Random Logic Software & 4 Online Casinos Reviewed

Introduction

Disclaimer: Let it be known that I have served as a consultant to Random Logic. While this review was originally written before they engaged my services I do update it from time to time. This review attempts to be unbiased and mostly sticks to the game rules, odds, and strategy. While I feel comfortable there is no conflict of interest I think it is appropriate to disclose the relationship.

Random Logic is most known as the software behind Casino on Net. Both downloadable and Java software are available. Following are their game rules, strategy tips, and house edge, grouped by the software type.

Random Logic Software Casinos

Baccarat

The usual rules are followed. Six decks are used. The following table shows the house edge according to the bet made.

Blackjack

The rules are as follows

• 4 decks
• Dealer stands on soft 17
• Player may double on any first two cards
• Player may double after splitting
• Player may split only once
• Full U.S. hole card rule
• Player may NOT draw to split aces (effective April 2003)
• Blackjack after splitting tens pays 3-2

The house edge under these rules is 0.40%.

The correct basic strategy is the same as for Cryptologic and Boss Media multi-player, as follows. Note that despite winning 3-2 on blackjacks after splitting tens the player should still never split them.

The following table shows the Blackjack games available in alphabetical order.

Here is the same list in returns range, choose your game wisely.

Craps

Casino on Net offers three times odds. The amount you may lay on the odds after a don't pass or don't come bet is correctly proportional to the amount you can win. The combined house edge assuming full 3X odds on the pass and come bets is 0.47% and on the don't pass and don't come is 0.34%.

The field bet pays 3-1 on the 12. All bets are turned on during the come out roll. Bonus points are awarded based on bets resolved.

5% deducted from winning buy bets. This equates to the 4 and 10 paying 19-10, the 5 and 9 paying 57-40, and the 6 and 8 paying 57-50. The house edge is 2.73% on the 6 and 8, 3.00% on the 5 and 9, and 3.33% on the 4 and 10.

5% deducted from winning lay bets. This equates to the 4 and 10 paying 19-40, the 5 and 9 paying 19-30, and the 6 and 8 paying 19-24. The house edge is 1.67% on the 4 and 10, 2.00% on 5 and 9, and 2.27% on 6 and 8.

Keno

The player may pick 1 to 10 spots, bet $1, $3, or $5 per card, and play 1, 5, or 10 games at a times. The following table shows the return and hit frequency for each number of picks. The best bet is on the pick 6 at a return of 92.75%.

Caribbean Poker

The standard rules and pay table are followed. There is no side bet. Assuming optimal strategy the house edge is 5.22%.

Pai Gow Poker

Standard rules are followed. The dealer is always the banker. A house way button is conveniently available, but if the player clicks on it he is forced to accept the house way. The house edge assuming the player follows the house way is 2.85%.

Roulette

A single zero wheel is used, for a house edge of 2.70%.

Slots

There is one slot machine featuring 1-3 coins bet, one payline.

Video Poker

I apologize for some of the question marks for the pay table in the video poker tables. When I created this review I calculated the return of each game but neglected to mention the pay tables. In some cases it was obvious given the return. However, in the other two, I couldn't find a common pay table to match the returns.

The following table shows the Video Poker games available in alphabetical order.

Here is the same list in returns range, choose your game wisely.

Conclusion

Cash Back

Players earn one bonus point for every $10 wagered. Points are worth one cent each, so the cash back is worth 0.1%. VIP members earn 2 cents per point, or 0.2% cash back. Gold VIP members earn 4 cents per point, or 0.4% cash back.

Promotions

Sometimes Casino on Net offers blackjack promotions, featuring liberal rules with a player advantage. One such promotion pays 2-1 on blackjacks. Another pays bonuses on hands of 5-8 cards. For all the details, including player advantage and strategy, visit my Random Logic appendix. Two promotions a month are for VIP members only. The VIP promotions are usually something requiring lots of play, like the most blackjacks during a day.

VIP Club

Once a player has earned 150,000 points, or bet a total of $1,500,000, he attains VIP status. See the benefits of being a VIP under cash back and promotions above. When this happened to a friend of mine she was also given a $300 bonus. There is also an elusive Gold VIP club. This requires 300,000 points and is not automatic but by invitation only. However I hear there is a moratorium on new gold VIP members. A friend of mine who qualified based on points was not given automatic membership and is still waiting.