ONLINE CASINOS CANADA

It all began in 19th century New York when Sittman and Pitt invented a gambling drum made up of a lever and 50 card faces, with payouts based on poker hands. Players would pay one nickel for a tug at the lever to spin the drum. If a winning hand appeared, the player would be paid out in the form of drinks and food. Not surprisingly, the idea took off but only a restricted amount.

Later in that century, car mechanic Charles Fey of San Francisco created a five cent game with three spinning reels and five symbols: the Liberty Bell. This paid cash prizes and the icons used were diamonds, spades, hearts, horseshoes, and the jackpot Liberty Bell (hence the name) that paid out at 50 cents. Over time, the game grew in popularity across the U.S. and then on a global scale. The original Liberty Bell symbols were replaced with fruit designs, and in some parts of the world the machine became known as a ‘fruit machine’.

In the 1960s Slots took a whole new turn as electromagnetic designs came into play. The side lever became redundant and computerised games with buttons became the norm. By the 1970s, the Fortune Coin Company designed a Slot that was so attractive to players, these games took over a major portion of any casino floor.

Games with interactive bonus rounds only appeared as late as 1996, but since Slots moved online, an incredible amount of special features, bonus games and massive jackpots have become possible. As progress has increasingly improved the game and Internet-based casinos have enabled easier access, slots now rank as the number one casino game in the world.

Online Slots comes under two categories – Slots and Video Slots – and although the basic premise is the same, there is a slight difference between the two in terms of set up and style.

Slots: this is the name given to games that are made up of icons on reels (usually five). The reels are spun at a player’s command and the result of the spin determines the payout with winning combinations landing in simple horizontal, vertical and diagonal patterns. Slang terms for Slots include pokies, one armed bandits and fruit machines, even though the side lever has long since disappeared and icons can be of any design and description.

Video slots: these games are exactly the same as traditional Slots, but with a more hi-tech flavour. Instead of spinning reels they boast animated graphical representations and are generally more interactive than regular online Slots with more bonus levels and features. Following similar games rules, Video Slots typically have more paylines to activate and winning formations include crosses, zigzags and V’s.

Whether you decide to play Online Slots or Video Slots, the overall idea and format is the same. You set your coin level using the + and – or arrow buttons, activate the number of paylines you wish to play (remember, one coin per payline) and hit Spin. Watch the game play out – whether it’s spinning reels, cascading reels or spinning icons – and wait to see what lands on your activated paylines. Our software highlights any winnings and your payouts are automatically added to your bankroll.

Remember: you can also earn other bonuses as you play, and some features – such as scatters – will give you rewards outside of activated lines. These kinds of extras come in the form of bonus rounds, free spins, accumulators and instant cash prizes – so make sure you know your rules and what to look for to get the most out of your time at the reels.

When you talk about odds and Slots, you have to take a look at technology and progress. Historically, slot machines used revolving mechanical reels and three reels were the norm; this meant fewer opportunities to win and much lower odds of winning than you enjoy today. When five reels came into play, the odds of winning went up, but the physical machines could be manipulated in many ways and so players didn’t always receive a fair game. Payouts were small and payout timings could be guessed, so players that knew the system could take advantage. Slots were also unregulated, so casinos could set their house edge at any level that suited them.

Thanks to technology, players no longer have to suffer these problems. Casinos now offer standard payouts and the invention of the Random Number Generator means that you now receive the safest, securest game possible. The microprocessors involved mean that numbers can never be predicted or manipulated. There is no longer any need to avoid games that have just paid out a jackpot; you have fair odds of hitting a jackpot or winning combination every time you play.

In addition, multi-line slots mean you have even more chances to win. The wide range of extra features now available increases your chances of winning even further, and skill based mini games give you more control over your game. All in all, this adds up to the best possible odds of winning when you play Slots online.

Whether you’re paying traditional Slots online or Video Slots, there is some basic strategy available that you can use to help inform your game and avoid basic mistakes. Here are some basics to get you started…

• Bet Max on a Progressive: if you do not want to Bet Max and be part of the progressive, then play a different machine. Progressives are linked machines, designed to give you access to potentially huge payouts. For fairness, you have to activate all other possible lines before you can opt into the progressive side bet. If you are on a budget, look for a progressive slot with fewer paylines.
• Play the highest denomination you can: this strategic advice suggests that you benefit from playing at the highest denomination you can manage because the higher the denomination, the bigger the payouts. For instance, penny machines pay out smaller prizes than nickel slots. Keeping the denomination high doesn’t mean betting out of your league; you also need to keep the number of spins high to be in with more chances of win. So match your game to your bankroll and stay within your limits.
• Session playing: Slots strategy is all about money management as online slots are fast-paced games that complete quickly – which means you can spend quicker than expected. Good money management means choosing the right slot type with the right number of paylines for your pocket, setting your coin to a manageable level and having a plan for your winnings. Most strategies suggest that you start by figuring out your total spend, then splitting that into four playing sessions. So, if you want to spend $20, split that into four sessions of $5 and search for a table with low coin limits that offer a high number of spins for your self-imposed limits.

When you play Slots at Sts-canada.ca Canada, you need to understand the functionality and games buttons to get the most from your game. You can familiarise yourself with how it all works in Practice Mode, but to get straight to the action, use our guide below to help you navigate as you play.

• Auto Start/ Auto Play: use these buttons to automatically play the Slot game of your choice for you – simply set the coin level and the number of games you wish to play and watch. You can cancel at any point by hitting Stop.
• Bet Max: this allows you to activate all possible bets and spin the reels in one move. Set your coin level – remember, the coin level is per activated bet, so if you activate 25 lines the bet cost will be 25x your coin level.
• Bet One: This enables you to bet on one payline – each time you click it will move across the various options. When your preferred payline choice is highlighted, hit Spin.
• Bet Per Line: used to help you set your wager when using Auto Play and Auto Spin features.
• Collect: This button will appear when you hit a winning combination. Click to collect your winnings to your bankroll.
• Gamble: this feature allows you to stake your winnings on a bonus game to try and double your money. If you lose, you lose the original winnings from that round.
• Spin: this button will set the reels in motion.
• Stop: you can use this button to stop the reels from spinning at a time that suits you. The wheels will stop automatically but if you use this option, you enjoy increased interaction and have more control over your game.

These descriptions and terms will assist you while you play our Slots games. Use them as a reference point to help you to understand the game rules, bets and any special features as you play.

• Animation: animations add an element of fun to your game, creating atmosphere or enriching a bonus game. These are state of the art and designed to enhance your online casino experience.
• Bet Max: this button ensures the maximum number of lines and any progressive side bet are activated.
• Bonus Game: an additional game that you can trigger that offers extra rewards including free spins and accumulators.
• Coin Level: the amount you want to bet per activated payline.
• Extra Wild: this refers to a second additional Wild, giving you even more chances to win.
• Expanding Wild: the Wild symbol will fill the reel if the specified requirements are hit.
• Expanding Scatter: Scatter symbols will fill the reel if the specified combination is hit.
• Fixed jackpot: a jackpot amount that is fixed and pays out when a certain combination is hit.
• Free Spin: a free spin of the reels, at no extra cost to you.
• Intro movie: this is a teaser that plays at the beginning of the game before you play to give a feel for the theme. You can click Skip Intro if you do not want to watch it.
• Linked machines: these machines are linked to a progressive jackpot so players can benefit from the interaction of others; each time a player pays into the progressive jackpot side bet, the jackpot amount goes up. The progressive is triggered at random and can hit on any one of the linked machines, so this is a beneficial system that enables some of the richest jackpots around.
• Mini game: an additional feature that awards you extra prizes such as instant cash, free spins or multipliers.
• Multiplier: this prize multiplies the winnings shown on the paytable by the specified amount – e.g. if you won $10 and you earn a multiplier of 3x, 10x, or 100x, you would win $30, $100, or $1000 respectively.
• Paylines: the number of lines you can play per game varies; payouts are only made on activated lines.
• Progressive Jackpot: an accumulative jackpot on a linked machine that offers some of the richest payouts online.
• Reactivated: means this feature or function can be repeated.
• Scatter: this is a symbol that can give you rewards, no matter where it sits on the reels. It does not have to sit within an activated payline.
• Sticky Wild: any symbol that becomes ‘sticky’ will stay in place until the specified requirements are met – meaning you benefit from them for longer.
• Wild: this symbol will replace other symbols and help you to complete winning combinations.

To open a Sts-canada.ca Canada account, click Play For Real Money, and input the required identification details. As soon as you have done this and clicked on Create your account will be instantly activated and ready for you to add some funds. This is the first step towards playing real money slots.

Choose from our range of deposit methods including Credit Card, Debit Card and online e-wallets. Simply decide which is your preferred payment provider, state how much you would like to deposit, follow your payment provider’s instructions and once the payment is verified it will be available in your bankroll so you can play your favourite casino games.

When you choose to play real money slots and other online casino games with us you can also claim an exclusive Welcome Bonus of up to $400 (plus 200 free spins). Accept your bonus once you have deposited your funds to double your bankroll right away and gain extra time at the tables.

Roulette history begins in 17th century France. The name actually translates as ‘Little Wheel’ and this is where it all began, when probability student Blaise Pascal created the spinning wheel.

Believe it or not, the invention of the roulette wheel was a happy accident. Pascal was striving to invent a perpetual motion machine. In 1655, he failed to beat the laws of physics but introduced the world to a hypnotic new way to gamble.

The original design needed a few modifications, but within a few months the Roulette game was invented, with its presence mentioned at parties and social gatherings of all kinds in original source documentation from the 1700s.

The first Roulette wheel had pockets in which the ball would land, rather than slots. It used the same numbering that European and French versions of the game use today, with numbers 1 to 36, as well as a single zero pocket.

As popularity increased and industry improved, the wheel developed into the version we know today, with slots instead of pockets for the ball to settle into. This created better opportunities for the player as the outcome of the wheel spin could no longer be easily manipulated.

The double zero (00) version of the game was not created until the mid 1800s when travel became easier and the game crossed the seas to America. This is when the second variant of the game was created, with additional bets devised to include the extra double zero (00) option. As materials and manufacturing skills improved further, the wheel improved even further, creating an even fairer, and therefore more exciting, game. By the 1900s, Roulette was the number one game in any casino across the globe.

Modern technology has also paved the way for incredible opportunities and change. Keeping the basic concept and rules in place, online casinos have enabled the game to be more easily accessed and for new variants to become possible. These variants include progressive Online Roulette games that boast linked jackpots that are some of the richest available worldwide. These jackpots are linked to a number of tables and the jackpot amount rises each time a player makes a progressive side bet. The jackpot is triggered at random and the amount won is the amount accumulated at the time of winning.

The technology behind online Roulette games have enabled the fastest, fairest and most exciting casino games possible, and players are no longer restricted by geography or mobility – you can play any version of Roulette from the comfort of your own home at a time that suits you. Payments are fast and secure, bonuses provide extra playing time, and support is at hand every hour of every day, so you can always enjoy the best possible game experience no matter where you are based.

When you play Online Roulette at our online casino, you use a clearly marked table that displays the possible bets. To place a bet, click on the chip denomination you wish to play and place it on the section of the table that corresponds with your chosen bet. Each click will add one chip. You can also remove one chip at a time by holding the Shift button on your keyboard as you click. Each possible bet highlights as you hover over the table, so it’s easy to place your bets correctly.

Only when you have placed all your bets do you hit the Spin button to set the wheel in motion. Then, watch to see where the ball lands as this determines the outcome of the game. If your predictions match the outcome of the ball, you are paid instantly in accordance with the payout table. You can view your bankroll at all times at the bottom left of your screen.

As you can see, basic Online Roulette rules are easy to learn and easy to follow. However, there are a few alternative options available so read on to understand some of the variations that are now on offer.

• American Roulette this version has an extra slot on the wheel that contains a double zero (00). It evolved from the U.S. but has gained popularity worldwide and offers plenty of fast action. The game is played the same way but the extra zero offers a couple of extra betting possibilities and also alters the payout structure. It’s an easy to learn variant that gives you more choice.
• European Roulette: is the name given to the standard game and is an excellent choice because it offers better odds of winning. The game is easy to recognise because it has only one zero (0) on its wheel.
• Premium Roulette: Premium games are designed and played the same as the European game, but benefit from enhanced graphics, animations and in-game information so you experience a more realistic, cinematic feel and gain extra stats to help your game.
• French Roulette: With the same layout as European Roulette, the French version of this casino favourite benefits from extra rules such as ‘la partage’. This enables a player to have half of his or her stake returned if the ball settles on the zero.
• Mini Roulette: this game is only available online and is a condensed version of the traditional game. Instead of the usual 1-36 numbers, Mini Roulette uses a wheel that has numbers ranging from 1-12 only, as well as a single zero (0). This alters the betting structure and the payouts.

When it comes to Roulette games, your odds of winning a payout alters, depending upon the version you choose to play. When it comes to choosing your game, you have to balance the odds of winning with the overall look and feel to find the game that suits you.

European and French Roulette offer the same odds of winning, but French roulette benefits from the extra ‘la Partage’ rule. Mini roulette offers less betting options and so there are less numbers to bet on, so this offers the highest odds of winning compared to other roulette games. However, you need to also take into account the quicker game and reduced options – does this suit you and your playing style?

As the American roulette game has an extra zero, you have lowered odds of winning a straight number or multi-number bets because the extra zeros provide more opportunity for your number bets to be cancelled out.

However, the extra zeros mean that there is an equal probability of the following bets hitting: color, even/odd, low (1-18) and high (19-36) so this is in your favor.

Today, the standard roulette wheel has 36 numbers and either a single or double zero. The zero represents the house edge. You should always aim to play a roulette table with a single zero. The odds of winning at roulette depend on what bet you are making.

If you bet a single number and it hits, you win 35 to 1. A $10 bet would win £350 and your stake back: a total of $360. If you were to bet a corner, you cover four different numbers, Now your odds drop to 8 to 1. In this case, a $10 bet would be worth $80.

When it comes to making bets, you have more chance of winning a bet if the payout is low. This makes the even money bets the easiest to hit, so if you like lots of small wins, go for the low risk bets such as Red, Black, Odds, Evens, Hi, Low. The highest paying bet – Straight or Single Number bet – is the most difficult to hit but is reflected in the payout which awards a massive 35-1.

The best way to improve your odds of taking home a decent payday when you play Roulette is to place a series of bets that are made up of a balance of low paying/low risk, and high paying, more difficult to achieve bets. There are many different bets you can make at the roulette table, including odd or even, red or black, 1 to 16, and more. You can click on the screen to see the odds associated with each specific bet.

These bets should complement each other and cover as much of the table as possible so you have more chance of winning. The beauty of Online Roulette is all bets are paid; they do not cancel each other out. For instance, if you hit a number that covers your Straight bet, color bet and column bet, you’ll get paid out on all three.

Finally, did you know that the numbers on a roulette wheel add up to 666? Perhaps, it’s an omen…

When roulette moved online, the number of variations of the game accessible to all people around the world increased significantly. Today, there are a wide range of roulette games available online and Sts-canada.ca Canada offers a suite of these games for roulette fans to choose from. These include traditional games, as well as games that are unique to online gaming.

• European Roulette – 37 numbered slots including numbers 1 through 36 and a single zero. This is the most common variation of the game. It has 10 bets.
• French Roulette – With 37 numbered slots its most significant difference to European roulette is that the table is labelled in French and it includes a racetrack section with announce bets and call bets.
• American Roulette – 38 numbered slots including the numbers 1 through 36, plus a single zero and a double zero. It offers 11 bets.
• Mini Roulette – A unique online version, it includes the numbers 0 through 12.
• 3D Roulette – A unique online version with a 3D style of graphics.

Premium games which include improved graphics and sounds and a high quality gaming atmosphere are also commonly available in either a single-player or multi-player game version, allowing for chat between players. They include:

• 3D Roulette Premium
• Premium European Roulette
• Premium French Roulette
• Premium American Roulette
• Premium Roulette Pro

While the basic premise of the games is the same, they include slightly different rules and bets and it is important to understand the specific rules of your game before you begin.

These terms will assist you while you play Roulette, helping you to understand the game rules, bets and any special features.

• Colour: bet on black or red for the chance to win even money.
• Column bet: bet on a column of numbers as shown on the betting table for a payout of 2:1
• Corner: Bet on four numbers by placing your chip in the centre of the square that the numbers form. Win for a 8-1 payout.
• Dozen bet: a wager across 12 numbers for a 2-1 payout.
• Even money bets: red/black, odd/even, High/Low - have a high chance of hitting and pay even money.
• High/low: pays even money, a bet on a group of numbers (1-18 or 19-36) to win.
• Line bet: Pays 5-1, a bet on any six numbers (in rows of three, effectively two street bets).
• Odds/even: pays even money but has a high chance of hitting.
• Split bet: A bet across two numbers made by placing your chip in the centre line – pays out at 17-1.
• Straight bet: Bet on a single number for a payout of 35-1: the highest paying bet in Roulette.
• Street bet: a bet on any three numbers in a horizontal line with an 11-1 payout.
• Triple: a bet across three numbers for a payout of 11-1 if any of the three numbers hit.
• Tiers du Cylindre: a French Roulette bet on numbers opposite the zero (0).
• Voisins du Zero: a French Roulette bet on a number that surrounds the zero (0).

To open your Real Money Sts-canada.ca Canada account, click Play For Real Money and enter the necessary information for security and identification purposes. Then hit Create to activate your account before making a deposit. Choose from a wide range of deposit methods such as Credit Card, Debit Card and online e-wallets, and as soon as your funds are verified you can play at our real money tables.

You can also take advantage of a range of casino bonuses when you sign up today. All new players can currently claim up to $400 (plus 200 free spins) free with our special Welcome Bonus – simply accept your bonus once you have deposited your funds. Our tiered Welcome Bonus is paid in installments, with up to $400 (plus 200 free spins) extra funds available to you each time.

The original casino game was named Vingt-et-un (French for the number 21) and it was played with a single deck of cards in casinos across France. This is the starting point for all the versions you can play today. It established the basic premise behind Blackjack, but it wasn’t popular like today’s game because there was an important element missing: players did not enjoy a bigger payout for hitting a natural 21.

Once the game travelled across the seas to the U.S, this flaw was recognized and casinos decided to improve the overall experience by upping the available payouts. It now became standard for the game to pay out at 3-2 for a hand containing the Ace of spades and a black Jack. A new name was adopted and the modern game of Blackjack was created.

As the game increased in popularity and moved geographically, other adaptations came into play such as the number of decks used, variations on when the dealer or player must stand, and the total number of times a player could split. Modern technology then played a huge part in the evolution of this casino favourite; progressive jackpots, multiple hands, and turbo games all became possible and players also gained access to variants that had been previously restricted physically and geographically.

For the first time ever, casino players could also enjoy extra monetary rewards in the form of cash bonuses. Whereas bricks and mortar casinos had previously rewarded players with beverages, food, and sometimes free chips, online casinos can provide players with extra cash to fund more games via Reload, Welcome and 100% Match bonuses – thus improving the overall experience and giving true rewards for both new membership and loyalty.

When it comes to playing casino games, the lower the payout for a winning combination, the better chance you have of succeeding. As an Online Blackjack player, you will receive even money (1:1) pay-out for any winning hand except for a winning insurance bet (2:1) and Blackjack (3:2). This means that the odds of hitting a Blackjack are much lower, but more lucrative.

If you are playing for a progressive jackpot, the jackpot is triggered at random so you cannot increase your odds of winning – except by being part of the action. If you choose to play a progressive jackpot game, make sure you remember to bet the full amount to be part of the jackpot and increase your earning potential.

When it comes to your winnings, Blackjack is considered one of the best online casino games to play as it has a low house edge. There is also plenty of Blackjack strategy available to help improve your odds of winning and reduce the casino’s edge. These mathematical systems have been developed over a period of time and are rigid in their approach but designed to increase your winning potential.

Blackjack strategy varies and it does not suit all players. The way you play is a matter of personal taste, but if you do decide to adopt a strategy to increase your winning odds, make sure you give it a decent test run for true results. You can trial the logic in Practice mode to get a feel for the software, before adopting the strategy for your Real Money games.

Whatever game variant you use, Blackjack rules all start with the same basic premise. You pit your wits against the dealer in an attempt to beat his hand; the overall aim of the game is to hit Blackjack or build a hand as close to 21 as possible without going bust. The fewer cards used the better – and your hand must have fewer cards than the dealer’s to win. All face cards are valued at ten in a game of Blackjack and the Ace can be considered as either 1 or 11 in value, depending on what works best for your hand.

Each round of blackjack starts with the croupier dealing cards from his left to right. The dealer gets the last card. The amount of decks used varies according to the version of the game you are playing.

Part of the attraction of Blackjack is that it is such a simple game to learn. When the game starts, you set your bet amount and then you receive two cards to pitch against the dealer. The player always goes first. If you want another card you select ‘hit’ and when you’re happy with the hand you have been dealt, you ‘stand’.

Depending on your hand and the game variant you play, you may be offered additional moves such as Split (meaning you can separate your pairs into two hands), Double (which means to multiply your bet x2 on the strength of a single card turn), Surrender (you give up half of your wager instead of playing the hand) or Insurance (a bet that protects you if the dealer hits Blackjack).

After you complete your round, it’s the dealer’s turn and you watch as his cards play out. When you play our online Blackjack games, the dealer draws to 16 and stands on all 17s. When the game concludes, the two hands are compared .You win overall if your hand beats the dealer’s. However, you will lose if you exceed 21 in total and go bust, show a weaker hand than the dealer’s, or if the dealer hits Blackjack (this is where the insurance bet comes in).

The basic strategy behind the game of blackjack is simple. You must beat the dealer by holding cards with a value higher than the dealer’s cards but no higher than 21. Each round of the game opens with the players getting dealt two cards. The dealer is also dealt two cards but players can see only one.

You now total your two cards and have the option to hit/draw or hold/stay. Face cards count as 10 and aces are either one or 11 points. Your goal is to get as close to 21 without going over. If you do go over, you bust and lose your stake.

When you have finished your round, the dealer flips the second card and must now draw until his or her cards total 17 or more. If your total points value is higher than the dealer’s, you win. If your total is less, you lose.

These are the basics. Of course, there is always more to learn. Whether you’re just starting out playing casino games or have been enjoying them for a while, there is a wide range of tips and Blackjack strategy on offer. Based on two-card hand options, these strategic moves are designed to help you take your game to the next level.

You can find online Blackjack strategy cards online and they will help you make decisions as you play. What works for one player may not suit another - it’s a question of playing style and personal taste. Here are some of the basic concepts and tips to help you get started.

Hard/Soft Hands: Firstly, to understand basic strategy, you need to know the difference between a hard and soft hand. A hard hand either does not contain any aces, or else it contains an ace that id fixed as either a 1 or 11 and cannot be alternated. A soft hand has at least one ace and this ace can still be alternated as either a 1 or an 11.

Double: With a hard 10 or 11 if you have more points than the dealer, then it is in your best interests to double. The best numbers to double with are a 10 when it’s against 2-9, and 11 against 2-10. Basic strategy is based on mathematical probability, and in these instances, the card possibilities are in your favour.

Surrender: If your strategy card says to Surrender but that’s not actual possible in the game you are playing, then hit instead. This offers you the better chance of winning. The best time to surrender is during a peek game when the dealer can check for Blackjack before you make your decision.

Pairs: If you hold a pair of Aces or 8s, then opt to Split. If you have a pair of 2s or 3s, only split if the dealer has cards totalling 2-7, otherwise choose to Hit. And always stand on a pair of 10s.

Remember, strategy is simply meant to help you and there are no guaranteed rules that will make you win, so only adopt the ideas that suit you. Just make sure that when you adopt a new strategy or playing style, that you try it over an extended period of time to get realistic results.

Whatever game variant you use, Blackjack rules all start with the same basic premise. You pit your wits against the dealer in an attempt to beat his hand; the overall aim of the game is to hit Blackjack or build a hand as close to 21 as possible without going bust. The fewer cards used the better – and your hand must have fewer cards than the dealer’s to win. All face cards are valued at ten in a game of Blackjack and the Ace can be considered as either 1 or 11 in value, depending on what works best for your hand.

Part of the attraction of Blackjack is that it is such a simple game to learn. When the game starts, you set your bet amount and then you receive two cards to pitch against the dealer. The player always goes first. If you want another card you select ‘hit’ and when you’re happy with the hand you have been dealt, you ‘stand’.

Depending on your hand and the game variant you play, you may be offered additional moves such as Split (meaning you can separate your pairs into two hands), Double (which means to multiply your bet x2 on the strength of a single card turn), Surrender (you give up half of your wager instead of playing the hand) or Insurance (a bet that protects you if the dealer hits Blackjack).

After you complete your round, it’s the dealer’s turn and you watch as his cards play out. When you play our online Blackjack games, the dealer draws to 16 and stands on all 17s. When the game concludes, the two hands are compared .You win overall if your hand beats the dealer’s. However, you will lose if you exceed 21 in total and go bust, show a weaker hand than the dealer’s, or if the dealer hits Blackjack (this is where the insurance bet comes in).

When you play Blackjack online, you’re making decisions under pressure. The better your understanding of the game, the more likely you are to have fun, so use these explanations to help you as you play.

• Bust:when you exceed 21 - this means your hand loses.
• Bust Card:the card that tipped you over the limit.
• Hole Card:the second card dealt to the dealer that is face down.
• Double/Double Down:this is an extra optional wager, equal to your original wager, and you draw one more card. It is only ever offered at the start of a game when you have your two initial cards.
• Hit:receive another card to try and improve on your current hand.
• Insurance: an optional bet offered when the dealer shows an Ace. It costs half of your original bet and protects you in case the dealer gets Blackjack. If he does, you’re covered. If not, you lose the insurance bet.
• Stand:you want to keep the cards you have and require no further cards.
• Surrender:the option to give up half of your wager instead of play the hand if you feel the cards are not in your favour.
• Split:allows you to split a pair into two hands. Some games allow repeated splits, so check out the rules before you play.

To be able to play our online Blackjack games you need to open a Real Money account with Sts-canada.ca Canada. To get started, click on the Play For Real Money button and input the required personal details – this is for security and identification purposes only. Once you have completed the required fields, click the Create button to activate your account.

Next, you need to deposit funds into your account. We offer a wide range of choice when it comes to deposit methods, with multiple Credit Card, Debit Card and online e-wallets options available. Choose your preferred provider, stipulate the amount you wish to deposit and as soon as the payment is verified you can hit the tables and play for real money.

If you are new player, you can also claim an exclusive Welcome Bonus up to $400 (plus 200 free spins). If you would like these extra funds to use on any of our casino games, simply accept your bonus once when you make your deposit. A specially designed tiered bonus, your funds are released in installments. This gives you the chance to accept your extra funds at will, without any up-front hefty lump sums involved.

To receive your bonus, deposit up to $400 and we’ll match that amount 100% right away. You can then take advantage of a series of repeat deposits. Each time you add extra funds, we’ll match the amount up to $400 (plus 200 free spins) - up to seven Reload Bonuses are at your disposal.

This game did not exist until technological advances enabled a game to be hooked up to a TV monitor, making it a relative newcomer in the world of casino games. Although it started out as a simplistic computer game, once processing units and TVs could be combined and technological understanding and capabilities advanced, Video Poker became a staple for many players. The starting point for its current popularity began with in 1979 the introduction of the first sophisticated game called Draw Poker.

This game increased in reputation and fan base through the eighties, with the technological aspect proving less intimidating than table and cards games against other players or dealers. Once the machines hit Vegas, their presence in casinos exploded and it became one of the top games, rivaling the number of slot machines on casino floors.

However, one major criticism of bricks and mortar casinos was that the Video Poker games had a high minimum coin level, so they limited who could play. Combined with the geographical element of needing to be within traveling distance of an actual casino, further advances such as the invention of the Internet were needed to enable Video Poker popularity to reach new heights.

As online Video Poker evolved, new games were created that were more complex in design and style. Offering multi-level options and bigger payouts, all in a convenient online package that could be accessed from home around the clock, Video Poker fast became one of the top online casino game choices for players. Coin levels were set at lower and higher limits so the game became more accessible to a higher number of people.

To increase your odds of winning at Online Video Poker you need to take various things into consideration including the game’s minimum and maximum limits, the base payout, the number of winning combinations available and whether the game has a Wild card.

Limits are important as these restrict the number of Deals you can enjoy. Based on probability research, the more hands you play, the better your odds of winning, so you need to select a Video Poker machine that has minimum limits that suit your pocket to get the most out of your game and maximize your winning potential.

Wild cards increase your winning potential because they substitute any other card in the game to complete a win. This means the set number of cards in a deck does not restrict you when it comes to the odds of your hand hitting. Deuces Wild is considered one of the best Wild games as the four of a kind payout has a high average of hitting. Joker’s Wild is considered another great choice because it has an extra winning hand: five of a kind.

For the best odds of boosting your bankroll, check out the paytables of each game. For instance, Bonus Poker offers better payouts for four of a kind wins than other machines, while Tens or Better pay out from a lower winning combination: a pair of tens. You can also try out progressive jackpot games if you want the chance to win big; this extra side bet gives you access to an extra jackpot that is randomly triggered.

The progressive jackpot is linked and accumulates each time a player pays into the side bet, and there is no upper limit to the jackpot amount. The amount won is the amount showing when it is triggered and the only stipulation is that you have to play the maximum number of bets available on your machine to be able to play for the progressive.

The variety of Online Video Poker games on offer at Sts-canada.ca Canada include Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, progressive games and multi-hand games. Each boasts excellent graphics and animations, a smooth playing platform and plenty of ways to win including progressive jackpots, fixed jackpots and Wilds. To play, select the game of choice and set your coin level using the + and – buttons or arrows. Then hit Deal.

When your cards are dealt, you can hold those that you want to keep to try and improve upon for a winning hand, and then hit Deal again for the second round of cards. As you play, our software will automatically highlight any winning card combinations that show in the initial deal.

You can set the Autoplay feature to schedule a set number of games at a specified bet amount for a faster game, or you can play one round at a time as standard. If you win, you get paid out instantly according to the paytable. Some of the Online Video Poker games we offer include…

• Jacks or Better: a type of Draw Poker with payouts starting for a pair of Jacks. The Full House pays out at 9x your bet amount, and a Flush pays out at 6x your bet amount.
• Tens or Better: a type of Draw Poker with payouts starting for a pair of 10s. The increased payout enabled by the tens means a reduced payout for the Full House and Flush.
• Joker’s Wild: this game has a Joker card added which acts as Wild. This gives you more opportunities to complete a winning combination, as the Wild card will substitute any other card in the deck to give you better oddss. The Joker also enables an extra payout: five of a kind.
• Deuces Wild: in this game, all 2s are considered Wild. This increases your chance of completing a winning card combination, and the four of a kind combination hits more frequently on this game than any other Video Poker machine.
• Double Bonus: similar to Jacks or Better but with an additional bonus payout for four Aces.
• Please note: as the winning combinations are based on Hold ‘em hand hierarchy, the highest hand showing is paid. For instance, if you get four of a kind, you will be paid for that hand only – you will not be paid out for 2x pairs or three of a kind also.

Whether you’re starting out or have been playing for a while, there is a wide variety of Video Poker tips, advice and strategy on offer, designed to help improve your game and lower the house edge. There are no proven rules as to what works and what doesn’t, but if you enjoy your game and use only the tips that suit your personal playing style, you’re guaranteed hours of entertainment. Here are some of the basic concepts and ideas to help you get started.

• Know your cards: you have to know what cards to hold and what cards to throw away for the best odds of winning. That means you need to know each winning card combination as well the hierarchy it has.
• Always hold: the following is a list of cards that basic Video Poker strategy suggests you should always keep - a royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house. Three of a kind should be held with the others discarded to try for four of a kind or a full house, and two pair should be held with the fifth card discarded for a chance at a full house.
• Breaking a flush or straight: You should only break up a flush or a straight if you have four cards to a royal flush. For example, if you have Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 9 of diamonds, get rid of the 9 in the hope of hitting the 10 of diamonds. You could still hit a diamond of another value and hit the flush too or a pair.
• Breaking Jacks: if you are playing Jacks or Better and have a pair, you should only break it if you have four cards to a Royal Flush or a lower Straight Flush.

Video Poker strategy calculators are also available online; use these to input the game type and your cards and it analyses the perfect strategy. These are used post-game so do not help you as you play, but may help inform future decisions. There are also Video Poker charts that you can use to help you make decisions as you play. Use these sparingly and only adopt methods that suit you as a player.

When you play our Video Poker games at Sts-canada.ca Canada, you will come across a variety of buttons. Some options, such as Double and Double Half, are not always available; these will pop up when you hit a winning combination. Use this summary to help you understand the mechanics as you play.

• Bet Max: this allows you to activate all possible bets and deal the cards in one quick move. Set your coin level (per activated bet) and then hit Bet Max to activate all lines and deal the cards.
• Collect: This button will appear when you hit a winning combination. Click to collect your winnings and place them in your bankroll.
• Double: this double or nothing feature allows you to multiply your winnings when you hit a winning hand. If you choose this option, you need to click on the cards that show in the next round to set the bonus game in motion.
• Double half: this option enables you to play half of your winnings with the aim of doubling your earning. Half of your winnings go to your bankroll, the other half are put into this extra bet. If you choose this option, you need to click on the cards that show in the next round to set the bonus game in motion.
• Hold: click this to hold the cards of your choice.
• Deal: press this to deal the hand.
• Limit: this button will show all game limits, including minimum and maximum bet and the double limit.

These terms will assist you while you play Video Poker at Sts-canada.ca Canada, helping you to understand the game rules, bets and any special features.

• Cashier: go to this area for all money transactions such as cashing out your winnings and depositing into your bankroll.
• Double: the chance to double your money with a gamble feature.
• Half double: the chance to double half of your winnings (and collect the other half) with a special gamble feature.
• Multi-hand: you can play more than one hand during any round in this type of game, giving you a faster paced, more exciting online casino experience.
• Payline: you can play multiple lines during most Video Poker games and each is called a payline. Payouts are only made for winning combinations on activated paylines.
• Paytable: this is the area that displays how much each bet pays out and is clearly displayed on your screen.
• Progressive jackpot: an accumulative jackpot that is linked to other machines, randomly triggered and with no maximum upper limit.
• Strategy: this refers to rigid Video Poker betting systems that are designed to maximize your winnings – there are many strategies and systems available. Each is a matter of personal choice and preference, so make sure you choose one that suits your own tastes and playing style.
• Wild: a card that acts as a substitute for any other card, giving you more opportunity to complete winning combinations.

To open a Real Money account with us at Sts-canada.ca Canada, click Play For Real Money, enter the required details and click on Create. Your account will be instantly activated but you will need to make a deposit to play at our real money tables.

We have a range of deposit methods on offer, including Credit Card, Debit Card and online e-wallets. Select your preferred provider, stipulate your required deposit amount and as soon as the payment is verified, you can play.

This special Welcome Bonus has a tiered format, so you can unlock funds over a period of time. That means no hefty up-front payments and a regularly boosted bankroll.