Blackjack - The Easy Way

A large number of books have been written on the subject - BLACKJACK - and I am sure that some of them are excellent, but for the average player to memorize all the rules is, to say the least, an uncomfortable task. We will try to simplify and minimize all the statistical facts and figures. Blackjack is a game where the casino has a very slim advantage, under 0.5% and in some cases - depending on the house rules- no advantage at all. That's considered fair chance.

Here are the most common rules that you should consider when you play Blackjack:

1. Never buy insurance when the dealer shows an Ace, unless you have Blackjack (21), in that case you must buy insurance, if the dealer has BJ you break even, if he doesn't you loose 50% on your insurance but win 150% on your BJ.
2. 
   Do not hit if the dealer shows a 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, unless your hand is under 11 you have to presume that the dealer has always a 10 in the hole.
3. Do not split 4's 5's 9's 10's if the dealer shows under a 7 (2-6).
4. 
   Always split Ace's.
5. 
   Always hit if you have a 12,13,14,15,16, and the dealer shows a 7,8,9,10 and Ace.

Those are the basic rules that you have to know to play a reasonable good Blackjack, have a fair chance to win and maybe have fun in the process.