GameMaster Rating: 83 points (of 100)

General Comments: This casino is a relative newcomer to the scene (Nov., 1998) and has been an advertiser on this site. The 'theme' here is that you're in a casino on an ocean liner and, much like you'd expect, it's a small casino and not all games are offered, but what they do have are well done. The software is by Microgaming, so the games play well and the graphics are attractive. All my play was for 'fun'; no real $$$ were wagered at any time.

Recommendations: Like so many on-line casinos, there is no listing of the minimum buy-in required on the web site, but that information should be easily available.

Games Analysis (All this information was correct on the date listed above.)

Blackjack:

The 'Help' menu doesn't specifically state that this is a single-deck which is shuffled after every hand, but after a fair amount of play, I saw no duplicate cards, so I believe it is. Their rules are Double only 'hard' 9,10,11; no double after split; Dealer stands on A-6. The dealer does not take a hole card, so all doubled bets against a 10 or Ace are lost if he,she,it gets a Blackjack and insurance is available. Only 'like' cards may be split. (You can't split J,K for example.) This version has excellent graphics and is very, very fast. The casino's edge is approximately 0.3%, if it is, indeed, single-deck.

Blackjack playing tips: While it's a pretty good game, you need to remember that both bets are lost if you double or split pairs against a dealer's 10 or Ace and he (she, it?) gets a 'natural'. This requires a change in basic strategy. For some odd reason, the casino has 'spreads' set up for betting 2 to 20; 10 to 100 and 20 to 200. Why not make it 2 to 200? There's no gain from counting cards and, if you are at, say $20, you just need to choose the next higher spread if you want to bet more on the next hand. Never take insurance.

* The theoretical return is the long-term payback a player who is using the correct strategy may expect. The return is lower for 1-coin play because the Royal Flush pays less when fewer than 5 coins are played.

Video Poker Playing Tips: Both the Atlantis Star Casino VP games offer an 'auto-hold' feature that will hold any 'made' hand, like a pair of Jacks or better on the Jacks game, or a pair of 10s on the 10s or better game, etc. I recommend you use this option, but bear in mind that some hands which are held may not be the proper play. Auto-hold will not hold 'recommended' hands like four to a flush, however.

Slot Machines: Six different are available and one of those has a progressive jackpot.

Craps: This is a 'typical' game with single free odds. The Field bet pays double on 2 and 12, so the edge there is 5.26%. For some reason, your bet on the 'pass' line is moved to the point box when a point is made, so don't freak out; it only moved. You may then add odds on it up there. The graphics on this game are very nicely done.

Craps playing Tips: Be sure to read all the menu items at the top of the screen; this game leaves most bets 'on' during the come-out and you may not want that. Also, you may take back your odds bets by right-clicking on them at any time before the next roll.

Roulette: This is a 'European' wheel with a single zero, so the casino has a 2.6% edge. The 'en prison' rule does not apply.

Cyber-Stud Poker: This is a version of Caribbean Stud with a slightly different pay out schedule. The problem here is that they have lowered the pay on two-pair from 2 to 1 to 1 to 1, but have increased the pay schedule for 'bigger' hands. The net result is that this game has a casino edge of 2.94% versus an edge of 2.70% for a game with a 'regular' schedule. There is no $1 side bet for a progressive jackpot.

Cyber-Stud Playing Tip: Call only if your hand is A,K,J,8,3 or better.

Red Dog: This is a simple game where the player mankes an 'ante' , then two cards are chosen and you may raise your bet if you think a third card will fit in between the first two. There are some other opportunities, but the casino's edge is nearly 4%.

Red Dog Playing Tip: Raise only if there are 7 or more spaces between cards.

Summary and Rating of the Atlantis Star Internet Casino:

The Atlantis Star Casino's software is from Microgaming (same as The River Belle), so it's attractive, fast and similar to that operation. But there is no slot club, they do not offer "Playcheck" which is a complete record of all your play and they are not licensed in any jurisdiction. Still, I enjoyed my visit and the limited selection of games play very quickly and it appears that the games are fair, so I'm happy to give the Atlantis Star an 83 point rating.