The Top 10 Forex Brokers for Beginners

If you know the basics of foreign currency exchange or forex trading, also known as FX trading, and want to give it a try, there’s more to learn than you might expect. It’s best to have an idea of what you’re doing before you put live currency to the test. The first step is to choose a reputable forex broker that offers educational tools and resources for beginning traders.
A few US-based forex brokers are listed below, in order of the minimum deposit required to start forex trading. With most brokers you will find 24/5 or 24/7 live chat assistance and all offer free educational resources on their respective websites. Once you’re ready to roll, you can trade on a computer, tablet, or even smartphone.

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optionsXpress

(by Charles Schwab [SCHW]) Practice Account: $25,000
Minimum Deposit: None
A forex broker since 2001, optionsXpress offers live or recorded webinars by their educational team, live in-person workshops, The Insider newsletter and blog collective, as well as the XPRESSO and XPOUND newsletters.

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OANDA Corporation

Practice Account: Unlimited
Minimum Deposit: None
A forex broker since 2001, OANDA offers demo accounts that do not expire, giving you the ability to practice trading until you are ready to go live. Click on “Academy” for webinars (live or archived), trading basics, and scheduled learning events. Videos on demand are also available to get you started.

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FOREX.com ( a part of GAIN Capital Holdings [GCAP])
Practice account: $50,000
Minimum deposit $250
A forex broker since 1999, FOREX.com offers video tutorials specifically for beginners, two hours of webinars, live training, and Q&A sessions to teach you the basics. Fee-based online training courses are also available.

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TradeKing Forex 
Practice Account: $50,000
Minimum Deposit: $500
A forex broker since 2005, TradeKing offers a robust Frequently Asked Forex Questions and glossary, an education tab on their website that explains the basics, technical analysis, and fundamental analysis, as well as premium education available for a fee.

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TradeStation Group
Practice Account: $25,000-$200,000 option for Simulated Account
Minimum Deposit: $2,000
A forex broker since 1991, TradeStation allows you to start with TradeStation Basics, so you can learn at your own pace. Branch out to TradeStation Labs, University, and Events, which includes media and quick tips. Events are both free and fee-based.

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Name: Fortex Capital Marketing (FXCM)
Practice Account: $50,000
Minimum Deposit: $2,000
A forex broker since 1999, Fortex Capital Marketing offers daily platform walk-throughs and strategy sessions, a library of trading and instrument guides, and a calendar of events (that can be added to your personal calendar) that will teach you how to read quotes and place trades. Self-paced on-demand videos are available for a fee.

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Name: thinkorswim by TD Ameritrade, Inc. (AMTD)
Min deposit $2,000
A forex broker since 1999, thinkorswim is the TD Ameritrade forex platform. Investor education includes a rookie-learning curriculum with videos and courses to create your own learning path. The thinkorswim Learning Center consists of tutorials, videos, thinkMoney magazine, thinkManual, and Quiz Central.

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Name: E*trade FX (E*trade Financial Corporation [ETFC])
Practice Account: $50,000 for 30 days
Minimum Deposit: $2,000
A forex broker since 1982, E*trade's FX tutorials can be found by entering “forex training” in the education resources search box. Web seminars, videos, and articles in “the basics” category were specially designed for beginners.

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Name: Place Trade Financial
Practice Account: N/A
Minimum Deposit: $5,000 ($3,000 for individuals between the ages of 21 – 26)
A forex broker since 2002, Place Trade Financial's education center includes tools, widgets, videos, webinars, demos, apps, and investor education courses.

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Name: Interactive Brokers Limited (IBKR)
Practice Account: After trading account has been approved and funded
Minimum Deposit: $10,000
A forex broker since 1977, Interactive Brokers' Traders’ University offers of a glossary, webinars (live or recorded), unmonitored discussion forums to network with other traders, apps, widgets, cheat sheets, and user guides.

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The Bottom Line
Bear in mind that foreign exchange trading, also known as forex and FX trading, is high-risk and may not be the best option for individuals brand new to stock market trading and/or day trading.

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Top 10 Places for Wine

“Aléatoire bêtises français.” Or, for the English speaker, “We love wine.” It’s the spice of life, a girl’s best friend and it completely makes the heart grow fonder. Yeah yeah, we know those aren’t the sayings. Don’t ruin this for us. We’re trying to Wine Wednesdays to be a thing in the office, so be cool and read the best wine spots in Vegas.

Aureole at Mandalay Bay
Bar profile: Cool steel with a hint of sweet wood and sunlight
Crawl out of the dusty cellar and remember that wine is about connection and expression. Aureole by Charlie Palmer at Mandalay Bay knows that so well that they put their wine in a massive tower for everyone to see. Not that we have anything against wine cellars. There are plenty on this list and we’re sure Batman probably has an impressive collection. If you prefer to actually drink wine instead of just stare at it, the collection includes more than 50,000 bottles from around the world. You can scroll through them all on the iPad wine list, or just ask your sommelier for a recommendation. Like pretty much everything you’ll find on this list, Aureole knows precisely how to pair their wines with their exceptional meals to give you a superb experience.

DOCG at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Bar profile: Cured brick with rich, reclaimed wood holding it up
Let’s just go ahead and name our new bar and restaurant after the absolute highest quality of Italian wine possible. That must be the conversation Chef Scott Conant had at some point. And we’re sure glad he did. A restaurant called “That Stuff You Tried to Make Yourself in the Kitchen Sink” probably wouldn’t do as well. Inspired by Italy but fitting perfectly in the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, D.O.C.G. is as delightful to eat at as it is time-consuming to type. When you want some high quality selections in a more laid-back atmosphere than you’ll usually find accompany wines of that caliber, D.O.C.G. is the place to be. Their wine list pairs perfectly with the full dinner menu or the quick lunch menu. Have a glass or two and savor something simple in the afternoon or buy a bottle and enjoy a relaxing dinner.

Double Helix Wine and Whiskey Bar/Lounge
Bar profile: A breath of fruity air in the middle of a shopping center
We’re not making a play on the name when we say that Double Helix is actually two bars. We also don’t know if they planned that. But Double Helix Wine & Whiskey Lounge at Town Square and Double Helix Wine & Whiskey Bar at Palazzo are both fantastic drinking spots where you can get away from the bustle of shopping. Both bars have brilliant wine lists and expert staff to help you choose the best wine for you. Or you can just let them pick and trust they know what they’re talking about. That’s what we usually do, but we like being surprised—like when you’re walking through the Palazzo shops and find an awesome wine bar in the middle of the room. Whichever Double Helix you pick, you can be sure you’re going to have a fantastic glass of wine.

D. Vino at Monte Carlo
Bar profile: Crisp Mediterranean air and plump grapes
Here’s another Italian restaurant and bar that really knows how to live it up the way we all assume Italians do all the time. But d.vino at Monte Carlo is as much Vegas as it is Rome. The menus are authentic and bring in fresh ingredients to ensure a meal you won’t forget. And the wines work so well you might forget that they weren’t designed just for you. The whole experience at d.vino is a cool and casual while still evoking the sophistication you expect from a posh wine bar. And you can even get half price bottles during their Red Sauce Sundays events. It’s a fantastic opportunity to score a bottle you might not otherwise pop for, but really should. After the first sip you won’t have anything to regret.

Ferraro’s
Bar profile: Homemade tomato sauce with a shot of limoncello
Just off the Las Vegas Strip, across Paradise Road from the Hard Rock Hotel, is a local restaurant called Ferraro’s, and we love it. We love the family atmosphere and the fact that they’re open late. We can score some divine gnocci al pesto at midnight. But what we’re here to mention is the wine. The wine list is long and lovely, offering varietals from around the world. And the staff is more than just knowledgeable, they take pride in the establishment’s ability to give you the meal of a lifetime. Ferraro’s is the place to go when you want to feel like your taste in wine matters, even if you don’t really know what you’re talking about, because everyone there will treat you like family. And, even though it’s not wine, treat your table to a shot of limoncello after dinner. Your server might even join you.

Hostile Grape at the M Resort
Bar profile: Modern motifs that evoke notes of attitude and abandon
Now we’re seeing what wine can be in the modern age. It doesn’t have to be stuffy or be dominated by old men whose snobbery rivals a socialite’s dog when it turns up its nose at kibble. Wine can be contemporary and approachable to everyone. That’s what Hostile Grape at M Resort does so well. You can walk in knowing exactly what you want, what you like and what you want to share with those around you. Or you can just take one look at their wine dispensers and realize you can sample enough wine to make the “Real Housewives” turn civil. The M Resort offers many beautiful venues that aren’t as packed as places on the Strip, and Hostile Grape adds to the allure with its collection of 160 wines available for sampling by the glass.

La Cave at Wynn
Bar profile: A solemn cave that hugs the glass and always asks for more
With a view of the pool area and a feel that’s somewhere between hidden gem and resort classic, La Cave Wine & Food Hideaway at Wynn is a gorgeous place to dine and drink. Whether you prefer to be inside where you can feel the cavernous draw of the bar space, or out on the patio where the sounds and scents of the pool flow in, this is one restaurant and bar that has its experiences set and its desires fulfilled. You can head down to the cellar to see the wines or just hang out at the bar and have them come to you. This place is, more than anything, about the moment. The food will be delicious and the wine will be perfect, just remember to savor it all at this luxurious hideaway.

Otto Enoteca Pizzeria at Venetian
Bar profile: The sounds of Venice mixed with the passion of people walking through
In St. Marks Square in the Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian, Chef Mario Batali has placed a casual eatery which fits perfectly in the space. Drinking at Otto Enoteca is as easy as sitting down at the beautiful marble bar and ordering your favorite style. With 100 bottles to choose from, you might find yourself tasting a variety and working up a hunger for some delectable pizza. Stop in during your shopping spree or sightseeing and you’ll find a place to rest your feet and fill your belly with all the wine you need to stay energized the rest of the day. Turn around in your bar stool and people watch or talk with the experienced staff all about wine and how it pairs with pizza. Then drink and eat more. That’s really why you’re here, after all.

Portofino at The Mirage
Bar profile: White linen and a sparkling sense of sophistication
We’re throwing in another Italian restaurant because we know how well they work with wine. When you’re savoring a glass of red with the coastal Italian menu at Portofino in Mirage, you’ll see why we’re so in love with Italiana. Portofino is less about the quick glasses of wine that some other entries may be great for. You’ll want to spend a little while in this spot. You won’t have to worry about the casino spilling over into your meal. And you’ll know that you’re in good hands with the expert staff. This is the night to take yourself away from everything else and remember just how flourishing a good glass of wine can be. Let it lift your spirits and carry you aloft into new delights.

Rio Wine Cellar and Tasting Room
Bar profile: Oak barrels and carved stone that hints at times gone by
We told you we’d get to a real wine cellar eventually. Sorry it had to be last. Blame the alphabet. The Wine Cellar and Tasting Room at the Rio has one of the finest wine selections around including more than 100 wines by the glass. They also have some wonderful “cult wines” that you might not find elsewhere. In addition to the small bites and cheese available for pairing, the Wine Cellar and Tasting Room gives you the wine experience that’s probably flowed through your head when you think about stepping down into a wine cellar and trying something you’ve never dreamed of before. The space is casual and rustic but definitely knows all about wine. Come here to relax, cool off and just drink wine. What else do you really need to do when you’re in Vegas?

10 Tips to Beat the Odds at the Casino

 10Tips to Beat the Odds at the Casino

Bill Zender is the ultimate gambling insider. The former professional card counter, dealer, and casino floor manager shares his secrets—and explains why the best paying machine is always the ATM. 

. 1.1fIdentify the clumsiest dealers

Zender estimates there are fewer than 100 professional blackjack card counters in the world. If you happen to be one of them, you might nab a 1.5 percent advantage. So save your energy, Zender advises; instead keep an eye out for the sloppy blackjack dealer who will accidentally flash the face-down card. Zender once made a living exploiting this, keeping a notebook of 35 weak dealers from 16 different casinos. The strategy is called “card holing,” and it can give you a 6 to 9 percent edge over the house. (That’s like standing in front of an ATM that spits out twenties!) The best part? “It’s totally legal,” Zender says. “They may throw me out of the casino, but they’re not going to arrest me.”

. 2.2Keep your eyes on the prize

Lately, casinos have sexed up their table games with bikini-clad dealers and resident pole dancers. These places are called Party Pits, and on the surface, they look like Vegas being Vegas—booze, sin, skin. But look closer. While all those twirling legs keep you distracted, you’ll probably fail to notice that the casino trimmed the payouts at these tables from 3/2 to 6/5. Meaning that a $100 bet wins only $120, compared to the traditional $150. This essentially doubles the house’s edge.

. 3.3Know when to say when

The house always enjoys a 5 percent edge at roulette. You have a decent chance of winning that first spin. And the second. And the third. But if you were to play roulette forever, the house would take away all your chips. Every casino has calculated the point at which they are guaranteed victory, and that magic number is 30,000 hands. (This is why they lure us back with lobster and luxury suites.) So if you’re winning, stop.

. 4.4Exploit the laws of nature

The roulette wheel is a mechanical instrument. Over time, the wheel may become unbalanced or the frets separating the numbers may suffer wear and tear. The more a wheel is used, the more worn down it gets—and the more it may privilege certain numbers. In 1873, Joseph Jagger found a wonky wheel at Monte Carlo and bet on the biased numbers. He came away with $400,000—that’s $7.8 million in today’s dough!
 

 

5.5Go big or go broke

“The average slot machine is probably two, three times more costly to players than the table games,” says Zender. Avoid them. If you insist on cranking a handle, focus on slots that cost $5 or more and play the max bet. On penny slots, the odds are jacked up in the house’s favor by 15 to 20 percent. You might as well toss those coins in a fountain. Don’t forget to make a wish.
 

. 6.6Don’t play Keno

Really, just don’t. Your chances are terrible. At some casinos, the house has a 35 percent edge. No gambler has ever matched all 20 numbers on a 20-spot ticket. The odds of it ever happening are 1 in 3,535,316,142,212,174,336. (That’s 3.5 quintillion!)

. 7.7Practice makes perfect

If there’s an exception to the adage that the house always wins, it’s in video poker. Typically, the house has only a 0.46 percent advantage (while some versions lean in the gambler’s favor). The pay table is posted right on the machine, and the payoff is high. The catch? To cash out, you need to play at an expert level. Casinos make profits on video poker because most players simply aren’t skilled enough. So study up.

. 8.8Stay away from the light

“Ninety percent of the people who walk into a casino have no idea of the odds stacked against them,” Zender says. But if you know what you’re looking for, it’s easy to see where the odds are the worst. Casinos make the games with the lousiest odds the most attractive by amping them up with flashing lights and bright colors. At craps, for instance, the craziest bets—“the Field,” “Any 7”—are the most colorful. So as a general rule, to better your odds, stick to the drab side of the room.

. 9.9Invest in a nice watch

There’s a reason you probably won’t see any clocks or windows on the house floor. Casinos want you to lose track of time so you play for as long as possible. Some casinos prohibit dealers from wearing watches for that reason. Once you’re up a bit, it might be a good time to leave the floor and go treat yourself to a new timepiece.

. 10.10Buy your own drinks

The truth is, nothing is free—and that includes the free booze. Each casino has something they call a “player reinvestment” fund. It predicts the amount of money you’ll lose and then returns a cut of that in the form of comps, which, to the casual floor visitor, means watery well cocktails. The worse your odds, the better your chances of landing a free drink. Cheers!

This story originally appeared in an issue of mental_floss magazine.