Revenues for 888 Rise with Change in Focus

Online gambling group 888 Holdings saw revenue from gaming rise by 7% in 2006, despite it closing its US business.

In a trading update, it revealed that net gaming revenue for the 12 months to 31 December reached $290m (£148m) compared with $271m the year before. Gibraltar-based 888 said it was diversifying geographically in the wake of a US law late last year which effectively banned internet betting.

The firm said last month saw record turnover for non-US operations but, it added that the number of new depositors was down since October. For many gaming firms the US had been a vital source of revenue but since the new legislation came into force in October, online gambling companies have been seeking to gain revenue elsewhere.

Revenue from non-U.S. operations rose 28% to $157 million. However, after suspension of 888's US business in October 2006 average daily first time depositors fell by some 37%.

"Following our exit from the US market in the fourth quarter of 2006, the company has worked hard to continue expanding its non-US business," 888 said in its update.

Recent developments include launching a new real-money casino in February this year. In broadening its scope, the firm got a betting licence in Italy in December as well as starting a casino website using Spanish and German.

After the new US legislation was introduced, there were talks between the firm and Ladbrokes over joining together. But in its update, 888 said it had "no further update" concerning those discussions.

Eight Blackjack Tips to Win You More Money

You can, and will gain an advantage that will give you an edge in playing for long term consistent profits, if you make the required effort by learning the basic strategy, card counting and play to a predetermined plan.

Here are 10 blackjack tips to help you win:

1. Learn the Basic Strategy

Statistically, there is one perfect action a player can make, for each of the hands he is dealt, against each up card the dealer holds. This is known as the Basic strategy, and all winning blackjack strategies are based on it.

2. Manage Your Money Correctly

All blackjack players will have losing periods and bad runs and so need to manage their bankroll. A money management rule that is effective is to bet with 1% of your bankroll. For example, if you have a bankroll of $2000, your betting size is 1%, or $20.

If you are playing with a 1.5% advantage over the house, (with a card counting strategy), the chances of losing your entire bankroll are only 5%. It's a mathematical certainty that you will hit a losing run, so you need to be able to ride out those periods.

3. Learn to Count Cards

Using a Specific SystemMost people who play blackjack do not go beyond basic strategy. However, for the serious player, it has been proven mathematically that by counting cards, you can actually get and maintain a positive advantage over the casino.

You can then keep a running count of, and work out the probability of, the undealt cards to come out of the deck. There are lots of different counting systems and you need to pick one that's right for you. However, even a simple system will give you an edge over the casino.

4. Estimate the True Count

Once you know the running count, you are then able to calculate the true count. The true count is the running count divided by the number of decks of undealt cards. The true count gives a better indication of how favorable the remaining cards are than does the running count, and only needs to be calculated when you want to perform an action i.e. betting.

5. Learn to Adjust Your Bet Size Based on the True Count

As the true count goes up, so should the bet size. As the true count goes down, the bet size should be decreased. You will lose more hands then you will win, so in order to make money longer term, you need to up your bet size when the odds are favorable. This tip is the key to winning big in blackjack.

6. Play with Favorable House Rules

The house rules dictate how much money you can expect to win in the long run. You therefore need to look for favorable house rules to give you an extra edge.

7. State of Mind

If you are seriously playing for money, make sure that you are mentally alert and are concentrating fully. Don't play when you have had a row with the wife, or have been drinking! You need to be sharp and focused.

8. Discipline - The Key to Success

The final blackjack tip for greater profits is obvious: If you have a plan, you need discipline to implement it unemotionally, and stick with it even in losing periods.Without the discipline to implement your plan, you don't have one!