|
 |
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
Basic Blackjack strategy
Why is blackjack one of the most popular casino games? Because it's simple to learn and to play. Even children can learn it within a few minutes and basic strategy isn't exactly rocket science either, though it requires a little bit more time spent contemplating the strategy charts and putting their recommendations into practice at the table.
Most people who play blackjack in live or online casinos are aware of the fact that the house holds an edge over them. Some - though usually few when compared to the total number of gamblers - also know how the house edge works and how it brings about the house drop which really bites into one's bankroll.
Fortunately, blackjack is one of the few casino games in which the player can theoretically diminish the house edge, and - under special circumstances - he can even turn it around.
Those who come to the table barely aware of the game's rules (and believe me there are plenty such players) play with the maximum house edge. If you play online, you're only going to lose even more money since there are usually more hands per hour played online than at a live table, which means the house edge will have a bigger effect on your bankroll.
The first step you can take to diminish the house edge is to learn basic strategy. The good news is, basic blackjack strategy is a very static concept, it's not like poker strategy where everything hinges on a confusingly high number of variables. In blackjack, for every card that you get and for every partial hand the dealer shows, there's a set way to play optimally. The bad news is, there are quite a few combinations of such hands and you need to get closely acquainted with a few quite elaborate charts to master basic strategy. At the end of the day though, you will nibble away at the house edge. Basic strategy alone won't be enough to kill the house edge completely though.
You need to take your game a little further to achieve better results. Provided you play in a live casino, card counting is the next step. Don't be intimidated by the concept. While no live casino likes its players to count cards, it is not illegal. You're simply using your mind to gain an edge and no law on earth can ban you from doing it.
Don't be intimidated by the image Hollywood has given card counting either. You don't have to be a genius to count cards, there are several systems out there that just about anyone can master.
The simplest card counting system is based on the fact that a higher concentration of high cards (10 and above) remaining in the deck is in favor of the player. What you need to do is keep track of just how many such face cards leave the deck and how many remain there.
You'll be able to achieve that by assigning certain cards values. Say, cards from 2-7 are -1. 8 and 9 are 0 and 10-A are +1. What you need to do now is to simply watch as the cards leave the deck and adjust a sum which you can easily keep in mind. Subtract one from your sum every time you see a 2-7 leave the deck, leave it as it is when an 8 or 9 falls and add one whenever a 10-A is dealt. If your sum becomes a high negative one, (like -5) it means more small cards than high ones have left the deck, which means that the concentration of high cards in the remaining deck is optimal for you. It is time to become more aggressive on the betting.
This is of course the simplest example of a card counting system. Most systems actually used by casino gamblers are more complicated than this, and they are often much more efficient as well.
If you're an online casino player though, chances are you won't be able to count cards (it all depends on how the software works though), so you'll probably have to settle with the edge basic strategy offers you.
In Poker, rakeback is like a card-counting edge, only it is fully legal and endorsed by the poker rooms themselves. Sign up for a deal like the Absolute poker rakeback or the Ultimate Bet rakeback and you'll enjoy a nice 30% rake rebate on your cash game rake and tournament fees.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
