Poker and Blackjack
Poker and blackjack are two games that seem to go hand in hand. A number of famous poker players got their start playing blackjack, and many poker players have been known to spend some time at the blackjack tables. The popularity of the WSOP main event grew by televised blackjack tournaments billed as the World Series of Blackjack, in which both blackjack and poker experts participated.
Similarities Between Poker and Blackjack
Both poker and blackjack are games that have both a luck and skill element. That is, you have limited control over short term results, but more control over longer term results.
Doing well in both poker and blackjack require keen observational skills. Following hunches rather than accepted strategy in either game will inevitably result in quick and substantial losses.
Differences Between Poker and Blackjack
Blackjack is a House game, which means just using basic strategy will only get you a little worse than even in the long run. The only real way to get ahead in blackjack is to use methods like card counting and shuffle tracking, ways to glean information about the deck so that you can raise the bet when the odds are in your favor.
Poker players have much more flexibility and creativity in the tools they can use to get an edge. No built in House edge exists in poker, other than the rake taken out of every pot to pay the casino that runs the game.
Winning Poker and Blackjack
To win at blackjack requires strict adherence to a proscribed strategy. It takes a tremendous amount of patience and discipline to show any real profits, since you must wait a long time before a shoe can offer any advantage.
You also run the risk of removal by casino security, as the casino considers methods like card counting “unfair play,” even though it is not illegal. Poker on the other hand, has no such restrictions. No matter how good you are, you will always be able to find someone to play with you. The casino will never kick you out because it doesn’t cost them anything when you win.
