How the Gambling Industry Influences the Global Economy

The World Cup 2022 in Qatar will mark the second time an Asian country has been selected to host one of the most popular events in the world, after the joint venture of Japan and South Korea in 2002. Qatar is the smallest country ever to host, and previously that was Switzerland, which hosted the 1954 tournament. However, Switzerland is more than three times the size of Qatar and was only required to host 16 teams. TIt certainly was a surprise in 2010 when the Asian country won their bid. Eleven associations expressed interest in hosting, but in the end, Qatar defeated 4 other finalists: the United States, Australia, Japan and South Korea.   About the Competition The World Cup 2022 is scheduled to take place between November 21st and December 18th. For the first time, the World Cup won’t be played during the summer months but in mid-season due to the high temperatures in Qatar. This year will be the last time the World Cup is played in the current 32-team format, where they'll be divided into eight groups with four teams, meaning that two teams from each group will move on to the Knock-out stages. Namely, FIFA expanded the 2026 World Cup to 48 national teams. In Qatar will participate: 13 teams from Europe (UEFA) Four teams from South America (Conmebol) Six teams from Asia (AFC) Five teams from Africa (CAF) Four teams from North America (Concacaf)   How Does the World Cup FTP Competition Work? Every player in the WC F2P competition needs to predict the results of the six fixtures proposed by the system. Getting this right would be an extremely impressive accomplishment. What's interesting to know is that the reward is equally impressive — Wikibet will award a €5000 prize to the lucky player who uses his or her football knowledge to guess all the results correctly. To participate in World Cup free-to-play competition, players only need to register on their preferred website, which is part of the grand World Cup Free-to-Play network. After that, they are free to predict the results and win the prize.   Participating Teams In the sections below, we'll provide information for each team.   Group A Qatar Since the time of winning the bid in December 2010, Qatar clubs have worked on promoting the competition by acquiring household football names. For the last couple of years, football legends like Xavi, Laurent Blanc, and Zico have been coaches in the Qatar Stars League. Moreover, Xavi participated as a player in the final years of his career, and Wesley Sneijder, Samuel Eto'o, and many other experienced players did the same. Qatar's national team consists of players that only compete in their national league. They are heavy underdogs in the competition, led by Spanish coach Felix Sanchez. Netherlands The Netherlands is the group's favorite, and in its history, the national team reached the final game three times (1974, 1978, and 2010) but never managed to bring the trophy home. The Dutch never lost a World Cup soccer match by more than a goal. The 2022 team doesn’t have the star players the Netherlands used to have (Wilkes, Lenstra, Cruyff, Neeskens, Rijkaard, Gullit, Van Basten, Robben, Van Persie). Still, the team coached by the eminent Louis van Gaal qualified in an impressive fashion, with only one defeat and a 25-goal difference. Ecuador Somewhat a surprise, Ecuador booked a trip for WC and left Chile and Colombia without qualification. Ecuador qualified for four out of the last six World Cups, the first time being in 2002, and their best result was in 2006, when they reached the round of 16. Experienced Argentinian coach Gustavo Alfaro built a hard-fighting team that looked to Enner Valencia, the best goal scorer in national team history, to put them over the top in close games. Senegal A long time had passed since Senegal beat the defending champion France in 2002, in its first World Cup appearance, when they reached the quarter-finals. Senegal entered the WC on a high note, winning the Africa Cup of Nations in January for the first time in history. The attack revolves around Sadio Mane, a Champions League winner with Liverpool FC who transferred to Bayern Munich this summer. Team captain Kalidou Koulibaly also switched teams and became a member of Chelsea FC. Team manager Aliou Cisse, captain of the 2002 team, has many players from the English, Italian, Spanish, and French leagues at his disposal.   Group B England England came close in the last two big competitions. Manager Gareth Southgate took over the team without expectations and inserted new blood immediately, which he continues to do. As a result, the team qualified for the WC, without a defeat and with only three goals conceded. Captain Harry Kane is surrounded by young talents that need to prove they are ready to take the next step. The team also had a chance to beat the USA national team, which put a dent in England’s 2010 WC hopes when they fought out a draw that led England to a massive defeat against Germany. Wales The Wales national team qualified for the World Cup, the second time in history and the first time since 1958. Gareth Bale, captain and Wales's best scorer ever, scored all three goals in the second qualifying round when Wales beat Austria and Ukraine to qualify. He and fellow experienced players Aaron Ramsey, Chris Gunter, Wayne Hennessey, and Joe Allen, led by former national team player and now coach Rob Page, have one last campaign to secure their place in history after finishing third in the UEFA 2016 European Championship. United States of America The USA is hoping for a good tournament before playing on their own home field in the 2026 World Cup. In 2018, they broke a streak of six consecutive trips to the WC after an embarrassing defeat by Trinidad and Tobago that allowed Panama to qualify for the first time in history. After that, coach Gregg Berhalter took over the team and had an impressive 76%-win percentage. He looks towards younger players that got their chance in the top European leagues in the last couple of years: Christian Pulisic Weston McKennie Brenden Aaronson Sergino Dest Tyler Adams George Weah’s son Timothy Iran Iran qualified dominantly by finishing first in their group in both the second and third rounds, in front of South Korea, with a better score in direct matches. Iran has an experienced side, and they qualified for the third time in a row and the fifth time in the last seven World Cups. Croatian coach Dragan Sko?i? counts on forwards Sardar Azmoun, Mehdi Taremi, and Karim Ansarifard, led by captain Ehsan Hajsafi to give them an opportunity to keep them in games and reach the Knockout Stage for the first time in the national team history.   Group C Argentina Lionel Messi, one of the best World Cup players, has the last chance now in Qatar to win the trophy for Argentina and match the success of Diego Armando Maradona. The most capped player and the best scorer in the history of a two-time World Cup winner is playing with a whole new group of players, and only he and Angel Di Maria have had the experience from the 2014 World Cup Final game when Germany beat them. Team manager Lionel Scaloni hopes that a new generation of players that have already transferred to the European top three leagues (England, Italy, and Spain) can help Messi reach that final step. Poland Another football legend hopes to reach the heights of his predecessors. Robert Lewandowski and his team look to make amends for a very bad outing in 2018. Czeslaw Michniewicz coached only one qualifying game during the play-off final against Sweden because previous coach Paulo Sousa left to coach Flamengo 3 months before. Nevertheless, Poland has enough talent in the top European leagues to make some noise and try to repeat the success of the 1974 and 1982 teams that finished third. Mexico An experienced side, led by an even more experienced coach in Gerardo Martino, like the USA, hopes to record a good result before hosting the World Cup in 2026. This is the last chance for players who left their mark on the national team, like captain Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera, Raul Jimenez, Guillermo Ochoa, and Hector Moreno, to go past the quarter-finals, which is Mexico’s best result since 1970 and 1986. They will seek help from talents like Hirving Lozano, Jesus Corona, Santiago Jimenez, Jorge Sanchez, and Edson Alvarez. Saudi Arabia Like Qatar, all the Saudi Arabian players perform in their country’s top league, but unlike them, this is Saudi Arabia’s sixth World Cup. Since their debut in 1994, they haven’t gone past the group stage. The team’s biggest asset is coach Herve Renard, who has experience coaching four African national teams, having won two Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015, and he qualified for the 2018 WC with Morocco, ending the country’s 20-year wait.   Group D France In 2020, France hoped to repeat the success of the 1998/00 generation, which held both World Cup and European Championship trophies. Unfortunately, manager Didier Deschamps couldn’t do what he did as a captain of the French team as a coach. However, now he does have a chance to defend the World Cup trophy, which he couldn’t do as a player because he retired in 2001. France is among the top favorites for the trophy. They field a star-studded team with Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, Ngolo Kante, and Antoine Griezmann, supplanted by new talents in Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga. Denmark Denmark had an outstanding qualifying campaign, having won 9 out of 10 games, with the final game resulting in a loss after the team had already qualified. The team also conceded only three goals. Manager Kasper Hjulmand has constructed a team that has a chance to go past the quarter-finals for the first time in history. The vast majority of players perform in the top 5 European leagues. They rallied around Christian Eriksen and his miraculous comeback to the field after his cardiac arrest at the 2020 Euro Cup. Tunisia Qatar 2022 marks the sixth time Tunisia qualified for the World Cup, but the team never went past the Group Stage. They finished in front of Equatorial Guinea and Zambia in Group B of the second qualifying round and then beat Mali 1-0 on aggregate to secure their place in Qatar. Coach Jalel Kadri got his chance to lead the team after being an assistant two times. His squad, led by captain Youssef Msakni, plays in leagues worldwide, but not many have top-tier experience. Australia Australia qualified for the fifth time in a row, sixth time overall, and only once went past the group stage. The team qualified through the AFC qualifiers. They had all eight victories in the second round, but things didn’t go as smoothly in the third round. They finished third behind Saudi Arabia and Japan and only qualified after beating the UAE in the fourth AFC round and then Peru in the Inter-confederation play-off. Former Australia player Graham Arnold coaches the national squad, and the team is made up of players mainly performing in British leagues, with some home-grown talent getting the opportunity.   Group E Germany The four-time WC champions qualified easily, with nine wins in ten games and a 32-goal difference. The vast majority of the team plays in the Bundesliga, and as always, the squad’s biggest advantages are their camaraderie and determination. The team got the extra kick they needed when charismatic Hansi Flick took over the team from long-time coach Joachim L?w. Currently, they are on a 13-game unbeaten run and are, as usual, among the top favorites to win the tournament. Spain Spain is looking to win their second trophy. After three consecutive wins at big tournaments between 2008 and 2012, the team suffered several unexpected exits, but resurfaced in Euro 2020 when they finished third with a young, up-and-coming team led by coach Luis Enrique in his second stint with the team. The squad captained by Sergio Busquets features young stars like Pedri, Gavi, Ansu Fati, Dani Olmo, but also those with heavy experience like Jordi Alba, Cesar Azpilicueta and Koke. Japan Japan didn’t miss the World Cup after appearing for the first time in 1998. In six trips, the team reached the round of 16 three times and could be looking to go beyond that. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu has players from Europe’s top leagues at his disposal, led by captain Maya Yoshida. In recent years, Japan’s best players have competed in the German Bundesliga and English Premier League and acquired much-needed game experience. Costa Rica Costa Rica has become a force in Concacaf recently, but they had to beat New Zealand in the Inter-confederation play-off this year to qualify. Joel Campbell scored again to book the team’s second flight to Qatar. Along with Campbell, three other players have more than 100 caps for the national team: Keylor Navas, Celso Borges, and captain Bryan Ruiz. They lead the team coached by Colombian Luis Fernando Suarez, but it would be hard to expect them to surpass their best result when they reached the quarter-finals in 2014.   Group F Croatia In the last tournament, Croatia achieved the best result in national team history by reaching the final game, where France beat them. The team kept the majority of its core team and manager, Zlatko Dali?. the legend Luka Modri? is still captaining the squad, but also Ivan Peri?i?, Mateo Kova?i?, Mateo Brozovi?, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida, are expected to be present in Qatar. Twenty years before Russia, Croatia finished second and competed three times with exits from the group stage. Belgium The Belgian side has for years been marked as a team expected to go deep into the competition. Their stars play for some of the world’s best clubs: Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard, and new AC Milan player, young Charles De Ketelaere. Manager Roberto Martinez has one more chance to bring this generation to World Cup glory. Their best finish was third place in Russia four years ago, and they qualified convincingly with six wins in eight matches. Canada One of the biggest surprises in the qualifications was the way Canada qualified. They finished in first place in the second round of Concacaf and left Mexico, the USA, and Costa Rica behind them. Head coach John Herdman won two bronze medals with Canada women’s national team and now manages the men’s team to qualify for its second WC, 36 years after their debut. Offensively, the team relies on young stars Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David and captain and most capped player Atiba Hutchinson. Morocco Led by former Yugoslavian football legend Vahid Halilhod?i?, Morocco qualified with six wins in six matches in the second round and a convincing 5-2 aggregate win against DR Congo in the third round. Romain Saiss captains the team that relies on Youssef En-Nesyri for goals. Most of the squad plays in Europe, with some players having top-level experience.   Group G Brazil The five-time World Cup champions are consistently among the favorites, but they are looking for their first title since 2002. Head coach Tite got the second chance after the quarter-finals exit four years ago. Brazil features some of the best players in the world in their respective positions: Neymar, Alisson, and Casemiro, but also eternal players like Dani Alves and Thiago Silva. As a result, they finished first in the Conmebol qualification without a single defeat. Interestingly, Brazil also played in a group with Serbia and Switzerland in the 2018 WC. Serbia Aleksandar Mitrovic’s late goal against Portugal secured Serbia’s first-place finish in UEFA qualifying Group A. This will be Serbia’s 13th World Cup, but third as an independent country. The team participated nine times as Yugoslavia and finished fourth in the inaugural World Cup in 1930 in Uruguay and 1962 in Chile. In 2006, the team finished last as Serbia and Montenegro. Football and national team legend Dragan Stojkovi? coaches the team led on the field by Ajax player Du?an Tadi?. Besides Mitrovi?, Serbia also has a new Juventus player Du?an Vlahovi? spearheading the attack. Switzerland The Switzerland team also had a great qualifying campaign. They finished in front of European champions Italy, who later failed to qualify through a play-off. The squad has a new manager, former national team player Murat Yakin. Still, the team kept the core from Russia: Xherdan Shaqiri, Grant Xhaka, and Yann Sommer, and they're looking at Haris Seferovi? and Mario Gavranovi?, two players of Balkan descent, to score goals. Cameroon Cameroon is the first African side to reach the quarter-finals, a feat they achieved in 1990 when Roger Milla became a World Cup legend. Since then, the team has exited the competition in the group stage five times in a row. They suffered six losses in the last two tournaments in six games. With Samuel Eto’o retiring, the head coach and Cameroon’s most capped player, Rigobert Song, looks to captain Vincent Aboubakar to provide goals, along with Bayern Munich player Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.   Group H Uruguay Two-time champion Uruguay (1930 and 1950) always fields hard-fighting squads. There will be no exception in Qatar, where new head coach Diego Alonso will try to repeat the success of his predecessor, Oscar Tabarez, who led the team to 4th place in 2010. This is the last chance for some Uruguayan legends to participate in the WC, starting with Luis Suarez, but also for captain Diego Godin, Edinson Cavani, goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, and Martin Caceres. Portugal The Portugal national team managed to bounce back from a last-minute loss to Serbia in the final game of the European qualifying group stage by beating Turkey and North Macedonia in the play-off. This could be the final shot for the best player in Portugal history, Cristiano Ronaldo, to reach World Cup glory. The team has enough talent and is led by result-oriented head coach Fernando Santos, but so far, the squad couldn’t reach the heights set by Eusebio, who led the team to a third-place finish in 1966. Ghana Ghana will participate in its fourth WC in Qatar. The national team was one of three African sides to reach the quarter-finals, and they came closest to the semi-finals. They needed the team’s most capped player and best scorer, Asamoah Gyan, to score a penalty against Uruguay in extra time, but he failed, and Ghana was knocked out in a penalty shootout. The new coach, Otto Addo, was appointed before the third-round double-leg match against Nigeria, and he managed to qualify the team on away goals. South Korea South Korea qualified ten times for the World Cup before Qatar, and only two times did they pass the group stage — when they were hosting in 2002 and reached the semi-finals and in 2010 when they reached the Round of 16. Portuguese coach Paulo Bento is counting on captain Son Heung-min, a seven-time best footballer in Asia award winner, to lead the team past the group stage. They qualified easily, with 12 wins in 16 matches.   Conclusion Even though some circumstances are different, there's no doubt that World Cup 2022 in Qatar will be a sensation around the globe, like all the previous World Cups. It will be interesting to see how the national teams will approach this mid-season system of competition, what team will find the edge that will help them reach the final stages, and in what form will players appear after just half a season of club football.

The 21st century so far has been marked by the rapid development of technologies that have affected many industry sectors. One of them is definitely iGaming. Online gambling is now more accessible than ever thanks to a fast, dependable internet connection and the most recent iGaming technology advancements. Despite the fact that the gaming sector's market value increased to 155.89 billion dollars in 2020 (Clement, 2021), the current casino industry figures reveal that the world of iGaming is developing further. In this article, I will explain what the iGaming industry is all about and which technological innovations have the most credit for the current and future sector development. What is iGaming? Before we dive into the topic, let’s take a quick reminder of what iGaming actually is. The iGaming industry usually refers to any type of online casino gambling and the game software that supports it. It's an umbrella term for all types of online betting, even if there's no actual gaming software involved. Therefore, this includes: Virtual sports Live casino games Table and dealer games Sports betting Slots and jackpots It started to develop in the 1990s with increased internet speed and the commodification of computer technology for regular households. More and more people started moving to digital spaces for entertainment, and the casino industry was no different. The international judicial system had to adapt to gambling laws, as moving to the online space provided more opportunities for players to access casinos and more opportunities for casinos to make a profit. Special gambling licenses had to be given to the companies operating online casinos, which to this day isn’t allowed in every country. Although many of the current online casinos have a Cura?ao iGaming license, in the 90s, Antigua and Barbuda was the first to recognize the opportunity to give offshore casinos gambling licenses, which would then be available across the world. Seeing the market potential iGaming had, many countries started implementing policies that would make it easier for investors to enter the industry. Although many online casinos are restricted in the United States, in 2018, the Supreme Court adopted new laws and repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) to enable its investors to get involved in such a booming market. The projected value for the iGaming industry in 2026 is expected to be over $100 billion (Technavio, 2022). It's no wonder this is the case, as the development of iGaming technology has been a game-changer over the last few years and is one of the main reasons why this industry is on the rise. Revolutionary iGaming Technology The iGaming industry depends on the most recent technological advancements as it expands. However, while some of these innovations become trends, others help define the whole sector's direction. Let’s look at four technological innovations that have and will change the iGaming landscape. #1 Blockchain Technology There's a reason that the iGaming industry has achieved such an expansion at the same time as the development of blockchain technology. Technological innovations from the blockchain sector have brought more gambling security while giving new payment opportunities and more accessible storage options to players and online casinos. The influence of blockchain as the leading iGaming technology can be seen through cloud-based storage, cryptocurrency, and the appearance of blockchain casinos. Incorporating the latest technological developments, online casinos employ cloud computing to handle and store player information while improving operational efficiency. The most recent developments in cloud-based technology can help the gaming industry reach and maintain millions of players globally. In nations where it's illegal to gamble in brick-and-mortar casinos, cloud computing offers gamblers a safe haven where they may play casino games without worrying about facing legal ramifications. Online crypto casinos are not as liable to these restrictions as their physical counterparts, which is why crypto-only online casinos are becoming one of the main online gambling trends. The participants' information confidentiality and anonymity are guaranteed by the encrypted storage mechanism, which minimizes security threats from the outside. Moreover, blockchain development has enabled new digital currencies to emerge. Most popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum are becoming omnipresent in online casinos. Crypto and FIAT payment options have become a new standard for all online casinos. With the help of this new technology, gamblers can receive their winnings immediately, which is a significant improvement over the high fees and drawn-out payout processes associated with credit reimbursement, bank transfers, and e-Wallets. Blockchain methods have become so integrated into the iGaming industry that many young casinos use only cryptocurrency. The benefits for players are obvious: Faster payouts Guaranteed anonymity Better security Game developers are also taking note of the blockchain integration and are now developing games compatible with FIAT and cryptocurrency. Furthermore, some new games are compatible only with crypto, so bets can only be made in cryptocurrency. This shows that blockchain technology has substantially changed the iGaming industry and will likely be a huge part of its further development. Augmented and Virtual Reality Maybe the most intriguing iGaming technology is virtual reality. Augmented and virtual reality allows online casinos to simulate the casino experience and offer a digital substitute for conventional sit-down gambling. While virtual reality (VR) is entirely based on the digital world, augmented reality (AR) incorporates elements of the digital environment into physical reality. These innovations are becoming more and more important for online casinos as they have the means to bring the full casino experience to players in any environment they are currently in. AR and VR have enabled the creation of new forms of online casinos. For example, there are now "video casinos" that allow users to connect with other online gamblers while seated at actual gaming tables. Utilizing special 3D cameras, the gameplay is streamed to online gamers, letting you fully immerse yourself in the experience. However, the technology is still at the beginning of its development, even though some of its main concepts date back to 1957. For instance, the graphics in virtual reality are a long cry from those in contemporary video games. In addition, virtual reality hardware is pricey and hence far less widely available. In order to maximize the benefits of VR technology, you will also need a powerful PC, which raises the price even further. Considering the costs and the low-quality graphics of VR games, virtual casinos might need some more work to do before they become a standard in the industry, especially if we consider the development and ease of mobile gaming. Virtual reality has limitless potential, even though its current condition is far from ideal. The good news is that many businesses have already made significant investments in the creation of virtual technology. VR is currently primarily used in the video game industry, but it will surely enter the iGaming sector more. With better graphics and accessibility, VR might become an integral part of the iGaming industry in the future. Artificial Intelligence Artificial intelligence and machine learning have transformed every industry possible, so iGaming is no exception. Self-learning algorithms have allowed online gambling companies to better personalize the experience for the players. The online casino sector's use of AI analytics enhances the player experience, spots fraud, and improves data-driven business choices. With the advent of modern iGaming tech, online casinos can now monitor player history, betting patterns, preferred games, and a myriad of other "signals" of player activity. A more individualized player experience, a safer gaming environment, and more operational effectiveness are made possible by the analytics layer's actionable insights and data usage for the iGaming technology stack. The same is true when it comes to iGaming advertisements. The algorithms can differentiate potential customers and their preferences through a thorough analysis of the data and find the right way to place the service in front of them. Vital details like a user's betting preferences are collected when they visit a betting site and are used to customize offers, bonuses, and other services. This raises revenue while bringing down marketing expenses. So, using machine learning algorithms benefits the player and the online casino company. Mobile Gaming One more very important iGaming technology development is the vast improvement in mobile gaming. Most gamers nowadays want access to their games at any time and place, so game developers started massively optimizing their games for mobile devices. Online casinos did the same, with their websites available on all devices and platforms to maximize the potential audience group. The development of stronger devices and better mobile graphics has allowed this transition to go smoothly. Stronger internet connections are also a big factor in mobile gaming development. In addition to enabling faster game downloads than current 4G networks, 5G networks also support the growth of mobile-based cloud gaming services and augmented reality (AR) games. One million devices can be supported by 5G in a single square kilometer, encouraging more people to play mobile games, especially multiplayer ones. In 2021, mobile gaming accounted for almost 57% of global video game revenue (Thematic Intelligence, 2022). We can see the shift towards mobile happening in real-time, which benefits the iGaming industry. Mobile casino games are simple and do not need a large amount of power to be run like some video games do. Therefore, it's perfectly suitable for mobile devices, and I believe these two industries will continue to grow together for years to come. iGaming Technology Final Words Several iGaming technologies have enabled the online gambling industry to develop rapidly. Blockchain technology has brought more digital security to the players and various payment options guarded by encryption. Although still in development, AR and VR have an interesting effect on the player experience in online casinos, as they can get real-life casino experience from the comfort of their home. The development of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms has allowed casino companies to enhance the gambling experience with personalization and help with their advertising efforts while lowering expenses. Mobile gaming is probably the most important iGaming technology as it has become the main video game outlet. It will be very interesting to see how iGaming will continue to develop, but one thing is certain: These technologies will be involved in one way or the other.

Blackjack can be a game of strategy — but winning big in blackjack is a matter of timing and knowing when the right time is to double down. Namely, doubling down is among the most popular bets in blackjack, but many people don't fully understand how the move works and how timing plays a crucial role in the process. I’ll explain when to double down in Blackjack because, In some cases, if you do this right, you'll be upping your winnings in a big way. What Does Doubling Down Mean in Blackjack? When you double down in blackjack, you receive only one more card after doubling your bet. A possible problem in this scenario is that if you get dealt a low card, you can't hit again, and you may lose twice as much money. So, it's essential to know when to double down during a game of blackjack in order to win, and the key is to find the right balance between playing safe and taking risks to ensure that you have the edge over your competitors in the game. When to Double Down in Blackjack? Fortunately, basic strategies for blackjack have been meticulously mapped out using mathematical probability to tell you exactly when it's best (on a long-term basis) to double down. Depending on the situation, there are three times when it's best to double down, and as a result, you are in the likely position to finish with a high hand in situations below, whereas the dealer is most likely to lose. Here are the hands when you should double down: Hand total equals 11 Hard 9 or 10 Soft 16, 17, 18 Hand Total is 11 Undoubtedly, this is the most popular and well-known time for players to double down on blackjack. You're more likely to hit blackjack if holding eleven in your hand, as one more card can get you close to it. In any case, you won't break 21. As a result, many people opt to double down when their total number of cards is 11. Hard 9 or 10 The term "hard hand" refers to a hand in which no ace is involved (sigh). If your dealer is showing a lower card than what you have, which puts you in a better position than the dealer, it may be a good time for you to double down on your hand. Soft 16, 17, 18 "Soft" is the term used to describe a hand with an ace and another card. If you had a chance to play blackjack, you know that an ace can be a great advantage since it increases your chances of either hitting 21 or coming very close to it, depending on the situation. Even so, it's important not to get overconfident when you see the all-important ace on the board. It's a good rule of thumb that you should only double down in these situations when, once again, the dealer is showing the lower card in hand. When Not to Double Down? Double downing too frequently can backfire in an attempt to increase your winnings. However, there are some instances where it isn't a good idea, and you'll likely lose a lot of money quickly if you do so. There are times when you should not double down, such as: The dealer holds an Ace You have a hard hand over 11 The Dealer Has an Ace When it comes to blackjack, an ace can be quite a powerful card to have in your hand, which is why you should never double down when the dealer has one. In other words, the odds are in their favor if they hit blackjack or get very close to 21. Hard Hand Over 11 It's not a good idea to double down if your hard hand is higher than 11, and you have a chance of going bust. Never take a risk if you're unsure. Tips for Doubling Down in Blackjack To help you decide whether to double down or stick with your initial bet, here are some tricks and tips that you can take into account: If you're ready to take the risk, push a stack of chips equal to your original wager next to your current wager. To avoid being perceived as tampering, new chips shouldn't be added over the original bet. Remember to always double down on the same amount as your initial bet. When you show an 11, it's almost always a good idea to double down, particularly for those new to blackjack. It's usually impossible to double down after you split a hand. As the name implies, splitting is receiving two cards of the same value and then being given the option to split these two cards into two separate hands, from which you will receive two new cards from the dealer. Online casinos may allow you to do this, but most in-person casinos will not allow you to do so. After hitting, you cannot double down. Hitting is the act of taking another card from the deck. A rule states that doubling down can only be done after the initial two cards are dealt. Conclusion If you think that your hand has a much better chance of winning, you can double down and make an extra wager. Of course, it will cost you double the amount you were planning to bet, so you'll risk more. Some games allow you to double down on a split pair as well, where, for example, if you are dealt a pair of 10s, and the dealer shows a 3, 4, 5, or 6, you can split your tens, double down on them both, and aim to make 21 with both hands. The downside to doubling down is that there is still some risk involved. The dealer always goes after the players and has more information at his disposal. Because of this, the house has a slight advantage over the players. Lastly, it's good to know that only the player's stake will be returned if there's a tie. If you have more questions about when to double down in blackjack, check the questions below. FAQ Do you always double down on 11? Although there are some theoretical situations where you shouldn't double down on 11, depending on the particular table rules, you can keep things simple and always double down on 11. In the long run, there is no doubt that this move will turn out to be profitable. Do you double down on an 11 against a 10? The player is in a strong position when holding 11 after two cards have been dealt because the player and dealer are trying to get close to 21. Therefore, doubling down is a good idea when the dealer shows a lower card than a 10. Should you double down on 12? Yes, you should double down on 12 because to double down, you need to have a hand value of 10 or 11 in order to make sense of the strategy. Considering that there's a 30.7% chance of you hitting another 10-value card and making a high hand in this situation. Can you double down after hitting? No, there are practically no blackjack games in which you can double down after hitting. Should you double down on 10? No, you should always double down when you hold ten and the dealer holds a card lower than seven. However, you shouldn't double your bet if the dealer also has 10 or 11. The value of doubling or not will be fairly equal if they have 7, 8, or 9. Can you double down after splitting? Once you have split your cards in most casinos, you won't be able to double your bet once you have done so. However, a few casinos, especially online ones, allow split hands to be doubled. Use the same logic for each split hand you used for your initial hand if this is the case. When you double down in blackjack, what number of cards do you receive? The extra card you receive when you double down is the only one. New players in the game of blackjack make the mistake of believing that they will receive as many cards as they like. If a low card is dealt, doubling down the blackjack bet could result in a low total.

Even though blackjack rules are the same whether you play the game in a land-based or online casino, the experience is quite different. When playing blackjack online, you don't have as many distractions you normally encounter in a brick-and-mortar casino. It's also far less noisy. Therefore, it's important to use specific hand signals to indicate your move. If you're new to the game, hand signals might be confusing. That's why we'll tell you all about blackjack hand signals to help you familiarize yourself with blackjack etiquette. Hand Signals in Classic Blackjack The key part of this guide is learning how to use blackjack hand motions correctly without disrupting the gameplay. It might not seem complicated at first, but they are quite basic. Each one can be mastered with just a little practice. In addition, there are variations in hand signaling based on the blackjack type. For example, face-up blackjack and face-down blackjack involve different hand signals. Below, you'll find a brief explanation of each signal in blackjack. Hit Hitting means asking for more cards. Generally, index fingers are used when tapping. Nevertheless, some casinos accept both index and middle fingers for tapping.There are different signals for hitting in face-up and face-down blackjack: In face-down blackjack, you scrape the table to indicate that you would like another card; In face-up blackjack, however, you tap on the table or simply point at your cards. Stand As opposed to hitting, standing means you are happy with the hand you're dealt and don't want more cards. Your round has now effectively ended, and all that remains is to see the dealer's hand. Face-up and face-down blackjack games have different signals for standing: In face-down, move your cards underneath the chips, but be careful not to move the chips; In face-up blackjack, wave your hand over your chips to indicate you want to stand, which is more simple. Double Down Doubling down in blackjack means that you want to double your bet in the middle of a hand. In that case, you'll get another card. Blackjack signals are the same whether you play face-up or face-down blackjack—just put extra chips next to your initial bet. Split You'll sometimes receive two identical cards in a blackjack hand. When this happens, you can choose to split the hand into two separate hands and place two separate wagers on each. Splitting a hand requires an additional bet equal to your initial bet. Each hand gets one more card after the cards have been split. The same signal for splitting is used in face-up and face-down blackjack. Simply hold up your index finger and middle finger to create a V shape. Surrender Use the blackjack surrender hand signal after seeing your first two cards and the dealer's up-card if you believe that you have less than a 50% chance of winning. Surrendering allows you to keep half of your initial stake instead of losing it all. In blackjack games where the cards are dealt out of the shoe, the hand signal for surrender is to draw a line on the table behind your bet using your index finger. You can also verbally announce that you intend to surrender. Procedures for surrender may differ in handheld games, so you might want to check with the dealer about the proper etiquette before playing. Insurance Some blackjack variants allow you to purchase insurance. In this case, you can place a side bet if the dealer's up-card is an ace. You can do that to protect half of your initial bet. There's no specific hand gesture in this case, so you can verbally signal to the dealer that you want to buy insurance. You can read here why experienced players have mixed feelings about blackjack insurance. Why Use Blackjack Hand Signals? In blackjack, hand signals aren't only the way for you to look cooler at the table. They serve the purpose of making your intentions clear. That's why universal blackjack signals are developed to make communication easier. Listed below are some reasons why using signals is so important. Ensuring Fairness in the Blackjack Game While playing, gestures show the dealer your intentions and eliminate the possibility of foul play. Furthermore, most casinos have security cameras positioned above the tables to determine if a player is cheating. Ensuring the Interests of Both Players and Casinos Are Protected In land-based casinos, for instance, blackjack hand signals are required in case any dispute arises. Most dealers explain the signals to new players. Speeding Up the Game It's necessary to use proper signals to maintain the rhythm of the game. Once players become accustomed to different signals, the game becomes faster. Blackjack signals enable players and dealers to communicate without any disruptions during the game. Providing Assistance to Novice Players Blackjack dealers and fellow players can tell if you're using the hand signals correctly. The more experienced players can step in to help. Of course, there's always the option of requesting the blackjack dealer to assist you if you don't know what you're doing. Other Rules and Etiquette for Live Blackjack Now that we've established hand gestures in blackjack, let's go over some additional rules you need to know. When buying chips, many casino players turn over their money to the dealer instead of putting it on the table. Dealers in Las Vegas casinos aren't allowed to take the money from your hand. Instead, you should place your money on the table so that the dealer can spread it out, count it, and give you the chips. You shouldn't hold your cards with two hands. This rule is imposed to prevent players from switching cards. You should refrain from engaging in inappropriate behavior at the table, such as yelling or swearing. Furthermore, giving unsolicited advice to other players is not a smart move. Never remove the cards from the table. Everyone should be able to see your cards at all times. When the dealer announces that there are no more bets, you aren't allowed to touch your chips until the end of the game. You should never touch your cards when they are dealt face up. If you want to hit or stand, you should use hand gestures to indicate your move. You should always signal your decision instead of verbalizing it. This rule is imposed so that cameras can capture everything that players do at the table. What Happens If You Forget to Use a Hand Signal? Hand signals for blackjack may seem confusing if you're playing live blackjack for the first time. A fear of making a mistake can easily creep in, especially if the game moves quickly. The good news is that you don't have to worry if you forget to use a signal — nobody will remove you from the table if you forget to do so. The dealer will take the time to remind you how to play blackjack correctly. Even so, make sure you're prepared. Practicing hand signals in advance surely helps. Are Hand Signals Used in Online Blackjack? If you have ever played live dealer blackjack in a land-based casino, you know that it's a different experience from playing it online. The software is an intermediary between the dealer and the player, enabling communication via virtual controls and removing the need for hand signals. However, you can still see the dealer making hand signals to indicate open and close bets. These have more to do with the aesthetics of the game rather than necessity, as all the information will appear on the screen. Conclusion That's all you need to know about the blackjack hand signals at land-based casinos. To learn these signals, you'll need to practice them before you start playing blackjack. Use this article as a guide, and you'll master the game in no time. FAQ How do you tell a dealer you want to split in blackjack? To indicate that you want to split in blackjack, hold up your index and middle finger to create a V shape. It’s one of the classic blackjack hand signals. What is the hand signal for surrender in blackjack? The hand signal for surrender in blackjack is drawing a horizontal line behind the bet on the table using an index finger. What is the hand signal for double in blackjack? In blackjack, the casino signal to double down is to place an additional bet next to your original bet and then point to your cards. This indicates to the dealer that you want to double your original bet and receive one additional card.