Signs and symptoms of problem gambling

Compulsive gambling is just like any other addiction – it is a progressive illness that consists of a series of phases, with each phase accompanied by its own warning signs. The time taken by a gambler to experience the onset of gambling symptoms usually depends on the type of gambling. Moreover, there are several forms of gambling that do not allow for breaks in play. The signs of compulsive gambling can be delayed in such cases as players are not offered a chance to secure more money in between games. In most cases, the addiction can be found in gamblers within 12 months.

On the other hand, non-continuous forms of gambling tend to lead to a number of difficulties over the long run. For example, gamblers playing card based games are more likely to experience compulsive gambling symptoms much sooner than others.

The difference between action and escape gamblers

Compulsive gamblers usually fall into two categories – action gamblers and escape gamblers. Both gamblers suffer from low self esteem, but action gamblers are considered to be more outgoing, manipulative and egotistical as they believe that they can beat the odds using the skill. On the other hand, escape gamblers primarily see gambling as a means of escaping from their problems.

Signs and symptoms of compulsive gambling

Behavioral Signs

  • Skipped family events

  • Conflicts over money

  • Leaves children alone and is less concerned about them

  • Prone to use alcohol or drugs more often

  • Changing patterns of sleeping, sex or eating

  • Talks about gambling all the time

  • Has legal problems related to gambling

  • Begins to ignore self care and work related matters

  • Is late for school or work

  • Is missing for long periods of time

  • Neglects responsibilities

Emotional Signs

  • Depressed or suicidal

  • Anxious and withdrawn

  • Prone to frequent mood swings

Financial Signs

  • Increases working hours or number of jobs without any increase in income

  • Always close to being broke

  • Constantly borrows money from people

  • Cashes in savings accounts and/ or insurance plans

  • Family members complain about money and/ or valuables missing.

Health Signs

  • Frequent headaches

  • Loss of appetite or eating too much

  • Problems in sleeping

Things compulsive gamblers are prone to

Most compulsive gamblers are prone to –

  • Being energetic, restless and extremely competitive

  • Focused around money for everything

  • Have constant distortions such as overconfidence, denial, a sense of control or superstitions

  • Generous to the point of extravagance

  • Binge workers or workaholics who wait till the last moment before they begin to work hard

Differentiating between Normal Gambling and Compulsive Gambling

Gambling has often been described as a form of wagering or betting where the outcome of a particular event depends on chance or a combination of chance and skill. Normal gambling is considered to be extremely healthy and it is known to be a popular form of entertainment. However, compulsive gambling is a disease and is quite similar to alcohol or drug addiction. Normal Gambling, also known as Social Gambling generally occurs with co-workers and friends. It lasts for a limited period of time and is not driven by money. On the other hand, compulsive gambling is when the gambler simply cannot stop gambling and begins to make it the center of his/ her entire existence.


Finding the Right Casino for Your Skill Level

Finding a casino that suits your skill levels is extremely tough. And it’s not a matter of choice. Heading over to the wrong casino can end up hurting your bankroll in a major way. Here’s what you need to do in order to find the right casino for your skill level. Most casinos are very similar in terms of the gambling experience that they offer. However, the size of the tables and the bet limits that these casinos offer to their players can be dramatically different. For example, the craps and baccarat tables of some of the biggest casinos in Vegas might offer the same play as the one offered by your neighborhood casino, but the table limits greatly differ since Vegas casinos have all sorts of tables – ones that suit high rollers as well as those that are perfect for conservative players.

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All you need to do is look at skilled gamblers. You will see that they are always on the lookout for casinos that can improve their odds by offering them with bonuses, promotional offers and coupons. They also pay a great deal of attention to the table limits and the Returns to Player, also known as RTP or House Odds. For example, a casino offers 10x odds in a game of craps. This means that players are allowed to place a maximum bet that is equal to 10 times their original bet.

The point of this example is to help you understand that casino game strategies have nothing to do with choosing the right casino. The skill levels required to gamble in any casino are likely to be the same. What differs is the odds offered by the casino. It also takes a considerable amount of skill in order to find casinos that offer the best value for money. This process is known as “odds shopping” and it is a common feature in sports betting as well.

You can also compare gambling to your shopping experience. Would you ever shop at a store that charges a higher price for a product that is available for less elsewhere? It’s the same with casinos. Saving money helps you to maximize your advantage and give yourself an actual chance of being able to beat the house. It doesn’t take an Einstein to understand that the more money you save by using bonuses, features and odds that work to your advantage, the more realistic chance you offer yourself of actually winning some money.

Moreover, if you don’t have to stress on your bankrolls, you should also be able to make better decisions and enjoy the game that you wish to play. It also helps to ensure that you don’t play beyond your levels. Playing at a table where the betting limits are too high for your bankroll or your skill level is the simplest and fastest way of losing out all your money. If the limits are too high, simply move on and look for a casino that offers betting limits according to your liking.

Popular themes in online slots – Part 2

Continuing with where we left off in the Popular themes in online slots – Part 1, this post offers you with insights into some of the other themes worth checking out. Even though we have given our themes serial numbers, it is quite impossible to give them rankings. After all, how you compare Star Trek to The Lord of the Rings. It’s impossible. Anyways, here are a few more themes that are definitely worth checking out.

07. Crazy Pizza Slots
Crazy Pizza Slots offered its players with a uniquely refreshing theme that is based on a concept and not some character or movie. What made it particularly popular was its refreshing gameplay, huge jackpots and a vast betting range. The Crazy Pizza slot became an ideal option for conservative slot players and all players vouch of having a blast while playing the game.

08. Marvel Series
Who hasn’t heard, seen and dreamt about characters and superheroes from those MarVel comics? Well, now there’s yet another medium where you can check them out. There are a number of slot machines based on popular Marvel characters such as the Iron Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four and The Incredible Hulk. Each of these slots were timed around the release of their respective feature films and all of them managed to generate plenty of interest in the world of slots.

09. Caesar’s Empire
The Caesar’s Empire revolves around the stories of Julius Caesar, the most popular character of Rome. His undeniable and unquestionable power allowed him to achieve great conquests into previously unknown territories and his sophisticated military strategies are marvelled even today.

10. Diamonds are Forever
Diamonds are Forever has simply been based around those wonderful looking gems that can melt any woman’s heart. The designs offered by the slot are actually amazing and the sight of a huge sparkling diamond at the very center attracts countless women to the game. Moreover, the game also offers a seamless gameplay, a classic theme, a wide betting range and an impressive jackpot feature.

11. The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings, an epic adventure cum fantasy revolving around wizards, elves and hobbits became a rage in the early 2000s. Even after a period of 14 years since the first movie was launched, The Lord of the Rings still commands a huge following. Its on-screen popularity soon made it popular in the world of slots. One of the best Lord of the Rings slots was designed by Microgaming, a household name in the world of slots.

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12. Harry Potter
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The list just goes on and on. This J.K. Rowling creation not only cast a spell on the world of books and the world of movies, but it also managed to become extremely famous in the world of slots. There are countless Harry Potter slots out there, with each promising to outdo the other with a range of exciting features and Harry Potter stories.

Popular themes in online slots – Part 1

Thousands of themes have been offered to slot lovers over the years. World history and folklore has offered us with a number of exciting characters of whom we have studied or read about ever since opening our eyes. As kids, almost all of us were inspired by these amazing fantasy filled adventures and journeys to eternal riches. It might not be possible to relive these beautiful stories in our storybooks anymore, but the online slots of today offer an excellent alternative. Online slots revolve around all sorts of themes that interest people – love, relationships, mysteries, folklore, locations, destinations, human behavior, festivals, sports, action, entertainment, drama, etc. Here is a list of some of the most popular themes in online slots.

01. Achilles
The Greek warrior cum hero was not only known for his magnificent looks, but also for his superhuman strength and cat-like reflexes. There are a number of slot games that have brought this popular Greek warrior into our living rooms and our dens. Not only are they based on Achilles, they offer us an insight into his story as well.

02. Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune was considered to be one of the most successful game shows in the world. It was extremely popular across most countries and an easy show to watch and follow. Anyone who has ever been to Las Vegas would vouch for the fact that the Wheel of Fortune is not just a show – it has been immortalized in the form of a slot machine, and an exciting one at that.

03. Rudolph’s Revenge
We’ve all heard of Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. We’ve all seen him transport Santa above our rooftops and chimneys at one point of time or the other. Now, Rudolph can also be seen in an exciting slot named Rudolph’s Revenge. Keeping in line with his giveaway attitude, Rudolph promises players with an exciting range of features and magnificent wins. Oh, he offers a progressive jackpot as well.

04. Star Trek
Who hasn’t heard of Star Trek, the biggest franchise in television and film history. The epic series boasts 11 feature films and 6 TV series that total to about 30 seasons. Star Trek is also known to have an amazing fan following all over the world. No wonder, it finds itself in the world of slots as well. Many fans are also known to be attracted to these Star Trek slots simply because of the theme.

05. Cleopatra’s Gold
Cleopatra, the famous Egyptian Queen was known for her breathtaking beauty and her mesmerizing looks. It is also said that she used to sleep with a gold face mask every night to maintain her good looks and her perfect skin tone. A slot has been themed around this beautiful yet extremely intelligent Egyptian queen and it promises to offer players with excellent insights into her mind boggling wealth and amazing beauty.

06. The Hangover
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Unfortunately, not when it comes to The Hangover. The movie became a major hit all over the world and simply increased Las Vegas’s popularity manifolds. The epic movie also found a place in the world of slots once a series of slots revolving around the movie were launched.

Choosing the right online casino

Choosing online casinos is not just about determining its reputation and the kind of bonuses and cash prizes that it offers. In order to choose the right online casino, you need to look at a number of aspects. Making that extra effort in searching for the right casino can help you save a lot of hassles and issues later on. Here are a few things to look out for when choosing the right online casino.

Make sure that the casino is licensed

All online casinos are required to be licensed by the proper authorities. If a casino is unlicensed, it is operating illegally and all players who play in these casinos will not be offered the proper player rights and security. All licensed casinos mention their licensing details on their websites. You also need to understand that some jurisdictions are considered to be more reputable as they are more tuned to the industry standards.

Make sure that the casino has a proper reputation

All legitimate online casinos are known by their reputations and the trust that they manage to instill in their players. To ensure that you receive a hassle free experience, you need to ensure that the casino you choose has a verifiable reputation. The reputation of any online casino can easily be verified by reading the user reviews that these casinos receive from their players on casino forums. You should be able to find all sorts of reviews, complaints, issues and problems with regards to any online casino and easily distinguish the best from the rest.

Make sure that the software suits your requirements and style

There are five major platforms that online casinos operate on – Playtech, Realtine Gaming, Microgaming, Wagerlogic and Boss Media. Each platform has its own graphics, user friendliness, animations and interface. The best way to determine which platform is the best for you is to play demo games that all platforms offer. You can also create guest accounts at online casinos and play for fun in order to get a hang of the gameplay before you play with real money.

Verify the banking methods being used

It is pointless to register with casinos that do not offer you the desired methods of depositing and receiving funds. While most casinos offer a variety of credit cards, certain cards cannot be used. You should make sure that you verify the banking policies and check that the banking operations of the online casino matches your own banking methods.

Ensure that you get good deals and bonuses

A number of online casinos offer their players with exciting rewards and bonuses for registering with them. Casinos also offer their players with various kinds of deals and promotions from time to time to help make things more attractive. Make sure that you choose an online casino that offers you the best deals for your requirements. All you need to do is go through user reviews to understand the kind of deals being offered by the various casinos.

The online casino should have a proper customer support system

Proper customer support is a must when it comes to online casinos. One of the most common problems that users face with an online casino is with its customer support systems and policies. You need to ensure that you check out the reviews that the customer support mechanisms of your chosen online casino receive before signing up. You could also speak to the support staff to assess their response times or send a test email to the casino to see how long they take to get back.

Spending those few extra hours before you sign up with an online casino can help you to ensure that you save yourself from hundreds of hassles and issues later on.

Top 5 Female Poker Players in the World

Despite being known to be a man’s game, women and poker have become inseparable of late. Large scale poker games are no longer known to be a man’s world. There are a number of beautiful women around the world who are equally fascinated by the game of poker and can actually play as well as (if not better than) men. Women are known to spend time gambling their money online, take part in major poker tournaments and enjoy women only poker events. Yes, the excitement that poker has to offer plays a major role in drawing women towards the game, but the success achieved by some of the legends of the game such as Annie Duke and Jennifer Harman cannot be ignored either. These ladies have been an inspiration for millions of women all over the world and are directly responsible for attracting countless women to the game of poker. To honor all such women, this list salutes the Top 5 Female Poker Players in the World.

  • 01. Kathy Liebert
  • Considered to be one of the leading professional poker players in the world, Kathy Liebert has won a number of honors and tournaments over the years. She is also known to be extremely popular in the poker community. Her rise to fame came with the 2004 World Series of Poker when she managed to win a paycheck $110180. Kathy also joined the elite list of World Series bracelet winners, thereby taking her stock in the poker world all the way up to first place.

  • 02. Vanessa Selbst
  • Vanessa Selbst is famous for having won more money in live tournaments than any other woman on earth. She is currently being sponsored by PokerStars and has managed to amass a fortune of almost $9.6m over a span of 8 years by playing poker. She even managed to win 7 figure prizes on two separate occasions. Whoever said that it was impossible to win while gambling? Selbt has already earned approximately $1.4 million in the year 2014 and is famous for being a major inspiration for men and women gamblers alike.

  • 03. Annette Obrestad
  • Annette Obrestad started off her poker career at the tender age of 15. Despite entering at such a young age, Annette managed to flourish in a game that was essentially known to be dominated by men at the time. Soon, she built an image of being one of the most aggressive younger players who had excellent results to back up her claims. Annette currently holds the honor of being the youngest ever World Series of Poker bracelet winner, a coveted prize that she won at the age of 18.

  • 04. Liv Boeree
  • Liv Boeree shot to international fame in the year 2010 when she managed to win the European Poker Tournament Main Event in San Remo. The victory made Liv a household name and brought her a mammoth sponsorship deal with PokerStars. Liv might have faced problems adjusting to her new found image and living up to the expectations ever since, but she still holds the headlines as one of the most commonly photographed female poker players in the Euripeak circuit.

  • 05. Vanessa Rousso
  • Vannessa Rousso, known to be more popular as “Lady Maverick” (her online screen name in PokerStars), is a law student at the University of Miami as well as a recognized poker player and teacher. She runs a unique poker school that goes by the name of Big Slick Boot Camp. The school teaches poker strategy to interested students and it is known to combine Sun Tzu’s book “The Art of War” to poker strategies.