Benefits of 99 Cent Blackjack

On 03.25.11, In Online Blackjack, By Vivi

Is it really possible to find online blackjack for only 99 cents? Yes, it is. And the place to look is Go Casino.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday Go Casino hosts an online blackjack tournament series that they call their Blackjack Pot Percentage and the entry fee is only 99 cents. The 99 cents gives players $50 to play with. And for the skilled, $50 is a fari starting point. And if you are just getting started in online blackjack tournaments only staking 99 cents is not a huge investment; so if you lose the $50 tournament credits you are not an arm and a leg.

For the players, both skilled and novice, who want to continue even if the $50 in tournament credits is lost there are rebuys. Each rebuy is $2.49 and gives players another $125 in tournament credits.

Players are playing for the pot and the top 41 players will receive a portion of the pot.

Each 99 cent online blackjack tournament begins at 8 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 pm, and each tournament runs through the next day, ending at 8 pm. In other words, these are each 24 hour online blackjack tournaments.

The benefit to playing in 99 cent online blackjack tournaments is that there is not a huge potential to lose an investment. It also allows players to be more open to the idea of spending money on a rebuy to continue playing when compared to other online blackjack tournaments in which players pay $10 as an entry fee—it makes them less willing to spend the money on a rebuy.

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Casino Deals One Billionth Hand of Online Blackjack this Month

On 03.17.11, In Online Blackjack, By Vivi

While March did not see the historic passing of a bill to regulate intrastate online gambling in New Jersey, it did see the first online casino to deal its one billionth hand of online blackjack: Bodog. To date no other online casino has dealt one billion hands of online blackjack.

Let this be a sign to federal lawmakers in Washington DC that online gambling is not going away. It is increasing and as such should be legalized and regulated not only so that the United States can generate revenue, but so the federal government can protect US citizens.

While the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) does not place a ban on US citizens to play online blackjack and other online casino games, it does place a ban on financial institutions based in the US from processing transactions to and from online casinos. And since the ban is not on players, US citizens have found ways around the UIGEA which means they are playing unprotected in online casinos run by foreign companies. Since the companies are not under US jurisdiction, there is nothing the US can do if there is a problem between an online casino and a US player.

While online poker is the most popular online casino game it is unsurprising that several online casinos have dealt more than one billion hands. But when Bodog dealt that one billionth hand of online blackjack, it should have been a sign to US lawmakers to reconsider their anti-online gambling stance. Forget the idea that online blackjack and other online casino games will go away. The conservative base needs to pull their head out of the sand and regulate online gambling.

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Similarity Between Online Blackjack and Casino Blackjack

On 10.22.10, In Online Blackjack, By Vivi

You will often hear about how great online blackjack is, how convenient it is and how it is as close to casino blackjack as cinnamon sugar is to cinnamon.

Both online blackjack and casino blackjack have the same rules. Basic strategy can be used in both. And you are still only playing against the dealer, or dealer-type figure in the case of online blackjack.

But they have another similarity that you do not often hear about, and that is because the online casinos do not want you to know about it really. When a player can put the pieces together it is easy to see, but they would still rather you not make the direct connection, fearing that it will put a blemish on the benefits of online blackjack.

Not that you could really stop an online blackjack player from playing even if they did know. If someone wants to play blackjack online and this is the only way, they will play regardless of whether or not online blackjack is like playing at a blackjack table with a CSM.

A CSM is a Continuous Shuffle Machine. It is used at blackjack tables in casinos with six or more decks, and will constantly shuffle the deck between rounds so that the dealer does not have to stop part way through and reshuffle the decks.

Now the reason for the similarity between online blackjack and casino blackjack in regards to a CSM is in how the programming for an online blackjack game works.

A game of online blackjack is programmed with every possible way to start a round—all the two card possibilities and dealer up cards. When the player clicks Deal, the RNG will instantly pull one of those possibilities for that round.

When the next round begins the RNG pulls again from all possibilities. None are eliminated because of the round that was just played. This is similar to how no cards are discarded in a game of casino blackjack with a CSM.

What this means for online blackjack players is that no cards are eliminated, so card counting is out. It also means that there is no down time on the game’s part; any delays come from the player.

But even if you are a card counting player and want to play online, the fact that card counting being impossible will not stop you from playing. You just learn to play online blackjack without it.

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Online Blackjack Bonuses

On 09.24.10, In Online Blackjack, Online Casino, By Vivi

If you are a player who wants to play blackjack online something to keep your eyes open for when looking at online casinos are blackjack bonuses. Some online casinos offer players bonuses that are aimed at being used on a single popular casino game. And since blackjack is one of the most popular online casino games, some online casinos will offer blackjack bonuses.

One online casino with such an offer is Rushmore. For new blackjack players at their online casino they are offering a 200% deposit match bonus worth up to $1,000. This means that the maximum amount that a player needs to deposit to receive the maximum amount of $1,000 from Rushmore is $500.

Players can use the extra amount of money to extend their bankroll. The bonus money gives players more room to wager with, by either increasing the amount of time they can play or by allowing them to wager more per round.

However, online blackjack bonuses can only be used with online blackjack games. Players have wager requirements to meet before they are allowed to withdraw any of the bonus money. They can withdraw from the money of their own they deposited, but unless the wager requirement is met, bonus money cannot be withdrawn.

A wager requirement is a set amount of money that must be wagered on a specific type of game. In the case of online blackjack bonuses, players must wager in online blackjack games in order to meet the requirement on the bonus money.

Despite the sound of the wager requirement, online blackjack bonuses are beneficial because they do bolster a player’s bankroll. Not to mention that once the wager requirement is met, players can keep the bonus money. Special bonuses are another benefit of online blackjack.

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Odds of Winning Insurance Bets and Why Not to Include it in Your Blackjack Strategy

On 09.10.10, In Blackjack Strategy, Online Blackjack, By Vivi

Insurance is the one play in a regular game of online blackjack that needs to be talked about a lot. Many players truly do not understand why insurance is so bad for their blackjack odds and why they should not include it in their blackjack strategy.

In their eyes they are not losing money if the dealer does have a natural blackjack since they are getting the amount of their original wager back. Yes, with insurance you do break even, but the dealer has to have a 10 for a hole card in order for that to happen. And the odds are actually not in the house’s favor to have a 10 hole card.

There are thirteen different types of cards in a deck, with four of each type. Of those thirteen cards only four are worth 10 in blackjack and could create a natural blackjack when the dealer is showing an Ace: 10, Jack, Queen and King. So that is four out of thirteen cards, or a 31% chance of the dealer getting that natural blackjack.

On the other hand the other nine cards would keep the dealer from having a natural, which would cause you to lose your insurance bet, which is a 69% chance of losing the insurance bet.

Just looking at the odds you can see that the odds are in favor of the player losing their insurance bet, which is what casinos and online casinos want since insurance is a money-maker for them.

And speaking of money, let’s turn those odds into money so that you can see what a player stands to lose blackjack odds-wise from insurance.

If you were wagering $10 game of online blackjack, insurance would cost $5. Based on the odds, you stand to win $10 (insurance pays 2-1) four times for a total amount of $40 won. But you would have odds of losing your insurance wager nine times, which totals for a $45 loss.

Even if you won insurance four times and then lost it nine times, you still would not break even—you would still lose money. Which is exactly why insurance should not be a part of any players blackjack strategy. The odds are designed for the player to lose.

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$0.99 Online Blackjack Tournaments

On 08.20.10, In Online Blackjack, Online Casino, By Vivi

For players who are just breaking into and learning how to play online blackjack, tournaments might seem a bit on the daunting side.

Online blackjack is a solo casino game, meaning that it is just the player versus the dealer. Novice players become quite used to this and feel comfortable. Unlike online poker, there are not other players at the virtual table to criticize a new player who might not always make the best play.

So novice blackjack players become comfortable in their one-on-one play with the dealer. But eventually the thrill of the tournament calls, and novice players find that they want to experiment with them. But a tournament is different than playing one-on-one. There are other players involved, others that are being played against, and the comfort of one-on-one play is gone.

The other aspect of an online blackjack tournament that seems daunting is cost. Players have to pay an entry fee to play and there is no guarantee that you will win. At least when playing one-on-one you know you stand a chance of winning something. But in a tournament you either play well enough to win or you do not win.

Thankfully Go Casino offers up a solution for novice online blackjack players who want to try their hand at online blackjack tournaments: $0.99 Blackjack Tournaments.

These online blackjack tournaments are hosted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on the starting day to 8pm on the next day—in other words, these are 24 hour tournaments.

The best part is that the entry fee is only $0.99. This is good for players who are new to online blackjack tournaments because it allows them to try it, and if they lose they have not lost a lot.

The $0.99 entry fee gives a player 50 tournament credits to play with. If a player runs out, he can buy another 50 tournament credits for $2.49. But rebuys are not mandatory.

A player who is only starting to try their luck in blackjack tournaments might only play through their first 50 credits and stop if they run out. There is no rule that says that a player must make rebuys. This still allows players to try playing in a tournament without losing a lot.

The $0.99 online blackjack tournaments at Go Casino are a nice way to try out and become comfortable playing in an online blackjack tournament at a very small amount of risk. And for experienced tournament players, it can serve as a form of tournament practice or as playing in a tournament for a bit of fun.

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About Online Blackjack Games and Variations

On 08.13.10, In Blackjack Rules, Blackjack Strategy, Online Blackjack, By Vivi

Those who play online blackjack are bound to see blackjack variations from time to time. They crop up everywhere, in the majority of online casinos. They are out there—Face Up 21, Super Fun 21, Blackjack Switch and more. The problem is that not all novice online blackjack players truly understand these blackjack variations and the impact their rules have on their blackjack odds.

One of the biggest hits to a player’s blackjack odds comes from the payouts offered by these blackjack variations. Whereas in regular online blackjack games, a natural blackjack receives a 3-2 payout, in the majority of variations the blackjack payout is an even money payout.

And an even money blackjack game will take 2.27% off of a player’s blackjack odds. If you are playing according to basic strategy, the house’s edge will go from 0.5% back up to 2.77%. Playing in a game with an even money payout like that is only handing your edge right back to the house.

Another common rule found in blackjack variations pertains to doubling down. Many variations only allow players to double down on 9s, 10s or 11s. This impacts the player’s blackjack odds in a negative way again, taking 0.18% away from the player’s odds.

Typically doubling down can take 1.6% from the house’s edge. That is a big hit to their edge. And that is why many blackjack variations will only allow doubling down on 9s, 10s and 11s only.

The key thing to understand about blackjack variations is that they were created to take players’ money faster. And while they can be fun to play from time to time, they should only be played for fun in practice modes so as not to risk losing any money; or to play blackjack variations at low stakes. That is how you handle your blackjack strategy in regards to blackjack variations.

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Special Online Blackjack Bonus

On 08.04.10, In Online Blackjack, Online Casino, By Vivi

Eventually novice blackjack players feel the need to actually try out the game in a realistic environment. For some this means a trip to the local brick and mortar casino to play in at a low stakes blackjack table. For others it means finding an online casino and signing up; and if this is your choice you will have Welcome Bonuses to consider.

If you are one of those players who is gearing up to take a trip to the casino, hold on a moment and listen. Online casinos are not only an option for a place to play. They also offer a place for you to practice playing in a realistic way for free. So do not write off online blackjack just yet.

Now on to Welcome Bonuses. Because blackjack is a popular online casino game some online casinos will offer Welcome Bonuses just for blackjack players. To give you an idea we will take a look at the one that Rushmore offers its new blackjack players.

The Blackjack Special Bonus that is offered at Rushmore is a 200% match deposit bonus that is worth up to $1,000. This means that the Rushmore will match the amount of your first deposit with them at a 200% rate up to a maximum of $1,000.

If a player were to deposit $500, they would receive the maximum $1,000. If a new player were to deposit $100 they would receive $200. To figure out what your bonus amount would be, multiply the amount of your deposit by 200% and that will be the amount you receive from the online casino.

But back to the example. For new online blackjack players, there is the potential to receive $1,000. Now compare that to the standard Welcome Bonus that Rushmore offers new players who do not play online blackjack: a 100% match deposit bonus worth up to $888.

Bonuses aimed just at online blackjack players is one of the benefits to playing blackjack online.

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Differences Between Blackjack and Online Blackjack

On 07.30.10, In Blackjack Strategy, Online Blackjack, Online Casino, By Vivi

As players learn blackjack they like to try out what they learn. You could call it practicing, which is necessary in a game of skill. Some novice blackjack players will practice in the free play modes offered by online casinos. Others will play in low stakes games at brick and mortar casinos. But there are a few differences between the two that players should be aware of so they are ready if they switch back and forth between the two.

We will start at the beginning. In a casino blackjack is played at a table with up to six other players, for a total of seven players. When playing blackjack online, you would be playing one-on-one with the dealer. This difference affects your rate of play.

Online blackjack tends to be played at a faster rate because it is just you and the dealer. In order to not let this impact your blackjack odds, slow down your rate of play—play slower and take breaks. It will have the same impact of playing with other players because in a casino, the more players there are at the blackjack table the longer a round takes and your rate of play drops.

Another difference: at some tables surrender is allowed. This is advantageous to players as they can bow out of a round losing only half of their wager rather than all of it. Surrender is not offered in online blackjack.

Because this is a house rule there really is not a way for online blackjack players to compensate for it, other than playing according to basic strategy every time.

All this sounds like there is no advantage to playing online blackjack, but it does have some. For one thing you can play for free, which you will never find in a brick and mortar casino. There is also the aspect of convenience that comes from playing on a computer; as long as you have internet access, you can play blackjack online.

Knowing the differences between playing blackjack at an online casino and a brick and mortar casino helps to avoid mistakes made from being unfamiliar with one or the other. It never hurts to keep yourself informed.

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Chances of Winning Online Blackjack

On 07.10.10, In Blackjack Strategy, Online Blackjack, By Vivi

While online blackjack is one of the easiest online casino games to learn to play, it offers players one of the easiest blackjack strategies: basic strategy. Thanks to basic strategy, players of online blackjack can bring the house edge down to around 0.5% from 2% to 5%. And that 0.5% is one of the best odds out there for those who play online casino games.

What does that 0.5% translate to in chances of winning a round of online blackjack? It means that blackjack players can expect to win around 54% of the rounds of online blackjack. This is an approximation. This does not mean that you will win exactly 54 rounds of blackjack out of every 100, but it does give you an idea of what sort of winning odds you have in online blackjack.

But notice that even with basic strategy, the house still has something of a house edge over the blackjack player. And that is why a player of online blackjack can only expect to win around 54% of the games they play, rather than an even 50 / 50 of games.

But considering that other online casino games carry odds of around 8% to 12% (online slots games) or 5.26% (American Roulette), that 0.5% that online blackjack with basic strategy is really not too bad at all. It certainly explains why online blackjack is one of the most popular online casino games out there.

And because the house edge can be dropped to around 0.5%, giving players that approximate 54% of wins, is a very good reason for using basic strategy when playing online blackjack.

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