If you are playing casino games online, I am sure everyone wonders “What are the chances of me actually winning?” There are a few factors that you should look into when trying to figure out what your chances are in winning while online gambling:

One factor is random number generator, or RNG, which is a program that produces random numbers and is the process of how odds, cards or slots are pulled from. If you are wondering how you can confirm if the game is rigged or not, there are plenty of people out there who rest for randomness and payout percentages.

Everyone loves free perks right? When you are playing online casinos, you want to look for one that gives a good signup bonus. You should keep a look out for a online casino game with a solid cashback program as well. If you loose a bunch of money, the blow will definitely be softened by receiving a nice bonus or cashback. Am I wrong?

Lastly, the most important process is just to be educated you want to find a community where you can here you can chat with other players and discussing experiences and more importantly big wins and pay outs. Just be smart and play smart and you will have a better chance of winning!

Bingo has seen quite the resurgence in recent times with the more traditional version of the game reappearing in land-based venues as well as in various online environments at sites like www.bingosites.uk.

Not only that but it has even begun to sneak further into the public psyche due to it featuring in some of the world most popular TV shows and even into a few films.

Take a look at some of the pastime most memorable appearances below.

CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM

Larry David stars in this truly cringeworthy series where the former ‘Seinfeld’ co-creator plays a semi-fictional version of himself and ends up in the middle of some of the most socially awkward scenarios imaginable. In the season 5 episode ‘Kamikaze Bingo’ Larry once more manages to upset and offend those around him whilst taking part in a friendly bingo game at his father’s retirement home in this hilarious scene.

BAD GRANDPA

‘Jackass’ star Johnny Knoxville plasters on the make-up and takes his Bad Grandpa character out on the road for his very own feature length adventure. Knoxville stars as Irving Zisman in this stunt-based semi-scripted hidden camera comedy. There are plenty of memorable scenes including one in a bingo hall where the always inappropriate Zisman does his best to flirt with the other players whilst drinking down the bingo marker fluid to everyone’s amazement.

BETTER CALL SAUL

It’s a shame that most TV and movie scenes that relate to bingo do seem to revolve around the older generation and retirement homes, however that’s once more the setting for this excellent sequence from ‘Breaking Bad’ spin-off ‘Better Call Saul’. During a partial melt down lawyer Jimmy, played by Bob Odenkirk, gets monumentally anecdotal and opinionated during his stint as bingo caller to the residents at the local retirement home, much to their bemusement.

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA

The only animated scene on our list comes courtesy of family comedy ‘Hotel Transylvania’. It may be brief but is still a humorous bingo-related scene whereby the traditional game takes on a rather disturbing twist. The classic balls being spun in this macabre version of the games are replaced with miniature skulls which even manage to voice their numbers by themselves. One lucky player manages to call bingo only to have her winning card gobbled up by the heartless creature she’s unfortunate enough to sit next to.

Will Sterrett, president and CEO of Rockcastle Media Group, has announced the first radio stations that will carry RMG’s first syndicated project, a daily, two-minute trivia feature titled, “Think Fast!”

“Think Fast!,” which Sterrett will also host, will feature wide-ranging trivia from history, sports, entertainment, news, and more.

The following stations have acquired the show, with more on the horizon:

KWIX-AM – Moberly, MO
KWIX-FM – Moberly, MO
KOZX-FM – Cabool, MO
KOKO-AM – Warrensburg, MO
KLOE-AM – Goodland, KS
KRDQ-FM – Colby, KS

“The launch of Rockcastle Media Group and ‘Think Fast!’ is the fulfillment of a dream more than a decade in the making,” said Sterrett, whose career highlights include CNN Radio Network, WLW/Cincinnati, KTRH/Houston, KRLD/Dallas, and KMBZ/Kansas City. “We’re grateful to the stations who have already made ‘Think Fast!’ part of their daily schedules, and look forward to welcoming more affiliates into the Rockcastle Media Group family through top-notch short-form and long-form programming and exemplary service for our affiliates and advertising partners.”

For more information on “Think Fast!” or if you’d like to suggest this program to your local radio station, visit www.RockcastleMedia.com

Released in 2014, The Gambler is a contemporary remake released forty years after the original movie of the same name. While it has received no little praise for telling a difficult story with care and compassion, the critical consensus is that it doesn’t quite stand up to the original in terms of sheer tension. Ultimately and despite high expectations – it was even intended to be in with a shot of making an Academy Award nomination – The Gambler didn’t stand up to audience sensibilities, but should still be worth a watch for anyone interested in themes of high stakes betting.

Games & Gambling Themes Featured
The Gambler is all about the world of illegal and unlicensed back-room betting, featuring a string of unsavory characters such as loan sharks and straight down the line gangsters. There’s no room for nice and sanitary games here, indeed the very last thing on the lead protagonist’s mind (Mark Wahlberg) is trying to find a nice little Spielautomaten online casino bonus. For him, gambling is literally an all or nothing endeavor without any room for cashing in and checking out. While poker and blackjack make occasional appearances, roulette is at the center of the movie’s gambling scenes – especially the live or die spins towards the end.

The Plot
Wahlberg plays a Jim Bennett – a professor of literature at a local university – who by night leads a very different life as a high stakes amateur gambler. It becomes apparent from very early on that Bennett doesn’t gamble for pleasure, or seemingly even to win – he gambles simply out of sheer compulsion, even when he ends up needing to pawn family heirlooms to bankroll his next bets.

Much of the movie has this as a central theme, with Bennett struggling to find funds to continue gambling so he can eventually pay off the hundreds of thousands he owes to various loan sharks – one of which Frank (played superbly by John Goodman) is a long term cohort who continues to lend Bennett money despite his better judgement.

As the movie continues Bennett faces the moral conundrum of whether to exploit his relationships with one of his students by coercing them into fixing a basketball game, and here the story takes a course of redemption and ‘last chance saloon’ as he ends up facing the final spin of the wheel.

The Cast
As mentioned John Goodman performs very well in support of Wahlberg, who turns in a strong performance of a man running out of options and without much of a clue how to extract himself from the mess he’s found himself in. Brie Larsen also makes a typically confident performance in support as a student struggling to understand her confused feelings of pity for Bennett, while also remarking at how composed he often seems to be as he follows the course of self destruction.

Conclusion
The Gambler is unlikely the be kind of movie that many people are going to feel especially inclined to watch more than once, but for what it is it presents an awkward and remarkable story well without ever quite managing to reach the heights that may have been expected, especially considering the quality of the lead roles.

Comic books are becoming more and more popular nowadays. Several decades ago, a comic book was treated like meaningless trash whereas it contained pictures and short portions of text about superheroes, ghosts, common people, etc. The majority of comics were produced for children. Apparently, the choice of comic books is enormous. One can find books about scouts, animals, Vikings, schoolchildren, supernatural creatures and others. Without doubt, the most famous and successful comics are about superheroes and their adventures. Modern comic books are no longer treated carelessly. They belong to the specific combination of art and literature. They possess a specific name – graphic novels. The most prominent producers of graphic novels employ the best artists and scriptwriters who make their comics captive, absorbing, curious and uncommon. Every comic book contains its offbeat plot and characters. Most often, graphic novels are periodical. There are specific main characters who experience various adventures in every new edition. As might be expected, young people are interested in comic books and they make them a part of their life.

Whenever you want to review a graphic novel for high school, college or blog, you should get to know how to do it beneficially. Firstly, you should prepare for this process practically. Read several different comic books in order to catch their structure, motives, plot, strong and weak sides. You should understand the nature of a graphic novel. Secondly, you should read your specific comic book planned for analysis. It is important to read other editions of this chosen series of graphic novels in order to learn about its characters, the core motives, ideas and peculiarities. Needless to say but many situations and motives repeat in every edition. It is vital to notice them and mention them in your comic book review. In brief, you ought to study the entire world of DC comics if you review a specific graphic novel about Batman, Superman or Flash. It is impossible to grab the main idea of these books if you do not know about the foundational connections between its characters.

You cannot prepare a worthy and imposing graphic novel review if you do not write about the author and illustrator of the specific comic book. If you review a comic book about Iron Man, Spider-Man or the X-Men, you will definitely need to mention Stan Lee, the creator of the majority of Marvel Comics superheroes. Say a few words about his achievements, career and impact on the development of the specific series of graphic novels. Illustrators are extremely important for this industry. No one will buy a comic book if there are no fascinating, magnificent and authentic images in it. Very often, people purchase these books in order to possess it like an album. They treat it as a form of art. Thus, you cannot omit an illustrator in your review. He makes the indigenous ‘appearance’ of a comic book. Above all things, you should mention the title of the chosen edition, its date of publication, format and ISBN number. This basic information will help one find the required edition in the Internet or library.

Now you ought to analyze the plot of the selected graphic novel. It is smart to divide the plot into two levels. The first level denotes the main characters and events of the story. Of course, you must not reveal the most newsworthy details and the ending of the story. The second level refers to the problems and major ideas hidden in the comic book. For instance, when you write about Superman, you can write how he protects the world and how he would influence our life if he lived in the real world.

The quality of writing and artwork are two paramount elements of your review. You should analyze the conflict of the specific novel and evaluate its resolution. You should say whether the author has managed to make a gripping and affecting plot or not. Is the plot unpredictable? What can you say about its crucial moments? Then, you need to pay attention to the illustrations that can be found in the comic book. Say about the artistic style. Illustrators apply cartoon-like, manga and realistic styles. They definitely influence the general perception of a book. What are the dominant colors of your particular graphic novel? Do you like it?

Bear in mind that your review is subjective. You cannot impose your point of view on other readers and fans whereas they like these comic books regardless of how you criticize them. Therefore, prepare to receive negative feedback and comments of your readers if you place your graphic novel review on your blog.

If you need professional book review assistance from academic experts, you should visit this paper writing service – SmartWritingService.com.

Game developers look in all the unexpected places for inspiration when seeking the next idea for a slot machine. When it comes to slots based on movies, though, things get a bit complicated – they need to sign licensing agreements with the owners of their rights to be able to even touch the subject. And such license agreements are not as unusual as you might expect. The last few years has seen more movies adapted into video slot machines, especially ones you can play online, than all the previous ones combined, both classics and modern day blockbusters. Great slots of which you can get more here at Grizzly.

Microgaming signs with HBO, Studiocanal and Universal

Isle of Man based developer Microgaming has signed quite a few licensing deals in 2014, gaining the right to release three most successful slot machines. Two of them were for blockbusters from the 1990s – Universal’s insanely successful Jurassic Park, and Studiocanal’s equally resounding Terminator II Judgement Day. Both of them were released in the same year, to incredible success – no doubt, due to the players’ fond memories of the movies. (And both of them released not long before a new movie in the franchise has been announced).

But the developer has signed a surprising deal with HBO Global Licensing as well, to turn its hit TV series A Game of Thrones into a slot machine. The game was released, and was a disappointment for many – most likely thanks to the high expectations of the players. But still it’s one of the most atmospheric slots ever released by Microgaming.

NetEnt and its ongoing deal with Universal

Swedish developer NetEnt is famous for its feature- and detail-rich slot machines. It is sometimes called the “Apple of online gaming” thanks to its incredible attention to detail. And it has an ongoing deal with Universal, which allows it to release some of the best slots based on classic horror movies.

Let’s take a look at NetEnt’s Universal Monsters series: Dracula (a bit like the guy from Dracula Untold, but in a Victorian setting), Frankenstein (the Boris Karloff one), The Invisible Man (the classic one, of course), Creature from the Black Lagoon, to mention just a few.

The developer has a history of releasing highly successful movie and TV based slots – including two games with a South Park theme, one featuring Aliens, or classic mobster movies like Scarface.

Playtech’s Marvel deal

Israeli gambling solutions provider Playtech has announced its comprehensive deal with Marvel back in 2009. Since then it has released a cornucopia of video slot machines (and a handful of internet scratch cards) based on the most popular characters from the Marvel universe – the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, the Avengers (all of them together, and most of them separately) and so on. These have been among the most popular slots offered by the company ever since, especially with the continuous excitement about the upcoming superhero movies.

https://pixabay.com/en/heart-love-romance-valentine-700141/

The intersection between movie motifs and the supernatural is one that audiences are often invited to travel across by script writers and directors.

From straight-up thrillers involving antisocial beings from the beyond to heart-warming tales of those on earth finding comfort in those from the spirit world, the use of spirits and all things ethereal has proved hugely popular with movie makers over the years.

Naturally, as we slip further into 2016, that trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down thanks to the pending release of Fallen. Not to be confused with the 1998 movie of the same name featuring Denzel Washington as homicide detective John Hobbes, the 2016 version of Fallen is a British, Australian and American hybrid production based on Lauren Kate’s Fallen novels.

The Guidance of Angels

https://pixabay.com/en/angel-singing-choral-christmas-1004111/

Known for her young adult novels, Kate’s Fallen was originally published in 2009 and focuses on the love story between accused murder Lucinda Price and her school mate, Daniel, who it transpires is an angel. Wanting to enliven this idea with some sights and sounds, Nichole Millard turned the story into a screenplay and Scott Hicks (famous for the movie Shine) took charge of the directorial side of things.

Despite being slated for release in 2015, the movie has had its setbacks, but Kate herself has stated that it will hit movie theatres in September 2016. At its core, the movie focuses on the relationship between Price and Daniel who has “loved her for a thousand years”. However, beyond the budding love between the two characters, the movie is also an exploration of how a belief in something beyond the physical world can help change someone’s life.

Among faith healers and psychics, the role of angels in our life is well known. According to popular wisdom, angels are constantly watching over us and if we’re able to channel their power we can fix certain issues in our life. To that end, many people now use angle therapy as a way to communicate with guardian angels such as Archangel Chamuel (peaceful relationships), Archangel Michael (the truth teller) and Archangel Gabriel (overseer of the creative).

A Supernatural Love Triangle

https://pixabay.com/en/angel-guardian-angel-heart-rose-1194462/

This appears to be the concept Kate, and latterly Hicks, has taken to a new level in Fallen. Instead of sitting down and tapping into the spirit world with the help of a therapist, Price has a direct line to her guardian angel. However, as with all tales of love and reform, the path to salvation is never easy and, despite a chance encounter with Daniel, Price also falls for another schoolmate in the form of Cam (also an angel).

This love triangle then becomes a battle between heaven and hell with Price stuck in the middle of two supernatural beings who have loved her for centuries. The overall premise of Fallen is far from unique, but if the production is slick and the acting is on point then it should do well. Indeed, the spirit world motif is one that often does well with audiences when it’s combined with a love story.

Will be a blockbuster? Probably not, but if the spirits are watching over the movie then it should do well enough to satisfy the production company and Fallen’s original author, Lauren Kate.

Today, you can play virtually any game you can think of online, and whatever you’re interested in, you’ll find an online game that’s linked to that interest. One of the latest real money games you can play online are online scratch cards – just like the ones you’ll find at the newsagents or in other shops, but now much more entertaining thanks to the variety of games you can play and the great graphics and sound effects they come with.

Of course, there is a huge range of different sites to play scratch games at, and an even bigger number of different scratch card games to choose from. So, if you’re interested in finding a great site to play at, or want to know what the most popular scratch card games are, then head to a review site like Gr8 Scratchcard to see which games are hot at the moment.

Gr8 Scratchcard not only gives in-depth reviews of different scratch games, but it also tells you where to find free scratch games to play online. This is great when you want the fun of playing, but you don’t want to pay to play. There are a surprising number of free scratch games available online, and it’s a great way to spend a few minutes of downtime as you can play wherever you have an internet connection. You can also find out which sites offer the best welcome bonuses for new players.

 

Face off with #BatmanvSuperman, now playing everywhere: https://t.co/7QBFAboiAk pic.twitter.com/HGDc6kgOwF

— Batman v Superman (@BatmanvSuperman) April 4, 2016

 

Thanks to the massive amount of interest in superheroes generated through the success of the Marvel film franchise with movies such as the Iron Man trilogy and those films featuring DC superheroes, Batman vs Superman: The Dawn of Justice to name one, you can play plenty of scratch games that feature superheroes and other film characters. The Superman scratch card game has a maximum prize of £100,000 to play for. One of the many free games that can be played directly through Gr8 Scratchcard is the X-Men scratch. The object of the game is to find two identical symbols, two symbols belonging to the same group or a Wild and a symbol of any group, in order to win prizes. All of the cards feature different characters from X-Men. Players can choose to play from 1 to 6 cards per game, so when you’re playing for real cash, keep an eye on the total you’re betting each time.

Some online scratch games are pretty similar to the traditional paper version you’d buy in the shops. For instance with the Iron Man 2 game, once you’ve chosen your stake, you then scratch the nine panels to see if a prize is waiting for you underneath. If you don’t want the suspense factor as you play, an autoplay function allows you to automatically scratch a set number of cards to play the game and cut straight to the chase to see if you’re a winner.

.“Indiana jones scratch cards. I couldn’t” (CC BY 2.0) by seamus_walsh

CAPTION: One of the most striking differences between online scratch cards and paper ones is that the online ones have great graphics and sound effects

The Rocky scratch game includes video action – which adds to the entertainment of the game. You choose which of three opponents Rocky will square up to, and when you’ve scratched the panel, a video of their fight plays through. If Rocky knocks out his opponent, then you land a win – to the value of the prize that you’ve revealed. However, if he loses, so do you. You get to scratch the panels to watch the other fights too, but only your first choice counts for your bet. These are just a few of the scratch card games available online. Whenever you want a quick bit of entertaining fun along with the possibility of a great cash prize, try your luck with an online scratch card.

 

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“Jon Snow Tribute” (CC BY 2.0) by snbk97

The sixth season of Game of Thrones (GoT) is marching towards us like seven noble families vying for the Iron Throne and anticipation is starting to build among the show’s hardcore fan base.

The big question on everyone’s lips at the moment is whether Jon Snow is really dead and adding more fuel to the rumours he may still be alive is the final scene of the season six trailer. Typically dramatic yet carefully designed to ensure we don’t get to see too much, the defining moment in the trailer is the scene showing the Onion Knight drawing his sword to protect what looks like Snow’s body.

Ever since the son of Lord Eddard Stark was stabbed and seemingly left to die in the snow during season five, fans have refused to let his memory fade. Kit Harington, who plays Snow, has won the hearts of GoT viewers since he first appeared in season one and that’s led to him being featured in a plethora of spinoffs.

Join Snow for a Spin

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“Game of Throne Figures” (CC BY 2.0) by  Aranami

From action figures to board games, fans of the show can now interact with the likes of Snow in more ways than ever before.

In fact, one medium that’s managing to keep the dead (?) lord alive is the show’s online slot game. How’s that possible, we hear you ask? Simple, you can experience the fun of pokies on your iPhone and summon up the might of Snow to have some fun.

Becoming a member of pokies/slots sites gives you direct access to a game that not only features familiar sights and sounds from the show (including the dramatic soundtrack), but five and six-figure jackpots. Whether you’re just testing the water in free play mode or spinning from £0.30, the game is a great way to keep the memory of Snow alive.

Of course, if you’ve watched the trailer and are inclined to believe TV gossip then you won’t need to play the game for much longer because Snow’s future in season six is just a few weeks away.

Snow Might be Gone but he’s Not Forgotten

“Game of Thrones giant pop-up” (CC BY 2.0) by  fdecomite 

However, if you’re more inclined to listen to Kit Harington then you’ll only see Snow in a deceased form when the new season airs.

Responding to the recent images of him on the set of the show, Harington explained that he was there to play a dead body.

“I had to be a dead body in Northern Ireland. You can’t just forget that he actually died. I had to be a dead body,” explained Harington.

Of course, the actor will be bound by a watertight contract that prevents him from talking about the show’s scripts, so it could be that this is a cunning ruse to throw people off the scent. Of course it’s equally likely that he’s telling the truth and this will be the last time we see Snow on screen.

Fortunately, if that is the case then it won’t be the end of the enigmatic lord. From slots to board games and more, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Game of Thrones long after the final credits have finished.

 

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For some, the latest James Bond movie, Spectre, was another triumph for the franchise. For others, it was a bit “meh”. However, for Daniel Craig, it appears to have been a harrowing experience.

Earlier this year, the British actor stated that he would rather do anything than reprise the role. Naturally, with Craig on the verge of handing in his gun and locking away the Aston Martin, the big wigs at the production company were forced to take evasive action and reportedly made an uncharacteristic play for Craig.

According to reports, Craig was unhappy at the amount of time it takes to shoot a Bond movie so, in a bid to keep him on board, the bosses apparently offered him a back-to-back deal which would have cut down the amount of time he was away from his family.

As yet it’s unclear whether or not Craig has acquiesced to any modified deals, but that hasn’t stopped the bookies from setting lines on the most likely man to replace him. Idris Elba and Damian Lewis are currently the hot tips among Bond fans and industry insiders, but it looks as though they’ll only get to don the famous tuxedo if Craig heads off into the sunset.

So why the love for Craig? With Casino Royale set to turn ten years old later this year, we thought we’d take a look at three reasons why he could be the best Bond ever.

Craig Made Bond Modern

One of the main reasons Craig is lauded by Bond fans is that he helped bring the character into the 21st century. Pre-Craig, the franchise had become stale and outdated. Although Pierce Brosnan embodied the charm and charisma of Bond, he didn’t have the rugged edge that many modern movie heroes have.

This rugged edge was then expertly combined with the always cool casino motif. Images of slick gamblers in flashy suits wagering huge sums of money on games such as poker and blackjack has always captivated the imagination of audiences, so when Bond took on Le Chiffre in a high stakes poker game it became an instant hit.

To make the poker scenes as believable as possible, director Martin Campbell hired professional players such as Casper Berry to help make Craig’s moves authentic. This ability to capture the moment, give off an air of authenticity and still make James Bond an aspirational figure was a major reason for Casino Royale, moreover, Craig’s success as Bond.

In fact, the connection between Bond and the casino world has lived on ever since. When the film was released in 2006 the online gaming boom was at its peak and, spurred on by the popularity of Casino Royale, a host of operators decided to use Bond imagery to enhance their products. James Bond-themed slots such as Double 0 Cash and Spy Game sat alongside classics such as blackjack and roulette.

With everyone wanting to become the next James Bond and bring down the house, online casinos like Titan Casino Online are giving new players a chance to join the action without spending their own money. Today, the online gaming industry is still going strong and even though Craig’s Casino Royale is a decade old, his image is still be used to show off the “cool” aspects of the industry.

Craig Brought in the Big Bucks

Despite initial fears that people wouldn’t take to Craig in his role as Bond, the numbers don’t lie. After breaking box office records in its opening week, Casino Royale went on to gross $594 million in movie theatre revenue and a further $210 million in home movie sales.

As if that wasn’t enough, Quantum of Solace went on to take $591 million in box office sales. However, as impressive as those figures are, Skyfall managed to almost make more than those two combined with a staggering $1.1 billion in international box office sales.

To top it all off, Spectre banked an impressive $879 million back in 2015 to take Craig’s box office earnings as Bond beyond the $3 billion mark.

Craig’s Body Did the Talking

At 5 foot 10 inches, many said Craig was too short to play bond. However, following his famous beach scene in Casino Royale, many quickly changed their tune.

Craig was not only buffer than the average Bond, but his frame actually made his fight scenes a lot more believable. Although many male fans will deny that this changed their opinion of Bond, there’s no denying that he was one of the more athletic Bonds in recent years and that helped turn the tide.

Is Craig the best Bond ever? Quite possibly and even if he doesn’t reprise the role, we can certainly look back at some impressive performances as the world’s greatest spy.

Video games (as your Nan used to call them) have crossed over into many other genres in popular culture. There was a time – if you care to remember the days of Atari’s and ZX Spectrum’s – when games were just games; standalone titles with their own original plots, and let’s be honest here, generally basic gameplay.

How times have changed. Complex storylines, online play, 3D graphics and vast budgets have made gaming unrecognisable compared to those glorious and innocent early days (I’m still fond of Pacman!). It was way back in 1976 when the first game to be based on a movie was released – Death Race was an arcade game based on the cult 1975 film of the same name – and by the early 1980’s developing games from movies was all the rage. The likes of Tron, Alien and King Kong were all given the treatment for the Atari 2600, with Raiders of the Lost Ark becoming the first officially licensed game-from-a-movie in 1982. It was quickly followed by Star Wars and E.T., although the latter became an infamous flop and the subject of an urban legend.

The line between the two industries has become progressively blurred over the years, and the release of the Super Mario Bros. movie in 1993, heralded a new era where all of a sudden video games started to become the inspiration for films. Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat quickly followed, while classic games like Doom, Resident Evil and Tomb Raider were developed into movies in the early 2000’s. This trend shows little sign of stopping, with an eye-watering 30 plus games currently being made into movies. These include Assassin’s Creed and Call of Duty, and if they’re as good as movies as they are as games, I can’t wait!

However, it isn’t just the film industry that has borrowed inspiration from gaming, and some of these well-known adventure titles have also made their way to the bright lights of Las Vegas. The Arcade and slots industry has always overlapped with the gaming industry (some software firms such as Konami actually develop both slot machines and video games), and it made perfect sense for slot-makers to latch onto the popular themes.

Better graphics and faster software have made today’s video slot machines much more of ‘gaming-like’ experience rather than a simple ‘one-armed bandit’ style slots experience. Animations and high-quality graphics have drastically changed the look of slots, and bonus games can take on a much more complex nature than ever before. Some of these games get pretty close to playing the real thing, and what’s more, you can win money playing them! It just doesn’t get much better than that, and below you can find five of the best adventure games that made it all the way to Vegas:

1. Dungeon and Dragons

A classic; it’s as simple as that. A classic franchise of cartoons, books, toys, movies, and of course games. The Dungeons and Dragons: Fortress of Fortunes slot machine by software house, IGT, took the theme to Las Vegas in 2009 and it’s proven to be one of the most popular slots at land-based and online casinos.

It features five reels and twenty pay lines, and gives you the option to play as one of three warrior heroes. The background and sound effects behind the slot provide an air of fantasy, and wins are accompanied by mystical music. A free spins bonus game takes you into a dungeon with up to five levels where you can earn extra multipliers by defeating enemies with the roll of a virtual dice.

It’s an iconic game, but could be surpassed in the next few years, by an officially licensed slot from Konami Gaming Inc. The software giant and its Las Vegas subsidiary, KGI, signed an agreement with Hasbro to develop a Dungeons and Dragons game using the original cast of characters. The slot is aimed at land-based casinos and attracting a younger generation of players, and will feature two games – ‘Conquests and Treasures’ and ‘Enchanted Riches’ – in pods of 2, 3, or 4 machines. The pods will include high quality chairs, custom logos and a themed bezel with authentic designs.

2. Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider was an iconic game of its time, and Angelina Jolie made the movie equally as iconic when it was released in 2001. The franchise has spawned books, comics, toys, and several sequel games, as well as a classic Vegas slot machine.

Microgaming is the software giant behind the slot machine, which features five reels, 15 pay lines and a max. bet of 75 coins. The Graphics are crisp and sharp, with symbols such as a tiger, gadgetry and Lara Croft herself earning the wins. There is a ‘Tomb Raider’ wild symbol which can substitute for other symbols to create winning combinations, and the game features two different bonus rounds. The scatter symbol is a gun-toting Lara Croft, and if she appears on 3, 4, or 5 of the reels she will launch the free spins round. There is also a bonus symbol, which is signified by a golden idol, and launches the tomb bonus round – a pick ‘em style game where you get to choose three from a number of idols to reveal three cash prizes.

The franchise is one of the most popular of the last 15-20 years, and changed the face of video gaming. It has taken Vegas by storm too, and become one of the most popular slot machines out there.

3. Worms

Yes, that’s right. Worms. The brilliantly addictive game that is so simple in style but so engrossing to play. Well it’s also been made into an online slot, and it will come as no surprise to learn that it is incredibly popular.

Everything about the slot is as colourful and humorous as the original game, and it features many of the classic sound effects too. It has five reels and a whopping 50 pay lines, with some great animated symbols of the crazy worms with ridiculously large weapons. Remember waiting for supply crates to parachute down from the sky with new weapons? They’re here too, and are used as a bonus symbol to launch the feature round when three or more land on the reels. The bonus round lets you select one of three crates to win one of the three different bonus games. These are a ‘space trail bonus’, a ‘crate escape’ game, and a ‘free spins battle’ bonus; each of which could earn a top jackpot of $500.

There are other great little quirks like a hand grenade which drops onto the reels and explodes, turning another symbol wild; and the infamous shout of ‘incoming’ when two crates land on the reels and you await the third. With equally addictive gameplay, it’s no wonder this slot has become so popular among video gamers as well as casino regulars.

4. The Dark Knight Rises

The Batman franchise has been around since video games and online slots were the vision of a distant future, with his first appearance coming in a 1939 comic book. However, the caped crusader has been the subject of numerous video games over the last twenty years on a huge variety of platforms, and he deserves a mention here as he remains one of the most popular figures in Las Vegas (on the slot machines, at least).

The Dark Knight Rises is an adaptation of the final instalment of Christopher Nolan’s dark trilogy, starring Christian Bale and Morgan Freeman. The game is a cutting edge video slot, which does away with standard reels and features 243 ways to win. The Graphics are superb and include real footage from the movie; while a bonus feature where Batman fights Bane rewards players with free spins and multipliers.

This is part of a new wave of slot machines which are moving away from the traditional ‘fruit machine’ style gaming, and incorporating much more interactive gaming features. It’s naturally popular in bricks-and-mortar casinos due to the popularity of the films, and it’s also made a big splash in the online world. It’s an absolute visual treat, and well worth checking out.

5. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Well, if we’re talking about popular games it would be remiss not to mention the behemoth of the gaming world that is Call of Duty. It has arguably become the single most popular gaming series of all time, and continues to captivate the soldier inside all of us the world over. It should come as no surprise then, that there is a movie in the offing. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has sold over 13 million copies, and the slot machine by Cryptologic has proven to be just as popular in Vegas and online.

The game itself features amazing graphics and animations that are true to the original. Symbols include grenades, gas masks, and assault rifles, across the five reels and 25 pay lines. An animated marine scurries across the front of the reels on some spins, and plants a timed explosive which blows up various symbols, turning them wild and creating winning lines. On other spins a grenade rolls in front of the reels and the explosion causes the same effect. The wild soldier symbol is a nice touch as after the explosion it shows video footage from the game. All of this is before the excellent bonus game which features some great gameplay. It’s launched by landing three of the Call of Duty scatter symbols, and allows players to gain extra wins by targeting and shooting enemies on the battlefield. Up to four free games can be earned by hitting enemy soldiers, with bonus prizes for headshots; and a five-in-a-row kill streak earns an airstrike which rewards players with a multiplier for the free games.

Various other symbols also include game footage, and there is action on practically every spin in this game. Sound effects are perfect for the game, and there is that tense silence between spins before an explosion sets off a hail of gunfire – just like the real game when I play it!

Video Gaming Vegas Style

As seen on VegasSlots.co.uk, a recent change to the laws in Vegas means that casinos can now introduce more skill-based games alongside the archetypal slot machines. This is the industries attempt to convert ‘millennials’ from video gamers to casino goers; and it might just work. The aim is to introduce the skill element and link it to the prizes on the game, so a fast lap or a long kill streak will result in a bigger pay out. Rather than playing a game of chance, players will be able to use their skill at gaming to earn money – and that sounds like a perfect combination to me!

Movie fans who enjoy playing casino games inspired by popular films or television series are probably familiar with some of the slot titles produced by RealTime Gaming. The Three Stooges video slot, for example, was created by this well-known casino software company and it delighted admirers of the classic slapstick comedy films with its representations of Curly, Larry and Moe. Recently RTG has produced a series of popular slot games available at several US online casinos that may appeal to movie buffs. We take a look at some recently released RTG gaming titles that are also available on your phone and can be played at slots.info also.

Those who enjoyed the original will be very pleased with The Three Stooges 2 slot. The casino game has been optimized for play on iOS and Android platforms. The Three Stooges 2 is a 3 reel, 3 pay line game and we think the decision to use the format of a classic slot is a fitting tribute to the comedy routine, as it is a classic of the comedy genre and as its enduring success is in large part a result of its simplicity—a complicated payline structure wouldn’t suit the theme quite as well. Despite its classic slot appearance, The Three Stooges 2 packs a punch (or pie) in terms of modern bonus features. Each Stooge presides over a unique bonus stage, where you can win up to 100 free spins with various multipliers. In addition to the bonus rounds there are also two jackpots, a minor and a major, that can be won at any random moment during play.

Another firm favorite, especially with fans of fantasy, is RTG’s 5 reel, 25 payline Orc vs Elf slot. Although the slot does not make any overt allusion to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, for example thunderstruck, the species that populate Middle-earth clearly served as inspiration for this beautifully illustrated slot. As one of RTG’s first true 3D slots, Orc vs Elf has been commended for its visually appealing design. Some of the bonus rounds include fighting scenes, where an orc and an elf champion confront each other in direct combat. Your winnings depend upon the outcome of such battles, as you choose a champion to represent you at the beginning of the game. The species you decide to support, Orc or Elf, will have consequences for the quests on which you embark in this video slot. Orc vs Elf includes wilds, scatters, multipliers and numerous free spins rounds.

Lastly, fans of Dr. Henry Walton Indiana Jones, Jr. might find the tribute slot Indiana Jane amusing. This 5 reel, 25 payline online slot includes wilds, scatters, free spins and an exciting tomb bonus. On the reels you will find all manner of artifacts Indy Jane comes across on a typical day: precious jewels, Mayan artifacts, secret maps, and her slightly awkward assistant. In order to trigger the bonus round you need to land three scatters. Once you have done so, you select one of the scatters and find out how many free spins and multipliers you have been awarded. To make sure everyone enjoys a generous bonus round, you begin the bonus game with a minimum of 3 free spins and a 2x multiplier. All the video slots above can be accessed on desktop and laptop computers as well as iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.

“Close up person using smartphone” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by  Japanexperterna.se 

Online gambling is such a vast and ever expanding market, and 2016 is set to see even more huge developments in the ways in which people can gamble. If you aren’t already using multiple platforms to get your gaming fix, this might be the year to do so. When wearable technology gets in on the act, you will want to be there with it. Get some of these apps for your smartphone now before you get left behind.

Betting Expert

For people who like to have a flutter on the horses or stake on the outcome of a football match, there are plenty of betting apps available to download that you can use on the move. You can also do in-play betting while at a sports event for ultimate convenience. Once you have found the betting app that suits your needs, why not download an app that provides you with those much-needed betting tips as well? Betting Expert is ideal for anyone who wants to have that extra little bit of help when placing bets. All successful bettors will tell you that one of the most important things before you even think about placing a bet is to have some insider knowledge.

With the app, players can browse sports tips and get a quick overview of the main events going on that day. It has a notifications feature which means you never miss an important tip, and you can also choose to follow your favourite tipsters so if someone helps you out with a good bet you can see what they say about another event. With loads of satisfied customer reviews, this seems like a must-have app for any gambler.

32red Casino

Online casinos are growing by the day, and most of the top ones have branched out and developed their own smartphone apps. This allows keen gamblers to play while on the move and the apps are ideal for anyone with a hectic schedule. Players who need to satisfy their blackjack or roulette urge while on the move have plenty of sites to choose from such as Vegas Slots Online, 32red, and Smartphone Casino. Taking the 32red app as an example, players have all the games that are available on the website at their fingertips. They can play blackjack by 32red and new members can take advantage of a welcome bonus. Existing members can log in to the app using the same details as they would on the computer. Once you’re in, you can bet on all the games and tables as you would do online or in a casino. Of course, there are plenty of other casino apps to choose from and, if you are already a member of an online casino, why not see if they have their own app for you to download?

World Series of Poker-WSOP

“Pocket Aces” (CC BY 2.0) by  John-Morgan

Fans of casino apps may also be interested in the wide range of poker apps available to download. There are so many to choose from, but if you don’t feel like shopping around, the World Series of Poker app is your best bet. This is a free play app where players can enjoy the thrill of playing poker games and tournaments without the risk of staking any of their own money. It is ideal for people who are a bit rusty and want to get back into the swing of things, or newcomers who want to learn the ropes. There are multi-level tournaments, players can play live with friends, and receive free chips every four hours. A great feature of the app is that it allows you to track your stats so you can look into ways to improve your game. You can connect the app with your Facebook and also play slots mini games in between hands. Once you have got the hang of things and think you know what to do when you hit bullets, then you could check out some of the other poker apps that let you play for real money.

These are only a few examples of the hundreds of great gambling apps out there right now. 2016 is set to see even more apps rise to prominence, along with apps being available on a multitude of platforms. Get with the trend now and download these apps for free.

 

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One of the main factors that attract so many of us to sports films is that they usually have a happy ending.

While the sporting action itself can often be hit-and-miss, more often than not, the good guy succeeds and the right team lift the trophy.

From the classic sporting pictures such as Chariots of Fire to the more modern efforts like Draft Day, we’re taken on a journey that usually sees the star overcome some type of turmoil on the way to a triumphant victory.

The actors playing the roles might not always get it spot on in terms of replicating those sporting superstars they are portraying, but these films are about so much more than picking apart Adam Sandler’s back-swing or Matt Damon’s mauling technique.

Let’s have a look at some classic sports films in which the recurring theme of success appears.

Rocky: When it comes to sporting movies, you have to really begin with Rocky. Starting from humble beginnings on the mean streets of Philadelphia, our hero goes on a brutal journey to the heavyweight championship of the world. The series even recently spawned a seventh film in Creed. Sylvester Stallone’s portrayal of Rocky Balboa not only made him a household name, it also played a huge part in boxing’s huge popularity throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. With Creed making waves with both the box office and the critics, we might not have seen the end of Rocky Balboa’s iconic cinematic career.

“Rocky statue // Philadelphia” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by achimh

Moneyball: Covering the Oakland Athletics’ trials, tribulations and then success in the 2002 MLB season, Moneyball is another film that combines the drama involved in sport both on and off the field of play. Telling the story of general manager Billy Beane’s bid to assemble a team capable of mixing it with the best, Moneyball profiles a 2002 season in which the Athletics lost a host of star names and built a team of lesser known players that led the team to the American League West title in one of the most iconic seasons in the club’s history. With Oakland’s glory days now nothing but a distant memory, and the franchise priced as long as 66/1 with the likes of the Bet365 betting odds as of the end of January, this is a perfect trip down memory lane for those beleaguered Athletics fans.

Happy Gilmore: Hey, come on now, this is a *great* movie. OK, it’s a decent movie with some very funny bits. Adam Sandler plays Happy Gilmore, who is a short-fused good guy with a remarkable talent that makes the move from the brutal arena of ice hockey into the traditional and stuffy world of golf. Needing to raise money in order to save his Grandma’s home, our maverick hero wins the Tour Championship in frankly unbelievable scenes. He walks away with the title, the girl and the money. The legitimacy of Happy’s speedy journey from novice to champion might have more holes in it than the course at Augusta, but it doesn’t stop this from being a very enjoyable way to spend 92 minutes.

via GIPHY

 

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David Bowie, who as a singer, arranger, songwriter, producer, actor and painter, influenced countless artists for more than four decades, died yesterday, January 10, two days after his birthday. He was 69.

Born David Robert Jones on January 8, 1947 in South London, Bowie always had a fascination with music and spent his earliest years hoping to achieve fame. At age 15 he joined a band called the Konrads, but left them soon to join the King Bees. His first single, titled “Liza Jane,” was released as being recorded by Davie Jones and the King Bees. It was not a hit. He later left the group and joined two other bands, Mannish Boys and Lower Third.

In 1966, to avoid being confused with Monkee’s singer Davy Jones, he changed his name to David Bowie, taking his last name from the great American 19th century pioneer Jim Bowie, who died during the battle of the Alamo. Jim Bowie pronounced his last name “Boo-ee” but David went with the harder pronunciation. In 1969 a friend and he put together a promotional film, which included snippets from many of his songs, including “Space Oddity,” which would eventually hit the top 5 in England. The film was not released until 1984.

On May 30, 1971, Bowie and his wife, Angie, welcomed a son into the world, Duncan Zowie Haywood Jones, who for the first 12 years of his life, was known as Zowie Bowie! Today Duncan is a highly respected filmmaker (“Moon”). In 1972 Bowie radically changed his image, becoming a “space man” and releasing the album “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.” That same year, singer Ian Hunter told Bowie that he needed one more song for his groups, Mott the Hoople, upcoming album. Legend has it that Bowie sat down on the floor and, in twenty minutes, penned “All the Young Dudes.”

In 1974 he released the album “Diamond Dogs,” which produced two hit singles: the title track and “Rebel, Rebel.” The next year he exploded onto the charts, releasing the album “Young Americans.” The first single from the album, “FAME,” a song he co-wrote with John Lennon, hit number one on the US Charts. Lennon also sang back up on the song. Two other singles, “Golden Years” and the title tune, also charted well. To capitalize on the success, “Space Oddity” was reissued in England and went to number one on the British charts. In 1976 he released the album “Station to Station.” He also left Ziggy Stardust behind and adapted a new persona, taken from the first song on the new album: The Thin White Duke. He also starred opposite Candy Clark in the film, “The Man Who Fell to Earth.”

As the 70’s ended, he moved to Germany, where he did a trio of albums that he would refer to as his “triptych,” : “Low,” “Heroes” and “Lodger.” In 1980 he spent three months on Broadway in the title role of “The Elephant Man,” earning great reviews. The following year he teamed up with Queen to produced the hit song, “Under Pressure.” In 1983 he reached the pinnacle of his success with the release of the album “Let’s Dance,” which produced the hits “Modern Love,” “China Girl” and the title song. He also continued his film career, appearing in 1983’s “The Hunger” and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence.” Other film roles include the Goblin King in “Labyrinth,” Pontius Pilate in “The Last Temptation of Christ” and inventor Nicoli Tesla in “The Prestige.”

The next three decades were ones of experimentation. In 1989 he formed the group Tin Machine. Following that he began mixing electronic and classical music.

In 2001, he opened The Concert for New York, a benefit for the victims of the 9/11 tragedy, by performing Simon and Garfunkle’s “America” and his song, “Heroes.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and in 2006 received a Lifetime Grammy Award.

On January 8, 2016, his 69th birthday, he released his latest album, “Blackstar,” which is already being mentioned as a nominee for the best album of the year.