Real Casinos> Gambling Articles > How to Make a Living at Blackjack How to Make a Living at Blackjack I dealt Blackjack, Roulette and Baccarat out in Las Vegasfor ten years. Before that, I dealtBlackjack and Roulette in Spain at a casino in the “Spanish Riviera” as it iscalled, on the island of Ibiza. My firstwords of advice to any gamblers are: NEVER play blackjack in Spain, and NEVERplay roulette in America. The games are set up differently. Blackjack in Spain is really the game of 21 –an entirely different animal. First, thecroupier does not deal his hand, so you do not get to see his card before youdecide whether to hit or not. The secondworst bet in their version of this game is that ties go to the house. And lastly, and this is the worst of themall, you’re not allowed to double down in most Spanish casinos, or split yourpairs. These are the ONLY three things that gamblers have on theirside in the game of Blackjack. One – youget to see one of the dealer’s cards before playing your hand. Two – you get to keep your money on atie. Three – you get to DOUBLE yourmoney AFTER you’ve seen both your hand and the dealer’s first card - this isthe best bet in the house. I want to go over each of these three points with you. Today, I’m going to focus on HOW to play, andgive you some very easy to remember rules that should increase your chances ofwinning at Blackjack. In fact, justthese simple tips make you EVEN with the House; since you can get up and walkaway any time you want, and the casino has to keep playing until you bust themout, being EVEN means you WILL win sooner or later, just using these simple“hit or stand” rules. Want to winBIG? Once you know how to use the doubleand the split, and when to lay the baby bets and when to pull out the BIG wad fromyour pocket, you should have every Pit Boss in Las Vegas trying to comp you toa room, or pay for a return trip should he discover you’re leaving tomorrow. HOW TO PLAY THE GAME OF BLACKJACK – ONE EASY RULE: The dealer shows you one of his cards, and hides the secondone underneath. PLAY against that card.You do not play to make your best hand in this game – you ONLY play to beat thedealer. The deck has 24 “small” cards (6or less points) and 16 “big” cards (10 point value). In addition, there are the 7’s 8’s and 9’s(we’ll get to the Aces later). A veryeasy way for you to remember HOW to play – PRETEND THAT THE DEALER ALWAYS HAS ATEN UNDER AND IS ALWAYS GOING TO DRAW A TEN. It’s that easy. Thedealer HAS to stand on 17, and HAS to draw on 16. You can do whatever you want. You don’t have to draw on a 16, but if the dealeris showing a 7 or better, you WANT to draw – because you’re going to win mostof the time if you do, and lose most of the time if you don’t. You don’t have to stand on a 16, but if the dealer isshowing a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 you WANT to stand on ANY hand that might gobust. ANY hand – do you HEAR me? If you have a 12 and the dealer shows a 6 –STAND – for God’s sake STAND! Otherwise,you’re going to draw the dealer’s 10, go bust and make everyone else at thetable angry with you. So to recap, if the dealer is showing 7, 8, 9, or any 10point card – it means he has a good hand, and you are going to have to make 17or better (never EVER – are you listening? NEVER hit past 17). If the dealeris showing a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, it means he is going to BUST and you are goingto STAND on ANY hand that can bust (12 or more.) The ACES are special cards, and you play them depending onhow the casino plays them. Some casinos(usually on the Strip) make the dealer stop on a “soft” seventeen (an Ace and6). This is a GOOD bet for you. Seventeen is a crappy hand, and the moreoften the dealer has to keep it, the better for you. However, if you play in a house where thedealer stands on a ‘soft’ seventeen, you are going to play the ACE like it wasyour enemy; you’re going to hit until you make 17 or better. If you are in a casino that makes dealers hituntil they have a hard seventeen – you are going to play the ACE like thedealer is going to bust out. That is –you’re going to stand on any ‘bustable’ hand, EXCEPT and this is the only timethe rule is broken – you ARE going to HIT the 12. NOT the 13, 14, 15 or 16 – GOT IT? JUST the 12. That’s it – now you’re even. The next two articles deal with how and when to double your money; and avery easy way to keep track of the cards so that you can make your big bets atthe RIGHT time – this should give you the edge you need to quit your job andbecome a professional Blackjack player. Well, be sure to read all the articles BEFORE you quit the job! | 
