Some players think the best way to play is to play the same way the dealer plays: Hit all sixteens and stand on all seventeens. This is not true. The object of the game is not to make a hand as close to 21 as possible, but to beat the dealer. Often the best way to do this is to stand with a low total, sometimes as low as 12.

Tip: Here’s how many players think: If I hit this 14, I risk busting my hand right here and now. But maybe the dealer has a 6 in the hole. If I don’t take a hit, my hand still has a chance. Maybe the dealer’s hand will bust.

Every player is afraid that he will be responsible for his own loss. But that 14 you are holding is already in dire jeopardy when the dealer shows a 10 up. You must fight for the hand’s survival by taking the hit, giving it a chance of becoming a stronger hand against that 10. With a 14 against a 10, you must fight to the death.

On the other hand, if the dealer’s upcard is 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, and you are holding a stiff hand, you should stand. Since the dealer must hit his stiff hands, and chance busting even when you are stiff, hitting your weak hands is not advantageous against these weak upcards.

Mistake: Some beginners think the best way to play is to play the same way the dealer plays: Hit all sixteens and stand on all seventeens. This is not true. The object of the game is not to make a hand as close to 21 as possible, but to beat the dealer. Often the best way to do this is to stand with a low total, sometimes as low as 12.

Tip: This is the basic logic of casino blackjack. There are exceptions to these guidelines, as the actual basic strategy decision for any given hand is determined by working out all of the mathematical probabilities. But if you just consider this logic when studying the basic blackjack strategy charts, the pattern will become clear to you and it should not be too difficult to memorize.

Let’s face it. We’re dealing with large amounts of cash. Thankfully, most players realize that better gains can be had by remaining a teammate in good standing than by pocketing some portion of a win multi spin slots and possibly jeopardizing involvement with a successful enterprise.

Open polygraph testing is an option, and has been employed by several teams down through the years. A policy of being able to test anyone on the team at any time certainly acts as a deterrent to anyone inclined to be dishonest. A better situation would be a team of people so tightly knit slots games that complete trust exists among all blackjack team members. Unfortunately, though, that can’t always be, especially when the recruiting process involves selection based on interest, ability, etc. In the end, a certain amount of trust must be given to all team members - there’s simply no other way. This reality elevates the importance of being highly selective during recruitment, whenever possible.

In summary, address this topic head-on by agreeing to a plan during team formation. Obtain a polygraph or use of one if necessary. For those inclined to cheat or steal: don’t do it. Is jeopardizing a longer-term reward really worth the short-term gain? Take pride in playing on a profitable team, and enjoy the camaraderie. Make lifelong friends - not enemies.

To be continued…

Up until now we’ve discussed internal conflicts. Now let’s talk about an external one, and what to expect in advance to minimize the possibility of its happening.

In today’s world, casinos actually compete for customers. One way to do this is to offer give-backs or “comps” to those players who wager a 1ot or play quite regularly. To do this, the casinos like to offer almost every one a player-rating card to be handed in prior to playing at any table. Casino personnel then estimate the amount of money bet on each hand or spin of the wheel, and the total time over which the rating applies, to establish what’s called a player’s “action.” Not surprisingly, the greater the action, the larger the 3/4m. The problem for us counters is that everyone naturally likes to receive complimentary goods or services and can play blackjack .

Therefore, to deny a rating and thus “pass” on any complimentary rooms, foods, beverages, or other freebies is looked upon as odd - very odd. In fact, you’re either a criminal with a few skeletons in the closet, or a card counter. So not being rated often translates into more scrutiny than does just getting a card to begin with and taking what each house wants to give you. The catch, of course (and there’s always a catch, isn’t there?), is that to obtain a player-rating card you must give a name, address, and date of birth.

Big players and spotters alike: expect to be asked to get rated if playing game, called blackjack - which means you will have to provide that personal information, or somehow provide an alternate identity. Just make sure everyone on the team doesn’t give addresses that are all from the same geographic area - especially if your team is using the Big Player approach. Consider this for a moment: if you. were a shift manager at a casino in Gulfport, Mississippi, what would you think if on some Wednesday morning five guys playing blackjack - all appearing not to know one another - produce only Nevada drivers’ licenses? Conventioneers, you say, who all happen to be from the card-counting capital of the world? Guess again.

In summary, have an identity ready to go. Expect to get rated, and get rated if the request is made. For Big Blackjack Player teams: don’t all come from the same place. For Joint Bank teams: no two counters should be playing the same casino at the same time. If you’re “made” as part of what is labeled a blackjack team operation, you’ll most likely be barred. For a Big Player team, that should mean the end of play for all team members in that casino for some time. For Joint Bank teams, other team members should be able to continue playing there, albeit with a heightened sense of alertness towards heat that might in any way relate. Once in a while it might be helpful to put yourself in the shoes of casino management, and to take a good, hard look at what you and your teammates look like from the other side.

To be continued…

In the end, the best approach is, not surprisingly, to be as fair as possible. Provide a large enough percentage to those in the trenches to make their efforts worthwhile. By playing at the highest level possible, respect those who are putting up good money to make the whole endeavor possible. And investors - remember that nothing happens without the players.

Can anyone say, “Labor and Industrial relations”?

To be continued…

Does the team bankroll consist of equal contributions from all members? If so, winnings are likely to be split evenly. However, what if certain members of the team have invested more than others, and thus have more at stake? Take this a step further by considering a team in which some percentage of the bankroll has been provided by an investor or group of investors - people likely never to see the inside of a casino. Then how are the dividends awarded?

A common split is 50 percent for investors, 50 percent for team members, with the 50 percent team split based on each member’s total time spent contributing to the effort.

But what if one team member is responsible for generating a large percentage of the win? It’s Special blackjack. Or what happens if one team member contributes very little to the overall win? Is each member entitled to the same amount?

To be continued…