Blackjack

Blackjack
Basics
Contents
1
Blackjack
1.1
History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2
Rules of play at casinos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2.1
Player decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2.2
Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3
Rule variations and their consequences for the house edge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.4
Blackjack strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.4.1
Basic strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.4.2
Composition-dependent strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.4.3
Advantage play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.5
Side bets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10
1.6
Blackjack tournaments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11
1.7
Video blackjack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11
1.8
Variants of the game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11
1.8.1
TV show variations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
Blackjack Hall of Fame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
1.9
1.10 Blackjack in the arts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
1.11 See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
1.12 Blackjack literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
1.13 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
1.14 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14
Blackjack Hall of Fame
15
2.1
History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
2.2
Inductees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
2.3
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17
Gambling mathematics
18
3.1
Experiments, events, probability spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18
3.2
The probability model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19
3.3
Combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
3.4
Expectation and strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
3.5
House advantage or edge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
ii
CONTENTS
3.6
Standard deviation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21
3.7
See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22
3.8
Further reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22
3.9
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22
Gaming control board
23
4.1
Rules and regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
4.1.1
Licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
4.2
Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
4.3
Gaming control boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24
4.3.1
United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24
4.3.2
Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25
4.3.3
Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25
4.3.4
Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25
4.3.5
Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25
4.3.6
Associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26
4.4
References
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26
4.5
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26
Nevada Gaming Commission
27
5.1
License types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27
5.2
Popular culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27
5.3
Former members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27
5.4
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28
5.5
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28
5.6
Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29
5.6.1
Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29
5.6.2
Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30
5.6.3
Content license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30
Chapter 1
Blackjack
This article is about the gambling game. For other uses, see Black Jack (disambiguation).
Blackjack, also known as twenty-one, is the most widely played casino banking game in the world.[1] Blackjack is a
comparing card game between a player and dealer, meaning players compete against the dealer but not against other
players. It is played with one or more decks of 52 cards. The objective of the game is to beat the dealer in one of the
following ways:
Get 21 points on the players rst two cards (called a blackjack or "natural"), without a dealer blackjack;
Reach a nal score higher than the dealer without exceeding 21; or
Let the dealer draw additional cards until his or her hand exceeds 21.
The player or players are dealt a two-card hand and add together the value of their cards. Face cards (kings, queens,
and jacks) are counted as ten points. A player and the dealer can count an ace as 1 point or 11 points. All other cards
are counted as the numeric value shown on the card. After receiving their rst two cards, players have the option of
getting a hit, or taking an additional card. In a given round, the player or the dealer wins by having a score of 21 or
by having the higher score that is less than 21. Scoring higher than 21 (called busting or going bust) results in a
loss. A player may win by having any nal score equal to or less than 21 if the dealer busts. If a player holds an ace
valued as 11, the hand is called soft, meaning that the player cannot go bust by taking an additional card; 11 plus
the value of any other card will always be less than or equal to 21. Otherwise, the hand is hard.
The dealer must hit until the cards total 17 or more points. (At many tables the dealer also hits on a soft 17, i.e. a
hand containing an ace and one or more other cards totaling six.) Players win by not busting and having a total higher
than the dealers. The dealer loses by busting or having a lesser hand than the player who has not busted. If the player
and dealer have the same total, this is called a push, and the player typically does not win or lose money on that
hand. If all available players bust, the hand ends automatically without the dealer having to play his or her hand.
Blackjack has many rule variations. Since the 1960s, blackjack has been a high-prole target of advantage players,
particularly card counters, who track the prole of cards that have been dealt and adapt their wagers and playing
strategies accordingly.
Blackjack has inspired other casino games, including Spanish 21 and pontoon. The recreational British card game of
black jack is a shedding-type game and unrelated to the subject of this article.
1.1 History
Blackjacks precursor was twenty-one, a game of unknown origin. The rst written reference is found in a book by the
Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, most famous for writing Don Quixote. Cervantes was a gambler, and the main
characters of his tale "Rinconete y Cortadillo", from Novelas Ejemplares, are a couple of cheats working in Seville.
They are procient at cheating at ventiuna (Spanish for twenty-one), and state that the object of the game is to reach
21 points without going over and that the ace values 1 or 11. The game is played with the Spanish baraja deck, which
1
CHAPTER 1. BLACKJACK
lacks eights and nines. This short story was written between 1601 and 1602, implying that ventiuna was played in
Castilla since the beginning of the 17th century or earlier. Later references to this game are found in France and
Spain.[2]
When twenty-one was introduced in the United States, gambling houses oered bonus payouts to stimulate players
interest. One such bonus was a ten-to-one payout if the players hand consisted of the ace of spades and a black jack
(either the jack of clubs or the jack of spades). This hand was called a blackjack, and the name stuck to the game
even though the ten-to-one bonus was soon withdrawn. In the modern game, a blackjack refers to any hand of an ace
plus a ten or face card regardless of suits or colours.[3]
1.2 Rules of play at casinos

Blackjack example game
Initial deal
Player action
Dealers hand revealed
1.2. RULES OF PLAY AT CASINOS
Bets settled
At a casino blackjack table, the dealer faces ve to seven playing positions from behind a semicircular table. Between
one and eight standard 52-card decks are shued together. At the beginning of each round, up to three players can
place their bets in the betting box at each position in play. That is, there could be up to three players at each position
at a table in jurisdictions that allow back betting. The player whose bet is at the front of the betting box is deemed
to have control over the position, and the dealer will consult the controlling player for playing decisions regarding the
hand; the other players of that box are said to play behind. Any player is usually allowed to control or bet in as
many boxes as desired at a single table, but it is prohibited for an individual to play on more than one table at a time
or to place multiple bets within a single box. In many U.S. casinos, however, players are limited to playing two or
three positions at a table and often only one person is allowed to bet on each position.
The dealer deals cards from his/her left (the position on the dealers far left is often referred to as rst base) to
his/her far right (third base). Each box is dealt an initial hand of two cards visible to the people playing on it, and
often to any other players. The dealers hand receives its rst card face up, and in hole card games immediately
receives its second card face down (the hole card), which the dealer peeks at but does not reveal unless it makes the
dealers hand a blackjack. Hole card games are sometimes played on tables with a small mirror or electronic sensor
that is used to peek securely at the hole card. In European casinos, no hole card games are prevalent; the dealers
second card is neither drawn nor consulted until the players have all played their hands.
Cards are dealt either from one or two handheld decks, from a dealers shoe, or from a shuing machine. Single
cards are dealt to each wagered-on position clockwise from the dealers left, followed by a single card to the dealer,
followed by an additional card to each of the positions in play. The players initial cards may be dealt face up or face
down (more common in single-deck games).
The players object is to win money by creating card totals that turn out to be higher than the dealers hand but do not
exceed 21 (busting"/"breaking), or alternatively by allowing the dealer to take additional cards until he/she busts.
On their turn, players must choose whether to hit (take a card), stand (end their turn), double (double wager,
take a single card and nish), split (if the two cards have the same value, separate them to make two hands) or
surrender (give up a half-bet and retire from the game). Number cards count as their natural value; the jack, queen,
and king (also known as face cards or pictures) count as 10; aces are valued as either 1 or 11 according to the
players choice. If the hand value exceeds 21 points, it busts, and all bets on it are immediately forfeit. After all boxes
have nished playing, the dealers hand is resolved by drawing cards until the hand busts or achieves a value of 17 or
higher (a dealer total of 17 including an ace, or soft 17, must be drawn to in some games and must stand in others).
The dealer never doubles, splits, or surrenders. If the dealer busts, all remaining player hands win. If the dealer does
not bust, each remaining bet wins if its hand is higher than the dealers, and loses if it is lower. If a player receives 21
on the 1st and 2nd card it is considered a natural 21 or blackjack and the player is paid out immediately unless
dealer also has a natural, in which case the hand ties. In the case of a tied score, known as push or stando, bets
are normally returned without adjustment; however, a blackjack beats any hand that is not a blackjack, even one with
a value of 21. An outcome of blackjack vs. blackjack results in a push. Wins are paid out at 1:1, or equal to the
wager, except for winning blackjacks, which are traditionally paid at 3:2 (meaning the player receives three dollars
for every two bet), or one-and-a-half times the wager. Many casinos today pay blackjacks at less than 3:2 at some
tables; for instance, single-deck blackjack tables often pay 6:5 for a blackjack instead of 3:2.[4]
Blackjack games almost always provide a side bet called insurance, which may be played when dealers upcard is an
ace. Additional side bets, such as Dealer Match which pays when the players cards match the dealers up card, are
sometimes available.
1.2.1
Player decisions
After receiving an initial two cards, the player has up to four standard options: hit, stand, double down, or
split. Each option has a corresponding hand signal. Some games give the player a fth option, surrender.
Hit: Take another card from the dealer.
Signal: Scrape cards against table (in handheld games); tap the table with nger or wave hand toward
body (in games dealt face up).
Stand: Take no more cards, also known as stand pat, stick, or stay.
Signal: Slide cards under chips (in handheld games); wave hand horizontally (in games dealt face up).
Double down: The player is allowed to increase the initial bet by up to 100% in exchange for committing to
stand after receiving exactly one more card. The additional bet is placed in the betting box next to the original
bet. Some games do not permit the player to increase the bet by amounts other than 100%. Non-controlling
players may double their wager or decline to do so, but they are bound by the controlling players decision to
take only one card.
Signal: Place additional chips beside the original bet outside the betting box, and point with one nger.
Split: If the rst two cards of a hand have the same value, the player can split them into two hands, by moving
a second bet equal to the rst into an area outside the betting box. The dealer separates the two cards and draws
an additional card on each, placing one bet with each hand. The player then plays out the two separate hands in
turn; except for a few restrictions, the hands are treated as independent new hands, with the player winning or
losing their wager separately for each hand. Occasionally, in the case of ten-valued cards, some casinos allow
splitting only when the cards have the identical ranks; for instance, a hand of 10-10 may be split, but not one of
10-king. However, usually all 10-value cards are treated the same. Doubling and further splitting of post-split
hands may be restricted, and blackjacks after a split are counted as non-blackjack 21 when comparing against
the dealers hand. Hitting split aces is usually not allowed. Non-controlling players may follow the controlling
player by putting down an additional bet or decline to do so, instead associating their existing wager with one
of the two post-split hands. In that case they must choose which hand to play behind before the second cards
are drawn. Some casinos do not give non-controlling players this option, and require that the wager of a player
not electing to split remains with the rst of the two post-split hands.
Signal: Place additional chips next to the original bet outside the betting box; point with two ngers
spread into a V formation.
Surrender (only available as rst decision of a hand): Some games oer the option to surrender, usually in
hole-card games and directly after the dealer has checked for blackjack (but see below for variations). When the
player surrenders, the house takes half the players bet and returns the other half to the player; this terminates
the players interest in the hand.
Signal: The request to surrender is made verbally, there being no standard hand signal.
Hand signals are used to assist the "eye in the sky", a person or video camera located above the table and sometimes
concealed behind one-way glass. The eye in the sky usually makes a video recording of the table, which helps in
resolving disputes and identifying dealer mistakes, and is also used to protect the casino against dealers who steal
chips or players who cheat. The recording can further be used to identify advantage players whose activities, while
legal, make them undesirable customers. In the event of a disagreement between a players hand signals and their
words, the hand signal takes precedence.
Each hand may normally hit as many times as desired so long as the total is not above hard 20. On reaching 21
(including soft 21), the hand is normally required to stand; busting is an irrevocable loss and the players wagers are
immediately forfeited to the house. After a bust or a stand, play proceeds to the next hand clockwise around the
table. When the last hand has nished being played, the dealer reveals the hole card, and stands or draws further
cards according to the rules of the game for dealer drawing. When the outcome of the dealers hand is established,
any hands with bets remaining on the table are resolved (usually in counterclockwise order): bets on losing hands are
forfeited, the bet on a push is left on the table, and winners are paid out.
1.3. RULE VARIATIONS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES FOR THE HOUSE EDGE
1.2.2
Insurance
If the dealers upcard is an ace, the player is oered the option of taking insurance before the dealer checks the hole
card.
Insurance is a side bet that the dealer has blackjack and is treated independently of the main wager. It pays 2:1
(meaning that the player receives two dollars for every dollar bet) and is available when the dealers exposed card
is an ace. The idea is that the dealers second card has a fairly high probability (nearly one-third) to be ten-valued,
giving the dealer blackjack and disappointment for the player. It is attractive (although not necessarily wise) for the
player to insure against the possibility of a dealer blackjack by making a maximum insurance bet, in which case the
insurance proceeds will make up for the concomitant loss on the original bet. The player may add up to half the
value of their original bet to the insurance and these extra chips are placed on a portion of the table usually marked
Insurance pays 2 to 1.
Players with a blackjack may also take insurance, and in taking maximum insurance they commit themselves to
winning an amount exactly equal to their main wager, regardless of the dealers outcome. Fully insuring a blackjack
against blackjack is thus referred to as taking even money, and paid out immediately, before the dealers hand is
resolved; the players do not need to place more chips for the insurance wager.
Insurance bets are expected to lose money in the long run, because the dealer is likely to have blackjack less than
one-third of the time. However the insurance outcome is strongly anti-correlated with that of the main wager, and if
the players priority is to reduce variation, they might choose to pay for this.
Furthermore, the insurance bet is susceptible to advantage play. It is advantageous to make an insurance bet whenever
the hole card has more than a chance of one in three of being a ten. Advantage play techniques can sometimes identify
such situations. In a multi-hand, face-up, single deck game, it is possible to establish whether insurance is a good
bet simply by observing the other cards on the table after the deal; even if there are just 2 player hands exposed, and
neither of their two initial cards is a ten, then 16 in 47 of the remaining cards are tens, which is larger than 1 in 3,
so insurance is a good bet. This is an elementary example of the family of advantage play techniques known as card
counting.
Bets to insure against blackjack are slightly less likely to be advantageous than insurance bets in general, since the ten
in the players blackjack makes it less likely that the dealer has blackjack too.[5]
1.3 Rule variations and their consequences for the house edge
The rules of casino blackjack are generally determined by law or regulation, which establishes certain rule variations
allowed at the discretion of the casino. The rules of any particular game are generally posted on or near the table,
failing which there is an expectation that casino sta will provide them on request. Over 100 variations of blackjack
have been documented.[6]
As with all casino games, blackjack incorporates a house edge, a statistical advantage for the casino that is built
into the game. The advantage of the dealers position in blackjack relative to the player comes from the fact that
if the player busts, the player loses, regardless of whether the dealer subsequently busts. Nonetheless, blackjack
players using basic strategy will lose less than 1% of their total wagered amount with strictly average luck; this is
very favorable to the player compared to other casino games. The loss rate of players who deviate from basic strategy
through ignorance is generally expected to be greater.
Dealer hits soft 17
Each game has a rule about whether the dealer must hit or stand on soft 17, which is generally printed
on the table surface. The variation where the dealer must hit soft 17 is abbreviated H17 in blackjack
literature, with S17 used for the stand-on-soft-17 variation. Substituting an H17 rule with an S17
rule in a game benets the player, decreasing the house edge by about 0.2%.
Number of decks
All things being equal, using fewer decks decreases the house edge. This mainly reects an increased
likelihood of player blackjack, since if the players draws a ten on their rst card, the subsequent proba-
Doubling down. The third card is placed at right angles to signify that the player cannot receive any more cards.
A soft 17 in blackjack. An ace and any combination of 6.
1.3. RULE VARIATIONS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES FOR THE HOUSE EDGE
bility of drawing an ace is higher with fewer decks. It also reects a decreased likelihood of blackjackblackjack push in a game with fewer decks.
Casinos generally compensate by tightening other rules in games with fewer decks, in order to preserve
the house edge or discourage play altogether. When oering single deck blackjack games, casinos are
more likely to disallow doubling on soft hands or after splitting, to restrict resplitting, require higher
minimum bets, and to pay the player less than 3:2 for a winning blackjack.
The following table illustrates the mathematical eect on the house edge of the number of decks, by
considering games with various deck counts under the following ruleset: double after split allowed,
resplit to four hands allowed, no hitting split aces, no surrender, double on any two cards, original bets
only lost on dealer blackjack, dealer hits soft 17, and cut-card used. The increase in house edge per unit
increase in the number of decks is most dramatic when comparing the single deck game to the two-deck
game, and becomes progressively smaller as more decks are added.
Late/early surrender
Surrender, for those games that allow it, is usually not permitted against a dealer blackjack; if the dealers rst card
is an ace or ten, the hole card is checked to make sure there is no blackjack before surrender is oered. This rule
protocol is consequently known as late surrender. The alternative, early surrender, gives player the option to
surrender before the dealer checks for blackjack, or in a no-hole-card game. Early surrender is much more favorable
to the player than late surrender. Most medium-strength hands should be surrendered against a dealer Ace if the hole
card has not been checked.
For late surrender, however, while it is tempting opt for surrender on any hand which will probably lose, the correct
strategy is to only surrender on the very worst hands, because having even a one in four chance of winning the full
bet is better than losing half the bet and pushing the other half, as entailed by surrendering.
Resplitting If the cards of a post-split hand have the same value, most games allow the player to split again, or
resplit. The player places a further wager and the dealer separates the new pair dealing a further card to each
as before. Some games allow unlimited resplitting, while others may limit it to a certain number of hands, such
as four hands (for example, resplit to 4).
Hit/resplit split aces After splitting aces, the common rule is that only one card will be dealt to each ace; the player
cannot split, double, or take another hit on either hand. Rule variants include allowing resplitting aces or
allowing the player to hit split aces. Games allowing aces to be resplit are not uncommon, but those allowing
the player to hit split aces are extremely rare. Allowing the player to hit hands resulting from split aces reduces
the house edge by about 0.13%; allowing resplitting of aces reduces house edge by about 0.03%. Note that a
ten-value card dealt on a split ace (or vice versa) is a soft 21 and not a natural.
No double after split After a split, most games allow doubling down on the new two-card hands. Disallowing doubling after a split increases the house edge by about 0.12%.
Double on 9/10/11 or 10/11 only Under the "Reno rule, double down is only permitted on hard totals of 9, 10, or
11 (under a similar European rule, only 10 or 11). Basic strategy would otherwise call for some doubling down
with hard 9 and soft 1318, and advanced players can identify situations where doubling on soft 1920 and
hard 8,7 and even 6 is advantageous. The Reno rule prevents the player from taking advantage of double down
in these situations and thereby increases the players expected loss. The Reno rule increases the house edge by
around one in 1000, and its European version by around two in 1000.
No hole card and OBO
In most non-U.S. casinos, a 'no hole card' game is played, meaning that the dealer does not draw nor consult his or
her second card until after all players have nished making decisions. With no hole card, it is almost never correct
basic strategy to double or split against a dealer ten or ace, since a dealer blackjack will result in the loss of the split
and double bets; the only exception is with a pair of As against a dealer 10, where it is still correct to split. In all
other cases, a stand, hit or surrender is called for. For instance, holding 11 against a dealer 10, the correct strategy is
to double in a hole card game (where the player knows the dealers second card is not an ace), but to hit in a no hole
card game. The no hole card rule adds approximately 0.11% to the house edge.
The original bets only rule variation appearing in certain no hole card games states that if the players hand loses to
a dealer blackjack, only the mandatory initial bet (original) is forfeited, and all optional bets, meaning doubles and
splits, are pushed. Original bets only is also known by the acronym OBO; it has the same eect on basic strategy
and house edge as reverting to a hole card game.[7]
Altered payout for a winning blackjack In many casinos, a blackjack pays only 6:5 or even 1:1 instead of the
usual 3:2. This is usually at tables with the lowest table minimums and single-deck games. Among common
rule variations in the U.S., these altered payouts for blackjack are the most damaging to the player, causing
the greatest increase in house edge. Since blackjack occurs in approximately 4.8% of hands, the 1:1 game
increases the house edge by 2.3%, while the 6:5 game adds 1.4% to the house edge. Video blackjack machines
generally pay 1:1 payout for a blackjack. The 6:5 rule is most commonly employed on table blackjack at single
deck games, where they help the house to compensate for low house edge intrinsic in using one deck only.[4]
Dealer wins ties The rule that bets on tied hands are lost rather than pushed is catastrophic to the player. Though
rarely used in standard blackjack, it is sometimes seen in blackjack-like games such as in some charity casinos.
1.4 Blackjack strategy

1.4.1
Basic strategy
Each blackjack game has a basic strategy, which is playing a hand of any total value against any dealers up-card,
which loses the least money to the house in the long term.
An example of basic strategy is shown in the table below, and includes the following parameters:[8]
Four to eight decks
The dealer stands on a soft 17
A double is allowed after a split
Only original bets are lost on dealer blackjack
Key:
S = Stand
H = Hit
Dh = Double (if not allowed, then hit)
Ds = Double (if not allowed, then stand)
SP = Split
SU = Surrender (if not allowed, then hit)
The bulk of basic strategy is common to all blackjack games, with most rule variations calling for changes in only a
few situations. For example, if the above game used the hit on soft 17 rule, common in Las Vegas Strip casinos, only
6 cells of the table would need to be changed: double on 11 vs. A, surrender 15 or 17 vs. A, double on A,7 vs. 2,
double on A,8 vs. 6, surrender (if not allowed, then hit) on 8,8 vs. A. Also when playing basic strategy never take
insurance or even money.[8]
Estimates of the house edge for blackjack games quoted by casinos and gaming regulators are generally based on
the assumption that the players follow basic strategy and do not systematically change their bet size. Most blackjack games have a house edge of between 0.5% and 1%, placing blackjack among the cheapest casino table games.
Casino promotions such as complimentary matchplay vouchers or 2:1 blackjack payouts allow the player to acquire
an advantage without deviating from basic strategy.
1.4. BLACKJACK STRATEGY
1.4.2
Composition-dependent strategy
Basic strategy is based upon a players point total and the dealers visible card. Players may be able to improve on this
decision by considering the precise composition of their hand, not just the point total. For example, players should
ordinarily stand when holding 12 against a dealer 4. However, in a single deck game, players should hit if their 12
consists of a 10 and a 2. The presence of a 10 in the players hand has two consequences:[9]
It makes the players 12 a worse hand to stand on (since the only way to avoid losing is for the dealer to go bust,
which is less likely if there are fewer 10s left in the shoe).
It makes hitting safer, since the only way of going bust is to draw a 10, and this is less likely with a 10 already
in the hand.
However, even when basic and composition-dependent strategy lead to dierent actions, the dierence in expected
reward is small, and it becomes even smaller with more decks. Using a composition-dependent strategy rather than
basic strategy in a single deck game reduces the house edge by 4 in 10,000, which falls to 3 in 100,000 for a six-deck
game.[10]
1.4.3
Advantage play
Main article: Advantage player

Blackjack has been a high-prole target for advantage players since the 1960s. Advantage play is the attempt to win
more using honest skills such as memory, computation, and observation. These techniques, while generally legal,
can be powerful enough to give the player a long-term edge in the game, making them an undesirable customer for
the casino and potentially leading to ejection or blacklisting if they are detected. The main techniques of advantage
play in blackjack are as follows:
Card counting
Main article: Card counting
During the course of a blackjack shoe, the dealer exposes the dealt cards. Careful accounting of the exposed cards
allows a player to make inferences about the cards which remain to be dealt. These inferences can be used in the
following ways:
Players can make larger bets when they have an advantage. For example, the players can increase the starting
bet if there are many aces and tens left in the deck, in the hope of hitting a blackjack.
Players can deviate from basic strategy according to the composition of their undealt cards. For example, with
many tens left in the deck, players might double down in more situations since there is a better chance of getting
a good hand.
A card counting system assigns a point score to each rank of card (e.g., 1 point for 26, 0 points for 79 and 1
point for 10A). When a card is exposed, a counter adds the score of that card to a running total, the 'count'. A card
counter uses this count to make betting and playing decisions according to a table which they have learned. The count
starts at 0 for a freshly shued deck for balanced counting systems. Unbalanced counts are often started at a value
which depends on the number of decks used in the game.
Blackjacks house edge is usually between 0.5%1% when players use basic strategy.[11] Card counting can give the
player an edge of up to 2% over the house.[12]
Card counting is most rewarding near the end of a complete shoe when as few as possible cards remain. Single-deck
games are therefore particularly susceptible to card counting. As a result, casinos are more likely to insist that players
do not reveal their cards to one another in single-deck games. In games with more decks of cards, casinos limit
penetration by ending the shoe and reshuing when one or more decks remain undealt. Casinos also sometimes use
a shuing machine to reintroduce the exhausted cards every time a deck has been played.
10
Card counting is legal and is not considered cheating as long as the counter isn't using an external device,[13] but if a
casino realizes a player is counting, the casino might inform them that they are no longer welcome to play blackjack.
Sometimes a casino might ban a card counter from the property.[14]
The use of external devices to help counting cards is illegal in all US states that license blackjack card games.[15]
Shue tracking
Main article: Shue tracking
Techniques other than card counting can swing the advantage of casino blackjack toward the player. All such
techniques are based on the value of the cards to the player and the casino as originally conceived by Edward O.
Thorp.[16][17] One technique, mainly applicable in multi-deck games, involves tracking groups of cards (also known
as slugs, clumps, or packs) during the play of the shoe, following them through the shue, and then playing and
betting accordingly when those cards come into play from the new shoe. Shue tracking requires excellent eyesight
and powers of visual estimation but is more dicult to detect since the players actions are largely unrelated to the
composition of the cards in the shoe.[18]
Arnold Snyders articles in Blackjack Forum magazine brought shue tracking to the general public. His book, The
Shue Trackers Cookbook, mathematically analyzed the player edge available from shue tracking based on the
actual size of the tracked slug. Jerry L. Patterson also developed and published a shue-tracking method for tracking
favorable clumps of cards and cutting them into play and tracking unfavorable clumps of cards and cutting them out
of play.[19][20][21]
Identifying concealed cards
The player can also gain an advantage by identifying cards from distinctive wear markings on their backs, or by hole
carding (observing during the dealing process the front of a card dealt face down). These methods are generally legal
although their status in particular jurisdictions may vary.
1.5 Side bets

Many blackjack tables oer a side bet on various outcomes including:[22]
Player hand and dealers up card sum to 19, 20, or 21 (Lucky Lucky)
Player initial hand is a pair (Perfect pairs)
Player initial hand is suited, suited and connected, or a suited K-Q (Royal match)
Player initial hand plus dealers card makes a ush, straight, or three-of-a-kind poker hand (21+3)
Player initial hand totals 20 (Lucky Ladies)
Dealer upcard is in between the value of the players two cards (In Bet)
First card drawn to the dealer will result in a dealer bust (Bust It!")
One or both of the players cards is the same as the dealers card (Match the Dealer)
Player allowed to make optional second hand, and eectively receive the hand of 10,8, or 18 without drawings
cards (Instant 18)
The side wager is typically placed in a designated area next to the box for the main wager. A player wishing to wager
on a side bet is usually required to place a wager on blackjack. Some games require that the blackjack wager should
equal or exceed any side bet wager. A non-controlling player of a blackjack hand is usually permitted to place a side
bet regardless of whether the controlling player does so.
The house edge for side bets is generally far higher than for the blackjack game itself. Nonetheless side bets can be
susceptible to card counting. A side count, designed specically for a particular side bet, can improve the player edge.
1.6. BLACKJACK TOURNAMENTS
11
Most side games do not oer a sucient win rate to justify the eort of advantage play; exceptions include Lucky
ladies and Over/Under.
In team play it is common for team members to be dedicated toward counting only a sidebet using a specialized count.
1.6 Blackjack tournaments

Blackjack can be played in tournament form. Players start with an equal numbers of chips; the goal is to nish among
the top chip-holders. Depending on the number of competitors, tournaments may be held over several rounds, with
one or two players qualifying from each table after a set number of deals to meet the qualiers from the other tables in
the next round. Another tournament format, Elimination Blackjack, drops the lowest-stacked player from the table at
pre-determined points in the tournament. Good strategy for blackjack tournaments can dier from non-tournament
strategy because of the added dimension of choosing the amount to be wagered. As in poker tournaments, players
pay the casino an initial entry fee to participate in a tournament, and re-buys are sometimes permitted.
1.7 Video blackjack

Some casinos, as well as general betting outlets, provide blackjack among a selection of casino-style games at electronic consoles. Video blackjack game rules are generally more favorable to the house; e.g., paying out only even
money for winning blackjacks. Video and online blackjack games deal each coup from a fresh shoe, rendering card
counting much less eective.
1.8 Variants of the game

Blackjack is a member of a large family of traditional card games played recreationally all around the world. Most
of these games have not been adapted for casino play. Furthermore, the casino game development industry is very
active in producing blackjack variants, most of which are ultimately not adopted for widespread use in casinos. The
following are the prominent twenty-one themed comparing card games which have been adapted or invented for use
in casinos and have become established in the gambling industry.
Spanish 21 provides players with many liberal blackjack rules, such as doubling down any number of cards
(with the option to rescue, or surrender only one wager to the house), payout bonuses for ve or more card 21s,
678 21s, 777 21s, late surrender, and player blackjacks always winning and player 21s always winning, at
the cost of having no 10 cards in the deck (though there are jacks, queens, and kings). An unlicensed version
of Spanish 21 played without a hole card is found in Australian casinos under the name Pontoon (presumably
borrowed from the British recreational blackjack-like game Pontoon which has substantially dierent rules).
21st-Century Blackjack (also known as Vegas Style Blackjack) is found in California card rooms. In this
form of the game, a player bust does not always result in an automatic loss; depending on the casino, the player
can still push if the dealer busts as well, although the dealer typically has to bust with a higher total.
Double Exposure Blackjack deals the rst two cards of the dealers hand face up. Blackjacks pay even money,
and players lose on ties; also, they can neither buy insurance nor can they surrender their hand (as both dealers
cards are exposed at the outset).
Double Attack Blackjack has very liberal blackjack rules and the option of increasing ones wager after seeing
the dealers up card. This game is dealt from a Spanish shoe, and blackjacks only pay even money.
Blackjack Switch is played over two hands whose second cards the player is allowed to interchange. For
example, if the player is dealt 106 and 510, then the player can switch two cards to make hands of 1010
and 65. Natural blackjacks are paid 1:1 instead of the standard 3:2, and a dealer 22 is a push.
Multiple Action Blackjack involves a player placing between 2 or 3 bets on a single hand. The dealer then
gets a hand for each bet the player places on a hand. This essentially doubles the number of hands a single
dealer can play per hour. Splitting and doubling are still allowed, but often limited due to limited space on the
felt for additional chips. Strategy for this game is the same as strategy for conventional blackjack regardless of
how many places are bet.
12
Super Fun 21 allows a player to split a hand up to four times. If the player has six cards totaling 20, he
automatically wins. Wins are paid 1:1.
Examples of the many local traditional and recreational blackjack-like games include French/German Blackjack,
called Vingt-et-un (French: Twenty-one) or Siebzehn und Vier (German: Seventeen and Four). The French/German
game does not allow splitting. An ace can only count as eleven, but two aces count as a blackjack. It is mostly played
in private circles and barracks. A British variation is called Pontoon, the name being probably a corruption of
Vingt-et-un.
1.8.1
TV show variations
Blackjack is also featured in various television shows. Here are a few shows inspired by the game.
Gambit was a game show with Wink Martindale where couples answer questions to collect cards that could
add up to 21.
Catch 21 is a game show with Alfonso Ribeiro from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. On this show, three players
answer questions to earn cards in order to win cash and ties are not allowed.
From 1980 to 2006, there was a blackjack-based pricing game on The Price is Right, called Hit Me. In this
game, six grocery products were used, and ve of those products prices were multiplied by various numbers
from 2 to 10, with the one remaining product having the exact price. In order to win a large prize, the contestant
had to achieve a score of 21 (which was usually done by picking a product whose price was multiplied by ten
and the one that was correctly priced), or beat the house with any score that did not exceed 21.
1.9 Blackjack Hall of Fame

Main article: Blackjack Hall of Fame
In 2002, professional gamblers around the world were invited to nominate great blackjack players for admission into
the Blackjack Hall of Fame. Seven members were inducted in 2002, with new people inducted every year after. The
Hall of Fame is at the Barona Casino in San Diego. Members include Edward O. Thorp, author of the 1960s book
Beat the Dealer which proved that the game could be beaten with a combination of basic strategy and card counting;
Ken Uston, who popularized the concept of team play; Arnold Snyder, author and editor of the Blackjack Forum
trade journal; Stanford Wong, author and popularizer of the Wonging technique of only playing at a positive count,
and several others.
1.10 Blackjack in the arts

Novels have been written around blackjack and the claimed possibility of winning it methodically. Among these were
'The Blackjack Hijack' (Charles Einstein, 1976), later played as a TV movie Nowhere to Run (1978 lm), Bringing
Down the House (Ben Mezrich), also lmed as Twenty-one (1991 lm) and again 17 years later in the 21 (2008 lm),
an almost identical theme was shown in the Canadian 2004 lm The Last Casino.
Movies titled 21 or Twenty One, depicting the blackjack game as a central theme have been produced and released
in 1918 (starring Bryant Washburn) and in 1923 (starring Richard Barthelmess). In 'The Hangover', an American
produced comedy, four friends try to follow the instructions in Beat the Dealer by Edward Thorp, but get drunk
and forget what they had achieved or not. In Rain Man, Raymond (Dustin Homan), an autistic savant is able to win
at blackjack by counting cards, a central part of the plot.
1.11 See also

Glossary of blackjack terms
MIT Blackjack Team
1.12. BLACKJACK LITERATURE
13
1.12 Blackjack literature

Beat the Dealer : A Winning Strategy for the Game of Twenty-One, Edward O. Thorp, 1966, ISBN 978-0-39470310-7
Blackbelt in Blackjack, Arnold Snyder, 1998 (1980), ISBN 978-0-910575-05-8
Blackjack and the Law, I. Nelson Rose and Robert A. Loeb, 1998, ISBN 0-910575-08-8
Blackjack: A Winners Handbook, Jerry L. Patterson, 2001, (1978), ISBN 978-0-399-52683-1
Ken Uston on Blackjack, Ken Uston, 1986, ISBN 978-0-8184-0411-5
Knock-Out Blackjack, Olaf Vancura and Ken Fuchs, 1998, ISBN 978-0-929712-31-4
Luck, Logic, and White Lies: The Mathematics of Games, Jrg Bewersdor, 2004, ISBN 978-1-56881-210-6,
121134, supplement: Blackjack calculator (JavaScript)
Million Dollar Blackjack, Ken Uston, 1994 (1981), ISBN 978-0-89746-068-2
Playing Blackjack as a Business, Lawrence Revere, 1998 (1971), ISBN 978-0-8184-0064-3
Professional Blackjack, Stanford Wong, 1994 (1975), ISBN 978-0-935926-21-7
The Theory of Blackjack, Peter Grin, 1996 (1979), ISBN 978-0-929712-12-3
The Theory of Gambling and Statistical Logic, Richard A. Epstein, 1977, ISBN 978-0-12-240761-1, 215251
The Worlds Greatest Blackjack Book, Lance Humble and Carl Cooper, 1980, ISBN 978-0-385-15382-9
The Blackjack Life, Nathaniel Tilton, 2012, ISBN 978-1935396338
BlackjackinColor
Regulation in the United Kingdom
The Gaming Clubs (Bankers Games) No. 2899 Regulation 7 1994
The Gaming Clubs (Bankers Games) (Amendment) No. 597 Regulation 3 2000
The Gaming Clubs (Bankers Games)(Amendment) No. 1130 Regulation 2 2002
1.13 References
[1] Scarnes New Complete Guide to Gambling, p. 342
[2] Fontbona, Marc (2008). Historia del Juego en Espaa. De la Hispania romana a nuestros das. Barcelona: Flor del Viento
Ediciones. p. 89. ISBN 978-84-96495-30-2.
[3] The History of Blackjack. Casino.org. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
[4] Taking a hit: New blackjack odds further tilt advantage toward the house by Je Haney, Las Vegas Sun, November 13,
2003.
[5] Blackjack Insurance Exceptions
[6] QFIT.com 100+ Blackjack variations
[7] Modern Blackjack page 39
[8] 4-Deck to 8-Deck Blackjack Strategy - Wizard of Odds. Wizard of Odds Consulting, Inc. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
[9] The Wizard of Odds. Fine points of basic strategy in single-deck blackjack. Retrieved December 8, 2006.
[10] The Wizard of Odds. Total Dependent and Composition Dependent Basic Strategy in Blackjack. Retrieved December 19,
2006.
14
[11] Rules & House Edge Table

[12] Theory of Blackjack, p. 5
[13] Theory of Blackjack, pp 67
[14] Thorp, Edward O. (1966) Beat The Dealer, Vintage Books, a Division of Random House, ISBN 978-0-394-70310-7, pp
132136
[15] US State Gambling Laws
[16] Edward Thorp: A Favorable Strategy for Twenty-One, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United
States of America, Vol. 47, No. 1, 1961, pp. 110112, JSTOR, archive of PNAS.
[17] The Mathematics of Gambling at the Wayback Machine (archived September 1, 2004)
[18] Shue Tracking Counts
[19] The Gambling Times Guide to Blackjack; Gambling Times Incorporated, Hollywood, CA; 1984; Page 110; ISBN 0-89746015-4 Shue-Tracking An Easy Way to Start
[20] Break the Dealer; by Jerry L. Patterson and Eddie Olsen; Perigee Books; A Division of Penguin Putnam; 1986; ISBN
0-399-51233-0 Shue-Tracking; Chapter 6, Page 83
[21] Blackjack: A Winners Handbook; by Jerry L. Patterson; Perigee Books; A Division of Penguin Putnam; 1990; ISBN
0-399-51598-4 Shue-Tracking; Chapter 4, Page 51
[22] Blackjack side bets analyzed by The Wizard of Odds
1.14 External links

Search for Blackjack at DMOZ
Chapter 2
Blackjack Hall of Fame

The Blackjack Hall of Fame honors the greatest blackjack experts, authors, and professional players in history. It
was launched in 2002, and its physical premises are in San Diego, California.
2.1 History
The Blackjack Hall of Fame is housed at the Barona Casino, in San Diego, California. The Barona Casino awards to
each inductee a permanent lifetime comp for full room, food, and beverage, in exchange for each members agreement
never to play on Baronas tables.[1]
In winter 2002, a diverse selection of 21 blackjack experts, authors, and professional players were nominated for
membership in the Blackjack Hall of Fame. The public was allowed to vote for about a month through the Internet.
The nal voting was completed at the January 2003 Blackjack Ball, an event open only to selected professional blackjack players and experts and hosted by blackjack author Max Rubin,[1] whereby the rst 7 members were inducted.[1]
The following year, at the 2004 Blackjack Ball, 2 more inductees were added, again with primary voting done by
professional gamblers at the Ball. Nomination of candidates, after 2006, has become the permanent responsibility of
the members of the Blackjack Hall of Fame themselves[2] whilst the vote on the candidates that have been nominated
is conducted by the invitees to the Blackjack Ball.[3] The Hall of Famers inducted 2 more members per year through
2006, and then agreed to drop to only 1 person per year.
However, in late 2007, 4 new members, were inducted in the Hall of Fame as a group.[4]
2.2 Inductees
The current members of the Blackjack Hall of Fame are the following:
Al Francesco, 2002, one of the founders of the concept of blackjack teams.
Peter Grin, 2002, mathematician, theoretical pioneer and author of The Theory of Blackjack.
Arnold Snyder, 2002, former professional player, author and editor of Blackjack Forum.
Edward O. Thorp, 2002, author of the 1960s classic Beat the Dealer
Ken Uston, 2002, professional player and author who popularized the concept of team play, often playing in
disguise and successfully suing the Atlantic City casinos for the rights of card counters.
Stanford Wong, 2002, author and popularizer of the strategy known as Wonging.
Tommy Hyland, 2002, manager of one of the longest-running blackjack teams.
Max Rubin, 2004, expert and author, known for media reporting about gambling events, and optimizing casino
comps.
15
16
CHAPTER 2. BLACKJACK HALL OF FAME
The Blackjack Hall of Fame at the Barona Casino
Keith Taft, 2004, inventor who manufactured hidden computerized devices to aid advantage play.
Julian Braun, 2005, pioneering author who used computers to analyze blackjack statistics.
Lawrence Revere, 2005, author of Playing Blackjack as a Business and blackjack teacher
James Grosjean, 2006, computer analyst and professional player, author of the classic Beyond Counting, who
successfully sued casinos and the Grin Agency.
2.3. REFERENCES
17
John Chang, 2007, former manager of the MIT Blackjack Team; was the basis for the Mickey Rosa character
in the movie 21.
Roger Baldwin, Wilbert Cantey, Herbert Maisel and James McDermott, 2008, collectively known as The
Four Horsemen of Aberdeen[5] who, while serving in the U.S. Army in the 1950s, discovered and published
in the Journal of the American Statistical Association the rst accurate basic strategy for Blackjack, using only
desk calculators.
Richard W. Munchkin, 2009, blackjack and backgammon expert,[6] author,[7] lm director and producer.[8]
Darryl Purpose, 2010, former professional advantage player and performing songwriter.[9]
Zeljko Ranogajec, 2011,[10] professional gambler from Australia, former blackjack professional player.
Ian Andersen, 2012, expert and author[11][12]
Robert Nersesian, 2013, Las Vegas lawyer specializing in lawsuits by players against casinos.
Don Schlesinger, 2014, author, researcher, columnist, editor of numerous blackjack books, and long-time
Blackjack player.[13]
2.3 References
[1] Blackjack Hero
[2] Blackjack Forum
[3] ThePOGG Interviews - Arnold Snyder Blackjack Hall of Fame Inductee. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
[4] Las Vegas Sun : They invented Basic Strategy
[5] Yvonne Shinhoster Lamb (6 July 2008). Mathematician Co-Authored Guide to Winning at Blackjack. The Washington
Post.
[6] A Prole of Richard Munchkin BlackjackHero.com, 2008
[7] Gambling Wizards: Conversations with the Worlds Greatest Gamblers Huntington Press, April 2003, ISBN 978-0-92971205-5
[8] Richard Munchkin at the IMDB.com
[9] Darryl Purpose web site.
[10] 2011 Blackjack Ball, Blackjack Insider
[11] Turning the Tables on Las Vegas Vintage, February 1978, ISBN 978-0-394-72509-3
[12] Burning the Tables in Las Vegas: Keys to Success in Blackjack and in Life (Gambling Theories Methods) Huntington Press,
March 2003, ISBN 978-0-929712-84-0
[13] 2015 Blackjack Ball by Henry Tamburin, Blackjack Insider website
Coordinates: 325612N 1165235W / 32.93667N 116.87639W
Chapter 3
Gambling mathematics
The mathematics of gambling are a collection of probability applications encountered in games of chance and can
be included in game theory. From a mathematical point of view, the games of chance are experiments generating
various types of aleatory events, the probability of which can be calculated by using the properties of probability on
a nite space of events.
3.1 Experiments, events, probability spaces

The technical processes of a game stand for experiments that generate aleatory events. Here are few examples:
Throwing the dice in craps is an experiment that generates events such as occurrences of certain numbers on
the dice, obtaining a certain sum of the shown numbers, and obtaining numbers with certain properties (less
than a specic number, higher than a specic number, even, uneven, and so on). The sample space of such an
experiment is {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} for rolling one die or {(1, 1), (1, 2), ..., (1, 6), (2, 1), (2, 2), ..., (2, 6), ..., (6, 1),
(6, 2), ..., (6, 6)} for rolling two dice. The latter is a set of ordered pairs and counts 6 x 6 = 36 elements. The
events can be identied with sets, namely parts of the sample space. For example, the event occurrence of an
even number is represented by the following set in the experiment of rolling one die: {2, 4, 6}.
Spinning the roulette wheel is an experiment whose generated events could be the occurrence of a certain
number, of a certain color or a certain property of the numbers (low, high, even, uneven, from a certain row
or column, and so on). The sample space of the experiment involving spinning the roulette wheel is the set of
numbers the roulette holds: {1, 2, 3, ..., 36, 0, 00} for the American roulette, or {1, 2, 3, ..., 36, 0} for the
European. The event occurrence of a red number is represented by the set {1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19,
21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34, 36}. These are the numbers inscribed in red on the roulette wheel and table.
Dealing cards in blackjack is an experiment that generates events such as the occurrence of a certain card or
value as the rst card dealt, obtaining a certain total of points from the rst two cards dealt, exceeding 21
points from the rst three cards dealt, and so on. In card games we encounter many types of experiments
and categories of events. Each type of experiment has its own sample space. For example, the experiment of
dealing the rst card to the rst player has as its sample space the set of all 52 cards (or 104, if played with
two decks). The experiment of dealing the second card to the rst player has as its sample space the set of all
52 cards (or 104), less the rst card dealt. The experiment of dealing the rst two cards to the rst player has
as its sample space a set of ordered pairs, namely all the 2-size arrangements of cards from the 52 (or 104).
In a game with one player, the event the player is dealt a card of 10 points as the rst dealt card is represented
by the set of cards {10, 10, 10, 10, J, J, J, J, Q, Q, Q, Q, K, K, K, K}. The
event the player is dealt a total of ve points from the rst two dealt cards is represented by the set of 2-size
combinations of card values {(A, 4), (2, 3)}, which in fact counts 4 x 4 + 4 x 4 = 32 combinations of cards (as
value and symbol).
In 6/49 lottery, the experiment of drawing six numbers from the 49 generate events such as drawing six specic
numbers, drawing ve numbers from six specic numbers, drawing four numbers from six specic numbers,
drawing at least one number from a certain group of numbers, etc. The sample space here is the set of all 6-size
combinations of numbers from the 49.
18
3.2. THE PROBABILITY MODEL
19
In draw poker, the experiment of dealing the initial ve card hands generates events such as dealing at least one
certain card to a specic player, dealing a pair to at least two players, dealing four identical symbols to at least
one player, and so on. The sample space in this case is the set of all 5-card combinations from the 52 (or the
deck used).
Dealing two cards to a player who has discarded two cards is another experiment whose sample space is now
the set of all 2-card combinations from the 52, less the cards seen by the observer who solves the probability
problem. For example, if you are in play in the above situation and want to gure out some odds regarding
your hand, the sample space you should consider is the set of all 2-card combinations from the 52, less the
three cards you hold and less the two cards you discarded. This sample space counts the 2-size combinations
from 47.
3.2 The probability model

A probability model starts from an experiment and a mathematical structure attached to that experiment, namely the
space (eld) of events. The event is the main unit probability theory works on. In gambling, there are many categories
of events, all of which can be textually predened. In the previous examples of gambling experiments we saw some
of the events that experiments generate. They are a minute part of all possible events, which in fact is the set of all
parts of the sample space.
For a specic game, the various types of events can be:
Events related to your own play or to opponents play;
Events related to one persons play or to several persons play;
Immediate events or long-shot events.
Each category can be further divided into several other subcategories, depending on the game referred to. These
events can be literally dened, but it must be done very carefully when framing a probability problem. From a
mathematical point of view, the events are nothing more than subsets and the space of events is a Boolean algebra.
Among these events, we nd elementary and compound events, exclusive and nonexclusive events, and independent
and non-independent events.
In the experiment of rolling a die:
Event {3, 5} (whose literal denition is occurrence of 3 or 5) is compound because {3, 5}= {3} U {5};
Events {1}, {2}, {3}, {4}, {5}, {6} are elementary;
Events {3, 5} and {4} are incompatible or exclusive because their intersection is empty; that is, they cannot
occur simultaneously;
Events {1, 2, 5} and {2, 5} are nonexclusive, because their intersection is not empty;
In the experiment of rolling two dice one after another, the events obtaining 3 on the rst die and obtaining 5 on
the second die are independent because the occurrence of the second event is not inuenced by the occurrence
of the rst, and vice versa.
In the experiment of dealing the pocket cards in Texas Holdem Poker:
The event of dealing (3, 3) to a player is an elementary event;
The event of dealing two 3s to a player is compound because is the union of events (3, 3), (3, 3), (3,
3), (3, 3), (3, 3) and (3, 3);
The events player 1 is dealt a pair of kings and player 2 is dealt a pair of kings are nonexclusive (they can both
occur);
The events player 1 is dealt two connectors of hearts higher than J and player 2 is dealt two connectors of hearts
higher than J are exclusive (only one can occur);
20
CHAPTER 3. GAMBLING MATHEMATICS

The events player 1 is dealt (7, K) and player 2 is dealt (4, Q) are non-independent (the occurrence of the second
depends on the occurrence of the rst, while the same deck is in use).
These are a few examples of gambling events, whose properties of compoundness, exclusiveness and independency
are easily observable. These properties are very important in practical probability calculus.
The complete mathematical model is given by the probability eld attached to the experiment, which is the triple
sample spaceeld of eventsprobability function. For any game of chance, the probability model is of the simplest
typethe sample space is nite, the space of events is the set of parts of the sample space, implicitly nite, too, and
the probability function is given by the denition of probability on a nite space of events:
3.3 Combinations
Games of chance are also good examples of combinations, permutations and arrangements, which are met at every
step: combinations of cards in a players hand, on the table or expected in any card game; combinations of numbers
when rolling several dice once; combinations of numbers in lottery and bingo; combinations of symbols in slots;
permutations and arrangements in a race to be bet on, and the like. Combinatorial calculus is an important part of
gambling probability applications. In games of chance, most of the gambling probability calculus in which we use
the classical denition of probability reverts to counting combinations. The gaming events can be identied with sets,
which often are sets of combinations. Thus, we can identify an event with a combination.
For example, in a ve draw poker game, the event at least one player holds a four of a kind formation can be identied
with the set of all combinations of (xxxxy) type, where x and y are distinct values of cards. This set has 13C(4,4)(524)=624 combinations. Possible combinations are (3 3 3 3 J) or (7 7 7 7 2). These can be identied
with elementary events that the event to be measured consists of.
3.4 Expectation and strategy

Games of chance are not merely pure applications of probability calculus and gaming situations are not just isolated
events whose numerical probability is well established through mathematical methods; they are also games whose
progress is inuenced by human action. In gambling, the human element has a striking character. The player is not
only interested in the mathematical probability of the various gaming events, but he or she has expectations from the
games while a major interaction exists. To obtain favorable results from this interaction, gamblers take into account
all possible information, including statistics, to build gaming strategies. The predicted future gain or loss is called
expectation or expected value and is the sum of the probability of each possible outcome of the experiment multiplied
by its payo (value). Thus, it represents the average amount one expects to win per bet if bets with identical odds are
repeated many times. A game or situation in which the expected value for the player is zero (no net gain nor loss) is
called a fair game. The attribute fair refers not to the technical process of the game, but to the chance balance house
(bank)player.
Even though the randomness inherent in games of chance would seem to ensure their fairness (at least with respect
to the players around a tableshuing a deck or spinning a wheel do not favor any player except if they are fraudulent), gamblers always search and wait for irregularities in this randomness that will allow them to win. It has been
mathematically proved that, in ideal conditions of randomness, no long-run regular winning is possible for players
of games of chance. Most gamblers accept this premise, but still work on strategies to make them win over the long
run.
3.5 House advantage or edge

Casino games generally provide a predictable long-term advantage to the casino, or house, while oering the player
the possibility of a large short-term payout. Some casino games have a skill element, where the player makes decisions;
such games are called random with a tactical element. While it is possible through skilful play to minimize the
house advantage, it is extremely rare that a player has sucient skill to completely eliminate his inherent long-term
disadvantage (the house edge or house vigorish) in a casino game. Such a skill set would involve years of training, an
extraordinary memory and numeracy, and/or acute visual or even aural observation, as in the case of wheel clocking
in Roulette.
3.6. STANDARD DEVIATION
21
The players disadvantage is a result of the casino not paying winning wagers according to the games true odds,
which are the payouts that would be expected considering the odds of a wager either winning or losing. For example,
if a game is played by wagering on the number that would result from the roll of one die, true odds would be 5 times
the amount wagered since there is a 1/6 probability of any single number appearing. However, the casino may only
pay 4 times the amount wagered for a winning wager.
The house edge (HE) or vigorish is dened as the casino prot expressed as a percentage of the players original bet.
In games such as Blackjack or Spanish 21, the nal bet may be several times the original bet, if the player doubles or
splits.
Example: In American Roulette, there are two zeroes and 36 non-zero numbers (18 red and 18 black). If a player
bets $1 on red, his chance of winning $1 is therefore 18/38 and his chance of losing $1 (or winning -$1) is 20/38.
The players expected value, EV = (18/38 x 1) + (20/38 x 1) = 18/38 - 20/38 = 2/38 = 5.26%. Therefore, the
house edge is 5.26%. After 10 rounds, play $1 per round, the average house prot will be 10 x $1 x 5.26% = $0.53.
Of course, it is not possible for the casino to win exactly 53 cents; this gure is the average casino prot from each
player if it had millions of players each betting 10 rounds at $1 per round.
The house edge of casino games vary greatly with the game. Keno can have house edges up to 25%, slot machines
can have up to 15%, while most Australian Pontoon games have house edges between 0.3% and 0.4%.
The calculation of the Roulette house edge was a trivial exercise; for other games, this is not usually the case. Combinatorial analysis and/or computer simulation is necessary to complete the task.
In games which have a skill element, such as Blackjack or Spanish 21, the house edge is dened as the house advantage
from optimal play (without the use of advanced techniques such as card counting or shue tracking), on the rst hand
of the shoe (the container that holds the cards). The set of the optimal plays for all possible hands is known as basic
strategy and is highly dependent on the specic rules, and even the number of decks used. Good Blackjack and
Spanish 21 games have house edges below 0.5%.
3.6 Standard deviation

The luck factor in a casino game is quantied using standard deviation (SD). The standard deviation of a simple game
like Roulette can be simply calculated because of the binomial distribution of successes (assuming a result of 1 unit
for a win, and 0 units for a loss). For the binomial distribution, SD is equal to npq , where n is the number of rounds
played, p is the probability of winning, and q is the probability of losing. Furthermore, if we at bet at 10 units per
round instead of 1 unit, the range of possible outcomes increases 10 fold. Therefore, SD for Roulette even-money
bet is equal to 2b npq , where b is the at bet per round, n is the number of rounds, p = 18/38 , and q = 20/38 .
After enough large number of rounds the theoretical distribution of the total win converges to the normal distribution,
giving a good possibility to forecast the possible win or loss. For
example, after 100 rounds at $1 per round, the
standard deviation of the win (equally of the loss) will be 2 $1 100 18/38 20/38 $9.99 . After 100 rounds,
the expected loss will be 100 $1 2/38 $5.26 .
The 3 sigma range is six times the standard deviation: three above the mean, and three below. Therefore, after
100 rounds betting $1 per round, the result will very probably be somewhere between $5.26 3 $9.99 and
$5.26 + 3 $9.99 , i.e., between -$34 and $24. There is still a ca. 1 to 400 chance that the result will be not in this
range, i.e. either the win will exceed $24, or the loss will exceed $34.
The standard deviation for the even-money Roulette bet is one of the lowest out of all casinos games. Most games,
particularly slots, have extremely high standard deviations. As the size of the potential payouts increase, so does the
standard deviation.
Unfortunately, the above considerations for small numbers of rounds are incorrect, because the distribution is far
from normal. Moreover, the results of more volatile games usually converge to the normal distribution much more
slowly, therefore much more huge number of rounds are required for that.
As the number of rounds increases, eventually, the expected loss will exceed the standard deviation, many times
over. From the formula, we can see the standard deviation is proportional to the square root of the number of rounds
played, while the expected loss is proportional to the number of rounds played. As the number of rounds increases,
the expected loss increases at a much faster rate. This is why it is practically impossible for a gambler to win in the
long term (if they don't have an edge). It is the high ratio of short-term standard deviation to expected loss that fools
gamblers into thinking that they can win.
22
CHAPTER 3. GAMBLING MATHEMATICS
The volatility index (VI) is dened as the

standard deviation for one round, betting one unit. Therefore, the VI for
the even-money American Roulette bet is 18/38 20/38 0.499 .
The variance v is dened as the square of the VI. Therefore, the variance of the even-money American Roulette bet
is ca. 0.249, which is extremely low for a casino game. The variance for Blackjack is ca. 1.2, which is still low
compared to the variances of electronic gaming machines (EGMs).
Additionally, the term of the volatility index based on some condence intervals are used. Usually, it is based on
the 90% condence interval. The volatility index for the 90% condence interval is ca. 1.645 times as the usual
volatility index that relates to the ca. 68.27% condence interval.
It is important for a casino to know both the house edge and volatility index for all of their games. The house edge
tells them what kind of prot they will make as percentage of turnover, and the volatility index tells them how much
they need in the way of cash reserves. The mathematicians and computer programmers that do this kind of work
are called gaming mathematicians and gaming analysts. Casinos do not have in-house expertise in this eld, so they
outsource their requirements to experts in the gaming analysis eld.
3.7 See also

Mathematics of bookmaking
Poker probability in general
Poker probability (Texas hold 'em)
Poker probability (Omaha)
Statistical Soccer (Football) Predictions
3.8 Further reading

The Mathematics of Gambling, by Edward Thorp, ISBN 0-89746-019-7
The Theory of Gambling and Statistical Logic, Revised Edition, by Richard Epstein, ISBN 0-12-240761-X
The Mathematics of Games and Gambling, Second Edition, by Edward Packel, ISBN 0-88385-646-8
Probability Guide to Gambling: The Mathematics of Dice, Slots, Roulette, Baccarat, Blackjack, Poker, Lottery
and Sport Bets, by Catalin Barboianu, ISBN 973-87520-3-5 excerpts
Luck, Logic, and White Lies: The Mathematics of Games, by Jrg Bewersdor, ISBN 1-56881-210-8 introduction.
3.9 External links

Probability and gambling math discussion from the Wizard of Odds
Application of probability theory in games of chance
Chapter 4
Gaming control board

Gaming license redirects here. For the roleplaying game license, see Open Game License.
A gaming control board (GCB), also called by various names including gambling control board, casino control
board, gambling board, and gaming commission) is a government agency charged with regulating casino and other
types of gaming in a dened geographical area, usually a state, and of enforcing gaming law in general. The ocial
name of this regulatory body varies among jurisdictions.
4.1 Rules and regulations

Gaming control boards are usually responsible for promulgating rules and regulations that dictate how gaming activities are to be conducted within a jurisdiction. The rules and regulations stem from the jurisdictions enabling
act. Generally, the enabling act is passed by the legislature and sets forth the broad policy of the jurisdiction with
regard to gaming; while the rules and regulations provide detailed requirements that must be satised by a gaming
establishment, its owners, employees, and vendors. Typically, rules and regulations cover a broad range of activity,
including licensing, accounting systems, rules of casino games, and auditing.
4.1.1
Licensing
Gaming control boards also have full authority to grant or deny licenses to gaming establishments, their ownership,
employees, and vendors. Generally, in order to obtain a license, an applicant must demonstrate that they possess good
character, honesty and integrity. License application forms typically require detailed personal information. Based
upon the type of license being sought, an applicant may also be required to disclose details regarding previous business
relationships, employment history, criminal records, and nancial stability.
Generally, the gaming license application process and subsequent investigation is quite burdensome in comparison
to the process of obtaining other government-issued licenses. The diculty of the process is intended to dissuade
participation by unsavory people and organized crime.
Recently, in order to simplify the application process, various gaming control boards have collaborated on the design
of multi-jurisdictional application forms. Persons or vendors who are involved in gaming in multiple jurisdictions
may now complete one application form and submit copies to each jurisdiction.
4.2 Enforcement
In some cases, Gaming Control Boards are responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations that they create. In
other cases, a separate body or a division of the Gaming Control Board carries out the enforcement function. Most
Gaming Control Boards have full authority to hear and decide civil cases brought before them by the enforcement
body and thus are considered quasi-judicial bodies.
23
24
CHAPTER 4. GAMING CONTROL BOARD
4.3 Gaming control boards

4.3.1
United States
In the United States, gambling is legal under federal law, although there are signicant restrictions pertaining to
interstate and online gambling.
Individual states have the right to regulate or prohibit the practice within their borders. Regulatory agencies include:
Arizona Department of Gaming
California Gambling Control Commission
California Bureau of Gambling Control
Colorado Division of Gaming
Connecticut Division of Special Revenue
Delaware Lottery
Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement
Illinois Gaming Board
Indiana Gaming Commission
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission
Louisiana Gaming Control Board
Maine Gambling Control Board
Maryland Lottery (Controls both the lottery and the states slot-machine program)
Massachusetts Gaming Commission
Michigan Gaming Control Board
Mississippi Gaming Commission
Missouri Gaming Commission
National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC)
Nevada Gaming Commission[1]
Nevada Gaming Control Board
New Jersey Casino Control Commission
New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
New Mexico Gaming Control Board
New York State Gaming Commission
Ohio Casino Control Commission
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
South Dakota Commission on Gaming
Washington State Gambling Commission
West Virginia Lottery Commission
4.3. GAMING CONTROL BOARDS
25
Native American gaming control boards

In the United States, some Native American tribal nations have established their own gaming control boards for
the purpose of regulating tribe-owned casinos located within reservations. Although the tribal nation also owns the
casino, appointing an independent gaming control board to oversee regulatory activities provides tribal members
with assurances that the casino is operated within expected standards and that tribal revenue is accurately collected
and reported. Native American casinos are subject to the provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which
is enforced by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). The NIGC establishes minimum internal control
standards and other requirements that each Native American gaming control board must follow. However, the NIGC
does not have jurisdiction over state-regulated entities.
4.3.2
Canada
In Canada, gambling is essentially regulated exclusively by the provinces rather than federal law. Regulatory agencies
include:
British Columbia Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch
Kahnawake Gaming Commission
Nova Scotia Alcohol and Gaming Authority
Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission
Quebec Rgie des Alcools des Courses et des Jeux
4.3.3
Australia
New South Wales: Gaming Tribunal of New South Wales

Queensland: Queensland Oce of Gaming Regulation/Queensland Gaming Commission
Victoria: Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation
South Australia: South Australia Independent Gambling Authority
4.3.4
Europe
Hungary: Gaming Board of Hungary

Malta: Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Malta
Gibraltar: Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
Norway: Norwegian Gaming and Foundation Authority - part of Ministry of Culture
Portugal: Inspectorate General on Gaming
Slovenia: Oce for Gaming Supervision - part of the Ministry of Finance
Sweden: National Gaming Board
United Kingdom: Gambling Commission
Alderney: Alderney Gambling Control Commission
Isle of Man: Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
4.3.5
Asia
Macau: Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau

Singapore: Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore
26
CHAPTER 4. GAMING CONTROL BOARD
4.3.6
Associations
Gaming Regulators European Forum (GREF)

International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR)
North American Gaming Regulators Association (NAGRA)
4.4 References
[1] Gaming Regulation in Nevada (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 9, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
4.5 External links

Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau
Chapter 5
Nevada Gaming Commission

The Nevada Gaming Commission is a Nevada state governmental agency involved in the regulation of casinos
throughout the state, along with the Nevada Gaming Control Board. It was founded in 1959 by the Nevada Legislature.
The Commission is responsible for administering regulations, granting licenses and ruling on disciplinary matters
brought before it by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. It has ve members appointed by the governor. Commission
members serve for four years in a part-time capacity.[1]
5.1 License types

While numerous types of licenses and approvals can be granted by the commission, the key gaming licenses are:
the restricted gaming license, which applies to the operation of 15 or fewer gaming devices (and no table games)
at a single location. The number of restricted licenses changes monthly, but Clark County has around 2,000
restricted licenses, with a cumulative of about 15,000 slot machines as of 2008;
the nonrestricted gaming license, which is granted for the operation of:
1. a property having 16 or more slot machines;
2. a property having any number of slot machines together with any other game, gaming device, race book or
sports pool at a single location.
5.2 Popular culture

In the 1995 lm Casino, the Commission denies a gaming license to Sam Rothstein, a character based on Frank
Rosenthal and portrayed by Robert De Niro. In actual history the chairman of the Commission at this time was
future senator Harry Reid.[2]
In the 2001 lm Oceans Eleven the NGC has a (ctitious) regulation that requires casinos to hold in reserve enough
cash to cover every chip in play on their oor. In the lm, Matt Damon plays a character who passes himself o as
an NGC agent.
5.3 Former members

Harry Reid, Chairman, 19771981[3]
Brian Sandoval, 19982001; Chairman, 19992001[4]
Sue Wagner, 19972009
27
28
CHAPTER 5. NEVADA GAMING COMMISSION
5.4 References
[1] Gaming Regulation in Nevada (PDF). Retrieved 2007-08-17.
[2] Harry Reid is not boring. By Chris Suellentrop Slate Magazine
[3] About Harry Reid, Senate.gov, accessed October 4, 2008
[4] Race for Attorney General: Candidates state cases, Las Vegas Review-Journal, July 15, 2002
5.5 External links

Nevada Gaming Commission & Control Board
5.6. TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES
29
5.6 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

5.6.1
Text
Blackjack Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackjack?oldid=732322755 Contributors: Damian Yerrick, Tobias Hoevekamp, Lee

Daniel Crocker, Mav, DanKeshet, Fubar Obfusco, Europrobe, Ellmist, Nommonomanac, PhilipMW, Michael Hardy, Kwertii, D.valued,
Liftarn, Stewacide, SGBailey, Cyde, Pcb21, Ahoerstemeier, Snoyes, Darkwind, Aarchiba, Marteau, Susurrus, Andres, Ghewgill, Pizza
Puzzle, Crissov, Nohat, Bemoeial, Ed Cormany, Michael Reiter, Feanor~enwiki, Wik, Abscissa, DJ Clayworth, Furrykef, Alight, VeryVerily, Thue, Bevo, Pakaran, Chuunen Baka, Gentgeen, Robbot, Ke4roh, Pchown, Boy b, Kokiri, Mirv, Rfc1394, Henrygb, WholeFnShow,
Meelar, Andrew Levine, EvilPettingZoo, Vikreykja, Kairos, BovineBeast, Cutler, David Gerard, Sbonds, Ewg, Elf, Sj, Inter, Curps, Alison, Pashute, T0pem0, Gilgamesh~enwiki, Siroxo, Rchandra, Rparle, Bobblewik, Christopherlin, Gyrofrog, Chowbok, 159753, Alexf,
Telso, CryptoDerk, Antandrus, MistToys, Jossi, Tjwood, Ellsworth, Thincat, Sam Hocevar, PeR, NoPetrol, Grimey, Moquel, TJSwoboda, Eisnel, Mike Rosoft, Poccil, Discospinster, Solitude, Rich Farmbrough, Guanabot, Dirk009~enwiki, Lord paws, FiP, Rupertslander,
Narsil, Guanabot2, Bender235, Blogjack, Kinitawowi, Shanes, Sietse Snel, Jonah.ru, 2005, Jonathan Drain, Alxndr, Bobo192, MITalum,
Foobaz, Man vyi, Haham hanuka, Eje211, Luy, Alansohn, Rray, Arthena, Neonumbers, Ricky81682, Fergie, Sun King, Batmanand,
Mysdaao, Scott5114, Mbimmler, Kesh, Versageek, Seitz, Toby D, Jef-Infojef, OwenX, Woohookitty, Georgia guy, TigerShark, Jamsta, Yansa, Localh77, Pink-isnt-well, Former user 2, Hbdragon88, NormanEinstein, Thebogusman, Isnow, Rchamberlain, Jon Harald
Sby, Prashanthns, Graham87, BD2412, Rjwilmsi, NewGuy4, SamJ93, Vegaswikian, Jbonello, The wub, MarnetteD, Sango123, FlaBot,
Michaelbluejay, RobertG, Poshua, Unprompted, Mike Van Emmerik, Wingsandsword, Simishag, Gurubrahma, King of Hearts, Chobot,
DVdm, Gwernol, EamonnPKeane, Cuahl, YurikBot, SpikeJones, Angus Lepper, Hairy Dude, Zaphodthewise, RussBot, Me and, Pigman,
Masterhatch, Chaser, Casey J. Morris, Lord Voldemort, Kc5kql, Wimt, Brian Sisco, NawlinWiki, Wiki alf, Jerry warriner, Aaron Brenneman, Nucleusboy, Brian Crawford, Krakatoa, Haoie, Tony1, Zwobot, BOT-Superzerocool, Dddstone, Poochy, Kelovy, Richardcavell,
Zargulon, Fibula, Myndex, OMenda~enwiki, Closedmouth, LiquidFire, Messy Thinking, GraemeL, Red Jay, Vicarious, Ntrobrn, Fram,
Emc2, Willbyr, Kajerm, Roke, Lomacar, Veinor, SmackBot, Durianwool, Elonka, Reedy, WILLOBIE, Svigos, Zeycus, Stie, SmartGuy
Old, Ohnoitsjamie, The Gnome, Oscarthecat, Roger2dc, Jcc1, Thumperward, Deucelowush, Miquonranger03, Jkmccrann, Pimantony,
Octahedron80, Emurphy42, Sct72, Zsinj, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, Shalom Yechiel, Quannum5, Raoul-Duke, Michael.Pohoreski,
Whatthree16, TheKMan, Rrburke, Rsm99833, Backspace, Rnapier, AdamWeeden, Lcarscad, Ixnayonthetimmay, Knowledgeman800,
Vina-iwbot~enwiki, Ceoil, Doug Bell, Rklawton, JzG, Galbum, Accurizer, Minna Sora no Shita, Dickclarkfan1, IronGargoyle, 041744,
Hanii Puppy, TheHYPO, Beetstra, SQGibbon, Zeldamaster3, Mets501, Ryulong, Dacium, Inquisitus, SimonD, BranStark, NEMT, Tony
Fox, Linkspamremover, Valoem, Chei, Owen214, JForget, SqlPac, Code E, Nineteenninety, Mudd1, John M Baker, NE Ent, Jehfes, Reywas92, Dominicanpapi82, Hawksocc8, Cult-p, Otto4711, DKidd, Thijs!bot, Epbr123, Dbarnes99, TonyTheTiger, Loudsox, Mojo Hand,
Bewisebets, Pmrobert49, E. Ripley, RFerreira, PicklePower, AntiVandalBot, Mycolumbus, Crabula, CZmarlin, CobraWiki, Lamontacranston, Toohool, Damcguire, Kauczuk, Deletedx55x, JAnDbot, Rhysmarsh, Barek, MER-C, Bob the Dino, PapaSmurf~enwiki, Denimadept, Steevo714, Engrtun, Mikemill, Bongwarrior, JoeBuHux, Wertloo, Indieangler, Maba6803, MetsBot, Esanchez7587, Strshljen,
Johnbrownsbody, Ekotkie, War wizard90, Welshleprechaun, Oroso, Ztobor, MartinBot, Voetballer, R'n'B, CommonsDelinker, J.delanoy,
Pharaoh of the Wizards, Trusilver, Javawizard, Ginsengbomb, Andy5421, It Is Me Here, Katalaveno, Screen111, Thatotherperson, Dexter prog, Mbbradford, DarylNickerson, Kokyuwyeverne, Sustik, NewEnglandYankee, SJP, Bobianite, Billkor, Shoessss, BigHairRef,
Pygora123, Jevansen, Robertknyc, Julyda4th, Motsa, Funandtrvl, X!, VolkovBot, ABF, Je G., VasilievVV, Gapone1979, Topspin rob,
TXiKiBoT, Qllach, GimmeBot, BuickCenturyDriver, KajiTetsushi, Dachshund2k3, Darwin16, Darimus, Liko81, PlayBJX, Don4of4,
Sanfranman59, Jackfork, LeaveSleaves, Joshn3, Waspboy, Mannafredo, SpexKid, Tja98, Wolfrock, Wasted Sapience, Trolleytimes, Prestondocks, LankyLongArm, Shama595, Sjc2128, FlyingLeopard2014, Croaker66, Pascal.mr, SieBot, Chad Gerson, Gerakibot, Triwbe, 5WayRevenge, UT1033, Android Mouse, Happysailor, Online blackjack guide, NolanAlex, Nmarwah, MaheshRajendran, Macy,
Sunrise, Nimbusania, Samtheman25, Denisarona, Randomgoodstu, Jesusd, Barkjon, Explicit, De728631, ClueBot, DFRussia, Snigbrook, Mattokunhayashi, Objective3000, Boing! said Zebedee, Penguin242, Mspraveen, Welham66, Mumiemonstret, Alexbot, Monobi,
Vanhoabui, Sun Creator, Pearrari, Bgtd, Yoyoyoshia, Bootlegger56, Manco Capac, Robin09999, Thehelpfulone, Lorenzo RB, Thingg,
Versus22, Katanada, Danep2, MelonBot, J matula, Vegaswiki, Trustsince, SensuiShinobu1234, DumZiBoT, Dietdrpeppercan, InternetMeme, XLinkBot, Chowken312, Greek2, VanishedUser ewrfgdg3df3, Mortense, Maestro636, Tcncv, Arkanian33, Randylovesheep,
Paleoric, Mrchapel0203, NjardarBot, Jim10701, Download, Bigman1000, AndersBot, AnnaFrance, Sumbuddi, ChenzwBot, Bros12,
David.BJX, 84user, Fungames4me, Tide rolls, PanicGamer, Iune, Gail, Zorrobot, MuZemike, Krenakarore, Legobot, Publicly Visible,
Luckas-bot, Yobot, 2D, Andreasmperu, Ptbotgourou, II MusLiM HyBRiD II, Otkrage, Rajakhr, SouthParkFanOmg, Axpde, Alexkin,
AnomieBOT, Chinheng, 1exec1, Number1in21, SojuMaster, Jim1138, Piano non troppo, Ulric1313, Materialscientist, Bob Burkhardt,
Modeswitching, Xqbot, Sketchmoose, Dickensmelville, Anna Frodesiak, Gooood, SebRovera, LaptopLuke, RibotBOT, Mtk180, Alexandru Stanoi, Natural Cut, Shadowjams, Lefschetz, SchnitzelMannGreek, Panpanman, Prari, FrescoBot, Blackguard SF, Sky Attacker,
Kryn1030, Jc3s5h, Alarics, Blacktitan21, Saehrimnir, D'ohBot, Coder0x2, Wikif2, Johpick, Meishern, DivineAlpha, XxTimberlakexx,
DawgDeputy, Pinethicket, Gortrak, Jose2345, Zenwort, Calmer Waters, Cod4ax, MastiBot, Alan LeHun, RobinCampos1, Pavel.nps,
Tim1357, Xblackbelt1092x, WesUGAdawg, Forrealthistime, Hgytnb123, Alextlu, , Dinamik-bot, Drlesmgolden, Diannaa,
GamingEditor, PokitJaxx, 13moonk1, Sideways713, Yankeeholly, Mean as custard, Polarpanda, Ripchip Bot, Abukase1, Alphanumeric
Sheep Pig, John of Reading, Mk5384, GoingBatty, RA0808, K6ka, Zubrowka74, Listmeister, ZroBot, Dolovis, Belsuga, Steve m s
19, Blackjackassus, Laneways, Rhunt2737, SchnitteUK, Movinyl, Brandmeister, TheRaven2k, DHofstein, Missis Claus, Newbreeder,
Ihardlythinkso, Brucie12, Kavikaescobido, Rocketrod1960, DavidLane8, ClueBot NG, BLACKJACKGOD, Cwmhiraeth, KlappCK,
Joefromrandb, Dshester, Rezabot, Helpful Pixie Bot, Shrug-shrug, Wwestlin, BG19bot, Sanddweller, SnorlaxDude, DianeSteele, Jivan82,
Tony Tan, Snow Blizzard, Double nickels55, Cashinthehand, ChrisGualtieri, 22dragon22burn, 4nn1l2, The squaw on the hippopotamus,
Harry phoneix, SFK2, Faizan, Epicgenius, WikiKnowledge1009, Jwiki13579, Demoac, Ginsuloft, Pharaoh8787, SkyDaddy, Reece918,
Avizaz, Himan1234567890087654321, Samykat, SJ Defender, Twoot, Nyashinski, Melcous, DigitalBets, Gcaee, Jim Carter, Teddyktchan, BlackJackPlayer, Qwertyxp2000, Mathematicalist, MajerRooom, Amortias, VegasCasinoKid, Phimakel, Corcite, Thinkoutsidethesystem, Ygpeasant, Thedockingsphinx, TracerDX, Sirartbart1, Meghashri, CLCStudent, PaulMcWilliams82, Holly.guacamole, Mike
Samson Blanks, MrLive12, Wikilady47, Jacknaroth and Anonymous: 927
Blackjack Hall of Fame Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackjack_Hall_of_Fame?oldid=731618057 Contributors: The Anome,
Mike Rosoft, Brianhe, Rray, Interiot, Mysdaao, Tim!, Rurik, Elonka, Hmains, The Gnome, BrownHairedGirl, Valoem, Gimmetrow,
JustAGal, Johnpacklambert, DH85868993, Cbivitz, Appleshampooid, Pedro Felipe, PbBot, Meisterkoch, Objective3000, Stepheng3,
Yobot, Eagle4000, Meishern, Wingman4l7, ClueBot NG, Samuel Rauch, Helpful Pixie Bot, Visitor7, Toxicwitch and Anonymous: 17
Gambling mathematics Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambling_mathematics?oldid=711453971 Contributors: Michael Hardy,
30
CHAPTER 5. NEVADA GAMING COMMISSION
Ixfd64, Dale Arnett, 2005, Rray, Oasisbob, Feezo, Jivecat, Bgwhite, Trovatore, ONEder Boy, Arthur Rubin, SmackBot, PrimeHunter,
SnappingTurtle, Doug Bell, Larrymcp, Norbiton, Tirk, Barek, Iezegrim, Infarom, Packel~enwiki, Anwhite, Geometry guy, Hertz1888,
Melcombe, EoGuy, AirdishStraus, PhGustaf, Alexbot, Iohannes Animosus, Addbot, Yobot, Fraggle81, Anna Frodesiak, Lefschetz,
DrilBot, Averio, ClueBot NG, BG19bot, M.Sokolow, Cyberbot II, ChrisGualtieri, They think its all over, Riddleh, Ross Penman, L3rodey
and Anonymous: 26
Gaming control board Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaming_control_board?oldid=731197562 Contributors: Neutrality, 2005,
Vegaswikian, Gurch, Simishag, Astral, Zkissane, SmackBot, Anastrophe, Mauls, Bluebot, Thumperward, Mwelch, Accurizer, Jorge331,
Floridasand, Toohool, Fenerbahce888, Thibbs, DGG, Mankind 2k, Varnent, RChappell-IGA, Pdfpdf, Pokiesaddict, Yobot, Pacomartin,
Haeinous, Bobmack89x, Onel5969, Frigotoni, ClueBot NG, Gareth Grith-Jones, Charlie.Ashton, DBigXray, Cyberbot II, 93, Fde and
Anonymous: 27
Nevada Gaming Commission Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevada_Gaming_Commission?oldid=708856579 Contributors: Henry
Flower, Brianhe, 2005, Giraedata, Icey, Koavf, Vegaswikian, SmackBot, Accurizer, Vrysxy, N5iln, Toohool, Varnent, Twanebo, Cr7i,
Addbot, Download, Materialscientist, Tiller54, Pacomartin, Nyctc7, ZroBot, RLiberty Writer and Anonymous: 6
5.6.2
Images
File:BlackJack6.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/BlackJack6.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: Own work Original artist: BuickCenturyDriver
File:Blackjack.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Blackjack.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Blackjack_Hall_of_Fame.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Blackjack_Hall_of_Fame.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Visitor7
File:Blackjack_game_1.JPG Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Blackjack_game_1.JPG License: CC0
Contributors: Own work Original artist: Scott Nazelrod
File:Blackjack_game_2.JPG Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/Blackjack_game_2.JPG License: CC0
File:Blackjack_game_3.JPG Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/Blackjack_game_3.JPG License: CC0
File:Blackjack_game_4.JPG Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Blackjack_game_4.JPG License: CC0
File:Commons-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Double_down.JPG Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Double_down.JPG License: CC0 Contributors:
Own work Original artist: Scott5114
File:Folder_Hexagonal_Icon.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/48/Folder_Hexagonal_Icon.svg License: Ccby-sa-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:People_icon.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/People_icon.svg License: CC0 Contributors: OpenClipart Original artist: OpenClipart
File:Quads_A.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Quads_A.svg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors:
See below. Original artist: Made by Tomchen1989. Derived from:
File:Question_book-new.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/99/Question_book-new.svg License: Cc-by-sa-3.0
Contributors:
Created from scratch in Adobe Illustrator. Based on Image:Question book.png created by User:Equazcion Original artist:
Tkgd2007
File:Soft17.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0e/Soft17.jpg License: PD Contributors:
This image:BuickCenturyDriver (talk) (Uploads) Original artist:
This image:BuickCenturyDriver (talk) (Uploads)
File:Wiktionary-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/Wiktionary-logo.svg License: CC BY-SA
3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
5.6.3
Content license
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

Blackjack

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

Blackjack

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

Blackjack

Rules of play at casinos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rule variations and their consequences for the house edge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Variants of the game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Blackjack Hall of Fame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.10 Blackjack in the arts

1.11 See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.12 Blackjack literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.14 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Blackjack Hall of Fame

Experiments, events, probability spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The probability model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Expectation and strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

House advantage or edge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Gaming control board

Rules and regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Gaming control boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Nevada Gaming Commission

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2 Rules of play at casinos

Dealers hand revealed

1.2. RULES OF PLAY AT CASINOS

A soft 17 in blackjack. An ace and any combination of 6.

1.4 Blackjack strategy

1.4. BLACKJACK STRATEGY

Main article: Advantage player

1.5 Side bets

1.6. BLACKJACK TOURNAMENTS

1.6 Blackjack tournaments

1.7 Video blackjack

1.8 Variants of the game

1.9 Blackjack Hall of Fame

1.10 Blackjack in the arts

1.11 See also

1.12. BLACKJACK LITERATURE

1.12 Blackjack literature

[11] Rules & House Edge Table

1.14 External links

Blackjack Hall of Fame

CHAPTER 2. BLACKJACK HALL OF FAME

The Blackjack Hall of Fame at the Barona Casino

Coordinates: 325612N 1165235W / 32.93667N 116.87639W

3.1 Experiments, events, probability spaces

3.2. THE PROBABILITY MODEL

3.2 The probability model

CHAPTER 3. GAMBLING MATHEMATICS

3.4 Expectation and strategy

3.5 House advantage or edge

3.6. STANDARD DEVIATION

3.6 Standard deviation

CHAPTER 3. GAMBLING MATHEMATICS

The volatility index (VI) is dened as the

3.7 See also

3.8 Further reading

3.9 External links

Gaming control board

4.1 Rules and regulations

CHAPTER 4. GAMING CONTROL BOARD

4.3 Gaming control boards

4.3. GAMING CONTROL BOARDS

Native American gaming control boards

New South Wales: Gaming Tribunal of New South Wales

Hungary: Gaming Board of Hungary

Macau: Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau