Author: Staff (Page 16 of 20)

Platform adventure and so much more from Wii U

The launch of Wii U in 2012 brought with it a fantastic selection of titles for gamers to get the most out of the home console. And next year, it looks like there will be plenty more to look forward to. From platform games to health and fitness packages, it seems the Wii U has all gaming bases covered.

Mario returns for platform adventure

For many, the release of a new console comes with the hope there will be re-imagined versions of console classics. Nintendo certainly didn’t let people down, bringing the latest of its Mario games out on the launch day. In New Super Mario Bros. U, you can expect an all new 2D side-scrolling adventure, but with some great new twists in gameplay. As well as allowing up to five people to join in with additional Wii Remote controllers, the innovative Wii U GamePad allows you to get more control by placing Boost Blocks and much more.

Family gaming across Nintendo Land

Wii U is a home console that works brilliantly for solo play, but it’s even better when bringing everyone together. A great example of this is Nintendo Land, a fabulous title that takes you through 12 different attractions – all based on the worlds of famous Nintendo franchises. With each game, players will be challenged to take on a series of levels and modes that will test your skills in all kinds of ways. You can visit places like Luigi’s Ghost Mansion, take part in Mario Chase or take on the bad guys in Metroid Blast, to name just a few of the attractions featured.

More action and adventure to come in 2013

If you were lucky enough to get a Wii U at Christmas, you may be wondering what is coming up in the New Year. Well if its platform fun you’re after then Rayman Legends could be just the ticket. Maybe you’re after high-octane action from one of the latest shooting games? If so, Aliens: Colonial Marines should probably be on your shopping list. There are also releases like Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge and Pikmin 3 to look forward to, as well as Wii U Fit – which could be just the thing to help you out with a few of those New Year’s resolutions you’ll be trying to keep up with!

All in all, if you decided the Wii U console was for you following its November release – there is plenty coming down the line to enjoy in the coming months.

Understanding the odds

Casino games are all based on complex formulas that figure out odds and probabilities or the likelihood that an event will occur. While you do not have to be a math whiz to play casino games, you should still understand a little bit about how the odds work so you can place the best possible bets.

Let’s say, for example, that you decide to play live roulette. The probability that the little metal ball will drop on the number 8 on a European roulette wheel is 1 in 37 (1/37) because you have just one chance that the ball will drop on number 8 out of all of the 37 numbers. This means that the “true odds” of winning with a bet placed on the 8 are 36 to 1. The first number represents how many chances you have to lose a bet and the second number represents how many chances you have to win.

But never forget that casinos are in the business of making money. If the payout odds were also 36 to 1, the casino wouldn’t have any advantage over the players. The casinos solve this problem by offering “payoff odds” that are slightly less than the true odds. That is why payoff odds are also referred to as “the house advantage” and “the house edge.”

Many casinos offer payoff odds of 35 to 1 on the roulette wheel. The difference between the true odds and the payoff odds allows the casino to keep a bit of money on every wager, even including the winning bets. In American roulette, the house advantage runs at 5.26%, which is quite high for a casino game.

If you decide to switch over to a live blackjack game, you’ll be facing different probabilities and odds. For example, if you bet $10 and you get blackjack and win $15, you will win $3 for every $2 that you wager. That would make the payout odds 3 to 2.

Some casino bets have payoff odds of 1 to 1, which means that you win the same amount of money that you wager. Other bets offer payoff odds greater than 1 to 1, which means that you will win more than $1 for each $1 that you wager. Be sure to read all of the payout odds carefully before placing any bets.

Betting Tips

Place casino wagers that offer the lowest house advantage. A good rule of thumb is to only place bets when the house edge is 1.5% or less. A lower house advantage gives the players better odds of winning.

Bear in mind that the closer the payoff odds are compared to the true odds for a specific bet, the lower the house advantage and the more likely you will place a winning wager. Watch out for the word, “for” in payoff odds because it indicates that the house gets to keep your initial bet, even if you win.

Each online casino has its own specific payout odds and every legitimate internet casino will list those odds somewhere on the screen. The higher the house edge, the more money you are expected to lose. Also, the longer you play a casino game, the more money that you will likely lose.

Madden cover boy Cam Newton off to a slow start

On the heels of a disastrous 2011 season for Peyton Hillis after he was named the Madden cover boy, the idea of a “Madden Curse” gained some serious traction, as many football fans and hard core gamers couldn’t get enough of the story. Of course the story is absurd in many ways, but many fans and betters can’t help get caught up in the hysteria. Betters are supposed to rely and cold analysis when picking games, and use resources like stats and some sportsbook review options to make the best picks and find the most advantageous betting lines, but stuff like this always seeps into the equation. Which team has momentum? Which team or player is due?

With Peyton Hillis, he was a one-year wonder with the Browns in 2010, and he proved to be a headcase in 2011, and while he was injured, there are plenty of rational explanations for his terrible season apart from a curse.

Yet while some of the concerns about a curse might be irrational, this year we’re seeing Cam Newton struggle. Now he’s a much better player than Peyton Hillis, so if Newton stumbles, the curse chorus will get even louder. Last night Newton had a very tough game against the New York Giants pass rush, and Newton has looked much more human in 2012. Still, people need to keep in mind that Newton is just in his second season, and many quarterbacks suffer a sophomore slump as defenses in the NFL adapt to your strengths and discover your weaknesses. The truly good players can then also adjust and improve their game.

So whether this is a slump or another manifestation of a video game curse, many eyes will be on Cam Newton to see if he can get back to his 2011 performance levels.

Betting Against Family: How to Hide Your Tells

Everyone enjoys a friendly game of poker, and of course, it’s more fun when playing against family members. However, they know you so well that you might be giving away your hand with your familiar “tells”.

What Is a Tell?


Via Flickr by Snap Happy Brent

A tell is a small gesture or other unconscious habit that may provide information about your poker hand. These little signals will give your opposing players a look at whether you are holding a weak or strong hand. These tells can be detrimental whether you are playing at a gambling city casino in Vegas, with your family or online.

Tells can be something as minor as a little smile or frown, all the way up to something major such as squirming in your chair or coughing. Many times players think that by smiling they can cover up a weak hand and vice versa. These tells often are read by the more experienced players so use these tips if you want to win.

Use the Same Routine


Via Flickr by Fayez

Hiding these tells is not that difficult. For instance, each time you play poker, maintain the same routine and movements. This can include how you handle your chips, how often you check your cards and at what speed you play.

Keep Your Movements in Check


Via Flicker by Biker Jun

Little movements such as staring too long at the flop cards may give away your hand. Looking at the cards too long may indicate that you have a poor hand and need extra time to evaluate. Alternatively, looking away too quickly from the flop may indicate that the cards are just exactly what you need for a winning hand. Betting too quickly is also another tell that should be avoided. It can either be read as a bluff to a poor hand or a sure sign of a terrific one. Also, don’t immediately reach for your chips when betting—it’s a sure tell.

Watch How You Speak


Via Flickr by Alisha Vargas

Another tip for hiding your tell when playing with family is to not to talk or speak frequently. Your silence can disguise many tells and will not provide hints as to your hand.

Wear Those Glasses


Via Flickr by Play Among Friends

We’ve all seen the professional poker players on television who wear hats and dark glasses. Well, these are very effective methods to prevent others from letting others see your tell. Eyes are especially expressive, so hiding behind a pair of dark shades is a very effective method of disguising your tell.

Don’t Appear Too Confident


Image via Flickr

You may feel that appearing supremely confident at all times is a way to throw off your opponents. In fact, the opposite may be the case. Others may perceive this as your way of bluffing a bad hand, or just trying to psych out your opponents. It’s best to remain neutral as much as possible.

Playing Online

Now if you play poker online, it’s obvious that other players won’t be able to “see” your tells. However, there are other tells that can be perceived online. These include the speed of your play. Keep it consistent and it will reduce the opposing players ability to “read” you. Also, don’t forget about online perks. For instance, a good way to enjoy casino games is get more with Europa casino bonus code programs.

No matter how you choose to gamble, just make sure you are aware of your tells and work to disguise them.

Insta Poker app helps you improve your game

I’m addicted to my iPad, particularly when I’m on the treadmill or in airplanes. I mostly use it to watch TV series like “The Wire” or “Sons of Anarchy,” but I also love the apps and games as well.

There’s an app for practically everything now, so we shouldn’t be surprised to see a new app for poker games. There’s a new instructional poker game for the iPhone, iPod and iPad called “Insta Poker.” As you’re playing the game and make a decision, text comments from a pro pop up to give you immediate feedback, letting you know if you made the right or wrong move, and why. The feedback comes from pros like Antonio Esfandiari and Huck Seed. So now you can kill time on a plane with a game that might actually make you money, unlike complete time-wasters like Angry Birds.

Interestingly, the hands in the game are real hands track real events, like hands that took place in televised tournaments or at other high-stakes poker games. The key to this app is teaching you strategy as you’re playing which is critical if you want to develop into an effective poker player.

The game packs for the app cost 99 cents to $6.99, with the most expensive ones having around 15 hands, so the game isn’t cheap. But when you consider how much money you can win in your poker future, or at least how much less money you can lose, then the cost is really a drop in the bucket, or at least comparable to that turkey sandwich you’re ordering at the casino while justifying several more hours at the poker table.

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