By Ben Walker.

Blackjack is a well-liked card game being played in casinos worldwide, including the popular casinos at ukonlinecasinoslist.com where positive experiences are typically afforded due to how safe and secure the sites are.

While the game’s basic rules are relatively simple, many myths and misconceptions surround “how to play blackjack” optimally. In this blog, we will debunk some of the most common myths about blackjack and provide a clearer understanding of the game and how it is played.

Using card counting ensures success

This rumor is untrue. Card counting begins by first learning blackjack basic strategy to increase your chances and to play optimally. But even playing perfect basic strategy, you will still be at a disadvantage to the house. You must employ card counting skills and place your large bets in high counts to have a theoretical advantage over the casino.  However, card counting does not guarantee success.  Many good players have gone for weeks or months losing even if they were counting cards perfectly. 

You could keep counting cards all night long and never obtain a high count or gain a significant advantage over the casino.  Even with a low count, you could still have a profitable session. You might lose even with a very high count in the short run. Placing the majority of your larger bets in a high count is what card counters dream of, however, there are many elements to consider to truly be a successful card counter.

Take even money whenever the dealer has an ace

When blackjack is dealt to a player, while the dealer is holding an ace face up, specific blackjack tables allow players to accept even money. Picking this choice is a terrible idea and it is a fallacy that you should always do this. There is a saying, “You are better off winning 3 to 2 most of the time than winning even money for sure.“

Even money is the same as insurance, which is a side bet in the game of blackjack.  Casinos have over a 7% advantage on this bet in a multi-deck game – which should be enough of a reason to avoid it.

You need solid arithmetic abilities to win in blackjack

This myth is bogus. Although it is advantageous to be strong at math and those who are good at math are likely to win the game far more frequently, it is not required. Learning how to play blackjack is simple and doesn’t require you to be a genius. This misunderstanding originates from experienced players trying to grasp card counting and fundamental strategies to outsmart the house. The typical player’s only goal is to surpass the dealer’s score while staying under 21 points or stand on a hand and let the dealer bust. Even simple card-counting techniques are relatively easy to learn without requiring advanced math.

Blackjack is a game of luck

One of the most prevalent blackjack misconceptions is this one. Blackjack is a game where luck does affect outcomes, but it is not the sole one. In truth, skill and strategy are just as crucial as chance when playing blackjack. Therefore, review your abilities and tactics to succeed in blackjack.

It is a challenging game to play

Many individuals think that playing blackjack is challenging. However, this is another widely held misunderstanding about the traditional casino game! Blackjack is a game that can be picked up quickly and easily understood and played.

However, this is also one of the few games where players can legitimately defeat the house with skill and expertise.  To learn these skills, however, can be challenging.  Even while you can’t always win—at least not in the near term—card counting can still be a very effective tool to utilize in this situation.  But remember, casinos have developed defenses against advantage players and card counters including excluding you from play if you are caught.

Conclusion

By debunking these myths about blackjack, we hope to better understand the game and how it is played and help players make more informed decisions when playing it on a physical or online casino platform.

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By Louis Smith.

Blackjack has been the world’s most popular card game for decades, long before the internet ever brought about digitized versions of it. Since the rise of the online world, though, the game has reached new heights and is now played by people in every corner of the planet. The question that many of these players face is over how they should be playing. Are virtual online blackjack games better? Or is it more enjoyable to play with a live dealer?

Countless Variations to Choose From at Online Casinos

One thing that’s instantly noticeable about blackjack online is that there are so many ways to play it. Online casinos know it’s one of the biggest draws for players, so they usually offer a vast range of titles to suit diverse tastes. These include games like Frankie Dettori’s Magic Seven Blackjack, 777 Blazing Blackjack, and Super Fun 21 Extreme.

All these virtual games put players in touch with digitized versions of the classic card game that use up-to-date graphics and mechanics. They use random number generators to ensure that everything is fair and above board and allow players to get a feel for the game-play in their own time. For people who are new to the game, it can be beneficial to play in these low-pressure scenarios where there is sometimes the opportunity to play for free first. Some seasoned players enjoy these titles too because they offer unique twists on the traditional format of the game. They also provide enough time to consult blackjack strategy charts to make sure decisions are on point.

Among these bustling blackjack lists nowadays you’ll always find a wide variety of live games as well. These options are designed to make players feel as if they are playing in a land-based casino, sitting opposite a professional croupier¹⁾The term “croupier” is a European term that essentially means the same thing as a “dealer”.  However, in some casinos, the term “croupier” is used only in games such as roulette whereas the term “dealer” is used in games such as blackjack and poker.. Players can browse through the various thumbnails and pick a table that they like the look of. The range of stakes is also clearly listed, so it’s possible to play for low or high amounts.

Anyone who isn’t sure about whether to play the virtual or live iterations of online blackjack should try a few hands out in each first to get a feel for the different vibes. You may find that one option is right for you straight away, or not. There are other things to consider when playing these different forms of blackjack, and each type of game may be suited to slightly different personality types. For example, people with a more sociable personality would enjoy live games because they are in touch with real people. Introverts, on the other hand, may prefer to play the virtual games as they offer a solo experience.

Can the Pressure Affect a Player’s Focus?

If you’re trying to decide whether to play virtual or live blackjack games, you may want to ponder how much pressure you can handle. If you’re a laid-back person who likes to go with the flow, the fast-paced nature of live-streamed blackjack offerings may not be for you. When you play live games, you need to be ready when the action starts, and you have to make quick decisions about what to do when you’ve received your starting hand. With virtual games, sometimes there is a timer, but a lot of them will give you a chance to have a good think before acting.

If you’re someone who likes the adrenaline rush of high-octane action, live blackjack games may be for you. This category of games has skyrocketed in popularity at online casinos over the last decade. Part of the reason for this is that when things are happening live, it adds to the feeling of unpredictability. Another factor is that the live streaming platform is so popular thanks to Facebook Live that more people than ever are searching for other ways to experience this technology.

The pressure and adrenaline associated with live-streaming blackjack games could enhance the experience for many. For some people, it can help them improve their focus because the realism makes it feel like more is at stake. Research has also found that the release of epinephrine can improve decision-making. This may lead you to make more optimal decisions, such as doubling down or splitting at the perfect time.

Some blackjack players may feel like live blackjack is the form it’s supposed to be played in, as this dates to more than a century ago. By participating in live games, they can feel closer to the classic format and imagine the way legendary card sharks like Stu Ungar played.

Virtual Online Blackjack Games Have a Greater Number of Additional Features

There are aspects of virtual blackjack games that still aren’t present in live offerings. Thanks to the freedom that developers have when designing mechanics and graphics, there’s a lot of room for them to get innovative. Studios have also realized that online players like variety and the opportunity to choose a game that perfectly fits their personality. One way that virtual games are pioneering is in the themes available. For example, Frankie Dettori’s Magic Seven Blackjack offers a sports theme, while Zappit Blackjack gives off more of a retro vibe.

Something that is more prevalent in virtual offerings is the chance to make side bets. There are titles like Multihand Blackjack and American Blackjack that come with a wide range of additional bets. This means that you can bet on the normal action along with other potential outcomes. Some of the most popular side bets include Perfect Pairs and 21 + 3. Some live games have these available, but you’re more likely to find them in virtual games currently.

There are so many things to consider when deciding whether to play virtual or live blackjack games. Some purists will only play with a real dealer, while players who got into blackjack after it moved online enjoy a combination of both. It’s best to play a few different variations to see what you prefer.

IMAGE CREDIT: Two people playing blackjack
IMAGE CREDIT: Cards and chips

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By William Westerlund.

When playing blackjack at home you only need one deck of 52 cards.  However, land-based casinos and live dealer games usually use more decks. Blackjack slot machines can use one or more decks, however, only one round of blackjack is dealt before the computerized shuffle.

What is the significance of these differences?  Does it affect the game rules and/or house advantage?  Are you better off playing in a single deck game versus a game using many decks?

How Many Blackjack Decks Do Casinos Use

In a casino, you can find tables where only one deck is used. But most often, six to eight decks are used. Similar rules apply to real money blackjack at online casinos.

The number of decks used does not impact how the game is played, however, casinos often alter the rules to give them a bigger advantage.  Increasing the number of decks in a game also makes card counting more difficult.

Why the Casino is Increasing the Number of Decks

There are several reasons why land-based and online casinos increase the number of decks in blackjack. Let’s take a closer look at each reason.

Shuffling

Playing with one deck means you will need to shuffle the cards more often and possibly after each new round, which takes a certain amount of time. Time is highly valued in the casino – the game is idle during the shuffle, meaning no money is received. A casino that does not make a profit is a nightmare for any operator.

The introduction of multiple decks eliminates the need for shuffling after the end of each round. There is an opportunity to play many hands before the dealer shuffles the packs.

Bigger Advantage For the Casino

Introducing more decks into the game increases the advantage of the casino.  For example, given similar rules, a single deck game is about 0.5%¹⁾Check out the blackjack rule variations and odds page for details on how the number of decks and specific rules affect the house edge. better for the player compared with a 6-deck game. However, most single deck games today have worse rules for the player such as only paying 6 to 5 on a blackjack, which significantly increases the house edge.

Card Counting

Card counting is more difficult for many people in multi-deck games. It is important to remember that card counting in a casino is not prohibited, but the operators treat it significantly negatively.

You will notice some peculiarities when playing blackjack with multiple decks. Before moving the cards into the shoe, the dealer will cut them with a blank colored plastic card. As a result, not all of the decks are used during the game round.  The reason for this is to prevent card counters from gaining too great of an advantage near the end of the shoe.  Once the dealer reaches the cut card, the un-played cards are removed and shuffled with the cards that were already played.

How Many Decks are Used in Online Casino Blackjack

Many players believe that the number of decks in online casino blackjack does not matter. The virtual dealer does not need time to shuffle and re-deal. But the number of decks here also typically varies from 6 to 8.

This is because casino slot developers strive to make their games authentic. That is why the number of decks is the same as in land-based casinos. In this case, the entire volume of cards in the machine is shuffled with each new distribution.  But remember, the casino edge is inherently bigger with multiple decks versus single deck even if only one round is played before shuffling.

Features Of Blackjack in a Live Casino

Players may be interested in how many decks are used in an online casino at live dealer blackjack tables. As in land-based casinos, 6 to 8 decks are usually used. This prevents the studio dealers from shuffling after each hand and dragging out the game.

Occasionally, there are tables in which only one deck is used. The main feature of such games is the presence of an automatic shuffler. While the round is being played with one deck, he shuffles the cards from the second deck, and after the end of the draw, the decks change places.

How to Play Blackjack

Let’s discuss a few basic blackjack rules you should learn before starting the game.

Each card in the game has a specific value:

• The number of points corresponds to a particular denomination.
• Face (jack, queen, king) cards each count as 10 points.
• Aces can be considered 1 or 11.

The basic premise of blackjack is to beat the dealer’s hand.  You do this by attempting to get to 21 without going over or by letting the dealer go over 21.  There are many options in blackjack such as standing, hitting, doubling, splitting and possibly even surrendering your hand.  In addition, some games have side-bets and variations to spice up the game.

Blackjack Table Behavior

In-game, there are several essential actions that you can take after receiving two cards in your hand.  Here are the four most common:

• Stand: If you are satisfied with your hand.
• Hit: Ask for another card. You can continue to add until you reach 21 or a relative amount. Remember that if you have 17 points in your hands, it is better to stop.
• Double: If you think you have a hand worth risking more such as an 11 you can double your bet and get one more card.
• Split: Only cards of the same value can be split into two hands. So, you double the bet and double the risk.

Conclusion

Blackjack is an exciting card game in which card-counting techniques are applicable.  The casino has an inherent increased advantage as more decks are used.  Online casinos and land-based gambling halls usually use 6 to 8 decks, however, some casinos will deal single-deck with restrictive rules.

IMAGE CREDIT: 8-Deck Blackjack Shoe
IMAGE CREDIT: Playing Blackjack

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By William Westerlund.

If you have played blackjack online before, you should already know the terminology of the game and what to do after the cards are dealt. But if you’re new to the game, consider putting a plan in place. Playing blackjack can be all about chance, but there are some tips and tactics you can employ to reduce the house edge and potentially beat the house.

Betting Systems

As with other casino games, betting can be a big part of any strategy.  But strategies based solely on betting will more often hurt you then help you. 

In blackjack or in any gambling game, intelligence, patience, and method determine victory as much as luck.  Advanced blackjack strategies such as card counting can often become difficult or impossible. Want to try your luck at an online casino?  Want to start now? Place your bets on blackjack games at Thunderpick.io.

Basic Strategy

Utilizing a strategy chart is the simplest way to play blackjack. A grid of outcomes and related actions, known as the blackjack basic strategy chart, was developed using mathematical calculations and is the optimal way to play. It is a tool to always have on hand and is especially helpful for novices.

The 270 square chart directs you to the optimum course of action based on the cards in your hand and the dealer’s up-card. This can tell you to stand, in which case your existing hand remains the same, or hit, in which case you add another card to your hand.

Splitting, which entails splitting your hand if it contains a pair and considering them as different hands, and doubling, which involves doubling your initial stake and receiving another card, are more complex moves.

While the chart covers a variety of different outcomes that can be dealt with, the key strategies to take away from it are as follows:

• You should never just stand on an Ace-2 through Ace-6.
• You should often double on an Ace-2 through Ace-6 when the dealer has a low card.
• You should often double on an Ace-7 if the dealer shows a 2 through 6.
• You should hit Ace-7 if the dealer shows 9 through Ace.
• You should stand on Ace-8 or higher.
• You should split a pair of sevens when the dealer has a seven or less.
• You should always split a pair of eights or Aces.
• You should never split a pair of 10s or 5s.
• You should double with 11 unless the dealer has an Ace.
• You should double with 10 unless the dealer has a 10 or Ace
• You should stand when you reach a hard-17.¹⁾A “hard” hand is a hand without an Ace or a hand where an Ace is counted as one.

Advanced Tips

Once you’ve established a simple blackjack strategy, you can move on to more advanced actions.  Basic strategy is based on some of these ideas:

• Let the dealer bust: If the dealer has a face-up card with a low value, you should often only continue in your hand if, by taking additional cards, you don’t bust.  Since the dealer must draw to 17, there is a good chance he could bust.  Whenever the dealer has a small card showing, it may be a good time to consider doubling or splitting to increase your chances of winning a bigger payout.
• Always stand on 17: You should always stand when you have a hard-17.  Hitting this hand will most likely bust you and, in any case, the rules require that the dealer stand on a 17.
• Double to make more money: When you double-down on a hand you are taking advantage of a good situation.  Doubling correctly increases your win-potential in this game.
• Splitting to protect your hand:  When you split your hand you are often doing it to protect your hand, such as a pair of 8s versus a 10.  In this case, you are better off splitting your 8s then standing or hitting a 16.

Surrender Strategy

How this works is quite simple – after looking at your two cards and the dealer’s face-up card, you can see that your chances of winning seem pretty slim. But with this strategy, you can fold your hand and fold half of your original bet while “getting back” the rest. Understandably, this isn’t available everywhere you play, but it’s a great safety net, especially for beginners, if you find yourself at a table that offers this.

Check the surrender basic strategy chart for details if you are interested in this advanced play.  Surrender is often the correct play when you have a 15 or 16 versus a dealer Ten or Ace.

There are two ways to play a surrender:

• Late Surrender – where you can only fold your hand after the dealer sees his hidden card and verifies he does not have a blackjack.
• Early Surrender – This option is most commonly offered in European and Asian casinos and rarely seen in the US. Here, the player has a chance to surrender with only the dealer’s face-up card revealed, regardless of whether the face-down card equals a blackjack as it is yet to be announced.

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By Bill Harrison.

In the space of just a few decades, the online casino industry has grown far more quickly and successfully than anyone could ever have predicted. So today it is worth over $57 billion a year and is set to increase at a rate of 11% a year until the end of the decade.

You don’t get to achieve figures like this without a steady flow of new players coming on board – and this is largely achieved by encouraging them through welcome offers and other joining bonuses.

But, as blackjack is undoubtedly the most popular table game, and one that translates perfectly to the online format, it’s surprising that there are no bonus offers that are specifically aimed at blackjack players.

It has been done in the past

Yes, there are offers to match initial stake money up to a certain level or to simply offer a deposit-free bonus. But these are intended to attract players of all table games, not just blackjack.

This is especially ironic as the origin of the game itself came as a result of a specific bonus mechanic dreamt up by Nevada casinos in the 1930s. They had been introduced to the French version of the game, called Vingt et Un at the time, and needed a gimmick to promote their new discovery.

So some visionary had the idea of offering a 10/1 payout to anyone beating the dealer with 21 made up from the ace of spades and either black jack, (i.e. a spade) or a club. Once the game caught on, this potentially expensive offer was quietly dropped, but the name stuck.

There is one precedent already in place that shows that targeted incentives work and that’s the free spins offer that many online casinos offer specifically to attract slots fans. Almost all online casinos, from LeoVegas to Betway, offer this bonus, often alongside matched deposits, and it can amount to as many as 200 free spins – for more information check this guide.

A few suggestions

So what form could blackjack-specific offers take? Well, there are a number of possibilities but the obvious first one would be to learn from the history of the game, or better yet, BlackjackHistory.com. So perhaps for the initial hour of a player’s first online session, an enhanced pay-out for a blackjack could apply. Because the game is digitized this should be reasonably easy to organize, with the cut-off point imposed automatically.

Similarly, there could be a fixed period in a game in which the player receives free insurance if the dealer’s up-card is an ace. Taking out this insurance isn’t generally recommended for players, but if it was on offer and was free it might make for a nice little extra.

Perhaps, like in baccarat, there could also be a few complimentary side bets that would come into action if the dealer or player had a pair in their hand.

Then there are all the possibilities offered by live online casino blackjack titles. With a profusion of different games available, some could be targeted specifically at new players. Not only would this help to make them feel welcome and valued, but any number of special rules and bonuses could also apply. Then, once they had enjoyed their first session on this particular live game, it would be time to move on to the other “standard” games of blackjack.

Now it’s over to the online casinos

As you can see, there’s plenty of scope for inventiveness for any online casino wanting to give itself the edge. And, as any blackjack player knows, that’s what success can be all about.

PHOTO CREDIT: “Blackjack” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by greenoid
PHOTO CREDIT: “Blackjack” (CC BY 2.0) by adrperez

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By Adam Walker.

In blackjack, the dealer shuffles cards before every new game, whether live or not. The purpose of the shuffle is to randomize the cards that have been dealt and mix them up. This randomization helps to ensure that players cannot predict which card will come next.

Given how important this is to the game, it is easy to assume that other online sites such as the best non gamstop bingo sites have similar randomization methods implemented by current technologies. However, there are differences in how these sites randomize events and how blackjack sites shuffle and deal with the cards.

Live Dealer Blackjack Game Shuffle

The time at (and just before) cards are reshuffled in live dealer blackjack is critical for the players because a card counter will have the best information possible to place bets and act on the count.  The rear third or quarter of the shoe is often where the cut card is placed. Players can still hope for some degree of deck penetration in these circumstances. However, while playing live dealer blackjack, card counting becomes nearly impossible when the cut card is positioned in the shoe’s middle or front. 

In live dealer blackjack, shuffling and dealing cards take longer in blackjack games at an online casino. As a result, fewer rounds can be played of the game at a live dealer casino, another drawback for card counters. 

Players should follow the fundamental blackjack basic strategy to reduce the casino’s advantage when playing live dealer blackjack. Although the shuffling rule could make the game a little more challenging for players, these games are not rigged in any way, and blackjack players frequently triumph in them.

Card Counting in Live Dealer Blackjack

It is frequently argued whether card counting is feasible in online blackjack games. Online casinos actively discourage card counting, even though it is possible for a player to do so when playing blackjack online.¹⁾Any blackjack game can be card counted.  Whether it is worth it is another story.  Imagine a single deck game where only one hand is dealt before the shuffle.  You are last to act and there are several other players at the table. After the dealer deals the cards the player (who is counting) has some knowledge of the remaining cards and can often make a better play decision than a basic strategy player could.

As soon as four decks have been dealt (out of an eight deck shoe) with in online live dealer blackjack, the shoe is replaced, resulting in a shoe penetration of around 50%. Additionally, some tables enable auto shuffling so that a new shoe is available before each hand is dealt. Further, the face-down or the top cards are burnt, removing them from the deck. All of this makes card counting impossible or ineffective.

According to online blackjack regulations, the software watches the game and keeps track of the shoe as it is dealt with. The casino is informed when a player’s bet patterns constantly line up, and he is believed to be counting cards. Card counters can’t possibly conceal themselves when playing online.

How Does Online Shuffling and Dealing Work

The most obvious distinction between online blackjack RNG²⁾RNG = Random Number Generator games and traditional blackjack is that the dealer and players are given cards according to the PRNG algorithm. As a result, no decks are used to draw the cards. This makes playing blackjack more challenging, especially for card counters.

Additionally, the cards are shuffled after each hand. A cut card is available in various multi-deck games at online casinos. Even in these games, the cards are shuffled immediately following the distribution of half the cards. Although the other playing rules are fair, players can have a slight advantage or at least have reduced the house advantage with card counting when there is a 50% cut.

Final Thoughts

It’s essential to understand how the online blackjack shuffle works so that you can make the best decisions when playing the game. I hope this article has given you a better understanding of how the shuffle works and how it affects your chances of winning.

PHOTO CREDIT: flickr

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