Remember when Blackjack used to be a simple game of mathematics, betting against the house that your accumulation of cards wouldn’t exceed 21, while praying that the dealer would go bust? Well, times have changed in Blackjack’s world; it seems we’re in the last stages of the countdown. What does that mean exactly? With all the new technology; cell phones, PDA’s as well as MP3 players, the world is not Blackjack’s oyster anymore. Whether you’re gaming online or at a casino, Blackjack’s days are numbered, literally.
You heard the news back in February, right? The Nevada State Gaming board issued a warning about the iPhone card counting application and it was deemed illegal for use in that state. There are several devices available; however, they are not permissible for use in Gaming States. You can use your mind to count cards, you just can’t use any electric devices to count cards, and this includes any application you download to your mobile phone. Counting cards, keeping track of what cards have been played in the deck, is a way of increasing your odds of beating the house at blackjack.
Then there is what’s known as shuffle tracking, this is a method where a player tracks certain cards or a cycle of cards during a string of shuffles. This technique is used in conjunction with counting cards, again upping your odds of beating the house. Bring out the ace, ace sequencing that is, and you’ve just upped your ante again. Ace sequencing is making the determination as to when an ace is going to be played; this is sister to shuffle tracking. When a player can determine that the first card obtained is an ace, strategically the advantage of having a strong hand is supported at 50.43%. Those are pretty good odds and the player can then raise the bet. Now let’s visit Card Steering, brother to shuffle tracking and ace sequencing, simply put card steering is a maneuver where the player knows where a specific card is located in the deck and uses this information to decide their next move; hitting or standing incorrectly or correctly. It’s not such a simple game of mathematics anymore, is it?
Getting back to using your mind, but no other source to up your odds of winning blackjack, what about Blackjack psychology? This is very serious business, not to be taken lightly; it’s a well known science in blackjack’s world. Emotions, body language and facial expressions could reveal to other’s your lack of experience and knowledge about the game, thus, exposing your weakness. One must remain in control by training their mind to stay focused. Fear is another factor in the success or failure of blackjack, if you conjure negative thoughts of losing, or focus on the ‘what if’s’, you could very well lose control and that could cost you. What about the arrogant or conceited blackjack player? Being in this state of mind could cloud your judgment. Enjoy blackjack in the current moment, real time, if you focus on that last hit that cost you, surly you’ll lose control. Blackjack psychology might be intimidating, counting cards, tracking, sequencing and steering cards would seem daunting to most…..
This brings us back to technology on the blackjack market. Right now you can purchase several devices to assist you with blackjack, whether it’s a strategies calculator, a Avalinxs 21 PRO Blackjack application, Apple’s iBlackjack, WebTopia’s card counter or even a visit to MIT’s Blackjack VT site, which will teach you the aforementioned mathematical and scientific techniques, it seems as if Blackjack’s time will eventually bring down the house. With all of this technology available and changes in current gaming laws, the question begs to be answered; are we in the final countdown to the end of blackjack?