How to win at BlackJack
I’m getting ready to leave Vegas after a conference for work.
I did what most people do, played a few slots here and there and, of course, not winning anything.
So I decided to put all the Blackjack practice and tweaking I’ve done to the test and… Came out $55 ahead. The next day I tried it again and $55 bucks ahead and tomorrow I’ll try it again.
First, don’t play slots it’s 100% chance. Play a table game, others may give better odds, but blackjack is my game.
Here are my tips:
1) LEARN TO PLAY! If you do stuff like hit on 16 when the dealer has a 5 showing, or split 10s… These hints won’t help. There are LOTS of the little cards that show you how to bet. Learn the chart and practice for free on the computer, your phone, online, whatever. Learn the chart!
2) Always have AT LEAST 10 times the amount of the minimum bet.
For instance, if the table is $10 minimum, make sure you have AT LEAST $100.
You’re going to lose some hands, no way around that, you need to have money to float until you start winning.
3) Come up with a betting strategy. DO NOT double your bet when you lose to try and make your bet back. Here’s my method that works well:
- Bet the minimum
- Next bet (win or lose) bet the minimum again.
- next bet, if you won twice, double the bet. If you lost, bet the minimum.
- keep adding the minimum to the bet (if you win) but don’t get greedy, you’re going to lose eventually. I usually keep adding up to four bets in a row, then will reset to minimum bet.
- any time you lose, reset your betting.
For instance, let’s say it’s a $5 minimum and I keep winning hands, here is my betting:
$5 - $5 - $10 - $15 - $20 - $25 - $5
This way, after that second minimum, you’re playing with their money.
If you get a blackjack, count it as a regular win.
4) Dont get scared! Stick to the betting method, even if you’re low.
5) if your money is gone, walk away. You can’t win every single time so only bet with what you can afford to lose and don’t fall into the trap of trying to win it back, save it for the next day or next trip.
6) SET AN UPPER LIMIT! Your lower limit is zero, but make sure you set an upper limit as well. A good rule of thumb is to stop when you’ve won 1/2 the amount you started with.
For instance, if you sit at the table with $100, walk away when you have $150.
Some do not dos:
Don’t get greedy, walk away at your upper limit.
Don’t try to win your money back if you’re out, walk away.
Don’t Drink when playing, I know it’s fun but you’ll start doing dumb things.
That’s about it, again you have to learn to play first. Go find one of those charts.
Good luck! 
I wrote this on my iPhone, so if it needs editing I’ll fix it when I get home.
** update 9/26
Another $50 this morning, that’s 3 days in a row.
