You as player can do anything you like, standing or hitting as it suits you. If you get a BlackJack (an Ace and a ten right off) you win 1 and a half times your bet. You can only double down on 2 card hands totalling 9, 10, or 11 (a very few casinos allow doubling on any 2 card hand). If your cards were dealt face down and you want to double, turn them over and put them on dealer's side of betting square. Otherwise point to them and say 'double' when it's your turn. You will have to put an equal amount of chips next to those already in betting box (NEVER put new chips on top of old chips - it looks like cheating!). You will get one new card.

Splitting is kind of similar - cards dealt face down need to be turned over and placed them a little apart. Otherwise point at them and say 'split' when it's your turn. Place an equal amount of chips in betting box near other card (remember, NEVER on top). You are now playing 2 hands exactly as normal (unless you just split two aces in which case you only get one card - a 10 would be good!. If it is a 10 hand isn't a BlackJack, meaning you only get standard odds of 1/1 and not 1/1.5 as you would for a 'natural' BlackJack. Be careful how you split - it is possible to end up with 4 or 5 hands simultaneously! Likewise, it's probably not good to split two 5s - you will be replacing a hand that is great for drawing on or doubling down on with (probably) 2 poor hands. Insurance only happens when dealer's face up card is an Ace, when dealer will ask players if they want insurance (he won't know what his face down card or 'hole' card is at this point, so you won't be able to read his expression for clues). Insurance means that half player's bet is placed on 'insurance' semicircle printed on felt. If dealer gets a BlackJack player wins the insurance bet but loses original bet meaning a zero hand because insurance pays 2 to 1. If dea

ler does not get BlackJack, insurance bet is lost and hand is played normally with remaining half bet. Don't bother with insurance unless you are trying to card count (take it when number of non '10' cards to 10s drops below 2 to 1 margin). You may also come across 'Surrender' - it's not widely used, but there are 2 versions you may find, 'early surrender' and 'late surrender'.

Early surrender means quitting on 2 card hands if you don't like dealer's up card (e.g. a ten or court card). Surrendering in this way will give you a small extra advantage whcih is why casinos don't like it. Late surrender means waiting until dealer checks for BlackJack, at which point if he doesn't, you may decide to surrender. As we say, not very common, so ask before joining table whether you can or not. And that's it! Stay cool, and don't panic, and nobody will guess you are a casino newbie!

*No intimidation from other players. *No waiting around for a table. *You can play wearing your socks only. *No traveling expenses. *You pay no tips to dealer. *The rake is much lower.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT ONLINE POKER YOU HAVE TO:

Constantly change your style of play. Don't be predictable in your betting patterns.

Keep reading and practicing game as often as possible. Playing interactive poker on a Turbo software program combined with reading a great poker book like "Hold'em for advanced players" is best way of improving your game.

Only play in online poker rooms that has a few fishes at table.

Only play with money you can afford to loose. Have a poker bankroll and keep a record of your wins and losses.

Always give game 100% of your attention when you are sitting at table.

Take some time away from poker table if you have suffered more than three consecutive losses.

Win more by playing fewer hands. A bet saved is same as a bet won. Play quality hands, fold junk and you will see your bank-roll increase.

TRUE POKER GUIDE