In blackjack, the objective of the game is to beat the dealer. Players do this by either having a hand total that exceeds the dealer’s or not going over 21 when the dealer does. This may sound like a simple idea but there are actually a number of things that can happen to a hand during the course of one round of blackjack, which makes the game incredibly complex.
Over the years, blackjack has seen some subtle—and some major—changes to its rules. Seasoned Las Vegas blackjack connoisseurs have watched casinos gradually shift from the classic 3:2 blackjack to the 6:5 variant that is now standard in most Nevada casinos. While the change doesn’t seem significant at first glance, it can add up to a large difference in expected return over the long term.
The 6:5 blackjack variant increases the house edge by nearly 400% compared to the 3:2 variation. The difference between the two variations is actually a lot greater than that figure, but this article will focus on the effect of the rule change on individual player wagers. To illustrate the impact, let’s assume that a player plays 500 hours of blackjack per year with an average bet of $10. Then we’ll calculate what the house will take in for every $100 wagered on blackjack hands. This will give us a good estimate of the expected loss for the player.
During the course of this article we’ll explore strategies that can be used to beat the casino’s edge in blackjack. There are several different strategies, but we’ll start with the most basic of all: counting cards. While it can be a time-consuming process, counting cards is an effective way to make the most of your money while playing blackjack.
To count cards, you need a good counting system and a set of basic rules. In general, you should have a larger denomination chip(s) on the bottom (like a $25 green chip), with the smaller denomination chips on top (three $5 red chips). Then you’ll need to keep track of the total value of each bet made, and when it’s won or lost.
When playing blackjack, you should only place bets with money you can afford to lose. It is tempting to play with your winnings, but this will only make you less likely to win in the future. It is also important to know the difference between a hard and soft hand. This is because you have to adjust your strategy when you have a hard hand, as opposed to a soft hand.