What’s It Really Like To Be A Pro Poker Player?

Katrina Jett, Jesse Sylvia and Jason Somerville
Katrina Jett, Jesse Sylvia and Jason Somerville

By nature, professional poker players are tight-lipped – even those found at casinos online sites. However, recently Katrina Jett, Jesse Sylvia and Jason Somerville agreed to reveal what life is really like as a professional. This conversation happened at the 15th International Gambling & Risk Taking Conference at Caesars Palace. The three professionals all have very different backgrounds, but bonded over a lifestyle that few people will ever know.

Jett lives in Las Vegas and has been to the WSOP final table four times, however when she’s not working on her skills, she’s working in her garden. She’s married to another pro star, Chip Jett, and it’s clear that Vegas is her home. Sylvia recently won $5.3 million at Martha’s Vineyard, and Somerville gained attention for being the first poker player who’s openly gay.

The Beginning

Jett comes from a family of poker players, although she’s the first professional. It’s allowed her to travel the world, but she and her husband have kept poker out of their children’s lives. Instead, the big focus is on education. Jett has been on the circuit since 1977.

On the other hand, Sylvia has only been pro for five years and started playing to put himself through college. He shares Jett’s love of travel. Somerville began playing when he was 16 with friends, then moved onto online casinos that offered not only poker, but some of the best online slots as well. By the time he was 17, he’d won $100,000.

The Transition

Jett has moved into real estate, too, and considers it a kind of gambling, and Sylvia is following suit. The thrill of the risk is the same, and playing with numbers is what realtors do. However, Somerville is looking for something else to balance out his life. He likes making videos and short stories, but he’s constantly on the lookout for the next fun thing to catch his eye. After playing games for a living for 10 years, he feels it’s time to expand.

Jett reports struggling to keep up with changes, such as the no-limit poker that wasn’t around when she started. She cites a lot of research to keep her game fresh. However, Sylvia says poker isn’t a job, it’s a lifestyle. Without obsession, Sylvia says even the best will fail. Somerville agrees that studying is a must to play well, and review sessions are a requirement.

The Game-Life Balance

Unlike Jett, Somerville made a conscious decision to live in New York where casinos aren’t readily available. He steers clear of poker players and enjoys spending time with old friends. However, he does indulge in online gaming at times. Sylvia simply accepts that poker is part of who he is, sometimes for the good and bad.

However, Jett is adamant that poker is a part of her, but doesn’t define her. She’s focused on her family, but admits it’s a daily struggle to strike that balance.

London’s Global Gaming Awards Winners for 2021

Global Gaming Awards

The winners of London’s Global Gaming Awards for 2021 have been revealed. It was a lengthy voting process that included votes from Online Casinos in Switzerland and around the world. Online votes came from leading CEOs and executives across the industry and got adjudicated by KPMG.

Top Winners

The big winners included bet365, Evolution, LeoVegas, Red Tiger Gaming, NetEnt, IGT and Kambi. bet365 clinched the Online Sports Betting Operator Award, and their partners won the Affiliate Program Award. Kambi scooped the Online Sports Betting Supplier and Retail Supplier Awards. NetEnt, who needs no introduction, won the GGA London 2021 Online Casino Supplier Award and Evolution owned brands walked away with three prestigious awards.

Divine Fortune from NetEnt scooped the Product Launch Award, and no surprise here, Red Tiger Gaming won the Casino Product award for their spectacular online slot Gonzo’s Quest Megaways. It’s the second time Red Tiger Gaming have won this award.

LeoVegas defended their title with this Swedish based group walking away winners of the Online Casino category for the fourth time in a row. IGT finally made it to the winner’s podium after numerous misses over the years by clinching success in the Casino Supplier Category.

In the payment solution category, Trustly took the top spot with industry titans Paddy Power winning the Betting Shop Operator Award and last, but not least, the Kindred Group won the award for Social Responsibility.

It’s important to note the nominations alone constitute a significant achievement, and let’s take a look at some of the nominees in the various categories:

Online Sports Betting Categories:

  • bet365
  • Betsson
  • Parimatch

Online Casino

  • Leo Vegas
  • Mr Green
  • 888casino

Online Casino Suppliers

  • Evolution
  • Yggdrasil Gaming
  • Pragmatic Play

Casino Product

  • Red Tiger Gaming- Gonzo’s Quest Megaways
  • Playtech- Adventures Beyond Wonderland
  • BetGames. TV – War of Bets

Product Launch

  • NetEnt – Divine Fortune
  • Microgaming- WowPot
  • Green Tube- From Dusk Till Dawn 10

The above are a few of the winning categories, and we extend our congratulations to all the nominees and winners of the GGA London 2021

The Most Popular Online Arcade Games

arcade games

As a result of technological advancements, people’s working, playing, and living habits have been altered. Gameplay is becoming increasingly popular as more people choose to engage in online gaming activities. Different online games transcend all boundaries, including social games such as “Farmville” and single-player games such as Solitaire. Games such as “World of Warcraft” and similar titles create a new world in which players are actively involved on a mental, emotional and even emotional level. Arcade games are quickly becoming a popular pastime for many gamers looking to pass the time and are full of entertainment. The following are some of the most popular online arcade games:

Shooting video games are becoming increasingly popular.

The shooting ones are recommended because they help to improve reflexes and reaction time. These games will necessitate quick reflexes on the part of the player to hit targets, stay alive, and achieve higher scores due to accuracy. Because of this, the aid of the game in the development of reflexivity and mouse accuracy in the player’s movements. Gamer response times become more rapid as they accumulate more time in front of the camera.

Fighting video games are becoming increasingly popular.

It is also recommended that players play fighting games because of the benefits that they provide to them. Gamers are allowed to learn more. The special attacks and memorizing combination moves are designed to assist the player in improving their memory. In their efforts to defeat various types of enemies and develop into strategic fighters, the player’s logic becomes more refined.

Video games with puzzles are becoming increasingly popular.

Puzzles are intended to challenge the player’s ability to think critically to progress to the next level and complete the game. It is recommended that you play these games because they will help you develop your logical reasoning skills as a gamer. In addition, the aid of the game in the development of critical thinking skills. Those who participate in puzzles become more logical and alert than those who do not participate in puzzles under normal circumstances.

Action-oriented video games

These games are great for keeping the adrenaline flowing. Gamers can become more alert while playing games as a result of this technique. The online gamer can battle evil aliens, and those who maintain their composure are more likely to learn stress management techniques.

Video games involving racing are becoming increasingly popular.

If you enjoy racing games, you should take a look at some of the car games available. When it comes to driving physics, racing games can provide a plethora of information for drivers. This helps young drivers, in particular, to develop the skills necessary to be successful drivers. Some of them allow aspiring drivers to get a “feel” for driving a car, including the braking systems and drifting, before allowing them to get behind the wheel of an actual vehicle.

If you want to connect with other video game enthusiasts, you could take a variety of approaches. First and foremost, you can find video game or arcade game forums on the internet where other video game enthusiasts can congregate and discuss video games with one another. You’ll discover that this is a fantastic strategy for meeting new people while playing arcade video games. You could also connect with these individuals through social media platforms.

Stake Casino & Sports Betting

stake logoStake Casino and Sportsbook is a fully licensed crypto-based, and offer not only a comprehensive sportsbook with a multitude of betting lines at great odds, but a full featured online casino with over 2000 high quality games from numerous providers to choose from.

They might not offer a welcome bonus as such, but the numerous ongoing bonuses and promotions make up for it. From free spins to slot provider specific promotions, and a Stake Community where players get treated to various rewards. On the sportsbook side there are a lot of bonuses that will keep punters wanting more.

Casino players and sportsbook punters can deposit using various crypto currencies like BitCoin, Bitcoin Cash, DogeCoin, LiteCoin, Ripple, Ethereum and even Tron. Deposits are processed instantaneously allowing players a non-interrupted gameplay experience. Although they don’t accept “standard” currencies like Dollar or Euros, converting these to crypto is easily done. And with them only accepting crypto, withdrawals are also close to instant.

Players with access to just a mobile device aren’t left out either – Stake is available in both desktop and mobile versions. Navigating the sportsbook or casino is just as easy on a mobile device as it is on a desktop. Players can also choose from various languages such as English, Dutch, Spanish, French, Chinese and many more. Everything is laid out quite well on the site, and finding that specific slot or sporting event is quite easy and intuitive.

So if you are looking for literally thousands of casino games, or some great odds from a sports book, then Stake Casino and Sportsbook is THE place you’re looking for!

What is Rummy?

Rummy is the worlds’ third most popular game, combining the element of skill with the luck of the draw.

What is RummyRummy was invented over 200 years ago and has since gone through many evolutions allowing for the wide variety of games of which each is a variation of the original game.

All Rummy games have similar formats, played by 2-4 players and consist of picking up cards from the stock pile or the discard pile to create sets or runs of 3 or more cards. The first player to meld all of their cards (except for the last discard card) in this format is the winner.

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Rummy Games – Basic Rules

Rummy is a name that is given to a group of games of the same nature. There are many games that are based on a specific game play. The games are designed for 2-4 players and the main objective of the games is to dispose of all of the cards in your hand before your opponent. You rid your hand of cards by forming sets (3-4 cards of the same ranking) or runs (3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit). The game consists of two basic moves each turn; drawing a card from the stock or discard pile and discarding an un-needed card from your hand. When a player has formed sets and runs with all of the cards in their hands (except for one discard card) the game ends.

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The History of Rummy

We all owe a great debt of gratitude to the 17th century Chinese people for coming up with the idea of Rummy. Over the past 200 years there have been numerous card games played though few have become as popular as Rummy!

Unfortunately, the details about the invention of Rummy are blurry and there is an ongoing debate as to whether or not the game of Mahjong was the proto-type for Rummy. The most popular theory is that a Gin enthusiast from New York thought up the game in the 19th century (Gin Rummy). No matter what theory you believe in, we are all lucky that this exciting and challenging game has become so popular throughout the world!

How to Play Premium American Roulette

This is a newer version of the old classic- American Roulette but with a twist. It has amazing features such as a pre-definable timer and a double betting table coverage that guarantees stronger performance along with a real spinner and new professional dealer voices.

Premium American Roulette

It makes absolutely no difference whether you are playing online roulette or roulette at a land-based casino in Las Vegas or at Sun City in South Africa, the rules are the same.

American Roulette differs from European Roulette in that it has 38 numbers instead of the 37 in European Roulette. The object of the game is to place a bet on a number, combination of numbers, colour or situation that you predict the ball will land on.

There are a total of 38 numbers in the American Roulette board; 00 through to 36. Winners are paid after the wheel is spun and the ball drops into a slot. The roulette board has three columns with 12 numbers in each column with the 0 and 00 at the head of the columns. Players can place as many bets as they like in different combinations within the table as well as outside the grid.

There are a number of winning combinations to bet in Premium American Roulette. Each bet covers a different set of numbers and has a different pay out value. The Straight Up bet is the most basic of the lot where players can bet on any number including 0 and 00 by simply placing their chips in the middle of a number.

Premium American Roulette is very popular at newzealandcasinos, both online and offline.

Pumpkin Smash Slot By Yggdrasil

pumpkin smash yggdrasil slotPumpkin Smash is a five reels and 20 paylines Video Slot powered by Yggdrasil. It’s a slot inspired by the Day of the Dead in the spirit of the Mexican Mariachi.

It can be found at some of the best high roller casinos USA where it is very popular.

Pumpkin Smash is set in a town with an almost Mexican feel to it with retro arcade looking graphics but don’t be fooled by the cartoonish take on this slot as it has the power to payout jackpots as big as $25700.

There are also wins for 5 of a kind in the base game giving you wins of over 20x your bet. Two Pumpkin Scatter Symbols trigger a click me bonus and players get to smash some pumpkins to reveal their prizes which could be Free Spins, coin wins or Multipliers, now that’s smashing!

Play Pumpkin Smash at some of the best online casinos and take a swing at some big wins.

Betting Range

Load up with bets ranging from $0.10 to a $100 and win jackpots as big as $27500 in Pumpkin Smash, a slot game of medium volatility and an RTP of 96.20%

Trick or Treating Symbols

In Pumpkin Smash the smaller wins happen when there is a combination of the four playing card suits which are often generic symbols in Yggdrasil’s games.

Larger payouts are attached to a variety of Pumpkin Skulls, of which there are four as well as graveyard symbols

Wild Symbol in Pumpkin Smash

The Wild is a Wild Badge with skulls on it. It stands in for other symbols and assists in completing a payline.

Pumpkin Smash Scatter Symbol

The Bonus symbol is a Halloween style pumpkin, and players need to land at least two of these symbols to trigger the Bonus Feature

Pumpkin Smash Bonus Game

In Pumpkin Smash if a minimum of 2 appear on the reels, they get smashed to reveal prizes, and that’s how the slot got its name, Pumpkin Smash.

The Pumpkin conceals the prizes until it is smashed. Once smashed it reveals prizes which include up to 32 Free Spins and multipliers of up to 7x. Furthermore, there is also or instant wins of 2000 coins up for grabs.

If another Pumpkin lands during the Bonus Feature, then the process starts again. You will then receive another 16 Free Spins, Multiplier and a prize up to 17500 coins.

Conclusion:

Pumpkin Smash is a slot with loads of Halloween fun, it’s a refreshing and light-hearted game with generous wins and frequent hitting features. The game is also mobile-optimized allowing you to play anywhere, any time.

Casino Banking Making Deposits and Withdrawals

Casino Banking Making Deposits and Withdrawals

Most online casino fundi’s know that each casino offers a different variation of deposit and withdrawal methods and they are generally relevant to the players from unrestricted countries. They also offer to add a reward to your first deposit in the form of a match bonus, so be aware of this before you make your first deposit.

The overview below is relevant to Desktop Casinos, Mobile Casinos and Instant Play Casinos.

Overview on the Deposit and Withdrawal Methods:

When playing at a choice online casino, you will see they all have minimum deposit amounts and the general consensus is in the region of $20 and is immediately added to your casino account upon receipt thereof and normally no fees are charged for deposits.

When withdrawing there are fewer methods available than when making a deposit, like a player can deposit using MasterCard however withdrawals are not allowed using the same method. When you are ready to cash out its imperative to remember it will not be instant as most casinos have what they call a pending period and this is usually a 2 day period before your request is processed meaning your winnings could take between 3-7 business days to reflect in your account depending on your selected withdrawal option.

Once again a minimum withdrawal limit is set and it is generally speaking $20, maximum withdrawal limits are also set per day, per week and per month and some online casinos make exceptions for their VIP clients.

The bottom line is look for withdrawal and deposit methods that are safe secure and reliable and they are available in your country. Then research one with low tariffs and high speed when transferring money because no gambler likes to wait days for their cashouts.

Las Vegas USA – A 20 Year Favourite

Las Vegas USA the Star-Spangled Casino which was started in 1999 making it close 20 years old, a nice run for an online casino.

Upon first glance you may find the initial appearance of the site to be rather cliché with the traditional US colors and the flag flying high in the background, but don’t be fooled as appearances can be deceiving. This Vegas themed casino uses RTG software which is extremely popular amongst players from the USA, although conventional their games can be viewed in full screen at high resolution which makes for enjoyable play.

They also offer their players free slots software and an additional 150% bonus up to $3000 added to your first deposit which is phenomenal when comparing it to other casino’s welcome offers, furthermore they have two other options to choose from ensuring they cater for all their players preferences. But remember to use the Welcome offer bonus code: IDBLASVEGAS

Moving onto support, here a big shout out to their team, they are well trained, professional and the window to the World at Las Vegas USA Casino, e-mails are attended to within 24 hrs., actually sooner and their live chat facility is manned by some of the best in the industry. Their promotions calendar keeps their players in the loop of some of the starriest of weekly and monthly promotions and to add to your benefits you as an existing player is rewarded monetarily just for referring a friend.

A huge plus is that players from the United States, Canada AND South Africa which is another feather in their starry cap, their limits for payouts are based on “Player Class” so the more you play the higher up their ladder you climb and the bigger the payout limits are.

Their TRUMP card is that they accept Bitcoin and in this ever-changing market they are amongst the few online casinos that are keeping up with the trends of cryptocurrency demands. Some many offerings and choices at Las Vegas USA Casino, almost like choosing between Red, White and Blue what are the odds?

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A United State of Games

Las Vegas USA Online Casino

Slots and Slots of Vegas:

RTG platform is their substantial Slot trademark as they tend to remain amongst the most popular games on the internet and this is due to their strong gameplay and conventional video slots look and feel.

A few of their more popular titles include: Aztecs Millions, Shopping Spree, Achilles, Aladdin’s Wishes. Aztecs Treasure Big Shot, Caesars Empire, Cleopatra’s Gold, Crazy Vegas, Crystal Waters, The Three Stooges Goldbeard, Green Light, London Inspector, Hillbillies and may more...

Table Games the Vegas Way:

Here Las Vegas Casino USA surpasses their competitors due to their attention to their medley of table games, they offer an abundance of Blackjack variations in terms of games and side bets.

Some of their best table games are: Baccarat, Blackjack Perfect Pairs, Blackjack, Caribbean Draw Poker, Caribbean Hold’em, Caribbean Stud Poker, European Blackjack Face Up 21, Let’em Ride, Match Play 21, Pai Gow Poker, Pontoon. Red Dog, Super 21, Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker, Tri Car Poker, War and Vegas Three Card Rummy, Craps Roulette & European Roulette.

Video Poker Vegas all the Way:

The Poker aficionado will not be left feeling disappointed with what lies in wait for him, old favorites as well as unique options are here for the playing and many of the games are included in both single and multi-hand versions.

Vegas her we come, some of games to choose from: 7 Studpoker, Aces & Eights, All American Poker, Bonus Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild, Double Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus Jackpot Poker, European Slot Poker, Jacks or Better, Joker Poker, Loose Deuces, Mystery Bonus Poker & Seven Wild

Bigger, Better US Progressive Jackpots:

Many of the Progressive Jackpots slots allow players to compete only against other players on their site opening a window of opportunity for the big win.

Some of the more popular Progressive Jackpot Slots are: Aztec’s Millions, Caribbean Draw Poker, Caribbean Hold’em, Caribbean Stud Poker, Cleopatra’s Gold, Jackpot Piñatas, Let ‘em Ride, Spirit of Inca & Megasaur

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The US of all Slots and Casino Games:

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Las Vegas USA Casino is powered by Real Time Gaming Software and is available in Instant Play and download and compatible with iPhone, Android and other mobile devices. At Las Vegas USA an atmosphere synonymous with Vegas is imminent with their flashing slots which can be viewed in high resolution and full screen encapsulating their players sense of being in a brick and mortar casino environment.

There is no shortage of Classic Slots however there is wider variety of Video Poker Slots which can be played in single or multi hand variants, and as we know choices are every players poison.

Their Progressive Jackpot slots are well worth spinning as they have some substantial jackpots ranging in value from a few hundred up to a million dollars which by playing enhances your chance of reeling in some nice moolah. Las Vegas USA Casino stand out in the crowd in this area that being there table games, offering a nice variation of Blackjack and non- Blackjack games as well as Blackjack and Roulette variants as well as Baccarat, Red Dog, Craps and Sic Bo.

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The Impressive State of Casino Address:

This star spangled online casino was established in 1999 and licensed under the laws and jurisdiction of Panama and have teamed up with RTG a gaming software provider well known to Americans.

Unlike other Casinos, Las Vegas USA have three Welcome bonus offers catering for players game preferences and gaming strengths whilst being rewarded for becoming part of their online family.

Their client support staff are well-trained and knowledgeable and are available on live chat 24/7, alternatively they have an e- mail option or clients can refer to their detailed FAQ page for ease of reference.

The security of their players private and financial information is protected by 128k bit SSL encryption technology and all data maintained with the latest firewall technology available. At Las Vegas USA Casino all their games are audited by CDS and as they deem transparency to be paramount, players can at any time request a report on their individual transaction history should the need arise.

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Las Vegas USA Quick Facts

  • Website: https://www.lasvegasusa.eu/
  • Holding Company: Main Street Vegas Group Casinos
  • Gaming License(s): Panama
  • Year of Operation: 1999
  • Casino Platforms: Download & Instant Play
  • Gaming Software Provider: Real Time Gaming
  • Language(s): English
  • Accepted Currencies: US Dollars.
  • Virtual Currencies: Bitcoin
  • Accepted Deposit Methods: Visa, MST Gift Cards, Neteller, Money Order
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The 4 Biggest Casino Table Game Wins

The 4 biggest casino table game wins

Winning big at the casino table is a pretty major dream for many players; especially under the lights and sounds of gambling havens such as Monte Carlo and Las Vegas. Although many of us have had those moments where Lady Luck is on our side, some people seem to have it a little better.

With Hollywood blockbusters like Rain Man, 21 and of course the James Bond series showing us what it’s like to win serious cash at the tables, you can do the same at Paddy Power games online. Head on over and see if you can land your name on this list, after we take a look here at some of the real-life winners who’ve won eye-watering amounts of cash in the casino.

1. Archie Karas

The story of Archie Karas takes the rags to riches dream and amplifies it tenfold. Having lost a crushing $2 million dollars in his last poker game, Karas headed to Las Vegas with a mere $50 to his name. After bumping into a very kind and generous friend who fronted him $10,000, he managed to pay his loan back within three hours, along with a rather generous $5,000 on top to say thank you. And then, after that, he simply kept winning, straight, for three long years, until he’d amassed a fortune of $40,000,000. If that’s not a reason to keep going, we don’t know what is!

2. Don Johnson

Don Johnson is a real world legend in the gambling industry, at least for the fans. After the global financial crisis in 2008, casinos were desperate for big money players to get back into the game to boost their finances and so began relaxing the rules. Johnson requested changes, such as dealers being forced to stay on soft 17, and a 20% rebate where the casino would refund 20% of his losses if he lost more than $500,000 in a day. His successes amounted to almost $15.1 million, putting the casinos at a serious disadvantage. Although he’s not banned from any of his former haunts, they have pulled their flexible rules and he’s not exactly been welcomed back with open arms.

3. Sean Connery

No, this isn’t a James Bond story. A year after Bond debuted on the silver screen in Dr. No, the actor Sean Connery was in a casino in the Alps of Italy, when, in a game of roulette, he bet on the number 17. The first spin of the wheel let him down, as did the second. However the third spin netted him a win, as did the fourth and despite the odds of 50,000 to 1, so did the fifth. Connery’s winnings amounted to (only) £10,000, bear in mind though this was in 1963, and in today’s terms that’s worth around £165,000. Pretty good going for a few minutes work.

4. Antonio Esfandiari

Once holding the title for the richest man in poker, Iranian star and magician Antonio Esfandiari won the highest ever payout in a single event, an earth shatteringly obscene $18,000,000 at the Big One for One Drop in 2012, a no-limit hold 'em event hosted at the World Series of Poker. This put his lifetime poker earnings at a staggering $42,979,591, which kept him at number one until superstar player Daniel Negreanu took his spot at the top.

So there you have it, four of the most outstanding results in table history. Let us know who you think we should’ve added!