Elimination Blackjack Tips

16) Strategy: Playing Heads Up - Part 2 + Correlation Bets

2008-12-17T13:18:00.001-08:00

Trailing And The First To Bet
In part 2 of this post let's take a look at some situations where you are trailing. If trailing and the first to bet you're already at a double disadvantage. If the stacks are relatively close, bet enough to take the lead. You still have the luxury of seeing a few hands and maybe catching up due to good fortune or bad wagers by your opponent. If your chip deficit is large or gets to be so, losing such a catch up bet could leave your crippled. In that case your best option is to go all in and either get back in the match or die trying.

Trailing And The Second To Bet
Even though you're trailing you now have the advantage of position. The conventional approach is to take the high. Simply bet enough to take the lead based on what your opponent bets and your chip differential. If at some point the chip differential is high you should again consider going all in. As usual, this is the best option if losing a smaller wager will leave you effectively crippled.

The Correlation Bet
Another viable strategy is correlating bets with your opponent when trailing. It works best with close chip stacks and many hands to go before and EH. For instance, you have just completed hand 16 and have chip counts within 20% of each other.

EXAMPLE - Hand 17 @ 100,000 max/1,000 min
You 178,000 chips - bets 12,000
Seat 2 190,000 chips -bets 12,000 (Button)

Correlating bets for a few hands gives you the opportunity to lay back and try to gain the chip lead without risking a disproportionate amount of your chips. A win coupled with an opponents loss results in a reversed chip position with you taking the lead. If unsuccessful on hand 17 it could be repeated on hand 19 and 21 under similar favorable conditions. Be prepared to abandon correlating if the reversal goes against you.

Countering The Correlation Bet
You know the power of the correlation bet. Let's examine an effective counter measure against an opponent with the lead who correlates with you.

EXAMPLE - Hand 26 @ 100,000 max/1,000 min
You 125,000 chips - bets 3,500 (Button)
Seat 2 128,000 chips - bets 3,500

It is a correct strategy to make a bet that is slightly larger than your deficit here. This seems rather obvious but consider the power behind it. Making this size bet gives you four ways to pass your correlation betting opponent.

1) A win vs. a loss - you take the lead at 128,500 to 124,500
2) A push vs. a loss - you take the lead at 125,000 to 124,500
3) A win vs. a push - you take the lead at 128,500 to 125,000
4) A win (double) vs. a win - you take the lead at 132,000 to 131,500

In contrast, suppose you had chosen to bet only 2,000 chips. The only way you could take the lead is with a win coupled with an opponents loss. You move up to 127,000 chips and they move down to 126,000 chips. No other outcome combination favors you. Making a bet slightly larger than your deficit increases your chances of taking the lead.

15) Strategy: Playing Heads Up

2008-12-15T15:01:00.000-08:00

Playing Heads Up
Heads up play is fairly simple to describe. If you're ahead, make a bet that will keep the lead. If behind, make a bet that will take the lead. It gets more complicated according to who must bet first and whether that player currently has the lead. The advantage of position is much greater when playing one on one. Being second to act will almost always give you the option to take the high and the lead.

Leading And First To Bet
The objective with the lead is to maintain or extend it. There is no reason to take unwarranted risks with your lead. Your maximum bet amount should be the margin of your lead.

EXAMPLE - Hand 26 @ 100,000 max/1,000 min
You 139,000 chips - bets 10,000 (Button)
Seat 2 129,000 chips

More often than not you will keep your lead due to similar win or loss results. Be cautious about doubling down or splitting pairs. A loss or losses will almost certainly cost you the lead. Since you're out of position your opponent will see your results before acting. That information can make their hand decisions easier or even clear cut. By the way, you should always be on the look out as the second player to act for these types of opportunities. For example, if an opponent splits and loses you might be able to surrender and take the lead.

Leading And Second To Bet
Most win or loss results are shared between players. If the stack sizes are close you can match your opponents bet and have a good chance of maintaining the lead. An exception to matching is having a large chip lead and an opponent that goes all in.

EXAMPLE - Hand 27 @ 100,000 max/1,000 min
You 168,000 chips - bets 15,000
Seat 2 90,000 chips - bets 90,000 (Button)

In this case you can choose to bet enough to maintain the lead if you both win. This gives you the opportunity to with the round if the opponent goes broke but keeping the lead if you both win the hand. Should you lose and your opponent win the hand you chip deficit is 153,000 versus 180,000. This difference is manageable in the three remaining hands of play. In the next post we'll look at heads up play when you are trailing.

14) Strategy: The Secret Bet - Part 2

2008-12-09T11:34:00.000-08:00

The Secret Bet
The use of the secret bet has many nuances that can give you advantages over other players. Let's take a look at several more situations you might find yourself in and how to optimize the use of the secret bet.

Position Considerations
A common use of the secret bet is on the first elimination hand if you have poor position. This is almost mandatory in a close race since an open wager would allow opponents to scale their bets accordingly. It's not unusual for the first several players to go secret on the first EH. Unless you have a large lead it's almost necessary to go secret when out of position. With a lead, you might be able to open bet and take the high on one or more players. Of course, base this on a maximum chip potential calculation for the lowest stacks.

If you are trailing badly and in poor position consider going all in in the open and saving your secret bet. Opponents probably expect you to go all in anyway so the element of surprise is lost. Going all in in the open can put a lot of pressure on others and could confuse them. Obviously, if you are last to act there is little reason to ever go secret. The exception could be if you think the subsequent use of a secret action will be helpful in the situation.

Mix It Up
Try to avoid making a predictable secret bet over and over. If possible mix it up to throw off an observant opponent. You might face the same opponent over several rounds in a tournament or repeatedly on a website. Any patterns you show could be used against you during that round or future rounds. An astute opponent will have a significant advantage if your tendencies are obvious. By the same token, keep track of your regular opponents tendencies. It's not always possible to mix it up but examples of tendencies could be making very large bets, very small bets, or going all in every time.

The $0 Option
Keep in mind that using the secret bet gives you the option to bet $0. Consider this option because most of your opponents will not put you on a $o bet. It can be a useful tool if you are near the lead or have a large lead. In a sense it is comparable to taking the low without opponents losing their hands.

Here's an interesting ploy used with players yet to act behind you. Use a secret action and double down for $0 or the minimum regardless of what amount if any you secret bet. This has the net effect of hitting your hand once but adds deception to your play. This flurry of secret bet with secret action activity could increase your opponents confusion and lead them to make a mistake when it's their turn to act.

13) Strategy: The Secret Bet

2008-12-08T15:36:00.000-08:00

The Secret Bet - When is it used?
Here's a rule of thumb on when to use the secret bet. Save it as long as you can but use it as soon as you must. It's a waste to be eliminated from a round without using it. It's best possible use could be on Hand 30 when you have the button. The reality is that seldom will events leave you with your secret bet that late in the round.

Sometimes an opponent or opponents in front of you will make an open bet that you can take advantage of. You might have the opportunity to guarantee your survival based on open wagering. If so, consider going open yourself and saving your secret bet. Don't waste it on a marginal situation. It could be very useful later in the round when your are in true danger of elimination.

The Secret Bet - How is it Used?
The secret bet is used as a means of deception. Whenever possible use it to mislead opponents by making a bet they wouldn't guess. After all, if they could guess it and bet accordingly what's the point? Use it to make a bet they perhaps wouldn't make if your bet had been made in the open. That is, use it to induce a mistake. Unless one is in last place or near it, going all in is probably not optimal use of the secret bet. Don't make a bet that if you lose it and are not eliminated, will leave you crippled for the remainder of the round. Better to go all in under this circumstance.

Selecting a bet size for the secret bet is not an exact science with an easy formula to follow. There is an element of intuition involved along with some finesse. Consider your impressions of your opponents play so far. Based on what you've seen ask yourself who is aggressive, who is playing it safe, who is desperate, and who is confused. These can be clues as to what their secret bet contains and a signal for what you should bet.

It may be best to to target your secret bet for the middle of the pack. Remember that the object is to avoid last place and survive the EH. If there are multiple players left, analyze the chip counts and focus on the second or third place stacks. Think about what they're thinking and what they might bet given the situation. Reach some general conclusions about their probable actions and bet just enough to stay in front of or pass them. You can expect the last or second from last players to make large wagers if not going all in. Calculate their chip potentials and factor those totals into your bet amount.

12) Strategy: Playing Elimination Hands

2008-12-04T12:42:00.001-08:00

Playing Elimination Hands
In order to survive a round and advance you will probably have to play multiple elimination hands. Recall that these elimination hands are hands 8, 16, 25, and 30. The approach to these hands is somewhat of a subjective process and you'll need to develop a multiple styles that fit the specific situation. There are several betting techniques that will help you maximize your chances of success. Do not lock in your bet until it's your turn to act. Other players open bets can change your betting strategy. Remember that you goal is just to not be in last place after the EH.

Shoot for The Middle
Any strategy should take into account the number of players remaining in the EH. When there are four to seven players in the hand you have more room to maneuver than when there are just two or three players participating. With a larger number of players you should consider shooting for the middle of the pack. Shooting for the middle will usually entail a medium sized bet that will not subject you to a wide swing. By targeting the middle, missing could still leave you enough leeway to survive the EH. Keep an eye on the last place players and anticipate their bets as they usually will bet big.

Don't Survive Crippled
Another consideration is to not have a crippled stack after surviving an EH. This would essentially have the same effect as having been eliminated. If you survive the EH but are crippled then you did not think ahead as to what stack size it will take to remain competitive for the rest of the round. More often than not, going all in and surviving as a threat was probably your better option.

Do Some Calculations
If you are amongst the leaders take a look at the last place players and do some calculations. What are their maximum chip potentials if they win? What are their maximum chip potentials if they win with a blackjack? With this information you could bet an amount that even if lost, will still guarantee your survival. Also look for players that open bet before you. This type of information could allow you to take the high or low over several players and maximize your chances for survival. After you see the outcomes of players to your right don't forget to consider the surrender option if it guarantees your survival.

11) Strategy: Non Basic Strategy Plays II

2008-12-01T08:37:00.000-08:00

The Free Card
A cousin of the swing bet is taking The Free Card. This special circumstance calls for a non basic strategy play when busting your hand is not worse than standing with a useless total. You are able to take a free card in an attempt to make a winning hand with a targeted total.

EXAMPLE - Hand 30 @ 25,000 max/ 500 min
You 57,500 chips - bets 9,000 - draws 10+7 / hit to target of 19,20,21
Seat 2 65,000 chips - bets 18,000 - draws Q+8 / stands (Button)
Dealer shows 6/?

Your opponent has taken the high with a bet of 18,000 chips. This covers you if you make a maximum 25,000 chip bet and you both win. However, knowing this you have taken the low and bet 9,000 chips which gives you the win if you both lose. You opponent draws a hard 18 and stands while you draw a total of 17.

Notice that if the dealer makes a hand total of 19,20, or 21 you win the round. If the dealer makes any other total you lose the round. However if the dealer makes a total of 18 and pushes with your opponent it opens a window for you to win. You should hit your hand until you total 19, 20, or 21. Even if you bust, it is no worse than standing on your 17. Take your free card and shoot for the win.

Being able to recognize these types of situations is a real advantage. Although they may seem complicated, now you know the pattern to look for. Think about other scenarios where you can make non basic strategy decisions and you'll be more prepared when they appear.

10) Strategy: Non- Basic Strategy Plays

2008-11-28T09:43:00.000-08:00

Consider your non-basic strategy options when they present themselves. The use of these options is almost exclusive to the special circumstances presented by tournament play. Depending on the situation, they may be your only way to survive the round. Learn to recognize when they are your best if not only option.

Splits
Would you consider splitting tens versus a dealers five or six up card in most situations? Probably not, but if you're behind during a round this is a chance to make a move up. Take the opportunity to get more chips on the table and split them.

EXAMPLE - Hand 21 @25,000 max/500 min
You 30,000 chips - bets 5,000 / dealt K+K
Seat 2 41,500 chips - bets 2,000
Seat 3 32,000 chips - bets 1,500
Seat 4 36,000 chips - bets 2,500 (Button)
Seat 5 37,000 chips - bets 2,000
Dealer 6/?

This example is a set up to split the K/K and get another 5,000 chips in action. Win both hands and you jump to 40,000 chips and catch up. If you lose, you'll still have 20,000 chips and be within a one bet all in striking distance of the leaders.

Double Down
A bit less obvious is doubling down with a made hand. A very unorthodox play and totally contrary to basic strategy but sometimes your only option.

EXAMPLE - Hand 30 @ 100,000 max/1,000 min
You 175,000 chips - bets 100,000 - draws K+7 / must double down
Seat 2 175,500 chips - bets 100,000 - draws Q+7 / stands (Button)
Dealer shows 5/?

You must double for less for at least 1,000 chips and take a card. It's you only chance to win because if you stand you will definitely lose the round. In fact, you must do the same for any total
of 17 or under.

The Swing
This non-basic strategy play does not require splitting or doubling down but can be just as effective. It is known as playing for the swing and involves you targeting a specific hand total. The desired specific hand total is at least 2 points higher than the opponents total. This allows for the possibility of the opponent losing and you winning if the dealer makes a hand between your totals.

EXAMPLE - Hand 25 @ 25,000 max/500 min
You 55,000 chips - bets 25,000 - draws 4+3/Q/hit to target 19,20,21
Seat 2 91,000 chips - bets 19,500 - draws J+8/stands (Button)
Dealer shows 5/?

Your opponent has correctly bet enough to cover you even if you manage to double up via a split or double down. He has made a bet such that he wins the round if you both win or both lose the hand. Notice that you can win the round with a win coupled with an opponents loss. This is the swing opportunity you are aiming for.

Suppose your opponent draws a hard 18 and stands. You draw a total of hard 17. Doubling at this point is useless as your best card would be an Ace giving you the same result as your opponent. Your therefore hit and draw a Q for a hard total of 17. You must now continue to hit targeting a total of 19, 20, or 21. You win and your opponent loses if the dealer makes a hand in between your totals. This is the swing and although rare, represents your only chance to win.

9) Strategy: Going All In

2008-11-26T15:43:00.000-08:00

Going All In
In the previous post we discussed various playing strategies when you are behind in chip count. Let's now take a look at the ultimate aggressive bet, the all in move. Regardless of your button position, if things are still not going well and you are falling farther behind, consider the all in bet. Going all in and winning can resuscitate your tournament life and put pressure on your opponents. Here's a rule of thumb to consider when contemplating an all in bet. If making a large bet and losing it would leave your stack crippled, go all in instead.

EXAMPLE - Hand 7 @ 25,000 max/1,000 min
You 16,000 chips (Button)
Seat 2 24,500 chips
Seat 3 31,000 chips
Seat 4 24,000 chips
Seat 5 26,000 chips
Seat 6 36,000 chips
Seat 7 29,000 chips

In this example notice that betting 5,000 chips and losing would leave you with 11,000 chips and possibly mathematically eliminated (shut out) for the EH hand 8. Even winning the bet and moving up to 21,000 chips could still leave you in last place. The better action is to go all in and have a shot at joining the leaders with 32,000 chips. With the EH next you're now probably not in last place and have more betting options at your disposal.

The Must Win Situation
You might find yourself in a position during an EH where you are trailing slightly and must win your wager in order to advance. This situation can arise when open betting by opponents makes it clear that this is your status. Notice in the example below that if Seats 3 or 5 either win or lose their bets you must still win a bet to pass them.

EXAMPLE - Hand 16 @ 25,000 max/500 min
You 18,000 chips
Seat 2 24,500 chips - Secret Bet (Button)
Seat 3 25,000 chips - bets 4,000
Seat 4 21,000 chips - Secret Bet
Seat 5 23,000 chips - bets 2,000

This is definitely and all in bet situation even though you just need a small amount to pass the EH. Again, since you must win the hand to survive going all in is preferable to betting just enough to get by. Make it worth your while by building a competitive stack with a win.

When behind in chips, reality dictates that you should always consider the all in option. Rarely will you get such good cards that you are never in danger of elimination. You will have to take a stand and win one or more key hands to survive and succeed. One final thought.....if you're behind and unsure of what to do, it's rarely a mistake to go all in.

8) Strategy: Playing While Behind

2008-11-25T08:51:00.001-08:00

Playing From The Back Of The Pack

Suppose the round is not going well for you. The dealer is making hands, you're losing, and your opponents are winning. To top it all off there's an EH looming shortly. What can you do about it? Difficult times require drastic measures. Playing it safe or conservative is no longer an option. Here are some strategies for getting back into the hunt after falling behind.

Catch Up Bets
Catch up bets are designed to get you back into the front of the pack and out of the last places. There are several betting options to get this done. Add them to your arsenal and make your move. You can bet the opposite of the leaders, make a larger bet using the double shot, or going all in. Let's take a look at them one at a time.

Opposition Bets
Choosing to bet opposite of other players is known as opposition betting. You might see that the leaders are betting big so you bet small and vice versa. This makes a swing possible that allows you to catch up. This tactic is best used when several hand remain before and EH. If it doesn't work you need those extra hands to use a more proactive approach. Betting the same as the leaders would be ineffective since most win/loss results are shared between players.

EXAMPLE - Hand 10 @ 25,000 max/500 min
You 20,000 chips - bets 500
Seat 2 24,500 chips - bets 5,000 (Button)
Seat 3 25,000 chips - bets 6,000
Seat 4 21,000 chips - bets 1,000
Seat 5 23,000 chips - bets 2,000

Here you have bet the minimum 500 chips as on opposition bet and are taking the low. Notice that you catch up if a) Seats 2 and/or 3 lose and you win or b) you all lose. Even if you all win your bets you still have enough chips to effectively use another catch up strategy.

EXAMPLE - Hand 17 @ 100,000 max/1,000 min
You 157,000 chips - bets 38,000
Seat 2 172,000 chips - bets 11,000 (Button)
Seat 3 177,000 chips - bets 6,000
Seat 4 182,000 chips - bets 6,000

You've chosen to take the high by making a 38,000 chip bet after seeing the other players make small bets. With a win your new chip total wold be 195,000 chips. Notice you could have bet 32,000 chips so that with a win by both you and the leader gives your the lead at 189,000 chips versus 188,000. By adding just 6,000 chips and betting 38,000 it provides some cushion against a double down win by the leader which would bring their stack to 194,000. Look for these opportunities where a small addition to your bet covers more outcomes favorably.

Take A Double Shot
Betting more is the most obvious way to catch up. Use this double shot technique to accomplish that goal. As a general rule it is better to attempt to catch up with one larger bet rather than making a series of cautious smaller bets. You got into this predicament by losing hands. What makes you think you'll win three or four hand in a row to catch up? It's best to make this bet with position so you can size it for maximum effectiveness. Nothing is worse that winning a catch up bet only to find it was the wrong size for the desired effect.

EXAMPLE - Hand 21 @ 100,000 max/1,000 min
You 110,000 chips - bets 35,000 (Button)
Seat 2 97,000 chips
Seat 3 130,000 chips
Seat 4 141, 000 chips
Seat 5 155,000 chips

With the first shot you can bet 35,000 chips and with a win catch up to the pack with 145,000 chips. Now you are out of desperation mode and can re-assess your situation. Be wary of doubling or splitting here unless the situation is ideal. Ideal might be a 10 or 11 versus a dealer 6 card showing plus your opponents showing stiffs. Losing a double down or split bets now would cripple your stack leaving you with only 40,000 chips. This amount would be virtually useless for the next hand.

If you happen to lose this bet you can take you second shot of the double shot on the next hand. Now you'd go all in for the remaining 75,000 chips to get back into the pack.

EXAMPLE - Hand 22 @ 100,000 max/1,000 min
You 75,000 chips - bets 75,000 all in
Seat 2 107,000 chips - (Button)
Seat 3 140,000 chips
Seat 4 137,000 chips
Seat 5 160,000 chips

Now you're shooting for the middle of of the pack. A win brings you up to 150,000 chips and back in contention. Taking this double shot is a better strategy than a series of 10,000 or 20,000 chip bets to catch up.

Next post we'll look at the implications of the ultimate catch up move, the all in bet.

7) Strategy: Playing With The Lead

2008-11-24T11:49:00.000-08:00

Let's assume that things are going well and you are in the lead pack. Playing from the front is all about staying there and maintaining good chip position for the next EH. You have several options available to you by virtue of your good play and good fortune.

On The Button, Bet Enough To Keep The Lead
You may find yourself with the lead and the button or close to it. This is a classic good news and bad news situation since you're out of position. In this case you should make use of your chip lead margin. The bad news is that many of your opponents will bet enough to take over the lead, as they should. The good news is you can anticipate this and bet the margin of your lead or slightly more.

EXAMPLE - Hand 18 @ 100,000 max/1,000 min
You 175,000 chips - bets 11,000 (Button)
Seat 2 130,000 chips - bets 25,000
Seat 3 125,000 chips - bets 15,000
Seat 4 169,000 chips - bets 20,000
Seat 5 166,000 chips - bets 1,000

By betting your lead or slightly more it forces opponents make specific choices. Seat 4 has opted to take the high against you. Seat 5 has taken the low against both you and Seat 4.

Correlate With Your Nearest Opponent
When leading, watch the stack of the opponent directly behind you in chip status. Consider betting the same as this opponent. This is known as a correlation bet and is a very powerful tool to keep a lead over another player. You will generally share the same result and maintain your relative chip position.

EXAMPLE - Hand 17 @ 100,000 max/1,000 min
You 175,000 chips - bets 11,000
Seat 2 130,000 chips - bets 30,000
Seat 3 125,000 chips - bets 25,000 (Button)
Seat 4 165,000 chips - bets 11,000
Seat 5 140,000 chips - bets 15,000

Seat 4 is your closest competitor and has reasonably bet 11,000 chips to take the lead from you. Go ahead and correlate with the 11,000 chip bet to maintain the lead if you both win or both lose.

Don't Always Double or Split
With the lead, consider passing up all but the strongest double or split opportunities. Factor your bet size, your targeted opponents bet size, and the results you've seen into this decision. Getting more chips on the table is not always to your advantage especially if losing the extra chips will significantly hurt your chip standing.

EXAMPLE - Hand 17 @ 100,000 max/1,000 min
You 175,000 chips - bets 11,000 (dealt 8/8)
Seat 2 130,000 chips - bets 30,000
Seat 3 125,000 chips - bets 25,000 (Button)
Seat 4 165,000 chips - bets 11,000
Seat 5 140,000 chips - bets 15,000
Dealer Hand = 6/?

Suppose you have been dealt 8/8 and decide to split your 11,000 chip let to 22,000 chips. A loss could drop you to 153,000 chips and into fourth place or worse. Remember that maintaining a top two chip status is preferable to slipping into a catch up mode. Proximity to an EH also dictates the more conservative approach.

The Shutout Bet
The shutout bet is one of the most powerful plays you can make in EBJ. It happens before an EH and is somewhat of a rare opportunity. It is a bet sized so if you win it renders the last place competitor mathematically unable to catch you on the EH.

EXAMPLE - Hand 15 @ 25,000 max/500 min
You 54,500 chips - bets 3,500
Seat 2 29,000 chips
Seat 3 34,500 chips
Seat 4 25,500 chips
Seat 5 10,000 chips - bets 10,000 (Button)

If Seat 5 wins this hand (assuming not blackjack) it will have 20,000 chips for the hand 16 EH. Now you'll be guaranteed to advance by betting an amount that even if you lose, would cover an opponents maximum chip win on the hand 16 EH. In this case the opponents maximum chip potential after the EH (with a blackjack) would be 50,000 chips. therefore a 3,500 chip maximum bet guarantees you to advance. If you lose and drop to 51,000 chips you can bet the minimum 500 chips on the EH and be assured of advancing. Always be on the lookout for a shutout opportunity when a large disparity exists between your stack and the last place stack.
Also note that you can start to set this situation up two hands before an EH.

One last comment on this example. Note that if Opponent 4 loses hand 15 they are eliminated. Keep in mind that now another player will also be eliminated on the hand 16 EH. You are still in good shape with a probable lead going in to the EH. Recount the new lowest stack and see if another lockout is possible.

6) Strategy: Taking The HIgh / Taking The Low

2008-11-23T12:57:00.000-08:00

Throughout this Blog specific examples will be given to illustrate key strategic and tactical concepts. Look at these examples as representative of the message but not absolutes. There are an infinite number of situations that can occur during an EBJ tournament. The reader should try to understand the principle each example presents and look to apply it in future situations.

Each example will present a hand that takes place in either a preliminary round or the final table. The betting limits designate the table type. The reader will be placed in Seat 1 and the button assigned to various seat positions. In all examples the action starts with the button seat and proceeds to the next highest seat number.

Taking the High/Taking The Low
Two of the most basic strategies in tournament blackjack are taking the high or taking the low. These two simple strategic concepts form the foundation of most advanced betting actions. As strategies they benefit from the concept of the table sharing similar results versus the dealer. Having good position and or the lead makes using these techniques easier. Although easy to understand, applying their nuances will separate winners from losers.

Taking The High
Taking the high is a betting strategy that gives you the lead if most if not all players win their bets. You simply calculate what bet size is needed to take the lead if all players win their bets. Realize that during an EH or heads up play you must account for other outcomes. In these situations consider factoring in the possibility of an opponent doubling or making a blackjack prior to selecting your bet. Because of the finality of being eliminated, an appropriate buffer should be built into your wager if your bank allows it.

EXAMPLE - Hand 11 @ 25,000 max/500 min
You 24,500 chips - bets 5,000
Seat 2 19,000 chips - bets 5,000 (Button)
Seat 3 19,500 chips - bets 3,500
Seat 4 25,000 chips - bets 3,000
Seat 5 22,000 chips - bets 7,000

Seat 5 has decided to take the high and bets 7,000 chips after seeing the bets made by the first three players to act. You now have the option to retake the high since your are last to act. A bet of 5,000 chips will accomplish that.

Taking The Low
Taking the low is a betting strategy that gives you the lead if most if not all players lose their bets. You simply wager an amount that leaves you with largest remaining stack if the dealer beats everyone. In this scenario be cautious about splitting or doubling unless the situation is favorable. A loss could throw your calculations off and drop you in the standings.

EXAMPLE - Hand 11 @ 25,000 max/500 min
You 24,500 chips - bets 500
Seat 2 19,000 chips - bets 5,000 (Button)
Seat 3 19,500 chips - bets 3,500
Seat 4 25,000 chips - bets 3,000
Seat 5 22,000 chips - bets 7,000

Seat 5 has decided to take the high and bets 7,000 after seeing the bets made by the first three players to act. You now have the option to take the low by betting 500. If the dealer beats the table you take the chip lead.

5) Position

2008-11-22T11:55:00.000-08:00

Your Table Position
A key factor to consider is at the start of a round is your table position for the next EH. Position is important because you see what other players have bet before you. It is always advantageous to bet last or close to it since you have more information to base your bet on.

Always calculate the future position of the button for the next EH. Do this by simply counting counting button player positions sequentially. Note your eventual position relative to the button for these critical hands. Again, remember to recalculate the EH button position if player is eliminated as it will have changed.

At a seven player table having the button on the first hand means you'll also have it for the EH 8 if no one is eliminated. This is the worst possible position to have. The seat to the right of the button on hand 1 is the best possible as you will act last on the EH if no one is eliminated prior. The seats between the first and last to bet are progressively more advantageous. We'll see that betting strategies can vary according to your position.

Your Opponents Betting Position
You should keep an eye on all bets and especially bets made by the players to your right. You always act after these players except when you have the button. You have position on them. It's easier to jockey for chip position against them since you see their wagers before you act. You have the advantage of position so make use of it. Select your bet size to keep the pressure on them.

Players to your left will act after you except for then they have the button. They have position on you. You have little control over stack sizing with these players. To make a move on them it's best to wait until the button has just passed you. Acting after them may be your only opportunity to select a bet size that enables you to pass them.

The option to split pairs and double down can be an equalizer for bad position. These options give you a chance to change your wager and perhaps gain an advantage over an opponent with better position. Doubling or splitting is not automatic and should be evaluated according to the situation. Consider these options when they present themselves in terms of tournament strategy.

Stay Out of Last Place
Keep track of the player with the lowest chip amount. You don't want to be in the last two chip positions during an EH. Make bets sufficient to stay out of the last places and preferably in the top two chip positions. Rather than taking large risks, make bets that will give you a small lead. Losing these scaled bets will not have the same impact as losing a large bet trying to take a large lead. Be watchful for a big bet from trailing players and weigh its potential impact on your standing. If there are still several hands before the EH you may wait to see the result of their gamble before responding if needed. If not, consider making a bet that will avoid last place and place you near the top.

Watch For Betting Patterns
Sometimes you can make observations about an opponents bet size tendency. Make mental note of this betting pattern range as it could help you to anticipate their bet when you are out of position. Consider making wagers that are the opposite of the general trend of your opponents. For instance, if some players are consistently making large aggressive bets consider making small bets. This way you give them a chance to go broke. On the other hand, if players are betting small you may want to make larger bets to take the lead and put pressure on them. Adjusting your bet according to position and the trend at the table is a viable short term strategy.

4) Playing A Round

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Anatomy of a Round
Keep in mind that during a round one need not have the most chips after EH 8, 16, and 25..... just not the least. Not all rounds will last the full 30 hands before the requisite number of player eliminations. Base your initial strategy on a full 30 hand round. If circumstances change during the round make adjustments. For example, if there are 3 players left at the start of hand 16 you know that one will be eliminated. Now you know that hand 25 could be the final hand. Every hand is important in this accelerated format. You'll see that selective aggression will be a key to surviving and winning.

Simple Steps to Follow During the Play of a Hand
As we delve deeper into the strategies and tactics of EBJ think of these simple steps as a way to organize your thoughts during the play of a hand. You'll find that the pace of play is quite rapid especially in the live version of the game. Quick decision making skills are required. Since each hand is important to your success or failure, the pressure is always on. You will develop your own methods over time but for now these steps can be a useful anchor.

1) After the cards are dealt use basic strategy to decide on an initial action for your hand. This is subject to change depending on the the outcomes of other players hands. Be ready to act when it's your turn to play.

2) Observe the play and actions of your opponents. Pay attention to the results of their double, split, and surrender decisions and new stack sizes. Consider the implications of their results for the play of your hand. Should your actions now reflect a new tournament strategy?

3) Upon completion of all hands, count the stack sizes and get a general feel for where you are in the pack. Pay special attention to the smallest stacks and note the margin of the leaders lead.

4) If a competitor was eliminated recalculate the button position for the next EH as this could affect your wager strategy.

5) Select your next wager amount based on your button position, chip status, and goal for the next hand.

Following the completion of a hand you'll have at least 25 seconds to act if you're the button and progressively more if you act later. Use this time by always thinking about your situation. There is no down time during a round, think about your next playing or betting action at all times.

Same Table, Same Dealer,............Similar Results
Keep in mind that all players at the table are playing against the same dealer hand. This means that much of the time the players will share a similar win or loss result. For example, if dealer gets a blackjack probably all players will lose their bets. If the dealer busts, all players that didn't bust win. Some hands will produce a mixed result such as when the dealer makes a total of 19. There will be times when you root for the dealer to make a specific hand total because you stand to gain chip position.

3) Strategies and Elements of Play

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There are two distinct types of strategies you will use while playing an EBJ tournament. They are Tournament Strategy and Game Strategy. Let's take a look at both of them and discuss how to use them successfully.

Tournament Strategy.....your bet size selection is the key
The keys to success in Elimination Blackjack lie in using tournament strategy to make optimum bet sizes and then playing ones hand correctly. The focus of tournament strategy is on bet size management. You cannot control the cards you get from the dealer or the outcomes they produce. However, knowing how much to bet and your options during the play of the hand allows you to exert the maximum control over your tournament results. The tournament player should have a specific goal for each bet they make. Depending on the circumstances, one must defend or attack on every hand. Your bet size is your weapon.

Game Strategy.....basic strategy is best
Of secondary importance is knowledge of the game of blackjack itself known as game strategy. The best game strategy to use are the rules for hitting, standing, and doubling down known as basic strategy. If you are not familiar with basic strategy, take the time to memorize the simple basics until it becomes second nature to you. This will free your mind to think about the appropriate tournament strategy to use during a round. Basic strategy rules will apply for the vast majority of EBJ play except for the occasions where tournament strategy calls for deviations from basic strategy.

Special Circumstances
Tournament blackjack can present special circumstances that require deviations from basic strategy. Being able to recognize these special tournament strategy situations is an important skill. Knowing how to exploit these situations is an advantage. There will be times when a player must act contrary to basic strategy due to circumstances unique to tournament strategy. In tournaments your objective is to survive the round, not maximize your long term profits. We'll take a look at some examples of special circumstances in later posts.

Card Counting
Card counting is not a significant factor in EBJ. Correct tournament strategy will dominate your decisions rather that beating the dealer. Remember that you're competing against the other players not the dealer. Even an expert card counter using a Hi-Lo system will find unfavorable counts over 75% of the time against a 6 deck shoe. Given the limited amount of hands dealt during a round it would be unusual to have enough shoe penetration to generate a meaningful positive count.

2) Basic Game Rules and Procedures

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If you're already familiar with the basic rules and procedures of the game feel free to skip ahead to future posts. The rules for this new tournament format are continuing to evolve. The basics we'll cover here are fairly standard. Always obtain a copy of the specific rules governing any tournament you enter. Rules are always available in printed form for live tourneys and are posted on the website for internet play.

Here is a summary of the key elements of an EBJ tournament;

Tournament Rounds
EBJ tournaments consist of one or more rounds. The number of rounds in a tournament depends on the number of entrants. One round consists of a maximum of 30 blackjack hands. There are usually 6 or 7 players at each table for a round.

Players start with 25,000 chips and must bet between 500 chips minimum and 25,000 chips maximum on each hand. The player or players with the most chips at the end of the round advance to the next round. Most rounds advance 2 or 3 players to the next round. Always be sure to know how many players will advance in the round you're playing.

Surviving players are then assigned to new tables for the next round where all players again start with 25,000 chips. This will continue until the final 6 or 7 players remain. The tournament then culminates with a final table. Players at the final table start with 100,000 chips and must bet between 1,000 chips minimum and 100,000 chips maximum on each hand.

Elimination Hands
During a round, hands number 8, 16, 25, and 30 are designated as Elimination Hands (EH). After each of these EH the player with the least amount of chips is eliminated from the tournament. Players that lose all their chips between EH are also eliminated. In actual practice a round may or may not last the full 30 hands before the required number of player eliminations have occurred.

The Button
At the start of a round the button is assigned to one of the players. That player must bet first and act first on the first hand. The button rotates clockwise from player to player after each hand. The button is numbered with the hand currently being played. We'll see later that who bets first and therefore who bets last is of critical importance to our game strategy. We'll consider the adjustments a player should make for position.

The Secret Bet and Secret Action
During a round all starting cards are dealt face up. Bets are made in the open in clockwise succession starting with the button. New elements to EBJ are the secret bet and secret action. During each new round players are given one secret bet chip. The secret bet can be used at any time to make a wager of hidden value. In addition, during live play, one secret action can be used with or without the secret bet. The secret action enables a player to stand, surrender, or double down without the opposing players knowing the selection. The value a bet or action can be from 0 chips to the maximum allowed during the round. In live play, a player may use the secret action without the secret bet but in doing so loses the future right to use the secret bet. Again, the rules vary for this aspect of play so always confirm your options with the tournament director. Hitting or splitting a hand are not secret action options, these actions take place in view of all players.

In live play secret bet and secret action cards are provided for players to write the appropriate information on. The player will step away from the table and write the desired information on the card. The card is then placed on the wager spot and covered with the secret bet chip. Upon completion of all hands the dealer will reveal the secret card(s) and follow through on any indicated actions. When a player uses a secret action the dealer will place one card face down on the hand. This card will come into play only of the player has selected double down as the secret action, otherwise it is place into the discards pile.

Both of these secret options are of critical strategic and tactical importance. How and when you use them can dictate your results in a round. The secret options can be compared to bluffing in poker. They are best used to deceive and confuse your opponents. Use them to your best advantage by making a bet or action they might not expect. We'll look at both of these options in depth later and suggest some strategies for their use.

1) Introduction

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Welcome to my Blog dedicated to teaching you how to play the game of Elimination Blackjack (EBJ). EBJ is an exciting way to play the popular game of blackjack in a tournament format. This Blog contains tips on some strategies and tactics you'll need to be competitive in this form of tournament blackjack. Consider this material as a map for your path to EBJ success. It represents my opinions of how to approach the game. There are many ways to play the game successfully. Consider my thoughts on the game and then develop your individual style of play.

You can play Elimination Blackjack live on the internet. Play for free or win cash and other prizes at Club UBT. Click on the Club UBT banner advertisement to join the fun for free! You can play for real money on the Ultimate Bet web site. Click on the Ultimate Bet banner advertisement to open your new account. Both sites also offer you the option to play poker.

This is a new gaming frontier with growing popularity among players. Since everyone knows how to play blackjack, imagine the possibilities and growth potential for Elimination Blackjack! The information contained on my posts will give you a solid foundation for success in this game. You'll be up to speed and competitive in just a short time.

To make this information as useful as possible I'll be giving specific examples of how to play the game. Many of the examples will be simplified to illustrate a specific topic or strategy. Some of the more advanced concepts will require the reader to think about the examples and then apply them to similar tournament scenarios. In many instances there is not a single "correct" way to play the hand. Your individual judgement and intuition will be key ingredients for success. Above all, create you own style of play and have fun!