GameMaster Rating: 89 points (of 100)

General Comments: This casino has been on the Internet since 1996 and they recently upgraded their games to "Version 4" of Cryptologic's software. In my original review, I had a hard time getting all the games to load properly, but what a difference a new version makes! The entire package is gigantic, but fortunately you can download only the games you want, after a basic 5.77 Mb package that includes Blackjack, Let It Ride and the sportsbook is installed. Big, yes, but this is some really fine software and I never had a problem with it. Great graphics (be sure to check out the Video Poker games), plenty of good, if not great, games and a steller reputation for fairness and good customer service is what's offered here. Just so you know, I played only in the 'fun' mode and that does not hook up with the casino's server, so it's hard to say if real-money play is the same, but I've only heard good things. The Sands lists the actual percentage payouts of their games on a month-to-month basis, but the figures come from Cryptologic, the software provider and are not audited. A sportsbook is also available, but I only tested the casino.

Recommendations: It wouldn't hurt to stop trying to trick players with the Video Poker games (you'll see what I mean in my comments in that section). Also, presenting the payout percentages as supplied by the software provider isn't the most confidence-inspiring way to do it. I know that accountants aren't cheap, but....

Blackjack: This is an 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 and insurance is available. Betting limits are $5-300. The casino's edge for this game is approximately 0.46%.

* 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: 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. The Double Bonus game stands out in sharp contrast, even though it isn't a "Certified 100%" game as the sticker on the machine says. The Super Jackpot game is just an 8/5 Jacks game with a progressive Royal.

Slot Machines: There are eight "traditional machines and three "video" slots (the kind with bonus screens) available. Denominations are $.01, $.05, $.10, $.25, $1, $2 and $5.

Roulette: This is a decent 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. This is well below average for most games on the Internet. Limits are $.25 to $5.00 Craps: This is a standard game where 2X free odds are permitted. Limits are $5-$500

Let It Ride: The game here has a $1 bonus bet which pays extra if you get a hand of trips or more. Consider this: The odds of getting a Royal Flush is one in 650,000 and here that event pays a whopping 1000 to one. Forget this bet because the house edge is about 30%. The regular pay schedule is standard, so the casino's edge is 2.82%. Limits are $6-$100

Baccarat: The game appears to be a standard version, so the casino's edge is 1.06% on a Bank bet and 1.23% on a Player bet, but the Tie bet is listed as 9 FOR 1, instead of 8 to 1, which is what that really means. 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 to $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.

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 you'll 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 Sands of the Caribbean Casino: This operation has been around a long time and that's always a good sign. In addition, we just don't hear about players having problems getting paid or not getting their bonuses, etc.? The software is reliable, smooth-working and appears to be completely honest, so the average player will likely be happy here. The new software has pushed this casino into our "Superior" category with a score of 89 points.