Category: Blackjack Games

Different Blackjack Games

There are so many different forms of blackjack that playing online can be beneficial because you can go through all of the different games and pick the one which you prefer. Each game has its own set of rules and regulations and it is very important to play by these rules to ensure the best results. I enlisted Wikipedia to help me with my search to find the best blackjack game for my lifestyle.

First there is American Blackjack which is typically played with four decks of cards and the dealer must hit on a soft 17. As a player you can double down on any two cards and only split an ace once.

European Blackjack is played with two decks and a player san only split once whether it is an ace of not. If both the player and dealer have blackjack the game is a push.

Blackjack Switch is played with two hands at once and the player has the option to interchange the cards dealt to each hand.

Double Exposure is mostly the same rules as American except the dealer’s first two cards are dealt face-up.

Caribbean 21 is the exact same rules except the goal is 31 instead of 21.

Spanish 21 is a little bit different in the fact that there are an unlimited amount of double downs and you have the option to rescue and surrender, which is sometimes not available in certain blackjack games.

There are just a few choices to get you started on your hunt, my favorite is Double Exposure, but try them all out for yourself.

Best Blackjack App for Your Phone

Everyone has apps on their phone these days. They have become a vital part of everyday life, and this sort of cell phone community that everyone seems to be participating in. There are apps that can connect you to complete strangers by “checking in” to certain establishments. There are apps that allow you to play scrabble with your sister across the country. There is now even an app to locate your spouse to make sure they are not cheating.

I was reading an article on Yahoo! News about all of the different applications that pretty much dictate how you live your life. One thing they discussed was various game apps, and if they are a waste of time. I was intrigued by this and decided that I wanted to find the best blackjack applications for your phone.

I found out, while sifting through many reviews that Blackjack Multi-Hand is by far the best. Not only does it allow you to play three hands at once, there is a built in tutor that will help you with your blackjack skills. This app you have to pay for though.

If you don’t want to pay, your best bets are Blackjack88 or Blackjack Classic. Like most online Casinos, these apps give you bonus chips to start with, and offer many bonuses throughout play. Some offer the option to double down and surrender, but not many.

Blackjack Cards are Picked with Random Number Generation

Playing blackjack online carries the same amount of odds as playing blackjack in a real casino. If you disagree with this fact, there is something you should know about: Random Number Generation.

While researching the odds of blackjack online I came across something a https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_Number_Generation that gave me much need insight into the world of online gambling.

Random Number Generation or RNG is used for many things other than gambling games. It also comes in handy when developing statistical sampling, randomized design, cryptography, and computer simulation. There are also a couple different forms that RNG can take.

The first is the computational method, which is used in online casino games. This method uses complex formulas and algorithms. It is much more complicated than the physical method, which is seen in the form of a simple coin flip, dice roll, or wheel spin, to name a few.

The last and least common method is the human method. This is the least favorite because research has shown that no matter how random humans think they are, there is always a subconscious pattern that goes with your alleged randomization.

All Online Casinos use this method. Every single one is equipped with this software.  So when you hear someone say that computers “cheat” at gambling games you can chuckle to yourself, and then explain to them what RNG is.

Playing blackjack online is always a good tool to perfect your game, especially with the “funny” money that almost all reputable casinos give you. You can see for yourself that the cards drawn are random, try it out on a one or two deck blackjack table if you really want to test the theory.

Learning Blackjack from YouTube

Did you know there are over 3,500 different blackjack videos on YouTube? It’s true; YouTube has become a valuable instrument to learn pretty much anything. I’ve learned how to play the drums, as well as crochet a scarf. The possibilities are literally endless.

Now the tricky part is finding the best channels on YouTube, simply typing in blackjack can lead you to thousands of time-wasters that aren’t worth your attention.

Some of my favorites are: TheCasinoGuru and BeatingBlackjack do some very informative videos. BeatingBlackjack is lead by some ordinary guys who have a passion for the game, and everything about it. They do stripped down tutorials that is easy to comprehend and follow along with.

When it comes down to it you’re going to choose a video that fits your style. Just make sure you type in “How To” in your search, no matter what you search.

I once wanted to learn different Craps bets so I typed in “Craps Bets” in my YouTube search and ended up watching a ten minute video trying to sell me a DVD about craps. Don’t let this happen to you.

Another great too is to search exactly what you are interested in learning. Try searching “How to count cards in blackjack” or “When to double down in blackjack”. You will find that there are still thousands of videos that will fit your needs.

Any way that you learn the game is going to be beneficial to your wallet, and the more you learn the better you will be. Also practice makes perfect, especially online!

Single Deck Blackjack at Bodog Casino

Playing blackjack for me is one of the most rewarding activities I engage in. I usually play online, seeing as the closest casino to me is nearly two hours away. Lately my favorite site to play at is Bodog.

I usually play roulette at Bodog Casino, so I decided their blackjack had to be just as good, if you want to play online black jack for real money this is the place.

Not only do they have a payout percentage of 94.3%, they also have no limit to their welcoming bonus amount. They will match any amount you deposit.

I played for free for a while, until I decided I was ready to wager some real money.  I picked 1 deck blackjack, because it’s new and I’ve been dying to play. These is a 25$ minimum bet, and the speed of play is relatively longer because more cards are drawn to achieve 21. It is next to impossible to get a pure blackjack.

Not only did they just add single deck blackjack, but also double deck blackjack, which has a slightly faster pace of play.

It pays 3:2, insurance pays 2:1, and you can split up to two hands. I played for about thirty minutes and ended up being up $20 which I was proud of considering it was my first time playing single deck blackjack.

I play a lot, and I have grown accustom to 4 to 6 deck blackjack, so playing with 1 and 2 decks was definitely a new experience, but a good experience.

Double Attack Blackjack

There seems to be a new blackjack variation surfacing in casinos. As of yet I have not heard that this new variation has made it over into the world of online blackjack, but there is always the chance it will happen, after all other variations have crossed over. The new variation that has popped its head up is called Double Attack Blackjack.

The basic principle behind this variation of blackjack is that players make their wagers, the dealer’s up card is then dealt at which point players can make an additional wager up to being equal to their round wager; then the player’s starting hand is dealt. Yes, you read all of that right; the dealer’s up card is dealt first which allows players to then increase their wager if the dealer’s up card is in favor to bust.

There are some other really nice player favorable rules in this blackjack variation. For starters players can double down on any number of cards, including splits. Late surrender is also offered, which is a very nice blackjack play. And the dealer has to stand on all 17’s, hard or soft.

But like any blackjack variation that offers some really nice player favorable plays and rules, there are also the downsides. Natural blackjacks only pay even money. But one of the biggest kickers is that this game is played with 48 card Spanish decks which means the 10 cards have been removed leaving only the face cards to count for 10.

Overall this blackjack variation has a house edge of 0.62 when using a modified version of basic strategy. Those modifications include hitting a hard 12 and hard 13 against all dealer up cards. As for hard 14, instead of standing against a dealer 2 or 3, you will hit just like you do against a 7 or up. No doubling down against soft hands with less than a total of 16.

If you are in a casino that is offering Double Attack Blackjack give it a try, but start out wagering small until you become accustomed to the run of Double Attack. And if you really want to make the most of the modified basic strategy and the rules of this game, do not take the second increased amount bet and stick with playing Double Attack on one wager.

Blackjack Side Bets: 21 + 3

Today we are going to look at another variation of blackjack. Thankfully this one is rarely found in the online blackjack sections of online casinos. Today’s variation of discussion is 21 + 3.

The idea behind this one comes from an attempt to combine blackjack and poker, to somehow bring two of the most popular casino table games together. In 21 + 3, the 21 stands for the blackjack side of the marriage and the game’s main highlight, while the 3 represents the Three Card Poker variation of poker.

When playing, the blackjack player has to place a side bet, which is usually around a dollar on average, as well as place a wager for the actual game of blackjack. Once all wagers are made the dealer will deal the cards. In order to win the side 21 + 3 wager, the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s up card must make up a flush, a straight, a straight flush or a three of a kind. So long as those three cards make up one of those poker hands, the player receives a 9-1 payout.

It sounds simple enough, but like all side bets in blackjack variations, there is no way for the player to impact the outcome of the side wager—the part in which the two player cards and dealer’s up card make one of the hands from Three Card Poker. It is all chance. As a result the house edge is higher.

In blackjack the house edge, if you are playing according to basic strategy, is 0.5%. That makes it the lowest house edge on the casino floor. But the side wager portion of 21 + 3 is 3.2% in a six deck game. Since the two portions of the game are separate from one another they have separate house edges. The difference between 0.5% and 3.2% is harsh. It is for reasons like the difference in house edge that I say to avoid blackjack variations with side bets.

More Bad Beat Blackjack Tables Installed

Barona Resort and Casino was the first casino in the US to receive the Bad Beat Blackjack tables, produced by DEQ Systems Corp. And with the beginning of May they have installed nine more tables at the Barona Casino bringing the total number of Bad Beat Blackjack tables up to twenty. That is a lot of Bad Beat Blackjack.

And Bad Beat is the word. I am not a fan of side beats in blackjack. But here we are with a blackjack game with a progressive payout and a side bet. That is a recipe for the house to take your bankroll.

The way it works is that the actual game of blackjack is played the same as usual, but players can make a side bet ranging from $1 up to $5. If the dealer beats a player’s 20 with any 21—natural or hit to—the player gets to cash in on a portion of the progressive.

But for reasons unbeknownst to me, these Bad Beat Blackjack tables are doing well at the Barona. Vice President of Table Games, Michael Patterson, said, “DEQ has been a great partner and their G3 progressive bonusing system has transformed our table games experience at Barona. The progressive technology makes the games even more exciting for our players as they have more chances to win.”

I beg to differ. The likelihood of a player holding a 20 at the same time as the dealer to either be dealt a 21 or hit to 21 is slim. The odds are definitely against the player here. At least the side bets are limited in Bad Beat Blackjack to a maximum of $5.

Online Blackjack Variations and Payouts

Okay, so I went a little nuts yesterday over Panamanian Blackjack. But really it is the best variation of blackjack that I have seen to date. A software developer needs to pick up that game and make it into an online format so that we can all have Panamanian Online Blackjack. But there is one thing that I did not talk about in yesterday’s post was about payouts.

Payouts are a big reason why I do not like the majority of online blackjack variations. That and side bets, but that is a whole other discussion.

The traditional payout of a natural or two card blackjack is 3-2. Meaning you are being paid $3 for every $2 that you wager. And standard online blackjack games do offer a 3-2 payout. But those online blackjack variations! Most of them are offering an even money or 1-1 payout.

The problem with even money payout on a blackjack is that you are not getting nearly the amount of money that you should be getting for you blackjack. Not to mention what it does to your edge. Even money payouts knock 2.27% off of your edge and gives it back to the house.

House edge is about how much you can expect to lose on a wager. So if you are playing in an even money paying online blackjack variation, you can expect to lose an extra 2.27%. So if you were wagering $10, that’s another $2.27 you can expect to lose just from playing in an even money paying online blackjack variation. That is on top of the standard 4-5% house edge per strategy.

And that is a big reason why I do not like online blackjack variations. So seeing a variation, even if it is not online yet, that does not stiff players with an even money payout made me excited.

Panamanian Blackjack

I have heard tell of a new blackjack variation. Well, it is one that I was not originally familiar with, but know that I know about it and have looked into it, this is probably the best blackjack variation I have seen to date. They need to get this into an online blackjack format so that more people can play it!

Where do I start on the player favorable rules? There are so many to choose from!

Well for starters if a player doubles or splits a pair on their hand and the dealer is dealt a natural blackjack, the player only loses the amount of the original wager, not the doubled amount. Panamanian Blackjack just improves the reasons for doubling down and splitting pairs—the risk factor of losing more money in a single round is gone. But this is especially good for doubling down: players can only lose their original wager but can win a payout off of the doubled amount.

And speaking of doubling down, players can double on ANY first two cards. They can also double on any three card totals of 9, 10 or 11. Players can also double down after splitting. The double down possibilities in Panamanian Blackjack are sky-high compared to those in a normal game of blackjack.

Oh and splitting pairs, since we already mentioned it—players can split any pair, no limitations, to form up to four hands. Panamanian Blackjack just keeps getting better and better.

Early surrender is allowed. This is when a player can give up half of his wager and exit the round before making any plays and before the dealer checks for blackjack. This is essentially the folding of blackjack, but it is better than the poker equivalent because only half the wager is given up whereas in poker the entire wager is lost.

Now there does have to be some rules that are not player friendly otherwise the game would not have any challenge and the casinos might was well just hand money over. In Panamanian Blackjack the dealer hits a soft 17 and does not take a hole card. Those two increase the house edge 0.22% and 0.11% respectively.

But when you compare the player favorable rules in Panamanian Blackjack to the dealer friendly ones, there really is no contest. Panamanian Blackjack has got to be the best blackjack variation I have heard of yet. The house edge on it when using basic strategy is 0.14%. That is outstanding.