GameMaster Rating: 88 points (of 100)

General Comments: If this isn't the 'grandaddy' of Internet casinos, it's certainly close. And, if one is to believe the statements at their site, Intercasino is the "largest" on the 'Net. Cryptologic software is used here and version 4.0 is what we tested. In a total package, it's quite large (a CD-ROM is available and advised) but it all may be downloaded in stages, so a player can get only the games s/he desires. This software is light-years ahead in performance over the previous version we tested, and it's very attractive and detailed. I had absolutely zero problems in downloading and playing any game.

Recommendations: I suppose I will always want to see higher payouts at any casino but the only game here now which is truly sub-par is Keno. So, I'll recommend that they up the payout on that, but I won't hold my breath while waiting.

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

Blackjack: Eight-deck shoe which is shuffled after every hand. Dealer stands on A-6, double on any first two cards, pairs may be split only once, double after split, one card only to split Aces, insurance is available. The cards are shuffled after every hand. Betting limits are $5-$300. The casino edge for this game is approximately 0.46% if the player uses proper basic strategy.

* 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.

Comments: I still have a hard time dealing with how they established the paybacks for their machines. Have you ever seen a 9/6 Jacks game with a 100-coin pay on 4K and a 200-coin Straight Flush? Me neither. That wasn't done to trick people into thinking they were playing a full-pay Jacks game, was it? And calling the other machine "All American" is very misleading. There is no game by that name with a 450-coin Straight Flush; all the 'real' ones pay 1000. Also, their "Double Bonus" game has a big, bright sticker on it proclaiming that the payout is "certified" to be over 100%. It isn't.

Slot Machines: Eight machines are available and all appear to be non-progressive and mostly in a single-line, three-reel format. Denominations are $.01, .05, .10, .25, $1, $2, $5.

Video Slots: Three machines are available and the one I checked is in a five-reel, five-payline format with a secondary bonus screen. Very well done, but it's still a slot. Denominations are $.01, .05, .10, .25, $1, $2, $5.

Roulette: This is a good game, in that it's a double-zero wheel but uses the 'partager' rule which means that you only lose half of any bet on the 'outside' (High, Low, Red, Black, Odd, Even). So, the house percentage is 2.63% on those bets, but 5.26% on all the others. Limits are $5-300.

Pai-Gow Poker: The casino is always the Banker in this game and the 'commission' on a winning bet is 5%, so when combined with the natural edge of the Banker, the net effect is a casino edge of about 3% against a skillful player. Limits are $5-300.

Keno: The average payout is about 75%. The 4-spot play has a pay schedule of 0 for 1 hit, 1 for 2, 4 for 3 and 115 for 4 which translates into a 73.78% return for long-term play. Limits are $.25 to $5.00

Craps: This is a standard game where 2X free odds are permitted. Limits are $5-300.

Bonus Let It Ride: The game here has a $1 bonus bet which pays extra if you get a hand of trips or more. The house edge is 30.54% on this side bet. The regular pay schedule is standard, so the casino's edge is 2.85%, if you use the proper playing strategy. Limits are $5-300.

Baccarat: Dealt and played using "standard" rules, a winning Banker bet is charged a 5% commission. The casino's edge on a Banker bet is 1.06% and 1.23% on a Player bet. Ties pay 9 for 1 so the casino's advantage is 14.11% on that. An automatic mechanism for tracking of who won which hand is provided. Limits are $5-300.

Red Dog: This is a simple game where the player makes 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%. Limits are $5-300.

Caribbean Poker: Otherwise known as Caribbean Stud, this game is like most out there, except it pays 200 to 1 on a Royal Flush and it does not have a progressive side bet. The casino's edge is about 2.60% if the player calls only with a hand of A,K,J,8,3 or higher. Limits are $5-300.

Break the Bank: This is a free game, so it's hard to complain about the odds. The trick is to pick a 9-digit "combination" and win $100,000 if you're correct. Assuming I understand just how this works, the odds of picking 9 of 9 numbers is 1 in 4,237,000,000.

Summary and Rating of Intercasino: This latest version of Intercasino software is a vast improvement from a performance point of view and it's wonderful to see a Video Poker game here which at least approaches the 100% payback level. I was very critical of this operation in the past, perhaps because I held them to a higher standard in view of their long presence on the 'Net. In updating this review, it has become clear to me that while some of their games are average, sometimes that's not so bad when it's combined with the excellent reputation Intercasino has always had regarding honesty and excellent customer service. In the final analysis they have demonstrated an ability to "give" a little and so must I. Therefore, I feel Intercasino has truly earned a "Superior" rating of 88 points.