Perry Lefko, Author at The Boost

Canada Online Slots Guide: Odds, strategies and responsible gambling

Online slots are a popular form of entertainment in Canada. Historically, slots have been the simplest and most accessible form of casino gambling. Pick which game you want to play and how much to spend, and then start spinning. Your results appear within a few seconds.

And the best part is, it’s just you and the game. No other players and you don’t need any skill — it’s all about the luck of the spin.

Eye-popping visuals and sounds enhance the experience of most slot games. Some are named after game shows (Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, The Price Is Right), reality shows (American Idol, The Amazing Race), drama series (Game of Thrones) or movies (The Hangover, Alien, Star Trek). The pop culture branding is an enticing feature for some bettors, just as it is at certain amusement parks.

Wheel of Fortune slots are arguably the most popular because they offer a chance to win bonus spins that pay out in cash, just like the real game. If your bonus spins succeed, the machine will say, “Wheel of Fortune!”

Another interesting game is Lobstermania, which has several ways to win and features a fisherman pulling various lobsters from a trap.

How to play Canada online slots

Once you’ve deposited some money, the funds will appear on your screen. Bets are deducted from your bankroll, and money earned from your wins is added back to it.

Click on a button to indicate how much you want to bet on each spin. You’ll see minimum and maximum wager amounts, which represent your betting range. Refer to the pay table to determine the payouts for each spin.

Slot wins are determined by how objects align on the screen — horizontally, vertically, diagonally or even zig-zag. If you aren’t having much luck with one game, you can always switch to another one and transfer your account funds.

The ease of movement is one of many reasons why slots are so popular.

Strategies to increase the odds

Higher risk leads to higher reward when playing slots, as with other betting formats. That’s why max betting can be a rewarding way to play.

If you hit a pattern with huge odds, the payout multiplies per the pay table. If you’re playing Lucky 7 and the numbers stop on the same horizontal line, which does not happen often, you can win big.

With that said, playing with higher stakes has its risks. There are no certainties with slots, and players can make several consecutive spins without winning.

Online slots: Know your limit

All bettors should put this into practice: Set a limit and stick to it. With how easy slots are to play, and how quickly you win or lose, some bettors may struggle to know when to quit.

It is always easier to play with money won, known as house money, than with scared money, which refers to money a bettor cannot afford to lose. Perhaps you’re playing beyond your original bankroll to dig out of a hole, expecting the next spin to salvage your failed wagers. But that can lead to larger losses.

To use a baseball analogy, you’re either ahead in the count or behind. Trying to win back a significant amount of lost money can be a perilous proposition – in slots or any casino game. Slots are easy to play, but it’s best not to get in too deep.

How to play online roulette: Strategies, odds and picking your numbers

Live roulette is an online table game in which you bet chips on a board that has 38 numbers coloured red or black.

Online roulette is a table game in which you bet chips on a board that has 38 numbers coloured red or black. A ball spins from the top of the roulette wheel and comes to rest on one of the numbers, determining the winner.

There are 38 numbers on the board, 1-36, 0 and 00. The maximum payout is 35-1, with the 0 and 00 representing the house edge, kind of like a fee for each spin.

We’ll take you through the best strategies for how to play roulette below.

How to play online roulette

Buy chips by clicking on the denominations you want, then begin placing them on the board. Each player is given chips with a unique colour to distinguish them, which can be stacked on top of other players’ chips.

The roulette numbers are aligned in three vertical columns.

The first column starts with 1 and continues to 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31 and 34.

The next column begins with 2 and continues to 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32 and 35.

The third column starts with 3 and continues to 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33 and 36.

Above the rows are the 0 and 00 numbers.

If you are the only one playing, make your bets and then press the spin wheel. If there are two or more players, there is a timer that counts down to zero before betting is cut off and the wheel automatically spins. When the ball lands, there is a board that displays the number and repeats it after each spin.

If you win, you can keep playing the same numbers or try something else. Many players will add the just-won chips to their stack and let the original bets ride on the chance that the ball could again land on the same number.

But if you lose, your chips are removed from the table and you begin with new bets.

Strategies to increase the odds

If you are new to the game, it’s a good idea to start with chips that have the minimum cost to play, say $1 or $5, to ease into it. Another way to enjoy the game without risking too much is to play the 50-50 bets.

There are squares for landing on red or black numbers, odd or even, or 1-18 and 19-36. If you win, you receive the same amount you bet.

There is no set way to determine where the ball lands, so 50-50 bets give you the best chance to win.

How to play online roulette: Picking your numbers

Some people play personal favourite numbers — lucky seven for example — a birthday, anniversary, day of the month, etc. Others will bet the same number(s) over and over, thinking they’ll eventually hit.

Then there are some who prefer the numbers at the top of the board or the middle, while some opt for the ones at the bottom. You can play as many chips on the board, covering as many areas as you want. Every bet is basically a matter of choice because you are not competing against another player or the dealer.

The bet with the highest payout is 35-1, which happens if the wheel stops on your number. Whatever you bet, you receive 35 times the amount.

There are multiple other bets, each with lesser odds. You can place a chip on a horizontal or vertical dividing line between two adjoining numbers, for example, between 1 and 2 (horizontally) or 1 and 4 (vertically). This is called a split bet. If the ball lands on either of these numbers, the payout is 17-1.

You can make a street bet that covers three numbers horizontally — for example, 1, 2 and 3 – on a line that intersects them from the side of the board, with a payout of 11-1. You can cover four adjoining numbers, say 1, 2, 4 and 5, by placing a chip in the middle of them and the payout is 8-1. It is called a square bet or four-corner bet.

You can cover any six numbers from two rows — called a six-line bet — on a line that intersects them and the payout is 5-1. You can bet on any of the vertical columns and the payout is 2-1.

There are also squares for the numbers 1-12, 13-24 and 25-36. You can place as many chips as you want on them and the payout is also 2-1.

Know your limit

It’s important to start with a set bankroll and ease into the game, rather than plunk down all of your chips at once. You may hit right away, but you could also lose it all and then you have to put more money into your account or take your lumps.

It’s a high-risk, high-reward game, depending on the type of bet, so it’s best to stay in your financial comfort lane.

It’s also fine to play a few spins and then sit out a few. Playing longer doesn’t increase your chances of winning. But the absolute rule is you will never go broke making a profit.

Live Roulette Guide: Strategies, odds and picking your numbers

Live roulette is an online table game in which you bet chips on a board that has 38 numbers coloured red or black. A ball spins from the top of the roulette wheel and comes to rest on one of the numbers, determining the winner.

There are 38 numbers on the board, 1-36, 0 and 00. The maximum payout is 35-1, with the 0 and 00 representing the house edge, kind of like a fee for each spin.

We’ll take you through the best strategies for how to play roulette below.

Live Roulette Guide: How to play

Buy chips by clicking on the denominations you want, then begin placing them on the board. Each player is given chips with a unique colour to distinguish them, which can be stacked on top of other players’ chips.

The roulette numbers are aligned in three vertical columns.

The first column starts with 1 and continues to 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31 and 34.

The next column begins with 2 and continues to 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32 and 35.

The third column starts with 3 and continues to 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33 and 36.

Above the rows are the 0 and 00 numbers.

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If you are the only one playing, make your bets and then press the spin wheel. If there are two or more players, there is a timer that counts down to zero before betting is cut off and the wheel automatically spins. When the ball lands, there is a board that displays the number and repeats it after each spin.

If you win, you can keep playing the same numbers or try something else. Many players will add the just-won chips to their stack and let the original bets ride on the chance that the ball could again land on the same number.

But if you lose, your chips are removed from the table and you begin with new bets.

Strategies to increase the odds

If you are new to the game, it’s a good idea to start with chips that have the minimum cost to play, say $1 or $5, to ease into it. Another way to enjoy the game without risking too much is to play the 50-50 bets.

There are squares for landing on red or black numbers, odd or even, or 1-18 and 19-36. If you win, you receive the same amount you bet.

There is no set way to determine where the ball lands, so 50-50 bets give you the best chance to win.

Live Roulette Guide: Picking your numbers

Some people play personal favourite numbers — lucky seven for example — a birthday, anniversary, day of the month, etc. Others will bet the same number(s) over and over, thinking they’ll eventually hit.

Then there are some who prefer the numbers at the top of the board or the middle, while some opt for the ones at the bottom. You can play as many chips on the board, covering as many areas as you want. Every bet is basically a matter of choice because you are not competing against another player or the dealer.

The bet with the highest payout is 35-1, which happens if the wheel stops on your number. Whatever you bet, you receive 35 times the amount.

There are multiple other bets, each with lesser odds. You can place a chip on a horizontal or vertical dividing line between two adjoining numbers, for example, between 1 and 2 (horizontally) or 1 and 4 (vertically). This is called a split bet. If the ball lands on either of these numbers, the payout is 17-1.

PLAY NOW: Live Roulette

You can make a street bet that covers three numbers horizontally — for example, 1, 2 and 3 – on a line that intersects them from the side of the board, with a payout of 11-1. You can cover four adjoining numbers, say 1, 2, 4 and 5, by placing a chip in the middle of them and the payout is 8-1. It is called a square bet or four-corner bet.

You can cover any six numbers from two rows — called a six-line bet — on a line that intersects them and the payout is 5-1. You can bet on any of the vertical columns and the payout is 2-1.

There are also squares for the numbers 1-12, 13-24 and 25-36. You can place as many chips as you want on them and the payout is also 2-1.

Know your limit

It’s important to start with a set bankroll and ease into the game, rather than plunk down all of your chips at once. You may hit right away, but you could also lose it all and then you have to put more money into your account or take your lumps.

It’s a high-risk, high-reward game, depending on the type of bet, so it’s best to stay in your financial comfort lane.

It’s also fine to play a few spins and then sit out a few. Playing longer doesn’t increase your chances of winning. But the absolute rule is you will never go broke making a profit.

Ontario online blackjack how to play: Rules, tips and payouts: Rules, tips and payouts

Ontario online blackjack tips and strategies.

Learning how to play Ontario online blackjack is easy.

Blackjack is a table game in which players compete against the dealer to tally the higher card count, up to 21.

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How to play Ontario online blackjack

You can play against the dealer with one or more hands and with or without other players. The game uses multiple decks — anywhere from two to eight — to limit time spent on shuffling. A yellow card near the bottom of the deck indicates the cards are almost at the end and need to be shuffled.

Choose the value of your stake, which can be different if you’re playing more than one hand. You may still be able to play multiple hands even if other players are in the game.

Hit or stand

Both the player(s) and dealer receive one card face-up. The process repeats, but the second card given to the dealer — known as the hole card — is face-down. Players have the opportunity to hit, which means to add one or more cards. They can also stand, which means to refuse additional cards.

Players hit or stand based on the total value of the cards they have compared to the card the dealer is showing. The dealer’s hole card isn’t visible — the best you can do is guess at it.

If your two cards total 17, and the dealer has 16 or less, they must continue taking cards until reaching at least 17. Either the players or the dealer will lose if their total exceeds 21, which is called a bust.

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A common strategy is to hit on 16 or lower if the dealer is showing a seven or higher, even though you could bust. Theoretically, the hole card will push the dealer’s hand closer to 21 and you could lose by standing on a 16. There’s a time to draw more cards and a time to sit on a hand.

Some players become too aggressive by taking cards without need, resulting in a bust. For example, if you have 16 or less and the dealer is showing a six, the odds are strongly in your favour if you don’t take another card. The dealer can win if the hole card is an ace, which means the two cards total a soft 17 (an ace is worth one or 11), or if drawing a five or less. So again, you are trying to take the edge away from the dealer.

In theory, the odds in every game are at least even money, though the exception is hitting blackjack, in which the odds are 3-2, and we’ll explain that in a bit.

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So, if you bet $10 and you win, you receive $20. If you receive an ace with a 10 or a face card, you hit blackjack (21) and win automatically. But there’s one exception. If the dealer shows an ace with either a 10 or a face card, you push (which means you get your money back).

If the dealer shows an ace and you don’t like your hand, you can fold, also known as surrendering, for a refund of half your bet.

Ontario online blackjack: Strategies to increase the odds

If you’re dealt two cards with the same value, you can split them into two hands. Again, the odds are even money for each. For example, if you receive two sevens, you can separate them and play two hands. If the first bet was for $10, the second one is also for $10.

A key part of this strategy is to only split when your cards are higher than the dealer’s face-up card. If the dealer shows anything below a seven and you have two eights, consider splitting the hand.

If you have two sixes, however, and the dealer shows an eight, it’s not a good idea to split because the dealer could win with the hole card.

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Depending on the dealer’s hand, you could win with both bets, win one and lose one, or lose both.

You may also double down on each hand, but then you can only draw one more card. If you bet $10, doubling it means you are now playing for $20. So why double? If your two cards are higher than the dealer’s single card, it’s a good strategy to take another card.

If, for example, you have a six and four and the dealer has a six, you should double the bet.

Ontario online blackjack: What’s a soft 17?

When the dealer is showing a six and the next card is 10 or less, the dealer has to take another card. If the dealer shows a six and the next card is an ace, they’ve got a soft 17 and they’ll have to stand. As long as your hand is higher than 17, you win.

If you and the dealer finish with a hand of equal value, the bet is pushed and your wager is returned. Then again, you could lose the bet if the card you doubled with is lower than the dealer’s hand. If you have two cards totalling 17, it’s better to stand because the odds of busting are higher.

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One crucial rule: Never split a pair of 10s, regardless of the dealer’s exposed card. This is because the chances of winning with two 10s are overwhelmingly higher than splitting them. If you have two aces, however, it could be wise to split them (depending on the dealer’s exposed card).

Know your limit

Before betting, establish your bankroll and don’t exceed it. If you start with $50 and lose quickly, you can deposit more or try a new table. But taking a break might be the best option of all.

Whether you’re winning or losing, maintain a level head. As easily as the cards can work in your favour, they can also go the other way. In moments, you could be playing with scared money instead of house money. Know when to ante up and when to walk away.