The Trippy Grape - The OFFICIAL Trippy Grape Blog

The Basics of Playing
There are two ways you can go in terms of actually gambling online, Java and downloadable software. Java offers almost immediate playing but downloadable software offers better sound and graphics. Some people find downloadable software much more enjoyable and faster but there are those that prefer Java. Most of the casinos with downloadable software also offer a free CD version. Once you have the software installed (unless with a Java based casino) the next step is to open an account. This is sometimes done on the casino web site and sometimes through the software. Then you must put some money into your account. The vast majority of the time this is done with a credit (or debit) card. Other options include bank transfers but both of these necessitate substantial fees, which many online casinos will credit back to your account. Beware that most credit cards will treat deposits to an online casino as a cash advance. If this happens then you may have success in arguing the charge but many credit cards have a flat policy that a purchase of casino chips counts as a cash advance. We recommend using debit cards instead, there is never a cash advance fee and the transactions are posted faster. Once you have money in your account you may then begin to play. Be sure to check the rules first, many online casinos favor European rules which can be different that U.S. rules. This can be good or bad depending on the particular rule. As you play I would suggest documenting everything you do. If you plan to return in the near future do not cash out, just leave your money in your account. When you do cash out the chips will be converted to cash and credited back to your credit card, up to the amount of the initial purchase. If you have a net win then the winnings will have to be sent another way, usually by cheque. Most casinos will send winnings for free but others will subtract a finance charge.

The Pros and Cons of Online Casino Gambling
There can be no debate that online gambling is a lot different than gambling in a physical casino. In some ways it is better and in some ways it is worse. Below are pros and cons of online gambling, based on experiences, and compared to gambling in a "real" casino.

The Pros
1. Online gambling is a competitive business and many casinos will offer a lot to get and keep your business. Many will offer sign-up bonuses to new customers, adding 10 to 50% of your initial deposit to your account. The rules are usually better than in physical casinos.
2. You don't have to travel long distances. The casino is in your own home.
3. You don't have to suffer real casino annoyances, like smokers.
4. You don't have to feel obligated to tip.

The Cons
1. You have to be patient about getting your money after you cash out. In addition to waiting periods on the casino end there are also delays on the credit card end. Two to four weeks is the norm for the time between cashing out and your credit appearing back on your credit card. Debit cards are much faster taking only about 3 to 5 business days.
2. Customer service can be spotty depending on where you play. Some places offer great service via e-mail and a toll-free number. Others take several days to reply to an e-mail, have no known telephone number, and generally seem like they just don't want to be bothered aside from taking your money.
3. The player has no power or authority to turn to in the event of a dispute. Usually in the player agreement it says the casino can make up the rules as they go and in the event of a dispute the casino's word is final.
4. If you play at a lot of places your credit/debit card statement will be a nightmare to balance. Transactions seldom indicate the name of the casino you played at but instead specify the merchant bank.

What is expected of the Player?
One of the biggest problems facing the online gambling business is abuse by players. This is a very legitimate concern because there are a lot of people seeking to defraud the industry.
Although online gambling is a very competitive business, but when it comes to player abuse the industry feels so strongly that the online casinos help to protect each other. Specifically negative databases, or blacklists, of players suspected of fraud or abuse are shared among the online casinos. The typical reasons for being blacklisted are:

1. Disputing credit card charges
2. Threatening to dispute charges
3. Using someone else's credit card
4. Manipulation of gaming software
5. Opening more than one account per household or computer

Of these disputing and threatening to dispute charges are the biggest problem the industry faces. The industry term for this is a charge back. This will get a player blacklisted very quickly. Multiple accounts per household or computer I believe is only frowned on if multiple bonuses are given to the same household or same e-mail address.
Once the player is on the blacklist they will likely be unwelcome at every casino that the list is shared with. It is like a bad credit rating or a police record; it follows you wherever you go. Placement on a blacklist is not always justified and once on it there is no authority to appeal to for removal.
Doing business in the unregulated world of the Internet is risky for both player and casino. For this reason there seems to be an unwritten code of honor expected of players. In the absence of a higher authority to regulate the business, players are held accountable to an implied good faith contract.

Playing for Bonuses
To attract your business many casinos will add a bonus to your initial deposit, usually 10% but I have seen it go as high as 100%. When you accept a bonus you are usually required to meet a certain level of betting action to cash out the bonus. Read the rules carefully before you start playing. After opening an account wait at least 15 minutes for any welcome e-mail to come in. Sometimes this e-mail will indicate different rules than what the web site says about earning a bonus. Assume that you have to meet the more stringent of the conditions. Regardless of what the rules are you should more than exceed them. If pressed for specifics I would say play at least 50% more than required but 100% or more is better. Some online casinos claim and exercise the right to deny bonuses to customers they feel are only it is for the bonus, as opposed to the enjoyment of the casino.

Choosing Where to Play
There are a lot of online casinos to choose from. Some important things to consider are:

1. Is there a sign-up bonus? If so how much?
2. How are the rules? This can vary a lot in games like blackjack and video poker.
3. Are there transaction fees? If so how much?
4. Is there a phone number you can call? Is it toll free? If you call is the line busy?
5. Is the casino licensed?
6. Is their information available about who owns and operates the casino?
7. Who provides the software, is it a reliable name or some mystery no-name company.

The 10 Commandments of Online Gambling

1. Know the Local Law
Sad to say, but in some places it's illegal to gamble on the Internet. Know your legal status in your country, province before betting online. Online gambling laws are ever-changing and the best way to definitively determine the current laws that apply to you is by contacting your local authorities.
See our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about online gambling laws.

2. Know the Casino
Good online casinos provide extensive info pages that tell you where they are licensed, who's behind the operation, what their game rules and cash policies are, and how to contact them for help. Do your research. Check out message boards to see if your casino has been stiffing its players. Does a government license the casino? How long have they been in business? Are they a member of the Interactive Gaming Council, the primary "code of conduct" body for online gaming? Know who you're doing business with using your credit card.

3. Play For Free
Almost every casino offers a "Play for Free" option and if they don't, go elsewhere. Playing for free is the first thing you should do since it's your way of giving the casino a test drive. This will help you uncover unexpected problems. Maybe their games just won't run on your machine. There are hundreds of casino sites online so there's no reason to rush into it.

4. Demand Adequate Customer Support
Better casinos offer toll-free telephone support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Other customer support options include 24/7 chat; local phone numbers, fax lines, and lastly, email. Try out their service by calling to ask a question, or hop on the chat to see if anyone is actually there. As a Prospective customer it's your right to see if anybody's home.

5. Know the Payout Options
Most online casinos will credit your credit card up to the amount you originally deposited, then send the remainder of your winnings to you by cheque in the mail, which you'll usually receive in 1 to 2 weeks. Often you can request a wire transfer for a small fee. Pass on a casino that places a charge on basic withdrawals. Why should you pay them to give you your own money? A good casino treats its winners and losers with respect.

6. Check Out the Bonuses
Bonuses have become a standard means of attracting and keeping players. These range from sign-on and referral bonuses. The bottom line is that a good casino will thank its players for their Patronage with these small gifts and gratuities and that means your Rand/dollar will go a little further when you play with them. A no-bonus casino is a rare thing these days and generally deserves all the special attention it offers.
See free casino cash

7. Know That All Games Are Not Created Equally
The Internet is a world of software and that means that the payouts, house commissions, number of decks in play, number of zeros on the Roulette wheel, and just about everything else can be set to whatever the software designers like. Some online casinos have better odds than others. If roulette is your game, why play a double-zero game when you can play single-zero? Prefer craps? Find casinos that let you plunk down double or triple free odds, or better. This information is generally published in the casino's "rules and info" section. If it isn't, feel free to contact their support people and ask. If they won't tell you, find another casino. Some casinos go so far as to publish their payout tables on their site. To be taken seriously, these figures should be audited and certified by a reputable accounting firm, such as Price Waterhouse Coopers.

8. Protect the Data
When the time comes to actually sign up to "Play for Real", there are things you should watch out for. For the sign-on process the casino should open a secure, data-encrypted link to protect your personal info from being scooped up. You must protect yourself by ensuring the security of your link. While the browser people will tell you to check the little lock (Internet Explorer) or key (Netscape) symbol at the bottom of your browser, there's more that you can do to ensure your safety. In the address box of your browser check that the sign-on page begins with "https://" instead of the usual "http://".

9. Play To Win
When you're playing online you can take your time to make your decisions, so play to win.

10. Enjoy yourself
When you choose to gamble on the Internet, you're forsaking the smoke, the free drinks, the hangers-on and all the charms of the casino staff, so you might as well do whatever you can to get the most out of it. Light up a cigar, play a good soundtrack, have a whiskey, whatever. You're the floor manager when you play at home so make it good. Who better to pamper the player than you?

Gambling Tips
Tips for all games in general:
Never play when tired.
Never drink and play (unless you're playing with someone else's money).
Leave any game after consecutive losses.
Don't try to impress people by betting more than you can afford to lose.
Quit when you are ahead.
Predetermine a goal for winnings, pocket a sizable fraction once achieved, then play with the remainder, more or less aggressively, depending on your nature and intuition.

Tips for online games:
Online casinos are different from physical casino gambling. Since online casinos are all computer generated, there may be some programming weaknesses. One thing that gives online gambling an edge is that most casinos offer practice sessions. Play every practice session at every casino that looks good to you. This gives you the opportunity to not only get used to the sights and sounds, but also to also explore questions about game rules, licensing, security, customer service and technical support.

Poker
A large win in an online poker game in no way affects the odds of the next hand dealt. The program shuffles the cards in fractions of a second effectively making each hand independent of any previous hands played. The strategy to wining a royal flush is to always be aware of its potential. If you have three to a royal, sacrifice anything short of a three of a kind. At all costs throw away the odd card in four to a royal. Unless it is a straight flush to the king. Pay attention to the "hold" button. Often it is hit too fast and a card meant to be held is discarded. Never keep a high card in addition to a pair. The odds are against this strategy.

Blackjack:
Take a card on any hand 16 or lower, you'll never win with less than 17 unless the dealer busts. "Doubling down" involves doubling your bet and receiving one additional card when you suspect strongly that you will beat the dealer by doing so. This is the player's chief advantage, so don't ignore this option. Take a hit on any hand below 17 when the dealer shows ace, K, Q, J, 10, 9, or 8, these are cards that are unlikely to make the dealer bust. Stand on any hand above 11 when the dealer shows a 4,5, or 6, cards, these are cards that cause the dealer to bust more than 40% of the time. Never split 10's or 5's. Always split 8's or 7's against a dealer's card of equal or lower value. Always split 2's or 3's against a 4, 5, or 6. Always split aces. Never split face cards, 10's, or 5's.

Slots:
Recognize the symbols that constitute a jackpot on your machine. All machines are different. Try to always play the maximum bet. If a machine will take a bet of two dollars, place the two-dollar bet. This gives you the best odds of winning long-term If you get a good hit play another couple of pulls and run.

Roulette:
The Roulette wheel has no memory and it does not keep record of previous results. Roulette is simply a game of luck. Don't place a five number Roulette bet, it has the worst odds.

Craps:
The average roller rolls the dice 4 to 6 times before rolling a 7. Think about your next move before the dice have been rolled.

A tip for new gamblers:
DISCIPLINE,DISCIPLINE,DISCIPLINE!

DISCIPLINE means:
Decide on how many $ you can afford to lose, Decide on how many $ you want to win Leave when either suggestion come up, no matter how tempting it is to keep winning.

If you want to win more, go back often and remember DISCIPLINE,DISCIPLINE,DISCIPLINE!