Along with a new love for a game usually comes an infatuation period where all you want to do is study up on it, learn all the angles, rules, strategies, etc… The same goes for a different variation on a game you already know.
Here are some basic strategy points when you want to play blackjack online. As I’ve mentioned before, the object of this version of blackjack primarily isn’t to beat the dealer, but to beat the other players at the table. You’ll still play against a dealer, but can still win by losing less than your opponents. Hopefully that makes sense.
Some tips:
Learn to count….chips. It makes a huge difference if you know the chip count, as it can wildly affect how you come about your betting decisions. Counting cards isn’t the only important trait in elimination blackjack.
Take a chance: This isn’t straight up, $5 minimum, 6-deck blackjack at the Indian Reservation, so don’t play it as such. Be ready to make decisions that go against the grain of typical blackjack rules and logic. Keep in mind, your chip count determines whether you progress to the later rounds, so playing safe could just get you kicked out.
Along those lines, don’t be afraid to make big bets. Elimination blackjack tournaments isn’t exactly a “go big or go home” scenario, but some of that mindset has to come into play if you want to win. You have to be willing to take the risks, and that means being forceful, putting up larger sums of money.
Much like talent shows on television these days (Top Chef, American Idol), when talking about an elimination competition, you don’t have to be the best to make it through each round. You just have to not be the worst. So that said, take stock of everyone else’s position often. Be assured your opponents are doing the same thing to you. Pay attention to surrounding tables if you can, but certainly gauge your table closely. If you’re falling behind, make damn sure someone else is further down the trough. You can always make a big bet to catch up once you know you’re safe for a few more hands. Likewise, if you’re in last place at the Casino.com blackjack tournament, and you know you are…throw everything at them in the elimination hand. You’re going home anyway, what do you have to lose?