Blackjack made simple

Question

I am 46 years old... I once had "basic strategy" memorized, but that was years ago. It takes discipline and hours of play to maintain.

I found four simple tips to blackjack on a web search... it claims that playing perfect blackjack using basic strategy can lower the house edge to 0.5%... but for the more recreational player, you can employ 4 simple rules to play with a house advantage of only 1.5%

Here are the rules... please comment if you agree with this simple strategy

1) If dealer's card is 7 or higher, draw until you have a hard 17 or higher, or a soft 18 or higher.

2) If the dealer's card is 6 or lower, draw until you have 12 or higher, do not draw once you have 12 or higher.

3) Double down ONLY when you have 10 or 11, AND the dealer shows 9 or lower.

4) Always split aces and eights... do not split any other pair.

SportsFan9698 · Answer

I am 46 years old... I once had "basic strategy" memorized, but that was years ago. It takes discipline and hours of play to maintain.

I found four simple tips to blackjack on a web search... it claims that playing perfect blackjack using basic strategy can lower the house edge to 0.5%... but for the more recreational player, you can employ 4 simple rules to play with a house advantage of only 1.5%

Here are the rules... please comment if you agree with this simple strategy

1) If dealer's card is 7 or higher, draw until you have a hard 17 or higher, or a soft 18 or higher.

2) If the dealer's card is 6 or lower, draw until you have 12 or higher, do not draw once you have 12 or higher.

3) Double down ONLY when you have 10 or 11, AND the dealer shows 9 or lower.

4) Always split aces and eights... do not split any other pair.

drknow · Answer

From what I have read and not as involved with BJ as I would like to be, these four rules are correct.

Also (from What I've read), Pertaining to rule #2: I quote "with a 4,5 or 6 upcard, the dealer has a 40%, 43% and 42% chance of busting by hitting his hand."

Source: MILLION DOLLAR BLACKJACK Ken Uston

My question is, (if you have factual information or a direction to point) how legitimate are the online casino and poker sites for extended BJ play?

SportsFan9698 · Answer

Online cards always has been and always will be a complete fraud.  This was exposed on 60 minutes years ago.Online players will cry foul... but I know I&#x27;m not playing online

drknow · Answer

I hear you.

60 mins. is close enough to believe. I saw the show on poker and the exposure to the hands. However, being the cynical prick that I am when it comes to politics, media, gov. I will take everything with skepticism.

That remark held to the side, I kind of believe it is to easy for the programmers of these sites to rig the game.

Making $ should ALWAYS be first when it comes to this

profession.

I am very interested in testing the online BJ with a very small BR.

just to see how far they will allow me to go using a counting system with basic strategy. I know it sounds insane, I'ts just that to be in your own environment it grants incredible power.

The more I think about doing this (as an experiment) the more ridiculous it sounds. That they would allow you to win.

I am primarily a sports speculator. So perhaps I'm just wishing I could implement this side bar $ maker.

If I may ask, why did you bring this topic up?

I just pulled out my BJ and other card books just a few days ago after years and years of hibernation.

You are only 1 of a handful of friends on my space. Plus I"m not keen on posting, it takes away from my capping time.

Lippsman · Answer

If you are just using basic strategy then those 4 rules work well. But there are simply but powerful systems out there that doesn't take much time to learn. Longer to master though.

For new and starting counting players I suggest K.O. Blackjack

SportsFan9698 · Answer

I will check it out

SportsFan9698 · Answer

Okay so I read the cliffs notes on KO Blackjack... simple concept I agree. 2,3,4,5,6,7 are all (-1) in your counting... and 10,J,Q,K,A are all (+1) in counting. The more low cards are out of the deck, the more likely you are to have a flush hand for the next deal.

Here is my question that does not make sense to me... yes you are more likely to have a 18-21 hand dealt to you on the next round, but also the dealer has the same increased odds of dealing a 18-21 hand to them. You both have a more likely chance of a better hand.

Where is the advantage? Can it be explained in a simple manner?

SportsFan9698 · Answer

I guess if you are a &#x2B;5 or so in your count... and you are dealt a 20... and the dealer is showing a 10... you can have a GREATER expectation that their down card is 2-7

SportsFan9698 · Answer

all that does is give you some ability to double or split in certain situations.

In the "cliffs notes" online explanation it summarizes to say that if you play for about 8 hours your advantage over the house is such that you can expect to be up $10 over 8 hours of play, while making $5 wagers.

Damn that is a HUGE investment of time and mental stability to make a fraction of a profit. Yes I know... the scalability means if you keep playing, you increase your wagers... etc... and at some point it adds up to some real money. I just don't think that is for me.

I earn far more betting baseball. As for table games... I'd rather just play and hope I hit for a profit. I usually do when I sit at a card table. I can sit with $200 and double usually within an hour or so... the tough part is being satisfied with doubling and getting up to leave. That is my downfall.

Lippsman · Answer

The advantage is that the dealer has to hit 16 and under in a rich 10 deck, while you have the advantage to stand.

Lippsman · Answer

Well the higher the count, there is a bigger chance the deal will have a 10 in the hole.

Lippsman · Answer

That is true for the basic KO strategy, but there are improvements you can use that gets you a bigger payback.  Go to Amazon and grab the book.  It will clear things up for you. It starts you out with KO basic and then you can go a couple of steps deeper.  https://www.amazon.com/Knock-Out-Blackjack-Easiest-Counting-Devised-ebook/dp/B004ELAND0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1401224429&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=ko&#x2B;blackjackNow there is a book that will take you to the geek level and have you beside me when I am hitting Caesars on a Friday night.  But I warn you, put on your bottle size glasses if you want to go down that road.https://www.amazon.com/Norm-Wattenberger/e/B00IRE9JF8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1401224429&amp;sr=8-2

IbetIlose · Answer

you couldnt chain me down to play at any BJ table in any casino i hate that game you have no control on players around you and they hit hands that they are not supposed to hit. F>>>>>UK that.

Better odds to win on roulette beting black or red

Lippsman · Answer

[Quote: Originally Posted by IbetIlose]  you couldnt chain me down to play at any BJ table in any casino i hate that game you have no control on players around you and they hit hands that they are not supposed to hit. F&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;UK that.&#xD;&#xA;Better odds to win on roulette beting black or red  [/Quote]Man you have next to no clue about blackjack. Other players have no influence on your play.  You go by the count and that&#x27;s the bottom line.  Really, learn the game and you will love it.

SportsFan9698 · Answer

True... I guess I had that philosophy when I was about 14 and just learning blackjack... when you see the guy next to you hit on 15 and "take your face" lol

So many on these forums have no understanding of statistics.

I used to like BJ... but truth is I don't go to casinos at all any more. I'm not too philanthropic with regards to giving my money to casinos. It's nearly impossible to win over the long run.

I don't mind sitting down to try to hit a lucky streak though. I may do just that in the near future.

I am more philosophic about casino (or any) gambling. I use some sophisticated tools for sports wagering. I have found they help me a great deal. But the most important factor to understand is that scared money never wins. I have learned that many times over my life.

Gamble with any money at the BJ table that you have no problem throwing away. You will have better results every time.

Snappa · Answer

As a longtime TKO player, I can tell you that the real advantage for the player when the count is favorable does not come through playing strategy,although it is important. The real advantage s in the betting sequence. When the count is high, the advantage shifts to the player mainly because of the 3-2 payout on a player blackjack. Yes, the dealer and everyone else at the table has an equal chance at hitting it.

But the dealer blackjack does not pay extra. So, say you are playing a unit size of $25. This is your bet on the first hand. After a few hands the count warrants a 5 unit bet, $125. A blackjack is now more likely, and if you are the lucky one, you will win $187.50. There are other dynamics at work in these situations that are in the player's favor also, but then you need to get the book(or books). Wong's hi-lo count system is also still one of the best out there.

One more thing.... if you are playing basic strategy, NEVER take insurance, including EVEN MONEY when both you and the dealer have blackjack.

GLTA

Blackjack made simple

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