BlackJack by various

I'll confess it. I've always wanted to get good at blackjack, go to the casino with a bank roll and clean up. You know – all James Bond style; tux, ultimate attitude, hot babes, cigar in hand and … cough cough.

Unfortunately, I learned too darn much about the odds when I was in the gambling business. You can get lucky, but the house (almost) always has the edge. Over time, the casino will take all your money!

With that obligatory warning outta the way, (we'll explore how to erase the edge later…) let's explore some apps.

BlackJack is a fairly easy game to learn. My Grannie taught me. There are games that will teach you the rules as well.

Once you have the rules, the next level is to know the odds. Specifically, what action to take when you are looking at your hand compared to the dealer.

Once you are able to do that, you increase your chances of keeping your money longer. Or getting a lucky run going!

Checking the iTunes store will show you a full page of BlackJack apps.

They fall into 3 categories – BlackJack simulators that are almost like playing at the casino; BlackJack trainers that teach you to make the correct decision based on the cards that have been dealt; and card counting training!

** The BlackJack Simulator Apps **

Blackjack Free – by Mobilityware (supported by advertising in app)

With decent game play and good graphics, this is a solid app. It has options to increase your bet, hit, stand, double your bet or split pairs.

My one complaint would be that it seems to be programmed to let the dealer hit 21 more than normal. 2.0/5

BlackJack (Free) – by Tim Jenson

The graphics and game play are solid. You get the proper options/decisions for each hand – double, stand, hit and bet. There are no other options and you cannot choose which blackjack rules to use.

I like this app better. They claim to use a 3 deck shoe and in my experience, it makes for more realistic game play. It’s basic and for learning blackjack, it does the job. 3.0/5

Blackjack Free 3HE (21 3-Hand Edition) – by Doron Kramarczyk

This is a more realistic app in that it is like actually playing at a casino. This is a great app for getting beyond the basics of blackjack and starting to learn how to play the game properly, to improve your odds of winning.

While the graphics are basic, the app is clearly made by a blackjack aficionado.

The game is slow loading and has warning boxes taking you thru the stages. Once it’s loaded, there’s an explanation of the free version being ad supported and that the game play is the same as the paid version. (Wanna get rid of the ads? $2.99)

The main menu has a variety of selection including a thorough Game option list that provides a helpful list of game info options. Things to choose and see info on include the number of decks in use, shoe info, tutorials, running totals on wins and loses and much more.

You can configure the game to match the rules and setup where you play. This really sets this game apart. It’s more of a trainer than a game, once you take advantage of all the options available.

Advanced game play options include setting insurance, splits, doubling down, 5 card charlie, and surrendering; these are all important elements to learn how to use based on individual casino rules.

Also useful, is career mode, which tracks your results over time. You can also set a hi-lo card count which adjusts for each shuffle of the shoe. There is a help screen that gives you some info on what each option does.

This is a serious blackjack training tool. Tracking all these variables used to be a laborious process. Now you get instant feedback on how you are doing and can build your skill level fast. Included is having to go to the ATM to get more money once you’ve blown thru your bankroll!

The game play is fine other than it can sometimes run into the iPhone’s minimal memory availability limits. I’d like to see links out of the game to more detailed explanations of all the variables and good play theory. The game saves state so that would be an easy addition.

There are also graphics and sound options to set the game play how you prefer. The ads are unobtrusive – I didn’t even notice them after a while.

If you want to improve your blackjack, this game is a beauty. I rate this 4.5/5

End of Part 1

If you think of anything I left out of this post, please feel free to put that on the comment.