General Archive

If you are like many online casino players, you also like to bet on sports from time to time. With the 2015 NFL season starting this Sunday, you can bet on the NFL at some of the best USA online casinos available. One of our recommended online casinos in particular is a great place to bet on NFL games as well as enjoy all your favorite online casino games, slots and video poker machines.

If you want to bet the NFL we highly recommend the BetOnline Casino. The BetOnline Casino is one of our top rated USA online casinos but also offers one of the best USA online sportsbooks. in fact, BetOnline actually started as an online sportsbook and then later opened its casino and then even an online poker room.

You can see our BetOnline Casino review for all the information regarding the online casino but we also want to highlight some of the features offered by the online sportsbook. The BetOnline Sportsbook offers wagering on every major sporting event and is one of the top recommended online sportsbooks. You can access the sportsbook online as well as by phone and you can use the same account as you use for playing at the casino. If you already have an account at BetOnline for the casino you can use the sportsbook immediately. If you do not have an account at BetOnline yet, simply sign up and gain access to the sportsbook, casino and poker room all from the same account.

BetOnline has been in business since 2001 and is one of the best USA online gaming destinations available. The offer a full slate of NFL and college football games to bet on as well as all the other sporting events you would expect to find at a full service sportsbook.

BetOnline welcomes USA players and they have outstanding USA banking options. They accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards and get all credit card deposits approved easily. If for some reason your credit card does not get approved at BetOnline, they offer other credit card alternatives as well as accept cash transfers.

When you want to make a withdraw you can do so by bank wore, check or cash transfer and BetOnline has some of the fastest withdraws in the industry. If you need your winnings quickly you can request a cash transfer and have your cash pickup details in as little as 24 hours.

If you want to bet the NFL at a USA online casino, BetOnline really is your best choice. Get started by using any of our links in our BetOnline Casino review and start betting on the NFL as well as enjoy all the features of a top online casino. By signing up at BetOnline you have a one stop operation for all your online gaming needs. There are other online casinos with sportsbooks but BetOnline is our top choice. They are know as one of the top safe online casinos available to USA players and their sportsbook gets very high marks from sports betters.

Card counting is in some ways the Holy Grail of the casino and gambling world: a genuine system that gives you a true edge and tips the odds in your favor, meaning that in the long term the player, not the casino, has the advantage.

Card counting is possible in blackjack unlike most casino games, roulette being the most obvious example, what has happened previously in roulette has no bearing on what will happen next. If red comes up 10 times in a row on roulette, the chances of the next spin being black (or red, or zero for that matter) remain the same as they always were.

However, in blackjack, previous cards do have an impact on what is to come, or at least that was certainly true in bricks and mortar casinos that used a traditional eight decks that were shuffled manually.

Card counting revolves around the central point that a pack stacked with high cards (10s and aces) is beneficial to the player, because it gives them the best chance of hitting blackjack whilst making it more likely the dealer will bust (as they have to hit on less than 17).

Players keep a running count of the high and low cards that have already been dealt in order to assess whether the state of the remaining cards is favorable or not. By betting big when the deck is full of high cards and betting less when it is less favorable, card counters can overcome the small house edge that exists in blackjack and actually have a positive expectation from their play. In simple terms, the player not the casino wins in the long term.

Unfortunately casinos have taken a number of measures to combat card counting. Card counting is legal and while casinos can always refuse to allow certain players to play, it remains in their interests to make counting cards impossible or at least reduce its efficacy.

Casinos may use continuous shuffling machines (online and offline) to negate the benefits of card counting, while in real world casinos fast dealing, distracting players by talking to them and using software to spot card counters are all well known tactics. Equally shuffling the cards earlier into the deck reduces the benefits of card counting. So while card counting does work, the casinos certainly don’t make it easy for the counters!

Unfortunately card counting is not a realistic strategy when playing blackjack online. When you play blackjack online you have no idea what the software is doing to the cards. Are they shuffling them after every hand? Shuffling after every 10 hands? Using an 8 deck shoe? You have no way of knowing when playing online so we do not recommend trying to count cards when playing at a USA online casino. In fact many online casinos use a constant shuffle meaning the cards are in fact shuffled after every hand, making counting cards irrelevant.

Basic strategy is a must for anyone who plays blackjack, be that with friends, at a USA online casino or at a bricks and mortar casino. Quite simply, basic strategy is the only way to play blackjack if you care about the nickels and dimes – and dollars!

Basic strategy is the name given to the method of playing blackjack that gives players the best mathematical chance of winning. Basic strategy, which is usually expressed as a chart, tells you precisely what decision to make in any given situation in blackjack and applies equally to online blackjack, mobile blackjack and indeed any form of the great casino card game.

Basic strategy tells you, based on the value of your two cards and the dealer’s one revealed card, whether you should hit, stand, split, double, surrender or take insurance. Some of those decisions are easy – never take insurance; always, and we do mean always, split eights – but others are more complex: for example should you hit a soft 18 to a dealer showing a nine (the answer is yes, assuming standard rules apply and four to eight decks are being used)?

Basic strategy, which was “invented” by four keen minds who were serving in the US army at the time, varies according to the precise rule variants the casino you are playing in uses but in general most decisions remain the same. It’s easy to find basic strategy charts and when you’re playing at an online blackjack site, referring to the guide is a quick and easy way to give yourself the best odds of winning.

Any blackjack ruleset has a house edge but in order to achieve that house edge you MUST follow the rules of basic strategy. Whilst it may not always seem the right call, the fact is that basic strategy has been mathematically and scientifically tested and it really does give you the greatest chance of success.

Of course, when you hit on a 16 you may well bust and lose that individual hand, but over time you will win more hands by doing as basic strategy tells you than you will following your gut, listening to your friends or anything else. So, in short, if you like to play blackjack online and like winning, make basic strategy your new friend.

People play at US online casinos for different reasons but winning is important to all of them. Even players who play for fun must have at least one eye on making a profit because there isn’t much fun in losing every time you hit the slots or tables. A staking plan is essential for a serious casino player but even for those who just like a few spins of the roulette wheel it can help them make a profit and, also, help them avoid making any big losses.

The Martingale System is one of the most famous casino staking plans around and is usually applied to roulette (betting on colors) but can be used for other games. In theory it is risk free but, as discussed in our Martingale feature not even the best US online casinos offer the conditions needed for the theory to come even close to working in practice.

Martingale is, however, a form of negative progression staking, which means as you lose bets, you increase the stake. The idea here is to recover former losses but as a general rule we advise against any negative progression system, including Martingale, Grand Martingale and the less well known D’Alembert. They amount to chasing losses and also mean you are betting your highest when your finances are weakest and it doesn’t take a casino genius to figure out that neither of these things are too wise.

The opposite sort of system sees you increase stakes when you are winning and this is certainly preferable. In some games, for example blackjack, where what has gone before can affect the future probabilities, there could even be a sound argument for this, but at the very least it holds some value because your stake is remaining, to a degree at least, proportionate to your bankroll. However, it’s all too easy to get greedy and knowing when to stop is vital, as it’s very easy for a profit to turn to a loss with big bets.

Our preferred staking plan for all online casino games is a level stakes system. Take your bank, divide it by the number of hands/spins you would see as the minimum required to have a decent session playing and then simply wager that amount on each hand, spin or roll. This system guarantees you avoid any huge losses and that you stick to a budget – two things crucial to enjoyable and successful casino play. So the next time you play at a USA online casino keep this in mind so you have the best chances of winning by the end of your gaming session.

Martingale is a staking plan that is most closely associated with roulette but can actually be used for other popular US online casino games such as blackjack or baccarat. In fact, just about any bet that pays odds of evens or thereabouts and has a roughly 50% chance of success is suitable for Martingale.

What is the Martingale System?

The Martingale System is a negative progression staking plan. This means that after a losing bet you increase your stake. In the case of Martingale you double the stake after each loss, reverting to the base staking unit after any win.

Why is it so Popular?

The system, which was invented in France in the 1700s, remains popular to this day, with many players believing they have hit upon a foolproof way to make money that cannot lose. Because you double your stake, any win, even after a long string of losses, means you are in profit overall and so players believe they can always dig themselves out of any hole by doubling the stake until they win.

Does it Work?

The short and sweet answer is no, Martingale DOES NOT WORK. That is the case if, by work, we mean provide a risk free way to make money from online casino games such as roulette or blackjack, or other games available at the best US online casinos that have similar odds/payouts.

Why Martingale Doesn’t Work

Martingale cannot overcome the fact that in roulette the house has the advantage. The zero (never play double zero versions of roulette!) gives the casino an edge of 2.70% and whatever numbers you bet on and whatever stakes you use, in the long term that is what the casino will win from the player. All Martingale does is shift the pattern of winning and losing, such that you may have lots of small wins before one huge loss wipes them out… and then some.

If you had infinite time, money, stamina, courage and a casino with no limits, Martingale would work and you could always double your stake. However, in reality almost all players will hit a losing streak that means they run out of cash at some stage and are hit with a huge loss. This WILL happen and so our advice is simple – whether playing roulette or any other casino game, don’t use the Martingale System!

Playing at a great US online casino is fun but sometimes you might be too tired to play, not have the cash or just not be in the mood. So here are five great gambling movies that will let you get your casino kicks for free and give you all the gambling inspiration you’ll ever need!

Rounders

Rounders is probably the best movie ever made about poker and all gambling fans, whether you normally bet on sports, horses, poker or casino games, will love this gripping, stylish thriller. Starring Matt Damon, Edward Norton and John Malkovich, this 1998 gambling classic is a great mix of gambling fun, tense drama and slick action.

Casino

Poker is great, and Rounders will appeal to all gamblers, but we’re casino fans first and foremost and Casino simply has to merit a place on our list of top gambling movies. Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Oscar-nominated Sharon Stone, this 1995 movie shows the underbelly of Vegas in the 1970s and 1980s. There is some truly gruesome violence but plenty of sharp wit, tense action and more than enough gambling to get you itching to fire up your favorite online casino.

The Sting

The Sting is one of the very best movies ever in our opinion and this 1973 drama starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford fully deserves its spot on our list of gambling greats. The two screen giants play a pair of grifters and whilst not all the gambling is strictly legal – or ethical – this movie is great fun and brilliantly made, as you might expect from a picture which won seven Oscars!

Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Lock Stock, as it’s known, is the curveball on our list and this brilliant British movie, directed by Madonna’s former husband Guy Ritchie, is as much a comedy mobster film as a gambling one, but it’s so stylish and funny it has to be given a mention. Moral of the story: when you play cards against a corrupt mob boss, don’t play on his territory.

The Color of Money

Another movie directed by Scorsese and another starring Newman, this 1986 hit is a sequel to The Hustler, which could easily have made our top five too. The gambling is based around pool, with a young Tom Cruise playing a cocky hustler, and sharing great chemistry with his Oscar-winning older star in this hugely enjoyable gambling romp.

After reading this if you now have the “itch” to play see any of our top real money online casinos to play slots and table games. If you are low on cash take advantage of the casino bonuses offered by most of the USA online casinos listed here on our website. Our best USA online casino, Lucky Red, offers a huge 400% match bonus for slots so for as little as a $50 deposit you can be playing with $250.

Most of the best US online casinos are available to play on mobile devices such as cell phones and tablets. If you’ve never accessed your favorite casino games on a mobile device we’ve got news: you’re missing out. Sign up at a USA online casino and play any of the moble casino games and slots offered.

Mobile casinos have actually been around quite a long time but in the early days they were blighted by a variety of technical issues and so most people playing at online casinos in the US would use a desktop or laptop device. However, several changes in recent years have made mobile gaming and gambling increasingly attractive.

The casinos themselves have improved their software, meaning better and more mobile games, smoother graphics and gameplay and an all-round smoother player experience. At the same time, cell phones have become much more powerful, with most modern phones having more processing power than desktops of the not too distant past. Finally, access to 3G and 4G technology, as well as near-ubiquitous Wi-Fi availability, means that playing great slots, a few hands of blackjack or some roulette is possible just about anywhere.

Indeed, it is that last point that makes mobile casino so attractive. Subject to data access you can now be transported to Vegas – in spirit at least – in all the time it takes you to grab your cell. Within seconds, no matter what time of day or not, no matter where you are, you have a suite of casino games sat in the palm of your hand. Boredom really is a thing of the past and the ease of access offered by mobile casinos means that even if you have just a spare minute – in an ad break, whilst waiting for the kids or a friend – you can out it to good use and hopefully win some money too.

The world of mobile casinos continues to grow and as it gets more competitive we wouldn’t be surprised to see some US online casinos begin to offer mobile-only promotions, something that is already happening in the UK market.

With extra bonuses, unparalleled convenience and a smooth, seamless casino experience with graphics and sound to rival the main online versions of casinos, mobile casinos are becoming more and more popular. Why not join a new mobile casino today and see for yourself?

Whether you like blackjack or roulette, slots or poker and whether you like playing at a USA online casino, or one of the mega resorts in Las Vegas, there are some casino books you just have to read and here we’ve got five of the very best.

American Casino Guide

This great book by Steve Bourie covers a range of topics and is great for fans of almost all casino games, both online and in the “real” world. As well as a state by state guide to bricks and mortar casinos, money off vouchers and some great gambling tales, you also get advice from experts and pros. The book is suitable for beginners and casino veterans and is a great addition to any gambler’s bookshelf.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Gambling Like a Pro

This game guide, written by blackjack Hall of Famer Stanford Wong (and Susan Spector), is a great reference book that gives you full rules, house edge, strategy guide and loads more besides. It’s succinct and written in a way that makes it really easy to understand and is both a great starting point for casino newbies and a great guide for experts wanting to check any finer details.

Optimal Play

Whilst this feature is named “Books every casino fan should read”, in truth this one may be best left to the math experts as it may be quite tough going for others. However, for those interested in game theory, strategy and probability, and who are prepared to really think about things, this book has a LOT to offer.

The Winner’s Guide to Casino Gambling

Edwin Silberstang has a lot of information on seven major casino games and is a great resource for those wanting to give themselves a realistic chance of winning. Thorough and well-written, this book also includes four excellent chapters on casinos and gambling in general.

Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People

This is a romping great tale of the poker and gambling legend Amarillo Slim. His memoirs are a wonderful read and whilst much of the focus is on proposition betting, after some of the heavier reading on this list, this entertaining tome offers a little light relief for casino and gambling fans.

Okay, so if you think that’s enough READING about casinos and you’re ready to play, why don’t you check out one of the best USA real money online casinos and see what bonuses they have to welcome you with?