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Introduction to BlackJack

Blackjack is also known as twenty-one or Pontoon

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino card games in the world. Blackjack's great popularity is down to its combination of chance with strong elements of skill, including the powerful memory required for card-counting (keeping track of which cards have been played since the last shuffle). The origins of modern day Blackjack's lie in 'Vingt-et-un' (or twenty-one), which originated in French casinos around the year 1700. This early version of Blackjack did not offer the 3:2 bonus for a two-card 21 (or Blackjack).

Blackjack initially took a little while to catch on in the USA, so gambling houses tried offering various bonus payouts to get the players to the Blackjack tables. One such bonus was a 10-to-1 payout if the player's hand consisted of the ace of spades and a BlackJack (either a club or a spade) - this hand was known as a 'Blackjack'. The name stuck even though this particular bonus payout was short-lived. As the game is currently played, a 'Blackjack' will not necessarily contain a Jack at all.

How to Play BlackJack

The aim of the game in Blackjack is simply this: the total value of your cards has to be closer to 21 than that of the dealer's, but over 21, and you're bust.

In Blackjack, picture cards (J,Q,K) are valued at 10,aces at either 1 or 11. Other cards carry their face value.

You receive two cards face up, and depending on the style of blackjack being played the dealer receive one or two cards.

Blackjack:

If you receive an Ace and a card with a value of ten (10,J,Q,K) as your first two cards, you have Blackjack and win one and a half times your bet (if you bet was $10, you receive $25).

Twist:

If the total value of your cards is less than 21, you can request a third card, a forth card, and so on, aiming to get to a total closer to 21 than the dealer's.

If you get closer to 21 than your opponent, you win as much as you wagered (e.g. - your bet was $10, you receive $20).

Bust:

If you 'Twist' and the total of your cards is greater than 21, you 'bust' and lose that game.

Push:

If you and the dealer have the same total card value (17 and up) neither of you win, and your bet is returned to you in a 'push'.

Blackjack (i.e. a 21 with your first 2 cards - an Ace and a 10,J,Q, or K) beats more than 2 cards totaling 21. Read on for further info on strategies and more, as we help you learn to play blackjack.

Split:

If your first two cards have the same point value, you may split them into two separate hands by placing a second bet equal to the original bet. You then proceed to draw cards. You may draw as many cards as you like on each split hand, but if you split two aces, you receive only one additional card for each ace. If you receive an ace and a ten-value card in a split hand, it is counted as 21 and not Blackjack.

Double:

After you are dealt two cards, and think that another card will allow you to beat the dealer's hand, you can increase your bet by an amount up to your original bet or 'double' your bet. Your wager is doubled, and you are allowed to receive one more card.

Insurance:

Insurance is considered to be a game of its own within Blackjack. If the dealer has as Ace as his up card, you'll be given a chance to buy insurance. When you buy insurance, you're betting that the dealer has a blackjack. It allows you to try and protect yourself when you think that the dealer may have Blackjack. When buying insurance, you place half of your initial bet by pressing the Insurance button. If the dealer does have Blackjack, you are paid 2 to 1 on your insurance bet. If the dealer doesn't have Blackjack, you lose your insurance bet.

Winnings:

Winning Hand Pays 1 to 1

Insurance Pays 2 to 1

Blackjack Pays 3 to 2

To play blackjack at CasinoShare.com

Click on chips to increase your bet. Every click on a chip increases your bet. Every right click on a chip on the table removes it from your bet.

Click the Deal button.

If the dealer has an ace as his up card, you are offered insurance. If you want to take Insurance, click on the Insurance button.

Use the Hit, Stand, Double, Split and buttons as required.

Please note that using Insurance, Double and Split require an additional wager, as described in the rules. You will not be able to use these buttons without sufficient funds to do so.

If you want to play another round, press New Game or hit deal. Then place a bet as described above and click the Deal button, or click Rebet to place the same bet as in the previous round.

Please note that these rules may vary depending on the type of blackjack game being played, for example there is:

Atlantic City Blackjack
Atlantic City Blackjack High Limit
Atlantic City Blackjack Gold
Bonus Blackjack
Classic Blackjack
Double Exposure Blackjack
European Blackjack
European Blackjack Gold
Multi-hand Atlantic City Blackjack
Multi-hand Blackjack
Multi-hand Bonus Blackjack
Multi-hand Spanish 21 Blackjack
Multi-hand Vegas Downtown Blackjack
Multi-hand Vegas Strip Blackjack
Spanish Blackjack
Super Fun 21 Blackjack
Triple 7’s Blackjack
Vegas Downtown Blackjack
Vegas Downtown Blackjack Gold
Vegas Strip Blackjack
Vegas Strip Blackjack Gold
Open the game and hover your mouse over the rules help card to see the blackjack rules for this game.
BlackJack Strategy/Tactics

BlackJack Strategy/Tactics

Blackjack has a greater element of player choice than some other games. Players can actually improve their chances of success with a little cunning. The strategy of Blackjack lies in knowing when to hit and when to stand, and also knowing when to double down or split and when not to. Basic strategy is based on the player's card value total and the dealer's visible card. There are slight variations in basic strategy depending on the exact house rules and the number of decks used.

Introduction to Roulette

Some say that the first form of Roulette (‘Small Wheel’ in French) was devised in the 1600s by the French mathematician Blaise Pascal, inspired by his fascination with perpetual motion devices. In 1842, fellow Frenchmen François and Louis Blanc added the "0" to the roulette wheel. In the early 1800s, roulette was brought to the USA where a second zero, "00", was introduced. (Some forms of early American Roulette had an American Eagle instead of the double-zero.) In the 1800s, Roulette spread like wildfire over both Europe and the U.S., becoming the most popular game of chance in the world. Some call Roulette the "King of Casino Games", probably because it was associated with the glamour of the top casinos in Monte Carlo.

A legend tells that Monsieur Blanc supposedly bargained with the devil to obtain the secrets of Roulette. This legend is based on the fact that if you add up all the numbers on the roulette wheel (from 1 to 36), the resulting total is 666, which is the ‘Number of the Beast’ and represents the devil.

As mentioned before, the single "0" Roulette game, known as European Roulette, was developed in 1842 by Frenchmen Francois and Louis Blanc to create a more favorable Roulette game. However, as gambling was illegal in France at this time, the game first appeared in Hamburg, Germany, where it quickly gained popularity. One version of the events following this is that Francois and his son Camille brought their version of game of Roulette to the South of France and presented it to Charles III, the Prince of Monaco. It was then that the stunning resort of Monte Carlo was born.

Alternative Theory of the Origins of Roulette

Another theory about the origins of the game of Roulette is that it was invented in China and brought to Europe by Dominican monks, who in those days traded with the Chinese. Whether these monks were avid players of Roulette, or if they abstained from the game for moral reasons is not known for certain.

Roulette Today

Online Roulette made its first appearance on the Internet in the mid ‘90s. Today, the game is just as popular among players online as it is in land-based casinos.

How to Play Roulette

Roulette is easy to learn, but you should still ensure you are familiar with all of the rules of Roulette before placing any bets. The first thing to know is how the table minimum works. If the table you are playing at has a $5 minimum, you are required to place $5 on each of your outside bets, and/or at least $5 in total on your inside bets (see the Roulette Glossary below). Therefore, if you play red or odd for example, you must place the table minimum for each and every bet. On the other hand, you would be allowed to place 5 $1 bets on 5 completely different inside bets.

American Roulette:

American Roulette is the version of Roulette that you will most probably be most familiar with, (it features a double zero). The odds on winning when betting on a single number are 35:1, because of the two zeroes.

European Roulette:

European Roulette is very similar to American Roulette, except that there is only one zero on the wheel.

In land-based casinos, a traditional European Roulette table is much larger than an American Roulette table, and the croupier uses a long tool called a rake to clear out the chips and to distribute winnings. In American Roulette the croupier collects and distributes chips by hand.

Below is a list of all the possible bets and how you place them on the table. Please be advised that you should learn the following rules in order to maximize your Roulette potential.

Roulette Glossary

Outside Bets

An outside bet on a roulette board is simply that the bets are placed 'outside' of the main playing area of 38 numbers. There are no winning outside bets for 0 or 00 results. These are the different types of outside bets:

Red or Black: you can choose to bet on the ball landing on either a red or black number. Place this bet in the area with the words 'red' and 'black' or just the colours red and black. Red or Black is a very popular form of roulette betting, as it’s clear this gambit gives you a great chance of winning.

Odd or Even: as the name suggests, this one is based on whether the number will be odd or even. Since 0 isn’t counted in this, there are 36 possible numbers, an even count between odd and even. Place this bet by putting your chips in the middle of the square marked 'even' or the square marked 'odd'.

Low or high: Place this bet if you think the next number to come up will range from 1 to 18, or 19 to 36. This is an even money bet. To place this bet put your chips in the boxes with the associated number range printed in them.

Columns: At one end of the 38 numbers are boxes with the words '2 to 1'. Each box is part of a column of numbers. If one of the numbers within the column come up you are paid 2 to 1.

Dozens: Very similar to the columns bet, the dozens bet lets you place a bet on either the first dozen numbers (1-12), the second dozen (13-24), or the third dozen (25-36). The Dozens bet pays 2 to 1.

Inside Bets

The inside bets are made up of specific numbers or combinations of numbers within the number layout. Remember - the total of all of your bets must add up to at least the minimum bet for that table.

Straight-up bet: Choose any one of the 38 numbers and put your chips down on that number. This will give you a 35 to 1 chance to win.

Split bet: you can place a single bet on two adjacent numbers. To do so, put your chips down on the line between them. Pays 17 to 1.

Street bet: Allows you to bet on three different numbers with the same bet. You can do this by placing chips on the outside of the row of numbers you want to bet on. This bet pays 11 to 1.

Corner bet: another combination wager, the corner bet lets you bet on four numbers simultaneously. Placing your chips at the point where four numbers meet will indicate you want a corner bet. Pays 8 to 1.

Five number bet: There is only one option available for a five number bet: You can win if a 0, 00, 1, 2, or 3 come up. To make this bet place your chips at the intersection of 0 and 1 on the corner. Pays 6 to 1.

Roulette Strategy/Tactics

Over the years, many have claimed to possess the ultimate Roulette strategy. Few have been proved. Here are a few tips which should help you on your way:

Understand the Game of Roulette Fully! Dedicate a little time to learn the game, the rules, and the odds involved in the game of roulette so that you know exactly what to expect when playing.
Roulette is a Game of Luck! The Roulette wheel has no memory. Each spin is unrelated to the last spin and has no influence on the next spin. If the ball lands on black five times in a row, this does not mean the next spin will also land on black: the probability of it doing so remains at 50%.
No Strategy is 100%! If roulette is a game of chance, then it is impossible to create a strategy based on the data previously collected. Of course, this doesn’t stop many people claiming to have done so regardless of this.
Manage Your Money Correctly! Set your limit of money in advance and only play what you are prepared to lose. Once you have finished playing then finish. Don't chase your losses.
Enjoy it! This is perhaps the most important point of all when playing Roulette. Roulette is perhaps the most chance-game in the whole casino. Try not to forget this, and you may just be on the right course.

The following table displays the probability of winning on a U.S.A Roulette wheel. All casinos in the U.S.A follow these rules except for in Atlantic City. The house edge on all bets is 1/19, or 5.26%, except for one bet. The exception is the 0-00-1-2-3 combination, which carries a house edge of 7.89%.

Introduction to Craps

Craps (previously known as crabs) is a casino dice game, which is especially popular in the USA. Craps is a simplification of the Old English game hazard. Players wager money against the casino on the outcome of one roll, or of a series of rolls of two dice.

The family of dice games, of which Craps is a member, is the oldest form of gambling in the known to man. Dice, if not Craps, have been around since 600 B.C. in Egypt.

There are various interesting theories and stories on how the game of craps evolved through history. The game of craps usually refers to street craps and bank craps. Here is an overview on the history of the game and how it gained popularity through different parts of the world:

There is some evidence that suggests that the game of Craps may have evolved during the Roman Period. In those times, soldiers in the Roman legions used to shave down pig knuckles into the shapes of cubes. They used to then play with them by tossing them onto their inverted shields as a game while in camp. It was here that the term "to roll the bones" was born.

Another theory states that the game of Craps is similar to a game called ‘azzahr’ or Hazard that was played during the Middle Ages by the Arabs. The formal rules for Hazard were established by Montmort early in the 1700s. The roll of lowest value in that game was called crabs. While many feel that this may have been the origin of the name, others maintain that the word evolved from the French ‘Crapeaud’ (meaning toad). Some also feel that the French, trying to be amiable, adopted the term from the English, but spelt it in the French way as crabes. In the early 1700's, the game crossed the Atlantic to the French colony of Acadia.

Around the year the mid 1700s, the French lost Acadia and the Acadians relocated to Louisiana. Here they dropped the French ‘crabes’ and called the game ‘crebs’ or ‘creps.’ By 1843, the term craps began to gain prevalence in American English. By 1885, other terms like ‘crapsgame’, ‘crapstable’, and ‘crapsshooter’ evolved and the final ‘s’ in craps was removed to aid terms like ‘craptable’, ‘crapshooter’, ‘crap game’, etc. However the s in craps is retained where reference is made only to the game of craps or to the losing roll in phrases like 'he craps out' or 'he rolled craps'.

How to Play Craps

Different Bets with Craps:

Below is a list of all the possible bets that can be made in the game of Craps. Online Craps is quite a step above other casino games in terms of the number of different types of bets that are permitted. It is for this reason that Craps may at first appear intimidating. If you read through the Rules of Craps listed below, and try out all of the different betting options in Craps Play Mode, you will find the game is not difficult to pick up after all. It is also recommended that you read the Craps Strategy info also provided.

Pass Line:

Betting on the 'pass line', means that if the Craps roll is a 7 or an 11, you win. If it is craps (2, 3, 12), you lose. If another number is rolled, this number becomes the 'point'. This means that the same number has to be rolled again before a 7 to win, if a 7 comes up before then you lose.

Don't Pass Line:

Betting on the 'don't pass line' means that if the Craps roll is a 2 or a 3 you win, and you lose if it's a 7 or an 11. If the number is a 12, it's a push where nobody wins or loses. If a point is established on the first roll, then a 7 must be rolled before the point is repeated in order for you to win.

Betting with Odds:

It is possible to place odds on your pass, don't pass, come, or don't come bets. This is a way of increasing your payoff and bet without increasing the odds against you. Since an odds bet is one of the best in the casino, there is little point in placing a pass line bet without backing it up with odds. The important thing to remember is this: you need to place your pass line bet before your Craps roll, but you can only back it up with odds after a point has been established.

Come Bet:

This is the same as the pass line bet, except that it allows you to set your own point (that is, after a point has been established) for the rest of the table. After the bet is placed, the first roll is your own personal ‘point’, and that point must be rolled before a 7 for you to win. If the first roll is a 7 or an 11 you win; if it's a 2, 3, or 12 you lose.

Don't Come Bet:

The same rules apply as the ‘don't pass’ bet. It goes without saying that this is the opposite of the come bet. After the bet is placed, the first roll is the ‘point’, and a 7 must be rolled before that point in order for you to win. If the first roll is a 2 or a 3, then you win automatically. If it's a 7 or 11, then you lose.

Proposition and Hardway Bets:

On the left of the table you will see a small box with a dice symbol within it. This box consists of 2 sections: The Hardway bet, and the Proposition Bet. Both Craps bets are explained below:

Proposition Bets:

Probably the most simple bet in Craps. This rule means that you are betting on one throw of the dice. You are betting that any of the following come up:

Name	Description	Payout
Seven	Seven will be rolled.	4 - 7
Any Craps	A 2,3 or a 12 will be rolled.	7 - 1
Ace Deuce	A 1 and a 2 will be rolled.	15 - 1
Eleven	Win if a 5 and a 6 are rolled.	15 - 1
Aces or Boxcars	Wins if a 2 (1+1) or a 12 (6+6) rolled	30 - 1

Hardways Bets:

Hardway bets in Craps represent two dice which are of the same value (pairs), and which add up to certain numbers. Not all pairs count. Please see below for a table of what you can choose to bet on, and the payout for each bet. These bets stay on for each roll till either a 7 is rolled where thy are lost or the soft number is thrown. For example, if you bet on hard 6 i.e. 3+3, if you throw a soft 6 which is 1+5, 2+4, 5+1 or 4+2 then the bet is lost.

2 + 2	7 - 1
3 + 3	9 - 1
4 + 4	9 - 1
5 + 5	7 - 1

Big Six or Big Eight Bet:

This Craps bet wins if a 6 or an 8 is rolled before a 7, and can be placed at any point in the game.

Field Bets:

This is a one-roll bet where you win if a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, or a 12 is rolled. If you roll a 2, you’ll get double money, and if you roll a 12, you’ll get triple. Otherwise you’ll receive even money (1:1). If any other number is rolled, you lose.

Place Bets:

Any of these bets can only be placed after the ‘point’ has been determined: only then you can place either the 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or the 10. You win if the number you placed a bet on comes up before a 7, otherwise you lose. The Place Bets functions in Craps are located at the very top box of the Craps table.

Craps Stratregy/Tactics

Craps is a thrilling game, which shares the chance element of other similar dice games, and raises it to a new and intriguing level of complexity. In the game of Craps, the cunning player will put particular strategies to highly effective use. Below you will see a table which gives the probability of the dice landing on a certain number. CasinoShare.com have also provided some exclusive Craps tips, to help you on your way to becoming a Craps champ.

Craps Outcome Odds:

Predicted Craps Outcome/Probability

2 1+1 1/36 3 1+2/2+1 2/36 4 1+3/3+1/2+2 3/36 5 1+4/4+1/3+2/2+3 4/36 6 1+5/5+1/4+2/2+4/3+3 5/36 7 1+6/6+1/5+2/2+5/3+4/4+3 6/36 8 2+6/6+2/5+3/3+5/4+4 5/36 9 3+6/6+3/5+4/4+5 4/36 10 4+6/6+4/5+5 6/36 11 5+6/6+5 2/36 12 6+6 1/36

Craps Tips

There are special ways in which you will be able to improve your game at playing craps. An important step is to establish which are the good and which are the bad bets. These consist of the following:

Good Bets for Craps:

Pass Line Bet - The house edge is only 1.41%

Don't Pass Bet - The house edge is only 1.40%

Come Bet - The house edge is only 1.41%

Don't Come Bet - The house edge is only 1.40%

Bad Craps Bets:

The Field Bet - House edge is 5.6%

Big 6 or Big 8 - House edge is 9.1%

Hard Bets - House edge is 12.5%

Craps 2 or Craps 12 - House edge is 13.9%

Any 7: 16.7%

As you can see the good bets only have a 1.405% average, whereas the bad bets have between 5.6% - 16.7%. The odds bet means that you are placing more money on your ‘point’ from the pass/Don't pass bet or come/Don't come bet, also to place even more you can put money on the actual "point" to win the hand, and you can ‘buy’ more odds by putting chips on the buy square on the point number. This actually lowers the house edge by up to 40%, which means if the house edge was 1.4% it would now be around 0.6%. In short, by placing good bets in Craps, it is possible to make good Craps profits, which perhaps goes some way to explaining the allure of the game of Craps.

Baccarat

Introduction to Baccarat

The card game known as Baccarat is believed to have been introduced into France from Italy during the reign of Charles VIII of France (who ruled 1483-1498), and is similar to Faro and Basset. There are three accepted variants of the game: Baccarat Chemin de Fer (or Railway), Baccarat Banque (also known as Deux Tableaux Baccarat), and Punto Banco (or North American Baccarat).

A big part of Baccarat’s fame undoubtedly comes from its one of its biggest fans, Secret Agent James Bond. In one of the Bond films, James challenges a rival agent to a game of Baccarat Chemin de Fer, and manages to bankrupt his opponent.

Baccarat finally came to Nevada in the late 50's, making its first appearance at the infamous Dunes casino. Please see our sections on How to Play Baccarat, and Baccarat Tactics for more.

How to Play Baccarat

Baccarat Rules

Baccarat (usually pronounced with a silent ‘t’) is relatively easy to pick up, with only three possible outcomes - 'Player', 'Banker' and 'Tie'. The terms 'Player' and 'Banker' do not refer to the player and house, they are rather options on which you can choose to bet.

Baccarat is an unusual game in that any score of 10 is worth 0 (or 'Baccarat'). The highest score that can be achieved is 9. Two picture cards would have a score of 0. A 9 and a 6 would not equal 15 but 5. (the first digit, i.e. the ‘1’, is not counted.) An ace counts as 1 and the rest of the cards retain their face value.

The Rules of Baccarat are straightforward, and easy to remember. With Online Baccarat, you are given the choice of either betting on the banker’s hand winning or the player’s hand winning. You can alternatively choose to bet on a tie between the two. Two cards are dealt to the player and the banker.

If the hand you're betting on wins, you double your bet (even money for betting with the player 1:1, or if you bet with the banker there is a 5% commission paying out 0.95:1) . If you bet on a tie and win, you are paid 8 to 1. The object of Baccarat is that your two-card hand should be as close to 9 as possible. Tens and face cards count as zero, as there is no 10 in the game, you need to get to 9. Cards 2 to 9 are worth their face value, and if you have a total of 5 and then receive a 9 valued card your new total is 4. This is because the first digit of your card total, in this case 1 (5+9=14), is not used.

If the first two cards of a hand total 8 or 9, the hand is declared a 'natural' and wins automatically, unless there is a tie or the rare incident that the player has an 8 and the banker has a 9 (and vice versa) where the 9 wins.

Baccarat Strategy/Tactics

Baccarat players say that Baccarat is without a doubt the only casino game where it is possible to beat the house. As ever, there are certain things you can do to ensure that you achieve your best possible results:

Here are some Baccarat tips that may improve your chances of winning:

The cards are dealt, one to the 'Player' first then to the 'Banker', 'Player' then 'Banker' again. Each has two cards. This is the initial deal. Both cards in each hand are added together and the croupier calls the total. (e.g. five to the 'Player', three to the 'Banker') From this position the 'Tableau' or table of play is used to determine if further cards need to be drawn. A maximum of three cards per hand may be drawn to achieve a winning hand. Therefore the object of the game is to bet on the hand with the highest total.

The Tableau is as follows:

Pictures and 10s count as 0. If the initial deal has a hand totalling 8 or 9 no further cards are drawn.

If the 'Player' has an initial total of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, the 'Player' draws another card.

If the 'Player' has an initial total of 6 or 7, the 'Player' stands and draws no further card.

If the 'Player' has an initial total of 8 or 9, this is a natural and neither the 'Player' nor the 'Banker' draw further cards.

If the 'Banker' has an initial total of 0, 1 or 2, the 'Banker' draws another card.

If the 'Banker' has an initial total of 3, the 'Banker' draws another card when the 'Player's' third card is anything but an 8.

If the 'Banker' has an initial total of 4, the 'Banker' draws another card when the 'Player's' third card is a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.

If the 'Banker' has an initial total of 5, the 'Banker' draws another card when the 'Player's' third card is a 4, 5, 6, or 7.

If the 'Banker' has an initial total of 6, the 'Banker' draws another card when the 'Player's' third card is a 6 or 7.

If the 'Banker' has an initial total of 7, the 'Banker' stands and draws no further cards.

If the 'Banker' has an initial total of 8 or 9, this is a natural and neither the 'Player' nor the 'Banker' draw further cards.

If the 'Banker' has an initial total of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and the 'Player' has an initial total of 6 or 7 and stands, the 'Banker' draws another card.

The 'Banker' must stand on 6 when the 'Player' has a 6 or 7 on the initial deal.

The croupier will deal the cards according to the tableau and the croupier will announce the winning hand - either 'Player' or 'Banker'. Losing bets will be collected and the winning bets will be paid according to the rules of the house. Usually even money or 1-1 will be paid to the player and 95% to the 'Banker', 5% commission to the house. (Commission Baccarat).

Should both the 'Banker's' hand and the 'Player's' hand have the same value at the end of the deal the croupier shall announce "Egalite - tie bets win." All tie bets will be paid at the odds of 8-1 and the croupier shall not touch the bets on either 'Player' or 'Banker'.

The traditional form of punto banco baccarat is played at an oval table, similar to the chemin de fer version. The table is staffed by a croupier, who directs the play of the game, and two dealers who collect and pay bets as well as tallying commissions due. Six or eight decks of cards are used, normally shuffled only by the croupier and dealers. Like chemin de fer, the shoe is passed around from player to player, who acts as the dealer of the cards and as "banker," but he or she does not actually bank the game. Indeed, the "banker" may bet on the player hand if he or she wishes, or may pass the shoe along to another player — the role of the "banker" is merely ceremonial. The person who bet the highest amount on the player hand is given the player-hand cards, though he or she simply turns the cards over, announcing their total. The croupier instructs the "banker" on if or when to deal third cards, and then announces the winning hand.

Introduction to Keno

Keno is a game rich with history. Keno originated in China more than 2000 years ago. It was created to raise finances, much like today's lotteries in the United States, and around the world. Cheung Leung used the revenue from the new amusement to finance a weak army: so successful was his plan that the remaining funds contributed to the construction of the Great Wall of China.

The original Keno ticket used 120 characters. Players made ten selections, marked with an ink brush, leading to today's term, ‘Keno Spots.’ The quickest and most dependable manner of delivering results throughout China's villages was then by carrier pigeon.

Keno was brought to the United States in the 19th century by Chinese immigrants who worked in the mines and on the railroads. The Chinese symbols were eventually replaced with numbers and, more to the player's benefit, the 120 characters reduced to only 80.

The game Keno is similar to the Lottery or Bingo, and just as entertaining to play. CasinoShare.com is proud to present one of the most attractive Online Keno Games on the market, so you can sit back in the comfort of your own home and at your leisure watch out for your winning Keno numbers. It is said that there are fans of Keno the world over, but why have the hassle of leaving home to go to a casino to play Keno when CasinoShare.com brings it directly into your home?

Keno History

Keno is said to have been invented around the year 200 B.C. in China. This was about the period of the Han Dynasty and the General Cheung Leung. It so happened that Leung was running short of supplies whilst being besieged by an opposing army. He needed a way to raise funds for his war effort. In order for him to obtain this money he decided to make a game of chance that people could play, without knowing that their losses were in fact funding his army. Leung’s early version of Keno was so successful in this because there were 120 characters in his Keno, and this meant that the chances of players winning were slim. The game spread like wild fire and once again, some of the profits earned from Leung’s Keno went into the building of the Great Wall of China.

It was then only a matter of time before other countries got into Keno: it was Chinese immigrants who brought it to the USA when they moved to The States to work in the coal mines and on the railways. Even so, the impact of Keno in China was not at first matched in America. This may have been because no-one could understand what must have seemed to them the strange Keno symbols which were central to the game of Keno as played in China. It was not until the end of the 19th century that these Keno symbols were changed to the far more familiar Keno numbers we know today, and the total of Keno numbers was reduced to 80 that the game of Keno took off in the US. This is of course the version of Keno which is still played today, and which is available for your pleasure on CasinoShare.com.

After the internet became popular and Online Gambling Casinos started appearing, it was only a matter of time before Video Keno also appeared online. These days, Keno is as well-loved online as it is in land-based casinos. Please see our other section for full details on How to Play Keno, and Keno Tactics.

How to Play Keno

The rules of Keno are similar to Bingo and Lottery games: you might even say that Keno is like a combination of Bingo and Lottery games. The Keno board is like that of Bingo, but with 80 numbers to choose from. How Keno differs from the other games is this: First, you have a choice of picking from between 1 and 15 numbers. The payout will of course change depending on how many numbers you pick and how many of your numbers come up: Keno is once again a game which relies heavily on chance.

You should be aware of the following factors when playing Keno:

The amount wagered will obviously mean an increase in payout if you win.
The more numbers you pick the less you will receive if a small amount of these numbers are picked – see above Keno Payout Table.
Differing amounts of numbers picked changes the amount of potential payout – in short, be sure to keep an eye on the Keno Payout Table provided.

Best of luck to everyone playing Online Keno on CasinoShare.com!

Keno Strategy/Tactics

Online Keno is first and foremost a game of chance. There is clearly no way of predicting which numbers will come up. There are, on the other hand, many factors that make people think Keno can be beaten. For instance, if someone said "Why don’t I just pick out 2 numbers? Isn’t there more chance that the 2 numbers would come up than a lot of others?" This is actually correct, but Keno has been structured in a way that it would take you a considerable amount of time to make the money you would win for receiving the jackpot. The main tip or Strategy that can be given is to enjoy the game of Keno itself! You might like to find a preferred way of picking your numbers. For instance:

family birthdays or ages
telephone numbers or street address numbers
a particular layout of numbers on the card
a 'psychic feeling' - just close your eyes and see what comes to mind
a 'quick pick' where the computer picks your numbers for you at random
This is pretty much as far as it goes in the way of Keno strategies. But then this is an exciting game of chance, and if it was more predictable, perhaps it wouldn’t be so much fun.

CasinoShare.com wishes you the best of luck when playing our Online Keno.

Introduction to Red Dog

It was also through the Old West that the original game of Red Dog Poker became popular. The game Red Dog, just like other popular games, goes by many names including yablon, referring to the early version of the game out in the west. The game is also called in-between, Ace Deuce and between the sheets because the nature of the game. Red Dog is built around the concept of spread or the 'distance' between two cards, the number of cards that lays between them in value.

However, at that time it was found too easy to cheat, and soon after, the game disappeared. Meanwhile, without government regulation, gambling was flourishing until the United States realized that uncontrolled gambling industry was leading to corruption and encouraged organized crime. Although the State of Nevada listed gambling as a crime in 1910, the situation worsened with some members of the government forming the core gangsters. Finally, gambling became legal in Las Vegas in 1931. Red Dog Poker game resurfaced with many changes, and is now known as Casino Red Dog.

Red Dog is an easy game to play, and can be learned by anyone. Unlike Blackjack, which relies heavily on the player’s skills versus other players, it can be a relaxing way to pass the time. Many new casinos today do not offer Red Dog. However, with the growth of today’s online playing and betting, Red Dog Poker can now be played within the comforts of your own home.

How to Play Red Dog

Red Dog Poker (or Yablon) is a game of chance played with cards. It is a variation of ‘acey-duecey’ or ‘in-between’. While found in some land-based casinos, its popularity there has declined, although it continues to be popular in casinos online.

The deck used to play Red Dog is the standard, fifty-two card variety. The game may be played with anywhere from one to eight decks, with an increasing number of decks decreasing the house edge — the house's advantage begins at 3.155% with one deck, but falls to 2.751% when eight decks are used. This is in contrast with some other casino card games, such as blackjack, where a higher number of decks used will increase the house edge.

The game only uses three cards at a time, which are ranked as in poker, with aces high. Suit is irrelevant. A wager is placed, and two cards are placed face up on the table, with three possible outcomes:

If the cards are consecutive in number (for example, a four and a five, or a jack and a queen), the hand is a push and the player's wager is returned.
If the two cards are of equal value, a third card is dealt. If the third card is of the same value, then the payout for the player is 11:1, otherwise the hand is a push.
If the two cards difference is greater than one place (for example, a three and an eight), then a spread is announced which determines the payoff, pending the outcome of a third card which will be dealt. If this third card's value falls between the first two, the player will receive a payoff according to the spread, otherwise the bet is lost. Before dealing the third card, the player has the option to double his bet.

The spread table is as follows:

Spread	Payout
1 card	5 to 1
2 cards	4 to 1
3 cards	2 to 1
4+ cards	1 to 1

Even when using eight decks, Red Dog does not offer favorable odds for the player in comparison with other games of chance common to casinos. There is little strategy involved; raises should only be made when a spread statistically favors a player (which is at seven cards or more, regardless of the number of decks used).

Introduction to Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow is a Chinese gambling game. It is played with Chinese dominoes. The game is played in underground casinos in most Chinese communities. It is also played openly in major casinos in Macau, China, Las Vegas, Nevada, Atlantic City, New Jersey, in many Californian cardrooms, and in some Australian casinos. It is said to date back to the 1800s.

The original form of Pai Gow developed into Pai Gow Poker (or Double Hand Poker ), which first appeared in US casinos in the 1980s. It is only loosely based on the Chinese Pai Gow.

Please see below for further details on How to Play Pai Gow, and Pai Gow Tactics.

How to Play Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow poker, or double-hand poker, is an Americanized version of the original Chinese game of Pai Gow. Pai Gow Poker is played with playing cards using poker hand rankings, whilst the original Pai Gow is played with Chinese dominoes.

Objective of the Game of Pai Gow Poker
The objective of Pai Gow Poker is to create two poker hands out of the seven cards in your hand: A five-card poker hand and a two-card poker hand. The five-card hand must rank higher than the two-card hand. The two-card hand is often called the hand ‘in front’ or ‘on top’, and the five-card hand is called the hand ‘behind’ or the ‘bottom’ hand, as they are placed in this way on the table when the hands have been chosen.
How The Deal works in Pai Gow
The cards are shuffled, then seven face-down cards are dealt to both player and dealer.
Pai Gow Hand Rankings>
The only hands you can make with the two-card hand are a pair or high cards; obviously, no straights, flushes, etc. will be possible with the Pai Gow two-card hand.

The standard poker hand rankings apply to the five-card hand, with one exception: in most Nevada casinos, the hand A-2-3-4-5 ranks above a king-high straight, but below the ace-high straight A-K-Q-J-10. At most casinos in California & Michigan, this rule doesn't apply; the A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible straight.

The joker in Pai Gow Poker functions as a ‘bug’: this means that in the five-card hand it can be used to complete a straight or flush, if possible; otherwise it can act as an ace. In the two-card hand, it always counts as an ace.
Determining a Win in Pai Gow
If both of your two Pai Gow hands beats the banker's corresponding hands, then you win your bet. If only one of your hands beats the banker, then you push (your bet is returned to you.) If both of your hands lose to the banker, then you lose your bet.

On each individual hand, ties go to the banker (for example, if your five-card hand loses to the banker and your two-card hand ties him, you lose).

Pai Gow Poker Strategy/Tactics

Generally speaking, one should try to select the highest two-card hand that you can legally set (that is, the best two-card hand that still leaves a higher five-card hand behind). More specifically, one should expect an "average" hand to be something like a medium-to-high pair behind in the five-card hand and an ace-high ‘in front’ (in the two card hand).

If you have no pair, no straights, and no flushes, set the second- and third-highest cards in your two-card hand. For example, with K-Q-J-9-7-4-3, play Q-J and K-9-7-4-3. There are a few minor exceptions to this (for example, with A-Q-10-9-5-4-2 it is slightly better to play Q-9 and A-10-5-4-2), but these are rare and won't really affect your Pai Gow Poker winnings.
If you have nothing but a single pair in Pai Gow Poker, set it in your five-card hand and put the two highest remaining cards in your two-card hand. For example, with A-Q-Q-9-6-5-3, play A-9 and Q-Q-6-5-3. There are no exceptions to this rule. This rule and the rule above will cover 90% of the hands you play.
Two pair in Pai Gow Poker is the most common case where the best strategy isn't immediately obvious. You can either play the high pair behind and small pair in front, or else two pair behind and high cards in front. The smaller your high pair and higher your remaining cards, the more you should be inclined to play two pair behind. If your side cards are small, or your larger pair is large, split the pairs. You should always split pairs if your high pair is aces, and almost always split if your high pair is kings or queens; they are high enough by themselves. With something like J-J-4-4-A-Q-5 you can consider playing A-Q and J-J-4-4-5-, since A-Q in front