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Revenue Share vs. PPH Agency

2005-06-14T07:15:00.001-07:00

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

Dalton Wagner, Proprietor of V.O. Group, S.A. has recently found himself in the middle of a controversy between Revenue Sharing Sportsbooks and his Price Per Head Agency Concept. We had an opportunity to catch up with Dalton Wagner and discuss the issue on his last visit to Curacao.

Vegas Offshore: We hear that the Price Per Head offering you launched several months ago has landed you in some hot water?
Wagner: Yes, it appears that my Price Per Head Software offering has been a little too popular with onshore bookmakers and it is making my competition a little upset.

Vegas Offshore: Can you be a little more explicit?
Wagner: Several offshore bookmakers have lost relationships with their agents because my Price Per Head offering has lured them away and toward my offering. Specifically, several of the largest credit sportsbooks in Costa Rica have lost packages to me in the range of 500-1000 head apiece. And, they are not happy about it.

Vegas Offshore: Why are so many people leaving their agency relationships with credit sportsbooks?
Wagner: Well, in the old days an offshore sportsbook might partner with an onshore bookmaker. The deal was based on the onshore bookmaker finding the business and the offshore operator writing it and doing the accounting for a fee. The deal was typically 50%/50%. However, with my Price Per Head offering, I can offer the same offerings, but only charge the onshore bookmaker a nominal fee for using my service. The fact is that 50% is simply too much to charge an onshore bookmaker. I charge bookmakers a flat fee based on the number of head I am writing and let the bookmaker keep the rest of the money.

Vegas Offshore: Wait a minute. How can you afford to write the business for a simple fee when it historically cost 50%.
Wagner: The simple fact is that 50% of the revenue is ridiculous. I can charge a fee as little as $25 per head, per week and allow a client to have access to sports wagering, casino wagering and horse wagering – and, make a profit. Furthermore, we have written a software interface that allows agents onshore to manage their clients limits, run reports, etc. from any computer in the world. The offering is robust, efficient and simple to use. And, unfortunately for offshore sportsbooks that share in revenue, agents and bookmakers simply love it.

Vegas Offshore: Is the PPH product only based on sports wagering?
Wagner: 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: 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: Anything else you would like to add?
Wagner: Sure. If you’re a bookmaker onshore, call us or visit us online to learn how to save money and/or grow your business beyond your wildest dreams. The service is modestly priced, and we have never had a disgruntled user. The value proposition is simply huge for any bookmaker.

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.

Innovation In Bookmaking

2005-06-14T07:15:00.000-07:00

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.

State of the Offshore Gaming Industry

2005-06-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

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 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!

2005-03-15T05:41:00.000-08:00

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

2005-03-14T12:56:00.000-08:00

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.

Rules for Playing Craps Internet Poker Gambling and Casino Blackjack

2005-03-14T09:33:00.000-08:00

Rules for Playing Craps

Craps is an exciting, fast-paced dice game where players can place several of the best bets in the casino; yet new players are apt to shy away from the craps table because of the confusing number of different bets. The strategy to becoming a good craps player is to: 1. Learn the different bets on the craps table (Lesson 1).

2. Learn the good bets from the bad bets (Lesson 2).

3. Start with a basic beginner strategy (Lesson 3).

The Different Craps Bets

Pass Line A pass line bet is a bet placed before the come out roll (i.e. the first roll of the dice in a new craps round). A wager on the pass line wins immediately if the come out roll is 7 or 11 (naturals), and loses if the come out roll is 2, 3, or 12 (craps numbers). If any other number (4,5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled, that number becomes "the point." If the shooter rolls the point again before rolling a 7, your pass line bet wins. If the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the point again, your pass line bet loses.

Don't Pass Line A don't pass line bet is essentially the reverse of a pass line bet, and is also placed before the come out roll. If the shooter rolls 3 or 12 on the come out roll, a don't pass line bet wins immediately. If, however, the come out roll is 7 or 11, don't pass line bets lose. If the come out roll is 2, a don't pass line bet is returned to the player in a push. If the come out roll is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the point. Once the point has been established, don't pass line bets win if the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the point again. If the shooter rolls the point again before rolling a 7, don't pass line bets lose.

Come A come bet is placed before any roll of the dice, once a point has been established by the come out roll. Come bets win immediately if the shooter's next roll is 7 or 11, and lose if the roll is 2, 3, or 12. If the shooter rolls 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes "the come point." If the shooter rolls the come point again before rolling a 7, the come bet wins.

Don't Come A don't come bet is essentially the opposite of a come bet. Don't come bets win immediately when the shooter's next roll is 3 or 12, and lose if the roll is 7 or 11. If the shooter rolls a 2, the bet will be returned to the player in a push. After the come point is established, don't come bets win if 7 is rolled and lose if the come point is rolled.

Odds An odds bet is a "back up" bet on an original pass line, don't pass line, come, or don't come bet. Gold Club allows odds bets of three times your original bets.

Field A field bet is a bet that the next roll of the dice will be either 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12.

Big Six and Big Eight A big six bet is a bet that 6 will be rolled before 7. Likewise, a big eight bet is a bet that 8 will be rolled before 7.

Place Win A place win bet is a bet that either 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 will be rolled before a seven.

Place Lose A place lose bet is a bet that 7 will be rolled before either 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10.

Buy A buy bet is a bet that either 4, 6, 8, 9, or 10 will be rolled before 7. A vigorish (vig.) of 5% is charged when placing the buy bet.

Lay A lay bet is a bet that 7 will be rolled before 4, 6, 8, 9, or 10. A 5% vig. is charged when placing the lay bet.

Any 7 An "any 7" bet is a bet that the next roll of the dice will be 7.

Any 11 An "any 11" bet is a bet that the next roll of the dice will be 11.

Any Craps An "any craps" bet is a bet that the next roll of the dice will be 2, 3, or 12.

Horn A horn bet is a bet that the next roll of the dice will be either 2, 3, 11, or 12.

Hardway A hardway bet is a bet that the shooter will roll either a 4, 6, 8, or 10 as doubles (2+2, 3+3, 4+4, or 5+5) before rolling a 7. Rolling a number by doubles is said to be rolling the number "the hard way."

The Good from the Bad Bets

The variety of different bets that entice players at the craps table can be confusing. However, the way to come out a craps winner is to stick to bets with low house advantages. These bets have a maximum casino advantage of 1.4%, and are therefore "good bets:"

pass line

don't pass line

come

don't come

odds

place win 6 or 8

As the chart below reveals, the casino advantage varies for all the different types of bets. Your best bet is taking odds on your pass line, don't pass line, come, and don't come bets.

The Bet The Payoff Odds Casino Advantage

The Bet The Payoff Odds Pass Line 1 to 1

Don't Pass Line 1 to 1

Come 1 to 1

Don't Come 1 to 1

Pass Line, Come Odds 2 to 1 on 4 or 10

3 to 2 on 5 or 9

6 to 5 on 6 or 8

Don't Pass Line, Don't Come Odds 1 to 2 on 4 or 10

2 to 3 on 5 or 9

5 to 6 on 6 or 8

Field 1 to 1 on 3,4,9,10, or 11

2 to 1 on 2 or 12

Big 6, Big 8 1 to 1

Place Win 9 to 5 on 4 or 10

7 to 5 on 5 or 9

7 to 6 on 6 or 8

Place Lose 5 to 11 on 4 or 10

5 to 8 on 5 or 9

4 to 5 on 6 or 8

Buy

(A 5% vig. is charged to place a buy bet.)

2 to 1 on 4 or 10

3 to 2 on 5 or 9

6 to 5 on 6 or 8

Lay

(A 5% commission is charged on winnings.)

1 to 2 on 4 or 10

2 to 3 on 5 or 9

5 to 6 on 6 or 8

Any 7 4 to 1

Any 11 15 to 1

Any Craps 7 to 1

Horn 30 to 1 on 2 or 12

15 to 1 on 3 or 11

Hardway 7 to 1 on 4 or 10

9 to 1 on 6 or 8

Basic Beginner Strategies

Start on the Pass Line A good beginner strategy is to start with a minimum pass line bet, backed by single odds.

If the bets win, place a new pass line bet with double odds. Keep the amount of your original pass line bet (flat bet) the same, but increase the odds bet.

If those bets win, go for triple odds.

Don't increase your minimum flat bet on the pass line until you are winning. Then only increase it by 50% of your previous wager. If you lose, go back to the minimum flat bet.

Add a Come Bet When you are comfortable playing the pass line, you can add a minimum come bet with single odds. If you win, double and then triple your come odds.

Don't increase your minimum come bet (flat bet) until you are winning. Then only increase it by 50% of your previous wager. If you lose, go back to the minimum bet. Internet Poker Gambling and Casino Blackjack

Don't Pass Line and Don't Come Bets When you have gained experience by placing pass line and come bets, you can try don't pass line and don't come bets with odds.

Use the same betting strategy: wager the minimum bet with steadily increasing odds. After a win, you can increase your next flat bet by 50%. After a loss, you can wager a minimum flat bet.

Taking Odds vs. Laying Odds

You "take" odds on a pass line or come bet, but "lay" odds on a don't pass line or don't come bet. Laying odds on don't bets means that you have to wager more to win less since don't betters have an advantage once the point has been established.

Place Win on 6 or 8

Although the house advantage is relatively low on this bet, you should really only consider it when you are winning your pass line (or don't pass line) and come (or don't come) bets with odds, and the number 6 or 8 is not already covered by your bets.

Baccarat, The Game Internet Poker

2005-02-04T13:23:00.000-08:00

Baccarat, The Game

There is probably no other casino game so simple yet so seemingly aloof. There are two considerations for two main possibilities: where and how much? The rules are hard and fast, with the game moving at a pace that makes it easy to understand the strategies and outcomes. Compared to fast-action, multi-bet craps, baccarat moves at a snail’s pace. Thought of in a different light, this is a game of heads and tails, with one other wrinkle, the Tie. Internet Poker
There are only three choices on which to bet: Player, Banker, or Tie. The outcome of the game features no other options. Player offers odds of 1.23% and Banker odds 1.06%. There are subtle game variations, but this is how the game is played: eight decks are thoroughly shuffled by a dealer sitting in the middle of a large oval table with six to eight spots on either side.
The mathematics of the dictates the Banker hand will win 44.8% of the time, the Player hand will win 44.6%, with the Ties winning 9.6%. With Ties excluded, the Bank wins 50.7% as opposed to 49.3% for the Player. This difference accounts for the 5% commission commonly charged by the casino to offset the Banker’s winnings. Some casinos make the commission a bit more attractive at 4%, but that is usually a short-term promotion. The commission can be paid at any time during the game, but if it hasn’t been dealt with prior to the end of the game, after the last hand in the shoe is dealt, the dealer will ask that each player settle up. You may also be asked to pay if and when you leave the table for any reason.
Baccarat has rituals which are descended from the European games of “En Banque” or “Chemin de Fer.” In the traditional game, there can be up to three dealers, each responsible for a different function or table area. In most casinos, eight decks are employed with the cards shuffled then dealt from a shoe, beginning with an initial “burn” sequence similar to blackjack. The object of the game is to choose the side, “Banker” or “Player” which finishes closest to a total of 9, with 8 the next best possible hand. Two cards are drawn face down for Player and two for Banker, in this order, Player, Banker, Player Banker. Player’s cards are turned over or exposed first, then Banker. Tens and face cards or royals have a value of zero. An ace counts as one. If either side has a total of 9, or 8, with the two exposed cards, it is called a “natural” with 9 winning automatically and 8 if there is no nine on the other side. Failing this, one or two cards are drawn to decide each total. There are specific drawing rules for each set of circumstances with no option, the third card draw is quite specific.

The side closest to 9 wins, with casino chequess paid by the dealer equal to the amount initially bet. Remember on the Banker bet, a commission of 5% is charged if that side wins. In the case of a Tie, neither side wins, but if you had placed a bet in the Tie circle, the third option next to Banker or Player, you would be paid at an 8-1 ratio. The reason for these odds is that tie occurs approximately once in every 12 hands. An entire shoe can be dealt without a tie, or it can occur several times in a row, 3 or 4 different times.

When you consider the third card draw chart, it will be obvious Banker has many more options than Player, giving this side an advantage of 1.23%. The casinos elevate this to the 5% vig or commission. Again, the commission is paid upon the completion of each shoe, if not before. The betting ranges differ at each property, but as a general rule, full tables run $25-5000, minimum to maximum, and mini-bac tables $5-1,000. There are higher level tables available at certain properties, reserved for upper limit players who have been known to wager as much as $250,000 on the turn of a card. If you want to experience a real thrill, wander over to the high-roller pit (or area) and you will probably see more money bet on one hand than most folks make in a year.

The Standing and Third Card Draw Rules
The best and worst of all scenarios comes with the natural draw of an 8 or 9. And, naturally, it all works out if you have bet that side, and doesn’t if you haven’t. As soon as the Player side, which opens first, draws a 9, the best the Banker side can hope for is to pull another 9 and thus tie or push. In this case, there are no winners or losers as far as Player/Banker goes. The winner here would be the person who bet Tie. Naturally,the worst thing that can happen is to draw a lovely 8 and a face card, only to have the Banker pull a 9 and a face. That is what we call a bad beat. Failing a natural 8 or 9 on the first draw, things get a little trickier, but they aren’t that difficult to figure. First let’s look at the card values:
Aces=1 (not 1 or 11 as in blackjack) Cards with denominations of 2-9 are equal to their face values. Tens and face cards (the royals, Jack, Queen, King)=0 (baccarat!) Naturals can consist of any combination of cards making 8 or 9, ex. Ace + 7=8; 4 + 5=9, etc. Lacking a natural on any draw, there are third card draw rules which are strictly adhered which offer no options or possibilities of drawing and standing by the player on either side. The following rules help give the game its simplicity:
On the Player’s Side First Two Card Totals Player side must: 1,2,3,4,5,10 = Draw 6,7 = Stand 8,9 = Natural (No draw, Banker cannot draw)
On the Banker’s Side
First Two Card Totals Banker must draw if player shows: Banker does not draw when Player draws:3 = 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10 8 4 = 2,3,4,5,6,7 1,8,9,10 5 = 4,5,6,,7 1,2,3,8,9,10 6 = 6,7 1,2,3,4,5,8,9,10 7 = always stands always stands 8,9 = Natural (Player cannot draw)
These rules contain one exception: if player takes no card (stands on 6,7), then the banker stands on 6.

One thing should be obvious from these hard and fast rules: the Banker has a great deal more options than Player. This translates into a 1.8% advantage for betting Banker, but the casinos, in their infinite search for profits, round this figure off to a full 5%. These commissions are maintained by the dealers and each player is held accountable by the end of play on each shoe, unless previous arrangements have been made.
The Waiting Game and Betting Options

The beauty of baccarat lies in its simplicity. Once again, there are two choices: which side to bet, and how much. Three if you want to count tie, and four if you add that you may not want to bet at all. This is also another fine feature of the game, unlike blackjack, where you will incur the wrath of other players as well as the dealer and the floor supervisor by jumping in and out. In baccarat, this is a commonly practiced procedure. Many baccarat veterans chose to use this facet of the game to their advantage. They employ a patient approach, choosing to wait until there is an opportunity or perceived advantage. Some will wait until at least 10-15 hands have been played to consider any emerging trends. Another fine feature of baccarat is the fact that you are permitted to bet any amount from the table minimum to maximum or anything in between on a regular basis without any problems. This is not often the case for blackjack, where jumping your bet wildly will often bring scrutiny from floor supervisors. Please refer to the money management section for more detailed information.

ROULETTE BETTING INTERNET POKER

2005-02-04T09:21:00.000-08:00

ROULETTE BETTING
The maximum allowable amounts for wagering on different spaces of the roulette layout will vary with each casino. Familiarize yourself with the limits before you place your bets and start to play. Fortunately, the process of roulette betting is not a complicated one, and unlike craps, you are given a good length of time at the table to choose where you want to lay your money down. It's important to note too that most of the major land casinos will up their maximum betting limits at the sight of a high roller. Internet poker
There are two types of betting you can play at the roulette wheel - outside bets and the inside bets. You are required to play the table minimum at least on each of your outside bets; on inside roulette betting, the total of all of your bets must meet or exceed the table minimum. This bit of information is just about all you need to know in order to jump right into some fast, fun, online roulette betting action. Internet poker
AMERICAN ROULETTE
American Roulette is played using a wheel that consists of thirty-eight slots, each with its own number. The numbers on the American roulette wheel are 1 to 36, 0, and 00. The numbers alternate pairs of odd numbers with pairs of even numbers. The numbers also alternate between black and red. Both the 0 and 00 slots are green in color. A dealer (also known as a croupier) spins the wheel in one direction and then rolls a small ball in the other direction. The ball then drops into one of the slots as it begins to slow down.
The American roulette table is designed so that the numbers, not including 0 and 00, are lined up into three columns, each of twelve numbers, the first row is 1,2,3; the second row is 4,5,6 and so on. The rest of the table is devoted to the myriad bets the game entails. Betting is broken down into two major categories, inside bets and outside bets. There is no limit to the number of bets one can play.
FRENCH ROULETTE
The French roulette wheel has 36 numbers, and only the single zero, unlike the American roulette wheel which also has the numbers 1 to 36 but with two zeros (0 and 00). That aside, French roulette is very similar to American roulette. The numbers on the roulette wheel alternate pairs of odd numbers with pairs of even numbers. The numbers also alternate between black and red. Both the 0 and 00 slots are green in color. A dealer, or croupier spins the wheel in one direction and then rolls a small ball in the other direction. The ball then drops into one of the slots as it begins to slow down. Internet poker
The French roulette wheel is found mostly in Europe and South American casinos and is seldom seen in the U.S.A. Playing French roulette offers a much more attractive house edge (because there is one less 0 slot). Roulette has in effect failed to achieve the same degree of popularity in America as its achieved in Europe simply because the house edge is much higher in the American version. Playing the single zero French roulette wheels can cut the house edge of roulette in half so it's always your better option if you have the choice.
ADULT ROULETTE LIVE
Many casinos have recently taken the bold step of introducing what's probably the most exciting new development in online gaming - interactive online casino games with real live dealers where you can play adult roulette live!
It's really simple to do, and all you need in order to play it for real is to be a registered Online Casino player. Download their software and try it out. When you play their adult roulette game, the beautiful face of a dealer that looks more like she should be on a video or photo shoot for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Mag will greet you. For the full time that you play, she or another beauty will be streamed live via video to your screen and you will see them as they drop the ball, spin the wheel and call the numbers. In two words, it's "simply amazing" and you've got to try it out for yourself!
Playing adult games such as roulette and blackjack live and in real time is undoubtedly the next phase and the future of online gaming and interactive fun.
Remember, in order to play for regular fun, you should also try our own free roulette game. Simply click the "Play Our Free Games" image that's located beside the pretty dancing girl in red to the top left of your screen and our casino game window will load. Sign up to play for free and we'll give you 1,000 free points to start you off. Once you're in, you can talk to other roulette players in the integrated chat room that comes with our games, or you can even create your own personal and private chat rooms where you can basically play and chat up a storm with the people you choose.
FREE ROULETTE SYSTEMS
Diodoro roulette systems
Diodoro has researched and developed statistics based free roulette systems for French Roulette (one zero wheel) and American Roulette (double zero wheel). All his roulette systems are mainly based on the Law of the Third and on others statistics theories. His is a high technical research, oriented to collectors, researchers and professional roulette gamblers.
3738 Free roulette systems
There are NO systems for sale here. There are no requests for payment for anything here. This site is free, but your input for the benefit of fellow gamblers will be greatly appreciated. The 'holy grail' is not to be found here. Just the usual roulette information with explanation of tried and mostly failed systems from the past and present.
Roulette systems for free
Everybody who sells a roulette system nowadays, often for a few thousand marks, tries to convince the buyer that his roulette system is infallible. Unfortunately, most roulette systems are not what they were promised to be. Only in a real game the chaff is separated from the wheat. That's why some promising roulette systems are presented here. These roulette systems are discussed in a forum where you can also talk with others about your experiences. Interesting roulette systems can be modified and extended. Moreover, everybody can publish interesting roulette systems on this website without charge.
ROULETTE TIPS
As an intelligent roulette player, you will try to make a series of predetermined bets rather than betting "all over the table". Always try to be consistent in your betting system
Part of the pleasure of roulette is to bet on your own or your loved ones' birth dates, dates of significance, athletes' jersey numbers, number of days that you've been married or any other lucky digits. Make sure you reserve some time and money for those special bets. After all, it can't be all about the money, and you just might get lucky!
Playing American roulette is not a terrific option. The standard house edge for American roulette is much higher than for French/European roulette, so it suits you to try and find a single zero roulette wheel (if available)
The modern roulette wheel is completely random, and a so-called streak can begin and end on any one number. Just about anyone that thinks they can predict the next series of numbers exactly is being quite foolish
Practice smart money management. Ensure that you have a decent enough bankroll to carry you through whatever losing streaks you may experience from time to time

Black Jack History Internet Poker

2005-02-04T07:31:00.000-08:00

Black Jack History

Black Jack originated in French casinos around 1700 where it was called "vingt-et-un" ("twenty-and-one") and has been played in the U.S. since the 1800's. Black Jack is named as such because if a player got a Jack of Spades and an Ace of Spades as the first two cards (Spade being the color black of course), the player was additionally remunerated. Internet Poker
The game was christened 'Black Jack' because if a player held a Jack of Spades and an Ace of Spades as the first two cards, the player was paid out extra. So with Spades being black and Jack being a vital card - black jack was born!
Gambling was legal out West from the 1850's to 1910, at which time Nevada made it a felony to operate a gambling game. Internet Poker. In 1931, Nevada re-legalized casino gambling where black jack became one of the primary games of chance offered to gamblers. As some of you may recall, 1978 was the year casino gambling was legalized in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The first recognized effort to apply mathematics to Black Jack was recorded in 1956, when Roger Baldwin published a paper in the Journal of the American Statistical Association entitled "The Optimum Strategy in black jack". In 1962 Professor Edward O. Thorp refined basic strategy and developed the first card counting techniques. He published his results in a book that became so popular that for a week in 1963 it was on the New York Times best-seller list "Beat the Dealer".
Because of this book a number of casinos changed their black jack rules, giving themselves an even greater advantage than they had previously enjoyed. But this didn't last for long, because people protested by refusing to play the game with the unfavorable rules, casinos quickly responded by going back to the original rules.
Over the next few years, more books and more systems devoted to winning black jack were published in fact some proposed to provide enough information to allow the reader to live off the profits of their efforts, publications such as Lawrence Revere's "Playing black jack As A Business" and Stanley Roberts' also helped to share the wealth with his winning systems in his book "Winning black jack". Soon black jack began to compete with craps as the most popular casino game in the state of Nevada.
In the 1970's computers which could perform a million-hand Black Jack simulations allowed players to produce sophisticated game strategies and many scientists, mathematicians, university professors, and other intellectuals began writing books on the game. Soon it became evident that Casinos were afraid that scientific, computer-devised systems would have harmful effect on their potential profits, and many changed their games from single deck to multiple-deck games in the 1970's to counteract the computer strategies.
A living legend of the period indeed worth mentioning was Ken Uston, who used five computers that were built into the shoes of members of his playing team in 1977. The gamblers won over a hundred thousand dollars in a very short time, but one of the computers was confiscated and sent to the FBI. The FBI experts concluded that the computer used public information on Black Jack playing and was not a cheating device. As a result of his astounding success, Uston was barred from at least seven of the major Las Vegas casinos and sued them for violating his civil rights. He was found dead in a rented apartment in Paris in 1987, the cause of death remaining undetermined.

Why Play Internet Poker?

2005-01-28T08:41:00.000-08:00

Why Play Internet Poker?

Aside from just enjoying the game, why should anyone play poker for money? The answer is a blank for most people, and in a nutshell that is the reason some other people should play the game. Poker is a game where study, deliberately trying to improve and hard work pay off. There is no poker equivalent of taking golf lessons that make some aspect of your game better but that screw up those few things you currently do well. The only close parallel in the cumulative learning process involved in poker is something like once you learn how to successfully bluff you have to still maintain patience and not try to bluff every single hand.

But beyond the most basic levels, improving as a poker player is usually quite difficult. Evidence of this can be found by observing the mass of players. It is really easy to say "going on tilt is bad, so don't do it." But not one player in ten manages to keep tilt to a trivial level. Somehow in the rest of their lives people are able to handle equally obvious concepts: don't lick frozen lampposts; don't put your hand on a stove burner; don't wear your clothes inside-out. But when it comes to poker, they simply can't prevent their anger, machismo and stubbornness from governing their play.But more to the point, most players simply refuse to accept that poker is a difficult, complex game that requires much from them.Believing in ghosts and fairies is easier than doing the hard work needed to win. Saying "change the deck" is easier than studying opponent's tendencies and adapting your play to their strengths and weaknesses. Crying, whining, blaming dealers, flinging cards or saying the game is rigged, these exist in the poker world because they are easier to do than studying and having patience.Even among somewhat more thoughtful players, the lust for shortcuts overwhelms them. They crave easy answers to complex problems. They want to be told an answer rather than learn it -- despite the fact that phantom knowledge does not bring success.One common question shortcut players ask about Texas Holdem or Omaha is: "what percentage of hands should I play before the flop?" This is akin to asking: "what should I wear?" Well, for what? Are you going to a wedding or a digging a ditch? Are you in the Amazon or the Antarctic? The question alone isn't just pointless, it's ridiculous.Some games are loose and aggressive; others are tight and passive. Some games feature seven solid opponents and one looney-tune donator. Then you get to more specific circumstances. The percentage of hands you play third under the gun with a super-tight rock in the big blind will be different that the percentage of hands you play when an outstanding loose-aggressive player is in the big blind.

Don't misunderstand. I'm not talking about "it depends." I'm talking about the process of poker. Each circumstance and judgment you face in a poker game is an opportunity to exercise thoughtful decisionmaking and data processing. And so, you should play poker for money if you like to do that! Players who want to follow the rules or thought-processes set out by others, even outstanding players, are not playing poker so much as pretending to play poker. Poker is a battle of wits, intellects, of nerve. In short, winning poker is a challenge. Play poker to win if you like a challenge (and not coincidentally, money). Players who seek to avoid challenge do not succeed. Sir Edmund Hillary did not take a helicopter to the top of Mount Everest. Great explorers explore, and so do great poker players.

Draw Jacks-or-Better General Rules Internet Poker

2005-01-27T15:14:00.000-08:00

Draw Jacks-or-Better General Rules
There are two betting rounds, one before the draw and one after the draw. The internet poker game is played with a button and an ante. Players in turn may check, open for the minimum, or open with a raise. After the first betting round the players have the opportunity to draw new cards to replace the ones they discard. Action after the draw starts with the opener, or next player proceeding clockwise if the opener has folded. The betting limit after the draw is twice the amount of the betting limit before the draw. RULES OF JACKS-OR-BETTER 1. A pair of jacks or better is required to open the pot. If no player opens the pot, the button moves forward and each player must ante again, unless the limit of antes has been reached for that particular game. (Most games allow three consecutive deals before anteing stops.) 2. If the opener should show false openers before the draw, any other active player has the opportunity to declare the pot opened. However, any player who originally passed openers is not eligible to declare the pot open. The false opener has a dead hand and the opening bet stays in the pot. Any other bet placed in the pot by the opener may be withdrawn, provided the action before the draw is not completed. If no other player declares the pot open, all bets are returned except the opener’s first bet. The first bet and antes will remain in the pot, and all players who were involved in that hand are entitled to play the next hand after anteing again. 3. Any player who has legally declared the pot opened must prove openers in order to win the pot. 4. In all cases, the pot will play (even if the opener shows or declares a fouled hand) if there has been a raise, two or more players call the opening bet, or all action is completed before the draw. 5. Even if you are all in for just the ante (or part of the ante), you may declare the pot open if you have openers. If you are all in and falsely declare the pot open, you will lose the ante money and may not continue to play on any subsequent deals until a winner is determined. Even if you buy in again, you must wait until the pot has been legally opened and someone else has won it before you can resume playing. 6. Once action has been completed before the draw, the opener may not withdraw any bets, whether or not the hand contains openers. 7. An opener may be allowed to retrieve a discarded hand to prove openers, at management’s discretion. 8. Any player may request that the opener retain the opening hand and show it after the winner of the pot has been determined. 9. You may split openers, but you must declare that you are splitting and place all discards under a chip to be exposed by the dealer after the completion of the hand. If you declare that you are splitting openers, but it is determined that you could not possibly have had openers when your final hand is compared with your discards, you will lose the pot. 10. You are not splitting openers if you retain openers. If you begin with the ace, joker, king, queen of spades, and the ten of clubs, you are not splitting if you throw the ten of clubs away. You are breaking a straight to draw to a royal flush, and in doing so, you have retained openers (ace-joker for two aces). 11. After the draw, if you call the opener’s bet and cannot beat openers, you will not get your bet back. (You have received information about opener’s hand that is not free.)

internet poker

2005-01-25T09:31:00.000-08:00

internet poker