Nobody knows where the game of poker originated and there are lots of theories. The game played in the United States was made from several other card games. The Chinese played cards in 900AD and the Persian game of 'as nas' was a game of 25 cards and five suits. Most of the dictionaries and game historians say that it comes from an eighteenth-century French game, poque. This was stated to be using the first deck consisting of suits made from spades, diamonds, clubs, and hearts. the true origins of the game still remains shrouded in mystery. The history of the game in the United States is a much easier story to follow it seems to have originated from New Orleans and spread along the riverboats that travelled the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. By 1835 poker had become the number one cheating game on the riverboats though it was still quite a different game from the modern day version. During the civil war modifications such as stud poker, the draw, and the straight became popular. Poker was very popular about this time and it was more like the game we have today. During the Wild West period of United States history, a saloon with a Poker table could be found in just about every town. Unlike other casino card games, poker is a game in which players play against each other and not against the house. Poker has many variations, although the rules of play and strategy differ, the hierarchy of winning hands remains the same. Today Poker is the most played card game in the world and has grown into a major sporting event with tournaments taking place constantly throughout the year and large prizes available as Poker grows in popularity and strength.

The Gaming Club is somewhat of a trend-setter, they were the first casino to grace the internet and they have been leading the field since 1997. With a stock of games that is only just short of being the most we have ever seen available at an online casino, there is somethiing for everyone at the Gaming Club. It is very easy to go on and on about this casino, they have an impeccable record with fast payouts and a security system to rival Fort Knox!!

However, although the Gaming Club is undoubtedly a very good casino, we found that we were unable to get particularly excited about it. For such an established casino we thought that it was a bit cheap of them to use the standard Microgaming graphics, interface and sounds. When a casino has as good a pedigree as the Gaming Club we like to see them strive to take it further. To some extent they have done this by offering an increadible amount of games and providing a back-office that is always able to deliver the goods, so you never have to worry about whether you'll ever see your withdrawal. we just hoped that the Gaming Club would come up with something a bit sexier, an innovation to drive the industry along.

It might be unfair of us to expect so much from them and it is probably true that we are using a higher benchmark for the Gaming Club than we do for most casinos. In relation to its rivals the Gaming Club really is in front. We only grumble because we have come to expect so much from this casino, we don't want to see it go stagnant! For this reason the gaming club can not receive a rating of 10, but rest assured as soon as they announce their big step forward (which we're sure they will), they'll go straight to the top of the class.

Roulette layouts do not vary in bets permitted, odds offered and percentages against the player so the following text covers all the common bets permitted on just about any layout. Straight Bet (or Single-Number Bet):
The player places the chips squarely on one number on the layout, making certain that the chips do not touch any of the lines enclosing the number. This indicates that the player is betting that number to win. Since there are 36 numbers on the wheel, plus the signs 0 and 00, making a total of 38, the correct odds are 37 to 1. The bank pays off 35 to 1 and consequently has the advantage of 0 and 00. In terms of a percentage this is 2/38 of 100, or 5 5/19%. The signs 0 and 00:
These can be played in the same fashion as any straight or single-number bet. The bank's favorable percentage is the same as on a straight bet (5 5/19%) Split bet or two-number bet:
The player places the chips directly on any line separating any two numbers. If the winning number is one of the two wagered on, the player wins.
Payoff odds: 17 to 1 | Correct odds: 18 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Street bet or three-number bet:
The player places the chip(s) on the outside line of the layout. This indicates that he is betting the three numbers opposite the chips, going across the layout. If the winning number is one of these three, the player wins.
Payoff odds: 11 to 1 | Correct odds: 11 2/3 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Square bet, quarter bet, corner bet or four-number bet:
The player places the chip(s) on the intersection of the lines between any four numbers. If any of these four numbers wins, the player collects.
Payoff odds: 8 to 1 | Correct odds: 8 1/2 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Line bet or five-number bet:
The player places the chip(s) on the intersection of the line separating the 1, 2, 3 from the 0 and 00 spaces at a corner intersection. This indicates that he is betting that one of the numbers 1, 2, 3, or 0 or 00 will win.
Payoff odds: 6 to 1 | Correct odds: 6 3/5 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 7 7/19%
Note that the house percentage differs from the 5 5/19%, which is the bank's edge on all other roulette bets. From the player's viewpoint, it is a bet to avoid because it has 2 12/19% more against the player. Line bet or six-number bet:
The player places the chip(s) on the intersection of the sideline and a line between two 'streets'. If any of these six numbers wins, the player collects.
Payoff odds: 5 to 1 | Correct odds: 5 1/3 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Column bet or 12-number bet:
The player places the chip(s) on one of the three blank spaces at the bottom of the layout. This indicates that the player is betting the 12 vertical numbers above the space wagered on.
Payoff odds: 2 to 1 | Correct odds: 2 1/6 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Dozens or 12-number bet:
The player places the chip(s) on one of the spaces of the layout marked "1st 12", "2nd 12" or "3rd 12". The 1st 12 indicates that the player is betting on the numbers 1 to 12 inclusive; the 2nd 12, the numbers 13 to 24 inclusive, and the 3rd 12, the numbers 25 to 36 inclusive.
Payoff odds: 2 to 1 | Correct odds: 2 1/6 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Low-number bet (1 to 18):
The player places the chip(s) on the layout space marked 1 to 18, which indicates that he's betting on the numbers 1 to 18 inclusive.
Payoff odds: Even money | Correct odds: 1 1/9 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% High-number bet (19 to 36):
The player places the chip(s) on the layout space marked 19 to 36, which indicates that he's betting on the numbers 19 to 36 inclusive.
Payoff odds: Even money | Correct odds: 1 1/9 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Black color bet:
The player places the chip(s) on a space of the layout marked "Black". The player is betting that the winning color will be black.
Payoff odds: Even money | Correct odds: 1 1/9 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Red color bet:
The player places the chip(s) on a space of the layout marked "Red". The player is betting that the winning color will be red.
Payoff odds: Even money | Correct odds: 1 1/9 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Odd-number bet:
The player places the chip(s) on the space of the layout marked "Odd". The player is betting that the winning number will be an odd number.
Payoff odds: Even money | Correct odds: 1 1/9 to 1 | Percentage favoring the bank: 5 5/19% Even-number bet:
This is the same as the odd-number bet, except that the player is betting that the winning number will be even.

Splitting
When a player is dealt two cards with equal values, they have the option of "splitting" them into two separate hands. In order to "split", the initial bet has to be matched. Each hand is then played separately. If the player splits two Aces, only one more card is dealt to each hand. A hand can only be split once. Doubling Down
A player may double on their first two cards other than a Blackjack. When a player doubles, only one more card is dealt and the original bet has to be matched. Essentially, the player bets the hand can be won with one more card. You can also "double down" after "splitting" a pair. Insurance
When the dealer's up card is an ace, the player is offered "insurance". Taking insurance means the player makes a second bet (of half the original bet) that the dealer's face down card is a ten card. If this is the case, the player is paid 2 to 1 on the insurance bet and the initial bet loses as it is beaten by the dealer's Blackjack. If the dealer does not have a natural Blackjack, the insurance bet is lost and the hand is played out as normal. Even Money
If the player (you) has a Blackjack and the dealer's up card is an Ace, the player is offered 'even money'. Taking even money means the player will be paid 1 to 1 on the Blackjack and not 3 to 2 as normal. Taking even money means the player believes the dealer's face down card is a ten card. If the player chooses not to take even money and the dealer reveals a Blackjack, both hands tie. If no even money is taken and the dealer has no Blackjack, the player is paid at 3 to 2. *The Dealer has none of these options.