Casino Licenses

The very first thing you’ll want to check before choosing your online gambling partner is the license they operate with. Different regulatory bodies supervise their licensees in a different manner, and some impose far stricter rules and procedures than the others. You’ll want to feel confident that your interests are well protected, and assistance is available in case of any misunderstandings. Most of the sites that accept US players operarte with an off-shore license and have one in either Antigua, Costa Rica or Curacao. These don't really hold a lot of weight on their own, and we'd argue that the opinion of the gambling community on a particular site is worth more than any of these licenses that can be bought within a month. The state of New Jersey, where online gambling is now regulated, has a very valuable license that also does a great job in protecting the players and ensuring that the operators have the necessary liquidity to accept wagers and pay their players.

Despite the increasing number of alternatives, debit/credit cards remain one of the most frequently used online payment tools. This has a lot to do with the highly advanced and continuously improving security measures implemented by the likes of Visa, American Express and MasterCard, their wide acceptance, high transaction limits, and instant funds availability at ATMs found at every corner. Not to mention the fact we all already own at least one credit and/or debit card and use it to pay in physical outlets as well as online on a daily basis.

Blackjack

Blackjack is a skill-based game with fairly simple rules. The goal is to come as close as possible to 21 and at the same time, score a better hand than your dealer. Go over 21 and you’ll bust. The dealer will have to stand on either soft or hard 17, depending on the variant and the developer. Just to remind you: a soft hand contains an Ace, which can be counted as either 1 or 11 without busting. Having been dealt the initial two cards, you’ll be given the option to stand (you’re happy with what you’ve got), hit (ask for another card to come closer to 21), double down, or split, the latter offered when your hand consists of cards of equal value. Splitting them will create two hands, each of which receives one additional card. One can alternatively choose to double down by wagering twice as much and potentially winning more as the result. The highest payout, however, is only 3:2, paid for a Blackjack consisting of a 10-value card and an Ace. If you’re looking to collect more, you’ll have to make use of optional side bets. The majority of Blackjack variants offer Insurance, which players can purchase to secure their bets in the event that the dealer hits a Blackjack. It’s available when your opponent reveals an Ace, costs half of the initial wager, and pays 2:1 on the side bet. Some games also come with a Surrender option one can use when facing a particularly bad hand. Paying the price of half of your stake will allow you to fold and save 50% of the initial wager. Basic Blackjack strategy advises that you take this offer when holding a hard 15 against the dealer’s 10, or in case you’ve got a hard 16 and your host reveals a 9, 10, or an Ace. So how can one win more than the aforementioned 3:2? Most Blackjack games come with two side bets, namely Perfect Pairs and 21+3. The first wins if you’re holding either suited or unsuited pairs and can win you up to 25:1. The 21+3 side bet is based on your first two cards and the dealer’s up card, paying if their combination happens to form a straight, a flush, a straight flush, or three-of-a-kind. Get lucky and it could deliver a much as 100:1. While luck still plays a big role, applying the basic Blackjack strategy can change the house edge making it between 0.5 to 0.70% depending on the provider you choose. Make use of the available resources (which you’ll find tons of on the internet) and apply strategy to increase the game’s RTP.

Once upon a time, the only way to play a casino game was to pay a visit to a land-based gambling venue, purchase physical chips, and face a limited number of tables to take a seat (if available). It was hard to imagine we would eventually be able to enjoy the same kind of experience from the comfort of our own homes, and yet the internet has made it possible to play any time day or night without having to travel anywhere. The next breakthrough has allowed us to carry the casino in our pockets and place bets no matter where we are by using smartphones or tablets. Developing games in HTML 5 has made them accessible via mobile devices, though touch screens of much smaller size necessitated certain changes in terms of layout and functionalities. In the beginning, it wasn’t uncommon to experience reoccurring freezing of the video and loss of connection, as well as accidental actions resulting from pushing the wrong button. That’s all pretty much in the past. Developers are continuously upgrading their mobile offering and making their game interface more user-friendly with each new release. Today, online casinos are making mobile games available online via web browsers and /or provide downloadable native apps. However, the experience is not quite as great for players in the USA. Arrow's Edge is miles ahead of VIG in terms of mobile game-play. We tried their live roulette and blackjack on an old iPhone and were pleasantly surprised about the great overall user experience provided.

Deposit vs No-Deposit

Most online casinos welcome new players with a bonus offer expressed as a percentage match of their first deposit(s) and capped at a predefined amount the operator is willing to give players for free“. As soon as you land on their website, they'll try to convince you to join in by inviting you to collect 150% up to $1,000“, double your money up to x“, or claim a similar gift. Sometimes you'll eventually be able to cash out the bonus along with your winnings, and other times, bonus money will only be made available for playing and can never be withdrawn. Either way, prior to making a cash-out request, players will have to meet the so-called wagering requirements which we'll discuss a bit later. Occasionally you’ll find a gambling site offering a no-deposit bonus which becomes available as soon as you open an account. It’s a great way to test the casino risk-free, though these offers usually come with a maximum win amount and higher play-through requirements.