Almost everyone knows the basics of playing Blackjack: whoever gets the highest card value (by hitting, staying, splitting, and doubling) without going over 21, wins. But few people are aware that there is a system for playing Blackjack that results in better odds for the player. We call this system Basic Strategy.
Essentially, Basic Strategy is a list of rules regarding the actions the player should take, given his cards and the dealer’s “up” card, the card that the dealer is showing face-up. These suggested actions are designed to give the player the highest possible chance of winning the hand, and the rote memorization of and strict adherence to these rules will decrease the house advantage drastically.
Generally, you will be able to find charts listing all of these rules in an easy-to-read format, and sometimes the casino may even allow you to have your chart out at the table. These charts can be found online at pretty much any website that has a good deal of content related to gambling and can also often be purchased for a fairly low price at a casino gift shop.
It must be pointed out, too, that, generally, people who are serious about their Blackjack don’t like to play with people who don’t know what they’re doing. So, if only for the sake of getting along better with your fellow players, I encourage you at least to take a look at a chart or list of rules.
Of course, no one can guarantee that you’ll win every time, or even once, but your money will last longer, statistically, and anytime you do win, you’ll know that it’s because you took the time to learn how to play. Also, if you manage to walk away up, it’ll be very satisfying to know that your intelligence and diligence beat the house, at least until next time.