Top 10 Female Poker Players

Players of all ages can benefit from Backgammon's positive effects on cognitive capabilities. The prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus are both exercised during play, which are parts of the brain responsible for memory formation and complex thought processes. The game's strategic and tactical elements are ideal for stimulating these areas. Moreover, playing this board game reduces your risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer's due to the mental stimulation it provides. So, if you want to learn how to play Backgammon, you have come to the right place. But before I answer the main question of this article, I’ll provide information about the game's origin, rules, and strategies. Origin of Backgammon Backgammon is among the most popular Western table games, and its roots can be traced back about 5,000 years to Persia and Mesopotamia, i.e., today's Iran and Iraq regions. Backgammon is a derivative of the Irish game that was first played around the 16th century. The first written record of Backgammon was found in 17th-century England. Essential Information About Backgammon Wondering how do you play Backgammon? It's played between two people using a board with 24 triangles. Those narrow triangles are called points and are divided into four groups of six triangles that alternate in color. Groups or quadrants are referred to as the home board and outer board. A ridge along the length of the board, known as the bar, separates the boards. Every point is numbered: for you, the outermost point is 24th, but at the same time, it’s 1st for your opponent. Everyone starts with 15 checkers, stones, tablemen, or just men. All 15 are of the same color. The following list is the Backgammon board layout, i.e., players begin with: five checkers on each player's 6th point three men on each 8th point five on each player's 13th point two checkers on each player's 24th point There are two dice per player. The current bet is displayed on a doubling cube with the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 printed on its faces. The goal of Backgammon is to move all of your pieces into your home board and then bear them off. The first person to do it is the winner. Players roll a single die to establish who goes first, and the one with the greater number plays first. How to Set Up Backgammon? To understand what is Backgammon and how it’s played, I’ll dive more into the rules for setting up the board and the movement of pieces. Board The board represents the single largest expense, as the price of tournament-sized models typically ranges from $250 to $1,300. The dice can turn many times on these boards because they don't roll on top of the checkers or fall off the board. The boards can often be folded into little briefcases, making transporting them much simpler. The board is divided into four equal sections and in two by a ridge that runs down the middle. This ridge is called the bar or middle bar. Another imaginary line divides the board into four quadrants: two home boards and two outer boards. We’ve already gone through how to set up the Backgammon process, but I want to focus on a couple more details regarding the initial layout. Pieces The movement of the pieces, referred to as stones, men, or checkers, along the points is determined by the player's roll of the two dice. Each player begins the game with 15, which can be any one of several different colors. Dice The players each have two ordinary dice with six faces and numbers ranging from one to six. Most Backgammon players who take the game seriously opt to use precision dice. These dice have round corners, allowing them to roll more frequently and unpredictably. The dice will typically correspond in color to the pieces, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Some players prefer clear dice because they feature an internal marking that makes it simple to determine whether or not an opponent is attempting to cheat by exchanging good dice for crooked dice that have been weighted to generate more favorable results. Note that cheating can be avoided by using dice shakers or mugs. Last but not least, each Backgammon set comes with a doubling cube, a die with six sides, and the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 on them. This die is used to increase the amount at stake in a game. How to Play Backgammon: Step-by-Step Instructions Tablemen are moved by the person who rolled the higher number, using the numbers on both dice. Once the initial roll has been made, each player will throw two dice and take turns. A player's next move is determined by the number of points, or ‘pips,’ shown on the dice. When moving the pieces, you must follow these rules: The pieces are always moved forward to a lower-numbered point. A checker can only be moved to an unoccupied point, not taken by two or more opposing pieces. Two numbers on the dice give you different options. If you roll a four and a two, you can move one piece four spaces to an open point and another two spaces, or you can combine and move the same checker a total of six spaces, provided that one of the intermediate points, which would be the fourth and second place from the starting point, is open as well. If you roll a double, the number on the dice is played twice. If it happens that you roll a pair of sixes, you'll have four sixes at your disposal and can use them to advance the pieces as he sees fit. If allowed by the rules, you must use both numbers of a roll or all four in case of a double. If only one number can be played, you're obliged to do so. If both numbers are playable, but there's only one place available, you're obliged to play a bigger number. When you can't use either number, your turn ends. In the case of doubles, if all four numbers can't be played, you're obliged to play as many as possible. Entering, Moving & Hitting When you understand these basic Backgammon rules, you can move on to the next area: moving, hitting, and entering. There is only a couple of essential regulations, but the similarity of moves with those from other games compels me to go through all: A blot is a position on the board where just one checker of both colors is stationed. A blot is hit and moved to the bar if the opponent's checker lands on it. The first duty of any player with pieces on the bar is to move them onto the opponent's home board. To enter the game, a piece must be moved to an empty square whose value matches that of the dice. If you roll a three and a five, you can move a checker onto the opponent's third or 6th point, provided that the prospective point isn't already home to two or more of the opponent's pieces. In case you try to move while neither of the points is available, you lose your turn. But, if you can only enter a portion of your checkers, you must enter what you can and forego the rest of your turn. Any remaining numbers on the dice must be played after all your checkers have been entered, either by moving the entered checker or a different checker. Next on the list of instructions for Backgammon are doubling and a more comprehensive outlook on bearing off. Doubling When playing Backgammon, the stake is determined per point. Every game begins at one point. If you have a significant edge at any moment in the game, consider raising the stakes or doubling. This can only happen at the beginning of your turn before the dice roll. If you've been offered a double and declined, you'll lose the game and must pay one point as a penalty. On the other hand, you can take the double and continue playing for the bigger stakes. After accepting a double, you can request the next one. Redoubles are repeat doubles within the same game. If you decline a redouble, you're responsible for covering the original number of points at stale before the redouble. If not, you get possession of the cube, and the stakes are doubled from there on. Every player can redouble at any time during the game. Bearing Off You can begin bearing off once all 15 checkers have been placed on your home board. To bear off a checker, you must first roll a number that corresponds with the point where the piece is located. For example, you must roll a six to remove a checker from the sixth point. To bear off, you must make a move by placing a checker on a higher-numbered point if there's no piece on the point that you rolled. If there are no other checkers on a higher numbered point, you can and should remove your piece from the highest point. Any time a player has the option to make a valid play, he doesn't have to bear off. In order to bear off, all of your live pieces must be within your home board. If you hit the piece while bearing off, you need to return that piece to the home board before you can resume to bear off. You win the game if you're the first to bear off all the pieces. Gammon and Backgammon Knowing how to play Backgammon helps you minimize your losses. For example, if you remove at least one checker from the board before the end of the game, you’ll only be penalized the value that's displayed on the doubling cube. However, you’re Gammoned and lose twice the value of the doubling cube if you haven’t borne off any of your checkers before the game ends. Alternatively, if you don’t bear off any pieces and still have a checker on the bar or in the winner's home board, you’re Backgammoned and lose three times the value of the doubling cube. This is the worst possible outcome for the loser. Additional Rules in Backgammon The following guidelines are frequently applied in practice: Automatic doubles Beavers The Jacoby rule Automatic doubling is an optional rule. The stakes are immediately increased if both players turn the same number on the first roll. The doubling cube now reads two and is kept in the middle. Usually, players agree that there will only be one automatic double throughout each game. After a player has doubled, that player can redouble or beaver instantly while maintaining ownership of the cube. As with a standard double, the original Doubler can accept or decline the double. With the Jacoby Rule in play, it’s only possible to count Gammons and Backgammons as a single game in the event that neither player has offered a double for the game's duration. This rule helps speed up the game by removing circumstances in which a player would want to avoid doubling to continue playing for a gammon. Irregular Moves in a Game of Backgammon Any comprehensive ‘How to play Backgammon’ guide also needs to emphasize illegal moves. Both dice must land flat on the surface of the right-hand portion of the game board after being rolled together. If either die lands outside the right-hand board, on a checker or if it doesn’t land flat, you must re-roll both dice. The turn is considered complete when you pick up dice at the end of the round. If the play is invalid or unfinished, you can either accept it as it is or ask the player to make a valid move. The result of a roll is nullified if you roll before the opponent has finished his turn and picked up the dice to end the game. However, this rule is often disregarded. In Backgammon, the concept of a stalemate is practically impossible. It can only occur when both players actively prevent the other from moving forward. Both of them may have prime in front of the other player's checkers. Both players can only maintain their prime positions once they are pinned to the bar. Therefore, if both players are currently on the bar, one of them will ultimately re-enter the game unless both players are eliminated at the same time. The only way to reach a deadlock is for both players to be on the bar simultaneously and for both players to be closed out. However, this scenario isn't going to play out. If you are on the bar and your opponent closes the gap, you can't hit your opponent. So, stalemate is possible only if one of the players performs a move outside the rules. Strategies for Backgammon You Can Employ The dice rolls determine the outcome of a game of Backgammon; therefore, if your opponent rolls 6s while you roll 1s, you'll likely lose regardless of what you do. Considering there are so many throws of the dice in a game of Backgammon, the luck tends to equal out, and the player who employs the superior strategy is most likely to emerge victorious. Therefore, learning the ins and outs of these methods is essential if you want to become proficient in Backgammon. So, in addition to the rules for Backgammon, you’d want to check out a rundown of the five fundamental Backgammon strategies: the blitz, the running game, priming, the holding game, and the back game. The Blitz The Blitz is an all-out assault against your opponent's weak checkers in one or more areas. Instead of just running for home or attempting to create points along the board, this approach emphasizes landing on your opponent's checkers whenever possible to send them to the bar. The advantage is that you’re setting your opponent back a certain number of pips, and it also allows you to trap certain checkers on the bar if your opponent doesn’t roll the appropriate numbers to come back onto the board. Remember that attacking close to your home row doesn’t cause your opponent to lose a significant number of pips and that if your attacking checker remains susceptible, you run the chance of losing a significant number of pips yourself. The Running Game The Running Game is the most basic Backgammon board game strategy. It entails moving your checkers toward your home board in the quickest possible manner. If you and other players want to engage in a running game, the match's victor will be determined by who rolls higher than the other. Having this in mind, you should only commit to a running game if you start with powerful rolls at the beginning of the game. Priming A connected series of made points along the board is an important part of the Backgammon strategy known as priming. Many experts consider this the most crucial technique when learning to be successful at Backgammon. You have formed a wall that your opponent cannot get around until they roll a five or a six. This wall slows down your opponents and makes it simple for your other moving pieces to find safe locations by providing an easy target. Priming is the most efficient when used in conjunction with the blitz, referred to as the two-way forward offensive. Your opponent's checkers will be placed on the bar due to the blitz, and getting off the bar can be challenging. This will cause your opponent to waste a lot of dice rolls. Holding Game As you move away from your home board, the Holding Game depends on maintaining an anchor point in your opponent's home board. Leaving an anchor point on the opponent's home board provides you with two advantages, although it’s frequently prudent to advance your furthest checkers early in the game to prevent getting trapped. For defensive purposes, it provides you with a secure position to fall back on in the event that one of your checkers is sent to the bar. This stops an opponent from entirely baiting you into an automatic defeat. When playing offensively, the Holding Game allows your anchor to provide a reasonable threat to the pieces that your opponent is advancing. Even if your opponent responds by capturing one of your checkers from your home board, you'll still come out on top in terms of pips if you capture a checker from your opponent's home board. Back Game The Back Game is an extension of the Holding Game that focuses on keeping numerous points on your opponent's home board. Considering that you begin the game with only two checkers on your opponent's home board, it's obvious that the only time you'll play this strategy is if your checkers are repeatedly knocked onto the bar. The Back Game is a backup strategy. Some call it a last-ditch effort to save face when losing badly. This tactic not only makes your opponent's life more difficult by increasing the offensive threat of the Holding Game, but it also makes your life more difficult by taking up a valuable part of the home board. Conclusion To wrap up, I all reiterate a couple of the most important rules and guidelines you must know to learn how to play Backgammon. It’s a board game between two people with 15 checkers. The winner is the first player to put all his pieces into a quadrant of the board, i.e., the home board. To do that, players use dice or doubling dice if doubling has already occurred. In this Backgammon guide, I’ve explained all the rules, complimented with the list of irregular moves and the standard tactics that will help you win when you start playing it. FAQ How do you start a Backgammon game? To decide the Backgammon starting position, you and the other player roll a single die to determine who goes first, with the higher of the two getting the first turn. If you roll the same number, you need to repeat the action. After that, you alternate turns and roll two dice at the beginning of every turn. What is an object of Backgammon? The object of Backgammon is to be the first player to remove all pieces from your inner table, which is called bearing off. If the opponent removed at least one piece, you win a single game and receive the current stake. If he doesn’t remove a single piece, this is a 'gammon,' and it's worth double the current stake. Is it hard to learn to play Backgammon? The rules are easy to understand, and a new player can pick them up in a matter of minutes. Furthermore, these rules are easy to grasp once you've played a couple of games. It's easy to see why so many people keep coming back to play it and why it remained popular after thousands of years. Why is the 5-point important in Backgammon? The 5-point is deep in your home board, along with the 6-point, which is effective protection when your opponent is trying to re-enter from the bar. When your opponents roll a five or a six, they'll fail to re-enter and, as a result, waste a lot of their pips.

Many online gamblers wonder if it's possible to cheat at online casinos. The idea of outsmarting the system and hitting it big is certainly appealing. But is it really possible to beat the systems that online casinos use today? The truth is, while the idea of cheating lingers, it’s mostly a myth. Online casinos use advanced technology, and strict security measures, and are subject to stringent regulations and regular audits. In this post, we'll clear up some common misconceptions, look at the cheating methods that have been tried, and examine the high-tech defenses in place. By the end, you'll understand why cheating isn't just tough—it's not worth the trouble. Ways People Try to Cheat Online Casinos Cheating might sound fun, but it’s a risky business that often ends in bans or worse thanks to stringent online casino security measures. In fact, many institutions could learn from the advanced measures casinos employ to protect games and players. Let’s look at the most common ways players try to get an unfair advantage: Card Counting in Live Games Imagine trying to keep track of every card dealt in a blackjack game to guess what might come next. That's card counting. It's a skill as old as blackjack itself, frequently portrayed in movies. Online, it’s tougher to pull off, but some still try during live dealer sessions. Casinos are quick to spot and block anyone they suspect. Team Play a.k.a Collusion Ever thought about teaming up to beat the house? That’s what happens in collusion. To outwit others at the poker table, players form secret alliances and share card information. It's deceptive and against the rules, but a real challenge for casinos to catch without advanced monitoring.  Betting Bots and Hacking the System Then there are those who go high-tech. Using bots or attempting to hack the casino’s software to tweak the game in their favor. It's the online equivalent of tampering with a slot machine. A notable real-life example is when a major online casino discovered a network of bots attempting to manipulate several online poker games. In 2019, the casino's AI-driven monitoring system flagged unusual activity in certain accounts. The AI noticed that some accounts made moves faster than humanly possible. The behavioral analysis software found these accounts active 24/7, which is a clear indication of bot activity.  By cross-referencing IP addresses and device identifiers, the fraud detection system identified that the suspicious accounts were accessed from a few IP addresses, despite being registered in different names and locations. The casino's security team froze the accounts and investigated further, confirming the presence of a bot network. Bonus Hunting Lastly, there's the trick of signing up multiple times to claim the same bonus over and over. It's a scam that involves juggling multiple identities. Not only is it fraudulent, but it also spoils the fun for everyone else. Casinos have caught on to these schemes and implemented strict checks to catch and deter bonus abusers. How Casinos Stay One Step Ahead As cheating methods evolve, online casinos have stepped up their game with advanced technological defenses to protect the integrity of their platforms. Here’s how they do it: Multiple deck shufflers: In live blackjack games where card counting is a popular strategy, some live casino studios use multiple deck shufflers to prevent card counting techniques. AI and machine learning: Collusion or the use of betting bots are techniques used by tech-savvy cheaters. Online casinos have started using AI and machine learning tools to sift through data and spot patterns that might suggest these forms of cheating. Biometric verification: Bonus abuse is not allowed at any online casino. This is prevented by robust identity verification tools such as facial recognition, fingerprint scans, and voice checks. Behavioral analysis software: This software is used to prevent collusion and the possible use of bots while gambling. It tracks player actions in real-time and spots any out-of-the-ordinary behavior that could indicate cheating. Multi-factor authentication: Fraud and bonus abuse are monitored and picked up by online casinos with the help of multi-factor authentication. Players are required to provide several forms of verification before accessing their accounts, limiting the possibility of identity and other types of fraud. Sophisticated fraud detection systems: Suspicious behavior like attempting to create multiple accounts or commit money laundering is mitigated by the use of fraud detection systems. These systems continuously monitor all transactions and player activities, immediately flagging and acting on suspicious behavior. The Consequences of Playing Dirty Cheating at online casinos can have serious consequences. Here’s what happens if you get caught trying to beat the system: Account suspension: Your account gets shut down immediately. The best online casinos don’t tolerate cheating and will ban you permanently. Losing winnings: Any money you win through cheating goes back to the casino. They will void your winnings to keep things fair. Legal trouble: Depending on where you are, cheating can lead to fines or even criminal charges. Casinos work with legal authorities to make sure cheaters face serious consequences. Blacklisting: Once caught, you’ll end up on a blacklist shared among casinos. This means opening an account or playing at other casinos becomes nearly impossible. Reputation damage: Getting caught cheating can ruin your reputation. It can also affect your personal and professional life. Fair Play Keeps Players Safe All in all, while the temptation to cheat in online casinos exists for some, it is virtually impossible with today's advanced security measures. However, we shouldn’t forget that fair play is essential for a great online gambling experience. By choosing reputable online casinos and adopting responsible gambling practices, you can enjoy a safe and fun environment. Cheating not only ruins the game for others but also disrespects the integrity of the casino. With such high-tech security in place, attempting to cheat is futile. Let's keep the game fair and fun for everyone.

Blackjack is among the popular online casino games, and it's widely played using decks of 52 cards. Its origin comes from a family of casino banking games known as 21, and the European Vingt-et-Un and the British card game Pontoon are its versions. With the expansion of the gambling world, additional types of Blackjack have appeared on the market. Geographical Blackjack Types Let’s go over a few versions of Blackjack. Atlantic City Blackjack Blackjack in Atlantic City has a few unique features you won't find at other casinos. Namely, the dealer will check for Blackjack when an ace or a ten is visible. There are three ways to divide your hand when given two cards of equal value. After splitting aces, players are only given one more card for each ace and can only split aces once. The option of doubling down is available to players at any point in the game, even after a split. The dealer will stand on any hand valued at 17, even if it's a soft 17. Finally, players can choose a late surrender when the dealer shows an ace or a 10-value card. Even if insurance is readily accessible, taking it's still a bad idea. Vegas Strip In addition to being popular on the Las Vegas Strip, this Blackjack variant is available in almost every online casino. Although the game's rules are virtually identical to conventional Blackjack, there are some minor differences to be aware of, such as the number of decks and whether or not the dealer hits or stands on soft 17. Usually, Vegas Strip Blackjack is playable with four or eight decks, and the dealer stands on soft 17. With a starting hand that contains 10-value or ace cards, the dealer is required to reveal the hidden card. Even after splitting a pair, players can double down. Splitting 10-value cards, even different ones, is available. In addition, it's against the rules to re-split aces and surrender. European Blackjack The main difference between European Blackjack and other types of Blackjack is how the cards are dealt. In a traditional Blackjack game, each player, including the dealer, receives two cards at the beginning of the hand. One card is dealt face up, while the others are dealt face down. Meanwhile, in European Blackjack, each player begins with just one card exposed to them, and they don't get their second card until after all other players finish making their hands. It's more difficult for players to double or split their hands, and players are at a disadvantage since there are additional limitations to doubling and splitting. Players can only double their bet if they have a total of 9, 10, or 11. Regarding splitting, players can double their bets but can't split them again. In European 21, the odds of winning are somewhat lower than in the standard version of Blackjack, although the difference isn't significant. Multi-Hand Blackjack Multi-Hand Blackjack's main rules are the same as those for the conventional Blackjack types, which benefits players because they don't need to learn additional rules. However, in this version, participants can play many hands, make various wagers, and have five hands instead of one. In most casinos, this variant of Blackjack prohibits surrendering but enables insurance against the dealer's ace. The rules vary widely depending on the land-based casino or online versions. For example, some dealers hit soft 17s while others must stand. In addition, the multi-hand Blackjack version with European rules doesn't use hole cards. Lastly, some Multiple-Hand variants allow doubling on every two-card hand, while others limit it to 9 through 11. Generally, Multi-Hand variation speeds up play and boost betting. Double Exposure Blackjack In this type of Blackjack, the dealer is dealt two cards face-up. Players lose all their wagers, except Blackjack hand, when they push to keep the house advantage at 3-2. The payout for a natural Blackjack is even money. Because dealers' cards are visible, players can't purchase insurance or surrender. The game, for the most part, doesn't allow doubling following splits, re-splitting, and side bets. When the dealer has a 13 through a 16, two 10-value cards are split, and if the dealer has a 20, a hard 19 must be struck. Double Exposure Blackjack is played with at least 6 decks, but most often with 8. Progressive Blackjack One of the most popular types of Blackjack is Progressive Blackjack. It's not that different from the classic game, but there are a few things to remember before you start. A player and a dealer face off in Progressive Blackjack, just as they do in conventional types. The new $1 stake spot is a big addition, and that's for a special jackpot bet that must be wagered before the cards are dealt. Each player can play up to five hands at a time, and split hands are considered one hand. To proceed, the dealer must hit on 16 or less and stand on 17 or above. However, Progressive blackjack has some rules distinction from the standard Blackjack type. A player who chooses to split a pair of aces gets only one additional card, and the hand automatically stands. If a second card dealt to a player is a 10-valued card, the hand is considered to have a value of 21, not Blackjack. In most cases, re-splitting isn't an option. Only when players have a hand total of 9, 10, or 11 will they be allowed to double. After the split, players can't go back and double the bet. Single and Double Deck Blackjack Most rules for Single-Deck Blackjack are the same as those for games with more than one deck: A hand can be split up to three times. Aces can be split, and each ace gets one card, but they can’t be split again. The hand with a split ace and a 10-value card has a value of 21, not Blackjack. The dealer hits on a soft 17. The payout for blackjack is 3-2. The payout for a winning insurance bet is 2-1. When playing this Blackjack variant, players must keep in mind that each card has a big effect on how the rest of the hand plays out. For a game with only one deck, the rules for doubling down and surrendering are different, and players should take advantage of them. For instance, they can be more aggressive by splitting a pair of 3's if the dealer shows a 2 or 3 instead of just 4 through 6. Likewise, it's advised to surrender when you get a pair of 7s and the dealer has a ten. The house edge on insurance in Single-Deck Blackjack games is 5.9%, so you should never take insurance or even money. Similar to a Single Deck, a Double-Deck Blackjack starts each round with players receiving two cards face down, while the dealer receives one card face up. The dealer will check for Blackjack if they have an ace or a 10 on the table. If players hit Blackjack, they'll be given insurance and even money. You must have a 9, 10, or 11 to double in Double-Deck Blackjack. Players can place an extra stake on the split hand, and no additional splits are allowed. When you get a Blackjack, you’re paid 3-2. Dealer stands on both hard and soft 17. Players can't double following a split, but they can on Blackjack. Blackjack Switch Blackjack got a new and original spin in recent years thanks to this innovation. In blackjack switch, you take part in not just one but two separate hands, and you can move cards from one hand to the other to strengthen one or both hands, which creates a significant advantage. In order to make up for the above-mentioned things, the majority of the other rules are biased in favor of the dealer. For example, if the dealer has a 22, it doesn't result in a bust; instead, it's a push against any player's hand that isn't a bust or 21. Super Fun 21 Super Fun 21 is a Blackjack version that's a lot of fun to play. Aces count as either a one or an 11, and the dealer gets two cards, where one is visible. It varies from standard Blackjack variants in that the player wins if his hand has at least six cards totaling 20, even if the dealer has a total of 21. You can split your hand up to four times in Super Fun 21, and your 21 beats the dealer's. You can also double down at any moment and instantly double your money when you have a hand with five or more cards totaling 21. Additionally, the Super Fun 21 version of Blackjack pays only 6-5 instead of 3-2, which is a significant change. In Super Fun 21 Blackjack, only during the first round of a newly shuffled deck can a player put a side wager on landing a Blackjack. The odds are 300:1. For this unusual side bet, players can choose which suit or suits they want to gamble on. Pontoon Types of Blackjack In the sections below, we’ll cover a few types of Pontoon Blackjacks. British Pontoon Pontoon was the British variation of Blackjack before it became famous internationally because it was a unique and exciting form of the game. British Pontoon has significant changes compared to more traditional types. At least two players are necessary, but five to eight are ideal. If the table is unoccupied, you can play heads-up Pontoon versus the dealer. However, Playtech and Betsoft provide online Multi-Hand Blackjack variants that let you bet on up to three or five hands at once. In this form, 21 hand is dubbed "Pontoon." It consists of an ace and a 10-value card like ten, Jack, Queen, or King. The advantage of Pontoon is that even after splitting, 21s count as naturals, so the odds can be more than 2-1. The five-card trick is the second-best hand, consisting of five cards totaling no more than 21. Any unbusted hand with precisely five cards wins in Pontoon, regardless of its total. Pontoon pays even money on non-busted hands of 21 or less. As in classic Blackjack, busted hands above 21 lose immediately. In British Pontoon, the dealer's cards are face-down, which changes the game's entire strategy because the dealer's second card isn't visible. As a result, British Pontoon lacks the insurance side bet that Blackjack players get when the dealer's first card is an ace. Spanish 21 In Spanish 21, which is quite similar to Pontoon, all 10s are eliminated from the deck. Although this would normally result in a bigger house advantage, the game makes up for it by allowing other player-friendly terms: Dealer must stand on soft 17. Players can double after splitting and re-splitting. After doubling your bet, you have the option to surrender. Double Attack Atlantic City casinos offer Double Attack Blackjack, which is one of the types of Blackjack that pays even money on a Blackjack and allows players to double their bet after viewing the dealer's upcard. Also, the Bust It! side bet predicts whether the dealer will bust on the third card. This side wager is placed before the dealer's upcard. If the dealer has an eight, receives another eight of the same color or suit, and busts, there's an extra payout. The Bust It! side bet pays according to how many cards the dealer busts with: If the dealer busts with 3 or 4 cards, players receive a 2-1 payout. For 5-card busts, they get a 4-1 payout. For 6-card busts, they'll have a 12-1 payout. If the dealer busts with seven or eight cards, the payouts are massive: 50-1 and 250-1. Double Attack Blackjack uses eight Spanish 48-card decks, and the dealer always stands on soft 17. Insurance pays 5-2, but the dealer can peek for Blackjack. Other differences are that doubling is allowed even after splitting, and players can split aces once for one additional card and all other cards four times. Lastly, any player can double or surrender at any time, but note that there's no re-doubling. Face Up 21 Face Up 21 is the most uncommon type of Blackjack where the dealer holds two face-up cards, and he must hit on a soft 17. If the dealer has 20, you must hit on 19 to get an ace or two to tie or win. Also, players receive even money for Blackjack, as opposed to the 3-2. When the player's hand ties with the dealer's, the dealer wins unless the player has Blackjack. In this version, players can split aces but get only one extra card per ace. You may double up on a split, but only with hands that total 9, 10, or 11. Some online casinos will allow you to re-split up to 3 times. Match Play 21 Match Play 21 is played with ten fewer cards than the typical types of Blackjack. Worry not, because aces and face cards remain in the deck, which lessens the player's probability of winning with each additional deck. Match Play 21 is normally played with six decks, but the range is between two and eight. Players can split up to two times if they have two cards of the same value, and when doubling down, just one more card is dealt. To counter the dealer's edge, the payout plan is more rewarding: A 5-card Blackjack pays 3-2. 21 on six cards pays 2-1. Getting a natural with seven or more cards rewards the player with a 3-1 payout. Any 6-7-8 combo pays 3-2, suited one pays 2-1. Spades 6-7-8 combination locks 3-1 payout. The above payouts apply to 7-7-7 combos, but when the dealer shows a 7, this combination pays out 40-1. Perfect Pairs Side Bet Perfect Pairs is a side wager where the player's first two cards form a pair, and there are three distinct sorts of perfect pairs, each paying out differently: In a mixed pair, the suit and color are different, but the card's value is the same. Colored pairs have the same value and color, but a different suit. A perfect pair is the same exact card. Any 6-7-8 combo pays 3-2, suited one pays 2-1. Spades 6-7-8 combination locks 3-1 payout. The above payouts apply to 7-7-7 combos, but when the dealer shows a 7, this combination pays out 40-1. Before any cards are dealt, players must determine whether they wish to participate in the Perfect Pairs side bet. The payouts differ, but usually, it is 5-1 for a mixed pair, 10-1 or 12-1 for a colored pair, and 30-1 for a perfect one.

Yahtzee is a popular dice game that has been around since the 1950s. It's one of the games that are easy to learn and fun to play. The goal is to score as many points as possible by rolling five dice and attempting to make different varieties. If you're curious about how to play Yahtzee, we will provide you with all the information, so let's dive into the topic! Overview of the Gameplay So, how do you play Yahtzee? Well, it's played with five six-sided dice and a scorecard. Each player takes turns rolling the dice and attempting to make various combinations from the numbers. The varieties include 3-of-a-kind boxes, 4-of-a-kind boxes, small and large straight, full house, Yahzee (5-of-a-kind boxes), and chance. Each combination has a fixed value. The player with the highest total score at the end of the game wins. Step-by-Step Instructions Set up: Begin by placing the scorecard in the center of the table. Then, each participant takes a turn to roll the dice. The one who rolls the highest total goes first. Roll dice: The players roll five dice. The dice can be rolled up to three times in a turn. Score combinations: The partaker can score any combination they have rolled on their scorecard. If the player is unsuccessful in any category, they must write down a zero in the "chance" category. Re-roll if needed: The player may re-roll any or all dice up to three times in a turn and decide which dice to keep and which to re-roll. Yahtzee Rules Before you start, here are some essential rules of Yahtzee to ensure you have the best experience possible. How many dice do you need to play Yahtzee? Each player takes a turn rolling five dice. On your first roll, roll all five dice. You can set aside any keepers during the second roll of the game and re-roll the rest. On your third and final roll, you can roll some or all dice and must write down a dice score at the end of this roll. After each roll, you must set aside at least one die to build your score. The scored points in various categories, such as 3-of-a-kind box, 4-of-a-kind box, full house, small straight, large straight, or Yahtzee increase the chance of winning. You can choose the category you want to score in, but you can only earn points in one category. The participant who scored the highest amount at the end of the game wins. Now that you know the rules of Yahtzee, it's time to play the game. Components Yahtzee is one of the dice games that requires five standard dice and a scorepad. The game consists of 13 rounds, each with a different scoring category. 3-of-a-kind box: These boxes require three dice with the same number. The score is the sum of all dice. 4-of-a-kind box: These boxes require a player to have four dice with the same number. The score is the sum of all dice. Full house in Yahtzee: This category requires three dice with one number and two dice with another number. The score is 25 points. Small straight: This category requires a player to have four consecutive numbers in any order. The score is 30 points. Large straight: This category requires five consecutive numbers in any order. The score is 40 points. Yahtzee: This category requires a participant to have five dice with the same number. The Yahtzee score is 50 points; if a player scores a Yahtzee game in a subsequent round, they can earn bonuses. Chance: This category allows a player to score the sum of all dice, regardless of the combination. Yahtzee Scoring In Yahtzee, the scoring is counted as a combination of the upper and lower sections. The upper section: In this section of the Yahtzee dice game, you must earn points in categories one through six. The categories are: Ones Twos Threes Fours Fives Sixes Each category requires reaching the sum of the corresponding dice number. For example, if a player rolls three ones, two twos, and one five, they can achieve three points in the "ones" category and two points in the "twos" category. The lower section: In this section, you must score in categories numbered 7 through 13. The Yahtzee boxes are: 3-of-a-kind box 4-of-a-kind box  Full house Small straight Large straight Yahtzee Chance In these games, the score is based on the combination of numbers on the dice roll. For example, if a player rolls three fives and two threes, they can score 15 points in the "3-of-a-kind" category or 15 points in the "chance" category. A Yahtzee, which is 5-of-a-kind, scores 50 points. The objective of dice games is to collect points in 13 rounds. The upper section scores are added together, and if you score 63 or more points in this section, you receive a 35-point bonus. The final score is the sum of the upper section, the lower section, and any extras. Yahtzee Variations Basic Yahtzee: This is the classic example of Yahtzee variations, which is also the most popular. In this version, players take turns rolling the dice and attempting to make different varieties. The player with the highest total score at the end of the game wins. Yahtzee with multiple players: This variation allows multiple players to play together. Players take turns rolling the dice and scoring combinations on their scorecards. It can be a lot more competitive and fun when playing with friends. Yahtzee with extra dice: This variation has an additional die. The participant must score a combination with all six dice before their turn ends. This version is more challenging and requires thinking more strategically. Yahtzee Strategies Always try to get a full house first and then go for a large straight. Depending on the situation, you can also try for a 4-of-a-kind or a Yahtzee. Prioritize ones, twos, and threes if you need to get a full house. These are the most common numbers and most likely to appear. Try to keep all of your dice during each turn since you want to take advantage of all chances of getting a Yahtzee. When deciding which combination to go for, decide which would give you the most points. If you need a specific combination, keep the die with the number you need and roll the other die to get the required combination. If you are going for a Yahtzee, don't be afraid to take risks to get it. Always keep track of your scores and try to maximize them. Remember to use the scored points from bonuses if you have fulfilled the requirements of the games. Conclusion Yahtzee is a fun and easy game to learn. Can you play Yahtzee with two players? It can be played with two or more players and adapted to different difficulty levels. Players take turns rolling the dice and attempting to make various varieties from the numbers moved. The person with the highest total score at the end of the game wins. You can find resources online for more tips on winning at Yahtzee. There is also an online Yahtzee to try out. So, whether you're playing with friends, family, or even online, Yahtzee is the game that guarantees hours of entertainment. Yahtzee FAQ What is Yahtzee? Yahtzee is a popular dice game that can be played with two or more players. It's a game of luck, strategy, and skill, and the goal is to score the most points by rolling five dice and selecting different combinations. How do you win Yahtzee? The participant with the highest overall score at the end of the game wins. In addition, the player with the highest score in each category earns bonus points. What are the rules of Yahtzee? Each partaker takes turns rolling five dice and selecting different varieties of dice rolls. The person with the highest score in each category also earns bonus points in those games. After all players have taken turns, the one with the highest overall score wins. This is a simple explanation of how to play Yahtzee. How do you score in Yahtzee? The scores are calculated by adding the total of all the dice or selecting specific combinations (such as 3-of-a-kind, 4-of-a-kind, full house, etc.). Bonus points can also be earned by having the highest score in each category. What are the different categories of Yahtzee? The categories in Yahtzee include ones, twos, threes, fours, fives, sixes, 3-of-a-kind box, 4-of-a-kind box, full house, small straight, large straight, chance, and Yahtzee.