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.
Mangas Gaming Acquires Everest Gaming Group
December 18, 2009
Everest Gaming Group is now owned by Mangas Gaming, the same French company that owns Betclic. This moves puts Mangas Gaming at the forefront of online gaming, establishing itself as a leading Player in all key areas of online gaming, including Sportsbetting, Poker, and Casino. With the addition of Betclic Poker, Everest Poker will become the first Poker community in France. Mangas will hold 60% of Everest while GigaMedia, a company listed on NASDAQ, will hold the remaining 40%.
Everest was one of the few gaming companies that was still using a proprietary Poker product that was developed in-house. Its sites were so well-known in Europe because they were tailored especially for the local market. Said Arthur Wang, CEO of GigaMedia, “Our strategy is to participate in the growth of this innovative and dynamic industry in Europe. We are glad to do it alongside the French’s leading sports betting and online gaming group.” Everest Gaming Group has been in operation since 1997 and staffs about 250 persons.
Mangas Gaming is the leading French sports betting and online gaming group. It has a presence in more than 25 countries and a client-base of 4 Million users.
Gaming companies want freedom of movement
December 18, 2009
Gambling operators eager to tap into the monopolized European market, will have an even longer wait as the two Dutch gaming cases involving Ladbrokes, Betfair, and the Dutch State monopoly De Lotto, continue at the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
According to law, the EU member states can legally grant a single Operator the right to run betting and gaming operations. However, the Operators have argued that this limits their mobility and is in breach of the core EU principles on “freedom of movement”. The ECJ is in favour of the restriction and sees it as a means of protecting the player from fraud.
Yves Bot, advocate-general, said that, in order to extend gaming licenses, a competitive tender procedure should be introduced, as long as it does not affect public order and other important matters. He went on to confirm that member states do not have to recognise gambling licences which operators have obtained in other EU countries.
European Lotteries said that it welcomed the confirmation of the court’s previous jurisprudence.
€10,000 Free Spin Bonanza at Casino Euro
May 19, 2009
Yours4money.com brings you exclusive news about CasinoEuro right from the horse’s mouth. This new promotion, which was launched on May 4th, has not yet been made public on their site, but in true Yours4money.com fashion, we are bringing it to you hot off the presses.
In the upcoming summer months, Casino Euro will have achieved a milestone and will have its 500,000th Player walk through its casino doors. Casino Euro will celebrate this momentous occasion by rewarding its loyal Players. If you are the 500,000th person to deposit and play at their online casino, you will receive €10,000 in free Slots spins. This promotion will continue CasinoEuro finds its 500,000th Player. Terms and conditions apply so be sure to speak with a Customer Support representative to get all the details.
Register now at Casino Euro to take advantage of this amazing and quite possibly once in a lifetime opportuntiy.
Turn the odds in your favour
May 13, 2009
It is possible to turn the casino’s odds in your favour. And, I’m not talking about special software or cheating the casino. Then how? The answer is as simple as counting to 21. I’m talking Blackjack, folks! Blackjack is the only casino game where you can turn the casino’s odds in your favour. Forget Craps or even Roulette. You see the difference between games like Blackjack and Roulette is randomness. In Roulette, the wheel spins, a button is pressed, and the ball lands on a number. This happens over and over again. However, the first spin does not influence or have any influence over the 2nd or 3rd or any other spins. The spins are random.
This is not the case in Blackjack, however, because when a hand is played, the cards are removed from the deck, thus changing the proportion of threes and sevens and Aces. And, if you know how to play your cards strategically, then you could have the upper hand, thereby turning the odds in your favour.
It’s not difficult to do. It’s just a matter of counting cards. There is a strategy to counting cards. When a good card is dealt, count up and when a bad card is dealt, count down. Below, is a fairly simple card counting guide:
- Card 2 - Count +1
- Card 3 - Count +1
- Card 4 - Count +1
- Card 5 - Count +1
- Card 6 - Count +1
- Card 7 - Count 0
- Card 8 - Count 0
- Card 9 - Count 0
- Card 10 - Count -1
- Card Jack - Count -1
- Card Queen - Count -1
- Card King - Count -1
- Card Ace - Count -1
The easiest way to do this and understand the concept is to start from zero. Whenever you observe a given card, change the count by the indicated amount. When the count is positive, the deck is in your favour and you should increase the size of your wager. The larger the count, the more favourable the deck is to you.
The next question people usually ask is “Is card counting legal?”. In my opinion, it isn’t illegal or cheating. It’s just good mathematics. However, many casinos don’t take too kindly to card counters, because in their opinion, card counters know how to win, which undermines their overall goal - to win money from Players. So, now, you’re probably wondering if it even makes sense to count cards because it seems like a lot of work. Well, that depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. If you’re trying to become a millionaire counting cards; then forget it. Even the best card counters only get a one percent advantage over casinos; meaning they need to bet $100 to make back $1. If, however, you are trying to hone your skills and come away with a small stash; then you’re in the right field.
Video Poker - Skill or Luck?
May 12, 2009
It’s easy to say that Video Poker is gambling and any game that is a gamble cannot be considered a game of skill. But, think about it, if you can gain a mathematical edge over the casino with the right decision, then shouldn’t that be considered skill?
Don’t get confused or flustered. This debate has been going on for years. And time and time again, the result is the same. Video Poker enthusiasts have ascertained that in order to make money playing Video Poker, you need knowledge of what Video Poker game has the best profit-making potential and skill. Oh, a hefty bankroll won’t hurt either. While others insist that it only takes a bad-luck streak to put any ideas of walking away with heavier pockets than you started with to bed.
Different Video Poker games pay out differently. For e.g., if Double Bonus Poker with its full 10-7-5 pay table (meaning full houses pay 10-for-1, flushes 7-for-1 and straights 5-for-1); then, you can calculate that the game will return 110.17%. However, if any one of these payoffs is reduced, the game drops to below 100%. In this case, which game would you rather play? Where skill comes into play things get a bit more tricky than calculating payoff percentages. For e.g., if you’re dealt a Qh, 4s, 8h, Jc, and 10h in Double Bonus Poker, what move would you make? Throw in the hand and deal again or HOLD some of the cards and then deal again? If you chose to throw in the hand, then you need to read up a bit more onVideo Poker strategies. If you said HOLD the Qh, 8h, and 10h and deal again, then you’re ready to play serious Video Poker.
Now, it is important to remember that, even if you have all the key elements, you are still not guaranteed to win, because luck does play a major role in winning at Video Poker. Look at this scenario. If you are playing Double Bonus Poker with maximum coins, the average number of times you are likely to hit a Royal Flush is 1 / 48,084 hands, which is 1.67% overall returns for the Casino. What does this mean to you? Well, basically, it means that you’re not playing a 100.17% game, but a 98.5% game instead. So, even if you play expert Video Poker, you’re still a contributor to the Casino in that session. Passing 48,084 hands assures you that you may hit at least 1 Royal Flush, but you could also hit none or 2 or even 3 during that space of time. If you hit none, then you will certainly dent your bankroll, hence the reason you need to ensure you have enough money to play with before you actually hit those Video Poker machines.
At the end of the day, the statistics don’t lay with 1 individual but collectively all those Players who played on that Double Bonus Poker machine. And, forgetting percentages and returns and all that other mathematical mumbo jumbo, while skill is of utmost importance, I think it is pretty safe to conclude that there is no guarantee that any 1 person, even an expert, will win at Video Poker. Why? Because, it’s gambling. And with gambling, you’re still taking a chance that, even with expert play, you will come out with more than you started.
-
Recommendation
