Holdem Blackjack. discover the basics of this innovative and peculiar game.

I have seen adverts for it for a a small number of months now, in Inside Edge and Poker Player magazines and only this day have I bothered to find out what it actually is.

Holdem Blackjack is Cryptologic's crossbreed poker/blackjack game and is offered through William Hill, UK Betting etc, although presently only in actual money tournament form with ring games expected early next year.

The game is played at tables of 6 players maximum. Each player puts in an ante equal to half the small blind. The players to the left of the dealer button then put in small blinds and big blinds as in usual Holdem.

Players are then dealt 1 card face down and a series of betting takes place, starting to the left of the big blind. Betting is fixed limit (bets/raises equate to big blind) and the blinds are live, as in Holdem.

Players are then dealt a second hold card, face up, and a further round of betting occurs, this time opening with the first active player to the left of the button. Betting is fixed limit in increments of twice the big blind.

Players then complete their hand starting with the first active player to the left of the dealer and running clockwise round the table. Players hit or stand as they desire. If they exceed 21 they must stand. Cards are dealt face down. A hand might consist of a maximum of 7 cards. There is then a final round of betting, spread limit this time with bets/raises being 2x to 10x the big blind. A showdown then takes place, losing hands may be mucked without being shown. Winner takes the pot, tied hands split the pot.

The ranks of hands is:

1) 7 card Charlie (7 cards totalling 21 or less)
2) 21, 20, 19 etc.

If all hands have exceeded 21 the lowest total wins the pot.

Cards have their usual blackjack values (2-10 are face value, court cards are 10 and Ace is 1 or 11 to the players benefit).

Here is a a small number of thoughts I have on approach for this game:

* The successful hand is usually 20 or 21, occasionally 19. It is not often lower than this and remember than any bust hand is beaten by any non-bust hand no matter how low the points total, i.e 2 beats 22

* When you can see your opponents' up card they can have a max of 10 or 11 in the hole so you know the most they can have in their hand. So if you have 21 and your opponent has a 10 showing he cannot beat you and can split with you at best so don't be troubled to jack the pot.

* Remember a 3 (or more) card 21 is just as advantageous as a 2 card 21 (blackjack)

* The probability of somebody hitting a 7-card hand (an automatic winner) are really tiny so don't even consider about it. If your opponent has 7 cards then you can still take him on. If he hit the 7-card Charlie then you've been unlucky and things like that happen. But don't be afraid of the hand.

* The chances of you successfully bluffing from either a 17 (or lower) or a bust hand are small. Check it down or fold in the face of betting and wait for the next pot.

* If your opponent has a 10 or A up and draws he was not that strong to start with, remember that and think back over his betting on earlier rounds.

* Raise in late position with a 10 or A in the hole

* If you have a 10 up card and everyone else shows low cards (7 or less) raise to try and take the pot there and then

* At a full table fold anything less than 8 or 9 except if you're in the blinds

* Call the big blind from the small blind if not facing a raise