Blackjack Tips that Everyone in the Universe Should Know by Now
By Scott Weinberg

Through years of infuriating experience, I've come to the conclusion that most people do not know how to play Blackjack properly. If you're one of those people thinking "Not ME," I believe you. I just wish there were more of you! Whether I'm playing at my favorite Atlantic City casino or just at a friendly neighborhood game, it simply astonishes me how the basic strategies of this rather simple game are generally ignored. If I had a nickel for every time I've seen some dolt hit on a 16 against the dealer's five, I'd be Bill Gates.

The Basics:

ALWAYS assume the dealer's down card has a value of ten. Of course, it won't always turn out that way, but with the amount of tens and face cards in the deck, this assumption is correct more often than not.

Be sure to pick a strategy and stick with it. If you decided that you're going to stick on 16's all night, that's a sound judgment call. Just don't deviate from your plan, because the FIRST time you change your strategy…that's when Plan A would have won the hand. And you'll want to kick something.

Don't ever touch the cards, and once you place your bet, leave the chips alone. It's very embarrassing when the dealer has to scold you. I see it happen all the time, and it's always quite amusing when it's not happening to you - not quite so amusing when it is.

Always use the hand signals, even if you're in the habit of saying, "Stand" or "Hit me". The dealers prefer the hand signals because in case of any discrepancy, the "eye in the sky" will find it far easier to figure out your hand signal than lip-read what you were mumbling.

Do not "bait" or mock the dealer, regardless of how well you're winning or losing. If you're up 500 bucks, your comments come off as pompous and arrogant. If you're in the hole, your words seem petty and childish. You'd be stunned by the amount of abuse I've seen dealers forced to withstand, and it doesn't help anyone at the table - employee or fellow gambler.

Do not rush the other players. If someone is taking too long, the dealer will handle it. More often than not, someone playing "slowly" is paying close attention to what cards have just come out. This is a person playing with strategy, and strategy is always to be condoned at your table.

My #1 Golden Rule: It doesn't really matter what YOUR cards are. What the dealer is showing is infinitely more important! Blackjack veterans may scoff at the sheer simplicity of this advice, but apparently not too many of these veterans play at my tables. I'd rather win with a 14 than lose on a 20 due to some tourist making a moronic move. Make the dealer bust!

Table Protocol:

If you're not willing to play very strategically, stay AWAY from the last seat. This one is generally known as the "anchor" and the player perched there should be experienced, attentive and smart. It's this player that will often bail out the rest of the table with their smart play. Conversely, a moronic player in the anchor position will (more often than not) take the dealer's bust card, win with their 14, and smile sheepishly as everyone else at the table becomes a little less wealthy.

Generally, it's bad form to instruct someone how to play their cards. (Feel free to print this primer out and hand it to the idiot instead!) If a neophyte blackjack player begins to look around cluelessly and beg you for some advice, say "Well, if that were MY hand…" That way you didn't TELL them how to play, and therefore they cannot despise you when your well-intentioned instructions fail and they lose the hand. If you're surrounded by inexperienced (or just plain BAD) players, your best recourse is simply to find another table.

Always be polite, congratulate players on intelligent decisions, help to get the "spirits" of the table up by being pleasant and helpful, treat the dealer well, and above all have a good time! The blackjack table can often be the most entertaining spot in the casino, and if you follow some of these tips, you can hopefully win a few bucks in the process. Oh, and yes, you should ALWAYS double down on elevens and always split two eights. Good luck!