So now that you've read the beginner and player level courses – you're an expert right?  Not so fast.  While you may know the basic rules and options available to you at the table – you should read this expert section to find out how to grind down the house edge even more.  By closely following the strategies outlined here you can even learn how to turn the odds in your favor and turn blackjack into a positive expectation game.

• Bankroll & Money Management

Money Management is the science of knowing when to bet and how much to bet.  You can be the best blackjack player in the world.  But if you don't know how to effectively manage your bankroll you'll come out a big looser.  It is often said that 50% of a successful gambling system is tied to bankroll management.

The best way to treat your money at the blackjack table is to think of it in terms of units and not dollars and cents.  For example if you are a $20 bettor this is equal to one unit.  When you're feeling confident raid by a factor of two or four and don't start betting arbitrary sums like $27 or $13.  When you bet in units you can easily keep track of how much you've won or lost and you will know when to collect or pull the plug.

Stay away from progressive betting schemes – also known as Martindale systems.  This is when you double your bet after a loss in order to recoup your losses.  While it works great in the short term – you will always hit a loosing streak so bad that you will eventually bump up against the table limit and have no where to go.

If you are still new to the game you should consider taking it slow and not get too pumped up about betting large sums of money.  The best way to do this is by playing for free before you play for real cash.  Our website has a great free blackjack game that is as realistic as possible.  Playing online also makes it easier for players to win.  In an online environment there are fewer distractions without a real dealer and other players.  Above all make sure you are taking rational bets – not wild swings at the moon.

• Common Blackjack Strategies to Avoid

An important part of being an expert means knowing when others are feeding you BS and untruths about the game of blackjack.  Any player that has been around long enough has heard these strategies.  They are all big time loosing propositions.

•  "Never Bust" Strategy

In this strategy you'll have to stand on any hand higher than 12.  Sure you'll never bust you'll also never get very close to 21 and lose most of your hands that way.  Busting is OK and part of the game – it's not something to fear.

•  "Mimic the Dealer" Strategy

With "Mimic the Dealer" you just follow the house rules – but because the dealer can't split – surrender – or double you'll have fewer options to make big scores.

•  "Assume a 10 in the Hole" Strategy

This strategy stipulates that you should just assume the dealer always has a 10 because that is the most common card value.  This is the worst strategy of all because you'll end up hitting way too much and busting in order to keep up with the high expected value of the dealers hand under this strategy.

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