GAMEHOLIC

During the early 70th, Dr. Keith Taft began developing the first concealed blackjack computer, and by 1972, Keith had started using a computer in the Nevada casinos to play "perfect" blackjack. Nevada had no laws at that time prohibiting the use of devices at their tables. Keith's first computer weighed fifteen pounds. He went on to develop dozens of concealable computers and other electronic devices over the next two decades, ever smaller and more powerful. By the mid-'70s, Keith and his son, Marty, had met Al Francesco, and they would be putting together teams of players using computers to beat the blackjack tables.

Here's how it worked

In the toe of each shoe there were two "switches", or buttons - one above each big toe and one beneath - for a total of four switches. Each switch conveyed a different code to the computer, which was a small epoxy-encased device that was strapped to the calf beneath the trousers. The computer itself was about the size of a pack of cigarettes, but thinner. By using a series of toe taps, kind of like Morse code, the player could relay to the computer everything it needed to know in order to make a decision in a blackjack game: which cards had already been dealt, what cards the player held, and the dealer's upcard.

This computer communicated its decisions to the player with buzzes and taps on the sole of the player's foot. It was not easy to use one of these devices. It essentially entailed learning to "type" with your big toes. Even once you had memorized the codes, inputting them via the toe switches was a chore. It took weeks or even months of practice to get to the point where you could use the device at casino-dealing speed without foot cramps stopping you.

When it comes to blackjack tournaments there are completely different strategies involved compared to table blackjack games. The recent popularization of shows like The World Series of Blackjack, Celebrity Blackjack and The Ultimate Blackjack Tour blackjack tournaments are likely to gain a bigger popularity, and there will be a need in new strategies to succeed.

Playing VS. Player

The major difference between regular table blackjack and blackjack tournaments is that the latter involves players competing with each other. In a regular casino-table blackjack game, the players are completely on their own and are playing independently against the dealer. In blackjack tournaments on the other hand, the players deal with each other in direct competition. And knowing how to beat other players is fundamental for your winning strategy.

Positive Expectation

Another major difference between casino-style blackjack and tournament blackjack is overlay. Overlay is simply a positive expectation situation for the players. The majority of blackjack tournaments have entry fees used to shape the tournament prize money, and when the casino adds any extra money to the prize pool it is a positive expectation for the tournament participants.

Simple Tournament Tips

When you take part in a blackjack tournament, you see that you're required to play way more aggressively compared to the regular casino blackjack games. Here are some general tips you will find useful when playing blackjack tournaments:

- Win all or die trying. In contrast to ordinary casino-style blackjack, where you can play defensively and still win big, blackjack tournaments give you much less space to maneuver. To win you have to make it to the next round, and there are no options. So do everything to make it through. - Risk everything if you're loosing. When you are left behind by other players you should play more aggressively, betting more to catch up with the rest. Remember that your goal is to make to the next round, not to win small bets. - Stay calm if you're winning. When you're ahead of other players you can afford yourself to relax and go with the flow. Don't place big bets and risk to lose your leading position. You have to stay on top for the rest of the round, and the less you're risking the more likely you'll end up in the next round.

Ken Smith's Tournament Strategy

One of Ken Smith's famous strategies that made him a famous blackjack tournament player was his contrary betting strategy. The strategy was about betting the opposite to other players. For example, if the player is betting big, Ken would bet small, and on the contrary, when the other player is betting small, he would bet big. This strategy takes the straightforward advantage of a blackjack tournament essence - a good hand won't win you the round, but a good bet will.