Playing Blackjack As A Part Time Profession

What is your day to day "job". Perhaps you are living out those golden years, have been retrenched or let go or are lucky enough to be a trust fund baby, or are otherwise working for a BOSS on the day or night slog. Ever thought of playing Blackjack as a profession- fulltime for a living, to earn a living? There is no reason to stop you, taken you know and can play Basic Strategy backwards flawlessly, have the ability to count a deck down in roughly 25 seconds using a counting method, and know 12 or more Advanced Strategies to increase your odds against the online casinos.

Confident about your playing ability and have no problem with the requirement listed above - you are on your way - YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL BLACKJACK PLAYER already. People require 3 very important things before they will be convinced to becoming a full time professional player - family, security, and finance. In fact these 3 factors will influence any person in any major job decision they take throughout their life, oh....and....where they live! Living in Las Vegas or Nevada is not quite your family neighbourhood! The lifestyle of a professional gambler could also not be to the players' liking - nor to his family's and he may lose more than just his money in the end. They must also remember that Blackjack does not come with full medical or unemployment insurance, and that his finance might not be large enough to cover a long run of losses, or to make the big bets needed to get the big one! It is a big decision, as changing any job should be, perhaps it can be taken slowly?

What if the player could make some sort of achievable goal during the time he still ahs that stable job, family, security, and extra cash to play with? If a player has "professional Blackjack" skills, why not let it work for him?

For example: A part time player has a day job making just under $ 100 / day . He keeps records his play at the tables and has a win : loss ratio of about 5 : 1, (5 wins out of 6 times). He wins on average 6 units of his smallest wager / hour. So...., if the table minimum is $5 and he places bets of between $5 - $25, he normally takes in roughly $30 / hour. Sometimes he wins more and sometimes has also lost $300, but consistency will ultimately pay off.

If a player wants to average wins of $100 / playing session, the same amount equal to his daily earned after tax income. Taking the win : loss ratio of 5 : 1, and a implementing a stop-loss set at $100, this means he had to win $120 5 x to cover for a loss of $100 on the 6th session. The players' stop-loss is set at $100 (daily work rate and maximum amount he can afford to lose). Each playing session would be treated as if it was a day at work, so...off days would simply be breaking even. Though the game of Blackjack is win some, lose some, a player can effectively double his income per day.

Any good player keeping records can come up with a similar plan or system - if he earns $50 a day and wins 2 out of 3 times, he can set a stop loss of $50 and aim to win $75 each time he plays.

The system can help players contemplating the move to professional, see that the income can remain the same or even be better than their current income at their present "jobs". They can prove it to themselves and ...become profit from playing blackjack. This system will show players what they are capable of, over a period as long as they want, until they feel comfortable to make the move.

Players who make the move to Professional must also realise that this play is a long term game, and not short term as played before. Basic playing principles much the same : small wager with a Count of +1 and larger wagers above it. This strategy is a "slowly slowly" strategy that makes most Counters their money (% advantage x size of bankroll). There are players who no bankroll, and only their table betting to play with. Here a conservative approach must be used to remove volatility from the game.

Some players (Counters) use Jerry Patterson's "Takedown" strategy. Jerry is the Father of "Alternative Blackjack" with his mentions of biases and strings of small and large cards due to shuffling and card pick-up routines. He explains why and how counters can avoid being 'caught' by betting large amounts as the count rises. "Takedown" is a method of betting for non-counters and Jerry explains that players should bet as the count drops, not as it rises, as it is now that the 10s are coming out.

Most successful Counters use a bankroll and increase their advantage when placing each wager based on the count, and end up earning more money long term, riding out the swings of the game. One such swing can result in a player quitting Blackjack play all together, usually having lost all his money. 6 and 8 deck games are the hardest to beat due to shuffling biases, which is hard to prove mathematically. Traditional Patterson betting strategies are more effective against one and two deck games, which are still common in Las Vegas.

Jerry in "Takedown" also recommends that players lock up their winnings and play on to other limits. i.e. a player must set a goal of say $150 for the day, but if he needs to bet out of his $120 win, he must not. If he got to $150, same deal. Jerry calls this a "winlock" and explains that players must divide their winnings into 3 piles. Using the above example, the player pockets his $120 and place his $30 win in 3 piles, two $5 chips each. He will place bets from 1 pile only. For the next hand he places a 1 chip bet from pile #3. If he loses, he bets the last chip from pile #3. If he loses, he is done for the day. If the player however gets on a winning streak he replenishes pile #3 back to 2 units. He then places the next win on pile #1, then pile #2, and finally to pile #3, the betting pile. He might get these 3 piles up to 8 units each, then hit a losing streak and lose pile #3, then it is time to QUIT. This is an excellent way to maximize your winnings and minimize your loses.

Online Casinos For Those Who Like BlackJack.

Real casinos provide Black Jack players with different sets of rules plus different bonuses. Can on-line casinos compete with real casinos in respect of game variety? Normally, every on-line casino has Black Jack with its sets of rules. For example, casinos with Microgaming and Cryptologic software offer players up to eight different variations of rules. However, some on-line casinos offer various special games based on Black Jack rules. You will find interesting to familiarize and try these games, moreover the advantages of casinos compared to them are very weak.



Double exposure Black Jack

Double exposure Black Jack is available in Microgaming and RTG software on-line casinos. In this kind of Black Jack both cards of a dealer are dealt face up to compensate this advantage of the player, the dealer wins all ties except for Black Jack. The rest of the game based on the rules of Black Jack, and variations may exist in respect of the number of splits, combinations allowed to double, etc.

The advantage of casinos with the standard rules of this game is about 0.7%.



Pontoon

Pontoon is available in Cryptologic and RTG software on-line casinos. In contrast to ordinary Black Jack the player has much more opportunities to double plus the rule of five cards with double paying works out, on the other hand, the dealer's cards are dealt face down therefore indefiniteness rises and ties are not in the favour of the dealer. More detailed rules of the game are the following: The game is played with pack of 52 cards, the nominal value of cards is the same as in Black Jack. The hierarchy of combinations is the following:

1. Pontoon (the same as Black Jack);

2. Five cards combination (five cards without bust);

3. Combination of cards comprising not more than 21 points, the closer to 21 the better

4. Bust (more than 21 points);

The dealer deals two cards face up to the player and two cards to himself face down with pontoon check. The game of the dealer is the same as his game in Black Jack: he should take up to 17 and remain on 5 cards or over 16 (except for soft 17).

The player has more opportunities: splits are left enabling to one re-split. An opportunities arises for doubling with any quantity of cards, at the same time, the player can continue to buy even after doubling. In contrast to Black Jack the player should buy a card (double) while having not less than 15 points.

As in Black Jack after taking cards the player and dealer compare hands. If the player has extra cards, he loses the game automatically. Pontoon or Five cards combination in case of gain is paid 2:1, other winning combinations are paid 1:1. In case of a tie the dealer wins. There is no insurance or by-bets.

With the game based on optimal strategy which is simpler than that of Black Jack. The total advantage of on-line casinos is 0.17%.



Caribbean 21

Caribbean 21 is so far available only in RTG software on-line casinos. The is played with one pack of cards, in contrast to Black Jack:

1. Ace is always one point;

2. The combination of an ace and two 10 points cards is called Caribbean 21 and is paid 3:2 to the player for the primary bet (but not for the double bets);

3. The player can double on any cards as many times as he wants after doubling it is possible to buy several times;

4. The player can split any two cards;

5. The player can give in at any time at the same time losing the half of available bets;

6. The dealer wins all ties;

7. Initially the dealer deals himself only one card face up;

8. If the dealer has an open ace, the player can have Caribbean 21 insurance, the insurance is paid 9:1

With the game based on optimal strategy advantage of on-line casinos is not more than 0.2%.



Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is so far available only in RTG software on-line casinos.

The game is played with six-eight "Spanish" packs of cards, 10 are removed from a pack (only 10s, queens, jacks and kings are left). As the less quantity of 10s in a pack is in favour the dealer, the player has the following bonuses:

1. 21 of the player always wins, as well as Black Jack of the player beats Black Jack of the dealer;

2. The player can double with any number of cards;

3. The player can double and buy after split of aces;

4. The player can give in after doubling;

5. 5-cards 21s are paid 3:2;

6. 6-cards 21s are paid 3:1;

7. 6-7-8 and 7-7-7 different suits are paid 3:2, of the same suits are paid 2:1 and spades are paid 3:1;

With the game based on optimal strategy advantage of on-line casinos is not more than 0.4%.



Super Fun 21

Super Fun 21 can only be found in RTG and Microgaming software on-line casinos. The game has a range of positive differences from standard Black Jack in favour of the player, to compensate it casinos pay Black Jack to the player 1:1. The difference is the following:

1. The player can split up to 4 times;

2. It is possible to double with any number of cards, including after split;

3. After split of aces it is possible to split, buy and double them;

4. The player can give in at any time of the game for a half of a bet (including after split);

5. 20 or less points of the player with 6 cards win automatically if there were no splits;

6. 21 points with 5 cards are paid 2:1 if there were no splits;

7. Black Jack always wins;

8. Black Jack of diamonds is paid 2:1 (all the rest are paid 1:1)

With the game based on these rules the advantage of on-line casinos is not more than 0.75%.



Black Jack Switch

Black Jack Switch is available in PlayTech software on-line casinos

In contrast to the standard Black Jack the player makes two similar bets and he gets at the same time two hands, the dealer gets two ordinary cards. The player can switch upper cards between hands (for example in one hand we have 6, 10 and in the other hand we have 10 and 5. We change place of 10 and 5 and we get instead of two bad hands two good hands: 6,5 and 10,10). The basic rules are the same as in standard Black Jack: there is doubling on two cards, one split and it is possible to double after split. To compensate the change advantage of the player the dealer gets the following bonuses:

1. The dealer does not make Black Jack check;

2. Black Jack of the player is paid 1:1;

3. If the dealer gathers 22, it is considered a tie against any not fired hand of the player, except for Black Jack;

The basic strategy of the game is rather complicated, however, if the player follows these rules, he diminishes the advantage of on-line casinos to 0.05%.

Online Blackjack Odds

Blackjack is one of the most popular card games played in casinos worldwide. It's no wonder that the game of Blackjack has been studied by many gambling professionals. Through this intense study methods have been revealed which allow players to subtly increase their odds while playing the game of Blackjack. Many people think that Blackjack is just another game of chance, like a slot machine or roulette, but this simply isn't the case. If you compare the odds of blackjack to other casino games that you will run into, you will find that the odds of blackjack are much better.



The blackjack card game is very popular worldwide, and some speculate that it may just be the most popular card game ever. Blackjack is enjoyed by people in nearly every casino worldwide, and even played by many religiously online. Blackjack websites have grown in number over the years, and can offer a convenient place to play or just go for a few practice hands.



What has made blackjack such a popular card game? One of the main reasons is that when blackjack is played properly, the house has an edge of a little less than 1%. When you compare this number to other table games at the casino, you can see that the odds of winning with Blackjack are much higher than anything else.



With these kinds of odds, why are casinos still making money with Blackjack and not losing it? Basically, it´s because most players who play Blackjack don´t play the game properly or well enough to make a good living off of it. It´s a shame that most players give up such a great advantage just with lazy playing.



The fact of the matter is that as a player, you can affect the odds of your Blackjack playing. Unlike real games of chance like roulette, the decisions you make during the game of Blackjack ultimately affects your odds and how many times you will end up winning your hands. It would be smart to research more about how to increase your odds at Blackjack. People have been increasing their odds in Blackjack for years, and thus their pocketbooks, too. Casinos try to spot out these Blackjack professionals, but it's not like they can completely stop them since what they do is completely legal - it isn't cheating in any way shape or form.



In Blackjack, instead of the game being based on a chance set of independent events, it is dependent on the cards that have been previously played. This is the main reason why it isn't cheating, you're simply making smart decisions based on the cards that you've already seen.



In a nutshell, the large cards left in the deck, yet to be played, favor the player. The smaller cards yet to be dealt favor the dealer. This is the main reason why card counting is important in Blackjack, and will increase your odds of winning more often than not. There's many places with free information online that will help your Blackjack game. Take advantage of this advice, it can't hurt.

Managing Your Blackjack Money

The first thing you need to do is decide what your stake is. Maybe you are going to Las Vegas for 4 days and your “play money” is $1,000. If you are smart, you will divide this up equally and only play with $250 per day. If you lose your $250 the first day, stop. Wait until the next. This is probably one of he biggest tests of self-discipline.



The next thing you want to do is avoid blowing your daily wad in one sitting. With your $250, take out $100 and get your chips and start to bet conservatively. You want to stretch out the playing experience and play the ups and downs. Make sure you check out the minimum amount for the table.



Let’s say you take your starting $100 and bet $5. You lose the first hand. What do you do next? Many players will double their bet hoping to break even by winning. This is commonly called throwing good money after bad. What you should do is continue to bet the $5 and if you lose 3 or 4 hands in a row, change tables or take a break.



Never send good money after bad.



Now, let’s say you win that first $5 bet. The next hand you should increase your bet and make it $10. If you lose, go back to your original $5 bet. If you win, continue to increase your bet. Don’t double it each time; just make it a bit bigger. So, this time you wager $15. Again, if you lose, go back to the initial $5 bet. If you win, bump it up to $20. This way you are increasing your bet and still retaining some of your winnings. Always go back to your initial bet once the streak is over. Don’t walk away from table saying “I wish I had bet more”.



When you play blackjack, you will find that there are up and down streaks. You want to minimize your losses during the losing and increase your bets when you are winning.



I can remember playing in Canada, and there were five of us on the table. I had been having a bad day and just sat at this table and immediately started winning. This was a $5 minimum and that is what I started with. I kept increasing my bet as I was winning and in about an hour, I won over $3,000. My tablemates were all buddies and were betting $5 per hand whether they won or lost. They all won, but not much. They could have won so much more but didn’t know the correct strategy.



So, plan your money strategy as wisely as you plan your playing strategy. Smart betting, self control, and riding the winning streaks, will net you much more money. Good luck.

Making Sure You Win At Blackjack

Learn how to ensure that you win - and not lose - when you play blackjack.

When you want to make sure you win in poker tables, not only should you play for luck, you should practice and practice your poker face and poker skills as well. Hard work, isn’t it? On the other hand, while other forms of gambling such as the roulette or the slot machine do not require you to exert much mental effort when it comes to playing, they offer you lesser chances of winning.

Hence, if you don’t want to prevent yourself from losing money when gambling, the best option is to play blackjack.

If you haven’t ever played blackjack yet, the rules are similar to playing Lucky 9. In Lucky 9, your cards must reach 9 or the value nearest to it. Any cards beyond 9 are busted and players with cards totaling more than 9 must declare this round a loss. The same thing applies to blackjack but this time, you should aim for 21 instead of 9. While in Lucky 9, you’re only allowed to draw up to three cards, in blackjack, you can draw up to a whopping five cards.

Tips to Win at Blackjack

Now that we’ve refreshed your memory on how to play blackjack, let’s proceed to tips that will help you win big at blackjack.

Soft and Hard Hands

If you’re still unfamiliar with blackjack lingo, understand that a soft hand is the term used to describe cards that contain an ace and a number card such as a six and then using the ace as eleven to reach a total amount of 17. On the other hand, a hard hand would compromise cards that do not contain any aces or cards that have an ace but don’t give it an equivalent value of eleven.

Some people say that it’s always better to have a hard hand rather than a soft one.

Choosing Tables

Yes, the right table can have a good effect on your success rate in blackjack so choose carefully. First and foremost, make sure that the minimum allowed bet is not more than five percent of your total chips. Get to know rules variation for each table because these can affect your chances as well, no matter how slight.

Insurance

And lastly, try to avoid taking insurance at all costs or at least only when it’s your last resort. No matter how friendly he seems, dealer can be your worst enemy in blackjack. So taking insurance can be betting for your nemesis and sometimes against yourself..

Everything clear now? That’s good. Start gambling and winning some of that money then.

Las Vegas Blackjack

As the years fly by, more and more people play online Blackjack. Unfortunately, many of these people fly into Las Vegas (or their local establishment) and expect real-world Blackjack to be just like it is online-it's not.



I love playing Blackjack online, but nothing compares to playing at a real casino when the atmosphere is just right. It's a feeling that's hard to capture at home-although you can do things to get close. When you play solo online, it's all you. There are no other players taking cards. This can be a great joy or major source of pain offline.



Heck, when you play online, you can hit with 16 and the dealer showing a 6. No one cares, but you. When you step to the big boy tables in Vegas, you need to be more thoughtful-otherwise the table will hate you.



If you're about to sit at a real table for the first time, here's a great tip-sit in the middle. The spots immediately to the left and right of the dealer have a little pressure attached to them. First base (seat that gets the first card) is a crappy position as far as I'm concerned. And third base (seat that acts last, before the dealer) should only be occupied by someone who knows how to play. This seat is coveted by Blackjack players the world over.



Think I'm making it up? In Las Vegas, I've seen entire tables (yes, every single player but one) get up and locate to other tables, because some knucklehead made an incredibly bad move at third base. It happens, just don't let it happen to you. That's the worst feeling I'm sure. I'd recommend following this special tip. If you don't know what play is the right one, ask other players. Some will say they don't care (that's crap, they do). Others will offer advice.



As a personal rule of thumb, if someone is at the table with say 10-20x my wager, I'll ask for their opinion. Sometimes I've even cut deals for the big bettor on the hand (buying my hand basically). It's not just about you. It's an energy if you will. Try to keep harmony when you can.



Another big advantage of playing at a real table is seeing the cards in play. Online Blackjack tends reshuffle all decks used after each hand. When you play in the real world, strategy like counting cards comes into play. However, online blackjack nullifies this strategy (that's why they reshuffle after each hand).



Whatever you do, remember that Blackjack is fun. Have a blast at the table and try different tables until you find the atmosphere you love.

How To Win At Blackjack

When it comes to blackjack, you don’t really need to have excellent bluffing skills to win as you would in poker. Or even have an inordinate amount of luck as you would when spinning the wheel in roulette or simply trying your chances at a slot machine.

In the game of blackjack, you must not be afraid to take risks because this is the game that offers the best chances of winning. So take advantage of that and remember to always play to win in blackjack!

Blackjack Tip #1 – Play to Win and Take Insurance Only When You Have To
Remember, in the game of blackjack, you’re only gambling against the dealer and no one else. Yes, it helps to know the cards of other players because you’ll be able to determine the probability of your cards winnin,g but the most significant thing to concentrate on is how to beat the dealer’s cards.

Hence, don’t take insurance unless you have to since it’s truly just betting against yourself.

Blackjack Tip #2 – The Rules of Splitting
When the first two cards you’re dealt with are a pair of the same value (like 7/7), then you have the option to split your cards into two and play them separately, just as long as you place the same amount of bet on each card.

Now, while most players would either always or never split their cards, there is actually a strategy that can be applied to this particular situation and improve your chances at winning in blackjack. If you have two 10’s or two 5’s, it’s inadvisable to split cards so simply stick with them. If you have two 8’s or 7’s for example and the dealer shows you a card that’s equal or with a lower value like 6 or 5, that’s the time you should split your cards. When it comes to having face cards, you’re advised to never split them as well. But when it comes to aces, split them immediately.

Blackjack Tip #3 – Maximizing the Use of Double Down
If you feel that the first two cards the dealer gave you are so good, you always have the option of doubling down and doubling your bet. This is actually the best option available to blackjack players so never let the opportunity to double down slip you by. Be aggressive, especially if the situation warrants it!

Enjoyed reading the tips so far? Feeling confident right now? If so, go play blackjack and see how much your newfound knowledge can help you!

How To Play Live Dealer Blackjack

If you ask any person in a casino what the most popular table game is they would most likely say Live Blackjack (also called 21). The game is called 21 because that is the ultimate goal is to get up to a card count of 21 without going over. You always play against the house, even if there are 4 other players at the table. You will get one card face down and one card face up. You have to keep your eyes on your own cards. The house will deal itself 2 cards both face up so you can see. You look at your cards and add them up. All cards are worth their face value. The face cards, the Jack, Queen and King are all worth 10 points and the Ace can be played as a 1 or as an 11.



Add the cards you have , the ultimate goal is not to go over 21 if you do you automatically go bust. If you see by your cards that you can’t get 21 then the goal becomes to beat the cards the house has. Now if you have a face down card of 9 and a face up card of 7 the total is 16. Now you have to make a decision, do you ask for another card or do you stick with what you have? The chances of asking for another card and having it be a 5 and under are very small. Going over is not good so you can make the decision to stick then you have to hope that the dealer goes over or ends up with less than 16. If the dealer ends up with 16 then it is called a push and dealer wins.



Now, if you are dealt a hand that has two 7’s you could play this card in two ways. You could play these cards as a 14 or you can split them. This is when you use each 7 and play them each as a hand. You can increase your chances of winning or losing. Because you have to show both cards to split so there are no cards facing down. You could lose one hand but win the other. Or you could win both hands. Then you would double your money from only one bet.



If you are new to the game then you will want to stick with the low bet tables until you feel more comfortable making higher bets and you can get used to all the rules. You should know the rules backwards and forwards. By knowing the rules it makes for a better player. Practice at home with a deck of cards and some friends. You can learn the game as well as practice all situations. Even though gambling sites are not legal in the United States there are some sites that you can go and play for free. Get as much practice as you can before hitting the casinos.

How To Play Live Blackjack

Blackjack is perhaps one of the most challenging yet most popular of all casino games. Besides Poker, Blackjack is not just about getting blackjack on the first hand or on any hand, it is about betting wisely and deciding for yourself if you should take a chance and play on or fold. The rules are can be kind of confusing to start with and then they will become more complex. There are many things to consider when playing this game. Each player is playing fro themselves, they are not playing against the other players at the table, they are playing one on one against the dealer. If they lose the game continues, if they win the game continues until all of the players have won or lost.



The dealer places one card face down and then one card face up. Never show your face down card until the very end. The dealer will show their cards so you can see all along what they have. The face value of the cards are pretty simple, the number 2 through the number 10 are face value at what they are, the jack, Queen and Kings are worth ten points and the Aces are worth either a one or an Eleven.



That is one benefit to this game is that if you get an Ace and any other card you cannot go bust or lose because you can use a 1 or an eleven. The winner is determined by who has the better hand, you or the dealer. If both players have the same exact card values then no one wins and it is called a push.



Once your initial hand is dealt then you have 4 options that you can use. The first option is to Hit, this means draw another card. You can Stand which means to hold onto the cards you have and not draw anymore. You can double down which means you can double the wager and then take one more card and then stand. You can also Split, this is when you double the bet because you are splitting the cards you have in your initial hand.



For example, if you have a 7 card up and a 7 card down. You can turn up your 7 card that was down and create a new hand. On a split nothing is face down everything is in the open. You can have double the chance of winning with two hands. The last option is called the Surrender, this is pretty much a forfeit of half of what you bet and you give up the hand. The Surrender was mostly used in the early days of the game but it is no longer used in a lot of casinos.



What is great about the game is that it is challenging. You get to choose which option you want, you win or lose based on two things, the luck of the draw and the luck of the player. How you play you cards is also a factor if you win or lose.

How To Play Blackjack

Whether you call it Pontoon, 21, or an investment. Blackjack is easy to learn and even easier to play. The aim of Blackjack is to accumulate a winning hand of 21, or as close to 21, without going over (bust.) That’s all there is to it. No flushes, straights or trying to outsmart the other players, who, like you, are all just trying to beat the Blackjack dealer.

Despite its simplicity (Blackjack is truly accessible to all); some players inevitably try to complicate Blackjack. For all the talk of systems and odds, all you need to know is how to win and how to avoid losing! Here’s how it works: Two cards are dealt to every player and play moves from the dealers left – each participant elects whether to hit (take another card,) stand (play with the cards they were dealt,) or surrender, in which case they fold at the cost of half their original bet. Once all the participants have finished hitting, the dealer plays his hand and pays out to players who beat his score.

The good news is: Blackjack dealers are bound by the house rules; you’re not. For example, dealers stand on all 17’s. In other words, he’ll keep hitting until he reaches or exceeds 17. If he draws a king and a six, he’s bound by convention to play on, while you’ve got the get-out clause of an early surrender.

The better news is: you can ‘Double Down’ and double your winnings! Double your bet on a potentially winning deal, provided you can hit once and stand. You can even ‘Split Your Pairs’ and double your chances! If you’re dealt two cards of identical value, split them and play two hands for the price of one!

The best news is: in Blackjack, you can win big and win quickly. Blackjack is the name and the aim of the game. A Blackjack is a total of 21 in your initial deal; a picture card / ace combination. A blackjack can only be beaten by a dealer’s blackjack. Any other score of 21 just won’t cut it.

Blackjack is a truly elegant game: uncomplicated enough to engage players, but sufficiently captivating to keep them coming back - once you start playing Blackjack, you might just find you can’t stop. Blackjack is enjoyable, exhilarating, and instantly compelling. No wonder it’s played and enjoyed the whole world over.

How To Learn The Basics Of Blackjack

There is perhaps no other gambling game that is easier to win and more fun to play than the game of blackjack.

If you are interested in testing your chances at gambling but you don’t want to risk losing too much money, your best bet (pun intended) is to play blackjack because the rules are easy to understand and it’s not that hard to master the strategies that you use for the game.

Learning How to Play the Game of Blackjack
If you have no idea how to play the game of blackjack then you’ll certainly be surprised that you’ll need less than ten minutes to understand everything there is to know about blackjack. In fact, you don’t really have to listen to the gambling experts’ advice on blackjack, but if you want to increase your chances of winning, you should try reading articles such as these to avoid committing mistakes common to gambling newbies.

In blackjack, the dealer first requires players to place a bet even without seeing the cards that they’re going to be dealt with. This is de rigeur for all blackjack games, online or played in a real casino. After that, the dealer deals two cards to every player on the table. The dealer can deal himself one or two cards. One card would be ideal because it offers the other players better chances of winning the round.

And now it’s time to look at the cards you’ve been dealt with. The object of the game is for your cards to reach the value of 21 or one nearest to it but definitely not a value that’s greater or more than 21. A set of cards with an equivalent of value for example of 23 would immediately leave you out of the running because your bet is immediately lost.

Now, when it comes to the values of the cards, simply remember that face cards – King, Queen and Jack – are equivalent to 10 while the Ace could either be counted as one or eleven. Hence, if your cards contain a 10, a King and a Three, that’s equal to 23 and means you’ve lost your bet.

The game of blackjack allows you to "hit" or "draw" as many as five cards. The value of your cards shall only be pitted against the cards of the dealer and no one else. So all you have to worry about is what the dealer’s hand is.

And that’s that. Blackjack’s certainly easy, isn’t it? Good luck gambling!

Free Blackjack Tips

Blackjack is a gambling game of skill. Combine this factor with the fact that the game has low house edge, and you get one of the best casino games to play. By learning rules and strategies of the Blackjack gambling game, by mastering your skills you can improve your chances to win.

Standard multibox Blackjack gambling game is played with four standard decks of 52 cards. The goal of the game is to beat the dealer. First of all, learn to count cards. You need to keep up with the ratio of high cards to low cards in the deck. You have better odds to hit a blackjack when the deck is rich in tens, so you should increase your bets accordingly.

The fewer decks you play with, the better. This way the house edge is lowered.

If the rule "surrender" is applied, it is in Blackjack players' favor. This rule has 2 variations- "early" and "late" surrender, "early" is the best one.

Do not take insurance in the Blackjack gambling game, it has high house edge.

Available "dealer stands on soft 17" rule is favorable to players.

The Blackjack game rule that allows you double down after splitting makes your chances better.

You should always stand on "hard 17" or higher.

Split 7's against a dealer's card of equal or lower value; split 2's or 3's against a 4, 5, or 6; split aces and 8's, no matter what the dealer's up card is.

During the game try to stay calm, keep your mind clear. If necessary, take a break, have some rest so you will return to the table refreshed.

Always place a reasonable limit on the money that you are going to gamble with. Do not evere gamble with borrowed money. That is a golden rule for all gambling games including Blackjack.

Try your luck, hope for the best and have fun!

Easy To Learn Blackjack System

In all of the games used for gambling, Blackjack remains the only one in which a participant can actually change his chances of winning during the game. Whether those running casinos wish to admit it or not, Blackjack does involve skill.

Blackjack actually refers to a specific holding (two cards totalling 21). However, this is also the most common term for the game - also known as 21.
You are playing against the dealer at all times. Many people feel that you must play differently depending on where you sit at the table. This is not true. Players sit in a semi-circle around the dealer, but no matter where you sit, you are still playing against the dealer. You owe nothing to the other players - it is your own money you are risking.

In Blackjack, the suits of the cards have no significance. Tens, jacks, queens, and kings all count 10. An ace counts 1 or 10 at the player's option. Cards from 2 to 9 have their face value. Therefore, if you hold a nine and a five, you have 14. A nine and an ace can be either 10 or 20.

The simple idea of the game is to get closer to 21 without going over than the dealer does. You are dealt two cards and the dealer is dealt two cards also - one always face up, and one face down. You are then given the option of standing with the cards you have ("stick" or "sticking") or you may be "hit" and be given another card ("hitting"). You may take as many cards as you wish to, but should you go over 21, you "bust" and the dealer wins automatically. The dealer will not take any cards until all players are through at taking cards. Thus the dealer's biggest advantage is here. Any players that bust, lose their bet - even if the dealer goes bust.

If you stay at 21 or under and have a higher total than the dealer, you win; if both you and the dealer hold cards equalling the same total, it is a "push" and you stay even (not winning or losing). If the dealer has a higher total without busting, he wins.

The pay off if you win is even money (one to one). If you get a "21" or "Blackjack" (21 in two cards) you are paid at a rate of 3 to 2 (bet $10 win $15). If the dealer gets blackjack at the same time, you push - all other players lose.

You may take "Insurance" when the dealer's first card is an ace. After all players and the dealer have two cards, he will ask "Insurance?". You may bet another 1/2 of your original bet. Payment is 2 to 1 if the dealer does get blackjack.

At this point, after each player and the dealer has 2 cards, he will start at the immediate right and see if the player wants a card (a "hit"). If yes, the player scratches the table with his fingers or cards towards himself. If not, he places his cards under his bet or makes a negative movement with his hand. Dealers respond to hand gestures only. If you go over 21 "bust" you turn your cards over (face up) and the dealer takes the cards and your bet. If you stay at 21 or under, the dealer will continue to the next player.

As we mentioned, an ace can be counted as a 1 or 11. When you have say an 8 and a 10, you have a "hard" hand. However, an 8 and an ace gives you a "soft" hand. Because you have a soft 19 or a hard 9 if you count the ace as a one.

The dealer on the other hand does not get these options. When all players are through, the dealer turns face up his hole card. He must take a card if he has 16 or less. He must stand (in most casinos) on a hard or soft 17.

Most players try and guess what the dealer has and look at the other cards on the table before deciding to hit or stand. Most players also never win at Blackjack.

At this point, you should understand how the game is played. The following is your best strategy as determined by computer testing:

- Always hit when you have 11 or less.

- Always stand with a hard 17 or more.

On a hard hand: When the dealer's up card is from 7 to Ace, draw if you have 12 to 16. When the dealer's card is 2 to 6, stand on 12 to 16 except if the dealer's card is a 2 or 3, in which case you would draw.

On a soft hand do the following: Always draw to a soft 12. Stand on 18 except when the dealer has a 9 or 10 value card. Stand on 19.

In most casinos, you may double down (double your bet) after your first two cards.

On a hard hand: Always double with 11, with 10 except if the dealer has a 10 or ace, with 9 against the dealer's 2 to 6 up card.

On a soft hand: With ace 2 to ace 7 double against dealer's 4, 5, or 6. Also with ace 6 against 2 or 3 and ace 7 against 3.

Another play is the splitting of pairs. If your first two cards of the deal are the same value, you may place a bet the same as your original, and play two hands.

Always split ace-ace, and 8-8. Never split 10-10, 5-5, or 4-4. Split other pairs only when the dealer's card is 2 to 6. These rules may seem complicated and difficult. However, after playing at home, this basic strategy will require no concentration.

Earn Money Playing Online Blackjack

Blackjack is by far the most played casino card game in world. It is a simple game, and a game that can be beaten with the correct strategy. The objective of blackjack is to beat the dealer by obtaining a hand valuing more than the hand of the dealer without exceeding 21. A hand valuing 21 is often called a 'Blackjack'.



In the game of blackjack all the numbered cards are valued at their face value. Jacks, queens, and kings all value 10, and an ace values either one or eleven, whichever value works best for the player.



On a typical blackjack table, there is one dealer and up to six players. Before the cards are dealt the player must make a wager of any amount up to the table limit. Once all of the players have made a wager the dealer will deal each player two cards face up. The dealer will also deal himself two cards - one face up and the other face down. At this point the player is given a number of different options, which include hitting, standing, doubling, splitting, or buying insurance.



If a player decides to hit this means the player would like to be dealt another card. A player can hit as many times as he or she chooses with exceeding a hand valuing 21. If a players hand exceeds 21 this is referred to as busting, and if you bust you automatically loose. The player's second option is to stand. By standing a player is stating that he or she is happy with the value of their hand, and does not choose to be dealt another card.



If by chance a player is dealt a hand of two cards of the same value he or she can elect to split the pair into two separate hands. If a player decides to split, the wager amount remains the same for both hands and each hand is played separately. In the situation that the player believes his or her hand is a winner the player can double down. By doubling the player is deciding to double the wager amount and to be dealt one additional card. On the contrary when a player believes his or her hand could loose because the dealers up card is an ace, the player can choose to buy insurance. Insurance protects players from a dealer blackjack.



Basic strategy suggests that players should only play against the dealer, and not pay to much attention to the other players on the table. By observing the cards dealt to the other players it is possible to gain an edge on the casino by using card counting techniques. Card counting is not necessarily difficult but it can get confusing if you take into consideration the speed of the game. It is always recommended for beginners to learn the blackjack strategy tables very well before even considering card counting.



Blackjack strategy tables are just basic tables that outline the correct mathematical course of action for any given hand. Typically there are three different blackjack strategy tables. The soft hand table is used if a player has a hand with an ace valuing one, the hard hand table is used if a player has a hand with an ace valuing eleven, and the double down table is used to decide if the doubling option works for or against the player.



Players using the strategy tables have a great advantage over players that don't. Blackjack is a game of strategy and with easy to use tables that guide your play there is no reason why you can't beat the casino. The players that win the most stick to the strategy tables and never make decisions based on luck alone. Just believe in the tables and you will eventually win also. Don't you want to break the online casino?



21Bet.com provides all the strategy tables you need to win!

Counting Cards in Blackjack

Blackjack is a game that is geared to the house or dealer in a variety of ways. A player must go first and if they go bust their stake goes to the dealer even if he or she subsequently goes bust. Players have always tried to find a way to beat the system and card counting in blackjack is one of the most common strategies used.



Card counting is a system or strategy used mostly in blackjack games, it takes a lot of practice to do however it can be used in other card games. The principal of card counting has been around since live blackjack started, and as soon as the game moved online as soon so did the card counters. Card counters try to memorise the cards that have come out so they can lower the casino edge by having a good clue which card will come out next, hoping to eventually memorise the order of each card in the deck. For example knowing if all of the high cards already been dealt out would logically lead you to believe the remaining cards are of lower values.



Card counting was often easier during an online game as no one was watching you as long as you are quick to memorize the card or write it down - games give a limited amount of time to respond with hit or hold. Many have used this to their advantage and learned online before taking their skills into real casinos.



This is a risky strategy to use in a land based casino as unlike virtual casinos staff will be on the look out for card counters and though not illegal the casinos owners may ask you to leave.



So how has the latest gambling craze live webcam games responded to prevent players counting cards. Common methods include using multiple packs of cards, splitting the deck into 2 and shuffling them far sooner than it would happen during a game in a real casino. Casinos can often deliberately hide the remaining decks to put off card counters.



It must be noted that card counting takes effort but is it rarely worth it; firstly you have to have a fantastic memory, and statistically it gives a 1% advantage to an experienced player under the best circumstances. Yet this is still not enough or only just enough to cancel out the house advantage in most cases.

Casino Games – Blackjack

Whether you're new to casino gaming or a casino veteran, blackjack is one of the simplest and most fun card games casinos have to offer. The objective in blackjack is to beat the dealer by getting a hand as close to 21 as possible without going over. To play casino blackjack, you need only a basic understanding of the rules and a desire to have fun.

So how do you reach 21? In blackjack, the cards have values. Number cards two through ten are counted at face value, while all face cards (King, Queen and Jack) are worth ten points. The ace is a special card in blackjack: you decide whether it’s worth one or eleven points. Since casino players are dealt two cards to start, if you get an ace and a face card or ten, you have 21—an instant win, as long as the dealer doesn't get 21 as well. This two-card winning hand is called a “blackjack”; hence the name of the game!

Casino rules for blackjack are basically the same at all casinos. After you get your first two cards, your options are to hit, stand, double down, split, or sometimes surrender. Hit means to take another card; stand means to keep what you have. A double down means you will double your bet in exchange for taking only one more card (you can draw up to five cards in blackjack). If your first two cards are the same value, you can split, or separate them and play each card as a different hand. Not all casinos offer the option to surrender, which means you would withdraw from the hand and receive half your bet back.

When you play blackjack at a casino, be sure to know which table to choose. Most casinos have color coded blackjack tables according to the minimum bet the table accepts, usually $3, $5, $25 or $100. In any casino, it’s a given the $3 and $5 tables will be crowded, but they’re great for beginners at casino games because all of the cards are dealt face-up, as opposed to the one-up, one-down method at higher tables. So the next time—or the first time—you visit a casino, make a stop at the blackjack tables and aim for 21!

Card Counting in Blackjack!

Where in other casino games such as roulette, craps there is no absolute effect of result of one play on any future deal, the blackjack always remain some risks regarding that. That means in blackjack it is possible that some events of any future play can be affected by its previous performance. Whenever if it is found that the remaining cards of the player have a high proportion than normal, in that case it is quite obvious that it goes to player’s benefits but in adverse the player will dealt a bad hand of cards. But in many cases it has been found that it is very tough for the player to remember exactly which cards have already been dealt in the previous play. Especially it becomes difficult when it comes from a multiple deck shoe. For that reason card counting always denotes some positive, negative or zero point value to the each and every remaining card in the deck.

Generally it is seen that the cards carrying low value such as 2, 3 are of positive value and the cards carrying higher value are at the negative value. But the different card counting method assigns different value of each card to be dealt. The card counter can make a tally of the point values in his mind although it is better to make a count on counter’s own estimation regarding dealt cards and undealt cards as well. That will definitely present an accurate value or proportion or percentage of the cards which have been left in the deck shoe. Keep in mind that a larger range of point values always make the counting process complicated. Counting process of the card valued the smaller value such as 1, -1, 0 is level one count that denote the most easiest task of performance while multilevel count is what assign the higher point values, increase much difficulty.

In the process of card counting in blackjack the main complication remain in the treatment of aces which is much valuable when it comes for having a blackjack. Generally aces are not advantageous for the card players but it is beneficial when it is in the field of blackjack and remains in the deck. It should have a positive count.

The main advantage that a player can get through this card counting formality is that the player can make more betting of larger portion when his deck of card allows him and in adverse the deck itself give signal to make smaller amount in betting and accordingly can modify its situation by taking other various strategies. The player can also get information relating to value of each and every card to be dealt in or any type of composition that will help to make a better result.

The very main thing about this card counting is that the method of card counting will be performed very genuinely and accurately so that it cannot make any negative effect and with this the counting process must be taken to avoid the casino countermeasures. Otherwise many can make errors in this process and lose huge amount of money as well.

Blackjack : Quickstart Guide

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Having been a blackjack dealer and gambling instructor, I have taught countless people how to playing the game of Blackjack. The game of Blackjack is a very simple one to learn and you can be on the table playing in just minutes from now. On my main website (WiseBettor.com), I go more in detail about gambling, but this quick start guide will give you everything you need to play a game of Blackjack. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on playing Blackjack online.

Before you can play a hand of Blackjack, you must place a bet on the table. The minimum bet amount required to play depends on the table you are at. All winning bets at the Blackjack table are paid even money, with the exception of a dealt Blackjack, which is paid three to two. If, for example, you have a $5 bet on the table and receive a Blackjack, you would be paid $7.50.

The game starts with you receiving two cards and the dealer receiving two cards. One card of the dealer is placed face up for you to see. This card is called the “up card” and gives you a little help in guessing what the dealer holds. Each card has a count that’s equivalent to it’s number. So, for example, a two is worth two. The Jack, Queen and King cards are worth ten. The Ace is worth one or eleven—you decide. At the conclusion of each hand the player closest to twenty-one wins. However, the object is not really to get as close to twenty-one as possible, rather to beat the dealer.

As the player, you go first. You can hit, stand, split, double down or surrender. Here’s a description of each action.

Stand: You stay with what you have and end your turn.

Hit: You take another card. You can continue to do this until you are satisfied or bust (go over 21).

Split: If you have two cards of the same type (example: two tens), you can split them up and make two separate hands. You can only split your first two cards.

Double Down: When you double down, you double up your bet and take one final card—and end your turn. You can’t double down after you have more than two cards.

Surrender: You kill the hand by taking back half of your money and giving up. Most casinos offer this now. You can only surrender when you have your first two cards.

Once your turn ends, the dealer completes the hand by drawing if needed. Most casinos are setup so that the dealer must hit until the dealer holds a 17. If the casino hits on soft 17, that means any 17 made with an ace (example: ace and a six) is hit. A hard 17 would be something like a ten and a seven.

You are now ready to hit the Blackjack table and have some fun. It would be good to read up on some blackjack strategy before playing—to maximize your potential. You will find out some key times to not hit no matter what you have and times to double down. Blackjack is a fun game and the house has a low advantage over you—if you know how to play right.

Blackjack: One of the Top Casino Table Games

Do you love to gamble? Most people will usually state that blackjack is their favorite casino table game. Blackjack is not only a great game to play but also a game with great odds. For instance, blackjack is the only game that you can actually have a slight odds advantage. If you are interested in playing blackjack the next time you go to the casino, here are some tips.

Blackjack is a great game to play. It is actually one of the favorites for professional gamblers because the odds are excellent. In very rare circumstances, you can actually have an advantage over the casino, if you know how to count cards. While many casinos now deal with 5 to 7 decks, you still have a great opportunity to win at blackjack.

If you would like to learn many strategies on playing blackjack, there are plenty of handbooks and video guides that can teach you the rules of the game, the best strategies to play and how to manage your money. There are plenty of online gambling sites that will allow you to play for fun to learn the game inside and out. So if you like to gamble at the casino or even online, look into the great game of blackjack.



More informations on games are available at http://www.games-00.info

Blackjack: Learn How to Become a Champion

Learn How to Play and Win Blackjack after practicing some basic steps that can be learn easily. Blackjack is one of the more easier card games that you will come across, and its basic concept is simple: get 21 as the sum of your cards or get as close to 21 but higher than the sum of your opponent's cards.



1) Do not try and reach 21.

Yes. Even though blackjack is also commonly called 21, trying to reach 21 with every hand is an amateurish move. You will, most certainly, lose the hand. Statistical research conducted has shown that the odds of reaching 21 is lesser than the odds of getting more than 21.



2) Try and Beat the Dealer.

Since blackjack is a one on one battle: you versus the dealer, focus on beating the dealer. Instead of trying to get 21, try to guess what hand the dealer will receive and accordingly play your hand. Remember that the dealer at a regular casino or even at an online casino has to stop taking more cards if the cards on the table add up to 17. But if their cards add up to 16 or any number less, they will have to take another card.



3) Look at the dealer's card facing up.

The only way to play is to look at the dealer's card facing up. If it is a low card like a two or anything up to a 6 or 7, try and get a high number combination. If it’s a 9 or 10, the odds are high that he has a 10 underneath or at least he will be forced to take another card. So, reach anything up to 20 or 21, but its better to even stop at a 18 or 19 and hope they will over-run the sum of 21.



How Blackjack is Played at a Casino:

1) Place your bet on the table.

Each blackjack table has a set beginning bet and this ranges from a dollar to ten or twenty for the high-rollers crowd. This is the amount of chips you will have to put down, and this signals to the dealer that you are taking part in the next round.



2) You will get a card.

The dealer then deals a card to you and all the other players who have also placed a bet down.



3) The dealer places a face-up card in front.

This is one of the cards of the dealer, and since its facing up, all the players have a chance to judge the outcome of his cards.



4) The dealer deals the second card.

The dealer, then, deals you and all the players an additional card. This is the time to have a look at them and at the dealer's card and decide whether you wish to get another card.



5) The dealer asks.

The dealer now turns to each player and asks them if they wish to receive another card. If you wish it, the dealer will give you a card. Then, the dealer will ask you again. Note that the dealer will be with you until you decide that you do not want to receive any more cards. Then, the dealer moves on to the next player, then, the next, and so on.



6) The dealer starts playing.

Only when all the players have said that they do not want any more cards, does the dealer start playing. He takes cards until he has reached 17 or above. Then, he has to stop.



7) The dealer opens the cards.

When he's done, the dealer first reveals all his cards. Then, he moves from one player to the other opening their cards. After revealing each player's hands, the dealer pays out the bet or takes the bet away according to who has won and who has lost.

Blackjack: 5 Reasons Why it is Better Than Poker

Poker is hitting a huge boom all over the place from the best online casinos to the huge World Series of Poker, but when it comes right down to it Black Jack is still the biggest game and the most fun to play.

I think giving you the top 5 reasons why black jack is a better game than poker is sufficient evidence as to the superiority of the game of Black Jack.

Black jack is quick, you do not have to sit and wait for people to think. It is either hit me, or stay and that is all there is to it.

Black Jack is by far a much easier game to learn to play. Since the basis of the game is to beat the dealers hand with a 21, there is not really so much that you have to learn in comparison the poker.

You get to play against the dealer when playing black jack, which is not usually the case when playing poker. This is better because you do not have to worry what the other players are thinking. This is not an advantage but you do not have to worry about body language and the like.

Hitting 21 or Black Jack is just exiting, an automatic win. By all means poker is interesting, but how often are you dealt the Royal Flush? Well in black jack it is possible to be dealt black jack repeatedly in one sitting and I will say it is definitely more exciting hitting a black jack than seeing a guy with a pair of 7s beat a guy with a pair of 4s.

In black jack it is up to you to win, now it is also the same in poker, but if you lose to someone else you can not blame the dealer. Now many people would say why blame the dealer anyway? I will tell you, the dealer has only dealt the cards, you can only blame yourself for losing. It has to do with how you play. So it is easier to take loss in a hand in black jack than it is in poker.

Finding the game that you identify most with is the game you should stick with. If it is poker than be a poker player in all the poker rooms you can find, or if it is black jack than put on your smart clothes and pick your seat at the casino black jack table, because in my opinion, black jack is the best casino game there is.

Blackjack vs. Poker

Best Casinos Online, Best Online Casinos, Internet Casinos





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Blackjack has always rivaled poker for popularity. In fact, many land-based casinos featured Blackjack over poker. Some casinos in the not so distant past even closed their poker rooms for lack of activity.



Since the advent of televised poker tournaments, like the World Poker Tour, and the World Series of Poker, in particular, replete with celebrity players and fabulous amounts of prize money awarded the tournament champions, poker has taken the world by storm.



Although Blackjack remained highly popular, the game was surely being overshadowed by the multitude of high-profile poker tournaments. Not any more. The Ultimate Blackjack Tour for example, may be hot on the heels of the WSOP tour’s popularity, since the UBT will feature not only the best Blackjack players, but championship-level poker players as well.



Although the basic principle of Blackjack is simple; card values are added in an attempt to reach twenty-one without going over, the game is not purely one of luck, as there are numerous strategies that can be employed to increase one’s chances of winning.



Although various card games similar to what we now know as Blackjack had been played in other countries for many years, Blackjack did not make an appearance in American casinos until a few years prior to WW I. Played as a private game until around 1915, Blackjack was known by it’s French name of “Vingt-Un, (twenty-one). The game became “Blackjack” when the casinos established bonus payouts if a player’s first two cards dealt were a Black Jack (spades or clubs), and an Ace of Spades.



In the early 1930’s Blackjack had increased it’s popularity among gamblers to the point that it was now the third most popular game played, second only to Roulette and Craps. Shortly after the end of WW II Blackjack’s popularity soared, and the game was second in popularity only to Craps, it’s rise largely attributed to returning American soldiers, who played the game most frequently as a diversion from the strife of the War years. By the early Fifties, Blackjack had become the most popular card game in the U.S.



Blackjack has evolved in the casinos, and having a “black” Jack and an Ace of Spades is no longer the sole means of getting Blackjack. Now, any ten-value card ( ten or face card ), and an Ace of any color gives one a “Blackjack”.



Blackjack was hugely popular in the illegal casinos and card rooms of the U.S., but the game reached it’s zenith when the State of Nevada legalized gambling within its borders in 1931. It was then that the game could be played by locals and visitors, as well as the professional gamblers that were once only able to ply their trade illegally.



A Brief Blackjack Glossary For The Beginner:



- Blackjack – Ten value card and an Ace

- Broke or Bust – Hand card value over 21

- Hit or Draw – Request for additional cards

- Splitting Pairs – Two of the same value cards “split” into separate hands

- Double-Down – Both cards turned face-up. One extra card dealt only.

- Stand/Stay/Stick – No additional cards requested

- Push – Player and dealer have the same value hand – no winner

Blackjack Variations

Blackjack baby! I love this game. Most players I've come across are only familiar with the general variety played. But, that's not all there is. Blackjack is a diverse game with a rich history. As such, they are different variations of the game-even if subtle ones.



Before playing any game of Blackjack (or any casino game) it's important to know the rules and the payouts. Nothing could be worse than having a huge bet out there and being told that you can't do something, like split Aces and hit. That's the pits. Know the game before you play. Ask if you must. Online Blackjack is easier, because all the rules are usually just a click away. And the rules are vital if you plan on playing some sort of system. Not all systems are universal.



One variation of Blackjack is European Blackjack. It's played with two decks. Unlike some places on the Las Vegas Strip (unless they offer this variation), the dealer must stand on a soft 17. Oh, and here's a big difference. You can only double down on 9 and 11. That's right. So, if you have an Ace and an 8 with the dealer showing a 6, you can't double.



For most people, this limitation is no big deal. But, it can be tough to swallow for the more aggressive player. Another aggressive player killer is the fact that you can't double down after a split no matter what. In this version of Blackjack, the house has a 0.39% advantage.



Moving on, we come to Atlantic City Blackjack. This version of Blackjack is always played with eight decks via a shoe. As with Euro Blackjack, the dealer must stand on soft 17. And that's how Downtown Las Vegas plays it too. Splitting is allowed, but only up to three hands. And you can double on the first two cards after splitting too.



Another interesting option is late surrender, which is allowed in the Atlantic City version. The house advantage is slightly lower at 0.35%.



And that brings us to Double Exposure Blackjack, which is a crowd favorite-at least at first. You can see both dealer cards. Easy win right? Not so fast. The dealer wins all ties. Yep, no pushes, you just lose. It's the price to pay for knowing what the dealer has.



Another feature that I don't personally like is Blackjack payouts only paying even money. There's no bonus at all, which kind of ruins the game for me. The game is played with a shoe that holds 8 decks and the dealer hits on soft 17.



Even though the dealer shows both cards, the house advantage nearly doubles the previous two versions we talked about. It's 0.69%.

Blackjack Terms - Part Two

Last time, we talked about Blackjack terms, such as "Action" and "Color Up." Let's continue forward with part two in our Blackjack terms series. We'll pick it up with "Comps," which happen to be my favorite thing in a casino. Let's get started.



Comps - This is the main reason for playing for many people. A Comp is basically anything you get for free from the casino. It could be food, rooms, cash, travel, drinks and so forth. Here's a tip. Most casinos comp players based on the data from a player's card. Whenever you walk into a new casino, ask about their player's card and get one-they are free.



Cut Card - When you cut the deck in Blackjack-at real live tables-you use a cut card. This card is the same size as a regular card in the deck and it's usually red. It's also plastic. Slide that baby in the right place and let's win some hands!



Discards - These are the cards that have already been played. In a real live game, you'll see the discards off to the side of the table.



Double Deck - A Blackjack game typically uses 1-8 decks of cards. A Double Deck game of Blackjack uses two decks of cards. In a real live game, this game is hand shuffled and dealt from hand. Shoe games start with four or more decks.



Double Down - You're so money! Even non-gamblers know this phrase. When you double down, you double up your original bet and take one final card. You can double down on your first two cards only. While online casinos typically make you double your bet on a double down, live casinos will allow you to "double for less," which means you can put any additional amount down-up to the amount of your original wager.



Double Exposure - This is a variant of Blackjack. You'll find that there are various Blackjack rules that a casino may or may not use-like surrendering. In this variant, both dealer cards are dealt face up. Sounds like easy money right? Not so fast. These games also have additional rules-usually something like dealer wins all ties. You may like this type of game though, so check it out. Make sure you ask about the rules differences before playing.



Draw - Most everyone says, "hit," but draw is the same thing. When you draw a card, you're not getting out a pencil and sketch paper to make an art masterpiece; you're taking one additional card for you hand.



Edge - Do you have an edge? The edge just means who has the best ability to make money over the long haul. As a gambler, you take steps to reduce the house's edge and increase your chances of winning. A Blackjack example of this would be card counting. Another example would be playing only certain types of Blackjack games, such as single deck.



We'll pick up our Blackjack series next time with "Even Money."

Blackjack Terms - Part Three

Welcome to the third part in our Blackjack terms series. Last time we left off talking about the house's edge. Today, we'll start out with "Even Money," which happens to be a sad moment for me. The last thing you want to see when you're dealt a Blackjack is the dealer having an Ace.



Even Money - When the dealer has a potential Blackjack-and you were dealt a Blackjack-you can ask for even money. If you take even money, your Blackjack is paid 1:1 instead of 1.5:1. So, a $15 wager is paid $15. If you don't take even money and the dealer has Blackjack, you just push.



Expectation - I won't get too technical with this one. Basically, it means the amount of money you can expect to win or lose over a period of time.



Face Cards - Real simple here. Face cards are the Jack, Queen and King. They are all worth 10 point in Blackjack. There's no real difference in these cards unless you're playing a side game like Royal Match.



First Base - This is the seat that gets the cards first. The dealer deals clockwise, so first base is the first seat on the dealer's left.



Flat Betting - When you flat bet, you're just betting the same amount on every hand. This really isn't idea. Unless you're just playing for a little fun and free drinks, you want to alter your bets some now and then.



Heads Up - This happens usually in online play. It's when you're the only one at the table. You're playing with the dealer only. In real casinos, some players like this and they'll move around looking for empty tables. When someone else sits down, they get up and find another empty table. You'll see some big-time players request an empty table. If they are playing enough, the casino will rope off a table for them.



High Roller - We just talked about one in our Heads Up description. A high roller is someone who bets a lot. The real high rollers will walk into a casino with millions to wager if they so choose. They are also called whales.



Hit - Take a hit to get another card for your hand. It's also called a draw.



Hole Card - This is the magical card that the dealer gets that you can't see-unless you're playing a double face up game of Blackjack.



Hot Deck - It's just the opposite of a cold deck. A hot deck is in your favor and hopefully you're betting big.



House Edge - We talked about this in our Edge description. All casino games have a house edge. The casino always has the advantage over you. Some games are better than others. For instance, Blackjack has a much lower house edge than Roulette.



Insurance - Many call insurance a sucker's bet. When the dealer shows an Ace, you can take insurance. It costs half your wager and if you take it, you want the dealer to have a Blackjack. If not, you lose your insurance bet and now if you win, you only win a profit of 50%, which isn't fun.



See you next time when we go into the fourth part of our Blackjack terms series.

Blackjack Terms - Part One

From "Action" to "Color Up," we're going to go over a bunch of Blackjack and casino terms in part one of our Blackjack terms series today. I've spent some time coming up with a listing of fun terms I think you'll want to know. They're listed in alphabetical order, so scroll around if you want.



Action - It means almost what you think. When a bet is "live" it has action. This term is commonly used when someone puts actual cash in the betting area.



Back Counting - A back counter is someone who isn't sitting at the table and who is counting the cards. An example would be two friends that walk up to play. One sits down and the other stands around the table.



Bankroll - Ah, this one is a classic. A bankroll is the amount of money you have to gamble with. It's the key ingredient in money management and the better you are at managing a bankroll, the better off you are. A bankroll can be for a session of gambling, a calendar month, a season in sports or whatever other time term you want.



Bar - No, not the kind that serves you drinks. If you get barred, you're out of luck. A barred player is one who gets removed from the casino for good. It's also called "being 86ed."



Basic Strategy - In Blackjack, this is your garden-variety strategy that's designed to help you have a good time and stay in the game.



Blackjack - This is the game we're talking about. If you don't know how to play, check out the quick-start Blackjack guide on this site.



Burn Card - After the deck is shuffled and cut, the first card is "burned," which means it is discarded. This is an old anti-cheat mechanism and it's still used today in brick and mortar casinos.



Bust - When your card count in Blackjack goes over 21, you've busted. When you bust, you lose. Ideally, you hope this happens to the dealer often and not you.



Card Counting - It's a strategy to try and figure out what type of cards are left in the deck. Players who employ this strategy will bet bigger when the remaining cards in the deck are larger and bet less when the remaining cards in the deck are smaller. There are many card counting techniques and we talk about card counting in Blackjack more on this site.



Cold Deck - Cold deck is the same thing as a cold table in Craps. It just means that the deck sucks for players. If you're counting, you know when the deck is cold, because it's overloaded with smaller cards.



Color Up - When you're ready to leave the table, you can color up. Let's say that you have 20 red chips ($100), you could color up for one black chip. Casinos try to color up players, because it keeps them from having to constantly fill tables with extra chips. As a player, it's easier to walk around with fewer chips.



We'll be back in part two of our Blackjack terms series with "Comp."

Blackjack Terms - Part Four

We're nearing completion in our Blackjack terms series. In our next to last series installment, we'll go over some terms, such as "Money management," "Paint" and "Push." We start out with an important term, because it highlights how the Blackjack rules can be different from casino to casino.



Las Vegas Strip Rules - Las Vegas is split into two main gambling regions-Downtown and the Strip. The Strip has different Blackjack rules than Downtown. A major rule to check on before you play is whether the dealer must hit or stand on a soft 17.



Money Management - It's no secret. Losing players rarely have any money management skills. Money management goes beyond just knowing how much money you have to play with. It involves knowing how much to bet and when. There are many money management systems out there.



Money Plays - A command barked out by a dealer when a player puts actual cash in the betting area.



Natural - When you're dealt a Blackjack.



Paint - Want to see paint? If so, you're asking for a face card. It's called this, because face cards are graphical in nature.



Pat Hand - No, it's not the hand of someone named Pat. When you have a pat hand, you want to stay. An example of a pat hand is a hard 17. A hard hand is one in which there isn't an Ace counting for 11 points.



Point Count - If you're counting cards, you always know what the count of a deck is.



Push - This is another name for a tie. When you have a bet that pushes, you don't win or lose. Your money is returned. If you're playing a double face up game, it's possible that there aren't any pushes, because the dealer wins all ties.



Resplit - When you get two cards of the same rank, like two 7's, you can split them. If your first card on a split is also the same rank, you can resplit then hand. Some casinos only allow one split and others may allow up to four. Check with the casino to be certain. While you always want to split Aces, some casinos don't allow you to play split Aces like a regular hand. Instead, they'll just give you one card per hand.



Running Count - It's the same thing as a Point Count. At any given hand, a card counter knows the count of the deck and bets accordingly. If the count is favorable to the casino, the bet is reduced. If the count is favorable to players, the bet is increased.



That does it for this installment of Blackjack terms. We've got one installment in our series left. We'll go over terms, such as Shill, Shoe, Third Base, Toke, Vig and Whale.

Blackjack Terms - Part Five

We've finally arrived at the final installment of our Blackjack terms series. We're about to bring it all together. It's been a fun ride. Once you finish this series, consider yourself a Blackjack terms expert. Let's go.



Session - This term is used most when talking about money management. A session is a period of time spent gambling.



Shill - These guys are casino employees. To facilitate action, a shill will go up to a table-usually an empty one-and play. The idea is that if you're walking around and see action, you'll play. Shills are more likely to be used at a Craps table, because not many people like being the only player in Craps.



Soft Hand - This is any hand where an Ace is being used as an 11.



Stand - When you're happy with your hand, you can stand, which ends your turn.



Surrender - Some casinos allow you to surrender. When you surrender, you throw in your hand and get half your wager back. A common surrender situation is when you have a hard 16 and the dealer has a face card showing.



Third Base - It's the opposite of first base. Third base is the last seat to get cards. If the table is full, it will be the seat immediately to the dealer's right hand.



Toke - Also called a tip. Dealers work for tips, so they love players who tip them. One common way to tip in Blackjack is to place a bet for the dealer. You do this by placing your tip bet above your wager on the layout. Let the dealer know it's for him/her, so they can make sure the placement is right. This is a good way to get the dealer to root for you.



True Count - It's another card counting term. When there are multiple decks, you take the running count and divide it by the number of decks being used. This gives you a more accurate picture.



Up Card - The dealer gets two cards in Blackjack to start with. The Up Card is the card that you can see. The bottom one you can't see is called a hole card.



Unit - A measurement of betting. For instance, a unit could be $5, $10, $1 or whatever.



Vig - This is the money that goes to the house. A popular vig in sports betting, for example, is 10%.



Whale - This is the big-time player-the high roller. Casinos-and dealers-love to see a whale coming. It usually means there's a chance for a nice payday.



And there you have it. We've come to the end of our Blackjack terms series. Do you feel like a Blackjack terms expert now? We've covered a lot of ground in this series.



Good luck at the tables!

Blackjack's History

Blackjack has a colorful history. Shows have been made out of just parts of it. In fact, I credit Blackjack with launching the development of systems and books about gambling.



It all started back in the 18th century. There was a French card game called "Ving-et-un" and it was the foundation for today's game of Blackjack. Some say that history comes back around to the present.



In the 1800s, America was anti-gambling in its stance. Gambling was an underground activity. That began to change in the 1900s and in 1931 gambling was legalized in Nevada. Almost five decades later, Atlantic City followed.



The late 1950s is really were it all started. The man was Roger Baldwin and is 1956 publication "The Optimum Strategy in Blackjack" paved the way for the marriage between man and math in gambling. It's as if the light went on. Blackjack can be beat.



Six years later a man by the name of Edward O. Thorp released a book that quickly became a towering hit and it's the book that's known by many Blackjack players. The book was called "Beat the Dealer."



The doors were now opened and many started looking at casinos as a way to get rich. In fact, Lawrence Revere believed this very thing. He took the simple concept of winning at Blackjack one step further by releasing a book called "Playing Blackjack as a Business."



The wheels were turning and the 1970s marked the next huge revolution. Computers were now brought into the mix. Enthusiasts all over were using computers to create and run simulations-trying to find the ultimate winning strategy. And it was in this era that casinos really got worried.



It was one thing for a handful of people to try and come up with systems while losing real money. It was another for a wider audience to be able to develop and test perfected systems. The public was now developing a hunger for Blackjack knowledge.



Casino operators realized that single-deck Blackjack was vulnerable. That's when they devised the "shoe." The "shoe" held multiple decks of cards. When multiple decks are added to the game, the percentages change. It's also easier to protect against card counters.



Given all this, one man-Ken Uston-made a living beating Blackjack in casinos. He's a legend. He was so successful at destroying the game that seven Las Vegas casinos banned him for life.



Uston thought he might have a legal battle, so he sued. The final judgment came down in 1987. Uston was found dead in Paris. Did the casino owners kill him? Was it a deal gone bad? Was it just the wrong place at the wrong time?



Today, Blackjack books and software programs are all over. Each year many people go online or visit a casino in hopes of claiming riches at the Blackjack table. It still remains a game that can be beat.

Blackjack Strategy Tips: How to Win in Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the few casino games that are beatable in the long run. It means that by using a basic blackjack strategy you can have an advantage over the casino and eventually step away from the blackjack table as a winner. Here you can find the basic blackjack strategy explained in a simplified manner.



The blackjack strategy is based on the mathematical probabilities of the game and it provides you guidance on the best decisions to make at every possible situation during the game. It takes about an hour to memorize this strategy but it is worth every minute. This does not man you will win every single blackjack game from now on, but with the help of the blackjack strategy, patience and persistence, you can significantly improve your chances of beating the casino in the long run.



Note that some blackjack rules vary from one casino to another. In some casinos, both brick and mortar and internet casinos, blackjack is played with one card deck while in others the blackjack game occupies four decks or more. In addition, in some of the casinos the dealer hits on a soft 17 while in others he is required to stand and doubling after splitting is allowed only in some of the casinos.



Here you can find a basic strategy to a single deck blackjack game where the dealer hits on soft 17. Playing other blackjack variants would require you to make some adjustments for a few borderline occurrences.



First, here is a short introduction to the terms mentioned here:

Hard Hand: two initial cards that do not include an Ace.

Soft Hand: two initial cards that one of them is an Ace

Stand: when a player is not asking to be dealt more cards after the two initial cards.

Hit: when a player calls for an additional card to be dealt

Double: when a player doubles his initial bet after the initial deal, but it requires him to hit only one card.

Split: when a player separates the initial two cards into two individual hands and plays them as 2 hands.



Finally, here is a basic blackjack strategy:

When your initial two card hand sums up to 8 or less: hit

When your hand sums up to 9 and the dealer hand value is between 3 and 6: double if else: hit when your hand sums up to 10 and the dealer hand value is between 2 and 9: double; if else:

When your hand sums up to 11 and the dealer hand value is between 2 and 10: double; if else hit.

When your hand sums up to 13, 14, 15, or 16 and the dealer hand value is between 2 and 6: stand; if else hit.

When your hand sums up to 17: stand.

when your initial two card hand contains Ace 2 or Ace 3 and the dealer has either 5 or 6: double; if else: hit.

When your hand contains Ace 4 or Ace 5 and the dealer has 4, 5 or 6: double; if else: hit.

When your hand contains Ace 6 and the dealer has 3, 4, 5 or 6: double; if else: hit.

When your hand contains Ace 7 and the dealer has 2, 7 or 8: stand; if he has 3, 4, 5 or 6: double; if else: hit.

When your hand contains Ace 8 or Ace 9: stand

When your hand contains a pair of 2s or 3s and the dealer hand value is between 2 and 7: split; if else: hit

When your hand contains a pair of 4s and the dealer has either 4 or 5: split; if else: hit

When your hand contains a pair of 5s and the dealer hand value is between 2 and 9: double; if else: hit

When your hand contains a pair of 6s and the dealer hand value is between 2 and 6: split; if else: hit

When your hand contains a pair of 7s and the dealer hand value is between 2 and 7: split; if else: hit

When your hand contains a pair of 8s: split

When your hand contains a pair of 9s and the dealer hand value is between 2 and 7 and either 8 or 9: split; if else: stand

When your hand contains a pair of 10s: stand

When your hand contains a pair of 8s: split

Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack, the card game that adds a dash of European style to American casinos is simple enough: At the start of each round you get two cards and so does the dealer, one of which is shown. Keep drawing cards until you hit a total value of 21 or quit just before you go over the limit and bust. It's you against the dealer and whoever comes out on top gets the winnings. At first glance the game seems one of chance an intuition. After all, you can't know what card is coming up next. However one of the reasons that Blackjack is so popular is that there is a strong element of skill involved. Rather than just trusting to blind luck you can play your cards wisely and hopeful leave the table with a fist full of dollars.

Perhaps the most important thing to bear in mind is that what matters is not just your card value but also the dealer's shown card. Winning is all about assessing your hand against the dealer's potential hand. Because the dealer has to hit on sixteen or stand on seventeen you can use this to plan out your strategy. The higher the dealer's shown card the stronger his hand is and the more trouble your are in.



Here is a quick list of possible cards showing in the dealer's hand and what they mean for you:



Ace: Big trouble. This round is going to be the dealer's unless you have spectacular luck.



10 or face card: Bad news for you. The dealer is in a strong position.



9 : Things aren't looking good. The dealer has got the upper hand here.



7 or 8: Loosen up a bit, you can beat the dealer on this round if you play things right.



4 to 6: The dealer has got that sinking feeling. This hand looks like it will be yours.



2 to 3: Be careful. It could go either way, so play cautious.



Always draw a card if your total is less than 11 because there is no danger of you busting. As a general rule you should always stand if your hand is 17 or higher. If you are on 13 to 16 only draw a card if the dealer is showing 7 or better.

If you hand totals 12 you should take a hit unless the dealer is showing 4 to 6. In this case the dealer may very well bust so you should sit tight and wait for that to happen.



If you play your Blackjack right you can narrow the house odds down to almost even and with just a little luck, you can come out ahead.

Blackjack Progressive Strategy

Sure, you could sit down to play Blackjack and just throw your money around. But, did you know that you're most likely to lose money even if you have more winning hands than losing ones? Before playing Blackjack, it's best to come up with a battle plan. You've got to attack the game.



Today, I'll show you one attack plan. It's a progressive (or ladder) system that changes your wager just about every hand. This is not a plan that increases your wager when you lose, because that's the wrong way to do things. Rather, we'll increase the wager with each winning hand.



You need to decide on the numbers and how many progressions to use. I'll give you a guide to start from. Let's imagine that you have $100 to play with. You should play $2-$5 hands normally. So, we'll base our start at $5.



The plan is simple. When you lose, your next hand is $5. You never increase your wager after a losing hand. Instead, you start over again. When you win, you'll be increasing your hand as follows:



5 - 10 - 20 - 40 - 80



I've set up five levels. If you win five hands in a row, rather than having $25, you'll end up with $160 or more-blackjacks. However, if you were to lose say five in a row, you've only lost $25.



If you're a very conservative player, step it down to 3 or 4 levels. Even at 3 levels, you can still pocket $40 instead of $15.



As to double downs, that's a call you'll have to make based on your bankroll. Let's imagine that you've won your first four hands. You have $80 on the table and receive an 11. If you double down, it's a bad move. Why? Adding $80 would mean your entire bankroll is on this one hand. Lose it and you go home. Not smart.



However, let's say it's later in the game and your bankroll is now $500 or so. Adding the $80, which is profits at this point, might be a good gamble. It's a moment-by-moment decision.



No matter how you play it, never risk most or all of your bankroll on any single hand. Also, should you get up by 2-3 times your original bankroll, put that original amount back in your pocket and make sure you leave the casino with it.



Blackjack, and gambling, can be fun, but strategy ensures that you maximize your chances to win and come home with cash.

Blackjack Profits – A Player Turned $25,000 into $500,000 Quickly: How Did he Do it?

Blair Hull was a successful blackjack player, and he turned $25,000 into $500,000 - but he didn’t do it playing blackjack. He used his blackjack skills in a game with far higher stakes and made a fortune.

Blair Hull actually became a trader, trading in the financial markets - and many of the worlds top financial traders are blackjack players. Why? Because blackjack gives you the skills to succeed in financial trading.

If you are able to play blackjack successfully, you can make money by trading as well - as you already have all the skills needed to succeed.

Blackjack Success is down to the Following:


1. Playing when the odds are in your favor
2. Adjusting the bet size
3. Using a system, and rigidly applying it with discipline
4. Playing non emotionally, and with focus

Just as most players in the casinos lose, so do most traders in the financial markets - and the reason is all down to not having a plan, and executing it with discipline.

The Key to Success in the Casino, or in Financial Trading is:

Trading method + Play the odds + Execute with discipline = Financial Success Most people can’t do this.

They play or trade emotionally, with no specific money management, and a lack of discipline - and end up losers.

So, is it hard to become a financial trader? No the basics are relatively easy - as the following example shows:

Become a Trader in a Few Weeks

In 1984, Richard Dennis conducted an experiment that taught 14 people with no previous experience to trade in 2 weeks. The Result? - They all went on to make millions in profits and earn 80% annual returns!

To learn a trading system (the system only had a few rules, and could be learned by anyone of average intelligence) is not hard, as Richard Dennis’s experiment showed.

Interestingly, Dennis put the success of the group not down to the system he gave them, but on the discipline, and money management skills he taught them.

Make the Move to a Higher Stakes Game

If you want to read the story of Blair HULL, then the book “The New Market Wizards” gives a fascinating insight into the crossover of skills - and how he quickly and successfully became a winner in trading.

The Edge you can get in Trading, is far Bigger than in Blackjack

Blackjack and trading are “games” where you need to deal with odds and probability - and get them on your side.

You then need to apply your method coolly, and non-emotionally, to make big profits - and you already have the discipline to succeed - you just need to learn the basics.

The difference between the games, is - the rewards are much higher in trading.

Trading financial markets represents one of the few ways to make real wealth quickly - and is the ultimate test for anyone.

You Have the Skills - Now Apply them for Huge Profits

You may not make as much money as Blair Hull - but you can, with the skills you have, be very successful.

In blackjack the edge you get is 4% at most - and this will not make you rich - but in financial trading, you have unlimited profit potential.

You already have all the skills necessary, so learn the basics of financial trading - and start playing for far bigger profits