible for casino games to be profitable at times, always remember the reason for playing should be fun. You won’t always see a return financially but having fun can be “profitable” to your mental and physical well-being, and if you’ve enjoyed your leisure time at a casino, then in a way you’re still a winner even if your bank balance doesn’t reflect it. So by all means, play and try to win, but above all, enjoy yourself!
The truth about Casino Comps
April 14, 2011
So you’ve been on a losing streak at the casinos lately and are feeling like quite a loser, but you open your inbox and notice that you’ve received a notification that your favourite casino has extended a comp (or “complimentary”) to you and suddenly your day brightens and you feel like a winner and think that maybe your luck really is changing and so you head off to the casino to play.
Just like that the casino has cleverly enticed you back with a little perk that enables you to “gamble on the house“. This marketing and retention strategy is common amongst both online and brick and mortar casinos and you can be given “complimentary” items that extend from free credits to hotel suites, tickets and more to keep you coming back.
Comps are often used to make players feel important, and generally the more “comped” someone is, the more “valued” they feel and appear to be. This is a trap that most people fall into, because generally the more comps someone receives, the more they play and lose at the casinos. Comps also serve as a huge incentive to gamble more because the more you play, the more comps you’ll inevitably receive…are you seeing the pattern here?
It’s not all doom and gloom though and comps aren’t completely useless, if used wisely, they can decrease your losses or increase your wins. For the majority of people they serve to decrease losses of the money one may have spent anyway. There is however, a way to ensure that comps help you to win, but for that you need to understand how they are calculated in the first place based on the casino’s rating system. This usually takes a variety of factors into account including the game played, the duration of play, the time of the visit and size of the wager. This can get pretty complex but there is a formula to help you:
(Hands played x wager per hand x hours played) x house edge = projected profit for the casino
To use blackjack as an example: Let’s say you play 80 hands per hour with an average bet of $10 and you play for 3 hours. That’s:
80 x 10 x 3 = $2,400
You have wagered a total of $2,400. The standard house edge in blackjack is 2%.
2,400 x 2% = 48
This means that the casino expects to take out $48. Given that the casino will generally comp around 20% of their blackjack profits, which entitles you to a $9.60 comp for the $48 you lose. When you use the blackjack strategy card however, the house edge is decreased to 0.5% which means that you only lose $12 instead of $48.
At land based casinos this advantage can be even better because you still get comped and if you play slowly you’ll lose less but still get a comp because they don’t have the monitoring online casinos do. On the other hand, because of their monitoring, online casinos often give out comps more often based on your wagering.
So if you understand and use comps wisely, you can in fact benefit…just try to avoid games with the higher house edges like slots when using these!
Gambling Debt ends in Murder
April 8, 2011
Vietnamese Tran Thi Thuy Lieu may face life imprisonment after admitting to the gruesome murder of her husband over her$75,000 gambling debt.
According to reports, Le Hoang Hung aged 50 died in hospital 10 days after suffering third degree burns to half of his body. At first Lieu denied any involvement in her husband’s death, claiming that she had been asleep with their two daughters when her husband, embroiled in flames had burst into the room. Initial investigations were made into criminal elements that may have sought revenge against Hung for his bold reporting on crime and corruption, but police later discovered Lieu’s massive gambling debts and the fact that she had often argued with her husband about financial matters.
According to Lieu, after building their home the couple had to pay off their debts and she though that gambling if well researched would be an easy way to make money. She admits to losing more than she ever won and this ended up in heated arguments which ended with her trying to scare her husband into selling the house to cover their debts by setting the room in which he slept alight. Lieu defends herself saying she never meant to kill him, but the courts will have the final say over that in the months to come. Ironically, many criminals and gangs have tried to have Hung killed in the past but none succeeded.
While this story is truly a tragedy, one can definitely learn, amongst other things, that no matter how “well researched” gambling is not a quick fix to financial problems and problem gambling can harm not only the player but their family too.
Online casinos like Jackpot City have bigger bonuses so you will lose less of your own money and if you find that you have a problem or addiction you are able to contact the casino and have them close or restrict your account to help stop this. Always play responsibly!
Moneybookers Rebrands to Skrill
January 20, 2011
Europe’s largest e-wallet and online payments providers, Moneybookers will soon undergo a rebranding exercise that will see its customer facing brand change to “Skrill” by the end of the year.
Yes, it’s a really horrid name, even if it is short for “Skrilla” which is a commonly used slang word for money, but the new brand promises an enhanced offering that will ensure ease of use and increased functionality for its users when shopping online and allow for increased flexibility, choice and peace of mind for both consumers and retailers.
The fundamental trustworthiness and business principles of Moneybookers Limited with continue to be the basis of the new brand but offer increased services to over 15 million existing Moneybookers account holders and 70,000 merchants globally.
In 2010 Moneybookers was voted the fastest growing private equity funded organisation in the UK by both Deloitte and The Sunday Times. According to sources, the company’s rapid growth is the reason for the name change and rebrand and according to Martin Ott, co-CEO of Skrill Holdings, the company aims to become a “verb” in the minds of the consumer, so just as people “Google” or “Skype”, they will be able to “Skrill” when shopping online. This verb branding concept is one which Google and other major brands have been determined to clamp down on for fear of risking their trademarks.
Time will tell if Skrill achieves this goal, but with the reputation of Moneybookers as a firm base and large improvements ahead the new brand is sure to enjoy continued success and remain a firm favourite amongst European online casino players.
Factors influencing World Cup betting
June 17, 2010
The 2010 World Cup held in South Africa is just six days old, but already factors are emerging that football punters will need to take into account when placing their wagers. The following are the most noteworthy things to consider:
- Vuvuzelas may cause distraction
Before this event no one had even heard of a Vuvuzela (which is a plastic trumpet-like instrument that the locals blow during games emitting blasts of sound) but it seems they are everywhere and are VERY loud. Many players have commented on these being very distracting and although they are most likely to become background noise to players very quickly, they do influence concentration for those not used to them. - Weather will be a factor
South Africa being located in the southern hemisphere is in its winter season although climates differ vastly throughout the country and teams will be exposed to numerous weather conditions as the they play in each province. To illustrate this point: Paraguay and Italy played to a 1-1 draw in the pelting rain in Cape Town on Monday. Brazil played North Korea in 8 degree Celsius weather in Johannesburg while Portugal played Ivory Coast in 10 degree Celsius conditions with 25 mph winds in the windy city of Port Elizabeth. Obviously weather is a huge factor here, so before you place your bets on any given game, make sure that you check the local weather report for the location in which it is being played. - There’s a new ball (the Jabulani ball)
The new Jabulani ball is said to be slippery and difficult to control giving players and goalies alike nightmares. It has already been blamed for the goals given up by England’s Robert Green and Algeria’s Faouzi Chaouchi. It seems only Germany is immune as they have been using the ball in the Bundesliga for some time now. There is no proof that there is anything wrong with the ball but it is worth looking into who has been practicing with it and who hasn’t before you bet. - Germany is fielding an excellent team
To date, the German team has played with precision and excellence and enjoyed a smashing 4-0 victory over Australia. They seem to be comfortable with the new ball (see above) and have played with the confidence and efficiency of a world class team so it would probably be a mistake to bet against them at this point. - Europe (except for Germany) is not in fine form
At the conclusion of Monday’s matches, Europe was 3-3-3 in World Cup play, and only Germany had truly made its mark on the tournament. Slovenia lucked into a 1-0 win against Algeria on Sunday and the Netherlands seemed uninspired in their 2-0 win over Denmark on Monday. England drew against the USA but their possession percentage was less than impressive. Greece had a dismal 2-0 loss to South Korea, and France drew 0-0 against Uruguay and a lacklustre Italy drew 1-1 against Paraguay. From these very unexpected results it would seem that the European teams are struggling in the African climates and unless Germany breaks the trend of no European team winning the World Cup outside of Europe, it looks set to continue. - Ghana is not out without Essien
The odds dictated that Ghana would fold quickly without their golden boy Michael Essien in the line-up but they couldn’t have been more wrong, which Ghana proved when they beat Serbia 1-0 in Pretoria on Sunday. This is definitely one of the African teams to keep your eye on. - Goalies matter
Green, Chaouchi, Justo Villar and most recently Itumeleng Khune have all cost their teams points in the tournament, and the betting backers of England, Algeria, Paraguay and South Africa a fair sum of money. So before you place your next bet, make sure you consider the goalie and his track record as four games have already been decided by goalie errors, and we’re not even a week into the World Cup! - Goals are a rare commodity
If you exclude the Germany game, there have been 14 goals scored in 10 games which by usual World Cup standards is no high. Even with the Germany game included, there are a total of 18 goals in 11 games. So when you placing your wagers, remember that goals are at a premium, and adjust your wagers accordingly…see the next point: - Bet the tie/draw
When there are not that many goals, the odds of a draw increase which is indicated by the four ties in 11 games in this year’s World Cup. If you had bet equal amounts on the draw in each match so far this tournament, you’d be up 16%.
If you’re new to sports betting and thought you’d have a go during the World cup you can see that there are many factors at play which can make things a little complicated. If this is not for you then try out something a little simpler like playing slots.
Internet 1×2 Busted
December 18, 2009
Internet1×2.com, an online gambling site specializing in soccer betting, was the scene of several arrests this week. The company, which is based in Israel has been operating now for a decade. It was started by two brothers and former Israeli Basketball players. It gained popularity a few years ago when it was associated with Yahoops.com, which was almost sued by the search engine Yahoo!. On Tuesday, the police uncovered the illegal online gambling network, which was reputed for its slow pays, and arrested 5 people who were suspected of operating an online gambling network catering to Israeli gamblers. Other members of the Organization who were involved with providing technical support to the websites and managing finances and payments as well as several gamblers, were also detained.
According to the Israeli police, this is just a taste of what is in store for those persons who insist on operating illegal online gambling operations.
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