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A Quick Guide to the Hottest Gaming Sites
Anyone with even mild online gaming experience knows that it can take quite a bit of searching to find a good gambling site. Part of that research entails spending considerable time reading reviews to help identify sites that show the most promise. Unfortunately, after reading only a handful of reviews it sometimes becomes difficult to distinguish one site from another—they all start to sound exactly the same.
As a treat for those players tired of reading page after page of stale reviews that seem to extol the same five virtues, I’ve created a unique condensed reference guide to many of the Internet’s leading casinos, sportsbooks and poker rooms.
Casino Gambling
InterCasino
www.intercasino.com
Brief description: InterCasino has long been known to offer some the best casino gaming online. It features state-of the-art 3D rendered graphics, digital sounds, multiplayer tables, private tables and real-time chat. The site has won multiple awards including “Best Casino,” “Best Tournaments” and “Best Slots” and has one of the best reputations in the industry. Associated sites include InterBingo, InterPoker, and InterLottery.
General Information
Software platform(s): Download, No-download.
Number of games: Over 100.
New player Bonus: 100% deposit.
Other promotions: $90 free/month.
Average payout percentage: 97.5%.
Banking options: Credit card, Firepay, NETeller, Citadel, check wire transfer, ECP.
Customer service: 24/7 e-mail, telephone.
Special features: Rapid fire slots that offer a potential jackpot on any spin.
VIP Casino
www.vipcasino.com
Brief description: One of the best sites for frequent players, VIP Casino features the highest comps and player rewards online including a monthly cash back program where players receive up to $10,000 back on losses. Selection is comprehensive (over 180 games in their latest version) and includes numerous progressive jackpot games and multi-player games that feature real-time chat.
General information
Software platform(s): Download.
Number of games: Over 180.
New player Bonus: 100% match bonus, $25 minimum.
Other promotions: 10% monthly cash back on losses; 1% reward on winnings (limit $2,500).
Average payout percentage: 96.73% (June 2005).
Banking options: Visa, MasterCard, Firepay, NETeller, Citadel, check wire transfer, ECP.
Customer service: 24/7 telephone and e-mail support.
Special features: VIP Premium Club offers special incremental cash rewards.
The Sands of the Caribbean
Brief description: The Sands of the Caribbean casino is one of the oldest and most respected gaming sites with over 120,000 satisfied customers and over $3 billion USD paid out to player accounts. The site features a solid game selection, single and multiplayer tables, fast-action poker, private rooms and a wide selection of unique tournaments.
General information
Software platform(s): Download, Instant play.
Number of games: Over 50.
New player bonus: 100% deposit bonus; $40 poker bonus.
Other promotions: $100 monthly, no deposit required.
Average payout percentage: 97.90% (June 2005).
Banking options: Visa, MasterCard, NETeller, Firepay, Citadel, PrePaid ATM, bank wire, check, ECP.
Customer service: 24/7 telephone, e-mail, live chat, and call back support.
Special features: Three comp programs to choose from—merchandise, travel, or casino cash.
Trident Lounge Casino
Brief description: Comfortable, entertaining, and well designed, Trident Lounge features well over 100 state-of-the-art games to choose from as well as one of the most extensive poker rooms online. The site has also met eCOGRA’s strict standards for excellence and guarantees fair gameplay, prompt payouts and responsible casino conduct.
General information
Software platform(s): Download, Flash.
Number of games: Over 130.
New player bonus: $50 welcome bonus, $10 extra for NETeller deposits.
Other promotions: “Trident Cash Card” offers a special bonus after every ten deposits.
Average payout percentage: 98.65% (June 2005).
Banking options: Visa, Diner’s Club, NETeller, Firepay, Pay Spark, Click2Pay, EcoCard, USEMyBank, Western Union, wire transfer.
Customer service: 24/7 telephone, e-mail, and live chat support.
Special features: Trident also boasts an associated state-of-the-art poker room.
TheGaming Club
Brief description: Part of the Belle Rock gaming group, The Gaming Club has been thrilling online gamblers since it opened its doors in 1995. Players are treated to over 100 of the latest interactive casino games including 11 progressive jackpot games. All new players receive a hefty deposit bonus and become automatic members of the “Cash Back Club” rewards program.
General information
Software platform(s): Download, Flash.
Number of games: Over 100.
New player bonus: Buy $50, get $200 free.
Other promotions: Weekly promotions worth 30,000 credits.
Average payout percentage: 97.42 (April 2005).
Banking options: Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, Click2Pay, NETeller, Firepay, InstaDebit, Citadel, USEMyBank, PaySpark, Moneybookers, EcoCard, Delta.
Customer service: 24/7 toll-free telephone, email support.
Special features: Offers “PlayCheck” for verifying gameplay and “CashCheck” for verifying transactions.
MANSION Casino
www.mansion.com
Brief description: One of the latest offering from leading gaming and sportsbetting company MANSION, MANSION Casino recently launched its own unique brand of cutting edge casino software complete with a variety of never-before-seen game styles and wagering options. These includes random jackpots on all slots machines, and the only online roulette that allows players to switch between standard and advanced betting types on one table.
General information
Software platform(s): No download.
Number of games: 23
New player bonus: 200% deposit bonus.
Other promotions: Additional 20% bonus on 2 nd and 3 rd deposits.
Average payout percentage: Not available.
Banking options: Visa, MasterCard, debit card, NETeller, EcoCard, PrePaid ATM, Delta.
Customer service: 24/7 telephone and e-mail support.
Special features: Unique multi-hand poker and blackjack games; random jackpots on all slots.
Poker Rooms
PartyPoker
www.partypoker.com
Brief description: Easily one of the most familiar names in online poker, PartyPoker.com has worked hard to bring exceptional online poker to the masses—and with a player base that exceeds 70,000 there efforts have paid off. Their success is owed, in part, to their unlimited supply of tables, unique tournament events, and a wide range of limits that can accommodate almost any bankroll.
General information: Games offered: Hold ‘Em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo.
Tournaments/special events: Million Dollar Guaranteed Tournaments, $350K Weekly tournaments, annual PartyPoker Million Cruise.
New player bonus: 20% up to $100.
Other promotions: Monthly deposit bonuses, Player’s Club.
Banking options: Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, NETeller, Firepay, Citadel, Moneybookers, eChecks, wire transfer.
Customer service: 24/7 toll-free telephone and e-mail support.
Special features: Single and multi-table “step” tournaments that allow players to win their way on to big money tables.
BoSPoker
Brief description : BosPoker, the online poker division of gaming giant BETonSPORTS PLC Group, is an inviting and comfortable site that features a terrific assortment of poker variations, 24/7 tables and tournaments, and numerous special events. The site also offers in-depth information about poker, game rules and a glossary to help novices master the game.
General information
Games offered: Hold ‘Em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo.
Tournaments/special events: Satellites to the “Celebrity Challenge,” and Celebrity Poker Tournament.
New player bonus: 25% sign up bonus.
Other promotions: Loyalty club, new player freeroll entry.
Banking options: Visa, MasterCard, NETeller, Western Union.
Customer service: 24/7 telephone and e-mail support.
Special features: Players who earn enough loyalty points can cash them in for merchandise and travel including a trip to Costa Rica and a 2005 Porsche 911.
Pokerhost
Brief description : Impressively designed and packed with everything the poker player could ever need, Pokerhost.com offers the widest selection of games, tables and tournaments on the Internet. Tables are available for all levels of players, from novice to professional, with a wide range a limits set to match any size stake.
General information
Games offered: Hold 'em, Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo.
Tournaments/special events: Satellites to the World Series of Poker and various World Poker Tour events.
New player bonus: 110% sign-up bonus.
Other promotions: $50 “High Hand” bonus.
Banking options: Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, NETeller. Firepay, instaCASH, Nexum, bank wire, ICC, cashier’s check.
Customer service: 24/7 telephone, e-mail, and live chat support.
Special features: Pokerhost.com offers a terrific poker forum full of useful tips and listings of poker events.
Paradise Poker
Brief description : Since opening its doors in 1999, Paradise Poker has received nothing but praise from poker players and industry experts alike. The site features all of the favorite versions of the games in single table, multi-table and 1-on-1 formats. Other prominent features include detailed player statistics and notes, progressive “Bad Beat” jackpots, and the ability to play up to three tables simultaneously.
General information
Games offered: Hold ‘em, Omaha High, Omaha Hi/Lo, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo, Five Card Draw, Five Card Stud, Crazy Pineapple.
Tournaments/special events: Hosts the Masters Online Poker Championship; offers satellites to major poker events such as the WPT Legends.
New player bonus: 25% deposit bonus up to $50.
Other promotions: Various freeroll tournaments worth up to $1 million.
Banking options: Credit cards, Firepay, NETeller, Switch/Maestro, bank draft.
Customer service: 24/7 e-mail support.
Special features: Paradise poker offers poker coaching videos and monthly poker lesson articles to help teach new player.
Doyle’s Room
Brief description: Under the management of poker legends Doyle Brunson and Mike Caro, Doyle’s Room has quickly become one of the fastest growing poker rooms online. Designed with the poker player in mind, the site features nice, smooth graphics and functionality. The selection of games is strong and getting stronger, with most of the action currently centered around Hold ‘em and Omaha. Table stakes range from $0.02/$0.04 to $50/$100.
General information
Games offered: Hold ‘em, Omaha high, Omaha Hi/Lo. Seven Card Stud High and Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo will be added shortly.
Tournaments/special events: Satellites to the World Heads-Up Poker Championship, The European Poker Classics and the Cavendish Club Classic.
New player bonus: 50% deposit bonus.
Other promotions: Frequent player points, freerolls.
Banking options: Firepay, Neteller, Telebuy/900Pay, Citadel, Visa, MasterCard and Wire Transfer and Bank Drafts.
Customer service: 24/7 e-mail, live online and telephone support.
Special features: Players receive Doyle’s Super/System 2, the long-awaited follow-up to the “poker bible” Super/System.
Sportsbooks
BETonSPORTS
Brief description: BETonSPORTS.com has taken great care to create on of the best, most comprehensive sports wagering sites online. Top features include an exhaustive array of wagering options, a detailed bettor’s forum, and links to some of the world’s best handicappers.
General information
Selection : Offers an extensive selection of major and minor sporting events including football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, golf, horse racing, boxing, and rugby. Special events include politics, cinema and celebrities, trials, and catastrophic events.
New member bonus: 20% deposit bonus.
Other promotions: 10% reload, 10% referral bonus, 10% back on football losses.
Banking options: Money transfer, credit cards, Firepay, bank wire.
Customer service: Offers e-mail assistance and over 2,000 inbound telephone lines staffed by 1,100 multilingual representatives. Support is 24/7.
Special features: Players that wager with BETonSPORTS for 24 consecutive weeks receive a free vacation to Costa Rica.
Sportsbetting.com
Brief description: A perennial favorite among sportsbettors, Sportsbetting.com features extensive event coverage as well as a wide range of betting options that include if-bets, progressive parlays, 12-team parlays, 15-team teasers and a large selection of unique props. Other noteworthy features include exceptional odds, prompt payouts, numerous deposit options and daily sports news.
General information
Selection: Includes football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, auto racing, gold, tennis, horse racing, and boxing.
New member bonus: 10% initial deposit bonus.
Other promotions: 5% re-load bonus each Thursday; 5% juice each Friday.
Banking options: Visa, MasterCard, NETeller, Firepay, bank wire, eCheck, phone deposit, cash.
Customer service: 24/7 telephone, e-mail, chat support.
Special features: Sportsbetting.com also offers a racebook, casino, and poker room.
MANSION
www.mansion.com
Brief description: MANSION’s innovative approach to online wagering has set a new standard in the online gaming industry. Its two major sports divisions include a comprehensive sportsbook that features coverage and wagering on most of the major worldwide sporting events (broken down by country) and a free betting exchange where punters can enjoy the thrill of person-to-person sportsbetting without the costly bookmaker’s commission.
General information
Selection: Offers one of the largest selection of events online including football, baseball, basketball, cricket, soccer, auto racing, and rugby.
New member bonus: $50 deposit bonus.
Other promotions: 0% exchange fees.
Banking options: Visa, MasterCard, NETeller, EcoCard, PrePaid ATM, Delta and debit cards.
Customer service: 24/7 telephone and e-mail support.
Special features: MANSION offers “mLine” a revolutionary concept that increases the chances to match by allowing bettors to offer 100x their available funds.
Bodog
Brief description: Quite possibly one of the best gaming sites today, Bodog.com features an unparalleled combination of gaming action, player incentives, gambling resources and flexible banking options. Their sportsbook features numerous betting options and terrific odds on a wide variety of events, from traditional sports to politics and reality television.
General information
Selection: Includes most US and international sporting events as well as martial arts, Olympic games, film, TV, politics, and poker.
New member bonus: 20% initial deposit.
Other promotions: 20% reload, 40% refer-a-friend.
Banking options: Visa, MasterCard, NETeller, Firepay, myCitadel, CentralCoin, cashier’s checks, bank drafts, money orders, personal checks.
Customer service: 24/7 telephone and e-mail support.
Special features: Bodog’s lounge offers extensive information about the latest in sportsbetting, casino gambling, and poker.
As you can see, even sites that seem to be very similar superficially turn out to be drastically different once you scratch the surface. Some offer only casino gambling, while others offer every type of wagering under the sun. Some offer very little cash up front, while others act like they can’t give it away fast enough.
There are hundreds of variables that come into play during the creation and subsequent growth of a gaming site that give it a unique flavor and a style all its own. Yes, there will always be some features that are the same, especially is the sites share a software provider. But that’s no different than land-based casinos who offer many of the same slots, video poker machines and table games
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