Let’s face it, if you’re sitting down to the blackjack table, odds are, you’re playing to win. And although it might seem like a game of luck at first glance, there are strategies and methods you can use to win at blackjack.
If you aren’t familiar with the game, start off by learning the basics. Here’s how to count cards in blackjack…without getting kicked out of the casino.
Basic “Card Counting”
When playing blackjack, the most important thing to remember is that there are four times as many cards that have a value of 10 (10, J, Q, K) as any other value. With this information, you should always assume that the next card to be drawn from the deck has a value of 10.
Therefore, for hands that have a value over 12, drawing a 10, J, Q, or K will cause you to lose or “bust” (go over 21). Likewise, if the dealer’s card is a 2-6, assuming that he will draw a 10 card means he will have to draw again, likely causing him to bust.
This simple assumption can help you hone your betting strategy so you can win at blackjack.
Advanced Card Counting
Another way to nudge the odds in your favor is by counting cards. This, of course, requires memorizing many pages and charts. Having a professionally written guide is very helpful and there are many different authors that have different styles and different counting systems. It’s always best to get more than one opinion to find out which style works best.
Practice makes perfect. By investing time and money with online training software learning the game, it will eventually pay off at the casino.
Casino Secrets
Upon entering the casino, choose the right table to play at. If you see that the players at a certain table seem to be winning a lot, it’s probably a good time to get in on the action. Likewise, if you notice the dealer has a lot of chips and the players seem to be doing more losing than winning, look for a better table.
Reward the dealer by tipping when you are winning. If the dealer knows s/he will be tipped when the player wins, s/he may begin doing subtle things to help, i.e. performing less thorough shuffles and penetrating deeper into the shoe before re-shuffling, thus allowing the player to get a more accurate count of the cards. Keep in mind, however, that if the dealer starts losing too much money, the pit boss will likely change dealers.
Although it may be impossible to find the perfect game, one should be familiar with how certain house rules affect the player. Keep in mind that as a rule of thumb, the fewer decks the casino uses the more advantageous it is for the player.
Conclusion
You don’t have to be Rain Man to learn how to win at blackjack. With a simple “card counting” method (that won’t set off the casino’s red flags), you can make more informed bets and win big.
Practice your card counting strategies at home so you feel confident in your new skills. A private casino party is a great way to get started while also having a great time with all your favorite people.
