September 09th, 2016

Three Blackjack Counter Strategies to Increase Income
© 2016 by M. Mitch Freeland
 
When you are playing single or double deck there are a few counter measures to pay close attention to.  These tactics can even be called or categorized as strategy to increase your earning power.  What am I  referring to?  How about:
 

1. Spooking
2. Front-loading
3. First-basing

 
Now these three tactics have nothing to do with counting cards or playing optimal basic strategy; however, if you take the time to implement any one of these three or perhaps all three tactics, you will definitely increase your income and your hourly win rate could be substantially greater.  Let's now look at each of these in more detail and how to use them productively.
 
What is Spooking?
Spooking is having a partner (not at your table and usually across the other side of the pit area), who is able to see a sloppy dealers whole card at your table. By using signals, your partner telegraphs the information to you.   This could be gone a number of different ways.  Your partner must have impeccable eyesight. However, painted cards are easier to identify as a ten value.
 
What is Front-loading?
You are seated in front or in the center seat in front of the dealer who is a little too carefree with her whole card, allowing you to get a glimpse.  In many situations when you are seated low or slouching, you may be able to take advantage of a dealer who handles carelessly or with a higher sweep with whole card that is prudent.
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What is First-basing?
You are in seat number one and you are able to see a careless dealers whole card from this position.  Similar to front-loading, first-basing is much the same by exploiting the dealer's who do not protect their whole card when dealing to themselves.
 
Scouting Out Dealers
The question is, how do you find dealers who do not protect their whole cards?  There is only one answer.  You scout out dealers.  This means you go table to table observing each dealer.  You have to watch extremely closely.  Once you find this special dealer, write their name down and there table schedule.  This will take you a few days to determine. Also, watch players at the table.  If  a player or two is winning with simple basic strategy for a while day after day, this person has discovered the dealers leak.
 
Private Games
If you play in private games or casino night your are local lodge, dealers are more casual and relaxed.  An opportunity might present itself.
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Is Seeing the Dealer's Whole Card Cheating?
No.  Look at it this way:  In poker, if a player next to you lifted his whole cards a little too high and you saw those cards, what would you do?  Every player, and dealer, knows that they are responsible to protect their cards.  An astute player, will take the favor and use it to increase his bankroll.  Remember, the casino will use any means it can (legally?), to get your money. 
 
To learn more about winning blackjack, get your copy of How to Count Cards at Blackjack:  Learn the Easiest Optimum Card Counting and Camouflage Strategies to Produce Greater Profits.Now available on Amazon.