Online Casino Reviews Directory

You are invited to read online casino reviews and learn the specifics of the various recommended online casinos you will encounter, before making your choice where to play. These pages will serve as your guide to the casino world. The Online Casino Rating & Reviews Team has reviewed all listed online casinos and provides these reviews as player guides for choosing the best online casinos.

This means a government-regulated internet casino, reputable software fairness, secure and fast payouts, large bonus offers and player rewards, high payout percentages, third party certified and 24/7 customer service support. Below are full reviews, online casinos ratings and bonus information of OCR approved online casinos. Download the software or visit the site directly from each casino's review page.

There are many excellent online casinos; you just need to know which ones they are. At Online Casino sites you can read casinos players reviews and find online casinos in the casino index. This index and directory will help you find online casinos by games they offer, online casinos by their software and online casinos by their ratings.

Best Things About Online Casinos

There are many things you can enjoy a brick and mortar casino. But these things can be seen, moving from one place to another. For example, playing a slot machine and suddenly want to play poker. This means you have to walk, where slot machines are in the poker rooms are. Apart from that can be used until it takes time as well, right? This is just one of many of the hassles you may have to deal with land-based casinos why online casino hit the press.

With the online casino, most of the discomfort of dealing with land-based casinos are directed, not to mention the advance of technology has greatly influenced to simulate a real casino environment, but very accessible from almost anywhere. If you are still not online casino, let's talk about some of the best things about online casinos.

Gambling everywhere
As mentioned, it’s the land-based casino offered in an online community. Except the fact that you are not realistically facing people, a computer instead, there’s not much difference between land-based and online casinos in terms of the games offered and the bonuses associated with it. But, being able to access online casino from almost anywhere is online casinos huge advantage over land-based casinos. All you have to have are an internet connection, a computer and an online casino account, and you can start gambling online from anywhere you want.

Variety of Casino Games
Land-based casinos are pretty much limited to what their gaming machines can offer, thus if you want to offer varieties, it would take time to provide one, not to mention that it can eat up space, as machines can be bulky, and can be maintenance hungry (land-based casinos really have reasons why not to offer varieties). On the flip side, online casinos only need to forward a request to online casino software providers to include game varieties, and these game varieties are made available through the software. That’s it.

Now, what this means to you? Since, online casinos don’t need extra space to host casino game varieties online as well as set aside a portion of their revenue for maintaining the machines, they have all the reason to offer you the kind of bonuses you can’t resist. Is not that one of the things you like about gambling, bonuses?

Alluring Bonuses
And so, we talk about casino bonuses. Since online casinos don’t need budget to maintain machines, but only to casino software development, they have more money to spent on promotions. And since they have money to burn on promotions, there comes alluring bonuses you can enjoy. One of the known online casino bonuses is the welcome bonus, which is automatically given to you after validating a sign-up and making the initial deposit required. How nice is that? If you know your game, this can be gambling for a limited budget. Why? Because, if you know how to spend your bonus, take huge winnings from it, your online gambling investment can only be your initial deposit. Get it? Not a problem if you’ve wasted your welcome bonus, there are still different bonuses you can enjoy such as a reload bonus, which is sometimes given when you make deposits again, comp points, which is playing while earning points that can be converted for a reward, and a lot more.

Instant Play
This is one of the great things I enjoy about online casinos, the instant play feature, also known as the free play. This works really great for me, because I don’t want to be betting on a game I don’t know how to play (that’s like giving your money to the casino the easy way. No way!). This feature can be utilized as a tool to practice and master casino games, though its main purpose is to allow possible customers to test the software offered by the casino, so to help them decide either it’s the right thing for them or not. Most online casinos offer this feature, some even incorporate a bonus on it (no deposit bonus) that’s redeemable after sign-up. The free play doesn’t require sign-up, but sign-up can follow after satisfied with the test play.

No Cash Carry

Sometimes we get the chance. Good luck and saying, what it means to win big pots. Arriving at a slot machine, I could go home from a casino that takes the money you've earned. Is not fear, a huge box significantly in the street? With online casinos, which are the profits go directly to your credit card, bank account or one of the payment methods that meet your choice. What about viewers turning to happy to win big? This could take some of their victory, right? When you play online casino in the comfort of your room, no one to tip, but your dog if you have one.

I could still think of better things about online casinos, but I think that brought to me. What do you think? What are the best things about online casinos you can think outside of the above? Use the comment box below if available.

Online Casino: What are Comp Points?

It is very common for online casinos to offer alluring bonuses to have new players on board. One of common bonuses offered is the welcome bonus which new players get after making their first deposit to fund their account. Apart from the familiar bonuses, there is another type of bonus which is basically given in reward-for-something form, Comp Points.

What are Comp Points?
Comp Points are points acquired for active participation in online casinos. Think of a reward system where in you deserve something from doing the things you should do in an online casino, like playing games. When a casino site offers Comp Points to players, each of them gets points when playing the games offered. Depending on the casinos preference, Comp Points you can get may differ from one game to another.

How to Get Comp Points?
One of the basic things you should do is to be sure about the online casino is catering Comp Points. This reward is basically activated the instance you validated your registration in a casino site and will have you a member of the Comp Points program. So, points begin to count the first time you play a game to the last under a real money account and is deducted by how much you want to convert. This would also mean that the more you get active or play the game you like playing in an online casino where points are counted, the more you can increase points. For instance, a casino might offer 6 points for every $20 wagered.

Comp Points Advantage
Now, why should you care about Comp Points? What will you get when you have acquired enough points?

Depending on the online casino, Comp Points may be converted into cash or prizes like gift cards or technical hardware. Comp Points to cash or prizes conversion may differ from one casino to another. Moreover, there might be different cash brackets or prize denominations equivalent to a certain Comp Points acquired. You may refer to the comp reward table for reference on what you will get when converting points of a certain amount. For instance, a casino might offer $1 for each 50 comp points.

Comp Points are beneficial for highly active players for the reason that points could increase rapidly based on the regularity and speed of activities. If you are this type of player, you may consider finding an online casino with comp Points offering. This way, you can get something back out from your gambling spending.

Sleep Deprivation Leads to Confidence for Online Poker Gamblers

Ask any professional poker player and they will tell you that trust is a key element of winning. Confident that the players believe they will win; tend to do much better in the poker of those who know themselves and their abilities.

A recent study indicates that sleep deprivation may actually be an advantage to poker players. The study indicated that those who have been deprived of sleep will focus more on positive outcomes in whatever they are doing. For poker players, that means a positive outlook in hands and tournaments that could decide the financial outcome for the night.

Twenty-nine participants agreed to be tested in various conditions. The subjects were tested after a full night of sleep, and also when they were kept up all night. The results showed that when a full night of sleep was had, the overall outlook was more negative.

"This study would explain why online poker players prefer to play in the middle of the night," said Gaming Analyst Brad Dawkins. "Sometimes poker players stay at the tables for upwards of eight hours at a time, and many will say they do better after they have settled into a groove on the tables after many hours of play."

In casinos, poker rooms around the world packed into the early hours of the morning. The late crowd fills the spaces, and many professionals, like to play at this time due to competition level. Be confident they will win is not always a good thing for the players.

Winning at Texas Hold ‘em Poker

Texas Hold’em Poker is the world’s favorite poker game. Texas hold’em is considered to be the most popular type being played in the casinos today, whether online or in real casinos. Generally, Texas Hold ‘Em Poker starts with a batch of two players situated at the left of the “dealer button.” This dealer buttons refers to the round disc being passed on clockwise on each player. It signifies who will be dealer in the event that the deal was move forward from one player to another.

The betting starts on the first part of the game where the money is placed into the pot before dealing the cards. Normally, the first blind is the one that places half of the required minimum stake. The first blind refers to the player situated at the left of the dealer. The second blind, on the other hand, is the one responsible in placing the full minimum required bet.

Since the very object of the game is to win whatever is in the pot, it is best to know some texas hold’em strategies so as to get an edge over the other players. Here are a few strategies.

1. The table.

When a player is playing Texas hold ‘em poker, the best thing that he or she should consider is selecting the table. This is because players, regardless of their skills in playing the game, will be constrained to give their best shots if the table is too assertive, too rigid or too loose, or if it consists of players that are more skillful.

The bottom line: Even if the essence of winning the game is directly affected by the skills of the player, it is still best to play on a table that has few raisers but many callers.

The logic behind this concept is based on the fact that the more raisers there are in a table, the lesser the chances of winning the game.

2. When a player is in the early position, it is best to raise with K-K, A-K, and A-As, then, with A-Qs, Q-Q, J-J, A-K, T-T, have a call and then fold everything else.

3. For players who already have a remarkable hand starters, especially when he or she has a high pair, say JJ or even higher, it is best not to hesitate raising it before the flop. Indeed, playing Texas hold ‘em poker requires skills also. It is not all based on gambling. This just goes to show that games like this requires both luck and skill to win the pot.

Seven Card Stud Poker

Seven card stud poker is played on most online poker sites and is offered in most live casinos. The game is dealt as follows, two cards face down and one up to each player followed by a round of betting. Three more dealing rounds of an up card to each player followed by a round of betting after each dealt card. The final card is dealt face down to each player followed by a final round of betting. When the bets are called or folded to, the hands are exposed and the best poker hand wins the pot.

The starting hands that are considered worth continuing the play and calling the bets are as follows, three of a kind, a pair, three suited cards and three numerical running cards of any suit. The other players up card should also be considered when making this decision. Calling without a good starting hand is not wise as this makes it an uphill battle to end up with the winning hand. Good starting hands give that player a leg up on ending up with a better hand and winning the pot. Poker is a game of perceived edge both in fact and in the players mind. Without this edge, the player who calls bets may as well be playing straight show down poker where a bet is made at the beginning and no decisions are made during the play of the hand. That is pure gambling and not intelligent risk taking.

Whether to continue the play of the hand depends on what the other players are showing in their up cards and the size of the bet versus the size of the pot. The value of your hand if you hit the next cards dealt versus what you believe the other players may be betting on. If your prospective final hand is a likely winner, then you should consider calling the current bets.

Remember, bluffing is allowed and a strong showing hand may be a false front with nothing behind the bet. This is part of the game and should be used judiciously, but it should be an element of your play. Good players win pots all of the time with non-winning hands due to the way they bet the hand. Playing good starting hands will allow a player of betting better hands and not having to bluff. This is the real advantage of making it part of your play to be selective in the starting hands your will consider for play.

H.O.R.S.E Poker

H.O.R.S.E poker is a mix of five different games. The games are Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz poker, 7 Card Stud and 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo. These games are always played in fixed limit format. The most important thing to consider when first trying out H.O.R.S.E poker is that you must have a working knowledge of each game, if you do not, you will find yourself doing really well at one point, and then simply giving all your money back as soon as its time for a game that you don't understand as well.

In terms of actual game mechanics, there is nothing different about H.O.R.S.E poker than if you were to simply play these games individually. The main things you will have to consider is your ability to switch gears each time the game changes.

You will probably start to figure out how each of your opponents plays, but remember that when the game changes, they might have a completely different poker strategy, so you really have to be able to adapt in many different kinds of situations to be able to be successful at H.O.R.S.E poker.

The best idea for a beginner is definitely to start out at the low levels when first trying H.O.R.S.E poker; you may even want to just try a cheap tournament to get the feel of the different games. Another suggestion is to simply make sure you have sat down and put in a few hours at each of the different games before you sit down to play them all at one table.

In H.O.R.S.E poker it is actually much harder to learn each game because you only play it for one round at a time before you have to switch gears and play a different game.

Poker in UK

Poker clubs all over the UK allow you to play your favorite game offline and London has been touted as the best city in Europe to go for poker. There are a number of things which separate online poker from offline poker. Those who play offline will notice substantial differences if they are playing online for the first time. In this article I will go over the differences between the two. A common misconception by traditional poker players is that they can use the same offline strategies in an online environment. Poker in UK has different categories, people refer offline poker as “real poker”, though online poker offers conventional and virtual pleasure of playing poker, there are few enthusiastic who love playing the game on a real pot.

Since Poker is a card game and involves luck and skill it has been categorized under the gaming Act 1968 (the "Act"). This Act governs gaming in the UK and any violation of the Act could result in every person involved in the organization of the offending game being found guilty of an offence. As such, each individual could be found liable on summary conviction and face imprisonment and/or a fine.

Poker in UK has become one of the most popular games and progressing towards becoming the most popular game played both offline and online. It is a game that is experiencing a renaissance of the best kind. Poker in United Kingdom was considered to be a game played among the middle aged men. They played their weekly poker games on the kitchen table which now apparently is growing to become the greatest game in the country.

Most of the poker enthusiasts indulge and practice playing Texas Holdem poker for which there are several reasons. One of the reasons, and perhaps the most important one, is that Texas holde’em is a simple and easy to understand it requires basic skills and normal card game skills. It is one of those games that it may take you only a few short minutes to learn the basics, but it really does take a lifetime to master all the strategies and ways to play, and win, the most fabulous game of poker. It takes a lot to play the game, and it is especially useful of you have some game experience before you actually play.

In the United Kingdom, poker is gaining its important however, it does not have as many players as United States. The no. of casinos also available in the United Kingdom is not as much as compared to America. Online poker is getting a lot of importance and most of the online poker websites have seen a considerable increase of visitors and interaction and transaction. Poker in the UK has an amazing future both with respect to online and offline.

Clearing an online poker bonus

Visit any online poker sites and you will be introduced to a world of online poker bonuses with each site trying to outdo the other. Perhaps a quick look at our poker room reviews may help you to decide better on which site to choose to gain access to the best online first deposit bonus.

Once you have signed on you will surely be wondering how to clear that online poker bonus. How do you optimize the task of getting that extra money out of the bonus account and into your real money bankroll? Well here are a few basic steps that you could follow:

Learn the Conditions to clear the online bonus
In the early days of poker room bonuses, players could only clear the funds through cash game play while tournament players were out of luck. Currently, many sites do allow you to clear your bonus by playing poker in tournaments. These calculate bonus clearing the same way they calculate player points. Thus before you start trying to earn credit toward your bonus through playing tournaments, find out if the site allows this practice.

Raising the Stakes may not help always
Some players see bonus clearing as an opportunity to move up in limits. They figure even if they go on a losing streak that the bonus will make up for it. However, you can clear the bonus just as quickly by playing your current limit.

Check your bankroll
Check your bankroll and plan properly for every game that you take part in. You do not want to deplete your bankroll before you clear the bonus. If this happens, you will have to deposit more money so that you can release the bonus in the time allotted.

So once Bonus is in your account what do you do? Simple answer, be sensible with it. It is your own hard earned money and should be defended with the same care and skill which you apply to your regular bankroll.

 

Overcoming bad beats in Texas Hold'em

In order to win at Texas Hold'em or for that matter at any poker game, you need to have the right strategy. The kind that helps you win pots of money. Your poker strategy could be based on any aspect of the game ranging from specific in-game theory to the psychological aspects of play.

A major setback to any poker players' game is a bad beat. The kind that drops you from the high of being all in on the flop with top set against two over cards, to the low of being outdrawn to a runner-runner flush. This is where your strategy comes in, where you have a game plan before playing your next hand.

Losing a lot of money in the game can be pretty frustrating. An aggressive player will determinedly chase after it for the rest of the session while attempting to pull off huge bluffs and losing more money in the bargain. Some beats are so bad, they drive you insane and you waste the rest of your chips on that ten-high flush draw.

Do not lose heart; there are ways in which you can avoid such an obvious leak of chips:
Take a break: Cool off. Poker is a mind game, and your mind needs some rest, sometimes. If you return to the game in a rational frame of mind, the probabilities of you playing at the top of your game and winning your money back are higher.

Think in terms of expectation: Think of the money you had expected to win on the hand that you lost with. As for instance, if you hold an AA against an AK pre-flop, there are 90% chances that you could win the hand. You could use an odds calculator to figure this out. You can now say that you won 90% of what was in the pot, the 10% chance of losing being an occasional situation that caught up with you this time. Okay, maybe you lost this particular hand but later on you will be winning more.

A poker lover will come across bad beats at some point of time in his play. It is what makes the player sharpen his skills at the game and not just depend on luck alone. What is important is that we overcome the bad beats by playing the right strategy.

Poker Celebrities: Edward Giddens

Edward Simon Hunter Giddins better known as Edward Giddens was born 20 July 1971 in Eastbourne, Sussex. Edward is a former English cricketer who played in four tests from 1999 to 2000. Giddins played for four counties during his career Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Warwickshire, and.

Edward Giddins' career was full of controversy. In 1996 he was sacked by Sussex because of drug offences and was banned from cricket for 18 months. Almost seven years later he was fined £5000, plus £1000 costs, and was banned from cricket for a further five years after being found guilty of placing a £7000 bet on his own side (at the time) Surrey, to lose their County Championship game.
He has recently turned to poker to earn his living and has appeared on the poker chat show Heads Up with Richard Herring to discuss this career. Edward Giddens has cashed in 16 big tournaments and fantabulous poker pots  to date with total winnings of $81,676.00. He has only had one first place finish.

Edward Giddens Poker Tournament Career Wins include the following:

• SpringFest No Limit Hold'em - 9th $2,456 Apr 11, 2007
• Sussex Masters No Limit Hold'em - 1st $18,747 Apr 5, 2007
• Sussex Masters No Limit Hold'em - 5th $1,968 Apr 4, 2007
• Dom Classics 2007 No Limit Hold'em - 6th $3,404 Jan 25, 2007
• Summer Shaker Event #1 - Pot Limit Hold'em - 2nd $3,149 Aug 14, 2006
• The Summer FestivalNo Limit Hold'em -3rd $6,580 May 23, 2006
• Celeb Poker Dublin Classic No Limit Hold'em - 4th $4,587 May 13, 2006
• Sussex Masters Pot Limit Hold'em - 2nd $3,665 Apr 10, 2006
• Midlands Medley Pot Limit Hold'em - 2nd $7,686 Feb 26, 2006
• Midlands Medley No Limit Hold'em - 3rd $11,811 Feb 22, 2006
• Christmas Cracker Tournament No Limit Hold'em - 2nd $5,812 Dec 13, 2005
• European Poker Championships No Limit Hold'em - 12th $656 Aug 7, 2005
• January Sales Pot Limit Hold'em - 10th $375 Jan 28, 2005
• Christmas Cracker Tournament No Limit Hold'em - 5th $6,749 Dec 4, 2004
• Southampton Poker Festival Pot Limit Hold'em - 10th $469 Nov 1, 2004
• Harbour Lights Poker Tournament Pot Limit Hold'em - 5th $3,562 Oct 29, 2004

It is unknown as to whether Edward plays or wins a lot of ring/cash games but it is assumed he does pretty well in them considering his placings in the above poker tournaments.

Poker Celebrities: Doyle Brunson

Doyle Brunson also known as Texas Dolly was born on August 10, 1933. Doyle is one of the famous poker celebrities a renowned American professional poker player who has played professionally for more than 50 years. One of the legendary Texas Road gamblers, Doyle Brunson is the first two-time World Series of Poker main event champion to win consecutively. He is also a Poker Hall of Fame inductee, and the author of several highly influential books on poker including:

• Doyle Brunson's Super System: A Course in Power Poker, 1979
• Doyle Brunson's Super System II, 2004
• Poker Wisdom of a Champion, 2003 (formerly titled According to Doyle when published in 1984)
• Online Poker: Your Guide to Playing Online Poker Safely & Winning Money, 2005
• My 50 Most Memorable Hands, 2007
• According to Doyle, 2007

Doyle Brunson was the first poker player to earn 1 million dollars in poker tournaments and has won ten World Series of Poker bracelets throughout his career. He is tied with Johnny Chan for second all-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner,  one behind the poker brat; Phil Hellmuth's eleven total bracelets. Doyle Brunson is also one of only four players to have won the Main Event at the World Series of Poker multiple times, which he did in 1976 and 1977 back to back. He is also one of only two poker players (Bill Boyd the other) to have won bracelets at the WSOP in four consecutive years. Doyle Brunson was also the first of five players to win both the WSOP Main Event and a World Poker Tour title. In January 2006, Bluff Magazine voted Brunson the number 1 most influential force in the world of poker.

Doyle Brunson is also now famous for his online poker site Doyles Room. Doyle plays most weeks in the famous Doyles Room bounty tournament where knocking out him gains you extra cash. Knock out the other bounties and receive more.

As for Doyles winning total in the world of poker it is monstrous. Back when Doyle won the World Series of Poker back to back, payouts for winning the event were not as big as today. If the payouts for first place in the World Series were as big in 1976 and 1977 Doyle Brunson would definitely also hold the record for cashing in the main event.

Among other poker celebrities, Doyle Brunsons Tournament cashing s are beyond comprehension to some people. This year alone he has cashed 6 times. 50 pages would be needed to write a complete history of Doyles poker tournament cashing s. As quoted by the Hendon Mob "If ever a bio was unnecessary, Brunson would be the man". If we include the cash made from cash games; Doyle Brunson could well be the biggest ever poker winner, the god of poker as such.

Poker Celebrities : Anne Duke

 

Anne LaBarr Lederer-Duke better known as Annie Duke was born on September 13, 1965. Annie Duke is a professional poker player and also a book author. Annie won a bracelet in the 2004 World Series of Poker $2,000 Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Event and was the winner of the 2004 World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions, where she earned the Winner-Take-All prize of $2,000,000. At the time, this victory was the most money paid in a single event to a female poker player. That record was broken by Annette Obrestad during the 2007 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event.

Annie holds the women's record for most "in the money" finishes at the WSOP. Duke has won more than three million dollars in tournament play. Nowadays she refuses to play in women's only tournaments . As of 2009 Annie Dukes total live tournament winnings exceeded $3,600,000. Her 37 cashes at the WSOP account for $1,136,846 of those winnings.

Annie Duke became the first poker player to appear on The Colbert Report. During the show, she talked about her book How I Raised, Folded, Bluffed, Flirted, Cursed, and Won Millions at The World Series of Poker; and what it's like to be a woman in a male-dominated event. Annie Duke Takes on the World featuring Annie playing against amateur poker players was shown on Game Show Network (GSN) in 2006.

Other television appearances include Annie Dukes appearance as a member of the Mob (NBC) where she correctly answered every question and was the only celebrity who wasn't eliminated. She returned and was successful on another fe occasions before returning on February 9 2007 under "Last Man Standing" rules where the game continued until only one person remained. She survived to reach the final five of 100 contestants.

Annie Duke has appeared on NBC's Poker After Dark three times but has not won, Deal Or No Deal to support a contestant who, after taking a $341,000 deal from the bank with only two cases left, found her case number 13 had the $1,000,000.

Along with Phil Hellmuth Jr., Duke is a coach on Fox Sports Network's Best Damn Poker Show.

Lastly she appeared on the Donald Trump reality television show, Celebrity Apprentice. Throughout the season, each celebrity raised money for a charity of his or her choice. Duke raised more money for her charity (Refugees International) than any other contestant. Of the field of 16 competitors, Duke survived to compete in the finale against her primary rival throughout the show, Joan Rivers.

As for her poker game and cash play, it is assumed that Annie Duke is one hell of a money maker and probably the best female poker player the world has seen to date.