Most every casino player has heard that it might just be possible to beat the game of blackjack, but Hollywood movies like "21" and Rainman make it seem next to impossible. In truth, any casino game can be beaten on occasion, or we wouldn't gamble. But unlike craps or roulette, where the house edge is constant, blackjack is unique in that the game is fluid. The house edge (or player odds) change as cards are used in play.


What that means is that a card counter can use a system for keeping track of cards played and ascertain when those odds have changed and they actually have an edge over the house! It's not rocket science, but you don't have to be a genius (or Rainman) to learn a count system. In fact, the book True Blackjack points out that you don't even have to be perfect to win, just consistent.

Blackjack Without the Long Lessons

Playing any casino game well involves actually learning the rules and exercising some basic money management. You can't play very long if you bet too much and lose your bankroll, that much is easy to understand. But what about the rules to the game itself?

Blackjack is easy to learn, but tough to master. If you don't know the basics, take the time to get an in-depth view of blackjack before starting. If you already know that aces count as one or eleven, that you usually double down on 10 or 11, and that you always split aces and 8's, you have an elementary foundation. With this minor education you can expect to play with a house edge of perhaps 1.5-percent.

That's not bad. Just figure you'll probably spend $15 in gambling money for every $1,000 in total wagers you make.

If you want to cut that house edge down to as low as it can go, you'll want to learn basic strategy. This is a key step towards winning at blackjack and will allow you to have many good sessions at the tables where you do actually win. Getting home with the money is another thing and it's entirely up to you!

Basic strategy will teach you exactly when to split every pair (such as 2's and 7's) based on what the dealer's up-card is. For example, it's a good idea to split your 2's against a dealer up-card of 4, but not against a dealer up-card of 8. You'll also learn exactly when to hit, stand, and how to play those pesky double-downs when you hold an ace!

If you employ excellent basic strategy and avoid going on-tilt when you lose a few hands, you can expect your results to be very good. The house edge will fall below 1-percent and that means you'll have a very good chance to go home a winner.

Card Counting at Blackjack

The game of blackjack can also be exploited with a card-counting system. Even a simple Plus-Minus count can give you a small edge overall on the house! That's the stuff of dreams, right? Well, don't get too excited, because your edge is going to be tiny. Perhaps just a tenth of a percent with a simple count, so it's cool, but not to profitable.

On the other hand, it's great to play the game, count, and get a bunch of comps while pretty much playing even with the house. If you learn a more complicated system such as the Revere Plus Minus count or the Uston Advance Count, you can actually gain an edge of 1.5-percent. Then, instead of paying $15 an hour to play, you can win $15 per hour of play, based on you bet size (and of course, your ability).

Is it worth learning a little to improve your odds at blackjack? Only if you want to win!