Category Archives: Blackjack Articles

Get an Extra €30 on Blackjack Wednesday at Guts Casino

Get an Extra 30 on Blackjack Wednesday at Guts Casino

Playing Blackjack online at Guts Casino on Wednesday’s just got that much more appetizing! Wine down your Wednesday on the live blackjack tables at Guts and you could be winning an extra €30 in cold hard cash.

You just need to play blackjack between 10:00 (CET) and 22:00 (CET) every Wednesday between 07/03/2018 and 25/04/2018. Get dealt a blackjack winning hand three times in a row and you will be credited with €30.

Deal ‘Em Down with Guts Casino on Wednesdays and whet your midweek appetite with a wicked Wednesday offer!

St Patrick’s Casino Quest Pays Blackjack Players For Hitting Four Leaf Clovers

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March 14, 2018 — St. Johns, Antigua (Press Release) – The St Patrick’s Day Casino Quest at Intertops Poker this weekend will pay Blackjack players a $50 bonus for hitting a Four Leaf Clover combination. To get the $50 blackjack bonus, players need to hit Natural Blackjacks in Diamonds, Spades, Hearts and Clubs on St Patrick’s Day this Saturday, March 17th.

“With a little luck o’ the Irish,” said Intertops Poker’s casino manager, “Blackjack players can pick up some nice bonus cash on Saturday.”

The Four Leaf Clover is five Natural Blackjacks in each suit: Diamonds, Spades, Hearts and Clubs. A Natural Blackjack is an Ace with a 10, Jack, Queen or King in the same suit.

The $50 St Patricks Casino Quest bonus is subject to 15X roll-over. Play-through must be completed within three days.

Players can win their Casino Quest bonus playing any of the three Blackjack games under the Lucktap tab in the poker software: Regular Blackjack, Double Draw Blackjack and Perfect Pairs Blackjack. There is an optional re-draw on hand 15, 16 and 17 in Double Draw Blackjack and in Perfect Pairs Blackjack a natural pair pays 5:1, same-colored pairs pay 10:1 and a perfect pair (both cards the same suit) pays 30X.

Although their selection of slots and table games from Betsoft, Worldmatch and Lucktap is becoming increasingly popular, Intertops Poker and Juicy Stakes also have the busiest online poker rooms on the Horizon Poker Network. Their Vegas Milli Maker tournament on Sunday will send the winner to the WSOP in Las Vegas this summer. There are satellites four times a day until Saturday.

Play Blackjack at Intertops Poker!

Blackjack’s Legendary Players

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Don Johnson, Tom Hyland, Lawrence Revere, Edward Thorp, Stanford Wong, and the MIT blackjack team are some of the famous and infamous names connected to the game of 21. They became known because of their exploits, huge winnings and contributions to the game of blackjack.

The world of blackjack has more notable players worth mentioning.

Arnold Snyder

 

A successful professional player and author of gambling books, Snyder was pushed to study and analyze the game as he wanted to make a living out of playing blackjack. He diligently read published books about blackjack, training himself to play with low stakes. He immersed himself with the game, observing and combining both card counting and card shuffling to gain advantage over the dealer. His very first published book, The Blackjack Formula, paved the way to his becoming a highly prolific author about gambling.

Bryce Carlson

 

Carlson began playing the game of 21 during the 1970s. Through his association with other great blackjack players, he eventually became a professional player himself. In his book Blackjack for Blood, Carlson shared his strategies in winning blackjack. The book is quite comprehensive and served as a guide for those wanting to master blackjack. He developed the programs Omega II Blackjack Machine and Omega II Blackjack Casino to better analyze one’s game.

Russ Hamilton

 

Hamilton is both a seasoned blackjack and poker player. He started out as a poker player but was pulled into blackjack when he moved to Las Vegas. He and other blackjack players had teamed up to join tournaments. When blackjack tournaments were cancelled, he went back to playing poker. However, he later introduced Elimination Blackjack, which is a form of tournament that eventually transitioned into the television show Ultimate Blackjack Tournament. He later became a consultant of Ultimate Bet in matters about the gaming industry.

Ken Uston

 

Ken Uston was the king of blackjack in Las Vegas back in the 70s and 80s. He studied blackjack strategies and card counting to excel in the game. He got banned from casinos because of card counting. He was not only a mathematical strategist but also a master in disguise as he wore different disguises to sneak in casinos to play blackjack.

Thanks to Uston, card counters are no longer banned from casinos. This was the offshoot of Uston’s lawsuit against three casinos that banned him from playing back in the day. He is the author of The Big Player, which highlighted lessons learned from Al Francesco’s card counting. He also wrote Million Dollar Blackjack which is all about card counting, blackjack teams and ways of getting ahead of the game. Born in 1935, Uston passed away in 1987.

How to Pick the Right Blackjack Variant to Increase Your Odds of Winning

How to Pick the Right Blackjack Variant to Increase Your Odds of Winning

When it comes to playing blackjack, many people think that the way of playing can change – from the various online versions available, to land-based ones, to versions that feature a live dealer – but that the odds of winning remain the same. However, that isn’t true. Some blackjack games offer a greater likelihood of winning than others. Depending on the variant of blackjack chosen, your odds of winning may change slightly, and depending on how much money is at stake, these odds could be the difference between a massive pot or not.

Hitting or Standing on Soft 17

 

Rules affecting the dealer can have an impact on your likelihood of winning. Many may have some knowledge of the dealer having to hit or stand on soft 17, but most don’t look into the exact rule, which can differ and lead to a positive or negative result. Standing on a soft 17 means the dealer doesn’t draw any more cards – so if you have a greater hand, you’ll win. But increasingly, the rule is that dealers should still hit on soft 17. While this may mean they go bust more often, probability actually shows that they have a greater chance of winning this way too. Hitting on a soft 17 adds 0.22% to the house edge. Indeed, as stated by Betway Casino when playing blackjack hitting and standing is a strategy that you too can employ, depending on what your hand currently is and whether it is hard (no Ace) or soft (including an Ace). A page on the Boston University Department of Computer Science has broken down every possible move in blackjack based on statistics.

Blackjacks Pay 2 to 1

 

Upping your odds of winning by the biggest amount is the rule that blackjack pays 2 to 1, which adds 2.27% to your edge. This gives back $2 for every $1 bet, which can substantially increase winnings should you win a blackjack. However, most casino operators avoid using this due to how much of a hit they can take should you win – which means if you do ever see it, you should make sure you make the most of it. The opposite of this is 6 to 5, which actually equates to a lot smaller ratio, despite being a greater number. These odds make winnings very slim, so this should be avoided. Some games evoke the role of 777 equalling a 2 for 1, which means if three different 7 cards are drawn to form 21. Others do the same for five cards creating 21 without going bust. Others make the specification that suited blackjacks only count, while some stipulate that six cards are needed to make a 2 for 1 payout.

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Surrender to Win

 

While surrendering doesn’t often evoke images of success as debated heavily online which sites such as Trip Advisor, sometimes the surrender tactic may end up meaning you are more likely to win. Early surrender refers to surrendering and taking half the bet back before the dealer checks for blackjack, while late surrender occurs after the dealer has checked for blackjack. Experts suggest surrendering when you have a hand of 16 – and being most successful on an early surrender after the dealer draws a ten. Surrendering allows you to continue playing, ensuring there is money to continue another hand by cutting losses you expect to make anyway. Playing a variant of blackjack that allows for such a rule could be beneficial and increase your likelihood of winning. Early surrender against an ace can increase your odds by 0.34%, and 0.24% against a ten. Late surrender increases your edge by a minimal amount with a ten by a minimal amount of 0.07%.

There are many variants of blackjack, and each one can slightly increase your edge of winning. While surrendering may prove an advantageous strategy, knowing the rules of each variant for whether a dealer has to hit or stand on soft 17 can also come into play to help you win more. Knowing the payout odds is definitely crucial in order to make the best decisions in terms of strategy. Indeed, all statistical breakdowns of the game will define what type of blackjack they have calculated for, such as Kenneth R Smith’s Blackjack Strategy Chart.

In the end, it comes down to the strategy the individual employs on their game. Some may choose riskier strategies, which will line up with riskier maneuvers, while others may take the safer option. An individual player’s preference of play is crucial in determining how much they can increase their edge by, or lower the house edge, which can increase their likelihood of winning.

Play Suit’em Up Blackjack at Uptown Aces Casino and get a Free Bonus

Play Suit'em Up Blackjack at Uptown Aces Casino and get a Free Bonus

 

Blackjack has reached a whole new level with Uptown Aces release Suit ‘Em Up! Based on traditional Blackjack, this exciting side bet rewards you when your first two cards are of the same suit, and you can enjoy this new option with a 100% match bonus up to $1,000 when you make a minimum deposit of $25 here with coupon code: SUITEMUP (Promo holds 30x slots or keno playthrough or 60x blackjack or video poker and of course no max cashout).

Play Suit'em Up Blackjack at Uptown Aces Casino and get a Free Bonus_1

Keep in mind that percentage of times you’ll be drawing two cards of the same suit on the initial deal is pretty high and thusly, Suit’Em Up is one of the most popular and most rewarding side best you can make!

$1500 ‘Something up your sleeve” Blackjack Freeroll at Red Stag Casino

$1500 'Something up your sleeve" Blackjack Freeroll at Red Stag Casino

You gotta know when to hold ’em, know when to walk away, and know when to claim your share of a $1,500 prize pool when you play in the “Something up your sleeve” blackjack freeroll at Red Stag Casino.

It’s free to and it starts March 1st through the 7th. Re-buys are just $2.99.

The “Something up your sleeve” freeroll is complimented with a 100% up to $100 blackjack bonus when you at Red Stag Casino with code: REDJACK!

How to Start Playing Blackjack?

Every person seeks to learn something new. Little children learn the world around them in one way, and adults learn it in another. Some people like travel, others do science, and others like to gamble. The last option is, perhaps, the most exciting activity. Today, in this article, we would like to tell you about such a wonderful game as blackjack. Millions of people around the world love this game. But I think, that regulars of ordinary and online casinos like it even more. If you are a gambler and want to learn how to play this exciting game, then you should definitely read what will be written below.

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Blackjack is one of the least complex gambling games. There is a fixed set of rules, basic strategies that can be applied in almost any situation. Unfortunately, many newcomers are afraid to play, because they believe that blackjack requires exceptional mathematical abilities. In fact, this is not so. 

Before I start to explain to all newcomers the rules of blackjack, I would like to say that there is no different between the rules of the online version of blackjack and usual casino, except that special programs usually perform the role of the dealer. Blackjack online is very popular among fans of card gambling, who prefer to play without leaving home or at lunchtime at work. If you decide to try this game, then immediately decide whether you want to have just a good time relying on your luck, or you are firmly focused on winning a lot of money. In the second case, it is not enough to know the rules of the game, it is better to visit forums where experienced players in blackjack communicate with each other and learn strategies that can lead you to success. If you still want to play blackjack, be sure to visit the site https://slots-online-canada.com/online-blackjack/, where you can surely win a lot of money. 


The purpose of the game in blackjack

In blackjack gambler plays against the dealer. Therefore, the main goal is to collect a combination of cards that exceeds the dealer’s hand, but without busting. The best hand has 21 points. Any combination whose scores above 21 is automatically eliminated from the game. 

Pay attention, you do not need to dial always 21 points in order to win from the dealer. It is enough for winning to have an arm, the amount of points of which exceeds the total amount of points from the dealer. 


Values of cards in blackjack

All cards with faces (king, queen and jack) bring 10 points. Ace can cost as 1, and 11 points, depending on what value is more profitable at the moment. Thecost of the remaining cards is equal to their numerical value. For example, the 3 peak will bring you 3 points, and 6 clubs 6 points. The suit of cards has nothing to do with their value. 

Basic actions in blackjack

• Hit – it is a request to add one more card to your hand. You can ask for as many cards as you want, until their amount is greater than or equal to 21;
• Stand – you tell the dealer that you refrain from further distributions;
• Double Down – you double your initial bet, but after that get only one card in the next hand;
• Surrender – after the initial distribution, you can choose to continue the game or give up and take half of the original bet. Unfortunately, not all versions of blackjack offer the player the opportunity to surrender. 

Conclusion

We hope that after reading this article, you will figure out how to properly start playing a game so fascinating and loved by millions of gamblers around the world. But do not forget that this article is just a theory. In order to become a great player and win large amounts of money, you need to practice a lot. Good luck with this!

Fascinating random facts about the game of blackjack

Fascinating random facts about the game of blackjack

Blackjack remains one of the most popular table games in casinos around the world. It draws in both beginner and seasoned card players due to its simplicity and low house edge, giving players the best possible chance of beating the dealer. While the allure of more glamorous card games such as Texas Hold’em poker and baccarat is strong, there’s something about blackjack that keeps people coming back for more. It’s more fascinating than you might think. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting facts about the game of blackjack that you’re unlikely to have heard.

Many of the world’s most successful blackjack players in land-based and online casinos have attempted to hide their identities or shun the spotlight. That’s because many casinos still treat blackjack professionals with suspicion, given that card counting remains frowned upon on casino floors. Although card counting is not illegal, casinos reserve the right to refuse to allow you to play. For instance, best-selling blackjack author and pro player Ian Andersen has been forced to lead a reclusive lifestyle. Many of his books on blackjack and betting mentality have been written under a pseudonym, and he has never been pictured in public. Even his fellow blackjack pros don’t even know what Andersen looks like!

It won’t surprise you that the best two hands in blackjack are 21 and 20, but the third best hand may well make you raise your eyebrows. Contrary to what you might think, it’s not 19. It is in fact 11. That’s because if you get 11 in your first two cards you can hit for another card without any risk of going bust, whilst still having a great chance of making a strong hand to beat the dealer. If you make 11 from your first two cards, statistically you have a 46.2% chance of making a hand of 19 or more, with almost a one-in-three chance of making 21.

Some of the land-based casinos in Atlantic City experienced huge losses on their blackjack tables in 2010 due to one man in particular. Don Johnson, a renowned developer of algorithmic horse racing betting systems, scooped $15 million from Caesars, Borgata and Tropicana between December 2010 and April 2011. Due to his significant bankroll, Johnson was able to negotiate a preferential deal with the casinos, including a 20% discount on losses and dealers standing on soft 17.

Blackjack was given its name when casinos in the US began marketing a European card game called ‘Vingt-et-Un’, which is French for ‘21’. Some casinos offered 10-1 bonus payouts to players if their winning hand featured a black jack (spade or club), and, hence, the name ‘blackjack’ stuck.

The most famous story of card counting in blackjack came back in the 1980s when a team of students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), overseen by a man named Bill Kaplan, took many unwitting casinos to the cleaners. Known as the MIT Blackjack Team, they were so prolific that Hollywood decided to make a movie about them called 21, starring Kevin Spacey.

Fancy being part of the Blackjack Hall of Fame? If you’re fortunate enough to gain induction to the Hall of Fame at the Barona Casino in San Diego, you won’t actually be allowed to play a single hand of blackjack on their premises. All Hall of Fame members at the Barona are instead offered free food and drink for life in exchange for never beating the house at the tables!

If you now know all there is to know about blackjack, then what are you waiting for? Hit the tables and find out whether or not fortune smiles on you. The important thing is to have fun and treat it as a form of entertainment rather than as a way of life!
 

Microgaming Blackjack Varieties

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Microgaming has the largest variety of blackjack games offered online. Though some versions are variants of more traditional blackjack games, there are still 40 ways to play against a dealer in a game of 21. No wonder Microgaming blackjack variants are popular.

Here are some of the more popular blackjack variants by Microgaming.

Classic Blackjack – Played with one deck, this variant comes with a 0.28% house edge and a table limit range of $2 to $500.

Atlantic City Blackjack – This variant is played with 8 decks, and has a table limit between $2 and $500. In the multi-hand variant, up to five hands can be played.

Bonus Blackjack – With a 0.31% house edge, this variant has a table limit between $2 and $200. Played with 2 decks, this game has a minimum side bet of $2.

Big 5 Blackjack – The table limit for this variant is from $2 to $200. It has a house edge of 0.31%, and can be played with five decks.

Vegas Downtown Blackjack – This variant offers a 0.28% house edge. Played with 4 decks, the table limit is from $2 to $200.

European Blackjack – The house edge for this variant is 0.35%. Played with two decks, the usual table limits of $5 to$200 can be raised up to $10,000 upon request by players.

• Triple Sevens Blackjack – This variant is almost the same as the European Blackjack version. The main difference is that side bets are allowable for the progressive jackpot.

Vegas Strip Blackjack – This variant is played with 4 decks, has a house edge of 0.28% and table limits between $2 to $200.

Double Exposure – This variant is played with eight decks. The table limits is from $2 to $200, and the house edge is 0.62%.

Pontoon – This blackjack variant has a house edge of 0.37%, and table limits from $5 to $200. It is played with eight decks.

Super Fun 21 – Played with only one deck, this variant has a house edge of 0.92%.

Spanish Blackjack – This variant is played with eight decks, for a house edge of 0.4%. Table limits is from $2 to $200.

High Streak Bonus – This variant is played much the same way as European Blackjack. The main difference is that side bets for certain circumstances are allowed.

Blackjack variants from Microgaming are favored by players. Aside from the variety of games, these variants are playable across all devices whenever, wherever.

Blackjack: The World’s Favorite Casino Table Game

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According to statistics, slots take the lead in casino game popularity with Blackjack coming in second. Baccarat and Poker are popular casino table games too but Blackjack remains to be the most played. The game 21 is popular from Las Vegas to Monte Carlo to Macau!

Why is this seemingly simple card game so popular?

 

• It takes skill to win in Blackjack.

Unlike roulette and baccarat, playing and winning in blackjack takes skill and knowledge of strategies to win. A skilled and knowledgeable player will have the potential to gain an advantage over the house. The basic rule in winning is simple and that is to beat the dealer in getting close to 21 without going over. But it is not as easy as that. One has to use skills such as shuffle tracking, card counting and even reading the upcard of the dealer. Winning a game is knowing when to hit, split, stand or double down. In fact, there are numerous ways of tweaking the game for increasing one’s chances of winning.

• The house edge is quite low.

Casino games such as roulette and slots have high house edges at 17-19% and 4-20% respectively. Having high house edges basically means the longer one plays, the more he is burning his money. In blackjack, the house edge is generally set at 0.5%. So it is possible for a player to play all night at a $15 minimum table with a 0.5% house edge. If the result of a 2-hour blackjack game adheres to the logical conclusion, loses could be set at only $7.50.

• Quick and rapid gameplay.

It is quite noticeable that there are plenty of blackjack tables in casinos, no matter how cramped the floor area is. A game of blackjack is done in a rapid pace, thus it is possible for a croupier to deal hundreds of hands in a very short time. The house maybe taking a cut on each player, with the owner knowing nothing about it.

While that isn’t exactly positive news for the player, it helps explain why casinos are full of blackjack tables. Customers love to play blackjack, and casinos love to offer it. In that way, it’s a mutually beneficial arrangement for both parties.

• It has become a cultural institution in North America and Europe

With more than 500 years of history behind it, blackjack has been ingrained into the senses and subconscious of the general populace. There are songs written about blackjack, movies made about blackjack, references to the game made by famous persons, books written about it, and articles and blogs about blackjack. There are media representation and pop culture images referring to blackjack that even people, who don’t play blackjack, know about blackjack.