| Posted by: Trader at October 11, 2001, 5:38 pm | | Topic: Don't Double Down in MircroGaming?!! Forum: Winner Online |
While we are on MG Blackjack, am I the last to find out there is a new ersion out now?
I downloaded and played at Captain Hook (www.hookscasino.com) today and was pleasantly surprised by the changes. They have the same blackjack rules so there is nothing new to fight about, but they have positively addressed two things I did not like about the last two ersions.
First, play seems consideralbly faster. It is not as fast as RTG, but now the cards are dealt smoothly without the anxiety-causing wait for each card. The sound quality is also better and the graphics are sharper.
Second, although the betting range is still $2 to $200, you can now bet in any $1 increment in that range. Now you really can make a $5 bet (or $77) in blackjack, just like the example that explains the wagering requirement for promotions.
I even won a couple hundred above the bonus of 25% plus another 10% for depositing by PayPal. Don't tell anyone it took a blackjack on a $200 hand.
I am now loo... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: New Yorker at October 11, 2001, 4:40 pm | | Topic: Don't Double Down in MircroGaming?!! Forum: Winner Online |
Okay Cl and Trader I will take your word for it. I thought you should hit those aces but the draw to split aces does change things a bit. Maybe I was right in my first post. Originally I agreed with you guys but then I strayed. Your numbers (CL) look pretty official. We need every tenth we can get. Thanks for the info.
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| Posted by: CL at October 8, 2001, 4:23 pm | | Topic: Don't Double Down in MircroGaming?!! Forum: Winner Online |
Hey Trader and New Yorker,
I agree with the Wiz - you're better off
splitting aces s. a dealer ace, despite
the european rules.
Here's some numbers to back it up:
hitting: -35.27 %
splitting: -21.87 %
So, you're better off by 13.4 % to split
those aces. As Trader said, being able
to draw to them really makes the difference.
If that option were not available, then
you would want to hit, instead.
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| Posted by: Trader at October 8, 2001, 2:47 pm | | Topic: Don't Double Down in MircroGaming?!! Forum: Winner Online |
No problem, New Yorker. My authority is Michael Shackelford, aka, The Wizard of Odds. I would not be able to show you the supporting math on my own. In either case it is probably a borderline decision, falling on the side of splitting even against an ace.
The other unusual play at MG Blackjack is that you should double with 9 against dealer's 2. At the other major software brands you should double only against a 3 to 6 when holding 9. Obviously doubling with 9 is not as good as having 10 or 11. It may seem like doubling with 9 attracts 2's and doubling with 11 produces a large percentage of aces. That is because of unrealistic expectations of winning on every hand. I really believe that if you tracked millions of hands the cards would be distributed randomly at MG.
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| Posted by: New Yorker at October 8, 2001, 11:54 am | | Topic: Don't Double Down in MircroGaming?!! Forum: Winner Online |
Trader we do disagree, in a friendly way. I do believe it is incorrect to split aces against an ace at a micro site. But split against a ten with aces but no doubles or splits with anything else against an ace or ten. In my first post I mistakenly stated you should split aces s. an ace. I do believe micro software to be honest. They are one of my favorites even though it is soooo sloooow.
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| Posted by: dolfandan at October 8, 2001, 11:18 am | | Topic: Don't Double Down in MircroGaming?!! Forum: Winner Online |
Trader, I am ery impressed with your knowledge of arious software systems and such but I was just wondering whether others have had problems with mircogamming. I do appreciate you trying to help.
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| Posted by: Trader at October 8, 2001, 11:07 am | | Topic: Don't Double Down in MircroGaming?!! Forum: Winner Online |
New Yorker, we do not disagree. Always split aces in Microgaming Blackjack. Because MG allows you to draw to split aces, it is one of the best hands you can have. Split eights only against 2 to 9.
dolfandan, if you were previouly doubling with 11 against dealer's ten, you were using an incorrect strategy for Microgaming and you WERE complaining about it. That is the correct strategy at Boss, Cryptologic, RTG, and all the other online games I know. But it is not correct at Microgaming. Please reread your own post. It is at best ambiguous.
I meant no personal offense to you. Many other players have complained about MG Blackjack without facts to back it up. When you say you lost 80-90% of your doubles I just do not believe it. Do you really have records that prove such a percentage over a statisically alid trial?
Microgaming Blackjack can be ery frustrating because of the slow play. It does seem that just when you have the advantage dealer will draw a five or six to save a stiff ... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: dolfandan at October 8, 2001, 10:32 am | | Topic: Don't Double Down in MircroGaming?!! Forum: Winner Online |
Trader,
If you read my e-mail correctly, I was NOT complaining about the results of what you would call my "incorrect strategy". As a matter of fact, I said that the results were "better" because I was NOT double downing only in Microgamming. I stand by my statement.
Also, I really don't care for people, like you, who do not take the time to read an e-mail correctly and shoots off at the mouth with your invalid opinions.
As for the rest of you, I do appreciate your help.
[This message has been edited by dolfandan (edited 10-08-2001).]
[This message has been edited by dolfandan (edited 10-08-2001).]
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| Posted by: Trader at October 8, 2001, 9:08 am | | Topic: Don't Double Down in MircroGaming?!! Forum: Winner Online |
www.Thewizardofodds.com has a separate basic stategy chart for Microgaming Blackjack. He also has some supplemental information on this single deck game. This chart is different from basic stategy at other online casinos in several ways.
Double on 9 against 2 to 6. Double on 10 against 2 to 9. Double on 11 against 2 to 9 only. Always split aces and split eights only against 2 to 9.
I agree with Sirius on this one. When I see people play the incorrect stategy and then complain about the results, I give their opinion no weight. The Microgaming Blackjack has the lowest house advantage of any on the net now that Unified Gaming has changed their game, but only if played correctly.
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| Posted by: New Yorker at October 7, 2001, 5:26 pm | | Topic: Don't Double Down in MircroGaming?!! Forum: Winner Online |
You should split aces against a dealer ace or ten regardless of the house rule take all on a BJ. However you are right not to split eights or do other double downs. Don't forget that Micro allows drawing to split aces. This rule is as good as double after splits! Go for it.
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| Posted by: PlayTheOdds at October 7, 2001, 8:56 am | | Topic: Don't Double Down in MircroGaming?!! Forum: Winner Online |
Microgaming does have one feature that makes doubling down on 11 against a 10 undesirable. If the dealer draws an Ace to his 10, you lose both your bets. At landbased casinos and with most other software, you will only lose one bet. Also, I don't like to split Aces or Eights against a 10 or Ace in Microgaming. Same reason - - if the dealer draws a Blackjack, you lose both bets. Other than that, I believe you need to take advantage of all doubledown and split opportunities.
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| Posted by: Sirius at October 7, 2001, 8:05 am | | Topic: Don't Double Down in MircroGaming?!! Forum: Winner Online |
I don't think Microgaming blackjack is rigged at all. I've played a lot in the last couple of months and although I didn't start out well, it turned around dramatically.
I've also had a lot of luck with RTG, especially GrandBanks. I just keep winning in their blackjack. I don't recommend anyone play GrandBanks though or any RTG casino! Grandbanks seem to be getting slower and are now even sending bouncing checks with 'insufficient funds'. I've only the other day just received about half of an $1800 paypal withdrawel from September 10th. The rest was withdrawn separately but they should have sent it all.
[This message has been edited by Sirius (edited 10-07-2001).]
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| Posted by: scaven at October 6, 2001, 8:16 pm | | Topic: Don't Double Down in MircroGaming?!! Forum: Winner Online |
oh, I thought you were referring to dealer 10 s player 11.
actually, my experience with microgaming and doubling has been pretty good, just as fair as other software. although, I try not to double, because it gets me into trouble if im not flat betting
[This message has been edited by scaven (edited 10-06-2001).]
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| Posted by: dolfandan at October 6, 2001, 6:29 pm | | Topic: Don't Double Down in MircroGaming?!! Forum: Winner Online |
scaven, when I have a 10 or 11 in BJ and the dealer shows a 2-6 I'm doubling down in a "fair" game. All other software works well, except Mircrogaming. So if you play Royal Vegas and its sister casinos be careful about double downing.
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| Posted by: scaven at October 6, 2001, 5:58 pm | | Topic: Don't Double Down in MircroGaming?!! Forum: Winner Online |
actually, I am pretty sure that Basic Strategy states not to double on 10 s 11 anyways for microgaming (as found on wizardofodds.com and blackjackinfo.com for a single deck BJ game a.k.a. microgaming BJ)
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| Posted by: dolfandan at October 6, 2001, 5:45 pm | | Topic: Don't Double Down in MircroGaming?!! Forum: Winner Online |
I only play blackjack and have played tens of thousands of hands. My experience in Microgaming is to NEVER double down. I swear back when I first started playing I would lose 80-90% of the time when I get a 10-11 to double down. I got to the point that I just avoided the obvious double down play and would try to get a single win ... the results were better. Has anyone else had this problem. And it's only with Microgaming!
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