Before Edward Thorp and his card counting techniques, blackjack with a single deck was the norm in casinos. In order to deter card counters, casinos adapted automatic card shufflers, multi-deck shoes, and numerous shuffles. However, there are still some casinos that do offer single-deck blackjack games, and in connection, is it better?

Better chances of getting an Ace

In a single deck of card, the probability of picking an ace after shuffling the card is 4/52. This is so because there are 52 cards and 4 of those cards are aces. If a player draws an ace, there will be 16 ten-value cards left in the 51 cards remaining, which makes for a 16/51 probability of drawing a 10-value card. Multiplying the two ratios will result to a 2.41%, which is the player’s probability of getting an ace then a 10-value card.

It is also possible to get a 10-value card first then an ace. This makes the probability of getting a blackjack in a single-deck game 2 x 2/41% or 4.82%. These figures translate to the probability of getting a blackjack out of a fraction over 20 hands.

The ratio of drawing an ace in 6-deck card is 24/312, where 24 is the number of aces in four decks, and 312 as the number of 6 decks of cards. Now the ratio of getting a 10-value card is 96 over 311, where 96 is the number of 10-value cards, and 311 is the number of card, multiply by 6, then subtracted by 1 (ace). The product of the two ratios is 2.37%; multiply by 2 is 4.74%, which is less than the 4.82 probability of getting a blackjack in a single-deck card.

Better Chances of Hitting a Blackjack

The probability of getting a blackjack in 2, 4, 6 and 8 decks are as follows. In a 2 deck card blackjack game, it is 1 in every 20.93 hands. In 4 decks, it is 1 in every 21.07 hands and in 8 decks is it 1 in every 21.07 hands.

Though the difference between a single deck hand probability of 1 in every 20.72 hands is not much ahead in an 8-deck card, still, there is a difference of 0.35.

Another important point is that there is a greater effect on the percentages of the cards left when removing a card from a single deck card game than in a multiple deck blackjack.

The goal of playing blackjack is to win, but it is better for the player if the dealer doesn’t land any. In a single-deck card game, the dealer’s chances of duplicating blackjacks are definitely less. Also, in a single-deck card game, the probability of the dealer duplicating a blackjack is 1 in every 27.25, and 1 in every 23.74 hands for 2-decks, 1 in 22.43 hands in 4-decks, 1 in every 21.92 hands in 6-decks, and 1 in every 21.71 hands in 8-decks.

Less Push, More Hits

Based on observations of the game, it is 20% more likely to reach a push when playing 6 and 8 deck cards.

In a single deck card, a player has a higher probability of a good hit when doubling down on 11 or 10, than when in the same situation playing multiple deck blackjack. Why? This is because in a single deck cards blackjack, getting a 10 or 11 means less undesirable small cards, thereby increasing the chances of a good hit. In a multiple deck card, the removal of two cards will not really matter.

Conclusion

We can summarize the perks of using single deck cards as:

• A player will be dealt more winning blackjack hands.
• The dealer’s chances of getting a blackjack or a push are lessened.
• The probability of getting a hit when doubling down 10 or 11 increases.

Anyone for single deck blackjack game?

World-class athletes achieved their goals through sheer hard work and dedication. They succeeded and attained victory after victory in their chosen sports because of their talent, drive, passion and determination to win. But when it comes to a deck of playing cards, no amount of passion, determination and talent could ensure one’s winnings. Here are some successful world-class athletes who lost millions playing blackjack and other table games at casinos.

Michael Jordan

Jordan was part of the legendary dream team, the US men’s ’92 Olympics basketball team. Dubbed Air Jordan, he literally and figuratively floated on air dunking those shots. It was said that during the entire Olympics, Jordan thrived on at the most 3 hours of sleep each night. So where was he when he was supposed to be resting or sleeping? Jordan was out playing blackjack and poker from late night to early morning for big bucks. As one of the wealthiest basketball players of all time across the world, Jordan spent and lost millions playing blackjack in Las Vegas.

Antoine Walker

Walker earned a whopping $110 million during his stint in NBA. He lost all his money as he was a real “giver” in the sense that he supported friends and family, as well as lost a lot on bad investments. Nevertheless, Mr. Walker can’t seem to say no to a game of blackjack. It is known that he lost millions playing blackjack at casinos across the world. Of late, he still owes 4 casinos a substantial amount of money. In 2010, he filed for bankruptcy.

Charles Barkley

Barkley earned the nickname the Bread Truck, and the Round Mound of Rebound because of his girth. As a top NBA player, he earned tens of millions. It was said that at the time he owed a Las Vegas casino millions of dollars, and losing millions at the blackjack table, Barkley never broke sweat as he was loaded anyway. When did his gambling days start? It was back in 1992 during his dream team days.

John Daly

Daly won the PGA Championship in 1991. He loved to play blackjack, slots and other casino table games. In his book, Daly claimed he lost from $50 to $60 million playing blackjack. He bets $5,000 per spin at the slots, losing over $1.5 million in a span of 5 hours.

Other athletes who lost a lot playing 21 are Pete Rose, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Alex Rodriguez.

Blackjack Switch is another Blackjack variation that is easy enough to learn and master. As with the traditional Blackjack game, this variation is also played with the standard 52-card deck. This variant has no jokers or any other bonus cards used, thus making it more fun to play.

Basic Play

Every player is obligated to bet on each of the two hands in Blackjack Switch. The dealer then deals two face-up cards to each player, and then deals two cards to himself with one of the dealer’s card face-up too.

At this time all players are allowed to switch their 2nd card on their first hand with the 2nd card on their second hand. How does this work? Let’s say a player has a hard 16 (10-6) and a hard 17 (7-10). If he switches the 10 for the 6, then his hands will be 20 and 13.

Basic Rules

Since casino Blackjack rules vary, a dealer may either stand on hard 17 or hit on soft 17. A dealer Blackjack wins over both player hands but not if the player’s hand is also a Blackjack. In such case, the hand is a push.

All remaining hands become a push when the dealer gets 22. Every Blackjack is paid in even money.

Splitting each hand is allowed only once. Aces received per hand must be split.
Doubling down on any two cards is allowed. Doubling down after a split is also permitted.

What is a Super Match?

A super match is a bonus or side bet that pays more money when the first two cards of a player is a pair. Payoff for 3 of a kind is 5 to 1. Payoff for two pairs is 8 to 1, and payoff for a lucky 4 of a kind is 40 to 1.

Strategy in Playing Blackjack Switch

When playing Blackjack Switch, a player must be able to balance his hands at one point, and at times make for one solid hand. Obviously, the best hand is a 21, but what hands are next to best?

After 21, 20 and 19 are second and third best. A pair of Aces is way better than 9, 10 and 11. And all of the aforementioned hands are better than 18 and anything lower. Note than if a dealer shows an 8 or 7, he is more likely holding a 10 underneath for hard 18 or 17.

It is better to have one strong hand a weaker hand that can be improved with a third card. Let’s say a player has 6 and 9, 8 and 5. Switching 9 and 5 will result to 11 and 17. This makes for one weak hand and one stronger hand, with the possibility of improving the weaker hand with a third card.

September 26, 2017 — St. Johns, Antigua (Press Release) – All summer, Intertops Poker has been making Friday Happy Hour just a little happier by offering bonuses and free bets to players enjoying their casino games. This Friday, the popular poker room is doing it again. Friday, September 29, from 7 to 10 pm Eastern, players will get free Blackjack hands when they hit designated hands.

Intertops Poker is popular with poker players all over the world and are also becoming well known for their selection of online slots and table games from World Match, Lucktap and Betsoft.

This Friday Happy Hour, five natural Blackjacks earn one free Blackjack hand. Each Blackjack where both cards are the same suit wins three free hands. A Small Suite 21 earns five free hands.

A Natural Blackjack is an Ace with 10, Jack, Queen or King of any suit. Hands where both cards are the same suit — Clubs, Spades, Hearts or Diamonds – win more free hands. A Small Suite Blackjack is a 6, 7 and 8 (in any order).

Players can win up to $250 on free hands. Free hand winnings are subject to 15X roll-over.

Under the Casino tab in each poker room there are several versions of Blackjack to choose from including Face Up 21, Double Draw and Perfect Pairs.

There are over 2,000 registered quality online casinos available to gamblers worldwide, and choosing the best site to play blackjack for real money could be a problem. The site could be offering great blackjack games but withdrawals of winnings could be a nuisance.

There are quality casino operators, and then there are those who are not. Perusing through casino reviews, Free Blackjack Money is proud that some of the more credible online casinos to play blackjack for real money are actually partner sites.

Betfair

Betfair Casino has been servicing millions of satisfied online gamblers since 2006. Licensed by the Malta Gambling Authority, it is assured that the site is safe, run by honest and rule-abiding operators. Upon signing-up, new players are given a 100% matching bonus of up to $100, sans any bonus code.

BetFair is one of the best sites to play blackjack for real money. It not only offers live blackjack, but other game variants such as 3-D blackjack, Multi-Hand, and Charlie 7.

William Hill Casino

William Hill started out as a postal/telephone betting station back in the 1930s. Through the years, the company has evolved into a credible betting shop, and the largest one across the globe. It was in 1998 that William Hill online casino was established. As a respectable name in the online gambling industry, it boasts of a huge number of happy customers/players.

New players are given a 100% matching bonus of up to £150 for a first deposit bonus. Available for live blackjack play are variants such as high-or-low-stakes blackjack and Genie blackjack.

Paddy Power Casino

The Irish company was founded in 1988, operating as a bookmaker. In 2000, Paddy Power online casino received the distinction of being listed in the London and Irish stock exchange. New registrants are afforded a €/£5 no deposit bonus. A 100% matching bonus of up to £500 is also offered.

Offered are over 15 variants of blackjack, making Paddy Power one of the top online casinos to play blackjack for real money.

888 Casino

888 Casino has been in the online gambling business for over 20 years. It is undoubtedly one of the most respected casino operators today. An $88 no deposit sign-up bonus awaits new members from Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Denmark. Another 100% matching bonus on the first deposit is given. Depending on the code, cash bonus of up to $140 is afforded too. We are offering new players an exclusive £1,500 Welcome Bonus with code: Welcome1

Offered are classic blackjack as well as other variants, and live blackjack.

The popularity of Blackjack Tournaments has reached a new height in recent years. Both land-based and online casinos have been offering them to attract more players to play. Currently online casinos are offering Blackjack Tournaments on a regular basis as more players opt to play.

Blackjack Tournament Basics

Basically, one is competing against other players rather than the dealer when playing in a Blackjack Tournament. All players pay an entry fee to join a Blackjack tournament. The entry fees are collated and go into the prize pool, with the casino taking a certain percentage. All players start off with the same number of hands and bankroll when competing. The bankroll or starting stack has no real monetary value but they are used the same way as normal blackjack chips are used. It does not matter how many chips the winner has at the end of a round as the object of the game is to end with the most number of chips.

Blackjack Tournaments may involve either a single round, or multiple rounds, with every round played over a fixed length of time or a fixed number of hands. Players lose or win chips against the dealer, with the order of play changing at every hand. If the tournament is a single round play, the chips are counted and the players are ranked based on their number of chips. In a multiple rounds tournament, players are eliminated at each round based on their number of chips held at the end of a round. The top player then progress to the next round and so on. At the last round, the winner is the player with the most chips.

Types of Blackjack Tournaments

There are several types of Blackjack Tournaments and they are as follows: single table, multiple tables, elimination, non-elimination, scheduled, sit and go, rebuy, freeroll, guaranteed, and satellite.

Single Table & Multiple Table Blackjack Tournaments – Single table tournaments are played on one table, whereas multiple table tournaments are played on several tables. Elimination rules apply in multiple tables’ tournament, with the numbers of tables decreasing as tournament players are eliminated. The end result of a multiple tables blackjack tournament is the final round played on a single table.

Elimination & Non-Elimination Blackjack Tournaments – In single elimination format, tournament players are eliminated in each round, with either the player with the least chip being eliminated, or all players eliminated except for the top two players. In non-elimination tournament format, only a single round is involved with the player with the most chips at the end of the game as the winner, and the rest of the players ranked based on the number of chips they have.

Scheduled & Sit and Go Blackjack Tournaments – These tournaments are based on the play time and registration schedule. In scheduled tournaments, advanced registration is required, and tournaments start at a set time. In sit & go tournaments, game starts as soon as there are enough registered players.

Rebuy Blackjack Tournaments – Players are permitted to buy more chips if they start to lose. This way they are free to take more risks without the threats of elimination. However, the fees for a rebuy are quite high, almost on par to the original entry fee. The money from rebuy goes to the prize pool.

Freerolls Blackjack Tournaments – These tournaments are free to enter, but cash is the pot though fairly low. These tournaments are held to attract new players, or as reward for regular players.

Satellite Blackjack Tournaments – Winners get no cash prize. Instead, they qualify and are guaranteed entry into a higher value tournament.

Guaranteed Blackjack Tournaments – The prize pool for this type of tournament is minimal and not based on the number of registered players. Guaranteed tournaments attract players as the guaranteed pot prize is the total entry fees.

The hugely popular casino card game blackjack dates back hundreds of years. The earliest form of the game that we know and love today was called twenty-one, and was first written about by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes in 1601. When the game was introduced in the USA, to entice more players some gambling houses offered better odds on certain hands, such as pairing the ace of spades with either of the black jacks. Lucky punters who were dealt this “black jack” hand would receive a ten-to-one return on their stake. Those generous odds were quickly scrapped but the name caught on.

Nowadays, though, blackjack refers to any starting hand equalling 21. There are now, however, various different strains of the game to appease modern audiences, some of which are highly exciting. There is also huge potential for the game to move into the realms of virtual reality.

Exotic Variants of Blackjack

Some players like to spice up their blackjack games by incorporating different tried and tested strategies to try to get the edge over the house. Others hunt down more irregular variations of the game which have cropped up in recent years as the online casino industry continues to boom. The sector is projected to rise from a volume of $37.91 billion in 2015 to around $59.79 in 2020, so players will probably see even more exotic forms of blackjack come about in the near future as well, in the spirit of providers being eager to offer more variety and stand out from the competition.

Most of the newer, original forms of blackjack follow the rules of the classic game. This helps newcomers quickly understand how to play, rather than them having to learn the rules of a new game. There are numerous twists on the game at online casinos, for instance NetEnt’s multi-hand blackjack. In this variant, players can take charge of a few different hands at the same time, thus increasing the amount they stand to win from their original stake. This, of course, is a welcome twist for many experienced players. There is also Hi-Lo 13 Blackjack from Microgaming, which gives players the chance to have a side bet on whether their starting hand will be higher or lower than 13. This adds another element to the game, and can lead to new strategic approaches when playing blackjack. The diversification of the classic game from Betway Casino is another example of how blackjack is being spiced up to boost its appeal to wider audiences. When players have a hand of six cards or more that equal a value of twenty, they automatically win – even if the dealer has blackjack. Players can also split a hand up to four times, and double down whenever they want. In addition to all these more exotic variants, there is Perfect Pairs European Blackjack, versions of which have been developed by various software giants including Playtech. In this offshoot of the classic game, players can have a side bet on whether they will be dealt a pair or not. If they get a mixed pair of, say the 3 of hearts and the 3 of spades, they get a 7/1 return on their stake. A coloured pair where the cards are both red or both black pays out 15/1.

What Could Come About in the Future?

With casino software giant Microgaming already having come up with early-stage versions of VR Roulette – while NetEnt has already launched a VR version of it’s Gonzo’s Quest slot – it seems fair to assume that a VR blackjack game could be around the corner soon. The company who was responsible for powering the first ever online casino in 1994 won the Digital Gaming Innovation award at the Global Gaming Awards in 2015 for their revolutionary idea. VR sales are rising gradually, but have strong projections for the future. The industry was worth $6.1 billion in 2016, but that is expected to grow to $215 billion by 2021. This suggests that developers will desperately be trying to create software for this up and coming platform. With blackjack being one of the most popular casino games of all time, it would be great to see it have a VR reboot. The VR Roulette game gives players an immersive experience in which they can stand and play at a roulette table operated by a robot croupier in the middle of space. And players who have tested the game have all said that it is exceptional. This format would also work really well for blackjack, because the game uses a similar amount of table space and also requires a dealer to deal the cards. There is even a chance that in the future, there could be full-scale virtual casinos in which players can walk around and play different games – although we’ll be clearly seeing smaller-scale VR casino games before that happens, judging by current developments.

Other Games That Have Evolved to Boost Their Appeal

Slot games are another prime example of a casino classic which has adapted to the evolving technology market. In the past, they were coin operated machines that required players to pull a handle on the side to spin the reels. But now developers like Microgaming, Playtech, and NetEnt are looking to create fresh and original products that incorporate highly advanced graphics on state of the art devices, and are often based on current trends in popular culture. For instance, Microgaming has created a Game of Thrones slot in an effort to attract the masses of people that watch the HBO show and give them another way to enjoy it. The season 7 premiere was watched by an astonishing 16.1 million people, so it makes sense to try to offer something to this bulging market. Playtech previously had a deal with Marvel, while NetEnt have begun to produce content such as Jack’s World for VR devices.

Although some games like blackjack, roulette, poker, and even games from other genres like chess have not had to change too much over time to keep people playing, it is wise to keep offering fresh alternatives to keep people interested. The way forward for blackjack now looks to be moving into VR, and perhaps adding some special effects or interesting surroundings to spruce things up a bit.

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A student from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has recently started another Blackjack variant that is now offered in casinos along the Strip.
Named Easy Jack, this variant was created by Matt Steam. The new variant naturally follows the basic Blackjack game, but a more simplified one.

Matt Steam’s variant Blackjack aims to get an 11 and not the usual 21. Players are dealt an initial card and not the usual two. And that basically sums up the Easy Jack Blackjack variant. The rest of the rules are based on the standard 21.

Hannah Casino, owned and operated by Caesar’s Entertainment is now offering the latest variant. On its trial run, the variant is scheduled to run until the end of 2017. Jerry Beans, Caesar’s vice president, said that it will be a breeze for someone to master the game. He said “With a game like this you can really sit down and jump into and be an expert at it pretty fast.” As of the latest survey, Bean claims that casino guests are immensely enjoying Easy Jack Blackjack.

At the facilities of UNLV’s Center for Gaming Innovation, Steam further developed the rules of the game. The center actually has a mock casino that serves as the laboratory classroom of game innovators. The main objective of the center is to help talented young minds to create, develop, and test new patents, new products, and new games. According to the executive director of the Center – Mark Yoseloff, the more interesting and fulfilling a game is, the more it will help the state of Nevada increase job opportunities and revenue.

The Gaming Control Board is now reviewing the Blackjack variant Easy Jack. Upon approval, Matt Steam will now be at liberty to lease out his patented Blackjack variant to any casino.

August 23, 2017 — St. Johns, Antigua (Press Release) – Carrying on their new tradition of adding a little more happiness to Friday Happy Hour, Intertops Poker and Juicy Stakes are boosting all Blackjack wins by 5% this Friday between 7:00 and 10:00 pm Eastern.

“Summer time and the livin’ is easy,” said Intertops’ poker manager. “By Friday afternoon lots of us are sliding into the weekend and what better way to start an epic summer weekend than with 5% added to all your blackjack wins!”

To get their 5% Blackjack boost all players need to do is play Blackjack Friday, August 25th during Happy Hour. Both online casinos, well known for their busy poker rooms, also offer a selection of slots and table games. Under the Casino tab in each poker room there are several versions of Blackjack to choose from including Double Draw and Perfect Pairs. (Games in Intertops’ main casino do not qualify for this promotion.)

Winnings, to a maximum of $250, will immediately be credited to players’ bonus balances and released for withdrawal once the 15X play-through is completed.

There’s 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.

Details are available under the Casino Promotions tab at Intertops Poker and Juicy Stakes.

Intertops Poker and Juicy Stakes are popular with poker players all over the world and are well known for the selection of online slots and table games from World Match, Lucktap and Betsoft that they also provide.