Bet365 likes to help its new players enjoy the game and develop their skills as quickly as possible. For this purpose, we provide a range of cash tables which are reserved for the use of new players only.

You can play on the Beginners’ Cash Tables for 90 days after you open an account. It’s a good introduction to the game as you will play only against other new players. Play on these tables also counts towards redemption of your $1,000 New Player Bonus.

To see the full range of Beginners’ Cash Tables, go to the Cash Tables section on the left hand side of the poker lobby and select Beginners’ Tables. Several poker variations are available at a selection of affordable stake levels.

Open a Poker account at bet365 today and enjoy the benefit of our fantastic $1,000 New Player Bonus. We’ll give you a 200% bonus on the amount of your first deposit/transfer up to a maximum of $1,000.

It’s easy to open an account, so get involved now and don’t miss out on your free chips! Your bonus is released at a rate of $10 for every 1,000 Merit Points earned on the poker tables.
$5 Free

Get $5 free in cash now! Simply open an account and create a Nickname to receive this cash. A deposit/transfer isn’t necessary; just start playing poker with your free $5.

€100 New Depositor Freeroll

Make your first deposit/transfer to Poker now and we’ll automatically credit your account with a free Tournament Token for our €100 New Depositor Freeroll. This event is an excellent opportunity to boost your bankroll.

PLAY POKER

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There is one very clear mathematical strategy in Poker Three which is that you should choose to play your hand if it is of at least Q-6-4 in strength. Although hands ranked between K-Q-10 and Q-6-4 still have a negative expectation they will, in the long term, return more than if a player simply folds the hand. It is therefore important for the player to decide if they want to go with this approach or base their decision to play on a different starting hand criteria.

Playing the Pair Plus bet is a strategy in itself, as you either choose to take this option or not. There are five ways to win and the odds offered are the very best in the game, with a possible 40/1 pay out for a Straight Flush. The Pair Plus bet is generally considered to be the most exciting part of the game.

The big decision the player has to make is what bets they’re going to make. Most players will choose to play both the Pair Plus and the Ante bets, while others will play just one of them. You must decide which you feel best suits your approach and gives you the best possible chance of enjoying the game. If you do play both bets then the final decision you have to make is the size of bets on each bet. The majority of players will match the bets, though some will play more on the Pair Plus and others will place larger stakes on the Ante. Again, it is up to the player to see which approach best suits them.

PLAY HERE

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Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games of all and is played by millions of players the world over. See how you can improve your Blackjack play with bet365.

PLAY Blackjack for Real

Please note:

1. This strategy guide is provided for information only and is intended to be used with bet365′s standard single player, 3-player and 5-player Blackjack games.
2. Because of the random way in which cards are dealt in Blackjack, sustained winning and losing streaks are possible and using this strategy is no guarantee of any specific outcome.
3. Playing Optimal Strategy Blackjack is no guarantee of success but does offer the best odds over a sustained period of time.

The random nature in which cards are dealt in Blackjack means that there can never be a system that guarantees a successful outcome of any hand for a player. However, there are ways in which you can maximise your chances of taking advantage of the best odds available to the player in any given situation.

Depending upon which cards you hold and the value of the dealer’s face-up card there are courses of action you can take which are considered to be statistically the most advantageous way to play.

A “hard number” is one which is made up of two cards not containing an Ace. A “soft number” is one which contains an Ace and has two potential values. For example, if you have A-5 then you have either 6 or 16, giving you more options than if you have 10-6 to make 16.

This strategy recommends that you should not split 10s, that you should look to double down when you have eleven, against anything other than a dealer’s Ace, and that you stand with 12 against a dealer’s 6.

This may not be the way that you usually play but it has been mathematically determined to be the best way of increasing the odds in your favour.

Feel free to use our special strategy guide to see how the experts think you should play the game and see how it fits in with your own tactics and approach. Remember though that no strategy guide can account for betting patterns and size of bets, so it’s up to the player to determine those for themselves. Even then though there are some basics which you should always look to adhere to;

• Always split Aces, except when the dealer is showing an Ace
• Do not split a pair of 5s
• Stand on a hard 13 through to 16 if the dealer is showing a 6 or lower
• If the dealer is showing a 4,5 or 6 you should stick on 12
• You should always continue to hit until you have 17 or better if the dealer is showing a ten
• Always stand once you have a hard 17 or higher. The odds of you not busting are far too low for it to be worth the risk
• Always stand when you have A-8 or A-9

Every casino player knows that instinct plays a big part in playing and so, ultimately, guide or no guide, you’re going to have to make the big decisions yourself!

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David Luiz scored a brilliant goal for Chelsea against Basel.

After defeats in the Club World Cup final, Community Shield and Super Cup this season, interim Blues boss Benitez has guided his side into the Europa League final where they will come up against Benfica in Amsterdam on 15th May.

It’ll be tough because Benfica are a very, very dangerous team and hard to play against.

Rafa Benitez

Chelsea did so by coming back from a goal behind to beat Swiss side FC Basel 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Thursday to seal a 5-2 aggregate victory.

Benfica, 5/4 to win the Europa League, were also given a scare before edging past Turkish side Fenerbahce in the other semi-final.

“We have one more opportunity to win a big title,” said Benitez. “We have lost three finals this season.

“I am really pleased for them and everyone here. I think we have had a good atmosphere in the side. The players are working hard.

“It’ll be tough because Benfica are a very, very dangerous team and hard to play against, but at least we are there. With the commitment and the quality, we’ll have a chance for sure.”

Chelsea, 4/6 to win the Europa League, still have eyes on a top-four finish in the Premier League and face champions Manchester United this weekend.

Chelsea, 1/12 to clinch a top-four finish, are 10/1 to beat Manchester United 2-1, with Fernando Torres available at 13/2 to open the scoring at Old Trafford.

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Roberto Martinez has been backed from 13/8 into 8/13 to replace David Moyes as the next permanent manager of Everton.

bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth admitted: “We’ve seen a few speculative punts on Neil Lennon and Malky Mackay, but Roberto Martinez has attracted the bulk of the attention.”

Next Permanent Everton Manager

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The former world champion has made an encouraging start to the 2013 season, picking up podium finishes in Malaysia and China, as well as securing fifth spots in Australia and Bahrain.

There was a point where I was driving and crashing – for no reason.

Lewis Hamilton

He is 5/1 to be the fastest qualifier for this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix and 12/1 to actually win the race.

Hamilton says he doesn’t feel as though he is under as much pressure at Mercedes compared with McLaren, saying: “I was in a very controlled environment for as long as I can remember and only recently have I come out of that.

“Nothing controls me now. I’ve obviously got a boss in Ross Brawn, but now I make the decisions and I don’t have to report to anyone.

“There was a time when I would make a call and worry about it, that I was wrong, because of the way I was raised to look to my dad. It felt like a lot of pressure and I don’t have that now. I can call my dad and tell him I’ve bought a house or a car and share it with him. It’s a different chemistry.

“There was a point where I was driving and crashing – for no reason. I just wasn’t on the ball. In this job you can’t be thinking of anything else, you need to be focused all the time.”

Meanwhile, Hamilton is 18/1 to win a second world title in 2013, with Mercedes 14/1 to be crowned constructors’ champions.

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Jo Hart will miss out on another FA Cup final appearance.

England stopper Joe Hart had hoped to play against Wigan but Mancini says a final appearance would be a just reward for Pantilimon, who has played in all of City’s FA Cup and Capital One Cup matches this season.

City are 1/1 to keep a clean sheet on Saturday, with a 2-0 win in normal time at 11/2.

“We decided this at the start of the season. Pantilimon deserves to play,” said Mancini.

“Joe won the FA Cup two years ago, he won the Premier League last year, he is the best keeper in England and I think he should be happy his second keeper can play in a big game.

We decided this at the start of the season. Pantilimon deserves to play.

Roberto Mancini

“I know he wants to play but we decided at the start of the season it was important for Pantilimon to play in the two cups.”

Mancini may be more concerned about his side’s lack of cutting edge at the other end of the field following a goalless draw against Swansea on Saturday. Edin Dzeko and David Silva both spurned chances in front of goal and Mancini admitted the misses were indicative of the Blues’ season.

“It is difficult when you consider why you don’t score enough goals,” he added.

“Last year we scored 20 goals more than this season and we are missing them, it’s too many.

“If we had scored another 10-20 goals we could have been fighting for the league.”

Dzeko is 9/2 to score first on Saturday, while Silva can be backed at 13/2.

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Woods has won 78 titles on the PGA Tour during his trophy-laden career but has only emerged victorious once at Sawgrass, in 2001 when he finished on 14-under par.

Indeed, since the tournament moved to its current location in 1982, only Hal Sutton and Fred Couples have won the event more than once.

It’s one of those courses where they’ve got some tough lines and you’re going to get exposed.

Tiger Woods

In 2009, Woods was in contention until a final-round 73 saw him slip to eighth, while 11 years ago he finished 14th after a final-round 74.

He came second in 2000, finishing one stroke behind Sutton, but has only managed one top-ten finish in the tournament since 2001.

Woods is 7/1 to win The Players Championship outright this year and 5/1 to finish at the head of the leaderboard at next month’s US Open.

Woods, 6/4 to win a Major in 2013, admits he has never felt particularly comfortable at Sawgrass, saying: “It’s one of those courses where they’ve got some tough lines and, if you’re not playing well, you’re going to get exposed.

“You have to drive the ball really well and the greens have gotten a lot more fiery. You miss these greens at all, you’ve got some of the weirdest, funky little shots that you’ll ever face.

“Some of the holes suit my eye, some don’t, but a lot of it is based on wind, what direction it’s coming from and what shape I’m hitting well at the moment.”

Don’t forget, all of the fantastic markets we have to offer, including In-Play betting, can be accessed on mobile or tablet with bet365 On The Move.

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Chelsea v Spurs - Tottenham Hotspur make the short trip to Stamford Bridge with Champions League places still up for grabs.

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has played down his return to Chelsea on Wednesday night and says he will respect the reception he receives from the home fans.

Villas-Boas returns to Chelsea with both sides looking to pick up three points that would strengthen their bids for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Tottenham are fifth, three points behind Chelsea, and, with just two games remaining after Wednesday, the outcome of the Stamford Bridge encounter could prove crucial in determining where the respective teams finish this season.

bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth said: “Spurs started March as 2/7 shots to finish in the top four but they head to a ground that they haven’t won at since 1990 as 2/1 outsiders of three to do just that.”

Frank Lampard is still two goals short of breaking Bobby Tambling’s goalscoring record and bet365 go 7/4 about that happening before the end of the season.

2012/13 Premier League - Top 4

Chelsea         1/12
Arsenal          1/4
Spurs             2/1

Will Frank Lampard to score 203 or more goals for Chelsea before the end of season?

Yes                 7/4
No                   2/5

(By end of 2012/13 season – currently has 201)

Chelsea v Spurs (8th May) – 90 Minute Goals Match Bet

Juan Mata      11/4
Tie                  8/11
Gareth Bale   11/4

(Both must start)

BET ON Chelsea v Spurs

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Ferguson, 71, has guided United to 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, two League Cups and two Champions League successes during his time in charge, as well as winning the Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so.

Sir Alex Ferguson

Everton boss David Moyes is 1/8 to become the next permanent manager at Old Trafford, with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho 11/2 and United’s veteran winger Ryan Giggs 50/1.

Ferguson, who will remain at the club as a director and ambassador, confirmed on the club’s official website: “The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time.

“It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so.

“The quality of this league-winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.

“As for my players and staff, past and present, I would like to thank them all for a staggering level of professional conduct and dedication that has helped to deliver so many memorable triumphs.

“Without their contribution the history of this great club would not be as rich.”

Don’t forget, all Premier League matches are covered by the bet365 100% Euro Soccer Bonus, where you could earn a bonus of up to 100% on your returns on pre-match accumulator bets.

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