How to Win in Black Jack
Some folks play Black Jack at a casino simply for fun. They don't mind losing a little money. For those, however, who hope to emerge from the Black Jack table with more money than they arrived with, a few simple tips should help.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Stand pat if your two cards total 12 or more and the dealer is showing anything between a 2 and a 6. Keep in mind that the dealer is required to hit on anything under 16 and a face card would then bust him.
-
2
Stand pat even if your cards total 15 or 16 and the dealer is showing a 7 or 8. If you hit, chances are two to one that you will go over 21. And chances are greater than 50/50 that the dealer still has 16 or less, which means he is likely to bust when he takes another card.
-
-
3
Double your bet if your cards total 10 or 11 as long as the dealer isn't showing an ace or face card. The odds are with you. Another face card and you will have 20 or 21. The dealer is very unlikely to beat it.
-
4
Stand pat no matter what if your cards total 17 or higher. The odds of getting a 4 or lower if you hit are minuscule.
-
5
Split all pairs above 7 when the dealer is showing 6 or less. If you have two 7s or anything higher, split the cards and take a hit on each. Odds are strong that you will win both hands and excellent that you will at least win one.
-
6
Bypass the insurance if the dealer is showing an ace. It's never worth giving up on the hand. Don't forget that if the dealer's other card is a 5 or under, she must hit and chances are great she will go over 21. And if you wind up with 17 or 18, you might win anyway.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Maintain the same strategy throughout. Don't allow a few lost hands sway you to make spur-of-the-moment decisions that will cost you more hands and more money. You're trying to maximize your odds. That doesn't mean you can't lose.
As Kenny Rogers sang, know when to fold 'em. Losing money in Black Jack can cause folks to try to win it back, which could lead to greater losses than they can afford. Know when to lick your wounds and decide to try again another day.
