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Blackjack Betting Guide – winner winner, chicken dinner!

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Blackjack is a game of skill; when played properly it can result in the lowest house edge game. This is because Blackjack gives players too many advantages. Good players can gain an advantage over the Casino or “house” with the right information and strategy. However, bad Blackjack players are the reason that Blackjack is the most profitable of all casino table games, so it pays to know how to play.

Basic Blackjack rules

Blackjack can be played using one or more decks of standard playing cards. Players should not be concerned with the suit of the cards, as the card suit does not mean anything. Card value or rank is more important.

Blackjack is mainly about the number 21. Players play against a dealer to try and gain a hand that is closer in value to 21 but not over that amount otherwise they will forfeit their bet or “go bust”. Throughout the game players have the opportunity to “hit” or “stand” in order to try and gain a better hand than the dealer.

To “hit” means that a player takes an additional card while to “stand” means that the player refuses to take an additional card. Once a player is finished hitting or has chosen to stand, it is the dealer’s turn to complete their hand. Unless otherwise stated, the rules require the dealer to hit on a sixteen or less and stand on a seventeen or more. The one exception to this is if the dealer has an ace and a six, which is referred to as a “soft seventeen”.

The dealer will finally compare their hand with the player’s hand.

  • If neither hand has gone bust, then the highest total wins.
  • If neither hand has gone bust and both hands are tied, this is called a push. This means that no money changes hands.
  • If the player has gone bust then the player loses and the money is forfeit. The dealer’s hand is irrelevant to the player.
  • If the dealer goes bust and the player has not busted then the player is the winner.
  • If a player gets a natural, or blackjack¸ this generally pays 3:2 meaning for each $10 staked the player will get $15.

Blackjack card values

  • Cards ranked from 2 to 10 are counted at the card number value.
  • Picture cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) are counted as 10.
  • Aces can either be 1 or 11 (whichever the player prefers)
  • Blackjack: A combination of a card valued at 10 and an ace. This hand will either win or be tied but will not be beaten.

A player with a hand less than 21 can ask for additional cards. This is called a “hit”. However, if a player exceeds 21 then they automatically lose, or “go bust”.

Playing Blackjack

Blackjack is played at a table like the one below. The most important rules are always printed on the table. You can generally find additional rules on an upright card on or behind the table. Most casinos use multiple deck games but some also offer single-deck games where the dealer actually holds the deck as they deal the cards. In multiple-deck games four to eight decks of cards are stored in a box called a “shoe”.

 

Blackjack Betting Guide

 

Players are dealt cards face down in a single-deck game or face up in a multiple-deck game. Either way the chances of winning are the same. When dealt face-up players are not allowed to touch the cards.

To start the game the dealer deals the cards from the shoe to the first player on their left and any other players that are playing. The dealer will then deal one card face-up to themselves. A second card will then be dealt to each player and the dealer will then receive another card face-down this time. This is called the “hole card”.

As players can only see one of the dealer’s cards they must decide to “hit” or “stand” in order to get closer to 21 than the dealer.

How to hit or stand

If playing Blackjack in a casino it is important to give clear clues to the dealer as to how you want to play. Generally if a player wants to take an additional card they should tap on the table to demonstrate this. If a player wants to stand then they should wave their hand when it is their turn. Playing online requires no such effort!

Insurance in Blackjack


The question of the hole card will be important if the dealer’s up-card is an ace. This is the case as players lose if the dealer has a natural and they don’t. In this case some players choose to take insurance against a dealer blackjack when the dealer shows an ace. Insurance is generally an additional bet of one-half of the original stake. Insurance pays 2:1 when the dealer has a natural. If the dealer doesn’t have a natural then the player loses their insurance bet.

Genie says: Insurance might sound tempting but it’s generally best avoided and should be regarded as a bad bet. The probability of the dealer having a ten under their ace is approximately 31% and yet this only pays out at 2 to 1. All in all, this gives the house an edge of about 7%…..in short, avoid insurance! Once instance where you may want to take insurance would be if you have a natural. In this instance a 1:1 payout is guaranteed.

Hitting, Standing, Doubling or Splitting

The majority of dealers’ hands will not be naturals, so players will have the opportunity to either ask for additional cards (hit) or to refuse them (stand).

Another variation of a hit is called double down. A double down requires an additional bet of an amount normally equal to your original wager. You put the chips next to your original stake and the dealer will give you exactly one more card. You cannot hit further on that card in most cases.

If a players hand is made up of a pair (A, A; 10,10, etc) a player can then split these cards for an additional wager giving the player two hands. The player will then have to play the hands separately.

Genie says: Some casinos restrict re-splitting and doubling on splits so make sure to check the rules before you play! If you’re playing online you can normally check the rules by checking the game information or help files within each game. Most casinos require that you can only get one extra card on split aces.

The dealer’s hand in Blackjack

If a player doesn’t go bust, it is then up to the dealer to beat them by bettering their card value. The dealer will turn their hole card and draw according to the rules. Some casinos require the dealer to hit a soft 17 (Ace and a six) but this will be stated either on the table or in the additional table rules.

Surrendering

Some casinos will allow a player to take back half their bet and forfeit the rest if their initial hand seems hopeless. This term for this is to surrender and it is usually restricted to situations when the dealer doesn’t have a natural. This option is generally unavailable when playing online!

Genie’s summary:

  • 21, 21, 21, that’s what Blackjack is about. Compete with the dealer to get a hand that is closer to 21 but not over that.
  • Getting an extra card is called a hit, refusing cards is called a stand. Try not to go over 21 or you’ll go bust!
  • Give the dealer visual cues if playing in a live casino. If playing online, no need to worry!
  • Double down if a positive situation comes your way (see the strategy guide for this)!
  • You can split when your original hand has two cards of equal point value.
  • You can surrender if your initial hand seems hopeless.

Blackjack house edge and probability

Probability is hugely important in Blackjack as an effective Blackjack strategy is based on being able to predict certain outcomes based on the probability of that outcome occurring.

Blackjack strategy is entirely about the cards in the deck. With Blackjack, the typical advantage is 1% or less when it’s pushed to the player’s side. However, this can also swing to a Casino or house edge of around 5%. Using basic Blackjack strategy without card counting, the house edge is generally reduced to .50%. With card counting techniques, this edge can be reversed to a player advantage of 1%. Despite this fact, Blackjack remains a highly profitable game for Casinos because the vast majority of players are unaware of the optimal strategy that they should use.

Genie says: Remember that by using the optimal strategy you will have a better chance against the house and over time will win more than you would without using optimal strategy. While having the edge doesn’t automatically mean that you’ll win the bet, it does guarantee that you’ll have an advantage every time you place your bet.

Find out more in our Basic Blackjack Strategy guide!

Baccarat Rules – How to play Baccarat

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Baccarat is a popular Casino game that is often associated with Casino High Rollers. This is despite the fact that it is one of the easiest Casino games to play and is as simple as betting on Red or Black in Roulette! Genie’s Baccarat rules guide gives you the info you need to play. Baccarat is usually played in a separate Casino area on a playing table that is roughly the size of a craps table and occupies three casino dealers and up to about 14 players.

Baccarat rules

To play Baccarat, two hands are dealt and the player decides which one will win. The object of the game is to have a hand total that is closer to 8 or 9 than the opponent’s hand. There are three possible outcomes that a player can choose to bet on. These two most likely outcomes are to bet on either the banker or the player. The third and less likely outcome is to bet on a standoff (a tie).

Each player will be dealt a minimum of two cards and a maximum of three cards from a six-deck or eight-deck shoe. The card suits are of no concern.  Each face card or 10 has no value while cards less than 10 are counted at face value. Aces are valued at 1. In Baccarat single digit values are important. If a player receives cards that total double digits then the first digit is dropped, e.g. 25 is counted as 5 or 16 is counted as 6.

To start the game players must place a bet on the banker, player or a standoff. Two cards are dealt to each player and the banker. The object is to bet on the hand that you believe will have the highest total value. If any hand has a total of 8 or 9 then it is called a “Natural” and no further cards will be dealt. If it isn’t a natural then the game must play out and the players must take a third card where they are obliged to do so. The rules for taking a third card are defined by standard Casino rules that oblige both the player and the banker to take a third card.

Once dealing is finished, the hand with the highest total wins. Losing bets are collected first and then winning bets are paid out.

Baccarat rules – Player’s third card rule

When the player or the bank’s cards total of 8 or 9 on the first two cards then no further cards are drawn. This is called a natural and the hand is over.

  • When the player’s hand totals 6 or 7 then the player must stand.
  • When the player’s total is less than or equal to 5 the player’s will have to draw a third card.
  • When the player doesn’t have to draw a third card then the bank must stand on 6 or above and take a third card on a total of 5 or less. If the player does take a third card then the Bank’s third card rule below comes into play.

Baccarat rules – Bank’s third card rule in Baccarat

This comes into play when a player takes a third card

  • If the bank’s total is 7 then the bank will stand.
  • If the bank’s total is less than or equal to 2, then the bank must draw another card, regardless of the player’s third card value.
  • If the bank’s total is equal to 3, then the bank must draw a third card, unless the third card that the player drew was an 8.
  • If the bank’s total is 4 then the bank will have to draws a third card unless the player’s third card was a 0, 1, 8, or 9.
  • If the bank’s total is 5 then the bank must draw a third card when the player’s third card is 4, 5, 6, or 7.
  • If the bank’s total is a 6, then the bank must draw a third card if the player’s third card is a 6 or 7.

Baccarat card value table

Card

Card Value

Ace

1

King, Queen, Jack, 10

0

2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Face value

Baccarat History

Some players like to know the past outcomes before choosing whether to bet on the bank or player. Generally this is indicated on a screen where “B” indicates a win for the bank, “P” indicates a win for the player and “-“ indicates a standoff. These are also displayed in consecutive rows until a new winning streak is started. A tie will be considered part of the same winning streak and will be displayed in the same row as the previous winner.

Baccarat House Edge and payouts

Betting in Baccarat is similar to betting on Black or Red in Blackjack. Overall, it is regarded that the Casino holds a house edge of 1.06%. The payoff is even money for betting on the Bank or the player with the only difference being that a win on a bet on the bank is generally subject to a 5% commission to the Casino. This extra commission is required, as over an 8-card deck of cards the bank will on average win three to four hands more than the player giving the Casino and in-built advantage or hold. The final option of betting on a standoff is paid out at 8:1 or 9:1.

SelectionHouse AdvantagePayout
Bank1.17%1:1
Player1.36%1:1
Standoff14.12%8:1/9:1

Baccarat Strategy

Unlike with Blackjack, there is no optimal baccarat strategy that can result in a better chance of winning in Baccarat as the game plays out according to Baccarat game rules. The most obvious of these would be to bet on the Bank and to avoid betting on a standoff.

Thus concludes Genie’s Baccarat rules guide. Want to play a game that allows punters a greater edge? Consider Blackjack. Get started with basic Blackjack strategy.

Craps Betting Guide – How to play

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Craps is a dice game commonly played in Casinos worldwide. The game is relatively simple and is one of the world’s most popular live Casino games as the game is fast moving, exciting, social and loud! Despite this the game often remains intimidating to people who are unaware of it’s rules as it appears to have a complicated table as there about 40 different bets a player can make. In Genie’s Craps betting guide, he covers the info you need to know. To begin to play Craps it is best to start with the basics.

Basic Craps Rules

Craps is played with two dice. This means that the outcome of a roll of the dice will be between 2 and 12. Players take turns to throw the dice that must hit the walls of the opposite end of the table. The person that throws the dice is called a “shooter”. As with other Casino games, play moves in a clockwise direction around the table. While initially the Craps table may appear confusing because of the number of bets available, the basic bets can be easily learned. Many players often choose to stick to the basic bets as the additional bet options have poor probability of a player win.

The pass line bet: the most basic bet in Craps

The pass line bet is the most basic bet in Craps which has a low house edge of 1.41%, making it one of the most attractive bets in a Casino. It is a “series bet” which means that the shooter could have to roll the dice a number of times before the outcome will be decided. If you win on this bet the payout is 1:1.

Making a pass line bet

To make a pass line bet a player first places their stake on the pass line area on the table before the new shooter rolls the dice (known as the come out roll, i.e. the first betting round). If the result of the shooter’s throw is a 2, 3, or a 12 then you lose, while if the result is a 7 or 11 (called a natural) then you win. If the result is any other number then this becomes the point number. In this instance the shooter must then roll the point number again before a 7 is rolled. If that happens, you win and will be paid at 1:1 for your pass line bet.

E.g. of a pass line bet and point number:

  • On the come out roll a new shooter rolls the dice for the first time and the dice total is 8. This becomes the point.
  • The shooter must now roll the point (8) before a seven is rolled for your bet to win.
  • If a seven is rolled before the point then you lose and the dice are passed to the next shooter at the table.

Odds on pass line bets

If a point is rolled players are allowed to make additional bets by betting on odds by placing their chips behind their original stake on the pass line bet. Each point will have a different payoff. As with the pass line bet, players only win if the point is rolled before the 7. If the result is a 7 then the player will lose both their pass line bet and their odds bet.

  • A point of 4 or 10 will be paid out at 2:1
  • A point of 5 or 9 pays at 3:2
  • A point of 6 or 8 pays at 6:5

Come bets – a craps betting guide

Come bets in Craps have the same rule set as pass line bets. The only difference is that come bets can only be made after the point on the pass line bet has been set. Once players place their bet the first dice roll will determine the come point. The same rules apply as with the pass line bet. Players win if the result is a natural (7,11) or if the come point is rolled before a 7. Players lose if the result is craps (2,3 or 12) or if a seven is rolled before the come point.

Odds on Come bets

As with odds on pass line bets, players can place bets on the odds of the come bet. The payouts are the same.

  • A point of 4 or 10 will be paid out at 2:1
  • A point of 5 or 9 pays at 3:2
  • A point of 6 or 8 pays at 6:5

Don’t pass line bets

This is the opposite of a pass line bet. If the first roll of the dice results in a 2 or a 3 then you win. If the result is a natural (7 or 11) then you lose. If a point is rolled then for you to win a 7 must be rolled before the point to make you the winner. A dice roll of 12 will result in a push.

Don’t come bets

Don’t come bets are the opposite of come bets. Once the come point has been established players win if the result is a 2 or 3 and lose if it is a natural (7 or 11). As with don’t pass line bets if the result is 12 this will result in a push.

Place betting

Place bets can be made once a point has been established. Players are able to bet on the outcome of the roll being 4,5,6,8,9 or 10. If the player’s selection is rolled before a 7, then the player wins. Player’s also have the option of cancelling this bet whenever they want to. Depending on which number is bet on the payouts for place bets are different:

  • 4 or 10: this pays at 9:5
  • 5 or 9: this pays at 7:5
  • 6 or 8: this pays at 7:6

Field bets

Field bets are for just one roll of the dice and have different payouts depending on the outcome. If a 2,3,4,9,10,11 or a 12 is rolled then the player wins. If a 5,6,7 or 8 is rolled then players lose.

Field payouts:

  • 2 has a payout of 2:1
  • 12 has a payout of 3:1
  • Other outcomes pay 1:1

Big six/ Big eight bets

A bet on big 6 or big 8 can be made on any roll of the dice. These bets win if a 6 or 8 is rolled before a 7. The payout is 1:1.

Proposition bets – a craps betting guide

Almost all proposition bets can be made at any time and are all one roll bets. The exception to the rule is hardways.

  • Craps: This wins if craps is thrown (2,3 or 12). The payout is 8:1.
  • 7: If a seven is rolled the player wins. The payout is 5:1.
  • Eleven: If an 11 is rolled the player wins. The payout is 16:1
  • Ace Deuce: This wins if a 3 is rolled at a payout of 16:1
  • Aces or Boxcars: This wins if a 2 or 12 is thrown at a payout of 30:1
  • Horn bets: This is a bet on 2,3,11 and 12 all at once. If one of these numbers is rolled then the payout is determined based on the number rolled.
  • Hardways: A hardway bet is a bet on both die coming up with the same number, i.e. doubles. The numbers to choose from are 4,6,8 or 10. The player loses if the roll outcome is a 7 or if the next combination of their chosen number is not a double. The payout is dependent on the player’s selection.
    • Hard 4: Pays out at 7:1
    • Hard 6: Pays out at 9:1
    • Hard 8: Pays out at 9:1
    • Hard 10: Pays out at 7:1

 

Genie says: Hardway bets offer poor odds to the player and are best avoided!

Craps Betting Guide and Strategy

As Craps is a game of chance, there is no strategy that a player can employ to change the house edge. That doesn’t mean however that players can’t play in a certain manner to minimise risk as there are a number of “good” and “bad” bets.

On the come out roll, the best bet is the pass line bet as the edge on this is just 1.41%. While there are many other betting options to choose from the house edge is a lot greater. This is an excellent bet for beginners or players who want to minimise their risk.

After the come out roll, the best bet in a craps game is the odds bet. This means that the house has a 0 edge on bets so players should always take an odds bet. Since you can combine this with the low house edge on the come out roll, the disadvantage to the player decreases greatly.

Craps House Edge

Depending on the Craps bet that you want to make the house edge will vary. The Craps Betting Guide table below summarises the house edge on each bet type.

Bet

House Edge %

Pass Line or Come Bet

1.41

Don’t Pass or Come

1.4

Pass Line or Come Bet 2X odds

0.85

Don’t Pass or Come 2X odds

0.83

Place 6 and 8

1.52

Place 5 and 9

4

Place 4 and 10

6.67

Buy 6 or 8

4.76

Buy 5 or 9

4.76

Buy 4 or 10

4.76

Lay 6 or 8

4

Lay 5 or 9

3.23

Lay 4 or 10

2.44

Field Bet

5.56

Any Craps

11.11

Hardway 6 or 8

9.09

Hardway 4 or 10

11.1

2 or 12

13.9

Any 7

16.7

Thus concludes Genie’s Craps betting guide. If you’re interested in learning how to play other popular casino games, consider checking out Genie’s guides to Blackjack, Roulette and Baccarat.

Free Bets Guide – what you need to know

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Free bets are offered by bookmakers, usually to win you over as a new customer. With so many betting operators competing for your business, the availability of free bet offers presents a huge opportunity to punters. In recent years however, new betting legislation has restricted bookmakers from offering sign up incentives like free bets, so their availability will depend on the legislation in the country you reside in. Genie’s free bets guide covers the key info you need to know.

Another common use of free bets is to reward loyal customers or as part of a reactivation campaign to get you to return if your account has been dormant for a period. The old adage that it’s cheaper to retain a customer than acquire a new one applies, so expect to receive incentives to reactivate if you have an account with a bookie, but haven’t used it in a while.

Restrictions on free bets

Depending on your country of residence, there may be some restrictions on free bets. In Australia for example, there are different restrictions in each state meaning that bookies cannot offer free bet incentives to acquire a punter. The can however do so after the member has joined, though there are certain restrictions on the types of offers also.

Online free bets – what are the typical terms and conditions?

Nothing in life is free. The same applies to free bets. When offered, they typically come with some terms and conditions you need to be aware of, that usually include the following:

  • Stakes on free bets are typically not returned – This means that the punter is usually better advised to spend freebies on an outcome with higher than average odds. Why? Because if you bet on Man City to win at 1/2 with your 20 quid free bet, you will only be returned the winnings (10) if they are successful.
  • Free bets are excluded from other special offers – as an example, if there is a cashback special on an event you are betting on, the bookmaker may not return free bets in the event of the cashback clicking. The reason for this is often due to restrictions in the bookmaker’s backend systems that make it an extremely manual process to re-credit free bets.

GENIE SAYS: Punters should love free bets and avail of them where possible. Because almost all of the bookmakers these days give away free bets as part of sign-up offers, when you see a good sign-up offer take it while it is available. Try get ahead of the bookie before they clip your wings.

Cashback Specials Guide – uncover value bets

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Cashbacks, also known as money back specials, are quite common among the more generous bookmakers nowadays. Genie’s cashback specials guide is a quick overview of how these promotions work, and why you should keep any eye on offers to maximise your punting returns.

What is a cashback special?

A cashback special is a promotion run by a bookmaker, whereby payout is dependent on one or more outcomes occurring in an event. If that outcome occurs, then the bookmaker refunds losing stakes on one or more markets on the event.

For example: “If Erling Haaland scores the last goal in this game then we will refund all losing bets on the following markets; First, Last or Anytime goal scorer, Correct Score and HT/FT”

This means that if Haaland does indeed score the last goal of the game then all losing bets placed on the named markets are recredited back into the punter’s account balance. Not all cashbacks are refunded in cash. Sometimes they are refunded as free bet credit.

Who offers Cashback specials?

Cashback Specials are only offered by fixed-odds bookmakers, not by Betting Exchanges. For the most part the bookmaker only offers to refund on the higher margin markets  to encourage punters to bet on these markets. It still represents very good value for the customer who wants to bet on this market.

Cashback specials guide – how to find value

Some bookmakers become almost overly generous with their cashback specials and offer to refund on the win-draw-win market meaning that they run the event at an expected loss in order to encourage betting on the event.

GENIE SAYS: Keep and eye on our Cashback Specials section in our offers page, where we inform you of all cashback specials available from the top bookies.

Common Cashback Specials

There are a number of frequently promoted cashback specials.

Cashback specials guide – Frequent promos:

  • If player X scores the last goal, we will refund losing bets on said markets.
  • If player Y wins the tournament, we’ll refund all losing bets on said market(s) (placed before tournament commenced).
  • If team A win the tournament, we’ll refund all losing bets on said market(s).

Keep an eye on Genie’s offers page for the cashback specials where punters can find some value.

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