My trip to Curacao -- October 6, 2004

The Wizard's News
October 6, 2004

From the Wizard..

I've been bitten by the poker bug

In my previous newsletter, I mentioned how I had developed a passion for poker. Actually, my situation has grown more intense than I initially conveyed. Lately, I've been dedicating roughly two hours each day to playing at Pacific Poker. You can usually find me at the $2/$4 hold'em tables under the username curacao. If you spot me, don't hesitate to say hi and share your best poker strategies.

Initially, my performance at the tables was decent. However, I began reading a poker strategy book provided for me to review. Its advice, which stressed the importance of folding when uncertain and being wary of any player who raises, left me a bit rattled. Looking back, I might have taken that guidance a bit too seriously, leading me to abandon several promising hands. This advice may suit a more conservative style commonly seen in live poker. Yet, on the internet, particularly at Pacific Poker, there are numerous players who recklessly pursue every possible straight and flush. Once I focused more on reading player behavior and took a more aggressive approach with strong hands, my success significantly improved.

Eventually, as I began to rely less on the book's guidelines and more on my instincts, my game took a turn for the better. Now, my bankroll exceeds $800. Additionally, I've contributed $313 to the casino through rake, accrued from my comp points. Although betting at such low limits is out of the ordinary for me, I'm embracing this opportunity both to learn and for the sheer enjoyment it brings. In traditional casino games like blackjack, there's a mathematically optimal strategy that minimizes the casino’s advantage, which can often make the game feel repetitive. In contrast, poker is much more dynamic, requiring one to adapt strategies based on observations of fellow players. Consequently, I find poker to be far more challenging compared to conventional table games. Should my winning streak continue, I fully intend to gradually increase my stakes. Who knows, you might catch me on the Travel Channel showcasing my poker skills in the near future.

I would like to share some insights into online poker courtesy based on a few experiences that have bothered me recently:

1. Avoid complaining in the chat when you lose on the river. I believe one can distinguish good players from poor ones based on how they react when a miracle happens on the river. In loose games, it's commonly understood that 'river rats' will often complete their hands at a certain frequency. Accept this and remain focused on the long-term game. Remember, even the best players are sometimes rescued by the river, so try not to be a hypocrite.
2. Refrain from gloating after winning. I recall once losing to a loose player who made a flush on the river, and he gleefully typed in the chat box, \"Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.\" There's no reason to add to the hurt of the loser.
3. Do not speak negatively about other players in the third person. Everyone can read your comments, so if you want to make a point, address that person directly. Never assume that just because someone isn't responding, they aren't paying attention.
4. If you have nothing positive to say, it might be best to remain silent. If you're not enjoying your play, it's wise to step away from the game.

My trip to Curacao

On a different note, I traveled to Curacao earlier in September to meet with Pinnacle Sports regarding their new online casino. Curacao boasts around a dozen land-based casinos, mostly located in the capital city of Willemstad. These casinos are relatively small, and the gaming rules tend to be fairly uniform. Notably, Caribbean Stud Poker enjoys considerable popularity, with a number of tables comparable to those for blackjack. There were also options for roulette and craps. I finally encountered a Caribbean Stud game that allowed players to switch a card, a rule I’ve been asked about many times before. All the games followed an unusual side bet payout structure where a four of a kind wins 1% of the jackpot. The blackjack regulations mirror those found in Atlantic City and many Las Vegas establishments, although some places adhere to the European rule of no peeking. Overall, the game penetration was often below average and the betting limits were on the lower side. Video poker machines offered scant returns, and the slot machines appeared rather outdated. I did spot some Microgaming slot games in the Hilton's land casino, which struck me as quite unusual.

During my stay, I chose the Marriott, which proved to be quite a pleasant experience. The hotel was located right on a beautiful sandy beach, featuring clear Caribbean waters ideal for snorkeling. I even noticed a few topless sunbathers. [Bluejay observes that the more polite term is 'topfree,' but the mischievous Wizard wouldn't allow that edit.] I found myself a bit underwhelmed by Willemstad. Aside from some shopping and minor casinos, there wasn't much to engage with. The island itself is rather arid, relying on a desalination plant for its water supply. The landscape seemed more desert-like than what you would typically see in Las Vegas. Considering the humidity, the heat was also quite intense. Summers in Vegas feel like a breeze by comparison. The local people were friendly, often speaking with a strong Caribbean accent. I’ve heard that Curacao maintains one of the least Americanized atmospheres among the smaller Caribbean islands. While it certainly offers a sense of being abroad, it doesn't provide a plethora of activities outside of snorkeling and diving. Still, if you're looking to unwind away from the hustle and bustle of touristy spots, Curacao could be an excellent option, though my comparisons are limited across the Caribbean. Overall, it was a delightful and calming getaway.

From Michael Bluejay..

What's new on Wnternetradiomercedes.com

Say goodbye to blinking ads! We began eliminating them several months ago, and the last of the animated banners was phased out in late September, making way for our latest advertiser, pinnaclesports.com. Now, when you visit Wnternetradiomercedes.com, you won't have to scroll past a distracting banner at the top to prevent a potential seizure—what a relief! When the Wizard handed over the reins of advertising sales to me a few months ago, he doubted that I could secure advertisers interested in static ads, but we proved him wrong, didn't we? Not only have our advertisers benefited since they continue to receive plenty of clicks, but the value for them remains high as well. I suspected that by eliminating the blinking ads, visitors would be more at ease, leading them to spend more time on the site and increasing the likelihood of them clicking on ads without the prior distractions of flashing lights. It seems my hypothesis was accurate.

I'm feeling quite proud of our policy against blinking ads since, as far as I’m aware, we're among the *only* top gambling websites on the internet that avoids popups and any blinking distractions. Hooray for us! I hope this trend encourages others to follow suit and makes the overall internet a more user-friendly and less irritating place. If you find popups and blinking ads bothersome on other sites, I encourage you to reach out to them and express your views, perhaps even noting that Wnternetradiomercedes.com adheres to a much more pleasant browsing experience.

For the record, I want to acknowledge that while the Wizard appreciates Wnternetradiomercedes.com as a high-quality, user-friendly platform, he may not entirely back my more drastic ideas about encouraging other websites to adopt a similar approach. However, he is currently attending the annual Global Gaming Expo, so I can't conveniently discuss this with him right now. Hopefully, he'll be so inundated with emails upon his return that he won't scrutinize this newsletter too thoroughly when he eventually sees it.

Bluejay's Practical Internet Tip of the Month

In the previous edition, I mentioned that the 'www.' part of most website addresses is optional, allowing you to save time by omitting it when entering a web address. For instance, simply typing Wnternetradiomercedes.com is much easier than the clunky www.Wnternetradiomercedes.com (not to mention the even more cumbersome variations). Following the publication of that tip, several of you informed me that it is also possible to skip typing '.com' as long as you press CTRL-Enter after entering the domain name. Personally, I find this less impressive since, on my reliable Macintosh, I can simply hit Enter, and it achieves the same result without needing the Control key. Nonetheless, I acknowledge that in Internet Explorer for Windows, you can conveniently avoid typing '.com' by hitting CTRL-Enter.

This month’s piece of advice is to open links using tabs. Here’s a scenario you’re probably familiar with: You find yourself on a webpage with several links that pique your interest. Perhaps there are multiple news articles you wish to read, or you're unsure which link will lead you to the content you're after. As a result, you may click on the first link to read, but once you're finished, you have to hit the BACK button to return to the prior page, going through the same process to access each additional link.

This back-and-forth approach can be quite cumbersome and frustrating. A much simpler solution is to open links in new tabs. Let’s first consider the example on a Mac, as it’s straightforward. Macs come equipped with Safari, a browser that allows you to CTRL-click on a link to present a menu, giving you the option to 'Open Link in New Tab.' Once you do that, a new tab will open at the top of your window. You can open as many tabs as you like and easily switch between them just by clicking on the respective tabs. Take a look at the image below to illustrate what I mean. I began my session on Wizard of Odds and then CTRL-clicked on the links for our first three advertisers, opening them in new tabs.

How great is that?! Now you can have multiple pages open within the same window. Previously, managing a dozen different pages would have resulted in cluttering your screen with numerous open windows. What a hassle!

So now you're probably wondering, \"How can I manage this on Windows?\" The answer lies in downloading a different web browser. Internet Explorer has become outdated and lacks many features, like tabbed browsing, which has been standard on Mac for quite some time. However, there's a fantastic option for Windows called Firefox. This browser is available for free and includes the ability to use multiple tabs, which significantly enhances your browsing experience. Additionally, Firefox outperforms Internet Explorer in several aspects, and its popularity is growing as it captures more of the market share that was once dominated by IE. With its tabbed browsing feature, it’s clear why Firefox is quickly becoming the preferred choice for many users.

Previous tips:

• The 'www' is optional
• Here's how to get rid of those pesky animated ads that keep interrupting your experience.

Advertiser Spotlight: Pinnacle Sports Book & Casino

The Wizard says..

It’s no accident that Pinnacle has recently become the featured banner advertiser on our website. I'm heavily involved in the development of their online casino, which stands out for having some of the most favorable rules available, including a remarkable 0.3% cash back on all games. [Editor’s note: Wow, that’s impressive!] Stay tuned for more details about Pinnacle’s casino offerings in upcoming updates.

On the other hand, their sportsbook is highly established and ranks among the largest in the online betting industry. There’s a general consensus that Pinnacle provides the most advantageous lines available online. For instance, they frequently offer NFL lines and totals at just 10 cents, whereas other sportsbooks typically use a 20-cent margin. Their money lines are highly competitive as well, starting with just a 10-cent difference and keeping a spread that is considerably narrower than that of competing sites. In Major League Baseball, they put forward 8-cent lines when many other sportsbooks stick to 20 cents, with some even at 10 cents. I am currently comparing both online sportsbooks and those in Las Vegas, and so far, Pinnacle’s lines are unmatched in the online arena. They also boast an exceptional variety of betting options, which include numerous prop bets and exotic wagers. For nearly two years, I have placed the majority of my sports bets at Pinnacle.

Although it may not be prominently advertised on their website, it’s worth noting that Pinnacle provides a generous 10% bonus for new customers. The bonus can range from a minimum of $25 to a maximum of $500, and you’ll need to play through three times your deposit in the sportsbook. Additionally, these funds need to be held in your account for at least 30 days.

When it comes to online sports betting, Pinnacle is my top recommendation.

Written by: Michael Shackleford