Thursday, 02 September 2010

  • Blackjack

    The most widely played casino game in the world is Blackjack, whether you consider online casino gambling or brick and mortar gambling.  Its popularity is attributed to its simplicity; anybody can play for a few minutes and understand the core rules.  Ambitious players should take it further than simply knowing the rules and learn the strategy of the game.  Additionally, there are many variants of Blackjack that are played in brick and mortar and online casinos that successful players should know.  The transition of Blackjack to Mac compatible casinos makes it easier for anybody to access a Blackjack game at any time.

    The basic rules to Blackjack are simple.  In Blackjack, the dealer (the casino) plays against the players.  The dealer deals all players two cards face-up, deals himself one card face-up and another face-down.  Picture cards are worth ten while aces are worth one or eleven (whichever creates the best hand).  All other cards are valued as the number shown.  Players must try and get a higher value than the dealer or hope the dealer goes over 21 (which is called “busting”).  Play goes around the table with each player “hitting” (taking a card) or “staying” (keeping the cards the way they are).  For both brick and mortar and Blackjack download games, the dealer acts last and all players that remained in the hand win if he busts.  A dealer is bound by a set of rules for hitting or staying.  They must immediate show if they have “blackjack” (an ace and a ten equaling 21), hit on 16 and below, and generally stay on anything above 16.

    Unlike when you download roulette, there is a basic strategy in Blackjack that should be followed to maximize your expected value.  Players must keep the card the dealer is showing in mind when playing Blackjack.  A player’s action is based around this card and the value of their cards.  The card the dealer is not showing should always be assumed to be worth ten (since there are more tens in the deck than any other card).  A dealer must hit on anything below a 17.  With this in mind, players should stay whenever the dealer has a 3, 4, 5, or 6 showing.  When the dealer has a 13, 14, 15, or 16, he must hit and there is a large chance of him busting.  Any player still in the hand is a winner if he busts.  If the dealer is showing a card above 6, a player’s decision must be based around the cards they hold.  Players with cards valued below 16 must hit to try and improve their hand.  Any player that has cards value above 16 should stay and hope this hand will beat the dealer’s hand.  There are other situations that may come up in flash compatible casinos but these basic rules will help with the majority of them.

    There are many Blackjack variants that have become popular.  Some of these variants are popular in brick and mortar casinos while others are more popular at online casinos.  For example, Spanish 21 is a variant of Blackjack found in many brick and mortar casinos.  The rules in Spanish 21 are more liberal than those of regular Blackjack, such as doubling down any number of cards.  There is one huge difference between Spanish 21 and regular Blackjack: there are no tens in the deck.  A popular variant on download free casino sites is Blackjack Switch where players are dealt two hands and may switch cards between these two initial hands.  Players may find this appealing, but blackjack only pays even money (as compared to the standard 3:2) and dealers push on 22.  Casinos prefer that players play Blackjack Switch since it is more profitable for them than regular Blackjack (though it may not seem that way).

    Gambling veterans and newcomers alike can enjoy the classic game of Blackjack.  And don’t forget, it isn’t like a Bingo bonus: learn Blackjack strategy to ensure expected value is maximized.  Variants offer fun alternatives to Blackjack but have a lower expected value.  Blackjack can be found in brick and mortar casinos all over the world or in the comfort of your own living room with Amex compatible casinos.

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