Savage Zone

Four Tips for Improving Your Blackjack Skills

May 24, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

If you like to gamble, you may find that one of the best games to play is blackjack. There are many ways that you can play, and there are always great tips that you can find. Below are four tips to improve your blackjack skills

Split the Deck

If your initial hand is two of a kind, split your deck. This improves your chance of winning. It is highly suggested that if you have double aces, always split. This is even an option most of the time on an online casino.

Double Down

If you decide that you want to double your bet after seeing your initial draw of cards, you can do this. You will also get an additional card with this. Doubling down is a great way to go if you have an amazing hand, but keep in mind that it can also be a huge risk if you don’t have a great hand.

Remember Who You are Playing

You are playing against the house. Keep this in mind. You are simply trying to beat the dealer, without busting. Though this may seem easy, it is not always that simple. Understand that though you want to get as close to 21 as possible, you also do not want to go over.

Know Your Limits

One of the most important things to keep in mind if you want to improve your blackjack skills is to know when to stop. If you are getting stressed, angry, or running out of cash, it is time to cash in. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed with ‘just one more’ syndrome.

Filed Under: Extras, Gaming Tagged With: Blackjack, Card counting, Gambling

Using Computer Games to Learn

May 22, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Image via Wikipedia

Most parents despair when their children start asking to download or purchase computer games, but the fact is that, chosen wisely, many of the games can actually be educational tools. Of course, you’re the only one who’ll know that, because the learning is disguised so well in the graphics and maneuvers, your child won’t even realize he is learning until he actually puts the knowledge to use.

There are computer games designed for even very young children. Some of these can be helpful, but you need to ask yourself do you really want to introduce your three-year-old to the computer when he is just mastering fine motor skills such as using pencils and crayons, and still wants to remain physically active.

For those children that you do consider old enough to play computer games, there are those that you will feel more comfortable with letting them play because they truly are helping them. For example, computer games that require a child to achieve a certain number of points before proceeding to the next level can help with math skills.

Games that require pointing and clicking the mouse can help with hand-eye coordination, something which many young children often have a problem with. Also, choose games that require conscious effort on your child’s part in order to make something happen. For example, you can choose a game that require your child to click on a specific color object a fixed number of times before achieving success. This can help with fine motor skills, math skills, and memory skills.

Filed Under: Computers Tagged With: Child, Eye–hand coordination, Personal computer game

The Old Platform Video Games: The Challenge That Never Ends

May 20, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

It’s staggering how far we’ve come when it comes to video gaming. First it was Pong — now it’s Call of Duty: Black Ops. That essence of gaming has evolved so incredibly that it makes humanity look like a snail in the grand space-time continuum. Who knows — we might see in ten years a video game console that can be implanted into our brains. Look! It’s Super Mario Brothers played inside our minds. How’sthatÂ for virtual reality?

There’s one question to pose, though: has the quality of gaming gotten better? Hmm. Good question.

For sure, your quality Final Fantasy games out there are like custom designed poker tables — and Pac-Man’s basically an old wooden nightstand. Right?

Image courtesy: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/2703293797_9d12fe9376_m.jpg

Wrong. When you’re looking for the answer about quality in gaming, know that the answer is this: no. It definitely hasn’t gotten worse, though.

Try any of those old platform games from the past — like Mega Man, Ninja Gaiden, Super Mario Brothers. What is the defining characteristic of a game? Think hard….

Yes! It’s the challenge. It’s the ability to spend hours trying to get to the next level. Go ahead and try it: play any one of these classic platform games, and you’ll want to throw the controller at the TV.

There’s your quality right there. There’s programming genius in a game — a game that provides a challenge. Know that the essence of gaming isn’t to be thrilled, necessary — it’s to be challenged. That’s what all kinds of games do.

Filed Under: Computers, Gaming Tagged With: Ninja Gaiden, Video game, Video game console

Protecting Your Teen on Facebook

May 15, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Image representing Facebook as depicted in Cru...

Image via CrunchBase

If you’re like the majority of parents today, your teen has a Facebook account. And, if you’re like the majority of parents, you’ve heard the countless horror stories about cyber-bullying, stalking, sending and receiving sexually explicit postings, and other issues that have put teens into physical danger or caused intense emotional stress.

You may be wondering if refusing to let your teen have a Facebook account is the only way you can prevent anything bad from happening. It is one way, but there are other ways you can protect your teen on Facebook or any other social network account (Facebook is the one you hear about the most, but there are others; these tips apply to any of them).

Become your child’s “friend.”

Not only will this give you access to your child’s page, but just knowing that you are literally seeing everything your child sees will keep him and his friends “on the straight and narrow” when it comes to content that is posted. If you start seeing a lot of “code words,” ask your child to translate, and then explain that this will not happen again. If it continues, suspend Facebook access for a period of time.

Keep up with your child’s contacts.

If you don’t know a person yourself, ask your child to give you information on who the contact is and how this person came to be on your child’s Facebook page, this is the only way to ensure Facebook privacy for your kids. If the person doesn’t know your child enough to your liking, have your teen remove them from their friends list.

Filed Under: Computers Tagged With: Adolescence, Cyber-bullying, Facebook

The Growing Popularity of Online Games

May 8, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Gaming has always been something that people find to be an entertaining and viable pass-time. Since the inception of computers, the world of video games has evolved drastically, reaching out to entire new demographics that it did not when it first began getting popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. While in fact traditional types of video games such as first person shooters and the stunning embrace of graphics and interactivity that is the role-playing realm; the more simplistic types of online games are vastly growing in popularity over them.

Among some of the more popular games that are commonly played online are games that pertain to gambling. There are many online casino sites that dip into many different types of games that are associated with gambling in general. Among one of the more popular are digital Texas Hold ‘em matches that take place around a digitally enhanced table where each player has a clear seat. These types of games have been popular for the past decade, and continue to grow due to the ease they present to people who like the element of gambling but enjoy the anonymity of sitting at their computer with nobody around them in person.

Additionally, some of the more simplistic looking games that are nothing more than generic side-scrollers are equally popular. These games can usually be found on sites that small scale developers use to show-case their games. Text-based role-playing games also fall into this category, and have a like cult type of following among player groups.

In all, the computer and Internet present a wide array of gaming opportunities for both players and video game developers. With the wide array of preferences among audiences, there is seemingly no area in which a developer can make a mistake in terms of what the finished product will be and who it will appeal to.

Filed Under: Computers, Gaming Tagged With: Gambling, Online game, Video game

Best Computer Monitors for Online Gaming

May 5, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

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If your child simply insists he must have a specific computer monitor for his online gaming, don’t just assume he’s asking just because everyone else has it. Take a few minutes to find out some information on different types of monitors. You may be surprised to find that the differences are enough to make certain ones better selections for gaming.

One thing to look for is how much the monitor can be adjusted. This not only includes the ability to tilt it up and down or side to side for better viewing, but also in how much the brightness and contrast can be adjusted.

Computer monitors that can be easily maneuvered so that they are on the most comfortable level for full visualization of the images can actually help protect your child from injury. Monitors that require him to raise or lower his head or neck for optimal viewing can cause him to suffer back and neck pain.

Can the entire monitor, base and screen, be moved easily? This is important because you want to make sure the monitor is far enough back to reduce eyestrain as this can cause headaches and other problems.

Adjustments are important because too-bright colors can actually cause neurological problems. If your child is prone to seizures, bright colors rapidly flashing on a screen may trigger a seizure; being able to adjust the brightness can help with this.

Contrast is also important. Images should be clear and sharp, with no fuzzy edges. The background should not be too dark or too light. Out-of-focus images on a hard-to-view background can also cause eyestrain.

Filed Under: Computers Tagged With: Asthenopia, Computer monitor, Television

Getting More Enjoyment out of Your Gaming Time

April 21, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

If you’re like many people, you probably enjoy playing computer games—so much so that you have to be very disciplined in order to keep from playing them at inappropriate times. When the time is right to play, you want to get to the business of gaming as fast as you can.

You may find yourself able to devote some time to determining the types of new games that are available. You search the Internet or may have arranged to receive free information from a company or a gaming website concerning new technology.

Often, you find reading the reviews of different types of games as well as the new computers that are being developed specifically for game playing very helpful. These reviews list advantages and disadvantages of games, software, accessories, and other information that helps you decide if a particular game is one you want to download or purchase.

Sometimes, you even take advantage of the tips and tricks to get to the next level that some websites and gaming articles offer. Or, you may be a “purist”; someone who decides that you must learn all the techniques on your own. Whatever helps you enjoy your gaming time more is what you should do.

It is apparent that Internet and video gaming isn’t going to go away soon and that more and more people will probably start using their computers as a form of entertainment as well as for business. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as it does not make you shirk responsibilities.

Filed Under: Gaming Tagged With: Game, Shopping, Video game

Jobs and Careers for Savvy Internet Gamers

April 10, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

If you’ve been trying to bring home the bacon or hummus since the Eisenhower administration vacated or even since last week, there’s good news if you’re an e-gaming enthusiast. Although we might like a fairy godmother, chances are waving a magic wand will not help to bring us a part-time or full-time job. Jobs don’t come to those who wait. However computer geeks, customer service go-getters, number crunchers and artists can all have a chance to utilize their degrees and skills. There’s also a trail of lady luck around if you enjoy the occasional money gamble.

Computer smarts can go a long way in many areas, and an online casino is no exception since:

Swiss cheese may be a fine thing to eat but no one wants their Internet security to have holes – especially with financial information exchanged.
If you’re too familiar with the same games being offered, software developers can come to the rescue by implementing new ideas for e-gamers.
Professionals in web design are highly desired because an appealing art background and ease of site usability tends to keep people returning.

With all the money that comes into an online casino web site, accountants seeking a career are a major commodity. They handle individual and business accounts daily.

Having impeccable language and customer service skills will probably not go unnoticed for the following reasons:

Cyber-gamblers come from all countries across the globe, making language interpretation and translation skills vital.
Customer service representatives have to be relatively independent and comfortable with various computer programs, including chat.
Great customer service will speak for itself especially when the clientele spreads the word.

Filed Under: Extras Tagged With: Consulting, Customer service

Are kids growing up too Fast with Technology?

March 28, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Image by Clover_1 via Flickr

How many times have you heard parents of children say that they are getting too old for their breeches? Children today are growing up faster because of advancements in technology and the advent of computers and the Internet.

Some of it has advantages, for instance, the power of computer and video games. Computer games and video games are items that can hold a child’s undivided attention better than any parent’s lecture or any school lesson possibly could.

Video games also offer the added benefit of interaction with peers or siblings in a way that does not always end in conflict, as those closest to them can foster rivalry more times than not. Children of all ages experience the challenges of completing video games that encourage curiosity and present them with innovative ways to show off their talents and skills.

Computer games can create a balance in gender issues, because girls can master the concepts of winning games as well as boys. Children, who play games requiring certain skills, acquire skills they may not previously have had.

Some children become fascinated by the way the video game works, and may find that they want to develop video games themselves. Because computer-related jobs are not only the jobs of the future, but also the jobs of the present, this is an extremely positive aspect of computer game playing.

Children impatient to become adults before they are emotionally or physically ready can role-play in healthy video games. Because they can act silly while playing, perhaps they will get the idea that problems arise in adulthood they do not have to deal with at their age, and it will keep them children for just a little while longer.

Filed Under: Computers, Gaming Tagged With: Child, Games, Video game