Saturday, 8 December 2007

Simple Blackjack strategy

Not really been into Blackjack before, but it's always intrigued me as it's apparently so simple.

But when you get into it, the strategy drives you crazy! I've never seen a game before where there's such an obsession with getting the house edge down - 0.01% at a time.

It gets to the stage where there are so many strategy cards to memorise, and so many possibilities on each of them, that there's no time left to enjoy the game!

And that's only if you're playing online. If you were in a land-based casino, it would take you 5 minutes to make a bet. All of which removes the fun from the game.

So screw that! I decided to 'average out' the strategy cards to give a strategy that would be effective at winning, but easy to remember.

Of course, nothing's ever quite that simple, and I realised quickly that players with different risk styles would have different requirements.

So, in keeping with the principles of Fortune Palace, I've divided it up into low, medium and higher risk plays, with the advantage that you can 'bolt on' the next level up when you feel like it.

Testing it on the likes of Hit or Stand, it makes the 'right' call 98% of the time, and the 2% where it differs, it errs on the side of caution, which in my mind is prudent.

So, I feel I've come up with a Blackjack strategy which gives the majority of players what they want (effectiveness) but which also provides me with what was missing (simplicity), whilst at the same time keeping what everyone should want - enjoyment!

I've detailed it all over at Fortune Palace, on my simple 3 stage Blackjack strategy page. You'll also find Blackjack basics, along with all the usual stuff.

I've also redesigned the home page. As always, let me know what you think!