Why playing poker online is a great alternative to casino?

Getting involved in online poker games is a wonderful way of enabling you to play a great card game in the privacy of your own home. There are so many tremendous advantages to playing these poker games via the internet. First of all, it is convenient in that you do not have to drive a long distance or even short distance to a gaming facility as you will most likely only need to walk into the other room where your computer is set up. A second reason why online poker games are a great way to enjoy your card games is that the stakes may sometimes be a bit lower than if you were to proceed to gamble at a physical establishment. A third advantage of playing poker games online is that concentration is more readily available as you are not playing poker in a distracting atmosphere where other players are sitting to the left and right of you in sometimes overly close quarters. A fourth and important advantage to playing poker online is that you can play this fun game 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home. Lastly, as gaming tables at casino establishments can sometimes be largely filled up, by playing online poker you will ultimately eliminate the wait that often exists at gaming tables in casinos.

Convenience for the seasoned or beginner poker player is one of the many advantages of playing online poker. Even though gaming institutions are popping up in more and more places these days, it is still likely that you will have to drive a good distance to reach a casino. As a number of casinos will usually have ample parking, there will still be those instances where you will have to look around for awhile for a parking spot and sometimes even pay for your parking while you are inside the casino. By playing poker online at home you are able to completely disregard the notion of driving anywhere at all and can use your time more wisely as opposed to wasting it by driving to and from the gaming facility. Another plus with not having to drive to a gaming establishment is that you will save money on gasoline. Online poker is definitely for the convenience-lover.

Lower stakes in the poker game are also an advantage of playing poker in an online setting. As individuals that play poker online are often beginners and are trying to learn the ins and outs of the game, low stakes poker games online make this type of table game a great place in which to learn without losing large amounts of money. In order to find the websites offering low stakes poker online, simply do a general search using a phrase such as “low stakes poker online” or “poker games online low stakes” and you will be met with a number of poker websites from which to choose the one you like best. Just be sure to thoroughly review the site prior to playing for safety reasons to make sure it is legitimate.

A third advantage of playing the game of poker online is that concentration will be more focused and centered in the comfort of your own home. Sometimes when you are playing poker table games at a casino, or any type of table games for that matter, other players can be distracting and almost intrusive. With online poker, you are able to concentrate better thereby increasing your chances of winning. When people are unable to concentrate, they tend to make silly moves thereby losing more money than they might have had they been able to concentrate. Playing poker online enables you to be able to concentrate on the game at hand and eliminates any outside distractions that may be present within a casino setting.

Having the availability of playing online poker 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is another wonderful advantage of playing a poker game in this manner. This is wonderful for the individual who likes to wait until later at night when the house is quiet and work is done for the day when he/she can sit down in front of the computer and enjoy a game or two of online poker. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is as you are sure to find an online poker game in progress. Availability is a beneficial advantage to the poker game lover.

Finally, playing online poker is a great way to ensure your place at a virtual gaming table. How many times have you driven to your local casino, or in some instances not so local casino, and found that you had to wait an unimaginable amount of time to secure a spot at a card table that was within your budget? My guess is quite a few of you have experienced this type of waiting game. By utilizing the availability of online poker websites you will be able to find a place at one of their virtual tables and no longer will you need to wait in line to enjoy some poker action. This may also help you to relax as sometimes waiting in lines can cause unnecessary anxiety and aggravation.

These are just a few reasons why playing poker online is a great alternative to playing this game at a casino in your area. Not only is online poker convenient but it also allows you to concentrate on your game and increase your winnings. Additionally, it allows you to play this entertaining game for lower sums of money, thereby limiting any potential extreme losses. Also, you will never have to wait in a smoky, crowded casino area again looking for a table spot to open up. After hearing about all of the aforementioned reasons, why not give online poker a try and see for yourself all of the wonderful things that it has to offer. Chances are you will not be disappointed.

Learning how to play blackjack

Money, Money, Money

One of the main reasons that people play blackjack is because it's fun.  Another reason could be for financial gain.  If this is your reason, you will need some expertise in this field.  The best way to win at blackjack is to know the ins and outs of the game.  Once you know the strategies of blackjack, you will win money instead of losing it.  Playing blackjack can be a good way to earn extra income on a regular basis.  Although, the only way to accomplish this is to master the blackjack techniques.  Everybody wants some extra pocket change.  Learning how to play blackjack can help you put that extra money in your pocket.  If you take the time to learn the game and its strategies, and choose where and when to play, there is no reason why you can't use your winnings to enjoy the finer things in life.

Entertainment

Another reason to learn how to play blackjack is entertainment.  There are people who play blackjack as a hobby; they use the game as a form of entertainment to occupy their leisure time.  Blackjack can be a very challenging game, but like anything else, the best way and usually the only way to improve your skills are to practice.  You can improve your skills two ways.  First, learn as much about the game as possible.  Second, challenge yourself continually. By following these rules, consistent winnings are just around the corner.  Some of the benefits of playing blackjack on a regular basis, and learning the strategies, are improving your reasoning and calculating skills.  The extra money you make will just be a bonus.  That's not too bad for a hobby.
 

What's More Fun, Winning or Losing?

Last but not least, the final reason to step up your blackjack playing abilities is because winning is much more fun than losing.  What could be more satisfying than leaving the casino with your pockets full of their money?  When you become an expert in blackjack strategies, you will enjoy the feeling of knowing that you beat the casinos at their own game.  It will take a lot of hard work and diligence to become a blackjack expert.  If you apply yourself, the rewards you receive will outweigh your efforts to learn tenfold.

There are many more reasons why people play blackjack.  We don't need to touch on all of them.  The reasons stated above should be enough to motivate you to be the best that you can be, to show the casinos they can be beaten.  There are many ways to make money, none of them are easy, some of them are fun. Blackjack is a great way to combine entertainment and money making. Good luck.

How to buy a quality set of Poker chips?

Complete chip sets should be purchased with a few things in mind:  How many chips do you need? How much can you afford to pay for your chipset and how many players will be using the chips in a game. As with most things, you pay for quality and the best advice is to buy the highest quality you can afford.  It is rare to be sorry that you opted for a higher line of goods so buy the best your budget allows.

A good rule of thumb for quantity follows:

3-4 Players 300 chipset is usually enough

4-6 Players 400-500 chipset will suffice

6-8 Players 500-650 chipset is required

8-10+ Players 1000+ chips depending on numbers

The above guide is a suggested number only. Remember that you cannot really have too many chips, only too few so buy all you can afford. Many chip sellers maintain an open stock of chips so you can purchase more as you need them. 

Buying a quality set of Poker chips isn't cheap but if you're buying a full set of chips (300, 500 or 1,000), the price typically includes an aluminum carrying case, one or two decks of cards, five dice, and sometimes a dealer button.  At online stores, a set of 300 11.5-gram composite, two-color chips goes for $75 or more, depending on the style. A similar set of 300 real clay chips will cost about $25 to $30 more.  Three-color chips are more expensive.

Information About Online Poker Tournament

Poker to me has always been a little bit of luck and a whole lot of information.  An Online Poker Tournament has been proven achievable but the first disadvantage I see is my “whole lot of information” is going to be next to nil.  

I’m only going to see other players and myself as caricatures on my screen.  Facial expressions, hand gestures, body motions will all be absent, as well as eye squinting, blinking or twitching – those ‘giveaways’ on TV and why many use sunglasses.  Add to this the screen names: how do I know that Tiny Tina isn’t some card shark from Vegas alluding to be female and harmless? 

I’m going to have to compensate for this not-so-small handicap.  Basically anybody’s poker actions are six -- whether you play online or off… betting, folding, calling, raising, re-raising, or check-raising.  So that’s a given.  My observations are going to fall in the realm of a good site selection, a game selection (there are many tables), careful note-taking and money management.

And while all players are indeed in caricature-form, they still have behavior that can be noted.  I can put their screen names under one of two lists: “tight players” or “loose players”.  It will help to observe a few hands and label them before I decide to sit in.  Too many tight players and I might look at another table.

Tight players are strong opponents.  Even as a novice they will fold a poor deal and play a good one.  When they raise, more often than not they have the cards to back it up with.  I think it would benefit me to keep them to my right – that way, I get to act after they do.  Loose players are often called ‘maniacs’ because they love to bet and raise with very little in hand to back it up. 

As I see it, they are best if kept to my left in playing online poker.  Advantages are: I get to see how the other players react to his/her betting before it’s my turn.  And, at times if I check to the maniac who bets of course, this allows everyone else to call before I raise the bet and collect the additional monies. Get it?

Of course a table can also be tight or loose.  Ideally I believe a loose table is better and the first sign of this would be how many players see the flop; the more the better – if many are playing to the flop, the pots are healthier.  I read where 30% of the table playing all the way to the flop is a good measure.  Anything less is not worthwhile sitting in.

So, it’s time now to choose a fictitious name and sign up for the best poker school where I can (as they say) become a professional in a matter of months rather than years by playing the game with “fun” money until I declare I am ready for a real investment. 

Are you aiming for a poker tournament?  If so, why not follow me as I write future Articles on this issue.  Also share what you have learned, I’d be happy to hear from you and include your observations.

Esther Smith

Learning the technique of blackjack card counting

Blackjack card counting is an advanced technique to win on blackjack. A player must first learn the basic strategies of blackjack before learning “counting”. By learning the technique of counting you will have the odds with you.

The basic concept of blackjack counting is that a deck filled with 10s and aces will be to your advantage. While the deck of the dealer is filled with smaller cards but is to the dealer’s advantage. Simply put, when the deck is in your favor bet to the maximum, when it’s with the dealer’s bet minimum.

This is because a deck filled with 10 increases the chance of the dealer getting bust. You on the other hand can just opt to stand. In an opposite manner, a deck filled with smaller cards makes the dealers chance to bust less. If you know the deck is filled with 10s or smaller cards, this can give you the advantage of knowing what strategy to use.

The dealer must then always hit until having a soft 17. To hit with a hand of 10 & 6 and knowing the deck is filled with 10s is a bad idea.

If the deck is filled with aces, there is high chance that you’ll hit blackjack. When the player has blackjack, the pay off odds are 3:2. The dealer will only win on the other hand if he also gets a blackjack. That’s why a deck filled with aces is always to the player’s advantage.

Blackjack counting is not done by memorizing each card that has come out of a 6 deck shoe of cards. If you are able to do that, I'd be in awe: you should be in the world records book or maybe even the loony bin.

Blackjack card counting is done by assigning the different card numbers with different point values. Always remember to pick a system that is easy to remember. This will cause fewer mistakes and you will lose less money.

As stated above, you will assign a point value for each card and you will have to add the value of the cards that have come out. This is called the running count. Based on the plus/minus strategy, here are the values assigned.

2, 3, 4, 5, 6 = +1;
7, 8, 9 = 0;
10, J, Q, K, Ace = -1

To illustrate this more clearly:
The first card dealt is an ace, so we start by having -1. Then 6 is the next card dealt so we add 1. This makes the run count back to zero. Then a 3 and 4 follows, making the run count now 2.

After figuring the run count, you can try to figure the true count. You take the running count you have and divide it with the number of decks remaining from the shoe.

The true counts tell you the appropriate bet size and you can base your strategy from there. Good luck!

Popular Alabama casinos

Alabama is a southern state located in “the Heart of Dixie”, with a rich history dating back to the Civil War. It is known for its Magnolia trees, lush gardens, grand old historic homes, and southern hospitality. Alabama, with a population of over 4,500,000, is adjacent to Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida. The capital of Alabama is Montgomery, which was the first capital of the Confederacy.

Alabama casinos are for the most part bingo casinos, which are run by Native Americans. Casinos can only be run on Native American land, since there is no legalized gambling as such in the state of Alabama. The revenue from the Alabama casinos, as a result, is not taxed by the state of Alabama, since Native American tribes own them. The majority of gambling in Alabama can be found at the horse racing tracks and dog races, in addition to a few slot machines, video gambling machines, and pull-tab cards at these locations.

There are three Alabama casinos, all located within 20 minutes from the capital of Montgomery, that do a thriving business. The Creek Entertainment Center in Atmore is open for gambling Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 12 Midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. There are 1,000 bingo seats for live games, 200 electronic bingo machines, a number of pull-tab card selections, and one restaurant at the Creek Entertainment Center. The largest of the three Alabama casinos is the Tallapoosa Entertainment Center in Montgomery. The Tallapoosa is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for casino gambling. There are 480 electronic bingo seats in 21,000 square feet of gaming space, with a full bar and grill for added convenience. The list of Alabama casinos also includes the Riverside Entertainment Center, located in Wetumpka, which is run by Native Americans as well. The Riverside casino is open 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday, from 12:00 Noon to closing time, and Sunday, from 1:00 p.m. to closing time. This Alabama casino has 16,000 square feet of gambling area, a large selection of over 530 slot machines, and an onsite restaurant.

Alabama could profit enormously from having casinos located along the Gulf Coast, both onshore and on riverboats. This would encourage competition between Alabama and its neighboring state, Mississippi. The revenue to be gained from legalizing Alabama casinos and the boost it would provide to the economy may hopefully spur the state government to open Alabama to legalized gambling in the near future.

Learning five-card stud

At one time 5-card stud was the most popular poker game being dealt. It was started in New Orleans and moved up the Mississippi on the steamboats and moved out west with the gold rush and the end of the Civil War. The game is rather simple to play and does entail some bluffing, as the hand possibilities are easy to read. It is played with one card dealt face down and four cards dealt face up. The betting starts after the first two cards are dealt and continues after each of the other three are dealt. This game is the game that is played in the movie Cincinnati Kid. 

Now days the online casinos offer it less and less.  Some Live casinos will still set a table on certain days or on special days.  The game is becoming harder to find and many new players to poker have never played the game.  The best starting hand is a pair of Aces or any other high pair.  Pairs of higher value do have a tendency to hold up in this game. Three of a kind is a monster hand and any hand bigger than that would be a super monster.  Five-card draw poker replaced this game in popularity, as it allowed more betting and more gambling as each player got to see more cards to make a hand.  Lack of betting possibilities is what helped to kill off 5-card stud.   Seven-card stud finally replaced both in most card rooms and this game is still one of the casino favorites.

There is a romance about 5-card stud and it was favored in the movies for a long time as it is relatively easy to understand and follow the action as a hand is played out.

Conclusions

Five-card stud is a fine game for learning to play poker and hand values. The lack of complications makes it an easy game to quickly learn and play. The other feature of this stud game is the art of the bluff.  Bluffing is part of poker and stud is a game that a good bluffer will do well at against other players at the table. If you do not have a pair at the end of the five cards it is very hard to call a large bet with just an ace high.  Four cards to a flush showing is tough to call without a pair.