With the latest advances in modern technology, the internet gambling industry has recently branched out into the world of mobile phones and PDAs. The unprecedented rise in the popularity of iPhone apps has brought many new people to poker, casino games and sports betting. However, this is new territory for internet gambling companies, so there is not quite as much choice as you would get online.

Mobile games can work on a Blackberry, iPhone or any PDA with a WAP connection, but what is important to look out for is that the betting site’s games are compatible with your handset.

These mobile games are provided by the same names behind the online software. Popular providers such as Realtime Gaming, Playtech and Cryptologic have all developed mobile versions of their casino, poker and slots games. The quality of graphics is not as comprehensive as it is in a download or flash version, but the game will function in much the same way. Poker and casino players can also access their account and place bets just as they would in an online gambling environment.

For sports betting, the mobile phone is proving to be a popular method for keeping up to date with the latest odds and games. Sports betting sites will take calls for bets, but customers can also access their account and place bets via software on their PDA. This is a great way to get the best odds online while attending a race or game of football – betting doesn’t come much more convenient.

May 11 2010

Finding free bets online is easy, but as much as they are widely advertised and promoted, there are usually terms and conditions that need to be met before you can take advantage.

The first step to claiming a free bet on an internet gambling site is to create an account. For those interested in sports betting, casino games and playing poker online, it will be best to go with one of the bigger sites that will offer all three. This way, promotions and loyalty bonuses can all be awarded to one central account.

Free bets are usually offered in poker rooms and sports betting sites. The most common requirement is that a minimum deposit (normally from 10 units of your local currency) is made before you can claim any free bets. On betting sites where free bets are offered before a deposit is made, winnings cannot be claimed until the account holder has bet the same amount. These rules and regulations vary considerably from site to site, so it is well worth reading up on what a ‘free’ bet actually entails.

That said, free wagers are a great way to grow accustomed to online sports betting, whether it’s for horse racing, golf, snooker or football betting (some matches or particular events may be omitted). Poker sites that offer free bets are also highly recommended, but again, any winnings made from the bet will have to be made up in raked hands (where the site takes a percentage of the pot total on the table).

May 10 2010

Casinos have become a huge part of online gambling, and are widely considered to be second in popularity after poker. With the latest developments in internet gambling software, casinos can provide a wide range of games to choose from.

But, as not all games will offer the same odds, understanding which to choose will be vital for those looking to get more out of their online gambling. The odds for casino games can differ dramatically and there are some games that should be avoided at all costs.

Understanding odds may seem difficult at first, but it does become easier the more you play. Blackjack is perhaps the best casino game for providing a good return, but different bets will reduce the odds significantly (such as ‘insurance’ bets). Basic blackjack strategy can lower a casino’s advantage to 0.8%, but card counting (only allowed by using memory alone) can actually switch the favour to the player, giving an advantage of 1% to 2%.

Craps is another game popular with experienced online gambling enthusiasts, as certain wagers can offer a more realistic advantage to the player. ‘Pass’ and ‘Don’t Pass’ bets reduce the casino’s advantage to 1.14%, but ones to avoid are ‘Proposition’ bets, which can put the casino at a 16.7% higher advantage.

Of course, some games don’t offer a fair contest, no matter what strategy you choose to play with. Caribbean stud poker can have a casino advantage of 26%, while for the numbers game keno it can reach as high as 30%.

May 07 2010

One of the most unique aspects of bingo over the years has been the variety of nicknames that have been associated with the game. Most of the nicknames have revolved around replacing commonly repeated phrases within the game and simplifying them, ranging from terms such as One Little Duck to refer to the number 2 looking like a duck, to Doctor’s Orders referring to the number nine, considering it was a laxative pill given to military personnel during World War II.

For individuals who played bingo prior to the advent of the online bingo craze through various bingo sites, these nicknames have some reminiscence about them. In many ways they are considered nostalgic in the 21st century, because the introduction of the electronic Random Number Generator, or RNG, all but eliminated the use of nicknames in mainstream bingo. The only place to really come across the old nicknames anymore is in places where bingo is played for fun, such as free bingo at holiday resorts, churches and other social clubs where the focus is on fun rather than big business. But when it comes to the monetary side of the game, nicknames have no place or purpose when everything is about speed and winning as many games as possible in the shortest amount of time to increase earnings. Bingo halls and bingo sites simply refer to things in shorter, simpler terms these days, and much like text messages have replaced common words with acronyms, the same has happened to bingo.

May 06 2010

There won’t be many occasions when a shop will refuse to sell you something when you are able to buy and pay for it, and while the majority of punters may be under the impression that a bookmaker will accept any bet they wish to place, it is nevertheless the case that bookmakers can, and do, impose limits on bets placed and on maximum payouts. Bookmaker limits are just one more thing the successful punter needs to be aware of.

Bookmakers are not wrong to do this because they have to limit liability when and where it is prudent for them. The larger bookmakers, for example William Hill and Ladbrokes, have maximum payout limits of £1 million, but don’t let that lull you into a false sense of security. The limits that cause the most concern to punters are bet acceptance limits. Betting shop managers have upper limits for each sport, and will “knock back” a customer to that limit if an attempt is made to place more. Other factors that affect an acceptance limit will be the country the event is taking place in and whether it is covered live in the shops. The less control the bookmaker has over the coverage of an event, the lower the maximum amount that can be placed.

In online betting, automatic restrictions are put in place by some betting sites that will restrict you in these remote bet placement environments, in some sports restricting the bet to only a few pounds. Another factor that betting sites consider is spreading their liability over as many customers as possible, rather than accepting a few very large bets from just a few customers. For example, it is not unknown for Pricewise Selections (the famous Racing Post tipster) to have a maximum of between £5 and £10 stake limit applied online. This is done to allow as many punters as possible to get on without exceeding the bookmaker’s desired liability for that race.

May 05 2010

Online roulette is the internet version of the game that is played in most land based casinos.  The online version features the same components as the actual game such as the spinning roulette wheel, the ball and the betting field.  You will be able to play for free before betting any real money.  The game does not really involve the application of any skill, as there are 37 or 38 different numbers to bet on, depending on which version of the game you are playing.

There are 37 numbers on the French roulette wheel whereas there are 38 in the US version of the game.  The risk factor results from the unpredictability involved when trying to determine what number the ball will land on next and betting accordingly.  With the growth of the internet in the mid 1990’s, it was only a matter of time before online casinos featuring roulette and other table games would be born.  Online gambling today is a $10 billion a year industry and the game of roulette is a key component.

Playing the online version of the game is pretty straightforward and quite similar to the game played in land based casinos.  The player is allowed to place a variety of bets including column bets and doubles as well as inside, outside, and straight up bets.  The main thing you will need to remember about playing roulette is that the game is governed by probability and unpredictability.  Additionally, just like gambling on other online casino games, you should wager only what you can safely afford to lose.

May 04 2010

There are three main sets of rules which dictate the betting in poker – No Limit, Fixed Limit and Pot Limit. Although all three are different, they do have some traits in common; the smallest bet which a player can make is equal to the big blind; the smallest raise a player can make is equal to double the previous bet and each player must wait until the player to their left has finished betting before making their own move.

The most common set of rules which govern the betting in poker are those for No Limit, which is usually associated with Texas Hold’em. Under the terms of No Limit betting, only the common rules dictating the minimum amounts which must be bet and the order apply. Unlike Pot Limit and Fixed Limit poker, in No Limit a player is free to bet as much as they like when it is their turn to act.

Pot Limit and Fixed Limit, though, both have caps on how much a player can bet. In Fixed Limit poker, there is a pre-determined limit on how much a player can bet during each round. There is also no raising in Fixed Limit poker, with only the option being to place a ‘Big Bet’ of double the normal bet during the final two betting rounds.

Under Pot Limit rules, which are the standard for Omaha, a player can only bet a maximum of the chips already in the pot plus the same amount again.

May 02 2010

If you’ve recently become interested in gambling online and playing blackjack, here are a few tips that you may wish to consider before diving into the online casino.  Just remember one thing – it’s all about having an enjoyable experience, not just about how you can profit from your gambling.

Before you start searching for online blackjack websites to gamble at, you need to narrow your choices down by searching online for reviews of the more commonly used and popular sites. Search for blackjack gaming sites that offer the most features and benefits possible at the best values, including the following:

- Bonuses offered
- Customer service levels
- Promotions availability
- Quality of game graphics
- Software applications

Once you’ve narrowed down your search, pick two or three online blackjack sites.  You should search for sites that have the best values where the five key features above are concerned.  When you play at more than one site, you have the potential to encounter more bonuses (e.g. free play).

Make sure that if you have to set up an online blackjack account with a username and password that you change your password at least every 30 days to ensure your privacy and security when betting at each site.

Finally, and most importantly, your budget is everything.  The cardinal rule of gambling, whether in a land based casino or playing blackjack online is to treat it just like you would if you were investing in the stock market.  Never gamble more than you can safely afford to lose.

Apr 30 2010

Sports spread betting, where an adjustable point spread creates a rough balance of players on either side of a wager and participants bet on the likelihood of the favourite winning by more than the spread, is becoming increasingly popular. Winnings can be very great compared with a simple bet on whether the favourite will win or not, punters are happy with the chance of walking away with a small fortune and bookmakers make a profit on their commissions whatever the outcome.

Spread betting on everything from sports to finances can also be practised on the internet these days, thanks to a plethora of online betting websites that have sprung up as a result of more sophisticated software, increased download speeds and enhanced data security measures.

Spread betting carries increased risks, of course, and the other side of the coin is that you could make a big loss. But for those who like to play for smaller stakes, there is plenty out there, with online gambling sites devoted to anything and everything in the gambling world. Big names like Littlewoods have a substantial web presence, and hundreds of other sites are based purely online.

Many sites offer free bets to attract you into signing up. A free bet is where the site matches your first deposit once you’ve provided your details. Free bets are ubiquitous, so have a good sniff around for bargains, and consider other aspects of the site’s usability before committing yourself. There are always promotions and offers going, and indeed websites devoted to the best of these as they are launched.  

Apr 28 2010

A betting exchange is basically just another form of bookmaking where the individual behind the system offsets any risks through the use of technology. The overall effect is to make it appear as though the customers are betting between themselves, and in many ways it is similar to the stock exchange, which is also where it gets its name. Many individuals see these as nothing more than elaborate bidding sites where peer-to-peer gambling takes place, although it should more appropriately be termed many-to-many gambling, as the bets are never related specifically to one person or another, but instead are many bets being placed at the same time. It is most commonly believed that the individuals operating these betting sites are simply acting as a broker between the various parties placing bets, rather than acting like a traditional bookie, but the reality of the situation is that the bets are being accepted and offered simultaneously through the use of software. At the end of the day, the exchange operator is simply a person holding a bookmaker’s license, and there is no law against using software to handle the bets.

Sports betting with a betting exchange is generally related to fixed-odds gambling, although recently it has begun to expand into spread betting as well. While not traditionally considered betting sites, this understanding is changing over the years. It has caused some controversy because gamblers can now lay outcomes on the exchanges themselves, with companies like Ladbrokes and William Hill criticizing exchange systems, claiming that the ability to remain anonymous will eventually lead to corruption in traditional sports betting.

Apr 26 2010