WHY WE WROTE THIS GUIDE
Blackjack is the most popular casino card game in the world.
Yet many players are unfamiliar with the game’s procedures, protocols, and detailed strategies. This guide was written to fill this void.
STRUCTURE OF THIS GUIDE
The guide consists of 15 Chapters and several sub-chapters.Each chapter begins with bullet points that explain what the reader will find in each chapter. Strategies for blackjack are presented in several formats, including easy-to-follow color-coded charts. Where appropriate, the math of a particular strategy is explained with examples. Each chapter ends with Key Takeaways and a Test Yourself quiz. The guide begins with the History of Blackjack and then incrementally introduces topics that will give the reader the knowledge to play blackjack skillfully.
WHO THIS GUIDE IS FOR
This guide was written for players who have never played blackjack, and also for experienced players who want to elevate their game to a higher level of proficiency.After reading this guide, you will be confident about your ability not only to play the game, but to beat the game.
Before you can play blackjack, you need to know the basic rules, table etiquette, understand what makes blackjack different than other casinos games, how the casino has a built-in advantage over players, and what you can do about it. This chapter will cover these basics along with a history of the game.
1.1 History of Blackjack
You will learn about the colorful history of blackjack from its origins back in the 1700s and how it evolved into the world’s most popular casino card game. Learn when the game came to America, what caused the name of the game to change from “21” to “blackjack,” who the persons were that developed the first reasonably accurate basic playing strategy for blackjack, and who developed and published the first powerful winning card-counting system.1.2 Basic Playing Rules
Before you can begin to learn blackjack strategies, you’ve got to get the lay of the land (so to speak) on how the game is played, specifically the basic playing rules, the objective of the game, the player’s options, the dealer’s rules, and a few protocols to keep you out of trouble.
1.3 Blackjack Etiquette
The casino game of blackjack has its procedures, codes of conduct, and playing etiquette. In this section, you’ll find a list of what these are, including some common faux pas made by novice players.
1.4 Why Play Blackjack?
Players have many choices of table games to play in land-based and online casinos. So what makes blackjack different and the game of choice for smart players? You’ll find out the answer to this question in this section.
1.5 Understanding the Casino’s Edge
You’ll learn how the casinos have a built-in advantage against players, and how the basic playing strategy can reduce this disadvantage to less than 1%.
This chapter will teach you the basic playing strategy for surrender, pair splitting, doubling down, hitting, and standing. You’ll also learn about the popular side bets known as Insurance and Even Money.
2.1 Importance of Basic Strategy
You’ll learn what the basic playing strategy is and, by way of an example, how it can save you a ton of money during your lifetime of playing.2.2 Basic Strategy for Surrender
Sometimes we are dealt horrible hands in blackjack. This section explains how we can minimize the damage by using the playing option known as surrender. (Includes black and white tables and color-coded charts that contain the accurate surrender basic strategy for all games.)2.3 Basic Strategy for Pair Splitting
There are three reasons why you would split a pair in blackjack, and in this section you’ll learn what they are. (Includes black and white tables and color-coded charts that contain the accurate pair splitting strategy for all games.)
2.4 Basic Strategy for Doubling Down
Doubling down allows players to go on the offensive when the dealer is most vulnerable, and in this section you’ll learn how to do it. (Includes black and white tables and color-coded charts that contain the accurate doubling down strategy for all games.)
2.5 Basic Strategy for Hitting and Standing
The most frequent playing decision you will have to make is whether to hit or stand, and in this section you’ll learn the correct strategies for hitting and standing. (Includes black and white tables and color-coded charts that contain the accurate hitting and standing playing strategy for all games.)
2.6 Insurance and Even Money
Insurance and Even Money are two popular side bets in blackjack. In this section you’ll learn what these bets are and whether or not you should make them.
This chapter contains the complete, accurate basic playing strategy in color coded charts and blackjack and white tables for single-, double-, and four-or-more-decks blackjack games.
3.1 Single-Deck Game
The accurate basic playing strategy for a single-deck game contained in color-coded charts, and blackjack and white tables, for different rules.3.2 Double-Deck Game
The accurate basic playing strategy for a double-deck game contained in color-coded charts, and blackjack and white tables, for different rules.3.3 Four or More Decks
The accurate basic playing strategy for games dealt with four or more decks contained in color-coded charts, and blackjack and white tables, for different rules.
This chapter contains practical tips on how to learn the basic playing strategy.
4.1 Order of the Decision-Making Process
After players receive their initial two cards, they have a relatively short period of time to decide how they are going to play their hand. This section explains a logical order that they can follow to quickly determine which playing option they need to focus on.4.2 Basic Strategy Quiz
A quiz to test you on whether you know the basic playing strategy. Answers are provided.
Most blackjack players rush into a casino and sit down at the first open seat they see at a blackjack table. That’s a big mistake, and in this section you’ll learn why.
5.1 What to Look For
There are several factors that a player should look for before playing, including the number of decks being used, the playing rules, the payoff for a blackjack, and even how the cards are shuffled. Learn the specifics in this section.5.2 Good and Bad Rules
There are good blackjack rules and some very bad ones.This section summarizes the good, the bad, and the ugly.
This section explores the different types of betting systems that have been invented for blackjack, and why they don’t work.
6.1 Popular Betting Systems
Most popular betting systems are based on the results of the previous hand(s). With some, you increase your bet following a loss; in others, you increase following a win. How these betting systems work will be explained in this section.6.2 Why They Don’t Work
Much to the dismay of most blackjack players, this section explains why the popular betting systems for blackjack simply do not, and will not, work.
This chapter explores some of the many popular blackjack myths. You may have heard some of them.“Bad players at the table will hurt you.”
“The order of the cards is sacred.”
“Always insure a good hand.”
“Increase your bet when the dealer is cold.”
And more.
This chapter contains a potpourri of frequently asked questions with answers. Questions such as: “Should I tip the dealer, and if so, how much?” “What should I do if a dealer makes a dealing mistake that causes me to lose?” “Where can I find the best blackjack game in Las Vegas?” “How can I get comps when I play blackjack?” And more.
9.1 What Is It?
There have been books, TV documentaries, and even Hollywood movies about blackjack card counting. This section explains in layman’s terms what it is.
9.2 How It Works
This section explains how card counting works and how it gives a skillful player the advantage over the casino. No experience required to read this section.9.3 Simple Counting Systems
This section summarizes several simple card counting systems that can be used by recreational players who want to play with a slight edge. The risks and benefits of these systems are also explained.
9.4 More Complex Counting Systems
This section summarizes several popular, but more complex, counting systems that can be learned by average players who want to become advantage players. The main focus will be on the Hi-Lo counting system, which will be explained in detail.
9.5 Techniques That Increase a Counter’s Edge
Insider tips used by skilled card counters to further increase their edge when they play.
9.6 Disguising Your Skills
Using your brain to count cards is not illegal; however, casinos frown on players that can beat them. This section contains practical tips that counters can use to disguise their playing skills from the watchful eyes of the floor supervisors and surveillance cameras.
There are a plethora of side bets available on blackjack tables. This chapter will explain what they are, the playing rules and payoffs, and which ones can be beaten.
A variation of blackjack known as Spanish 21 (or Pontoon) has become very popular.In this chapter, you’ll learn the playing rules and the playing strategies for this game.
11.1 Playing Rules
The playing rules for Spanish 21 are explained in this section, with emphasis on how they differ from a traditional blackjack game.11.2 Playing Strategies
This section contains tips on how to play your hands and where you can find the complete playing strategy (including card counting) for Spanish 21.
This chapter focuses on the rules of blackjack played in European casinos, which differ slightly from American blackjack.
12.1 Differences from American Blackjack
You’ll learn the differences in the blackjack games played in Europe compared to America, including the dealing procedures and playing rules.12.2 Strategy Adjustments
This section summarizes the adjustments to the basic playing strategy that you should make when playing blackjack in European casinos.
This chapter explores playing blackjack on online casinos, including how it works, how to get started, what to look for, and more.
13.1 Pros and Cons
You’ll learn about the pros and cons of playing blackjack online.13.2 Getting Started
If you’ve never played blackjack in an online casino, this is your starting point to learn how.13.3 Evaluating Games
You’ll learn how to evaluate the myriad of different blackjack games that are offered in online casinos.13.4 Customer Support
One of the most important factors to consider is the customer support offered by an online gaming site. This section will summarize what to look for.13.5 Promotions
You’ll learn about different online promotions that can be very lucrative for smart players.
This chapter explores blackjack tournaments, how they work, and what strategies you should learn to improve your chances of finishing at a final table.14.1 How They Work
There are several different tournament formats and in this section you’ll learn what they are and how they work.14.2 Strategies for Tournament Play
Playing and betting strategies are different for tournaments than for table play. This section will summarize the most important playing and betting strategies for you to be able to compete with confidence in a tournament.
You’ll learn who the legends of blackjack are and what their accomplishments were.
15.1 Major Contributors to Our Knowledge of the Game
This section summarizes the individuals who have made major contributions to our knowledge of blackjack and what their contribution was.15.2 Blackjack Ball
You’ll get the inside scoop on this annual event of blackjack pros that is held at a secret location in Las Vegas. Many of these players have made a fortune playing blackjack in casinos around the world.15.2 Blackjack Hall of Fame
You’ll learn all about the Blackjack Hall of Fame, where it’s located, who the inductees are, what their contributions were, and how individuals are voted into the Hall.
You’ll learn the top reasons why most blackjack players lose at a game that can be beaten.
Learn the five steps that will convert you from a gambler when you play blackjack into an advantage player.