The Secret to Blackjack Betting

Blackjack is a remarkably simple game. It's so simple that the rules can be printed on a business card sized piece of paper. These cards can be purchased in the casino gift shop, and that should tell you something. What does it say? It says that the real game, the game that makes vast fortunes for the casinos is not about how you play your cards.

You're probably thinking that Blackjack is a card game, how can it not be about the cards? The answer has been hiding in front of you, in plain sight for as long as you have been a player. Once you understand the secret and begin putting it to work, your game will change forever. Dealers and Pit Bosses will recognize you as an advanced player and will treat you with a higher level of respect. But most importantly, you will win more and more often than you do now.

With that said, keep in mind that no one wins all of the time, not you and not the casinos. Remember that statistics apply to a series of events and not to individual events. What you are about learn here is no guarantee on winning but rather a reliable way of moving the statistical advantage in your direction. This technique is easy to understand and easy to implement but there is one powerful variable that is entirely within your control, patience.

I have seen hundreds of examples on a player on a losing streak say "I can't possibly lose the next hand". They substantially increase their bet out of sheer frustration and proceed to lose it all. The casino loves these players and rely upon this kind of behavior. Don't do it!

Alright, so are you ready for the secret? In order to win more and more often you must bet larger amounts on your winning hands and bet less money on your losing hands. This is doable and doesn't require a crystal ball. The strategy you are about to learn makes it automatic. It's called a Progressive Betting Strategy and has been in use for many years by the bets gamblers around. It will quickly reduce your risk exposure and pull down handsome profits if you can be consistent and patient. Here's how it works.

Pick a table with a minimum bet you are comfortable with. Let's say it's a $25.00 table. From now on we will refer to that amount as "One Unit". You place one unit out on the table and the dealer deals the cards. If you win, you let it ride. You now have "Two Units" betting on your next hand, but think about what it actually is. One unit is yours and one is house money. Now if you win the next hand you will pull back two units and keep two out to bet.

At this point in your mini session you have recouped your original unit and taken one in profit. The two units out on the next bet are house money and your risk has been reduced to zero.

If you win the next hand (hand three) you let the four units ride, pulling back four units if you win hand number four. The progression continues until you lose a hand. As you can see, even a short winning streak becomes wildly profitable to you.

What happens when you lose a hand? Simple, you always go back to a one unit bet no matter what. This requires patience but is absolutely critical to this strategy. Remember that you have limited funds but the casino does not. You must manage your money for the long run while maximizing profits in the short run.

Cards run in streaks and most people are four to five hands into one before they realize it. This strategy is automatic and will make you a better player, but it's still gambling. Be responsible and have fun but don't think for a moment that you are invincible, you're not. Set limits on losses and also a win limit. Learn to quit while you are ahead. There are no guaranteed wins in gambling but this strategy can make you a better player.

Rob Scalfaro is responsible for this article! If you enjoyed reading it, please visit & subscribe to http://Scalfaro.me for additional resources, articles and more information on Rob Scalfaro

Progressive Poker Jackpots

Online slots aren't the only games that provide players with progressive jackpots. There are also plenty of poker games that offer up generous, life-changing prizes. Caribbean Stud Poker, Video Poker and Let 'Em Ride are the most common types of progressive poker games.

Caribbean Stud Poker is a simplified version of Five Card Stud, in which the player competes only against the dealer. Each player is dealt five cards. All of the player's cards are dealt face down and only one of the dealer's cards is dealt face-up. After examining their cards, the player can choose to raise or fold. If the player raises, they must double their wager before the dealer reveals their hand. Based on traditional poker rankings, the player with the better hand wins.

Most Caribbean Stud Poker games come equipped with a progressive jackpot feature, but players have to opt-in. This is usually done by placing a small side bet before the hand begins. In order to trigger the progressive jackpot prize, the player must have a royal flush of any suit. In some cases, small portions of the progressive jackpot pool will be awarded for other strong hands, such as straight flushes and four-of-a-kind hands.

Video poker is quite similar, except players do not compete against the dealer. They are dealt five cards and they can choose to discard any number of them in order to improve their hand. The discarded cards are replaced, and the resultant hand determines how much the player wins.

Progressive video poker games do not normally require players to place a side bet. Progressive jackpots in video poker are triggered whenever the player is dealt the qualifying hand: a Royal Flush. As is the case with Caribbean Stud Poker, players can earn up to 10% of the progressive pool for quads and straight flushes.

Let 'Em Ride Poker plays out similarly to Hold 'Em Poker. The player is dealt five cards, two of which are face-down. After seeing the first three cards, the player can increase their bet. After the fourth and fifth cards are revealed, the player can also add to their ante. The lowest paying hand is a pair of tens, which offers the player a payout of 1:1.

In Let 'Em Ride, the player must opt-in for the chance to win the progressive jackpot. If the player receives a Royal Flush, then they win the prize. All other hands receive pre-determined payouts and they are not eligible for any portion of the jackpot pool.

There are plenty of progressive poker games available in the online casino world. Visit Hot Jackpots to find out which games best suit your tastes and preferred method of gaming.

Sports Betting - Some Basics About Sports Betting

Sports betting one of the few forms of gambling where skill can largely outweigh the benefits of luck. For this reason sports betting has become one of the most popular forms of gambling in the United States and around the world. Add in the passion many people have for their favorite sports and it's easy to see why just Americans gambled 12.3 billion dollars in 2010 on horse race betting alone. Add in all the other sports that can be bet on and it's easy to see that sports betting is a favorite past-time for many people around the world.

Betting On Your Favorite Sports Team

Each year people gamble billions of dollars on sports teams. These bets can be between friends (which is often illegal), through office pools (again often illegal), and through legally established online and brick-and-mortar gambling houses. The exact terms of the bet have to be examined on a case-by-case basis but there are some basic principles that are followed, especially for legal gambling houses.

Sports teams are not all created equally. Often, the likely winner of a game is known before the game is even played. Let's consider the University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team, one of college football's most dominant teams. And let's assume that they are playing against the University of Toledo Rockets football team, which hails from a much smaller and less established school. The Crimson Tide would almost certainly win. Should the Toledo Rockets pull off an upset it would be a major event, likely garnering national headlines.

Most people thus wouldn't bet on the Toledo Rockets to win in a straight-up match. The odds would be extremely slim. Instead, bets makers set an over/under score which dictates that the Alabama Crimson Tide must win by a certain score in order for gamblers supporting the Crimson Tide to collect their money. So let's say the Crimson Tide are given a score of (-14). This means they must beat the Rockets by more than 14 points in order to "beat the odds."

Betting On Horse Races

If you're not into team sports but still want to enjoy the thrill of sports betting, a day at the races is just the thing for you. Gambling on horse races counts among the oldest and most prestigious forms of gambling and is enjoyed across the United States, Middle East, Australia, and Europe. Certain horse races, such as the Kentucky Derby, rank among the most iconic sporting events in the world.

There are numerous ways to gamble on horse racing. The most common form is "win" bet in which the gambler simply bets on the winner of the race. Just like sports teams, however, not all horses are created equal. Because of this horses are assigned odds based on how likely they are to win. For example, a heavily favored horse might be given the odds of 1 to 9, meaning that for every 2 dollars bet, the winner will take home 2.10 dollars. A heavily unfavored horse, however, might be given odds 50 to 1, meaning that the winner will collect 102 dollars for every two dollar s/he bets. Most horse race tracks place a two dollar minimum on a "win" bet.

There are numerous other types of bets, such as "Trifecta Box" in which you must correctly guess which three horses will finish in first, second, and third (in any order). If you want to learn more about horse betting you should visit your local race track and learn about all the different forms of gambling.

Tips for Earning Money Through Free Poker Tournaments

Free poker has become very popular over the years. While some people play it for fun, others are using it to make money. Today, there are thousands of people who are spending several hours on the internet as they play this game. However, to get maximum entertainment while benefiting financially from participating in this game it is imperative that you know how to play it.

How to earn from free poker?
Although some people call it free poker money, it is not entirely free. This is because there is the risk involved and you also have to invest your time before getting tangible financial gains. Nevertheless, you can succeed if you follow the following tips:

• Choose the best website: There are many websites that offer this game freely. However, not all sites are reliable and the best. As such, you need to do your research and find out which website is the best. This will enable you to benefit financially when you play at the site you choose while having fun at the same time.

• Sharpen your gaming skills: You need to know how to play smart to win free tournaments. You cannot be awarded financially unless you win in the tournaments that you choose to participate in. For you to win, you must know strategies and tactics that are used by professional gamers. Therefore, start sharpening your gaming skills at your local tavern or bar. By participating at such tournaments you will be able to win when you go to participate in the international tournaments.

• Join a team of players: Winning in this game requires persistent practicing. You have to spend time with other players learning from them. This will equip you with essential skills that will enable you to conquer international players when playing free poker money tournaments. Therefore, get together as a group and start playing in local tournaments. This way, you will gain essential skills to enable you win when you start playing for money.

• Know the right time to play: Different websites that let gamers enjoy playing this game freely have specific times when they award winners great prizes. Take time to do your research so that you can know such times in order to participate in tournaments that will give you more prizes.

Basically, succeeding in free poker tournaments requires one to spend some time practicing before enrolling for them. This is because one must have skills that will enable them to compete favorably with other players who also want to gain financially through free poker money tournaments.

What's more, you can play free poker money tournaments and make money without spending a penny or risking your money. Just use the provided link to know more on poker.

Sports Betting - People's Love of Sports Betting

People love to bet on sports. Whether it be your favorite college team or the Super Bowl, betting on a sports game is a great way to add an extra layer of excitement to your favorite sporting event. Given the reliance on skill and the ability to use knowledge to increase the likelihood of winning it's no wonder that many people prefer sports betting to gambling at a casino. One of the most popular forms of sports betting is flat racing or thoroughbred racing. Thoroughbred racing refers to most of the horse racing events held across the United States and the world. In horse racing race horses compete to cross the finish line first. In fact bets at horse races total more than 12 billion dollars per year.

Betting On Sports

People bet on all sorts of sports and the cumulative total is massive. Sports betting is a multi-billion dollar industry. Whether you are betting through sanctioned gambling houses or through local office pools, sports betting carries risks but so long as you are careful you can keep your loses to a minimum. There are many ways to be on sports so you will have to look at the individual rules and conditions of each bet you are looking to make.

If you are betting on a team sport you will almost certainly encounter a "spread." Since not all teams are equal in terms of talent and potential gambling houses try to "even the odds" by placing a cover on an event. This requires the favored team to win by a certain number of points in order for betters who bet on the favored team to record a "win." For example, in the 2013 Super Bowl the San Francisco 49ers were favored by an average of 5 points. In this case the Baltimore Ravens beat the 49ers and so everyone who bet on the Ravens won. Had the 49ers won the game but only by 2 or 3 points those who bet on the Ravens still would have won their bets while those who bet on the 49ers would have lost.

Betting On Horse Races

If you are looking to avoid the hassle of spreads than horse racing might be the best choice for you. Horse racing usually does not feature a spread or any equivalents. Instead, the horse who crosses the finish line first simply wins and people who bet on that horse will collect winnings. A straight bet like this is called a "win" bet and simply requires the gambler to correctly predict which horse will finish in first place.

In order to create an exciting betting environment and ensure that not everyone simply bets on the favored horses, race tracks offer different odds for each horse. A heavily favored horse might be given odds of 1-5, for example. In this case if the favored horse finishes first gamblers who bet on said horse will receive only $2.40 for every two dollars they bet. A horse that is seen as highly unlikely to win, however, might be given odds of 40-1. A gambler who bets on such a horse and wins would receive a whopping $82 dollars for every two dollars he bets.

Of course, if you are looking for more "complicated" bets there are many options besides straight "win" bets. For example, you could try your luck at a Trifecta box by predicting which three horses will cross the finish line in any given order. There are many other types of bets that can be placed so before you head to the local race track you should conduct a little research and figure out all of your options.

Horse racing is enjoyed by people across the world and is especially popular in the United Kingdom and United States. Many of the world's most famous horse tracks are now among the most famous sports venues in the world including the Churchill Downs in Kentucky. The excitement and tradition of horse betting have made the sport one of the most popular to be bet upon in the world and each year millions of people enjoy their time "at the races."

Current Concerns About Problem Gambling in New Zealand

New Zealand's gambling market is always changing, so it is important to keep up with new developments in the industry. This year, the Problem Gambling Foundation has issued a report on the current state of the country's gambling market, highlighting some key concerns about problem gambling and underage gambling.

According to the report, Gambling In New Zealand, location is a major concern. It seems that poker machines are not evenly distributed across the country. Instead, they are concentrated in low income areas. In poverty-stricken communities the ratio of poker machines to people is 1:75, whereas the ratio in wealthier neighbourhoods is 1:465. As such, individuals in low-income areas are six-times more likely to be exposed to gambling. Gaming club owners state that they are not targeting these areas; rather, they are simply meeting the demand for electronic gaming.

The report also includes an updated list of risk factors. This information offers up some valuable insight into what types of people are more vulnerable to developing gambling addictions. Adults of Maori and Pacific descent are 3.5 times more likely to be problem gamblers while men are twice as likely as women to develop gambling addictions. Individuals with substance abuse problems and those suffering from depression and anxiety also present an increased risk of developing gambling problems.

In recent years, youths have become a high-risk group. More and more young people are being exposed to gambling, and some are even participating in the activity. The report cites statistics from a recent study, showing that 36% of young people started gambling by the time they were just ten years old. Most children were introduced to card games and slots by a family member, and youths growing up in single-parent homes were even more likely be exposed to the activity.

The Problem Gambling Foundation's report also highlighted the impacts of gambling addiction. 74 000 local residents are afflicted by mental health conditions as a result of problem gambling. Additionally, 60% of moderate problem gamblers suffer from depression, and between 35 and 60 suicides take place every year that are somehow related to gambling. On an interpersonal level, gambling addiction can be harmful to the friends and family members of a problem gambler. 40% of problem gamblers' spouses have been diagnosed with stress-related illnesses, and their children are presented with an increased risk of becoming addicted to gambling themselves.

With mounting concerns about problem gambling in New Zealand, it is important for local politicians to take a stand. The introduction of harm minimization strategies will go a long way to reducing problem gambling rates in the country, but it is also up to individuals to adopt responsible gambling practices.

Bad Beat Jackpots

When you hear about progressive jackpots, they are normally associated with electronic games like slots and video poker. However, skill and table game players also have the opportunity to cash in on these prizes, as well. Some of the most generous non-slots prizes are awarded by Bad Beat Jackpots, which actually pay out to losing players.

If you're unfamiliar with the term 'bad beat', it refers to a very strong hand that ultimately loses. For example, a player who has four-of-a-kind kings that loses to a player with four-of-a-kind aces has experienced a bad beat. As a consolation, online and land-based poker room operators provide victims with the chance to win a generous progressive jackpot.

The rules for winning a this type of jackpot are quite similar regardless of where you play. The minimum qualifying hand is normally quads. At some venues, it is four-of-kind 6s. At others, it is four-of-a-kind 8s. So, the jackpot is triggered whenever any player that holds this hand (or higher) and loses.

Some of the biggest wins ever seen in the poker world have been the result of bad beat jackpots. In 2009, Carbon Poker awarded a jackpot worth $1.2 million to a player named Ruggio, who lost a $1000 pot with a Jack-high straight flush to a player with a King-high straight flush. In 2008, Caesars Casino awarded an $800 000 prize to a player that lost four-of-a-kind 9s to a king-high straight flush.

However, the losing player isn't the only one that wins. In the online casino world, the prize is split between all players at the table. The loser usually receives 50% of the pool, the winner gets 25% and the rest of the players split the remaining 25%. In some land-based casinos, the jackpot is split between players at all venues that are connected to the network. For example, all poker rooms that are operated by Caesars are connected to the network. When the jackpot is won, every poker player at every venue receives a share of the prize.

Bad beat progressive jackpots are common in the land-based casino world, but they are becoming increasingly rare at online poker rooms. Full Tilt Poker and Poker Stars do not offer bad beat jackpots, and Party Poker has recently removed all of its bad beat jackpot tables. However, you can still find games that offer this type of progressive prize at Microgaming-powered poker rooms and 888 Poker.

Bad beat jackpots are just one type of progressive prize that you can win in the online casino world. Find out about the different types of online jackpots at Hot Jackpots.

International Christmas Lotteries

Christmas is a time for generosity and sharing. While individuals are shopping for gifts for their friends and family members, lottery operators are thinking of ways to offer the biggest and best jackpots of the year during their annual holiday draws. It is not uncommon for these draws to offer prizes worth hundreds of millions of dollars, awarding life-changing jackpots that will certainly make for some interesting Christmas presents.

Brazil's biggest lottery, the Mega Sena, is operated by the Caixa Econômica Federal bank. Draws are held twice a week, boasting prizes worth millions. 5% of all profits earned from these draws are saved for the Mega Da Virada‎, a generous New Years' Eve lottery draw. Every year, more than $1 billion worth of prizes are raffled off.

The Mega Da Virada‎ operates like a weekly lottery drawing, as players select 6 of 60 numbers rather than purchasing raffle tickets. This means that multiple winners can cash in on the grand prize. In 2012, three lucky players won the grand prize, each earning R$81 million ($44 million). All players who match 4 and 5 numbers also receive generous prizes. Last year, these jackpots were worth R$470 ($238) and R$27 000 ($13 000), respectively.

The EuroMillions is also well-known for launching generous Christmas draws every year. In 2012, the EuroMillions Christmas Millionaire Raffle awarded 50 $1 million prizes to lucky players across the continent. 25 millionaires were made on Christmas Day, and the remainder received their prizes on New Years' Eve. This draw is a traditional raffle, in which players purchase tickets rather than selecting numbers. Ireland and The Channel Islands host similar Christmas raffles; however, their prizes are significantly smaller.

Spain hosts its own lucrative Christmas lottery called El Gordo (The Big One). Started in 1812, it is one of the oldest lotteries in existence, and El Gordo is a popular tradition in Spanish culture. There is a quite a unique format to this lottery, which allows players to purchase tenths of tickets. Since each ticket costs €200, players can purchase a tenth for just €20.

Last year, 180 tickets were sold, contributing a generous €2.5 billion to the prize pool. There was one first-place prize worth €4 million, one second-place prize worth €1.25 million and a third-place prize worth €500 000. The remainder of the pay outs ranged from €200 to €200 000 for 15 000 for lucky players across the country.

Hundreds of lottery draws that take place every week, each offering up life-changing sums of money as prizes. For more information on worldwide lottery draws and slots jackpots, visit Hot Jackpots.

Sports Betting Systems - Should You Use One?

If you're anything like me then you like to wager a bit on sporting events. I'm probably more of a degenerate gambler than most in the fact that I will bet on just about anything with just about anybody. However I also do my best to keep informed by at the very least watching sports center on a religious basis. Which is actually pretty easy because it's generally on 24/7 in all casino's that I play poker in.

I guess what you could say is that when it comes to sports I'm at the very least in the know & probably have a bit of an edge over your average Joe. When it comes to betting with the books be them local or offshore though, they generally know the same things that I do BUT they have a major problem that I don't have.

The books have to set a sports betting line to try to even out the amount of money that will be bet on each side of a single sporting event because that's how they make money. They need to think about how the betting public loves to take the favorite because that's all most people really understand is who the better team is, nobody thinks about HOW MUCH BETTER a team is than another team. Most of the public also doesn't think about home field advantage or other information that factors in to how a team plays. This is where you do your cherry picking when it comes to handicapping.

Now think about trying to make those kind of picks, you're basically trying to take advantage of people who do this for a living. The bread on their table is there because they are good at what they do which is setting a line. Their only weakness is that they have to compensate for what the "sharps" (bettors in the know) and the "public" (casual weak bettors) are going to bet. So when they make their lines there's generally some value if you know what you're doing & knowing what you're doing is what betting systems help you do!

With that said just stop and think for a few seconds about what you've known about any of the sporting events that you've ever placed a bet on. Have you ever missed out on some injury news, maybe a last minute trade, a star player hasn't been playing like a star for the past 3 games? If you answered yes to any of those questions or thought of something else that you missed out on and it cost you money, well then you aren't taking your betting all that serious then are you?

Therefore if you don't take your betting serious and have no desire to because you don't care if you win or you lose then betting systems are not for you, plain and simple. However if you want to bring yourself up to speed, understand more about the games you are wagering on & want to give yourself a greater edge over the books or whoever you bet with then betting systems are for you.

What You Must Know To Host a Home Poker Tournament and Be Successful

You have viewed poker on TV, perhaps played it on the internet, or even in a casino. Now you are ready to try to host your own poker tournament at home in your own game room or basement. Hosting your own poker tourney is much more personable than playing poker on the internet. The smack talk, the cross table body language, the feel of the cards in your hands, and the sound of the cards being shuffled are all great aspects of playing poker at home. Best of all may be the great feeling you have inside when you take down a huge pot of chips or make a great play and get some praise from your buddies. Of course, a badly run poker tournament at home can be a huge headache. So make sure yours is run right and your players will consistently return to your basement for your future poker tournaments.

To run an effective poker tournament competition at home you need a high quality poker table, some top quality poker cards, clay poker chips, some kind of blinds timer clock, and a strategy. Sure you can host a tourney with some cheap cards and chips, but our objective here is to make it feel like a casino experience so your friends will continue to return and play in the future.

A high quality professional felt poker table makes your poker experience that much better but it will also be one of your biggest cash investments. If you do not have a high quality professional felt poker table and do not have the budget for one you can still host a poker tourney with absolutely no problems.

The most important aspect to keep in mind is the overall experience your poker friends are having. If you decide to perform on a cheap table, it will be more challenging to deal with the chips and to collect cards after each hand. Cards will fly across (and sometimes off) the home-made table. If you cannot swing a pro poker table, consider some other choices such as a felt table topper or just buy some poker felt on the internet and cover your table with it. If you're a handyman, consider building your own quality professional grade poker table; it is not that challenging.

Quality poker playing cards are essential for a successful tourney. If you buy a two-dollar cheap set, they will become filthy, difficult, and get bent edges and have to be thrown out after 1 hour of poker play. It is well worth the investment to spend money on some top quality 100% proven poker cards. They will perform better and last much longer. You can even clean them if they become filthy. You will need at least two decks of cards for each poker table. This allows one poker play to be shuffling while one is dealing which keeps the pace of play moving which is important when you are playing with costly blind levels and timers. You should also get at least one cut card for each table to help avoid the end cards of the deck from being revealed.

Poker chips are absolutely necessary to host a serious tournament. There are wide variety of poker chip options on the web that vary from pennies per chip to dollars per chip in cost. You do not have to have the expensive chips to have an excellent time at your tournament. Chips also come with or without cash values on them. Poker chips with cash values can be very practical, but are not necessary. Chips without cash values can be more versatile as you can allocate any value to them. If you choose to use chips without money values just publish a graph of what each colored chip is valued at. The quantity of chips you need really depends on the number of poker players attending your home poker tournament. Make sure you have enough chips so each poker playing has enough chips to make proper poker wagers. (20-30 chips is an excellent target to aim for) You will also want some bigger denomination chips so you can color up the chips when the blind levels reach a higher value later in the night.
There are many choices for electronic blinds timers. You can use a simple egg-timer although this becomes very painful to manage as someone has to totally reset it for each blind change and it can be difficult to see at times. The Poker Genie is a great choice, or there are many programs you can get that will run on a laptop and you can even project your laptop onto your television screen. You could also buy a professional blinds timer and mount it to the wall in your game room if you are frequent player.

Finally, you need a strategy. You should know in advance what your buy in price will be, whether you will allow rebuys, what your cash payouts will be, and what your overall blind structure will be. Your buy in and rebuys should be spelled out clearly to people when you invite them to your tournament. No one wants to show up with $20 in their wallet to find out you are having a $30 buy in game. Payouts need to be made and the payout structure should be conveyed to the players or posted on the wall for them to see. Publishing your rules on the wall or via email will eliminate any late night arguments that may occur.
When establishing blind level changes consider how long you want your home poker tournament to last. Blind level structures depend on how many people are playing, the actual buy in, how many chips you are giving out and the value of each chip. Here is an example of an excellent blind level poker structure:

Round 1: 100-200
Round 2: 200-400
Round 3: 300-600
Round 4: 500-1000
Round 5: 700-1400
Round 6: 1000-2000
Round 7: 1500-3000
Round 8: 2000-4000
Round 9: 3000-6000
Round 10: 5000-8000
Round 11: 7000-14,000
Round 12: 10,000-20,000
Round 13: 20,000-40,000

It is also a wise decision to go over all the rules with the poker players beforehand and to announce a moderator to make rulings if necessary as well as a back-up moderator for when the first one is not available or in the middle of making a rule at another table. Take your time to plan your home poker tournament so you will continue to have your friends come back to play more poker tournaments in the future. Good luck and I hope your first home poker tournament is a success.