When it comes to cash game vs. tournament poker, each option has its pros and cons, but the best choice between the two is iltimately up to your pesonal preference. The choice you make, however impacts your poker experience, so it’s best to make sure you’re well-informed about what you can expect from each game type.

What are Poker Cash Games?

Poker, like all classic casino table games, has moved into the digital era, offering greater convenience and more flexibility to players who can take part in an online gae from ay location and at any time, day or night. Cash games are the standard games of poker that you would play online for real money.

Poker cash games are available as a normal casino table game and in the live dealer casino games format. In a live dealer game, players are connected to a game with a real-life dealer in a studio setting designed to look like a poker table game in a brick-and-mortar casino. It’s the closest you can get to the experience of playing poker at a physical casino but from the comfort of your own home.

So, how do cash games work in poker? In online poker cash games, players simply exchange their money for chips and can choose between the minimum and maximum buy-in limits on offer. Unlike tournaments, where you buy a set number of chips and compete until they’re gone, cash games offer a more fluid experience. Players can buy in or opt out of the game at any point, exchanging their chips for real money whenever they’re ready.

How Do Poker Tournaments Work?

If you’re new to the world of poker, the word “tournament” can seem intimidating. Still, tournament poker is actually one of the most popular formats of the game, even for beginners. Poker tournaments involve competing against other players for a prize pool that has been offered by the casino website. Play takes place at several tables, and players purchase a buy-in to participate. You’re out of the game once you’ve lost all your chips.

Players continue to be eliminated from the tournament until there is an eventual winner or winners. In tournaments, all players will start with the same number of chips and the goal is to last as long as you can and win as many chips from the other players as you can. Payouts from the prize pool will be awarded to the top finishers at the end of the tournament.

So, which should you play: poker cash games or tournaments? Here’s how to choose between the two formats depending on what you want from you rgambling experience.

Learn the Game

If you’re a beginner and want to ease into the game, the straightforward gameplay in tournaments is a great place to start – as long as you know you might lose. It’s easier for a novice to pick up the workings of a tournament than the machinations of a cash game.

As a tournament progresses through several levels you’ll see that blinds increase and fewer hands are played. As you approach “the river” or a winner comes out on top, the stack sizes of most players will have thinned out, and this will help you make straightforward decisions.

Cash games, on the other hand, can attract players with more significant stacks that allow them to try other moves, which could place a beginner without an effective cash game strategy at a disadvantage.

Broaden Your Poker Skills

If you’re a regular player and want to widen your poker skills, live poker cash games will give you plenty of opportunities to develop your technique. This format offers more scope for analytical play because when you aren’t concerned with pay jumps and blind level increases, you can concentrate on your deep-stack post-flop game and manipulate your opponents.

Play for Fun of It

If you’re a recreational player who plays purely for fun, tournaments attract the type of player who appreciates these events more for their entertainment value than the profits that might be had.

Also, remember that the variance and crazy swings in tournament play are easier to handle, financially and mentally, when you’re in it for kicks instead of trying to win hard cash. This is why playing online poker tournaments like the Daily $10K attracts more recreational players than cash games do.

A Tight Budget

If you’re on a tight budget, cash games suit every pocket because you aren’t tied to a particular buy-in value, as you’d be at tournaments. Cash games offer a wide range of buy-in levels with a minimum and maximum betting limit, with stakes typically grouped as micro, low, medium, and high. Players can quit a game whenever they choose and convert their chips to cash. Tournaments, conversely, end with a winner in possession of all the chips, and players are rewarded according to their finishing position.

Tournaments typically demand large bankrolls and because the downswings can sometimes be significant, you’ll need a pocket that’s deep enough to absorb the inevitable losses that come with the territory.

Limited Play Time

Something all casino game enthusiasts love about playing online is the convenience and flexibility it provides. Cash games are a clear favorite over tournaments when it comes to playing anywhere and at any time. These games are as simple as opting in and out whenever you want to, without affecting your cash-out. And because cash games are available around the clock, it’s up to you to decide when you want to participate.

Tournaments, on the other hand, have no time limit (they’ll keep going until there’s a winner), and you can only leave when it’s over without potentially being disqualified and forfeiting your chips.

Smaller, Action-Packed Games

When you play poker online, you can take part in cash games that feature smaller tables (often a maximum of six players). These “six-max cash games” allow gamblers to play more hands and play them more aggressively since, as the blinds come around far more quickly, players can’t wait around for premium cards. It’s a hard and fast poker style with a growing fan base. If you enjoy action-packed games, jump into a Sit & Go Tournament to try some fast-play poker.

A Chance at the Big Money

One of the enduring attractions of poker tournaments is the chance to win big. It doesn’t happen often, but finishing in the top spot (or top three spots) will increase your buy-in significantly. It’s pretty much impossible to get the same result when participating in a few cash game sessions. Of course, there’s also the fame that accompanies winning a major poker tournament. But if you prefer the chance at smaller, steadier wins, cash games are the way to go.

Get Your Fill of Online Poker Tournaments and Exciting Cash Games at 18ClubSG

18ClubSG has made it easy to enjoy both formats of the game. It’s easy to register and play casino games that offer a wide variety and authentic experiences, whether you choose a game of Texas Hold’em poker online, the Omaha variations, or even Spins and FastForward. 18ClubSG also hosts daily and monthly tournaments, plus a number of live dealer poker games, so you have the full gamut of options at your disposal.

The post Poker Tournaments or Cash Games: What to Play? appeared first on Casinotips4u.

Players tend to divide pocket pairs into low, medium and high categories, ranging from pocket twos to the mighty pocket aces. Pocket 8s occupy the middle position in this array. Otherwise known as the “snowmen” (because the number 8 looks like two stacked snowballs), pocket 8s is a good and often underrated starting hand that’s usually worth playing before the flop. More often than not, though, the flop serves up and overcard, which can be tricky to contend with.

Understanding Pairs in Poker

When you’re playing Texas Hold’em, whether online or at a land-based casino, there are 13 possible types of pairs you could come across. The highest pair you could get would be an A-A combination and the lowest a 2-2.

Knowing how to handle premium, medium, and low pairs is crucial when you start a hand.

• Premium pairs are any pairs made up of face cards (jacks, queens, kings, or aces)
• Medium pairs are pairs made up to two cards with a value of between 6-10 (hands of 6-6 to 10-10).
• Small pairs are pairs from 2-2 through to 5-5.

Your strategy with pocket pairs will usually change depending on your position at the table and your opponents. Generally, if you’re in a late position and facing a single raise, playing cautiously with small and medium pairs is a good idea. In early positions, you should only play them if the value is clear, or you can fold them.

With premium pairs, you’re in a strong position to take control of the game. It’s a good move to raise before the flop or re-raise if someone else has raised before you, regardless of your position.

The odds of receiving any pocket pair are only +1,595. Being dealt a premium pair has even lower odds. For example, the odds that you’ll be dealt pocket aces in any of your online poker games are +22,122. Still, it’s important to know how to play these poker hands so you’re prepared for any eventuality. So, here are some basic tips on how to play pocket 8s in your online poker games.

Opening the Pot With Pocket 8s

If you’re playing Texas Hold’em poker, and the pot has not been opened (in other words, only the blinds have placed bets), there’s only one way to act with pocket 8s: Raise. No matter what your position, if you’re going to play, always raise if the action folds to you in an open pot.

If you’re in an early position and are re-raised by another player in a later position, you’ll be out of position for the rest of the hand if you want to call. If you’re in a late position, you’re very well placed to eliminate the limpers. Whatever you do, though, don’t limp in with pocket 8s preflop, or you’ll lose value over time.

How to Play Pocket 8s Against a Raise

Position is an even more important consideration for your poker strategy when wielding the snowmen against a raise. When it comes to cash games, cold-calling the small blind is generally a losing strategy (especially in high-rake environments). So, in this situation, you should only 3-bet.

However, it’s essential to remember that if you’re in the small blind, the prevailing wisdom is to re-raise against an open raise either from the cut-off or button positions (re-raising against earlier position raises is considered too loose). If you’re in the big blind, you’re already invested in the pot, so you’ll likely want to call with pocket 8s. In the button position, you’ll be the last player to act after the flop, which gives you better chances to realize value, so it’s also advised to call. In every other position, you must decide whether to fold, call, or re-raise. If you’re playing in low-stakes games, re-raising is probably the way to go.

How to Play Against a Re-Raise

The odds of getting pocket 8s as a starting hand in poker are +1,567. Your odds of flopping a set (making three of a kind on the flop) are +733, and your odds of making an opponent go bust with an overpair or top pair are fairly good. Even if you don’t hit a set on the flop, you can sometimes keep going against a continuation bet. For all these reasons, the best choice with pocket 8s against a re-raise is always to call.

The same goes against a 4-bet (second re-raise). That said, it always pays to be wary when you play poker online. If a very tight player makes a 4-bet, or if the 4-bet is very big, you may want to consider folding. That holds especially true for online poker tournaments when protecting your stack is important.

General Considerations

Some general considerations to keep in mind when you’re playing poker online with pocket 8s include stack size, the type of game you’re playing, and your opponents. The size of your stack puts a limit on how creative you can get. If you’re short on chips and holding pocket 8s, you’ll want to push hard before the flop or just fold. A bigger stack gives you more confidence to see the flop and take your chances.

With regard to game type, cash games allow you to rebuild your stack, so you play pocket 8s quite aggressively (assuming you have the budget). You can’t do that in poker tournaments, so you’ll have to play a lot smarter to stay in the running. When it comes to your opponents’ style of play, you need to figure out whether they are aggressive or passive players so you can tailor your approach and, hopefully, take their money.

The post How to Play Pocket 8s in Poker appeared first on Casinotips4u.

The bounty format has plenty of appeal, with the long-term rewards of the tournament paytable supplemented by the short-term reward of knocking another player out and claiming the cash bounty on their head.

However, bounty tournaments require different skills and strategies to freeze out tournaments. If you want to start working on your bounty tournament strategy, here are some quick tips to improve your bounty tournament game.

Tip #1: Adjust Your ICM Thinking For All Ins

In a cash game, the value of an all-in is determined by the pot odds determined by the equity of your range versus your opponent’s range, the size of the pot, and the size of the stacks involved.

However, in tournament poker, the value of your all-in is determined by a more complicated assessment of how winning or losing will affect your range of likely cashing positions. This is usually estimated using something called an independent chip model, which looks at how many players are left and what the payout table looks like.

The calculation falls between a pure ICM calculation and pure pot odds in a bounty tournament. At times when the ICM factor is low (for example, early on in the tournament), an all-in’s value might be a rounding error away from pot odds.

When the pay jumps are close and are much bigger than the bounty value, something closer to ICM will prevail, but not to the extent it would in a freezeout.

Tip #2: Short Stacks Play Wider When Playing For Value

When you’re shorter than your opponent, then your bounty comes into play, sweetening the pot every time you’re all in. As a result, players will call wider than usual. That means you can shove wider, but you should still ensure you’re shoving for value.

You’ll find a lot of players calling wider than usual. If you’d usually shove A♠ 10♠ or better in a spot, consider expanding that to include a few more middling suited-aces. You’re probably still ahead.

Tip #3: But Tighter When Bluffing

The corollary to playing wider for value is playing much tighter when bluffing.

Because you’re much more likely to be called when you play, picking hands with showdown value is a good idea. This might mean dropping a lot of playable suited-connectors but widening your range of AXXX-, KXXX-, and pocket pair-type hands.

You should shove a lot more, aiming to double up and if you do, you’ll hopefully find yourself switching to a big stack strategy in no time.

Tip #4: Big Stacks Should Try To Play For Bounties

If you have most players covered, you should consider shoving more often. Unlike short stacks, where shoving is a good way to win chips, big stacks are looking to win bounties.

The extra value of winning an all-in when you cover your opponent means that a shove becomes the correct move in some spots where a re-raise would normally be standard.

In a typical tournament, small ball poker can work wonders, but in bounty tournaments, aggression pays.

Tip #5: Playing Near And In The Money

In a freezeout tourney, ICM is at its most important near the money or nearing a big pay jump. In bounty tournaments, as much as half the value of the tournament is in the form of bounties, greatly reducing the impact of ICM.

For example, in a freezeout, you should sometimes pass up an otherwise chip-profitable all-in call on the bubble. Especially if it risks making you too short-stacked to survive deep into the money. In a bounty tournament, getting that bounty may well compensate for the ICM risk, and your call becomes not just chip-profitable but also dollar-profitable.

This is especially true in progressive knock-outs, where winning the tournament earns you your own (potentially huge) bounty, adding the incentive to play to win.

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Assign the value of +1 to 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and 6s. Assign the value of 0 to 7s, 8s and 9s. Assign the value of -1 to 10s, Js, Qs, Ks and Aces. Now count down the deck cumulatively card by card, establishing what is called the running count. If you have done so correctly, you will finish the count at 0. Repeat this until you get the final running count correct five straight times.

#2 Repeat the card-counting exercise but this time counting two cards together

You still maintain the cumulative count. Again, if you do not arrive at 0 at the end of the deck you have made a mistake. Repeat this until you get it correct five straight times.

#3 Repeat the process counting three cards together and then four cards together

Learn how to offset plus and minus cards to make the count easire. You must arrive at 0 five consecutive times counting both three cards together and four cards together.

#4 Repeat the cumulative running count using two decks, then four decks and finally six decks

Get it right three consecutive times for each by reaching a final running count of 0.

#5 Learn how to convert the running count into the true count.

All betting and hand-play decisions are based on the true count, which is simply the cumulative running count divided by the number of decks remaining. You calculate the number of decks remaining by taking into account the number of decks that have already been played. You do this because on a live blackjack table you cannot judge the number of decks remaining by looking into the card shoe.

#6 Learn how to round off decks remaining to the next whole

For example, if there are approximately 3.5 decks remaining, you round it up to four. If there are 3.4 decks remaining, you round it down to three. By practicing you will develop a keen eye for accurately estimating the amount of decks and half-decks to be played.

#7 Making the conversion

If you have a running count of +4 with two decks remaining, you have a true count of +2. If you have a running count of -4 with two decks remaining, you have a true count of -2. Round off the true count number the same way you rounded off the number of remaining decks.

#8 Simulate a blackjack game with seven player positions and deal the cards, counting them as you deal

You must always retain the cumulative running count, then convert it to the true count at the end of each initial deal and again after the hit cards come out. After each hand is played, revert back to the running count and repeat the process. You should spend several hours on this as it can get a bit tricky and you will need the time to consistently get it done accurately.

#9 Learn the betting strategies and hand decisions using the high-lo count

If you don’t already know basic strategy, learn it first. Basic strategy is the essential core of card-counting play as hand-decisions while counting only vary from it 20% of the time. Go online and study both the betting and hand-play strategies for the high-lo count. There are many sites that provide this information.

#10 Incorporate all the facets of the high-lo count

With six decks, deal out hands to seven player positions. Bet and play each hand according to the true count. I recommend obtaining gaming chips and actually placing them accordingly on your blackjack table. You can also buy an inexpensive blackjack layout online to increase your familiarity with the real game. Remember to never lose memory of the running count each time you convert to the true count. Begin each new deal with the cumulative running count you had at the end of the previous hand. If you lose the running count, go back and start over from zero.

You now have all the basics to master the high-lo count. Practice makes perfect!

The post Rapid Fire Your Way to Card Counting Success in Easy Steps appeared first on Casinotips4u.

Beforewe dive into the most mistakes players make while playing roulette, we’ll make a few disclaimers. This article assumes you already know how to play roulette and some basic concepts of the game. Also, remember remember that finding the right casino can make all the difference in the world.

Although roulette is ultimately completely based on chance, there are still ways you can improve your returns in the long run. Conversely, you can also mess things up. If you’re risking your hand-earned money, the least you could do it know what you’re doing.

Roulette Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid

If you’re just starting out with roulette (or any other gambling game, for that matter), you’ve probably found that your losses far outweigh your winnings. Don’t worry – that’s normal. It takes time and practice. Thankfully, there are ways to improve your roulette strategy. The first step is to get rid of the mistakes that are prevalent among new players – many of which probably apply to you as well.

Let’s not beat around the bush anymore, though. It’s time to dive into the top rookie mistakes in roulette.

#1 Thinking Some Results are “Due”

Let’s start with the big one – arguably the msot important thing to remember while playing roulette. First of all, we should keep in mind that the results of every round are completely random. You have no way of directly influencing the outcome, so that much is a given.

More importantly, however, you need to keep in mind that the probability of winning is the same in every spin. Every number has a roughly 2.7% chance to win in every round. The results of previous (or future) rounds are completely irrelevant. Just because you’ve won a few games or lost a few spins does not in any way change future outcomes.

It may seem obvious, but we’ve found that players forget this fact all the time. They get hung onto “hot” or “cold” numbers or think that they’re due for a win because they’ve lost multiple bets in a row. There is simply no truth to any of that.

To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with going after “hot” or “cold” numbers. Technically speaking picking any number is fine – none of them ever have an advantage of any kind. That’s just it, though – you need to keep in mind that picking these hot/cold numbers does not benefit you in any way.

#2 Not Understanding Betting Value, RTP or Statistics in Roulette

There’s a lot more to gambling than picking what to bet on. In fact, it takes a lot of math if you want to really get good at it. However, this guide is mostly intended for beginners, so we’ll keep things simple.

One of the most important concepts of all betting is expected value. Essentially, it boils down to the ratio of risk vs. reward. For a bet to be considered “worth it”, it’s not just about its probability of winning or the payout you would receive. It’s about the relationship between these two. This term is crucial because it describes RTP, house edge and a lot of other things you need to know about betting.

Thankfully, RTP in roulette is quite straightforward – every bet is identical in that regard. Depending on the type of wheel you’re playing at, it’s usually set at 97.3% for European roulette or 94.74% for American.

Every bet in roulette has identical RTP, just like every number has the same chance of winning. That’s just how the game was designed. If you want to know more about RTP in roulette, make sure to read our strategy guide.

However, it was also designed so that the house always has an advantage. In practice, this means you’ll almost always lose money in the long run. That’s just the nature of gambling – the statistics are against you, and it’s not a reliable way of earning cash.

#3 Playing at the Wrong Tables

Even though most bets in roulette are equal in terms of RTP, we can’t say the same for all tables. Inshrt, you want ot pick the right ones.

By now we hope everyone knows that American roulette should be avoided like the plague. It is strictly worse than the European variant – always, in all cases, and with no redeeming qualities. We’ve written about why European roulette is better in the past, and we feel like the topic is done to death.

In short, the house edge in American roulette is double that of its European counterpart. A difference of 2.7% may not seem like much, but trust us – it adds up over time. To illustrate, you’ll lose twice as much money playing American roulette in the long run. Don’t do it. Ever.

However, did you know that there’s an even better version of roulette out there? It’s called Frenceh roulette and it can bring down the house edge to just 1.35% in specific cases. Better yet, if you want to try out a French wheel right now, you can check out Evolution’s French Roulette Gold.

#4 Not Knowing How All the Bets Work

You probably read this one and thought – “But all bets work the same. You bet on a number, and win if the ball lands on it. Right?”

Yes and no. First of all, yes, it’s crucial to understand the basic wagers, what they cover, and how they work in general. If you still need some help with that we highly recommend this complete breakdown of every available bet in roulette.

However, these basic wagers are not all that’s available. Are you familiar with, say, Neighbors bets? Do you know how Voisins du Zero works, or how to make a Tiers du Cylindre bet? No? Well, you may want to find out because they can seriously expand your options while playing the game.

You can find several additional betting options by accessing the so-called “racetrack view”. It’s an alternative betting table that expands the game in new ways. Almost every self-respecting live casino roulette game allows you to do so.

#5 Not Managing Your Money

By now, you probably understand a few crucial parts of roulette that many people seem to forget. As we pointed out several times, roulette is a game of chance – you don’t have a lot of ways to influence the game as a player. As soon as your bets are placed and the wheel is spinning, the results are completely out of your hands.

That’s why you have to take stock of the situation. If we can’t affet the outcome, what can we do?

Crucially, you can control your stake and how you use it. For starters, it’s absolutely crucial that you set a budget and stick to it. Every bet you place has to be a deliberate move with expected returns.

For example, think about the probability of winning versus losing and how that will impact your bankroll. If you’re placing even money bets, you can expect to win every other wager. If you’re playing Straight Up wagers, however, you’ll have to keep in mind that your budget will be exposed to high levels of volatility. If you don’t account for that fact, you could end up quickly burning through cash.

#6 Not Knowing When to Stop

Sometimes, the most important move in a game of roulette is walking away. This is one of the most curcial pieces of advice you’ll read when it comes to gambling, no matter how obvious it may seem. Simply put, there are a few golden rules you should always stick to.

Never chase losses. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. And, most importantly, know when it’s time to walk away. Remember – statistically speaking, the casino will always win in the long run. As such, you may wish to consider stopping even if you’re on a winning streak. The only real way to beat roulette is by getting lucky in the short term. If you keep compulsively playing you’re going to negate your winnings sooner or later.

Conclusion

The reason live roulette is so popular around the world is that it’s simple but effective. You can approach the game in many ways and non of them are really “wrong”. Almost every move is statistically as good as others. which gives players a lot of freedom in choosing how they want to play.

However, don’t relax too much. Your decisions matter – both for yout profits and the enjoyment you can get while playing. If you avoid the common missteps we outlines above, however, you should have no trouble fitting in and making the most of your time.

The post Roulette Mistakes – What Not to Do and Win More Reliably appeared first on Casinotips4u.

With that in mind, here’s a complete rundown of how poker hands are made and ranked. Knowing this information will help you develop your skills as an online gambler, whether you play poker online or not.

What Are Poker Hands?

The game of poker is all about assembling cards into certain combinations, as per the game’s rules. There are multiple ways in which cards can be combined in poker. For example, cards of the same value can form various hands. Having multiple cards of the same value (but different suit) is ony type of poker hand. Otherwise, cards may be combined based on their suit or in ascending order of value. We’ll get to the details below.

The gist makes a lot of sense- the harder a certain hand is to get, the stronger it is. In live casino poker games, this usually translates into bigger payouts. However, it’s also important to keep in mind that the rules on how to make poker hands depend on the game and its rules.

How Are Poker Hands Made?

We’ve delayed long enough, so it’s time to discuss the poker hands order. Below we’ll list what the poker hans are best to worst. We’ll explain what it takes to form all poker hands and how poker hands rank. Importanntly, all poker hand types also have degrees of strength, so to speak. Essentially, if two or more players have the same hand (or the player and dealer in live dealer casino poker, the hand with cards of higher value wins.

Tha hands are listed here in descending order of strength. Each hand is weaker than the ones listed above and stronger than the ones listed below.

Poker Hand Rankings

• Straight Flush. This is the strongest poker hand by most table rules. It contains five sequential cards, all of the same suit. For example, a hand of Jack, 10, 9, 8 and 7 of Hearts would be a Straight Flush. Straight Flush hands are often distinguished by the highest card in the sequence. For instance, the above example would be a ‘jack-high straight flush.’ A straight flush containing Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 is the strongest possible poker hand.
  
• Four of a Kind. Also known as quads, thi hand contains four cards of the same value. Seeing how poker is usually played with one deck, this also means they’re all of different suits. For example, a 9 of Hearts, 9 of Spades, 9 of Clubs, and a 9 of Diamonds. The fifth card is often called the ’kicker” and is used to determine the winner in variants with more than one deck.
  
• Full House. Essentially, this hand combines a pair and a three-of-a-kind. It’s formed by a pair of cards of the same value, and three cards of a different (but identical to each other) value. For example, two Aces and three 7s is a Full House. Full House hands are ranked first by the value of the triplet and then by the value of the pair. For example, a 7/7/7/5/5 hand is stronger than 5/5/5/7/7, which is, in turn, stronger than 5/5/5/3/3.
  
• Flush. This hand contains five cards of the same suit which are not in sequential order. For example, a King, 10, 7, 9, and 3 of Spades are a Flush. Flush hands are ranked based on the highest card first, then the second-highest, then the third-highest and so on.
  
• Straight. This hand contains five cards in sequential order which are not of the same suit. For example, 10 of Spade, 9 of Clubs, 8 of Hearts, 7 of Spades and 6 of Diamonds is a Straight. Straights are also ranked by their highest card.
  
• Three of a Kind. As the name impliesthis hand requires three cards of the same value(but different suits). The remaining two cards (‘kickers’) are used to compared two Three of a Kind hands. For example, if two players in Hold’em game have triplets of Queens, the one with the highest kicker wins. If the higher kickers are the same value, the stronger of the two lower kickers are used.
  
• Two Pair. This hand contains two cards of one value, wo cards of another value and a kicker. FOr example, two Jacks and two 8s are a two-pair hand. Two pair hands are ranked by the higher-value pair, then the lower-value pair, and then the kicker.
  
• Pair. This hand contains two cards of the same value, while the other cards don’t form any other type of poker hand. pairs are ranked by the value of the pair and then the three kickers in descending order.
  
• High Card. Otherwise known as ‘nothing’. If the cards don’t form any of the above cimbinations, the hand with the highest-value card wins. Again, thees are compared starting with the highest card and in descending order.

Final Notes

Before we finish, we should note a few things. Firstly, some online poker variants have different rules surrounding the Ace. Sometimes it’s used strictly as the stronges-value card, sometimes as the lowest and sometimes both. Be sure to carefully read the rules about this before you play casino poker online. This rules can severely affect your casino poker strategy.

Secondly, all card suits are identical in terms of strength. If the player and dealer have hands of the same value but different suits, the round results in a ‘push’ or tie

That’s all you need to know about how poker hands work in live casin poker. If you’d like to start playing today, join 18ClubSG now!

The post Poker Hands Explained appeared first on Casinotips4u.

Typical live casino games decide the outcome through real cards and/or roulette wheels and such. RNG, on the other hand, means that the titles rely on computer algorithms to determine the result.

What are First Person Live Casino Games?

As we just mentioned, they are repackaged versions of live Evolution games. Each First person title is based on a corresponding Evolution live table games. For instance, Firs Person Blackjack is mechanically identical to Evolution Live Blackjack. Of course, switching to a single-player format occasionally impacts gameplay to a degree, but they are largely the same.

Now, Evolution is known primarily for making some of the best live dealer games online. This has led to some confusion about what First Person live casino games mean, exactly. The title itself can be a bit misleading as well.

The main idea of these games was to emulate the magic of live table games as close as possible. Evolution relied on their wealth of experience in delivering top live-streamed casino games, and it definitely shows. In essence, the appeal of live casino games is that they focus on player experience as opposed to being mechanically interesting. They attempt to bring the feeling of an actual brick-and-mortar casino right to your screen. This often comes down to set design and professional croupiers, but there’s clearly more nuance to it all.

RNG casino table games are a lot more limiting in that regard. When it comes down to it, human contact is an essential part of the casino experience. Even the largely one-way communication of most live gaming does a lot to help you forget that you’re really just sitting in your sweatpants in front of a computer. Sadly, this can’t be helped in a singel-player environment.

Evolution instad focused on other things. They carefully considered how these games are presented. We’re not just talking about graphical fidelity here. The player’s perspective is made to closely resemble a realistic one. Hence the name – First Person.

What are RNG casino games?

RNG is short for Random Number Generation. As the name implies, it’s a mathematical process used for determining random outcomes – like ones needed for online gambling. To understand First Person games, it’s important to understand what is the difference between RNG and live casino games. Let’s use a simple example to illustrate.

Imagine a live casino game about tossing a coin. In it, a dealer would be on camera flipping the coin as players put down wagers on which side lands – heads or tails.

An RNG version of the same game would not need a dealer. Instead, the game would assign a number value to each possible outcome. In this case, let’s say 1 is heads and 2 is tails. Now, the game would be programmed to randomly decide on one or the other in each round. Its programming would guarantee that each outcome has exactly a 50% probability of occurring.

Are RNG games fair?

In a way, the RNG version of our coin flip game would be fairer than the dealer version. For instance, how the dealer tosses the coin could end up affecting the result. They could, say, have the coin slip or drop it too early. While each outcome still has a 50% chance of occurring, no two coin flips are the same. Even the best croupiers are human, after all, and humans make mistakes.

Computer programs, on the other hand, don’t make mistakes. Each virtual “flip” would be completely identical to the last one. Of course, a proper casino game uses this concept on a grander scale.

However, a lot of people have a different question in mind – is RNG truly random? Now that’s a very complicated question, rife with gambler’s myths. For starters, it’s hard to say that anything in nature is truly random. The result of a coin toss, for instance, is the combination of the force the dealer applied to the coin, air resistance, the centrifugal force of the coin flipping, and who knows what else. That’s why, in this sense, “random” means something with a clear set of possible outcomes that are impossible to predict.

It’s also worth noting that computers can’t just “make up” a number. They can’t think creatively like you and me. Programmers invented a bunch of tricks to circumvent this over the years, though. For example, one of the more common methods is to measure completely unpredictable temperature variations in circuitry. Then, the number generator uses something like the 60th decimal point of the measurement as the outcome. In theory, there’s no way of knowing how it will turn out. Discussing chaos theory is a bit beyond the scope of this article, though, so let’s move on.

Why Should I Play First Person Live Games?

First-person live games have a few advantages compared to their “true” live counterparts.

Even the best live table games have some inherent inconveniences. For example, they can be slow-moving. Take Blackjack for example. The dealer has to wait for each player’s bets, decisions, and the like. If you’re playing at a full table, the waiting times can quickly become annoying. Evolution first person live games don’t suffer from this. You can lay down bets as quickly or as slowly as you wish. Moreover, several of these titles allow you to adjust animation speed for even more freedom in pace.

Speaking of adjustments, they are much more customizable. Depending on the game in question, you can tweak and change things to your liking. Also, when you play First Person casino games for real money, the bet limits are usually such less constrictive. This especially applies to limited seat games like blackjack.

Lastly, the lack of a video stream is much less taxing on your Internet connection. This can be important for some users or in some situations.

Importantly, First Person card games do not shuffle the deck after every round. Instead, they work with shoes of 6-8 and deck penetration – like live games. This is actually pretty good for card counting. Evolution invested a lot of care and attention into making these look as close to the “real thing” as possible. A First-Person live game is as close as you can get to a true live game without actually playing one.

Top 5 First Person Live Games

Evolution had released 9 First Person titles. As noted before, each is strictly based on a pre-existing live casino game. Of course, they’ve expressed intentions of releasing even more in the future. Importantly, each First person game contains an integrated “Go Live” button which takes you straight to the live version of the same game.

Anyway, here is a nice spread of the best first person live games so far.

First Person Roulette

Let’s start with the good old classics. Roulette is hands-down the most popular live table game at most top online casinos. As such, it makes sense that it was one of the first to get the First-Person treatment.

Evolution’s portfolio boasts almost 25 different versions of live roulette, as impossible as that sounds. As such, it’s kind of difficult to say which of them was used as a baseline for First Person Roulette. Our best guess would be Evolution Instant Roulette, but it’s hard to be sure. It doesn’t really matter, though. What we have here is a typical European wheel with one 0 and no complications or special features.

The market is kind of flooded with RNG roulette games, but this is an outstanding title by any metric. As we said, it goes out of its way to convince you that it’s an actual roulette table. The fact that the chip stack accurately reflects your balance is a nice touch, especially. The “Go Live” button, in this case, is a bit strange, though. It can take you to any of several available live tables.

First Person Blackjack

Let’s move on to another timeless classic – the fan-favourite game of 21. Evolution has a fairly robust selection of different live blackjack variations. However, the First Person Blackjack game is based on their basic live blackjack tables.

The environment is fairly spot-on compared to its inspiration. As such, the transitions between the live and RNG version is incredibly seamless. That said, this game is for lovers of classic blackjack, with no extra fluff. It plays with a fairly common but player-friendly set of rules. For instance, the dealer stands on 17 and draws to 16, with 3:2 odds on Blackjack.

It features 2 side bets – the commonplace Perfect Pairs and 21+2. If you play First Person blackjack the RNG version, you have the added benefit of removing these if you so choose. Other customization options are also present, such as adjustable game speed and the “deal now” functionality.

First Person Lightning Roulette

Some of us like to spice things up a little, though. If the classics aren’t what you’re looking for, how about some roulette with a twist?

Lightning Roulette is one of Evolution’s flagship titles. It’s incredibly popular years after its release, with a big focus on sheer entertainment value. The classic European roulette wheel was used as a basis, of course, which is good for your bottom line. However, every round also randomly zaps up to 5 numbers with huge multipliers. Straight-up bets on these can increase winnings up to 500 times, which makes for some incredibly exciting gameplay.

The wheel in the original game spins on its own, though. The presenters are there merely to add to the excitement. Although the presenters aren’t carried over to the First-Person Lightning Roulette game, it maintains the original’s flair for the dramatic. The lightning strikes are also more convincing in a fully computer-generated environment.

First Person Dragon Tiger

On the flip side, some people like to kick back with more casual online casino games. If you like sweet and simple, you can’t do better than Evolution’s Live Dragon Tiger.

Dragon Tiger is a straightforward game similar to Baccarat. Essentially, you have a tiger on one side and a dragon on the other. Each side receives a card, and the stronger card wins! Ties are the third option, though a lot less likely at odds of 11:1. In keeping with the idea of simplicity, it only has one side bet – the Suited Tie. As you may have guessed, this bet wins big if the two cards are identical.

The First Person take introduces some interesting visuals to add to the experience. Thematically, this game is about dragons fighting tigers. Seeing the winning side light up on the virtual table is a strangely satisfying experience.

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All casino games carry a house edge or slight advantage that serves as a casino’s way of making money and staying in business.

The house edge of slots and video poker machines is calculated over thousands of plays. The advantage of table games such as cards and roulette lies in how the game is structured.

But different games carry different house edges, and that’s what we’re about here. We’ll cover the casino games with the lowest house edge and how to improve your odds when you play them.

What is Casino Edge and How Does It Work?

The house edge is calculated similarly as a return to player (RTP) percentage, only from a different perspective.

If the house edge of a game is 2.5%, the RTP is 97.5%, and players are expected to emerge with 97.5% of the money they play while the casino gets a 2.5% take.

Lowest House Edge Casino Games

Now you know what the house edge is, it’s time to look at the games with the lowest house edge and how to get the most out of them

How We Found the Lowest House Edge Games

We gathered information on house edges from a combination of trusted sources, casinos, game software providers, and experience. We’ve played and studied the casino games over thousands of plays and know what wins.

The percentage ranges account for variables such as versions of games, best playing strategies, and where you play. For instance, you may notice the wide range of house edges on scratch cards.

That’s because a scratch-off from a state-sponsored lottery generally offers a much higher house edge than a card from an online site.

Top Games With The Lowest House Edge in 2023

The House Edge is one thing. Knowing what to look for and how to play a game are other factors that can increase your odds. Here are the lowest house edge casino games and a little more about them.

#1 Blackjack

Blackjack is the casino game with the lowest house edge and is so simple to learn and play. You are trying to get as close to a total of 21 without going over. Face cards count as 10, numbered cards count the number, and an ace can be 1 or 11, your choice.

The dealer gets two cards, and the player two, and either can take one or more extra cards to get closer to 21. If you get a ten and an ace, you get Blackjack and are paid extra, usually 3:2.

The slight house edge comes from the order of play. The dealer acts last and sees players’ cards and their moves before taking action. There are a lot of blackjack variations, but the basic game is the one to play for the best odds.

Since you have decisions to make to improve your chances of winning, there is some strategy involved to improve your odds. You can choose to hit, split, or double down.

How to Lower the House Edge With Blackjack

• Find a suitable game: Look for a game that pays 3:2 for Blackjack, makes the dealer hit 16 and allows splitting more than once and doubling down on splits. Single-deck Blackjack is a better game for counting cards, but it doesn’t matter with most online games
• Memorize a chart: A blackjack strategy chart tells you what to do with any card combination
• Don’t play insurance, even money or side bets: They can be fun, but they increase the house’s edge.

#2 Video Poker

This game is the video version of basic five-card draw poker but with just a single or ante bet.

You get five cards and try to make the best poker hand possible with one draw of as many cards as you need. You are paid according to a paytable of ranked hands, with the royal flush paying the most and one pair the smallest. If you find the right machine, the house edge is minuscule.

Video Poker has several wild-card versions, but the standard Jacks or Better game offers the lowest house edge. The house edge doesn’t get better with multi-hand versions.

Another game that offers players decisions, you can play video poker with basic strategies for all variations. The tactics are simple and easy to memorize.

Lowering The House Edge With Video Poker

• Play full-pay Jacks or Better: This variation is the video poker game with the lowest house edge. Full pay is considered the 9/6 game – you win nine times your bet for a full house and six times for a flush. You should get double for two pairs. You are not paid for anything lower than a pair of jacks.
• Hold any pair: Even with a low pair, in Jacks or Better, you stand a better chance of drawing two pair or three of a kind than drawing five or going for something else.
• Hold one or two face cards or aces: Even with a single face or ace, you have a better chance of matching it or drawing higher.

#3 Baccarat

Baccarat is a table card game often associated with high-rollers, but you can find low-limit games online.

There are various versions of Baccarat, but you will most likely see the “punto banco” version. Some versions offer a bonus side bet, but we don’t recommend it for the best odds.

In Baccarat, you bet on one of three choices, “player,” “banker,” or “tie.” A player win yields even money. So does a banker win, but the casino gets 5% of that? A tie pays 8-1. There is an involved formula for the order of the deal and what wins. But you don’t have to make an extra bet during the deal, so no real strategy is involved.

The house edge is less than 2% with the right choice. Because of the game’s rules, you don’t have choices after the initial bet, so there is no playing strategy.

You bet on a player, banker, or tie, and the dealer does the rest.

How to Reduce the House Edge Playing Baccarat

• Play the standard version: Most baccarat games are the standard punto banco versions. But, if you run into a bonus side bet version, don’t bite. It may be more exciting, but it makes the house edge higher.
• Bet banker: Even though the house gets a cut of the banker’s win, the deal order makes the banker bet more advantageous in the long run.
• Don’t bet tie: Yes, you get 8-1 on a tie win, but the chances of getting a tie are 9.3%, giving the house a little more advantage.

#4 Pai Gow Poker

This exciting version of poker offers players a chance to build two hands – a five-card hand and a two-card hand – to beat the dealer. So, you get seven cards and separate them into the two hands to try to beat the dealer in both or at least one.

Pai Gow Poker is played with a standard deck plus a joker. The Joker can count as any card only to complete a straight or flush. Otherwise, the Joker is an ace.

Standard poker hand rankings are used to determine the winner. By rule, when you have pairs, your two-card hand must not be stronger than your five-card hand. You are paid even money if you win both hands. If you win just one, it’s a push or tie.

Some casinos charge a 5% commission on your winnings. If you find one that doesn’t, the house edge is just 1.3%.

Dropping Casino House Edge With Pai Gow Poker

• Separate high cards: When you have no pair or better, put the highest card in your high (five-card) hand and the next highest card in your low hand. Split pairs: With two pair, where the top pair is aces, split or make a pair in each hand.
• With a top pair of kings, split except when the other pair is deuces, then play them together and play the two highest remaining cards in the low hand.
• Keep straights and flushes together: Always play a straight or flush in your five-card hand.

#5 Roulette

Roulette is the age-old casino wheel game that has plenty of betting options with odds that range from even money to 35-1. The table layout includes red or black numbers and spaces where you place bets.

You can bet on just one space or spread your bets to as many spots as the table’s wagering limit allows. Then the wheel spins with the little ball that bounces around and lands on a number from 1 to 36. If the ball lands on your number or space, you win.

You can bet on a number, block of numbers, high/low, even/odd, or red/black, all with various payouts. But the green number zero gives the casino much of its house edge.

The American version of roulette has a zero and a double zero, while the European layout has a zero. So, the European version has a lower house edge, around 2.5%. Roulette is essentially a lottery-type game of numbers, so little gameplay strategy is needed.

Most roulette strategies are betting systems that call for betting on 1-1 odds spots and varying bet amounts according to previous results. But there are some game techniques you can use to increase your chances.

Tips to Reduce Casino House Edge in Roulette

• Play the European version: With even-money wagers, the table with the single zero has a significantly lower house edge than the American with 0 and 00.
• Concentrate on 1-1 bets: Red/black, even/odd, and high/low, which pay even, and you will hit roughly half the time.
  The hitch, of course, is the green zero, which is the casino’s edge.
• Third column/black: Look at the table layout. You’ll see that all but four black spaces are in the first two columns.
  So, if you bet on the third column and black, you cover 26 numbers in just two bets.

#6 Slots

Slots are casino favorites because of the long-shot chance of hitting a jackpot win, sometimes life-changing. But slots pay in other ways. Playing slots is easy. You pick a bet amount, choose several paylines if there are more than one, and spin the reels. Each slot game is gauged and tested to produce a particular house edge.

Most slots have a house edge of 3% to 5%, but some are set for as low as 2% or as high as 10%.

There is no gameplay strategy for slots. Your only choices are how much to bet per spin and how many paylines to play. With some games, you don’t even have the option of paylines.

Some slots give you choices in advanced bonus rounds but do not significantly change the house edge.

How To Improve Yours Odds at Slots

• Look for 5% or lower games: Plenty of slots have a 5% or lower house edge. Most online casino slots offer RTP percentages, while land-based casinos generally do not.
• Play online: Most online slots have lower house edges because online casinos have fewer overhead costs than brick-and-mortar casinos.
• Low volatility is best for RTP: Slots come with volatility ratings. High-volatility games offer bigger maximum wins but hit less frequently. Low volatility slots may have a small hit but pay more consistently.

#7 Craps

Craps is a fun dice game with great returns when you get “on a roll” of consecutive winners.

There are a lot of wagers available on a craps layout, so it seems complicated. But it is relatively easy when you’re seeking the lowest house edge. With craps, you are betting on the outcome of a dice roll. A round starts with bets on sections marked “Pass” or “Don’t Pass” and the “come out” roll.

If the come-out roll is 7 or 11, Pass wins, and Don’t Pass loses. If the come-out roll is 2, 3, or 12, that’s “craps,” and the Don’t Pass wins while the Pass loses. Any other number starts the “point” round, which opens up the betting for other choices.

If, over the following rolls, the dice come up with the point number 7, there are payouts, and a new round begins. There are other choices for betting, the main ones being odds bets on any number, the “come” bet, which is much like the pass bet, place bets on numbers, and various “hard way” bets that call for matching numbers on dice.

Each bet has different returns based on the likelihood of the dice landing on the number.

Lower House Edge With Craps

• Bet Pass or Don’t Pass: Putting your bet on the Pass or Don’t Pass lines and leaving it offers the lowest house odds. Don’t Pass is slightly better.
• Bet Don’t Come: If a point is thrown on your Don’t Pass bet, then bet on Don’t Come. Don’t Come bet pays out if the shooter lands a 2 or 3 on the next roll, and 12 results in a push.
• Don’t make single-roll bets: Avoid Field, Any 7, or Any Craps. They lift the house edge to more than 10%.

Why Look For Games with low Casino Edge?

Gamblers depend a lot on the whims of Lady Luck. That’s why it’s called gambling and why we love it.

But even with luck involved, you want to pay attention to the house edge. Here are reasons to seek out the lowest house edge casino games.

Boost Your Wins With Low House Edge Games

Few things are certain in gambling. No matter what your previous wins or losses were, you can’t predict the next hand, spin, or draw with certainty.

But knowing and playing the games with the lowest house edge is as good of an advantage as you can have when wagering.

So, pick a game with a low house edge and go to 18Club now! 18Club offer the best bonuses, payment systems, top-flight security, and the most fair games. Besides, you’ll be in for a ton of fun!

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Introduction to Live Casino Chat

Live casino chat is a functionality which enables players chat with dealers and other players. Once you join a table to your liking, the dealer will greet you by calling the name you have entered. You can reply to the dealer through live chat. At some live tables, you are allowed to initiate a conversation with other players as well. Since this feature makes live casino games more social, it is good to know simple etiquette rules you should practice.

What is the most important thing to remember about this feature is that it is a channel of communication between real people. On one side, you have players and on the other side, there is a dealer performing their duties. Since we are all human with our emotions, every participant in the game has to mind their manners and act responsibly. Stay with us to learn what you should not do when using live casino chat.

Dos of Live Casino Chat

First of all, you should act as if the dealer and other players are in the same room with you. That simply means that you won’t say anything you wouldn’t say in person. The following is considered appropriate behavior:

• Once you are greeted by the dealer, it is recommended to say hello politely
• Respect the dealer and other players
• Remember that live chat is monitored and that someone will read what you have typed up

Don’ts of Live Casino Chat

It turns out there are more don’ts than dos when it comes to using live casino chat. We don’t say that people are innately bad, but sometimes they don’t understand that there is a real person on the other side of the screen

• Don’ t be rude or pushy
• Don’t blame the dealer for your losses.
• Don’t start conversations about sensitive issues that can hurt other participants’ feelings or make them feel awkward.
• Don’t use live casino chat as a channel to get to the customer support team
• Don’t try to seduce the dealer
• Don’t reveal your personal details; they can be misused by other players at the table

Closing Thoughts

Although you use a nickname when chatting at a live dealer table, you should still act responsibly. Use it as a channel of communication and don’t hurt other people participating in the conversation. Just follow the list of dos and don’ts given above and have a good time while playing your favourite games and chatting with the dealer and other players. What you should keep in mind is that no matter how entertaining chatting with other participants may be, you should always stay focused on the gameplay. After all, live dealer games are played with real money and you don’t want anything to distract you from making the right decisions.

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In Face Up Pai Gow Poker, winning wagers are not charged commission. All winning hands are paid even money (1 to 1). Losing hands lose the money wagered.

Face Up Pai Gow Poker Wager Wins if:

Both the player’s High hand and the Low hand are ranked higher than the dealer’s High and Low hand, the player wins the bet.

Face Up Pai Gow Poker Wager Loses if:

• Both the dealer’s High hand and Low hand are higher than the player’s.
• The High or Low hand is identical to the corresponding hand of the dealer’s and the other hand is ranked lower than the dealer’s.
• The player’s High hand is lower than the Low hand that is considered a Foul hand.
• The Player’s low or high hand is identical in rank to the dealer’s corresponding hand, it is called a “Copy” hand. Exact copy hands occur when both the player and the dealer’s cards (in either the two-card hand or five-card hand) are the same value. The dealer wins all Copy hands. For example if the player has an Ace-7 in the low hand and the dealer has an Ace-7 in the low hand, the dealer would win the low hand.
• If a player’s two-card outranks their five-card hand, or if the two-card hand contains more or less than two cards, this is a “Set Foul” and is also considered a loser.
• If a player touches his or her hand after the dealer has exposed his hand, that player’s hand is considered a loser.

Face Up Pai Gow Poker Wager Ties if:

• If the dealer has an Ace-High Pai Gow hand, then all Face Up Pai Gow wagers will automatically result in a push (tie).
• The player wins one hand and loses the other, this is considered a “Push” or a standoff, and no one wins or loses the bet (no money exchanges hands).

Face Up Pai Gow Poker Ranking of Hands (Highest to Lowest)

Face Up Pai Gow Poker ranking of hands on order of highest to lowest, are as follows: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2.

Important Note:

An Ace may be used to complete a Straight Flush or a Straight formed with a 2, 3, 4 and 5 but may not be combined with any other sequence of cards (for example: queen, king, ace, 2 and 3). The joker can be used and ranked as an Ace or may be used as any card to complete a Straight, a Flush, a Straight Flush or a Royal Flush.

Face Up Pai Gow Poker hands, in order of highest to lowest rank are:

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