Simple Money Saving Tips for Blackjack
By Frank Scoblete
In gambling saving money is making money. Think about that for a moment. It’s true but it takes time to sink in.
If you are playing a casino game such as blackjack and you play two hands at the same amount, your expectation is to lose twice as much if you play each and every round. That’s a simple, true statement. Many players don’t think this way. They are looking for action and action means betting more and more money. It means losing more and more money.
Play one hand and you reduce the hit on your bankroll. That is the math of the game. Now, yes, there will be streaks, good streaks, bad streaks but in the long run play twice as many hands and you can expect to lose twice as much money. That is a truism and should be adhered to.
I repeat: Saving money is making money.
Now let me take a look at way to play blackjack that will allow you to keep your money and not take too many big hits. In short, I’ll show you how to reduce the hit on your bankroll.
Blackjack
Is the most popular game in the casinos and it has been since the early 1960s. It was during that time that Edward O. Thorp published his book Beat the Dealer. This book showed players that it was possible to get the edge at blackjack by using something called “card counting.”
Although Thorp’s book was a revelation his card counting system was hard to master but it did drive many players to the game and it ultimately drove the game of craps to second place.
Blackjack has been in first place ever since then.
Today’s smart players will play perfect basic strategy which is the “computer derived” play of every player’s hand versus every dealer up-card. The house edge playing this way will be around one-half percent. That edge is about as low as you can go unless you can count the cards…which few players ever master.
But there are ways to reduce the hit on your bankroll even more. By doing the following:
- Only play one hand at a time. More hands mean more lost money. Saving money is making money.
- Do not play at empty or near-empty tables. You can play over 100-125 hands that way and the more hands you play, the worse will be your long-run expectations. More play is less money for you over time.
- Avoid dealers who deal really fast. You can always sit out a hand or two or three in such situations. More hands equal more losses because it means you are risking more money. Speed favors the casino. Remember that.
- Go to the bathroom when the dealer is in the midst of the game so that you miss playing some of the hands. If you have to go, then go – but don’t wait for a pause in the action. The table will still be there when you return.
- Do not play automatic shufflers (there are more and more of these being put into the action and they can be deadly).
- Do not parley any of your wins. You think you are taking advantage of a streak when you do this but in reality you are offering more money to the casino’s edge. Play more hands and it means you are betting more money and betting more money leads to inevitable losses.
- Do not play for comps as this tends to extend your time at the table. Comps are based on the casino’s analysis of how much you are going to lose over time playing the way you play. They are not rewards for being a good person or for dressing well.
- Memorize the basic strategy for the blackjack games you enjoy playing. There are subtle differences in basic strategy for number of decks, different rules, etc., but you can forego those if they are too much of a strain.
- Maybe try to learn how to count cards. There are some good online courses in how to do this. But DO NOT purchase a course from “gamblers” who dispute the effectiveness of card counting or basic strategy. They are basically looking to sell you a bag of worthless goods.
Okay, this article has shown you how to preserve your money when you gamble in the casinos. Remember saving money is making money.
All the best in and out of the casinos!
Frank Scoblete’s books are available from Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Kindle, e-books, libraries, and bookstores.
