In this regular feature, columnist Max Drayman answers player's questions about Internet gambling.

Got a question? Ask Max

September 4, 2007
Max, in Hold'em I have a flush, another player also has a flush. The community cards are As, Ks, Ts. I have 8s and 9s, the other player has 3s and 7s. Is this a split pot or do I win?

-- Jason

The Short Answer:  You win.

The Details: : Remember the 5-Card Rule: the best 5-card had wins. Your best five cards are AKT98s and his are AKT73s. In Hold'Em Flushes are counted card-by-card so you are both tied on the AKT but your 9 beats his 7 … so you take the pot. Most Hold'Em hand questions can be answered by using the 5-Card Rule.

August 21, 2007
I am organizing a Motorcycle Poker Run and they will be playing Texas Holdem, with one card wild.

The Short Answer:  broken, low-card Straight, such as 23457.

The Details: : It sounds like you'll be playing a variation of Cool Hand Luke which uses the lowest table card as the wild one. In any case to find the lowest hand you'll probably want to be counting the hand from the bottom up, in which case 23457 would beat 23567, for instance, because in the first case the third lowest card is a 4 and in the second the third lowest card is a 5. Since 4 is a lower card than 5 the 23457 would win.

If you don't want to get that particular then any busted low-card straight beginning with a 2 should do it, assuming you're not allowing the A to play high-card/low-card position.

June 8, 2007
In Hold'Em if two people have the exact same hand and it is a split pot, if the pot is heavy a chip where does that extra chip go?

-- Boyle O.

The Short Answer:  To the player next to the dealer.

The Details: : Back in the old days it was common to leave the extra chip or two in the pot, a "sweetener" for the next hand, but since the early 80s or so it has become standard practice to give the extra chip to the player on the dealer's left. If there are two extra chips then they go to first two players to the dealer's left, and so on. This is standard casino practice today. The old way is still seen in some private games and clubs.

May 30, 2007
Is there a way to play Draw Poker with 8 people (i.e re-deal the discarded cards or play with two packs?)

-- Toni B.

The Short Answer:  Yes.

The Details: : Draw Poker was the first "real" card game I ever played, my father taught me when I was about 7 years old. It's a simple game but I love it ... but let's get back to your question. Yes, you can play with higher numbers of players. Back in the day it was common to shuffle and re-deal the discards but that has long since fallen out of. These days it is standard practice to add a second deck, that's now considered the only professional option. Tends to cut down on cheating too since it's too easy to mark a card and then have it dealt back minutes later.

May 18, 2007
Is XYZ Casino a good site?

-- Michael B.

The Short Answer:  It depends.

The Details: : Ask ten people whether this or that casino is a good one and you're likely to get at least ten different answers. Some people like the game selection at a given site, others prefer the Customer Service. For others bonus or pay-out terms are all-important. So you see, it depends on your priorities. If reputation and reliability is of primary importance to you then you have a couple choices: the first, and easiest, is the "Recommended Casinos" or "Top Picks" list that most reputable sites keep. Of course you are relying on the truthfulness and quality of their recommendations and, again, that's for you to decide.

The other option, and the most reliable, is to do a little research. Go to the message boards and use the "Search" facility to see what others have had to say about the casino in question. Good message boards will have a huge number of archived posts -- for instance we have hundreds of thousands -- and that's basically a research library for you to see what's happened regarding a given casino over time. On our boards for instance we mark a given issue "Resolved" so you can tell pretty quickly whether the casino is good about settling player issues or not. There is no doubt that this approach takes a little more effort on your part but the results will be the best you're going to get, by far.

If you're really not into the research thing then you're fairly safe by going with the big, long established casinos. Again, those will almost certainly appear in the "Top Picks" lists previously mentioned.

May 18, 2007
Max, a really big question for you: in Texas Hold'Em when you are down to the final two, is the dealer the big blind or the little blind?

-- Michael B.

The Short Answer:  It depends.

The Details: : The blinds follow the normal rotation so if it's the dealer's turn to SB, then SB it is. If he's just been the SB then he's now the BB, as you would expect.

April 4, 2007
Can you check and then raise in a poker game?

-- JFH

The Short Answer:  Yes, it's called Check-Raise.

The Details: : Check-Raise is an important strategy in some poker games, Hold'Em being the primary example, and can be quite powerful if used in moderation. In some games, home games and certain small-stakes casino games, it is often disallowed, presumably because it is seen as an aggressive move. It is often not allowed in specialized poker games such as California Lowball.

April 3, 2007
Where can i find ten cent roulette?

-- Mark L.

The Short Answer:  Not very many places offer this.

The Details: : I posted your question on our message boards (see here) and the general consensus seems to be that Lasseters, AusVegas and Global Player are your best bets.

March 27, 2007
The other evening when playing free roll Texas Hold'Em everybody folded. I threw my cards into the center of the table face up and they slid into the community cards. One player claimed that I had violated a rule by mixing my cards with the community cards and had, as a result, lost the hand. I can't find any published rules concerning the proper mucking of cards. Can you help?

-- MLM

The Short Answer:  You're fine, the pot is yours.

The Details: : As always it's the "5 Card Rule" that determines your winner:

As far as this hand is concerned everyone had folded to you and that makes you the winner, no question about that. As to the discarded cards I think your fellow player is a little confused: your cards are dead if they touch the muck pile. Your dealer would be correct to remind you to keep your cards out of center table though, that's bad etiquette.

March 23, 2007
Who wins this hand in Texas Hold'em, or is the pot split? No one has a flush.
Player 1: A9
Player 2: AK
Community cards: A4457

-- Holmes

The Short Answer:  Player 2 wins.

The Details: : As always it's the "5 Card Rule" that determines your winner:

Best five cards for Player 1 are AA449; best five cards for Player 2 are AA44K.

In other words both players have two pair: Aces over 4s. Player 1 has a 9 kicker and Player 2 has a K kicker. K beats 9 so Player 2 wins.

January 24, 2007
If the community cards are AQA5Q and I had 99 while my opponent had 7J, who'd win the hand? Does the opponent win with a J kicker?

-- Brett

The Short Answer:  He wins.

The Details: : This question gets asked a lot which is why I'm thinking it's worthwhile to answer again. The basic answer is "apply the 5-Card Rule." You can read our page on the 5-Card Rule but the bottom line is that you pick the best five cards available to you --community or hole cards-- and that's your final hand, no exceptions.

So in the case you've cited your final hand would be AAQQ9 and your opponent's would be AAQQJ. His hand wins because his final card, the "kicker" J, beats your 9: game over.

January 19, 2007
I've never played draw poker before. Last night in one hand I was the dealer. The person to my left bet 2 chips, which was matched by the next person. The next person then raised this to 3 and I as the dealer raised this further to 5.

At this stage a dispute broke out. The player to my left said that betting went round in order. So he was could call or raise my bet or draw further cards and then call or raise my bet on the strength of his new hand. Then the next person could do the same and so on. Others said that everyone had to either match my bet of 5 or fold. Who is right?

-- Robert

The Short Answer:  The rules are right.

The Details: : Sounds to me like your buddies are getting the betting rules in Draw mixed up with a few other games. The way betting in Draw Poker works is simpler than a lot of other games: the cards are dealt, there is one round of betting which stops at the dealer (he's the last person allowed to Raise, all other must top up their bets to Call the highest bet or fold), players draw their new cards, there is a final round of betting (as before) and then it's showdown time.

In some places there is only one round of betting which comes after the players draw their new cards. That's a faster game but less cash flows which tends to make this variation less popular.

See our "Rules of Draw Poker" for further details.

January 16, 2007
In Texas Hold'em poker are spades higher than clubs?
-- Clem

The Short Answer:  No.

The Details: : Don't feel bad, your question is not an uncommon one. In a variety of popular table games suit is important but none of the regular forms use this: in poker all suits are considered equal. Another way to look at this is that the only time suit matters in poker is when you're looking at a Flush, otherwise it is irrelevant.

November 14, 2006
Do you feel that [US] legislation to regulate the industry would help paranoid [US] players get some reassurance that all is 'above-board'?
-- Robert

The Short Answer:  Probably.

The Details: : I think it's fair to say that the comfort that players could take from an official move to legalize and regulate the industry would depend entirely on the legislation but in general yes, it is widely believed that regulation is the way to go. Look at the UK Gambling Bill (see here) and you have an excellent example of what a progressive legislative move can do for the online casino industry.

At this point the best possible scenario for US players would be if the US lawmakers did something similar to what the UK has already done. The recent legislation passed in the US does not even begin to address the real issues that worry "paranoid" players.

November 7, 2006
If the dealers lays down a full house is the pot split?
-- Pete

The Short Answer:  Maybe.

The Details: : As ever it comes down to what the players are actually holding. Let's say the table is 77744 and one of the players is holding the last 7 or a high pair. Obviously they would beat the table the take the pot. On the other hand if nobody can best the table cards then yes, it's a split pot.

September 26, 2006
Three players have A2345 using an A from their hand and the rest from the table. Would all three divide the pot? Or would you go with who has the next highest card in their hand?
-- Lorie

The Short Answer:  Yes. No, absolutely not!

The Details: : Assuming that no player had a 6, which would give them the stronger straight, then yes, the tree would split the pot because they've all got the same hand. And no, you never Never NEVER use a 6th card to break a tie like this: final hands are 5 cards and only 5 cards no matter what.

September 18, 2006
Who wins in Hold'em if one player has a pair in their hand but the other player has a higher pair if he uses one in his hand with a turn card?
-- Elaine

The Short Answer:  The best 5-card hand wins.

The Details: : Remember the 5-Card Rule: each player picks the best 5 cards available to them, hole cards and/or community cards, and the best 5-card hand wins. Since each player is free to use hole and/or community cards freely in order to make their final hand it sounds as if the “other” player wins since they’ve got a stronger pair.

September 18, 2006
In blackjack, what does the term "soft" mean about your cards?
-- Wendy

The Short Answer:  Card totals using an A=11 are “soft”.

The Details: : This is an important question because the “soft” card combos are essential to successful Blackjack strategy. When you use the A as an 11 they you’ve got a “soft” total because the Ace will be revalued to 1 if necessary. For instance let’s say you’ve got A4: that’s a soft 15 because it could be considered as 5 if that was better for you, such as if you hit and drew a face card. Now your total is 25 (obviously bad news) or 15. You automatically go with the 15 since that keeps you in the game but now it’s a “hard” 15 because the Ace must be counted as a 1 in order to keep you from busting.

September 6, 2006
I want to know who would win the following hand: Community Cards: AKT82, no Flush. Opponent 1: K6. Opponent 2: K3
-- Paul

The Short Answer:  Split the pot.

The Details: : Always remember the 5-Card Rule: a player's final hand is made of the best five cards available to him, no more and no less. So #1's best 5 are AKKT8, and same with #2. Since these hands are tied card-for-card the pot is split between the two players.

August 30, 2006
How many players can you have at a table for texas hold'em. We have ten. do you have to split the table.
-- AB

The Short Answer:  Ten is standard.

The Details: : Ten is the standard maximum for Hold'Em. Technically that could be pushed to 11 or 12 players, and in certain special cases it has been done, but that is not advisable.

August 23, 2006
How can I know what is the next card in Blackjack?
-- AB

The Short Answer:  You can't

The Details: : If it were possible to know with certainty what that next card is going to be then I promise you you would not be able to play the game in any casino on Earth. All casino games, Blackjack included, are designed to give the house an advantage, large or small, which is why casinos make lots of money and most players do not.

That said you can look into card counting which will, under very special circumstances, give you a good deal of insight into the game. Failing that you are best advised to look for games where Blackjacks pay 2-to-1 and/or 5 card hands automatically win (called a "Charlie") and/or player 21's automatically win. Together or individually these rules give the house a much thinner edge and thus the player has a much better chance of winning, assuming they follow "optimal" strategy.

August 21, 2006
In Hold'Em what are the card values in order ... for example which come first like flush, a pair, 3 of a kind, etc ... Thank you.
-- Shorty

The Short Answer:  http://mb.pokerforum.com/showthread.html?t=195

The Details: : The hand rankings in Hold'Em are the same as in all other forms of (regular) Poker. Do check out our "The Winning Hands in Poker and their Rank" post at PokerForum.com (URL given above) where we detail each hand and show you examples of what to expect.

July 21, 2006
In a flush draw between two players if both players high card is a K that came out on the flop and to complete the flush I hold a 4 and my opponent holds a 5 who wins? Do you ever count down a sequence of cards to decide who wins? Thank you
-- Matt

The Short Answer:  Yes: it's called "the 5-card rule".

The Details: : Applying the 5-card rule means that you pick the five strongest cards to complete your hand and then compare that hand, card-by-card if necessary, against your opponents. In practice means that if the flush is incomplete on the table then the player with the strongest flush card(s) wins.

In your case this means that your strongest hand contains the suited 5 and his the suited 4, assuming there are four suited cards on the table. 5 beats 4 and so you win.

If on the other hand there were 5 suited cards on the table then it depends on whether your suited pocket card(s) beat any of the flush table cards. If so then your pocket card(s) are used in the 5-card pick and, again, your 5 beats the 4 and you win.

July 19, 2006
Hi Max, I sure hope you can help me. I have been trying to play free to win cash and prizes at Casino XYZ. However, the only game I can play is bingo. The other games will not load. Can you help me? Thank-you!
-- Bonnie

The Short Answer:  No, probably not.

The Details: : IGenerally speaking not all games are available in Free mode, or at least the Free games are a subset of the games that are available in full or Real money mode.

My guess is that if some of the games, such as Bingo, are loading for you but the others are not then either (a) you might need to update your casino software and/or download more game modules from the casino's home site or (b) the other games simply are not available in Free mode.

July 17, 2006
It seems to me the casinos let me win and than they "tighten" things up and I lose everything. Have you ever heard such a complaint?
-- Penny

The Short Answer:  Yes, but ...

The Details: : In the vast majority of cases such complaints are completely unfounded. I'm not saying that sort of thing has never happened but it is a lot less common than you might think. One of the best ways to ensure that you don't get involved with a casino that would do such a thing is to check out the reputation of Casino X, assuming Casino X is the casino you are interested in. And the best way to do that is to go to one of the popular message boards, such as ours here, and see what other players are saying about that casino.

Use the "Search" facility to look for older messages that might not be immediately visible on the front page of the forums. And if you still don't find what you're looking for then feel free to register and then post a question of your own. The chances that someone will have the information you're looking for are usually very, very good.

July 12, 2006
I tried to cash out 500 USD from 123 Casino (real name withheld) but nothing happened. I've sent e-mail three times but no answer. What can I do? Thanks,
-- Iven

The Short Answer:  Hit the message boards!

The Details: This kind of predicament does unfortunately happen sometimes and my advice to players is almost always the same: go to the message boards, search for posts about the casino in question and if that doesn't give you the help you need --or if you would simply like other players to know about your difficulties with the casino-- then post about your situation and ask the message board readers for advice.

I know this "post a message" thing may sound a little like trying to send an SOS in a bottle but in my experience it's not like that. On the major message boards --there are only two or three and ours is one of them (go to http://mb.winneronline.com)-- there are thousands of readers from all parts of the casino industry: players, affiliates, casino managers, customer service and PR people, industry journalists, watchdogs, lawyers and so on. In other words your post will reach out to A LOT of people and it's not unusual for it to reach the right person, someone who can make a real difference in getting your problem dealt with.

July 5, 2006
What dice roll in craps is nicknamed "little dick?"
-- LGB

The Short Answer:  I don't know.

The Details: I've never heard of the term "little dick" but I have heard of "little Joe" which is a Hard 4 (2-2). If anyone knows what the Craps term "little dick" means please feel free to write me at max@winneronline.com and I'll be sure to publish the information here.

July 5, 2006
I would like to know what suite beats what in Poker? What is a Royal Flush? Is a Royal Flush any suite starting with an A? What suite beats what? Is Spades higher than clubs? Does diamonds beat hearts?
-- mesix

The Short Answer:  None. AKQJT. Yes. None. No. No.

The Details: In all forms of regulation (aka casino) poker the suits (clubs, hearts, diamonds, spades) are all ranked equally: all suits are considered of equal strength, no suit is considered stronger than another. So no, spades are not "higher" than clubs, and diamonds are not higher than hearts. As to the Royal Flush, you have it right: AKQJT, any suit but all cards of the same suit. For a more detailed discription of the different poker hands, including the Royal, see "The Winning Hands in Poker and their Rank" on our sister site, PokerForum.com.

June 16, 2006
Three players. 2345x on the table. Each player holds an A. Would all three divide the pot? Or would you go with who has the next highest card in their hand?
-- Lorie

The Short Answer:  Chop it up.

The Details: Since the A can play as high or low card we've got three players with a 5-high straight (remember the 5-Card Rule). So yes, they divide it up if that's the best five card hand available to them. If someone holds a 6 then they would have a better straight and then, and only then, would they win it.

June 16, 2006
What is the "right" and "wrong" bettor in craps? What is the difference?
-- William

The Short Answer:  Different bets.

The Details: The "right" bettor makes "Pass" line and "Come" bets. The "wrong" bettor makes "Don't Pass" and "Don't Come" wagers: they bet against the shooter --hence they're called "wrong" bets-- and with the seven. Both bettors, "right" or "wrong", are making some of the best wagers at the Craps table. They could improve this by takes the best Odds bets available (2x, 5x, etc).

June 13, 2006
My friends and I have been playing Texas Hold'em a lot lately. One night while playing my friend and I were the only two players in the hand. The Board: Q883J. My hand: Q4. His hand: Q6. The question is who wins? I say we would split because we would both have a pair of Queens and a pair of 8's with J high. He says that he would win because his 6 beats my 4.
-- Matt

The Short Answer:  You are correct: chop it up!

The Details: As you've obviously observed, the 5-Card Rule is the key to your answer here. And those best five cards are QQ88J for both of you, hence the split. It's not uncommon for rookie players to believe that their hole cards are somehow of greater value than the table cards when it comes to determining the winner but that is not true of regulation play. This rule is sometimes used in special variations of the game and/or home games but both uses are uncommon and out of favor these days.

June 9, 2006
I thought I read that all online blackjack games shuffle the deck after each game in order to keep players from counting cards. If this is true, why would there be multi-deck games available?
-- Sam

The Short Answer:  Better house odds.

The Details: In general it is true that the online BJ games "re-shuffle" after every hand. The purpose, as you've said, is to make card counting less effective. The same motivation lies behind the multi-deck games. If you'd like to see the effect of multi-deck games on the players odds I highly recommend a visit to the WizardOfOdds.com, in particular the "Blackjack House Edge Calculator" (http://wizardofodds.com/blackjack/house-edge-calculator-pop.html). Here you can set the parameters for a BJ game and instantly see the effect on the odds the player faces. Try it and you'll see that the number of decks, for instance, has a _huge_ effect.

June 7, 2006
I have TT88 and another player has KK33. Does the pot get split, or does KK33 win, even though my T's & 8's both beat the 3's?
-- Chris

The Short Answer:  No. Yes. No.

The Details:  KK beats TT. No split because no one beats the K's, end of story. When determining a winner you generally look at the rank of the cards, nothing else. Even though you're both holding two pair it's the rank of the individual pairs that matters. Since K's beat T's you don't have to go any further than that to find your winner.

June 6, 2006
When there is a straight onboard, is it a automatic split pot? Or is it highest card?
-- Ryan

The Short Answer:  Maybe. Generally not, no.

The Details:  From your question I assume that no one is holding anything that can better than the straight. If for instance the table held a busted flush and someone could fill it with their pocket card(s) then the pot would be theirs, assuming no one else could do the same in which case they'd have to compare flushes. But back to the straight: it all comes down to that 5 Card Rule again. If the best five cards available to the players are the straight on board then yes, they split. The stuff they hold in their hand is irrelevant in this case because the board is the best five cards they can choose and a 6th card is NEVER used. So that "highest card" thing is completely out of the question, in this case.

If there was a busted flush on board then it could well come down to the highest suited card that a player held. Remember, five cards make a hand.

May 30, 2006
If two players finish with AK in their hand and an A is on the table and this is a winning hand does another A6 have a run in this pot? Also when is the kicker used?
-- Bill J.

The Short Answer:  It depends. Whenever you need them.

The Details:  It's impossible to answer your question definitively without knowing what the other cards on the table were --for instance if there was a 6 there's a good chance the A6 guy would win it with two pair-- but for the sake of this discussion we'll assume that it's rags and that none of the cards were of use to anyone. In that case we've got three hands: AAKxx, AAKxx and AA6xx. Obviously everyone is using the AA pair but K beats 6 so the A6 player is out of it. The other two would split the pot.

As to the second part of your question it's true, the kicker(s) play when you need them to. Remember that all final hands are made of five cards --The 5 Card Rule-- so you've got those kickers in your hand whether you need them or not. If they help you win, as in the case where the K beat the 6, then you use them. If the winner(s) are easily determined without reference to the kickers then so be it.

May 25, 2006
Hi, I hope you can settle a dispute between friends. My hand was a 92, my opponent had a J9. The table cards were 92775. Please tell me who should win and why. Many thanks.
-- Bill H.

The Short Answer:  Your opponent wins, better cards.

The Details:  One of the basic rules of Hold'Em is the 5 Card Rule: every final hand is made of the best 5 cards available to the player and the best hand wins. So in this case your best 5 cards are 99775 and the other guys best 5 cards are 9977J. Since you both have the same two pair it comes down to a kicker, in this case the fifth and final card. Since J beats 5 he wins.

April 19, 2006
What was the first landbased casino to go online? -- Orabo

The Short Answer:  Good Question!

The Details:  I posed this question to our forum readers (see here) and the candidates seem to be Lasseters, William Hill, Aspinals and possibly Sunny or Harrahs. From what I can tell (and remember) I'd say Lasseters is the most likely candidate.

April 17, 2006
If you're playing Hold'Em and someone holds KQ with AKKQ8 on the table and the other person holds JT who would win that hand? -- DG

The Short Answer:  A Full House beats a Straight.

The Details:  This is a pretty basic question and requires knowing the two fundamental rules of Hold'Em. The first is The Winning Hands in Poker and the other is The Five Card Rule. With these two rules you'll see that the first player’s best hand is the KKKQQ full house while the other player's best is an A-high straight. As indicated before the full house wins.

April 11, 2006
A player is in the big blind of $200.00. When it is his turn he says raise. He then puts $200.00 by the big blind and reaches for $400.00 more and says $600.00 raise. Is this a string raise? -- Charles

The Short Answer:  It depends.

The Details:  This question originally appeared on our sister site, PokerForum.com This is what one of our experienced members, Bobby C. had to say:

In NL (no limit), it is often acceptable to make more than one motion. ... This is OK, provided:

--there was no hesitation between moves;

--he could not be expected to move all those chips in one motion.

Even though this is acceptable, I would still recommend announcing your intentions before doing anything that might be misinterpreted.

See here for this exchange in detail. Thanks again to Bobby C. for his outstanding input.

February 7, 2006

We're playing Texas Hold Em.  I had a pair of 10's and the other guy had a JQKA and Deuce.  He said he had a straight and beat both my friend and me.  Did he win?

The Short Answer:  Not a chance.

The Details:  In some circles that would be called a "wrap-around" or "corner" straight.  It's an acceptable hand in some private games but not in any game being played by the standard rules.

The Short Answer: See "The Details".

The Details: A fine answer to this question comes from 'Bobby C' at PokerForum.com:

"A card is not burned at the start of the deal, because cutting the deck effectively takes the top card out of play. This is why when re-shuffling the deck to replace an exposed card, there is no burn.

"Whenever there is a long pause between pitching cards, such as for a round of betting, a card should be burned before pitching any more cards. This way a cheat who is adept at identifying the top card (peeking, marks, etc) is thwarted."

The Short Answer: Don't even think about it!

The Details: Judging from the second part of your question --to which I'd say they are usually very thorough and effective and constantly on guard against thieves-- you're thinking of something illegal.  Like I've said already, don't.

The Short Answer: No.

The Details:  In some of the very early versions of the game, we're talking back in the 1800s, the suits were ranked but once the game evolved to resemble the game we know today the suits were all considered equal.

December 22, 2005
We're playing Texas Hold Em. I had a pair of 10's and the other guy had a JQKA and Deuce. He said he had a straight and beat both my friend and me. Did he win?

December 22, 2005
In Texas Hold’Em when are cards burned, besides at the beginning of the deal?

The Short Answer: See "The Details".

The Details: A fine answer to this question comes from 'Bobby C' at PokerForum.com:

"A card is not burned at the start of the deal, because cutting the deck effectively takes the top card out of play. This is why when re-shuffling the deck to replace an exposed card, there is no burn.

"Whenever there is a long pause between pitching cards, such as for a round of betting, a card should be burned before pitching any more cards. This way a cheat who is adept at identifying the top card (peeking, marks, etc) is thwarted."

5 May 2005
Hey Max, do you think it is possible for someone to hack an online casino and find out how the random number generator works to predict the numbers on a roulette wheel? At one of the casinos I play at, one particular guy does seem to know the majority of the numbers that come out on the roulette wheel. Do you know or of heard of anyone being able to do this?

Short Answer: Probably not.

Details: I think your question really breaks down into two parts. The first is whether it is possible to predict an RNG (Random Number Generator) based on knowledge of it's code, meaning it was hacked into and copied or otherwise reverse engineered. The answer to that is probably not, unless it's a really lousy RNG and follows as set pattern. This is very unlikely with today's RNG technology. Even the most rudimentary RNGs are required to pass non-repeatable, non-patterned tests in order to qualify.

The second question is whether it is possible for someone to hack into a casino and thereby know it's Roulette outcomes a split second before everyone else does. To make a long story short this could be done if they hacked into the outbound data pipe from the server and could decrypt that data on the fly. This is theoretically possible, albeit an enormous technical challenge, but the problem is that casinos have win pattern detectors and if someone wins too often, especially at a game like Roulette, then the alarm bells go off pretty quickly. For this to continue over time would require some collusion between the casino staff and the guy pulling all the wins. Again, that is exceedingly unlikely.

5 May 2005
What are BLINDS in Texas Hold Em?
Boomer.

Short Answer: Nothing happens.

Details: There are two blinds in Hold'Em, the Little Blind (LB) and the Big Blind (BB). These are forced "bets" that the first two players to the dealers left are required to pay in any given hand. The purpose is to get some money in the pot to start the action. The LB, first player to the dealer's left, pays half the low limit. So in a $10/$20 game the LG blinds $5. The BB, second player to the dealer's left pays the low limit, or $10 in the $10/$20 game.

30 July 2004
Max, I read a to-the-point article you wrote a couple years back on java vs. flash. A lot has changed since then and wondering whether there is more current comparison? -Aaron

Short Answer: It's the same now ... but different.

Details: Great question! It's about time we updated that original article (http://www.winneronline.com/articles/september2002/javavsflash.htm). I'll save the details for that update but the basic story is: Java on the web may well be dead or dying ... but it trundles on because of the massive installed user base and the fact the almost everyone who uses Internet Explorer has the JVM (Java Virtual Machine) installed. Flash continues to make advances that Java, it seems, never will but it's an uphill battle. Since there's a lot happening for both Java and Flash in the cell phone arena it could well be that the victor there will have a ripple-through effect on what we see online.

30 July 2004
What is a game of blackjack called when you play with all of the cards? -Eshin

Short Answer: "Indian BJ"

Details: I assume you're talking about Blackjack where the Jokers are included. That's called "Indian" or "Wild" Blackjack because, at one time at least, it was only seen at reservation casinos. I understand that it's becoming more popular as a "friends" game. Aside from the inclusion of the Jokers the other primary variation in this game is that players play against the "banker" or dealer instead of the house. The banker position rotates clockwise around the table so that each player gets a chance at it. Being the banker is the advantage position in this game but the downside risk is pretty wicked nevertheless.

30 July 2004
Hi Max,
I was playing keno on Aztec Bingo (Saturn Bingo) I played over 2000 games and finally won $7000 all my numbers came up. When I asked for a pay out, they said no because there must be a glitch in the game. Is there anything I can do to get my money?
Carla

The Short Answer: Ya, raise hell!

The Details:

Seriously, casinos that try this kind of thing need all the bad press they can get. Your best option is to make the issue as public as possible, as in our message boards (http://mb.winneronline.com/) for instance, and see what other players can do for you. You'd be surprised how often the money tree grows sprouts when a casino's misbehavior is up there for all to see.

30 July 2004
Hi Max,
I was just wondering in Texas Hold'em if two players have a Straight using five cards do they split the pot or use the kicker card to determine the winner.
Anelalani

The Short Answer: 5 Card Rule!

The Details:

We've answered this one a few times before so I'll just quote myself directly: "A basic rule in Hold 'Em is The Five Card Rule, meaning you can only use 5 cards to make your final hand. The rest of the cards are dead." So you win or lose based on a card-by-card comparison of your Straights. If the hands are dead equal (suit does not count) you split the pot, plain and simple. "As you can imagine, split pots are not unusual in Hold'Em."

3 June 2004
When a dealer in our weekend game is shuffling the cards can he place the cards down on the table and cut them himself? Thanks,

Ernie

The Short Answer: Not in any game I play!

The Details: If I was playing with the boys and one of them suggested that it was ok for him to cut the deck himself he'd get laughed out of the room! In private games it is considered a basic courtesy to allow another player, often the player to the dealer's right, cut the deck. The history behind this is that it shows the other players that the dealer hasn't stacked the deck.

3 June 2004
I am new to the world of online gambling and I am in the process of downloading and reviewing different casinos. However, I am having such a problem logging into the games and running the software for extended periods. I have Windows XP and I am still having problems. What's the answer? Thanks,

Estella

The Short Answer: Sorry Estella, it could be just about anything.

The Details:

Is it your computer that is crashing? Or is it the software that is hanging up? If it's the casino software only then I'd contact the casino's Customer Service and see what they say. If it's your computer ... ouch! Windows XP is usually quite stable and reliable. The truth is that this is always a tough question to answer. It could be your computer, your internet connection, the software or even the power your computer is running off of. You need to isolate the problem by eliminating possible causes one by one. Unfortunately this is never easy and usually isn't much fun either.

3 June 2004
Are there any programs that can pick the numbers produced in Microgaminging's roulette casino game? I.E something that could read what number has come out after each spin and put it into a spreadsheet. Regards

James

The Short Answer: Not that I know of.

The Details:

Sorry, I don't know of a program that will do this directly. In fact I suspect there would be a security breach if a program did. Of course your game logs could be easily imported into a spreadsheet program but that would be after the fact, not in real time.

5 April 2004
When dealing Texas Holdem is there any occasion that cards are burned before dealing?

Jennifer

The Short Answer: Yes.

The Details: In a regular, brick and mortar casino burning a card or two off the deck before the deal is a gesture of fair-play to show players than the cards haven't been stacked. For online games there is no "stacking" since no one ever touches the cards so it's not typical for the casino to include a "burn" animation at the beginning of a hand. Some games do, some don't. It depends on the software in question.

5 April 2004
Can you describe a High Roller?

Thanks, Sally

The Short Answer: $$$$

The Details: Seriously though, it _is_ about the money. A high roller in one place may not be considered a high roller in another, but one good way to tell is to look at the VIP programs at various online casinos. An informal survey will show that if someone wagers an aggregate of say $50,000 per month then that will get them in the VIP door at some casinos. At others it's $100,000. Almost all casinos will have rolled out the VIP carpet at the $250,000 price point. Above that and the casinos start sending out the jets to fly their customers to the vacation spot of their choice. When the casino contacts you to ask what goodies they can offer you, you know you're getting into the high roller category.

The Short Answer: 5 Card Rule.

The Details: Remember the 5 Card Rule: every player's final hand is made of five cards and only five cards ... and they all count. So in this case the 5 Card Rule says that you start comparing the hands card by card in order to determine the winner. Of course this means that the second card can determine the winner, or the third and so on. Only in the case where both players have exactly the same Flush will there be a tie. As I'm sure you can imagine that's not a very common occurrence.

10 Feb 2004
What if any recourse do I have for a bingo site that has not payed me my winnings after three months? After repeated emails, many online help chats, and phone calls, all I get is: "It is being processed." I have had payouts many times and never, ever had this problem with any other online gambling site and am so frustrated! Thank you, Benji

Short Answer: WINNERonline's Gambling Message Board

Details: It's unfortunate but players sometimes have trouble getting paid. There can be two reasons for this. The first is that they can't pay you for whatever internal reason. In this case it's unlikely that you'll get your money. The second case is that they'd rather not pay you if they don't have to. In this case it's in your best interests to convince them that they really should.

It's my belief that in both of the above cases the only real hope of satisfaction is to go public with your case. And the best place to do that is the message boards. Our is the biggest, most read in the industry so if visibility is what you're looking for, http://mb.winneronline.com is the place to get it.

Go there, read some of the other posts to get an idea how others have gone about it and post something of your own. Don't be antagonistic or hostile but do state clearly what the issue is, how you've tried to get get in touch with them, etc. Name names, be specific. The chances are pretty good that someone out there will know something about your problem and be able to help. If nothing else you'll be warning other players about a site that isn't honoring it's obligations.

21 Jan 2004
I know you never signed up to be an advisor and referee for poker players, however, if you would just settle this one problem for me, I will appreciate it greatly. We play Omaha High/Low and this problem came up.

Community A, K, 6, 6, 9
Hand A 2, 2, 4, 5
Hand B K, Q, 2, 5

My friend claims that the hand A with the pair 2's win since he had a pair in his hand.

My idea is Hand B wins since he can make a higher 2 pair with the K and Q.

Page 55 of Internet Poker seems to bear this out. Am I wrong?

My friend has played poker in all the casinos and many poker tournaments and the rest of us are just everyday players. I did purchase both poker books that you recommended. -Chester

Short Answer: You're right. Hand B wins.

Details: In this senario, there is no qualifying low hand for either player, so we look at the highest hand.

At the showdown, Player A (Hand A) would hold:

A 6 6 2 2 as his best hand - two pair Sixes and Twos with Ace kicker - "A 6 6" from the community and "2 2" from his pocket.

Player B would hold:

6 6 K K Q as his best hand - two pair Kings and Sixes with Queen kicker. "6 6 K" from the community and "K Q" from his pocket.

Player B (Hand B) wins with the highest hand. It's the final hand that counts, not what your pocket cards are. I think someone's trying to pull a fast one on you.

BTW, feel free to send me your questions. I'm always happy to help.

6 Jan 2004
Hi, I play online poker pretty regular, I want to know is there any programs out there that another player might be able too see your cards as you are playing in a hand with them.

It seems very suspisous sometimes that the same players either get all the best hands sometimes or they know what you hold so they can bluff more often than other players?

Have you ever heard of this type of software out there?

signed Paranoid!

Jeff

Short Answer: You really are paranoid!

Details: From a techinical standpoint, it's possible for someone to target you by installing "bugged" software on your computer, or to defeat the poker room's encryption and see your (or everyone's) cards by "sniffing" the poker room's network packets. It's possible, but these techniques are very very advanced and I would even say they are nearly impossible to pull off. Quite simply, it not worth the time and effort for the amount of return.

Even if someone could see your cards, there's no way for them to know what the community cards will be until they are shown. For example, if you were playing Texas Hold'Em and you held 2-4 and your opponent held K-K, he bets heavily and you call, you could still flop 2 pair and win. Sure it's unlikely, but it could happen.

I've been on both sides of what you're describing and I offer you the following advice, in games like this I recommend two options:

1) Play Tight - in my opinion, heavy betters and big bluffers will lose overall if you only play pocket hands that are in your favor. Wait until you get a decent hand before betting/calling. Don't chase flushes/straights, etc. Look at the community cards, if there's a possible flush and you're holding a 3-kind, consider letting it go. It might be a tough fold, but sometimes the win isn't worth the loss. You might not want to try this on a short handed table thought, the blinds could hurt if you're playing tight.

2) Try Another Table - obviously the guy has a lucky seat. His luck could end any second, or it could last all night. The best thing about online poker is that you can come and go as you please. So go -- find your own lucky seat. If I get a bad beat twice, I'm gone.

17 Dec 2003
Hi Max, does InterCasino practice mode (free games) use the exact same system and random number generator as their real games and the odds are the same? Thank you, Thomas.

Short Answer: Maybe

Details: The arguements for and against this question go like this:

The "No" camp argues that a casino would be risking too much to cheat by skewing the free games toward the player. If anyone ever proved that they were doing it their reputation would be seriously and permanently damaged and their investment in their casino would be in jeopardy. That risk, the theory goes, is too great for it to be worth their while.

The "Yes" camp argues that of course the casino skews the "free" games because in so doing they almost guarantee that the player will become a real money player. Besides, they say, it's virtually impossible to prove that the free games favor the player. Thus the casino is, in effect, risking nothing for the obvious gain of player's real money deposits.

Want the inside scoop on InterCasino? We've got it. InterCasino GE and Java/Flash versions use the SAME RNG (Random Number Generator) in both for FUN and for REAL games. The InterCasino v4 Plus (OLD) software, however, uses the RNG from your local computer in the for FUN mode. That's no secret because the software doesn't connect to the Internet in FUN mode.

You need to understand that this is NOT done to trick the player. As a matter of fact, there's no hiding the guts of the RNG in the FUN mode of InterCasino's v4 Plus software; any programmer could and WOULD disassemble the software and publicly report any trickery for a well deserved 15 minutes of fame.

Unless the pseudo RNG in your local computer is somehow defective, the odds will be the same.

12 Dec 2003
The other nite while playing 7 card stud the dealer dealt me my third down card, as it happened three cards were stuck together. When I picked them up they separated, although they were still face down I told the players and they said my hand was dead.

I told them if that were true the dealer could create a dead hand for the best hand at any time just by dealing more than the one card he or she should have dealt. Please explain what should have been done according to the rules. Thanks, Fred.

Short Answer: They're right.

Details: I normally answer questions relating to online poker, however your question is an interesting one. Although it may seem unfair, the players are correct in saying your hand is dead. This SHOULD be a very rare occurrence and I'd say that if this happened twice, any respectable casino manager would send the dealer packing.

In home/private games, what happens to the dealer is up to the players.

When playing online, I can happily say that this never happens.

4 Dec 2003
Where do i have the best odds? Blackjack or Craps.
-Louise

Short Answer: Blackjack with Basic Strategy.

Details: Blackjack --provided you play Basic Strategy well-- has the best odds by far. A good BJ player can lower the house edge to about 0.5%. Rule variations will slide that up and down by as much as another 0.5% or more so don't ignore them.

On the other hand the best (opening) bet on the Craps table is the Pass/Don't Pass is just under 1.5%. You'd need to place a full 3x odds bet following that to lower the house edge to around what Blackjack offers. Not a lot of casinos offer 3x odds.

4 Dec 2003
How do i get flash plugged into my web tv? -paige

Short Answer: Click on the "Flash Games" icon at your casino of choice.

Details: I don't personally use WebTV but it's my understanding that Flash is fully WebTV compatible so that means, in theory, that there should be no problem. Any casino offering Flash games should have an "install" link and once you click on that you should be on your way.

If you'd like to install or test the Flash player yourself you're probably best off going to the Macromedia website since they are the creators of Flash. The Macromedia Test Page is a good place to start.

27 Nov 2003
I am interested in downloading your casino on my computer but would like to know if you have nickel slots and if so how many. and does your casino accept visa debit cards? -Belinda

Details: I'm sorry Belinda, but I think you've got the wrong impression. WINNERonline.com neither owns nor operates a casino, we're strictly an online magazine, an information site for casino players.

If you'd like to find a casino to play at I recommend you take a look at our Top Picks section, have a look through our Directory or even click on a banner from one of our reputable advertisers. I'm sure you'll find something to interest you.

For nickel slots I think you'll want to check out Lasseters. They've got a fine tradition of penny and nickel games. Also see our Updated Cheapskates Guide for a few pointers to casinos offering low-roller Slots.

As to the VISA card question I think you'll find that most credit card providers (the company/bank you get your VISA from) will not allow use of the card for gaming purposes. You're better off opening a NETeller account to use at the casino of your choice.

If you live in the US or Canada, you might want to consider using Citadel, an electronic checking service. It's just like writing a check online, but works instantly and it's a great fee-less way to make deposits/widthdrawals. Almost all casinos honour both NETeller and Citadel.

25 Nov 2003
Before registering in your poker forum and chat room, I would like to find out all of your rules and regulations with regards to what can be discussed in the forum? Many thanks, - Gayle.

Short Answer: http://www.winneronline.com/boardrules.html

Details: Seriously, those are our "Rules and Policies" and they apply to all of our message board forums. Once you've read those have a look at our forum list, read those discriptions, then browse through the forums that interest you --sounds like "Poker Talk" in your case-- and you'll see what sort of discussions are typical.

There really are no restrictions on "what can be discussed" provided you stay on topic (meaning post in the right forum), don't spam the boards nor abuse the readership. Other than that you're welcome to post what interests you. You'll almost certainly find that there are others who are interested in it too.

20 Nov 2003
I was playing Hold'Em online and in the community was J9938. In the Showdown between 2 players PLAYER-A showed A5, while PLAYER-B showed AQ, and the pot was split. Both players, it seems, had a pair of 9's with Ace kicker. One can assume that only one high card can be the kicker, regardless of the second hole card, hence the singularity of the term "kicker" and not "kickers." The Queen and the Deuce, in this case, do not play into the strength of the hand. Is this correct? -Will

Short Answer: No. Check the game log.

Details: Texas Hold'Em is a 5 card game - the best FIVE card hand wins. In the case you specified, at the Showdown PLAYER-A will have 99AJ8 and PLAYER-B will have 99AQJ. The hands are compared from highest ranked cards to lowest... 99-99, tie. A-A, tie. J-Q, PLAYER-B takes the pot. There's no need to compare the final card since PLAYER-B has already won.

When playing online, the cards are sometimes removed from the screen before you can see what really happened. You likely missed something - perhaps the community cards were J9988? In this case, both players would hold 9988AJ which would cause them to split the pot since this is the best 5 card hand. When in doubt, check the game logs.

12 Nov 2003
I am confused as to the cashing out of accounts when getting a match bonus. Can you still cash out your original buy-in plus winnings, or winnings only, while leaving the match bonus in the account and continuing to wager with it. -Lauri

Short Answer: Depends where you play

Details: The spirit in which bonuses are given is to provide you with extra playing money to prolong your casino experience. To ensure that you stay long enough to try out the casino software, all casinos will have minimum betting requirements. After these requirements are met, all the money is fully cleared (deposit, bonus, winnings) and you can do with it what you like.

Most casinos will lock your deposit, bonus, and winnings until you've met the minimum betting requirements. Some casinos, such as InterCasino, Sands of the Caribbean, and Omni Casino will NOT lock your deposit; however, withdrawals of deposits (which trigger a bonus) prior to meeting betting requirements may be considered bonus abuse and cause you to be denied future bonuses.

When playing at an online casino (for bonuses), you should always read the terms & conditions (T&C) regarding bonus withdrawal requirements. They are not all created equal! Some require you to meet reasonable betting requirements, others require you to meet stringent betting requirements and/or carry a balance. Read the T&C!

Where bonuses are automatically given; you may want to play at the casino but might not want to deal with all the bonus hoopla. Most, if not all, of these casinos allow you to "turn off" the bonus option by contacting the casino manager or contacting support. If you want forgo bonuses, you should contact the casino's customer support line for detailed instructions.

27 Oct 2003
Hey Max, does raising your bet on slot machines decrease the odds of winning?
Thanks Melissa

Short Answer: No.

Details: No, the size of your bet should neither increase nor decrease your chances of winning. In fact nothing you do should effect those chances on a given game. Different game "machines" offer different payouts, and these can certainly vary from casino to casino, and the Jackpot games typically shave the player's chances down a bit, but for a given game the odds should never vary in this way.

20 Oct 2003
My question is whether the machines are set to pay out the royal automatically after a set number of plays--which might be randomly determined (i.e., you might get it on the 60,000th play or the 20,000th play). Now though you have a "programmed" royal, you still can luck up and drop a royal on any hand. And if you get the "lucky" royal, then the machine resets itself again, ready to give you the Royal opportunity later if you fail to luck out the royal before its cycle is again run.

Short Answer: In my opinion, no.

Details: I believe that all theories like this have the same origin: the primal unrest that almost every gambler has with the basic unpredictability of "the odds". As much as I understand and empathize with that unrest I do not believe it justifies the wild and wooly theories that pop up to "explain" how and why players lose.

Let me answer this a different way: from a software point of view it would be more difficult to "hand out" a Royal every Nth hand than it would be to simply let "the odds" manifest themselves in their natural and normal way. The house always has an advantage --it's not called "the house edge" for nothing-- and that means that over time a certain percentage of the player's money is going to end up in their pockets. That's what makes casinos profitable and they are so why mess with it? Until it has been proven otherwise I do not believe that casinos manipulate their games in the manner you describe. Given that all discussions of "programmed" and/or "lucky" Royals are moot. They're simply rare and they happen when they happen.

14 Oct 2003
Hey Max, I have an issue with an online gambling / gaming site that now refuses to repond to e-mail and won't provide a contact person and a phone number (either on their website or when requested). What is the best way to go about finding out this info? Thanks, David

Short Answer: The message boards.

Details: Seriously! There are a lot of knowledgable players out there and they are usually ready, willing and able to help fellow players out. The message boards are the place they go to see what's happening, who's having trouble, etc. The usual procedure is to pick a board you like, read a little to get the feel of the place, sign on --don't forget to read your Member's Agreement-- and post away! Most boards are divided into forums covering different topics so be sure to post in the right area. There are a number of good message boards ... but I think ours is one of the best.

8 Aug 2003
Hey Max, In Texas Hold'em, if the two remaining players each make a straight 4,5,6,7,8 and both only use one of their pocket cards to form that straight, would you go to the other pocket card to see which is higher to find the winner? - Jan

Short Answer: No.

Details: A basic rule in Hole'Em is The Five Card Rule, meaning you can only use 5 cards to make your final hand. The rest of the cards are dead. In the particular case that you cite where the hands are dead equal you split the pot, plain and simple. As you can imagine, split pots are not unusual in Hold'Em.

8 Aug 2003
Hey Max, What is a Bonus Abuser? - L.J.

Short Answer: Someone who violates the casino's rules to claim a bonus.

Details: First, let's differentiate between a Bonus Hunter and a Bonus Abuser. A Bonus Hunter is an online gambler who actively searches for good casino bonus offers, then plays the casinos to claim the bonuses, fulfilling all terms and conditions outlined by the casinos. I consider myself a Bonus Hunter. After all, if a casino is going to make me a tempting offer to play at their casino, why shouldn't I accept that offer?

A Bonus Abuser, on the other hand, is someone who tries to scam online casinos by taking advantage of their bonus offers and violating the casino's terms and conditions. For example, a Bonus Abuser might register multiple accounts to claim the same bonus over and over, even though the casino rules explicitly state that the bonus offer is only available one time, for new users only. Needless to say, Casino Managers despise Bonus Abusers. Bonus Abusers are not gamblers; they are simply scammers.

25 June 2003
Hey Max, My credit card (which is a Royal Bank Visa) keeps getting declined at online casinos. It used to work fine. What's wrong? - Paul

Short Answer: Annoying, isn't it?

Details: I've been told that Royal Bank Visa (a Canadian credit card) began declining online gambling transactions on June 1 of this year. Try another credit card or use an alternate payment method such as Neteller. The casino will provide you with full details to help you get started.

25 Jun 2003
Hey Max, Does a Straight beat a Flush? - Brad

Short Answer: No (except in Three Card Poker).

Details: In Poker, hands are ranked as follows:

One interesting exception to these rankings comes in Three Card Poker, where a Straight actually beats a Flush!

25 June 2003
Hey Max, Where can I play Wheel of Fortune slots online? - S.P.

Short Answer: Nowhere.

Details: Wheel of Fortune slots are not currently available on the Internet. Sorry.

25 Jun 2003
Hey Max, Can you tell us how to play online just for fun and not real money? We have already hooked up Casino On Net. - Old Folks

Short Answer: Just start playing!

Details: Almost all online casinos, including Casino On Net, let you play their games in "free" or "practice" mode. One of my favorite casinos to play for free is Reef Club Casino (www.reefclubcasino.com) -- all you have to do is type in a nickname and start playing. The games use Flash technology so no "install" procedure is required.

12 May 2003
Hey Max, When is the best time to play slots? Does the time of day change the odds? - Pat

Short Answer: Whenever you feel like it.

Details: As tempting as it is to believe that the time of day affects online games the truth is that it just ain't so. Servers are located all across the globe and they do not, to the best of my knowledge, have any preference for one time zone over another. So the only real answer to "when is the best time?" is "whenever you want to".

12 May 2003
Hey Max, When you play and cash out how long does it take to receive your money? - Karl

Short Answer: Usually a couple weeks.

Details: How long it takes to receive your winnings depends on the casino's policies, the payment method you selected, and where you are located. A check will usually arrive by mail in one to two weeks but you could get your money faster using Neteller or by requesting a bank wire or FedEx delivery. Contact the casino directly for complete information. Most online casinos have 24 hour toll-free customer support.

12 May 2003
Hey Max, When playing video poker, after you press "deal" and view your first 5 cards, are the draw cards also dealt at the same time, but you can't see them? - Al

Short Answer: No, but it wouldn't matter if they were.

Details: I rather doubt that the draws are pre-selected since there is no software advantage to do so: it's instantaneous either way. However, I don't think it would really matter if the draws were pre-selected. If you accept that your game is fair and is randomly selecting the cards then both pre-selects and late selects would be random, hence no problem.

1 Apr 2003
Hey Max, Where can I find 98% payback slots on the Internet? - Gerry

Short Answer: You can't.

Details: A number of land-based casinos, like Harrah's in Las Vegas, advertise 98% payback slot machines. These machines are set to pay back, on average, 98% of wagers to players, and are monitored by the local Gaming Commission to assure that the programmed theoretical payback is correct.

To date, no online casino offers a similar high payback slot machine. While some Internet casinos may advertise that their slot machines have paid out 98% or more during a given time period, that does not necessarily mean that they are programmed to pay out at that rate in future. Also, if you ever do stumble across an Internet casino that claims to have a guaranteed high payback slot machine, make sure the game is reviewed by a major accounting firm or government body to verify the claim is legit.

That said, I would guess that the average online slot machine pays back at roughly the same rate as your average Vegas slot machine -- somewhere in the 88 to 95% range.

1 Apr 2003
Hey Max, What is a "soft" hand in Blackjack? - Ann P.

Short Answer: A hand that includes an Ace.

Details: In Blackjack, an Ace can be counted as 1 or 11. So A,2 can be 3 or 13. We call it a soft hand but a better term might be "flex" hand. When a dealer tells you that he hits soft 17, it means he takes another card when he has A,6. For more basic blackjack information, see our Blackjack Rules and Strategy section.

1 Apr 2003
Hey Max, Where can I find hi-limit blackjack tables? - DC

Short Answer: Try 1 On 1 Casino

Details: Blackjack tables at 1 On 1 Casino range from a $15 minimum to a big $10,000 maximum. The casino is part of the reliable Peak Entertainment group and has been specially designed to cater to high rollers.

1 Apr 2003
Hey Max, What's the worst casino on the Internet? - J.J.C.

Short Answer: Every one I lose at.

Details: Seriously, I like to stick to major casinos and I really can't think of one casino that has made me so mad that I could call it the Worst Casino on the Net. However, a number of our readers are more than happy to voice their views on this on our Message Boards.

24 Feb 2003
Hey Max, What does it mean when a casino advertises "97% payout"? - James A.

Short Answer: On average, players won $97 for every $100 wagered.

Details: It's important to note that payout percentages are calculated on WAGERED amounts not on DEPOSITS. For example, say I deposit $100. Then I play 4 hours of blackjack, betting an average of $10 per hand, at the rate of 50 hands per hour. After 4 hours, I have wagered $2000. At a 97% theoretical payout rate, I would have lost 3% of $2000, or $60. Of course, we're talking about statistical averages here. In reality you could have won a couple hundred bucks or lost it all, depending on your luck and skill level.

For more information on payout percentages, see this interview with PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

24 Feb 2003
Hey Max, How big is Internet gambling? - TheKid

Short Answer: It's a multi-billion dollar industry.

Details: Estimates vary, but the most recent data I've seen indicates that Internet gambling was a $3.5 billion industry in 2003. This equates to about 1.5% of the total worldwide land-based gaming activity.

24 Feb 2003
Hey Max, Which is better: a "no deposit required" bonus or a "match" bonus? - Candie

Short Answer: I like match bonuses.

Details: Both types of bonuses are good, but I prefer match bonuses. For those new to Internet gambling, a "match" bonus, sometimes called a 100% bonus, is a special offer where the casino will match your deposit with an equal amount of bonus chips. For example, if you deposit $100, the casino will give you an additional $100 so you have $200 to gamble with. Terms and conditions will apply.

"No deposit required" bonuses are good, too, but the amount of these bonuses is usually only ten or fifteen bucks. That isn't enough of a stake to make any serious coin -- unless you get really lucky and hit a quick slot jackpot.

13 Jan 2003
Hey Max, What's the biggest online casino? - A.P.

Short Answer: Probably Casino On Net.

Details: I don't have complete data for each and every casino, but if I had to guess which online casino has the most players, I would say Casino On Net. Riverbelle, Golden Palace, English Harbour, and InterCasino would also likely be in the Top 10.

13 Jan 2003
Hey Max, Does any online casino have a "triple diamond deluxe" slot? I've been to Vegas a few times and I love this slot. - David

Short Answer: Not that I've seen.

Details: Most popular land-based slots are not available online at this time. The major slot manufacturers, including IGT and WMS, have yet to license their games to Internet casinos. However, some online casinos produce close copies of the popular land-based games.

13 Jan 2003
Hey Max, Who's going to win the Super Bowl? - J.C.

Short Answer: I like Oakland.

Details: The Raiders' passing attack is hard to stop. Garner is running the ball well and the team is brimming with confidence. Yep, Oakland all the way.

If you plan on betting on the game, check out our list of Preferred Sportsbooks.

10 Dec 2002
Hey Max, How many casinos use Microgaming software? I see them everywhere. - JJ

Short Answer: At least 70.

Details: Seventy Microgaming-powered Internet casinos are listed in our database, and there are probably a few others that slipped through the cracks. Microgaming has been around since the very earliest days of Internet gambling, and their software is popular with players. One thing about Microgaming software has always bothered me, though. They don't use standard chip amounts for betting (i.e. $1, $5, $25, $100). Instead, you bet in numeric increments such as $2, $4, $6, $8, $10, $20 etc. Not a big deal, but it takes a little getting used to.

10 Dec 2002
Hey Max, Are gambling stocks a good investment? - Sid

Short Answer: Wow, you really are a gambler!

Details: I don't think my position as an Internet gambling writer qualifies me to answer your question. But if you really are interested in investing in publicly traded gambling companies, you may wish to start your research at Gaming Floor. The site conveniently lists all public gambling companies by region.

10 Dec 2002
Hey Max, Seen any great promo offers lately? - Anon

Short Answer: A couple whoppers.

Details: I noticed that Atlantis Fortune (www.atlantisfortune.com), a Microgaming casino, is offering a "Triple Your Money" bonus on a $20 deposit. Prism Casino (www.prismcasino.com), powered by Realtime Gaming, sent me an email for a 333% bonus, which may or may not appear on their site. I know little about either casino, so play at your own risk. I may try Atlantis Fortune this weekend, if I'm feeling adventurous.

15 Nov 2002
Hey Max, Which online casino should I start to play at? - FB

Short Answer: Start with major brands.

Details: I generally recommend sticking with well-established casinos from the major software brands, and casinos that operate in a truly regulated environment like Australia or the Isle of Man. Here are a few of the casinos I like. Some advertise with this site, some don't.

Casino On Net (Random Logic)
InterCasino (CryptoLogic)
Gaming Club (Microgaming)
Lasseters (Australia regulated)

If you live outside of the US, you may also wish to check out these casinos (they don't accept US bets):

Casino Atlantis (Boss Media)
Play MGM Mirage (Isle of Man regulated)

15 Nov 2002
Hey Max, What are some unlicensed casino operating jurisdictions, and where would I find a list of them? - Rich

Short Answer: Try iGamingNews.

Details: Virtually all Internet casinos have a license to operate, but some licenses mean more than others. For example, in some countries, such as Belize and Costa Rica, casino operators need little more than a business license to operate, and industry regulation is almost nil. Other jurisdictions, like Australia and the Isle of Man, have strict regulations for Internet gambling. Casinos licensed by these two jurisdictions are highly reputable.

For detailed information on the regulation of Internet casinos and the laws and policies of different global jurisdictions, visit Interactive Gaming News (www.igamingnews.com). It is the best resource for industry-specific information about Internet gambling. The site is not free, however, and you will need to purchase a subscription to access the bulk of their information.

15 Oct 2002
Hey Max, Does Grand Banks Casino still offer Three-Card Poker? -Margaret

Short Answer: No.

Details: Grand Banks switched software providers earlier this year and no longer offers Three-Card Poker. But you can still find a version of the game, called Tri-Card Poker, at other Realtime Gaming casinos, such as Vegas Casino Online.

15 Oct 2002
Hey Max, What are the odds of being dealt a Royal Flush in Caribbean Stud Poker? -A.L.

Short Answer: Roughly one in 650,000.

Details: The odds of being dealt a "natural" Royal Flush in any single-deck card game are 1 in 649,740. For all you math geeks out there, this is how I make my calculation: Any of 20 cards from the 52 card deck will be okay for your first card (10 to A, any suit). Then you have 4 chances in 51 to make your second card, 3 in 50 to make your third card, and so on.

20/52 * 4/51 * 3/50 * 2/49 * 1/48 = 0.000001539

The inverse yields 649,740.

Note that you will hit a Royal much more frequently on the video poker machine since you have the opportunity to discard and draw cards. You don't need to be dealt the Royal on your first 5 cards.

15 Oct 2002
Hey Max, Why doesn't the new MGM Online Casino accept U.S. bets? -Jim

Short Answer: They don't want to jeopardize their Nevada gaming license.

Details: MGM Mirage, which owns MGM Grand, Treasure Island, Bellagio, Mirage and other Vegas hotel-casinos, recently opened an online casino at www.playmgmmirage.com. The site does not accept U.S. bets. You see, Jim, the laws in the United States concerning Internet gambling are still developing. So until the day comes when it is 100% legal for MGM to take online bets from Americans, they will keep their nose clean and shun your action.

12 Sep 2002
Hey Max, What happened to Dennis Rodman's casino? -Roger P.

Short Answer: It's closed.

Details: Apparently "The Worm" decided he didn't want to be involved in the Internet casino business after all and pulled his endorsement. Rodman joins the growing list of celebrities who have opened then closed Internet casinos. Others on the list include Rodney Dangerfield, Evel Knievel, and Kenny Rogers. (By the way, if you're looking for a good Kenny Rogers tribute site check out MenWhoLookLikeKennyRogers.com.)

A few celebrity casinos remain in operation. Former heavyweight champ Larry Holmes is the face of Bet With The Champ and porn star Jenna Jameson promotes Jenna's Casino.

12 Sep 2002
Hey Max, Is it possible to cheat in online poker using friends on the telephone or multiple computers? -MT

Short Answer: I don't advocate cheating.

Details: What you are describing is called "collusion" and is a violation of the house rules at ALL online poker halls. Online poker halls actively hunt for cheaters, catch them, and blacklist them. Read Planet Poker's Collusion Policy to learn more.

I don't believe in cheating. I'm a gambler, not a cheater. A good poker player doesn't need to cheat to make money. Instead of wasting your time devising elaborate, unethical schemes that may or may not work, get a good poker book (such as "Hold'em Poker For Advanced Players") and learn to play the game the way it was meant to be played.

29 Aug 2002
Hey Max, Is PayPal still processing gambling transactions? -A.C.

Short Answer: Yes, except in New York.

Details: PayPal spokesperson Julie Anderson said in a recent New York Times article that the company would continue to take online gambling business from people placing wagers in states other than New York, until eBay's acquisition of PayPal is closed. That is expected to happen later this year, after PayPal stockholders approve the deal.

29 Aug 2002
Hey Max, Help me play better Video Poker. I'm losing my shirt. -Stan

Short Answer: Get WinPoker.

Details: I'm a big fan of Bob Dancer's WinPoker shareware. Not only does it help you learn optimal video poker strategy, it also lets you analyze the pay table and calculate the machine's theoretical pay back.

29 Aug 2002
Hey Max, Heard any good jokes lately? -Ron J.

Short Answer: Bionic Hand Casino is pretty darn funny.

Details: Take a look at their website. It's both strange and hilarious.

10 July 2002
Hey Max, Any idea what credit cards still let you gamble online?

Short Answer: Many.

Details: Though some US banks such as Providian and Capital One reject online gambling transactions, many banks are happy to process them. Casino operators tell me that the following US banks accept credit card transactions coded for Internet gambling: First Union National Bank, Keybank National Association, Southtrust Bank, Mellon Bank, Union Planters Bank, Fifth Third Bank and Compass Bank.

You can apply for one of these casino-friendly credit cards at Lending Tree or Bank Rate.

You don't have to use a credit card to gamble online. You can also fund your casino account using debit cards, bank wires, Neteller, and a variety of other means.

10 July 2002
Hey Max, I'd like to compete in the World Series of Poker some day. What's the best way to master Texas Hold'em?

Short Answer: Practice online.

Details: First get a copy of Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players by David Sklansky and Mason Malmuth. Study it. It's the bible of Texas Hold'em. Then practice practice practice. I spend countless hours at Ultimate Bet and other poker sites playing the free tables. It's fun and it makes me a better player.

I predict we will see a great improvement in the number and quality of poker players in the next few years. Online poker has made it much easier to play long hours and refine your skills against a wide range of players.

10 July 2002
Hey Max, What's the best book about Internet gambling?

Short Answer: Idiot's Guide.

Details: Even though it's a couple years old and needs an update, Mark Balestra's Complete Idiot's Guide to Online Gambling is still the best, most accurate and most comprehensive book ever written about Internet gambling. Other Net gambling books on the market include Gambling on the Internet, Beat Web Casinos, Internet Gambling Report IV, Insider's Guide To Internet Gambling, and BlackjackWorldwide.com: The Ultimate Guide To Winning A Steady Stream Of Income At The Internet Casinos.

11 June 2002
Hey Max, Do any Internet casinos accept American Express?

Short Answer: 4Gcasino, maybe.

Details: I see that 4Gcasino.com has the Amex logo on their homepage, but they have not responded to me emails asking if they do in fact accept the card. 4Gcasino does NOT accept U.S. bets.

Update 12 Jun 02 - 4G sent me this note today, "We currently accept Mastercard, Visa, Switch and Solo cards, we hope to have Amex in the near future."

11 June 2002
Hey Max, If two players have a full house and one player has three 7's and two Jacks and the other player has three 4's and two Queens who wins?

Short Answer: 7's over Jacks.

Details: The player with the higher value three of a kind wins in the event of a tie.

11 June 2002
Hey Max, Could you explain the legalities of sportsbetting online? Is it legal? What exactly are the laws and where can I look them up?

Short Answer: Ask Professor Rose.

Details: Here's a good article on the topic by Professor I. Nelson Rose: The Day Congress Outlawed Sports Betting And Violated The U.S. Constitution. Also check out Professor Rose's Website, Gambling and the Law.

9 May 2002
Hey Max, I just won $4,000 at Casino Grand Bay. They said I should have my money in 10 days. Does this sound right?

Short Answer: Congratulations!

Details: I don't think you'll have any problem collecting from Casino Grand Bay. The casino is a Microgaming licensee, and Microgaming sites are solid. In fact, as a rule of thumb, I recommend that new players stick to casinos powered by the major casino software providers: CryptoLogic, Microgaming and Boss Media. These casinos have proven themselves to be among the safest and most reliable on the Web. Our casino database sorts casinos by software provider.

When I win a thousand dollars or more, I usually opt to receive the funds by courier or bank wire, even if it costs a few bucks. I don't trust the mail system and find the wait frustrating.

Note that some casinos pay out larger wins in increments. For example, if you win 15 grand, the casino may pay you $5000 per week over a three week period. To avoid surprises, read the terms and policies of the casino before playing.

9 May 2002
Hey Max, Where can I play Three Card Poker online?

Short Answer: Try Grand Banks.

Details: Three Card Poker isn't widely available on the Net, but I have seen it at Grand Banks Casino and other Real Time Gaming sites.

9 May 2002
Hey Max, What's the greatest thrill in gambling?

Short Answer: Hitting the Big One.

Details: For me, one of the greatest thrills is drawing a royal flush on video poker. If you're a regular player, you should hit a royal once every 75 hours, on average.

Putting a big stack of chips on your lucky number at the roulette table and seeing it come up is mighty exciting, too!

I always get an adrenaline rush when I go "all in" with heavy money at the poker table. Texas Hold'em is my game of choice.

I would imagine that hitting a massive, million dollar progressive jackpot on slots would be fun, but I have yet to experience that pleasure.

25 Apr 2002
Hey Max, A casino asked me to fax them my driver's license before they would pay me. Why?

Short Answer: To protect against fraud.

Details: It's not that unusual for online casinos to ask you to fax in identification before they will cash you out. Some do it to protect against fraud; the documentation lets them cross-check your name and address against your casino registration. Other less-reputable casinos use it as a stall tactic. They hope you will not want to go through the hassle and say, "forget it, i'll just keep gambling," then lose the money back. I try to avoid casinos with this cash-out policy.

25 Apr 2002
Hey Max, I have problems registering Microgaming casinos. Help!

Short Answer: Check your Internet connection.

Details: Kelly at Microgaming offers this advice: "The player needs to be connected to the Internet when they are trying to register. To check this, the player should go to the Web site from their Web browser. If the site displays correctly then it is unlikely they have a connection problem."

If all else fails, contact Technical Support for the specific casino you are trying to install.

4 Apr 2002
Hey Max, Are free games set to pay better than real games?

Short Answer: Sometimes.

Details: Online gamblers have long suspected that the free-play games offered by some casinos pay out more generously than the real games. I believe this is true, at least at some casinos. So if you find yourself winning big at a free-play slot, don't assume you will clean up when the real chips are down. You might win, you might lose. But remember, casinos don't stay in business by giving away more than they take in.

4 Apr 2002
Hey Max, Do you think Microgaming's random number generator is rigged, like Sunny Group says it is?

Short Answer: I doubt it.

Details: Sunny Group, which operates Casino Fortune and other online casinos, recently split with Microgaming, their long-time software supplier. Sunny Group said one of the reasons for the split was that Microgaming was manipulating their random number generator.

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