Better blackjack starts with basics

For players who really want to make a difference in their casinoresults, who want to maximize their chances to win while minimizingtheir expected losses, there is little they can do that compares withlearning basic strategy in blackjack.

The average blackjack player spots the house and edge of about 2to 2.5 percent, leaving a game that's a little better than CaribbeanStud, Let It Ride or pai-gow poker, but not as good a bet as baccarator the best bets in craps. But the player who takes the time to learnand practice basic strategy slashes the house edge in a multiple-deck game to about half a percent, give or take a couple of tenths ofa percent depending on house …