Game of chance

Roulette is a casino game named after the French word meaning little wheel. In the game, players may choose to place bets on either a single number, various groupings of numbers, the colors red or black, whether the number is odd or even, or if the numbers are high (1936) or low (118).

To determine the winning number, a croupier spins a wheel in one direction, then spins a ball in the opposite direction around a tilted circular track running around the outer edge of the wheel. The ball eventually loses momentum, passes through an area of deflectors, and falls onto the wheel and into one of 37 (single zero French/European style roulette) or 38 (double zero American style roulette) colored and numbered pockets on the wheel. The winnings are then paid to anyone who has placed a successful bet.

The first form of roulette was devised in 18th century France. Many historians believe Blaise Pascal introduced a primitive form of roulette in the 17th century in his search for a perpetual motion machine.[1] The roulette mechanism is a hybrid of a gaming wheel invented in 1720 and the Italian game Biribi.[2]

The game has been played in its present form since as early as 1796 in Paris. An early description of the roulette game in its current form is found in a French novel La Roulette, ou le Jour by Jaques Lablee, which describes a roulette wheel in the Palais Royal in Paris in 1796. The description included the house pockets, "There are exactly two slots reserved for the bank, whence it derives its sole mathematical advantage." It then goes on to describe the layout with, "...two betting spaces containing the bank's two numbers, zero and double zero". The book was published in 1801. An even earlier reference to a game of this name was published in regulations for New France (Qubec) in 1758, which banned the games of "dice, hoca, faro, and roulette".[3]

The roulette wheels used in the casinos of Paris in the late 1790s had red for the single zero and black for the double zero. To avoid confusion, the color green was selected for the zeros in roulette wheels starting in the 1800s.

In 1843, in the German spa casino town of Bad Homburg, fellow Frenchmen Franois and Louis Blanc introduced the single 0 style roulette wheel in order to compete against other casinos offering the traditional wheel with single and double zero house pockets.[citation needed]

In some forms of early American roulette wheels, there were numbers 1 through 28, plus a single zero, a double zero, and an American Eagle. The Eagle slot, which was a symbol of American liberty, was a house slot that brought the casino extra edge. Soon, the tradition vanished and since then the wheel features only numbered slots. According to Hoyle "the single 0, the double 0, and eagle are never bars; but when the ball falls into either of them, the banker sweeps every thing upon the table, except what may happen to be bet on either one of them, when he pays twenty-seven for one, which is the amount paid for all sums bet upon any single figure".[4]

In the 19th century, roulette spread all over Europe and the US, becoming one of the most famous and most popular casino games. When the German government abolished gambling in the 1860s, the Blanc family moved to the last legal remaining casino operation in Europe at Monte Carlo, where they established a gambling mecca for the elite of Europe. It was here that the single zero roulette wheel became the premier game, and over the years was exported around the world, except in the United States where the double zero wheel had remained dominant.

In the United States, the French double zero wheel made its way up the Mississippi from New Orleans, and then westward. It was here, because of rampant cheating by both operators and gamblers, that the wheel was eventually placed on top of the table to prevent devices being hidden in the table or wheel, and the betting layout was simplified. This eventually evolved into the American-style roulette game. The American game was developed in the gambling dens across the new territories where makeshift games had been set up, whereas the French game evolved with style and leisure in Monte Carlo.

During the first part of the 20th century, the only casino towns of note were Monte Carlo with the traditional single zero French wheel, and Las Vegas with the American double zero wheel. In the 1970s, casinos began to flourish around the world. By 2008, there were several hundred casinos worldwide offering roulette games. The double zero wheel is found in the U.S., Canada, South America, and the Caribbean, while the single zero wheel is predominant elsewhere.

The sum of all the numbers on the roulette wheel (from 0 to 36) is 666, which is the "Number of the Beast".[5]

Roulette players have a variety of betting options. Placing inside bets is either selecting the exact number of the pocket the ball will land in, or a small range of pockets based on their proximity on the layout. Players wishing to bet on the 'outside' will select bets on larger positional groupings of pockets, the pocket color, or whether the winning number is odd or even[citation needed]The payout odds for each type of bet are based on its probability.

The roulette table usually imposes minimum and maximum bets, and these rules usually apply separately for all of a player's inside and outside bets for each spin. For inside bets at roulette tables, some casinos may use separate roulette table chips of various colors to distinguish players at the table. Players can continue to place bets as the ball spins around the wheel until the dealer announces no more bets or rien ne va plus.

When a winning number and color is determined by the roulette wheel, the dealer will place a marker, also known as a dolly, on that winning number on the roulette table layout. When the dolly is on the table, no players may place bets, collect bets, or remove any bets from the table. The dealer will then sweep away all other losing bets either by hand or rake, and determine all of the payouts to the remaining inside and outside winning bets. When the dealer is finished making payouts, the marker is removed from the board where players collect their winnings and make new bets. The winning chips remain on the board.

In 2004, California legalized a form of roulette known as California Roulette.[6] By law, the game must use cards and not slots on the roulette wheel to pick the winning number.

The pockets of the roulette wheel are numbered from 0 to 36.

In number ranges from 1 to 10 and 19 to 28, odd numbers are red and even are black. In ranges from 11 to 18 and 29 to 36, odd numbers are black and even are red.

There is a green pocket numbered 0 (zero). In American roulette, there is a second green pocket marked 00. Pocket number order on the roulette wheel adheres to the following clockwise sequence in most casinos:[citation needed]

The cloth-covered betting area on a roulette table is known as the layout. The layout is either single-zero or double-zero. The European-style layout has a single zero, and the American style layout is usually a double-zero. The American-style roulette table with a wheel at one end is now used in most casinos. The French style table with a wheel in the centre and a layout on either side is rarely found outside of Monte Carlo.[citation needed]

In roulette, bets can either be inside or outside bets.

Outside bets typically have smaller payouts with better odds at winning. Except as noted, all of these bets lose if a zero comes up.

In the United Kingdom, the farthest outside bets (low/high, red/black, even/odd) result in the player losing only half of his/her bet if a zero comes up.

The expected value of a $1 bet (except for the special case of Top line bets), for American and European roulette, can be calculated as

where n is the number of pockets in the wheel. The initial bet is returned in addition to the mentioned payout. It can be easily demonstrated that this payout formula would lead to a zero expected value of profit if there were only 36 numbers. Having 37 or more numbers gives the casino its edge.

Top line (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) has a different expected value because of approximation of the correct 615-to-1 payout obtained by the formula to 6-to-1. The values 0 and 00 are not odd or even, or high or low.

En prison rules, when used, reduce the house advantage.

The house average or house edge or house advantage (also called the expected value) is the amount the player loses relative for any bet made, on average. If a player bets on a single number in the American game there is a probability of 138 that the player wins 35 times the bet, and a 3738 chance that the player loses his bet. The expected value is:

For European roulette, a single number wins 137 and loses 3637:

For triple-zero wheels, a single number wins 139 and loses 3839:

The presence of the green squares on the roulette wheel and on the table is technically the only house edge. Outside bets will always lose when a single or double zero comes up. However, the house also has an edge on inside bets because the pay outs (including the original player's bet) are always set at 36 to 1 when you mathematically have a 1 out of 38 (1 out of 37 for French/European roulette) chance at winning a straight bet on a single number. To demonstrate the house edge on inside bets, imagine placing straight $1 wagers on all inside numbers (including 0 and 00) to assure a win: you would only get back $36, having spent $38. The only exceptions are the five numbers bet where the house edge is considerably higher (7.89% on an American wheel), and the "even money" bets in some European games (French Roulette) where the house edge is halved because only half the stake is lost when a zero comes up. This is commonly called the "la partage" rule, and it is considered the main difference between European and French roulette. There is also a modification of this rule, which is called the "en prison" rule. These rules cut the house edge into half (1.35%) in French roulette, when playing even-money bets, as half of the even-money bets are given back to the player if the zero is drawn in the wheel.

The house edge should not be confused with the "hold". The hold is the average percentage of the money originally brought to the table that the player loses before he leavesthe actual "win" amount for the casino. The Casino Control Commission in Atlantic City releases a monthly report showing the win/hold amounts for each casino. The average win/hold for double zero wheels is between 21% to 30%, significantly more than the 5.26% house edge. This reflects the fact that the player is churning the same money over and over again. A 23.6% hold, for example, would imply that, on average, the player bets the total he brought to the table five times, as 23.6% is approximately equal to 100% (100% 5.26%)5. For example, a player with $100 making $10 bets on red (which has a near 50/50 chance of winning) is highly unlikely to lose all his money after only 10 bets, and will most likely continue to bet until he has lost all of his money or decides to leave. A player making $10 bets on a single number (with only 1/38 chance of success) with a $100 bankroll is far more likely to lose all of his money after only 10 bets.

In the early frontier gambling saloons, the house would set the odds on roulette tables at 27 for 1. This meant that on a $1 bet you would get $27 and the house would keep your initial dollar. Today most casino odds are set by law, and they have to be either 34 to 1 or 35 to 1. This means that the house pays you $34 or $35 and you get to keep your original $1 bet.

As an example, we can examine the European roulette model, that is, roulette with only one zero. Since this roulette has 37 cells with equal odds of hitting, this is a final model of field probability ( , 2 , P ) {displaystyle (Omega ,2^{Omega },mathbb {P} )} , where = { 0 , , 36 } {displaystyle Omega ={0,ldots ,36}} , P ( A ) = | A | 37 {displaystyle mathbb {P} (A)={frac {|A|}{37}}} for all A 2 {displaystyle Ain 2^{Omega }} .

Call the bet S {displaystyle S} a triple ( A , r , ) {displaystyle (A,r,xi )} , where A {displaystyle A} is the set of chosen numbers, r R + {displaystyle rin mathbb {R} _{+}} is the size of the bet, and : R {displaystyle xi :Omega to mathbb {R} } determines the return of the bet.

The rules of European roulette have 10 types of bets. First we can examine the 'Straight Up' bet. In this case, S = ( { 0 } , r , ) {displaystyle S=({omega _{0}},r,xi )} , for some 0 {displaystyle omega _{0}in Omega } , and {displaystyle xi } is determined by

The bet's expected net return, or profitability, is equal to

Without details, for a bet, black (or red), the rule is determined as

and the profitability

For similar reasons it is simple to see that the profitability is also equal for all remaining types of bets. r 37 {displaystyle -{frac {r}{37}}} .[7]

In reality this means that, the more bets a player makes, the more he is going to lose independent of the strategies (combinations of bet types or size of bets) that he employs:

Here, the profit margin for the roulette owner is equal to approximately 2.7%. Nevertheless, several roulette strategy systems have been developed despite the losing odds. These systems can not change the odds of the game in favor of the player.

It is worth noting that the odds for the player in American roulette are even worse, as the bet profitability is at worst 3 38 r 0.0789 r {displaystyle -{frac {3}{38}}rapprox -0.0789r} , and never better than r 19 0.0526 r {displaystyle -{frac {r}{19}}approx -0.0526r} .

For a roulette wheel with n {displaystyle n} green numbers and 36 other unique numbers the chance of the ball landing on a given number is 1 ( 36 + n ) {displaystyle {frac {1}{(36+n)}}} . For a betting option with p {displaystyle p} numbers that define a win, the chance of winning a bet is p ( 36 + n ) {displaystyle {frac {p}{(36+n)}}}

For example, betting on "red", there are 18 red numbers, p = 18 {displaystyle p=18} , the chance of winning is 18 ( 36 + n ) {displaystyle {frac {18}{(36+n)}}} .

The payout given by the casino for a win is based on the roulette wheel having 36 outcomes and the payout for a bet is given by 36 p {displaystyle {frac {36}{p}}} .

For example, betting on 1-12 there are 12 numbers that define a win, p = 12 {displaystyle p=12} , the payout is 36 12 = 3 {displaystyle {frac {36}{12}}=3} , so the better wins 3 times their bet.

The average return on a player's bet is given by p ( 36 + n ) 36 p = 36 ( 36 + n ) {displaystyle {frac {p}{(36+n)}}times {frac {36}{p}}={frac {36}{(36+n)}}}

For n > 0 {displaystyle n>0} the average return is always lower than 1 so on average a player will lose money.With 1 green number n = 1 {displaystyle n=1} the average return is 36 37 {displaystyle {frac {36}{37}}} , that is, after a bet the player will on average have 36 37 {displaystyle {frac {36}{37}}} of their original bet returned to them.With 2 green numbers n = 2 {displaystyle n=2} the average return is 36 38 {displaystyle {frac {36}{38}}} .

This shows that the expected return is independent of the choice of bet.

Although most often named "call bets" technically these bets are more accurately referred to as "announced bets". The legal distinction between a "call bet" and an "announced bet" is that a "call bet" is a bet called by the player without him placing any money on the table to cover the cost of the bet. In many jurisdictions (most notably the United Kingdom) this is considered gambling on credit and is illegal. An "announced bet" is a bet called by the player for which he immediately places enough money to cover the amount of the bet on the table, prior to the outcome of the spin or hand in progress being known.

There are different number series in roulette that have special names attached to them. Most commonly these bets are known as "the French bets" and each covers a section of the wheel. For the sake of accuracy, zero spiel, although explained below, is not a French bet, it is more accurately "the German bet". Players at a table may bet a set amount per series (or multiples of that amount). The series are based on the way certain numbers lie next to each other on the roulette wheel. Not all casinos offer these bets, and some may offer additional bets or variations on these.[citation needed]

This is a name, more accurately "grands voisins du zro", for the 17 numbers that lie between 22 and 25 on the wheel, including 22 and 25 themselves. The series is 22-18-29-7-28-12-35-3-26-0-32-15-19-4-21-2-25 (on a single-zero wheel).

Nine chips or multiples thereof are bet. Two chips are placed on the 0-2-3 trio; one on the 4-7 split; one on 12-15; one on 18-21; one on 19-22; two on the 25-26-28-29 corner; and one on 32-35.

Zero game, also known as zero spiel (Spiel is German for game or play), is the name for the numbers closest to zero. All numbers in the zero game are included in the voisins, but are placed differently. The numbers bet on are 12-35-3-26-0-32-15.

The bet consists of four chips or multiples thereof. Three chips are bet on splits and one chip straight-up: one chip on 0-3 split, one on 12-15 split, one on 32-35 split and one straight-up on number 26.

This type of bet is popular in Germany and many European casinos. It is also offered as a 5-chip bet in many Eastern European casinos. As a 5-chip bet, it is known as "zero spiel naca" and includes, in addition to the chips placed as noted above, a straight-up on number 19.

This is the name for the 12 numbers that lie on the opposite side of the wheel between 27 and 33, including 27 and 33 themselves. On a single-zero wheel, the series is 27-13-36-11-30-8-23-10-5-24-16-33. The full name (although very rarely used, most players refer to it as "tiers") for this bet is "le tiers du cylindre" (translated from French into English meaning one third of the wheel) because it covers 12 numbers (placed as 6 splits), which is as close to 13 of the wheel as one can get.

Very popular in British casinos, tiers bets outnumber voisins and orphelins bets by a massive margin.

Six chips or multiples thereof are bet. One chip is placed on each of the following splits: 5-8, 10-11, 13-16, 23-24, 27-30, and 33-36.

The tiers bet is also called the "small series" and in some casinos (most notably in South Africa) "series 5-8".

A variant known as "tiers 5-8-10-11" has an additional chip placed straight up on 5, 8, 10, and 11m and so is a 10-piece bet. In some places the variant is called "gioco Ferrari" with a straight up on 8, 11, 23 and 30, the bet is marked with a red G on the racetrack.

These numbers make up the two slices of the wheel outside the tiers and voisins. They contain a total of 8 numbers, comprising 17-34-6 and 1-20-14-31-9.

Five chips or multiples thereof are bet on four splits and a straight-up: one chip is placed straight-up on 1 and one chip on each of the splits: 6-9, 14-17, 17-20, and 31-34.

A number may be backed along with the two numbers on the either side of it in a 5-chip bet. For example, "0 and the neighbors" is a 5-chip bet with one piece straight-up on 3, 26, 0, 32, and 15. Neighbors bets are often put on in combinations, for example "1, 9, 14, and the neighbors" is a 15-chip bet covering 18, 22, 33, 16 with one chip, 9, 31, 20, 1 with two chips and 14 with three chips.

Any of the above bets may be combined, e.g. "orphelins by 1 and zero and the neighbors by 1". The "...and the neighbors" is often assumed by the croupier.

Another bet offered on the single-zero game is "final", "finale" or "finals".

Final 4, for example, is a 4-chip bet and consists of one chip placed on each of the numbers ending in 4, that is 4, 14, 24, and 34. Final 7 is a 3-chip bet, one chip each on 7, 17, and 27. Final bets from final 0 (zero) to final 6 cost four chips. Final bets 7, 8 and 9 cost three chips.

Some casinos also offer split-final bets, for example final 5-8 would be a 4-chip bet, one chip each on the splits 5-8, 15-18, 25-28, and one on 35.

A complete bet places all of the inside bets on a certain number. Full complete bets are most often bet by high rollers as maximum bets.

The maximum amount allowed to be wagered on a single bet in European roulette is based on a progressive betting model. If the casino allows a maximum bet of $1,000 on a 35-to-1 straight-up, then on each 17-to-1 split connected to that straight-up, $2,000 may be wagered. Each 8-to-1 corner that covers four numbers) may have $4,000 wagered on it. Each 11-to-1 street that covers three numbers may have $3,000 wagered on it. Each 5-to-1 six-line may have $6,000 wagered on it. Each $1,000 incremental bet would be represented by a marker that is used to specifically identify the player and the amount bet.

For instance, if a patron wished to place a full complete bet on 17, the player would call "17 to the maximum". This bet would require a total of 40 chips, or $40,000. To manually place the same wager, the player would need to bet:

The player calls his bet to the croupier (most often after the ball has been spun) and places enough chips to cover the bet on the table within reach of the croupier. The croupier will immediately announce the bet (repeat what the player has just said), ensure that the correct monetary amount has been given while simultaneously placing a matching marker on the number on the table and the amount wagered.

The payout for this bet if the chosen number wins is 392 chips, in the case of a $1000 straight-up maximum, $40,000 bet, a payout of $392,000. The player's wagered 40 chips, as with all winning bets in roulette, are still his property and in the absence of a request to the contrary are left up to possibly win again on the next spin.

Based on the location of the numbers on the layout, the number of chips required to "complete" a number can be determined.

Most typically (Mayfair casinos in London and other top-class European casinos) with these maximum or full complete bets, nothing (except the aforementioned maximum button) is ever placed on the layout even in the case of a win. Experienced gaming staff, and the type of customers playing such bets, are fully aware of the payouts and so the croupier simply makes up the correct payout, announces its value to the table inspector (floor person in the U.S.) and the customer, and then passes it to the customer, but only after a verbal authorization from the inspector has been received.

Also typically at this level of play (house rules allowing) the experienced croupier caters to the needs of the customer and will most often add the customer's winning bet to the payout, as the type of player playing these bets very rarely bets the same number two spins in succession. For example, the winning 40-chip / $40,000 bet on "17 to the maximum" pays 392 chips / $392,000. The experienced croupier would pay the player 432 chips / $432,000, that is 392 + 40, with the announcement that the payout "is with your bet down".

There are also several methods to determine the payout when a number adjacent to a chosen number is the winner, for example, player bets 40 chips on "23 to the maximum" and number 26 is the winning number. The most notable method is known as the "station" system or method. When paying in stations, the dealer counts the number of ways or stations that the winning number hits the complete bet. In the example above, 26 hits 4 stations - 2 different corners, 1 split and 1 six-line. The dealer takes the number 4, multiplies it by 30 and adds the remaining 8 to the payout: 4 30 = 120, 120 + 8 = 128. If calculated as stations, they would just multiply 4 by 36, making 144 with the players bet down.

In some casinos, a player may bet full complete for less than the table straight-up maximum, for example, "number 17 full complete by $25" would cost $1000, that is 40 chips each at $25 value.

Over the years, many people have tried to beat the casino, and turn roulettea game designed to turn a profit for the houseinto one on which the player expects to win. Most of the time this comes down to the use of betting systems, strategies which say that the house edge can be beaten by simply employing a special pattern of bets, often relying on the "Gambler's fallacy", the idea that past results are any guide to the future (for example, if a roulette wheel has come up 10 times in a row on red, that red on the next spin is any more or less likely than if the last spin was black).

All betting systems that rely on patterns, when employed on casino edge games will result, on average, in the player losing money.[citation needed] In practice, players employing betting systems may win, and may indeed win very large sums of money, but the losses (which, depending on the design of the betting system, may occur quite rarely) will outweigh the wins. Certain systems, such as the Martingale, described below, are extremely risky, because the worst-case scenario (which is mathematically certain to happen, at some point) may see the player chasing losses with ever-bigger bets until he runs out of money.

The American mathematician Patrick Billingsley said[8] that no betting system can convert a subfair game into a profitable enterprise.At least in the 1930s, some professional gamblers were able to consistently gain an edge in roulette by seeking out rigged wheels (not difficult to find at that time) and betting opposite the largest bets.

Whereas betting systems are essentially an attempt to beat the fact that a geometric series with initial value of 0.95 (American roulette) or 0.97 (European roulette) will inevitably over time tend to zero, engineers instead attempt to overcome the house edge through predicting the mechanical performance of the wheel, most notably by Joseph Jagger at Monte Carlo in 1873. These schemes work by determining that the ball is more likely to fall at certain numbers. If effective, they raise the return of the game above 100%, defeating the betting system problem.

Edward O. Thorp (the developer of card counting and an early hedge-fund pioneer) and Claude Shannon (a mathematician and electronic engineer best known for his contributions to information theory) built the first wearable computer to predict the landing of the ball in 1961. This system worked by timing the ball and wheel, and using the information obtained to calculate the most likely octant where the ball would fall. Ironically, this technique works best with an unbiased wheel though it could still be countered quite easily by simply closing the table for betting before beginning the spin.

In 1982, several casinos in Britain began to lose large sums of money at their roulette tables to teams of gamblers from the USA. Upon investigation by the police, it was discovered they were using a legal system of biased wheel-section betting. As a result of this, the British roulette wheel manufacturer John Huxley manufactured a roulette wheel to counteract the problem.

The new wheel, designed by George Melas, was called "low profile" because the pockets had been drastically reduced in depth, and various other design modifications caused the ball to descend in a gradual approach to the pocket area. In 1986, when a professional gambling team headed by Billy Walters won $3.8 million using the system on an old wheel at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City, every casino in the world took notice, and within one year had switched to the new low-profile wheel.

Thomas Bass, in his book The Eudaemonic Pie (1985) (published as The Newtonian Casino in Britain), has claimed to be able to predict wheel performance in real time. The book describes the exploits of a group of University of California Santa Cruz students, who called themselves the Eudaemons, who in the late 1970s used computers in their shoes to win at roulette. This is an updated and improved version of Edward O. Thorp's approach, where NewtonianLaws of Motion are applied to track the roulette ball's deceleration; hence the British title.

In the early 1990s, Gonzalo Garcia-Pelayo believed that casino roulette wheels were not perfectly random, and that by recording the results and analysing them with a computer, he could gain an edge on the house by predicting that certain numbers were more likely to occur next than the 1-in-36 odds offered by the house suggested. This he did at the Casino de Madrid in Madrid, Spain, winning 600,000 euros in a single day, and one million euros in total. Legal action against him by the casino was unsuccessful, it being ruled that the casino should fix its wheel.[9][10]

To defend against exploits like these, many casinos use tracking software, use wheels with new designs, rotate wheel heads, and randomly rotate pocket rings.[11]

At the Ritz London casino in March 2004, two Serbs and a Hungarian used a laser scanner hidden inside a mobile phone linked to a computer to predict the sector of the wheel where the ball was most likely to drop. They netted 1.3m in two nights.[12] They were arrested and kept on police bail for nine months, but eventually released and allowed to keep their winnings as they had not interfered with the casino equipment.[13]

The numerous even-money bets in roulette have inspired many players over the years to attempt to beat the game by using one or more variations of a martingale betting strategy, wherein the gambler doubles the bet after every loss, so that the first win would recover all previous losses, plus win a profit equal to the original bet. The problem with this strategy is that, remembering that past results do not affect the future, it is possible for the player to lose so many times in a row, that the player, doubling and redoubling his bets, either runs out of money or hits the table limit. A large financial loss is certain in the long term if the player continued to employ this strategy. Another strategy is the Fibonacci system, where bets are calculated according to the Fibonacci sequence. Regardless of the specific progression, no such strategy can statistically overcome the casino's advantage, since the expected value of each allowed bet is negative.

The Labouchre System is a progression betting strategy like the martingale but does not require the gambler to risk his stake as quickly with dramatic double-ups. The Labouchere System involves using a series of numbers in a line to determine the bet amount, following a win or a loss. Typically, the player adds the numbers at the front and end of the line to determine the size of the next bet. When he wins, he crosses out numbers and continues working on the smaller line. If he loses, then he adds his previous bet to the end of the line and continues to work on the longer line. This is a much more flexible progression betting system and there is much room for the player to design his initial line to his own playing preference.

This system is one that is designed so that when the player has won over a third of his bets (less than the expected 18/38), he will win. Whereas the martingale will cause ruin in the event of a long sequence of successive losses, the Labouchre system will cause bet size to grow quickly even where a losing sequence is broken by wins. This occurs because as the player loses, the average bet size in the line increases.

As with all other betting systems, the average value of this system is negative.

The system, also called montant et demontant (from French, meaning upwards and downwards), is often called a pyramid system. It is based on a mathematical equilibrium theory devised by a French mathematician of the same name. Like the martingale, this system is mainly applied to the even-money outside bets, and is favored by players who want to keep the amount of their bets and losses to a minimum. The betting progression is very simple: After each loss, you add one unit to the next bet, and after each win, one unit is deducted from the next bet. Starting with an initial bet of, say, 1 unit, a loss would raise the next bet to 2 units. If this is followed by a win, the next bet would be 1 units.

This betting system relies on the gambler's fallacythat the player is more likely to lose following a win, and more likely to win following a loss.

There are numerous other betting systems that rely on this fallacy, or that attempt to follow 'streaks' (looking for patterns in randomness), varying bet size accordingly.

Many betting systems are sold online and purport to enable the player to 'beat' the odds. One such system was advertised by Jason Gillon of Rotherham, UK, who claimed you could 'earn 200 daily' by following his betting system, described as a 'loophole'. As the system was advertised in the UK press, it was subject to Advertising Standards Authority regulation, and following a complaint, it was ruled by the ASA that Mr. Gillon had failed to support his claims you could earn 200 daily, and that he had failed to show that there was any loophole.

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Roulette - Wikipedia

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Electrode, Comp-8848eaf3-b8bd-4588-9d15-e7e1e1c1fb47, DC-scus-prod-a1, ENV-prod-a, PROF-PROD, VER-9.46.0, SHA-a6119a0834c31fc055d84c7c9de84541b3208eff, CID-8cd94e98-007-174a3bafaaf8cc, Generated: Sat, 19 Sep 2020 00:19:34 GMT

Electrode, Comp-8848eaf3-b8bd-4588-9d15-e7e1e1c1fb47, DC-scus-prod-a1, ENV-prod-a, PROF-PROD, VER-9.46.0, SHA-a6119a0834c31fc055d84c7c9de84541b3208eff, CID-8cd94e98-007-174a3bafaaf8cc, Generated: Sat, 19 Sep 2020 00:19:34 GMT

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Roulette - Walmart.com

Knowing which type of bet to make is important for players who want to hodl their own at the roulette table.

Each table will carry a placard describing the minimum and maximum bets at the table. For example, it might read, "Roulette. $5 minimum inside bets, $5 minimum outside bets. $1,000 maximum outside, $100 maximum inside." Table maximums usually are lower on inside bets because of the higher payoffs offered. The odds are exactly the same as on outside bets, but most casinos are loath to risk losing $35,000 at one shot on a $1,000 bet on one number.

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Though the listed minimums for inside and outside bets are likely to be the same, they don't mean the same thing. A player betting the $5 minimum on inside bets is allowed to spread five $1 chips around on different bets on the inside. However, the minimum for outside bets means the player must wager the entire $5 on each outside bet. Betting $1 on evens, $1 on red, $1 on the first 12, $1 on the first 18, and $1 on the first column doesn't satisfy the minimum.

The player may make any of the bets by placing a chip or chips on the appropriate spot. However, the size of the table may make it difficult to reach some betting areas. To place a bet you can't reach, put the chips on the table and ask the dealer to put them on the desired bet for you. If you aren't sure how to make outside or inside bets, check the information below.

Red or black: There are 18 numbers with red backgrounds and 18 with black backgrounds. A bet on red pays off if the ball stops in the slot by any of the 18 red numbers; a bet on black pays off if the ball lands on any of the black numbers. A winning red or black bet pays even money -- the player keeps the original bet and gets an equal amount in winnings.

Odd or even: Another even-money bet. The player is betting that either one of the 18 odd numbers (1, 3, 5, and so forth) or one of the 18 even numbers (2, 4, 6, and so forth) will be chosen.

1 through 18, 19 through 36: Also for even money, a bet on whether the ball will stop on any of the first 18 numbers or any of the last 18 numbers.

The house gets its edge from 0 and 00 -- they are neither red nor black, neither odd nor even, neither part of the first 18 nor the last 18. If the ball lands on 0 or 00, all even-money bets -- in fact, all outside bets -- lose.

In casinos offering a French wheel with the en prison rule, the player does not lose an even money bet when the 0 comes up. Instead, the bet is "in prison" -- the player does not lose the wager, but it remains in effect for the next spin. If the bet wins on the next spin, it is released, and the player may pull it back. The bet may not remain in prison on consecutive spins -- a second consecutive 0 makes the bet a loser. This is a very favorable rule for the player, and one that is rare in the United States.

Dozens: Wagers on the first 12 numbers, second 12, or third 12 pay 2-1.

Columns: Wagers on any of the three columns on the grid pay 2-1. Because the grid is arranged in 12 rows of three consecutive numbers (1-2-3 is the first row, 4-5-6 the second, and so on), each number in a column is three higher than the one before.

Single number: Bets on individual numbers, including 0 and 00, are placed by putting a chip or chips fully inside a numbered box. If a single-number bet hits, it pays 35-1. (Remember, however, that the true odds are 37-1.)

Split: This is a wager on two numbers, and it pays 17-1. Make a split bet by placing a chip so that it straddles the line between two numbers.

Street: A three-number bet, paying 11-1, is made by placing a chip on the line separating outside bets from the inside, indicating a row of three consecutive numbers.

Corner: A chip is placed at the intersection of a horizontal line with a vertical line inside the layout. This indicates a bet on the four adjacent numbers, and it pays 8-1.

Five-number: For the worst bet on the table, place a chip so that it lies on the line separating the inside from the outside, while straddling the horizontal line between 0-00 and 1-2-3. This bet pays 6-1 and carries a 7.89 percent house edge. The five-number bet does not exist on the French wheel because of the absence of 00.

Double street: Just as on the street bet, place a chip on the line separating the outside from the inside, but let it straddle the horizontal line between two rows. That gives you six numbers in two consecutive three-number rows, and the bet pays 5-1.

Special note: Watch for your payoffs. On winning inside bets, most dealers will push the winnings to you but leave the original bet in place. After the dealer has finished payoffs and is ready for the next round of bets, it is up to you to move the original bet if you do not want to make the same wager. Some dealers will leave the winnings on the layout, and if you do not wish to bet it all on the next spin, you must remove it. It is common for the dealer to leave the winnings on outside bets next to the original bet. It is up to you to move the chips when the dealer is ready.

Continued here:

Roulette Basics | HowStuffWorks

COVID-19 has turned the gambling world upside down in many respects. First, it convinced many regulatory bodies to shut down land-based casinos for a while.

Now, the coronavirus has caused the same regulators to impose social distancing standards on casinos. The latter must use various measures to minimize the chances of gamblers contracting COVID-19.

These measures include:

Land-based casino gambling definitely isnt the same as it was before the coronavirus. However, most games are still running.

Two of the only exceptions, though, include craps and roulette. Casinos in many jurisdictions arent allowed to run either of these games.

Why have roulette and craps got the axe during the pandemic? You can find out below as I cover the basic nature of these games along with why theyre not perfectly suited for the COVID-19 era.

Playing craps for real money is one of the most exciting activities in the casino. Players typically like betting on the shooter winning, which means that they all wager in a similar fashion.

In turn, these gamblers cheer together when the shooter is successful. This scenario creates a team-like atmosphere.

Some gamblers even high five each other during a hot streak. Theyre so excited about their good fortunes that theyre willing to fist bumps strangers.

Another noteworthy aspect of craps is the dice. Each gambler gets an opportunity to act as the shooter.

Most players accept their turn as the shooter. After all, who doesnt want to roll the dice in an effort to help everybody win!?

Of course, different gamblers touching the dice isnt desirable during the pandemic. Neither is touching hands when celebrating wins.

A roulette round starts with gamblers placing chips on the desired betting spaces. If somebody wants to wager on the number 15, for example, theyll lay their chips on the 15 spot.

The roulette table is only so big. Therefore, players sometimes lean over each other in order to make wagers. Gamblers have limited time to place their bets too. Once the dealer yells no more bets, no one is allowed place any more chips down.

This urgency, combined with a relatively small betting board, means that players tend to come into contact with each other.

Once the betting round is over, gamblers watch the spinning wheel in anticipation. They normally dont high five strangers like in craps, but they might do so with any friends at the table.

You may already have an impression on why roulette and craps arent great options with the coronavirus floating around. But Id still like to provide more in-depth analysis on why these games are shut down below.

Craps and roulette are two of the most-popular gambling games. Depending upon the specific night, they may entertain over a dozen gamblers at once.

These crowds definitely amp up the excitement when youre playing. However, they also increase the likelihood of germs being spread.

Of course, casinos could institute a social distancing policy for these tables. It would be much tougher for gambling establishments to enforce these policies, though, with craps and roulette.

These games arent like slot machines, where players are stationary the entire time. Instead, they call on players to stand and move around at different points.

Both of these games see gamblers touch each other in different manners. For craps, players mingle when celebrating a shooters hot streak.

In roulette, people come in contact when placing their chips on the table. They sometimes wait until the wheel begins spinning and put chips down in a hurried manner.

Most casino games dont require players to touch each other at all. For example, youre unlikely to see baccarat or blackjack players first bump each other after wins. Therefore, the majority of games are considered acceptable during the pandemic.

Craps is easily one of the most-social casino games. It sees gamblers cheer together and place the same type of bets.

Roulette may not be as vibrant as the craps table. Nevertheless, it still features plenty of conversation between gamblers due to the close proximity.

As the term social distancing suggest, though, social games arent entirely desirable right now. They have a greater tendency to spread the coronavirus.

Craps games only use one set of dice. Therefore, gamblers pass the dice down the table whenever its a new shooters turn.

Unless theyre germaphobes, most people dont pay a second thought to handing dice around. However, passing the cubes carries much more significance these days.

Of course, casinos could easily have their employees clean dice off after every turn. But this would require workers to clean yet one another thing in the casino.

Casinos arent thrilled that they must cut out two of their most-popular games. That said, the gaming industry is wondering when theyll get to offer craps and roulette again.

As of now, nobody really knows when these games are fully coming back. Gaming regulatory bodies are largely left to make this decision.

They could hurry and rush roulette and craps back. This move would allow casinos to begin capitalizing on these games as soon as possible.

The downside for gamblers, though, is that the odds of getting COVID-19 increase if the gaming world re-introduces these games. Then, any regulatory body that approved craps and roulette would take serious negative press.

Casinos probably wont be allowed to offer these games until the coronavirus is a much smaller threat. Until then, theyll remain sidelined for the foreseeable future.

Chances are, you arent able to play roulette or craps in your local casino. Luckily, though, you do have the following options for enjoying these games.

Internet casinos have been COVID-resistant. They offer all of their games in cyberspace and dont require players to physically visit.

Of course, online roulette and craps dont quite compare to the real deals in terms of atmosphere. Land-based casinos offer a more-exciting environment.

Nevertheless, gaming sites at least present a valid way to play online craps and roulette. They offer high-quality games that can be played for stakes as low as $1.

Not everybody is a fan of playing online craps and roulette. Theyd rather enjoy something closer to the real experience rather than virtual versions.

Heres where live dealer casinos come into the fold. A live gaming site features a real dealer and table. The only difference is that youre viewing this authentic experience through your smartphone or computer.

If you dont want to risk catching COVID-19, yet still desire the land-based casino feeling, then live casinos are the answer. Almost every live gaming site offers roulette.

Unfortunately, no live dealer outfits feature craps at this time. Assuming youre mostly in the mood for roulette, though, then this aspect wont bother you.

Most brick-and-mortar casinos have reopened across the world. As discussed before, though, many are operating at limited capacity and with several restrictions in place.

If you dont want to be forced to wear a mask and sit six feet apart from everybody, you might consider visiting a destination with lighter restrictions.

The majority of countries are quite strict about wearing mask and keeping your distance. But youll find more-lax casinos in certain nations (e.g. Sweden).

Im not suggesting to increase your risk of getting the coronavirus. However, casinos that ignore safeguards make it feel like youre gambling in the pre-COVID days.

Casinos didnt suddenly fall out of love with craps and roulette. Instead, theyve been forced to shelve these games due to their social natures.

Both roulette and craps see players touch each other when placing bets and/or celebrating wins. Gamblers dont normally mind bumping into other players, but theyre not particularly fond of doing so now.

Rather than make a monumental effort to separate craps and roulette players, casinos have simply shut these games down. In some cases, theyve been required to do so by local gambling jurisdictions.

If youre somebody who loves roulette and/or craps, you can still enjoy these games online. You may need to get used to playing online until casino jurisdictions finally roll out the craps and roulette tables again.

Read the rest here:

How COVID-19 Affected Craps and Roulette - Coronavirus and Casinos - BestUSCasinos.org

Roulette is one of the most popular casino games, both in real life and online. Heres how to play the game.

(Newswire.net -- September 12, 2020) -- Roulette is a game that has been loved by casino players for centuries. It is believed to have been devised in France in the 18th century, and has been played in its current form since 1796.

Roulette is as popular now as it has always been, and is especially popular online. If you want to play roulette with a live dealer, all you have to do is log onto an online casino. Playing online roulette is extremely popular because you dont have to dress up formally, and can do it from the comfort of your own home.

If you are wondering what roulette and how you play it, read on:

What is a roulette wheel?

Roulette is played with a roulette wheel. This consists of a spinning disk that has 36 divisions that revolve at the base of this wheel. These divisions are numbered from 1 to 36, and are painted black and red. In number ranges from 1 to 10 and 19 to 28, odd numbers are red and even are black. In ranges from 11 to 18 and 29 to 36, odd numbers are black and even are red. The numbers are in a seemingly random order. After someone makes a bet, a ball is placed into the spinning wheel.

How is roulette played?

To play roulette, people place bets on where they think the ball will land when the wheel stops spinning. They bet by placing chips on a betting mat, and can place bets like:

Bets like these are called outside bets, as they have a higher chance of winning and therefore have lower payouts.

If you want to take more of a risk, you can place an inside bet. These are bets that have a lower chance of winning, and therefore have a higher payout, meaning you could win more money. Here are some examples of an inside bet:

Why you should play roulette online

Although this game is at the center of many real-life casinos, it has been just as popular to play this revered game online. Not only is it a much easier way of playing, but there may also be bigger payouts.

Playing roulette on an online casino can also be extra fun as there are often massive payouts as well as other bonuses that you are unlikely to get at a real casino. Moreover, if you are a newcomer to the world of roulette, you can start at a table that is better suited for you, instead of betting at a complex level.

The rest is here:

The Rules of Roulette: How To Play - Newswire

Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

An adviser to President Donald Trumpsaid he was playing a game of Russian roulette by holding a rally indoors in Nevada this weekend, according to theNew York Times.

Trump faced criticism due to his decision to break Nevada coronavirus laws, which only allow a maximum of 50 people at an indoor gathering, by holding a rally in the state. Nevada GovernorSteve Sisolak (D) went off on the president following the rally, bashing him for showing callous disregard in a reckless, selfish, irresponsible way.

The decision to hold a rally indoors was, according to Trump officials, the campaigns last resort, as they unsuccessfully attempted to lockdown five other outdoor locations.

Now Trump is facing backlash from members of his own administration. The adviser who spoke to the New York Times noted that the president faced internal criticism following his decision to hold the rally. He added that the Trump campaign was taking a cavalier approach to the pandemic, noting that it could backfire politically.

But the decision to forge ahead created a wave of internal backlash, including from a top Trump adviser who said the president was playing a game of Russian roulette in holding the indoor rally, wrote theTimes.Some of the presidents most vocal defenders outside of the administration agreed.

EvenAri Fleischer,a Trump supporter and former White House press secretary for President George W. Bush,took to Twitter to share his disapproval:

Have a tip we should know? [emailprotected]

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Trump Adviser Tells NYT Indoor Rallies Are Like Russian Roulette That Created a Wave of Internal Backlash - Mediaite

Evolution Gaming (OTCPK:EVVTY), the live casino gaming provider, is revolutionizing the way people gamble. The company has seen phenomenal share price growth since it first listed back in 2015, with shares standing up 3,400% over the period. The company has transitioned into a 'must-have' service for many online casinos, offering the most entertaining gambling experience. The company now trades off a pricey valuation after the run-up, but I don't see growth slowing down any time soon as more casinos look to Evolution for their live casino needs.

First, I will explain what Evolution Gaming actually does and why I believe their future is so promising. Evolution Gaming develops, produces, markets, and licenses B2B live casino solutions to gambling operators. It is also the leading B2B provider of live casino systems, which has played a huge part in networking and building their brand presence. Evolution operates many studios across Europe and North America where they then distribute their live casino content to online gambling operators across the globe. These games can span from Live Roulette and Blackjack to their most innovative games such as 'Dreamcatcher' and more recent release 'Crazy Time'.

Source: livecasino24.com - 'Dreamcatcher' wheel

Since the release of 'Dreamcatcher' back in 2017 time, the company has seen the large opportunity in supplying new innovative games to the gambling market. Previously, gambling has mostly been associated with games such as that of Roulette, Baccarat, and Blackjack - games you mostly find in normal casinos but are now also available online. Evolution Gaming was at the forefront of this 'online gambling revolution' and supplied much of this live casino content. However, they have now also branched off to increase this entertainment factor with the launch of 'Dreamcatcher', using more engaging hosts and bringing more energy into the gambling industry. Since the initial success of 'Dreamcatcher', the company has launched two other wheels; 'Monopoly Wheel' and 'Crazy Time'. These more interactive games have now become the forefront of their offerings with other games such as live 'Deal or No Deal' and a reformed 'lightning' roulette also being introduced. This product development cycle is at the crux of Evolution providing shareholder value. In 2019 alone, Evolution launched 10 new games.

Evolution takes a commission from the gambling operator for the revenues they make from the end-user playing at their Live Casino games. They also charge a fixed fee to have access to the games they offer.

Evolution has also started to offer private tables allowing certain gaming operators to reserve tables just for that site and tailor it to their needs. This includes offering native speakers and giving VIP services.

The company wants to change the way people gamble and attract different players to their games, the CEO highlighted this in their Annual Report:

Our ambition is not only to create new experiences for returning casino players, but also games that attract completely new player types and that expand the live vertical in new segments.

Due to this innovation, Evolution's offerings have become a 'must-have' for many casino partners. Many people who now use providers to gamble largely expect the casino to offer Evolution's games, and if they don't, they could quickly lose customers. This expectation is what I believe will further fuel growth as Evolution brings the entertainment factor to the industry.

Evolution Gaming has seen phenomenal growth, continually exceeding market expectations. The growth has been so strong that the company has had to open new studios in order to have the capacity to meet demand. Reinvestment into their studios to create the best studio experience also plays into attracting more people to their live casino offerings. It is this that separates Evolution from its competitors. Others struggle to offer the breadth in terms of gaming availability that Evolution offers. Evolution's customers are the leading online casinos across the world, including the likes of Betfair and William Hill (a subsidiary of GVC Holdings (OTCPK:GMVHF)). The European casino market has seen huge growth, but Evolution has exceeded it. In 2019, the live casino market in Europe grew 39%, while Evolution grew 49%. Evolution Gaming is not simply 'riding the wave' but also gaining market share and increasing awareness for all its products in the industry.

Digging into the financials for the full-year 19, Evolution saw a huge surge in revenues, which jumped to $435 million, while EBITDA jumped 70% to $216 million. The overall profit for the year was 136 million, up 79% from the prior year. Much of the growth achieved on the year was fuelled by a mix of new partnerships with more casinos as the company expanded its reach and an increase in demand from end-users.

Source: Annual Report - 2019

It is Evolution Gaming's product development line which remains so vital to its success. The company must continue to develop new games into the market that exceed their previous offerings and continue to revolutionize the gambling market. They achieved this in 2020 with the launch of 'Crazy Time' which has gained great traction as it brings entertainment to customers through the multiple 'special games' it contains. The new product churn hasn't slowed down with the recent release of 'Instant' Roulette, where there is no wait time between each roulette spin.

Source: blueoceangaming.com - Evolution Gaming

Evolution Gaming's focus going forward should and is towards the huge US market that hasn't been heavily tapped into for online gambling. Evolution Gaming has already started to position itself well for this market securing numerous agreements with different operators to provide their services for the US market. An example of this was their prominent recent agreement with BetMGM - the JV between MGM Resorts and GVC Holdings which will see them power Live Casino services. The US live casino market valuation currently just stands at $214 million compared to $2.56 billion in Europe. The US market is growing at a slightly faster rate of 42%, but I believe this rate of growth will accelerate further in the coming years as online gambling is introduced to more states. The US has the biggest consumer market in the world with some of the wealthiest people in the world by average GDP per capita ($65,000). Tapping into this market has the potential to provide huge growth, particularly if Evolution Gaming is the first Live Casino that gains traction in the US. The size of the likes of MGM Resorts (MGM) and Caesars (CZR) is proof of this market opportunity. If these gamblers who go to these casinos can be transitioned online, Evolution Gaming can use their skill in the industry and the technology they have to optimize these users and build growth within the market.

Expanding their geographical footprint will be important as they look to offer their services into new markets. Earlier this year, Evolution secured licenses to allow it to operate in the South African market. Reaching and accessing these markets will involve securing new agreements with local online operators who understand that market better then Evolution does.

The continued improvement in developing their technology and software is also paramount in order to build their moat. Gambling is a very competitive industry, but Evolution combats this through developing its platform to handle software, hardware, video, employees and user data. This software is used across all its offerings and prevents the company from having to replicate software locally when they open new studios. Although the gambling industry is generally competitive, I would argue that Evolution has somewhat established its niche within the industry. Whilst they have competitors like 'Playtech', their offerings have nowhere near the traction of Evolution. Unlike online casino operators, Evolution has built numerous different games and has the technology to back it up, whilst online casino operators merely act as the 'middle man' hosting slot games and connecting customers to Evolution games.

On the basis of last year's numbers with a profit of 136 million in 2019, Evolution Gaming trades off a historic P/E of around 66 - one which prices in a huge amount of forward growth. Particularly after the large run-up in share price, the valuation does make me wary. However, the growth rates at the company have been incredible, and I don't see it stopping any time soon. Evolution is at the forefront of the online gambling industry - the fastest growing area in one of the world's largest markets. The online gambling sector has many untapped markets that can be exploited. The most prominent of these is the US market which is where the majority of online providers are focused for future growth. I expect Evolution to continue its expansion in its well-established markets, but I also believe, over the coming months, there will be many new partnerships with firms looking to exploit new emerging markets in the gambling industry.

Industry risks must also be considered when studying the viability of a gambling company. The gambling industry is a heavily regulated industry, where issues regarding problem gamblers have made governments wary of online providers and the easy gambling access they provide. That is primarily why the US market is so small due to it being so heavily regulated and banned in the majority of US states. To reduce the risks of being either fined or prosecuted, Evolution holds themselves to the highest regulatory standards. Not only this but the company actually employs the best technology and personnel to ensure all their games are fair and normal rules are enforced.

Over the last few years, Evolution Gaming has revolutionized the online casino space and brought the entertainment factor back into the gambling industry. With this, the company has seen huge growth as they have done well to monetize this traction and secure lucrative deals with casinos looking for their solutions. Evolution has built up a strong presence among their games, so that they are now found in the majority of large online casinos online. Its success is heavily linked to its strong innovation and product line which I believe is only going to improve going forward.

Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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Evolution Gaming: Revolutionizing The Gambling Industry - Seeking Alpha

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This is the editor's letter in the current issue of The Week magazine.

It's been six months since Zach got COVID, and he hasn't yet recovered. Zach a previously fit, healthy 33-year-old attorney who's the son of two good friends was never admitted to a hospital, because of an acute shortage of ICU beds. But over two months of coronavirus hell, he developed pneumonia, struggled for breath, coughed constantly, shivered under three blankets, and barely slept or ate. His chest felt like it was on fire. "There wasn't an inch of my body (truly) that wasn't in excruciating pain," he recounted in a Facebook post last week. Despite sophisticated medical care and an endless battery of tests, his chest still aches, he's breathless after a short walk, and he's too weak to work. Zach is one of a largely invisible legion of "long-haulers" COVID survivors who continue to suffer a host of mystifying maladies. Studies suggest that about three-quarters of those who get very sick remain ill for months. No one knows if and when long-haulers will return to their pre-COVID selves. "For now, this is my normal," Zach said.

Whenever I see people blithely congregating without masks or social distancing, I think of Zach and a young member of The Week's staff who is also a long-hauler. Many younger Americans falsely assume that because most of the people COVID kills are over 70, they are safe. In reality, the coronavirus makes some younger people very sick for reasons no one fully understands; COVID roulette is a high-risk game. Long-haulers like Zach would tell you that this nasty virus is not "a little flu," and that you don't want it inside your body, attacking cells in your blood vessels, lungs, heart, and even brain. President Trump would have told you that, too, if you were speaking to him privately. The virus is "easily transmissible" and "a killer," Trump told Bob Woodard back in April. "This rips you apart." That's no lie.

Excerpt from:

It's not the flu - The Week Magazine

Almost two years after jumping into the online sports betting market, West Virginia online casino games finally appeared to enhance a Las Vegas-like experience from at home in Appalachia.

DraftKings and BetMGM have both introduced casino games within their sportsbook apps that can be played in West Virginia.

We took a look at both apps to get a better idea of which is better and who will end up the leader of the pack. Fortunately, there is room for both if you want them. The DraftKings casino games have a heavy emphasis on blackjack, while MGMs games are more heavily tilted toward the slots.

DraftKings offers a total of 18 games 13 varieties of blackjack, four roulette games, and one slot game.

Though that appears to be a formidable list of options, most of the differences between the games are cosmetic. For instance, the different sporting options are simply choices in how your blackjack table is designed you can play on a baseball diamond or hockey rink, but its still regular blackjack.

There are a couple of exceptions.

Single-hand blackjack has you and the dealer playing from only one deck of cards.

Multi-hand blackjack goes in the opposite direction. You can bet on as many as seven hands against the dealer, who has only one. If you live under the mantra go big or go home, this is the game for you. There is an opportunity to win big or lose big with each hand I played long enough to do both.

The one game with a twist is Touchdown Blackjack, in which each winning hand drives you down the field until you get a bonus for scoring a touchdown.

Touchdown Roulette abides by the same principles as Touchdown Blackjack.

The lone slot offering in the DraftKings lineup is 2 Tribes. So, if youre a slot person, youll want MGM.

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Both platforms offer a variety of ways to pay.

With DraftKings, you can use:

On BetMGM you can deposit with all of the same options. The biggest difference is that BetMGM offers different bonuses depending on which service you choose, including ones specific to Discover, Visa and Mastercard if youre using a credit card.

MGM is a traditional casino operation, while DraftKings got its start in the world of daily fantasy sports. Given those differences, you might think the BetMGM app would have a slight edge.

Wrong. And its not even close.

BetMGMs app is buggier than a Louisiana swamp in mid-August.

Over a span of four days, the app froze every single time I attempted to play one of the casino games. I tested every other app on the phone to be certain it was not a phone or iOS issue. None of them had any issues. But every time I tapped to play a casino game on BetMGM, a wheel spun and nothing happened.

Even if this problem was not prevalent, DraftKings simply has a more user-friendly feel. Every time you open BetMGM, you have to log in. DraftKings, on the other hand, has Face ID enabled. This is a minor convenience, to be certain, but it adds to the sense that MGMs app is just slapped together without much care.

If you are the type of person who likes the strategy of blackjack over the pure chance of slots, DraftKings was already a better offering. With the glitches of BetMGM thrown into the mix, its a no-brainer as to which service offers a better playing experience.

Read more:

The Lion, The King And The Best Online Casino in West Virginia - Play WV

If you are hoping to experience the thrills and the adrenaline of the gambling world, then visiting the capital of Ireland is a great decision.

A large portion of the Irish population choose gambling as their hobby so it makes sense that there are elegant and impressive venues hosting the best gambling you can get in all of the country, that offer a break from the popular online casino sites.

Whether it is casinos that you wish to visit for the roulette board and card games, or rather horse racing tracks for some sport events to put a flutter on, or even bingo halls that you can enjoy your night in, Dublin has it all and you will not leave disappointed.

Technically, casinos are illegal in Ireland. It makes Ireland seem like an odd choice for venues to gamble in if casinos are the most frequent choice for venue and they are illegal.

There is a loophole however in which casinos can still operate. Instead of being casinos, they declare themselves to be casinos and card clubs or something to that effect, which means that they are private clubs with members, and as such gambling is not illegal in such establishments.

The loophole is the fact that they open their membership to everyone above the age of eighteen, and membership happens to be totally free. This means that people just need to sign up for free with their ID and they are free to gamble.

Whilst this may make the law seem pointless, it does allow for more responsible gambling. Needing to sign up means that the decision has to be taken a little bit more seriously, and there is a record of them as well, so it is a win win situation.

Now, onto the list which is in no particular order and features some of the most popular venues to gamble in all of the Irish capital.

This first casino claims to offer Dublins premier casino experience and it is clear to see why. The Sports Emporium Casino, right in the heart of Dublin just off Grafton Street is beautifully decorated and it is no understatement to describe it as luxurious.

They offer a decent variety of live games. These include roulette and blackjack as the most common game, but you can also play Brag, Punto Banco, Sic Bo and even poker, which is not always offered in casinos.

If you play, you can enjoy complimentary beverages which is the kind of touch that shows that the casino is valuing the customers enjoyment of the evening as more important to the casino than the money that they would gain from selling the drinks.

It is open every night from six in the evening to six in the morning, which gives you a lot of leeway when you choose to visit. It is also as welcoming to professionals as total novices and beginners and is an overall extremely pleasant experience.

Declaring itself to be Dublins favourite casino and pointing to its reputation as Dublins friendliest club, Fitzwilliam Casino and Card Club is a very decent choice for a venue to gamble at when you are in Dublin.

Another casino, Fitzwilliam Casino and Card Club concentrates a lot more on poker than other casinos whilst still offering blackjack and roulette.

It is located on Lower Fitzwilliam Street and within walking distance of most hotels and major attractions. Like the Sporting Emporium, it is open for twelve hours a day, from 6PM to 6AM.

It offers Poker cash games from 6:30 in the evening and Texas Hold Em tournaments on a daily basis, so it can definitely add Home of Dublins Poker to its long list of credentials.

If any of your group is looking to play poker, then this venue will be within the best choices in all of Dublin.

Playland Casino is Irelands first electronic casino. It is located on Talbot Street near the City Centre and open from 10:00 to 1:00 every night except for Thursdays and Fridays, when it is open for an extra hour.

Playland Casino offers its customers the best electronic experience they could hope to receive in Dublin. It has the latest state of the art machines for video poker, slots and in touch bet roulette.

They continue to regularly receive more games and slots, so there should always be something new to do at the Playland Casino. Drinks and snacks are complimentary, which is always a nice touch, but it is the variety of options at your disposal that sets this casino apart from others.

The customer support is excellent, and even on the floor with the most slots in all of Ireland, you will not be waiting for a member of the help team for long, and usually they should be able to resolve any issues you might have been experiencing.

Overall, Playland Casino is a luxurious casino where you can expect the best electronic games to gamble on in all of Ireland. Make sure you remember to take breaks as it can be difficult to keep track of time, and always remember to gamble carefully.

The first non-casino on the list, Leapordstown is perfect for those who fancy watching and wagering on horse racing. There are various races and events at this venue, and it is always a lovely day out for those attending.

Most of the time, the dress code will be smart, as people like to dress up to go and see horse racing. Bear this in mind and make an effort to have an appropriate outfit and lean into the fun of the races.

If you are visiting Ireland with someone who does not really like gambling, this could be your best chance and even the horse names provide a decent amount of entertainment.

It is located just outside of Dublin and it offers world class racing. A lot of the best jockeys in the world are Irish, and many horses are bred in Ireland as well so the quality of racing on offer can not be questioned.

The first thing you need to know about this venue is that it probably was not founded by a man called Jack Pott. Fortunately, it is a bingo and is usually open from 12:30 to 23:00 most days.

It is on the Star Crumlin Kildare Road, which is within walking distance of most hotels. There are two other sister locations so there will likely be one near to wherever your accommodation is.

It is perfect for those who wish to have a less competitive night of gambling than poker, blackjack or horse racing but still want to have a fun night at a lovely venue. The venues are very open to novices and those who have never played before and the atmosphere is very friendly.

Each venue has its own state of the art amusement room, and apparently there are some world exclusive games at these venues, although this is not confirmed to be true.

4 Kings Casino & Card Club is a recommended venue for your gambling in Dublin. It is based in Swords and set in very comfortable surroundings. It is not perfect for total beginners, but those are used to this sort of venue will feel very at home.

There are plenty of tournaments for players to enter, and whilst it may not have the mystique of some other casinos on this list, it is a very decent choice of place for your gambling desires.

Located only five minutes from Dublin city centre, the D1 Club is a premier Members Club Casino that claims to offer some of the most exciting games and best food in Dublin, while also throwing a healthy number of freebies along the way.

There is an international level of service brought by the help team, and the poker club is equally as developed as the blackjack tables, roulette wheels and video slots. It is a thrilling vibe that you can instantly experience when you walk in, but you can still feel relaxed in the pleasant surroundings.

Macau Casino is situated in the centre of Dublin. It offers card games, roulette and electronic games over three floors. The staff are friendly and will help you out with any of the problems you may encounter at heir facilities. The decoration is pleasant and luxurious, and it is among the best casinos in Dublin.

Further gambling venues that you could want to visit in Dublin and that each have their own charm are Carlton Casino Club, Empire Casino and Funland Casino.

Wherever you may go, you will find that you will be warmly welcomed, as venues in Dublin have all put an emphasis on providing an enjoyable customer service.

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Where to Gamble in Dublin - FFT.ie

The measures taken by Sweden to curb the COVID-19 pandemic have polarized the media. Sweden, it seems, is like the elephant being examined by the blind men. There is so much to appraise that we can all come away with different conclusions on how it has handled the pandemic. And we can choose to which orange we want to compare Swedens apple: the rest of Scandinavia, Europe more broadly, or even the province of Quebec. Sweden is an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord that satiates everyones taste for how the pandemic should be managed, and the coverage of its approach is often woven with misinformation and decontextualization.

Before I dove into the so-called Swedish experiment, I had heard dire warnings. Sweden had no lockdown. The country, I read, was attempting to reach herd immunity the natural way, by getting everyone infected so that whoever survives is now immune to the disease. And now, months after this grand, reckless experiment on the Swedish population, deaths had gone through the roof, proving that the Scandinavian country best known for ABBA and IKEA had failed to assemble a rational response to the virus. Meanwhile, some conservative news outlets were celebrating the success of Sweden, which had preserved personal autonomy while also, allegedly, saving the economy. So whos Sweden is the correct Sweden?

The claim that Sweden was playing Russian roulette by betting on herd immunity--by essentially letting the virus run its course--was wrong. Sweden has denied time and time again that achieving herd immunity was the primary strategy. Rather, the country had chosen to enact a sort of voluntary lockdown, and while herd immunity was mentioned as a concept and perhaps even hoped for as a side effect of their approach, it was never the stated goal. The very first month of Swedens response to the pandemic saw recommendations familiar to us in Quebec: staying home if sick, frequent hand washing, physical distancing, and avoiding travel unless necessary. Sure, cinemas were briefly open, but attendance was so low their main chain had to close on March 17. Some flights were still operating but mostly to transport essential workers and supplies to remote areas of the country.

The second half of the month of March saw a progression of additional measures, such as a banning of public events with more than 50 people and advice to work from home if possible. Its just that these measures were voluntary for many reasons. Their public health agency, which called the shots and is meant to be separate from the elected government, did not think it was realistic to keep the population under a prolonged lockdown. They were aiming for a tolerable, long-term adaptation. They also believed that a mandatory lockdown that included closing elementary schools would create a problem with essential workers having to take care of their children at home. Besides, Swedish law does not allow for the quarantining of a whole city or region (although it can be enacted for people or small areas).

Sweden was also accused of ignoring the recommendations of the World Health Organization, but as Dr. Rachel Irwin of Swedens own Lund University pointed out in an academic paper on the misinformation surrounding Swedens pandemic strategy, their recommendations are not laws. They are a grab bag of binding and non-binding policies and guidance documents that must be adapted to a countrys capacity, context, and situation. Sweden did tailor these recommendations to their reality, and whether or not their interpretation was effective is a better question to ask.

So has Swedens approach failed at adequately protecting its population? Media outlets were quick to point to the countrys high death rate from COVID--more than 5,500 people in a country of 10 million, the BBC was reporting in July--but the number of daily new deaths has been going down since late April. Sure, the countrys long summer staycation probably helped but the trend is holding true to this day. There are also many ways of looking at deaths. Stockholm county was reported as having 91 deaths per 100,000 people, but further south the county that includes the city of Malm clocks in at 15 per 100,000.

As for Swedens economy, it is predicted to contract by 4.5% this year. Spendings fell 25% (comparable to neighbouring Denmark) and unemployment increased from 7.1% in March to 9% in May. The countrys economy is thus hardly unscathed, though it is important to point out that this economic impact is also tied to trade, which is influenced by how other countries juggle the crisis. An encouraging trade-off might be the attainment of herd immunity in Sweden, when it is estimated about 70% of its population would have protective antibodies against the virus, but blood surveys of residents of Malm in April estimate that only 4% of the citys population have those antibodies. The number for Stockholm is 17%.

Some fawning media coverage has been describing life in Sweden as perfectly normal, with Swedes going about their business as if the virus was a figment of the imagination. If COVID were over in Sweden, Dr. Irwin told me via email, I wouldnt have cycled 200 kilometres last week to avoid taking the bus. Sweden, she tells me, has adapted to a new normal. Using hand sanitizer, meeting friends outdoors to reduce the risk: these new realities are hoped to be sustainable for most people.

Even though I may be painting a rosier portrait of Swedens approach than the condemning narrative expressed by some media outlets, a fair amount of criticism is warranted. Workers in long-term care homes complained of a lack of personal protective equipment. Over half of the deaths in Sweden due to COVID-19 happened in care homes for the elderly, which their public health authority conceded was due to a failure on their part. By not highlighting that asymptomatic individuals could be contagious, Swedens public health agency may also have been responsible for a false sense of reassurance (their website still claims asymptomatic transmission is a minor part in overall transmission). Their stance on face masks is also lukewarm: unclear scientific evidence, they say, so they do not recommend them. Finally, contact tracing, an important strategy in containing new outbreaks, is reported as having been abandoned since early March, which strikes me as irresponsible.

Sweden has a history of being portrayed as either a liberal paradise or an out-of-control hellscape depending on who holds the metaphorical brush. The countrys approach to dealing with the pandemic is being adjudicated prematurely. Its like were looking at a tennis ball in mid-air and trying to figure out who will win the match an hour later. A middle-of-the-road approach may be better in the long run than the more severe, somewhat unpredictable clampdowns that punctuate other countries... or it may not. Time will tell if Swedens approach was wise so that we can better prepare for the next pandemic that will inevitably strike our modern world.

Take-home message:-Even though Sweden could not legally enact a lockdown against the coronavirus, it asked its citizens to voluntarily adopt common guidelines in keeping with the World Health Organizations general recommendations- The goal of Swedens approach was never said to be to achieve herd immunity, and in fact the country is far from having reached this immunity through exposure to the virus according to blood surveys- The countrys public health agency admitted a failure in adequately protecting care homes for the elderly and its stance on masks, contact tracing and asymptomatic transmission can be criticized

@CrackedScience

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Which Sweden Do You Want to Believe In? - McGill Newsroom

A survey has shown that under half of school support staff have been given any Covid-19 Health and safety training. This worrying news comes as the majority of schools have pupils isolating due to problems accessing testing after showing possible Covid symptoms.

In theGMB poll of more than 2,600teaching assistants, caretakers, admin and catering stafffrom acrossEngland,51% answered no to the questionhave you had training on Covid-19 health and safety measures and working practices including infection control and correct use of PPE?

The survey also shows more than 66% are anxious about the return to school, with more than60% of those who responded. Saying theyhadphysical symptoms of the stress, like stomach cramps and not being able to sleep.

One respondent said: The measures put in place do nothing to ease my fears, having a vulnerable person in my family.I dont feel comfortable eating at school, as we eat in the classroom and I dont feel safe, so I am going all day without food. I am only sleeping 3-4 hours a night with stress, so I dont know how long I can keep going. I feel theGovernment is treating school staff as collateral damageThere is no chance of distancing.IntwodaysI have had an attempt to bite me and been spat at.

Another added: Its as thoughcovidnever happened and they are playing Russian roulette.

Stuart Fegan National Officersaid: The experiences of our members showschoolsarebeingused as a political football andhave beenreopened before they are truly safe.

Basic health and safety training aroundCOVID-19 should be a minimum for all school staff, itsa shockingthat less thanonlyhalf have been provided with it.

Its no wonder our members are anxious about the return to school.School staff love theirjobs, provideexcellentcare for childrenand are doing everything that has been asked of them.

But Government guidance is muddled, they dont have enough PPE or training and the testing and tracking system is acompletemesswhichis leaving our membersexposed.

More than four in five schools in England currently have children not in class because they cannot access a Covid-19 test, a survey suggests.

The majority (94%) of schools have pupils who have had to stay at home due to suspected or confirmed cases of Covid-19 this term and more than three in four (78%) have had staff who had to self-isolate, according to a poll by the school leaders union NAHT.

Nearly nine in 10 (87%) have children not attending school because they are waiting for test results, while 82% of schools have pupils at home because they cannot access a test to rule out Covid-19.

The findings come after organisations representing heads and governors, including the NAHT, have implored Boris Johnson to take charge of tackling the testing delays to ensure schools remain open.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders union NAHT, has warned that childrens education is being needlessly disrupted by a testing system which is in chaos.

Mr Whiteman said: Tests for Covid-19 need to be readily available for everyone so that pupils and staff who get negative results can get back into school quickly.

But we are hearing the same thing repeatedly from our members across the country chaos is being caused by the inability of staff and families to successfully get tested when they display symptoms.

This means schools are struggling with staffing, having to send groups of students home to isolate or close classes, and ultimately that childrens education is being needlessly disrupted.

Mr Whiteman added: It is in no way unpredictable or surprising that the demand for Covid-19 tests would spike when schools reopened more widely this term.

And yet the system is in chaos.

The Government has failed schools and children.

It is unacceptable for this to happen when schools have put so much effort into getting their part of the plan right, and when pupils have had to endure so much uncertainty and disruption already.

Related Rees-Mogg tells people to stop endless carping about Covid-19 tests Twitter reacts

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Most schools have pupils isolating due to testing issues as under half of staff given Covid training - The London Economic

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The online casino industry continues to experience exponential growth. According to Statista, the size of the global iGaming marketplace is expected to be worth upwards of $94 billion by 2024. While casino gaming celebrates and embraces traditional card games, its becoming increasingly important for the sector to usher in new game variants that offer mainstream appeal to the next generation of gamers.

Conventional blackjack and roulette games will always have a place in the online casino world. The nostalgia factor is rooted in all aspects of the gaming industry. Nevertheless, the seven following game variants are rapidly growing in popularity and could be an ideal alternative for those looking to switch-up their casino gameplay.

Ultimate Texas Holdem

Inspired by the classic card game of poker, Ultimate Texas Holdem is a fascinating card game which is played between you and the dealer. Each player is required to place Ante and Blind bets before the game begins. The dealer then deals two cards to both the player and themselves. The dealer then deals five community cards, just as youd find in a game of Texas Holdem poker.

The aim of the game is for players to make a higher-ranking five-card poker hand than the dealer. Once you have received your cards, its possible to place an additional Play bet on top of your Ante and Blind if you believe your cards can help make a winning hand. The dealer must be able to make at least a pair using the community cards to have a qualifying hand.

Zappit Blackjack

There is no doubt that blackjack continues to attract players to online casinos in their droves. Thats why the leading online casino operators invest heavily in developing new and exciting blackjack variants. 888casino is one such platform that is continually expanding its portfolio of available blackjack games. Zappit Blackjack is one of its newest additions, while its live-streamed blackjack tables are also adding another layer of immersion for gamers, cementing it as the best online casino in Canada and North America. Having first opened its door to online casino players in 1997, its clear they have their fingers firmly on the pulse of the best blackjack variants.

The essence of Zappit Blackjack is that players are given the option of zapping i.e. eliminating cards from their hand. Once eliminated, these cards are then replaced with new random cards from the deck. Its a great opportunity for players to get rid of hands valued between 15-17 that are marginal decisions on hitting and standing.

Lightning Roulette

If you feel the need to supercharge your roulette action, look no further than the Lightning Roulette tables. These single zero roulette tables take immersive roulette to a whole new level, underpinned by high-definition (HD) live streaming of the action by professionally trained dealers. With every round of betting, up to five random numbers on the roulette table are giving a lightning boost, applying extra multipliers to these numbers worth between 50x and 500x your initial stake.

This is a sizeable jump in payouts when you consider that the maximum you can win in an original game of European Roulette is 35/1 on a single number. Ultimately, the key is to spread your bets around the table in the hope that one of your selections is selected as a lightning number for the next game.

Dream Catcher

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Caption: The essence of the live dealer Dream Catcher is similar to Spin-N-Win

Have you ever watched Wheel of Fortune? You know, the classic television gameshow where the fate of contestants is decided solely by the spin of a wheel? Dream Catcher is a live casino game variant that has recently captured the imagination of online casino players across the globe.

Its a game with extremely simple rules, which opens it up to a wider demographic of online casino players. A live gameshow dealer invites players to place bets on the wheel landing on different segments of the Dream Catcher money wheel. Each segment is worth a multiplier payout, with payouts ranging from 1x through to 40x. Naturally, there are fewer 40x segments than 1x segments, but there are other segments such as 2x, 5x, 10x and 20x that you can land on and win too. Theres even 2x and 7x bonus spin multiplier segments that can turbocharge the size of your winnings further.

Rush Bingo

If you enjoy a spot of bingo, but you are strapped for time, Rush Bingo could be the perfect solution for you. With fast-paced action aplenty, Rush Bingo allows you to play many more games of bingo in a shorter space of time. 90-ball games begin every two-and-a-half minutes, so the balls come out of the machine thick and fast.

Rush Bingo is played in the same way as conventional 90-ball bingo games, only faster. Youll be able to play for lines, two lines and then straight-up full houses. The unique feature of Rush Bingo is the ability to bet on the number that will be used to call house. You can bet on specific numbers, whether it will be odd or even or if it will be higher or lower than 46.

Blackjack Switch

There is another popular blackjack table game variant thats been in existence since 2009. Created by gaming entrepreneur Geoff Hall, Blackjack Switch has become a staple variant in the leading online casinos as well as land-based casino floors. A typical game of Blackjack Switch begins in the same way as a classic game of Blackjack, except that players are dealt two hands instead of one.

Its possible to change the second card dealt to either hand, if you want to improve a marginal original hand given to you by the dealer. These games are usually played across six or eight decks and the other trade-off is that the dealer is permitted to play up to 22, resulting in a push against hands worth 21 or less, although blackjack hands will still defeat a dealers 22.

Sic Bo

Although Sic Bo is a dice game that dates back to ancient China, its still a relatively new table game variant in the western world. If you enjoy playing classic dice games like Craps, you should certainly give Sic Bo a try. Played using three dice, players place their bets on the possible outcome of all three dice, with the chance to bet on doubles, triples, and the value of single respective dice.

The house edge of a Sic Bo game can vary wildly, depending on what you bet on. It can be as low as 3% but as high as 33% if you go for particularly volatile outside bets. Hopefully, this has opened your eyes to the raft of new, creative casino games you can sample online to keep your betting fun and exciting

Excerpt from:

7 Casino Game Variants You May Never Have Considered Or Heard Of - COED