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BLACKJACK TIPS
- Use basic Blackjack strategy. Most Blackjack players will lose about
2% of every bet because of improper play. In casino blackjack be sure
to have a good idea of what basic strategy suggests, and don't be afraid
to ask the dealer for help if its an unusual situation. For online blackjack
consult a website or book to help you make your decision.
- To slow down your playing time choose a crowded table where you will be able to play fewer hands. Being the sole player at a blackjack table is not as fun without the interaction. Furthermore, your bets can be placed very quickly and you can run through your bankroll in a flash. The same situation exists online, which leads me to my next tip:
- Always wear a watch, preferably one that beeps on the hour. For online
blackjack you should go so far as to make sure there is a clock in your
field of vision for your entire playing time. At casino blackjack the
only way to ever get the time is to bring your own pocket or wristwatch.
Whether online or not, always pay attention to how long you've been playing
for, and limit it to a reasonable amount of time.
- The dealer's hand averages 18.23. So, don't be afraid to hit if basic
strategy calls for it. In the casino blackjack takes on an aura of male
chauvinism, one in which hitting a modest hand is more of a risk (male
type action) and therefore a more manly option to choose in front of
your cool dude friends. Chances are if you're this type of player you're
also a chain smoker and a Britney Spears fan. Please, don't give into
the peer pressure - you know they're hocking low quality ideas. Besides,
what's cooler, the loser who bet big or the winner who played smart?
- Increase the amount of your bet only when you're winning. It is natural human instinct to do the opposite and increase your bet when you're losing, to try and make up losses. You should truly only increase the amount of your bet if you have a good situation presented, not simply a run of wins, but it's a less risky action to perform if you're not already on a losing streak. This tip is meant to ensure that you don't start doubling your bets to make up your losses.
- Be aware that some casino blackjack tables use the 'Dealer hits soft
17' rule which increases the house advantage. Look for tables where
dealers must stand on all 17s.
- The casino's blackjack dealer will bust more often when his up card
is a 2 through 6 and he will complete more hands when his up card is
7 through ace. Basic strategy usually suggests standing when the house
is showing a 6, even if your hand is a 13. Since this seems almost counterintuitive,
and human nature is to want to yell hit me on a 13, it is a most common
downfall for novice blackjack players. Either consult basic strategy,
or let 'dealer busting cards' become the source of a new instinct to
stand and not hit.
- To determine an appropriate bankroll amount for a table session of Blackjack multiply your normal bet by 40. This will allow you to play for a reasonable amount of time, and once that time has gone by (remember to follow tip #3 and always wear a watch), you can make your finishing moves and head out. It also usually represents a long enough length of time to determine a 'point' worth knowing for card counters.
- In Blackjack it is always to your advantage to play against as few
decks as possible. You can always ask around at the casinos and find
out how many decks are in use. Also pay close attention to their shuffling
rules, how often they shuffle, how deep into the deck they go before
reshuffling, the deeper the better for card counters.
- If you play Blackjack using basic strategy you will reduce the house
edge to less than 1%. Yes I know this is the same as the first tip,
but it's just that important! What other games can you play with a house
edge at < 1%?
Other tips:
Never split two '10' value cards
Such a hand totals "20" and is an excellent hand. The objective in blackjack is to achieve "21" but if you've got "20" on the first two cards dealt to you then there is only one hand that the dealer can beat you with and that is "21". So it's hard for the dealer to beat your "20" and plain and simple, it's financial suicide to do that.
Never split two five's
Two 5's equal "10", so double down instead, and ask for "one card only, please". If you split the two 5's, and get two 10's, you made two bad hands out of a good hand, and would have had "20" if you doubled down.
Always split two 8's
No matter what the dealer has, even when showing an ace, split the 8's. Two 8's make 16, and that is the worst hand in Blackjack. By splitting the two 8's, you stand a better chance of at least one hand a winner, and thereby saving your money. If one hand wins, and the other loses, one pays the other and you lose nothing (assuming you bet the same amount on both hands which is normally a rule requirement). And if you draw a "10" to both hands, you've made two 18's, as opposed to one 16 - much better probabilities with this.
Always double down when you have ...
- A count of 11, do not hesitate if the dealer has a 10 or Ace showing.
- A count of 10 and the dealer's card is anything but a 10.
- A count of 9 and the dealer's card is between 2 to 8.
- Soft 13, 14, 15, 16, (Ace and 2, 3, 4, 5) and the dealer has a 6 showing.
For hard hands, if the player's cards amount to 12 or higher ...
- Hit if the player hand totals 12 through 16 and the dealer has a seven or higher.
- Stand on any hand totaling 17 or higher.
- Stand if the player cards total 12 through 16 and the dealer has two through six.
For soft hands ...
- Always draw to soft 17 or less.
- Only draw on soft 18 if the dealer has an eight, nine or ten. Doubling down is the main method by which a player can eliminate the house edge so it is very important to remember when to utilize this option.
For hard hands ...
- Double down when the player's cards total 11 and the dealer has a ten or less.
- Double down when the player's cards total 10 and the dealer has a nine or less.
- Double down when the player's cards total nine and the dealer has a four, five or six.
For soft hands ...
- Double down with a soft 13 and soft 14 when the dealer has a five or six.
- Double down with a soft 15 and soft 16 when the dealer has a four, five or six.
- Double down with a soft 17 and soft 18 when the dealer has three through six.
Splitting Pairs
- Always split a pair of aces or eights. A pair of aces totals either two or twelve but when you split them each card is worth eleven. When you split eights you are breaking up 16 which is the worst hand to have.
- Never split fours, fives or tens.
- Split twos and threes only when the dealer has four through seven.
- Split sixes when the dealer has three through six.
- Split sevens when the dealer has three through seven.
- Split nines when the dealer has two through six, eight or nine.
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