Good BlackJack Casino?

[Jeff K]

Can anyone recommend a good casino for playing BlackJack?

[mls]

Betmaker, IGN, and Island Casino all have the same software - single deck with $1 limit.

[buckeye]

Take my observations or leave them, but here is my 2 cents on online casinos.

Whereas sportsbook results can't be fixed ( theoretically ) and playing BJ in Vegas you are only battling probability and the inherent house vig, when playing slots or online games you are susceptible to "rigging".

While I'm sure they will say their software is audited for randomness, etc. If I were them I would be tempted to do what slot programmers do. They make it 99%+ more likely for you to ALMOST win ( get winning combos on lines one away or give you 2/3 ) than of giving you a winner. This plays into people's unconscious and psyche and they keep thinking how close they are to hitting it big. BIG TIME MONEY MAKING RIP OFF as it isn't really so RANDOM after all.

What's to keep online casinos from letting you win at simulated play, or with low bets, only to clean you out when it really counts? What's to stop them from "tempting" you with juicy double down opps on more than a usual basis ( like 11 v 6 ) and then nailing you on them.

I am sceptical about how random these games really are. Any games that are "programmed" can be rigged, so be careful and prudent.

Good luck,
buckeye

[Jeff K]

buckeye... That's why I posted this question. An exprienced BJ player should be able to tell if he's getting an honest deal. I was playing at one online casino and I noticed some strange things. Like the dealer getting a 20 on the first 2 cards about 5 to 10 times more often than me, or when he had a 4,5,or 6 showing, rarely was there a 10 in the hole. This may have been probability, but why take chances. I was fortunate to be ahead $100 when I decided to stop playing.

[buckeye]

I'd quit while you're ahead. I have played the "funny money", BJ, craps, etc. and it seems like it is TOO easy to win when it is simulated! I won't play for real $, because of my scepticism.

If the BJ were really random, single deck, then even I could count against it by playing at my leisure ( though I am not good enough to count in Vegas ) and real experienced and sophisticated counters would KILL these places. My guess is that it is "rigged" to have a 90% payback, or something like that, since it is really like a programmed slot with a BJ theme( not really BJ ).

Although suckers throwing their $ away is said to be "subsidizing" the no vig deals at some of the attached sportsbooks, online casinos would seem to have a lot of potential for ripping people off, IMHO.

At least if I have a bad day with picks I know that it was my fault, or lack of proper capping, not some computer praying on my stupidity and programmed to maximize my losses.

buckeye

[snap]

My philosophy is: If I win, it's not fixed, if I lose, it's fixed!

Seriously, I have seen some incredible hands playing online (i can't believe the number of times I lose with a 20). But I've also seen them playing in Vegas, and in independent blackjack game software simulations. I believe it is possible for the online casinos to fix the payback percentages on the table games, thus making them closer to slots than the real thing.

My advice? Play only for amusement. Try to quit when you're ahead. Bet with the lowest stakes that won't bore you. Don't chase losses - losing streaks can be long and devastating.

Where to play? My favorite is OasisCasino - 5 cent minimum bet, spreading to $500 (try to find that in Vegas!). The IslandCasino
(+ 5dimes, Goto, IGN, playersbet, offshoreaction, gamblerpalace etc.) have nice graphics, but $1-$250 spread. Intertops (and others with Microgaming software, such as goldenpalace) - $2 min with $2 increments. Haven't tried the Starnet sites (mostly because of the $5 min).

What I would really be interested in is if someone has played both "real-life" blackjack and "online" blackjack extensively, and if they feel the latter is
significantly worse (or "fixed") in the long term.

[jondo]

http://www.pairofdice.com/ I mostly play VP,
but this place has good rules ie.early surrender,split any pair,double on any number, I'm not sure if you can double after splitting. They do deal from a virtual deck though. Anyway check them out and you are on your own when it comes to the RNG. I am ahead on the VP but they changed the game on me. They pay promptly, 2-3 days I receive the check. Customer service is very good