With Blackjack the player is set against the dealer.  Unlike in the game of Roulette, the player does have some control over the game as they have options after their hand has been dealt.  The player can either ‘hit’ to take an additional card if their starting cards are quite low, ‘stand’ if they think the two cards they have are enough, or ‘double’ if they have a middle hand and feel only one card is required to get closer to 21.

There is a fundamental blackjack strategy card that is available to all players, and most casinos will allow these cards to be referred to.  It provides a basic set of guidelines on what to do when certain card combinations are dealt.

There are also actions that should be taken depending on the card that is being shown by the dealer, as this can have a bearing on a player’s actions.  For example, there will be some hands where a dealer will have a low card and so will need to draw a third. This will increase the possibility of the dealer’s hand going over 21.

The choice of insurance when a dealer shows an ace is really up to the player.  Having a total of 16 cards that can make Blackjack in a single deck means there is around a 30% chance that the dealer has the card needed. 

Knowing the best thing to do with any given two-card hand will ultimately reduce the house advantage so that a player will win more often than if they were simply deciding on an action randomly.

The craps table is one of the most exciting spots on a casino floor. Players and observers alike gather around the table to watch the nail-biting action. Each bet depends on a single toss of the dice and because of its simplicity craps is incredibly popular.

History of the Game

The origins of craps date back to a game called hazard, which was played in medieval times. The name craps comes from the French word ‘crapaud’, meaning toad. This refers to the manner in which players in the street version of the game crouch down over the floor. Street craps has been popular for centuries and the casino version is just as popular.

Betting on Casino Craps

The person rolling the dice in a game of craps is called the shooter. Both the shooter and players can place bets in one of two ways; pass or do not pass. The shooter first rolls the dice for a ‘come out’ roll. If the dice land on two, three or twelve, the roll is considered a loss, or craps. In this example, players who placed bets on pass lose. If the shooter rolls seven or eleven, betters on pass win. If any other number is rolled, it establishes the number that must be rolled next.

Proper Technique

Although the concept is simple, there are some basic rules for the shooter. He or she must roll with one hand only and the dice must bounce off the far wall. In casino craps, this wall is part of the table, while in street craps, something must be found to serve as the wall, such as a kerb.