Blackjack Tables
Putting the fun back in to Blackjack!

Putting the fun
back in to Blackjack!

If you like Blackjack…

December 13th, 2011

However much you love Blackjack, there are lots of other games that you might enjoy from time to time that are very easy to access in the same casinos, either online or in a more traditional capacity.

Casino games come in three main forms: table games, electronic gaming machines and random number games.

Today we’re going to focus on table games, as that’s the category that blackjack falls into – so you’ll probably find them more suited to you than other types of games.

Historically – and still today, in bricks-and-mortar casinos – table games are operated by a real-life dealer or croupier and are played on a table. Funny that, isn’t it?!

Blackjack is part of the card game category of table games, along with baccarat and poker. There are many different versions of the latter, including Asia Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker and Texas Hold ‘Em.

Another category of table games is known as ‘dice and tiles’ and includes games such as craps, sic bo, pai gow and chuck-a-luck.

Finally, there are random number table games such as roulette, big six wheel and chase beezy.

Online roulette has become very popular in recent years, as have online poker and online blackjack.

There is usually no real dealer when playing online, but the player can still derive plenty of satisfaction and excitement from the experience. When playing poker online, it is possible to play against other online gamers and test your skills against theirs.

Roulette is more unpredictable, but like blackjack, mathematical skills can be used to judge chances and possible outcomes.

So, why not give something new a try? You might enjoy it. And even if you don’t, you’ll appreciate blackjack all the more when you return to it!

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Blackjack in the movies

November 29th, 2011

It’s not just us who think blackjack is a great game. It’s even been featured in films! In fact, it’s been the central theme of a few – either by title or storyline.

Today we’re looking at a few notable examples.

21
(2008)
The most recent successful feature film to be named after the game of blackjack is 21, a crime drama about six stellar pupils from the Massachusetts Institute Of Technology who conspire to make millions from Las Vegas casinos by card counting during games of blackjack. Directed by Robert Luketic, it stars Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth and Kevin Spacey. Intriguingly, it is based on a true story.

Blackjack
(1998)
This action thriller, directed by John Woo, stars Swedish martial arts icon Dolph Lundgren as a US Marshal assigned to protect high-profile public figures. However, he is afraid of the colour white.

Croupier
(1998)
Apparently a popular year for blackjack films, 1998 also saw the release of Croupier, which follows the life of a man who becomes a blackjack dealer. Clive Owen stars.

Licence To Kill
(1989)
Made in the Timothy Dalton era of James Bond films, Licence To Kill shows the famous hero playing blackjack at a casino. Several Bond movies feature casinos – perhaps most prominently Casino Royale, which was made in 2006 starring Daniel Craig after being inspired by a satirical film in 1967.

Rain Man
(1988)
Rain Main is the touching story of Charlie (Tom Cruise), who discovers his autistic older brother Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) and needs to drive him home across America. Raymond helps Charlie to win money at a casino by using his incredible maths skills to count blackjack cards.

Black Jack
(1950)
Julien Duvivier directed this adventure film, which features a criminal who tries to go straight after many years of using his yacht to smuggle drugs.

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Blackjack in UK cities: Manchester

November 22nd, 2011

Here at Blackjack Tables, we love to play Blackjack both online and offline. There are many, many venues across the UK in which you can play blackjack – but of course it’s always most enjoyable when you choose the best.

From time to time we like to think about great places to play blackjack in major UK city centres. Today we’ve chosen one of our favourite north west haunts, Manchester.

Manchester235
This casino is one of Manchester’s newest but has made quite a name for itself with contemporary styling and popular restaurants Linen and Ocean Treasure. Housed in the city’s Great Northern development, it is close to Manchester’s Hilton hotel on Deansgate and a popular choice for both Manchester residents and tourists. Blackjack is available on the tables with a minimum bet of £2 and a maximum of £1,000. The venue also offers fun packages for beginners who want to learn to play blackjack.

Grosvenor Casinos
There are two Grosvenor Casinos in Manchester city centre – on George Street, in Chinatown; and on Whitworth Street, near Oxford Street. George Street describes itself as ‘Manchester’s friendliest casino’ and has a large menu of English and Chinese food to choose from. Whitworth Street prides itself on its traditional decor – complementing the thrill of a traditional blackjack game.

Circus Casino
Circus Casino is on Portland Street and offers a mix of table and electronic games. The minimum and maximum stakes on its five blackjack tables are £2 and £500 respectively – and in between games, you can visit the striking 110 Restaurant, which is open every day from 5:30pm to 11pm and offers deals combining set menus and bets.

Visiting Manchester
If you decide to visit Manchester for a casino trip, there are several options for accommodation. The city boasts a wide range of hotels, from one-star budget choices to five-star luxury. You might also want to take a look at serviced apartments in Manchester, which can be a handy option for sharing with friends.

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In love with Renault

October 25th, 2011

Yeah I know the title doesn’t sound much like the good old Blackjack but it has to be said – my new ride is for all us cowboys out there who just want to live life in the fast lane.

She’s an absolute beauty and rides like a dream. Of course I got her in ‘Black Gold’. They didn’t have a ‘Blackjack’ option like my old Chevrolet but Black Gold sounded pretty swanky so I went with that. I was looking for an upgrade, a sleek, stylish comfortable drive to cruise around the town. Something that would impress the ladies. I know Renault doesn’t usually come to mind but this new model has something different – a new swagger that makes you stop and stare. I first noticed it when a I was back in the Chev doing my usual cruise around town, admiring the view. When the woman I was admiring ignored my car and instead was amazed by shiny black car steaming past me. A Renault Megane no less. Basking in the sun and stealing my manhood – I have to have one.

So round to the dealer I went and demanded he upgrade me to this Black beauty, this stallion of a car. He offered a test drive, of course I accepted – the moment I sat on that fresh leather I felt like I was back on the range. I owned the road again, and the ladies started to stare again. ‘This ride is mine’ I said, and laid down the dollar. The joy it’s brought me in just these few days is what compelled me to write this post. This Black Gold beauty is the ride of kings!

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Vegas Top 3

October 16th, 2011

My Vegas Top 3 places to play Black Jack.

That’s right – I thought I’d throw together a little advice for those of you lucky enough to be headed over to the lovely lady that is Las Vegas soon. After all you don’t want to get dropped off outside the Bellagio just to be played by some hustler telling you he knows the best tables around, providing you part with some of your fresh American dollars. They see tourists with pockets full of cash raring to gamble and think ‘Kerching’, but a Vegas vacation doesn’t have to leave you feeling robbed. There are plenty of places to enjoy a good game of cards – believe me, I’ve done it. So pay attention cowboys, and let the good times roll.

These three Casinos are in Downtown Las Vegas and are three of the few Casinos still offering true Single-Deck BlackJack with full pay 3-2. These are hard to come across these days, but makes it all the more worth it when you do stumble upon the beauty.

El Cortez is one of the best joints around – it’s also a Hotel so when it’s getting late or if you find a pretty lady, there’s no need to call a cab. Fine dining and entertainment are as standard as they say. And when you have found that pretty lady there’s a tastey steakhouse with whacking great steaks the size of a small baby – I know ’cause I’ve tried one!

Next on my list is Four Queens – the croupiers here have some major talent; shuffling worth remembering. I swear I saw one throw a whole pack in the air, only to catch half the pack in his mouth and the other half fell behind his two ears – it was madness.

And finally – Binion’s Gamling Hall. This hall, founded by one of my greatest heros Benny Binion has changed a lot since his day, but I love the way his memory lives on through the gaming. It’s a must visit for any die hard casino lover.

Now get those tickets booked and head over to Nevada. I know I wanna!

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A Black Jack Discovery

September 26th, 2011

Well bless ma soul they’ve done it again. Just when I thought I’d experienced all that’s great and good about this darn world – someone comes along and slaps me right in the chops. This time though, the remarkable experience was not given to me by some long legged beautiful lady, or even a sommelier at some top dollar joint, this was sweetness in its purest form. Now I feel my eyes have been opened to a whole new meaning of Blackjack.

To you and me Blackjack is a game of strategy and skill. A thrilling game with endless possibilities but to a ten year old kid it has a whole other meaning. Blackjack means goodness, possibly bitterness and a certain competitor to the Fruit Salad. Some of you may not believe this but until the little kid who lives next door came a knocking last week I’d never even heard of the darn things. The little tyke came over with what he called a ‘peace offering’. He’s always kicking those darned soccer balls into my back yard. Anyway – he came over and said ‘hey mister, I’m sorry about all them balls, I heard you like Blackjack and cos me and my sister are only into Fruit Salads I thought I’d bring them round’.

Those sweets were the nicest thing anyone had ever done for me, and not only that but once I tried one I’d fallen in love. They took me right back to throwing back flaming Sambuca’s with the Sicilian’s while we played a mean old game of cards. Why anyone would want those Fruit Salads is beyond me.

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21

September 15th, 2011

Oh to be 21 again yeeha. I used to take girls out to the movie theatre every weekend – a different girl each weekend that is. I haven’t done that in years, the last time I went to the movie theatre was to see a film called 21, and those old picture houses have changed a lot since my day. I didn’t like it much, the smell, the noise, but I liked the film so I watched it again from a rental place this weekend.

It’s no wonder I liked it – it’s about blackjack and based on a true story. I’m not sure what ‘based on’ means though – either it is true or not, I wish they’d shoot straight from the hip about that one. But anyway, I hope it is true because it’s quite the story. These young lads, intelligent lads, train up real good for months and they train not to play Classic Blackjack but to count cards, a fools game in my opinion and so the movie proves.

Predictably they go to Vegas and raid it for all it’s got. They hit the big bucks and seem unstoppable winning at every table, they buy sweet new suits and boots and the main guy, Ben, wins enough to get him through med school. But the silly young’ens forgot one thing, greed lives in all of us and no matter how much you win, or how often, you’ll never win more than the casino. So of course they came to blows when casino security cracked on to what they were gettin’ up to.

At the beginning of the film I envied the youngster’s (Ben’s) intelligence and integrity, but as it went on I figured even the good can go bad when that greedy little money bug strikes.

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Set ‘em up Joe

September 6th, 2011

Last night I took my Blackjack skills back on the road and oh boy I’m good. These online tables have been good to an old timer and now I’m someone to be reckoned with. With sarsaparillas all round we played some good games. It was heating up and I was clutching my holster getting ready for someone to blow but after a few whiskeys to wet the old pallet we were getting on like a house on fire.

That’s another difference between playing online and playing less virtually – if someone’s got a problem with the cut of your jib it’s more than just keyboards and mice that get slammed. Me and the old gang had a right old time though – harry was there, he’s a very good friend of a friend of mine, and quite the player too. By the end of the night we were all sailing Liverpool‘s Mersey and recounting our days back on the Blackjack scene in the windy city.

We’d play till the early hours surrounded by ladies with the longest legs you’d ever seen in smart feather dresses – they don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Then the next day we’d wake up and do it all over again. We had no cares in the world. Things aren’t all bad now though – yea the ladies turned into wives but Blackjack went online. Playing a game from the comfort of your own home, that’s the ticket. I don’t think I could handle those legs anymore anyway. It’s good to know I can get back on the old horse though and play a good game with ma pals.

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Trouble, trouble, trouble

August 12th, 2011

So everyone’s got their feathers all ruffled by these riotin’ kids in the city. I watched a little of it on the old telly-box and I must say I was thoroughly underwhelmed. Them crazy cats ain’t nothing to worry about, they’ll run right outta steam just as soon as they realise that lootin and jackassery won’t get them nowhere as fast as gamblin will.

They think they’re having a hard time? What about a 2 week losing streak! They reckon as benefit cuts is the scariest thing they gotta deal with? What about the awful 16..

Just saying its name sends shivers down this old man’s spine. The terrible 16, the worst hand in Blackjack. 70% chance o’ losing no matter what you do. And this star-crossed hapless blackjack man had the misfortune to get one but mere days ago.

So, what do you do? How do you change Lady Luck’s mind when she’s arm-in-arm cavorting with the dealer? Well I racked my brains. I thought back to my very first blackjack learnin’ and it struck me outta nowhere. ‘Boy,’ I said ‘You got three options: hit, stand or surrender. And surrender’s not an option.’

As I could recall, hittin gave me a better chance than standin so hit I did. Plucked up my last reserves of courage and hit away.

I lost.

And those kids think they got problems.

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Back to Blackjack

July 25th, 2011

I’ve heard a lot of folks bandying about the phrase ‘Back to Black’ this week so I can only assume this is a sign that Blackjack is finally reaching the global popularity that I’ve always predicted. For years I’ve been telling anyone that will listen that there ain’t nothing better than the rush of a great Blackjack game and it looks like my message is falling on no-longer deaf ears (wish I could get me some of those, the volume on the laptop only goes up to 100).

Anyway in more exciting news I’ve been raking in the cash of late and it’s not from Blackjack for once. It is still from gambling, of course, but these days this smart ol’ alleycat is putting his money where the gifthorse’s mouth is. It all started when I read in one of the ball-and-chain’s magazines about a fine American stallion named Blackjack Bob. ‘If that’s not a sign,’ I says to myself, ‘I don’t know what is.’ So I put money on the black beauty and blow me down did it only go and win. Ever since then old Blackjacky’s been on a winning streak taking me along with him.

I find the horseracing game lacks the charm of the Blackjack table and a good player knows to quit while he’s ahead so I may throw in the towel soon but it’s good to know that, whatever the game, Blackjack ain’t never let me down.

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