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The Changes in Slot Games at Japanese Casinos

Posted on by Narciso Baldo

In light of the tremendous expansion of the online community, the proliferation of businesses and stores that are selling their services to the millions of people, it’s only natural that gambling has found its home online too. No need to leave the comfort of your bed to take advantage of all of the gambling opportunities found at a regular casino, as well as other benefits.

Slots are a popular game that has gained in popularity over the years due to their accessibility. In contrast, NetBet Casino has recently moved away from the typical slot experience. They have done this by introducing many new elements and considerably boosting the overall quality of the game. Similarly, but with a unique twist, Japanese internet casinos have done the same thing. Even though Japan has strict gambling rules, they have access to online gambling, which they have taken advantage of.

Bringing in New Themes

For quite some time, online casinos have been mixing various themes into their games. This includes films for film enthusiasts, music for those with a musical bent, and even video games for those who are more interested in the gameplay. Unique symbols, theme-appropriate music, and sound effects are used by incorporating parts of each theme into the slot machines.

Japan, on the other hand, has taken the slot game to new heights. With prominent gambling sites such as Casino X acting as ideal examples; a glance at their homepage illustrates how anime styles have been merged to appeal to the Japanese population. See how the anime styles are implemented on Casino X in this review from Manekineko Casino if you’re interested in seeing how they’re implemented on other sites.

Japan’s anime culture is deeply ingrained in its animation style, and the Japanese online gambling community has taken advantage of this by making it desirable for Japanese players. Additionally, anime and Japanese culture have recently gained significant popularity in Western countries, indicating that this game style is not limited to a single country.

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Enhancing Immersion

Slot machines have traditionally been extremely straightforward devices. With the introduction of fully developed characters that contribute to the game’s immersion by giving players a cause to play other than the potential financial benefit, Japan is making significant efforts to entirely revolutionize the game. According to the Japanese government, gambling in Japan has been gamified to the point where it feels more like an immersive video game than a typical slot machine.

As they proceed through the games, players have access to a huge map of kingdoms to pick. They’ll be earning experience points and moving to increasingly difficult games by conquering bosses. They were able to add an element of adventure to the game as a result of this. Not only are these games brilliant, colourful, and tempting, but the energetic animations also generate a sense of anticipation in the player as they go through the game.

Redefining the Genre

Japan has departed from classic game slot game mechanics. They now include a myriad of innovative features. As such, Japanese casinos are completely reimagining the genre.

With these Japanese online casino games, you may speed up the action. You don’t waste time on the uninteresting bits and can instead concentrate on the storyline and characters. This is in addition to collecting points for completing specific games and stages. You’ll be defeating game-specific characters such as bosses, and even earning benefits such as free spins, among other activities.

Every one is an example of gamification, which refers to the process of introducing gaming features into non-video game platforms. These revolutionary new features are conventional slot qualities such as music, sound, animations, and graphics in close succession.

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Can You Be a Professional Gambler?

Posted on by Narciso Baldo

The vast majority of you see gambling as a bit of fun or a side hustle but there are a select few that actually do it professionally. For punters who win semi-regularly or hit jackpot wins, there might always be a temptation to try it. In most cases it would be foolish as professional gambling is just as challenging as other “jobs”. We’ve recently been asked the question “can you be a professional gambler”. So, in this article, we’re going to answer the questions by giving an in depth look at what it takes to be a professional gambler, highlight some benefits and also show the disadvantages too.

The Necessary Skills & Resources

Becoming a professional gambler doesn’t happen overnight or by chance. There are plenty of strengths a full-time pro will need to be successful. We’ve narrowed our list down to five key skills or resources that a gambler must possess.

Temperament

One of the most important skills requirements is a good temperament. Even if you’re the best poker player in the room, there is no guarantee you will win your next session. Having a sound temperament is essential to being consistent and making the right decisions for the long-term. In our experience, this attribute is very rare. Most gamblers mindsets are heavily swayed by the most recent results or outside influences.

Discipline

Discipline is another necessity for professional gamblers. The discipline lies in playing the right stakes, not moving up too quickly, resisting games where there is no edge. Even avoiding alcohol when going to the casino. All these examples help a gamblers’ chances as they are treating gambling as a business, not entertainment like 99% of people.

Game Selection

This is a concept lost on the social gambler. They will go from one game to another, losing here and there without mastering any. This is anathema to a pro who carefully picks and chooses which games are right to play. A pro is more likely to stick to games where there is more skill input e.g. poker or blackjack. A professional won’t play slots 9-5 as they know the house edge is massive.  

Research

Getting advice from likeminded successful gamblers and researching games and strategy is critical too. Like anything worth doing well, seeking advice from the best will only enhance your chances. For instance, if you are considering mastering sports betting, speaking with the best tipsters regularly will enhance your ability to find profitable betting strategy. You can find some offering free service plays on reputable sports betting forums.

Accountability

Accountability and keeping accurate records are a vital resource to a full time professional. One needs to track everything so they know how many hours they played, what their wins and losses are and how they are doing overall. Without detailed records and understanding your ROI you are just aimlessly gambling.

poker spreadsheet

Advantages of a Professional Gambler  

The most obvious advantage to being a professional gambler is the ability to pick and choose when you work. Unlike a regular day job, you can wake up later in the day. You can have Monday off if you want. It’s up to you. This level of freedom is unheard of in most walks of life and undoubtedly one of the big perks of living the life of a professional gambler.

In many countries around the world, winnings from gambling is tax free. This is the case in the United Kingdom and a huge advantage to anyone who gambles for a living. In a regular job, a £1,000 bonus might be worth £668 after taxes or less if you have student loans or in a higher tax bracket. In gambling, you keep the entire £1,000, worth more than £332 than in a normal job. When you compare hourly rates, you should look at post-tax to compare with a professional gambler to really see the value to the individual.

Finally, the general freedom you have is certainly a benefit. You’re able to go on holiday whenever you want. You can also access games from anywhere. A professional gambler in 2020s doesn’t need to travel cross country to a casino to play. They can jump into a game in seconds through their phone or laptop.

Disadvantages of a Professional Gambler

Gambling for a living isn’t all luxury. There are several important disadvantages to the gamblers lifestyle that must be addressed before one even considers going professional.

An unpredictable and uncertain income is probably the largest disadvantage. In our regular jobs, we can comfortably forecast, plan and predict our future. This is essential to anyone who is in a relationship, has a family or just likes to know what is round the corner. For a professional gambler, it’s very difficult to look far into to the future.

Another disadvantage is the external societal aspect. A professional gambler cannot get a mortgage, a house must be paid for in cash. A rent tenancy must be paid for in full (e.g. 6 months or yearly). In UK, we have the national insurance system whereby paying in for decades entitles us to a state pension. So, a professional gambler loses the massive benefits this has too.

The lifestyle of a gambler is unsociable. That may seem contradictory as gamblers are generally playing on the nights at weekends, right? Well, that is anti-social when it comes spending time with friends and family. If you’re using time to gamble when your friends and family are free, you are unlikely to spend much time with them. After all, your partner is likely to work weekdays and your children will be at school. This is a heavy burden to put on those around you.

Finally, the motivational and mental aspects of professional gambling can be a downer too. How will you react when you are on a losing streak? Will it impact your decision making or your mood away from the tables? If so, you should think twice. The motivation to keep gambling and striving to do better is also a large obstacle for professionals. Even when you’re winning regularly, gambling can be demotivating and seem like a regular job at times. If it’s like a job, you may as well get one as the sacrifices for professional gambling are numerous and weighty.

Conclusion

Clearly, professional gambling is not something to go into lightly. It’s something for a very select few that have a strong mentality, a desire to learn, disciplined with temperament and accountable. A successful professional need all these traits to do well. We believe even lacking in one area could destroy your chances. For most of you, playing for fun and entertainment is going to be the right call. Just remember to gamble responsibly and stick to games you know well.  

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4 Technological Innovations in Online Gambling

Posted on by Narciso Baldo

Every industry has companies battling to be at the forefront, trying to dominate their respective market. Online gambling is no different. This has been proven out by casinos and poker rooms that are continuously innovating to keep people engaged and interested. We’re going share four technological innovations made in the online gambling world in recent years that has improved the availability to customers.

Hopefully, by the end of this article you will be a little more enlightened. You may also begin to appreciate the vast sums that gambling companies spend in research and development to help provide us with a pleasurable gaming experience.

1)Mobile Gaming Technology

Probably the biggest change in the decade has been the proliferation of mobile usage. Everyone on the planet owns a mobile so online gambling has immense reach with phones. Every major gambling site has an app today. Gambling apps lets punters play their favourite game, take advantage of bonuses and deposit and cash out seamlessly.

It feels like yesterday when a laptop was needed to achieve this but those days are gone. It doesn’t matter if you’re wanting an iPhone betting app or an android poker app, you can stay involved, have fun and hopefully make money too. The technological innovation by gambling companies to produce these apps must be immense because all the major brands have excellent apps that work faultlessly (most of the time).

2)Live Dealers

The online casinos are very clever with the live dealer technology. They basically said to customers you can play online and still have the same live experience if you want. Using streaming technology and employing real dealers (often from poorer European countries), the online casinos are offering a “real” casino experience without the add on expenses (e.g., fuel and tipping). Gambling in this way is arguably more enjoyable than traditional online gambling as you can communicate with the dealers.

3)Bitcoin Payment Method

The Bitcoin craze is showing no signs of waning and casinos are exploiting its popularity. Loads of gambling platforms are accepting BTC, LTC and ETH as payment methods when depositing and withdrawing funds. Gambling is inherently a private hobby so it affords players an increased sense of security and anonymity. The fast transaction times are attractive too, often days quicker than older and antiquated payment methods e.g., wire transfer.

4)New Poker Variants

Online poker had a few years of decline when the Americans were prohibited from playing, but the major sites responded vociferously. They’ve expanded their offering dramatically in recent years. With fast fold poker prevalent on most sites, new and exciting tournament formats and Pot Limit Omaha generating more interest, poker is very popular again.  

In recent years, short-deck poker (6 + Hold’em) has grown in popularity too. Many high stakes players have taken to this form as it’s “juicier” than traditional Texas Hold’em. The card numbered two to five are removed from the deck, so you can see how many hands become more enticing to play. This game is very new and only created in 2014 so it’s still in its infancy but very popular in places like Macau and Hong Kong.

poker cheat sheet

Conclusion

As you can see, there are technological innovations happening all the time in the online gambling world. Its encouraging to see. It shows that the industry is fresh, relevant and up to date with the latest advancements in technology. By piggybacking on mobile technology, streaming services and even crypto-currency, the online gambling platforms are serving customers today and, in the future, too. Who knows what the next technological step will be? We don’t but we’re excited to see!

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Advantages to Playing Poker on Sports Betting Sites

Posted on by Narciso Baldo

There’s a reason the major poker sites are popular; they offer customers loads of traffic and the biggest tournament prize pools. However, there are compelling reasons to play poker on sports betting sites too that you may not realise. In this article we’re going to offer some advantages to playing on sports betting sites.

Fewer Regs

Playing with fishes, arrogant businessmen and recreational gamblers is far more enjoyable and rewarding than playing against regulars. There are no prizes for mixing with tough opponents and trying to churn out a small win rate. Having an ego can hurt your bottom-line and fortunately that isn’t a problem on sports betting sites.  

The distinct lack of “regs” is a huge advantage on the sports betting sites that offer poker. You don’t have to be as selective picking games and you don’t have to get up and leave when your surrounded by grinders. Sports betting sites don’t attract the regs as they aren’t geared to offer the same loyalty rewards as the major sites. However, we gladly surrender some VIP points for a better hourly rate, and so should you.

Easy to Beat Opposition

The general traffic at these sites is compiled of punters who are giving poker a try. Some of them make a bit here and there and just like a flutter. They treat poker like their other gambling interests. Obviously, as we know, there is a huge difference. Poker is more complex and skill based and this is where our advantage is.

The opposition lack the fundamental poker skills that are needed to win regularly. You will see loads of unorthodox betting styles and overplaying on a sports betting site. This is great as it means a standard tight aggressive style will be sufficient to win on sites like bovada betting.

No HUDs

There’s been a surge of HUDs being banned across multiple sites in recent years. This has led to a divide, you’re either on the side of the recreational poker player or the professionals. The pros’ love HUDs and the recreational players don’t. As a poker training site that wants to increase your advantage, HUDs are excellent tools, but we appreciate the advantages to banning them. It brings loads of players back to poker which in turn increases the money involved in online poker, something we’re in favour of.

Many sports betting sites are anti-HUD and have been banning all usage. Whilst removing the stat tracking software reduces your edge, the softer competition levels more than make up for this. Any decent winning player should be able to adapt and take advantage, particularly when it’s on a soft poker site.  

Exposure to Other Bonuses

The typical poker sites are less generous with their bonuses these days. This isn’t the case with sports betting sites though. By joining with them you’re able to receive lucrative sign up and reload bonuses that can further bolster your bankroll. This is a secondary advantage to playing on sites like Unibet, Coral or Bovada. Quite often you’ll get a free bet just for signing up and depositing. Even if you’re not an avid sports fan it’s still free money to gamble with and just another reason to try sports betting sites.

Summary

The sports betting sites that offer poker can be extremely profitable. You’ll play against easier opponents, without HUDs and face fewer grinders. Couple that with the bonuses and you’ve got some powerful reasons to give it a try. The software may be less easy on the eye than major poker sites but we’re here to make money, not admire the graphics.

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Things to Try When You’re on a Break from Poker

Posted on by Narciso Baldo

There are plenty of reasons why people need to have a break from poker. Perhaps you’re suffering from burn out, playing poorly or on a downswing and want some respite. Fortunately, there are plenty of other things to try that can keep your mind busy and your bankroll safe. In this article we’re going to share some alternatives to poker that you may find pleasurable when you’re on a break.

Chess

One of the oldest strategy games in existence today, chess is a battle of wits with advanced strategy. Whilst Texas Hold’em is a complex game of hidden information, Chess is the opposite with everything visible and in front of you. That doesn’t make it any easier though as computer programmes have made even AI chess opponents incredibly tough.

If you’re a deep thinking a love game theory, chess is a great option when you’re taking a break from the poker table. Another perk to playing chess online is that you can play for free, at any time and against human or computer opponents of differing levels of ability.

Live Casino Games

If you’re hoping to continue gambling on a poker break and can’t get to a brick-and-mortar casino, live casinos online are easily accessible.  They simulate the casino experience in your home without the expense of travel involved.

The live casinos online have real roulette and blackjack tables with human dealers. It’s a lot of fun and isn’t exclusively for high rollers. There are plenty of options for those only wanting to play for small amounts so give it a try but always play responsibly.

Matched Betting

We know many of you want to continue to earn money when breaking from poker and we know a guaranteed way. Normally we’d never state such a claim but matched betting, if done correctly, is a guaranteed to produce winnings. It takes advantage of sports betting sites offering punters free bets when the register and deposit.

 In short, you bet on one site, lay the same bet on an exchange, thereby losing a few pennies. The result of this wager gives you a free bet e.g., £10. You then perform the same exercise, making a bet on the sports betting site and laying against it on the exchange. The winnings are then cash free and withdrawable. That is matched betting in a nutshell, but there are great sites around that you can register to at no cost initially. They have awesome guides and calculators to ensure you maximise your earnings.  Best of all, what you win is tax free (in the UK) as winnings from gambling are not taxable.

Take a Course

Breaking from playing doesn’t mean you have to completely shut off from poker. A lot of players use the opportunity to study and improve their understanding of key concepts. By doing this, you’re investing in your long-term earning potential. It also keeps your mind engaged and thinking. We have two poker courses focusing on bluffing and continuation betting. We created these courses for low to mid stakes players as they are probably the two most fundamental areas that players have leaks in. Check them out if you’re interested in poker study when on a break.

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Top 5 Poker Skills to be a Winner

Posted on by Narciso Baldo

Poker Skills

Poker is unlike most forms of gambling where you’re at the mercy of the house. No amount of strategy will help you win at Bingo or Slots. You need to develop skills to become a consistent winner at the poker table. This article will look at 5 key poker skills necessary for beginners to develop to start winning regularly.

1) Patience

Patience is such an important poker skill that it can’t be emphasized enough. Whether you’re interested in playing a cash game or tournament, picking your spots and waiting for the profitable moments are key. Tournament poker has been described as “hours and hours of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror“. This phrase clues us in to something many players get wrong in tournaments – they lack the patience to win.

Patience is one of the key differences between losing and winning players. A patient player will fold a strong hand even after hours of folding if he/she knows it’s the right thing to do.

A losing player just can’t bring themselves to wait for the right spot. They would rather bust out and and enjoy online casinos in Canada than survive another round of blinds in a tourney.

2) Timed Aggression

Over the years, the game keeps changing but aggression is still a necessary skill to be a winning player. Even the players you call “nits” are betting their hands aggressively. The weak players are losing value on strong hands by playing unnecessarily trappy and slow. Or, they are wasting good value by over-betting and giving bad pot odds to superior players. Timed aggression is essentially picking and choosing the right moments to attack pots. These scenarios usually come up in blind battles or when you’re in later position and opponents have shown weakness.

3) Awareness

This is a poker skill that’s often underappreciated. Winning players know what’s going on at the table, they watch the players intently and know what different players are thinking at different times. Why do they know this? They know because they are aware of what’s happening, they know John had a bad week at the office and history shows he bluffs more when he’s in a bad mood.

Forgive us for sounding like Yoda but to be aware takes concentration and taking the game serious, you need to dedicate your attention to the table and perhaps turn off The Greatest Showman soundtrack while you play.

4) Bankroll Management

One can’t do a list of skills needed without including managing your bankroll. OK, so it’s not a skill at the table but you can’t be a long-term winner if your bankroll management is poor. You need to play within your means and at a suitable level. Winning players are gamblers to the naked eye but in reality, how many winning players have a losing year? They practice sensible bankroll management and know what games and levels they need to stay away from and what times they can move up.

5) Tilt Control

This again is a big difference between winning and loser players. Even professionals tilt at times, but the ability to not tilt is vital. You’ve played great for hours and lost 3 key hands in a row, natural tendency is to steam and play more aggressive. Not to the best winning players, they know that isn’t what makes them money. This is something that can be trained and embedded in your mind with experience. It takes time and hard work but it’s possible.

There you have it, five poker skills for you to work on. If you’re interested in improving. Fill in our form below.

Poker Training Interest

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4 Ways to Spots Regs at the Poker Table

Posted on by Narciso Baldo

To become long-term winning player takes skill, patience and game selection. The simplest way to ensure you’re maximising your win rate and beating the game is to sit with weaker opponents. That sounds straight forward but with sites offering games like snap and rush where you can’t table pick, it can be tricky. Furthermore, there is only so much information before you sit so it can take time to realise, you’re on a tough table.  In this article we’re going to share several ways you can spot the regs at your table quickly so you can make an informed decision whether it’s better to get up or alternatively, adapt your strategy now you know who they are.

Beginner Texas Hold’em Question

What is a “Reg” in Poker?

A reg is someone that plays regularly. It’s a shortened term but also implies the player is competent and likely a winner. Regs are not necessarily great players but they can play a TAG style that makes it hard to beat them for lots of money.

With the simple stuff out the way, let’s move on to the ways you can spot them at the table.

1] VIP Status

Many online poker sites show the VIP status of player. It’s a badge that reveals what level a player has achieved on that site. Not all sites show this but some do, like PokerStars. If a player is a bronze status, you can safely assume they don’t play much. Conversely, if they are Supernova, they play all the time and racking up some serious volume. A player’s status is a dead giveaway to the time they commit to poker and regs put in lots of time.

2] Number of Tables they Play

Another way to spot a reg is to see how many tables they are playing at one time. This feature is very easy on most sites. You can either right click and find them or search them from the lobby. Regs understand that multi-tabling is necessary to optimizing their ROI so all regulars play at least 4 tables usually. They don’t mind sacrificing some edge if it means they earn more per hour. A recreational player is more likely to play just two or even one table.

3] Pre-Flop Tendencies

The regs online are not pussyfooting around with weird limps, min raises or limp re-raise moves. These are reserved for novices who haven’t honed their strategy yet. If you see someone doing the aforementioned moves you can rule out them being a reg. They are almost always executing the same pre-flop bet size regardless of position or hand strength. They have the customised buttons that let them raise the size they like at a click. This is a fairly easy way to spot regs online.

4] HUD Poker Stats

The final and best way to spot regs is based on the stats revealed on the poker HUD. If their VPIP and PFR are close together and relatively low, you know they are a likely to be a reg. Players who are inexperienced or losing consistently will generally have wild poker stats that are easy to distinguish from better players. Regs are playing solid range of hands and raising when they play so you can expect them to have stats like 25/22 or 23/20 in 6 max games.

Conclusion

There you have it, four easy ways to spot regulars. It doesn’t take much resource to spot them, a couple of clicks and an observant eye is all you need. Just see their VIP status, the number of tables they’re currently playing, what their HUD stats are showing and how they are playing before the flop to tag them. Due to most sites having lots of regs it may be a case of ensuring you don’t have 3-4 on your table. Having one isn’t going to be reason enough to quit the game, particularly if there are several fishes on your table.

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How Playing Poker Can Improve Your Cognitive Function and Keep Your Brain Sharp as You Age

Posted on by Narciso Baldo

As we age, our cognitive functions decline, impacting our problem-solving, concentration, memory skills, and even our ability to perform daily tasks. However, it is possible to keep our minds sharp with proper exercises. Just like in the case of any other muscle – and reduce the adverse effects of aging.

And while there are many ways to train your brain and boost your cognitive function e.g. playing chess, learning foreign languages and meditating. There is one thing that is both beneficial and enjoyable, playing poker.

You may not be aware of it, but poker can actually boost your cognitive skills in a variety of ways; memory, concentration, problem-solving, etc. – simultaneously. It is because, unlike slots or football betting (here, you can find the best football betting sites), poker is indeed a demanding and taxing game of skill.

Below, you will find the essential information about how playing poker can boost your cognitive skills. Read on!

Improves Memory Skills

When it comes to keeping your memory sharp, there are three key elements – regular exercises, eating healthy foods, and cognitive stimulation. That being said, poker is a great way to train the mind. It is a game that challenges players to develop strategy and skill over time. You will need to remember what’s happened and to use your memory of past hands and betting patterns to guide you.

Furthermore, уоu must recall other players’ winning hands and successful strategies to adapt and bet effectively. And, of course, your memory will be tested by remembering what cards each player has and how they’ve played them in the past and using that information to guide your decisions on future betting.

Given that poker forces you to keep track of the cards and how the players have bet, it has been proven a great way to improve your memory skills, especially your working memory (the brain’s short-term storage area) and procedural memory.

Boosts Concentration

Playing poker is a complex activity, requiring a lot of concentration. It is a task that requires you to focus on a variety of different things at once. You are trying to figure out your opponents’ strategies and bets while recalling your own cards.

As a result, playing poker makes you focus on multiple variables at the same time, which is excellent practice for keeping your mind sharp in terms of concentration. This will be particularly useful in your daily life when you have to multitask and handle different things at once.

Expands Creativity

One of the most important aspects of poker is creativity. You will need to think creatively when dealing with the cards in your hand – trying to figure out how you can use them to make the best possible bets. And when it comes to that, there are countless possibilities – you can bluff, fold, or play your hand in any manner you want. It is up to you and your creative mind!

As a result, poker is a great way to train your mind and enhance your creative thinking and skills. What’s more, this will come in handy in your day-to-day life, when you will need to think outside the box and approach situations and challenges in a creative manner.

Leads to Better Sleep

Another great benefit that poker can bring to you is getting better sleep at night. As you remember, playing poker is a complex activity that requires a lot of concentration and focus. And while it is an entertaining activity, it is challenging and taxing as well. As a result, after a game, you will most likely feel tired or even exhausted, making it easier for you to relax and fall asleep.

Reduces the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is a growing public health issue. The number of people suffering from it has been rising for decades. While there is still no cure for it, there are many ways of preventing it. Playing poker has been proven one of the most effective games at battling Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

According to Dr. Jeffrey Cummings’ research, playing poker twice a week may decrease a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s by 50% or more. It challenges your mind and stimulates different brain areas, including the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with decision-making and memory.

Dr. Cummings explained the positive results that older people experience from playing poker. “We have a social idea of what retirement consists of and we need to re-examine that idea. The logical extension of the data we have on dementia is that a person who is still capable of working – who is mentally stimulated with a strong sense of purpose – is better off from the cognitive point of view continuing to engage in that position.”

Improves Social Skills

Playing poker is, of course, a social activity. It is something you can do with your friends or other people around you – both in real life and online. And, as it turns out, it is a great way to develop your social skills, as it helps you learn how to read people’s emotions and detect their personality traits. That being said, it is also a great way to pick up on social cues and develop your ability to communicate with others.

Boosts Your Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity is a process during which the brain forms new connections between neurons and even new neurons. And because our brain never stops changing and adapting to our needs and environment, it is essential to keep stimulating it by challenging ourselves mentally. In other words, if we don’t challenge our minds, they will stop functioning properly and deteriorate over time.

And while there are many ways of doing that, one of the most enjoyable things to do is playing poker. Furthermore, you will improve your cognitive function and reduce the negative effects of aging by rewiring your brain and, therefore, enhancing your neuroplasticity with frequent playing. So, if you want to keep your mind as young as possible for as long as possible, there is no better way than playing poker.

Final Note

As you can see, poker is great for your brain and your overall health. It helps you relax and get a good night’s sleep and also stimulates your mind and keeps it sharp and healthy as you age.

However, keep in mind that just playing poker won’t do wonders on its own. You can’t neglect sticking to a balanced diet and ignore staying physically active. But, if you combine playing poker with other cognitive exercises, such as learning a foreign language or solving crossword puzzles, you will ensure that you keep your mind young and active throughout your life!

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3 Simple Online Poker Tips For Beginners

Posted on by Narciso Baldo

Poker is one of the oldest and most exciting card games in existence. Sure, there are a lot of variants today, like Texas Hold ‘em or videopoker, but the original 5-card draw poker hasn’t changed. This just tells you how great and well-organized this game is. If you are a poker enthusiast, but you don’t have a lot of experience when it comes to the game and where you might play it, you’ve come to the right place. Today we are going to talk about some of the simplest online poker tips every beginner should know about.

This article is for the complete beginners who are entirely new and need some easy to understand tips to get started.

Start Playing On A Single Table

One of the most exciting things about online poker is the possibility of playing on a few tables at the same time. You know, while you are waiting for your turn on a certain table, you are betting on the other one. Even though this might be a very exciting concept, you should resist the urge to do this. As a new player, you have a lot of things to learn and the best way to learn poker strategy is to stick to one table at a time. Trust us, this is essential when starting out in poker, once you’ve gained experience you can look at adding tables later. Our article on how many tables to play is a good read for you down the line.

Only Play Strong Hands At The Beginning

An experienced poker player will tell you that there are no weak hands and that you can win the pot while having a pair of 2s in your hand. This, of course, is true, but only if you have mastered the poker strategies and played thousands of games and millions of hands. If you are a newbie, you have to stick to one playing style and this style should be – only playing the strong hands. Once you get a taste of victory and see how other, more experienced players, are using their cards, you might want to experiment a little bit but initially a tight aggressive style is necessary.

Watch Closely What Your Opponents Are Doing

You are probably asking – how can I do this when I’m playing online? Sure, you can’t see the faces of your opponent players, but there are still a few things you can watch that may tell you what the other players are thinking. For example, you can watch how much money the other players are betting each round and how long it takes them to make the call. Those two things can tell you how confident they are in their cards. Also, if you don’t want them to get a read on you, don’t make inconsistent bets or do anything erratic. Make sure you stay calm, no matter what cards you have in your hand. Be consistent in your bet sizing and actions to avoid giving off tells.

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3 Popular Bingo Sites That Offer Poker

Posted on by Narciso Baldo

With all gambling games having some similarity to each other, there are natural crossovers. This is unsurprising as the two key attractions to online gambling is the opportunity to make money and the pleasure from playing. This is especially evident in Bingo where players get the chance to win money without any mentally taxing activity.

After all, unlike poker, bingo has no player input or strategy requirements. In fact, in online bingo is even automated so that a player doesn’t need to cross their numbers or shout bingo like in traditional bingo halls. In this article, we’re hoping to reach out to Bingo players by highlighting some of the most popular bingo sites that also offer poker, our favourite game.

888

One of the most reputable brands in gambling is 888. They seem to cater to gamblers interested in any form these days. 888 Bingo is incredibly popular with welcome bonuses and daily jackpots always running.  Gamblers want security they are on a trusted platform and 888 is certainly that. If you’re a bingo player considering poker, definitely start with 888. They have loads of freerolls, micro stakes cash games and cheap tournaments for you to wet your beak. You’re not limited to playing on desktop either as 888 has an awesome app that even lets you multi-table if you feel brave enough.

Ladbrokes

Is there a bigger name when it comes to UK gambling? Visit any high street in England you’re almost certainly going to come across a Ladbrokes. Whilst they specialise in sports betting they’ve diversified into other forms like live casino, bingo and yes poker too.

We suspect their bingo platform is popular due to their brand image and also the sheer number of games available. Ladbrokes is also dedicated to responsible gambling, something comparison sites like bingosites.co.uk care about when conducting reviews.  

Ladbrokes also offer poker with a wide array of formats and variants available. It runs on the trusted iPoker network which is as reliable as it gets. Another reason to try Ladbrokes is the competition is relatively soft. This is probably due to the crossovers from sports betting who give poker a try, making it one of the softest poker sites online.

Betfred

Another trusted name in the gambling sphere, Betfred is one of the most popular UK bingo sites around. They have some generate bingo bonuses, a fast withdrawal process and offer some of the most pleasurable bingo games like rainbow riches.

We’re not going to lie, Betfred’s poker site isn’t the best sites online. However, they offer a safe and reliable platform to learn the game. They offer rewards when you sign up to poker in form of daily tournaments. Their customer support is decent too and they even let you deposit with PayPal so if you’re a Betfred bingo player already, you can try poker easily here.

Finally, if you’re anxious about trying poker for the first time, read and download our cheat sheet from below. It offers easy to understand tips on how to grasp the fundamentals of Texas Hold’em. Remember to gamble responsibly and either start with freerolls or play micro-stakes games so you are limiting your losses.   

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