New Online Poker Sites

New Online Poker Sites
Every single year there are new poker sites that open up shop to try and gain a foothold in the industry. A lot of the new poker rooms that open up end up closing within a couple years because they can't garner enough of a market share to make it worth their wild to run the operation. Once in awhile a new online poker site will open and it'll last the test of time and end up lasting for years in the industry.
One of the newest poker sites to open up in 2010 is Apuesta Cartas Poker, which accepts players from everywhere including those of you that live in the United States. New players will receive a $500 bonus when they sign-up and there are plenty of other promos and reload bonuses to take advantage of once you start playing poker. Apuesta Cartas is a secure site that is already becoming very popular amongst players because of the great promotions running right now.
The bigger poker rooms are ideal for those of us that enjoy playing in tournaments all the time, but new poker sites are great for cash game players. A lot of the time the poker room is full of players looking to clear bonuses initially and these players are usually beginners that aren't that difficult too defeat. Even if you already play with PokerStars or Full Tilt Poker you could still join new poker sites to earn the bonuses. It's a great way to add money to your bankroll as well as try out new software and features that you may have never experienced before.
One thing to keep in mind is that every new poker room isn't necessarily worth joining for several reasons. You want to make sure the poker room is going to stick around first so always wait a month or two before joining a new poker room to make sure other players receive payout requests. A good precautionary measure is to never keep that much money in a new poker site and always withdraw most of the money from your account.

Read More

The Truth Behind the Argument 'Is Online Poker Rigged?'

The Truth Behind the Argument 'Is Online Poker Rigged?'
Ever since the advent of online poker there has been arguments on both sides claiming that online poker is rigged. While one side maintains that there is no truth to the rigged poker sites debate, the opposition claims that way too many anomalies occur for the sites to not be rigged.
For a further understanding of the debate, this article will take a behind the scenes look at the software that controls many of the major online poker sites. Examining deeper into what motivates the debate and an attempt to explain what is really happening.
The Software
Online poker differs to a great extent from live poker simply because the deal of the cards online is controlled by a software program that can be changed, manipulated and altered by the programmers. In a live game the cards are shuffled by a human and then dealt out without any possible interference from any outside force. (Barring cheaters, mechanics or persons setting the deck) The cards in a live game are 'predetermined' once the shuffle and cut is completed.
In internet poker, the shuffle is controlled by a Random Number Generator (RNG) program, which uses a sophisticated set of protocols to simulate a random shuffle and cut. The RNG, by all accounts, is supposed to ensure that the cards are not predictable, that players can not manipulate them and that it will simulate a true-life experience.
In addition to the RNG, internet poker sites also include controls that prevent cheating, collusion and formulate a variety of potential action hands to encourage players to get involved in the game. Some of these controls (or poker algorithms) are designed to specifically create an exciting atmosphere for players by producing draw heavy boards.
Action Inducing Hands
These action-inducing hands create the majority of constant bad beats and subsequent claims that online poker is rigged. When a player is the victim of what otherwise would seem to be a highly improbable bad beat, they will undoubtedly believe that online poker is rigged.
The fact that poker sites choose to add in any controls, algorithms or other software outside of the scope of the actual game would indicate that there is a potential that online poker is rigged. Changing or altering true life facts and statistics lend credibility to the fact that the software creates an unfair advantage to less inferior hands for the sole purpose of encouraging action among players.
The Reasoning Behind Rigging
Some claim that the poker sites would not risk their profits to rig the game and therefore would be foolish to do so. However, as witnessed in the well-publicized cheating scandals involving several online poker sites, it is evident that the operators of the online poker sites are not so quick to solve or even admit when there is a problem.
The primary purpose of any poker sites is to turn a profit. The bottom line is the rake they charge in the cash games and tournaments. Therefore, because profits are easily a motivating factor, there is plausible reason to believe that a site might rig a game for their own benefit. Especially since a regulatory body is nonexistent and therefore the poker sites do not have to answer to any higher authority.
The Difficulty of Rigging an Online Game
From the perspective of a programmer, it is quite easy to rig online poker. Primarily because the cards and the deal as well as the shuffle, and the outcome is all determined by a computer program that can easily be controlled by any number of additional programs or codes set up by the operators of the poker site.
For example, it would be simple to pre-program the deal to give a high pocket pair to seat 7 every 25th hand, simply by adding in a few lines of code. Furthermore, the programs can easily be manipulated to deal winning hands to any particular player just as well as to deal losing hands to any specific seat or player.
All of this is easy to accomplish, since the deal of the cards are controlled by a computer program and not truly randomized as is the case in a live game or poker. The truth of the matter is that by adding in additional software and making their game less true to life, online poker is rigged.
One advantage that players may have in the online poker world is the potential to spot these anomalies and patterns that occur. If you are aware of a potential situation wherein the online poker is rigged, and you are familiar with how to recognize it, you can take back the advantage by not falling into the trap set by the poker site.

Read More

Knowing the Negative Sides of Poker Sites

Knowing the Negative Sides of Poker Sites
If you are thinking of playing poker then the easiest way for you to do it is to play online through US poker sites. The reason for this is that you can instantly play poker with other people all over the world. Aside from this, you will also have the chance to practice your strategies without losing money since you can find sites that will allow you to play for free.
However, no matter how advantageous playing on US poker sites is, it still has its own negative points. First of all is its whole nature as a game. US poker sites will let you play using an application. However, these are just mere applications that are prone to technical glitches. This means that once the application goes down even for just seconds may totally change the outcome of the game.
Another thing is that since these are applications, they can easily be manipulated. You will find lots of people who are sharing their knowledge when it comes to applications so other people may be able to use it to cheat on US poker sites. This means that they can just do something on the program to give them the victory on the game. Therefore, if you do not know about these applications then you may already count yourself losing on this game.
Lastly, since you are playing through US poker sites, you do not see your opponents. This means that you do not really know what is happening behind the application and the internet connection. You might just find out that you have been experiencing that losing streak because your opponents are discussing on how to win over you. They can use any means of communication such as telephones or even chat.
This is very much possible since they can have an arrangement. What they can do is to talk to each other, lay down their cards and then manipulate your lose. Once a player wins the game, they will be able to share the money among themselves since they helped each other. Because of this, you can say that anything unexpected can really happen within this game.
These are just some of the US poker sites negative sides. With this, you may want to know other negative sides of these poker sites in order for you to know how to counteract them and win the game that you like to play.

Read More

Online Poker Rooms, Making Money and Bonus Offers

Online Poker Rooms, Making Money and Bonus Offers
The online poker market is fiercely contested among the now many competing poker sites in the market. With each poker room fighting for business, I wanted to take a look at how they make their money and how genuine offers to prospective players actually are.
Personally the first rule of thumb before venturing any further is that there is very little that is actually free. If a company is offering A�500 free, it's A�500 that comes with a few conditions (that are usually included in the finer print). The gaming industry is the same as any other. Whether it's shopping at Sainsburys and building your Nectar points, making payments through Neteller and earning points or something as simple as buy 1 get one free. None of these offers are freebies as they still involve you spending money. Getting you to spend money where you wouldn't otherwise have done is really something, and something that happens on a large-scale, especially in the retail sector.
It wouldn't be the first time I have seen someone close to me buying something because they got another one free. Did they need it in the first place? Probably not but it felt like they were getting something for nothing. Strike one to the retailers.
Now, we all know this - this isn't revolutionary. Understanding how it all works simply helps us to look at offers in their true light. Some offers really are great offers while others are smoke and mirrors. This is an area I want to cover in this article. Before I do that, I wanted to cover off how online poker sites make their money.
Internet Poker is a little different from many other 'gaming' business as the rooms don't have a stake in one player over another. Whether one player wins over another is neither here nor there, and rightly so, as this would be unethical. Poker Rooms make their money through two key ways.
Players can either play cash games, otherwise known as ring games, or they can play tournaments. In ring games, the site would take a percentage of each pot, usually between 3 and 5% of the total pot. The amount varies but it is very unusual to see anything above the 5% mark. In the tournament arena each tournament would have a fee, usually at 10% of the buy in. That's to say if a tournament cost A�100, the fee taken by the room would likely be A�10 - displayed as A�100 + A�10. This is fairly standard and with one of the key attractions being that large sums of money can be won for relatively small buy ins, the fee is seen as acceptable by players.
How Much Do the Poker Rooms Make?
How long is a piece of string. The larger rooms make a LOT of money. Take PokerStars which regularly sees over 250,000 players logged in and playing. The revenue is staggering. Many of the smaller rooms still make money but find it difficult to compete with the bigger players in the market. You might ask how they survive and that would be a good question. They survive as they don't attract the big players. This makes it a safer ground for many of the smaller time players who don't like to be sharked.
Of course, this makes these rooms a perfect ground for the better player as the quality of play is considerably worse than on larger networks or sites.
I've Seen Many Promotions Offered. Are they Genuine?
It is common for poker rooms to offer an introductory offer, usually a sign up bonus or free entry into a freeroll as well a promotions for their existing players. Let's start with the sign up bonus. These can range from $50 all the way up to $2,000 or so. Going back to my point at the outset of this article, let's not forget - nothing is really free. If you're expecting free cash just for signing up, you're going to be disappointed.
These bonuses are earned as you play. Each room will have the equivalent of VIP points that you earn as you play. These points are what players would use to exchange for cash, tournament entries or other merchandise. As with most things, the more you play, the more points you earn, so the greater the rewards. Another case of you need to spend to earn your bonus. That said, if you are going to be playing anyway, it is still free money when it's earned.
From time to time you will see 'no deposit bonuses' offered. This is more in line with the smoke and mirrors scenario mentioned. Sounds great but how can they give a way free money? I take you back to the point made - nothing is ever really free. In these offers, the fine print states that you need to wager a certain amount before you can withdraw it. So whilst it's your money in your player account, you can't do anything with it until they make their money first. Not as great an offer as they were apparently advertising. Read the fine print and understand the withdrawal requirements.
The one area that is genuine is the offer of entries into new player freerolls or tournaments. If you cash in these tournaments, that money can be withdrawn so this is a great way to kickstart your bankroll, if you have limited starting capital.
A final Word
Whilst I always advise players to shop around to get the best offers, I still firmly believe that there are great offers to be found. The poker rooms make vast amounts of money and the top sites do pour some of that back to their player base, which is essential to keep hold of their player base.

Read More

How to Choose Your Online US Poker Site

How to Choose Your Online US Poker Site
The 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act made online Poker harder for US citizens. US poker players found themselves in an impasse with the debate that started the prohibition of online gambling in the United States. This regulatory act had its repercussions which included a kind of reticence from people with the passion to play poker online. Although the situation was cause for much fear and incertitude, it didn't completely oust online poker in the US from the online market place. There are still featured sites that offer online poker gaming services to US players with many viable banking options. Some poker rooms did actually ban US players but there are those who remained open to US citizens.
If you are a US Poker Player who'd like to get instant access to an online Poker room, the availability of such a room is possible to find with a small amount of research. What you should be concerned about is finding the right site to gamble. There are a few real good gambling portals that offer accurate and useful information about trusted sites that accept US players. These sites offer the best services, information, and reviews. Before picking a US Poker site it is important to take a look at its features, its applications and the rules of usage. Don't be afraid to contact the sites online Customer Support Specialist to ask as many questions you need to feel comfortable.
These sites offer information about the exciting events that are taking place on their network. These include but not limited to poker tournaments, online poker bonuses that might be sometimes exorbitant and very attractive plus every bit of information you may want to know about a seasoned poker player. You have access to the profiles of famous poker professionals. Finding a reputable and secured online Poker site gives you the security of safe financial transactions. The best sites to choose are those sites that are secure, offer a fast and efficient software with a wide variety of games at all buy in levels.
It is essential to choose a site that still accepts US players if you are a US citizen. Luckily there are a few really good, reputable sites in the market. Please take the time to find the site that is best for you. Don't make a choice on the spur of the moment and not the excitement of the moment. Be sure to investigate and ask questions. You should go to many of the Poker forums available to get a players point of view of what is going on at each room. These players more than often give the best advice. We hope these insights, guidance, and information will help you find the right US Poker Site and make for an exciting start in your online poker venture.

Read More

Blackjack - How Easy is it to Play Online?

The internet is now in the majority of homes around the world. The availability of this service has made it very convenient to find all kinds of information online and made it possible for people to connect in many different ways, from social networking to playing competitive games.
Casino games have been popular for longer than anyone can remember and are a fun way to pass the time as well as provide the possibility of making money in the process. The word casino to most people brings to mind the hollywood definition; lights, glitz, glamour and money, a place where elegant people go to flash the cash and win obscene amounts of money. The reality of this is that casino games are in fact available to everyone and you don't even have to be rich to play!
The internet has made it possible for anyone around the world to play casino games against others and many people have made a living cleaning out poker rooms or winning poker tournaments. Online casinos have a wide range of gaming options catering for every popular casino game available so there is something for everybody or those wishing for a change of scenery.
Blackjack is the most widely played casino game in the world and a good place to start your online casino journey. Playing blackjack online is really easy and extremely fun. As an example to get started, head over to , a site where you can find blackjack casinos, tips and blackjack betting strategies as well as recommended casinos to start your gaming. You can also find various bonuses for each of the casinos so pick the one you like the sound of the best.

Read More

Playing Online Blackjack for Free

Do you love to play blackjack, but you don't have a casino nearby? There are many places that will allow you to play online blackjack for free. This is a good way to get better at the game and it is also a great way to have fun with your favorite hobby. Here are some of the things you should know about free online blackjack.
Finding out about playing free online blackjack can be very easy because there are sites that are dedicated to it. It just depends on what you are trying to find because some sites will let you play for free and others just have free information. Some of the sites might teach you how to employ card counting strategies or how to make money while playing online blackjack.
Most of the sites that you can play free casino games like blackjack will also offer a paid option if you want to gamble a little bit. This is not something you should do if you cannot afford to gamble, but if you want to learn how to play blackjack online for money this is a good way to start.
There are a few different ways that blackjack is played online including the flash version and the multiplayer games. Some websites will make you download a program to play online, but others will have the game available with no download at all. It just depends on the site you choose and how they are set up.
You can learn the rules, systems, strategies, history, and definitions that go along with blackjack from one of these sites. This will help you if you are planning a trip to Las Vegas or to any other area with a casino. If you don't know how to play the game yet playing it on online for free can really help you to learn before you go play for money.
Free blackjack online is also good for meeting other people. Some of the casino sites that offer blackjack for free will also have a chat feature. This allows you to talk to other players through an instant message program that goes right with the game. You could meet a new friend or even find someone to fall in love with by playing blackjack with other players.
Whether you decide you just want to play online blackjack for free or you want to play for real money it is important to understand the rules of the game first. If you already know the rules and you just want to hone your strategies, then you can try playing free online blackjack first, then switching over to playing for real money once you know your strategy works well.

Read More