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Revenue Share vs. PPH Agency

2005-06-14T07:17:00.001-07:00

Q & A with
Dalton Wagner, Founder V.O. Group, S.A.

Dalton Wagner, Proprietor of V.O. Group, S.A. has recently found himself in the middle of a controversy between Revenue Sharing Sportsbooks and his Price Per Head Agency Concept. We had an opportunity to catch up with Dalton Wagner and discuss the issue on his last visit to Curacao.

Vegas Offshore: We hear that the Price Per Head offering you launched several months ago has landed you in some hot water?
Wagner: Yes, it appears that my Price Per Head Software offering has been a little too popular with onshore bookmakers and it is making my competition a little upset.

Vegas Offshore: Can you be a little more explicit?
Wagner: Several offshore bookmakers have lost relationships with their agents because my Price Per Head offering has lured them away and toward my offering. Specifically, several of the largest credit sportsbooks in Costa Rica have lost packages to me in the range of 500-1000 head apiece. And, they are not happy about it.

Vegas Offshore: Why are so many people leaving their agency relationships with credit sportsbooks?
Wagner: Well, in the old days an offshore sportsbook might partner with an onshore bookmaker. The deal was based on the onshore bookmaker finding the business and the offshore operator writing it and doing the accounting for a fee. The deal was typically 50%/50%. However, with my Price Per Head offering, I can offer the same offerings, but only charge the onshore bookmaker a nominal fee for using my service. The fact is that 50% is simply too much to charge an onshore bookmaker. I charge bookmakers a flat fee based on the number of head I am writing and let the bookmaker keep the rest of the money.

Vegas Offshore: Wait a minute. How can you afford to write the business for a simple fee when it historically cost 50%.
Wagner: The simple fact is that 50% of the revenue is ridiculous. I can charge a fee as little as $25 per head, per week and allow a client to have access to sports wagering, casino wagering and horse wagering – and, make a profit. Furthermore, we have written a software interface that allows agents onshore to manage their clients limits, run reports, etc. from any computer in the world. The offering is robust, efficient and simple to use. And, unfortunately for offshore sportsbooks that share in revenue, agents and bookmakers simply love it.

Vegas Offshore: Is the PPH product only based on sports wagering?
Wagner: No. We actually have the ability to offer clients two (2) casino products including blackjack, baccarat, slots, 3 card poker, roulette, etc. And, clients may also bet on horses at over 350 tracks worldwide.

Vegas Offshore: How many bookmakers do you currently work with?
Wagner: We are writing business for over 250 bookmakers now. Some represent groups as small as 2 or 3; and others represent groups as large as 500. Again, remember the key is finding as many clients as possible. If you get to where you are writing 15 clients or more, it is almost impossible to lose for an extended period of time.

Vegas Offshore: Anything else you would like to add?
Wagner: Sure. If you’re a bookmaker onshore, call us or visit us online to learn how to save money and/or grow your business beyond your wildest dreams. The service is modestly priced, and we have never had a disgruntled user. The value proposition is simply huge for any bookmaker.

Vegas Offshore: So how does a bookmaker learn more about this?Wagner: Simply go to any of the V.O. Group, S.A. sites to learn more. I suggest starting at www.BettorsNet.com or calling 1-877-512-1001 or emailing agents@bettorsnet.com to get more information.

Innovation In Bookmaking

2005-06-14T07:17:00.000-07:00

Q & A with
Dalton Wagner, Founder V.O. Group, S.A.

As Founder and Proprietor of V.O. Group, S.A., Dalton Wagner has the reputation of ferreting out new markets and attacking while other companies sit on their hindquarters and watch. One market that has always eluded offshore bookmakers is the ‘guy who likes dealing with his credit bookmaker’. Typically this market has been untouchable for the offshore bookmaker, but NOT for Dalton and V.O. Group, S.A. We had an opportunity to catch up with Dalton Wagner on his last visit to Panama.

Vegas Offshore: Tell us about this new product that you are calling your Price Per Head Agency Relationship.
Wagner: As you know, one market that a post-up sportsbook has historically been unable to attack is the huge market of bettors that have been betting with their local guy for years. The reason this market exists is the personal relationship that an onshore bookie has with his clients. Sportsbooks have attempted to educate the player and lure him away from the local bookie, however we have taken another tact. We have partnered with local bookies around the world to make their offering better and more valuable.

Vegas Offshore: So instead of attacking the local guy, you actually approach him with your offer?
Wagner: Exactly. The fact is that the relationship is the last thread holding clients to a local guy. Yes, there is the fact that the local guy extends credit, but with bonuses and promotions we can overcome that offering. The key is the relationship.

Vegas Offshore: I’m confused, please explain.
Wagner: As you know, the onshore bookmaking market has lost steam to the offshore providers like V.O. Group, S.A. The reason is that the offerings that I can provide are far superior to those that any onshore bookmaker can offer. The PPH concept is based on allowing the onshore bookmaker to provide his clients my offerings on a purely anonymous basis via an online automated tool. Rather, by signing up with my PPH service, an onshore bookmaker can compete with all offshore sportsbooks on equal footing offering 24-hour wagering, 365 days a year. All the bookmaker does is use an online system to assign PINs and PASSWORDs and pay me a small fee per week for the service.

Vegas Offshore: Wait a minute. So, this means that a small time operator in Cleveland, Ohio can offer all the same things that V.O. Group, S.A. does without making the multi-million dollar investment?
Wagner: Now your catching on. For as little as $25 per head per week, a guy in Ohio can compete with the biggest sportsbooks in the world. And, better yet, never answer another wagering phone call again.

Vegas Offshore: OK, I get it. They use your automated tool to drive their clients to your software online, and they simply pick up the figures at the end of the week.
Wagner: Exactly correct with one exception. Their clients can bet on the phone via our call center staffed with 250 people OR bet online. Again, they have access to all of the offerings V.O. Group, S.A. provides including call center access, client services and technical support.

Vegas Offshore: Is the PPH product only based on sports wagering?
Wagner: Very good question. The answer is no. We actually have the ability to offer clients two (2) casino products including blackjack, baccarat, slots, 3 card poker, roulette, etc. And, clients may also bet on horses at over 350 tracks worldwide.

Vegas Offshore: Wow! That truly is incredible. So, a bookie that has one client can compete with the likes of MVPsportsbook.com on equal footing?
Wagner: Exactly correct. But, there are two keys to the success of the product launch. The first is being able to compete head to head with the biggest sportsbooks in the world. But, arguably the most important factor is that since the onshore bookie no longer has to answer phones or track plays, he can spend all of his time picking up new clients, NOT writing bets.

Vegas Offshore: I remember that in a prior interview you had stated that the key is not winning, but finding more losers.
Wagner: An embarrassing quote, but true. Amateur bookmakers think that the key is to beat the clients you have. That is a huge mistake. The key to getting rich as a bookmaker is finding a new client every single day of the year. The numbers take care of themselves, the key is to get more and more people playing. That is the TRUE BEAUTY of the PPH software and agency relationship.

Vegas Offshore: Do you have any success stories to tell?
Wagner: I have many, but will tell you one that emphasizes what the PPH program can do. I have a bookmaker that has been working out of San Antonio, Texas for 10 years. The guy has historically made $200,000 a year from his 25 or 30 players. He was introduced to our product in July 2004, and today he is writing over 185 clients. The ability to outsource answering calls and writing tickets to us has allowed him to grow his business 600% and his revenue over 1000%.

Vegas Offshore: Why did his revenue grow more than his business? Is it because your lines are sharper than his?
Wagner: There you go again. That is the obvious mistake that everyone makes. Again, don’t worry about beating the clients. Worry about getting more clients to play. But, to answer your question directly, the ability for his clients to play in the casino, play 24 hours a day, play games/halves/quarters, props, etc. is where the extra revenue comes from. Our lines might be sharper, but the advantage is more clients betting more often.

Vegas Offshore: How many bookmakers do you currently work with?
Wagner: We are writing business for over 250 bookmakers now. Some represent groups as small as 2 or 3; and others represent groups as large as 500. Again, remember the key is finding as many clients as possible. If you get to where you are writing 15 clients or more, it is almost impossible to lose for an extended period of time.

Vegas Offshore: So how does a bookmaker learn more about this?Wagner: Simply go to any of the V.O. Group, S.A. sites to learn more. I suggest starting at www.BettorsNet.com or calling 1-877-512-1001 or emailing agents@bettorsnet.com to get more information.

State of the Offshore Gaming Industry

2005-06-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

Q & A with
Dalton Wagner, Founder V.O. Group, S.A.

As Founder and Proprietor of V.O. Group, S.A., Dalton Wagner has the reputation of making one-dollar work like three in online marketing. With formidable competition, Mr. Wagner founded V.O. Group, S.A. in 1998 and has quickly risen to be one of the largest offshore operators in the world with over 50,000 active clients. We had an opportunity to catch up with Dalton Wagner on his last visit to Antigua.

Vegas Offshore: This year has been interesting for V.O. Group, S.A. and the offshore industry as a whole (advertising changes, etc.). How do you feel about the industry at the current time?
Wagner: I feel the industry is as strong as it has ever been. We are still finding that our advertising is bringing us new clients at an ever-growing rate. Some competitors are complaining that the crimp on advertising is affecting the industry, but we are not seeing this trend. Consolidation within the industry has begun, and I am sure you will continue to see smaller competitors gobbled up, and medium to larger companies merging. The weaker will go by the wayside.

Vegas Offshore: What about the rumors of V.O. Group, S.A. being bought?
Wagner: I am glad you used the term 'rumors'. The fact is that in July 2004 three suitors approached V.O. Group, S.A. because of our record-breaking profit year. In two of the cases we did see 'value' in a merger/relationship. However, at the end of the day, we could not come to terms that were agreeable on both sides. At this time V.O. Group, S.A. stands independent. And, we are happy being independent, profitable and growing.

Vegas Offshore: It is rumored that Bet On Sports (PLC; BSS.L) was one of the suitors. Is that true?
Wagner: There were three suitors that approached V.O. Group, S.A. And, in all cases confidentiality agreements were signed. For this reason, I cannot confirm or deny who any of the potential suitors were. What I can tell you is that one was a major sportsbook player, one was a major casino player and two were PLCs. I doubt that helps.

Vegas Offshore: Well, if Bet On Sports was involved, I bet you are happy you weren't involved in their November 24, 2004 stock debacle.
Wagner: The Bet On Sports stock debacle was an over-reaction by the market in my opinion. In one day you saw their stock drop 50% in value. And, the reason was poor performance in a very short period. If you looked at the other publicly held offshore gaming companies, you saw the same thing, just not as drastic as with BSS.L. Simply put, I know the founder of Bet On Sports, I know the management of Bet On Sports, I know the staff at Bet On Sports and I would not hesitate to invest in Bet On Sports. They were, and still are, undervalued in my opinion. They are a great competitor and a great company. I wish I had some of their stock at the new adjusted price. I just don't see how you can lose.

Vegas Offshore: It is rare to hear the 'competition' speaking so highly of a major competitor. Why would you do so?
Wagner: Simple. Bet On Sports is a great company. And, I am sure they would tell you the same about V.O. Group, S.A. The fact is, that there are companies out there that make our industry stronger. And, ones that make it weaker. Bet On Sports and V.O.Group, S.A. strive to make our industry stronger and more legitimate on a daily basis (as do BetCris.com; BoDog.com; etc.). What kind of ambassador for the industry would I be if I downplayed a 'good' competitor like Bet On Sports for my own benefit?

Vegas Offshore: If Bet On Sports did approach you, would you consider a merger?
Wagner: I like being independent. But, simply put, NEVER say NEVER.

Vegas Offshore: What of the rumors that you are looking at Panama as a potential relocation site?
Wagner: Our operation currently has offices in Costa Rica, Antigua and Belize. In Costa Rica we currently have over 400 employees. With employment costs in Costa Rica on the rise, the burden of Caja and the ever-changing political climate, we have looked at several alternative locations. One of the most desirable is/was Panama. However, due to the massive failure of BetPanAm.com and the political debacle involving their past gaming commission, we have decided to stay put for the current time. I think it is very safe to say that our primary location will be Costa Rica for the next 5 years. Pending any crazy licensing or governmental changes.

Vegas Offshore: I have visited your office in Antigua, however had no idea that you employed 400 individuals in Costa Rica. Why do you need such a large staff?
Wagner: Our industry has a reputation for being lazy and getting by on a shoestring budget. Most sportsbooks, casinos, racebooks and poker rooms answer phones when it is convenient and buy computers when the ones they are operating blow-up. Most are simply embarrassing to the legitimate operators. To run an operation like ours, servicing 50,000 bettors, you need lots of space, a 1st rate phone system, fiber and satellite phone and Internet backups, IT professionals, accounting professionals, etc. V.O. Group, S.A. is currently located in 35,000 square feet of space, operating 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, and we are busting at the seems. At the current time, we are negotiating to buy the building next to us for future expansion. I think we will employ 600 people come this same time next year.

Vegas Offshore: I have noticed that you are still branching into other products. How has this strategy worked for V.O. Group, S.A.?
Wagner: In 1998 we started with our sports product. We then branched into the casino product. In 2001 and 2002 we opened several major race books and poker rooms. The fact is that we are profitable in all products. However, our core product, and hub for our advertising, is focused on the sports product. The strategy has worked, but we will not desert our core product. You can look for our re-launch of interactive betting in early 2005 and bingo in mid 2005.

Vegas Offshore: What other changes do you see in 2005 for V.O. Group, S.A.
Wagner: I think you will see V.O. Group, S.A. work more on our Internet interface to make it more gamer-friendly; you will see our company move into land-based gaming; and you will see us acquire two or three smaller competitors. Rather, you will see what you have always seen, expansion.

Vegas Offshore: What other changes do you see in 2005 for the industry as a whole?
Wagner: The strong will get stronger. The weak will get weaker. And, the acquisition race will be on.

Bookmakers!

2005-03-14T15:15:00.000-08:00

Read Below To Earn More Cash Than Ever

Are you a onshore bookmaker that wants to Minimize Legal Exposure, Increase Potential Profits, Spend More Time Enjoying the Money You Are Making, and Grow Your Business Beyond Your Wildest Dreams? If you answered ‘YES’ to one or all of these questions, then you need to look at a Price Per Head Agent Relationship with our company.

The concept of a Price Per Head Agent Relationship is based on you, the onshore bookmaker, paying our company a service fee to offer the same services that we offer to thousands of clients (on an anonymous basis).

For the first time, you will be able to offer Internet and Phone access to Sports, Horse and Casino (2 casinos) wagering to all your current clients (via a simple PIN and PASSWORD betting system). No longer do you have to compete with offshore sportsbooks and lose clients. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER EVERYTHING THAT THEY OFFER!

We are Licensed to offer bookmaking services.

We have been in business for 7 years.

We write business for 15,000 clients daily.

We are open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, 365 days a year.

We have over 500 operators standing by to make you money!

Take advantage of our $5,000,000 USD investment to make your services better than ever. No longer will you have to answer calls all Saturday and Sunday. No longer will you have to lose clients to the offshore bookmakers. No longer will you have to worry about having your door kicked in by the authorities. Now you can compete with the Big Boys! You will simply sit back, watch the games, and earn more than ever before.

To learn more, go to our website, and click on ‘Agents’. If you prefer to use a white-labeled site without bonus and promotional text, visit www.BettorsNet.com for more information.

We look forward to being your service provider.

Call 1-888-333-6914 for more information.

Innovation In Bookmaking

2005-03-14T13:23:00.000-08:00

Q & A with
Dalton Wagner, Founder V.O. Group, S.A.

As Founder and Proprietor of V.O. Group, S.A., Dalton Wagner has the reputation of ferreting out new markets and attacking while other companies sit on their hindquarters and watch. One market that has always eluded offshore bookmakers is the ‘guy who likes dealing with his credit bookmaker’. Typically this market has been untouchable for the offshore bookmaker, but NOT for Dalton and V.O. Group, S.A. We had an opportunity to catch up with Dalton Wagner on his last visit to Panama.

Vegas Offshore: Tell us about this new product that you are calling your Price Per Head Agency Relationship.

Wagner: As you know, one market that a post-up sportsbook has historically been unable to attack is the huge market of bettors that have been betting with their local guy for years. The reason this market exists is the personal relationship that an onshore bookie has with his clients. Sportsbooks have attempted to educate the player and lure him away from the local bookie, however we have taken another tact. We have partnered with local bookies around the world to make their offering better and more valuable.

Vegas Offshore: So instead of attacking the local guy, you actually approach him with your offer?

Wagner: Exactly. The fact is that the relationship is the last thread holding clients to a local guy. Yes, there is the fact that the local guy extends credit, but with bonuses and promotions we can overcome that offering. The key is the relationship.

Vegas Offshore: I’m confused, please explain.

Wagner: As you know, the onshore bookmaking market has lost steam to the offshore providers like V.O. Group, S.A. The reason is that the offerings that I can provide are far superior to those that any onshore bookmaker can offer. The PPH concept is based on allowing the onshore bookmaker to provide his clients my offerings on a purely anonymous basis via an online automated tool. Rather, by signing up with my PPH service, an onshore bookmaker can compete with all offshore sportsbooks on equal footing offering 24-hour wagering, 365 days a year. All the bookmaker does is use an online system to assign PINs and PASSWORDs and pay me a small fee per week for the service.

Vegas Offshore: Wait a minute. So, this means that a small time operator in Cleveland, Ohio can offer all the same things that V.O. Group, S.A. does without making the multi-million dollar investment?

Wagner: Now your catching on. For as little as $25 per head per week, a guy in Ohio can compete with the biggest sportsbooks in the world. And, better yet, never answer another wagering phone call again.

Vegas Offshore: OK, I get it. They use your automated tool to drive their clients to your software online, and they simply pick up the figures at the end of the week.

Wagner: Exactly correct with one exception. Their clients can bet on the phone via our call center staffed with 250 people OR bet online. Again, they have access to all of the offerings V.O. Group, S.A. provides including call center access, client services and technical support.

Vegas Offshore: Is the PPH product only based on sports wagering?

Wagner: Very good question. The answer is no. We actually have the ability to offer clients two (2) casino products including blackjack, baccarat, slots, 3 card poker, roulette, etc. And, clients may also bet on horses at over 350 tracks worldwide.

Vegas Offshore: Wow! That truly is incredible. So, a bookie that has one client can compete with the likes of MVPsportsbook.com on equal footing?

Wagner: Exactly correct. But, there are two keys to the success of the product launch. The first is being able to compete head to head with the biggest sportsbooks in the world. But, arguably the most important factor is that since the onshore bookie no longer has to answer phones or track plays, he can spend all of his time picking up new clients, NOT writing bets.

Vegas Offshore: I remember that in a prior interview you had stated that the key is not winning, but finding more losers.

Wagner: An embarrassing quote, but true. Amateur bookmakers think that the key is to beat the clients you have. That is a huge mistake. The key to getting rich as a bookmaker is finding a new client every single day of the year. The numbers take care of themselves, the key is to get more and more people playing. That is the TRUE BEAUTY of the PPH software and agency relationship.

Vegas Offshore: Do you have any success stories to tell?

Wagner: I have many, but will tell you one that emphasizes what the PPH program can do. I have a bookmaker that has been working out of San Antonio, Texas for 10 years. The guy has historically made $200,000 a year from his 25 or 30 players. He was introduced to our product in July 2004, and today he is writing over 185 clients. The ability to outsource answering calls and writing tickets to us has allowed him to grow his business 600% and his revenue over 1000%.

Vegas Offshore: Why did his revenue grow more than his business? Is it because your lines are sharper than his?

Wagner: There you go again. That is the obvious mistake that everyone makes. Again, don’t worry about beating the clients. Worry about getting more clients to play. But, to answer your question directly, the ability for his clients to play in the casino, play 24 hours a day, play games/halves/quarters, props, etc. is where the extra revenue comes from. Our lines might be sharper, but the advantage is more clients betting more often.

Vegas Offshore: How many bookmakers do you currently work with?

Wagner: We are writing business for over 250 bookmakers now. Some represent groups as small as 2 or 3; and others represent groups as large as 500. Again, remember the key is finding as many clients as possible. If you get to where you are writing 15 clients or more, it is almost impossible to lose for an extended period of time.

Vegas Offshore: So how does a bookmaker learn more about this?

Wagner: Simply go to any of the V.O. Group, S.A. sites to learn more. I suggest starting at www.BettorsNet.com or calling 1-877-512-1001 or emailing agents@bettorsnet.com to get more information.

A brief history of baccarat Poker Online Gambling

2005-03-14T10:53:00.000-08:00

There are historical debates concerning the exact source of the game, although many feel it is Italian in origin, while others claim the French invented it. Wherever it was invented, baccara (Italian) or baccarat (French) both translate to “zero” in English. The importance of this name is borne out by the tens and face cards, the majority of the cards in the deck, sharing that value.

There are numerous varieties of the game played throughout the world. Chemin de fer and straight baccarat were both brought to America and introduced at the racetrack and spa at Saratoga and the ritzy Palm Beach resort in 1911. Each was met with shrugs from the nouveau riche. Both games lapsed in popularity in America due to a distinct lack of interest.The game remains most popular in Europe and Asia.Poker Online Gambling

In the European versions, a player or group of players “bank” the game, with other players involved getting paid by or directly paying the game’s backers and the House taking a percentage or cut. The most common contemporary American version, in which the House provides the financial backing for the game owes its immediate lineage to George Raft’s Capri Casino in Havana, Cuba dating from pre-Castro days.

There is a debate as to the exact time and place in which the American version was re-introduced. It came about in Las Vegas in either 1959 or 1960 at the Dunes or the Sands casino. Its originator Tommy Renzoni, stated in his (out-of-print) book , Renzoni on Baccarat, that Punto-Banco as it was called in Cuba, was brought to Las Vegas by him in the late 1950s, as Castro was about to take possession of the island. Renzoni wrote that his game owed it roots to European chemin de fer via Argentina He claimed that the night of the game’s first modern American play, the Sands lost $250,000.

While still carrying the status of the casino’s most exclusive game, baccarat is offered in at least two or more different varieties, making it accessible to almost anyone who wants to play.

Let's Talk About Poker Poker Gambling

2005-02-07T08:06:00.000-08:00

Let's Talk About Poker

Card Stud Rules: Five card stud is a very straightforward poker game. All players ante. Each player is then dealt two cards, one exposed and one face down (in the hole). The person with the lowest exposed card is forced to bring in for a small forced bet (generally about half the small fixed limit bet). The third card is dealt face up to each player, followed by a round of betting. On this round of betting and onward, the player with the best exposed hand begins the betting.The fourth card is dealt face up to each player, followed by a round of betting. The fifth, final card is dealt face down to each player, followed by betting. However, some people play with the fifth card dealt face up to each player, so each player has only one card in the hole. Poker Gambling

Indian PokerRules: Every player is dealt either one card or 5 cards. Players do not look at their own cards. Instead, they place them on their forehead so that all the other players can see them. There is a round of betting. Thus, you are betting on what others have because you do not know what you actually hold. Whoever has the highest ranking card (if it's just one card) or whoever has the best poker hand (if it's 5 cards) wins.

SokoRules: Soko is played exactly like 5 card stud, except a 4 flush and a 4 straight counts as a hand. In other words, a hand such as 4567Q is not queen high, but is a 4 straight. A 4 straight and a 4 flush beat a pair, but lose to a two pair or better (4 flushes beat 4 straights). So the new rank of hands would be: Straight flushFour of a kindFull houseFlushStraightThree of a kindTwo pairFour flushFour StraightPairHigh card

Satan Rules:5-Card Stud with these variations: High-Low Split the pot. Pot-Limit betting. Last card is dealt up. Bet and show.

Best FlushRules:This game is usually played as a 5-card stud variant. Hand Heirarchy as follows: Straight Flush5-Card Flush4-Card Flush3-Card Flush2-Card Flush. Ties are broken first by the rank of the cards in the flush, then by the rank of the cards in the hand. For example, AKQ54 versus AKQ67 and both have 3 flush cards. If in the first hand AKQ are flush cards and AK6 are flush cards in the second hand, then AKQ54 wins. However, if both had AKQ as flush cards, then the second hand (AKQ67) wins.

Studded Guts High or LowRules: Up to 6 players. All ante but the dummy. 5 cards dealt in succession of one, two up, three down, including the dummy, [dealt at any position as long as it's in succession]. Bet after each up card and last down card and must beat the dummy and/or any other player to win.

Double Exposure Rules: You are dealt 5 cards, face down, which you look at (andtry to remember). Then everyone passes their entire handone person to the left. You then play with that hand,rolling the cards (i.e. organize your hand how you want,and show one card at a time with a round of betting betweeneach card). The crux is that everyone at the table knows one otherperson's entire hand! This game has a lot of subtletieswhich is difficult to explain and needs to be played tosee.

Variations:

Instead of passing one player left, pass one right. Thisgoes against the flow of betting and makes for interestingplays.
Can also also pass two players to the left, or three tothe left, etc.
Can be played hi/lo with a declare round before the finalcard.

Card BlindRules:1st card dealt up to each player at cost of anti. Bet.2nd card dealt up to each player at cost of anti X 2. Bet.3rd card dealt up to each player at cost of anti X 3. Bet.4th card dealt up to each player at cost of anti X 4. Bet.5th card dealt up to each player at cost of anti X 5.

Bet.Variations: Dealer choice wild card(s) set initially. 7 Card Blind.

Card Stud hi/loRules:7 stud hi/lo is played in the same way as seven card stud with one exception, the highest and the lowest hand split the pot. Most stud hi/lo games have a qualifier that the low hand must consist of 5 non-paired cards that are 8 or lower (ace is considered high or low). Thus, a hand such as AA45688T has a two pair- AA88T for high and a A4568 for low. Straights and flushes do not count for low, so the best low hand is a wheel- A2345.

In case you are unfamiliar with seven card stud, here is a recap:All players ante. All players are dealt two cards face down (hole cards) and one exposed card. This is called third street. The person with the lowest card must 'bring in' and is forced to bet half the small bet (if it is played fixed limit). Players can then, raise, call, or fold.4th street: An exposed card is dealt to each player, followed a round of betting. For fourth street onward, the person with the best exposed hand begins the betting (i.e. if someone has AQ exposed, another has 55 exposed, and someone else has 48 exposed, the person with 55 goes first because he has a pair of 5's.)5th street: An exposed card is dealt to each player, followed a round of betting. If the game is played in a fixed limit format, this is where the big bet would kick in.6th street: An exposed card is dealt to each player, followed a round of betting. 7th street: Each player is dealt a final hole card, followed by the final round of betting.If the game has 8 players and there aren't enough cards left in the deck to deal each player a final hole card, a card is placed on the board and it is considered 'shared' by all the players (similar to hold'em).

Position PokerRules:Played with the same rules and betting of 7 Card Stud with these variations: Eights are wild for all players, each player also has another specific wild card depending on their position from the dealer's left. For the first player to the dealer's left, aces are wild, for the second, two's are wild; and so on around the table. If a player gets his specific Wild Card in Spades dealt down, he wins half the pot at the showdown. If more than one player has their Wild Card in Spades dealt down, then those players split the half of the pot. If any player is dealt his Wild Card in Spades up, all cards are collected, and redealt out to the players who hadn't folded up to that point in play. Poker Gambling

Hi-Lo DeclareRules:Currently, most seven stud hi-lo games are played where the 'cards speak.' This means that people do not choose to go high or low; if their hand wins the high or low or both, then they win that fractino of the pot.A different method is to play with a declare. This means that a person must declare which section of the pot they intend to win. A player can declare that he or she will win the low end, high end, or scoop the entire pot. However, if a person declares that he will scoop, then he or she must actually do so in order to win anything. If a person who declares a scoop ends up losing one half of the pot and wins the other, then they end up losing both halves of the pot. There are two methods for declare. First, players can declare in order of the betting. This again, would give the person in the dealer's position a much bigger advantage. Another method is for player to take some chips under the table with them. Then they would place 0,1, or 2 chips in their fist. No chips declares the low end, 1 chip the high end, and 2 chips for the scoop. Everone then reveals how many chips they have in their hand at the same time.

Slots Playing Strategy Poker Gambling

2005-02-04T10:21:00.000-08:00

Slots Playing Strategy
Here are some King approved strategies for playing the slots. Print these out and tack them to your wall:

Know what you are playing. There will be a payoff chart on or near the machine. Make sure that you read this before playing.
Always make sure that you insert the correct amount of coins into a machine.
Always cash out your credits before leaving a machine. Sounds obvious, but oftentimes people will forget, and there are always people lurking nearby looking to capitalize on this.
Just have fun. Slots should be fun, not stressful.
Use money management. Don't blow all of your money in one or two pulls of the machine. Increase your bets when you are winning, and decrease your bets when you are losing.

Developing a Winning Black Jack Program Poker Gambling

2005-02-04T08:33:00.000-08:00

Developing a Winning Black Jack Program

Developing a winning blackjack program takes time, money and energy. There is a definite game plan that you should develop though, if you wish to become a successful blackjack player. Poker gambling. Here are some tips that we would suggest:
1) Read, read, and read some more. Develop a profound understanding of the game by buying a few books from Amazon.com on blackjack. Learn what splitting means, what doubling down means, and develop an encyclopedic knowledge of the odds associated with each combination of cards. 2) Observe. If you live near a casino, drive out some time and observe the people playing blackjack. Drift from table to table so as not to annoy anybody. Try to find somebody who seems relatively successful and watch how he or she plays. If the person is any good, you should notice some fairly obvious patterns in regards to betting and splitting. 3) Play for free and practice. We have a free blackjack game on our site. Use it. Play for days or weeks or months. But keep playing until you feel comfortable with the game of blackjack. It can be tempting to jump right into real money betting, but that's not recommended when you are just starting out. 4) Play with small amounts. Nurse your bankroll. There is nothing worse than blowing your stack on the first day. 5) Money management. Develop a maximum bet strategy in your head. If you are playing with $100, don't do 5 $20 bets. Do 20 $5 bets so that your game lasts longer. When you are on a hot streak, slightly increase the size of your bets. When you are on a cold streak, decrease the size of your bets. 6) Keep playing. Don't stop playing just cause you lost a few hands in a row. Look at it as an opportunity to learn, and keep playing. You'll have cold and hot streaks, that's just part of the game. Poker gambling

Stud Poker Rules poker gambling

2005-01-28T11:09:00.000-08:00

Stud Poker Rules
poker gambling
Seven-card stud is played with two downcards and one upcard dealt before the first betting round, followed by three more upcards (with a betting round after each card). After the last downcard is dealt, there is a final round of betting. The best five-card poker hand wins the pot. In all fixed-limit games, the smaller bet is wagered on the first two betting rounds, and the larger bet is wagered after the betting rounds on the fifth, sixth, and seventh cards. If there is an open pair on the fourth card, any player has the option of making the smaller or larger bet. Deliberately changing the order of your upcards in a stud game is improper because it unfairly misleads the other players.Rules of Seven Card Stud1. The first round of betting starts with a forced bet by the lowest upcard by suit. On subsequent betting rounds, the high hand on board initiates the action (a tie is broken by position, with the player who received cards first acting first).2. The player with the forced bet has the option of opening for a full bet.3. Increasing the amount wagered by the opening forced bet up to a full bet does not count as a raise, but merely as a completion of the bet. Example: In $15-$30, the lowcard opens for $5. If the next player increases the bet to $15 (completes the bet), up to three raises are then allowed when using a three-raise limit.
4. In fixed-limit games, when an open pair is showing on fourth street (second upcard), any player has the option of betting either the lower or the upper limit. For example: In a $5-$10 game, if you have a pair showing and are the high hand, you may bet either $5 or $10. If you bet $5, any player then has the option to call $5, raise $5, or raise $10. If a $10 raise is made, then all other raises must be in increments of $10. If the player high with the open pair on fourth street checks, then subsequent players have the same options that were given to the player who was high.5. If your first or second holecard is accidentally turned up by the dealer, then your third card will be dealt down. If both holecards are dealt up, you have a dead hand and receive your ante back. If the first card dealt faceup would have been the lowcard, action starts with the first hand to that player's left. That player may fold, open for the forced bet, or open for a full bet. (In tournament play, if a downcard is dealt faceup, a misdeal is called.)6. If you are not present at the table when it is your turn to act on your hand, you forfeit your ante and your forced bet, if any. If you have not returned to the table in time to act, the hand will be killed when the betting reaches your seat.7. If a hand is folded when there is no wager, that seat will continue to receive cards until the hand is killed as a result of a bet.8. If you are all in for the ante and have the lowcard, the player to your left acts first. That player may fold, open for the forced bet, or open for a full bet.9. If the wrong person is designated as low and that person bets, the action will be corrected to the true lowcard if the next player has not yet acted. The incorrect lowcard takes back the wager and the true lowcard must bet. If the next hand has acted after the incorrect lowcard wager, the wager stands, action continues from there, and the true lowcard has no obligations.10. If you pick up your upcards without calling when facing a wager, this is a fold and your hand is dead. This act has no significance at the showdown because betting is over; the hand is live until discarded.11. A card dealt off the table must play and it is treated as an exposed card.12. In all games, the dealer announces the lowcard, the high hand, all raises, and all pairs. Dealers do not announce possible straights or flushes (except for specified low-stakes games).13. If the dealer burns two cards for one round or fails to burn a card, the cards will be corrected, if at all possible, to their proper positions. If this should happen on a final downcard, and either a card intermingles with a player's other holecards or a player looks at the card, the player must accept that card.14. If the dealer burns and deals one or more cards before a round of betting has been completed, the card(s) must be eliminated from play. After the betting for that round is completed, an additional card for each remaining player still active in the hand is also eliminated from play (to later deal the same cards to the players who would have received them without the error). After that round of betting has concluded, the dealer burns a card and play resumes. The removed cards are held off to the side in the event the dealer runs out of cards. If the prematurely dealt card is the final downcard and has been looked at or intermingled with the player's other holecards, the player must keep the card, and on sixth street betting may not bet or raise (because the player now has all seven cards).15. If there are not enough cards left in the deck for all players, all the cards are dealt except the last card, which is mixed with the burncards (and any cards removed from the deck, as in the previous rule). The dealer then scrambles and cuts these cards, burns again, and delivers the remaining downcards, using the last card if necessary. If there are not as many cards as players remaining without a card, the dealer does not burn, so that each player can receive a fresh card. If the dealer determines that there will not be enough fresh cards for all of the remaining players, then the dealer announces to the table that a common card will be used. The dealer will burn a card and turn one card faceup in the center of the table as a common card that plays in everyone's hand. The player who is now high using the common card initiates the action for the last round.16. An all-in player should receive holecards dealt facedown, but if the final holecard to such a player is dealt faceup, the card must be kept, and the other players receive their normal card.17. If the dealer turns the last card faceup to any player, the hand now high on the board using all the upcards will start the action. The following rules apply to the dealing of cards:(a) If there are more than two players, all remaining players receive their last card facedown. A player whose last card is faceup has the option of declaring all-in (before betting action starts).(b) If there are only two players remaining and the first player's final downcard is dealt faceup, the second player's final downcard will also be dealt faceup, and the betting proceeds as normal. In the event the first player's final card is dealt facedown and the opponent's final card is dealt faceup, the player with the faceup final card has the option of declaring all-in (before betting action starts).18. A hand with more than seven cards is dead. A hand with less than seven cards at the showdown is dead, except any player missing a seventh card may have the hand ruled live.[See "Section 16 – Explanations," discussion #4, for more information on this rule.]19. A player who calls a bet even though beaten by an opponent's upcards is not entitled to a refund. The player is receiving information about an opponent's hand that is not available for free.
Stud HiLo Eight or Better
Seven-card stud high-low split is a stud game which is played both high and low. A qualifier of 8-or-better for low applies to all high-low split games, unless a specific posting to the contrary is displayed. The low card initiates the action on the first round, with an ace counting as a high card for this purpose. On subsequent rounds, the high hand initiates the action. If the high hand is tied, the first player clockwise from the dealer acts first. Fixed-limit games use the lower limit on third and fourth street and the upper limit on subsequent betting rounds, and an open pair does not affect the limit. Aces may be used for high or low. Straights and flushes do not affect the low value of a hand. A player may use any five cards to make the best high hand, and the same or any other grouping of five cards to make the best low hand.Rules of Seven Card Stud High Low 1. All rules for seven-card stud apply to seven-card stud high-low split, except as otherwise noted. 2. A qualifier of 8-or-better for low applies to all high-low split games, unless a specific posting to the contrary is displayed. If there is no qualifying low hand, the best high hand wins the whole pot.3. A player may use any five cards to make the best high hand and any five cards, whether the same as the high hand or not, to make the best low hand.4. The low card by suit initiates the action on the first round, with an ace counting as a high card for this purpose.5. An ace may be used for high or low.6. Straights and flushes do not affect the value of a low hand.7. Fixed-limit games use the lower limit on third and fourth streets and the upper limit on subsequent rounds. An open pair on fourth street does not affect the limit.8. Splitting pots is only determined by the cards and not by agreement among players.9. When there is an odd chip in a pot, the chip goes to the high hand. If two players split the pot by tying for both the high and the low, the pot shall be split as evenly as possible, and the player with the highest card by suit receives the odd chip. When making this determination, all cards are used, not just the five cards used for the final hand played.10. When there is one odd chip in the high portion of the pot and two or more high hands split all or half the pot, the odd chip goes to the player with the high card by suit. When two or more low hands split half the pot, the odd chip goes to the player with the low card by suit.

Poker Games Description poker gambling

2005-01-28T05:54:00.000-08:00

Poker Games Description
poker gambling

1/Texas Holdem (Texas Holdem Rules)The most popular of casino poker games, Texas Hold'em (usually shortened to just Holdem) is a community card game where each player gets two cards while sharing five community cards with all players. The person who can combine their cards to make the best five card poker hand wins -- unless a worse hand bluffs the better hands into folding during the four betting rounds.

2/Omaha Holdem (Omaha Hold'em Rules)A community card cousin of Texas Hold'em, in Omaha each player receives four personal cards and shares five community cards. Commonly played eight-or-better high-low split, Omaha can also be played high only, although then it is usually played with pot limit betting.

3/Pineapple Holdem - Crazy Pineapple (Rules)The middle cousin between the Omaha and Texas Holdem poker games, in Pineapple players are dealt three cards which they combine with the five community cards -- except Pineapple requires that at some point players must discard one of the three cards. Usually this occurs after the flop (Crazy Pineapple), but it can also occur before the flop ("regular" Pineapple). More often than not the game is played High Low Split. Pineapple is also known as "Watermelon" (spitting out the seeds).

4/Stud (Stud and Stud8 Rules)Stud has dozens of variations. Seven Card Stud is the most popular casino Stud type, whereas Seven Card Stud Eight or Better is the most popular tournament version. While an immensely popular home poker game in its many forms (Chicago, Anaconda, Baseball, etc.) Stud has been losing popularity in casinos to the community card games. Eight or Better, or Stud8, is the most common form of HiLo Stud, but High-Low Declare is common in home games. In casinos, sometimes "Q" is played: High Low, no qualifier. 5 Card Stud is another game on life support in casinos. Too much pure skill, so bad players lose quickly, and the game becomes fairly pointless when played with good players only. A few games can be found online however. Stripped deck Mexican Stud is a fairly popular game when a casino offers it. In the few places where it is played, Sonora, no limit five card stud, has its loyal devotees.
Poker TournamentsThe Poker Tournament Strategy section includes a "what are poker tournaments" explanation.

5/Draw Poker (Draw Poker Rules)Five Card Draw is the most basic of all poker games, familiar to tens of millions of people via western movies and home games. Due to its extremely high level of basic skill (bad players simply can't compete in even the medium run) Draw is nearly extinct in casinos. Variant: Jacks or Better where you must have at least a pair of jacks or better before you can open a pot before the draw.

6/Lowball (Lowball and 2-to-7 Rules)The opposite of Draw High, Lowball is five card draw where the lowest hand wins (with straights or flushes not mattering). Aces play low, so the best hand possible is a five-high "wheel": 5432A. Deuce to Seven Draw is a Lowball variation where straights and flushes do count and aces act as high cards, making 75432 the best possible hand. 2 to 7 is usually played with No Limit betting. Both forms of Lowball are seldom played anywhere these days, but when they are, they are often played in the Triple Draw format, where instead of the traditional one, three draws (and thus more rounds of betting action) occur.

7/Razz (Razz Rules)Razz is Seven Card Stud played low. A simple, mechanical game when played with a full table of players, Razz games seldom exist except in tournament and shorthanded (two to four players) situations where limited chip stacks or high antes encourage action.

8/Mixed GamesHORSE (Holdem-Omaha-Razz-Eight or Better Stud), HOE (Holdem-Omaha-Eight or Better) and OE (Omaha8-Stud8) are common casino offerings at higher limits, where mixed games are often spread to keep single game specialists out, and also because the pool of available players for any games is so small.

9/Non-Poker Casino GamesCaribbean Stud, Let It Ride and Pai Gow Poker are not "poker" per se, but rather casino games played against the house with poker-like elements. Similarly, video poker is not "poker" but rather slot machines with a poker element. Chinese Poker is more poker-like since players do have an option to surrender.

Game Structures and BettingAlmost all poker games can be played either Limit, Spread Limit, Pot Limit or No Limit. Limit betting has fixed bets. Spread Limit has fixed bets within a range, for example, $1 to $4. In Pot Limit you can bet up to the pot size. In No Limit you can bet all the chips in front of you.

Poker Gambling

2005-01-25T14:50:00.000-08:00

Poker Gambling