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Top 5 Pro Roulette Tips

May 2nd, 2009

A certain part of every gambling aficionado's brain is devoted to the fantasy of being a really accomplished roulette player. It's a sexy mental image to cling to: strutting confidently into some swank casino on the French Riviera, placing obscenely dangerous bets on the spin of the wheel and coming up winners time and again. Who wouldn't want to live out that kind of scenario?

Sadly, those scenarios are more often found in James Bond films than in real life. Roulette is a tricky and often tremendously punishing game of chance. Yet it continues to cast a powerful spell, as it always has. Derived from the French word for ″small wheel," roulette has a rich history and the style of game play has undergone remarkably few changes since its invention.

A croupier spins a wheel that has 37 or 38 separately numbered pockets where the ball must land. The main pockets are numbered from 1 to 36 and alternate between red and black, with number 1 being red. There is a green pocket numbered 0. Roulette wheels in the United States contain an additional compartment marked 00, also green. Whoever added the double-zero slot much have figured the French are just wimps.

If a player bets on a single number and wins, the payout is 35 to 1. The bet itself is returned, so in total it is multiplied by 36. A player has the freedom to bet on numbers, combinations, ranges, odds/evens and colors.

American roulette uses so-called "non-value" chips, meaning that all chips belonging to the same player are of the same value determined at the time of the purchase and the player cashes in the chips at the roulette table. European roulette uses standard casino chips of differing values as bets, which can make the game more confusing for both the croupier and the players. That's the old world for you.

As you embark on your secret mission toward success in the cruel world of the spinning roulette wheel, you may want to keep in mind the following tips:

1.) The house average or house edge is the amount the player loses relative to a bet, on average. If a player bets on a single number there is a probability of 1/38 that the player receives 36 times the bet (35 times the bet plus the return of the bet itself), so the player ends up, on average, losing 5.26% on each bet

2.) The hold is the total amount that the house wins from a player. While the house might have an edge of 5.26%, if a player keeps playing until his or her bankroll is exhausted, the house will enjoy a hold of 100%.

3.) Tiers (French for "the third") refers to the numbers which lie on the opposite side of the wheel between 27 and 33, including 27 and 33 themselves

4.) Voisins (which means "Neighbors") is a name for the numbers which lie between 22 and 25 on the wheel, including 22 and 25 themselves.

5.) Orphelins (yup, "Orphans") are numbers make up the two areas of the wheel outside the Tiers and Voisins. They contain a total of eight numbers, the Orphans comprising 17, 34, 6 and the Orphelins being 1, 20, 14, 31, 9.

Free Poker Games

May 1st, 2009

Free poker games are targeted at those players who want to master a few tricks of the trade. Though free poker games do not offer any extra benefit from the real poker game, the game is an excellent way to improve and master the poker.

The advantage of free poker games is that the dealer never takes a break, and if seats are available, then you can participate in that game. With the increase in the number of poker players, the takers for free poker games have also increased considerably. Free poker games provide an advantage to novice poker players, helping them learn how to play better and how to read player betting patterns, etc.

Real poker games have certain restrictions, like they can't tell a new player quite a lot about the game. However, free poker games can be tried as a learning step towards playing the real poker game. The Internet has the largest free poker selection available.

Try Internet-based casino gambling as a means to bet on the winners. "Hit or stand" is the most commonly used action in free poker. To hit or stand simply means whether or not to draw another card. Generally, doubling down is only available when a player is first dealt their free poker two cards.

Finally, every game is a matter of chance. In a free poker, the average hand becomes less important the more poker players there are. The poker player who knows the basic game rules and terms has a definite edge over his opponent poker player who is not confident.

Online Texas Holdem Tournaments- More Fun with Minimal Risks

April 29th, 2009

Online Texas holdem poker tournaments are much talked about poker events these days. These tournaments have added to the craze and popularity of online holdem poker. The increasing popularity of the online poker tournaments is on the account of the glamorous TV telecasts of online poker tournaments such as World Series of Poker and World Poker tour. The poker professionals have acquired the celebrity status and enjoy heightened media coverage. Thanks to enormous popularity of online Texas holdem poker tournaments.

Online Poker Tournaments- Have the Fun without Paying for It!

Online Texas holdem tournaments are a sure way to add more thrill and fun to your gaming experience when you play poker online. The biggest advantage of playing in an online holdem poker tournament is that you can win large amounts and have virtually unlimited fun by paying just of fraction of what you would risk otherwise playing regular casino games. Most of the online Texas holdem tournaments act as a satellite of huge prize money tournaments of WSOP (World Series of Poker), WPT (World Poker Tour) and other high profile poker tournaments. This means that you get a chance to enter and play in these tournaments by winning small prize money online holdem poker tournaments.

You have to pay the buy-in towards the prize pot and a small fee to play in an online Texas holdem poker tournament. The buy in if you play a typical online poker tournament is at $6 and fee is$1. The fee is the amount charged by the poker room for organizing the poker tournaments. All the players in an online Texas holdem poker’ tournament receive same amount of poker chips to play. The play goes on until the time one of the players wins all the chips of other players participating in that online holdem poker tournament. The player winning all the chips is the winner of online Texas holdem poker tournament and wins the prize pot. The prize pool money of online poker tournaments is divided among all the players who reach the final table of the online poker tournament. The winner of the tournament gets the lion’s share of the prize pot and all the runners-ups share the remaining amount.

Besides winning the prize pot, the winner is given a free entry in an online poker tournament with larger prize money and series of such wins can ensure you a berth in any of the televised poker tournaments with millions of dollars as prize money.

Free Online Slots

April 28th, 2009

Few are the gamblers who can resist the allure of playing slots online. Don't go looking for any hidden secret or mysterious source of the phenomenon, either. That's just a total waste of valuable time which you could be spending playing online slots. Some things in life are just so simple that no explanation is really required. The popularity of online slots certainly falls into this category. The same way that sunsets are beautiful, cold beer is refreshing, one sock will always get lost in the laundry, and the phone will always ring the moment you get in the tub… these are essential truths that we as a society have learned not to question, but rather to unquestioningly accept as part of the package of being human So it is with the unending appeal of online slots.

But where should you go to find the best slots available on the Internet? Now that, my friend, is a question worth asking. It's also a question that comes loaded with not one answer, but an extremely broad range of answers. It would take a volume as thick as the Beijing phone book to list all the great web sites offering slots these days, so rather than go for a shotgun approach, this article will direct its focus toward just a few of the better options.

7 Sultans Casino

This joint is a class act all the way, and it is known for having a ton of slot games to choose from. Powered by the awesome Microgaming software, the 7 Sultans collectively offer you a whopping 100 free slots online games to play. Included in that massive tally are five-line slots, nine-line slots and 15-line slots games, as well as nine progressive online slots with high jackpots. One of the most popular slot games at this casino has the catchy name of Genie's Gem, and another called Winning Wizards comes equipped with five payout lines. You can actually win up to $50,000 in a single spin. Also offered by 7 Sultans Casino are nine progressive online slots, plus one-line to five-reel slots. If you are looking for a variety of virtual slots games, 7 Sultans Casino deserves a slot a the very top of your list.

Slot-Player.com

This online casino was designed by people who love slots for people who love slots. Every aspect of the site is intended to provide you access to slot-playing resources and make you a better player. Be sure to try the some of the many free simulated games available here for download. It's a quick and easy way to get a feel for the different kinds of money games that can be enjoyed at this great site.

Break Away Casino

You can really break away to a zone of fun and excitement here. You will find nine-line slots, five-line slots, three-reel slots, traditional slots games, and bonus round slots games. That's quite a bounteous array of slot action, by just about anyone's measure.

Las Vegas - The World’s Number One Gambling Destination

April 24th, 2009

Las Vegas certainly lives up to its name as being the city of dreams. Walk along the many streets and see the bars and casinos, and let yourself become intoxicated with the lights, glamour and free drinks. Gambling in Las Vegas is all consuming because the idea is for you to gamble. Most importantly however, it is vitally important that you have fun. There are many types of gambling including slot machines and electronic versions of poker, blackjack and roulette that the avid gambler will thoroughly enjoy.

The casinos in Vegas usually turn in a profit of over a billion in a year, so if you feel lucky there can be copious amounts of money to be made but also a huge amount of money can be lost. As ever, poker is a huge favorite amongst many of the tourists that are gambling in Las Vegas and there are several casinos that will oblige their enthusiasm including Bellagios located on the Vegas strip. This is a city that was created for the serious business of gambling so much so that in any given street there are always temptations at your feet and if you have a lot of money on your person, you have to decide where you choose to double your money or lose it all, in the name of fun.

As well as the new electronic games that are on offer, you will also find the traditional slot machine games are still a favorite and because they all belong to a network and there are so many, the amount of money to be won is again massive. Megabuck is the main state-wide network has been known to pay out millions in jackpots over the years. Racing and sport bets continue to be a huge favorite amongst the customers so every aspect of betting you can think of is accounted for.

If poker is your favorite gambling pastime, O’Sheas does not have a poker room but they do have plenty of blackjack tables. Alternatively, Bellagio remains the hot favorite if you would like to become a world class poker player and win with straight odds.

Bankroll Management when Playing Texas Holdem Poker: How Much Do I Need?

April 24th, 2009

Because most of us simply do not have unlimited fund for play, and possibly lose, at the Holdem tables or any other gaming table, we must practice bankroll management. You probably have numerous questions about bankroll management in Holdem poker such as how much you should have in order to begin playing, strategies to determine your bankroll and the games you should place, how to use poker room bonus programs to build your bankroll and how to play in limit versus no limit games.

Let’s look at these questions and concerns one at a time. We will begin by studying how much your starting bankroll should total and which games you should choose to start.

A beginning bankroll should contain only those funds which are in your discretionary budget for entertainment. Never short your utility or home payments to build your bankroll to a large figure. There are no guarantees that any portion of your bankroll will return with you from the gaming tables. Sure, you could win big and double or triple your starting bankroll, but never count on gambling winnings as a source of income to pay your bills. It just isn’t smart playing strategy if you take any part of your crucial expense budget with which to wager.

Plan in your budget an amount of discretionary income earmarked as ″gambling entertainment funds″. These monies, no matter how large or small the sum that goes into this category, should be used only for your wagering purposes. If you win and add to the funds, your bankroll will last longer, perhaps growing sufficiently to add to next month’s budgeted bankroll. Or you can choose to keep your winnings in a difference fund to save for a purchase for you and your family.

The size of your beginning bankroll should be based on the games your select. If you are happy playing at $1/$2 limit Holdem tables, you can easily play with only $10 per hand. But if you want to get involved with $10/$20 games, you’ll need a much larger bankroll. Ideally, begin with a bankroll of $200 or more so you can play a while in the low limit games, and a bankroll of $600 or more if you like the high limit games. If you are a novice, the low limit games are the tables on which to practice and develop your skills.

Most online casinos offer a sign-up bonus program as well as rewards for repeat deposits to your players account or for referring a friend to signup and make a deposit. While these bonuses are great and can be used for actual play, be sure to read the terms and conditions to learn any restrictions placed on these bonuses such as withdrawal limitations when using these funds. Prepare to adhere to any special terms placed on your player bonuses. These funds can be used to build your bankroll and increase your playing funds.

Every player that is not in the advanced skill category should stick to limit games, going no further than pot limit games. The bets can rise to a level that is just too expensive for a less-than-expert Holdem player in the no limit games where any bet is acceptable. Unless you have unlimited wealth, betting $200 or more in a single bet just doesn’t make sense until you know every technique and trick to use to help you win. Don’t lose your shirt by betting outside your budget. Low limit games are just as much fun as no limit, inexpensive games. The thrill of winning the pot is just as big even if the amount of chips is smaller than in the big games.

Remember to always gamble responsibly. Part of gambling responsibly means that you determine how much you can easily afford to lose in the event you don’t have a lucky gaming session and stick with that bankroll, never going back for more funds. Don’t let the excitement of the game entice you to do something that isn’t smart and is potentially financially dangerous. This will let you keep the fun of the game going with none of the stress that players who don’t follow the bankroll suggestions experience all too often.

Because most of us simply do not have unlimited fund for play, and possibly lose, at the Holdem tables or any other gaming table, we must practice bankroll management. You probably have numerous questions about bankroll management in Holdem poker such as how much you should have in order to begin playing, strategies to determine your bankroll and the games you should place, how to use poker room bonus programs to build your bankroll and how to play in limit versus no limit games.

Let’s look at these questions and concerns one at a time. We will begin by studying how much your starting bankroll should total and which games you should choose to start.

A beginning bankroll should contain only those funds which are in your discretionary budget for entertainment. Never short your utility or home payments to build your bankroll to a large figure. There are no guarantees that any portion of your bankroll will return with you from the gaming tables. Sure, you could win big and double or triple your starting bankroll, but never count on gambling winnings as a source of income to pay your bills. It just isn’t smart playing strategy if you take any part of your crucial expense budget with which to wager.

Plan in your budget an amount of discretionary income earmarked as ″gambling entertainment funds″. These monies, no matter how large or small the sum that goes into this category, should be used only for your wagering purposes. If you win and add to the funds, your bankroll will last longer, perhaps growing sufficiently to add to next month’s budgeted bankroll. Or you can choose to keep your winnings in a difference fund to save for a purchase for you and your family.

The size of your beginning bankroll should be based on the games your select. If you are happy playing at $1/$2 limit Holdem tables, you can easily play with only $10 per hand. But if you want to get involved with $10/$20 games, you’ll need a much larger bankroll. Ideally, begin with a bankroll of $200 or more so you can play a while in the low limit games, and a bankroll of $600 or more if you like the high limit games. If you are a novice, the low limit games are the tables on which to practice and develop your skills.

Most online casinos offer a sign-up bonus program as well as rewards for repeat deposits to your players account or for referring a friend to signup and make a deposit. While these bonuses are great and can be used for actual play, be sure to read the terms and conditions to learn any restrictions placed on these bonuses such as withdrawal limitations when using these funds. Prepare to adhere to any special terms placed on your player bonuses. These funds can be used to build your bankroll and increase your playing funds.

Every player that is not in the advanced skill category should stick to limit games, going no further than pot limit games. The bets can rise to a level that is just too expensive for a less-than-expert Holdem player in the no limit games where any bet is acceptable. Unless you have unlimited wealth, betting $200 or more in a single bet just doesn’t make sense until you know every technique and trick to use to help you win. Don’t lose your shirt by betting outside your budget. Low limit games are just as much fun as no limit, inexpensive games. The thrill of winning the pot is just as big even if the amount of chips is smaller than in the big games.

Remember to always gamble responsibly. Part of gambling responsibly means that you determine how much you can easily afford to lose in the event you don’t have a lucky gaming session and stick with that bankroll, never going back for more funds. Don’t let the excitement of the game entice you to do something that isn’t smart and is potentially financially dangerous. This will let you keep the fun of the game going with none of the stress that players who don’t follow the bankroll suggestions experience all too often.

Learn How to Play Poker: Free Online Rules Guide

April 21st, 2009

If you are planning a trip to the casinos sometime soon, or are planning a night with friends and want to find a new game to play, it may be time to learn how to play poker. This traditional card game is a favorite at just about any casual get-together—if you've got a little time and even more cash. Here are some instructions and suggestions for how to play, as well as some sites where you will find more information on about learning how to play poker.

Before you actually start playing a real game, you need to learn how to play poker, thoroughly. There are several different forms of poker, but the basic rules are the same—each player contributes to the 'pot' which contains chips that represent real money, players are dealt a hand, and the cards are concealed or hidden from the other players and wagers or bets are made on the cards depending on their 'strength'. After all of the betting rounds are over, the player with the most cards after everyone else has folded, or the player with the strongest cards at the end of the game wins.

In order to know how to bet properly and create a strategy to win, you have to know which cards hold the most weight in a poker game. First, you should know the four suits, which are spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs. All these suits are of equal value. Then, there are the Ace, Queen, King, Jack, and Deuce. There are thirteen ranks using each of the four suites– the Ace is the highest, and the Deuce is the lowest.

The type of hand you have in poker is also the same no matter what type of poker you are playing. For instance, a royal flush occurs when all of the cards are in the same suite, and contain an Ace, Queen, King Jack and Deuce. A straight flush occurs when all the cards are in the same suite, but do not include the royal cards. You can also have four of a kind, or quads, where the cards are of equal rank and are four of a kind. A full house or full boat contains three cards of one rank and one card of another rank.

In order to place your bets for the poker game, the two players seated left of the dealer place blind bets before the game starts. The bets are considered 'blind' because none of the players has seen the cards yet. These bets insure that there will be some money in the pot to play with before the start of every game. After this, each player starts to place bets, and can call the bet (matching the amount in the pot), raise the amount in the bet, or fold by surrendering the cards and stake in the game.

If you want to know more about betting, how much to bet for each game, or the different varieties of poker; there are a number of online sites you can check out for a glossary and tips on how to be a better poker player. If you learn how to play poker before you start playing it live or online, then there will be less chances for you to lose. You will come to know the basic rules and all the necessary tricks to win when learn how to play poker.

Casino Games Mastering Software

April 18th, 2009

Casino online. How can computer programs help a player?

In real casinos the use of computers and different electronic facilities is forbidden (though some casinos allow to use, for example notebook PCs while playing the roulette). In on-line casinos the situation is quite different - the very game is played by using a computer, and it is very difficult to forbid the use the support programs here. A question arises whether a player is capable to get the advantage over casinos using computer programs.

Training programs: One of the most wide spread types of casino programs are training programs. A novice acquires an opportunity to practice the casino game, familiarize with rules, controls and possibilities of the game. Video-poker and BlackJack programs are devised to teach the basic strategy of the game. They give prompts if the player makes decisions different from optional decisions. If players wants they can find programs helping train the card counting. Therefore training programs will be of use both for on-line and off-line players.

Analyzing programs: The next type of programs are analyzing programs. Normally, such programs are developed for casino games with wide range of rules and basic strategy (for example for video-poker and Black Jack). The main aim of such programs is the calculation of mathematic expectation, dispersion and basic strategy of the game. Black Jack programs can provide coefficients for popular counting systems. Such programs infrequently have a training module or the represent a package together with a training program. Casinos analyzing programs also include analyzing programs of roulette strategies. In a sense, the program is that you set a supposed strategy of the game and the program generates several millions of spins and shows how much you lose- a useful thing for those who like ″never lose″ roulette strategies. As you can see analyzing programs are not less and probably even more useful for real casino players.

On-line Casino Game Helpers: The third type of programs which can be called ″On-line Casino Game Helpers″ is required only for Internet casinos. Within this type of statistics gathering programs were popular reading off data from the screen and providing these data to the player for analysis, however nowadays almost all on-line casinos provide statistics therefore there is no any necessity for such programs. Now programs still exist which provide recommendations in respect of game optimization. Simple programs have the basic strategy, more complex programs immediately recalculate an optimal strategy of Black Jack depending on the card out of the game, that is they automate the process of card counting. But in on-line casinos their use is limited, because the casinos usually shuffle cards after each deal.

On-line Casino ″Bots″: Finally, the fourth type of programs, again on-line programs, which includes ″Bots″ (a contracted form of ″robots″). Bots are designed to fully automate the process of playing, for that purpose they read off the information from the screen, make decisions in accordance with set program (usually based on the basic strategy) and emulate movements and pressing of the mouse button. On-line casinos are quite tolerant towards the programs of the first three types, however, the use of bots in all on-line casinos is forbidden. The problem is not that the program can outgame casinos- it might be possible only in casino games beneficial for the player which can be hardly found on-line. On-line casinos are rather afraid of bonus hunters because using a bot you can easily ″wash for″ bonuses flat bet day after day.

However, judging by unproved rumours the biggest gain of $1.2 mln in on-line casinos was acquired using a bot (the game on $10000 in Caribbean 21).

Programs of first three types are freely sold. On-line Casino ″Bots″ programmers usually write for their own purpose. There are people using their written robots for simple ″washing for″ bonuses following the basic strategy, although they do not intend to sell them- they are afraid of toughening measures on the part of casinos in case of frequent use of the bots.

As a matter of fact, one more type of programs exist which can be characterized in short as ″DECEPTION OF BUYERS″. If you see a program promising ″never lose″ roulette game (exact calculation of a falling number and manual control of a falling number) or cracking the casino server with accruing lots of money for you, pass by. At least will get nothing for your money and at most you will get the Trojan horse or lose relying on empty promises.

On-line Poker Programs: On-line poker programs are worth particular consideration. They include the programs of the four above mentioned types. Trainers exist enabling you to try to take on artificial intelligence (AI) of the program. At the same time some programs will advise you on the game optimization (at the extend as it is understood by the creators of the program). Analyzing programs exist calculating your chance for improving up to different combinations and running various simulations, for example they can compare the force of two aces and two twos. On-line casino helpers usually work with statistics. If earlier programs tried to gather statistics from the screen, now they import standard logs of poker rooms. Based on these logs information is provided in respect of the player and opponents. Your statistics can be analyzed when you have spare time finding negative points and the statistics on your opponents can be displayed on the screen while playing to optimise game decision making. Moreover programs exist gathering and providing information on players you have never played with and which are not included into your statistics, however, poker rooms started on cracking down on these programs. Quite often you can see the warning on poker room web sites:

Q. Can you give me a list of acceptable programs?

Poker room. This is a list of programs that we are aware of and permit:

1. GameTime+

2. Holdem Inspector

3. PokerAce Heads Up

4. PokerOffice

5. PokerTracker

6. PokerWeapon

7. Texas Calculatem

Q. Can you give me a list of programs which are prohibited?

Poker room. This is a list of programs that we are aware of and prohibit:

1. PokerEdge

2. PokerProphecy

3. StarSpy

4. WinHoldem

5. PokerSherlock

Poker bots exist and you can buy them but without an interface which will press buttons instead of you, however, experts make them quite easily. A bot championship with the prize fund of $100000 took place simultaneously with a recently ended WSOP tournament.

Although poker room bots are not desirable clients, poker rooms trying to crack down on them as well, and while improving poker bots fight against them will be tougher. The fact is that bots make the game less interesting for most players, sway of bots will result in giving up playing poker in Internet.

In general casino programs enable to minimize losses (in off-line even to pass to a beneficial game) and poker programs if used properly may considerably improve the game quality and make you a good plus player.

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Free Craps Casinos

April 18th, 2009

Pretty much everyone who's ever set foot inside a casino has caught the craps bug at least once. You should be able to freely admit if you fall into this broad category. There's no shame in it, even if you've never been able to win a single dollar playing craps. Heck, even if you had to refinance your house, sell your vintage motorcycle collection and send your kids to a bartending academy instead of the Ivy League schools they had their little hearts set on, there's still no shame.

(Upon closer review, the editors have determined that if that last sentence applies to your own experience, you actually do have a whole lot to be ashamed of. So go find an isolated patch of grass somewhere and hang your head. Shame on you.)

For those of you who are still here, I'd like to reiterate my basic premise that a huge majority of people who enjoy gambling have felt the itch to play craps at one point or another. It just makes sense, because craps is such a vital part of our cultural heritage at large. Think about some of the game's colloquialisms that have made it into everyday language: 'crapshoot,' 'on a roll,' 'snake eyes,' 'no dice,' 'crap out,' and 'the hard way' are among the most prevalent.

So getting back to the primary focus of this article, what do you do if you don't have much money to spare but still need to satisfy your craving for some online craps? If that's all you're worried about, what you want to do right now is take a deep breath and put your mind at ease. Just check out a few of these web sites listed below, all of which are well-known in gambling circles for offering some of the best free craps in all of cyberspace.

Vegas Towers Casino

You know that the craps action is always hot it Vegas, and this site captures all the magic and excitement of that incredible town. Lots of free craps options, and just an outstanding reputation for customer service should earn this site a place at the top of your list.

Phoenician Casino

This is hands-down one of the most impressive web sites online, offering a wide array of free games, including craps. Using the latest Viper software from Microgaming, it creates a type of virtual gaming experience that few other sites can match.

Desert Dollar Online Casino

Here you'll immediately get $25 right off the bat, plus a solid 150% match bonus up to $90. That's what the Desert Dollar gambling experience is all about. When you factor in the great craps opportunities found here, it becomes clear this is a solid way to start your hot streak!

Platinum Play Online Casino

Maximize your online craps experience right here, any time of day or night. At Platinum Play Online Casino, you'll get a 200% match bonus of up to $100 on your first deposit up to $50. When it comes to getting the most enjoyment out of playing craps for free on the internet, you just can't go wrong here.

Differences in Offline and Online Poker Etiquette

April 16th, 2009

There are many distinctions between online poker and live casino poker, also called B&M or "Brick and Mortar" poker. Are the rules of the game any different? No, but there are some matters you should keep in mind when transferring your virtual chips onto real life felt or vice versa.

1. Tips

Online, you don't give any. It's one of the big advantages of online play and one reason some pros prefer the internet to B&M. If you do play in a B&M casino, you should know what's expected. Most people tip whenever they win a pot. The amount varies depending on the stakes of the game you are playing but it's usually in the neighborhood of a dollar. Professional player Mike Caro feels this penalizes looser players since, due to the fact that they pay more pots, they win more pots and therefore tip more. If you feel you are this type of player, he advocates giving the dealer a set amount as a tip as soon as they sit down to deal, making it clear that you tip in advance and not per pot. Typically though, throwing the dealer fifty cents or a dollar when you win a pot is the accepted practice. Some players like to tip more if they win a big pot or caught some miraculous draw. You are certainly not obligated to tip and no one should give you a hard time if you don't, but they might and you'll probably generate some good will from the dealer and the other players who are tipping if you do. The other casino personnel, cocktail waitresses, chip runners, floor people etc, also appreciate a tip for good service.

2. Eating and Drinking

Well, you know it's okay at home online, but guess what? It's okay at the casino, too! In a traditional Las Vegas casino where poker is only a small section of the games offered, you won't see too much eating at the table, but drinking is no problem (although if you are drinking, your bankroll will thank you if you stay away from the alcoholic stuff). At Card Clubs that cater primarily to poker players, eating at the table is commonplace (not on the table, there are side tables for this purpose). If you are at a casino that features food service, there are just a couple of things to remember. One, don't slow up the game. If you can't put down your sandwich (which was actually invented so one could eat and play cards at the same time) to act on your hand, ask for an "out" button and put off playing until you're finished. If you can walk and chew gum at the same time, feel free to keep playing (but keep in mind that if you stop eating a good meal to get involved in a hand, people are probably going to suspect you have something good). Also, be sure to wipe your hands before touching your cards. No one likes to pick up their cards and get a handful of grease along with them.

3. Language

Online, there is generally a convenient filter that replaces your expletive with some nice non-confrontational asterisks. Of course, a live game can offer no such protection. Make an effort to control your language when playing in a B&M casino. The "F-word" is particularly frowned upon and in some casinos you may be required to step away from the table when you use it. A popular tournament rule in effect these days requires a time penalty for using the "F-word," so it can prove to be both rude and expensive.

4. Playing naked

Okay online, big no-no at the B&M casino. But you knew that one already, didn't you?