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Volatility is a term used in the online gambling space. The word means assessing the risk of losing a bet. It means calculating the chance of players having the chance of winning or losing on their bets. Slot machines are of three categories- low, medium, and high volatility, and the risks are different for every level.

The volatility of slots varies from low to high. The lower the volatility, the more the chances for a player to win. The higher the volatility the risks for losing are higher. The slot volatility is what the player wins or the slot typically pays out. Return to Player (RTP) is what casinos pay to the player.

Low Volatility Slot machines

It is already been stated that the lower the volatility, the less is the risk to lose a bet. But the profit margin for these machines isn’t much. The jackpots range from 250-300 times the bet.

Low volatility slot machines are famous among casino players even though they don’t give high payouts. This is because of the lesser risk of losing a large amount of money spent as the bet. These machines have also bankroll management, besides fewer losses and longer playtime.

Low volatility slot machines are hard to find, but some of the games are-

1. Lucky cherry.
2. Irish Magic.
3. American Gold Rush.

Medium Volatility Slot machines

Slot machines with medium volatility are a perfect wager between low and high volatility. The games in these slot machines might be uneventful, but the bonuses and highly anticipated wins engage players.

These machines create a middle ground between big and small wins. Medium Volatility slot machines are a perfect choice for players who play for fun and want a consistent winning streak but with higher stakes than low volatility machines.

Some of the games in this category are-

1. Divine Fortune.
2. 88 Fortunes.
3. Monopoly Megaways.

High Volatility Slot Machines

These high-risk machines can bring you closer to your dream of becoming a millionaire in a day or make you a pauper real quick. These slot machines are perfect for players who have bigger bankrolls. Also who have the time and patience to chase after the big jackpot.

Even then only a few lucky players have the chance to win on high volatility machines. These machines can bring about 3,000-10,000 times their initial wager.
Some of the high volatility slot machine games are-

1. The mercy of God.
2. Gonzo’s Quest.
3. Wheel of Fortune Megaways.

To decide which slot machine a player should opt for, it’s better to do better research. Most casinos enlist on their website which machines are available in their casino. The casinos that do not mention it, the players there can either try to find more information online or try the slot in the demo practice mode.

The demo practice mode helps the players to get an idea about the volatility of the machine. It is also smart to try out the demo practice mode before using real money and having the risk of losing bankroll.

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Have a friend or partner who loves gambling? And if you’re having a hard time finding gift items for them? Then we have some gift ideas for gamblers that will make their day. Be it a birthday, any special occasion, or just a sweet gesture of appreciation, they will be happy with these gifts. More so, if they have a quirky side or love customized stuff, these gifts are perfect for gambling fans.

7 Gifts for Your Gambler Friends

1. Lucky charms: People who are into gambling always look for a spell of good luck. You can present them with good luck charms associated with gambling and they will always carry them with them. It’ll be a useful gift for gamblers.

2. Shot glass roulette: For lovers of alcohol and gambling games, there’s no perfect gift than a shot glass roulette. This game has a roulette wheel with 16 shot glasses. The idea is to drink from where the ball lands. It can be an interesting game for a party session and a gift that everyone will remember.

3. Poker-themed t-shirts: Tees with smart quotes do catch attention. There are several poker-related tees available in the market. And your gambling friend will flaunt it every time they visit a casino. This is also a relatively cheaper gift.

4. Gambling masterclass: Unless they’re a pro player, every gambler is open to learning new tips and tricks to win the games. One such thoughtful gift for gamblers could be enrolling them for a gambling masterclass online. You can pay for the subscription and send them the links.

5. Personalized chips: Thanks to the trend of personalized gifting, you can even customize poker chips. You can print pictures of the person on the chips. But you’ll need to find someone who can deliver it in nice quality.

6. Prepaid gift cards: If you’re in a hurry and looking for last-minute gift ideas for gamblers, then a prepaid gift card is the quickest and safe bet. (No pun intended). It is ideal for new players who wish to stay anonymous while playing on online casinos.

7. Playing Cards Bottle Openers: Specially curated for gambling fans, there are bottle openers designed in the shape of playing cards. Just as slim and sizeable as a credit card, it can be easily carried around. Your friend would be so joyous to have such a unique gift that they can flaunt on their casino night.

8. Gambling-themed décor: Lamps, piggy banks, keychains, mugs to mats, there are several gambling-themed smaller items that you can club together and give as mini gifts to your gambling friend. It will be a surprise of not just one, but several things denoting their love for the games.

You might have to search for these gifts online and may even have to spend an extra buck but if the person does love gambling, they will be mighty impressed with your choice of gifting.

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Poker is a challenging game to play. It takes a combination of wit and wealth to climb up the ladder and rake in millions. But live gaming or virtual tournaments, some players have made their successes playing this card game. If you are a true fan of the game, you must know about the greatest poker players of all time and their winnings.
7 Greatest Poker Players

1. Stephen Chidwick: Starting as a regular poker player to ending up among the world’s top players, Stephen Chidwick has won more than $32,000,000 in his poker career. He started the game as a pastime playing on freerolls but once he started with real money, there was no looking back for him. By 25, he had more than $3,000,000 through online poker.

2. Phil Ivey: A top name in the world of poker, he has set his charm from the early 2000s when he won the first World Series of Poker at the age of 23! He has been embroiled in accusations about cheating but the man has gained over 10 World Series of Poker bracelets and 3 of them in one year! He has cashed more than $3,000,000 in his poker winnings. He was even elected to the Poker Hall of Fame in 2017.

3. Doyle Drunson: One of the veteran players of the game, he began playing at a time when poker was illegal and reserved for organized crime gangs. He has won the World Series of Poker twice and won 10 World Series of Poker bracelets. His life earnings are more than $6,000,000.

4. Bryn Kenney: Bryn Kenney started playing with his mother’s account and sharpened his skills to make million-dollar profits. With over $56 million in live earnings, he holds a top spot. He exhibited consistent play against big stakes and in 2019, won a pair of Triton high roller events with a total of $3 million. He also finished as a runner-up in the £1 million Triton event for a $20.5 million payday.

5. Phil Hellmuth: One of the biggest names in the game, Phil Hellmuth became the youngest World Series of Poker champion in the year 1989. He was the only person to win a World Series of Poker Main event title back then. He has even written bestselling books on the game sharing his insights.

6. Johnny Moss: Called the ‘Grandfather of Poker’, he was a Texas road gambler and one of the greatest players of the generation. He made a stellar appearance at the tables with 9 World Series of Poker bracelets and 3 main event titles. It is said that players were happy to lose against him since he was the best!

7. Daniel Negreanu: Nicknamed ‘Kid Poker’ he has ranked at 6 first places in the World Series of Poker. He has won two championships on the World Poker Tour. With his winnings of $40,000,000 in live poker tournaments, he has achieved some of the greatest feats in the game.

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For some, gambling is entertainment and some others have made it their profession. Pushing luck aside, some gamblers have made their way to rake in hundreds of millions with their games. If you are keenly interested in casino gambling, you should know about these richest gamblers in the world.

1. Bill Benter: Estimated to make $100 per year, Bill Benter holds the top spot when it comes to counting the richest gamblers. A professional gambler, his good game got him banned from all casinos in Vegas. He then moved to Hong Kong and shifted to horse betting. He even ended up creating software for it.

2. Tony Bloom: A man who started honing his gambling skills at the tender age of 8, held the title of UK’s godfather of gambling, to ultimately the world. He turned his skills into a profitable business by opening several online casino sites and even has a consultancy on sports betting.

3. Edward Thorp: Famous for his mathematical knowledge and skills, he taught the world ‘card counting.’ He then made fortunes from it in baccarat and backgammon. He even tapped into the stock markets and made billions from it. He is said to have a net worth of $800 million.

4. Billy Walters: Known for playing on huge bets, one of his bets was $3.2 million. With illustrious experience and a family background of gambling, Walters holds a 30-year winning streak in the game. He has a wealth of close to $200 million.

5. Zeljko Ranogajec: One of the secretive gamblers on the scene, not much is known about his life. But he reportedly has a photographic memory and intense math skills that resulted in his huge winnings. He was banned by most Australian casinos so he raked in millions through horse betting. His estimated wealth is about $600 million.

6. Phil Ivey: A top poker player, he is the one to take big risks. While he won over the house edge in poker, he is known as a World Poker Tour champion. He has won over $19 million in live tournaments and has a net worth of $100 million.

7. Dan Bilzerian: Coming from a strong financial background, Dan Bilzerian only made it stronger with his high-stakes poker playing. Although the source of his wealth is disputed, he participates in private cash poker games. He doesn’t play with the professionals anymore.

8. Doyle Brunson: With a successful 50-year career in poker, he secures a spot among the richest gamblers. A player so good at the game, that there are two hands named after him: Brunson (Hand of 10 and 2) and Doyle Brunson (Ace and queen on any suit). He has a net worth of $75 million.

9. Howard Lederer: A professional poker player he also made money from helping others play the game. He was a common face on the poker circles, doing commentary to media appearances. He found the Full Tilt Poker and has a net worth of $60 million.

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Online casino gambling has become extremely popular in recent years. Especially with land casinos being shut down in the pandemic, online casinos were not just more accessible, they also provided the much-needed entertainment. And how can we miss, the chance at making money? In the year 2020 alone, the worldwide online gambling revenue generated was more than $66 billion! If you have been keen on online gambling or casino games, we have listed down a few interesting facts about the workings of this form of entertainment.

1. Both genders enjoy gambling: You primarily associate gambling and online games to be men’s interests, but with online casinos, both genders are seen enjoying the games. Online casinos allow anonymity and women are also seen partaking in online games. In the US over 57% of online gamblers are females. Another research observed, that while men preferred skill-based games, women opted for chance-based ones.

2. Slots are also called fruit machines: In the early days, slot machines would offer winnings in the form of chewing gum. The symbols on the screen to date have images of lemons, apples, oranges, thus giving them another term ‘fruit machines.’

3. Slots bring in the money: Slots are some of the simplest casino games and they attract one and all. These slot machines are the ones that bring in the maximum earnings to the casinos. A percentage of the money betted always goes back to the house. So after multiple rounds by a single person, the amount is higher. And with maximum people playing slots, be it online or physical casinos, they are the most profitable.

4. You can tip on online casinos: Most online gambling sites do have an option of tipping the dealer online. But the question is will tip to a computer? Well, if you do win a big game, then do consider giving a few bucks.

5. The biggest online casino win: A Finnish man holds the record for winning $24 million on the Mega Fortune jackpot game in 2013. He started with a .25% bet but it turned in his favor that no one has been able to make that big a win in the last 8 years.

6. AI matters: The growth of Artificial Intelligence is also seen widely in the casino industry. Casinos use AI technology to collect data improve their playing experience and also customize it for some regular players. If you get promotional offers on your favorite games, that could be the work of AI.

7. Average age of gambling: People in the age group of 35 to 44 are more likely to turn to gambling as a pastime. However, with easy access to online games, the percentage of teens and tweens playing online casino games is also higher. Although there is an age limit of 18 to register on most sites, it is easy to get past that barrier.
Gambling started as a form of fun and entertainment but reached a stage where it still cannot be played openly.

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Gambling may or may not always have to do with luck, but it helps to know you’ve got a good luck charm on you, that may turn in your favor. Several gamblers believe in superstitions and carry certain objects which are supposed to attract good luck. The gambling culture has some Chinese lucky charms that lay a belief in attracting good fortune. You may not be a regular player, but it is interesting to know what certain objects can symbolize.

Oranges: The orange fruit is symbolized to have a radiance like gold and a shape like coins. So it is considered as one of the popular Chinese lucky charms in gambling. The color, taste, and smell of the fruit make many people feel refreshing, isn’t that the mood you should be in while heading for a gamble?

Four-leaf clover: The cloverleaf is associated with luck in many Western nations. While three-leaf clover is tied to Irish tradition, finding a four-leaf clover is rare and the fourth leaf is said to stand for luck. So a cloverleaf is also seen as a theme in certain gambling games!

Cat’s eye amulet: Chrysoberyl or the cat’s eye is a precious gem with a unique pattern. It is golden in color and said to bring great fortune and drive away negative energies. So a lot of gamblers wear it while playing casino games.

Colour red: A lot of shops and restaurants in China are draped in red color. The color red is considered lucky in Chinese culture. So a lot of believers also dress up in red clothes while gambling.

Carp (Koi fish): This fish is usually kept in homes or offices to attract wealth. This lucky charm is not directly related to gambling but linked more to Feng Shui. Symbols of koi fish are used as jewelry to attract a spell of good luck.

Three-legged toad: Known as Jin Chan, this mythical creature has a coin in its mouth. It is said to attract money and keep your wealth safe, something that all gamblers hope. So keeping a three-legged toad with you while gaming is not new, or some keep their tickets under the statute.

Three coins: The three coins which are usually tied with a red ribbon are symbolic of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune, all three attributes held in high regard for gamblers. So gamblers do keep these coins close while they head out in casinos. Some people wear it around their neck or fingers.

A lot of these lucky charms are also used in daily instances, and not just gambling. But you may want to try out the experience of having any of these, the next time you go for a spin. A side of good luck is always better than nothing. And if you do end up with a winning streak, you are likely to carry on the good luck charm further.

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Gambling has for long been associated with negative connotations, which has given rise to several gambling myths. Over the years, just passing on some of these statements may even have professional gamblers believing them to be true. With the popularity of online gambling, some more myths have been added to them. Be it the origins of the game to cheating machines, let us look at the common myths about gambling.

Casino Machines are Rigged: You may not have actually even visited a casino but have heard of how machines are rigged to not let you win. There is a bit of fact to it called the house edge which is what they earn from. The games are designed to include the house edge somewhere between 1 to 5%. But that does not mean the machine is rigged and you can ask someone let you win a particular game.

If a Slot Machine Hasn’t Paid Out, a Big Win is Coming: It’s a machine so it doesn’t really know if there has not been a payout. Slot machines use a Random Number Generator which creates a different and unique combination for every spin. You may keep trying but there is no guarantee that you will win at the 10th turn.

Casinos Use Extra Oxygen to Keep You Energetic: It’s a common myth that casinos pump in extra casinos on the floor to keep the people enthused. Medical-grade oxygen costs a bomb and it would increase the expenses plus also add to the risk of fire. Too much oxygen can accelerate a flame and the results would be dangerous for a casino.
All Games are Based on Luck: A lot of people enter the casino wearing good luck charms, hoping it would make them win. No casino games are not purely based on luck but also require tough skills. Especially games like blackjack and poker are purely based on critical thinking and playing skills. You can flatter yourself with having a spell of good luck but it does take a combination of skills to secure big wins.

Machines Close to Aisle Will Make You Win: It is believed that machines in the aisle, where general people are strolling are more likely to make you win, a part of a larger strategy to get more people. However, there is no such thing. You can’t identify the machine that guarantees paybacks.

You Will Win Big if You Keep Playing: There’s an addition to this myth that claims there are watchmen like people who keep a tab on you, and if you are losing interest after frequent wins, they will signal someone to make you win. There is no truth to this, winning on machines is a matter of chance than your losing streaks.

Gambling Makes you Win Easy Money: This is specifically for the newbies who get into casino gambling for winning easy money. As an amateur player, you actually end up losing a lot more than you win. So don’t mistake casinos as a source of easy cash or big wins. If not careful, it may actually make you bankrupt.

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If you have been playing casinos for a while, you know that some games have a fair chance of winning over others. There’s a term for it called the House Edge. Also referred to as the casino advantage it exists in every casino – online or on land. It means the mathematical advantage in commercials made by each casino for providing a certain game. It is not set by individual casinos but an inbuilt product of the games. So be it slots, craps, or roulette, a player cannot escape the house edge. But you can certainly use it to your advantage by knowing which games give you an edge over the house and thus land you in profits. We have compiled a list of such games.

Blackjack: Blackjack has 0.5 to 1% of the house edge in casinos which is among the lowest compared to other games. But for an inexperienced player, it could be around 2%. What it essentially means is, if you win $100 for every bet in blackjack, you will lose $2. You need to know the basic blackjack strategy, and the ability to double down or split that will improve your chance at winning.

Baccarat: Baccarat is another game with the lowest house edge in the casino. It has a house edge of just 1.06% for the Banker’s hand and 1.24% for the Player’s hand. You need to have a good observation and analysis to know when to bet, whether or not to bet on a tie, or choose a banker’s bet.

Roulette: One of the most popular games in a casino, online or not, the house edge in Roulette depends if it is American Roulette or European Roulette. European Roulette (with a single 0) has a 2-2.5% house edge. For American Roulette, the edge is 5%. It is an easy game to win, played with betting on numbers after the dealer spins.

Slots: Slot games offer a less payout when compared to other table games at a casino but as much as the range of the slot games, the house edge also goes from 2% to 15%. It is impossible to figure out which machines take how much. Slot machines often make the most of casino revenues. So remember the larger you bet, the size of the house edge will be higher.

Craps: The dice game is one of the most interesting casino games for new beginners. Craps once again offer the lowest house edge of around 1.4% to 5% making it easy for amateurs to start betting here. The range differs on what bets you’re playing and whether you are applying any sort of strategy for greater payouts.

Video Poker: Just like the land casino game, video poker is a digital version of the exciting game. There are several varieties even in poker so you should check for combinations that will result in higher payouts. When the house edge is at an all-time low like .5% you have a chance of winning 99.5% of your winnings.

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Casino gambling is thrilling but the thrill won’t last if you are on a losing streak. And it’s a bad habit to blame it on luck. But both an amateur and a pro can get better by studying the games and preparing well. While there are enough tricks and cheat codes for online casino games, one should also spend some time reading about people’s experiences of gambling, interesting anecdotes, and assured ways of crafting strategies to win. And while there are too many books and blogs dedicated to casinos, we have picked the best ones that sum up stories and tricks backed by experiences. Go on to find a curated list of the best books for casinos, gambling, and sports betting.

Mensa Guide to Casino Gambling: Winning Ways by Andrew Brisman: As a beginner in the field of gambling, you should start by reading this guide. It takes you through what a typical casino environment looks like to the odds of winning the various games. It has some great advice on how to go about gambling, the probabilities, and how to make utilize them.

One of a Kind: The world’s greatest player: If you are specifically interested in poker, you must know the story of Stuey Ungar, one of the greatest players of the game. He faced all odds, tackled alcohol and drug addiction but succeeded in playing cards. The book captures his highs and lows aligning with the game of poker.

The Confidence Game by Maria Konnikova: This book delves into the science of our minds while gambling. It gives a perspective into the human psyche from the angle of con artists. You must read the book to gain insights into gambling behavior rather than any tips or tricks. It becomes easier to study your opponent’s behavior or the dealer’s mannerisms when you have a little background to refer to.

Fortune’s Formula by William Poundstone: The full title of the book is The Untold Story of the Scientific Betting That Beat the Casinos and Wall Street – which in itself is a peek into what it offers. This book has tested theories that made scientists Claude Shannon and John Kelly Jr rich and how! From gambling, stocks, information theory, blackjack, or roulette, they won it all with their creation of the ‘Kelly criterion’. It is one of the most interesting reads for gamblers.

Soccernomics by Simon Kuper: This one’s for the fans of sports betting. It reveals the strategy used by the author in the 2018 World cup and how he won. He tells how to observe and create a successful sports betting strategy.

A Man For All Markets by Edward O. Thorp: Legendary mathematician Edward Thorp taught the world to count cards and did the impossible – beating blackjack dealer. His remarkable technique made casinos change the rules! In this book, he shares some insights into some of the biggest casinos in the world. So you should be reading the book that in a way changed the gambling games.

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Many people believe casino games to be a matter of chance and sheer luck, but professional players know the amount of skill and precision it takes. While some games may be designed to pick random winners in slots, there are gambling games that demand intricate skill. Math, logic, and probability concepts are used majorly in casino games. These are termed skill-based games, in which the player has to master not one but several skills together. Being good at these games means higher chances of taking home a big sum against the wager. Let us look at some of the skill-based casino gambling games:

Poker: One of the most challenging gambling games is poker and it takes some serious skills to master it. For an amateur, it will take time to learn the rules, the terms of the game, bluffing, when and when not to fold a hand, and so on. There are poker strategy charts to learn from. It requires applying the right math to even unveil the opponent’s psychology of playing the game. The rules of the game may differ in each casino, so that’s another thing to tackle. Online poker may seem a bit easier, but it is not.

Blackjack: Blackjack dealer holds the maximum advantage of the game. You need to learn card counting, monitoring the shuffle, and some strategies to get over the advantage. Here you play against the dealer and not other players, but you need to outscore the dealer. Remember, a dealer is trained to play with different kinds of opponents, and it can get tricky for an amateur to beat them. If you use correct mathematical decision-making, your chance of winning increases.

Baccarat: A game similar to Blackjack, it has more complicated rules. So it can be difficult for new players. You need to first learn the rules, understand the house edge and then devise your strategy. One tip we can tell you is the Banker bet is the best! The game does require an equal amount of luck as well, but just not dependable on it.
Craps: Often thought a game of chance, it does not entirely depend on it. Craps too require minor skills to determine the best bets in favor. While you cannot control the dice spin, applying skills can enhance your play. You need to be a quick thinker of the greater odds in the game.

Slots: Many players may dismiss that slot games require any skill, which is why we place it last. But certain slot games are skill-based. These are more attractive to gamers than gamblers as they are more about graphics and illustrations. But your skills begin from choosing the right slot, figuring out games offering a high return to player (RTP). As you reach higher levels on these arcade-like games, you do require to put in your skills, the obstacles increase, and so does the payout. Slots are not the best games when it comes to skill, but they do test your control.