Vegas Palms Casino immortalizes images of things that dreams are made of – blue sea, long sandy beaches, palm trees and gambling entertainment! As part of the illustrious Fortune Lounge group, players are assured the backing of one of the most reputable gambling companies in the industry. In addition, Vegas Palms proudly bears the eCOGRA “Safe and Fair” seal that proves that the site maintains a high standard of ethics and operations, adheres to the organization’s operational protocols, as well as its business and daily business management charter. Vegas Palms has received Honorable Mention several times by the Gambling Online magazine in recent years and is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

Software

The unbeatable Microgaming software offered by Vegas Palms is available in a fully downloadable version or the games can be played using an instant, Flash version. As can be expected from the Microgaming platform, the graphics on his site are superb, and bring to mind the realism of a live casino. All types of players are catered for at his site, thanks to a large game selection and limits.

Game Variety

Vegas Palms Casino allows players to select from over 170 exciting games in a range that covers almost every type of gambling entertainment.

The games variety includes the following:

* Blackjack: Over 15 variants of the game, including the industry favorite Gold Series games and multihand options.

* Table Games: A multitude of offerings, including four types of roulette, sic bo and baccarat.

* Slots: Over 70 different types of slots! Players can choose from three and five reelers, bonus slots, video slots and many others.

* Progressive Games: The progressive jackpots at Vegas Palms reach into the millions of dollars and increase all the time.

* Video Poker: A great selection of all the favorites, including Jacks or Better. Players can select exciting video poker action in the form of 25, 50 or even 100 hand games.

Bonuses and Promotions

All players at Vegas Palms are rewarded for simply playing at the site. New visitors to the casino will enjoy the generous 200% bonus! In addition, there are various Fortune Lounge promotions such as the current Big Easy that puts players in line to win a huge number of credits.

The Fortune Lounge Player’s Lounge is free to join and players benefit from exclusive benefits and members-only promotions, earning loyalty points as they play at Vegas Palms. These points can be redeemed for casino credits.

Money Matters

All gaming activities and payouts are monitored and reviewed by independent auditors at Vegas Palms Casino. The site carries advanced fraud-management software to ensure that players’ financial information is kept protected at all times. Cash-ins are super fast and the site has a reputation for impeccable business ethics, especially when it comes to finances and payouts.

Vegas Palms offers players several convenient banking options to make deposits and withdrawals hassle free. Most of the mainstream choices are available at this site, including credit cards, e-banking and direct bank transfers, to name just a few.

Customer Support

As part of the Fortune Lounge group, Vegas Palms needs to maintain its reputation of professionalism and efficiency at all times, and this is largely evident in its customer support. The casino offers players the opportunity to contact its knowledgeable staff through a number of channels, including live chat, email or toll free telephone numbers. The site also has useful links to articles dealing with bankroll management, game rules, strategies and other important tools for online gambling sessions.

Vegas Palms Casino

When players search around for an online casino, their main requirements are reliability, reputation, security, fairness, the backing of a solid organization, good software, fully licensed, great games and excellent customer support. While many online casinos have some of these traits, not many have all of them. Vegas Palms falls into the latter category and it is therefore easy to see why it attracts so many players.

This information was accurate when it was written but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all information directly with the casino.



By: Casino Cash Journey Team

About the Author:

For players looking for all the glitz and glam that comes with playing at a real live Vegas casino, Club Vegas USA was created with them in mind! This online casino was developed by a team of industry experts with more than 30 years experience in gaming and the results speak for themselves. Club Vegas USA provides every possible feature to ensure that players have an entertaining time within a safe gambling environment.

With a name like that, there is no doubt that the Rival powered Club Vegas USA Casino welcomes US players with open arms, although the site also attracts players from other countries in the world, with its international customer support team, multi currency payment options and more.

Club Vegas USA is fully licensed and regulated by the Government of Netherlands Antilles and is operated by the UK-based Silverstone Group (of Pantasia online casino fame).

Software and Games

Nothing quite beats the Rival software platform when it comes to quality of sound and images. Rival is well known in the industry for producing top quality casino games, but this company really shines through with its famous i-Slots series.

There are 80 games in all in the Rival Gaming portfolio, with the company adding more on a regular basis. The card, table and specialty games at Club Vegas USA include Blackjack, American and European Roulette and the exclusive Sudoku Box Game.

All the classic video poker games are represented on this site and players can try their luck on games such as Jacks or Better and Aces or Faces.

Rival is not ashamed to admit that its video slots are among the best in the business and many tend to agree. These five reel slots will simply blow players away with their exciting themes, super sound and graphics, lucrative and entertaining bonus features and lots more.

And if things seem that they can’t get any better, Club Vegas USA Casino comes out with the crème de la crème of slots entertainment – the iSlots series that incorporates traditional slots gaming with an interactive storyline, fast paced action, non stop bonus games and animated video clips.

Bonuses and Promotions

For players wanting to enjoy the games at Club Vegas USA Casino without depositing anything into their account, this site is giving away a no-deposit bonus to all new players. Once players have determined that they want to go ahead and enjoy the full gamut of games at this site, they are welcomed by a very lucrative match bonus at Club Vegas USA. The bonuses are also linked to the games that players wish to play, for the ultimate is customization and flexibility.

Although there is no formal loyalty program at this site, high rollers can still enjoy cash back rewards each month.

Payment and Payouts

Club Vegas USA goes out of its way to find the best payment systems so that all its players can enjoy convenient banking at this site. There is a wide variety of payment options, ranging from credit cards to e-wallets, bank transfers to other alternative systems.

This online casino is also well known for facilitating withdrawals in an especially speedy way, and Club Vegas USA claims that all payouts are made within 48 hours.

Security

All the necessary steps are taken to ensure that players have their personal and financial information protected by Club Vegas USA Casino, including 256 bit SSL data encryption technology. A number of fraud detection and prevention systems are also put in place for extra protection.

The casino offers playes a built in game and financial history log that enables them to keep tabs on their gaming sessions and their money spent and earned. These records are available any time to logged in casino members.

Support

Club Vegas USA Casino presents players with a number of ways to contact its customer support team, including by phone, email or live chat. Needless to say, this efficient and friendly team is available 24 hours a day, and seven days a week.

Club Vegas USA Casino

While Club Vegas USA Casino seems to be the perfect solution for players seeking a top standard and reputable site, it appeals to all players from around the world who enjoy the glamor of Vegas. Sound licensing and regulation, excellent Rival games, good payment options and generous bonuses are all part of the reason why Club Vegas USA is proving to be so popular in the industry.

This information was accurate when it was written but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all information directly with the casino.



By: Casino Cash Journey Team

About the Author:

Introduction to Casino Audio, Lighting and Data Systems

Casinos are not just about a bunch of pool tables, card tables, slots and other gaming machines. In a casino, data systems automation and integration is always a critical part of the business. Without the perfect, system for handling all necessities from sound, lighting, video, security and data, imagine just what mess would your casino business get in to.

This article hopes to make a clear understanding how a casino system arrangement would benefit your business as well as for you to know how you will provide the exclusive service to all your clients and customers. Casinos are where people spend money and so the systems as mentioned above should always be a prime factor in increasing the number of patrons and customers. Without a system that works for both you and your clients, business will never be a complete success. If you fail to give customers what they need more than just to spend money and play, you fail yourself. To avoid that, here are a few pointers below.

Audio Systems

First, what could be your ideal audio system for a casino? Would you like it loud or would you prefer a smooth and relaxing sound to provide to your customers? Whatever you or your customer’s preference is, you can always arrive with the best choices with a casino audio system installed in your business. It is a must as it creates an atmosphere that’s favorable in all aspects. Part of your entertainment is the audio system and live video and what could be better than a perfect combination of both.

The integration, design and set-up of your communications and entertainment systems is always a critical factor as it will make all things possible for you to monitor specific metrics where you can measure the effectiveness of your business marketing. Even if this is a small part of your service offer, it is one of the priority aspects that customers would always be looking for in a casino entertainment. Some of the most common system integrations may be done with safety mechanisms, entertainment, telephone, public address (PA) as well as casino hospitality systems. If you have these systems as reliable as possible, your business will always give you a higher return in investment. Having them all designed to perfection is another issue.

Lighting Systems

Any music or video in a casino wouldn’t be complete with effects without the casino lighting systems perfectly matched and believe it or not, any business that uses lighting control and utilizes its use to market a business is always on top over his competition. This provides an edge in giving an amusing atmosphere to customers, in a casino and this will gain a high interest for patrons thereby making the business an effective marketing tool itself. Simple businesses need simple lightings but when we are talking about casinos, it a big mistake to rely for less. It’s like a play on a stage that would not look alive as a drama with all the lights on. You need control and system in your lighting if you want to be effective.

Video and Data Systems

Last but not the least, a video and data systems is also a priority consideration for everything from the gaming area to the function rooms and private gaming rooms as well. This is where trust, security and entertainment are at stake. This is where your service relies to be judged by your customers. If you have a fully integrated and automated entertainment and communication system, customers would always return for more. Remember that clients are there to be entertained and they would not pay a single centavo just to come and play. The overall system is what customers look for in a casino and if you have the cutting-edge in your digitally mastered system, everything seems smooth.

Choose Only the Best Contractors and Providers

To attain all these, get yourself only the best entertainment and communications systems providers because this is almost a once in a lifetime mistake that you wouldn’t surely want to commit. Your bread and butter to market your business will always rely on your systems control and automation. Casinos are not an exception as well as most of the businesses out there. It’s really more of a question of either you provide your customers with full integration and digitally mastered audio, lighting, security and data systems that is secure, safe and sound or you don’t. You choose.



By: Event Marketing, Casino And Marine Systems

About the Author:

has always been portrayed as a game of the rich and fashionable since the first casino was started up in Monte Carlo in 1863. In the past, roulette players wore tuxes and elegant after-dinner dresses with sparkling jewels while playing this stylish entertainment.

But now roulette is no longer just a game for the jet set. Online roulette is one of the fastest growing games at gambling websites around the world. This article will outline all the ins and outs of online roulette rules for the novice player.

Online roulette has spread this exciting game even further. Along with the software the online casino provides, you can also download and use “roulette companion” applications like Routrack.

What is Roulette?

Roulette is a game that uses a special revolving wheel, a small white ball, a betting table and chips to play. The wheel has special black and red slots, with numbers from 1 though 36, plus a 0 and a 00 (in the American version of the game). The European version doesn’t use a 00, which decreases the advantage for the house or casino. The object of the game is to calculate where the ball will land and bet on that outcome.

Picking an Online Casino

1) Look for a quality casino. Do your homework. Only play at online casinos that have withstood the test of time. A solid reputable casino will have good character among the online community it caters to.

2) Look at the support end of things. Does the casino offer customer service? Before you sign up check to see if they have “Live support” or 24/7 phone support. Call the support number to see who answers. A good online casino will have a good support system.

3) Payout Percentages are very important. Make certain that the percentage has been verified by a third-party. A payout percentage is the proportion of all money bet by the players that are paid out as winnings. A payout of say 98% means 98% of the total of all money bet, 98% of it is paid out to the players.

4) Pick the casino that plays your game. Some casinos offer a variety of games, while other are specialized in one area of play. If you are mostly interested in online roulette then look for a casino that offers the best payouts for roulette vs. other games.

5) Bonuses. Many online casinos offer bonuses from a few hundred bucks to several hundreds of dollars. In addition to the signup bonus, you could be eligible for loyalty or high roller bonuses.

6) Demo the casino software. Most of the best casinos offer you a chance to play for free on a simulation of their online roulette software. Play several hands. Determine if the software is confusing or hard to use.

7) Look to see if the casino has a good payment plan. See what kind of third-party accounts they need and how to setup an account. Most casinos make signing up a quick and easy process.

Money and Your Online Safety

A reputable online casino wants you to experience a fair and honest game of roulette. Many of the larger websites are owned by publicly traded companies and face the same rigid financial probes and legal restrictions as any other large multinational.

All accounts are both secure and confidential. Signing up only takes a few minutes and then you are ready to play.

Now you are ready to do your homework. Remember look for online casinos that offer the best bonuses for roulette or for a new account.

By: Gen Wright

About the Author:

As poker is becomming evermore popular, A question needs awnsering! Is there a way to win at online poker! The answer is simple.  Study and check out these guidelines, try them at poker time and see for yourself.

Before starting to play the game, keep in mind these simple suggestions:

*Inspect the site.  Make sure that it is authentic.

*Read the terms and conditions of the site.  Check the maximum payouts and the minimum bets.

*Allocate a budget for the day.  That budget will determine how much you are willing to lose or to win in the game. Stick to the limit.

*Do not gamble if you can not afford to lose.

*Try to find sites that offer No deposit poker bonus or offer free poker money

*Practice playing the game.  Familiarize yourself with the game first before you play for real money.

At the table, here are some warnings that you should always remember:

*If you do make a big win, do not be greedy, stop.  Making a big win and gambling it all over again is a big sign of greediness.

*In poker, overall winnings are what count most.  If you are losing, or have already lost your allotted money for the day, don’t try to win your losses back.  You won’t.  Stop.  Tomorrow is another day.

*Drinking alcohol is a big no no at poker time.  It can serious affect your judgment.  So stay away from it while on the game.

*Never take side bets.  Usually these are just gimmicks, so that more money will go to the casino.

*Never gamble your hard earned money unless you are very much ready to lose it.

While in the game, here are some important ideas to think about:

*Gaze at your opponent’s eye.  Survey all their moves.  Observe them, to better know them.  This way, you will fear them less.  This way, you will know when they are bluffing or not.

*Play in silence.  Have that conversation with your self as well as think deep to your opponents actions. Concentrate.

*Base your decisions on what the reality is.  See all movements as they are. Do not fear, instead, be calm and assess their moves accordingly.

*Don’t take it personally.  At the poker table, it is always unavoidable that your opponent can irritate you.  Never give in to such responses.  Stay within the good game.  Be cool and objective. This is a bluffing game.  But do keep in mind that just because your opponent has bluffed earlier, it does not mean that he does all the time.  Think tight.  Review each move.

*Think about what your opponents have.  Create a situation.  So when deciding, you’ll have a better chance to be right.

*Know when to stop.  Is the hand that you are raising now the hand you folded a while ago?  This is a sign that you should go home.

*Play to enjoy. Do not play if you are sad, bored or tired.  If you can’t play having enjoyment as your goal, then don’t play at all!



By: The Poker Guru

About the Author:

Introduction-

Nowadays, with the internet you can play your favorite online casino games anytime and anywhere. Majority of the people want to earn money and that is the very fact that they play at an online casino and on the other hand some play only to have a good time/fun. The success at online gambling entirely depends on gambling proficiency. You can now play for free at online casinos and brush up your moves and strategies but you cannot deny the fact that the gambling mainly depends on chance.

Useful Tips-

But keeping the following tips in mind you can increases your chances of winning and becoming a competitive gambler:

- You should set a limit for yourself that how much you want to play with. The majority of the online gambling is about applying effective money management. If you have a set limit for yourself then you will loose out less money. According to the pros of online gambling if you are little careful about your money management then there are major chances of winning. Most of the times it has been seen that the players act in a careless manner while making bets. You should manage the money in a way that you start using a set amount for a certain game. This way you can save a major amount of money and along with you get to play a wide variety of online casino games.

- It is always fruitful to be a little patient and watchful how the things are unfolding while playing. Make sure that you are aware that which player is having a terrible hand so that you can use it to your advantage by raising your bet. And if you have a good hand, then raise your bet and can increase your chances of winning.

- It is always better that you don’t direct approach the pros games, but on the contrary prefer playing at low skilled games. Though the winnings are not that big but it will definitely help you in making a competitive player for the future. Try dividing your skills in the low skill game and high skill games to get profitable results. When you are gambling at low skilled games the risk of losing out money is more as compared to high skilled level games. When you feel confident enough that you can perform at the high skilled games then only go ahead as your success entirely depends on this.

- It is very important as to realize when you should stop playing. There are players who despite of continuous losing keep on playing, which is not the right approach at all. It is entirely up to you when you want to back out, when you feel that you had enough for the day then better back-out. There is no fun in keep on playing and losing. When you keep on losing the casinos gets benefited as when you lose you will play with more money to register a win.

Conclusion-

With the above mentioned tips you can increase your winnings at online gambling. If you really want to be a good online gambler then make sure that you are alert and make planned moves while playing.



By: Casino

About the Author:

Golden Palace online casino is considered an icon in the industry. Established in 1997, the site comes with years of experience and a considerable reputation in the world of online gambling. Golden Palace has won countless awards, ranging from Best Sign Up Bonus to Best Slots by a number of industry organizations.

The site is truly global, offering its games and software in a number of languages.

Golden Palace is known for its whacky and sometimes controversial marketing ploys, such as the purchase of the truly bizarre Virgin Mary Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Britney Spears’ pregnancy test. However, the site also contributes regularly to charity and research worldwide.

Licensed by the Curacao Internet Gaming Association and powered by Playtech, Golden Palace has a network of solid partners to ensure its continuing reputation and success.

Software and Games

As can be expected from a Playtech-powered site, Golden Palace stops at nothing to provide its players with non-stop casino entertainment with a huge range of games. Players can choose from baccarat, blackjack, craps and roulette, as well as the software company’s superb variety of classic, video and progressive slots. Video poker fans won’t be disappointed with the range of variants at Golden Palace online casino. Also available is Sic Bo, Red Dog Poker and others.

Playtech software is graphically-superior, and has unique features that make playing at its partner sites a pleasure. The games can be tried for free or for real money and many of them are available in multi play or private group table mode.

Bonuses and Promotions

Golden Palace claims to offer some of the best bonuses in the industry, and this is clearly demonstrated through its incredible deposit welcome bonus for all new players who sign up to the site.

This online casino is also generous to its return players. It rewards loyal customers for referring their friends and offers weekly online surprise bonuses.

The site’s Crown Jewels VIP Program, according to the site, brings players the “biggest, best and most frequent bonus offers in the business.” Players are assigned a player level that is dependent on their gaming frequency and style, and move up the ladder of gems as they progress at the site.

Payment and Payouts

As a site that caters to an international clientele, it is not surprising that Golden Palace online casino accepts purchases in US and Hong Kong Dollars, UK Pounds, Euros, South African Rands and the Japanese Yen.

There are several mainstream deposit options available to fund one’s account, including credit cards, NETeller and money transfer. Withdrawals are made through the site’s casino software through a number of retrieval options, including NETeller, wire transfer and bank draft. Payouts are fast and professionally handled.

Security

Player security and privacy is a main consideration at Golden Palace online casino. The site’s software and Random Number Generator are audited and verified by the leading casino auditing company, BMM and its payout percentages are better than most land-based casinos.

Some of the best security meaures in the industry are present at this site, including encryption technology and others, guaranteeing players a safe and secure gambling environment.

Support

Golden Palace online casino offers live help twenty four hours assistance around the clock through a manned toll-free telephone support line, from a wide number of countries around the world. In addition, players can contact the site through a number of email channels.

Golden Palace’s easy-to-navigate site also presents a very comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions section that offers players answers to many of the most common queries in a clear, concise manner.

Golden Palace Casino

Over five million satisfied players have ‘walked through the doors’ at Golden Palace online casino since its inception over a decade ago. The site is well-known in the industry, not only through its sometimes zany marketing campaigns but also for its solid reputation, fast payouts, huge range of games and professional customer support section. With all these advantages, it is no wonder that Golden Place continues to garner awards wherever it goes and to attract more and more players with each passing year.

This information was accurate when it was written but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all information directly with the casino.



By: Casino Cash Journey Team

About the Author:

VIP Slots offers players a sleek, sophisticated online casino experience off a site that is easy to navigate and completely user-friendly. VIP Slots has a good industry reputation as it is part of the English Harbor group of gambling casinos and therefore ensures that players enjoy a gaming experience that is as safe as it is enjoyable.

VIP Slots is licensed in Antigua and Barbuda and is known to accept players from around the globe. Operated by the very reputable E.H Gaming Ventures, the site is powered by one of the most recognized software companies in the industry – Vegas Technology, formerly OddsOn, with many, many years of experience in the business.

Software and Games

The Vegas Technology portfolio of games presents players with over 100 options to choose from, and the games can be played for fun or real money in downloadable or instant variations. While the site’s name implies that this casino is all about slots and nothing else, this is far from the truth. VIP Slots offers players a wide range of non-slots entertainment, including card and table games such as blackjack, baccarat, roulette and craps, and video poker.

However, the slots section at VIP Slots is particularly noteworthy and the site boasts the “highest paying and most rewarding” slots online. Here, players will find classic three reeler games, video slots and very lucrative progressive jackpot games from over sixty games in the portfolio.

VIP Slots runs exciting tournaments, usually slots oriented, including massive free events!

Bonuses and Promotions

From its extremely generous three-tiered welcome bonus, to a wide range of regular bonuses and promotions, VIP Slots knows how to reward its players.  Daily and weekly bonuses are the norm at this site.

In addition, VIP Slot’s Players Club offers gamblers the opportunity to achieve greater rewards every time they play at the site, with super prizes and bonuses given to players as they advance up the levels of the club.

Payment and Payouts

VIP Slots aims to present players with the best and most secure banking system on the internet, and this is seen through the various safety mechanisms put in place, as well as the wide range of banking methods available. Players should therefore find a system that works for them, providing them with hassle-free options when funding and withdrawing from their online casino accounts.

From credit cards to ewallet solutions, most systems are represented on this site, for the ultimate in payment convenience.

Security

VIP Slots uses the most advanced security technology in the industry to protect its players’ financial transactions and data transmissions at all times. Using 128 bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption, VIP Slots ensures that players feel safe and protected at the site.

Its comprehensive privacy policy guarantees a commitment of respecting the player’s privacy on the site and promises not to share or sell any information that players trust the site with.

Support

VIP Slots believes the players should have information and assistance right at their fingertips. With that in mind, management has created one of the most user friendly sites around, starting with a very impressive FAQ section and ending with a multi channel customer support team.

To contact customer support, first and foremost, customers can try live chat for instant assistance around the clock. Other means of communication include a toll free phone numbers, email and fax. Needless to say, VIP Slots customer service is available 24/7, each day of the week.

VIP Slots Casino

VIP Slots Casino has managed to combine the convenience and comfort of online gaming with the realistic fun to be had playing at a real Vegas casino. While this site has a strong emphasis on slots action, it has not forgotten other entertaining casinos games and offers players an excellent choice of games in all spheres. A good industry reputation, wild tournaments with superb prizes and top notch customer service to ensure that players are never left feeling alone, means that VIP Slots is easily the number one choice for many online casino players.

This information was accurate when it was written but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all information directly with the casino.



By: Casino Cash Journey Team

About the Author:

Avid online poker players are always looking for ways to improve their game. If you are one of the many who enjoy online poker, you may be looking for online poker tips to help you win bigger and more often. There are various places to find information about how to play online poker, however weeding through all those places to find the best online poker tips can be tough. Here are a couple of great ideas to get you started playing better poker today with no hunting around for advice.

One of the best online poker tips is to learn everything you can about the game. See if your site offers tutorials or classes to help you learn the rules and some strategies for playing your favorite type of poker. Watch the game play of others at the tables you join and don’t be afraid to ask questions of other players about their betting and playing choices. Your poker comrades are one of the best sources of online poker tips you will come in contact with and most are willing to help.

Another one of the greatest online poker tips is to play with your head, not just the hand you are dealt. Realizing your own limitations during your game can help you prevent yourself from having great losses. If you aren’t feeling your best or if the game is beginning to frustrate you, take a break. You can always come back later and play again when you are more mentally rested. Remember to always gamble responsibly and if you feel you have an issue with gambling, ask for help.

These suggestions are pretty basic, but can improve your poker game and lead you to even more poker advice. Working hard to educate yourself and playing carefully will help you to develop the best poker game you can play.



By: Doyle Brunson

About the Author:

Years ago, I went through a period of time when I played poker regularly at a local cardroom. While there, I became aware of one particular guy who played at the same cardroom. They called him Lopez. Lopez was the only player who always seemed to win. Some days, I would grind out a small profit, but Lopez would really rake it in.

I noticed something about Lopez. Every time I looked at him, he was already looking at me. It was uncanny and a bit unnerving. Whenever I glanced his way, his eyeballs were staring back at me. At first, I didn’t think much of this, but after a while, I became intrigued. I made a study of Lopez. I wanted to know what made this guy a good poker player, what caused him to win so consistently. Then I figured it out. He was always looking outward.

The surest way to win at poker is: LOOK OUTWARD. This is always the case, whether you play online or in-person, high stakes or low stakes, hold’em or any other game. What I mean by looking outward is that you focus on the people and events around you. You attune your consciousness to that which is happening outside yourself. You set aside your own thoughts and feelings, and you aim your attention at the external world. Simply put, you quit thinking about yourself.

I have noticed a correlation. Invariably, those players who consistently win at poker are those who watch others like hawks. They are the players who are always looking around the table, studying everyone, paying attention to everything.

That does not describe the average poker player. Ninety-nine percent of people who play are always thinking about themselves. They are pondering their cards, their money, their position in the hand. They are thinking about their choices and their dilemmas. They have a thousand contemplations, and every one concerns themselves. How should I play these cards? What are my pot odds? Am I playing well? Am I likely to win at this table? What kind of cards am I getting? How did I lose that last hand? How can I play better? How is my money holding up? Should I cash out? Should I set a limit? How do I appear to the other players? These are the thoughts that fill the mind of the average poker player. It’s all me, me, me.

The average player thinks about things from his own perspective. He will base his decisions on the strength of his hand, his pot odds, his supply of chips, how much he has won or lost and the advice he read in that poker book last night. Again, it’s all me, me, me.

That is not a winning approach to the game. Even the most well-reasoned thinking along those lines is destined to fail. You may be thinking smartly and accurately, but if your thinking is directed inward, it is no good. If you are thinking only about yourself and your situation, you will come up short.

Forget about yourself. You do not exist. Focus on the other players in the game. Look around the table. Pay attention to everyone. Notice everything. Observe the behavior of every player at your table. Be aware of every action (and inaction) occurring at every moment. Even when you are not in a hand, watch anyway. Always. Constantly. Intently.

You do not need to consciously interpret what you are seeing. You do not need to figure out what any of it means. Just watch. Your subconscious mind will know how to interpret what you see. Even if you think this is not helping, do it anyway. You are going to be sitting there spending time, right? You may as well be paying attention. There will be plenty of time later to contemplate how you performed and what sort of player you are. For now, think only of the other players. Put yourself out there with them. Be them. Think their thoughts. Their thoughts matter; your thoughts do not. What they are thinking is valuable to you; what you are thinking is old news.

Don’t pore over your cards. Don’t study your chips. Don’t regurgitate all the poker advice you’ve gotten over the years. Get all that garbage out of your mind. Don’t play the cards; play the players!

Doing this does not require that you change your style of social interaction at the table. Be as talkative or as quiet as you like, but all the while, be paying attention. This is the surest way to win at poker.

You may need discipline to pay attention, but I assure you, if you make it a habit, it will pay off big. Gradually, your game will improve. In time, you will be playing better and pocketing more cash. What’s funny is, you may not even know why. You may not detect any difference in your playing style. Your success may be a mystery to you. That’s how looking outward works.

Very few people, it seems, will reveal this concept of looking outward. Occasionally, a poker book will suggest that you “observe other players at your table.” But that is not enough. I am telling you to lose yourself and devote your full consciousness to the other players. Give them your unwavering focus the entire time. Nothing less.

Jamie Gold won the main event at the 2006 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. And he didn’t just win the event, he destroyed his opponents all the way through the entire two-week ordeal. Seldom has any one player so dominated a poker tournament, as Jamie Gold did during the 2006 World Championship.

Immediately after his victory, he was asked how he did it. What was his secret? What was the biggest factor in his amazing performance? Here is his answer: “I’m playing against the other players, while they are trying to play their cards. I sit down at every table with the same strategy. I want to find out how they’re playing, and then I want to figure out how to beat them, whereas they’re just trying to figure out how to get the best cards and get their money in there. So, sooner or later, I seem to be able to trick them into giving me all their money.”

What do you hear in Jamie’s answer? I’ll tell you what I hear: He was looking outward! He was paying attention to the other players, while they were thinking about themselves. Simple. Yet nothing could be more powerful than this strategy. Jamie did a lot of talking during the tournament. Everyone remarked how much he interacted with other players at the table. But all the while he was talking, he was intently watching. Talking was his style; looking outward was his strategy.

I realize this advice runs counter to conventional wisdom. Popular books and seminars preach that the way to improve your life is to get in touch with your inner self. They say you should discover who you are and then work on your deep problems. That’s fine. Inner work has its place. But it is no good at all when you are seated at a poker table. There is a place for resolving inner conflicts, but a poker game is not it. Inner reflection is exactly the wrong thing to be doing while playing poker. You should be doing the opposite. You should be looking outward.

Self-improvement workshops teach you to look inward, claiming that self-reflection leads to peace of mind. That may be true, but you should practice your self-improvement techniques during downtime, not when you are facing adversaries at a poker table. Competition is the wrong time to focus on yourself. Competition is the time to acquire knowledge of your opponents, and the way to do that is to look outside yourself. These days, with everyone preaching the value of looking inward, I want to offer a little balance. Allow me to strike a bell for the wisdom of looking outward.

Lopez understood an important fact as he sat in that cardroom with me years ago. He realized that the secret to his success lay in his ability to tap into others. Lopez was a wise man. By the way, I later learned that Lopez moved to Los Angeles and made enough money playing poker to send his son to Stanford.

Always pay keen and constant attention to others. Look outward. I realize that thinking about yourself is more habitual. It is the easy thing, the typical thing everyone does. Thinking about others is rare among people. But so is success. You might find it hard to aim for success, but as Tom Hanks said in the movie A League of Their Own: “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.”



By: Timmor L. White

About the Author: