Blackjack Strategy
Las Vegas Rules / Multiple
Deck
Two blackjack
strategy charts are shown here. Both strategies use the same
statistical information but in different presentation formats. It's not
necessary to memorize both charts but you need to know one of the two
perfectly. The Condensed Optimal Strategy is the easiest for most
to remember and use. Since the player's hand constantly changes as hits
are taken, while the dealer's up-card doesn't, the condensed version's
focus on the dealer's upcard, rather than the player's hand, gives you
much less to remember as each of your hands are being played out.
The A7 play in
the condensed chart can be confusing, so here is how it works. . . . When
the dealer's upcard is 4 to a 6, the chart gives you two instructions: (1)
Double and (2) Hit To & Stand With - 12 or A7. You Double if your
first two cards are A7. If you are playing a Hit hand and then catch an
Ace, you then Hit To & Stand With A7. When the dealer shows a 3, the
A7 soft total play is the same .
About Insurance - Although casino staff members
might offer you a different explanation, Blackjack insurance is nothing
more than a side bet that the dealer with an Ace up has 10 in the hole.
With normal card distribution, at the 2 to 1 payoff, it is about 8%
against you. Not a good bet. However, if you happen to be observant enough
to know when the remaining deck has fewer than twice as many non-tens than
tens, then it's a good bet. Remember Dustin Hoffman's "Rain Man"? He was
good at that.
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