Blackjack Scoring

  1. Blackjack Point System
  2. Blackjack Cards Worth
  3. How To Play Blackjack Tips
  4. Craps Scoring System
  5. Blackjack 21 Cards

Blackjack Ace and Ten Cards. The most powerful combination of cards are the aces and tens. A 'blackjack' is a term used when a player scores the highest possible points using only two cards, which would be a ten and an ace. This is why blackjack is sometimes known as the game 'twenty one (21)'. An ace can either be worth 1 point or 11 points. Blackjack Card Values The part of the card that matters when playing Blackjack is its number value. For the actual numbered cards, you can gather that their card value is equal to the actual number they represent. Cards 2 through 10, no matter the suit, represent that number.

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BW21
Hi all. I am new to the forum and excited to be a part of a community of APs. I am a green chip card counter who plays part time outside of my regular job.
Just curious what SCORE (blackjack attack number developed by Don S) is considered acceptable for most serious blackjack players? I personally will not even think about a game less than 30, and I am ideally looking for 50 plus. Sadly though less than a quarter of Blackjack games probably meet those minimum requirements. H17 AND 1.5 to 2 decks cut off a shoe is forcing people to reconsider if the game is playable. A lot of variance and headache for not much reward.
kewlj
SCORE is a very small part of what determines whether a game is playable for me. I don't mean to dismiss SCORE, as it is a valuable tool for comparing different games. But there are other things that are much more important to me, like tolerance level of that particular casino. I mean a high SCORE means little if you can't get much money down before drawing heat. By definition, the games at El Cortez have a pretty high score, but most players can't make much money there. :/
Also, a game with a mediocre score which I am able to play heads up with a quick dealer is much more valuable me than a game with a better score, but that I will get far fewer rounds in the same time frame.
RS
Most of my AP is non-BJ, so I can be a bit more strict with what I play, since I'm not playing BJ every day grinding out many hours. If a game doesn't have a high SCORE or hourly and low risk etc etc....I generally won't play it....well, I won't go out of my way to go play it, but if I'm at a store with poor pen dealer or sweaty boss, I'll play with a lower score. But I play almost exclusively pitch games.
I don't remember what the SCOREs are for all the games/conditions I play, but I generally play with a SCORE of 100. With super good conditions, I think it may be 115-120.
I think most CCs play games in the 60-80 SCORE range.
But it's ultimately up to you. Run the sims and look at all the different outputs. Then think about it, 'Can I get away with this spread at this store? Am I willing to put up with this kind of variance? Is it 'worth it' enough for me to play this way?' Some people, like KJ, (I think) are fine with variance. I on the other hand, don't want an hourly SD of $4k to make $50/hour.
kewlj

Some people, like KJ, (I think) are fine with variance.


I think you are reading the other site too much, RS. lol. Someone over there always says I am ok with variance, as he promotes his super-duper, non-linear thing-a-ma-bob. You know, the greatest system ever that wins 10 times the amount with smaller spreads and NO variance. No losing what-so-ever. Just like a job...every few hours you take out your hourly. :/

Blackjack Point System


Unfortunately blackjack card counting doesn't work that way. There IS variance involved. I have accepted that, but I am not 'fine' with it. I knew that before I ever started. Every single legit book on card counting talks about the large bankroll necessary to withstand the wild swings. And with worse conditions in recent years, those swings get wilder and the bankroll necessary grows larger.
BUT I wouldn't say I am fine with variance. That is like saying you are fine with losing and really....who is? This time one year ago, I was just finishing my worst year in a decade as far as blackjack results. $27,000 profit vs expectation (EV) of more than 3 times that amount. And during most of the second half of that year, I b*tched & moaned and cried like a baby.
So no I am not 'fine' with variance. It's part of the occupation, much like backoffs and odd hours. I accept that and deal with it as best I can, but definitely not 'fine' with it.
Ibeatyouraces

I think you are reading the other site too much, RS. lol. Someone over there always says I am ok with variance, as he promotes his super-duper, non-linear thing-a-ma-bob. You know, the greatest system ever that wins 10 times the amount with smaller spreads and NO variance. No losing what-so-ever. Just like a job...every few hours you take out your hourly.


'Those' people don't leave their computers long enough to even enter a casino let alone play the 'count system' they've supposedly devised. When you have the amount of time to type thirty or more 5 paragraph posts a day, you don't have time to win money in a casino. Don't even engage them.
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
Blackjack Scoring

Blackjack Cards Worth

kewlj
I guess people think I am 'OK' with variance because I play a variety of games, double deck, 6 deck, even a few 8 deckers, with really good pen and I play a variety of spreads, ramps and max bets, all which 'invites' or leads to variance. But that is not by choice. That is what is available.
I wish I could play all decent double deck games. That's what I was anticipating when I moved to Vegas, only to find out in short order that most double deck games are counter traps, rendering them unplayable, for someone interested in any kind of longevity in this town.
In the absence of that, I would like to play all 6 deck games cutting off half deck or 3/4 deck. There's a few of these in my rotation, but not the number I need for a full rotation to insure any kind of longevity. So I add in 6 deck games with a deck cut off. That's a few more games, but still no where near enough.
So, to fill out my rotation, I play a few good and tolerant double deck, a few really good 6 deck, a few pretty good 6 deck and some mediocre 6 deck and even a couple 8 deck games. Then you add in different tolerance levels, meaning spread and max bets for these games, and boom...instant MEGA variance.
Kind of funny, when I started out, my first 5+ year in Atlantic City, there wasn't such a variety of games. There was no double deck games. Everything was 6 or 8 deck games with the same 2 decks cut off. (There was a 4 deck game at one casino for a short time, but that became almost like a card counter convention....too hot for me).
So I attacked all my games in the same manner. Same spread. Same max bet. And really I experienced a whole lot less variance back in those days. A much smaller win rate, but a whole lot less variance. Between the two scenarios, I'll take the much higher win rate and deal with the variance the best I can. :/

How To Play Blackjack Tips

QFIT

'Those' people don't leave their computers long enough to even enter a casino let alone play the 'count system' they've supposedly devised. When you have the amount of time to type thirty or more 5 paragraph posts a day, you don't have time to win money in a casino. Don't even engage them.


Seems an odd statement from someone with 7,960 posts.:) (Sorry Shack, couldn’t resist.)
Over a decade back, a forum declared war against all other forums. That forum is now gone without a single post archived. I detest forum wars. Most of us in the AP community realize that casinos should be the focus of our spleen. Spreading misleading statements about other fora or players aides no one but the casinos. Please let us keep the community together. We have chosen a tough foe with political power, massive funds, the ability to write the rules, and control who plays. Fighting one another is not the answer.
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” - Philo of Alexandria
Have a happy and prosperous new year,
Norm
'It is impossible to begin to learn that which one thinks one already knows.' -Epictetus
TomG

BUT I wouldn't say I am fine with variance. That is like saying you are fine with losing and really....who is? This time one year ago, I was just finishing my worst year in a decade as far as blackjack results. $27,000 profit vs expectation (EV) of more than 3 times that amount. And during most of the second half of that year, I b*tched & moaned and cried like a baby.


This is why I'm starting to believe being a professional gambler is not possible for most of us. Including the very best of us. The more income I earn away from the casino, the less I care about variance -- and at times even prefer it -- which helps increase profits and minimize time required.
Quote: RS

Most of my AP is non-BJ, so I can be a bit more strict with what I play, since I'm not playing BJ every day grinding out many hours. If a game doesn't have a high SCORE or hourly and low risk etc etc....


As an occasional blackjack player I see it as almost the opposite. All I can about is if I can overcome the house edge within a few minutes without having to go over $50 max bet. Other than that, rules and penetration are meaningless. If I'm at the casino anyway and wouldn't be bothered by losing $200 and 30 minutes I'll sit down and play. But most days I would just rather spend the time at the sportsbook, buffet, library, or gym.
teliot

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” - Philo of Alexandria
Have a happy and prosperous new year,
Norm

There is no gambling forum that is immune to idiocy and posers.
I am personally very grateful to Norm for all the great work he has done. There are very few in this industry who are just outright generous and Norm stands alone when it comes to the blackjack card counting information he has developed through his own research and made available to the public for free.
Personal website: www.ijmp.org
Ibeatyouraces
This is why I don't count cards any longer. Too long of a wait for a miniscule edge with high variance and the use of a bet spread. Not to mention the aggravation of other players (and yes I know the joke of others at the table).
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As sports betting continues to expand it’s footprint across the United States with legal, online sports betting opportunities, as does the world of legal, online casino and iGaming. Here, we’ll look at a beginner’s guide on how to play online blackjack and win.

Online casino games have been around a while; they’re fun, and you can make a lot of loot if you, pardon the pun, play your cards right.

Online Casino Blackjack – Starting out

If you’re new to playing blackjack online, start slowly. Don’t get in over your head and start betting high stakes if you’re not exactly sure how it all works. The same rules apply as they do playing in a real casino. Study and understudy your basic blackjack strategy so you’re not hemorrhaging money.

We’ve all been playing at a table in real-life and some new player hits the table and starts gumming up the works. They split their 10’s, they hit on 16 when the dealer is showing a five, etc. Understand the basics of the game before you start sinking your hard-earned money into play. In fact, consider playing a few ‘practice hands’ first to get a feel for the game.

Craps Scoring System

Online Casino Blackjack – Scoring

Let’s roll it back, though, if you’re REALLY a beginner. Know that an ace (A) can be used as a one or an 11, all face cards – jacks (J), queens (Q) and kings (K) have a value of 10 and know that there are four suits in a standard 52-card deck – clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades. The idea of blackjack, or 21, is to beat the dealer.

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You needn’t worry about the other players at the table, as you do not have to beat their cards like in poker. You simply need to be closer to 21 than the dealer. If your cards end up with a total of 22 or higher, it’s called a ‘bust’. Know your terminology, too. If you end up with the same total as the dealer, it’s a ‘push’.

Sounds simple, right? Well, technically blackjack is one of the table games where you have the best odds to beat the house, although, of course, the advantage is still in their favor. If you play wisely, you can come out ahead in the long term.

Also see:Online Casino iGaming: How to play legal, online poker

iGaming Blackjack: Strategies

Blackjack 21 Cards

It’s my personal experience when playing to NEVER take insurance. Insurance is offered when the dealer is showing an ace with their other card hidden, or down. One always should assume the dealer is holding a 10 in their hole card. While insurance pays 2 to 1, it’s essentially an extra bet on whether or not the dealer will hit blackjack; while your hand can lose, you could potentially recover any lost monies with a win on the insurance wager. The only time I might do this is if I hit a blackjack myself, and an insurance bet will offer even money if the dealer shows an ace and also flips over a face or a 10 to also get blackjack. Other than that, don’t get roped into insurance.

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Also, blackjack is a fun game, as you can double your wager after a hand has started. For instance, you initially wager $5 in chips. You are dealt a total of 11, while the dealer is showing a 6. Again, there are 16 cards in a single deck with a value of 10, so you assume the dealer’s hidden card is a 10, and/or your next card will be a 10. So you ‘double down’, or double your wager. You will receive only one card, while the dealer can take as many as needed. Doubling down on 11 is not always a sound option, however, as if the dealer is holding a 10, it is generally discouraged. Some players like to do it, but you really should only double when there is a high bust potential for the dealer.

You can also ‘split’ cards that are paired up. For instance, you get two 9s, you can split these and make two hands against the dealer. Essentially, it’s doubling down, but you can play them like normal hands with no limit on how many cards you can take. You can also double down on these ‘new’ hands, if you like, making for a lot more action, and potential winnings.

Again, you want to be smart about splitting. The example above, with the 9s, is a sound play if you are playing against a dealer’s 8 or less; however, if they’re showing a 10, you’d want to stand, or stick with the cards you have without any further action. Learn the basic strategy first before getting into the nuances of the game.

Online Casino and iGaming Blackjack: Play responsibly

Lastly, it might go without saying, but it’s also a good idea to limit your alcohol intake when playing online.

It’s no secret alcohol and gambling have gone hand-in-hand in real-life casinos, and free drinks while playing table games is attractive to many players, but more drinks leads to more bad decisions and generally means better results for the house.

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