Sabtu, 03 November 2012

Different Types of Card Games

There are limitless types of card games to be played. People think because two games use the same deck of 52-cards that they are similar games, but nothing could be more different than Barbu and Speed, or Pai Gow and Pinochle.

 



Here's a list of twenty different kinds of card games, and some facts about them.

1.Bridge

Bridge is a popular contract bidding game. Bridge has a culture -- there are websites, newspaper columns, and even radio shows devoted to bridge strategy. There is a world-wide obsession with bridge, even though it has been called the hardest card game in the world. With a complicated strategy and steep learning curve, to many bridge is not just a game, it is a lifestyle. I wish I were exaggerating.

2. Whist

Whist could be called "Bridge, Jr" -- and though it is not as big a game as it once was, and is dwarfed in popularity by big-brother Bridge, Whist has never really died out. Card gamers love trick-taking games -- beating out your opponent in such a visual way is one of the more exciting part of any card game. Whist has some of the complexity of Bridge without any bidding.

3. Texas Hold'em

Texas Hold'em is something of a legend -- a poker variation with a story as rich as a Spaghetti western. This version of poker, a drawing and betting game, was invented and then made popular by old time poker sharks in Texas, hence the name. This is easily the most popular poker variant right now, and is bringing more new people to card gaming than any other game.

4. Hearts


It is said that most of the professional poker tour players are hardcore Hearts players and that they bet big money on cutthroat games of Hearts in dark mysterious rooms during tournaments. Romantic as that may sound, it would make sense for these card sharks to love the game of Hearts - an otherwise childlike game of matching cards (and no bidding) usually turns into a competitive nightmare. Because of the game play, there are lots of ways to screw your opponents in Hearts. Trick-winning and passing card are big elements of Hearts.

5. Spades

People don't realize it, but spades is a variation of bridge that simplifies the game even more than Whist and changes the outcome of the game as well. Spades is really popular in large groups, on college campuses, and in tournaments around the world. There may be as many variations of Spades as there are groups playing it -- thanks to "jailhouse rules" which penalize tactics like point sandbagging and the existence of multiple versions of "house rules". A strategic game you can play without paying much attention if you want.

6. Go-fish

This is the simple children's card matching game we all remember from our childhood. You can play Go-fish with as many players as you have cards. Some people claim Go-Fish is a variation of Rummy but the simplicity of the game and the children's game gimmick make it likely just some toy company's creation. Strangely enough, Go-fish is known as Literature in some parts of the world. Write in if you understand that one.

7. War

Another children's game (or time-killing game) War is a straight luck based game. Depending on the flop of the card, you either win or lose a war. Most people under the age of 30 learned War before they learned any other card game. You'll see War played a lot in lines at airports.

8. Oh Hell!

Substitute your own dirty word for "Hell!" and you know this party game. Most of the fun is the fact that you get to cuss a lot and people laugh at you. What keeps this game popular is that it is a strict betting game. The object of Oh Hell! is to bid the precise number of tricks you will win. You have to take only the number that you bid, no more and no less. Play is precise, and because of the structure of the game, one player always blows it big time. There. That's what's fun. Screwing your opponent.

9. Blackjack

A skill game that in some casinos is the best bet you can make, if you can play a perfect hand. This is one of the most popular casino card game, and has a place in popular culture as THE "Vegas" game. The point is to build a hand that adds up to a total of 21 points without going over, and ending up with a higher number than the dealer. Players compete against the House directly, adding to the fun. Little known fact -- there exists somewhere in this world a blackjack player's hall of fame. Safe to say that this game's got a cult following

10. Baccarat

James Bond's favorite game (don't believe the hype -- it wasn't poker or blackjack -- read the books) Baccarat is a basic betting game. Players bet on who will win a given hand - the player, the banker, or if there will be a tie. Sure it looks easy, but Baccarat is a skill game. A small sidenote about Baccarat -- the name comes from the name of the worst possible hand. This would be like calling your video poker machine "High Card Poker". Just doesn't have the same ring as "Royal Flush".

11. Solitaire

The most varied card game in the world. In England, they call this game Patience, and for good reason. Solitaire requires little set up beyond putting cards in specific places, and is usually played by yourself. Solitaire is another popular airport line waiting game.

12. Rummy and variations

There are lots of different kinds of Rummy, more than are probably written down on any list. I've written for a website that had me list 500 variations or other names for Rummy, so I'll spare you the reading and just say there's lots of kinds of Rummy. The more popular versions are called Gin Rummy, Liverpool Rummy, and Contract Rummy. The feature that makes a game a Rummy is a player matching identical cards into pairs and other groups. Some experts believe the Chinese game of Mahjong is part of the Rummy family, though I'd bet the Chinese are just fine with Mahjong as it is.

13. Pai Gow

This is an old Chinese domino game that has been passed down through the years as a poker variation. You'll see Pai Gow at casinos in both as a poker and a domino game -- it is probably the casino game that the least number of people understand. This is a game of fast bets, player versus dealer. Pai Gow strategy is just as rich as any other poker betting game, and the culture of Pai Gow is similar to the Blackjack culture -- super-fast bets and edgy behavior at the margins.

14. Spoons

A silly card game probably invented to keep kids out of trouble, Spoons is a bluffing game (with some elements of matching) that uses simple kitchen utensils as an added play element. The first player in the group to draw a poker style four of a kind reaches to a pile of spoons in the middle of the table, signalling the other players to grab for one. Since there's one less spoon than players, one player will be left out every time. So its a social interaction game, and not a game chock full of card strategy. its still fun. Great date night game.

15. Speed


Speed (sometimes called Spit) is a matching game that is unique because both players play simultaneously and as fast as they can. In Speed, a player tries to 'get rid' of his or her cards by matching them to cards placed face-up on the table. This is a face to face game, though there's actually little interaction between the two opponents. The last few moments of any game of Speed reminds me of solitaire on fast-forward, with hands and cards flying around and rows forming and draining like water pipes. Strange game, Speed.

16. Crazy 8s

This is another children's matching game, you could say it is cousin to the popular game Uno. The 8s in the deck of standard cards are considered "crazy" not because they need to be medicated but to indicate they are wild cards. In some variations of Crazy 8s, not just Wild Cards but other "rule cards" exist, making the game more complex for older players.

17. Slapjack

If you want to teach more complex card games to younger kids, Slapjack is the perfect vehicle. The object of Slapjack is to acquire the whole deck of cards by matching and slapping pairs. Kids like to slap stuff, and the game can be played over and over again.

18. Old Maid

You don't need an "Old Maid" deck to play this kid's card game -- any standard 52 card deck will do. Just remove one of the Queens. Old Maid is a matching game where players find pairs You trade cards with your opponent until that player is left with the unmatched Queen. Matching games are popular, and the novelty "Old Maid" packs are fun for kids.

19. Cribbage

This is a hybrid board and card game with complicated rules that generally intimidates people, even hardcore card gamers. You play cribbage by forming groups of cards that are worth different point values, and moving a peg on a board that represents your progress accordingly. Requiring a specific board (or a quick hand with a pen and paper) cribbage isn't the best travel game, but as fans of cribbage will tell you, no two games are alike. There are solitaire versions of cribbage, and other varieties of cribbage game play to choose from if you're bored with the standard version.

20. Pinochle

Pinochle is popular because it is a trick-taking game that you play with a 48 card deck. In Pinochle, you try to make melds or tricks, much like in Gin, but there's a really complex scoring system making the game fun to learn and to master. To be good at pinochle, you have to play for a number of years, and lose plenty of hands. Though it is less popular year after year, Pinochle is one of those "heritage games".

To learn more about playing card games [http://www.playcardgames.org/] in general, visit that link and/or this site: card games.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Hunter

Wild Jack Online Casino - Microgaming Software - Over 100 Slots Games

Wild Jack Casino is a fantastic online casino offering from Jackpot Factory stable, which is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. It is a very popular casino operation which first opened its virtual doors in 1999. This established online casino has a keen eye for detail when it comes to table and card games but it also doesn't disappoint their video poker and slots fans. Players can choose between the flash and download version.

Bonus

Wild Jack offers all first time players a 100% matching bonus. You should receive your bonus within 3 hours of completing your registration, making your deposit and requesting your bonus. Please ensure, as with all bonuses, to always read the online casino's terms and conditions before agreeing to sign up for a bonus. As is standard practice with all online casinos, you will have to meet a play through requirement before you can cash out any of your Wild Jack Casino bonuses. Certain games like Slots will count 100% towards your play through requirement whereas others like Poker will only count towards 50% of your play through requirement. See the casino website for the full promotion and bonus schedule.

Games

Wild Jack Casino has 164 games, 100 of which are slots games. They have classic, video and progressive slots, including but not limited to: Cashville, Big Kahuna, Munchkins, and Thunderstruck. Some of the 15 Progressive Jackpot games include: Major Millions, Lotsaloot, and King Cashalot. They have more than twenty Video Poker Games including 25-hand varieties and full Pay like the old favorite Jacks or Better

Table game fans are also spoilt for choice, starting with 3 types of roulette: American, European and Progressive. There are simply too many to mention but some of the highlights include Blackjack, Flip Card, Baccarat, Craps, Sicbo, Scratch Card, Keno, Pai Gow, Red Dog, Cyberstud Poker, Poker Pursuit, 3 Card Poker, and Power Poker.

Customer Service

Wild Jack online casino uses the Inexia Limited banking processor and accepts Pounds, Euros and Dollars. Deposits and withdrawals options include credit card, debit card, NETeller, Skrill (Moneybookers), Click2Pay, Eco Card, UseMyBank, Click and Buy, Sofortuberweisung, Ukash, EntroPay, PostePay, InstaDebit, iDEAL, Paysafe Card and wire transfer.

You can contact their helpful support team any time of the day or the night, be it via email, telephone, or live chat. They also keep a handy record of your transactions, which is in easy-to-print format.

Software

Wild Jack Casino uses the Microgaming Viper software platform, which offers excellent game selection, including multi-player card games, three types of roulette and eight types of blackjack. Both the casino and Microgaming have been in the business for more than a decade which indicate that they are here to stay. Their deposit and withdrawal banking systems are quick and efficient and they have reasonable play through requirements.

Their video poker and slots games come with an excellent Autoplay function which gives you the freedom to sit back and relax. The games are available in both download and flash versions, giving you the freedom of choice and the software is stable and reliable at all times.

Registering with Wild Jack online casino could mean that you never have to register with another casino ever again. This safe and secure casino has enough variety of promotions and games to keep offering you the best off online gaming all in one place.

The information on this page can change without notice. Please confirm all casino bonuses and promotions with online casino before play.

CasinoCashJourney.com is the ultimate online casino guide giving you all the information you need to choose the right online casino for you. It's a great resource for information on finding a reputable online casino.

Live Dealer Casinos - Feel the Action!

Online casinos have become one of the greatest inventions this century, allowing players the flexibility and convenience of gambling from the comfort of their own homes. Players can bet when they want, no matter what time of the day or night without the need to worry about the opening and closing hours of land-based casinos

The advantages of online gambling are numerous but some avid gamblers don't find the excitement you will find in a land-based casino. Many stick to live gambling at a land-based casino simply because they enjoy the human interaction element. This means for some gambling enthusiasts nothing beats the conversations between player and dealer, the sound of real chips clicking on the table, the ball rolling around the Roulette wheel and the background buzz of a live land based casino

With the development of technology software companies have managed to come up with a concept that has taken the gambling world by storm, live online gambling. As technology and gaming innovations grow with amazing graphics and added features to help deal with the boredom, other operators have developed a platform for those who still love the feel of a real casino. Live Dealer Casino's provide the interaction without the long drive or the hassle of going to a casino.

A Live Video feed is streamed directly to your PC from a studio or an actual land based casino. While online casinos use random number generators, which ensure fairness in online games, for sceptics Live Dealer casinos, eliminate the fear of being cheated or having the odds stacked against them. In a live dealer casino the cards are dealt to you from a real deck, the ball is rolling around in an actual roulette wheel so you can actually see that the only thing you will have to deal with is the house odds.

Live dealers interact with players much the same as in a land-based casino. The interaction level between dealer and player varies between software providers. Some dealers stay focused on the game just calling out the action while in others the dealers converse much more openly. If you are looking for more interaction and conversation a live dealer casino from a studio feed is the better choice. If you are more focused on the game and want the live casino experience without all the chitchat then a feed from a land-based casino would be the right choice for you.

If you have been playing at online casinos or visited one lately you may have noticed that many of them have started offering live dealer casino games. Live dealer games are usually limited to Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette with some offering Texas Holdem and Sic Bo. Some of the features at Live Dealer Casinos include the use of oversized cards so you can see the numbers clearly, and cameras that zoom in and out on the game when necessary so you always feel part of the action.

Check out our review of one of the best Live Dealer Casinos at Ultimate Guide To Gambling complete with an exclusive offer that you will find nowhere else. Use this special offer to try out a live casino today and become part of the action.

At Ultimate Guide To Gambling we provide our players with the best options for online gambling and full player support. Find reviews of the best casino, poker, bingo and sports betting sites available online. We also have a wide variety of Free games for our players to play and become accustomed to a game before playing for real money. So Visit Ultimate Guide To Gambling Today!

Tricks Of A Casino Blackjack Dealer

Blackjack is beatable. Research reports have proven that it can be beaten. Good basic strategy can narrow the house edge down to about.5% but to perform better you'll need to start using some kind of card counting. There's two main varieties of card counting. First there's the introductory or level one variety of card counting. With this level you simply monitor the ten cards and aces and pay no attention to the other cards. The focus here is to improve your winning percentage while keeping the card counting system as simple as possible. After all, we're not all math geniuses.

The next level is perfect for the dedicated pros who are dedicated enough to invest many, many hours drilling and studying. This level requires some real natural math understanding and a burning enthusiasm for working hard and extended hours. The guidance I'll provide will get you started in the right direction with a decent workable, but far from optimum strategy that any regular Joe-six-pack can learn.

Once you comprehend how counting works, you'll need to get your speed up. That's the most common beginner mistake, in the beginning a new counter sits down inside of a real casino, the speed in the game might get away from him. (the majority of people don't realize exactly how fast the game really goes) Card counting definitely will enhance your odds but there is however another thing you'll need to understand before you'll plunk down your money. Your luck will continue to fluctuate wildly over days, weeks even months. Gambling at a casino really can be tricky business!

It's possible to have big drops which will eat into your bankroll but you'll have to fight off the despair and uncertainty that naturally will occur and remain positive that throughout the end the odds are with you. Many a counter has disappeared mainly because they couldn't handle the psychological stress or because their bankroll wasn't big enough to whether the predictable storms. Penetration is precisely what card counting is all about. If the cut card is put right in the middle of a six deck shoe - go play somewhere else. Most pro card counters will avoid any game in which the cut card doesn't put at the least 75% of the cards in play.

Disguise your abilities. If your bets explode upward each and every time the shoe runs down, you'll soon feel some heat. Should you have some good luck, thinking about spreading your action around by moving from property to property nightly. Most casinos mark their shoes so the dealers know just where to set the cut card. But others only provide their dealers with a clearly stated policy. As with everything else else, practices vary and dealers are able to get lazy and move the cut card back on some evenings. These are subtle adjustments that pro card counters bank on - and you will too. After the shuffle and cut view closely as the shoe is loaded. In the event the cut card ends up a minimum of three quarters of the way back, it's blackjack time.

Tourist blackjack players are truly bad. One study learned that one casino's overall net on their blackjack tables ran at precisely 14.7%! And that's having a game which has a natural 3% house edge. That's over eleven percent edge surrendered due solely to poor play! You can expect to be dealt a blackjack once each 21 hands.

Progressive betting doesn't change the house edge in the slightest degree. All it can do is improve the overall volatility of your betting and increase the swings in your fortunes within the short term.

Crizza Reyes
More tricks about being successful at blackjack along with other thoughts on Gambling At A Casino can be found in this new book, located on Amazon.

Is Card Counting in Blackjack Legal?

Card counting is a mathematical strategy which is used in blackjack games to determine what cards have been already dealt from a deck.

Basics

The principle behind card counting is that high cards, particularly tens and aces are better for the player, while low cards, especially the 4s, 5s and 6s are better for the dealer.

In contrast to the widely spread myth, card counters do not need special mental abilities in order to count cards, because they don't track and memorize specific cards. They assign a point score to each card they see that matches the value of the card, and then only the sum is tracked. The myth that card counters keep track of all cards is the result of the film Rain Man.

Devices

Several types of card counting devices exist, but they are illegal in most American casinos.

Countermeasures

Casinos have spent a lot of money and energy in trying to thwart card counters. Such a measure is, for example, that casino staff harass them. This can be as simple as engaging them in a talk in order to disturb their concentration. In some states it is possible to simply ban them from the casino, using photos and facial recognition systems.

Some jurisdictions, Nevada for example, do not restrict the countermeasures. The Nevada law allows the exclusion of casino card counters, because casinos are private properties and the owner of the casino can kick anyone off his property without explanation. However, Atlantic City and New Jersey limit the utilization of countermeasures. It was not uncommon in the past for some casinos to use physical force against card counters.

Is it legal?

This is the question raised by most casino players about card counting. In case the card counter only uses his brain to decide whether to hit or stand, card counting is not illegal. Use of any electronic device such as mobile phones or computers is prohibited, however.

What to do and what not?

In case the casino bans you for card counting: do not admit that you are counting cards, do not wait too much on the spot for your picture to be taken, do not argue or make a loud scene, do not go to the bar for a drink, do not show your ID and do not touch the casino staff. It is not an offence to count cards, however, touching the staff is.

Can you win by counting cards?

The answer to the question is yes. But it is not easy. There are professional card counters who make big money, but to reach a serious level for constant gain is hard. The only skill however that is needed for card counting is the ability to add and subtract.

Counting Cards Online

Regardless of how good someone at card counting is at the casino blackjack table, it is not worth trying counting cards online. Online casinos use software to run their games, which is very close to machine that shuffles after each deal. Any hands dealt before has no bearing on the next hand online. Professional card counters have no advantage in online casinos.

Counting Cards Online

Regardless of how good someone at card counting is at the casino blackjack table, it is not worth trying counting cards online. Online casinos use software to run their games, which is very close to machine that shuffles after each deal. Any hands dealt before has no bearing on the next hand online. Professional card counters have no advantage in online casinos.

Casino Games History or How People Have Learnt to Count Cards; Part 3

Gladiators.
Mathematical developments of the game pioneers and creation of simple and efficient counting systems incited the appearance of a great galaxy of professional players and experts of blackjack.

Revere invented a new simple counting system and first described the method of reducing the current score to the real one. Stanford Wong amplified and improved Hi-Lo system, and also developed the Halves system. Lance Humble, Brison, Gordon, Harvey Dubner, - all these giants made a great contribution to the development of the methods of the game.

In late 70s the professional gambler Al Francesco, probably created the first blackjack team in history. He hired the enthusiasts, taught them Lawrence Revere's counting system and sent them to play. He invented and put into practice the principle of "BIG PLAYER" - when the part of the team is humbly playing low and some drunken and wealthy fish makes high bets on the given signals.

Ken Uston also belonged to this team. Uston was the vice president of fund stock exchange at that time. However after meeting Revere he quitted the stock exchange and changed his strict outfit for magnificent bush of hair, golden chains and silk shirts with huge collars in the style of that time.

Uston played for Francesco's team for quite a long time and with varied success, but his ego did stand it under the pressure of his own ego. He had a very high opinion of himself and wanted to be the first in everything. He left Francesco and wrote several books about his adventures. The books simply exploded the gambling world.

The book "BIG PLAYER" revealed the secrets of team game. The Book "Million Dollar Blackjack" is stuffed with unbelievable stories in intervals explaining the technical aspects also presents different cards counting systems. Uston made people believe that one can beat casino playing blackjack. Win a lot. Millions of dollars. Also everyone found out how casinos react to the professional gamblers - slams, insinuations, blacklists, crooked gambling, false accusations. Uston was in the blacklists all over the world, having won with his several teams about 8 million dollars.

By the way, Al Francesco and many other players are still dissatisfied with Uston's actions who decided to publish the methods of the game which were then available only to the few. But Uston would not be himself if he had not done it.

The next outburst of his popularity was in early 80s, when Ken won the case against a casino in New Jersey (Resorts International Hotel Inc.). Since then no casino of this state (unlike, for example, Las Vegas in Nevada ) is not eligible to prohibit playing to person who can count cards. On the other hand, this verdict made the rules in Nevada much worse than in Vegas.

The next wave of the struggle between the casino and counters relates to Uston's era. The casinos understood, that well-financed team of pros can cause great losses. And then the multidecked games, frequent riffle were coming into fashion and several good rules just died away. There appeared special detective agencies who spied on the professional players, collected the necessary information about them and distributed it among the casinos.

Uston created new methods of the game, used makeup, recruited more and more people in his teams and started playing abroad. He also was writing new books, was starring on TV, was writing new articles, was developing new counting systems. By the way Ken, wrote the book on optimal game strategy for Pac-Man (arcade video game). It's a video game not for money, he was just interested in it.

One of the most scandalous Kenny's projects was creating the team against the casino with using the computer. They used hidden on the body and in the shoes micro chips that calculated the current situation in the game more precisely than any other "human" strategy and gave the necessary signals to the player. His teams almost broke several casinos, but in a while they were caught, arrested and accused of fraud, the computer was confiscated. However, the experts including FBI experts, proved that there was no fraud and the accusations were withdrawn. In two weeks the Supreme Court of the USA of Nevada State made the usage of computing devices in casinos illegal....

Kenny was a good guy, the heart of the company, first class jazz musician, loved by women and press. He had great plans on making a film, writing new books, arranging one more trial, and surely new projects on blackjack. His life was suddenly interrupted in 1983 and the version that casinos are privy to his death is not cast back yet.

© Copyright 2006-2007 http://www.bonus-map.com

Arthur Prudent is the developer of casino bonus promotions, web site covering gambling news, features reviews on Casinos, Poker rooms, bingos, Sports Betting bonuses promotions and more.

The Players Card or Rewards Card in Las Vegas: How to Use It to Your Advantage

'What on Earth is that plastic thing everybody is foolishly sticking into the slot machine? Why bother? What a silly, useless promotional gimmick it is!'

This is what we used to say to ourselves the first couple of times we visited Las Vegas. First of all, we made the cardinal mistake to assume we'd never go back, but once you go to Vegas, you will return to Vegas! Secondly, we made the mistake of assuming that the accumulation of player's cards points is only useful for return visits or if you play hundreds and hundreds... And hundreds of dollars!

Those assumptions cost us money and promotions... Bad mistake.

What is a Players Card? It's a plastic card you will be given at casino marketing on the casino floor once you sign up with them (it's really easy: make sure, of course, to give them your real name and surname, since most promotional material and 'freebies' will require an I.D.). You will then use this card every time you play, whether at slot machines or at the tables; if you forget it in the room, run to casino marketing and ask for a duplicate (very easy to do), since every time you play you will want the casino to have a 'record' of it.

If you are a new visitor you will receive a plethora of promotions, from free buffets to free play either at sign-up or after a few gambling points. If you are a recurring visitor, the points required will be higher, but the promotions become much more interesting, mostly to do with free stay, VIP treatment, free upgrades or slashed room or suite rates.

If you are unsure how many points you have accumulated, this will be clear the moment you insert your card in any modern slot machine, as soon as the computer reads your card. So, keep an eye out on the points you have amassed and do the math: it's better to play at casinos where your points give you more or better promotions, or whether you need fewer points to obtain the same deals, than in casinos where it's near impossible to get anything for free once you become a recurring player, with the exception of some minor reduction in the room/suite rate (as in the case of Wynn or encore, for example, as our own experience would suggest).

The Caesar's Entertainment Group (Paris Vegas, Caesar's Palace, Harrah's, Rio Vegas, Planet Hollywood, Flamingo, Bill's Gambling Hall, Imperial Palace) rewards their gamblers slightly differently than the MGM group (Aria, City Centre Vegas, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, Monte Carlo, Excalibur, etc) or any other Vegas groups or individual hotels and casinos they often have temporary promotions whereby the quick accumulation of points by a certain cut-off date will give you free buffets or free tickets. Asking when you arrive is always a good idea. To play safe, so to speak, we joined at every Vegas casino or group, although if you are 'clever' you wait to join until the casinos offer great deals for newcomers; however, this may not be possible (not everybody has the luxury of frequent Vegas visits or permanent residence there!). After that, we played more where we know we're more likely to be and, since we're now 'seasoned' players and visitors, where we know we'll be offered the best promotions.

If you are fan of Venetian of Palazzo, for example, and love its casino, you'd be better off playing most of your time there in order to receive their email offers.

At the same time, when you are in Vegas, look around for special nights where your gambling is rewarded 6 or even 10 times more than any other nights: this is the case for some off-Strip casinos and it's a favourite move to attract Vegas residents.

As a rule of thumb, if you are a moderate player you'll be better off sticking to your favourite resort group, hotel or casino and play there; concentrate your playing time in one night or so, in order to show that you are a 'serious' player (they seem to rewards heavy players in short amounts of time than those who gamble a few minutes here and there, even if the money you spend is the same).

If you are an avid gambler, then you can play less selectively, but maximizing your points for the right type of promotions is of course a strategy which can deliver free rooms (comped rooms, in casino terms), discounted rates, free dining and free buffets, all part of the Las Vegas live-like-a-celebrity-experience.

Find out more on HOW TO GET FREE STUFF IN VEGAS, a free short guide to maximise your chances of free or VIP promotional deals in Las Vegas.

HOW TO GAMBLE IN VEGAS is a free short and simple guide to casino gambling in Las Vegas.