Graphics and Software:

River Belle makes use of MicroGaming Viper Software and the version is highly standardized. It provides downloadable and non-downloadable version like all other casinos with huge differences between both. So for better experience you should go for the downloadable version. Its size is 5232 k and does not take too long to download and install. So it is recommended that you opt for this one.  On the other hand its graphics are also of high quality and gives the player a real kind of amusement.

Variety of Games:

River Belle Casino offers a large variety of online games. Like all other casinos it has multiple numbers of games to entertain its players. These includes table games, roulette, progressive jackpots,  video poker,  from the classic slots through to bonus feature games, casino games, blackjack, poker, slots, video slots and bingo. It includes seven types of blackjack games. River belle Casino can be played in the different languages: English, Japanese, German (Deutsch) French (Français), and Spanish (Espanol). Its first visit gives players a wonderful experience and let them gain this superb and beneficial experience forever.

Sign-Up Bonuses:

River Belle Casino offers an attractive and surprising bonus to its new players on their first deposit. A player can receive 100% match up bonus for up to $ 100 deposit. It also offers you Loyalty (for 200 points, you earn 1 casino credit) and Auction points on each bet you place. This allows you to earn more cash and more credits for winning more. You get them paid into account within 24 hours. Additionally, you can earn these auction points from any of the Belle Rock Entertainment Casinos.

Banking Options:

River Belle Casino assists the players to make deposits and withdrawals via different modes. For deposits, these are mainly Moneybookers and Delta Cards, FirePay, eCheck, (Diners Club, Visa and Mastercard), Citadel, UseMyBank, NETeller, NETeller InstaCash, Money Transfer, InstaDebit and Click2Pay. For withdrawal these are mainly eCheck, FirePay, NETeller, InstaDebit, ACH, Click2Pay, PaySpark and checks.

Customer Support:

Besides all the features it offers to its players, for the fruitful usage of the site, it offers a full time customer support. Its live chat service helps the players to clarify their doubts and queries. Its telephonic support is provided to the players on toll free numbers and players can contact the executive on there as well. Those who want to contact the help desk via email can send their queries on the email address. So in all it is a perfect match of realism and adventure. For experiencing these adventures and benefits, you must visit this casino.

Online Casino Bonuses
Is there any reason why this method of collecting bonuses from online casinos wouldn’t work? It truly seems too good to be true. Assuming you bet the minimum, what are the odds of losing money overall? Is this something that one with little gambling experience and no online gambling experience could do?

Blackjack- Few Tips
Like any gambling game, there is no guarantee to win this game but a novice can follow certain tips which can reduce the loss and make playing at the casino a pleasurable experience. As blackjack is a game of mathematics and probabilities, one should follow the basic strategy always. Hunches and intuition is not the [...]

Vic’s Bingo New Deposit Bonuses
At Vics Bingo you choose how much deposit bonus you wish to receive for your deposit! Receive a 125% or a 250% deposit bonus! All you need to consider is: the higher the amount you deposit, the more bingo bonus you receive! Read the full story at http://www.classicasinos.com/Bingo_Promotions/Vics_New_Deposit_Bonuses.html

888ladies Halloween
Halloween is around the corner and so is 888ladies with yet another fun and exciting promotion taking place between October 3rd November 2nd. Read the full story at http://www.classicasinos.com/Bingo_Promotions/888ladies_Halloween.html

Gypsy’s Destiny Promotion
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888ladies Bingo Presents Xmas Promotion
888ladies are giving away a CAR and lots more! Read the full story at http://www.classicasinos.com/Bingo_Promotions/mazda2_xmas.html

Parlay launches TV bingo in Canada
Bingo software supplier Parlay Entertainment has signed a deal with (CGTV) to allow Candians to play bingo and casino games on their televisions. The CGTV cable channel will allow Canadian players to play free games, including bingo, blackjack, video poker, slot machines and skill games. They will be able to play at www.cgtvcanada.com. Allan Weinrib, Senior Director [...]

Win A 5 Night Trip To Las Vegas At Foxy Bingo
One lucky roomie and friend are going to start 2009 in style with a 5 night trip to the city of Las Vegas, staying in the MGM Grand Hotel on the world famous Strip. The Foxy bingo winner will try their luck on the casinos, wine and dine in the beautiful bars and restaurants and [...]

Blackjack- Few Tips
Like any gambling game, there is no guarantee to win this game but a novice can follow certain tips which can reduce the loss and make playing at the casino a pleasurable experience. As blackjack is a game of mathematics and probabilities, one should follow the basic strategy always. Hunches and intuition is not the [...]

Brief Tips for Online Blackjack Players
Blackjack is one of the most popular online casino games for a few good reasons. First off, it is easy to learn the rules of this game.

The Simplicity of blackjack casino online
Online casino games are popular because you do not have to leave home to play them. But on that same token, some have more to offer than others.

Staying Focused In Blackjack
After many hours of playing blackjack online in the casino, many players tend to get sloppy with their game and force hands they normally wouldnt play. When you are putting in long hours in the casino (usually when you are a pro-gambler), it is best to stay hydrated and stay on a healthy diet. Health experts [...]

Variations of the Blackjack Chart II
After the countless hours of participation and looking at people logical side of it, and applying the realization that most people in a casino play with short or scared money, my decision to hit the 16, rather than split, was a rather easy thing to accept.

Variations of blackjack games
With the popularity of blackjack game growing, there are many variations of this game which have emerged to bring more excitement to the game. Las Vegas strip blackjack is a very popular variation used in Las Vegas casinos located on the Strip. It has different splitting and double down rules. In Pontoon blackjack, the dealers both [...]

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Downloading Playtech Casino Software
Software of any Playtech online casino can be downloaded from the web site of the casino. As soon as the web site is accessed a pop up box asks the player if he would like to download the software while browsing through the site at least in most cases. If not there will always be a download button or link on the online casinos website. If the player is inclined proceed then when the popup to download appears the OK button should be clicked on to commence the download. Else the player can click on the Cancel button and later download the software from the download link prominently displayed in the lobby. For the purpose of this tutorial we’re going to explain in steps and via video demonstration how to proceed and go about downloading a Playtech casino. Downloading and Installing Playtech Software Video Tutorial: Attention: In order to view our tutorial on how to download and install Playtech online casino software you’ll need to have the Adobe Flash player installed on your computer. Get Flash Player – Click Here var fo = new FlashObject(“template/v1/f/tutorials/playtech-install-tutorial.swf”, “playtech_install_tutorial”, “483″, “393″, “#000000″); fo.addParam(“quality”, “best”); fo.addParam(“allowfullscreen”, “true”); fo.addParam(“wmode”, “transparent”); fo.addParam(“menu”, “false”); fo.write(“playtech-install-tutorial”); Set of Steps for Downloading and Installing Playtech Software: Step #1 On clicking the download link a pop up box appears asking the player if he wants to save the file. The download process does not automatically begin because many visitors to the site accidentally click on the link while browsing the website. Such visitors can cancel the process by clicking the Cancel button. Players who want to install the software onto their computer should either proceed by clicking the "Save" option which will safe the file to your computer or the "Run" button which will commence the download and installation of the software. Step #2 For the purpose of this tutorial we’re suggesting that players click on the "Run" button as it saves one step in that the software will commence and begin running right from our website. Please keep in mind that in your web browser you may get a security message indicating that you need to first accept or allow the download and installation to take place if so we recommend you do so in order to proceed. Step #3 After the mini downloader file has completed downloading the installation will automatically commence. The player should ensure that he is connected to the Internet. A security warning pops up, which gives the details of the file. It states the name of the file, the publisher’s name, which is Playtech Limited, that the file type is Application and the location of the file. If the player is satisfied that the file is secure then he should click on the Run button to continue with the download. If the player feels that the file is not secure he can cancel the process by clicking on the Cancel button. However, the fact that the source is Playtech Limited should dispel any concerns that the player may have. Step #4 Next the downloader window is displayed. Playtech casinos allow the player to choose a language from English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. The player is also informed that the program is protected by copyright law. After selecting the language the player should click the Next button at the bottom left of the window. Step #5 In the next window the player is informed the default location where the program will be stored in his computer. If the player wants to store the program at a different location then he can click the Browse button and select the appropriate button. Step #6 The casino software starts downloading. The time taken for downloading depends on the speed of the Internet connection. Once the downloading is complete the player is prompted to click the Done button. The casino will be launched and the player can then open a Real Money account and start wagering. Playtech recommends a 32MB system memory and a 20MB free hard disk space. The average download time is about 10 minutes using a dial up connection and 2 minutes with cable and ADSL connections. Articles from Casino Advisor

Downloading Microgaming Casino Software
In order to download the software of a Microgaming online casino, players will need to access the casino web site. They can then initiate the downloading process by clicking on the download link, which is prominently displayed in the lobby. Alternatively players can use the download link provided in the Casino Advisor web site. Casino Advisor reviews and recommends a large number of Microgaming online casinos and provides direct download links for these casinos. Note that the below steps are provided that you’re downloading and installing the software from Internet Explorer. Although the steps will be very similar if you were to do the same but from FireFox or other web browser. Downloading and Installing Microgaming Software Video Tutorial: Attention: In order to view our tutorial on how to download and install Microgaming online casino software you’ll need to have the Adobe Flash player installed on your computer. Get Flash Player – Click Here var fo = new FlashObject(“template/v1/f/tutorials/microgaming-install-tutorial.swf”, “microgaming_install_tutorial”, “483″, “393″, “#000000″); fo.addParam(“quality”, “best”); fo.addParam(“allowfullscreen”, “true”); fo.addParam(“wmode”, “transparent”); fo.addParam(“menu”, “false”); fo.write(“microgaming-install-tutorial”); Set of Steps for Downloading and Installing Microgaming Software: Step #1 On clicking the download link a box is displayed asking the player if he wants to save the file. If the player wants to proceed with the download he should click the Save File button. Sometimes visitors to the online casino lobby inadvertently click the download link. They can abort the download process by clicking the Cancel button. Alternatively you could also first visit the website and download the software directly from the casinos website vs. clicking the download link here in Casino Advisor that would do the same thing. Step #2 Clicking on the Save File button saves the executable file onto the players computer at which point you can execute the file after it’s completed downloading. The other option would be to click the "Run" button to commence the installation of the mini downloader file. Step #3 The player should double click the icon on the desktop while remaining connected to the Internet to proceed further with the downloading provided that the save file option was used in the previous step. Regardless though once the setup has started you’ll receive a security warning is displayed giving the details of the file. It states that the publisher is Microgaming Software Systems Limited. If the player is satisfied with the information provided he should click on the Run button to proceed. The player has the option to abort the installation by clicking on the Cancel button. Step #4 When the Run button is clicked a Window opens with a large Install Casino button. Clicking on this button implies that the player has accepted the End User License Agreement and the downloading proceeds. However the correct procedure is to click on the link to open the End User License Agreement and read the agreement. Only after being satisfied with the contents of the agreement the player should click ob the button that says "I have read and accept the license agreement". This will directly start the downloading process. Step #5 While the casino software is downloading, Microgaming initiates the registration process. Players who want to save time can register while the downloading is in progress. They also have the option of registering later. It is recommended that the registration be done now. While the downloading is going on information about the casino is displayed on the screen. This includes its security and support features and the category of online casino games on offer. Step #6 As soon as the software is downloaded the casino opens. If players have already registered they can enter their passwords and log in. Microgaming software automatically starts downloading the casino games in a predetermined sequence. However players can supersede this sequence by downloading the games they prefer first. Microgaming recommends the use of a 1 GHz processor, 128 MB system memory and 250 MB of free space in the hard disc. With a dial up connection the download can take 8 minutes, but with a broadband connection this could come down to less than a minute. Articles from Casino Advisor

Blackjack Games with Progressive Jackpots
There is one advantage that online blackjack players have over their land-based counterparts which is not often written about. This advantage is that online blackjack players have access to some blackjack games that offer progressive jackpots. Good blackjack players may be able to make a steady income over an extended time span but they will rarely make huge single payouts in normal blackjack games. To provide online blackjack players with the excitement of slots some of the leading software providers have included progressive blackjack games in their portfolio. Vegas Technology offers a game called Progressive Blackjack. In this game the progressive jackpot is hit when the player is dealt four aces of the same suit. When this happens the player gets 100% of the amount in the jackpot pool. If the player is dealt four aces of different suits then the jackpot payout is 10% of the jackpot pool. This progressive blackjack game offers some fixed payouts as well. In order to be eligible for the progressive jackpot payouts the players have to place an additional wager of $1. The progressive blackjack game offered by Playtech is also called Progressive Blackjack. This game also offers the jackpot payout when the player is dealt four aces of the same suit. However there is no second jackpot of a smaller amount. There are fixed payouts for combinations like three suited aces and four unsuited aces. One of the advantages of this game is that even a single ace offers a payout of $5. Cryptologic also offers Progressive Blackjack. In this game the jackpot is easier to win because it is hit when the player is dealt four aces of the same color, and not necessarily of the same suit. There is no second jackpot. As in the other progressive blackjack games he described earlier there are fixed payouts of various combinations of suited and unsuited aces. This game also has a voluntary wager of $1 towards the progressive jackpot. Microgaming has a penchant for doing things differently and this is reflected in the progressive blackjack game that it offers. Here the jackpot is not based on aces but on sevens and the game is called Triple Sevens. If the player is dealt three diamond sevens then he hits the progressive jackpot. As in the other progressive jackpot blackjack games, Triple Sevens offers fixed payouts for various combinations of sevens. These range from 1000 coins for three suited sevens other than that of diamonds to 50 coins for two suited sevens. The Microgaming progressive blackjack game hits more frequently than the others but offers lower average payouts. Like any other progressive jackpot online casino games, progressive blackjack games are also high risk games. The chances of hitting the jackpot are remote and the $1 wager for the progressive jackpot can be burdensome for low rollers. A player who places a normal wager of $1 has to double his outlay to play for the progressive jackpot. However a player who places a normal wager of $10 only has to pay 10% more for playing the progressive jackpot. Therefore very clearly progressive jackpot blackjack games are attuned to the high rollers at online casinos. Articles from Casino Advisor

Become an Online Blackjack Icon
There are a lot of fun games that you can play at an online casino. But since these sites have become all the rage, none have been more of a crowd pleaser than online blackjack.

Blackjack Popular Online
Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in establishments all over the world. But at the same time, online blackjack has also taken off over the past few years.

Brief Tips for Online Blackjack Players
Blackjack is one of the most popular online casino games for a few good reasons. First off, it is easy to learn the rules of this game.

Is an Online Casino right for you?
The best thing about an online casino is that they try as hard as humanly possible to provide players with the overall look and feel of a land based casino.

The Fun of Online Blackjack
You cannot speak of fun casino games without bringing online blackjack into the conversation. When it comes down to it, fun and excitement are the main reasons that so many people play online blackjack.

$2.50 Chips Hard to Get
Samuel Rothschild says: $2.50 also is an attractive bet. $1 will insure all of it, and a natural pays $4.00. These bonuses are available only in Atlantic City; elsewhere, rounding is done in favor of the casino.

Blackjack Freeroll Tournament at VIP Online Casino – 09-08-09
September 8 – Cryptologic powered VIP online casino brings free blackjack tournament action to gambling enthusiasts.

Trends in Blackjack Gambling
Trends, streaks, patterns – I don’t give a ding what you call them. Just remember that they are a fantastically powerful force in the world of gambling casino and handicapping the games you might play.

The Simplicity of Online Blackjack
Online casino games are popular because you do not have to leave home to play them. But on that same token, some have more to offer than others.

Brief Tips for Online Blackjack Players
Blackjack is one of the most popular online casino games for a few good reasons. First off, it is easy to learn the rules of this game.

Trends in Blackjack Gambling
Trends, streaks, patterns – I don’t give a ding what you call them. Just remember that they are a fantastically powerful force in the world of gambling casino and handicapping the games you might play.

Variations of the Blackjack Chart II
After the countless hours of participation and looking at people logical side of it, and applying the realization that most people in a casino play with short or scared money, my decision to hit the 16, rather than split, was a rather easy thing to accept.

The Simplicity of Online Blackjack
Online casino games are popular because you do not have to leave home to play them. But on that same token, some have more to offer than others.

Blackjack- Few Tips
Like any gambling game, there is no guarantee to win this game but a novice can follow certain tips which can reduce the loss and make playing at the casino a pleasurable experience. As blackjack is a game of mathematics and probabilities, one should follow the basic strategy always. Hunches and intuition is not the [...]

Review : Online Casino Lobby
Many people prefer to gamble online, rather than in land-based casinos. The most obvious reason would be the ease of access, in time as well as place. Online casinos are open all days of the week and all days of the year, and they can be accessed from the comfort of your home or office. [...]

Hole Card Rule Variations In Blackjack
The game of blackjack has always been played in the casinos in Europe and America. However the game has evolved differently in the casinos of different regions. Broadly three regions are can be identified with different sets of rules. Two are in the United States. These are Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The third region is Europe. Microgaming and Cryptologic offer all three versions in their online casinos. The rules in these three regions differ in a number of ways. Important points of differences are how the dealer handles a hand value of 17, rules for splitting and doubling and how the hole card is treated. In the two American variants of blackjack the dealer deals himself two cards, one of which is face up and the other is face down. The dealer’s face down card is called the hole card. Under certain circumstances the hole card comes into play before the players make their moves. In the European version most often the face down card is not dealt at all. Hence this version is known as a ‘no hole’ variation. At other times the hole card is dealt but never comes into play till all the players have made their moves. Hence this version is also effectively a ‘no hole’ variation. In the two American versions the no hole card comes into play if the dealer’s face up card is an ace or a ten value card. Though the Las Vegas and Atlantic City blackjack rules differ in other respects they are the same for the hole card. In case the face up card is an ace the dealer asks the players to place the insurance bet if they want to. He then checks for blackjack. If the dealer has a blackjack then the players who did not insure lose their original wagers and the players who did insure end up quits. If the dealer does not have a blackjack then the players who had insured lose their insurance wager and the players start making their moves. In case the face up card is a ten value card then the players cannot buy insurance. The dealer will check his hole card and if it is an ace then he will reveal his blackjack. All the players then lose their wagers. However if players also have a blackjack the bets push. If the dealer does not have a blackjack then the game proceeds normally. In European blackjack if the dealer’s face up card is an ace, he will ask the players if they want to insure. Then the players start making their moves in turn. If the dealer has been dealt a hole card he will turn it over after all the players are standing or bust. If the dealer has not been dealt a hole card he will deal the second card face up. The question arises what difference does the hole card or no hole card make to the player. The player may want to make additional wagers in splitting or doubling after the initial cards are dealt. In the American games the player takes this decision after the dealer checks for blackjack. If the dealer has a blackjack then the player loses immediately and will not split or double and therefore does not lose the additional amount. In European blackjack the player takes the decision to split or double without the dealer checking for blackjack. If the dealer eventually has a blackjack then the player loses the amount wagered on the split or double moves. Therefore the American variants of Las Vegas and Atlantic City offer an advantage as far as the hole card rule is concerned. Players wagering on European blackjack should be less aggressive in their split and double moves. Articles from Casino Advisor

Availing Casino Bonuses A Choice Not A Compulsion
This article is directed to absolute newcomers to Internet casino gambling
who have never wagered online before. It points out that just because bonuses are offered it does not mean that they should be availed. In fact it makes sense for newbie players to get accustomed to the real money wagering and the normal deposit and withdrawal processes before getting involved with bonuses. That bonuses offer certain advantages to online casino players cannot be doubted. If they did not then they would not have been around. But they come with many strings attached and it is these strings that can confuse and irritate newbie players. The first issue that needs to be resolved with bonuses is the wagering requirements. These are applicable on the welcome bonus as well. If the player avails of the welcome bonus on his first deposit at the online casino he cannot withdraw his winnings till the wagering requirements are met. The wagering requirements can be as much as 40 times the deposit and bonus. This means that it could be a while before he can get hold of his winnings. A newbie player
however
would be anxious to get hold of his first winnings as soon as possible. This was the reason why he started wagering in the first place. To be able to complete the entire transaction and get the amount in his bank would increase his confidence in the online wagering process. The sooner he gets the confidence the better for him. If the newbie player has done his homework by reading message boards and watchdog web sites then he must be aware of instances of withdrawals being disallowed because of not having met wagering requirements. This would no doubt increase his anxiety. The newbie player will have several issues on his mind
which he can resolve more easily if he does not have to simultaneously worry about bonus related issues. For example online casinos offer several variants in blackjack. The newbie player will have to figure out which gives maximum value for money. Online casinos offer several customization features such as sound options and several facilities like game statistics and gaming transaction histories. In order to get the fullest out of his online gaming experience the new player will need to figure out how best to navigate through all that is on offer. Hence it may be a good idea if he focuses on these issues and leaves the bonuses till later. The newbie player should also be aware of what he stands to lose if he does not claim the welcome bonus so that he can make a considered decision in this matter. If he does not claim the welcome bonus on his first deposit and starts wagering then that bonus is lost to him forever. He cannot claim it later. He can however claim the reload and other bonuses at a later time. It is the trend today that online casinos advertise very large welcome bonuses and this can be a temptation. But newbie players must realize that in order to avail of these large bonuses they are required to make large initial deposits
and this is something they may not want to do. Fortunately there is a way around this. A player is not committed to wagering at the same online casino all his life. He can first choose an online casino that passes the due diligence test
but is not the place he ultimately wants to play at. He can forgo the welcome bonus there and seek to achieve a comfort level with the other online casino processes. Having done that
he can enroll at an online casino with an attractive welcome bonus. He can then focus on the wagering requirements and other issues related to the bonus. Articles from Casino Advisor

Online Gambling Funds Seizure Case
Even befor
e the passing of the UIGEA the Department of Justice (DoJ) was taking steps against online gambling. The prosecutions of the owners of Neteller and PartyGaming are examples. In a move that took everybody by surprise
the DoJ under the Obama administration went much further in its efforts to curb online gambling. It seized funds meant for disbursement to online players. In June 2009
the United States District Court of Southern District of New York issued a civil seizure warrant against funds in named accounts in specified banks. The warrant was issued on the basis of an affidavit given by a special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The agent averred that the funds were subject to seizure and civil forfeiture as per law. Accordingly Arlo Devlin-Brown
the assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York instructed the four banks to freeze said accounts. The accounts were in a Wells Fargo bank in San Francisco and in Alliance Bank of Arizona among others. The accounts belonged to an online payment processor. The exact reason given for the seizure was that the funds were involved in money laundering transactions and illegal gambling offenses. The total amount seized was between $30 million and $40 million. The online gaming industry was up in arms against this seizure. The online poker industry was most affected because most of the funds seized came from PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker. The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) spoke out strongly against the DoJ. It claimed that there was no legal standing for the action because the UIGEA regulations were not yet applicable and the Wire Act applied only to sports betting. Costigan Media filed a motion in the court to unseal the court records relating to the issuance of the warrant so that the legality of the action could be examined. Account Services Corporation
the payment processor whose funds had been seized
filed a motion for the return of property. While all these legal battles were playing out in the courts
the DoJ and the FBI delivered a second punch in the case. They filed an indictment charging the owner of the seized accounts with bank fraud and other offenses. The owner was Douglas Rennick who operated a number of payment processing companies such as KJB Financial Corporation
Account Services Corporation and Check Payment Financial Co. It is alleged that since 2007 Rennick has processed more than $350 million for online gambling operators. His modus operandi was as follows. He opened the accounts stating that he would be using them to issue rebate checks and for payroll processing. However
funds from offshore online gambling companies were received in the accounts and disbursed to U.S. residents withdrawing their gambling winnings. The 34 year old Rennick is a resident of Canada. He has been charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit bank fraud
conspiracy to engage in money laundering and conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business. The punishment that Rennick faces if found guilty is a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1 million fine on the bank fraud charge
20 years in prison and a fine of $500
000 on the money laundering charge and 5 years in prison and a fine of $250
000 fine on the illegal gambling charge. Articles from Casino Advisor

Hole Card Rule Variations In Blackjack
The game of blackjack has always been played in the casinos in Europe and America. However the game has evolved differently in the casinos of different regions. Broadly three regions are can be identified with different sets of rules. Two are in the United States. These are Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The third region is Europe. Microgaming and Cryptologic offer all three versions in their online casinos. The rules in these three regions differ in a number of ways. Important points of differences are how the dealer handles a hand value of 17
rules for splitting and doubling and how the hole card is treated. In the two American variants of blackjack the dealer deals himself two c
ards
one of which is face up and the other is face down. The dealer’s face down card is called the hole card. Under certain circumstances the hole card comes into play before the players make their moves. In the European version most often the face down card is not dealt at all. Hence this version is known as a ‘no hole’ variation. At other times the hole card is dealt but never comes into play till all the players have made their moves. Hence this version is also effectively a ‘no hole’ variation. In the two American versions the no hole card comes into play if the dealer’s face up card is an ace or a ten value card. Though the Las Vegas and Atlantic City blackjack rules differ in other respects they are the same for the hole card. In case the face up card is an ace the dealer asks the players to place the insurance bet if they want to. He then checks for blackjack. If the dealer has a blackjack then the players who did not insure lose their original wagers and the players who did insure end up quits. If the dealer does not have a blackjack then the players who had insured lose their insurance wager and the players start making their moves. In case the face up card is a ten value card then the players cannot buy insurance. The dealer will check his hole card and if it is an ace then he will reveal his blackjack. All the players then lose their wagers. However if players also have a blackjack the bets push. If the dealer does not have a blackjack then the game proceeds normally. In European blackjack if the dealer’s face up card is an ace
he will ask the players if they want to insure. Then the players start making their moves in turn. If the dealer has been dealt a hole card he will turn it over after all the players are standing or bust. If the dealer has not been dealt a hole card he will deal the second card face up. The question arises what difference does the hole card or no hole card make to the player. The player may want to make additional wagers in splitting or doubling after the initial cards are dealt. In the American games the player takes this decision after the dealer checks for blackjack. If the dealer has a blackjack then the player loses immediately and will not split or double and therefore does not lose the additional amount. In European blackjack the player takes the decision to split or double without the dealer checking for blackjack. If the dealer eventually has a blackjack then the player loses the amount wagered on the split or double moves. Therefore the American variants of Las Vegas and Atlantic City offer an advantage as far as the hole card rule is concerned. Players wagering on European blackjack should be less aggressive in their split and double moves. Articles from Casino Advisor