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Used when your hand total is low (e.g., 11 or less) and you are unlikely to bust. Double Down Increase your wager, but you only receive one more card. Split If you have two cards of the same value (e.g., two 8s), you can split them into two separate hands. Action Description General Advice Hit Request one more card. A powerful move used when you have a strong starting hand (e.g., a total of 10 or 11) and the dealer's upcard is weak. Never split 10s or 5s. Stand Take no more cards. Always split Aces and 8s. You must place a second bet equal to your first. This set of decisions is called "Basic Strategy." It was developed through computer simulations and is typically displayed in a color-coded chart. Introduction to Basic Strategy For every possible combination of your hand and the dealer's upcard, there is one mathematically optimal decision (hit, stand, double, or split) that will result in the highest expected return over the long run. Used when your hand total is high (e.g., 17 or more) and hitting is too risky. While memorizing the entire chart can seem daunting, learning a few key rules can dramatically improve your game: A good option when you have a very weak hand (like 16) and the dealer has a very strong upcard (like a 10 or Ace). Surrender (Not always offered) Give up your hand and lose half your bet. The Monte Carlo Fallacy A player believes that if a certain outcome (e.g., "red" on roulette) has occurred frequently, the opposite outcome ("black") is "due." In reality, each spin is an independent event. Losses Disguised as Wins (LDWs) A slot machine may pay out 20 cents on a $1 bet. Rewarding Continued Play Complimentary items, or "comps," are another powerful psychological tool. Psychological Principle How it's Used in a Casino Operant Conditioning Casinos use a "variable-ratio reinforcement schedule." Rewards (wins) are unpredictable, which is highly addictive and encourages repeated behavior (playing). 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Illusion of Control Allowing players to perform actions—like pulling a lever, throwing dice, casino - [[https://rubaruglobal.com/agent/gfnangeline80/|simply click the following article]] - or choosing their numbers—creates a false sense of control over a random outcome.