A good blackjack player with a solid foundation of basic strategy can actually affect the odds in this interesting game of chance, just by using his head. Blackjack, in fact, is the best way to use your know-how to tilt the odds in your favor.

There is a lot of good information out there for getting a good blackjack strategy that works. You could, in fact, spend years learning it all, but a little goes a long way, as they say. Even players who don’t count cards can pick up enough strategy to bring an advantage to the table.

The first thing a serious-minded blackjack player must do is memorize strategy charts for both single deck blackjack and multiple deck blackjack. These tables chart the best decisions for every possible contingency, giving you the highest probability to win in every situation. They are always first and foremost in any successful long-term blackjack player’s bag of tricks.

Another widely-employed blackjack strategy is card counting. This is a way to track all the cards so you more or less know which cards are left in the deck. It allows you to predict the likelihood of receiving the card you need.

Card counting is complicated and demanding, which explains why most players just don’t bother. It requires months, even years, to master, even with continuous practice. On top of that, it’s frowned upon (to say the least), so the player who counts cards must also find ways to seem to be just a casual player.

There are several card counting systems, but in every one the goal is to get a positive count, which means mostly low cards have been played, leaving the deck with a high percentage of large cards. Such a player finds himself with a definite mathematical advantage and will lean into the bets at that point.

Other items in your basic blackjack strategy bag of tricks might include learning dealer tells, such as tics, facial expressions or gestures that enable you to “read” the dealer”s mind, shuffle tracking (which is like card counting, but even harder to master), learning how to scout out the good tables and players to your advantage (eg., not surrounding yourself with a bunch of drunks and slow card players), wise money management at the table (eg., don’t play at a table with a 5% larger minimum than your own total), tipping the dealer (always a good practice), developing an honest awareness about your own strengths and weaknesses, and dedication to the game over a long period of time.

Time, dedication, a willingness to study and especially practice and experience are all invaluable tools to toss into the mix. Without them, and a good deal of plain old stubbornness as well. you’ll never be an expert blackjack player, only an aficionado.

By Andrew Saari
Andrew Saari will show you how to beat the odds and the casinos. Win at any blackjack game easily. The Ultimate Blackjack
System.