The basic essence of the game of blackjack was woven into the psyche of the majority of us by the time we hit our early teens. As children we saw our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles gather around a large table in the recreation room shortly after holiday meal. We observed them involved in a game in which the object was to get closer than the dealer to a total of “21″ with a hand of cards. The adults in our family would play and laugh and reminisce for hours. So, naturally, as kids we tried to emulate our parents. Therefore, in the next room, we would play our version of “21′ or, as we grew older, blackjack as it was called.

As we went through high school and on to college, we fell in love with the game of blackjack once again. Only, this time we weren’t trying to emulate adults; we were attempting to outsmart the system by devising strategies to effectively cope with any blackjack card combination dilemma that might come our way. We would practice on ourselves, and then put our theories to the litmus test at the casino parlor blackjack table.

Tips for Blackjack Play

The basic blackjack strategy is designed for a set protocol of operation if your two cards are a certain total and the dealer’s show card is a certain number. If your two card total is:

5, 6, 7 or 8 — Hit no matter the dealer’s card.

9 — Double your bet (if allowable by casino rules) if dealer has 3-6; otherwise, hit.

10, 11 — Double your bet if dealer has a 2 through 9; otherwise, hit.

12 — Hit if dealer has a 2 or 3; stand if the dealer has a 4, 5 or 6; hit 7 and above.

13, 14, 15, 16–Hit 7 and above; stand if dealer has a 2 through 6.

17 and above– Stand pat with your hand.

Don’t Waste Your Time

If you take the basic tips for playing blackjack and utilize them in play, the chances are very good that you will be maximizing your playing time in terms of giving yourself the best opportunity to win every game you play.

There are some fallacies about the game of blackjack, sort of blackjack tips to avoid:

1. If I follow a given strategy, I will win money at blackjack-No, not true. The percentage is .05 in the casino’s favor, whether its on land or online

2. I can win at blackjack over the long stretch of time-No, you have a better shot over a short period of time. The odds favor the casino in the long run.

3. I can only have fun if I win-No, that is not true. Blackjack is a game that is meant to be enjoyed. If we bet with our heads and not over it, we’ll find our experience at the blackjack table fun and enjoyable whether or not we win money.

These blackjack tips are not foolproof, but they set a certain standard of respectful play for both ourselves and for our fellow players, both on land and in online casino parlors.

By: Mike David Smith

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