Secret Tricks

For Winning Blackjack

By Pat Clemens Moriarty

© Copyright 2012

Applying a few tricks to compliment any

betting system will put you on the path to

becoming a consistent winner.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: patpatmoriarty@gmail.com

Website: http://pcmenterprises.com

Other eBooks:

Blackjack to the Nth Degree – Formula Cycling Method

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006R6NLHU

Blackjack in the Raw

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006UH2A78

My 3 Secrets to Saving Money

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0095QZ4C4

My 8 Secrets - Putting Extra Money in Your Pocket

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0095778OU

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TABLE OF CONTENT

Introduction: page 4

1. Tricks for all Betting Methods: page 6

2. The Biggest Secret of All: page 7

3. Basic Strategy for Consistency: page 8

4. Betting Strategy: page 11

5. Table and Playing Environment: page 14

6. The Art of Avoiding Losing Streaks: page 18

7. Adjusting Your Play: page 21

8. To Count or not to Count: page 23

9. More Tips: page 24

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INTRODUCTION

Blackjack is a fun game and can be financially rewarding at the

same time. But if you play your cards right you can learn how to

be a consistent winner every time you play.

To give you some insight about what these secrets will do for

you, let’s compare the game of blackjack to bowling. Both games

require personal skill, mathematics, and repetitiveness. In bowling

you will take form and apply it to the mathematics and positioning

of your ball on the lane. With blackjack you will take a basic

playing strategy and apply it to the mathematics of the game to

produce an outcome favorable to the player.

As the game progresses on in bowling a good bowler knows

adjustments must be made from time to time. First, the

conditioning oil used on the lanes will dry up making your ball

react differently. So you apply adjustments to each situation. You

may change your mark where you first lay the ball down to the left

or the right. Or you may increase or slow down the ball speed

accordingly. And in some instances you may change the ball your

using for a different one based on your own personal experience.

The secrets and tips you are about to learn will act as the

adjustments to your game in order to make your play continue with

profitable results in a seamless and orderly fashion.

Most people lose sight of the fact the casino wants your money.

That is how they stay in business; you lose, they win. It is as

simple as that. They will use marketing ploys, aesthetics, and

make you feel like you had a fun time even though you lost your

shirt all in order to keep you coming back and back for more of the

same. And they will even buy you dinner after you just lost $800

to $1,000 in a few hours. People love and fight over their comps.

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Even if you are just a recreational player and just want to break

up the monotony of your life every once in awhile, these secrets

will help make that moment more enjoyable. And if you are a

seasoned pro you may be surprised and find that one key trick that

will help improve your winnings.

This is a fresh new approach at how to improve your game.

The casinos have spent millions of dollars on how to program the

player to lose on a regular basis. That fact becomes quite evident

when someone says, “I only brought $200 with me. That is what I

can afford to lose.” Most probably that is exactly what will happen

and they really won’t be happy until they lose every penny.

So take the time to read this in its entirety. You will not only

improve your game but will all of a sudden have more money now

available for other things. Enjoy.

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TRICKS FOR ALL BETTING METHODS

There are many betting systems used in the game of blackjack.

Card counting for the advantage player, the martingale, the

Formula Cycling Method, the paroli betting system, Labouchere

system, and the 1 – 3 – 2 – 6 system to name a few.

You should study and learn as many betting systems as

possible. All systems have merit. And in certain situations one

system will perform better than others. Remember, it is beneficial

for you to always be prepared to adjust. And just like that bowler

who changed bowling balls midway through his game, the

blackjack player needs to be prepared to change his betting

approach when justified.

These secret tricks will work well with any betting method.

Each one is like an adjustment to your game all on its own

worthiness. A tweak here and there will instantly improve your

winnings.

Just think of the positive results you will have if you seamlessly

apply all these secrets to your game simultaneously.

Consider that all betting systems are designed to function in the

game of blackjack because it is a mathematical based game.

Knowledge is a derivative from the games ongoing process. These

secrets are all forms of knowledge. Knowledge is power. Use it

wisely.

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THE BIGGEST SECRET OF ALL

The biggest secret of them all is simply to combine and

implement all these secrets simultaneously during your play.

One can only imagine the power of being able to implement all

of these secrets seamlessly at the same time during your blackjack

session. If I were to try to depict all these secrets into an action

wheel, the action of combining all these secrets and implementing

them simultaneously would become the hub of the wheel.

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BASIC STRATEGY FOR CONSISTENCY

There are many different basic strategies you can find today.

As the casinos make different playing rules in order to bring the

winning odds in their favor yet another basic strategy will pop up.

The secret is to use a basic strategy for consistency purposes.

This will ensure that during normal situations your playing action

remains consistent. It can be advantageous to take as much

gambling and guess work out of your play as possible. So pick one

and make it your corner stone of the playing actions you take. By

consistently using a basic strategy you have already improved your

winning results of your game.

Most casinos will use a six-deck shoe for their tables. So here

is a six deck basic strategy you can incorporate into your play.

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Player has a total of 5, 6, 7, or 8. Always take a hit.

Player has a total of 9. Take a hit when the dealer’s up card is

2, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, or A. Double down when the dealer’s up

card is a 3, 4, 5, or 6.

Player has a total of 10. Double down when the dealer’s up

card is a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. Take a hit when the dealer’s up

card is a 10, J, Q, K, or A.

Player has a total of 12. Take a hit when the dealer’s up card

is a 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, or A. Stand if the dealer’s up card is

a 4, 5, or 6.

Player has a total of 13, 14, 15, or 16. Stand when the

dealer’s up card is a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. Take a hit when the dealer’s

up card is a 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, or A.

Player has a total of 17, 18, 19, 20 or BJ. Always stand.

Player has A2 or A3. Take a hit when the dealer’s up card is

a 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, or A. Double down when the dealer’s

up card is a 5 or 6.

Player has A4 or A5. Take a hit when the dealer’s up card is

a 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, or A. Double down when the dealer’s

up card is a 4, 5, or 6.

Player has A6. Take a hit when the dealer’s up card is a 2, 7,

8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, or A. Double down when the dealer’s up card is

a 3, 4, 5, or 6.

Player has A7. Stand when the dealer’s up card is a 2, 7, or 8.

Double down when the dealer’s up card is a 3, 4, 5, or 6. Take a

hit when the dealers up card is a 9, 10, J, Q, K, or A.

Player has A8 or A9. Always stand.

Player has 2, 2 (pair) or 3, 3 (pair). Split when the dealer’s

up card is a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. Take a hit when the dealer’s up

card is a 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, or A.

Player has 4, 4 (pair). Take a hit when the dealer’s up card is

a 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, or A. Split when the dealer’s up card

is a 5 or 6.

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Player has 5, 5 (pair). Double down when the dealer’s up

card is a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. Take a hit when the dealer’s up

card is a 10, J, Q, K, or A.

Player has 6, 6 (pair). Split when the dealer’s up card is a 2,

3, 4, 5, or 6. Take a hit when the dealer’s up card is a 7, 8, 9, 10,

J, Q, K, or A.

Player has 7, 7 (pair). Split when the dealer’s up card is a 2,

3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. Take a hit when the dealer’s up card is an 8, 9, 10,

J, Q, K, or A.

Player has 8, 8 (pair). Always split.

Player has 9, 9 (pair). Split when the dealer’s up card is a 2,

3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 9. Stand when the dealer’s up card is a 7, 10, J, Q,

K, or A.

(F = 10, J, Q, or K)

Player has F, F. Always stand.

Player has A, A (pair). Always split.

This will also help you. Take the time to write the player’s two

cards or total of the two cards on one side of some index cards.

Then write the rules and actions to take on the other side of the

index cards. You have now created flash cards to study with

anytime you have a free moment to spare or while waiting. You

will have this impressed into your memory in no time at all.

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BETTING STRATEGY

When you first sit down at a table your very first wager is

usually going to be the table minimum bet. This means if you are

sitting at a $5 minimum wager table your first bet will be $5.

If you continue to always bet the minimum wager this is called

flat betting. Sitting at a table with a minimum wager at $5 would

mean betting $5 every hand.

Flat betting is the worse betting strategy you could ever

employ. If you do invoke flat betting as your betting strategy you

outcome at the end of a playing session will most probably be a

loss every time. The reason is mathematically the house has the

edge meaning over a period of time the house will always win.

By implementing a betting strategy you will automatically

improve your chances of ending each playing session on a winning

note.

Again, there are many betting systems one could use. Card

counting for the advantage player, the martingale, the Formula

Cycling Method, the paroli betting system, Labouchere system,

and the 1 – 3 – 2 – 6 system are just a few the player could add as a

resource in order to avoid using a flat betting method.

Card counting: Card counting is a system where the player

takes advantage of the mathematics of the game as it progresses.

The most common and easiest card counting method to master is

the Hi-Lo method. Each card is given a value. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6

are given a value of +1. 7, 8, and 9 are neutral cards and are

given the value of zero (0). 10, J, Q, K, and A are given a value of

–1. It is easier to master this counting technique if you learn to

count the cards in pairs as they lay before each player. As more

low cards get exposed the count goes higher making the shoe rich

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with high cards, which are better for the player. Hence the player

can now increase the wager according to the count.

The Martingale System: This system is rather simple. You

make a wager; if you lose you keep doubling that amount as your

next wager until you win. Once you win you will always be ahead

by the amount of your original wager. As long as you have enough

bankroll and the wager never reaches the table maximum then you

will always win. Losing streaks and the table maximum bet are

your obstacles. If you incorporate the secret of learning how to

avoid losing streaks, then you have just improved your success rate

with this system.

The Formula Cycling Method: The FCM system is a variant of

the Labouchere method (cancellation system) but incorporates five

key elements which puts the odds of winning in the favor of the

player and eliminates losing streaks which will kill any bankroll

while playing a blackjack. The method invokes a beginning betting

line of 1 * 2 * 3. The betting line begins when the player has a

first losing hand. You add the loss to the right of the betting line

then the next wager is the total of the two end numbers. When you

win a hand those two numbers are cancelled and eliminated from

the betting line. You continue until you cycle the betting line.

Cycling means the betting line totals 5 or less. As long as you

cycle each betting line it is mathematically impossible to lose.

Since your original betting line is 1 * 2 * 3 that totals 6. So if you

continue the process until you cycle you are guaranteed a win of at

least $1 or more. The big secret to this method is you must

incorporate all of the five key elements while playing. This system

is a mathematical structured innovation resulting in consistent

winning sessions.

The Paroli Betting System: The paroli system is based on

winning streaks. It is a positive progressive betting system. You

flat bet (betting the table minimum) until you win. At the first win

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you will increase your bet. If you win again, you will increase

your bet. You keep doing this until you have reached a pre-

determined number of wins in a row (usually three). Then you

start over at the flat bet amount. And whenever you lose you

always reply with the next bet being the table minimum.

The Labouchere System: This was originally designed for

roulette. It is a true cancellation system. You start out with a

series of numbers as a betting line and you continue to bet the end

numbers as your next wager. You always add your loss to the right

of the numbers. You continue this process until all the numbers

have been eliminated. Losing streaks will eat up your bankroll so

you must learn and implement the art of avoiding losing streaks.

The 1 – 3 – 2 – 6 System: This is a positive progression type

betting system. You start out betting one unit. In this example one

unit will equal $5. So you wager $5 and win. You now have two

units on the table ($10) so you add another $5 to the wager. This

will make you wager of $15 (3 units). Now you win this wager and

you have $30 on the table. You will pull back $20 and will be left

with a $10 wager (2 units). If you win you will have $20 on the

table. Add $10 to the table and you wager is now $30 (6 units). If

you win this you have a profit of $60 and now start the process all

over. Anytime you lose a bet you start the process all over.

Using a betting strategy will add more consistency to your play

and remove more and more gambling and guess work in your

sessions.

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TABLE AND PLAYING ENVIRONMENT

Most blackjack players will focus on two aspects of the game.

The first is a basic strategy and the second is a money management

process or commonly referred to as a betting system.

Both these aspects will improve your game and enhance your

winning percentage. However, there are many other things you

need to keep in mind and implement at the same time. Taking the

time to understand your table and playing environment will help

again put the winning odds in your favor. And this aspect of the

game is often overlooked by many players.

When you first approach a table to play, here are several things

you want to do; try to sit at a table with the least amount of players

as possible, try to sit at the first base playing position, observe

whether the players appear to be winning or losing, and observe

how often the dealer will draw a busted hand.

A Table with the Least Amount of Players: The best

scenario for a blackjack player is to play heads up with the dealer.

This will give you the best shot at playing in an environment of

true statistics that are not affected by other player’s decisions and

actions.

Sitting in the First Base Table Position: The ideal seat to sit

in is first base position. This is to your far right facing the table

usually next to the shoe. This spot will always give you a first shot

at cards not influenced by other players when it is time for you to

take action. Your second choice of playing position should be

third base. This position will give you more knowledge by the card

count right in front of the dealer’s action.

Observing Whether Players Are Winning/Losing: If you are

playing poker one always observes the demeanor of the player for

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information. This is also known as a ’tell’. Likewise, looking at

the blackjack table and the players, you will be able to glean

valuable information. Few chips in front of each player and looks

of tiredness are real good clues and indications this is not a table

that is favorable to the players. You want to learn to have all the

advantages in your favor right off the bat.

Observing the Dealer’s Hands: Another important piece of

information is to watch how often the dealer’s completed hand

busts. The dealer should bust a completed hand at least once out

of every three or four hands on the average. So just by paying

attention to this little known detail will give you some extra

knowledge on whether to find a new table or to stay at the current

one.

Here is a short list of other items that could have an effect on

your game; distractions, casino personnel, other players, ambiance,

noise level, emotion, your attitude, your playing ability, and the

manual shuffle.

Distractions: Distractions are always negative and can come

from almost anywhere such as your cell phone, a loud speaker

announcement, you having a cold or other player’s constant

cough, side effects of medications and nagging personal problems.

Some distractions you can make adjustments for while others you

will have to avoid or learn to block them out.

Casino Personnel: There are several types of casino

personnel (pit boss, dealer, and marketing) you may run into on a

regular basis that could affect your game in a negative or positive

way. An inexperienced player may become intimidated by just

their presence. You can learn to make these employees your

friends by engaging in conversation and asking their help. They

all have a job to do so let them do it. Become their friend and you

playing session will become more enjoyable and profitable.

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Other Players: You want to try to sit at a table with no other

players or as few as you can find. Other players rarely have a

positive effect on your play. Some came be irritating and

obnoxious not to mention their playing strategies. You must learn

to minimize this type of table environment and block them out in

order to lessen their effect. And by all means do not try to help

other players. That is a no win situation so let the dealer help

them.

Ambiance and Noise Level: The bright lights, colorful

patterned carpet, and flashy slot machines are all part of an

ambiance the casino will use to affect your play. Need more

proof? Just check out some of the new poker rooms that are glass

enclosed and relatively free of outside influence. Reason being is

in the poker room you play against other players not the casino.

The casino’s interest is to run the games and make profit by taking

a rake on each hand played. So just being aware there is an

outside influence attempting to affect your play will help. Learn to

ignore the noise level. By not paying attention to the noise it will

not affect you or your play.

Emotion and Attitude: Check all attitudes and emotions in at

the casino door. You need to have a stoic disposition with a smile.

By doing so you will enhance your odds of winning. Emotions and

attitudes certainly can negatively affect your game if you let them.

Your Playing Ability: Your playing ability should be

measured by how capable you are to implement and accomplish

your stated financial goal. Before you sit down you should grade

your playing ability on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best. If

you give yourself a rating of less than a 10 then you are stating to

yourself your preparation and skills are not the best needed to

achieve your personal aspirations. Subconsciously, this will put

you at a disadvantage. Knowing that you have the utmost

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understanding and skills of the game is an important process.

Practice and study is the finest remedy.

Manual Shuffle: It is to the player’s advantage to sit at a

table where the cards are shuffled manually. When humans shuffle

cards you may find inconsistencies that develop in favor of the

player. Shuffling gives you time to organize. When a table is just

opened and the dealer has to shuffle the cards manually this will

take some time. Be patient. First the dealer will have to check

each deck for any marks or spots on the cards and to make sure all

the cards are there. Then each deck will be washed (mixed up).

After that all decks will be shuffled by a special routine designed

by the casino. It takes about three completed and dealt shoes

before the shoe and cards are set. This means the shoe will either

favor the house or the player at this point. Remember, the casino

designs shuffling techniques to favor the house and to eliminate a

process called clumping. So if you have a choice always chose the

table where the dealers shuffle manually. Some casinos have

automatic shufflers and some even have card readers. You

certainly do not want the casinos having that advantage.

Knowing and adjusting to your table and playing

environment will always benefit your game. Don’t be afraid to

change tables or even casinos when necessary. When all the

conditions favor the casino why play?

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THE ART OF AVOIDING LOSING STREAKS

The biggest killer of a bankroll is a sustained losing streak.

Learn how to avoid losing streaks and you have changed the odds

in your favor, which will result in a consistent winning pattern.

The art of avoiding losing streaks begins with a constant

awareness of your table and playing environment and paying

particular attention to the dealer’s bust percentage. If the dealer is

not busting their hand at least once out of every three or four hands

then a losing streak is lurking right around the corner.

Once you have established you’re sitting at a table that favors

the casino why in the world would you continue to sit there and

play on? Why? The biggest reason most players will continue is

simply because it is too inconvenient to find another table.

So the answer is to leave that table or at least take a break

when you have made a determination you are sitting at a table

favoring the casino. It is that simple.

There is one more safe guard you can use just in case you

have left your guard down and do not realize your dealer is hot.

After losing three hands in a row take a break or find another table.

Again, it is just that simple! Remember your objective should be

to win just not to play for playing sake. When the tables turn

negative against you, you must react quickly; take a break or just

leave that table and find another one.

Most successful betting systems require you to have at least

two wins in a row to be in a winning situation. The only system

that defies this fact is the martingale betting system. As long as

you have the bankroll to back your play along with staying under

the betting maximum you only need to win one hand to be a

winner. If you are sitting at a player negative table you will not

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see winning streaks. After reading this you should never again

have more than three losses in a row at a blackjack table. The

reason is you should leave after the third loss. So here are two

rules to keep in order to avoid losing streaks.

Rule 1: Make sure the dealer is busting once out of every

three or four hands.

Rule 2: Leave or take a break after you lose three hands in a

row.

This flow chart breaks it down pretty well.

Practice: If you don’t practice you will not be perfect.

Plan Your Live Playing Session: Have a specific goal or

objective you plan on achieving during your playing sessions.

Got To A Casino To Play: The best place to play blackjack

and get a fair shake is in a live casino not online.

Evaluate Your Play: Constantly observe your playing and

table environment.

Change or Leave Table If Required.

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Observe The Dealer Bust Percentage: The dealer should

bust their hand at least once out of every three or four hands.

Evaluate: Constantly observe your playing and table

environment.

Change Or Leave Table If Required.

3 Or 4 Losses In A Row: This is your final warning signal.

Change Or Leave Table If Required.

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ADJUSTING YOUR PLAY

Almost every blackjack betting system or money

management method you find they will tell you never to deviate.

And that is very understandable 90% of the time. But there are

those special circumstances one can make adjustments because of

additional knowledge obtained while playing that session.

Each blackjack shoe dealt has different circumstances. They

will be there only for that shoe and may or may not appear in the

next shoe. That’s just the nature of this mathematical structured

game. If you pay attention, you will benefit.

Using card counting for additional information. There are

many decisions in basic strategy that could be deviated from if you

had more information. For example, your count is a minus 12 and

you are more than half way through the shoe. You have a pair of

eights; the dealer’s up card is a nine, and your wager is $125.

Basic strategy calls for you to spilt the eights and wager another

$125.

Because of the count there is a very strong possibility your

action card will be a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. And if you did split the eights

and your next card was a two or three then you would then double

down risking another wager of $125. If this did happen there is

still a strong possibility your double down action card will be a 2,

3, 4, 5, or 6. Not the best outcome you would hope. And now on

your second eight you draw another two or three and double down

according to your basic strategy. This of course is the right

strategic move. However, you have more information because of

the minus 12 card count.

Consider this: you have an opportunity to just take a hit.

Why? Because a small card is inevitable and a 2, 3, 4, or 5 will

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improve your hand. Plus you only have one bet ($125) at risk and

not four bets ($500) like you would have in the above scenario.

The point is to use additional information to your benefit that

arises during a playing session under certain situations and

circumstances.

So the trick here is to realize that deviations are justified

when more knowledge becomes available and is warranted by a set

of special circumstances. If you stay aware of this and look for

these situations it will add extra winnings to your pocket.

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TO COUNT OR NOT TO COUNT

Here is a fact. Casinos hate card counters. They will do

everything in their means to thwart the card counter from winning

and playing. Here’s the real message; card counter need not enter

this establishment. You are not welcomed.

In some states they can bar you from entering their casinos.

They will black list you and pass your photos and other

information along to other casinos. They worse thing that can

happen to you is you are tagged as a card counter.

So if the casinos go to such length to intimidate and

discourage card counting then you don’t have to be a rocket

scientist to figure out that card counting is good for the player.

Yes, you should learn how to count cards. The easiest is to

use the Hi-Lo card counting system as described earlier.

But understand that card counting is not the panacea to

financial riches. If your betting habits coincide with that as a card

counter then you will be tagged. And please remember that if the

count is good for the player then it is also good for the dealer.

The best way to use card counting is for additional beneficial

knowledge in conjunction with other money management

techniques as described earlier.

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MORE TIPS

Statistics: Use statistics in conjunction with a good basic

strategy. Other than that they are nothing more than interesting

antidotes.

Casino’s Goal: Don’t ever lose site that the casino’s main

goal is to win your money; period.

Card Counting: Card counting is a great source for up-to-

date mathematical data that can be used in decision-making

process.

Big Cash Paydays: If you want big paydays when playing

blackjack then try blackjack tournaments. This is a great way to

risk a small amount to earn a large payday.

Casino Rules: You must keep up with the blackjack rules for

each casino. Keeping track of your wins at each casino will help

you decide which rules are more beneficial to your play.

One on One Play: Playing one on one with the dealer only

is your best playing strategy. This will allow your basic strategy to

have its purest effect on your play only.

Winning Streaks: Player’s winning streaks do happen. Be

prepared to recognize them in the beginning of the streak and take

advantage by using a solid progression money management

system.

Flat Betting: If there was ever a mortal sin in blackjack,

playing a flat betting strategy would be it.

Knowledge: This is the greatest resource and asset of the

player. You should never stop learning even during your play.