Clay Poker Chips: Free Cleaning Tips

Clay Poker Chips: Free Cleaning Tips

It’s traded hand to hand, shuffled from one side of the table to the next, and tossed back into the pot time and time again. It sees a lot of action, and represents everything that you bring to the table. Of course you’ve guessed it; I’m referring to the darling of the table, the poker chip. 

Poker chips get handled, tossed and raked by everyone at the table. It’s at this time when poker chips tend to pick up not only body oils from the players hands and fingers, but also tiny bits of food and beverages always present at a poker game. After repeated exposure to these conditions, poker chips can begin to change in appearance. The buildup of oils and food particles which get deposited during play will turn any shiny poker chip turn into a grimy token no one wants to pick up. 

If your poker chips are beginning to offend your senses, then it’s most definitely time to clean them. Just how you clean them comes down to personal preference, but there are a few general guidelines you can follow to keep your poker chips in pristine fashion, without damaging the chips. Please note that the following suggestions do not cover the cleaning of vintage poker chips. You are advised to seek out a qualified professional to clean vintage poker chips. 

Although the choice in cleaning supplies seems limitless, when it comes to cleaning poker chips your choices are considerably narrowed down for you. In fact, there are three very important properties that your chosen poker chip cleanser must possess before it can be considered for use. To prevent damage to your poker chips, make your choice wisely. 

When choosing the cleanser you intend to use, it’s important to remember the cleanser must pass the following three very crucial criteria: 

Removes Grime Buildup. The cleanser should be able to remove the aforementioned body oils and food particles adequately. 

Leaves Ink Intact. The last thing you want is to remove the ink from your poker chips while cleaning. Be sure the cleanser isn’t harsh enough to dissolve ink. 

Leaves Poker Chips Hydrated. It may sound a little strange, but poker chips do need a certain level of moisture left in them, or they will become brittle. Avoid using agents such as rubbing alcohol, as it can remove ink and dry out your poker chips. 

Some of the cleansers that veteran poker players use to clean their poker chips are mild hand dishwashing detergent, Sterling Magic and Armor All Multi-Purpose Cleaner. When using the Armor All, be sure you get the multi purpose cleaner and not the Armor All tire cleaner or other Armor All products as they will damage your poker chips. Another popular cleanser to use is called Quick'n'Brite. When used properly, all the above mentioned cleansers will clean your poker chips without any harmful side effects. 

When cleaning poker chips, it’s best to use a very soft-bristled baby toothbrush, or a very soft cotton towel. Pay special attention to protecting the center design. Try keeping your thumb over the center of the poker chip while using the toothbrush around the outer edge. 

Rinse the poker chips in a bowl of water and wipe them dry with a soft towel or terry cloth. After a good gentle cleaning, you can add extra shine by giving them a dip in baby oil to restore luster. As always, due diligence is required by testing your cleaning method on one poker chip to see if you get the desired results.

Understanding The Game Of Baccarat: Rules And Strategy

Understanding The Game Of Baccarat: Rules And Strategy

Baccarat, along with Roulette, is the simplest table game in the casino to learn and play. Its simplicity lies in the fact that the player has only three choices, and all three deal with the betting; no other playing skill is required. There are two versions of the game; the American version and the European version. For the purposes of this article we will concentrate on the American version of Baccarat. 

An eight deck shoe or a six deck shoe is dealt in the American version of the game. All the numbered cards, 2 through 9, are counted as face value, with the suits having no relative value. The ace is counted as 1. Tens and all face cards are counted as zero, although it will sometimes be referred to as a 10. Any hand that adds up to more than 9 is counted by the second digit only. For example, if your hand totals 14, the hand is counted as 4; likewise, 11 becomes 1. Using this system, the highest possible score is 9. 

Baccarat is a very attractive game to play primarily because it has a relatively low house advantage. Additionally, it’s important for you to know that there is a very strict set of playing rules that have been established and that cannot be changed by the player or by any actions of the house. In other words, in Baccarat there are no decisions or options, and no degree of skill is required to play as either the player or the banker. 

The real objective of Baccarat is to correctly guess which of the three possible outcomes will come up on the next round. If you bet the player, the house edge is 1.36 percent; if you bet the banker, the house advantage is only 1.17 percent; and if you bet a tie, the house advantage is 14.4 percent. If the player and dealer hands end in a tie, and if you did not bet a tie, it’s considered a push (with no win or loss), and no chips change hands. There are only three actions that can be played in Baccarat the first is to bet the player, the second being to bet the banker and finally you could bet a tie. With only these three choices and the dealer making all the required plays, it is important for you to concentrate on how much to wager on each round.

The Origin Of Baccarat: The History Of This Fun Card Game

The Origin Of Baccarat: The History Of This Fun Card Game

The word Baccarat is derived from the Italian word “baccara", meaning zero, and refers to the zero value given to all of the face cards and tens. In Europe, the game of Baccarat remains one of the most popular casino games. The game of Baccarat is enjoyed by all social levels and can be found played in locals cafes as well as the most prestigious of royalty events. 

An early version of the game was played with a deck of Tarot cards dating back to the middle ages. While Baccarat originated in Italy around 1490 it became the game of choice for the French nobility by the early 1950’s. Baccarat evolved into the French game “Chemin De Fer”, which translates as “Street of Fire”. The French game introduced the words “Banco” – which means they are betting the total value of the bank's funds and all other bets are withdrawn, “Cheval” – which means other players at the table may bet on either hand, as well as “Non” for standing and “Carte” which means the player would like one more card. Many American casinos have adopted the French terms used in the game to further the image of Baccarat as a glamorous game. European Baccarat is another variation but follows the same rules as the other versions of this game.

What is known as American Baccarat actually originated in England and spread to South America. The version of the game that is played today came from the Capri Casino in Havana, Cuba.

When Baccarat was introduced to Nevada in the late 1950's, local casinos attempted to instill the glamour associated with the European game. In most casinos, Baccarat was played in a roped-off area and was closely monitored and sometimes even guarded

A number of casinos have installed a smaller version of the Baccarat game, called Mini-Baccarat and it is played on standard blackjack-sized gaming tables using the same rules. The table is staffed by one dealer who is responsible for handling the cards. The layout, however, conforms to the regular Baccarat table and each of the seven seat positions correspond to a number and betting box with spots for banker, player, and tie. Lacking the formality and large group of players, Mini-Baccarat is played fast and is an ideal place to get familiar with the game. While Mini-Baccarat may not be held in the same esteem as the parent game it still enjoys great popularity with the novice players.

The Advantages Of Online Gambling

The Advantages Of Online Gambling

If you’re looking for the thrill of a casino, but you can’t get to Vegas or Jersey, why not try online gambling? Since its beginnings in the 1990s, the online gambling community has evolved to become a major slice of the gambling pie. Millions of fun seekers turn to online gambling as a safe and fun way to spend a few bucks, and a chance to get hundreds or thousands in return.

At major established gambling web sites, online gambling is just as safe for your money as playing in a regular casino. It’s usually free to set up an account, and after that you deposit as much or as little as you’d like using your checking account or credit card and use those funds to bet. Internet security has come a long way, and the online gambling community takes extra precautions to ensure your money, and your winnings, are protected.

The games available for online gambling are even more varied than those in traditional casinos. You will find virtual tables and rooms for dozens of types of poker: stud, Texas Hold ‘Em, Caribbean Stud, Video Poker, Three-Card Poker and just about any poker variation you can think of. For simpler gambling, you can play online slot machines, blackjack, roulette, or any of hundreds of click-and-win games. The online gambler looking for a challenge will enjoy Baccarat. With online gambling, the possibilities are endless!

Major gambling sites attract tens of thousands of visitors in a day. There are even thousands of sites for those unwilling or unable to play for money: Many online gambling sites operate on a game credit basis, and you can play just for the fun of it without risking anything. So, whether you want to impress people with your big gambling scores or get a shot at big money online, check out online gambling!

You no longer need to live in a place where there is a casino. With a computer and a connection to the Internet, anyone over the legal age of 21 can gamble right from their own homes. Finally, there is something for everyone who likes to gamble at online casinos. Check out one of the many online casinos today to get in on the game.

Play Black Jack For Fun - and For Money

Play Black Jack For Fun - and For Money

Some people play black jack for fun, some for money and others for both.  Whether you are familiar with blackjack or not, why not try to play a black jack online game on your computer from the comfort of your home? 

Now, how can you win at blackjack? You have to gain the upper-hand but in order to do that you have to memorize the basic black jack strategy as well as the art of card counting plus, you have to use the information from card counting to make larger bets when the edge swings in your favour and smaller bets when the edge is in the dealer's favour. Besides that, you should also be bankrolled enough to withstand the short-term fluctuations that almost always will occur no matter how good a blackjack player you are.

Last but not least you must know where to find the best games, disguise your counting skills, and be mentally prepared for some horrible short term losing sessions. It might seem like a dull and monotonous task and it is. With practice and persistence however, you can learn to gain the core knowledge in blackjack this way.

If you are a novice player and want to play black jack at a land-based casino, I recommend that you sit toward the third base side of the table which is the dealers right side. The reason for this is that it will give you a little extra time to decide how you should play your hand. Although this is a good place for starters, I wouldn't recommend you to sit at the anchor spot which is the very last seat. At this place you - as an anchor player - will probably feel too much  pressure to make the right play that will save the table as it sounds in the blackjack terminology.

Well, this was only a few tips. If you want more info about the blackjack game, do a search on the internet and you will get ample information to read.