GameMaster Rating: 84 points (of 100)

General Comments: This casino is basically an expanded version of INetBet Casino which I previously reviewed. A download of software is required, but it's comparatively small at 3.8 megs. for the entire package and 1.20 megs. for Blackjack alone. The software is by Real Time Gaming and, at least in the 'play' mode, it's as smooth-operating as any I've seen. You need to know that I played here only for fun and did not bet real $$$, so things might be different in that mode. But, even during 'fun' play, you are connected to their server and the games play quickly. The casino's web site claims that their random number generator was "tested and approved by software engineers from Princeton University". They further state that, "All of our games are independently tested for accuracy and fairness by SafeBet™, the only true regulator of online casinos." You can get more information on that at www.safebet.org. Another service offered is an 'audit trail' of all your play and the casino says that they'll make that available to you upon request. A toll-free phone number is available and payouts from players' accounts are made daily.

Recommendations: They really need to expand their Help section. There's no information on the number of decks in play at Blackjack; what's required to qualify for a sequential Royal bonus which is available on one of the Video Poker games (is it just one way or both?) and other little problems like that.

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

Blackjack: The site doesn't specify the number of decks in play, but receiving duplicate cards in the same hand tells me it's multi-deck, and I've heard that it's two, so I'll use that for my calculations. The rules are: dealer hits A-6, double on any first two cards, double after split and unlike 10s may be split. Split up to 3 hands. Insurance is available, the dealer 'peeks' and split Aces receive only one card. The casino's edge is 0.42% if this is a two-deck game. Limits are $5-$500 and only one hand at a time may be played.

Blackjack playing tips: I saw no indication of a shuffle, so I assume the decks are shuffled after every hand, thus counting cards isn't of any help in overcoming the casino's edge, an edge which is too big to consider playing against.

* 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: The Joker Poker game has a bonus of 50,000 coins for a sequential Royal Flush with max. coins played. They don't say, but I'm going to assume that it pays either way: 10, J, Q, K, A or A, K, Q, J, 10, but I want to stress that you should ask before you play. This adds about 0.3% to the very, very long term return of the game. Thus, the 'realistic' return is 99.97% with max. coins played. (They cut the payout on the 5K and Wild Royal, not the 4K.)

Slot Machines: Two are available in quarters and two in dollar format. One is called "Diamond Mine", but it's not the banking game. I played several hundred spins at a dollar game and, while that's a very small sample, the payout I got was 95%.

Baccarat: They publish their rules for play in the help section and it appears to be a 'standard' game. The 'commission' on a winning Banker bet is 5%. Ties pay 9 to 1. The casino's edge is 1.06% on a Banker bet and 1.23% on a Player bet. The edge on a Tie bet is 4.5%. Limits are $5-$200.

Caribbean Poker: This is what's otherwise known as "Caribbean Stud Poker" and it has the usual pay schedule, but no dollar side bet for a progressive Royal. The house edge is about 2.60% if the player raises only with hands of A,K,J,8,3 or better. Limits are $5-$200.

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-$200.

Casino War: Yep, this is the game you played as a kid. You get a card, the dealer gets a card and whoever has the highest card wins. If you tie, you may "go to war". In that case, you must put up a bet equal to your first bet and the casinos' edge comes in when you win the 'war' since you're only paid on the original bet, but lose both if the dealer wins. The house edge is 2.8% if you always go to war. (Which you should, to keep the edge as low as possible. Better yet, go to a different game.)

Roulette: American (double-zero) and French (single-zero) wheels are available, but even if you're American, you should play the French game, simply because the house percentage is lower. On the American game, the casino has an advantage of 5.26% but it's lowered to 2.70% on the French version. Limits are $5-$200.

Red Dog: This is a pretty dumb game which is sometimes called "In Between" or, incorrectly, Acey-Deucey. This is the one where two cards are dealt and you bet that you can get a third card that fits in between. If you bet only when there are 7 or more 'spaces' between cards, the house has an edge of about 2.5%. Betting limits are $5-$200.

Summary and Rating of Vegas Casino Online: There's a lot to like here, but the odds on most of the games do not rise above the ordinary. However, if you're a 'Joker-Poker' player, it's not a bad deal. The software is very good and plays well and I like the audit trail and other helpful features, so I'm happy to give Vegas Casino Online a rating of 84 points.