Every video poker player dreams of finding a hot machine. Is it possible to know when video poker machines are hot – or when they are about to get hot?

This article explores the topic. 

Contents

1. The claims
2. How video poker games work – the RNG
3. What “random” means
4. What “Hot” and “Due” mean
5. The missing factor
6. Summary

The claims

It is not just video poker players  who yearn to find hot games. Indeed, every casino player is searching for the same thing. 

Slot machine executives do whatever they can to sell the idea that the games at their casino are winners. Here is a brilliant way to accomplish that goal.

Put signs on certain machines, maybe 10 or 15 percent of the machines on the casino floor saying: “Hot machine!” if the machine has hit jackpots – or had several large payouts in the last several days to a week. 

However, a machine that was cold the previous few days to a week, gets a sign that reads: “This machine is due!” 

This strategy appeals to both types of gamblers – those who believe trends continue and those who believe trends flip-flop. The former type of gambler will play the “hot” machine believing he or she will cash in on the hot streak. The latter will play the “due” machine believing the streak is about to change.

How video poker games work – the RNG

Video poker games – along with virtually every machine-based casino game – is driven by a programmed routine called a random number generator or RNG. This routine rapidly generates a series of numbers which are then translated into the cards in the hand.

These numbers (and therefore cards that are dealt based on them) are not truly random since they are program generated. They are close enough, however, to pass gaming commission standards for randomness.

What “random” means

According to Wikipedia, “randomness is the apparent or actual lack of definite pattern or predictability in information.” 

Random means there is no pattern. Random means no predictability.

What “Hot” and “Due” mean

It is apparent that there are streaks in video poker. There are hot streaks and there are cold streaks. There are also what I call mixed streaks – those times when hands generally alternate between winners and losers. These streaks are all observable.

Yes, video poker – and gambling in general – has streaks. Hot streaks are when players are winning most of the hands they play. 

After a player has a prolonged losing streak on a machine, they feel the machine is due since there has been a dearth of winners. They know that streaks are a fact. They also know that streaks tend to even each other out – to a certain degree.

*** If this article interests you, keep reading. Alternatively, explore other topics like how to win at slots, blackjack strategy, and roulette strategy. ***

The missing factor

Gamblers know when they are having a “hot” streak. They know when they are having cold streaks. They also know that at some point in time, a cold streak is “due” to change.

They know this both by experience and by the fact that things must balance out to the mathematical return of the game.

Eventually, a hot streak will end and a different streak – either cold or mixed – will start. Eventually a cold streak will end and a hot or mixed streak will start – therefore it is due.

The missing factor is knowing when this will happen.

I had a friend who claimed to have a sure-fire way to beat the craps tables. It was based on streaks. Many of you reading this have also known such people. You may have even been one such person. I was one when I first started playing in a casino.

My friend’s scheme was simple. Since streaks are a part of random games, use that knowledge to improve the odds. Rather than put a hop bet (a one roll bet) on the 12 (for example) every roll, wait until the 12 has not occurred for 36 rolls. The 12 appears once every 36 rolls, on average. The bet pays 30-to-1. 

He reasoned that the 12 was due to appear after those 36 rolls. He would continue to place a hop bet, increasing it by one unit each roll until a 12 appeared. For a while the scheme worked. Then it did not in a spectacular fashion – he lost his entire buy-in.

The point he failed to consider is the frequency of appearance is an average over a very large number of rolls. At times the 12 would not appear for 75 or more rolls.

It is easy to see a hot game. It is easy to know when a game should be due. What is not known – and necessarily cannot be known – is when streaks end and begin and for how long they will  last.

The very definition of randomness states that it is unpredictable. A cold streak that has lasted for 20 hands might change to a hot streak – or it might not. It might change after 50 hands, or 100 hands – or it might not.

The statement that a machine is hot is untrue – it was hot. It may or may not continue being hot. 

The statement that a machine is due, and one could argue that point, does not mean much. The streak may continue for some time. Even when it does change, a mixed streak might follow.

Players never know. It is random. It is unpredictable.

Summary 

Hot machines only exist in the past and present. There is no way to predict how long the streak will continue. 

A due machine is and has been cold. There is no way to tell when it will switch (or even if it will switch) to a hot machine. It might just as easily alternate between losing and mixed streaks for a while.

While streaks do exist on random casino games, they can only be seen in the past. They cannot be predicted. Do not fall into the "hot/due trap."

In this article, I write about what I call, “Blackjack Decision Overload” (BDO) and present my blackjack strategy tips so players can think about ways to adjust their gameplay so the stressful effects of BDO are reduced. 

Blackjack is often portrayed as a straightforward card game, but there’s a complex interweave of decisions and psychological tension going on that can lead to high levels of player stress.

This is a multi-layered topic where much could be said about why blackjack is stressful i.e. decisions that need to be made and how a number of factors play a role in this. Because this is a short blog post, I’ve had to decide what information you should find the most helpful which includes:

• Understanding why BDO manifests and recognizing the effects of it;
• I present my strategy tips for reducing the stressful effects of decision making when playing blackjack hands; and; 
• I invite you to think about ways you might amend my blackjack strategy or form one of your own to offset the effects of BDO.

The importance of each decision you or other players make in trying to better your blackjack hands to win money or protect your bankroll is at the heart of the game.

ACKNOWLEDGING BLACKJACK DECISION OVERLOAD

Every blackjack hand involves a number of decisions, but with all the decisions being considered by players in multiple hands, blackjack can be a stressful game. Situations of hands, on the table are in a constant state of flux and uncertainty lingers in the air.

Being required to make rapid decisions in blackjack casino games lays the groundwork for mental overload. Analysis paralysis due to possible options and outcomes and the fear of making wrong decisions are key triggers. Understanding the decisions that cause stressors is crucial for players who wish to design personalized strategies that enhance performance but at no cost to mental well-being.

BLACKJACK DECISION OVERLOAD AND ITS EFFECTS ON PLAYERS

Blackjack decision overload is the feeling of being overwhelmed by the many choices and possibilities players face within blackjack games. BDO can occur due to factors such as:

• Trying to remember how to play a complex blackjack strategy.
• Considering card counting or overall random order of cards being dealt.
• Perceived risk of losing higher stakes.
• The pressure of making quick decisions in blackjack games.
• How the decisions of other players at the table could impact outcomes.

The pressures of one or more of the above factors can cause players to experience indecision. Moreover, in the chart below, I’ve included other stress factors that can impact your bankroll. 

LIST OF BLACKJACK DECISIONS

Unless you’re dealt a 21 blackjack you’re faced with decisions to do or not to do one or more of the following to improve your hands or protect your wagers:

1. To stand or hit;
2. Take insurance or surrender or not
3. Double down or not
4. Split (including resplits) or not

BLACKJACK ROUTE TO SUCCESS

But determining what decisions you’re going to make is largely based on the hand your dealt vs. the dealer’s upcard. This is the key to understanding how to win at blackjack. 

All decisions should be based on, optimal pure blackjack basic strategy which gives you a mathematical advantage, because the house edge is narrowed in your favor. Yet depending on the blackjack table rules and number of decks in the game, the rules of your gameplay should alter so basic strategy can be fully effective.  

CORRECT DECISION MAKING GAMEPLAY IN BLACKJACK

The following examples demonstrate the correct blackjack gameplay:

Your first two cards:

• When your hand has been dealt 17 or higher the correct play is to “stand”.
• When your hand has been dealt 16 or lower, the correct play is to “hit”. 

And with three cards or more in one hand your choices are reduced to only hitting or standing. 

A hard 17 or 16-value hand limits your decision making and basic strategy is the default gameplay. But a soft 17 hand (where you hold an Ace [value 1 or 11] counted as = 1 plus the 6 card) generally means that the correct basic strategy gameplay is for you to hit when:

• In a single-deck shoe, hit on soft 17 when the dealer’s upcard is 7 through to an ace.
• In blackjack games using multi-decks, hit on soft 17 when the dealer’s upcard is 2 or 7 through to an ace.  

DECISIONS-DECISIONS: BLACKJACK CARD VALUE STRESS INFLICTOR 

Hard and soft 17:

Sticking to the default basic strategy gameplay, is going to test your nerves vs. risking deviating away from a seemingly safe 17. Because you could end up standing with a lower total or more likely busting trying to improve by gaining from 1 to 4 card values higher. 

Furthermore, with a soft 17, you’ve got to make another decision whether to limit your hand to only one more card, by taking the double down option. If you double, (where you can) you’re risking more money and limiting your otherwise ability to improve your hand.  

Hard and soft 12 to 16:

With hard 12 to 16 the default is hit if the dealer's up-card is 7 through to an Ace and stand if the dealer’s upcard is 2 through 6.

With a soft 12 to 16 the effect of the stressor is the risk of not improving or coming off worse by hitting, seems to be a lower level than soft 17 hand situations. 

But you’re still subject to pressure when having to decide how many cards to take without busting or whether you double down if allowed to.

STRESSFUL STATE OF THINKING ABOUT BLACKJACK POSSIBILITIES 

If you want to advance on the flow state wave of minus 1% house edge in blackjack (down to lows of around 0.5%) you’ve got to ignore your instincts and trust using perfect strategy as your default game plan. 

Problem is, even if you do, you’re probably going to stress yourself out just thinking about the what if and kicking yourself when — had you gone against basic strategy, the result would’ve been winning hands.

*** If this article interests you, keep reading. Alternatively, explore other topics like craps strategy, roulette strategy, and blackjack side bets. ***

BLACKJACK ORDER OF CARDS IS KEY TO WINNING OR LOSING 

Blackjack has similar characteristics to poker, in that, after players lose hands, they overanalyze the scenarios that resulted in those negative outcomes.

But with blackjack, the narrative of each lost hand isn’t as emotional, since hands are based on the order of the cards — without the additional element of player vs. player bluffing and aggressive raising to consider.       

MY BLACKJACK CARD COUNTING STRATEGY TIPS

Card counting can work in certain circumstances i.e. with a limited number of decks and when constant shuffle machines are not in use. But when it does succeed, card counting only has a slight effect on the house edge. With all the other decisions blackjack players need to decide on, card counting adds another level of stress to games.

I’ve noticed that cards tend to cluster in matching groups or classes. You can evaluate this for yourself with one or more decks of cards. Try to shuffle cards so they are randomly mixed. Then deal them out face up. It’s almost impossible that they don’t cluster in classes here and there.

So, my card counting blackjack strategy tip is to rank the likelihood of what the next card—if only one card is needed or allowed— (or cards) might be based on cards already out. If the majority of cards are:

• 1st Class Favorable: 10s = (10, J, Q, K) and Ace (counting as 1 or 11)
• 2nd Class Favorable: 2 through to 5 (less likely to lead to busting)
• 3rd Class Favorable: 6 through to 9

Rather than counting cards, with just a glimpse of most dealt cards in a round (including any bust hands before the dealer removes the cards) you can narrow likelihood based on two indicators:

1. Of the three classes, the dominant class could continue for a few more cards.
2. Of the last few cards that were dealt, that one or more of the next few cards could be within that class.

If the two indicators just mentioned connect then you could try this as your signal to decide the list of decisions, you need to consider as I outline earlier in this article.

MY BLACKJACK GAMEPLAY STRATEGY TIPS

Each player’s hand is in an independent battle against the dealer’s final total. But any player may bust; or by taking or not taking one or more cards, could cause your hand to bust (after you hit) even though your hand is also in an independent battle against what ultimately will be the dealer’s hand. 

In this respect, the one or more players before or after your seat have an impact on your hand. Unless a player allows you to decide what happens in their hand you have no control. To mitigate I would:

Take the last seat. This will give you the advantage of: 

• There not being any players after your decisions to take cards or not.
• The ability to analyze the cards already drawn, moreover if up to six additional players are at the table. 

Play on a table where it’s only you against the dealer. Although there are pros and cons:

• The good thing is you reduce the stress of not having to worry about what other players might do. 
• The downside is that you don’t get to see a large enough data selection of cards (except what you can remember from the previous round) to assess what card (or cards) you think might be drawn next.

Consider opening two boxes with the first box having a lower stake. This will give you the following advantage:

• The ability to use your first box as a sacrifice hand to potentially save your key hand if you’re not so certain of what the next card/s might be. 

MY BLACKJACK FLOW STATE STRATEGY TIPS 

The blackjack strategy tips in this article are aimed at creating a flow state approach to the game. I designed them to counter the indecisive effects of blackjack decision overload and reduce stress — so players are in a mindset to continue making sensible decisions.

As I mentioned earlier, my blackjack strategy tips are open to reflective criticism where you may structure your own to offset the effects of BDO. But remember, whether because of your decisions and or the decisions of other player’s, ultimately the outcome of blackjack hands are in the fate of the order of the cards.
 

Everyone loves to gamble. But the unfortunate fact of life is that our top casino games are meticulously designed to favor the house. 

Unless you’re the kind of hyper-focused person who deploys an advantage playing strategy that allows gamblers to turn the tables, tilt the odds and out-house the house – those people and their techniques centerpiece my new book Advantage Players – you will essentially pay to play.

Despite that – and here is the good news -- in the short run, you can get lucky and leave the casino with your wallet bulging. 

But, over time, casino-game mathematics are impossible to overcome. The house edge will catch up with you and take your hard-earned money. That said, there is a way to minimize the bleeding. You can choose to play the games that take the least as long as you approach them correctly. 

Here, then, is a plan for enjoying the high-flying risk/reward of gambling while tamping down the risk part.

Play these games, follow simple strategies, and extend your longevity at the tables.

IF YOU DON’T COUNT CARDS, DO COUNT YOUR MONEY

Card counting at blackjack provides players with a tiny edge over the house, but the volatility is serious, there is a small learning curve, and you tend to lose the most when you get unlucky during the best situations – i.e., the times when you are betting peak amounts because the count has gone through the roof. 

A simpler approach for those who aim to hit 21 – at a game that is rooted in the 17th century and blew up 400 years later when it became the most popular offering on the casino floor (the name likely stems from a bonus that was once paid to players who had a black-suited Jack and the ace of spades) – is to play perfect basic strategy and to stick with it through thick and thin. 

You can sit at the table with a basic strategy card, which will tell you to always split 8s (even against a dealer’s 10) and to double down with 11 against everything except the dealer’s ace. Follow those blackjack strategy rules as if they are law.

This system was created in the 1950s by a quartet of army officers, known as the Four Horsemen. They used military-grade calculators to figure out all of blackjack’s mathematically optimal plays. It worked then and works now. 

Stick with perfect basic strategy and the house edge will land somewhere between 0.5 and 2%, depending on the rules (most critically, find games that pay 3-2 on blackjacks). This means that for every $100 you bet, you give up something between 50 cents and $2.

TAKE THE WHEEL FOR A SPIN – BUT DO IT IN EUROPE

For casual gambling, especially after a few glasses of wine, roulette is a prime option. 

Roulette, which was the brainchild of a French physicist in the 1700s (he was trying to invent a perpetual motion machine and wound up with a game that has snagged cameos in moves such as Oceans Thirteen, Batman, and Indecent Proposal), offers opportunities to blow off gambling steam without doing a whole lot of strategizing. 

You put your money on a number (with 38 choices, including zero and double zero in the United States) or else go for black or red and hope for the best. It’s simple and fun. Bet on anything but the first five numbers as a group in the United States, and the house edge is 5.26%. If you can’t help but avoid the first five (which you should shun), you’ll be giving up 7.89%. 

Play the game in Europe, or just about anywhere in the world outside of America, and the house edge (thanks to the loss of double zero, which yields  37 possible numbers instead of 38) dips to 2.7%.

Take roulette for a spin in the U.S. and you’ll be giving up a little more than $5 for every $100 wagered. Do it in Europe or beyond, however, and each $100 spin will cost a much more palatable $2.70. Sometimes, as is the case here, the European way is the better way. Take that into account when determining your own roulette strategy.

ROLL THE DICE AND DO IT WISELY

It can be difficult to walk through a casino and not be hijacked by a craps game in full force. 

Stemming from a 12th century innovation called Hazard, craps enjoyed a stint as a favorite of back-alley gamblers who only required two cubes and a sidewalk to get things going. These days, the modern casino-version draws crowds and gives off so much energy that it can feel as if the table will levitate. 

You’ll see people shouting out all kinds of wagers – boxcars (two 6s), the field (a single-roll bet that the dice will total 2 -4 or 9 – 12), and hard-way (betting that the dice will drop as a chosen number with two matching numbers – like a pair of 3s for a total of 6) – but if you want the best bet at the table, pay those gamblers no mind. 

The sharpest craps wager you can make is a pass-line bet – wagering that a point will be reached – followed up with odds on that number. If, say, the point is 6, then take odds on the six, which means you lay down additional chips on the point being made. Miraculously, the odds bet pays at the actual odds of rolling that number – no house edge. 

Wagers don’t get any sweeter than that in a casino and taking odds should be part of any craps strategy. 

The pass-line bet gives the house a reasonable edge of 1.41%. So, with the odds bet thrown in, you are getting as fair a gamble as you can hope for in a casino. Figure that a $100 pass-line bet and 4x odds for a total of $500 will cost you a bargain basement price of $1.41. Just remember to hold onto your chips when all those longer-odds bets beckon.

BE A BACCARAT MACHINE!

Kelly Sun, who famously engineered a multi-million-dollar baccarat spree with the help of poker great Phil Ivey, employed a technique called edge sorting to beat the game big time. Along the way, she was given the nickname Baccarat Machine. 

But you don’t need to edge sort to be a baccarat machine in your own right. 

Though baccarat, which dates to 15th century Italy (its name supposedly derives from the Italian word bacca, which means zero, and that is the value of face cards in the game), comes off as one of the most elegant gambits in the casino, it is also one of the cheapest to play. 

Despite a black-tied James Bond anteing up in movies such as Dr. No, the truth of the matter is that if you bet banker the casino has a totally manageable 1.06% advantage. This makes baccarat affordable even for those of us who are not globe-trotting spies. 

Pay a little more than $1 per $100 bet to the casino and you won’t need to stint on the drying cleaning of your tuxedo.

Excited by some good fortune, a breakthrough, discovery or realization, you’ve probably heard someone say “bingo!” And you do know that bingo is a type of lotto game, right? I mean, like, come on guys, I’m writing this in the twenty-first century. 

BINGO SKILLS

But did you know that bingo games require players to use their skills to win? The skills needed to win at bingo include active listening and quick processing. But whatever age you are, you should be able to keep up with other players. 

ONLINE BINGO – ODDS AND RULES OF BINGO GAMES

Online bingo is played slightly differently because part of the game is automated. Bingo is an easy gambling game to play, and the rules are quite simple. So, what follows is a summary of how to play bingo, but further into this article, I explain bingo rules and what your odds of winning look like.  

HOW DO YOU PLAY BINGO? 

Knowing how to play bingo is a process of buying scorecards, then listening for numbers being called and marking off any of those numbers found on the cards in front of you.

Each player buys one or more scorecards. The cards have a grid layout design containing an arrangement of random printed numbers (most commonly from 1 to 75). 

So how do you play bingo when you’ve bought one or more scorecards? 

• A host known as "the caller draws" physical balls at random. 
• When players spot number matches, they mark them off.

The objective of the game is to be the first player to mark off a winning pattern that, depending on the rules, the pattern of numbers could be five in a row (horizontally, vertically or diagonally). Other ways of winning are explained below.

IS BINGO A POPULAR GAME?

To those who’ve heard about bingo the game, the word is probably strongly associated with people over the age of 60 (and those in their late 70s and even older) sitting in community halls, former picture houses or ex-theaters, marking off numbers on scorecards whilst nibbling on cheese sandwiches on paper plates and drinking diluted orange squash from plastic cups. I must admit this was the perceived impression I held about bingo goers for many years.

In 2010, I was invited to attend a bingo hall. At first, I was hesitant. I don’t know if it was the thought of losing concentration, looking around at others, focusing on the bingo numbers being called out, or the fear of ending up undergoing metamorphosis into an old folk, joining along — head down dabbing numbers on bingo tickets hoping to win a jackpot. But I attended a bingo event for research and had a lot of fun playing. 

And I discovered I was wrong because bingo is indeed a popular game for people in their 20s to 50s too. Since the early 2000s online bingo has been a huge home for the game and this growing market attracts new players all the time. I think it’s because of the big bingo prizes and relatively low odds of winning. 

GLOBAL BINGO DEMAND 

The UK remains the spiritual home of bingo, and according to the National Bingo Game Association, in 2025 there’re well over 3 million active players in the UK. 

I’ve created a chart showing bingo demand every 10 years since the 1900s. As you can see, since the turn of the century, the number of regular bingo players globally has increased — in part because bingo games are accessible via the internet.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO PLAY BINGO

The five points I’ve set out below on how to play bingo pertain to the bingo rules.

1. Players buy one or more scorecards. Each card has a 5x5 grid containing 25 squares with a free space in the middle. Players are provided with markers. (there might be a limit on the number of cards each player can buy so check the bingo rules of each game you enter). 
2. The caller places all the numbered bingo balls in a cradle and mixes them up. 
3. He then starts to pick balls at random and announces the letter-number combinations found on each ball. 
4. Players use their skills of observation and speed to mark off any numbers present on their scorecards. Once a player gets five in a row, (horizontally, vertically or diagonally) they call out "BINGO!" Some rules of how to play bingo to win require players to mark off four corners or mark off a full card (known as a blackout) using a dauber. 
5. The caller will then check to see if bingo ticket numbers (of the person who thinks they’ve won) match with numbers already drawn. If no one calls Bingo, the caller draws further balls until a winner is declared, and the bingo prize is given.

HOW BIG ARE PRIZES IN BINGO GAMES?

When it comes to the size of prizes the range of bingo jackpots span from modest to jaw-dropping. I can break this down into three categories.  

Record-Breaking Bingo Jackpots

Large bingo jackpots run into the millions and at least £1 million can be won from a bet costing less than 50 pence. Bingo is a game for those hoping to win huge prizes and you don’t need a large bankroll to stand a chance of winning a big bingo jackpot. 

Mid-Range Bingo Jackpots

Bingo is popular in U.S. casinos these days. Some of the big casinos promote bingo jackpots ranging from $10,000 right up to $100,000. For example, the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut and the Palazzo in Las Vegas regularly host bingo events with big, guaranteed prizes.

Daily Bingo Prizes

When it comes to daily bingo games at your local bingo hall, depending on the game type and admission costs, you can expect prizes to range from around £50 to £1,000.

Online Bingo Jackpots

Waiting for players to try their luck at landing big bingo jackpots online, sites like 888casino frequently advertise a variety of bingo games, some with progressive jackpots.

Online daily bingo games tend to offer smaller prizes within the £5-£500 range but come with the advantage of convenience and frequency. To attract new players, some sites advertise free games, with real cash prizes as low as £1-£10. 

WHERE TO PLAY BINGO

The world of bingo is vast and varied, with venues ranging from glitzy to the humble, traditional to digital. Here are some of the places you can play bingo.

Traditional Bingo Venues

Today, bingo is popular in bingo halls and still popular in homes for the elderly and at community centers. And bingo for fundraising is one of the biggest crowd pullers to this much-loved game — whether in physical locations or online. Charity bingo events for good causes attract jackpot hungry players.

Online Bingo Options

Most casinos have bingo games people can play at their land-based sites and some via their online casinos. The digital bingo revolution has made bingo games accessible 24/7 and 365 from anywhere with an internet connection. Most online bingo games use random number generators, and players can use features like auto-daub to mark off numbers.

*** If this article interests you, keep reading. Alternatively, explore other topics like how to win at slots, craps strategy, and roulette odds. ***

HOW DO BINGO RULES WORK?

Visiting a bingo hall for the first time can feel like entering a foreign country where everyone knows the language but you. Below I explain the bingo rules you should be aware of:  

THE BASIC BINGO RULES

Knowing how to play bingo is knowing how the bingo rules work. Understand that the five columns with numbers, represent the letters that form the name of the game—"bingo.”

ODDS OF WINNING BINGO

A big part of knowing how to play bingo is finding out what the odds of winning are, especially when you play online bingo.    

Understanding bingo odds can help manage expectations and potentially improve your bingo playing strategy. The mathematics behind bingo probabilities reveals interesting comparisons with other games of chance.

Bingo Probability Basics

Your chances of winning bingo games depend primarily on:

• Number of cards in play (total in the game).
• The number of cards you're playing.
• Type of game and winning pattern required.

For example, in a standard 75-ball game with 100 players each holding one card, your basic probability of winning is 1 in 100 (1%). However, if you play 10 cards, your odds improve to roughly 1 in 10 (10%).

And for a standard 75-ball game requiring a five-number straight line, mathematical models suggest the average number of calls before someone wins are between 41-45 numbers.

Also, for a full-card coverall in 75-ball bingo, expect approximately 62-65 numbers to be called before someone wins.

ARE THE ODDS OF WINNING BINGO BETTER THAN LOTTERIES? 

Bingo odds are substantially better than most lotteries:

• UK National Lottery – Odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 45 million.
• US Powerball – Jackpot odds stand at a daunting 1 in 292 million.
• Standard Bingo Game – Odds might be 1 in 100 (with 100 players holding one card each)
• Progressive Jackpot Bingo – Special pattern requirements might create odds of 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000—still vastly better than lottery odds.

Even specialized bingo games with complex patterns offer better chances than scratch-off lottery tickets, which typically offer top prize odds between 1 in 175,000 to 1 in 4 million.

STRATEGIC APPROACHES WHEN TRYING TO WIN BINGO

While bingo remains predominantly a game of chance, understanding these odds suggests some strategic approaches as follows:

• Playing during off-peak hours increases winning chances due to fewer competing cards.
• Games requiring complex patterns typically offer better prizes but lower winning probability.
• Purchasing multiple cards improves odds proportionally (though managing many cards requires skill).

Players should receive a random set of numbers therefore everyone’s chances of winning are equal. Statistically, you could increase your chances of winning bingo games by buying more sets of numbers. But because games are random there’s no guarantee of gaining any advantage.  

BINGO NOW AND IN THE FUTURE

When it comes to the culture concerning games of chance, bingo occupies a unique position:

• Simple enough for anyone to play.
• Yet variable enough to maintain interest across wide age groups.
• Can attract advantage players too. 

Bingo is a community game, but it’s also a game where strategic gamblers can take advantage of the favorable odds of winning when compared to larger lotto games. The evolution of bingo from community halls to casino floors and onto digital devices demonstrates the game has remarkable adaptability and a flourishing future.

Bright lights, big money, major entertainment, and plenty of casino gambling. While many may think of Las Vegas when it comes to testing out some blackjack strategy or craps strategy, and dropping a few bucks in a slot machine, there is another huge American destination that helped move casino gaming beyond Sin City.

New Jersey legalized gambling in Atlantic City in 1976 and cemented a long history of underground gaming into a new regulated industry. For a time, “America’s Playground” even gave Las Vegas a run for its money.

The southern New Jersey city is still home to several casinos and has been in the gambling business since the first property opened in 1978. Here’s a quick look at the history of Atlantic City casinos.

Underground Gaming

Legalized casinos in the Garden State didn’t come without some setbacks. A voter referendum in 1974 to legalize casinos in Atlantic City was initially defeated, but a second effort passed two years later.

The approval came after the state had a long history of underground casino gaming. That included a local sheriff offering some gambling and entertainment, despite it being illegal, right on the Jersey Shore.

“America’s Playground, Atlantic City, was for decades a ‘shore bet’ for illicit gambling,” David Schwartz notes ub the book Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling. “Though it was promoted as a family resort, as early as the 1860s those who knew where to look could have some very adult fun gambling.

“Under the de facto rule of Enoch “Nucky” Johnson, who rose to power as the sheriff of Atlantic County in 1908, wide-open gambling was viewed as a boon to the tourist trade.”

Later, a federal investigation revealed that Johnson allowed gambling and bootlegging run by the mob in return for a 10% cut of the proceeds. The investigation found that as many as 25 underground casinos were in operation offering casino games before he was finally sent to prison in 1941. However, many casinos stayed open, but became more concealed.

The legalization of casinos in 1976 changed that and Atlantic City's first casino, Resorts International, opened on May 26, 1978.

Legalized Casinos Flourish

Atlantic City has a lot of things going for it when it comes to legalized casinos. The location on the ocean and beautiful beaches made the city a great getaway for families looking for some summer fun. The boardwalk allowed for some beautiful views and offered plenty for vacationers including shopping, dining, amusement park rides, and more.

Adding casinos allowed for parents to bring the kids – hitting the beach and boardwalk with the family by day and then allowing some time for the adults to head to the casino by night to play roulette, hit the dice tables, or take in a show.

Seeing that the voter referendum might pass, Resorts International purchased tracts of land in the city including the Chalfonte-Haddon Hall resort complex.

The company also owned a casino in the Bahamas and when the referendum passed, Resorts hit the ground running and opened a casino quickly. Caesars Boardwalk Regency (later known as Caesars Atlantic City) followed a year later with The Brighton, later renamed the Sands, opening in 1980.

Harrah’s and the Golden Nugget also opened in 1980s, followed by several more throughout the ‘80s including the Tropicana, the Claridge, the Hi-Ho, Trump Castle,  and the Showboat,

The current U.S. president and former New York City real estate developer had a major impact in Atlantic City, opening Trump Taj Mahal in 1990 and billing the property as the “eighth wonder of the world.” 

“The scale … is what brings the people,” Trump told ABC News in 1990. “The opulence, the size, the everything is really what’s going to make the Taj Mahal the most successful hotel anywhere in the world.”

Trump took over the project after Resorts couldn’t complete construction and Michael Jackson was a guest of honor at the property’s grand opening. The Taj Mahal became known as the best place to play poker for a time, The Taj was a regular home for poker legend Phi Ivey and hosted the U.S Poker Championship from 1996 to 2010. Trump’s footprint extended even further in Atlantic City and he also owned Trump Plaza for a total of three casinos at one time.

Rapid Growth & Decline

Until Atlantic City legalized casinos, the only place to legally gamble in the U.S was in the state of Nevada. Attracting gamblers from across the eastern seaboard became an economic boon for the city beginning in the 1980s.

Gaming revenue increased from $325 million in 1979 with just two casinos to almost $1.2 billion by 1981. By 1987, AC had become the most-visited city in the U.S. with over 20 million visitors annually. The town by the Jersey Shore was now on the map, and gamblers kept flock to the gaming tables and slots.

Atlantic City was a major competitor with Las Vegas, almost equaling the city’s revenue of $2.4 billion by 1987 with far fewer casinos. According to the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Atlantic City gaming saw average growth rates of an astounding 55% from 1978 to 1985.

By the 2000s, however, that rate had slowed significantly. While the industry peaked with 12 casinos, the 1990s and 2000s saw some changes as other regions began legalizing casinos. States like Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri brought in riverboat casinos in the 1990s and gamblers no longer had to book trips to Las Vegas or Atlantic City.

Other states, such as New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and others around the country now offer full-scale casino resorts. The Atlantic Club, Showboat, Trump Plaza, and even the Taj Mahal all eventually closed and the city now boasts just nine casinos.

In 2013, New Jersey officially legalized online gaming and online poker, becoming a leader in the industry in the U.S. However, in recent months online gaming has eclipsed live casino gambling.

In March, the state’s casinos produced $230.9 million in revenue, falling 3.7% from $239.8 million the same month in 2024. By contrast, online operators brought in $243.9 million, up 23.7% compared to $197.2 million for March 2024. That trend has led to some concerns among legislators and casino employee unions about what can be done to keep gamblers coming into their properties. 

“As lawmakers continue to proceed with the annual state budget process, representatives in the New Jersey Legislature must understand the perilous economic situation at hand for my members, and indeed all workers in Atlantic City,” Unite Here Local 54 President Donna DeCaprio said in 2024.

“Not only is the overall in-person revenue troubling — but the size of the declines at some of the individual properties portends some serious instability for thousands of workers. The legislators need to take this into consideration as they consider policies that could compound the downward trends.”

Where does the industry go from here? Atlantic City has an uphill climb now faced with so much competition for some of American gamblers’ bankrolls. It seems almost every state has a casino industry, with just a few exceptions. Even more are considering expanded gaming and gamblers can also now easily place sports bets on their phones from almost anywhere.

While the gambling mecca may not be what it once was, Atlantic City can be remembered as the outpost that kick-started the American casino boom. And the Atlantic City boardwalk and beautiful beaches can still be a great spot for a casino vacation getaway.
 

 

Playing online slot games is an entirely different experience from playing roulette or baccarat games. With slot games, you can just relax and enjoy watching those reels spin. In this article I’ll be reviewing my top 3 favourite slot games for 2025.

I got into playing slot games because of the simplistic nature of gambling and the thrill of (hopefully), experiencing a big slots jackpot — drop right into the balance of my online casino account. 

What are the most popular slot games in 2025?

Slot games have become increasingly popular over the past few years and it’s hard to know which ones to pick. Trying to work out what the most popular slot games are in 2025 throws up other questions such as:  

• What slot games are the best to play?
• How do you even know if you’ll receive any rewards? 

Fear not because in reviewing my top 3 favorite slot games, in this article you’ll know what to expect. You can look forward to the feeling of excitement because you never know for sure how much cash is going to be returned to you, and this is the thrilling thing about slot games.

Below I’ve written about three standout slot game titles for you to consider: 

• Irish Riches Megaways;
• Book of Scrolls
• Sizzling Hot Jokers

Each slot game theme is completely different. If you think all slot games are the same, let me tell you, they are not. 

I’m not just talking about the obvious differences we can all see. There’re specific details and key features that make these three stand out, and you’ll soon see why.

If you want to know more about slot games, including:

• The slot games that offer high payouts;
• Key features of slot games;
• Slot game highlights; and; 
• What the general community says about my top three slot games, you're in the right place. 

So, to all the slot game fans out there, let’s get started.

*** If this article interests you, check out the article on how to win at slots. ***

My 2025 review of Irish Riches Megaways

Irish Riches is a great slot game that I’ve really got into over the past few weeks. It has an interesting and unique theme, with amazing graphics and stunning visuals. 

You might think that’s not important when it comes to slot games, but even the tiniest detail contributes to the experience. You’ll appreciate it eventually. Games can get a bit repetitive, and a change of scenery helps.

Developed by Blueprint Gaming, Irish Riches Megaways offers quite the experience. Blueprint has built a reputation for cramming many bonus features into its slot games, but for this game they went above and beyond.

Theme and design elements of Irish Riches Megaways

The theme of Irish Riches takes you into the world of Irish folklore. That means it includes symbols such as leprechauns, four-leaf clovers, and pots of gold. 

It’s not a typical Irish-themed slot game though. The designers have managed to produce a sophisticated version that I’ve never seen in any other slot games like these.

Gameplay mechanics and features of Irish Riches Megaways

The main and most exciting features of Irish Riches Megaways include:

• Wild symbols
• Scatter symbols; and
• Free spins

You can also enjoy the thrill of the Extreme Reels feature, which adds an extra layer of excitement to every spin. 

What does that mean, you may be asking. Well, the reels don't match up with one another, which translates into more prizes. It randomizes the number of reels per row on the slot, so that, each row can contain between two and seven symbols at a time.

We’re talking well over 100,000 diverse ways to win!

Irish Riches Megaways: Winning potential and jackpot opportunities

With its super large payout possibilities and lucrative bonus rounds, Irish Riches Megaways offers players plenty of opportunities to win big. This slot game features multiple jackpots, including a progressive jackpot that can award massive cash prizes to lucky players. 

You don’t need any symbol combinations to trigger a progressive jackpot on Irish Riches. 

You’ll need to look out for Jackpot King overlay symbols which will randomly land on the reels. After amassing 15 of these symbols, a huge wheel will emerge, offering you the chance to try your luck. 

If you miss the jackpot, don’t worry. You could still receive a multiplier prize.

Key highlights of Irish Riches Megaways

In the world of online casinos, Irish Riches Megaways stands out as a top-tier slot game. By now you might be starting to understand why. We’re talking some great slot payouts with the potential for in gameplay winnings to multiply.

For instance, if you land six pots of gold, your initial wager will be multiplied by 50 times. So, if you stake £5 and achieve this, you'll end up with £250. 

If that’s not enough to get excited about, there’s a maximum multiplier of 10,000 times, which could potentially reward the same bet with an insane £50,000. Yes, that’s right. 

With over 100,000 paylines, your chances of striking gold playing Irish Riches are…well, they’re good. Playing this slot game could work out to being an Irish Riches gold mine. 

My 2025 Book of Scrolls slot game review

Book of Scrolls, the second slot game I’ve reviewed for you is just as good as Irish Riches. The premise of this slot game revolves around seizing Egyptian treasures, with a Bonus Spin feature that floods the game grid with symbols capable of triggering substantial payouts. 

The creators of this slot game have taken the theme and created wonders. Decoding the messages of hieroglyphs on papyrus paper can land players of Book of Scrolls with insane jackpots.

The unique features and bonus rounds for Book of Scrolls

This slot game has some amazing features, including – but not limited to – a Free Spins Frenzy, which can be activated by landing three Scatter symbols during the main games. 

There’re also bonus rounds of Free Spins which are triggered by getting a minimum of three Book of Scrolls Scatter symbols. During that mode, Wild symbols substitute other symbols and create Stacked ones.

Visual and auditory elements for Book of Scrolls slot games

Just like our previous slot game, the visual design of Book of Scrolls is amazing. Features are great with graphics that display:

• desert landscapes
• pyramids
• bringing mysterious hieroglyphics to life

Each symbol is intricately detailed. If you’re a fan of Egyptian mythology and culture, then Book of Scrolls is the slot game for you. Some of the high value symbols include:

• the Pharaoh
• the Archaeologist
• The Book of Scrolls itself is obviously the greatest value symbol. 

Book of Scrolls: Player engagement and community reception

Book of Scrolls is a popular slot game. I’ve seen a lot of people talking about this game in forums and other community websites. The reviews are all positive, and I get why.

The Bonus Spin feature within Book of Scrolls in particular, adds an element of excitement and anticipation to each spin. This isn’t available in all slot games. And then there’s the Daily Jackpot — this offers players the chance to win big rewards, which personally keeps me returning.

*** If this article interests you, keep reading. Alternatively, explore other topics like blackjack strategy and roulette strategy. ***

My Review of Sizzling Hot Jokers Slot Games 

Sizzling Hot Jokers is another popular slot game. The makers, Section8 have brought back the classic fruit machine theme with this slot game. If you’re a diehard of the old classic slot game look, Sizzling Hot Jokers should be right up your alley. 

Although this slot game has an old theme, there’s a modern twist that’ll keep you entertained. 

Theme and Design Elements of Sizzling Hot Jokers

Sizzling Hot Jokers slot game features a vibrant and colorful design that again, harkens back to the classic fruit machine look. A bit of nostalgia is sure to attract you over 40s out there. The game is full of familiar symbols such as:

• Cherries
• Lemons
• Lucky number 7s

All are set against a backdrop of flames that adds to the game's aesthetic.

Gameplay Mechanics and Features of Sizzling Hot Jokers

At first glance, Sizzling Hot Jokers may look like a traditional fruit machine, but don't let its appearance fool you. Like I said, there’s a twist.

From wild symbols that substitute for other symbols, to scatter symbols that trigger bonus rounds, there’re plenty of opportunities to win big playing Sizzling Hot Jokers.

The main appeal of this slot game lies in its Joker Wild re-spins, a unique feature that sees the Joker symbol acting as a versatile wildcard.

Not only does it replace other symbols to create winning combinations, but it also initiates re-spins whenever it lands.

Each time the wild symbol expands, it initiates re-spins, propelling the gameplay forward with each spin of the reels. During these re-spins, the wild symbol remains fixed in its expanded position, increasing the potential for even more wins.

Should additional wild symbols land on the reels, they too will trigger subsequent re-spins, allowing players to extend winning streaks.

Players can enjoy up to three consecutive re-spins on Sizzling Hot Jokers.

Player engagement on Sizzling Hot Jokers slot games

Since its release, Sizzling Hot Jokers has quickly become a favorite among fans of online slot games. It’s easy to see why.

For instance, the Daily Jackpot itself stands out. Remember I mentioned one in the Book of Scrolls? This one is even better.

We're talking about a jackpot which is awarded randomly, and any player can win it during their gameplay. When the deadline is approaching this means your chances of winning increases. 

My top 3 favourite slot games of 2025 review summary 

As someone who has been a keen casino games player for a long time, I can assure you slot game makers will continue to produce some cool slot games. 

Each month more slot games appear, and I’m amazed by the high quality and appreciate the graphics. They’re starting to adapt and personalize their themes to keep us entertained. 

If the above trhee slot games I’ve reviewed aren’t quite your cup of tea, I’m confident some others will be on your best online slots sites.

As slot technology continues to evolve and people get bored of some slot games and look for new ones, the offers will multiply, and we’ll be looking into an array of options that’ll have us wanting to play more slots.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article of me reviewing my top three favourite slot games of 2025. 

Whatever slot games you enjoy playing, you only need to decide:

• how much your bankroll is
• how much you’re going to stake per spin

Hit that start button and the random algorithm will do the rest and hopefully land you a big jackpot. 

As with most slot games:

• Playing with higher stakes can increase your chances of winning and/or receiving higher payouts.
• But in some slot games, players only need to bet the minimum per spin to win a jackpot — if the game’s algorithm decides to payout.

Most video poker players know that the casino has a built-in edge on virtually every game. Video poker tends to have a low house edge. Over the years, however, casinos have been changing pay tables to increase their edge.

Even with perfect video poker play, the house edge can be 2% or more. At the speed that video poker can be played, that house edge can rapidly deplete the bankroll.

With the proper games and the right conditions, however, video poker players can get an edge over the casino. 

Contents

1. History of advantage play casino machine-based games
2. Video poker advantage play games
3. How it works
4. What you must do
5. Beware
6. Summary

History of advantage play casino machine-based games

It is generally known that players can get an edge at certain table games such as blackjack if they can find a game with good rules and have the skill to play them properly.

It is less generally known that there are opportunities for players of machine-based casino games to get an edge on the right games and under the right conditions.

Several years ago, there were several slot games that under the right conditions would give players an edge. They were what have been called “banking” games. As the game is played, certain things such as cherries, diamonds, Green Stamps, etc. would build up. Once they hit a certain level, the player would get a bonus and the collected items would be removed. The process then started over. If the player leaves before collecting, the “banked items” remain for future players.

An edge was present if the banked items reached a certain level. As the banked items increased from that level, the player’s edge also increased. By scouting out games that were in the player positive state and playing those until the jackpot was collect, players had the edge.

These games were commonly called advantage games. Almost no “banking” slot games are present in today’s casinos.

Video poker advantage play games

There is a similar situation available in today’s video poker landscape. It is not nearly as profitable, but the player can get an edge.

A class of games called Ultimate X contain such games. Ultimate X games come in single-, 3-, 5-, and 10-line versions. When playing up to five credits, Ultimate X plays the same as a standard video poker game. By doubling the amount bet per line (10 credits versus five credits), a multiplier feature is activated.

How it works

Winning hands produce a multiplier for the same line as the winning hand on the next hand. The multipliers range from 2X to 12X depending on the specific Ultimate X games and winning hand. Higher-paying hands generate higher multipliers. On the next hand, the player wants a winning hand on the same line(s) as the multiplier(s).

There is not enough space in this article to give all the details of the various versions and specifics of play. To get some idea how Ultimate X games function, go here: Playing Ultimate X Video Poker: Rules & Strategy.

It is common for players to leave “next hand” multipliers on Ultimate X games. There are various reasons for this. They may run out of money (the most common reason). They may have to go to the bathroom or dinner, meet someone, or head back home. It is also possible they just got tired of playing the game and wanted to play something or somewhere else. Regardless, they cash out and leave. 

Those next hand multipliers produce the advantage. That is what to locate and play – multiple line Ultimate X games with next hand multipliers.

If this article interests you, keep reading. Alternatively, explore other topics like blackjack strategy, roulette strategy, and craps strategy.

What you must do

To get an advantage, the player must scout for a multiline Ultimate X game with “Next Hand” credits displayed beside one or more lines. When found, the game is played at five credits per line (no multiplier feature). It is played for the next hand. Play just that one hand – no more. Hopefully, that game is a winner. Winner or loser, cash out and move on. 

There are several things that can be done at this time. Continue scouting the same casino. If there are no more Ultimate X games with next hand multipliers, it is time for Plan B.

Take a break and try the casino after some time has passed. If the casino is busy, it may not be long before another game or two is ripe for the picking. If the casino is slow, time for Plan C.

Try another casino – or forget about Ultimate X and play another game. Heading back home is also a possibility.

Remember, every hand played will not be a winner, but the math is with you. You should come out ahead over time.

Beware

There are several downsides to this scheme:

• A lot of time is consumed scouting playable games.
• It is possible to scout several casinos without finding a single playable game.
• Once a playable game is found, only one hand is played.
• Even with an edge, there is no guarantee you will be a winner on every hand played.
• Winnings add up very slowly because only one hand is played per player-friendly game.

On the plus side:

• You will get a lot of exercise.
• Chances are excellent you will never go bankrupt.

Summary 

Slot machines once had several games where knowledgeable players could get an edge. 

There are also opportunities to get an edge on certain video poker games. As with the advantage slot machine strategy, the specific games must be in a specific state.

The player will have an advantage over time, but could also lose.

Getting the advantage in video poker takes a lot of work and is a very slow process.

Is the reward worth the cost? Players must answer that question for themselves.

There are dozens of different video poker games available today on the casino floor (and online). Most of these games are based on Jacks or Better poker. They are played with one deck of 52 cards and closely match standard poker.

There is also a class of video poker games that have wild cards. The majority have either one or two jokers that are wild or deuces that are wild. They are also played with one deck of cards. The composition of that deck changes for wild card games, but the game closely matches regular poker.

That is where the similarity ends. This article explores the difference between standard (non-wild card) casino games and wild card games.

If this article interests you, keep reading. Alternatively, explore other topics like blackjack strategy, roulette strategy, and craps strategy.

Contents

1. Differences between standard and wild card video poker games
2. How wild cards affect pay tables 
3. How wild cards affect playing strategy
4. Considerations
5. Summary

Differences between standard and wild card video poker games

Standard video poker games have the standard 52 cards in the deck. There are four suits of 13 cards each – and that is it. All hands must be formed by the actual cards making up that hand. For example, three-of-a-kinds must have three cards of the same rank (e.g. three 3s, three 7s, three kings, etc.).

Wild card games have one or more cards that can act as a card of any suit and rank. For example, if there are four cards of a straight flush (e.g. 3, 4, 6, and 7 of diamonds) a wild card would become the 5 of diamonds.

The joker is always a wild card in any game that has them. If there is one joker, the deck will contain 53 cards – the normal 52 plus the joker. If there are two jokers, the deck contains 54 cards.

The most common wild card in video poker, however, is the 2, also called the deuce. In the case of deuces wild games, there are 52 cards just like the standard game, but the four deuces can each become a card of any suit and rank.

How wild cards affect pay tables

Obviously, one or more wild cards in the mix helps the player score more winning hands. Not only that, but when there is a winning hand not counting wild cards, the final winning hand will usually make a higher-paying hand.

The casino would quickly go broke on wild card video poker if the pays for winning hands matched those for standard video poker.

For this reason, pay tables have reduced pays for most winning hands. Some examples are included in the table below. The numbers are what is paid for the hand with five credits bet. The numbers can vary from game to game but give the reader a baseline.

Notice there are two additional paying hands on the pay tables of wild card games – 5 of a Kind and Royal Flush with a Wild Card. The five of a kind is possible when the wild card or cards can substitute for cards of the same rank in the hand.

For example, three 4s and two wild cards makes a five of a kind. In Joker Poker, the player needs a natural diye of a kind and the joker to qualify. That is why Joker Poker pays 1000-for-5 for the hand and Deuces Wild (with four wild cards) pays only 85-for-5.

Other differences include:

• Joker Poker pays 500-for-5 for a Wild Royal Flush, Deuces Wild pays just 125-for-5, since there are four deuces that are wild cards.
• A straight flush pays 250-for-5 on Jacks or Better and Joker Wild, but 45-for-5 on Deuces Wild.
• All hands lower on the pay table pay less than Jacks or Better on Joker Wild and even less on Deuces Wild.
• The lowest paying hand on Joker Wild is a pair of kings or better (although some Joker Wild pay tables have two pairs as the lowest paying hand).
• The lowest paying hand on Deuces Wild is 3-of-a-kind.
• The second highest paying hand on Deuces Wild is a hand containing the four wild deuces.

How wild cards affect playing strategy

The strategy for standard games is arranged in one list from highest return to lowest return. The video poker strategy for wild card games has groups of lists in the same order. The groups are separated by number of wild cards in the game:

Two groups for Joker Wild:

• With Joker
• No Joker

Three groups for two Jokers Wild:

• Two Jokers
• One Joker
• No Joker

Five groups for Deuces Wild:

• Four Deuces 
• Three Deuces
• Two Deuces
• One Deuce
• No Deuces

The plan for how to win at video poker wild card games can dramatically change based on the number of wild cards.

Considerations

For casual players, the main factor is the type of game they enjoy playing. 

For regular players factors might include a combination of return, variance, and complexity of the strategy as well as the type of preferred game.

Some players prefer wild cards, some do not. If players enjoy the game(s) they play and can afford the game, they should play that (or those) games.

Summary 

Standard and wild card video poker games have very different pay tables. They also play differently. The type of game played is totally at the player’s discretion. If they enjoy the game and can afford it, they should play it.

You’re cruising around 888casino or your land-based casino of choice, looking for a good slot machine on which to try your luck and have some fun. You see all-time favorites, with spinning reels and splashing cards, that are completely familiar and comforting. The big wins are impossible to forget. (And who would want to?) Of course, those games are all worth a spin or a shuffle. Naturally, you’ll take your shots with them.

But there is something to be said for the machine games that stand a chance of becoming your new favorites. Those are definitely worth playing as well. Now, nearly a third of the way into 2025, great offerings are being introduced and made available for play.

With that in mind, we’re presenting some of the slot and video poker offerings that all stand a chance of becoming new additions to your stable of top machines. Here, then, are new favorites for 2025. 

Happy playing, have a blast, and, of course, good luck!

*** Also consider reading more on how to win at slots. ***

Take to the Sea – and Bring Your Sword

The story behind Captain Bones Big Bounty, available on 888, is two pirates going at on the high seas. A male pirate sports the kind of facial hair that would do Black Beard proud. Additionally, a sultry female of the skull-and-crossbones variety dominates the reels along with a masted boat and the requisite chest of gold booty. 

They show up on six reels across four rows with 4,096 paylines. Among the features that can lead to a storm of cash: free spins, wheel bonus, and cash collect. Get lucky and snag a maximum win of 5,500x. The soundtrack is chill (save the sea shanties for your father’s slot machine) and the volatility has been ranked as medium.

Stay on watch for the Plunder Party. It’s an engaging cartoon that offers at least six cash prizes. With winning and watching in the offing, this machine is anything but a walk down the plank.

Play Like an Egyptian

Keeping it simple while taking us back to ancient times, Gods of Egypt: Ra’s Reign first appeared on 888 in late 2024. It is a straightforward game that gets you into the swing of things with symbols that include pyramids, snakes, and the signature Ra the Sun God. K, A, J, Q, and 10 all appear to be carved into Middle Eastern stones in this high volatility machine that is easy to play and perfect for beginners as well as veterans of the slot world.

The vibe is simple and streamlined with free spins that keep you in the game. There are five reels and four rows that bring on 30 betways, bonus bets, and a bonus wheel. Speaking of which, you can win big by building up bonuses or getting lucky and making a jackpot. 

For those looking to get deeply into a long-gone culture, escape from the modern world, and spin for cash, Gods of Egypt: Ra’s Reign can be a rewarding slot-machine time trip.

Anteing Up for Poker With an Old Friend 

All slot machine fans are very familiar with the Wheel of Fortune gaming franchise. Machines based on the enduring TV show debuted in the 1990s and are still going strong with new iterations showing up all the time.

The latest one, targeted at those of us who like to spin the wheel while playing the cards, is Wheel of Fortune Video Poker. It recently debuted at the Downtown Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and has been an instant hit.

Blowing up out of the gate, this machine combines favorite features from the Wheel of Fortune slot machines with video poker, a game that is easy to play and easy to love. In this amalgamation – which comes in triple play, five play, and 10 play configurations – the unique feature is a Wheel of Fortune side-bet that gets generated when you receive a winning hand of Jacks or better. 

Snag those prized cards and the fun really kicks in: you get the chance to see the machine randomly solve a classic Wheel of Fortune word puzzle. Payouts happen at various tiers. Hit the top one and an animated Vanna White – the TV game show’s famous letter turner – comes out to celebrate.

If you love playing video poker and the Wheel of Fortune slot machine, this game allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds at the same time while hoping for the puzzle to be solved.

The Joker is Wild – Again

With the Fire and Roses Joker slot machine being a big hit, it makes sense that Triple Edge Studios would introduce the sequel: Fire and Roses Joker 2 All-In. The atmosphere of this bonus-heavy machine is set with the introduction of the Joker, a fiery female with flames at her feet. You can play it on 888.

In order to cash in for big bucks on this circus themed game, you want to build up free spins and hit the bonus round multiplier. In terms of the playing field, there is a 3-4-5-4-3 grid. Wild cards can lead to winning spins; plus free-spins and a win multiplier can add up and result in the kinds of wins that draw us to slot machines in the first place.

Keey an eye out for the “must hit by” jackpots and “increased win ways” during your free spins. Go all-in for this joker-themed machine and watch the wild cards fly.

Reel in the Big Fish!

If you’re looking to take a deep dive into slot play, More Unusual Catch is worth a dip. The machine, featured on 888, can hook you up with 8,000x payoffs. The setting is underwater – with the reels themselves submerged – and a mustachioed angler is in there, trying to catch the big ones. 

There is medium volatility in this game where you hook catch money when at least three symbols match on the grid. Goggle-up and look out for multipliers, scatters, and bonus rounds, all adding to the cash that can be derived from playing this game with great visuals and a valuable bass that you’ll angle to bring in on the bonus round.

Put in your money, send the reels a spinning, and aim to land the kind of cash that makes slot play a joy. See you in the deep end of the clear and open waters!

*** If this article interests you, keep reading. Alternatively, explore other topics like blackjack strategy and craps strategy. ***

Craps is a game with numerous bets available and can be intimidating for those hitting the table for the first time. Dealing the game also comes with quite a learning curve as potential casino workers learn the ins and outs of a game that is fast-paced, has some mathematical considerations, and involves thinking quickly on your feet to keep the action moving.

As one of the most difficult casino games to deal, those who can master the skill of dealing craps can be desirable employees in competitive markets.

So what does it take to deal craps and what are some of the skills necessary to pursue this as a job? Keep reading to answer some of these questions.

Going to School

One of the best ways to learn the game is to attend a dealing school. These training programs and trade schools are more prevalent in locations like Las Vegas and Atlantic City where there are numerous casinos. But the growth of the industry around the world means that these skills can often be carried over to work in other regions.

Schools vary by price, but taking a course on craps can be more costly than learning other popular games like blackjack and roulette. For example, the Casino Career Institute in Atlantic City charges $1,089 for a 96-hour course to train in craps dealing, almost twice the cost of other popular games and also twice the number of hours required.

That's because there is just so much to learn in comparison to other games. There are the more traditional bets to keep track of, such as the Pass Line and Come Bar, but dealers must also have a grasp on how to pay out the proposition bets and understand the jargon of the game as well.

New dealers must have a deep grasp of the game’s rules. Training academies offer plenty of practice dealing and making payouts to build speed and accuracy. Beyond simply learning the mechanics and payouts, trainees learn four differing dealing positions, including:

• On base dealers – Two of these are located at either end of the table facing the players and usually have chips in front of them for payouts. They manage the more popular bets like the Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Place Bets, Come/Don't Come, Field Bets, Craps Lay Bets, and others located on either end of the table.
• Stickman – This dealer is located in the middle of the table on the same side as the players and manages the proposition bets in the center of the table. The stickman uses a stick to position these wagers for players, hence the name.
• Boxman (or boxperson) – This dealer is on the opposite side of the stickman in the center of the table and is usually seated in front of stacks of chips. This casino employee manages the entire game – settling disputes and ensuring all players are paid out correctly.

Many dealer schools also feature job placement to help graduates find employment. In some locations where there aren’t as many casinos, there may not be dealing schools to serve potential casino employees. In these cases, a casino may offer their own training courses. Beyond being trained, new dealers usually need to be certified by a gaming commission in most jurisdictions.

Skill Sharpening

Looking to take a spot in the dice pit? There are some skills that definitely help in being a successful craps dealer. Some of those qualities include:

• Solid math skills – Calculating odds and payouts quickly is critical in this game.
• Great communication – Letting players know how to play and the payouts available is a big part of the job, while also keeping the action moving and communicating with other dealers and casinos personnel
• Patience and customer service  – Staying calm and friendly in a pressure-filled environment can make you a better dealer – and bring in more tips.
• Adaptability – A dealer wears many hats and must be able to be friendly and helpful while also controlling game and paying out players.
• Physical stamina – Dealers may be standing for long periods of time and the job can be physically demanding. Having some stamina will make the job much easier.

Beyond all this, those manning the dice table must also work to keep the action entertaining. In a sense, dice dealing is part gambling and part public relations. 

Those famous sayings like “Winner, winner, chicken dinner” add to the fun and spirit of the game. Successful dealers must also be friendly and knowledgeable – always ready to answer questions, help players with bets, and keep a smile on their faces, despite what can appear to be some seriously stressful situations at times.

“No other game tops the complexity of craps, that comes from the number of rules and the rich lingo players use,” Business Case Studies notes. “Add to that the fast playing pace, and you’ll get a game that’s nearly impossible to understand during the first few tries. Rolling 7s or 11s sounds easy, but things get more complicated once the dice hit the table’s edge.”

Dealers must not only understand how the game is played and craps strategy, but can oversee all aspects of play. No matter the frustrations, demands, or bad attitudes players must have, great dealers stay professional and work to make the game entertaining and inviting.

Cashing In – Craps Dealer Salaries

As with most dealing jobs, tips can be an important part of a dealer’s salary. Dealers with a good attitude tend to do better in this regard. Some bettors will even make wagers for the dealers, giving them a chance to win even more.

Among the top nine dealing jobs listed by ZipRecruiter, craps dealers ranked the highest in salary at an average of $40,500 to $47,000. The site reported that the average hourly pay for a craps dealer equated anywhere from $16 to almost $24. That rate may vary in other countries, but still may be among the higher rates in a casino.

However, tips can make this much higher and some dealers have reported earning an average of $200 per day in “tokes” (tips in casino jargon).

The property a player works at can see this salary increase as well. Most dealers usually start at lower-level properties, before moving on to higher-end casinos that may have higher limits and better locations. This gives dealers a chance to rack up even better pay and craps dealers tend to accrue more tips than other games in a casino, with the possible exception of blackjack.

Beyond simply the dice pit, successful dealers have a chance to move on to other in-demand positions with higher-paying salaries. Some of those include supervisors, table games managers, and more. Like any profession, those who excel and have a knack for leadership can rise up the ranks.

Casino dealers are certainly in demand as countries and jurisdictions continue legalizing gambling – from the U.S. to Europe to Asia and beyond. Job postings can easily be found online and on the websites of individual gaming companies. Some casinos even offer signing bonuses for new employees. Free training for prospective employees may also be available at some properties.

“Your salary is based on the number of games you know,” Bally’s Chicago Vice President of Community Engagement Monica Scott said recently at a job fair to fill dealer positions. “So here at Bally’s, we have the highest base rate in the area for dealers, so it’s a good profession, it’s a good opportunity.”

If this article interests you, keep reading. Alternatively, explore other topics like blackjack strategy.