Category Archives: Blackjack

When it comes to getting an edge over the casino, many players look to card counting. This age-old practice involves keeping a mental tally of the cards dealt, so you know information about the cards that havent been dealt.

Many people believe that cardcounting is illegal, but thats not actually the case. Its certainly frownedupon by casinos, however, who will quickly remove any player they think isdabbling in this practice.

Card counting is seen by many blackjack players as a great way to get one over on the house, however weve decided to present a different viewpoint here.

Instead of taking the commonly used path of discussing why card counting is great, were going to be looking at the reasons why you shouldnt bother counting cards when youre next at the blackjack table.

If youve been inspired by the MIT blackjack card counting team, who managed to scoop millions at the tables, then prepare to be disappointed. While its true that they managed to win a huge amount of cash, this isnt the case for most players.

Card counting only gives you asmall advantage over the casino, so youll find that most players win moneyvery slowly. You might get lucky and win a couple of thousand one night, buttheres every chance youll hit the tables the next evening and walk away witha loss.

Thats the nature of advantage gambling.

For most people, the mainreason to visit a casino is to have some fun.

When it comes to cardcounting, youll find that its really not a particularly interesting process.

Quite simply, youll spendhours at a time sitting at the table, trying to subtly work out howadvantageous the deck is to you.

Youll be thinking so muchabout counting cards that you wont be able to chat to others or enjoy the coldbeer sitting next to you.

You cant just jump in andstart card counting as there is quite a bit you need to learn.

Youll need to know basic blackjack strategy, which isnt actually very basic, and then youll need to perfect one of the many different card counting systems.

Once youve learned how to count cards, the work isnt over. You then need to work hard on your demeanour at the table, as you mustnt give even the slightest hint that youre counting cards.

Start playing for real moneywithout preparing yourself properly and youll probably find yourself rumbledin the first few minutes, leading to you being unceremoniously bounced from thevenue.

Many people think thatcounting cards will guarantee profits, however this is only partly true.

Youll only be tilting the house edge in your favor by a couple of percent when counting cards, so theres no guarantee youll start winning straightaway. Instead, you might have to wait weeks, months or even years to turn a profit.

Its vital to know thatcounting cards is a long-term game, as if you dont plan for this, you couldfind yourself running out of money before the goal is achieved.

This means you need to startwith a hefty bankroll the MIT team started with $89,000. The chances are yourmodest $200 bankroll really wont be enough to beat the system, even at thelowest stakes tables.

Card counting is not illegal.This means that many nonchalantly try it, thinking the worst that will happenis a telling off. This is not the case.

If youre caught card countingat a casino, youll be ejected from the premises immediately. You also wont beable to redeem your chips with a cashier, meaning that youll be embarrassed andbroke.

Whats more, you might reallylike the casino youre ejected from. The security staff wont care though, asyoull be banned, never able to return.

Youll then need to findanother place to play, which could be tough, as youll see next

When you get caught cardcounting which you will almost certainly be at some point you wont just bebanned from one casino.

Instead, youll find yourpicture circulated throughout the local area, meaning that you wont be able toget into any other casinos either.

When this happens, youll notbe allowed to enter a casino for any reason. Invited for a work party? Youllbe banned. Want to play slot slots? You wont be coming in.

Quite simply, youll have toaccept that it will probably be many years before you step into a local casinoagain.

Hopefully you enjoy playingonline games, as theyll be the only option open to you.

Card counting is a hard skillto master so youll need to put in a lot of work before youre ready to head toa casino. And when you do, even if you can count cards better than the MIT team,youre going to get caught out eventually.

Its unlikely youll ever makeloads of money through card counting, so is it really worth the risk of gettingkicked out and banned from casinos? Its up to you to weigh up the pros andcons

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6 Reasons Why You Should Never Count Cards - Casino.Org News

Technologies developed by SDA, MDA and DARPA are expected to transition into larger Space Force programs

WASHINGTON The Biden administrations defense budget proposal for fiscal year 2022 seeks more than $1.2 billion for military space systems in low-Earth orbit.

According to budget documents released May 28, nearly $900 million of that investment is for the Space Development Agencys communications network in low-Earth orbit (LEO) known as the Transport Layer. The Missile Defense Agency is seeking about $300 million for space sensors, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is requesting $42 million to deploy experimental satellites in LEO under the Blackjack program.

These agencies report to the Office of the Secretary of Defense and are not part of the U.S. Space Force, which has its own budget for research, development and procurement of new systems. But many of the LEO technologies developed by SDA, MDA and DARPA are expected to transition into larger Space Force programs.

Space Development Agency

The Pentagon is seeking $936.7 million in 2022 for the SDA, about a $600 million increase from 2021. That includes $808.8 million for research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E), $53.8 million for operations and maintenance, and $74 million for procurement.

This is the first time that SDA gets a separate funding line for procurement.

The agencys large spending boost was expected for 2022 as SDA prepares to launch the first batch of its Transport Layer satellites and moves ahead with the procurement of up to 150 satellites that would launch in 2024.

The 2022 request funds the demonstration of SDAs first 28 satellites 20 Transport Layer Tranche 0 satellites and eight wide-field-of-view space sensors to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles known as Tracking Layer Tranche 0.

The funds also would allow SDA to start acquiring Transport Layer Tranche 1 satellites. Tracking Layer Tranche 1 satellites are not funded in the 2022 request.

Missile Defense Agency

The Pentagons $8.9 billion funding request for MDA includes $292.8 million for space programs.

MDA is seeking $260 million for the hypersonic and ballistic tracking space sensor (HBTSS).Navy Vice Adm. Jon Hill, director of MDA, told reporters May 28 that this funding allows the agency to keep two contractor teams working on competing payloads to be launched to a low orbit in fiscal year 2023 as well as ground systems.

The idea is to keep competition going given the complexity of the mission, Hill said. This is the only program within the space portfolio that provides fire control quality data. This data would be used to track the trajectory of a maneuvering hypersonic missile so it can be intercepted.

Hill said the HBTSS medium-field-of-view sensor satellites will be interoperable with the SDAs Tracking Layer under an umbrella architecture. SDAs satellites are wide-field-of-view sensors, and provide data for the HBTSS system.

Two existing missile tracking satellites in LEO that MDA launched in 2009 the Space Tracking and Surveillance System, or STSS will be taken out of service, said Michelle Atkinson, MDAs director for operations.

MDA is seeking $15.2 million in 2022 to retire the STSS satellites. Funds requested will provide for the safe passivation of the STSS demonstration satellites and close-out of the program through fiscal year 2022, said Atkinson.

The agency also is requesting $32 million for the Spacebased Kill Assessment (SKA) project, which uses a network of infrared sensors hosted on commercialsatellites to assess the performance of MDAs interceptors.

SKA sensors on orbit today have participated successfully in a variety of MDA flight tests and engineering activities, MDA said in its budget documents.

DARPAs Blackjack

DARPA is requesting $42 million to continue the Blackjack project to demonstrate the military utility of small satellites in LEO to provide communications, missile warning and navigation.

The agency started Blackjack in 2018 and has awarded contracts to multiple vendors for satellite buses, payloads and an autonomous computing system to operate the constellation. DARPA wants to demonstrate that a common satellite bus can be flown with different payloads and that a constellation can be operated autonomously.

DARPA plans to deploy as many as 20 satellites under the Blackjack program and demonstrate technologies that could transition to SDAs constellations or to Space Force procurement programs.

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DoD agencies to invest more than $1 billion in low-Earth orbit space technologies - SpaceNews

STOCKHOLM, June 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --The online casino industry in the UK was already huge, but with the introduction of live dealers, the games took it to the next level. These games perfectly simulate the feeling of being in a real casino and the players are loving it. But, with a staggering amount of online casinos chipping up every day, choosing the right one to join can be a bit tricky. It has also become even harder to filter out the legit sites and to avoid the scammers.

Read along as we take a look at 12 legit live online casino sites that offer live dealer games in the UK. Furthermore, we provide you with the necessary tools on how you can check if a casino site is legit or not.

For a more recently updated list of live casino reviews be sure tovisit this link -->

Most trustworthy live casinos sites in the UK

How we selected the live casinos for this list

At this point the pattern for how we review a casino before entering it on this list should be rather obvious. This is something that we like you as a reader to take with you when you take a look at the different casinos out there. We've vetted these casinos against several factors (below) and anyone can do this themselves. We want the general public to embrace this analytic way of evaluating the casino they want to play at.

Our assortment of casinos is based on what other casino portals in the UK are favouring in their promotions at the moment. By choosing from these casinos we are able to review the legitimacy of those casinos that invest heavily in marketing.

To enable this we've explained the most important factors that we take into consideration when reviewing a casino before putting it on our list below.

Location- If a site has listed its physical address on its website, that's an act of good faith. It means they are not trying to hide anything which automatically increases their trustworthiness.

Age- The longer a company has been in operation, the more reputable it is. An online casino doesn't survive in the industry if they are malicious or connected to fraud. To survive for a long time in this business online casinos need to handle payments quickly and safely, they also need to keep their promises. This focuses mostly on casinos not trying to scam people off their winnings by imposing conditions that were not in the agreement.

Security - Online casinos are handling sensitive personal information on a daily basis. It's therefore extremely important that they have security measures in place to ensure that data does not fall in the wrong hands. This starts with the site having an SSL certificate to ensure that all data sent between you and the website is encrypted. To know whether a website has an SSL certificate, check for a padlock icon on the URL bar.

Customer support - Sometimes there may be problems when using a site and therefore the need of assurance that the issue will be resolved quickly is of utmost importance. An available and prompt customer support is that assurance for every user. Most online live casinos offer 24/7 support through multiple channels like email, telephone and live chat.

Live dealer games available - Gambling is about having fun. The number of live games being offered by a casino is important. So is the quality of these games. The clarity of the video stream and sound should not be compromised. Therefore, when selecting the best live online casino sites in the UK, we chose those that work with recognized game developers like Evolution Gaming, Playtech, and NetEnt.

Game Provider - Games from different providers will have different looks and feels with some providing better quality than others. Evolution Gaming has been developing casino games since 2006 and they are one of the best in the business. All of the software providers that are mentioned on our list are top providers. Compared to other live dealer game providers the providers on our list deliver high picture quality, good lighting, really sharp images and sound quality is clear and on point. Casinos using top software providers also is a good indication of regular new and innovative game titles.

Supported payment methods- One of the most important factors to take into consideration when it comes to payments is the transaction fees. Thereafter it is really important to lok at the support for deposits and withdrawals using the same method, the time it takes for deposits and withdrawals to be processed, and ofcourse the availability of secure payment methods. All live online casinos on our list sites accept major credit cards and popular e-wallets

Monthly organic traffic- The monthly organic traffic gives us an indication of how popular an online live casino is. We only look at the organic traffic and not site visits gained through paid ads. While high traffic does not necessarily mean that the Casino is good, it shows that people are enjoying what's on offer on the platform. Especially if the organic traffic is increasing over time.

Live Online Casino sites

1.888 Casino

Founded in 1997, 888 casino is regarded as one of the pioneers in the online casino industry. The website's operations in the UK are run by 888 Holdings PLC which is a public company listed in the London stock exchange.

However, 888 Holdings is located in Gibraltar, it is part of the Virtual Global Digital Services Limited which is based in Gibraltar. Don't worry, the company has been licensed to operate in the UK by the Gambling Commission of Great Britain under account number 9028.

888 casino has an impressive collection of live dealer games allowing you to join other players on a table or go one on one with the dealer.

The dealers on the platform are professionals that will assist you with any query you may have during the game.

The most commonly played games on the platform are Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, and Poker. All of these games are available with different variations.

The site's customer support can be reached through telephone, email, or a contact form. Live chat is only available for VIP Players.

Since 888 Casino is among the most popular casinos online they host a lot of visits. They host about 650,000 organic visits every month. They have had a steady increase in visits over the last six years. This is a clear indication that the casino is increasing in popularity and also in visibility.

Pros

Cons

2. Mr Green

Mr Green casino has been growing steadily since it was first established back in 2007. This is largely due to their efforts in promoting responsible gambling. That strategy has led to Mr Green winning numerous awards, including the socially responsible bookmaker of the year in 2012.

With the "Green Tool" all players can easily evaluate their gambling to determine if they are practicing healthy gambling. This is done by taking a series of tests and then combining the results of those tests with the players gameplay data. Mr Green also allows you to set weekly deposit limits which can be used to regulate how much you spend. Their website also provides the opportunity to play for free on many of the different games, that means that there's no real money involved.

This online casino features all the popular live dealer games like Blackjack, Baccarat, and Roulette and also comes with other live games like Texas HOLD'EM.

The site allows you to interact with the dealers via live voice chat to complete the feeling of being in a real casino.

Mr Green is registered under Maltese laws but their operations in the UK are licensed and regulated by the UK gambling association.

The company has been operational in the UK since 2019 and currently their website hosts about 500,000 organic visits each month. They've had a slight drop in visits over the last year but an increase over all. It is an online casino that is increasingly more popular. Their customer support is top-notch and can be reached via telephone, email, and live chat.

Pros

Cons

3. 777 Casino

777 may feel like a feeble attempt to rip off 888 casino but that's just because the two are sister companies. They are both run by 888 Holdings PLC which is part of the Gibraltar-based Global Digital Services Limited.

The online casino is licensed and regulated by the UK gambling commission.

When it comes to their live dealer games library, 777 features different variants of Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette, and Poker and also packs multiple other less popular but still very exciting titles like The Elite Lounge, Mega Ball, Deal Or No Deal, Monopoly Live, among others.

In total, you have about 25 live dealer games to choose from.

777 casino was established in 2017 and they had a really slow start in visits to their website. But during 2020 they made a lot of changes to their website and the visits have then increased and they are currently hosting about 15,000 organic visitors each month.

You can reach the site's customer support via email or telephone. They don't promise an instant response but they try to respond to queries within 24 hours.

Pros

Cons

4. Dream Vegas

Founded in 2018, Dream Vegas is still thought to be a relatively new actor on the market but they are definitely challenging the more established actors at the top.

The site is run by White Hat Gaming Limited, a Maltese company, but its operations that are based in the UK are licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission of Great Britain.

Dream Vegas comes with dedicated Android and iOS apps for mobile online casino players that prefer not to use the browser client.

Apart from Roulette, Baccarat, and Blackjack, you will also find games such as Crazy Time, Monopoly, Mega Ball, Games Show Lobby, Deal Or No Deal as well as different variations of Poker.

The live dealer games on this platform are streamed in full HD but you have the option to adjust the quality depending on your internet speeds. The table dealers are real professionals and will promptly answer any question that you might have.

In case you are having trouble using the platform, their customer support is available 24/7 via Live Chat and email.

The site is host to around 35,000 organic visits each month.This is really impressive since they have only been in operation for about 3 years.

Cons

5. Betway

Betway is by far one of the most popular and recognised sites and brands, not just in the UK but all over the world. Established in 2006, the online casino is operated by Betway Limited and registered under Maltese laws with the registration number C39710.

The site's UK operations are licensed and regulated by the country's Gambling Commission under account number 39372.

Betway has over 100 live casino games to choose from. While most of these titles are variations of Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat, you will also find other unique titles such as Live Nightclub, Dragon Tiger, Rock Paper Scissors, Mega Wheel, and Fortune Finder.

Betway also offers other services like sportsbook and Esports on top of online casino games which explains the extreme amount of visitors each month. Betway is host to approximately 6 million organic visitors each month.Their strategy in developing and launching varieties of different games have proven to be successful for them. Betway had an increase in traffic that started in 2020 and it has grown a lot. It should not come as a surprise for anyone if the traffic continues to grow for the next years.

The site's customer support is available 24/7 via live chat, but you will first be taken through the site's resource page that has hundreds of articles meant to help you solve the issue by yourself.

Pros

Cons

6. PlayOJO

PlayOJO was established back in 2017 and ever since the launch they've had a fantastic development and they have won multiple awards to showcase for their work. The company currently draws about 350,000 organic visitors each month. This is a major achievement to reach in a period less than 4 years. There's nothing indicating that it is about to flatten or decrease. PlayOJO has become a rising star and their popularity just seem to grow.

The site is run by the Maltese company, Skill On Net LTD but its activities in the UK are governed by the UK Gambling Commission under account number 39326.

PlayOJO's library of live dealer games comprises different variations of all three popular titles (Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat) as well as other unique titles such as Dragon Tiger, Casino Hold Em, Belenum Slingshot, and Mega Wheel.

Dream Catcher and Monopoly Live are two other exciting live dealer games that you can play.

This online casino works with top game providers like Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play to ensure that they provide players with the best quality games.

Customer support is available via email and live chat support but they only operate between 06:00 to 00:00 GMT.

Pros

Cons

7. Party Casino

Established in 1997, Party Casino is another platform that will go down in history as a pioneer in the industry. Party Casino is operated by LC International Limited and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission under account number 54743.

This online casino also collaborates with top software developers like Evolution Gaming and Play Tech to provide players with a wide collection of quality games. As of now they have 14 variants of Roulette, 9 Blackjack variants, and 4 baccarat types.

Other live games include 3 card Drag, Casino Hold'Em for card game lovers, and game shows like Deal Or No Deal and Spin a Win.

All the table dealers are professionals and have great expertise about the game which comes in handy for veterans and beginners alike.

Party Casino can be reached through email, live chat, and private messages on Twitter. However, you will be first taken through their help page which has several posts that can help resolve the issue on your own.

Party Casino has had a growth in organic traffic over the last years. Today they host about 180,000 visits each month and there's no sign of their organic traffic decreasing.

Pros

Cons

8. Monopoly Casino

This online casino site was established in 2016 and is run by Gamesys Operations Limited, another Gibraltar-based company. The site's activities in the UK are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission under account number 38905.

Monopoly casino comes with dedicated mobile apps for online mobile casino players that want to avoid the hassle of using a browser client.

The site partners with game providers like Gamesys Software, IGT, Genesys, and NetEnt to ensure that their players have several live dealer options to choose from.

As one may understand by the name of the casino, one of the games available on the platform is Monopoly live. They also feature different variants of the three most popular live dealer games as well as other games such as Bond Live, Crazy Time, Deal Or No Deal, Football Studio, and Dice games.

All the croupiers on the platform are professionals who master the art of service and know how to treat players. At the same time they are experts who can answer any question regarding the games.

General queries about the platform are addressed by their customer support via 24/7 live chat, email, and telephone.

The estimated organic monthly traffic to Monopoly casino is about 180,000.They have huge increases and decreases in traffic and have had these changes for some time. This might indicate that they work with bonuses to attract both new players and previous but lost players. The curve also indicates that their traffic has somewhat stalled over the last months and there's even a slight decrease hiding between those volatile chart tops of visits.

Pros

Cons

9. Casimba

Casimba is an online casino formed in 2017 and is owned by the same company that runs Dream Vegas, White Hat Gaming Limited. This means the site is registered under Maltese laws but their activities in the UK are governed by the UK Gambling Commission.

The most popular games on the site are Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, and Poker. You will find different variants of each as well as other live online casino games such as Mega Ball, Monopoly, Dragon Tiger, Dream Catcher, and Football studio.

Casimba works mostly with Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic to ensure that the games they offer are of the highest quality.

Casimba has developed a dedicated app for it's users who prefer their Android devices.

Any queries you may have about the online casino can be directed to their customer support that's available 24/7 via live chat and email.

Casimba is estimated to host about 45,000 organic visitors each month which is really good sincethey have only been around since the end of 2017. By looking closely at the traffic chart we can see that they have had a steady but quick increase in traffic over the last two years. Their popularity has increased and even though they have a somewhat volatile curve the increase has been constant until the second quarter of 2021. The traffic has somewhat flattened out and where this is going is hard to predict since they are a relatively new casino. But the chart also tells us that they've had decreased traffic before and then turned it around just to increase it even more. We'll have to keep an eye on Casimbas traffic to see how the situation developes.

Pros

Cons

10. Virgin Games

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Trustworthy live online Casino sites with Live Dealers UK - PRNewswire

The Native American or tribal casinos have skyrocketed in numbers and volume in the last 20 years. The largest casino on the planet is a tribal-owned and tribal-operated casino.

WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, OK, is the grand-daddy of all casinos, and its owned by the Chickasaw Nation. They can sometimes get a bad rap, but Native American casinos arent all bad.

In fact, they may bring some tremendous and much-needed economic growth to the area. My point is not to knock the tribal casino industry. Still, I do want to shed some light on why some Native American casinos may not be a great bet, just as commercial casinos have their downsides, too.

From there, its yours to decide where you stand on the tribal casino debate.

Real money blackjack players face an uphill climb in some tribal casinos. Typically, the games come with a small ante for every hand.

This ante may only be a fraction of a dollar per hand, but it shifts the house edge substantially. You dont win this ante back by winning the hand, its simply the price of admission.

What that means for the player is that every 10 hands of blackjack will cost you $5 on average. Thats not taking into account any losses youll incur over the same 10 hands.

The breakdown for your average player works out to approximately $50 per hour for a semi-full table. Catch an empty table, and this figure could triple.

What about card counters?They have found a way to flip the advantage on the casino. So, surely they can fleece the casino coffers and afford the ante.

Well, yes and no. It definitely reduces the edge when an advantage player is paying an ante for every hand. However, it can be a considerable risk for a card counter to start playing the tribal casinos. You see, more often than not, these casinos are spread out over broad areas.

Native American casinos are often in areas without any other competition. That means, if youre caught counting cards, you may become persona non-gratis for every casino within hundreds of miles.

This ban could impact you whether youre a recreational card counter or a professional. Its a downright devastating blow for any professional card counters.

When you look for advantage play opportunities at Native American casinos, carefully weigh the pros and cons, just as you would for a Las Vegas casino.

Tribal Casinos operate outside the jurisdiction of federal regulations. This may have several impacts on your gaming experience at Native American casinos.

For starters, the games are set up at the casinos discretion. Theres no way to gauge precisely what payout percentages and payout schedules may look like in a tribal casino.

Most feedback on Native American casinos is that the slots play a bit tighter than youd find on the Las Vegas Strip. The table games, on the other hand, tend to have friendlier rules.

The problem here is that youll never honestly know the RTP on a slot machine youre playing.

The casinos also have much more room on how they deal with players. Security encounters are an issue I hear about regularly, so Im going to address that specifically a bit later.

If the casino decides to confiscate your money because they suspect that youre card counting, youve got essentially zero recourse.

You shouldnt walk into a tribal casino worried about the casino keeping your money. Thats not how they operate. Still, advantage gamblers should proceed with caution at any casinocommercialized or tribal. The casino wont have you thrown in jail, but theyll be sure to ruin your day.

Sports betting is one of the leading most lucrative gambling activities that you can enjoy. The top sports bettors on the planet have made hundreds of millions in their careers.

Obviously, those numbers are reserved for the truly elite punters that build a network of betting teams. Still, the casual gambler, also a dedicated sports fan, will often gravitate away from the slots and table games to the sportsbooks.

This may be tricky for gamblers at the tribal casinos. The Native American casinos have not embraced sports betting the same way Las Vegas sportsbooks have.

Many tribal casinos dont offer sports betting in any form. However, some of this is due to the regions theyre in and the prevailing gaming agreements between states and the tribes.

In many regions, sports betting hasnt been legalized. Before it becomes legal, the states and tribes will need to make some concessions.

The most significant sticking point among the two sides centers around mobile betting. Its clear that having mobile sports betting would bring in an entirely fresh crop of technology-focused gamblers.

However, in their push for strictly retail sports betting, the casinos will bring droves of brand new customers into the casino. By forcing sports bettors through the door, they can increase theirs overall dollars earned from sports bettors.

Sure, some new sports bettors will merely hang out in the sportsbook for the duration of their visit. Still, many more will succumb to the draw of the blackjack table or video poker.

Avid sports bettors booking their next casino trip will be better served looking at Las Vegas, for now.

In fact, if you believe half of what you read online (which is far too high of a percentage), advantage gamblers may want to avoid tribal-operated casinos altogether.

There have been many of these accounts from across the US. One incident in Arizona prompted a rare lawsuit that put the individual casino employees at a liability.

Still, more often than not, these unfortunate encounters end with a player being stripped of their chips, detained for extended periods, then pushed out the door. Its understood that youre never to return.

Las Vegas casinos hire private security that is tasked with observing and reporting to law enforcement. Native American casinos have their own police force.

That could potentially give security in Native American casinos far more leeway. Basically, casino security will have the full backing of law enforcement, mainly because they are the law enforcement.

Having said all of that, without trying to paint the Native American casinos in a negative light, this brings us to the following: There are a ton of benefits that come from the tribal casinos.

This category of casinos creates a ton of jobs. Employment rates in areas with Native American casinos increase immediately.

In areas where Native American casinos open, the employment rate can go up by more than 25%. From dealers to food and beverage crews, the casinos have a ton of positions to fill.

The jobs also provide far better opportunities for locals than they may have. I met a dealer at Choctaw Casino in Durant, OK, many years ago.

Before she got her gig dealing poker at Choctaw, she worked at a Dairy Queen restaurant and made minimum wage. Shes now in operations for the casino and doing exceptionally well financially.

The casino even paid for her to get her college education. This is just one example of how this kind of development in the gambling industry changes peoples lives and communities for the better.

Native tribe casinos offer a gaming option for people across the US. Sure, they have their drawbacks, but so do the large casinos in Atlantic City or Las Vegas.

The number of jobs created by the tribal casinos is staggering, and Im all for economic growth. Instead of focusing on why some Native American casinos may not be a great bet, focus on the positives. Youll be able to enjoy hours of casino fun much closer to home.

And no matter where you go, try to avoid getting caught counting cards!

Continued here:

Facts About Native American Casinos - Tribal Casinos Pros and Cons - BestUSCasinos.org

Here in the heartland, we know summer is here when Memorial weekend brings the Indianapolis 500, and then Memorial Day kick-startsMemorial week at Jacks place, and thenit rains.

Drivers, start your engines!

In 1911,Eddie Rickenbacker competed in the firstIndianapolis500.He was a street-smart kid who grew up on Livingston Avenueon the East Side. Hemade himself into a mechanic,racedcarsas a teenagerduringthe early, hairy days of thesportand went on to reinvent his own legend.

At the outset of World War I,Rickenbackerwas "volunteered"to drive members of Gen. John Blackjack Pershings staff all over the Western Front.Long story short: Rickenbacker didnt likechauffeuring he wanted to fly.

He becamea pilot and,after a scant few hours of flight training,joined the 94thAero Squadron (The Hat-in-the-Ring Gang). He shot downmore enemy aircraft (26) than any otherAmericanfighter pilot. TheAce of Aces,whose mother admonished him to shuck his apprenticeship as a stone mason, because the dust was dangerous, becameone of the most famous men of his time.

When Memorial Day weekend rolls around andthe green flag drops at Indy,I like to roll past Rickenbackers boyhood home, now lovingly restored as a museum,on Livingston Avenue. His namefades a little bit every day, and such is the nature of time, but it should still ring a bell.Theres an airporthere named for him.

John Glenns name is everywhere, of course. The pride of New Concord was a fighter pilot in World War IIand Korea, a Mercury astronaut, the first man to orbit the earth and alongtimeU.S. senator, among many other things.Glenn died in 2016 at the age of95.

The National VeteransMemorialMuseum,housed in a distinctive building that corkscrews up on a Downtown bank of the Scioto River, was among Glenns lastprojects.What an incredible footnote.

This used to be a wider-known fact, but it is fading as generations pass: One of Glenns wingmen in Korea was Ted Williams.If you are among a younger generation and have not heard the name Ted Williams, well, he mightve been exactly what he aspired to be. And that isthe greatest hitter who ever lived.

To use the modern argot:Williams had a WAR of 121.9 and an OPS+ of 191. Plus,he was the reason the shift was invented.The damned shift.

Williams baseball career was twice interrupted when he served, as a pilot,in WW II and Korea. In Korea,on at least on occasion, Glenn saved Williams life: Williams plane was on fire when Glenn pulled up next to him and pointed upward; Williamsmade a steep climb tothinner air, which extinguished the fire.

Much as I appreciate baseball, Ted will always be a Marine fighter pilot to me, Glenn said.

Williamssaid Glenn known as Magnet Ass because he twice returned from missions with more than 250 bullet holes in his plane was the greatest pilot he ever saw.

Hank Gowdy is a name that should not fade. Of course,the slow fade is inevitable, given that he was born in 1889, graduated from Columbus North High School in 1908 and was buried in UnionCemeteryin 1966.

Every so often, Gowdys name gets a rinsein the pages of The Dispatch. His life has been the subject of work done by the local chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). He deserves any memorials that might come his way.

Gowdy, a rangy, strong-armed catcher,tended tofamouslyappear on baseballs biggest stage.

In the 1914World Series, he hit .545 with three doubles, a triple and a home run to lead theMiracleBostonBraves to a sweep of the mighty PhiladelphiaAthletics. Columbus threw a parade for Gowdy after the World Series.

In the 1924 World Series, Gowdy, playing for theNew YorkGiants, committed one of the more infamous gaffes in baseball history:

In the bottom of the 12thinningof Game 7, Gowdyflipped off his mask and sidledinto foul territory to catch whatshould have been the last out of the season but he tripped over his mask. The game was extended and the Washington Senators went on to win it, and the Series.(This is why, for the past97 years, catchers have been taught to chuck their masks well out of harms way when trackingfoul popups.)

Military historians are more familiar with Gowdy, who wasthe only major league player to serve in both World Wars. He was the first MLB playerto volunteer inWW I and he was in the middle ofsome brutal fighting, sometimes hand-to-hand, before the war drew to a close in 1918.

Happy Memorial Day, and Memorial week. Summer is here.

marace@dispatch.com

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Michael Arace: With Memorial weekend upon us, thoughts of local heroes of years ago - The Columbus Dispatch

Video games have long beena billion-dollar business, but the industry has seen considerable changes over the past few decades. For instance, since around 2016, the iGaming industry has seen steady growth. In part, this is because of technological advancements and a better understanding of web development and software programs, including content management systems (CMS) and customer relationship management (CRM). An increased interest in new sports European soccer is becoming more popular with Americans, up there with the NFL and NBA has also led to the rise of the iGaming sector.

iGaming, otherwise known as online gaming, is the process of betting on the outcome of a sports event or game online. Usually done through an iGaming software platforms sportsbook, gamers can place wagers on everything from football, basketball, and soccer. iGaming activities are not, however, limited to sports. Individuals can also participate in online casino betting, playing games from blackjack and roulette to bingo and lottery, as well as online video gaming and retail betting.

Wanting to develop an iGaming platform is one thing, but actually doing it requires a lot of considerations, including figuring out the objectives of your website and then designing it based on these goals. Once that step is complete, gaming platforms need to figure out their niche. Knowing a platforms niche and audience, sites can integrate third-party systems that will allow for better management. Platforms can integrate a CRM to ease player experience and CMS software to create digital content that engages its users and makes it stand out in a competitive industry. For example,iGaming software providersthat provide quality content through strategic web development see more traction than those who do not consider their website design. They are able to source a platform from companies like Pronet, which helps themoptimize their websites. These providers can then offer dozens of sports, betting markets, and in-play events every month.

Its thought that the next evolution in iGaming will be the integration of blockchain technology. This is because blockchain hasextensive problem-solving capabilities. iGaming software providers that are on top of emerging trends like blockchain, just as they are with web development, will see better chances of success in the future.

Several games can be integrated into an iGaming platform. A sportsbook is one of the most common platforms, taking bets on different events and paying out winnings. Some providers offer both a sportsbook and live casino games, including blackjack, bingo, and lottery.

The iGaming industry has become successful over the years, not just because of consumer interest but also becauseplatforms have used integratedweb design tools like CRM and CMS to enhance their services. Software platforms have also become popular by developing fresh and quality content that engages users and gives them a competitive advantage. Web design and development is crucial in succeeding in a highly competitive industry like iGaming. Once platforms master that, they have dozens of options to choose from, including integrating a sportsbook or live casino games.

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iGaming Is on the Rise - Is Web Development the Key to a Provider's Success? - Qrius

Finding a blackjack strategythat fits your needs as a player can often prove a bit of a challenge. Yet, there are time-tested strategies that will repeatedly work as you try them at different blackjack games, and those are the ones you specifically want to pay closer attention to.

Today, we will look at the best blackjack strategies, alternating between a basic strategy for newcomers, a list of tips to stick to as catechism whenever you play blackjack, as well as recommended actions based on the current cards you have in your hand.

This strategy guide is designed to be used as a continuous source of inspiration and browsed through repeatedly.Its a living document, but of course, you can expect the core principles laid out here to be true, accurate, and helpful.

You do not have to memorize the information listed here, as it will always be available and guide you through your next blackjack game, whether you play single deck, multi-hand, or some other version of the popular game. We help you beat the house edge by understanding the dealer, game dynamics, and expected outcomes.

The first thing you ought to familiarize yourself with is how a blackjack table works. Once you do, you will probably benefit from picking a game version that is played with fewer decks. 4 and 8-deck blackjackis very popular, and every basic blackjack strategy will cover this type of game.

Since there are fewer odds to take care of, its much easier to approximately guess the next outcome. Mind, you will not be able to ever guess the exact card coming next, so dont misunderstand the way this strategy works.

Well, guess isnt the most appropriate word here. You are trying to minimize the house edgethrough evidence that certain plays are statistically more likely to happen. There are slight differences in how you would play physical blackjack and how you would play at an online casino.

We will cover that in a bit, but for now, the basic strategy we have at hand here will serve you well, no matter how new or experienced you are in the game of blackjack. We consider several scenarios, including where the dealer hits and stands on soft 17.

There are a few slight modifications to this blackjack betting strategy. If Double After Split is allowed, you will consider a few other moves, including:

There are a few small adjustments that you may want to consider if you are playing a game where the dealer hits on soft 17. Factor in the following changes:

To make it much easier for you to play blackjack and still know that you are playing to the best possible strategy, we recommend taking a look at our strategy charts. There is no need to memorize any of these situations, although, as you continue playing, you will notice that your understanding of the game and its rules, strategies, and dynamics improves intuitively.

To help pack the most information in the charts, we have used several terms that are widely recognized in the blackjack communityand will therefore be a language that you will find familiar as you continue to learn about viable blackjack strategies.

Below is a list of viable blackjack strategy chartsthat are designed to quickly advise you on what to do next depending on your present cards, as well as what the dealer is showing. The house edge will vary based on that information, so make sure to pay a close attention to each strategy chart.

We have made sure to provide you with an easy-to-follow, color-codedcharts that will help you improve your blackjack game and win more often than not. In case of questions, you can send us a quick email or leave a comment otherwise, stick to the charts and place your next bet in confidence that you are playing the best possible strategy out there.

Since there are so many versions of blackjack, and they all more or less come down to the same statistical probability, its very easy to create broader strategies that always work and cover numerous variations of the game.

The key variable is actually the number of decks. Well, that and whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17. As you can imagine, we have accounted for both variables in providing you with these tables. In fact, the most common variation of blackjack is the six-deck version, but its duly covered as part of our 4 and 8-deck strategy guides.

Below you will find what we consider to be the perfect blackjack strategy for 4 and 8-deck games, designed to help you win consistently in the long run by making the right calls at the right time. Winning at blackjack comes down to two things knowing the strategies or counting cards. We will touch on the latter later, and for now, lets focus on the strategy charts.

Card counting is one of the best ways to approach the game. A basic blackjack strategy wont teach you about card counting since this strategy takes a fair bit of understanding on how to tag cards, crunch odds, and follow through with what the dealer is showing each round.

You also have to be aware that if you start betting and winning too much, the casino will start sending complimentary drinks, and the dealer will chat you up more often. When this happens, it means you are being vetted by the Sky in the Eyeand the security teams casinos hire to spot card counters.

Oftentimes, the people calling the shots are former card counters. The best blackjack counting strategy really isnt difficult to comprehend in principle, though. You basically assign values to each card in the deck as per the Hi-Low System. Now, since you cannot have 15 values assigned, you will use blanket values to categorize a group of few cards at a time, as follows:

Once you have these assigned in your mind and the dealer deals the first cards, you can start crunching the numbers adding from a baseline of 0. The 0 is reintroduced every time the dealer decides to shuffle. Basically, you are following the (+) and (-) to determine what cards are left in the deck, i.e., low or high cards, and act accordingly.

You can have a spotter who waits for the table to get hot before signaling you to come and join because they know that the deck contains favorable cards.

Yes. Blackjack offers the highest percentage chance for players to win. There is usually a 0.5-0.6% house edge that is inherent to all blackjack games. However, blackjack allows you to study the game with the precision that in turn gives you a very strong chance to win at both a retail and digital casino.

Las Vegas rules blackjack is a common term that describes the game that is available in Downtown Las Vegas. That includes the availability of insurance bet, re-split options, and a double down rule on players first two cards. The dealer has to stand on soft 17, which leads to slightly better overall odds for the players.

Yes. Blackjack strategies will vary slightly as you try different games. A quick look through our charts will show some slight differences in the single deck and multi-deck blackjack strategy. With this said, there can be only one optimal strategy for each game, as the cards boil down to mathematical probability.

This depends. When playing online, there is really not much difference because you will use blackjack charts. Of course, you still need to factor in whether a dealer will hit soft 17s or whether they stand. However, you can always refer to the charts in real-time. A single-deck game, though, is better to bet on if you are trying to count cards. Card counting is a great way to make money in the long run, but beware that each casino is looking to identify and expel card counters from the gaming floor.

Yes. You can actually bring a blackjack strategy chart to your Las Vegas casino with you. That is a common practice on The Strip. Its good to double-check with the dealer first, but ultimately you should be allowed to play with a chart next to you.

Yes. You can count cards legally in any casino in Las Vegas. The only downside is that, since you beat the house edge, casino security is going to ask you to leave if they suspect you are counting cards.

Yes. Not only is it theoretically possible to, but its been proven time and again. There are entire crews that used to play at casinos throughout the 80s and 90s that cost properties millions. The most famous of those is the MIT team.

Card counting is fairly basic and straightforward math exercised over the course of thousands of hands without erring. There are at least two viable card counting strategies where you just assign value to cards and start tracking what the most likely outcome of the next dealers hand would be.

No. Online casino games operate based on a slightly different model. There, you no longer have cards that leave the deck. Rather, the cards are shuffled again after each hand dealt. Counting cards in online casino blackjack doesnt work. Strategy charts are helpful, though, as they are unaffected by the shuffling.

No. Generally speaking, you do not want to take an insurance bet. Its better to act on a bet or forfeit your hand than investing more money, which will be lost anyway. The payout is small and doesnt justify betting on insurance.

No. You will always be at the mercy of your knowledge and understanding of the game. Even the strategy charts wont be 100% accurate because of the 0.5% house edge.

Link:

Best Blackjack Strategies That Still Work in 2021 | Blackjack Strategy 101 - GamblingNews.com

Fans of the game of 21 have plenty of variations to explore whenever they join online casinos. Depending on the rules that you enjoy playing with, your budget, and your willingness to take risks, you may enjoy different variants of blackjack. One thing to keep in mind is that the house, i.e. the casino, always has an advantage over the player. This being said, if you find online blackjack variations with more advantageous rules, you may significantly improve your winnings chances.

While card-counting is popular among players at land-based casinos, when you play blackjack online, you will need to resort to different types of strategies. Looking for blackjack variations with the highest value may be a good start to a successful virtual blackjack journey. Combining a game with great rules and the right blackjack strategy may significantly tilt the scales in your favour.

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To be able to spot the highest-value online blackjack variations, you will need to learn which rules are the most beneficial for the player. This way you will be able to recognize games that are worth betting on. While you can have a fruitful and fun experience playing most blackjack games available online, there are most certainly several variations that will offer you the best winning chances.

If you are interested in playing blackjack, then you probably know the basic rules of the game. If you, however, are new to the casino classic, we will clarify players main goal in this card game. Blackjack is played against a dealer, with the players hand competing with the dealers hand. While face-cards carry the value of 10, the cards between 2 and 10 count as their pip value. The Ace is the one card that can have two different values, counting either as 1 or as 11.

The main goal of the player is to get as close as possible to the total of 21, without going bust. If the player holds an Ace and a face card, their hand represents a blackjack, beating the hand of the dealer in most cases. Although being a game with simple rules, when played online, blackjack can have different variations of the standard rules. This can significantly affect the house edge, bringing the players chances of winning higher or lower.

When you are comparing online blackjack versions, there are several things to pay attention to. Different rules may have a negative or positive effect on a players potential return. Knowing the best rules to play with will allow you to spot the best online blackjack variant, giving you the best chances for fruitful results.

When you play online, you can come across blackjack variations that use anywhere between one and eight decks. Even if two variants of the game of 21 implement the same rules but use different numbers of decks, you can be certain that the house edges of the two games will be different. The more decks are utilised in the gameplay, the better the houses advantage becomes.

Naturally, if we draw a conclusion from the rule explained above, the best online blackjack variations to play will be those that use fewer card decks. If you come across a version that utilises only a single deck, you can expect to have better winning chances than playing with more decks. Of course, you should also check the rest of the rules of the game instead of simply comparing the number of used decks.

Let us assume that a blackjack game is utilizing standard rules such as dealer hitting soft 17, blackjack pays 3 to 2, dealer peeks on Aces or ten, players can double on any pair of cards, doubling after a split is allowed, players can resplit up to three times, there is no surrender. If the player uses a basic strategy, using eight decks will give the house an edge of 0.58%. Decreasing the number of decks will bring the house advantage lower, with a single-deck blackjack variant having a house edge of only 0.014%.

Some blackjack variations will have the dealer side draw a hole card, allowing peeking for a blackjack if the dealers facing-up card is an Ace or a ten. In the case when the dealer is indeed holding a natural, the player will lose their bet immediately, before making any further decisions. The only exception is when the player is also holding a blackjack.

Having a game with the dealer peeking for a natural is more beneficial for the player. Although a dealers blackjack will cost you your bet right away, it will prevent you from making additional bets and still lose them at the end of the game round. The peek rule gives the player better winning chances, lowering the house edge by 0.10%.

Some blackjack variations may try to fool inexperienced players by offering a blackjack payout of 6 to 5. Keep in mind that the best payout for a natural is 3 to 2 and you should avoid variations that will pay 6 to 5 for holding a blackjack. Typically, this type of payout can be found on single-deck or double-deck virtual tables. As it was mentioned earlier, fewer decks give the player better winning chances. This is why the casino tries to gain some advantage by lowering the payout for a natural.

Although a 6 to 5 payout might seem like a better offering than being paid 3 to 2 for a blackjack, a simple example will prove otherwise. Let us assume you have placed a bet of $10 on the game and you obtain the best possible hand. A 6 to 5 payout will award $12 while the 3 to 2 blackjack variant will grant $15 for a natural. Clearly, the 3 to 2 option is much better and you should always look for variations with this payout.

The blackjack variations that offer a 6 to 5 payout for a blackjack raise the houses advantage by 1.39%, significantly decreasing the players chances of winning. Usually, you can easily spot the blackjack payout when you play the game online as it is visible on the table design. If you see that blackjack pays 6 to 5, you better look for a 3 to 2 variation.

Another rule that often affects the house edge in blackjack is doubling down. While some variations of the game of 21 will allow players to double on any pair of cards, others will offer this betting option only if the two cards have a certain total. Most commonly, variants that have restrictions on doubling will allow players to double only on totals of 9, 10, or 11.

It is also beneficial to be able to make use of a double down after a split. If the blackjack variation that you play allows players to double down after they have split their initial pair, you can enjoy a game with a house edge that has been decreased by 0.14%.

Splitting is also an important rule in blackjack, affecting the house edge under different circumstances. While some variations of the game will not allow players to draw more than one card to split Aces, other blackjack options enable players to draw initial cards to split Aces. If the online blackjack variation you have chosen to play allows you to draw multiple cards to split Aces, this will increase your advantage by 0.14%.

Resplitting is also a rule that may have different variations as some games allow players to split pairs up to three times, forming four hands. The most common exception to this rule are Aces, which can be split only once. This being said, there are a few blackjack variations that will allow resplit after the player has split a pair of Aces. This rule lowers the house edge by 0.06%, giving players more opportunities to start a hand with an Ace, which is the best possible initial card in blackjack.

Having the chance to make use of late surrender while playing blackjack is another rule that is beneficial to the player. If the online blackjack variation that you play allows that rule, you will have the chance to surrender your hand after the dealer checks their down card. Some virtual blackjack games do not offer either early or late surrender. We advise you to avoid such variations as the surrender rule can significantly minimize your losses.

If you are playing with the correct basic blackjack strategy, having the late surrender options can increase your winning chances. Combining the right strategy with an online blackjack variation with late surrender will bring the house edge lower, decreasing it by 0.08%.

With online blackjack variations implementing different rules, there are plenty of factors that will affect the house edge of the game that you are playing. Meanwhile, many virtual blackjack options will also offer side bets that can also affect the house edge, giving the casino a bigger advantage. This being said, if you decide to simply play the base game without making use of the side bet options, the players return percentage will not be affected in any way by the side bets of the game. If you enjoy making riskier decisions, however, you can make use of some of the most popular side bets that can be found at various online blackjack games.

One of the most common side bets you can find while playing blackjack online is 21+3. In addition to the regular payout for a winning hand, players can significantly boost their winnings by making this additional side bet. The 21+3 bet is won when the players two initial cards and the face-up card of the dealer form a specific three-card poker combination.

The three-card hands that will win you this side bet include Flush (three cards of the same suit), Straight (three cards in a sequence), and Three-of-a-Kind (all three cards must be of the same value). Depending on the difficulty of getting the hands, Flush, Straight, and Three-of-a-Kind pay respectively 5 to 1, 10 to 1, and 30 to 1. You will also win the side bet if the three cards are in a sequence and of the same suit (40 to 1) or the three cards are of the same value and the same suit (100 to 1). The house edge for the side bet may be different, depending on the exact payout of every three-card hand and the number of decks used in the game.

Perfect Pairs is another very common side bet that you may come across while playing online blackjack variations. Unlike the previous additional bet, Perfect Pairs is concerned only with the players two initial cards. To win the side bet, your first two cards must be a pair, the type of payout that you will receive depends on the type of pair you have drawn.

If your pair is of different colours, you will enjoy a payout of 5 to 1, while a pair of the same colour but different suits awards a payout of 10 to 1. Provided you are holding a perfect pair, i.e. the pair is of the same colour and suit, you will be paid 30 to 1.

You can also find side bets like Lucky Ladies, Lucky Lucky, and Buster when you play different online blackjack variations. Lucky Ladies is won when the players initial hand is a pair of Queens or totals 20. If the pair is of Queens of Hearts and the dealer draws to blackjack, the payout for the side bet is 1,000 to 1.

The Lucky Lucky side bet is won when the players two cards and the dealers face-up card form a specific combination such as a total of 19, total of 20, unsuited total of 21, a suited total of 21, unsuited 6-7-8, unsuited three 7s, suited 6-7-8, and suited three 7s. The highest payout for the side bet is 200 to 1 and is won when there are three suited 7s on the first draw.

The Buster side bet is won when the dealer goes over the total of 21 with a certain number of drawn cards. The more cards the dealer draws to go bust, the higher payout for the side bet is.

You can have a wonderful blackjack experience online, especially if you find variations that offer the best winning chances one could enjoy. While the variety of options can leave you overwhelmed, there are several variants that utilise the most player-friendly rules, giving you better chances for fruitful outcomes.

There are several variations of Bonus Blackjack that you can come across while playing online. The one variation powered by 12 Gaming, however, has one of the lowest house edges you will come across when browsing through different virtual blackjack tables.

The game has a classy design, offering a great casino experience to fans of the game. In addition to that, the rules implemented in the game give players who use the right strategy some of the biggest chances for fruitful results.

In 12 Gamings version of Bonus Blackjack, the game utilises six decks and the dealer stands on soft 17. It is allowed to double down on any two cards and you can also double after a split. Unfortunately, it is not possible to resplit Aces or draw additional cards to split Aces. In this blackjack version, the dealer peeks for a natural but there is no surrender option. Still, thanks to the peek, the losses of players could be minimized. The payout for a blackjack is the standard 3 to 2, with all rules of the game and the proper strategy bringing the house edge all the way down to 0.18%.

As we have already mentioned, having fewer decks in the game gives players a bigger advantage. This is why many software companies have developed variations of single deck blackjack. You should not be too hasty to play any variant of the game, however, as some of the variations have further tilted the scales in favour of the casino with changes in certain rules.

When comparing different variants of the game, Single Deck by Cryptologic is the option with the lowest house edge. The reason for that is the various player-friendly rules implemented in the game. Of course, as the name of the game suggests, the game uses only one deck. The dealer is required to hit on soft 17 and there is a dealer peek for a natural. The player can double down on any total of two cards.

Unfortunately, players cannot double after a split and they can make use of only a single split of a pair. Aces cannot be resplit and you cannot draw additional cards to split Aces. This version of single deck blackjack does not offer surrender but it still has an extremely low house edge of 0.21%. To be certain that you have chosen the right single deck variant, make sure to always check the rules of every variation and play the one that gives the best chances for fruitful outcomes.

Another blackjack variation that can give players better chances for lucrative results is Atlantic City Blackjack. Popularised by land-based casinos across Atlantic City, this game has multiple variations online. This being said, the version by certain providers offer better odds, with Microgaming known to offer the option with the lowest house edge.

Atlantic City by Microgaming has an elegant design that can make you feel as if you are betting at a top-notch brick-and-mortar casino. What is more, the rules implemented in the game are extremely player-friendly, allowing those who utilise the correct strategy to gain a huge advantage.

The dealer is required to stand on soft 17 and there is a peek for a blackjack. Players can double on any total, including on a total of more than 2 cards. In addition to that, doubling down after a split is also allowed, with players being allowed to split up to three times, forming a total of up to four hands. Unfortunately, Aces cannot be resplit and players cannot draw additional cards to split Aces. Atlantic City Blackjack by Microgaming also offers a surrender option. All of these rules contribute to a very low house edge of 0.35%. The blackjack payout is the standard 3 to 2, giving players the best possible outcome for a natural.

Blackjack Surrender is another variation that is commonly seen at numerous online casinos, with various software providers offering the game. The one variant that is worth playing, however, is the one created by Playtech as it offers pretty good odds for players.

When it comes to design, Playtech has made sure that players will have the same classy experience as they would in any major land-based casino. The rules of Playtechs Blackjack Surrender allow players to play with an extremely low house edge of only 0.35%. The game utilises six decks. The dealer is required to stand on soft 17 and they also peek for a blackjack when holding an Ace or a ten-valued card.

If you are holding a blackjack, you will enjoy the best possible payout of 3 to 2. You will be allowed to double on any 2 cards but you will not be allowed to double after a split. The game allows just a single split and you cannot resplit Aces. You cannot also draw any additional cards to split Aces. As the name of the game suggests, you will have the opportunity to make use of surrender.

As you play online, you might come across plenty of blackjack variations inspired by the blackjack tables you can see on casino floors in Las Vegas. Provided by different software companies, some of the options you can enjoy include Vegas, Vegas Blackjack, Vegas Downtown, and several versions of Vegas Strip Blackjack. If you want to play with the highest odds for a win, however, you should try Vegas Single Deck Blackjack by Microgaming.

The rules of this online blackjack variation allow players who use the correct strategy to play with a very low house edge of only 0.31%. As the name of the game suggests, it is played with only one deck. The dealer must hit on soft 17 and peeks for a natural.

Players are not allowed to double down after a split and they can double only on totals of 9, 10, and 11. The game allows to split a pair only once and there is no resplit of Aces or drawing additional cards to split Aces. There is no option for surrender but you will be paid the standard 3 to 2 payout if you get a blackjack.

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Highest-Value Online Blackjack Variations and How to Evaluate Them - Casino Guardian

Some gamblers at the Ritz Club have lost over 780,000 in transactions following the clubs basement casino was forced to cease operation during the first lockdown.

Reportedly, patrons, including billionaires and celebrities, have been devastated after the announcement of the gambling establishments closure because of the coronavirus pandemic outbreak before it permanently stopped operation.

Celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Al Pacino and Bill Clinton have been among the customers of the gambling venue before it closed at the end of May 2020 never to reopen. The club had operated as part of the world-famous Ritz Hotel that was sold in March 2020 to an investor from Qatar by Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay.

The iconic casino, which was situated in a basement ballroom, had announced losses amounting to over 20 million in 2018 and 2019. Despite its popularity, it was unable to start working again after its sale for a total of 750 million. Recently, the major gambling regulator in the UK the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has revealed that the total amount that is owed by the casino to its customers is estimated at 781,585.

The aforementioned amount was released after Metro.co.uk made a request under the Freedom of Information Act. The request was initially rejected until an internal review was completed.

According to Private Eye, a separate amount of 409,551 that was related to two table games existed, too. As reported by the magazine, 224,666 was taken on blackjack and 184,885 was taken on three Card Poker, with the fate of the cash still remaining unknown. Reportedly, the money was intended for a progressive jackpot and was also subject to legal obligations and special terms and conditions as casino patrons built up funds.

The Ritz Club London stopped working temporarily on March 19th, 2020, right before the UK Government announced the first lockdown in the country. Its members received an email informing them that the club is permanently shut and will not resume operation.

Reportedly, the members were devastated to learn that, especially considering the clientele described the casino as the most prestigious and respected one in the UK. The club was established in the late 1970s but reopened in 1998 under new ownership after the billionaire brothers Barclay bought the Ritz in 1995. In January 2020, they injected 8 million into Ritz Club as they sought a buyer for the hotel.

The casino had announced an 8.9-million loss in the year that ended on December 31st, 2018, followed by an 11.3-million in 2019.

The operating licence of the club has been taken over by the Hard Rock Cafe. The new venue is set to be situated in the establishments basement. As a response to a Freedom of Information inquiry, the UKGC confirmed that the Ritz Club owes a total of 781,585 to gamblers at the time when the original request for information was made. Reportedly, the gambling regulator advised gamblers to consider whether the casino has violated any contractual obligations and to seek compensation if it has.

Olivia Cole has worked as a journalist for several years now. Over the last couple of years she has been engaged in writing about a number of industries and has developed an interest for the gambling market in the UK.

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The Ritz Club London Owes Over 781,000 to Customers After Casino Permanent Closure in May - Casino Guardian

The goal of this article is to outline the best online casinos currently available for particular games in every region of the world.

Whether you live in the USA, Canada, Sweden, Japan, or New Zealand, or anywhere else, we have the best casino site for your language, currency, and region.

Related reading:

For those looking for the most respected online casino brands, Red Dog is high on this list. While it initially focused on the European market, it identified that the needs of players in the US werent being met in some regards.

This is a great option for those players who are looking for security, as Red Dog has been around for years and has a license with many different respected gambling regulators. Therefore, it has a steadfast track record of protecting its players.

The design of Red Dog is so intuitive that even complete beginners to online casinos will have no problems. Another standout highlight is the game library that offers over 1,000 different games. Youll never get bored and get to play the best games on the market from creators like Playtech and NetEnt.

A fully-stocked up live casino promises an incredibly immersive playing experience for people who prefer table games. Last but not least, their slots variety is probably the biggest in the world, which is great as youll never get bored.

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If you are looking for an online casino that has been accepting USA players for a number of years, then Ignition Casino is a good fit for you. Having launched in 2016 with a license from the Curacao government, it has been a trusted platform ever since. As both biggest names in the industry, Rival Gaming and RealTime Gaming, provide the casino software, you can be sure that there will be a top-quality playing experience.

If you are someone who gets disinterested in games quickly, then Ignition Casino has you covered. The game library contains hundreds of games, including a variety of table games. For those people who want to replicate a real-life casino experience as much as possible, look no further than the live casino offering.

Many crypto gambling enthusiasts enjoy using Ignition Casino thanks to the great support and promotions involving the likes of Bitcoin. However, you also have the standard types of transaction methods to use too, providing you with great flexibility.

You dont have to wait long to have any issues resolved thanks to the 24/7 support, and the lucrative welcome offer means that you will be starting off your new account on the right foot.

Pros

Bonus: 100% deposit bonus up to $1,000

Link: Welcome Bonus

If you are looking for the best place to play poker, then Bovada Casino is the one. Bovada is actually an excellent one-stop-shop for all casino games and sports betting needs, but online poker is something where they really stand out. Thanks to the large base of players, Bovada Casinos poker offering match everyones needs. It doesnt matter if youre looking for small stakes tables or want to go after the big pots in high stakes and no-limit games right away.

Besides great poker games, with Bovada, you can start your new account with a bang thanks to the lucrative welcome bonuses.

The wide choice of depositing and withdrawal options means Bovada is a trusted company and that you can find the most effective and efficient option for your needs.

The library of table games and slots is not as big as some of its competitors have. However, they place more focus on quality over quantity.

Pros

Bonus: 100% first deposit bonus up to $1,000 (bitcoin)

Link: Welcome Bonus

Ruby Fortune Casino might not be as famous as the other casinos mentioned on this list, but it is definitely the best place for playing blackjack. Players are safe knowing that it has been in business for more than two decades and has built up a good track record during this time period.

Users will be particularly impressed by the strong table games selection, with over 650 games in total making up the game library at Ruby Fortune.

For fans of blackjack, you have a huge range of different titles to check out. Standard variants are present, as well as some more niche types of variants such as Blackjack Multi-hand. This means that Ruby Fortune Casino can be a one-stop-shop for your blackjack needs.

Leading game developer Microgaming provides most of these titles. In all, 35 blackjack titles are available to check out. You will find it hard to discover a more extensive offering in this regard.

Pros

Bonus: 100% first deposit bonus up to $250

Link: Welcome Bonus

Spin Palace Casino has long been one of the more popular online casino platforms, having first launched back in 2001. You can choose from more than 600 titles, covering the most popular game types. However, its roulette offering stands out from the rest.

In any other online casino, you will come across a handful of different roulette variants. However, Spin Palace Casino players can access many exciting live roulette variants covering a wide range of betting limits.

If you are playing via mobile, you have full access to every roulette game in a simple-to-play manner. Therefore, no matter where you are, you will still be able to access all of the roulette games you could ever need.

The live casino aspect of blackjack games is what makes Spin Palace Casino exceptional. You can play roulette in an immersive environment thanks to real-life dealers, and it can be a fascinating experience.

Pros

Bonus: 100% first deposit bonus up to $400

Link: Welcome Bonus

If you are looking at what online casinos have to offer, you will see that a wide variety of game types are available to you. All gambling sites have their own unique identities and offer different playing experiences. Here are some of the most popular real money casino games you will come across:

The bulk of most game libraries at online casinos are slots titles. These will range from basic, classic-style slots to very modern video slots with amazing graphics. The newer types of games are often very innovative, offering all sorts of special features and bonus rounds. Some will also be jackpot games with big prizes on offer.

To quickly gauge the quality of a slots offering, you can look which game developers are providing these games to an online casino.

Blackjack is a famous table game that has been the focus of many movies and documentaries over the years. While card counting at casinos is not really something that is possible anymore, blackjack games are still very exciting to play.

You will often find a number of interesting variants at casinos that tweak the standard gameplay. This includes introducing certain side bets, playing multiple hands at once, and playing with just one deck of cards.

Roulette is another extremely popular online casino game. The excitement of the spinning roulette wheel at casinos has people on the edge of their seats. You have many different bets that you can place, with many exciting variants being on offer. As well as the standard European and French Roulette options, you can often come across fun variants like Immersive Roulette, Speed Roulette, and Auto Roulette.

Most online casinos offer some sorts of poker games. These can be in the form of casino poker, whereby you are playing against the house. There will also often be video poker options at casinos, which hold some similarities to a slot game. Finally, some casino sites have a poker platform that allows you to pit yourself against other real-life players.

Craps is another game that has become popularized by movies. The scene of people gathered around a craps table while someone throws the dice is iconic.

In most cases, you will only find the classic craps game in online casinos, as you will not really find any variants. You still can capture some of the excitement as you hold your breath and see what the dice turn up.

Baccarat is very popular at casinos among high rollers thanks to the low house edge. This popular game pits the players hand against the dealers hand. You simply bet on whichever hand you think is going to be the winner. As well as standard baccarat, other popular variants include No-Commission Baccarat and Punto Banco.

Keno is a game that holds a lot of similarities to bingo due to its lottery elements. The player has to choose a certain amount of numbers at the start of the game. Random numbers are then pulled out of the pot, and you mark your card if you have matched a number. The payouts will vary depending on the game type, the casino site, and how many balls are in play.

As you can see, gambling sites offer loads of different types of casino games that you can play online. You really have an abundance of choices available to you. No longer do you have to visit a physical casino in order to play your favorite games or face constraints due to the selection of land-based casinos.

Now you can play at real money online casinos from your mobile device no matter where you might be. The difference is huge. When you are looking at playing casino games online, two main distinctions are under consideration.

You will come across casino games that are free to play, whereby you do not put any real money on the line. Then you have the real money casino games where you will be in with a chance of profiting when you are successful. Here is a look at these two key distinctions:

A lot of people who do not have much experience playing casino games will often begin their journey by using free-to-play games. This means that they will be using virtual money and not having to risk anything. This is a good way to learn the rules of a given game and get familiar with a given platform.

Most online casinos these days will allow people to play a lot of the available titles for free. Sometimes, you need just to have an account with that platform, while others require you to have made a real money deposit. Even experienced online casino players will often use the demo games to try out new strategies without risk their real money.

One of the most exciting aspects of playing games at real money online casinos is being in with a chance to win real money. If you do not put any skin in the game, you are usually not going to be able to reap the rewards from the playing experience.

The ability to both lose money and win real money on casino sites means that adrenaline will be pumping. You can also enjoy playing the game itself, but with an extra edge involved.

It is important that people gamble responsibly and do not get overly emotional when playing. However, the excitement that can come from playing online casino games is why most people will use real money. They will still have the option to play games in demo mode if they wish.

If you have concerns about spending too much playing real money casino games, most operators will have useful account tools that you can use. This can include setting a limit on how much you can deposit in a given time period, a betting limit, or a cap on your net losses.

The best online casino sites will have a welcome bonus package for real money players. These can come in many forms, such as free spins, a match bonus, bonus funds, and no deposit offers. Deposit bonuses are the most popular.

Usually, the online gambling operator requires you to make a min deposit. After making the min deposit, you will normally need to meet the offers wagering requirement before cashing out the bonus funds. This is a protection mechanism for casinos, otherwise all the professional gamblers communities, like CasualGambling, would take advantage of these welcome bonuses.

The legality of online casinos in the USA will vary on a state-by-state basis. Many states have a regulated online casino sector up and running, while others will not prosecute new players for using offshore online casinos.

A payout percentage is a useful way that you can compare the expected win rate of different types of online casino games. If a game has a win rate of 99%, you would expect to get a return of $99 from $100 in bets over the long-term.

Table games generally will have the best payout percentages at online casinos. The likes of blackjack, video poker, and baccarat have some of the best payout rates at casino sites.

You need to first make sure that you are dealing with a reputable online casino. This means checking to see if the online casino has a license, encryption technology, separation of player funds, and secure payment methods.

Many blackjack games have very high RTPs, with the house edge for online casinos being minimal. Super 7 Blackjack is a game that you will come across at some online casinos and it has a payout rate of 99.59%.

Related reading: Best csgo gambling sites

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25 Best Online Casinos for Winning in 2021: Best Payout Sites to Play for Real Money - L.A. Weekly