A Guide To Winning At 21
Playing Smarter, Not Harder 
Blackjack is one of the few casino games where technique can significantly impact the outcome. While luck always plays a part, understanding basic strategy can lower the house edge and boost your chances of winning. The aim is simple: get a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer without going over.
Famous Big Wins 
The Excalibur Jackpot: In 2003, a 25-year-old software engineer from Los Angeles visited the Excalibur Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The FedEx Founder: Frederick W. Smith, the founder of FedEx, famously saved his company in its early days by taking its last $5,000 to Las Vegas. He played blackjack and won $27,000, which was enough to cover the company's $24,000 fuel bill and keep it afloat. He put $100 into a Megabucks slot machine and walked away with an astonishing $39.7 million, the largest slot jackpot in history. The World Series of Poker Champion: In 2003,  casino (describes it) an amateur poker player named Chris Moneymaker turned a $86 online satellite tournament entry into a $2.5 million win at the World Series of Poker Main Event. His victory is credited with starting the "poker boom." 
Here’s a look at some of the largest recorded slot machine jackpots.
Jackpot Size 
Venue 
Date 
Game 
$39.7 Million 
Excalibur, Las Vegas 
2003 
Megabucks 
$34.9 Million 
Desert Inn, Las Vegas 
2000 
Megabucks 
$27.5 Million 
Palace Station,  casino Las Vegas 
1998 
Megabucks 
$21.3 Million 
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas 
1999 
Megabucks 
These stories are exciting, but it's important to remember they are extremely rare exceptions to the rule. Always gamble responsibly.
A complete basic strategy chart provides more detailed advice. Your Value 
Dealer's Upcard is 2-6 
Dealer's Upcard is 7-Ace 
17-20 (Hard) 
Stay 
Stay 
13-16 (Hard) 
Hold 
Draw 
12 (Hard) 
Hold 
Draw 
11 
Double Down 
Increase Bet 
10 
Double 
Hit 
Note: This is a simplified table.
Use a Staking Plan: Bet a small, consistent percentage of your total bankroll on each wager (e.g., 1-2%). Stop playing when you hit either one. Core Management Techniques 
Separate Your Funds: Keep your gambling money separate from your everyday living expenses. This prevents catastrophic losses. Record Your Play: Keep track of your wins and losses to understand your performance. Set Win/Loss Limits: Decide on a target profit (win limit) and  casino (describes it) a maximum loss (loss limit) for each session.
Reload Bonus: A match bonus for  casino existing players on subsequent deposits. Free Spins: A set number of free plays on a specific slot machine. This is the amount you must bet before you can withdraw the bonus funds or any winnings from them. It's expressed as a multiplier (e.g., 35x). The most crucial part of any bonus is the wagering requirement. Frequent Promotional Deals 
Welcome Bonus / Match Deposit: The casino matches a percentage of your first deposit, e.g., "100% match up to $200." 
No Deposit Bonus: A small bonus given just for signing up, with no deposit required. Cashback: The casino returns a percentage of your net losses over a certain period.
Bankroll Size 
Stake per Bet 
Wager Value 
Mentality 
$500 
1% 
$5 
Cautious 
$500 
2% 
$10 
Standard 
$500 
5% 
$25 
Aggressive 
By sticking to these principles, you can enjoy gambling for longer and avoid the financial stress that comes with poor money management.
Unlike many casino games, poker is played against other players, not the house. This makes it a fascinating blend of skill and luck. The most popular variant is Texas Hold'em, which is what most beginners start with. Your First Hand 
Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world, found in home games, casinos, and  casino online platforms.
Playing Smart with Your Money 
Effective bankroll management is perhaps the most important skill a gambler can possess. It's the practice of managing the capital you've set aside for gambling to withstand losing streaks and maximize playing time. The core principle is to never risk a significant portion of your total bankroll on a single bet or session. Without proper management, even a skilled punter can go broke quickly.
Knowing how these work is key to properly evaluating a bonus. However, they almost always come with terms and conditions, the most important of which are wagering requirements. Making Sense of Offers 
Online casinos use incentives to attract new players and retain existing ones. These offers can seem very generous, promising free cash or spins.
Bet 
To make the first wager in a betting round. Call 
To match the amount of the current bet to stay in the hand. You are out until the next hand begins. Move 
Explanation 
Check 
To pass the action to the next player without betting. Learning these basics is the first step on your path to becoming a competent poker player. Raise 
To increase the amount of the current bet, forcing other players to call the new, higher amount. Only possible if no bet has been made in the current round. Fold 
To forfeit your hand and any money already in the pot.