The game of blackjack, also known as "21," has greatly increased
in popularity in recent years. This is most likely due to the apparent
simplicity of the game. I say apparent because even though the object of
the game is easily understood, the complexities are widely overlooked.
If
you ask a blackjack player what the object of the game is, they will
most likely tell you it is to draw a card total as close to 21 as
possible. This is a widely held belief, but it is incorrect. The sole
object of the game is to beat the dealer.
To win, the player must
either have a higher value hand than the dealer or have a valid hand
under 21 when the dealer exceeds that target. Exceeding the total of 21
by either the player or dealer is referred to as "busting."
Blackjack
had always been a fabulous profit producer for the casinos and was
always considered to have a huge house edge prior to the mid 1960's. It
was at this time Dr. Edward O. Thorp wrote his groundbreaking book "Beat
The Dealer."
Dr. Thorp's book offered the first explanation of
card counting techniques and how by tracking the depleted cards would
give the player an advantage over the dealer.
Prior to this time
no one had any idea that altering the composition of the deck would
actually shift the advantage between the dealer and player depending on
the cards that were dealt.
More importantly, those same computer
trials produced a "basic strategy" for playing the individual hands
based on the dealer's exposed card. Despite all that has been written on
the subject, the correct strategy for properly playing their hands is
actually known by very few players.
Though most blackjack
authorities claim that their strategies are based on either computer
trials, mathematical calculations or a combination of the two, I have
found that their resulting strategies are in no way consistent.
Thorp's
rules of play were also based on the use of a single deck of cards. At
the time it was written all blackjack games were played with a single
deck. Following the publication of his book, the nervous casinos fearing
a loss of profits, countered by changing to an eight deck game dealt
from a long, rectangular, plastic card holder called a "shoe."
The
difference between the playing strategy for a single deck and a
multi-deck game is dramatic. This accounts for the wide variety of rules
and misinformation employed by players today. The single deck strategy
cannot be used when playing the eight deck game.
The truth is,
using a proper eight deck playing system allows the player to play an
even game with the casino in which they have little if any advantage
over the player at all. Applying an intelligent money management system
and betting strategy gives the player a significant edge over the game.
While
there are several casino table games, such as craps and baccarat, that
offer the player the ability to play with less than a negative 1.5%
house percentage, it is only blackjack where the advantage moves in
favor of the player depending on their skill and the composition of the
remaining cards left to be dealt.
With the advent of card counting
methods, I do not believe there are any casinos that still offer single
deck blackjack. The following is a complete description of the most
effective "basic strategy" for use at a multi-deck game. It is as
follows:
Dealer's up card is 2 or 3... Stand on hard total of 13 or more
Dealer's up card is 4, 5, 6... Stand on 12 or more
Dealer's up card is 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace... Stand on 17 or more
Always Split Aces
Always Split 8's
Split 2's & 3's when Dealer's up card is 4, 5, 6 or 7
Split 6's when Dealer's up card is 7 or less
Split 9's when Dealer's up card is 2-6 or 8 & 9 (stand on 7)
Do Not Split 4's, 5's, or 10's
Double Down on 11 when Dealer's up card is 2 - 10
Double Down on 10 when Dealer's up card is 2 - 9
Double Down on 9 when Dealer's up card is 3 - 6
Double Down on Soft hand 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18 when Dealer's up card is 5 or 6
Always hit (take a card) a soft hand of 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17 when not Doubling Down
Always hit soft 18 when Dealer's up card is 9, 10 or Ace
Dealer's up card is 4, 5, 6... Stand on 12 or more
Dealer's up card is 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace... Stand on 17 or more
Always Split Aces
Always Split 8's
Split 2's & 3's when Dealer's up card is 4, 5, 6 or 7
Split 6's when Dealer's up card is 7 or less
Split 9's when Dealer's up card is 2-6 or 8 & 9 (stand on 7)
Do Not Split 4's, 5's, or 10's
Double Down on 11 when Dealer's up card is 2 - 10
Double Down on 10 when Dealer's up card is 2 - 9
Double Down on 9 when Dealer's up card is 3 - 6
Double Down on Soft hand 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18 when Dealer's up card is 5 or 6
Always hit (take a card) a soft hand of 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17 when not Doubling Down
Always hit soft 18 when Dealer's up card is 9, 10 or Ace
The
use of "Insurance" or "Surrender" is not recommended. These options
should only be used when the player is certain of the deck composition
through card counting.
Although card counting strategies offer the
player a means of consistently maintaining an edge over the game, the
practice and concentration required to be effective is often beyond the
reach of the average player.
For most players the use of the
"basic strategy" is the optimal method of winning blackjack. An educated
decision will always win more often.
http://www.playerscasinoclub.com
Ray Walkoczy is the author of Players' Casino Club. It's web site is designed to explain winning playing and betting strategies combined with historical background. The Players' Club focuses on the four best casino table games of Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and Baccarat. Our aim is to present the very best methods that give the casino player the best chance of winning consistently. The information is always Free to anyone interested in learning how to win. Your comments and questions are always welcome.
Ray Walkoczy is the author of Players' Casino Club. It's web site is designed to explain winning playing and betting strategies combined with historical background. The Players' Club focuses on the four best casino table games of Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and Baccarat. Our aim is to present the very best methods that give the casino player the best chance of winning consistently. The information is always Free to anyone interested in learning how to win. Your comments and questions are always welcome.
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