This is a good read for those just learning to play blackjack and some refreshers for those who haven't played in a while.
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.
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".
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| 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
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.
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| 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.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Insider Term: Dealer Tokes
Insider Term: Dealer Tokes
Dealer tokes, also called tips, are gratuities that are given to dealers as "tokens of appreciation" for the service they provide, much like a waitress.
Dealers are paid minimum wage and rely on tips to make a living.
A toke can be given to a dealer in a couple of different ways.
The Toke Bet
The most common way for a player or guest to tip a dealer is to make a "toke" bet for the dealer by placing an additional bet, directly in the front of the player's bet. This is the preferred method for most dealers, or at least this dealer anyway.i
The Hand In Tip
You may also just lay a chip on the felt and tell the dealer “this is for you”.
Why tip a dealer?
There are a variety of reasons why a guest might tip the dealer. One reason would be that they are winning, but that is not the only reason a guest may tip.
Guests do not need to be winning to tip, you could also tip because the dealer...
-Deals the game noting some of your preferences.
-Is engaging and entertaining
-Is Good natured when you are either winning or losing
-Is someone you enjoy spending time with
-Meets your needs or preferences consistently
-Maintains table etiquette
-Advises the guests when another player has either added a hand or taken one out
-Mindful of keeping your area clean and your glass full
In other words, guests may tip the dealer, or bet for the dealer, when they are either winning, or losing, if the dealer gives great customer service.
Dealer Tokes: "Go For Your Own" Vs. "Pooled" or "Shared" Tips
"Go for your own" houses:
Generally speaking, blackjack/cal games dealers in a cardroom "go for their own" tips, as well as some Nevada casinos.
"Go for their own" means:
whatever tips the dealer generates that day are theirs to keep and they do not need to share or pool with other dealers.
(In most instances they are required to give the Table/Cal Games Floor person a percentage)
Card Room dealers who "go for their own", can sometimes let their tips ride too, meaning they can let all or a portion of the winning toke bet ride on the next hand, resulting in a larger tip.
Pooling Tips:
Many of California’s Tribal gaming casinos and many Nevada Casinos “pool” or "share" dealers tokes, in one of the following ways:
Splitting tips by the day:
In this method all of the tips generated by all dealers in a 24 hour period are marshaled together and then divided by the number of dealer hours on the floor that day. This gives you an hourly toke rate. The casino will pay the dealer the tokes earned on their checks for every hour the dealer worked that day.
Splitting tips by the shift:
The three classified shifts that casinos dealers work are Day shift, Swing shift or Graveyard shift. When casino's use the "split tips by shift" method, the tips generated by dealers are kept separate, by shift. At the end of each shift, tokes are counted, divided between only those dealers that worked that day and on that shift.
The tokes earned are put on the dealers paychecks.
Dealers who pool tips are not allowed to let tips ride, in effect they would be wagering other dealers money, so the casino doesn't allow that.
If you place a toke bet for a dealer who shares tips, they will pick up the winning toke bet and place it in the toke box at the conclusion of each hand.
Casinos that pool tips, can also be required dealers to share their tokes with Floor Persons.
Do guests receive better service with the “go for your own” method or the “pooling” method?
This is the million dollar question and is up for debate.
In regards to customer service, there are some pros and cons for each.
The tip pooling method can reward dealers who might not give the best customer service because the dealers receive the same amount, regardless of the amount of tokes they generate. The motivation to provide great customer service may be compromised using this method.
Card room dealers who "go for their own", try and give the customers who tip individual and personalized and generally provide a richer experience for those who tip. But do the customers who do not tip well, receive the same great customer service?
The next time you play Blackjack:
Try it out, and if your dealers are helpful and provide a favorable experience for you, be sure and hand them a tip or place a "toke" bet for them.
Friday, July 18, 2014
Ask A Dealer
I am a Cal Games dealer or a "Banked Games" dealer in a California card room. (see Banked Games at www.cardroom insider.com for more info)
It is widely believed that card rooms offer Poker only and many folks are not even aware that "Banked Games", like blackjack are offered in card rooms.
Cal Games or Banked games are basically all games other than poker.
Currently I deal Blackjack pitch, single deck and double deck, blackjack shoe with bonus options, no commission EZ Baccarat with the Dragon as Panda bonuses and a squeeze option, Ultimate Texas hold em, Casino War, Pai Gow Poker and Spanish 21.
I invite you to ask any questions you may have about California card room Cal Games or playing in a card room in general.
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