Thursday, August 28, 2014

Rules that Blackjack Dealers Use

Here is an article written by Udemy on the rules that a dealer must play by when you are playing blackjack.

This is a good read for those just learning to play blackjack and some refreshers for those who haven't played in a while.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Insider Info: Players Hand Probabilities

Player Hand Probabilites

Listed below are the probabilities of the player's starting hand

1) Blackjack – 4.8% (winning hand)
2) Point totals of  17 – 20 – 30.0% (automatic stand)
3) Point totals of 12 – 16 – 38.7%  (decision hands)
4) Point totals of 4 – 11 – 26.5% (must hit)
Notes from a dealer:
One of the more common questions or complaints that I hear every day,from players, is "How come you are always giving me 13 or 14?"
When playing blackjack the probability of the players starting hands  (First 2 Cards) being a point total of 13  or 14, is almost 40%.  There is a mathematical reason the player often feels they are always being dealt 13, because nearly half of the time, they are!
Conversely, I also hear many times a day, "how come you never give me a blackjack"---or---"I have only had 2 blackjacks all day today".  
The odds of the player being dealt a blackjack is 4.8%. 
At less than 5% of your hands, it is easy to see why players feel like Blackjacks don't come around very often and probably the reason why, right after a player is dealt one,  The first word The dealer hears is "Finally".

www.CardroomInsider.com 

Insider Info: Dealer Hand Probabilities

Blackjack Hand Probabilites
Listed below are the probabilities for the dealers hand in blackjack:
1) Blackjack or 21 – 12.2% chance
2) 20 points – 17.6% chance
3) 19 points – 13.5% chance
4) 18 points – 13.8% chance
5) 17 points – 14.6% chance
6) Dealer Busts – 28.3% chance
Before any cards are flipped the odds that a dealer will not bust is 71.7%.  
That's where the buster bet percentages come into play. 
card game Blackjack
Blackjack Dealer Hand Probabilities
Www.Cardroom.Insider.com

Sunday, August 17, 2014

California Blackjack: Blackjack Variation Created for Card Rooms

California Blackjack:  The Game
A version of blackjack created specifically to be played in California's card rooms. 

California Blackjack History

In 1873, the California Legislature enacted Penal Code 330 which outlawed the game of "Blackjack" or "21", throughout the state.  This California statute is still in effect. 

Native American Indian casinos currently play "Blackjack" or "21" under authority from the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

For decades, this law meant that card rooms in the state could not offer the game of blackjack.

As a way of circumventing the state statute, game inventors looked to devise varieties of blackjack to be played in legal card rooms throughout California owned by non-Native American Indians. 

In 1989, a man named Roger Wisted changed everything. Wisted invented, patented and trademarked this version of blackjack developed specifically to be played in a card room setting, where players compete against each other instead of the casino.  He called it California Blackjack.

One primary difference between traditional blackjack and Wisted's version, is the game is played to 22 instead of 21.

The game itself is played with a 53-card deck, adding one joker for each deck in the shoe. The Jokers act as wild cards and when added together with any other card the hand equals 21. 

The best possible hands are called "naturals," and naturals are made up of either two jokers, or a joker and an ace. Technically speaking, these "natural" hands equal 22.

California Blackjack has been licensed to card clubs and casinos throughout California since 1990.  

A more in-depth look at California Blackjack:


The Lucky Derby in Citrus Heights continued to spread a version of California Blackjack with an optional side bonus bet until 2013.  

This game was a favorite of long-time card room players, but was not viewed as favorably by those who were new to playing in card rooms and were more accustomed to playing in tribal gaming casinos and Nevada casinos.

NOTE:
After inventing California Blackjack, Roger Wisted took the money he earned in licensing agreements and started Blackjack Ranch Vineyards and Winery in Solvang (Santa Barbara County). The outfit's wine club is known as the High
Rollers Club. For more information, visit
  


Tuesday, August 5, 2014

California law governing "California Blackjack" in card rooms


The law that provides for card room blackjack. 


PENAL CODE SECTION 330.11


California cardroom blackjack


330.11. "Banking game" or "banked game" does not include a controlled game if the published rules of the game feature a player-dealer position and provide that this position must be continuously and systematically rotated amongst each of the participants during the play of the game, ensure that the player-dealer is able to win or lose only a fixed and limited wager during the play of the game, and preclude the house, another entity, a player, or an observer from maintaining or operating as a bank during the course of the game. For purposes of this section it is not the intent of the Legislature to mandate acceptance of the deal by every player if the division finds that the rules of the game render the maintenance of or operation of a bank impossible by other means. The house shall not occupy the player-dealer position.