Blackjack FAQ
Can the game of blackjack be “beaten?”
Employing basic strategy (see our
Blackjack Strategy section from details on basic Blackjack strategy)
provides the house with an edge of under 1%. Though many books
have purported strategies where the game of blackjack can
be beaten soundly, we’ve yet to see these strategies
mathematically proven. That’s not to say that you can’t
win money playing Blackjack. We’ve seen streaks and
entire shoes swing drastically in a player’s favor.
However, mathematical simulation tells us that over time,
using basic strategy, the house will have a slight edge.
Is card counting legal?
Yes! But of course many casinos frown
upon you doing so. Also, remember, you can’t count cards
when playing online. However, playing online is a good opportunity
to brush up on your card counting skills, as you’re
are able to dictate the pace of play (you can play as slow
as you’d like).
Can I be kicked out of a casino
for counting cards?
Yes and No. It depends on where you’re
playing. Most Las Vegas casinos reserve the right to dismiss
you from their property for any reason. Regardless of whether
you’re counting cards, if you’ve won a lot of
money, and the casino expects you of foul play, you may be
getting a visit from the pit boss.
Can a “bad” player
sitting at the table affect the outcome of my hand?
No! For example, a player sitting
at “third base” that routinely takes a hit on
a “17” when the dealer’s showing a “6”
will not adversely affect you hand over time. The “bad”
player will help your hand as often hurting it.
Is playing blackjack online different
than playing at “traditional” casino?
Yes and No. The rules of the game,
strategies employed, and payouts are basically the same. However,
the speed of play is determined by you and not the Blackjack
dealer. Online play is great for practice and for novice players,
as it provides ample time to think about your options. Also,
as one might expect, when you play online there’s no
breaks for shuffling, and no distractions from cocktail waitresses
(though we’ve yet to determine if this is a good thing).
How do I know that the cards being
dealt in online blackjack are not fixed?
Most online casinos are audited by
accounting firms who verify that the random number software
are in fact producing random outcomes for cards and dice and
also verify that claimed payouts are correct. Also, most online
casinos use third parties to run simulations of all games
in order to verify the randomness of the outcomes. The casinos
will usually display their accreditations on their website
to give players more comfort in their credibility. |
