Blackjack

Casino Tips – Blackjack Strategy

Twenty-one, Pontoon, Vingt-et-un – they’re all names for the most popular casino banking game in the world: Blackjack.  Indeed, if you enter a casino, you’ll see that the blackjack tables are almost always occupied.  But what is it, really, this game of Blackjack?  And most importantly, how do you win at it?

The object of blackjack is simple: get a value that’s closer to 21 than the dealer’s.  Initially, you will be dealt two cards.  If the value is 21 or close enough for you to be comfortable, then you can choose to “stand” or to play your cards.  However, if it’s low or not yet enough for you, then you can choose to “hit” or draw single cards until you reach a preferable value or if you exceed 21, in which case you will have a bust.  The decision to hit or stand will depend upon your own judgment and your analysis of the dealer’s hand.  Usually, the dealer will have one face up card and one face down card.  The one that’s face up will help you get an idea or a rough guess of what the dealer’s hand is.

Winning is usually a matter of correct guesswork and of making the right decisions.  You can choose from the varied moves in blackjack such as surrender, split pairs, or get insurance in order to increase your winnings or to minimize losses.  The decision is up to you, really – and that’s the crucial part.  Usually, you can leave the matter up to your common sense.  But there are also some techniques which will give you and edge and familiarizing yourself with them might mean the difference between victory and defeat.

Betting Limits

First and foremost, know your bankroll and determine how far it can get you.  In blackjack, it’s generally better to choose a table with low betting limits.  That way, you can stretch your bankroll as far as possible.  A general rule is to bet only 5% of your bankroll at a time.  That way, it will take you 20 straight losses before you will lose all of your money.  And doing so will also give you a rough idea of your win rate.  It will also give you more opportunities to recover should you find yourself on the losing side.  Betting more than 5% can have you losing all your money in just a few hands, giving you no opportunity to recover.

Seat Position

When approaching a blackjack table, scout out some prize seats first.  It’s generally better to sit at the far right part of the table.  This is because those seated there are the last ones to be asked whether they are to hit or stand, giving them ample time to make a good decision.  If you’re a fast thinker, however, then it would be best for you to sit at the middle, giving you a nice view of all the cards dealt.  This would allow you to have a rough estimate of what the dealer’s hole card is, thereby making your decision easier.

Card Counting

This is a technique in blackjack that has been around for a very long time.  It’s generally forbidden, but there are no laws against it.  Card counting is a strategy wherein you mentally take note of all the cards that have been dealt and, by the principles of probability, make a more accurate guess of what the dealer’s hole card is.  Take caution, however, because if you’re caught card counting, the casino has the prerogative to kick you out or put you in their blacklist.  Also, card counting is a difficult, although effective, technique.  If you’re no good at it, then forget it, you’ll only waste your time.

Reading the Dealer

Another strategy that will give you an edge would be reading the dealer.  Blackjack is a game that’s played against the bank and not against other players.  But don’t ever forget that the dealer is human too and thus prone to having revealing emotions that will help you make your decision.  If you can read what the dealer is thinking, then you can have a rough idea of what his hole card is.  There are a number of ways to read the dealer.  First of all, determine what type of person he is as a dealer.  And to do this, you must try to see what he’s after.  Is he after winner’s tips or is he after the promotions that casinos give to dealers with high win rates?  Those who are after tips are generally happier when they lose and are friendlier to customers.  Those who want promotions, on the other hand, are happier when they’re winning and are likely to be smug whenever the players lose.  Their actions are also telling.  If they peek at their hole card and place it a bit to the side, it means that they’ll probably need to hit and that the hole card is low.  Also, the amount of time they peek at the hole card may say something about what it really is.

Another incident that is worth mentioning here is when the dealer accidentally shows what his hole card is.  It does happen, so be on the lookout for it.  If it does, however, be smart and don’t give yourself away.  Don’t even tell your neighbor or be pompous.  Don’t make comments or give snide remarks.  Rude actions like these are useless.  They will only put you in trouble.  Just keep quiet and you should be okay.

Keep your Cool

The most important tip in blackjack though – and the pro players can attest to this – is to keep your cool.  Never ever lose your temper, especially at the dealer.  Remember that he’s only an employee and will get the same salary regardless of whether you win or lose.  He’s only doing his job and you’d best respect that.  Also, it’s much easier for you to make the proper decisions if you keep yourself level-headed.  Just stay calm and stay calculating and you should be a-okay.