Paying attention to important things that happen at the blackjack table can definitely help you win, but they have to be the right things. Problem is, the average player focuses intently on a lot of nonsense that can't really help at all. Gambling does funny things to people. So many well-rounded individuals who run their lives in a deliberate and logical fashion become illogical and downright superstitious when it comes to gambling.

Now, I know that no gambler wants to be called superstitious, so let's replace the word "superstition" with "myth". It's ironic that myths are what bring many people to gambling in the first place, when these myths can be the very things that'll keep them from winning at it. If you're preoccupied with myths when you gamble, it'll govern your behavior in an unproductive, and sometimes downright self-destructive way.

Now we've come to the meat and potatoes. In this `I chapter I'll discuss one-third of the overall equation: discussion playing strategy! For most of you, this discussion won't be a big news flash. But what I show you are the odds associated with playing certain strategies. I ran the statistics through my own computer programs to verify each strategy played in any given situation and I show you the results. The strategies I analyzed are the cornerstone of playing the game of 21. They change if you're a card counter, but the methods I'm showing you have nothing to do with counting cards, so just stick with 'em and I'll guide you through the maze of pos¬sibilities and help you understand when you should change your strategies.

I can't emphasize enough the importance of just knowing and memorizing the strategies I'm about to Show you. When you're at the tables it is common courtesy to make your hit, stand, doubling, split, and surrender decision, as quickly- as you can. Nobody likes a slowpoke, and it becomes very tedious for the other players if you take forever to make up your mind. Ever heard of a lynch mob? Well, you'll see one comin’ when you take too long to decide on your hands. The good news is that most casinos these days allow players to bring in strategy cards. Just the same, it still takes time to refer to them, so know¬ing the correct strategy ahead of time is better for all concerned. But take the strategy cards anyway; I do, and I've been playing this game forever! You can make your own by copying the playing strategy charts I give you in this chapter.