Published on: 17 December 2018
Last Updated on: 03 September 2024
Want to play Call of Duty Black Ops 4 or Assassin’s Creed Odyssey in 60 FPS? It feels great to compete and beat a game when your system runs at top speed. However, the lagging and timeout issues are the last thing you want to deal with when you are about to defeat the final boss.
Nothing can be more annoying than playing games on a computer that is super sluggish. With more and more advanced games hitting the PC world, a well-optimized PC is what you need to experience it at best. So it’s natural for older rigs to be unable to keep up with the requirement of the current generation game.
Unless your system has not repaired and replaced in the last decade, a bit of upgrading can do the trick. Here are some amazing and useful tips on how to optimize your computer to get the best out of it.
Uninstall Unwanted Software:
Before getting started with the optimization, uninstall some unwanted software to speed up your computer a little bit. If there is some software that you’ve not used in the last few months or don’t have any plan to use it some time again soon, it’s time to dump them in the trash.
Also, get rid of temporary files that bog down your computer and remember to empty your Recycle Bin as well. Another reason that makes your computer slow is the start-up apps that load as soon as you boot it up. Disabling the unnecessary apps can help you free up your system resources and boot it faster.
Defragment Your Hard Drive:
Once you are done with cleaning the stuff that you don’t need, the next step is to defragment your hard drive. Using defragmentation, you can put all the files required by your game to run in one continues space in the hard drive.
Doing this will also help you to increase the lifespan of your hard drive. Alternatively, you can have an SSD drive instead of an HDD and install your games on that.
Install the Latest Graphics Card Drivers:
Image Source: upload.wikimedia.org
If you want to experience the best PC performance, running old drivers is not a good idea to go with. There are updates available for the drivers that can support and boost your graphics card while enabling you to play smoother.
Just like drivers, games also come with patches to fix the bugs and improve the game performance. The shift from the older update to the latest patch can lead your way from a choppy, laggy experience to smooth gameplay.
Look For Malware:
Image Source: c1.staticflickr.com
Sometimes it is the malicious software that causes your PC to slow down. It wreaks havoc on your system and can also damage or delete your important files permanently. With the advancement of technology, cybercriminals are coming up with new ways to get into people’s computers.
If you want to prevent such malware from invading your PC, install antimalware software and scan your machine regularly to catch the malware before it enters into your system.
Reinstall Operating System:
Image Source: c1.staticflickr.com
So, you tried all of the steps mentioned above but still, see no difference in the performance of your computer? You can try reinstalling your operating system especially if you’re using Windows. But before you start with Windows installation, make sure to back up all important files.
Wrapping UP:
Optimizing your PC will give that little extra kick that your system needs to offer you the smoothest gaming experience. But if the performance issue still persists even after all the optimization attempts, there may be something deeply wrong with your PC.
In this case, you can sell the used RAM and CPU and buy yourself a new gaming rig. You can visit BuySellRam to get a good deal on your used RAM or processors.
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If you’re a beginner at sports betting, then it’s essential that you read this article. Also, if you believe there are only two types of odds, you should definitely continue reading.
Knowing about the odds is one thing, but being able to interpret them properly is what eventually brings you money. By definition, betting odds inform you how likely an event is to happen. If you remember math lessons, then you probably have a formula in your head. However, things are a bit different when it comes to sports betting, and here is the reason why.
Who sets the odds?
Namely, it’s the bookmaker who offers the odds. Different bookmakers make different odds depending on their own forecast. For instance, one bookmaker can offer you a team at +140 to win the game, whereas the other one determined the odds at +130 (what these numbers represent will be explained down below). Therefore, the likelihood or probability of the event is set by the bookmaker instead of a universal math equation.
One might wonder which factors influence the bookmaker’s decision since the amount you could win depends on them in a way. There is always a personal opinion, previous results, and, perhaps most importantly, how much money the bookmaker has taken on a certain market. For this reason, you should always follow the odds and compare sports betting results. You should be informed and form your own opinion and choose a bookmaker who gives you the best deal.
Higher/Lower odds:
Let’s see what this exactly means. If you understand how odds work and have some sports knowledge, you should be able to predict the outcomes fairly well and find the odds to work in your favor, eventually bringing you some profit. The higher the odds, i.e. the smaller the likelihood of a team winning, the greater profit will be if you guess the result. On the other hand, lower odds mean that result of the sports event is easily predictable, so even if you predict the correct outcome, you won’t earn much more than you originally invested. In other words, the bigger chances of winning, the lower the payout.
For instance, let’s say there’s a tennis match in which the player who is ranked No. 1 in the world ATP list is playing against a player who is 65th on that list. The wager on the number one winning the game would have extremely low odds. Naturally, a wager on the 65th player winning would have very high odds.
Winning:
Also, when we discuss “winnings”, the term represents your real revenue, or how much money you have actually earned. For example, if you stake $10, and win $50, your winning would be $40 (50-10=40).
Types of odds:
Now that we know what high and low odds are, let’s take a look at these three types of odds and their examples. Basically, this is what complicates things for most beginners. There are three different formats of odds:
Fractional odds/UK odds
Decimal odds
American odds/Moneyline/Line odds
You will have met all of them at some point, so let’s take a closer look. It’s hard to say whether one is better than the other. Essentially, they all have the same result, but they vary in the way how that result is presented.
Fractional odds/UK odds:
As the name suggests, they are mostly used in the UK and Ireland, too. They are one of the oldest forms of odds and were originally used in horse racing. One of the main reasons for their popularity is the fact they are rather straightforward. Basically, when you see a fraction such as 1/5, you know it’s a fractional odd. Let’s see how they work in practice.
For instance, if we have 5/1 (“five to one”), that means you can win five units for the unit you have staked. If you have 3/1, you would win three units for the one invested, etc. Let’s say a unit stake is $10, and the odds are 3/1. If you win, you would get $30.
Nevertheless, not always do you get such easy fractions. You can expect to see 11/10, 5/2, 7/3, and so on. For example, with 11/10 you would get 11 units for every 10 units staked, which is 1.1 per unit. 6/4 would be 1.5 per unit staked, and so on. Therefore, if the odds are 6/4, and you bet $10, your winning would be $15.
Even money bet:
When there is a 50% chance of either side winning, this is called even money, and in fractional odds, this is represented as 1/1.
Odds against/Odds on:
One more thing: when you hear something such as “odds against”, it means that the first number is larger than the second (as in the above-mentioned examples). The potential financial outcome is bigger than the money staked. Conversely, there is the term “odds on” odds. For instance, if you have something like 1/4 (“four to one on”), that would mean you are able to win one unit for every four units staked.
Decimal odds:
These have definitely gained in popularity. They used to be widely used in most of Europe, Canada, and Australia, but nowadays their popularity is spreading and they are considered favorites by most online bookmakers (though the US market is yet to comply). Out of all these three types (fractional, decimal, and American), decimal odds are recognized as the easiest to follow. The secret lies in the fact that they are expressed as a single positive number (most usually with two decimal places).
What does that number mean? It shows the amount of the total payout. For instance, let’s say a winning bet is 2.5. That means you’ll get $2.5 for each $1 that you staked. So, if your stake is $10, and the odds are 2.5, you will get $25 if you win. When you reduce the amount with the $10 you have invested, you’re left with $15 more than you had at the beginning. Your winning is $15. Pretty simple, right?
Even money bet:
Even money bet in decimal odds is shown as 2.00
Differences between fractional and decimal odds:
These two are most often compared since their appearance is somewhat similar. Regardless of the way how they are calculated, the most important difference to be aware of is the following: decimal odds do include the initial stake, whereas fractional odds do not (they only represent the winning).
American Odds/Moneyline/Line Odds:
As the name suggests, they are mostly used in the USA. You can recognize them easily since they are represented as a positive or a negative number (+150, -30, +120, etc.). A positive number shows how much a correct wager of $100 wins, while the negative number states how much you need to stake so as to get $100.
Let’s see how this works in practice, shall we? It’s not as complicated as it sounds.
You go to a betting website, and you see the odds are +150 at the moment. So, if you were to bet $100, you could expect to have $150 in winnings, and a stake of $100, too.
Similarly, if you see -150, that means you need to invest $150 to obtain $100 and the initial stake of $150.
Even money bet:
This is represented as +100, -100, or just 100.
Conclusion:
Hopefully, our guide has made matters clear to you. In case you get used to one of these methods, let’s say decimal odds, and you find yourself trying out your luck in Las Vegas, fear not. There are plenty of odds converters available, or you can do your own calculations. Either way, now that you understand how odds work (basically, they’re the explanation of how bookmakers are earning so much), it’s time you put that knowledge to good use.
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Android was launched close to ten years ago and it has come a long way since then. Likewise, the games that Android offers have evolved greatly. The platform offers a spectacular masterpiece that encourages players to come back looking for more. In addition to the big developers, we also have the indie ones who create brilliant games which deliver breath-taking experiences. Here are some of the best Android games that you need to play in 2019.
1. Alto’s Odyssey
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The game is an endless runner that is among the best in the business. The game has been receiving critical acclaim for the gameplay since its launch. Alto’s Odyssey comes with a compelling soundtrack and stunningly beautiful visuals. It precedes Alto’s Adventure but the gameplay has several changes that make it not to feel like a sequel. However, the gameplay does not deviate from its original idea which gives enthusiasts a pleasurable playing experience.
2. The War of Mine
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The war of mine has a unique backdrop that makes it fun to play. It puts the player in a group of civilian’s shoes to scavenge crucial supplies in a city that is war-torn. Visually, it is a beautiful game and gives the user enough choice because of the broad range of customization options. In-game decisions also affect the immediate outcome and this delivers a highly emotive experience. The inclusion of Little Ones DLC brings a new dynamic to the game as it puts the user in the adult’s shoes who have a duty to care for and protect kids. It is one of the best Android games in the market.
3. Framed 2
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The game has a beautifully-crafted neo-noir puzzle that keeps that player engaged for several hours. The user has to arrange comic book titles in the right order so that the protagonist can finish the expected tasks. It has countless possibilities and hence you will get a new challenge every time you are playing Framed 2. The other thing that brings a new dynamic to this game is the absence of interesting background and dialogue.
4. The Room: Old Sins
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This game is the fourth installment in the series and is one of the best Android games from the company. You should investigate the misery of the missing engineer together with his wife as you try recovering an artifact. You have to pay a lot of attention to this simple plot with the assistance of an eerie soundtrack and stunning visuals. It has several levels of challenges that come with extra detail surrounding. The Room: Old sins is an engaging game that will keep the player on his toes.
5. Crashlands
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Crashlands is simply a survival crating game. The humor element of this game and the way it plays out transports the user to an exclusive new experience that you will rarely come across in the Android platform. The gameplay offers intuitive controls that give the user a pleasurable playing experience on devices that are touch enabled. The in-game mechanics makes the game challenging and fun for even novice players and amateurs. It is an excellent choice for anyone who is looking for the best Android games.
6. Life is Strange
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Life is strange is one of the engaging game titles from Square Enix. The game plays well in storytelling and has a beautiful background score, wonderful voice-overs, and great visual cues. The touch of human emotion together with the deeply engaging story delivers a deeply immersive experience and you will rarely find this element on mobile games. Initially, Life is strange was designed for PC users but is has intuitive touch controls that give mobile users the best experience.
7. PUBG Mobile
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The popularity of PUBG Mobile has been on the rise and is available on any Android phone. Like is the case with the Fortnite Battle Royale, you should eliminate the other players on the island so that you are the only man that is standing. The shooting mechanism, in this case, tilts slightly towards realism and provide a decent challenge. PUBG is a visually pleasing game but has highly demanding hardware. With the launching of a new map whose size is smaller, this game features a faster-paced action hence attracting a new set of fans.
8. Riptide GP: Renegade
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All the games in this series are established as formidable arcade racers and this gameplay is similar. The mobile version of Riptide GP: Renegade has intuitive controls and you will access all forms of actions in the consoles. It has fast-paced dynamic water races with several variable factors like animated obstacles and interactive elements that give the game a new thing each moment. Riptide GP: Renegade comes with an engaging career mode that keeps both professionals and casual gamers engaged for the best moments. The game gives customisability a top priority and hence you can craft the game as per your needs.
9. Fortnite Battle Royale
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This game resembles PUBG but provides a high arcade feel that is appealing to any casual gamer. It drops the player on an abandoned island and has to eliminate the other players so that he can be the last standing man while outrunning a mysterious energy field mysteriously. The gameplay has fluid control plays and will not consume you a lot when you are playing it on a touch-enabled device. The game will keep you on top of the seat throughout the gaming period due to its ability to build obstacles for defending yourself and eliminating players. However, you will not get the Fortnite Battle Royale on the Google play store. Therefore, you have to download it via the Samsung Galaxy Application store or from the official website of the company.
10. Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
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Porting this game to mobile devices was so challenging for Square Enix because the game had developed a cult after the launch in 1999. The brand behind this franchise had a big task to simplify the Valkyrie game: Lenneth while keeping the main elements intact that were responsible to make it a hit back game in the day. The company did a great job in porting the game and it remains as entertaining as the original version.
You can pay any of these games if you are looking for the best Android games in the market. It all depends on your interests and level of experience in the gaming industry.
Read Also:
5 Addictive Time Killing Games To Play Online
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Over the last decade, card games have become more popular than ever. Live tournaments, online casinos, and mobile gaming apps have all helped spur this along, with more card games becoming popular with every passing year. Here, we’ll be looking at three card games that are already receiving a lot of attention and will surely become more popular in the future.
1. Baccarat:
While poker may be the first strategy card game that pops into any player's head, baccarat requires just as much tactical intelligence and often appears alongside poker games at live and online casinos.
A standard game begins with the player betting on either their own hand or the banker’s hand before the cards are dealt. Once this has been done, the dealer will then give two cards each to the player and banker, all of which must be face down. The dealer then slides one card out from the player’s hand, placing it face up before doing the same with the banker’s hand. Two more cards are dealt, and the maths begins. Tens and face cards have no value while an ace is worth just one point and all other numbered cards represent their exact value. For instance, if the player has a nine and a six their total is 15. However, you don’t necessarily want to have a bet on the highest total if you are the player, as it is the number closest to nine that wins.
Of course, the best-case scenario is that the hand the player bet on is a ‘natural win’, meaning that the first two cards dealt a total of either eight or nine, but this is rarely the case. More often than not, the dealer will have to decide if the player should receive a third card, which is allowed only when the player’s cards total 0 to 5 and the banker’s hand doesn’t already total eight or nine. The banker may also receive a third card under the following circumstances:
The Player’s third card was 9, 10, ace, or a face card, and the Banker’s total is 0-3.
Player’s third card 8, and the Banker’s total 0 – 2.
Player’s third card 6 or 7, and the Banker’s total 0 – 6.
Player’s third card 4 or 5, and the Banker’s total 0 – 5.
Player’s third card 2 or 3, and the Banker’s total 0 – 4.
Once all the cards have been dealt, it’s time to recalculate and see which hand’s total is closer to nine. If there’s a draw, neither hand wins, and the game either starts again or players may leave the table.
Clearly, baccarat isn’t one of those card games that you can just sit back and relax through while the cards are being dealt. You must be vigilant, pay attention to the cards, and, most importantly, you must have a strategy in mind. Fortunately, there are plenty of baccarat strategies you can apply including the one-sided baccarat strategy, the trend switches combat baccarat strategy, and the breaking the doubles strategy. Each of these requires quick-thinking, quick maths, and an ability to accept when you’ve lost a game, so you may want to practice before going for the big money.
2. Rummy:
Over the last decade, many card games have become popular at online casinos often receiving numerous different makeovers and versions to ensure there are all sorts of different styles to play. Rummy, on the other hand, seems to have gone down a different techy road and is probably most popular as a mobile game. A simple search on the Google Play store will bring up dozens of rummy games (sometimes known as gin), many of which even enable you to play live with other rummy enthusiasts around the world.
Whether you’re playing on your mobile or face-to-face, though, the same rules apply. First of all, the amount of players decides how many cards everyone is dealt:
2 to 4 players: 10 cards each
5 players: 6 cards each
2 or 5+ players: 7 cards each
A scorer and dealer must have been designated at the start before the dealer shares the hands out and places the rest of the deck face down in the center. The card at the top of this pile (known as the stock) is turned over and placed beside the larger pile. The game can now begin with the player on the left of the dealer, who must decide whether to pick the upwards facing card up or choose the top card from the stock. Which one they choose depends on whether the upwards card will help them create a run (a consecutive sequence of three or more cards of the same suit) or a set (three or four cards of equal value), known as a meld.
If they can make a meld, they may set those cards aside, but if not one card from their hand (never the one they just picked up) must be placed on top of the upwards card (also facing upwards). Each player must do the same in turn, shuffling the stock and starting again until it is depleted completely. The players with the most runs and sets are victorious.
3. Bridge:
Finally, we have a bridge – a card game that has been passed down for generations. It’s sophisticated, subtle, and more popular than ever, with ITV reporting in 2015 that over 300,000 people play in Britain on a regular basis. We can probably assume that this number has grown even larger over the last few years, as the bridge has received both the casino and mobile app treatment. This isn’t surprising at all, considering its already long-established popularity and the fundamentally social nature of the game, which has only become more apparent in online and mobile games.
So, how is the bridge played? There must be four players divided into teams of two, with players sitting opposite each other forming partnerships are known as North-South and East-West.
Bidding is then started, but it’s important to know how the game is played first. A total of 13 cards are then given to each player, starting with the player left of the dealer. Each suite has a different ranking for bidding purposes, with spades being the highest followed by hearts, diamonds, and finally clubs, though this isn’t necessarily important during play. That is unless one suit has been labelled ‘trumps’, which means it beats all other suits. As for the value of cards, numbered cards retain their inherent value while aces are the highest followed by kings, queens, and jacks.
The aim is to collect ‘tricks’, a collection of four cards one taken from each player, with 13 tricks up for grabs in a single deal. A player will be designated to play the first card in a trick, known as a lead, which can be any card. However, the three other players must then play cards of the same suit if they can; if not, the obligation is voided. Once four cards have been played, assuming that no trump suit has been named, whichever team played the highest value of the lead suit wins the trick. However, if a trump was declared, then the highest-valued card of that suit wins the trick.
Before any player can actually start, bidding will have taken place with players stating the number of tricks they believe they can take during a deal. The dealer is the opener, beginning a sort of auction where players continue raising the number of tricks until three players inevitably say pass and the final bid is labeled the contract. Whoever declared the final bid is known as the ‘declarer’ and must then ask their teammate to be the ‘dummy’, where they place their cards face up for all to see and are no longer allowed to participate. Instead, the final bidder plays their hand as well as their own. If at the end of the game, the declarer and dummy team have the contract amount of more, it is converted into points. If they have not, the defending team receives points.
Whether you’ll be playing bridge to get those tricks, downloading rummy on your mobile, or booting up baccarat at an online casino, we’re sure you’ll have loads of fun. After all, that’s why these card games continue to be played by thousands of people around the world and why their popularity continues to grow in the digital era.
Read Also:
Golden Tips For Responsible Gambling
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