Online and Offshore: Online Casinos Skirt American Laws
Friday, May 1st, 2009 | Blackjack | 8 Comments
Online casinos are popular and becoming more so. It is estimated that 160 million people will be playing in online casinos by the year, 2020. According to Will Gatten of www.sportscrew.com, by 2008, online poker revenues – that's just poker, not the other games like blackjack, craps, and roulette - will exceed $275 billion dollars, with not a cent of it in taxes coming into the United States.
Why is that? Because online casinos are offshore operations, located in about 76 different foreign countries (as of October, 2005) to avoid U. S. gambling and tax laws.
Another reason why they are so popular from an industry point of view is that they are cheap. Steve Wynn opened his bricks-and-mortar, Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas in early 2005, at a cost of more than $2 billion dollars. Then he pays an annual fee per slot machine and table, and is taxed on gross revenue.
Still another reason is that they can get into business quickly. If someone wanted a new gambling license in Nevada, it may take one to two years of paperwork and investigations, plus a ton of legal fees. An online casino can be opened in Belize in a little over a week with a capitalization of a little over a million for a fee of about $30,000. Oh, and the tax rate in that country? Zip. Steve Wynn, eat your heart out.
Gambling PhD.com reports that online gambling casino operator, 888 Holdings Plc, is planning to sell approximately $500 million of its stock in an initial public offering. The casino company has appointed HSBC Holdings Plc to operate the sale. 888 is based in Gibraltar and is estimated to be worth around $1.5 billion when it sells its shares in London on the London Stock Exchange in September of 2005. Online, offshore, and big bucks!
Are online casinos good? Bad? Depends who you ask. In the U.S. Congress, efforts continue by Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona and others to enact a law to specifically prohibit internet gaming because it violates federal law. Another concern: for sure, for sure, minors are gambling.
Now ask the millions of players from around the world who are online every day, playing their favorite games. A typical poker table may look like a U. N. meeting. Good? Bad?
The casinos' defense is to be located "offshore," meaning in some foreign country, outside the jurisdiction of U. S. (and other countries which also prohibit gambling) laws. They charter their business in places like Antigua, Costa Rica, Gibraltar, Colombia, and India. The server may be in some other country. Administration may be in a third country, often the United States. See if you can find an online casino that willingly offers this information on its website. Not likely.
Since it will be little hard to arrest millions of American bent over their beloved games on a Saturday evening, the efforts to enact new laws are directed at advertisers, credit card companies, and banks.
Senator Kyl expresses alarm at the proliferation of casinos and estimates that 2,000 of them are in existence today. His legislation is aimed to curb Internet gambling by requiring credit card companies, and banks refuse payments to online gambling sites. So far, nothing has come of any legislation that would seriously threaten the operation of the offshore casinos.
North Dakota State Representative Jim Kasper took a proactive stance when he introduced several bills – the state's constitution would have to be changed - to allow online casinos in North Dakota. The bill called for regulation, taxation under North Dakota and United States laws, and would create hundreds, maybe thousands of jobs, for North Dakotans. However, in a letter from the United States Department of Justice, North Dakota was warned that the bills could – it didn't say they would – violate the federal "Wire Act," which prohibits gambling across state lines. And, of course, if you set up an online casino in Bismarck, North Dakota, how do you keep its activity only within the borders of one state? Representative Jim Kasper intends to push his bills in another session of the legislature.
So, stay tuned. It's unlikely that online and offshore casinos are going to be shut down though some of the ways they receive and return money may be limited if Congress moves on its efforts to limit the activities of U. S. banks and credit card companies.
The coast looks clear. "Shuffle up and deal."
© 2005 Murphy James
Winning at Blackjack - Don’t Allow Yourself to Fall into This Trap
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 | Blackjack | No Comments
If you want to become a winning blackjack player, you need to understand the psychology of blackjack and its importance, which is very often under estimated.
Rational Disciplined Play Will Yield Profits Longer Term
A winning blackjack player using basic strategy and card counting can gain an edge over the casino and emerge a winner over time.
While this is an accepted fact and many players know this, they deviate from what is rational and make irrational plays.
Why would they do this? The answer lies in human nature and the psychology that comes into play when money is on the line.
Lets look at some examples of blackjack psychology in action and two common mistakes players make:
1. The Fear of Going Bust
The fear of busting (going over 21) is a common error among blackjack players.
Going bust means you are out of the game.
Many players find it hard to draw an additional card even though it is the right play to make.
Standing on 16 when you should take a hit stops a player going bust. However, thinking logically the dealer has to stand on 17 and above, so the perceived advantage of not going bust is offset by the fact that you cannot win unless the dealer goes bust.
Losing by busting is psychologically worse for many players than losing to the dealer.
If you hit and bust it’s your fault. If you stand and lose, you can say the dealer was lucky and you have no responsibility for the loss.
Players get so preoccupied in trying to avoid going bust, that they fail to focus on the probabilities of winning and losing, when neither player nor the dealer goes bust.
The Gamblers Fallacy and Luck
Many players increase their bet after a loss and decrease it after a win. Called ″the gambler’s fallacy,″ the idea is that if you lose a hand, the odds go up that you will win the next hand, and vice versa.
This of course is irrational, but players fear losing and go to protect the winnings they have.
Other players do the reverse, increasing the bet size after a win and decreasing it after a loss. The logic here is that luck comes in streaks; so if you’re hot, increase your bets!
Why Do Players Act Irrationally When They Should Act Rationally?
There are players who don’t know basic strategy and fall into the above psychological traps. Experienced players do so as well. The reasons for this are normally associated with the following:
1. Players cannot detach themselves from the fact that winning blackjack requires losing periods, they get frustrated and try to get their losses back.
2. They fall into the trap that we all do, in that once ″wont make a difference″ and try another way of playing.
3. A player may have other things on his mind and is not focusing on the game and these blur his judgement and make him mentally lazy.
If You Have a Plan, You need to follow it!
This can be psychologically difficult for many players because it requires mental discipline to focus over the long term, take losses on the chin and remain mentally focused.
Winning at blackjack requires the discipline to execute a plan; if you don’t have discipline, you don’t have a plan!
The psychology of blackjack is an important but underestimated trait in winning at blackjack over the long term.
Gambling at monte carlo
Sunday, April 26th, 2009 | Blackjack | No Comments
The unique hub of gambling, a paradise for all the gaming aficionados and an ideal place to rejoice and lift your spirits, Monte Carlo is not unknown to any avid gambler. The place exhibits not just the efficiency of uniformly clad gamblers but also their matchless zeal towards gaming. Monte Carlo is thus worshipped as the best and timeless haven for all gamblers across the globe. The origin of Monte Carlo can be traced back to the mid-nineteenth century when Prince Charles III of Monaco built a grand casino in his not so big principality. He named that part of Monaco, on which the casino was built, Monte Carlo, after his name.
Designed in 1878 by the famous architect of that era, Charles Garnier, the Le Casino Monte Carlo casino is a mark in itself. The atrium of this magnificent building is made of marble and covered on its sides by 28 Greek columns made from onyx. While its spacious auditorium is painted in red and gold and embellished with bas-reliefs, frescoes and sculptures.
Besides everything else, the gambling rooms of the Le Casino de Monte Carlo act as a timeless pull. There are many huge gambling rooms that are wonderfully decorated with beautiful art work- sculptures and paintings etc. the mesmerizing beauty o these games add to the enthusiasm to play different games of chance. However, a paradigm example of creativity and elegance are the private rooms of this casino. Parading European styles and culture to its best, these private rooms are incredibly glamorous. It is a lifetime experience to play some of the hottest games like European roulette, English Roulette, trente et quarante, blackjack etc. within these richly-decorated four walls.
Apart from the famous Le Casino Monte Carlo, there are several other good hubs in Monte Carlo to spin the wheel of fortune. Known for its 19th century ambience, the Le Café de Paris casino is meant only for players above 21 years of age. American roulette, baccarat, blackjack, chemin de fer, electronic roulette etc. are the largely played games here.
But the young adults between 18-21 years should not get disappointed. Adhering to the dress code they can also successfully try their luck at the well-known Le Sun Casino that is located in the Monte Carlo Grand Hotel. The casino offers a set of 27 tables games, baccarat, and American roulette, blackjack, chemin de fer, craps and punto banco.
The Le Sporting Monte Carlo casino is a summer attraction. The casino that opens from last Friday of June to middle of September is known for its not less than 62 slot machines and 24 table games that include roulette, baccarat, banque a tout va, blackjack, chemin de fer, English roulette, French Roulette and punto banco.
These casinos and many others have largely contributed to their nation i.e. Monaco’s economy though its economy is not just based on gambling and tourism. Yet in today’s world, Monaco is globally acclaimed as the epitome of the gaming world, a place that conjoins gaming and wealth with beauty and international sophistication.
Top 5 Vegas Casinos
Sunday, April 26th, 2009 | Blackjack | No Comments
1. The Bellagio - 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. Strip, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Folks, there's a reason why this casino was featured in the film Ocean's 11. It's the jewel in the crown of Las Vegas casinos, and it will provide you with an elegant and upscale experience which is second to none. The poker room is luxurious and has become a hotspot for fans of 7 Card Stud. Many of the gaming tables are set off in semi-secluded rooms, giving players a more intimate setting in which to gamble. From the elegant light fixtures to the expensive upholstery on the furniture, everything about the Bellagio is high class.
2. Caesar's Palace - 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. Strip, Las Vegas, NV 89109
This classic casino has two wings to meet the needs of the wide variety of gamblers who pass through her doors. The older wing caters to experienced and high-priced gamblers, while the Olympic Casino appeals to the player on a budget. But whatever your taste, Caesar's will more than meet your gaming needs with over two-thousand slot and video poker machines, blackjack and craps tables, as well as roulette wheels and many other games. Their sports book room accommodates over 650 people, with 38 high-tech screens covering the walls. And then there's the architecture. With its famous marble columns and vaulted ceilings, Caesar's Palace draws in many people who just want to look around. Whatever category you fall into, you will not be disappointed.
3. Paris-Las Vegas - 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. Strip, Las Vegas, NV 89109
If you've always wanted to visit Paris, France, this casino is the next best thing. The interior of the building matches the streets of Paris with exacting detail. There are over 2000 video poker and slot machines, as well as over 100 tables games such as roulette and blackjack. And for high rollers, there's even a special area where the limits are through the roof. There are musical shows to watch, plus you can ride to the top of their 50-story Eiffel Tower replica and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Las Vegas strip.
4. MGM Grand Hotel and Casino - 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. Strip, Las Vegas, NV 89109
The MGM is divided into four distinct gaming areas, each with their own unique theme (Emerald City, Monte Carlo, Sports, and Hollywood). As the largest casino complex in the world, the MGM boasts 171,500 square feet (50,000 square feet more than the next largest). There are 3700 slot machine and video poker games, as well as 15 craps tables, 76 blackjack tables, and 17 roulette wheels. There's also a youth center for the kids, multiple showrooms, and a fun 33-acre theme park. This hotel and casino literally has something for everyone.
5. The Venetian - 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. Strip, Las Vegas, NV 89109
With frescoes on the ceiling, the Venetian perfectly captures the spirit of the Renaissance period. Couples will especially enjoy being serenaded while taking a gondola ride through a recreation of Venice's Grand Canal. Restaurants can be found all along the perimeter, and don't forget about the wonderful 30,000 square foot wax museum. In addition, there are over 2500 slot and video poker machines, 115 table games, and a high-stakes area with more than a dozen exclusive table games.
Picking the Best Casinos
Sunday, April 19th, 2009 | Blackjack | No Comments
If you like gambling for pleasure, but do not live near a casino, you have been deprived of one of life’s little pleasures. Each time you felt like rolling the dice, playing the slots or competing in blackjack you had to travel and arrange accommodations. All of which takes time and money. The Internet is changing all of this. Now, with a simple click of the mouse you can enter extraordinary casinos. You can even enter national lotteries from around the world. Internet gaming establishments are operating in more than thirty countries…from Antigua and Australia to Trinidad and Venezuela. And, your computer can take you there.
No travel arrangements, no costly accommodations. Top online casinos have been around for several years now, but how do you find an honest casino you can trust that offer the best odds. Although you should perform your own due diligence in finding an online casino that is both reputable and customer service oriented, Best Casinos has taken much of the leg work out by selecting the best casinos in the industry. These are the points to follow when picking the best casinos in the online gambling industry:
1. They have several years of successful operation. The casino has a reputation that has been proven over time and not in claims in their advertisements.
2. They have convenient the rapid availability of funds. They have speedy transfers and offer same day payouts.
3. They have first rate customer service. They treat clients with respect and resolve disputes in a consistent and fair manner. They have professional, courteous, English speaking staff, as well as customer friendly policies.
4. They have the latest computer technology. The speed of final results posted, and the accuracy of the bet taking should be important features in the casino you choose.
5. They have Las Vegas style rules and regulations. Be sure to check the fine print on promotions, propositions, and other wagers. .
6. Check on negative reports from industry watchdogs. You can look at reports of problem companies from the Offshore Gaming Association (OSGA.com)
7. The casino offers good bonuses and incentives to sign up. Most casinos offer bonuses when you sign up the first time. Be careful for the casinos that offer the unbelievable bonus deals. They may not be able to stay around for the long haul.
8. The casino has available management. The general manager or other management people are available for you to talk to. They have enough clerks and supervisors working during the busy periods.
9. The hours of operation are flexible. The best casinos are open seven days a week, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
10. The casino is legal in the country of operation. You want to be sure that the online casino is operating in a legal jurisdiction so you can have some recourse. Look for casinos that are members of Offshore Gaming Association (OSGA) or any other reputable association.
Blackjack Tournaments
Saturday, April 18th, 2009 | Blackjack | No Comments
Blackjack is one of the more popular games played in real and virtual casinos. The excitement surrounding the game lends to its popularity as there is always shouting, laughing, and cheering around the blackjack table.
It stands to reason that blackjack tournaments would be no different. Even the online versions of blackjack tournaments are flashy and exciting, with many players participating from the comfort of their own homes. Blackjack tournaments are fairly easy to get involved in, particularly online, and can garner high stakes and prizes.
Several sites are devoted to blackjack tournaments, and before getting involved with one you should be sure that you are aware of all the rules involved. Most blackjack tournaments are played for prizes, points or credits and there is almost always an entry fee. However, read all of the rules and regulations to make sure you are aware what exactly you are playing for and that there are no hidden charges. If you want to play for cash, be sure the web site specifically states that the blackjack tournament is being played accordingly.
The thing that most gamblers like about participating in a blackjack tournament, whether online or in a real casino, is that they are playing against other players and not just against the house and the casino itself. This adds a real edge of excitement to a game that is normally more about one player than several.
Blackjack tournaments are not as popular as slot tournaments; however, the elusiveness can make them even more fun. This is because it takes a certain amount of skill to play and even more so to participate in a blackjack tournament. You will usually be playing against players who have practiced relentlessly and know the game inside and out.
Blackjack tournaments are played online and in land-based casinos. When playing online, you are better able to watch others play first, get advice and tips from the pros and concentrate in a quiet, stable environment. This is not always an advantage you can have in a land-based casino. In addition, since most casinos do not have a large number of blackjack tables, they are not able to hold large-scale blackjack tournaments as often. This is why online gambling sites have an advantage. They are not bound by space; so many players can participate at any given time.
Blackjack tournaments can be fun and lucrative. Just be sure to learn all you can about the game, read the rules over a couple of times and don't gamble more than the number in your bankroll. Remember to have fun!
Strange But True Online Poker Tales
Thursday, April 16th, 2009 | Blackjack | No Comments
Worst Bet Ever: Here’s a case in point for self-control at the online poker tables if ever we heard one. In December ‘05, one Carl Valentine agreed to what, on the surface, appeared a modest enough challenge, presented by a multi-millionaire buddy of his. The challenge was this: that by April 18, ‘06 he, Valentine, send 2 million unique visitors to a website they perversely named savemyfinger.com.
If successful, Valentine will qualify to play in a heads up online poker tournament against said millionaire with 1 million dollars at stake. If Valentine wins the tourney, he scores a million smackers. If he loses, he loses nothing. So far, so good.
But if Valentine fails to generate 2 million unique hits on his site, he will still face off against his childhood pal in a heads up online poker match, but this time he’ll be playing for his right index finger. If he wins, he gets to keep all his digits. If he loses, it’s off with his finger - and Valentine vies for the title of World’s Dumbest Amputee.
Online poker room Poker Heaven has supposedly agreed to host the ludicrous match (whatever the stakes).
And the Baby’s Name is Chip: They met at an online poker table. The game was Omaha, $30 stakes, the site - Party Poker. He suffered a bad beat and got into an argument with a fellow player over it using the Chat feature. She defended him. They became buddies from there - literally: using the Buddy List feature, Jackie Johnson and Gary Suffir began, from that moment on, a torrid long distance love affair that culminated in Jackie leaving Las Vegas and heading to New York to move in with Gary. Now they’re getting hitched.
The first known wedding of a couple who met while playing online poker will take place in March 2006. Prior to the ceremony, friends and family of the bride and groom will participate in an online poker tournament. Poker (and more specifically, online poker) will be the theme of the wedding, with a poker-themed wedding cake and floral displays. The newlywed couple will then enjoy their honeymoon on the Party Poker Million V Cruise to the Caribbean.
″But What Do I Win?″: They’ll let you sell anything on eBay these days. An online poker aficionado and (most surprisingly perhaps) eBay Power Seller who goes by the nickname ″The_Sellution″ and touts a positive feedback rating of 99.97% (of 1,533 transactions) has posted what could be considered the most inane auction listing eBay’s ever seen (though there are admittedly numerous contenders for that title).
Connor Gleason (as he’s known to his family and friends) lost about $5,000 playing Blackjack at online poker room and casino Party Poker. Now he’s asking eBay bidders to help him out of the hole he dug himself into. His opening bid was $999.99. When the bidding period ended, it closed with no bidders. (Shocker!)
But there’s more to this story, and this auction, than meets the eye. In a sneaky bit of wordplay, Gleason is careful not to name the online poker room where he lost his bankroll - only that, ″it’s no Party″ (from which we deduce, hopefully correctly, that it’s Party Poker). By the same token, he offers his auction as a ″Golden advertising opportunity for a quality online casino″.
For anyone who knows of online casino Golden Palace’s reputation for outrageous and expensive publicity stunts including spending thousands of dollars to win eBay auctions for outlandish items, this plea for aid in return for nothing but…what - a warm fuzzy feeling inside? - appears to be a clear and obvious message to Golden Palace and Golden Palace alone. At least they’ll know how to get some press out of their ″investment″.
Gambling Myths: What You Absolutely Need to Know
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 | Blackjack | No Comments
Gambling is considered a game of luck and chance. As the outcome is usually unsure, there are various myths that surround the world of gambling. However, as is mostly the case, these myths are nothing but superstitions that can be refuted by facts.
The premise that gambling involves luck is not concrete. Mathematical matrices and probabilities are tools that can be used to calculate one's odds. In fact, the casino's all operating on these strategies to be the winner in the long run. If the players had an advantage on the casino, the casino would suffer huge losses. Each casino has a pre established house percentage which determines how much advantage it enjoys over the player. These percentages are usually kept small, yet the casinos earn huge profits owing to the frequency of losses and the volume of players.
Blackjack, poker and slots are frequently surrounded by myths. Many creators claim that their betting systems are fool proof and ensure consistent winnings. This is all farce, especially knowing the mathematics of the casino and the concept of house advantage. No betting system can sustain for long periods, though it might get a few initial wins. Another talked about principle of winning is that of card counting in blackjack. Accurate card counting and placing all the cards requires pure genius. Even skilled players can take hours to place the cards. A faster method is to determine the odds of the game and then participate.
Slot myths can be quite entertaining. One of the popular myths is that the slots are monitored by the casino and it they who decide whether one would win or loose. In truth, there is no hidden camera or surveillance on the slot machines. The entire game is governed by computer programs and is quite independent of human interference.
Another myth is regarding the facilities provided by the casino to a winning gambler as compensation. It is believed that the casinos provide free rooms, meals and other amenities to the gambler who wins and that these gamblers are the best ones the casino has at that time. It is not the best gambler that the casino compensates every time.
Depending on the potential to pay, the casino compensates the gamblers. Free rooms and meals are provided to make the experience better even in case the gambler suffers huge loss. This helps in building good customer relations and customer loyalty, so that the gambler can be a good source of income in the future.
The tussle between religion and gambling is quite old. While some regard gambling as immoral, some think that gambling on festivals brings luck. A simple explanation can be the age of gambling. Gambling is perhaps as old as the concept of religion itself. Cards and dice games were popular recreational activities and were also used at times to predict the future. Thus gambling and religion can be intricately linked but do not oppose each other.
Myths might be based on true incidents. But with time, they get distorted or blown out of proportion, to sound completely baseless and irrational. Speculation also gives rise to myths. These rumors are an entertainment that come along with the game and should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Ivory Coast Casinos
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 | Blackjack | No Comments
The Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa which shares borders with Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ghana, having a shoreline along the Gulf of Guinea to the south of the country. The Ivory Coast spreads over 124,503 square miles and has a population of approximately 18,154,000.
The country’s rich history and culture make it a desirable destination of tourists from around the world who wish to experience the adventures of a wild safari or the charm and hospitality of the local people. There is only one Ivory Coast casino, which is situated in the capital city of Abidjan and is called Hotel Ivoire Inter-Continental & Casino. The Casino offers ten table games featuring blackjack, poker, and roulette, as well as 60 slot machines. The Hotel Ivoire Inter-Continental & Casino’s operating hours are from 4 pm to 3 am every day, though they may vary on a national or bank holiday.
The Ivory Coast casino follows international playing rules and regulations; however, it is suggested to check any and all house rules as they can change with no prior notification. To gamble in the Ivory Coast casino, you need to be at least 18 years or older, and the same rule applies for drinking any alcoholic beverages, as well. It is advisable to carry photo identification on you at all times, even if the casino personnel do not check it with regularity. Should you be found to be under age or without recent photo identification to prove your age, you may be asked to leave the casino immediately.
The Hotel Ivoire Inter-Continental & Casino is a legal gambling facility where everyone speaks English in addition to the official language, which is French. The personnel are friendly and helpful, conducting free gambling lessons periodically for those who wish to enter the world of thrills and excitement. The Hotel in which the casino is sheltered also offers rooms and suites, as well as restaurants, bars, and other facilities for its guests. Their hours may vary vastly from those of the casino.
The Ivory Coast is a country of many interesting attractions, where every single day is an adventure in itself. The casino in the capital city is the only official gambling facility. There may be other unofficial gambling facilities available in the country, but it is strongly advised to stay away from them in order to avoid any problems that may occur.
Introduction to Basic Strategy for Blackjack
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 | Blackjack | No Comments
Blackjack Basic Strategy is quite simple to learn and will decrease the house’s advantage to less than 1% over the long run. What follows is an introduction to Basic Strategy that will take the beginner only a few days to master.
Practicing Basic Strategy consists of hitting, standing, doubling down, or splitting based on just two factors. Those two factors are:
1. The 2 Cards You are Dealt
2. The Dealer’s Up Card
In any game of Blackjack there are only about 250 combinations that you can encounter. 250 combinations sound almost impossible to learn, however, the use of a graphical chart makes it a lot easier. I learned using a chart (the one that can be found in the resource section of this article). However, a chart is not necessary. Below is a list of the most common combinations you will find, along with the proper action to take.
1. If your 2 cards added together equal between 5 and 8, you should always hit.
2. If your 2 cards added together equal 9, you should always hit, unless the dealer’s up card is a 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 in which case you would double down.
3. If your 2 cards added together equal 10, you should always double down, unless the dealer’s up card is a 10 or an Ace, in which case you should hit.
4. If your 2 cards added together equal 11, you should always double down, unless the dealer’s up card is an Ace, in which case you should hit.
5. If your 2 cards added together equal 12, you should always hit, unless the dealer’s up card is a 4, 5, or 6, in which case you should stand.
6. If your 2 cards added together equal 13, 14, 15, or 16, you should always hit, unless the dealer’s up card is a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, in which case you should stand.
7. If your 2 cards added together equal 17 or greater you should always stand.
Those rules may seem confusing at first, but stick with them and they will prove to be very effective. I always recommend to my students that they use the same chart I learned with (the one that can be found in the resource section of this article) if they want to make the process quicker and easier.
In addition to the above rules, there are special rules for when you are dealt two cards of the same value (such as 10, Queen or 9, 9 or 5, 5). There are also special rules for when your hand includes an Ace (such as Ace, 5 or Ace, 2). To learn these special rules you would need to use a chart.
Blackjack Basic Strategy is quite simple to learn and will decrease the house’s advantage to less than 1% over the long run. Above was an introduction to Basic Strategy that should take the beginner only a few days to master. However, I highly recommend learning the special rules outlined in a basic strategy chart, because learning those rules is the only way to reduce the house advantage to less than 1% over the long run.