5 Easy Tips for Winning at Blackjack

 5 Easy Tips for Winning at Blackjack

Do you dream of trying your luck at a casino table? Ever dreamed of playing the perfect hand in a casino? You can win with a little practice and a lot of luck. I was like many first-timers. I was overwhelmed by all the gaming tables and myriad slots/gaming machines. I was fortunate to have attended a dealers course. This is a mini-version that the school offers to future dealers. It was quite eye-opening. Brian Rogers is Graton's blackjack expert. I was taught enough to play confidently even though the game was unfamiliar to me. Rogers has over thirty years of gaming industry experience, having worked in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and now at Graton. Rogers had trained more than 800 people to become dealers before Graton was opened in 2013. Rogers still manages the dealer school and assists in table games operations.

Brian welcomed us with a winsome smile and assured us we were in for a wonderful time. He told us that blackjack has the best odds of winning among all the slots and games in the casino. An experienced blackjack player has a nearly equal chance of winning against a house. Brian explained that the house has an average of 55 wins per 100 hands against a skilled blackjack player. But the cards don't realize that the number of times you win is greater than the number you lose. Blackjack is an easy game to learn, and it is very social, making it a great choice for those who want to have fun and win. Brian is a "people person". This personality makes him the best dealer. He can relate to players and make them feel comfortable. This is important for a business that is people-oriented like a casino. I was curious to know more about the game so Brian gave me his five best tips for blackjack, as well as some helpful tips for beginners.

5 Best Tips for Winning at Blackjack

Keep learning Basic Strategy. The player should assume that any card they cannot see is a 10. Statistics show that this is the case. Cards 2-9 are considered face value. But 10, jack and queen are worth 10 point. Aces are unique because they can be used in either a 1 and a 11. Basic strategy charts can be used to guide you in your decision making. The chart will give you the best times to hit or stand, double down, split, and double-down. While this does not guarantee that you will win, it can greatly improve your odds of winning. These charts are available online. Many casinos also allow you to purchase pocket cards you can use while playing. Fun apps are available to download and use on your phone. Use hand signals to communicate with the dealer. Dealers are not allowed to give verbal commands to the players. If the dealer wants to "hit your hands" (deal another hand), you can use your hand "scratch" to move the cards between you and the table. You can "stand" (keep all the cards and not receive any more) by holding your hand perpendicularly to the table. Then, wave your hand from side to side and palm down. You can double-down by placing chips equal to or lower than your original betting amount and using one of your fingers to get one card. Or, if you'd like to split the pot, you can place chips equal to your original stake and then make a "peace sign" with your fingers, extending it towards your cards without touching them.

When your first two cards total 11, double your bet and always split pairs of 8's and aces...remember that you are betting on a 10.

Never split 10-value cards or a pair if you have a pair of 5, Play two 5's as a 10. While two 5's could result in two 15’s, two 5’s should be played as a 10. Playing two 5’s as a 10 will give you a good chance to get a 10, which can lead to a 20, when you hit.

Blackjack flows in streaks. Brian suggests increasing your bet to maximize your winning streaks (three or more wins in a row) while you still have the streak. Reduce your bet if you start losing. People make the common mistake of waiting too long to cash in before they stop playing. To walk away with your money, set a goal. Once you have reached that goal or doubled it, cash in your chips and then walk away. Refrain from playing, as your luck may change and you could lose all of it.

Sign up for any casino rewards program. You earn points for how long your play and how big your bets are. The rewards are not based upon how much you win. Blackjack Strategy