[Question 1]
Why does the blackjack dealer always win many more hands than me? Isn’t the house edge in blackjack tiny, almost 50/50?

Yes, the odds of breaking even are almost 50/50. The house rules change those odds, so you must always look for a player-friendly blackjack card games table. For example, if the dealer must stand on Soft-17, the player has +.25% better long term chance of winning (the overall house edge falls by .25%).

If the table rule considers tied blackjack hands the same as if a dealer wins, the house edge is at 9%. Avoid those blackjack tables like the plague.

Your chance of winning any single blackjack hand from a new shuffle is 43%; there is a 9% chance of a tie; but 48% chance of you losing the hand. So on average, you will win just 43 hands out of 100 hand played. To win at blackjack, the dollar amount won on each of those 43 hands has to be greater than the dollar amount lost on the other 48 hands. How?

It’s the Pair Splits, Double Downs, and Blackjacks that are the only reason the payoff odds for blackjack card games are 49.5/50.5 when every hand is played perfectly (without using smart strategies). Using card counting techniques and other strategies significantly improves the overall odds of winning at blackjack casinos that do not shuffle the deck between every single hand (Macau).

To answer your question, the dealer will always win more hands than the player in the long term. However the house can’t split, double down or win 50% more when the dealer hits blackjack.

Those options are reserved exclusively for the player, and are the tools that must be used correctly 100% of the time in order to overcome the dealer winning 48% of the hands. If you haven’t memorized the basic blackjack strategy chart, do so immediately or at least keep one in front of you at all times while you’re playing.

[Question 2]
Should I ever use insurance in a blackjack game? Isn’t insurance just a ‘sucker bet’ at horrible odds?

Not always. For example in a six-deck shoe there are 312 cards after the shuffle. If there are no 10s in the first 25 cards that come out, its correct to use insurance. Why? Because if 25 cards (no tens) come out, then there are 287 cards left with 96 of them being 10s. So your odds are under 2:1.

That is the only instance when it’s the correct strategy to use insurance. The chance of the first 25 cards not having even a single 10 is quite low. So if you are not counting 10s, or sat down when the game is in already in progress, it’s pointless to ever use insurance.

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One thing that people should know about casino’s is that the odds always favour the house. The casino therefore always has the edge. If everyone wins substantial amounts of money, they’d soon be out of business. Although it is possible to win at any of the games available at a gaming palace, the odds are pretty much stacked in favour of the house. Sensible card players keep this at the back of their mind whilst playing.

Blackjack is based more on chance than poker, but both games require a certain degree of skill in order to be successful. In Blackjack you play both the house and opponents. You need to beat the hand the house holds. You also need to know when to fold your hand or ask for more cards. Each game is played with a new deck to stop expert players from counting cards. If you win, you get your money back twofold plus all other bets on the table.

Blackjack contenders need to get 21 or get as close as they can. Going over is a bust and a loss. You must always try to beat the hand of the dealer. The cards that are seen on the table give the player some idea of which cards have been played. This will also give the player an idea of the odds of cards still to be dealt. A deck is used with each new game to deter the gambler from being able to ‘count’ the cards.

When asked, most people will say poker is their favorite game. Even if they don’t play, just watching the game can be exciting. Players have become so adept at their skill that many halls have shut the tables down. Expert players were taking so much money that it was no longer profitable .

Two cards are dealt face down. These are the hold cards seen only by the player they are dealt to. The other three cards are face up. Good poker players use the up cards and the betting to give them some idea which player has what. Some are pros at bluffing. A player will try this when the up cards look so good others wonder if your hold cards are giving you the winning hand.

Both of these games can get you hands that are good or bad. It is knowing what to do with these cards that hold the secret of a successful player. Strategy and skill play a vital role. Blackjack and poker are the most popular casino card games for a reason. They give you the best chance to win.

Black jack and poker remain the most common casino card games. Learn how to play poker, blackjack and many other popular card games at howtoplaycardgames.net

Rummy is a very popular card game across the world and now on the internet. Rummy can be played with either two, three or four players. The main objective of the game is to get rid of all your cards before your opponent. You do this by creating either “runs” or “sets” of cards. A run might be 4-5-6 (of same suit) and a set could be three Jacks. Here’s my simple guide on how to learn to play Rummy. Enjoy!

Step by step instructions on how to play Rummy

Ok, now let’s follow some step by step instructions on how to play Rummy:

Step 1) Choose one player to be the dealer. Each player receives ten cards (dealt face down). The remaining cards are put in a pile face-down. This is known as the “stock pile”. Then, the top card is turned over to start a second pile, known as the “discard pile”

Step 2) The non-dealer plays first, takes a card from either the stock pile or the discard pile. If you take a card from the stock pile, you must not show the other players what card it is.

Step 3) You now have eleven cards in your hand, so you must choose a card to put on the discard pile. You cannot throw away a card you’ve just picked up from the discard pile, but you can throw away a card taken from the stock pile. When choosing a card to discard, remember that:

the objective of the game is to create sets and runs
you can only win a hand if your unmatched cards total less than 10 points
it’s therefore best to throw away higher number cards that you don’t think you’ll be able to use in a set or a run.

Step 4) Play continues in this way until one player decides to lay down their hand because they have either converted all of their cards into sets and runs or they have unmatched cards totalling less than 10 points. If you have no unmatched cards, you are “going gin” You don’t have to lay down your hands until you have no unmatched cards left.

Step 5) Scoring.

If the player who laid down first has a lower score, that person scores the difference in points between the two players.
If the two scores are equal, or the player who laid down had a higher score, their opponent scores the difference plus a 10 point bonus.
If a player goes “gin” they receive a 20 point bonus plus the total of their unmatched cards.

Step 6) Winning. The game finishes when one player reaches 100 points. This player receives an additional 100 point bonus for winning. If the opponent did not score, the winning bonus is 200 points. If playing for money, the loser must pay the winner the difference between the two scores.

Learn more about Rummy and many more of the most popular card games at howtoplaycardgames.net

If you like Rummy the card game, why not take a look at these…

Rummy Game, by Tactic Games

Rummy by Tactic Games UK Based upon the classic card game of Rummy, this game improves mathematical skills, memory and vigilance. This game is challenging for all ages, good for problem solving skills and logical thinking. Players place tiles on the table either as groups of the same value or runs of consecutive tiles of the same suit. The first player to empty his tile rack wins. The game is easy to learn and it is challenging enough even for experienced and skilled players.

Rummikub Game

Rummikub Game by Hasbro Rummikub is the numbers strategy game that’s never the same! Derived from the Rummy card game, Rummikub is a fast-paced game of tile manipulation that challenges each player’s wit against the other. One of the world’s most compulsive family games, like all the best, it’s easy to learn and a challenge to master! Ages: 8 & Up. This game is educational, helps with lateral thinking and really keeps you on your toes. I would recommend this game to everyone aged 8 and upwards.

Gin Rummy: How to Play and Win by Sam Fry This book was originally written in 1960. Sam Fry wrote a series of articles on the game of Gin Rummy, that were later bound together in what is now the book titled “Gin Rummy, How to Play and Win”.

The book is presented in the form of 20 separate articles. Each of them adresses a particular topic, so you can skip around if you like to find the information that you want right away. It’s not the kind of book that you need to read from beginning to end for fear of becoming lost.

And, since all of the information was originally in article form, the ideas are presented quickly. There might be times when you wished that he would go on and offer more examples, but you are never left thinking that I had somehow missed his point.

Instead of filling an extra 40 pages about his life and times as a Gin player, the author focuses on the game and how it can be played. That extra attention to the gameplay makes me perfectly happy that it is a quick read. It’s much less intimidating than many poker books that play heavily on math and highly specific situations. Recommended.

www.howtoplaycardgames.net is a website created to clearly explain the rules & and how to play some of the world’s most popular card games. Also features reviews of some of the best card game sites online and recommended books and other card game resources.

1. Don’t Play Every Hand / Do Fold More
Probably the number one mistake beginning poker players make is that they play far too many hands. When you’re just starting out playing poker, you want to play poker, and that means staying in hands that aren’t very good just to be part of the action. But playing more doesn’t mean winning more, it usually means losing more. If you find you’re staying in half or more the hands you’re dealt, you need to upgrade your starting hand requirements.

2. Don’t Play Drunk
Countless nights have I sat across a table from someone & watched them get plastered silly and throw away their entire stack of chips. I’ve been that person too – and there are nights where you’re just playing with friends for low stakes and it’s more about the fun than the poker – but if you’re in a casino, watch the alcohol. The truth is, while you may be more relaxed after 2 drinks, it may lead to you playing looser and less sharply, even if one’s not ‘drunk.’

3. Don’t Bluff Just For Bluffing’s Sake
A lot of beginner’s understand that bluffing is a part of poker, but not exactly how. There’s is NO rule that one must bluff a certain amount or at all during a poker game, but many players don’t feel like they’ve won unless they’ve tried a poker bluff. Bluffs only work in certain situations & against certain people, and if you know a player always calls to the showdown, it is literally impossible to bluff that player. It’s better never to bluff than to bluff “just to bluff.”

4. Don’t Stay in a Hand Just Because You’re Already In It
Another common mistake beginners make is to think that “Well, I’ve already put that much in the pot, I have to stay in now.” Nope. You can’t win a pot just by throwing money at it. There may be cases when pot odds warrant a call, but if you’re sure you’re beaten, and there’s no way your hand can improve to be the best hand, you should fold right away. The money you’ve already put in the pot isn’t yours anymore, and you can’t get it back just by playing a hand all the way to the end.

5. Don’t Call at the End of a Hand to “Keep Someone Honest”
This one follows the last tip. I see a lot of players look at another player’s final bet, look at the hand, & say “I know you’ve got me, but I have to keep you honest,” as they throw in a final call. It may be worth it to see if a player really has the hand if you’re not sure & you’re gaining information that will help you later on, but if you really feel a player has the hand he’s representing & you’re beat, why give him another pile of your money? Those bets will add up over an evening.

6. Don’t Play When Mad, Sad, or in a Generally Bad Mood
When you play poker, you shouldn’t do it to escape from being depressed or having a really bad day. You start out on tilt — playing emotionally, not rationally — and you won’t play your best. Likewise, if during a poker game, you lose a big hand or get sucked out on and feel yourself going on tilt, stand up & take a break until you feel calm later on. Fellow players will sense your mood & take advantage of it.

7. Do Pay Attention to the Cards on the Table
When you first start playing, it’s enough just to remember how to play and pay attention to your own hand. But once you’ve got that down, it’s incredibly important to look at what’s going on at the table. In Texas Hold’em, figure out what the best possible hand would be to fit the flop. Make sure you notice flush & straight possibilities. In 7-card stud, pay attention to what’s showing & what people have folded when you consider calling opponents.

8. Do Pay Attention to the Other Players
As you play, one of the single best things you can do is observe your opponents, even when you’re not in a hand. If you know if one player always raises in a certain position, & another has a poker tell when he bluffs, & a 3rd folds to every re-raise, you can use that information to help you decide how to play against them. Once you know that player 3 always folds to a re-raise on a river, that’s when you can bluff & steal a pot.

9. Don’t Play at too High Limits
There are many reasons people move up to a higher limit game than they usually play. Good reasons like they’ve been winning consistently at a lower lever & are ready to move up, & bad reasons like the line is shorter for higher limits or you want to impress someone. Don’t play at stakes that make you think about the actual money in terms of day-to-day life or with money you can’t lose. Even if you had one super-good night at $2/4, resist the urge to play $5/10. The next tip explains more why

10. Do Pick the Right Game for Your Skill Level & Bankroll
One of the reasons you shouldn’t jump into a $5/10 game after winning a huge bunch of money at $2/4 is because as the stakes rise, so does the average skill level of the players sitting there. You want to be one of the best at the table, not the fish who sits down with sharks. If you’re making stacks of money at a lower level game, why move? You’re winning stacks of money. The swings up & down at higher limits are much bigger, and one big night’s win won’t last long at a high-stakes game.

(credit to Toby Bochan from poker.about.com)

Read more about how to learn & play Poker,  Blackjack and many other types of card games at howtoplaycardgames.net

888 Poker, which is also called Pacific Poker, grew quickly during the latter part of 2005 and the early part of 2006 following a number of massive improvements to its online poker software. That rapid growth stopped following their decision to stop accepting US players, but they are still seeing strong growth from European players. 888 Poker room is still the number one poker site for new and beginner poker players.

Read our full review of 888 Poker here

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The earliest playing cards are believed to have originated in Central Asia around the 10th century. Historical documents tell us that the Chinese began using paper dominoes by shuffling and dealing them to create new games. Four-suited decks with court cards evolved in the Muslim world and were imported by the Europeans prior to 1370. Cards were originally hand-painted and only the very wealthy could afford them, but with the invention of woodcuts in the 14th century, Europeans began mass-production. It is from French designs that the cards we use today have been developed. France gave us the suits of spades, clubs, diamonds and hearts, and the use of simple shapes and flat colors helped facilitate manufacture. French cards soon flooded the market and were exported in all directions. They became the standard in England first, and then in the British Colonies of America.

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If you have been an internet gambler for any amount of time in the past, you’ve probably been introduced of a system called Blackjack Samurai. This product has existed for quite a while, in addition to the is now well-established with the online card counting community. To numerous because it’s unrivalled flexibility, functionality, being user friendly, and accuracy to benefit any online blackjack punter as well as help them to beat the house edge. The blackjack strategy as well as system utilized by the application is well-proven to work alongside several large online gaming institutions.

Until recently, there have been few such useful product introduced in addition to none that is certainly anything at all like Blackjack Samurai. The only similar software is Blackjack Sniper. This Sniper software lacks a lot of the popular features of Blackjack Samurai, as well as is just not a real card counting program. To be able to beat the casino at online blackjack, you will need to use an effective blackjack strategy, and ensure that you count cards properly.

Just like the roulette samurai technology, the Blackjack Samurai system allows you to test this software before you purchase it and avoid any doubts, in addition to the be certain that is matches your needs. This’ll help to shrug off any doubt from your mind how the product may or may not be for you. Another benefit is the free blackjack strategy ebook that is available on the website, it contains many useful tips regarding the best online blackjack plays, in addition to the developing a bankroll, it even explains why the movie 21 got it wrong!

Many people wonder if these blackjack card counting systems would really work in online casino play, the answer will be emphatically yes! Keeping a count of your cards left in the dealer’s shoe blended with good basic strategy for blackjack is really the best way to beat the casino online. We applaud your choice to follow this profitable route of beating online casinos at their table games, it is the best answer for an online gambler that is available right now.

The technique that both Blackjacksniper in addition to Blackjack Samurai software comes with are generally a group of card counting, wager adjustment, progression, blackjack strategy, as well as card counting. All these abilities might be toggled on or off to save you time, in addition to the to conform to your personalized style of play.

If you think that that online Blackjack software which includes Blackjacksamurai means just a simple blackjack calculating machine, you then are actually very much mistaken. Most of these “free” calculators that tend to be available online are typically simple programs that do not even use good strategy. I downloaded a couple, and my virus scanner detected trojens in addition to exploits that badly affected Windows, I had to format as well as reinstall just to make my computer safe again! Luckily, Blackjack Samurai was checked and was free of viruses. It really is worth the price you pay.

Blackjacksamurai is tested to work with many online casinos, the programmer is very good at keeping the software up to date and maintains a comprehensive list of the online casinos that the software works best at. Obviously this changes over time as casinos change their software, but the software will work on almost any online game of blackjack if you cannot use the recommended casinos.

There are actually some who believe that card counting on internet gaming makes no sense, and many players would be correct about that, but there tend to be many internet casinos that offer live dealer blackjack. In this case, you can become count cards in addition to the employ ideal winning blackjack strategy very much like in a real casino. The benefit of playing online using the Samurai application is that you do not have to do the repetitious calculations yourself.

Most online casino establishments, especially the larger ones, offer bonuses to new players. This is often a good way to build your gambling and casino bankroll. Do be mindful however, as not all internet casinos are generally reputable. It’s best to stick to the ones recommended by Blackjacksamurai on their page, or on a reputable review sites or forum like Casinomeister.

Blackjack is a fun game to play, it is a much more enjoyable if you are usually winning, the Blackjack Samurai software makes that easy and guaranteed!

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Blackjack is actually a very simple casino game to play and a relatively easy way of winning money in a casino. When you play blackjack in a casino, you have some of the best odds of actually winning. This is really because Blackjack is essentially a game of luck and chance, however there are some strategies you can use to improve your chances of winning.

When you have been dealt your two cards (face down), the dealer will have dealt them self one card face down and one face up. You then basically have a choice of six options;
1) Hit: Get another card.
2) Stand: Keep your current cards and do nothing.
3) Insurance: A bet to break even, only available when the dealer is showing an ace. If the dealer has a blackjack, the insurance bet pays off 2-1 (you break even).
4) Double Down: You double your bet, and get only one more card.
5) Split: Make two hands from one hand, if both cards are the same value. If both of your hands win, you get double the amount of money. If only one wins, you break even. If both hands lose, you lose double the money.
Splitting can make good hands out of bad hands, but of course it can also turn good hands into bad ones! Before splitting, always consider what the effect of splitting will be.
6) Surrender: In many casinos, you can (before playing and after determining if the dealer has a blackjack) choose to give up half of your bet without playing. Surrender is usually desirable when the dealer is showing a face card, and the player has a hand that is likely to bust.

Splitting can turn an excellent hand into a terrible one, and vice versa. Never split two 5′s (Your total is currently 10, so you will probably end up with a better single hand if you hit. It’s always better to split 7′s, 8′s and Aces. Splitting 7′s and 8′s will change likely losers to probable winners. Splitting Aces is advantageous, but remember: You are only allowed to split Aces once, and you can only take one card for each new hand.

Don’t always aim to get 21, just aim to beat the dealer. That’s all you really have to do in principle to win at blackjack, but many people forget this.

When considering your choices, if the dealer’s face-up card is a number card, assume that the one you can’t see is a 10 or a face card. There’s always a reasonable chance that it will be.

If the dealer is showing a face card or an ace, consider surrendering (especially if dealer has an ace). If you are holding 13, 14, 15 or 16, the chances are that you will bust if you decide to hit another card. If the dealer is showing an ace, no matter how bad his first draw is (if he needs to), he will always be able to draw again. This is a big advantage that the house has over the player.

A good score to stand with would be 17 or over. But of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t hit another card and get lucky with a low number….

A good score to double down is 11.

A common misunderstanding of blackjack rules is that, if there is a tie, the dealer wins. This is only true in an informal (non casino) game.

http://www.howtoplaycardgames.net is a website created to clearly explain the rules of card games and how to play some of the world’s most popular card games. Also reviews of some of the best card game sites online and recommended books and other card game resources.