|
>>
Blackjack Tips and Tactics
Blackjack is
fairly straightforward once you grow accustomed to playing it, but
many players prefer to read all of the rules before they sit down,
and this is likely a good idea. Blackjack rules are not set in
stone. In fact, they vary from game to game depending on a small set
of variables that the house chooses for the game.
Generally stated, each blackjack player competes only against the
dealer (i.e. the bank/casino), not against other players. Your goal
as the player is to beat the dealer by drawing cards until your hand
comes close to 21, without exceeding it. If your first two cards
total 21, you have what is known as a 'natural blackjack'. If the
dealer gets closer to 21 than you without going over themselves,
they win. The dealer follows a strict set of blackjack rules written
just for them, and knowing what the dealer must do at the table is
as important as knowing what you yourself can do.
Learning blackjack rules online is a great deal easier than trying
to learn at a table in a land-based casino. Besides the pressure you
feel from the players around you, and the dealers themselves, you
are expected to wager your money as you learn. This is something
everyone prefers to avoid. Playing online eases this concern, as you
may play unlimited amounts of blackjack on a free play version
before placing any real bets.
Blackjack rules online are the same as in a land-based casino, and
as mentioned previously, can vary slightly from establishment to
establishment. To playing online is very simple, since the software
won't let you make any real errors, playing is as simple as clicking
your mouse. Open our software to see how many bet denominations are
readily available. To place a bet for a specific denomination click
on the chip, the software will automatically place this chip in the
betting area for you. To remove a bet, right click on the stack in
the betting area.
All standard forms of blackjack rules dictate that the numerical
values of the cards are: (10, J, Q, K) = 10, (Ace) = 1 or 11, (other
cards) = face value (3 = 3).
Blackjack rules for the dealer are very simple. If the dealer's hand
is 16 or less, they must take a card. If the dealer's hand is 17 or
more, they must stand. Note that some casinos allow the dealer to
hit on soft 17, which gives the house a very small additional
advantage.
The player can do most anything they want as far as hitting and
standing goes. Should a player get a natural blackjack (first 2
cards are an Ace and a ten) standard blackjack rules payoff at 150%
(or 3 to 2) the original bet. For example, betting $10.00 determines
the payoff to be $15.00. Doubling down is restricted to 2-card
hands, totaling 9, 10, or 11. When the option to double down is
available, the software will ask you if you wish to.
After you double down, if that was your choice, the dealer will give
you one more card only, and will move onto the next hand. If you
have a pair that you want to split, the software will also prompt
you to determine what you wish to do. The original bet will go with
one card and the software will place an equal amount of chips in the
betting box near the other card. You are now playing two hands, each
as though they were regular hands adhering to normal blackjack
rules, with the exception being that if you have just split two
aces, you only get one more card. If it is a ten, that hand's total
is now 21 but the hand isn't considered a natural blackjack. That
is, you are paid 1:1 and not 1.5:1 as for a natural.
The suit of the card doesn't matter in blackjack, only the point
value. With that in mind, paying attention to your potential total
on the next card is the main thinking part of the game.
There is no way to win automatically in blackjack; the closest you
can get is being dealt a 21 with your first two cards without the
dealer doing the same. This of course is simply called getting
blackjack, or getting a natural blackjack, or sometimes simply
called a natural. If both you and the dealer happen to get
blackjack, it's a push and you don't get paid, you just get your
money back. If you win on a natural blackjack you are paid a bonus
that, as stated earlier, is usually 3 to 2 on your bet.
Part of learning to play blackjack well, or as some call it,
becoming an advantage player, is learning when to bet more and when
to bet less. Blackjack is a game with a variable house edge, and the
amount of money you walk away with isn't determined by unalterable
numbers each time (as would be the case in a game of roulette). This
house edge fluctuation is only useful if we know how to take
advantage of it, and there is one area where most people fall short,
that area is doubling down.
Doubling down is the player's ability to increase their bet mid-hand
if they feel they have a particularly good opportunity to win. This
is the major variable that lets blackjack be played at a low house
edge. The problem is that people don't often take advantage of this
fact! Without taking advantage of when you should double down, the
house edge soars as high as many games you'll be warned to never
play. When people are presented with an opportunity to double down
it's natural for them to think 'That must mean I have a good chance
of winning, and since I'll win either way, I don't really need to
double my bet, I'll be happy with just winning, I don't need to risk
more'.
Of course this leads to people not doubling down even though it may
be advantageous to do so. Keep in mind though that the house edge
gained from a good strategy is only attainable if you take advantage
of those double down situations. There is no better money-making
opportunity than the double down that Blackjack rules offer.
Card Counting
Card counting is a technique used by skilled players to determine
whether the remaining cards in the deck favor the player or favor
the dealer. Unlike most casino games such as craps, roulette, or
slots where each spin of the wheel or roll of the dice is
independent of the last spin or roll, a deck of cards (that is which
cards remain in the deck) changes with every deal. Having an idea of
which cards remain in the deck can influence how much to wager and
is the basis of card counting.
In the game of blackjack, high cards (10,J,Q,K,A) tend to favor the
player because the player is more likely to get a blackjack or have
a high hand value after doubling down. Low cards (2,3,4,5,6) tend to
favor the dealer because, since the dealer always has to hit stiff
hands, more low cards in the deck give her a better chance of not
busting. For example, if the dealer's up card is low and there are
more high than low cards in the deck, the dealer will most likely
bust. If there are more low than high cards in the deck she will
most likely reach 17 or better without busting.
The Hi-Lo System- Part 1
The Hi-Lo is one of the simplest of card counting systems. To use
this technique each card is given a value of +1, 0, or -1. The low
cards (2,3,4,5,6) are given the value +1. The center cards (7,8,9)
are given the value 0. And the high cards (10,J,Q,K,A) are given the
value -1. As the deck is dealt out to all the players the counting
player keeps a running total of the cards that have been played by
adding and subtracting the values assigned to each card.
For example, suppose the following cards have just been dealt from
the deck: A, 2, 10, 3, 9, J, K,7. In this case the running count
would be -2 (-1+1-1+1+0-1-1+0=-2). When the running count is
negative the deck is rich in low cards and favors the dealer. When
the running count is positive the deck is rich in high cards and
favors the player.
The Hi-Lo System- Part 2
Part 2 of the Hi-Lo system determines how likely the next hand will
match the expectations determined from part 1. By dividing the
running count from part 1 by the number of remaining decks (in a
multiple deck game) to be played the player has a better idea of how
much weight to give his running count.
For example, the running count after the 4th hand in a 6 deck game
will be more important than the running count after the first hand
in the same 6 deck game. This "penetration" into the stack is the
key to counting and the reason why casinos never deal out the entire
deck before reshuffling.
The Hi-Lo System- Part 3
In order to use the Hi-Lo system effectively, the player must place
his bets according to his count and how far in to the deck the game
is. Put simply, the player places higher bets when the deck is in
his favor (positive count and deep penetration) and places lower
bets when the deck is in the dealers favor (negative count and deep
penetration).
Of course the player can also devise a sliding scale for placing his
bets in order to take advantage of his knowledge of the remaining
cards in the deck. The sliding scale might work something like this:
count=0, bet=$5; count=+1, bet=$10; count=+2, bet=$15 and so on.
Deviating from Basic Strategy
Generally, most hands should be played according to basic strategy.
In fact, the basic strategy should be mastered before attempting any
type of counting technique. There are occasions however, when
knowing the remaining cards in the deck justify a deviation from
basic strategy.
For example, if the running count is +8, the game is half way in to
the stack, and the dealer is showing an ace the player may consider
taking insurance because he knows there are an abundance of 10,J,Q,K
's left in the deck.
Another example would be splitting 10s when the count is very high
or especially when the count is very high and the game is deep into
the stack. The deck would be in your favor to get 20 or 21 after
splitting the 10s.
The Reality of Counting Cards
The idea of counting cards and beating the casinos at their own game
has a certain appeal for many people. The truth is that counters
will lose as often as the basic strategy player. The difference is
that the counter has higher wagers when he wins. By placing higher
wagers when the deck is in your favor, the casino's edge can be
shifted to favor the player in the long run. There are difficulties
however, such as having a large enough bank roll to play for
extended periods of time and actually using the technique for an
extended period without drawing the casino's attention.
Counting cards is not illegal however, Nevada casinos do have the
right to refuse service to any individual suspected of counting
cards at the blackjack table because the casinos are private clubs
according to law. Atlantic City casinos on the other hand do not
have the right to refuse service to an individual based on skillful
blackjack play. The casinos in AC will however, tend to shuffle
early, use more decks, or raise the minimum bet to discourage
suspected counters.
Smart players already know that the use of the basic strategy card
helps your blackjack play. Right click on the Blackjack Strategy
Card below, save onto your PC, print and use while you play.
>>
Craps Rules
Craps can be the
favorite and the most profitable game in the casino for players,
that is, if you know how to take advantage of the smart bets. Many
of the bets will look attractive and promising, but it's a well-know
fact: looks can be deceiving. And the casino takes advantage of it.
That's why it's important to know the difference between the smart
bets and the dumb ones. Let me warn you, craps rules can be very
confusing, especially when you're new to the game.
The "GOOD" bets:
Pass Line Bet
Often referred to as the "right" bet, it is placed just before the
come-out roll. The rules are straight forward: the bet wins if the
come-out roll is 7 or 11 and loses if it's 2, 3, or 12. Once a point
is established, the point number must be rolled again before a 7
comes up for the bet to win, otherwise, it loses. The house edge for
pass line bets is 1.41% making it one of the best bets in the
casino. It's a pure luck bet - a rarity in casinos. The real value
lies in backing your pass line bet with 'free odds'. The odds bet is
placed just behind the pass line once a point is established, and is
paid back at true odds, unlike most bets in the casino.
Don't Pass Line Bet
Just to make craps rules more confusing, there's the don't pass line
bet. Just like the pass line bet above, this bet is also placed
immediately prior to the come-out roll. The rules, however, are
opposite. The bet wins if the come-out roll is 2 or 3 and loses if
it's 7 or 11. If 12 is rolled, it's a push, which means that no
money is won or lost. Once a point is established, 7 must be rolled
before a reoccurrence of the point for the bet to win. The house
edge for don't pass line bets is 1.36% - just slightly better than
the pass line bet - nonetheless, far less popular. The bet is often
referred to as the "wrong" bet, or playing 'against the dice',
because players as a group like to see points being made rather than
craps.
Come Bet
A come bet can be made anytime after a point is established. The
same craps rules apply as the pass line bet. After a come bet is
placed, the next roll is the come-out roll for that particular bet,
and only for the player who placed that bet. The only difference
between the come bet and the pass line bet is that with a come bet,
you can identify the "virtual" start of the game, and the point is
yours alone, it's not the point for the rest of the players. The
house edge on the come bet is the same as the pass line bet - 1.41%.
Don't Come Bet
now, this should be obvious - the rules are exactly the opposite of
those for the come bet, and the same as for the don't pass line bet,
with the exception of starting your own round of play separate from
the original pass line activity of the shooter. By placing the bet,
you establish the start of a new round. The house edge on this bet
is, of course, 1.36%. Sound familiar? The don't come and don't pass
bets are two of the best bets in craps.
>>
Slots Rules
Slots are easy and fun
to play, and many of the online casinos have excellent game graphics
and a wide variety of slot games to choose from. To begin playing
Slots, you must first deposit money into the machine. You may then
normally select which coin denomination you wish to play, and select
if you want to "Bet One" or "Bet Max", which is usually 3 to 5 coins
but sometimes is more. Each time you want to spin, you then either
click on "Spin" or the appropriate "Bet" button. When the slot
machine reels stop, your payoff will be determined from a table of
winning combinations listed on your screen.
How much you win (if anything) is determined by where the wheels
stops. The goal is to get the symbols (bars, numbers, special
symbols, etc.) to line up on the payline in one of the winning
combinations listed on the pay schedule. Each game has its own pay
schedule and special symbols. For example, three cherries in a row
may pay 12 to 1. Some machines have up to 9 paylines, or even pay on
the diagonal, so be sure to read the rules for each game you play.
Progressive Jackpot Slot Machines
Certain slot machines are called "Progressive Jackpots". The top
payout on a progressive jackpot machine is not according to a fixed
schedule as in regular slot machines. Rather, jackpot values start
at a certain level and grow each time somebody makes a bet (until
some lucky player hits the jackpot). Progressive slots can grow to
almost $400,000 online, and therefore are very popular. However,
they can also be quite risky, and you can lose a lot of money trying
to hit the big jackpot. Important note: you normally have to bet the
maximum number of coins in order to be eligible for the jackpot - be
sure to read the game rules in the casino before you start playing.
German Immigrant, Charles Fey, credited with inventing slot
machine.
In California, (especially San Francisco), in the 1890's, gambling
was a popular type of entertainment. Many forms of slot machines
existed at that time.
Charles Fey aimed at competing with these existing slot machines
with his "Liberty Bell". The "Liberty Bell" had many unique features
that soon distinguished his machines. Players liked the Liberty
Bell, and any good establishment gives the players what they like.
The Liberty Bell was a big hit, and Charles Fey was given credit for
inventing a "new" standard in slot machines, that to this day has
some influence.
In the 1890's, slot machines can best be described as semi-legal. By
paying the players, slot machines were made illegal, and eventually
banned in California. Charles Fey continued to produce his machines
regardless.
He knew his machines were popular and that the end users were the
ones using his inventions illegally. Why should he give up
producing, when as far as he was concerned, they were legal if used
correctly?
He continued to produce and sell his inventions, and was eventually
arrested and fined.
It was never legal to produce or own slot machines again in
California as long as Charles Fey was alive. Production was legal in
other states and these producers often copied his machines and sold
them to his clients.
I wonder what Charles Fey would be thinking of doing in the year
2000 with Internet gambling and online casinos. Are we missing out
on the latest invention of the "Liberty Bell"?
>>
Baccarat Rules
The object is to
assemble a hand of two or three cards with a points value as close
to nine as possible. The perfect hand is one that totals nine in the
first two cards. Eight is the second-best hand and, along with the
nine, it constitutes the two "natural" hands. The only hand that
will beat a natural eight is a natural nine. If any player hand or
the Bank has a natural eight or nine, the others may not draw a
third card. In a tie, bets are called off.
Aces count as one, picture cards as 10 and the others their face
value. If your hand total is in double figures, then the first
figure is ignored. So a hand totaling 18 would count as eight.
The player with the most money is usually is declared the banker -
this is the casino in Baccarat Banque and rotates in Chemin de Fer.
The banker deals three hands of two cards each, face down. These
hands are for two players, one to the right and one the left of the
banker, plus his own hand. Other players at the table may bet on
either hand (cheval) or both to beat the banker's hand. If a player
declares "banco", it means they are betting the total value of the
bank's funds and all other bets are withdrawn.
If either player has a count less than eight or nine, he may stand
(saying "non") or get one more card face up (saying "carte"). The
player must stand on six or seven and must draw on four or less.
Casinos usually take their percentage of the bank and bets as their
fee for the game.
Baccarat strategies
Baccarat begins after the croupiers (dealers) make the shoe (shuffle
the eight decks of cards and place them in the plastic box). The
players (you and the other customers at the table) place a wager on
either the Banks hand or the Players hand. Wagers having been placed
two cards are dealt to each hand the first two being the players
hands cards. (those betting the players hand) the second two cards
for the banks hand. A third card may be drawn by either side in
accordance with the rules below. The winning hand is the one with
the point total closest to nine after all the cards are dealt. Tens,
cards that total ten and picture cards count as zero. An ace counts
as one, numbered cards one thru nine count at face value. If the
cards total a two digit number, only the last digit counts. e.g.
5+7=12, 12 counts as 2 , king+7 = 7
Bank and player bets are paid even money but there is a 5%
commission charged on all winning banker bets. (in the way the card
are drawn the bank has a slight advantage).
A bet on the tie hand pays 8 to 1.
Rules summarizing when a third card is to be drawn.
1. If either the player or the bank have a total of 8 or 9 on the
first two cards no further cards are drawn . The resulting hand is
called a natural and the hand is over.
2. If the players total is less than or equal to 5 the players hand
draws a third card.
3. If the player does not draw a third card, then the banker's hand
stands on 6 or more and takes a third card on a total of 5 or less.
If the player does take a third card then the rules below will
determine if the bank takes a third card.
4. If the banks total is 2 or less then bank draws a card,
regardless of what the players third card is.
5. If the banks total is 3 then the bank draws a third card unless
the players third card was an 8.
6. If the banks total is 4 then the bank draws a third card unless
the players third card was a 0,1,8,or 9.
7. If the banks total is 5 then the bank draws a third card if the
players third card was 4,5,6,or 7.
8. If the banks total is 6 then the bank draws a third card if the
players third card was a 6 or 7.
9. If the banks total is 7 then the bank stands.
It is not necessary to memorize these rules to play , they are
automatic and only on a rare occasion is a mistake made, and quickly
corrected . You are a player not to be confused with the players
hand or the bank being the casino. You as a player may bet either
side. These rules apply to both Mini and the Big baccarat tables.
>>
Basic Poker Rules
Now that you know what
it takes to win, we can clue you in on how the game itself is
played. Unlike bridge, poker is almost always played for a lofty
goal: cash. Before the game begins, the players should collectively
decide on a betting limit. A betting limit keeps the game friendly,
and prevents people from gambling mortgages, cars, or spouses away.
Now on to the action! Here are the basic rules, step by step:
First, each player places an ante or "token bet" into the pot before
the cards are even dealt. The ante can be anything from a nickel (if
you're a poor college student) to thousands of dollars (if you're a
Vegas high roller). You need an ante because it guarantees that
someone will always win something on each hand. You also need an
ante because without one, your uncle would be lonely. We'll wait . .
.
Once everyone has coughed up his or her ante, the dealer deals the
cards face down around the table, starting at the player to his left
and continuing clockwise. The dealer (if he's playing) always deals
to himself last. The dealer deals everyone their first card, then
goes back around the circle to deal the second, and so on. As soon
as everyone has five cards, the remainder of the deck is placed in
the center of the table, and play begins.
Each player looks at his or her cards, and then the first player
places a bet. While there are several ways of deciding who bets
first, poker novices are best off letting the player directly to the
left of the dealer make the first bet. Then on the next hand, the
person to his left will bet first, and so on around the table for
each new hand.
Players have several options as far as the first round of betting
goes. If no one has made a bet yet, you have two choices:
Open: If no betting has begun when your turn comes,
you may "open" the pot (an attractive option for you Grateful Dead
fans out there). This simply means that you make the first bet (any
amount up to the betting limit).
Check: The opportunity to "check" only occurs if no
one has yet opened the betting when it comes time for you to decide
what to do. When a player checks, it means that he or she doesn't
want to open the betting, but doesn't want to quit either. It
basically means "I'm not going to open the betting, but I'll stick
around and see what happens."
Now let's say that someone opens the betting (at some point, it will
occur). You now have three choices:
See: When you "see" another player, it means that
you match their bet. So if someone bets $1 and you want to stay in
the game, you have to "see" their $1 by putting $1 of your own into
the pot.
Raise: When you "raise," it requires you to first
"see" the previous bet, and then increase the bet. For example, if
the previous person bet a nickel and you want to bet more than that,
you would say "I see (match) your nickel, and raise you (increase
the bet) another nickel."
Fold: When someone else opens, you can always jump
ship and cut your losses. In other words, you "fold." The act of
folding is to "give up," place your cards face down on the table,
lose whatever you've bet so far, and grab a beer. In other words,
you give up early and lose your dough. This option is used when you
think your hand is too weak to compete.
At this point, all the players who haven't folded are allowed to get
rid of the cards they don't want and take some new cards. A player
is permitted to get rid of up to 3 unwanted cards and receive up to
3 new ones from the deck (as long as the player always has 5 cards
total). No one sees what anyone else discarded (threw away) or drew
(got as a new card). It's all done face down.
After every player draws 0 to 3 new cards, the betting begins again.
You have the option of opening or checking, and once someone opens,
you can see, raise, or fold. The game ends when there are no more
raises (everyone saw everyone else's bet), or everybody folds
(except for the winner, of course).
Now it's time for everyone to turn their cards over and see how they
fared. The player with the highest hand wins the pot. Some people in
this position have been known to laugh maniacally as they scoop up
everyone else's dough. If you do that, you're friends will hate you.
Thus, we highly recommend it. They'll get over it.
The only way to stay in the game is to not fold. If you have a bad
hand and want out quick, then you'd seriously consider folding. If
you have what you think could be a good hand (if you could take a
few new cards and get good ones), then you would seriously consider
staying in. If you have an outstanding hand, then you'll definitely
want to stay in. BUT you don't want everyone to know you have a
great hand, or else they'll all fold, letting you win the tiny ante
pot. The trick is to make everyone else bet a lot, and win even more
money. It's all about being a good liar and a good actor.
Tie Hands If two hands are tied in rank, the
following rules apply:
1. If two players both have straight flushes, flushes, or straights,
the highest card that is part of the hand determines the winning
hand. If the highest card still results in a tie then the next
highest card will determine the winner. And so on...
2. If both players have a full house, then the highest 3 of a kind
will determine the winner.
3. If both players have three of a kind the highest ranking three of
a kind will be determined the winner.
4. The highest-ranking pair in the hand will decide two hands with
two pair. If this still results in a tie then the remaining pairs
will be compared and the highest-ranking pair will then decide the
winner.
5. If both players have a single pair then the highest-ranking pair
will win. If this is also a tie then next highest-ranking single
card will determine the winner. If this still results in a tie then
the next highest single ranking card will determine the winner. And
so on...
6. Two hands with no pairs, flushes, or straights are compared and
the card with the highest ranking single card will be determined the
winner. If this still yields no winner then the next highest card
will be determined the winner. And so on...
Below are some poker tips that should help you
along the way to playing online poker like a genius.
Play a game with which you are familiar. This will give you a chance
to acclimate to online poker without feeling at sea.
Understand the difference between playing at the casino and playing
online. At the casino, you'll have to play more wisely against
possibly more skilled competition.
If you're having a bad time at the tables, take a break. in fact,
take breaks anyway just to keep yourself fresh and fed.
One of the more popular poker tips is that you should always study.
The best way to improve your game is to studying and practice your
skills in low-stakes games.
Another of the important poker tips for you to consider is that you
can't expect to win every session you play. Realize that every
session is part of your career session.
The last of the poker tips from us is that you should never be
intimidated. Play steady, and have fun. |
