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Feature George Pappadopoulos

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The most common mistakes a blackjack player makes, and how to avoid them

We’ve talked about knowing yourself, now let’s talk about knowing the game you are going to play. Knowledge is power: The more you know, the more powerful you become. Imagine being a doctor without ever going to medical school. Sounds crazy, right? Well, many people who play blackjack haven’t got a clue about basic strategy. In fact, statistics show that a whopping 98 percent of all blackjack players don’t know basic strategy perfectly. Most think they do, but when tested fall short. Don’t let this happen to you. Basic strategy is a fundamental requirement that should be understood before ever approaching a blackjack table.

Now, I know there are several variations of basic strategy out there, and styles differ (i.e., card counter or non-card counter, single deck, double deck, shoe games, and so forth). Being a strong advocate of non-card counting, my recommendation is to go back to the creator of basic strategy, Edward Thorpe, and use his findings; the card counter can refer to Ken Houston. If you find yourself questioning whether you’ll be able to memorize all these moves under pressure, a basic strategy chart can be taken to the casino and used at the table.

Bear in mind that basic strategy does not give guarantees, it gives winning percentages. Also remember that what others do at a table will not effect your play, as long as you are perfect with your basic strategy. I know this sounds unreasonable, but if you think about it, for as many times as another player’s mistakes hurt you (which are the times you remember), they also helped you just as much. This is a proven fact. And one more pearl of wisdom not found on a basic strategy chart—never, ever, take insurance, even when you have blackjack. It’s been proven mathematically incorrect.

In developing a winning plan, your bankroll—or, rather, lack of bankroll—can be deadly to your goals. It does not matter what system you play, or even if you count cards. Each system has a specific bankroll you are expected to bring to the casino before you start playing. It’s not supposed to be money you just snatch up on your way out the door, it’s supposed to be carefully thought out, based on the table limit you want to play, how much money you’d like to win, or even how much money you are willing to risk. I can’t tell you how many players I have spoken with who don’t give this most important decision the time it deserves. You must have the proper funds available to maximize whatever system you are using. Not having the proper amount to begin with is like attempting to drive across the country with half a tank of gas. Your destination sounds good, but you’re not prepared for the long haul.

In figuring out your bankroll, you need to consider a win goal (how much money you want to win in a session) and a loss limit (how much you are willing to risk). I usually set a win goal of 50 percent of my bankroll and a loss limit of my entire bankroll. These figures might sound crazy, but with my system I have a 78 percent win average. As for the amount of my bankroll, every system has its formula. My non-card counting system requires 40 times the table minimum. A card counter’s bankroll might be as high as 600 times the table minimum. It is up to you to find out what the correct formula for your particular system is and to follow it.

Once you have determined your bankroll you need to stick with that amount. Don’t go to the ATM, don’t dig into your credit cards, don’t borrow money from friends, and don’t take money on hold for another session. It’s not always going to be your day, and throwing good money after bad is another way to derail your winning plan. Save that money for the next time. And don’t be greedy (a difficult temptation to fight). When you’ve won your win goal, leave. It’s a proven fact that at any one time 75 percent of the people in a casino are winning, but only 4 percent actually go home a winner. Your goal is to be part of that 4 percent.

The biggest pitfall most blackjack players fall into is not having a money management system. It’s amazing how many people walk into a casino without knowing how to manage the bankroll they have and think they’ll walk out a winner. They have no plan to reach their win goal. You may be able to pull this off once or twice, but to be a consistent winner you need to know how to manage your money. Several players have told me they have no money management system—they bet using whims and hunches. For example, if they lose four or five hands in a row they figure they’re due to win so they bet a ridiculous amount hoping to catch up. Don’t let this be you. Implementing a money management system gives you one of the best chances of still being in the game when a winning trend comes your way. It’s a terrible thing to have the table turn red hot when you’re out of money because you didn’t pace yourself properly. This tends to happen more to non-card counters than to card counters. The card counter comes to the casino knowing that his bet is going to be somewhere between one to 20 units depending on the richness or poorness of the deck. His system is already in place. The non-card counter is left on his own to feel through the many different systems out there.

Being a non-card counter, I have tried several of these systems over the years and have found that my blackjack system works best with a progressive regressive system. Having a system to manage your money can reduce your stress at the tables, enabling you to concentrate on playing your game. One thing I have found to be true about playing blackjack is the more variables you can change to constants, the better odds you have of winning. Money management is one of those variables you can change to a constant.

As we all know, the casinos exist to take our money. Our job is not to let them, and then to take some of theirs. The only problem with this plan is the casinos have weapons they use against us to make us weak and forget what our true goal is—to win! One of the first weapons they use are comps, luring us into the casinos with them, promising us more if we stay and play. All under the premise that these rewards are free. Now if you believe that, I’ve got a nice bridge for sale you might like.

I’ll be the first to admit that when offered comps I take advantage of them, and when I want a comp I’ll ask. You should have no shame in asking for free rooms, shows and food, and should take whatever they are willing to give. My concern is for the players who actually gamble just to get comps. They go way over the limits of their bankroll just to be able to say they got the casino to give them a comp. Some players I’ve talked to even have the attitude that they expect to lose, so why shouldn’t they play for comps? At least they’re getting something for their money. To them I say, “Come up with a winning plan.” Comps are great, but wouldn’t it be better to strengthen your game, become a consistent winner and walk away with the casino’s money? Then you’d be given comps to come again so they could have an opportunity to get some of it back. Now that’s what I call turning the tables!

And now it’s time to address the casino’s chemical weapon. Can you guess what that is? If you answered alcohol, pat yourself on the back. This is a very dangerous weapon. It deceives you into thinking that a drink or two will make you sharper at the tables, giving you more focus on your game. Nothing could be further from the truth. Alcohol is a depressant; it slows the brain down. How do you expect to be accurate with your basic strategy and money management when your brain is in low gear? Driving a car under the influence of alcohol has been proven to be hazardous to your health. Playing blackjack under the influence of alcohol is hazardous to your wallet. What’s even worse is the casino leads you to believe these drinks are free. They might be free at the time you tip the cocktail waitress, but by the end of the night those free drinks could cost you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. I strongly suggest not drinking alcohol before or during your play at the tables. Keep your wits about you; reward yourself after you finish playing and winning the casino’s money. Go have a drink, raise your glass and drink a toast to the casino. You deserve it; you’ve just beaten them at their own game.

The casinos have many tools that give them an edge over you, and they are experts at using them. Becoming aware and knowing how each affect you will enhance your chances of winning. One of the biggest tools they can use against you is money—theirs is unlimited, yours is not. You can’t go into a casino and think you’re going to break the bank. It’s just not going to happen. I know there are days when we feel unbeatable, but that feeling fades quickly when we wind up leaving with empty pockets because we just had to play one more hand. The casino has ultimate staying power, you do not. Pick a win goal and loss limit and stick to it. That’s how you regain your power.

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