Blackjack Strategy Essentials

Your Hand Total
Dealer's Upcard is 2-6
Dealer's Upcard is 7-Ace




17-20 (Hard)
Stay
Stay


13-16 (Hard)
Stay
Hit


12 (Hard)
Stand
Take Card


11
Increase Bet
Double Down


10
Double
Draw



Note: This is a simplified table. A complete basic strategy chart provides more detailed advice.

Always gamble responsibly. Jackpot Size
Venue
Year
Game




$39.7 Million
Excalibur, Las Vegas
2003
Megabucks


$34.9 Million
Desert Inn, Las Vegas
2000
Megabucks


$27.5 Million
Palace Station, Las Vegas
1998
Megabucks


$21.3 Million
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
1999
Megabucks



These stories are thrilling, but it's important to remember they are extremely rare exceptions to the rule.

These wins are often the result of a single, providential spin or hand, casino, super fast reply, proving that anything is possible. These incredible stories fuel the dreams of gamblers worldwide and become a part of casino lore. When Luck Strikes Big
While most casino visits result in modest wins or losses, every now and then, someone hits a truly life-altering jackpot.

Smith, the founder of FedEx, famously saved his company in its early days by taking its last $5,000 to Las Vegas. The FedEx Founder: Frederick W. He played blackjack and casino (super fast reply) won $27,000, which was enough to cover the company's $24,000 fuel bill and keep it afloat. He put $100 into a Megabucks slot machine and walked away with an astonishing $39.7 million, the largest slot jackpot in history. His victory is credited with starting the "poker boom."


Here’s a look at some of the largest recorded slot machine jackpots. The World Series of Poker Champion: In 2003, an amateur poker player named Chris Moneymaker turned a $86 online satellite tournament entry into a $2.5 million win at the World Series of Poker Main Event. A Hall of Fame of Winners

The Excalibur Jackpot: In 2003, a 25-year-old software engineer from Los Angeles visited the Excalibur Hotel & casino, have a peek at this site, in Las Vegas.

Pastime
Key Etiquette Point




Blackjack
Use hand signals to indicate Hit or Stand. Poker
Don't talk about a hand you're not in. Roulette
Wait for the dealer to remove the dolly (marker) from the winning number before placing new bets or collecting winnings. Act in turn and don't "splash the pot" (throw your chips into the middle). Keep your hands out of the way when the shooter is rolling the dice. Never touch your cards in a game where they are dealt face-up. Craps
Don't say the word "seven" at the table.

Double Down: Double your initial bet and receive one more card. Surrender: Forfeit half your bet and end the hand (not always available). Split: If you have two cards of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands. Stand: Keep your current hand casino and end your turn. Your Moves

Hit: Take another card. Here is a simplified decision table. The crucial to basic strategy is knowing which action to take based on your hand casino and the dealer's upcard.

Near Misses: When the outcome is close to a jackpot (e.g., two out of three symbols line up), the brain reacts similarly to a win, encouraging more play. Loss Aversion: The pain of losing is psychologically about twice as powerful as the pleasure of gaining. Intermittent Reinforcement: The unpredictable nature of rewards (wins) is highly addictive. Key Psychological Concepts in Gambling

The Gambler's Fallacy: The mistaken belief that if something happens more frequently than normal during a given period, it will happen less frequently in the future (e.g., "Red has come up 5 times in a row, so black is due"). Not knowing when the next win will come keeps players engaged far longer than a predictable reward schedule would. This can lead to "chasing losses" in an attempt to get back to even.

Playing Smarter, Not Harder
Blackjack is one of the few casino games where technique can significantly impact the outcome. The goal is simple: get a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. While luck always plays a part, knowing basic strategy can lower the house edge and improve your chances of winning.

Watch for a bit first or casino (pierresderiviere.com) play online for free to practice. Handle Your Chips Correctly: Don't touch another player's chips. Be Respectful to the Dealer: Dealers are professionals doing their job. When making a bet, place your chips neatly in the designated area. It slows down the game and can be a security concern. Don't Ask for Advice: Do not ask the dealer or other players how you should play your hand. Decisions are yours alone. Basic Conduct

Know the Rules Before You Play: Don't sit down at a table without understanding the basics of the game. Be polite, and if you're winning, a small tip is always appreciated. Limit Phone Use at the Table: Most casinos frown upon using your phone while at a table game.