In real casinos the use of computers and different electronic facilities is forbidden (though some casinos allow to use, for example notebook PCs while playing the roulette). In on-line casinos the situation is quite different – the very game is played by using a computer, and it is very difficult to forbid the use the support programs here. A question arises whether a player is capable to get the advantage over casinos using computer programs.

Training programs: One of the most wide spread types of casino programs are training programs. A novice acquires an opportunity to practice the casino game, familiarize with rules, controls and possibilities of the game. Video-poker and BlackJack programs are devised to teach the basic strategy of the game. They give prompts if the player makes decisions different from optional decisions. If players wants they can find programs helping train the card counting. Therefore training programs will be of use both for on-line and off-line players.

Analyzing programs: The next type of programs are analyzing programs. Normally, such programs are developed for casino games with wide range of rules and basic strategy (for example for video-poker and Black Jack). The main aim of such programs is the calculation of mathematic expectation, dispersion and basic strategy of the game. Black Jack programs can provide coefficients for popular counting systems. Such programs infrequently have a training module or the represent a package together with a training program. Casinos analyzing programs also include analyzing programs of roulette strategies. In a sense, the program is that you set a supposed strategy of the game and the program generates several millions of spins and shows how much you lose- a useful thing for those who like “never lose” roulette strategies. As you can see analyzing programs are not less and probably even more useful for real casino players.

On-line Casino Game Helpers: The third type of programs which can be called “On-line Casino Game Helpers” is required only for Internet casinos. Within this type of statistics gathering programs were popular reading off data from the screen and providing these data to the player for analysis, however nowadays almost all on-line casinos provide statistics therefore there is no any necessity for such programs. Now programs still exist which provide recommendations in respect of game optimization. Simple programs have the basic strategy, more complex programs immediately recalculate an optimal strategy of Black Jack depending on the card out of the game, that is they automate the process of card counting. But in on-line casinos their use is limited, because the casinos usually shuffle cards after each deal.

On-line Casino “Bots”: Finally, the fourth type of programs, again on-line programs, which includes “Bots” (a contracted form of “robots”). Bots are designed to fully automate the process of playing, for that purpose they read off the information from the screen, make decisions in accordance with set program (usually based on the basic strategy) and emulate movements and pressing of the mouse button. On-line casinos are quite tolerant towards the programs of the first three types, however, the use of bots in all on-line casinos is forbidden. The problem is not that the program can outgame casinos- it might be possible only in casino games beneficial for the player which can be hardly found on-line. On-line casinos are rather afraid of bonus hunters because using a bot you can easily “wash for” bonuses flat bet day after day.

However, judging by unproved rumours the biggest gain of $1.2 mln in on-line casinos was acquired using a bot (the game on $10000 in Caribbean 21).

Programs of first three types are freely sold. On-line Casino “Bots” programmers usually write for their own purpose. There are people using their written robots for simple “washing for” bonuses following the basic strategy, although they do not intend to sell them- they are afraid of toughening measures on the part of casinos in case of frequent use of the bots.

As a matter of fact, one more type of programs exist which can be characterized in short as “DECEPTION OF BUYERS”. If you see a program promising “never lose” roulette game (exact calculation of a falling number and manual control of a falling number) or cracking the casino server with accruing lots of money for you, pass by. At least will get nothing for your money and at most you will get the Trojan horse or lose relying on empty promises.

On-line Poker Programs: On-line poker programs are worth particular consideration. They include the programs of the four above mentioned types. Trainers exist enabling you to try to take on artificial intelligence (AI) of the program. At the same time some programs will advise you on the game optimization (at the extend as it is understood by the creators of the program). Analyzing programs exist calculating your chance for improving up to different combinations and running various simulations, for example they can compare the force of two aces and two twos. On-line casino helpers usually work with statistics. If earlier programs tried to gather statistics from the screen, now they import standard logs of poker rooms. Based on these logs information is provided in respect of the player and opponents. Your statistics can be analyzed when you have spare time finding negative points and the statistics on your opponents can be displayed on the screen while playing to optimise game decision making. Moreover programs exist gathering and providing information on players you have never played with and which are not included into your statistics, however, poker rooms started on cracking down on these programs. Quite often you can see the warning on poker room web sites:

Q. Can you give me a list of acceptable programs?

Poker room. This is a list of programs that we are aware of and permit:

1. GameTime+

2. Holdem Inspector

3. PokerAce Heads Up

4. PokerOffice

5. PokerTracker

6. PokerWeapon

7. Texas Calculatem

Q. Can you give me a list of programs which are prohibited?

Poker room. This is a list of programs that we are aware of and prohibit:

1. PokerEdge

2. PokerProphecy

3. StarSpy

4. WinHoldem

5. PokerSherlock

Poker bots exist and you can buy them but without an interface which will press buttons instead of you, however, experts make them quite easily. A bot championship with the prize fund of $100000 took place simultaneously with a recently ended WSOP tournament.

Although poker room bots are not desirable clients, poker rooms trying to crack down on them as well, and while improving poker bots fight against them will be tougher. The fact is that bots make the game less interesting for most players, sway of bots will result in giving up playing poker in Internet.

In general casino programs enable to minimize losses (in off-line even to pass to a beneficial game) and poker programs if used properly may considerably improve the game quality and make you a good plus player.