Winning at Blackjack!

[najisami]

As one of the most popular table games, blackjack attracts all kinds of players: gamblers, poker players, amateurs and even drunk people just looking to have fun. But how easy is it to consistently make money (At least some) playing it?

The most known method to help "reduce" the house edge is to utilize the "Basic Strategy" chart (Allowed in most casinos).
The most effective (Apparently) is counting cards, not likable by casinos, but not illegal.

I think the combination of both can certainly help making the game profitable, otherwise we would never hear about professional Blackjack players, assuming that they're using those 2 methods.

Do you know of any other strategies or technique to help beat the game?

 

[Igor G]

I never used any strategies when playing blackjack. But I played more for fun and improvised. Playing blackjack is fun, but personally, in most cases, I didn't manage to make any money.

 

[S3mper]

Hole carding and sequencing /Shuffle tracking are a couple advanced strategies card counters use.

Hole carding is simply when there's a weak dealer that accidentally flashes a card. There are charts to deviate from basic strategy based on what the dealers hole card is that they use.

Shuffle tracking is possible when the dealers hand shuffle decks. Card counters can target specific 'slugs' of the deck (When a lot of Aces/tens are lumped together) and since they know that slug is favorable to the player, they increase their best.

Sequencing is tied to shuffle tracking - The card counter memorizes specific key cards that will come before the Aces and after seeing these cards increase their bets in anticipation of the Aces.

Something anyone can try - although it probably won't decrease the house edge to +EV alone, it can generate higher comps. When playing rated and the pit is walking around writing down bets to rate your play (What they determine comps on) bet larger, so to the comp system it looks like you're playing bigger than you are.

 

[enno]

Think the only to win in the long run is by counting cards. I can remember dealing on the high limit tables years ago at the Calgary Stampede and it was so easy to spot a card counter - there were two or three players playing on different tables betting the minimum and if one them found the count in his favour, he would call his partners over to take over the table and bet maximum, even asking other normal players to relinquish their spots.

 

[najisami]

I never used any strategies when playing blackjack. But I played more for fun and improvised. Playing blackjack is fun, but personally, in most cases, I didn't manage to make any money.

Well, like you said, when you play for fun, don't expect to make any money. Blackjack is indeed a game where you can have a lot of fun. Some people can afford to lose certain amounts for the sake of good time. On the other hand, there are serious players, even professionals who use mathematically prepared and proven strategies to end up winning on the long term.

 

[najisami]

Think the only to win in the long run is by counting cards. I can remember dealing on the high limit tables years ago at the Calgary Stampede and it was so easy to spot a card counter - there were two or three players playing on different tables betting the minimum and if one them found the count in his favour, he would call his partners over to take over the table and bet maximum, even asking other normal players to relinquish their spots.

That's the problem with counting cards in Blackjack. Even if you're good at it, it's very tough to work by yourself, it's always better to have a team.

 

[Sunz of Beaches]

That's the problem with counting cards in Blackjack. Even if you're good at it, it's very tough to work by yourself, it's always better to have a team.

And this cannot get you into trouble if the casino does ralize it? highly doubt they like such "teams". professional poker player phil Ivey did something similar together with a partner which brought them into huge trouble. Although in a different game. if i remember correctly it was craps.

 

[S3mper]

And this cannot get you into trouble if the casino does ralize it? highly doubt they like such "teams". professional poker player phil Ivey did something similar together with a partner which brought them into huge trouble. Although in a different game. if i remember correctly it was craps.

Card counting is legal they will just kick you out or sometimes just back you off (allow you to stay but no more Blackjack) Ivey was edge sorting on baccarat - There's absolutely no way he should've lost any of those cases. That was theft by the casinos thanks to judges who know nothing about gambling or advantage play. (Or corrupt judges)

Card counting (in the States) has lots of precedent as a legal and allowed form of gambling so it would be much harder for the casinos to 'steal' money from them like they did from Ivey. In fact, in New Jersey a famous card counter Ken Uston sued a casino in New Jersey and won and since then casinos in NJ can't kick out or even backoff card counters. What they do instead is change the table rules when they see a card counter. Such as flat betting etc

 

[R.Melnyk77]

Personally, I know quite a few players who consistently make money playing poker. At the same time, I don't know anyone who consistently makes money playing blackjack. In my opinion, it is much more difficult to make money playing blackjack, considering that your direct opponent will be the casino.

 

[najisami]

Personally, I know quite a few players who consistently make money playing poker. At the same time, I don't know anyone who consistently makes money playing blackjack. In my opinion, it is much more difficult to make money playing blackjack, considering that your direct opponent will be the casino.

Hi Melnyk,

Just like in poker, there are indeed a lot of Blackjack professional players who do make money consistently. But like in poker again, there are many factors involved, strategies, discipline, BR management etc... You can easily look it up.

One of them for example, Mr. Blackjack, is the one who's presenting the new added free course here at CC. Check it out if you're interested and get some VIP chips too:

The Blackjack Academy - Learn Blackjack Free From a Pro

Learn blackjack in 70 video lessons from professional blackjack player Mr Blackjack with Casino.us's Blackjack Academy.

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[infonazar]

I don't think counting cards in an online game is relevant
But the basic strategy can yield good results, provided that the player is disciplined, patient, experienced, and, most importantly, not greedy.

 

[IPlayToWin]

I remember few years ago I played blackjack at BetOnline, and I didnt had any strategy.
You need to count the cards, and to know when to take your risk.
Honestly two times in a row I raise from 10$ to more than 100$.
Patience of course it's a part of blackjack.
As well the placed money in the bet it's part of the game you need to know when to bet small, and when to place little bit large.
Poker is better, and I never change poker for blackjack only sometimes for fun.
I understand players who is playing blackjack it's a good game, and roulette sometimes is interesiting.

 

[CNXRegie]

Hole carding and sequencing /Shuffle tracking are a couple advanced strategies card counters use.

Hole carding is simply when there's a weak dealer that accidentally flashes a card. There are charts to deviate from basic strategy based on what the dealers hole card is that they use.

Shuffle tracking is possible when the dealers hand shuffle decks. Card counters can target specific 'slugs' of the deck (When a lot of Aces/tens are lumped together) and since they know that slug is favorable to the player, they increase their best.

Sequencing is tied to shuffle tracking - The card counter memorizes specific key cards that will come before the Aces and after seeing these cards increase their bets in anticipation of the Aces.

Something anyone can try - although it probably won't decrease the house edge to +EV alone, it can generate higher comps. When playing rated and the pit is walking around writing down bets to rate your play (What they determine comps on) bet larger, so to the comp system it looks like you're playing bigger than you are.

I still don't understand... Today I only learned about "Surrender" -- when to surrender, and "Split" -- what are the cards to split and not to split.

Good thing casino.us has an App. Now I can bring the "Blackjack Academy" anywhere using this app. And I can easily use it to complete the scavenger hunt 😉🎯💸.

 

[najisami]

I don't think counting cards in an online game is relevant

Yeah, that's true. And even in some casinos now, where they introduced the automatic shufflers, counting would not be of any help.

So, if you know how to count, better stay away from those .

 

[najisami]

I remember few years ago I played blackjack at BetOnline, and I didnt had any strategy.
You need to count the cards, and to know when to take your risk.

Counting cards when playing Blackjack online is no help. The cards are shuffled continuously, so you cannot track aces or face cards.

 

[Rost]

I have only played blackjack a few times in my life, and I played for play money. The game seems pretty simple, and I didn't find it particularly exciting, unlike poker. I think you can be a profitable player in this game if the dealer is your neighbor, brother, or friend.

 

[najisami]

I have only played blackjack a few times in my life, and I played for play money. The game seems pretty simple, and I didn't find it particularly exciting, unlike poker. I think you can be a profitable player in this game if the dealer is your neighbor, brother, or friend.

lol, I really don't think the dealer has anything to do with it, just like in poker. Let alone the very sophisticated security systems used in the casino.

 

[najisami]

. The game seems pretty simple, and I didn't find it particularly exciting, unlike poker.

I'm almost sure no one would agree that poker is more exciting than Blackjack. in which the pace is way faster and the hands barely take between 1 and 2 minutes to complete, depending on the number of players at the table.

 

[Debi]

Very few players use card counting on the low limit tables any of us would play on. It is very intense and literally takes all of the fun out of playing for the casual players. I would leave it to the high stakes pros.

I like to enjoy the game and engage with the other players. You can use basic blackjack strategy to optimize the game. You may or may not win as in every other casino game.

 

[john_entony]

Blackjack is definitely my favorite game (except poker and all its variants)! The game is quite simple (you need to get 21 points, but not more, or 20 points or less), but to win is not so easy. I played this game every evening with my father when I was 7-12 years old. So beating my father was like beating the casino now in terms of emotions. I can say that my main tool is not card counting, but intuition. Yes, I like creativity in card games. However, I also often use intuition in poker.

 

[Newzooozooo]

I don't know any other strategies. And I don't use the two you described. I don't know how to count cards, and even if I did, I don't think I would be allowed to do so while playing at a casino. As for the other ‘basic strategy,’ I think it makes sense to familiarise yourself with it. It might be better to use it than to play without any strategy at all.