Can Casino Blackjack Really Be Beaten?

Question: Can Casino Blackjack Really Be Beaten?

The most popular casino game, blackjack, is simple to learn and easy to play. Playing well takes practice.

Answer: Blackjack is a fun and exciting game, and in the casino, the odds actually change from the house to the marked cards player (and back again) during play. Because taking cards out of play from previous hands can change the odds, the game of blackjack can be beaten. However, a player needs to understand and apply a system to take advantage of the changes in odds.
To beat the game of blackjack, a player first needs to understand the basics of the game. Once the basics are understood, the player can move on to basic strategy, which allows the player to play almost even with the house.
And finally, once a player is able to employ basic strategy correctly, a card counting system can be employed to actually put the game in the player's favor.
Taking these steps to learn and employ them at a blackjack table in a casino will take time. There is no way to immediately know all the ins and outs of casino blackjack, but with careful attention to each step in learning the game, learning basic strategy, and learning a count system, a well-taught player can actually beat the game of blackjack.

Event 9, $2,000 No-limit Hold'em - Live Updates

Players begin with $2,000 in tournament chips. The first day of the event will play down to the final table or until the 12th level is completed (whichever comes first). Play will resume at 2 p.m. on June 11.
More than 1,400 players have signed up for this event, which last year awarded winner James Vogl a $400,000 first-place prize.

06/13/2005 (9 years ago)

Seventh bracelet for Erik Seidel

Erik Seidel won $611,795 for his first-place finish in the $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em tournament, Event 9.
Cyndy Violette took 2nd place and marked cards received $295,970.

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06/13/2005 (9 years ago)

Erik Seidel is the champion!!

Erik Seidel flopped a full house and beat Cyndy Violette for the gold bracelet!

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06/13/2005 (9 years ago)

A fierce battle

The two players are extremely focused and are playing small pots. We have hardly seen any hands that have been bet on both the flop and the turn.

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06/13/2005 (9 years ago)

Erik Seidel and Cyndy Violette are heads up for the bracelet

Only two player left fighting for 1st place. Both players are strong and experienced players. This battle will be fierce.

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06/13/2005 (9 years ago)

Demetriou knocked out in 6th

Harry Demetriou was eliminated in sixth place ($123,915).

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06/13/2005 (9 years ago)

Blinds & Chip Count

The blinds are now at $10,000-$20,000 with a $3,000 ante cheat poker.
Here is the current chip count:
1. Morgan Machina ($1,255,000
2. Erik Seidel ($571,000
3. Paul Sexton ($437,000
4. Perry Friedman ($229,000
5. Harry Demetriou ($204,000
6. Cyndy Violette ($200,000

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06/13/2005 (9 years ago)

Chris Wunderlich Out in 8th place

Chris Wunderlich will receive $77,445 for being eliminated in 8th place.

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06/13/2005 (9 years ago)

Bill Blanda Is Out

Bill Blanda was the first player to be knocked out from the final table after about six minutes of play. He will receive $51,630.

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06/13/2005 (9 years ago)

The Blinds Go Up

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06/13/2005 (9 years ago)

Cards In the Air

The cards are in the air and the final table is underway.

Five Traps Beginner Poker Players Get Caught In

Learning to play poker can be a very trying experience.
Once you know the basics you can at least function, but you'll still be a complete greenhorn when it comes to playing well.
As a beginner, you may find yourself stuck in a rut in terms of your play, making the same mistakes over and over again. Sometimes you might not even recognize what's wrong.
Fear not, though: read on for five traps that new players commonly get stuck in, and for links to advice on how to avoid them.
1) Playing Too Many Hands Before the Flop
This is the biggest trap of them all.
New players play far too many hands pre-flop. When choosing a hand to play before the flop, it should meet certain requirements.
You should be playing marked cards only 19-24% of all your hands and folding the rest; read more about pre-flop strategy here.
2) Taking Hands Too Far Past the Flop
This is an extension of the previous trap.
Not only do most beginners play too many hands; they go way too far with them.
Many players take any pair or any draw to the river.
Generally you should be continuing with only top pair or better or a strong draw.
3) Playing by "Feel" Rather than by Cards, Situations and Math
Many new players play hands because they have a "feeling" about them.
This is wrong. Poker is a mathematical game: everything that can possibly happen boils down to odds.
Therefore, you should only play a hand because it has good odds of winning - not because you feel lucky or you feel you're due.
You play a hand because the situation dictates that in the long term, by playing that hand, you're going to make money.
Learn more about "expected value" here.
4) Letting Your Emotions Get the Better of You
Poker can be a stressful game.
If you lose a couple of hands and start to let your emotions get the better of you, you're going to start making bad decisions.
Poker is all about decisions; to make the best possible ones means you have to approach decision making with a clear frame of mind.
Learn more about managing your emotions here.
5) Thinking Short Term
A lot of players will make a correct play, lose the pot and second-guess themselves.
They'll say, "Oh - I should have folded pocket aces because he ended up making a straight."
This is wrong. If you get your money in luminous contactlenses good, it's the correct play whether you win or lose.
Poker is a long-term game. You may make all the right decisions and still lose frequently over the course of a day or a week or even a month.
That's because there is a lot of short-term luck involved.
However, in the long run, bad players will lose more of the time and good players will win.
Learn more about thinking long term here.
In summary:

• Rein in the number of hands you play before the flop
• Fold while the folding's good
• Base your decisions on concrete factors
• Keep your emotions in check
• Take the long view when you assess potential action.

Keep these basics in mind and you'll get the hang of the game without breaking the bank in the process.