Card Values

In blackjack, the face cards equal 10 points and the ace equals either one or 11, depending upon the player’s preference. Of course, the cards with a numerical value are worth the points shown on them. A blackjack is when a player holds 21 points worth of cards when one of those cards has a 10 value and the other is an ace.

Dealt Cards

Even though there are no hard and fast rules shared by all casinos, players are always given two cards and then get to make a decision about whether or not to take a card, depending on what the dealer’s face-up card shows.

Dealer Rules

The blackjack dealer usually holds when he has 17 or over; the dealer will continue to hit until he gets 17 points. With this in mind, the most effective way to practice the game is to deal out two hands – one for yourself and one for the dealer. Begin playing against the dealer and once the round is over, flip up the dealer’s face-down card.

The “Charlie Rule”

There are a few casinos that follow the “charlie rule.” This rule states that a blackjack player will win if he or she draws a particular number of cards without busting; the usual amount of cards to qualify is five. Of course, the total amount of card points must be 21 or under. The charlie rule affords players quite the favorable benefit and should be used to their advantage at every opportunity.

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Is Card Counting Legal?

The majority of United State’s law jurisdictions state that card counting breaks no laws. In actuality, card counting is a way to mentally count cards and discover the cards’ winning probabilities. But since casinos are considered to be private property, they are well within their rights to ban a player they believe to be engaged in card counting.

How Do Casinos Prevent Card Counting?

Thanks to modern technology, casinos have many security systems available to spot card counters. Every hall is closely watched by pit bosses who use computer analysis and video surveillance to find these people. Sometimes, casinos bring in psychologists to discern the average player from the card counting one. Those with state-of-the-art technology utilize databases full of known card counters from other casinos in order to analyze a player’s face.

Another method employed by casinos are automated shufflers. These shufflers keep track of card values, approximate the player’s edge, and follow small and large bets for regularities. It can also be used to figure out any errors made by people when they double or split, calculating the variations of average play according to the card count.

It is plain to see that casinos have a myriad of ways to keep people from counting cards. Even so, there are some players who know how to avoid their techniques and watchful eye, allowing them to win.

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The Dealer’s Role

Every player as well as the dealer is given two cards. The players’ cards are distributed face up and the dealer’s cards are distributed with one face down and the other face up. Anyone who has a blackjack receives a 3-2 payout. Any player with a perfect pair who has plunked down a side bet at this time will be paid and all lost side bets are taken off the table. When the dealer has a 17 or higher, he must stand; any card total below that requires the dealer to hit.

When Splitting

There are three splitting rules in perfect pairs blackjack. First, the player can split two times. Second, re-splitting aces is not allowed. And third, a player can only have one additional card when splitting aces.

When Doubling Down

Doubling is permitted but only when players have their initial two cards. However, doubling is not permitted after a player splits their aces.

Pairs and Their Payout

When a player is holding one pair consisting of red and black, that player will receive a 5-1 or 6-1 payout, depending upon the casino; this pair is known as a mixed pair. If someone is holding a pair consisting of one color but in different suites – a colored pair – he will either get a 10-1 or 12-1 payout per the casino. Then there is the perfect pair, which is when someone has two cards with the same color and suite; this has a 30-1 payout.

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Hard Eights and Less

When playing in an Internet-based blackjack elimination tournament, the main tip to remember is hitting hard eights and anything less, always. On the other end of the spectrum, it is also necessary to stand on hard 17s and higher. These two guidelines should always be strictly adhered to. Not doing so will send players straight into elimination.

Stiff Hands

Stiff hands, which are hands ranging from hard 12s to hard 16s, are a source of great frustration for blackjack players everywhere, especially those who are competing in elimination tournaments. The negative aspects of stiff hands are that they are not only very rarely strong enough to stand up to and overcome what the blackjack dealer is holding, but also carry a huge chance of busting.

Doubling Down

However, there are double down hands that tend to pop up on occasion and these hands are very beneficial to blackjack players. For example, hard nines to hard 11s are ideal for doubling down in elimination tournaments.

Splitting

Splitting requires players to use good common sense. Players should split eights and aces no matter what card the dealer shows. There are also some cards that should never be split, such as fives and 10s. All of these tips should be followed in all blackjack games and should never be tweaked or ignored in the case of elimination tournaments.

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The House Advantage

Although the one-deck blackjack version appears to be an easy, attractive and fun card game, the truth is that this game has the highest house advantage in comparison to other blackjack versions. This is due to the lesser amount of cards. This influences the odds to the point where the house advantage experiences a 1.39 percent increase.

A General Rule of Avoidance

Since players are at a greater risk of losing more money when playing one-deck blackjack, this game is considered to be one of the worst blackjack variations in relation to players. In general, players should avoid any blackjack version that has less than a 3-2 payout ratio.

In the Casino

Once you get ready to make a trip to the casino for some blackjack fun, make sure to read the signs on the table as these detail the payouts for each game. If you are feeling generous, feel free to spread the word about one-deck blackjack to other players. Remember, the demand for a particular game carries a lot of weight in casinos and they always consider any changes that will not only increase their bottom line, but also add to the players’ enjoyable casino experience. So feel free to express your likes and dislikes about any game.

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Hyland’s Blackjack Team

In 1979, Hyland began his gambling career by assembling his first team of blackjack card counters. The idea behind this team was inspired by “Playing Blackjack as a Business,” which is a book written by Lawrence Revere. Because of this book, Hyland went from playing blackjack for simple leisure to playing it for huge profits.

The initial team created by Hyland was made up of four players who all threw in $4,000 a piece to get the bankroll started. Due to their usage of “early surrender,” Hyland’s team raked in a healthy $50,000 in its charter year.

However, when the conditions for players in Atlantic City, NJ became worse, Hyland’s entire team set up shop in Asia, except for Hyland himself. Instead, he stayed behind in Atlantic City in order to form a new group of players.

The Team’s Gambling Tactics

Hyland’s team used several tactics to improve their gambling endeavors. Some of the tactics they are most well-known for include computer playing, ace sequencing, and shuffle tracking. Even though these techniques are more difficult than counting cards, they give players a slightly higher edge.

The Windsor Casino Debacle

After many years of success, Hyland’s team was arrested in Ontario’s Windsor Casino in 1994 for using the ace sequencing technique in the casino. However, three casinos in Las Vegas stated that their technique was merely a smart strategy instead of a cheating method. Because of these three casinos’ statements, the team was declared not guilty.

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Insurance Bet and How It Works

However, making an insurance bet is optional and can only be done when all players have been dealt their two first cards and the game’s dealer only has one card. On the chance that the dealer does get 21, or a “blackjack,” the side bet is paid to the winners. If a player loses the bet, he or she will continue to play the game as usual.

Limitations

Of course, there are some limitations to an insurance bet. For example, there is a betting cap to this type of blackjack wager; the bet can be no more than half of their initial bet. The odds for an insurance bet comes at a payout of 2-to-1 and will only be paid if and when the dealer possesses the card needed to reach 21.

The Payout

With 2-1 odds, an insurance bet winner who loses the hand will still rake in total to their initial bet, meaning the player will still break even as they have lost the hand but won the side bet. Even though a standard blackjack game gives gamblers among the best winning odds of all casino games in brick-and-mortar and Internet institutions, it is still unfortunate that an insurance side bet does not give players an equally beneficial return. So in the instance of a blackjack side wager – the insurance bet – a player’s odds do not work for them.

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Insurance Bet and How It Works

However, making an insurance bet is optional and can only be done when all players have been dealt their two first cards and the game’s dealer only has one card. On the chance that the dealer does get 21, or a “blackjack,” the side bet is paid to the winners. If a player loses the bet, he or she will continue to play the game as usual.

Limitations

Of course, there are some limitations to an insurance bet. For example, there is a betting cap to this type of blackjack wager; the bet can be no more than half of their initial bet. The odds for an insurance bet comes at a payout of 2-to-1 and will only be paid if and when the dealer possesses the card needed to reach 21.

The Payout

With 2-1 odds, an insurance bet winner who loses the hand will still rake in total to their initial bet, meaning the player will still break even as they have lost the hand but won the side bet. Even though a standard blackjack game gives gamblers among the best winning odds of all casino games in brick-and-mortar and Internet institutions, it is still unfortunate that an insurance side bet does not give players an equally beneficial return. So in the instance of a blackjack side wager – the insurance bet – a player’s odds do not work for them.

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Bust Percentage for Dealers

The percentage of a dealer’s bust shows how frequently a dealer will go bust when holding a particular hand. Even though players can only determine the dealer’s face-up card, they can still make a guess as to the best way to play their hand as long as they take into account not only the face-up card, but also the hand they hold.

The Basics of a Blackjack Strategy

Mathematical principles are of what a blackjack basic strategy is based. Anyone who uses these basic principles as a blackjack playing guideline can put a big dent into the house’s edge. And when a strategy is used in conjunction with their hand and a dealer’s bust percentage, a player will know the best times to double down, hit, and stand.

Card Values for Dealers

There are several bust card values a dealer typically holds, which are four, five, and six. In the dealer’s mind, these cards equate to a terrible hand as it they give him or her a greater likelihood of “busting” than they do with other card values.

The chance that a dealer will bust when holding a four is 40 percent and when they hold a five or six, their bust percentage is 42. A smart player will take the opportunity double down when he or she has a great hand and the dealer holds one of those three cards. However, if a dealer holds a nine, 10, or ace, the chances of winning swing to the dealer’s favor.

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21 Madness

21 madness is actually a side bet made during a blackjack game. If a player holds a blackjack but the game dealer does not have one, the players get paid 5 dollars to 1,000 dollars.

Double Exposure

The rules of double exposure state that both the dealer and the dealers’ cards must be placed face up. However, this game does not allow for blackjack bonuses or insurance. Also, the dealer will always win in the instance there is a tie.

Lucky Ladies

Lucky ladies is another side bet that is placed on the chance that the initial two cards are queens. This is a beatable hand.

Red or Black

This blackjack side bet is placed on the odds the first card the dealer has is red or black. All bets are put in separate circles dedicated to only this bet.

Royal Match Bet

The royal match bet gives a 3-1 payout if the initial two cards belong to the same suite. If the first two are a queen and a king, the player will receive a 10-1 payout.

Spanish 21

In this game, players always win if they hold a blackjack. Players are only allowed to double on the first two cards; however, hitting as well as doubling may only occur after the aces are split. There is a 3-2 payout on hands of six, seven, and eight and a payout of 2-to-1 if these cards belong to the same suite; suite of spade hands have a 3-1 payout. This game does not play with 10s and 1,000 dollars are given to a player when they hold triple sevens against a dealer’s seven.

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