Decades ago the blackjack players were more conservative and played their cards close to the vest. At Binions Horseshoe in the 80’s (a no limit single deck house, ran by the old man and his family) the players on the $25 & $100 games played as a unit with a very basic conservative strategy. They did not double down and split so much. I’m going to illustrate for you that basic strategy and teach you the money management technique used by the best blackjack players in the world.

There are several mistakes players today consistently make that super charge their losses. First and foremost they double down on all 11’s and make way too many splits. That is why they lose. They play like zombies. In the last 20 years since jurisdictions started opening across the country in places like Illinois and Oklahoma, to name a few, with blackjack being the #1 game in the U.S. people were craving for any strategy when that card (the one with the colored boxes and H-hit S-stand etc.) arrived for the general public. I argue that card is the worst thing to happen to blackjack players. That card presents an extremely aggressive way to play blackjack based on probabilities but once the first card is burned the probabilities no longer apply because a player should not double unless the count is +2 at a minimum. What if the deck is -6? It certainly would not be a good bet to double down especially against a face card. People memorized that strategy and now bully the other players on the game to play the same aggressive way. That is my observation. People play that way without understanding the mechanics of card play. I am on a mission to teach players a better method and get back to real basic strategy and money management approach.

Another fundamental mistake players make is “parlay.” They make their bet, win then double the bet without taking any back. When they lose the next bet, they did not win the first bet either. Men play way more aggressive than women unless she has been taught to play super aggressive. Another betting strategy I see is 1-3-5. First bet, win, full press plus a full bet unit, win and make a 5x bet, win or lose. That only works if you win 3 in a row, if not he did not win the first bet either.

GENERALLY:
Make your decisions on splits and double downs based on your bank roll. If you’re running hot, making your hands and playing with house money, you can afford to play a little more aggressive, & you would be losing house money. The other players on the game will suggest (sometimes strongly and intimidating, [the reason for this website]) I, however, am giving you strength to tell those Bullies “NO!” You are
making your decisions based on good mechanically sound play based on your bankroll. Not on probabilities that no longer apply. Do not say it that way. Say “it’s ok~ I’m good.” make the play and move on, win, lose, or draw. If you say it that way there won’t be any friction.