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> Quatloosia!
> Quatloosian
Guide to Gambling
> Blackjack
> The
Basic Game
Introduction
As we mentioned in our introductory page to Blackjack, just
about everybody thinks that they play the "Basic Game", but
in fact probably less than 1/2 of 1% of all Blackjack players really
know what the "Basic Game" is, or -- more importantly -- play it
with any kind of consistency.
Indeed, the phrase "Basic Game" is a misnomer. The
real phrase should be "Advanced Game". Just about anybody knows
that they should stand if they have two face cards against the dealer's 9.
But what if you have a 12 against the dealer's 18?
The (Real) Basic Game is based on a mathematical series of calculations
for each combination of hands. Playing the (Real) Basic Game is simply memorizing
those combinations and the right plays, and the executing them with robotic
precision. All feelings that luck is "with you" or that the "deck
is cold" have NO place in the (Real) Basic Game. You simply look at the
Dealer's card, look at your cards, and then play the hand required by the
combinations. THAT is the (Real) Basic Game, and if you haven't memorized
each and every possible play according to the best odds, then you do NOT know
the "Basic Game" no matter how many times you have been to the casinos.
In the pages which follow, we will NOT dwell on the mathematical
underpinnings of the right plays. Instead, we will try to present the combinations,
and how you play them, in a fashion which will be easy to you to remember
under pressure, while heavily intoxicated, or both.
Focus on the Dealer's Card
First, you should always focus on the Dealer's card, and ignore
you own cards until you have made an assessment of the Dealer's chances of
winning. You see, one of the beautiful things about Blackjack is that the
Dealer is required to draw between 17 and 21. If the Dealer doesn't draw a
17, then the Dealer must draw until at least a 17 is reached, or the Dealer
goes bust. This means that there is a good chance on each hand that the Dealer
will go bust -- even if you are commatose and never take cards!
Looking at the Dealer's cards, here's what you should see:
| Ace or 2
|
3, 4, 5, or 6
|
7 or 8
|
9, 10 or Face
|
Dealer May or
May Not Win:
Caution
(No Surrendering
or Doubling Down) |
Dealer Will Probably
Lose:
Draw Cautiously,
Bet Aggressively
(Double Down?) |
Dealer May or
May Not Win:
Caution
(No Surrendering
or Doubling Down) |
Dealer Will Probably
Win:
Bet Cautiously,
Draw Aggressively
(or Surrender) |
Dealer Has Ace, 2, 7 or 8 -- Showing these cards, the
Dealer may or may not win -- you just can't tell. You'll have to look carefully
at your own cards to determine your odds. But whatever your cards, this will
be an uncertain hand so don't double down or think about surrendering.
Dealer Has 3, 4, 5 or 6 -- With these cards, the most
likely thing that will happen is that the Dealer will go Bust, and you will
win. Thus, when drawing cards, don't take any chances. Instead, think about
doubling-down.
Dealer Has 9, 10 or Face -- Mathematically, the odds
are that you will lose. So don't even think about doubling down. Instead,
think about aggressively asking for cards. If you can at least get a push
you are that much farther ahead. In some cases, you will want to think about
Surrender, if the Casino allows it.
Looking At Your Cards
Keeping in mind the dealer's card, you can now glance at your
own cards, and determine what your play is (there are plays NOT involving
Aces, or where you have a pair, i.e., two 8s, which plays are considered on
the next page):
| |
Ace or 2
|
3, 4, 5, or 6
|
7 or 8
|
9, 10 or Face
|
| |
Dealer May or
May Not Win:
Caution
(No Surrendering
or Doubling Down) |
Dealer Will Probably
Lose:
Draw Cautiously,
Bet Aggressively
(Double Down?) |
Dealer May or
May Not Win:
Caution
(No Surrendering
or Doubling Down) |
Dealer Will Probably
Win:
Bet Cautiously,
Draw Aggressively
(or Surrender) |
| 8 or Less |
Hit |
Hit |
Hit |
Hit |
| 9 |
Hit |
Double Down |
Hit |
Hit |
| 10 |
Hit |
Draw |
Draw |
Draw |
| 11 |
|
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| 12 |
|
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| 13 |
|
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| 14 |
|
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| 15 |
|
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| 16 |
|
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| 17 |
|
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| 18 |
|
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| 19 |
|
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|
|
| 20 |
Stand |
Stand |
Stand |
Stand |
| 21 |
Stand |
Stand |
Stand |
Stand |
Our Other Pages on Blackjack
Books on Blackjack
See our Gamblers' Reading
Room for books on Blackjack.
Return to the Quatloosia! Guide to Casino
Gambling
