An Oscilloscope – A Quick Overview

In this article, we will explain to you what an oscilloscope is, how it works as well as how it can be used.

What it is
An oscilloscope is used to visually represent a waveform for a period using a graph with the two axes. The parallel axis is used to represent time, while the upright axis is used to represent amplitude.

Oscilloscopes are used during music production to assist sound synthesis and dynamics processing. The signal chain of both usages has an oscilloscope placed at the end of the chain. The purpose is to allow it analyze the overall effects of all the plugins that have been placed ahead of it. Generally, Oscilloscope PLUGINS (WIN/MAC/LINUX) despite their frequent usage towards the end of the chain, like other analysis plugins, can be still be inserted anywhere. This will allow you to analyze that point's signal.



Usage Scope
When making music and you place a drum riff in the audio track of a DAW, what you will see is a stationary waveform region or clip. You can read this article to know what a waveform is. This static waveform is a representation of the initial audio when it was being inserted.

When an oscilloscope is finally inserted after every other thing has been placed in a signal chain, the stationary waveform will then be displayed straightaway. You can then see how it was affected by processing and also how it will look after final production.

If you are compressing a drum riff, using an oscilloscope aid in the observation of how the attack time affects each drum's hit initial spike (transient portion). If the attack period is fast, the transient will be squashed; hence, the height of the hit being displayed will decrease. But if a high ratio of compression, fast release time, and low threshold are combined, the height of the hit being displayed will increase because the tail and the hit have been increased.

Oscilloscopes aid in sound designing. It can be used to function as a sort of sonic microscope that the producer can use to observe a waveform's single cycles. With it, direct observation of the slow and low-pass filtration of a wave with rich harmonics as it progressively concludes its sharp corners is possible.



Also, you can observe the modulation of a pulse width when it has been placed on a wave (square). Generally, oscilloscopes have become very important in the understanding of synthesis concepts.

Setting Up Your Oscilloscope
Before you begin to use an oscilloscope, you must know certain things. The measurements given on the parallel axis could vary; it could be time division, samples, or musical values such as note lengths. On the other hand, dB is always the measurement found on the upright axis.

You can alter the axes' scales to allow you to view the waveform better by zooming in or out. The upright axis is usually set so that the display can be maximized. The parallel axis however is the more interesting. You can measure an individual wave cycle closely by zooming in, or you can view the larger waveform by zooming out.

An individual wave cycle's measurement, when used at a certain frequency, remains the same provided it is measured in milliseconds. If it is measured in samples, it indicates that the measurement is dependent on your DAW's sample rate.



One 100Hz wave cycle with a sample of 44,100kHz, in turn, will have a representation of 441 samples. But if this same wave cycle uses a 96kHz sample, it will then have a representation of 960 samples. Therefore, put this into consideration during the configuration of the units on the parallel axis.

Oscilloscopes working in a mode known as "free-running" draw the waveform usually starting from the left and moves to the right. It does this until the display's right-hand corner is hit. This action will then cause it to retrigger/reset thereby starting the plotting processing again.

The trace existing waveform is then overwritten. Consequently, the period the device uses in filling the display might not in perfect synchronization with the frequency of the waveform, this will lead the display to bounce around randomly.

To counter this, most oscilloscopes function in the mode called "classic". In this case, once the level has passed the parallel axis' center point, the device begins to plot from the display's left again. This way, the waveforms can be steadily observed.

Conclusion
Oscilloscopes have proved helpful in music production over the last couple of years. And until something better is invented, they will remain great tools for sound analysis.

Key Skills You Can Learn from Online Drum Lessons

Are you tired of air-drumming to Queen, Metallica, and your dream bands all these years? Do you want to bring out your inner Steven Adler and start a music band with a guitarist like Slash? If your answer is yes to any of the questions, it is time you sign up for online drum lessons.

Gone are the days when drums and any musical instruments were taught in person. The advancement in technology has now made it possible for you to get drum lessons from talented instructors at your home. From beginner to intermediate skills, suitable online drum classes will teach you all.

Here are some of the critical skills you can learn from online classes.

Coordination Techniques
From simple and primary rhythms to complex techniques, playing instruments like drums requires excellent movement and coordination. You are taught to work on coordination techniques starting from the very first online drum lessons. After learning the methods of one exclusive drum, the online instructors will take you through more drums and other subdivisions of a beat.

Hand and Foot Technique
Grips, motions, bass drum speed, control, and power are skills that require monitoring, especially in the initial stages. When you take up drum lessons online, the skilled instructors will help you find the proper grip, angle of attack, and more techniques by carefully monitoring your stance in every section.

When talking about grip, efficiently holding the sticks is critical to getting off to a good start. Online instructors will teach you easy ways to find the proper grip. As it takes comfort, personal preference, and practicality to achieve the right hand and foot technique, the instructors will also teach you to switch between different playing positions until you find the proper technique.

Vocabulary and Note Reading
From note reading to vocabulary and deconstruction, there are various learning techniques for drums. Vocabulary involves knowing the names of different parts of the drum kit, the history of each piece, and other terms of courses and learning methods.

Like instruments like guitar, keyboard, piano, etc., you have notes for drums. To play a known song or to compose new music, you must be well-versed with note reading.

Taking up drum lessons online will be an excellent way to start with the basics of note reading, vocabulary, deconstruction, and more. As online drum lessons offer classes for all students in different levels of expertise, you can take up beginner or intermediate drum classes any time for improving your note-reading skills.

Rudiments and Patterns
There are around twenty-six fundamental rudiments that almost all drummers understand. The primary or beginner level usually includes five rudiments along with their applications and uses in real music. In an online drum class, the experienced trainers will start with the essential rudiment and patterns lessons and gradually move on to creative drumming, showmanship, and more.

Reading and Writing Your Own Music
If you are a newbie to drumming, then developing a good foundation is essential and will help you transition to complex rhythms easily. Reading and writing is a crucial skill that all drummers should possess.

In any online drum class, the instructor will present you with reading and writing exercises where you will be taught to count notes while playing the drums.

Learning to read and play music notation or notes is similar to that of learning a new language. If you are learning to read music without the writing part, you will miss out on the chances to fully understand the new language. That is why trainers in online drum classes teach you to read and write and compose your music even during training.

Listening and Transcribing
Like reading and writing your music, listening, transcribing, and analyzing existing music is also a fundamental skill that good drummers must work on. It is never too early for you to get help from online instructors and begin listening to music with an idea of analyzing the piece.

With the online teacher by your side, you can listen to a famous metal song, pick out the drums from the mix, and write down the musical notations you particularly like. All teachers who are a part of online drum classes encourage this exercise, as it is a great skill that will help you conceptualize notes and understand why a note is used in a song.

Honing this skill will also help you communicate better with your online instructors, fellow musicians, peers, and more.

Tempted to buy a drum kit already? Before that, sign up for an online drum class today and learn the basics of drumming. Your instructor may even help you find a suitable drum kit if you are lucky.

How to Plan A Themed 1920s Murder Mystery Party

Hosting a party can be great fun. At the same time, it comes with a host of responsibilities including organizing the food, drinks, music, and décor. Whether you plan to throw a party at your home or in the backyard, appropriate arrangements need to be made in advance to avoid last-minute haste. Moreover, you can host your guests in your house, in the backyard, or at an outdoor venue and accordingly plan the arrangement to celebrate any occasion. Themed parties are quite popular these days. Among myriad themes that you can think of, the spooky ones click with most people. If you are a great fan of murder mystery stories, here's a clue on the theme you can choose for your next party. So, if you are all set to experiment, the 1920s murder mystery party can make an exciting theme. Be it a Halloween party or your Birthday, here's how to plan a mysterious gathering for your friends, family, or office colleagues. Select your game Planning games for your party can be great fun and when it comes to a killer theme, you are sure to enjoy the planning bit. Getting your guests to be active participants in the game can be a good idea. Just a show wouldn't be all that fun. You can nominate friends to don the Sherlock Holmes cap and get to solve a fascinating mystery plot. There are a zillion games you can find online.  If you have the Agatha Christie bug biting, go ahead and pen your original murder mystery. You can prepare the script for your guests so that they can read their lines from there. Having dialogues and actions can enable a quick-paced game ensuring that your invitees don't skip on any elements of the game.  If you want to keep it free-flowing, you can just draft a general outline on what is expected so that your guest can act out of their imagination. Context of the murder plot and character descriptions can help. Moreover, you can leave a few pieces of evidence to help them relate to the solution. Find interesting games to plan your murder mystery party at https://www.quora.com/What-are-games-that-has-murder-mystery-content.  Organize costumes and accessories 

Hosting a party can be great fun. At the same time, it comes with a host of responsibilities including organizing the food, drinks, music, and décor. Whether you plan to throw a party at your home or in the backyard, appropriate arrangements need to be made in advance to avoid last-minute haste. Moreover, you can host your guests in your house, in the backyard, or at an outdoor venue and accordingly plan the arrangement to celebrate any occasion.

Themed parties are quite popular these days. Among myriad themes that you can think of, the spooky ones click with most people.

If you are a great fan of murder mystery stories, here's a clue on the theme you can choose for your next party. So, if you are all set to experiment, the 1920s murder mystery party can make an exciting theme. Be it a Halloween party or your Birthday, here's how to plan a mysterious gathering for your friends, family, or office colleagues.

Select your game
Planning games for your party can be great fun and when it comes to a killer theme, you are sure to enjoy the planning bit. Getting your guests to be active participants in the game can be a good idea. Just a show wouldn't be all that fun. You can nominate friends to don the Sherlock Holmes cap and get to solve a fascinating mystery plot. There are a zillion games you can find online.

If you have the Agatha Christie bug biting, go ahead and pen your original murder mystery. You can prepare the script for your guests so that they can read their lines from there. Having dialogues and actions can enable a quick-paced game ensuring that your invitees don't skip on any elements of the game.

If you want to keep it free-flowing, you can just draft a general outline on what is expected so that your guest can act out of their imagination. Context of the murder plot and character descriptions can help. Moreover, you can leave a few pieces of evidence to help them relate to the solution. Find interesting games to plan your murder mystery party at https://www.quora.com/What-are-games-that-has-murder-mystery-content.

Organize costumes and accessories


Slip into the mood of the theme! The main attraction of a murder mystery is solving it. For this, you will need a detective as well. You can arrange for trench coats, gloves, and hats for your guests playing detectives in the game. Alternatively, in your invite, you can request your invitees to dress up to the theme.

If you aren't too keen on over-shooting your budget, simply think of options from what's you already have in the closet. Gowns, furry coats, even the bridesmaid dress can do the trick. There is an array of thrift stores where you can shop for vintage clothes and accessories.

Renting costumes, jewelry, and pros from rental stores for the quintessential 20's decade pieces is going to beef up the party look. Some shops sell and rent curated murder mystery collections. Recreate the 1920s glam with your slaughtering creativity!

Send invitations
  Grab every opportunity to think out of the box, after all, you will be hosting a murder mystery-themed get-together! While downloaded games can enable e-invitations, you can try sending the old fashion mail with a red seal to give a glimpse of the planned occasion.

Things to highlight in your invitation card

• Event details – you can assign character details on individual cards. 
• How to dress up – Give away hints on the character's attire so that your guest can dress for the occasion
• Mention the venue, time, and other details in tune with the party's theme. Add some pixie spirit to those details.

Plot the venue
If you're hosting a 1920s themed murder mystery party, you can't miss the relevance of a fireplace, pre-historic architecture, candelabras, and a chaise longue. Depending on the number of guests, you can either host your party at a hired apartment or at a restaurant ready to do the arrangements on your behalf. Want to keep to the budget, simply go bizarre on ideas.

You can play with the colors of the upholstery, reshuffle the furniture, thematically orient the layout of the floor and walls as well as dramatize with 1920's inspired flower arrangements. Vintage chairs, rugs by the fireplace, side tables, bar furniture, etc. can spruce up the downtown vignette for your ‘murderous' revelry.

What are you serving and how?


From your crockery to cutlery and the food at the table, it can all be crystallized with the theme. Just think of wine, beer, and cocktails being served in classy gold-rimmed glassware and elegantly detailed trays. 

Sit-down dinners look formal. A vase or two and candlesticks can give the dinner table that perfect feel and look. However, if there are too many guests, you may need to rethink the space as sit-down dining can stab their comfort. Simple yet delectable starters take the cake. Hop over to this site for delightful ideas on what to serve your guests at a murder mystery party.

Set the stage
Once your guests have arrived at the party, they can be given the envelope that includes details of the game, its rules, and other directions on dos don'ts. You can keep the suspense going by just hinting at the plan for the first half of the party. Intermittently, you can toss surprises to make it thrilling. For instance, turn down the lights and play ballroom music to encourage your guests to slay the dance floor.

Mid-way through the party, you can handover the second envelope to your invitees to declare the game results. For instance, you can secretly whisper into the killer's ears that he/she is the one.

Let the party roll with others making guesses as to who the killer is and finally, you can announce it and give away gifts and goodies to those who made the right guess. Giving away awards for the best-dressed individual, the best actor, etc can make it an unforgettable party.

Of all the things you do, just be sure to keep the suspense through the final execution!

Can Rafael Nadal end his career with the most Grand Slam titles?

"I always say the same, that I would love to finish my career being the player with more Grand Slams." Those were the words of Rafael Nadal after his French Open victory last year, and if it was the case that all four of tennis' Grand Slams were played on clay, then we are sure there would be no competition for the 34-year-old. However, unfortunately for the Spaniard, they are not, and that is why he is up against it if he truly wants to finish his career with the most major titles.

Last year, Nadal's record-extending 13th French Open triumph brought him level with Roger Federer on an impressive 20 Grand Slam titles. But, whilst Nadal excels on the clay courts of Paris' Roland Garros, he arguably lacks the skill of his counterparts, namely Federer and Novak Djokovic, on the other surfaces.

In his career, which spells back to 2003, Nadal has won the Australian Open just once, Wimbledon twice and the US Open four times. Of course, that is nothing to turn your nose up at, many professionals would love to boast that haul of Slams, let alone the whopping 13 French Opens on top of that. But for someone of Nadal's standards, it is disappointing that he has not been able to get as good a grip on the other tournaments as he has on the French Open.

2010 was the last time he won at Wimbledon, whilst the following year was his last outing in the final of the English championship. His sole victory in Melbourne came way back in 2009, and with four finals since then, it is hard to believe that he has not added to that victory 12 years ago. But with defeat coming to Federer and Djokovic (x2) in three of those four finals, it shows their superior ability on that surface over Nadal, just as the Spaniard's recent 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 triumph over Djokovic at Roland Garros proves his dominance on clay.

Flushing Meadows is somewhere that Nadal has found a bit of form in recent years, however. In the last decade, he has won the US Open four times, with his two most recent victories coming in 2017 and 2019, whilst a run to the semi-finals was shoved in between. Last year, the Spaniard chose not to defend his American Grand Slam crown due to safety concerns around the coronavirus pandemic, but this year he'll certainly be hoping to regain his title.

With the Australian Open approaching, Nadal is the second favourite behind Djokovic - according to Betdaq. But it is going to take something special from the World No.2 if he wants to stop the Serbian from winning his record-extending ninth title, and his third successive victory Down Under. With the news that his coach won't be making the trip to Melbourne due to covid travel restrictions, that task is made even harder for Nadal.

Another triumph for Djokovic at Melbourne Park would really have Federer and Nadal sweating. That would take the Serbian to 18 Grand Slam titles, whilst he would fancy his chances of reaching 20 by the end of the year, given his recent success at Wimbledon and previous victories at Flushing Meadows. That aside, the World No.1 also has an age advantage over both Federer and Nadal. So, in the long run, you would have to fancy his chances of overtaking the pair in terms of Grand Slam titles.

The long-awaited return of Federer also poses a threat to Nadal's Grand Slam hopes. The Swiss legend is set to miss the Aussie Open but should return for the other three Grand Slams later in the year. However, just four Grand Slam victories since 2011 will provide a glimmer of hope for both Djokovic and Nadal.

If Nadal wants the GOAT status and to finish his career with the most Grand Slam titles, then there is no question that he will need to win more than just the French Open throughout the next couple of years.

If he can do that, then there is no reason why he can't retire with the greatest haul of major trophies. From there, if Djokovic does overtake him, then it doesn't really matter, as the goal is to retire with the most!

Six English footballers currently playing abroad

While the English Premier League has long been a stomping ground for the best talent from all over the world, it's significantly rarer to see English players make the move from their home nation and home leagues to the many different leagues the world has to offer. But, if you're willing to put in the research, you'll find that there are a number of once household names who now find themselves playing abroad. Read on, as we look at six players, you'll recognise from their Premier League days, who are now playing abroad

Kieran Trippier (Atlético Madrid, Spain)
Having performed well at the 2018 World Cup in Russia for England, it's fair to say that Kieran Trippier caught the eye. With the right-back struggling for a regular starting position in the Tottenham Hotspur line-up, Trippier made the move to Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2019, and since then he has made himself a regular under coach Diego Simeone. Atlético are one of the favourites to win La Liga in the football betting, and Tripper's contributions are a part of that.

Chris Smalling (Roma, Italy)
Chris Smalling had become a figure of mockery at Manchester United by the time he was granted a loan move to Seria A side Roma. But the centre-back impressed greatly at the Italian club, who made the transfer permanent in the summer of 2020. Smalling is proof that although a player may struggle in the Premier League, a move abroad can often have a revitalising effect.

Ashley Young (Inter, Italy)
Staying with the theme of former Manchester United players, Ashley Young also made the move to Serie A in January 2020. Young was a valuable player for United over the years, but similar to Smalling, the former England international eventually became a source of ire for Manchester United fans, and a move to Inter brought him out of the spotlight, and gave him a fresh start in a new league.

Steven Taylor (Odisha, India)
Fans of English football may be surprised to learn that former Newcastle defender Steven Taylor is still playing, but the now 34-year-old is plying his trade in the Indian Super League with Odisha. After leaving Newastle in 2016, Taylor has been on a footballing odyssey around the world, which has included spells in the USA, New Zealand and now India.

Jay Bothroyd (Consadole Sapporo, Japan)
Cardiff City supporters will be interested to learn of the progress of Jay Bothroyd, who is currently to be found playing for Japanese side Consadole Sapporo in the J1 League. Now at the ripe old age of 38, Bothroyd was once a solid English league player, making the biggest mark at the south-Wales club, where he endeared himself to supporters with his work rate and goals.

Jordon Mutch (Aalesand, Norway)
After enjoying Premier League football with Cardiff City, QPR and Crystal Palace, Jordon Mutch is now plying his trade in Scandinavia, having signed for Norwegian club Aalesand earlier this year. This move followed spells with Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada, and South Korean side Gyeongnam.

The biggest Scottish Cup Final shocks

The 2020 Scottish Cup Final is set to take place on December 20th, and there's no shocks when it comes to Celtic's involvement. The Bhoys have been finalists and winners over the last three years, and the latest Scottish FA Cup odds are firmly in their favour, as they take on Hearts at Hampden Park. You can usually guarantee that either Celtic or Rangers, or both Glaswegian clubs will contest the final – so we've trawled through the archives to the times that neither side made it all the way, ultimately providing a huge shock.

2014-15: Falkirk 1-2 Inverness CT
Inverness sprung a massive surprise in the semi-finals, beating Celtic after extra time to secure their place in the Scottish Cup final, for the first time in their history. By beating Falkirk within 90 minutes, they also won their first ever title, and thanks to their league position, were already rewarded with a place in the Europa League second qualifying round, prior to their cup success.

Inverness had taken the lead in the 38th minute through Marley Williams, and after Carl Tremarco was dismissed with 15 minutes remaining and Peter Grant equalised for Falkirk, it looked as though it wouldn't be their day. But when James Vincent pounced on a loose ball from six yards out, Inverness stole a later winner and celebrated their first major trophy.

2013-14: St Johnstone 2-0 Dundee United
The season before, a new name was engraved on the trophy, with St Johnstone reaching the final for the first time in their 130-year history, and winning the Scottish Cup. Their opponents Dundee were playing in their tenth final, but defeat culminated in an eighth loss for them. Both sides entered at the fourth-round stage, and Dundee had beaten Rangers in the semi-final 3-1, to secure their place. Celtic had taken an early exit in the fifth round.

A goal late on in each half secured the win for The Saints. A whipped corner from David Wotherspoon saw centre-back Steven Anderson jump highest and head the ball into the back of an empty net to open the scoring. There was just enough time to restart play before the referee blew up for half time. A one-goal lead is always a narrow one and tensions increased throughout the second half. The result was sealed five minutes from time, when Steven MacLean slid in to challenge keeper Radosław Cierzniak, before punting the ball over the line.

2011-12: Hibernian 1-5 Heart of Midlothian
Two Edinburgh rivals met in the 2012 Scottish Cup final, and it was the first time that Hibs and Hearts had faced each other in the tournament final since 1896. The match took place at Hampden Park, rather than Murrayfield, which is where their previous final was contested. Hibs had sailed through the rounds en route to the final, while Hearts needed replays in both the fifth round and quarter-final, before beating Celtic in the semis.

Hearts put in a dominant display to annihilate their city rivals, although things could have been different, but for injury to Hibs' first-choice goalkeeper Graham Stack, who also missed the semi-final win. It proved to be a frantic first half, and within 50 minutes, five goals were scored.

First, Darren Barr opened the scoring for Hearts, before Rudi Skacel's deflected shot made it 2-0. Hibs pulled one back before halftime, but Hearts regained their two-goal advantage. A second bookable offence for Hibs' defender Pa Kajubi saw a penalty awarded and Danny Grainger duly put it away. Ryan McGowan added a fourth on 50 minutes, and Skacel got his brace with 15 minutes of the match remaining, to complete the rout – and deliver the biggest winning margin since 1999-2000.

Does Jordan Henderson have an outside chance of winning SPOTY?

As the 2020 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award draws ever closer, the debate is hotting up as to who might scoop the prize this year. It's been a strange year for sport in many ways, mainly due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the sporting calendar. But there have still been plenty of sportspeople who have achieved great things in 2020, and there are a number of contenders listed in the Sports Personality of the Year odds.

Someone who is a little lower down in the list of favourites is Jordan Henderson, captain of last season's Premier League champions Liverpool. The Reds' success under German manager Jürgen Klopp over the last few seasons has been remarkable, and Henderson is a player who has been at the forefront of all the club's recent achievements. As captain, he is the player who will perhaps be most associated with Liverpool's Champions League and Premier League triumphs. After all, he is the man who had the honour of lifting the trophy on both occasions, and it's his delighted expression that will linger in the minds of so many football fans as the years go by.

Henderson's character is one of the main reasons he has a chance at winning the Sports Personality of the Year award. His tenacity and the passion he brings to Liverpool's midfield is one of the main reasons Liverpool have enjoyed such success over the years. He has been criticised on a regular basis for not being up to the task of captaining Liverpool, by those who suggest that he doesn't have the supreme quality required to play for the Anfield club. He has proven those doubters wrong, his star quality justified by winning the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award.

The title of Sports Personality of the Year would not be ill-fitting for Henderson. His distinct vocal presence at the club means he is often the driving force for the team when the chips are down, and his footballing ability is valued immensely by Klopp. It must also be remembered that Henderson came so close to leaving Anfield after just one season at the club. When Brendan Rodgers arrived at Liverpool as manager in 2012, he sanctioned the departure of Henderson to Fulham in exchange for American attacking midfielder Clint Dempsey, but Henderson stood his ground and remained at the club to fight for his place. Since then, the former Sunderland man has more than proven his worth, becoming an iconic figure in Liverpool's recent history.

Off the pitch, Henderson was one of the loudest voices during the coronavirus pandemic, as Premier League players came up with ways to defer their wages in order to help club employees whose jobs were at risk as a result of the lockdown. He is a man who, despite his passionate presence on the pitch, is a kind and gentle person off it, eager to use his position of influence as a force for good.

He may not be one of the hot favourites to win the award, and it's perhaps a long shot to suggest he should win it for certain when there are so many deserving athletes out there, but Henderson has made a big impact in 2020. Indeed, his story is one that did not begin and end in 2020, but rather it began in the cold and rain in Sunderland's youth setup back in the late 1990s, and has reached a glorious and deserved crescendo after more than 20 years of toil and hard work.

Looking for adventure-themed slots to try out?

From epic adventures in fantastical lands, to adrenaline-rush chases, there's plenty that the reels can offer by way of excitement. So with that in mind, we set out to find the top 5 most popular and highly rated adventure-themed slots of the year. To help us along on our quest, we asked bgo casino, one of the UK's most popular casinos, to help out.

So take a look at our infographic below for a few slot suggestions to try out in your next playing session! 

We travel all the way to the Amazonian jungle in Gonzo's Quest MegaWays, take to the high seas in search of treasure in Adventure Trail Fire Blaze, and go all the way back to ancient Egypt in the newly released Book of Dead slot. No matter what you're in the mood for, we're sure at least one of the slots in our list will work its way to your top favourites. Read on...

Did you know that these celebrities are bonkers for Blackjack?

Blackjack, or '21' as it's also commonly referred too, is one of the world's most popular, and favourite, casino games. And, thanks to online Blackjack, we can play a few hands of the ever-popular game whenever, and wherever, we want. Still, nothing will take away the thrill of playing the age-old game at a land-based establishment, and the possibility of pulling up a pew next to a celebrity simply adds to the excitement!

With that in mind, let's take a look at a number of celebrities who are bonkers for Blackjack. Read on to find out more!

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon
Hollywood A-listers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon share a lot of things in common. They grew up as best friends in Massachusetts, living together in Los Angeles when they were both trying to make the big time, and they have starred in a whole host of films together since – starting with Good Will Hunting. But, what's more, they also share a love for gambling!

The acting duo, who often take part in World Series of Poker events around the United States, took to gambling after they starred in the film Rounders, and can often be seen in Las Vegas' and Atlantic City's casinos – so you could well be rubbing shoulders with them in the future! The pair once played Blackjack in the Hard Rock casino in Florida and walked away with $1 million. It is believed that were staking over $20,000 a hand and tipped the staff roughly $150,000 before leaving with their hefty winnings.

Prince Harry
Prince Harry's boisterous antics have landed him in the headlines for years – most of which we won't even bother going into! Her Majesty the Queen's grandson, who now resides in LA with his wife Meghan Markle and son, can also often be seen in Sin City's mega casinos. A few years ago, Harry was seen playing blackjack at the strip's Wynn Encore Casino, obviously attracting a massive crowd of onlookers. It is believed that the member of the Royal Family lost $300, which doesn't sound like a lot, especially for a Royal! However, he, and his entourage racked up an eye-watering $30,000 bill. It's also reported that when Harry is in the VIP rooms, and away from the public-eye, that he likes to stake the real mega-bucks!

50 Cent
Rapper Curtis Jackson, a.k.a. 50 Cent, is pretty much known for any type of gambling, especially high-stakes sportsbook bets on American sports and boxing – which he often flaunts on his official social media pages. However, the Candy Shop singer is also an avid Blackjack player. Jackson often bets around $5,000 per hand and can gamble up to $70,000 in a single sitting. In fact, 'Fiddy' loves Blackjack so much that he even released his own app; 50 Cents Blackjack. However, it failed to take off.

Paris Hilton
Friend of the stars and heir to one of the biggest, and best known, hotel brands in the world, Paris Hilton is also known to have a love for gambling. The singer/actor/businesswomen, if you want to actually classify her as any of those things, is a Las Vegas regular, and has actually been quite successful in the Sin City casinos! The 39-year-old was, reportedly, paid $100,000 for DJing at a popular Vegas nightclub. However, she decided to take the money straight to the Blackjack tables. It is believed that Paris walked away $50,000 up – not that it really mattered, given her enormous wealth!

Be the best at Bingo – check out these strategies

We know what you're thinking, Bingo isn't a game of skill and it's all about the luck of the ball calls, so how can there be strategy involved? Well, whether you're a newbie or a seasoned player, there are many tips and tricks to consider if you want to be the best at Bingo – or at least, stand the best chance of winning. Next time you're sat at home and ready to log in to your favourite online Bingo site, why not bear these pointers in mind.

1. Learn the rules
This might seem obvious, especially if you're new to the game, but there are many variations of Bingo games, all with their own rules and unique differences. For example, you may only be familiar with the traditional 90-ball game, much loved by British players in dedicated Bingo halls. Well the 75-ball variant is different in many ways, not least in the design of the Bingo card. Whereas 90-ball Bingo has three prizes on offer (for winning a single line, a double line and then a full house), 75-ball Bingo only has one dedicated prize, given to whichever player completes the pre-determined pattern first. There are many other variations online too – 80-ball Bingo, as well as themed games – so it's best to know what you're doing before you start to stand a good chance of winning.

2. Know when to play
This all depends on why you're playing in the first place – do you want to play in games with a lot of people, to socialise and to be in with the chance of landing a larger cash prize? Or are you happy participating in the smaller rooms where there are fewer people so a smaller jackpot, but more chance of winning? Whichever your preference, it's best to know what kind of time to play. If you're looking to play in ‘off-peak' games, your best bet is to play in the morning, when most people are getting ready for work or on the school run, or early evening when the same people are returning home for the day and putting the dinner on. If you want to be a peak player, the evening is the most popular time to play – with 6pm onwards often when most players log in.

3. Take advantage of free games and BOGOF offers
While there's no denying that both of these promotions will be among the most popular games, with players not having to part too much with their hard-earned cash, you'd be silly not to take advantage of these offers. The thrill of playing Bingo and winning the cash prize is what lures so many players in and to win without having to physically purchase a ticket is a bonus. With the BOGOF offer, players will receive double the number of tickets that they have paid for – giving them double the chance of winning. It's best to take advantage of any promotions, including chat games which are run by the chat host and played alongside the main Bingo game. Winning a chat game will see you rewarded with a free ticket or some extra funds to play with, while socialising at the same time.

4. Buy more tickets
While we always recommend playing within your means, buying more tickets will ultimately stand you in better stead of winning. Say for example you're playing with 50 other players, all of whom have six tickets (or one strip of six tickets) each, if you then buy an additional 18 tickets (or three strips of six), you'll stand a better chance of winning. Of course, there is no guarantee that you'll win, but the odds would certainly be in your favour, which leads us nicely on to our final tip.

5. Calculate those odds
It's ever so simple to calculate your chances of winning and that information could stand you in good stead over your fellow players. All you need to do is divide the number of cards you have purchased by the number of cards in the whole game (this information is usually displayed on the game's interface) – so say for example, you've got five cards out of 100, your chances of winning are 5%. Purchase more tickets and that percentage will increase. While it's possible to calculate your odds for a standard Bingo game, if you're playing for a progressive jackpot, it's impossible to work out your chances as there's never a guaranteed winner.

Are you ready to go on and master the Bingo world? Here's a quick summary of all you need to know:

• Play low-value games
• Play at off-peak times
• Play more tickets (if you can)
• Don't miss promotions and play chat games, free games and BOGOF games
• Know your basic odds
• Know the rules
• Always have fun!