THE ULTIMATE BLACKJACK STRATEGY GUIDE
WHY WE WROTE THE ULTIMATE BLACKJACK STRATEGY 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. The Ultimate Blackjack Strategy Guide was written to fill this void.
STRUCTURE OF THIS GUIDE
This Blackjack Strategy Guide consists of 18 Chapters.Each chapter begins with bullet points that explain what the reader will find in each chapter. Blackjack Strategies 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 "How to Play Blackjack" and then incrementally introduces topics that will give the reader the knowledge to play blackjack skillfully.
WHO THIS GUIDE IS FOR
This 888casino Ulimate Blackjack Strategy 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 strategy guide, you will be confident about your ability not only to play the game, but to beat the game.
WHO WROTE THIS GUIDE
Tamburin authored the book Blackjack: Take the Money and Run. He has taught card counting classes throughout the USA, has given numerous seminars to business organizations and conventions, and has been featured on radio, TV, and in several newspapers.
Tamburin is also a skilled blackjack tournament player, and an invited guest at the prestigious Blackjack Ball, an annual gathering of blackjack professional players, mathematicians, and writers.
HOW TO PLAY BLACKJACK
Before you can play blackjack, you need to know the basic blackjack 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 of the blackjack strategy guide will cover these basics along with a history of the game.
1.1 Blackjack 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 blackjack rules, the objective of the game, the player’s options, the dealer’s rules, and a few protocols to keep you out of trouble.
1.2 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.
1.3 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.
1.4 Understanding the Casino's Edge
You’ll learn how the casinos have a built-in advantage against players, and how the basic blackjack playing strategy can reduce this disadvantage to less than 1%.
1.5 Blackjack Variations
You will learn about the colorful blackjack history 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 blackjack strategy, and who developed and published the first powerful winning blackjack's card-counting system.
BLACKJACK BASIC STRATEGY
Thie Ultimate Blackjack Strategy Guide 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 Blackjack 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 Blackjack Surrender Strategy
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 Blackjack Pair Splitting Strategy
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 Blackjack Doubling Down Strategy
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 Blackjack Hit & Stand Strategy
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 Blackjack Insurance & Even Money Strategy
Introducing Blackjack 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.
COLOR-CODED BLACKJACK CHARTS
This chapter contains the complete, accurate basic blackjack playing strategy in color coded charts and white tables for single-, double-, and four-or-more-decks blackjack games.
3.1 Single-Deck Blackjack Game
The accurate basic playing strategy for a single-deck game contained in color-coded blackjack charts and white tables, for different rules.
3.2 Double-Deck Blackjack Game
The accurate basic playing strategy for a double-deck game contained in color-coded charts and white tables, for different rules.
3.3 Four or More Decks Blackjack Game
The accurate basic playing strategy for games dealt with four or more decks contained in color-coded charts and white tables, for different rules.
HOW TO PRACTICE BLACKJACK STRATEGY
This chapter contains practical tips on how to learn the basic blackjack 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 Practice Blackjack Strategy
A blackjack quiz to test you on whether you know the basic playing strategy. Answers are provided.
BLACKJACK ODDS: HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE THE HOUSE EDGE
There are blackjack strategies that can help the basic strategy player to have better odds and further reduce the house edge. You’ll learn about them in this chapter.5.1 Composition-Dependent Strategy
You’ll learn several basic strategy plays that are based on the composition of the cards in your hand.
5.2 Hand Interaction
You’ll learn how and when to make a wager on another player’s hand for profit.
5.3 Casino Comps
Get insider tips on how you can earn more casino comps than you deserve when you play blackjack.
5.4 Casino Coupons
Every time you use a casino coupon, you will have the edge. Read what they are, how they work, and where to get them.
5.5 Loss Rebate
Learn how players (mostly high rollers) that skillfully negotiate with casinos a rebate on their losses can give them an edge at blackjack.
SCOUTING BLACKJACK TABLES
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 with this bllackjack strategy guide you’ll learn why.
6.1 Searching for the best Blackjack Table: 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.
6.2 Good and Bad Blackjack Rules
There are good blackjack rules and some very bad ones.This section summarizes the good, the bad, and the ugly.
BOGUS BLACKJACK STRATEGIES
This section explores the different types of betting systems that have been invented for blackjack, and why they don’t work.
7.1 Popular Betting Systems
Most popular blackjack 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.
7.2 Why Some Betting Systmes Just 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.
BLACKJACK MYTHS EXPOSED
In this blackjack strategy guide we explore 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.
BLACKJACK FAQ
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.
BLACKJACK CARD COUNTING
10.1 Card Counting Myths
There are dozens of myths surrounding card counting, and I’ve heard them all in the past 50 years. What follows are (in my opinion) the most popular myths and the corresponding truths.
10.2 Effect of Card Removal
You close your eyes, stick your hand into the bowl, and randomly pull out a marble. What are the odds it will be white? Obviously, the odds are 50-50 since there are equal numbers of white and black marbles in the bowl.
10.3 How Card Counting Works in Blackjack
It’s important that you understand why the removal of small cards is player favorable and the removal from the deck of large cards is player unfavorable.
10.4 Learning the Hi-lo Card Counting Systems
Hi-Lo has been the gold standard of card counting systems for many years. It’s also the card counting system I’ve used successfully for nearly 50 years, and have taught to hundreds of players in my blackjack school and seminars.
10.5 How to Use the Running Count in Single and Double-Deck Games
The good news is that varying your bets in a single-deck game is easy; the bad news is that nowadays there aren’t many “beatable” single-deck games, meaning a game that will give a card counter the advantage.
10.6 How to Use True Count for Betting in Multi-Deck Games
You are probably wondering how you will be able to determine the number of unplayed decks of cards. Fortunately, the casinos have provided us with a device to do this. No, it’s not the dealing shoe; it’s the discard tray.
10.7 How to Use the True Count to Vary Your Playing Strategy
Besides using your true count to size your bets, you can also use it to deviate from the basic playing strategy. The reason is that the more positive the count, the more inclined you will be to stand, double, split, take insurance, or surrender.
10.8 Unbalanced Card Counting Systems
If you have been hesitant to learn card counting over the thought of having to do the mental division of converting a running count to a true count on every hand (Chapter 10.6), I've got good news for you. There is a new-breed of counting systems that use only the running count for betting and playing decisions. This makes card counting much easier for many players.
10.9 Entry-level Card-counting Systems
The Speed Count system includes conservative and aggressive betting spreads much the same as balanced and unbalanced counting systems sometimes do. The greater the spread, the greater the edge but the more risk to your bankroll.
10.10 How to Enhance Your Edge
Blackjack dealers never deal all the cards. Most of the time they will deal out anywhere from 50% to 80% of the cards, then shuffle. The percentage of cards dealt is known as penetration.
10.11 Casinos’ Countermeasures Against Card Counters
Even though card counting is technically legal (if you only use your brain), it is frowned upon by casinos. In this sub-section, I’ll describe the techniques that casinos use to discourage card counting, and how and what they do when they catch a card counter.
10.12 How to Disguise Your Skills
One warm evening in Las Vegas, a young man was walking on the famed Strip, contemplating what had just happened. He was a good card counter, he could count down a deck of cards accurately in 20 seconds flat, and knew his strategy deviations cold.
10.13 Bankroll and Risk of Ruin
There are two things you must have to beat the casinos: a winning system that you play accurately and a bankroll to support your betting. Don’t take the second issue for granted because beginning your card counting career (no matter how fast you can count a deck of decks) with a short bankroll is a recipe for disaster.
BLACKJACK SIDE BETS
There are a plethora of side bets available on blackjack tables. The Ulitmate Blackjack strategy Guide will explain what they are, the playing rules and payoffs, and which ones can be beaten.
BLACKJACK VARIANTS
There are several blackjack variants, games that look like a regular blackjack game but are different. In this Chapter you’ll learn what they are, how to play them, and which ones you can gain the edge.
12.1 Spanish 21
How to play Spanish 21, a game with that contains no pip 10s, but has plenty of liberal playing rules.12.2 Blackjack Switch
How to play Blackjack Switch, a game in which you must play two hands and can switch the second card dealt to each hand.12.3 Free Bet Blackjack
How to play Free Bet Blackjack, a game in which the dealer will pay you to match your double down and pair splits.12.4 Super Fun 21
How to play Super Fun 21, a game in which both dealer’s cards are exposed.
PLAYING BLACKJACK ABROAD
This chapter provides information on what to expect when playing blackjack outside the U.S., including declaring your winnings. Additionally, the U.S. regulations regarding cash transactions in casinos is reviwed.
BLACKJACK ONLINE
This chapter explores playing blackjack on online casinos, including how online blackjack works, how to get started, what to look for, and more.
BLACKJACK TOURNAMENTS
The Ultimate Blackjack Strategy Guide explains blackjack tournaments, how they work, and what kind of blackjack strategies you should learn to improve your chances of finishing at a final table.15.1 How Blackjack Tournaments Work
There are several different tournament formats and in this section you’ll learn what they are and how they work.15.2 Blackjack 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.
BLACKJACK LEGENDS
You’ll learn who the legends of blackjack are and what their accomplishments were.
16.1 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.16.2 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.16.3 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.
THE PROCESS OF WINNING AT BLACKJACK
You’ll learn the top reasons why most blackjack players lose at a game that can be beaten.
BLACKJACK STRATEGY GUIDE GLOSSARY
