A Little About Blackjack Basic Strategy

Most of the time when folks ask me questions, you know they just wanna to hear they have the right of whatever discussion we’re having. And ’cause I’m kinda amiable, I rarely turn the discussion into an argument. Life’s too short and I’m kinda on the old side to be getting into fights, so I just suck it all up — along with the alcohol to numb the senses. But every once in a while, folks are not just fishing for poker or blackjack tips. You get the feeling they actually want real answers. So, the other day when this young felloe asked me whether the Basic Strategy shaded the odds in your favor against the House, he had that look in his eye. I took him at his word.

“It depends,” I said not meaning to sound unhelpful. “It depends on the rules and the number of decks in the shoe but, at its best, the Basic Strategy should cut the House edge to no more than about 0.5%.”

I could see him chewing on that, perhaps a little disappointed you were still at a disadvantage. But the story doesn’t end there. No blackjack strategy can’t deliver more than it promises. In this case, it promises to do no more than reduce the odds of losing which is pretty damn impressive when you consider the other casino games you can play. Those that play baccarrat are always 1.06% down in the hole before they start. Casino slots rarely pay back more than 97%. Roulette gives the House a 5.25% edge. And then there’s keno, the best get-rich-quick scheme ever invented by a casino. (more…)