Most people look at the vast array of slot machines at the casino and think they are all alike. They see a handle, coin slot and flashing lights and figure one is as good as another. What they are missing is a lot of valuable information that can help determine if and how they play a certain slot machine. Not all machines are the same and the way to separate one machine from another is to learn how to “Read” a machine by looking at the pay out schedule on the front. Let's take a look a typical slot machine and see what information can be found.
First of all you will find the denomination of the coin needed to play that machine. I don't know how many times I have seen a person drop a quarter into a machine only to get a confused look when the coin drops through and back into the tray.
Upon closer observation they discover that they tried to put a quarter in a dollar machine. This is the first thing you should look for. There are several types of machines that you need to be aware of:
Multiplier: This machine has a pay out for a certain symbol and the number of coins played multiplies it. If the machine pays 5 coins for three lemons when you play one coin, it would pay 10 for the second coin and 15 for three coins played. This machine does not penalize you for not playing maximum coins. If you plan to play only one coin at a time, this is the type of machine you should look for.
Bonus Multiplier: This machine operates the same as the multiplier except that it offers a bonus when you play maximum coins and hit the jackpot. Three 7's may pay 1,000 for one coin, 2,000 for two coins and 10,000 for maximum coins. You need to decide if the bonus is worth playing the extra coin.
Multiple Payline: These machines have more than one line of play. Each coin activates a particular line. If you hit a winner on a line that is not activated, you will not receive anything. The older machines used to have three lines but the newer video slots can have up to nine lines.
Buy-a-Pay: These are the most misunderstood machines in the casino. Each coin activates a different pay out. You need the maximum coins to receive the largest jackpot. One example is the “Sizzlin 7's” machines. The machine will pay on cherries, bars and sevens. The sevens pay 1,000 coins. If you play one coin you can collect only on the cherries. If you play two coins you can collect on cherries and bars. You need three coins in to collect on the Sizzlin 7's. If you hit the jackpot with one coin in YOU WILL NOT WIN ANYTHING!!! Do not play this machine under any circumstances unless you are playing the maximum coins.
Progressive Slots: The progressive slots take a certain percentage of the money played and add it to a pool for the top jackpot. “Megabucks” or “Quarter Mania” are examples of machines from several casinos linked together to offer a life changing jackpot. Keep in mind that the percentage of the payback on the lesser wins is lowered to allow for the big prize. Some casinos have machines linked together within their own casino to offer mini-progressive jackpots. NEVER PLAY A PROGRESSIVE WITH LESS THAN MAXMIMUM COINS!! There is a story circulating that a lady hit the “Megabucks” when the jackpot was 20 million but because she only had one coin in she collected only $5,000. While this is an Urban Legend there are other cases of people losing out on lesser progressive jackpots because of short coin play.
All of the slot machines have the information you need posted on the front. Before you sit down to play, take a minute to “Read” the machine. This will make you a knowledgeable player and help you determine which machine is best suited for you.
Knowing When To Bluff In Online Poker
When playing online poker it is important that all players (not just the successful ones) know when to make a well timed bluff. The bluff is probably the most talked-about poker concept, although it is not used as often as people believe.
Still, to exclude bluffing from poker would result in an uninteresting game: If you never bluff you become too predicable and will not be able to maximize your winnings, much less win at all. You bluff when you have no chance of winning the pot or when you are trying to steal the pot before all the cards are dealt. In a cash game, it is possible to calculate whether a bluff will be profitable or not.
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To do this, you compare the odds of making a successful bluff to the size of the bet and the size of the pot. Therefore, an important skill is the ability to determine the likelihood that your opponent's will fold.
The following are some factors to consider when deciding whether to bluff or not:
1. - Type of opponent
2. - Number of opponents
3. - Your table image
4. - Your 'reading' skills
5. - The board (if any)
6. - The size of the pot
7. - Your position
Type of opponent:
Do not bluff weak opponents who call with anything (referred to as 'calling stations'). This is the most common mistake. Be sure that your opponent is a good enough player to fold a hand.
Number of opponents:
In general, do not bluff a field of three or more players, especially not in Limit poker. A bluff is much more likely to succeed against one opponent, not only because it is just one player but also because the pot is usually smaller, which makes it less desirable.
Poker Strategy
Your table image:
A bluff is less likely to succeed if you have a loose table image rather than a tight one. If you were recently caught bluffing, your opponents will be more likely to call you in the future, although reverse psychology can occasionally prove beneficial in such situations. For example, if a good player caught you bluffing and he regards you as a good player, he might think you would not dare bluff him again.
Your 'reading' skills:
If you 'read' the game well and are able to put your opponents on likely holdings, you will be able to identify good bluffing opportunities. This is probably the hardest and most important skill to master.
The board:
If the board looks like it could have hit your opponents or presents many drawing possibilities, a bluff is less likely to succeed. Look for boards without many draws or cards that are likely to improve your opponents' hands. If you can represent a hand, the bluff is more likely to succeed. An uncoordinated board with one scare card that you can represent is usually a good bluffing opportunity.
The size of the pot:
Your opponents will be more prone to call if the pot is big because they get better pot odds. On the other hand, if you make a successful bluff in a big pot the reward will also be bigger. This is when good judgement comes into play.
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Position:
If you are sitting in late position, you will usually have more access to information regarding your opponents' hands and, thus, will be in a better situation to bluff. For example, if it is checked to you, the board looks favourable and there are few players in the pot.
It is crucial that you consider all of these concepts when deciding whether to bluff or not.
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