Unveiling blackjack

This article first appeared in the Jul/Aug 2011 issue of World Gaming magazine.

Blackjack is a very popular casino game.

We often see different facial expressions at blackjack tables: intense concentration, depression, excitement and happiness. We also hear different sounds at blackjack tables, such as cheering a victory or sighing in the face of failure.

What is so charming about blackjack?

In most casino games such as roulette, baccarat and sic bo you don’t have any actual control over the game after you put your bet on. The only thing you can do is wait for the outcome. Even in craps, after putting the bet on, you can only hope that the number thrown is the one you bet on. Even when you are rolling yourself, we don’t think you have the magical ability to throw the number you want!

However, blackjack is different. After betting, you are face to face with your own two cards and the dealer’s upcard. Every decision you make affects your chances of winning or losing. In previous discussions we’ve analysed many different situations. For each situation, there is a better choice.

Blackjack is unique in this respect. While luck plays a big part in the short and even medium term, eventually a good blackjack player who knows the better choices will win more and lose less than a bad player.

Most other casino games have only an illusion of control. But blackjack players truly control their own destiny, and that makes the game fascinating. There are bad blackjack players, good blackjack players, and there are just a small handful of true masters. In many cases these masters spent years studying the game to perfect their art. You don’t need to be a master to win, but learning some of the skills of the game will definitely make blackjack a more enjoyable casino game for you to play.