A standard deck of playing cards is made up of fifty two cards. All of these cards are individually identified by three different characteristics. Suit, number and colour. Initially the cards can be categorised by number. Starting at 2 and working up sequentially to 10, the cards are then given a royal position instead of […]

Christmas time is all about traditions. The time spent decorating the Christmas tree, the family gathering around for the switching on of the lights and the lavish food. It is these small traditions that ensure that Christmas is the happiest time of year. One of the oddest traditions is the Christmas pickle. In times long […]

For some, luck resides in a rabbit’s paw, a certain shirt or a ritual blow on the dice. Others find luck in numbers themselves. What makes a number ‘lucky’ depends on many influences, some personal, some cultural. In China, the number eight is particularly revered because, when spoken, it rhymes with the word for ‘wealth’. […]

Do you remember the first time you went into a casino? It all seemed so confusing, and everyone else seemed to know exactly what was going on. A little bit of research ahead of time can you save you from potential embarrassment. The colour of a casino chip, for example, is quite specific, and, while […]

Chopsticks look simple, but get it wrong and someone could get hurt. Start by bracing the first chopstick between your thumb and middle finger. Hold the second chopstick between your thumb and index finger. It’s only this second, upper chopstick that should move to pinch the food against the lower chopstick. Chopsticks also have their own […]

Founded in 1899, Cardiff City FC began life as Riverside AFC until a name change in 1908. They moved into their famous ground Ninian Park in 1910 and began a gradual development. In 1927, Cardiff City won the FA Cup, becoming the only side outside England to do so. However, this was their crowning achievement […]

Casinos may expand across Japan as the government seek to pass a new gaming bill. This proposal would allow for widespread recreational gambling in time for the 2020 Olympics. If the draft goes through then previous restrictions would be lifted to allow for developments in smaller towns as well as cities. Laurence Ho of Melcro […]

If you are interested in setting up a fireworks show for a party, it is important to follow a series of steps in order to ensure that everything is securely and carefully planned. First of all, it is imperative to make sure that the use of fireworks is legal where you live, as legislation is […]

Gambling is widely thought of as a form of gaming in which everything is down to pure chance. This is certainly true of some games, but there are others in which skill and strategy can make all the difference. A prime example of this is the game of blackjack. With blackjack, points are key, and […]

Being able to obscure your true emotions is a key part of playing poker successfully. Everyone has ‘tells’, or signs that give away what their intentions are. Being aware of your own tell-tale expressions and movements will help you mislead and mystify your opponents much more easily. There are two approaches the thinking poker player […]