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.

Tagged with: • •
 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

Blackjack Dealer Payout Mistakes

On 10.15.10, In Blackjack Payouts, By Vivi

When playing blackjack in a brick and mortar casino, it is possible that you could receive an incorrect payout. This generally falls in under the category of dealer mistakes. Pit bosses try to watch very carefully to makes sure that dealers are giving out the correct amount to the correct player, but blackjack dealers and pit bosses are all human too.

Payout mistakes in blackjack come usually in one of two varieties: you won and were supposed to receive a payout and did not, or you lost but received a payout anyway. Despite these both being blackjack payout mistakes, they are handled in different ways; here are some tips on how to handle those situations:

If you did not receive a payout that you believe you should have your first step is to stop the dealer and let him know. Do this in a calm voice and without yelling. The dealer, your fellow players and any other casino staff around will appreciate this. The dealer may just have made an honest mistake—it might be a busy night for blackjack and he just simply missed giving you your payout in the rush of clearing one round to begin another.

Explain to the dealer that you believe that you should have received a payout. The dealer should then reverse the order of the picked up played cards. Cards are collected at the end of a round the order of the players around the table just for situations such as this so that disputes can be settled. If the dealer refuses to lay the cards back out, seek the help of a pit boss.

On the other hand is if you receive a payout and you were not supposed to. Many players worry that receiving a payout in such a way is illegal. Well, it is not illegal. You as a player have not cheated or done anything wrong. Having the dealer give you a payout that you were not supposed to receive is a mistake on his part, not yours.

As for what to do about it, that is entirely up to you own ethics and morals. You can keep it if that is what you would like to do, or you can call the dealer’s attention to it and return the money. It is whatever you feel comfortable with.

Such payout mistakes do not happen in online blackjack since the game is run by a computer program—no blackjack dealer payout mistakes to worry about. You only need to worry about how to handle a payout mistake when playing blackjack in a brick and mortar casino.

Tagged with: •
 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

Betting Systems Should Not Be a Part of Your Blackjack Strategy

On 10.08.10, In Blackjack Betting, By Vivi

Novice blackjack players sometimes make the mistake of using a betting system in place of a betting strategy when playing blackjack.

A betting system differs from a betting strategy in that a system has a formula that it follows, an order to how wagers are made. Players are not supposed to deviate from that order otherwise they mess the system up.

It is the need to stick to that wagering order that makes betting systems so limiting. If luck is not with the player and the outcome of a few blackjack rounds goes badly, a player is stuck in the system.

The betting system is supposed to make the most of a losing or winning streak in order to make up for losses. Systems are created so that players feel that they cannot quit using it if losses become too great because how would they make up the losses? But if they keep losing they are not going to make up the losses. Take a look at this example of the Labouchere negative progression betting system:

You would start out wagering $5. If you lose a round you double your wager in the next round to $10. Lose the second round and you will be betting $20 on the third. Losing the third would mean doubling your wager up to $40. Lose the $40 round and your fifth round is $80. Lose that round and your next will have a wager of $160. You can only return to your original $5 wager when you win a round.

This is how betting systems can veer out of control. No matter if you are using negative beating system like the one in the example, or a positive betting system, they are all built on the principle that you will be due to win.

In truth you are not ever due to win in blackjack. The odds change with every hand, but you can only expect to win 48% of the time and lose 52% of the time on average. But depending on what cards have been played, your odds will swing.

To put your bankroll in the hands of a betting system based on the principle that you are due to win when such a principle does not exist in blackjack is just a bad idea. If you like your bankroll do not use a betting system when playing blackjack.

Tagged with: •
 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

Payouts and Blackjack Odds

On 10.01.10, In Blackjack Odds, By Vivi

Not many novice blackjack players know just how much the payout of the game affects their blackjack odds.

When it comes to payouts, the majority of players have their mind on their money, and they do not think about the odds. But the truth is that they are so very close to being concerned about odds. This is because the payout ratio for a natural blackjack has a fairly big impact on blackjack odds.

Blackjack odds are based on the player’s opportunity to make a profit or to lose more money than necessary. The better the blackjack payout for a natural two card blackjack, the better the blackjack odds.

This is why some blackjack games and some blackjack variations should not be played—they offer a payout that not only cost money, it also lowers the player’s blackjack odds.

One of the two most common payout deviations in blackjack games is the 6-5 payout. While this payout ratio is not found a lot in online blackjack it can pop up. This change in payout costs the player a loss of close to 17% of what their payout should be. For example, on a $10 wager, a 3-2 blackjack would receive a $15 payout. But a 6-5 blackjack will only receive $12.50. The loss in money is a hit of 1.39% to your blackjack odds.

The other common payout deviation is that 1-1 payout. This one can be found in online blackjack games, but it is found in blackjack variations, usually along with a side bet. This payout causes a 2.27% loss to your blackjack odds. For a $10 wager you would receive $10 for your blackjack, which is a 33% loss of money. Hence the larger hit to your blackjack odds.

The best rule of thumb for novice players is to simply not play in blackjack games that do not offer a 3-2 payout on a natural. It is not worth the hit to your blackjack odds to play in such games.

Tagged with: •
 
0 Comments
Leave A Response
Go To Top »