Blackjack Table Blackjack Table
Tips for the Blackjack Table
Blackjack
is one of the simplest games to play at the casino. However, contrary
to what many people may believe, there is a right and a wrong way to
play. Truth be told, unless you are a very skilled card counter, there's
no way to beat a blackjack table.
Though
some people believe that casinos are out to fix the game, the fact of
the matter is that casinos don't need to cheat in order to win at
blackjack. The mathematics involved in the game is always in their
favor. That's how they stay in business. However, they do love it when
impatient players try and outguess the cards because they get your money
faster when you stray from the "right way" to play the game.
Using
what is known as basic strategy will always maximize your chances at
winning in the long run. Going with a gut feeling, or using some kind of
psychology to try and outthink the dealer may get you a win or two from
time to time, but over hundreds and hundreds of hands, you will lose
more often than you will win.
Here are a few tips you can use to help you improve your chances at success at the blackjack table:
•
Be friendly with the dealer. Although the dealer cannot tell you what
card is next out of the shoe, he can prevent you from making a horrific
mistake, such as hitting a 15 when the dealer has a 6 showing. The
dealer makes more money when the table wins and is tipping, so if you
stay on his good side, then he'll be more apt to look out for you.
•
That said, not all dealers know the rules. While most dealers are very
familiar with the proper way to play the game, the fact is, just as in
any job, there are a few dealers who don't have the slightest clue as to
what is the right way to play the game of blackjack. That's why it is
important to know the probabilities of the game when you approach the
table and not blindly accept the advice of the "professional" as gospel.
•
Get a "basic strategy" card. Casinos are happy to allow you to use
these cards, usually sold in gift shops at the casinos themselves. These
cards tell you the best way to play each and every combination of cards
that can come up in a game. Many people suspect that because the
casinos let you use these cards, they must favor the house. Some go even
further and claim that using these cards actually will cause you to
lose. That's simply not true. The odds at a blackjack table favor the
casino, but playing perfect strategy will put you in the best position
to come out ahead.
•
Don't assume the other players at the blackjack table are experts
either. If you are unsure what the proper thing to do with your hand is,
don't necessarily assume that the rest of the players have any better
grasp of the odds, even if they have a big stack of chips in front of
them. You know that old saying that there is a sucker born every minute?
There's a very good chance that several suckers are sitting at your
blackjack table, especially if the minimum bet is low.
•
You are playing for you. If you want to take a hit on a 16, you take
it. This should be the case even if the other players at the table are
screaming at you and calling you names for choosing to do so. They're
not going to share their winnings with you at the end of the day, so
don't let them influence your decisions at the blackjack table.
•
Listen to Kenny Rogers. You've got to know when to walk away. Sometimes
blackjack tables go cold, so there's no reason to remain at a table
where you have lost several hands in a row in the hopes that your luck
will turn around. There's also no reason to expect that a lucky streak
will go on forever. In fact, the law of averages says just the opposite.
If you've made a tiny profit in a short amount of time, don't give it
back to the casino. Visit the cage and cash it in.
•
Don't jump into a table in the middle of a shoe. Most blackjack tables
will have a sign stating whether or not they allow new players to join
the game before a dealer shuffles the deck. If there is no sign, then it
is permitted, but really, you should always ask the players at the
table before you throw your chips in the betting circle. Gamblers are a
superstitious lot, and if your arrival coincides with the table going
cold, guess who is going to get the blame?
•
When in doubt, ask the floorperson. Every table has a supervisor
responsible for making sure the game runs smoothly and all winning bets
are paid properly. If you believe a mistake has been made, don't be
afraid to speak up. The floorperson will ask the dealer what happened,
and if there's any doubt, they can turn to the surveillance cameras to
double check previous results. In an eight-hour shift, even the most
diligent dealer can make a mistake, and by remaining calm about the
situation, you're more likely to get the benefit of the doubt than if
you fly off the handle at the blackjack table.
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