Looking for a Safe Online Casino?

  Richard Gray        January 31, 2017

Well, well, we’ve done a great job highlighting some games with awesome RTPs but the truth is that we should have started with something more important than that and that’s safety. You know what they say, safety comes first. We don’t love the lectures and some even make jokes about safety but there’s a good reason for that saying.

Picture this: you sign up for a casino because they are giving you a great bonus. You start playing and you win a jackpot. You hardly manage the wagering requirement in the time before the bonus expires. However, when you request a withdrawal, the casino claims you haven’t fulfilled the terms and they take away your bonus and your winnings. You contact a mediator service but it turns out the casino is not regulated. That means no one could do anything to help no matter how hard they tried.

Don’t fall for this scam. Whatever the bait, it’s not worth it. If you want to play at a safe online casino, check out the details here. In the meantime, I’ll give you a few pointers, 5 to be exact.

Regulated by the UKGC

In the UK, all legal casinos must have a valid licence from the UK Gambling Commission. That’s a requirement you shouldn’t compromise with, either. Never. How do you know if the casino is licensed by UKGC? Look for the seal of the organisation in the bottom of the site. If it’s not there, just say no.

Monitored by Third-Party Organisations

Though the UKGC performs strict tests before giving out licences, once the operator is labelled legal, the UKGC depends on its certified testing agencies, such as GLI and TST, to continually monitor and make sure the operator continues to comply with the UKGC rules and that their random number generator (RNG) is fair and random.

Monitoring Results Published

So, casinos get regular checks from certified independent companies but how do you know what the results of those checks are? A safe casino would not think twice about sharing the reports on their website. I mean, if they are truly reported safe and secure for players, what do they have to hide?

SSL-Encryption

How casinos protect their customers’ connection to their site speaks volumes of their commitment to the gaming community. Don’t settle for anything less than an SSL-encrypted connection. Not sure what that means? You should be able to see a green padlock in the search bar of your browser – that means all your personal and financial info is safe and cannot be stolen.

Identity Verification

Some players think it’s a drag, especially if they’ve waited till the point they want to withdraw to go through the process. However, having your identity verified by uploading a photo ID is, in fact, another important point that speaks of the casino’s safety. Believe me, the last thing you need is casinos making rash decisions in handing people’s money.

My Top 3 Online Blackjack Sites

  Richard Gray        January 25, 2017

If you enjoy playing the timeless game of 21 online, you’ll no doubt be aware that some operators cater to your tastes far more than others. Whereas every online casino is laden with slots, not all of them can be counted on for a decent selection of card games. Another sting in the tail can be found attached to bonuses. After all, what is the point of a wide choice of blackjack variants, if they are excluded from that ever so alluring welcome bonus? Then when you consider mobile compatibility, there are some operators that provide a great selection of mobile friendly blackjack variants, whilst others provide no choice whatsoever. I have checked out tons of online casinos in search of those that provide the best all-round deal for us blackjack players. In this post, I want to share with you what I consider to be the 3 best blackjack casinos on the internet.

Betway Casino

Betway is powered by Microgaming, the longest standing iGaming supplier in the business. As such, they boast a huge selection of blackjack variants. There are over 20 different versions to choose from, including Atlantic City Blackjack, Vegas Downtown Gold Series and European Blackjack. Across the games there are a variety of optional side bets available, which can add even more entertainment and excitement to the game. Although, you should remember that side bets often have a lower RTP. But they can add an extra element of fun to your game play as and when you feel like a change!

Ladbrokes Casino

Ladbrokes are one of the longest standing operators in the UK. As such, they are a reliable and trustworthy operator, with a flawless reputation. Powered by Playtech, you’ll find some unique and quirky blackjack variants here that add a new twist to the classic game rules. These include variants such as Double Attack Blackjack and 21 Duel Blackjack. Plus, in my previous post, I introduced 3 Playtech blackjack variants with the highest RTP. All three of these can be played at Ladbrokes. What’s more, Ladbrokes provides a generous welcome bonus with some of the most favourable conditions for blackjack players.

Leo Vegas

Leo Vegas is a relatively new casino. It has developed one of the most impressive mobile casino apps in the industry. If you like to play blackjack on your mobile phone or tablet, you’ll find the largest selection of mobile friendly blackjack variants here. Leo Vegas hand pick their game selection from a wide variety of different developers and software providers. As such, you’ll find a rich selection of blackjack games provided by top companies like NetEnt, Felt Gaming, Play ‘N Go, IGT and others. They also boast a wide selection of Live Blackjack games, where you can play with real dealers for a truly immersive experience.

You can find more detailed reviews of these 3 casinos, as well as many other great online blackjack sites here. I’m certain that you’ll soon find the perfect casino to suit you!

High RTP Blackjack Games by Playtech

  Richard Gray        November 15, 2016

When it comes to online blackjack games, there is one company that undoubtedly produces the best titles out there. We are talking, of course, about Playtech – the company that is currently the biggest and most popular developer of online casino software in the world. Their games are renowned for superb graphics, great gameplay, and high RTP. In today’s article, we will take a look at Playtech’s blackjack games catalogue, and determine which titles have the highest RTP percentage, and why. Remember – high RTP means more winnings in the long run, so make sure you make the right choice of games when playing with real money.

Blackjack Switch

RTP: 99.86%
Number of Decks: 6
Dealer Hits Soft 17
Double on Any 2 Cards

As far as unorthodox blackjack games go, Blackjack Switch is probably the most famous one. It utilizes a custom set of rules patented by Geoff Hall, and Playtech have the exclusive rights to develop games based on them. Blackjack Switch looks and plays really nice, and also has one of the highest RTP percentages we have ever seen in a blackjack game. Let’s take a look at the game rules and see why they are so beneficial to the player.

In this game, you play with two hands simultaneously. Once per turn, you can switch the top cards of your two hands, in order to make better combinations on both. This sweet additional rule greatly boosts the RTP percentage, and makes it way easier for players to win. Due to this, and other player-friendly rules, Blackjack Switch is one of the most popular games by Playtech, and one of the most played blackjack games overall.

Pontoon

RTP: 99.68%
Number of Decks: 8
Dealer Hits Soft 17
Double on Any 2 Cards

Pontoon is another innovative variation of the original game, exclusive to Playtech. While the name doesn’t include the word ‘blackjack’, it is essentially a blackjack game, with a few major differences in the rules – for example, both dealer cards are initially dealt face-down, and the dealer will always check them for Pontoon (which is how blackjack is called in this game). Despite a few rules that increase the casino advantage, Pontoon is one of the games with highest RTP out there.

The game utilizes a Multihand feature, further increasing your odds of winning every single round. There is also a very useful 5-Card Charlie rule – if you manage to get your hand up to 5 cards without busting, you automatically win, no matter your point total. However, this works only if the dealer doesn’t have a Pontoon. While some other games utilise the far more useless 10-Card Charlie, Pontoon actually gives players a chance to make use of that rule and win.

Blackjack Surrender

RTP: 99.65%
Number of Decks: 6
Dealer Stands on Soft 17
Double on Any 2 Cards

The final game we will take a look at today is the most classic one of them all. Blackjack Surrender is played by the standard Las Vegas Strip rules, and has an inherent low house advantage. Playtech really outdid themselves with this one, as it features outstanding graphics, sound, and gameplay. What makes the game even more popular among players is the high RTP, which is a result of the Surrender rule implemented within the title.

If you are really displeased with your initial two cads, you can choose to Surrender and stop playing for the round. The best part about this is that you get half your bet back – which makes surrendering a viable move in many situations. There is also the option to take insurance in case the dealer’s up hand is an Ace – something that you might consider doing when playing with real money. Overall, Blackjack Surrender is a great game that can be quite rewarding to the player, if a good strategy is used.

Welcome to the Return to Player Database!

  Richard Gray        November 1, 2016

Online casino games sure are fun, but we must not forget that we are wagering real money on them. Such games are always developed with the aim to earn money for the casino – after all, those institutions are far from being charity organisations. However, there are plenty of ways to win big at those games. One of the most important things to take into consideration is the ‘return to player percentage’ for every single game. The term is used to describe the percentage of all wagered money a casino game will pay back to the players over time. For example, if you wager £1 on a slot machine with 90% RTP, you can expect to get £0.90 back in wins.

The RTP percentage is the most important metric in online casino games. This is why we decided to create this website. The Return to Player Database aims to be your one-stop-shop for all information related to this important topic. All games have their RTP publicly announced, which means that we can easily determine which ones are the most favourable towards the players, and which are downright unwise to play with real money. We will take a look at games of all genres – from slots and blackjack, to roulette, baccarat, video poker, and more.

My name is Richard Gray, and I am a UK citizen who has spent many hours at online casinos and the such. Mathematics have always been a passion of mine, so I dedicated quite a lot of time to figuring out strategies for certain games. In all of them, RTP played an extremely important part. That is why me and a couple of acquaintances decided to start this website, and share our knowledge and experience with the rest of the world.

If you would like us to do an article on a specific related subject, make sure you voice your request via our dedicated contact form. We promise to take everything in consideration, and try out best to deliver the article you want. Make sure you check back here often for more important information on RTP and how to win at online casino games!