Gambling Encyclopedia » craps

Is Online Gambling Legal?

admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:39:22 +0000

Internet casinos and sportsbooks have become hugely popular over the past several years. The number of people wagering their money online continues to increase exponentially every year. But is it legal?

The answer is, I don’t really know. Seriously, I’m not really sure. Allow me to explain. I’m not a lawyer, but I think that even most lawyers would find it difficult to defend or prosecute an online gambling service given the current legal climate in the world of cyberbetting. Let’s lay out the facts and see if we can come to a conclusion.

First, what are the types of gambling that you can engage in online? Well, you can play poker and other card games, you can bet on sports, or you can play games of chance, such as roulette, craps, etc. Poker and cards in general seem like a perfectly fair game to play over the internet, as it would be impossible for a computer to deal more favorable cards to one player over another. Also, card games are, generally speaking, games of skill and strategy with an element of chance, where each player controls their own destiny. Betting on sports also seems like a perfectly legitimate form of online betting – the computer doesn’t control who wins the weekend’s football games. Games of chance probably should be outlawed, as a computerized roulette wheel can easily be programmed to stop far away from the player’s chosen number, allowing just enough winning bets to make the game seem credible, while insuring that the house still profits big in the end.

But, are any of the aforementioned gambling activities legal if hosted by an internet based company? According to the Wire Wager Act, betting on sports is the only form of online wagering that is illegal. The Wire Wager Act reads as follows:

“Whoever being engaged in the business of betting or wagering knowingly uses a wire communication facility for the transmission in interstate or foreign commerce of bets or wagers, or information assisting in the placement of bets or wagers on any sporting event or contest, or for the transmission of a wire communication which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or wagers, or for information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years or both.”

Simply put, this means that it’s illegal for companies based in the U.S. and/or taking bets from Americans to use the internet to accept bets on sports or other “contests.” However, most online gambling enterprises have moved their operations offshore to countries in Central America and other countries around the world. It’s common for most of these companies to be incorporated in places like Antigua or the Caribbean islands. PartyPoker, the most popular website for playing poker for money online, is licensed and regulated by the Government of Gibraltar.

Online sportsbooks, often run by Americans offshore, still accept bets from Americans, and this is where the problem arises. Americans are the biggest betters, and most of the income stream for online sports betting comes from American wagers. These companies usually provide wire instructions to the gamblers so that the player can wire money into a pre-funded betting account before they can begin wagering.

So, the question is, is it legal for an offshore company to run their business offshore but still accept bets from the United States, where online sports betting is technically illegal? Yes and no. Theoretically it is illegal, but it’s very difficult to compel an online sports betting service to shut itself down if they operate under the laws of a foreign government where it is legal. After all, if these Americans took a plane to these foreign countries for a nice vacation, they’d be allowed to go to those casinos and gamble, so why can’t they do the same thing while sitting in front of their computer? It’s been very difficult for the Department of Justice to enforce the Wire Wager Act when it comes to offshore companies, and the offshore betting business continues to get bigger and bigger. In 1998, the sum total of all internet wagers was estimated at $600 million, and has grown by 10 or more times that between then and the year 2006.

The Wire Wager Act was upheld when the U.S. Supreme Court, during 2001 and 2002, refused to review the conviction of Jay Cohen, who had been running an internet sportsbook based in Antigua. And, even though the Department of Justice has said in recent years that that the Wire Wager Act also declares online casino games, not just sports betting, to be illegal, the Federal Appeals Court has ruled that that interpretation is not correct. Therefore, online casino games might be considered legal in the United States, but it’s hard to officially state whether it is or isn’t.

So, what have we learned? We’ve learned that it’s illegal to run an online sportsbook if that book is based in the United States and/or accepts bets from Americans, but it’s difficult to prosecute offshore betting services. It’s possibly legal to host online casino and card games, though the Department of Justice would like to change that. And, it’s hard to tell whether online casino and card games are truly legal in the U.S., despite the fact that the Federal Appeals Court says it is legal, considering that so many online poker companies have decided to run their operations in Latin America and overseas. The U.S. Government is just trying to protect betters from getting screwed by unscrupulous, offshore criminals, but ultimately, online casinos and sports betting should be allowed. The United States simply needs to implement a system whereby the online casino industry is regulated, making it mandatory for the companies to disclose the details of their operations and apply for a casino or sportsbook license.

Play Online Craps at Rushmore Online Casino

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:39:08 +0000

Online gaming has gotten more and more popular. People like the convenience of playing in the comfort of their own home. Craps is a game with a set of odds for betting, the key points of the game are easy to learn. The game is based on the roll of two dice. The person that is the shooter begins the game by throwing the dice on the table. The numbers combined from both dice will determine what happens. Depending on the outcome, the shooter can win the game, lose the game or neither win nor lose, and game play will continue. The shooter will place the bet on the table before the first roll of the dice. The bet that is placed on the pass line will be made when the shooter rolls the first roll of the game. If the face of the dice shows either a 7 or an 11 the shooter wins. If the numbers on the face of the dice total 2, 3 or 12 the shooter will lose the money that was bet and if the player ends up rolling either a 4,5,6,8,9,10 then “the point number” has been made and the game will continue. The players aim is to roll the same point number, but if a 7 is rolled, the then the shooter loses.

Rushmoreonline.com is the place to play online Craps. With a free welcome bonus to every new player that becomes a member, Rushmore online is committed to customer service and is determined to build a long standing relationship with their players. At Rushmore, any player can review every wager that they have ever placed. This can include the exact date and time, amount wagered, winnings, and detailed game results. The financial transaction history feature can display all deposits and withdrawals that have occurred from the player’s casino account, these features can be accessed at any time. At Rushmore Online Casino, we believe in fair and responsible gaming. To ensure this continues we have put in controls to ensure that there are no under-21 players, That you (as a member) can prevent certain family members or those that have access to your account from gambling, there are no illegal players and that our software is fair in the games that we offer. There is also a Code of Regulations followed, in controlling the games.

When looking for an online casino, that you can comfortably and safely play Craps, look no further than Rushmore online Casino.

I’m so Sick of “make Money Online” Crap– Aren’t You? Just Start a Legit Business Already

admin — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 20:39:14 +0000

I’m the kind of person that likes to check people out on Rip Off Report before I’ll buy from them. Usually, you can tell from the sales letter whether that “guru” is worth anything by the sweeping claims that they make. Make a million over-night, okay that’s a sales pitch that won’t amount to anything. Make a million using my simple one-button program, obviously that’s a sales pitch that will just waste your time and money. The more grand the claims, the more the scale tips on the scam-o-meter.

And what about those ads that promise you one (or ten!) free websites? All you have to do is sign up for their monthly contract, press one button, and wham, ten web businesses just waiting for management. You know that’s a scam, right?

You know this, you feel it in your gut too. It might sound nice, but you’re past the point of an easy fool.

First of all, anyone that can pump out ten websites for each customer is either a genius that spends their life making websites 24 hours a day or has a program that can create simple cookie-cutter websites at the press of a button. A cookie-cutter website, if you don’t already know, is basically a website that looks like all the others, like a cookie cut from a mold.

From a strictly professional standpoint, whether these sites even look good doesn’t matter. It’s the fact that they are all the same that really hurts. To Google, you know the top dog who ranks websites professionally, websites that look alike are a very bad thing indeed. And hundreds (let alone thousands) of websites that look alike is just a death sentence, a pure waste of money.

Why bother with “money making” opportunities when you know they sound a little too good to be true?

If you’re anything like me, you want to make a living online because of the freedom that can grant. Sure, the money has the potential to be great, but spending only a few hours doing something for your successful online business is sure a heck of a lot easier than 8 hours a day at someone else’s business—for the rest of your life.

So, my thing is this: stop spending your money and stop wasting your time. Take the course that will change your life for the better. It won’t make you a millionaire overnight, but it sure will give you the tools to make your business happen, realistically, and grant you the freedom you’re looking for. And there’s nothing sales-pitchy about it.

Intimidating online craps

admin — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 20:39:01 +0000

Hshhh! Lets share the secret. Craps is highly rewarding for the experts and equally intimidating for the beginners. Historians reveal that craps leaves its root to Hazard, an old English game. Like many other online casino games, Craps have also hit the passionate hearts of people as Americans had given it the final impetus. However, today, millions of people want to use online craps as their money earning vehicle.

Why is it intimidating for the beginners. Most of the online crap tables allow you to play on hundreds of bet types and the game has got a relatively faster pace. Craps matches the exuberance of Americans as most of them enjoy speed in all walks of life. When you play online casino games, you generally play against the competitors. Craps is an exception, where you play against the online casino. One can think of the traditional online Blackjack, where the player had to play against the online casinos also.

Online craps is one of the most attractive online casino games because of its huge scope of earning and ease of play. Like most other online casinos, Planet23 Casino also offers online craps to its players. The players get a chance to roll two dice. When you play online craps, you play in rounds. If you want to be aware of the terminology, you must know that the first roll of new round is always referred as com-out roll. You must understand the rules properly when the shooter needs to repeat the roll and when the round ends at its come-out roll itself. When the combination of the numbers shown by the dice is 2, 3 or 12, it is called Craps.

At the initial stage, you may find the rules to be cumbersome, but once you play a couple of rounds, things become easier for you. Planet 23 casino allows different types of bets like Pass and don’t pass line Bets, Come and don’t come Bets, Odds Bet and Field Bets. Go through the rules pages of online craps properly at Planet 23 casino before challenging the online casino in the real game.

Clear Your Casino Bonus by Playing Online Craps

admin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:38:39 +0000

Be smart, play smart, and learn how to play craps the right way!

Many online casinos offer free casino bonuses to play on their site. The problem is, you can’t cash-out or withdraw any of that bonus money until you meet their minimum betting requirements or minimum playing time. So, how do you gamble with their free money and have enough left over to actually have a profit?

Gambling is exactly that–gambling. The house always has the advantage, so you’ll likely lose not only the free money that the online casino gives you as a bonus to get you to play on their site, but they’re counting on you to pull out your credit card and deposit some of your own money and then lose that as well. The secret to meeting the online casino’s betting requirement (a.k.a. “clearing the online casino bonus”) is to play the games that have the lowest house advantage and hope luck is on your side for the brief moment of time that you play with their money. Craps is an online game you might want to consider playing to clear that bonus.

Craps is fast-paced. Online craps is even faster. You can play the bets with the lowest house advantage and not have to wait for slow dealers or other delays that you definitely experience at live craps tables. You can make your bets and roll the dice quickly. The quicker you play, the quicker you can meet your playing or betting requirement.

Craps also has one of the lowest house advantages of all casino games. For example, the simple Pass Line bet has a house advantage of only 1.41%. The Pass Line with single odds bet has a house advantage of only 0.85%. That’s less than 1%. The Place bet on the number 6 or 8 has a house advantage of only 1.52%. So, it’s easy to see that you can make bets with low house advantages and still be fairly close to a 50-50 game. Always remember though, with a house advantage (even small ones), you’re going to lose over the long-term. Be careful not to make bets that have high house advantages. Some craps bets have a house advantage as high as 16.67%. Wow! That’s a true sucker bet! You must understand the game and know which bets are “good” in terms of low house advantage and which bets are “bad” in terms of high house advantage. I consider craps bets with house advantages below 2% as “good” bets, and those with house advantages above 4% as “bad” bets. The bets between 2% and 4% are what I call “maybe” bets, but I usually don’t play them. I always stick to the bets with the lowest house advantage, and you should, too.

If you combine the fast play of craps with its low house advantages on certain bets, it’s easy to see how you can quickly clear your online casino bonus. If you’re lucky during that short playing time, you might even have some of their free money left over after you clear the bonus, which means you can cash-out for a profit.

The key is not to expect to win all the time. Most of the time, you’ll probably lose your free bonus before you meet the betting requirement. Then, when you do lose all their free bonus money, don’t dig into your wallet for your credit card and don’t deposit your own money.

Now you know! Remember, learn how to play craps the right way.

How to get started with online casino gambling

admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:39:34 +0000

If you like online games, then online casino gambling is something you shouldn’t miss. There are many quality online gaming websites out there that promise to give you hours of gaming fun in a fair and secure environment. So, here’s how you can get started with online casino gambling.

Joining an online casino gambling site is very simple. You know the process! But, choose you login name carefully. Many people like to stand out with startling names. But, as you continue to play, you may observe that it pays to merge into the background. So, choose a name that suits your personality and desire.

Start off your tryst with online casino gambling by playing free games. This will give you a feel of the game and help you understand how fast actions take place and what options you have. However, free games are good for a newbie only because these games do not have much instructional value beyond helping you understand the facilities of the site. So, get ready to take up the game seriously as soon as you can.

The first obstacle you’re likely to run into when you are ready to play a serious game is how you must go about funding your online game. Well, you have several options. Generally, you could fund your game:
*Using a credit card
*Using an online payment service
*Withdraw money directly from your checking account
*Wire the amount from the bank
*Receive a funds transfer from another player

These days, there are websites that restrict your deposit options depending on the state or country you are in. If you belong to such a place, the gaming website will still have many options for you which they will explain in detail.

In online casino gambling, there are some restrictions on how much money you can deposit each day. So, when you go to buy your chips, keep your daily deposit in mind. You have to limit yourself to this amount even if you have surplus funds lying idle. However, you can build on your online funds limit in two ways. The first is by winning games. The second is by depositing more money on subsequent days. In some cases, you can even get the website to ease some of these restrictions. But, this is for highly experienced players. In case you have a pal in the same room, you can even get them to transfer funds to you, in which case, there are no restrictions.

If you are a newbie, it is important that you play at a level you can afford. To do that, start low. Play higher as your fund grows.

There are some rules regarding cashing out your money when you are ready. Many sites may restrict cashing out for 2-3 days since you last deposited funds. Read the site policies carefully so you are not caught by surprise.

So, now that you have the basic know-how, there’s nothing to stop you from playing some exciting online casino games.

Why You Should Never Buy an Online Slot Machine System!

admin — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:39:25 +0000

Playing online slot machines has become increasingly popular, as online casinos have grown in popularity. This growth in online gaming has seen an increase in the number of players looking for an easy way to hit the million jackpots and become one of the few high rollers who succeed in online slots. Many are tempted to buy an online slot system which claims to be able to make the purchaser regular huge profits. The reality of online slot machine systems however, is that the claims don’t match the hype. Slot machines remain games of chance, and just like roulette and craps, there is no system that can guarantee you regular jackpots. Don’t buy an online slot machine system. Read on and find out why!

Fact: You Cannot Apply a System to Online Slots to Make Regular Income

There is no way to make guaranteed profits from mathematically detrimental games, and online slot machines are such games. In mathematics, you know exactly what will happen. Games of chance are the exact opposite. You never know what will happen next. If you did, then of course, it would not be a game of chance. Online slots are a game of chance, so mathematical systems cannot be applied. Period.

Online Slots Do Work To A Mathematical Formula!

The winning combinations produced by online slot machines are generated by a Random Number Generator (RNG). In online slot machines, RNG’s are not truly random, because they are the result of a mathematical process. If you knew the formula used in any online casino slot machine and the value of the last random number generated, you would be able to calculate the next random number that would be generated, but of course, you can’t. Why? The reason is the speed at which the RNG calculates winning combinations. The RNG is actually a series of codes written into the software of the game chip. It generates numbers and it does it very quickly. In fact, at least 100 numbers every second can be generated. In an online casino slot machine, each one of those numbers corresponds to a result on the reels. The effect of this for the player is a random choice from a field of numbers that will determine the outcome of the play.

Why You Can’t BEAT Online Casino Slot Machines

Online slot machines RNG’s produce a random generation of a number from the field of numbers in the program, at least every one-hundredth of a second. The RNG is always generating numbers even when it’s idle. Even if the programmer of the online slot machine knew the sequence in which the numbers are being generated, by the time he calculates what the next number is the machine will have moved on, as we all know all computers can crunch numbers quicker than any person. While it is not totally random by the nature of its programming, a programmer even if he knew the sequence would not be able keep up with the machine, so what chance would a player have?

Fact is you can’t use a mathematical system in online slot machines. So a system that tells you it can guarantee slot machine jackpots consistently is lying.

How To Play Roulette Online

admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:39:31 +0000

Roulette online or offline is quite an easy game to play and excel. Roulette is not similar to blackjack, which is fast in action. Roulette moves at a slower pace, and is more of a social game.

The game is centered around a basic table with a wheel and a ball. The players of Roulette online are offered with the chance to bet on the number or color on which the spinning ball will finally land. There is variation in the minimum and maximum stakes. Hence, the players need to take a note of these limits and also of the corresponding payout options at each site. The players have to put their money on the table hoping that the ball will finally end up on the number, color, or combination(s) on which the player has placed his bet.

The winning in a game of online Roulette is dependent on the type of bet made by the player. In the exciting game of online Roulette, there are various betting options to play. You can bet your money on ‘odd’ or ‘even’ numbers, red or black (or the green “zero” slot), groupings of numbers, and even columns and/or rows. The smaller the ‘grouping’ or the more specific the target that you establish for your bet, the greater shall be your potential payout.

In case you are a beginner to online Roulette then ensure that before you start playing with real money you do take the benefit of playing all the free Roulette games available at most online casinos. By doing so you shall get familiar to the rules of playing online Roulette and also comprehend the advantages of playing Roulette online.

The chips used at the Roulette tables are different from the chips used in the rest of the casino. To differentiate all the players from each other, every player is allotted their own color. The value of a chip in roulette is determined by the dealer. The dealer places a ‘lammer’ on top of a stack of chips which, indicates the total value for the stack of chips. There are two different types of stakes that you can place. They are the “inside” and the “outside” bets. The “inside’ bet is placed on the main grid of numbers on the inside of the table, while the “outside” bets are placed on the outside edge of the table. There are endless possibilities for betting in a game of online Roulette. To bet you need to take a number of your chips and place them on the table, corresponding to the number or color you wish to bet on. You can bet till the ball is spinning. Once the ball comes to rest, the dealer pays the winners and takes the chips back form the losers.

Online Craps: Know the Bets to be at Your Best

admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:38:28 +0000

Craps is a very popular dice game among the online casino lovers. It can also be played at live casino parlors. It has earned such a huge popularity because one can really earn great odds at winning the game. The game being easy to play has earned it a big popularity. This online craps game has several types of betting system.

One really needs to understand the various types of bets associated with the online craps game. To understand the game properly and be a winner, you need to take a look at the types of betting that go with this online casino and gambling game. The bets of online craps are Come Betting, Don’t Come Betting, Pass Line Betting, Don’t Pass Line Betting, Win Betting, Odds Betting, and Lose Betting.

Come Betting: This bet associated with online craps is put forward before the shooter makes a particular roll. This type of betting has got similarity with pass line betting. It is ideal for the players who have just joined the game table. Here the chips are laid on the come bar. If the roll is seven or eleven, it is winning situation for the player. In case the shooter happens to roll two, three, or twelve, the player will be a loser.

Don’t Come Betting: Here a player has to bet against the shooter who has rolled seven or eleven and also against the one who has rolled two or three.

Pass Line Betting: This is a profitable betting strategy and is popular with the players of online craps. Here the player bets against the shooter who rolls a seven or eleven on the come out roll.

Don’t Pass Line Betting: Here the player bets against the shooter who rolls seven or eleven that the shooter rolls a two, three, or twelve and probably the shooter is not going to roll the point when it is required.

Win Betting: It is based on the assumption that the shooter is going to roll four, five, six, eight, nine, or ten before rolling a seven.

Odds Betting: It takes places usually in better odds and higher payout. The loss or win in this type of bet depends upon pass, don’t pass, come, or don’t come bets.

Lose Betting: It is based on the assumption that the shooter is going to roll seven before rolling four, five, six, eight, nine, or ten.

Online Craps — 101 – Exciting With Fantastic Odds!

admin — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 20:38:32 +0000

The playing and gambling with dice is the oldest known form of gaming. It goes back into pre-history, but the game of craps today; still possess that excitement and anticipation of luck and victory.

Even better for a game of chance it has one of the best bets to play that will help you win and help you win big.

Let’s get started and play online craps…

Some basics of Craps- The Craps Table and Rolling

The shooters (ones who throw the dice) stand at the end of an oblong table, covered in felt and marked with various bet options. The shooters will throw the dice to the other side of the table.

Coming out (your first roll) according to the rules state that if you roll a 7 or 11, you win. If you don’t, and roll a 2,3, or 12 you lose. Its that simple. However, should you roll yny other number (4,5,6,8,9,or 10), that number will become your “point”. You then keep rolling until you ‘hit” (achieve) that number.

In this case you also win, unless before hitting that number, you roll a 7, whereby you instantly lose.

How to bet correctly

Yet as simple as the above seems, to win is not so simple.

You must bet correctly, and you must try to arrange the odds as much as possible in your favor. As a new player, you must refrain from the field bets. You will only lose your money. Craps gives you the opportunity to arrange your odds.

Let’s learn how.

If you look at the craps table layout, you will see clearly marked areas saying ‘pass’ and ‘don’t pass’. What do these mean? Pass bets wins on coming out a 7 or 11.

Don’t pass bet wins coming out a 2,3, or 12. 2, 3, or 12 on a first roll is known as “craps”. Like we said, there are really lots of bets to make, but as you are a beginner, stick to this bet, the ‘Free Odds’.

When (and only) if you bet on the pass line, you can bet also on Free Odds. As the casino has really no statistical advantage with this bet, its known as Free Odds. That is why you must also bet on the pass line, so the casino has some advantage.

If the first roll is not Craps, or a 7 -11, a point number is set. Having bet on the pass line, if a 7 or 11 came you won, if craps came you lost, so we assume neither occurred and you are awaiting for the point. You can now bet Free Odds with a bet equal to your pass line bet.

This is really a good bet. Unless a 7 comes out now, you will win as the point is made. The chances are good you point will arrive (known as ‘made’), before a 7 arrives. You will have won on the passline and free odds bet too. The payout however will be adjusted to what the point was.

Here is how that works.

The 4 and 10 are the easiest to make and thus the pay out is just 2 :1. Second hardest to make are the 5 and 9, and their payout is 3 :1. Now the 6 and 8 are the hardest to make, so their pay out is 6:5.

What have you achieved by betting Free Odds in Craps?

You will have doubled your winnings, safely.

As we said, we assume you are a beginner at Craps, so refrain from the complicated bets. They pay out a lot more, but also, they are very confusing, hard to achieve, and usually will see you lose.

See our next article for more info and how to become a pro at this fantastic game