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Asia-Pacific’s biggest casino gambling nations have been revealed in a twenty-country report. Insider Monkey led the hunt for the largest… Continue reading Asia’s biggest casino gambling nation revealed
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Asia-Pacific’s biggest casino gambling nations have been revealed in a twenty-country report.

Insider Monkey led the hunt for the largest gambling names in the Asia-Pacific region, with one nation topping the staking charts. Data provided by market research company Mordor Intelligence fuelled the findings.

Asian-Pacific gambling charts revealed

The Philipines topped the size charts with 76 registered casinos and a massive tourism-centered 66 casino hotels. Cambodia followed swiftly behind with 52 casinos and 17 resort hotels that offered gambling.

Macau, sees 30 million highrollers enter their locations each year. The small country boasts 47 casinos, and 56 hotel premises allow travelers to stake while staying. Macau is the historic center of the gambling world and has been heavily featured in pop culture, such as James Bond’s The Man With the Golden Gun (1974) and Skyfall (2012).

Vietnam slid into fourth place with 40 casinos and 29 casino hotels. The Grand Ho Tram is the largest place to bet in the region, with over 100,000 square feet of five-star staking space.

South Korea came in fifth with 32 casinos and 31 hotel-casino locations. The region first offered gambling in Incheon Olympos Hotel Casino in 1962.

Tourism is a key source of Asia-Pacific income

Resorts are generally built in the region in the same mold as mega-malls, which offer stores, restaurants, and a hotel-casino as standard for tourism opportunities.

The five market leaders in the region for casino gambling are Sands China, Galaxy Entertainment, Wynn Macau, SJM, and Melco.

Since the development of more digital and online sources, the gambling world in Asia has grown to the point where an average of $90 billion is taken in annually.

According to the Mordor Intelligence report, this figure is projected to rise to $150 billion by 2029. The report also highlights that 71.6% of gamblers in the Asia-Pacific region prefer online avenues to place bets.

This can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which devastated tourism in the leading nations in the Asian gambling world. However, this propelled digital and mobile gaming to become the favored alternative.

Image: Pixlr.

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To avoid issues of resellers profiting from Nintendo Switch 2 stock delays, the company is planning to ramp up stock… Continue reading Nintendo plans to stockpile Switch 2 consoles to avoid scalping issue
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To avoid issues of resellers profiting from Nintendo Switch 2 stock delays, the company is planning to ramp up stock when the console is released.

Since the first Switch console launched back in 2017, the console has faced issues of low stock, both on its initial release and during the chip shortage during the pandemic in 2020. Nintendo is determined not to have the same issues with the launch of the Switch 2, to avoid scalpers from selling on consoles at inflated prices.

IGN reports that Nintendo has told investors during a Q&A that avoiding resellers is a priority for them. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa stated that the goal is to produce enough Switch 2 consoles so that resellers won’t have the market power to control prices, as they have done before.

“As a measure against resale, we believe that the most important thing is to produce a sufficient number of units to meet customer demand, and this approach has not changed since last year,” Furukawa said. “In addition, we are considering whether we can take any measures within the scope of legal restrictions, taking into account circumstances of each region.”

When will the Nintendo Switch 2 come out?

Nintendo is yet to confirm even a vague release window for the Switch 2 but, during the same investors’ meeting, it was revealed that the company has not included the follow-up console in its sales forecasts for this year, keeping the release either as a surprise this year or confirming that it will come out next year.

Indeed, that’s in line with the consensus from leakers and rumors that point to a release in the first quarter of 2025, with a reveal promised this fiscal year. Nintendo has a history of surprise drops, as with the shock reveal of the OLED Switch in 2021, so keeping details like these private is par for the course for the tech company.

Featured image: Unsplash

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Resident Evil 9 is coming. The game’s creator Capcom has officially confirmed it’s in development. Koshi Nakanishi, the director of… Continue reading Resident Evil 9 confirmed: here’s what we know
The post Resident Evil 9 confirmed: here’s what we know appeared first on ReadWrite.

Resident Evil 9 is coming. The game’s creator Capcom has officially confirmed it’s in development.

Koshi Nakanishi, the director of Resident Evil 7, announced the news at the Capcom NEXT Summer 2024 showcase.

He was tight-lipped on the details, but even confirming a new title in the Resident Evil (RE) series is enough to excite fans.

Resident Evil 9 is officially in the works

Nakanishi featured heavily throughout the YouTube announcement of games coming from Capcom as part of the NEXT Summer 2024 display.

Fans of the horror series will be delighted that Nakanishi will helm the fright-inducing game. He said, “We are making a new Resident Evil. It was really difficult to figure out after (RE) 7.”

As we reported, Resident Evil 7’s change in tone and perspective has been a total win for Capcom, topping the sales charts alongside Resident Evil Village years after its release. The seminal horror titles altered the classic over-the-shoulder view to one more personal to keep the fear factor high.

The director behind Resident Evil 7 was honest about the development cycle before the change to a first-person shooter (FPS) view. Saying, “The classic Resident Evil was, well, if I’m being honest as a brand, we were off track. The action element had been expanded, and fans reacted much more negatively than expected. In the end, an RE game has to be scary.”

Fan feedback shaped the change to FPS perspective

He commented on the impact that fan feedback had on the development change to the now-expected FPS: “The general consensus from the fans was that a Resident Evil game should scare the hell out of you. I played Resident Evil from the beginning, and those early games were terrifying. I was excited to try and make Resident Evil 7 into a game that would live up to the RE name.”

“To make a fear-focused resident evil, many elements had to be reevaluated from scratch. Like the game setting, the characters, and the game system. Anything that didn’t induce fear had to change; sometimes we threw the whole thing (idea) out.”

He spoke about how distance and perspective could create a whole new level of fear-inducing scares. The director said, “When you view the world from a safe distance behind a character, it’s not as immersive and frightening. It’s not up close and personal, and that is what we were trying to accomplish.”

The Capcom man couldn’t disclose the specifics of the new terror title in the works but was stoic in his parting statement to RE fans.

Nakanishi concluded, “But I found it (the new RE), and to be honest, it feels substantial. I can’t share any details yet, but I hope you are excited about the day I can.”

Image: Capcom.

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As with many game launches in recent times, developers strike partnerships with streaming platforms like Twitch in order to give… Continue reading The First Descendant Twitch Drops: How to get, rewards, and more
The post The First Descendant Twitch Drops: How to get, rewards, and more appeared first on ReadWrite.

As with many game launches in recent times, developers strike partnerships with streaming platforms like Twitch in order to give back to those who want to watch a bit of gameplay before diving in themselves.

The First Descendant falls in line with the trend, offering Twitch Drops for everyone who is able to claim them.

Below, we’ll take you through how to get The First Descendant Twitch Drops, what rewards are on offer, and any other relevant information we can give.

How to get The First Descendant Twitch Drops

In order to secure The First Descendant Twitch Drops, you must link your Twitch and Nexon accounts via this link and watch a streamer in The First Descendant category for varying amounts of time, depending on how many rewards you want.

There are five Twitch Drop rewards available in the first batch and you’ll need to watch for a total of 120 minutes in order to get them all.

These rewards are available between Tuesday July 2, 2024 – Monday July 29, 2024, so get to watching some of your favorite streamers now before it is too late.

What are The First Descendant Twitch Drop rewards?

As previously mentioned, there are five different Twitch Drop rewards you can secure, each requiring different watch times.

Here is a full breakdown of each:

Watch for 15 minutes – “Delicious Pizza” Chest Attachment
Watch for 30 minutes – 15,000 Gold & 1,500 Kuiper Shards
Watch for 60 minutes – “Gloomy” Emote
Watch for 90 minutes – “Twitch Color” Paints
Watch for 120 minutes – “X-Ray” Back Attachment

Most of these Drops are cosmetics, allowing you to kit out Descendants such as Bunny, giving her a whole new look.

The First Descendant Twitch Drops not working explained

If you’ve racked up enough time watching The First Descendant on Twitch and claimed your rewards, they should be available for you in-game.

However, many players are finding out that their rewards are simply not there.

Don’t fret though, you do have those rewards but at this current time, there appears to be a delay in-game, causing them to not show up. This is a similar issue when purchasing items from the store also, so maybe avoid doing that too.

As for when this will be fixed, we’re unsure. But, when it is all sorted, you’ll be able to see those Twitch Drops ASAP.

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Google could be about to make it easier to go Incognito on the Google mobile app, according to some evidence… Continue reading Google might be making it easier to go Incognito in Chrome
The post Google might be making it easier to go Incognito in Chrome appeared first on ReadWrite.

Google could be about to make it easier to go Incognito on the Google mobile app, according to some evidence in the code.

At the moment, going incognito on the current version of the Google app requires tapping on the profile picture, then onto ‘New Chrome Incognito tab.’ It’s not quite as smooth to start a private session as on a browser, for example.

However, Assemble Debug, as reported by Android Authority, has spotted some code in the latest beta version of the app that includes a dedicated Incognito button directly in the search bar. This would bring private browsing sessions with the touch of a single click.

The feature is reportedly already working for Android Authority but is yet to roll out fully. Some other potential changes include a simpler look for tabs at the bottom of the app, namely by removing text from those tabs. It means users will no longer see terms like Home, Search, or Saved underneath their tab icons.

It’s worth noting that new features found in beta versions don’t always make it to the public. As the name would suggest, beta versions are for testing out potential additions for technical issues and for seeing how beta users respond to them, before releasing them to the general public.

What is Google Incognito browsing?

Incognito browsing is essentially a private browsing session within Google. Any windows or tabs you open after that are part of the same session, which only ends when you close all open Incognito windows.

Operating in Incognito means none of your browsing history, cookies, or site data are saved on your device. You also won’t be signed in to any of your accounts that are saved on your device, making it a convenient way to use a different account for one-off sessions, without logging out of any of your saved ones.

Websites will also see you as a new user and won’t know who you are, so long as you don’t sign in. People who share your device will also not be able to see your browsing history. It’s also available from Google as part of YouTube browsing.

Featured image: Unsplash

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A four-of-a-kind is the third strongest hand you can get in poker. Whether you are playing Texas Holdem, Omaha, or… Continue reading The Four Of A Kind Poker Hand Ranked for Beginner Poker Players
The post The Four Of A Kind Poker Hand Ranked for Beginner Poker Players appeared first on ReadWrite.

A four-of-a-kind is the third strongest hand you can get in poker. Whether you are playing Texas Holdem, Omaha, or PLO, it’s the same. To enjoy and play the game like a pro, you must understand poker hands and how they work. This guide is a perfect starting point because it unpacks all you need to know about one of the most sought-after hands at the table.

What Does Four Of A Kind Look Like in Poker?

What is a four-of-a-kind in poker? What does it look like? Well, it comprises cards of the same rank and a kicker. A standard 52-card deck can produce 13 possible sets of four cards, but 624 different hand combinations when the other 48 cards in the deck are taken into consideration. T

You can learn everything you need to know about the four-of-a-kind poker hand below. We have also broken down all hand rankings on our designated poker hands guide.

How Does Four Of A Kind Rank in Poker?

A four-of-a-kind is a very desirable hand, ranking just behind a royal flush and a straight flush. All other hands, from full house to straight, plus the lowest ranking hands cannot beat it.

What is the Probability of Hitting the 4 Of A Kind Poker Hand?

The probability and odds of 4 of a kind are lower than a royal flush or a straight flush but vary depending on the type of poker you are playing, and this bares heavily on your odds of getting quads in poker. The important thing to note is that if you could guarantee having a pocket pair, the odds do not change

A four-of-a-kind may also be attained through the community cards only. Though it’s very rare, it might lead to a scenario where all players at the table have this hand. In such instances, the highest-ranking kicker wins.

The odds of that happening on a six-card table are 1054/1 but those odds become more favorable if it is a nine-card table with odds of 713/1

What Poker Hands Does Four Of A Kind Beat?

Lots of poker hands fall to a 4 of a kind. This hand firmly sits on the podium of poker hands, earning a respectable bronze.

Does a Four Of A Kind Beat A Royal Flush?

Quads is a decent hand in poker, but it cannot beat a royal flush. There are only four ways you can create a royal flush using a 52-card deck, giving odds of 649,739: 1. Now compare this to 4,164: 1 odds of getting a four-of-a-kind.

Does Four Of a Kind Beat a Straight Flush?

No. A straight flush is also stronger than a four-of-a-kind in poker and will beat it in a showdown every time. You can expect to draw a straight flush once in every 72,193 hands, making it one of the rarest poker hands you can get.

Does Four Of A Kind Beat a Full House?

Yes indeed. A four-of-a-kind trumps a full house. Even though the number of distinct hands is the same for these options, the odds of getting four of a kind are 1 in 4,165, while you can expect a full house once in 694 hands.

Does Four Of A Kind Beat a Flush?

Every time. A flush doesn’t stand a chance afour-of-a-kind a kind in poker. While a flush is still fairly strong having five cards of the same suit, it has 1,277 distinct variations and odds of 1 in 507 hands. In contrast, there are only 13 variations of 4 of a kind.

Does Four Of A Kind Beat a Straight?

Without a Four-of-a-kind, a kind in poker is the 3rd strongest hand according to poker hand ranking rules. It comes way higher than a straight, which is ranked 6th. The odds of landing a straight are 1 in every 254 hands, so it’s more likely compared to 4 of a kind.

What Other Poker Hands Does Four Of A Kind Beat?

All the remaining lower-ranked hands bow down to a four-of-a-kind. This includes three of a kind, two pairs, one pair, and the high card. If you know what 4 of a kind is in poker, let’s also examine what these other hands look like.

Three Of A Kind – also called trips, this hand contains three cards of similar rank and two unmatched cards
Two Pairs – strong poker hand that has two matched pairs and one kicker
One Pair – this hand features a matched pair and three unmatched cards
High Card – basically, a nothing hand containing five unmatched cards

Which Player Wins if Both Have Four Of A Kind in Poker?

It’s impossible for players to have the same four-of-a-kind poker hand. For example, K K K K 10 is not the same as 10 10 10 10 K. The stronger hand is the former since K ranks higher than 10.

What Are The Odds Of Hitting Four Of A Kind With Any Pocket Pair?

When starting with a pocket pair, the odds of 4 of a kind in poker or better is 0.00024%. The number of community cards revealed can affect your chances.

What Are The Odds Of Hitting 4 Of A Kind After Receiving Pocket Aces Pre-Flop?

The probability of 4 of a kind in poker, when you have pocket Aces preflop, is 0%. Because we have two cards and there are 6 or 9 players at the table, our chances cannot be calculated until after the flop.

If another ace appears on the flop, then we have two more chances of hitting four of a kind, either on the turn or on the river.

Where Does 4 Of A Kind Rank in the List of Poker Hands?

Understanding poker hand hierarchy is the first step to playing the game like a pro. We have already covered where a four-of-a-kind poker hand stands on the overall ranking chart, but you can find additional details on our detailed poker hands page.

What is the Best Site to Learn Poker Hands?

Learning about the four of a kind and other available hands is just the beginning, and there are several areas you must understand before you can play comfortably. Luckily, learning how to play poker is easy, especially when you use resources at top online sites like CoinPoker. Here, you will find a range of strategies and hand guides. Some of our favorites  include:

Conclusion

There are many different hands in poker, but one of the best is 4 Of A Kind. Poker resources are also available online, but ours is for beginners and has equipped you with everything you need to recognize and play this hand confidently.

Let’s recap of what you have learned:

What is four of a kind in poker?
Is 4 aces the best hand in poker?
What beats four-of-a-kind in poker?
How rare is 4 of a kind in poker?
What are the odds of getting quads in poker?

Related Poker Guides

Poker Bankroll Management
Poker Strategy
How To Play Poker
How To Win At Poker
Types of Poker Games
Poker Terminology
Best Poker Streamers
Poker Positions

FAQs

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New game, a new big bug. No massive surprise but it is an annoying one if you aren’t getting the… Continue reading Can you fix The First Descendant Caliber bug?
The post Can you fix The First Descendant Caliber bug? appeared first on ReadWrite.

New game, a new big bug. No massive surprise but it is an annoying one if you aren’t getting the premium currency, known in-game as Caliber after you buy it.

Ordinarily, most bugs when a game comes out tend to be server-related, just because that is the time when most players are prone to be jumping on and causing huge strain on the systems.

This bug stings though because you have just spent actual cash on something that you don’t appear to instantly be getting what you paid for. This is frustrating because you probably want to use it right now, and also because there is that fear that you will never see it and have to spend ages chasing around support channels to attempt to get back what you are owed in the first place.

The First Descendant devs are aware of the problem however, although they don’t exactly know what’s causing it, at least it is being looked into so hopefully will be getting sorted out sooner rather than later. In the meantime…

Can you fix the First Descendant Caliber bug yourself?

As we wait for the problem to go away with a fix, if we assume the issues are merely server-related, as there is a concurrent problem seemingly with Twitch Drops, it may be that it simply sorts itself out.

In the meantime, however, if you have waited a considerable amount of time and still have not received your Caliber, try the usual methods of quitting out and reloading the game. Make sure to refresh your in-game mailbox and see if any of that does the trick.

To be honest, it seems unlikely and we are sure it is just down to server backlog, but you may as well try it to make sure.

If all else fails try contacting support just in case anything has gone wrong with the transaction itself, but realistically, by the time they get back to you, it will probably have come through. Annoying.

Other First Descendant pages you may like:

How to unlock Bunny

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In The First Descendant, you’re able to play as different characters, allowing you to choose one that fits both your… Continue reading How to unlock Bunny in The First Descendant
The post How to unlock Bunny in The First Descendant appeared first on ReadWrite.

In The First Descendant, you’re able to play as different characters, allowing you to choose one that fits both your playstyle and the aesthetics you’re after.

Bunny is one specific character that many players want since she was the one that was seemingly the best pick in the betas for the game.

Of course, she is locked when you first start out, but we have all the steps you need to follow in order to unlock Bunny in The First Descendant.

Read on for all the necessary info!

How to get Bunny in The First Descendant

To make Bunny yours in The First Descendant, you’ll have to complete the Bunny Research quest and craft her at Anais.

However, you will have to progress the game until this is unlocked, as well as ensuring you’re selecting the correct items in the subquests.

To make it a little clearer, you’ll first need to progress to Fallen Theater and speak to Bunny at this location. She has a pink marker so it is difficult to miss both in-game and on the map.

When speaking to her, you’ll receive an Acquire Bunny Crafting Materials 1 quest which tasks you to find three different materials – Bunny Enhanced Cells, Bunny Stabilizer, and Bunny Spiral Catalyst.

As for how to get these, if you just complete the missions laid out in the quest you should be good.

However, once you do collect that last material, you’ll then be given Acquire Bunny Crafting Materials 2. This is far easier as there’s only one material you need to get, simply by defeating a GraveWalker boss.

When you defeat the GraveWalker, interact with the Reconstructed Device and select your Amorphous Material. You’ll want to choose the third option here – the Amorphous Material Pattern: Bunny otherwise you’re going to be stuck.

Now you can head straight to Anais and craft Bunny as a Descendant!

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Wars are not generally full of stories that can make you smile, but the tale of the Gulf War Gameboy… Continue reading After 34 years, the Gulf War Gameboy finally leaves active service and returns to Nintendo HQ
The post After 34 years, the Gulf War Gameboy finally leaves active service and returns to Nintendo HQ appeared first on ReadWrite.

Wars are not generally full of stories that can make you smile, but the tale of the Gulf War Gameboy has always interested many.

Having launched in 1989, less than one year later, one particular Gameboy found itself in a warzone, presumably in the hands of young American soldiers who had been deployed during Desert Storm.

Its owner, Stephen Scoggins – a registered nurse from Oklahoma who was stationed in the Middle East told The Verge that the machine was damaged in a fire when the tent burned down. There had been a bombing at the location, but it was the dire that damaged it.

The Gulf War Game Boy has officially been retired from @NintendoNYC

After not seeing it on display for a while, I asked one of the workers about it. He told me it was returned to Nintendo’s headquarters in Redmond Washington. pic.twitter.com/wCPJDa3vlp

— VideoGameArt&Tidbits (@VGArtAndTidbits) June 29, 2023

Stephen originally sent his damaged Gameboy to Nintendo Power magazine in 1991 and they sent him a replacement for his service. Somewhere along the way the Gameboy, which incredibly still works, ended up at the flagship Nintendo Store in New York City’s Rockefeller Center, on display and became the subject of many a photo and stories of urban legend.

However, it seems to now have finally finished its tour of duty and a shopworker confirmed that it had been sent to Nintendo’s main headquarters in Washington state.

The top of the Gameboy seems to have somehow avoided damage.

I’ve repaired and modded a fair few Nintendo Gameboys in my time and they have always been resilient little things that could often be brought back to life. The screens were always the issue and this one seems to have taken most of its damage on the back and sides of the case, but it is still remarkable that the heat did not kill it completely.

Hopefully, this little piece of unique gaming history won’t just find its way onto somebody’s shelf at home, or be locked in a store cupboard somewhere.

As a display piece covering not only the Gulf War but significant gaming history, we would love to see this particular Gameboy on permanent display somewhere soon. Come on Nintendo, do the right thing.

Images courtesy of Sean Hollister

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Australia has set a six-month deadline to draft enforceable online safety rules to protect children online. Internet companies have been… Continue reading Big tech firms in Australia given six months to draft online safety code
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Australia has set a six-month deadline to draft enforceable online safety rules to protect children online.

Internet companies have been tasked with coming up with clear rules around how to stop children from seeing pornography and other inappropriate material online. If they can’t, the Australian government will impose a code on them, according to a regulator as reported by Reuters on July 2.

Members of the online industry received the instruction from the eSafety Commissioner, giving the deadline of October 3. The plan should include provisions to protect minors from seeing inappropriate material before they are ready, including pornography and content around sensitive topics like suicide and eating disorders.

The code should also set limits on how app stores, dating websites, search engines, social media platforms, chat services, and even multi-player gaming platforms ensure that the content they’re displaying to children is suitable.

“Kids’ exposure to violent and extreme pornography is a major concern for many parents and carers, and they have a key role to play,” said Commissioner Julie Inman Grant in a statement. “But it can’t all be on them. We also need the industry to play their part by putting in some effective barriers.”

This is the second phase of online safety codes after the Australian regulator previously endorsed codes that influenced how internet companies stop the spread of terrorism or child sexual exploitation content. The regulator was criticized recently for backtracking on enforcing measures like age verification, default parental controls and software that blurs or filters unwanted sexual content.

Spokespeople for Google and Meta have both confirmed that the companies will work closely with the industry on the new code.

Why is online safety important for children?

Research done by the eSafety Commissioner in Australia showed that 60% of parents are concerned about their children accessing inappropriate material online. 66% felt confident in their ability to protect their children online, with 38% reportedly wanting more information on how to do so.

Children in Australia spend 114 minutes per day online on average, with a third of people under the age of eighteen saying they know someone who has engaged in risky behavior online. There is clearly space for children and young people to end up in harm’s way, highlighting the need for an enforceable code to protect them.

Featured image: Ideogram

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