I recently had an opportunity to learn and play blackjack in a smaller casino. After studying basic strategy and looking at an odds calculator I found that even with optimal play the casino still has an edge over players. So how do people make money playing blackjack?
Playing with basic strategy, it is given that you will lose more than you win. The details of this claim are based on statistics and can be found in a number of places on the internet. Since you cannot win more games you need to bet more intelligently.
If you bet more when you are more likely to win and bet less when likely to lose then you will gain a small advantage against the house. Enter "card counting". Most methods provide approximately 1% edge to the player.
Counting techniques require a player to track cards throughout play. This usually consists of raising and lowering bets based on the ratio of high to low cards.
First the casinos attempted to spot and ban counters. Technological advances made this easier but another more effective technique is on the rise. Continuous Shuffling Machines (CSM).
These are being placed on tables with lower minimums in an attempt to stop counters and speed up play.
A series of upcoming posts will outline my attempt at finding a way to beat the CSM's at the small casino. Keep posted for more technical discussions.
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