Participating in tournaments is one of the more popular activities in online casinos. It is the only form of online casino activity in which players are pitted against each other, thus fostering not only competition but also camaraderie. There are other attractions of online casino tournaments. Many of the tournaments are freerolls, which implies that is there is no buy-in. Though these offer small prizes they enable players to start a bankroll without investing their own funds. On the other hand there are promotional tournaments that have exotic cruises and other bumper prizes.

Online casino tournaments differ from online casino games in some major respects. In casino games the player is pitted against the house whereas in tournaments the players compete against each other. In games the objective is to end with more credits than the player started with. In tournaments the objective is to end with more credits than the other players, no matter if it is less than the starting credit. Each player starts the tournament with the same number of credits, plays the same casino game for the same period of time. At the end of the expired time the players’ closing credits are compared. Usually the designated numbers of the players with the highest closing credits share the money prize in a manner announced earlier.

Though the basic structure of tournaments is as described above there are many types of tournaments. Sit and go tournaments specify the minimum number of participating players. Players keep on registering for the tournament and as soon as the minimum number is reached the tournament starts. As against these are the scheduled tournaments. The starting times of these tournaments are announced well in advance and players are allowed to register till the starting time. The tournament commences at the starting time with the number of participants registered. Some online casinos provide for private tournaments. A player hosts these for family and friends. Such tournaments are not open to the other members of the casino. The promoter decides the parameters of the tournament.

Some of the online software providers who incorporate tournaments in their online casinos are Microgaming, Vegas Technology and Cryptologic. Microgaming offers tournaments only in slots games. Their tournaments featuring the slots Tomb Raider and Thunderstruck are extremely popular. The guaranteed prize pools vary from $50 to $200,000 and the buy-ins from free to $100. Cryptologic offers much fewer online tournaments but offers them in both download and no download versions. They also have a few tournaments in Texas Hold’Em, blackjack and roulette. Vegas Technology offers the best tournaments. The tournaments are held in slots, blackjack, roulette and various video poker games. Tournaments have guaranteed prize pools and also operate on sharing pots. The buy-ins are $10 or less and several tournaments allow rebuys. Despite the low buy-ins the guaranteed prize pools go up to $10,000.

User friendliness is one of the most critical factors for online gaming software. If a softwarepackage is not user friendly then players will avoid online casinos using that software. Therefore online casino software providers try and ensure that as far as possible all explanations are provided on the game screen. However there will be times when players, especially newbies, will need some assistance. For this purpose all online gaming software providers incorporate a Help function that provides detailed instruction and information about that game. Different gaming software providers have different mechanisms for accessing and using the Help function. How this function can be used in the case of some leading gaming software providers is discussed using slot games as an example.

In Playtech software the Help function is incorporated as one of the tabs in the Menu button. On clicking the Help tab the player is taken outside the game to a comprehensive help page. All the topics are in one page and the player can scroll down to search for what he wants. The different sections cover the detailed process of setting the paylines and bets. The different buttons on the screen are explained. Short cut keys for performing various tasks are given. The different bonus games and special symbols on the reels are explained in full. New players may find the brief explanations of bonus games given in the slot games difficult to understand and this is one area in which the Help function is useful. Playtech does not provide the payout table in the Help function but refers the player to the game.

Where to Click for Playtech Help:

The above shows the area within the menu that you’d need to click in order to access the “Help” button. After clicking on “Menu” within any game and then “Help” you’ll be able to view the help screen.

Playtech Help Preview:

The above is a preview of the window that will pop up after clicking the “Help” button while in a game.

Listing of top Playtech online casinos can be found here »

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In Microgaming software the Help function can be accessed by clicking on the ‘?’ icon usually found in the top left corner. The Help section is menu driven with different topics appearing on different pages. The main menu provides information about the game, the symbols, the bonus rounds, complete payout tables and game rules. The sections are cross linked through hyper links so that if a term is not clear the player can immediately check it out. The information provided is detailed and unambiguous and the method of calculating payouts is illustrated with suitable examples. The other information covered in the Help section is general information about slots and Microgaming’s Expert mode functions. Contact information is also provided in case players have further queries. But this is unlikely to be the case.

Where to Click for Microgaming Help:

The “Help” button represented by the “?” as seen in the above preview can be found in the lobby but also within each individual online casino game as seen in this example from Microgaming’sCentre Court video slot game.

Microgaming Help Window:

Microgaming has some of the most comprehensive help… The screenshot from above taken from the help within Centre Court offers extensive details on the game that will surely help you understand the game should the payout tables not be sufficient.

Listing of top Microgaming online casinos can be found here »

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In Vegas Technology software the Help function is accessed through a Help button available on the game screen. The Help section is menu driven. The How to Play section provides details on coin and payline selection and starting the spins. The rules section explains how winning combinations are determined and also details of the special symbols. The bonus games are explained in separate sections. The payout section reproduces the graphical table from the game. The final section explains the buttons on the screens. A unique feature in the Vegas Technology software is that it allows printing of the section. Players can print it out so that they need not toggle back and forth from the game.

Where to Click for Vegas Technology Help Preview:

Above is a screenshot showing you where you should click in the event that you’re looking for help while playing a Vegas Technology casino game.

Vegas Technology Help Window:

This preview demonstrates what the game help window looks like after the help button has been clicked while in a game.

Listing of top Vegas Technology online casinos can be found here »

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Realtime Gaming Software does not provide comprehensive Help sections. They merely reproduce the screens that contain the payout table and the rules from the slot games.

Where to Click for Realtime Gaming Help Preview:

The screenshot above shows where to click when looking for help while playing a Realtime Gaming online casino game. In many cases clicking on this button will present 2 options. The first option will be “Live Chat” whereby you’d actually be communicating with the online casinos customer support team to ask them questions about a particular game.

Help/Payout Table Realtime Gaming Preview:

The above is a screenshot of what you’ll see when you click help when in an RTG casino game. As you can see clicking on the help button doesn’t do much other then take you to the payout table for a particular game. I suppose that they offset the need for additional information by adding the “Live Chat” option so if you want you can contact the casino directly for help.

Online casino bonuses are one of the attractions of online casinos that differentiate them from brick and mortar casinos. The main bonus is the welcome bonus, which is offered to attract new players. The bonuses have two aspects to them. One is the structure of the bonus and the other is the wagering requirement. The different online suppliers have built in different bonus mechanisms into their software. Most online casino disputes relate to bonuses and therefore players should thoroughly understand the bonus mechanism before wagering.

Microgaming has made significant changes in its bonus system recently and most Microgaming online casinos are now offering the new free spin no deposit welcome bonus. Once players complete the registration they are given a number of free spins that they have to complete within a specified time period. They are also given an initial playing credit balance. At the end of the period the player gets to keep the winnings. Microgaming has also introduced the Clearplay wagering requirements. This separates the cash from the bonuses and allows for automatic transfer of bonuses to the cash account in a transparent manner.

Cryptologic casinos offer the welcome bonus in the standard form of X% of the initial deposit up to a maximum of $Y. Each Cryptologic online casino decides its own values for X and Y. The online casinos provide bonus codes and it is mandatory to enter these codes before making the deposit. The wagering requirements also vary from casino to casino. The wagering requirements apply only to the bonus amount and not to the bonus and deposit amount. Only the winnings from the bonus can be withdrawn and not the bonus. The online casinos specify the games on which the wagering requirements are to be met.

Real Time Gaming online casinos like One Club Casino and Rushmore Casino generally offer the welcome bonus spread over more than one deposit. This makes it easier for the player, who does not have to put up a large deposit upfront. Entering of the given bonus code is mandatory. Some Real Time Gaming online casinos require both the deposit and the bonus to be wagered but have lower wagering requirements. Others require only the bonus to be wagered but have larger wagering requirements.

Vegas Technology online casinos too offer the welcome bonus spread over multiple deposits. The amount of the bonus varies from casino to casino. However the wagering requirements are uniform. The bonus and deposit both need to be wagered 20 times on the specified games. The bonus is credited into a separate account. The wager is first placed from the bonus account and the winnings if any are credited to the cash account. Vegas Technology casinos do not require the specification of a bonus code. The bonuses are credited automatically. If a player wants to play without the bonus he must inform the casino before making the deposit.

The importance of online casino bonuses cannot be overstated. It is one major difference between online casinos and land based casinos. Online casino bonuses can be divided into two categories match deposit bonuses and no deposit bonuses.

Deposit bonuses, as their name suggests, first require the new player to make a deposit and then the online casino offers a bonus in proportion to the deposit, with some maximum limit imposed. In this way the player has to first contribute his share. The most common deposit bonus is the welcome bonus. It is offered as soon as the new player makes his first deposit. Therefore the welcome deposit bonus is available to the online casino player before he starts wagering. The welcome deposit bonus is one of the largest casino bonuses offered. It is usually at least a few hundred dollars. There are some online casinos that offer a welcome deposit bonus of a few thousand dollars. In this way the player immediately enhances his bankroll. Another type of deposit bonus offered by most casinos is the monthly bonus. This is offered to existing players. For every deposit they make the online casino offers a proportionate bonus subject to a monthly cap. Some online casinos offer additional deposit bonuses if the deposits are made using specified deposit options.

No deposit bonuses, as their name suggests, do not require the new player to make any deposit. The casino offers the player a free amount so that he can try out the games without using his own funds. These welcome no deposit bonuses are much smaller than the welcome deposit bonuses, usually around ten or twenty dollars. This is understandable because the player does not contribute. Not many online casinos offer this welcome no deposit bonus. Microgaming online casinos are offering a different type of welcome no deposit bonus known as free spin bonus. Players are given a fixed number of free spins on certain online slots games, to be completed in a specified time, and get to keep the winnings. Another type of bonus in which the player is not required to make a deposit is the Refer A Friend bonus. Here the player gets a lump sum bonus for each friend he introduces.

Deposit Bonuses

Pros

• Deposit bonuses usually are larger and tend to be in hundreds of dollars
• The welcome deposit bonus is offered up front before the player stars wagering
• Deposit bonuses are usually offered by all online casinos

Cons

• Deposit bonuses are given after a player contributes his share

No Deposit Bonuses

Pros

• No deposit bonuses do not require any contribution from the player
• The welcome no deposit bonus enables the player to test games without investing his own funds

Cons

• No deposit bonuses are usually much smaller running only into tens of dollars
• Only some casinos offer no deposit bonuses.

Due to the generosity of online casinos who offer players essentially free money in exchange for their signing up and playing and or patronage to an online casino it is necessary for casinos online to apply what’s know as wagering or playthough requirements. These requirements are structured and in place to offset the risk that a casino takes by offering bonuses to it’s players.

Wagering / Playthough requirements often times are not the most obvious as it’s not one of the more attractive parts of the offering provided by casinos but none the less required. It’s because of this that they are often times tucked away and not so obvious to find. The most important thing to keep in mind if you’re evaluating a bonus at a casino you’d like to play at are the terms and conditions for that bonus which will include details on the wagering / playthough requirement for the particular bonus. Usually the link to the section that within a casino site that will provide the conditions of the bonus will be in either the promotions / bonus page of the casino site or alternatively somewhere below where there is mention of the bonus.

So what exactly is a wagering requirement?

A wagering requirement is a number that represents the number of times you have to playthough either the bonus or the bonus + the deposit at an online casino before you are eligible to cash out. The number that represents the amount of playthough required for a bonus is typically assigned by the risk management team representing the casino. Generally the more generous the bonus, or if it’s too good to be true it’s likely that they will have imposed a larger wagering requirement for the bonus. Playthrough requirements can range between 15x for the less strict bonuses and up to 40x for the more strict bonuses.

Example:

Let’s say the wagering requirement is 20x and the bonus being offered is a 100% match bonus up to $100 free at an online casino and let’s say that for the sake of this example you take advantage of the full $100 bonus and so you’ve deposited $200. Also let’s say that the playthrough is 20x your deposit + your bonus.

• Calculation: $200 x 20 = $4000

So in the above example you will have to playthough $4000 worth of bets before you’d meet the wagering requirements for the bonus and be eligible to cash out.

Are there different wagering / playthough requirements for different games?

This is where things get a bit more complicated. Often times casinos will place different percentages on specific games that account for the contribution to meet the wagering requirements. Typically slots wagers will count for 100% of their bet value towards the play through requirement but other games like blackjack & roulette may not count at all or count for very little towards meeting the requirement. The percentages of the contributions for various games at casinos for their bonuses will often times vary and it not overly consistent in the industry. It is however believed that casinos powered by Microgaming software that utilize the “Clear Play Bonus System” do have standards that are consistent across all casinos powered by their software.

Example:

Let’s say the player receives a bonus of $100 with a 20x wagering / playthough requirement at the casino.

He/She then proceeds to bet the following amounts on the following games $30 on Slots, $20 on Video Poker, $20 on Blackjack and $20 on Roulette.

The total amount of the contribution for the wagering requirement would be as follows (note: that this is just an example and that before playing be sure to review the casinos terms and conditions for the bonus so as to know exactly how much each game contributes to your meeting the wagering requirement):

• Contributions: 100% of $30 (Slots) + 80% of $20 (Video Poker) + 10% of $20 (Blackjack) + 25% of $20 (Roulette)

So $30 + $16 + $2 + $5 = $53 has been wagered towards meeting the $2000 wagering requirement.

Redeeming bonuses offered by online casinos can be a tricky affair. There are so many conditions and so much fine print involved that one often wonders whether the whole exercise is worth it.

In the first place online casino players must appreciate that there are valid reasons for the conditions imposed on the redemption of bonuses. Online casino bonuses are not free lunches. Their objective is to make sure that the players use the bonuses to wager and not simply cash them. Also unfortunately there are players who abuse the bonus conditions and therefore online casinos have to protect themselves from this abuse.

Most online casinos have a condition that only one member of a household can open an account with the casino and can open only one account. One of the reasons for this is that some bonuses, like sign up bonuses, are to be availed only once by a player. Therefore players must ensure that the e-mail address, residential address, credit card number or any other detail that they furnish must not have been given by any friend or family member. Online casinos can easily check their databases for duplicate information. Detection of such abuse can lead to eviction from the site and to the player’s account being frozen.

Online casinos often ask players to submit a given bonus code before they even make a deposit. If this is not done then redeeming the bonus may not be possible. Players must be careful not to give online casinos this opportunity to nullify the bonus. If players forget to enter the bonus code then at least they should inform customer support of their mistake before they claim the bonus. Many online casinos will rectify this mistake.

The most important condition the must be met before the bonus can be redeemed is thewagering requirement. Even after the bonus has been credited to the player’s account it cannot be withdrawn till the wagering requirements are met. Attempting to withdraw the bonus before meeting wagering requirements, even by mistake, is considered serious bonus abuse. This can lead to cancellation of the bonus and of the winnings from the bonus and in the extreme it can lead to eviction from the online casino. Therefore it is prudent to check with customer support whether the wagering requirement has been met or not before requesting a withdrawal.

In conclusion, players must realize that the majority of the disputes between players and online casinos are over bonuses. Therefore the time spent in reading and understanding the bonus terms and conditions is worth it.

This section has been put together to educate players on the different types of bonus offering available at online casinos. Our bonus guide section will work you though the various bonuses with examples explaining each of the primary bonus categories.

Note: If you’re a newbie to online casino gaming you may want to read our beginners guide here.

Match bonuses

Match bonuses are the most common bonus that are typically offered by online casinos. These bonuses are the most common because online casinos are able to mitigate a lot of the risk associated with giving out free money by going this route. Other bonus offerings such as No Deposit Bonuses are commonly more susceptible to bonus abuse from unscrupulous players. Percentage based match bonuses require a player to make a deposit in order to receive free money from the casino which essentially is a matched percentage of your deposit. These bonuses vary and often times will change with new promotions and offers that casinos may be running. Below we’ve put forth some examples of percentage based bonuses:

Examples:

50% Match Bonus – For this bonus if a casino was offering a 50% match bonus it would mean that you would receive an additional 50% added to your bankroll when you make a deposit at the casino. So if you were to say deposit $1000 and the bonus was a 50% match bonus up to $500 free it would mean that the casino would give you an extra $500 to play with absolutely free. Your initial bankroll at the casino would then be $1500 to play with.

100% Match Bonus – The most common matched percentage bonus offered by online casinos is the 100% match bonus. One of the main reasons being that it is the most fair to both the player and the casino. This bonus is structured so that you’ll receive an extra 100% bonus added to the value of your deposit meaning that the casino will match your deposit amount up to a certain amount. So let’s say the bonus was a 100% match bonus up to $200 free. If you were to deposit $100 you’d get $100 free if you were to deposit $200 you’d get $200 free and if you were to deposit $300 you’d still get $200 free as the cap would be $200.

200% Match or Higher Bonuses – Because casinos take higher risks when it comes to bonuses that exceed the player getting over 100% they are not as common and are typically smaller bonuses. Casinos that do offer bonuses of 150% or higher will typically impose more strict wagering requirements. With a 200% match bonus up to $200 for example if you were to deposit $100 you’d receive an extra $200 to play with.

What to look for and be aware of when looking at bonuses:

1. Review the wagering requirements and casino terms and conditions for a bonus if you’re interested in playing there.
2. If it seems too good to be true it probably is anything over 500% match bonus we would be wary about and recommend posting a question in our forums in regards to before sending them any money. Please note: We will never publish illegitimate bonuses or ever post a casino on the site which is known to be operated by unscrupulous operators..
3. The wagering requirements at most online casinos will require that you wager though both the deposit amount and or the bonus amount a certain number of times before you will be eligible for a cash out. Additionally many casinos will impose certain restrictions on which games contribute to the play though as often times certain games will contribute nothing to the wagering requirement for a bonus.

No Deposit Bonuses

It’s not that often that casinos offer no deposits bonuses any longer as they are far more susceptible to abuse by players and are far more risky for the casino to offer. A no deposit bonus is one that does not require you to make any deposit at an online casino prior to playing for real money. Typically the way it works is that you download the casino software install it, register a real money account with the casino and make a claim (sometimes this process is automated).

No deposit bonuses were initially designed for the skeptics out there that were afraid to deposit their own money to try playing at an online casino for real money. These bonuses are on the smaller end of the scale when looking at bonuses but only because this money really comes out of the casinos pocket. It’s quite interesting though when you think about a casino giving you free money to play at their casino, this is something that would never happen in land based casinos.

One thing to keep in mind if taking a no deposit bonus from a casino is that the wagering requirements are typically very strict as casinos need to mitigate their risk with these types of bonuses and do so by establishing more stringent rules for the bonus.

Monthly / Weekly Bonuses

Yet another great way to take advantage of the generosity that most online casinos offer these days are though weekly or monthly bonuses. The way these work are similar to how match bonuses work in that you will receive a certain amount on a percentage basis up to a certain maximum amount. For the most part you will only be eligible to claim this bonus once per month or period as set by the casino. Monthly and weekly bonuses are not available at all online casinos and do vary in size from one casino to the next so be sure to evaluate this before playing if it’s one of the criteria you set before you want to play.

Banking bonuses

Banking bonuses are typically setup as an incentive to players in order use payment options other straight credit card when making purchases at online casinos. Some online casinos have a difficult time when it comes to processing credit card transactions or they deal with unreliable processors due to certain issues attached to processing gaming transactions. The fact is that many governments throughout the world are not overly fond of the whole concept of online gambling and thus have imposed certain regulations on financial institutions to apply some due diligence in preventing transactions that have been deemed online gambling related from going though.

Often times players starting out and playing at online casinos for the first time will automatically try depositing using credit card. If the transaction doesn’t work the first time players can misinterpret this as though the casino is broken or unreliable but this simply isn’t the case. As a result of these credit card rejections when attempting to make purchases at casinos some have decided to offer players banking bonuses for the time and effort it takes a new player or an exiting one to sign up for an account with one of these alternative banking solution providers. The most common type of alternative banking bonus is one which the player will receive a percentage of their deposit on top of other bonuses being applied. So if say you were to deposit $100 and the casino had a standard sign-up bonus of 100% match up to $100 and they also had an banking bonus that entitled you to an additional 20% bonus on top if you were to use NETeller, Click2Pay or myCitadel. If you were to purchase using any of these options the total you’d have in your bankroll would then be $220 to play with at the casino.

It’s also important to note that these alternative banking bonuses are usually up to a certain maximum amount per deposit with caps that are also placed either weekly or monthly. Be sure to review the terms and conditions for alternative banking bonuses at casinos before you decide to purchase.

High Roller Bonuses

High roller bonuses are typically those that are offered to players who are willing to commit more money on a first deposit. Generally these types of bonuses are less than 100% match bonuses and will likely be in the range of 40 – 50% the deposit amount. The size of the bonuses and the amount you’ll be eligible to will depend on the casino and the type of promotion. Be sure to read though the terms and conditions of any such bonus to ensure it is in fact what you’re looking for.

Refer a Friend Bonuses

Refer a friend bonuses are awarded to exiting players of an online casino who will refer a friend to the casino who will in turn create a real money account, deposit and then play. These bonuses are in the form of free casino credits that are simply placed into your existing account with an online casino. Refer a friend bonuses will generally range between $20 and $100 per friend that you refer to the casino. Generally the only conditions that need to be adhered to are that the player is not already an existing player of the casino and that they must deposit a minimum amount in order for you to be eligible for your friend referral bonus. This amount will vary from casino to casino so it’s worth while reviewing the casinos details for this type of bonus.

Feature Promotions

Feature promotions are ones in which we have been given either exclusive rights to promoting here on our site or alternatively bonuses and other offers that are time sensitive meaning that they expire after a certain period of time. It’s important that if you see something that interest you whether it be a limited time slots tournament being or an attractive bonus of some sort that you act and take advantage of it before it’s too late.

Keep in mind though that if you did miss out on a special promotion or offering that they do come around again just be sure to check back from time to time so you don’t miss it the next time.

Loyalty Rewards Bonuses

Due to the vastly competitive nature of the online casino industry there is typically a lot of money spent in getting a player to a casino. As a result casinos try and do what they can in order to ensure that players are kept happy and continue to enjoy the casino experience. Ultimately it’s much easier for a casino to spend a few extra bucks to keep a player around their casino rather then loosing them to the competiion. Because of this most online casinos establish a loyalty rewards system to reward players for their play at the casino. This is something that is most commonly done in land based casinos though their players club cards, the difference being that you don’t need to hassle about the card. Generally loyalty rewards that are accumulated at online casinos can be transfered to credits which can then be used to play with at the casino.

The example below illustrates how these work:

For each $10 in wager you’ll receive 1 loyalty reward point, and each 1000 points will earn you $10 in casino credits which you can cash in and play with at the casino.

Some casinos will require that you redeem your loyalty rewards points yourself whereas others will do this automatically for you.

Free time bonuses and free starting balance bonuses

Free time bonuses and free starting balance bonuses are relatively new concepts and currently only available at selection Microgaming casinos. The way these bonuses typically work is that a casino will give a player a certain amount of casino credits to play with and for a certain period of time. After the time expires any amount over and above the initially amount give to the player to play with is considered winnings. The player must then make a deposit and meet a certain wagering requirement in order to be able to withdrawal their winnings. The free starting balance works the same way only there is not fixed time limit appended to the bonus.

Both the free time and free starting balance bonuses can only be played in the download version of the Microgaming software client. Be sure to read though the rules for these bonuses thoroughly on each site you’re considering playing at that offers this type of bonus. These bonuses can very significantly from one casino operator to the next.

One broad definition of online casino games could be those games that involve an element of chance and are played between the players and the house, and not among players themselves. Some games involve both skill and chance like blackjack, Caribbean Stud poker and video poker, whereas others involve only chance like slots, roulette and keno.

All casino games are characterized by an average payout ratio. The average pay out ratio is defined as the amount of money that the online casino pays out on an average per dollar wagered expressed as a percentage. The average payout ratio is governed by the software developed based on the rules of the game. Once the software is frozen then the average payout ratio is independent of any decision made by the player. In online casino games that involve some skill the average payout ratio assumes that the player makes the optimal decisions. In these games the player can increase his chances of winning up to the average payout ratio by learning how to play optimally. However in those online casino games that depend on chance alone, there is nothing that the player can do to improve his chances of winning.

Yet there are many online players who believe that they can increase their chances of winning in games like slots, roulette and keno. Some invoke luck using extraneous lucky charms such carrying a “lucky” coin, or wearing a lucky shirt, or rubbing a rabbit foot on the “bet max” button on a slot machine or playing at certain times of the day. The fact of the matter is that the random number generator that determines the outcome of the game is incapable of recognizing any of these activities.

Tampering with the betting pattern may appear more erudite but is equally fruitless. For example if a player bets more coins in slots then he will win more if he hits a winning combination but will also lose more if he does not hit a winning combination. The average payout ratio, which is based on per dollar wagered, remains unchanged. Some slots players keep changing the paylines they bet on. They do not stand to gain anything by doing so. Each payline has an equal chance of hitting a winning combination. Some roulette players keep track of the red and black numbers called. If in the past the number of reds called is greater they believe that the chance of the next number being black is greater because in the long run both should be equally called. Neither the roulette wheel nor the random number generator that simulates the roulette wheel remembers the earlier numbers called. Each spin is independent and each time both red and black have equal probability of winning.

Acceptance of the fact that games of chance are just that will lead to less frustration and more enjoyment. A useful motto is to play to have a good time with winning as a bonus.

Online gambling is in the news as being one of the most popular activities on the Internet. Many people who come across references to it want to try it out. Locating and accessing online casinos is very simple. The problem is that these first time players are not familiar with the rules, strategies and procedures of online casino games. There are of course books and articles on the Internet but these can help only up to a point. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. There is no substitute for playing. If these novice players start wagering with real money from the beginning they will lose heavily and many will give up the idea of online gambling. The online casinos will lose potential customers.

Therefore in the mutual interest of both new players and themselves online casinos allow players to play games for free. Players are required to register at the online casino but can choose the play for free option. The players can then select the game they want and are given a number of credits to play with. Obviously these credits cannot be cashed. If the player loses all the credits he can reload the game and start afresh.

New players should not take playing for free lightly. It should be treated as a stepping-stone to real money wagering. There are several issues that new players need to sort out while playing free games. The first is to understand and learn the rules of the games and the variants available in each game. The next thing is to understand the mechanics of playing, which simply stated is which button to click when. This is the easiest part because online casino games are extremely user friendly with highlights and prompts. The difficult part is mastering strategy, especially in games like blackjack and video poker where wrong moves drastically reduce the expected payouts. Care should also be taken to understand and practice bankroll management. The new players should treat the free play credits like their own funds and stretch the given amount to the maximum.

Online casinos have of late introduced one more step between playing for free and real money wagering. This is the no deposit bonus. A bonus is offered to those players who sign up at the online casino for the first time to enable them to try out the different games. This bonus is not that lavish so players should play with minimum bets so that they can try out maximum games. This is something that the players should not miss out. If players have played free play games conscientiously and have taken care to learn the lessons required then they are bound to enjoy real money wagering.

There are several mechanisms used by online casinos to attract and retain players. The most common is through bonuses. Another method is by holding promotional events that offer huge prizes. But the method most benefiting players is the loyalty rewards program that many online casinos offer. These are transparent mechanisms and more importantly their offer benefits automatically and on a continuous basis. Players are advised to seek out online casinos that have good loyalty programs and patronize them.

In its simplest form the loyalty rewards program can be stated as that the players 1 comp point for every $X wagered and when players accumulate Y comp points they can redeem those for $1 of playing credit. Different online casinos have different values of X and Y. Different online casinos also have different names for “comp points”. Ultimately what is important to the player is how much playing credit he gets for a given amount wagered. These playing credits can be used for wagering in the same manner that bonuses are used. Online casinos do impose wagering requirements on the credits given through loyalty programs. Since the online casino software logs the amount wagered by each player, it could be programmed to compute the accumulation and disbursement of comp points and therefore these transactions can be carried out automatically without manual intervention. Therefore the more the player wagers at the online casino he automatically receives more playing credits.

Many online casinos have developed on this simple program. Some allow quicker accumulation of comp points on games like slots as compared to games like blackjack. This is because slots have a higher house edge and online casinos neutralize this disadvantage by allowing faster comp points accumulation. Many online casinos offer additional benefits to those players who wager more. These are over and above the increased comp point accumulated for wagering more. Some online casinos offer more playing credits for the given comp points to players who achieve specified levels of wagering. Hence the benefits get multiplied for high rollers. Many online casinos link the bonus structure to the number of comp points accumulated. Reload bonuses are offered as a given percentage of the deposit subject to a maximum amount. For those who have wagered more and accumulated more points the casinos increase either the percentage of the bonus or the maximum limit. Either way the player is eligible for increased bonus.

In order to ensure that the increased benefits are given in a transparent manner, the online casinos create different VIP levels. They specify the amount of wagering required to reach the different VIP levels and also the benefits provided in different VIP levels. The software is programmed to determine a player’s VIP level and provide him with the stated benefits. Hence players can be assured that they will get what is their due.