Blackjack is defined as a casino game in which the winner is of the game is the player that holds cards with a total value closest to, but never more than 21 points. Throughout the years, there are skilled blackjack players that have dominated the gaming world. And finally, in 2002, the Blackjack Hall of Fame was formed in where professional blackjack players were the one who’ll nominate the inductees in the now renowned lists of pro. What’s great about the Blackjack Hall of Fame, that has its physical location at Barona Casino in San Diego California, is that they not only induct the players but also the experts and authors of books that revolves around playing blackjack.
Some of the inductees of the Blackjack Hall of Fame that helped shape the world of blackjack gaming are Al Francesco, Peter Griffin, Arnold Snyder, Edward O. Thorp, Ken Uston, Stanford Wong and Tommy Hyland. These are actually the first seven inductees of the hall of fame in 2002. With the exception of the year 2003, the induction of new members are added every year after that.
Al Francesco is arguably if not the best, is the greatest blackjack player of all time. He is also known as Frank Schipani or Frank Salerno and the inventor of the concept of blackjack team play. He’s also responsible for the idea of the ‘big player’. From the early 70’s to 1977, when Ken Uston’s “The Big Player” book was published, Al and his blackjack team has been an invisible force in casinos that had won million of dollars just by playing blackjack.
Peter Griffin was the author of the book “The Theory of Blackjack”. He already passed away when the induction in 2002 happened. His book is equivocally the best in its field.
Arnold Snyder is the author of the book “The Blackjack Formula” that was released in the 80’s. Aside from being an author, Snyder is also a professional gambler and has opened the eyes of every other player about the importance of the depth of the deal in card counting. Over-all, Snyder had written seven books that are considered as staple reads especially to new blackjack players.
Aside from being a competitive blackjack player, Dr. Edward O. Thorp is also an author and a mathematician. His book “The Beat Dealer” that was published in 1972 was the first to mathematically confirm the theory that a player can beat a blackjack by card counting.
Ken Uston is the name synonymous to the game blackjack. Ken Uston earned an utmost respect in the world of blackjack gambling through his skills and ingenuity in playing. Other than being extremely knowledgeable about the game, what made Uston a definite pro is his strategies especially in card counting techniques.
Stanford Wong, on the other hand, is an alias of John Ferguson. He is also a book author and now owns a computer program that has everything to do with the game blackjack. He had written a total of 15 books about gambling.
The last of the 2002 inductees on the Blackjack Hall of Fame is Thomas Hyland. Hyland is a popular card counter at casinos, a professional player and runs the history’s longest-running team of blackjack.
Archive for BlackJack
The Popularity of Online Blackjack – A Closer Look at the Game
Blackjack has been dubbed the most popular game in casinos, and it’s making its way to the top of the list of most wanted games online. The popularity of online blackjack has piqued the curiosity of many new players to find out what the game is all about and why many gamblers revel in its excitement.
Blackjack is believed to have French origins. The nature and rules of the game is widely accepted to be an amalgamation or combination of the French card games chemin de fer, vinget-et-un, and French Ferme. History traces down the first appearance of blackjack in the famed casinos of the City of Lights to as early as 1700 A.D. Centuries after, blackjack, still referred to as vinget-et-un or 21 back then, was brought by European immigrants to the Americas, where the game did not enjoy overnight popularity and success.
To add more appeal to the game in order to attract players to play it in casinos, the rules were changed to turn the odds into the players’ favor. One of the rules that resulted in the game’s fame is the inclusion of a 10:1 bonus that players receive when the Jack of Clubs or Spades is drawn together with the Ace of Spades. Afterwards, 21 was called blackjack and became a favorite among gamblers, beginners and experienced alike.
Today, blackjack continues to be more than well-received, now hooking players through the latest medium, the Internet. The objective of online blackjack is the same with that of offline blackjack, which is to attain a card of value of 21 or as close to the said number as possible and, simultaneously, to beat the total cards of the dealer. Online blackjack, however, is purportedly more challenging to master.
The popularity of online blackjack can be attributed to several factors, which are mainly the advantages playing the game online offers. As opposed to playing blackjack in regular casinos, playing the game online entails less pressure and is no doubt less intimidating since anonymity can be used. Moreover, most websites that offer casino games allow open access to charts that show basic blackjack strategies, a feature that attracts and is most useful to new players who have trouble memorizing starting plays and techniques.
Another reason why blackjack is a popular online casino game is the prestige it carries. Blackjack is one of an elite group of casino games where Lady Luck plays a small role and winning actually relies on a player’s skills and decisions. Very few games – if there are even others, that is – call for an advanced train of logic and strategic thought, putting blackjack in a league all its own and challenging players to test both their IQ and their guts.
There are several websites that offer online blackjack. Before you settle on a website, make sure that you meet the requirements, are aware and well-informed of the payout options, and remain safe and protected. Check out reviews of online casinos and see which ones have the best customer support services, deposit and withdrawal methods, and security systems.
How to play blackjack?
Blackjack Basics:
Blackjack can be played with anywhere from 1 to 8 decks of cards. More decks equals more of an advantage to the house, where as less decks equals more of an advantage for the player. Most casinos will offer a limited amount of tables with single or double-deck blackjack, with some not offering it whatsoever.
Table limits normally start at a minimum of $5 and have a maximum betting cap ranging anywhere from $100 to $50,000 (note: this figure ONLY exists at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas). Tables will normally accommodate up to 6 players, with the action starting from the dealer’s left to right. The dealer will always be the last to act in the game of Blackjack.
The game starts as soon as the player pushes in their bet into the appropriate betting circle. It should be noted that higher-denomination chips should be placed on the bottom of the stack, with lower-denomination ones being stacked towards the top. Once the dealer has instructed the players that no more bets can be placed, the cards will then be dealt out.
All cards that are dealt out to the player(s) are dealt face-up, with the dealer taking their first card face-down and their second card face-up. Players have a variety of options to choose from after their first 2 cards are dealt out. However, analyzing the dealer’s up-card is essential to making the decision to “hit” or “stand” on your own hand.
Players will normally stand on anything from 16 to 21, and will normally take a hit on anything 11 and below. Players can hit as many times as they please as long as they don’t go over 21. Taking multiple cards (hits) is a calculated risk that must be taken if the dealer is showing a strong up card such as a face card or an Ace.
Playing and Winning in Blackjack:
Blackjack, also referred to as “21,” is played on a points system that gives numeric values (see “Blackjack Card Values” below) to every card in a single deck of playing cards. 21 is the best score one can achieve in the game, and players should be focusing on getting as close to that number as possible without “busting.” Players who score a 21 on their hand will not only have “Blackjack,” but they’ll automatically win and also get paid 3:2 on their bet.
Players who beat the dealer’s hole cards will also get paid double their original bet, provided they have a number equal to or less than 21. If the dealer busts, players will also get paid out accordingly as long as they too have not busted.
Note: If the dealer is dealt Blackjack – or 21 – all losing bets are immediately collected from the players. The only time a player will not forfeit their bet on a dealer Blackjack is if they too have 21.
Blackjack Card Values:
Each card numbered at 10 and below (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) have a value equal to their actual number. Suits have no effect on the value (4 of clubs will have the same value as a 4 of diamonds). For example, if a player draws the following cards: 2, 5, and 8 – the value of all three would be 15.
Face cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings) all have values equaling 10. Like numbered cards, different suits have no effect on the value of the face cards. For example, if a player draws a Jack and a King for their first two up-cards, that will equal a 20 – the second-highest score behind a Blackjack or 21.
The last card – the Ace – has a special value in Blackjack. It can count as either 1 or 11, with the actual number being dependent on what helps out the most with a particular hand. Being dealt an Ace and any face card is an automatic Blackjack and the player will be paid out 3:2 immediately.
Blackjack Terms:
Hit
When a player chooses to take another card after their initial 2 are dealt out. Players can hit as many times as they wish, provided they do not bust.
Stand
When a player chooses to not take any more cards. This will normally occur if a player has a semi-decent holding or if the dealer is showing a weak up-card.
Double or Double Down
This occurs when a player doubles his wager after the first two cards are dealt. When a player chooses to double it normally means they feel they have a great chance of making a winning hand on their 3rd card, subsequently winning more money. When a player doubles, the wager must be placed next to their original bet before the request for a 3rd card is made.
Split
This can be done when a player has two identically numbered cards dealt to them on the initial deal. Basically, both cards are split and a new wager is made – essentially making 2 hands. To split, a player must put in an identical wager to their original one before the next cards are dealt out to the split hand.
Surrender
An option given to players that allows them to give up their cards and half their original wager if he/she feels they have a hand that cannot win against the dealer’s. This is only allowed in some land-based casinos.
Bust or Break
If a player’s cards exceed 21, then they have gone “bust.” Their original bets are immediately taken by the dealer once this happens.
Virtual Blackjack Machines Making Big Hit
Blackjack used to be one of the most well known gambling games and one of the most popular. It is a simple game that is easy to learn and easy to play. While it focuses on the luck of the draw there is still some skill that is required – despite what most people think. To effectively play you need to know when to hold and when to pick another card. Unfortunately it seems that the game of blackjack is losing its appeal to most people. Manufacturers and casinos have been trying to find new ways of igniting the fire beneath people in order to bring them back to the blackjack table – but to no avail. That was until just now.
GTECH has created virtual blackjack tables that will entice and win over any player who is looking to have some fun and win it all. The fact that these new tables are virtual is enough to gain the interest of many people. After all when we see something that can talk and that knows what we want we can’t help – but be interested.
The first set of these virtual blackjack tables are being installed at the Lincoln gambling hall that is at the Twin River greyhound track. In order to make room for them they will be removing around 30 of the video slot machines that they find no more need for.
If everything goes according to plan around half a dozen of the new blackjack machines will be installed by next week. Five players can sit at each machine – which plays like a normal blackjack game. The dealer – a gorgeous blonde woman – is dealing and the player will signal what move they will make. The manufacturer – GTECH – has praised the new machines and has stated that it mixes together “the latest in interactive technology with the camaraderie of live table games. “Personable video dealers will entice even the most reticent players to try their luck at table games.”
Lottery officials are looking forward to the new machines and are hoping that they can increase the gambling revenue of Rhode Island by around $1 million annually if not more. It seems though that there could be a slight delay in plans. Speaker William Murphy has requested that the attorney general be called for his opinion on whether or not these virtual blackjack machines should be given a legislative stamp of approval before being installed. However, whether or not this is something that will be pursued is still under question.
Spokesman Jeff Neal has stated, “From the point of view of the Department of Revenue video-blackjack terminals are not substantially different, legally, from the other video-lottery terminals already installed at the two gambling facilities, Lincoln and Newport. While their outside appearance is different, their method of operation is the same. As a result, the Department of Revenue has allowed the company to proceed with its plans to install these new video lottery terminals.”
Yet, this isn’t going to stop GTECH from making this huge step and investment in these machines. “GTECH’s investing a lot of money to bring this machine in because they feel they are going to make a substantial amount of money over what the present terminal’s making so it’s in our best interest when they want to bring them to allow them,” stated Neal.