Blackjack Geeks - Onine Blackjack Strategies

RULES & PLAY

Blackjack is the most popular casino card game in which you play against the house. It is simple, yet exciting and combines skill and luck which makes it a favorite all over the world. In this section on Blackjack Geeks, we explain the rules, main scope and the flow of the game. Usually, there are some variations of the way blackjack is played, but the core remains the same and that’s what we’ll introduce here.

General Rules

In blackjack, you play against the dealer and the main objective is to beat him by collecting more points without busting;
Each card has a certain value: aces are counted as 1 or 11 points, 2-9 bring their face value and tens, jacks, queens and kings count as 10;
The score of each player is determined by the sum of his cards values as described above. The objective is to reach the highest possible score that does not exceed 21. If you pass the 21 mark, you are bust and lose;
The highest ranking card combination is 21 with 2 cards (an Ace and a 10 point card) and you receive 50% bonus to your winnings if you have it. It is called blackjack.
The game is played with 1-8 of 52-card decks;

Flow of the Game

The player places his bet and then two cards are dealt to both him and the dealer each;
One of the dealer’s cards is face up while the other is hidden and is called a hole card. If the visible one is an ace or a 10-point card, the dealer can take a peek and see if he has a blackjack;
If the visible card is an ace, the player has the option to buy insurance which will pay 2:1 if the dealer hits 21;
T If the dealer or the player himself don’t have 21 (a blackjack) from the first two cards, the player has few possible options to play his hand:
The game is played with 1-8 of 52-card decks;
Stand: if the player is satisfied with the score he got, he can choose to Stand and end the game;
Hit: if the player wants another card, he can choose to hit another card. This can be done multiple times until the player reaches 21 or busts;
Double: the player can double his bet and take another card after which the hand ends. This means the player can’t hit another card after a double;
Split: if the player has two cards of the same score, he could split them into two separate hands. His bet is doubled and a new stake is placed on both of the hands. A new card is dealt to each of the two split cards to form the new hands. There is a special case here: if aces are split, the game is over after the second card is dealt to each hand. Otherwise, the normal rules apply to each hand and the player can hit, stand or double.
After all players end their turn, the hole card of the dealer is revealed. If the dealer’s total score is 16 or less, he hits another card. This process is repeated until the dealer reaches a score of 17 or more. If the dealer gets more than 21 points the dealer busts and you win if you aren’t bust yourself. If the dealer reaches a score between 17-21, his points are compared to those of each player that is not busted. If it’s a draw you get your stake back. If the dealer has more points than you, you lose your stake. Otherwise, you win and doubles your initial stakes.

Hand Signals

When you are playing in a live casino, there are specific hand signals you could use to show what your next action is. When blackjack is played with one or two decks, the cards are dealt face down and you can hold them in your hands. When the decks are more, the cards are dealt face up. Depending on that, the hand signals are as follows:

Hit

if the cards are face up, just tap on the table with a finger. Otherwise, you have to lightly scrape your cards to the felt;

Stand

if you’re playing face up, just wave your hand horizontally. If the cards are face down and in your hand, put them on the table and under your bet to indicate that you don’t want more cards;

Double

if you playing face down, leave your cards on the table face up and then put an additional bet behind your initial wager. The second step applies to face up games as well. There is an exception here: if you have a pair, hold up your index finger to show that you don’t want a split, but a double;

Surrender

in case you want to surrender in a face-down game, put your cards on the table, face up. After that, no matter the game, slide your index finger horizontally behind your wager. The slide should be longer than the one for hit, about 15 cm/ 6 inches or so. It is ok to also just say “surrender”, especially since some dealers might be unfamiliar with the signal.

Split

the signals here are similar to the double. If you are playing a hand-held game, place your cards face up on the table. Then put your second bet next to your first one (and not behind as when you double). If you have a pair of fours or fives, it is appropriate to show a V sign with your fingers to confirm that you are not doubling, but splitting;

Variations Of Rules

As most popular card games, blackjack has lots of possible rule variations. It is important to examine the rules of the online or offline casino you play at, as it will influence your payout ratio. You need to adapt your strategy to the rules. Before we get that far, we want to introduce you to the most common rules variations in online casinos:

Number of Decks: in most web casinos, the number of decks varies between 1 and 8. The lower the number, the lower the edge of the house;
Hit or Stand on Soft 17: If the dealer has 17 with an ace included, it is called “soft 17”. Some casinos stand on soft 17 while others have the rule to hit. The latter increases the house edge;
Resplits: there’s a variation in the rules when you split your hand and hit another matching hand. Some casinos allow additional splits, others don’t;
Double restrictions: the majority of online casinos allow doubles on any two cards. However, some of them limit it to only hard sums of 9-11;
Peek for Blackjack: under the traditional rules of the game, the dealer always peeks for blackjack if an ace or a 10-point card is showing. Some casinos operate under “European blackjack” rules where the dealer does not peek, so the player might split or double and lose two wagers in case of blackjack. Not peeking increases the advantage of the casino;
Double after Split: most online casinos will allow you to double your bet after splitting your cards. However, there are exceptions where you can’t;
Resplit Aces: there are different rules about splitting aces compared to splitting other cards;
Hitting Split Aces: in most casinos you can draw only one card after splitting aces. Some allow hitting another card, though;
Surrender: in some online casinos you are allowed to surrender and lose half of your wager before the start of the hand. Usually, this happens after the dealer checks for blackjack and is called “late surrender”. There is also an “early surrender” and it happens before the dealer checks for blackjack. Some casinos offer the latter, others the former;
Automatic Winner Charlie Rule: in a few blackjack casinos there is a rule that if you reach a certain number of cards before busting, you are an automatic winner. This number is usually between 5 and 7. The lower the number, the lower the house edge.

These are the most common differences in blackjack rules. However, there are other variations such as Blackjack Switch, Super Fun 21, Pontoon, Ties Win Blackjack, Spanish Blackjack, 21 Duel Blackjack, Double Attack Blackjack and others.

We prepared a table that shows what rules apply in some of the most popular casinos out there as also the house edge in each of them.

Here is a table that will show you the exact impact of most rule variations:

RULE	EFFECT
Single deck	0.48%
Early surrender against ten	0.24%
Player may double on any number of cards	0.23%
Double deck	0.19%
Player may draw to split aces	0.19%
Six-card Charlie	0.16%
Player may resplit aces	0.08%
Late surrender	0.08%
Four decks	0.06%
Five decks	0.03%
Six decks	0.2%
Split to only 3 hands	-0.01%
Player may double on 9-11 only	-0.09%
Split to only 2 hands	-0.10%
European no hole card	-0.11%
Player may not double after splitting	-0.14%
Player may double on 10,11 only	-0.18%
Dealer hits on soft 17	-0.22%
Blackjack pays 7-5	-0.45%
Blackjack pays 6-5	-1.39%
Blackjacks pay 1 to 1	-2.27%

Blackjack Statistics

Bet Size

Use this table if the bonus is not given until after completing the wagering and you plan to redeposit as many times as needed to complete the wagering. It shows the chance of ending above the deposit balance after completing a wagering requirement with 5 bet sizes. As you can see, the chance of gain increases as bet size decreases and as wagering requirements decrease.

Final Outcome

B L A C K J A C K F I N A L O U T C O M E P R O B A L I T I E S

The table below shows the chance of the player and dealer getting a particular total, assuming a 6 deck game in which the dealer stands on soft 17. There are two tables.

In the first table (Hand Continues), the dealer column indicates the percentage chance of achieving a given result when the dealer always completes the hand, including when the player busts.

In the second table (Hand Ends), the dealer column indicates the percentage chance of achieving a given result if the game ends when the player busts, with only two cards given to the dealer.

Expected Value per Hand

B L A C K J A C K E V P E R H A N D

The table below shows the player's expected winnings as a proportion of the bet he/she places (known as EV or Expected Value) after the first 2 cards are dealt, assuming the player is following an optimal strategy in a 6-deck soft 17 peek game. To get your expeced winnings, simply multiply the value of your bet by the number in the table that coincides with your hand and the dealer's face up card.

House Edge

B L A C K J A C K H O U S E E D G E C A L C U L A T O R

Optimal player payback

Basic strategy with cut card

Basic strategy with continuous shuffler

Click on any of the info signs above for further information

PLAY BLACKJACK OFFLINE

Card Counting

You’ve probably seen lots of movies and read books that mention the so-called “card counting” related to blackjack. Although its importance is exaggerated in art, the strategy is legit and can give you an extra edge over the house as it changes the optimal action in certain situations. Still, most of the time you will be playing the basic blackjack strategy, so don’t rely too much on card counting.

What Is Card Counting Exactly?

The general concept of card counting is to follow what cards are already used and thus, get a better idea what’s left in the deck. If it contains more aces and ten-point cards than usually, it’s a good thing for you. If there are more small cards left, it means the dealer is ahead. Either way, knowing the balance between the two in the deck will give you an advantage in certain situations.

How to Count Cards?

In order to keep track of the deck, you need to follow the cards that were already played. There are different ways to count them, but the most basic strategy would be to assign a certain point value to each card. The cards from 2 to 6 are given +1, tens and aces -1 and the rest are considered neutral or 0.

The whole concept is to start from 0 at the beginning of a new deck and then just keep adding or subtracting the value of each card played. The running total you have is called the “running count” and is an indicator what’s left in a deck. If the value is positive, it means that more smaller cards have been played and the number of aces and ten-pointers is higher than usual. A negative number would mean the opposite. If you want to be even more precise, you can divide the running counter by the number of decks remaining. You will then get the so-called “true count”. It shows how skewed the amount of certain cards is, compared to standard decks.

What Are the Benefits of Card Counting?

There are two main ways you can benefit from card counting. The first one is related to the size of your wagers. Since decks with aces and tens are better for the player, you can increase your bets when the running or the true count is high.

The other benefit, which is often considered more important, is that you can change your strategy based on your knowledge about the deck. Each and single action might be affected by the count as follows:

Standing: unlike the dealer, each player can decide to stand on hard totals of 12 to 16. If you know that there are lots of tens left in the deck, more conservative play is more profitable;
Blackjack: the dealer and the player will both hit blackjack more often in a deck with more tens and aces, but the player gets paid 3:2;
Doubling: most of the times, you double and want a ten to come. If the count of the deck is high, you have a better chance to see it happen;
Insurance: insurances are usually in favor of the dealer since he won’t hit his blackjack often enough to cover the price. This is why you should usually skip this option unless you know the deck true count is high;
Surrender: you should surrender more when the count is high as it will be the more profitable move;
Splits: when you are splitting, you usually want a higher card. When the count is higher, you have a better chance of getting it.

As you can see, the count number gives you an additional edge in certain situations. Depending on the number of the decks and the rules in the casino, you could get between 0.5% and 1.5% better long-term results than usually.

Is Card Counting Illegal?

Technically, card counting is not illegal. However, the casinos have their ways to protect themselves against this strategy. They can ask any customer to leave or change the decks at any given moment. This is why you should always try to look like a casual player. It’s not easy and it takes practice. One of the most obvious mistakes would be to make too significant changes in your bet sizing. For example, a deck is really hot and there are lots of aces and tens. You decide to take advantage by making a wager that is 3-4 times higher than usually. This would attract the attention of the dealer and the pit boss, so it is not the best idea. Avoid such obvious moves and try to look casual to avoid trouble.

Where to Play Offline

Casino Baden-Baden, Baden-Baden (Germany)

Baden-Baden is a luxurious spa resort in Germany’s Black Forest region. It’s the very definition of glamour and history. It roots go way back to 1809 and it is designed in the spirit of the most famous French royal palaces. The biggest recognition to the Baden-Baden’s elegance and historical value are the tours around the complex.

As you can expect, blackjack is one of the main games in Baden-Baden, but you can also enjoy roulette, poker and more than 100 slots. A nice wink to the casino’s background are the names of the game rooms which carry historical references.

Official Website

The Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA)

The Bellagio is hands down one of the most popular casinos in the world and one of the symbols of Las Vegas. It was opened in 1998 and its design is classic Vegas: glamour, water fountains, shopping center, restaurants and much more. You can see it as the stage of many Hollywood blockbusters from the past 15 years.

In terms of games offered, there are countless blackjack tables with various limits. You can also meet some of the most famous poker players around the world or hit the craps, roulette, slots or any of the hundreds of games available.

Official Website

Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas (USA)

Another legendary Vegas casino that makes it on our list. Caesar’s Palace was built 50 years ago and has been renovated multiple times ever since. As the name suggest, it replicates Roman style with a pinch of Las Vegas magic. You will find plenty of casino rooms, but also stores, restaurants, night clubs and everything required for a good time.

Blackjack is one of the most played games in the casino and there are virtually no limitations. You can also try your luck at roulette, craps, slots, baccarat and lots of other games.

Official Website

Casino de Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo (Monaco)

Monaco is known as the land of the rich with its low taxes and astonishing luxury. The Casino de Monte Carlo is the very definition of class that combines 150 years of history and modern-day design.

The variety of games is also impressive and blackjack has its special place. You can play some of the highest limits in the world at the countless tables in Casino de Monte Carlo. Of course, you can also choose between poker, roulette, many table games and much more.

Official Website

Foxwood Resort Casino, Connecticut (USA)

The Foxwood Resort Casino in Connecticut is the proof that there are some great casinos in the USA even outside Las Vegas and Atlantic City. It’s part of one of the biggest hotels in the world and was built in 1986. Initially, it was just a bingo room, but later grew to a fully functioning casino. Actually, a complex of six separate casinos.

You can choose one of the many blackjack tables, but also roulette, baccarat, craps, slots and much more.

Official Website

The Venetian, Macau (China)

Macau is becoming the fiercest competitor of Las Vegas recently and it is no surprise to see a casino from this Chinese peninsula in the list. The Venetian is a copy of the American gambling complex with the same name and has over 500,000 square feet of space which makes it the biggest casino in the world.

Blackjack is among the most popular games there, but you can find pretty much every other casino game in the Venetian.

Official Website

The Empire Casino, London (England)

This luxury casino was once a Victorian music hall and was converted at the beginning of the 21st century. All you need to know about the Empire Casino is that it’s often called the British Las Vegas. It certainly carries the spirit of the gambling capital of the world.

No real casino can go without various blackjack tables and this is no exception. You can also play slots, roulette, poker and lots of other games.

Official Website

Casino-de-Charlevoix, Pointe-au-Pic (Canada)

Casino-de-Charlevoix is part of the beautiful town Pointe-au-Pix. It combines art and stunning landscapes for the perfect harmony between nature and man-made design. Furthermore, the casino itself is located in an old castle which makes the atmosphere unique.

There are lots of blackjack tables available to the casino guests, but you can also play roulette, poker and 800 slots.

Official Website

Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, Atlantic City (USA)

Atlantic City may be in the shadow of Las Vegas, but it still has something to offer. The Taj Mahal is the third casino owned by the billionaire Donald Trump and by far the most impressive. Its architecture is a unique combination of history, culture and glamour. You will find plenty of blackjack tables as well as countless slots, roulette, poker and much more.

Official Website

MGM Grand Casino, Las Vegas (USA)

Sin City confirms its domination in our list with another local casino included. The MGM Grand Casino is part of the third biggest hotel in the world and offers one of the largest gaming spaces as well. The complex was built in the mid-1990s and had a Wizard of Oz theme that is partially kept to this day.

There are 139 tables for card games in total, so you can play lots of blackjack in the MGM Grand Casino. Other games include poker, slots and various other gambling options.

Official Website

PLAY BLACKJACK ONLINE

With the development of the Internet, you can now play blackjack from the comfort of your home. There are hundreds of online casinos out there, here are our suggestions:

Good Black Jack Casinos

Recommended Blackjack Casinos

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Online Blackjack with Live Dealers

If you want to have the best out of both online and live casinos, there is a way. Many operators offer live dealer games in their portfolio and some of them come really close to the live experience. Here is a list of the 10 recommended online casinos that offer blackjack with live dealers.

888 Live Casino

888 Live Casino is of the highest quality and a good place to play some blackjack as well. There are a few variations of the game and different stakes available. You can play a bunch of other stuff like roulette, baccarat and much more.

One of the best things about the 888 live casino are the promotions. There are lots of bonuses available for this section and you can get additional value regularly. The live blackjack extra promo runs from 13:00 to 01:00 GMT each day and there are lots of other offers for the other games as well.

Paddy Power Live Casino

The Irish gambling giant Paddy Power has its own casino brand and lots of games with live dealers. The platform is powered by Playtech and there are two blackjack variations available. The limits are really high compared to other casinos.

Among the other benefits of the Paddy Power platform are the fast customer service, the constant flow of interesting promotions and the rich portfolio of high-quality gambling products.

Ladbrokes Live Casino

The Ladbrokes casino is one of the best for blackjack as it is in our list of 10 recommended online casinos for blackjack.[B4] Their live dealer games are powered by Playtech and blackjack can be played with Asian and European dealers.

The overall impression of the Ladbrokes live dealers casino is good. There are decent promotions and of the software is of the highest quality.

Pinnacle Live Casino

Pinnacle is one of the biggest Asian gambling operators out there and has earned a great reputation. The company has its own live dealer casino that includes baccarat, roulette and blackjack. The software is well-designed and easy to use with high limits available.

The Pinnacle live casino has one of the best promotions out there. Instead of adding some deposit bonuses with crazy wagering requirements, you get 0.3% cashback. It’s unlimited and applies to all blackjack bets which dramatically decreases the casino edge. It’s one of best offers out there and the main reason Pinnacle is a great place for live blackjack.

Blackjack for High Rollers

The limits online vary and each casino has its own policy when it comes to the maximum amount that can be placed at a single blackjack hand. If you wish to play big and are seeking for the casinos that will happily let you to, here is a list of the 10 recommended online casinos for high rollers:

BetVictor Casino

BetVictor, formerly known as Victor Chandler, is a British gambling operator with a history that goes way back. Their online casino is great and offers all the traditional casino games out there. Blackjack is one of them and there are multiple variations of the game like classic, multihand, live dealer and much more.

BetVictor has some of the highest limits online and on certain blackjack games, you can place up to £2,500 on a single hand.

Pinnacle Casino

This Asian bookmaker is known for the highest limits in the sports betting industry and it is no surprise they have the same policy for their casino. You can bet $10,000 on a single blackjack hand which can hardly be matched anywhere on the web.

Ladbrokes Casino

We already included the Ladbrokes casino in the lists of the best online casinos and the one for the best live dealer platforms. It is more than appropriate for high rollers as well with its limits reaching £5,000 per hand.

Unibet Casino

Another British gambling platform that allows its customers to place huge bets. At Unibet, you can wager up to €3,000 on a single hand. For multi-hand variations of blackjack, the limit is up to €9,000 in total. The Unibet casino is available both on web and mobile.

William Hill Casino

The VIP tables in the live William Hill casino are pretty tasty. You can place up to $10,000 on a single bet and the operator offers an interesting VIP program that could boost your winnings. Additionally, there is a monthly bonus available.

Paddy Power Casino

We already added Paddy Power with our list of great live dealer casinos and they earn their place here as well. You can place £300 per hand and £1,500 in total on multihand blackjack. They also have e good VIP program and if you reach the last, invitational level, you might be able to wager even more.

Blackjack on the Phone

With the rapid development of mobile technologies, most online casinos have a version of their platform that can be played on a phone or tablet. It’s great to play blackjack anywhere anytime and there are plenty of different places you can do that. Check our list of 10 recommended mobile casinos for blackjack to find the place for you:

888 Casino Mobile

This is the oldest online casino in the business as it has been around ever since 1997. Obviously, the 888 casino management is keen on new technologies as their mobile version is one of the best in the business. You can play slots, roulette and more games directly on your phone or tablet. Blackjack is also available and the best thing is that you can take advantage of the 888 promotions[B5] on mobile.

The 888 casino is available for both iOS and Android devices and there are three ways to get it. Just go to the 888 site and go to the Mobile Casino menu on the top navigation bar. There you can choose between giving your email address, scanning a QR code or receiving an SMS with the downloadable application.

William Hill Casino Mobile

The William Hill brand is one of the most recognizable in the world when it comes to gambling. The company is as old as it gets and their ability to stay in touch with the latest technologies has helped them make the transition from brick-and-mortar giant to a leader on the online market. It’s no surprise to see that their mobile casino is also one of the best out there. You can enjoy a number of games like slots, roulette, baccarat and blackjack.

There are lots of offers available, but they change frequently, so make sure to check the William Hill page to know what’s on.

The mobile casino can be downloaded from the iOS App Store or Google Play, but is also available directly from the William Hill website.

Paddy Power Casino Mobile

Paddy Power is known as one of the most progressive gambling operators with its constant improvements, crazy markets and promotions. Their mobile casino platform is not an exception and it provides a great opportunity to play slots, roulette and blackjack on your phone or tablet.

To install the Paddy Power casino app on Android, go to the website of the company on your browser and follow the instructions. If you are on an Apple device, you can find the app in iOS store.

Blackjack Apps

Besides the real money mobile casinos, there are hundreds of useful blackjack apps out there. Whether you want to play blackjack, or decide to get additional help, you can find plenty of interesting stuff. Here are our 10 recommended blackjack apps:

Blackjack (iOS)

This is the most popular blackjack app for Apple devices and there is a good reason for this. It’s not just a simple blackjack game, but there are lots of exciting features, options to grow your chips and learn the game.

The Blackjack app gives you the opportunity to play in 6 different rooms. You start in the one for beginners and can climb your way up to the high roller Penthouse. Choose between playing with 1-8 different decks and don’t forget to login every few hours to get some bonus chips.

There are also lifetime statistics of your game, a real-time advisor that can help you improve your skills, worldwide leaderboards and loads of other interesting features. The overall impression is that the Blackjack app is one of the best places to play the game for fun on iOS.

The app is available by the name Blackjack 21 in Google Play and Blackjack 21! in the iOS app store. It has beautiful graphics and an easy user interface.

BLACKJACK! (Android)

The graphics are great with Vegas-style tables and you can play blackjack tournaments online and offline. The app is also available in Spanish and can be downloaded from Google Play.

Blackjack Strategy Practice (iOS and Android)

If you want to learn the perfect blackjack strategy, this app will help you a lot. The Blackjack Strategy Practice is available on both iOS and Android. It provides you with expert advice on each hand you play. You can also access some tables with the best plays at any given moment. Highly recommended for people who want to learn to play the perfect blackjack strategy.

iOS Download Android Download

Blackjack Card Counting (iOS)

Card counting is a viable strategy in blackjack and it can give you an extra edge. However, it is not that easy to count cards and this app is a great tool to help you learn. It is available in the iOS App Store and has a number of useful features. You can choose between counting one or two cards, pick a different number of decks and also check the counts at any given moment. There are also other strategies at your disposal, but they have to be unlocked with in-app purchases.

Card Counter (Android)

The Card Counter is another app that can help you learn to count cards in blackjack, this time, available for Android devices. The developer made sure to provide some stunning graphics as well as lots of interesting features. There is a tutorial, a lot of practice modes and other stats that will improve your card counting skills.

ODDCase Blackjack Strategy (iOS)

We all know that the different variations of blackjack change the best strategy and with so many casinos out there, it is good to know what’s the smart move at any given moment. The ODDCase Blackjack Strategy was built exactly for that as you can switch between different rules and see how this influences your decisions. .

Blackjack Trainer Lite (Android)

Another training app that could be adjusted to different house rules. You can’t actually play blackjack in the Blackjack Trainer Lite, but you can set the variation you wish to play and see what the best play is. A useful tool for anyone who wants to master all the different types of the game. The Blackjack Trainer Lite is available on Android.

Blackjack Multiplayer (iOS)

Blackjack can also be a social game if you play it with your friends or other people from all around the globe. This is exactly what you can do with the Blackjack Multiplayer app that is available in the iOS Store. There are five different tables, the option to play against other people and a variety of social features. You can brag about your wins, compete in leagues and unlock plenty of achievements. If having fun is your top priority, the Blackjack Multiplayer app is just for you.

BlackJack Multiplayer Vegas! (Android)

Another social multiplayer blackjack application, in this case, available in the Google Play Store. You can face opponents from all over the world with the BlackJack Multiplayer Vegas!. The platform provides an exceptional design and great graphics, combined with a seamless user interface. You can login with Facebook or play as a guest on the many tables available. There is also a live chat to talk to your opponents in real time and you can even send gifts.

Blackjack Promotions

Please visit the operators’ website to make sure if these offers are still valid.

Blackjack is among the most popular casino games in the world, but it also has the lowest average house edge. This is why most of the promotions and bonuses offered by online casinos are almost impossible to clear if you are playing blackjack. However, there are certain offers that are good for blackjack players:

Live Blackjack Extra at 888 Casino

If you love playing blackjack with live dealers, the 888 Casino has a nice offer for you. Each day there will be 12 bonus cards added to the 888Xtra blackjack table. Each of those cards can bring you up to £100 cash. Just play between 13:00 and 01:00 GMT, that’s it. If you are lucky to win, the bonus will be credited within 12 hours or on the next business day. You have to wager the extra cash 30 times prior to withdrawal.

Pinnacle Casino 0.3% Cashback

This promotion is not exclusive for blackjack, but it is still worth it nonetheless. You get 0.3% cash back on each of your bets in the Pinnacle Casino each day. This might seem like a low number, but the edge of the house is about as big. Also, there are no strings attached like wagering requirements which makes the bonus great. You can receive it as cash in your account and can do whatever you want with it.

Paddy Power Beat the Dealer 6 Times

The Paddy Power bonuses are usually terrible for blackjack players, but they do have an exclusive promo that is quite good. Beat the dealer 6 times in a row with a bet of at least £5 and you will get an instant bonus of £10. You will need to wager it 10 times before being able to withdraw.

FAQ

Here is a list of the most common blackjack questions and their answers:

What is a blackjack pit boss?

This is a casino employee that supervises a certain amount of blackjack tables. They are usually divided into sections and in the middle of the section or “the pit” is where the boss stands. His main purpose is to control the flow of the games, watch for suspicious activities and to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Should I have a certain bankroll when I play blackjack?

Yes, you should. Blackjack is a game with a high variation, so you need to have a decent bankroll to play it. We recommend you to never bet more than 3% on a single hand.

Why do casinos burn a card in baccarat and blackjack?

One of the reasons is to foil card counters, but the main purpose is to ensure fair game. The top card is usually exposed to most of the known cheating schemes like marking or collaboration between a dealer and a player, for example. Finally, it’s possible that a player sees the card and gets an advantage.

Can I use a blackjack strategy sheet at casinos?

It is accepted in most Las Vegas casinos, if you don’t slow the game too much.

Why does the casino gain advantage from hitting on soft 17 when the chance to bust is higher?

It is true that chance of busting is higher, but 17 is not really a strong hand. Hitting on soft 17 actually means the casino has two chances of improving.

Is video blackjack in Las Vegas the same as the live tables or is there an additional edge for the casino?

The laws in Nevada ensure that all video blackjack games are completely random. This means there is no additional edge for the house, but you should watch what rule variations are used as lots of video poker blackjacks pay even money for 21.

Is there any correlation between the set of rules used on a table and the minimum bet?

Usually, there is. The lower the house edge, the higher the minimum bet. This means that the tables with the lowest minimum are usually with the worst rule variations.

Is there an effect of burning a card in a single deck?

There is none, unless you are counting cards. In this case, you should add this card to the number of cards left in the deck for a precise true count.

There is a rumor that the so-called “perfect strategy” was invented by the casinos, is that true?

No, it was actually published in an article in 1967. Ever since, it has been proven numerous times that the strategy is legit and brings the best long-term results.

Is blackjack beatable in a live casino?

It depends. If the rule variations are favorable, you know the perfect strategy and can count cards, you can be ahead.

What is the “Flaw theory” and is it true?

That’s another conspiracy theory that suggest that the perfect strategy is not true and a scam. Well, countless software simulations and calculations have shown that the theory is really the best way to go. So no, the flaw theory is the real scam in this case.

What is 6:5 and 7:5 and how does it affect the game?

These numbers stand for the payout you get when hitting a blackjack. In most cases, it’s 3:2, so 7:5 and especially 6:5 means much edge for the house. So don’t play a 6:5 and 7:5 blackjack games as the house edge there is huge.

Are there exceptions to basic strategy?

Unless you are counting cards, you should stick to the basic strategy all the time.

What does “Las Vegas rules” mean?

“Las Vegas rules” stands for a specific variation of the game played in most Vegas casinos. Under them, you can double down on the first two cards, players can resplit (do a second split) with insurance allowed, the dealer stands on hard 16 and hits on soft 17. The “Las Vegas rules” are rather favorable to the player compared to most of the other blackjack variations.

Is blackjack the casino game with the best odds for the player?

It depends on the rules, but usually, it is. Blackjack and video poker are the games with the lowest house edge, but only played with the correct strategy.

What is better – a single deck or multiple decks?

Playing the single deck is the best for the player, but the casinos usually adjust the rules to compensate that. However, under the same rules, the fewer decks, the better for the player.

Why aren’t there lots of blackjack professionals if the game is beatable?

The simple truth is that it is not easy to beat the game. As we already clarified, it requires a certain set of rules, good knowledge of the best strategy and card counting.

Why do casinos sometimes “shuffle up” or change decks and is it legal?

If the pit boss or the dealer suspects there might be cheating or card counting, they can decide to shuffle up or change the decks. The casino has the right to do so at any given moment.

Should I tip the dealer and how much?

You should tip the dealer as this is considered part of the casino etiquette, but it is not mandatory. The amount depends on the stakes really, but you should usually give the dealer a tip every 20-30 hands you play. If you lost in the process, a small tip is fine. If you won big, you could give him more.

What is a “cut card”?

This is a special piece of plastic that has the size and the shape of a standard playing card. It is given to a player after reshuffling. He then places it somewhere in the deck in order to cut. The main purpose is to add another randomization and make sure the casino isn’t cheating.

What is Atlantic City blackjack?

It’s a specific set of rules used in most of the casinos in Atlantic City. It consists of 8 decks and one betting position. The dealer stands on a soft 17 and peeks for blackjack while the player can resplit up to three cards and has the option for a late surrender. You can also double on any two cards and double once after splitting. Online, you can find those rules in most Microgaming blackjack games.

What limits should I choose?

That’s an important question if you want to play at least for a while. We recommend you to choose tables where you can play with about 5% of the money you have per hand. This way you won’t bust too quickly.

What is the point of blackjack tournaments, aren’t they all about luck?

There is a lot of luck involved, but strategy also plays a role. Your main target is to build a huge stack, so betting more on hands with higher odds and placing minimum wagers on low-odds hands gives you an advantage.

What does “toke” mean?

It’s the same as tip. “Toking the dealer” means tipping the dealer.

What is the chance to hit a blackjack?

In a single deck, you have just under 5% to hit an ace and a ten-point card.

Should I play progressive blackjack and try to score big?

The simple answer is no. The odds are plain terrible and the side bets that go for the jackpot are with an enormous house edge.

Should I always stand if there’s a risk of going bust?

Some players use the “never bust” strategy and always stand if there’s a risk of going over 21. However, this is not the best play as you can see in our strategy charts.

Should I surrender if I have bad cards?

According to the basic strategy, you should sometimes surrender, but not always. If you are counting cards and have a better idea what’s left in the deck, you should always consider it too.

Can I help another player at the table with an advice?

There is no rule forbidding this, but you should be careful. Avoid this practice, unless the player asks you. You could also consult with the dealer if this is acceptable.

Can I use my cell phone while playing in a casino?

No, you aren’t allowed since you can be colluding with someone else to cheat the casino. If you want to talk, you should stand up from the table.

ADDICTION

You should know that gambling is dangerous and can lead to addiction. It could ruin your life, so make sure to gamble responsibly. Don’t wager amounts you can’t afford to lose and remember that gambling is a form of entertainment.

If you are worried that you might be addicted, we recommend you this self-assessment test. In case you have a problem with gambling addiction, please, contact one of the following organizations that could help you:

GamCare – GamCare is a registered charity that provides help to people that suffer from gambling problem;
Gamblers Anonymous – an international organization that can provide information and help for people with gambling addiction;
Gambling Therapy – this is a free online service that provides help for people with gambling problems.

RECOMMENDED LITERATURE

1. “Professional Blackjack” by Stanford Wong – simply put, this is the best blackjack strategy book out there. The author is a professional and shares his experience in card counting as also various strategies for different rules. Expect lots of stats, tables and plenty of useful information.

Biggest Advantage: contains the complete blackjack strategy with plenty of statistics, tables for both the game itself and also some card counting techniques. You won’t find a more detailed explanation of how to behave at the blackjack tables;
Biggest Disadvantage: some of the information in the book used to be relevant in the past, but it’s somewhat outdated today.
About the Author: John Ferguson aka Stanford Wong is a blackjack professional with more than 50 years of experience. He is the creator of one of the first blackjack software tools called “Blackjack Analyzer”.

2. “Beat the Dealer” by Edward O. Thorp – another expert shares his blackjack knowledge. Edward Thorp is called “the father of card counting”, so you could expect a lot on the matter. Not the strategy itself, but also plenty of practical advice how to do it in a real casino and not get caught.

Biggest Advantage: the best book on card counting out there. You will see plenty of tips and tricks on how to count cards and not get caught which could give you an additional edge over the house.
Biggest Disadvantage: the general strategy part is not that good as it contains mostly standard advice that is available in more details in other books on the matter.
About the Author: Edward Thorp is a professor in mathematics and one of the pioneers of the probability theory. He is also the inventor of the wearable computer. Edward Thorp was the first to mathematically prove that the house edge in blackjack is beatable by card counting back in the 1960s.

3. “The World’s Greatest Blackjack Book” by Lance Humble & Carl Cooper – the title might be a little ambitious, but is not far off the truth. An exceptional book that has been revised multiple times and presents precious advice on blackjack strategy.

Biggest Advantage: the book has been revised many times and the strategy in it has been adjusted to the latest trends in the casino industry;
Biggest Disadvantage: it is more focused on theory and there is not much practical advice compared to other blackjack books.
About the Author: Lance Humble was a horse racing expert who entered the blackjack world in the 1970s. He studied all the strategies available and developed his own system for card counting that is considered to be one of the most appropriate for beginners. Carl Cooper is another pro and expert in mathematics and he helped Humble create his blackjack system.

4. “Playing Blackjack as a Business” by Lawrence Revere – the author has it all: he worked in casinos and played blackjack for almost 30 years and combined his experience with science. Lots of computer calculations were used and you will see the results. One of the best blackjack books out there. It might not be the best for total beginners, though.

Biggest Advantage: the strategy in the book is complex and reviews all aspects of the game: theory, maths, card counting, behaviour in the casino. It’s a complete guide how to be successful playing blackjack;
Biggest Disadvantage: if you are a beginner, you might find it a bit difficult to understand everything.
About the Author: Lawrence Revere has a degree in Mathematics, worked as a pit boss and became a professional blackjack player. It’s safe to say this guy knows the industry from the inside out.

5. “Blackbelt in Blackjack” by Arnold Snyder – when one of the legends in the game decides to share his experience, you should be careful, Lots of strategy, lots of practical advice, various card counting approaches. All of this represented by one of the best blackjack players in history – Arnold Snyder.

Biggest Advantage: a great book that will show you the way blackjack professionals think and their approach to the game. It combines theory and practice for the best results;
Biggest Disadvantage: some of the techniques described in the book are not working today.
About the Author: Arnold Snyder is a member of the Blackjack Hall of Fame and a man who radically changed card counting by proving that simplifying the system does not hurt profits. A true innovator and one of the legends in the world of blackjack.

6. “Bringing Down the House” by Ben Mezrich – another novel that tells the story of a group of MIT students that ripped off more than one casino in Vegas. You won’t learn a lot, but if you want to have some fun and enjoy a blackjack-related novel, that’s the one for you.

Biggest Advantage: a truly compelling story about a blackjack betting syndicate that tormented the Vegas casinos for years, You will have lots of fun while reading it;
Biggest Disadvantage: although it contains some valuable information, this is basically a novel and not a book dedicated to strategy.
About the Author: Ben Mezrich is an American writer with more than 10 books up to this day.

7. “Burning the Tables in Las Vegas” by Ian Andersen – the author is a known pro that has been busting Vegas casinos since the 1970s. It does not go as deep in terms of strategy as some of other books in our list, but there’s a lot more to it. You will find all kinds of tips and tricks, even about the best diet if you are a blackjack player.

Biggest Advantage: if you want to become a professional blackjack player, this book will teach you how to do it. It’s a complete guide to what lifestyle you should adopt in all aspects of your daily routine;
Biggest Disadvantage: rather limited in terms of strategy, but it still contains most of the basic stuff you’ll need to learn.
About the Author: Ian Andersen is a member of the Blackjack Hall of Fame. He used to be a bored executive in the corporate world that decided to become a blackjack pro at some point. He initially found it difficult, but managed to find his own path in the casino world;

8. “Blackjack Blueprint” by Rick Blaine – another complex book by a proven winner. Rick Blaine is working in the world of finance, but has managed to transfer his skill to the blackjack table as well. Take a look at his strategy on various rules, card counting and more.

Biggest Advantage: a very complex book that has practical advice and strategy for all kinds of blackjack players. It contains information for solo players, groups and is not limited to regular blackjack, but also has tournament strategy;
Biggest Disadvantage: it’s a bit “Jack of all trades, master of none” kind of book as it concentrates on many aspects, but not as deeply as some of the other titles in our list.
About the Author: Rick Blaine is an extremely successful executive in the corporate world who’s been playing blackjack as a hobby for almost 30 years. He’s been crushing the casinos with his own playing style.

9. “Million Dollar Blackjack” by Ken Uston – this book is a bit different as it reads as a novel to an extent. It makes it more interesting than the rest, but the card counting system suggested by Ken Uston is harder to execute. However, it is really powerful and can buff your winnings a lot.

Biggest Advantage: he book will provide you with one of the most complex and successful card counting strategies out there. It can give you a real edge over the house;
Biggest Disadvantage: the strategy is really hard to accomplish for the regular player without getting caught and the other aspects of the game are not dissected in such a details.
About the Author: Ken Uston was one of the first people to win millions from blackjack in the day. His glory earned him a ban from most casinos around the world and he was forced to use various disguising techniques in order to play

10. “Blackjack For Blood” by Bryce Carlson – the author presents one of the most powerful blackjack strategies out there: the Omega II card counting system. It’s great, although complicated and could easily help you become a much better player.

Biggest Advantage: another card counting system that is much better than the standard strategies out there. Many professionals have adopted the Omega II ever since its release;
Biggest Disadvantage: the system is too complex for beginners, so you should probably read this book when you already have some decent experience in blackjack and card counting.
About the Author: Bryce Carlson has more than 40 years of experience playing blackjack and was one of the first pros to enter the online casino world. He developed a programme called the Omega II Blackjack Machine to help him analyze and improve his own game. It is rumored that he still plays online occasionally even today.

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RULES & PLAY

General Rules

Flow of the Game

Hand Signals

Hit

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Double

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Split

Variations Of Rules

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Final Outcome

Expected Value per Hand

House Edge

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Card Counting

What Is Card Counting Exactly?

How to Count Cards?

What Are the Benefits of Card Counting?

Is Card Counting Illegal?

Where to Play Offline

Casino Baden-Baden, Baden-Baden (Germany)

The Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA)

Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas (USA)

Casino de Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo (Monaco)

Foxwood Resort Casino, Connecticut (USA)

The Venetian, Macau (China)

The Empire Casino, London (England)

Casino-de-Charlevoix, Pointe-au-Pic (Canada)

Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, Atlantic City (USA)

MGM Grand Casino, Las Vegas (USA)

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Recommended Blackjack Casinos

Online Blackjack with Live Dealers

Blackjack for High Rollers

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FAQ

ADDICTION

RECOMMENDED LITERATURE