THE WORST KEPT SECRET ON THE INTERNET

Several of our regular contributors have suggested new account holders with Online Bookmakers always win their first hand at Blackjack with a Twenty One.

Let me elaborate, it has been suggested by several contributors, when you open a new casino account with most online casinos and play your first hand of blackjack, you will win with a Twenty One. First hand only.

Beginners luck perhaps.......any further feedback on this appreciated.

EASY TO USE BLACKJACK SYSTEM

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 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. After you have become comfortable with the basic strategy, you may be able to shift the odds in your favour. Although counting card is illegal in some places, simple methods of advanced strategy can be easily employed. When a number (greater than average) of 10's have been used, more 5 average cards are present and this is an advantage to the dealer. If more 5 value cards have been used, the advantage is in your favour (a slightly larger bet may be in order). Here is a way fo counting high + low cards: Whenever a 2 or 6 appears, count +1. Cards 7, 8, 9 count 0. Count -1 for 10's and aces. In this manner, there are 5 low cards (+1) and 5 high (-1) cards. If at any time the number obtained is say +5 or more, it is to your advantage to raise your bet. If very few low cards are left, it may even make sense to stand on 15 or 16 against dealer's high card.

FIVE SIMPLE ROULETTE SYSTEMS

Roulette is the oldest of all the casino games. A roulette wheel is round and has 38 separately numbered pockets in which the rotating ball may land. The numbers change back and forth between red and black; the first red number is number one. 0 and 00 are both green. If a player bets on a single number, he is paid 35 to 1. This means that the casino has the advantage of 2 out of every 38 spins. So, roulette, like any other gaming event must rely on both luck and strategy. BETS: You may bet on two numbers by placing your chip (or chips) on the line between two numbers such as 2 and 3. Payment is 17 to 1. You may bet on four numbers by placing your bet between 4 numbers such as 2, 3, 5, 6 and upon winning be paid 8 to 1. You may bet on three numbers by placing a chip on the transversal such as 1, 2, 3 by placing the chip on the outer line of 1. Payment is 11 to 1. You may bet on five numbers only in one set; they are 0, 00, 1, 2, 3. Since 31 is not divisible by 5 it pays only 6 to 1. You may bet on six numbers by placing your chip on two transversals, such as the outer edge of numbers 7 and 10 to cover numbers 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. This bet pays 5 to 1. You may bet on 12 numbers by placing your bet on the 2to1 space at the end of the table and play 1, 4, 7, 10,13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34 or either of the other two rows of numbers; or by placing your chip in 1st 12, 2nd 12, or 3rd 12. Each bet pays 2 to 1. You may bet on 18 numbers by placing your bet on either a colour spot - red or black, on an even or odd spot, or on 1 to 18, or 19 to 36. Pays 1 to 1. Seem simple enough? Well it is quite easy. Just wait till a spin has been completed and all bettors have been paid and then place your bet. The following section shows you five simple systems you may want to use to win at roulette. Never bet more than you can afford to lose, and always quit when you have won as much as you set out to win - such as double your stake. There are table minimums and maximums at all casinos and most casinos have different tables with different amounts. *Each posted on the table. A typical minimum is 25 pence per bet with a 75 penny minimum per spin of the wheel. This covers bets on numbers only *-* other bets such as 1st 12 etc. will have a £1 minimum. Now, read and learn each system detailed below before you try any of them at a casino - pick one or two you want to try.

SYSTEM ONE:

This is a simple game of colours. Black and red. This has also been called a suckers bet and an absolutely terrible system because it does not go with the odds. However, it has consistently won for both myself and a large number of others. Because 1/2 of the numbers are red, and 1/2 black ( minus of course the casino advantage of 0 of 00 ) a bet on a red or black number coming up has a 50-50 chance of winning. If you were able to accurately pick the correct colour every-other spin, you would break even, minus 2 in every 38 spins ( for 0, 00 ). With this in mind, try the following: Bet on a colour. If you win, take your winning and leave your original bet for the next spin. ( A good idea is to start at £1 if you are interested in playing for a long period of time and maybe winning some money. You can bet more such as £3 to £5 if you can afford it and are hoping to win some big money ). If you lose, double your bet. If you continue to lose you may wish to continue doubling your bet, or quit and take the lose. Then start over again, as long as you win, take your winnings and leave your original bet. Remember, you ALWAYS have the same odds of your bet winning even if the other colour has come up 100 times in a row. I have had nights when I never lost more than 3 straight times, but I have also seen the same colour come up 12 straight times.

SYSTEM TWO:

Odd or even bets. This is basically the same as the above system, but with one very different factor - you watch the game until a number of even or odd numbers have come up consecutively- such as three straight, before making a bet. With this in mind you may want to raise your starting bet to £3 to £5 since you get fewer chances to bet - also, you do not leave your original bet when you win. You take it and wait for another streak of even or odd numbers.

SYSTEM THREE:

Betting 1-to-18 or 19-to-36. These bets pay 1 to 1 just like bets on colour and odd and even. However, this is a one time, win or lose system. It has a total of either one or two bets, per time. Again it is best to watch the game until the ball has not landed on either half of the numbers. Then, after say 5 straight spins like this, place a larger bet on the 1/2 of the numbers that has not come up for the last 6 spins. (As much as you wish to bet - I usually go from £10 to £25.) If you win, you have won a good sum of money; if you lose, you can do one of two things: Quit and wait for another chance to come up, or place the same bet again plus £1. If you lose again, take the loss and wait to try it again. If you win this time, you have gotten back your original bet plus £1. On good nights I have won four or five straight and four out of five or better. At this point I always quit . . . if I am betting £25, I may even quit after winning only two or three straight.

SYSTEM FOUR:

 Betting the rows. This bet is shown on the layout as 2-to-1 and pays just that. This is just like playing colours. You place a bet on one of the three rows of numbers and if you win you leave your original bet and take the winnings. If you lose, place a bet of the same amount. If you win, you will do the same thing, and will have made up for the previous loss plus some extra. If you lose a third time, double your bet. You may do this as many times as you like, but remember, your bets can grow very high if you are doubling your bets each time!

SYSTEM FIVE:

 This is my favourite system. It does not make a lot of money unless you have a lot of money as a stake, but it offers one of the best ways of playing and being able to get your original bets back without a great sum of money. This system is like the last and also bets on the rows, but you wait until a row has not come up for a number or spins ( I use 7 ). Then you place a bet on the row that has not come up. If you wish to win just a small amount of money, or stay even, start with £1. If you wish to win more money, start with £1 but make your bets like those shown below. When you win, you stop and wait for another chance to start over. If you lose, follow the next bet on the chart: A B A B A B A B Bet Win Total Won If you lose total lost £1 £1 £2 £2 £2 £2 £1 £1 £2 £2 £4 £4 £3 £3 £3 £3 £3 £4 £6 £8 £3 £5 £6 £7 £4 £5 £8 £10 £2 £3 £10 £12 £6 £8 £12 £16 £2 £6 £16 £20 £9 £12 £18 £24 £2 £4 £25 £32 £14 £18 £28 £36 £3 £4 £39 £50 £21 £28 £42 £56 £3 £6 £60 £78 £32 £42 £64 £84 £4 £6 £92 £120 £47 £65 £94 £130 £2 £10 £139 £250 £71 £130 £142 £260 £3 £10 £210 £380 £106 £212 £2 £316 £159 £318 £2 £475 You of course can quit and take the loss at any time. This system does not make a lot of money unless you are lucky and your row continually comes up after just a few spins - which is quite possible. The chance of your row not coming up 20 straight times is the same as it is after just once - 2 to 1. However, I have never seen a row go more than 17 straight spins without winning. This short look at five simple roulette systems is only a guide and cannot guarantee a person will win if he follows one or more of the systems. It is however, an account of my own personal way of betting at the roulette table and these systems have won consistently for myself. Best wishes and good luck to you!