This week's three-tips-in one pointer is the second of a three-part series in which I'm gradually unfolding the contents of my common-sense checklist for the online gambler seeking the right place to play. It's not rocket science, but it might come in handy nonetheless, especially for the novice Net bettor.
The first three tips involved the registration process. Now we take a look at pay-outs, customer service and software. Regarding pay-outs, my advice is of the simplest nature: Make it a point to preview what kind of odds you're getting. With sportsbooks, it's as easy as checking out the lines. Sports bettors never forget to check the odds because the odds are a major determining factor in placing a bet. And naturally, shopping sportsbooks for the best odds is in your best interest.
For casino players, this isn't as common a practice, but it should be . First and foremost, you should browse through the casino's Web pages and determine whether they even post information on pay-outs. Players of skill-oriented games are typically more familiar with the process (which, in their case, involves seeking favorable game rules). But it amazes me how little regard slot players have for pay-out information.
Most sites post an overall pay-out percentage, a number that's typically in the high nineties. Serious video poker players understand which games pay better, but beginners often overlook this. (For thorough descriptions of pay-outs for video poker and other casino games, I recommend visiting either GameMasterOnline.com or TheWizardofOdds.com.)
Customer service is an obvious criterion for selecting a place to play, but how do you know what kind of service you'll get? Will they be responsive to inquiries? Is the technical support crew competent? How much do they really value their customers?
These are important considerations, as it's no secret that customer service is not the strong point for most online gambling sites. And quite frankly, some of them aren't too concerned with losing a customer here and there due to poor service. So, there are a few things you can do to get a feel for how they treat their customers.
First, write them an e-mail. Come up with a few valid questions about their service and see what the response time is. There are plenty of sites that offer 24-hour customer service, and you should expect them to get back to you within the hour. Operators who are really on the ball will get back to you momentarily.
Another thing I look for is whether the site supplies an e-mail address or just an online form with a script that sends e-mails to an undisclosed address. Do you want to do business with people who don't want you to know their e-mail addresses?
E-mailing the operators of the site is a good start, but I recommend going a step further and calling them. Pose the same questions to their telephone operators and see how knowledgeable and personable they are, as well as whether they're forthcoming with information.
Some questions to ask: "Where is your business located? Do you have a gaming license? What are your betting limits? What are your pay-out percentages?" If you come out of the conversation with even the slightest bit of hesitation, consider that there are hundreds of online casinos and sportsbooks out there awaiting your business.
The last item on the list, specifically geared for casino players, is determining whether the casino uses legitimate software. Obviously, there are considerations such as games available, download time and system compatibility, but your first concern should be whether the software is verifiably fair. More than likely it is, but it's generally more comforting to play at a casino with software that's audited by a third party. MicroGaming software, for example, is audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Read the other parts of the Online Gambling Checklist
Gambling Checklist, Part 1
Gambling Checklist, Part 3
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