Casinos Information - myOddCasino
The rules of Blackjack
The basic rules.
You must get "21" or less and your total must be greater than the dealer, (or the same for a push).
The house has a very small winning margin and blackjack is often regarded as a skills games.
Card values
- Ace - 1 or 11
- 2 to 10 - Face value
- Jack, Queen and King - 10
The dealer drawing rules.
The dealer does not actually choose when he can or cannot draw, he has to follow some very strict rules.
The dealer has to draw a card when it has a total of 16 or less, (or if he is loosing and has a 'soft' "17" - "7").
In most cases the bank cannot use the ace to make a soft total, for example if the dealer has "7" and an "ace" then the total must be "18", (and not "8").
The bank cannot split cards and of course it cannot double.
Double or Double-down.
When you have a good chance of winning the house, (casino), will allow you to double your bet and draw one more card.
A good example would be if you are dealt a "6" and a "5", (total "11"), and the dealer has a small card then you can double down and hope for a "10". You can only draw one card, so if you draw an "Ace" then your total will only be "12".
Split, or splitting pairs.
If the player is dealt 2 cards that are the same, (a pair), then you can split both cards and handle them as if they were separate hands.
If you are dealt 2 "Aces" you can split them and you could then be dealt 2x"10"'s, (that would be 2 black jacks).
Blackjack.
The name black jack is when you get "21" with your first 2 cards. The only way that it can be done is when you get dealt an "Ace" and a "10".
Traditionally a blackjack pays 3:2 or 1.5 times your original bet.
Most casinos pay-out as soon as the player has a blackjack, unless their up card is an "Ace" or a "10", in that case they will check if the dealer can also get a blackjack. If that happens the hand is a drawn.
Surrender.
Not offered by most casinos, (but offered by most good/prestigious casinos), this is when the player can surrender half the bet and 'surrender' the hand.
There are 3 types of surrender, surrender, early surrender, (you can surrender if the dealer has an "Ace" but before he checks for blackjack), late surrender, (you can surrender _after_ the dealer has checked for blackjack).
Because not every casino offers 'surrender', and because the type of surrender is very different in most places you should check beforehand what the rules are when it comes to surrender.
Insurance.
In the original deal you are given 2 cards and the dealer shows one card, (the up card).
If the dealer gets an ace you can insure yourself for up to half your original bet.
For example if you bet $100.00 and the dealer has an ace then you can insure yourself for $50.00.
If the dealer then draws a 10 he has blackjack. You then loose our original $100.00 but your insurance will pay 2:1, (or $100), so your insurance will pay for loosing your bet.
The problem with insurance is that you loose it if the dealer does not get a blackjack.
In a cruel twist of fate you could then go on loosing your original bet as well. If the dealer gets an "ace" and draws a "9" the total is "20".
Bust
According to the rules you or the dealer cannot have a total greater than "21". So if you or the dealer get more than 21 it is called a bust.
Technically speaking the dealer cannot bust after you, once your total is greater than "21" then the dealer will win the hand.
If there are more than one players at the table and you bust, (and the other player doesn't bust), then the dealer has to continue playing. If the dealer then bust you still loose this hand this is because you lost first.
Push/ Draw.
This happens when you and the dealer get the same number. In that case you don't win or loose anything. For example if you get a "19" and the dealer gets a "19".
hit.
This term is users by the dealer or the players. "Hit me", is the same as asking for another card.
Variants, Casino own blackjack rules.
Many casino offer variants to the rules, like splitting any 2 cards or doubling on any number of cards.
Some also offer some special case rewards, where you win if something special happens, for example a blackjack with same suit of cards or 21 with 3-7's.
Most of those variants do not actually make a big diference in the outcome of the game, but they do give the impression that the player has a better chance of winning.
Basic strategy
The table bellow indicates what you should do when you are dealt cards.
For example, if you get a total of "16" and the dealer shows a "6" you should stand.
This is of course not a full-proof method, but it is a very good indication of what you should do.
NB: If the other player(s) on the table are not following the same basic rules then this table below becomes fairly useless, but most player will keep following the table regales.
| Your Hand |
Dealer's face-up card |
| |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
A |
| Hard totals |
| 18-20
| S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
| 17
| S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
Rs |
| 16 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
Rh |
Rh |
Rh |
| 15 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
Rh |
Rh |
| 13-14 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 12 |
H |
H |
S |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 11 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
| 10 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
| 9 |
H |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 5-8 |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| Soft totals |
| A,9 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
| A,8 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
D |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
| A,7 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
S |
S |
H |
H |
H |
| A,6 |
H |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| A,4-5 |
H |
H |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| A,2-3 |
H |
H |
H |
D |
D |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| Pairs |
| A,A |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
| 10,10 |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
S |
| 9,9 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
S |
SP |
SP |
S |
S |
| 8,8 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
Rsp |
| 7,7 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 6,6 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 5,5 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
H |
H |
| 4,4 |
H |
H |
H |
SP |
SP |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| 2,2 3,3 |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
SP |
H |
H |
H |
H |
Hard totals = When the total does not include an ace or the ace can no longer be equal to "11"
Soft totals = When the total includes an ace. ("Ace"+"6" is either worth "7" or "17")
S = Stand
H = Hit
D = Double
SP = SPlit
Rh = suRrender if allowed, otherwise hit
Rs = suRrender if allowed, otherwise Stand
Rsp = suRrender if allowed, otherwise SPlit
Leave the Credit Cards Home
2010 - 09 - 02
I was at the casino this morning and when I was getting ready to leave I went to the casino cage to cash in my chips. They only had one window open and there were three people in line ahead of me. I waited in the line for 25 minutes before it was my turn. This was because two of the three people in front of me were taking a cash advance on their credit card.
I was aggravated that I had to wait in line while these lengthy transactions were taking place but at the same time I almost felt a little sorry for the people who were financing their gambling with their credit card.
One of the reasons that the country is in such bad financial shape is because people have over extended themselves by charging things that they cannot afford. Credit card debt is rampant and it is the major reason why many people are having financial difficulties.
The sad truth is that for the most part it could be avoided if people would curb their spending and avoid using credit cards for unnecessary purchases. Taking a cash advance on your credit card to gamble in the casino is a perfect example of an unnecessary purchase and it may cost them more than they realize. If you do not have the discipline to play within your budget, you might want to leave your credit cards home when you visit the casino.
Leave the Credit Cards Home originally appeared on About.com Casino Gambling on Friday, June 19th, 2009 at 14:46:44.
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Community Slot Play
2010 - 09 - 02
I remember years ago when the Internet was in its infancy. As people began logging on and spending more time "surfing the web," there were warnings that we could become a society of recluses locked away from human contact and social contact. Of course that never happened. In fact, over the years as technology advanced, we became a global society interacting with others via Internet sites, instant messaging, blogs and other social media sites.
Modern technology has allowed some of us to meet and make new friends with those people that we share a common interest with. We may have never met these people without the technological advancements that have changed our social interactions with others. This technology is not limited to just the internet. It is creeping into other areas of our lives.
In the casino, most of the social interaction among the players came by playing the casino table games. For most of us, playing a slot machine was a solitary endeavor. This is now changing as the slot makers are using new technology to design slot games that will allow the players to win a communal jackpot. These community slot machines will let slot players enjoy more of a social atmosphere when they play their favorite games.
Community Slot Play originally appeared on About.com Casino Gambling on Friday, June 12th, 2009 at 08:06:47.
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Casino Companies Favor Online Gambling
2010 - 09 - 02
Many years ago when online casinos started appearing on the Internet, the owners of the brick and mortar casinos spoke out vocally against them. They were in favor of legislation to ban the online casinos because they did not want anything cutting into their profits. With the casino industry suffering from declining revenues during the current economic slowdown, some of the casino corporations are eyeing online gambling as a way increase their sagging profits.
Harrah's Entertainment and MGM Mirage, the two largest gaming companies now support legalizing online gambling. Harrah's has been the most vocal supporter of Internet gambling in recent months, and they also stand to benefit the most from legalization. Last month, Harrah's launched a subsidiary in Montreal, Canada to capitalize on the spread of Internet gambling in countries where online gambling is legal.
Both Harrah's and MGM feel that more people would gamble online if it was regulated and run by companies that know and trust.
Casino Companies Favor Online Gambling originally appeared on About.com Casino Gambling on Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 at 22:09:42.
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Disclaimer
Please note that this website is for information only. Whilst every care has been taken to provide accurate information you should always seek the advice of a professional before attempting any repairs or making any purchase(s).
You need to take special care to ensure that the information given applies your system.
