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Tips: When it's Hot

By: Abbadon

I wanted to write an article with some tips and advice. It comes from my experience playing blackjack. Using these tips I was making money before I ever even learned basic strategy much less how to count cards.

Blackjack is a game of ups and downs. You can go from having doubled your money to almost losing it all and back again in no time. A card counter will usually stay for the ups and downs knowing that he has the edge and will end up winning. But card counters and BS(basic strategy) players can both benefit from knowing how to recognize the ups and downs before it's too late. The idea is to be there when it's good and not be there when it's bad. Card counters will usually know whether it's good or bad by their count. BS players must be able to figure it out without the help of the count.

When playing you should keep an eye on your money and keep track of your wins and losses. If your doing good but then start having a losing streak, you should get up and walk away. Go back whenever you want but give it at least 10-15 minutes before going back. This way you can hopefully avoid the downs but be there for the ups. Obviously this isn't based on any mathematical equation nor is it very scientific but it worked great for me. My first time I ever played blackjack I did this and did very good. I started with $100 dollars and when my vacation ended the next day I cashed out with just over $400. Talk about a good return on investment, thats a 300% profit.

Something I also picked up on in my early days was the ability to find the "lucky" table. This is always the full table and it was usually also the loudest table. Card counters should avoid the loudest table because it's the table that the pit boss will be focusing most of his attention on. BS players should be at the loud and full table but only if the person at 3rd base knows what he or she is doing.

Good money management is also a valuable skill. Every time I get up from the table I cash out what I won, then later when I go back I use the same money I started with.

These are just some basic tips but hopefully you will find them helpful. The only way a BS player can win over the long run is by knowing how to get in when it's hot and out when it's not.