Blackjack the Art Part

Make no mistake about it, the serious gambler must know about both the science and art of playing casino blackjack. I learned how to play during the Lyndon Johnson Administration, and have been playing seriously ever since. While this doesnt necessarily make me an expert in the game, it certainly qualifies me as an experienced player.

Many players fail to comprehend the science or mathematics (statistical probabilities) of playing blackjack-concepts that the serious gambler needs to understand long before focusing on the art part of the game. Simply stated, science involves the mathematical models that you follow before deciding when to hit, when to stand and when to double down. Many books will teach you this science and even provide easy-to-follow charts about what decision to make given the total of your two cards and the dealers up-card. Fewer books discuss the art part of playing the game. When Bobby Fischer burst upon the chess scene in the 1970s and defeated Boris Spassky for the World Chess Championship, he transcended the game of chess. While enthusiasts were arguing that chess was scientific and analytical, Fischer proved that, at its core, chess was art. And its the same way with blackjack. Trouble is, just as with chess, the art angle cannot be taught it can only be learned.

The serious player understands that a blackjack dealer has one advantage and one advantage only: He gets to play his cards last. This is a huge concession because, in all likelihood, a number of the players will have already busted before the dealer gets around to exposing that all-important hole card and finishing out the hand by hitting or standing, which is based upon a predetermined rule (at most casinos) of hitting 16 or lower and standing on 17 or more. A robot, or even a chimp, can be taught to play under these decision-less rules. Even if the dealer eventually busts, he will have already collected bets from those who busted prior to him.

When the dealers up-card is a two through six, how many times have you heard the axiom Always assume that there is a ten underneath, since there are more of them (l0,], Q, K) than any other cards? The question is this: Why would you assume this when the odds against it are 9-t0-4 (A, 2-9 versus 10,], Q, K)? That is, the odds of having a 10 underneath are precisely the same as having a two, three, four or five underneath ... quite potentially deadly cards when coupled with the up-card five. And an ace or six arent bad alternatives either. As a matter of mathematical fact, if the dealer shows a five, the odds are 3-t0-2 that his hole card will be an A, 2-6 versus any ten (l0,], Q, K). None of this bodes well for the player whos sitting there with a 12 through 16, hoping that the dealer will bust.

Once, while playing in a casino in Lake Tahoe, I had been successfully hitting all night long. I made a large bet on one hand and was dealt a 12 while the dealers up-card was a five. The other players begged me to stay. I argued that I felt I should hit based on the recent run of the cards. To prove my point, I doubled down.

The dealer and the floorpersons gaze told me what they thought of my move. I drew a six. The dealer did in fact have a face card in the hole, and that six would have given him 21. This time, the gamble had paid off. While I am not suggesting that this strategy becomes routine, the successful gambler sometimes goes with the hot hand-mathematics and science be damned. Serious gamblers recognize that at the core of the game lies art-that it would be a mistake to overlook the other integral aspects of the game: flow and luck.

At high-end tables where knowledgeable gamers play with more abandon, often youll see aggressiveness when the timing~ appropriate. Nonetheless, too steady a stream of players rarely hit whenever the dealer shows a face-up two through six.

players need to understand that the only way that they can w with a 12-16 is if the dealer busts. And how often do the deale bust? Statistics, and experience, say not much.

Casual players are so conditioned to wait for the dealers 1 bust that they often neglect odds-on possibilities to better th . hand. Anyone who has played blackjack for a long time recognizes the ebb and flow of the game. More often than not, the flow the game overrides the science or mathematics of play. How times do you see the dealer successfully hitting 13, 14, 15 and I time and time again? I like it much better when those kind streaks happen to me.

Look at the game this way. The dealer must hit 16 or Ie and cannot hit 17 or more. What if the player employed 1 same exact tactics? The sole advantage then, and it remains a one, is that the dealer gets to play last. In this case, they should at least have a basic understanding of the statistical p abilities, and then employ art based on the flow of the game the inevitable streaks that pass along the way. For example bust on three or more consecutive 13s, I may back off the n time around because the dynamics of the game are telling that my strategy to hit until I get a 17 or better isnt working. am successfully hitting 12s and 13s, however, I may consider ting more often to get a better hand for the dealer to beat, may start hitting 14, depending on the dealers up-card-bul strictly based on the dealers up-card, which represents the percent of his or her known hand. This is what is meant by art of play. Science is steadfast and defined art is dynamic undefined. Its called going with the flow while understanding that the science or numbers mayor may not be with you, while employing this strategy may not necessarily endear y the other players at the table, always remember that the your goal is to increase your bankroll.

The bottom line is this: The serious player has a sound standing of the basics of the game. While he or she does not to know the precise probabilities of each outcome, the p needs to have a fundamental understanding of the statistics of each playing decision (e.g., when to hit, when to stay and to double down). But, ultimately, it is the mastery of the p ability to couple the science and the art that determines s Every so often you have to get your hands dirty. You have 10 when the cards are going your way and when streaks are a part of the game. (Weve all seen dealers get on one of those runs and couldnt bust if his name was ty-Dumpty.) When the flow of the game is in your favor, go, thats what I do. And thats why they call it gambling.

Gambling is not for wallflowers. It is for those who when its time to jump-with both feet. Bet what the cards selves are telling you. Dont save all of those small to cards for the dealer, who will use them according to ho to ruin what may have otherwise been a fortuitous run. Stand that sticking with 12-16 will likely win you less than out of every 10 hands. Take some chances to hit to 17 or You just might be surprised and pleased at the results in green and recorded in black ink. Isnt this why to the casino in the first place? You came to gamble. You take a chance. Do yourself a favor and take one.