Blackjack tips

19 August 2017

By Henry Tamburin

Tip #1

Of all the casino games, why bet on blackjack? What makes it “different” than any other casino banked game?

For one, the odds in blackjack are not constant. They keep changing from one hand to the next depending on the cards that have been played. For example, if four aces have been played from a single deck of cards, the chance of getting a blackjack hand on the next round is zero. The cards, if you wish, have a memory.

That’s not the case for craps, roulette and other casino games, where the odds stay constant from one roll or spin to the next. The dice and the wheel have no memory. The net result is that blackjack is a game of skill, not just luck.

Another factor that separates blackjack from other casino games is that players must make a playing decision after they make their bet. Their decision will have a great influence on whether they win or lose the hand.

Blackjack is also the most studied and analyzed casino game. Computer-derived basic playing strategies have been developed that can significantly decrease the normal casino’s edge. In fact it’s possible for the average player to lower the casino’s edge to only 0.5% by using the basic strategies and to gain the edge by learning how to count.

So why play blackjack? Because it is a "beatable" casino game for the above reasons and it gives the skillful player the best shot at winning.

TIP: Blackjack is the best casino game because it can be beat by skillful players.


Tip #2

Not all blackjack games are created equal. You will often find different playing rules from one casino to the next and even within the same casino. Some rules are more player favorable and others favor the casino. It’s these mix of rules that ultimately determines the casino’s overall edge and whether the game is good or bad.

Here is a summary of the rules that favor the player and those that favor the casino.

Player favorable rules.

• Doubling on any first two cards.
• Doubling down after pair splitting
• Late surrender
• Early surrender
• Resplit aces
• Double on three or more cards
• Blackjack pays 2 to 1

Casino favorable rules

• Paying 6 to 5 for a blackjack
• Increasing the number of decks of cards
• Dealer hits soft 17
• Double only on 10 and 11
• No resplitting of pairs
• Dealer wins ties
• European no-hole card rule

How important are the rules to the player? The difference between a ‘good” blackjack game and a “bad” one can often add another 1.4 percent to the casino’s advantage over a basic strategy player.

The better double and six-deck games are when the dealer must stand on soft 17, you can double down on any two cards, you can double down after pair splitting and a blackjack pays 3 to 2 (if surrender is offer and resplit of aces in a six-deck game, that’s even better). A bad game is any one where the casino only s 6-5 for a blackjack. .

Tip: Always scout blackjack games and play in those with the best rules.


Henry Tamburin, Ph.D. is the editor of the Blackjack Insider e-Newsletter (www.bjinsider.com and host of smartgaming.com. Visit Henry's web site at www.smartgaming.com.