Winning At Blackjack - 9 Steps To Playing Like a Pro

Blackjack is the one casino game where you can play with a positive edge against the casino and win money over the longer term. Winning at blackjack can be done by those players willing to put in the time and effort to do so. The only trait you need to get started for winning at blackjack and expanding your bankroll is a desire to learn. So here are your 9 tips to win at blackjack 1. Basic Strategy Statistically, there is only one play a player can make, for the hands they are dealt, against each up card the dealer holds. Basic strategy outlines the moves you should make and you should know it off by heart. If you don't there are plenty of free basic strategy cards you can get form the net to jog your memory 2. Money management Losing periods can and do occur so you need to be prepared and keep an eye on your bankroll. A money management rule that should be utilized is bet with only 1% of your bankroll. For example, if you have a bankroll of $1000, your betting size is 1%, or $10. If you are playing with a 1.5% advantage over the house, (with a card counting strategy), the chances of losing your entire bankroll are only 5% and there pretty good odds. It's a certainty that you will hit a losing run as you cannot predict in blackjack winning blackjack is all about staying power and looking at the bigger picture, so make sure you have adequate resources. 3. Learn to Count Cards It has been proven mathematically that by counting cards, you can actually get and maintain a positive advantage over the casino, if used with basic strategy. There are lots of different counting systems and you need to pick one that's right for you. There are many card counting systems that can be learned in just 15 minutes but will give you a significant advantage in winning at blackjack. 4. Estimate the True Count Once you know the running count, you are then able to calculate the true count. The true count is the running count divided by the number of decks of undealt cards and it is vital you know it. The true count gives a more accurate indication of how favorable the remaining cards are than does the running count, and only needs to be calculated when you want to bet. 5. Alter Bet Size Based on the True Count As the true count goes up, bet size needs to be increased. As the true count goes down, the bet size should be decreased. You will always lose more hands then you win. In order to make money, a player needs to increase bet size when the odds are favorable to compensate for the times he loses 6. Play with Favorable House Rules You need to look for favorable house rules to give you an extra edge and the differences between different casino rules can be the difference between winning at blackjack and losing, so make sure you do your homework. 7. Mindset If you are seriously playing for money, make sure that you are mentally concentrating as errors can and do cost money, especially when your card counting. The margin between success and failure is thin, and you need to keep the odds on your side, so concentrate! 8. Discipline If you have a plan, you need discipline to implement it rigorously. Stick with your plan even in losing periods. You know that if you use basic strategy and card count the odds will be in your favor longer term, so ignore short term losses. 9. Take it seriously If you want to win at blackjack you need to take it seriously. Learn all the above have adequate bankroll and play and stick with your plan. If you do, you can and will end up winning at blackjack. Good luck!