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Blackjack
Tips
By Greg Melikov
Posted: 6:30 am PDT 2006-08-28 |
Courtesy Of Internet Casino and Poker Room at WagerWeb.com |
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It's likely blackjack was born
after paper was invented around the 10th Century in China or Korea. Around the
14th Century, playing cards gradually spread across Europe, modifications being
made as they passed through each country. Most likely "vingt-et-un" (French for
21) was inspired from earlier games and originated in French casinos in the early 1700s.
Blackjack came to the United States in the mid-1860s when gambling was legal in the
western U.S. In 1910, Nevada outlawed casinos, but had a change of heart in '31 and
imposed regulations to protect players. Over the years blackjack has spread throughout the
world and is probably the No. 1 casino game on the Internet.
There's a basic set of rules applying to all versions of blackjack. Generally, always
stand on 17 or better, hit on 12 through 16 when the dealer shows 7 or higher and hit on 8
or less.
You should always double down on 11, on 10 when the dealer shows 9 or lower and on 9 when
the dealer shows 6 or lower. Always split aces and 8's, and split 3's and 2's when the
dealer shows a 4, 5, 6 or 7.
There are many tactics that increase your odds of winning. For example, if your cards
total 12 to 16, that's the danger zone, and whether you draw or not depends on what the
dealer is showing.
No matter what the dealer is showing, always assume there's a 10 hidden. When you have a
soft 17 or 18, it's a good idea to draw another card if the dealer shows anything from a 9
to an ace.
If your first two cards are equal to 11 or less, always draw another card. If the dealer
has a card showing between 2 and 6, you should not draw another card except when you have
12 and the dealer is showing a 2 or 3.
Since the dealer's up card is so important, assume a 10-value card is underneath
before deciding what to do. In a multiple deck game, always spilt aces and 8's, but don't
split 4's, 5's or 10's.
Always stand on a soft 19 and 20, but double down on a soft 13 through 18 when the dealer
shows 4, 5 or 6.
There's no need to buy insurance because it's nothing more than a side bet that the dealer
with an ace showing has a 10 in the hole. With normal card distribution, the 2-1 payoff is
8 percent against you -- not a good bet.
You are wagering the dealer will have 21. Remember, you're playing to beat the dealer, not
that he will beat you.
The only time the odds lean toward you is if you're a keen observer and have a good idea
there are fewer than twice as many non-10's than 10's. |
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