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Online Casino Beginner's Guide |
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Many gamblers want to take part in the excitement,
fun and convenience of online gambling, but find themselves
held back by a few common concerns. Will my money be safe?
How do I know it's not a scam? What if I don't know how to
play any of the games? In this guide we answer ten of the
most common questions asked by experienced and novice gamblers
about how most virtual casinos operate. Entering an online
casino is a simple process that is as easy as the click of
a mouse and best of all you can do it in the privacy of your
own home without having to fight the crowds. |
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What is a Virtual Casino? |
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A virtual casino is exactly the same as a real
casino. Most sites require you to download an icon to a computer
desktop. With a click of your mouse, you would enter the world
of the Casino's software that you would enter the same way
you would a real building. All sites also offer options for
playing online for free using your browser. If you don't want
to download any software to your computer, there are some
sites that will allow you to play for money online as well.
However the most realistic and nicely designed sites tend
to be the ones that require a download of software to your
desktop. |
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How Are Money Transactions Handled? |
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Almost every site will first ask you to register
on the site and then open an account. Once you have opened
an account you will be asked to deposit money to gamble with
into your account. Some sites will translate these funds into
funds or tokens that can be used to play games. Methods of
payment vary from site to site, but most accept major U.S.
credit cards, Firepay, Netteller, debit card, echecks and
wire transfers. |
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How Do I Know that the Casino is Not Scamming
Me? |
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Online gambling is strictly regulated by international,
national and local laws that ensure that the odds generated
by the computer software are the same as those that can be
attributed to random chance. All of the virtual casinos recommended
on this site have been verified and checked by independent
gaming, consulting, regulatory and licensing agencies. All
of them are verified as having an average payout that is 96%
or more which means that they offer better odds than playing
at a table in Las Vegas. |
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Once I Download the Casino, What Can I Expect? |
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All of these sites use award-winning software
that is designed to be as visually oriented and self-explanatory
as possible. Once you download the software and click on the
icon you will be asked to go to a preferences menu so that
you can format your screen in the way that is best for you.
You will also be asked to open an account and deposit money.
In most cases that money is topped off or matched with a bonus
from the casino. Casinos with state of the art design may
also use live chat help or flash animations to guide you through
the process by asking you what to do next or asking you which
game you would like to play first. You will then be presented
with a graphic or screenshot of the game that you would like
to play. |
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Is There Any Way I Can Practice Playing
Before I Start Betting? |
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Almost every online casino offers an online
demo that allows you to practice playing a game, without having
to lay a bet down first. Downloaded software often features
online prompts, animations and other helpful tools that can
guide you through playing a game so that you never miss a
turn or opportunity to play. Some offer live chat help that
pops up on the side of your screen. If you have never thrown
the dice or spun the wheel before you might also want to consult
our How To Play Games Guide which teaches you how to play
the most popular online games: multiplayer poker, video poker,
slot machines, roulette, baccarat and craps. |
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How Do the Free Bonuses Work? |
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Almost all casinos offer their customers some
kind of cash incentive or frequent player bonuses just for
registering with the site. Some offer customers free chips
or tokens, even if you are just playing online, however most
offer what is called a "match bonus". The amount
of the match bonus is based on a percentage of what you deposit
into your account for gambling. For instance a site might
offer you a 150% bonus. This means that for every $50 dollars
you play with, they will boost your account to $150. Some
sites only offer a bonus on the initial deposit and others
offer you free cash to play with on every new deposit that
you make into your account. For example, for every $100 you
deposit, they might top it off with a straight 20% ($20,00).
Many have simple cashback programs that offer you a penny
back for every dollar you spend or VIP programs that give
you bonuses for playing frequently or depositing large sums
of money. If you use the site's preferred payment method,
for example PayPal or netteller, you might also receive an
additional bonus upon registration. |
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How Do V.I.P or Cashback Programs Work? |
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Almost every casino has some form of a cash
back rewards program. Some ask you to enroll in a V.I.P. or
Loyalty program where you earn points, chips or dollars that
can be redeemed for coupons, special offers or merchandise
in the Casino's online gift shop. Others will offer you a
penny back on every dollar that you put into play on the site.
Usually V.I.P and cashback programs are only offered to those
who download the software. |
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What If There is a Technical Problem? |
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A common fear is that in the middle of a game,
the software will suddenly shut down and confiscate all of
the money in your account. This never happens! One way to
calm your fears is to check out the Casino's policies and
customer service options before you play. Many sites offer
24 hour a day, seven days a week a week toll-free support
by telephone, email and live chat. Usually problems are resolved
within hours, if not minutes. Many of the larger, reputable
sites we have been in operation since the mid-nineties. They
have been able to remain in operation simply because of their
solid reputations as fair houses to play against. |
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Which Game Offers the Best odds? |
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It is common knowledge that progressive video
poker or progressive slot machines pay off the largest amounts
so if you want to win big, those two games are a good place
to start. However, most sites will provide you with a table
or graph in their About Us section, that shows you just what
the payoff rates are for each type of game offered on the
site. |
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If I Win, How Do I get Paid? |
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Most sites offer payment options that allow
you to collect your winnings within a day, if not hours of
your victory. If you win a game, your winnings are often either
credited back to your account, deposited back to your credit
card or sent to you directly by check, PayPal, Western Union
or wire transfer. If you win a game you are often prompted
or directed to a window or menu that will direct you to your
account and the appropriate steps to take to collect your
money. |
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