Previously, we introduced you to the idea that was a computer derived optimum way to the game of blackjack. That in every situation, depending the dealers up card and your two cards, there is a correct play to be made. By making the correct play, you can the house edge in the game of blackjack down to less than one half of one percent! Don't believe me. It is true. If you know what you are doing - and you should when wagering your hard earned dollars - the house edge is less than 1% for most games. This is possible even without counting cards.
The odds in blackjack change with the rule changes employed by the house in whatever casino you are playing at. The most common set of rules are the Vegas Strip Rules. This game is dealt with between four and eight decks. The dealer stands on soft 17, doubling down after a split is allowed, you can surrender and you are allowed to resplit aces. If you follow the basic strategy for this game and play it correctly, the house advantage is reduced to .49%. Yes, you read that right, .49%. And here it is. I suggest that if you are going to play a lot of blackjack that you memorize this chart.
A few more rules for the basic strategy. Never split 5's or 10's, never take insurance and never accept the offer of even money when the dealer shows an ace and you have blackjack. These last two may sound good and work for you in the short run, but, in the long run you will come out ahead by refusing them.
It just kills me when I see players making mistake after mistake at the blackjack tables out in Vegas. I see it every time I play. Do you know that you can buy blackjack basic strategy cards in most of the casino gift shops? I have purchased them at Paris, MGM and Caesar's just to name a few.
Did you know that according to Gaming Revenue Report issued by the Nevada Gaming Commission for the 12 months ended 12-31-09, that the win percentage for Nevada casinos for the game of Blackjack is 11.31% How is that even possible? Armed with just the information we have provided to you above, there is now way you should be losing at more than 1% - even if they change the rules on you. Sadly, the answer is that for every one person playing correct blackjack basic strategy, there must three or four other players out there without a clue about the game of blackjack.
The casinos take advantage of player ignorance to increase their bottom line. The Wiseguys will not let that happen to you. We are committed to making you the best blackjack player you can be. With rules changes, come different blackjack basic strategy charts. We will present these to you in further additions to this website. We will also show you what each rule change means to you in terms of the casinos percentage advantage of you the player. The goal, of course, is to find the set of rules that provides the casino the lowest advantage over the player and gives you the best chance of coming out on top. For now, study, memorize and play this blackjack basic strategy and later we will refine things even more.