Things To Do Before You Gamble Online
Source : Steve Adkins (Online Players Association)

While this multibillion dollar industry grows at a substantial rate, it does remain non-regulated. The industry depends solely on self-regulation.Before whipping out your gold Visa card there are a few things that you should know first. When looking for an online casino to play, I recommend that you follow the ten points below.

1. Is the casino licensed by a sovereign government? If no, find another casino.


2. Does the casino have a toll free customer service number that is answered 24 hours a day? If no, find another casino.
   
3. Do they allow you to play for free? This is very important: it gives you the chance to check out their software before you spend any money. If they do not, find another casino.
   
4. What is the smallest denomination of their poker and slot machines? You're looking for a wide variety of denominations, such as nickels, quarters, dollars and five-dollar machines.
   
5. How many different versions of video poker do they have? You're looking for at least three. That tells you that the operator has spent a lot of money on the software. Beware of those casinos that tell you they only have one version of video poker.
   
6. What is the smallest and largest bet that they accept on craps or blackjack? This is mainly for your own betting information.
   
7. Does the casino have a place where they keep track of your purchases and cashouts?
   
8. How is the customer service? There's an easy way to test this: Send them an email with a question and see how long it takes them to reply.
   
9. What is the reputation of the software maker involved in the casino? There is no sense in gambling online if you do not know how you will collect your winnings.
   
10. Make sure you read all the rules on bonuses and cashing out procedures. Do your homework before you gamble online, not after.

1. The Players to the left of the Dealer begin by posting the blind bets .

2. Four pocket cards are dealt to each Player - face-down

3. First round of 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.

4. Three communal cards (flop ) are dealt face-up in the center of the table. All communal cards are active for all Players and can be used in combination with each Player's two cards.

5. Second round of betting - options are to check, fold, bet, or raise.

6. Fourth communal card (Turn ) is dealt face-up.

7. Third round of betting - options are to check, fold, bet, or raise.

8. If, at this stage, there are still at least two vying Players, the fifth, and final communal card (River ) is dealt face-up.

9. Final round of betting follows.

10. The Showdown! All remaining Players then create the best five-card hand possible. You can only use: two pocket cards and three communal cards .

11. The best hand wins the pot! If two or more Players have the same winning hand, the pot is split equally between them.

Odds bets are a very good option for the player as the house advantage is small. Odds bets are additional bets made after the shooter has established point. Pass Line Odds Bets are made after you make a wager on the Pass Line. Then if a Point is rolled, you can back up your bet by taking the odds on the Point. To make this bet you place your additional chips an inch or two behind your original Pass-Line bet.

Come Bet Odds Bets are made after you make a wager on the Pass Line. Then if a Point is rolled, you can back up your bet by taking the odds on the Point. For this wager you drop your chips in front of the dealer and say "Odds on my Come Point". The dealer will then place your bet.

Don't Pass Odds Bets are made after you make a wager on a Don't Pass. Then if a Point is rolled, you can back up your bet by laying the odds on the Point. To make this bet you place your additional chips next to your Don't Pass bet. Don't Come Odds Bets are made after you make a wager on a Don't Pass. Then if a Point is rolled, you can back up your bet by layingthe odds on the Point. - For this wager you drop your chips in front of the dealer and say "Odds on my Don't Come". The dealer will then place your bet. Place Bets are made on the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 and have nothing to do with the Point number. Once made a Place bet is always on except for the Come-out roll when they are always off, unless you tell the dealer differently.
If a 7 is rolled before your Place number - you lose.
If your Place number is rolled before a 7 - you win.
To make this bet lay your chips down in front of the dealer and say, "Place the Six (or other number), please". Buy Bets are made on the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 similar to Place bets. Again you are betting that the shooter will roll your number before he/she rolls a 7. A Buy bet is determined in the following manner.
If a 7 is rolled before your Buy number - you lose.
If your Buy number is rolled before a 7 - you win.
To make this bet lay your chips down in front of the dealer and say "Buy the 6 (or other number), please". Lay Bets are the opposite of Buy bets.
If your Lay number is rolled before a 7 - you lose.
If a 7 is rolled before your Lay number - you win.
To make this bet pass the dealer your chips and say "Lay the odds on the Six (or other number)". Big Six or Big Eight Bets
If a 7 is rolled before a 6 or an 8 - you lose.
If a 6 or an 8 is rolled before a 7 - you win.
You can make this bet yourself by placing you wager in the Big Six or Big Eight section of the table layout. Hard Four Bets or Hard Ten Bets
Hard Four can be rolled only one way (2, 2), and Hard Ten only rolled one way (5, 5) You are betting that the shooter will roll a Hard Four or a Hard Ten (whichever you have chosen) before seven, and before any other combination of four (for Hard Four) or ten (for Hard Ten) To make these bets you pass your chips to the stickman.