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How to Pick a Price Per Head Provider

2005-06-22T07:13:00.000-07:00

Featuring Dalton Wagner, Founder V.O. Group, S.A.

The number of Price Per Head providers has grown exponentially over the last twelve months with entrants to the marketplace almost daily. With so many choices, the big question is: “How do I know which Price Per Head provider or sports book to choose?”

When evaluating an offshore operation, it is often difficult to sort through the facts, for this reason, you must rely on the following to make a sound choice:

1. Years In Business: Make sure you choose a Price Per Head operator that has been in business for at least 6 years. A proven track record is a must. You can not afford to risk your clients or your sports season to a fly by night operator or ‘wanna be’ operator. Avoid new sportsbooks. Avoid anyone with an unreasonably low price (<$25/head/week) who may be attempting to gain entry into the market (sign of a new company).

a. Dalton Wagner Commentary: I invented the concept of PPH in 1999. I have the largest economies of scale and I write more PPH clients than anyone offshore. And, this is in addition to my sportsbook business, my casino business, my racebook business and my poker business. The fact is I make very little money at $25/head/week. It scares me to see new operators entering the market with prices as low as $25. I can tell you that unless they are writing over 15,000 head, they can not make it. Let me re-phrase that…if they are quoting prices as low as $25/head/week there is no way that they have enough employees to service an agent, there is no way they have tri-dundant phone service, there is no way they have tri-dundant internet service – in short, there is no way they can service an agent’s business well enough to help the agent grow. Secondly, PPH companies will lie to you about their company’s age. You must be able to verify the companies age. This is a must. Use Internic, use OSGA.com, and use ThePrescription.com. You must verify the facts.

2. Location: Check to make sure that the PPH provider you will outsource your clients to is licensed and legally able to service clients world-wide.

a. Dalton Wagner Commentary: There are only two locations that we know of that allow the outsourcing of bookmaking. The two locations are Costa Rica and Panama. The UK and Dutch Antilles to NOT allow this activity in their licenses. The only one you can trust at the current time is Costa Rica (as evidenced by the recent blow up of www.BetPanAm.com in Panama).

3. Reputation/Integrity: One of the best ways to make sure that your clients and your business will be safe with a provider is by checking their reputation. Use verifiable and known sources of information like the Off Shore Gaming Association, The Prescription, Bettors World, etc.

a. Dalton Wagner Commentary: If your outsourcing your business to someone, you expect them to treat it as their own. The person accepting the outsourcing better have a reputation as strong as or stronger than yours. This is the only way you should trust your business to them. One additional note, if the PPH Company also has a post-up division, check the reputation of the post-up side of the company. This will tell you volumes about the company. Rather, if the PPH company is tied to a loser post-up sportsbook or one that has a negative reputation, you know what to expect for your clients.

4. Service and Offerings: Reputable PPH companies are open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, 365-days a year. They offer quarter lines, half time lines, game lines, money lines, propositions, multiple casinos, horse betting, and more. You are outsourcing to better service your clients – therefore service is one of the key deciding factors on who to go with.

a. Dalton Wagner Commentary: Simply put, the more accessible the service is and the more wagering options that exist, the more money the agent will make. You should consider the service mentioned above to be the minimum acceptable. Rather, if they have one casino – you should NOT work with them. If they do not have horses – you should NOT work with them. If they are not open 24-hours a day – you should NOT work with them, PERIOD!

5. Security: A PPH company must have safeguards and must keep your information and clients secure and anonymous If the company you are considering is publicly held, then your security is compromised (it CAN BE accessed via the government). If the company you are considering has integrity issues, you can assume your data will be passed on to the wrong people.

a. Dalton Wagner Commentary: Security is the ultimate issue. Our company has had the opportunity to be purchased or taken public on multiple occasions. We decided not to do so because it would put our clients/agents/bookmakers in a compromised situation. Partner agents and bookmakers use our service because our integrity and the security of their data is complete.

Additional Information on a Price Per Head Agency Relationship (also known as outsourcing, outsourced bookmaking, sportsbook agent, sportsbook service, call center outsourcing, etc.):

The concept of Price Per Head Agency or Outsourcing Bookmaking to an Offshore Sports book has become popular recently. By using software written by offshore sports books, agents or illegal credit bookmakers have the ability to outsource the writing of their business to companies like www.BettorsNet.com (owned by V.O. Group, S.A. one of the largest and most respected offshore operators in the world – contact is 1-877-512-1001). Therefore, the agent or bookmaker simply points their clients to a phone number and/or website and allows them to bet with a simple Pin/Password system. The agent or bookmaker then pulls reports at the end of the week, and pays or collects what the client won or lost. The only money that trades hands between the agent or bookmaker and the service provider is a simple Price Per Head service fee.

Obvious benefits of the Price Per Head Agency relationship are (i) improved earning potential for the agent, (ii) decreased legal exposure for the agent, (iii) increased customer service for the agent’s clients, and (iv) ability for the agent to do something other than answer wagering calls (they actually get time to enjoy the money they are earning).

Dalton Wagner’s commentary is found throughout the above. Mr. Wagner has the reputation of being the most innovative operator in offshore gaming and the largest Price Per Head operator offshore. His most recent innovation has allowed small sportsbooks to outsource their complete operation to V.O. Group, S.A. while focusing completely on marketing. With formidable competition, Mr. Wagner founded V.O. Group, S.A. in 1998. While most companies formed that late failed, V.O. Group, S.A. has become one of the top 10 operators offshore (as measured by AnteUp; Gambling Online Magazine; Poker Player Magazine; and Many other Publications).

Success With Price Per Head (Small Sportsbook Success)

2005-06-20T15:03:00.000-07:00

Case Study in Small Sportsbook Success via Use of Price Per Head (PPH) Software Written and Owned by V.O. Group, S.A., the most successful offshore sportsbook in Costa Rica.

Price Per Head vs. Small Sportsbook Operation

Featuring Dalton Wagner, Founder V.O. Group, S.A.

As Founder and Proprietor of V.O. Group, S.A., Dalton Wagner has the reputation of being the most innovative operator in offshore gaming. His most recent innovation has allowed small sportsbooks to outsource their complete operation to V.O. Group, S.A. while focusing completely on marketing. With formidable competition, Mr. Wagner founded V.O. Group, S.A. in 1998. While most companies formed that late failed, V.O. Group, S.A. has become one of the top 10 operators offshore (as measured by AnteUp; Gambling Online Magazine; Poker Player Magazine; and Many other Publications).

Playing Poker Online Magazine: Recently we have been told that V.O. Group, S.A. is now allowing small sportsbook operations to outsource the complete writing of their business to your organization. How is this possible?
Wagner: The situation you speak about is 100% true. However, has only happened one time in our history.

Playing Poker Online Magazine: Can you be more specific?
Wagner: When an offshore sportsbook starts, in 99% of all cases it will fail in the first 24 months of operations given the current market conditions. Examples are everywhere from The Dunes, Platinum, Super Sports Book, etc. It happens every single year. In the past, large sportsbooks like MVP Sportsbook or V-Wager.com would swoop in and try to save the books via financial help or simply buy them at a low price. Well, V.O. Group, S.A. now offers another more innovative solution.

Playing Poker Online Magazine: OK. You’ve got me, explain!
Wagner: We write business for onshore bookmakers and agents charging them a simple price per head per week. This price takes into consideration our considerable economies of scale and a small profit margin. In the case you are speaking of, instead of buying the sportsbook for a low cost that basically sent the owners home broken hearted and with empty pockets, we cut them a deal where they could focus on marketing and leverage off of our economies of scale. Simply put, we took over writing their business for them, and they now focus their limited resources on marketing 100% of the time.

Playing Poker Online Magazine: That sounds like snake oil. How exactly would that work?
Wagner: We don’t sell snake oil. The facts speak for themselves. When V.O. Group, S.A. opened it’s doors in 1998 the market was different. You could recruit players, write their business, and make a profit in years one, two and three. With the current market conditions, there is NO WAY a start up credit or post-up book can be profitable in year one, two or three without 2,000 head a week in business. That is the theoretical breakeven point. If you are writing less than 2,000 head a week, you can double or triple your net earn by letting V.O. Group, S.A. write your business.

Playing Poker Online Magazine: OK. That makes sense because in 1998 and 1999, it was cheaper to find a new client. Is that where the difference in earnings comes from?
Wagner: The fact is yes, that is where the difference is. But, that is not our selling point. Our selling point is that if you stop worrying about writing business and let us do it, you can focus on marketing – which is the key to the success of an online sportsbook. And, that is the simple fact for credit bookmaking, post-up bookmaking and future success in this industry. As long as you think ‘beating the clients’ is the key, you are limiting your business. Let our company worry about that – and, you find clients. Spend your time finding clients and you will make money.

Playing Poker Online Magazine: The theory is sound, but what about the facts?
Wagner: The owners of the sports operation in question do not want me to be specific about whom they are. But, let me simply say that when we took over their operations, they could not even make the post-up money good. Now they have $1.4 million in the bank. So, yes, the facts do follow the theory.

Playing Poker Online Magazine: Wow! That is incredible. Can any poker room, casino, racebook or sports book do this with V.O. Group, S.A.
Wagner: Yes. We have programs for all online products except for bingo. And, by 2006 we should be able to offer options for even bingo operators..

Playing Poker Online Magazine: So how does a bookmaker or current operation learn more about outsourcing their operations to V.O. Group, S.A.?
Wagner: Simply go to any of the V.O. Group, S.A. sites to learn more. I suggest starting at www.BettorsNet.com or calling 1-877-512-1001 or emailing agents@bettorsnet.com to get more information.

Article Note: The situation in this Case Study is a true case, however may not be representative of your situation. All situations are different and therefore may result differently.

Innovation In Bookmaking

2005-06-14T07:55:00.001-07:00

Innovation In Bookmaking
Q & A with
Dalton Wagner, Founder V.O. Group, S.A.

As Founder and Proprietor of V.O. Group, S.A., Dalton Wagner has the reputation of ferreting out new markets and attacking while other companies sit on their hindquarters and watch. One market that has always eluded offshore bookmakers is the ‘guy who likes dealing with his credit bookmaker’. Typically this market has been untouchable for the offshore bookmaker, but NOT for Dalton and V.O. Group, S.A. We had an opportunity to catch up with Dalton Wagner on his last visit to Panama.

Vegas Offshore: Tell us about this new product that you are calling your Price Per Head Agency Relationship.
Wagner: As you know, one market that a post-up sportsbook has historically been unable to attack is the huge market of bettors that have been betting with their local guy for years. The reason this market exists is the personal relationship that an onshore bookie has with his clients. Sportsbooks have attempted to educate the player and lure him away from the local bookie, however we have taken another tact. We have partnered with local bookies around the world to make their offering better and more valuable.

Vegas Offshore: So instead of attacking the local guy, you actually approach him with your offer?
Wagner: Exactly. The fact is that the relationship is the last thread holding clients to a local guy. Yes, there is the fact that the local guy extends credit, but with bonuses and promotions we can overcome that offering. The key is the relationship.

Vegas Offshore: I’m confused, please explain.
Wagner: As you know, the onshore bookmaking market has lost steam to the offshore providers like V.O. Group, S.A. The reason is that the offerings that I can provide are far superior to those that any onshore bookmaker can offer. The PPH concept is based on allowing the onshore bookmaker to provide his clients my offerings on a purely anonymous basis via an online automated tool. Rather, by signing up with my PPH service, an onshore bookmaker can compete with all offshore sportsbooks on equal footing offering 24-hour wagering, 365 days a year. All the bookmaker does is use an online system to assign PINs and PASSWORDs and pay me a small fee per week for the service.

Vegas Offshore: Wait a minute. So, this means that a small time operator in Cleveland, Ohio can offer all the same things that V.O. Group, S.A. does without making the multi-million dollar investment?
Wagner: Now your catching on. For as little as $25 per head per week, a guy in Ohio can compete with the biggest sportsbooks in the world. And, better yet, never answer another wagering phone call again.

Vegas Offshore: OK, I get it. They use your automated tool to drive their clients to your software online, and they simply pick up the figures at the end of the week.
Wagner: Exactly correct with one exception. Their clients can bet on the phone via our call center staffed with 250 people OR bet online. Again, they have access to all of the offerings V.O. Group, S.A. provides including call center access, client services and technical support.

Vegas Offshore: Is the PPH product only based on sports wagering?
Wagner: Very good question. The answer is no. We actually have the ability to offer clients two (2) casino products including blackjack, baccarat, slots, 3 card poker, roulette, etc. And, clients may also bet on horses at over 350 tracks worldwide.

Vegas Offshore: Wow! That truly is incredible. So, a bookie that has one client can compete with the likes of MVPsportsbook.com on equal footing?
Wagner: Exactly correct. But, there are two keys to the success of the product launch. The first is being able to compete head to head with the biggest sportsbooks in the world. But, arguably the most important factor is that since the onshore bookie no longer has to answer phones or track plays, he can spend all of his time picking up new clients, NOT writing bets.

Vegas Offshore: I remember that in a prior interview you had stated that the key is not winning, but finding more losers.
Wagner: An embarrassing quote, but true. Amateur bookmakers think that the key is to beat the clients you have. That is a huge mistake. The key to getting rich as a bookmaker is finding a new client every single day of the year. The numbers take care of themselves, the key is to get more and more people playing. That is the TRUE BEAUTY of the PPH software and agency relationship.

Vegas Offshore: Do you have any success stories to tell?
Wagner: I have many, but will tell you one that emphasizes what the PPH program can do. I have a bookmaker that has been working out of San Antonio, Texas for 10 years. The guy has historically made $200,000 a year from his 25 or 30 players. He was introduced to our product in July 2004, and today he is writing over 185 clients. The ability to outsource answering calls and writing tickets to us has allowed him to grow his business 600% and his revenue over 1000%.

Vegas Offshore: Why did his revenue grow more than his business? Is it because your lines are sharper than his?
Wagner: There you go again. That is the obvious mistake that everyone makes. Again, don’t worry about beating the clients. Worry about getting more clients to play. But, to answer your question directly, the ability for his clients to play in the casino, play 24 hours a day, play games/halves/quarters, props, etc. is where the extra revenue comes from. Our lines might be sharper, but the advantage is more clients betting more often.

Vegas Offshore: How many bookmakers do you currently work with?
Wagner: We are writing business for over 250 bookmakers now. Some represent groups as small as 2 or 3; and others represent groups as large as 500. Again, remember the key is finding as many clients as possible. If you get to where you are writing 15 clients or more, it is almost impossible to lose for an extended period of time.

Vegas Offshore: So how does a bookmaker learn more about this?
Wagner: Simply go to any of the V.O. Group, S.A. sites to learn more. I suggest starting at www.BettorsNet.com or calling 1-877-512-1001 or emailing agents@bettorsnet.com to get more information.

State of the Offshore Gaming Industry

2005-06-14T07:55:00.000-07:00

State of the Offshore Gaming Industry
Q & A with
Dalton Wagner, Founder V.O. Group, S.A.

As Founder and Proprietor of V.O. Group, S.A., Dalton Wagner has the reputation of making one-dollar work like three in online marketing. With formidable competition, Mr. Wagner founded V.O. Group, S.A. in 1998 and has quickly risen to be one of the largest offshore operators in the world with over 50,000 active clients. We had an opportunity to catch up with Dalton Wagner on his last visit to Antigua.

Vegas Offshore: This year has been interesting for V.O. Group, S.A. and the offshore industry as a whole (advertising changes, etc.). How do you feel about the industry at the current time?
Wagner: I feel the industry is as strong as it has ever been. We are still finding that our advertising is bringing us new clients at an ever-growing rate. Some competitors are complaining that the crimp on advertising is affecting the industry, but we are not seeing this trend. Consolidation within the industry has begun, and I am sure you will continue to see smaller competitors gobbled up, and medium to larger companies merging. The weaker will go by the wayside.

Vegas Offshore: What about the rumors of V.O. Group, S.A. being bought?
Wagner: I am glad you used the term 'rumors'. The fact is that in July 2004 three suitors approached V.O. Group, S.A. because of our record-breaking profit year. In two of the cases we did see 'value' in a merger/relationship. However, at the end of the day, we could not come to terms that were agreeable on both sides. At this time V.O. Group, S.A. stands independent. And, we are happy being independent, profitable and growing.

Vegas Offshore: It is rumored that Bet On Sports (PLC; BSS.L) was one of the suitors. Is that true?
Wagner: There were three suitors that approached V.O. Group, S.A. And, in all cases confidentiality agreements were signed. For this reason, I cannot confirm or deny who any of the potential suitors were. What I can tell you is that one was a major sportsbook player, one was a major casino player and two were PLCs. I doubt that helps.

Vegas Offshore: Well, if Bet On Sports was involved, I bet you are happy you weren't involved in their November 24, 2004 stock debacle.
Wagner: The Bet On Sports stock debacle was an over-reaction by the market in my opinion. In one day you saw their stock drop 50% in value. And, the reason was poor performance in a very short period. If you looked at the other publicly held offshore gaming companies, you saw the same thing, just not as drastic as with BSS.L. Simply put, I know the founder of Bet On Sports, I know the management of Bet On Sports, I know the staff at Bet On Sports and I would not hesitate to invest in Bet On Sports. They were, and still are, undervalued in my opinion. They are a great competitor and a great company. I wish I had some of their stock at the new adjusted price. I just don't see how you can lose.

Vegas Offshore: It is rare to hear the 'competition' speaking so highly of a major competitor. Why would you do so?
Wagner: Simple. Bet On Sports is a great company. And, I am sure they would tell you the same about V.O. Group, S.A. The fact is, that there are companies out there that make our industry stronger. And, ones that make it weaker. Bet On Sports and V.O.Group, S.A. strive to make our industry stronger and more legitimate on a daily basis (as do BetCris.com; BoDog.com; etc.). What kind of ambassador for the industry would I be if I downplayed a 'good' competitor like Bet On Sports for my own benefit?

Vegas Offshore: If Bet On Sports did approach you, would you consider a merger?
Wagner: I like being independent. But, simply put, NEVER say NEVER.

Vegas Offshore: What of the rumors that you are looking at Panama as a potential relocation site?
Wagner: Our operation currently has offices in Costa Rica, Antigua and Belize. In Costa Rica we currently have over 400 employees. With employment costs in Costa Rica on the rise, the burden of Caja and the ever-changing political climate, we have looked at several alternative locations. One of the most desirable is/was Panama. However, due to the massive failure of BetPanAm.com and the political debacle involving their past gaming commission, we have decided to stay put for the current time. I think it is very safe to say that our primary location will be Costa Rica for the next 5 years. Pending any crazy licensing or governmental changes.

Vegas Offshore: I have visited your office in Antigua, however had no idea that you employed 400 individuals in Costa Rica. Why do you need such a large staff?
Wagner: Our industry has a reputation for being lazy and getting by on a shoestring budget. Most sportsbooks, casinos, racebooks and poker rooms answer phones when it is convenient and buy computers when the ones they are operating blow-up. Most are simply embarrassing to the legitimate operators. To run an operation like ours, servicing 50,000 bettors, you need lots of space, a 1st rate phone system, fiber and satellite phone and Internet backups, IT professionals, accounting professionals, etc. V.O. Group, S.A. is currently located in 35,000 square feet of space, operating 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, and we are busting at the seems. At the current time, we are negotiating to buy the building next to us for future expansion. I think we will employ 600 people come this same time next year.

Vegas Offshore: I have noticed that you are still branching into other products. How has this strategy worked for V.O. Group, S.A.?
Wagner: In 1998 we started with our sports product. We then branched into the casino product. In 2001 and 2002 we opened several major race books and poker rooms. The fact is that we are profitable in all products. However, our core product, and hub for our advertising, is focused on the sports product. The strategy has worked, but we will not desert our core product. You can look for our re-launch of interactive betting in early 2005 and bingo in mid 2005.

Vegas Offshore: What other changes do you see in 2005 for V.O. Group, S.A.
Wagner: I think you will see V.O. Group, S.A. work more on our Internet interface to make it more gamer-friendly; you will see our company move into land-based gaming; and you will see us acquire two or three smaller competitors. Rather, you will see what you have always seen, expansion.

Vegas Offshore: What other changes do you see in 2005 for the industry as a whole?
Wagner: The strong will get stronger. The weak will get weaker. And, the acquisition race will be on.

Bookmakers!

2005-03-14T14:27:00.000-08:00

Read Below To Earn More Cash Than Ever

Are you a onshore bookmaker that wants to Minimize Legal Exposure, Increase Potential Profits, Spend More Time Enjoying the Money You Are Making, and Grow Your Business Beyond Your Wildest Dreams? If you answered ‘YES’ to one or all of these questions, then you need to look at a Price Per Head Agent Relationship with our company.

The concept of a Price Per Head Agent Relationship is based on you, the onshore bookmaker, paying our company a service fee to offer the same services that we offer to thousands of clients (on an anonymous basis).

For the first time, you will be able to offer Internet and Phone access to Sports, Horse and Casino (2 casinos) wagering to all your current clients (via a simple PIN and PASSWORD betting system). No longer do you have to compete with offshore sportsbooks and lose clients. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER EVERYTHING THAT THEY OFFER!

We are Licensed to offer bookmaking services.

We have been in business for 7 years.

We write business for 15,000 clients daily.

We are open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, 365 days a year.

We have over 500 operators standing by to make you money!

Take advantage of our $5,000,000 USD investment to make your services better than ever. No longer will you have to answer calls all Saturday and Sunday. No longer will you have to lose clients to the offshore bookmakers. No longer will you have to worry about having your door kicked in by the authorities. Now you can compete with the Big Boys! You will simply sit back, watch the games, and earn more than ever before.

To learn more, go to our website, and click on ‘Agents’. If you prefer to use a white-labeled site without bonus and promotional text, visit www.BettorsNet.com for more information.

We look forward to being your service provider.

Call 1-888-333-6914 for more information.

Innovation In Bookmaking

2005-03-14T13:18:00.000-08:00

Q & A with Dalton Wagner, Founder V.O. Group, S.A.

As Founder and Proprietor of V.O. Group, S.A., Dalton Wagner has the reputation of ferreting out new markets and attacking while other companies sit on their hindquarters and watch. One market that has always eluded offshore bookmakers is the ‘guy who likes dealing with his credit bookmaker’. Typically this market has been untouchable for the offshore bookmaker, but NOT for Dalton and V.O. Group, S.A. We had an opportunity to catch up with Dalton Wagner on his last visit to Panama.

Vegas Offshore: Tell us about this new product that you are calling your Price Per Head Agency Relationship.

Wagner: As you know, one market that a post-up sportsbook has historically been unable to attack is the huge market of bettors that have been betting with their local guy for years. The reason this market exists is the personal relationship that an onshore bookie has with his clients. Sportsbooks have attempted to educate the player and lure him away from the local bookie, however we have taken another tact. We have partnered with local bookies around the world to make their offering better and more valuable.

Vegas Offshore: So instead of attacking the local guy, you actually approach him with your offer?

Wagner: Exactly. The fact is that the relationship is the last thread holding clients to a local guy. Yes, there is the fact that the local guy extends credit, but with bonuses and promotions we can overcome that offering. The key is the relationship.

Vegas Offshore: I’m confused, please explain.

Wagner: As you know, the onshore bookmaking market has lost steam to the offshore providers like V.O. Group, S.A. The reason is that the offerings that I can provide are far superior to those that any onshore bookmaker can offer. The PPH concept is based on allowing the onshore bookmaker to provide his clients my offerings on a purely anonymous basis via an online automated tool. Rather, by signing up with my PPH service, an onshore bookmaker can compete with all offshore sportsbooks on equal footing offering 24-hour wagering, 365 days a year. All the bookmaker does is use an online system to assign PINs and PASSWORDs and pay me a small fee per week for the service.

Vegas Offshore: Wait a minute. So, this means that a small time operator in Cleveland, Ohio can offer all the same things that V.O. Group, S.A. does without making the multi-million dollar investment?

Wagner: Now your catching on. For as little as $25 per head per week, a guy in Ohio can compete with the biggest sportsbooks in the world. And, better yet, never answer another wagering phone call again.

Vegas Offshore: OK, I get it. They use your automated tool to drive their clients to your software online, and they simply pick up the figures at the end of the week.

Wagner: Exactly correct with one exception. Their clients can bet on the phone via our call center staffed with 250 people OR bet online. Again, they have access to all of the offerings V.O. Group, S.A. provides including call center access, client services and technical support.

Vegas Offshore: Is the PPH product only based on sports wagering?

Wagner: Very good question. The answer is no. We actually have the ability to offer clients two (2) casino products including blackjack, baccarat, slots, 3 card poker, roulette, etc. And, clients may also bet on horses at over 350 tracks worldwide.

Vegas Offshore: Wow! That truly is incredible. So, a bookie that has one client can compete with the likes of MVPsportsbook.com on equal footing?

Wagner: Exactly correct. But, there are two keys to the success of the product launch. The first is being able to compete head to head with the biggest sportsbooks in the world. But, arguably the most important factor is that since the onshore bookie no longer has to answer phones or track plays, he can spend all of his time picking up new clients, NOT writing bets.

Vegas Offshore: I remember that in a prior interview you had stated that the key is not winning, but finding more losers.

Wagner: An embarrassing quote, but true. Amateur bookmakers think that the key is to beat the clients you have. That is a huge mistake. The key to getting rich as a bookmaker is finding a new client every single day of the year. The numbers take care of themselves, the key is to get more and more people playing. That is the TRUE BEAUTY of the PPH software and agency relationship.

Vegas Offshore: Do you have any success stories to tell?

Wagner: I have many, but will tell you one that emphasizes what the PPH program can do. I have a bookmaker that has been working out of San Antonio, Texas for 10 years. The guy has historically made $200,000 a year from his 25 or 30 players. He was introduced to our product in July 2004, and today he is writing over 185 clients. The ability to outsource answering calls and writing tickets to us has allowed him to grow his business 600% and his revenue over 1000%.

Vegas Offshore: Why did his revenue grow more than his business? Is it because your lines are sharper than his?

Wagner: There you go again. That is the obvious mistake that everyone makes. Again, don’t worry about beating the clients. Worry about getting more clients to play. But, to answer your question directly, the ability for his clients to play in the casino, play 24 hours a day, play games/halves/quarters, props, etc. is where the extra revenue comes from. Our lines might be sharper, but the advantage is more clients betting more often.

Vegas Offshore: How many bookmakers do you currently work with?

Wagner: We are writing business for over 250 bookmakers now. Some represent groups as small as 2 or 3; and others represent groups as large as 500. Again, remember the key is finding as many clients as possible. If you get to where you are writing 15 clients or more, it is almost impossible to lose for an extended period of time.

Vegas Offshore: So how does a bookmaker learn more about this?

Wagner: Simply go to any of the V.O. Group, S.A. sites to learn more. I suggest starting at www.BettorsNet.com or calling 1-877-512-1001 or emailing agents@bettorsnet.com to get more information.

POKER GLOSSARY Free Casino Games Online

2005-03-14T09:41:00.000-08:00

Action

(1) Opportunity to act. If a player appears not to realize it's his turn, the
dealer will say "Your action, sir."

(2) Bets and raises. "If a third heart hits the board and there's a lot
of action, you have to assume that somebody has made the flush."

Ante

A small portion of a bet contributed by each player to seed the pot at the beginning
of a poker hand. Most hold'em games do not have an ante; they use "blinds"
to get initial money into the pot.

All-In

To run out of chips while betting or calling. In table stakes games, a player
may not go into his pocket for more money during a hand. If he runs out, a side
pot is created in which he has no interest. However, he can still win the pot
for which he had the chips. Example: "Poor Bob - he made quads against
the big full house, but he was all-in on the second bet."

Backdoor

Catching both the turn and river card to make a drawing hand. For instance,
suppose you have As- 7s. The flop comes Ad-6c-4s. You bet and are called. The
turn is the Ts, which everybody checks, and then the river is the Js. You've
made a "backdoor" nut flush. See also "runner."

Bad Beat

To have a hand that is a large underdog beat a heavily favored hand. It is generally
used to imply that the winner of the pot had no business being in the pot at
all, and it was the wildest of luck that he managed to catch the one card in
the deck that would win the pot. We won't give any examples, you will hear plenty
of them during your poker career.

Blank

A board card that doesn't seem to affect the standings in the hand. If the flop
is As-Jd-Ts, then a turn card of 2h would be considered a blank. On the other
hand, the 2s would not be.

Blind

A forced bet (or partial bet) put in by one or more players before any cards
are dealt. Typically, blinds are put in by players immediately to the left of
the button. See also "Live blind."

Board

All the community cards in a hold'em game - the flop, turn, and river cards
together. Example: "There wasn't a single heart on the board."

Bottom Pair

A pair with the lowest card on the flop. If you have As-6s, and the flop comes
Kd-Th-6c, you have flopped bottom pair.

Burn

To discard the top card from the deck, face down. This is done between each
betting round before putting out the next community card(s). It is security
against any player recognizing or glimpsing the next card to be used on the
board.

Button

A white acrylic disk to indicate who is the (nominal) dealer. Also used to refer
to the player on the button. Example: "Oh, the button raised."

Buy

(1) As in "buy the pot." To bluff, hoping to "buy" the pot
without being called.

(2) As in "buy the button." To bet or raise, hoping to make players
between you and the button fold, thus allowing you to act last on subsequent
betting rounds.

Calling Station

A weak-passive player who calls a lot, but doesn't raise or fold much. This
is the kind of player you like to have in your game.

Cap

To put in the last raise permitted on a betting round. This is typically the
third or fourth raise. Dealers in California are fond of saying "Capitola"
or "Cappuccino".

Case

The last card of a certain rank in the deck. Example: "The flop came J-8-3;
I've got pocket jacks, he's got pocket 8's, and then the case eight falls on
the river and he beats my full house."

Center Pot

The first pot created during a poker hand. This is as opposed to one or more
"side" pots that are created if one or more players goes all-in. Also
"main pot."

Check

(1) To not bet, with the option to call or raise later in the betting round.
Equivalent to betting zero dollars.

(2) Another word for "chip", as in poker chip.

Check Raise

To check and then raise when a player behind you bets. Occasionally you will
hear people say this is not fair or ethical poker. Piffle. Almost all casinos
permit check-raising, and it is an important poker tactic. It is particularly
useful in low-limit hold'em where you need extra strength to narrow the field
when you have the best hand.

Cold Call

To call more than one bet in a single action. For instance, suppose the first
player to act after the big blind raises. Now any player acting after him must
call two bets "cold." This is different from calling a single bet
and then calling a subsequent raise.

Come Hand

A drawing hand (probably from the craps term).

Complete Hand

A hand that is defined by all five cards - a straight, flush, full house, four
of a kind, or straight flush.

Connector

A hold'em starting hand in which the two cards are one apart in rank. Examples:
KQs, 76.

Counterfeit

To make your hand less valuable because of board cards that duplicate it. Example:
you have 87 and the flop comes 9-T-J, so you have a straight. Now an 8 comes
on the turn. This has counterfeited your hand and made it almost worthless.

Crack

To beat a hand - typically a big hand. You hear this most often used to apply
to pocket aces: "Third time tonight I've had pocket aces cracked."

Cripple

As in to cripple the deck. Meaning that you have most or all of the cards that
somebody would want to have with the current board. If you have pocket kings,
and the other two kings flop, you have crippled the deck.

Dog

Shortened form of "Underdog".

Dominated Hand

A hand that will almost always lose to a better hand that people usually play.
For instance, K3 is "dominated" by KQ. With the exception of strange
flops (e.g. 3-3-x, K-3-x), it will always lose to KQ.

Draw Dead

Try to make a hand that, even if made, will not win the pot. If you're drawing
to make a flush, and your opponent already has a full house, you are "drawing
dead". Of course, this is a bad condition to be in.

Equity

Your "rightful" share of a pot. If the pot contains $80, and you have
a 50% chance of winning it, you have $40 equity in the pot. This term is somewhat
fanciful since you will either win $80 or $0, but it gives you an idea of how
much you can "expect" to win.

Expectation

(1) A term referring to the amount of you expect to gain on average if you make
a certain play. For instance, suppose you put $10 into a $50 pot to draw at
a hand that you will make 25% of the time, and it will win every time you make
it. Three out of four times, you do not make your draw, and lose $10 each time
for a total of $30. The fourth time, you will make your draw, winning $50. Your
total gain over those four average hands is $50-$30 = $20, an average of $5
per hand. Thus calling the $10 has a positive expectation of $5.

(2) The amount you expect to make at the poker table in a specific time period.
Perhaps in 100 hours play, you have won $527. Then your expectation is $5.27/hr.
Of course, you won't make that exact amount each hour (and some hours you will
lose), but it's one measure of your anticipated earnings.

Family Pot

A pot in which all (or almost all) of the players call before the flop.

Fast

As in "play fast." To play a hand aggressively, betting and raising
as much as possible. Example: "When you flop a set but there's a flush
draw possible, you have to play it fast."

Flop

The first three community cards, put out face up, all together.

Foul

A hand which may not be played for one reason or another. A player with a foul
hand may not make any claim on any portion of the pot. Example: "He ended
up with three cards after the flop, so the dealer declared his hand foul."

Free Card

A turn or river card on which you don't have to call a bet because of play earlier
in the hand (or a reputation which you have with your opponents). For instance,
if you are on the button and raise when you flop a flush draw, your opponents
may check to you on the turn. If you make your flush on the turn, you can bet.
However, if you don't get it on the turn, you can check as well - seeing the
river card for "free."

Free Roll

For one player to have a shot at winning an entire pot when he is currently
tied with another player. For instance, suppose you have Ac-Qc and your opponent
has Ad-Qh. The flop is Qs-5c-Tc. You are tied with your opponent right now,
but are free rolling on him, because you can win the whole pot and he can't.
If no club comes, you split the pot with him - if it does come, you win the
whole thing.

Gutshot Straight

An straight filled "inside". If you have 9s-8s, the flop comes 7c-5h-2d,
and the turn is the 6c, you've made your gutshot straight.

Heads Up

A pot that is being contested by only two players - "It was heads up by
the turn."

Hit

As in "the flop hit me." It means the flop contained cards that help
your hand. If you have AK, and the flop comes K-7-2, it hit you.

House

The establishment running the game. Example: "The $2 you put on the button
goes to the house."

Implied Odds

Pot odds that do not exist at the moment, but may be included in your calculations
because of bets you expect to win if you hit your hand. For instance, you might
call with a flush draw on the turn even though the pot isn't offering you quite
4:1 odds (your chance of making the flush) because you're sure you can win a
bet from your opponent on the river if you make your flush.

Jackpot

A special bonus paid to the loser of a hand if he gets a very good hand beaten.
In hold'em, the "loser" must typically get aces full or better beaten.
In some of the large southern California card clubs, the jackpots have gotten
over $50,000. Of course, the jackpot is funded with money removed from the game
as part of the rake.

Kicker

An unpaired card used to determine the better of two near-equivalent hands.
For instance, suppose you have AK and your opponent has AQ. If the flop has
an ace in it, you both have a pair of aces, but you have a king kicker. Kickers
can be vitally important in hold'em.

Live Blind

A forced bet put in by one or more players before any cards are dealt. The "live"
means those players still have the option of raising when the action gets back
around to them.

Maniac

A player who does a lot of hyper-aggressive raising, betting, and bluffing.
A true maniac is not a good player, but is simply doing a lot of gambling. However,
a player who occasionally acts like a maniac and confuses his opponents is quite
dangerous.

Muck

The pile of folded and burned cards in front of the dealer. Example: "His
hand hit the muck so the dealer ruled it folded even though the guy wanted to
get his cards back." Also used as a verb - "He didn't have any outs
so he mucked his hand."

No-Limit

A version of poker in which a player may bet any amount of chips (up to the
number in front of him) whenever it is his turn to act. It is a very different
game than limit poker. The best treatise on no-limit poker is in Doyle Brunson's
Super/System.

Nuts

The best possible hand given the board. If the board is Ks-Jd-Ts-4s-2h, then
As-Xs is the nuts. You will occasionally hear the term applied to the best possible
hand of a certain category, even though it isn't the overall nuts. For the above
example, somebody with Ah-Qc in the above hand might say they had the "nut
straight".

Offsuit

A hold'em starting hand in which the two cards are of different suits.

One-Gap

A hold'em starting hand in which the two cards are two apart in rank. Examples:
J9s, 64.

Out

A card that will make your hand win. Normally heard in the plural. Example:
"Any spade will make my flush, so I have nine outs."

Outrun

To beat. Example: "Susie outran my set when her flush card hit on the river."

Overcall

To call a bet after one or more others players have already called.

Overcard

A card higher than any card on the board. For instance, if you have AQ and the
flop comes J-7-3, you don't have a pair, but you have two overcards.

Overpair

A pocket pair higher than any card on the flop. If you have QQ and the flop
comes J-8-3, you have an overpair.

Pay Off

To call a bet where the bettor is representing a hand that you can't beat, but
the pot is sufficiently large to justify a call anyway. Example: "He played
it exactly like he made the flush, but I had top set so I paid him off."

Play the Board

To show down a hand in hold'em when your cards don't make a hand any better
than is shown on the board. For instance, if you have 22, and the board is 4-4-9-9-A
(no flush possible), then you must "play the board" - the best possible
hand you can make doesn't use any of your cards. Note that if you play the board,
the best you can do is to split the pot with all remaining players.

Pocket

Your unique cards that only you can see. For instance, "He had pocket sixes"
(a pair of sixes), or "I had ace-king in the pocket."

Post

To put in a blind bet, generally required when you first sit down in a cardroom
game. You may also be required to post a blind if you change seats at the table
in a way that moves you away from the blinds.

Pot Limit

A version of poker in which a player may bet up to the amount of money in the
pot whenever it is his turn to act. Like no-limit, this is a very different
game from limit poker.

Pot Odds

The amount of money in the pot compared to the amount you must put in the pot
to continue playing. For example, suppose there is $60 in the pot. Somebody
bets $6, so the pot now contains $66. It costs you $6 to call, so your pot odds
are 11:1. If your chance of having the best hand is at least one out of twelve,
you should call. Pot odds also apply to draws. For instance, suppose you have
a draw to the nut flush with one card left to come. In this case, you are about
a 4:1 underdog to make your flush. If it costs you $8 to call the bet, then
there must be about $32 in the pot (including the most recent bet) to make your
call correct.

Price

The pot odds you are getting for a draw or call. Example: "The pot was
laying me a high enough price, so I stayed in with my gutshot straight draw."

Protect

(1) To keep your hand or a chip on your cards. This prevents them from being
fouled by a discarded hand, or accidentally mucked by the dealer.

(2) To invest more money in a pot so blind money that you've already put in
isn't "wasted." Example: "He'll always protect his blinds, no
matter how bad his cards are."

Quads

Four of a kind.

Ragged

A flop (or board) that doesn't appear to help anybody very much. A flop that
came down Jd-6h-2c would look ragged.

Rainbow

A flop that contains three different suits, thus no flush can be made on the
turn. Can also mean a complete five card board that has no more than two of
any suit, thus no flush is possible.

Rake

An amount of money taken out of every pot by the dealer - this is the cardroom's
income.

Rank

The numerical value of a card (as opposed to its suit). Example: "jack,"
"seven."

Represent

To play as if you hold a certain hand. For instance, if you raised before the
flop, and then raised again when the flop came ace high, you would be representing
at least an ace with a good kicker.

Ring Game

A regular poker game as opposed to a tournament. Also referred to as a "live"
game since actual money is in play instead of tournament chips.

River

The fifth and final community card, put out face up, by itself. Also known as
"fifth street". Metaphors involving the river are some of poker's
most treasured cliches - e.g. "He drowned in the river."

Rock

A player who plays very tight, not very creatively. He raises only with the
best hands. A real rock is fairly predictable - if he raises you on the end,
you can throw away just about anything but the nuts.

Runner

Typically said "runner-runner" to describe a hand which was made only
by catching the correct cards on both the turn and the river - "He made
a runner-runner flush to beat my trips." See also "Backdoor."

Scare Card

A card which may well turn the best hand into trash. If you have Tc-8c and the
flop comes Qd- Jd-9s, you almost assuredly have the best hand. However, a turn
card of Td would be very scary because it would almost guarantee that you are
now beaten.

Second Pair

A pair with the second highest card on the flop. If you have As-Ts, and the
flop comes Kd-Th-6c, you have flopped second pair.

Sell

As in "sell a hand". In a spread limit game, this means to bet less
than the maximum when you have a very strong hand, hoping players will call
whereas they would not have called a maximum bet.

Semi-bluff

A powerful concept first discussed by David Sklansky. It is a bet or raise that
you hope will not be called, but you have some outs if it is. A semi-bluff may
be correct when betting for value is not correct, a pure bluff is not correct,
but the combination of the two may be a positive expectation play.

Set

Three of a kind when you have two of the rank in your hand, and there is one
on the board.

Short Stack

A number of chips that is not very many compared to the other players at the
table. If you have $10 in front of you, and everybody else at the table has
over $100, you are playing on a short stack.

Showdown

The point at which all players remaining in the hand turn their cards over and
determine who has the best hand - i.e. after the fourth round of betting is
completed. Of course, if a final bet or raise is not called, there is no showdown.

Side Pot

A pot created in which a player has no interest because he has run out of chips.
Example: Al bets $6, Beth calls the $6, and Carl calls, but he has only $2 left.
An $8 side pot is created that either Al or Beth can win, but not Carl. Furthermore,
any more bets that Al and Beth make go into that side pot. Carl, however, can
still win all the money in the original or "center" pot.

Slow Play

To play a strong hand weakly so more players will stay in the pot.

Split Pot

A pot which is shared by two or more players because they have equivalent hands.

Split Two Pair

A two pair hand in which one of each of your cards' ranks appears on the board
as well. Example: you have T9, the flop is T-9-5, you have a split two pair.
This is in comparison to two pair where there is a pair on the board. Example:
you have T9, the flop is 9-5-5.

Spread Limit

A betting structure in which a player may bet any amount in a range on every
betting round. A typical spread limit structure is $2-$6, where a player may
bet as little as $2 or as much as $6 on every betting round.

Straddle

An optional extra blind bet, typically made by the player one to the left of
the big blind, equal to twice the big blind. This is effectively a raise, and
forces any player who wants to play to pay two bets. Furthermore, the straddler
acts last before the flop, and may "re-raise."

String Bet

A bet (more typically a raise) in which a player doesn't get all the chips required
for the raise into the pot in one motion. Unless he verbally declared the raise,
he can be forced to withdraw it and just call. This prevents the unethical play
of putting out enough chips to call, seeing what effect that had, and then possibly
raising.

Structured

Used to apply to a certain betting structure in "flop" games such
as hold'em. The typical definition of a structured game is a fixed amount for
bets and raises before the flop and on the flop, and then twice that amount
on the turn and river. Example: a $2-$4 structured hold'em game - bets and raises
of $2 before the flop and on the flop; $4 bets and raises on the turn and river.

Suited

A hold'em starting hand in which the two cards are the same suit. Example: "I
had to play J-3 - it was suited."

Table Stakes

A rule in a poker game meaning that a player may not go into his pocket for
money during a hand. He may only invest the amount of money in front of him
into the current pot. If he runs out of chips during the hand, a side pot is
created in which he has no interest. All casino poker is played table stakes.
The definition sometimes also includes the rule that a player may not remove
chips from the table during a game. While this rule might not be referred to
as "table stakes", it is enforced almost universally in public poker
games.

Tell

A clue or hint that a player unknowingly gives about the strength of his hand,
his next action, etc. May originally be from "telegraph" or the obvious
use that he "tells" you what he's going to do before he does it.

Tilt

To play wildly or recklessly. A player is said to be "on tilt" if
he is not playing his best, playing too many hands, trying wild bluffs, raising
with bad hands, etc.

Time

(1) A request by a player to suspend play while he decides what he's going to
do. Simply, "Time please!" If a player doesn't request time and there
is a substantial amount of action behind him, the dealer may rule that the player
has folded.

(2) An amount of money collected either on the button or every half hour by
the cardroom. This is another way for the house to make its money (see "rake").

Toke

A small amount of money (typically $.50 or $1.00) given to the dealer by the
winner of a pot. Quite often, tokes represent the great majority of a dealer's
income.

Top Pair

A pair with the highest card on the flop. If you have As-Qs, and the flop comes
Qd-Th-6c, you have flopped top pair.

Trips

Three of a kind.

Turn

The fourth community card. Put out face up, by itself. Also known as "fourth
street."

Under the gun

The position of the player who acts first on a betting round. For instance,
if you are one to the left of the big blind, you are under the gun before the
flop.

Underdog

A person or hand who is not mathematically favored to win a pot. For instance,
if you flop four cards to your flush, you are not quite a 2:1 underdog to make
your flush by the river (that is, you will make your flush about one in three
times). See also "dog."

Value

As in "bet for value." This means that you would actually like your
opponents to call your bet (as opposed to a bluff). Generally it's because you
have the best hand. However, it can also be a draw which, given enough callers,
has a positive expectation.

Variance

A measure of the up and down swings your bankroll goes through. Variance is
not necessarily a measure of how well you play. However, the higher your variance,
the wider swings you'll see in your bankroll.Free Casino Games Online

Blackjack Strategy free casino games

2005-01-24T14:11:00.000-08:00

Knowing Basic Strategy is critical to the professional blackjack player. Many players think they know basic strategy when in fact they do not. Most players simply guess at whether to hit, stand, or double down based on their gut feelings. This type of play is wasteful. If you are playing blackjack just for fun then it is fine to kick back and make decisions without thinking. But if you are playing for real money then you must know the mathmatical probabilities of each move that you make. Remember, the casinos have no mercy. They make their fortunes off the poor players that don't know what they're doing. Don't be one of them.

Below are basic strategy charts for you to study. Feel free to print them out and use to practice with. First get a handle on these basics. Underneath each chart are special notes designed to help you remember the key points quickly.

HARD TOTALS	Dealer's Upcard
Your Cards	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	T	A
17	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
15	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
14	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
13	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
11	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
10	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
9	D	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
8	H	H	H	D	D	H	H	H	H	H

Key:

H = Hit
S = Stand
D = Double

Points to remember:

Always stand on 17 or better.
Always hit on 12-16 when dealer shows 7 or higher.
Always hit on 11 or less.
Always double down on 11.
Double down on 10 when dealer shows 9 or lower.

SOFT TOTALS	Dealer's Upcard
Your Cards	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	T	A
(A,9)	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
(A,8)	S	S	S	S	D	S	S	S	S	S
(A,7)	S	D	D	D	D	S	S	H	H	S
(A,6)	D	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
(A,5)	H	H	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
(A,4)	H	H	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
(A,3)	H	H	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
(A,2)	H	H	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H

Key:

H = Hit
S = Stand
D = Double

Points to Remember

Always stand on soft 19 and 20.
Always double down on soft 13-18 when dealer
shows 4,5, or 6.
Remember, you can't bust on any soft hand but you can
end up with a poor hand if you hit at the wrong time.

PAIRS	Dealer's Upcard
Your Cards	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	T	A
(A,A)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
(T,T)	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
(9,9)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	N	N
(8,8)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
(7,7)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	N	N
(6,6)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	N	N	N
(5,5)	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
(4,4)	N	N	Y	Y	Y	N	N	N	N	N
(3,3)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	N	N
(2,2)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	N	N	N

Key:

Y = Yes, split the pair
N = No, don't split the pair
S = Stand

Points to Remember

Always split aces and 8's.
Never split 10-value cards and never split 5's.
Always split 3's and 2's when the dealer shows 4,5,6, or 7.
Double down on a pair of 5's when dealer shows 9 or less.

Proper basic strategy will bring your odds to about even with the casino.

Insurance
Insurance is offered when the dealer's upcard is an ace. He then gives you the opportunity to bet that he has a 10-card underneath. Never take insurance unless you are counting. This is a silly bet that increases the odds for the casino.

Surrender
Surrender is an option that some casinos give that allows players to give up on hands they do not like. If you decide to surrender then the house will take half of your original bet. This is a good way to minimize your losses when you are dealt a poor hand. Always seek out and play in casinos that offer surrender. The rule for surrendering is as follows:
Surrender on hard 15 or 16 (except 8,8) when the dealer's upcard is 7 or higher.

Casino Basics free casino games

2005-01-24T09:49:00.000-08:00

Casino Basics
Gambling can be a form of entertainment if handled with the right attitude. A good approach is to aim to win but to also be prepared to lose - and lose only the amount you planned to risk on that day. In other words, you have to accept the fact that you cannot force a winning outcome and you cannot win every time, free casino games.
There are many devised gambling systems or methods aimed at overcoming the odds to give you an edge and make you a winner, but don't expect to systematically play your way to riches at the casinos. Apart from card counting at blackjack or applying the Martingale System with no maximum bet limit, all forms of gambling are conditioned by luck, and an astute gambler should make allowance for that.
The casinos have an in-built mathematical advantage on virtually every game and no mathematical betting system can overcome that. On the other hand, the player practically makes all the playing decisions including when to quit. How you make those decisions will determine how successful or otherwise you are.
The casinos are there to let you have a shot at their money and they will have a shot at yours too at the same time. Have a planned betting strategy. Discipline yourself too. Limit your losses and control your winnings. Stick to your planned bankroll limit if you lose and don't be greedy if you win. Walk before you run. Rather than aiming to win a specific amount of money, learn how to be a winner first by a small margin - any small margin. Not easy.
But don't despair. Help is at hand. This is the gambling site with lots of resources as well as helpful advice to help you succeed and frequent updates thanks to your helpful feedback. Stay tuned!
This is your resource for online gambling information and guidance, including casino game and online gambling strategies, free casino games, casino and sports book reviews, and much more.

Blackjack Terms free casino games

2005-01-24T06:18:00.000-08:00

Blackjack Terms
Action: This is a general gambling term which refers to the total amount of money bet in a specific period of time. Ten bets of ten dollars each is $100 of action.
Burn Card: A single card taken from the top of the deck or the first card in a shoe which the dealer slides across the table from his/her left o the right, and is placed into the discard tray. The card may or may not be shown face up (which can affect the count if you are counting cards). A card is burned after each shuffle, free casino games.
Cut Card: A solid colored card typically a piece of plastic which is given to a player by the dealer for the purpose of cutting the deck(s) after a shuffle.
Hole Card: Any face down card. The definition most often refers to the dealer's single face down card.
Shoe: A device that can hold up to eight decks of cards which allows the dealer to slide out the cards one at a time.
Hard Hand: A hand in which any Ace is counted as a 1 and not as an 11.
Soft Hand: A hand in which any Ace is counted as an 11 and not as a 1.
Pat Hand: A hand with a total of 17 to 21.
Stand: To decline another card.
Hit: To request another card.
Bust: When a hand's value exceeds 21... a losing hand.
Push: A player-dealer tie.
Pair: When a player's first two cards are numerically identical (ie, 7,7).
Point Count: The net value of the card count at the end of a hand.
Running Count: The count from the beginning of the deck or shoe. The running count is updated by the value of the point count after each hand.
True Count: The running count adjusted to account for the number of cards left in the deck or shoe to be played.
Bankroll: The stake (available money) a player plans to bet with.
Flat Bet: A bet which you do not vary ie, if you are flat betting ten dollars, you are betting $10 each and every hand without changing the betting amount from one hand to the next.
Black Chip: A $100 chip.
Green Chip: A $25 chip.
Red Chip: A $5 chip.
Foreign Chip: A chip that is issued by one casino and is honored by another as cash. A casino is not necessarily obligated to accept them.
Settlement: The resolving of the bet. Either the dealer takes your chips, pays you, or in the case of a push, no exchange of chips occurs.
Toke: To "toke" the dealer is just another word for tipping the dealer.
Marker: An IOU. A line of credit provided by the casino to a player.
Junket: An organized group of gamblers that travel to a casino together. Junkets are usually subsidized by a casino to attract players.
Comp: Short for complimentary. If you wave lots of money around, the casino may give you things like a free room or free food, hoping you'll keep losing money at the tables in their casino.
Heat: The pressure a casino puts on a winning player, typically someone who is suspected of being a card counter.
Shuffle Up: Prematurely shuffling the cards to harass a player who is usually suspected of being a counter.
Nut: The overhead costs of running the casino.
Pit: The area inside a group of gaming tables. The tables are arranged in an elliptical manner, the space inside the perimeter is the pit.
House: The Casino of course.
Cage: Short for cashier's cage. This is where chips are redeemed for cash, checks cashed, credit arranged, etc.
House Percentage: The casino's advantage in a particular game of chance.
Drop Percentage: That portion of the player's money that the casino will win because of the house percentage. It is a measure of the amount of a player's initial stake that he or she will eventually lose. On average this number is around 20 percent. That is, on average, Joe Gambler will lose $20 of every $100 he begins with.
Head-On: To play alone at a BlackJack table with the dealer.
WAG Player: Wild Assed Guessing player.
SWAG Player: Scientific Wild Assed Guessing player.
Tough Player: a player who can hurt the casino monetarily with his or her intelligent play.
Counter: Someone who counts cards.
High Roller: A big bettor.
Mechanic: A manipulator of the cards, typically for illicit purposes.
Shill: A house employee who bets money and pretends to be a player to attract customers. Shills typically follow the same rules as the dealer which makes them somewhat easy to spot (ie, they don't Double Down or Split).
Pit Boss: An employee of the casino whose job is to supervise BlackJack players, dealers, and other floor personnel.

Vigorish Or Vig The Edge Against You free casino games

2005-01-21T11:50:00.000-08:00

Vigorish Or Vig
The Edge Against You
Have you ever heard the term Vigorish, or Vig? You know what it means? It’s the lousy edge against you. It’s the juice which keeps the house operating in free casino games.
If you go to a casino, or a racetrack, or even when calling your local bookie, it is this Vig that eats away at your bankroll. The bigger the Vig you give up, the quicker you will be eliminated from a game.
For example, at the racetrack (and depending upon the State you’re in), an average of 18.5% is taken from every bet pool (Win, Place, Show, Daily Doubles, Exactas, etc.) and never paid out to winning ticket holders. This is legally absconded with by the state and federal governments for taxes. Plus, the track also gets a share known as breakage. When the pie is divided, bettors share about an 81-cent slice for each dollar wagered.
That is some chunk to take off the top. The same is true whenever you play in a “house “ game - the Vig pays for services you get: Lights, drinks, entertainment, etc. Anything that costs the house money.
Obviously, you want to play in games where the Vig is low. Understanding all taxes and draws that come out of a game is not necessary. All you must know is which games provide the least built-in drain on your bankroll.

Video Poker Wining Hands

2005-01-21T07:41:00.000-08:00


Royal Flush	A-K-Q-J-10	A,K,Q,J, and 10 all of the same suit.
Straight Flush	Q-J-10-9-8	Five cards in sequence and all of the same suit.
Four of a Kind	K-K-K-K	Four cards of the same rank.
Full House	K-K-K-A-A	Three of a kind, plus a pair.
Flush	Q-10-9-6-2	Five cards of the same suit.
Straight	10-9-A-8-7	Five cards in sequence. (Ace can be high or low.)
Three of a Kind	J-J-J-7-2	Three cards of the same rank.
Two Pair	K-K-8-8-7	Two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank.
Jacks or Better	J-J-A-10-3	A pair of jacks, queens, kings or aces.

Developing a Winning Black Jack Program free casino games

2005-01-20T13:38:00.000-08:00

Developing a Winning Black Jack Program

Developing a winning blackjack program takes time, money and energy. There is a definite game plan that you should develop though, if you wish to become a successful blackjack player. Here are some tips that we would suggest:
1) Read, read, and read some more. Develop a profound understanding of the game by buying a few books from Amazon.com on blackjack. Learn what splitting means, what doubling down means, and develop an encyclopedic knowledge of the odds associated with each combination of cards. 2) Observe. If you live near a casino, drive out some time and observe the people playing blackjack. Drift from table to table so as not to annoy anybody. Try to find somebody who seems relatively successful and watch how he or she plays. If the person is any good, you should notice some fairly obvious patterns in regards to betting and splitting. 3) Play for free and practice. We have a free blackjack game on our site. Use it. Play for days or weeks or months. But keep playing until you feel comfortable with the game of blackjack. It can be tempting to jump right into real money betting, but that's not recommended when you are just starting out. 4) Play with small amounts. Nurse your bankroll. There is nothing worse than blowing your stack on the first day. 5) Money management. Develop a maximum bet strategy in your head. If you are playing with $100, don't do 5 $20 bets. Do 20 $5 bets so that your game lasts longer. When you are on a hot streak, slightly increase the size of your bets. When you are on a cold streak, decrease the size of your bets. 6) Keep playing. Don't stop playing just cause you lost a few hands in a row. Look at it as an opportunity to learn, and keep playing. You'll have cold and hot streaks, that's just part of the game in free casino games.