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000, Blackjack, Gambling

21 Blackjack tips to increase your enjoyment of play and chances of winning

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Dealing BlackjackBy Damien Sabaca

Blackjack is one of the most played games in the casino both offline and online. Here are 21 helpful blackjack tips to get the most fun out of your casino visit.

1. Know what you are getting into

It’s obvious, but it’s important to be familiar with the rules of blackjack – also known as blackjack. In addition, it’s more than helpful to be aware of terms like splitting and doubling (“double down”). So it’s a great place to start by reading a blackjack game guide.

2. Play at an online casino with a tasty bonus

New players often receive a pleasant welcome bonus at online casinos. Therefore, look for a reliable gambling site, which not only offers blackjack, but also has a nice welcome bonus on offer.

3. Know your limit and play accordingly

This is actually a general tip that should be followed in any casino game: never play with money you can’t afford to lose. After all, gambling should remain fun. We therefore recommend that you set yourself a limit before you start playing. Find out how much money you can afford to lose and use it to play cards in the casino for real. Set aside, for example, fifty dollars to play with and stop when you’ve lost or won this amount.

If you find that you have trouble setting a limit for yourself and/or frequently go over it: seek help in time. Many licensed casinos have assistance programs where you can go with a gambling problem. They will refer you to the authorities that can offer the necessary help. More information on responsible gambling can also be found here.

4. Choose the right table

With all this in mind, it is also important to sit at the right table in the casino. There are blackjack tables with different stakes: ranging from ten cents (online only) to thousands of dollars. So if you’ve set yourself a fifty dollar limit and you’re playing at a table where you have to bet at least 25 dollars, then – in the worst case scenario – you’ll only be able to participate in two rounds.

5. Always follow basic blackjack strategy

Blackjack can be played in a variety of ways, with different strategies: ranging from the extremely simple to the rather complex. By using good tactics, you not only minimize the house advantage of the casino, but also significantly increase your own chances of winning. The most efficient strategy in blackjack is called basic  strategy. 

6. Practice makes perfect

We recommend you practice a lot, if only because as a player you have quite some influence on the outcome of the game. At least, more so than with some pure luck games, such as keno and slots. It pays, therefore, to do a lot of training and to put the aforementioned basic strategy into practice. Many online casinos give you the chance to play for free with fake money via free games: so take advantage of this. Practice makes perfect, after all!

7. Never pass at eleven or below

With a point total of 11 or lower in your hand, you can never play yourself to death: going above 21 (also known as ‘busting’). Passing at such a value is extremely awkward and minimizes your chances of winning. So let the dealer give you at least one new card.  With a nice hand of 11, you will most likely want to double down!

8. Never take out insurance

If you want to play the game smartly, it is wise to never take out an insurance policy. Insurance gives you the possibility to arm yourself against a blackjack from the bank. It sounds tempting to do, but it’s anything but: you have the odds completely against you. In short, a real loser bet.

9. Does the dealer have a seven or more: keep asking for cards

If the house on duty’s first card is a 7 or higher, you increase your chances of winning by playing until you have a “hard” total of at least 17 in your hands or a “soft” total of 18 or more. A hard hand is defined as a hand without aces or with an ace counting as 1, while a soft hand is a hand with an ace counting for 11.

10. Apply under no circumstances to a “soft 17”

If you receive two or more cards from the dealer at the beginning or later in the game that add up to a “soft 17,” it is not smart to pass. A soft 17 consists of an ace that counts for 11 and another card or cards. For example: A-6 or A-2-4.

But why shouldn’t I just pass with such a combination, I hear you think. Well, why do you think dealers should always hit on a soft 17? It has to do with the fact that the house advantage is then increased. So if such a thing applies to the bank, it certainly applies to you as well.

So what do you need to do? The following:

  • Double down: if the dealer has a 3, 4, 5 or 6 (2-6 in a single-deck game);
  • Ask for an extra card: if the dealer has a 2, 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace.

11. Skip, at seventeen or more

Apart from the “soft 17”, it is best to pass as soon as you have a hard value of 17 or more in your hand. Statistically, this is when you have the best chance of beating the bank.

12. Take your loss!

When we lose, it is in our nature to go on full attack. Our reflex is often to go even more in, hoping to wash away the defeat more quickly. Wrong! Just take your losses. Playing in a casino is gambling and gambling unfortunately also means that you can fall flat on your face from time to time. Often, putting in extra money will only make the situation worse. A useful blackjack tip, which, by the way, applies to several games. 

13. Don’t get too emotional

As an extension of the previous blackjack tip, keep your emotions under control. Keep your cool, regardless of the outcome of the game and concentrate fully on the strategy to be followed. If not, you will irrevocably make stupid mistakes, which will be detrimental to your chances of winning. In short: switch off your emotions and stay on top of things.

14. Never separate two tens and fives

It is not really strong to split two tens. In fact, two tens brings the total points to twenty. This leaves only one better hand, which is 21. But the chances of getting this hand are minuscule. Beating two tens is therefore very difficult for the bank. So if you have a set of tens: skip a turn.  If you have two fives, treat it as a 10 and either hit it or double down.

15. Always split two aces and two eights

Splitting two aces or two eights, mathematically gives you the best chances to win. So if you have one of these hands, just split them.

16. Get rid of the superstition

Many blackjack players believe in the so-called hot and cold myth. This means that they prefer a table where they have already made a big pot (a hot table) to one where they have previously lost (a cold table). Not to mention other rituals of superstition.

If you are one of them: stop doing that. Although some people firmly believe that fate determines our lives (‘everything happens for a reason’), it is really pure coincidence that guides our existence. Something that also plays an important role in many casino games. Superstition is therefore quatsch: better concentrate on things you can control!  By taking these handy blackjack tips to heart, for example. 

17. Play short sessions

It is never good to play blackjack for too long. It can get boring or affect your focus, causing you to deviate from basic strategy and make unnecessary mistakes. We suggest you play short sessions and take a break: stretch your legs, change your mind or doze off for a while. Then, as soon as you start playing cards again, you’ll be fresh enough to beat the bank.

18. Delve into the literature

Blackjack is a game where besides chance, knowledge plays a crucial role. As a result, there are books full of tips and strategies to outsmart the casino. It is therefore worthwhile, as an enthusiast, to browse through a book on blackjack regularly: to gain new insights, or just to learn from the stupidities of others.

19. Surprise yourself with blackjack variants

Tired of the standard version of blackjack? Then consider one of the many variants of this card game on the market. The only thing that differs is the rules of the game. Once you’ve tried a variant, you’ll relive classic blackjack as a newbie. But a newbie with experience!

20. Opt for a live casino as well

Would you like to experience the atmosphere of a real blackjack table, but don’t feel like getting up from your couch to do it? Or do you just want to play blackjack in a different way than through a computerized program? Then it’s an idea to visit the live casino. Through your internet connection, you’ll be in live contact with a lovely female (or male) croupier, who will deal the cards at a real blackjack table.

21. Have fun!

After all these handy blackjack tips and tricks, you’re all set for a nice game of 21’ing. So, what are you waiting for? Have a great time! 

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000, Blackjack, Gambling

Top 10 Biggest Blackjack Jackpots

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Ace King of HeartsBy Helli Lakola

Blackjack is one of the world’s most popular casino games and with good reason. Whether it’s online or at a brick and mortar casino, blackjack can be a hugely exciting casino game that anyone can play.

On occasion, some crazy plays and jackpots transpire that leave players and on-lookers shocked. The following article will look at ten memorable blackjack plays and jackpots. If you’re interested in possibly winning your own huge blackjack jackpot, have a look at Nettikasino247.com where you can find the top online platforms for just that.

Kerry Packer Risks $5,000,000

Back in 1995, pro gambler and Australian media tycoon, Kerry Packer, placed 20 separate bets of one quarter of a million dollars each. Miraculously each paid off handsomely with one of the biggest recorded wins ever in Las Vegas history. Packer is well known for large stakes and has also lost plenty of times over the course of his long gambling career. However, on this occasion, Lady Luck was certainly smiling on him.  Some reports say he won a huge $40 million in this session.  Kerry Packer died in 2005.

The Breakfast Winner

Michael Geismar had an incredible blackjack jackpot win at the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas. The investment banker was having breakfast at the time when he decided to place a $300 stake on a game of blackjack. Incredibly, Geismar walked away with just shy of half a million when he pocketed $470,000 in a six-hour stretch at the blackjack tables.

MIT Blackjack Team

A group of MIT students and ex-students profited immensely from card counting in the 1980s and 90s. They allegedly won over half a million dollars in a single night using the strategy as a team. There was even a film made in honor of this daring group of students and aptly named 21.  In today’s modern casinos this strategy is much more difficult and it is certainly not possible in an online casino but at the time it was a winning strategy for these MIT graduates.

Shoeless Joe

An unidentified man who walked into a casino without shoes hit the big time when he decided to play blackjack. The man used a $300 social security check and chanced his arm with a series of unusual plays. His luck was in and the man reached $1.5 million before losing most of his winnings by not quitting whilst ahead. A disappointing ending but a crazy story, nonetheless.  This story can’t be completely confirmed but was compiled from several 1995 newspapers.

Math’s Genius

Ken Uston used his highly skilled math ability and card counting skill to calculate probabilities and make excellent judgments when he played blackjack. His careful analysis led to him and his team wins exceeding $4.5 million in Las Vegas and Atlantic City in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Uston published several books on the game of blackjack as well.  Unfortunately, Uston died in 1987.

Hollywood Wins

Famous Hollywood actor, Ben Affleck isn’t impartial to a game of blackjack and has won approximately $800,000 playing the game. The celebrity tipped staff $145,000 but has recently been banned for allegedly counting cards.  As a result, Affleck appears to have turned his attention to sports betting instead.

Don Johnson

Business tycoon, Don Johnson, claimed over $15 million in winnings during a five month period at the start of 2011. The Heritage Development CEO employed smart tactics when playing blackjack, taking advantage of house rules and loss rebates offered by the casino. Once again, his tactics landed him with a ban, preventing him from continuing his onslaught on casino jackpots.

UFC Jackpot

The President of the Ultimate fighting Championship, Dana White, loves a game of blackjack. White has won millions playing blackjack in Las Vegas but has also encountered several bans. Nevertheless, White has not left empty handed, showing off a mock UFC belt after “dominating” in Palm Springs.

Celebratory Meal

CEO of Vice Media, Shane Smith, won a jackpot of $100,000 whilst at a consumer electronics show in Las Vegas. Upon winning, Smith decided to celebrate with an unbelievably expensive $300,000 meal at Prime Steakhouse. Although the win itself isn’t ridiculously big, the celebration certainly was. It’s very unlikely many other blackjack jackpot winners went quite so big on their next meal!

Lucky Taxi Driver

This last jackpot winner made the inspired choice to switch up from his usual game of roulette. Fifty-three year-old taxi driver Goksel Selay made the call one night and won $132,000 as a result of his change of heart.  Later, the driver mentioned a dream he had had in which he did just that as the inspiration behind his decision. He spent the winnings renovating his house and buying a car for his wife. The taxi driver claims he didn’t use any particular tactic, he just went with his gut and luck happened to be on his night on that fateful night where his life would change forever.  Don’t you wish all dreams like this would come true.

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000, Blackjack, Gambling, Other Games, Poker

Full-Time Gambling — Viable Profession or a Fool’s Trap?

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Professional GamblingBy Trent Sissoko

If you’ve ever had a couple of successful gambling rounds, you’ve probably wondered whether the thought of becoming a full-time gambler is plausible. Even if it is, is that a practical career choice? Some of the most prosperous full-time gamblers would say that this career choice is definitely an option.

Take, for example, Dan Bilzerian and Matthew Benham. Aside from being an actor and a businessman, Bilzerian is a full-time gambler, while Benham is also the owner of Midtjylland FC and Brentford FC1)Midtjylland FC and Brentford FC are professional football (soccer) clubs.. So, why shouldn’t this career be an option for you.

However, even before you set your sights on expanding your gambling career, you should consider both the pros and cons of that venture. Keep reading to find out both the negatives and the positives of full-time gambling, as well as how to make it in this line of work.

Disadvantages of a Full-Time Gambling Career

Although there are plenty of benefits of being a professional high-roller, take a look at a few cons first.

  • High chances of failure — Before anything, there is a higher chance of failure than success with professional gambling. Compared to other occupations, full-time gambling is the one that could bring the largest financial crisis. Many failed gamblers have never recovered after a futile endeavor.
  • Vices — Because of the nature of the business, being exposed to vices is inevitable. If you fail to discipline yourself as a career gambler, you might wind up surrounded with bad choices.
  • Social stigma — The social stigma of being a professional gambler is still present. You might find yourself in a bit of a problem if you’re at a business or social event and you need to introduce yourself as a full-time gambler. Although people will find your career choice interesting, they’ll also probably give you side-eye.
  • Internal conflict — If you come from a religious background, you might find yourself in disagreement with your new way of life. Even if your gambling career turns out to be a success, the chances you’ll be struggling with internal issues are high.
  • Dependence — If this turns out to be your profession, you will be dependent on the whims of many gambling institutions. Whether you’re an offline or online gambler, you will need to keep up with the constant changes that could hinder your success.

Advantages of a Full-Time Gambling Career

Now that you’ve gained insight into the negatives of a professional gambling career, let’s look at the positives.

  • More time — With a career such as this one, you’ll have more time on your hands to spend traveling, with family and friends, exploring other options, etc. Professional gamblers don’t have 9-to-5 jobs, so their schedules are much more flexible.
  • Mental strength — Your mental capabilities will improve without a doubt. This line of work forces you to develop and practice your mental resilience that can help you in many other spheres of life.
  • New connections — Due to the nature of the business, you will be able to meet many new people and make new connections. This could pay off if you ever decide to venture out outside of gambling.
  • Celebrity lifestyle — If this is something you’re interested in, you could definitely become a celebrity. Thanks to social media, you will be able to live a celebrity lifestyle if you expose yourself enough. You probably won’t be an A-lister, but you will be more famous than you are now.
  • Travel — If you get good enough, you will be able to travel the world to play in first-class tournaments. That’s a win-win combination as you will be able to travel and earn money doing the thing you love.
  • Financial security — Although financial failure is an option, lifetime financial security is an option as well. If you manage to develop top-of-the-line playing skills, you’ll be able to secure your family’s financial security for many years to come.

Is It Worth It?

Ultimately, it’s all about finding the right balance between risk and reward. One of the most crucial things is to keep your head clear and make good and conscious decisions. Make sure you understand the odds of becoming a professional gambler, practice your discipline, and be clear about the advantages and disadvantages of this full-time position. Additionally, there are other things you should be aware of, so keep on reading.

Not All About Luck

People watching from the sidelines might think that professional gambling is all about luck. On the contrary — full-time gambling is anything but pure luck. Some of the best career gamblers are among the top strategists, which significantly increases their chances of succeeding.

That’s one of the reasons why you’ll see so many professional gamblers with the so-called poker faces. They know they will be able to make their way back to the top even if they have a bad hand. By simply sticking to a strategy, believing in yourself, and managing your bankroll, you will be able to achieve a lot and stay in control.

Embrace High-Skilled Games

Undoubtedly, playing online casino games or bingo is a great way to get you started. However, such games are not enough if you want to make a career out of gambling. With that in mind, sports betting and poker are two of your best bets to make it big. For that reason, the majority of players that want to become professional gamblers focus on poker.

There are plenty of advantages to playing poker once you upgrade your skills. First of all, you’re playing against other players as compared to the casino. That’s a positive thing as your chances of winning depend on your opponents’ skills, and the casino doesn’t have a say.

Secondly, once you get into it, you’ll be able to choose who you’ll play against. You will have a better understanding of the game and you’ll get to know the people you’re playing with. So, if the table you want to join has potentially strong players, you can move on to the next and keep your edge.

Bear this advice in mind as it will definitely help you if you decide to try out this profession and a great place to try get it started is at a €10 bonus casino.

Professional Gambling Is Hard Work

Contrary to popular belief, professional gambling is not a piece of cake. Although making large sums of money is probable, it takes a lot of hard work to get there. Before anything, you will need to be better than your opponents, and many of them have been doing this for much longer than you have.

Next, you will need to learn how to minimize your losses and maximize your gains when playing against those same players. To do that, you will need plenty of practice. Practice will help you build the right level of skill needed to venture into professional gambling.

So, before you decide to quit your day job, spend months practicing and bettering your skills. Once you see that you’re making continued success with your gambling, think about going full-time.

Have a Plan

Just like you would have a plan for any other business venture, you need to have a plan if you decide on a gambling career. This goes for every gambling session, not only the career in general. So, before you start your poker or blackjack tournament, make sure to have a plan. Think about when it’s the right time to give up, when you should stop reinvesting and take your earnings home, and similar. Ask yourself these questions every time you decide to gamble.

Revenge Gambling Equals Loss

Even though you might be disappointed or angry, revenge gambling is not the solution. There are countless stories of revenge gambling leading to tremendous losses and disastrous results. If you decide on revenge gambling, that means you’ll be leaving all of your strategy and hard work behind. Similarly, becoming a millionaire overnight does not happen if you lead your gambling career with revenge in mind.

Stick to Your Comfort Zone

Even before you start your gambling career, you will notice that you excel at certain areas more than others. If that’s the case, the best option is to stick with what you know. If you are good at poker, avoid the roulette table. If sports betting on cricket is your thing, do not waste your hard-earned money on basketball wagering.

If you have two or three areas that best showcase your gambling knowledge, don’t get greedy and spread out to numerous other areas. The point is that your success will be much more evident if you stay within your comfort zone.

On the other hand, if you decide to try other gambling activities, you should do so without investing real money. Start with free online games and practice your strategy. If you see that you’re doing well and that there might be a future for you in a particular area, widen your horizons. You can always update your portfolio with new skills; you just need to be patient and take things slowly.

Stay Grounded

One of the most crucial things in professional gambling is the ability to stay grounded. Winning thousands of dollars will easily get you over excited and ready for a new adventure, but you should lead with your head and not your heart. Having a lot of money at once might lead to making some bad decisions, like putting a down payment for a new house.

This also applies to your state of mind during the game. Try to keep your head cool and stay grounded at all times so as not to make any rash decisions that might lead to your downfall. Try not to put any pressure on yourself during the game as it can affect your success.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have a list of pros and cons of professional gambling, as well as some advice on how to make it in the business, you should decide whether it’s worth it. Although it is not a stable career, it can lead to opportunities and financial gain. If you’re serious about making gambling your career, try to be sensible, practice every day, and come up with strategies that will give you an edge. Good luck!

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Footnotes

Footnotes
↑1Midtjylland FC and Brentford FC are professional football (soccer) clubs.
000, Poker

Where to Play Poker Online Without a Deposit

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Bet MGMBy David Mandler

Poker is easier than ever to play, thanks to online poker sites. You can choose from a wide range of legal and safe sites depending on where you live and the laws in your country. If you live in an area that restricts online gambling, you can also play at an offshore Poker site and enjoy a wide range of games and tournaments for real money play.

In order to get started with online poker, you’ll normally need to set up an account and deposit real money into your account. While most online poker sites do require an initial deposit, there are some sites out there that allow you to play without risking any of your own money. These sites may offer a no deposit bonus for first-time players, letting you sign up and start playing poker straight away.

What is a No Deposit Bonus?

No deposit bonuses are offered as an incentive for new players to sign up and start playing. They’re different from standard bonuses in that you don’t need to make a deposit to claim it. Instead, all you have to do is sign up, and the bonus will be added to your account instantly. In some cases, you may need to enter no deposit bonus codes or opt into a bonus to unlock it.

While this bonus is free to unlock, it typically comes with more restrictions than a typical Poker site bonus. This is because the site wants to prevent people from simply signing up and claiming their bonus before withdrawing it. The whole point of the bonus is to encourage players to visit the site and play.

As a result, you’ll normally find that there are wagering requirements involved. With these requirements, you’ll need to complete a set number of wagers with your bonus before you can make a withdrawal. For example, if a site rewards you with a $10 no deposit bonus that has 10x wagering requirements, you’ll need to wager a total of $100 before you can make a withdrawal. There may also be restrictions on the type of games that count towards the wagering, so always read the terms and conditions carefully before you sign up.

Best No Deposit Poker Sites

If you’re looking to get started with online poker, we recommend checking out a no deposit bonus first as this will let you play without risking your own cash. Here are some of the top online poker sites that offer play without first needing to make a deposit.

  • 888 Poker – Offers a $20 no deposit bonus to all players when they first join. On top of this, there’s an additional matched deposit bonus worth up to $1500 when you make your first deposit.
  • BetMGM Poker – Offers a free $25 bonus to all new players with no need to make a deposit to claim. The player’s first deposit will also be matched 100% up to a maximum of $1000.
  • WSOP – Claim $10 free when you first join, and an additional 100% matched deposit bonus worth up to $1000.

How Else Can You Play Free Poker Online?

While no deposit bonuses are great, they can be difficult to find, and some players are put off by the higher wagering requirements. Luckily, there are other ways you can play online poker without risking your own money. Freeroll tournaments are probably the most popular option. These are just like regular tournaments. Only they don’t cost anything to enter.

Most big online Poker sites will offer freeroll tournaments, and players can join them whenever they’re available. In a lot of cases, you can join these tournaments fairly regularly, and they’re an excellent opportunity for beginners to get started.

With a freeroll tournament, you get a set number of chips and have to advance through the tables as normal until you get to the final table. Just like with regular tournaments, there are cash prizes on offer, although the prize money is much less than at a regular tournament.

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000, Blackjack

Understanding the Different Forms of Blackjack

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Blackjack TableBy Gareth McGray

Humans have been enjoying casino games for a while now. The advent of online casinos have made casino games more accessible hence increasing their popularity. Blackjack remains one of the most popular casino games. The game is different from slots and video poker games because you play with a casino representative called a dealer. You can play the game on land-based casinos as well as online casinos. For instance, if you have the BetMGM bonus, you can use it to enjoy a game of Blackjack on the online casino.

Your objective in this game is to beat the dealer by producing a hand that is more than the dealer but less than or equal to 21.  If your hand is more than 21, you automatically lose!  The term “Blackjack” in the game also simply means a Ten valued card and an Ace on your first two cards.

The game sounds straightforward, right? There is only one challenge: there are several Blackjack variants, each having its unique rules.1)All blackjack games are not created equal and it is always advisable to find a game with the best rules for the player. In particular, avoid games that only pay 6 to 5 on a blackjack which increases the house advantage by about 1.36%. The traditional payoff for a blackjack is 3 to 2. In this piece, you will read about some of the most common Blackjack variants. Read on to find out more.

Classic Blackjack

Classic Blackjack (or Classic 21) is the original Blackjack variant. It is also the most played version of the game. It is suitable for beginners who don’t want to try the other variants yet. The game’s rules2)For complete rules to the game check out the Rules of the Game in The Encyclopedia of Blackjack on this site. are simple, as mentioned earlier. It also comes with an alluring house edge of under 1%.

If you are new to casino games, the house edge is the money a casino makes from a game (in the long run), assuming the player plays an optimum basic strategy.  Of course, not all players play optimally so the house usually has a higher edge over most players.  You can implement specific strategies to lower the house advantage when playing classic Blackjack or any variant of the game.  Blackjack can be played with one to eight decks of cards.  The two-deck game is popularly referred to as Double Deck Blackjack.

Single Deck Blackjack

Single Deck Blackjack is regarded as one of the most popular variants of Blackjack. The game comes with a house edge of 0.15% assuming the dealer stands of Soft-17 and blackjacks pay 3 to 2.  Today, you will see many Single Deck Blackjack games offered but, unfortunately, with bad rules.  Typically, Blackjacks will be paid at 6 to 5 and dealers hit Soft-17.  This would give the house an advantage of over 1.5%.  It gets its name because it depends on a single deck of cards that is reshuffled after every hand or after a set number of rounds.  If you apply the appropriate strategies, you will enjoy Single Deck Blackjack.

European Blackjack

European Blackjack is a variant of Classic 21. It also comes with other unique rules such as no splitting 4s, 5s or 10s, the dealer stands on Soft-17 and you are not allowed to surrender to lose half your bet. Dealers do not check for Blackjack when they’re showing an Ace or 10 valued card.  Most importantly, players will lose their total bet if the dealer has Blackjack.

Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is similar to Classic Blackjack, but it is slightly different – it comes without 10-value cards. This means that your chances of landing a hand of 21 are reduced in this game. As a result, the game has a bigger house edge than Classic Blackjack.  On the positive, the game has very liberal rules for the player such as a player blackjack always beats a dealer’s blackjack.   Versions of this game are also available under the names Spanish Blackjack and Pontoon.

Blackjack Switch

Many gamblers consider Blackjack Switch as one of the most exciting variants of the game. First, players must play two hands with equal bets.  Moreover, the game allows you to switch the top card (second card dealt) to create stronger hands and enhance your winning odds. All these goodies come with a catch. In this game, a dealer’s hand of 22 is a tie except when you form a perfect Blackjack – ace and a 10.  Unfortunately, a winning player Blackjack only pays even money.

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Footnotes

Footnotes
↑1All blackjack games are not created equal and it is always advisable to find a game with the best rules for the player. In particular, avoid games that only pay 6 to 5 on a blackjack which increases the house advantage by about 1.36%. The traditional payoff for a blackjack is 3 to 2.
↑2For complete rules to the game check out the Rules of the Game in The Encyclopedia of Blackjack on this site.
000, Blackjack, Casinos

The Growth of Online Blackjack in Finland

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Casino Helsinki PitBy Markus Niemenen

Blackjack has long been one of the most popular and enduring casino games out there. The card game is well-known even with non-gamblers and has continued to attract players through its simplicity.

It’s perhaps no surprise that Blackjack has translated to online gaming incredibly well. The popular card game has steadily grown to become one of the most widely played online casino games.

The following article will dive into what exactly blackjack is, what makes it so popular and where you can play it.

What is Blackjack?

Sometimes referred to as twenty-one, blackjack has a simple set of rules that makes it an easy casino game for anyone to pick up and play. The game can be as straightforward or complex as you want it to be with little to no strategy or complex strategy.

Everyone knows how casino games are always weighted towards the house but blackjack isn’t quite as unbalanced as some other games. This makes it a very attractive prospect for anyone who wants more balanced odds.

Blackjack has been popular for over a century and often has different variations depending on where you are playing the game. American casinos will often have a permanent bank with a dealer shuffling and dealing cards. The player bets against the house. In the home version, the dealer often changes.

The aim of the game is simple. Aim to get a score as close to 21 as you can without going over the cards dealt to you.

How Has Blackjack Grown?

Blackjack has few competitors when it comes to the most popular casino game. It is right up there with poker and roulette and will be found in any good casinos around the world. This also applies to online casinos that have many versions of blackjack as a staple.

Learning blackjack is a breeze and there are tonnes of resources to help players pick up the rules and learn strategies for the game. Online gambling and online casino websites have only helped increase the popularity of the game by bringing it to a wider and more diverse audience.

Online blackjack is convenient and easy for everyone. You can play wherever you are as long as you have a stable internet connection. There are thousands of platforms offering many different versions of the game so you really are spoiled for choice. In addition, the game can be played with just a couple of minutes to spare due to its short length and can be a great way to kill time whilst also potentially making a quick buck.

As mentioned above, online casino websites are the place to go if you want variety. There are loads of different types of blackjack that you can get your teeth into. If you’re looking for something a bit different instead of the most basic forms of the game, there is something out there for you.

For those who love the experience of brick and mortar casinos like in Las Vegas, Macau, or Helisinki, live dealers are a great way to bring that to your home. Live dealers bring the excitement and buzz of a physical casino to give you that authentic engaging experience.

Online casinos also have the advantage of providing anonymity for their users. This means you can escape the pressure of making a big decision by playing along at home instead of in front of a crowd or a dealer. This will put many blackjack players at ease, especially if they are new to the game and still getting to grips with how everything works.

All of these above reasons combine to make an online casino game with plenty to offer and lots of room to grow. Online casinos in general are growing with more and more people turning to online gambling instead of just brick and mortar casinos. With that, the games provided by these websites will naturally become more popular and the household name of blackjack is one of the first new players to gravitate towards.

Where Can I Play Blackjack?

As mentioned above there are loads of players you can play blackjack with virtually every online casino offering several versions of blackjack. One such platform is Kasinonetti, one of the top gambling portals in Finland.

This online gambling platform has a great selection of blackjack games and has a user-friendly and clean layout that makes the website easy to navigate, especially for new players. If you haven’t tried Kasinonetti before, they are well worth checking out.

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000, Blackjack, Casinos, Other Games, Poker

The Top Casino Card Games That You Can Play Online

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Ace of Hearts - King of HeartsBy Leslie Alexander

Every industry has its origin story. And if we would look for the game that started what we know today as modern-day casinos it would be any card game. Card games have always been interesting to players since they include factors like quick thinking, the powers of perception, as well as socializing.

Card games have evolved over time. As technology slowly integrated itself with the gambling industry, players worldwide got the opportunity to play their favorite card games wherever and whenever. In the past decade, online casinos proved that even though technology changed the way we play casino games, it certainly couldn’t change which games we choose to play. For this reason, card games still remain players’ favorite and in this article, we’ll take a look at the best ones that you can find online.

Poker

When talking about casino card games, the first thing that pops into anyone’s mind is poker. There are different variations to this classic casino card game like Texas Hold’em, Draw Poker, Omaha, Stud and others. One of the main reasons why poker is so popular among players is because it requires skills like patience, observance and quick thinking. It’s said that playing poker can improve your skills in other areas of life. The main goal of the game is to have the best hand possible or, at least, make other players think that you do. Nowadays, you can play video poker or play poker against other people in virtual poker rooms. What is more, there are several online poker tournaments that you can play at if you think that your skills are unmatched.

Blackjack

Blackjack has been appealing to players worldwide simply because it’s very easy to play. All brand new online casinos in the UK that have an optimal gambling environment and amazing welcome bonuses include blackjack as part of their offer. Therefore, it’s the players’ task to find the best online casino that has the ultimate blackjack version and benefit from playing with the most trustworthy and reliable operators. Playing on top-notch gambling platforms will improve your gaming experience, and that can be of crucial importance for all blackjack fans who want to win.

The object of the game of blackjack is to beat the dealer with a better hand (21 or less) or allow the dealer to bust.  Winning at blackjack involves playing all hands optimally with a basic strategy.  In blackjack, it’s important you don’t go over 21 or you lose immediately.

The payouts can be particularly high when playing blackjack, especially if you opt to play progressive blackjack. With the right strategy, you can improve your chances of winning and this is why many players visit online casinos, so they can practice before playing for more serious sums of money. As with poker, there are several variations of this game and they include Spanish 21, Vegas Style, Pontoon, Single Deck and others.

Card GamesBaccarat

Online casinos and online card games have been gaining in popularity recently, simply because they are extremely accessible and easy to play. People don’t have to waste any more of their precious time to reach land-based gambling venues to play a game of cards or to organize private gatherings. Everything they need is right there, in the palm of their hands. This is how another card game that can seem a bit more complicated to play managed to survive the passing of time and remain popular with the new generation of gamblers. Baccarat is actually very easy to play since all the player needs is a total of nine or the closest to nine. In the game of baccarat, after the dealer deals the “coup”, the players have two options – they can either bet on themselves or on the dealer.1)In baccarat the “coup” is simply the round of play where there are three possible outcomes: “player” has the higher score, “banker” has the higher score or “tie”.  There are a few variations of this game to explore.

Conclusion

Card games have and always will be popular among casino fans worldwide. No matter which game you like to play, the entire experience will be thrilling, fun, and gripping. The possibility to win the prize is sometimes a less important aspect for card fans since they always come back to the table (or virtual table) for the unique feeling that each of these games has to offer.

Bio: Leslie Alexander is the Content Lead at the Gamblizard team as well as a dedicated writer of all topics related to the online casino industry. Leslie enjoys writing informative articles that provide guidance to all online players and fans of online casino titles. In her free time, Leslie loves playing different card games like poker and blackjack.

Image credits: Pixabay | Pixabay

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Footnotes

Footnotes
↑1In baccarat the “coup” is simply the round of play where there are three possible outcomes: “player” has the higher score, “banker” has the higher score or “tie”.  There are a few variations of this game to explore.
000, Blackjack

How to Win At Blackjack: The 6 Best Ways

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Blackjack Basic StrategyBy Regina Muratov

Every gambler, whether a beginner or veteran, desires to break a big bankroll. However, beginners usually have a challenge as they don’t have enough experience to win as consistently as they would like. It is critical to note that each casino game, whether online or on land, has its own rules and unique ways to win.  In the game of poker, for example, the first step would be to identify the best poker sites, which you can do on theedgepoker.com, which also provides online poker guides. In this guide, you will learn how to play blackjack and win. Read the tips, record, and practice!

Play All Hands Correctly

Online blackjack is similar to playing blackjack in a land-based casino. Your target is to get an optimal combination of cards that will beat the dealer’s hand without leading to busting. However, it would help if you played all hands correctly to succeed. 

You should also bear in mind that the number of hands in blackjack is strictly limited. Therefore, you ought to work out each hand as though it was the last. Also, don’t disregard the weak cards because you can easily win a round with them.  For instance, if you receive cards 7 and 5, you have a hard 12. But, that generally does not differ from other combinations like 8 and 4 or 9 and 3. You should also note that there are very many winning options in a game of blackjack.  How you play a hand such as a 12 is what comes next.

Use a Strategy Card

Throughout the game session, use of a simple blackjack basic strategy card (such as in the image above) will enable you to optimize the best hands with your initial cards. These cards are readily available and casino legal. You can refer to the strategy card to make sure you make the right decision on every hand dealt to you. This will help you avoid costly mistakes.  As you improve your skills you will want a more accurate basic strategy to optimize your play.  Continue reading.

Play Games with Liberal Rules Only

Search for blackjack tables that have the most open-minded playing rules. It is advisable to go for tables that pay 3-2 on a blackjack. On the other hand, avoid games with a 6 to 5 payoff. 

Other good blackjack rules are dealers stand on soft 17, players are allowed to double down on any two cards, doubling after splitting is allowed and surrender is available.  Moreover, the fewer decks the better.   Of course, none of these rules are useful unless you know how to optimally take advantage of them.

Learn the Exact Basic Playing Strategy

Blackjack is not a guessing game. Outstanding mathematicians have been researching the game of blackjack for over 60 years. Their research has established that there is an optimal way to play every hand dealt to you. 

The optimal blackjack strategy, also known as the basic playing strategy, allows you to minimize the house edge to less than 1%. This will happen when you use the strategy on every hand you play and avoid guessing.  An excellent set of these advanced ultimate basic strategy cards is available by Don Schlesinger.  These cards are designed for each rule and game type.

Avoid Making the Insurance Wager

Avoid making the insurance wager no matter the amount of money you wagered on your hand. Insurance is a sucker bet where you bet that the dealer will have a ten-value down-card to go with her Ace up-card. A winning insurance wager will pay 2-1 while the probability of winning is worse than 2-1. 

Essentially, the insurance wager is only a side-bet in this game.  The house advantage for this bet in an eight-deck game is over 7%.  Compare that to most blackjack games where the house advantage is generally under 1% for players who use basic strategy.

Ignore Your Fellow Players

The playing decisions of other players on the table you are playing with have no impact in the long run on your winning chances. Blackjack is not a team sport.1)Well, I guess blackjack could be a team sport but that is a topic for another time.  Of course there is another way to improve your odds at blackjack.  It is called card counting and involves keeping track of the cards as they are dealt and using simple math to calculate your bet and to make strategy adjustments. The best card counters can hope for in this game is a long run advantage of about 1%. Keep using the basic playing strategy regardless of how the other players play their hand, the amount you bet, and whether you won or lost the previous sessions.

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Footnotes

Footnotes
↑1Well, I guess blackjack could be a team sport but that is a topic for another time.  Of course there is another way to improve your odds at blackjack.  It is called card counting and involves keeping track of the cards as they are dealt and using simple math to calculate your bet and to make strategy adjustments. The best card counters can hope for in this game is a long run advantage of about 1%.
000, Blackjack, Gambling

Five Fantastic Films Featuring Blackjack

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Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman in the movie Rainman (1988)By Regina Muratov.

Blackjack is arguably one of the most popular and well-known casino games globally. It is no wonder the game has been featured in numerous top films over the years. In the meantime, if you are a punter in Pennsylvania, you can take advantage of the PA Lottery Bonus Code for a chance to grab bonuses. In this piece, you will read about five of the best movies featuring blackjack. 1)For those who are unfamiliar with the term “punter”, the Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “a person who gambles or risks money guessing the result of something“.

The Hangover

The Hangover is undoubtedly one of the most hilarious films of the 2010s. In the film, four friends head to Las Vegas for a stag night. After a night of hitting the town, three of the friends wake up the next morning without memory of what ensued the previous night. To make matters worse, the groom is missing.

The three retrace their steps to try and find out what happened and find their friend in time for his wedding. In the process, the three are tricked into believing that their friend is being held hostage, and the ransom money is $80,000 USD.

Alan, played by Zack Galifianakis, decides that he will raise the ransom money by playing blackjack using the card counting techniques he discovered in a book titled The World’s Greatest Blackjack Book. Unbelievably, he wins.  

Casino

This is a Martin Scorsese classic gangster film of 1995. There are many games being played in the movie. However, one of the best scenes in the movie involved blackjack. Robert De Niro featuring as Sam Rothstein, takes over operations at the unreal Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas for the mafia. He is accompanied by his buddy Nicky Santoro a role played by Joe Pesci.

Santoro catches gamblers cheating at blackjack and grabs the player. He gives the cheating player two choices: forfeit the game or keep his winnings and face the consequences of cheating.

Rain Man

Rain Man is a 1988 multiple Oscar winner. Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman star in this movie centered in the game of blackjack. Cruise features as Charlie Babbitt. After his father dies, he discovers that he has an older brother that is an autistic savant. His brother, Raymond Babbitt, played by Hoffman, inherits $3 million USD from his father.

The two brothers meet and Charlie convinces Raymond to go to Las Vegas on a card-counting tour. Raymond’s autism allows him to count cards to a very accurate degree. It even looks like the duo cannot lose. If you care to know, things did not go as planned!2)Most of the movies listed above do not depict blackjack card counting correctly or realistically.  Even the movie 21 is embellished to a great degree. If you want to learn how to count cards correctly to gain an advantage over the casino be sure to check out the Blackjack FAQ page first on this web site.

21

This is a 2008 movie based on the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team. It is about a professor coming up with a team of six students who become experts in counting cards. The gang heads to Las Vegas now that they are armed with a way of increasing their winning chances at the Strip’s casinos. If you are looking for a film that is all about blackjack, then this is your film.  In real life, The MIT teams operated successfully around the world between 1979 and the late 1990s.

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

The Austin Powers comedy movies don’t center around gambling, but there is an epic scene in the first movie. In a game that features Number Two and the old-fashioned Austin Powers, Number Two disregards advice to stick on 17 and insists on hitting.

Unbeknown to Powers and the other players, Number Two’s x-ray vision enables him to see the next card to be dealt will be 4, and would enable him to reach 21.


Mike Myers is Austin Powers – International Man of Mystery
 

Footnotes

Footnotes
↑1For those who are unfamiliar with the term “punter”, the Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “a person who gambles or risks money guessing the result of something“.
↑2Most of the movies listed above do not depict blackjack card counting correctly or realistically.  Even the movie 21 is embellished to a great degree. If you want to learn how to count cards correctly to gain an advantage over the casino be sure to check out the Blackjack FAQ page first on this web site.
000, Gambling

The Best Video Games That Offer Casino Gambling

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Gambling in Video Games - Grand Theft Auto

By Aina Kebler

Gambling and video games have been synonymous with one another for a long time now, none made more popular than in Grand Theft Auto. A fully functioning casino proved such a huge hit with players that their new online game has added a casino break-in. They weren’t the first and they certainly won’t be the last.

If you’re on the hunt for new Canadian online casinos, we can help with that too, right here. But if you’re looking for a wee break from your online escapades, without going offline, here are some awesome video games that will still allow you that casino experience.

SimCasino

If you’ve always wanted to build and run your own casino, now you’ve got it. Just like the original Sim City way back in the early 90’s, you get to construct the whole building of the casino of your dreams to entice your people, make some money and live the good life. Furnish it in your chosen style, decide how many blackjack tables you want (a lot), right down to the tiles in the toilets.

Then you can really be the Don and start playing around with the odds. But be careful, too much in your favor and you’ll find the punters investing their coin elsewhere. SimCasino lets you be as meticulous or easy going as you like, which makes it great for everyone.

Oh, and like any good casino owner, you’ll need a good security system in place; not everyone is out to play by the rules. Cheats and thieves are all for easy money, so how are you going to deter them in the future? A great game that combines the construction aspects of the original with the human experience of the latter. Check it out here.

Red Dead Redemption 2

We must not be the only ones who has imagined a little old school, saloon brawling whilst playing cards. And if you are like us then Red Dead Redemption has some great card playing distractions for those that are inclined.

Not only can you play a sneaky round of Hold’em, but in the spirit of the game you can decide how you want to play, with honor or like a scoundrel. But if you’re going to cheat, just remember there are always repercussions.

From the makers of GTA, this game offers the same flexibility of the free roam with a wild west backdrop, and the gameplay is first class. Just remember there’s a lot more to the game than cards.

Playing Blackjack in Red Dead RedemptionPlaying Blackjack in Red Dead Redemption 2

Super Mario 64

One of the greatest franchises of all time, taking a break from all that driving for a spot of blackjack sounds like a great idea. Mini-games built into common stories have been around since Final Fantasy VII and Mario has jumped on the bandwagon with Luigi’s Casino.

Take your pick from a five-card stud knock off, picture poker, or a little Luigi-jack to get your funds up. Mushroom Roulette and even some slots can be found. It’s all for fun really but it’s a great distraction from the overall game and just may hone those card shark skills without you even knowing it.

Fall Out New Vegas

This epic RPG1)RPG stands for Role Playing Game. takes place in post-apocalyptic Las Vegas, so you’ve just got to add some gambling in there, right? As a courier running missions for various people, you need money to survive and casinos are the place to get it. From blackjack to slots and roulette, you gamble your money to be able to invest in everything from weapons and armor to mere health.

Try sitting down on the slots in the casino lobby. The waiters will even bring you food and drinks that will help replenish your health. There are loads of different casinos you can enter, just keep an eye on your “luck” meter or you’ll find yourself wishing the house didn’t always win.

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Footnotes
↑1RPG stands for Role Playing Game.