Las Vegas Whales

December 22, 2006 at 7:23 am · Filed under Online Gambling

What Las Vegas jargon names “whales” is in fact the creme of the high rollers species. They are a handful of people that in some opinions don’t exceed 500 individuals in the world. Las Vegas hoteliers are nuts about them; some claim four or five of those whales bet much more than the rest of the thousands customers they receive daily. No wonder they are suspected of going as far as selling their first born child to get one of those whales into their gaming area. Five tips to recognise a whale

* the size of the bet: $50,000 is the low end; Australian tycoon Kerry Packer likes to play seven blackjack hands at one time; his top bet was $375,000;
* the line of credit: 4 to 5 million dollars for one weekend; a fortune for us ordinary earthlings, pocket money for a “whale”;
* the treat: whales get all the freebies from the hotel they play: fine dining, luxury accommodations, private jet transportation, expensive gifts… often the US visa for the Asian high rollers;
* the escort: it usually includes bodyguards, beautiful gals and close friends; Las Vegas history saved for the record a legendary tale in which the Saudi Prince Adnan Khashoggi dropped for a bet at Stardust with an entourage of a dozen people;
* the generosity: whether they win or loose, everybody’s happy as long as they play; “whales” don’t spare tips & gifts.

While the “whales” number just a few hundreds in the world, the amounts they can afford to lose are purely impressive; that is why hoteliers pay specially trained staff for “whales hunting”. The Asians form a big part of this exclusivist market, about 80 %. The bottom line is to keep them coming in, at the same rate, after nine eleven.

Unfortunately, Las Vegas seems to be experiencing a decrease in whale strands these days. One reason, that all hoteliers agree about, is they don’t get as much privacy in Las Vegas casinos as they would normally get in other gaming destinations of the world. While hotel owners in Las Vegas await their VIP saloons approved, the “whales” gamble in Macau, Monaco or Australia.

Comments off      » Print This Post      » EMail This Post

No related posts

Texas Holdem Tournament Strategy

December 21, 2006 at 6:15 pm · Filed under Online Casino News

The Texas Hold’em poker phenomenon has taken the country by storm. There are reportedly over 100 million active poker players worldwide. Poker’s popularity is largely the byproduct of technology and several recent trends: 1) online gaming, where players engage and socialize in real-time over the Internet, and 2) the broad publicity created by high profile TV shows like the World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour.

With all the poker-mania, there’s an amazing shortage of quality information to help people learn how to play properly and become great players quickly. This is the first in a series of Texas Holdem strategy articles aimed at helping players learn how to win at Texas Hold’em poker. Tournament play is a popular, fun sport. These articles will help players understand how to approach tournaments, which differ greatly from regular “ring game” play.

This installment deals with the most-asked question: “How do I deal effectively with aggressive players?” Many players struggle against “maniacs”, the aggressive, wild players who play most every hand, somehow seem to pull cards out of thin air, and often manage to dominate the table.

Here’s what actually happened in a recent poker tournament. I entered a tournament at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, about 20 minutes from my home in South Florida. This weekly $300 entry-fee tournament fills the poker room with 220 players every Monday night.

The blinds start at 50/100 and go up every 15 minutes. I spent the first 30 minutes just hanging out and occasionally limping in to see a flop. The reason for “treading water” was to study my opponents and their playing patterns very closely. There were a number of solid poker players, but right away I spotted the aggressive ones.

I was sitting in the middle, directly across from the dealer. There were two “wild men” to my right. These two participated in most every hand, and agonized with themselves whenever they had to throw a hand away. This was hilarious to me, and it was also very telling. I knew these dudes were doomed from the onset, yet they were extremely dangerous if they caught something with one of their trash hands. These types are great targets, but only when you know how to play them correctly. If you do, you’ll end up with most or all of their chips in your stack. The key is to get to their chips before someone else does.

There were some squeaky-tight and solid players, as usual. Finally, there were two other players to my left who knew one another very well and spoke what sounded like Russian. These two played very aggressively. They rarely called or checked. They would bet or raise the pot significantly, so if they played a hand, you knew they were going to bet it big and you’d better be prepared to push a bunch of your chips into the middle. As a result, the table became tight overall, except for these four players who controlled the early action and dictated the table tempo for the first hour or so. They gambled with wanton abandon, trading chips with each other as the rest of us just observed and wished for a real hand to materialize.

It became apparent that our maniacs were playing mostly garbage hands, and using assertive chatter in an attempt to intimidate everyone. They were enjoying pushing everyone around with their aggressive betting and raising style. Humorously, they got into a number of showdowns, causing all of their trash hands to become openly exposed; e.g., 69 off-suit, Q3 suited, etc. I definitely had these guys pegged now – if only I could get a strong hand…

Later, one of my Russian “friends” came in over the top of a bet I’d placed with a huge raise, then smiled at me as he leaned his head back as if to say “Go ahead. I dare you”. My middle pair just wasn’t strong enough to engage with him, but I remembered this little “lesson” and my mistake. He’d used this tactic many times against the others and I should’ve expected it. I also realized that we had not seen any of his supposed “big hands”, as he always mucked them. Whenever you see an aggressive player dominating, and then mucking all those supposed “great hands”, you know you’ve spotted a target.

We played on, with the two maniacs to my right getting busted out by the Russian contingent. It’s been an hour and fifteen minutes - and I still haven’t seen even one decent hand yet! This is, unfortunately, typical poker.

After about an hour-and 45 minutes, I finally pick up a pair of wired 9’s (99). Now I was hoping the flop would yield a set (trips). Sure enough, it came: 9, K, 5. I was elated and jumping up and down (inside). I was finally in a position to make my move, and hoped it would be against one of my aggressive Russian friends with their big stacks.

To prepare my trap, I delayed and muddled around for about ten seconds, and then casually “checked” verbally and using my hand in a chopping motion, with a slightly disgusted look. Next, the younger Russian moves in with a big bet of 3,000 chips. I was sure I had him now. As expected, everyone else quickly folded and got out of his way – except me. This fellow had pushed everyone around and I was finally properly armed and ready to do battle on my own terms. Note that this had been my “battle plan” all along. I was deliberately targeting these aggressive characters, knowing that when the time was right, their ill-gotten stacks would become mine!

The action came back around to me, so now it was just the two of us heads-up. The two Russians said something to each other that the rest of us couldn’t decipher. I delayed and bobbed my head around as if to be struggling with my decision. Then, I motioned with both hands and uttered “I’m all-in”. I knew this series of actions would likely trigger an aggressive reaction, since my “check-raise” made it appear as if I was trying to steal this pot! A check-raise almost always triggers a full-tilt response from an aggressive player.

He immediately called me - he was so aggressive (and pot-committed) that it was like a fish taking the bait and running for deep waters - hook line and sinker! I threw my pair of 9’s over, revealing the trip 9’s. There was a low murmur around the table from the other players. My young Russian friend reluctantly flipped his five/trash hand over - he had a pair of fives (with a King over-card showing on the board!). He was definitely angling to drive me out of this pot with his ascertive play – one too many times…

You see, no one actually gets that many great hands in poker - nobody. If someone plays 30% to 40% or more of the time, they’re just “gambling” and bluffing. This guy thinks he has a “good” hand, because he actually had a real pair – something he doesn’t often have when pushing everyone around with mostly aggressive betting as his only real weapon.

The turn came and it wasn’t a five - then someone pipes up and says “he’s drawing dead”. Believe me, you never want to hear that when you’re in a showdown! I looked over as he said something in Russian to his buddy - another violation of tournament rules, as everyone is compelled to speak English at the tournament table. It wouldn’t matter, as he stood up, grabbed his jacket and left after receiving some consolation from his friend.

His older friend glared over at me and uttered something derogatory in Russian. I had no clue what he said, but I knew from his tone that I didn’t like it. I also knew I’d gotten under his skin by taking down his buddy and raking in all of his chips. I responded with “what’s that, I don’t understand what you’re saying since you’re not speaking English?” loudly so everyone at the table could hear me.

He mumbled something about his friend…I smiled and said politely with a smile “I deliberately laid that trap for your friend and he fell right into it!”, pushing the knife in deeper, knowing he’d be gunning for me anyway - might as well make sure my next trap was fully set. This also signaled to everyone else at the table that whenever I checked or limped, it could be extremely dangerous if assumed to be a sign of weakness - something I’d leverage later as the blinds and antes rose and the proper time to bluff and steal blinds actually arrived.

After a slight pause, my Russian friend noticed that everyone was now looking at him. He looked down at his chips and said “nice play” with a reluctantly polite tone.

Boy, I was elated! My battle plan was definitely becoming field-proven here - and my next target was clearly sighted. It had taken careful observation, planning and a lot of patience to wait for the right hand, and then play it correctly to take this highly-skilled, aggressive player out and rake in all of his chips.

About ten minutes later, it was tournament break time, after two hours of play. I counted my chips, which totaled 14,900 (we started with 5,000 each), then grabbed a quick bite to eat, reflecting on what had just taken place.

Within ten minutes of returning from break, I finally picked up a serious starting hand: Cowboys (KK). I knew it was time for my new Russian friend and me to tango, so I fired out a bet of 3 times the big blind: 3,000 chips, bait that I was sure he couldn’t turn down. Sure enough, he bit - big time. His all-in raise came almost instantaneously, before I could even get my bet onto the table. He was totally ready to engage, and had been laying in wait for me - just like I had planned. I had set him up by taking out his friend and then challenging his poker ego in front of everyone. He just had to retaliate against me – it was a totally predictable “full-tilt” response from this kind of player.

This is what the game of poker is really all about – having a well-defined strategy, the patience to wait for the right hand, and then executing properly. It’s what makes poker a game of strategy instead of a game of chance (for some of us).

He raised by going all-in with around 8,000 chips to my roughly 14,000. I quickly called his all-in bet. Everyone else quickly folded and got out of our way.

I flipped my pocket kings over, then looked him straight in the eye and just smiled. Then someone says “Yeah! Now we’ve got some action!” He sighed and flipped over QQ - he actually had a real hand for a change. That’s one of the problems with these kinds of “semi-solid, aggressive” players, like my Russian friend here, and other poker greats like Gus Hansen. You never really know exactly what to expect from them. Of course, my opponent could’ve held pocket rockets (AA), but I’ll play those KK cowboys strong each and every time I get them, since there’s only one hand that can beat them heads-up. I also knew this aggressive player on tilt was likely to be overplaying his hand, improving my odds significantly.

The flop, turn and river came and went without another Queen and it was done - my cowboys stood up and I had all of both Russian’s stacks, which included most of the other two poor maniac’s chips (who lost to the Russians earlier). This instantly made me by far the chip leader at our table with well over 22,000 chips!

I went from having an average chip stack to being the table chip leader, against tough, aggressive opponents, within less than half an hour by:

a) Playing solid, reasonable tournament poker,
b) Not taking big, undue risks with weak or “drawing” hands,
c) Studying my aggressive prey and where the chips were sitting,
d) Formulating and refining a battle plan while observing the game progress,
e) Remaining patient while waiting for the right hand to make my move, and
f) Executing this plan with precision against a predetermined opponent, and on terms of my choosing – not the opponent’s.

There was no luck involved at all – except that my opponent didn’t hold AA or pull some lucky cards with a trash hand – which was simply playing the odds in my favor.

I started out with a high-level strategy to target aggressive chip leaders, and go after them with strong hands from the right position. I planned this before I ever arrived at the casino that day, or knew who these players would be. Then, I refined my plan once I knew for certain whom the evening’s targets would be and how I’d provoke them. It certainly helped that I caught two decent hands during those first hours of play.

Unfortunately, I later lost to a legitimate full house, but made it into the top 40 – it happens…

The key to playing against aggressive and maniac players is having a viable Texas Holdem strategy you can profit from when you get some good hands. If you have a good plan, you can convert it into a formidable stockpile of chips - a stack that you‘ll definitely need as the blinds and antes increase and the tournament field narrows in the latter stages.

This is how I approach Texas Holdem strategy for tournaments now - at least when the tables are full with 8 or more players, some of them aggressive and maniacs. So, the next time you encounter wild and aggressive players at your poker table, get ready to have some fun! It’s like Tae Kwon Do - using the opponent’s own energy and momentum against them.

In the next installment, we’ll detail this Texas Holdem strategy more formally, along with exploring some other tournament tips for playing better Texas Holdem poker.

Comments      » Print This Post      » EMail This Post

No related posts

Shuffle Up and Deal - How to Play 3 Card Poker

December 21, 2006 at 2:03 pm · Filed under Online Poker

In the past few years, Texas Hold ‘Em became one of the most frequently played styles of poker. However, there is a new growing trend among players to try their luck at 3 card poker. Those who have played this game also refer to it as tricard poker or guts. This exciting game’s rules tests both the skill and nerve of even the most veteran poker players in the world.

Five or more players are needed in 3 card poker in order to create a more competitive match. A most exhilarating time for everyone is often the result when the maximum number of players which is usually set at ten, plays the game. When all at the table have placed their bets or antes into the pot, then the game will begin. The players will then be dealt three cards each and must decide whether or not they are going to play or fold. Most players will routinely fold because it is very difficult to get even a pair in this version of poker.

The pot is carried over to the remaining hand if everyone else at the table folds. If only one person plays, then that person wins the pot regardless of what he or she has. The amount of money in the pot can build rather quickly because there are no other cards available to the players than the three that are dealt. As a result, a game of 3 card poker can quickly turn into something similar to a race to the finish between horses at your local track.

Now that you know the basic rules for 3 card poker, you can decide between the two most well-liked versions of the game. The first version is popularly called Survivor. Of all the players who did not fold, only the one with the lowest valued hand must pay the pot amount back into the center of the table in this type of guts. If you feel that you have a competitive hand, then you should play it in this version. On the other hand, the risk of playing is not as great as in the version known as Monte Carlo.

Everyone who plays and does not win must pay into the new pot in the Monte Carlo 3 card poker. The payment can be from as little as one player to everyone at the table except the winner, assuming no players folded. The succeeding pot will always be more than just the original wagers with the potential winnings growing rapidly as long as there is more than one person playing each hand. The game returns to what is essentially the beginning and the excitement begins anew, when a round eventually occurs with just one player showing his cards. You will notice that the pot can build up quite easily in either version of 3 card poker.

Comments off      » Print This Post      » EMail This Post

No related posts

How to Play 90 Ball Bingo

December 20, 2006 at 5:40 am · Filed under Online Bingo

Bingo is a game enjoyed all over the world with a large following in the U.K. as well as the United States. One version of bingo that is getting a lot of attention among online gamers is 90 ball bingo.

Traditional bingo usually uses 75 balls. The main difference in the 90 ball bingo game can be seen on the playing card which does not include the 5 letters that spell b-i-n-g-o. The scorecard contains 9 columns that are not designated to any specific letters and has 3 rows with the numbers 1 through 90 marked randomly on the bingo ticket grid.

One other key difference is a number of free spaces that exist on the ticket. On the 3 horizontal rows only 5 spaces include random numbers while 4 spaces are left blank per row. Each game will conclude with 3 winners and in order to win one of 3 things must be done: The player must have all 5 numbers from one single row in order to call bingo and wins the first, smaller jackpot. Another possibility is for a player to cover two horizontal rows. And finally, the player to fill in every number on the card wins the “full house” jackpot which is usually worth the most.

The player can buy one ticket bingo card or a strip of 6 tickets that contains all numbers from 1 to 90. What sets 90 ball bingo apart from standard bingo games is the fact that there are 3 winners per game and that jackpots often get pretty large as the game has longer to progress. Not only can you find this great game at many bingo halls but the software version is also available to play online. If you’re a fan of online bingo gaming you’ll definitely want to try out 90 ball bingo at your preferred online bingo site.

Comments off      » Print This Post      » EMail This Post

No related posts

US Casino History

December 19, 2006 at 3:24 pm · Filed under Online Gambling

The casino in the United States has a long and often illustrious history. Gambling plays a part in American history from the beginning of the colonies, in the lore of the Wild West, in the history of the underground bars during prohibition, and more. Laws concerning gambling have changed over time, with growing prohibitions against gambling followed by a relaxing of laws.

Attitudes toward gambling varied in the early American colonies. Puritan-founded colonies, not surprisingly, disapproved most strongly of all forms of dice, cards and gaming. Colonies founded by the English were quite tolerant of gambling, and it was treated as an innocent pastime. By the early 1800’s, gambling, and even gaming houses, or casinos, had evolved in the newly founded United States. New Orleans, in particular, was a center for gambling, and casinos and saloons in New Orleans evolved games we still link with the old west, including poker and blackjack.

During the California gold rush, gambling was both legal and widespread, as government offices regulated and licensed the saloon and the casino. Faro, bluff, and dice games were popular. While New Orleans had been the gambling capital of America forty years earlier, San Francisco replaced it as the main site for gambling and casinos due to the free flowing gold of the California gold rush.

During the period between the late 1850’s and early 1900’s, California progressively criminalized gambling. It remained legal in Nevada until 1910; however, the casino never reached the glory in Nevada that it had in San Francisco. Gambling was also criminalized elsewhere in the country during this period. Needless to say, gambling did continue, but it was a phenomenon kept behind closed doors. During the era when gambling was widely illegal, casinos remained in operation in speakeasies, private clubs, and more.

Gambling once again began to be legalized in 1931, starting with Nevada. During the 1930’s, some 21 states legalized racetrack gambling. Gambling continued in Nevada, and with low stakes bingo elsewhere. Casinos began to spring up in Atlantic City, NJ in the late 70’s. In 1987, the Supreme Court made a fundamental decision allowing gambling on Native American reservations, and in the years since, casino gambling has spread throughout the country with modern and thriving casinos in many states. Riverboat casinos began to spring up on major rivers in many states during the same period, bringing gambling full circle to its early roots with riverboat gamblers on the mighty Mississippi in the early 1800’s.

Comments off      » Print This Post      » EMail This Post

No related posts

Winning Method For Bingo

December 19, 2006 at 12:38 pm · Filed under Online Bingo

Let me say at the very start . . . it is my own sincere opinion that when one sticks to tested rules, one’s chances of winning more or less consistently is by far the most sensible procedure. On the other hand, BINGO is a game of Chance, and one’s luck (and streaks of luck) can be greatly IMPROVED by following a good set of rules. I think THIS is the best ever. I’m confident no one has ever worked out a method to win EACH game one plays (regardless how many cards they may buy.) With THIS method I have worked out, one should WIN a lot more frequently than NOT using it.

Having owned one of the largest professional Bingo game sets made, and having made a careful study of each move and “call”, I find out some numbers are hardly ever called. So I don’t pick out (or accept) cards with those numbers on them. The law of AVERAGES indicates most numbers ought to be called three or more times in an evening . . . yet time and time again . . . ALL are NOT.

Whenever possible, attend Bingo games where you may select your own cards. That’s the FIRST and one of the most important rules.

Take the letter B: Favor the first TEN (10) numbers. AVOID higher numbers.

The letter I: You’ll most likely find it pays best to favor 19 through and including 29. DON’T take numbers LOWER than 19, if possible, especially if lower than 14.

Letter N: Favor a card with the numbers 29 to 39 on it. AVOID all number 40’s. This way you also get the FREE space, (center).

Now the G: Favor OVER 49, up.

Under O, favor 60 through 68, inclusive, or 70 O.K., with NONE over 71.

SAME RULES APPLY regardless what specific type of BINGO rule it may be - Such as a four corner win - or in attempting to cover ALL spaces. Pay Attention to the “calls” at all times. When you “miss” a call because you were NOT paying attention - it GREATLY reduces your win chances.

DON’T BUY MORE CARDS THAN YOU KNOW (from past games) you can handle efficiently, even when offered at LOWER cost - stick to the RULES, always. DON’T PLAY at all if you can not get a seat near enough to the “caller” to hear with EASE every number called. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

You should find this method will surprise you on the hardest BINGO game to play - where ALL NUMBERS MUST BE COVERED. You’ll find frequently this is the game where the most valuable and sizeable prizes are given. With this proven method you should get more than your just share. NOW, follow these rules, and you ought to find you will win far more frequently than you ever did before. Don’t play feeling you ought to ALWAYS win. Instead, study these rules, use them, and play to GET REAL RELAXATION instead - and, you’ll really ENJOY the game.

Comments off      » Print This Post      » EMail This Post

No related posts

Increase Your Chances To Win The Lotto

December 19, 2006 at 5:40 am · Filed under Online Gambling

Well, you might know what the winning numbers are but how can you stand a chance to win without a clear understanding of how to win. If you play all 49 lottery numbers, if that is the number of your lotto, you are not guaranteed to have one ball correct. But you can significantly increase the amount you win when your numbers do come up.

If you pick lottery numbers the same way as most people do, then you will share the prize, when you hit the jackpot, with everybody else who picked the same numbers. The best thing you can do to reduce the risk of sharing a jackpot with others is to make a completely random choice of numbers.

Many companies produce and advertise software, guides, and systems that claim to teach people how to predict which numbers will play. The only mathematically reasonable way to play is in a syndicate or set up a system where you play by yourself like a syndicate. That way you will always cover one or two numbers in the drawing. Usually the numbers on the extra balls.

Another way to always win is to work with an e-lottery as an affiliate. That way you earn when you recruit new player’s and affiliates to the lottery company. If you run your online business like a business it will quickly make you wealthy. The number of financial companies doing business in the field is increasing day by day.

There are a number of professionals and companies who make a good business of buying and selling lottery payments. In Europe VWD is one of the main operator’s and their concept is ”e-lottery - the smarter way to play”.

Do you know what the odds are in striking it lucky with birthday and anniversary dates. The odds in, for example, a 49-ball lottery are 1-in-13,983,816. This should convince everyone to change the way we play. The odds of getting the first 5 numbers And the power ball are 1-in-120,526,770.

In the lotteries with huge jackpots, like the EuroMillions, MegaMillions and UK National Lotto, you should join a syndicate to improve your chances of winning. If your syndicate win the Jackpot you will still make a great sum of money even if the downside is that you have to share the jackpot with 38 or 45 other persons. The upside is increased chances with several hundred percent and sharing is not to bad either!

In a syndicate you will always win more than if you were playing alone. The only time you will loose with the syndicate concept is when you could have won the Jackpot by yourself. So there are two recommendations that always come up: Play a System Entry and Form a Lotto Syndicate or a Lotto Club.

Comments off      » Print This Post      » EMail This Post

No related posts

Online Gambling Regulation

December 18, 2006 at 7:48 am · Filed under Online Gambling law

Online gambling regulation, debate and controversy has become one of the hottest issues on the face of the planet. Since online casinos began to become prevalent over the Internet with an estimated count of 2300 as of 2005, countries, lawmakers, gaming industries and individuals have been battling over whether it should be legalized and regulated or made completely illegal to gamble over the Internet. One major center of debate has been the United States where it is estimated that between 50% to 70% of all online gamblers worldwide reside. So many viewpoints have been presented as to what should be done to where an overall consensus is confusing at best. Meanwhile, other nations such as the UK, Antigua and others are not only taking steps to legalize online gambling, but are also protesting actions taken by the United States as their legislation against online gambling impacts free trade. A Republican led Congress together with President Bush enacted the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) bill which basically restricted the use of certain financial instruments such as credit cards to finance online gambling activities and yet at the same time states that it is not illegal for Americans to gamble online.

On October 31st 2006, the Remote Gambling Summit which had representatives from 30 countries took place in Britain at the Ascot Racecourse to discuss how to regulate and tax the online gaming industry. The United States was invited but declined to attend. Some of the issues discussed at the summit were age and identification verification systems as well as the role and responsibilities of governments that host and regulate Internet gaming operators, along with legal and ethical considerations, including those related to awareness and treatment of problem gambling and gambling addictions. It was the opinion of U. K. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell that regulation is needed for this industry, and that taking measures like the United States ban risks driving the industry into criminal hands, just like Prohibition in the U.S. back in the 1920’s.

For those not knowledgeable about Prohibition, on August 1, 1917 the U.S. Senate passed legislation to create the 18th Amendment which was also passed by the House 3 months later. This bill prohibited the manufacture and use of alcohol in the United States. The result was that Americans looking for an occasional drink went from regulated outlets such as saloons to “speakeasys” which were run by gangsters and racketeers. Even police, politicians, judges and civil leaders frequented the “wet cabarets” and “soft drink parlors” which remained open through graft payouts. At the same time whiskey sales for medicinal purposes soared. The failed experiment of Prohibition was ended with the creation of the 21st Amendment on December 5, 1933.

Initial reaction to the recent UIGEA bill has shown similarities to Prohibition with numerous publically regulated offshore corporations leaving their U.S. customers, only to be replaced with privately owned companies where it is almost impossible to know who owns them. A number of privately owned online poker rooms have reported a surge in signups for U.S. real money players. Many online gamblers simply switched over to sites that would accept U.S. players and continued their activities. Critics of the bill state that the UIGEA actually does nothing to curb online gambling, because many banks had policies against credit card usage for online gambling far before the bill became law. Other nations such as Antigua and Barbuda have seen the UIGEA and other legislative actions the United States has taken as discrimination against Internet casinos and a restriction on international free trade. They have already won a case against the U.S. in 2005 at the World Trade Organization and are planning another filing because the U.S. was to comply with the WTO ruling and has made no efforts to do so.

Several countries besides the U. K. have laid groundwork to regulate and tax the egaming industry, rather than outlaw it, such as Italy and Belgium. Other efforts to stop protectionism have made The European Commission (EU) put Italy, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Finland on notice in April 2006 for letting state lotteries offer online sports betting, while barring other competitors. The EU Financial Services Commissioner Charlie McCreevy said in September that eight more countries might be added to the list of countries already facing legal action for refusing to open their betting markets.

Research by the British government shows that there are close to one million regular online gamblers in Britain. They make up nearly one-third of Europe’s approximate 3.5 million regular online gamblers. Combined with the estimated 20 million online gamblers and poker players in the United States, this represents only part of a sizable world-wide group of people who fuel a multi billion dollar industry that everyone seems to want to get a piece of, so expect the regulation of online gambling to be a hot topic for quite some time.

Comments off      » Print This Post      » EMail This Post

No related posts

Internet Gambling can be quite lucrative

December 17, 2006 at 7:34 pm · Filed under Online Gambling

Have you ever thought that it’s possible to make a lucrative career out of gambling on the Internet? I have a friend who has a hobby of playing poker through an Internet gambling site when we were in college. He began to win consistently and began make a bit of money over the next couple of years.

He also began spending more of his time on Internet gambling sites. Gradually, he began to get better and began to know which players he could defeat and created an effective winning strategy. He was even able to bankroll his friends into playing so that he could earn more money.

After he graduated from college, he received an offer from the headquarters of a large bank and started working in the corporate world. However, he realized after a few weeks that he did not like working for a company.

He began to think of the possibility of making Internet gambling his true career since he was still playing regularly and making good money. He decided to quit his job and ran with the idea.

He shared an apartment with a friend who was a medical student and continued to stay up practically all night playing poker online. Even though, he was not making outrageous money at the time, he was still able to pay bills and live comfortably by wagering his money through Internet gambling.

Most of his friends were quite jealous of his gambling ability and initiative to actually make this a reality. Careers like working in a bank, going to medical school, and being a consultant certainly were not as entertaining as playing online poker. He decided to moved back home for awhile to save some money and to be able to “focus” more on Internet gambling.

After three years, he is making over $100,000 per year through his internet gambling “career”. He also gets free trips and comps in Las Vegas in actual casinos as rewards for playing online. He has even received job offers from online casinos to work behind the scenes.

He declined their offers because he is not ready to give up Internet gambling. He told me that he has no plans in taking any sort of corporate job any time soon. After all, he really has no need to since he has found something he loves to do, and has made it his career.

Comments off      » Print This Post      » EMail This Post

No related posts

Online Poker Room Games

December 17, 2006 at 12:25 pm · Filed under Online Poker

online poker room games see to be dominating the Internet today. Young and old are turning to poker because it is a great game that combines both strategy and luck. There are many types of online poker room games you can play. Most people prefer to play No Limit Texas Hold’em, but there are other online poker room games to play! There is Limit Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha Hi Lo, 7 Card Stud, Stud Hi Lo Razz, and HORSE. If you are not sure how to play a particular game, most web sites have tutorials so you can learn the rules.

Many people love online poker room games because they be played at any time and you do not even have to spend real money. Just download your favorite poker sites software and you can be playing poker within minutes. Sites allow you to play for fun, giving you a certain amount of play chips (usually $1,000 worth). And do not worry if you lose all your play chips – sites will refresh them after a certain amount of time (often as little as every 10 minutes).

There are often more experience players online who are willing to help you learn the ins and outs of the online poker room games. Just by chatting with other players, you can learn a lot about poker.

Poker is a great way to relax and have fun online. And who knows … maybe you will win a tournament and be sitting at a table in the next World Series of Poker!

Comments off      » Print This Post      » EMail This Post

No related posts