Images for wizard of odds blackjack strategy calculatorHow to Win Against Blackjack Dealers“What wizard of odds blackjack strategy chart is piggybacking in blackjack?”. The Cancellation Betting System - Wizard of OddsA FEW FACTS ABOUT HARD HANDSBlackjack Chart wizard of odds blackjack strategy chart with Surrender. Report Offensive Contentcard countingThat's right now you don't need to. Jan 07, 2020  Discussions about blackjack, page1. Wizard of Vegas uses cookies, this enables us to provide you with a personalised experience Got It! Jan 18, 2011  Steve Bourie, author of the American Casino Guide, interviews Michael 'Wizard of Odds' Shackleford about blackjack. Mike answers some of the most common questions that players have about the game. Discussions about blackjack, page1. Wizard of Vegas uses cookies, this enables us to provide you with a personalised experience Got It!

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Rules

I overhear a lot of bad gambling advice in the casinos. Perhaps the most frequent is this one, 'The object of blackjack is to get as close to 21 as possible, without going over.' No! The object of blackjack is to beat the dealer. To beat the dealer the player must first not bust (go over 21) and second either outscore the dealer or have the dealer bust. Here are the full rules of the game.

1. Wizard Of Odds Simple Blackjack Strategy. Wizard of odds simple blackjack strategy The Wizard’s Simple Strategy Blackjack Odds & Strategies. One of the most popular casino games, Blackjack can have a variety of proper strategies depending on your casino’s rules.Book Description: Golden Touch Blackjack Revolution! Contains Speed Count, the easiest advantage blackjack method ever developed.
2. Discussions about blackjack, page1. Wizard of Vegas uses cookies, this enables us to provide you with a personalised experience Got It!
3. Fresh off a trip to Europe, the Wizard of Odds has begun analyzing blackjack sidebets that he observed while on his pilgrimage, letting players know what he thinks of the games. The Wizard, whose real name is Michael Shackleford, went on a two week trip that saw him travel through Spain, Austria, and Lichtenstein (among others).

1. Blackjack may be played with one to eight decks of 52-card decks.
2. Aces may be counted as 1 or 11 points, 2 to 9 according to pip value, and tens and face cards count as ten points.
3. The value of a hand is the sum of the point values of the individual cards. Except, a 'blackjack' is the highest hand, consisting of an ace and any 10-point card, and it outranks all other 21-point hands.
4. After the players have bet, the dealer will give two cards to each player and two cards to himself. One of the dealer cards is dealt face up. The facedown card is called the 'hole card.'
5. If the dealer has an ace showing, he will offer a side bet called 'insurance.' This side wager pays 2 to 1 if the dealer's hole card is any 10-point card. Insurance wagers are optional and may not exceed half the original wager.
6. If the dealer has a ten or an ace showing (after offering insurance with an ace showing), then he will peek at his facedown card to see if he has a blackjack. If he does, then he will turn it over immediately.
7. If the dealer does have a blackjack, then all wagers (except insurance) will lose, unless the player also has a blackjack, which will result in a push. The dealer will resolve insurance wagers at this time.
8. Play begins with the player to the dealer's left. The following are the choices available to the player:
   • Stand: Player stands pat with his cards.
   • Hit: Player draws another card (and more if he wishes). If this card causes the player's total points to exceed 21 (known as 'breaking' or 'busting') then he loses.
   • Double: Player doubles his bet and gets one, and only one, more card.
   • Split: If the player has a pair, or any two 10-point cards, then he may double his bet and separate his cards into two individual hands. The dealer will automatically give each card a second card. Then, the player may hit, stand, or double normally. However, when splitting aces, each ace gets only one card. Sometimes doubling after splitting is not allowed. If the player gets a ten and ace after splitting, then it counts as 21 points, not a blackjack. Usually the player may keep re-splitting up to a total of four hands. Sometimes re-splitting aces is not allowed.
   • Surrender: The player forfeits half his wager, keeping the other half, and does not play out his hand. This option is only available on the initial two cards, and depending on casino rules, sometimes it is not allowed at all.
9. After each player has had his turn, the dealer will turn over his hole card. If the dealer has 16 or less, then he will draw another card. A special situation is when the dealer has an ace and any number of cards totaling six points (known as a 'soft 17'). At some tables, the dealer will also hit a soft 17.
10. If the dealer goes over 21 points, then any player who didn't already bust will win.
11. If the dealer does not bust, then the higher point total between the player and dealer will win.
12. Winning wagers pay even money, except a winning player blackjack usually pays 3 to 2. Some casinos have been short-paying blackjacks, which is a rule strongly in the casino's favor.

Wizard's Simple Strategy

I've been preaching for years that to play blackjack properly requires memorizing the basic strategy. However, after pitching the basic strategy for 20 years, I've learned that few people have the will to memorize it. In my book, Gambling 102, I presented a 'Simple Strategy,' which is seven simple rules to playing blackjack. The cost due to incorrect plays with the Simple Strategy is 0.53%, under liberal Vegas Strip rules.

Ever since my book was published it has bothered me that the cost in errors to my Simple Strategy was too high. So in September 2009 I developed the following 'Wizard's Strategy.' The cost due to imperfect plays is 0.14% only, relative to liberal Vegas Strip rules. That is the cost of one hand for about every 12 hours of play. Compared to the 250 cells in the Basic Strategy, the Wizard's Strategy has only 21, as follows.

Let me be perfectly clear that this strategy is not right 100% of the time. I continue to get Emails saying that when this strategy was used with my practice game, the player was corrected for following it. For example, my simple strategy says to stand on 12 against a 2, when it is mathematically better to hit. If you want to learn a strategy that is correct all the time you should use the appropriate basic strategy for the set of rules you are playing.

Here are some comments of clarification.

• A 'hard' hand is one that either has no aces, or has aces that are forced to count as point, lest the hand bust. A 'soft' hand is one with at least one ace, which may still count as one or eleven points.
• With a hard 10 or 11, double if you have more points than the dealer, treating a dealer ace as 11 points. Specifically, double with 10 against a 2 to 9, and with 11 against 2 to 10.
• If the strategy says to double, but you have three or more cards, or table rules don't allow soft doubling, then hit, except stand with a soft 18.
• If the strategy says to surrender (16 vs. 10), but you can't for whatever reason, then hit.
• If the strategy says to 'not split,' then treat the hand has a hard total of 8, 10, or 20, according to the pair in question.

A reader named Jeff provided another table of my simple strategy, with exceptions in small print. Details about the Wizard's Simple Strategy can be found in my Blackjack appendix 21.

Basic Strategy

For the appropriate basic strategy for just about any set of rules, please visit my basic strategy calculator. I still have my traditional charts too:

House Edge

See my Blackjack House Edge Calculator to determine the house edge under 6,912 possible rule combinations.

Rule Surveys

Las Vegas: I'm proud to feature up date blackjack rules for every casino in Las Vegas. The list is updated monthly, based on Stanford Wong's Current Blackjack Newsletter. Effective November 2009 the survey has been moved to my companion site, WizardOfVegas.com.

Rule Variations

Following is a list of some common rule variations and the effect on the player's expected return compared to standard U.S. rules (8 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split allowed).

Rule Variations

Rule	Effect
Single deck	0.48%
Early surrender against ten	0.24%
Player may double on any number of cards	0.23%
Double deck	0.19%
Player may draw to split aces	0.19%
Six-card Charlie	0.16%
Player may resplit aces	0.08%
Late surrender	0.08%
Four decks	0.06%
Five decks	0.03%
Six decks	0.02%
Split to only 3 hands	-0.01%
Player may double on 9-11 only	-0.09%
Split to only 2 hands	-0.10%
European no hole card	-0.11%
Player may not double after splitting	-0.14%
Player may double on 10,11 only	-0.18%
Dealer hits on soft 17	-0.22%
Blackjack pays 7-5	-0.45%
Blackjack pays 6-5	-1.39%
Blackjacks pay 1 to 1	-2.27%

I also have a longer list of rule variations.

Beware Short Pays on a Blackjack

More and more tables are showing up that pay less than the full 3 to 2 on a blackjack. Most of these tables pay 6 to 5, but some even money and 7 to 5 tables are known to exist. I would estimate that 10% of '21' tables in Las Vegas now pay less than 3 to 2. In my opinion, only games that pay 3 to 2 deserve to be called 'blackjack,' the rest fall under '21' games, including Super Fun 21 and Spanish 21. Regardless of the other rules, you should demand nothing less than 3 to 2 blackjack. You should always check the felt to be sure, and if the felt doesn't say, look for a sign. If nothing says the win on a blackjack, then ask.

Articles about 6-5 Blackjack:

• Taking a hit: New blackjack odds further tilt advantage toward the house, Las Vegas Sun, Nov. 13, 2003.
• Tighter blackjack rules would hurt players' bankroll, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Feb. 4, 2011.

Bad Strategies

Three popular bad strategies encountered at the blackjack table are: never bust, mimic the dealer, and always assume the dealer has a ten in the hole. All three are very bad strategies. Following are my specific comments on each of them, including the house edge under Atlantic City rules (dealer stands on soft 17, split up to 4 hands, double after split, double any two cards) of 0.43%.

Never bust: For my analysis of this strategy I assumed the player would never hit a hard 12 or more. All other decisions were according to correct basic strategy. This 'never bust' strategy results in a house edge of 3.91%.

Mimic the dealer: For my analysis of this strategy I assumed the player would always hit 16 or less and stand on17 or more, including a soft 17. The player never doubled or split, since the dealer is not allowed to do so. This 'mimic the dealer' strategy results in a house edge of 5.48%.

Assume a ten in the hole: For this strategy I first figured out the optimal basic strategy under this assumption. If the dealer had an ace up, then I reverted to proper basic strategy, because the dealer would have peeked for blackjack, making a 10 impossible. This 'assume a ten' strategy results in a house edge of 10.03%.

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Michael: Hi, my name is Mike Shackleford with the WizardOfOdds.com website, and I'm here with the lovely Angela Wyman. And in my previous videos, I discussed the blackjack rules and blackjack strategy. In this video, Angela's going to ask me some questions that I frequently get about blackjack that haven't been covered in the other two videos. So, what would you like to ask me, Angela?

Question 1 - [00:28]

Angela: Okay. I'm curious. When I walk up to the table, does it matter where I sit? One seat better than the other?

Michael: Absolutely not. The odds are the same at every single spot. Some people don't like to play that last position or they're superstitious about where they sit at the table, absolutely doesn't matter. Take any spot you like.

Question 2 - [00:52]

Angela: So, is there any truth to that or it's just a myth that the player at the last seat can mess up the whole table?

Michael: That is a 100% myth. Almost every time I sit down at the blackjack, eventually, somebody is going to mention something about the third basemen has to protect the table. And if the third basemen doesn't play by the book, he's going to get blamed for making the whole table lose. That's absolutely a myth. You could have the worst blackjack player in the world of third base and it doesn't make any difference to the odds. He's just as likely to help you as he is to hurt you no matter what he does.

And I can see everyone out there in Internet land shaking their head and going, 'I disagree with you on that one,' but trust me, any legitimate blackjack writer will say the same thing. And people only think this myth because they remember the times that some action caused the whole table to lose but they don't remember the times that a bad decision saved the whole table.

Question 3 - [02:11]

Angela: [laughs] So what should I look for when walk up to the table?

Michael: When I sit down at the table, if I see a smoker at the table, I'm going to sit as far away from him as I possibly can. But if it's an empty table, it depends, if I think that I'm just going to be playing by myself and no one's going to join me, I'll probably sit right here so I can look at the dealer in the eye. If I think that it's a crowded situation, another people are likely to join me, I don't want to split a group of friends, so I'll probably going to sit at first base or third base. But it's entirely up to you where you sit. It's completely should be based on your comfort.

Question 4 - [02:52]

Angela: Well, what should I look for as far as odds? Does it really make that big of a difference if it's 3:2, 6:5, when you see both of them?

Michael: Absolutely. In terms of choosing the table itself where to play, you got to consider the blackjack rules, and it makes a huge difference. Now, if you remember just one thing from this video, if a blackjack pays 6:5, turn around and walk the other way, doesn't make any difference what other rules they give you. They can give you a list of a whole bunch of stuff you're allowed to do like they do at the Vegas club, forget it. 6:5 is a soccer game, don't play it. The only exception might be is if it's a pleasure pit or a party pit and you have a lovely dealer, then if it's a worthy additional entertainment value, what choice do you have, but that's the one rule that works against the player the most, 6:5.

After that, the good rule is if the dealer stands on a soft 17, that favors the player. Unfortunately, you don't see that very much anymore. But given the choice between the dealer hitting and standing on a soft 17, it's better if the dealer stands. Why? It's mathematically complicated but basically, a 17 is not a very good hand in blackjack. You're better off if the dealer sits on his 17 then takes another card with a chance of improving it.

Beyond that, another good rule to look for is can you double after a split? Usually you can, but with double deck games, I can go either way. So obviously, if you're allowed to double after a split, that works your ways. Another good rule, the fewer the decks, the better the odds. For example, if the rules are otherwise the same and one table is two decks and one table is six decks, you're much better off to play the double deck game.

Now, again, don't be fooled by single deck games that pay 6:5. It's much better off to play a six-deck game with 3:2 on a blackjack than a single deck game that pays 6:5. And I think that the casinos are trying to, shall we say, I don't want to say deceive, but they always a sign that says single deck blackjack but then they don't mention the 6:5 on the table. Always look to where it says 'blackjack pays.' Always look for this 3:2.

Another two things is it's good if you can surrender. Most players don't surrender anyway but you should when the odds favor it. There are several situations where you should surrender but if you just remember one, surrender 16 against 10. And it's good if they let you do that. Finally, resplitting aces. You split aces, some places give you one card for each ace no matter what. Some places will deal on face up, and if you get another ace, you can resplit it again. It's good if they let you do that.

Now, you may be in the situation where there's conflicting rules and you don't know. For example, maybe the casino will have a six-deck game with surrender, resplitting aces, and double after a split or double that game that has double after a split but not surrender or resplitting aces, then my website, it has a calculator. You put in any set of rules and it'll tell you the house advantage. So, when in doubt, go to my website, look for the blackjack calculator, put in the rules and it'll tell you the house advantage for those rules.

Question 5 - [07:02]

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Angela: Well, it seems like no matter what else they offer, every table has giant insurance rubbed in on here. When should I take insurance?

The flipside is, it's a bit dull. Dh texas poker for iphone. It has a neat layout out and actually does look the most professional. The following are ones with at least 5 million downloads:1 zynga poker (zynga)2 dh texas poker (droidhen)3 world series of poker (playtika)4 texas poker (kamagames)5 texas holdem poker deluxe (igg.com)6 live holdem poker pro (dragonplay)Which one(s) do you enjoy the most and actually (or intend to) buy game chips to play on?I've installed all 6 and I can't decide which one I want to invest in and play over the long term, though I must say I like the dragonplay's app best.

Michael: Absolutely never. A second thing I want you to learn from this video, never take insurance. Period, no exceptions. And that includes if you have a blackjack and the dealer is showing an ace, the dealer will say even money, and there's always a player goes, 'Even money. What's that?' And the dealer will always say, 'Oh, it's a guaranteed winner. Win even money.' No. It's better to have the chance of a blackjack paying the full 3:2 than a sure even money.

Angela: Wow. So never take insurance, don't do even money, know when to surrender, find a table with all those rules. [laughs]

Michael: Yes.

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Question 6 - [07:55]

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Online poker freerolls no deposit download. Angela: Okay. Do you think there's any difference between a face up and face down game or it's just purely preference?

Michael: It's purely preference. Generally, they're going to deal the cards face up in a shoe game and face down in a single or double deck game. Mathematically speaking, it doesn't make any difference how they deal the cards. That should be according to your own preference.

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Question 7 - [08:16]

Angela: So, I got a question the casinos might not like me asking very much but I know everyone's going to want to know. There's a lot of books about card counting out there and a lot of different strategies, which strategy is a card counting would you recommend or which do you think actually have a chance that you can make some money out of?

Michael: Good question. Before I answer that, let me say that card counting is not as lucrative as movies like Rain Man and 21 make it out to be. It's hard and it only gives you a very thin advantage. However, if you accept that anyway and you're ready to learn how to count cards, first, you got to memorize the basic strategy. No ifs, ands or buts have seen so many so-called card counters that didn't know the basic strategy. And they are playing a losing game because it's much more important to play right basic strategy than it is to count cards. So only after you've memorized the basic strategy call perfectly, then should you even open up a book about card counting.

Now, there's lots of card counting strategies out there. And the more complicated the strategy, the more powerful it's going to be. A lot of the older books on blackjack really pushed the complicated strategies, like Revere and Ken Uston, they really pushed the difficult strategies to try to get every 10th of a percentage of advantages they could. However, the thinking today amongst Blackjack writers is that, it’s not worth the additional trouble and most counters are probably going to lose more due to mistakes made with these complicated strategies than they gain from the extra power. That said, the two most common card counting strategies out there are the Hi-Lo and the Knockout. The Hi-Lo is an old card counting strategy going back to the 80s that simply treats twos through sixes as low cards, tens and aces as high cards and as you’re playing, you keep a running count as you see the cards. Then you have to make an adjustment to how many cards are left and then you play your cards according to what you have, what the dealer has and the count. I know it sounds hard but just adding and subtracting one at a time, it’s not that tough. If you’re dedicated at something that 95% of people could do.

Another strategy that’s a little bit easier, in fact perhaps even significantly easier and almost as good, in my opinion, is called the Knockout Count. That instead treats a two through a seven as a low card and still tens and aces as a high card. So, what you’re going to see is this gradual increasing of the count because it’s not what’s called a balanced count because there’s more small card that big cards. Once the count reaches past a certain point, then you start increasing your bet and at certain hands, you’re going to play it differently. The good thing about the Knockout count is there’s no what’s called a true count conversion. You don’t have to worry about how many decks of cards are left to be played in the deck. You just go off of what’s called the running count.

Finally, if those are too complicated, I have a really easy card counting strategy on my website called the Ace Five. It just tracks aces and fives. You count fives as plus one, aces as minus one and you keep a running count as you go. If the count gets high, meaning a lot of fives have gone out which are bad for the player and aces left which are good for the player, then you start betting more. It’s not going to give you much of an advantage but it’s certainly at least going to get the odds in your favor and it’s not that hard.

Question 8 - [12:40]

Angela: Alright. So, before I can even start to learn card counting though, I have to perfect basic strategy. When I’m trying to learn basic strategy in every gift shop in Las Vegas, there’s this little plastic credit card sized strategy cards that I can tuck in my pocket or my wallet. How come they’re not all the same? If you really look at them, the cards will vary from casino to casino on what you should do.

Michael: Good question. The reason the card change from one to the other is because the rules are not always the same. Of course, you’re referring to the basic strategy. I’ve got it on my own business card here. Now let me say that no matter what basic strategy you follow, you’re in good shape. You’re way, way ahead of the curve. The only places where they differ is in certain borderline situations. A common one is you have a total of 11 and the dealer is showing an ace. If the dealer hits a soft 17, the odds favor doubling that. If the dealers stands on a soft 17, the odds favor hitting it. However, it’s very borderline play. Let’s say you memorize the strategy for the dealer standing on a soft 17, so it says to hit that and you find yourself at a game where the dealer hits a soft 17, don’t freak out. Don’t say, “Oh, I got to check Mike’s site for this basic strategy”. Trust me, it’s okay. Just play the basic strategy you know. If you know just one basic strategy, you’re already better than 99% of blackjack players out there.