The Mathematics of Blackjack

Blackjack is a game that is won with strategy and a mathematical knowledge of probability. This game, often played in casinos, can have different circumstances in which probability is changed. Mathematics is a very crucial element to the structure of this game. Due to different circumstances and scenarios, strategy and knowledge of probability must be applied.

In the game of blackjack, there are the players and the dealer. The players are playing against each other, but essentially against the dealer. The players and the dealer are all dealt two cards. The object of play is to try to get as close to twenty-one without going over, or "busting". In a game where only one deck is used, only 52 cards will have a possibility of being played. In a deck of cards there are four suits; clubs, spades, hearts, and diamonds. To find the probability that one is to be dealt a ten or a face card of and suit, we must find the ratio of all cards equaling ten (face cards and ten), to the total number of cards.

Probability

card game Blackjack

A blackjack game in progress

There are four cards with values of ten in each suit. Since there are four suits, the probability of being dealt a card worth ten is:4 cards x 4 suits = 16 cards total16/52 (simplify) = 4/13In this case you have four chances out of thirteen cards to get a card that has a value of ten. However, you must remember in the game of blackjack, each player is initially dealt two cards. After a card is dealt, it can no longer be dealt again for that round.

Howell 2Example:-deck has 52 cards-chance of dealing a king is 4/52-king of hearts is dealt-now there are 51 cards left-out of those 51 cards 3 of them are kings-now the chances of...