Do not risk busting
when the dealer shows a small card. If you have a hard 12 through
16 hand and the dealer shows a small card (2 through 6), your
best percentage play is to stand. The reason you make this play
is because the dealer has a high probability of busting when
he shows a small card. Since you would automatically lose if
you drew and busted (even if the dealer subsequently busted
his hand), you should stand pat and let the dealer draw. The
only exception to this rule is when you are dealt a 12 and the
dealer's upcard is a 2 or 3. In this case you are slightly better
off hitting the 12 versus standing.
Never take insurance.
Many players, dealers and pit bosses will encourage players
to take "even money" when they have a blackjack hand and the
dealer shows an ace. By taking even money you are automatically
paid off at 1 to 1. The problem is that you will on average
win more than a 1 to 1 payoff if you decline taking even money.
You will in fact win about 3.9% more money over the long haul
by saying "no thanks" to even money when it's offered to you.
Never
stand on soft 12 through 17. A hand that contains an ace
counted as 11 is a soft hand. If you are dealt an ace plus
a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, you should never stand. Unfortunately
this is a common mistake made by a lot of novice players.
They are dealt an ace, 6 for 17 and because it's a high
total, they mistakenly stand. Never stand with soft 13 through
17!
Never split 5s
or 10s. When you are dealt a pair of 5s you have a 10. It
is better to treat the hand as a 10 rather than break it up
into two hands of five. Likewise if you are dealt a pair of
10's, you most likely have a winning hand so never split 10s.
If you have a
stiff hand and the dealer shows a strong card, you should
hit. A stiff hand is a hard 12 through 16 (no ace present,
or if it is, it counts one). When you are dealt a stiff hand,
and the dealer's upcard is a 7 through ace, then you should
hit even though you could bust. If you always chicken out
and stand, you will be losing more money over the long run
than by hitting.
Do not follow the
dealer's strategy of hitting 16 or less and standing on 17 or
more. Why not? It wins for the house. The difference is that
when you go over 21, you automatically lose even if the dealer
goes over 21 on the same hand. That's the built- in edge the
casinos have over blackjack players. Following the dealer's
strategy is a losing strategy.
Avoid blackjack
side bets. You see them on most tables. Over/under, royal
match, Super Sevens, etc. I haven't yet come across a side
bet at blackjack that does have a large casino edge. Stick
to the basic game and avoid the side bets.
Doubling for less.
This is a dumb play a lot of basic strategy players make.
Even though the casinos allow you to double for less money
than your original bet, you shouldn't do it. If you do, you
will be giving up a part of your potential profit, which is
the reason in the first place you doubled down.
Never
risk your entire bankroll in one sitting. You should ALWAYS
divide up your bankroll into the number of playing sessions.
Do not lose than one mini-bank at a sitting. If the worst
happens take a breather and try again with a second mini-bank.
While you are it set reasonable win goals. Winning 25% of
our mini-bank isn't a bad deal. When you reach it keep playing.
But when the tide turns be ready to take your profits and
run from the table.
Increase your
betting level only when there are an excess of high cards.
Your chances of winning increase when there are more 10s and
aces left in the remaining cards than small cards. Therefore
get in the habit of watching all the cards as they are faced.
If you don't see a lot of 10's, picture cards, and especially
aces in the early rounds, there is a high probability more
of them will show in the subsequent hands. Now is when you
should bet more.
