Blackjack appears to be a simple game and, indeed, its structure is quite easy to follow. All the cards have their face value. An eight equals and eight, a two equals a two, and so forth. All picture cards equal 10 as does, naturally, a 10. An ace equals either an 11 or a one. It is up to the player to decide how he is using the ace. Hands with an ace as one of the first two cards are called soft hands . Hands without an ace as one of the first two cards are called hard hands.

The objective of a blackjack game is to beat the dealer, or in video-blackjack terms, the dealer-in-the-machine. This can be done in one of two ways. You can beat the dealer because you have a better hand or you can beat the dealer because he has gone over 21 and busted. If either the player or the dealer has an ace and a 10 value card as his first two cards, this is called a blackjack or a natural and is usually paid off at three to tow (or 1.5 to one) for the player in the table version. However, many of the video-poker games you’ll find will pay two for one. This is not as good as it sounds because two for one merely means an even money bet. You are getting back your one unit bet and your one unit win; thus two for one. In a three for two payoff, you are actually receiving 2.5 units in return for a one unit bet. Paying this way gives the casino a hefty edge over the player, as you shall see in the page “Rule changes and their effect on the player’s edge”.

If the player and the dealer both have blackjack, the hand is a standoff or a push and nobody wins. In fact, any time the dealer and the player have the same value hand it is a push. Never play in a blackjack game where the dealer wins the pushes, unless it is a face up or double exposure game, the strategy for which is quite different than for regular blackjack. In video poker you will find some machines where the house takes the pushes. Avoid these like the plague.

Blackjack tables generally seat six to seven players but video blackjack is usually a head to head affair, player versus dealer in the machine. However new versions of video blackjack Will have the capacity to deal to many as four players per round. This is an ideal game for card counters-especially as you are given more than one round before the dealer in the machine shuffles up.

When you put your coins in, the dealer-in-the-machine will deal you two cards face up. The dealer-in-the-machine deals himself two cards; one face up and one face down. All your playing decisions will be based on the face up card of the dealer-in-the-machine.

Once the player is dealt his first two cards, he must decide whether to ask the dealer-in-the-machine to hit him, that is, give him another card; or, he must indicate that he is content with his first two cards and will stand.

The player can also decide to do any of the following :

1. Split : if the player has a pair of the same number, the player can split them and make each card the first card of a new hand. The dealer will then deal him a second card on his first hand and the player will play out that hand. When he is finished, the dealer will deal him a second card on the second hand and the player will play out that one.
2. Double down :The player can double down on his first two cards (when allowed). This means that the player is placing a bet equal to or less than his initial bet and will now receive only one card.
3. Surrender : In some video blackjack games, the player can surrender his hand. That means that he can give up playing his hand in exchange for losing only half his bet.
4. Insure : The player can insure his hand against a dealer’s face-up ace. He would put in a bet that can be as much as half his original bet. The insurance bet pays two to one. This bet is a side bet where the player who is insuring is wagering that the dealer-in-the-machine indeed has a blackjack-thus the dealer-in-the-machine has a 10 in the hole with the ace on top. This is a very poor bet and should never be made, unless the player is counting cards and has a reasonable assurance that the 10 is underneath.

If the player should bust his hand (go over 21), the dealer-in-the-machine will immediately indicate that this round is over. In a game with more than one player, if the dealer-in-the-machine should subsequently bust, the player who has busted first still loses. This is the casino’s biggest edge-the player must play his hand first and if he busts, regardless of what the dealer-in-the-machine does, the player loses.

Once the player(s) has played his hand(s), the dealer-in-the-machine plays his. However, the dealer-in-the-machine does not have any individual discretion in the playing of the hands but must play according to a prearranged set of rules. These rules are usually posted on the machine or can be found by pushing the INFORMATION button on the console. There is very little variation from machine to machine. The dealer-in-the-machine must hit all hands that total 16 or less, and stand on all hands that total 17 or more. The only area where machines differ in the application of these rules concerns the soft hand of 17 (ace + six). Some machines have their dealer-in-the-machine stand on a soft 17. some machines have their dealer-in-the-machine hit a soft 17. It is to the player’s advantage if the dealer-in-the-machine stands on a soft 17.

When the dealer-in-the-machine has finished playing his hand, he pays off and/or takes the bets from the losers who didn’t bust before hand.

Simple? Quite. Yet there are many rule variations within the structure of blackjack that can make the game more or less favourable for the players.

BLACKJACK RULES AND THEIR EFFECT ON THE PLAYERS EDGE

There are good video blackjack games and bad video blackjack games and you should be able to distinguish between them. Basic strategy players and card counters alike will benefit by liberal rules and are hurt by tight games with few options for the players. Even if the option is only marginally helpful to a player, it is better to play at a machine with this option, all other things being equal. The world of video blackjack is an ever changing landscape and new rules come and go. However, for good or ill, most of the following rules can be found often enough in machines that it is worth knowing their impact on your expectations. Some of these variations are not yet found in video blackjack, but more than likely will be in the near future-so forewarned is forearmed.

All of the following percentages are based on a comparison of their impact on a single-deck game with Las Vegas strip rules. This will be our model. The rules for the Las Vegas single-deck game are as follows : a player can double on any first two cards; player can split and pairs and double after splits. Blackjack pays three to two and insurance is allowed. This game is effectively even. In video-poker terms it is a 100% payback game. A double-deck game with the same rules favours the house by 0.35%. In video blackjack parlance that machine is a 99.65% payback game. Percentages are based on playing perfect basic strategy.

Doubling on any first two cards

A good rule for the basic strategy player when used properly. For basic strategy players, follow the doubling strategies for the single/and or multiple decks as detailed later. For the card counter, this is an even better rule, since the card counter will find many more opportunities upon which to double. If the dealer-in-the-machine should have a Blackjack, you only lose your initial bet on any double down (No percentage value since this is part of the above 100 per cent machine model).

Doubling on 9, 10, 11 only

This is not a good rule for single deck basic strategy players since there are times when you will want to double on eight. This rule is primarily aimed, however against card counters to diminish their opportunities for doubling in advantages situations. Value -0.13%.

Doubling on 10 and 11 only

Awful rule and any game that stipulates this shouls be avoided if better games are available. Value -0.28%.

Doubling on 11 only

Yuck. Value -0.79%

Splitting aces

Good rule. Especially when the machine allows you to resplit aces. When you split aces you can only receive one card on each ace, thus you cannot double down after splitting aces. If the dealer-in-the-machine has a blackjack, you only lose your initial bet (No value as this is part of the 100% model.)

Resplitting of aces

Good for the players. After you split your initial pair of aces, if you should receive another ace on one of your split aces, you can resplit that pair. Value +0.03%.

No splitting of aces

Bad for the player. Value -0.16%

Splitting pairs

Doubling after splitting pairs

Good rule for the player (No value as it is part of the 100% model).

Doubling on three all more cards

Favourable rule for the player. Value +0.24%

Insurance

If the dealer-in-the-machine has an ace as his up card you can insure your hand for up to half its value. Bad rule for basic strategy players. Never insure anything, even your own blackjack. However, insurance is a wonderful rule for card counters who will know when exactly to take it. Quite often the difference between a winning or losing session for a card counter is proper use of the insurance option. Even in video-blackjack games of one round before a shuffle, there will be times a card counter benefits from taking insurance. Value -5.88%.

Early surrender

The players the option of surrendering his hand when he sees his first two cards. In exchange, he gets back half of his bet even if the dealer in the machine has a blackjack. Very good option for basic strategy player. Great option for card counters. Value : +0.62%.

Late surrender

Same as above except and this is a BIG except �if the dealer has a blackjack, you lose your entire bet. Good option for player. Value +0.03%

Six-card winner

Favourable to the player. It is any slightly more favourable to card counters. You win if you get 21 or less with six cards. Value +0.10%.

Five-card Charlie

If you receive 21 with five cards, you will win a bonus from the casino-usually two to One. This favours the player. Valued +0.2%.

Seven-Seven-Seven 21

Dealer in the machine will pay three to two if you can get three sevens. Value +0.01%.

Six-seven-eight suited

Favourable to the players if you don’t change your basic strategy in an attempt to suit up, except in the case of a six-seven suited against the dealer in the machine. Value +0.01%.

Over-under thirteen

You make a side bet that the next hand dealt you will be either over thirteen or under thirteen on the first two cards. Aces count as one for this and the dealer takes all hands of thirteen. Very unfavourable rule for basic strategy players. Marginally helpful rule for certain card counters. Value -6.56%for the over and -10.06 percent for the under.

Dealer hits A, six [soft seventeen]

Bad for all players. Helps the dealer in the machine improve otherwise bad hand for the house. Value -0.19%.

Red or Black

This is a bet with a player guesses what he colour of the dealer-in-the-machine’s face up card will be. At first this would seem like an even game off the top but the house stipulates that if two of the colour you choose shows up, your bet is a push. This gives the house an advantage over the basic strategy player. Value -3.85%.

Penetration

How many cards a dealer in the machine deals is called penetration. But if a game deals all the cards out, that’s 100 percent penetration. For the basic strategy player, and the depth of penetration it is of little significance. However, for the card counter the depth of penetration is another key variable in determining whether to play a given game. Video blackjack games with Las Vegas strip rules and 60 percent or more penetration are highly beatable games for the card counter.

Dealer wins push’s

All ties go to the dealer . The most devastating rule against the players. Value nine points in a sense was years it’s like a weak U.S. and its many cars comes G. repeat with a degree of high . Byhere’s my own as rated we have to admire lived the next year and a background of them steered obvious been well, some senators Rivers using

Blackjack pays one to one [two for one]

Bad rule for the players . Value -2.43%.

Blackjack pays two to one (3 for 1)

Great rule for the players but you be hard pressed to find it on any of today’s machines. Value +2.32%.

BASIC STRATEGY FOR VIDEO BLACKJACK

Gnawing of the game of video blackjack is played and is not the same as knowing how to play the game. For every set of rules, though distinct basic strategies designed to optimise ones chances of winning six terms used since the overwhelming majority of decisions that you will have to make up the same in all stressed use. To as he has two major categories single neck and multiple deck. and if you intend to playing you must decide which strategy to memorize. Those of you decide to play single and multiple deck games should seriously consider first mastery wand and then mastering the other.

The best way to decide which one to memorize [all which to memorize first]is to check other machines that you intend to play. Most video blackjack machines deal from a single deck and thus it is probably preferable to memorize of the single deck the strategies. However, some of the newer models used doubled their it’s a [its some bee venom for decks] what it has a player to use a single deck strategy against the multiples that game or vice versa? Domain marginally, since the strategies it usually differ most on hands that didn’t occur with great regularity. but if you want to be the best play you can be you should know both strategy. In the war against the casinos, it’s best to be fully armed. And remember: you can feel free to bring this book into the casino with you. If the video blackjack games you’ve decided to play don’t have the time limit on decision-making then you don’t have to memorize any strategies. just refer to this book and take your time.

At first it might seem a daunting task memorizing the several pages of material that the coming up but don’t let that stop you. In fact, if you spread to learning out of the several weeks during early to look at a time you will readily assimilate the basic strat the high fence about bob but but but Edward ategy you selected .

A friendly caution is hereby given: I’d check without learning a basic strategy because players to trust their instincts and ideas are giving the casino, a monumental edge. You’re better off skipping the game of video blackjack altogether and playing one of the other the new games than playing improperly and video blackjack . The casinos make a fortune from Paul blackjack players of the table variety and video blackjack variety. Do not join the regiment.

Since there are more single data video blackjack games of the multiple deck ones , I’ve decided to give the single deck basic strategy firs. A contain the players hand column the right hand column will contain the decision you should make based on the dealer in the machines up card. How many cuts compares a given and is essentially a relevant except for spitting more doubling down purposes. For example if you have a 90 compares to two cards a fault three and a six you would double down against any dealer and the machines up card of three through six. If you had a nine compares to three cuts say a full two and three U. it hits until you had twelve or more and then follow the basic strategy for that hand. Thus if the dealer in the machine issuing a sixth and you have a three cut nine you would hit it. If you received the three, you would now have twelve. The basic strategy calls for standing with the twelve against the delayed in the machines up card of six. Benny hand which is eleven all candor, no matter how many cuts compares it hit until you reach twelve or more and then follow the basic strategy for that time. you know they hit hard hands of 70 or more against anything.

If you have played blackjack the full but you haven’t employed the basic strategy some of these moves will seem strange . For example many players blanche at hitting a hand of twelve against the dealers to all three. Now that date date big as the delay is ten and they all proper Strategie. Remember that millions of hands have been generated by computer to status these basic strategy rules. And many of these rules are designed loose you less in bad situations. Having date, bait begins the dealers ten is a losing hand. By splitting them, amount of your sins in this situation than a few people stood trustees perfectly and don’t allow any falls on the table to intimidate you into not hitting that twelve begins the dealers to all spitting there’s eight, eightagainst a dealer’s ten. Also, bear in mind that all soft hands become hard hands when the ace can no longer be used as an eleven.

BETTING AT VIDEO BLACKJACK

The key to winning money in traditional black play is to be more when the count favours you, bet less when it doesn’t. You can do this on machines that deal more than one round. Bet the minimum number of coins on the first round and in all negative counts and the maximum number of coins in any positive count.

On single-round machines, you should bet whatever you are comfortable with use your card counting skills and basics strategy variations to get a small edge.

MONEY MANAGEMENT AT VIDEO BLACKJACK

By now it has become the ultimate clich� but like most clich�s its worth repeating-gambling is streaky. Therefore to avoid being wiped out during a cold streak these astute gambler must have enough of bankroll to weather the storms of negativity that ultimately come his way. In a video blackjack a total bankroll of 200 times your maximum bet should be enough to sustain you through even the worst negative fluctuations. Of course, if you’re playing a negative-expectancy machine that even with card counting and proper strategy yields less than you put in-for example one where the machine keeps all the pushes and pays two for one a blackjack-no money management can help you overcome the odds. The negative storms will ultimately swallow you.

However there is no reason to play such machines since there are many decent video blackjack games around. Even on some of the otherwise negative machines, card counting can give the skilful player a slight edge-or at least and an even game. Just as in video poker, the rules and paybacks determine which machines are worthwhile bets. However unlike video poker when more advanced analysis is necessary to determine the percentage page on a machine, the video blackjack machines reveal the secret even to a non-mathematician. Just use the information it this website concerning rule variations to determine just what games are worth playing. At the proper points when the rule or option favors the player, subtract the proper points when it favors the casino. In this way you can determine the house edge on all but the most obscure video blackjack machines. With proper play and casino comps, many machines are a worthwhile gamble-indeed some are better than the table game cousins.

BLACKJACK BASIC STRATEGY http://blackjack-uk.com/blackjack-basic-strategy

BASIC STRATEGY

Definition

Basic strategy is the terms used to denote the correct play for each blackjack hand for each blackjack hand possibility-the player’s versus the dealers up card. The Basic Strategy was first developed in the 1950s by four mathematicians working on hand calculators. Basic Strategy was refined with computer studies performed over a number of years by other blackjack researchers, the most prominent of whom was Julian Braun. His revisions and improvements were published in his book “How to play winning blackjack.”

Basic Strategy designed to win more of your good hands and lose fewer of your bad hands; it yields the theoretical best decisions for all the blackjack options-standing, hitting, doubling and surrendering. To understand the strategy you must remember the three variables involved in making blackjack decisions-your two cards and the dealer is up card. There a 550 possible combinations of these three variables; therefore there are 550 blackjack decisions. Fortunately many of these decisions are similar and about 30 rules cover all of them.

If you ask 50 blackjack players if they knew basic strategy, really know it, 90 percent of them would say yes. But pin them down on a decision on two and they usually flunk. How about you? Do you really know basic strategy? You should, as it is the starting point for you to put your winning foundation into place.

Taken this test to see how well you know basic strategy. Your hand is shown first and then the dealer’s up card for the typical six-deck game with doubling after splitting pairs allowed. Write down your decisions on a separate piece of paper if you wish.

8, 4 versus 3 :

6, 3 versus 2 :

4, 4 versus 5 :

10, 4 versus 7 :

A, 6 versus 3 :

5, 5, versus 2

	Basic Strategy for the Multi Deck Shoe Game (Doubling down after splitting permitted)
	DEALERS UP CARD
YOUR HAND
	H = Hit. S = Stand. D = Double Down. P = Split

BEGINNERS GUIDE TO ONLINE CASINOS / http://blackjack-uk.com/blackjack-beginners-guide.php

BEGINNER PLAYER GUIDE

If you are new to online gambling, here are a few tips intended to make your experience an enjoyable and safe experience.

1) Do your homework before venturing into a gambling site. Sign up with one or more of the free, preferably reputable, message boards where experienced players and others exchange news and views about gambling sites, promotions, gambling software providers and gambling in general. You will soon get a very good idea of which gambling sites to avoid. If you have webcast capability on your PC there are weekly online gambling programs that can provide useful up-to-date information on gambling sites and what is happening in the industry. Online e’zines are also an excellent source of balanced on-line gambling news.

It is recommended that a player visit a site that is an IGC Member, remembering to confirm the membership status on the IGC Member Page. If the IGC logo is displayed but the site cannot be found on the IGC Members page then contact the IGC to confirm the status of the site’s membership.

2) There are literally hundreds of online gambling directories, and not all of them are trustworthy. If you are looking for good gambling sites check out the ones who can afford to advertise on large gambling directories and then balance that information with what you learn at point (1) above.

A player should consider entering gambling sites directly, and be wary of entering via partner programs. Most of the reputable gambling portals (please check the IGC Members page and search the Services for “Gaming Portal and Information Site”) write original reviews of the sites for review by players before they wager online.

3) Like a player, a reputable operator will want to verify the bona fides of its players. The problem is that reputable operators are sometimes targeted by individuals who may try to commit fraud against their business. In an effort to ensure that the player is who they claim to be, an operator may seek additional personal information.

Before you give any gambling site the details of your credit card or bank account, check the site over carefully for the following:

1. IGC membership.
2. Player support details in case you need some assistance or want to ask a question (write these down with your player details before play).
3. The name of the software provider (write this down).
4. The name of the e-cash provider.
5. Where is the website licensed? Make sure you keep this on your records.
6. The auditor of the casinos payouts and name of the company verifying the random number generator (if available) �. actions aimed at ensuring fair play.
7. Have a test run or two – try small amounts before you decide to bet big (eg deposits and payments).

Does the site offer twenty-four hour support with telephone and email contact addresses and toll free lines? This is the norm for good gambling sites and you should not accept anything less. Some may offer real time interactive support. If you want to take extra care, try emailing their customer support and/or calling the 1800 support number prior to wagering, with a question, such as, what gambling software do they use? See if you get a response. No response, or no response to an email within 24 hours, is not a good indication, you should consider looking elsewhere for another website for your online entertainment.

When registering and playing at a site, it may also prove wise to write down the phone number of the customer support (hopefully there is one), and, for the “write to us” forms. Fill in any registration form BEFORE opening an account and ask for a working e-mail. Otherwise it could be difficult to contact the site if it is down for technical or “other” reasons. Keep a list of phone numbers, e-mail addresses and your account numbers from all of the gambling sites you join, and save a copy of all e-mail offers in the event their site is unavailable.

It is also recommended that players look for a physical postal address on the website in conjunction with a (digital) email address. This adds another level of comfort to your experience, seeing that the operation has a physical entity and is more than an email address on the surface that can easily be set up and operating from any location.

Ask yourself, what is the site like in general terms? Is the presentation professional and does it have relevant information upfront about licensing, software, e-cash and the legal requirements? A poorly presented site with insufficient information is frequently the sign of a cash-strapped or questionable operator.

Knowing the software provider for the website is an important factor, to ensure that you are playing safe, fair games with acceptable odds. You are entitled to know the identity of the software provider. If a casino refuses to divulge this information, this is also a reason for caution.

Quality casinos will often have their RNG (random number generator), or payout percentages, reviewed by an independent testing agency, a government body or another reputable body such as one of the Big Six audit firms. As an example, some sites have their payout percentages certified by a reputable accounting firm and published monthly on their website. A commonly held tenet is that the payout percentage for games using a RNG should be in the 97 to 98 percent range. Many casinos now offer a very useful reprise facility that enables a player to check their wagers and game history.

Several leading software providers are IGC Members – for additional information refer to the IGC website Members link to search for services provided.

Similarly, the name of the e-cash processor should be clearly stated. This is important as it provides security and confidence that you will be paid efficiently. Again, while not an exhaustive list, please check the IGC Members page and search the services provided for Members who provide a service such as “e-commerce solutions” service. Some of the major suppliers have their own e-cash companies that insure player accounts up to a specified level while some of the larger operators have their own e-processing system. Again, as a means of assistance, it is recommended that you check to see if the company is an IGC member. New gamblers are advised to test the water before making larger bets. If hesitant about gambling online, it might be a better course of action to make small wagers at a site and to then cash out. This will test the speed and efficiency of the gambling site’s finance system. Credits back to credit cards should take no longer than 7 to 10 days (sometimes sooner). Gambling sites will generally accept your money by credit cards, debit cards, bank wires / transfers, ecash wallets to name a few. If winnings are credited back to your credit card, it will only be up to the amount of your original deposit (this is a bank regulation). Anything over that will be sent to you by bank wire or check (be wary of the latter).

Things to check onsite: Does the gambling site charge you for these payments and how much? Some of the charges levied can be unfair. How long does your payment by bank wire take? It should not be longer than 10 days. Growing numbers of gambling sites are now fitted with online statements that you can access at any time to check the state of your player account – this is obviously a desirable quality. In any gambling site there should be a service that enables you to demand an audit trail if you are unhappy with any transactions.

It may be prudent for a player to take a copy (screenshot) of any larger winnings and request a copy of the applicable transaction log relating to the win as soon as possible after the win. If there is a dispute with the operator, a player will have some proof.

Look for licensing information. Most online gambling sites are licensed in sovereign Caribbean or South American jurisdictions that at least give you an avenue for complaint if you feel that a gambling site is guilty of bad practice. USA, Canada and the UK have still not agreed to license online gambling (UK sportsbooks are the exception), although moves are afoot to provide genuine, effective regulation (with teeth) which will protect your interests in the future as in the Isle of Man and Alderney. The Kahnawake jurisdiction is an ethnic Indian enclave jurisdiction within Canada, but does not constitute Canadian licensing. Antigua has a well-developed licensing structure, as is Vanuatu, whilst there are indications that Costa Rica may move toward formal licensing legislation. Gibraltar is also a location of several reputable operators, some of whom came from the UK before a relaxation of the taxation rates. The Commonwealth of Dominica is also a respected jurisdiction. Other common license jurisdictions of varying quality include Belize, St Kitts, Netherlands Antilles and Grenada. If there is no license do not gamble there.

Reputable sites should also include a ‘Privacy Policy’ statement clarifying that the player’s details will not be used or given to third parties. This statement should be visible on the home page or provided as a link from the registration forms.

Good quality gambling sites will generally offer, “play for free” games on a site so that you can try out the games and get used to gambling on a PC. Most will also offer extensive information on the rules and how to play each game. Sites that do not offer this facility to players should be treated with caution.

Once you are comfortable with gambling online and have registered at a gambling site you will probably at some stage receive marketing emails offering various incentives and promotions to play. Gambling sites do this to attract new business, but before participating you should always carefully read the rules governing the promotion to make sure you follow them to the letter. Gambling sites are quick to disqualify players who do not. Pay particular attention to the number of times you are required to wager a deposit or a deposit plus bonus before qualifying. Read the rules carefully to avoid conflict and stress at a later stage.

If email advertising is utilized, careful consideration should be given to whether the operator has a permission-based e-mail opt-in, and of course, an easy ‘unsubscribe’ mechanism for players.

Additional indications (please note that these are indications and intended only as a guide) is to look for an independent, recognizable and reputable third party certification of a site or of a particular aspect of the site. Examples include, audited game return, general security of the site, particularly the security of payment system, SSL encryption or the like, and in particular the ‘padlock’ symbol (normally found at the bottom right of the screen) which gives the player the comfort level that when entering sensitive information (e.g. credit card details) on the web page that the details are secure.

4) If you follow these simple and commonsense rules, online gambling will hopefully be a safe and enjoyable experience, one that will even be profitable at times! Remember that you are not alone. If you feel you have been treated unfairly or badly by a gambling site, which carries the Interactive Gaming Council logo, you can lodge a complaint online at www.igcouncil.org and impartial IGC executives will adjudicate it and if indicated, mediate on your behalf. If the gambling site is not a member of the IGC there are several “watchdog” sites and player organizations to which you can turn for support if you have a just complaint, and you can of course complain to the licensing authority concerned as well. In all cases we recommend that you escalate a complaint beyond the general support to the Management. The vast majority of complaints can be resolved at that higher discretionary level, thus saving you time and effort.