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Putting the fun back in to Blackjack!

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Archive for the ‘online blackjack’ Category

Blackjack in music

Monday, January 30th, 2012

The casino game of blackjack is so popular that it’s been the inspiration for several songs and even band names.

Here are a few we like…

Girls Aloud
The biggest girl group of the noughties (some say) recorded a track named Black Jacks for their 2007 album Tangled Up. The record was their fourth studio album (fifth overall) and very electronic in style, while the song itself was said to recall the psychedelic style of the 1960s.

Dave Matthews Band
DMB debuted a song named Black Jack at the Citi Field concert in Flushing, New York, in 2010. Its main theme was taking a chance on a new love and it featured an acoustic guitar, violin and vocals before concluding with a rock riff.

The Hives
Black Jack by Swedish rock band The Hives was part of their 1997 album Barely Legal, before they found mainstream success with songs such as Main Offender and Hate To Say I Told You So in the early 2000s. Typical of the group’s abrupt style, Black Jack is only 2 minutes and 45 seconds long and takes the form of an ode to a dark lifestyle in Las Vegas.

Blackjack
Did you know that US singer-songwriter Michael Bolton – lord of soft rock glory – was once in a band? Well, he was – and it was called Blackjack. It was active for just two years, releasing albums in 1979 and 1980 and touring America before breaking up. Another member was guitarist Bruce Kulick of Kiss fame.

2NE1
Legendary South Korean hip-hop girl group 2NE1 formed in 2009. What’s that? You’ve never heard of them? Actually, no – neither have we. But they do sound quite interesting, even if only in genre terms. The concept of their name is the combination of phrases ’21st century’ and ‘new evolution’ (apparently) and pronounced ‘To Anyone’ – which is also the name of their debut album. Blackjack is the name of their official fan club. It is not clear why.

However, you don’t have to listen to any of these just because they pay homage to your favourite game. One of the benefits of an online casino is that you can listen to whatever music you like while playing in the comfort of your own home.

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If you like Blackjack…

Tuesday, 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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Winds o’ change

Friday, June 17th, 2011

Ah yeah, as the good ol’ spring winds pass into the ether, summer blows into town with it’s suitcase and a newspaper under its arm. He’s here to stay, we hope, but does the weather bring the blackjack player luck?

Typical blackjack is played indoors. Four suits, four walls. Nowadays, things have changed just a lil, and you can play anywhere you want thanks to online blackjack. Seems all you need to do anything these days is a laptop computer and an idea. Lucky for me, my ideas involved getting a laptop computer just as the craze for blackjack games on the internet hit. Now that’s what I call a break…

Sometimes, yeah, I like to sit outside and shoot a few cards while sipping a cool rum and diet coke. I love the heat on my back as I flip the cards. Do I win? Well, so long as Mr. Sun keeps his hat on, I can’t lose!

I know other peeps who don’t like playing outside so much. Smoky Joe won’t play anywhere other than bed, and Dan Ham from Chippenham likes his legs in front of his antique fireplace when he asks lady luck for a favour. Just the way it goes, brother. Just the way it goes…

So this summer, here’s wishing all the online blackjack players a little bit of luck. But not just with the cards. Life too. Sometimes life can be a cold time, whatever the weather, and I’d like to raise a glass to all those affected by whatever’s going on in their lives. Hey, everyone has their time in the sun. The same goes for blackjack when the cards are shining and when they’re wet and stormy. I just got one little bitty word of advice: always wear lotion in the sun.

Success can drive a good man bad. I know that much…

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A blackjack gift from my wife

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

Last week, my darling wife surprised me with an anniversary gift. It was the 53rd year of our vows last week and, to celebrate, she cooked me a delightful three-course meal featuring my favourite dish; roasted pork and new potatoes. She always does the gravy just the way I like it.

Anyway, as I went to clear the dishes from the table (I wash up on our anniversary), she pulled out a little package from under the table. Naturally, I felt a little embarrassed; we agreed sometime ago not to buy each other anniversary gifts and I hadn’t gotten her anything. Still, she put onthat sweet smile of hers and asked me to open up the wrapping.

The gift, it transpired, was a set of custom-made blackjack cards. Each card had been designed with my lucky emblem; that classic pose of Rita Hayworth’s. You must know the one?

I was over the moon. It was such a thoughtful gift. I almost wanted to leave the table and try them out down my local blackjack table. Thankfully, I decided to stay and finish our dessert – a delicious apple pie with custard. Malorie had cream. She always makes a pot of custard especially for me; I suppose that’s one of the reasons why we’ve stayed together for so long!

Anyway, I’m itching to give these custom blackjack cards a whirl. It’s just a shame that my local casino won’t let me play with my own cards!

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Celebrity blackjack players

Monday, October 5th, 2009

I think these five celebrities would be excellent at online blackjack

Stephen Hawking

The famous mathematician would be in his element around a blackjack table. I have no doubt that card counting would be exceptionally easy for a man who has mastered theoretical physics. Indeed, Cambridge – where Hawkins teaches – isn’t too far away from my house. Perhaps I’ll see him on the tables near me one day!

Russell Crowe

You need to have passion in online blackjack. I can think of no better man with this quality than Russell Crowe, the fiery Australian actor. This hot-headed star of screen and stage is renowned for his temper and passionate views. Around the table, Crowe would be willing to take risks at all costs. While cooler heads often prevail in blackjack, occasionally you need a bit of fire and spirit to come away with the goods.

Barack Obama

The 43rd US President would be an excellent online blackjack player. If he ever found time to play the game, you can image that his cool head and calm demeanour would be an advantage to him. Indeed, while he probably doesn’t find a spare moment to enjoy online blackjack – what with his busy schedule and all – his calculated manner would be quite beneficial.

Jo Brand

I think the English comedian would make a great online blackjack player. You need a sense of humour to play this fickle game, and sometimes, when a deal doesn’t go your way, you must simply shrug it off and blame the gods of the online casino. Jo Brand’s sarcastic wit would be perfect around the blackjack table. Indeed, you can see her making one or two croupiers smirk with her unique brand of comedy. My wife loves her too!

Tony Blair

You definitely can’t go chasing losses in blackjack. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to cut your bad luck and quit. For all his faults, at least Mr. Blair knows when to walk away from the table. If he doesn’t get the president of the United Nations title, at least he can console himself that there’ll always be a blackjack table open for him at my house.

Tony Blair would be an excellent blackjack player

Tony Blair would be an excellent blackjack player

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Online blackjack – advice from a friend

Friday, September 18th, 2009

Two years ago, a friend asked me why I hadn’t tried online blackjack. He said it was a completely new experience and advised me to play a game on my home computer at the earliest opportunity.

I’d never thought about the concept before – I can just about send an email, so the idea of playing casino games online had never really occurred to me. Still, my friend put together a convincing argument as to why I should try my favourite casino game on a computer.

His arguments were:

  • You don’t have to travel to your local casino to play – (my ‘local’ is about twenty minutes drive away!)
  • There are no distractions in online blackjack games (Presumably, aside from the wife!)
  • There are many different online blackjack games.

I was intrigued by this last point. Aside from a brief holiday to France where I played a few games of continental blackjack, I’ve never really experienced a ‘different’ blackjack game. Indeed, when I first signed up at an online casino, I was amazed at the choice available.

There are dozens of online blackjack games available. Excitedly, I quickly went about playing a few hands in a number of titles.

One game, Double Attack Blackjack, immediately caught my eye.

Online blackjack - Double Attack Blackjack

Online blackjack - Double Attack Blackjack

This online blackjack title gives you the chance to raise your bet after seeing ‘the dealer’s’ first card. The option allows seasoned players to wager more if they think they have better odds of winning.

If players choose this feature, two giant canon rise up from the green felt. A win sees these old-fashioned weapons fire cannonballs at your opponents cards. It’s fantastic to watch and all very entertaining.
I think it is sorts of features which make online blackjack games so appealing. Online casino blackjack titles such as this gives players the chance to win more cash in an innovative way.

The online medium allows game developers like WagerWorks to experiment with new methods and gameplay features. Nowadays, I get excited about any new release and I’m always eager to see what innovative blackjack game is on the horizon. My friend’s advice paid off yet again.

I suppose I should listen to him more often then!

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Online blackjack – Tactics and strategy

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

In my experience, blackjack players fall into two distinct categories. There are casual players – blackjack gamers who play for fun, don’t keep records and like blackjack for what it is: a simple game which can be relaxing and occasionally profitable. And there are committed players: blackjack gamers who understand the strategies, know how to card count and play again and again because it can be profitable.

I’ve found there are two main differences between these types of players.

Whereas amateur (for lack of a better term) blackjack players gamble with their money – I’ve seen players hit and stand for no particular reason other than a hunch – professional players do not gamble. They will use logical tactics to decide their next move. Underneath the simple gameplay of blackjack and online blackjack, there is a game of immense skill and strategy.

While blackjack may seem like a game of chance to a new player – much like roulette or fruit machines – it is not. I think this misconception drives amateur players to continue gambling. Long after a rational blackjack player would have left the table, a casual gamer will remain, hoping that luck will recoup their losses.

Which brings me onto a further point about casual and professional players. Professional players do not get emotional over their blackjack game. Now, I’m not suggesting that amateur gamers will burst into tears over a loss, but rather, they let their emotions get the better of them.
A professional player knows when to walk away from the table. They know if they can recoup their losses, or not. They know the game of blackjack and they know how to play it well. I’ve found that amateur gamers play regardless. I’ve seen blackjack players become frustrated with the deal; they had piled pounds and pounds onto the table and as their funds dried out, their blackjack game became more and more erratic.

If you’re being given the hard end of a blackjack deal, it’s common to let your emotions get the better of you. You might feel frustrated or angry. The trick is, don’t let your feelings affect your game.

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Blackjack – how to play better blackjack

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Become a better blackjack player

“How do I become a better blackjack player?” is the most common question I get asked. Because blackjack is a simple game, dozens of new players take it up every day. These players want to know how to be the best at the game. They want to be able to walk into a casino or log on to an online casino and come away with big money.

Blackjack tips

So, how can they become better players?

There is no simple answer to this. Becoming a better blackjack player requires commitment and dedication. Professional blackjack players don’t become masters overnight. Learning the nuances of blackjack takes time and effort.

Time

My first advice would be to study the basic strategy chart. Learning the optimum strategy for any deal – be it your own or the dealers – will go a long way in helping you play better blackjack.
To novice blackjack players, the strategy chart can seem intimidating. The sheer number of possible deals and corresponding responses can be overwhelming. My personal advice would be to study sections of the chart over time. Don’t try and memorise the entire chart in one sitting. Blackjack is a graceful game, not an A-level exam paper. Take time to play the game as you learn the strategy chart. Know when to stand and when to stick. It will eventually pay dividends.

Practice

If you’re serious about improving your blackjack or online blackjack game, don’t just play for money. Practise your game at home. Deal for yourself and the dealer and play as if you would do in a casino. Try to play from the basic strategy without consulting the chart. It may seem difficult to begin with but eventually you’ll become fluent in basic blackjack strategy.

If you’re an online blackjack player, many online casinos now offer ‘free-play’ on their games. Casinos like Kerching online casino or Littlewoods allow players the chance to play for free. This is an excellent way to become a better blackjack player. It may take some time, but eventually you will see results.

See you at the table!

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Online blackjack bonus games

Monday, July 20th, 2009

Controversy on the table: Online blackjack bonus games

You have to be decisive on the blackjack table. You have to know when to stand, when to hit, when to split and when to double down. You need to be one hundred per cent confident in your decisions. That way – win or lose – at least you can be sure that you were steadfast in your convictions.

 So, where do I stand on the controversial issue of online blackjack bonus games?

 If you’re a land-based casino player, you might not have heard about these new bonus games. They’re online blackjack games which offer non-standard bonus features; new ways for players to get a return on their bet.  These games may allow players to make an additional wager after seeing the dealer’s first card. They might allow players to split a weak hand. You can see why some traditional blackjack players might dislike these hybrid versions of their favourite games. 

 While traditionalists will say that blackjack is a game of history and prestige, I think these bonus games can only be a good thing. If you look through the history books you’ll see that blackjack has been a game of evolution. Indeed, the name ‘blackjack’ comes from a bonus game introduced during the game’s early years in America.

 Who are we to judge these new online blackjack bonus games? Perhaps one day, these new variations of blackjack will be standard features of the game. While I have a few friends in online casinos, my knowledge of their inner workings is limited. I would assume though that some of these online blackjack games are more popular than others.

 It seems apt that as scientists commemorate the 200th year of Charles Darwin, we’re discussing the evolution of online blackjack.  It could be that some of these less popular bonus games will die out and be replaced by newer ones. While some online blackjack bonuses may find their way into the hearts of players, others may disappear like the dodo. I suppose that this is one of the joys of blackjack. We can never tell where the game is going to go next.

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My Blackjack Blog – An introduction

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

Blackjack is a game for every casino player

For beginners, the game offers simple gameplay. It’s not complex like poker and you don’t have to spend hours learning the rules in order to play the game. Novices will find that blackjack is a game where you don’t need to pick up detailed nuances of play. Two cards are drawn and a blackjack player must decide whether to stand or hit. Some players will ride their luck and call for another card. Others will walk away from the table.

For seasoned players, blackjack is a game of tactics and skill. Knowing when to hit and knowing when to stand is an art form for many gamers, myself included. I’ve been playing blackjack now for over thirty years and I’ve found that no two games are alike.

Yes, there are constants to blackjack casino games. A dealer will usually stand on a hard seventeen. You should always hit on anything below an eight. Aside from the basic strategy, how you play the game is always up to you.

Unless you play it like a moron.

I was in a casino about three years ago. A group of men, who’d obviously been out drinking, take a seat at the blackjack table next to me. They slur their way into a game of blackjack and place their money down on the table. The dealer flashes me a look and begins to deal them in. Two minutes later the men leave the table fifty pound worse off. Hitting on a nineteen isn’t the best strategy in the world of blackjack. Playing after a night of heavy drinking isn’t recommended either.

It’s true that blackjack is a simple game. But it’s a game with layers. Anyone can become a blackjack expert as long as they spend some time learning the basic rules. And when you become an expert in Blackjack, you can become a winner…..

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