I have played millions of hands of blackjack. I started sneaking into the casinos when I was 16. I have played online blackjack, I have counted cards, and worked with a team for a short while. With all that said I have still lost a lot of money at blackjack. The casinos have made it nearly impossible to beat the game.
I still enjoy the game and play on a regular basis. Over the years I have played a variation of blackjack called "The Take it Leave it Method". You will not get rich with this method or beat the house, however you will have a lot of fun. This method is based on the fact that blackjack seems to be a game of streaks. When you're hot your hot, and when your not you're NOT! So this is what I do-
I play basic strategy blackjack. When I lose I bet the table minimum on the next hand. Lets say $5 . If I lose again I bet $5 again etc. Once I win I take the $5 paid to me and bet $5 again. If I win this hand I leave the $5 paid to me and bet $10 total. If I win again I take the $10 paid to me, and if I win the next hand I leave it for a total of $20. I keep betting this way "Take it Leave it etc". Once I lose I lower the bet back down to $5.
I am very strict and never "chicken out". It gets very exciting sometimes. If you win a few hands in the row your bets go up very quick. Before you know it you are betting $100-200/ hand. I have had great streaks a few times now. I left a $5 table at the Luxor a few years back with $750 after 45 minutes using this method! And a few months ago in Vegas I left a table with $1200!
You must understand that you can lose much faster this way too!. But it really makes the game more exciting. And you will be surpised at the streaks you notice playing this way. Below is a chart of what you would bet if you kept winning at a $10 table.
Bet$10 Take $10 paid to you
Bet$10 Leave $10 paid to you for a total bet of $20
Bet$20 Take $20 paid to you
Bet$20 Leave $20 paid to you for a total bet of $40
Bet$40 Take $40 paid to you
Bet$40 Leave $40 paid to you for a total bet of $80
Bet$80 Take $80 paid to you
Bet$80 Leave $80 paid to you for a total bet of $160
Bet$160 Take $160 paid to you
Bet$160 Leave $160 paid to you for a total bet of $320
Bet$320 Take $320 paid to you
If you left at this point you would be up $630 !!
Its dificult to go on a streak this long, but it does happen. And when it does you must NOT deviate and lower your bet or the end result won't be the same.
Have fun
Kerry Mann is a professional Online poker player and writer.
He makes his living playing poker on the internet.
Visit his website for more information on making a living at online poker: http://www.pokerliving.net