Blackjack Tournaments

In a Blackjack tournament, players compete against one another which is a bit different from the normal game of Blackjack. In a tournament, each player does win or lose against the dealer, but the ultimate aim is to end with more chips than the other players.

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There are several short rounds of play in a Blackjack tournament with groups of players seated at various tables competing against each other in each round of play. Elimination is done in tournament play, leaving one or two players left at each table who will go further to the next round of action. Each round is comprised of a set number of hands. The round begins with everyone having the same number of chips. When a round ends, the player(s) with the most chips goes on to the next round. Blackjack tournament play normally is made up of three to five rounds of elimination.

Instead of the cards being dealt beginning at the first seat, in tournament play, a button is put on the table in front of a player indicating that he is 'first base' for the hand. The button is moved around the table with each passing hand. The reason for this is that both the betting and the player order rotates and those who have to bet and make an action early are at a disadvantage.

One of the top reasons to take part in a Blackjack tournament is that the casino is not at an advantage over the participants as the prize money normally consists solely of the entry fees paid. For the experienced player, there is a big advantage is his opponents are less skilled. Casinos often use a tournament as a marketing ploy to draw more patrons in through the doors. The size of the typical prize in a Blackjack tournament varies a lot, depending on the entry fee charged. For a small tourney with an entry fee of $10, you could expect $500 and $1000 as the first place prize.

Often, the first five or six top finishers are paid. For a large tournament, the entry fee could be $500 to $1000, with prize pools totaling over $1 million.

There are two types of Blackjack tournaments. In the first, you compete only against the players at your table and in the second, you compete against all of the players sitting at the other tables. The first type is by far the most popular type of tournament. The rules of tournament play can vary a little bit, but there is a basic protocol.

A typical Blackjack tournament will be limited in the number of players allowed in. Every player is given the same amount of chips. There is a minimum bet set as well as a maximum amount set for the bets. The typical round may consist of 30 hands and when it ends the two players with the most chips on each table will advance to a semi-final round of play. Once the semi-final round is played, the players with the highest amount of chips moves on to the final round.

At the large casinos in Las Vegas, a Blackjack tournament can last for several days. Tournament play is great fun for both the beginner as well as for the more seasoned player as people love the idea that they are not playing against the house, but against one another. Before signing up for a tournament, it is a good idea to review the rules of that particular tournament as this type of Blackjack is a fast paced game.

Read the next article that teach you how to manage your blackjack bankroll.

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