Yahtzee is a popular dice game that has been around since the 1950s. It's one of the games that are easy to learn and fun to play. The goal is to score as many points as possible by rolling five dice and attempting to make different varieties. If you're curious about how to play Yahtzee, we will provide you with all the information, so let's dive into the topic! Overview of the Gameplay So, how do you play Yahtzee? Well, it's played with five six-sided dice and a scorecard. Each player takes turns rolling the dice and attempting to make various combinations from the numbers. The varieties include 3-of-a-kind boxes, 4-of-a-kind boxes, small and large straight, full house, Yahzee (5-of-a-kind boxes), and chance. Each combination has a fixed value. The player with the highest total score at the end of the game wins. Step-by-Step Instructions Set up: Begin by placing the scorecard in the center of the table. Then, each participant takes a turn to roll the dice. The one who rolls the highest total goes first. Roll dice: The players roll five dice. The dice can be rolled up to three times in a turn. Score combinations: The partaker can score any combination they have rolled on their scorecard. If the player is unsuccessful in any category, they must write down a zero in the "chance" category. Re-roll if needed: The player may re-roll any or all dice up to three times in a turn and decide which dice to keep and which to re-roll. Yahtzee Rules Before you start, here are some essential rules of Yahtzee to ensure you have the best experience possible. How many dice do you need to play Yahtzee? Each player takes a turn rolling five dice. On your first roll, roll all five dice. You can set aside any keepers during the second roll of the game and re-roll the rest. On your third and final roll, you can roll some or all dice and must write down a dice score at the end of this roll. After each roll, you must set aside at least one die to build your score. The scored points in various categories, such as 3-of-a-kind box, 4-of-a-kind box, full house, small straight, large straight, or Yahtzee increase the chance of winning. You can choose the category you want to score in, but you can only earn points in one category. The participant who scored the highest amount at the end of the game wins. Now that you know the rules of Yahtzee, it's time to play the game. Components Yahtzee is one of the dice games that requires five standard dice and a scorepad. The game consists of 13 rounds, each with a different scoring category. 3-of-a-kind box: These boxes require three dice with the same number. The score is the sum of all dice. 4-of-a-kind box: These boxes require a player to have four dice with the same number. The score is the sum of all dice. Full house in Yahtzee: This category requires three dice with one number and two dice with another number. The score is 25 points. Small straight: This category requires a player to have four consecutive numbers in any order. The score is 30 points. Large straight: This category requires five consecutive numbers in any order. The score is 40 points. Yahtzee: This category requires a participant to have five dice with the same number. The Yahtzee score is 50 points; if a player scores a Yahtzee game in a subsequent round, they can earn bonuses. Chance: This category allows a player to score the sum of all dice, regardless of the combination. Yahtzee Scoring In Yahtzee, the scoring is counted as a combination of the upper and lower sections. The upper section: In this section of the Yahtzee dice game, you must earn points in categories one through six. The categories are: Ones Twos Threes Fours Fives Sixes Each category requires reaching the sum of the corresponding dice number. For example, if a player rolls three ones, two twos, and one five, they can achieve three points in the "ones" category and two points in the "twos" category. The lower section: In this section, you must score in categories numbered 7 through 13. The Yahtzee boxes are: 3-of-a-kind box 4-of-a-kind box  Full house Small straight Large straight Yahtzee Chance In these games, the score is based on the combination of numbers on the dice roll. For example, if a player rolls three fives and two threes, they can score 15 points in the "3-of-a-kind" category or 15 points in the "chance" category. A Yahtzee, which is 5-of-a-kind, scores 50 points. The objective of dice games is to collect points in 13 rounds. The upper section scores are added together, and if you score 63 or more points in this section, you receive a 35-point bonus. The final score is the sum of the upper section, the lower section, and any extras. Yahtzee Variations Basic Yahtzee: This is the classic example of Yahtzee variations, which is also the most popular. In this version, players take turns rolling the dice and attempting to make different varieties. The player with the highest total score at the end of the game wins. Yahtzee with multiple players: This variation allows multiple players to play together. Players take turns rolling the dice and scoring combinations on their scorecards. It can be a lot more competitive and fun when playing with friends. Yahtzee with extra dice: This variation has an additional die. The participant must score a combination with all six dice before their turn ends. This version is more challenging and requires thinking more strategically. Yahtzee Strategies Always try to get a full house first and then go for a large straight. Depending on the situation, you can also try for a 4-of-a-kind or a Yahtzee. Prioritize ones, twos, and threes if you need to get a full house. These are the most common numbers and most likely to appear. Try to keep all of your dice during each turn since you want to take advantage of all chances of getting a Yahtzee. When deciding which combination to go for, decide which would give you the most points. If you need a specific combination, keep the die with the number you need and roll the other die to get the required combination. If you are going for a Yahtzee, don't be afraid to take risks to get it. Always keep track of your scores and try to maximize them. Remember to use the scored points from bonuses if you have fulfilled the requirements of the games. Conclusion Yahtzee is a fun and easy game to learn. Can you play Yahtzee with two players? It can be played with two or more players and adapted to different difficulty levels. Players take turns rolling the dice and attempting to make various varieties from the numbers moved. The person with the highest total score at the end of the game wins. You can find resources online for more tips on winning at Yahtzee. There is also an online Yahtzee to try out. So, whether you're playing with friends, family, or even online, Yahtzee is the game that guarantees hours of entertainment. Yahtzee FAQ What is Yahtzee? Yahtzee is a popular dice game that can be played with two or more players. It's a game of luck, strategy, and skill, and the goal is to score the most points by rolling five dice and selecting different combinations. How do you win Yahtzee? The participant with the highest overall score at the end of the game wins. In addition, the player with the highest score in each category earns bonus points. What are the rules of Yahtzee? Each partaker takes turns rolling five dice and selecting different varieties of dice rolls. The person with the highest score in each category also earns bonus points in those games. After all players have taken turns, the one with the highest overall score wins. This is a simple explanation of how to play Yahtzee. How do you score in Yahtzee? The scores are calculated by adding the total of all the dice or selecting specific combinations (such as 3-of-a-kind, 4-of-a-kind, full house, etc.). Bonus points can also be earned by having the highest score in each category. What are the different categories of Yahtzee? The categories in Yahtzee include ones, twos, threes, fours, fives, sixes, 3-of-a-kind box, 4-of-a-kind box, full house, small straight, large straight, chance, and Yahtzee.

We can hear great stories surrounding combinations of cards over time because they have been part of our culture for centuries. One of the most famous legends is the dead man's hand, which is made up of two black aces and two black eights. Gamblers can be superstitious, and when it comes to gambling, we've all heard people talk about lucky dice and lucky cards. But what is the dead man's hand? How can this seemingly unlucky hand be read as an omen of death, what part of this is historically accurate, and which part is mythological? Stay tuned to find out. Bill Hickok (Wild Bill) and His Death First things first, I'll write about the man known for this hand combination. Wild Bill Hickok Wild Bill Hickok (1837-1876), the famous gunman and gambler, is at the center of the story. Wild Bill Hickok's real name was James Butler Hickok, but "James" doesn't sound quite as impressive when you're a legendary gunman in the wild west. He was originally nicknamed Duck Bill for his long nose and large lips. Wild Bill earned his reputation as a respected lawman and gunfighter in the American West due to his service in the Civil War. Namely, the press closely followed his gunfights and conquests due to his many heroic feats. In addition, he earned respect as a professional gambler. There was often a mixture of fact and fiction surrounding Wild Bill, so we can't determine how many men he killed. A respected biographer believes it's probably closer to half a dozen than over a hundred, as claimed by several journalists at the time. He helped build Wild Bill's legend by exaggerating his contemporaries' accomplishments, exploits, and stories by contributing some outlandish reports about them. Wild Bill’s Death He was no longer the crack shot he was in his youth, and his health was also declining. One of his greatest passions was poker, which he indulged at Nuttal & Mann's Saloon No. 10. As a skilled player, Wild Bill has amassed a large fortune throughout his life. Unfortunately, Jack McCall, a drunken buffalo hunter, lost so much on this occasion that he needed Wild Bill to buy breakfast. McCall might have considered this gesture a grave insult, as the next day's events would demonstrate. After playing poker with the other gamblers at the saloon on August 2, 1876, Wild Bill again headed to the saloon. There was only one seat at the poker table, so he requested that another player switch places with him because he was looking forward to seeing the saloon's entrance and exit from this seat. Then, Jack McCall shot Wild Bill from behind in the saloon, saying, "Damn you! Take that!" as Wild Bill clutched two black Aces and two black Eights, he fell from his seat and died immediately. What Is the Dead Man's Hand? Did Wild Bill hold a pair of Aces and an eight? According to some historians, the account is not authentic. Wild Bill and this particular hand became popular after a book about Hickok was published fifty years later. Its publication contributed to the spread of what had already become a legend. There is little information about it before the 1920s. However, dead man's hands were associated with a completely different hand of cards and a completely different individual during the nineteenth century. The original event occurred over 140 years ago. Regardless of whether Wild Bill's death was historically based or not, his story has become a legend. Wild Bill Hickok's death is frequently associated with the dead man's hand because he held a pair of black aces and eights at the moment of his passing. As a result, novels, movies, and even video games reference this hand countless times throughout popular culture. There's a small casino called Saloon 10 where Wild Bill was killed, on the site where he was shot. In addition to the Dead Man's Hand exhibit, there are signs explaining the story behind the object. Dead Man’s Hand References It makes sense that given the popularity of Wild Bill Hickok and the dead man's hand in Western culture, the hand is referred to in many Western films. John Ford featured the dead man's hand in Stagecoach and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Liberty Valance's title character is the victim, while Stagecoach's John Wayne holds the hand. In Frontier Marshal, released in 1939, Randolph Scott plays Wyatt Earp. After being shot in the back two years later, Wild Bill Hickok (Richard Dix) holds the dead man's hand in the 1941 Western Badlands of Dakota. Aces and eights were the winning hand in a poker scene in the 2001 film Along Came a Spider. Due to the dead man's hand, a family shotgun changes hands. As the movie progresses, the shotgun plays a key role in solving a kidnapping. Video games such as Fallout: New Vegas' Dead Money expansion have featured dead man's hands. For example, the player can collect cards that make up the famous dead man's hand from the ruins of the Sierra Madre casino in order to complete tasks in the game. How Should You Play The Dead Man's Hand In Poker? Even though dead man's hand isn't the best in poker, it can be a solid hand combination if you play it correctly. It's best to be aggressive when playing this hand and try to win as many chips as possible early on. If you do so, you're more likely to win the pot when the final cards are revealed at the end of the round. Can The Dead Man's Poker Hands Increase Your Chances Of Winning? You have an approximately 1 in 730,000 chance of being dealt a dead man's hand, and you have even lower odds of winning the hand if you are dealt one. However, it's possible to increase the chances of winning in a few ways: Make sure you don't get into situations where you have to face more than one opponent at a time. When you play against a single opponent, make sure that you are the one deciding how to bet. Be aware of your opponents' betting patterns and take advantage of them. Conclusion There's no question that the dead man's hand is one of the most famous poker hands. As a result, Wild Bill Hickok has become one of the most recognizable figures in both gambling and western history. If players at your table are interested in poker history, they may even identify the hand during play if it occurs during a round of poker. Whether a 5-card draw, a 5-card stud, or No-Limit Texas Hold'em, the dead man's hand often wins the pot and is a good hand combination. FAQ What is considered a dead man's hand? It's described as a two-pair poker hand consisting of two black aces and two black eights, along with an unknown hole card. Why is it called a dead man's hand? According to legend, Wild Bill Hickok was shot while holding the dead man's hand, so it's considered unlucky to hold the two pairs today. What was the fifth card in the dead man's hand? In some situations, the fifth card in a dead man's hand is the five of diamonds; in others, it might be either the nine or the jack of diamonds.

Card counting in blackjack is a method for determining whether the next hand will be advantageous to the player or the dealer. Card counters aim to keep count of both high and low-value cards to minimize the house edge as much as possible. This practice ultimately allows players to determine the composition of remaining cards before they are dealt and played, leading to minimizing losses. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you’ve come to the right place! Learn how to count cards in blackjack, and how to leverage it in our insightful article. What is Card Counting in Blackjack In a nutshell, card counting in blackjack can be described as a way for players to get an edge over the house by applying a simple mathematical equation. How does counting cards work? Simple. The practice of card counting is based on the basic principle that in blackjack, past events influence future events. Specific values are assigned to cards, and as soon as the cards have been shuffled and dealt, these values are counted while you play blackjack online or at land-based casinos.  We’ve listed some handy card-counting basics below: A player assigns a value to each card based on its face and number, either negative, positive, or zero. For example, there is a +1 count for cards 2 through 6, a 0 or neutral count for cards 7 to 9, and a -1 count for cards 10 through Ace. Counting begins at 0. Players will add value to the count as each card is dealt. Accordingly, if an Ace, King, 2, 7, 6, 4, and 5 are dealt, the count is +2. Face-down cards are not counted until they are flipped. The true count is calculated to determine the profitability of bets and is calculated using the running count. When a player is confident of the ‘true count,’ they can alter their bets according to their advantage. With fewer cards left in the shoe, the player makes more decisive wagers and improves their true count. As cards are dealt out of the deck, the counting continues. It is based on the count that betting decisions are made. It is ideal for a player to place a higher bet if the count is positive and a lower bet if it is negative. Running Count vs. True Count The running count in card counting when it comes to blackjack allows players to keep track of high and low value cards where cards 2-6 are attributed a value of +1, neutral cards, or 7-9, are valued at 0, and high cards (10, J, Q, K, A) are valued at -1.  A running count with a positive number does not necessarily mean that you would have the edge over the house though. To determine whether you should increase your bets, you need to consider the true count first. In general, a true count of +2 or higher is considered an indication of the player having an edge and that profitable bets can be placed. To calculate the true count, the running count is divided by the number of decks remaining.  Your advantage increases as the true count increases. Therefore, when the house has an advantage, or when the true count is low, players should wager as little as possible and increase their wagers proportionally. Tip: To successfully count cards in blackjack, be sure you start counting when the shoe is empty to get accurate calculations! Blackjack Card Counting Systems Blackjack players use various card counting systems and strategies, some of which are more distinctive than others. The level of difficulty of these varies from straightforward to advanced. The level of difficulty of the system should however not dictate which one you use, as several factors influence the applicability of the system. A straightforward system will be easier to apply in a simple game with fewer decks, for example. Each system is aimed at solving a specific problem and not every system will be ideal for every game. Next, we provide an overview of each to illustrate how to apply them. There are three main types of systems: Balanced/Unbalanced SystemWhere Balanced systems always begin and end in 0, and Unbalanced can end in Level 1 or Level 2, 3, 4 SystemWhere Level 1 values can be 1, 0, or -1, with the other levels being more complex with higher values included.Ace Side CountCounting and or keeping track of how many aces have been played. Hi-Lo System System Type: Balanced, Level 1 Difficulty Level: Beginner Ace Side Count: No Probably the most common and easiest strategy, Hi-Lo card counting is based on the basic principle of calculating the ratio of high and low cards left. More high cards would be beneficial to the player, while more low cards would be beneficial to the dealer.  Card values are allocated as discussed earlier, with low cards (2-6) valued at -1, neutral cards (7-9) valued at 0, and high cards (A, J, Q, K) valued at +1. As a result of the combination of neutral, high, and low cards in a deck equal to zero, the Hi-Lo strategy is a ‘balanced’ counting strategy where the count will always begin and end in 0. The Hi-Lo system requires you to calculate a running total of all cards played in the game, including those held by the dealer and other players, which is known as the running count. It is however the true count that will indicate the ratio between high and low cards. This does not have to be an exact calculation but can be an estimate. To explain the Hi-Lo counting system in classic blackjack we’ll look at an example: Once the dealer introduces a new shoe to the table, the Hi-Lo strategy begins. Since no cards have been dealt, the running count is 0. Once the first round of cards is dealt, players can calculate the running count by adding all visible cards (face-up cards) on the table. Let’s say there are five cards on the table, an Ace (-1), 2 (+1), 6 (+1), 9 (0), and a 7 (0). Adding these totals would give you a running count of +1. Next, to determine whether it would be a good idea to increase your bets, you need to calculate the true count by dividing +1 by the total decks left on the table. Here’s another example of calculating the true count: In an 8-deck blackjack game, you have a running count of +7. The shoe has roughly four decks left, giving you a true count of +1.75, or 2. Omega II System System Type: Balanced, Level 2 Difficulty Level: Intermediate Ace Side Count: No Bruce Carlson developed the Omega II card counting system for intermediate-level players, although today it is considered a complex system used by experienced players only. The reason a lot of experienced players use this system is for the accuracy it offers since it is a two-level system. Aces and 8s are valued at 0, cards 2, 3, and 7 have a value of +1, 4-6 have a value of +2, 9s are counted as -1, while the 10 and the face cards are valued at -2.  Since 4-6 cards are considered the worst cards in blackjack, they are valued at +2 and of course, the 10 and face cards (J, Q, K) are valued at -2 as these cards can get a player to get a natural blackjack quicker.  The fact that this is a multi-level system might make it a little bit more complicated to calculate as you play. As with the Hi-Lo system, a true count needs to be calculated by dividing the running count by the number of decks left in the shoe. Hi-Opt I & II Systems System Type: Balanced, Level 1 (Hi-Opt I), Level 2 (Hi-Opt II) Difficulty Level: Intermediate Ace Side Count: Yes There are two Hi-Opt systems, Hi-Opt I, and Hi-Opt II. While these two systems are different, they are related and we’ll therefore discuss both here. Card values in Hi-Opt I consist of: 10 & Face Cards: -1 3-6: +1 Everything else: 0 Players must keep a running count while also keeping track of Aces. To make informed bets, the true count is calculated by dividing the running count by the number of decks left in the shoe. Card values in the Hi-Opt II system: Aces, 8 & 9: 0 10 & Face cards: -2 2 & 3: +1 4 & 5: +2 6 & 7: +1 It is important to note that the Hi-Opt II system is notably harder to master than the simpler Hi-Opt I. Since it is a two-level system, players have two card values to add and subtract by. 2, 3, 6, or 7 receive a +1 value. As soon as the players see cards 4 and 5, they must add 2 to their running count. In the case of 10 and the face cards, players need to subtract 2 from their running count. The value of an Ace, 8 or 9, is 0. As with the Hi-Opt I system, the true count is calculated by dividing the running count by the number of decks on the table. Wong Halves System System Type: Balanced, Level 3 Difficulty Level: Advanced Ace Side Count: Yes This system was developed by Stanford Wong and is also the only one that makes use of fractions. Here is a quick overview of card values in the Wong Halves system, keeping in mind that three values are to be tracked when using it: Aces & 10s: -1 3s, 4s, 6s: +1 8s: 0 9s: -0.5 2s & 7s: +0.5 5s: +1.5 To avoid fractions, players can double the value of ?. To determine the odds of winning, convert the running count to a true count. Calculating the final count after each deck would be a good idea. It’s easier to do this than to calculate a final count from several decks of cards. If you are avoiding calculations with fractions, remember to double the number of decks you would have divided the running count by. Red 7 System System Type: Unbalanced, Level 1 Difficulty Level: Beginner Ace Side Count: No As a one-level system, the Red 7 system of counting cards in blackjack is simple and easy for beginners to learn. The system works based on high and low cards and is seen as a variation of the Hi-Lo counting system. Aces and 10s are valued at -1, 2-6 cards are valued at +1, red 7s in the deck count as +1, black 7s are valued at 0, and all 8s and 9s are also counted at 0. Thanks to singling out red 7s, there is no need for players to calculate a true count. As with other unbalanced systems, counting starts with a negative count, with every deck of cards equalling -2. When playing with six decks then, you would start counting at -12. A running count of 0 indicates that you have a 0.5% edge over the house. When the running counts increase, bet sizes are increased by increments depending on the number of decks you are playing. In a nutshell, it is better for the players if the final running count is higher when using this counting system. KO System System Type: Unbalanced, Level 1 Difficulty Level: Beginner and Intermediate Ace Side Count: No Commonly known as the Knock-Out card counting system and is suitable for both beginners and intermediate players. This system was introduced in a book entitled Knock Out Blackjack written by Fuchs and Vancura. Like the Hi-Lo method, tens, queens, jacks, kings, and aces are assigned a -1, whereas 2-7 are assigned a +1. On the other hand, 8s and 9s are marked as 0. When all cards have been dealt, the final count will not equal zero, indicating that the system is not balanced. This also means that there is no need to calculate a true count. Unlike other systems, counting does not start at 0, but the number of decks determines the starting count. When the game is played with two decks, the count would start at -2, playing with six decks means you will start counting at -20, and eight decks will have you starting from -28. If you play with a single deck you would start counting at 0 as with the other counting systems. Bet sizes are increased as the running count climbs, with lower bet sizes placed the lower the running count. Zen Count System Type: Balanced, Level 2 Difficulty Level: Intermediate Ace Side Count: No Another balanced system is the Zen Count, where the count decreases to 0 at the end of the game. It is also one of the simplest systems, and the cards are valued as follows: 2, 3, 7: +1 4, 5, 6: +2 8, 9: 0 10, Jack, Queen, King: -2 Ace: -1 Since this is a balanced counting system, players need to calculate the true count by dividing the running count by the estimated number of decks left. The Zen Count system is considered to be one of the best counting systems to help players decide when to raise their bets. This is due to the favorable correlation the system offers, standing at 0.96. Bets are increased as the true count increases, with a true count of 0 or less requiring a minimum bet size. Of course, players must also be aware of this steady increase to avoid catching the casino’s attention. Dynamics of Team Card Counting Team card counting is in no way a new phenomenon, with multiple blackjack card-counting teams trying to up the house all over the globe. The most popular blackjack team is without a doubt the MIT card counting team, a team that started in the 70s and is also the inspiration behind the popular movie 21. Teams use a variety of counting systems, but notably, the system used by the MIT card counting team is largely based on the Hi-Lo system, which assigns the same values to each card. As a result, high cards are -1, low cards are +1, and the rest are 0. The team also used a three-person team strategy that included: A big player, A controller A spotter. After the spotter verified that the count was favorable, they would signal the big player to place the bet. The team could beat several casinos and make millions of dollars within a short period. How to Count Cards with 1 Deck vs. Multiple Decks Now that we’ve covered the basics of card counting and explained some of the systems you can exploit, we’ll skim over how to apply your knowledge when playing single-deck or multi-deck blackjack games. 1 Deck Card Counting Using the Hi-Lo system, players in single-deck games only need the running count to assess their advantage. A true count isn’t necessary. As a result, you can spend more time applying basic strategy to single deck blackjack card counting. New card counters will enjoy single-deck blackjack games thanks to the simplicity it affords. With fewer decks, players have the best odds, and beginner counters can easily track their advantage. Additionally, single-deck blackjack has a house edge of just 0.16%. Online casinos sometimes add restrictions to single-deck blackjack games to tip the odds in their favor. For example, some rules restrict players’ moves and winnings, such as limiting re-splits and letting the dealer hit on a soft 17. Counting Cards with Multiple Deck Games Learning how to count cards in blackjack with multiple decks can seem tricky, especially since players have to keep track of both the running and the true count. This can be done using a balanced counting system like Hi-Lo. Using the true count, every card counting system can be used in blackjack, regardless of the number of decks. You can adjust your bets accordingly when you know how many high-value cards are left in the shoe. To calculate the true count, the running count is divided by the number of decks on the table, which will give you an indication of the total number of high cards left. Let’s look at a practical example: If you are playing with six decks, and you have a running count of +12, the true count will be two (12 ÷ 6 = 2), indicating two high cards left per deck. Where this calculation might get tricky is keeping track of the number of decks left on the table—keeping in mind that the importance of an accurate true count increases as the number of decks left decreases. How Casinos Try To Prevent Card Counting While card counting at land-based casinos is common, and certainly not illegal, one cannot help but wonder whether or not it is possible to count cards online. Can you count cards in online blackjack? Yes, it is possible! It is, however, extremely difficult. Online casinos use the following methods to reduce or eliminate a card counter’s advantage in live blackjack: CSMs (Continuous Shuffling Machines): It is impossible for players to count cards when the dealer is using these devices. Decks (typically between 3-5) are constantly shuffled, making it impossible to calculate the variance between high and low value cards left. Deck Penetration: Referring to the distribution of cards dealt before reshuffling, deck penetration is a cornerstone of successful card counting. In some online casinos, 8-deck shoes are replaced after 50% of the cards have been played, rendering card counting ineffective. Rounds Per Hour: In card counting, the general rule of thumb is that the more rounds you can play per hour, the more you can win. The speed of live blackjack games limits the number of hands played and the overall winnings of card counters. Blackjack Rules: A 6:5 payout or the dealer hitting on soft 17 can increase the house edge so much that card counting becomes impossible. These, among other game rules, are sometimes implemented to counter-act card counting. Card Scanning: Before adding cards to the table, dealers sometimes scan them. Then, the casino’s systems analyze players’ betting patterns and table cards to identify any counting. Look for online casinos that pay 3:2 for live blackjack, if you want to play live blackjack. Choose a table where the dealer manually shuffles the cards or uses a batch shuffler. You can still count cards with these systems depending on deck penetration. Lastly, look for live blackjack games with favorable rules. Tips for Mastering Card Counting in Blackjack Some players struggle to keep track of their cards when they combine card counting systems with basic strategy. Before even attempting card counting, players should know basic blackjack strategy by heart. Once you’ve got the basic strategy down, you’ll need to practice card counting until it becomes second nature. Below are some exercises you can try. Read the basic blackjack strategy chart out loud several times a day to ensure you can recite it without looking at it. Practice your knowledge of basic strategy by playing at home until you are comfortable with your level of knowledge and understanding. Next, you need to practice your card counting and reaching accurate running counts. Start by counting the values of a single deck of cards, until you’ve reached the last card. If you did not reach a running count of 0 you made a mistake. Continue practicing and counting for as long as is necessary.  Once you are confident that you can automatically calculate and keep track of the running count,  it’s time to put what you’ve learned to the test. Ask a friend to play with you, and play a couple of rounds to test your skills. Next, it’s time to see how your running count skills fare in practice. Visit a casino and watch other blackjack players play. Try to keep track of the running count as you watch. It’s essential not to attempt playing at this stage yet, you still have to practice calculating the true count! To practice calculating the true count, get your blackjack gear out and get ready to do some maths. You’ll need six decks of cards and 30 pieces of paper with the numbers 1-30 written on it. With an empty discard tray, pull a number from the ones you’ve prepared and divide it by six (six decks on the table). Continue pulling numbers and doing the division by six. Once you have done so about 30 times, place one deck of cards in the discard tray and all the numbered papers back in the container you are using to pull them from. Restart the process but this time, divide the number you pull by five (five decks on the table). Continue this process until you have worked your way through all decks. These practices should help you master the art of card counting. You can also practice calculating the true count by doing simple divisions while jogging or relaxing. It is essential to get these basics right before attempting to try them out in real games!  FAQ Is it legal to count cards in blackjack? No, while it is frowned upon, no law states that it is not allowed. The US and British laws do not prohibit card counting. The casinos, however, strictly prohibit players from using any external card-counting device or person to assist them in counting cards. In general, casinos oppose card counting and try to prevent it. Often, they ban suspected card counters from playing in the casinos. Some casinos, especially in Nevada, strictly prohibit the use of card-counting apps and devices.  How do online casinos minimize card counting? Online casinos complicate the process by adding more decks. Consequently, it is more difficult to identify the concentration of high and low cards left in the shoe. Casinos may also use Continuous Shuffling Machines, which makes it impossible to count cards when playing blackjack. Does card counting work in online blackjack? Yes, you can count cards when playing blackjack online against live dealers. If you want to know how to count cards in online blackjack, you can apply all the systems and strategies we’ve explained in this article. It is important to note that counting cards in online blackjack is not as profitable as doing so at land-based casinos due to several reasons, but more specifically, the pace of online blackjack games. Can team card counting strategies increase success rates in blackjack? Yes, it absolutely can increase success rates to play in a team setting. What could be especially beneficial from team card counting is an increase in the Expected Value or profit that can be earned, as this increases with the addition of shares in the overall bankroll. More players also reduce the risk. What are common beginner card counting mistakes? Among the many mistakes beginners make, not applying basic strategy is the biggest. Next is overbetting and not managing their bankroll effectively, and last but not least, making insurance bets thinking that it could have a positive outcome when there is a 70% chance that it won’t.

Do you want to start gambling but don't know whether it's legal in your country or not? Certain activities can have an age restriction, such as playing video games, drinking alcohol, or buying tobacco. Regarding gambling, the most common age limit is 18 years. In case you’re wondering how old do you have to be to gamble or place bets, in this article, I'll point out age restrictions for many places, so stay tuned. In the following sections, I'll go over age restrictions related to gambling and sports betting around the world. The United States In most states, the gambling age in the USA is 18, but there are some exceptions. States Casino Games Sports Betting Alabama 21 / Alaska 21 / Arizona 21 21 Arkansas 21 21 California 18 / Colorado 21 21 Connecticut 21 21 Delaware 21 21 Florida 21 18 Georgia 18 (cruises only) / Hawaii 21 / Idaho 18 / Illinois 21 21 Indiana 21 21 Iowa 21 21 Kansas 21 / Kentucky / / Louisiana 21 21 Maine 21 / Maryland 21 21 Massachusetts 21 18 Michigan 18/21 18 Minnesota 18 18 Mississippi 21 18 Missouri 21 18 Montana 18 18 Nebraska 21 18 Nevada 21 21 New Hampshire 21 21 New Jersey 21 18 New Mexico 21 18 New York 21 18 North Carolina 21 21 North Dakota 21 21 Ohio 21 / Oklahoma 18 / Oregon 21 21 Pennsylvania 21 21 Rhode Island 21 21 South Dakota 18 at Indian Casinos 21 South Carolina 21 (cruises only) / Tennessee / 21 Texas 21 21 Utah 21 / Vermont 21 / Virginia 21 21 Washington 18 21 West Virginia 21 21 Wisconsin 21 21 Wyoming 21 18 Europe The minimum age to gamble in Europe varies. In some places, the legal age to gamble is 21, while in others, it might be 20 or 18. Take a look below to find out how old do you have to be to bet and play casino games in Europe. For the UK, European Countries Casino Games Sports Betting Albania 18 18 Austria 18 18 Andorra / / Belarus 21 21 Belgium 21 21 Bosnia and Herzegovina / / Bulgaria 18 18 Croatia 18 18 Czech Republic 18 18 Denmark 18 / Estonia 21 21 Faroe Islands 18 18 Finland 18 18 France 18 18 Germany 18 18 Gibraltar 18 18 Greece 23 23 Guernsey 18 18 Hungry 18 18 Iceland 18 18 Ireland 18 18 Isle of Man 18 18 Italy 18 18 Kosovo 18 18 Latvia 18 18 Liechtenstein 18 18 Luxembourg 18 18 Malta 18 (25 for Maltese citizens) 18 (25 for Maltese citizens) Moldova 18 18 Monaco 18 18 Montenegro 18 18 Netherlands 18 18 North Macedonia 18 18 Norway 18 18 Poland 18 18 Portugal 18 or 25 (depends on the casino) 18 or 25 (depends on the casino) Romania 18 18 San Marino 18 18 Serbia 18 18 Slovakia 18 18 Slovenia 18 18 Spain 18 18 Sweden 18 18 Switzerland 18 18 Turkey 18 18 Ukraine 18 18 United Kingdom 18 18 Vatican City / / Asia Overall, there's no doubt that Asia is one of the best places in the world to gamble. But what is the legal age to gamble there? In most Asian countries, you have to be between the ages of 18 and 21. Countries in Asia Casino Games Sports Betting Akrotiri and Dhekelia 18 18 Afghanistan Illegal Illegal Armenia 21 21 Azerbaijan 18 18 Bahrain Illegal Illegal Bangladesh / / British Indian Ocean Territory 18 18 Brunei Darussalam Illegal Illegal Cambodia / / China Illegal(except for lotteries) Illegal Christmas Island 18 18 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 18 18 Cyprus 18 18 Georgia 18 18 Hong Kong 18 18 Iran Illegal Illegal India 21 21 Indonesia Illegal Illegal Israel 18 18 Japan 20 20 Kyrgyzstan 18 18 Laos 18 18 Lebanon 21 21 Macau 21 21 Malaysia 21 21 Maldives Illegal Illegal Mongolia / / Myanmar 18 18 Pakistan Illegal 1Illegal Philippines 21 18 Qatar Illegal Illegal Russia 18 18 Saudi Arabia Illegal Illegal Singapore 21 18 South Korea 19 19 Syria Illegal Illegal Tajikistan 18 18 Thailand Illegal Illegal Turkey 18 18 UAE Illegal Illegal Vietnam 21 21 Canada Usually, the minimum age for gambling in Canada is 19 years old. However, like with most other countries around the world, it can vary geographically. Here are the exceptions: Quebec — 18 Manitoba — 18 Alberta — 18 Latin America The iGaming business has a lot to look forward to in Latin America. There’s stable growth, and more of it will come. South America is made up of 12 independent countries, each with its own laws about gambling. The legal gambling age is 18 years old. Oceania When it comes to Oceania, the usual gambling age is 18 years old. The only current exception is 20 for casinos in New Zealand. There’s no known legal age in Papua New Guinea. In the Federated States of Micronesia, it’s dependent on state law. It’s illegal in the Marshall Islands and Tokelau. Africa In Africa, the gambling age is usually 18 or 21, except for Nigeria, where the age limit is 20. It’s illegal in Algeria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, and Sudan. There’s no known gambling age for Tunisia, South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea. FAQ Why are the gambling age limits different? The legal age when you start being considered an adult differs from country to country, which is probably the main reason. What will happen if you gamble while you’re underage? In the US, the winnings will be taken away, and it’s not likely that something else’s going to happen. Though, if someone continuously goes to casinos underage will face some consequences. Also, the operators who let you in can face harsher punishments sometimes. Is the age restriction the same for land-based and online casinos? It usually is, but there are countries where the age limit differs between the two. Is there a connection between the casino bonuses and the age restriction? No, there’s no connection. You need to be 18 years old or above, and you can take advantage of the bonuses just like everyone else.