During this time of global crisis, casinos are really suffering, especially the United States, where the economy is in its worst state since the Great Depression. The casinos of Las Vegas are plucking, gambling has dropped from 17% in July – a decline that continues. Given the precarious state of the economy, people travel less and so there are fewer tourists in Las Vegas. Especially since people are more frugal with their money.

By contrast, recent online casinos saw an increase in the number of players for the first time. PokerSiteScout said there was an overall increase in the number of players playing with their money at online casinos than 2% last week. Although this is a small sample, any increase is encouraging given the state of the market.

A technique used by online casinos to attract players is increasing the number of promotions and bonuses. Virtual casino players already costs less than visiting a real casino because the costs of transport, catering and accommodation are avoided. Online casinos also offer rewards in the form of tournaments and free bonus cash. Especially, these casinos increase their repertoire of games to attract customers who want to try something new.

In this economic climate, anyone who wants to remain competitive will put the package. Attracting new customers while retaining existing customers is harder than ever because of the global crisis and, in particular, because the U.S. economy continues to lose jobs and enter homes while the national debt skyrockets. A recent study by the Fed (Federal Reserve of USA) considers that employment will never find a satisfactory condition after a decade. If online casinos are to continue to do business with their American customers, they must reward with incentive programs.

Even Las Vegas notes – many hotels cutting their prices and offer customers their own bonuses.

New poker players have been included in the list of nominees for the Poker Hall of Fame. Candidates will be voted on by 15 members of the Poker Hall of Fame and 15 members of the media. The players will receive at least 75% of the votes will be included in the Hall of Fame poker world.

The ceremony will be held November 7 at the Rio Casino in Las Vegas during the dinner break of the final table of Main Event World Series of Poker 2009.

To be nominated for the Poker Hall of Fame, a person must participate in the most prestigious international competitions poker, betting large sums of money to remain on the global poker scene, having positive results and contribute to overall development and success of the game in the world.

In total, 37 players have been nominated for the Poker Hall of Fame since its inception in 1979. Therefore, one or two players are included each year. The nominees this year are Dan Harrington, Barry Greenstein, Phil Ivey, Tom McEvoy, Men “The Master” Nguyen, Scotty Nguyen, Daniel Negreanu, Erik Seidel and Mike Sexton.

They are all active players at the WSOP and WPT. Three of them are champions of the WSOP Main Event: McEvoy in 1983, Herrington in 1995 and Scotty Nguyen in 1998. Phil Ivey is one of 9 finalists in the WSOP Main Event this year and we consider it the best chance of winning.

Barry Greenstein, Scotty Nguyen, Tom McEvoy, Phil Ivey and Daniel Negreanu are on the list of 40 best poker players in the world.

 
 
Superstitions are rather irritating beliefs that certain objects or rituals even a certain circumstances can negatively or positively have an influence on the overall outcome of a event or hand or spin. One phenomenal things has to be that even-though they are often absurd and have a wide range from Absurd to actually moderately reasonable in respect. Many people all over the world still believe in gambling superstitions.
 

Superstition & Gambling – what is the connection.


Superstitions as well as gambling have always had a close relationship even since the ancient times. Both – gambling and superstitions – have always remained and even become stronger over many many years.

One example, if you have ever visited the world famous Las Vegas, almost every hotel you enter does not have a 13th floor? And this is because the bad superstitions reputation the number 13 has. With that not a lot of thought is every put inot what you really need to avoid when gaming.

Another Example is when you play slots, most slot machines payouts are based on hitting that ever luck winning combination of three 7’s. It might sound like a coincidence but the reality is that most religions and many many cultures associate the number “7” with good fortune, prosperity and wealth –  So you have to say it does make you think.

We are all rational and we know gambling is and will always be based together with chance and probability. Over years many in-depth psychological studies can and have showed that the gambler is more prone to being superstitious than someone who does not gamble.


Take a gambler for example, most have great slot tips and trick, and blackjack players usualy have a sound Blackjack Strategy but this still wont guarantee them winning forumulas.


Everyone has heard the term “beginners Luck”, even if you have only gambled once or twice you must understand that the term “beginners luck” is a superstition that someone new to a game has increased luck or better odds of winning. So if you have ever used the term “beginners luck” you as a gambler will also be prone to become superstitious.


Some good luck charms out there – The rabbit’s foot, a four leaf clover, Blowing the dice before rolling, Stacking your chips in neat piles and a horseshoe to name but a few.


Some bad luck charms out there – dropping a card on the floor, lending money to people during your game, breaking a mirror, black cats are all to name but a few.


At the end of the day, game with your head and not your heart but most of all remember to have fun!