Are you hosting a super fun get-together with all of your friends? Whether it’s a cousin reunion or a college party, we’ve got the best hilarious party games for adults. There are honestly so many fun games out there that it’s hard to narrow down the absolute best of the best that everyone will enjoy. But we’ve managed to whittle it down to a list of the 40 best party games for adults by narrowing it down the four categories:

1. Drinking games
2. Minute to win it games
3. Indoor games
4. Outdoor games

So, without further ado, let’s dive into 40 funny party games for adults!

10 DRINKING PARTY GAMES FOR ADULTS

Let’s start off with some drinking games to get the party started!

1. BEER PONG

Beer pong is best played by two or four people. But if you have more people wanting to play this game, don’t worry; you can easily turn beer pong into a tournament to determine the winner of the entire party!

If you’ve never played beer pong before, you’ve likely been living under a rock, as it is one of the most popular drinking games with cups of all time. In this game, two teams stand on either end of a long table. Each team must arrange 10 cups in a pyramid formation with beer (or another drink of choice) filling up the cups one-third of the way up. Then, teams take turns aiming two ping pong balls into one of the other team’s cups. If a ball lands inside, the opposing team drinks what’s in the cup and then remove it from play.

The first team to get rid of all 10 of the opposing team’s cups wins the game!

2. FLIP CUP

Another popular drinking game with cups is flip cup. Unlike beer pong, this game doesn’t require too much skill, so anyone can join in and have fun. Just like beer pong, you play this game on a long table, but the two teams stand on the long sides of the table, facing each other. As this is a relay game, you can have as many people as you want on either team as long as the numbers are even and everyone can fit on the table.

Everybody must have a plastic cup in front of them filled with an alcoholic drink of their choice. Then, blow the whistle and the first player of each team must drink what’s in their cup before they attempt to flip the cup on the table. Once the first player is successful, the second player of the team must do the same. Continue down the line. The team to finish the relay first wins the game!

3. NEVER HAVE I EVER

If you don’t have any plastic cups lying around to play beer pong or flip cup, a great game to play is Never Have I Ever. To play, depending on how long you want the game to last, every play must hold up 5 or 10 fingers. Then, players simply take turns saying something they have never done. Whoever has done what has been mentioned, however, must put a finger down and have a drink.

If someone runs out of fingers, they are out!

Want some more ideas? Check out our post on 250+ Never Have I Ever questions.

4. MOST LIKELY

Most Likely is another drinking game that doesn’t require any supplies. In this game, players go around a circle, asking questions starting with: “Who is most likely to…” Examples include:

• Who is most likely to get drunkest?
• Who is most likely to hook up with someone else in this room?
• Who is most likely to suggest karaoke?

After a player asks a question, everybody must count to 3 and then point to the player who they believe best applies to the question. Everyone must drink as many times as they have fingers pointed at them.

5. KING’S CUP

Also called Ring of Fire, King’s Cup is a classic drinking game that everyone loves to play. To play this game, you’ll need one large plastic cup and a deck of cards. Place the plastic cup in the middle of the table and spread out the cards around the cup face-down. Then, players simply take turns removing one card from the ring of cards.

Each card value has a rule associated with it, as illustrated in the picture above. Make sure not to break the circle while removing cards from the table. And try not to be the player to draw the fourth and final King, or else you’ll be forced to drink a likely strange concoction of alcoholic drinks from the large plastic cup in the middle!

6. FUZZY DUCK

Want to play a drinking game that is sure to get everybody tripped up a little and have a ton of fun in the meantime? You’ve got to play Fuzzy Duck! Sit everybody in a circle, and the first player starts by saying, “Fuzzy duck.” Then, the second player must either:

• Repeat what the previous player said, OR
• Say “does he?” which also changes the direction of play and the wording of the phrase, which becomes “ducky fuzz”.

Anytime someone messes up by saying the wrong phrase, missing a turn, or skipping a turn, they must take a drink before continuing the game!

7. ATTACHED AT THE HIP

Attached at the Hip is a super fun ice breaker drinking game, perfect for groups of people that may not be 100% comfortable with one another yet. In this game, you’ll need to prep beforehand by writing a list of simple tasks that pairs of people must complete together.

Then, to play the game, divide everybody into pairs. Each pair must write down a random body part and put it in a bowl. Then, mix up the written body parts and ask each pair to remove one slip from the bowl. Whatever body part is written on the slip is the body part the pair must stay attached by. For example, if the body part is right foot. The right foot of each player must always be touching.

Then, the pairs compete to complete all the tasks. The first pair to complete the tasks while remaining attached at the chosen body part wins the game!

8. WHO AM I

One of our favorite guessing games is Who Am I, which can easily be turned into a drinking game. To play this game, everybody must write a person, real or fictional, on a Post-it note. Then, they must stick this note on the forehead of the person on their left. And now that the game is set up, it’s time to play!

One player starts by asking a yes or no question to the group, trying to guess who is on their forehead. If the group answers yes, they get to ask another question. But if they answer no, they must take a drink and the next person gets to ask their question(s).

Continue playing until everyone manages to guess who they are!

9. DRUNK JENGA

Who doesn’t love some good old Jenga? But why not amp up the stakes and play Drunk Jenga? Don’t worry; it’s super simple to play. All you need to do is set up the game beforehand by grabbing a sharpie and writing down a rule on each Jenga block. Examples of rules include:

• Play Never Have I Ever
• Pick someone to take a shot
• Have a drink
• Kiss the person on your right

Once everything is set up. Play the game as normal. But everytime a player removes a block, they must read the rule out loud and follow it before placing the block at the top of the tower. If the tower falls, the player who caused it to fall must finish their drink!

10. THUNDERSTRUCK

You’re likely already playing some music in the background when hosting a party for adults. So, why not take advantage of the speaker setup and play a drinking game using music? Load up “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC and have everybody sit in a circle. Then, start the song.

When you hear the first “thunder” in the lyrics, the first player must take a drink and continue to drink until the next “thunder,” at which point the second player must take over. Then, at the third “thunder,” the third player starts drinking at the second player stops. Continue playing in this manner until the end of the song!

10 MINUTE TO WIN IT GAMES FOR ADULTS

Who doesn’t love some awesome Minute to Win It games? These are games you can easily set up with household items and play with as many people as you want while laughing out loud at the hilarity of it all. Play all 10 Minute to Win It games and score them all to determine the overall winner!

11. COOKIE FACE

Cookie Face is a super classic Minute to Win It game. In this game, every player gets a cookie that they must place on their forehead. Then, on the mark, every player must try to get that cookie into their mouth by only using their facial muscles to move the cookie down the face. No hands allowed!

12. PENNY TOWER

Stacking pennies doesn’t seem too difficult, but try doing it with one hand only! The objective of this game is to stack 25 pennies on top of one another within a minute.

13. NOSE DIVE

Put a bit of Vaseline on a plate in front of each player. Each player must also have two bowls in front of them: one empty and one filled with cotton balls. Then, on the mark, players must transfer all the cotton balls from one bowl to the other using only their noses dabbed in Vaseline!

14. THREAD THE NEEDLE

Threading a needle is one of the most annoying tasks of all time. So, why not turn it into a Minute to Win It game? In this mini game, players try to thread as many needles as possible within a minute.

15. WRAP IT UP

This game is pretty similar to the one above, but instead of threading needles, you wrap presents! Wrap as many presents as possible.

16. IT’S A PLANE

Before the game begins, give each player some paper. Then, on the mark, every player must make paper planes and throw them, trying to get them to land on a designated area!

17. JUNK IN THE TRUNK

Fill empty tissue boxes with ping pong balls. Then, each player gets one of these tissue boxes, which they must tie around themselves with the help of some pantyhose. And now, on your mark, every player must shake with all their might to remove all the balls from the tissue box without using their hands!

18. SCOOP THE BALLS

In this game, players must have one spoon and two bowls. One bowl should be empty, while the other should be filled with ping pong balls. On your mark, players place a spoon in their mouths and scoop the balls from one bowl to the other. No hands allowed!

19. ZYXS

Do you know how difficult it is to say the ABCs backwards? Well, you’re about to find out with this Minute to Win It game! In this game, players must try to say the ZYXs within a minute, which is much more difficult than you might think.

20. CHOPSTICK CEREAL RACE

It’s time to learn who’s the most adept with chopsticks. To set up this game, put a large bowl in the middle of the table and fill it with cereal. Every player must have a smaller bowl in front of them and a pair of chopsticks to use. Then, on your mark, every player must race to put as much cereal into their small bowl as possible, using their chopsticks!

10 INDOOR PARTY GAMES FOR ADULTS

Just because you’re stuck indoors doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! Here are the absolute best indoor party games for adults.

21. SCAVENGER HUNT

A scavenger hunt is a great way to get everybody moving around despite being stuck indoors. You can play two different types of scavenger hunts:

1. A traditional one: Hide objects and clues around the playing area, which players will need to find before the other teams.
2. A photo hunt: Players must take photos of everything that is included in the list.

Both are a great way to pass the time while indoors.

22. CHARADES

What indoor party is complete without at least a round of charades? In charades, one player stands in front of everybody else and acts out a phrase or word. They may not use any noise to indicate what they are miming. Every other player must try their best to guess this word or phrase. The first person to guess correctly gets to go next! If you want to make this game more competitive, play charades as a team game.

23. CELEBRITY

Want to play a game like charades but want a bit more of a challenge? You should try Celebrity! In this game, every player must write down the names of 5 different celebrities on slips of paper. Fold these up and put them in a hat or bowl. Then, divide everybody into two teams.

One player from the first team takes a slip and tries to get their team to guess the celebrity. Keep going quickly, trying to guess as many as possible within a minute. Once the minute is up, one player from the next team does the same. Keep taking turns until all slips are guessed. In this first round, the clue-giver can use as many words as they want to get their teammates to guess the celebrity.

After the first round, the game resumes as normal, but this time, the clue-giver can only use one word to get their team to guess the celebrity. Then, when all the slips are guessed by the two teams taking turns, the third round commences. In the third round, the clue-giver can only mime.

The team who guesses the most in all three rounds wins!

24. TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE

Two Truths and a Lie is a super classic game you can easily play with no preparation needed. This is best played in a group where players are not too familiar with one another. In this game, players take turns making three statements about themselves. The catch? One of these statements has to be a lie! Every other player must try to guess which one is the lie.

25. TRIVIA

Everyone loves some trivia. Test everyone’s general knowledge by preparing a trivia night, one of the best games to play indoors. If you’re having trouble prepping for this game, here is our list of 400+ trivia questions and answers to get you started!

Then, at the party, divide the group into small teams of 3 to 5 people and get them to work together to answer the trivia questions. The team who has the most correct answers wins!

26. PAPER TELEPHONE

One of the funniest games you can play at a party is Paper Telephone. To play, everyone starts with a piece of paper. At the very top, every player must write a random phrase. Then, all players pass their paper to the player on their left. On this new sheet of paper, players must attempt to draw the phrase written on the top.

Then, fold down the phrase so that you can only see the picture, and players pass the paper to the player on their left again, who must now write a phrase. Keep playing in this manner, drawing and writing, until the paper goes back to the original owner.

And now… it’s time for the reveal! Unveil the paper and see how warped the original phrases became during the game. Get ready for some belly laughing.

Don’t have any paper lying around? No worries. You can play the online version of Gartic Phone instead.

27. WEREWOLF

One of the best hidden role games, Werewolf is a super funny card game that will have everybody yelling and laughing out loud. In this game, players are given roles to play. Villagers must protect their village from the werewolves, and werewolves must kill all the villagers without getting caught. Deception and lies form the core of this game, so trust no one! And covertly get your team to win.

28. WOULD YOU RATHER

Would You Rather is another fun indoor game that doesn’t require any setup. In this game, players simply take turns asking everybody else to choose between two difficult options. This is a great game to start some interesting conversations and debates around the table. Here are some examples of Would You Rather questions:

• Would you rather have bad breath or smelly feet?
• Would you rather have to yell every text message out loud or every Google search?
• Would you rather go on a romantic and relaxing vacation or go on a non-stop adventure?

As you can see, it can be pretty difficult to choose!

29. LIAR’S DICE

Got some dice lying around for a dice drinking game? You’ve got to play Liar’s Dice, a game akin to Texas Hold’Em. In this game, players take turns rolling 5 dice inside an opaque cup. Hand rankings are just like poker, so, for example, a four-of-a-kind is higher than two pairs.

After rolling the dice and covering them, the player must say what they have. The second player may challenge the first player. If challenged, the player in the wrong must put a chip in the pot and take a drink as punishment. But if not challenged, the second player rolls the dice and announces a hand ranking that must be higher than what the previous player said.

30. TRUTH OR DARE

You’re likely already familiar with Truth or Dare. While you may associate this game with sleepovers as tweens and teens, this can be a fun game for adults, too, especially if there is alcohol involved! To play, players take turns picking an option between truth and dare. If they pick truth, they must answer a question. And if they pick dare, they must do a dare. Simple as that! But if you want to turn this into a drinking game, allow players a third option. If they refuse, they must take a drink or a shot.

Here are some Truth or Dare ideas to help get the party started.

10 OUTDOOR PARTY GAMES FOR ADULTS

Not all parties are indoors. So, if you’re hosting an outdoor party for adults and looking for some fun games to play that take advantage of the great outdoors, these are the games for you!

31. CROQUET

There’s no game more classic to play outdoors than croquet. The most standard game is nine wicket croquet, but no matter what version you end up playing, the basic game is the same: Hit your ball through the wickets in order. The player who manages to score the most points by the end of the game wins!

32. BOCCE BALL

Another classic lawn game you’ve got to play at any outdoor party is bocce ball. This is a simple game that everybody will enjoy. In this game, two teams play against each other, trying to throw their balls closer to the pallino than the other team’s balls. The pallino is the small white ball that is thrown first at the beginning of each round. The winning team wins as many points as they have balls closer to the pallino than the opposing team’s closest ball.

The team who gets to 12 points first wins!

33. GIANT JENGA

Jenga is a super fun game to play, but why not amp up the stakes and play a giant outdoor version of this game? You play Giant Jenga just as you would play the standard game, with players taking turns removing a block from the tower and placing it on top. If you want, feel free to turn the Giant Jenga game into a drinking game. The player that causes the tower to fall loses the game.

34. CORNHOLE

Cornhole doesn’t require much, making it the perfect game to simply relax outdoors with your friends and play passively. To play this game, you’ll need to set up two cornhole boards around 27 feet away from one another. Players then take turns throwing beanbags, with the goal of getting the beanbags onto the board of the opposing team 27 feet away or into the hole on the board. Each bag on the board is worth 1 point, and each bag that goes inside the hole is worth 3 points. The first team to get 21 points wins the game!

35. FROZEN T-SHIRT RACE

One of our favorite games to play in the summer heat is the Frozen T-Shirt Race. You’ll need to prep for this game beforehand by putting t-shirts in water, wringing them out, folding them, putting them in freezer bags, and letting them freeze in the freezer overnight.

Then, to play this game, bring out the frozen t-shirts and give one to each player. Then, on your mark, each player must race to get the t-shirt on their body before the other players! This game is much harder than it sounds.

36. BEER ROULETTE

A relatively messy drinking game we recommend playing outdoors is Beer Roulette. In this game, the moderator of the game must go somewhere where the other players cannot see and shake one can of beer. Then, the players must choose a can of beer to open and drink. Whoever gets sprayed on loses and is out of the game. Keep playing like this until only one player remains.

37. WINK MURDER

Wink Murder is one of our favorite games to play in large groups. And the best part? You don’t need to prepare anything beforehand! To play, have everybody sit in a circle and face each other. Before the game begins, everyone must close their eyes. The moderator will go around the circle and pick a murderer and detective. Then, when everyone opens their eyes, the detective must stand in the middle. All other players must look around at every player. The murderer’s goal is to murder everybody before they are caught by the detective. If a player is winked at (murdered), they must count to 5 before they dramatically die.

38. IN THE NATURE OF THE ADVERB

In the Nature of the Adverb is another super creative game that also requires no setup. Choose one player to go away from the group. With the player out of earshot, all the other players must decide on an adverb, such as lazily, happily, or angrily.

Once decided, bring the other player back. This player may now demand other players to perform an action in the nature of the adverb. For example, the player may ask another player to dance in the nature of the adverb. If the adverb is “angrily”, the player must dance in an angry manner! The player keeps asking other players to perform an action until they can guess the adverb.

39. ULTIMATE FRISBEE

Have you got a bit more of an energetic group of people to entertain at this party of adults? Why not play something like Ultimate Frisbee to expel some energy and sweat a bit on a good day out? To play, divide the group into two teams. The teams must toss the frisbee back and forth and try to score goals by throwing the frisbee to the opposing team’s endzone. The team to get the most points wins the game.

40. SOCCER

Another fun sport that anyone can play is soccer. Soccer is similar to Ultimate Frisbee but played with a ball and not using any hands to handle the ball. Teams must pass the ball back and forth with the objective of kicking the ball into the opposing team’s net in order to score a point. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

I am a digital nomad and traveler with a passion for board games. I’ve been a big board game nerd all my life, and I’m a particular fan of word games like Scrabble, Boggle, and, yes, Wordle, too!

The Age Pension is a vital source of income for many Australian retirees, with approximately 39% of Australians of Age Pension age receiving the full Age Pension, and a further 24% receiving a part pension.

Here, we will provide you with the latest Age Pension rates, as well as information on how to qualify for the Age Pension, and what you can expect from the pension supplement, energy supplement, and rent assistance.

Latest Age Pension Rate Changes :

From 20 March 2024, the maximum full Age Pension increases by $19.60 per fortnight for a single person, and $14.70 per person per fortnight for a couple. The rates for a full Age Pension for Australian residents for the period 20 March 2024 to 19 September 2024 are listed below:

• Single: $1,116.30 per fortnight (approximately $29,028 per year)
• Couple (each): $841.40 per fortnight (approximately $21,876 per year)
• Couple (combined): $1,682.80 per fortnight (approximately $43,753 per year)
• Couples separated due to illness each receive the Single rate (see above), which combined is $2,232.60 (approximately $58,048 per year)

How to Qualify for the Age Pension

To be eligible for the Australian Age Pension, you must have reached Age Pension age (which depends on your date of birth but is now 67), satisfy Australian residency rules, and pass both an income test and an assets test. Depending on your level of income and the assets you own, you may qualify for either a full or part Age Pension.

Assets Test

The assets test assesses the value of your assets, including your home, investments, and other possessions. The thresholds for the assets test are as follows:

• Singles: $314,000 if you own your own home, or $566,000 if you don’t own your own home
• Couples: $470,000 if you own your own home, or $722,000 if you don’t own your own home

Income Test

The income test assesses your income from all sources, including employment, investments, and other sources. The thresholds for the income test are as follows:

• Singles: $212 per fortnight (approximately $5,512 per year)
• Couples: $372 per fortnight (approximately $9,672 per year)

Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement

If you receive the Age Pension, you’ll automatically be paid a pension supplement. The pension supplement is a fortnightly payment that helps with the cost of living. The energy supplement is a separate payment that helps with the cost of energy bills.

Rent Assistance

If you’re receiving the Age Pension, you may be entitled to rent assistance, including any fees you may be paying a retirement village. The minimum amount of rent you need to pay to qualify for assistance is $143.40 per fortnight for singles, and $232.40 per fortnight for couples.

Age Pension Rates for Non-Residents

The rates for a full Age Pension for Australian non-residents for the period 20 March 2024 to 19 September 2024 are listed below:

• Single: $1,048.90 per fortnight (approximately $27,271 per year)
• Couple (each): $815.90 per fortnight (approximately $20,608 per year)
• Couple (combined): $1,631.80 per fortnight (approximately $41,215 per year)

Transitional Age Pension Rates

Some Age Pensioners in Australia are on transitional pensions. Transitional pension rates are paid to people who would otherwise be getting a lower payment after changes to the income test were introduced in 2009.

Frequently Asked Questions

Forge, a powerhouse platform that specializes in incentivized collaborations between developers and consumers, has just launched its second season—a milestone that will bring an enormous amount of fresh features, rewards, and other perks for fledgling brand advocates and gamers alike. To learn a bit more about Forge and the work that they’re putting into the bloodstream of the industry, I decided to reach out to Crunchyroll co-founder and Forge CEO, Kun Gao.

Thanks for taking the time to speak with us! Please could you introduce yourself to our readers? Who are you, and what brought you to this portion of the gaming industry?

Kun: Thank you for having me! I’m Kun Gao, co-founder and CEO of Forge. Before Forge, I co-founded Crunchyroll, where we brought together anime fans from around the world. The gaming industry shares that same sense of community and passion, which is what drew me to it; not to mention myself and my co-founders are all gamers… some even legendary pro gamers, in the case of Dennis “Thresh” Fong (look him up). We are passionate about the space and saw there was a real opportunity for disruption in games marketing by helping game developers connect more deeply with their players, fostering engagement and loyalty in a way that hasn’t been done before.

Let’s talk about Forge. How did it all start, and what was it that inspired the team to bring in-house incentives to developers and their players?

Kun: Forge was born out of a frustration we all shared with the traditional ways games were marketed. Developers were spending enormous amounts of money on strategies that didn’t really resonate with their players or build lasting communities. We wanted to change that by creating a platform that not only helps games reach their audience but also rewards players for their engagement and for helping to actually grow the game. The idea was to turn every player into an advocate by incentivizing them to be more involved in the community, whether through playing, sharing content, or bringing friends into the game.

Could you tell us a bit more about how the process works? How exactly can game developers connect with their users through the platform, and what sorts of benefits are creators able to provide to potential advocates?

Kun: Absolutely. Forge allows developers to create customizable loyalty programs that reward players for a variety of actions. Whether it’s engaging with the game on social media, hitting in-game milestones, or participating in community events, players earn points and rewards for their involvement. Developers can use these tools to reward their most dedicated fans, offering exclusive content, early access, or in-game items as incentives. The beauty of Forge is that it turns ordinary players into passionate promoters, helping to grow the game’s community organically.

Forge is now Available to ALL game developers!

Over the past 6 months, driven tens of millions of player actions to our partner games.

Now, the same admin tools we use internally are available to ALL game developers.

Let’s get building. 😤 https://t.co/do7EOkYxax pic.twitter.com/ASQtEtBOkK

— Forge (@Forge) July 25, 2024

Would you also say that Forge provides an accessible palette of tools that even the most inexperienced developers can utilize, too?

Kun: Definitely. One of our core goals with Forge was to make it as user-friendly as possible. We’ve built the platform to be intuitive and easy to navigate, with no coding required to set up loyalty programs. Whether you’re an indie developer working on your first game or a seasoned studio, you’ll find that Forge gives you the tools you need to engage your players without a steep learning curve. We wanted to democratize access to these powerful marketing and engagement tools, so everyone has a chance to build a thriving community.

Of course, Forge has helped to bridge the gaps between developers and gamers many, many times. With that said, are there any collaborations that stand out to you as a team?

Kun: We’ve been fortunate to work with some incredible partners. One that comes to mind is our work with Xterio. They embraced our platform early on and used Forge to drive engagement through unique rewards and community interaction. The results were outstanding, with significant increases in player retention and community growth. Seeing developers use Forge to create such positive outcomes for their games is exactly why we built this platform.

So, how’s the fourth quarter looking for Forge? As a team, are you looking to evolve the system or implement any fresh ideas over the coming months? If so, could you kindly tell us a bit about what we can expect to see?

Kun: The fourth quarter is shaping up to be a very exciting time for Forge. We just launched Forge Season 2, where we’ve made our powerful tools available for any game developer to set up their own loyalty program, and we’re continuing to innovate and expand the platform’s capabilities. One of the key areas we’re focusing on is enhancing our analytics tools, giving developers even more insight into player behavior and engagement. We’re also exploring new features with the Forge API that will make it easier for developers to integrate Forge into their games and communities. And of course, we’re always listening to feedback from our users to ensure we’re meeting their needs and helping them achieve their goals.

Forge Season 2 is now LIVE!

New brand. New products. New games. New meta. Welcome to a new era of Forge!

Let’s get into it 👀 pic.twitter.com/UfhEJxsrEG

— Forge (@Forge) July 25, 2024

And is there a way for us to stay up to date with Forge and its future endeavors? Are there any social channels, streams, or live events that we could share with our readers?

Kun: Absolutely! We’re active on X and have a thriving Discord community where we share updates, insights, and news about what’s happening at Forge. We also have a blog and newsletter where we share our biggest partnerships, product announcements, and vision for the future. Additionally, we plan to attend more conventions in the near future starting with Gamescom this August, we hope to see you there!

Do you have any final words to share before we go ahead and close the book?

Kun: I just want to say thank you for the opportunity to share our story. Forge is all about empowering game developers and building strong, connected communities. We’re excited about what the future holds and are always looking forward to working with more developers and gamers. If you’re a game developer looking to engage your community or a gamer looking for your next adventure, we’d love to have you join us. Let’s build the future of gaming together!

Amazing. Thanks again for your time. We look forward to catching more of Forge over the coming weeks!

For more information on Forge, be sure to check in with the team over on their official social handle here. Alternatively, you can visit the website for additional updates here.

–News Direct–

– Apple Rush Company, Inc. (OTCpink:APRU), a leading player in the functional beverage industry, announces delivery of equipment for major expansion of brewing operations.

Lena Brewing has received its case shrink pack tunnel and inline carbonation system required to push production limits to our stated projections. With the addition of approximately 5000 sf of space, a semi dock, and this new equipment, Lena is well on its way to meeting its production goals.

CEO of APRU, Tony Torgerud, states, “I have never felt better of our opportunities in the functional beverage sector. We will be able to deliver on our stated goals for revenues in 2025 and be able to officially relaunch Apple Rush, officially launch Hard Rush, and leverage our Element Brands portfolio with a complete line of botanical beverages. We will be announcing some new R&D projects and some additional financing arrangements that we have been working on for the past few months.”

Ross Vehmeier, President of Lena Brewing, said, “It has taken us a while to get to this point, but we are excited about the direction we are going. I believe we are going to surpass all of our expectation over the coming years with our state of the art facility.”

Tony continued, “We have been working with additional partners to make this happen and our plans are to grow as fast as the market will allow. We appreciate all of our stakeholders and can’t wait to release additional information on our progress.”

About The Apple Rush Company, Inc.

The Apple Rush Company, Inc., through its subsidiary APRU, LLC, is a distributor of CPG products under the trademarked Apple Rush brand, Element brand and other labels. The Apple Rush brand has more than 50 years of existence in the natural beverage industry. As a historical leader in the organic and natural beverage sector our goal is to now become a leader in the distribution of anhydrous hemp oil products nationwide. For more information, please go to www.aprubrands.com, www.element-brands.com, elementk.kratomwave.store www.alkhemicalroots.com with our expanded product portfolio.

Safe Harbor Act: Forward-Looking Statements are included within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations including words such as “anticipate,” “if,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “will,” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements and involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements. We are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations Contact: Tony Torgerud; 888-741-3777 x 2

www.aprubrands.com

Safe Harbor Act: Forward-Looking Statements are included within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations including words such as “anticipate,” “if,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “will,” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements and involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements. We are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact Details

Tony Torgerud

+1 888-741-3777

[email protected]

Company Website

http://www.aprubrands.com

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Many urban myths revolve around the popular casino game Blackjack. Busting these myths as true or false will give players a heads up to play blackjack with added skill and style.

In this blog, we will cover some of the most popular casino myths and facts surrounding blackjack.

1. Mastering The Basic Rules Will Help You Master The Table

If you know the basic rules of play and take your time in developing
and mastering your skills, it will help you notice odds and will give you the
tools needed to play the game more tactfully. But does knowing the basics and
taking time to master them really make you a skilled player?

True: Players who are unfamiliar with the basics are more likely to get a negative end result. So harnessing your blackjack skills is definitely a positive since it helps you to strategise the game more to your advantage.

2. Card Counting Is Illegal

A well-known blackjack playing manoeuvre popularised in films and books is counting the cards. This technique is generally perceived as being frowned upon and illegal, which can result in the player being banned from the casino altogether. But is it actually true?

False: Counting cards is not illegal and is a widespread blackjack technique where players mentally track cards as they’re being played. You can get banned if you’re caught though.

3. A Soft 18 Is Not The Ideal Hand

There are also many misconceptions around the blackjack myth of a soft 18. This is a hand that’s worth 18 and includes an ace, worth 11. A soft 18 hand could be a hand containing and ace and a seven or an ace, a three and a four. Most players insist that a soft 18 is a good hand only if the dealer shows a two upcard and a seven upcard. For weaker cards (3, 4, 5, 6) it’s better to double down. But should you follow this rule?

True: Yes, you totally should!. A soft 18 is not an ideal hand on which to stand. So when a dealer shows you a 10, it’s recommended to hit on an ace-seven.

4. Progressive Betting Increases Your Winning Chances

The progressive betting system is when players double their bets with every loss; in this way and with every losing bet, you increase the chance to win. Or so they say, but is it true?

False: The winning bet has no impact on the bet that follows it. The progressive betting technique is purely a myth and it does not increase your player’s winning chances.

5. Odds Shift As Each Card Is Removed From The Shoe

What gives blackjack a special reputation compared to other card games? As we mentioned before, blackjack gives players the possibility to add an element of skill into their game. But do the odds change throughout the game?

True: Keeping track of the cards means that you know what cards have been played already, so if you can keep an eye on what’s been dealt, the odds may shift into the player’s favour. Keep in mind, however, that this is easier to do when playing physical games.

6. Having Good Maths Skills Will Help You In The Game

One of the most common and questionable blackjack myths is that in order to increase your winning chances, the players have to be good in their mathematical skills. But do you need a PhD to learn all the odds and play well?

False: The casinos hold no mathematical edge over players and even though knowing blackjack’s basics will help you be a better player, winning odds are always based on chance.

7. Blackjack Dealers Possess A Ten In The Hole

The dealer handling the blackjack game always has a ten-value card in the hole and the game is played with that assumption in mind. Does it hold up to scrutiny, though?

False: There are a total of 52 cards in a single deck of cards, and only 30% of these cards hold a value of ten (cards 10, Jack, King, and Queen). That leaves 70% of the deck still in play.

8. The More You Lose, The Greater The Chance You’ll Win

A very popular myth which needs
some heavy debunking is the notion that with every loss, the winning streak will get bigger. Again, does the myth
hold up when compared to what happens in reality?

False: Winning or losing at blackjack in the past does not translate into higher and lower percentages of winning in the future.

9. Play It Safe: Play It As The Dealer Plays It

If you’re still a newbie but have grasped some of the basics, you might find yourself thinking that it’s a good strategy to copy the dealer’s moves since they would be strictly following the house rules. But is it such a good idea to mimic the dealer?

False: Though it’s a logical thought, the player has to keep in mind that a dealer cannot double or split. So as an evolving player, do erase this common blackjack misconception.

10. Winning Blackjack Is Not Only About Luck

Knowing blackjack rules and basics will help you calculate your moves. This means that winning blackjack is not only a matter of luck.

True: Sort of. Knowing the basics means knowing your odds, and knowing how best to deal with those odds. Like in any other casino card game, even though chance plays a big part in winning the game, your chances of winning a particular hand can be affected by the player’s level of skill and strategic decision-making.

So before you play blackjack we suggest you discard costly myths, know the facts and master the basics rules to improve your understanding and enjoyment of this much-loved casino game.

Pull up a seat and join any of our blackjack tables on our Canadian online casino today!

How many of these myths did you manage to bust?

18+ | begambleaware.org | Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Terms & Conditions apply.

Contents

 1. The Origins Of Roulette
1.1. Introducing Blaise Pascal
2. How The Game Of Roulette Has Evolved Through The Years
2.1. Land-Based Roulette Variants
2.2. Online Roulette
2.3. Live Roulette
3. What Makes Live Roulette Such A Popular Option Today?
3.1. Player Engagement
3.2. Professional Game Management
3.3. Best Seat In The House
3.4. Swift, Efficient Game Flow
3.5. Lower Betting Limits
4. The Technology Behind Live Roulette Online
5. Get Started With Live Roulette Games

The Origins Of Roulette

Roulette is one of the longest standing table games you’ll find in any land-based or online casino. Although the specific date of roulette’s creation is something of a mystery, it’s widely acknowledged that the brains behind the concept of roulette and the roulette wheel are down to one man – Blaise Pascal.

Some people believe that the idea behind roulette was centred around a board game dating back to ancient China, which required players to put up to 37 figures onto a game board with numbers totalling 666. Interestingly, if you add up all the numbers on a conventional roulette wheel, the total is also 666. Despite that spooky comparison, the most likely and believable creator of roulette remains Blaise Pascal.

Introducing Blaise Pascal

Pascal was a Frenchman with a real head for numbers and science. The mathematician became obsessed with the idea of designing and building a machine capable of continuous movement without the need for an energy source – something that we now know to be impossible.

In his desire to design and build a perpetual motion machine, Pascal is said to have stumbled upon the roulette wheel. Of course, Pascal’s original version was not adorned with 37 numbered pockets, but the principle of the wheel’s motion and operation remain.

In 17th century France, there were two games that locals would frequently bet on called ‘Roly Poly’ and ‘Even-Odd’. Both of these games were based on staking on the outcome of the spin of a wheel. Many believe Pascal’s creation and these two games helped create the fusion of the game of roulette we know and love today.

How The Game Of Roulette Has Evolved Through The Years

The real breakthrough moment for roulette came towards the end of the 18th century. It was a period of heavy gambling restrictions across France and much of Europe, but Prince Charles of Monaco opted to establish some of his very own gambling houses in Monte Carlo, featuring games like roulette that quickly captured the imagination of the region’s aristocrats and royalty.

The game eventually gravitated towards Germany and the rest of Europe. During the early 19th century, the game of roulette was exported across the Atlantic to the US along with a host of European migrants to Louisiana. However, the game of roulette was not so well-received here, at least in the first instance. Casino operators were unwilling to have roulette games on their casino floors with a modest house edge of only 2.70%. This was one of the main reasons why double zero roulette was created, in order to provide American casinos with a higher house edge of 5.26%.

Roulette Variants

American Roulette

American roulette is the double zero roulette version that many land-based and live casino sites offer today. What do we mean by double zero? This wheel not only includes a green single zero, but it also features another green double zero, resulting in 38 numbered pockets on the wheel instead of 37. The rules of American roulette are like the original European roulette. However, the addition of the double zero almost doubles the house edge of the game from 2.70% to 5.26%.

Are payouts the same for European and American Roulette?

Yes, The numbers are in a different order, but the payouts are identical. For example, a straight up win will pay out 35:1 in either game.

The payouts are the same though, which is why many players prefer European roulette games to give their bankrolls the best chance of growth.

French Roulette

Many consider the French variation to be the best possible alternative to classic European roulette. On the surface, French roulette appears almost identical to European roulette games. Their wheels both feature only a single zero and their number sequences are identical. The key difference here is the rules and regulations available in French roulette. First, there’s the La Partage rule, which means you’ll get half your stake back if you place an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero. The En Prison rule is even better if you can find a table that offers it. This rule gives you the chance to win your stake back after a spin of zero, if your bet was an even-money bet.

Multi-Wheel Roulette

Exclusive to online roulette sites, multi-wheel roulette games increasingly capture the imagination of adventurous players. Players can bet on the outcome of multiple roulette wheels at the same time. The number of active wheels tends to range between two and eight. You can decide how many roulette wheels are active during each spin, and you must place the same bet for all active wheels. For example, if you stake €2 on red and five of the eight wheels land on red, you’ll receive a payout on five wheels and lose your stake on three wheels.

Online Roulette

As the concept of video-based casino games has expanded through the decades, casino floors have started operating more video roulette games. These machines allow players to play their own exclusive game with a digital roulette wheel that operates based on a decentralised random number generator (RNG), which creates randomised spins and fair outcomes. Video screens have also given rise to other forms of video-based table games, such as blackjack and video poker.

Meanwhile, some land-based casinos have also developed video roulette machines to operate in tandem with physical roulette wheels that operate autonomously, helping to create a more authentic gaming experience.

Live Roulette

In more recent years, as the quality of broadband drastically improved, it’s been possible for online casino operators to expand into live-streamed games. Live dealer games are operated in a virtual setting, with games broadcast in real-time from a professional studio, handled by real dealers. Thanks to live technology, it’s now possible for long-time land-based casino-goers to enjoy live roulette action in the convenience of their home.

What Makes Live Roulette Such A Popular Option Today?

Live roulette differs from conventional online roulette games managed by random number generators (RNGs). Live roulette online operates in almost the same fashion as roulette games hosted in a real casino. The roulette wheel is displayed on-screen while the ball spins around the wheel and lands on a chosen number, with players able to place bets on a digital roulette table at the touch of a button.

Player Engagement

One of the main reasons that people enjoy a trip to the casino is the social interaction with dealers and fellow players. Live roulette tables give players the chance to interact and chat in real-time on both desktop and mobile. The dealers engage in the chats and can guide beginner players through the actions, so those new to live roulette can get up to speed. It’s also an incredibly comfortable gaming environment. Unlike a land-based casino, where you might sit crammed around a table, you can sit wherever you like and place your bets at your leisure.

Professional Game Management

Every individual that hosts a live experience is professionally trained to provide an authentic casino experience and adhere to all the same rules and regulations of your favourite roulette games. These dealers have experienced all game scenarios and their training includes the use of the studio’s own single zero and double zero roulette wheels for your peace of mind.

The Best Seat In The House

The live roulette technology available today means that live-streaming allows you to get closer to the action than even in a land-based casino. With multiple camera angles of the roulette wheel, players can watch the game unfold with more close-ups of the pockets than you’ll find on the casino floor. The result is a more immersive and inclusive gaming experience. Better still, you also get access to real-time data for recent games, allowing you to make informed decisions before you take your chips to the roulette table.

Swift, Efficient Game Flow

The beauty of having professionally trained dealers overseeing your live roulette action is that they know how to maintain the flow of the game. Better still, the payouts of all winning bets are all managed digitally, providing instant wins into your player accounts, with no need to wait for dealers to pay out to individual players. When it comes to placing those bets, you don’t have to stretch and fight your way to the roulette table to get your chips in place before “no more bets”. You can simply drag and drop your virtual chips and change up the numbers you cover each spin using your mouse or finger, depending on whether you play via desktop or mobile phone.

Flexible Betting Options

Another huge benefit of playing live roulette online is the flexibility. When you visit a land-based casino, it’s not uncommon to see players required to stake at least €5 or even €10 per game round. Most live roulette games offer a cheaper point of entry, with minimum stakes as low as €0.10 or €0.25 per spin, giving newcomers a chance to get to grips with the action at a smaller price. At LiveRoulette.com, we’re proud to offer minimum stakes of no more than €1 per round at our live roulette tables.

The Technology Behind Live Roulette Online

Most live casino games, including roulette, are powered by state-of-the-art Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to make the game flow smoothly and for actions to be processed faster. The technology’s purpose is to read the outcome of rounds or cards dealt, then display them digitally on the player’s screen, so that you can keep up with the game and make informed decisions on your play.

We’re fortunate that the quality of broadband connectivity around the world is improving year-on-year. The stability of connections makes drop-outs increasingly unlikely, minimising the prospect of losing your live stream and missing out on the outcome of your bets. The use of live chat support systems also makes it possible for players to raise a game issue with dealers in real-time, just like you would in a brick-and-mortar casino.

Get Started With Live Roulette Games

Although leading live dealer
casinos, like our very own at LiveRoulette, require state-of-the-art technology
to bring you the most immersive roulette experiences online, the good news is
you don’t need to invest in any special software.

You can access our live
roulette lobby as soon as you log in, regardless of what viewing device you use
– desktop, mobile, tablet or laptop. Just find
a live roulette game you like the look of and start playing with flexible table
limits for new and seasoned players alike.

When you play live roulette
online for real money, we understand that you’ll want to make sure you choose a
casino operator that takes good care of your hard-earned funds. That’s why we
provide SSL data encryption to protect your sensitive information, deposits and
withdrawals away from prying eyes online.

We’re also proud advocates of responsible gaming at LiveRoulette.com. That’s why we require extensive proof of identification to ensure that all registered players are legally obliged to play our table games and have access to self-limitation tools at the touch of a button too. So head off and enjoy a game of roulette, responsibly!

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Slot fans who are seasoned poker players may already be familiar with the concept of bankroll management, but the term is just as important when you play slots online. Within this guide, we’ll provide some useful money management slot tips to help you select the right slot titles for your budget, based on a range of factors such as volatility, RTP percentages and more.

Although these bankroll management tips won’t improve your odds of winning – because all slots are games of chance – it is possible to use these slot tips to spread your risk, minimise losses and have a more enjoyable slot gaming experience.

Tip 1: Set A Budget

Before you spin a single slot reel, you should take some time to calculate how much you can afford to play with. Any money you do spend on the reels should be funds you know you can afford to lose.

Set aside a slot budget that doesn’t limit any of your essential monthly outgoings. You could label it as part of your monthly entertainment expenses. When you spend money going to the cinema, you wouldn’t expect a return on your cinema ticket at the end of the movie. You should adopt the same mindset with your slot gaming budget.

When you make a deposit into your LiveRoulette account for the first time, you can claim a deposit bonus up to a maximum of €50. All winnings from this bonus money must be played through 40 times and cannot be withdrawn until play through conditions are met. Through careful game selection, it’s possible to find games that have greater winning probabilities than others to help make your bonus funds last longer. However, some games may not be eligible for bonus offers, so read the terms and conditions carefully. You’ll learn more about this as you advance through this guide.

18+ | begambleaware.org | Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Terms & Conditions apply.

Tip 2: Choose The Right Slot Game

Ultimately, you will want to choose slot games that you can engage with. Whether it’s a themed slot based on one of your favourite hobbies or pastimes or a slot with the kind of bonus features that you enjoy – such as free spins or pick-me bonuses – the right slot for you is ultimately the one you enjoy the most.

However, it’s a good idea to be more selective with your slot titles if you want to make sure your slot budget goes further. All slot games are different – they come with different volatilities and return to player percentages, which means that some are more likely to pay out more frequently than others.

Understanding Return To Player (RTP) Percentages

When you search through lists of available slot games, most games will also have their RTP percentage displayed within the game’s help pages. RTP is an important factor for experienced slot players. Those slot players determined to manage their bankroll properly will use RTP percentages to determine the slots they should and shouldn’t play. RTP is short for return to player, which means the amount a slot player could expect returned to them over a high number of spins.

Let’s say for example that a slot game displays an RTP of 96.5%. This means that for every €100 spent on its reels, the slot is programmed to return €96.50 over the long-term. Because of variance and the fact that all online slot titles are powered by decentralised random number generators (RNGs), there will be variations when you play short-term, but the RTP is what you can expect to be paid out over an infinite number of spins.

Each slot will also be programmed with a hit frequency in tandem with an RTP percentage. The hit frequency is best described as the number of times you can expect to land a winning combination on the reels within 100 spins. If a slot has a hit frequency of 20, that means there is a 20% possibility of landing a winning combination on any spin. However, this is an average over an infinite number of spins, so there can be variance with the hit frequency over the short-term, just like the RTP percentage.

What Does Slot Volatility Mean?

Slot volatility is often confused for RTP. The RTP of a slot game does not set the volatility of a slot, although they are closely related. The opposing ends of the slot volatility spectrum are:

• Low Volatility
  A low volatility slot is programmed to pay out more frequent wins of a smaller size. By design, low volatility slots give you a chance to keep your bankroll going for longer, with smaller maximum payouts or jackpots.
• High Volatility
  As for high volatility slots, these games tend to feature multiple bonus games and larger fixed prizes or progressive jackpots. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find that these slots will tend to trigger these features less frequently than a low volatility game. However, when the jackpots do land, it’s possible to win big.

Select The Right Number Of Paylines

Sensible bankroll management for slot gaming also involves choosing the right number of paylines to play with per spin. The higher volatility slots that are linked to progressive jackpots may only qualify players for the biggest jackpot prizes displayed when they bet the maximum number of paylines per spin. The probability of triggering these progressives is slim. You must therefore weigh up whether your slot budget can absorb betting the maximum or if you should find slots with lower maximum bets and reduced volatility instead.

It’s also important to take into consideration the coin values available for each payline. Most slots will allow you to wager multiple credits on each active payline. For instance, if you play all available lines in a ten-payline slot at a cost of €0.10 per line, you’re spending €1 per spin. If you are just starting out with slots online, it’s a good idea to start playing with the smallest coin denominations per payline while you learn the game’s dynamics.

Choose Between New And Classic Slot Games

If you have looked at the portfolio of slot games at LiveRoulette, you may have recognised slot titles tend to fall in two different categories – classic slots and newer, state-of-the-art video slots.

Classic slots are built to celebrate the purity of old-school slot machine gaming. Think of the original fruit machine games with cherries, watermelons, lemons and a healthy selection of lucky sevens on the reels. There are still plenty of classic slots online. Most of these can be played with modest budgets as they offer fewer paylines – sometimes as few as three.

At the other end of the spectrum, newer video slots are popular for their more advanced gameplay. These are often packed with paylines, features and high volatility which may make them more expensive to play. Of course, some new slot releases will have lower volatility than others, so it’s a case of doing your research.

Tip 3: Setting Aside Your Winnings

Always put your winnings aside. If you sit down with €20 to play your favourite slots and you win €15, you could withdraw the €15 from your balance and play on with your remaining funds. If you know you could be tempted to spend your winnings and put them back into your slot game, this could be an option for you.

However, a better way might be to set a winning target and a stop-loss for each gaming session. Once your balance hits your win goal or stop-loss limit, you simply walk away, win or lose. There will be winning sessions and losing sessions this way, but ultimately you’ll protect your bankroll through the ups and downs.

Tip 4: Control Your Emotions

Keeping your emotions in check is an vital when playing slots online. Seasoned slot players would agree that it’s good to be consistent and accept your losses and wins as part and parcel of the game. That may sound easier said than done, but sensible management of your slot bankroll will also ensure that you are prepared to handle the peaks and troughs of wins and losses. If you feel like your emotions are getting ahead of you, stop playing immediately.

Tip 5: Play Slots Online Responsibly

The bottom line is that playing should be fun. Spending beyond your means and chasing jackpots you can’t afford to chase is anything but fun. 

Dividing your daily, weekly or monthly slot budget into units based on your minimum wager is one way to budget and keep your gaming going week on week. You can then divide those units into equal amounts depending on the number of gaming sessions you plan to have throughout the month.

By treating your slot bankroll with respect, you can be safer with your slot gaming, which is the only way we recommend at LiveRoulette.

How Much Time Should You Spend Playing One Slot?

Take control of the length of time you spend playing slots using our Reality Check function. By switching on the Reality Check feature in your LiveRoulette account you will receive prompts reminding you how long you’ve been playing.

Each time the prompt appears on-screen, you will be asked whether you wish to continue playing or to leave the game, with your win/loss rate also visible to help you make your mind up. It’s an effective way of monitoring your gaming sessions and ensuring you don’t exceed your maximum losses and wins.

Tip 6: Set Yourself Daily, Weekly Or Monthly Betting Limits

At LiveRoulette, we always promote responsible gaming behaviour. That’s why we give all our players the flexibility to set their own gaming limits and boundaries. Within your LiveRoulette account it’s possible to set daily, weekly and monthly limits on how much you can deposit.

These limitations are there for your own good and to prevent you from chasing losses during losing slot sessions. Our friendly customer support team is available 24/7 should you need any guidance with setting your deposit limits.

Hopefully this article has helped to reinforce the importance of managing your bankroll when you play slots online at LiveRoulette. With these slot tips for money management, you can be sure to save your winnings and limit your losses when either scenario occurs.

With so many different video slots and slot genres ready and waiting to be explored at LiveRoulette our Canadian online casino, we hope this guide helps you to pick slot titles that are right for you.

The world of video gaming is an incredibly diverse place at the moment, with many different types of games doing very well across platforms including PC, console, and mobile. However, sometimes you simply can’t beat the classics.

Retro gaming has become a huge focal point in the industry over the last few years, with interest in the simple pleasures of many classic titles going through the roof. The trend has even led big names like Nintendo to release new versions of their classic consoles so that gamers can relive their glory days. Now, old-school gaming fans are in for a treat in the world of online slots too, as one of the most iconic video games of all time has entered the arena and is ready to take on the competition.

The legendary Street Fighter II has been transformed into a slot by NetEnt, but the good news does not stop there. We are delighted to announce that we will be offering it exclusively to our players a full 48 hours before it appears anywhere else!

But just what can you expect from the game? This guide offers a full lowdown on everything you need to know about this new addition to the online slots world, beginning with a reminder as to why the release is such big news.

Street Fighter II: The Story Behind The Legend

Street Fighter II: The World Warrior was originally released by Capcom on arcades in 1991, but the title went on to become a video gaming phenomenon when it launched on Nintendo’s SNES console the following year.

The game was renowned for its one-to-one fighting style, with memorable fighters such as Ryu, Ken, Chun Li, and Blanka doing battle in a host of different environments. The objective of the game was simple – to use a range of moves to drain your opponent’s health and defeat them in combat.

Street Fighter II was a major success on its release and, to date, it is thought to have sold in the region of 6.3 million units. It actually remained Capcom’s biggest selling game for around 20 years and was only finally overtaken by Resident Evil 5 in 2013. The classic fighting title still sits in fifth position in the company’s all-time sales figures at the time of writing.

The impact of Capcom’s creation has extended far beyond the video gaming world. Street Fighter II grew to become a pop culture phenomenon, with countless sequels and reinventions of the game being released through the years. Its success was also a key driver behind the creation of the Street Fighter film which was a great early example of Hollywood looking to the world of gaming for inspiration.

What to Expect From The Street Fighter II: The World Warrior Slot

Street Fighter II’s incredible legacy means that NetEnt clearly had a big responsibility when it came to adapting the arcade and console classic into a slot game. The developer is one of the best known in casino gaming and has made countless online slots based on franchises, including Planet of the Apes and Jumanji. However, it could be argued that tackling this much-loved classic is a whole different ball game.

Fortunately, the Street Fighter II slot game successfully captures the spirit of the original and brings the old-school experience of playing on a SNES to life in a number of new ways.

Classic Fighters

All of the classic fighters you know and love from Street Fighter II: The World Warrior are present in the official slot game. Players get to choose one of eight famous faces to represent them in action, with the roster featuring:

• Ryu
• Ken
• E. Honda
• Blanka
• Dhalsim
• Chun Li
• Guile
• Zangief

Each character had their own moves in the video game and this has been carried into the world of online slots. More specifically, they have slightly different variance levels, and this may well have an impact on the outcomes you achieve with each.

The Street Fighter II slot also includes boss fights, with Balrog, Vega, Sagat, and M. Bison featuring in special rounds.

Old-School Feel

The Street Fighter II slot’s impressive artwork is one of the first things you will notice when you load the game. NetEnt has pulled out all the stops to evoke the title’s classic style and it feels like being transported back to the days of SNES.

The design of the slot is very old-school, with the fighters, backgrounds, and audio all being a throwback to the console classic. The use of low-resolution style lettering throughout also adds another dose of nostalgia to the game as well.

Game Mechanics

Online slots feature all kinds of themes these days. However, the best ones not only embrace the theme in a visual sense, but also manage to adapt elements of them into the gameplay. The Street Fighter II slot from NetEnt does this in many ways, each reminding you what it was like playing the original game on a console.

Just like the original, you can choose your fighter and meet your opponent. The combinations you achieve on the reels then determine which character receives the most damage, with the action continuing until one competitor has no health points left.

Features like this mark out the Street Fighter II slot from more traditional slot games out there at the moment, whilst also perfectly encapsulating the action of the original title.

How To Play The Street Fighter II: The World Warrior Slot

So now that you know what to expect from the Street Fighter II slot, how do you go about playing it? First step is selecting your fighter. This is actually more important than you may realise, as each fighter has a different impact on the variance of the game.

The overall RTP for the game is 96.06%, while the RTP for each individual character is as follows:

• Ryu: 96.02%
• Ken: 96.06%
• E. Honda: 96.05%
• Blanka: 96.08%
• Dhalsim: 96.04%
• Chun Li: 96.08%
• Guile: 96.04%
• Zangief: 96.08%

The fighter you select is then placed in a fight with a random opponent, the outcome on the reels determining who wins and who loses.

The game features a 5 x 5 grid and is one of the latest to make use of NetEnt’s Cluster Pays and Avalanche technology. NetEnt has described Cluster Pays in the past as a mechanic which gives players a chance to boost payouts when they secure a cluster of winning symbols. In contrast, the developer describes Avalanche as a concept that sees the symbols fall onto the reels rather than them spinning.

Symbols

Many different symbols drop onto the screen during your fights, with the character symbols having a significant bearing on the outcome of the combat.

Your fighter’s symbols cause damage to your opponent, while the latter’s symbols have the same impact on your character. The health bar at the top of the screen keeps you updated on how the battle is going, with a competitor losing when their health reaches zero.

The fighter symbols are high-value and come in both a Victory and Defeat format, while the low-value symbols are represented by A, K, Q, and J. A combination of four or more matching symbols leads to wins, with the potential prize depending on the number you collect.

Key features

There is a lot more to the Street Fighter II slot than those basic elements. NetEnt’s creation includes a number of notable key features, with one of the most important being the Wild Gauge.

Wild Gauge and Wild Combo

The Wild Gauge is included in the main game and the Beat the Boss Free Spins section, which we will go into shortly.

The game’s trailer explains how each high-value symbol in a winning combination secures you one point for your gauge. If you collect seven or more points, the gauge is then activated, and Wild Combo features come into play.

The features available depend on the character which has been selected but, in each case, it sees Wild symbols placed at random across the reels.

Beat the Boss Free Spins

Street Fighter II was always renowned for its bosses, and that element of the game has not been forgotten during its move into the world of online slots. Once you win a battle in the game, you enter Beat the Boss Free Spins. This section of the game puts you up against a boss with the win multiplier increasing at every level. The multipliers are:

• Balrog: x2
• Vega: x3
• Sabat: x5
• M. Bison: x10

The trailer for the game explains that you can only move to the next level by beating a boss. If you defeat all four, you become World Warrior Champion and also win an extra prize.

Insert Coin Gamble Feature

All is not lost if you lose your battle at one of the levels, however. You can make use of the Insert Coin gamble feature to restart the previous battle and attempt to secure a portion of your winnings.

Car Smash Bonus Game

The final special feature that the Street Fighter II slot uses to evoke memories of the original title is the Car Smash Bonus Game.

This feature is activated when you lose a battle and you then have to destroy a car in order to receive a random coin win.

The Street Fighter II Slot – The Vital Statistics

• Offers an RTP of 96.06%
• The game is based on a grid of five columns and five rows
• Eight playable fighters offering different variance levels
• Eight different Wild Combo features
• Four iconic bosses offering x2, x3, x5, and x10 multipliers
• Two types of high-value symbols – Victory and Defeat
• Four low-value symbols – A, K, Q, and J

A Fresh Take On A Classic

Retro gaming is back in fashion in a big way at the moment. Old-school stars like Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog are making their presence felt in mobile gaming, and now a classic fighting game is set to have a major impact on the world of online slots too.

The Street Fighter II slot from NetEnt is a new way to enjoy the iconic title, with it effectively utilising a range of different features to evoke memories of the original.

We are delighted to be able to offer it as an exclusive for 48 hours before its full launch, and we are sure it will prove to be a popular addition to our hand-picked selection of games.

Play Street Fighter II at LiveRoulette and discover how this gaming classic has been brought back to life on our Canadian online casino!

18+ | begambleaware.org | Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Terms & Conditions apply.

The great popularity of gambling also means that online gambling websites are also quite popular, and it can be said that more and more new websites are added to the gambling market every month.

In today’s article, I want to introduce you to these sites.

Of the pages offered on the website betstoppokies.com, I particularly liked this excellent seven

1. MidasBet

2. PuntNow

3. JustBet

4. TopSport

5. WinnersBet

6. Betfair.com.au

Why are new betting sites popular among players?

As technology develops, people demand more innovations and services tailored to them. Unlike traditional online gambling sites, new websites offer many alternative gambling options. Bonus systems, many alternative payment methods, and high-quality customer support. Many players are often hesitant to try something new, especially when there are more reputable, long-term betting sites out there. However, we’re going to tell you right now that by not checking out a new betting site, you could be missing out on a whole lot. So, let’s dive into the pros and cons of new Australian betting sites compared to older, more well-known Aussie betting sites.

· New technology is available which means you can get a better experience across all devices including mobile phones.

· Brand-new betting sites often have a cleaner, simpler design for improved navigation.

· New Australian sports betting sites tend to have more in-play sports betting options and live streaming.

· Often you’ll find more niche sports on offer.

· Hasn’t built a strong reputation within the industry yet.

· Sometimes still glitchy due to being relatively untested.

Joining new Australian betting sites — step-by-step guide

So now you’ve gone through all you need to know about the best new betting sites out there. The next step is to join up! And, luckily for you, getting an account with a new betting site is a very simple process. In the following section, we’re going to take you through the different steps to get you up and running at a new betting exchange or sportsbook in minutes.

Check out our recommended best new Australian sites list

Take a look at our list of the best new betting sites in Australia and choose one that has the features you want to use.

Start the sign-up process

Open the home page of the sportsbook either on your mobile device or laptop. Click on the registration button and fill out the form provided.

Fill in the blanks

Make sure you provide all details accurately including your name, email, address, date of birth, and so on.

William Hill ambassador Jane Mangan previews the sixth day of the 2024 Galway Festival.

Saturday, Galway

Saturday is Day Six of the Galway Festival and it opens with a maiden hurdle over two mile one furlong (1.55pm), for which there is a huge field of 20 declared. This is a race where I like Barry Connell’s Apple’s Of Bresil, who won a bumper at Sligo last time, but before that, competed against some very good horses in competitive winter bumpers. This is his second run over hurdles after finishing third to Ballyburn in a maiden at Leopardstown, and albeit he was well-beaten that day, he was competing at Leopardstown at Christmas and the first and second are both very useful horses. He showed an aptitude for jumping that day and I think that he will take a lot of beating in the opener.

The second race of the day is a two-mile-six-furlong handicap hurdle (2.30pm) for which I like Teed Up, who slightly disappointed me in the feature race on Monday night on the Flat. I hope that reverting back to hurdles will help, because he’s been busy on the Flat of late. He is very much capable of making his presence felt based on his win here over hurdles off of a mark of 114 last year. The yard has been out of luck so far this week, but I think the first run over hurdles since the Galway Festival, last year, is a positive whilst still looking well handicapped.

The mile maiden (3.05pm) looks like it will be going back to Ballydoyle. They’ve had a duo of impressive juvenile winners so far this week, and they’ve also had an impressive debutant winner at Goodwood. I think Puppet Master has the ideal opportunity to go one better than his debut at Killarney where he was a good second to Apples And Bananas. Wayne Lordan is jocked up here, taking over from Jack Cleary from Killarney, and he should be very hard to beat in the maiden.

Next up is the maiden over a mile (3.40pm) for three-year-olds and older, and this one looks like it could be one going to Rosewell. Dermot Weld is uncharacteristically quiet at Galway this week, but Newtown Duke has all the credentials after that lovely display on debut behind Flighted Fancy at Limerick where he finished off quite well having made up plenty of ground from the back of the field. I think Chris Hayes will use his stall eight to go forward and make sure that this is a good test over the mile.

In the nursery (4.15pm) I like King Thistle for Johnny Murtagh and Ben Coen, who teamed up to good success at Goodwood earlier this week. King Thistle met Elzem at Listowel when conceding four pounds, this time around he is receiving four pounds, so with a total eight-pound swing in the weights, I think the form can be reversed and King Thistle should be very hard to beat despite from stall 13.

It’s time for the first edition of MLB player prop picks for August.

To kick off this month, I’m backing on a Ian Happ’s total base OVER (+155) and fading Jesus Sanchez’s hits UNDER (+135) as my MLB player prop selections.

Here are my two MLB player prop picks today with breakdowns:

MLB Prop Pick Today: Ian Happ OVER 1.5 Total Bases (+155)

Cardinals vs Cubs Odds – Game Time: 8:10 pm ET

This pick may seem to go against my UNDER 8.0 in the Cards vs Cubs game, but I think Ian Happ can still have a good day.

For starters, Happ loves this matchup against Cards starter Sonny Gray. In 16 career at-bats against him, Happ has seven hits (four for extra-bases), good for a .438 average and 1.283 OPS. He’s also gone over 1.5 total bases in four of his last six meetings against the Cardinals. Happ also has five hits in his last four games (including homering last night against the Reds).

I also think these Happ hits could come later in the game. The Cards may have a top-10 bullpen by ERA, but they actually let up the 14th-most hits to relievers in MLB.

MLB Prop Pick Today: Jesus sanchez UNDER 0.5 Hits (+135)

Marlins vs Braves Odds – Game Time: 7:20 pm ET

I’m fading the entire Marlins lineup as part of my MLB expert picks today, but I’m going to hone in on Jesus Sanchez for my props. Sanchez has three hits in 18 career at-bats against Charlie Morton, good for a 1.67 AVG and .472 OPS.

He’s also insanely cold lately, failing to get a hit in four of his last six games. He’s seen his average drop from .249 to .241 in that six-game stretch.

I also think the Braves bullpen will be able to lock things down after Morton leaves the game. Atlanta’s relievers have the second-lowest ERA in baseball (2.97 ERA) and have allowed the third-fewest hits (301).

July 19, 2024 —In a world fraught with challenges, youth stand as beacons of hope, wielding the power to shape tomorrow’s landscape. In this landscape, skills are key and collaboration is a must. 

Recognizing the value of collaboration, Catalyst 2030 and its members are changing systems at all levels through collective action and bold new strategies. 

Catalyst 2030 is a fast-growing global movement of people and organizations committed to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) by 2030.  At the heart of this movement was a profound understanding that the actions we take today reverberate far into the future, and it is through empowering the next generation that we pave the path to a brighter tomorrow.

A must-attend event in the global landscape of conveyings of social innovators, Catalyzing Change Week Catalysing Change Week (CCW), an annual flagship program of Catalyst 2030 serves as a testament to this potential, rallying thousands of system catalysts from diverse backgrounds to converge on a singular mission fostering transformative change globally through  collaborative action. 

From May 6th to 10th, Catalysing Change Week (CCW) 2024, was dedicated to Building the Social Innovation Sector through action-oriented and interactive sessions designed to stimulate systems change and foster collaboration among participants

As a very active and committed member of Catalyst 2030,  DOT has engaged in Catalysing Change Week since its inception. Year after year, championing youth voices and youth leadership in achieving the SDGs and community resilience efforts to create impact that ripples across the planet through social entrepreneurship, DOT led a session on the future of Youth Leadership organized and conducted by DOT’s Global Youth Leadership Advisory Board members on May 9th, 2024.

Youth Leadership: Building Future, Creating Impact Today:

The session, titled “Youth Leadership: Building Future, Creating Impact Today,” attracted over 50+ young participants online. The panel discussion, facilitated by DOT’s Global Youth Leadership Advisory Board members , explored various aspects of youth engagement in shaping the future of leadership and creating impact.

The session featured a panel of remarkable individuals, each offering a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing youth leaders today:

Angelika Sharygina, brought  digital transformation and a safe and inclusive digital economy into the cross-cutting topic of youth leadership. She illuminated the hurdles posed by rapid digital transformation, urging youth to champion digital literacy, critical thinking, and responsible online behavior. Her call for collaboration and proactive measures resonated deeply in a world increasingly besieged by misinformation and cyber threats. “Young people are in a prime position to leverage digital technologies for good. we need to empower them so that they can bring change to their communities”. 

Jean-Désiré Kouassi, emphasized 5 pillars that ecosystem actors should put into practice to uphold supportive environments for youth engagement and leadership; Simply listening to young voices is not enough; we must listen and empower. Beyond soliciting their input, we must provide young people with the platform and resources to implement their ideas. Integrating youth perspectives into policy-making processes is paramount for inclusive governance.Young people deserve environments where they can freely express themselves without fear of judgment. We must Create Safe Spaces for Sharing Ideas. Recognizing and Celebrating the achievements of young leaders not only acknowledges their contributions but also inspires others to follow suit. Building sustainable structures that go beyond just one generation for long-term engagement is essential for fostering continuity and progress. By mentoring and passing on leadership roles, we make sure that young leaders can keep making a difference. In following these five pillars, we can create a welcoming environment where young leaders can truly make a difference in changing the world. When we view young people as valuable partners in decision-making, we lay the foundation for a future where their ideas shape policies and drive positive changes globally. Let’s all commit to harnessing the immense potential of young people and working together to create a more sustainable world for the future.

Caroline Mohoni, drew attention to two major challenges that youth face when interacting with the digital space. The first challenge is digital distraction. Citing an article published by “Common Sense Media”, young people spend an average of 9 hours per day on social media and entertainment platforms. Without proper awareness of how to use the digital space and social media, they may be harmed if they are not properly informed about using it for positive and beneficial activities. To address this challenge, provide youth with awareness on how to use the digital space properly. Give them tools and resources for staying safe online.aware of everything that happens there. A second challenge is the limited availability of resources for youth. These resources encompass financial resources, knowledge, networking, and technology. Referencing an article published by the World Bank, which states that 22% of the global youth population live on less than 1.2 US dollars and supported by an article from the International Labour Organization (ILO), youth constitute the largest population of unemployed individuals. The  scarcity of available resources for youth to secure employment or create their own opportunities are significant challenges being faced by young people. To tackle this issue, advocacy for youth empowerment should be prioritized. Additionally, engaging in activities such as volunteering and participating in the gig economy can provide the youth with valuable experiences and opportunities for growth.

Mable Chileshe shared her story of r co-founding “Amplifying Her in STEM,” in 2021, an initiative focused on promoting girls in STEM education, positioned her to respond to the question: What role does technology play in education and empowering young people? There are two key factors to consider: education and youth empowerment. When it comes to education, there are two categories: formal and informal. Formal education encompasses what we learn during high school and tertiary education. Technology can be effectively utilized for research, discovering opportunities, and expanding our knowledge beyond the classroom. Informal education, on the other hand, refers to youth development and empowerment. Mable emphasized that although African youth are passionate and prepared, limited access to resources and global opportunities continues to be a hindrance, but technology can be s a tool and a game-changer in achieving our goals and shaping our future, regardless of our chosen careers.

Feedback and Reflections:

The session’s impact extended beyond the confines of its duration, resonating deeply with participants who lauded its interactive nature and inspirational content. Event attendees found the event inspiring and appreciated the opportunity to connect with other young people. Through Mentimeter polls, attendees voiced their intentions, shared challenges, and reflected on their learnings, underscoring the session’s role as a catalyst for meaningful connections and personal growth.

World Youth Skills Day:

In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day, to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. 

This year, alongside World Youth Skills Day, DOT’s Global Youth Leadership Advisory Board, an innovative team of 10 young leaders, who provide strategic advice to shape DOT’s direction and ensure youth voices are represented, reflects on the power of youth leadership, and the creativity, boldness and energy of their peers. 

“Empowering youth with critical thinking and effective communication skills is essential for nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. These skills enable young leaders to navigate complex challenges and inspire positive change in their communities.” 

– Jean-Désiré Kouassi

---

“Digital literacy and technological proficiency equip youth leaders to leverage innovation and drive positive change in the digital era.” 

Caroline Mohoni

Conclusion:

As we celebrate World Youth Skills Day, DOT recognizes the importance of addressing the key challenges faced by youth in the future of leadership: job unemployment, lack of access to finance, lack of access to experience, lack of access to digital literacy skills, lack of access to infrastructure, and lack of access to digital gadgets. We are excited to tackle these key challenges alongside our Global Youth Leadership Advisory Board (GYLAB), giving them a seat at our table for their leadership and guidance and emphasizing the realities, needs, and opportunities for young people to acquire digital literacy, job opportunities, work experience, and financial resources.

Together, we are committed to empowering a generation of bold, compassionate, and visionary leaders. By doing so, we ensure a world where every voice is heard, every challenge is met with courage, and every dream is within reach.

Read more about the GYLAB members: GYLAB Team 

For more information about the Global Youth Leadership Advisory Board, please contact:

Ann Nderitu, Youth Engagement Manager

[email protected] or [email protected]

About Digital Opportunity Trust

DOT is a Canadian-based not-for-profit organization headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with locally managed offices in the UK and across 6 countries in Africa and the Middle East: Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, Lebanon and Jordan. DOT extends its reach to Ghana, Uganda, Côte D’Ivoire, Malawi, and Zambia through local partnerships with youth-led and youth-serving organizations. DOT’s unique youth-led model has created an impact in over 25 countries, mobilizing and inspiring all underserved and disadvantaged young people with digital literacy, 21st-century skills, and the self-confidence that will enable them to thrive in an inclusive digital economy.

For more information, please visit www.dotrust.org

We sit down with the Director of Strategic Solutions at Cifas – the UK’s largest not-for-profit fraud prevention service – to discuss what changes the company would make to the UK’s fraud strategy, the importance of a whole-of-system solution to a whole-of-system problem and much more.

Beginning on a personal note, you seemed to have spent most of your career in fraud prevention in some capacity. What was it that first attracted you to the industry? 

What attracted me to the fraud prevention community initially was the rewarding nature of keeping people safe and, more importantly, trying to stay one step ahead of an adversary that has no moral boundaries. Feeling like you have really made a difference to people’s lives at the end of each working day is what gets me out of bed in the mornings too. 

Perhaps a good place to get into this is with the UK’s fraud strategy, released in 2023. Do you think the earmarked £100 million and 400 new specialist fraud officers is enough to help reduce fraud by 10% by 2025? How likely do you think it will be to achieve? 

Fraud represents almost 40% of all crime in England and Wales and has more than doubled in Scotland over the past nine years. It’s the most prevalent crime in the UK that devastates individuals financially and emotionally, damages business reputations, and targets the public purse meaning wider communities miss out on critical resources and support. 

While the publication of the government’s Fraud Strategy in 2023 was a positive first step, we must do more to turn the tide on the fraud epidemic sweeping the UK. 

We want a future without fraud so welcome the additional investment and extra resources. However, we also recognize we can’t arrest our way out of the problem. The focus needs to be on prevention – that means clear focus on intelligence-led responses that go beyond traditional policing and builds on the premise of organizations working together. 

What would you say are the most common forms of fraud (e.g. money mules, social engineering fraud) in the UK? 

The latest data recorded by our 750-plus membership to the Cifas National Fraud Database (NFD) revealed that account takeover – where a criminal utilizes compromised personal data to hijack an existing account or product – rose by 13% in 2023 compared to 2022. Additionally, we saw a 5% increase in account abuse (often referred to as ‘misuse of facility’). Identity fraud also remained our most dominant case type, accounting for 64% of all 374,000-plus NFD cases. 

Filings to the Cifas Insider Threat Database continued to increase and was up 14% in 2023 compared to the year before. Just under half of these (49%) related to dishonest action by employees.

UK Fraud Awareness Report 2024

Learn more about the British public’s awareness of fraud and their attitudes toward fraud-prevention technology.

Get your free copy

On May 15, Cifas delivered its ‘Fraud Pledges 2024’ to Number 10 Downing Street. What areas of the government’s approach to tackling fraud do you think need to be improved? What was the reaction and have any next steps been agreed? 

As our Cifas Fraud Pledges make clear, there is no silver bullet for tackling fraud. It is a whole-of-system problem requiring a whole-of-system solution. However, we think a good starting point for the next government would be to appoint a Minister for Economic Crime to drive proper cross-system leadership on this issue. 

Beyond this, it is essential we invest properly in fraud policing and the criminal justice response as well as harness the capabilities of the private sector, through enhanced data-sharing, to disrupt fraud and financial crime and act as the first line of defense. 

Cifas is advocating for social media companies to collaborate more to combat fraud. As social media fraud is such a huge arena, spanning almost every platform, from job search platforms to dating platforms, which parties do you think should be collaborating? And, as many platforms offer a very light-touch identity verification process, how important is it to ensure all users are required to undergo a thorough customer onboarding process? 

No one sector can single-handedly tackle fraud. It is an issue which cuts through industries and across the public and private sectors. The only way we can tackle the problem is by breaking down cross-sector barriers, finding meaningful ways to collaborate, and sharing data and intelligence to ensure there is no weak link in the chain. 

Additionally, it is essential that the biggest online platforms and services most abused by criminals join the counter-fraud community and multi-sector data-sharing initiatives, and including where appropriate, to ensure robust customer screening. 

With most fraud in the UK happening online, across every medium and industry, how can people and companies best protect themselves? 

At Cifas, our whole purpose is to eradicate fraud in the UK. To do so, we must build products and services that help organizations, and their customers fight economic crime and protect themselves against fraud. 

We’re rolling out several preventative solutions to help businesses scale their counter-fraud efforts and keep people safe. One currently being developed is a consumer-based app that proactively protects consumers from identity fraud and puts them in complete control of their personal information, effectively making stolen data worthless. It’s in beta testing and on track to launch in 2025. 

More generally, people and companies must work collaboratively to gain maximum protection against the threats of fraud because criminals will always find new ways to exploit weaknesses, particularly when they’re able to hide in relative anonymity online. We would always urge individuals and companies to stay vigilant and think if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

What dangers does AI pose to UK’s fraud landscape? What steps can business, government and the local public take to weather the storm? 

Technology and AI are going to be critical in how we deal with the threat posed by criminals’ use of AI and other technologies – it presents both opportunities and challenges to the UK’s fraud landscape. 

Typically, criminals exploit weaknesses and rely on panic and urgency to get personal information and/or financial details. Both businesses and consumers should take a moment and challenge where a piece of communication has come from. Where possible, getting a second opinion is incredibly important and if something doesn’t look right, report it at the earliest opportunity. 

Overall, eradicating fraud is not down to one individual, industry, the government or law enforcement – it’s a collective effort. Our mission at Cifas is to create the largest counter-fraud community that shares data, intelligence and knowledge – all of which can be used to create products and services that protect everyone. To do so, we want to be a central component of a new and more effective UK-wide, data-sharing architecture that unlocks cross-sector collaboration across the public, private and law enforcement domains. 

How have fraud attacks changed over the last 20 years and how do you envision it changing in the next 20? 

Today, you no longer need a complex piece of malware to trick a consumer into handing over key personal data. All that’s required is a mobile phone, a few vague details about an individual and some social engineering for an attack to be successful time and time again. 

I feel that fraud will evolve with AI over the next 20 years in such that the AI component, whatever that may be, will automate a lot of the attack vectors we see today and make them even more scalable and lucrative for criminals to execute. 

Again, it comes back to cross-sector collaboration – if we create the right data flows, safeguards, and frameworks to share real-time risk data, we can defeat fraud.

If you’re interested in more insights from industry insiders and thought leaders from the world of fraud and fraud prevention, check out one of our interviews from our Spotlight Interview series below.

By

Jody Houton
Senior Content Manager at IDnow
Connect with Jody on LinkedIn

Special Tribal Event Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Pictured Above: Members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council pose at the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel’s 30th Anniversary Celebration. L-R: Lyndreth Wall; Austin Turtle; Chairman Manuel Heart; Darwin Whiteman; Jr.; and Archie House, Jr.

Recently, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe celebrated and honored the 30th Anniversary of the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel. The event featured speeches from Tribal Chairman Manuel Heart, current council members and former council members, as well as dances, drum performances, gifts and promotional giveaways.

The event attracted local people as well as government officials including Colorado Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, Cortez Mayor Rachel Medina and Councilwoman Lydia Dehaven.

“It is an honor to join you in the celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel, “ Ms. Primavera said. “The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe was the first in Colorado to open an Indian gaming establishment 30 years ago. Over the years, the casino has seen developments and renovations, making it into a key destination in southwest Colorado. Developing from a single bingo hall, the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel is one of the largest casinos in the Four Corners region and continues to serve as an employer for the tribe as well as generating revenue for the Tribe to invest in the community.

“Congratulations on this important milestone.”

The casino also hosted a complimentary buffet luncheon for 300 attendees in the casino’s Bingo Hall. 

Photos from the Special Tribal Event

About Ute Mountain Casino Hotel

Beneath the expansive western sky in Colorado lies the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel, the State’s first Tribal gaming facility and your Four Corners Connection! Nestled in the shadow of the legendary Sleeping Ute Mountain and just 20 minutes from the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park, the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel and Resort offers Southwestern hospitality, friendly faces, great food and lots of gaming excitement! The Hotel has 90 rooms including suites with an indoor swimming pool, hot tub and state-of-the-art workout facility to enjoy. Live Table games from Blackjack to Roulette and all the latest and greatest Slots. There is also a large Bingo Hall and area favorite Kuchu’s restaurant on premises. Sleeping Ute RV Park and a full-service 24-hour Travel Center including fuel/diesel and a convenience store are located right next door. Groups welcome! Connect with us on Facebook and at:  utemountaincasino.com.

Crapless Craps makes some fundamental changes to regular craps gameplay. This variant removes the Don’t Pass line, the Don’t Come box, and lay bets.

It treats rolls of 2, 3, 11, and 12 as point numbers (such as 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10). This was done to be able to play tables that were running cold (not paying out much). It is still possible to make Place and Buy wagers.

Crapless Craps Vs Craps

So, what exactly are the differences between Crapless Craps and craps? Well, in standard craps games, there are four dice rolls that can lead to a loss in the Come Out roll. You can make a 2, a 12, and two possible ways to make a 3. What Crapless Craps does is remove the losing numbers on the Come Out roll.

On paper, this means every Come Out roll is a winner, and you cannot lose. However, there are tradeoffs with adjusting the rules of standard craps. For example, in Crapless Craps, 11 is a Point number, alongside 2, 3, and 12. Remember, in standard craps, an 11 roll would be an outright winner on the Come Out roll.

Rules of Crapless Craps

You can learn how to play the crapless variant easily enough, as the game is not harder than standard craps. When the dice rolls the first time – the Come Out – any number but 7 becomes the Point. You will now need to repeat the Point to be able to win a Pass Line wager. In all other aspects, Crapless bets are the same as the standard game:

• Crapless Craps: All numbers aside from 7 are a Point. You get six ways to roll a 7 as winning Come Out rolls and no ways to lose.
• Standard craps: 8 ways to win with six ways to roll 7 and two ways to roll 11, and four ways to lose.

In terms of the table layout, the Crapless table extends from the Point boxes and now includes 2, 3, 11, and 12 as Point numbers. The Don’t Pass section has been taken out completely, but there is still a Pass Line. There are no “dark side” bets in Crapless Craps, so all lay bets are removed from the table.

How To Play Crapless Craps

1. Craps games have one player acting as the Shooter, which is the player who rolls the dice. This may not always be you in land-based games, but it usually will be at an online casino.
2. Make an initial “Come Out” bet. In Crapless Craps, you can only bet on the Pass Line.
3. The Shooter rolls the dice. If you have a Pass Line and the dice show a 7, you win. If the dice shows any other number, it becomes the Point.
4. If you set a Point, you can keep rolling until either you repeat the Point and win or roll a 7 and the game ends in you losing.

Crapless Craps Odds And Payouts

Crapless Craps payouts differ from normal craps because of the slight changes in gameplay. It is important to know the odds before you start playing.

• 2 and 12: 6 to 1
• 3 and 11: 3 to 1
• 4 and 10: 2 to 1
• 5 and 9: 3 to 2
• 6 and 8: 6 to 5

You can make a Place bet on 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 with the following payouts:

• 2 and 12: 11 to 2
• 3 and 11: 11 to 4
• 4 and 10: 9 to 5
• 5 and 9: 3 to 2
• 6 and 8: 7 to 6

Because you can only win on a 7 (and not also an 11) during the Come Out roll, there are downsides to Crapless Craps. Chief among them is that it can be harder to set the point and that you cannot use dark side betting. In craps, most players feel it is bad etiquette to bet against the Shooter, who is a fellow player. Betting against the Shooter is known as dark side betting, and online, it doesn’t matter as much because you play by yourself. In Crapless Craps, dark side betting is not available.

In terms of the house edge, the Pass Line bet on standard craps is 1.414%, while on Crapless Craps it is 5.382%. The reason for the significantly worse house edge is that Crapless Craps offers fewer ways to win on the Come Out by removing 11 as a winning roll.

Crapless Craps Tips

While no Crapless Craps strategy can guarantee wins, the following tips will give you a better understanding of the game:

• Check the betting limits: Different games have varying betting limits. Check to ensure the game you choose is within your budget. You may find Crapless Craps has higher buy-in bets, so you may need to wager more than when you play standard craps.
• Practice for free: Online casinos offer demo modes of their games. While you cannot win real money, playing for free allows you to become familiar with the game, practice, and learn betting systems before risking your own cash.
• Gamble responsibly: As we say with all casino games, always gamble responsibly and within your financial limits. Only you know what you can afford to lose, but set a budget that comes from your disposable income.
• Learn the rules: Use this guide and free demo play to understand how to play Crapless Craps and become clear on the rules. Only once you are confident that you know what you are doing should you start betting for real.

Conclusion

While traditional craps may offer a better house edge, Crapless Craps adds a unique twist to the classic casino game by removing the Don’t Pass and Don’t Come betting options. Plus, since you can’t lose on the Come Out roll, you are guaranteed at least two dice rolls in Crapless Craps.

Despite its many advantages, the game may not appeal to every casino player. Take a closer look at the main pros and cons below.

Lead image credit: Netfalls Remy Musser/Shutterstock

Every Tuesday, players at Pulsz casino have the chance to participate in the Hold’em and Win’em Tournament for a share in two prize pools: GC 200,000 and SC 1,000. To participate, you just need to take spins at the selected slot games.

How the Pulsz Casino Hold’em and Win’em Tournament Works

The Hold’em and Win’em Tournament features a leaderboard for participants to climb. Pulsz explains that every time you take a spin, it could “land you a place on the leaderboard.” Here are the prize tables:

Gold Coins Tournament:

Sweepstakes Coins Tournament:

As Pulsz is a social casino site, there is no purchase required to enter the contest. You can play using SC or GC.

This contest takes place each Tuesday starting on April 4th and continuing until further notice between 00:00 – 23:59 (PST).

How to Enter the Pulsz Casino Hold’em and Win’em Tournament                                                      

To enter the Pulsz casino Hold’em and Win’em Tournament, first, become a member of the site. Click the pink button that says “Register” in the upper right-hand corner of the site to create an account. No promo code or purchase is required to join these weekly Tuesday tournaments.

Between 00:00 – 23:59 (PST) on the Tuesday you want to participate, simply take spins at any of the selected games using SC or GC. Each spin gives you a chance at landing on the leaderboard. You can play SC for a chance to win part of the SC prize pool, and you can play GC for a chance to win part of the GC prize pool. You don’t need to place the biggest bets. The minimum entry is one spin with the minimum spin size for the game you are playing.

The highest single slot win amount you have during the contest period determines where you rank on the leaderboard. If you win a prize, it will be credited to your Pulsz.com account or your PulszBingo.com account after the contest ends. 

The selected slot games are:

• Sky Pearls: Hold and Win
• Coin UP: Hot Fire
• Aztec Fire 2: Hold and Win
• Grab more Gold!
• 3 Hot Chillies
• Hit the Gold!
• Sun of Egypt 3
• Tiger Gems

Pulsz Casino Overview

Pulsz is a social casino website that offers a wide range of exciting social casino games. Along with these weekly Tuesday tournaments, some other Pulsz casino promotions include the Vacay Giveaway, Weekend Tournament Fever, Jackpot Drop Thursdays, and more. To find out more about Pulsz promotions and games, check out our in-depth Pulsz casino review.

Claim Sportsbook Betting Bonuses

As a Canadian sports bettor, the multitude of sportsbooks available to you will always work in your favour. Simply put, sportsbooks are competitive and are therefore willing to offer you a great deal – as a new player or otherwise. If there’s one piece of advice every sports bettor should know, it’s to take advantage of promotional offers.

The best sportsbook bonuses are usually welcome offers given to new players, with commonplace deals predominantly being ‘deposit matches’. When a book offers a ‘deposit match’ bonus, it’s usually a certain percentage up to a certain amount.

For example, let’s say ‘X Sportsbook’ is offering all new players a ‘50% deposit match bonus of up to $500’ on initial (meaning first-ever) deposits. If you were to deposit $250 you would receive $125 in bonus bets, whereas a maximum deposit of $500 would net $250 in bonus bets.

It’s important to note that if you were to initially deposit more than $500, you would still only receive a maximum of $250 in bonus bets – as that’s the specified limit. For those who may be wondering what ‘bonus bets’ are, they’re simply bet credits that can be used to place wagers on any sport.

The specification of ‘bonus bet’ is to remind players that you cannot withdraw these bonus amounts as real cash. For example, if you deposited $400 and received a $200 deposit match bonus, you cannot then withdraw $600 cash. The only way to turn bonus bets into real cash is to win a wager with them.

Deposit match bonuses are sometimes offered to existing users as well, but ongoing promotions for returning players can be any number of other incentives. One of those perks is called an ‘odds boost’, which gives you a larger payout on favourable betting markets.

For example, if a ‘Connor McDavid anytime goal’ markets boosts its odds from -110 (favourite) to +140 (underdog) as a part of a promotional special, you’re in line to win a significant amount more than you would have if the odds hadn’t been boosted.

In short, these bonuses are everywhere, and sportsbooks make them easy to find. Don’t be afraid to make an account with multiple books to take advantage of several offers at once. It’s completely legal, so long as you only make one account per book per person.

Go Line Shopping

Similarly to bonus hunting, finding value by line shopping is best done by having an account with multiple sportsbooks. That said, you don’t need to start off by signing up for 10 different books. Take your time, and build things up slowly until you’re feeling confident in your understanding of this concept.

The best way to think about line shopping is to simply think of it as price matching. People are always looking to get the best price on everything whether it be groceries, cars, or even vacations. Sports betting is no different as books will have similar odds; however, the slight variations are how you can ensure you’re maximizing every dollar you wager.

The last section spoke of ‘boosted odds’, and line shopping is a good way to boost them on your own terms by finding discrepancies amongst different books. For example, say you want to place a futures bet on the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup. ‘Book A’ has that wager at +500 odds, ‘Book B’ has it at +520, and ‘Book C’ has it at +550.

It may not seem like much of a difference, and in a vacuum, it isn’t. To show the difference it can make, let’s say you have $50 you’d like to bet on this market. A winning bet with Book A at +500 would return $300, Book B would payout $310, and Book C would earn you $325.

As you can see, the gap is subtle, but why settle for a $300 payout when it could be $325? All because you took a bit of time to find the book with the best odds. As mentioned before, you don’t need to have an account with a crazy number of books.

The above example involves using just three, and you never know when a book might make a mistake, which is easy to identify when you’re shopping (comparing) odds against the field.

Watch The News

This last tip may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people place poor bets because they simply couldn’t be bothered to look at context. The first reason to watch the news is due to injuries. Books will often refund single bets affected by a late injury announcement prior to game time, but it can really mess up a multi-leg parlay.

Another way injury news can help is by shedding some light on which teams may have a better chance to win than the odds indicate. For example, the Toronto Maple Leafs are favoured to win over the Montreal Canadiens, but late news comes out that the Leafs will be starting their backup goalie.

Sometimes, the odds won’t reflect this change right away, and you could then place a bet on the Canadiens to win as underdogs, even though the team’s chances of winning just greatly increased. It can sometimes be hard to take advantage of these brief windows, but watching platforms like ‘X’ for breaking news is a great way to potentially take advantage of inaccurate odds.

This advice works for player props as well. For example, if Auston Matthews is a late scratch for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Max Domi is promoted to the first power play unit, his chances of getting a point have skyrocketed. In these instances, don’t spend too much time line shopping, as submitting the bet before the odds change is the best way to strike while the iron’s hot.

We hope these tips will help you improve your sports betting game. Good luck!

Sources

Have you ever tried to bluff a guy who’s got a big stack and a ton of profit?

It’s not easy!

In today’s hand, Doug Polk attempts such a bluff against a player named Peter on Hustler Casino Live’s Million Dollar Game.

Peter had been absolutely crushing and was up $2.5 million (over the last 2 sessions) when this hand began.

The blinds are $500/$1,000 with a $2,000 big blind ante. Doug started the hand with around $750,000 and Peter covers.

Let’s jump into the action!

Note: Doug Polk is currently working on a new live poker module for members of the Upswing Lab. He plans to reveal his strategy for notable hands he’s played on stream — like a supercharged version of his Poker Hands series on YouTube. This new module is scheduled for release in August.

Want to get in the Lab for a discount before Doug’s new module goes live? Upgrade your skills and save 33% during the Vegas Winners Sale!

But hurry because this sale expires in less than a week. Learn more now!

Preflop Action

Tom Dwan raises to $3,000 from the Cutoff with As 3h. Doug calls with Jc Th on the Button. Peter defends the Big Blind with Ac 8d.

Advanced Preflop Analysis

The key factor in this hand is the presence of a large big blind ante, which incentives all players to play loose.

Ace-Three offsuit is a borderline hand for Tom to raise. He should be raising with around the top 35-40% of starting hands. Both raising and folding are reasonable options.

Doug should be playing a wide range here and his call with Jack-Ten offsuit is good. His range should be roughly the top 25-30% of hands, mixing evenly between 3-betting and cold-calling (except for premiums like Pocket Jacks or better, Ace-King, and Ace-Queen suited, with which he should always 3-bet).

Peter can continue with an extremely wide range and his call with Ace-Eight offsuit is good. He is closing the action with a lot of dead money in the pot. So his defending range should probably go as wide as offsuit gappers (like 53-offsuit, 64-offsuit, 75-offsuit), any Ax offsuit, all suited hands, and some hands like K8-offsuit, Q9-offsuit, and J9-offsuit.

Flop Action

The flop comes Ad [Qd] [8h] and the pot is $11,500.

Peter checks. Tom checks. Doug bets $5,000. Peter raises to $17,000. Tom folds. Doug calls.

Advanced Flop Analysis

There a lot of decisions in this hand so I’ll break them down one by one.

On this dynamic flop, Peter has two pair, Tom has top pair weak kicker, and Doug has a double gutshot straight draw.

Checking over to Doug is the right strategy for both Peter and Tom. Doug’s range is the tightest and thus has the highest concentration of nutted hands.

Doug should bet with a polarized range because he is faced with 2 opponents who can both hold very strong hands. Therefore, Doug should c-bet for value with a tighter range, and construct an appropriately smaller bluffing range. Jack-Ten offsuit is a double gutter that fits this role perfectly. It has no showdown value and great potential to improve to the nuts.

As far as sizing goes, Doug’s is very good. He is putting just enough pressure on Peter’s Qx and weaker hands, while not risking too much. Betting smaller would give away too much equity to weaker hands by allowing both Peter and Tom to defend more freely. Betting bigger would start to hinder his ability to extract value with his strong hands.

Peter has a monster hand that he should be looking to check-raise for value (at least some of the time). His sizing is good, putting pressure on Doug’s weakest draws.

Tom makes a good laydown here. Peter is representing a two pair or better for value, which puts his hand in a pure bluff-catcher scenario. Plus Doug is still left to act with a ton of good hands in his range.

Doug’s call is very good. He has a lot of equity to improve to the nuts and is in position.

Turn Action

The turn comes the 6s, making the board Ad Qd 8h 6s. The pot is $45,500.

Peter bets $37,000. Doug calls.

Advanced Turn Analysis

Neither player’s ranges improve on the the 6s turn.

Peter’s Ace-Eight is a great candidate for barreling or check-raising for value. It all comes down to a few factors:

1. How often does he think Doug will stab with his draws? (the more often Doug stabs, the more trapping makes sense)
2. How well does he think he can play on the river after Doug calls his bet? (the more accurately he thinks he can play, the better it is to barrel)
3. The deeper the stacks are, the more often he should bet.*

*This happens because there is a larger incentive to build the pot right away to get the stacks in and to thin out Doug’s draws. 

Given the extremely large stack-to-pot ratio (SPR), going for a turn overbet at a high frequency is the better play overall. This line gets him the most amount of value and clarity on the river.

Doug’s Jack-Ten is very close to breaking even as a call against a balanced betting range. It has good properties for calling as it unblocks Peter’s flush draws. This is the type of holding that you should randomize between calling and folding against unknown opponents.

River Action

The river is a flush-completing [7d], making the board Ad Qd 8h 6s 7d. The pot is $120,000.

Peter checks. Doug overbets $185,000.

Advanced River Analysis

The river [7d] changes everything as both players can have flushes.

Peter should make a thin value bet with his two pair (especially because he holds the 8d). In theory, he’ll have very few bluffs here which forces him to use a smaller size. By checking, he allows Doug to create a polarized betting range that would make his two pair indifferent between calling and folding.

Doug makes a great overbet, correctly recognizing that Peter is likely to be capped at two pair. His overbet range consists of sets and flushes for value and missed straight draws for bluffs.

Faced with this overbet, Peter decides that Doug is likely under-bluffing (or simply didn’t feel like risking this much money). He elects to fold his bluff-catcher despite having a good blocker card to Doug’s flushes.

Results

Peter folds and Doug drags the $120,000 pot as he gleefully flips his hand face up.

The smile of a man who just bluffed a rich guy

Final Thoughts

Wow! What a sick hand!

That’s all for this breakdown! I hope you enjoyed it and that you learned something new from it! Do you think Peter made a good fold on the river? Let me know in the comment section down below!

Till’ next time, good luck, grinders!

(Remember, Doug’s new live poker lesson drops next month in the Upswing Lab. Be sure to sign up before then!)

You can find out in this article how to adapt to the different majors ways of playing poker.

The digital form of poker offers various types, such as online poker, live poker, and, notably, video poker, which has found a dedicated platform on video poker sites. These sites are tailored to cater to video poker fans, providing a range of games that feature different rules, strategies, and levels of interaction. These platforms make it easy for enthusiasts to access their favourite games, offering diverse techniques and experiences unique to video poker.

Online Poker: The Digital Frontier

What is online poker?

Online poker refers to playing the game of poker over the internet, typically through dedicated poker websites or platforms. Players can participate in various poker variants against opponents from around the world, using virtual chips or real money.

Online poker represents the digital evolution of traditional poker, allowing players to access many games from any location. The primary allure of online poker lies in its speed and availability. Players can engage in multiple tables simultaneously, significantly increasing the volume of hands played per hour compared to live settings. It appeals particularly to those seeking to maximize their playtime and learning opportunities.

The diversity of online games surpasses any physical venue, ranging from Texas Hold’em to Omaha and more niche variants. Moreover, online platforms cater to all budget levels, with stakes starting as low as a few cents, making poker accessible to a broader audience.

The anonymity of online play allows for a focus on pure strategy, minimizing the psychological element of reading opponents’ physical tells​​​​.

Live Poker: The Social Game

What is live poker ?

Live poker involves playing poker in person, usually at a physical casino, card room, or private setting. Players sit at a table, handle physical cards and chips, and interact face-to-face with opponents and dealers.

Live poker, played in casinos and poker rooms, is cherished for its deeply social and psychological dimensions. The tactile experience of handling chips, the physical presence of opponents, and the ability to read add complexity and enjoyment to the game.

Live poker games are generally slower, with fewer hands played per hour, fostering a more deliberate pace and the opportunity for social interaction.

The environment of live poker often leads to softer competition, as many participants play for recreation rather than profit. This aspect can offer strategic advantages to skilled players who can adapt to the slower pace and exploit the less experienced competition. However, the higher rake and tipping expected in live venues can impact profitability​​​​.

Video Poker: The Solitary Strategy Game

What is video poker ?

Video poker is a solitary game combining elements of poker and slot machines. Players compete against a pay table rather than other players, with outcomes based on the strength of the poker hand they can assemble from a single draw. This format emphasizes personal strategy and knowledge of poker hand rankings, with a significantly lower element of chance than slot machines.

Video poker offers one of the best odds in the casino for players who master optimal strategies for the variant they are playing. The game is ideal for those who prefer a calm, controlled gambling environment without the pressures of time constraints or the psychological warfare inherent in traditional poker. Despite its simplicity, video poker requires a grasp of basic poker hand rankings and strategically selecting cards to hold and discard​​​​.

 In the end: They are very different games

The choice between online poker, live poker, and video poker depends on individual preferences regarding social interaction, strategic depth, and play convenience. Online poker offers a fast-paced, diverse, and accessible platform for players of all skill levels.

In contrast, live poker provides a rich, immersive experience valued for its social and psychological aspects. Video poker appeals to those seeking a straightforward, strategy-driven game without the variability of human opponents.

The last decade has seen huge winners at the World Series of Poker, none more so than in the WSOP Main Event. Each year, thousands of players flock to Las Vegas to put down the $10,000 entry fee or satellite into the action for a fraction of the cost. Winning the Main Event over the past decade could have netted you as much as $12.1 million in the case of Daniel Weinman in 2023. But how much of their winnings did each player get to keep?

A Decade of Disparity

Over the past ten years, the World Series of Poker has witnessed some of its most memorable moments in the WSOP Main Event. The Holy Grail of poker tournaments, it is the subject of the main character Mike McDermott’s ambitions in the 1998 movie Rounders. It is the industry behemoth that drives all other poker tournaments. And for the players themselves, it is the biggest return on investment available.

There’s no other tournament like the WSOP Main Event. Over the past 10 years, the top prize in the Main Event has varied greatly, form just over $2.5 million in the ‘COVID’ World Championship of 2020, where technically, Damian Salas won $1m of his winnings on the second day of 2021, to last year’s epic $12.1m prize for first place.

What a player wins at the felt in the form of dollar ‘bricks’ is not, however, what they take home. The taxman is the only opponent even world champions can’t outrun, with top earner Daniel Weinman (2023) actually only taking home $6.84 million after playing national and local taxes on his winnings.

That amounts to a vast difference from his top prize when you compare it to German player Hossein Ensan (2019), who won $10m only to see it reduced to $7.3m after paying his taxes. Having won $2.1m less than Weinman at the felt, Ensan took home more than the Atlanta man, banking $460,000 more than the American after processing his tax return.

Here are all the winners from the past decade and what they actually took home.

WSOP Main Event Winners 2014-2023
Year	Winner	Country	Top Prize	Winnings
2014	Martin Jacobson	Sweden	$10,000,000	$7,000,000
2015	Joe McKeehen	United States	$7,683,340	$4,302,670
2016	Qui Nguyen	United States	$8,005,310	$4,563,026
2017	Scott Blumstein	United States	$8,150,000	$4,645,500
2018	John Cynn	United States	$8,800,000	$5,016,000
2019	Hossein Ensan	Germany	$10,000,000	$7,300,000
2020	Damian Salas	Argentina	$2,550,969*	$2,015,265
2021	Koray Aldemir	Germany	$8,000,000	$5,840,000
2022	Espen Jørstad	Norway	$10,000,000	$4,960,000
2023	Daniel Weinman	United States	$12,100,000	$6,840,000

* due to COVID-19 restrictions, played as online-live ‘Hybrid’ event.

Which Country is the Best to Play the Main Event From?

While there’s no online-live Hybrid WSOP Main Event anymore (thankfully, COVID folded on the river) playing from online is now impossible. That means to win the World Championship, you’ve got to travel to Las Vegas, take your seat in the Horseshoe or Paris Las Vegas and make it through eight or nine grueling days and beat some of the best poker players in the world.

There are plenty of countries that do tax players, including the United States, Germany, Canada, Australia and Norway to name just five. But the United Kingdom does not tax any winnings. If you’re English and travel to Las Vegas directly from London, then you can look forward to taking home every penny, ahem… cent from your winnings in Las Vegas.

Theoretically, it would be possible to come second in the Main Event and take home more than the winner. For example, in 2023, Daniel Weinman won the $12.1m top prize and Steven Jones Jr. won $6.5m in second place. With both men hailing from the United States – in fact all three podium placed players were American – they both paid similar amounts to the taxman. If Steven Jones had been English – or Toby Lewis had finished five places higher than he did – then all that $6.5m would have been retained.

Current Leaders and Tax Rates

In the current 2024 WSOP Main Event, Day 2abc has just been completed. So how would the frontrunners look if they won $10 million. Happy, obviously, but how happy? Chip leader Anthony Marsico (797,000) and second-placed Christopher Vincent (772,000) both come from the United States, so would be looking at the same approximate tax band as last year’s winner Weinman.

Manuel Machado from Portugal has 680,500 chips and would have to pay a special levy of 25% on any winnings he takes home, so would be better off compared to the Americans. He’d pay the same tax as South Korean Jangkyu Lee, who has 665,500 chips with which to attack Day 3.

The player inside the top five who currently has the best chance of winning most money is Karo Nuri from Switzerland. His stack of 646,500 is very well placed and he’d only pay 18.6% tax on any earnings, meaning he’d take home $10,008,000 from a top prize of $12 million.

Catch up with the latest action from the felt at the 2024 WSOP by subscribing to PokerGO right here. Here’s a taster of what you can expect to see:

The mercury is off the charts this summer at ACR Poker. With our scorching $8 Million Mystery Bounty Venom and $2 Million PLO Venom tournaments in August, the atmosphere is hotter than ever. And you don’t have to wait to get in on the action. That’s because, starting this Sunday, you can play in our $1 Million Venom Warmup Tourney!

This blazing event features an impressive $1 Million Guaranteed Prize Pool and an affordable buy-in of just $55. It’s our biggest tourney for a small stake ever! And for those looking to catch fire for even less cash, we’ve got paths starting at $0. Yes, you can ride this heatwave without spending a penny.

From July 7^th to July 28^th, you’ll find lots of daily flights.  With 192 flights in all, we’re offering endless opportunities to stoke the flames of competition. Plus, in a white-hot twist, you can play multiple Day 1s and combine your stacks, setting you up for a monstrous Day 2.

Day 2 of the Venom Warmup Tourney takes off this Sunday, July 28th at 4:05pm ET, with the Final Table firing up on Monday, July 29th at 2:05pm ET.

With Day 1 flights every two hours starting at 12:05am ET on Sunday, July 7^th, it’s easy to find the time to play. Each flight has 3 hours of late registration and 15-minute levels.

This is your moment to blaze a trail at ACR Poker. The starting gun fires this Sunday, so it’s time to get in the game and turn the heat up to eleven. Not ready to jump in yet? Find more info and the full schedule on our promo page here.

Americas Cardroom Updates & Announcements: providing a comprehensive summary of the week’s key happenings and significant announcements within ACR Poker.

Outing unethical people in the industry

Posted by Anuj Yadav on 2022-09-30 at 10:06 PM

Hi guys,

There are some unethical practises happening within the Indian industry that should be openly talked about in order to disincentive unethical people from taking advantage of the lack of policing within our community. In this post I would like to out Sahil Chutani aka “$lim$hady19” for cheating the community doing the following scummy things:

1) Ghosting two of his mtt horses before I joined BTR stable. $lim has admitted to me on a phone call right after I joined BTR that he had been involved in the biggest scores of two of his horses. I restricted everyone from getting ghosted after I joined. The horses also wanted to do everything ethically and wanted to stop this bs that $lim was doing.

2) Collusion in cash games. There have been instances where $lim and a cash game horse of his have been sitting in a NLHE cash game and shared their hole cards. I did not speak out against this cash game collusion as there’s a limited mental energy I have and I want to allocate that towards improving game integrity in MTTs.

Some allegations told to me about $lim by well-respected regs in the industry that I do not have any evidence for:

1) ‘SiValee’ is a 2nd id of $lim

2) A bad reg from BBZ(Stable that used to back $lim before he started playing on his own) is playing on the id ‘bluechipp’ that has been given to him by $lim. This is really hypocritical as $lim has been the one that speaks out against foreign ids playing on Indian sites the most.

3) After I left BTR , $lim ended up shutting down his stable and is now demanding that his horses pay him back 50% of their MU. Which is outright scamming imo, the community is free to debate on that.

I encourage everyone to speak out about malpractises going on in the industry if we want poker in India to be a clean sport with high game integrity. Currently the cheaters have it too easy as there are no repurcussions for doing so. At the bare minimum, $lim should be made to release a public statement about all of these allegations and how he is going to improve his behaviour in the future.

If this post has any positive impact towards improving game integrity I can start an initiative where I take in emails from people in the industry and speak out against shady practises being performed by players/sites if there’s conclusive evidence in the email ofcourse.

Another change that I would like to see happen is pokersites making it against ToS to use preflop/ postflop solvers to help players make their decisions in-game. Once they do that we can police it within ourselves to diminish the use of s/w aid in-game and make online poker as pure as possible.

July 2, 2024 · 4 minutes to read

For the first time in the history of The Festival Series, an event series is being held at the Dusk Till Dawn Pokerclub in Nottingham. PokerListings, represented by Melvin Schroen, will handle the live blog, and will provide all of you with all the inside information of this epic week of events. There will be a total of 35 unique tournaments being held, divided over the next seven days. The Series, who is mainly focused on mixed games and all the events around poker itself, will provide a guaranteed prize pool of £200,000 for the Main Event. Additionally, another great event will take place in the name of PokerListings Championships and it has a whopping £25,000 guaranteed. Both big events we will cover from A to Z for you, with the last-mentioned event currently already started with more than 80 entries in just two hours! 

Games for Everyone  

The Festival Series is known for its diversity in game selection, specialized in mixed games. With 35 unique events, there is of course enough to play for Hold’em fans, but the mixed games are right up there in the likes of Omaha, Mixed PLO/NLHE, PLO 4/5/6, PLO HiLo, Open Face Chinese, Short-Deck, and Sviten Special. So, if you like games with more than two hole-cards, the place to be this week will be the Dusk Till Dawn Pokerclub in Nottingham! Don’t forget about the following, for every event there is an amazing trophy to be won, which will be an unique portrait drawing of the winners photo. If that’s not enough yet, you will also get a signed comic book!

About the Main Event 

The Main Event of The Festival Series is a deep-stacked and nicely structured event with four opening flights. With 200,000 chips in starting stack, it is going to be promised to be a fun ride of action for everyone. With the first three days to be 30-minutes levels, the last turbo flight will be with 15-minute blind levels. A guaranteed prize pool cannot be missed and this time there has been set a whopping £200,000 as a guarantee, which promises to give the top spots a heavy prize.  

Players are allowed to re-enter once per starting day and can re-enter until the end of the first two levels of the second day, unique in its kind. Last edition in Bratislava was won by Dutchman Michel Molenaar, who collected a nice €126,650 score at the cash desk, in which another Dutch player in the name of Gerianne Dijkstra became second for €77,450.  

It is certain to be fireworks in Nottingham. And if you still have the chance to hop on a flight or train, you won’t be disappointed! 

Secure your package for the next stop in Malta!

There are several packages to be won for the next stop in Malta (15-21 May). Regardless of what you will play this week, in any discipline you can scoop a package worth 1,600! We have listed them for you:

Player of the Series

During the previous stop in Bratislava a true players ranking was introduced. Swede Totti Linde walked away with the package for The Festival Nottingham. To get hold of this all-round trophy, you will have the score the most points based on the ranking system. Meaning that you will either need to run very deep in the Main Event and make a couple of other notable finishes in other side events, or you simply play every single side event and cash in most of them. For more information check this link.

Cash Game Challenge

Are you a cash game player? Twice per day there is a cash game challenge, which mostly will be streamed live on the twitch channel of The Festival Series. It does not matter if you have deep pockets or not, regardless the buy-in level or blind level, it is all about the net profit in big blinds collected. All this needs to happen within the designated time frame which stands in line for this challenge. For more information check this link.

Franke’s Flip ‘n Go’s

The famous flip games are also part of the assortment in Nottingham during The Festival Series. Whoever wins the most flips throughout the whole week, takes home a package for the next event. Do you want to become the next flip master? Check out following link for more information.

PokerListings Championships

The PokerListings Championships is in full swing currently with Day 1A being played but hold your horses. Tomorrow there is another starting day as well. With a well-structured event and a 200K starting stack, there is enough space for some stunts. The winner does not only walk away with a heavy first prize, but also takes home the trophy + a package for the next stop. 

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Whoever tells you that poker can’t be enjoyed with friends is either lying or doesn’t know Pokerhub. This app is designed precisely to enjoy poker with friends and members of a private club that make the experience much more fun.

Pokerhub does not play with real money, so everything is about the gaming experience and the confrontations with members of the club or with those of another club. It’s a simple way to promote the social component of poker, something Pokerhub does very well.

How to play a private poker game online with friends?

Playing an online poker game with friends through Pokerhub is a simple and fun process. Just follow these easy steps in order to enjoy Pokerhub’s online poker games to play with friends:

• Download Pokerhub. The first thing you need to do is download the Pokerhub app on your device. It’s available for both Android and iOS devices, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility. Once you have the app installed, open it.
• Create an account. It is time to create an account in order to access Pokerhub. This usually involves providing a username, email address and password. Make sure your password is secure to protect your personal data.
• Log in to your account. After you have created your account, log in to Pokerhub using your credentials. Remember that you will have to confirm the account when you create a new user.
• Invite your friends. Once you are inside the application, look for the option to create a private game or join one. In Pokerhub, this feature is very easy to find. You can invite your friends to join your private poker table through an invitation code or by sharing a link.
• Choose your rules. Before starting the game, set the rules of the game. Pokerhub offers a variety of options, from Texas Hold’em to Omaha, as well as different betting structures. Make sure all players agree on the rules before you start.
• Use your chips. On Pokerhub you will never play with real money. Here you use chips, which you earn both by beating your opponents at the tables and by accumulating rewards from the loyalty program, which awards prizes every 24 hours for every time you log in.
• Play and have fun, now you are ready to start! The game will play like any other poker game, but online. You can chat with your friends through the app to keep the camaraderie going, and Pokerhub will handle the rules and betting.

How to host an online poker game with friends?

Precisely on Pokerhub, hosting a game is something that anyone can do. You just need to be the club administrator to adjust parameters, variants and betting limits to shape the game you all want to play.

Remember that a good host adapts the table parameters to what the members want, so being able to listen to what others have to say is always a plus.

Otherwise, no special qualifications are required to host a game. If you want to manage your own club, you will have to create one and send invitations to your friends.

And remember that, if instead of hosting you prefer to simply join a club, you have a search engine on Pokerhub with which you can request access to any club that matches what you are looking for.

In Pokerhub, you will be able to enjoy online poker games to play with friends the way all of you want.

Advantages of playing with friends in a poker app

Playing with friends on a poker app like Pokerhub has numerous advantages that make the experience even more exciting and social. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider organizing an online poker game with your friends:

• Convenience. One of the most obvious advantages is convenience. There is no need for everyone to meet at a physical location, which saves time and effort. You can play from the comfort of your home, regardless of your friends’ location.
• Flexible scheduling.  You can schedule online poker games with friends at times that are convenient for everyone. This is especially useful if you have friends in different time zones or with varied work schedules.
• Greater variety of games. Apps like Pokerhub offer a wide variety of poker games and betting options. You can experiment with different variants of the game and change the rules according to your group’s preferences. In Pokerhub, you will find the best online poker games offer to play with friends.
• Security and fairness. Online poker apps are usually very secure and offer a fair environment to play in. Cards are dealt randomly, ensuring that the game is as fair as possible.
• Social interaction. Despite not being physically present, online poker apps allow for social interaction. You can chat with your friends through the app, which adds a social element to the gaming experience.
• Statistics and tracking. Poker apps often offer tracking tools and statistics that allow you to improve your game over time. You can review your past games to identify areas for improvement.
• Bonuses and rewards. Some poker applications offer bonuses and rewards to their loyal players. You can accumulate points or bonuses that you can use in future games.
• Control over your budget. Playing online with friends allows you to have more control over your gambling budget. You can set betting limits and control your spending more effectively.
• Immersive gaming experience. Online poker apps often offer high-quality graphics and sounds that create an immersive and exciting gaming experience. They are the best online poker games to play with friends.

Take a look at this:

Private poker app to play with friends