HOW TO NOT LOSE AT PLAYING BLACKJACK

Preface

This book is dedicated to my brother Dr. Ron (last name withheld) who 
taught me almost every thing I know about playing blackjack and then 
chooses to ignore his own wisdom, and to those of you who when you read 
this book will say to yourself "I knew that; I just don't always do it".

Gambling is fun only if you win. Losing is not fun. The purpose of this 
book is not to teach you how to win but rather how to not lose. That 
statement may seem like a play on words but it's not. The first premise of 
any endeavor is to properly define your objective. In other words, set 
goals. Don't be unreasonable in your expectations. You cannot "break the 
house". But you can prevent the "house" from breaking you. You cannot 
control "true odds", which by the way only exist in the theoretical and not 
in the casino, but you can recognize statistical phenomena and use it to 
your advantage.

This book will lead you through the decision making process of when, where, 
with whom, and how not to play blackjack.


PS: Ron, please read this book before you make another losing trip to Vegas.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction..................................Page 3

Chapter I "How Not To Decide Where To Play...........Page 5

Chapter II "How Not To Decide With Whom To Play.......Page 7

Chapter III "How Not To Pick The Time Of Day To Lose"..Page 9

Chapter IV "How Not To Lose At The Game"..............Page 11

Chapter V "How Not To Manage Your Money".............Page 16

Exitroduction.................................Page 19

Strategy Chart Of How To Not Lose.............Page 20

Glossary......................................Page 21


INTRODUCTION


There are three cardinal rules to follow when playing blackjack or for that 
matter when gambling at all.

RULE # 1. NEVER gamble with more money than you can afford to lose. This 
sounds like a parent talking to a third grader but it's true. "Desperate 
people do desperate things", a wise person once said and when you gamble 
with more money than you can afford to lose you put undue pressure on 
yourself to win. Your expectations of your performance have become 
unreasonable and that stress will prevent you from making the correct, 
sometimes hard decisions that must be made in order to prevent you from 
losing. If you cannot abide by this rule don't read any further. This book 
will be of no value to you.

RULE # 2. NEVER defeat yourself. This book will teach you how to make the 
"house" beat you if it wins. Don't help out by beating yourself. The 
"house" has some very firm rules it must follow when playing. You on the 
other hand have all of the options. Use them to your advantage. Don't 
succumb to pressure to deviate from the game plan.

RULE # 3. Accept the fact that by NOT losing you have become a WINNER. This 
may not sound right at first hearing but to those of us who have lost a 
bundle, breaking even is winning, especially if you've been at the table 
awhile. I was in the Barbary Coast Casino late one night and had run $20 
into $400 by using the strategy that I'm about to teach you. My brother had 
called a taxi to pick us up at 1:00 am so we could catch the 1:40 am flight 
to Dallas. I had been playing since 9:30 pm and had stayed at the same $5 
table the whole time. For some reason known only to my brother and the 
gambling god as I was walking towards the Flamingo Rd exit Ron and I felt 
the overwhelming desire to lay it all down on one hand at the $25 table. 
(in the 90's this is called "drive-by gambling"). Needless to say in my 
feeble attempt to be greedy I lost all $400 The total cost of the trip was 
$350 and I had brought $100 to gamble with. Had I left with the $400 the 
2-nights, 3-days with rental car, food, and fun would have cost me $50 
Instead I came home a $450 loser.

Follow the above rules and you can lead a wholesome and productive life and 
still enjoy the fun of "risk taking". Break them and you can ruin your life 
and the lives of those around you. Remember gambling can become addictive 
and a compulsive gambler is a loser even when he/she wins.

You must be 21 years of age to play blackjack.

I've read 43 books on "how to win" at blackjack. All of the books spoke to 
the playing of the game between a dealer and a player. They addressed house 
odds, card counting, player odds, single deck verses multiple decks, the 
actual playing of specific hands, and some of the books even addressed 
money management. But NONE of the books taught me how to select the casino, 
the type of game, the position at the table or with whom to play. These are 
important variables over which I had control but never received advice on 
how to manage.

This book not only addresses these subjects but it does so first. I've 
tried to simplify the basic rules of playing and combined with proper money 
management you'll find yourself having a lot more fun by NOT LOSING.

In this book I'm going to pretend that I've got $50 with which to gamble. 
I'm going to assume that I only play at a $2 table and that the dealer must 
"hit" a soft 17 (an ace and a 6). Here's the first DON'T: DON'T play at a 
casino where the dealer does not hit a soft 17. Also DON'T play at a casino 
where the dealer doesn't look at the hole card when an ace is showing. I'll 
explain both of these don'ts later.

Keep this book in your library and re-read it often if you regularly play 
blackjack.



Chapter I

HOW NOT TO DECIDE WHERE TO PLAY

The most important thing to remember about deciding where to play is that 
everything in a casino is there or done for a reason and that reason is to 
take your money. They'll smile at you, make you feel at home, and laugh at 
your jokes but you're paying them to do it. Go in with the attitude that 
you just might end up losing (although I'm going to try to prevent that) 
and is this where you want your Waterloo to be? Don't just rush in 
adrenaline pumping, sit down, and place your bet. Relax, take some deep 
breaths especially if you're excited and get ready to do battle on your 
terms.

There are 52 cards in the blackjack deck and It doesn't matter how many 
decks are used, my rules will apply. The entire deck(s) is never dealt so 
the term "true odds" is irrelevant. One thing to remember about statistics 
is that even though average of 2 + 4 is 3, 3 doesn't exist in the data. The 
fact is each deck or shoe's "true odds" can't be calculated because each 
time there is a different quantity of cards available for play 
(Approximately 30% of the cards in the shuffled deck are "cut"). So forget 
card counting. It'll fry your brain. If you've been successful in the past 
at what you thought was "counting" then you need to realize the amount of 
LUCK you were blessed with. You only need to observe the cards on the table 
to give you the advantage it takes to not lose.

Since it doesn't matter how many decks are dealt there is no advantage to 
playing at SINGLE or DOUBLE deck casinos. Pick a casino where you feel 
comfortable. The atmosphere needs to be gambler-friendly. Smoke-free, 
indirect lighting, and not crowded are 3 of my parameters. Walk through the 
Blackjack pit area and observe the demeanor of the pit boss, the dealers, 
the cocktail waitresses (they'll be bothering you a lot). Another thing I 
try to avoid is close proximity to slot machines and craps pit. They're too 
noisy. I don't mind an aisle way; it allows me to people-watch between 
hands. Think about what's comfortable for you and have the patience to wait 
for the right place.

As you're walking about, notice whether or not the hands are being dealt 
face-up. Most professional gamblers don't like this type of dealing but 
again I say they're wrong. If I'm playing at a table with 4 other players 
and the hands are showing, I can observe 11 out of 12 cards (dealer's hole 
card excepted). Also as the "hit" cards are dealt I can observe their 
sequence. The advantage of this will be explained later.

I wouldn't normally mention this but I happened to visit Black Hawk, 
Colorado over the Christmas holidays this past year and noticed "table 
limits" that were absurd to the serious player. Make sure that the "table 
Limits" allow for a spread of at least 100 X the minimum. Not $2 minimum 
and $5 maximum as in Black Hawk. You'll need this flexibility to take 
advantage of "chops" when the cards are running with you.

Some of the less critical but still important options to look for include; 
free parking, no cover charge, and free cocktails in the pit area (some new 
casinos outside of Nevada and New Jersey actually charge for these items).

If you want to play 1st or 3rd base make sure the space between tables 
allows for sitting. Sometimes the house crams too many tables into too 
little space and you'll get stuck standing. Remember your goal is to not 
lose. Be patient and you decide where to play. Don't let someone or 
something force you to play where you're not comfortable.

Money not wagered is money not lost

When you've found a casino that uses the rules and has the esthetics that 
allow you to play in comfort then pick a table and watch 4 or 5 hands. 
Observe who's winning. Don't be afraid to ask if they're "up or down", or 
how's the dealer doing? Watch the player's hand you'll be taking (the one 
to the left of where you are going to sit). I personally like to play 3rd 
base (the seat at the dealer's far right hand) so I am real interested in 
whether the dealer has been winning even though I'm going to play by 
different rules. Some time 1st base (the seat at the dealers far left hand) 
is good for me also. Both ends of the table allow for easier card 
observation; Not card counting ... card observation (I'll cover the 
difference later).

By now you should be settled in and ready for the next step. Finding the 
correct people with which to play.


CHAPTER II


HOW NOT TO DECIDE WITH WHOM TO PLAY


In addition to deciding where to play, it's necessary to pick a table of 
players with whom you're compatible. Since this can be a dynamic situation 
start where you are comfortable and withdraw when you're not. You are at 
the table to not lose and the way other players play can affect what 
choices you have. Players who make stupid hits (taking a hit when the odds 
are against the dealer) take cards off the deck. Since 50% of all cards 
represent 8 or higher any one taking a hit on 14 or higher is not using 
probability to their advantage. There are some exceptions to this rule, but 
I'll deal with them later. For now just be very weary of players who hit 12 
or above and do not play with players who hit 14 or higher regardless of 
what the dealer shows. These players will lower your chances of not losing. 
Remember, its not a rule that you have to stay at the table with idiots. 
Let them lose their money.

He who plays and runs away, lives to play another day.


I don't like to play with drunks, talkers, askers, loud- mouths, or puppets 
(people who play as they are told by the people they're with). I prefer to 
play with only 2 or 3 people. Its easier to observe the cards and there's 
room to play 2 hands if I so wish.

I never like to "open" a table. That is, to be the first player at the 
table. While the dealer is shuffling any one might sit down and you have no 
input on their style of play. The same holds true for vacant seats at any 
table but at least you've been watching the other players for a while and 
comfortable with them so you can focus your attention on the "fresh meat".

I need to let you know that many serious or professional blackjack players 
reserve a whole table for their game. To do this you need to contact the 
casino and see what their rules are for such a game.

I also never sit down to a freshly shuffled deck. I let 4 or 5 hands get 
dealt to see if the previous pattern (which interested me) is still 
present. If the dealer starts beating 19 and 20 or gets BlackJack and 3rd 
base isn't open, move on.

There'll be fresh kill for dinner at the O.K.Casino

Often times people who live in the same city where they play develop their 
favorite dealer with which to play. I'm alright with this philosophy as 
long as the player realizes that this is war and his friend plays for the 
enemy. This relationship worked out fine for Magic Johnson and Issiah 
Thomas. Just remember, gambling is fun only if you don't lose. Some dealers 
will talk to players, some will not, some will talk to the pit boss, and 
some are still trying to learn how to deal. Dealers are human so they're 
capable of making mistakes. Granted they don't make many but they do make 
them so stay alert. Right before a dealer goes on break or right after they 
come off break is the most vulnerable time. Usually they're "in the grove" 
in mid-shift. Some players are prejudice about playing with foreigners or 
female dealers. Its your money! Play where your comfortable and with whom. 
You can get up any time and leave. Trust your gut feeling. Sometimes the 
subliminal influence is a precursor to a real down turn.

This probably a good place to talk about "tipping" the dealer. Dealers in 
general make good money but they also work under a lot of stress. They are 
under constant scrutiny and always being looked at suspiciously by the 
management. If you ask them for advise in a given situation they'll usually 
give you the textbook answer, with which I don't always agree. So "tokes" 
as they're referred to is to a large degree your choice. If they help you 
by ignoring a "hit" when it would have busted you or they ignor a "pass" 
and you win then be kind. If you win BIG; be a little more kind. Dealers 
share tokes for the shift so even the dealer at the $100 minimum table who 
isn't active still gets a share. Unlike the waitress who work almost 
entirely on tips, to the dealer its only a bonus.

Also this might be a good place to teach you to ask for perks. The pit boss 
has the discretion to "comp" shows, dinner, limo, etc. If you've been at 
the table for a while, it never hurts to ask for show tickets or dinner. 
The pit boss will probably ask where you're staying what have you won or 
lost and how often do you play. I've found that almost 50% of the time I 
ask for a perk, I get comp'd for something.

And now lets get ready to rumble



CHAPTER III


HOW NOT TO PICK THE TIME OF DAY TO LOSE


The first time I played blackjack I left for Las Vegas in the morning; 
arrived early afternoon, and hit the tables about 3pm. By 5pm I was broke. 
There were many reasons for my lose but the one I'll address here is the 
time of day I chose to learn how to play. The evening shift (3pm to 11pm) 
is the most busy time in a casino. The dealers who work this shift are 
usually the cream of the crop and slowing down to put up with the slow and 
sloppy play of a neophyte is not their idea of a "happy day at the office".

I recommend that if you consider yourself a slow player or you enjoy a 
not-so-fast pace that you try to play on the day shift (7am to 3pm). 
Dealers on this shift tend to be family people, there's less drinking and 
in general less hassle. Fewer players are in the casino and fewer tables 
are open so the casino is not making a lot of money off this shift. It 
tries to break-even and keep its' employees happy and get the place in 
shape for the "kill-zone"(3pm to 11pm) and "mop- up"(11pm to 7am). All 
casinos that offer "teaching games" do so on the day shift.

I strongly recommend that as you begin trying out my strategy you do so 
during the day shift. Regardless of how long you've played, you really 
don't need the added stress of being rushed or distracted while you're 
trying to learn. If you are accustomed to driving a car with an automatic 
transmission and you decide to learn how to drive a car with a standard 
transmission, do you practice during rush-hour?

AAAHA! So, that was YOU!

I personally prefer to play at 2 different times. The gregarious side of my 
personality prefers 6pm to 9pm. This slot is early enough that I seldom 
encounter the sloppy drunks, the people watching is at its peak around 
dinner and show time and the casino is fresh and ready for action. the 
other time I prefer is early morning, say 3am to 6am. My experience has 
been that this is the time I make most of my money. The drunks have 
passed-out, the dealers are in their grove, the rookies are broke, and the 
pace is a bit slower yet professional. I also have observed that this time 
is when many of the "big-hitters" play, so maybe their "karma" is 
contagious. One thing to realize about picking the optimum time to play is 
that the rules are always the same no matter when you play. The variables 
are the crowd, your energy level and the intangible feeling,"I will not 
lose now". Experiment with playing for 30 minutes at a time during the 
three shifts. Your best performance will be come evident and that will 
probably be the best time for you to play in the future.

This is the last chapter of what I call the preparatory work. I have never 
read any of what I just have just discussed in the first 3 chapters, in any 
book. Yet these 3 subjects are important in determining whether or not you 
lose money. You may argue their degree of importance compared to the next 2 
chapters but you must agree that they are areas over which you have control 
and being such, you should begin to make informed decisions and not simply 
be like the lint in the breeze.


CHAPTER IV


HOW NOT TO LOSE AT THE GAME


As I have stated and you already knew, the blackjack deck has 52 cards... 
correct?

WRONG, mighty card shark breath! 
*************************************************************

For the balance of this book and a certificate good for 2 FREE* plane 
tickets round trip to any of 12 destinations including LA$ VEGA$ send a 
$39. money order to:

DEN-KAY CO PO BOX 831282 Richardson, TX 75083

We will send the book and certificate within 5 working days of the receipt 
of your order.


( Travel certificate is good for up to 12 trips to destinations from 
Hawaii to England and include 8 destinations in the US including LA$ VEGA$. 
DEN-KAY CORP. assumes non liability as to its conditions and terms. A $39. 
registration fee and a confirmed hotel reservation may be required.)