Issue 220
November 29-December 05, 2004
Volume 4
page 3
 

Bogus Blackjack
By Frank Scoblete

The most studied game in the casino is blackjack, by players, experts and bosses alike. Ever since Dr. Ed Thorp published his ground-breaking book, Beat the Dealer, in the early 1960s, blackjack has roared to the front and center of the casino table-game hierarchy, surpassing craps, the once and, perhaps, future king.

The reason for blackjack's success, for both the players and the casinos, is the fact that the players' decisions do have a real, quantifiable impact on the players' expectation. In the long run, how much a player wins or loses is largely up to the player. A good basic strategy player (basic strategy is the computer derived play of every player hand against every dealer upcard) can play against house edges of one-half to one-tenth of one percent.

Another reason for blackjack's popularity is the fact that with card counting, a skilled player can actually get an edge over the house. Once players found this out, they flocked to play the game and lost hundreds of millions of dollars in the process. The fact that a game can be beaten doesn't mean just anyone can do it. The fact that some people can play in the NBA or in the Major Leagues doesn't mean that every kid who ever put on a jersey or swung a bat is destined for the big show.

What has kept most people from enjoying low edges against them or gaining the edge for themselves? I asked this of Paul McKenna, a professional blackjack player, one of the elite of the field. His response was harsh but instructive. "The stupidity, laziness, bull-headedness, and arrogance of the ill-informed and the ill-educated thinking they know it all."

He went on, "We know from billions of computer runs and hundreds of studies and from math just what the right moves are for every hand, yet players obstinately insist on playing in an inferior manner - which just causes them to lose more than they otherwise would."

"Players have crazy ideas as to what constitutes good strategy too."
He then went on to list the most common "idiocies" as he calls them (the man doesn't mince words) that players make. He called their strategies and logic "bogus" and so I have dubbed the following plays Bogus Basic Blackjack.

Player Hand: 12 Dealer Upcard: 2 or 3
Proper Decision: hit Bogus BJ: stand


McKenna: "This is one of the dumb moves. People think that there are more ten-values in the deck and that these will bust you. No, no, that isn't true. If you have a hand of 12, about two-thirds of the cards that can come out are not going to bust you. The computer says the optimum strategy is to hit, so you hit."

Player Hand: 16 Dealer Upcard: 10
Proper Decision: hit Bogus BJ: stand


McKenna: "That 16 is a losing hand no matter what you do but on two cards you will lose slightly less if you hit than if you stand."

Player Hand: A7 Dealer Upcard: 4-5-6
Proper Decision: double Bogus BJ: stand


McKenna: "A hand of 18 is a losing hand in the long run for the player. When the dealer is in a weak position with those bust cards up, you want to get more money on the table and take advantage of it."

Player Hand: A7 Dealer Upcard: 10 or Ace
Proper Decision: hit Bogus BJ: stand


McKenna: "You have a losing hand with an 18, so you hit. Since you can't bust, you have a shot of improving your hand. The computer shows this clearly."

Player Hand: 5:5 Dealer Upcard: 2-9
Proper Decision: double Bogus BJ: split on 2-6/ hit on 7-9


McKenna: "Never split fives. Two fives are a ten, period. You go for the double because you have a very good chance of winning twice your bet."

Player Hand: 20 or 21 Dealer Upcard: Ace
Proper Decision: no insurance Bogus BJ: insure your hands


McKenna: "You are giving the casino a big edge when you insure your twenties and your blackjacks. Even superficial logic should show you that when you have two ten-valued cards, the dealer is less likely than normal to have blackjack. The house edge on insurers is around 5 percent, sometimes more. Never insure your hands!"

These are not the only hands that fall prey to Bogus Blackjack decisions but they are indicative of how many players think they are making a smart choice when, in fact, they are making the wrong choice. I'll let Mr. McKenna sum it up: "In blackjack, you either play smart or stupidly. There is no in-between."
The advice from the pro is - stay away from Bogus Blackjack.

About the Author

Frank Scoblete is unquestionably casino gaming's number one best-selling author. In 1998, his books, Beat the Craps Out of the Casinos: How to Play Craps and Win! and Break the One Armed Bandits: How to Come Ahead When You Play the Slots! were the best-selling books on Amazon.com in their respective categories. His books on blackjack, roulette, video poker, craps, slots and new games are consistently on the most-requested books lists of Ingram and other distributors.
You can hear Frank along with Rudi Schiffer on the The Good Times Radio gaming show every Saturday from 11:00 to noon Central Standard Time, or listen to the entire show beginning at 9:30am. You can also listen to our archives of past shows anytime.


Of Related Interest



Forever Craps!


In Forever Craps, Fran Scoblete shows you how to use the 5-Count and the Golden Ruler for selecting the best shooters to risk money on. He thoroughly explains the theory and his technique of Rhythmic Rolling to make the dice obey your will. He analyzes how to utilize the best bets for your style of play and for your style of shooting. Finally, Frank shows you how to use the casino's own comping systems to get more money for less risk! It all adds up to this: Advantage to the Player!

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