Year: 2019
Online Casino Slots – Choosing Your Total Bet Value
You’ve found the perfect slot game and are anxious to start spinning the reels. You know how to begin, you’ve studied the pay tables, you know exactly what you’re hoping to land, but what to do with those buttons? There’s a button for Bet Level and one for Coin Value. Same thing, right? No, when we compare them according to their function and how they influence wagers and payouts, they become very different. The value of the coin is the value of the coin, the words are self-explanatory, but when we consider the Bet Level, things begin to change somewhat. Let’s consider Coin Value for a moment. Let’s say you are playing 25 paylines of a video slot game and are betting a Coin Value of 1c per payline, your total is 25c per spin, easy enough. If you decide to play 20c per payline, and are playing 25 paylines, you will be wagering €/$5 per spin.
When you decide to play the slots, there are two things you can control. You choose the Coin Value and then decide on the Bet Level. You get to decide how much you want to wager per spin, and this you do by deciding on how may lines to play, multiplied by the Coin Value multiplied by the Bet Level.
Most of the slot games available at online casinos don’t have the Bet Level button, and it’s easy to see exactly how much your wager will be per spin. The Bet Level has confused many people as it changes things somewhat. However, it’s quite simple when you understand how the Bet Level functions. Let’s look at a simple metaphor. Imagine buying 20c worth of sweets and then at the last minute you change your mind and tell the shopkeeper you would like to double the amount of sweets. The 20c is your Coin Value and doubling the amount of sweets would be your Bet Level. Your Bet Level controls not only how many coins you wager per spin but also how many coins you can win, a higher Bet Level will pay you more coins and a lower Bet Level, less coins. Adjusting your Bet Level makes your slot game more interesting because you are controlling how many coins you can win as well as the value of the coins you wager. If you choose to play with a high Coin Value and a high Bet Level, you can win enormous amounts of cash but at the same time, your stakes will be higher and instead of cents you will start wagering Euros and Dollars per spin.
Why Do Some Slots Have Coin Value And Bet Level?
NetEnt, one of the top software suppliers of casino slots games and other video slots and table games, split their wagering into two categories: Players can regulate the amount they bet by changing the Coin Value by changing the Bet Level. For greater flexibility, these two wagering methods can be used simultaneously and the higher you make either of these two options, the more winnings you can accumulate. Depending on what you select, the total amount you wager per spin changes with each of the two options. The Coin Value is based on the actual amount of coins you wager and you can change this easily as you spin the reels. Simply stated, the Coin Value is how much money you decide to spend on each payline, and as we’ve already established, the Coin Value is the value of the actual coins. For example, a slot game offers you the possibility of playing the following options: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €/$1.00 and €/$2.00. Play a 25 payline slot game with a coin value of 2c and a Bet Level of 1 and the slot machine will automatically take your instruction to be, I’m going to bet 2c for each payline. Your stake equals 50c per spin. Now we’ll change the Coin Value to 5c at 25 paylines and your total stake will be €/$1.00.
Now we’ll take a look at Bet Level. Because coin values are limited to their value, NetEnt introduced Bet Level, a button that gives the player some wiggle room and a little more freedom to personalise the wager. Instead of betting per payline a set of denominations, i.e.: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c or €/$1.00, with the Bet Level you can change the value of your wager completely. Your Bet Level will multiply your coin value wager, for example, if you wager 2c per payline, at 25 pay lines, your total stake equals 50c per spin. Now change your Bet Level from 1 to 2. By doing this, you double the entire bet, for example, if you wager 2c per payline, at a Bet Level of 2 for 25 pay lines, your total stake equals €/$1.00per spin. As there no coin denominations in circulation of 4c, so the Bet Level succeeds in allowing you to personalise your total bet. Let’s look at another example, your coin value is 5c and your Bet Level is 5, you actually get a Coin Value of 5c x 5 = 25c. If you choose to play 25 paylines, this means your 5c Coin Value and your 5 Bet Level will give you a total stake of 25 paylines x 25 equals €/$6.25 Total Stake.
Wild Water slot game by NetEnt
Let’s see an actual example of one of NetEnts more popular slot games. Wild Water is a charming slot game with a surfing theme. It has 20 paylines, lots of stacked symbols, a shark is the Wild symbol and a surfer is the Scatter. Select your coin value which range from 1c,2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, and 50c. Let’s say for example you decide to wager 1c cents per spin, for 20 paylines your total wager would be 20c. But you decide you want to up your stakes and get a better chance to win more. The Bet Level is regulated by a ‘level’ button. Click this button to double your coin value, triple it, in fact with this slot game you can multiply your Coin Value up to ten times. Now start spinning the reels, good luck!
Jimi Hendrix by NetEnt
A fantastic sot game inspired by one of the greatest rock legends of all time, Jimi Hendrix, this five reel twenty payline video slot game will have you feeling like a rock star. There are 6 bonus features and two of them will help you get re-spins and wild transformations. The main appealing feature of this game is a Pick and Click feature where you can have cash prizes and 3 free spins features, with up to 12 free spins and up to 5 overlays Wild on each free spin. The slot game is pastel coloured and the reels are set against an open stage and a nature backdrop. Set amidst flower power, love and peace symbols, the soundtrack playing in the background are some of the most famous songs by this legend. Before you start playing this slot game you need to set your bets. Coin denominations go from 1c to €/$1.00, which can be set by the “Coin Value” arrows. If you select to play, for example, 5c per spin, changing your “Level” tab will change your wager value. This game is a 20 payline slot game so betting 5c per payline means you are betting €/$1.00 per spin. However, if you leave your Bet Level tab at the default level of 1, your total wager per spin will remain at €/$1.00. If you change your Bet Level tab to 2, your total wager doubles, change the Bet Level to 3, it triples.
Starburst by NetEnt
We couldn’t finish this tutorial without speaking about one of the most popular games in the slot gaming world. Starburst is a NetEnt slot like no other, it has an arcade feel to it and is completely based on Starburst Wilds. There are five reels and ten paylines and you can play for as little as 10c a spin to €/$100 a spin. Starburst is mesmerising and fast paced and besides being one of the most popular slots online, it offers a 50,000 coin win potential. Starburst has ten paylines on which you can win. If you bet the minimum here, your Bet Level is 1 and your coin value is 1c. Your bet is now 10c. (10 Lines x 1 x 1c = 10c) If you raise your Coin Value to 2c, your bet becomes 20c per spin. (10 lines x 1 x 2c = 20c.) Raise your Coin value to 5c, and your bet is now 50c per spin. (10 lines x 1 x 5c = 50c)
Increasing Coin value gives you bigger raises. For example, on Starburst your bets per raise are 10c, 20c, 50c, €/$1.00, €/$2.00, €/$5.00 and €/$10.00.
Increasing the Bet Level gives you smaller raises. With Coin value 1c on Starburst, if you raise your Bet Level by one each time, your bets would be: 10c, 20c, 30c, 40c, 50c, 60c, 70c, 80c, 90c on Bet Level 9, and on the maximum Bet Level of 10, your bet would be €/$1.00. You’re playing Coin value €/$1.00 and you raise to Bet Level 4. (10 lines x 4 x €/$1.00 = €/$40.00)
Whichever slot game you choose to play, it’s important to have fun! With these helpful tips, you’ll find your slot game adventure more manageable and easier to understand. Keep checking our pages for the best slot games and great online casinos which we have reviewed for you. Happy playing!
The Cost of Travelling to Las Vegas
“All inclusive Las Vegas trip for just $399” – you might have come across such lucrative advertisements over the internet. Don’t make a fool out of yourself by believing such cheap gimmicks. Forget about a satisfactory experience, you won’t get more than a shabby downtown hotel room and cheap red-eye flight out of such a deal.
Make no mistake, Las Vegas is an expensive tourist destination. You can’t expect to have an enjoyable Las Vegas trip on a shoestring budget. A tour of Las Vegas requires a heavy wallet if you intend to cover all the glamour and glitz the place has to offer.
So before planning a trip to the ‘Gambling Capital of the World’, make sure that you are in a position to afford the luxurious experience without stretching yourself too thin from a financial perspective.
How Much Does a Trip to Las Vegas Costs?
Wondering how much money you need to spend on a memorable trip to Las Vegas? The major costs will include visa fees (if you are an international tourist), airline fares, accommodation charges, food expenses, local transport costs, and the costs of enjoying the entertainment avenues. You must also account for miscellaneous spending like buying souvenirs and offering service tips etc.
The ultimate cost of travelling to Las Vegas would largely depend on your geographic location. Airfares constitute a sizeable percentage of the overall cost and hence the domestic US travelers would find themselves at an advantageous position. Besides higher airfare, the international tourists would additionally need to account for visa charges and custom duties – thus increasing the total expenditure significantly.
To give you a better idea about Las Vegas trip costs, here is an approximate break-up of the major costs involved. Please note that our analysis caters to the average cost and it should only be taken as a reference. The actual cost may vary depending on a number of factors like your preference for luxury and the timing of your tour.
Major Costs Involving a Las Vegas Trip
Airline Fares
Of course, airfare largely depends on where you are flying from. For an inter-city US traveler, the average airfare would cost around $300 for a round-trip flight per person. If you are not averse to boarding a red-eye flight, then you may hope to get the trip covered within $200.
For international tourists, however, the airline charges can take a significant upward curve. European travelers may have to shell out around $1000 for a round trip. That’s the average fare if you book the tickets well in advance. A last minute plan can make your wallet lighter by as much as $2000. So better plan your travel with enough time at hand.
If you are travelling from one of the Asian countries, the airfare could cost more. For example, the average one-way airfare from New Delhi to Las Vegas is around $1000, making it $2000 for a round trip flight. However, if you are looking for immediate travel, you may have to shell out an additional 40-75%.
If you are on a strict budget, then it’s better to avoid the peak-seasonal rush. The fare usually skyrockets during the Christmas time. Same holds true for other festive seasons like Easter, Halloween and Valentine’s Day. That’s why budget travelers prefer to plan their Las Vegas tour during the offseason.
Visa Charges (for international tourists)
The application fee for US tourist visa is $160 (B-2 visa). The validity is 90 days. It is highly recommended to get your visa approved before you make other bookings. It will save you the troubles and money if your visa application gets rejected. The USA immigration authorities are quite strict about granting a visa to foreigners and every year a good number of visa applications get rejected due to various reasons.
Cost of Accommodation
Accommodation can get quite expensive in Las Vegas. Las Vegas being a bustling tourist destination, it should hardly come as a surprise. Even a decent double room in a budget hotel can cost you $100 per night. Hotels in prime locations are obviously more expensive. If you desire to taste the luxury of posh five-star accommodation, you must be willing to shell out in excess of $350 per night.
When you take the average cost of mid-range hotels, it usually comes up to around $150 per night. So if you are planning for a 4-days trip, you should set aside $600 just for your stay.
Food Costs
You will be amazed by the range of restaurants available in Las Vegas. It can get incredibly inexpensive (or expensive) depending upon where you decide to eat. Tourists on a tight budget can find all-you-can-eat buffet meals for just $20. Specialized fine-dine restaurants would invariably cost a lot more. Same holds true for snacks and beverages. Just to experience the real taste of Las Vegas, you must plan atleast one outing at one of the famed fine-dine eateries which can cost you $100 per person.
The average dining budget per person, including the cost of drinks, would be around $75 per day. So while planning your food expense, you can anticipate a cost of $300 per person as a rough estimate for a 4-days trip.
Local Travel and Sightseeing Costs
The local travel would include the taxi fare to and from the airport to your hotel. The economy taxi fare from the McCarran International Airport to the central business district is around $40 one way. In addition, you should also consider the costs of travelling to various tourist attractions, casinos, and shopping centers.
If you limit your excursions to the Strip alone, you can probably cover the travel costs within $50 per day. Then there is, of course, the entry fees to particular tourist attractions (such as the Mandalay Bays Shark Reef, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum). All in all, local sightseeing and intra-city travel won’t cost you more than $100 per day.
However, trips to the famed Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon and other attractions on the outskirts of city limit would invariably cost you much more. If you are quite inclined to catch a glimpse of everything Las Vegas has to offer, then you should have an additional $150 budget – on top of the usual local sightseeing costs.
Entertainment
Las Vegas is known for its entertainment quotient. Live musical events, theatricals, celebrity nights and magic shows – you name it and Las Vegas has got you covered. The tickets are usually priced in the range of $50-$100 per person. If you plan to catch a couple of major shows, we suggest you include $150 per person on an average.
Gambling Expenses
A trip to Las Vegas without indulging in gambling is a crime. It’s one aspect where your pre-determined budget can go for a toss. If you are not an instinctive gambler and just want to have a great time, then we would suggest you assign $100 per day as gambling expenses. You may end up spending around $300 if you can’t resist the temptation.
In case you get lucky, you might be able to cover the cost with your winnings and still have a few bucks in savings. But that’s not guaranteed, and rather a rarity. The glamour of Las Vegas wasn’t built by losing money on gambling. It’s actually the other way around – i.e., the tourists loss is the city’s gain.
Cutting the long story short, if you must go gambling everyday on your 4-days trip, then you can roughly set aside $500 as your gambling expenses.
Miscellaneous Costs
Quite often it’s a neglected aspect, but in fact, the miscellaneous expenses can reach a significant cumulative figure if you are not careful. Buying souvenirs can be costly in Las Vegas. The tips that you pay for various services must also be accounted for. All in all, a $100 for a 4-day trip would be appropriate for an average budget traveler.
Overall Expense for an All-inclusive Las Vegas Trip
Domestic US travelers might be able to cover a 4-days Las Vegas trip within $1500, but the international tourists would need to bear some additional costs. If you sum things up, a satisfying trip to Las Vegas would cost an international tourist around $2000 – excluding the airline ticket charges.
Planning early can be the key to minimize expenditure on air travel. If you manage to book your flight tickets well in advance, you can hope to limit the overall expenses to around $3000 for a 4 days trip to the Sin City.
However, if your sole purpose behind visiting Las Vegas is to get your eyes rolling on the fancy casinos, and experience an extravagant lifestyle, we have an even cheaper solution for you. Simply, browse the web and discover some reliable online casino websites and you are good to go.
Most online casinos provide all the features and fun that you would otherwise experience in Las Vegas. The decked up websites, welcome bonus, easy withdrawal and deposit along with live customer support. If you want to take the thrill to the next level, you can even play live dealer casino games wherein a live dealer supervises the game, and gives you a perfect feel of Las Vegas casinos.
What’s more, since most online casinos are mobile-friendly, you can play at anytime and anywhere. The only catch here is to crosscheck the minimum wagering requirements and choose a casino which is reputed enough, and you’re good to go!
That said, if you have enough cash with you and if you can handle the expenses associated with a trip to Las Vegas, definitely, nothing can beat the experience that you’ll get. But if you are on a shoestring budget, we will highly recommend you to satisfy your appetite by playing online casino.
What would you prefer? Do let us know in the comments below!