Blackjack is one of the oldest and best loved of all casino games. It is little surprise given that players can actually influence the outcome of the game. You are not relying on sheer luck, as you are when playing, say slots. When playing blackjack, you can read and interpret the numbers to mathematically reduce the house edge and increase your chances of success.

Today, I want to share my experience of playing the game of 21 online. Whilst you will find tons of different variants of the game at internet based casinos, for me, Live Blackjack is the way forward. Not only does it provide the most authentic, real-casino playing atmosphere, it also provides advantages that you do not get when playing RNG variants, or indeed when playing in a land based casino.

1. Use Strategy Tables

Blackjack strategy tables are mathematically tried and tested formulas that indicate the best decisions to make for all possible combinations of your own cards and those of the dealer. There are several versions available, depending on the number of decks used and the specific rules of the game variant. Whilst it is clearly not possible to use such tactics in a real casino (unless you want to be turfed out by security that is!), this restriction is lifted when playing online.

Open the relevant strategy table in another tab, and you can quickly and easily identify the optimum move for every hand you are dealt. Should you split your pairs? Should you double down on your hand? Simply peruse the chart and you can be certain you are making the best possible move to up your odds of winning.

2. Avoid Side Bets but Consider Betting Behind

When you play blackjack online, you will find a variety of optional side bets that you can have a punt on. These include bets such as 21 +3 and Perfect Pairs amongst others. Whilst the excitement and anticipation of winning big payouts from such bets is their key draw, for the best chances of success, you should avoid placing them. Side bets have higher payouts than the base game, yet the house edge also increases when you place them. You may be lucky enough to get a big payout on these types of bets from time to time, but in the long run, you will lose your money quicker.

On the other hand, when playing Live Blackjack, you will often find a bet behind option. Here, you bet on another player’s hand. You do not need to make any decisions yourself and you can improve your understanding of the game and how to win by picking a player that seems to be on a winning streak, and learning from the moves they make.

3. Play at Online Casinos with the Best Live Blackjack Bonuses and Promos

It stands to reason that blackjack bonuses are a major advantage in boosting your winning potential. Deposit bonuses boost your bankroll and allow you to play for longer. Yet not all casino welcome bonuses include live games within their conditions.

On the other hand, there are some operators that have favourable conditions for live games within their standard offers, or even offer special bonuses specifically for playing live games. You will find some of the best bonuses for Live Blackjack at www.liveblackjack.org.uk. In addition to bonuses, look out for operators that have regular promotions for Live Blackjack, to ensure that you get the best possible value for money.

What’s your lucky number? Is it 7? Did you know that 7 is the world’s favourite number and even if it isn’t their number one choice many people have a special liking for it. But how could that be? With people coming from all kinds of cultural, ethnical and religious backgrounds, how is it even possible that they’d all share a preference for a number? Let’s explore the reasons for 7’s popularity.

Chinese Culture

In traditional Chinese culture, seven stands for the combination of Yin, Yang and the Five Elements (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth). As such, it represents harmony and beauty. It is commonly used in proverbs and sayings. Moreover, the seventh day of the seventh month, i.e. July 7th, is the Chinese Valentine’s Day.

Christianity

Seven stands for physical and spiritual perfection. That’s why it’s no surprise that it appears a record-breaking number of times in the Bible. There are many examples of seven being good, including the creation but the most wide-spread one being that god created the world in seven days. However, let’s not forget about the seven deadly sins.

Psychology

According to a popular psychological experiment, when people are asked to give a random number between 1 and 10, most of them think of 7. Allegedly, 1 and 10 do not seem statistically random and 2 and 9 are excluded for a similar reason. Five is also dismissed because it’s right in the middle and even numbers don’t seem trustworthy for some reason. Thus, most people go with 7.

Science

Back in the 1950s, psychologists declared seven the magic number after conducting many experiments that led to the conclusion that the working memory of a typical person allows them to remember exactly 7 items. That would explain why many people have trouble remembering longer telephone numbers even if they are their own.

Popular Culture

The number seven is very well-presented in popular culture with quite a number of instances in classical literature, art and sports. Think of the seven dwarves in Snow White, the seventh son of the seventh son having magical powers, and so on. Have you heard of the seven ages of man? William Shakespeare presents the concept in a famous monologue from As You Like It.

Conclusion

Seven may not be any more special than any other number but people attributing luck to it does have a powerful influence. And in this case, it’s not just a couple of people here and there, it’s the whole world joining in, despite their belonging to a religious, cultural, etc. group, to associate it with overpowering good luck. The power of joined wishful thinking shouldn’t be underestimated. Irrespective if it is for good or for bad. As far as casino games are concerned, it’s most certainly a 7 you want to see on a winning payline of a fruit machine, no other number would do. After all, there are 7 seas, 7 continents and 7 days of the week, so seven must be a lucky number.

Pedometers count steps. Birthday cards commemorate the years passed. Apps keep track of anything you can think of. Those are just a few examples of people’s obsession with numbers. But what’s the reason behind that? Well, we like to see, count and remember things in numbers. And, let’s be honest. Numbers matter. They are powerful. They help us interpret people and events. They can even bring us luck.

If you think those statements are naïve, think again. Whether you like it or not, numbers and their interpretations have a very long history. It started in 6th century BC in Ancient Greece when the great mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras, whom you probably associate mostly with the Pythagorean theorem, said that “the world is built upon the power of numbers.” He believed that the universe is made of mathematical patterns and that numbers, which correspond to universal vibrations, can be used to represent all things around us. Those statements are at the heart of Pythagorean numerology, which is at the heart of modern numerology.

Numerology, which is a science for all you sceptics, studies the influence of numbers – most notably the date of birth – on our lives. Like Pythagoras, modern numerologists believe that every number has a specific vibration and since everyone is born on a certain date, month and year, those numbers influence our lives and create recognizable patterns.

But why do I keep talking about numbers? You see, I love them and I believe they have helped me a lot. I’ve successfully used my knowledge in numerology in my exploration of casino games. I’ve noticed some patterns myself. That’s why I’ve decided to start this blog and explore number-based and number-inspired theories and ideas. I have big plans for this site and I hope you’ll join in the discussion.