Gambling

In part 1 we have looked at the basics of the game and how to learn to play blackjack, now its time to learn how to win.

It’s easy to learn to play blackjack and the good news is, it’s easy to win, providing you follow the basic rules below.

The odds

By using computer simulations, it has been proved that certain cards are favorable to the player and others to the dealer.

Depending upon what cards have been played, you can determine what cards are left, and the cards you know are in the deck will dictate how you should play your hand

For example, if more cards are left that favor the player, the player and can raise the bet size to capitalize on the increased odds of success.

This is known as card counting and if you learn to play blackjack you need to learn how to card count.

Why? Because it puts the odds in your favor and allows you to win longer term.

Card counting in conclusion tells the player to make choices that give him an edge over the casino.

Before we discuss card counting lets make to important points

1. Card counters do not memorize every card that they have seen dealt out of the deck.

2. Card counting is not a predictive theory where you know for certain what cards come out the deck. It is a probability theory that will put the odds in your favor over the long term.

Any player needs to appreciate they will lose short term, but of course its long term gains their after.

Learn to play blackjack – basic strategy

Many different ways have been researched to count cards. They all aim to keep track of the cards played from a deck.

Before you start to card count, you need to know blackjack basic strategy.

All card counting methods use it as a base.

It gives you the best way to play in relation to hands that have already been dealt.

It’s easy to learn, and is soon committed to memory before this is achieved you can rely on pre printed charts which are available free on the internet.

Basic strategy lets you play at just under even odds against the casino.

Card counting however allows you to have the edge in your favor –This means longer term you can beat the casino

A simple card counting method

This is a simple method anyone can use and is highly effective. As we already know in blackjack a deck rich in face cards is an advantage to the player

For example, if you are playing a multiple deck, and after a few hands, you observe that very few face cards or aces were played, then you have a scenario where the next hand dealt the odds favor the player.

And you can up your bet accordingly.

A simple card counting method involves simply looking for extremes.

The absence or predominance of exposed high cards is easy to spot by any player.

You may play several hands where the mix of face cards and low value cards are about even.

As soon as you see a decrease in exposed high value cards, you should increase your bet size.

Why? Because the odds of a face card now being dealt have also increased which favors you the player and you need to take advantage.

It’s simple and effective in putting the odds in your favor and is perfect novice’s introduction on how to card count.

You can use more complicated strategies but you need to test them the fact that their complicated does not mean there any better than the one above which is free.

Check results and do your homework

Learn to play blackjack and win big

It’s easy to learn to play blackjack and the good news it’s also easy to win if you follow the above advice – Good luck!

As the midpoint of conference play approaches, the Big Ten clearly appears to be separated into two tiers. Four of the six games last week were routs, including the nation’s No. 1 team, Ohio State, taking care of in-state mid-major Bowling Green by a score of 35-7 at the Horseshoe.

In my opinion, the top tier is filled by the Buckeyes, Michigan, Iowa and Wisconsin. With limited exception, I would not expect any of these four teams to lose to the bottom seven. Wisconsin may struggle with its trip to West Lafayette in two weeks and Iowa may be given a battle at the end the season with a trip to the Twin Cities. Will one of these two games be our Big Ten Game of the Year? Only time will tell but there is a good chance.

Other then that, four teams should end the season with impressive records and two should receive BCS bids. I really hope Michigan and Ohio State can go into their Nov. 18 meeting undefeated, as it would bring great recognition to the conference. The winner of the game would easily finish the season atop the BCS standings and earn a spot in the national title game in Glendale, Arizona, which will be called by former Wisconsin Coach Barry Alvarez.

The following will recap some of the action from last week and preview an important week ahead:

A wild game took place in Champaign, Illinois, when the Hoosiers came calling on Saturday. Illinois was coming off an impressive win and we felt that the situation was right to pull the trigger on them as an eight-point favorite over Indiana. The Hoosiers were really struggling, having lost three straight home games, and were mixing-and-matching their offensive line. Things went as expected in the first quarter when Illinois put 22 points on the board en route to an early 25-7 lead. I felt this game was in the bag, but then the Hoosiers rattled off 24 straight points to take six-point lead. The teams went back-and-forth from that point and Indiana eventually claimed the victory on a 33-yard field goal by Austin Starr as time expired.

This was an embarrassing loss for Illinois, as they could have moved the program to the next level. That could have set up a shot at three consecutive victories and it would have given the Illini a winning record in conference play. The Fighting Illini rushed for 209 yards, yet their downfall was that they only converted 1-of-11 chances on third down.

I don’t think too many people are upset about the coaching change that was made when they replaced Urban Meyer. But no matter who the coach is, this team continues to underachieve as they have talent on paper. Next up for Illinois is a home date with Ohio. They enter as a touchdown favorite and they are 10-2 straight up against the MAC. The Hoosiers hope to build upon this shocking upset when they welcome Iowa to Memorial Stadium. The early line has Iowa as a 17.5-point favorite and I would not expect this game to be close.

Another impressive victory by a road team saw Penn State going into the Twin Cities and coming away with a one-point overtime win. The most intriguing stat of this game was that the Golden Gophers were held to just 67 yards rushing. This is a team that makes a living of the ground and that is quite an accomplishment for Joe Pa and his Lions. Minnesota has seen a big drop-off in talent at the running back position and Amir Pinnix was not able to get the job done.

This game was close throughout as no team had more then a 7-point lead and then Minnesota scored with just over one minute remaining to send it into overtime. They converted quickly in OT when Bryan Cupito threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Eric Decker to give the Gophers a six-point lead. However, Jason Giannini’s extra point hit the upright and bounced back. That give the Lions confidence, and Tony Hunt’s two-yard run and accompanying extra point gave them the win.

Will this game give Penn State momentum going back home to take on the Wolverines? It certainly could. Revenge will be on their minds after the heartbreaking loss in Ann Arbor last year.

Minnesota will have to regroup quickly as Paul Bunyan’s Axe will be up for grabs when they visit Madison. The Badgers will enter their Homecoming game as a 10.5-point favorite, and I would not expect Minnesota to struggle running the ball yet again. However, an interesting stat from last week’s game is that QB Cupito threw for 348 yards. Pass defense may be the one weakness of the Badgers unit. Michigan will enter Happy Valley as a touchdown favorite looking to keep their perfect season alive. To me, they are by far the better team and I would only consider playing the chalk.

Finally, a game that few people were able to watch was a border battle between Wisconsin and Northwestern. The game was on ESPN 360 and bar owners in Madison were struggling to find equipment that would allow this Internet feed to be able to be seen on big screen TVs. From what I heard, not many of them had success and thus business suffered.

Northwestern had traditionally been a thorn in the side of the Badgers, as they haven’t beaten them two out of the last three years (including last season’s 51-48 thriller). The Badgers jumped out to a 10-0 led and it appeared to be an easy victory for them. The Cats did run off the next nine points to get within one, but that was all they could do. Wisconsin gradually pulled away for a 41-9 victory.

Northwestern has lost their identity with the sudden passing of Coach Randy Walker and their offense is just a shadow of what it was in the past. They finished with just 216 yards of offense and the spread is not fooling anybody. RB PJ Hill continues to surprise opponents with his rushing ability and is the conference leader in yards. He has gone over the century mark in five of his six games and should eclipse the 1,000-mark next week.

Next up for the Cats is a home date with Purdue. The Boilers enter as a touchdown favorite and it will be interesting to see which team responds, as both were blown out last week. This would be a game to stay away from since both teams have problems stopping opponents. The over looks to be the only possibility.

The other intriguing game next week features the No. 1 team in the land heading to East Lansing to take on the Spartans. Michigan State realizes this game is their season and their last chance to showcase their underachieving talent on the national stage. I said two weeks ago they would get the Bucks or the Wolverines. They didn’t beat Michigan, so who what to expect this week. The talent is there, but their minds tend to drift.

Final Thoughts from Around College Football

1) For those of you who played Mississippi State, you had to have been heartbroken when two touchdowns were scored with under three minutes to play. The dagger was a 50-yard punt return by Vaughn Rivers with 1:07 left that pushed the lead to 28 points.

2) When gambling, I always like to bet with big game coaches, as they seem to do whatever it takes to win. Urban Meyer fits that bill along with Pete Carroll. Les Miles does not and thus I have no confidence in his ability in an evenly matched game.

3) Teams continue to pound San Diego State. I had a chance to see them in person and the offensive unit is definitely one of the worst in the nation. Continue to lay the big numbers until they can prove to me that can score consistently.

Coming off a blowout victory with our, “Revenge Game of the Year” we will carry that over into this Saturday’s card when we release our “Underdog Game of the Year.” This team has an outstanding chance to win this game straight up and I will be taking a serious look at the moneyline.

For those of you that have not tried our hockey service, I would encourage you to do so. We are offering a special through Sunday, Oct. 15, where you can get a week of selections for only $20. I make the selections myself and cater to the gambler that likes to bet big bucks on one game each night. We expect another big week in football and would like you aboard.

Free Pick: Take Texas Tech -8 over Colorado.

I’m not sure who his setting the NBA schedule but it would seem logical that the Cleveland/Detroit and Dallas/San Antonio series, which played their Game 2s on Tuesday, would be the ones playing tonight. However, that is not the case. Rather, it’s the Miami/New Jersey and Phoenix/Los Angeles series (that’s Clippers not Lakers!) listed on Friday’s ‘board’ as well as tonight’s TV schedule (TNT).

My free play for Friday is on the Cle Indians over the Det Tigers at 7:05 ET. My high-end NBA releases (20 and 22*s plus LEGENDs) have gone 7-3 during the playoffs and tonight I’m featuring a 2nd Round 20* Total that you WON’T want to miss. My Las Vegas Insiders have opened May 3-0 in MLB and tonight you have another opportunity to get on the “inside” and win with one of these exclusive plays. DON’T miss it!

The Nets host the Heat at 8:00 ET and are favored by 2 1/2 points (188), while the Clippers host the Suns at 10:35 ET as three-point favorites (215 1/2). Saturday’s schedule shows Detroit at Cleveland (5:00 ET on ESPN) and San Antonio at Dallas (8:00 ET on ABC). The Pistons are favored by four points (186 1/2) and the Mavs are favored by three points (186 1/2). Sunday’s schedule has the Heat/Nets at 3:30 ET on ABC and Suns/Clippers at 8:05 ET on TNT, in two Game 4s.

Five of the eight second round games have been decided by 12 points or more (four by at least 22 points!) with six of the eight games going “over’ the total. That continues an over trend that’s seen 15 of the last 18 playoff games soar over the total. Home teams are 5-3 to open the second round (3-5 ATS) and “zig-zaggers” are now a perfect 4-0 in the second round after closing the first round on an 0-8 ATS run.

Three of the four series are tied at 1-all after two games with only the Pistons owning a 2-0 lead (over the Cavs). Oddsmakers had Detroit as about a 20-to-1 favorite to win its series over Cleveland while Miami, Phoenix and San Antonio all opened as around 2-to-1 favorites over New Jersey, the LA Clippers and Dallas, respectively. If you want Detroit over Cleveland now, all you have to do is lay about 70-to-1. The ‘take-back’ on Cleveland is about 35-to-1.

While the Nets have ’stolen’ the home court edge from the Heat, Miami is still a favorite in the series, at about minus-$1.45. However, that’s not the case in the two Western Conference series. The Clippers are now favored to win their series over the Suns (approximately minus-$1.25) and the Mavs are now favored to beat the defending champs in their series, by about minus-$1.45.

MLB notes

Three of Thursday’s 11 games were rained out and a fourth, the Mets/Phillies game was shortened to five innings. However, the Phillies got the win in that game 2-0, bouncing right back from the 13-4 loss Wednesday night that ended the team’s nine-game losing streak. The Cubs, who had ended an eight-game losing streak on Tuesday (8-1 over the Giants), returned to form with a 9-3 loss in San Francisco.

MLB’s longest active winning streak and its longest active losing streak both came to an end yesterday, as the Astros beat the Dodgers 4-2 in LA. The Astros’ win ended their six-game losing streak, while ending the Dodgers’ five-game winning streak.

Thursday’s most exciting game was Washington at Cincinnati, where the Nationals tied the game at 1-1 in the ninth and then took a 4-1 lead in the 11th. However, Ken Griffey Jr. hit a three-run HR (the 539th of his career) in the bottom of the 11th to cap a four-run 11th, giving the Reds a 5-4 win. It was Griffey’s first game in a month (knee) and he had been just 1-for-5 prior to the game-winning HR.

Weekend highlights include a four-game series between the White Sox and Twins in Minnesota. The Twins had won three straight AL Central titles before the White Sox won the Central last year on their way to the team’s first World Series win in 88 years. The White Sox (23-10) own MLB’s best record so far, while The Twins are just 15-19. Also in the AL Central, the Tigers (21-13) visit the Indians (17- for a three-game series.

The weekend kicks off this afternoon in Wrigley Field (2:20 ET) when the Cubs host the Padres. Talk about two teams heading in opposite directions! The Padres have won 11 of their last 12 while the Cubs have lost 11 of 13, scoring just 24 runs in the 13 games. The NL’s two worst teams meet in Pittsburgh for a three-game series starting tonight, as the 9-23 Marlins take on the 10-25 Pirates.

The Dodgers/Giants rivalry is one of MLB’s best but the two teams head into this weekend’s three-game series with identical 17-18 marks. Of course the “Barry watch” is still on, as the ever-lovable slugger ’sits’ at 713 and counting. The Phillies, who have won 10 of 11, are in Cincinnati to play the Reds for three games. Cincy owns the NL’s best record at 23-12 and have been in first place (NL Central) for the last 14 days.

Two pitchers to watch tonight are Philadelphia rookie Cole Hamels who will be making his first ML start in Cincinnati and veteran Jose Lima, who goes for the Mets tonight in Milwaukee. Here’s why.

The left-handed Hamels posted a 1.54 ERA in three previous minor league seasons heading into 2006. In three starts this year (Triple-A), he’s allowed just 10 hits and one ER in 23 innings (0.39 ERA) with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 36-1!

As for Lima, the man who once went 16-8 and 21-10 in back-to-back seasons for the Astros (1998-99), tonight will be his second start of 2006. Lima followed his 21-win year of 1999 by going 7-16 (6.65) in 2000 and 17-34 (6.40) from 2000 through 2002 (team went 26-46 in his starts). He then went 8-3 for the Royals in 2003 which got him a deal with the Dodgers in 2004.

In 2004, Lima went 13-5 for LA in the regular season, making 36 appearances, including 24 starts (team was 17-7). He also won a memorable game in the NLDS that year, a complete game five-hit shut out of the Cardinals (4-0) . He returned to the Royals last year and went 5-16 with a 6.99 ERA, as the Royals went 8-24 in his 32 starts.

In his first start this year for the Mets (last Sunday at Shea against the Braves), Lima allowed seven hits and five ERs in five innings of a 13-3. So why pay attention tonight? Here’s why. In 14 career appearances against the Milwaukee Brewers, Lima is 10-0 with an ERA of 1.92!

Ness Notes is available Monday through Friday by 1:00 ET.

Millions of people all over the world will bet on horse races this week. Most of them will lose money over the bet. We all know that. But it really doesn’t have to be that way for those who really want to make money instead of losing it.

It is sometimes amazing to see how people lose money on horse races just because they don’t have a consistent plan to make money.

In this article I will discuss a simple strategy to accumulating your wins in the horse races, in a way that will allow you to take a few losses, and still come out ahead in the long run.

First, you need a good betting system that had clear rules as to picking a winning horse.

It can be a very simple system, or a picking service with a good winning average.

No picking system is perfect. In fact, you’ll be very happy to find a system that gives you a favorite to win at a place bet at %70-%80 of the bets. That’s enough to make you very wealthy, if you follow it and implement a rigorous money management system.

Here’s how I recommend you go about it:

You will start with a betting bank of say $100. You betting unit is 1/20 of that - that’s $5.

You use the betting unit to bet on place bets. You can also split the betting unit into 2 units of $2.5 each and use one for place bets and the other for win bets. After your bank had doubled, you also double the unit.

So if you reached $200 after a month or so, you double the betting unit to $10.

When your betting bank doubles again (to $400), you can increase the betting unit to $20 - always maintaining the betting unit at 1/20 of the bank.

This simple money management system will allow you to grow your betting bank over time with little risk. Even if you take a loss here and there, you still have plenty of money in your bank.

You will need to resist the urge to increase your bets after a loss This is where most punters lose money. Stick to your money management plan and you will be profitable over time!

Well, you might know what the winning numbers are but how can you stand a chance to win without a clear understanding of how to win. If you play all 49 lottery numbers, if that is the number of your lotto, you are not guaranteed to have one ball correct. But you can significantly increase the amount you win when your numbers do come up.

If you pick lottery numbers the same way as most people do, then you will share the prize, when you hit the jackpot, with everybody else who picked the same numbers. The best thing you can do to reduce the risk of sharing a jackpot with others is to make a completely random choice of numbers.

Many companies produce and advertise software, guides, and systems that claim to teach people how to predict which numbers will play. The only mathematically reasonable way to play is in a syndicate or set up a system where you play by yourself like a syndicate. That way you will always cover one or two numbers in the drawing. Usually the numbers on the extra balls.

Another way to always win is to work with an e-lottery as an affiliate. That way you earn when you recruit new player’s and affiliates to the lottery company. If you run your online business like a business it will quickly make you wealthy. The number of financial companies doing business in the field is increasing day by day.

There are a number of professionals and companies who make a good business of buying and selling lottery payments. In Europe VWD is one of the main operator’s and their concept is ”e-lottery - the smarter way to play”.

Do you know what the odds are in striking it lucky with birthday and anniversary dates. The odds in, for example, a 49-ball lottery are 1-in-13,983,816. This should convince everyone to change the way we play. The odds of getting the first 5 numbers And the power ball are 1-in-120,526,770.

In the lotteries with huge jackpots, like the EuroMillions, MegaMillions and UK National Lotto, you should join a syndicate to improve your chances of winning. If your syndicate win the Jackpot you will still make a great sum of money even if the downside is that you have to share the jackpot with 38 or 45 other persons. The upside is increased chances with several hundred percent and sharing is not to bad either!

In a syndicate you will always win more than if you were playing alone. The only time you will loose with the syndicate concept is when you could have won the Jackpot by yourself. So there are two recommendations that always come up: Play a System Entry and Form a Lotto Syndicate or a Lotto Club.

If you are playing video poker, then Jacks-or-Better is a great machine to play and you can increase the odds of success dramatically by learning five simple tips.

You don’t need to spend a long time learning these tips; they’re simple, quick, and easy to learn. Jacks-or-Better video poker is fun anyway, but even more so when you’re winning big payouts!

Jacks or Better - The King of Video Poker

The three most played video poker games are Deuces Wild, Jacks-or-Better, and Joker Poker. By far the most popular of the three is Jacks-or-Better, and for good reason - it’s all to do with the odds of success.

Here then are your five tips for success in Jacks-or-Better video poker.

Five Tips to Play Jacks-or-Better Video Poker

1. Not all Jacks-or-Better-Games are the Same

Jacks-or-Better will give you a 99.54% expected rate of return when played correctly.

On the front of the machine is displayed the payouts for a Full House and a Flush respectively.

Here are the payouts for various machines:

Machine Type Machine Payback (with Strategy)

9 for a full house or 6 for a flush 99.5%

8 for a full house or 5 for a flush 97.4%

7 for a full house or 5 for a flush 96.3%

6 for a full house or 5 for a flush 95.2%

You want the best odds when you play Jacks or better and that means playing a 9 / 6 machine. You don’t have to play the others - so don’t!

2. The Importance of the Royal Flush

Always play the maximum number of coins in order to be eligible for the bonus payout for a royal flush.

The only way to beat a video poker machine is to hit a high paying royal flush. To do this you need to be able to play for a long time on the least money you can. This is another reason for playing the 9 / 6 Jacks-or-Better machine.

3. Take Your Time

Take your time to study every hand. The machine is in no hurry and neither should you be.

4. Turning Losers into Winners

Only 21% of the hands dealt are winning ones in Jacks or Better, meaning 79% are losing hands.

The difference between success and failure for players is the ability to convert the 79% of losing hands into winners.

If you follow the rules below, you will increase your odds of success.

5. A Simple Strategy to Increase Your Odds of Success

Hold all paying hands. The exception is: Break up a lesser paying hand if you get four cards to a royal flush.

When you’re dealt non-paying hands, check the following, and hold as per the list:

· Hold any four cards to a straight flush.

· Hold any three cards to a royal flush.

· Hold any four cards to a flush.

· Hold any low pair (tens or lower).

· Hold any four-card consecutive straight.

· Hold any two high cards of the same suit.

· Hold any three cards to a straight flush.

· Hold J, Q, and K of different suites.

· Hold any two high cards of different suits.

· Hold J, Q or K with a Ten of the same suit.

· Hold any single high card.

If you aren’t dealt any of the above, draw five new cards. Don’t be afraid to do this!

There is simply just a slew of poker books out there on the market now, with many professional players and writers trying to get a slice of this lucrative market. Some do it with blatant disregard for quality content, while others have become so proficient at mastering poker education that they have solidified their writing status on the best selling list for years to come.

In order to narrow down your gift giving expedition these books recommended here are for players rather new to the game. Maybe they have seen some WSOP and WPT events, played a few home tournaments, and maybe ventured into the casino once or twice. There is a great selection out there, but the following two are my favorites for the fresh player.

No limit holdem tournaments is the game on the most popular poker television programs and that is what most poker players are playing now – even beginners. It’s actually a better choice for beginners as well, because you can only lose your entry fee and not the stacks of chips you see being shoved all in on TV! Here are a couple of great buys that focus predominantly on NL Hold’em Tournaments.

Phil Gordon’s Little Green Book – This is a cute sized hard cover that packs a punch of over-the-top, solid tournament strategy from a respected player, commentator, and about the best poker writer out there today. While many of the chapters delve into specific odds, position, and tournament stage strategy, Gordon lets the reader jump right inside the mind of a true tournament pro and can experience many real decision making situations which are key to getting into the money in tournaments. I certainly think that Phil Gordon has jumped to the front of the class of all the poker writers out there today. His unique ability to make you think about the game, while showering his sentences with poker-love, creeps into your system and just makes you want to play that much more. An excellent gift too, because of the small package.

Dan Harrington’s Harrington On Hold’em – Although not as fun to read as Phil Gordon, Harrington makes up for that and more by having created in this book an actual reference work for no limit tournament play. It’s a unique learn by playing/watching system, as critical topics are covered using actual hand replays involving many top pros, live tournaments, and typical internet games– but Harrington let’s you take a shot at making the right move first, while he then dissects what he would do (or did) in that situation, allowing you to rethink your position if need be. The advice in this book is valid to the point, and organized in a structural sense, allowing the reader to delve into tournament psychology and critical concepts as well. This is about the highest regarded tournament book among tournament pros and internet semi pros. Every page in this masterpiece will effectively challenge the reader to become better

Either of these books will be around the house for a very long time, and be much more appreciated than a whole lot of other gifts received over the years.

Casino gambling continues to expand around the World. Every year there are new casinos opening in existing markets and new venues around the World.

When most people think about employment in the gaming industry they naturally think of the dealers and casino personnel. It’s only natural to think this way because those people are the ones out front and in the public eye. However the gaming industry is more than what you see on the gaming floor. Gaming has become an increasingly popular leisure activity, reflecting growth in both population and disposable income. Job growth is expected in established and growing gaming areas, such as Las Vegas, Nevada, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, and in other States likely to legalize gambling in the coming years.

Like nearly every business establishment, casinos have workers who direct and oversee day-to-day operations. Many job tasks of gaming managers, supervisors, and surveillance officers and investigators do not require interaction with casino games and patrons—but in the scope of their work, they must be capable of handling both.

Gaming managers. Gaming managers are responsible for the overall operation of a casino’s table games. They plan, organize, direct, control, and coordinate gaming operations within the casino; formulate gaming policies; and select, train, and schedule activities of gaming personnel. Because their jobs are so varied, gaming managers must be knowledgeable about the games, deal effectively with employees and patrons, and be able to assess financial issues affecting casino growth or decline. These assessment abilities include measuring the profit and loss of table games and slot machines, understanding changes driving economic growth in the United States and so on.

Salaries vary by establishment and region. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data show that full-time gaming managers earned a median annual salary of $46,820 in 1999. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,630, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $96,610.

Gaming supervisors. Gaming supervisors oversee gaming operations and personnel in an assigned area. Circulating among the tables, they ensure that all stations and games are attended to for each shift. It also is common for supervisors to interpret the casino’s operating rules for patrons. Supervisors may also plan and organize activities for guests staying in their casino hotels. Periodically, they address—and make adjustments for— service complaints.

Gaming supervisors must have leadership qualities and good communication skills. They need these skills both to supervise employees effectively and to greet patrons to encourage return visits. Most casino supervisory staff has an associate or bachelor’s degree. Regardless of their educational background, however, most supervisors gain experience in other gaming occupations before moving into supervisory positions because knowledge of games and casino operations is essential for these workers.

Slot key persons. Slot key persons, also called slot attendants or slot technicians, coordinate and supervise the slot department and its workers. Their duties include verifying and handling payoff winnings to patrons, resetting slot machines after completing the payoff, and refilling machines with money. There are no formal educational requirements to enter this occupation, but completion of slot attendant or slot technician training is helpful. BLS data show that median hourly earnings of slot key persons were about $10.28 in 1999. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.02, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $17.83.

Gaming cage workers. Gaming cage workers conduct financial transactions for patrons. They sell gambling chips, tokens, or tickets to patrons or to other workers for resale to patrons. They also receive and convert the gaming chips, tokens, or tickets to currency at patrons’ requests. Some cage workers may also accept patrons’ credit applications and verify their credit references, enabling patrons to establish in that casino either a check cashing authorization or credit account.

Gaming dealers. Gaming dealers operate table games such as craps, blackjack, and roulette. Standing or sitting behind the table, dealers provide dice, dispense cards to players, or run the equipment. Some dealers also monitor the patrons for infractions of casino rules. Gaming dealers must be skilled in customer service and in executing their game. Dealers determine winners, calculate and pay winning bets, and collect losing bets. Because of the fast-paced work environment, most gaming dealers are competent in at least two games—usually blackjack and craps.

Nearly all gaming dealers are certified. Certification is available through 2- or 4- year programs in gaming or a hospitality related field. Experienced dealers, who often are able to attract new or return business, have the best job prospects. Dealers with more experience are placed at the “high roller” tables. Median hourly earnings for gaming dealers were $6.20 in 1999, according to BLS. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $5.38, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $9.53.

In addition to specific requirements for each occupation, all gaming workers must meet some general requirements. For example, a high school diploma or GED usually is required for entry-level jobs. And applicants for gaming or casino jobs must be at least 21 years old. All gaming workers are required to have a license issued by a regulatory agency, such as a casino control board or commission. Licensure requirements include photo identification, residency in the State where applicants anticipate working, and payment of a fee. The licensing application process also includes a background investigation.

In addition to a license, all gaming workers need superior customer service skills. Casino gaming workers provide entertainment and hospitality to patrons, and the quality of their service contributes to an establishment’s success or failure. Therefore, gaming workers need good communication skills, an outgoing personality, and the ability to maintain their composure even when dealing with angry or demanding patrons. Personal integrity also is important because workers handle large amounts of money.

Each casino establishes its own requirements for education, training, and experience. Almost all casinos provide some in-house training in addition to requiring certification. The type and quantity of classes needed may vary.

Like any job, gaming work has its good and bad points. One of the advantages is the work environment: the atmosphere in casinos is generally fun filled and often considered glamorous. In addition, advancement opportunities in casino gaming depend less on workers’ previous casino duties and titles than on their ability and eagerness to learn new jobs. For example, an entry-level gaming worker, such as a slot key person, eventually might advance to become a dealer or card room manager or to assume some other supervisory position./p>

As the game of Poker is scaling new heights, casinos and resorts where the game is played along with the media have left no opportunity untouched to accrue contemporaneous benefits. This is evident from the rise in number of Poker tournaments.

Since past decade there are significant number of Poker tournaments held at the local as well as the national level. The highly played poker games in these tournaments are- Seven Card Stud, Seven Card High-Low, Omaha Hold ‘Em, and Texas Hold ‘Em, community poker etc.

Poker tournaments can be of different types. For instance- shootout tournaments where the tables along with players are not eliminated but continue to be there till one player emerges as a winner. Unlike to this are the elimination tournaments were the game commences with all players having equal amount of chips and prolongs until one player manages to get all the chips. Here the tables are removed and at the end a single table is left. All those who survive in the game till the last table get some sort of reward to cherish. Such tournaments have no re-buys but the ‘Re-buy’ tournaments provide the chance to re buy the chips once they are all gone. The chips are to be purchased by paying extra money. So the game continues for long and there are little odds of being segregated from the game.

Besides this there are also satellite games in some areas of United States like Las Vegas. These tournaments involve a group of people that gathers and each places in a portion of his money. The fortunate winner gets a good amount (even more than a million dollar) to invest in other costly large-scale crucial tournaments.

Usually the prize money for the poker tournaments comes from the entry fees. This fees is most often known as the ‘buy- in’ fees. Sometimes the money flows in from an external source or agency. But this amount gets invested in buying the invitations only. The buy-in fetches you a calculated amount of chips to start your game with. These chips act as your ‘play money’. Play money can be re purchased only in ‘re-buy’ tournaments.

The betting on these tournaments can be of three types:

· Structured Betting – bets can only be of a particular amount

· Semi structured betting – the bet can vary to some extent and not more than that.

· Non structured betting – there is no fixed limit to bet. It is at the discretion of the player to bet as much he desires.

Then there are two basic strategies to decide upon who will be the winner – Fixed Winnings and Proportional Winnings. The former are those where the organization holding the tournament beforehand decides upon the winner. While in the latter the winner is calculated proportionally. These are split between the players left at the end proportional to the amounts of play money each has accumulated during the game.

The escalating popularity of the game and the increasing number of tournaments have attracted players from all over the world. It is due to the fascinating and mouth watering amount that one gets on winning the tournaments that women as well as celebrities too want to try their luck. So, do you want to be a part of the Poker world!

Okay everyone just take a deep breath, loosen your collar, and don’t go heading to the closest bridge if you’re a Carolina Panther fan. The good news for fans whose teams lost is that there are 15 other teams who are dealing with depression just after the first weekend in what promises to be a topsy-turvy year.

Here is a sample of so me of the headlines from these losing cities!

Dallas:

Same song, new verse:

Bledsoe’s 3 interceptions spell doom in Cowboys opener.

Cleveland:

Winslow is a bright spot on dismal day.

Carolina:

Delhomme has to do better.

Needless to say the state of North Carolina has had better days as the Panthers were swarmed by the Falcons, the Tar Heels were given the boots by the Hokies, and the Wolfpack were stunned by a team named the Zips! Where is basketball season when you need it?

However for those of you who have a short memory, but love football betting, it was just a year ago that the homeless New Orleans Saints waltzed into Carolina and stunned the Panthers. Carolina quickly picked themselves up off the mat and proceeded to the NFC Championship game, so hope springs eternal. You should still check out their odds at your favorite sportbook since after that game with the Saints.

As for the Cowboys, they marched out to an early 10-point lead, but then the Jaguars shut down their running game and Drew Bledsoe went into his Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde routine. When Drew’s on his game it’s a beautiful picture since this guy can seemingly throw a football through a thimble. However, when he is bad he can be awful as was evident by his throws in the last game. Make way for Tony Romo!

On the flip side of this rationale is the performance of the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Cleveland Browns. I have been warning bettors for weeks now that a lack of a solid offensive line would doom these teams.

The results from these last games support my claims!

Bob Acton

Sports Betting