We know that blackjack is a game of skill where the casinos try to thwart the players trying to earn an honest living. The basis of this is that, if the player gets a blackjack, the casino pay him 6/4; but in the casino gets Ace and a 10 or picture card, the player only plays off even money. Thus you count the cards that are passed and, if the deck is rich in Aces or the high cards, then you increase your initial stake.

The casinos are justifiably paranoid about card-counters. But oh boy, they have made fortunes because punters know blackjack can be beaten – but lack the necessary skills to make the game pay.