Author: Casino.org

Blackjack Hands: What You Need to Know

• Hand Value: Understand the value of different blackjack hands and how to calculate their total score based on card values.

• Basic Strategy: Learn the fundamental principles of optimal blackjack gameplay, including when to hit, stand, double down, or split pairs.

• Soft Hands vs. Hard Hands: Differentiate between soft blackjack hands (with an Ace valued at 11) and blackjack hard hands, adjusting your strategy accordingly.

• Card Counting: Explore basic card counting strategies to gain an edge over the casino and improve your decision-making at the table.

• Insurance and Side Bets: Understand the implications of taking insurance bets and side bets in blackjack, considering their impact on overall gameplay and profitability.

You’ve played the game, you understand the value of the cards in the deck, and you know the basic rules. And, if you’re like most of us, you prefer winning to losing when you play Blackjack.

But whether you’re playing online Blackjack in the solitude of your home, or sitting at a felt-covered table in a noisy casino, winning Blackjack means preparation.

In this article, we’ll get you on your way to preparing for your next Blackjack game. We’ll look at the basic philosophy of playing the game and review the most important rules. And along the way we’ll look at most of the key Blackjack hands trip up even veteran gamblers.

After all, it’s easy to know what to do when you’re dealt King-Nine, but how about Ace-Six? What are you going to do with a pair of Deuces against a Dealer Six?

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Learning From the Blackjack Pros

Blackjack pro Kevin Blackwood and I wrote about how mastery of the game means intimate knowledge of high-leverage hands in our book Casino Gambling for Dummies. That combined wisdom is convinced in the paragraphs below to minimize those moments where you look down at your cards and wonder what you should do next.

So get ready to explore optimal blackjack gameplay for the most important hands in Blackjack; the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between.

Aside: Think you’ve got nothing left to learn about the game? Maybe so, but it never hurts to compare notes. Check your strategy against what’s written below. You might gain some unexpected insight into the game. And if you still think I’ve got it wrong? Let me know!

Factors in Winning Blackjack

Blackjack strategy cheat sheets and pocket-sized strategy cards are available online and in casino giftshops, and they act as a guide for every possible hand or combination of cards. While they’re certainly helpful at any point in your learning journey (and welcome at tables, by the way) they can also be a crutch.

Gaining a deep understanding of why you want to hit, stand, double, or sets you up to take your game to the next level and prepares you for more advanced concepts. 

Best to start with getting an intuitive feel for the most important Blackjack hands, the larger patterns of the game, and how the choice you make revolve around the special card values in a Blackjack deck, as well as the special rules of gameplay for Player and Dealer.

The Blackjack Deck

Blackjack is played with standard playing cards. Casinos – online or in-person – commonly offer single-deck games up to games with as many as six or eight decks combined into a single stack (known as the shoe which is the name of the device where the yet-to-be-dealt cards are housed).

Dealers (whether human or software-based) won’t play out the entire shoe of cards; they’re instructed to re-shuffle once they’ve reached a certain depth into the shoe (usually ½ to ¾).

Aside: The number of decks in a Blackjack game doesn’t affect most players unless they are counting cards, in which case, fewer decks is better. Counting cards is an advanced technique you might investigate once you’ve mastered all the elements of basic Blackjack strategy.

As a preview: certain cards are more advantageous to the Player or the Dealer. If the Player tracks which cards have been played and can estimate the composition of the cards remaining in the shoe, they can adjust their gameplay and bet-sizing gain a small edge over the house.

Double Secret Aside

Casinos have a strange relationship with card counting; if you’re suspected of profiting by way of counting cards at a Blackjack table, you haven’t broken any laws, but the casino is within their rights to stop accepting your action. They can also ban you entirely from the property (or online app).  But here’s where it gets weird.

Casinos know that card counting lures players to Blackjack tables. They also know there are many more gamblers who think they can count cards effectively than there are gamblers who are actually good at it! So while good counters might get banned, evidence is that casinos love bad card counters; why else would they constantly promote single-deck and double-deck Blackjack games?

Blackjack Hand Card Values

In a Blackjack deck, every card has a specific value (or values in the case of the Ace).

• Numbered cards Deuce through Ten are worth their face value. A Deuce is worth 2 points, a Three is worth 3 points and so on. That’s easy enough to remember.

• Face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are each worth 10 points.

• The four Aces are worth either 1 or 11, whichever value is more advantageous to the Player’s hand. After the initial deal (or whenever the composition of your hand changes after taking a hit, doubling, or splitting) you can decide whether it’s better for you to make your Ace worth 1 or 11. Don’t worry, it’s almost always obvious.

Aside: Do the math, and you’ll notice there are lots of 10-valued cards in any Blackjack deck. Out of 52 cards, 16 of them (Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings) count as 10. If you’re rusty on fractions that’s about 30% of the deck. And it doesn’t matter how many decks you’re playing with, that fraction stays the same.

Much of Blackjack basic strategy (but not all of it!) is built around the preponderance of 10-cards in the deck, and the high likelihood that unseen cards are in this category.

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Blackjack Terms and What They Mean

Commonly used terms in Blackjack include:

• Hard: A description of any hand that does not include an Ace valued at 11. For example a King-Four is known as a Hard 15.

• House Rules:  Subtle variations in Blackjack game rules which have an impact on the casino’s mathematical advantage over Players also known as house edge. Common house rules include payout amount on a Natural (a 21 on two cards), the number of decks in the game, which hands a Player may double-down on, and whether a Dealer must hit or stand on Soft 17.

• Hit: Adding an additional card to a hand.

• Hole Card: The Dealer’s hand consists of one card face-up (the up card) and one face down (the hole card) that only gets revealed in the last phase of the game.

• Made Hand: A hand where the Player or Dealer would normally stand – usually valued at 17 to 21.

• Natural: a 21 on the first two dealt cards. This hand is paid out at odds defined by house rules; traditionally 3 to 2, but in some big casinos it’s only 6 to 5.

• Push: A tie where Dealer and Player have the same hand value. In a push, the Player’s bet is returned.

• Showdown: The last phase of the Blackjack game where the Dealer reveals their hole card and plays out their hand until it’s made or busts. Players who make it to the showdown must have a superior hand to the Dealer in order to win their bet.

• Soft: a way of describing any hand that includes an Ace valued at 11. For example a Queen-Deuce is known as a Soft 13.

• Stand: End your turn and take your current hand to the showdown.

Game Sequence:

Whether you’re online or in a casino, Blackjack always play out in the following familiar sequence:

• Players place their wager.

• The Dealer deals two cards to each to Players and themselves, turning up one of their cards for the Players to see.

• Before play begins, the Dealer pays off Natural 21’s and checks for their own Natural.

• Each Player acts in turn to play out their hand until it busts (goes over 21) or until that Player stands. If the hand busts, the Dealer rakes the bet immediately.

• The Dealer reveals the hole card and plays out their own hand according to house rules.

Blackjack Gameplay Advantages and Disadvantages

Blackjack is appealing because of its low house edge, and because Players have certain advantages. First Players can decide how much to wager of course, in some cases they can double their wager, and they can always walk away from the game at any time they wish.

Players also have partial knowledge of the Dealer’s hand because the up card is visible to all. Armed with that knowledge they have some flexibility in how they play out their hand whereas Dealers have no flexibility in gameplay; they must play out their own hand according to house rules.

That means even if all the Players have 15’s, the Dealer can’t just stand once their hand hits 16.

But the Dealer has advantages too. The big one is that the Dealer plays last. And while hands of equal value at the showdown result in a push, that’s not the case where both Player and Dealer bust. When the Player busts, the wager gets raked immediately, and what happens to the Dealer’s hand after that is of no help.

Playing optimal strategy on each hand in a game with typical house rules results in a house advantage of between 1 to 2%.  

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Blackjack Strategy by Hand Categories

When the deal is complete and the Dealer has completed their check for naturals, the Player hand can be broken into three basic categories:

• Action Hand: if your hand is valued 2 through 11, you will always add a card, by way of hitting, doubling, or splitting. Adding a card with such a low hand value comes with no risk of busting.

• Bust Hand: Hands valued 12 through 16 are the worst, because they’re guaranteed to lose in a showdown, and you also can’t attempt to improve them without risk of busting.  Gameplay all depends on the Dealer’s up card.  all depends on the Dealer’s up card. If the Dealer shows a made hand, you must hit. However, if the Dealer shows a bust card (Deuce through Six) you should stand pat and hope the Dealer busts.

• Made Hand: these are hands valued 17 or higher. Sure you could improve your hand, but with so little headroom, it’s better just to stand, regardless of what the Dealer shows.

How Soft Hands Change Basic Blackjack Strategy

If you have a hand with an Ace, there are some minor mathematical adjustments to consider:

• Ace plus Deuce, Three, Four, or Five: Treat your Ace like it’s worth 1 and call it an action hand; add one or more cards and try and improve it.

• Ace plus Six: Soft 17 is an action hand even thought it doesn’t look like it. The math is counterintuitive to beginners because you’re taught to stand on Hard 17. The dark secret of 17 is that it’s actually a weak hand; you only stand on Hard 17 because it’s too risky to do otherwise. It’s always better to try and improve a Soft 17.

• Ace plus Seven, Eight, Nine: even though you could take a hit risk-free, why bother? You’re in good shape to face the Dealer in a showdown if necessary.

Special Considerations: Doubling Down in Blackjack

Under certain circumstances you can double your bet after the deal and take a single hit. This is one situation where you always assume 10-cards are lurking; assume you’ll get dealt a 10-card and assume the Dealer’s hole card is worth 10 as well.

Here’s what to do for the following hand values:

• 11: double down unless the Dealer shows an Ace

• 10: double down unless the Dealer shows a 10-card or Ace.

• 9: double down if the Dealer shows a bust card (3,4,5,or 6)

The purpose of doubling down sometimes confuses beginners. In some cases you’re set up to get a great hand, but in many circumstances you’re simply trying to get more money on the table because the Dealer is likely to bust. If it’s allowed, you should also double down on these hands:

• Soft 13 or 14: double down if the dealer shows a 5 or 6.

• Soft 15 or 16: double down if the dealer shows 4,5, or 6.

• Soft 17: double down if the dealer shows 3,4,5, or 6.

Image credit: Leszek Glasner/Shutterstock

Special Considerations: Splitting in Blackjack

Blackjack rules give you the right to make a special move called a split anytime you are dealt an initial pair of cards, that is: two cards of the same rank.  Splitting means doubling your initial wager.

Each of your paired cards now acts as the jumping off point for a new Blackjack hand, which you’ll play out to its conclusion by hitting, standing, doubling, or in some cases, even splitting again.

Here are the specific hands where you’ll want to keep splitting in mind:

• Pair of Eights: We know that 16 is one of the worst hands, so break those Eights up! The only move here is to split and hope to create two hands of 18. Always split Eights, no matter what the dealer has.

• Pair of Aces: They may look pretty side by side, but Ace-Ace isn’t much of a hand. But splitting Aces gives you a good chance of hitting a 21 due to the preponderance of 10-cards in the deck. In fact, there’s a 64% chance that one of your two Aces will draw a 10-card.

Aside: Blackjack house rules usually restrict Ace splitting; you’re limited to a single hit on each Ace, and you won’t be allowed to re-split Aces.   

• Deuces, Threes, and Sevens: split if the Dealer shows Deuce through Seven.

• Sixes: split if the Dealer shows Deuce through Six

• Fours: split if the Dealer shows the worst bust cards (Five or Six). This is an example of adding to your wager not because you expect to land a great hand, but simply because the Dealer’s bust prospects are very good.

Blackjack Hands Resources

Here are some resources to help you improve your Blackjack gameplay:

• Strategy Calculators: Online calculators are great for checking out specific situations, and they’ll also give you insight into whether the house rules at your casino of choice work to your advantage or disadvantage.

• Practice Software: Practicing with a zero-stakes free Blackjack game is a great way to improve your skills.

• Optimal Play Cards: Use handy pocket cards to show a grid of optimal play for each hand a scenario in Blackjack.

Blackjack Hands FAQ

Here are some common questions about Blackjack strategy:

Q: What’s the simplest approach to splitting?

A: Always split Eights! Split Aces unless the Dealer has an Ace!

Q: What is the surrender rule?

A: The blackjack surrender rule allows you to forfeit half your bet when the Dealer shows an Ace. It’s never a good idea.

Q: What is the best betting system for Blackjack?

A: When the house has a mathematical advantage, it’s impossible to beat it in the long term with a bet sizing system. Divide your bankroll into units that let you play comfortably and have fun.

By following the blackjack tips and strategies outlined in this article, you can improve your Blackjack gameplay and increase your chances of winning. Remember to always bet responsibly, and don’t be afraid to try new techniques and approaches.

Happy gaming!

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3 Card Poker Strategy: What You Need to Know

• Understanding the Game: The first step in sharpening your 3 Card Poker strategy is to learn the rules, hand rankings, and gameplay of 3 Card Poker to make informed decisions during each round.

• Ante-Play Strategy: Develop optimal strategies for deciding when to place an Ante bet, raise, or fold based on your hand strength and potential odds.

• Pair Plus Bet: Explore the optional Pair Plus side bet, understanding its payouts and balancing risk with potential rewards.

• Bankroll Management: Implement effective bankroll strategies to sustain your gameplay and make strategic betting decisions throughout the session.

• Reading Opponents: Master the art of reading opponents’ betting patterns and behavior to gain insights and make calculated moves in 3 Card Poker.

Since the poker boom of the 2000s, live casinos and online gaming platforms have looked to offer more card games for those who are fans of Texas Hold’em and other popular poker games.

Three Card Poker is one of those frequently seen on the gaming floor, as well as online poker sites, and has become popular with many fans of table game poker.

Like other similar poker-derived games, such as Mississippi Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and Let It Ride, these games are a bit different than traditional poker but can still be a fun experience.

Keep reading to learn all the ins and outs of playing 3 Card Poker as well as some key strategy advice.

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3 Card Poker Rules and Gameplay 

Like other casino floor poker variants, 3 Card Poker has players battling at the dealer instead of against each other as in traditional poker. This is a key difference and means players face a house edge rather than simply relying on their skills at beating other players.

Because of the game’s rules regarding play, there is also no bluffing. So how exactly is this game played? Here’s a quick look at the game plays out when taking a seat at the table.

How to Play: 3 Card Poker Rules 

First, there are a few things to remember about the game. 3 Card Poker is played with a standard 52-card deck (no jokers) and makes use of automatic shuffling machines used between hands to keep the action moving along.

The objective is pretty simple, to make the best hand possible. That’s pretty easy to figure out as you are only dealt three cards, as the name implies, and this is a form of “stud” poker, like 7 Card Stud since you won’t receive any other cards.

Players don’t draw or discard at all as in some other games, they simply play those three cards they’re dealt.

Because there are only three cards in a hand, there is one alteration to the ranking of hands. Straights now outrank flushes in this form of the game because there are more ways to make a flush than a straight.

Because of that, here’s how the ranking of hands look in 3 Card Poker:

1. Straight flush – Sequential cards all in one suit, such as 9d10dJd.
2. Three of a kind – Three of the same card, such as KdKhKc.
3. Straight – Three cards in a sequence without regard to suit, such as 2s3d4h.
4. Flush – Three cards of the same suit, such as 2c9cAc.
5. Pair – Two cards of the same suit, such as AdAs.
6. High card – A hand without even having a pair, such as KdJc4h.

3 Card Poker Strategy: Gameplay Setup

Now with those basics out of the way, here’s a look at how the game is dealt and what players can expect when the cards are dealt. Obviously, a player will take a seat at the table or click on a table when playing online. After that, here’s how the gameplay works.

• Each player makes an initial “Ante” bet, which is a forced bet against the dealer. An optional “Pair Plus” bet is also available, in which players are betting that they will be dealt a pair or better. The Pair Plus is paid regardless of what the dealer’s hand is.

•  Players are then dealt three cards face down. Remember that other players’ cards are irrelevant to your own hand. The dealer is also dealt three cards and you are hoping just to beat the dealer.

• After being dealt those cards, you then have the chance to decide if you want to continue or fold your hand. Those who fold lose their Ante bets.

• If you choose to keep playing, place a second wager matching the ante bet on the “Play” area. This means you’re in the hand for “showdown,” when your cards will be revealed.

• When players decide to play a hand, the casino usually has them slide their cards face down under the Play wager chips. When playing online, the player simply clicks on the Play bet option.

• When all players have acted, the dealer will reveal the player hands followed by his own hand. When it comes whether you win against the dealer, there is one key caveat to remember:

• For a player to win, the dealer must have a hand of queen-high or better. No matter how good your hand is, it won’t win if the dealer doesn’t qualify. This can be frustrating, of course, but there’s really nothing you can do about it.

• However, even if the dealer doesn’t qualify the player still wins the Ante, just not the Play wager, which is declared a push.

• If the dealer has a qualifying hand (queen-high or better) and the player has a superior hand, the player wins on both the Ante and the Play wagers.

• The dealer will also pay out any Pair Plus winners. Remember, these are paid no matter the result of the main wager and it doesn’t matter if the dealer doesn’t have a qualifying hand.

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3 Card Poker vs. 3 Card Brag

Some players may confuse 3 Card Poker with the popular British game 3 Card Brag. The latter dates to the 18th Century and has players receiving three cards and running through rounds of betting until only two players are left.

These two then have a showdown to determine who has the better hand. Usually there is plenty of bluffing along the way.

3 Card Brag is played against other players like in a traditional poker game. However, there is also a casino version in which players face off only against the dealer.

This changes the game play as there is no longer the bluff element mixed in. This version is much more similar to 3 Card Poker.

What Is the Most Basic 3 Card Poker Strategy?

Because players only receive three cards in this brand of poker, the likelihood of being dealt premium hands is rare. Finding good poker hands like a pair, straight, flush, three of a kind, and straight flushes isn’t easy, thus the higher payouts on the Pair Plus side bet (more on that below).

Because of this, players will want to play with what may seem like less than optimal hands. Gaming experts generally recommend two options.

• Play any hands that of Q-6-4 or higher. This means playing all pairs and certainly any hand with an ace in it.

• All other hands lower than this should be folded.

For example, a player dealt combinations like J-10-5, Q-5-4, and 10-9-7 would want to fold and not put any money on the Play wager.

It’s important to remember that no matter how solid your hand is, the Play wager won’t win unless the dealer has a qualifying hand of at least a queen-high. That Q-6-4 is the optimal point where you’ll have the best chance to win over time.

Another aspect that adds to the house edge is Pair Plus wager. While this pays out some better totals when finding premium hands, the bet generally comes with a house edge of around 7% or more.

This depends on the exact pay table of the casino, but this is generally a wager to avoid or bet only occasionally, perhaps when on a nice winning streak.

3 Card Poker Strategy: Odds and Payouts 

When it comes to the payouts for 3 Card Poker, the Ante and Play wagers pay out at even money.

However, the Pair Plus wager comes with added payouts based on how strong a hand a player is dealt. Here’s a look at the typical payouts for premium hands.

Straight flush	40 to 1
Three of a kind	30 to 1 (or sometimes 25 to 1)
Straight	6 to 1 (or sometimes 5 to 1)
Flush	3 to 1 (or sometimes 4 to 1)
Pair	Even money

So a player betting $5 on the Pair Plus and then hitting a straight flush would be rewarded with a win of $200. Additionally, some casinos or online gambling platforms also offer an Ante Bonus when a player makes a premium hand.

These are smaller than the Pair Plus payouts, but don’t require any additional betting. These can be a nice bonus added by the house. Here’s a look at those payouts as well.

Straight flush	5 to 1
Three of a kind	4 to 1
Straight	Even money

Understanding the Odds of Winning

Some of these casino floor poker games come with a high house edge. 3 Card Poker falls somewhere in the middle of these, below games like video poker, Let It Ride, Caribbean Stud, Mississippi Stud, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em, but above other casino poker variants like Pai Gow Poker and Four Card Poker.

3 Card Poker has only a 3.37% house edge that can be reduced to about 2% by following the correct strategy as outlined above.

But this is still lower than games like blackjack, which can have a house edge lower than 1% when a player uses basic strategy and is in a game with favorable players rules.

Knowing when to fold your hand and avoiding unnecessary losses on those Play wagers is a good strategy that can limit losses until you make a solid hand.

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The Probability of Getting a Pair

When considering making the Pair Plus wager, consider the probabilities of hitting a pair with only three cards. A player will be dealt a pair about 17% of the time. This shows how difficult it is to get those premium hands in only three cards.

Other hands like three of a kind, straight flushes, and others face even longer odds. Finding a pair still only pays even money so players will have to decide if this wager is worth making. Players may want to limit these side bets to preserve a bankroll.

3 Card Poker Strategy Tips to Enhance Your Game

Ready to hit the 3 Card Poker tables? Here are a few other ideas to keep in mind.

Managing Your Bankroll Effectively

As with most casino gambling, it’s critical to practice responsible gaming and also work to preserve your bankroll. Following the Q-6-4 strategy offers the best way to do this as you won’t be wagering on the Play bet with inferior hands. You may also want to avoid the Pair Plus wager at times as well to minimize losses.

Some players may also be tempted to play more than one hand if the casino allows this. Going this route may also have the potential to sap your bankroll as well.

Tipping Strategy at the Table

Dealers work hard and deal with smoke, angry card players, and other hassles, so rewarding friendly and helpful dealers occasionally might be a good idea.

But this is a personal preference and isn’t a must. But throwing a couple chips the dealer’s way may be good karma for you.

Playing 3 Card Poker Online

Those in jurisdictions with legalized online gaming may want to consider bringing those card-playing skills to the virtual tables.

The game will function much like a player would find in a live dealer poker room, but a random number generator is used to randomize cards rather than a dealer shuffling the cards, unless playing live dealer games.

You also won’t have to worry about being intimidated when playing with other players. The action will move faster, however, and that means watching your bankroll and not getting in a hurry are good ideas.

The house edges will remain the same, but online casinos may allow players to wager lower amounts than they might find in a live casino.

Numerous online platforms offer the chance to play online poker, but choosing a trusted casino site can ensure fair play and that a player’s funds are safe.

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Roulette games are conducted on single-zero or double-zero roulette wheels. But the real action takes place on the roulette table layout.

Players bet casino chips on different sections of the numbered grid on the roulette table.

Introduction to the Roulette Table layout

In this article we’re going to look at how many numbers are on a roulette table layout. And the interesting arrangement of those numbers on a roulette wheel. I’ll also be referring to the roulette table rules and betting options and odds for European and American wheels as well as French roulette games.

The casino roulette table layout displays an easy-to-understand organization of roulette wheel numbers. On a roulette wheel, the placement of numbers can cause confusion.

You see, when you look at numbers on a roulette wheel, they appear to be arranged randomly.

Sequence and Placement of Numbers on a Roulette Wheel

How many numbers are on a roulette table? There’re as many numbers on a roulette table as there’re on a roulette wheel. On a single-zero roulette wheel there’re 37 numbered pockets. So, there’re 37 numbers on a roulette table layout.

If we begin with 0 and follow the numbers below clockwise this is the order of numbers on a roulette wheel.

0-32-15-19-4-21-2-25-17-34-6-27-13-36-11-30-8-23-10-5-24-16-33-1-20-14-31-9-22-18-29-7-28-12-35-3-26.

• The single-zero roulette wheel has the colors spaced evenly around it.

• There’re two low numbered pockets side by side. These are #5 and #10. While high numbers #26 and #32 are separated by #0.

• Not including 0, 28 of the 36 numbers are positioned on the wheel as seven even pairs and seven odd pairs.

The roulette wheel can be fascinating. I could bombard you with analysis about, column and dozen placements, as well as where numbers relating to betting options on the roulette table are arranged on the wheel and theorize how this might affect bets. But I’ll continue to focus on roulette table bets and odds.

How Many Numbers are on a Roulette Table?

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When you play roulette, you should always ask yourself, ‘how many numbers are on a roulette table?’ It’s important to know that some roulette wheels have more numbers.

To understand this better, you should be aware that each number on a roulette wheel, is a pocket that a roulette ball can land in. The more pockets there’re, the higher the casino’s house edge is.

So, the more roulette table numbers you see indicates a higher house advantage. This means it’s harder to play lots of roulette games without your bankroll of casino playing chips being exposed to a reduction.

The Casino’s House Edges for the Above Roulette Table Variants

• The house edge on the single-zero European roulette table is 2.7%

• The house edge on the French roulette table is 1.35% on outside bets

• The double-zero, American roulette table has a 5.26% house edge

Borrowing from French roulette’s half back rule, one variant of double-zero roulette pays back half of what is staked on losing outside bets when the ball lands in either of the green zero pockets. The house edge for this variant is cut by half to 2.63%.

Bear in mind that roulette games are fixed odds betting. This means whether a single bet or combination of bets, all bet types are subject to the house edge percentage of the roulette table.

Layout of the Roulette Table Explained

In a casino the roulette table is covered with baize cloth with green being the most popular color.

The main single-zero roulette table layout consists of 36 boxes, each marked from 1 to 36 organized in three horizontal columns of 12 numbers. At the end of the grid—closest to the wheel— there’s a separate vertical section marked with 0.

The American wheel will consist of a roulette table layout with two shapes for 0 and 00 i.e. double-zero roulette.

Roulette Table Boxes

Of the 36 boxes, the first box beside 0 is marked number 1. (For the purposes of outside betting: Number 1 has a red background because it’s a Red number. It’s also an Odd & Low number).

From here the 36 boxes are numbered consecutively and vertically in sets of threes. i.e. 1-2-3 / 4-5-6 and so on—alternating Red/Black and Odd/Even.

Roulette Table Columns

Each of the three Columns (1-34 / 2-35 / 3-36) are 2-to-1 betting options in betting boxes outside of the columns.

The grid is further divided by vertical lines every twelve numbers, creating three sets of twelve numbers standing for three Dozens (1-12 / 13-24 / 25-36) which are also 2-to-1 betting options with separate betting spaces; 1st 12, 2nd 12, 3rd 12.

Below the 2-to-1 betting spaces for the Dozens, are six betting boxes that are 1-18 (low), Even, Red, Black, Odd, 19-36 (high).

The Three Main Roulette Wheel Variants

European: Single Zero

The “single-zero” roulette wheel has 37 pockets. This design forms what is known as the European roulette table. Each pocket is a number from green 0 to #36

American: Double Zero

The “double-zero” roulette wheel is found on the American roulette table. Double-zero means that this version of the roulette wheel has two green zeros, i.e. one pocket has a single-zero (0), and the other pocket displays double zeros (00)

French: Half Back on Green Zero

Like the European roulette wheel, the French roulette table also has 37 numbers on the wheel. But on French roulette, the house edge is lowered for outside bets. When any of the (even-money) outside bets lose due to a green zero outcome, players only lose half of their wager.

The Different Types of Bets on a Roulette Table Layout

In this section, I explain what the roulette table betting options are. And I highlight some interesting information about roulette numbers and betting odds.

Outside of America, the most common roulette table layout is the European-style single zero wheel. But did you know that if you play on a double-zero roulette table, all payout odds are the same as single-zero games.

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Roulette Main Bet Types

There’re nine main types of roulette bets. The first two bets are:

• Any of the six Outside bets pay 1:1. The even-money chance bets each have a 50/50 share of Red or Black, Low or High, Even or Odd numbers

• And six Column and Dozen bets pay 2:1. There’re three columns and three dozens

As you can see, the 1st Column numbers also have an equal share of Red or Black, Low or High, Even or Odd numbers: 1-4-7-10-13-16-19-22-25-28-31-34

However, with the 2nd and 3rd columns, the distribution of colors is different.

• The 2nd column has four red numbers and eight black numbers

• The 3rd column has four black numbers and eight red numbers

But this is only important if you’re playing certain kinds of roulette strategies that require you to apply specific bet selections.

When green zero is the result, the la partage (on French roulette table rules)—that pays half of your losses back on outside bets—doesn’t apply to 2-to-1 column or dozen bets.

When making large wagers on the 2-to-1 options, as an insurance, you could also bet on zero by an amount that should zero occur you can recover your stake.

• Single (straight-up) bets pay 35-to-1. Place chips directly above any number so that it doesn’t touch any lines

• Split bets pay 17-to-1. Place chips on an inner grid line that separates any two numbers. On a single-zero roulette table layout there’re 45 possible split bets

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• Street bets pay 11-to-1. Bet on any of the 12 grid lines so that chips are opposite any three vertical numbers. E.g. 28-29-30

• Trio bets pay 11-to-1. Bet on the T grid lines so that chips are shared between 0-1-2 or 0-2-3

• Corner (square) bets pay 8-to-1. Place chips in the centre of two inner grid lines that form a plus sign, thus chips are shared between 4 numbers. E.g. 32-33-35-36. There’re 22 possible corner bets

• Basket bet pays 8-to-1. It covers 0-1-2-3 and chips are placed on the outer T grid lines where 0 and 1 are

• Six Line bets pay 5-to-1. This bet covers six numbers: two sets of side-by-side three vertical numbers. E.g. 16-17-18: 19-20-21. Place chips on the outer T grid lines beside the two of the six numbers closest to that line. i.e. using the above example those numbers are 16 & 19. There’re 11 possible six-line bets.

Focus on the outcomes of roulette games and try to predict where the ball might fall next. Don’t get too fixated with the many bet types on a roulette table or trying to will certain numbers to win. The random nature of roulette games doesn’t always deliver wins on a roulette table when you need them to.

Additional Bets in French and European Roulette

“Voisins du Zero,” “Tiers du Cylindre,” and “Orphelins” are specific sections of the roulette wheel where players can place bets in the game of roulette:

• Voisins du Zero: This bet covers a total of 17 numbers on the roulette wheel, located next to the zero (0) on the wheel. It includes numbers 22 to 25 on the wheel, starting from 22 and moving clockwise to include all numbers up to 25. The bet consists of a combination of split and corner bets.

• Tiers du Cylindre: Translated as “third of the wheel,” this bet covers one-third of the wheel opposite the zero. It includes a series of 12 numbers located on the opposite side of the wheel compared to the Voisins du Zero bet. The numbers covered in this bet range from 27 to 33 on the wheel.

• Orphelins: This bet, known as “Orphans,” comprises the numbers not covered by the Voisins du Zero and Tiers du Cylindre bets. It covers the remaining eight numbers on the wheel not included in these two bet sections. The Orphelins bet consists of a combination of split and straight bets on the numbers 1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, and 34 on the roulette wheel.

These bets are commonly found in French or European roulette and offer players additional betting options outside of standard inside and outside bets.

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What Are The Most Common Roulette Betting Strategies?

The Martingale betting system is one of the most well-known. It is often used on even-money roulette games. Players continue to double down on their unit stakes following each loss, trying to recover all earlier losses and win one unit of profit.

Throwing more and more good money after bad doesn’t work because losing streaks on roulette or any even-odds—50:50 games of chance are common.

It doesn’t matter if you’re betting opposite one of the six outside chances (Red or Black, Low or High, Even or Odd) or trying to bet with a streak. Doubling down until you run out of money or exceed the table limit is a roulette betting system the house loves.

Most roulette players don’t bet on the outside options. Rather they stick to a set of numbers or roulette strategy they make straight up bets on. And of course, the rest of the betting that takes place on a roulette table sees all other betting options wagered on.

Land-based Live Roulette vs Online Table Layouts

The beauty about playing roulette online is you can play in your own time anytime you choose without having to travel to a land-based casino.

Another advantage about online roulette is you can select auto staking. Handy if you’re betting on the same lucky numbers, outside bets or the 2-to-1 options whilst cooking or making a cup of tea.

Learning the Layout

Even-money outside betting on a French style roulette table will preserve your bankroll over roulette tables with higher house advantages. Whilst it’s fun to pick straight-up numbers on the roulette table layout, you might like to try your luck and skills on 2-to-1 bets on the roulette table too.

If you’d like to get the hang of online roulette, you can start with our list of the best free roulette games, then move on real money games at one of our top rated casinos, like Steak, or WOW Vegas. Don’t forget to check out our reviews first, to make the most of their signup bonuses!

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Looking for the poker record of a certain player or maybe want to check out your own statistics? Most players probably head to the Hendon Mob database, which details the winnings of poker players around the world.

PokerStars ambassador and British professional poker player Barny Boatman was an original member of the Mob, a group of players and friends who traveled the world playing poker.

The collection of players, which included his brother Ross Boatman, Joe Beevers, and Ram Vaswani, went on to start the site on a lark and are amazed at what the database has become.

Beyond that, Boatman has been involved with numerous other parts of the game – from making one of the first appearances on a televised poker program to the boom of the online poker game to winning on some of the game’s biggest stages. He now has a unique outlook on his longevity in poker.

“I kind of feel like I’ve stretched a short career over a long period of time,” he says. “In the last few years, particularly, I was mostly only playing at the World Series of Poker. I wasn’t playing much the rest of the year. So people say, ‘What’s the secret of your longevity?’ I say it’s partly that is actually not playing all the time and doing other stuff.”

That other stuff in Boatman’s case is pretty interesting too. Boatman spoke with Caisno.org about his life in the game at the recent PokerStars North American Poker Tour series in Las Vegas. This card-playing renaissance man has seen just about everything on and off the felt.

Getting in the Game

Image Credit: PokerStars

Born in London, Boatman seems to have always had a sense of wanderlust and has enjoyed numerous jobs throughout his life. After leaving school, his travels took him around the world – Barcelona, Australia, Hong Kong, and numerous other stops.

At various times he worked as a bartender, English teacher, journalist, computer programmer, and other professions. Work as a legal consultant in a poor area of England was one of his favorites.

“I was going in and helping to advocate for people who, for one reason or another, it wasn’t that easy to advocate for themselves … representing people at tribunals when maybe they’d been evicted from their house or sacked from their job or when the authorities had withdrawn the financial support that they were supposed to be entitled to,” he says. “I was pretty good at that, but it was immensely stressful because everything you did mattered so much, and other people’s lives were affected by what you did. So although I was very proud of it, I found it pretty tough.”

Through it all, poker remained a constant and Boatman regularly played in home games with friends, including his brother Ross. He discovered tournament poker in the mid-1990s and became even more immersed in the game, playing regularly at the Vic in London, where the biggest event may have had a buy-in of £500 or £1,000.

“The scale of it was so different,” he says. “If you won a tournament and won £5,000 pounds, it was like, ‘Wow, this is life-changing money.’”

And while many poker fans may look back to the WSOP and World Poker Tour introducing the world to poker on TV, where viewers could see players’ hole cards, the English show Late Night Poker was actually the first to introduce this new form of showing the game.

The series ran from 1999-2002 and Boatman reached the finals in the third and fourth seasons. Considering his more than his years in the game, how does Boatman feel about seeing how far poker has come?

“It’s amazing,” he says. “Obviously the two big factors are the Internet and TV. Although I think I was one of the people who foresaw some of it, certainly in terms of it having its cultural moment and it being something where the interest would spread and televising it in a way where you brought out the characters and managed to bring the game into people’s homes. That was going to be a thing, but obviously I never foresaw the scale of it and what the Internet would do.”

Hendon Mob & Beyond

Image Credit: PokerStars

The Hendon Mob was originally just a group of friends who traveled to play poker. But the group wanted to raise the bar for the game and a way to track their results at tournaments all over the UK. They played in a regular home game in Hendon, a suburb of London, hence the name Hendon Mob.

In the late ‘90s, Boatman and his brother Ross always believed there was a chance for televised poker and even sponsorships down the line.

They envisioned that a database that detailed player results could help in that regard, along with appearing on shows like Late Night Poker.

“I used to be a programmer before I went full time in poker, and we had this idea that to create this website, which was just like a little fanzine really,” he says. “It was something to promote the game and to promote ourselves and position ourselves, maybe when sponsorship came along, that we might be attractive to sponsors.”

That view proved to be very forward thinking and the site eventually became much more than a fanzine. The site soon attracted some advertising and casinos and tournament operators began sending in results.

The Mob even received a backing from a European betting exchange and the group was charged with creating odds and bios on players for betting. Players began asking why their own tournament scores weren’t listed and the business began to snowball.

“We realized there was a real thirst for this stuff,” he says. “It was part of the idea we had about promoting poker as kind of like a sport and something people could have a bit of national pride about and to compare themselves with other people.”

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That led to site-sponsored team events to garner more publicity for the site and for poker in general. The database continued to grow as poker exploded in the early 2000s. In 2013, the group sold the site as it continued to grow.

“It was, ‘well, we can either be business people and keep this thing going, and look for said advertising,  look for new relationships with other (online poker) sites or else we could do what we really set out to do in the first place, which is to be poker players,” Boatman says. “So for one reason or another, when the offer came along, it was a perfect time for us.”

By 2000, trips to the WSOP became a regular part of the poker pro’s routine and Boatman now has $5.6 million in live tournament winnings including two WSOP bracelets. At the annual summer series in Vegas, Boatman targets events that best suit his game, not necessarily all the higher buy-in events that attract top pros.

“I found in recent years, particularly, that you get to know over time how to play particular places and particularly festivals,” he says. “I got better and better at being at the World Series, and knowing what suited me. I would play a lot of the $1Ks, the $1,500s (buy-ins), with the really big fields. And when you get deep, you can win half a million or a million. I found in recent years I have come out in front on those trips and it was keeping me going.”

PokerStars & EPT Success

At a time when younger players are constantly studying GTO and other theories and poker strategies, many in the game were happy to see one of the game’s “old school” players rise to the top earlier this year. In February, Boatman took down the EPT Paris main event title for $1.4 million, the largest score of his career.

“It’s fantastic because I’ve reached a point in my life where, some of my responsibilities and all the rest of it allowed me to go back and start playing more,” he says. “I started playing more around Europe in the last couple of years and made the World Series of Poker Europe main event final a couple of years ago. Because of that, I started playing some of the World Series Europe events, and made a few more finals there and came second in one. I decided, ‘Okay, now I’m going to start playing a couple of EPTs.’

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“I used to play with EPTs a lot back in the early days, and I felt like, maybe my moment had passed when I might win an EPT, because the fields got bigger, they got tougher, people from the States are starting to come over and play. I always felt my game could take me quite a long way in these tournaments.

“I never really genuinely imagined winning one. So many things have to go right over such a period of time. You have to get away with the things you need to get away with. You have to read situations right. So it felt like a vindication that I’m right to still think it’s worth putting myself into these events.”

One particular call from Boatman against three-time WPT champion Eric Afriat from that particular event went viral among poker fans and helped propel him on to the title. Check out the massive hand below.

In Las Vegas, Boatman was pleased to see PokerStars bringing live events back to the U.S., where the company operates online gambling platforms in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania – as well as in the Canadian province of Ontario. Online qualifiers from around the world converged on Sin City.

“I think it’s great, and I think it’s necessary and really nice because it feels like being here there’s a bit of the best of both worlds in terms of the USA has always been the home of poker,” he sa. “You’ve got a typical American event, but they’ve kind of brought all that kind of EPT (European Poker Tour) structure and know-how.”

One thing is certain, Boatman is loving getting in the action – win or lose – after some time away from the game to care for his ill mother. After a few decades in the game, he still gets a thrill out of hitting tables.

“I’m loving the fact that I’m playing a lot more at the moment,” he says. “It feels like it’s really rejuvenated me a bit, at least in poker terms.”

Title Image Credit: PokerStars

If there is any way to describe Jake Paul, it is an enigma. Paul is one of the most dominant figures in popular culture this century. He has successfully transitioned from social media to sports and entertainment via a brief sojourn to the Disney Channel.

Paul began his career on the now-defunct Vine, which consisted of short, 6-second videos on a loop. His exploits with his brother Logan grew into a worldwide following today, with over 20 million subscribers.

Paul has always been the subject of controversy, which has followed him and his brother wherever they go. It’s no surprise that when he attempted to enter the world of professional boxing, he attracted the same level of controversy. Many have ridiculed his record, the fighters he faces off with, and his ambition to become a world champion boxer.

Throughout his career, Paul has always taken the unconventional route to stardom. He was one of the social media pioneers before briefly appearing on television. He started his boxing career through crossover matches and by fighting aging fighters, like his most recent bout against 58-year-old Mike Tyson.

Stunts like his Tyson fight, one of the most streamed boxing events in history, have always been part of the reason Jake Paul’s fans have adored him for so many years. Whether it has been pulling stunts on his neighbors or calling out MMA fights on social media, Paul is captivating, but questions have always remained: Is it all a show? Is the Jake Paul boxing record worthless? Ultimately, is Jake Paul a fraud?

In this article, we’ll examine Jake Paul’s rise to fame, career, business ventures, and public persona to determine whether he is a fraud.

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From Vine to YouTube: Early Fame and its Fallout

Jake Paul is a product of the social media age. Paul rose to fame on the now-defunct social video site Vine and was one of the platform’s biggest stars. The platform allowed you to post short, six-second videos. Having gained nearly six million followers on Vine, his following was sure to move with him wherever he went after he left Vine after demanding payment from the app for his popularity.

Paul decided to move the majority of his content creation to YouTube, and from there, he became one of the first true Internet-era celebrities. Paul joined the video-sharing site a few months after the launch of his Vine account in May 2014 and began posting longer-form content on the site, quickly becoming one of the faces of the new era of content creators.

During this time, Disney attempted to cash in on Paul’s popularity by casting him to appear on the 2015 show Bizaardvark. However, he would last just under two years on the show as details emerged of his behavior at his Los Angeles property.

Neighbors had publicly complained about his stunts, like setting his backyard on fire, building a waterslide into his pool, and leaking his address online, leading to many fans arriving at the property. His landlord, learning of the behavior, sued him for $2.5 million, and his neighbors considered filing a class-action public lawsuit against him. He left in mid-2017 and was fired by Disney.

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Just under three years after his full-time migration to YouTube, Paul launched an entertainment brand and content agency called Team 10. This influencer and marketing agency slash management firm slash content farm featured several content creators with smaller followings and was launched on January 17, 2017, Paul’s 20th birthday.

In an attempt to capitalize on the growing perceived value of online video, several venture capital firms provided him with $1 million of funding. Many of the content creators lived with Jake Paul in his California home, and Paul used many of the creators associated with the Team 10 brand in some of his music videos, such as “It’s Everyday Bro,” which drew over 70 million views but also became the third most disliked video on YouTube of all time.

Team 10 quickly fell apart, however. Just ten months into the venture, twin brothers and content creators Ivan and Emilio Martinez left the agency and moved out of the content house. The two accused Paul, along with other agency members, of racism.

The two claimed that, among other things, members of the organization joked that they couldn’t be paid due to being immigrants. Paul claimed in a video with Shane Dawson, “Inside the Mind of Jake Paul,” that “nothing was off limits” during the time at the Team 10 house and that they “thought it was funny… at the time.” Finally, Paul claimed that the two were aware they were jokes, saying, “My vlogs are… lightly scripted.”

Controversy continued to follow him as he was filmed participating in protests at an Arizona mall in Summer 2020. During the protests, shops were looted, although, in June 2020, he denied taking part in any looting or criminal damage. He was charged with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly for his role in the protests.

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Later, in August 2020, the FBI raided his home, reporting a “small militia’s worth of weapons” stored on site. High-powered rifles were among the firearms seized. The controversy of his YouTube channel, along with that of his brother, has continued to surround him and probably will throughout his career. Paul has never been one to shy away from being the center of attention and probably never will.

Jake Paul’s Boxing Record: Real Athlete or Smoke and Mirrors?

Jake Paul’s journey from social media prankster to professional boxer, drawing 65 million pay-per-view, has been remarkable. He made this latest pivot in the entertainment industry in 2018 when he began his boxing career with a white-collar fight against a fellow YouTube, Deji Olatunji.

Motivated to prove himself beyond his YouTube fame, he made his professional debut in 2020 against AnEsonGib to a chorus of criticism from the boxing establishment. Beating a well-known FIFA player and the self-declared “Pack King” didn’t do much for his reputation as a boxer. Still, the fight was backed by legitimate promoter Eddie Hearn and followed on the coattails of the eagerly anticipated fight between his brother Logan and KSI, the famous British rapper.

Since then, he has gone on to fight 12 times with an 11-1 record. Jake Paul’s boxing record features a mixed bag of crossover clashes, aging MMA fighters, and conventional boxers. In some quarters of boxing’s elite, ridicule punctuated his fights with retired NBA player Nate Robinson, former MMA champion Ben Askren, and, more recently, his much-hyped fight with 58-year-old Mike Tyson.

Despite all this, Paul trained as a wrestler during his childhood and considers himself on a dual path to making significant financial gains and, in his own words, becoming the “greatest story in boxing history.”

The turning point for Jake Paul’s boxing record came with a split-decision loss to Tommy Fury, half-brother of Tyson Fury, in January 2023. A trained boxer, if an unconventional one given his fame for his appearance in the British series Love Island, Fury’s victory raised serious questions about the YouTuber’s true boxing capabilities.

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In response, Paul completely retooled his coaching team to emphasize boxing fundamentals. He then worked to establish credibility with a series of wins against lesser-known but experienced conventional boxers Andre August and Ryan Bourland. Bourland, a former Golden Gloves champion, and August gave him much-needed experience against technical boxers.

His most recent bout has been, by far, his most controversial. The 27-year-old faced off against Mike Tyson, over 30 years his elder. Critics lambasted the fight as a cash grab on both sides and ridiculed it as uncompetitive. Still, Paul won, beating a former world champion and pulling in nearly 90,000 spectators to AT&T Stadium and almost 65 million streams on Netflix, proving his star power.

Supporters laud Paul for engaging younger audiences with boxing, a group that might have otherwise ignored the sport, and credit his mix of showmanship, business acumen, and athletic ability. Others argue that Paul’s opponents prove that he is no boxer and that he is purely an entertainment product, no different from professional wrestling.

Jake Paul’s boxing record will never convince some purists, but his ability to attract attention simply cannot be ignored. He has challenged the notion of success in the sport and has pocketed large amounts of money through his promotions brand, Most Valuable Promotions.

Whatever your thoughts on his ability or motivations, Paul is a significant player in the sport. Whether he becomes the “greatest story in boxing history” or a footnote in its long narrative remains to be seen.

Entrepreneurship and Side Hustles: Visionary or Opportunist?

Alongside his digital empire, Jake Paul has diversified his business assets beyond content. Forbes estimates that he has a net worth of $80 million in 2024, spanning merchandise sales, content creation, boxing promotions, and stakes in companies like Betr, a sportsbook and Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) product valued at an estimated $300 million.

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Paul’s various collaborations have also earned him large amounts and cemented his reputation as a savvy marketer. He works with brands like clothing manufacturer boohooMAN, sportsbook DraftKings, and fashion travel company Sprayground. The 27-year-old also runs a clothing line, RNBO, and co-founded the aforementioned Most Valuable Promotions, his boxing promotion company.

However, not all of his business dealings have been lauded. Early endeavors such as Edfluence and its successor, the Financial Freedom Movement, promised many of his younger, impressionable fans a roadmap to success and even a chance to join his content creation business but were criticized for high costs, vague outcomes, and labeled as exploitative brands.

Beginning in 2019, his involvement with cryptocurrency ventures, including his extensive involvement in the 2022 Safemoon fraud allegations, has also caused significant controversy. YouTuber Coffeezilla accused Paul of participating in a scam by promoting the Safemoon token on social media accounts with misleading information.

He was later named as a defendant alongside personalities like Soulja Boy and Lil Yachty in a class-action lawsuit claiming the token was a so-called “pump and dump” scam. Coffeezilla later accused Paul of using cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to scam his fans out of nearly $2.2 million.

Critics of Paul’s business dealings level the accusation that he is exploiting his young audience for profit. While his innovation and business acumen are to be sometimes admired, his business dealings as a whole have prompted a broader debate about the regulation of global internet celebrities and their influence on children. Much like Jake Paul’s boxing record, his business record is difficult to summarize.

Public Persona and Relationships: Genuine or Manufactured?

Jake Paul’s public persona is a carefully blended mix of controversy, showmanship, and sporadic acts of generosity. His public feuds with various figures, be it FaZe Banks, KSI, Daniel Dubois, or other sports figures, are part of his appeal rather than a distraction from it.

Everything surrounding Jake Paul can feel like scripted drama designed to dominate headlines and social media feeds. His relationships are no exception, with examples like his staged Las Vegas marriage to Tana Mongeau and his relationship with Erika Costell, which Costell later confirmed was nearly entirely staged.

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This is a common feature of Paul’s relationships: his first prominent relationship as a star, with fellow Vine creator Alissa Violet, was faked for content, and Violet claimed in Shane Dawson’s docuseries that Paul emotionally and mentally abused her during their time together.

Despite all the controversy, Paul’s fanbase remains fiercely loyal. His donations to organizations, charity boxing events, and public good deeds have softened his image and increased the love between him and his fans. Despite his misdeeds, he still has 20 million YouTube subscribers.

Skeptics argue that he is a calculated, talented person capable of balancing his public persona. Ultimately, he blurs the lines between reality and spectacle, keeping the spotlight firmly on himself.

Defining Fraud: Where Does Jake Paul Fit In?

Jake Paul operates in a grey area, blurring the line between authentic athletic ambition and calculated showmanship. While his staged relationships, self-promotional stunts, and the fights against handpicked opponents that litter Jake Paul’s boxing record might exploit audience expectations, these tactics align with the spectacle-driven nature of modern media.

Critics argue he misleads fans for profit, particularly in controversial ventures like cryptocurrency, his energy drink, Prime, which is facing its own range of criticisms and his questionable educational products, which may be construed as fraud. However, Paul’s transparency about his ambitions and ability to captivate audiences suggest he manipulates perceptions rather than commits outright fraud.

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Fraud or the Real Deal?

The evidence surrounding Jake Paul being a fraud is mixed. Critics point to controversies, such as his questionable business ventures and handpicked opponents inflating Jake Paul’s boxing record.

On the other hand, his entrepreneurial success, athletic commitment, and unmatched ability to draw audiences showcase his authenticity as a modern entertainer. Labeling him a fraud diminishes the cultural phenomenon he represents—a master of influencer-age spectacle, blending entertainment and ambition.

Ultimately, Jake Paul isn’t just a product of the influencer era; he’s a pioneer, redefining the boundaries of fame, success, and the ever-blurring line between authenticity and performance.

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