Online Casino Tournament Secrets Exposed

Roulette and Rivalry: Can You Control the Spin?

Just like slots, roulette is also a pretty popular gambling game, that is usually identified with luck, rather than skill. Even Albert Einstein, one of the smartest people in history, is quoted as saying “The only way to win at roulette, is to grab the money and run while the croupier is distracted.” But, is it really that difficult to win a game of roulette?

The answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no. Roulette players will know that betting options vary at the table. But, different wagers will have different odds, and therefore a different chance for paying out. So, it certainly is not impossible to win a game of roulette. Depending on the wager, the odds could be 50/50. But, we aren’t convinced that Albert Einstein believed it was impossible.

Rather, what the quote refers to, at least in our opinion, is that there is no sure strategy that can help you change the game’s outcome. Much like slots, roulette is a game of pure chance. That is why, long-time roulette players don’t try to control the flow of the game, but rather their own cash. Indeed, the most popular strategy to use when playing roulette is a betting system.

Betting Systems in Gambling Tournaments

For those who don’t know, a betting system, or strategy, refers to the idea that players have no control over the game they are playing, but do have control over how much they wager. Therefore, these systems are designed to minimize losses, and maximize potential wins. Of all the betting systems, the ones most well-known are called “progressive betting,” and among them, the most popular is the Martingale.

The Martingale system requires players to double their wager each time they lose, and return back to square one should they win. For example, if you were to start with a simple wager of 1 unit, the next would be two, then four, then eight, etc. Savvy gamblers will instantly spot the issue here. The Martingale is a very high-risk/high-reward strategy. If a player does not win, then they will have lost a lot of cash. That is why most amateurs should avoid the Martingale.

Instead, the D’Alembert system is a lower-risk version of the Martingale. The system starts with players defining a goal, as well as a bankroll. Then, they start with a small bet. Should they win, and achieve their goal, then the player walks away, happy as a clam. If they did not achieve their goal, and would like to continue gambling, the player must lower their wager by one unit. However, if they lost the game, and wish to pursue their goal more, then they increase their wager by a single unit.

Though the D’Alembert system is low-risk, the rewards are also quite a bit lower. Still, it can be quite the effective strategy, particularly in roulette. The thing to remember though, about betting systems, is that they can be effective in any gambling game. After all, at their core is the idea that players are in command of their money. In other words, betting systems rely on gamblers being responsible when playing, and knowing when the time has come to walk away.

Blackjack Battles: A Classic Competition

We finally get to a more traditional tournament-based gambling game. Blackjack has always been a bit more on the complex side. Of course, luck still plays a major factor. But, there are certainly ways to leverage luck, and twist it to one side. Throughout history, many great players have achieved just that. Some have even shared their discoveries with the broader public, writing books on noteworthy blackjack strategies, and winning systems.

Among the most popular, is a blackjack system that is so iconic, that its name is simply “the classic blackjack system.” The strategy gives you a guideline of when to hit, when to hold, and when to fold. The idea is that players should always hit on a weak hand, no matter what. In other words, if a player’s hand is worth below eight, then hitting is a must.

Conversely, a blackjack player must never hit when the score is sixteen or higher. These are called strong hands, and the odds that you will hit a card that takes you over 21 are extremely high. But, what about in-between? Most commonly, experienced blackjack players will hit when their score is below 10. Some might even take the risk on a 14 or 15. Of course, there is one way in which professional blackjack players and amateurs differ; card counting.

Though card counting is often frowned upon, there isn’t a pro player who doesn’t know how to utilize this strategy. In fact, in blackjack tournaments, card counting is a necessity. Of course, when playing blackjack live or in land-based casinos, you might get in trouble with the establishment. That is why, we wouldn’t recommend new players focus on counting cards. Instead, stick to the classic blackjack strategy, which has been effective for decades, if not centuries.

Poker: A Game Closer to Chess than Cards

Finally, in a text about strategies and gambling, we have to bring up poker. Often thought of as the king of cards, poker is, by far, the most recognizable gambling game in the world. Not only are there special clubs dedicated to the game, but thousands, if not millions of people play it on an amateur level with their friends and family every year. A lot of people see poker as little more than a luck-based game. However, believe it or not, poker has a lot more in common with chess than with blackjack.

For one thing, poker players, much like chess masters, must think several steps ahead. They must be able to predict what their opponents are going to do, and respond in kind. If they got it wrong, it could cost them the game, as well as their bankroll. That is why, many have argued that, at the core of poker is not luck, but the ability to read people. The player who is capable of noticing behavioral patterns among their peers is likely going to be the one to come out on top.

Another core skill in poker is the ability to bluff. Amateurs that know how to bluff well will certainly get ahead in small-time poker tournaments. But, among the big fish, bluffing is considered passé. The reason for that is that most professional poker players have years of experience with the game. That means that they have learned to see through any and all bluffs, especially amateurish ones. Still, there are plenty of gamblers so skilled at bluffing, that they can trick the pros.

Finally, and most importantly, a poker player must have gaming awareness. Just like the classic blackjack strategy requires you to know when to hit, hold, or fold, so too do you need that knowledge when playing poker. The way to acquire that knowledge, however, is to actually get some practical skills in the game. The best way to do that is to test your skills at social casinos, where your bankroll is not on the line.

Social casinos let you play all of the top-rated games, but without the risk of putting down wagers. Of course, that also means that there aren’t any payouts. In other words, these websites are designed for newbies who want to improve their gambling skills, or simply people who enjoy the idea of casino games, but not so much the gambling aspect. Whatever category you fall under; social casinos are the best way to get what you are looking for.

Conclusion

Online gambling is one of the most exciting ways to get what you are looking for, if you are interested in casinos. Not only do these websites host a large library of games, but they also have a ton of excellent features. Chief among them are the various tournaments that might take place throughout the year. When gamblers think of tournaments, poker is the first game that comes to mind. But, with iGaming, players don’t have to limit themselves to just the classic card game.

Slot tournaments are a huge hit, for example. In fact, when it comes to internet gambling, slots-based contests might just be more popular than any other game. As an offshoot of slots, many players might also want to check out video poker games, and some of the competitions that casinos organize around those. Anyone familiar with slots, will know how to play video poker, and what strategies to use when gambling.

Though slot contests are a hit, that doesn’t mean that online casinos don’t focus on classic poker tournaments as well. In fact, you will find plenty of those online. Various poker rooms and gambling websites let players enter different levels of poker competitions, giving every single customer an opportunity to try their best, and win a prize.