Monthly Archives: February 2013
Mac Casino Sites in the US
For years one of the most frustrating things about owning a Mac OS or MacBook is that many programs simply were not compatible with the machines. As they run a totally different operating system compared to most Windows based PC’s, it meant that many online casinos simply overlooked the Mac as it was such a niche market.
The continued success of Mac products has almost forced the hand of online casinos to provide a product for these types of users. As it stands many of the larger casino brands now offer specialist Mac download options for their users.
PC – Mac Compatibility
One of the easiest and most common ways around providing for Mac users is simply to provide browser based online casinos. This means that the operating software used to run these types of casinos is almost redundant as they can be run directly from the browser. So whether you are running Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer or some other browser variation, then each will be able to run the client.
The problems arise when making specialist download products specifically for the Mac. Casinos which only have a download function and no instant browser play option means that for a Mac user to play on said casino, they will need to be able to download it to their operating system. As the majority of products don’t cross over between say Windows and iOS based platforms, this becomes a problem.
The global expansion of Mac products has been unprecedented over the last 10 years or so. Throughout their full range of computers, tablets, smartphones and music players, they have managed to sell a staggering amount of products. As they continue to do so well Mac based casino products are likely to continue to rise and the availability of these will also continue to be apparent.
Mobile Integration
Mobile integration into Mac – or Apple- based smartphone and tablet devices causes another major headache for US based casino operators. Whilst they can simply build a browser based product for their PC and laptop users, mobile users will not be able to access these due to the limited availability of flash on their devices.
The only way to overcome this is build a unique standalone casino app. This obviously costs more money for the casino rooms and whilst at the minute these are very limited for US players, as the market grows this should pick up.
Future of Mac Casino products for US based players
The US casino market is just starting to turn a corner with more sites starting to re-accept US based players again. This means integration into the Mac world will be slow for many as they continue to find their feet. But it’s definitely a market which is very lucrative, and casino owners will be keen to tap back into that market.
The future almost certainly lies in the tablet and smartphone markets with the iPad and iPhone being the targets here. These are the future of online gambling as a whole, and with these two products being the most popular in each respected market, you will likely see a lot more casinos offering their services on each product.
Best Mac Casino Site for US Players
As you will have likely picked up from this article so far, Mac options are relatively slim picking for US based casino punters; but there are options out there. The best comes in the form of the Bovada casino. Whilst it does not have a dedicated Mac download version – yet- it’s one of very few to offer a browser based version of its casino client.
New Mac users can enjoy up to $500 from their first deposit. The bonus is an exact match of 100% ranging from $50 to $500. It’s worth noting that Bovada has one of the biggest ranges of casino games in the industry and is also one of the most reputable companies out there.
Deposit Options for US Based Casino Players
The online casino world has radically changed over the past 10 years, especially for US based players. Gone are the days where you can simply sign up and use any old method to play at pretty much any casino you choose. Casinos are much more selective about not only who they let onto their site, but also what deposit options you can choose from.
This guide will hopefully give you an indication of ways in which you can fund your casino account. It is worth noting at this point that some casinos will provide more deposit options than others, so it is worth checking each one before signing up.
Depositing Via American Express (AMEX) At Online Casinos
The American Express card was a worldwide symbol of power and prestige, in terms of baking at least. The card has seen a decline over the years but it’s re-brand into AMEX has seen it come back bigger and stronger. This is now a plausible and popular method of banking with many US based casinos.
Depositing Via Bank Wire At Online Casinos
Bank wiring money is one of the safest forms of depositing funds into your casino account. This is mainly because you are getting the details of your casinos bank, rather than them yours. There are downsides to the bank wire as transactions can often take a few days to process and withdrawals taking up to several weeks. The high rollers often use this method to deposit and withdraw large sums from their accounts, but if you don’t fall into that bracket then you should use an alternate and faster options will be more suitable.
Depositing Via Visa At Online Casinos
Visa is the biggest financing company in the world, and it’s no surprise to see it as one of the main deposit options for US based players. There are many different Visa payment methods to take advantage of including pre-paid debit cards which can be used at cash terminals around the world. The Visa cards are also the easiest way to fund your e-wallets, so even if you are not directly using your Visa credit or debit card to fund your casino account, it may still be a way to bridge the gap in getting money online.
Depositing Via MasterCard At Online Casinos
MasterCard is another brand synonymous with online payments. Unfortunately over the last few years they have made it almost impossible to use their credit cards to deposit into online gambling accounts for US based players. But there are ways around this, one of them being the pre-paid cards from MasterCard. You can simply deposit money from your bank account onto these pre-paid cards before then depositing onto your casino of choice. It may be worth noting at this point that many sites, whilst accepting deposits, will not accept withdrawals to MasterCard’s of any kind.
Depositing Via Pre-paid Cards At Online Casinos
Pre-paid cards are quickly becoming the deposit option of choice for many US based casino players. With the majority of credit card requests being declined by the banks, the pre-paid option allows players to top up their card and simply put their money on to their casino with the minimum of fuss. These top ups can occur online or even via a host of high street shops where money can be transferred across both.
Depositing Via Western Union At Online Casinos
If you can’t use one of the credit card options above, then check to see if the casinos can use a money transfer option such as Western Union or Money Gram. These money transfer services let players use their credit cards and many casinos now accept funds through these methods.
US Casino Bonus Codes
Bonus codes are a marketing tool used by online casino sites. They work just like a coupon code does when you’re buying something online. In most cases, the casino issues a new bonus code, which is then advertised on sites like this one. Then the consumer, or in this case casino player uses that bonus code when they make a deposit at the online casino. In most cases the bonus code gets the casino player a specific amount of free casino money with their deposit.
The bonus code also works as a tracker for the casino sites marketing department, letting them know which advertising venues are working well, and where advertising dollars could likely be better spent elsewhere.
The Welcome Bonus
The most common type of casino bonus code is the “Welcome Bonus Code” which is also called a “First Deposit Bonus Code”. This is the bonus that most online casinos offer brand new players that are making their first ever deposit into the casino account.
For instance, Aladdin’s Gold Casino offers every new player that makes a deposit of at least $25 a 100% deposit bonus.
The Game Specific Bonus
Many welcome bonuses are also game specific bonuses. For instance, above we mentioned that new players at Aladdin’s Gold qualify for a welcome bonus of up to 100% of their initial deposit. However, that’s not actually the best bonus offered by the casino for new players.
Aladdin’s Gold offers a Slots Only bonus for players that aren’t planning to play games like craps, roulette, etc. with their bonus money. This bonus gets the player 200% on their deposit as long as they only use their bonus money, and their initial deposit money to play slots with.
The Reload Casino Bonus
Reload bonuses are actually the #1 bonus offered by online casinos because they show that the casino values the players that they already have. Almost every single casino on the internet features some sort of deposit bonus offer for new players; not all casinos however have grasped the concept of player retention.
Reload bonus codes are generally sent to casino users via email marketing campaigns. They’re most commonly offered during slower seasons, such as summer, on holidays, and on the casino player’s birthday. Be sure to keep your email up to date at your favorite casinos to remain qualified.
No Deposit Casino Bonus
This is probably the most popular style of casino bonus code offered to United States Casino fans, its pure and simple free money! Online casinos offer micro-bonuses to get new players to try out their software. Usually the bonus is around $10, sometimes as high as $100.
Club World Casino for instance is currently offering a $50 free no-deposit bonus for players using the links on this website (there’s no bonus code required because we’ve hard-coded it right into the link!)
How to use a United States Casino Welcome Bonus Code
- First, you’ll choose an online casino to play at, then before visiting that site, just to be sure you don’t get lost hold down your ctrl button while you press the d button on your keyboard and bookmark this page.
- Next, download, and/or sign up for the casino that you’ve chosen.
- Once you’ve downloaded the software, open it, and follow the set up instructions.
- Open the poker lobby and register a new player account.
- Be sure to use the casinos bonus code when you make your deposit!
- Now log in to your new account at Carbon Poker and hit the cashier button.
- Finally, make a deposit that is big enough to qualify you for the bonus.
So what’s the Catch?
The truth is casino bonus codes are legit, and will get casino players some free casino cash. The rub is that there is always always always a catch. Read the bonus code terms and conditions very carefully before you decide that a bonus is the right fit for you. If you’re a lazy reader, that plays specific casino games, at least press CTRL F on the page, and search for the name of the casino game you play so that you can make sure that it’s included in the offer, for the most part however, all slots games are always included in every bonus offer unless that bonus offer is a game specific offer.
Clearing a Casino Bonus Code Offer
Whenever you claim a bonus at an online casino, you’ll have to clear that bonus before you’re able to cash-out any winnings. That’s done by simply playing games at the casino. Let’s say for instance you grab that $50 free at Clubworld Casino. You play a few games, and you hit the progressive jackpot for a couple hundred thousand dollars. Most casinos aren’t just going to let you head to the cashier and cash that out. You’ll have to gamble somewhere between 10 and 30 times your deposit + your bonus amount.
What’s even worse is that when you’re playing with bonus money, you might not even be eligible to win a progressive jackpot. That doesn’t mean you can’t go to the casino and win big, it just means not the progressive. Either way, it’s worth giving the terms and conditions a gander. If you’re ever unsure how bonus clearing works, or what games qualify for which bonuses, and you aren’t really a terms and conditions reader, head back here, we’ll pluck out all of the good parts for you and provide them in our reviews of the casinos.
Craps Betting Tips
We have listed several of Craps Betting Tips to help you make the most of your bets at any craps table. To learn more about how to play craps online check out our article. We also have a free play version available on the site too.
Best Casinos that offer Craps Online
| Rank | Best Craps Casino | Review | More Information | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Casino Titan | Review | 400% Deposit Bonus $7 No-Deposit Bonus |  |
| 2 | Drake Casino | Review | $5000 Deposit Bonus 25 Free Spins |  |
| 3 | Club World Casino | Review | 100% up to $150 Other Games Bonus 100% up to $777 Slots Bonus |  |
Betting the Pass or Don’t Pass Line
The most common bet made at a craps table is made on the pass line. That means that you are betting that the number that the table is shooting for will be rolled before a seven is rolled. The opposite of that bet is a no-pass-line bet. That means that you are betting that the 7, one of the two most commonly rolled numbers on the craps table, will be rolled before the number that the table is betting on is rolled. Betting on the pass line gives the casino a 1.4% advantage over the player.
Betting on the do not pass line reduces the houses edge to 1.36%. It’s not the most popular bet, and cheering when you win by betting against all the other players is generally frowned upon.
However, the single bet that has better odds than the Pass Line is actually the Don’t Pass Line. By betting against the shooter, you get a lower house edge. Maybe you don’t like betting against the shooter and most of the other bettors in a live setting, but at an online casino, it is always the better bet.
Betting the Field
People like betting on the field, the reason that this is a popular bet is because it pays when a bunch of different numbers are rolled, so it looks like a good bet. Keep this in mind: anything in the middle of the table, including the field bet is considered a sucker bet. It’s a sucker bet at the craps table primarily because it is a 1 roll bet.
Players can bet the pass/no-pass line, bet on all of the numbers at the top of the table which is called making a ‘come bet’ because you’re betting that a particular number will be rolled before a 7 is rolled, or bet that those same numbers will not come. All of those bets remain live until a 7 is rolled. If you bet that six will come and six does indeed come, then you win and your bet still stands. If you bet that it will come and it does not, the house keeps the money.
Betting the Hardways
Players can also bet on ‘the hard ways’ which includes 22, 33, 44, and 55 these bets remain live until seven comes, or until a number is rolled, ‘the easy way.’ What your betting is that the player will roll doubles, before rolling the number without rolling doubles. For instance, if the shooter rolls double 2’s, known as rolling the hard 4 (because 2+2 is 4), this bet would win, and remain live. If the player rolled a 3 and a 1 then the bet loses, or a 7 the bet loses.
Never bet Big 6/Big 8
There are some bets called sucker bets that players can actually profit by making. My own favorite are the hard way bets above, which I cover with my line bets. The payoff for betting the Big 6 or the Big 8 is even money, so 1:1 (even money). This idiot bet was literally invented so that husbands and wives that did not know what they were doing could easily learn the game without losing money.
However, if they’d simply thrown their money to the dealer, and bet the Come Bet on 6 and 8, they’d be paid 7:6. So if you bet $10 on the Big 6, and a 6 is rolled, the player wins $10 and their $10 bet back. If they’d bet on the come line, they’d have won $11.66, and their $10 back. Usually however, just so we’re clear, people bet the 6 and 8 on the come line in increments of 6, and the rest of the come line numbers in increments of 5.
Ready to give it a go? Play Free Craps Online now.
How To Play Craps Online
Craps is a one of the most popular table games found in any casino offline or online. The reason that it is so popular in land based casinos is that it is an action packed interactive game that is played with everyone at the table. On any weekend night, playing craps is a just like gambling in a bar with a group of friends, all of which are holding drinks.
Craps is game of chance that involves betting on the outcome of a toss of the dice. Wagers are based on predicting the outcome of the rolled dice.
Best Casinos that offer Craps Online
| Rank | Best Craps Casino | Review | More Information | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Casino Titan | Review | 400% Deposit Bonus $7 No-Deposit Bonus | |
| 2 | Drake Casino | Review | $5000 Deposit Bonus 25 Free Spins | |
| 3 | Club World Casino | Review | 100% up to $150 Other Games Bonus 100% up to $777 Slots Bonus | |
History of Craps
Craps actually evolved from an old English game known as Hazard. Playing it goes back to the time of the Crusades and over time the game of Hazard was altered by French gamblers.
The game of Craps was first made popular by a man named Bernard Xavier Philippe de Marigny de Manderville, who was the child of a prosperous Louisiana landowner, gambler and politician. His version of the game of craps enabled players to take advantage of the casino with fixed dice. It permitted players to place their wagers with or against the person throwing the dice. John H. Winn, a dice maker, started “don’t pass” wagering, which eliminates the opportunity for the house to cheat. If you can bet on the number you bet on either coming, or not coming, then there is no advantage to the casino to make it less possible for numbers to come, or more possible for 7’s to roll.
Playing a Live Game of Craps
Craps tables can feel a bit intimidating to players that have never played the game before. If you want in on a game simply walk up to the table, and tell the dealers, at any reputable casino, that you have never played before. None of the players will mind that you have not played. In fact they think that is lucky as long as you are willing to roll the dice. Players at a craps table usually believe it’s ‘lucky’ to have a virgin roller take the dice.
The dealers will not mind either, as long as you pay attention. A good dealer will even correct you when you make a bet that does not make sense. So for instance, if the dealer tells you to bet one more dollar on the pass line, or to put $10 behind your bet on the pass line, he is giving you solid advice. Dealers usually will not talk you into making bets that do not make sense as far as odds go. Those habits are generally learned from other players at the table, or from bored gamblers that specifically ask for a way to make a bet with terrible odds but a good payout.
Playing Craps without Looking like an Idiot
If you want to play a round of craps, and look as though you know what you are doing, there are a couple of ways to accomplish that. First, start by learning the game online. If you play craps online, while reading craps betting articles, you can teach yourself the best bets, and what they are called, as well as how to place them.
Ready to give it a go? Play Free Craps Online now.
