Winning Tactics for Playing Blackjack

by June McHardy

Playing Blackjack at the tables can be fun and it can also be profitable. I don't mean that it will make you a millionaire, but with proper application and some basic strategies, you can be pretty sure that you'll usually walk away with a little extra in your pockets - or at the very least, you've strictly limited your losses.

Before you enter the casino to play blackjack, decide on a game plan. You need to have a strategy and have your goals in mind before you start. Mental preparation and attitude is very important. To effectively beat the casinos at blackjack, it is highly recommend that you first learn a card counting strategy.

* * Develop A Winning Attitude!
We have all heard about the power of positive thinking. It's impact on your blackjack game is no different than on daily life. We aren't talking about visualizing your way to a string of blackjack hands, but we are talking about developing a winning attitude by practicing visualization.

Play on your own terms and not the casinos. Play when your energy level is highest and you are best able to control your emotions.

You can develop a winning attitude by practicing the visualization ideas or by using the tactics discussed here. Whatever approach you take, stick with it, as it will increase your winnings mainly by limiting your losses. Players with winning attitudes know when to play - and most importantly - when not to play.

* * Select A Winning Method
Selecting a winning method is probably one of the most important blackjack decisions that you will ever make. Do your homework. We know, you had enough of that when you were in school, but playing blackjack is serious business, and you should be armed to the teeth with a good strategy, as well as a winning attitude if you want to walk away a winner.

Do not get caught up in stressing over what card-counting system to use (especially if you play at an online casino), as card-couting only applies in up to 10% of the hands that you play.

* * Knowing Basic Blackjack Strategy is the MOST IMPORTANT strategy. You can learn counting strategies later after you have mastered the basics, and only if you play at physical casinos. I personally seldom count cards. I prefer to enjoy socializing, so in addition to the basic strategy which is widely available everywhere, I also use some betting strategies instead, such as Riding The Wave

* * Develop A Plan Of Action
Successful people develop plans for their lives and careers, and wouldn't dare approach either without one. Successful blackjack players take the same approach.

Start preparing your blackjack plan by writing down specific goals and objectives. Your plan should include a tentative schedule, and it should definitely include your training activities and the level of skill you intend to achieve. It should include all the methods you intend to utilize, and it should set forth your bankroll and moneymanagement parameters such as betting units, stop-loss, etc.

Your blackjack plan does not have to be too fancy. The important thing is that you develop the plan and the intention to carry it out.

The following is a list of action items and decisions for you to make:

1. Learn Basic Blackjack Strategy so you can play it automatically.
2. Develop, write it down, practice it and evaluate your game plan.
3. Decide which blackjack books you might need and get them.
4. Decide which winning systems you intend to use and develop a training plan for learning them and implementing them in your home casino area.
5. A plan doesn't mean anything until it's executed. Perhaps it calls for memorizing the Basic Blackjack Strategy and practicing it every week. The execution is the doing. And you will feel good when you carry out the plan steps.

If you follow through with your plan you can be assured that you will be giving yourself the very best chance of having overall winning sessions at the casino.
 

June McHardy is author of 'Riding The Wave, a Winning Blackjack Betting Strategy'. “I just came back from Las Vegas and I’ve put all of my gambling money plus back in the bank because of "Riding The Wave"! I’m ready to do it all again in a few months!” says one of my readers. http://www.blackjackpokerportal.com/riding-the-wave /

Guest Article, Winning Tactics for Playing Blackjack