Gaming once took the world by storm, and has continued to
remain a constant source of attraction, and even obsession, for many people.
While everything is good in moderation, how do you satisfy your craving for
continuous gaming, and still remain healthy? Keep reading to find out how.
• Know how to put first things first - Gaming only become
unhealthy when it starts to creep into and disrupt other areas of your life. No
matter how hardcore your gaming addiction is, it can still remain a healthy
passion instead of becoming an unhealthy obsession, as long as you remain clear
about your priorities. Certain things like family and friends, a full time job,
and health, should never be compromised upon.
• Take care of your body - You can remain a healthy gamer so
long as you do not let your passion throw you off schedule. Gaming late into
the night, or all through until sunrise, may be acceptable every once in a
while. However, when that becomes the norm, and you begin you overlook your
healthy habits in order to continue gaming, then that spells trouble.
The game of blackjack, also known as "21," has
greatly increased in popularity in recent years. This is most likely due to the
apparent simplicity of the game. I say apparent because even though the object
of the game is easily understood, the complexities are widely overlooked.
If you ask a blackjack player what the object of the game
is, they will most likely tell you it is to draw a card total as close to 21 as
possible. This is a widely held belief, but it is incorrect. The sole object of
the game is to beat the dealer.
To win, the player must either have a higher value hand than
the dealer or have a valid hand under 21 when the dealer exceeds that target.
Exceeding the total of 21 by either the player or dealer is referred to as
"busting."
Blackjack had always been a fabulous profit producer for the
casinos and was always considered to have a huge house edge prior to the mid
1960's. It was at this time Dr. Edward O. Thorp wrote his groundbreaking book
"Beat The Dealer."
Dr. Thorp's book offered the first explanation of card
counting techniques and how by tracking the depleted cards would give the
player an advantage over the dealer.
Prior to this time no one had any idea that altering the
composition of the deck would actually shift the advantage between the dealer
and player depending on the cards that were dealt.
More importantly, those same computer trials produced a
"basic strategy" for playing the individual hands based on the
dealer's exposed card. Despite all that has been written on the subject, the
correct strategy for properly playing their hands is actually known by very few
players.
Though most blackjack authorities claim that their
strategies are based on either computer trials, mathematical calculations or a
combination of the two, I have found that their resulting strategies are in no
way consistent.
Thorp's rules of play were also based on the use of a single
deck of cards. At the time it was written all blackjack games were played with
a single deck. Following the publication of his book, the nervous casinos
fearing a loss of profits, countered by changing to an eight deck game dealt
from a long, rectangular, plastic card holder called a "shoe."
The difference between the playing strategy for a single
deck and a multi-deck game is dramatic. This accounts for the wide variety of
rules and misinformation employed by players today. The single deck strategy
cannot be used when playing the eight deck game.
The truth is, using a proper eight deck playing system
allows the player to play an even game with the casino in which they have
little if any advantage over the player at all. Applying an intelligent money
management system and betting strategy gives the player a significant edge over
the game.
While there are several casino table games, such as craps
and baccarat, that offer the player the ability to play with less than a
negative 1.5% house percentage, it is only blackjack where the advantage moves
in favor of the player depending on their skill and the composition of the
remaining cards left to be dealt.
With the advent of card counting methods, I do not believe
there are any casinos that still offer single deck blackjack. The following is
a complete description of the most effective "basic strategy" for use
at a multi-deck game. It is as follows:
Dealer's up card is 2 or 3... Stand on hard total of 13 or
more
Dealer's up card is 4, 5, 6... Stand on 12 or more
Dealer's up card is 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace... Stand on 17 or
more
Always Split Aces
Always Split 8's
Split 2's & 3's when Dealer's up card is 4, 5, 6 or 7
Split 6's when Dealer's up card is 7 or less
Split 9's when Dealer's up card is 2-6 or 8 & 9 (stand
on 7)
Do Not Split 4's, 5's, or 10's
Double Down on 11 when Dealer's up card is 2 - 10
Double Down on 10 when Dealer's up card is 2 - 9
Double Down on 9 when Dealer's up card is 3 - 6
Double Down on Soft hand 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18 when
Dealer's up card is 5 or 6
Always hit (take a card) a soft hand of 13, 14, 15, 16 &
17 when not Doubling Down
Always hit soft 18 when Dealer's up card is 9, 10 or Ace
The use of "Insurance" or "Surrender" is
not recommended. These options should only be used when the player is certain
of the deck composition through card counting.
Although card counting strategies offer the player a means
of consistently maintaining an edge over the game, the practice and
concentration required to be effective is often beyond the reach of the average
player.
For most players the use of the "basic strategy"
is the optimal method of winning blackjack. An educated decision will always
win more often.
Ray Walkoczy is the author of Players' Casino Club. It's web
site is designed to explain winning playing and betting strategies combined
with historical background. The Players' Club focuses on the four best casino
table games of Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and Baccarat. Our aim is to present
the very best methods that give the casino player the best chance of winning
consistently. The information is always Free to anyone interested in learning
how to win. Your comments and questions are always welcome.
