plusburn
Joined: 29 Jan 2018
Posts: 1
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 Posted: 29 Jan 2018 18:52 Post subject: Blackjack Tournament Basics |
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Blackjack tournaments are quickly becoming hot ticket affairs, both online and offline. The thrill of going head-to-head against the dealer and occasionally beating the house is one thing, but competing against the dealer AND other players provides an entirely different experience and thrill.
However, despite their relative simplicity, casino and online blackjack tournaments can still appear intimidating to some players, particularly those who are new to the game or have only seen them advertised online. For all of those newcomers as well as anyone else looking to take play blackjack at the next level, we’ve tried to help out by providing below a brief introduction to blackjack tournaments that hopefully should make you feel more comfortable taking that first step.
Blackjack Tournaments: the Basics
Again, blackjack tournaments are relatively straightforward. A typical, or ‘regular’, blackjack game pits the player vs. the dealer and how much you win or lose depends on how often you beat the dealer and, of course, when you decide to leave the table. Blackjack tournaments, however, are of course a bit different and add additional layer of competition.
Basic tournaments are generally set-up the same way. Instead of showing up with their own bankroll, players buy-in with an entry fee, for which each player then receives an equal number of chips and is assigned a table at which to begin play. Games are played at as many tables as it takes to accommodate everyone.
Tournaments are played over a specified number of hands or time period. At the end of each ‘round’, the top players from each table move on to the next round and keep playing. After each successive round, as more and more players are eliminated, the top players usually meet at one final table.
As for the ultimate victor, you guessed it, the player with the most chips at the end of the last round captures the main prize, which can range from a percentage of the total entry fees to pre-determined cash prizes or their equivalents. Although variations of the above structure exist, being familiar with this basic format is just about all you need to know when starting out the first time.
Blackjack Tournaments: strategic considerations
Of course, understanding how blackjack tournaments work and actually playing are two different things. Experienced players of blackjack and blackjack online, as well as those familiar with blackjack odds, will find themselves well-served in such environments, as the rules are generally the same as for classic blackjack. Basic blackjack strategy remains the foundation of solid blackjack tournament strategy.
This, however, will only take you so far. Remember, in blackjack tournaments, it’s not just how often you beat the dealer, but also how well your winnings stack up against those of other players. In other words, a profitable or successful ‘classic’ blackjack experience might not be enough to get you to the second round in a popular tournament.
To address this players obviously adapt their blackjack strategy to such a dynamic. Betting – and taking in more than your opponents – is obviously paramount; there’s no point in playing conservatively when you’re aiming to advance to the next round at all costs.
Seating position of course plays a large role here. Generally speaking, if you’re in a position to see the other players’ bets, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re betting at least a bit more. If you’re betting first, caution is the rule. Whatever the case may be, remember, you’re not just trying to win a hand – you’re trying to win a hand AND win more than your opponents!
We’ll write more about blackjack tournaments in the coming weeks and begin introducing some of the ‘advanced’ strategies many players employ. In the meantime, hopefully this introduction helps familiarize everyone with the general concept of blackjack tournaments and gives you an idea as to whether it’s an activity you might like to try out. |
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