Should the Same Strategy Be Used for Online and Offline Roulette?

September 5, 2020 By editor

When it comes to strategy, few games divide opinion quite like roulette. People are inventing new systems all the time, most of which end up being debunked, old strategies are dusted off and tweaked. But, regardless of what you do, the chances of hitting black on a European roulette wheel still sit at 48.65%, the chances of hitting a straight-up number in American roulette are 2.60%, and so on. There is nothing you can do to change those odds.

Strategies do have some merit, of course, and you can find lots of information on different systems on this site. However, we want to look at a more fundamental question today: Should you change your roulette strategy when you are playing online? Compared with, say, playing in a swanky casino resort? In essence, we are asking whether you should play differently against software than against the house, i.e. a physical roulette wheel.

Live games online add new dimension

Of course, the lines are blurring between virtual casino games and real ones. If, for example, we looked at how to play roulette at casino.com in Canada, you can see that both options are available – virtual and ‘real’ roulette with live dealers. But we want to concentrate on how you would play in a casino resort and how you would play against a software-bases game.

The first thing that must be noted is that virtual roulette from quality software providers is advertised as reflecting the true odds in a casino. So, for example, Playtech Premium European Roulette has an RTP figure of 97.30%. That means the online casino operator will pay back 97.30% of all wagers to players over time, making a house-edge of 2.70%, which is the same house edge you would find in a real casino.

But we must distinguish between theoretical probability and guaranteed house edge. We are 100% sure that the virtual casino game will make that profit over time, whereas it is only highly probable that the real roulette game will pay back 97.30% over time. Getting our heads around those facts can be difficult. But it’s probably more important to wonder if it really matters? We are talking about probabilities that are only relevant when a huge number of spins are analysed. And, that counts for the virtual games as well as the real ones.

Impossible to second guess RNG software

You see, when we play virtual games, we often frame it as our own personal session, as if 1000s of other players aren’t also playing against the same software. We could be up, or down, $1,000 and believe that has a bearing on what happens next. It might, but in all likelihood, the impact is minimal on the vast number of bets factored into the RNG software. The point is that, just like real roulette, we should not get sucked into the gambler’s fallacy when playing virtual roulette.

Players should be cautious, however. You cannot predict that the probabilities of the software will be relevant to you. If you tried, for example, a martingale system strategy, you cannot be sure that it would eventually work before hitting the table limit. Why? Because you do not know if the software is ‘down’ millions of dollars and is working to recoup that back in order to reach its payout goals.

Overall, though, it’s probably best to keep the same strategy in terms of bankroll management. You can’t really guarantee to beat the system; unless you are a genius physicist. Like all casino games, virtual or real, the key is to walk away when you have won enough, or to cut your losses when you are approaching the point of losing too much. That’s probably the best strategy of all.

Best Roulette Games of 2020

August 26, 2020 By editor

Thanks to the innovative and creative design teams at the world’s leading online gaming developers, we have a wealth of roulette games to enjoy. Not only will you find a huge selection of standard roulette games such as European Roulette but you can also play variations including Lightning Roulette for example.

With so many different roulette games from which to choose, what are the best roulette games of 2020?

Playing video roulette both on mobile and online means you can access your favourite games of roulette whether you are at home or travelling. Video roulette differs to live table roulette in that the former involves the use of a machine or an algorithm to play the game while the latter uses a real roulette wheel. For some people, especially beginner players, having the opportunity to play video roulette is a great learning curve, can dispel any superstitions or doubts they may have and familiarise themselves with the game. Even playing live roulette online means having to communicate with the croupier and other players and this can be intimidating for inexperienced players.

One of the best roulette games of 2020 using a mobile device is Roulette Touch. This is a mobile version of the popular roulette game created by NetEnt and despite being first released back in 2013, it remains one of the best available today. Roulette Touch is a video based game meaning only you are playing, with no other people involved. It is very straight forward to understand and play yet continues to appeal to both beginners and veterans alike.

For those who would like something a little different, one of the leading roulette games of 2020 is Multi Wheel Roulette. This video roulette game follows the same basic principles of standard roulette play but instead of using just a single wheel there are several wheels in play at the same time. This game has been created by Microgaming, one of the world’s top online gaming developers and boasts 8 wheels in play at the same time. However, one of the great features of Multi Wheel Roulette is you do not have to play all 8 wheels, you can choose how many you would like to play. Simply click on each wheel you would like to play and place your bet as usual on each of them.

Another roulette game that continues to remain extremely popular in 2020 is Speed Roulette. Created by Evolution Gaming, this is actually a live casino game and differs from the two above that are video based roulette games. When playing Speed Roulette, there are around 25 seconds between each spin of the wheel. The betting takes place only during the spin which means there is no time wasting in-between, it is all action, all of the time. For those players short on time or simply looking for something a little quicker than standard roulette, Speed Roulette is a great game.

Some of the other outstanding roulette games of 2020 include Auto-Roulette Studio, Lightning Roulette, Bonus Roulette and Penny Roulette. You will find these roulette games and more at online casinos including Golden Nugget, Virgin Casino, Tropicana Casino and Caesars Casino.

Best Strategies for Online Bingo

August 12, 2020 By editor

Bingo went from being a game reserved for the aristocrats of society to the working class. Crucially, now it’s available for all walks of life to try their luck.

Of course, lady luck plays a big part in this game of chance, but there are ways you can improve your chances of winning!

In this article, we have put together a few of our tried and tested strategies to give you the best chance at being victorious in the online bingo arena!

Make Sure the Bingo Site is Reputable

First and foremost, you need to make sure your money and personal information are in safe hands. Luckily, that’s pretty easy to find out.

For bingo providers, obtaining a licence from the Gambling Commission can be a lengthy and difficult process (due to strict rules). For this reason, bingo sites proudly display their stamp of approval.

Making sure that the bingo platform is licenced and regulated by the appropriate bodies ensures that all games within the site are rigorously tested for fairness and randomness for the player.

Another tip is to look out for a recognisable name like eCOGRA. This is one of the reputable and independent testing houses. Their job is to make sure bingo games are 100% true and fair.

Seek out the Best Bingo Bonuses

Finding great bonuses isn’t exactly rocket science, as they are everywhere. But, you might find that an inviting welcome bonus becomes a lot less attractive once you read those T&Cs.

We’ve all been there – you find a bonus offering a no deposit offer with free bingo tickets. Then you see the wagering requirements, and the strings attached to the deal become more clear.

Whilst a no deposit bonus is a great thing – a good strategy is to also check the wagering requirements before making a commitment. These no wagering bingo sites are going to be your best friend when it comes to finding a good bonus.

Games Available

It might be a good strategy to choose a site with an assortment of bingo variants and games. Sometimes when bonuses are offered you can use them across the platform, so it makes sense to have options.

You might find that although you love playing bingo, you want to mix it up a bit and try Slingo (slots and bingo) – or instead of 90-ball bingo, you might want to try speed bingo or other entertaining varieties.

Some people prefer to play on a bingo platform with fewer games, but a site powered by their favourite software provider. They do this because they know and trust that the graphics will be outstanding.

VIP Schemes

Frequent players especially swear by this kind of ongoing promotion. Generally speaking, you are able to collect points every time you make a deposit. Often these points can be swapped for real cash or bingo bonuses.

Some VIP schemes are more lucrative than others, so it’s worth shopping around and seeing what suits your bingo playing style.

Customer Support

We recommend looking for sites with 24/7 support. It’s also better to have a few options. For example, live chat, as well as email and telephone, is ideal.

Bingo Strategies are Crucial

We hope you’ve found our bingo strategies useful. With so much competition amongst bingo platforms, everyone is vying for the attention of new customers.

For this reason, it can be hard to know where to start. We recommend starting by making sure the platform is licenced and above board.

Always remember to check the terms and conditions before being swept away with a ‘wow’ sign up bonus too. Wagering requirements and withdrawal stipulations can really sour that initial excitement.

What is the Current Status of the Major World Poker Tournaments?

July 31, 2020 By editor

The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the world. The majority of events due to take place between the months of March and June were either cancelled or postponed, including sports, music, and theatre. There were several big poker tournaments due to be played across different series and unfortunately, they were hard hit by coronavirus.

Looking at the calendar and the first postponements and cancellations started in February with the 2019/20 WSOP Circuit California tournament. This was due to take place between the 29th of February and the 2nd of April at The Bicycle Casino, Bell Gardens, California. Plenty of tournaments were played following this cancellation but as soon as we entered mid to late March the cancellations picked up extremely quickly.

The 2020 Tampa Poker Classic was due to take place on the 20th of March at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, Tampa, Florida but was cancelled. Every other professional major world poker tournament in March, April, May, and June suffered the same fate. We are talking close to 100 different tournaments being cancelled or postponed, which was devastating not only to the players and organisations but also the casinos.

The ray of light during this period was online poker. For example, the 2020 Spring Championship of Online Poker hosted by PokerStars went ahead as planned on the 30th of April. The $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em event was won by Steve O’Dwyer who walked away with $521,598 in winnings. Online poker real money websites continued to operate throughout the month of March, April, May, and June because every tournament allowed players to enter from their own home. There was no need to open a land based casino or for people to come into contact with each other to complete the 2020 Spring Championship of Online Poker.

Fast forward to July and things are beginning to look up for the major world poker tournaments. As expected, all of the scheduled online poker events have been continuing throughout including recent tournaments such as the 2020 World Series of Poker Online and 2019/20 WPT World Online Championships. Both of these events are being played at the time of writing and will conclude in September.

In terms of the big world poker tournaments due to take place at land based casinos, there is some good news. Although some events including the 2020 Potomac Summer Poker Open, 2020 July Guarantee Tournament and 2020 LIPS Vegas Queen Summer Series have been cancelled, at the time of writing the 2020 Triton Poker Super High Roller Series London will be played. This tournament has been scheduled for the 29th of July and will take place at the London Hilton, Mayfair, London.

As things stand, following the tournament in London there is only one event cancelled and that is the 2020 Potomac Summer Poker Open. Every other major poker tournament is scheduled to go ahead as planned and things are looking promising for everyone involved.

Logical Fallacies in Gambling Games

May 11, 2020 By editor

Gambling fallacy is the fallacy of the chances’ maturity. In other words, this is a belief that when one event occurs more times than normal at one point, it is less likely to act this way in the future – and vice versa. These events are statistically independent and commonly associated with gambling, though this psychological phenomenon can definitely occur elsewhere, too.

When a person attempts to rationalize their future manoeuvres in situations with elements of randomness, they can be guided by the gambling fallacy in the attempt to predict what happens next. As you can assume, gambling fallacies are most common among problem gamblers.

What are the Different Gambling Fallacies?

There is no full or definite list of gambling fallaciesavailable anywhere since, after all, this is one type of a cognitive bias. As a result, there’s a debate surrounding defining the fallacy of online poker gambling or any type of gambling for that matter.

That being said, you can come across various fallacies if you do a bit of a research. There’s the distinction between culture and gambling fallacies to begin with. But the fact remains that fallacies are present all around, even among players who gamble at lowest deposit casino and those who play at a physical, live casino.

Here are the four most popular and frequently found fallacies in the casino world:

Monte-Carlo Fallacy

This fallacy is so popular that some people even refer to gambling fallacies with this name. This is the classic example, the one related to the failure to understand random events and their independence. The results of this fallacy are people who bet on the opposite outcome to occur because they believe that statistical deviations in one will be corrected by statistical deviations in the other direction, just for the purpose of evening things out.

Monte-Carlo fallacy is the reason for some of the top gambling mistakes made by casino players. For example, a person who believes in this trusts that if a gambling machine hasn’t paid out in a while, it will most likely pay out in the short future, and vice versa.

Another example is the belief that if you choose an orderly sequence of numbers like 1, 2, 3 etc., you are more likely to win compared to a non-orderly sequence.

Have you done this before? Many players who’ve played casino games like the pokies NZ real money use this logic behind picking the pokies and machine they play on.

Hot Hand Fallacy

Gambling devices like wheels and machines are programmed to produce random outcomes. This would mean that the past outcomes have absolutely no influence on future outcomes. However, some people believe that a winning streak on a single device will portend more winning. A similar belief under this casino fallacy is that certain winning numbers will re-appear more frequently than other numbers.

And of course, there’s the hot hand belief in sport betting when people believe that they are more likely to win at a certain time because the luck has been on their side. This superstition is present with many players despite the data from research that shows that random chance is most frequent with sports betting.

Illusion of Control

The next common tendency among gamblers is to believe that the action of a person can influence random events. For example, many people today prefer some ‘lucky numbers’ over others when playing lottery or the roulette. They always pick these numbers instead of choosing random numbers. This is more of a superstitious belief when people think they have control over the outcome of gambling. In fact, superstitious conditioning contributes to this type of illusion.

Thinking that you have control over the lottery numbers can cause you to make repetitive mistakes, therefore reducing your chances to win. Gambling is random and should be perceived as such.

Base Rate Neglect

Lastly, there’s the so-called base rate neglect. This fallacy occurs when people ignore the general probabilities based on statistics when they judge the frequency of an outcome. Instead, they estimate the frequency by the available instances in their memory.

Base rate neglect if the belief that if you participate in commercial forms of gambling, this is an excellent strategy for making money. Or, there’s the belief that winning the lottery is more likely to happen to you if you are aware of the number of people who have won the lottery over the years.

Are there other fallacies?

There are, of course, many other known logical fallacies, many of which are evident in the world of gambling. However, no one can surely determine or categorize the existing fallacies.

One interesting example is that of the sceptical inquirer gambling fallacies. According to this source, there are two twin fallacies – one of appeal to sanctity, and one of appeal to righteous indignation. Both attempt to shield the ideas from criticism, investigation or discussion and are rather common. Even so, these are not so frequently found in the gambling industry.

How to Avoid Logical Fallacies

Naturally, logical fallacies are not a great idea when you’re gambling with real money. To avoid them, you can implement one of two techniques: deductive or inductive reasoning.

Deductive reasoning happens when you start with general premises and move toward a more specific, more certain conclusion. Inductive reasoning happens when you start with a specific premise and reach a generalized conclusion.

The bottom line

Logical fallacy is only true until you start looking at it from a logical perspective. If you know how to detect a fallacy, you’ll realize that this is not the right approach. In return, this could save you from many gambling mistakes. Fallacies are common and superstition-like. They are all around and specifically created to mislead people. Those who believe in fallacies believe that logic has nothing to do with their gambling outcome. They find logic in strange superstitions that are implied by others.