How To Play Blackjack ... And Make A Fortune

Blackjack, or at least a version of it, dates back to seventeenth century France. Each player receives two cards, and can then refuse (stand) or accept (hit) one or more cards. The aim is to get as close to 21 without going over (busting). Each card simply counts as its face value, pictures cards are worth 10, and aces are worth 1 or 11.

In casino blackjack, each player is competing against the dealer. The dealer gives each player two cards, and gives himself one card face up and one face down. Players chose to hit or stand depending on their own pair of cards and the dealer’s visible card. Before dealing begins, each player puts up a stake, say $10. If the player gets closer to 21 than the dealer, then he wins an additional $10, but if the dealer gets closer then he takes the player’s stake. If the player gets 21 with just two cards (a ten/picture card and an ace) then he wins $15 dollars rather than just $10. In some versions of the game, if the player has an ace of spades and jack of spades or clubs he wins $100. This is the origin of the term blackjack.

As you might expect, a draw means that no money changes hands, but there is one exception to this rule. If the player and dealer both bust, then the dealer wins! This gives the house a major advantage, but there are a series of playing options which do not exist in schoolyard pontoon, but which are a vital crutch for the casino gambler. For example, having received his first cards, if the total is 11 or less, then the player can double his stake and receive just one more card – this is known as ‘doubling’. Alternatively, if a player receives two cards of the same value, he can double his bet by separating the pair to create two new hands – this is known as ‘splitting’. Also, there is the possibility of surrendering in Vegas, an option that does not exist in Britain. This means that if the player has a pair of bad cards (e.g. total = 16) against a dealer’s strong card (e.g. an ace), he has the option of abandoning any chance of winning that hand and forfeits half his stake. This is better than playing on and probably losing the entire stake.

Mathematicians and computer scientists have worked out the optimum strategy for playing blackjack, and an expert player who follows this strategy, wisely exploiting the doubling, splitting and surrendering options, can almost break even against the dealer. However, with the additional information that can be gained from card-counting, the player can actually make a profit.