The rise of online casino sites like Casino770 has brought casino action to a wider audience than ever before. Just like the traditional physical casino, there is a mix of games offered in the average online casino, which vary quite widely but can nonetheless be divided into three main groups. Here we’ll look at the salient features of each broad category of online casino game.

Many online casino games are a virtual equivalent of bricks and mortar casino classics like Roulette and Baccarat. Roulette is classed as a table game, while Baccarat as you are no doubt aware is a card game. The third category of online casino game is the slot machine.

Online slot machines represent the natural evolution of that old pub favourite, the fruit machine. The software based online casino slot has the advantage of offering far larger jackpots than you would ever find down the local, or indeed in many places outside Vegas. However, the card based payment used for slots, and indeed all online casino games requires some degree of responsibility when it comes to the player, as it is easy to stake quite large amounts at the touch of a button. Slot machines represent the obvious gambling option when you are feeling lucky – there is basically no skill required to win a slot machine jackpot. In general, the only way to increase your chances of winning the jackpot is to stake larger amounts on each spin.

Table games like Roulette can be played as software based simulations in the online casino, or alternatively a live feed connection can be made to a physical roulette wheel in a bricks and mortar casino. While some players may feel that the live feed option provided a better chance of winning, as there is no random number generating software at work, the fact is that the roulette wheel is basically the ancestor of the slot machine, a mechanical attempt at producing a random number generator. As such, there is again little skill and lots of luck when it comes to winning roulette.

Card games vary in scope, with success in some – like Baccarat – pretty much down to pure luck. With others, like Blackjack and Poker, the odds of winning games improves when a player has skill and knowledge.

Knowing the odds or probability of certain hands appearing is one of the major skills/ knowledge bases to acquire when it comes to such card games, although as with most of the rest of the online casino, the majority of card games offered are software based simulations. In games where you are pitted against other players, like Texas Hold’Em Poker, the random number generated dealing does not have such an impact. In Blackjack, however, which is played against the house, certain techniques like card counting – which can lower the house edge – become impossible.

Live feed card games are a bit different, in that a physical shoe of cards is used, from which cards are discarded each round, leaving a definite selection left for future rounds. However, perhaps the most important thing to be aware of is that success in all games of chance, in the online casino or physical equivalent, requires a good dose of luck!

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• A computer with an internet connection, the faster the better
• A Betfair account
• Money in that account
• A reasonable knowledge of the sport you wish to trade on
• Try to develop a system

Clearly the first two requirements are no-brainers; however, while you can use Betfair with a dial-up connection, it is not practical while trying to bet in-play. A faster connection makes for a more enjoyable experience and increases your chance of turning a profit. It also helps whene betting in-play on events happening elsewhere on the planet. That extra couple of seconds might be the difference between getting decent odds and turning a profit, or been beaten to the punch!

Creating a Betfair account is pretty simple. Simply click on this link, which will take you to the Betfair website. The link to sign up is on the right-hand side at the top of the page. Because on-line gambling is illegal for those under the age of 18, Betfair may independently verify your age. Occassionally Betfair also carry out Know Your Customers (KYC) checks. These are similar to checks carried out by banks and are generally only used when large amounts of money are passing through the account. Betfair also allow you to set a deposit limit and a loss limit on your account. This is extremely useful when one is worried about over-spending on Betfair.

With Betfair, you can deposit money into your account from a credit or debit card, a bank transfer or from Paypal. This is done from the ‘my account’ tab at the top of the page. The ‘deposit fund’ link is on the left-hand side of the page. Funds usually leave your bank account on the same day that you make the deposit. When depositing money, you can set a nickname for each card you use, which can make it easier to keep track of your money. When withdrawing money, click on the ‘withdraw funds’ link on the left of the ‘my account’ page. Designate the card you want to be credited and the money should be in your bank account within 2 – 5 days. Always ensure that you have enough money in your account to cover any bet!

As with any betting, it helps to know the sport you’re betting on. This doesn’t mean that you should only stick to mainstream sports, as opportunities can exist in more obscure sports. For example, Betfair offers a market on Bandy, which is a form of hockey played on ice. By doing your research and becoming acquainted with a particular sport it will give you a distinct advantage over casual gamblers who are less informed on the sport or event.

With any form of gambling, it helps to have some of system in place. If your system is ‘I’ll bet only on horses where the jockey wears red’, then maybe internet gambling isn’t for you. One punter we know of likes to bet only on the ‘over/under’ markets. He maintained that with his system he was able to turn a healthy 10% profit on his bets. Sadly, we’re not going to disclose his system, and once you develop your own winning system, keep it to yourself!

1) The stake – the amount of money being risked

2) The odds – Betfair offers all its markets in decimal odds, but hovering over the odds boxes will display fractional odds

3) The return – the money returned to the backer, which includes the profit and original stake

4) The profit/liabiliaty – the amount the backer stands to win or the layer will lose

Backing

Every bet on Betfair requires both a backer, someone who thinks something will happen, and a layer, someone who thinks it won’t. We will begin with discussing how to back a bet. The easiest way to familiarise yourself with Betfair is to place a bet. This is easily done:

1) Go to your market of choice where odds for both backers and layers are shown; however, lay odds are only shown once you have logged in.

2) Click on the blue box displaying the ‘back’ odds. A little on-screen window will appear asking you to place your odds. You can choose any odds you like and Betfair will try to match your bet; however, this might not always be possible, depending on the odds you choose.

3) Place the amount you wish to bet in the ‘your stake’ box. If you’re starting out it’s best to keep the bets low. The minimium bet on Betfair is £2.

4) Once your happy with your bet click ‘place bets’. Betfair will then ask you to confirm your bets.

5) Click ‘confirm’ if you want the bet to be placed or ‘cancel’ if you don’t

Congratulations, you’ve just backed your first bet on Betfair!

Laying

While backing a bet can be done in any bookmakers on any high street in the UK, laying a bet can’t. This naturally makes it almost counter-intuitive to those new to exchange betting, but once you’ve placed your first bet you’ll realise just how easy it is. So let’s get started:

1) Once again, navigate to your market of choice

2) Choose the selection you want to ‘lay’ ~ the selection you think will not win the bet. For example, if Wales are playing England at football and you ‘lay’ Wales, you’ll effectively be betting against Wales to win

3) Click the pink ‘lay’ box beside your selection and a new on-screen box will appear

4) You can accept the odds in the ‘backer’s’ box or you can change them to suit yourself. By increasing the ‘lay’ odds you are increasing the odds offered to those backing the win. This will serve to increase your potential winnings or losses

5) If your happy with the bet click on the ‘place bet’ tab

6) Click ‘confirm’ if you want the bet to be placed or ‘cancel’ if you don’t

By now you should have placed your first ‘lay’ bet. Well done!

Today sees the most important game of England’s World cup, a showdown against the old enemy, Germany. Since that historic win in ‘66, the Germans have enjoyed the spoils at all the major footballing events. Alas, this success normally comes about because of England’s inability to win a penalty shoot-out.

To acknowledge, or even celebrate, this fact, Coral are offering a great bet. Should you place your money on Germany to progress on the back of a penalty shootout, Coral will refund your bet if no shoot-out takes place. Should England win via a shoot-out? You might be too happy to care about your bet! Besides, Coral are offering a free £10 bet if you create an account with them today. Win – Win!

Coral also have England as slight favourites to win inside 90 minutes, which we are all hoping they do!

England Germany Match Odds

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It’s not often that one can look at the tennis and think ‘WOW’, but many today are doing just that as news of the epic clash between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut spreads. The match, which started on Tuesday, will hopefully be completed on Court 18 today.

With the scorebord unable to keep up, the players were deadlocked at an astonishing 59 all in the fith and final set. Isner had taken the first set, and Mahut won the next two, before Isner claimed the fourth. While the crowd applauded the two men off, many were unable to pick an eventual winner. It appears that the bookies can’t do it either with Paddypower offering the same odds on both players.

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The draw has been made for next week’s WIMBLEDON CHAMPIONSHIPS and Murray could meet Nadal in the semis and Federer in the final. But with all three men succumbing to unexpected defeats in their grass court warm-up events, is this the year of the outsider?

As expected, Federer has been installed as this year’s number 1 seed, with Nadal as 2nd. Djokovic and Murray make up the third and fourth seeds respectively. Despite being 3rd seed, Djokovic has been installed at 16/1 to win the championships by Totesport. Unsurprisingly Federer is the heavy favourite at 5/4, while Nadal is at odds of 2/1 to lift the trophy this year.

Selection	Odds		Selection	Odds
R Federer	5/4		L Hewitt	40/1
R Nadal	2/1		M Cilic	50/1
A Murray	7/1		S Querrey	50/1
A Roddick	14/1		J Tsonga	66/1
R Soderling	14/1		E Gulbis	66/1
N Djokovic	16/1		F Verdasco	100/1
T Berdych	33/1		N Davydenko	125/1

Totesport are currently offering £25 worth of free bets to anyone who opens an account today!

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This weekend sees the next installment of rugby internationals between northern and southern hemisphere sides. The day’s action kicks off with New Zealand taking on Wales, followed by Australia against England and South Africa versus Italy. The final game on Saturday sees Argentina take on Scotland in what will prove to be a bruising encounter.

Paddypower have a book open for each of these games, where the southern teams are heavy favourites, that also includes some tasty handicap betting.

Time	Teams	Home	Draw	Away
08:35	New Zealand v Wales	1/20	45/1	9/1
11:00	Australia v England	1/6	25/1	7/2
14:00	South Africa v Italy	1/100	125/1	30/1
19:45	Argentina v Scotland	2/5	22/1	15/8

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