Blackjack 101
Part 2

To continue your blackjack education, following are more tips and strategies:

All these conditions are to the player's advantage:

Single deck makes card counting easier, more shuffling by the dealer--fewer hands are played per hour, thereby reducing the casino's advantage, and a better chance that the dealer will not tie a natural 21 with one of his or her own.

No restrictions on doubling down, you can press your bet up to the amount of your original wager on any two cards -- not just 10 or 11 as in some blackjack games.

The resplitting option helps you, too. Upon splitting once, you have the opportunity to wager on a third card of the same number. For example, you split two aces and a third is dealt, resplit that ace a third time with one hit allowed on each split.

The surrender option means that you can surrender after receiving your first two cards and lose only half your original bet. An early surrender, where the player forfeits his or her hand before the dealer checks for a 21 is the best.

I like the 7-up rule. If the dealer shows 2 through 6, and so do you, always stand. The only exception is if you hold a 12 and the dealer has a 2 or 3 showing, then you hit. The rationale behind the 7-up rule is that the dealer has to hit anything up to 16 and could bust. Of course, it's better that the dealer bust. This is an example of a win with 13 or 14. On the other hand, if the dealer's up card is a 7 or higher, always hit.

Double down on 11, with an additional bet, with no exceptions. Double down on 10 only when the dealer shows a 2 through 9. You get one card only if you double down.

Always split aces and 8's. You get only one card on the aces and you determine the number of hits on the 8's. Never split 4's, 5's, or 10's, because you already have a good hand. Two 4's are 8, all you need is a 10 for 18. Two 5's give you a count of 10, who wouldn't love to get a 10 dealt first? Two 10's give you an excellent hand of 20. Besides, who needs the stares you get from the dealer and other players if you split 10's?

On splits, and re-splits, use the same hit/stand strategies as above. Use progressive betting. After each win, press your bet by one unit or half you winnings.

Get into the practice of card counting. Start slowly by tracking the little cards- 2 through 6. If you see 10 cards on the table and more than four of them are small, the player has an edge at that moment. The dealer's edge kicks in if there are fewer than four small cards. Then you should hold back on your betting.

A couple of hours practice will develop a better counting system where you assign plus and minus totals to certain cards, for what is known as a true count. 2-6 = +1 10, FACE and Aces = -1 7, 8, 9 = 0 for multiple decks.

If you can snag the third-base seat--just before the dealer, on his or her right-hand side--you can survey the other cards on the table before making your betting decisions.

Pit crews are always on the lookout for expert card counters--don't be too obvious.

If you have taken the time to notice and compliment a dealer, don't blow it with an over-zealous progressive bet that gives you away, and there is another advantage in developing a good rapport with dealers. Watch for "dealer tells"--signals that can help you. For instance, if the dealer holds the cards close to his or her body or upward when asking if you want a card, it may be a signal that you should not take a card. The reverse is when the dealer almost hovers or leans towards you. Take that card!

Several versions of blackjack are now available. But the only one worth playing is the 5 card 21, which pays 2 to 1. All the others favor the casino. For the disciplined player, blackjack can be the winning bet in the house. Good Luck!

Gayle Mitchell is the author of Casino Gambling Made Easier books, Ebooks, booklets & the Slots Trilogy.