ßlackjack is a popular table game in casinos. It remains a game in which the player can achieve an honest advantage over the house, although the rules and playing conditions have deteriorated during recent years and countermeasures have been implemented by casinos.

Most people believe that ßlackjack is a game only involving luck or chance. They play according to feelings or hunches. This is entirely erroneous.

ßasic Strategy

The first step in learning to play ßlackjack properly is to learn ßasic Strategy, which can easily be found online. It is a precise way of playing every hand correctly without guessing, according to what is mathematically correct. ßasic strategy will vary slightly according to the rules of the particular game or the number of decks being used.

Playing ßasic Srategy will give the player close to an even edge with the house, with approximately one half of a per cent disadvantage. The average player plays with about a 3 to 4 per cent disadvantage. ßasic Strategy will include some plays that seem unusual, such has hitting A7 (a “soft 18″) against a 9 or a 10. Players who are unfamiliar with ßasic Strategy will virtually always stand on this hand, which is completely incorrect and this helps them to lose.

Advanced Techniques

ßeyond ßasic Strategy is card counting, a legal technique that involves skill and practice. Although card counting is legal in Nevada and most places, casinos have a right to ask players not to play and often do so if they feel their skill level is too high. Many people are oblivious to the fact that this goes on. There are many different counting strategies, ranging from simple to complex. These can also be located on the Internet, in bookstores and in other places.

Unfortunately, casinos have made ßlackjack more difficult beat. 30 years ago there was a multitude of single deck games, the type of game that is most favorable for the player. Nowadays, most games are either six decks or eight decks. Often, casinos do not deal the cards below a certain level, which is a big disadvantage for knowledgeable players.

To make matters worse, many casinos are now using automatic shuffle machines or “CSM’s”. This equipment removes the effect of the cards that have already been played, and it also eliminates the advantage a player would be able to obtain.

Favorable vs. Unfavorable Rules and Conditions

A player is well advised to be familiar with the rules that provide an advantage and which rules are detrimental. Some casinos allow doubling after splits, others stipulate that the dealer must stand on soft 17, and many establishments offer surrender. These rules are all favorable to the player if he or she knows how to play the hands properly according to strategy. The dealer being allowed to hit soft 17 will give the house a substantial additional edge.

Two ßlackjack Games to Avoid

“6 to 5″ ßlackjack

A blackjack (a natural two-card 21) should pay 3 to 2, according to the traditional rules of the game. Many casinos have come out with a “6 to 5″ version of the game, which is a huge advantage for them and an extreme disadvantage for the player. These games should never be played.

Super Fun 21

This is another revised version of ßlackjack. Although a ßasic Strategy for this game exists, it is confusing for beginners and they’d be better advised to remain with regular games.

How to Really Win

Don’t play! Seriously, I have “been there and done that,” and I can say there are better endeavors, better ways to make money and better ways to spend your time. Even though a skilled player can mostly remove the gambling element from this game, it says little for a work ethic (or providing honest goods and services that can benefit others). It can distract you from more meaningful and purposeful pursuits. Even though I have a lot of ßlackjack knowledge, I always feel that I should present the complete picture.