Julian's No-Nonsense Guide to Winning Blackjack

Julian's No-Nonsense Guide

to Winning Blackjack by

John F. Julian

9?aone 9?ress

fP.o. CJ30x 610

ff:xn6rook, CJ'{Y'11565

This book is dedioated to: Fatoh L. Cone a kid I love, and

AP my gracious editor

(0) 1992 by Paone Press

All rights reserved Except for appropriate use in critical reviews or works of scholarship, the reproduction or use of this work in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, and in any information storage and retrieval system is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. ISBN 1- 882173 - 00-7

Printed in the United States ofAmerica

9?aone 9?ress 9?O. CJJox 610 ~n6rookf lJCl11565

Contents:

1.

The Truth About Blackjack

1.

2.

How Blackjack is Played

9.

3.

Basic Blackjack Strategies

18.

4.

Card Counting

54.

5.

Face Up or Double Exposure Blackjack

69.

Triple or Multiple Action Blackjack

76.

7.

The Sprint Strategies

79.

8.

Scan Techniques for the Single Deck Game

90.

9.

Your Blackjack Bankroll

95.

10.

The Ultimate Blackjack Test

99.

6.

Appendix:

Recommended Books, Magazines, and Blackjack Newsletters

114.

Chapter One

The Truth About Blackjack You've seen the advertisements. You've heard the hyperbole: You can win thousands a day at blackjack! Quit work, play blackjack and become a millionaire! Low investment! High return! Become a blackjack professional! Beat the casinos every day! Play blackjack! The sky's the limit on blackjack wins!

Perhaps you have even read some of the book titles: Blackjack Your Way to Riches! Blackjack Super Gold! Million Dollar Blackjack! Playing Blackjack as a Business!

Well, I hate to burst your bubble but most of the blackjack hype is just that - hype. Sure, there are some blackjack games that can be beaten, but most can not. So why then is the hype so overpoweringly glowing when it comes to this most popular of casino games? There are two

1

answers to this question; the fIrst is simple, the second is complex. First: would you buy a book that promised you losses? How about books titled... The Experts Losing Blackjack Formula! Blackjack Your Way to Poverty! Blackjack Super Glop! Bankrupted by Blackjack!

I doubt if you would waste your time or money on such titles. Yet, for most players - and I mean competent players - the blackjack games they're playing have that expectation: long term losses. Sadly enough, for incompetent players who form the majority of the playing public, most blackjack games are economic suicide. So why do writers, myself included, continue to push upon the public the notion that blackjack is a game that can be beaten? Because blackjack is a game that can be beaten • given the right rules, playing conditions and player expertise! That's why there is so much hype in the titles of otherwise intelligent and thoughtful books. Blackjack can be beaten but only by experts playing perfect strategies and only at select games. These games, however, are not found everywhere. In fact, no two casinos are alike. Sometimes in a give~ casino no two tables are alike. Thus the truly expert player must know which games to play and exactly how to play them, and which games to avoid if he wants to get an edge. But with this edge then, he will make a million right? Wrong.

2

Today's blackjack game is a radically different affair from the golden age of blackjack (the late 50's, 60's and early 70's) when some players and playing teams actually did make phenomenal profits. Before the card counting explosion of the mid-60's, certain professional card casers were able to win handsome sums of money from the casinos playing long hours and almost everyday. The casinos either didn't know or didn't care that these few individuals were winning consistently. That was because no one really understood the nature of the casino game of blackjack. These card casers had intuitively hit upon the notion that certain cards were good for the players and certain cards were not and they bet and played according to their sense of what cards remained in the deck. However, with the publication of Edward O. Thorp's book Beat the Dealer in the mid 60's, the face of blackjack was forever altered. The card counting revolution had begun. What Thorp did was nothing short of visionary. He created from computer simulations the first card counting systems. Anned with these, Thorp was able to beat the casinos handily. And anyone who was capable of playing Thorp's system could beat the casinos, too. Shortly thereafter, more books with better card counting systems (by better I mean easier to remember and apply) hit the book shelves of America and the casinos began to take counter measures. Some of these counter measures concerned the rules and procedures of the game, and some of them concerned the card counters themselves! The early Las Vegas blackjack game was a card counter's dream: a single deck dealt to the very last card. Even non-counting basic strategy players had a slight edge over the house on the very frrst hand. ( Basic strategy is a

3

single set of predetermined rules for the play of each hand. See chapter three.) However, now the casinos that continued to offer single deck games began to shuffle up more and to penetrate less deeply into the deck. With poorer penetration, the single deck game became more difficult to beat. Other casinos initiated double deck games with the same shuffle procedures and poor penetration.

However, the biggest change, and the one that to this day makes most blackjack games a waste of a serious player's time, involved the incorporation of the multiple deck games. These games were dealt out of a shoe, a box that holds cards for dealing, and players were now facing games of four, six and, horror of horrors, eight decks! These games, with poor penetration, are virtually unbeatable in the long run. So the current state of blackjack does not favor the player, even the most skilled player, if that player does not choose his games wisely. But suppose our highly skilled player does choose his game with wisdom and care, surely he can "make a million?" Unlikely. I know several people who make their living playing blackjack. That is all they do to make money - play blackjack. They don't write books or publish newletters or design computer software about the game. They don't own and operate blackjack schools or hold seminars or give private instruction in the finer points of the game. No, they just play it - and flawlessly at that. It's not an easy life. Once the glamor of the casino wears thin (and it does quite quickly), the blackjack professional is left facing long, tideous hours grinding out small wins on an irregular basis to sustain him.

4

But surely they must be capable of winning a million if they are so good? Capable - yes. Allowed - no! The casinos that tolerate card counters let them play only if they're betting small, usually $5.00 chips and not too many of those. No matter how skilled you are, you can not win a million if you can not bet big. That is even if the casino will let them play. Many casinos just ban them. As unAmerican and despicable as it sounds, the banning of skilled players is the ultimate co un t e r countenneasure. A skilled player can not win if he is not permitted to play. Thus those who wish to make their living playing blackjack face three giant hurdles on their road to riches: 1. finding a beatable game 2. being able to play it without being banned 3. having enough of a bankroll to sustain one's game and one's life during the inevitable losing streaks. And don't delude yourself, even the best player on the planet has losing sessions. One friend of mine, a skilled pro who can practically memorize every card that comes out of a single deck, once lost for six straight months! For even with the best game, with the best rules, and a friendly and unafraid casino - you can still lose. The edge that a skilled player has is on the order of one percent or thereabouts. It's not much. Over endless days and endless hands, yes, this edge must win for the player. But you're not necessarily going to win today or tomorrow for that matter.

5

In the summer of 1991, the Maxim Casino in Las Vegas offered the ultimate game: a single deck with only one card not shown to the player! They offered this game for a couple of months and were very tolerant of card counters. Well, needless to say, skilled players from all over decended on the Maxim's two tables. It was, in the words of one of my friends: "A counters' convention!" Despite this perfect game, some counters still lost. So remember this in your pursuit of the blackjack treasure: the edge of a skilled player exists over time and even in the most advantageous game, it is slight. That's the bad news. The good news is actually wrapped up in the bad news. You can beat the game of blackjack if you learn how to play a wise, controlled game with perfect strategy. And the more you play the game, the greater will be your chances of coming home a winner. That's called the long run factor. Of course, most people don't have the time or the inclination to play blackjack in casinos on a regular basis. Most people just go for an occasional weekend or weeklong trip. So why should these individuals learn to play properly if they aren't guaranteed a win? Why shouldn't they just go to a casino and pray that Lady Luck is in their comer? Ernest Hemingway said it best in The Old Man and the Sea. An elderly fisherman thinks about his situation and speculates on the nature of luck vs. skill. "But, he thought, I keep them [fishing lines] with precision. Only I have no luck any more. But who knows? Maybe today. Every day is a new day. It is better to be

6

lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then when luck comes you are ready." If Ernest Hemingway's "old man" were a gambler, he would be a good one. One of the secrets to successful play is to keep your losses to a minimum, so that when luck comes your way, as it inevitably must, you will be able to go from the red to the black. Unfortunately, too many players fall so far behind because of their poor play that when luck shines on them they can not recover their losses. If you play an exact game, a perfect game, you should always be within shooting distance of a win. And that is why even occasional players should take the time to learn basic strategy. Improper blackjack play is worse than playing the slot machines!

Now, this book is designed to do several things for you. If you've never played blackjack before, it will explain the game and the rules you will encounter. Once you know how the game is played, I'll set out the basic non-counting playing strategies you must learn to cut the casino edge to its minimum. Then I'll describe a simple but powerful card counting system and explain some variations in basic strategy that go along with it. In addition, for those of you who don't want to take the time to learn how to count cards but do wish to vary your play and bet aggressively, there will be a section devoted to progressive betting techniques and variations in play for the non-counter. These are called Sprint Strategies and were developed by an expert player. Although I can't guarantee that you'll be a long term winner, I can guarantee you that if you put into effect what you read in this book, you'll be better than 95% of the

7

people playing the game of blackjack beside you at the tables. Also, for those of you who wish to continue your blackjack education, I'll review the various books and newsletters available to you, giving you my recommendations.

8

Chapter Two

How Blackjack is Played You would think: that a simple card game played allover the world would be simple to describe. This just isn't the case with blackjack. Although the basic procedures of the game tend to be the same from casino to casino, state to state, and country to country, the rules vary dramatically from one locale to another.

Card Values Blackjack is played with the standard deck of fiftytwo cards. Except in special promotions, the suits of the cards are of no importance to the game. All cards have their face value (2 = two, 8 = eight, etc.). All picture cards have the value of ten. Thus, in each deck of cards there are four different sets of cards valued at ten: the 10, jack, queen and king. The ace is the most important and most explosive card in the game because it's value can be either one or eleven. And the player decides its value at any given moment in his hand! Hands with an ace as one of the frrst two cards are called soft hands and hands without an ace as one of the frrst two cards are called hard hands.

The Objective The objective of blackjack is to beat the dealer. This can be accomplished in one of two ways. Either having

9

a better hand than the dealer or by the dealer busting (breaking). Busting means that the dealer (or player) has gone over twenty-one. If the player has a twenty and the dealer has a nineteen, the player wins. If the dealer or the player is dealt a ten value card and an ace on the first two cards that is a blackjack or "natural." If the player gets a blackjack and the dealer does not also have one, the player is paid 3 to 2. Anytime the dealer and the player have the same numerically valued hand, it is a tie, called a push in blackjack parlance and the player is not paid

The Typical Game You sit at the table where there are six or seven betting spaces. You hand the dealer, say, a hundred dollars and he gives you a hundred dollars worth of chips, usually divided between five dollar chips (most often red in color) and twenty-five dollar chips (most often green in color). You place a bet in the betting circle in front of you. The dealer, having already shuffled the cards, now begins to deal. He takes the frrst card out of the deck and puts it face down in the discard rack. This is called the burn card. He then deals each player two cards. He deals himself two cards, also. One face up and one face down. All playing decisions made by the player are based on the face up card of the dealer. Now, the player must decide whether to ask the dealer for another card, a hit, or stay with the cards he has, called stand. The player can also decide to do the following with his first two cards: 1. if he has a pair of the same number, the player can split them, put up another bet equal to the first and ask for another card on each of the split cards.

10

2. he can double down, that is, he can put up a bet equal to or less than the amount of money he just wagered on that particular round. He will then receive only one card from the dealer. 3. in some casinos, he can surrender the hand and lose only half his bet. If the player should bust after taking a hit, the dealer will immediately remove both the player's cards and bet from the layout. Should the dealer subsequently bust his own hand, the player still loses. This is the casino's biggest advantage: the player must play his hand first and a double bust (both dealer and player) is a win for the house. In single and double deck games, the cards are dealt face down and a player must hold his cards and gently scratch the felt with them for a hit. In multi-deck games dealt from a shoe, the cards are usually dealt face up and the player must indicate by a hand motion that he either wants to stand or hit. In a hand held game, a player will split his own cards by laying them face up on the table and putting out the extra bet. In face up games, the player indicates he is splitting his pair by putting out another bet and the dealer will split the cards. Once the players have played their hands, it's the dealer's turn. Unlike the player, the dealer does not have any options in his play of the cards, but must stand or hit based on a predetermined house policy. This policy varies but little from casino to casino. The dealer must hit all hands that total sixteen or less, and he must stand on all hands that total seventeen or more. The major variation in this policy concerns soft hands, that is, hands that have an ace. Since an ace can count as either a one or an eleven, some casinos have the dealer hit when he has an ace-6 as his hand and some

11

casinos make him stand. The player has a slight advantage in casinos where the dealer stands on ace-6. When the dealer finishes playing his hand, he either collects the bets from the losers who didn't bust and/or he pays the winners. Then he deals another round.

Rules Variations Today, there are so many rules variations that quite often two tables side by side in the same casino will be offering different options for the players to decide from. For example, as I write this, Atlantic City is experimenting with different game options at some of its tables. Some tables are offering a special payoff for three 7's, 6-7-8 suited, or five card twenty-ones. Some tables are offering surrender. Some are offering the player the option of splitting and resplitting pairs. Still others are offering the option of splitting aces up to three times. Some are even offering games where both of the dealer's cards are dealt face up. (This particular game has its own basic strategy and, believe it or not, is just as difficult to get an edge in because of the payoffs and other rules governing it. See Chapter Five.) Don't panic, none of these options really influences the play of the hands according to basic strategy as described in the next chapter. But they give you some idea of the myriad of options and play involved in the game. There was a time when blackjack writers could write blithely about Las Vegas Strip rules, Downtown Las Vegas rules, Northern Nevada rules, and Atlantic City rules and be fairly confident that when their readers traveled to these casinos, those rules would actually be in effect. This is no longer so. Indeed, one can not be sure from week to week which casinos will have what rules in Nevada, and Atlantic City, as mentioned, is experimenting with a host of new options. There's also a new game called Multiple Action Blackjack which is starting to spread in

12

Nevada. Now, in addition to the above, you have dozens of Indian reservations, riverboats, cruise ships and charitable blackjack games throughout the country, and thus trying to define a set of rules that holds for a given location is pointless. Rather than do so, I will now layout the possible variations in the rules of blackjack that are currently being practiced or discussed and whether these favor the player or the house. Doubling Down: Some casinos allow the player to put up a second bet less than or equal to his current bet on any fIrst two cards. Other casinos limit this option to fIrst two cards totaling a specific number: 11, 10, or 9. As a general rule of thumb, the casinos that allow the most liberal doubling down are better for the players. After you double down, you only receive one card. However, if the dealer has a blackjack, you only lose your initial bet. The second bet is returned to you. Proper use of doubling down is advantageous to the player. Splitting Aces: Most casinos only allow you to split aces once. You must put up a bet equal to your current bet to do so. Then you receive only one card on each ace. However, should you receive another ace on a resplit ace, a few casinos will let you split them again. The splitting of aces favors the player, as does the resplitting of aces. If the dealer has a blackjack you only lose you~ initial wager. Splitting Pairs: If your fIrst two cards are a pair of like value, then you have the option to split them (for an extra bet) and play them as if they are two separate hands, hitting them, standing, etc., as you determine. Some casinos allow the resplitting of pairs three and sometimes four times. That means if you have, say, a pair of 3's and split them and receive a 3 on the first 3, you can replit it. That's a double split. And some casinos allow a third split, should you receive another 3 on a previously split card. If the dealer has a blackjack, you only lose your initial bet. 13

These options favor the player when used properly. When used improperly, pair splitting can devastate a player's bankroll since not all pairs should be split. Unfortunately, some casinos do not allow the splitting of pairs. Avoid those games.

Insurance: When the dealer has an ace as his up card, he will ask the players if they want to insure their hands. That entails putting out a bet that can be up to half of the player's original bet. This is a side bet that the dealer has a blackjack and is paid off at 2 to 1 if it wins. However, the player loses his original bet to the dealer's blackjack in that event and the entire hand actually becomes a push. If the dealer does not have a blackjack the insurance bet is lost. Unless you are counting cards or playing one of the Scan Techniques in Chapter Eight, don't take insurance. Doubling Down After Splitting Pairs: If you split a pair, some casinos allow you to double down after you get your second card on either split card. Used properly this is a very favorable option for the player because it puts more money on the table when the player is in a strong position. Doubling on Three or More Cards: Rarely found option but one that is very beneficial to the player who uses it correctly. Some casinos allow you to double your bet on the first three cards, some on any number of cards. Early Surrender: The player has the option of surrendering his hand after receiving his first two cards and losing only half his bet - even if the dealer had a blackjack! This rule, which is very favorable to the player, is rarely found anymore on a regular basis. Some casinos will offer it as a special once in a while during slow periods to bring players in. Late Surrender: The same as early surrender except if the dealer has a blackjack, you lose your entire bet. Although this rule is favorable to the player, it is only marginally so. 14

No Hole Card Blackjack: This rule is not found in America (yet) but is widely practiced in Europe and some other countries. Simply put, the dealer does not take a second card until every player has played his or her hand. Then the dealer hits himself and plays according to the predetermined rules. A very unfavorable rule for the player because if the dealer gets a blackjack the player who has doubled down or split pairs loses both bets. Six Card Winner: Rarely found rule. You win if you have any total less than twenty-one with six cards. Favorable to the player but occurs so infrequently that it doesn't really . help the player's overall edge. Five Card Twenty-One or Five Card Charlie: If you receive exactly twenty-one with exactly five cards, you win a bonus, usually the casino pays you off at 2 to 1. Favors the player but doesn't happen very often. 7-7-7 Twenty-One: In some eight deck games, if you receive three sevens of the same suit, you get a substantial bonus. More often, however, a small bonus is paid if you get three sevens of any suit as your first three cards. Favorable to the player but rarely happens. This option is not favorable, however, if you are asked to make a side bet to receive the payoff. In addition, in situations that call for splitting 7,7 some players might make the mistake of trying to get a third 7. Such play would favor the casino. 6-7-8 Suited Twenty-One: Another very rare hand, the casinos will pay you two to one if you get a six, seven, eight of the same suit on your fJIst three cards.

Single Deck Game: The most important con~ideration in deciding which games to play is the number of decks. A single deck game with standard rules (doubling on any first two cards, splitting pairs, doubling after splits, dealer stands on soft seventeen, etc.) is a slightly favorable game to the player who employs basic single deck strategy 15

perfectly. As a general rule of thumb remember the following: a single deck game is better than a double deck game which is better than a four deck game which is better than a six deck game which is better than an eight deck game.

Penetration: How deeply the dealer deals into the deck or decks. For a basic strategy player, the number of cards dealt from a deck or a shoe is irrelevant since his strategy never changes. However, to get an edge on the casino, the card counter must play in games that have the deepest penetration. The more cards a card counter sees, the better it is for him. Face Up or Double Exposure Blackjack: This game is starting to appear in casinos across the country. The basic strategy for it is quite different than the basic strategy for regular blackjack. See Chapter Five. Over/Under Bet: Another side bet. The player can decide to bet an extra amount on whether his first two cards will total over 13 or under 13. Aces are counted as one for this bet. Generally unfavorable bet for the player. Dealer Hits Soft 17 ( Ace-6): Unfavorable rule for the player. Gives the dealer a chance to improve his hand by hitting his A,6. Seventeen for dealer or player is not a very strong hand. Multiple Action Blackjack: See Chapter Six. Blackjack Jackpot: A rarely found promotional gimmick, currently being tested at Resorts in Atlantic City. A large progressive bonus ($250.00 +) will be paid to anyone receiving an ace and jack of a given suit on the very first round of a new shoe.

16

The above are the rules you will most likely encounter at major casinos in America, the Carribean and Europe. At certain times of year, some casinos in the hopes of attracting trade will offer other special bonuses. For example, Binion's Horseshoe had a promotion during Christmas where any blackjack was paid off at two to one, instead of the usual three to two: This gave the basic strategy player an edge over the casino. However, knowing this, Binion's limited the maximum bet to $5.00. No one broke Binion's bank during Christmas season, that's for sure.

17

Chapter Three

Basic Blackjack Strategies

For every game of blackjack and for every set of rules, there are basic strategies for the play of every conceivable hand. To memorize every basic strategy for every game and set of rules would be a daunting enterprise for the novice or intermediate player. For example, in the single deck game when the dealer has a 10 value card showing and you have 7-7, the basic strategy is to stand. However, in a mutlple deck game the basic strategy is to take a hit. So the very first decision you have to make is which basic strategy you want to learn. If you intend to do most of your playing in Atlantic City or against multiple deck shoes, then your best bet is to memorize the strategy tables for multiple deck games. However, if you intend to play both single deck games and multiple deck games, which means you intend to play at least occasionally in Las Vegas, then you should memorize the single deck basic strategy. There are, however, more multiple deck games, even in Las Vegas, than single deck. For argument's sake, suppose you do memorize the mutliple deck basic strategy and you suddenly find yourself in a single deck game, will this hurt you? Only slightly. Most of the differences between single and mutliple deck strategies involve hands that don't occur all

18

that frequently. It is better to play one basic strategy perfectly than to play several poorly! How long will it take you to learn the basic strategy you have chosen? That depends on you. However, unless you're going to a casino tonight, a methodical ten day plan for memorizing the basic strategies is presented at the end of this chapter. It will also give you valuable hints on how to memorize if it has been a while since you have done so. Unlike most other forms of casino gambling, blackjack is a game where the player's knowledge can have a profound effect on the outcome. It's worth taking the time to learn to play properly.

Basic Strategy for the Single Deck When basic strategy calls for a hit, it means to hit until you have achieved a hard hand of seventeen or more.

Player's Hard Handi 8

Decision based on dealer's up cardi Double on 5 or 6. Hit against all others.

9

Double on 2 to 6. Hit against all others.

10

Double on 2 to 9. Hit against all others.

11

Always double.

19

12

Hit against 2 3. Stand 4. 5. 6. Hit against aU others.

13

Stand on 2 through 6. Hit against all others.

14

Stand on 2 through 6. Hit against all others.

15

Stand on 2 through 6. Hit against all others. Of

surrender is available, surrender against alD.) 16

Stand on 2 through 6. Hit against all others. or

surrender is available. surrender against aID,) 17

Stand against evetything.

18

Stand against evetything.

19

Stand against evetything.

20

Stand against evetything.

21

Stand against evetything.

Soft Player Hands:

DecisioD based

OD

dealer's up card:

A2

Double on 4, 5, 6. Hit against all others

A.3

Double on 4. 5.6. Hit against all others.

A,4

Double on ,4 5. 6. Hit against all others.

A5

Double on 4. 5. 6. Hit against all others.

A,6

Double on 2. 3, 4. 5, 6. Hit against all others,

&7

Double on 3,4. 5.6. Stand on 2. 7. 8, A. Hit againsta9 or 10.

A.8

Double on 6. Stand against all others.

20

Stand against everythinf:. Player's Pair:

Decision based on dealer's up card:

AA

Split a&$st everything.

2,2

Split 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Hit against all others,

Split 4,5,6,7. Hit against all others. 4,4

Double 5, 6. Hit against all others.

5,5

Double 2 through 9. Hit against all others. Split 2,3,4,5,6. Hit against all others.

7,7

Split 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7. Stand on 10. af swrender is available, surrender against a 10,) Hit

against all others. Split against everything. ar surrender is available, surrender against a 10.) 9,9 10,10

Split 2, 3,4, 5,6, 8 .9. Stand on 7, 10, A. Stand against evetythinf:.

Points to Remember: Soft hands become hard hands when the ace can no longer be used as an eleven or when you've achieved a total of 19. Thus, if you have an Ace-6 and receive a 10, you have a hard seventeen. You would not take a hit on such a hand. Do not insure any hand, including a blackjack, against the dealer's Ace unless you're counting cards or playing one of the Scan Techniques in this book.

21

Refinements to SineJe neck Basic Strateeyi You do not have to incorporate the following into your basic strategy but for those of you who want a little extra edge:

1. Hit 10-2 against the dealer's 4, but stand on any other hard 12 value hand. 2. Hit 10-3 and 9-4 against the dealer's 2 but stand on any other hard 13 value hand. 3. Stand on any three or four card total of 16 against a dealer's 10. 4. Stand on 9-7 against a dealer's 10.

The following refinements to basic single deck strategy are for casinos that allow doubling after splitting pairs:

1. Split 2,2 against a dealer's 2. 2. Split 3,3 against a dealer's 2 or 3. 3. Split 4,4 against a dealer's 5 or 6.

When you split pairs and receive a total 8, 9, 10 or lIon the split hands, follow the doubling strategies. Correct use of doubling and splitting strategies adds to the player's advantage. Obviously, incorrect doubling and pair splitting strategies add to the casino's advantage. Under no circumstances should you deviate from proper basic strategy unless you're counting cards. Players who play

22

based on their "feelings" have the unenviable fate of ultimately "feeling" their wallets get thinner and thinner.

Basic Strategy for the Multiiple Deck Game

Player's Hard Hand:

Decision based on dealer's up card:

8

Hit against everything.

9

Double 3, 4, 5, 6. Hit against everything else.

10

Double on 2 thrpugh 9. Hit on 10 and Ace.

11

Double on 2 through 10. Hit against Ace.

12

Hit against 2, 3. Stand 4, 5, 6. Hit against 7 through Ace.

13

Stand against 2 through 6. Hit all else.

14.

Stand against 2 through 6. Hit all else.

15

Stand against 2 through 6. Hit all else.

or surrender is allowed, surrender against a 10).

16

Sland against 2 through 6. Hit all else.

af surrender is allowed, surrender against 9, 10 and Ace. Don't surrender 8,8 vs. Ace.)

17

Stand against everything.

23

18

Stand against everything.

19

Stand against everything. Stand against everything.

21

Stand against everything.

Player's Soft Hand;

Decision based

A2

Double on 5 and 6. Hit against all else.

A3

Double on 5 and 6. Hit against all else.

A4

Double on 4, 5, 6. Hit against all else.

A5

Double on 4, 5, 6. Hit against all else.

AD

Double on 3 through 6. Hit against all else.

A7

Double on 3 through 6. Stand on 2, 7, 8, Ace.

OD

dealer's up card

Hit 9 and 10.

A8

Stand against everythinf:.

A9

Stand against everything.

Player's PAir;

Decision based on dealer's up card;

AA

Split against everything.

22

Split 2 through 7. Hit against all else.

33

Split 2 through 7. Hit af:ainst all else.

4,4

Split on 5 and 6. Hit against all else.

55

Double on 2 through 9. Hit against all else.

24

6.6

Split on 2 through 6. Hit against all else.

7.7

Split on 2 throuKh 7. Hit aKainst all else. Split against everything. (If surrender i S

allowed surrender against a 10,l

99

Split 2 through 6, 8, 9. Stand against a 7, 10, A.

10,10

Stand against everything.

The Ten Day Guide to Memorizing Basic Strategy

I'm a great memorizer and I remember what I memorize. But I have an otherwise lousy memory. If we were to meet at a party and at the beginning of the conversation you told me your name, by the end of the conversation I would have forgotten it. Yet, ask me to recite the basic strategies for single and multiple deck, and the variation tables for various counts (see Chapter Four) and snap! they'd be right there. The reason for this is twofold: your name in a casual conversation is not that important to me (nor is mine to you) so I don't bother focusing in on it; but basic strategy is the lifeblood of a blackjack player and thus not

only have I taken the time to fully understand it, I've incorporated it into my long term memory banks. Basic strategy sits in my memory right alongside my name, my wife's name, my family's names, how to ride a bike and walk. It's a part of my fabric. Indeed, like driving a car, my mind can be elsewhere but I can still play the hands perfectly. No doubt those of you who've been driving for a 25

long time have encountered this phenomenon: you go to work every day, or to some familiar place, and you don't really remember the trip; it's as if another part of your mind takes over the driving, leaving the real you free to listen to the radio or daydream. Or talk to the person next to you. That's the kind Of memorizing you'll need to become an expert basic strategy player. And you've come to the right place. Before I became a gambler, I was an actor and as such I had to commit to memory whole plays in the same amount of time I'm setting out for the memorizing of basic strategy. The following, in my opinion, is the best procedure for memorizing. Always memorize out loud. That's correct. Do not memorize inside your head, it will take you five times as long to do so because your mind will drift off. When you memorize out loud, you are incorporating more than just your internal senses in the effort. Your lips have to form the words, your vocal cords have to push the modulated wind out, your ears hear the word as your inner memory banks start recording this. The more senses you use in memorizing, the more and easier you'll memorize. Also, when you're saying something out loud, you don't have the luxury of drifting off onto other thoughts and images. Another reason for memorizing out loud is that not all your memory banks are in your brain, so to speak. Some of your memories, for want of a better word, are in your muscles, your eyes, your ears. How many times have you needed a piece of paper to remember how to spell something? You had to write the word out before you could spell it correctly. Your brain's memory was actually in your eyes or hands. They knew how to spell the word, even though your verbal memory didn't. I'm not a biologist or neurologist, so I'm not exactly sure what this kind of physiological memory is considered but a rose by any other name tells me that there's more to human memory than the interior repetition of what you desire to remember. So it's out loud.

26

Always memorize standing up and/or walking around. Do not sit comfortably in your favorite chair. That's the perfect way to relax and fall asleep. You don't want to relax, you want to work. The more movement your body does as you memorize, the better. I'm not suggesting running a marathon while holding a copy of this book. The movement shouldn't be distracting or demanding in any way. Just amble about the room, reciting your lessons out loud. When you think you've learned something have someone test you on it - out loud. This is called the embarrassment factor. Knowing that someone is going to ask you questions on your basic strategy will get the adrenaline flowing. The pressure cooker effect will lock in the memory quicker and more solidly. And to even add a little more self-coercion to the necessity for successfully completing the day's assignment, tell the person in advance that one or two hours from now, you want him to quiz you. That's short term motivation not to dawdle on any particular day. Learning to react successfully under pressure as you study basic strategy will allow you to react under the pressure you'll experience the first time you try to play in a casino. Keep in mind that the casino environment is fast paced, loud and hectic. The good blackjack player is like the eye of a hurricane, calm, serene and confident within, while everything without is whirling madly. Once in the morning and once in the evening, go over everything you have learned up to that point. To truly lock something into long term memory, you must dwell on it for a long period of time. You didn't learn how to multiply or add or subtract, or talk on a given night. No, you kept doing it and doing it and doing it, until finally it became second nature. So too with basic strategy. Once in the morning, once at night - at a minimum - go over everything you've learned. You will do this until the basic strategy has become second nature.

27

Once you have successfully passed the tests in this chapter and at the end of this book, then take out a deck of cards and play blackjack a half an hour a day for at least two weeks. Practice your betting. For example, play several hundred hands and, if you've decided to use the Sprint Strategies, see how they work for you.

Follow my advice and you'll have basic strategy down cold. So remember: say everything out loud, move about and review at least twice a day.

OVERVIEW

For both single deck and multiple deck games, you will follow a particular course of action. First you will learn the hard hands, then the soft hands, and then the pair splitting procedures. The left hand side of the page will give you your hand in big bold letters. The right hand side of the page will give you the strategy in small print. If you wish, you can photocopy the page out of the book and fold it down the middle so you can't see the strategy decisions. This wjll help you quiz yourself. At the end of your ten day period, you should get a deck(s) of cards and continue to practice.

28

SINGLE DECK Day One

5,6,7

hit against everything

8

hit against 2, 3, 4 double against 5 or 6 hit against 7, 8, 9, 10, Ace

9

double 2 through 6 hit against 7, 8, 9, 10, Ace

10

double 2 through 9 hit against 10 or Ace

29

Single Deck Day Two

11

always double

12

hit against 2 or 3 stand against 4, S, 6 hit against 7, 8, 9 10, Ace

13

~and

on 2 through 6

hit 7 through Ace

14

stand on 2 through 6 hit 7 through Ace

30

Single Deck Day Three

15,16

stand on 2 through 6 hit 7 through Ace

(if surrender is available, then surrender both 15 and 16 against a dealer's 10)

17, 18, 19, 20, 21

stand

against

everything

When the dealer has an Ace showing, no matter what my hand, even if it's a blackjack, I do not take • Insurance. 31

A BLACKJACK QUIZ

Make sure you can answer the following questions correctly before you move onto the soft hands.

What do you do when

eo •

the dealer shows a 4 and you have a 9? the dealer shows an ace and you have an II? the dealer shows a 6 and you have a 6? the dealer shows a 9 and you have a 10? the dealer shows an 8 and you have an 8? the dealer shows a 10 and you have an II? the dealer shows a 3 and you have an 8? the dealer shows a 6 and you have an 8? the dealer shows a 7 and you have 17? the dealer shows a 9 and you have 18? the dealer shows an ace and you have a blackjack?

32

Single Deck Day Four

A,2; A,3

hit against 2, 3

A,4; A,S

double against 4, S, 6 hit 7, 8, 9, 10, Ace

A,6

double on 2 through 6

hit against 7 through 10

A,7

stand on 2, 7, 8, Ace double on 3, 4, S, 6 bit on 9 and 10

33

Single neck Day Five

A,S

double against a 6 stand against everything else

A,9

stand against everything

A,A

spilt against

everything

* note: when you split aces you only get one c~rd on each ace. Some casinos will allow you to respllt aces, do so. A rule of thumb on splits Is: if the first split Is called for, then a respllt is called for!

34

A BLACKJACK QUIZ

Before continuing, make sure you can answer the following questions correctly.

What do you do when...

the dealer shows a 4 and you have A,6? the dealer shows a 2 and you have A,7? the dealer shows a 7 and you have A,8? the dealer shows a 5 and you have A,5? the dealer shows an Ace and you have A,A? the dealer shows a 6 and you have an A,3? the dealer shows a 10 and you have A,7? the dealer shows a 9 and you have A,7? the dealer shows a 2 and you have A,2? the dealer shows a 4 and you have A,4? the dealer shows a 2 and you have A,6?

the dealer shows a 2 and you have A,S?

35

Single Deck Day Six

2,2

hit against a 2 split against 3, 4, S, 6, 7 hit against 8, 9, 10, Ace

3,3

hit against 2 and 3 split against 4, S, 6, 7 hit against 8, 9, 10, Ace

4,4

hit against 2, 3, 4 double against 5 or 6 hit against 7, 8, 9, 10, Ace

36

Single Deck Day Seven

5,5

double 2 through 9 hit against 10 and Ace

• note: you never split 5, 5 - Instead you treat It as just another 10.

6,6

split 2 through 6 hit 7 through Ace

7,7

spilt against 2 through 7 hit against an 8 or 9 stand against a 10

Note: if the casino allows surrender, surrender against a 10.

37

Single Deck Day Eight

8,8

split against everything

Note: if the casino allows surrender, surrender against a 10.

9,9

stand on 7, 10 and Ace split 2 through 6, 8 and 9

10,10

stand against everything

38

A BLACKJACK QUIZ Before continuing to important variations in single deck strategy, answer all of the following questions correctly: What do you do when...

the dealer shows a 9 and you have 9,9? the dealer shows a 4 and you have 4,41 the dealer shows a 7 and you have 8,8? the dealer shows a 10 and you have 8,8? the dealer shows a 3 and you have 2,2? the dealer shows a 7 and you have 3,31 the dealer hows an 8 and you have 9,9? the dealer shows a 6 and you have 5,51 the dealer shows a 6 and you have 6,61 the dealer shows a 2 and you have 2, 2? the dealer shows a 10 and you have 5,5? the dealer shows a 7 and you have 2,2?

39

Single Deck Day Nine Believe it or not, you're actually finished if you want to be. However, if you really want that edge, the next two days should be spent memorizing the simple variations in strategy that occur when you receive hands of a certain composition and when you play in casinos that allow doubling down after splitting cards. You've come this far, you might as well go the route.

Your hand is

10, 2

hit against a dealer's 4

Note: since this is a 12, normally you'd hit against a dealer's 2, 3 and 7 tbrough Ace. All otber 12's you still do tbis, but on 10, 2 you lose fewer hands by bitting wben a dealer shows a 4.

Your hand is

10, 3 or 9, 4

bit

against

a

dealer's 2 Note: you would stand on any other hard 13 (such as 6,7) against a dealer's 2.

Three or four card totals of

16

stand

against

dealer's 10

Your hand is

9, 6

stand against the dealer's 10

40

a

Single Deck Day Ten The following rules for splitting apply when the casino allows doubling after splits.

2,2

split 2 through 7 hit against everything else

3,3

split 2 through 7 hit against everything else

4,4

split against 5 or 6 hit against everything else

That's it. You now know perfect single deck basic strategy. You can now go to a casino and feel confident that you'll be playing an almost even game against the house. In some cases, particularly in casinos that allow doubling after splits, you might even have a slight edge. Remember to review what you have learned on a daily basis. I strongly recomend that you buy a deck of cards and practice every day until you are thoroughly able to play any hand without hesitation.

41

Multiple Decks Day One

5, 6, 7, 8

hit against everything

9

hit against 2 double 3, 4, 5, 6 hit 7 through Ace

10

double 2 through 9

hit against 10 and Ace

42

Multiple Decks Day Two

11

double on 2 through 10 hit against an Ace

12

hit against 2 and 3 stand against 4, 5, 6 hit against 7 through Ace

43

Multiple Decks Day Three

13

stand against 2 through 6 hit against 7 through Ace

14

stand against 2 through 6 hit against 7 through Ace

15

stand against 2 through 6 hit against 7 through Ace

Note: If surrender Is allowed, then surrender against a 10.

44

Mutliple Decks Day Four

16

stand against 2 through 6 hit against 7 through Ace

Note: if surrender is allowed, surrender against a 9 , 10 or Ace. Do not, however, surrender 8,8 against an ace. Instead, split them.

17,18 19, 20, 21

stand against everything

No matter what hand I have, even a blackjack, I do not take insurance against a dealer's ace. 45

A BLACKJACK QUIZ

Before going to the soft hands, make sure you can answer the following questions:

What do you do when...

the dealer shows a 3 and you have a 97 the dealer shows an ace and you have an 117 the dealer shows a 6 and you have a 67 the dealer shows a 9 and you have a 10? the dealer shows an 8 and you have an 8? the dealer shows a 10 and you have II? the dealer shows an ace and you have a 167 the dealer shows a 7 and you have 15? the dealer shows an ace and you have a blackjack?

46

Multiple Decks Day Five

A,2

hit against 2, 3, 4 double on 5 and 6 hit against 7 through Ace

A,3

hit against 2, 3, 4 double against 5 and 6 hit against 7 through Ace

A,4

hit against 2 and 3 double against 4, 5, 6 hit against 7 through Ace

47

Multiple Decks Day Six

A,S

hit against 2 and 3 double against 4, 5, 6 hit against 7 through 10

A,6

hit against a 2 double against 3, 4, 5, 6 hit against 7 through 10

A,7

stand against 2, 7, 8, Ace double against 3, 4, 5, 6 hit against a 9 and 10

48

Multiple Decks Day Seven

A,S

stand against everything

.A,9

stand against everything

A,A

split against everything

Note: when you split aces you only get one card on each ace. Some casinos will allow you to respllt aces; do so. A rule of thum b on splits Is: If the first split Is called for, then a respllt Is called for.

49

A BLACKJACK QUIZ

Before moving on to your pair splitting strategies, answer the following questions first.

What do you do whenoe. the dealer shows a 4 and you have A,6? the dealer shows a 2 and you have A,7? the dealer shows a 9 and you have A,7? the dealer shows a 7 and you have A,8? the dealer shows a 5 and you have A,5? the dealer shows an 8 and you have A,7? the dealer shows an ace and you have A,A? the dealer shows a 6 and you have A,3? the dealer shows a 2 and you have A,2?

the dealer shows a 5 and you have A,3? the dealer shows a 3 and you have A,6? the dealer shows a 7 and you have A,??

50

Multiple Decks Day Eight

2,2

split against 2 through 7 hit against 8, 9, 10, Ace

3,3

spilt against 2 through 7 hit against 8, 9, 10, Ace

4,4

hit against 2, 3, 4 split against 5 and 6 hit against 7 through Ace

51

Multiple Decks Day Nine

5,5

double against 2 through 9 bit against 10 and Ace

Note: you never spilt 5, 5 - Instead you treat it as Just another 10.

6,6

spilt against 2 through 6 hit against 7 through Ace

7,7

spilt against 2 through 7 bit against 8, 9, 10, Ace

52

Multiple Decks Day Ten

8,8

split

against

everything

Note: if surrender is allowed, surrender against a 10.

9,9

split against 2 through 6 stand against a 7 split against 8 and 9 stand against 10 and Ace

10,10

stand against everything

That's it. You now know the basic strategy for multiple decks. I recommend that you purchase several decks of cards and practice daily.

53

Chapter Four

Card Counting Once you've mastered basic strategy, the next logical step is to master card counting. There isn't really very much to learn. You can learn the theory of card counting in less than a half hour. What? Isn't card counting extremely difficult? Doesn't it take tremendous powers of mind to comprehend? Isn't it just for people who are mathematically gifted? No...and no...and, again, no. Learning how to count cards is literally a breeze. Unlike basic strategy, which takes quite a bit of effort to learn, learning how to count cards takes almost nothing. That's the good news.

Here's the bad news. You can learn how to count cards in less than a half hour, but actually doing it successfully in a casino is quite another thing. It is the difference between understanding and execution. Basic strategy, once learned, can be applied effortlessly in any casino. It's rote. But card counting is continuous effort and demands absolute

54

concentration in the casino. Anyone can swing a baseball bat. It's not at all hard to learn to put one hand over another and swing! But that doesn't mean you can hit major league pitching. So, while there really isn't much to learn in card counting, it takes a lot of effort to do. Is card counting for you? If you plan on going to casinos often - weekly, monthly, every few months - and you intend to play several hours at a clip; if you want to turn the tables in your favor; if you want the ego satisfaction of knowing you can do something that very few people can do, then by all means do learn how to count cards. You'll have to spend quite a bit of time practicing at home and, especially, in the casinos. And even when you've learned how to do it and you've done it successfully in casinos, you'll still have to practice occasionally to stay sharp. Counting cards is the intellectual equivalent of being an athlete. Every day is a new day and every day you have to be on the top of your game to win. It took me a week of playing every day to get the hang of it. It took me a year to be able to do it seemingly effortlessly and flawlessly. Today, you would never know I count the cards as I play. I'm chatty and friendly at a blackjack table. I joke around, don't look as if I'm concentrating on the other players' cards and doing figuring in my head, and I'm always engaging the pit bosses and floor personnel in conversations. And I win consistently.

55

The Hi Lo Count The simplest and, in my opinion, best card counting system is called the Hi-Lo. It's easy to remember and relatively easy to execute. It is a one level counting system; that is, cards are assigned a value of +1 or -1 as they come out of the deck. At certain plus numbers the player has an advantage over the house, on negative numbers the house has an advantage over the player. The following are the card values in the Hi-Lo system:

2=+1

7=0

10= -1

3=+1

8=0

Ace =-1

4=+1

9=0

5 = +1 6=+1

The Theory of Card Counting There's no need to go into a detailed mathematical analysis of how card counting was discovered and why certain cards favor the dealer and certain cards favor the player. A short explanation will suffice. If you are mathematically minded, I will recommend in the Appendix several books that go into great mathematical detail concerning the why's and wherefore's of card counting .

56

Small cards favor the dealer when they are in the deck, large cards favor the player. Thus, if five 10's have just come out in a row, the cards remaining in the deck favor the house. However, if five smaller cards (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) have been removed, the remaining cards in the deck favor the players. Card counting is based on a simple premise: bet higher when the deck favors you, bet lower when the deck favors the house. You will lose more of your small bets but you will win more of your big bets. In the long run, your big bets will dictate that you win. Keep in mind, however, that having a deck favor you is not the same as having a guaranteed win. Far from it. In a hundred hands with a slight edge in your favor, you might win one more than you lose. There are a lot of losing hands involved, even when you have the edge. The reverse is also true. When the house has the edge, you will not necessarily lose. You will just lose slightly more often than you win on average. I've seen too many people who have learned basic strategy, learned how to count, go to a casino and get blasted out! Afterwards, they complained that obviously card counting doesn't work because they lost! Not so. Card counting is a long run proposition. The more hours you put in, the better your chances of being ahead. Card counting is a marathon, not a sprint. It's really geared for people who expect to put the time in. Based on our Hi-Lo count, if three more plus value cards come out of the deck than minus value cards,

then the deck is considered +3. In a single deck game, that is a favorable deck for the player. It means that there are literally three more 10 value cards in the deck than small cards. Why would this favor the player? First of all, it makes a blackjack more probable. Although the dealer and

57

player each have the same opportunity to get the blackjack, when the player gets it he is paid 3 to 2. Second, although the dealer will get slightly better hands overall, when he does get a bust hand (12 through 16), he must hit and he has a better chance of breaking. When the player gets a bust hand, the player doesn't necessarily have to hit it. There would be some major deviations from basic strategy, for example, in a +3 count in a single deck. One would concern the efficacy of hitting a 12 against a dealer's up card of 2 or 3. Basic strategy says you always hit it but in a +3 situation, the player would stand. On the other hand, if three more 10 value cards came out of the deck than small cards, the count would be a -3. This is unfavorable to the player because now when the dealer hits his bust hands, he has a better chance of not busting. In addition, in minus counts there are fewer probable blackjacks. You will have to develop your own procedure for counting cards. Some counters count as soon as they see the card appear in a face-up game, others wait until the frrst two cards are dealt to each player. I prefer this latter way because you can cancel out conflicting pairs. For example, if the player at first base (first position at the table) is dealt a 10,5 then the count is at O. The 10 and 5 cancelled each other out. Say he asks for a hit and receives a 6. The count is now at + 1. In a single deck game, the cards are dealt face down. Thus, you'll have to wait for the players to bust or be paid off by the dealer before you can count their cards. You'll have to find the counting procedure that is most comfortable for you. Do this at home. Play endless rounds and count. My estimate is that within a two week span of daily practice sessions at home, you should be proficient enough to venture ino a casino.

58

Then your real education will begin. It will take you time to learn how to do in a casino what you were doing so effortlessly at home. It's the difference between batting practice and facing a real pitcher. But you can do it. Like anything it just takes time. Here's a quick quiz. The dealer is dealing a face up game. He deals the following cards to the players: Player One: Ace,4 Player Two: 5,6 Player Three: 9,7 Player Four: 3, 2 Player Five: 10, 8 Player Six: 7,2 Player Seven: 10,4 Now, what is the count?

+4

How did we arrive at it? Player one's ace and 4 cancel each other out ( the ace is -1, the 4 is + 1 = 0). Player two's 5 and 6 are both worth a +1; thus you have +2. Player three's hand is equal to 0 because neither 9 nor 7 has a point value in the Hi-Lo count. Player four has two +1 cards (a 3 and a 2) for +2. Now, you add this + 2 to the previous balance +2 and the count is now + 4. Player five's hand is worth -1 (a 10 0). Now, the count stands at +3.

59

= -1;

an 8

=

Player six has a 7 which equals 0 and a 2 which equals +1. Thus, the count is at +4. Player seven has a hand that cancels itself out (10 = -1; 4 = +1). The count remains at +4. Now, the players will take their hits. As they hit their hands, the count will invariably go up and down. However, let us say that at the end of this particular round of play the count is still at +4. Let us also assume that we're playing a single deck (I'll explain why later). Although a single deck game would not have been dealt face up, at the end of a round you would have an exact count. At a +4, what would you do? The deck favors you by four more high cards. This is a good advantage. You would bet more. If the casinos would allow it, you'd make the biggest bet you could afford to make without getting heart palpitations. However, in the real casino world, you'd try to increase your bet at least triple what it was before (if not five or six times as much). The criteria for increasing your bets would be threefold: 1. How much money you can afford to lose. 2. How much of an advantage you have as detennined by your plus count.

3. How much the casino will let you get away with before they start noticing you. This third is very important because you can't win if they don't let you play. If you're a $5.00 bettor and you suddenly increase your bet to $500.00, you'll likely confront one of two scenarios: either the dealer will shuffle up the cards or you'll be asked to leave. However, if you double your bet or triple it, chances are the casino won't even notice you. Unfortunately, merely doubling or tripling your

60

bet in high count situations is not enough to make you much of a winner. The casinos realize this, too. Once you've learned to count there are different betting and playing strategies depending on whether you're playing single or mutliple decks.

Single Deck Strategies The best possible single deck game is one where they deal out a minimum of two-thirds of the cards; one that allows you to double down on any first two cards, and to resplit pairs and double after splits; one that offers surrender; and one where you're playing head to head against the dealer. Also one where the pit boss is sleeping so he can't see that you're betting the table minimum in all minus count situations and the table maximum on high plus count situations. In such a game as described above, you have a terrific chance at winning BIG. Indeed, you have more of a chance of winning at that game than actually finding that game! You might find the rules, but you won't be able to bet minimum to maximum. You'll also be hard pressed to find many head to head games. Most casinos are crowded places and even in the early morning hours, there will be plenty of people who will be playing. If not, the casino will close down the tables that are empty or have one or two players at them and shift all the players to one or two other tables. Ironically, sometimes the emptiest casinos have the most crowded tables! But there are plenty of single deck games available in Nevada that are worth your time. As I write this, the Frontier, the Golden Nugget, The Four Queens, Binions Horseshoe, the Sands, the Dunes, the Main Street Station (a beautiful and classy hoteVcasino which is on the

61

verge of closing), Circus Circus, the Alladin,' Excalibur, Hacienda, Silver City, Slots A Fun, El Cortez, Fitzgerald's, Golden Gate, Pioneer, Union Plaza, the Rio, Bally's, Casino Royale, Tropicana, Jerry's Nugget, the Opera House, and the Nevada Palace in Las Vegas all have single deck games. In Laughlin you can find single deck games at the Colorado Belle, the Edgewater, Flamingo Hilton, Harrah's, Golden Nugget, Pioneer, Ramada, Riverside, and Sam's Town. In Reno you'll find that Bally's, the Bonanza, Cal Neva, Circus Circus, Clarion, Comstock, EI Dorado, Fitzgerald's, Harold's Club, the Hilton, Horseshoe, Monte Carlo, Nevada Club, Peppermill, Pioneer, Riverboat, Sands, Sundowner, the Virginian, all have single deck games. There are also other single deck games in other parts of Nevada. Unfortunately, not all these games are equally good. You must check their rules and penetration. However, several of the newsletters at the end of this book keep you up to date on playing conditions at all the casinos in America. Subscribing to one or two of these is worthwhile if you intend to play on a regular basis. In the single deck game, you have to concentrate on your bet to count ratio and your playing strategy to count ratio.. There is also something called the true count as opposed to the running count. Let's take this latter concept frrst. The running count is the count as the hands are being played. At the end of the first round of cards in our previous example, the count was + 4. That was the running count.

62

Let us assume that each player averaged three cards for his hand, as did the dealer. That's three times eight hands = 24 cards were played. That's approximately half the deck. You would multiply by two your running count to get a true count of +8. This is a huge edge over the house. It's your true edge. For each percentage of a true count you have approximately a one-half percent advantage over the house. Thus, in a game with the rules described above, you would have a four percent advantage over the house at this moment in a single deck game. In today's blackjack, the rule of thumb is to bet your advantage - if you can get away with it! In other games, with other rules, you might start the game off the top with a slight disadvantage. Thus, you would have to know what this initial disadvantage was before you could figure out exactly what your advantage is during a high true count situation. For example, in a four deck game, you're basically facing a one-half percent disadvantage off the top. Thus, you would have to overcome this on your true count. A true count of + 1 would simply mean that the game is even. A true count of +2, would give the player a one-half percent advantage. Although this sounds like a lot of work, it really isn't. However, to become a competent card counter in a single deck game you don't have to do all this figuring. Simply assume that in a single deck game any plus count is to your advantage and bet that number of units over your minimum bet. (A unit is your minimum bet.) Thus, if your

minimum bet is $5.00, then on + 1 your bet would be $10.00; on + 2 your bet would be $15.00; on +4, your bet would be $20.00 and so forth. This is a conservative betting scheme. A more daring and aggressive one would have you multiply your bets by the count.

63

In a very aggressive bet sizing approach, a +1 would double your bet as before but a plus two would double that. Thus, a +1 would be a $10.00 bet but a +2 would be a $20.00; a +3 would be a $60.00; a + 4 would be a $240.00, and so forth. Obviously, most casinos would pick up on you and you'd find yourself either out on the street or shuffled up on constantly in high count situations. A moderately aggressive betting gambit would be to simply double your previous bet on a win if the count continues to rise, but to keep the bet the same if the count stays the same or decreases but is still positive. The Sprint Strategies (Chapter Seven), will go into various progressive betting strategies for both basic strategy players and card counters. Ultimately, you will decide what betting procedure is best for you. And by best I simply mean what you can get away with, what you can afford and what you feel comfortable with.

Variations in Single Deck Strategies If you count cards, play basic strategy and vary your bet with the count, you will win against a good single deck game in the long run. However, to truly take advantage of your card counting skills you should memorize the following strategy variations in a single deck game. Although there are dozens upon dozens of actual variations based on the count, I will give you just a few that occur over and over again.

64

RUNNING COUNT

VARIATION IN STRATEGY

-lor less

hit 13 against the dealer's 2 or 3

+1 or more

stand 12 against a dealer's 2 or 3 stand 10,2 against 2, 3 or 4 insure all hands against an ace

+2 or more

stand on all 16s against a 10 double Ace-8 against 5

If you look at this simple list of strategy variations, you'll notice that at a +1 or more, you always take insurance. This is the most important variation from basic stategy. Quite often the difference between a winning session in a single deck game and a losing session is the appropriate taking of insurance.

Multiple Deck Strategies Learning to count accurately in a multiple deck game is a two step process. First you must keep an accurate running count but unlike the single deck game, you must convert your running count into a true count by dividing the number of decks to be played into your running count.

65

Suppose in an eight deck game, your running count is +12 and you have played half the shoe; that is, four decks have been played and four decks remain to be played. You true count is + 3. You divided the number of decks to be played by the running count. How do you know how many decks have been played? You have to estimate. This is not very hard to do. Buy eight decks of cards.Take one deck and study it, get a sense of what a single deck looks like. Then take two decks and study that. Have someone quiz you. If you can get within five cards of an accurate assessment, that is sufficient for establishing a reasonable true count. An even simpler strategy is available in many casinos. The discard rack for an eight deck game fits all eight decks rather snuggly. Just judge how many decks have been played by eyeing the discard pile and what portion of the discard rack they have taken up. This is a fairly accurate way to judge. Remember: the true count is arrived by dividing the running count by the number of decks remaining to be played. Thus, if there are two decks in the discard pile, there are six decks remaining to be played. You would divide six into your running count to arrive at your true count! You must remember several other things in multiple deck play. Off the top, the casino has approximately a one-half percent edge on the player. With each point of your true count you gain one-half percent. Thus, a true count of + 1 really means that you are essentially even with the casino. In a case like this you would not raise your bet, nor would you vary your playing strategy. On a true count of + 2, you would have approximately a one-half percent edge on the casino. Personally, I do not change my betting in a +2 true count

66

unless at least half the cards have been played in a multiple deck game. For me, the multiple deck game becomes interesting and beatable when you get into a true count of + 3 or more with a shuffle point of seventy percent. Sometimes you have a long wait before it does so, especially in a six or eight deck shoe.

Variations

TRUE COUNT

. -2 or less

i~

Multiple Deck Strategies

VARIATION IN STRATEGY

don't play; go to bathroom or another table

-lor less

hit 13 against a dealer's 2 or 3

+2 or more

stand on 12 against 2 or 3 double down on 11 against ace stand on three or more card 16 against the dealer's 10

+3 or more

insure every hand against the dealer's ace double down on 10 against the dealer's ace double down on 9 against a 2

67

Card counting into an eight deck shoe, although not overly difficult, can be a waste of time if the shuffle point is less than seventy percent. There are just too many cards left behind the cut card to get an accurate read. You'll find that even when the shuffle point is seventy percent or better, you'll play long stretches where the count doesn't justify any change in betting or strategy. This is why most professional card counters prefer to play in Las Vegas, as opposed to Atlantic City. The latter game is, sad to say, a rip-off. If given the choice, you should play in Vegas. The only truly recommended games in Atlantic City are the rare four deck ones. Currently, both the Claridge and Trump's Castle are offering a good four deck game. The drawback is that these games have $50.00 and $100.00 minimums. You'd need quite a large bankroll to attempt to play in these games. In addition, both games are watched intensely by the casino management. As soon as they see someone jumping bets by a factor of three or four, they'll start to panic and take counter measures. You'll notice on the next round of play the cut card will be fifty percent instead of seventy percent into the shoe. If they really get paranoid (and today's casinos are nothing if not paranoid), they'll shuffle up after every hand.

68

Chapter Five

Face Up or Double Exposure Blackjack Although it's been available for about a dozen years in Nevada, the newest rage in blackjack is a game called variously Face Up Blackjack, See-Thru 21, or Double Exposure 21. Atlantic City is now offering this game and interest in it is high. It is played just like regular blackjack except: 1. both the dealer's cards are face up

2. the dealer usually wins all pushes 3. blackjack pays even money The rules will vary from casino to casino just as they do in regular blackjack. For example, at Tropworld in Atlantic City, all blackjacks pay even money except if they are composed of the ace and jack of diamonds, then they are paid off at two to one. You probably won't find this rule

in many Nevada face up games. Although the dealer wins all pushes, the player wins a blackjack push against the dealer. In the Tropworld game, the player can split cards and double after splits and the dealer stands on a soft 17 (A,6).

69

What follows will be the optimum realistic strategy for face up blackjack. For example, the optimum strategy when the dealer has a 16 and the player has a six is for the player to double down. Very few casinos that offer face up blackjack will allow the player to double on a 5, 6, 7, or 8 because it gives the player too much of an edge. So I'm giving you the optimum realistic strategy against the current Atlantic City rules; however, you will have to adapt that strategy to the rules of the particular face up game you're playing. Some casinos in Nevada won't allow doubling on 9, so if the following strategy calls for doubling, you'll just hit. Another important consideration to remember is that many hands will be automatic losers if you don't hit them. If you have a 19 and the dealer has a 20, you must hit. Otherwise you definitely lose. The same is true if you have a 20 and the dealer has a 20. You must hit and hope for the ace. Player's Hand

Dealer's Hand

Strategy

4

All dealer hands.

hit

5

All dealer hands.

hit

6

All dealer hands.

hit

7

All dealer hands.

hit

8

All dealer hands.

hit

9

4...7,8,9,10,11...17 to 20

hit

5,6...12,13,14,15,16

double

A,A; A,2; A,3; A,4; A,S;

hit

70

10

9,10,11...17,18,19,20; A,A; A;l

hit

4,5,6,7,8...12,13,14,15,16;

11

12

13

A,3; A,4; A,5

double

10,11...17,18,19,20; A,A

hit

4,5,6,7,8,9...12,13,14,15,16

double

A,2; A,3; A,4; A,S;

double

4,5,6...12,13,14,15,16; A,5

stand

7,8,9,10,11...17,18,19,20

hit

A,A; A,2; A,3; A,4

hit

4,5,6...12,13,14,15,16; A,3; A,4; A,5

stand

7,8,9,10,11...17,18,19,20; A,A; A,2;

hit

4,5,6...11,12,13,14,15,16

stand

A,2; A,3; A,4; A,5

stand

7,8,9,10...17,18,19,20; A,A

hit

4,5,6...10,11,12,13,14,15,16

stand

A,A; A,2; A,3; A,4; A,5

stand

15

7,8,9...17,18,19,20

stand

16

4,5,6...8 through 16

stand

7

hit

14

15

71

17

18

19

20

A,A

2,2 and 3, 3

4,4

5,5

A,A; A,2; A,3, A,4; A,5

stand

4 through 16

stand

A,A; A,2; A,,3; A,4; A,5

stand

17,18,19,20

hit

4 through 17

stand

A,A; A,2; A,3; A,4; A,5

stand

18,19,20

hit

19,20

hit

all else

stand

20

hit

all else

stand

11...17,18,19,20

hit

4 through 10; 12,13,14,15,16

split

A,A; A,2; A,3; A,4; A,5

split

4,5,6...12,13,14,15,16,17

split

7,8,9,10,11 ...18,19,20

hit

A,A; A,2; A,3; A,4; A,5

hit

4 through 11...17,18,19,20

hit

A,A; A,2; A,3; A,4; A,5

hit

12,13,14,15,16

split

4,5,6,7,8...12,13,14,15,16

double

72

A,3; A,4; A,5

double

9,10,11...17,18,19,20;

6,6

7,7

8,8

9,9

A,A;A,2

hit

4,5,6...12,13,14,15,16,17

split

7,8,9,10,11...18,19,20

hit

A,A; A,2; A,3; A,4

hit

A,5

stand

4,5,6...12,13,14,15,16,17

split

7,8,9,10...18,19,20; A,A

hit

11...A,2; A,3; A,4; A,5

stand

4,5,6,7,8...12,13,14,15,16,17

split

A,3; A,4; A,5

split

9,10,11...A,A; A,2

stand

18,19,20

hit

4,5,6...8...12,13,14,15, 16...18; A,S

split

7...9,10,11...17;

10,10

A,A; A,2; A,3; A,4

stand

19,20

hit

13,14,15,16

split

20

hit

all else

stand

73

A,2

All dealer's hands.

hit

A,3

All dealer's hands.

hit

A,4

All dealer's hands.

hit

A,5

All dealer's hands.

hit

A,6

All dealer's hands.

hit

A,7

4,5,6,7 ... 12

A,8

A,9

A,lO

l3,14,15,16,17; A,5

stand

8,9,10,11...18,19,20

hit

A,A; A,2; A,3; A,4

hit

4 through 11...17,18

stand

A,A; A,2; A,3; A,4, A,5

stand

19,20

hit

12,13,14,15,16

double

4 through 12...17,18,19

stand

A,A; A,2; A,3; A,4, A,5

stand

13,14,15,16

double

All dealer's hands.

stand

As you can see from the above basic strategy for face up blackjack, there is quite a bit more to memorize and quite a few moves can be considered unorthodox. For example, you'll note that when the dealer has a bust hand, it is recommended that you split a pair of tens. Not many players know to do this, so expect some stares.

74

If you wish to incorporate a count system into your face up game, it cannot be the Hi-Lo since the ace in face up blackjack is not that important a card. Instead, you will use what is called the Hi-Opt count. In this count, you value the 3, 4, 5 and 6 at + 1, the 2,7,8,9, and Ace at 0, and the 10's at -1. For those who wish to pursue the face up challenge, I will have some recommended readings in the Appendix.

75

Chapter Six

Triple or Multiple Action Blackjack

In December of 1991, the Four Queens Casino in downtown Las Vegas incorporated a new game into its blackjack pantheon called Multiple Action Blackjack, sometimes called Triple Action Blackjack by the players. The Four Queens has subsequently sold the "rights" to other casinos in Vegas and more and more Multiple Action tables are making their appearance on Nevada casino floors. I don't doubt that soon you'll be seeing Multiple Action Blackjack in Atlantic City and elsewhere. The reason for this is simple and not so subtle: the casino has a tremendous edge on the unwary player. Because of the way the game is played many people, who would otherwise know basic strategy, play in such a way as to increase the house edge. First let us take a look at the game. Instead of the traditional blackjack table, with its six or seven betting squares, one per player, the Multiple Action game has three betting circles per player and three hitting squares for the dealer. The game can be dealt from a four, six or eight deck shoe. Players must bet on the first betting circle and then may bet on none, either or both of the two remaining

76

ones. The dealer deals out two cards to the player and only one to himself, face up. The player now plays his hand against the dealer's single card. When the player finishes his hand, the dealer takes a hole card. The dealer now proceeds to play against the first bet only. After hitting/holding, winning or losing that first bet, the dealer now discards all but his original up card. He now gives himself a new hole card and proceeds to play against the second bet. Suppose the dealer shows a 6 and the player has 20. The player has previously placed the maximum three bets. The player stands with his 20 against the dealer's 6. Now the dealer gives himself a hole card, an 8. The dealer now has 14. He takes another hit and gets a 10. He busts. The player has won his frrst bet. The dealer discards his 8 and 10 but keeps his 6, placing it in the second square in front of him - indicating that he is playing his second hand. He now hits again, gets a 5, hits again and gets a 10. He's beaten the players 20 for the second bet. He once again discards his 5 and 10 but keeps his six. He now plays this out against the player's third bet in his third square. What makes Multiple Action Blackjack so favorable to the house is the fact that should the player bust on his first hand he loses all three bets! This has caused many players to play too conservatively, straying from proper basic strategy for fear of busting and losing three hands. Many players have refused to hit any of their potential bust hands (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) against anything a dealer has. This will give the house a huge edge over the player. The other problem concerns splits. If you split a hand you must put out twice as much on all your bets. Now, should you have to double on the split, you must double all the bets. This type of ferocious betting spread has caused many a player to blanche and go for safety thereby improperly playing the hands and giving the casino a hefty profit over the player.

77

So what is the proper strategy for Multiple Action Blackjack? Simple: the regular basic strategy for multiple decks. Do your regular splits, doubles and hits. The fact that you can lose three bets is irrelevant. You shouldn't be playing the game if this triple action is above your means. Remember too, that when you have a strong hand, or a blackjack, you win three times as much. Is this a good game to count cards in? Absolutely. In low counts, you would play only one betting square, in high counts you would play three betting squares and be able to up your bet as high as the casino will allow. But whatever you do, don't change your strategy for playing the hands. The casinos are banking on the players' timidity in the face of a triple loss to increase their take from blackjack. It's tough enough to win when you play perfectly. Played scared, and your worst fear will be realized - they'll wipe you out. And with Multiple Action Blackjack, they'll wipe you out three times as fast!

78

Chapter Seven

The Sprint Strategies by

Julian St. John

( This chapter has been written by Julian St. John, who has developed a series of betting and playing strategies for short term play. The object of these strategies is to give the occasional player methods of capitalizing on hot streaks, whether or not the player counts cards. A shorter version of this essay appeared in the August, 1992 issue of WIN Magazine.)

There are essentially five types of blackjack players: the professional card counter (PCC), the avocational but consumate and consumed card counter with another career (ACCCCC), the recreational card counter (RCC), the recreational basic strategy player (RBS) and, last and least, the morons (MORONS). King Scobe covers this last group sufficiently, hilariously, and insightfully in his new book, The Morons of Blackjack and Other Monsters (Paone Press, $16.95), so there is no need for me to tackle them. This essay is geared to those of you who are in the recreational category or wish to be in that cateory; that is, those of you who count cards and/or play basic strategy in casinos but your trips occur on an irregular and infrequent basis. And you consider yourself a recreational player and not a pro. If you go, say, once a month to a

79

casino or spend a couple of days in one now and again, you're a short term player, a recreational player. I consider a pro to be someone who plays daily

and makes his or her living solely from blackjack; an avocational player to be someone who plays at least 90 days out of the year. Most of your blackjack writers are avocational players. We have to be. Otherwise we wouldn't have time to write aticles and books and give lectures and seminars. We'd be playing blackjack. There's no shame in being an avocational player who has other interests aside from blackjack. There's no shame to being a recreational player, either. To use sporting analogies, the professional card counter is a marathon runner and the avocational player is a miler. The recreational player is a sprinter. While the professional player can play perfect basic strategy, varying his bet sizes and strategic decisions according to the count like a well-programmed, well-conditioned machine and be supremely confident that playing endless hours will ultimately lead him to long term wins, the recreational player can have no such confidence. He isn't in the game for the long run but for short bursts. Are the same strategies applicable to the sprinter as to the marathoner? Yes and no. Yes, because basic strategy for the blackjack player, like good conditioning for the athlete, is the foundation upon which everything is built. And card counting is the equivalent of super-conditioning for the athlete. No, because like sprinting, short run playing is explosive in its fluctuations. It's streaky. and unpredictable.

80

Any recreational card counter can tell you of his pain and chagrin when he find himself losing hand after hand in high count situations with his biggest bets out. Sure, card counting can give you up to a three percent edge in high count situations and over the long haul this will inevitably lead to wins (if the player is sufficiently bankrolled so he doesn't tap out). But what about today? What about right now in that high count situation? What about that very next card coming to you as you ask for a hit? Hell, right now, this minute - you can go down the proverbial tubes. That momentary high count is no assurance of a win,. it only assures you that you are going to have much more money at risk. Thus, I call the following playing and betting strategies Sprint Strategies because they are specifically aimed at the recreational player who is going to face explosive fluctuations in probability during short term play. The object of the Sprint Strategies is simple: reduce losses due to negative short-term fluctuations and increase wins during positive fluctuations. Not too original but nevertheless essential if you don't want to go home a consistently big loser.

Sprinting for the Basic Strategy Player All strategies have underlying assumptions and the Sprint Strategies are no different. These strategies are geared to multiple deck games. They should not be used against single deck games unless you're playing head to head with the dealer and seeing at least seventy-five percent of the cards. In these strategies, you can play one or two hands but each hand is played separately, as if you were two different players. Decisions will be made according to basic 81

strategy with some important exceptions. I'll explain these later. You will be using a form of progressive betting (increasing your bets on wins) with dramatic regressions at appropriate times (that is, taking down your bets to their minimum). An important underlying assumption for strategy decisions will be this: if you and the other players have been winning and have been getting strong hands, the shoe is being depleted of high cards. If you and the other players have been losing consistently because you are busting with three or more cards, then the shoe is being depleted of little cards. You will not be betting based on the latter assumptions but you will be making some changes in your basic strategy decisions because of them. First is the basic strategy betting progression. I have divided this into aggressive and conservative progressions. The basic strategy progression starts with an initial bet of three units at the beginning of a shoe. Keep in mind that a unit of betting is the smallest amount you will wager during the course of a gambling session. You determine what your unit will be based upon your bankroll and your taste. Thus, a unit could be as small as $1.00, if you can find a one dollar table, or as large as you want and can afford to make it. You will not jump into any shoe in progress because if Lady Luck is smiling on you, you'll

want to playas many hands as possible before the decks are shuffled. Your frrst bet, as stated, will be three units. If you win that, your second bet is also three units. If you win that second bet, the progression starts. Your third bet will be five units.

82

Thus, at this point in the progression, you have banked four units from your first two wins. If you win that third five unit bet, you bank it. Now you have nine units in winnings. You now bet another five units. If you win this, you bank three units and make a seven unit bet on the next hand. Your winnings now total 12 units. From this point the progression escalates. If you win your seven unit bet, you bank four and bet ten units. You now have 16 units in winnings. If you win this, you bank all ten units. You have 26 units in winnings. Your next bet is also ten units. If you win this bet and you are the conservative type, you bank your ten unit win and an additional seven units from your bet and start the progression over again with a three unit bet. You have won a total of 43 units with a seven step progression. Had you flat bet three units consistently during a seven win run, you would have only won 21 units. That's a difference of 22 units! For those of you who are aggressive bettors, you will take the progression three more steps. After your second win of ten units, you bank five and bet 15 units on the next hand. You'll have 31 units locked up as winnings. Another win and you bank 15 units and make another 15 unit bet. You now have 46 units in wins. On your next win, you bank ten units and bet 20 units. You now have 56 units in winnings.

83

Once you've won your 20 unit bet, you place your 20 unit win and 17 units from your bet in the bank. In this ten step progression, you have won a total of 93 units. Flat betting would have won you a mere 30 units. Now, let's take a look at the full ten bet progression in numbers of units bet and won. BET

WON

3

3

3

4

5

9

5

12

7

16

10

26

10

31

15

46

15

56

20

93 units

At any point in the progression, if you lose, you return to your regular three unit bet.

If you should start the shoe off with a loss of your three unit bet, you make your second bet a two unit bet. If you lose that you make your third bet a one unit bet. If you lose that you either switch tables or continue flat betting one unit until you have won three hands in a row. Then you go to two units. You'll stay at two units as long as you are winning two of every three hands on average.

84

When a new shoe starts, begin at three units. What is the possibility of winning ten hands in a row? Remote. I would recommend playing conservatively and stopping on the seventh step. Indeed, you could stop at the fourth or fifth step and still see impressive wins of 16 units or 23 units respectively. Now, here is the part that requires some adjustment in thinking for the basic strategy player. Once you have a five unit bet out, you are going to change your playing strategy vis a vis hard and soft doubling and splitting pairs. You will no longer double down on the following hands: hard 11 against an ace, 10, 9, 8 or 7. hard 10 against a 9,8 or 7. hard 9 against anything. you will not double down on any soft hands. You will not split any pairs that call for you to make a pat hand or bust. Thus, you will not split 8,8 against a dealer's 10, 9 or 8. You will however split against a 7. If you can surrender the 8,8 or any other 16 against a dealer's 10, 9 or 8, do so and go back to a three unit bet on the next hand.

The reasons for these strategy changes are selfevident. The purpose for doubling down and splitting pairs is to get more money on the table when either the dealer is in a bad position or your hand is so hopeless (8,8 against a dealer's 10) that you're trying to salvage one or two bets out of a thousand.

85

However, in the Sprint progression, you already have more money on the table. Unless you're playing with a very large bankroll indeed, you do not want to go from a three unit bet last hand to a possible ten unit bet this hand! Had you been flat betting three units, yes, basic strategy makes sense in dictating a bet of six units in the normal doubling and splitting areas. Thus, if you have been losing, it makes sense to double and split as basic strategy suggests because you are getting more money out at the right time. However, once you already have more money out (as in our progression), you don't want to overbet. Keep it clearly in mind that one turn of the cards is not the same as a million runs on a computer. The second reason for changing your game plan is not quite as obvious but it is just as valid. There is a good chance that you are winning because the high cards are coming out of the shoe! That means, in card counting terms, that you are in a negative situation because a disproportionate number of low cards remain to be played in the shoe. Thus, hard doubling on 11 against the dealer's 10 or 9, could very well result in getting a low card. Now, instead of increasing your bet in this situation, you want to increase your chances of winning. With more low cards left to play, you have a decent chance to hit once or twice on your hard 11 or hard 10 without busting. Makes sense? Of course. As a basic strategy player, remember this: despite the blackjack hoopla, and with very few exceptions, you do not have edge over the casinos in the long run. Basic strategy makes you play a strong game, but it's essentially a strong losing game. Therefore, unless you're content to simply flat bet on your occasional forays into casinoland,

86

you must adjust your playing strategy to fit your risk taking. The Sprint Strategies help you do this.

Sprint Strategies for the Recreational Card Counter Unlike the basic strategy player, the card counter has knowledge of the composition of the remaining cards. He knows whether the probabilities favor him or the house and can estimate by what percentage. In the long run this give the well-financed card counter the edge over the casino. The card counter needs to be well-financed because the edge he has is played out over thousands of hands and thousands of days. On an average two day trip to the casino, you'd be lucky to play a thousand hands, much less thousands of hands. Yet, card counting is not to be dismissed for the short run. It gives you valuable insights and will definitely help you determine your betting size and playing stategies. Once again we begin with a three unit bet. If you are winning and the count is rising, the progression is as follows: 3 units, 5 units, 8 units, 10 units, 15 units, 15 units, 20 units, 20 units, 30 units, 30 units. After the tenth step in the progression, take down all your wins if the deck is neutral or negative and go with your three unit bet. On the other hand, if the deck is still positive, reduce your betting to 15 units and use the progression to 20, 20, 30,30. At any point in the progresssion, if the count becomes negative, go to the first step in the progression and use the basic strategy progressions. If you continue to win and the count continues to fall, use those basic strategy progressions. You're probably in a clump of high cards and although the count is reading negative, the deck

87

is acting positive because high cards are coming out. The basic strategy progressions will help you take advantage of high card clumping. Usually when a high card clump ends, you'll start to lose but once you do you'll be back making your three unit bet. If you lose that, you'll go to two units and so forth. The above advice might be difficult for a traditional card counter because he always believes his bets should be sized in exact accordance with the count. For such a person the thought of putting out more money in a negative count situation is tantamount to sacrilege. If you are a t;raditional card counter it might be difficult for you to follow the Sprint Strategies because you don't escalate your bets unless you've won the previous hand. However, if you are a truly recreational card counter, you are probably disenchanted with the hype associated with card counting because you've been blasted out so many times in high count situations. You've been blasted out and you've remembered it because you haven't been able to play enough hands to make the traditional card counting bet-sizing strategies payoff. The Sprint Strategies will prevent you from getting blasted out. True, when you do win in high count situations, you will initially have less money out. So what? You will still win. And if you are winning consistently, you will have large bets out shortly. The full card counting progression can pocket you an impressive 162 units. Naturally, the Sprint Strategies do something else for the card counter. They act as cover for counting. There isn't a pit boss or floorperson in casinoland who doesn't know what to look for to spot someone who is counting cards in the traditional manner. First they look for a rapid escalation in betting spread. Usually if you pump your bet by a factor of one to four it is a pure giveaway; even the dumbest, most bored

88

casino honcho will be alerted that you may be counting. Then he will get the Eye in the Sky to observe you and shortly you'll be taking a walk along the Strip, if you're in Vegas, or a long walk along the boardwalk in Atlantic City, wondering what went wrong and why you were either thrown out or shuffled up on continuously. Players should not be surprised that the casinos can pick out card counters quickly. Casino personnel have read the same books! Many count cards themselves when they play in other casinos! Hell, some of the best gambling authorities sell their services to the very casinos they claim they want you to beat! But when you use the Sprint Strategies, you will simply appear to be a progressive bettor. Indeed, that is exactly what you are. However, as a card counter you will be altrering your playing strategies based on the count. These alterations will be done based on the indices for the particular count you use. Right here you gain quite a bit. In addition, you will hard double in high counts, even with a big bet out, when the dealer shows a 9,8,7 or less and you have a hard 11. For a hard 10, double only against the dealer's 8 ,7 or less. A hard 9, you'll double against a 6 or less. You will not double at all in negative counts with large bets out. The Sprint Strategies can't guarantee a win for the recreational player. They can, however, give you a means of attacking that occasional blackjack game in such a way as to preserve your bankroll and, in the bargain, your emotional equilibrium. So get on your mark...and Sprint!

89

Chapter Eight

Scan Techniques for the Single Deck Game Even without counting cards, the astute player can gain a valuable advantage over the casino in the single deck game when it comes to the question of whether or not to take insurance. Although basic strategy states that you never take insurance unless you are counting cards, there are ways of determining when it is propitious for the basic strategy player to do so. These are called Scan Techniques. For the basic strategy player, the proper implementation of scanning techniques for the insurance bet can take an even game (a single deck game with good rules is essentially an even proposition for the basic strategy player), and make it into a favorable game for the player. By just learning to scan you can get the upper hand

on the casino. It's easy to do, too. Approximately forty percent of a dealer's ace-up hands in a single deck game warrant insurance. As you can

see from that, the insurance bet is a losing proposition unless you know the likelihood that the ace-up hand facing

90

you probably falls into that forty percent category. Card counting can tell you this and so can scanning.. For a card counter using the Hi-Lo, any running count of + 1 or more would warrant insurance. Now, just what does this mean for a non-counting basic strategy player? Very little actually. It just means that one more small card (2 through 6) has come out of the deck than 10 card. But on such a seemingly small event an insurance bet is warranted for a card counter. In fact, the scanning strategy that I'm about to suggest to you will give you an even more powerful way to decide the insurance issue on the first round of play only. Here's how it works. Let us assume that there are five players and ihe dealer. The dealer shows an ace as his face up card. You must now determine whether or not to take insurance. The method you will use is to quickly scan for tens versus nonten cards at the table. If there are two more non-ten cards than ten cards, you will take insurance. All cards are considered. If you have two aces, those are two non-ten cards. Now here's the tricky part. Single deck games are dealt face down. You can't see the other players' cards, you can just see your own. Unless the table is truly blessed with knowledgeable players, in which case they will all show their cards to each other subtlely by holding them down and out (okay, that's not so subtle but it is

effective!), you are going to have to do one of two things: 1. If you are not the courageous and friendly and channing type, you are going to have to peek at the cards of the player next to you and use his and your hands as the sole basis for your decision. If you have those two aces and he has a 10 and a 4, you will take insurance because there

91

are four non-tens (your two aces, the player's 4 and the dealer's ace) to one 10. This is not the strongest insurance bet imagineable but it is still warranted. Had the player next to you held a 4 and an 8, then no tens are showing and the insurance bet is even more advisable. 2. If you are the courageous and friendly and charming type, you are going to say something like: "Uh, oh, look at that. I wonder how many tens we all have?" And then you're going to show your hand (those two aces again). Hopefully, everyone at the table will show their cards. Usually most will, if only by reflex, since you have shown yours. Then you do a quick scan and determine the relationship of tens to non-tens. It's a relatively easy thing to do since all hands with a ten and non-ten just cancel each other out. You can even bring the pit boss or floorperson in on the decision making. If you are a charmer, you'll look like someone who has a home grown strategy for detennining insurance. When the floorperson or pit boss comes over just say: "Should we take insurance? There aren't that many tens showing. I'll bet he has one under his ace!" Or say: "He can't possibly have a ten with all those tens showing!" The sheer boldness of doing this out loud and unafraid is the key to getting away with it. What card counter in his or her right mind would do this? They are usually furtive and afraid. Let us now assume that the five players at the table all showed their hands.

Player One: 10,9 Player Two: 7,6 Player Three: 5,2 Player Four: 10, 4

92

Player Five (YOU): A, A There are now seven more non-tens than tens (remember that dealer's ace counts, too). You would insure. For basic strategy players, this scanning method works only on the frrst round of cards. For the card counter, scanning can work by simply taking your count on the next round and doing a quick scan. If you started round two with a +1 and the dealer has an ace showing, then the count for insurance purposes is a +2! You would insure.

Scanning for Blackjacks This next scan strategy can work for both card counters and non-counters. At a table with three or more players if no aces have come out on the first round of play, then double your bet on the next round. Let us take a look at a typical single deck first round. Player One receives a 10,4. Player Two receives a 10,10. Player Three gets 7,3. Player Four has 8,8. The dealer shows alD. Player One hits his 10,4 and gets a 9. He busts. Player Two stands on his 10,10.

Player Three hits his 7,3 and gets a 6. He then stays. Player Four splits his 8,8. On the frrst 8, he gets a 2. He hits this again and gets a 7. He hits his second 8 and gets a 10. He stays.

93

The dealer turns over his card. He has a 3. He hits and gets another 3. He hits again and...gets a 9, busting him. All totalled, 17 cards were played, none of them aces. Thus, there are four aces remaining to be played of the next 35 cards. There's a very good chance that a blackjack will be forthcoming on the next round of play. You would increase your bet. Card counters,of course, have an added advantage here because they would know that· on that first hand above the count is + 1. They would normally increase their bets. With no aces showing they should increase their bet a bit more. How much should you increase it? Double it. If you are counting cards and it is a plus count of any kind, triple it. This type of scanning proceedure will give you a slight edge in a good single deck game. The insurance bet, when properly taken, can be the difference between a winning or losing session. And one or two blackjacks in a session with double your nonnal bet out, can also mean the difference between winning or losing.

94

Chapter Nine.

Your Blackjack Bankroll

In the book Beat the Craps Out of the Casinos (How to Play Craps and Win), author Frank Scoblete has what I consider to be the best discussion of money management I've read to date. He relates the ideas of a modern day legend, a man known only as the Captain.

The Captain's primary money management principle, aside from the usual "don't play with money you can't afford to lose," is the idea of an affordable thrill. You must have enough money backing your play so that the game is thrilling but not terrifying; so that you play each hand perfectly, and it is the dictates of your strategy and not your lack of money that determines your betting and your play. This then would be the optimum money management system. In blackjack, despite even the slight edge of the card counter, there are wild swings of fortune. The mathematicians call such swings fluctuations in probability, the layman calls them bad luck. You'll encounter sessions when you cannot win a bet. Your bankroll will go up and down, down and up, like a rollercoaster. You have to be able to survive these fluctuations. To do so you must have a substantial bankroll behind your play.

95

What is substantial? This is a tough question to answer. Much of it depends on how much you are betting and on how much risk you want to take. If you take 100 times your maximum bet as a guideline, here would be a reasonable bankroll for various betting levels and spreads. I have made the spread what I consider reasonable and one which won't draw attention to you in most casinos. I'll assume that you count cards. If you are a basic strategy player and you'll flat bet only, then just take your flat bet and multiply by two hundred. The reason you multiply by a factor of two hundred concerns the nature of your overall risk. The bettor who is ranging his bets from a minimum amount to a maximum amount is only betting that maximum a fixed percentage of the time. His average bet is usually somewhere inbetween.

Bet Spread: Min. to Maxe

Total Bankroll

$1.00 to $10.00

$1,000.00

$2.00 to $15.00

$1,500.00

$3.00 to $20.00

$2,000.00

$5.00 to $25.00

$2,500.00

$10.00 to $50.00

$5,000.00

$15.00 to $75.00

$7,500.00

$20.00 to $100.00

$10,000.00

$25.00 to $125.00

$12,500.00

$50.00 to $250.00

$25,000.00

96

From the $50.00 to $250.00 point on, you're in the high roller category and, unless you have a severe gambling problem, you can well afford what you are doing. But is it really necessary to have so much money behind you? To me it is. When I'm experiencing one of those wild negative fluctuations in probability and I have lost several days running, it is comforting to know that I have enough money to sustain me. The longest losing streak I ever had was three straight weeks of playing every day. I lost almost every single day! A few of those days I sustained substantial losses. The longest winning streak I ever had was two straight months. I either won or pushed every day for two months. That was a glorious two months, indeed. Generally, you lose some and win some and hopefully you win just a little more often than you lose. So, yes, in my opinion it's better to have a solid bankroll behind you. A way to make certain that you do not get wiped out is to divide your overall bankroll into session stakes. I divide mine into eight session stakes. That doesn't mean I allow myself to lose the entire amount on a bad session. In fact, if I lose half my session stake quickly, I consider myself finished for that session. I'll take a break of at least an hour. Then I'll either go to another table or, preferably, another casino and begin a new session. As important as the amount of your total bankroll is the criteria you use to determine when to leave a particular session - be it a winning or losing one. This is not an easy thing to determine. But as a rule of thumb, here is an approach. If you've won twenty-five percent of your total session stake, consider leaving the first time you lose

97

three hands in a row or if you lose fifty percent of your win. Say, your session stake is $1,000.00. Once you've won $250.00, you would only play with $125.00 of your $250.00 win. If you increase that, you keep taking half of what you win and add it to both piles: the play pile and the bank pile. So when you've won another $100.00, you'd now play with $175.00 and have $175.00 locked up as a win. The above is a very conservative way to make sure you leave a session with a win. On the losing end, if you've lost half your session stake and the count is negative, leave and call it a day. If the count is positive, play another hand or two. If you continue to lose, clear out. If the game is going back and forth and over several hours you're being whittled away, then just play for another 15 minutes to see if the swing of fate goes towards you. If after 15 minutes, you're winning some but still losing slightly more, call it a session or switch casinos after a short break. So much of blackjack is insight gained through experience. Despite the pundits that only think of the game as a mathematical exercise, there are very human factors that can contribute to losing and winning. Never play when you are tired or angry. You'll have a tendency to make mistakes or take unacceptable risks. You'll also tend to hang in there longer than you should. I would also caution you about drinking alcohol. I find that when I drink I don't play technically any worse than normal but I tend not to leave when I should. That is my Achilles' heal: when I've been drinking I enjoy the game too much! The more you play, the more you'll get a feel not only for the game but for yourself as you play the game. Knowing yourself is as important as knowing how to play tile cards.

98

Chauter Ten

The Ultimate Blackjack Test Okay, you are almost ready to graduate but first you must take the Ultimate Blackjack Test. This test will question you on every aspect of blackjack that has been covered in this book. A passing grade is 70. The answers are on the very last page of this chapter.

1. The dealer shows a 3 and you have 12, you should: a.) double down, b.) stand, c.) hit, d.) surrender, e.) say to the dealer: "Oh, I really didn't plan to bet that round," and immediately take back your bet 2. When you surrender and the dealer has a blackjack: a.) you lose half your bet, b.) you lose your entire bet, c.) you push with the dealer, d.) you win your bet, e.) you wish you had never learned to play blackjack 3. Given the exact same rules, the same percentage depth of penetration, which of the following is the easier game to beat: a.) the single deck, b.) the double deck, c.) the four deck, d.) the six deck, e.) the eight deck 4. You have a 16 and the dealer shows an 8, you should: a.) hit, b.) stand, c.) double down, d.) surrender, e.) complain to your neighbor about what rotten hands you're gettng

99

5. The dealer shows an ace, you have a blackjack, according to basic strategy you should: a.) take insurance, b.) not take insurance, c.) surrender, d.) double down, e.) continue to complain to your neighbor that you have no luck 6. You have 3,3, it's a single deck game, and the dealer shows a 2, you should: a.) split, b.) stand c.) double down, d.) split if doubling after splits is allowed, otherwise hit e.) always hit no matter what the rules 7. One of the following is not important for determining whether a blackjack game is beatable: a.) rules, b.) number of decks, c.) penetration, d.) player expertise, e.) friendliness of the dealers 8. In a single deck game you double down on 8 when the dealer has what showing: a.) 6 only, b.) never double on 8, c.) 6 and 7, d.) 5 and 6, e.) 4, 5 and 6 9. The dealer shows a 6, you have a 9, you should: a.) double down, b.) hit, c.) stand and hope the dealer busts, d.) surrender, e.) say rhythmically: "Number Nine! Number Nine! Number Nine!" 10. Penetration means: a.) how much of the cards are dealt before the dealer shuffles, b.) how much you're allowed to bet on your maximum, c.) how much you're allowed to bet on the minimum, d.) how many aces lie deep in the shoe, e.) something X-rated 11. Surrender is allowed. The dealer shows an 8, you have a 16: a.) surrender, b.) double down, c.) hit, d.) stand, e.) go with your feelings 12. Single deck game. The dealer shows a 2. You have 2,2. a.) always hit, b.) split, c.) split if doubling is allowed, otherwise hit, d.) double down, e.) try to be witty and say: "Hey! I got a two-two!"

100

13. This man might be considered the "father of card counting," a.) Edward Kennedy, b.) Edward the third, c.) Edward O'Neill, d,) Edward O. Thorp, e.) Yuko O. No 14. The Hi-Lo count assigns what values to the 7, 8 ,and 9: a.) +2, b.) 0, c.) -1, d,) +1, e.)-2

15. A "soft" hand is any hand that contains: a.) a bent card, b.) an ace on the first two cards, c.) an ace on the last card, d.) an 8, e.) a card that someone spilled a drink on 16. You have A,A. a.) always split, b.) never split, c.) split only against dealer bust hands, d.) split against everything except a dealer's ace, e.) hit until you have a hard 12 17. You have 8,8. You should: a.) always hit against a 7 through 10, b.) stand against dealer bust hands, c.) always split, d.) always surrender, e.) hit against anything and go for broke 18. Mathematicians call "bad luck:" a.) a problem, b.) non-existent, c.) a fulcrum of negative opportunity, d.) a fluctuation in probability, e.) the reason they don't have lives 19. The dealer has a 4, you have A,6: a.) hit, b.) stand, c.) surrender, d.) double down, e.) whine 20. The dealer has a 6. You have A,2: a.) double down, b.) hit, c.) stand, d.) surrender, e.) all of the above 21. The dealer has a 9. You have 5,5: a.) split, b.) double down, c.) hit, d.) stand, e.) ask the pit boss for a comp

101

22. The dealer has a 6. You have 10,10: a.) stand, b.) hit, c.) surrender, d.) split, e.) double down and hope for an ace 23. In a single deck game, the dealer shows a 2. You have A,6: a.) hit, b.) stand, c.) double down, d.) surrender, e.) take out the four you've been hiding in your shirt and place it on the table 24. You have 6,6. The dealer has a 3: a.) surrender, b.) hit, c.) double, d.) split, e.) hope you don't get another 6 because then you'll turn into the devil 25. You have 4,4 in a multiple deck game. The dealer has 6: a.) double, b.) hit, c.) stand, d.) split, e.) tell the person with 6,6 that you'll trade a 4 for a 6 26. In a single deck game, you have A,3 and the dealer has a 4: a.) hit, b.) double, c.) stand, d.) surrender, e.) take up smoking again 27. In a single deck game, you have 7,7. The dealer has 10: a.) hit, b.) double, c.) stand, d.) split, e.) wish you were at a slot machine 28. In a single deck game, you have 10,2. The dealer has a 4 showing: a.) hit, b.) stand, c.) double, d.) surrender, e.) pretend you're having an appendicitis attack 29. In a single deck game, you have 9,4. The

dealer has a 2 showing: a.) hit, b.) stand, c.) double, d.) surrender, e.) try to split them 30. In a single deck game without doubling after splits, you have 4,4. The dealer has 6. a.) split, b.) hit, c.) double, d.) stand, e.) tum to your neighbor and say loudly: "Hey, you count cards really good!"

102

31. In a multiple deck game, you have an 8. The dealer shows a 6. a.) hit, b.) double, c.) stand, d.) surrender, e.) ask the dealer to turn over his hole card so you can make a decision 32. You have a 9. The dealer has a 7 showing: a.) hit, b.) stand, c.) double, d.) surrender, e.) say loudly to the player next to you: "Excuse me! I've lost the count! Is it positive enough to justify doubling against a seven!?" 33. In a multiple deck game, you have 11. The dealer has an ace: a.) double, b.) hit, c.) stand, d.) surrender, e.) wish you were playing craps 34. You have an 11. The dealer has a 10: a.) hit, b.) stand, c.) surrender, d.) double down, e.) double over 35. You have a 14. The dealer has a 13: a.) hit, b.) stand, c.) double, d.) surrender, e.) bore the dealer with details of your personal life 36. In a multiple deck game, you have an A,2. The dealer has a 4: a.) double, b.) hit, c.) stand, d.) surrender, e.) say, "I fold!" 37. In a single deck game, you have an A,2 and the dealer shows a 4: a.) double, b.) hit, c.) stand, d.) surrender, e.) say loudly: "I'm confused. Hey, Mr. Pit Boss, you're an expert.What's the difference in strategy between a mutliple deck and a single deck!?" 38. In the Hi-Lo count all small cards (2 through 6) are given a value of: a.) +1, b.) +2, c.) -1, d.) -2, e.) Pi 39. In the Hi-Lo count these cards are given a value of -1: a.) 10's and 9's, b.) aces and 8's, c.) 10's and aces, d.) 9's, 10's, and aces, e.) any card that falls off the table

103

40. In a multiple deck game, you have 3,3. The dealer has a 2 showing: a.) hit, b.) stand, c.) double, d.) split, e.) spit 41. You have a 9,9. The dealer shows a 7: a.) split, b.) stand, c.) hit, d.) double, e.) ask: "What shows are playing tonight?" 42. You have a 9,9. The dealer shows an 8: a.) split, b.) stand, c.) hit, d.) double, e.) say: "I think I'm going to throw up!" 43. You have 9,9 and the dealer shows a 2: a.) hit, b.) stand, c.) split, d.) double, e.) say: "Wow! That's three hands in a row with 9,9!" and see how interested everyone at the table is 44. You have 8,8 and the dealer shows a 10: a.) surrender if it's available, otherwise split, b.) always split, except against another 8, c.) just take a hit, d.) stand, e.) surrender and split and see if you can get away with that 45. In a multiple deck game, you have a 4,4 and the dealer shows a 5: a.) split, b.) hit, c.) double, d.) stand, e.) whose idea was this crummy test? 46. You have an A,7 and the dealer shows an 8: a.) double, b.) hit, c.) stand, d.) surrender, e.) panic 47. In a single deck game, you have an A,S and the dealer shows a 6: a.) hit, b.) double, c.) stand,

d.) surrender, e.) gaze dumbfoundedly at the cards 48. In a multiple deck game, you have an A,8 and the dealer shows a 6: a.) hit, b.)double c.) stand, d.) surrender, e.) wave at the eye in the sky and mouth: "What COUNT do you guys have?"

104

49. The best way to memorize includes all of the following except: a.) doing it out loud, b.) doing it standing up, c.) doing it in short segments, d.) doing it moving about, e.) doing it while blow drying your hair in a tub full of water 50. The following cards have come out of the deck on the fIrst round of play: A,7; 10,10; 8,4; 5,9; A,10; 7,2; 3,10. What is the count? a.) -2, b.) +2, c.) -1, d.) +1, e.) a vampire 51. The following cards have come out of a single deck on the first round of play (6,6; 8,10; A,7; 10,9; 4,2; 7,10; 10,A) and the dealer is showing an Ace. According to the Scan Techniques would you take insurance? a.) yes, b.) no, c.) say wittily: "I have plenty of life insurance, why would I want to insure my cards?" 52. At what count in a multiple deck game would you take insurance? a.) no count, never take insurance, b.) +1 running count, c.) +3 true count, d.) + 3 running count, e.) chickens before they hatch count 53. What is the difference between the "running count" and the "true count?" a.) the running count is the count after the cards have been played and you've divided or multiplied the number of decks or cards remaining to be played into it, b.) the true count is the count per deck, c.) the running count is always more accurate, d.) the true count will always be higher than the running count in a multiple deck game, e.) the true count found a naked count with his wife and chased him - thus, the other count became known as the "running count" ever since 54. In a single deck game, with the count at +3, you have a 13 and the dealer has a 12: a.) stand, b.) hit, c.) double, d.) surrender, e.) watch the naked, running count go by as he's still being chased by the true count

105

55. The true count is a +2. You have a 12 and the dealer shows a 2: a.) hit, b.) stand, c.) double, d.) surrender, e.) hit a stand then double over as you surrender 56. According to the Sprint Strategies you only increase your bet: a.) when the count is high, b.) when the count is declining, c.) after a win, regardless of the count, d.) when you feel lucky, e.) when Jupiter aligns with Mars 57. A basic strategy player would increase his bet after the first round in a single deck game: a.) when the dealer had a blackjack because the possibility of the dealer getting two blackjacks in a row is remote, b~) when he won the previous bet with his own blackjack against the dealer's 20 because now he knows he's on a lucky streak, c.) when he lost his previous bet because if he doubles his bet now he'll get back what he lost, d.) when no aces showed because the likelihood of a blackjack on the next round is greater, e.) after he's increased his consumption of alcohol 58. One of the following is not a criterion for increasing your bet: a.) how much money you can afford to lose, b.) how much of an advantage you have as detennined by your plus count, c.) how much the casino will let you get away with before they start noticing you, d.) how much you want to impress the pit crew so you can get comped to dinner, e.) pick "d" 59. All of the following are methods used by the casinos to subvert honest and fair play on the part of card counters except: a.) shuffling up when the card counter increases his bet, b.) cutting half the deck out of play so the card counter can't get a good read on the remaining cards, c.) asking, rather telling, the card counter to leave the casino, d.) limiting the betting spread, e.) letting the chips fall where they may because the casinos realize that some people can beat them but they're men and women enough to realize that this is America where fair play and justice 106

should prevail and that since they offer a game to the public and an infinitesimal number of people are good enough to beat it - so what? 60. In a -2 true count in a multiple deck game, you should consider all of the following options except: a.) going to the bathroom, b.) going to another table, c.) taking some hands off while sitting at the table, d.) consider going to Nevada if you're in Atlantic City, e.) loudly telling the dealer: "No cards for me, thanks, the true count is a minus two!" 61. If you· have a true count of +2 in a multiple deck game, you would do all of the following except: a.) stand on 12 against the dealer's 2 or 3, b.) double down on 11 against an ace, c.) stand on a three or more card 16 against the dealer's 10, d.) insure all hands against the ace, e.) increase your bet 62. In a true count of +3 in a multiple deck game, you would make all of the following moves except: a.) insure all hands against an ace, b.) stand on all 16's made with three or more cards, c.) double down on a 10 against a dealer's ace, d.) double down on a 9 against the dealer's 2, e.) split 9,9 against a dealer's 10 63. You're in a single deck game that allows doubling after splitting pairs. You receive 2,2. The dealer has a 3. You split. On the frrst hand you receive a 6, on the second hand you receive a 7. You would: a.) take a hit on the frrst hand and double on the second, b.) double on both hands, c.) hit both hands, d.) double the frrst hand but hit the second hand, e.) double on the original two cards ·64. Always is to never as: a.) split aces is to split sixes, b.) split eights is to split aces, c.) split aces is to split fives, d.) split twos is to split threes, e.) split hairs is to split pants

107

65. Blackjack is a game that can be beaten because: a.) the composition of the deck is constantly changing, sometimes favoring the player and sometimes favoring the casino, b.) card counters who play perfect strategy can exploit the changing composition of the deck, c.) card counters can increase and decrease their bets with the composition of the deck, d.) all of the above, e.) run that by me again? 66. You're playing in a game that offers a two to one bonus if you get three 7's in a row. The dealer has a 7 showing and you are dealt two 7's. It's an eight deck game. You should: a.) take a hit and go for the bonus, b.) stand, c.) split, d.) double and try for a double bonus, e.) ask the dealer politely if you can have his 7 67. You are playing Multiple Action Blackjack (four to six decks) and the dealer is showing a 10. You have a 16. You should: a.) stand because if you hit you might go over and lose all three hands, b.) hit because that's the correct move despite the fact that you could lose all three hands, c.) stand because that's the correct move regardless of how many bets you have out, d.) double down and show the casino you're not afraid to lose money, e.) claim you thought this was Pai Gow poker and could you please have your money back 68. You are playing Double Exposure or Face Up blackjack and the dealer has 16. You have 9. a.) double if you're allowed, b.) hit always, don't double, c.) stand and let the dealer bust, d.) try to hit until you get twenty-one, e.) say: nOh, my, the dealer accidentally turned his hole card up and he doesn't seem upset by it!" 69. In Double Exposure blackjack, you have an 11 and the dealer has an 11. You should: a.) hit, b.) stand, c.) double, d.) surrender, e.) expose yourself

108

70. In Double Exposure, you have a 20 and the dealer has a 20. You should: a.) hit, b.) stand, c.) double, d.) surrender, e.) proudly proclaim: "I'd rather stand and lose with a twenty than hit and bust!"

71. In Double Exposure, you have 2,2 and the dealer has 17. You should: a.) hit, b.) stand, c.) split, d.) double down, e.) break dance 72. In Double Exposure, you have 5,5 and the dealer has 9. You should: a.) split, b.) stand, c.) double, d.) hit, e.) say wittily: "I'll give you two fives for a ten, hat ha!" 73. If you have an A,2 through A,6 in Double Exposure, no matter what the dealer has, you should always: a.) double, b.) hit, c.) stand, d.) use standard basic strategy to make your decision, e.) "Use the Force, Luke!" 74. In Double Exposure, you have 10,10 and the dealer has 16. You should: a.) hit, b.) stand, c.) double, d.) split, e.) say to the dealer charmingly: "I've got your rotten ass beaten now, sucker!" 75. In Double Exposure, you have A,9 and the dealer has 14. You should a.) hit, b.) stand, c.) double, d.) surrender, e.) pullout your wallet and say unctuously: "Wanna see pictures of my kids everyone?"

Answer all of the following either true or false. 76. Scanning techniques should only be used in single deck games. 77. For insurance purposes, the basic strategy player can use scan techniques on every round of play.

109

78. Scanning techniques are of no use to the card counter. 79. You should never increase your bet in a single deck game if no aces have come out because the dealer might get a blackjack. 80. If a blackjack is equally likely for the dealer and the player, the player has the overall advantage. 81. The big edge the casino has on the player is the fact that the player must play his hand first and if he busts, no matter what the dealer does subsequently, the player loses. 82. In the Sprint Strategies, when you have bigger bets out, you tend to double down less. 83. Surrender, even when properly used, actually favors the casinos and that's why they offer it. 84. People who surrender are cowards and shouldn't play in American casinos because we are the land of the brave. 85. Insurance should never be taken even when you are counting cards and scanning. 86. If you have A,7, according to basic strategy you should always stand on 2, 7, 8, A. 87. In a mutliple deck game, if you have A,6, you should always double when the dealer shows a 2 through

6. 88. Generally speaking, for every percentage point of a positive true count in a multiple deck game, the player realizes a one half percent advantage over the house.

11 0

89. Multiple Action blackjack is sometimes called Quadruple Action because you can bet four times as many bets as in regular blackjack. 90. In scanning on the first round of a single deck game with the dealer showing an ace, players' aces are not included in determining the tens/non-tens relationships. 91. The reason you always split 8,8 is that in the long run, you will lose fewer hands. 92. Every blackjack game is beatable by an expert player. 93. As a general rule of thumb, a single deck game is better than a multiple deck game with the same rules. 94. In the area of money management, a conservative approach is to have 100 times your maximum bet as your bankroll. 95. Double Exposure basic strategy and regular basic strategy don't differ much. 96. In Multiple Action blackjack, you should not vary from basic strategy because that's precisely what those clever casinos want you to do. 97. Even if you are allowed to resplit pairs, you shouldn't, because the first split only is the proper move. 98. The purpose of doubling down is to get more money out on the table when the dealer is at a disadvantage and/or to lessen your overall losses in the longrun. 99. You only split fives if you have a very strong feeling that the next card is a 6 so that then you can double down. 111

100. The casinos first priority is to make you happy. They really don not care if they make money. Their job is to make people feel good about themselves. That's why they throw card counters out because they do not want the stupid players to feel bad that some people can actually win.

112

Answer Key 1.C

21.B

41.B

61.0

81. TRUE

2B

22. A

42. A

62.E

82. TRUE

3.A

23.C

43.C

63. A

83. FALSE

4.A

24.0

44. A

64.C

84. FALSE

5.B

25.0

45. A

65.0

85. FALSE

6.0

26.B

46.C

66.C

86. TRUE

7.E

27.C

47.B

67.B

87. FALSE

8.0

28. A

48.C

68. A

88. TRUE

9.A

29. A

49.E

69. A

89. FALSE

10. A

30.C

50. A

70. A

90. FALSE

11.C

31.A

51.A

71.C

91. TRUE

12.C

32. A

52.C

72.0

92. FALSE

13.0

33.B

53.B .

73.B

93. TRUE

14.B

34.D

54. A

74.0

94. TRUE

15.B

35.B

55.B

75.C

95. FALSE

16. A

36.B

56.C

76. TRUE

96. TRUE

17.C

37. A

57.D

77. FALSE

97. FALSE

18.D

38.A

58.0

78. FALSE

98. TRUE

19.0

39.C

59.E

79. FALSE

99. FALSE

20. A

40.0

6O.E

80. TRUE

100. FALSE

113

(

Appendix All of the following books, magazines and newsletters are recommended. If a book, newsletter or magazine doesn't appear on this list it's because it either was published after Julian's No Nonsense Guide to Blackjack went to print in July of 1992 or it isn't worth your time. I have also eliminated books and journals that are for the specialist. Many mathematicians dabble in gambling theory and arcane questions of probability and statistics. Yet, these same individuals have never risked a dime in a casino. Some of the prices of the books might be a little out of date since some of these books were published a while ago. All the books on this list are available from their publishers and/or from The Gambler's Book Shop, PO Box 4115, Las Vegas, NV 89127. Before ordering inquire as to the shipping and handling fees. In my opinion blackjack is not only fun to play. It's fun to read about, too.

Books Professional Blackjack by Stanford Wong. ($19.95, Pi Yee Press, Box 1144, La Jolla, CA 92038,): A great book for the intermediate and more advanced player. Has detailed analysis of all the rules variations and variations of strategy depending on the count, as well as a comprehensive guide to Double Exposure. Be prepared for a lot of math. I also recommend Wong's Tournament Blackjack which - hold onto your heart - sells for $100.00. All Wong books are available from the above publisher.

114

Stanford is the only blackjack author who has a style of play named after him - wonging. Sounds somewhat risque.

Beat the Dealer by Edward O. Thorp. ($7.95, Vintage Books, New York): An interesting read. This is the book that started the blackjack revolution. Better ways to count cards have been developed since so the card counting techniques should not be attempted. But Thorp makes fascinating reading. Thorp has other books out on gambling and I can recommend them all.

Blackjack Your Way to Riches by Richard Albert Canfield. ($9.95, Lyle Stuart, Inc., Carol Publishing Group, 600 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10022): Another extremely interesting read but the book promises more than it can deliver. Fascinating group of characters discuss their collective wisdom about the game. Also gives some perceptive comments by a feamle card counter on the proper comportment for women who are trying to beat the casinos.

The Big Player by Ken Uston. ($7.95, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 383 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10017); Million Dollar Blackjack by Ken Uston ($14.95, Gambling Times, Inc. 16760 Stagg St., #213, Van Nuys, CA 91406); Ken Uston on Blackjack by Ken Uston ($16.95, Lyle Stuart, Inc., Carol Publishing Group, 600 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022): Should be read in the order in which they appear in this listing. These books by the late~ great "King of 21" Ken Uston are must reads not just for the advice they give on how to play blackjack at a professional level but for their human adventure. One of the first and certainly one of the greatest "team players," Uston made a fortune at blackjack. He also had several lawsuits against

115

both Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos for barring him from play. Fascinating reading. Of course, once the casinos got wise to him and his tactics, they made it difficult for the rest of us to pull off those great coups.

The World's Greatest Blackjack Book by (I kid you not) Lance Humble and Carl Cooper. ($9.95. Doubleday, 666 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10103): Introduces the Hi-Opt count, the count you should use if you are going to play Double Exposure blackjack. Another interesting book, it was the first to look seriously at the possibility of casino cheating. Humble has several other books out on blackjack but this one is his best.

The Morons of Blackjack and Other Monsters by King Scobee ($16.95. Paone Press, PO Box 610, Lynbrook, NY 11563): If you've ever played blackjack, gambled in a casino or wish to do so, this is a must read. Insightful, humorous and pointedly delightful examination of what goes on at the tables and inside the player! There's more to blackjack and gambling than just rules, count systems and money management. This book covers those areas of play all the other books skim or leave out completely. Written by a true pro who has seen it all and then some.

The Blackjack Formula ($10.00), Blackjack for Profit ($9.95), Blackbelt in Blackjack (12.95), all by Arnold Snyder. (ROE Publishing 414 Santa Clara Ave., Oakland, CA 94610): Three very worthwhile books from the "Bishop of Blackjack." Arnold Snyder really analyzes which games can be beaten and which games can't. His Zen Count found in Blackbelt in Blackjack might be able to give you that little extra edge in single deck games, although I would not recommend it for Atlantic City mutliple deck because it is a

116

two level count. The extra effort involved is not worth the payoff.

Fundamentals of Blackjack by Carlson R. Chambliss and Thomas Roginski. (GBC Press, 630 11th Street, Box 4115, Las Vegas, NV 89127): Clear, concise and despite being somewhat tilted towards the technical, this is a premier book on blackjack and another must read if you really wish to become a serious blackjack player. Examines and evaluates all the major point count systems. Chambliss and Roginski also have a book out on Atlantic City, Playing Blackjack in Atlantic City, ($9.95 from the same publisher). This too, although slightly outdated, is a valuable addition to your blackjack library if you intend to play the Atlantic City multiple deck game.

Playing Blackjack as a Business by Lawrence Revere. ($14.95, Lyle Stuart, Carol Publishing Group, 600 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10022): Another early book on blackjack and the frrst to offer a simple but powerful way to beat the casinos. Again, as in many of these earlier books, the hype might be a little too much but Lawrence Revere was a blackjack legend and his book was the bible of blackjack in its time.

The Theory of Blackjack by Peter A. Griffin. ($9.95, Huntington Press, PO Box 28041, Las Vegas, NV89126): If you want to know all the math behind the blackjack systems, this is the book for you. Hard though this might be to comprehend, Peter Griffin mixes humor with his math - he's a talented though extremely technical writer. This book takes effort.

117

Turning the Tables on Las Vegas by Ian Anderson. ($10.00. Random House, New York): This is another fun book that captures the pleasure of playing blackjack as well as the intrigue. Ian Anderson, the pseudonym used by a high rolling card counter, wrote this book in the mid-1970's as the casino blackjack paranoia was starting to grow. It's his advice and adventures. More of a how to behave than how to play book, Ian's style of play is quite daring. If you intend to mimic him then you better have the big bucks backing you and a sparkling personality up front. It's that combination that makes Ian one of the fascinating characters in blackjack lore.

Blackjack: A Winner's Handbook ($8.95), Blackjack's Winning Formula ($8.95) both by Jerry Patterson, Break the Dealer ($8.95) by Jerry Patterson and Eddie Olsen (Perigee Books, 200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016) Three good books on blackjack. These books challenge the notion of the random shuffle, discuss other approaches to the game, and offer interesting insights into biases, both dealer and player, and card clumping in multiple deck games. All books heavily plug Patterson's clinics and TARGET method of play home study course which is quite expensive and has come under fire from more traditional card counters and blackjack authors.

Blackjack Essays by Mason Malmuth. ($19.95, self published and available from Gambler's Book Club, PO Box 4115, Las Vegas, NV 89127): Don't let the fact that this book was self-published fool you. Malmuth is an interesting and arresting theorist. The ideas are worth the price. Mason should take his profits from the book and invest in a competent and tough editor because there are some embarrassing errors in syntax, spelling and grammar. 118

The math and logic, however, are unassailable (I think). I recommend all of Malmuth's books.

Magazines and Newsletters Win Magazine (Published by Gambling Times, Inc., 16760 Stagg S1. #213, Van Nuys, CA 91406): A quality general interest, monthly magazine that covers all aspects of the casino and gambling scene. Contains a host of articles and an excellent fiction piece in each issue. There's something here for everyone. The editorial content is irreverent and hard-hitting. Leans a little more towards Vegas games. Well written and edited. Averages approximately 80+ pages per issue. $4.95 per issue. $44.00 yearly subscription.

Casino Player Magazine (Published by ACE Marketing Inc., 2524 Arctic Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401): Another quality general interest, monthly magazine on the casino and gambling front. Also well written and edited. Leans more towards the Atlantic City and Caribbean experience. Has monthly updates on win percentages in Atlantic City. Covers the entertainment end of the casino industry, too. Averages approximately 60 pages per issue. $4.95 per issue. $20.00 yearly subscription.

The Experts Blackjack Newsletter (Published six times a year by Gambling Times, Inc., 16760 Stagg S1., #213, Van Nuys, CA 91406. Runs 16 to 24 pages, 8 1/2 X 11 format. Single issue: $6.00. Subscriptions: $30.00 for six issues; $60.00 for twelve issues): Usually has four or five

119

interesting and informative articles on all aspects of blackjack. Has excellently written updates on all the casinos in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Laughlin, Sparks, Tahoe, Reno, etc. This is done with both color coded graphics and lively paragraph reviews of the casinos. An excellent source of information.

Blackjack Forum (Published four times a year by RGE Publishing, 414 Santa Clara Ave., Oakland, CA 94610. Runs approximately 54 pages, 5 1/2 X 8 1/2 format. Single issue: $7.50. Yearly subscription, 4 issues: $'30.00) A lively, informative and irreverant review and analysis of blackjack and other gambling related issues. Has a distinct voice, that of it's guiding guru, "Bishop" Arnold Snyder. The slant is very scientific and computer oriented yet the style is upbeat and entertaining. Reviews all the casinos as well as the latest books and software. Also carries a synopsis and commentary on the other journals and magazines covering the gambling front. '

Robert Gates' Blackjack Monthly (Published monthly by Richard Canfield and Associates, PO Box 2830, Escondido, CA 92033. Runs approximately 12 pages, 8 1/2 X 11 format. Single Issue: $7.00. Subscription for one year, 12 issues: $65.00. Includes weekly hotline number.) Generally has two pieces by Robert Gates on whatever moves him. These are invariably interesting and well-written. Has an exhaustive monthly update on all the casinos. Also alerts you to dealers who through laziness or whatever are giving tells.

Eddie Olsen's Blackjack Confidential (Magazine published ten times a year by Blackjack Confidential Publishing Company, Inc., 513 Salsbury Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.

120

Runs approximately 32 pages. Single issue: $10.00. Yearly subscription, ten issues: $99.00): Chock full of interesting statistics about casino win rates, exhaustive statistics on all aspects of blackjack and casinos in general; personality profiles, tournament wrap-ups and winners, industry updates. This publication is literally loaded with information. Does not, however, rate all of the casinos' blackjack games, so much as report on which of them to play. Good pieces on how to play. Wong's Current Blackjack News (Published monthly by Pi Yee Press, Box 1144, La Jolla, CA 92038. Yearly subscription, twelve issues: $145.00.) If it's new, if it's happening, if it can give you an edge, Wong's newsletter will get the information to you quickly. This is a must newsletter if you live in or near Vegas, as it will alert you to money making opportunities that won't be around next month.

121