Best Crypto Casino USA 2024 | Top Bitcoin Gambling Sites

As technology continues to evolve, the intersection of cryptocurrency and online gaming has given rise to a new era of entertainment – crypto casinos. Particularly in the USA, where the fusion of technology and gaming is always on the cutting edge, crypto casinos have emerged as a groundbreaking trend. These platforms combine the excitement of gambling with the anonymous, decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies, appealing to a younger audience seeking both privacy and security. 

I have played at crypto casinos for a few years, and have compiled this list of the top sites in the US based on my personal experience. In this article, I will discuss their unique offerings, bonuses, security features, game varieties, and the overall user experience. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or new to the world of crypto gambling, this guide will help you find a legitimate and safe crypto casino that suits your preferences.

Top Online Crypto Casinos in the US 2024

#1. Lucky Tiger – Best Crypto Casino Overall

Payout Rate: 97.28%

Bonuses: Up to $7,500

Number of games: Over 300+

Minimum Deposit: $25 for all crypto except USDT (min. $50)

Supported Cryptocurrencies: BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT, BNB, DOGE, XRP

Wagering requirements: 35x

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Expert Review

Lucky Tiger Casino is my #1 choice of crypto casino in the US, and it is perfect for new players because of the generous welcome bonus and the user-friendly interface. The design of the casino is very simple and uncluttered, so you won’t get confused navigating through the menu. It is easy to find the games, cashier and bonuses, and signing up to get started takes less than a minute.

  • Generous welcome bonus of $7,500
  • High payout rate of over 97%
  • Excellent variety of slots, table games, poker and bingo
  • Deposit and withdraw instantly using cryptocurrencies
  • Only 7 cryptocurrencies supported

After signing up to the casino, I visited the games section and found the collection of games, of which there are more than 300. While this is not as large as some crypto casinos with thousands of titles, I still found that Lucky Tiger had a lot of variety on offer. They had slots, blackjack, baccarat, roulette, poker, bingo and more, although I was disappointed they did not have any live dealer games.

I noticed that some of the games had a button for ‘Practice’ which is a demo mode where you can try out the game using play money. This is a great idea for those who want to test if they enjoy a particular slot machine before using their own money. However, note that not every game offers this; from what I saw roughly half of the games offer the demo mode.

I made a deposit and started playing some games, and they were all fun and exciting. The loading times are minimal, graphics are excellent, and the bonus and free games features on many of the slots keep you entertained for a long time. 

The Cashier at Lucky Tiger offers 7 of the most popular cryptocurrencies, namely BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT, BNB, DOGE and XRP, and they also offer Visa, Mastercard and American Express if you prefer to pay using US dollars. Deposits occur instantly, and the minimum deposit amount is only $25, except for USDT which requires at least $50. I deposited $100 of Bitcoin and I received a huge 300% match bonus, which equates to $300 bonus! That’s a total of $400 to play with, when I only deposited $100. This does come with wagering requirements of 35x which you need to be aware of, otherwise you cannot withdraw your bonus. To learn more about what wagering requirements are and how they work, read this article

When it’s time to withdraw from the casino, if you want your winnings in crypto, you can only choose Bitcoin. Otherwise you can withdraw using Visa/Mastercard/AmEx or Bank Wire, and the minimum amount to withdraw for all methods is $100. I withdrew using BTC as it was much quicker, whereas the other options can take 7-10 business days.

Overall, Lucky Tiger is a great choice for the majority of crypto casino players in the US. Visit the official website to find out more and to sign up now. However, if you are looking for something specific, such as live dealer casino or sports betting, then I recommend you consider Betplay instead.

Key Features to Look for in a Crypto Casino

When exploring crypto casinos in the USA, there are several key factors to consider to ensure a safe and enjoyable gaming experience. Firstly, legality and regulation are paramount. It’s crucial to verify that the crypto casino is legally operating within the USA and adheres to the relevant online gambling regulations. Look for casinos that are licensed and regulated by credible authorities, as this ensures that they meet strict standards for fairness, security, and responsible gaming. Another crucial aspect is the variety and quality of games offered. A top-notch crypto casino should provide a diverse range of games, including popular slots, table games, and live dealer experiences, all powered by reputable software providers. These games should not only be entertaining but also fair and transparent, with verified return-to-player (RTP) rates.

Security and privacy are also vital when selecting a crypto casino. Opt for casinos that employ robust security measures such as SSL encryption to protect your personal and financial data. Since one of the main appeals of using cryptocurrency is anonymity, check the casino’s policy on user privacy and ensure that your transactions remain confidential. Equally important is the ease of transactions, both deposits and withdrawals. A good crypto casino should offer seamless and quick transactions with multiple cryptocurrency options, giving players flexibility and convenience.

Customer support is another crucial factor; responsive and helpful customer service can greatly enhance your gaming experience. Look for casinos that provide multiple channels of support, including live chat, email, and phone, and test their responsiveness. Lastly, consider the casino’s bonuses and promotions. Competitive welcome bonuses, loyalty programs, and regular promotions can significantly enhance your gaming experience and offer additional value. However, always read the terms and conditions carefully, especially the wagering requirements, to ensure that the bonuses are fair and achievable.

Benefits of Playing at a Crypto Casino

Anonymity and Privacy

One of the most significant advantages of crypto casinos is the level of anonymity they offer. Transactions with cryptocurrencies allow players to maintain privacy since personal financial details are not required, unlike traditional banking methods.

Fast Transactions

Crypto casinos often boast quicker transaction times for withdrawals. While traditional online casinos might take days to process withdrawals, crypto transactions can be completed within minutes or hours, providing immediate access to winnings.

Global Accessibility 

Cryptocurrencies are not bound by national borders, making crypto casinos accessible to players worldwide, when they use a VPN. See this article on the best VPN friendly crypto casinos. This global reach is especially advantageous for players in regions where online gambling faces restrictions.

Provably Fair Gaming

Many crypto casinos utilize Provably Fair algorithms, allowing players to verify the fairness of each game round. This transparency builds trust and ensures a fair gaming experience.

Risks of Playing at a Crypto Casino

Volatility of Cryptocurrencies

The value of cryptocurrencies can be highly volatile. This can be a double-edged sword; while it may increase the value of winnings, it can also lead to significant losses.

Regulatory Uncertainty

The legal landscape for cryptocurrencies and crypto casinos is still evolving. This lack of regulatory clarity can pose risks regarding the legality and stability of these platforms.

Security Concerns

While crypto transactions are generally secure, the digital nature of cryptocurrencies makes them susceptible to hacking and fraud. Players must exercise caution and use secure wallets.

Lack of Recourse

In case of disputes or issues with a crypto casino, players might find fewer protections and recourse options compared to regulated traditional online casinos.

Complexity for Beginners

For those unfamiliar with cryptocurrencies, navigating crypto casinos can be complex and intimidating. The learning curve and the need to manage digital wallets and understand cryptocurrency dynamics can be challenging for new users.

Conclusion

The world of crypto casinos in the US represents a dynamic and innovative frontier in the world of online gambling. These platforms have redefined the gaming experience by leveraging the unique features of cryptocurrencies, offering players enhanced privacy, rapid transactions, and a new level of transparency with provably fair games. The casinos I’ve explored in this article stand as prime examples of what the crypto gambling industry has to offer, each bringing its unique variety of games, bonuses, and user experiences.

WinStar World Casino – The BIGGEST Casino in The World

Oklahoma’s WinStar World Casino and Resort is not only the biggest casino in the US, but the biggest casino in the world!

Below you’ll find out everything you need to know about the sprawling casino-hotel-entertainment complex, which put a small town in Oklahoma on the map over 20 years ago.

Want to know how many table games you can play? Whether you can bring the kids? Which mega band are performing next? Or where you’ll be able to grab a bite to eat? We’ve got you covered…

WinStar World Casino & Resort Quick Facts

Owners: The Chickasaw Nation

Open since: 2003

Size: Roughly 600,000 sq. ft. of dedicated gambling space, including eight different plazas offering table games, slot machines, a poker room, bingo hall and betting parlor.

Where: 777 Casino Avenue, Thackerville, Oklahoma. Around an hour’s drive from both Oklahoma City and Dallas.

Fun fact: Located in Love County, only five miles away from the Texas border, Thackerville was last estimated to have a population of just over 400 people. So, the largest casino in the US is situated in one of the country’s very small towns…

Rooms: 1,495 with roughly 1,395 of those rooms at the main complex, and the remainder off-site.

WinStar World Casino and Resort
Image: winstar.com

WinStar World Bars and Restaurants

At last review, pre or post-casino snacks included staples such as pizza, fries, pies and burgers, with guests able to tuck into everything from fancy steak, through to Mongolian dishes and buffets.

WinStar has plenty of options to help you keep your hunger at bay. From fine dining to casual eats, restaurants and bars include:

  • Vino’s Italian Kitchen
  • Chips N’ Ales
  • NYC Burgers & Dogs
  • Matadors Pizzeria
  • El Fenix
  • Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill
  • Capisce Ristorante Italiano
  • Le Paris Bakery & Cafe
  • Legends Bar & Grill
  • IHOP Express
  • Panda Express
  • Gran Via Buffet
  • The Rotunda Bar
  • Dairy Queen
  • Kirby’s Steakhouse
  • Khan’s Fire Mongolian Grill
  • Palladium Sports Lounge
  • Terrace Cafe
  • Red River Grill
  • Cafes & Quick Bites
  • Mist Nightclub
  • Skyline Lounge

Winstar Age Limit: Is WinStar Family-Friendly?

To visit the gaming area or play any of the casino games, guests must be at least 18 years old. However, kids can still eat at the resort’s restaurants and attend shows in the events center if accompanied by an adult — but they must not be left alone.

New York Gaming Plaza at WinStar Casino
Image: winstar.com

What Can You Do At WinStar World Casino & Resort?

Get a glimpse backstage at the Global Event Center:

  • The casino area offers more than 10,000 electronic games, 100 table games including crowd-pleasers and traditional favorites like blackjack and roulette, and a 55-table poker room. The bingo hall seats around 360 people.
  • Away from the casino, WinStar boasts a 6,500-seat event venue, making it a big draw for live music. WinStar World Casino & Resort has previously hosted Pitbull, KISS, Bob Dylan, and many other huge names.
  • For those that like to pair the fun of the gaming floor with pampering and wellness, there’s a championship golf course and academy, a spa, gym, hot tubs, and a swimming pool with cabanas, bungalows and day beds.
  • There are plenty of places where visitors can carry on the party into the early hours, including Mickey Mantle’s and Palladium Sports Lounge.

The Good:

  • Since its grand unveiling, the resort has hosted performances from famous faces such as Kelly Clarkson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, James Taylor and Maroon 5.
  • The hotel offers a real holiday resort experience across its four different accommodation areas and showcases 24-hour room service, fitness facilities and a luxury pool.
  • The casino’s nine gaming areas are named after world-famous cities such as Cairo, Paris, Rio and London, with a theme to match.
  • The poker room and Rio gaming plaza are both non-smoking, so everyone can enjoy their time on the floor.
WinStar World Casino pool area
Image: winstar.com

Wonder what the gaming plazas look like? Take a tour through WinStar’s Rio section:

The Bad:

  • No dogs allowed. If you’re staying at the casino’s hotel you’ll have to leave your furry friend elsewhere. Only service animals are allowed on the casino’s premises. It might be the biggest casino in the US, but there’s no room for your pooch.

What People Are saying:

  • One TripAdvisor reviewer said, “I come at least once a month for a two day sabbatical of fun, relaxation and gambling”.
  • “Awesome slot machines, many of which are interactive,” said one recent visitor, “We like how the casino is divided into different regions of the world and the shuttle service that will take you from one end to the other. Food choices are great and tasty”.
  • One guest, writing on TripAdvisor described it as a “Fun place to visit and play” and the food as “excellent”.
  • Another TripAdvisor review said that the “hotel accommodations were superior”, “gaming was enjoyable” and the “overall stay was a pleasure”.
  • “Huge casino with all the sensory experience you could ever want. It was fun,” stated a customer on the casino’s Facebook page.

Upcoming Events

You can find a list of regularly updated events on their site, but notable entertainment in 2024 includes:

  • Stevie Nicks: May 10th 2024
  • Duran Duran: May 19th 2024
  • Kevin Hart: June 22nd 2024
Lucas Oil Live at Winstar Casino
Image: winstar.com

Consolidate, Share, Sustain—What’s propelling the mobility industry?

In Fluctuo’s recent European Shared Mobility Annual Review, in which IDnow sponsored and contributed, three significant trends are revealed as to what is driving mobility as seen through city and operator movements based on data collected from 115 European cities.

One could say 2023 was the year of unexpected surprise within the mobility industry after the Paris e-scooter ban turned many heads and required not only cities across Europe but operators as well to re-consider their services and plans. The Paris ban kicked off a tightening of regulations across Europe within the mobility sector causing cities such as Rome, Berlin and Brussels to significantly reduce the number of operators and e-scooters.

However, before these changes started taking effect, e-scooters were the favorite among shared mobility services. Between 2019-2022, Fluctuo reported that e-scooters lead the market during this time, overshadowing the use of bikes. But now, the tables, or should we say direction, has turned.

Seeing the need to change direction, within shared and micromobility services, both users and operators headed toward the next-best, and perhaps healthier, mode of transport—bicycles.

European Shared Mobility Index 2023 – by Fluctuo.

Download to discover insights into the future of shared mobility, including a country-specific break-down of mobility trends and the increasing importance of identity verification technology.

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Fluctuo Index 2023

Are bikes the new e-scooters?

With the need to enter new markets, operators spun their wheels and put more time and effort into new offers, specifically dockless bikes. And their efforts were not in vain. 2023 saw dockless bike fleets up 50% and ridership up 54% compared to previous yeas in which e-scooters dominated the market. And it wasn’t only dockless bikes which saw an increase in usage but station-based bikes as well.

The after-effects from Paris made scooter operators realize that city authorities prefer shared bikes rather than e-scooters. This was clearly seen as the city of Paris topped the list at 45 million for station-based bike ridership and came in second after London for dockless bikes. Though it may seem that the two services should complement one another rather than compete, it would appear that dockless bikes are the preferred choice. Despite this, both bike services are expected to grow in 2024, with station-based bikes growing more steadily perhaps due to more affordable end-user pricing.

Even though bike sharing is picking up in Northern Europe, that does not mean scooters have been kicked to the curb. On the contrary, the popularity of scooters remains and grows in Eastern Europe.

I feel the need, the need for… reduction.

Okay, it may not have been what you were thinking but unfortunately speed is not the answer here. After Paris decided to go forward with banning e-scooters, many did not know how it would affect other major cities. Most probably thought that it would create a domino effect and other cities would follow suit, banning e-scooters left and right. But this did not come to pass.

Instead, other cities decided to cut scooter fleet sizes rather than banning them completely. This however, was felt on the operator side who went into survival mode. Seeing the need to make smart economic decisions in order to stay in the game, mobility operators had to reduce costs, exit markets (i.e. scooters) and in some cases merge with another operator as seen with Tier and Dott. Consolidation became the name of the game.

Now, with the limited number of spots available in cities for scooter operators, companies must appeal in order to stay active or risk the chance of not being able to operate in that location any longer.

But despite what sounds like grim news, the scooter fleets that have been reduced in major cities due to these new regulations are being moved to smaller cities and other cities without a number cap, resulting in fleet sizes remaining stable. Even better is the fact that fleets have grown 33% in Eastern Europe with Poland being an exceptionally large market for scooters.

Sharing is caring.

Bikes and scooters were not the only shared services that saw changes last year. Mopeds, for example, faced challenges due to cases of vandalism and theft in Eastern Europe. Safety concerns also arose in which the Netherlands now requires users to wear a helmet on mopeds capped at 25km/h. Nevertheless, the moped market remained stable.

One sharing service which did perform well last year and seems to continue to do so is free-floating car sharing. After a 39% increase in rentals last year, car-sharing is seeing a growing popularity in short-term rentals (2-3 hours) compared to an entire day. Cities leading the way are mostly German to include Berlin, Hamburg and Munich.

As cities and remaining operators start accepting regulations and gaining financial stability within the market, shared mobility services will continue to develop providing cities and their inhabitants with greater benefits than before.

Going green.

As car sharing services gain greater popularity after continual success, this mobility option is one that breathes life into the growing e-mobility movement. With some car sharing operators already providing e-cars, these services not only decrease the volume of vehicles on the road since there is less need for personal vehicles, but also allows for reallocating space in urban areas for public benefit.

Benefitting further from this movement is the integration of car sharing services with other sustainable transport options such as public transport, walking, biking, etc. By combining all options, this creates a more ecological way of living and a more convenient and flexible way for people to travel. But in order for this initiative to be successful, operators and cities must work together and invest in the necessary infrastructure.

IDV—the key to your transport services.

IDnow jumps on the train here as an important key in this necessary infrastructure. As regulations increase within major cities, safety requirements are implemented and theft rises, operators realize the importance of identifying their customers before allowing them to use their services. From age and driver’s license verification to digital signatures, our automated identity verification solution allow operators to verify their users within seconds.

We drive trust, not frustration, with our services, providing a safe and secure experience for mobility operators and their customers. With fast, 24/7 remote onboarding, transport services can offer their users a frictionless and convenient way to travel while operators can rest-assured that they are meeting regulatory needs and fighting fraud upfront with our use of biometrics.

Thanks to our wide range of document coverage (types of documents and origin) with up to 99% acceptance rate globally as well as a choice of automated or even expert-led verification services, operators can scale with confidence.

Tap into document and biometric verification for seamless mobility experiences.

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The Mistake Poker Players Make When C-Betting

In this article, we’ll discover one of the most common errors that is made when c-betting and how you can avoid doing it. We’ll explain what the advantages are behind range-betting. and when not to do it, too. From knowing how and when to play the perfect c-bet to judging future streets of the turn or river after you’ve c-bet, we’re here to help.

These key mistakes are:

  • Not Range Betting
  • Not Mixing Up Your Betting Tendencies
  • Lacking Confidence at the Turn
  • Not Planning for the River

Why Range Betting Leads to Gains

Not bulking up enough at the poker felt? Chip stack looking limp in the late stages? Range betting needs to come into your game and pump up that profit margin. When you’re c-betting small on the flop, range betting can prove highly profitable. This is down to a number of reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, you can exploit weaker players by range-betting and the move is not only going with momentum and aggression but should be based on sound game theory too.

Range-betting – i.e. putting a player on a range of hands and knowing when to c-bet or not following the flop – is easy and can be applied to your game with immediate effect. There are plenty of ways to exploit players and not only that, but it frees up vital time in your head to compute more complicated situations.

Range betting helps the most inexperienced players improve their game, maximize their winnings and reap the benefits immediately. Winning more pots, you’ll also avoid tougher situations where others can exploit you. As they say, money saved is money earned.

You Shouldn’t Always Range Bet

Range betting has a big place in poker, but it shouldn’t always be used. Just like you shouldn’t c-bet everything, disguising yourself by mixing up your play, range betting shouldn’t happen if you’ve missed offsuit pairs of your opponent’s range. Likewise, you might want to mix up the amount that you c-bet. On low-paired board, such as 5-4-4, your pre-flop raiser opponent may well have a big overpair advantage, massively affecting how you should react, and in particular, whether you should range-bet.

If the flop comes 8-7-6 with two hearts, then you might also want to protect your stack by reducing the amount you’re c-betting or simply not doing so altogether. In this sort of position, the pre-flop raiser is actually at a distinct disadvantage, so if this is you, you’ll want to check virtually 100% of the time in order to avoid your own range of cards being exposed.

Becoming a Boss on the Turn

So much of modern poker focuses on the pre-flop action, the post-flop betting or the river, where a dramatic all-in puts poker fans into the heart of the action and both big bluffs and huge hero calls occur. The turn, or 4th street, is a vastly underestimated part of poker and where a lot of the crucial decisions that dictate the direction of the pot take place.

In general, you want to be extremely knowledgeable about your opponent’s ranges if you’re betting a second barrel on the turn. Understanding the texture of the board – a little like we demonstrated above – is vital and you can really push your edge if you know what to do at this point of the betting.

Ask yourself how you should approach your betting strategy and how you can understand that turn card. Did it improve your hand or actually impact your opponent’s likely range advantageously? Making sure that you know how different turn cards will affect your opponents and how likely they will be to call or fold to a bet of yours is really important.

Planning for the River

When you bet (or not) on the turn, you always want to be considering what you’ll do on the river. How often have you seen players bet or call on the turn then give up on the river and thought ‘so why did you bet/call on the turn?’. Don’t be that player who should have saved themselves some money.

Ask yourself some tough questions when thinking of the river, such as how does the equity shift for each player should a variety of different river cards fall? How much aggro are we likely to get back from each player if we check the turn then bet the river? Which hands do we have that benefit from betting on the turn or checking, and if they don’t benefit from a certain river action, should we check for showdown value or bet for value instead?

Some hands benefit from playing as three-street (triple barrel) bluffs. Others don’t. Ask yourself not only which of your own hands you should c-bet on the flop, turn and river (or combinations of those streets) but also what your opponent has to have to fold or call on those depending on what you want them to do.

In Conclusion

C-betting is a crucial part of poker and as with many things in poker, knowing when to play and when not to is crucial and will impact on your bottom line in time. Understanding your opponent’s true ranges are crucial if you are range-betting and while this is a brilliant tool to add to your skillset, overuse is going to punish you instead of your enemy at the felt.

Learning how to read board textures is pivotal to your understanding of when to c-bet and when to avoid doing so. Always consider what you’re planning to do across all three post-flop streets but then adjust to circumstances as things will change on each street too.

Mastering the c-bet – and when to hold off that trigger – can be extremely lucrative in the game of poker.

DraftKings Brands Lead New Jersey Market, New Regulatory Data Reveals

New Jersey market shares for online casino brands are now public information thanks to a change in reporting by the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE). The DGE’s new numbers reveal monthly revenue for 30 online casino skins in what is by far the most crowded market for iGaming in the US. Foremost among these is DraftKings, whose flagship site holds 22% of the iGaming market.

At first glance, the New Jersey online casino market appears complicated because of the number of brands. However, many skins are “sister brands” with the same parent company. For example, MGM Resorts International and its joint venture partner Entain operate under four separate names: BetMGM, Borgata Online, Wheel of Fortune Casino, and Party. 

The New Jersey online casino market breaks down similarly to Michigan's despite the larger number of brands.

Lumping co-owned brands together, the picture that emerges is not too different from other states. The best point of comparison is with Michigan, which allows only 15 online casino brands, each on a separate license, making market shares clearly visible.

In both cases, the market lead is a tight race between MGM, DraftKings, and Flutter. 

Flutter’s US flagship, FanDuel, recently overtook BetMGM as the iGaming market leader in Michigan. If you include its other subsidiary, PokerStars, it has been on top for longer.

In New Jersey, it remains deadlocked with MGM for second place, while DraftKings leads. Aside from the 22% held by its namesake site, it can count the 3% of the market held by Golden Nugget, which it acquired in 2022.

‘Big Three’ Weaker in NJ Thanks to Hard Rock

DraftKings’ lead in New Jersey may only be temporary, as the race is close, and we have no data outside of Q1 2024. As we’ve seen in Michigan, any of the three is capable of making a move, and there’s no runaway leader for the US as a whole.

What is perhaps more significant is that the “Big Three” are collectively less dominant in New Jersey than they are in Michigan. In the latter state, the combined share for the three flagship brands has rarely wavered much from 70%. Including Golden Nugget (for DraftKings) and PokerStars (for Flutter) puts it at 76% in Michigan for Q1 2024.

In New Jersey, they hold just 69% with a combined eight brands, less than the three flagship brands hold on their own in Michigan.

We can attribute essentially all of the difference to the presence of Hard Rock Bet in New Jersey. It holds an impressive 9% of the market. For comparison, that’s as much as all Caesars-owned brands combined. With nearly $26 million in first-quarter revenue, it’s remarkably big for a brand that doesn’t exist in other states except as a standalone sportsbook.

Hard Rock has a well-known retail presence in Atlantic City and entered the online casino market in 2018. That meant it narrowly beat the rush of new brands attracted by the legalization of sports betting. Lacking that advantage in other states, it has taken a more cautious approach. For now, it has stayed out of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and the other iGaming states.

Multiple Brands Aren’t Generally Additive

Looking at the New Jersey breakdown is instructive in that it shows that market shares are generally held by parent companies, not brands. That is to say, there’s little evidence that adding new brands can bolster a company’s market share. Even when they perform well, they appear to pull market share away from the company’s other brands rather than from competitors.

BetMGM Casino and its affiliated brands are the clearest illustration of this. In Michigan, it’s the only brand operated by MGM and Entain and once held as much as 40% of the market. Now, it has fallen to 25% but remains in a close second of FanDuel.

In New Jersey, MGM’s total market share is 22%, which is close to what it has in Michigan. However, BetMGM as a single brand holds only 11%, while Borgata holds 9%. The rest comes from Party and Wheel of Fortune.

Like Hard Rock, Borgata is a famous retail property in Atlantic City, which explains the brand’s power. MGM also operates Borgata Online in Pennsylvania. Exact online casino market shares aren’t visible, but BetMGM and Borgata split online poker revenue 75/25.

There are some exceptions to this principle. DraftKings’ market lead in New Jersey may well stem from its acquisition of Golden Nugget. That’s because Golden Nugget had a longstanding retail and online presence in the Garden State. Thus, DraftKings was buying existing customers as well as a brand.

Caesars is also doing much better in New Jersey, with a 9% market share compared to 6% in Michigan. Like MGM, it operates under four brands in New Jersey. However, it has the same advantages as Hard Rock and Golden Nugget. It has been in the online casino market since it opened in 2013. Moreover, it owns three of the nine Atlantic City casinos, whose brand power and customer databases it can leverage to support its online platforms.

For more info on NJ’s top online casinos: DraftKings Casino | BetMGM Casino | FanDuel Casino | Caesars Palace | Hard Rock Bet

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2022 – A Year Full Of Fight & Luck

2022 – A Year Full Of Fight & Luck


Posted by Akshay Kapoor on 2022-12-26 at 7:35 PM

It has been quite an eventful year for me. A lot has happened, and that is what I am going to talk about in the blog, as well as a few key advices for all the young aspiring poker players.

Last year was very good for me as a player as well as a commentator, I managed to work in almost all big live events whether it be Baazi Poker Tour in Goa, IPC in Jhapa and did some offline work for Adda52. Not everything was good, though, I got the news at the start of the year that my mom has stage 3 Ovarian Cancer so I knew that playing Poker won’t be a thing this year since I wanted to be there for my mother. But call it destiny or luck, I kept on topping my biggest scores this year. I was playing maybe a day or two a week, whenever I could honestly, and got super lucky.

One of the big scores and my best score at that time came in March when I won Super High Roller, which I registered at 30bb and bluffed for all my stack in the very first hand, luckily, I didn’t get caught. It was actually on the night before my mother’s first chemotherapy, so couldn’t wish for a better time. That win allowed me to take a little break from playing poker, but I made sure that I was studying on the regular basis. I studied a lot during that time because that was all I was doing.

Almost 6 months passed, and I hardly played 50 tournaments in total but decided to do a live trip to APPT Cambodia, my second time going there and a month still left for the treatment. Not many Indians this time there, and I was let down by the numbers of side events. But I was determined to make the most of it, and boyyyy we did that. From bagging 30bb on Day 1 of the main event to being in the top 3 stacks on day 2 and eventually finishing runner up in the main event for my career-best score.

It’s 31 December today, and mom is well, thanks to all the good wishes and hard work of doctors and my super strong mother. The plan is pretty simple for 2023, and I am going to share that with you all in a moment.

I am going to do half-half this year; what does that mean? Well 150 days of live poker, 150 days of online poker, and 65 days of holidays. I am very glad to share that we have been approached to do commentary for an international brand, fingers crossed that it turns out to be great. Also, I want to be more regular on the blogs, so will aim to push one blog every month.

My 2023 Goals are as follows :

1. Put Volume – Simple
2. No interviews, no matter how big or small I win
3. Reduce my social media time, sadly no vlogs in 2023
4. Be in a better shape
5. Launch my Podcast

My advice to all the young and crushers of India are as follows

1. Get yourself out of any reporting site; it harms you more than it benefits you
2. Get in a peer group and study at least once a week.
3. Plan your live trips in advance to save any cost you can.
4. Be involved in a community

On the ending note, I will be taking my databases from all the reporting sites, (PokerGuru reporting, sharkscope etc) to protect myself, and I will always be available on discord for anyone who wishes to reach out to me. Good luck and I hope 2023 brings you happiness and luck.

Ulasan 188Bet di tahun 2020

188Bet

188Bet adalah situs judi online populer yang menawarkan taruhan olahraga, kasino, poker, dan lotere. Saat ini mereka sedang menyambut para pemain dari Eropa dan memiliki bonus khusus untuk mereka. Namun, akar dan fokus utama mereka adalah pasar Asia.

188Bet adalah tempat yang bagus untuk bertaruh tetapi dafabet jauh lebih baik dan saya sarankan Anda memilih dafabet.

 Mengapa bermain di 188Bet.com?

  • Semua ada dalam satu situs judi.
  • Merek internasional yang ternama.
  • Memungkinkan petaruh pro dan petaruh rekreasional.
  • Memiliki odds untuk sepak bola yang terkemuka di industri.

Profil Kasino

  • Didirikan: 2006
  • Mobile Friendly: Ya
  • Lisensi: Isle of Man
  • Poker: Ya
  • Kasino: Ya
  • Taruhan Olahraga: Ya
  • Multilingual: Ya

Ulasan 188Bet

Selain bahasa Inggris, situs web mereka tersedia dalam bahasa Cina, Indonesia, Jepang, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, dan Khmer. Mereka menawarkan akun taruhan dalam dolar, pound, dan euro, dan juga sebagian besar mata uang Asia populer termasuk RMB, SGD, THB, IDR, VND, HKD, dan MYR.

Dalam ulasan ini, saya akan menjelaskan pertumbuhan mereka yang masif di pasar luar Asia, seperti Inggris dan Brasil. Pertama saya membahas beberapa fitur dari tiap produk mereka. Saya kemudian menyimpulkan dengan opsi perbankan mereka tersedia untuk penduduk dari berbagai negara Asia.

Taruhan Olahraga di 188Bet

188Bet dikenal memiliki toleransi risiko tinggi yang menjadikannya populer di seluruh dunia. Sementara bandar judi lain cepat memberikan batasan pribadi, trader mereka tidak memiliki masalah dengan melayani petaruh yang menang.

Untuk sepak bola mereka menawarkan odds terkemuka di industri. Untuk handicap Asia yang melibatkan Liga Primer Inggris (EPL) dan liga utama dari Spanyol, Italia dan Jerman, margin mereka kurang dari 1,5%. Cakupan mereka juga besar.

Di 188bet, tentu saja dimungkinkan untuk bertaruh Liga Premier, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, dll. Anda juga dapat bertaruh liga minor seperti Yunani Div.2, Piala Italia Serie C, Polandia Div. 2, Rusia Div. 1, Piala Kroasia, Piala Bulgaria, Piala Norwegia, Bundesliga Jerman 2, Romania Div. 1, Piala Siprus, Denmark Div. 1, Ligue 2 Prancis, Piala Raja Thailand, Seri B Brasil, Liga Jepang 1, Liga K Korea, Argentina Primera Div, dan banyak lagi lainnya. Mereka bahkan mencakup lebih dari 400 liga berbeda di seluruh dunia.

Sementara mereka paling dikenal dengan handicap Asia, mereka juga memasarkan diri mereka sebagai spesialis in-play. Ini sebenarnya adalah klaim yang sah, karena di 188bet Anda dapat menemukan lebih dari 10.000 pertandingan yang tersedia untuk taruhan live setiap bulan.

Tentu saja, sementara sepak bola adalah spesialisasi mereka, ini bukan satu-satunya olahraga yang dapat dipertaruhkan. Mereka juga menawarkan taruhan bola basket, tenis, sepak bola (Amerika), baseball, tinju, MMA, kriket, bersepeda, panah, E-sports, golf, bola tangan, hoki es, balap motor, rugby, snooker, dan banyak lagi.

Kasino Online di 188Bet

Menggunakan situs web dan saldo akun yang sama yang dapat digunakan untuk bertaruh pada olahraga, pemain diberikan opsi untuk bertaruh di beberapa kasino online berbeda yang terintegrasi. Kasino yang paling populer di antaranya adalah Grand Suite, VIP Suite, Imperial Suite, dan kasino dealer live Royal Suite. Ini menggunakan teknologi webcam untuk menyiarkan game kasino aktual yang ditangani di studio dealer live. Taruhan dilakukan secara online tetapi seorang dealer wanita yang menarik secara real time berdiri di depan meja permainan kasino dan mengurus permainan baik itu bakarat, blackjack, atau roulette. Keuntungan dari hal ini adalah Anda tahu pasti bahwa permainan itu adil karena Anda dapat melihat semuanya terjadi secara real-time seperti halnya di kasino dunia nyata.

Bagi mereka yang lebih suka permainan kasino online berkecepatan tinggi  yang menggunakan generator angka acak, itu juga banyak tersedia. Pilihan untuk slot sangat luas dengan 115 game slot video standar, 37 versi slot 3D, dan 9 game jackpot progresif untuk dipilih. Untuk permainan meja ada beberapa versi blackjack dan juga bakarat, poker Karibia, roulette, let it ride, red dog, oasis poker dan banyak lagi yang tersedia.

Setelah bergabung, pastikan untuk memeriksa tab promosi mereka. Sering kali, di sini Anda akan menemukan bonus dan promosi yang tersedia untuk kasino. Sementara promosi berbeda di setiap negara, untuk pemain dari sebagian besar negara Asia umumnya ada persentase rebate omset yang sedang berlangsung yang tersedia untuk semua taruhan kasino kumulatif Anda.

Baca juga: Ulasan Bet365

Keno di 188Bet.com

Keno sangat populer di seluruh dunia, termasuk di Asia. Dengan lotere di China, permainan ini disebut Happy 8, di Taiwan disebut Bingo Bingo, dan ketika bermain di Lisboa Casino di Macau disebut Pacapio. Game yang sama ini juga tersedia online.

Perlu dicatat bahwa keno online secara tradisional di kasino lain terlihat lambat. Ini karena hasil Keno online ditentukan menggunakan Random Number Generator (RNG). Meskipun ada beberapa tingkat audit yang dilakukan oleh komisi perjudian, pemain tidak dapat memastikan proses ini tidak korup. Ada kemungkinan game-game tersebut bisa dicurangi di berbagai kasino. Di 188Bet, pemain akan merasa jauh lebih aman daripada bermain di situs-situs lain.

Alasan 188Bet lebih aman adalah karena di sini pemain bertaruh secara online pada hasil undian keno utama yang offline. Cara kerjanya adalah taruhan ditempatkan secara online di bagian keno mereka, tetapi yang dipertaruhkan adalah hasil aktual yang diselenggarakan oleh pemerintah yang sah atau penarikan undian keno yang difasilitasi dari Beijing, Australia, Kanada, Slovakia, Malta, dan tempat-tempat lain di seluruh dunia. Anda dapat memverifikasi secara mandiri dengan sumber-sumber lotre pemerintah ini bahwa hasil yang ditampilkan taruhan adalah memang otentik.

Poker 188Bet

Poker adalah produk terbaru yang ditawarkan di 188Bet. Selama jam sibuk, Anda dapat menemukan lebih dari 10.000 pemain masuk dengan sekitar 2.700 dari mereka berada di meja permainan uang sungguhan. Tepat di halaman poker utama situs web mereka, Anda akan menemukan sejumlah besar promosi juga. Pemain baru bahkan disambut dengan ribuan euro tersedia dalam freerolls spesial. Bagaimana ini terjadi di ruang poker internet yang relatif baru?

Yah, faktanya adalah, Poker 188Bet sebenarnya bukan hal baru. Mereka boleh dibilang ”kulit” terbaru dari salah satu jaringan poker tertua dan terbesar dalam bisnis – MPN. Saat menggunakan ruang poker mereka, Anda juga bermain melawan pemain di ”kulit” MPN lain seperti Ladbrokes, BetVictor, Betsson, Betsafe, Unibet, Paf, NordicBet, M88, TrioBet, dan banyak lainnya. Hasilnya, Anda akan menemukan aksi Hold’em dan Omaha tanpa henti di hampir semua taruhan.

188Bet Juga Ramah Pada Eropa dan Inggris

Sampai beberapa tahun yang lalu, bandar judi Asia biasanya hanya digunakan oleh pemain di Asia. Sebagian besar orang Eropa tidak menyadari bahwa penduduk Asia menerima odds yang lebih baik, limit lebih besar, dan pembayaran cepat (plus tanpa biaya) dari bandar judi lokal mereka. Ini berubah ketika 188bet, yang diluncurkan pada 2006, dimulai dengan tujuan membawa pengalaman bandar Asia menjadi global. Meskipun awalnya butuh sedikit waktu untuk menjadi populer, pada tahun 2009 hampir setiap penggemar sepak bola Liga Premier Inggris telah mengenal nama brand 188Bet.

Pada 2009, 188bet menjadi sponsor utama dua tim Liga Premier Inggris yang berbeda di musim yang sama. Dua tim tersebut adalah Bolton Wanderers dan Wigan Athletic. Mensponsori satu tim itu mahal dan membutuhkan banyak uang. Di era modern Liga Premier, hampir tidak pernah terdengar ada yang menjadi sponsor utama dua tim. Itu hanya terjadi sekali dan itu berakhir 7 tahun sebelumnya. Karena EPL diikuti oleh penggemar sepak bola di seluruh dunia, 188bet berhasil diekspos di banyak pasar di luar Asia.

Pemasaran ke Eropa menjadi lebih serius ketika perusahaan memperoleh lisensi Isle of Man mereka. Bagi mereka yang belum tahu, Isle of Man pada dasarnya adalah wilayah Inggris yang juga memiliki salah satu komisi perjudian paling terkemuka di seluruh dunia. Pemerintah Isle of Man melisensikan perusahaan seperti ruang poker internet terbesar di dunia PokerStars.com dan bandar bandar Irlandia PaddyPower. Komisi ini disetujui oleh Komisi Perjudian Inggris. Ini berarti 188bet bebas dipasarkan di Inggris, serta beberapa negara lain. Dalam beberapa bulan terakhir mereka juga mulai menargetkan Brasil.

Asia Masih Bertengger di 188Bet

Sekali lagi, sementara sekarang mereka bersahabat dengan Eropa dan Amerika Selatan, 188Bet masih sangat berfokus pada Asia. Di sini pemain dapat melakukan deposit menggunakan berbagai metode. Dengan saldo akun mereka, mereka dapat bertaruh sepak bola atau olahraga lainnya, bermain poker, kasino, atau bertaruh pada game kasino. Jika Anda menang, saldo akun akan bertambah. Anda dapat mencairkan seluruh atau sebagian saldo Anda kapan saja ke rekening bank Anda. Karena metode perbankan berbeda di setiap negara, berikut adalah ringkasan opsi perbankan yang tersedia untuk beberapa negara paling populer yang mereka layani.

Menggunakan 188Bet di Cina

Pemain Cina dapat mengakses 188Bet dalam bahasa Inggris atau Cina dan memilih untuk membuka akun dalam sejumlah mata uang termasuk Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY/RMB) sebagai yang paling populer. Pemain akan merasakan kemudahan untuk melakukan deposit dan dibayar.

Melalui antarmuka khusus, pemain dapat menggunakan kartu debit Cina yang dikeluarkan oleh bank-bank besar untuk mendanai akun RMB 188Bet mereka. Jumlah bank yang didukung sangat besar. Dalam daftar ini termasuk China Merchant Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Bank of Communications, China Construction Bank, Hua Xia Bank, Bank of China, China Citic Bank, China POST, Agricultural Development Bank of China, China Everbright Bank, Industrial Bank, Hui Shang Bank, Shenzhen Development Bank, Guang Dong Development Bank, Bank of Hangzhou, SPD Bank, Bank of Nanjing, dan Bank of Shanghai.

Saldo akun dapat diuangkan ke rekening bank Cina kapan saja.

Menggunakan 188Bet dari Indonesia

Ketika bergabung dengan 188Bet dari Indonesia, Anda akan diberikan pilihan untuk melihat situs web mereka dalam Bahasa Indonesia dan untuk menyetor, bertaruh, dan melakukan penarikan dalam rupiah (IDR). Pemain Indonesia dapat melakukan setoran dan menerima pembayaran menggunakan transfer bank (deposit cepat) melalui internet banking, ATM, mesin setoran tunai, over the counter, atau mobile/SMS banking. Ini dapat dilakukan di akun 188Bet dengan Bank Central Asia atau Bank Negara Indonesia. Jika Anda menggunakan bank yang berbeda, cukup pilih melalui transfer teller  dan kemudian setorkan secara langsung. Sebenarnya, itu tidak lagi menjadi masalah besar karena sekarang Anda bisa melakukan transfer antar bank yang berbeda lewat ATM.

Dimungkinkan juga untuk deposit pemain Indonesia melalui kartu kredit menggunakan EntroPay.com. Ketika ingin mencairkan uang, Anda dapat menggunakan EntroPay atau mendapatkan transfer kembali ke rekening bank Indonesia Anda.

Menggunakan 188Bet dari Thailand

Pemain dari Thailand memiliki opsi yang sama untuk melakukan penyetoran dan penarikan seperti halnya pemain dari Indonesia. Anda dapat menggunakan EntroPay, atau Anda dapat melakukan transfer bank langsung. Untuk Thailand yang terakhir tersedia melalui layanan ThaiDirect. Anda dapat menyetor ke 188Bet menggunakan salah satu dari dua rekening bank mereka. Akun-akun tersebut dimiliki oleh Bank Krungthai (ธนาคาร กรุง ไทย) dan Siam Commercial Bank (ธนาคาร ไทย พาณิชย์) yang lebih dikenal sebagai SCB. Perusahaan ini sangat fokus pada pasar Thailand.

Menggunakan 188Bet untuk Vietnam

Untuk pemain yang tinggal di Vietnam, akun dapat menggunakan mata uang dalam dong (VND) dan situs tersedia dalam bahasa Vietnam. Opsi perbankan adalah transfer cepat (chuyển khoản nhanh). Ini memungkinkan setoran mudah ke dan penarikan mudah dari bank-bank besar Vietnam, termasuk ACB (Á Châu), BIDV, Eximbank (Xuất Nhập Khấu), Maritime Bank (Hàng Hải), Sacombank (Sài Gòn Thương Tín), Techcombank (Kỹ Thương), Vietcombank (Ngoại Thương) dan Vietinbank (Công Thương Việt Nam)..

188Bet dari Malaysia

188Bet memang menawarkan akun taruhan dalam ringgit Malaysia. Namun mereka TIDAK mendukung bahasa Melayu dan juga tidak mengizinkan setoran dilakukan dari bank Malaysia. Pilihan satu-satunya bagi orang Malaysia untuk menyetor adalah EntroPay. Namun Anda dapat menguangkan melalui transfer bank. Untuk mempelajari tentang cara kerja EntroPay atau untuk menemukan alternatif lain, kunjungi halaman di Situs Taruhan MYR.

Bertaruh di Negara lain

Pemain dari Jepang, Singapura, Brasil, Inggris, dan negara-negara Eropa dapat melakukan deposit melalui berbagai e-wallet termasuk Skrill, NETELLER, dan EntroPay. Karena opsi sangat berbeda untuk setiap negara, Anda akan menghabiskan beberapa menit saja untuk mendaftar dan kemudian melihat opsi yang tersedia untuk negara Anda.

Apakah kita akan bermain di 188Bet?

Jawabannya: tentu saja. Mereka memiliki produk kasino, sportsbook, poker, dan lotere yang luar biasa. Promosi mereka luar biasa dan layanan pelanggan mereka cepat. Kami tidak ragu lagi untuk merekomendasikan 188Bet.

Kansas Casino Revenue Tops $38M In March, Up From February And Year-Over-Year

March was a relatively successful month for Kansas casinos, which have been making steady progress since the beginning of the year.

According to data from the Kansas Lottery, four casinos in the state won $38.67 million in revenue last month. Here’s how March revenue compares to previous months of the year:

March’s figure represents a 2.23% increase from March 2023‘s $37.82 million, showing a 12.74% progress from February 2024.

Meanwhile, Kansas retail and online sportsbooks won $7.15 million, resulting from $252.90 million in total bets. The revenue figure is an increase from February 2024 but a drop from March 2023.

After success with retail casinos and sports betting, online casinos would be the next logical step in Kansas’ gambling evolution. However, it remains to be seen whether Kansas online casinos will gain regulation. While some lawmakers showed interest, there have been no attempts to make Kansas online casinos legal so far.

Three Kansas casinos had an annual increase in revenue

March revenue figure for four Kansas casinos includes activity from the casinos’ poker, slot machines and table games.

Looking at operators individually, three of four Kansas Casinos showed an annual revenue progress in March:

  1. Kansas Star Casino: $15,306,516, a 3.03% annual rise
  2. Hollywood Casino: $15,239,444, a 3.30% yearly increase
  3. Boot Hill Casino: $4,401,503, a 1.50% annual increase
  4. Kansas Crossing Casino: $3,721,726, a 4.03% annual drop

Just like in previous months of the year, Hollywood Casino reported the highest annual increase. Kansas Crossing was the only operator to show a yearly decrease in revenue in March after showing a double-digit negative change in February and January.

Kansas casino revenue in March up almost 13% from February

Although finishing the month with the smallest revenue among its competitors, Kansas Crossing Casino showed the biggest monthly difference. Here’s a bigger scope:

  1. Kansas Star Casino: 10.95% monthly progress
  2. Hollywood Casino: 13.77% monthly increase
  3. Kansas Crossing Casino: 15.95% monthly increase
  4. Boot Hill Casino: 12.93% monthly increase

According to the Kansas Lottery’s March 2024 revenue report, all four gaming venues in Kansas reported a rise from February, which combined to a total monthly increase of 12.74%.

Kansas sports betting revenue was higher than February’s but lower year-over-year

For the 31 days of March, Kansas sportsbooks reported $252.90 million in total bets, a 24.55% monthly increase and a 22.60% annual rise.

While March sports betting totals represent both month-over-month and year-over-year progress, the money that Kansas sportsbooks won is still a 27.58% decrease from the $9.11 million they earned in March 2023.

On the bright side, Kansas sportsbooks’ revenue in March 2024 is an impressive 133.95% rise from February’s $3.05 million.

The post Kansas Casino Revenue Tops $38M In March, Up From February And Year-Over-Year appeared first on Play USA.

The Positivity Freeroll II – Americas Cardroom

Welcome to the conclusion of The Positivity Freeroll, the incredible true story of how a late-night encounter with my intuition led me to what was then my biggest poker tournament win.

~

As I fired up the first few tournaments of the day, I felt a type of purpose I had not felt before. Although I had set $10,000 as my profit goal for the day, deep down I could tell that this day was about so much more.

Around the third or fourth hour, when the early stages of the tournaments had passed and each hand began seeming more meaningful, a strange thing happened. Rather than spending the hourly 5-minute tournament break mindlessly scrolling Twitter as I would usually do, my intuition pulled me out of my seat, forcing me to pace around my desk like some sort of maniacal mathematician (or worse).

But it wasn’t formulas or percentages that filled my mind during those precious 300 seconds. Instead, it felt like I had tapped into a layer of myself that I never knew existed. Like the world’s greatest life coach was living right inside my head. It calmed me, it helped me focus, it reminded me hour after hour not to get ahead of the present, not to worry about the good nor the bad, to stay right here in this moment and put all my attention on the action in front of me as well as the feeling of goodness it said I was destined for. With every breath it urged me to pull goodness in and release doubt out. No opponents. No money. No pressure. Breath in, breath out. Goodness in, darkness out.

Here I am, it reminded me, on a rock flying through space and this is how I am choosing to spend my infinitesimally short time on it – so I might as well do it well. I might as well believe.

~

Before we continue, let me clarify that I in no way believe that just because you practice good mental hygiene you are destined for success, at least not in the short term. You can think positive all you want, do all the meditations in the world, breathe as deeply and consciously as anyone ever has and still sometimes get punched in the mouth. I know because I’ve taken many such punches, both before and during the experience you’re reading about now as well as many times since. Life – whatever it ultimately turns out to be – teaches us our lessons in all sorts of ways, and those ways don’t always align with the timeline of our intentions.

I say that to stress that, as you’ll see in a moment, although things worked out in my favor this time, there have been many instances where they have not. Is setting an intention and allowing our highest Self to guide us toward it a +EV way to pursue a goal? Absolutely. But just like at the poker table, sometimes you play the hand the right way and still lose. The important thing in those instances, I have come to learn, is to recognize that unprofitable results don’t devalue the experiences we have, at least not unless we allow them to. As the saying goes, it’s not how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get back up. To that I would only add that much of the value in getting up is in how we do it. What story do we tell ourselves? How do we push not just forward, but upward and to the right?

All About the Mythical Phoenix: Bird of Fire and Eternal Life

Birds hold a special place in the human heart, and their majestic appearance elements make them a common muse for myths and folklore in nearly every culture.

Thunderbird and Lightning Bird

Several African and Native American cultures have stories of gigantic birds that nest in the tallest mountains and have the power to summon thunder and lightning in nearby villages.

In South Africa and Zimbabwe, this creature is often known as Impundulu and is most commonly associated with medicine men and spiritual shamans.

Hugin and Munin

These two ravens are loyal spies for Odin, the most powerful god in Norse mythology. Their names mean “thought” and “memory,” which are both necessary traits for creatures acting as Odin’s eyes and ears between the many multidimensional kingdoms surrounding Earth.

Minokawa

This dragon-like bird from Filipino mythology is a serious force of nature that is large enough to swallow the moon, explaining eclipses and other mysterious celestial events. (If you’re intrigue by Minokawa, you might also be interested in how the CIA used the aswang from Filipino folklore during the Cold War.)

Quetzalcoatl

Although Aztec iconography may portray this serpentine creature to look more like a dragon, it’s often connected more with birds due to its large wings and thick plumage of multi-colored feathers.

Quetzalcoatl was a central deity of the Aztec religion that held sway over the wind, merchants, arts, crafts, knowledge and learning.

Gamayun

Similar to the sirens of Greek mythology, the Gamayun from Russia has the face of a woman and the body of a bird. Gamayun’s song is said to foretell the future, and the mythological creature is often associated with universal knowledge and insight into the unseen world.

LiveRoulette’s Ultimate Online Casino Playlist

There seems to be a “world” day for almost everything these days. From World Baking Day in May to World Say Something Nice Day in June, there’s a constant stream of reminders about the good things in life. One day that’s designed to get everyone moving and grooving is World Music Day. Taking place in June every year, the celebration originated in France, where it’s known as Fête de la Musique.

Jack Lang, Minister of Culture of France, and Maurice Fleuret, a composer, were behind the initiative. Their vision was to get people sharing their musical talents. “Music everywhere and the concert nowhere” was the slogan they adopted ahead of the first event in 1982. Since then, World Music Day has become an international affair.

Rather fortunately, this day of musical appreciation also falls around our first birthday celebrations. We love music, so, in the spirit of celebration, we’ve decided to countdown our top tracks relating to all things casino. What’s more, these picks are the perfect accompaniment to your online casino experience here at LiveRoulette.

1. Lady Gaga – Poker Face (2008)

Poker is often described as battle of wits disguised as a game of cards. Lady Gaga certainly took that idea to heart when she released Poker Face. Far from using poker terminology unnecessarily, Gaga links phrases like “I wanna hold’em like they do in Texas, please” and “can’t read my poker face” to allusions of love. Indeed, the idea that love is often a game fits perfectly with the analogies to poker.

2. Pinball Wizard – The Who (1969)

If you ever need a song to get you moving while you play online casino games, Pinball Wizard is it. The Who’s story of a deaf, dumb, and blind kid playing pinball like a pro is full of energy. As you listen, you get the sense of a game in motion. How the kid plays, we don’t know. All we know is that he can.

3. Money – Pink Floyd (1973)

You shouldn’t play online casino games for the money alone. Playing should be fun and rewarding and not as a means for financial gain. It can be hard to ignore the prizes on offer when you play roulette, slots, and blackjack. Pink Floyd’s Money is all about the high life. Painting pictures of exuberance, the song tells tales of a lavish world where high rollers live a life of luxury.

4. Viva Las Vegas – Elvis Presley (1964)

Part of The King’s crown certainly lies in Las Vegas. At the height of his career, he spent seven years performing in Sin City on a weekly basis. Such was his affinity with Vegas, that fans of Elvis often call the period between 1969 and 1976 as the “Vegas Years”. As a prelude to his Sin City experience, Viva Las Vegas became a hit for Presley. Capturing the spirit of the gambling hub, the song (originally written for a movie of the same name) really does get you in the mood for gaming action.

5. Tumbling Dice – Rolling Stones (1972)

Tumbling Dice was famously recorded in the basement of a chateau in France. It peaked at number 5 in the UK charts and #7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Aside from the links between dice and online casino games like Craps, the boogie-woogie rhythm really pulls you in. Many gamers talk about going into the zone when they play. Well, this song will really get you into a nice groove.

6. Huck’s Tune – Bob Dylan (2007)

Anyone that’s a fan of online casino and poker gaming will know the movie Lucky You. Although its depiction of poker was a far cry from what the iconic Rounders achieved, the movie did produce one good thing: Huck’s Tune. A sombre, reflective song, Huck’s Tune paints a picture of a lonely road the gamblers had to walk before things turn in their favour.

7. Ace of Spades – Motorhead (1980)

If you’ve never listened to Ace of Spades, you’re missing out on a piece of rock history. If Motorhead never released another song, their status as musical icons would be set thanks to this one. Like Lady Gaga, the band uses poker as a motif for love. However, unlike Poker Face, Ace of Spades hits you full-force with its rip-roaring chords and all-out rock vibes.

8.The Stranger Song – Leonard Cohen (1967)

Part song, part reading, Leonard Cohen’s The Stranger Song tells the story of a woman burned by love. Throughout the song, men are compared to dealers, casino veterans always chasing the next high from the turn of a card. The implication is that the men this woman has met are never focused on the present. Instead, they want to keep playing the cards (women) and chase the next unknown. 

9. The Card Cheat – The Clash (1979)

You have to be prepared for some ups and downs when you play online casino games. Even with all the knowledge and skill in the world, there are times when things won’t be on your side. The Card Cheat is a reminder of this. When a man down on his luck decides to game the system, he’s quickly found out. Wise words from The Clash.

10. The Gambler – Kenny Rogers (1978)

We couldn’t end our list without including arguably the most famous gambling song of all time. The Gambler by Kenny Rogers is as much of a lesson in life as a guide to playing cards. You have to know when to stand and fight, and when to walk away. This life lesson is taught from the perspective of a poker player looking at his cards, wondering whether to “hold’em” or whether to “fold’em”. If you need a reminder of how to approach online casino gaming, as well as a great song to keep you entertained, The Gambler it is.

To celebrate World Music Day and our first birthday, play online casino games at LiveRoulette, turn on some tunes, and have some fun!

18+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Terms & Conditions apply.

20+ College Party Games for the Best Night Ever!


College Party Games

Planning to throw a big blowout with all of your university friends? Well, you’ll obviously need some awesome games to make the night even more fun! If you’re not sure what sort of games to play, that’s where I come in. Trust me; I’ve organized hundreds of bar crawls during my time as a bar crawl guide, so I know what games will be an absolute blast at a college party.

Through trial and error of nearly 100 drinking games over the years, here are the 20+ best college party games you should absolutely play for the best night ever!

1. BEER PONG

BEER PONG RULES

No college party game list is complete without a mention of Beer Pong. This drinking game is a staple at any party for a reason. It’s easy to set up, easy to play, and, of course, super fun! All you need to play this drinking game is a long table, 22 solo cups, and 2+ ping pong balls. While you only technically need 2 balls, I always recommend bringing extra because you are guaranteed to lose at least one ball throughout the course of the game.

HOW TO PLAY

To play, just divide 4 people into teams of two, and take turns trying to throw ping pong balls into the other team’s cups. If you’ve never played Beer Pong before, have no fear. We’ve written down the rules for Beer Pong right here!

2. FLIP CUP

Flip Cup rules

Another classic college party game is Flip Cup, a fun game that only utilizes a bunch of solo cups or plastic cups of your choice. This game is likely to get everyone playing pretty buzzed by the end of it, so it makes for a great game for the beginning of the night rather than the end. If you play when everyone’s already pretty drunk already, get ready for some majorly sticky floors!

HOW TO PLAY

To play Flip Cup, everyone should divide into two teams and stand around a table. Remember: this game is a relay! Then, on the mark, the two first players of each team must down their drink and then flip their cups. Once they successfully flip, the next players must do the same. The first team to successfully drink and flip their cups wins!

3. SLAP CUP

Slap Cup rules

Looking for a super fun, competitive drinking game that is sure to get you tipsy? You should try Slap Cup! This is the perfect game for a college party if you don’t mind dealing with the clean-up afterward.

HOW TO PLAY

To play Slap Cup, fill all but two of the solo cups ⅓ of the way with beer. Then, two players must try to bounce a ping pong ball into one of these cups. If they manage, they can pass the cup to the next person. But if a ball lands in one of the middle cups, they must drink the contents before they can continue!

As for the slapping, this occurs when a player and the player to their left are both trying to bounce a ball into their cups. If the first player manages to bounce a ball before the second player, they slap their cup away! I know this game sounds a bit confusing, but you should read our full Slap Cup rules so you can play this game with your friends!

4. CHANDELIER

Chandelier

One of my favorite drinking games is Chandelier. This game takes some of the rules from other famous drinking games like Beer Pong and Flip Cup. It is super fast-paced and sure to get the floor dirty, so make sure you don’t play it on carpet!

HOW TO PLAY

To set this game up, set up one cup per player (with some beer inside) and place them in a circle in the middle of the table. In the middle of this circle should be an extra solo cup placed on top of another solo cup or bowl. Fill this cup with beer or another drink of your choice.

Then, to play, players frantically bounce ping pong balls with the aim of getting them into other players’ cups. If a ball lands in your cup, drink it and refill the contents. But if a ball lands in the middle cup, everyone must finish their drink and then race to flip their cups. The last person to flip their cup must drink the middle cup!

5. QUARTERS

quarters drinking game

Another classic drinking game you should definitely play at a college party is Quarters. The great thing about this game is that you don’t really need anything to set it up since all you need are some solo cups (and which college party doesn’t have plastic cups?) and a single coin (ideally a quarter) someone will inevitably find in their pockets.

HOW TO PLAY

The very core of the game is basic. Everyone has their own cup filled with alcohol, and there must be a cup in the center of the table, either filled with alcohol as well or empty for a less messy game. Then, a player takes the quarter and tries to bounce it into the middle cup. If they make it, they assign a drink to another player and bounce the quarter again until they miss. Once they miss, it’s the next player’s turn to do the same.

There are many variations and nuances to this super fun drinking game, so check out our full article on the rules for Quarters.

6. RING OF FIRE/KING’S CUP

ring of fire set up

It doesn’t matter whether you know this game as Ring of Fire or King’s Cup, there’s no denying that this is one of the most popular drinking games out there! This is also one of the best drinking card games, in my opinion, as it combines a bunch of other super fun drinking games that will not only get you drunk but also make you closer to your college friends.

HOW TO PLAY

To play, put a cup in the middle of the table and create a ring of cards around it, making sure they’re all face-down. Then, players take turns removing one card from the ring, making sure not to break the circle. If you break the circle, you’ve got to finish your drink or take a shot! Depending on what card you remove from the circle, there’ll be a rule associated with it, as the image above. If you want more clarification of the rules, head over to our page on the official rules of Ring of Fire.

7. DRUNK JENGA

Jenga Giant – Stacks to Over 5 feet – Officially…

  • Complete Giant Tumble Tower Set: Enjoy 54 precision crafted premium hardwood…
  • Original Giant Jenga Game: For 10+ years, this officially licensed company has…
  • Event Game: Whether you’re with friends, at a party, at work, at the bar, in…

I mean, who doesn’t love a good game of Jenga? But take it up a notch and turn Jenga into a super fun drinking game by playing Drunk Jenga! This game brings up the stakes of the game so much higher, so try not to topple the tower!

HOW TO PLAY

Before you begin to play, grab a Sharpie or two and start writing rules on the Jenga blocks. Rules can range from “take a drink” and “kiss someone” to “choose someone to take a shot” and “play Never Have I Ever.”

Once that’s done, set up the game as usual and play Jenga as normal. However, unlike standard Jenga in Drunk Jenga, whenever someone removes a block, they must read out the rule written on the block and complete it. And whoever knocks down the tower must finish their drink and set up the tower again!

8. CIVIL WAR BEER PONG

Civil War Beer Pong

Are you getting sick of standard Beer Pong? Or maybe you’re up for a bit of a challenge and chaos? In that case, you absolutely have to play Civil War Beer Pong! This fast-paced Beer Olympics game requires 36 solo cups, 4 ping pong balls, 2-3 tables, and, of course, a lot of beer. When you’ve gathered all the materials needed, get ready to have a ton of fun! 

HOW TO PLAY

Place 3 6-cup triangles on each side of the table and put all 4 ping pong balls in the middle. Then, chaos ensues! There are no turns in Civil War Beer Pong. If you have possession of a ping pong ball, throw it into an opponent’s cup to sink it just like normal Beer Pong. The game continues until all 18 of a team’s cups are sunk!

9. THUNDERSTRUCK

Thunderstruck

If you love to play music when drinking at a college party, Thunderstuck is the game for you! Plus, this game is super simple and really easy to set up. You don’t need anything in terms of materials – just a drink per person – but everyone should have one in their hands already anyway!

HOW TO PLAY

To play, everyone should sit or stand in a circle. Then, simply grab hold of the party playlist, and turn on “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. At the first “thunder” in the lyrics of the song, the first person drinks. And they don’t stop drinking until they hear the next “thunder” in the song. At this point, the second person starts drinking. Keep going around in the circle in this manner!

The best thing about this song is that while you’ll hear the words “thunder” often enough, every now and then, someone might be stuck drinking for a super long time. That happened to me once, and I ended up drinking one and a half beers in one go!

10. NEVER HAVE I EVER

Never have i ever

Of course, one of the most common games you’ll see at a college party is Never Have I Ever. This is a simple game that doesn’t require any setup. And best of all, you’ll get to know all your friends’ dirty secrets at the party! This is one way to get to know everyone super quickly, making it one of the best ice breaker drinking games.

HOW TO PLAY

Everyone starts with 5 or 10 fingers up, depending on how long you want the game to be. Then, players take turns stating something they’ve never done. Every other player must put a finger down IF they HAVE done the thing the player hasn’t done. Every player who puts a finger down must take a drink as well. If no one puts a finger down, the player who made the statement must take a drink.

Keep going around in a circle, with every player stating one thing they have never done. When someone runs out of fingers, they are eliminated from the game!

If you want some ideas on what to say and want to know the rules in more detail, check out our full article on how to play Never Have I Ever.

11. SOTALLY TOBER

Laoniu Hilarious Party Gaming Sotally Tober Theme…

  • Diverse Card Types: Enjoy a variety of card types with unique descriptions that…
  • Simple & Fun Gameplay: Experience an entertaining party game with easy-to-follow…
  • High-Quality Cards: Enjoy a seamless gaming experience with the premium-quality…

Honestly, I think Sotally Tober is one of the most hilarious drinking game names I’ve come across in a while. And it’s super fitting, too, since this game will sotally get you drunk! While you will need to buy the actual Sotally Tober cards to play this game, in my opinion, it’s one of those drinking card games that is worth having around in your home, as you never know when you’ll host a wild party!

HOW TO PLAY

Setting up is easy: just shuffle the cards and place them all face-down in the middle. Then, players simply take turns drawing one card from the pile. The player that draws the card must complete the task. But if they don’t want to do it, they must take a drink.

Looking for other games like this? Check out our list of the funniest card games!

12. A+B

A Plus B A+B

One of the most scandalous drinking games you can play as a group at any party is A+B or A Plus B. The concept of this game is simple, but you will end up in some outlandish scenarios throughout the course of the game – guaranteed! Only play A+B if you think you can handle it; it can get pretty risque pretty fast, especially as the group only gets drunker and drunker.

HOW TO PLAY

Everyone sits or stands in a circle, then pick one person to start. This player must close their eyes. The person to their right must pick a random person in the circle to be Person A, loudly announcing that they have chosen Person A. The person to the first player’s left must do the same but choose a Person B. Person A and Person B can be anybody in the group, including the first player.

The first player then opens their eyes and decides what Person A does to Person B, what Person B does to Person A, or what Person A and Person B do together.

After the two people complete their task, continue playing to the left.

13. BEERIO CART

Beerio Kart Mario Kart

Who doesn’t love some good old video games when at a party? Sometimes, it’s good to have a little bit of downtime, but that doesn’t mean you can’t turn this into a fun drinking game! To play Beerio Kart, you’re going to need some kind of Nintendo console with Mario Kart downloaded, as well as a whole lot of beer (or another alcohol of your choice).

HOW TO PLAY

Ready to play? Crack open a beer, choose your kart and character, and get racing! While you play Mario Kart as normal, you have the added challenge of having to finish your beer before you cross the finish line as well! You can either chug the beer before you even start driving, chug it before you cross the finish line, or slowly drink it throughout the duration of the race – up to you!

14. RIDE THE BUS

RIDE THE BUS round 1 red black

One of my favorite card games to play in any drinking setting is Ride the Bus. This drinking card game may be a bit more complicated, but it’s definitely worth getting to know, as everyone will get pretty drunk pretty fast. Plus, only one person needs to know the rules, so don’t worry about trying to get some tipsy people to learn a new game.

HOW TO PLAY

Ride the Bus consists of 6 different rounds, as follows:

  1. Red or black: The dealer must hold a deck of cards face-down and ask each player, one by one, whether they think the card is red or black. If right, the player can pick someone to drink. If wrong, that player must take a drink. Leave the card in front of that player.
  2. Higher or lower: Same as above, but the dealer asks whether the player thinks the next card is higher or lower in value than the previous card.
  3. Between or outside: Same as above, but the dealer asks whether the player thinks the next card is between or outside the value of the two previous cards.
  4. Suit: The player must guess the suit.
  5. Pyramid: Players take their four cards and must match the cards to a pyramid, and they can give out drinks according to the value.
  6. Ride the bus: The losing player must ride the bus by completing rounds 1 to 4 once again. But if they get an answer wrong, they must drink and start from round 1 again.

I know these rules may be confusing, but you can head on over to our Ride the Bus rules so you can actually learn how to play!

15. TRUTH OR DARE

truth or dare

To offset the complicated game above, a simple drinking game you can play at the party is none other than Truth or Dare. There’s not too much complicated about this game (besides the questions and dares themselves, of course). Plus, it requires zero setup, so you can easily play this whenever you want.

HOW TO PLAY

To play, simply ask each player, “Truth or Dare.” The player can choose between the two. If they choose truth, they must answer a question. And if they choose dare, they must perform a dare. The group decides what they want the player to answer or do. If the player refuses, they must take a shot!

16. CARDS AGAINST HUMANITY

Cards Against Humanity

  • A party game for horrible people.
  • Comes with 500 white cards and 100 black cards for eternal replayability.
  • Includes a booklet of sensible game rules and preposterous alternate rules.

Of course, a classic party game that I have to mention is Cards Against Humanity. This party card game is sure to get a lot of laughs out of everyone. And the best part is that there is really no limit to how many people can play this game. In fact, the more players, the merrier when it comes to Cards Against Humanity!

HOW TO PLAY

The game is simple. Players have 10 white cards in their hands to start, and they take turns being the Card Czar and drawing a black card to read it out loud. All other players besides the Card Czar pick a white card from their hand that best fits the black card and place it face down in the middle. The Card Czar then shuffles all the white cards and reads them all out loud. They pick their favorite response. The person who selected that card wins a point for that round!

Looking for some similar games? Check out my post on games like Cards Against Humanity.

17. TWISTER ULTIMATE

Who would have thought that playing a traditional children’s game could be so fun in a college party setting? Bring out this childhood favorite at any house party, and you’ll see just how wild people get as they line up to play this game. Adding booze to the mix makes Twister twice as fun, as people fall on their faces left and right. If you want to involve more people in the game, you can appoint one player to read out the Twister spinner.

HOW TO PLAY

To play, get spinning! Whatever the spinner lands on, all players must place a part of their body on the chosen colored circle. Continue to place your hands and feet all over the Twister mat until you are the last one standing!

18. FEAR PONG

Fear Pong: Refreshed Edition – Unleash Your Wild…

  • EMBRACE THE MADNESS: Break free from the shackles of regular card games. Fear…
  • WHAT’S INCLUDED: 215 outrageous dares on 108 waterproof cards + 12 blank cards…
  • HOW TO PLAY: Set up a game of beer pong. Place one dare under each cup. Now face…

If you’re getting tired of playing standard Beer Pong, you should try Fear Pong to add another layer of fun! It’s a blast to play, so everyone will want to join in on the fun. Fear Pong combines traditional Beer Pong and card games in order to create a drinking game that is sure to keep everyone on their toes.

HOW TO PLAY

Play Fear Pong as you would play Beer Pong. But simply add a Fear Pong dare under each cup that you set up. Then, any time an opponent sinks one of your cups, hold your breath, as you’ll need to either drink the contents of the cup or complete a dare in order to keep it. The dares are pretty horrible, so keeping the cup is a lot harder than you think!

19. HORSERACE

HORSERACE GAMEPLAY
HORSERACE

Do you want to add a layer of gambling to the party? Horserace is the perfect drinking card game that you’ll love if you love games like Ride the Bus. For this game, you’ll need a standard deck of cards and some alcohol, of course. Once you’ve set that up, get ready to start betting on the horse race!

HOW TO PLAY

In this game, you’ll need an announcer or dealer. The dealer places 4 Aces face up on one end of the table and 8 cards face down perpendicular to the Aces. Now, everyone bets on which horse (or Ace) they think will win! Bets are quantified by number of drinks. You’ll need to drink half your bet before the race begins!

The announcer flips over cards, with the horses moving whenever it’s that suit that is flipped over. The first horse to reach the finish line wins! Horserace is not the easiest drinking card game out there, so check out the official Horserace rules here!

20. LIAR’S DICE

Brybelly Liar’s Dice Game Set – Classic Family…

  • Roll The Bones: Roll the bones and bluff your way to victory with this complete…
  • Plunder The High Seas: Squeeze in a game with your best mateys. Throw the dice…
  • Here Be Treasure: Plot a course with the included 12.25″ x 8.75″ neoprene mat,…

If you’re a big fan of gambling games like Texas Hold’Em, you’ll love Liar’s Dice, a super fun gambling drinking game. A game involving strategy and deception, you’re going to have to really think in order to succeed in this game. But since you’ll be drinking as you play, there’ll certainly be a layer of hilarity that will make this college party an absolute success!

HOW TO PLAY

In this game, every player should have 5 dice and a cup each. At the beginning of the game, each player rolls their dice and keeps them hidden inside their cup so that only they know what their dice show. Players then make bets made up of the quantity of dice and the face value of the dice. Subsequent players can call a bluff or increase the bid.

If a player calls a bluff and the challenged bet is equal to or greater than what was challenged, the player that called a bluff must take 3 drinks and lose a dice. If the bluff was correct, the player that made the bet mus take 3 drinks and lose a dice.

Continue playing until only one player has any dice left.

21. MUSICAL CHAIRS DRINKING GAME

Another childhood game favorite that you can easily turn into a drinking game is Musical Chairs Drinking Game. I know it’s probably been a while since you’ve played any version of Musical Chairs, but worry not, as this game is super easy to play – even when you’re already drunk. But do drink responsibly, as this game does involve taking shots!

HOW TO PLAY

Set up chairs in a circle, and ensure there is one less chair than there are players. Then, start the music as players go round and round in a circle around the chairs. When the music stops, everyone must take a seat on a chair! The person left standing must leave the game, take a chair with them, and then take a shot as punishment. Continue playing until there are 0 chairs and only 1 player remaining. This player is the winner!

Lev

What is Fold Equity and Why is it Important?

If you’ve played poker for a while, you’ve probably heard the term fold equity.

In this article, I am going to explain what fold equity is and why it’s important to understand if you want to maximize your winnings at the tables.

What is Fold Equity?

Fold equity is the probability that a player will fold versus a bet or raise. For example, if there’s a 33 percent chance your opponent will fold to a bet in a $100 pot, you have 33% fold equity (worth $33) in that pot.

If you’ve ever considered the chance that your opponent will fold to a bet, you’ve already employed this concept at the table (even if you didn’t realize it at the time).

Note: Some people use the term fold equity to mean this formula instead: [the chance our opponent will fold] * [opponent’s equity in the hand]. However, Upswing Poker does not think that’s a helpful or practical definition.

Definition from our poker term glossary.

Fold Equity Infographic

Here’s a handy infographic that shows the fold equity needed for 6 different bet sizes depending on your hand’s equity when called:

fold equity infographic

For example, if you bet 3/4 pot with a hand that has 0% equity when called, you need your opponent to fold more than 43% of the time for your bet to break even.

Why Does Fold Equity Matter?

Fold equity helps shape the optimal strategy on all streets. Whenever you do not have a solid made hand, you need to take into account your fold equity to make the highest EV decision.

The most important use of this concept is for determining profitable bluffs. For a 0% equity bluff to be profitable, for example, your fold equity must be higher than the risk-to-reward ratio of your bet.

The formula for risk-to-reward ratio as the bettor looks like this:

Risk-to-Reward Ratio = [Bet Size / (Bet Size + Pot Size Before the Bet)] x 100

Which can be written in shorthand as:

Risk-to-Reward Ratio = [B / (B + P)] x 100

Example Pot Odds Calculation

Let’s say you bet $50 bet into a $100 pot:

Risk-to-Reward Ratio = [50 / (50 + 100)] x 100

Risk-to-Reward Ratio = 0.33 x 100

Risk-to-Reward Ratio = 33%

In this case, assuming your bluff has 0% equity when called, your $50 bet needs more than 33% fold equity in order to be profitable over the long run.

The more equity you have, the less fold equity you need in order to have a profitable bet. This is because you have not one, but two ways to win — you can either hit your hand or force the fold.

Example of Fold Equity in Action

Suppose you’ve reached the turn on a T 7♣ 5♠ 2 board with $100 in the pot. You have an open-ended straight draw with 9♣ 8♣ and are considering a semi-bluff of $50.

If you decide to drop in the $50 bet, you have two ways to win:

  1. Your opponent calls and you hit a straight on the river*, which will happen around 18% of the time.
  2. Your opponent folds.

*Hitting a 9 or 8 may give you the best hand as well, but let’s put that possibility aside for the sake of simplicity.

According to the risk-to-reward calculation in the previous section, this bet size requires more than 33% fold equity to be profitable…

…but that was when your bluff had 0% equity.

This time, you have (at least) 18% equity to win when called. So, even if your fold equity is only 25%, your bet is a profitable one because you still have 18% equity when you get called.

Note: Keep in mind that this calculation, while helpful for understanding fold equity, leaves out one important factor: equity realization. Read this article to learn how equity realization comes into play in poker.

Wrapping Up

Fold equity is your best friend when you’re bluffing. Even a 2% difference between the required rick-to-reward ratio and your opponent’s actual folding frequency is enough to make a bet go from losing to profitable.

I’ll leave you with an easy exercise that will sharpen your fold equity estimation skills:

Whenever you’re not in a hand, put yourself in the shoes of one of the players and consider how much fold equity different bet sizes will have. Ask yourself questions like “will a much bigger bet size render much more fold equity?” or “will a smaller size have similar fold equity to a large one?” Over time, you should start to get pretty damn precise, which will have majorly positive impacts on your game.

That’s all for this article. I hope you enjoyed it and that you learned something new. As usual, if you have any questions or feedback please let me know in the comment section down below!

If you want to learn about more key poker concepts, read Polarized Ranges vs Linear Ranges Explained.

Till’ next time, good luck, grinders!

What is the difference between online poker, live poker, and video poker?

 

You can find out in this article how to adapt to the different majors ways of playing poker.

The digital form of poker offers various types, such as online poker, live poker, and, notably, video poker, which has found a dedicated platform on video poker sites. These sites are tailored to cater to video poker fans, providing a range of games that feature different rules, strategies, and levels of interaction. These platforms make it easy for enthusiasts to access their favourite games, offering diverse techniques and experiences unique to video poker.

Online Poker: The Digital Frontier

What is online poker?

Online poker refers to playing the game of poker over the internet, typically through dedicated poker websites or platforms. Players can participate in various poker variants against opponents from around the world, using virtual chips or real money.

Online poker represents the digital evolution of traditional poker, allowing players to access many games from any location. The primary allure of online poker lies in its speed and availability. Players can engage in multiple tables simultaneously, significantly increasing the volume of hands played per hour compared to live settings. It appeals particularly to those seeking to maximize their playtime and learning opportunities.

The diversity of online games surpasses any physical venue, ranging from Texas Hold’em to Omaha and more niche variants. Moreover, online platforms cater to all budget levels, with stakes starting as low as a few cents, making poker accessible to a broader audience.

The anonymity of online play allows for a focus on pure strategy, minimizing the psychological element of reading opponents’ physical tells​​​​.

Advantages Disadvantages
– Convenient access from anywhere with internet connection. – Lack of physical interaction and reads.
– Wide variety of game options and stakes. – Potential for technical issues or cheating.
– Ability to multi-table for increased volume and variety. – Difficulty in reading opponents’ intentions without physical tells.
– Anonymity can reduce bias and intimidation. – Delayed gratification for cashing out winnings.

Live Poker: The Social Game

What is live poker ?

Live poker involves playing poker in person, usually at a physical casino, card room, or private setting. Players sit at a table, handle physical cards and chips, and interact face-to-face with opponents and dealers.

Live poker, played in casinos and poker rooms, is cherished for its deeply social and psychological dimensions. The tactile experience of handling chips, the physical presence of opponents, and the ability to read add complexity and enjoyment to the game.

Live poker games are generally slower, with fewer hands played per hour, fostering a more deliberate pace and the opportunity for social interaction.

The environment of live poker often leads to softer competition, as many participants play for recreation rather than profit. This aspect can offer strategic advantages to skilled players who can adapt to the slower pace and exploit the less experienced competition. However, the higher rake and tipping expected in live venues can impact profitability​​​​.

Advantages Disadvantages
– Social interaction and atmosphere. – Limited to specific locations.
– Ability to read opponents’ physical cues. – Slower gameplay compared to online.
– Opportunity for live tournaments. – Travel and accommodation costs.
– Immediate resolution of disputes or questions. – Higher minimum bets in some settings.

Video Poker: The Solitary Strategy Game

What is video poker ?

Video poker is a solitary game combining elements of poker and slot machines. Players compete against a pay table rather than other players, with outcomes based on the strength of the poker hand they can assemble from a single draw. This format emphasizes personal strategy and knowledge of poker hand rankings, with a significantly lower element of chance than slot machines.

Video poker offers one of the best odds in the casino for players who master optimal strategies for the variant they are playing. The game is ideal for those who prefer a calm, controlled gambling environment without the pressures of time constraints or the psychological warfare inherent in traditional poker. Despite its simplicity, video poker requires a grasp of basic poker hand rankings and strategically selecting cards to hold and discard​​​​.

Advantages Disadvantages
– Convenient and accessible in casinos and online. – Lack of social interaction.
– Fast-paced gameplay. – Limited strategic depth compared to other forms.
– Lower minimum bets often available. – Dependency on RNG (Random Number Generator).
– No need to wait for other players. – Limited variety of game options.

 In the end: They are very different games

The choice between online poker, live poker, and video poker depends on individual preferences regarding social interaction, strategic depth, and play convenience. Online poker offers a fast-paced, diverse, and accessible platform for players of all skill levels.

In contrast, live poker provides a rich, immersive experience valued for its social and psychological aspects. Video poker appeals to those seeking a straightforward, strategy-driven game without the variability of human opponents.

2024 USA TODAY TOP WORKPLACE

Sycuan has been recognized among the 2024 Top Workplaces in the United States by USA Today in the large company category. The annual USA Today Top Workplaces list is based on the results of employee feedback surveys that were administered by Energage, an employee research and consulting firm.

Now a first-time recipient of this prestigious distinction, Sycuan is proud to have won because of its commitment to its team members by fostering a healthy and positive work environment and encouraging upward mobility through promoting from within. The loyalty and longevity this has established are evident in the fact that approximately 30% of team members have been with the organization for over 10 years. Sycuan also recognizes its team members through monthly, quarterly, and annual recognition programs.

The organization offers several great employee benefits including health, dental, vision and life insurance, 401(k) retirement savings plans with company matching, education reimbursement, corporate discounts, and paid time off. Employees can also take advantage of free transportation to and from work by using Sycuan shuttle busses throughout San Diego County.

Once team members join the Sycuan family, they enjoy unique privileges such as free daily food offerings and discounted meals available in the team dining room.

Celebrating diversity is at the core of Sycuan’s values. Through their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program (DEI), they unite the team, community, and cultures through open dialogue, education, and awareness. The purpose of this initiative and our six Team Member Networking Groups is to foster an inclusive environment where team members are respected, valued, and empowered to be their authentic selves.

Sycuan partners with hundreds of local nonprofit organizations in San Diego, providing opportunities for team members to volunteer and participate in events that help a wide array of causes benefiting the community.

To learn about how you can join the Sycuan family and for more information about upcoming job fairs and employment opportunities, please visit Sycuan.com/employment