BASIC BLACKJACK TIPS
So, you’ve been hooked by the Blackjack bug and are beginning to love the game. Welcome to the game favored by millions worldwide! But before you dive deep and lose yourself (one hopes it is limited to that!) in this fascinating game of chance coupled with skill, it would bode well to know a few basic essentials that will tilt luck in your favor. Since Blackjack is seemingly so simple, most beginners get cocky and lose their heads (and their money). The following basic tips will not only help you learn more about the game, but will also help you get that teeny edge when playing against the steeped-in-Blackjack dealers!
The fundamental principle
As with all gambling games, never, ever gamble with money that you can’t afford to lose. The reason
Blackjack is so popular is because it combines skill and chance. Even if you are skilled, there is always an element of chance that may work against you. And while on streaks (winning or losing) remember that they always work in cycles!
Remember the house advantage
Although Blackjack is more favorable to the players than the house (the house advantage is almost always less than 1% at reputed casinos when the basic strategy is followed), it pays to remember that the house advantage still exists. What is not equally well known is that the house advantage actually increases depending on the number of decks used. When one deck is used, the player has more of an advantage while when eight decks are used the house advantage rises from a low 0.04% to a relatively massive 0.7%! Not all houses follow similar rules so these figures are more like an approximation. However, whenever possible, calculate your chances based on the house advantage numbers.
Don’t ape the dealer
Most beginners have the (mistaken) belief that they will automatically win if they ape the dealer’s moves. This is because the house defines how the dealer plays according to pre-determined rules. At less than 17, the dealer must hit. At 17 or more, he must stand. The dealer also has a set of printed rules s/he must follow when it comes to rule variations. And all dealers play for the house advantage. If your moves are a reflection of the dealer’s, you won’t get anywhere.
Betting tactics
Never bet the same, consistent amount. The rule of thumb, especially when it comes to Blackjack is that you should always increase your bets when you are winning and reduce them while losing. This way, you can minimize the house advantage. Most people however try to win back their losses by increasing bets while on a downward trend. This is what leads to ever increasing losses.
What the pros recommend
Several pros claim to have cracked the secret to Blackjack. Their advice tells you that you need to do the following when you play in order to beat the house. If your cards are:
9 or lower – hit
10 or 11 – double down (if your hand adds up to more than the dealer’s open card)
12 to 16 – hit (if dealer’s open card is 7 or more) Stay (otherwise)
17 or more – Stay
Do remember however that the above apply only when you are playing a conventional game of Blackjack. If the game has any variations (like soft hands, no-hole card, Reno rules or any of a hundred others) then you are on your own. Different experts claim to have
different strategies, but as a beginner, it is better to stick to the safe options!
Finally, know when to quit
If you are consistently losing despite having followed all the above tips, do the wise thing and quit. Maybe you will need the benefit of more advanced strategies (or may have to resort to tactics like card counting) in order to change course. The important thing is that you need to have the will power to know when to say enough!
Sadly, there is no single strategy or tip sheet for confirmed success. As mentioned, there are over a hundred different variations of rules when it comes to Blackjack. While some are determined by geographic location (Europe versus the Americas), others are defined by law. Still others are implemented by different casinos themselves and can vary quite a lot. But as with all card games, one thing is for certain; play the game to learn more about it and develop an affinity with the deck. As you grow to know it better, you will begin to learn to read its secrets. That is the stage at which you will no longer need any basic tip
This tip came from http://www.casinogamespro.com/blackjack
