Planning a trip to Las Vegas or just interested in spinning the reels at some online casinos?  You can play and play safely and this guide will help you learn the simple steps to keep gambling fun.Determine how much you can lose before you start playing.  It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the casino, the game and the hope that the next spin will bring big winnings.  But that spin will lead to another and another and dig you into a deeper hole.  So, before you begin the game, decide how much money you can afford to gamble and make yourself stop at that point.Study the payout table before you begin.  Slot games, particularly online games, have become more complex and more interactive than ever before.  Usually you need to play the maximum amount of coins to win certain jackpots and certain bonuses, so you’ll want to understand what those events are.  Keep in mind that the game will reward you even if you don’t remember all the variations of winning symbols and lines and malfunctions are extreme rare. But if a rare problem should occur, you’ll want to be able to call the casino staff or take screen shots for an online site. Remember to always bet the maximum coins on Progressive Jackpots. Whether you’re playing online or at a casino, you’ll need to keep in mind that progressive jackpot machines are different from regular machines.  To win that big advertised jackpot, you need to be betting the maximum coins and coin size.  If you don’t, you’ll win a much smaller amount if you hit the jackpot.  So, if you play progressive, play the full amount.If you’re playing at an online casino, take advantage of the practice play or free play that most online casinos offer.  These practice modes can help you become familiar with the game and also give you a snap shot of the payout potential of the game.  I’ve played slots games where my practice money depleted so quickly that I knew I wouldn’t be happy risking real money and others were a handful of dollars could keep you in the game forever.Also, with online casinos, you’ll want to take Advantage of the casino’s slots bonus. Online casinos know that slots players are their bread and butter so they offer many bonuses and matching deposits to tempt new players to their sites.  You’ll want to read the terms for the bonuses since they often have play through requirements before you can withdraw any money. But if you are an avid slots player, the bonuses can work to your advantage. 

Online Blackjack is nothing more than the virtual, Web-based version of the popular casino card game in which the player’s skill can have as much effect on the outcome as the element of chance. Blackjack online offers the same enjoyment as it does in “real world” casinos, but can be played right from your computer – one can wager on and play blackjack online without ever having to leave home!A Short History of the GameNewcomers to online blackjack will be interested to know that the game has a fascinating history that goes back over three hundred years. The ancestor of blackjack games online is a card game known as vingt-et-une, or “Twenty-One,” played in France back at the time of King Louis IV around 1700. It didn’t catch on in the U.S. at first; in order to increase the game’s popularity, gambling saloons began offering a 10 to 1 payout if the gambler’s winning hand contained either the Jack of Clubs or the Jack of Spades; hence, the name “Black Jack.” The name for blackjack games online has stuck, although casinos have not offered the 10 to 1 payout for many decades.Online Blackjack VariationsWhether you’re an advanced player or a novice, you’ll find that blackjack online offers all the standard variations of the game that you’ll find in a brick-and-mortar casino. Some of the variations offered by blackjack games online include “Spanish 21,” which offers payout bonuses for specific combinations, along with the challenge of no tens being used; “21st Century,” or “Vegas Style,” in which a “bust” does not necessarily constitute a loss; and “Double Exposure,” which allows a player to increase his wager even after the dealer has displayed his “up” card.For the adventurous who are seeking an exotic online blackjack experience, there are even sites offering strip blackjack, featuring attractive “virtual” models for your enjoyment.Online Blackjack StrategiesSince reputable virtual casinos operate the same way as their brick-and-mortar counterparts, many of the strategies used by successful blackjack players can also be used when you play blackjack online. These include shuffle tracking as well as the basic and “composition-dependent” strategies. Even “card counting” is not considered cheating, as long as no artificial counting devices are used (although most casinos have gone to multiple-deck games in order to counter this particular strategy).Just For The Fun of ItIt’s worth keeping in mind that while many online blackjack games are played for money, the game can be enjoyable all by itself. Many websites offer blackjack online that can be played for points simply as a pleasant diversion.Whatever your online blackjack preferences, strategies and/or skill level, chances are good that you’ll find multiple opportunities to play blackjack online at a reputable online casino.