Pure Vegas Casino

Posted under online casino by admin on Friday 30 April 2010 at 7:09 am

Pure Vegas Casino is one of the newest U.S. facing online casinos to hit the Web. Launched on the Real Time Gaming software platform, Pure Vegas Casino has been certified for inherent fairness and proper random number generation by internationally accredited testing facility, Technical Systems Testing (TST). Furthermore ensuring responsible and safe gaming, Pure Vegas Casino is licensed and regulated in Curacao, Netherlands, Antilles – now licensing approximately 300 online gambling destinations the world over.

What makes Pure Vegas Casino stand out from the rest of virtual online gambling destinations attempting to recreate an authentic Las Vegas experience, is the fact that Pure Vegas makes customer service their top priority. There are plenty of software platforms offering online casino games that do a great job recreating a virtual Las Vegas atmosphere. And while the branded RTG games at Pure Vegas certainly do this (85 slots, 18 table games, 10 specialty games, 17 video pokers; download and Flash), it’s going the extra mile in the area of customer service that gives Pure Vegas Casino a top recommendation here at Online Casino Suite.

In the online gambling world, great customer service, of course, includes quick and cordial reply’s to emails, offering toll-free telephone support and courteous service, yet it should not end here. Going hand-in-hand with good service should promotions, perks and rewards that give players incentive to deposit funds with an online casino in the first place. And this is where Pure Vegas truly shines, warranting a closer look.

All new depositing players are entitled to a massive welcome bonus worth up to $2,400 Free. It is a tier bonus split up over three consecutive deposits, each awarding 100% of one’s deposit in free cash up to $800. eWallet Express, Paste and Pay, and Credit Cards (including Amex, Mastercard and Visa) can all be used to securely deposit funds. Just be sure to enter the bonus claim codes (available in the software platform) after making a deposit but BEFORE placing any wagers.

The wagering terms on this bonus are very reasonable (as they are on all bonuses offered at Pure Vegas), imposing a low 15x play-through requirement and permitting wagers at Blackjack, Video Poker and multi-hand Video Poker. The only restricted games from bonus wagers are Roulette, Craps, Baccarrat and Pai Gow Poker. Players are advised to abstain from making ANY wagers on these games until the wager requirement has been met.

Game specific bonuses include a Blackjack Bonus worth 100% up to $2,000 Free (on two deposits) and a Slots Bonus worth 200% up to $2,400 Free (on two deposits). Understandably, blackjack wagers count 25% toward the play-through requirement, which amounts to a 60x play-through requirement on all blackjack wagers (not bad at all for a genuine blackjack bonus).

Keeping the promotions rolling in true Vegas, or rather, Pure Vegas style, Pure Vegas offers weekday and weekend bonuses. Weekly weekday bonuses are available every Monday through Thursday, worth 100% up to $300 (five total per day). That amounts to $6,000 in free bonus money during the week. On top of this, earn a 40% Winnings Bonus on all Pending Withdrawal Amounts. If you’re a high roller, Pure Vegas offers two high roller bonuses worth $1,776 Free on a $1,000 deposit.

As always, please note that all bonuses are play bonuses, meaning only winnings derived from the bonus money can be cashed out (not the bonus money itself), and that each bonus claim code can only be used once per player.

And in the unlikely case you have used all of the available regular bonuses at Pure Vegas, the VIP Program offers even more. As part of the VIP Millionaire Week Bonuses promotion, up to ten 100% Match Bonuses worth $1,000 Free can be claimed every Monday through Friday ($50,000 in bonus money every week), while the Winner’s Weekend Bonus promotion offers seven different 200% bonuses up to $1,000 Free each every Friday noon through the end of Sunday ($7,000 total every weekend). A five-tier VIP loyalty program not only offers tiered comp points for all wagers, but also gives up to 12% cash back on every deposit.

It truly is no exaggeration to say that Pure Vegas Casino offers way more bonus money than the majority of U.S. facing online casinos in business today. So, if that is indeed what you are after, along with some excellent Vegas-style customer service and the best that RTG software has to offer in online casino games, Pure Vegas Casino will make for an excellent host.


NFL football betting

Posted under Sportsbook by admin on Thursday 29 April 2010 at 6:16 am

NFL football betting is the undisputed king of US sportsbooks and is rivaled internationally only by soccer. The current National Football League dates back to the early 1920s but really came into its own with the advent of television. It began to ascend to its current place at the top of the American sporting hierarchy during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Today it is a multi-billion dollar industry, with 32 teams throughout the United States. The NFL season begins in early September and runs through late December or early January. Six teams from each conference make the playoffs for the right to compete in the Super Bowl championship game.

Betting on football constitutes the largest percentage of action at Nevada sportsbooks, and NFL betting is the single biggest contributor to their bottom line. The Super Bowl, in particular, is a huge moneymaker for bookmakers as it is the single most popular wagering event of the year. During the 1970’s, the entire nation learned to bet on NFL football from Jimmy ‘The Greek’ Snyder, who once ran the Vegas Turf and Sports Club sportsbook in downtown Las Vegas. ‘The Greek’ became a nationwide celebrity and helped further fuel the boom in sports betting, teaching the country about pro football pointspreads. With the advent of offshore sportsbook betting, the football betting action once available only in Las Vegas

In addition to being the most popular betting sport in the United States, it is also America’s most popular sport among fans. While baseball has traditionally been known as “The National Pastime”, it long ago ceded its position as the most popular sport in the country to NFL football. In fact, most recent studies suggest that American’s identify NFL football over baseball as their favorite sport by more than a two –to-one margin. The primary reasons for its awesome popularity among US sports fans is the fast paced action of the NFL game, its symbiotic relationship with television and its appeal as a gambling and betting opportunity for everyone from casual fans playing pools and parlay cards to professional sports bettors wagering thousands of dollars per game.


Horse betting on BookMaker Racebook

Posted under Sportsbook by admin on Wednesday 28 April 2010 at 6:36 am

Horse betting odds on all major horse racing events. With your BookMaker.com Racebook betting account you will Access the biggest selection of horse betting options on the Internet. Enjoy horse betting on all racetracks across U.S. When it comes to horse racing betting, we have all the action right here. We have full coverage of all Horse Racing events, plus daily action from all major US racetracks. Be sure to check our selection of exotic bets for horse racing. Our goal is to provide our customers with the best thoroughbred horse racing betting experience on the Internet.

At BookMaker Racebook, horse bets are not placed in any pari-mutual pools and can receive up to 8% rebate. BookMaker Racebook offers betting options on Win, Place and Show, Daily Doubles, Exactas, Trifectas, Superfectas, Pick 3 and Pick 4.


JustBet.com

Posted under Sportsbook by admin on Tuesday 27 April 2010 at 11:49 am

Online since 1996, JustBet.com has shown that they have the knowledge to maintain a healthy customer base and continue to offer the best in online gambling. JustBet.com has a casino, poker room and of course an online sportsbook. Recently, the website took on a major overhaul, adding a new look and feel to the overall customer experience.

Unlike some of their counterparts, JustBet.com offers customers 24 hour, 7 days a week customer service. This is one good reason why they are still in business. JustBet also approved by the World Gaming Watchdog and the OSGA, so customers know they can wager in a secured environment.

JustBet.com has a simple format and is very easy to navigate. The site has a live feed where customers can view what is going on up to the minute or they can check out the schedule to see when their favorite team is up to play next. The sportsbook also has betting odds and a free lines link as well as a live chat if you need any help.

The site also has promotions and signup bonuses for new customers as well as existing ones. With all the information JustBet.com offers their customers, it is no wonder that they have been in business online for over ten years. With this site, even the most inexperienced gambler will be able to make an informed choice.

Bonuses and Promotions
Currently JustBet.com is offering several bonuses and continues to offer new ones throughout the year. New sign-ups can get 30% Free Play bonus on their initial deposit and existing customers can get 15% Free Play for Re-ups.  An added bonus of being a member of JustBet.com is that customers get 10% cash back on net losses twice a year. Players can also refer their friends and get a 20% Free Play referral bonus.

Game Variety and Bets
Football, baseball, hockey, basketball, tennis and soccer and the sports you can wager on at JustBet.com. A few of the sports offered are pro as well as college. Golf wagering can also be found on the site. Players can post the minimum bet of $10 online and $50 over the phone. Maximum bets start at $500 and go up, and can vary from customer to customer.

The casino has several classic games such as Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, Poker and Slot Machines. If you like to wager on horse races, then you will find nothing but the best on JustBet.com. If you do not find the track race you are looking for, the website suggests you phone in because you may be able to wager on it over the phone.

Methods of Deposit
JustBet.com has a few options for methods of deposit. Customers can use wire transfer, cashier’s check, money order, bank wire, credit card, NETeller or Click2Pay. JustBet will also credit a customer’s account for 100% of the transaction fees on deposits over $300. Any deposit less than $300 will be credited for anything over the first $15.

Licensing Information
JustBet.com has been an online gambling operator since 1996 and is owned by a group of international share holders. The Company is licensed and bonded and are also members of the Off Shore Gaming Association (OSGA) which is an objective third party that regulates and acts as a mediator between players and gaming merchants.


Canbet Sportsbook

Posted under Sportsbook by admin on Monday 26 April 2010 at 4:50 am

From the ardent sports gambler to the online casino player, CanBet not only has the experience and reputation, but the knowledge to how their players should be treated. This sportsbook has a management team with 30 plus years of combined business experience in the sports betting and gaming industry. Managing Director Mark Read feels their unique wagering and gaming products combined with ground breaking promotions are the keys to their success.

Offering competitive prices and good coverage on sports, CanBet consistently offers fixed price odds that are reasonably strong. Established in 1998, CanBet Limited is publicly listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. As a member of the United Kingdom’s Independent Betting Arbitration Service (IBAS) you can feel assured your betting experience will be a safe and fair as the highest industry standards are adhered to.

Notable features with this sportsbook is its -107 lay on all sportsbook wagers (instead of the industry standard -110) as well as reduced juice betting (although not across the board). The site allows several currency betting options which is a plus as well. In addition to sportsbook wagering, you can play poker, casino and skill games as well.

CanBet does not currently accept players from the United States.

Bonuses and Promotions
CanBet offers three types of sign-up bonuses. To entice you try them out, it offers a $60 Free Bet Bonus; deposit at least $40 and receive a $60 free bet. The second sign-bonus gives you a 20% deposit bonus of up to $120 when your first deposit is at least $120. The third bonus is the “High Roller” bonus; if your first deposit is at least $1,200 you can receive a 10% bonus up to $400.

A plethora of promotional bonuses are offered throughout the year. They include The CanBet Games, Wimbledon Second Chance Special, Boxing second Chance Special, Olympic Second Chance Special, Soccer Cashback, 25% Racing Cashback Rebate, soccer Live ‘In-Play’ betting, 6% Hong Kong Racing Rebate, Soccer’s Best Odds, Racing Best Odds Guaranteed and US Sports Best Odds.

Game Variety and Bets
CanBet offers all major sporting events including, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, NCAA FB, Tennis, Golf, Rugby, Cricket, Snooker, Cycling, Motor Sports (currently US racing is not offered). It also offers props on politics, elections, television,

Types of bets that are offered include Fixed Odds Parlays, Round Robin Parlays, Teasers, Special Bets, Future Bets, Half Time and Full Time, First Half, First and Last Player to Score, Total Goals, Total Corners and Over or Unders.

Its internet limits is one of the largest available online with the ability for even larger amounts to be placed over the telephone. The minimum bet online is $1 with the maximum bet being between $5K and $10K. Over the telephone the minimum bet is $50 with the maximum bet being $10K.

Methods of Deposit and Withdrawals
The available methods of deposit and withdrawals at CanBet are through VISA, MasterCard, Credit and Debit Cards, InstaDebit, Moneybookers, NETeller, InstaPay, BankTransfer, Fed Ex Bank Draft, China Bank Transfer, China Debit Card, China Post, UDpay, Taiwan Direct Debit, myDebit Malaysia, EntroPay.

When requesting a withdrawal, it will be placed on a 24 hour hold and then processed on the next business day. Within that 24 hours if you change your mind about withdrawing your money, you can reverse the withdrawal and continue to bet. Some cash-outs may incur fees.


Skybook Sportsbook

Posted under Sportsbook by admin on Friday 23 April 2010 at 6:00 am

Since 1997, Skybook Sportsbook has been a steady source for online betting. Skybook has built a reputation over the years as a trustworthy sportsbook and became a recognized name in the industry. Skybook has sustained over the years due to their quick payouts, customer service and reliability. The site also provides a different style of programs that creates an interesting experience for their customers. Skybook has been featured in several publications such as: USA Today, ESPN, Fox Sports and  The New York Times .

Skybook’s Sportsbook has several sports to choose from including football, baseball, basketball, NASCAR and many more. Skybook also has a racebook with betting available on more than 50 tracks, a poker room that has live multiplayer poker games and tournaments, and a casino with traditional games.

The Skybook Company has stated that since they began they have never compromised on their three priorities for offering the best online gambling experience possible:

*Continually innovate the services and products they offer.

*Never compromise on prompt secure service.

*Offer the best promotions available.

With these three priorities in place, Skybook has continued to provide customers with the best and remain in the forefront of the industry.

Bonuses and Promotions
Skybook has several bonuses lined up for new customers as well as existing customers. New customers can take advantage of the 50% sign up bonus, and existing customers can play in weekly freeroll poker tournaments, use the Free Half Point bonus program, or they can deposit $500 or more a get 10% cash bonus from the Re-up bonus. Customers can also have their deposit fees reimbursed by Skybook ifNETeller or Citadel is used.

Game Variety and Bets
The variety of games available at Skybook is very large. NFL, College Football, NBA, College Basketball, MLB and the NHL are available for wagering as well as other sports including the AFL, CFL, WNBA and NASCAR. Skybook also has a casino where players can bet online on Blackjack, Roulette, Video Slots, Craps, Poker Baccarat and other games. Along with the casino, Skybook has a Poker room that runs on the latest technology to provide simple and easy to use software to enhance your poker experience. Lastly, Skybook.com has a racebook, where you can place your bet on all of the major track and classic races.

Skybook has set limits on how much and how little a person can wager. The minimum amount online that can be placed is $5.50, but the minimum over the phone is $50. The maximum amount that can be wagered varies according to the wager type and the sport. Skybook has a few options when it comes to wagering your money. Straight bets, Multiple straights, parlays, teasers, if bet (win only), if bet (win or push), action reverse, futures and props, teasers (online only) and bets on horses.

Methods of Deposit
Skybook has quite a few options when it comes to their methods of deposit. However the site does require that the method used to deposit must be the same method used to withdraw. Canada customers can use Instadebit, Money Transfer, Bankwire, MasterCard or Visa, Sportsbook Transfer and NETeller.

Licensing Information
Skybook has been in the business for over ten years and is licensed and regulated in Costa Rica .


BetUS.com

Posted under Sportsbook by admin on Thursday 22 April 2010 at 8:40 am

Company Background

Flaunting itself as a premier sportsbook and entertainment site, BetUS.com has been an industry leader since 1994. You don’t survive in the online gaming business for more than 15 years by accident and BetUS.com prides itself on offering a huge selection of wagers, an experienced customer service department, a beautiful site design and the best perks and rewards to keep members coming back again and again – including the famous BetUS Girls calendar.

Opening an account 4.5/5

An easy-to-use navigation walks you through each step of the Registration Process and at any time you can launch their Live Chat feature to ask a customer representative any questions about the process.

Software & Navigation 4.5/5

Several years ago BetUS.com changed their wagering interface and betting engine to provide a top notched and stripped down betting process. The entire wagering process is done right in front of your eyes, so there’s no need to worry about the dreaded « Error » screen where you wonder if your bet is placed or not.

Betting Limits 4.5/5

While they do post betting limits on individual wagers, increased wager amounts are available for trusted members – up to $100,000. If you’re not yet a high roller, the minimum amount for individual wagers placed online is $5.00, via phone however the minimum is $100.

Sports Offered 5/5

The selection of wagers available at BetUS.com is monstrous to say the least. Besides offering dozens of betting options on the major sports, they also appeal to an international base with wagers on sports ranging from Rugby to Aussie Rules football to Darts. If the idea of wagering on Russian League Hockey doesn’t appeal to you, then check out their large selection of Entertainment bets or bet on the next election with Political wagers.

Odds Offered 4/5

BetUS.com offers competitive lines, however VIP members are offered better and more lucrative wager lines.

Signup Bonus 5/5

BetUS signup bonuses differ depending on your deposit level, however even the lowest level proves very lucrative.

Sportsbook: Get up to 60% in Signup Bonuses – and more!
When you sign up with BetUS you will receive:

  • Between 10% – 60% signup Bonus
  • Between 10% – 60% Re-Up Bonus
  • 25% Refer-a-Friend Bonus
  • 10% Casino Chip Bonus
  • 10% Gambler’s Insurance
  • FREE Swimsuit Calendar
  • FREE Sports Schedules

Poker: 110% Bonus – up to $1,000 Free

Here’s how to claim your 110% bonus:
Download the BetUS Poker Room
Signup for a Real Money Account
Make Your Deposit Using Any of their Convenient Methods
Enter the Coupon Code: POKER1000

Casino: 100% Bonus – up to $500 Free

Either Download the BetUS Casino or use their Instant Play Casino
Signup for a Real Money Account
Make Your Deposit Using Any of their Convenient Methods
Your Account will be credited with the 100% Match Bonus

Promotions/Bonuses 5/5

With lucrative signup bonuses and the best retention bonuses – including gambler’s insurance, free casino credits and free bets throughout the year – BetUS.com boasts one of the largest player retention rates online and it’s easy to see why.

Customer Support – 3.5/5

BetUS.com offers 24/7 customer support via email, toll-free phone and via their popular Live Chat feature. All members receive a Personal Account manager who will help you with any questions you may have.

Financial Security 5/5

All deposits are stored in third party escrow accounts using the highest levels of online security. With over 15 years in service, BetUS.com guarantees the safety and security of all account information.

Deposit/Withdrawal 3.5/5

BetUS accepts all deposits via Visa, Mastercard and via Cash Transfer. Payouts are available only via Bankwire and Couriered Check. You do need to submit a fair amount of information, however you are able to track your payout online.

Additional Information

BetUS offers a very popular In Game betting feature, offering you inviting lines on the upcoming action while the game is going on.

Conclusion

Think of BetUS.com as your « one stop shop » for all your online gaming needs. With more bets than any other sportsbook, a thrilling poker room, no download casino, outstanding reputation, gorgeous website and the best member benefits and rewards available BetUS appeals to new and experienced customers alike


BetCRIS-live your game

Posted under Sportsbook by admin on Wednesday 21 April 2010 at 7:19 am

Looking for a sportsbook with a well established reputation in the online gaming industry? BetCRIS will not let you down. Whether you’re into offshore betting or US betting on US and International sports, this sportsbook has what you want. Its sister site, which is powered by Bookmaker.com, is where US players are welcomed to place wagers at. BetCRIS first came onto the scene as a betting call center in the Dominican Republic in 1985 as the world’s first offshore sportsbook. With the invention of the World Wide Web in 1990 and as the concept of the internet increased in popularity, the birth of BetCRIS.com came into play in 1998.

This Fair Gaming Certified site is heavily watched by all United States and European bookmakers and is looked to for all of the latest lines and odds. Its capability in moving betting lines on the majority of US sports is unprecedented; hence its mantra “Where the Line Originates”.

BetCRIS consistently keeps its ingenious edge with specialties like its Winner’s Circle Virtual Race Book, offerings of casino, poker, wireless and skills games and brick and mortar sportsbook shops in Latin America . BetCRIS offers downloadable software but you are not required to download to place wagers.

Bonuses and Promotions
BetCRIS offers its customers for their loyalty through BETpoints. Each time you place a wager you will acquire these points which will continue to accumulate in your sports betting account until you cash them out for prizes, free plays or apparel. This sportsbook also offers other special promotions throughout the year.

Game Variety and Bets
BetCRIS caters to bettors of every type. If you happen to be a heavy hitter in the world of sports wagering, you can bet that you will be accommodated sufficiently. Whatever your pleasure, whether you want sides, totals, teasers, if-bets, futures, reverses or parlays, BetCRIS has it for you. For NFL, NBA, NCAA wagers, they offer; 1 st and 2 nd halfs, team totals, propositions and quarter lines. For NHL wagers; Canadian lines, puck lines, period lines and money lines are offered. Over or unders, decision propositions, and round picks are offered for Boxing. For Tennis wagers; match-up and individual odds are offered. NASCAR wagers have match-ups, top threes, propositions and pick the winner. For all major horse racing events, Pick 4 and House Q’s are offered as well as the standard Win, Place, Show, Exactas, Daily Doubles, Quinellas, Trifectas and Superfectas. If Golf is your game there is pick the winner, stroke lines, propositions and match-ups.

In addition to every major sporting event as well as the obscure sporting event, it offers the widest array of props and special events like NBA betting, March Madness, NCAA Basketball Betting, the Oscars, parlay cards and office pools.

Maximum online betting is $5K but can go as high as $20K if you bet over the telephone.

Methods of Deposit and Withdrawals
The available methods of deposit are through MoneyBookers, NETeller, Ukash, Instadebit, Click2Pay, myCitadel, eWalletXpress, bank wire, bank draft, money transfer, VISA and MasterCard.

The available methods of withdrawals are processed Monday through Friday through MoneyBookers, NETeller, Fed Ex bank draft, bank wire and money transfer.


Crazy Vegas Casino

Posted under online casino by admin on Tuesday 20 April 2010 at 7:06 am

Not to sound too cheesy, but Crazy Vegas Casino is indeed probably one of the craziest online casinos of the lot reviewed here at Online Casino Suite. Not “crazy” in the sense of unintelligible customer support but “crazy” in their image and style, and which Crazy Vegas likes to regard as their “crazy bonuses”. I suppose “wildly hip” is a good way to describe Crazy Vegas Casino as well.

Crazy Vegas is actually a member of the esteemed Vegas Partner Lounge, whose network of ten online casinos (five of which can be downloaded or played in Flash), are well known within the online gambling community. All of Vegas Partner Lounge’s casinos are certified by eCOGRA, which is the most stringent independent casino regulator and player advocate nonprofit on the Web. Their payout percentage reports for all games at Crazy Vegas Casino (95% and above) are published on a monthly basis and can be viewed through the eCOGRA logo at the bottom of the Crazy Vegas homepage.

Obviously, high payouts are a good thing. But if the withdrawals don’t go through, what good are the payouts to begin with? That’s why another great feature about Vegas Partner Lounge are their guaranteed payouts. Known to offer some of the fastest cash-ins on the Web – even for U.S. players – Vegas Partner Lounge strives to offer quick and personalized customer service. This extends into their loyalty program, which earns players comp points for every real-money wager, and allows points to be transferred from casino to casino within the network.

The software package behind Crazy Vegas’ casino games is none other than Microgaming’s Viper edition, which offers over 400 games and some of the largest progressive jackpots on the Web. Crazy Vegas also operates a stand-alone online bingo site, poker room, mobile gaming platform for cell phones and an online mahjong portal called 28Mahjong. All services can be reached through the main Crazy Vegas hub, where promotions and bonuses can be viewed as well.

Currently, Crazy Vegas is offering one of the craziest promotions online (no pun intended). They give players $3,000 in free credits to gamble in one hour, plus an additional 50 Free Spins on the Hell Boy video slots. So long as 100 bets have been made with the free money at the end of the hour, all winnings above the original £/€/$3,000 are transferred to the players real money account. The only catch is that no more than £/€/$200 can be transferred from the free session and that all winnings must be played-through 30 times before eligible to cash out. This is standard fare with this type of bonus (which you won’t find very often). With only a minimum deposit of £/€/$50 required to transfer £/€/$200 in winnings, this amounts to a 200% bonus. Remember that you have up to seven days to transfer the bonus money from the time of opening your real money account and participating in the free hour of gambling. And if you don’t win anything from the free play bonus session, Crazy Vegas offers a 100% Match Bonus worth up to £/€/$100 Free.

If you are not inclined to take advantage of the above promotion, Crazy Vegas also offers deposit method bonuses ranging from 5-15%. Accepting everything from debit cards and money wires to eWallets and money orders, there is a deposit method perfect for each player (all transactions are facilitated by Crazy Commerce, Proc Cyber Services and/or Borth Holdings). Crazy Vegas publishes an informative deposit checklist on their website that shows which deposit methods can be used for different jurisdictions and countries (this no longer includes players from the U.S.). All withdrawals are transferred by the default deposit method chosen, although players can opt to receive withdrawals by other means.


Jack Nicklaus Online Golf Tour

Posted under Online Gaming by admin on Monday 19 April 2010 at 10:28 am

The game uses the Jack Nicklaus 4 engine (which I personally prefer to the JN5 engine), but it’s been enhanced specifically for online play. The initial download can be a monster – if you’re starting from scratch it’s something along the lines of a 38MB file – but the advantages it brings to online play are well worth the time. Jack Nicklaus Online Golf Tour has been designed so that you don’t have to play in “serial” fashion, with each golfer waiting in a cyberline to take his shot; instead, you take your shot at the same time everyone else is taking theirs, and the front-end software arranges the shots in proper sequence.

That might not sound all that impressive, but it makes for some pretty exciting action. The moment your shot has landed you immediately see how your partner or opponents fared, and in less than a minute or two you’re addressing the ball again. It also means that a foursome can finish 18 holes in an amazingly short period of time.

And speed is a very good thing if you’re in the mood to sample all the courses you can play here. Jack Nicklaus 4 enthusiasts have used that game’s excellent course designer to pump out scores of courses (most authentic, but a few fictional), and they’re all available for download and play on Online Golf Tour. Grabbing all these would take a long time for players connecting via modem, and naturally there’s an issue of disk space as well (I only have five courses on my hard drive and they still take up 37MB of disk space). But you’ll figure out which courses get the most play once you’ve hung out at the clubhouse for a while, and then just keep four or five of the most popular ones if you’re pressed for storage.

It’s great that all the Jack Nicklaus 4 courses can be played on Online Golf Tour, but it does mean that Jack Nicklaus 4 owners have a distinct advantage: They can practice off-line on all 18 holes of every course, while Online Golf Tour members who don’t have the retail version of the game are only able to play the first three holes of each course off-line. (Online Golf Tour is also limited to stroke play, while Jack Nicklaus 4 features standard variations like best ball, scramble, and bingo bango bongo.) It’s true you can use the gallery feature to watch someone else playing holes you couldn’t online, but that’s not much help when you step up to the tee box yourself on a hole you’ve never played.

The limitation is understandable: If GameStorm allowed non-JN4 owners to play all 18 holes off-line, they’d basically be giving the retail game away free. Still, it does mean that newcomers to the tour can wind up with poor stats because their practice rounds will go into the big Online Golf Tour data bank, which lists the 50 players with the lowest average score (minimum of ten rounds played).


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