There are a whole host of casino games out there, available at both physical as well as online casinos. The one thing that that is common in each of these games is the “Fun” factor. This of course is the primary reason a person opts for a particular activity, on account that fun (or when lady luck is on your side, exhilaration!) stimulates us and makes our brain release all of those trademark happy hormones.
In terms of drawing people in, slot machines have to be right up there and have been a mainstay of casino life for countless decades now. While all casino games have a certain draw or appeal, slots have plenty going for them to stand out from the crowd. Let’s explore why:
Exciting Gameplay
Slot machines always keep the gameplay interesting for many reasons. One reason can be the well thought out themes (perhaps a movie, game show or musician etc) and graphics that today’s slot machines use. Another reason is the simplicity that comes with using a slot machine. Unlike some other casino games, where strategy takes centre stage, there is often little need to learn anything before playing. Any player can enjoy playing slots without accumulating a level of skill first. A pure entertainment approach. And of course, every month or every year new and different slot machines are introduced, and so there is always something new and exciting to try.
Accessible
Thanks to the age of the internet that it has brought almost everything online, geography – from online casino australia real money to playing in the UK – is almost meaningless when it comes to playing your favourite slots games. Now we can enjoy slot machines with just a tablet or mobile phone from the comfort of our couch. The internet has cut out the need to visit a physical casino and all that accompanies the ‘bricks and mortar’ experience. Everyone casino game known to man is available at our fingertips, and this convenience is not lost of people who just want to ‘plug and play’ after a tough day at work, or dealing with other obligations. Me time is much needed!
Quick and Big Jackpots
No casino game guarantees effortless jackpots, especially games like baccarat, roulette and poker. These games require significant attention and (with the exception of roulette!) skill that a player has to develop before playing. Slot machines, on the other hand, don’t require a player to bet a large amount to be in with the chance of winning big. If your luck is in, you may find that the jackpot vastly dwarfs your per spin spend.
Lower Entry Threshold
Just like we said, slots allow players to bet even in cents (or pence depending on your location!), and hence no need to bet big bucks. Slot machines are not like table games where it can be all about heaping more money on. Anyone with a few dollars can have the enjoyment of playing slot machines and still getting a few wins along the way. It’s a great ‘kill some time’ casino game for those not wanting to compromise on fun or overthink.
While playing online, you just need to find a genuine and trusted site and explore their slots section. You’ll likely be surprised at the number of appealing slots games on offer. Beyond that, just hit spin, and hope your luck is in!
Pragmatic Play’s Heart of Rio is a carnival-themed slot with five reels and 25 paylines, available to play at the best usa online casinos and those from around the world. In the base game, you can collect money symbols on reels 1 to 4. The bonus round is all about accumulating a massive money symbol bonus pot, which can be collected on the final respin. This game has medium volatility, and you can win up to 10,500x your stake, which will surely help to draw in slots players.
Slot Features
Wild symbols substitute for all regular pay symbols to help you form winning combinations. The ‘lady with red hair’ is the wild symbol. The Lady can only land on reels 2, 3, 4 or 5. Cash symbols attached to the disco ball appear on reels 1 to 4. When you land one of the five collect symbols on reel five at the same time, you then get to choose from one of the following outcomes:
Collect – the money symbol values are added together and paid out.
Extra credit collect – All money symbols are given an extra credit value before they are collected.
Multiplier collect – Before money symbols are collected, they are multiplied by the given multiplier.
Expanding collect – All pay symbols expand until they cover the whole reel, and then all winnings are added up.
Respin collect – All money symbols become sticky, and all remaining positions respin. After the respin, the money symbols are summed up and paid out.
To trigger the Bonus round feature, you must land three bongo drum scatters on reels 2 to 4; this awards eight free spins.
Verdict
We must admit, the respin collect feature is a nice touch, a feature of many of the best aussie online pokies I’ve played. . It’s like hold and wins, but better and takes place on the same reels. Pragmatic Play has also done a great job creating that carnival atmosphere with the right combination of symbols, sounds, and background music.
Overall, Heart of Rio is a solid release that we enjoyed playing.
Introduction
Arnold Snyder has made a living from playing Blackjack as a professional, but not solely by just playing the game; he has also written well known books on Blackjack strategies. One such publication is Radical Blackjack; a how-to memoir / expose all wrapped up in paperback. Not satisfied with the poker career alone, Snyder is also an ordained minister and currently resides on the outskirts of Las Vegas. He started life as a postman, so where he ended up was a world away from that life. His book details his adventures in hole carding, milking loss rebates, shuffle tracking, successes in real money casinos usa, and exploiting online casino bonuses and affiliate deals. Everything gambling enthusiasts would want ‘the scoop’ on.
A Blackjack Legend in the making
Snyder’s grew up in a devout Catholic family in Detroit, Michigan and he was toying with the idea of entering the seminary. It all changed when in the 1960’s he developed a fondness for LSD and continued on this hallucinogenic path for years, giving him a different perspective on the world. Arnold started visiting casinos regularly and met Tommy Hyland at a casino in Atlantic City; little did they realize they would in years to come to both end up as inaugural inductees to the Blackjack Hall of Fame. Sometimes, it really does appear that certain things are just ‘meant to be’. Their partnership formed when Snyder observed Hyland at the blackjack tables and recognised that he was attempting to count cards which led to Snyder’s giving him critical advice in developing these skills. It was the start of the longest-running and most successful blackjack team globally. Much of his successes came prior to online casino games, but he hold appeal with that audience too.
In a Nutshell
Arnold Snyder’s fame is based not only on his successful Blackjack career but also as an advocate for the rights of professional gamblers. He testified on behalf of Tommy Hyland in the Windsor Ontario case-preserving his legal right to blackjack team plays in Canada and US Casinos. Snyder’s is a man who placed the spotlight on Blackjack and revolutionized the profession through his books. For that reason he’s rightfully respected by many in the game.
Poker is one of those casino games that can help you make a fortune of millions. There have been various personalities and characters who have excelled at the game, through their skill and determination, especially in the states. For some of them this has mostly taken place offline, for others online casinos usa, and for many, a combination of the two. Aspects like strategy, longevity, winnings and titles can be used to distinguish and separate them. With that in mind, here is our strictly non-official top 5 poker players of all time:
1: Justin Bonomo – ZeeJustin
Playing high roller poker tournaments against some of the best competitions Justin made a whopping $44.6 million which outshines all. This 33-year-old poker sensation has won 18 titles in his career so far, including the Heads-up No-Limit Hold’em Championship and Super High Roller Bowl. He has played against the finest players of the game and often won, all thanks to his distinguished skillset.
2: Doyle Brunson – Texas Dolly
Brunson is 85 and one of the finest players who declined to call it a day for many a year and just kept on winning instead (though he has since slow down!). In the game long before online casinos, online pokies and the like (this would’ve been a different world to him) he has 10 World Series of Poker bracelets with two main event titles from 1976 and 1977 respectively. In 2019, Brunson managed to reach the final table which is exceptional being an 84-year-old. Moreover, he has a record of being the oldest winner in a World Poker Tour event.
3: Johnny Moss – Grandfather of Poker
Although there were only 7 players who participated in the first World Poker Tournament in 1970, Moss won that championship followed by one more in 1970 and another one in 1974. His career ended with 9 WSOP bracelets and winnings of around $1.25 million. From a career that started as an amateur gambler in Texas, he’s come a long way to wind up with such a spectacular career in poker.
4: Phil Hellmuth – The Poker Brat
With 15 WSOP bracelets and $23 million of winnings, Phil is also the only player to have won the WSOP Main Event tournament in Las Vegas (1989) and Europe (2012). Phil these days can often be seen in the televised cash games and promoting his best-selling books to the masses. In recent years Phil is still aiming for the WPT title. Determination and passion never to short supply.
5: Phil Ivey – The Tiger Woods of Poker
Phil is one of those players who studies the game first, and then applies the analysis to the table. He earned his first win in the Jack Binion World Poker Open at only 21. And having played for so many years, he now has 10 WSOP bracelets and $26 million live tournament winnings. The theme here surely is that perseverance pays.
