In all of the games used for gambling, Blackjack remains the only one in which a participant can actually change his chances of winning during the game. Whether those running casinos wish to admit it or not, Blackjack does involve skill.

Blackjack actually refers to a specific holding (two cards totalling 21). However, this is also the most common term for the game – also known as 21.

You are playing against the dealer at all times. Many people feel that you must play differently depending on where you sit at the table. This is not true. Players sit in a semi-circle around the dealer, but no matter where you sit, you are still playing against the dealer. You owe nothing to the other players – it is your own money you are risking.

In Blackjack, the suits of the cards have no significance. Tens, jacks, queens, and kings all count 10. An ace counts 1 or 10 at the player’s option. Cards from 2 to 9 have their face value. Therefore, if you hold a nine and a five, you have 14. A nine and an ace can be either 10 or 20.

The simple idea of the game is to get closer to 21 without going over than the dealer does. You are dealt two cards and the dealer is dealt two cards also – one always face up, and one face down. You are then given the option of standing with the cards you have (“stick” or “sticking”) or you may be “hit” and be given another card (“hitting”). You may take as many cards as you wish to, but should you go over 21, you “bust” and the dealer wins automatically. The dealer will not take any cards until all players are through at taking cards. Thus the dealer’s biggest advantage is here. Any players that bust, lose their bet – even if the dealer goes bust.

If you stay at 21 or under and have a higher total than the dealer, you win; if both you and the dealer hold cards equalling the same total, it is a “push” and you stay even (not winning or losing). If the dealer has a higher total without busting, he wins.

The pay off if you win is even money (one to one). If you get a “21” or “Blackjack” (21 in two cards) you are paid at a rate of 3 to 2 (bet $10 win $15). If the dealer gets blackjack at the same time, you push – all other players lose.

You may take “Insurance” when the dealer’s first card is an ace. After all players and the dealer have two cards, he will ask “Insurance?”. You may bet another 1/2 of your original bet. Payment is 2 to 1 if the dealer does get blackjack.

At this point, after each player and the dealer has 2 cards, he will start at the immediate right and see if the player wants a card (a “hit”). If yes, the player scratches the table with his fingers or cards towards himself. If not, he places his cards under his bet or makes a negative movement with his hand. Dealers respond to hand gestures only. If you go over 21 “bust” you turn your cards over (face up) and the dealer takes the cards and your bet. If you stay at 21 or under, the dealer will continue to the next player.

As we mentioned, an ace can be counted as a 1 or 11. When you have say an 8 and a 10, you have a “hard” hand. However, an 8 and an ace gives you a “soft” hand. Because you have a soft 19 or a hard 9 if you count the ace as a one.

The dealer on the other hand does not get these options. When all players are through, the dealer turns face up his hole card. He must take a card if he has 16 or less. He must stand (in most casinos) on a hard or soft 17.

Most players try and guess what the dealer has and look at the Link Alternatif Cintapoker other cards on the table before deciding to hit or stand. Most players also never win at Blackjack.

At this point, you should understand how the game is played. The following is your best strategy as determined by computer testing:

– Always hit when you have 11 or less.

– Always stand with a hard 17 or more.

On a hard hand: When the dealer’s up card is from 7 to Ace, draw if you have 12 to 16. When the dealer’s card is 2 to 6, stand on 12 to 16 except if the dealer’s card is a 2 or 3, in which case you would draw.

On a soft hand do the following: Always draw to a soft 12. Stand on 18 except when the dealer has a 9 or 10 value card. Stand on 19.

In most casinos, you may double down (double your bet) after your first two cards.

On a hard hand: Always double with 11, with 10 except if the dealer has a 10 or ace, with 9 against the dealer’s 2 to 6 up card.

On a soft hand: With ace 2 to ace 7 double against dealer’s 4, 5, or 6. Also with ace 6 against 2 or 3 and ace 7 against 3.

Another play is the splitting of pairs. If your first two cards of the deal are the same value, you may place a bet the same as your original, and play two hands.

Always split ace-ace, and 8-8. Never split 10-10, 5-5, or 4-4. Split other pairs only when the dealer’s card is 2 to 6. These rules may seem complicated and difficult. However, after playing at home, this basic strategy will require no concentration.

Getting involved in online poker games is a wonderful way of enabling you to play a great card game in the privacy of your own home. There are so many tremendous advantages to playing these poker games via the internet. First of all, it is convenient in that you do not have to drive a long distance or even short distance to a gaming facility as you will most likely only need to walk into the other room where your computer is set up. A second reason why online poker games are a great way to enjoy your card games is that the stakes may sometimes be a bit lower than if you were to proceed to gamble at a physical establishment. A third advantage of playing poker games online is that concentration is more readily available as you are not playing poker in a distracting atmosphere where other players are sitting to the left and right of you in sometimes overly close quarters. A fourth and important advantage to playing poker online is that you can play this fun game 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home. Lastly, as gaming tables at casino establishments can sometimes be largely filled up, by playing online poker you will ultimately eliminate the wait that often exists at gaming tables in casinos.

Convenience for the seasoned or beginner poker player is one of the many advantages of playing online poker. Even though gaming institutions are popping up in more and more places these days, it is still likely that you will have to drive a good distance to reach a casino. As a number of casinos will usually have ample parking, there will still be those instances where you will have to look around for awhile for a parking spot and sometimes even pay for your parking while you are inside the casino. By playing poker online at home you are able to completely disregard the notion of driving anywhere at all and can use your time more wisely as opposed to wasting it by driving to and from the gaming facility. Another plus with not having to drive to a gaming establishment is that you will save money on gasoline. Online poker is definitely for the convenience-lover.

Lower stakes in the poker game are also an advantage of playing poker in an online setting. As individuals that play poker online are often beginners and are trying to learn the ins and outs of the game, low stakes poker games online make this type of table game a great place in which to learn without losing large amounts of money. In order to find the websites offering low stakes poker online, simply do a general search using a phrase such as low stakes poker online or poker games online low stakes and you will Daftar Cintapoker be met with a number of poker websites from which to choose the one you like best. Just be sure to thoroughly review the site prior to playing for safety reasons to make sure it is legitimate.

A third advantage of playing the game of poker online is that concentration will be more focused and centered in the comfort of your own home. Sometimes when you are playing poker table games at a casino, or any type of table games for that matter, other players can be distracting and almost intrusive. With online poker, you are able to concentrate better thereby increasing your chances of winning. When people are unable to concentrate, they tend to make silly moves thereby losing more money than they might have had they been able to concentrate. Playing poker online enables you to be able to concentrate on the game at hand and eliminates any outside distractions that may be present within a casino setting.

Having the availability of playing online poker 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is another wonderful advantage of playing a poker game in this manner. This is wonderful for the individual who likes to wait until later at night when the house is quiet and work is done for the day when he/she can sit down in front of the computer and enjoy a game or two of online poker. It doesnt matter what time of day it is as you are sure to find an online poker game in progress. Availability is a beneficial advantage to the poker game lover.

Finally, playing online poker is a great way to ensure your place at a virtual gaming table. How many times have you driven to your local casino, or in some instances not so local casino, and found that you had to wait an unimaginable amount of time to secure a spot at a card table that was within your budget? My guess is quite a few of you have experienced this type of waiting game. By utilizing the availability of online poker websites you will be able to find a place at one of their virtual tables and no longer will you need to wait in line to enjoy some poker action. This may also help you to relax as sometimes waiting in lines can cause unnecessary anxiety and aggravation.

These are just a few reasons why playing poker online is a great alternative to playing this game at a casino in your area. Not only is online poker convenient but it also allows you to concentrate on your game and increase your winnings. Additionally, it allows you to play this entertaining game for lower sums of money, thereby limiting any potential extreme losses. Also, you will never have to wait in a smoky, crowded casino area again looking for a table spot to open up. After hearing about all of the aforementioned reasons, why not give online poker a try and see for yourself all of the wonderful things that it has to offer. Chances are you will not be disappointed.

Last night marked the end of the first NHL season since the strike/lockout of 2004-2005. The Stanley Cup playoffs — arguably the most exciting tournament in sports — begin Friday night, but will anybody be watching, other than Don Cherry and Barry Melrose?

While attendance was up in 75% of NHL arenas this season, the sport continues to struggle to attract new fans. The league has slipped to No. 5 in popularity for many, behind the NFL, NBA, MLB and NASCAR.

The Good Old Days

Back in the days when the NHL was on national TV two or three nights a week, it was easy to get into the game. There were always great players and great teams to keep us interested. The rivalry between the Bruins and Canadiens in the 70s was as intense as the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry is now. Wayne Gretzky and the great Edmonton teams of the 80s were amazing to watch, and Mario Lemieuxs dominance and Mark Messiers resurrection of the New York Rangers kept us going through the 90s.

There are a host of young players today who should be garnering our accolades, but because of a lack of exposure and poor marketing by the league, these would-be household names are after-thoughts in the sports world. We all know Jaromir Jagr, Joe Sakic and Teemu Selanne, but how many of us know Eric Staal (100 points), Ilya Kovalchuk (52 goals) and Brian Gionta (46 goals)?

Some amazing accomplishments were achieved this season, including the Detroit Red Wings astounding 124 points (fifth-best total in league Daftar Cintapoker history), rookies Sidney Crosby of the Penguins and Alexander Ovechkin of the Capitals both topping the 100-point mark, and Jonathan Cheechoo becoming the first Native American (called First Nations people in his native Canada) to win the goal-scoring title with 56.

Always Interested

Theres one group of fans that is interested in just about every game in every sport — the gamblers. Hockey traditionally has been a great sport to bet on, especially early in the season. The oddsmakers often have a hard time handicapping the sport that they are not that familiar with, leaving gamblers plenty of opportunity for easy money. With that in mind, here is how the first round of the NHL playoffs shapes up in this gamblers mind:

Detroit and Dallas are in familiar positions atop the Western Conference standings. The Red Wings, who became the first team in 10 years to go through an entire season without being shutout, should score early and often as they dismantle the Edmonton Oilers in the first round. Detroit wins in a sweep.

Colorado is always a tough out, but the Avalanche dropped 3 straight and 4 of their last 5 to end the season. The Stars stingy defense will be the difference in a low-scoring series. Dallas wins 4 games to 1.

Calgary with probable Vezina Trophy winner Miikka Kiprusoff in net should have no problem eliminating Anaheim in 6 games.

The other first-round Western Conference matchup may be the best of all. Nashville finished the season winning 6 straight, including the season finale vs. Detroit, and posted the leagues best home record at 32-8-1. San Jose features Hart Trophy candidate and the leagues leading scorer Joe Thornton, along with the aforementioned Cheechoo. Look for a high-scoring, entertaining series with the Sharks winning a seventh game in Nashville.

Champs Still Alive

Over in the Eastern Conference, the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning staved off late charges from Toronto and Atlanta to grab the eighth spot. The champs face multiple-time first-round loser Ottawa to begin their defense of the title, and the Senators are ripe for an upset again. Ottawa limped into the playoffs, finishing 2-4-2 in its last 8 games. The loss of Dominik Hasek hasnt helped, either. Tampa wins 4 games to 2.

Carolina, despite being shutout in its last game and dropping to the No. 2 seed, should be tough to beat. Montreals rookie goalie Cristobal Huet came out of nowhere to post an impressive 2.14 GAA and a league-leading .930 save percentage. He will have a tough task in trying to slow down the Hurricanes high-scoring offense. Carolina advances in 7.

The Rangers-Devils should be a fun one for the New York fans. New Jersey is the hottest team in the league. The Devils scored 3 goals in the third period to complete a 4-3 comeback last night against the Canadiens for their 11th straight victory. The win clinched the Atlantic Division for New Jersey, which trailed Philadelphia by 19 points on Jan. 6. With momentum and experience on their side, the Devils will hold down Jagr and eliminate New York in 5 games.

The last first-round series features the upstart Buffalo Sabres vs. the Philadelphia Flyers, who have to be disappointed that they did not hold on to win the division. The key to this series will be the health of Flyers star center Peter Forsberg. If he can make it through the entire series, Philly has a chance, but Buffalos hard-hitting defense wont make it easy for him. Buffalo wins in 7.

Whatever the outcome, Im looking forward to watching some great playoff hockey. Nothing matches the intensity of sudden death overtime or the elation and pain of a seventh game.