Introduction

The following review is for what I call version 3 of World Gaming Software.

Personally I liked version 2 better. Version 3 is played on a small window and the important stuff like the cards and chips have a small size. It is possible to maximize the window but then the high resolution is lost. For those of you who miss the fast speed of the old software the speed is configurable under options. Many of the rules are the same but they do now peek for blackjack all the time. An x-rated version of the casino is still available but I haven't seen it *ahem*. World Gaming casinos had a reputation in the past for bad customer service, which I can attest to, under their previous name of Starnet. Hopefully they are better now.

Baccarat

Four decks are used. The following table shows the possible outcomes in a 4-deck game.

Battle Royale

This is another name for the game of Casino War. Unlike the usual rules a tie after a tie pays 3 to 1 on initial bet and the raise pushes. One deck of cards are used. The house edge is 1.714% by going to war on ties and 2.766% by surrendering on ties.

Blackjack

World Gaming blackjack rules are as follows:

• Six decks
• Dealer stands on soft 17
• Double on any first two cards
• Double after a split
• No resplitting
• Dealer always peeks for blackjack
• Player may not draw to split aces
• Player may play up to three initial hands at once

The house edge under these rules is 0.46%.

The following table displays the basic strategy for World Gaming casinos. To use the basic strategy look up your hand along the left vertical edge and the dealer's up card along the top. In both cases an A stands for ace. From top to bottom are the hard totals, soft totals, and splittable hands. In the body of the chart are color coded cells that indicate the best play: H=hit, S=stand, D=double, P=split.

There is also a "Super Sevens" blackjack available. The blackjack rules are the same as their regular game but the player can make a Super Sevens side bet, which is explained in my blackjack appendix 8. I don't know whether a third card is guaranteed if the dealer has blackjack, if not house edge is 12.60% and with the 3-card guarantee the house edge is 11.40%.

Bermuda Poker

This is the same game as Caribbean Stud Poker. The rules and the pay table are as usual.

A $1 progressive side bet is available. The side bet pays $100 for a flush, $150 for a full house, $250 for a four of a kind, 10% of the meter for a straight flush, and 100% of the meter for a royal flush. On October 8, 2003 the meter at the Aztec Casino was at $38941.90. The house edge on the side bet for a meter of this size is 42.55%. For the side bet have no house edge the meter would need to reach $184,442.11.

Craps

3 times odds are offered. The odds on the don't pass and don't pass are based on the amount bet, not the amount the player can win. The combined house edge on the pass and come with full odds is 0.47% and on the don't pass and don't come with full odds is 0.45%.

Free Ride

This is another name for Let it Ride. The usual rules and pay table are used. A $1 progressive side bet is available. The side bet pays $100 for a flush, $150 for a full house, $250 for a four of a kind, 10% of the meter for a straight flush, and 100% of the meter for a royal flush. On October 8, 2003 the meter at the Aztec Casino was at $30329.40. The house edge on the side bet for a meter of this size is 45.06%. For the side bet have no house edge the meter would need to reach $184,442.11.

Pai Gow Poker

The usual rules are followed, except the player may never bank. The house edge is 2.85% using the house way and 2.60% using optimal strategy. I do not know what house way World Gaming follows.

Red Dog

The usual rules are followed with a single deck of cards. The house edge is 3.16%.

Roulette

The usual American double-zero wheel is used. House edge is 5.26% on most bets.

Sic Bo

The following table shows the various bets available, the probability of winning, and house edge.

The lowest house edge bets are on big and small bets, at 2.78%.

Slots

I have no information on the theoretical or actual return of World Gaming slots.

Video Poker

The followings games are available, with the corresponding statistics tables.

Jacks or Better

Deuces Wild

Joker Poker

Conclusion

World Gaming Software is a suitable online casino software for players looking for something a bit different. There aren't many casinos that utilize this software, but the ones that do are generally considered to be reputable. Although there may not be a hefty number of places to use this software, players should enjoy the unique slots, decent selection of table games, and excellent schedule of tournaments, which occur on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.