1. Do Your Research

Like all other games, it is very important when you’re playing blackjack to have done your research first. You should fully understand the game and applicable rules to ensure that you don’t make costly mistakes. Blackjack is a major revenue winner for online casinos, and this is largely due to player error. And, by understanding the game, you’ll ensure that you can have an error free game to maximize your success.

2. Select the Appropriate Gaming Spot

When you’re playing online blackjack it is essential that you find the right place to play. For beginners this is especially important, as you don’t want to be playing at tables where everyone else has far more experience. Avoid games which cost over 5% of your bankroll to enter, so if you have under $20, do not play in games which cost $1 to enter.

3. Remember 17’s Value

It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of blackjack, but it’s important that you remember that you can’t win with less than 17. If the dealer holds 16 in their hand they legally have to draw another card. This could be an ace, offering them the chance to make a winning hand of 17 if you’ve stayed with a smaller total.

4. Remember Blackjack’s Card Values

If you regularly play table games, then it’s important to ensure that you don’t get card values muddled. In blackjack, cards between two and nine hold their face value. The picture cards of Jack, Queen, King are all valued at 10, whilst the Ace can be used as both a one or an 11.

5. The All Important Ace

The Ace can be a crucial card in your blackjack game, and it is an important piece of your arsenal. Worth both one and 11, it is vital that you remember its versatility so that you can play it accordingly. It can make poor hands suddenly become winners with the simple alteration of a value, and forgetting to utilize your Ace as best you can is a major error.

6. Develop a Blackjack Card Value Strategy

Strategy is a key principle in blackjack as whilst it is chance which cards you get, it is your decisions which determine the final win. It is important to hold good knowledge of a few hand circumstances, offering yourself some obvious choices to play if you’re not willing to take risks. Picture cards and a seven are an obvious stick point, providing you with 17 and offering a win if the dealer hits at 16 and goes bust as a result. However, if 11 is held, you should take another hit. This is essential as, with more tens in the pack than other cards, the odds are in your favor to get a picture card and make blackjack with 21

7. Assess Your Hand

When the cards are first dealt, it’s important to assess your hand and not make rash decisions before accurately calculating a number of possibilities. As mentioned, having some obvious choices to make is crucial so that you don’t have to worry about risks on specific hand values. However, if you have Aces or picture cards, it’s the ideal time to deliberate making a risky move and possibly seeing a blackjack win.

8. Maximize Your Winning Chances

Never forget that your ultimate aim should be to reach 21. Whilst you can often win without reaching this figure, a lapse in concentration could see you thinking you have the upper hand with 19 only to find that the dealer has outstripped you. Play to gain 21, whilst also being conservative in your hand hits to ensure that you don’t go bust too quickly. If you have a low scoring hand, be ready to continue taking hits. But, bear in mind the maximum 10 value which could easily see your winning hand lose.

9. When to ‘Hit’

Blackjack only has two options, that to ‘stand’, or that to ‘hit’. When being dealt, the chances of gaining each card value are undetermined, but your strategy is key once your cards are known. Choosing the ‘stand’ option will see you dealt no more cards, with you having to rely that those in your hand are enough to win the game, or at very least, stop you from going bust. Alternatively, you can take a ‘hit’ as many times as you wish. However, the closer your hand value edges towards 21, the more risky your gameplay becomes. Dealers must ‘hit’ if they’re under 16 and ‘stand’ at 17, so it makes sense that you also follow these rules in a bid to win.

10. Use Betting Returns

The rules of winning in blackjack are fairly simple, as are the rules of the game. You can use betting returns to your advantage, utilizing the knowledge that they provide to guide you on which hands to take risks on, and which not too. For hands where you and the dealer have the same card value, your bet is returned and you lose nothing. If you win against the dealer for any value under 21, normal betting returns offer a like for like win. This means that if you placed $10, you’d win your bet and an additional $10 back. Meanwhile, if you’re lucky enough to hit blackjack, average payouts are 3:2, giving you $15 in winnings if you placed $10, along with your original bet being returned.

When to Use Doubling Down

Blackjack can be a relatively simple game for new players, and especially when playing at online casinos, you have the ability to keep your game as basic as you wish. However, there are a number of ways to increase odds in your favor whilst also ensuring that any winnings are as high as possible. And if you want to maximize the winnings that you see in your online blackjack career, using the double down process is a key concept to utilize.

When to Use Doubling Down

A priority with doubling down is to use it in the correct circumstance, because it is ideally suited to some hands and not to others. Having your initial two cards show a strong hand is an ideal opportunity to increase your odds, and if the dealer in this case reveals a vulnerable card of between two and five you should seize the chance to pull winning possibilities in your favor. At this point you can match your first bet, doubling your winnings as long as you win the round. A low hand from your opponent is crucial as dealers have to keep taking cards until they reach 17. And with a first low card and the number of tens in a pack outnumbering other values, the odds are increased that the dealer will go bust.

How to Asses Your Hand

In addition to the dealer having a low initial card, you need to ensure that your own hand has a winning combination. If you hold a total of nine in your two carded hand, and the dealer has between three and six, it is the perfect opportunity to use the double down method. Likewise, if your hand consists of an Ace and any other two to seven card value, you could find odds stacked in your favor.

Combination Play

If you’re going to incorporate doubling down into your strategy, it is essential that you only use it on the right hand, in addition to using a combination of methods to win as much as possible. Whilst adding to basic blackjack skills, continuous use of doubling down could see you losing excessive wagers. But, by assessing your hand and the dealer’s card carefully, you can choose the right option to double your winnings and keep your positive streak in play.

correct circumstance, because it is ideally suited to some hands and not to others. Having your initial two cards show a strong hand is an ideal opportunity to increase your odds, and if the dealer in this case reveals a vulnerable card of between two and five you should seize the chance to pull winning possibilities in your favor. At this point you can match your first bet, doubling your winnings as long as you win the round. A low hand from your opponent is crucial as dealers have to keep taking cards until they reach 17. And with a first low card and the number of tens in a pack outnumbering other values, the odds are increased that the dealer will go bust.

How to Asses Your Hand

In addition to the dealer having a low initial card, you need to ensure that your own hand has a winning combination. If you hold a total of nine in your two carded hand, and the dealer has between three and six, it is the perfect opportunity to use the double down method. Likewise, if your hand consists of an Ace and any other two to seven card value, you could find odds stacked in your favor.

Combination Play

If you’re going to incorporate doubling down into your strategy, it is essential that you only use it on the right hand, in addition to using a combination of methods to win as much as possible. Whilst adding to basic blackjack skills, continuous use of doubling down could see you losing excessive wagers. But, by assessing your hand and the dealer’s card carefully, you can choose the right option to double your winnings and keep your positive streak in play.

Blackjack’s Origins

Blackjack can be traced back as far as the 16^th century where it was a popular game amongst Spanish nationals. At this time it was simply called 21, or ‘veintiuna in the Spanish language. Its first introduction to the American and European gaming scene wasn’t very successful, with established games continuing to find favor with residents. However, American casinos were determined to bring the popular Spanish game into the mainstream and adopted a high payout bonus for individuals managing to win with an Ace and a black Jack. Though these large bonuses died away over time, the Blackjack name stuck as a larger number of people began to play.

Blackjack’s Rising Popularity

Blackjack continued to rise in popularity through the ages and is currently a mainstream game played in real world and online casinos around the world. The modern interpretation of ‘Blackjack’ has been relaxed, with winners able to make this instant first hand win by having any two card combination making 21 instead of the original Jack and Ace. Its combination of strategy and against the dealer play also means that it has become a popular game for online casinos, with individuals easily able to enjoy the game from home without the need to be part of a group.

Live Blackjack Feeds

With online software continually being pushed in new directions, the live feeds sector is becoming big business for web based casinos. Playing blackjack via a live stream with a real dealer is becoming very popular, and whilst players have to wait a little longer for rounds to be completed due to a larger number of players, live streamed games are the latest thrilling experience to indulge in. And having found mainstream success, the popularity of blackjack is unlikely to wane in the coming years and decades.

Differing Values

As mentioned above, the values for certain cards in blackjack differ to other popular online gambling games. For the cards between two and nine, face values are correct, allowing you to play without uncertainty. All three cards of the Jack, Queen and King are valued at ten, and it is vital to remember that The Ace can have two values; that of one or 11 depending on how you want to use it. Your Ace card is of significance during any game and can easily cause you to go bust or fold early if you forget that it has two values.

Strategizing with Blackjack Values

When playing blackjack, whether in an online casino environment or in the real world, it’s very important to have at least a simple strategy in place to maximize your chances of winning. The cards in your hand will be the decider of how you play, and it’s therefore advisable to have a few obvious choices to play. Combinations such as a seven and a picture card total 17; a point at which you should probably fold unless you want to take the high risk of going bust.  However, if you have a total of 11 with only two cards its advisable to take another hit. Due to the pack having an increased number of tens over other card values, it is important to not risk the game. By having 17, you’d easily bust with a picture card. But, with 11, you’re chances of get 21 are increased.

All Important Ace

The Ace card is an important factor in blackjack because you can switch its value to your advantage. Don’t forget to do this when it appears in your hard as it could make the difference to winning or losing. And by having a good understanding of blackjack cards you can pull the odds to your favor.

Maximizing Your Chances

When you’re playing online blackjack you should remember that you need to aim to score 21, or as close to 21, as possible. Playing individually, or amongst a number of players, a winning hand will be had if you can score above the dealer’s hand without your cards totaling 22 or more. ‘Blackjack’ can be easily achieved with three cards, and if you’re lucky, with just a picture card and an Ace. However, it is important to remember that you don’t need 21 to win, and shouldn’t take unnecessary risks if you have a high scoring hand.

Time to ‘Hit’

Blackjack has two main options; to ‘stand’ or to ‘hit’. As cards are being dealt you will have the chance to take these options, with a ‘stand’ resulting in you holding on to your cards and not take another deal. Meanwhile, you can ‘hit’ as many times as you wish until you reach more than 21, at which time you are ‘bust’. Dealers are also governed by these rules, with a total of 17 or more ruling that they must ‘stand’, whilst having 16 or under results in the dealer having to take another ‘hit’.

Betting Returns

Like the rules of the game, the rule of winnings is usually fairly straight forward. If the dealer and your hand’s are identical, the bet you placed is returned. If however you win, whilst not scoring 21, normal rules state that you’ll receive your betting amount back, with a bet of $10 noting a $10 win. And, if you’re lucky enough to score ‘Blackjack’ normal payouts are 3:2, with a $10 bet gaining $15 in winnings.

By understanding the card values, in addition to moves made by the dealer, you can maximize your chances of winning. And by a careful mix of winning gains, you can ensure your Blackjack career gets off to a flying start.

When using card counting in blackjack to manipulate betting patterns, there are three parameters players must remember:

• Running count (R)
• Side count (X)
• Balance number of decks in the shoe (D)

The true count of cards is adjusted based on the formula: (R + X) / D. The result is a factor that helps the player decide how to deviate from the typical blackjack strategy. Therefore, the larger the count, the more beneficial the deviation is for the player. Variables R and X take on positive and negative values which combine to determine whether the true count is positive or negative. This is a direct result of the distribution of cards within the shoe.

The most critical parameter for determining the size of the true count is D. A small number for D results in a large true count while a large value equates to a small true count value. D is indicative of the rules set forth by the casino which communicates to the player where the card counting skill will be useful.

One of the primary factors in determining D is the total number of decks used. The second factor of significance is penetration which is the percentage of all cards from the dealing shoe prior to the shoe being exhausted. For example, if all cards in the shoe are dealt, then the penetration is 100 percent with the D factor being close to 0.

The aforementioned true count is utilized in two ways. The first method is a mathematical formula known as the “Kelly Criterion” which determines the overall percentage of bankroll remaining to be wagered based on the calculated true count value. The other method is to use the typical blackjack strategy which reflects the true count.

Card counting for blackjack can be difficult to learn and even more difficult to master. You also must factor in that casino surveillance is under constant scrutiny of all players betting patterns, therefore it is important to not deviate from normal blackjack play. However if you can master this combination, a great deal of money can be made.

• The player 21 always wins
• The player has the option to surrender after doubling
• The player can double on any cards
• Late surrender is acceptable
• Double after split is acceptable
• 6-7-8 and 7-7-7 of mixed suits pays out 3 to 2, same suit pays 2 to 1, of spades pays 3 to 1
• 5 card 21 pays 3 to 2
• 6 card 21 pays 2 to 1
• 7 or more card 21 pays 3 to 1

Different online casinos have different rules. For instance, Microgaming employs the following:

• 8 decks can be used
• Redoubling is only permitted once
• Dealer hits on soft 17

In order to play the game you must have some type of strategy which at Microgaming sites varies from standard casinos. Like other variants of Blackjack, Microgaming provides the player with a strategy card. On the card there are values of the dealer’s face up card from 2 to 10. The player’s hand is divided into 3 sections consisting of hard totals, soft totals and instructions for splitting on pairs.

For hard totals the player should hit for hand values of 4 to 12 and stand with a value of 17 or above. The soft totals section advises players with hands from 12 to 19. The player needs to stand on 19 and above but should stand, double or hit on all other cards based on that particular strategy found on the card.

Finally, the instructions for splitting include, never split on 4’s, 5’s and 10’s. On the other hand, 8’s and Aces must always be split. The strategy cards differ depending on the casino but remain consistent within the specific site developer.

Learning to use the strategy card for Spanish Blackjack as well as regular Blackjack is one of the most important actions to take. It teaches you the best moves to make in specific situations. This is based on millions of hands of simulated situations so it is accurate. As you learn to use the card, you will see a significant decrease in the house advantage.

• Card counting
• Shuffle tracking
• Hole carding

Card counting is keeping track of the cards played to determine whether the shoe is holding more high-value cards. Shuffle tracking occurs when a player identifies the location of aces or groups of cards in the deck during shuffling. Hole carding is getting a quick view of the dealer’s covered hole card which can help you determine the best move possible.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Blackjack Team is infamous for beating the house in Las Vegas. However, they were not the first blackjack team to attempt to break the bank. Actually the MIT team expanded on ideas implemented by previous blackjack teams. The reason the MIT team is so famous is they were active over a 12 year time period.

In 1979, J.P. Massar took a class at MIT entitled, “How to gamble if you must” in which a small segment featured card counting methods. For the next year, Massar created a team of students to gamble in Atlantic City with the goal of exploiting the tips ascertained from the course. These actions were unsuccessful.

In 1980, Massar met with Bill Kaplan to discuss his successful blackjack team. The team became tired of playing in a single place so they branched out to Europe. Massar asked Kaplan to accompany him to Atlantic City to observe his team and discover what they were doing wrong. Kaplan realized Massar’s team was making fundamental blackjack mistakes. They were using different card counting techniques.

At this point Kaplan agreed to form a team with the conditions that they would follow formal management procedures, strict training, a dedicated card counting system, meticulous casino tracking and a player approval process. The team began with $89,000 and doubled their winnings within ten weeks. The players made $80 per hour and investors saw a return of 250 percent.

The MIT Blackjack team took millions of dollars from casinos over many years utilizing the techniques ascertained by Kaplan. Over the past few years, this successful time period has been revisited through books and the creation of a movie documenting the team’s success.

The Insurance Bet is a Losing Wager

In general, the insurance bet is a losing wager. As a result, many choose not to take this and move on with the game. However, there are many mathematically minded Blackjack players that would like to know why it is a losing bet.

The Mathematics of the Insurance Bet

In a single deck game, 3 cards out of the total 52 are face up when the insurance bet is offered. The dealer’s face up card is an Ace so let’s assume the player has not been dealt any 10 value card. This leaves 49 cards in the deck, 16 of which are valued at 10. The probability of winning the insurance bet is 0.327 (16/49). If the bet was $1, then it pays out $2. Therefore the expected payout is 2 * 0.327 = $0.654.

The other 33 cards out of 49 are not valued at 10 so the probability of the insurance bet equates to 0.673. If the insurance bet loses, the player loses his bet of $1 resulting in an expected losing payout of -$0.673. Therefore, the overall net expectation is ($0.654-$0.673) -$0.019. In the long run, the player is expected to lose money because the net expectation is negative.

The player’s expectation actually worsens when dealt 2 10 value cards. Out of 49 cards in the deck, only 14 are worth 10. As a result, the probability of winning is 14/49 which is 0.286. With a $1 insurance bet that pays out $2, the expected payout is $0.572 (2 * 0.286).

35 cards of the 49 in the deck do not have a value of 10 so the probability of losing is 35/49 which is 0.714. Factor in a loss of $1 on the insurance bet and you get -$0.714 with a net expectation of -$0.142. This is considerably worse than the previous example. The numbers prove that the insurance bet is a losing wager and should be avoided at all costs.

Let it Ride is played on a table that resembles Blackjack. Each seat has three circles on the table marked with the numbers 1 and 2 and character $. Play commences with each player placing three equal bets in each circle on the table. The dealer distributes three cards at a time to each player. The dealer takes three and removes one card, leaving two face-down cards.

Next, you are permitted to view your three card hand. The betting options include:

• Taking back your bet placed in the first circle
• Accepting your hand and letting it ride

The most common indicator of a take back is scraping your cards against the table. Once you have made a decision, the dealer flips the first of the two community cards in front of him. This card represents your fourth toward the five card poker hand. Once again you can take back your second bet or let it ride. You can take away the second bet only, but the first bet will remain.

During the final round, the dealer turns over the second community card for you to make your best five card poker hand. The dealer will now pay out the winners according to a specific betting chart.

When playing the correct strategy and robust poker, the house edge for Let it Ride is approximately 3.5 percent. To play correctly, you must know which hands to take back the bet and which hands are worthy of letting the wager ride. There are specific strategies for each betting round within the game.

Let it Ride is a fun and exciting twist on five card poker. The camaraderie that develops at the table, the high payouts and the easy to learn rules make this one of the most popular games in the casino. The strategies are also easy to learn and can be applied instantly to either an online or live game with only memorization. Let it Ride is a great game to try when looking for excitement.