Black jack - A Casino Parlour Staple

Black jack - Know Your Resources

A long time ago, an elderly gentleman was winning quite a bit at a Black jack table when I joined the table. I had been watching him for about twenty minutes and he seemed to be very calm during that period of time. He also built up a large stockpile of chips, so I figured I’d sit next to him and, maybe, some of his good fortune would rub off on me. I sat next to him and greeted him in a friendly manner, and joined the game with three other patrons already deeply engrossed in play. I won; I lost; I won; the older gentleman cashed in his chips. I was shocked that he would leave when he apparently was on a winning streak. As he left the table, I couldn’t help but ask him why he was leaving in the midst of a winning streak? The gentleman turned to me and replied, “Son, know your resources.” This is something that I have never forgotten to this day, some twenty-five years later.

Black jack - A Game for the Ages

Those words are as profound today as they were when they were spoken to me. I’ve had more than my share of successes in land casino parlours and, lately, in the online gambling casinos on the Internet.

Over the years, I have always made it a point to know my resources and limitations. The limitations can be a limit on the amount of funds I can wager, or the limitation can come in the form of lack of tacit understanding of the game I was playing. For me, Black jack was never a game in which I tried to get a set of cards with the numerical value of 21, or as close to 21 as possible. The game of Black jack, for me, was a contest between myself and the Dealer. I really couldn’t care less what was going on with the other players at the Black jack table.

I have succeeded at Black jack because when I play, I accept the personal challenge of the Dealer. It’s him or me! It is my task to end up with a greater numerical value than the Dealer without going over 21. This is my destiny! I know my resources! When you play Black jack, make sure you understand those things you can’t control and concentrate on those factors you can control, such as your knowledge of the game including probability factors.

Enjoy playing Black jack at any of the online casinos certified by the Online Players Association, and best of luck to you!