The winner in this competition is European Roulette, which has half the house edge of the American counterparts, and, with a certain rule in effect, that (lower) edge can be cut in half yet again. But we are not without hope, for many of the online casinos offer the European version, although the ones with the wagering options printed in French may take some getting used to. And, there are some casinos in the U.S. which offer European Roulette, but these usually have very high bet minimums. One exception to this is the Monte Carlo casino in Las Vegas, which offers European Roulette with $10 minimums during non-peak periods. The house advantage for American Roulette is 5.26%; for the European version 2.70%, and if the latter has the En Prison rule, that edge is reduced to a very respectable 1.35%. This rule allows you either to surrender half your wager, or leave it there for the next spin. (Your wager is in fact held captive) European Roulette, with En Prison is very popular in Europe with systems players, for its leisurely pace and low edge are very appealing. The American version generally moves faster, which is another drawback that compounds the penalty of the higher edge, for it compels players to react faster, to the benefit of the house. But the American versions are not beyond redemption; I just want to stress the importance of seeking out the European version when circumstances allow. Terminology of European roulette
French-style (European) Roulette, is the version played on many cruise ships, in most casinos in Europe, and in a small but growing number of gaming establishments in the United States. If you find yourself playing at one of these tables, expect to find French terms on the table layout and French words being spoken by the croupiers. French terms for roulette bets and other common expressions in this game are found below.

1. As per normal poker rules - playing and betting proceeds in a clockwise direction.

2. The two Players to the left of the Dealer post the blind bets.

3. Small Blind (the Player who sits left of the Dealer) bets half the lower limit.

4. Big Blind (the Player who sits left of the Small Blind) bets equal to the lower limit.

5. Betting increments in the game determine the blinds. In a game of $2 and $4 betting increments, the small blind is $1, and the big blind is $2.

6. The blind bets in Omaha Hi are considered as active bets, and therefore, Players have the option to check, fold, call, and raise when the betting action returns to their position. (Exception to first round betting) First round betting - options are to fold, bet, or raise. Only one bet, and three raises per Player are allowed on the first round. Players cannot "check" in the first round, as Blinds are bets, and not antes.

7. Second and subsequent betting rounds - options are to check, fold, bet, or raise.

8. All bets must be placed in conjunction with the game's betting increments.

9. There are four possible betting rounds in Omaha Hi poker. Each bet and raise during the first two rounds is set at the lower limit of the stakes structure, and for the last two rounds at a higher limit structure. For example in a $1/$2 Omaha Hi game, all bets and raises are $1 for the first two rounds (after pocket cards are dealt and after the flop) All bets and raises are $2 for the last two rounds (after the turn and after the river), following accepted poker rules.

10. The maximum allowable number of bets per Player during any betting round in Omaha Hi poker is four. This includes a (1) bet, (2) raise, (3) re-raise, and (4) cap. The term cap is used to describe the 3rd raise in a round since betting is then capped and can't be raised further. Once capped, Players will have only the option of calling or folding.

11. In betting rounds where Players have folded, the first active Player left of the Disc/Dealer is first to act.

12. To ensure fairness for all online poker Players - new Players entering the Omaha Hi game will be required to post the equivalent of the big blind. All Players have the option of sitting out and waiting for the actual big blind before starting play.

13. By preventing Players from constantly entering poker games in a late position and leaving before they're required to post, these rules stop potential abuse of the online environment.

In order to become a master video poker player, there are a few things you need to know. The first is how to read a payout schedule, so you know the difference between short, partial play and full-pay versions. And second, you need to know the strategies for all the kinds of video poker games.

First we will discuss Pay Schedules, and once we’ve established everything you need to know about that topic, we’ll move onto Strategies for two challenging games, Deuces Wild and Joker's Wild.

PAY SCHEDULES

Typically, a 9/6 video poker game will hit the royal flush every 40,000 hands played, which is equivalent to approximately 80 to 100 hours of game time. Other games, such as the 8/5 will hit the royal flush every 45,000 hands, the 7/5's will hit each 50,000 hands, and the 6/5's will hit approximately every 70,000 hands played.

You should always bet the maximum number of coins that are allowed. For example, if you bet 5 coins, all winning hands are paid out multiplied by a factor of 5, except for the royal flush.

DEUCES WILD STRATEGIES

Full-pay Deuces Wild Versions will be 9/5's 9 coins for a straight flush and 5 coins for 4-of-a-kind.

You should not be reluctant to throw away your five cards. You want to make room for additional cards that could be deuces, and holding that Ace or King is not going to help you if the next hand coming up could be four or five sevens. This is why…

Most Jacks or Better players will throw away complete hands-5 cards only 3% of the time, while Deuces Wild players almost 20% of the time, which is approximately every fifth hand.

You should not keep two pairs. You should select one or the other, as 3-of-a-kind is the minimum scheduled payout. Inside straights should be held only if they present the best possible return from your initial five cards dealt. Therefore, a 5, 6, 8, 9 hand can produce a 7 or wild card in this video poker version.

Strategies for this game are determined by the number of deuces or absence of deuces that are dealt in your initial hand, and approximately every 5000 hands will hit four deuces. This is a secondary jackpot that will keep you in the game or allow you to pocket some winnings.

The excitement of all or nothing in Deuces makes it an awesome game to play. You can go for hours without seeing one Deuce, but then hit a Royal with Deuces, and four-of-a-kind is easy to get.

JOKER's WILD STRATEGIES

The full-pay Joker's Wild pay schedule will be 7/5 machines, 7 coins for a full house and 5 coins for a flush. There are two versions of the game out there: one returns money on a pair of Kings or better, while the other requires at least two pairs before there is a payout. This first game is obviously the more desirable full-pay version.

These strategies for Jokers, unlike Jacks, reflect the wild card, a 53-card deck, and the different payouts. If you do not hold the Joker, keep three cards to a royal over a pair of Aces or Kings because of the higher payout. You could catch another Ace or King and still be paid.

If three cards are consecutive cards for a straight flush, for example, the 5, 6, and 7 of hearts, discard other cards for the higher payback. If not consecutive, keep the small pair.

Don't be afraid to hold the Joker alone. More than 3% of the time, you won't be able to connect with a straight, flush, straight flush, or a high pair; however, holding the Joker only can give you four new cards, and a win.

The player's objective is to get a hand that is closer to 9 in value than the banker's. The game is played modulo 10, that is if the total of the hand is greater than 10, then 10 is subtracted from the total. (Thus the value of a hand is always between 0 through 9)

For example, if the players cards total 15, 10 is subtracted and the value of the hand becomes 5. An ace counts as 1, two counts as 2, etc. , up through nine counts as 9, but tens (also jacks, queens and kings) count as 0.

• The maximum number of cards in a baccarat hand is three.
• If the banker or the player has an eight (natural eight) or a nine (natural nine) on the first two cards dealt, no further cards are drawn.
• The player always draws when the hand is a five or less, unless the banker has a natural, and stands on a six and seven.
• The banker draws if the hand is a
  a) three and the player's hand stands on a six or a seven, or draws anything but a face card or an eight.
  b) four and the player's hand stands on a six or a seven, or if he draws any card between two and seven inclusive.
  c) five and the player's hand stands on a six or a seven, of it he draws any card between four and seven inclusive.
  d) six and the player draws a six or a seven.
• he banker always stands if the player stands on a six or a seven.