8 Top Tips For Newbies
Source : Max Drayman (www.winneronline.com)

So you've read about gambling online or maybe heard it mentioned in the media and are gonna give a try. Okay, on your marks, get set - wait!

Before you venture forth it's time for a quick reality check because the road to online gambling riches is not without its potholes. Here are a few caveats to illuminate the path ahead.

1. What is a download and why do I care?

One of the first questions you'll be faced with if you decide to gamble online is whether you want to play games that require you to download and install software these are called "download" games or perhaps you'd prefer games that simply run over the web called "no download" games. There are big differences between the two.

For a start the download options will usually take a good 40 minutes to complete (although some software providers give you a lite version to play while the full version downloads in the background) whereas the no download is virtually instant. But with that 40 minutes comes the kind of superior user interface you'd expect, with nice graphics, sound and lots of games to play. With the no download version this is much more limited. Sure you can still play blackjack, slots and poker, but thats about it. It all depends how impatient you really are!

2. So now I've downloaded, what do I do next?

With no-download games it's pretty obvious what you need to do to start the action but with download games it may not be so obvious. You could go back to the casino's website and read their instructions, they all have them, but if you're impatient like me you just want to get to it!

The first step after downloading is to install the software and reboot your machine. I know, it shouldn't be necessary, but the bottom line is that computers especially those running Windows behave best if you reboot after an install. Once you're back up, click on the casino's icon that was placeded on your desktop. If there's no icon, check your Start menu under "Programs" and it will be at the bottom of the list.

Once you fire up the software it will probably connect to the casino's home site, verify your install, and ask you whether you want to play for Real or Fun. That's it, pick your poison!

3. I want my winnings!

So you've won big and you're ready to hit the mall. All you need to do is cash out, right? Wrong! All casinos have policies about how much you can cash out and when. In most cases you can only withdraw as much to your credit card as you deposited in the first place. So what about the rest?

Casinos vary widely on this, but the short answer is that you'll need to be patient. Even if the casino lets you withdraw right away it could take weeks to receive your check. Some casinos won't let you withdraw until you receive a PIN number from them through the mail. Still others require numerous pieces of identification be faxed to them so they can verify that you are who you say you are.

There are a few casinos that seem to want everything including your Social Insurance number and a fax of your fingerprints (no kidding!) It's up to you to decide if you can live with this invasion of privacy but in any case it's best to know what they're gonna want from the get-go: read the casino's info on withdrawals, it should all be spelled out pretty clearly there. If you don't like what you see, try another casino.

4. PIN Number, what's that?

In most cases the casino's cash-out policies are reasonable, albeit a little inconvenient. Many of them issue the user a unique identification number, a PIN, that you need in order to initiate a cash-out.

Often your PIN number comes via regular postal mail which can be annoyingly slow. The theory is that it's for your own good since receiving it confirms that you actually live at the address they have in their database. It also helps the casino avoid fraud. Whatever, it's become part of the way many online casinos do business so you're probably just going to have to get used to it.

5. How much is it going to cost me?

Another bitter pill is that many casinos will charge you a fee for your withdrawal. Some charge a flat rate, a few charge a percentage, and almost all will charge you more if you want your money "right now thank you very much".

It's well worth your time to read your casino's website page of "Banking" or "Withdrawals". The vast majority of casinos are quite reasonable in their withdrawal charges, but you never know until you know. If it's not clear, email or phone them and find out what the deal is.

6. Hidden banking fees

So the check is in the mail and that means you're home free, yes? Maybe, but again, it depends on the details. For example, receiving a check on a Swiss bank in US dollars may not be money straight in your pocket.

We've known people to be hit with stiff transaction fees when they ask their bank to process a check drawn on a foreign bank. Direct deposit and bank wires may be alternatives, but you'd best check into it before hand because not all casinos offer these services at attractive rates.

7. Will the software run on my machine

Good question. The answer in the vast majority of cases is "Yes, beautifully!". Unless your machine is really old, or you're running out of system resources (read: disk space) there's really not much to worry about.

I've installed casino software well over a hundred times on a variety of machines and have only encountered a major problem once or twice. On the off chance that you do encounter a problem you guessed it contact the casino's Customer Support people. That's what they're there for.

8. Bonus rules

Bonuses are a big deal these days literally and figuratively and you've no doubt encountered one that sounds really attractive. By all means, go for it but not before you've read the fine print.

Bonuses come in a bewildering variety and it's hard to keep track of what's a great deal and what's so-so. All casinos will require that you play the bonus before you can withdraw it. Some require you to play 2-times or 3-times the bonus, and on and on it goes. No one can offer advice that will apply to all the bonuses you'll find out there, other than the one we all know: caveat emptor.

Unfortunately we can't leave the bonuses issue without a few cautionary words. First and foremost don't abuse the bonus offers. In particular don't re-register using another name in order to get the bonus again. That's "bonus abuse" and the casinos can get pretty hostile over such attempts at subterfuge.

Finally, there's the issue of fair-play on the casino's part. Some casino managers have a tough time with the fact that a player can deposit $100, get a $50 bonus, hit a winning streak at the Craps table and cash out for $2200.

Whatever the reason, a few casinos have been known to withhold the player's winnings, or freeze player accounts completely. Do a little research if you're serious about using a particular casino's bonus. Read the message boards and check out the reviews. Also, there are other sites like ours that make it their business to keep the player informed so surf a little before you break out the credit card.

By adhering to tried and tested playing strategies and sharpening your skills, you can prolong your entertainment, and improve your odds at the casino.

If you realize you have a problem, don't be afraid to contact organizations that can help you. After all, you've already taken the first step. Gamblers Anonymous provides problem gamblers with a support system to help them through the difficult times and can put you in touch with a support group in your area. Contact them on: Gamblers Anonymous

Attitude is everything. Maintain self-control, and whether you win or lose at the casino, you will always be a winner!

As humans we tend to have this systemized pattern of thinking that we already somehow won the game, that we haven't played yet. You psyche yourself up to stay cool and confidant, when you already have these preconceived ideas that you are special and that you hit the big jackpot already.

Although staying confident and optimistic plays a major part in playing the game. On the other hand you can't only rely on that strategy. If a prophet came to you while you where sleeping and foresaw your next winnings, I would say to you lay off the crack. Or if somehow on this planet that had happened, honey, 50 million people and I would be knocki'g at your door.

It's important to map out a personal gambling method that will work for you.
The first step is to ask yourselves a series of questions. What do you anticipate getting out of gambling? Are you looking for an entertaining and leisurely distraction from it all, or are you just an extra on film sets out of work, trying to make fast money to go on that trip to the Caribbean you have been boasting about for months?

Are you the type of person that needs to play with a wad of dough in your hands in order to get your blood pumping, or does one bill make you shake like mad?
Can you handle parting with your " moola" or would that send you straight to the bottle?

You have to decide on an amount you feel good about playing with according to your bank account. Are you capable of sticking to your limits, or in the heat of the moment you lose control, and do something you financially weren't prepared to do?

Or you may have the "yoyo" syndrome, as I like to call it, of changing your mind every single time you get some une'sy 'eeling flickering in your head? The key is to ask how much self-control do I have?

Remember these questions are key components to securing your success, or dealing with failure.

So, before you set out on a "gambling crusade", make a realistic plan for yourself that will suit you. In no time you will have created your own gambling method that will never fail you. And just think about that trip to the Caribbean you can really take. You will always be a winner.

Pass LineA pass line bet is a bet placed before the come out roll (i.e. the first roll of the dice in a new craps round) A wager on the pass line wins immediately if the come out roll is 7 or 11 (naturals), and loses if the come out roll is 2, 3, or 12 (craps numbers) If any other number (4,5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is rolled, that number becomes "the point." If the shooter rolls the point again before rolling a 7, your pass line bet wins. If the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the point again, your pass line bet loses. Don't Pass LineA don't pass line bet is essentially the reverse of a pass line bet, and is alsoplaced before the come out roll. If the shooter rolls 3 or 12 on the come outroll, a don't pass line bet wins immediately. If, however, the come out rollis 7 or 11, don't pass line bets lose. If the come out roll is 2, a don't passline bet is returned to the player in a push. If the come out roll is 4, 5, 6,8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the point. Once the point has been established,don't pass line bets win if the shooter rolls a 7 before rolling the point again.If the shooter rolls the point again before rolling a 7, don't pass line betslose. ComeA come bet is placed before any roll of the dice, once a point has been established by the come out roll. Come bets win immediately if the shooter's next roll is 7 or 11, and lose if the roll is 2, 3, or 12. If the shooter rolls 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes "the come point." If the shooter rolls the come point again before rolling a 7, the come bet wins. Don't ComeA don't come bet is essentially the opposite of a come bet. Don't come bets winimmediately when the shooter's next roll is 3 or 12, and lose if the roll is7 or 11. If the shooter rolls a 2, the bet will be returned to the player ina push. After the come point is established, don't come bets win if 7 is rolledand lose if the come point is rolled. OddsAn odds bet is a "back up" bet on an original pass line, don't pass line, come,or don't come bet. Gold Club allows odds bets of three times your original bets. FieldA field bet is a bet that the next roll of the dice will be either 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. Big Six and Big EightA big six bet is a bet that 6 will be rolled before 7. Likewise, a big eight bet is a bet that 8 will be rolled before 7. Place WinA place win bet is a bet that either 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 will be rolled before a seven. Place LoseA place lose bet is a bet that 7 will be rolled before either 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. BuyA buy bet is a bet that either 4, 6, 8, 9, or 10 will be rolled before 7. A vigorish (vig.) of 5% is charged when placing the buy bet. LayA lay bet is a bet that 7 will be rolled before 4, 6, 8, 9, or 10. A 5% vig. is charged when placing the lay bet. Any 7An "any 7" bet is a bet that the next roll of the dice will be 7. Any 11An "any 11" bet is a bet that the next roll of the dice will be 11. Any Craps An "any craps" bet is a bet that the next roll of the dice will be 2, 3, or 12. Horn A horn bet is a bet that the next roll of the dice will be either 2, 3, 11, or 12. HardwayA hardway bet is a bet that the shooter will roll either a 4, 6, 8, or 10 as doubles (2+2, 3+3, 4+4, or 5+5) before rolling a 7. Rolling a number by doubles is said to be rolling the number "the hard way."