The essential steps to becoming an expert player
Special Blackjack Rules: Doubling. The ability to double on a blackjack hand is exactly what it sounds like. You're given an option to double your initial bet before receiving the next card. With most blackjack card game variations, you'll only be allowed to double when your first two cards amount to 11, 10, or 9. The range of unwritten rules Blackjack is a noble ancient card game which demands a kind of certain etiquette during performing. There are some do's and don'ts for gamblers while playing the game which are recommended to stick to. The rules are simple, the play is thrilling and if played with basic strategy it comes with a nice, low house edge. In fact, for the expert player who mathematically plays a perfect game and is able to count cards, the odds are sometimes in the player's favor to win. But even for the casual player, blackjack is one of the best bets in the casino. 1) Do NOT play at any table where a blackjack is paid at 6-5 (or worse, even money). You should only play a game where a blackjack is paid at 3-2. (Usually the playing rules, including the blackjack payoff, are posted somewhere on the table, or the payoff for a blackjack will be imprinted on the cloth layout. If you aren't sure, ask the dealer.).
By Henry Tamburin
If you're a recreational blackjack player, you don't need a Ph.D. to take your game to an expert level. You just need to know which games to play, and how to play them. Here's a roadmap that will show you how to become a better player. Was gambling illegal in the 1920s ukrainian.
Game Selection
Nowadays, sitting at the first empty seat you spot at a blackjack table isn't a smart thing to do. The reason is that not all blackjack games are the same any more. Here are a few guidelines to help you pick the best game.
1) Do NOT play at any table where a blackjack is paid at 6-5 (or worse, even money). You should only play a game where a blackjack is paid at 3-2. (Usually the playing rules, including the blackjack payoff, are posted somewhere on the table, or the payoff for a blackjack will be imprinted on the cloth layout. If you aren't sure, ask the dealer.)
2) Do NOT play on any table that uses a continuous shuffling machine (known as CSM). You'll know if the automatic shuffling device is a CSM if the dealer places the discards from every round back into the CSM (another hint is the table usually doesn't have a discard tray). Play blackjack on tables where the dealer manually shuffles the cards or the table has a traditional automatic shuffler.
3) All else being equal, a blackjack game that uses a single deck or two decks of cards is better than one that uses six or eight decks. However, that is not always the case. You must check the mix of playing rules. Player-favorable rules include dealer standing on soft 17, double on any two cards and after pair splitting, surrender, resplit aces, and, of course, getting paid 3-2 for a blackjack. Rules that increase the house edge include using multiple decks of cards, dealer hitting soft 17, restrictions on what hands you can double down, and paying only 6-5 or even money for a blackjack. The house edge should be about 0.5% or lower for any game that you play. (If you are unsure what the house edge is, use the Blackjack House Edge Calculator located on the blackjack page at www.wizardofodds.com to compute the house edge for any game. Just key in the number of decks of cards and the playing rules and the calculator will compute the house edge).
Playing Strategy
If you want to become a better blackjack player, you must learn the basic playing strategy. This is essential.
The basic playing strategy tells you the correct way to play all of the 550 different possible hands that will arise when playing blackjack. You must memorize the basic strategy and be able to make the correct play with speed and accuracy. The basic playing strategy will vary slightly based on the rules and the number of decks of cards. You can get an accurate basic strategy for any game by using the Basic Strategy Calculator located on the blackjack page at www.wizardofodds.com. You simply key in the number of decks and the playing rules, and the computer prepares an accurate basic playing strategy.
An easy way to learn the basic strategy is to practice with the Blackjack Mentor software program, which is available for iPhone, Microsoft Windows, Palm OS, and Pocket PC (for details go to www.handheldblackjack.com). Playing mistakes will cost you money. To ensure that you always make the correct playing decision, bring a hand-held strategy card with you when you play (they are casino legal).
Using the basic playing strategy accurately when you play will make you a better player. However, if you do nothing else to enhance your skills, at the end of your playing career, you will lose more money than win. If you want to be a better blackjack player, you must take the next step and learn when to bet more.
When to Bet More
Many players use progressive betting systems when they play blackjack. However, as I explained in detail in my column in the August 2009 issue of Casino Player magazine, progressive betting systems don't work and won't make you a better, or more successful, player. To accomplish that, you'll have to discipline yourself to increase your bets only when you have the edge on the next hand (rather than increase your bets based on whether you won or lost the previous hand). Here are some ways to do this.
- Learn to scan the cards
You can use this technique in single- and double-deck games. After a shuffle, there is a balance (or equal number)) of small cards (2s though 6s) and large cards (10s, picture cards, and aces) in the deck(s) of cards. This balance can change depending upon the mix of cards dealt from one round to the next. By scanning all the cards that have been played on each round, you will be able to get some idea whether there were a greater number of small cards compared to high cards played in previous rounds. Gambling legal states in india. If your scanning indicates that more small cards have been dealt out compared to high cards, then the remaining unplayed cards must be richer in high cards (inverse relationship). When the latter occurs, the edge shifts to the player and you should bet more. Scanning is not an exact science and it takes a little practice; however, if you only increase your bets when the unplayed cards are richer in high cards, you will be taking a big step toward becoming a better player.
- Use a simple card counting system
There are some very simple card counting systems for recreational players that are easy to learn and use, and allow a basic strategy player to play a break-even game or have a slight edge over the house. They include the Ace/10 Front Count (Blackjack Bluebook II by Fred Renzey), the Ace/Five Count (Appendix 17 on the blackjack page on www.wizardofodds.com), Rookie Knock-Out System (Knock-Out Blackjack by Olaf Vancura and Ken Fuchs), and Speed Count (Beat Blackjack Now! by Frank Scoblete). Any of these simple systems will help you be a better blackjack player.
I hope you will discipline yourself to incorporate some or all of the above tips when you play blackjack. You have the information… the ball is now in your court. Are you going to continue dribbling in circles, or score a basket?
Henry Tamburin is the editor of Blackjack Insider Newsletter (www.bjinsider.com), Lead Instructor for the Golden Touch Blackjack Course (www.goldentouchblackjack.com), and host of www.smartgaming.com. For a free three-month subscription to his blackjack newsletter, go to www.bjinsider.com/freetrial.com. To receive his free Casino Gambling Catalog, call 1-888-353-3234 or visit www.smartgaming.com.
Play our free blackjack game with classic blackjack rules, 4 decks of 52 cards and visible reshuffling. See how good you are at blackjack by playing for fun money. This game was created especially for blackjack.
- Online blackjack casinos
- Blackjack game reviews
- Exclusive blackjack tools
- Blackjack video tutorials
⏩Try your skills and play blackjack online for Free! The game was created for blackjack lovers and suits for beginners who can learn how to play blackjack ⏪ game and for professionals who can practice card counting as there are 4 decks in a shoe and you will know when it is reshuffled.
3) All else being equal, a blackjack game that uses a single deck or two decks of cards is better than one that uses six or eight decks. However, that is not always the case. You must check the mix of playing rules. Player-favorable rules include dealer standing on soft 17, double on any two cards and after pair splitting, surrender, resplit aces, and, of course, getting paid 3-2 for a blackjack. Rules that increase the house edge include using multiple decks of cards, dealer hitting soft 17, restrictions on what hands you can double down, and paying only 6-5 or even money for a blackjack. The house edge should be about 0.5% or lower for any game that you play. (If you are unsure what the house edge is, use the Blackjack House Edge Calculator located on the blackjack page at www.wizardofodds.com to compute the house edge for any game. Just key in the number of decks of cards and the playing rules and the calculator will compute the house edge).
Playing Strategy
If you want to become a better blackjack player, you must learn the basic playing strategy. This is essential.
The basic playing strategy tells you the correct way to play all of the 550 different possible hands that will arise when playing blackjack. You must memorize the basic strategy and be able to make the correct play with speed and accuracy. The basic playing strategy will vary slightly based on the rules and the number of decks of cards. You can get an accurate basic strategy for any game by using the Basic Strategy Calculator located on the blackjack page at www.wizardofodds.com. You simply key in the number of decks and the playing rules, and the computer prepares an accurate basic playing strategy.
An easy way to learn the basic strategy is to practice with the Blackjack Mentor software program, which is available for iPhone, Microsoft Windows, Palm OS, and Pocket PC (for details go to www.handheldblackjack.com). Playing mistakes will cost you money. To ensure that you always make the correct playing decision, bring a hand-held strategy card with you when you play (they are casino legal).
Using the basic playing strategy accurately when you play will make you a better player. However, if you do nothing else to enhance your skills, at the end of your playing career, you will lose more money than win. If you want to be a better blackjack player, you must take the next step and learn when to bet more.
When to Bet More
Many players use progressive betting systems when they play blackjack. However, as I explained in detail in my column in the August 2009 issue of Casino Player magazine, progressive betting systems don't work and won't make you a better, or more successful, player. To accomplish that, you'll have to discipline yourself to increase your bets only when you have the edge on the next hand (rather than increase your bets based on whether you won or lost the previous hand). Here are some ways to do this.
- Learn to scan the cards
You can use this technique in single- and double-deck games. After a shuffle, there is a balance (or equal number)) of small cards (2s though 6s) and large cards (10s, picture cards, and aces) in the deck(s) of cards. This balance can change depending upon the mix of cards dealt from one round to the next. By scanning all the cards that have been played on each round, you will be able to get some idea whether there were a greater number of small cards compared to high cards played in previous rounds. Gambling legal states in india. If your scanning indicates that more small cards have been dealt out compared to high cards, then the remaining unplayed cards must be richer in high cards (inverse relationship). When the latter occurs, the edge shifts to the player and you should bet more. Scanning is not an exact science and it takes a little practice; however, if you only increase your bets when the unplayed cards are richer in high cards, you will be taking a big step toward becoming a better player.
- Use a simple card counting system
There are some very simple card counting systems for recreational players that are easy to learn and use, and allow a basic strategy player to play a break-even game or have a slight edge over the house. They include the Ace/10 Front Count (Blackjack Bluebook II by Fred Renzey), the Ace/Five Count (Appendix 17 on the blackjack page on www.wizardofodds.com), Rookie Knock-Out System (Knock-Out Blackjack by Olaf Vancura and Ken Fuchs), and Speed Count (Beat Blackjack Now! by Frank Scoblete). Any of these simple systems will help you be a better blackjack player.
I hope you will discipline yourself to incorporate some or all of the above tips when you play blackjack. You have the information… the ball is now in your court. Are you going to continue dribbling in circles, or score a basket?
Henry Tamburin is the editor of Blackjack Insider Newsletter (www.bjinsider.com), Lead Instructor for the Golden Touch Blackjack Course (www.goldentouchblackjack.com), and host of www.smartgaming.com. For a free three-month subscription to his blackjack newsletter, go to www.bjinsider.com/freetrial.com. To receive his free Casino Gambling Catalog, call 1-888-353-3234 or visit www.smartgaming.com.
Play our free blackjack game with classic blackjack rules, 4 decks of 52 cards and visible reshuffling. See how good you are at blackjack by playing for fun money. This game was created especially for blackjack.
- Online blackjack casinos
- Blackjack game reviews
- Exclusive blackjack tools
- Blackjack video tutorials
⏩Try your skills and play blackjack online for Free! The game was created for blackjack lovers and suits for beginners who can learn how to play blackjack ⏪ game and for professionals who can practice card counting as there are 4 decks in a shoe and you will know when it is reshuffled.
How to Play Classic Blackjack Game?
- Sign in or Register if you don't have an account
- Choose the bet
- Play according to game rules
- As soon as you reach $2000 min your score will be saved at high scores
- Players that did not register may do it any time in the game by pressing the Submit score button.
- You may find the sign in button at the top of the page.
Unwritten Rules At Work
CLASSIC BLACKJACK RULES:Blackjack Unwritten Rules Rule
- Blackjack pays 3 to 2
- No insurance; Dealer stands on all 17s
- Double on 9, 10, 11
- No Doubling after Split; No Resplitting
