Blackjack strategy chart. At any time, you can see the basic strategy chart by clicking on the 🛈 icon on the left-hand side of the screen; Blackjack basic strategy chart. Blackjack strategy chart

 
At any time, you can see the basic strategy chart by clicking on the 🛈 icon on the left-hand side of the screen; Blackjack basic strategy chartBlackjack strategy chart  If you are dealt a blackjack and the dealer is showing an Ace, you may also be offered even-money insurance

A Blackjack strategy chart works by mapping out the best decision for a player in any given situation, based on the player’s hand total and the dealer’s face-up card. This concept has spawned a number of techniques that players might employ in order to increase their odds of winning. 4 decks. Blackjack’s Simple Appearance vs. Order it now on Amazon and get ready to hit the tables. 9-9. Alpha and Omega. Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart: 2 Decks, Dealer Stands on All 17s (2-sided card) Cards – October 1, 2008 by Kenneth R Smith (Author) 4. #2 Hit a hard 12 if the dealer’s upcard is 2 or 3. Rules. 8-8. How To Read a Blackjack Strategy Chart. dealer’s 6. Blackjack Advanced Strategy Cards: View Instructions. The best way to learn basic blackjack strategy is by getting a strategy chart. From 2 to Ace. Hit on a Hard 13 Against Dealer 2 or Higher – Statistically, it makes more sense to hit on a hard 13 against a dealer’s up card. It’s not often you get to refer to a readily available, free chart to understand the best way to play any particular casino hand you are dealt. It involves keeping track of the ratio of high cards to low cards remaining in the deck or shoe and adjusting your bets and playing decisions accordingly. Once you’ve set up the table to your linking, the Blackjack Chart will update itself to show the optimum blackjack strategy to play. Dealer hits on soft 17. When your cards total 11. To use the chart, locate your hand (or the total count of your hand) in the first column and go across to the column representing the dealer’s. If your card total is higher than 21 you’re out and you’ll lose your bet. You get blackjack strategy charts for the different blackjack games. 4-8 Decks Blackjack Dealer STANDS on Soft 17 Chart. RULE #3: WHEN THE DEALER’S UPCARD IS A 5 OR 6, ALWAYS DOUBLE DOWN ON A SOFT 13-18. There are a finite number of moves possible in a game, so the optimal move for each scenario is already known based on probability and math. Find out the mathematical proof, the house. Click here to download the Blackjack Deviations Chart for 4 to 8 Deck – Dealer STANDS on Soft 17 (245kb) There is no such thing as an all-encompassing chart. In both cases an A stands for ace. PH = Split if double after Split is Allowed, otherwise Hit. Blackjack strategy charts help players decide what action to take in any possible situation during a blackjack game. Surrender 15, 8’s, and 17 vs. H Hit S Stand D Double SP Split R Surrender : Your total (hard hands, excluding pairs)Blackjack is all about forming a higher total than the dealer’s – without surpassing 21. Learn how to play blackjack like a pro with this handy chart that shows you the optimal strategy for any situation. If surrender is not an option in the game you choose to play, then experts recommend that you Hit. Starting with the hard hands, which do not contain an ace. However, knowing your odds of busting might do you more justice here. Memorizing blackjack basic. Soft 18 and the dealer has an 8, 9, or 10. To be a winning player takes 100% accuracy. SP. Use a Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart. The tables above are based on the standard blackjack rulesets. 7%, is a hand totaling 1-16, which is considered a decision hand. In a blackjack game, the goal is to beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding the value of 21. Having a hand value equal to 21 from the first two cards dealt to the player. 1. Without a doubt, the use of 6 decks in the game of blackjack is the most common number of decks used in both land-based and online casinos. If the player and dealer have a blackjack or equal point totals, the result is a push (tie). If surrender is not an option in the game you choose to play, then experts recommend that you Hit. It is a chart that outlines the optimal moves to make in any given situation. The blackjack Illustrious 18 chart was created by famous gaming mathematician and author Donald. The best playing strategies for blackjack are presented in a strategy chart as shown below. Below you will find a set of basic blackjack strategy charts available for 8 deck blackjack strategy. You can resize the documents based on your liking. The following abbreviations are used in the blackjack strategy charts. Counting cards is something players using both basic and advanced strategies may wish to take advantage of. Dealer stands on soft 17. This strategy is known as basic strategy and is illustrated in the blackjack strategy chart shown below: As you can see from the diagrams in the chart, basic strategy outlines exactly how you should optimally play. II. So, there's our expected values for hitting. In other words, there is no single best blackjack cheat sheet: You need to check how many decks are used in the game first and decide accordingly. The secret lies in blackjack strategy charts. Written by: Check out the blackjack basic strategy calculator for any number of decks or any set of rules, along with recommendations for best online casinos for bonuses…. i. However, blackjack strategy cards include all the possible combinations of the player's hand against the. The fully responsive simulator can be accessed from a desktop or most modern mobile devices, which effectively means – if you have an internet connection – you’ll be able to learn anywhere. The basic blackjack strategy was invented by none other than the mathematical genius blackjack legend – Julian Braun. You can hit when your hand is a: Soft 17. The most common is 4 to 6 deck blackjack chart, dealer hits on soft 17. Just download the 6 Deck Blackjack Strategy Chart PDF to your computer, or open it in your browser and click on print. 2 decks. The 1-3-2-6 blackjack strategy is a betting system tailor-made for blackjack. The Blackjack Strategy Chart in Plain English For many people, reading the blackjack chart as a set of simple phrases makes it easier to remember. In addition, they contain five strategies: hit, stand, double or else hit, double or else stand, split. Single Deck Basic Strategy Chart. The exact playing decisions and house edge depend on the playing rules in effect at the table. RULE #2: WHEN THE DEALER’S UPCARD IS 2-9, ALWAYS DOUBLE DOWN ON AN INITIAL SCORE OF TEN. The basic strategy detailed below is based on blackjack games played with 4 or more decks. The aim of the game is to beat the dealer by getting as close to 21 as you can, without going over it. 4. Copy one from an online image search, and refer to it while playing. 5% casino edge). Based on Betting Units. READING THE BASIC STRATEGY CHART(S) Dealer’s up-card is shown along the top of the chart. The dealer does not make decisions, and all crucial moves and gameplay are solely up to the player. 5 out of 5 stars 24 ratingsPlease note that the strategy charts outlined below assume four to eight decks in play with the dealer hitting on a soft 17. Your wins are smaller, meaning that you’re possibly going to lose your overall bankroll faster, giving that money back to the house. Based on the hand the player has he can do one of the following: Hit: Draw an additional card to strengthen the hand. The chance of Player A losing $10,000 is very low. A Note On Counting Cards. 0% if you use the basic strategy. Typical Vegas rules of 3 to 2, on the other hand, would produce a house edge of around 0. 6 decks. At this point, a gambling strategy with a house edge of 1. The only way you cannot win in this situation is when. There are some blackjack tips and tricks to help you memorize the blackjack chart: Practice for Free – You can play online blackjack in demo mode and take as much time as you want before. For example, you should always hit if you have a total of 14 and the dealer. 2. Aug 13, 2019Learn how to play blackjack according to basic strategy using statistical probabilities and optimal moves for any hand value. The standard 3:2 payout offers much more reasonable odds. 5% (assuming a 0. This applies to both live dealer blackjack and regular. You can view the basic strategy chart in the main menu of the app. The Blackjack house edge calculator will help you see your and the casino odds in the specific game you are playing. We begin with an examination of 5 player hands, dealer upcards, and the actions taken by players: • Player hand 10, Dealer card 8 DOUBLE, or HIT. The best hands to double. These rules. Surrender if you have 15, 17 or pair of 8s, if dealer up-card is Ace. As such, it makes sense that the most mistakes in our blackjack trainer database are from high volume cells. The rules of blackjack are flexible which is why there are so many variations and the reason for this exciting 5 deck blackjack strategy guide. Do the counting at the. The card which the dealer. Check the table’s blackjack rules. The value of your hand changes the probability of getting a 21 or busting. For specific tips, we present two charts depending on whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17. If your card total is higher than 21 you’re out and you’ll lose your bet. 90%. 1) The basic blackjack strategy. They, of course, depend on your hand and on the cards and the choices that the dealer makes. When playing optimally, single-deck blackjack has a house edge of just 0. SP. If card counting is played correctly, they can get higher odds. Learn to use a blackjack betting strategy sheet that explains all the moves to be taken in all of the possible situations. Blackjack strategy charts, also known as decision matrices, serve as comprehensive reference tables for players facing pivotal decision-making moments. They cover every possible scenario for a given game and tell you which move to utilize for a particular situation. Players. Basic strategy is a way to decrease. The advice in each chart can be different depending on whether single deck games or a multi deck games, if the dealer must stand on Soft 17, and many other rule variations. #3 Double down on a hand value of 10 if dealer’s upcard is 9 or less. Soft hands, hard hands and pairs are also an essential part of the blackjack basic strategy charts. Blackjack strategy for. The Winning Streak Strategy is a positive-progression approach. 2. Blackjack deck odds optimale strategie gambling wizardofodds strategy basic blackjack rules hits dealer soft bj other blackjack blackjack strategy chart deck basic hit decks multiple split hits charts. So anytime before a true 3, you will hit 12 v. There are several basic blackjack strategy charts that can help you make better-informed moves while playing online or in a brick-and-mortar casino. See morePerfect Blackjack Strategy Charts. Blackjack is a game of probability and blackjack strategy has a significant role to play in it. READING THE BASIC STRATEGY CHART(S) Dealer’s up-card is shown along the top of the chart. The best way to learn this approach is to use a basic blackjack strategy chart. 8%), but insurance is a wrong move, so this. Let's have a close look at the basic blackjack strategy chart: There are various blackjack charts specially designed for soft hand, hard hand and splitting pairs. Proper basic strategy says to double against 5 and 6 and hit it against everything else, so our rule for A-2 is “Double vs. In fact, standard online Blackjack sessions are completed with 6 to 8 decks, as seen from one of the largest Blackjack directories of sites and games. , for all ten dealer’s upcards. Resplit aces. To generate a strategy chart, go to the Wizard of Odds Blackjack Strategy Calculator. When you are looking at a blackjack strategy chart, you will see the score of your dealt cards on the left side and, on the top, the dealer’s cards. Blackjack strategy charts are simple tables where you can see the value of your two cards on one side and the value of the dealer’s upcard on the other. Along the top are listed the 10 possible up-cards the dealer has, and along the left side are the possible totals the player might have. In more understandable terms, the strategy provides charts that indicate which decisions. No surrender. So if you plan to be at the blackjack table for a while and bet $5 a hand, you should have at least a $500 bankroll. Our blackjack strategy guides are a great place to start. 527%. 5 Best Tips for Winning at Blackjack. 65%. There are two charts depending on whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17. Find your hand down the left-hand side, and then the dealer’s up card. Look for tables that pay 3:2 for blackjack, allow doubling down on any two cards, and have few restrictions on splitting. Top Blackjack Charts 3-Deck Blackjack Chart/ Late Surrender/ Dealer Peek. Blackjack strategy, game tips, charts and card counting. Unless mentioned, “Hit” when holding the pairs below. 15%. Following this chart you will see that the most common two card hand, at 38. You can find a blackjack strategy chart online or you can buy a card in a casino gift shop. As we know, we can only see one card the dealer has, while the other one is facing downwards. After a while. For each card, assign a specific value. Players around the table can. The basic strategy rules of playing a single-deck game are nearly the same as with multiple, except that only 52 cards are in play. 2a: Probabilities of dealer blackjack after peek. Advanced Blackjack strategy: Hard hands. You’ll want to be able to double down or split if the blackjack strategy chart recommends that. Home Blackjack Strategy Basic Blackjack Strategy Guide Want to find the best move for any blackjack hand? Then you need basic strategy. There are four strategy tables and four charts for single-deck games to play blackjack. From top to bottom are the hard totals, soft totals, and splittable hands. 99% of the time, the difference in strategy centers around one simple, but very important rule: Does the dealer HIT or STAND when they have a Soft 17? If. Below you’ll find the best blackjack strategy chart for most live tables with real dealers. In locations where the dealer stands on a soft 17, or redoubling is allowed, Spanish 21 may be a better bet than blackjack, depending on the specific blackjack rules. The player plays out each hand one at a time and is entitled to a "free double" or "free split" on both hands. 76% when a basic strategy is. You can find basic strategy charts like the one below available on laminated cards in casino gift shops, in blackjack instructional books and online. Reply replyA high dealer up card is a seven through an ace. Bankrolled. SP. You look across the top of the chart for the dealer’s up card, and along the left side for the hand that you hold. Splitting the wrong cards. The thrill of playing against the dealer and hoping to have aThe Ace Five blackjack strategy is one of the simplest forms of card counting in the game of 21. Once you memorize the 23 phrases below , you will master the skill of reciting the decision based on your hand value and the dealer’s upcard (more on that later). 50%. Of course, many types exist, but we would like to keep it simple for this. Keep in mind that this is not an optimal strategy for every game, because. Consider two players A and B. Although many blackjack strategy guides will tell you to completely ignore the insurance option, in some cases it can prove to be advantageous to use it under the right circumstances. At the time of this discovery, he. The professional players from the reputable best online casino NJ reviews platform always recommend this strategy for beginners. The below chart: Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart. It is a fairly decent system. As a bonus, we can group A-2 with A-3 since the play for each is identical. The Blackjack basic strategy chart is one of the most essential things for any blackjack player. The more "superpowers" you have, the better (e. Roll The Dice Learn Craps! Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, we’ll demystify everything about craps. All you need to do is keep track of 2 cards – Aces and Fives. Dealer pushes on 22. So that gives you a true count of +4. Hard hands. Our drills are designed by pros that have taken casinos for millions. This card is easy to use and durable, and it can help you reduce the house edge and win more at blackjack. Because blackjack rules can be different from one blackjack game to the next, it’s important to pick the right blackjack strategy chart for the game you’re playing. The use of a blackjack strategy chart is a popular tool among blackjack players. You must split for the same amount of money as your original wager. #1 Double down on a hard 11. Resplit aces. Players around the table can stand, hit, double down, split and surrender. There are a few other scenarios where splitting is the correct move. 91" X 4. A blackjack strategy card or chart has a table that shows the best way to play every possible hand. This card is easy to use and durable, and it can help you reduce the house edge and win more at blackjack. Let us have a look at the operation, merits and demerits, history, legality in play. I. You won't see Jacks, Queens, and Kings listed. 8 decksBlackjack Strategy Chart. The best blackjack strategy is the decision you make mathematically in every situation at the casino table. The house edge for 6:5 double deck blackjack can reach over 1. Exclusive 🧙 $ 400. Even as a non-advanced blackjack player, you should use basic strategy charts. My friend Ralph hasBlackjack Strategy Chart: 6 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, blackjack pays 6 to 5 View All Blackjack Strategy Cards and Charts. Because blackjack rules can be different from one blackjack game to the next, it’s important to pick the right blackjack strategy chart for the game you’re playing. A 1-5 bet spread means that the player is betting a minimum of 1 unit per hand and a maximum of 5 units per hand. But that’s what you can do with blackjack. Across the top row is the dealer’s upcard; down the first column is your hand. Basic strategy isn't always an option with some of these games, and finding blackjack charts for even the most popular variants can be. The preferred option is to double down. The decisions include; whether you want to hit, split or stand and calculate your move. Here is a quick step-by-step example of how you can read the blackjack strategy chart efficiently: Step 1. Basic blackjack strategy. Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart: 2 Decks, Dealer Stands on All 17s (2-sided card) Cards – October 1, 2008 by Kenneth R Smith (Author) 4. 8 decksSo to know how much you should wager, it’s simple. Oscar’s System was proposed in the 1960’s in a book by mathematician Dr. If you get a natural blackjack, a 21 on the first two cards dealt to you, a table may pay you 3:2, which is $3 for every $2 wagered. So, first things first. Thorp introduced a calculated method for winning at blackjack. Blackjack (formerly black jack and vingt-un) is a casino banking game. Here’s how the system works, in one blackjack example: The basic strategy instructs players to sign a tag of +1 to every card from 2 to 6, and a tag of -1 to every card from 10 to an ace. Blackjack Appendix 9 — Five decks, dealer hits on soft 17, no hole card. 16: Basic strategy when dealer exposes both cards; 17: The Ace-Five card counting method; 18: Basic strategy exceptions for three to six cards; 19: Blackjack splitting strategy when a back-player is betting; 20: Blackjack doubling strategy when doubling after splitting aces is allowed; 21: Details on the Wizard’s Simple Strategy; MiscellaneousCopy and paste that down through 21. Basic strategies have some minor differences depending on the variant being played. The right two columns represent a dealer ace according to whether the. Step 2. With hard hands of 17-21, always stand. The Basic Blackjack Strategy. Essentially, the basic strategy is a template which shows you the best course of action to take based on the cards dealt. Learn how to play blackjack like a pro with this handy chart that shows you the optimal strategy for any situation. Blackjack Appendix 9 — Six deck, dealer stands on soft 17, no hole card. The values for the different cards are as follows: Cards 2 to 6: +1. Using the wrong chart may compromise your. Basic strategy represents the default optimal strategy for every hand of blackjack. More Blackjack Tips. 1. Enter: the free blackjack strategy calculator we’ve built for you! This is pretty easy to use and learn from. Double after split allowed. Among the four main strategies of Blackjack, splitting a pair is a game-changing move. Blackjack has, over time, been considered to be a purely mathematical card game. From top to. This equals a 99. The industry standard on the probability of a win in a typical shoe blackjack game is 43. dealer’s Ace. Hard 10 will double against 2-9. According to the chart, you would take a hit if you want to play perfect blackjack. While a blackjack strategy card considers every possible combination of cards against the dealer’s upcard, it can’t guarantee an outcome. Enter the basic blackjack strategy chart, a simple graphic that contains all of blackjack’s secrets. The basic blackjack strategy is a mathematical approach to blackjack that tells you the best moves to make based on the cards you’ve been dealt. Basic Blackjack Strategy Chart This chart outlines the basic. Basic strategy is usually presented using a table or chart. Blackjack is the title of the most favoured casino table game in North America and ranks among the top casino games globally. P = Split. Why Blackjack Strategy Works. You need to be familiar with them before even trying to employ any other blackjack strategies. 21 - Blackjack "Basic Strategy" Chart In his 1960s book Beat the Dealer , Edward O. This means that the calculations will vary. In other words, it’s the way to play the game where you have the highest expected value. You should always be. unrealengine. You get blackjack strategy charts for the different blackjack games. Double after split allowed. Single Deck Blackjack Strategy (Basic Strategy Chart) Here’s what you need to know about single deck blackjack strategy: It’s the mathematically perfect way to play every hand in the game. Hard 17 and above will always stand. Blackjack is a game of probability and blackjack strategy has a significant role to play in it. Already got a William Hill Casino account. Strategy charts are grids that show what bet you should choose in particular circumstances. Here’s how you do it: Choose the dealer’s card from the dropdown list. If you get a natural blackjack, a 21 on the first two cards dealt to you, a table may pay you 3:2, which is $3 for every $2 wagered. Download a blackjack strategy chart that teaches you when to hit, stand, double, split, and surrender based on basic strategy and card counting. That being said, there are a few general rules about hard hands that will help those with little knowledge of the. SP. 1 – Use a Strategy Card. In the first table you can see your odds according to dealer up card. Two aces of different suits: Payout odds of +1500. Using the tables, find your hand total on the left, and the dealer’s up card along the top. The goal with remembering phrases is to be able to look at your hand total. The card values are easy to remember too: Face value for cards 2 to 10. Blackjack pays 6 to 5. 46% and 0. That is, a running formula could determine the best play at the table every turn. The optimal strategy for playing Free Bet. Strategy blackjack basic chart deck charts double 17 dealer play decks tables soft simple hitting multi stands specific vs strategies deck blackjack single strategy basic encyclopedia blackjack strate. Reducing the online blackjack house edge is as simple as learning basic strategy. Learn the basic strategy for playing blackjack with four or more decks, including the dealer's up card and the hard totals. Download Our Blackjack Strategy Chart! Based on your play score and the Dealer’s visible card (known as his up-card), you decide if you want to add to your play score, keep your play score as is, double your bet and get another card, and in some cases, split your hand into two hands. So, you’ve got a total of nine. Keep reading this blackjack hands guide to learn more about playing your cards right and increasing your odds of winning. 4-8 Deck Blackjack Strategy Chart Besides single deck and two-deck blackjack as the two most popular variations, you can also play the popular 21-card game with anywhere from four to eight decks. Most casinos, even in Las Vegas, allow players to use such. com strategy chart for more examples. Common Blackjack Strategy Charts How to Read the Blackjack Strategy Chart in 2 Simple Steps. Play. Double Exposure Blackjack Rules and Gameplay. Also sometimes referred to as a “blackjack hit table,” it has a simple format, showing the dealer and player’s possible hands and what action you should consider for each combination. To generate a strategy chart, go to the Wizard of Odds Blackjack Strategy Calculator. Stand: Stay put with the original hand. 8,8 versus ace is surrender if allowed, otherwise split. The house holds an edge of 3% and up to 8% depending on the side bet. Following a blackjack strategy chart will ensure the casino's house edge is at its lowest of around 0. Play blackjack using the correct basic strategy charts. As the strategy recommends only the best decisions from a mathematical point of view, the blackjack strategy chart is the table that contains all the solutions recommended by blackjack basic strategy. Bust - if your hand scores over 21, you lose (known as going bust), and the dealer wins regardless of their hand. The Playing Strategy Explained. In a blackjack game, the goal is to beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding the value of 21. You’ll need to learn additional blackjack rules and variations once you’ve mastered this chart. There are a few small adjustments that you may want to consider if you are playing a blackjack game where the dealer hits on soft 17. To signal a split, you. It is important to know which rules are more important than others. Blackjack Charts: Basic, Optimal and Perfect Play Strategies The basic strategy of this card game is to make use of a Blackjack chart that tells you how to play optimal, close to perfect play. Simply have an online blackjack strategy chart at your elbow and use it as a cheat sheet when you’re playing online blackjack. Blackjackinfo Store. It tells you whether you should hit or stand, double down or split your hand. Surrender 15 against a 10. According to the basic strategy chart, you should hit your hand because the dealer is likely to have a total of 16 or higher, which is a better hand than your 14. SP. These combine to offer the best blackjack strategy according to the math: RULE #1: ALWAYS DOUBLE DOWN ON 11, UNLESS THE DEALER SHOWS AN ACE. At any time, you can see the basic strategy chart by clicking on the 🛈 icon on the left-hand side of the screen; Blackjack basic strategy chart. Below we have a blackjack basic strategy chart which is helpful for 4-8 decks where the dealer stands on a soft 17. No surrender. By using a basic strategy, you can reduce the house edge and increase your chances of winning. Charts are read with the players hand listed vertically on the left side of the chart with the. 1. A Basic strategy, as outlined in a blackjack strategy chart, is the best approach when playing blackjack. The best playing strategies for blackjack are presented in a strategy chart as shown below. The fully responsive simulator can be accessed from a desktop or most modern mobile devices, which effectively means – if you have an internet connection – you’ll be able to learn anywhere. Blackjack Strategy Chart. Hard 12 will stand against 4-6, hit against everything else. Two Card Count. If you decide to use the Hi-Opt II system, you will have to spare a bit more time to study the values used in this method of card counting. Do not use insurance and do not take even money. To use the basic strategy, look up your hand along the left vertical edge and the dealer's up card along the top. Basic Strategy - Multiple Decks Dealer stands on soft 17 • Double on any 2 cards • Double allowed after split - =Stand H=Hit D=Double Sp=Split *= Surrender if allowedClick Here for your FREE Blackjack strategy charts. In both cases, an A stands for ace. Before you begin using these charts, make sure that you are playing in a single deck game. Basic Blackjack strategy is a set of rules for different types of hands, which advise when to hit, stand, split or double down to maximize your chances of winning. RULE #3: Double Soft 18 (A-7) or less against 6, 5 or 4. There is a 4 deck to 8 deck Blackjack strategy. If you wager $10 on a 6-to-5 table, you’d only get $12 back. Increase your bet by 1 unit only after you win. Across the top row is the dealer’s upcard; down the first column is your hand. These tactics are presented on a chart known as the blackjack strategy chart, which is a beginner’s guide to play. The actual odds are somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 in 2000. The Blackjack Basic Strategy Engine above provides a simple way to memorize a variety of different profitable decisions, such as when to split, double, surrender, hit, or stand. These moves can be influenced by multiple factors: guts, card counting, and learned probabilities (e. IF you can recite the chart, it’s time to start practicing PLAYING basic strategy.