http://www.betfaircasino.com/how-to-play/ en Copyright 2012 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:05:00 +0000 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Think of casinos and the image of rows of slot machines with levers to pull, whirring images, and ringing bells will likely come to mind. A staple of gambling culture, slot machines are in fact the most popular of all casino games by a wide margin. The earliest slot machines date back to the late 19th century. Thus from the very start the machines have found a prominent place in modern casinos, evolving over the decades from the coin-operated "one-armed bandits" employing mechanical reels to the computerized touch-screen video slots of today. And of course now you have the option to enjoy slots at home via online versions of the popular game. A true gambling game, playing the slots often does not require much in the way of skill from the player, although some variations do in fact introduce the possibility of developing winning strategies. When choosing a game, then, the primary decision you'll face is to find a variety of slots that suits you best in terms of entertainment value. You'll also want to locate the "paytable" -- often clearly displayed -- and have some idea when you start regarding how winnings are calculated, so as to increase your enjoyment. Betting Amounts Most slot machine games offer you a choice regarding the amount you wish to risk on each pull of the lever (or press of the button). Frequently you'll find two buttons on most slot machines, a "Bet One" button and a "Bet Max" button. Choosing one of these buttons allows you to adjust the amount you're risking on each turn, as well as the amount you stand to win should your spin be successful. On most games there will be a range of betting amounts indicated, with a minimum and maximum allowed. Say you see the phrase "Play 1 to 5 coins" listed on the machine, with each coin worth £1. Pressing "Bet One" means you'll be betting £1 on your spin, while pressing "Bet Max" means you're making a £5 bet. As you might expect, a winning spin in which you "Bet Max" here will get you five times what the same spin gets you if just "Bet One." Do look over the "paytable" for the game to see how bonuses and jackpots are awarded. In many cases, you're only eligible to win extra money if you have chosen the "Bet Max" option. Once you've made your choice how to bet, that's when you hit the "Spin" button or pull the lever and watch to see how you do. Multi-line Slots Starting in the 1990s, so-called "multi-line" games have become increasingly popular. In fact, if you stroll down a row of slot machines at a casino today it is more likely than not you'll see most of the games being of the "multi-line" variety. For novices, the multi-line games might appear confusing, although in truth they aren't that difficult to figure out. Unlike traditional slot machines that feature a single horizontal payout line, these games feature more than one payline. In other words, multi-line slots give you more ways to win, although you should know the payouts are always adjusted according to your chances of success. Many machines feature three or five paylines, while more complex games can feature 15, 25, or even 100 different paylines! When playing a multi-line game, you will also have another betting option to consider. You'll generally have a chance to "Bet Per Line" or "Select Lines" or the like before you spin. Again, consult the paytable before you start and decide how you want to approach these games before making that first spin. Jackpots Slot machines calculate payouts according to the chances you'll hit a certain combination of images or symbols with your spin. For example, let's say you're playing one of those classic three-reel slot machines with the bars and cherries. The paytable will indicate what you win if you hit a single cherry, two or three cherries, one bar, two or three bars, and so forth. For example, if you "Bet One" on a machine where one coin equals £1 and hit a single cherry, you might win £2. Meanwhile, jackpots represent larger prizes awarded for exceedingly rare combinations or events. In some cases, games or machines are linked so that a small amount is taken from each to create a large jackpot available to all players. As mentioned above, you usually have to "Bet Max" to be eligible to win jackpots, but do consult the paytables as there are many variations among the games. Indeed, winning a jackpot or other big cash prize -- and hearing that subsequent loud rush of coins dropping into the tray and accompanying ringing of bells -- is one of the great pleasures of playing the slots. http://www.betfaircasino.com/how-to-play/online-slots-getting-started.html http://www.betfaircasino.com/how-to-play/online-slots-getting-started.html Thu, 17 May 2012 04:34:24 +0000 A fun poker variant first introduced in casinos in the 1980s, Caribbean Stud Poker is another easy-to-learn game that can provide lots of entertainment at relatively little cost. And with just a little bit of poker know-how and basic strategy, players can increase their chances of walking away as winners. Game Play Unlike regular poker games, players play Caribbean Stud Poker against a dealer, like blackjack. Play begins with players placing an ante bet to show they wish to be dealt into the hand. The amount of the ante bet should be clearly indicated at the table, so be sure to make note of that before sitting down. Players also have the option to make an additional side bet called the "progressive jackpot" (more on that below). The bets having been made, the dealer then delivers five cards each to every player and to himself. Cards are all dealt face down, then the dealer turns over just one of his five cards -- again, kind of like in blackjack. Thus do players get a bit more information about the dealer's hand when evaluating their own. Players are allowed to look at their hands, then must place the cards face down once again. Hand values are the same as in other poker games. Having seen their hands, players then have just two choices: play or fold. There is no discarding or redrawing in Caribbean Stud Poker. If you fold, that means you're forfeiting your ante bet. If you want to play, you have to put out a second bet worth twice the ante. For example, if the ante was £5, to play you have to put out an additional bet of £10. This second bet is sometimes referred to as a "call bet" or a "raise." At that point, the dealer turns over his other four cards. The dealer must have at least an ace-king-high hand to qualify (A-K-x-x-x). If he has worse, players still in the hand receive even money (1-to-1) for their original ante bet and the additional bet is considered a "push" (that is, they get that bet back). So if the ante was £5, players would win an additional £5, and they'd also get their £10 bet back, too. Note that you have to decide about your hand before finding out if the dealer has a qualifying hand. So it could happen that you fold a hand, then discover the dealer has less than A-K-x-x-x and you would've won a little had you played. If the dealer does have a qualifying hand, players show their hands to see if theirs rank higher than the dealer's. If your hand is worse than the dealer's, you lose both your ante bet and your call bet. However, if your hand beats his, you win even money (1-to-1) for your ante bet plus an additional amount for your call bet depending on the value of your hand. Payouts vary according to the casino, but they often run as follows: One pair or less: 1-to-1 Two pair: 2-to-1 Three of a kind: 3-to-1 Straight: 4-to-1 Flush: 5-to-1 Full House: 7-to-1 Four of a kind: 20-to-1 Straight flush: 50-to-1 Royal flush: 100-to-1 For example, let's say you're at a £5 ante table where you're dealt J-8-6-6-6 (three of a kind) and the dealer only has J-J-8-7-2 (one pair). You win £5 for your £5 ante bet (1-to-1), plus another £30 for your £10 call bet (3-to-1), making a total profit of £35 on the hand. Progressive Jackpot Before the cards are dealt, players have the option to make an additional side bet -- the "progressive jackpot" -- that wins them an extra amount should they be dealt a flush or better. (This side bet is usually for $1 or £1.) This is a separate wager simply on the value of the hand you're dealt. In other words, whether you beat the dealer's hand or not is of no consequence, nor does it matter whether the dealer has a qualifying hand. The payouts for the progressive jackpot vary depending on the casino, too. Here at Betfair (where your side bet is for £1), payouts are as follows: 50x the side bet for a flush; 100x for a full house; 500x for four of a kind; 10% of the total collected jackpot for a straight flush; and 100% of the total jackpot for a royal flush. That should get you started. An additional understanding of hand probabilities and basic strategy can increase your chances of winning at Caribbean Stud Poker, but at least now you know what to expect when first sitting down to play. http://www.betfaircasino.com/how-to-play/caribbean-stud-poker-getting-started.html http://www.betfaircasino.com/how-to-play/caribbean-stud-poker-getting-started.html Thu, 17 May 2012 04:34:24 +0000 Roulette, the fast-paced game with the ball and spinning wheel that for many symbolises the whole idea of gambling, dates all of the way back to 18th -century France. It's a game with a rich history, often thought to have first originated as a by-product of the philosopher Blaise Pascal's investigations into perpetual motion. It's been evoked many times in popular culture, from the novels of Dostoevsky to the table in Rick's café in Casablanca. And it remains a staple of the casino experience. Like many other casino games, in roulette players compete against "the house" and not against each other. This makes roulette a great game for socialising and sharing in the fun of taking a chance alongside others and trying to turn a little into a lot. Game Play Roulette wheels consist of 36 numbered slots, with half of the numbers coloured red and the other half black. There is also a 37th slot marked "0" or zero, and in some cases (including most American casinos) there is a 38th slot, the "00" or double zero. Game play is relatively simple. After purchasing chips from the croupier -- the person charged with operating the wheel and managing payouts -- players place bets on where the ball will land and win or lose accordingly. There are usually minimum and maximum bets allowed at a given table, so check before you sit down that the amounts are within your desired range. Players place chips on a large board connected to the wheel to indicate how they are betting. The board usually features a grid with numbers, plus boxes along the sides for making other kinds of bets. Once bets are placed, the wheel is spun in one direction and the croupier sends the ball around the outside ring in the opposite direction. Eventually the ball falls into one of the numbered slots, at which point the croupier will place a marker -- called a "dolly" -- on the winning number. He then collects chips from the losing bets, pays out winning bets (if there are any), and the sequence resumes once more. Types of Bets There are numerous types of bets you can make, with payouts adjusted according to the probabilities of success. While rules vary from casino to casino, many types of bets are common to most roulette games. A "straight-up" bet is a bet on a single number. The payout for a winning "straight-up" bet is 35-to-1. A "split" bet is on two adjacent numbers on the roulette board. Such a bet is made by placing your chip(s) on the line between those two numbers. If the ball lands on either number, the payout is 17-to-1. There are other combinations that can be tried, such as betting on four numbers at once by placing your chips on the intersection of four squares on the table (payout 8-to-1). You can also bet on entire rows or columns of numbers, the top line (0, 00, 1, 2, and 3), and so forth with the payouts all determined by the chances of hitting the numbers on which you're betting. Another popular bet to make is on the colours red or black. There are 18 red numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34, 36) and 18 black ones (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33, 35). Those bets are made by placing your chips on the designated area alongside the grid of numbers, with winning bets paying out 1-to-1 (doubling your bet). You can similarly bet on the odd or even numbers (also paying out 1-to-1), or numbers 1-18 or 19-36 (again, paying out 1-to-1). Or you can bet on the first dozen (1-12), second dozen (13-24), or third dozen (25-36) (paying out 2-to-1). For all of those bets you'll also look for the appropriate box on the side of the table where you'll place your chips before the next spin. For this reason, these bets on groups of numbers are often called "outside bets," while the ones made on particular numbers within the grid on the table are called "inside bets." It's a game that's easy to learn and can provide a lot of entertainment for those looking for a quick-moving, exciting gambling experience. http://www.betfaircasino.com/how-to-play/roulette-getting-started.html http://www.betfaircasino.com/how-to-play/roulette-getting-started.html Thu, 17 May 2012 04:34:24 +0000 Blackjack (or twenty-one) is a popular card game played in casinos around the world. A game in which players compete against a dealer (or "the house"), it can be played for a variety of stakes and according to many different rule variations. And like roulette or craps, blackjack can serve as a great context for socializing with other players -- none of whom compete against each other, but all against "the house". Blackjack is not a difficult game to learn. Here are a few basics for getting started. Card Values and the Object of the Game In blackjack all cards are converted to numeric values. Twos through tens are worth their rank, face cards (kings, queens, and jacks) are all worth 10, and aces are worth either 11 or one, whichever helps the player make a better hand. The object of the game is to make a hand that comes as close to 21 as possible without going over in the hopes of ending with a total higher than that of the dealer. The Deal You begin by placing a wager on the hand. Most tables have predetermined limits (minimum and maximum) for the amount you are allowed to bet, something to note before you sit down to play. After placing your wager, you are then dealt two cards and given the option to hit or stand. Your hand may be dealt face up or face down, depending on the rules for that particular table. From there, you can take as many additional cards as you like until you "bust" (go over 21) or are satisfied with your hand. Meanwhile, the dealer also deals himself two cards, although one is dealt face down (the "hole card"), meaning you only have partial knowledge of what the dealer might have when deciding whether to hit or stand with your hand. While you are free to keep hitting or to stand with whatever hand you like -- that is, unless you go over 21 and "bust" -- the dealer is restricted somewhat. Once you've decided to stand with a hand, the dealer turns over his hole card and will continue to hit until his total is 17 or greater. That means if he has a king (worth 10) and a six (worth 6), he must deal himself another card. Some blackjack tables introduce variations with regard to how the dealer plays. For example, in some casinos dealers must hit on a "soft 17" -- that is, a 17 that includes an ace which can be worth either 1 or 11. Determining a Winner As mentioned, the object is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over, while achieving a total that exceeds that of the dealer. If you keep hitting and bust before the dealer has taken his turn, you lose. If you stand and the dealer deals himself a better hand, you also lose. But if you stand and the dealer deals himself a worse hand, you win. For example, say you're dealt a jack (worth 10) and a four. You decide to hit and are dealt a six. You then decide to stand with 20 (10 + 4 + 6). The dealer has a king showing (worth 10) and turns over his other card, a five. Since his total is less than 17, he has to hit. He deals himself a queen (worth 10) and thus goes over 21 -- he "busts" and you win. A winning hand generally earns the equivalent of your bet. Thus if you bet £10 on the previous hand, you'd get back £20. However, if you win by making "blackjack" -- that is, making 21 in your first two cards (an ace plus a face card or 10) -- you get back more than twice your bet. Most casinos award you 3:2 on your money in this case so, if you bet £10 and are dealt a blackjack hand, you would get back £25. It's also worth noting that a blackjack hand (sometimes called a "natural") actually beats a hand requiring more than two cards to total 21. Finally, if you and the dealer end with hands of equivalent value, that results in a "push" meaning you get your wager back. There are further decisions to make in blackjack, but understanding card values and how to bet, hit, and stand can get you started enjoying one of the world's most popular card games. http://www.betfaircasino.com/how-to-play/blackjack-getting-started.html http://www.betfaircasino.com/how-to-play/blackjack-getting-started.html Thu, 17 May 2012 04:34:24 +0000