Blackjack is one of the best games to play in the Casino because it has the highest winning odds to the player. Considering it only has a house edge of one percent, the disadvantage to the player is quite minimal and therefore your chances of making some good money out of your plays are high.
Not only is Blackjack an ideal Casino game because of its high winning odds but it is equally a great game to play due to its simplicity. Your main job when playing Blackjack is to merely look for a number that is able to beat the dealer’s number without going beyond 21.
However if you want to be a pro Blackjack player and make your winning odds even higher, you should make a point of learning the essential rules and guidelines by understanding Basic Strategy.
What is Blackjack Basic Strategy?
Basic Strategy was made through the computerized simulation of millions of ‘blackjack’ hands. Through these simulations, a probability of the player beating the dealer and essentially improving the blackjack hand was developed.
This probability is arranged in a chat of numbers and required actions which is what we commonly refer to as ‘Basic Strategy’. Basic Strategy helps every blackjack player to know the best possible action to take for any combination of cards there can be.
You need to bear in mind that the basic strategy was developed after keen computerized analysis of the outcomes that are reached on dealers plays until a specific mathematical approach was reached at. This is simply to say that while there is no guarantee that you will always win blackjack games if you maste Basic Strategy, learning and being good at applying Basic Strategy rules will make you a better blackjack player giving you thrice as greater chances of winning than any other novice who doesn’t know Basic Strategy.
Getting Started
If you are new to Blackjack Basic Strategy, probably what you should do to improve the rate at which you learn and ultimately your playing skills is to start playing as you refer to a basic strategy chart. This you can do back at home before you go to the Casino.
Basic Strategy always starts by telling a player how he or she ought to play the first two cards correctly depending on the up card of the dealer. Thereafter the basic strategy chart helps you to know what set of actions you should take after taking a hit.
A good basic strategy chart should show recommended actions to the player basing on the first two cards that he is dealt with. The first two starting cards will determine if you are playing;
i. Hard Hands – if the two starting cards do not contain an ace the player is required to play hard hands
ii. Soft Hands – if the two starting cards contain an ace the player is required to play soft hands. It is the opposite of Hard Hands.
iii. Pairs – this kind of basic strategy playing approach depends on the first pair of cards that the player has been given.
Creating Your Chart
Learning basic strategy might take sometime and a fair share of determination on your part but you can quickly learn and undertand what you are required to do if you create your own chart. When doing so it pays if you try to simplify the language used in your own wording different from the wording of the strategy you’ll have found online.
Normally it is encouraged that you use plain or simple English so you can quickly grasp whatever action you are supposed to take given a set of specific cards. You can simplify your strategy to look anything like this:
When playing Hard Hands:
i. When you have 8 or less – always hit.
ii. When you have 9: Double if the dealer has 3 to 6! Otherwise just hit.
iii. When you have 10: Double if the dealer has 2 to 9! Otherwise just hit.
iv. When you have 11: Double if the dealer has 2 to 10! But Hit if dealer has Ace.
v. When you have 11: Hit if the dealer has 2 to 3. Stand if the dealer has 4 to 6! Otherwise just hit.
vi. When you have 13-16: Stand if the dealer has 2 to 6! Otherwise just hit.
vii. When you have 17-21: Make sure you Always Stand.
Create a similar chart for playing Soft Hands and Pairs. As you play refering to these charts, you will quickly notice that you’re game skills are improving after a few rounds.
