GameMaster Rating: 83 points (of 100)

General Comments: This casino uses software by Net Entertainment, which is a Sweden-based company that owns quite a few brick-and-mortar casinos, especially on cruise ships. The casino itself licenses the software and it's based in Costa Rica, so don't be confused into thinking that this big Swedish company is behind the operation, because it isn't. That said, while Cherry Casino is relatively new to the scene, they have developed a pretty good reputation for fine customer service and regular tournaments where players can compete for cash prizes over and above any winnings at their game of choice. The good thing about the tournaments is that they are based upon the percentage increase of the player's bankroll, so both high-rollers and the rest of humanity can compete equally. I must mention that I tested this casino only in the play-money mode and the game analyses are based upon that. The real-money games might be different, so be sure to double-check before you commit any $$$.

Recommendations: From time-to-time, games would not load for me and my connection (a DSL line) would sometimes be broken. I suspect the software much more than I suspect the line, so that's something they need to work on. Also, the pay tables for all of the Video Poker games are shown in dollar amounts, rather than in credits, so it can be confusing. Hmmmm...maybe that's why they did it that way. In any event, avoid the Video Poker because the pay tables aren't only confusing, but also way below what we consider "full pay". The casino could certainly benefit by expanding their Help menu to include such items as how the dealer treats a 'natural' Blackjack and other items like that. I still don't know if their Blackjack game uses the "European" hole card rule.

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

Blackjack: This is a four-deck game where the dealer stands on A-6, you may double on any first two cards, double after splitting pairs and split Aces receive only one card. I was not able to determine if both bets are lost when you double or split against a dealer's 10 or Ace and it later turns out that s/he (it?) has a "blackjack" (what we call the "European hole card rule.") But, because this software was developed in Europe, I'll assume it is to keep my calculation of the casino's edge conservative. Two types of tables are available, but none of them are multi-player. What they mean by "multi" here is that you can bet multiple spots (up to 3) at the games so designated. The single-player tables support betting on only on spot at a time. Betting limits are $2-40 or $10-500 at the single-player tables and $1-40 or $5-500 at the multi tables. The casino's edge is approximately 0.47% over the player who uses the proper basic strategy.

Blackjack playing tips: If the European hole card rule is in effect, never split pairs or double against a dealer's up card of 10 or Ace, except split a pair of Aces against a 10.

* 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: There is no reason to play any of these games.

Slot Machines: Five different machines are available and one has a progressive jackpot. All are in $.25 denominations and bets range from 1 to 36 coins per spin.

Roulette: The Help section for this game states: "This is the standard French Roulette", but it isn't. While it has a single zero, the "la partage" rule does not apply, as it does in most "French" games. That rule causes the player to lose only half of his or her bet on any "outside" bet (High/ Low, Odd/Even, Black/Red) when the zero comes up. In this game, the entire bet is lost, so the casino has a 2.70% edge over the player on each bet. Betting limits are $1 minimum and up to $500 maximum per spin, but many bets have lower individual limits. For example, there's a maximum bet of $10 on a single number "straight up".

Roulette Playing Tips: Because of the single zero, this is a much better game than a double-zero wheel, but the edge is twice that of a game with the "la partage" rule.

Caribbean Stud: This is a typical game where the dealer must qualify with a hand of Ace/King or better, except they pay 200 to 1 on a Royal Flush as opposed to most games that pay only 100 to 1. Even with that, the casino's edge is about 5.2% over the player who raises only hands that are A, K, J, 8, 3 or higher. There is also a $1 side bet for a progressive jackpot and that's at about the break-even point when the Royal is worth $200,000.

Pai Gow Poker: The casino is always the Banker in this game and the 'commission' on a winning bet is 5%, so the net effect is a casino edge of about 3% against a skillful player. Betting limits are $1-100. A $1 side bet is available and that carries a 25+% house edge.

Keno: The average payout is about 92%. The 4-spot play has a pay schedule of 0 for 1 hit, 2 for 2, 6 for 3 and 87 for 4, which translates into a 95.12% return for long-term play. Betting limits are $1.00 to $5.00

Scratch Cards: The casino claims this is a "high return" game. There is no way of verifying that statement. Tickets cost $1, $3 or $5 each.

Summary and Rating of Cherry Casino: I like the fact that the software used at this casino was developed by a company that owns brick-and-mortar casinos because that makes me feel like they won't cheat. However, as you can see by the payouts on some of the games they offer, there's no reason to cheat. The return on the Roulette is very good and the Keno has an above-average return, but everything else here is at or below average, so I'll give them an average score. But I'll toss in a few points for the perception that the games are fair and because I like their tournaments, so add it all up and my rating is 83 points.