Pit Boss Blog

Last week I discussed cashback bonuses here and I’d like to continue this with a look at other types of bonuses regularly available on casino websites. I’ll be looking at when you can expect them, what they’re really worth and, if you get a choice, which ones to go for. I think it’s important that we look at how almost all bonuses are awarded, played and played through before discussing anything else, as it’s easy to get carried a long by a big bonus figure and to ignore the stuff that will allow actually see the bonus, or any winnings from it, enter your bank balance. If you didn’t understand what I meant by play through then this article is going to be useful to you. So when can you expect a bonus? Well, straight after your first money deposit normally. Most casinos will reward a percentage figure up to a maximum amount. For example 100% up to $50. So deposit $50 and get another $50 free. However, there are a few offers called no deposit bonuses which ...

Often the only casino bonus most players have heard of is either the deposit bonus, a percentage amount and a maximum ceiling amount in bonus money, and free chips – the Holy Grail of bonuses. Few are offered or enquire about a cash back offer, but is this something you should be interested in? Like all bonuses, cash back results in more chips in your account and duly extends your time at the casino. That means an increased chance of hitting that jackpot or hitting a lucky streak, so of course it’s worth taking up if offered. However, we rarely see such bonuses advertised on sites. In fact, even cash back Wednesday style promotions have dried up. Why? The main reason cash back isn’t offered more regularly is simply because of its negative connotations, whereby the whole principle is based on losses. The fact it is offered in advance of play smacks of defeatism – who wants to preconceive losing before actually laying down chips? With that in mind, it’s offered ...

This is a common question I hear asked both when I’m on the casino floor in bricks and mortar casinos, and in forums and blogs online. The questions differ with each environment, but generally boil down to the following points: 1. I play online and I think I’m being anti-social...maybe I should play offline? 2. I play offline and I’ve heard the slots are more generous? 3. I hear I can get more bonuses if I play online, not just free drinks now and again? 4. I want to play online, but I just don’t trust the casinos. All valid points, but are all character driven. If you miss the social interaction that an offline casino offers, then simply look to games that offer a similar interaction online, such as a live casino, or even those offered on TV. Generally there’s a chat element to the games and you get to speak to a real dealer and, sometimes, the players. Naturally, you could always go to your nearest offline casino too, but don’t be surprised if on a ...

The release of the Lord of the Rings slot machine got me thinking. Well, naturally after blowing a few quid on giving it a spin. Is it better to be immersed into a brand or theme you recognise, or is it better to play a machine where the focus is on the playing and better theoretical payouts? Having bet – on the lowest setting – until checking out every movie sequence and bonus, of which there are many, I realised that I had no faith in the machine. Big brands means big budgets, and big spend must be paid by someone. I didn’t want that someone to be me... Instinctively I’d realised this before even turning the machine on and was literally just going through the motions so that I could say I’ve played what has been dubbed as the biggest slot machine launch this year, if not ever...Once I’d done seeing Frodo lumber and lurch around Mordor, Gollum eat a few raw fish and, more importantly, lost all my money, I went back to my usual games. What are my usual ...

There’s something about a casino. There’s the obvious thrill from a big win but there’s also the element of the unknown, maybe even a slight sense of doing something - and for the want of a better word - naughty about visiting one. And it’s not just me, or a handful of people reading this or at the tables now, because the film industry is littered with memorable characters, movies and one-liners from gambling and particularly casino-related films. I caught the last hour of Casino Royale the other day and it reminded of what a great film it is but also just how great gambling can be. I instantly went down the local casino and joined a small €30 buy-in tournament – yeah, not the stuff of Bond, I know, but I never said I was good at the game – and managed to restrain myself from donning the tux. I was immediately dealt pocket rockets (2 aces) and played them right to the river, following an all-in move from the remaining opponent. Deep down I knew he ...

We all know and love the classic table games, like blackjack and Caribbean stud, but what about the other numerous table games listed at online casinos, or hidden away on the casino floor? We’re all put off by the unknown and most people don’t want to gamble twice: the actual bet and then risking that bet on a game we don’t fully understand. So what opportunity does that give us to learn and possibly profit from games such as Oasis Poker, 3 Card Poker, Red Dog, Casino Hold’em and so on. Well, there’s hope online, with many good casinos providing information on each of the game, but, more importantly, offer players the chance to play for free. That way, at no risk, players can learn a new game and see if it’s really for them. I think most blackjack or Caribbean stud players will quickly appreciate the quality of Oasis Poker, if they just gave it a bit of time. With very player friendly odds, enough depth to keep someone who likes a little bit of a challenge ...

Like the vast majority of players, when I first started playing I didn’t know anything about casino licences. It goes without saying then that I was utterly oblivious to where a casino was licensed and what implications this meant. In fact, as long as the website looked pretty trustworthy then that was enough for me. It’s pretty shocking attitude to have, and having been ripped off by flybynightcasino.com like sites a few times I started to take notice, and so should you. It’s easy to think that your casino is in your home country, with casinos in the British market often draping things in the Union Jack, or German or French facing casinos adorned in the colours and symbols of the EU. The reality is that many are run and operated by people anywhere but those locations – some from as far afield has Curacao, Costa Rica, Canada or even Manila in the Philippines. But what’s the difference, I hear you ask. Well sometimes nothing, sometimes it’s everything ...

We've all been there. Whether gambling, driving...listening to David Pleat's football commentary...we've all experienced moments of anger that influenced our decisions. In gambling and poker its known as going tilt, where the urge to win, to recover losses and anger at previous mistakes combine to bring down the red-mist. That manifests in players raising the ante or moving move all-in when one really shouldn't (pair of pocket deuces, for example!) and generally losing that element of control necessary to win. This isn't far removed from the feeling many casino players get after a series of unfortunate losses. The skill elements of poker aren't as pronounced and therefore the level of self-blame is not as prevalent, but the feeling of the next big win must be just round the corner and the urge to recover losses still exist, and are such that casino players often end up losing more than they wanted to. So, how to stop this from happening? Well, it's nothing revolutionary ...

It isn’t often I write about a single slot game, preferring to talk about the type of machine as a collective. However, there are a few out there that really standout, breaking the mould and transcend the simple “feed coin in, pull handle and repeat” feel of many. One of those that noticeably raise the bar is NetEnt’s Jungle Games. NetEnt are a popular and growing Swedish casino game manufacturer. In the past their games have been seen as an addition to sportsbooks and poker sites, but with a few years of experience behind them they’ve grown into a respected out and out casino software producer. Classic slots like Gonzo’s Quest, Wild Witches and Pacific Attack signalled their intention to produce slots up there with the very best manufacturers, and having just brought out Jungle Games it’s a trend they obviously plan to continue. So what’s so special about Jungle Games? To be honest, in comparison to others out there – the one’s ...

Why's it called Red Dog? Haven't got a Scooby Doo, but nearly every casino proudly pronounces that it is home to Red Dog. Like a kennel, or something. A red one, perhaps?...If anyone does know please comment below and I'll sort some free chips at my favourite online casino, Jackpot Games , for you. I wasn't even a fan of the game until recently. I thought it has a stupid name and therefore is a stupid game. It really isn't. In fact it's one of those games that is so simple and the logic so balanced - a bit like Hi-Lo - that you can happily play for hours. It's got a pretty great margin too, and you do feel you're so close to beating the casino on every hand. For those that haven't taken Red Dog for a walk then this is how it works: You place an ante bet and two cards are dealt. As the cards are displayed a counter will slide across a board of numbers and payouts. The number of cards between the two displayed is the key to the game. For example, if a 3 ...