HISTORY OF ONLINE GAMBLING

It actually took more than 200 years from the opening of the first casino opened in Baden in year 1765 before online casinos began to enter the scene of the fruitful industry. Yet, it was more than worth the wait.

The first online casino became popular in 1996. However, the history of online gambling can actually be traced back to the year 1994. This was the year that the governing body of Antigua and Barbuda passed “The Free Trade and Processing Zone Act” to keep up with the vibrant entertainment lifestyle of this tiny Caribbean hideaway. Since then, Internet casinos had fast become a way of life for people all over the world. The act was crucial since it provided a safe harbor for offshore online casinos and licenses where then granted to online operations that wanted to open on the Internet.

At the very same year, the Microgaming (MG) also came into existence, which is one of the most popular software developers for online gambling up to date. Together with their Viper software, they rank as one of the most sought after by many online gamblers for its superb innovation and realistic graphics. The CryptoLogic is also one of those unsurpassed softwares that take premium in the security they offer in their software products. Because of these large software developers of online casino, online gambling could now be readily available to you in your computer terminals regardless of your physical location. Two years after the hard work of companies like MG and CL, the Inter Casino has then opened its virtual doors in a fateful day on October of 1996. Another two years more and then we saw online casinos sprouting up everywhere, as well as better software programs and other countries offering licenses like Antigua. At about the same time also, Migrogaming also introduces the first-ever progressive jackpot which was then called Cash Splash.

Speed up to our times now, we can see the online gambling industry flourishing. In year 2001 alone, the industry showed no signs of stopping as can be seen in their polls showing that over 8 million customers had tried online gambling while some of the better internet casinos average over 500,000 accounts. By year 2003, the online gambling revenues were studied to have topped $5 billion. Surely, by 2009, it is estimated that revenues will then approach $17 billion. It’s just a matter of time before you’ll join in, more and more, to the bandwagon.

BLUFF A POKER FACE

The term “poker face” had often been used metaphorically even outside the world of poker. This term refers to a blank face that does not reveal anything about the cards that is being held within the gamer’s hands. A poker face is of prime importance, not only in a poker game but in some other gambling plays as well. This will ensure that you will not be able to give to any of your opponents any hint as to what you are thinking or what type of hand you have. It is funny how even the most tiny little things can give your whole game away especially if someone studies you carefully. For very clever and seasoned players, reading you like a book is going to give them a big advantage! On the other hand, you could also try looking at what others are doing, observe how they act when they have different hands until you’ll notice that just little things could help give you the edge. However, while playing Online Poker you may not really need to worry about this as no other players will likely be able to see what you are doing anyway, but there are some instances that you might be playing with a webcam on you. Apart from that, practicing a poker face can come in very handy in day to day living. In what ways, I know you know what these are, so let’s keep it between ourselves.

Keeping a poker face could not be pulled out if you don’t know how to bluff. Any Poker Pro could vouch that bluffing is but a fundamental strategy of Poker. If you’re not exactly sure on how to keep the bluff on, I will give you some easy steps below to get you started on this very useful art especially on the poker table.

• In spite of all your bluffs, it’s always better to check out what’s real either after a flop or a turn. Therefore always make reasonable bets in the rounds and still maintaining your bluffs. If you actually continue to bet consistently, your opponents will believe that you really might have a winning hand and this actually makes an impression that you can get more chips out of them.


• Gather your wits, pull up your guts and don’t forget your presence of mind, this is the recipe to pull off a bluff with finesse.


• Practice having perfect control over expressions and emotions, don’t be scared to look at the mirror and face yourself objectively. Practice and practice to keep the Poker face intact, in any given game and circumstances it’s always better to display a neutral expression, whatever cards you might hold.


• If you face reality and realize that you have weak cards then just beat the heavy breathing and act casually, without any apparent emotion. Any display of emotions, whether it be of disappointment or satisfaction is a sure way to doom you so don’t let out your position.


• In a given bluffing scenario to bet, bet or increase your opponents bet much during the opening betting round which happens before the drop. This is to avoid you from betting too much while you are actually spinning a bluff hand. Things might get out of hand.


• Remember that a bluffing bet is invented to make you intimidating, else it would not be too much of a bluff and it is likely to be found out. So, next time the check comes on you, deal a big bet and bluff your way out.


• Since this is all about intimidating, give eye contacts to your opponent and never waver. Do this especially when he/she is deciding whether to call on your bet or not. But, if you still need practice on this since you’re one who can’t hide your fears or weaknesses, then its best not give away your position and just look away.

ONLINE GAMBLING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

The primary thing that you need to remember if you’re still trying to engage to online is to always read and understand before you agree to anything. Don’t be scared to contact customer service, most of the online casinos have a 24/7 service, and they are there for you.
 
No doubt, most online casinos can be trusted for being fair and honest. Still, this should not stop you from being extremely careful with your games. The truth is, the odds of the games are always in favor of the house that is why there is really no need for casinos to cheat their players. If you’re afraid in engaging into the game because it may not be fair to you, trust that for each new game played by you, the gaming software uses a random number generator that will randomly produce your results. Therefore you can be assured that casinos are fair, most especially those whose games are declared to be tested for fairness by independent auditing services like SafeBet or other accounting firms. 

Once you’re in already into the game, have fun but hang on to your money. Think straight and only spend what you intended. I mean this such that if ever you have exhausted all of your funds then you’d better quit the gambling for the meantime, right away. Do not fool yourself into making another deposit, even if there is a big bonus that is baiting you since you will only likely just keep losing, just like the way you lost the previous money. That is why casinos have a policy of accepting only those who are aged18 or older to wager real money. In fact, some sites may even require you to be at least 21 years of age. This is with the hope that as one grow older in age, they are also more sensible with money.

Gambling is fun, as long as you don’t get addicted to it. Addiction often takes the form of “chasing loses”, which is a term in the industry that refers to trying to make up for one or more bad loses. If you unfortunately happen to be on a losing streak, and nobody is exempted to this at some point, you should either switch games or simply take a break. This will only help you clear your mind and alleviate the frustration which only leads you to making more bad bets and thus more losses.  After all, gambling really is just for fun and not a way to make a living. The very few people who make a successful living out of it even took years of struggle in order to get there.

To make it all work out for you, especially the fun part, you should take advantage of free games which comes in practice or demo versions of some games they offer. Through this you can see if you like the layout, the way to use it, the rules and variations, and even the speed of play which can only make you a successful player in the future. Most online casino sites offer both ‘real money’ and the ‘just for fun’ accounts.  The ‘just for fun’ is identical to the real player experience for the exception that no real money is involved so it is very ideal for learning how to play games that are new to you and while you are still honing your gambling skills.  At present, most online casino sites offer the basic five games which are: slots, blackjack, roulette, craps, and video poker.