Blackjack Strategy
Out of all the common casino games, blackjack remains one of the
few in which a participant can actually change his or her
chances of winning during the game. Whether those running
casinos wish to admit it or not, blackjack does involve skill.
And by applying some strategies to your finely honed blackjack
skills you can learn to beat the
casino on a regular basis.
Blackjack actually refers to a specific holding (two cards
totaling 21). However, this is also the most common term for the
game - also known as 21.
You are playing against the dealer at all times. Many people
feel that you must play differently depending on where you sit
at the table. This is not true. Players sit in a semi-circle
around the dealer, but no matter where you sit, you are still
playing against the dealer. You owe nothing to the other players
- it is your own money you are risking.
In Blackjack, the suits of the cards have no significance. Tens,
jacks, queens, and kings all count 10. An ace counts 1 or 10 at
the player's option. Cards from 2 to 9 have their face value.
Therefore, if you hold a nine and a five, you have 14. A nine
and an ace can be either 10 or 20.
The simple idea of the game is to get closer to 21 without going
over than the dealer does. You are dealt two cards and the
dealer is dealt two cards also - one always face up, and one
face down. You are then given the option of standing with the
cards you have ("stick" or "sticking") or you may be "hit" and
be given another card ("hitting"). You may take as many cards as
you wish to, but should you go over 21, you "bust" and the
dealer wins automatically. The dealer will not take any cards
until all players are through at taking cards. Thus the dealer's
biggest advantage is here. Any players that bust, lose their bet
- even if the dealer goes bust.
If you stay at 21 or under and have a higher total than the
dealer, you win; if both you and the dealer hold cards equaling
the same total, it is a "push" and you stay even (not winning or
losing). If the dealer has a higher total without busting, he
wins.
We'll start talking about blackjack
strategy more next time. In the mean time, start developing
your skills so that you can apply the strategies to your game.