Sometimes in blackjack, the best offense is a good defense. And splitting pairs is often a form of defense.
Take a pair of 8s, especially when the dealer has a 10 face up. If we play it as a 16, we bust too often if we hit, and if we stand, the dealer beats us all 79 percent of the time he makes 17 or better.
Splitting 8s in Blackjack Read More »
While playing blackjack, I watched as a player who had an Ace and a 5 signaled to stand. The dealer urged him to take another card. All the players at the table urged him to take another card. He was determined to stand.
The dealer, who had a 10 face up and a 6 down, then drew the card the player WOULD have received: A 5. The player would have had 21. Instead, the dealer had 21, and beat the table. One fellow angrily gathered his chips, shouted at the man who stood on a hand that could have been counted as a 6, and moved to another table.
How to Handle a “Soft Hand” at the Blackjack Table Read More »
A frustrated blackjack player e-mailed me with a familiar lament. “I can’t stand it when another player’s mistake costs me money,” he grumbled. “Why do people insist on taking the dealer’s bust card?”
Blackjack – Don’t Let Other Players’ Mistakes Bother You Read More »
A couple of friends of mine were having a friendly disagreement — not heated enough to call an argument, but they asked me to referee.
“Which is the best casino game? It’s blackjack, right?” asked the first.
The Best Game is the One You Like to Play Read More »
