Blackjack vs. Poker

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rebago
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Blackjack vs. Poker

Post by rebago »

Blackjack has always rivaled poker for popularity. In fact, many land-based casinos featured Blackjack over poker. Some casinos in the not so distant past even closed their poker rooms for lack of activity.



Since the advent of televised poker tournaments, like the World Poker Tour, and the World Series of Poker, in particular, replete with celebrity players and fabulous amounts of prize money awarded the tournament champions, poker has taken the world by storm.



Although Blackjack remained highly popular, the game was surely being overshadowed by the multitude of high-profile poker tournaments. Not any more. The Ultimate Blackjack Tour for example, may be hot on the heels of the WSOP tour’s popularity, since the UBT will feature not only the best Blackjack players, but championship-level poker players as well.



Although the basic principle of Blackjack is simple; card values are added in an attempt to reach twenty-one without going over, the game is not purely one of luck, as there are numerous strategies that can be employed to increase one’s chances of winning.



Although various card games similar to what we now know as Blackjack had been played in other countries for many years, Blackjack did not make an appearance in American casinos until a few years prior to WW I. Played as a private game until around 1915, Blackjack was known by it’s French name of “Vingt-Un, (twenty-one). The game became “Blackjack” when the casinos established bonus payouts if a player’s first two cards dealt were a Black Jack (spades or clubs), and an Ace of Spades.



In the early 1930’s Blackjack had increased it’s popularity among gamblers to the point that it was now the third most popular game played, second only to Roulette and Craps. Shortly after the end of WW II Blackjack’s popularity soared, and the game was second in popularity only to Craps, it’s rise largely attributed to returning American soldiers, who played the game most frequently as a diversion from the strife of the War years. By the early Fifties, Blackjack had become the most popular card game in the U.S.



Blackjack has evolved in the casinos, and having a “black” Jack and an Ace of Spades is no longer the sole means of getting Blackjack. Now, any ten-value card ( ten or face card ), and an Ace of any color gives one a “Blackjack”.



Blackjack was hugely popular in the illegal casinos and card rooms of the U.S., but the game reached it’s zenith when the State of Nevada legalized gambling within its borders in 1931. It was then that the game could be played by locals and visitors, as well as the professional gamblers that were once only able to ply their trade illegally.



A Brief Blackjack Glossary For The Beginner:



- Blackjack – Ten value card and an Ace

- Broke or Bust – Hand card value over 21

- Hit or Draw – Request for additional cards

- Splitting Pairs – Two of the same value cards “split” into separate hands

- Double-Down – Both cards turned face-up. One extra card dealt only.

- Stand/Stay/Stick – No additional cards requested

- Push – Player and dealer have the same value hand – no winner
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Sookie
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Re: Blackjack vs. Poker

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Skill Vs. Luck in Blackjack



In both blackjack and poker, there are people who will tell you they can beat the game. The difference is that blackjack is fixed and poker is not. That is not to say that there is any cheating going on.

However, the design of blackjack is such that the House wins if you play long enough. There is a built in casino edge, just as in video poker or slot machines. Nevertheless, a skillful blackjack player with a well-calculated, strategic plan will increase her chances of winning significantly.

While there is correct strategy in blackjack, whether you win or not is largely a factor of luck. There is some skill but effects are limited. If you play long enough, you should expect to lose unless you are a skilled card counter or have some other method of beating the game such as shuffle tracking.

The only method for beating blackjack for sure is to use casino bonuses where you are allowed to play blackjack to clear the bonus. This will give you the edge. Keep your eyes open for these kind of bonuses as they are sort of free money!



Skill Vs. Luck in Poker



Poker is a different matter entirely. Whether you play a game of stud poker or a no-limit hold´em game, poker players compete against each other, not the House. This means that even though there is a luck element involved, it can be conquered by players of sufficient skill. The House `edge´ is in the form of a rake that the casino takes out of each pot if you are playing in a public card room or online. Players will need to be slightly better to overcome both the rake and the luck element than they would if there were no rake.

Blackjack Players in Poker



Plenty of successful blackjack players have made the transition to poker, most notably Andy Bloch and Erica Schoenberg. Both were members of Blackjack Teams. If you want to try your luck at poker machines check out http://wfcasino.com/ and find tips and tricks as well on playing the pokie machines.

Since counting cards successfully can be quite difficult and casinos will bar suspected counters, whereas successful poker players can play their trade unharrassed, many professional blackjack players eventually make the transition to poker. While poker players can enjoy blackjack, very few would consider moving from the professional poker to the professional blackjack arena full time.
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rebago
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Re: Blackjack vs. Poker

Post by rebago »

Thanks guys! Great info for beginners. I mean, I don't think there is reason to write Skill vs Luck - Blackjack is pure luck, but anyway good post.
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Lincoln
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Re: Blackjack vs. Poker

Post by Lincoln »

I do not agree with you. Blackjack contains some strategies that increase your chances of winning. Of course, this is not poker, but you have a greater chance of winning in blackjack than slots
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gamerbuds
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Re: Blackjack vs. Poker

Post by gamerbuds »

Blackjack is a very simple game that has been mathematically solved to yield the highest expectation, either slightly losing via basic strategy or slightly profiting via card counting.
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Philip32
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Re: Blackjack vs. Poker

Post by Philip32 »

I think poker is better because blackJack is just boring for longer period of time.
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RichGuy
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Re: Blackjack vs. Poker

Post by RichGuy »

Between poker and blackjack is one fundamental difference. I mean here by other players. In Blackjack u play against Casino really. Thus if u play poker u can be better from the rest of the players. People make a lot of mistakes enough to use them. Sometimes in poker you can meet on crazy guys which play allin with low value cards. Yes sometimes they manage to win but rarely if know how to play. Black jack is less predictable.
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