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While it is certainly true that the game of Blackjack favors the dealer over the player (if both you and the dealer bust, for instance, you’re the one who loses), there are various things you can do to increase your odds of winning. These are relatively simple things and they are worth noting (and memorizing) since they are pretty much clear-cut “do’s” and “don’ts” that won’t require a lot of thinking or deliberating over. With so many things in life (and poker) tinged with ambiguity, it is sometimes a pleasure just to have some simple rules to follow! - Picking your table. Do not underestimate the value of picking the table that’s most helpful to you. What does this mean? For one thing, the minimum bet at the table you choose should be no more than 5% of your bankroll. For another thing, the rule variations should be those that are “player-friendly” – for instance, the doubling-down option, and the dealer being required to stand on soft 17 (a soft hand is one in which the ace counts as 11). Learn which rules favor the player and which favor the dealer so that you can eliminate certain tables right off the bat.
- Knowing when to hit (or, take a card). The dealer must hit on any hand of 16 or lower. With this information in mind, you know that you cannot win with less than 17 (unless, of course, the dealer busts). Therefore, you’re going to want to take a hit on any hand under 17 when you see that the dealer has any of the following cards: K, Q, J, 10, 9 or 8. If, on the other hand, he’s showing a 4, 5, or 6 (with these cards, the dealer will bust 40% of the time), you should stand on any hand above 11.
- The doubling-down option. This is an area where you can be proactive, so take advantage of it. Basically, what this option entitles you to is doubling your bet and getting one additional card. You will only exercise this option when you are very sure you’re going to beat the dealer by doing so. The hands you’ll want to double-down with are as follows: a) with a 10 against a 9 or lower, b) with any hand of 11, and c) with a 9, or with soft hands of 13-17, against a 4, 5 or 6.
- Be kind, and generous, to the dealer. You want the dealer on your good side. And not only that, you want to be a decent human being. So tip the dealer (or, in poker-speak, “toke” him), because frankly he’s working for pretty bad wages, he’s not part of any union, and he depends on “the kindness of strangers.” There are no hard and fast rules for how much to tip, but I would suggest a dollar chip for every twenty hands which is reasonable. If you put the tip in front of you with your wager, you basically turn it into a side bet on your hand, in which case the dealer’s tip will double if you win. Now there’s an incentive for the guy to root for you!
- Be observant. Do a careful study of the other players at your table. If you sense, in particular, that the last man at your table is either a novice or desperate, you should get up and move on.
- If you can join the deck from the beginning, you should; it’s to your advantage. If you lose in the first half, stay to full deck. If you’ve done well in the first half (i.e., made a profit), move on.
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