In the rapidly-evolving landscape of online casino gambling, the introduction of live casino games has marked a significant turning point. Combining the convenience of online play with the authenticity of real-time interaction, these games have become a mainstay in the industry, dramatically enhancing the appeal of online casinos.

This post explores the multifaceted impact of live dealer games, from their immersive gameplay and social interaction to technological advancements and global accessibility. 888casino features a dazzling selection of live casino games, spanning card games, table games, game shows and much more. Let’s check out the history of live dealer games.

The Emergence and Growth of Live Dealer Games

The concept of live dealer games in online casinos originated in the early 2000s but really gained traction in recent years. This rise in popularity coincides with technological advancements, particularly in high-quality video streaming and reliable internet connectivity, which have made these games more accessible and enjoyable. Such audio-visual prowess simply wasn’t possible with the rudimentary dialup internet of the 1990s.

Live dealer games have seen a surge in popularity due to several key factors. These games offer interaction and immediacy that traditional online games cannot match. For players, the experience of playing against a human dealer, rather than a computer-generated one, adds a layer of trust and excitement. But it’s more than that – it’s also the element of Lady Luck, as opposed to computer-generated RNG outcomes that players love.

Industry reports highlight a significant growth trajectory for live dealer games. Online casinos are increasingly expanding their live game offerings, and new platforms specializing in live casino experiences are emerging. Experts predict a continued evolution in this sector, with more interactive features and a broader range of games.

The Unique Appeal of Live Dealer Games

Immersive Gameplay

Live dealer games stand out for their ability to immerse players in the gaming experience. The real-time viewing of card shuffles, roulette spins, and hand dealings lends an authenticity that replicates the physical casino experience. This level of realism is a key differentiator from standard online casino games. It’s like real-life Las Vegas on your screen, in real time! 

Social Interaction

Another major draw of live dealer games is the social interaction they allow. Players can communicate with dealers and other players, fostering community and connection. This social aspect is particularly appealing when physical gatherings are limited, offering an interactive experience beyond the games.

Global Accessibility and Cultural Diversity

Live dealer games transcend geographical boundaries, allowing players worldwide to engage with dealers and players from various countries. This global reach introduces players to diverse gaming styles and cultural experiences, enriching the casino experience. At 888casino players across the UK can join live casino sessions and experience remarkable gaming sessions.

 

Live Casino Games

• Live Craps: One of the most interactive casino games, live craps allows players to virtually throw the dice, offering an engaging and communal experience that captures the essence of the physical game.
• Live Roulette: A classic casino staple, live roulette brings the excitement of watching a real ball spin on a real roulette wheel. Players can interact with the dealer and place bets in real-time, making it a truly immersive experience.
• Live Poker: A favorite among strategic thinkers, live poker in an online setting provides a platform for players to test their skills against others, including the dealer, in various poker variants.
• Live Blackjack: Known for its blend of skill and luck, it allows players to face off against a live dealer. The game offers the same strategy-based decision-making as its physical counterpart, with the added convenience of online play.
• Live Baccarat: This game, popular for its simplicity and elegance, translates well into the live dealer format. Players can enjoy baccarat's suspense and quick gameplay, with all the action dealt by real dealers.

 

Game Shows

• MONOPOLY Live: Integrating elements of the classic board game, MONOPOLY Live includes a live host and an augmented reality version, providing an immersive and interactive experience.
• Mega Ball: A unique combination of bingo-style mechanics and lottery drawing, Mega Ball offers fast-paced gameplay with the chance for big winnings.
• Crazy Time: This game show combines a large money wheel, a live host, and various interactive elements and bonus rounds. It's known for its high energy and potential for big multipliers.
• Lightning Roulette: A thrilling twist on traditional roulette, Lightning Roulette adds high-payout RNG lucky number wins to every game round for added excitement and potential winnings.
• MONOPOLY Big Baller: An exciting variation of the original MONOPOLY Live, this game show adds new dimensions and gameplay features to the classic format.

Technological Advancements Fueling the Popularity of Live Dealer Games

High-Definition Video Streaming

The backbone of live dealer games is high-definition video streaming. This technology ensures that visual clarity and real-time interaction are maintained, creating an experience that closely mimics being at a physical casino table.

Real-Time Chat Features

Live chat features are essential to the live casino experience, allowing instant communication between players and dealers. This interactivity is a cornerstone of the live dealer format, providing a dynamic and engaging platform for player interaction. Instant chat, authentic action, and uninterrupted video streams guarantee credible gaming.

Integration of Cutting-Edge Software

Online casinos continually invest in cutting-edge software to enhance the live dealer experience. This includes user-friendly interfaces, seamless integration of live feeds into the gaming platform, and robust security measures to ensure safe and fair gameplay. The likes of NetEnt Live, Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play Live, Playtech Live and others abound.

Security and Fairness in Live Dealer Games

Live dealer games offer a level of transparency that builds trust among players. Seeing a real person manage the game reassures players about the fairness of the outcomes, addressing common concerns about the integrity of online gambling.

Role of Dealers in Responsible Gaming

Live dealers play a crucial role in promoting responsible gaming. They are trained to recognize signs of problem gambling and can intervene or offer resources to players in need. This proactive approach is vital in maintaining the integrity and sustainability of the online gaming industry.

Personalization and Player Loyalty in Live Dealer Games

One of the most endearing aspects of live dealer games is the personalized experience they offer. Regular players often find that dealers remember their preferences and styles, creating a more tailored and engaging gaming environment. Dealers are happy to shoot the breeze with players, talk shop and offer friendly advice.

Fostering Player Loyalty

This level of personalization and interaction fosters player loyalty. Regular players develop a rapport with dealers, which enhances their overall gaming experience and keeps them returning to the platform.

The global impact of live dealer games on the online casino industry is undeniable. They have redefined the online gaming experience, providing players excitement, social interaction, and authentic gameplay. As technology continues to evolve, so will the scope and appeal of live dealer games, ensuring that online gaming remains vibrant, innovative, and engaging.

Enhanced Realism: The Heart of Live Dealer Games

The bedrock of the live dealer game experience is its enhanced realism. Unlike traditional online casino games, live dealer games provide an authentic casino atmosphere.

Professional, well-trained dealers, high-quality video feeds, and genuine casino equipment ensure players feel as if they're sitting at a real table in renowned casinos worldwide. This replication of a physical casino environment extends beyond visuals and gameplay; it includes the sounds, the pace, and the overall ambience of a live casino setting.

Variety and Innovation in Game Offerings

Live dealer games are not limited to traditional casino games. While classics like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat are staples, live casinos frequently offer various games, including newer variations and unique formats exclusive to the online realm.

These innovative games keep the platform fresh and exciting, catering to a wide range of player preferences and maintaining a high level of engagement.

 

Accessibility: Bringing the Casino to You

A significant advantage of live dealer games is their accessibility. Players can enjoy a realistic casino experience from anywhere, at any time. Whether on a desktop at home or a mobile device while on the move, the live casino experience is just a few clicks away.

This ease of access, combined with the immersive nature of live games, provides a compelling argument for their popularity over traditional land-based casinos and standard online games.

 

The Role of Live Dealers in Enhancing Player Experience

Live dealers are so much more than game facilitators; they are central to the live casino experience. These professionals are often experienced croupiers from land-based casinos, bringing a level of expertise and authenticity to the online platform.

Their interaction with players adds a personal touch, often missing in online gaming, contributing significantly to player enjoyment and engagement.

 

The Future of Live Dealer Games

The live dealer game sector is poised for continuous innovation and growth. Emerging technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are expected to take the live dealer experience to new heights, offering even more immersive and interactive gaming experiences.

Integrating these technologies could revolutionize how live dealer games are played, making them more realistic and engaging.

 

The Blurring Lines Between Online and Physical Casinos

As live dealer games evolve, the distinction between online and physical casinos becomes increasingly blurred. These games offer a hybrid experience that combines the best aspects of both worlds – the convenience and accessibility of online gaming with the authentic, interactive experience of a physical casino. This blend reshapes the gambling industry, setting new standards for player expectations and satisfaction.

 

The Real Deal Coming to an Online Casino Near You

In conclusion, the impact of live dealer games on online casinos’ popularity is profound and multifaceted. They offer an immersive, realistic, and socially engaging form of gambling that traditional online games simply cannot match. As you’ll see at 888casino, our Live Dealer games are teeming with players. Blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and others await you.

With continuous technological advancements and an ever-growing variety of games, live dealer platforms are redefining the online gambling experience. As we look to the future, it's clear that Live Dealer games will remain at the forefront of online casino innovation, attracting players seeking an authentic, interactive, and convenient gaming experience.

There are poker-based options aplenty among modern table games, whether in online casinos or live casinos. Almost all use standard 52-card decks and few include wild cards.

That makes DJ Wild a game with a difference. The "DJ" stands for deuces and Joker, and those cards are wild. They may take the place of any other card in forming a high-ranking hand.

With the Joker, that makes a 53-card deck and a total of five wild cards that include all four 2s.

DJ Wild is distributed by Light & Wonder, a major manufacturer of slot machines, electronic games and table games. The game inventor, Shufflemaster, was merged into Scientific Games, which has since become Light & Wonder.

As with many poker-based games, play is multifaceted. On an ante-play portion of the game, you win if your hand beats the dealer. On a Blind bet, you win varying amounts if you have a straight or better, push on three of a kind or less. And on an optional Trips bet, you win with three of a kind or better.

HAND RANKINGS

With all those wild cards, you'll see more high-ranking poker hands than in games with no wilds. The wilds also enable five-of-a-kind hands, which are impossible in traditional games.

Five of a kind has to be accommodated in the ranking of hands, which is as follows:

1. Five wild cards
2. Royal flush
3. Five of a kind
4. Straight flush
5. Four of a kind
6. Full house
7. Flush
8. Straight
9. Three of a kind
10. Two pair
11. One pair
12. Ace-high or less

BETTING 

To start play, there are two mandatory bets: the Ante and the Blind.  Ante and Blind bets must be of equal size, so if you bet $10 on ante you must also  bet $10 on blind.

The Trips bet also is available before cards are dealt.  Your Trips bet does not have to equal your Ante or Blind bets.

There is one more wager in DJ Wild: the Play bet. Play bets must be twice your ante, but are not made until after you've seen your cards. If you bet on play, you're betting your hand will outrank the dealer's hand and is taken in combination with the ante.

That leaves wagers on three ways to win: Ante-Play on a hand comparison against the dealer; Blind, evaluated on a pay table  that starts payoffs with straights; and Trips, which pays on three of a kind or better.

You do not have to beat the dealer to win Trips bets, but the Blind bet is part of the main game, not a side bet. If you don't beat the dealer, you lose the Blind bet even if you have a hand on the pay table.

GAMEPLAY

After initial wagers are posted, players and the dealer each are dealt five cards. After you see your cards, you must either make the Play bet to stay in the hand, or fold and forfeit your Ante and Blind.

Once all players Play or fold, the dealer cards are turned face up. If your hand beats the dealer, Ante and Play bets are paid at even money and Blind bets are paid according to the pay table.

If the dealer hand beats yours, you lose Ante, Play and Blind bets.

Finally, Trips bets are paid according to the pay table. You're eligible to win even if you lost to the dealer, and can win even if you didn't make the Play bet. However, all winning Trips hands are strong enough that optimal strategy calls for you to Play, so that shouldn't be an issue.

STRATEGY TO PLAY OR FOLD

To get the most out of DJ Wild, knowing when to Play and when to fold is the core of the game. That the eligibility for the Blind pay table is dependent on making the play bet complicates calculations. We Play a little more often than we would if there was no Blind to consider.

Still, the resulting optimal strategy as detailed by Michael Shackelford at wizardofodds.com is easy:

Make the play bet with a pair of 4s or better, with one exception. With two 4s and a single 3 among your five cards, fold instead.

Shackelford explains that if the dealer has a pair of 3s, you'd win with a pair of 4s. If you have a 3 in your hand, it makes it slightly less likely the dealer has a pair of 3s and slightly more likely he'll have something better.

That small difference shifts the odds just enough that it's better to fold a pair of 4s with a 3 than to Play.

The "3" factor comes into play only if your hand tops out at a pair of 4s. If you have a pair of 5s or better, two pairs or any higher poker hand, make the Play bet regardless of the rank of other cards in your hand.

THE BLIND PAY TABLE

If you beat the dealer and win the Ante and Play bets, you'll get an additional playoff of up to 1,000 times your Blind bet if your hand is strong enough to make the pay table. Payoffs are as follows:

Note that any hand of less than a straight pushes on the Blind bet provided you beat the dealer. The beating the dealer requirement is enough that there don't have to be losing hands on the pay table for the house to have an edge.

Another thing of note: five wild cards and five of a kind are possible only with wild cards, but on other hands there is no difference in payoff between hands with and without wilds. That differs from Deuces Wild video poker games, which have bigger jackpots on natural royal flushes than royals with wild cards.

THE HOUSE EDGE ON ANTE, PLAY AND BLIND

At wizardofodds.com, Shackelford lists the house edge on DJ Wild as 3.47% of the ante or 1.73% if you take the required Ante and Blind bets together.

That house edge derives from the Blind being a required bet. Losing to the dealer means not only losses on Ante and Play, as in many poker-based games, but an extra loss on Blind. Even though when you beat the dealer Blind never loses, extra-bet losses to the dealer mean profit to the house.

You'll have paying hands of a straight or better only 5.98% of the time, and player losses come to 38.2% of bets on Blind,

THE TRIPS PAY TABLE

Multiple pay tables are available from Light & Wonder for use in online casinos and live casinos. On all, Trips payoffs differentiate  between hands with or without wild cards.

The biggest payoff, 2,000-1 on the most common pay table, is for five wild cards. Next biggest is 1,000-1 on a natural royal flush, but a royal with wild cards is lower on the scale at 90-1.

Pay tables displayed by casinos usually list payoffs on natural hands separately from payoffs on wild hands. Let's look at the most common pay table.

TRIPS PAYOFFS ON NATURAL HANDS

 

TRIPS PAYOFFS ON HANDS WITH WILD CARDS

You'll be dealt a winning hand on an average of 22.1% of hands.

The house edge with this pay table is 6.16%. At that level, Trips is a bet for jackpot chasers dazzled by the rare shot at a 2,000-1 bonanza, but the better percentage play is to stick with Ante-Blind-Play and skip the Trips.

Others among the four known pay tables are more generous. The only version to raise the return on natural three of a kind to 7-1 also has other payoff enhancements and a house edge that's a mere 0.59%. That version of Trips is a better play than the main game. Other versions carry house edges of 1.19% and 3.16%.

However, the low-edge pay tables are rarely seen. You're most likely to encounter the table listed above.

A FINAL WORD

The house edge of 1.73% of the required Ante and Blind bets puts DJ Wild among the better plays in the category of poker-based games. You can do better if you know blackjack basic strategy, stick to the best bets at craps or play baccarat. But with an easy-to-master strategy and an outside shot at some big blind plays DJ Wild gives you a  fun option for your game collection.

Introduction: Why people win or lose gambling on casino games

When people go to a casino or play live casino games online they’re thinking about their expectations of whether they’ll win or lose. This article looks at the top reasons gamblers win or lose betting on casino games. So keep reading to gain some top gambling tips on some of the most popular casino games out there.

The chances of any casino goer winning or losing on random outcome casino games is down to luck, yes. But whether you’ll win or lose has a lot to do with timing, and how much money you gamble on specific casino games.

Gamblers win or lose betting on casino games for a variety of reasons. Before we explore what those reasons are in some depth, I’m going to outline what winning and losing is from a player’s point of view.

What does it mean to win playing casino games?

It’s an established fact that most gamblers of casino games want to win. They have a powerful desire to win, thus their motive for playing. All the fun is contained in the hope of good fortune that a run of wins a night out at the casino can bring.

However, a small percentage of players don’t believe in winning. They’re happy to spend time betting on casino games just for the buzz of it. To them, casino gambling is not a business – it’s all about the entertainment or the excitement of wagering money on the casino games they love to play.

There are two types of casino gamblers

Those aged in their 20s to 50s and those aged 60 and over. The younger the player, the stronger their desire to win. Whereas older players aren’t too bothered about winning – at least not all the time. Therefore, overall, younger players are more likely to explore new ways to win playing casino games.

Yet all players betting on casino games such as, Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette and even Slots expect to win big sometimes.

Winning isn’t about betting on the right outcomes such as when:

• Playing Baccarat trying to get it right, whether hands will result in Banker or Player outcomes.
• Trying to beat the dealer in Blackjack.
• Seeing your numbers come up on Roulette games.

What players really want from a gambling session at a casino is to double or triple their money at the very least. And of course, slot players want to hit a jackpot or a significant sizable win every so often; to at least keep the dream alive.

With the run of the mill payouts, let’s say where you bet £20, lose, and then bet £30 and win. This is not what true winning is about. At the end of a casino session whether playing table or slot games, most casino gamblers will either have:

1. Lost all their bankroll following many small wins.
2. Lost a little.
3. Won a little.
4. Few casino gamblers win a lot i.e. 20x PLUS their bankroll. It does happen from time to time, mostly on slots and those fantastic roulette winning streaks that draw crowds.

I’ve personally seen:

1. A roulette player friend turn £20 into £900 in one hour (with my help).
2. A 50 pence per spin slots player (casino acquaintance) turn a £10 bankroll into a £16,500 major jackpot within five minutes – because of my suggestion she return to playing slots after taking a break.

What does it mean to lose on casino games?

Casino gamblers lose on casino games for two main reasons:

1. Casino gamblers lose on casino games when they place small wagers most of the time.

Even when on a winning streak, some players don’t always increase their wagers. And if they do bet more it’s not enough to bank a sizable profit, because the size of their wagers is too reserved.

The casino’s house edge (built into all casino games) fulfils its mathematical advantage from this kind of casino gambler. When players stay at casino tables or slots for too long they end up losing. This not only includes losing any winnings, but also losing the pot of money they started with.

While the older casino gamblers might expect to lose their casino gambling budget, those new to the world of casino gambling may wonder why ultimately they always seem to lose playing casino games.

2. The second way casino gamblers lose on casino games is when they make those, “all-in,” all or nothing, big time, win or lose wagers.

This style of gambling is undoubtedly the most exciting way to wager when playing casino games. However, statistically, based on the probability of winning or losing over the long term, casino gamblers will end up losing money. That’s for sure.

The big shots, or should I say show-offs, are mostly one hit wonders. Over the years, you’ll see them in the same casino playing a big bankroll no more than on a handful of occasions, at times in their lives when they come into money.

A larger bet size doesn’t guarantee a win nor any long-term edge over a casino gambler who places small wagers. All bets are based on the reasoning players form to make their decisions.

But outcomes of all casino games are decided by randomness. And whatever your bet choice and bet size, it’s randomness that has the final say on whether you win or lose.

Even if you try to fight randomness with randomness, as a way of concluding when to bet, or what to bet on, you’ll still need to figure out how much you’re going to stake on each game.

What are the good and bad wagering tactics casino gamblers make?

Betting lesser amounts too often in casino games is bad. So too is betting big in just a few casino games. In my view, these are not the most effective wagering methods.

To avoid losing too often and to stand a fair chance of winning, the middle ground is to adjust how many casino chips you wager on the outcomes for the casino games you’re playing.

Adjust your approach when betting on the diverse types of casino games.

Should you vary your bet size when gambling on casino games?

When gambling on casino games you could:

1. Increase the size of your wagers on the start of a winning run. 
2. Reduce the size of your wagers when you notice your winning streak ending.

When you find you may be at the start of a winning streak, try to take advantage by increasing the size of your bets. And when you’re on a winning run, don’t be too optimistic because winning streaks will end. Therefore, you should reduce your bet size to protect your winnings.

Not every positive signal will turn out to be a winning run, so don’t try and force it by betting like crazy. Just because you bet big, it doesn’t follow that you'll win.

Try to identify any signs for when a winning streak might be about to occur (or is occurring) and when one is ending within the casino games you play on. And turn these events into a gambling strategy i.e. how much money you intend to stake on outcomes.

Should you bet more when winning casino games and less when losing?

Preserve your bankroll until the best games to bet on within your structured plan. Once you’ve formed a bet selection strategy (especially on live Roulette games) be sure to apply a bet size strategy too.

Your casino wagering strategy plan is not always going to work out. But when it does, it feels good, as if the planets have lined up to favour your wagers. Remember it’s especially important you’re careful about how much you’re wagering and stick to your plan.

Is a wagering plan for Baccarat a clever idea?

In Baccarat, if your bankroll is limited it would be unwise to make outside bets, say on the ties, as well as trying to get in front betting on Banker or Player. Depending on how many decks of cards there’re in play on a shoe, if you’re chasing tie wins this could be costly.

Tie hands can occur 10 times or more in some shoes, while in others not at all or just a few times. And there’s no guarantee that when ties do occur that they will be high paying ones.

If you’re a baccarat tie player make sure you have a large bankroll and a decent strategy for when to bet on ties, because it’s not wise to bet on ties every single hand. Tie outcomes that are plentiful often occur in clusters and you can spot patterns by watching live online baccarat scoreboards.

This is not to say that the same patterns will form in other baccarat shoes. Just be aware of the similar types of occurrences, including that in some shoes, lower paying ties seem to dominate while in other shoes it’s higher-paying ties that are hitting.

Given there’s a low house edge in baccarat for Banker and Player bets, this is the game of choice for most chilled out, high rollers.

Is there a good method to try and win playing on slot games?

It’s fair to say winning big on slots is more about luck than skill. But slot players stand a better chance of experiencing a jackpot trigger when players make larger bets on the right types of games.

Unfortunately, as a slot player you’re not guaranteed a big jackpot win by making larger bet sizes each spin. Though bigger bets per game are likely to trigger more frequent minor jackpot payouts.

There are slot game feeders and slot game snipers

Casino gamblers who play the same slot games for lengthy periods of time (feeders) stand less chance of winning than those who don’t play so often and change games regularly (snipers).

This is what I’ve seen in land-based casinos. I’ve seen the types of slot players who win jackpots and those who don’t.

My top tips for gamblers betting on casino games

1. How much time you spend trying to win – It’s important to stop gambling to secure winning profits or stop gambling to prevent losing more money. Sometimes luck can change for the better if you take a break when losing.
2. How much money you stake – Look at how much you’re wagering overall and on each game. Consider the amount of money that forms your gambling bankroll and divide this into various levels to form your wagering tactic.
3. What casino games you play – Except for slots where you could win a big jackpot, bet at the smallest stakes. On casino table games such as Baccarat, Blackjack and Roulette, the more money you stake, you stand a higher chance of winning or losing more money.
4. Whether you’re following a strategy or just playing randomly – This is a tricky one to assess. So, let’s divide it into two areas:

Why casino gamblers should refine how they play:

On one hand, following a structured pattern involving planned bet selections and bet size wagering could result in steady profits. And this is the safest way to approach casino games when you intend to gamble on them.

But random ways of gambling on casino games can result in sudden big wins. And the gambling experience is more fun. It’s fighting randomness with randomness. Not trying too hard to win seems to attract lucky winning streaks.

Everyone has a grand and delicious sense of expectation thinking about going to the casinos – be that on vacation or for a day out. 

Part of the joy of casino play is simply looking forward to the action. 

Anticipation is a fabulous thing. It sometimes makes the world go round. 

Ask any young kid who wants to be an adult - the anticipation of freedom from all control!

Now, most casino games do not involve the player doing anything. They watch and hope the next decision falls in their favour,  making them some money.

• Few slot machines (one-armed bandits) need or even have that one-arm anymore. Even coins are rarely played anymore. Everything is done via credit or inserting paper money into the machines. 
• And the sound of those coins playing? They are taped and played on the machine far quieter than before. Previously, those coins screamed, “We are from the slot machines. Hear us roar!”

You press the credit button today, and the machine does the rest. You are the equivalent of a slot machine “couch potato”. Your only decision is usually what machine to play and how many credits to buy.

• Roulette players are couch potatoes, too. They don’t spin the ball on the wheel. Indeed, some players don’t even see the ball because their views are somewhat distant from the wheel. 
• Some players don’t care about the ball spinning and landing in the pockets where it bounces and careens about before settling for the winning decision. They just want the win and don’t even care about the process.

There’s nothing wrong with players who prefer to watch, wait, and hope they win. Playing the lotteries is like that. 

You wait, hope, and pray and then get the decision. 

Watching sports on television is a couch potato thing. You might eat and cheer, but none of that has any bearing on the game!

The Magnificent Seven 

But not all casino games are couch-potato-like. Some have elements that make them unique. They require more than sitting, watching and praying to the gods on Mount Olympus. 

Indeed, there are many such games and many great moments in those games other than just winning or losing.

The Magnificent Seven of casino games delivers a thrill every time you play.

So, let’s count them down in reverse order:

7. Blackjack

Blackjack is the most popular table game in the casino. With every hand you receive, you must make the right decision to increase your odds of winning.

Every deal means you are anticipating what kind of hand it will be. 

You’d better make the right decision – 

• Whether to hit
• To stand
• To double down
• To split
• To take insurance or whatever

Every decision you make means more or less money – for you and the casino. 

You want to give yourself a good chance.

Playing correctly gives you a good chance.

Blackjack is a game full of anticipation. Each moment, something crucial is about to happen. Many blackjack players miss that point for some reason.

They play more like robots. That is not a fun way to play. A machine-like human should not be playing a machine. They will miss the real fun.

Please note: You may hear some players call out the word “monkey” when they want a picture card. Most players do not know where that term came from. 

Here it is: When the card games from Europe made their way to Asia, the players would call out the word “monarchy” to indicate jacks, queens, and kings. 

In Asia, the pronunciation became “monkey” due to the language differences and has remained “monkey” to this day.

6. Pai Gow Poker

This game does not have a substantial following, but it is undoubtedly one of the best casino games. You are dealt seven cards and must make two hands - a five-card hand and a two-card hand. 

Your five-card hand has to be better than the two-card hand. That’s the basic rule: the five cards must be better than the two cards.  

You create your hands before the dealer turns over theirs to make their hand.

If you beat both of the dealer’s hands, you win the money. 
If you don’t, the game for that moment is a tie. 

There are a lot of ties in Pai Gow Poker. It is a leisurely game with a relatively low house edge. Ties, a low house edge and a leisurely pace translate into a peaceful, wonderful game.

You can get the same thrill as in blackjack: anticipating what's coming next for you and the dealer.

The constancy leisurely pace increases the height of the anticipation.

5. Face-Up Pai Gow Poker 

Usually, games birthed from other casino games are not as good as the original. This scenario is not the case with Face-Up Pai Gow Poker. 

Indeed, this new game is far better than the standard game.

In this version, the dealers make their two hands before you even look at your own seven cards. You know precisely what the dealer has and what it will take to win.
The house edge in this game is lower than the traditional Pai Gow Poker game. 

Anticipation is still a central selling point for this game, as it is for blackjack.

Pai Gow Poker and Face-Up Pai Gow Poker are fun games, and we recommend you give them a try.

4. Video Poker

Video Poker is the machine version of blackjack. Every single hand has a distinct way to play it to maximise wins and minimise losses. Scores of video poker games exist. 

Some are very close contests between the player and the casino. Others aren’t so hot. You can discover which is which by researching books or checking out web content.

Anticipation still reigns supreme for most players. But not any old tactic is a good tactic for all games. 

Each game will have a distinct strategy. You must play that strategy to have any chance of bringing home the goods -- simple enough. 

3. Baccarat

There are two good bets at traditional baccarat: the player, and the banker (or bank). Each comes in with a house edge in the low one per cent range. Playing traditional baccarat gives you one of the best chances to beat the house.

A third bet, the tie, is a crummy bet and should be avoided.

Traditional baccarat had its heyday in the casinos until the turn of the 21st century. It was usually played in elegant high-roller rooms with well-dressed people, and dealers outfitted to the nines. 

It was a slow game, but – and this is a BIG BUT – the players got the opportunity to deal the cards! 

That’s correct. You got to toss out the cards to the table!

Did this change the actual nature of the wins and losses for the players? Sadly, no. The hit-and-stand decisions are ironclad, but active participation in a game is so much fun. 

Traditional baccarat is a great experience if you can afford to play it.

 

Please note: The newest version of baccarat is mini-baccarat, which is basically the same game except for the following: Players do not get to deal the cards. It is not on an excessively big table but a middle-range one. The game is faster and one of – if not THE – fastest game in the casino! 

While the bets are the same as baccarat, the lightning speed heavily impacts the players’ bankroll. So, if you want to play this game, you might not bet every decision.

2. Decision Games with Decisions 

Many new casino games require players to make decisions on every hand, usually against the dealer. Check out how many of these games are in your local casinos!

The anticipation factor is high here, but these games can be fast with many decisions. 

Multiple bets are not great aspects to go up against when you want to beat the house. 

Still, these games can stir those intense emotions, so use caution. 

1. Craps 

Brace yourself for the most incredible thrill in the casino – the game of craps. 

Craps is the most exciting game in the casino. It is also the most suited to cheers, moans, shouts, total despair, and absolute joyous rapture. This game can create a shared experience in most or even all the players at the same table. 

Suddenly, that guy you would have disliked in real life becomes your bosom buddy. You will cheer and moan together in unison!

Craps has a few of the best bets in the casino and some of the absolute worst as well. Many players go down to defeat based on their betting styles. But that isn’t the most significant thing about the game. 

Players get the chance to shoot the dice. 

That’s right! 

1. The dealers pass the dice to the players.
2. The players choose the two they wish to shoot.
3. The game progresses from that point until the player sevens-out. (They didn’t make their point and lost the dice by throwing the seven.)
4. The dice are then offered to the next player. 

The player shooting is in charge. They roll the dice to hit or miss particular numbers. All players’ wins and losses are on the shooter’s shoulders or, rather, fingers as the dice roll down the table.

Some players will hold the dice for a long time, a short time, an in-between time, and so on. 

• Take those dice, and the game belongs to you. 
• You can be applauded, scorned and everything in between!

Shooting the dice at craps is one of the best experiences in the casino. 

So, give it a chance, and all the best, in and out of the casinos!
 

Frank Scoblete’s web site is www.frankscoblete.com. His books are available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Kindle, e-books, libraries, and bookstores. 

Savvy video poker players use a mathematically calculated strategy to get the highest possible return from their play.

I suspect most players do not really care about how the strategy is calculated, but a good understanding of the process can make it easier to understand the counterintuitive holds that are sometimes called for.

This article shows in some detail how the perfect playing strategy – the strategy that causes the highest possible return from each hand – is calculated.
 

1. Description of video poker strategy

Video poker strategy is a list of holds sorted from highest to lowest return. The player compares the dealt hand with the first line in the strategy. If it matches, the player holds the card(s) indicated.

If not, the next line is compared. This continues until there is a match or the end of the strategy – in which case, the entire hand is discarded.

In order to calculate the strategy, the total return of each possible hold for each possible hand must be calculated. The highest return for each possible hand is the best hold. 

The rest of this article goes through the process used to determine this information, which also applies to online video poker such as at 888casino.

2. Possible final hands when holding five, four, three, two, or one card(s)

There are 2,598,960 different possible five-card hands in video poker. This includes every possible five-card combination from a 52-card deck.

For those who are interested, the mathematical formula for calculating this number is: 52/5*51/4*50/3*49/2*48/1. This first part states there are 52 cards that can appear in five different positions, the next states there are 51 cards that can appear in four different positions, etc.

Once five cards have been dealt, there are only 47 cards left in the deck. The formulas for determining the number of possible hands for each number of cards held are:

• Hold 5 – 0 no open slots.
• Hold 4 – 1 open slot: 47/1 = 47 (there are 47 cards remaining and only one spot for it).
• Hold 3 – 2 slots: 47/2*46/1 = 1,081 (47 cards for 2 slots, then 46 cards for 1 slot).
• Hold 2 – 3 slots: 47/3*46/2*45/1 = 16,215 (47 cards for 3 slots, 46 for 2, 45 for 1).
• Hold 1 – 4 slots: 47/4*46/3*45/2*44/1 = 178,365 (47 for 4, 46-3, 45-2, 44-1)
• Hold 0 – 5 slots: 47/5*46/4*45/3*44/2*43/1 = 1,533,939 (47-5, 46-4, 45-3, 44-2, 43-1)

 

3. Winning hands and pays

Next, the number of winning hands within the number of possible hands based on the number of cards held and the actual cards held is calculated. The number of each different winning hand (3-of-a-kind, full house, etc.) is the frequency, 

The frequency of that winning hand is then divided by the total possible hands for the number of cards held, giving a probability percentage.

The probability of that hand is multiplied by the win amount for that hand giving an average return for that winning hand.
 

4. Examples and the final results

Here is an example of generating the best holds for one specific hand. This process is repeated for all possible holds to produce a strategy for each hand.

Example hand for full-pay (9/6) Jacks or Better: Kh Th 9d 4h 3c
Note: only two holds will be calculated to show the details.

Hold 1:  Kh Th 

• Total possible resulting hands: 16,215

 

 

Hold 2: Kh  

• Total possible resulting hands: 178,365

 

 

This is the method to calculate the return for each hold from one hand. 

To calculate the strategy for all possible hands for a specific game and pay table, this process must be repeated for every possible hand (2,598,960), and every possible hold combination (32). That would take an extremely long time, even for a computer.

Fortunately, there are programming shortcuts that cut the time to a few seconds. The results are the same as if all hold combinations of all possible hands were examined.
 

The results are then ordered by return with the highest listed first. Holds with the same return are many times combined into one line of strategy. 

That is all there is to generating a video poker playing strategy!

Just kidding. 

Though it is possible, it would take an incredible amount of time and effort to accomplish this by hand.  Lucky for us video poker players, today’s computers and software make it much easier.

5. Summary 

• Video poker strategy is simply a list of holds for various hands ranked from highest average return to lowest – with discarding the entire hand being the lowest.
• It is possible to calculate the strategy for the different video poker games and pay tables that are available.
• The calculations can be done by hand, but they require a lot of work.
• Computers make the process simpler and quicker.

Understanding what is necessary to generate video poker strategy can help players understand the seemingly counterintuitive holds that are sometimes produced.

Video poker has a large following. Video poker players like the game because it has:

• A low house edge.
• Player’s decisions make a difference in the outcome.
• There are opportunities for jackpot-sized wins.

This article explores video poker player goals when playing this popular casino game.

Video poker player goals

While the reasons for playing video poker are similar for all players, the goals from their play can be quite different.

Newer players and very casual players might enjoy playing a game that requires some thought and has a low house edge. These players are playing for the fun of playing the game.

The goal of most serious players, those who know the proper video poker strategy and play several times a year, is to take as much from the game as possible. They are playing for the highest possible return from the game.

Some seasoned players who have knowledge of proper strategy might play for the thrill of hitting a royal flush or four aces with a kicker. They are not so concerned with playing the exact proper strategy when it might spoil a shot at a big win. These players are playing for the “big hits.”

 

Playing for fun

Most gamblers go to casinos, as well as online at sites like 888casino, for entertainment. They have a certain budget to spend and fully expect to spend the entire amount. They are there for fun.

Many of the casual gamblers enjoy playing video poker. Some are intimidated by table games where other players might critique their play. They have tried slot machines, but find they lose their money quickly and play can be boring.

They know video poker is slower to play than slot machines. They also know that video poker has a higher return than slot machines.

They play for fun. They will play any video poker game that is open, even though they do not know the return, variance, or strategy. If they do know about playing strategies, they do not want to take the time and effort to learn them.

This type of play is fine – if the player has a set budget and discipline to adhere to it. They get what they came to the casino for – fun. Sometimes they can even hit it big and go home a winner.

Playing for the highest return

These players are serious about their casino play. They tend to visit casinos once a month or more. They play hundreds or thousands of hands each trip and can play hundreds of thousands of hands in a year.

They tend to play the highest return and lowest variance games available. Games such as Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, and Deuces Wild are the games they favor.

They want to get every last penny possible when playing in a casino. They know that over the long haul, maximizing the return from each hand will produce the best result year after year.

For these players, learning and practicing the proper playing strategies means more money in their pockets. They know it is worth the time and effort.

Playing for big hits

The video poker players in the final category are also serious players. They know the proper playing strategies well and generally play by them. But their main goal is to get some big hits.

They tend to play games such as Double-Double Bonus which have more frequent jackpot-sized wins. These games also have a higher variance and almost always a lower return than the game preferred by the previous class of player.

Periodically, I publish video poker strategy quizzes. The quizzes are almost always for a low variance, high return game such as Jacks or Better. The correct answer to the quiz is the hold that has the highest overall return – the choice of the player who wants to maximize the return.

A recent quiz was for a full-pay (9/6) Jacks or Better game had this hand: King of hearts, 10 of hearts, 9 of diamonds, 4 of hearts, 3 of clubs

The two holds with the highest return are: King of hearts, 10 of hearts - >>>>>>>>>> which returns 2.2911 credits for five credits played and King of hearts - >>>>>>>>>> which returns 2.2988 credits for five played.

A reader adamantly disagreed with this answer, writing:

“I must disagree big time on this one. Yes, dumping the 10 gives you a tiny bit higher outcome overall, but that's because now you're drawing four cards as opposed to three, so there are more chances of getting two Kings.

“Two Kings is simply a break-even. It's meaningless if you're playing hundreds of hands over hours of time. No one in the world stops playing if they simply get Jacks or Better. (Sure, there's a rare chance you'll get four Kings, but you could also potentially still do that holding the 10.)

“But giving up the matching suit 10 means you now have no chance of a straight flush or a royal flush – the hands worth playing for. These are hands that might make you a real winner.”

This player is clearly out for the big win – even though it means losing more in the long run. When he hits a big hand, he considers stopping play. In a negative expectation game, looking for a reason to stop play is a good thing. Less play means less money lost.

The difference in return is 0.0077 credits per five credits played. That amounts to under a penny a hand for a quarter game ($1.25/hand) and under a nickel a hand for a dollar game ($5/hand). For this reader, it may not make enough difference, but for players who play hundreds of thousands of hands a year, it adds up.

Summary

There are three major classes of video poker players. They play for:

1. Fun
2. Maximum return
3. Big hits

Each of these classes of players can achieve their goal if they have an adequate bankroll and proper discipline. Video poker can be enjoyable for all classes of players.

Which class of video poker are you?

Every autumn, game manufacturers and other casino suppliers show off their wares at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas.

Included are hundreds of slot machines and other electronic games that will vie for space on casino floors in the coming years. You'll see the new slots first in live casinos, still a larger market than online casinos in the United States. But many will be adapted as online slots, so keep your eyes open a little down the road.

Journey to the Planet Moolah (Light & Wonder)

Invaders from the Planet Moolah has been a big hit game, first for WMS Gaming and now for Light & Wonder, which has brought WMS, Bally, & Scientific Games under the same corporate umbrella.

Journey to the Planet Moolah extends the brand with some special new features. Like the original, it is a cascading reels game. If you land a winning combination on the five video reels, spaceships hovering above the playing field beam up the winning symbols, leaving blank spaces.

Blank spaces then are filled by remaining symbols dropping toward the bottom of the reel and new symbols dropping in from the top. If new winners are formed, the process repeats with more symbols beamed up and more dropping in.

If the cascade brings four or more wins on a single bet, you win a free spins bonus, with more wins bringing more spins.

Journey to the Planet Moolah extends the bonus fun in several ways. The free spins maximum is progressive, with 400 or more spins possible. A special "baby unicow" symbol adds to the progressive meter, taking free spins to 450, 500, or even more.

In the bonus, the entire playing field goes on a space journey, with rocket engines to each side of the bottom reels propelling reels and all to the Planet Moolah in the constellation of Cowtopia. During the journey, you may get a blast bonus where you touch symbols zooming through space to reveal credit awards.

As you land, a wheel of different cow breeds rotates above the reels with the potential to bring extras such as multipliers and credit awards. In a Cowcano Eruption, wild symbols levitate above the reels, ready to drop down and add extra wilds and extra winners.

It all adds fun and interest to a game family that already has built a loyal following.

Mystery of the Lamp (International Game Technology)

In a world of genies, magic lamps and prize-packed bottles, Mystery of the Lamp comes in two game themes: Treasure Oasis and Jackpot Palace.

They share five-level progressive jackpots and have five video reels each three symbols deep. Above the reel grid amid a pile of gems sit three bottles, one green, one blue, and one white. On Treasure Oasis, bottles are labeled Boost, Jackpot and Collect, while on Jackpot Palace they're Ignite, Jackpot and Double.

The bottles are key to what's called a “persistence bonus.” As you play, look for gem symbols on the reels. When one appears, it's added to the bottle of the same color. In Treasure Oasis, for example, green gems go into Boost, blue into Collect, and white into Jackpot.

The persistence part is that if enough gems are collected, a bottle could open and launch you into a hold-and-respin bonus. Alternatively, a genie can fill the screen at random times and instantly award you a bonus – or bonuses. It is possible to launch one, two, or all three bonuses at the same time.

Let's use Treasure Oasis as an example. In the hold-and-respin bonus, you get a playing grid of empty spaces. During spins, you're hoping coin-shaped symbols showing credit awards drop into the spaces. As long as coin symbols keep filling spaces, the round continues. If you go three spins in a row without adding any coins, the round ends and you win the credit awards earned to that point.

If the green Boost feature is active, a green gem symbol is included along with the coins. If the gem drops into a space, it displays a credit boost. If it displays 100, for example, all coins already collected are boosted by 100 credits each. That makes the bonus extra lucrative.

If blue is active a blue Collect gem allows you to collect all credits earned that point. The coins do not disappear from the screen. They stay locked in place and you collect again, along with any additional credits won, at the end of the round.

And if white is active, a white gem earns you a jackpot.

Hold-and-respin games are among the most popular in casinos today, and the genie, bottles, gems and jackpots at extra levels of intrigue and anticipation.

Power Stacks Poker (International Game Technology)

By far the dominant company in video poker as well as being the world's largest slot manufacturer, IGT brings extra opportunity to players with Power Stacks Poker.

IGT has long partnered with Action Poker on multiple-hand games, and has done so again. On Power Stacks, a pair of Jacks or better or three of a kind on the initial deal brings up to 16 free hands. The cards you hold on your paid hands will be duplicated on the freebies.

Requirements of the game can force some interesting strategy decisions. A trial run on a Triple Play (three-hand) version of Jacks or Better brought a dealt full house with three Queens and two 8s. Nine free hands were offered – but only if you held the three of a kind and discarded the other two cards to satisfy the high pair or three of a kind requirement for extra hands.

Normal strategy would be to hold the full house, but the opportunity for nine extra hands meant it was better to discard the 8s.

Video poker is interactive with strategy decisions that matter to your outcome. The extra hands add a layer to the fun.

Super Bowl Jackpots (Aristocrat Technologies)

Already available in live casinos, Super Bowl Jackpots has created a great deal of buzz among players and casino operators alike.

Such a game system wasn't possible until the legalization of sports betting spread through the United States in recent years. Full-scale sports betting was legal only in Nevada, with limited sports wagering in three other states, until 2018 the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for other states to legalize.

Once that hurdle was past, sports leagues started forming partnerships with wagering entities.

The National Football League was first to partner with a slot manufacturer, and the result is Super Bowl Jackpots, themed after the league's annual Super Bowl championship game that annually is the most-watched U.S. sports event.

Slot players can touch an icon to choose their favorite team, and that team is featured in game video while you play.

Super Bowl Jackpots is a big-money, wide-area progressive game with a top jackpot that starts building at $1 million. It features a hold-and-respin bonus and a collection pot bonus.

A wide array of NFL-themed games is in the works, with Overtime Cash the next in the series. It's a three-reel, nine-line game with a 10-credit maximum bet. The extra bet above one per line activates an “interception” feature that can intercept a losing spin and give you an extra chance to turn it into a winner.

Treasure Lock Emperor's Gift (Incredible Technologies)

Incredible Technologies puts its own creative touch on hold and respin games with Emperor's Gift. A five-reel video slot with Asian-themed symbols such as dragons and lucky 8s, Treasure Lock Emperor's Gift incorporates four progressive jackpots and a bonus wheel.

Three golden ingots sit above the reels, one on a red background, one on green, and one on blue. They're important to the hold-and-respin bonus.

The bonus is triggered by special scatter symbols, with some corresponding to the ingots. A red scatter can add a multiplier feature to three spins. Winnings can be multiplied up to five times.

The green ingot holds a bonus saver feature. As is normal for hold-and-respin bonuses, three consecutive spins without adding a winning symbol ends the round. However, if the green ingot is activated, it sends a green flash to the screen and resets the spin count to three and play continues to pursue bigger bonuses.

The blue ingot is the jackpot trigger. It gives you a chance to spin a bonus wheel for a chance to win thousands of dollars on the Grand jackpot or any of three smaller jackpots.

Long gone are the days of only one type of video poker game on casino floors. Gaming manufacturing companies are answering the call of players demanding more exciting video poker games.

This article explores one of the more exciting video poker games – Triple Double Bonus Poker.

1.    Why you should play Triple Double Bonus poker

Double-Double Bonus poker is a popular version of video poker. Fans of this game enjoy the possibility of several different jackpot-sized winners. In addition to the royal flush paying 4,000-for-5, here are a few more scenarios:

●    Four aces with a kicker of a 2, 3, or 4 pays 2,000-for-5. This hand occurs approximately once every 16,250 hands – on average.
●    Four 2’s, 3’s, or 4’s with a kicker of an ace, 2, 3, or 4 pays 800-for-5. This hand occurs approximately once every 7,000 hands – on average. 
●    Four aces pay 800-for-5. This hand occurs approximately once every 5,750 hands – on average. 
●    Four 2’s, 3’s, or 4’s pays 400-for-5. This hand occurs approximately once every 2,600 hands – on average. 
●    Four 5’s through kings pays 250-for-5 – the same as a straight flush. This hand occurs approximately once every 613 hands – on average.

Triple Double Bonus poker takes the pays for two of those hands to the next level.
●    Four aces with a kicker of a 2, 3, or 4 pays 4000-for-5 – twice what Double-Double Bonus pays and the same as a royal flush. This hand occurs approximately once every 14,200 hands – on average.
●    Four 2’s, 3’s, or 4’s with a kicker of an ace, 2, 3, or 4 pays 2000-for-5 – 2-1/2 times what Double-Double Bonus pays. This hand occurs approximately once every 5,800 hands – on average.

Both of these winning hands pay at least double, and, on average, they occur more often. This is the reason many video poker players choose Triple Double Bonus poker.

Video poker players who really enjoy the big hits are making Triple Double Bonus poker their game of choice.

For more information on video poker playing strategies, go here: Video Poker Strategy (with Charts & the Basics).

2.    Why you should not play Triple Double Bonus poker

It is exciting to hit a winner of 2,000 or 4,000 credits. It is not all sunshine and roses, however. The higher pays have a down side.

●    A hand with three of a kind is paid at 2-for-1 not 3-for-1.
●    Returns for popular pay tables are lower for Triple Double Bonus – 98.15 versus 98.98 for Double-Double Bonus (9/6 version of both).
●    Due to more of the winnings being tied up in fewer but higher-paying hands, the variance for Triple Double Bonus is more than twice that of Double-Double Bonus – 100 versus 42. This means the bankroll requirements are higher.

To see more information about bankroll requirements for video poker, go here: Video Poker Bankroll Requirements.

The strategies for the two games are somewhat different but of relatively the same complexity. The major differences involve hands having three aces with a kicker or three 2’s, 3’s, or 4’s with a kicker. In Triple Double Bonus the kicker is always held. In Double-Double Bonus, the kicker is never held.

 

3.  Pay table and strategy

Typical pay table for Triple Double Bonus Poker:

 

 

4.    Summary 

●    Triple Double Bonus poker takes Double-Double Bonus poker to new levels of excitement.
o    Both games can return better than 98% depending on the pay table.
o    Four aces with a kicker of a 2, 3, or 4 pays twice that of Double-Double Bonus.
o    Four 2’s, 3’s, or 4’s with a kicker of an ace, 2, 3, or 4 pays 2-1/2 times that of Double-Double Bonus
●    There is a cost for the extra excitement, however:
o    Common pay tables return 98.15% for Triple Double Bonus and 98.98% for Double-Double Bonus.
o    Variance for Triple Double Bonus is better than 100. It is about 42 for Double-Double Bonus. Variance for Triple Double Bonus is almost 2-1/2 times as high as Double-Double Bonus. Bankroll requirements are significantly higher. 

If you enjoy playing Double-Double Bonus video poker and enjoy the thrill of the big hits, you may want to try Triple Double Bonus. Just make sure you have an adequate bankroll.

Nevada's casinos hit the jackpot in July 2023, raking in a record-breaking $1.4 billion, with the Las Vegas Strip contributing an incredible $834.9 million. But what does this bonanza mean for you, the player? With a 6.7% rise in profits from July 2022, the odds are tilting in favor of the house. 

This 888casino article cuts through the glitz and glamor to reveal the numbers that matter to you. We'll demonstrate why online casinos consistently outperform Vegas regarding return-to-player (RTP) rates. So, if you're tired of betting against increasingly stacked odds, read on. It's time to make the smartest bets of all.

What is the Minimum Legal RTP for Las Vegas Casinos?

Nevada state gaming regulation 14 sets the stage by mandating a minimum theoretical payout of 75% for each wager on gaming devices. Overseen by the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission, this legislation serves as a benchmark, guiding both casinos and players on what to expect in terms of returns. It's important to emphasize that this 75% RTP is a minimum; casinos can set higher rates.

In a jurisdiction touted for its comprehensive gaming oversight, one might presume that this regulatory floor would be more player-friendly. However, this 75% figure pales compared to what you might expect in other gaming environments, like reputable online casinos. 

 

 

As we delve further into this analysis, keep this number in mind. It serves as a critical baseline when considering where to place your bets, particularly as we explore how online casinos, such as 888casino, measure up in our subsequent discussion. Next, let’s explore just how well Nevada casinos are performing.
 

Players Need to Know How Well Nevada Casinos Doing

Source: Nevada Gaming Control Board (Quarterly Statistics Report) 2023

Here are the most recent stats from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. This is all about Clark County, which is essentially the heart of Las Vegas:

The Current Period (07/01/2023 to 09/30/2023)

• $1,268,801,831 Win from Table, Counter, and Card Games 
• $121,902,563 Increase from Prior Period
• 10.63% Increase

Fiscal Period (07/01/2023 to 09/30/2023)

• It is the same as the Current Period, as they coincide

Calendar Period (01/01/2023 to 09/30/2023)

• $3,520,577,810 Cumulative Win from Table, Counter, and Card Games
• $175,792,820 Increase from Previous Calendar Period
• 5.26% Increase

It's evident that Clark County's gaming industry is booming, which is significant for the casinos but not necessarily advantageous for us, the players.  Let’s shift attention to the Win from Slot Machines at Vegas casinos.

Win from Slot Machines
Current Period (07/01/2023 to 09/30/2023)

• $2,055,245,162 Slot Machine Win
• $(6,163,565) Decrease from Prior Period
• -0.30% Decrease

Fiscal Period (07/01/2023 to 09/30/2023)

• Figures are the same as the current period

Calendar Period (01/01/2023 to 09/30/2023)

• $6,344,559,981 – Cumulative Slot Machine Wins
• $226,121,758 – Increase from Previous Calendar Period 
• 3.7% Increase

It's worth noting that while table games are seeing a noticeable rise, slot machines experienced a relative downturn in the most recent quarter. However, the year-to-date figures indicate growth in the slot machine sector.

Total Casino Win in Clark County
Current Period (07/01/2023 to 09/30/2023)

• Total Win at Vegas Casinos $3,324,046,992
• $115,738,998 Increase from the Previous Period
• 3.61% Increase 

Fiscal Period (07/01/2023 to 09/30/2023)

• The figures are identical to the current period

Calendar Period (01/01/2023 to 09/30/2023)

• The Cumulative Total Win is $9,865,137,791
• The Increase from Previous Calendar Period is $401,914,579
• 4.25% Increase

These escalating figures indicate a lucrative arena for casino operators, underscoring the 75% minimum RTP law in Nevada. 

Put differently, Las Vegas casinos are truly making bank. Remember these figures as we shift our focus to discuss how these stats might affect your winning chances, particularly when stacked against online casino RTPs.
 

Online vs Land-based Casinos: The RTP Argument

Understanding Return to Player (RTP) and house edge is non-negotiable for anyone who truly wants to maximize their odds. These aren't just numbers on a screen; they're important metrics that guide your long-term gaming strategy.

Online casinos often have higher RTPs than their land-based counterparts in Las Vegas or elsewhere. This is largely due to lower operational costs online.

Las Vegas casinos have to cover extravagant expenses, pushing down their RTPs. In contrast, online casinos can afford to offer higher RTPs, making your pounds stretch a whole lot further.

RTP Metrics in Popular Online Casino Games

Introduction

Most video poker players simply sit down at a machine and play. They do not keep track of which machine is played, amount deposited, amount cashed out, nor anything else. 

This may be okay for casual players – those who only play a few hundred to a few thousand hands per year – but are more serious players missing something by not keeping records of their video poker play?

This article offers suggestions on what details to keep and why it is a good idea for serious players to document them.

Reasons to document video poker play

Documenting video poker play can be tedious at times. But, is being tedious a good reason to avoid keeping records? 

I keep some quite detailed records of my video poker play. I do it for several reasons, which include: 

• To keep an accurate record of my bankroll.
• To keep an accurate record of certain winning hands and the frequency of those hands.
• To keep track of how various video poker machines treated me – wins, losses, royal flushes, and so forth.
• To keep track of all player’s club points earned. If used for cash, food, lodging, et cetera, to show the impact on the win/loss rate.
• Some records are necessary as supporting documentation for filing income taxes.

It does take some work, and it involves stopping periodically to make notations. Overall, however, the relatively short time involved has proven well worth it. 

Tracking bankroll fluctuations

This is arguably the most important reason to keep records. 

Human memory is amazing. When it comes to gambling, we tend to remember things we want to remember and forget those we do not. Any serious video poker player needs to have accurate win/loss information. A foggy recollection simply will not do. 

Some players keep track of their win/loss by recording how much they and how much they bring home. This may give a 30,000-foot view of things, but it is not accurate. Cash can be used for play, but it also can be used for food, tips, or miscellaneous purchases. Details specifically related to play are required for a good understanding of win/loss.

Tracking impact of player’s club and casino perks

Whether a player wants to count a player's club and other casino perks as part of the win/loss or not, keeping track of that information allows the player to see the impact – whether counted as part of as win/loss or not.

Tracking machine performance

I started tracking certain data from each machine based on one pundit’s claim that machines can be rigged. While I do not believe that to be the case in major gambling jurisdictions, this pundit also claimed that because the random number generator is really a pseudo-random generator, the results of the game might be biased.

I did not find bias in any game, but this data became useful for a different purpose (see next topic).
 

Detecting possible strategy errors

Keeping track of the number of hands played, the game type, and pay table allows players to calculate the return from each machine. Over time, if playing proper video poker strategy, the actual return should become closer to the mathematical return. 

If this is not happening, it is possible the proper strategy is not being followed. Once detected, corrective action can be taken. Without this information, the player could continue merrily along without realizing the casino is getting more money that it should. 

Records for tax purposes

When using itemized deductions for federal income tax filings (along with those for several states), the taxpayer is required to keep supporting documentation for any wins or losses claimed. The information required usually includes casino, machine number, date, start time, end time, and amount won or lost. 

Probably very few tax returns are audited because of gambling wins or losses claimed, but why invite trouble?

Details to record and how to gather and log them

The information I capture:

• Location
• Casino
• Date
• Start time
• End time
• Game and pay table abbreviation, e.g., 9/6 JoB
• Denomination of the game
• Machine number
• Amount of each bill inserted into the machine
• Amount cashed out
• Player’s club points at start
• Player’s club points at end
• Any auxiliary wins from scratch offs, or special promotions
• Royal flush information (meter reading or time, specific cards)
• Straight flush information (meter reading or time, specific cards)
• Four-of-a-kind information (meter reading or time, card rank)
• Hash totals for full houses, four of a royal, four of a straight flush, four of a flush, and flushes completed when dealt four.

It is a lengthy list to be sure. I bring a small notebook and a pen with me and write the machine number, game, denomination, starting meter reading, date and start time as well as label areas for the items getting hash marks. I log the amount of each bill fed into the machine.  At the end of a session, I log the end time, ending meter reading, and amount cashed out. I also jot down any comments I might have.

It takes a bit of time at the beginning and end of each session, and a bit of time with each royal, straight flush, and four of a kind. The hash totals go very quickly.

To calculate the number of hands played the player also needs to know the cost per point. This is not readily available in some casinos. If not, note the point meter, then play 20 to 50 hands and note the point meter again. From this the cost per point can be calculated. From the cost per point, the number of hands played can be calculated from the number of points earned.

At the end of the day this information is fed into a spreadsheet. The spreadsheet calculates:

• Session time
• Hands played
• Hands per hour
• Number of, frequency, and hands between each:
• Royal flush
• Straight flush
• Four-of-a-kind
• Full house
• Completion of 4 of a flush

Please contact me at the email listed at the end for more information.

Summary

Documenting video poker play may be tedious, but it can provide valuable information.
Documentation is required to support filing of itemized tax returns.

For a complete guide on how to win at video poker, click here.