Blackjack Basic StrategyBasic strategy is the first part of learning to become a successful card counter… Simply put it is the engine that drives the card counter.
The casinos average advantage is 2.5% over the player. That is if you are an average player and don't do very stupid things on a regular basis…
Such as splitting tens, standing with a 16 when the dealer shows a 7,8,9,10 or Ace, always insuring Blackjack… Well, you get the idea…there are an endless supply of bad plays. All designed to make you a loser.
Basic Strategy is a set of rules that cover every situation that can happen in the game of Blackjack. These rules have been tested and proven by mathematicians…all very smart people. They work, always! Playing this way will lower the Casinos advantage to 0.5%. Think of this… regarding the money you take to the table on a gambling trip. If you take $200 to the casino and play for 5 hours and you play $10 bets, never varying your bet and you play 100 hands an hour (about average). You should expect to walk out of the casino with $75 if you are an average player with a 2.5% disadvantage.
Play every hand like a donkey and your disadvantage could be as high as 25%.
How did we arrive at that figure, you ask? OK, simply multiply the hours played by the hands per hour times your bet amount times 2.5%. Let's look at the math.Hours played=5 X hands per hour= 100 X average bet amount= $10 equals 5000 now multiply that by 2.5% or .025 and you get a loss of $125. Subtract that from your original bankroll of $200 and voila! You have $75 remaining.
Now, look at the same scenario using Basic Strategy… where the casino has only a 0.5% advantage. Under this scenario you would walk out of the casino with $175…you lose only $25.
Use the $100 you just saved to treat your wife or girlfriend to a nice dinner.
Maybe the best thing about learning Basic Strategy is that you will leave the casino winning more often because you aren't saddled with that burden of a 2.5% disadvantage. Walking away with more money than you started with is way more fun than losing.
Which one of these scenarios would you rather have happen to your hard earned money?
So, is all this important? You bet. Not only important, it's critical.
Now, you may ask … how do I learn basic strategy?
Well, how did you learn your ABC's, how did you learn your times tables?(9x9=81)(3x5=15) You memorized them. Well, that's how you learn this too.
Fortunately all you need to do to get the perfect basic strategy chart is to click on the chart for the rules that your favorite casino uses. A good idea would be to print out all six charts so you can study them more easily, or click here to get our wallet-size plastic charts for greater convenience. As you can see the major parts are the same and there are only minor variations in each one.
I play mostly in 6 and 8 deck games where the dealer stands on soft 17 so I have that basic strategy down cold. If I'm going to a casino with different games I simply study the correct card.
Whatever rules and deck numbers you will play the most is the one you should memorize first.
These are the charts.
How do I practice Basic Strategy? There are many different ways. You should find the way that best fits you. Some are:
- Memorization
- Flash Cards
- Deal to yourself
- Have a friend deal to you
- Have a friend quiz you
- Use this free automated Basic Strategy Trainer
- All of the above
Remember, you cannot build a house without laying the foundation. Basic strategy is the foundation of card counting…without it card counting will come crumbling to the ground. You won't win.
Always remember that Basic Strategy is not something you do only when it suits you. Memorize it…use it in every situation…do it religiously…never vary…if it's a rule DO IT. If you don't memorize it and use it to perfection you will almost always lose if you do the wrong thing. After all, you always pay for your mistakes…;OK, you get the idea.
In summation Basic Strategy is the core to winning card counting and you must memorize it and know it inside out in order to win. Anything less is not an option.
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