Facebook Credits: A Virtual Currency With Very Real Profits

When Facebook Credits were first introduced as a new virtual currency, it was difficult to predict how successful the initiative would be. Several virtual farms and mafia wars later, it has proven to be a very profitable experiment and last year accounted for 15% of Facebook's revenue, up 425% from the year before. Clearly, Facebook Credits are a force to be reckoned with, but it is unclear whether their reach will extend beyond gaming.

In case you are not familiar, when users play games on the social network, they can purchase Facebook Credits, which they redeem to add features to the game, usually in the form of content or equipment. Oftentimes a game is free, but, once you are hooked, expanding game play becomes incredibly attractive, and users make a series of micro payments to enhance their experience. Purchasing credits is fairly easy since they accept over 80 payment methods from around the world including all major credit cards, PayPal, and mobile phone numbers. The only obvious downside for consumers is that it encourages impulse buying and those incremental purchases can really add up quickly. For developers, however, it is a mixed bag.

In the beginning, Facebook supported virtual currencies other than their own, but as of July 1, 2011, it mandates that Facebook game and application developers exclusively process payments through Facebook Credits. Facebook then extracts 30% of all revenues. If developers attempt to bypass this by redirecting users to make in-app purchases elsewhere, they will be in violation of Facebook's Terms of Service and face enforcement. This is very similar to the structure Apple implemented, right down to the 30% cut. Developers are allowed to use a different virtual currency on other sites, but they are forbidden to charge less for a virtual good on an alternative platform. This obviously does not sit well with many developers, and litigation may soon follow.

The upside for developers is that Facebook propels the social gaming industry, and delivers a massive audience of 850 million and counting. This is also a demographic that shares everything, and a game's popularity can quickly swell. Along with rapid growth, Facebook reaches consumers who never would have sought out gaming. They are drawn in by their family and friends, and the customer base can increase exponentially. Also, since Facebook Credits are so accessible for users, they are more prone to purchasing items without hesitation. In that light, parting with 30% is a lot easier for developers to swallow. Regardless of how fair or reasonable this arrangement is, Facebook's virtual currency has secured its position as a payment network.

While there is an obvious use for credits when it comes to gaming and online media, it is unclear whether they have a utility beyond that. While mobile and online purchases represent a tremendous opportunity, persuading merchants and customers alike to choose credits over mainstays like Visa and MasterCard is a huge challenge that may not be worth perusing. Plink, on the other hand, is a compelling prospect for merchants and may be a game changer.

Launched this past January, Plink is the first ever Facebook Credits-based loyalty program. Consumers earn credits when they dine or shop offline at participating vendors with a registered credit card. Facebook Credits are automatically deposited into the user's account, so it is very user-friendly, but you can only register one credit card at the moment, which limits its potential. Initially, Plink is targeting restaurants such as Dunkin' Donuts, Taco Bell, and Outback Steakhouse, but it could successfully expand to retail businesses. It is very similar to the popular Upromise program, but instead of contributing a percentage to a student loan balance or college fund, you receive virtual currency to redeem for online media purchases. While some people might scoff at the value of credits, consumers generally perceive their value as higher than their cost. In real dollars, a credit is worth $0.10, but there have been studies demonstrating users prefer 50 free credits to a $5.00 discount on a purchase. It may not be rational, but it is definitely profitable.

While it is unlikely Facebook Credits will replace major processing payment systems, its once tiny niche is expanding and represents a significant opportunity for the social network giant. It does seem to capitalize on poor consumer behavior, but when has that ever stopped a company? Whether this virtual currency is genuinely good for consumers or merchants remains to be seen, but that question quickly becomes obscured by the haze of a genuinely good game.

Texas Holdem Makes A Great Birthday Party Theme

Texas Holdem has recently gained a lot of popularity, and a Texas Holdem Theme Party can be a lot of fun. People around the U.S. enjoy playing the game with friends and family. It makes sense to use the Texas Holdem theme for an adult birthday party. If the birthday boy or girl enjoys playing the game, the theme will be well received and appreciated. Include Texas Hold'em party supplies to match the event.



Playing cards is one of the main activities of the party. Have several tables set up to allow groups of five to play at each table. Cover the tops of the table with green felt. Tuck the edges underneath and staple or tape to the underside. Provide new decks of cards and chips to play with. To accommodate those guests who wish to play a different card game, designate one table as a free play zone.



Keep the Texas Holdem theme throughout the party. A good start is party invitations with Texas Hold'em card images on the front. Let the guest know that the party will be centered on playing cards, but no money is required. Almost any bakery should be able to create a birthday cake with a Texas Hold'em party theme.



The host should be able to find plenty of disposable party supplies with a quick visit to a party supply store. Napkins, tablecloths, and more should be available with the Texas Hold'em party theme graphic. Mix in solid color, disposable serving bowls and platters to make clean up easy. Choose the clear cups that resemble high and low ball glasses.



Using the Texas Holdem themed party supplies set up a gift and food table. This will give guests a definitive place to put their gift for the guest of honor. A food table will allow guests the opportunity to graze throughout the party. Heavy hor'doeuvres work well. Guest can play and eat at the same time. If the party will include alcoholic beverages, setting up a separate bar keeps the food table from being overrun with the alcohol items.



Party games or other activities are honestly not needed. Adding background music to the scene will probably just create additional noise. Players are going to be playing, talking, and laughing. That is more than enough noise. The hostess may request two or three people to help her keep the party going. Serving drinks, keeping food tables stocked, and simply checking on guest to make sure everyone is engaged and having fun.



If the guest of honor enjoys Texas Holdem they will enjoy this theme. Some hostesses combine the decorative portion with a little history and encourage guest to come dressed like cowboys from days gone by.

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Sports Betting

In the contemporary time, lots of changes in the world of gambling have taken place. Online punters have been introduced to a new way of placing their bets when betting in sports. It has become a popular fashion to exchange bets while betting known as online betting exchanges. In fact, online betting exchanges offer a plethora of benefits over the conventional high street bookmakers. One of its main benefits is that it enables you to indulge in horse race betting. The most interesting aspect here is that in betting exchange, you don't always put your money on stake for backing the horses but also you place bet for losing the race. When taking part in sports betting in the past you would never be allowed to walk into a bookie and ask to back the loser.

People bet on all major sporting events all over the world. A large amount of money is at stake in sports betting, whether it is the Super Bowl or a soccer match in England. Betting on team sports is against the law in virtually all states of the United States. Nevada is the only state to permit sports betting.

Sports betting are in general done at a sports book. This is a place where gamblers can place bets on a variety of sports tournaments. Sports betting has transcended to almost all competitive and professional games. This includes sports such as baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, horse racing and boxing.

When you keep losing, do not try to recover it by placing more bets. Be constant in your aim, have a one track mind in pursuing your final goal and know when to stop. Keep in mind that even if you lose, there's always a chance of winning next time and don't lose your cool. Split your funds between bets, don't spend your whole stake on one opportunity and it may be a better idea to divide your bets within the seasons of the or games of the sport you are following.

Carry out your betting as if it was a business and meticulously investigate every transaction. Learn off by heart the basics of any online sports betting and all the technical terms used. Memorize the game rules and acquaint yourself with the teams and even the individual players. Browse the Internet and sites where online sports bets are offered and find the best odds, as they can vary from betting site to betting site. Check out the different betting rules and regulations both in their game rules and payout or banking rules. Know their promotional bonuses, as you will find many sports betting sites will offer free bonuses to encourage new customers that you can use to great advantage.

The first advantage of sports betting in the betting exchange is that you get a better deal, sports betting in the betting exchange eliminates the scope of middleman intervention. This is the biggest benefit of betting exchange that it allows you to keep away from the tactics of bookmakers. What these bookmakers basically do is they maximize their selfish interest in the whole game.

The second advantage is that you can also bet on odds. It means that you can place bet that a particular horse will lose in the game this is known as laying horses. Thus, you don't always play for winning the race but also for losing it. You can choose odds of your choice using your own personal judgment.