Online Casinos Archives

How Can You Tell if a Slot Machine is About to Hit?

April 21, 2022 By editor

Slot machines are among the most popular casino games in the world. Whether on the floor of a land-based casino or in a catalog on an online casino platform, slots are played by millions of people across the globe. A look at the thousands of different slot games that are available to play shows just how popular they are among players.

Beyond trying to win some money while playing slots, the ultimate dream is the land a jackpot, which could range from anything from a few hundred dollars on a daily jackpot up to tens of millions of dollars.

But is there any way to know if or when a slot machine is about to hit? Whereas other casino games like poker and blackjack can provide some advanced warning as to whether you are about to win (thanks to the dealt cards), there is no such luxury with slots as they are completely randomly generated. That means any combination is possible on each spin – technically, there is as much chance of a jackpot landing twice in a row as any other combination.

However, there are a few strategies and factors to consider to increase your chances of hitting a slot machine jackpot.

Choose slots with higher payouts

The most important thing to check before playing a slot machine game is to check its Return to Player rate, better known as its RTP or the house edge. Every casino game has a house edge, which is the casino’s way of ensuring that, on average, the house will come out on top over a long period of time.

RTP for slots is usually between 90% and 96%, which means on average for every $100 a player wagers on the slots, they will earn a return of between $90 and $96.

So the best place to start if you want a slot machine to hit is to find games that have an RTP of more than 96%. To locate these games, do some research online and check out some trusted reviews about these games.

Look at slot volatility

Volatility in slots works the same as any other way. The more volatile the game, the more risk and reward is involved. Conversely a game with lower volatility will carry with it less risk, and likely smaller and more regular payouts.

So if you are looking for a slot that might not pay out many small winnings but gives you a better chance of big wins and potential jackpots, then look out for games of high volatility.

Some slots will show this information in the game’s settings but if not, search for the slot in one of the casino review websites and it should show all the relevant information, including RTP and game volatility.

Something to keep in mind: many of the larger online casino operators have filter options when searching for slots relevant to the games you want to play. These filters often include factors like game volatility and jackpot type (fixed or progressive), so you can easily find the games that suit you and that offer the best chance of hitting a jackpot.

Use bonuses and free spins

While over the long term, the house edge will favor the casino, there are ways to sometimes tilt the odds to your advantage, namely by taking advantage of bonuses and free spins.

Casinos offer various types of bonuses to players, including welcoming and sign-up bonuses, loyalty bonuses, and other promotions. These could be provided as playable cash in your casino account or as free spins – or a combination of both – to be used on select slots.

If you want to increase your chances of hitting a slot, then use any and all of the bonuses the casino has to offer. The more spins you are able to take on a slot, the better your chances of finally hitting the jackpot.

Avoid unpopular games

If you want to be in contention to hit big payouts and jackpots with slots, then it is encouraged to play games that are popular with other players and avoid the less popular games. For example, Bovada offers slot games categorized by most popular so you will know which ones to pick.

Not only will this see you play for larger jackpots (if the game has a progressive jackpot) but this could, theoretically, increase your chances of hitting big. As mentioned earlier, there is no way of telling when a slot will hit – it could be twice in a row or once every 500,000 spins.

However, as a long-term average, slots generally hit around once every 10,000 spins, so you will be better served playing games that are popular and are being spun thousands of times per day. This, of course, is a wildly speculative prediction, but playing slots is wildly speculative!

Conclusion

Save for outright breaking the law and rigging a slot machine, there really is no way to accurately tell if a slot is about to hit.

Still, by doing some due diligence, finding slots with higher RTPs, gauging volatility levels, and utilizing casino bonuses, you can put yourself in the best possible position to strike lucky.

The Benefits of Playing Online Poker Games in 2022

January 19, 2022 By editor

It’s hard to believe, but online poker will be celebrating its 24th anniversary in 2022. In that time, the game has come a long way – from being played on primitive websites with basic graphics to becoming one of the most popular activities on the internet. But what is behind this growth, and why do players enjoy it so much? Here are some of the benefits that playing online poker games can offer in 2022.

1. Greater Competition

The internet has brought people from all over the world together, and online poker is no exception. Players can now compete against opponents from anywhere in the world — for example, at the OlyBet website — which leads to a more competitive environment and better games.

This also allows players to learn from some of the best minds in the game. By playing against top competition, you get to see how the best players think and play, which can help you improve your own game.

The internet has also made it easier for people to find information on poker strategy. There are now countless websites, videos, and articles that can teach you everything from the basics of the game to complex strategies. This makes it easier than ever to learn.

2. More Opportunities to Win

Online poker is a much more competitive game than live poker. This means that the odds of winning are much better, especially for skilled players. In fact, some online tournaments have payouts that are larger than those in live tournaments.

This also means that there is more money to be won. Players can win huge prize pools by playing in online tournaments, and there are also many opportunities to win smaller prizes. This makes online poker a very lucrative game.

In addition, players can often play for free in online poker rooms. This allows them to practice their skills and learn the game without risking any money.

3. More Convenient

One of the biggest benefits of playing online poker is that it is much more convenient than playing live poker. You can play from anywhere in the world, at any time of day or night. This allows you to fit poker into your schedule easily and avoid wasting time travelling to and from casinos.

In addition, online poker rooms are open 24/7. This means that you can always find a game to play, no matter what time of day or night it is.

Finally, online poker rooms are very easy to use. You can quickly join a game and start playing without any hassle.

4. More Fun

Online poker is a more fun and exciting game than live poker. This is because the games are faster-paced and there is more action. You can also play more hands per hour online, which leads to more excitement.

In addition, online poker rooms are often filled with lively chat forums. This allows you to socialize with players from anywhere in the world and have some fun while you play.

Conclusion

These are just some of the benefits that playing online poker games can offer in 2022. So if you’re looking for a fun, challenging, and lucrative game to play, online poker is the perfect choice.

Online poker has come a long way in the last 20 years, and it is now one of the most popular activities in the online gaming sphere.

Games with the best winning odds at Online Casinos

September 21, 2021 By editor

It used to be that we would have to get up and go to the casino of our choice to pull the lever on the slots, throw dice at a craps table, or play endless hands of blackjack while cigarette smoke wafted and hung over the table like a damp rag. But those days are gone if you want them to be because now, we have the luxury of having a casino directly at our fingertips. Want to play a few hands of blackjack while you wait for your oil to get changed? No problem it’s all here for your gaming pleasure.

Some of the best online betting sites and casinos have gambling deals for new players as well as seasoned pros. These are state-of-the-art, high-tech, virtual houses of action transport the user to immersive slot machines, as well as table games that replicate the real thing. Many of these established and well-respected online betting sites also have live blackjack dealers to add an additional layer of authenticity.

Once we make our way to these online casinos, which games give us the best chance at walking away with more money than when we entered? Well, there are no guarantees but below we will list those online table games that give us the best shot at taking the house’s money!

Blackjack

If you are new to Blackjack and are uncertain of the rules, you are in luck because it is not only one of the easiest games to learn but one that also gives the house the slightest edge over the player. Blackjack is easy to learn and only just a bit more difficult to master but the gist of the game is to get as close to 21 without going over. If your hand beats the dealer you get even money on your investment so if you bet $10 then you will get $20 if you win ($10 investment + $10 win profit = $20).

The player gets dealt two cards as does the dealer with one of the dealer’s cards facing up for the world to see. Each card has its face value with jacks, queens, and kings equaling 10 while aces can be either a 1 or an 11. Therefore, if you are fortunate enough to get dealt an ace with a 10, jack, queen, or king you have blackjack! That’s right 10 +11 =21 and that’s the perfect hand that will give the player 1 ½ times his money. If you bet $10 on the hand you would have a $15 profit (1.5 x 10) plus your initial investment of $10 equaling $25 back to you.

The reason Blackjack is such a terrific game is that the house edge is only about two percent against inexperienced players and just ½ a percent against experienced players. Once you learn the nuances of Blackjack you will be coming back to the tables to try your luck, have some fun, and hopefully make some money. The best part is you can do it all from the comfort of your laptop or mobile device because the best online casinos all have outstanding mobile platforms!

Top 10 Online Casino Games with Lowest House Edge

1. Blackjack (Single Deck) 1.5%

2. Craps 1.4% – 5.0%

3. Baccarat 1.5%

4. Three-card Poker 1.5%

5. Video Poker 0.5% – 5%

6. Slots 2.0% – 10%

7. Roulette (single zero) 2.5%

8. Pia Gow Poker 2.5%

9. Caribbean Stud Poker 5.0%

10. Backgammon 4.82% – 6.39%

These percentages are the average for several of the major online casinos but they can differ slightly depending on where you choose to play. The Blackjack house advantage in the table above, listed at 1.5 percent, can be reduced if you are an experienced blackjack player and you understand when to take a hit and when to abstain, allowing the house to bust on its own.

A hand holding aces with poker chips scattered all over a laptop

There are two main betting strategies to keep in mind when you are gambling at an online casino. The first of which is to play the games with the lowest house edge. Secondly, it is imperative you become familiar with techniques to improve your chances in games like Blackjack.

One of the most rudimentary rules is to stay on 12 or more if the dealer’s up-card is showing a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. The dealer must take a hit unless they have 17 or better so if they have any of the above cards, we assume they have a value card of 10 as their down-card. Once the dealer takes their mandatory hit, the chances are is that it will be a 10 which means the dealer would bust (go over 21) without us having to do anything.

Also, make sure to take advantage of online casino bonuses being offered at the best online casinos. They can keep you in the game and allow you to play on house money…at least for a while.

A Brief History Of Gambling

August 6, 2021 By editor

Introduction

People have gambled for as long as civilization has existed. It’s a relatively safe way to get your heart pounding by introducing a small amount of risk into your life, with the possibility of winning something for your trouble, of course.

Throughout this short history of gambling, you’ll see how the practice has developed from ancient China and Mesopotamia to the modern-day, where the latest blockchain technology is being combined with the industry. Online gambling is also mentioned here. You can see online gambling at work at https://www.stardustcasino.com and similar gambling sites.

Ancient Gambling

We don’t know when gambling as a practice started in human history. Like with so many historical practices, nobody thought to write the first occurrence of gambling down, they were preoccupied with other things.

That said, the oldest examples we have come from ancient China and Iran. Gambling has been identified in every Chinese dynasty, starting in the Xia Dynasty some 4,000 years ago. That’s the oldest known instance of gambling though there are probably older practices that we don’t know yet and may never know.

Modern gambling practices like lotteries, mahjong, and pai gow have origins in China. The first playing cards are thought to have come from 9^th Century China, too. Even back then, provincial governors would take a cut of profits of the games they’d allow to be played in their realm.

As for Egypt, that’s where we have found the oldest dice. They were found at Shahr-i Sokhta, or The Burnt City, a Bronze Age site in modern-day Iran. Dice were thought to be a trinket used by fortune-tellers and others who claimed magical ability but gradually became a gambling object. Dice were ubiquitous, having been excavated in ancient Scotland, the Indus Valley Civilization, Greece, Rome, and Japan, all independently of one another.

Speaking of Greece and Rome, pottery from those civilizations seems to indicate that gambling was available for animal fights and chariot races. Around 600 BC, the first Roman circuses took place where bets were encouraged and craps were played with old Roman dice.

Gambling In The Renaissance

Gambling continued throughout human history but the next historical landmark occurred during the Renaissance period. This is where certain European societies had to decide to allow or forbid gambling and decide how regulated the games ought to be.

The first regulated casino was Il Ridotto in Venice, Italy. It was made in 1638 to create a stable gambling environment since the carnivals at Venice allowed such games, which were illegal to play at other times and other places in the city. After a century of operation and paying heavy taxes, the Ridotto was closed after stricter gambling laws in the 1700s.

During that timeframe, the first French casinos were established in Paris and organized gambling spread through continental Europe. The roulette wheel was established there and other games, like vingt-et-un, have their origins in Spain and France. The taxation gains were made clear for local governments, paving the way for acceptance despite the Church’s disapproval at the time.

Gambling In The United States

As the New World took form, lotteries were used to fund the original 13 Colonies that would become the United States of America. Jamestown seems to have conducted lotteries the most out. Horse race betting also took place in Virginia and was used as a meeting place for the social elite, where formal codes and shared values were established. In 1769, restrictions on gambling were added to the list of grievances toward the British Crown.

French settlers brought roulette and vingt-et-un to the US early into its lifespan and Mississippi steamboats became popular gambling venues. As industrialization took hold of the USA in the 20^th Century, gambling machines were invented in New York and San Francisco.

As the Internet developed, the logical next step was to take the gambling online. Relaxing legislation was instrumental to many of these organizations and, in response, the USA and many other countries scrambled to introduce protective legislation against fraudsters.

Blockchain Gambling

With the rise of cryptocurrencies and the tech used to facilitate them, the blockchain is being studied for gambling applications. The future of gambling is likely to take place on the blockchain, where cryptocurrencies can replace chips and all transactions are transparent, anonymous, instantaneous, and cost everybody less.

Blockchain projects that use metaverses and other VR worlds allow for the possibility of digital casinos in the future too, staffed by real people but conducted anonymously and safely via cryptocurrency.