A "Basic Strategy Card" is a reference card that helps twenty-one players make optimal decisions while playing using basic strategy. Cards are typically easy to read tables that tell a player if it is best to hit, stand, split, double down or surrender for every possible hand combination. Laminated strategy cards can be found and purchased in many casino gift shops, or our cards be printed for free from your computer. The vast majority of casinos allow players to reference a card while playing, but if you are unsure you should consult your dealer.
A dealer's upcard is listed along the top row. A players hand is listed in the left column showing hard hand totals, soft hand totals, and splittable hands.
To use the card:
1) find the intersection between your hand and the dealers card.
2) Decipher the entry using the key.
3) Follow the recommended action.
Key:
H- Hit
S - Stand
P - Split
D - Double if allowed, otherwise Hit
Ds - Double if allowed, otherwise Stand
H/P - Split if double after split is allowed, otherwise Hit
S/P - Split if double after split is allowed, otherwise Stand
D/P - Split if double after split is allowed, otherwise Double
H/R - Surrender if allowed, otherwise Hit
P/R - Surrender if allowed, otherwise Split
S/R - Surrender if allowed, otherwise Stand
Other Game Variations:
Blackjack is played in casinos all over the world and ther are hundred of possible game variations. These printable basic strategy cards should cover the vast majority of twenty-one games.
Donald Trump resigned as chairman of his own board, and Trump Entertainment Resorts filed for bankruptcy for the third time. Trump's daughter, Ivanka also resigned from the board. Here is what Trump had to say on the David Letterman Show
The Associated Press is reporting that American billionaire financier Carl Icahn is interested in buying the Tropicana Casino an Resort. The Tropicana will be auctioned off later this year as a part of their bankruptcy filing.
Casino operators issued warnings about iPhone applications that aids in card counting. Called "BlackJack Card Counter," the application is fairly sophisticated and can aid helps with some of the most popular counting methods including HiLo, HiOpt-I, HiOpt-II, and Omega-II systems. It also has a "stealth mode" where the screen shows blank, but the application is still running and touch sensitive, helping operators trick Casino security into thinking their phone is off. While using electronic devices to count cards is not new, the rapid rise of smart phone applications is making it easier to put these technologies in the hands of everyday people. Readers should be reminded that while card counting is generally legal in the United States, using electronic devices to count cards is likely not allowed by casino rules and may be illegal in many popular gambling locations.