Online Casino Spotlight

Gaming regulations vary greatly depending on the region, state, city and town within the United States. Some states only allow gaming on Native American reservations, others permit only video based games and others allow any type of betting to occur at any establishment. Although not generally known, Montana allows gambling in a few different types of settings. These include:

• Video poker
• Video keno
• Live card games
• Sports pools
• Casino nights for non-profits

Montana has a long history of slot machines, blackjack and roulette. When gambling was made illegal, it wasn’t enforced by authorities in Montana until the late 1940’s. Once the State Supreme Court found it illegal, it took over 30 years to make a comeback. The Gambling Control Division was established in 1989 and they license, audit and enforce laws within gaming establishments.

Prior to the creation of this division, gaming was regulated on a local basis. Local governments had the ability to levy a gambling tax and lower the number of machines in the area. The Gambling Control Division collected all revenues, taxes and laws into a single governing body.

The gambling tax is split two-thirds to the state government and one-third to the local government. The state governing body allowed local agencies to extend gaming closing hours and restrict gambling in specific geographic areas by utilizing local zoning regulations.

The Gambling Control Division within the state of Montana employs only 36 individuals. Aside from creating gambling laws, they also test different gaming machines against the standard. Also, they grant, deny, renew, revoke and suspend licenses through a judicial review. Within the division is an auditing branch that examines tax records and scrutinizes other financial issues. Their primary focus is compliance of the law.

There are currently 11 total states that have gaming commissions but do not allow casinos. In many of these states the commission only overseas charitable, non-profit gaming. Other states regulate Native American gaming, card clubs and various smaller-scale gaming operations.

Montana is a unique gaming state in that it doesn’t allow any casino’s; only smaller establishments. These are highly-regulated and taxed at the federal level. Many of these establishments are in taverns that offer video poker, keno, card games and sports pools. Others, such as fundraisers (non-profit) are also regulated. Perhaps one day the gaming commission will elect to allow casino operations into their state.

Blackjack, also known as 21, is a staple in casinos that provide table games. This is one of the oldest and most popular betting games offered. There are many different limits and anyone can play. The rules are fairly simple with the primary objective being to beat the dealer.

The Basics

Blackjack can be played with one to eight decks of cards (this is an effort to diminish the card-counting technique). Many casinos are not only using multiple decks, but have continuous shuffling machines. In single and double deck games, the dealer holds and shuffles the cards and distributes them. In a multi-deck game, the dealer distributes the cards from a shoe (a box that holds the cards).

One and two deck games are extremely uncommon in casinos with most dealing from the shoe. The hand is dealt face up to all the players at the table who are not allowed to touch their cards. The game is played in a heads up fashion with everyone against the dealer. If the total count of your cards is less than or equal to 21 and is higher than the dealers hand you win.

If your hand totals over 21 you bust which is an automatic forfeit of chips. If the dealer also busts, you still do not win. The player always makes the first move. Unlike other card games, the suit of the card has no bearing on the outcome of the hand.

The Card Values

Cards 2-10 are counted as shown. All the face cards have a value equal to 10 and an ace counts as either a 1 or an 11. For instance, an ace and an 8 can either be combined to equal either 9 or 19 depending on the strategy for that hand. Hard hands are those that do not contain an ace. A soft hand is one that does contain an ace.

The Table

A blackjack table is shaped as a semi-circle. On the felt, there is a circle and a square for each seat. Chips must be purchased from the dealer and a bet is only valid if the chips are placed in the circle. Once all bets have been placed play can commence.

Blackjack is a fairly simple game consisting of simple math. Good decisions are based on mathematical calculations. Blackjack is one of the most fun and popular casino games due to its simplicity and immediate action.

Derived from Blackjack, Super Fun 21 has similar mechanics, but different rules. The mechanics are so similar many novice card players sit down and think they are playing a single deck game of Blackjack. In Nevada, the game cannot be called Blackjack. Super Fun 21 is a fairly new novelty casino game that was created mainly for the tourists. Most Blackjack experts will avoid this game when possible.

The similarities between the two games are mostly mechanical. For instance, aces can be counted as either a one or an eleven. Also all face cards within the deck are valued at ten with all other cards representing face value. Like Blackjack, the player bets first and is dealt two cards face up. One of the dealer’s cards is dealt face up and one face down. The player has the option to hit or stay, just like in Blackjack.

On the other hand, there are specific differences that make Super Fun 21 unique from Blackjack including:

• The dealer hits on soft 17
• Players have the option to double down on any cards
• The game is played with only 1-2 decks of cards
• A hand that totals 21 with 5 or more cards pays 2 to 1
• Players can split pairs up to four times
• A hand that totals 20 or less with six cards automatically wins
• Natural blackjack always wins

One of the biggest and most important variations is that the natural blackjack only pays even money. In a regular game of blackjack it pays 3 to 2. The exception to this rule is if the cards that make a natural Blackjack are of the diamond suit.

Like all other casino games, the house maintains the edge over the players. In this case, the house has an edge of 1.16 percent with a single deck of cards and 1.30 percent with a double deck. When searching for a Super Fun 21 game to play, find one that’s using a single deck, this will improve your winnings over the long term.

Super Fun 21 is a novelty game mainly played by tourists. After a few years, it may fall into the mainstream table games. The game is fairly easy to learn if you’re familiar with Blackjack. While the mechanics of the game are similar, there are many rules that differ. Super Fun 21 is an exciting substitute if you’re looking to try something new and exciting.

Professional Blackjack players always walk into the casino with some type of strategy. Since Blackjack is one of the few games in the casino where the player can have an advantage over the house, it’s best to practice and eventually master these strategies in order to be successful.

The basic strategy of Blackjack is developed utilizing mathematics. Different strategies have been tested over the many years since its conception. When utilized properly, Blackjack strategy reduces the edge the house has over the player to a minimal amount. Strategies are adjusted to conform to different variations of the game.

Getting Started with a Strategy Chart

The most effective method for learning the basic Blackjack strategy is by memorizing a basic strategy chart. This chart illustrates exactly how to play your initial two cards against the dealers one face-up card. Memorization of the basic strategy chart is only one piece of the puzzle. Proper starting play is beneficial, but your moves after taking a hit are just as important.

Playing Pairs

Here are a few tips for playing paired starting cards:

• Aces or eights  – Split
• Twos or threes – Split if the dealer has 2-7 or else hit
• Fours – Split if the dealer has 5-6 or else hit
• Fives – Double down if the dealer has 2-9 or else hit
• Sixes – Split if the dealer has 2-6 or else hit
• Sevens – Split 2-7 or else hit
• Nines – Split 2-9, stay if the dealer has 7,10 or ace
• Tens – Stay

Playing Hard Hands

The following are tips to play two starting cards that do not hold an ace:

• If you have less than eight, hit
• Nine – Double down if the dealer has 3-6 or else hit
• Ten – Double down against 2-9 or else hit
• Eleven – Double down against 2-10 or hit if the dealer has an ace
• Twelve – Hit against  2 or 3, stay against 4-6, hit everything else
• 13-16 – Stay against 2-6, otherwise hit
• 17-21 – Stay

Playing Soft Hands

These final tips pertain to starting cards that contain an ace:

• Holding ace 2 or ace 3 – Double down against 5 or 6, or else hit
• Ace 4 or ace 5 – Double down against 4-6 or else hit
• Ace 6 – Double down against 3-6 or else hit
• Ace 7 – Stay against 2, 7 or 8; double down against 3-6 or else hit
• Ace 8 or ace 9 – Stay

By following these basic strategies, you can become a better poker player and have a more defined view of the game. More advanced techniques used in Blackjack build on this basic strategy.

Why is a good blackjack strategy in such high demand? Any educated card player knows that blackjack is one of the few casino games that can actually promise a savvy player a profit. Taking the right strategy to the right table can also mean taking money home every time you play, and every gambler knows that there’s no incentive that’s more inspiring than money.

That said, some blackjack fans have decided that they can make more money by fleecing their fellow players than by trying to master the game. When searching for solid strategy advice it can be hard to weed out the frauds. If you’re a blackjack beginner, don’t waste any of your  burgeoning bankroll buying strategies or systems – you can find everything you need to win for free. Here’s a basic breakdown of what you need to know to beat online blackjack.

How to Win at Blackjack

One reason that many first-time blackjack players fall for bad strategies or system scams is because they don’t really understand how to win the game. It’s pretty straightforward. Unlike other popular card games like poker, blackjack players don’t compete against each other, so the only hand you have to beat is the dealer’s. Sounds easy enough right? To beat the dealer, you must get a hand that’s closer to 21 than theirs without going over. And that’s just the beginning. What makes winning the game especially challenging is the fact that you can only see one of the dealer’s cards when choosing your moves, plus they get to make their moves after all the players have finished.

Hit/Stand Strategy

Winning blackjack then is all about knowing when you should hit and when you should stand. One advantage that players have over dealers is the house rules. Per casino rules, dealers must stand on a hand of 16 or 17 (it varies by casino). Hypothetically you have no way of knowing what the dealer’s face down card is (we’ll get to card counting next). So, most hit/stand blackjack strategies advise players to pretend that the face down card has a value of ten. You will then use the dealer’s hypothetical hand to determine whether your hand is high enough to stand or if you’ll need to hit. Many blackjack strategy sites offer cheats that can tell you the best times to hit or stand for every possible hand.

Card Counting

Most movies you see about blackjack pros are really about card counting. Card counting is a strategy wherein the player tracks which cards have been pulled from the deck and uses that information to determine what cards are left in the deck and by extension what cards are now likely to be dealt to them and/or the dealer. When combined with a good hit/stand strategy, card counting can make blackjack very lucrative, but many casinos have taken measures – like using shoes – that make this strategy difficult to implement.

Blackjack is a game onto itself. Blackjack stands alone at the casino and is one of the most popular tables in the house. Blackjack has a long history and avid players, as such the game has developed its own language. If you have never played blackjack before, but would like to try, learning this language is one of the key steps to playing the game well. After all, you need to know what the dealer and the other players are talking about before you can make the best moves for your hand. Fortunately, blackjack lingo is straightforward and simple, more so then poker, and anyone can pick it up.

Common Blackjack Terms

Table: The table refers to the blackjack table. This is where the dealer will stand, the players will sit, and all cards and bets will be handled.

Dealer: The dealer is responsible for shuffling the cards, handing out the plays, and taking bets. The dealer will also call each round of blackjack and hand out the winnings. In blackjack you play against both the dealer and the other players at the table.

Player Roster: In order for blackjack to be played you must have at least one dealer and at least one player. The amount of players sitting at the table is refereed to as the player roster. Blackjack players sometimes use this term when talking about their opponents.

Basemen: Basement is another way of saying player in blackjack. Each player is a baseman.

First Baseman: The first baseman refers to the player sitting directly to the left of the dealer. This is the first player to act after the cards have been drawn.

Third Baseman: The third baseman is the last player to act on a hand because he or she is seated last at the table, or on the right side of the dealer.

Anchorman: Anchorman is another term for third baseman, or the last player seated at the table.

Twenty-One: Blackjack is sometimes referred to as twenty-one because you need a total of twenty-one cards (or closer then the dealer and other players) to win. Most all casinos call blackjack by its proper name, but the term twenty-one is common around private home games.

Natural Blackjack: A natural blackjack is a rare occurrence in the card game. A natural blackjack occurs when a player is dealt 21 in the first two cards. If a player is dealt 21 in their first to cards, it is an automatic win and the dealer can not beat out or tie with them.

These days new casino games seem to pop up every week. There are literally thousands of unique slots titles online, and many casinos are now taking liberties with classics like blackjack, bingo and video poker. As millions of new online players log on every day, gambling industry insiders speculate that casinos are reviving previously overlooked game variations in hopes of finding a new hit. That’s just what happened with the game in question. Lately 3-Card Poker has been generating a lot of buzz, but the original version of the game is actually more than 15 years old.

So why is 3-Card Poker suddenly hot?

The game incorporates elements from three of the most popular gambling diversions – blackjack, poker and video poker. Combine the audiences of these three games, and you’ll have a steep majority of online gamblers (sans the significant slot crowd). Jaded fans of any of these three games looking for something similar but new will find just that with 3-Card Poker.

How does the game work?

Players may make one of two bets by placing chips in either the Ante or the Pair Plus area of the table. Players making an Ante wager will be privy to an experience that’s like a hybrid of blackjack and poker. Three cards are dealt to each player, and then three more are dealt face down to the dealer. Once you have considered your hand, you must decide if you want to double your original bet by placing an additional wager in the Play area beside the Ante, or if you want to fold your hand. Should you fold, your ante is forfeited, but should you play the dealer will reveal their cards and players with a hand that beats the dealer’s will be paid.

Players that choose to make the Pair Plus wager instead are basically playing a live version of video poker. The dealer’s hand is now irrelevant. To win, you must receive a 3-card hand that includes a pair or better. Anything less is an automatic loss.

What’s different about 3-Card Poker?

Unlike many of the games it borrows from, 3-Card Poker doesn’t allow for much strategy. Players cannot draw new cards, bluff or bully with their chips. In fact, the Pair Plus version of the game has no strategy at all, and the Ante half of the game’s strategy is limited exclusively to a player’s decision to play or fold. For the most part, knowledge of your fellow players’ hands is insignificant since you’re only competing against the paytable or the dealer, though some strategists theorize that card counting could give 3-card players an additional edge when choosing when to play or fold.

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world, so naturally, many new players are attracted to the online version.  For several players, the big problem is choosing from the vast selection of different variants.  Others have a tough time adjusting to the rules of the internet world.  If you have a general knowledge of blackjack but are new to playing online, this article will serve as the introduction that will help you get started.

Online vs. Offline Play

When playing blackjack in a land-based casino, the rules pretty much remain the same regardless of the venue.  Blackjack payouts at 3 to 1, a tie pushes and the dealer busts if their hand goes over 21.  However, the rules of the game often change when playing online, which is typically done to give the house a greater advantage.  For instance, in many online casinos, blackjack pays out at 1 to 1, the dealer wins on a tie, and rather than the dealer busting with 22, the hand round results in a push.

Despite the disadvantages that come along with playing blackjack online, there are still some benefits that make the game attractive to players.  One popular variant is a game known as Blackjack Switch.  In this exclusive online variation, players begin with two separate hands and can exchange the second set of cards dealt should it provide them with an advantage.  The downside is that the rules of this particular variant are in favor of the house, so the player is more susceptible to losing money than winning.  Because the dealer is allowed to hit on a soft 17 in a game of Black Switch, the return to the player is greatly reduced.

Online Blackjack Variants and The House Edge

Another thing you should know about playing blackjack online is that different variants are played with a different number of card decks.  The number of decks typically ranges from one to eight.  This has a huge impact on the player because the more decks that are used, the higher the house edge.  So while the basic rules remain the same, you can expect a lower average return when playing blackjack with more decks of cards.  The house edge is also increased as a result of the restrictions imposed on tactics such as splitting and doubling down.   A classic example are variants in which the rules state that you cannot double following a split or only double if the value of your hand is between 9 and 11.  Likewise, there are variants in which you can only split once or twice.  In these games, the dealer is usually required to stand on a soft 17, but the player’s advantage is neutralized by the restrictions placed on splits and doubling down.

Conclusion

If you are a master at playing blackjack in the real world and want to take your skills online, your previous experience is only half the battle.  There are so many variants online that it can make it feel as if you are playing an entirely new game.  For this reason, it would be wise to read up on different variants and their rules before making a wager online.

Many online casino games are merely based on chance while others actually require skill and strategy.  The chance games offer the appeal of simplicity as all you do is click a few buttons and hope that you are lucky enough to win.  Some of the most popular examples are slots and roulette.   Players who opt for these games are often intimidated by their more strategic counterparts.  If you have been hesitant to play the more skillful casino games, we are here to tell you that a little strategy could be worth your while.

Common Strategy Games

There are quite a few online games that require strategy, with blackjack and the many types of poker being among the most commonly played.  So why would you want to pick up a more difficult game when you can easily play something simple?  There are mainly two reasons.  First off, strategy games tend to be more intriguing because they offer more of a challenge.  Perhaps the most important is reason is that these games have a payout percentage that is considerably higher than many chance games.  If you gamble online with the intent of winning money, this should give you all the incentive to step your game up.

Blackjack

Blackjack is often considered to be one of the most complex casino games that involve strategy.  This is because the player is constantly forced to make decisions and those choices increase in importance with each draw of the cards.  For example, not only do you have to choose whether to hit or stand, you also have to consider more advanced options such of splitting, doubling down, surrendering, and taking up insurance on your bet.  This is just the traditional game of blackjack.  There are many variations of the game and the strategy varies and can become more complex with each version.

Poker

Most types of poker require strategy as well.  This is especially the case with the popular variant known as Pai Gow.  In a game of Pai Gow poker, the player receives seven cards.  While there are many decisions that need to be made, the major element of strategy involved is managing two hands: a two-card hand, and a five-card hand.  The conditions that apply to these hands are often what intensify the importance of having a good strategy.  A certain level of skill is also required in other commonly played variants such as Texas Hold ‘em, Let it Ride and Red Dog.  It may not sound very intricate, but it is important for players to know when to adjust their bets, when to call, and when to fold.  The good thing is that this is skill that can be learned by simply playing and understanding how to analyze probable outcomes.

Strategic Features

Some online casinos offer features that make it a bit easier for players to apply sound strategy in skilled based games.  These features even benefit the chance player as they can wager in comfort with the reassurance that they will not blow their bankroll by making a bad decision.

In the game of blackjack, the dealer draws their cards based on the rules that have been defined for that particular variation.  As you probably know, the actual rules can vary greatly depending on the casino you play at.  However, there is one thing that often remains the same regardless of the variant, and that is the rule which calls for the dealer to stand on a hard 17.  This simply means that the dealer either does not have an ace, or the ace is forced to be valued as 1.  The rules are different when the dealer has a soft 17, which refers to a hand with an ace valued at 11.  Most casinos require that the dealer stand with a soft 17 while others have rules stating that the dealer must take a hit.  Let’s take a look at some strategies for both scenarios.

Playing Defense

Having the ability to hit on a soft 17 benefits the dealer because of the probability of being able to increase the value of their hand.  For example, let’s assume the dealer has a hand comprised of a six and an ace valued at 11 for a total of 17.  After taking a hit, the dealer draws a five.  Now at first, you might assume that the hand adds up to 22, but this is not the case, as that ace is able to claim the value of 1.  The brings the hand total to 12, which allows the dealer to draw another card.  While a soft 17 doesn’t necessarily mean the value of the dealer’s hand will always increase, it does however, increase the probability.  For this reason, you must pick up a more defensive-minded strategy in order to combat the advantage a soft 17 gives the dealer.

The Offensive Approach

Now we will take a look at a strategy where the dealer is forced to stand on a soft 17.  Let’s say the dealer stands with their face-up card ranging anywhere from three to six while you have a total hand value of nine.  In this scenario, you are in a strong position where you should seriously consider doubling.  In a game where the rules allow the dealer to hit on a soft 17, your position would not be as strong and simply taking the hit would be the best option opposed to doubling.

Online casinos offer a wide variety of blackjack variants.  Therefore, you should make yourself familiar with the rules and how they impact the dealer before placing a wager.  You’ve got your blackjack games based on Atlantic City rules, European rules, Spanish rules, Vegas Strip rules, Vegas Downtown rules and a host of others.  If you really want to better your chances of winning, we strongly suggest that you avoid blackjack variants that allow the dealer to hit on a soft 17.  As you learned from this article, this particular rule gives the house a considerably higher edge.  If you do elect to play these games, just keep in mind that you will need to change your strategy accordingly to overcome the dealer’s advantage.