The Gambling Weblog

As cards are removed from the shoe, the odds change to favor either the player or the dealer. You have to increase bets when the odds favor you and decrease them when the odds favor the dealer.

Mathematical studies show that 10s and Aces favor players, 2s through to 6s favor the dealer while 7s, 8s and 9s are neutral. You will realize whether there are more high-value or low-value cards left in the shoe. Then, you adjust your bets accordingly.

In blackjack, shoes can hold up to 6 decks of cards. The more decks of cards in a shoe, the harder it is to successfuly count cards. To trick players, some casinos place cut cards inside the shoe. These cards indicate to the dealer to re-shuffle the deck.

For blackjack players, it is advisable that you buy your own shoe and cut cards. It is a lot better to simulate the casinos and play under real conditions as close as possible.

1:1

Winning hands are paid at even money (1:1). For example, a $10 wager will pay $10 in addition to the $10 already wagered. That is, the player profits by $10.

2:1

A winning insurance bet shall be paid at odds of 2:1.

3:2

Blackjack (a 10-value card with an ace) is paid at the rate of 3:2.

If the dealer’s first card is an ace, the player can place an insurance bet. An insurance bet will win if the dealer’s hole card is a King, Queen, Jack or 10.

Also known as 21, or blackjack, is when a player or dealer’s hand consists of 2 cards with a point total of 21. This is only possible with and ace and 10, jack, queen or king card. This is an automatic win for the player unless the dealer also has a point total of 21, in which case a push would occur. A natural usually pay 3:2 on the player’s bet.

There are no windows or clocks inside casinos.

This makes it very difficult to tell the time…

The bankroll you should allocate should equal to 40 even-money bets.

If you make $5 bets, your bankroll should be $200.

You should aim to win 1.5 times your bankroll. If you have $200, aim to win $500 in winnings.

Set a time limit for play – 2 to 3 hours is plenty.

It is very difficult to maintain a high level of concentration for more than 2 to 3 hours.

Betting on red at roulette, you place $10.

Every time you lose you double the size of the bet.

The problem is that there are losing streaks of 15 or 20.

In dollar terms, 10 losses equal to an outlay of $3,120 on the 10th bet, just to recover the initial $10.

This strategy would work if you had an infinite bank and there was no bet limit on each table.

High rollers don’t seek the status. They are just recognized for what they are. These players play baccarat (considered the richest game in the casino). They don’t play at tables where there is a maximum bet. They cluster at casinos like Mirage Las Vegas which have a great reputation for attracting this clientele.

What makes them different from all the other gamblers is that they can afford to lose all the money they gamble. It is not an addiction. There is no impact on their life whether they win or lose. These players add to the glimmer of casinos all over the world.