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Genie

African Nations Cup Betting

· ·

There is no doubt that the African nations are getting better and I expect a strong challenge from Ivory Coast at this summer’s world. The Ivorians begin the African Nations as deserving favourites and the 9/4 available with several company’s is probably not a bad punt. I am looking for value, however, in what has proved to be a quirky tournament for results in the past.

I am tipping up the unfancied Mali team to upset the odds and at 22/1 they represent the undoubted value for me.  To begin with they have got a relatively easy group which includes the hosts Angola, Algeria and Malawi. They take part in the tournament’s opening fixture against Angola. The teams met 11 months ago and that resulted in a 4-0 trouncing for Mali. There is no doubt that being the host nation offers a slight advantage but I cannot see past Mali and Algeria as the main 2 teams in the group.

Mali do not concede many goals and with the excellent Mahamadou Diarra of Real Madrid offers excellent protection in midfield along with former Liverpool man, Momo Sissoko. Sissoko may not be comfortable with the ball at his feet but he covers the ground as well as anybody and will make it difficult for the opposition.

The eyecatching  players in the team are Seydou Keita and Freddie Kanoute (21 goals in 35 games). These 2 players will ensure that the goals keep coming and that Mali are a constant threat in attack.

No team will win such a top tournament with just 4 players of course and these lads are ably assisted by a team full of experience.

The Mali team have flattered to deceive in previous years but I think it’s different this time. They are a team very much united behind their excellent coach, Stephen Keshi (who guided Togo to the last world cup), and they are a squad full of players who have bags of experience and have just hit their prime.

My advice to you is to back Mali for tournament honours. They are 9th favourites according to the bookmaker’s but a squad with this experience and talent should rank up among the top contenders. The Ivorians are the only team that i could truly say have better players in the competition.

Recommendation

Mali to win the African Nations Cup @ 22/1 with Ladbrokes. (e/w is 1/2 odds for top 2).

Mali to bet Angola @ 2/1 with either Bet 365 or Ladbrokes

Blackjack Terminology – don’t feel lost at the table

· ·

When building your knowledge of basic blackjack strategy or advanced blackjack strategies, it’s critical to get up-to-speed with the lingo of the game so you don’t feel lost at the table. Genie’s guide to blackjack terminology gives you the info you need to know. He’s even gone to the trouble of ordering it A-Z for your punting convenience 💸💸


Blackjack terminology

Action:

This refers to the amount of money that is staked or wagered in a Blackjack game. High wagering means more action.

Advantage player:

An advantage player is a person who uses strategy/ and or card counting techniques to gain a mathematic advantage over the house.

Bankroll:

This refers to the amount of money set aside for gambling. In order to deal with the inevitable swings that occur when playing Blackjack, a player must have a sufficient amount set aside for play.

Burn:

The dealer will remove one or more cards from the top of the deck after shuffling. This is referred to as the burn.

Bust:

Both the dealer and players can go bust. This means that their cards have a total higher than 21. Going bust refers is an automatic loss.

Choppy table:

A choppy table refers to a table that produces alternating wins and losses with almost no net positive or negative results.

Colour up:

Colouring up refers to exchanging chips of a lower value for those of a higher value.

Comps:

Comps are complimentary rewards or bonuses given to loyal players.

Continuous shuffling machine:

A Continuous shuffling machine automatically shuffles used cards back into the deck. This makes card counting impossible.

Blackjack counter measures:

Casino tactics that are used to reduce the effects of various Blackjack strategies. Examples of these are multiple decks, continuous shuffling machines and hitting on soft 17.

Double down:

By doubling down you are placing an additional bet, which is usually an amount equal to your original wager. The dealer will give you exactly one more card and that is your hand. No further hits are allowed and doubling down is usually restricted to the first action on your original hand.

Gambler’s fallacy:

Gambler’s fallacy refers to the myth that past results affect the current contest.

Genie says: Nice work, you’re half way through the blackjack terminology guide!

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Handle:

Handle refers to the amount of money that is cycled through a game. Many online casinos offer handle related bonuses whereby when the player meets a specific handle amount, then the bonus will be released.

Hard hand:

A hard hand is a Blackjack hand of 12 or more that doesn’t contain an Ace or has an Ace counted as one. Hard hands between 12 and 16 are often referred to as stiff hands.

Hit:

To hit is to receive an additional card.

Hole card:

The hole card is the dealer’s face down card.

House edge:

This is the financial edge the Casino has in a wager. The house edge is usually expressed as a percentage.

House odds:

This refers to the amount a casino will pay for a winning bet as opposed to the true probability or odds on the bet.

Insurance:

Typically, an additional bet of one half the value of the original bet. Insurance is offered to players when the dealer is showing an ace. Insurance pays out at 2:1 when the dealer’s hand is a natural.

Natural:

A natural is a two card hand of a ten and an Ace (twenty one). A natural can either win or result in a push but it cannot lose.

Negative expectation:

Negative expectation refers to a game that returns more cash than it is returning over the long run. Negative expectation games have a higher house edge.

Optimal strategy:

Optimal strategy refers to the system of play that lowers or eliminates the Casino advantage.

Past-posting:

Adding or removing chips after seeing a hand, i.e. cheating.

Penetration:

Penetration refers to the percentage of the deck dealt before a shuffle. Penetration of less than 60% reduces the possibility to count cards.

Positive expectation:

Positive expectation games return more money than they retain over the long run. These games have a player edge.

Progression/ Progressive betting:

This is a system of raising and lowering bets. Positive progressions raise bets after wins and negative progressions raise bets after losses.

Push:

A push is a draw. The player neither wins nor looses and their stake is returned.

Shoe:

The shoe is the container that holds four to eight shuffled decks. Cards are dealt from the shoe by the dealer.

Soft hand:

Any hand with an Ace counted as eleven.

Split:

The option whereby a player can choose to create two hands from their original hand if their original hand was made up of a pair. In order to split a player will have to make an additional wager. Players can hit, double, split or stand as necessary.

Stand:

Refuse an additional card.

Surrender:

A rule that allows a player to retrieve half of the current bet and forfeit the rest. This option is generally unavailable on online Casino Blackjack variants.

True count:

When card counting, the running count is divided by the number of decks that haven’t been played which returns the true count, or a standard measure of overall advantage.

True odds:

This is the true probability of winning or losing a contest and should not be confused with house odds.

Volatility:

Volatility refers to the natural ebb and flow of the game, bearing in mind the swings that will occur.

If you think we should add further blackjack terms to our blackjack terminology guide please let us know.

Basic Blackjack Strategy – stack the odds in your favour

· ·

Blackjack Basic Strategy actually refers to the blackjack strategy developed in 1956 by four mathematicians. Roger Baldwin, Herbert Maisel, Wilbert E. Cantey and James P. McDermott were the first group of people to publish their probability based theory on Blackjack “The optimum strategy in Blackjack”. This was published in the Journal of the American Statistical Association and has since been tested, refined and modified through computer simulations. Basic blackjack strategy should be the starting point for every optimal game and is used by all professional Blackjack players. Before diving in, it’s a good idea to start with an understanding of blackjack terminology. Then revisit Genie’s basic strategy guide.

Using Basic Blackjack Strategy

Basic Blackjack Strategy is easy to use. Essentially, it suggests the most appropriate action depending on every possible outcome. While initially basic strategy may appear complicated, it’s actually quite simple. Nearly 50% of the hands should always be played the same way while there are a number of exceptions that should be played in one of two ways depending on what up-card the dealer is showing.

Genie’s shortcuts to Basic Blackjack Strategy

When to stand (“Pat hands”):

  • Always stand on 19 or higher.
  • Always stand on hard 17 and hard 18 (except for a pair of nines as per the splitting strategy below).

When to hit:

  • Always hit on a hand of 8 or less (except for pairs as per the suggestion below).

Splitting/ What to do when you have pairs:

  • Hands of A,A or 8,8 should always be split.
  • Hands of 5,5 or 10,10 should never be split.
  • 9,9: Split this hand when the dealers up card is 2-6 or 8-9. Stand against 7, 10 and Ace.
  • 7,7: Split these when the dealers up card is 2-7. Hit against 8 or better.
  • 6,6: Split these against 2-6. Hit against 7 or better.
  • 4,4: Slit against 5 and 6 and hit against anything better.

Doubling down:

There are two main types of doubling situations- hands that total 9, 10 or 11, and soft hands that aren’t “ pat”(don’t require any action- see when to stand). At all times the dealer’s up card will determine whether a hand should be doubled or whether you should hit. Standing is never an option where there is an option for a double. In these instances you should always hit or double.

  • 11: Double against everything except an Ace. Hit against the Ace.
  • 10: Double against everything except 10 and Ace. Hit against 10 and Ace.
  • 9: Double against 3-6. Hit against everything else.
  • Soft hands: Soft hands that aren’t pat are always hit or doubled. The only exception is soft 18.
  • A,7: Double a soft 18 against 3-6. Stand against 2, 7 or 8. Hit against 9 or better.
  • A,6: Double against 2-6 and hit against everything else.
  • A,5 and A,4: Double against 4,5 and 6. Hit against everything else.
  • A,2 and A,3: Double against 5 and 6 and hit in all other situations.
  • Stiff hands (hard hands between 12-16): Always hit a stiff hand when a dealer has 7-A. Never hit a stiff hand when a dealer has 2-6 except for the below:
    • 16: surrender against 9,10 or Ace or hit if surrender isn’t allowed
    • 15: surrender against 10, hit if surrender isn’t allowed
    • 12: hit against a 2 or 3

Genie says: All doubling down situations are positive-expectation situations so ensure to optimise your game by doubling down where possible.

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Blackjack Basic Strategy Charts

Our basic Blackjack strategy chart has been optimised for the most common combination of rules (both online and offline), meaning that it is expected that:

  • There will be multiple decks (four or more).
  • The dealer stands on soft 17.
  • Doubling after splits is possible.
  • Doubling on any two cards is possible.

Download our Basic Strategy Guide in PDF or see below

Genie says: Remember that depending on the Blackjack variant you are playing, certain options may not be available so it will be important to make yourself aware of the rules so that you can ensure you achieve the highest advantage possible.

Basic Strategy for Hard hands (hands without an Ace)

NC = Stand, h = hit, DB = Double (hit if double not possible), sr = surrender (hit if surrender not possible).

Dealer’s upcard

Your hand

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

A

17-21

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

Hard 16

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

h

h

sr

sr

sr

Hard 15

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

h

h

h

sr

h

Hard 14

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

h

h

h

h

h

Hard 13

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

h

h

h

h

h

Hard 12

h

h

NC

NC

NC

h

h

h

h

h

11

DB

DB

DB

DB

DB

DB

DB

DB

DB

h

10

DB

DB

DB

DB

DB

DB

DB

DB

h

h

9

h

DB

DB

DB

DB

h

h

h

h

h

5 to 8

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

Basic Strategy for Soft hands (hands with an Ace)

NC = Stand, h = hit, DB = Double (hit if double not possible), sr = surrender (hit if surrender not possible).

Dealer’s upcard

Your hand

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

A

Soft 19-21

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

Soft 18

NC

DBN

DBN

DBN

DBN

NC

NC

h

h

h

Soft 17

h

DB

DB

DB

DB

h

h

h

h

h

Soft 16

h

h

DB

DB

DB

h

h

h

h

h

Soft 15

h

h

DB

DB

DB

h

h

h

h

h

Soft 14

h

h

h

DB

DB

h

h

h

h

h

Soft 13

h

h

h

DB

DB

h

h

h

h

h

Basic Strategy for splitting pairs

NC = Stand, h = hit, DB = Double (hit if double not possible), sp = split.

Dealer’s upcard

Your hand

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

A

A,A

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

10,10

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

9,9

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

NC

sp

sp

NC

NC

8,8

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

7,7

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

h

h

h

h

6,6

h

sp

sp

sp

sp

h

h

h

h

h

5,5

DB

DB

DB

DB

DB

DB

DB

DB

h

h

4,4

h

h

h

sp

sp

h

h

h

h

h

3,3

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

h

h

h

h

2,2

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

sp

h

h

h

h

So, that’s a wrap to Genie’s guide to Basic blackjack strategy. Don’t step up to the table without memorising it, or you’ll leave some money at the table.

Next up, advanced blackjack strategy.

Blackjack Betting Guide – winner winner, chicken dinner!

· ·

Blackjack is a game of skill; when played properly it can result in the lowest house edge game. This is because Blackjack gives players too many advantages. Good players can gain an advantage over the Casino or “house” with the right information and strategy. However, bad Blackjack players are the reason that Blackjack is the most profitable of all casino table games, so it pays to know how to play.

Basic Blackjack rules

Blackjack can be played using one or more decks of standard playing cards. Players should not be concerned with the suit of the cards, as the card suit does not mean anything. Card value or rank is more important.

Blackjack is mainly about the number 21. Players play against a dealer to try and gain a hand that is closer in value to 21 but not over that amount otherwise they will forfeit their bet or “go bust”. Throughout the game players have the opportunity to “hit” or “stand” in order to try and gain a better hand than the dealer.

To “hit” means that a player takes an additional card while to “stand” means that the player refuses to take an additional card. Once a player is finished hitting or has chosen to stand, it is the dealer’s turn to complete their hand. Unless otherwise stated, the rules require the dealer to hit on a sixteen or less and stand on a seventeen or more. The one exception to this is if the dealer has an ace and a six, which is referred to as a “soft seventeen”.

The dealer will finally compare their hand with the player’s hand.

  • If neither hand has gone bust, then the highest total wins.
  • If neither hand has gone bust and both hands are tied, this is called a push. This means that no money changes hands.
  • If the player has gone bust then the player loses and the money is forfeit. The dealer’s hand is irrelevant to the player.
  • If the dealer goes bust and the player has not busted then the player is the winner.
  • If a player gets a natural, or blackjack¸ this generally pays 3:2 meaning for each $10 staked the player will get $15.

Blackjack card values

  • Cards ranked from 2 to 10 are counted at the card number value.
  • Picture cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) are counted as 10.
  • Aces can either be 1 or 11 (whichever the player prefers)
  • Blackjack: A combination of a card valued at 10 and an ace. This hand will either win or be tied but will not be beaten.

A player with a hand less than 21 can ask for additional cards. This is called a “hit”. However, if a player exceeds 21 then they automatically lose, or “go bust”.

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Playing Blackjack

Blackjack is played at a table like the one below. The most important rules are always printed on the table. You can generally find additional rules on an upright card on or behind the table. Most casinos use multiple deck games but some also offer single-deck games where the dealer actually holds the deck as they deal the cards. In multiple-deck games four to eight decks of cards are stored in a box called a “shoe”.

 

Blackjack Betting Guide

 

Players are dealt cards face down in a single-deck game or face up in a multiple-deck game. Either way the chances of winning are the same. When dealt face-up players are not allowed to touch the cards.

To start the game the dealer deals the cards from the shoe to the first player on their left and any other players that are playing. The dealer will then deal one card face-up to themselves. A second card will then be dealt to each player and the dealer will then receive another card face-down this time. This is called the “hole card”.

As players can only see one of the dealer’s cards they must decide to “hit” or “stand” in order to get closer to 21 than the dealer.

How to hit or stand

If playing Blackjack in a casino it is important to give clear clues to the dealer as to how you want to play. Generally if a player wants to take an additional card they should tap on the table to demonstrate this. If a player wants to stand then they should wave their hand when it is their turn. Playing online requires no such effort!

Insurance in Blackjack


The question of the hole card will be important if the dealer’s up-card is an ace. This is the case as players lose if the dealer has a natural and they don’t. In this case some players choose to take insurance against a dealer blackjack when the dealer shows an ace. Insurance is generally an additional bet of one-half of the original stake. Insurance pays 2:1 when the dealer has a natural. If the dealer doesn’t have a natural then the player loses their insurance bet.

Genie says: Insurance might sound tempting but it’s generally best avoided and should be regarded as a bad bet. The probability of the dealer having a ten under their ace is approximately 31% and yet this only pays out at 2 to 1. All in all, this gives the house an edge of about 7%…..in short, avoid insurance! Once instance where you may want to take insurance would be if you have a natural. In this instance a 1:1 payout is guaranteed.

Hitting, Standing, Doubling or Splitting

The majority of dealers’ hands will not be naturals, so players will have the opportunity to either ask for additional cards (hit) or to refuse them (stand).

Another variation of a hit is called double down. A double down requires an additional bet of an amount normally equal to your original wager. You put the chips next to your original stake and the dealer will give you exactly one more card. You cannot hit further on that card in most cases.

If a players hand is made up of a pair (A, A; 10,10, etc) a player can then split these cards for an additional wager giving the player two hands. The player will then have to play the hands separately.

Genie says: Some casinos restrict re-splitting and doubling on splits so make sure to check the rules before you play! If you’re playing online you can normally check the rules by checking the game information or help files within each game. Most casinos require that you can only get one extra card on split aces.

The dealer’s hand in Blackjack

If a player doesn’t go bust, it is then up to the dealer to beat them by bettering their card value. The dealer will turn their hole card and draw according to the rules. Some casinos require the dealer to hit a soft 17 (Ace and a six) but this will be stated either on the table or in the additional table rules.

Surrendering

Some casinos will allow a player to take back half their bet and forfeit the rest if their initial hand seems hopeless. This term for this is to surrender and it is usually restricted to situations when the dealer doesn’t have a natural. This option is generally unavailable when playing online!

Genie’s summary:

  • 21, 21, 21, that’s what Blackjack is about. Compete with the dealer to get a hand that is closer to 21 but not over that.
  • Getting an extra card is called a hit, refusing cards is called a stand. Try not to go over 21 or you’ll go bust!
  • Give the dealer visual cues if playing in a live casino. If playing online, no need to worry!
  • Double down if a positive situation comes your way (see the strategy guide for this)!
  • You can split when your original hand has two cards of equal point value.
  • You can surrender if your initial hand seems hopeless.

Blackjack house edge and probability

Probability is hugely important in Blackjack as an effective Blackjack strategy is based on being able to predict certain outcomes based on the probability of that outcome occurring.

Blackjack strategy is entirely about the cards in the deck. With Blackjack, the typical advantage is 1% or less when it’s pushed to the player’s side. However, this can also swing to a Casino or house edge of around 5%. Using basic Blackjack strategy without card counting, the house edge is generally reduced to .50%. With card counting techniques, this edge can be reversed to a player advantage of 1%. Despite this fact, Blackjack remains a highly profitable game for Casinos because the vast majority of players are unaware of the optimal strategy that they should use.

Genie says: Remember that by using the optimal strategy you will have a better chance against the house and over time will win more than you would without using optimal strategy. While having the edge doesn’t automatically mean that you’ll win the bet, it does guarantee that you’ll have an advantage every time you place your bet.

Find out more in our Basic Blackjack Strategy guide!

Baccarat Rules – How to play Baccarat

· ·

Baccarat is a popular Casino game that is often associated with Casino High Rollers. This is despite the fact that it is one of the easiest Casino games to play and is as simple as betting on Red or Black in Roulette! Genie’s Baccarat rules guide gives you the info you need to play. Baccarat is usually played in a separate Casino area on a playing table that is roughly the size of a craps table and occupies three casino dealers and up to about 14 players.

Baccarat rules

To play Baccarat, two hands are dealt and the player decides which one will win. The object of the game is to have a hand total that is closer to 8 or 9 than the opponent’s hand. There are three possible outcomes that a player can choose to bet on. These two most likely outcomes are to bet on either the banker or the player. The third and less likely outcome is to bet on a standoff (a tie).

Each player will be dealt a minimum of two cards and a maximum of three cards from a six-deck or eight-deck shoe. The card suits are of no concern.  Each face card or 10 has no value while cards less than 10 are counted at face value. Aces are valued at 1. In Baccarat single digit values are important. If a player receives cards that total double digits then the first digit is dropped, e.g. 25 is counted as 5 or 16 is counted as 6.

To start the game players must place a bet on the banker, player or a standoff. Two cards are dealt to each player and the banker. The object is to bet on the hand that you believe will have the highest total value. If any hand has a total of 8 or 9 then it is called a “Natural” and no further cards will be dealt. If it isn’t a natural then the game must play out and the players must take a third card where they are obliged to do so. The rules for taking a third card are defined by standard Casino rules that oblige both the player and the banker to take a third card.

Once dealing is finished, the hand with the highest total wins. Losing bets are collected first and then winning bets are paid out.

Baccarat rules – Player’s third card rule

When the player or the bank’s cards total of 8 or 9 on the first two cards then no further cards are drawn. This is called a natural and the hand is over.

  • When the player’s hand totals 6 or 7 then the player must stand.
  • When the player’s total is less than or equal to 5 the player’s will have to draw a third card.
  • When the player doesn’t have to draw a third card then the bank must stand on 6 or above and take a third card on a total of 5 or less. If the player does take a third card then the Bank’s third card rule below comes into play.

Baccarat rules – Bank’s third card rule in Baccarat

This comes into play when a player takes a third card

  • If the bank’s total is 7 then the bank will stand.
  • If the bank’s total is less than or equal to 2, then the bank must draw another card, regardless of the player’s third card value.
  • If the bank’s total is equal to 3, then the bank must draw a third card, unless the third card that the player drew was an 8.
  • If the bank’s total is 4 then the bank will have to draws a third card unless the player’s third card was a 0, 1, 8, or 9.
  • If the bank’s total is 5 then the bank must draw a third card when the player’s third card is 4, 5, 6, or 7.
  • If the bank’s total is a 6, then the bank must draw a third card if the player’s third card is a 6 or 7.

Baccarat card value table

Card

Card Value

Ace

1

King, Queen, Jack, 10

0

2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Face value

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Baccarat History

Some players like to know the past outcomes before choosing whether to bet on the bank or player. Generally this is indicated on a screen where “B” indicates a win for the bank, “P” indicates a win for the player and “-“ indicates a standoff. These are also displayed in consecutive rows until a new winning streak is started. A tie will be considered part of the same winning streak and will be displayed in the same row as the previous winner.

Baccarat House Edge and payouts

Betting in Baccarat is similar to betting on Black or Red in Blackjack. Overall, it is regarded that the Casino holds a house edge of 1.06%. The payoff is even money for betting on the Bank or the player with the only difference being that a win on a bet on the bank is generally subject to a 5% commission to the Casino. This extra commission is required, as over an 8-card deck of cards the bank will on average win three to four hands more than the player giving the Casino and in-built advantage or hold. The final option of betting on a standoff is paid out at 8:1 or 9:1.

SelectionHouse AdvantagePayout
Bank1.17%1:1
Player1.36%1:1
Standoff14.12%8:1/9:1

Baccarat Strategy

Unlike with Blackjack, there is no optimal baccarat strategy that can result in a better chance of winning in Baccarat as the game plays out according to Baccarat game rules. The most obvious of these would be to bet on the Bank and to avoid betting on a standoff.

Thus concludes Genie’s Baccarat rules guide. Want to play a game that allows punters a greater edge? Consider Blackjack. Get started with basic Blackjack strategy.

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