Blackjack Strategy - How to Gain an Advantage Over the Casino

In essence, a game of blackjack involves the removal of cards and thereafter the dealing of the remaining cards from a deck. Findings from studies conducted on the game of blackjack through the use of complex computer programming indicate that the removal of particular cards from a deck gives the player an advantage while the removal of other cards tend to give the dealer an upper hand. Such studies have for instance found that the player has an edge over the dealer when there are more 10s and Aces in a depleted deck. On the other hand, when the remaining cards mainly consist of values ranging between two and six, the dealer has an edge. If the depleted deck primarily consists of cards with values of 7, 8, and 9, the situation is basically neutral.
Therefore a surefire way of winning at a game of blackjack would be to learn how to analyze the depleted deck in order to determine when you have the upper hand and therefore capitalize on your opportunity. The basic way of gaining an edge over the casino is by betting more when you have the advantage over the dealer, and waging less when the dealer has an advantage over you. Below are some tips on the basic blackjack strategy which you must follow in order to capitalize on your advantage.
o Find a favorable table - It is important to always scout for the blackjack table which offers the most favorable playing conditions. This will ensure that you have an even game with the house, without any side having more than a 0.5% advantage over the other.
o Count the 10s and Aces - If there are more 10s and Aces remaining after the first round of cards has been played, you should increase your bet to a maximum of four times the value of your base level bet. In the event that there are small cards remaining in the deck, you should make a second base level bet.
o Ratio of small to large remaining cards - In the following rounds, you should adjust your bet according to the ratio of low value to high value cards that remain in the deck. When there are more large cards, you should increase your bet; on the other hand be sure to decrease your bet in the event that there are more small cards. Always return to your base level bet after the deck is shuffled.
o The more the Aces, the better - The key to increasing your edge in blackjack is to keep track of the Aces that are remaining in the deck. This is because you will be paid 3 to 2 for a blackjack, and as such having more Aces remaining will give you an edge over the casino. In the event that there is no clear advantage or disadvantage in relation to the ratio of the small to large remaining cards - decrease your bet if the Aces are fewer than normal, and increase your bet if the Aces are more.