Top 10 Blackjack Truths

Things 80% of People You Meet at the Tables Don't Know

revised 7/15/97

  1. "Even money" (insuring a blackjack) is not any better (or worse) than insuring a 6, and unless you count cards its not a good bet.
  2. Counting cards does not require feats of memory a la "Rain Man". And it doesn't require any real math skills. It just takes some concentration.
  3. Counting cards is not really any more difficult in a 6 or 8 deck shoe than in single deck (although it is less effective because really good counts are much more rare in a shoe)
  4. Counting cards does not give you a huge advantage over the casino, NO MATTER HOW GOOD YOU ARE. It can, however give you a theoretical long term advantage over the house ("positive expectation").
  5. The variance in blackjack is very high, so in any given session you're only slightly more likely to win than lose, even if you're an expert. Many of the blackjack books give you the impression that once you learn the right system you're going to win every time. Trust me... you're not.
  6. The gain from learning basic strategy is much bigger than the gain from learning to count cards. Don't even think about learning to count until you know BS cold!
  7. Counting is not illegal, immoral, or fattening. (OK, i admit i stole that phrase from someone, but i can't remember who). Most casinos would like you to think it is all of the above. Most places DO have the right to ask you to leave (not in AC), and in Las Vegas (and others) they also have the right to ask you not to come back.
  8. Splitting losing hands isn't always wrong. For example, BS says to split 33 against 7. a lot of people look at you like you're nuts when you do this, but its correct. the reason is that your disadvantage starting with 3 against 7 is less than 1/2 of your disadvantage of playing 6 against 7.
  9. 17 is a lousy hand! Against 10, most people hit until they get 17, and then breathe a sigh of relief that they didn't bust. Hey, news flash: 17 isn't much better than standing on 12. What hands does it beat that 12 doesn't beat? NONE. The reason you stand on 17 isn't because its good, but because your chance of busting is too high. It makes me want to scream when i see someone stand on A6. Also, 18 isn't that hot either...
  10. Bad players don't hurt you. (On average, that is!). Even if they're at third base. The bad plays are equally likely to help you, so don't let it get to you when the putz next to you hits 14 against a 15 and takes the dealer's break card. Next time he'll get the 6 and leave the 9 for the house... he'll think he's a genius.

    what did i leave out?
    Jay Mortensen