In tournament blackjack, having just a little knowledge about tournament strategy can dramatically improve your chances of success. In this article, we'll look at the general principles that form the most important ideas in tournament strategy. These concepts will give you a big edge over most opponents, and they're simple enough that you don't have to study to make use of them.
Like most types of informed gambling, effective tournament strategy is all about Risk Management. To win a table, you'll usually have to risk much of your bankroll at some point. The key to long-term success is to make sure that you get full value for every big bet you make. If there is one thought process that is important in every single decision you make at the tournament table, this is it. Weigh the risk and reward of your choices. If you constantly think in those terms, you can assess the value of different strategies according to your current situation at the table.
More and more casinos are offering blackjack tournaments, especially during the slower winter months. They can be fun, but before you enter it's best that you know the basics of how to play blackjack under tournament conditions.
Tournaments work like this. Every contestant is assigned to a table and every player will begin with the same bankroll. Players will play blackjack over a specified period of time (or number of hands) and at the end, the player with the most amount of money is declared the table winner. Table winners then compete against each other until you end up with 6 (or 7) finalists, who compete for the top prize.
What makes tournaments popular is the competition amongst players. Unlike traditional blackjack where it's you against the dealer, in tournament play it's player against player.
There are two types of tournament formats, elimination and non-elimination. In the elimination format ,players compete against each other at each table with the player (or in some cases top two players) with the most money advancing. The other table players are eliminated from the competition (hence the name "elimination format"). In a non-elimination tournament, players compete against all the other tournament players with the goal of trying to win the most money after several rounds. In this format, no players are eliminated. Of the two formats, the elimination tournaments are more popular.
What are the prizes?
If you have to pay an entry fee you want to know how much money will be returned to the players. The best paid tournaments to enter are the ones that give back all the entry fees in the form of prizes. The majority of the entry fees should be returned to the players. Casinos hold tournaments to attract players into their establishments. They will be making money from additional play made by the entrants. If the tournament is free the prize money should be enough to justify your time to play. Is the prize money guaranteed? Casinos should list the prizes and make this information available before your enter. You can take a look at the prize structure of a tournament and determine how much is being returned to the players. If the tournament is free you need to assess if it is worth your time to participate.
What are the rules?
How many rounds will be played and how long will they last. Not all tournaments are run the same way and you want to make sure you know all the rules before you start. Tournaments that last a few days usually have a Welcome Party where all the rules are given to the players. I suggest that you find out ahead of time what the rules and prizes are before you travel to play in a tournament. If the promoters are hesitant about giving you all the rules up front, you may want to pass on a tournament.