About Wizard of Odds. Wizards of Odds is a pun on the already hugely famous movie The Wizard of Oz. There are many gambling websites and games with this title, so it isn’t that original. But, how does the slot itself stand, when it comes to originality. Well, this is a progressive jackpot slot, which has chosen a stereotypical Wizard theme. Get a complete list of all blackjack variants dealt in Las Vegas. Games include Blackjack Switch, Free Bet Blackjack and Super Fun 21. There are some interesting blackjack games that should be tried at least once, even if their rules and odds are not favorable, they may be entertaining to play.
- February 2014 - VIDEO PODCAST - Best Strategies for Blackjack, Craps & 2 More Games with Michael 'Wizard of Odds' Shackleford Michael Shackleford, who is also known as the 'Wizard of Odds' and the author of 'Gambling 102,' gives a quick rundown on the best strategies for playing four popular casino games: Blackjack, Craps, Mississippi Stud.
- You'd expect the stakes to be magical in any game involving a wizard, and Wizard of Odds doesn't disappoint. Choose to play 1-20 lines on any spin, then stake your lines with between 0.01 coins and 25 coins, allowing a minimum bet of just 0.01 coins and a maximum bet of 500 coin a spin.
- Atkins Diet May 11, 2015 Posted by Wizard. Australian Reels May 11, 2015 Posted by Wizard. Baccarat May 11, 2015 Posted by Wizard. Blackjack May 11, 2015 Posted by Wizard. Craps May 11, 2015 Posted by Wizard. Mississippi Stud May 11, 2015 Posted by Wizard. Name That Carpet. Wizard of Odds, Wizard.
Wizard of Odds has gained a reputation as one of the biggest watchdogs on the online gambling platform. The site was established back in 2000, a total of eighteen years ago, by renowned gambler Michael Shackelford, who is a famous gambler and game analyst. The website Wizard of Odds started out as Mike’s Gambling Page and later changed its name along the way. The site has grown to become among the most trusted when it comes to providing honest reviews on casinos, online gaming software developers, games, playing methods such as the Wizard of Odds blackjack strategy.
Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games which goes to tell why it makes an appearance in the Wizard of Odds website. The game has been around since the eighteenth century and the test of time has done little to make it any less popular in the gambling scene. Blackjack has managed to remain popular over such a long period because of its strategy application during play. Seasoned gamblers find it especially engaging considering that they can influence the odds to their favor.
Wizard of Odds Blackjack Options
The various Wizard of Odds blackjack strategies provided can be used to play in the various blackjack variations that are listed on the site. Many years of its existence has prompted the release of numerous variations of the original to keep things exciting, most of which have been featured in the Wizard’s website. Some of these variants include:
Standard Blackjack
This is the most engaged option in Wizard of Odds as well as numerous other gaming destinations. It follows the classic rules of the game and uses four decks of cards. The maximum limit of dealt cards in this option is seventeen, and the dealer only gets one face up. Depending on the game developer, players can be allowed to double after a split, and in most cases, it is allowed only once. This variant works as the best application for the provided Wizard of Odds blackjack strategies.
Elimination Blackjack
This option deviates from the basic rule of the game which states that gamblers play against the dealer and not themselves. It is mostly found in brick and mortar casinos, and its popularity has transferred to live dealer casinos. Gameplay entails that once the results of each hand are given, the player with the lowest card value is eliminated until only one man standing is left, and they cash the prize. The game is especially enjoyed by experienced gamblers who want to showcase their skills.
Double exposure
The popularity of this variation matches that of the original. As suggested by the variant’s title, the dealer’s cards are dealt face up. This exposure gives players a higher chance of winning. However, players are stripped of the upper hand in the event of ties since a win cannot be declared. Additionally, doubling is only allowed for gamblers with card values between nine and eleven. The game uses six decks of cards.
Wizard Of Odds Blackjack Game
Pontoon
Pontoon is also as popular as Double Exposure even though it is among the newest variations of the game. The game follows the basic rules of blackjack but allows a card value of five to beat those that lie between two and four. Like Double Exposure, players are stripped of the chance to win in case of a tie.
Blackjack Switch
Blackjack Switch entered the online market in 2009 and earned a huge fan base in a short time. In the game, gamblers get to enjoy a fusion of video poker and blackjack. The popularity of this table game is owed to the fact that it carries one of the lowest house edges among all variations of blackjack.
Playing Tactics
Once the gambler has found a variation in settling on, they can move on to the application of the various Wizard of Odds blackjack strategies provided by the Wizard. Before one can proceed, they should understand the meaning of a soft and a hard hand since most strategies revolve around the two. A hard hand is one that does not carry an ace; if it does, then it is counted as a point resulting in a hand bust. A soft hand, however, carries an ace that can either present a card value of one or eleven.
The basic strategies listed on the site include:
- The Wizard advice that one should double if they have a hard ten or eleven and their card value is higher than that of the dealer; this will result in the dealer’s ace being treated as eleven points
- If the game allows a double but the gambler has three or more cards with them, then it is best to hit; this also applies if the game does not allow soft eighteen
- Perform a split on eights and aces
- Always treat a hand as a hard eight, ten, or twenty of the strategy on play does not allow a split; the value to consider is dependent on the pair one has.
The Wizard of Odds blackjack strategies listed above does not assure gamblers of a win or a loss. However, it does improve players’ chances at winning and limiting losses.
Many people will be visiting a casino this summer, whether on a trip to Vegas, on a cruise ship, or just at a local casino during a 'staycation.'
But before you go, you may want to know which games give you the best chance of winning.
So we went behind the scene at two casinos, and spoke with the game managers, to find out which games give you an edge.
Table Games Your Best Bet
Jay Bean, a Caesar's floor manager, agreed to sit down with us and talk about the games with the best odds.
He said many people don't realize that table games have much better odds than slots. They are intimidated by thoughts of card sharks taking their money, with images of an intense Texas Hold 'Em tournament in their minds, and so they stick with the safe games: the slots.
But they are doing themselves a disservice, he said.
Bean's advice? After you've spent some time on the slot machines, move on to the Blackjack table, and start by just observing.
1. Blackjack
Blackjack has the best odds of winning, with a house edge of just 1 percent in most casinos, Bean said.
Plus, you are playing against only the dealer, not hooded poker champions.
'Blackjack is one of our easiest games to play,' Bean said. 'You're just looking for a number that beats the dealer's number without going over 21.'
Wizard Of Odds Craps Game
If you're a novice, Bean said to sit down during a less busy time, such as the afternoon, and the dealer will walk you through the game.
But the same is not true with poker: You should practice the game with your friends first, at home, Bean said, until you are comfortable with it. Bean said novices are best off passing on the poker tables, where yes, the competition can be tough.
You can find out more information about the game of blackjack at the following link:
http://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/
2. Craps
So from the Blackjack table, he suggests moving on to the dice game Craps, the game with the second best odds, also nearly 50-50.
The Craps table can be a bit intimidating for the beginner with all the boxes on the table, Bean admitted. But it's really not tough, and it has one of your best chances of winning. In the end, all you are really doing is betting on a dice roll.
For more information on craps, visit:
http://wizardofodds.com/games/craps/
3. Roulette
Bean said your next stop should be the Roulette wheel. It's simple, and pays fairly well.
'So you bet on your favorite numbers,' Bean said. 'The dealer spins, and if your number comes in you win.'
If you stick to betting on just Reds or Blacks, you have nearly a 50-50 chance of walking away a winner. If it lands on red when you choose red, you will double your bet, Bean explained.
While it may seem you have an even chance of winning by simply choosing a color, there is one catch that gives the house its edge: the extra green 0 and 00 position on the wheel. It's on all American roulette wheels.
Or, if you feel lucky, play just one number. It's hard to win, but if you do it pays out 36 to 1.
For more information on roulette, visit:
http://wizardofodds.com/games/roulette/
Worst Odds
Your worst odds? The casinos, understandably, did not want to talk about games with poor odds.
So we turned to Forbes Magazine, which in a report about Best Bets at the Casino, said two popular games -- the Wheel of Fortune and the ever-popular slot machines -- have the lowest odds of winning, with a house edge of 10 percent or more.
The Experts Agree
Professor of Analytics Michael Magazine has crunched the numbers, and agreed that blackjack is the best way to go home with money in your pockets. He said if you take a little time to learn the game, you have the best odds of winning.
'You are somewhere between 44 percent to 48 percent in every single hand of winning,' he said, noting that no other casino game gives you odds that good.
But Magazine cautioned that he's not promoting gambling, because he said even games with the best odds still favor the house.
'Play it long enough and you will lose. In the long term the house doesn't lose,' Magazine said.
If You Love The Slots....
Finally, if you really enjoy playing the slots, here is some good information to know, from state casino reports we examined.
With slots, the more money you put in per bet, the higher your chance of winning. If you put the max in a penny machine, which is usually around 50 cents, you have much better odds than if you put in 2 cents.
In addition, penny slots have the lowest odds, with $1 and $5 slots paying much better.
Always gamble responsibly, and don't waste your money.
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You can learn more about specific odds of slots machines in each state that has casino gambling by visiting the American Casino Guide.
Don't Waste Your Money is a registered trademark of the EW Scripps Co.
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