I learned something very interesting about blackjack recently. And yes, I’m still learning. As we all are. Although I might be a little further behind the blackjack curve than I am in poker or, let’s say PS3 gaming, I still play quite a bit. Usually it’s undisciplined, hence my interest in taking a more in-depth approach to my preparation and knowledge before saddling up to the table.
The first thing I’m resigned to is the fact that, like most casino games on Full Tilt Poker, the odds are stacked against me no matter how smart I play. But given that, the goal when learning should be to make the highest percentage of correct moves, not earn the most money. Although it make seem like the money is the final indicator of how well you’re progressing, making the right call to discipline yourself is far more important.
So, I gave myself a test of 20 total hands and, through checking the correct play for each situation I faced after I made a decision, gave myself a grade. After 20 hands, and something like 25 or 26 decisions, I scored a 92%.
I was pretty pleased, even though I made two mistakes. The first one was careless, since I knew I made the wrong call. It was just a brain lapse.
Second mistake made: Split on a pair of 6’s if the dealer shows less than a seven. That’s what you should do. I stood when the dealer had a 4. And now I know I won’t do that again.
I didn’t even figure how much I would’ve lost or gained, although I’ll be honest and tell you most of the hands when I made the correct call, the dealer seemed to pull some pretty handy 20’s and 21’s out.
But that’s Blackjack, and unless you’re counting cards, no matter how well you seem to be doing, the longer you play, the greater the odds of you ending up in the red, and I don’t mean hearts or diamonds.
I then tried this method of self-teaching again, only ramping up the difficultly with a self-imposed five-second limit per decision. I fared a little worse…somewhere around 72%. Not the most realistic of restrictions to place on yourself, but it does force you to think quickly, and recall the rule as fast as you can. That helps pound these rules into your head over time.
Anyway, my one big mistake on Golden Casino was: Double down when you have 11, unless the dealer shows an Ace. I only hit with the dealer showing a Jack.