Bingo in Baghdad?

 Bingo is usually seen as a game played in western countries but the fact is that people around the globe enjoy playing bingo. Bingo is especially popular in the UK and during the glory days of the British Empire British culture including bingo was exported to even the remotest parts of the empire. Bingo, both land based and internet bingo, are wildly popular in Australia and New Zealand where the game is popularly known as 'housie.' Before World War Two Iraq was part of the British Empire and it was then that bingo was introduced into this ancient Middle Eastern country.

As everyone knows the war in Iraq has been going on for almost a decade with no end in sight and it is hard to imaging such a peaceful activity as a bingo game taking place anywhere in the war torn country. Believe it or not the 85 year old elite Alwiyah Club is now offering bingo games. During the days of empire the Alwiyah Club featured manicured lawns, tennis courts, and a swimming pool. Members were required to have a college degree and the club was a meeting place for the cultural, political and intellectual elite cultural, political and intellectual elite. The club fell on hard times after Dictator Saddam Hussein cut the liquor supply to garner favor with religious conservatives. Many women ceased going to the club fearing predators among Saddam's friends and family members. Abdul Rahman Hamza whose family was among the founding members put it this way, "It became like a military club. No drinking. No parties. What kind of club is that?"

The game has attracted some younger players and although the streets in Baghdad are still not completely safe the games are well attended. After years of unrelenting violence the elite Alwiyah Club is making a comeback and the open bar, Arabic pop music and Saturday night bingo games draw players from all age groups.

The resurgence of bingo in Baghdad is seen as a success story for the peacekeeping efforts of the multi national forces. Now on bingo nights the parking lot is packed with eager bingo players. Bingo players pay about $4 for a wooden table and can play bingo for cash prizes all night. The resurgence of bingo is seen as a sign that the country is on its way to stabilization and peace.

Should conditions deteriorate Iraqi players could still play internet bingo and websites are welcoming new players with bigger and better bingo bonuses. Players can play from the safety and comfort of home and search for the best free bingo bonuses.


The Silver Strike Slot Machine Story

The Silver Strike Slot Machine Story
People who know their slot machines know what a Silver Strike Slot machine is but for those of you who do not, here is a little backgrounder on what it is and why it is one of the more popular older slot machines around. People in the olden days used to play slot machines not to win coins but to win prizes that actually came out of these machines. The images you see on present day slot machines are actually symbols that date back from when these machines dispensed gum when figures lined up on the reels in front of you. Fruit symbols such as cherries, oranges and such represented the flavors of the gums that you get when you line these up on the reels with your spin and the word "bar" lined up often meant that you get a whole bar of gum as your prize.
The prize system for slot machines slowly disappeared even when the fruit and "bar" symbols remained on the reels and people started winning coins instead of prizes for the times when the symbols lined up. The Silver Strike Slot machine also gave out coins when a player hits certain reel combinations after the pulled the lever to try and win something but that is not the only thing these machines gave out. Sometimes when people are lucky enough with these machines called Silver Strike, they actually strike silver with a coin that drops from the machine when a certain combination is shown on the reels and this coin is made out of pure.999 silver and has a ten dollar face value if exchanged at the casino you won it from.
The older versions of this machine used to dispense only 50 of these coins and a lot of the casinos who had these machines lined up with their other machines found that most of the people who won silver coins took these coins home instead of turning them in for the ten dollar prize money. This led to people collecting these coins and with the number of variations in the designs of the coins that many different Silver Strike machines gave out, it became a prime collectible item for a lot of people. This is due to the fact that the casinos that used these silver coins on their Silver Strike machines often came up with new coins every year for these machines and this meant that you may not find this year's coin in next year's machine, making them somewhat rare.
The Silver Strike Slot machine tokens that you get and don't cash out when you do win them are actually valued at the same price as the amount printed on it. If you wish to sell these silver tokens you have, you can actually get ten dollars for each of them. There are people who will pay higher however if you have really rare Silver Strike tokens in your collection and while there are thousands of these floating around, since very few people may be letting go of their own tokens, you can ask for a higher price for extra tokens you have that other people are looking for.

Top 5 Tips For Poker Bankroll Management

Top 5 Tips For Poker Bankroll Management
Once you have received that long-awaited poker bankroll, you may feel the need to start burning through it as fast as you can. But this practice can lead to the end of your online poker bankroll forever if you fall victim to simple mistakes such as playing through exhaustion or hunger. What are some other errors that even the best poker players commit when playing online poker? Here we outline the Top 5 tips to consider when managing that all-important free poker bankroll.
1. Play Comfortably
Don't forget the fact that as a human being, we have certain necessities that we shouldn't overlook when playing online poker. If you are not playing comfortably, your game will suffer. Taking breaks, eating well, avoiding distractions and sitting in a comfortable chair are just a few points to consider while you are building your poker bankroll.
2. Don't Play Drunk
Even though it may seem as though you play a better game of poker while you are hammered, the truth is your game will definitely suffer if you are distracted by the effects of too much booze. Having a few beers while your are hitting the online poker tables is one thing, but going through a few six-packs while burning through that poker bankroll is another thing. You'll thank me in the morning.
3. Play Seriously
After you receive your free bankroll, it is important that you realize that every hand you play matters in the bigger picture. Even though it may have cost you nothing to get that bankroll, you need to take every decision you make seriously. Avoid using up your bankroll by playing out of boredom or when you are distracted (See #2) and make it a point not to grind it out in the tables when you are prone to mistakes or dumb moves.
4. Play Within Your Means
If you plan on building up that bankroll to something a little more substantial, you must remember play within your bankroll at all times. A good rule of thumb on playing within your means is to have 5% or less of your bankroll on the poker table at one time. If you are really frugal, you may want to drop that percentage to 3% or even 1% of your total poker bankroll. Although it may be tempting to build your bankroll as quickly as possible, this is one area where it pays to be patient.
5. Keep Your Eyes Off the Prize
One of the most exciting feelings you may experience after receiving your bankroll is that first time that you check your balance and see that it has increased by a good bit. This quickly becomes addictive as you constantly want to see how much you have in your account - be it less or more than it was before. Unfortunately, you have just fallen into a cycle of chasing your losses and micro-managing your online poker account. Soon enough it will become a roller coaster as you see your balance up one day, only to fall again the next day. You must come to terms with the fact that building your poker bankroll can sometimes be a long, slow grind followed by a sudden, quick loss. The more time you actually spend on your poker game rather than in your poker account balance will most certainly add up to big winnings for the future.

Roulette - Is It Possible To Beat Online Casinos?

Roulette - Is It Possible To Beat Online Casinos?
Roulette has been a popular game amongst almost all the casinos of the world. I can't say why roulette has gained the popularity that it has but I perceive that it has to do with the fact that the roulette wheel is perfect for a fun part to the casino games. Casino roulette though is random, whilst online roulette games i believe are not quite as random as the real world roulette wheels.
The online roulette games in the online casinos are based on a certain software or computer programming and this is the reason for the lack of randomness in the game as compared to the real thing. The problem here is that in a computer program it is nearly impossible to generate a code which tells the computer how to give out random results as outputs, no matter how hard we try the results will always be based on a certain pattern.
In a casino, the spinning of a roulette wheel and the outcome of it is based on a certain number of physical factors which a computer can not replicate.


Firstly, the speed at which the wheel spins.

Secondly, the speed of the ball used in roulette.

Thirdly, the distance that the ball travels and spins.

The place from where the wheel begins.

The angle at which the ball is dropped.
In addition to these, there are a number of other factors small and large which determine the outcome of a particular spin of the roulette wheel and it is quite impossible to replicate these outcomes on a computer based platform. Although the technological improvements do allow us to relate a computer program to interact with physical forces and phenomena, the fact still remains that it can never truly replicate the real world even though it might come dangerously close to it.
In terms of fair play, the online casino is as good as any other honest casino. The game of roulette is designed in such a way that the house is always at an advantage over the players and is always poised to win in the long term. For sure you can win at a particular session, but over time the odds are in the Casinos favour. The only way in which a casino or online casino can lose at a game of roulette is with various methods of cheating and possibly roulette software programs that can track and analyse the numbers over time.

The Best and Worst Game to Play Online for Real Money

The Best and Worst Game to Play Online for Real Money
Do you like casino games and wonder if you could play at online casinos for some real winnings? It's a tempting proposition -- just wager a few bucks and win a fortune. And everyday many people try to live that dream. But let's talk about applying some logic to that online casino strategy. Yes, you could put a few dollars into a progressive slot game and win millions, but you could also run out of money quickly. If you want to play at online casinos for real money, you want to know the best and worst games as far as player edge.
The Worst: Slots, Scratch Cards, and Roulette
These three are popular games in both online and real world casinos and there's a reason why -- they're bright, colorful and easy to play. But I'm going to take a look at your chances in these games.
Slots can be fun and most online casinos offer games with a variety of popular themes and even "games within the game" that play almost like popular video games. These games attract players because they are one of the easiest games to learn to play. Just choose how much you want to bet and press the spin button. Line up the right symbols on the reels and you could win the jackpot. And casinos offer progressive jackpots that can run upwards of a million dollars. But the casinos also set the odds on these games and they aren't in the player's favor. Play for fun, but watch your bankroll. You aren't likely to hit that jackpot.
Scratch cards can be found in online casinos and in many locations that offer lotteries. All you have to do is scratch off the "coating" on the card to find out if you've won a prize. Most cards aren't a winner and there really is no way for a player to develop a strategy to increase their odds. Frankly, playing slots games is likely to give you more playing time.
The roulette table always draws a crowd in a real world casino. The action is almost hypnotizing. Watch the ball roll round and if it lands on your number, you win. The problem is that there are 37 or 38 slots for that ball to fall into and the odds for this game are clearly in the houses favor. If you enjoy roulette, look for European Roulette which has only 37 slots (no 00) and remember that the single number bets carry the worse odds. Consider betting group, rows or lines of numbers and you'll be able to spend more time at the table.
The Best: Blackjack, Video Poker and Poker
These three games allow players to use strategies that can help sway the odds in their favor. But keep in mind, you have to learn how to play the games in order to get the best odds. If you don't know what you're doing, you'd probably be better off playing the slots games.
Blackjack is a classic casino strategy game. Your goal is to come closer to hitting 21 than the dealer does without going over. If you do your research, you'll find plenty of strategy cards on the web to help you know when to hold and when to hit. Just one thing to keep in mind -- card counting doesn't work at most online casinos. This is because online casinos use random number generators rather than real decks of cards. (There are a few European casinos offering real play streaming from live casinos and therefore using real decks.) And the great thing about online play is that most casinos have a free play mode where you can practice your strategy before playing for real money.
Video Poker has become one of the most popular games at online and real world casinos. The game looks similar to slots in design, but instead of spinning reels, you're dealt a hand of five cards. You can choose to hold or discard any of the cards and draw again in hopes of drawing a winning hand. A quick lesson in poker hands can get you started, but for the best odds of winning, you'll want to learn a little video poker strategy. A good video poker player can almost eradicate the house edge.
Poker is the ultimate game of strategy. Texas Hold'em is one of the most popular games in the world right now and there are plenty of online poker rooms looking for your action. There is no house edge in poker because the players are playing against each other, not against the house. Keep in mind that poker is easy to learn but can take a lifetime to master. However most online poker rooms offer low and micro stakes games to help you learn. So don't shy away from poker when it comes to playing for real money.

Introduction to Online Gambling

Introduction to Online Gambling
Online gambling offers all the excitement and thrills of its real world counterpart, and you don't even have to leave the house. You can play at any time of the day or night, you have the same odds of a big win as in a real casino, and you don't even need to get dressed! Like many people, you may have been tempted to try an online casino but you are not sure how online gambling works. If so, this article is for you.
Firstly, you need to find the right casino for you. There are hundreds of online casinos on the internet, some good, some not so good. Depending on where you live in the world, you may be limited as to the online casinos you can play. Players in the USA for example have a limited choice of online gambling sites, as some casinos are no longer available to American players. Likewise, some online casinos do not accept French players.
It is virtually impossible to move on the internet these days without running across some sort of advert for an online casino, and for a new player this choice can be daunting. There are many portal sites and casino review sites online, which offer independent reviews of online casinos, and these can be helpful. Find a trusted source and read what real players have to say about the casino.
Some online casinos offer free money or no deposit bonuses to new players as an incentive for them to try the casino. These free bonuses can be a good way of trying a casino for real without risking any of your own cash. Be aware though. There may be restrictions to the games you can play with free money and there is usually a maximum withdrawal amount.
There are two main types of online casino, those offering virtual casino games and live dealer casinos. Some casinos offer a mixture of virtual and live dealer games. In the first type of game, the casino depends on a RNG, or random number generator to determine how the slots spin or which cards are dealt. RNG's have to be thoroughly tested to ensure fairness and randomness, so there is little difference between RNG games and real live casino games. Live dealer games operate by webcam and you can see the cards being dealt live by a real person. You can interact with the dealer as much or as little as you wish.
The games in an online casino are easy to play and even if you have never gambled before you can pick them up very easily. In addition there are extensive help files to teach you how to play and provide the rules of the games. Some casinos also offer an auto play function for card games which will automatically play for you perfect strategy if you turn this function on. All you have to do is sit back and let the software do the work for you.
Online casinos accept real money deposits which are then converted into chips or credits just like real life casinos. Unlike real casinos, you do not have to cash out at the end of each session and your money can stay in your account perfectly safe until the next time you want to gamble. Alternatively you may want to cash out your winnings and depending on the casino, you will be paid in anything from as little as a few minutes to several days.
You can make deposits and withdrawals at online casinos in many different ways, not just via credit cards. In fact some players may have problems depositing via credit or debit card depending on their locale. There are a range of popular web wallet services such as Neteller, UsemyWallet, Click2Pay, Moneybookers etc which can be used to make deposits and withdrawals without revealing your credit card details, ensuring maximum security. However, security is not usually an issue with online casinos; they operate stricter banking security than most online shopping carts. Ukash is a voucher based deposit system which is available in Europe and works similar to topping up a mobile phone. You can also wire money, send money via bank transfer or electronic check, use virtual gift cards and prepaid debit cards.
So, you have chosen a casino, downloaded it, opened an account and you are nearly ready to play. Before you make a deposit, check to see if you are entitled to any promotions or free money. Virtually all casinos offer sign up bonuses in order to make themselves stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Often a casino will give you a bonus on your first, second and even third deposits in order to turn you into a loyal customer. However, you may have to claim this bonus prior to making a deposit, this is usually as simple as entering a code into the cashier. Other casinos will credit the bonus automatically. Always check the terms and conditions of any bonus - and if you do not wish to play with a bonus you can always contact customer support to have the money removed from your account. Bonuses usually come with wagering requirements which you must meet before you can request a withdrawal. Wagering requirements may apply to deposit and bonus or bonus only. Some bonuses are known as sticky bonuses which mean they cannot be withdrawn, but are removed from your account when you request a withdrawal. Also be aware that when playing with a bonus there may be restricted games, and non-risk betting - i.e. betting on both red and black in roulette just to meet wagering requirements is prohibited.
Withdrawing money and winnings from an online casino is as simple as visiting the cashier and submitting a withdrawal request. Before submitting a withdrawal request ensure you have met all the wagering requirements on any bonuses which may be in your account. Depending on the casino you will receive your money in as little as a few minutes or up to 7 days. Most casinos pay winnings in around 48 hours.
In some areas winnings from online gambling are taxable; in some areas such as the UK they are not. If you do pay tax on winnings, remember losses are tax deductible so it pays to keep adequate records! Online casinos don't report to the authorities, so it is up to you to declare any profits.
So, this article has summed up how casinos work - there is only one element missing, a healthy dose of luck. Unfortunately, it is beyond the scope of this article to provide that, you will have to find it yourself!

Online Casinos - The Excitement of Gambling at Home

Online Casinos - The Excitement of Gambling at Home
Many people who have only played in traditional, land based, casinos do not believe that they can get the same experience at an online casino. Many people have tried buying slot machines for their homes. These machines can be found online without much difficulty. Many of the slot machines that you will find are old ones that were actually used in casinos. They will cost you a few hundred dollars and will work with either slugs or real coins. It seems like a good, inexpensive way to satisfy a craving. Although these home machines are a great novelty when guests come over, they do little more than collect dust on a daily basis. The problem is that there is no dream of instant fortune when playing your own slot machine.
If you are looking for the same excitement as a live casino from your own home then you will want to try an online casino. All you will need is a computer or mobile device and an internet connection. Broadband connections work much better with online casino software than dial up connections. Many casinos will give you the option of using less sophisticated software when using dial up. By using the internet you do not need to travel to the casino. The casino will come to you. You will still experience the same excitement from the comfort of your own home.
Land based casinos are very expensive to build and maintain. Online casinos can be run out of small offices with very few employees. The major expense is licensing the casino software for a few hundred thousand dollars a year. When you compare this to the expense of building a lavish Las Vegas casino you can understand why online casinos are able to offer better odds and bonus programs.
Online casinos are easy to access and have all of the same games as traditional casinos. Slot machines, roulette, black jack, craps, Caribbean Stud Poker, Pai Gow Poker, slot tournaments, blackjack tournaments, etc. Any game that you can find at a land based casino you can now find online and these casinos offer better than Vegas odds. Slot machines are the most popular game in traditional casinos because they are easy to play and offer large payouts. They are also the most popular game online for the same reason.
When choosing an online casino you want to look for a reputable, licensed casino. Licensed online casinos are audited by third party accounting firms. The internet also tends to keep them honest as failure to pay a player quickly becomes known in the online gambling community.
Most online casinos also offer deposit bonuses. These are matches on your deposits designed to get you to try their casino. These bonuses are generally 100 percent on your initial deposit and can go out as many as twenty deposits. There is also usually a limit as to how much the bonus will be. An example would be a 25 dollar deposit with a 100 percent match. You would then have $50 to play with. Once you have played for a predetermined amount of time, you will be able to cash in and collect all of the money.