Becoming a good blackjack player

The question comes up on how to become a skilled and consistent winning blackjack player. The answer is not that difficult. There are basically three tasks a player must excel in to arrive at that goal. In fact, these three tasks are about the same for any sport or skill one wants to learn and master.

It’s a three-step method. First, obtain the knowledge; second, study and have a complete understanding of what the task is; and lastly, practice the skills required to remain proficient.

It is important that you understand that it is you and no one else who must do the work of learning, studying and practicing so that you can master the task of becoming a skilled and consistent winner. Winning at blackjack can be hard work, but it can be done and it can be fun along with it being financially rewarding.

Here are the steps:

1) Learn basic strategy: You can accomplish this task in about 30 hours of study and practice.

2) Pick a simple counting system such as Hi-Opt 1, High-Lo or Red 7. There are lots of books and information on the Internet to help you select a system.

3) Practice, practice and practice some more. You need to set up a schedule to read, study, and practice each of these tasks. The last part is not listed as a task and it might be the hardest part of the whole operation; playing in a casino.

Early on it’s suggested you start at low stakes tables. Play for an hour, maybe at a couple of different tables, like single-, double- or six-deck tables. Take a break and review your play. Play a little more and again review your experiences. Do this over a period of time, maybe over a couple of months. You should be practicing you basic tasks almost on a daily basis while visiting a casino maybe once a week. As your confidence and skill improves, you can start to increase the level of your bets.

Compare your training to a ball player. You start by playing in little league, you than play in high school and college. Next it’s A ball, than double A, Triple A and then maybe the majors. You learn, study, and practice and get better along the way. I really don’t know of any other way of doing it. Take your time, the tables will always be there, so don’t rush it. And most of all, try to enjoy the trip.


BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW

• When playing blackjack and you have 16, with the dealer showing a 10, the basic strategy chart says to hit. If you do it you’ll lose 75% of the time. If you don’t hit, you’ll lose 77% of the time.

• The first event of the World Series of Blackjack aired on TV from the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut on March 15, 2004.

• Even playing basic strategy at blackjack, the house has the advantage because the dealer plays his/her hand last.

• It’s been found that most dealers know less about the game than a player who has read a good book about blackjack and knows basic strategy.

• Jan. 30, 1979 the New Jersey Casino Control Commission ruled that “card counters” can be barred from playing blackjack in Atlantic City. Ken Uston, noted card counter and author, challenged the ruling and won his case in 1982 that allowed counters to play in their casinos.

• March 28, 2008, the movie “21,” a dramatization of the famous MIT blackjack team, opened in theaters around the country — and the casinos are still here!

This article is provided by the Frank Scoblete Network. Melissa A. Kaplan is the network's managing editor. If you would like to use this article on your website, please contact Casino City Press, the exclusive web syndication outlet for the Frank Scoblete Network. To contact Frank, please e-mail him at fscobe@optonline.net.