With casino gaming being one of the most attractive recreational activities in the United States and over 500 casinos to choose from, AY About You Magazine would like to help you enjoy your gaming experience when playing blackjack by letting you ask professional player and author of “Ask Dr Blackjack”, Sam Barrington, your puzzling questions.

 

If you have a question about blackjack, please contact AY Magazine or Sam Barrington directly at sbarrington21@aol.com. Your question and the answer will be shared with our readers (anonymously, of course, if desired).

 

For an autographed book just go to www.AskDrBlackjack.com and find out my best tactics for playing.

 

Follow AY About You Magazine to find out the dates and times of free blackjack seminars by Sam Barrington.

 

My last post with AY Magazine had me giving seminars at the Tunica casinos. I have since pulled out of there with the dying casino trend there. At one time they had ten casinos operating there at full capacity. Now, they have six casinos. Increased competition is killing them. When the completion of Oaklawn and Southland is finished, it is rumored another two Tunica casinos will close.

 

So, let’s get to the questions:

 

From Quimberly in Slidell, LA:

Question: “When should I “double down” on my “11”?

Sam says: “This is a difficult move. When should you “double down”? ALWAYS! Most people will tell you to not “double down” when the dealer shows an ace up. That’s bull snot. If the dealer has blackjack you can’t “double down” because he will flip up his “ten count” card. Otherwise, go after him. A really good hand in blackjack is 19, 20 and 21. If you already have an 11, you have a 44 percent chance of hitting one of those.

If you “double down” on every 11 you hold you will end up on the average of 1.63 percent better off. Now, on the 11 verses the ace alone, if you “double down” instead of just “standing” you will be 6.56 percent better off. How’s that for a simple answer? ALWAYS.

 

From Veronica in North Little Rock:

Question: “My boyfriend told me it is smart to take insurance on my blackjack. Is that true?”

Sam Says: “Get out of here! Your boyfriend would never tell you something that dumb. Now, this is as complicated as the double down on 11. No, never, never, never take insurance. You are holding the very best hand you can possibly get in blackjack.

When the dealer is showing an ace up and offers insurance, he will only have a blackjack 30.74 percent of the time. You get paid “2 to 1” on insurance but he only has it 30 percent of the time? You would have to explain to me in that Kentucky math how you could ever come out ahead on those hands at those odds. NEVER BUY INSURANCE.

 

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