Take a blackjack quiz and you may win a book

The truth is, most blackjack players are suckers. How can I get them to play better?

I know: I'll run a blackjack quiz that explains just what happens when they play wrong vs. playing right, with the correct answer being multiple choice.

So here ya' go. The highest score wins a signed copy of my strategy manual, "Blackjack Bluebook II." Second place wins my 13-page booklet, "Ace/10 Front Count." Either publication can help make you a lifetime winner at blackjack. Send all entries to blackjackmentor@aol.com by October 3rd.

1. When the dealer has a 4 up, she'll bust: (1 point)

a. 4 times out of 10

b. 5 times out of 10

c. 6 times out of 10

d. 7 times out of 10

2. When you have blackjack against an Ace up, if you don't take even money, you'll collect the 3-to-2 payoff: (2 points)

a. 7 times for every 6 times you push

b. 8 times for every 5 times you push

c. 9 times for every 4 times you push

3. If you double down for a lot less than the max, you might be: (2 points)

a. reducing your average profit to less than it would be by just hitting the hand.

b. maximizing your average profit by increasing your initial bet size only moderately.

4. You have a frustrating 3/5-5-3 against the dealer's 7. If you hit again, you'll avoid busting only 3 times out of 8 - but any card that doesn't bust you will put you in fair-to-terrific shape. If you stand with your 16, you'll win the hand: (2 points)

a. 2 times out of 8

b. 3 times out of 8

c. 4 times out of 8

5. Playing alone against the dealer, your first hand off the top of the shoe is 7/5-4 against a 10. You should: (3 points)

a. stand

b. hit

6. When you have Ace/7 against a 9, if you stand, you'll win the hand 8 times out of 20. If you hit, you'll win it: (3 points)

a. 7 times out of 20

b. 8 times out of 20

c. 9 times out of 20

7. When you have Ace/4 against a 3, the dealer will bust just 3 times out of 8. If you double down and take one card, you'll end up with a "stiff" (12 through 16): (3 points)

a. 3 times out of 8

b. 4 times out of 8

c. 5 times out of 8

8. There are only three cards left in the shoe before the cut card comes out. They are a 7 and two 10s - but you don't know their order. The dealer has a 4 up, but has clumsily exposed her hole card, a 10, giving her 14. Third base has 16. If he stands, the dealer will have two out of three chances to bust. But how often will the dealer bust if third base takes a card? (4 points)

a. 1 time out of 3

b. 2 times out of 3

c. 1 time out of 2

9. You're a "streak bettor" using a 10-20-30-40 progression. You like it because if you win four hands in a row, you'll win $100 - whereas losing four in a row costs you only $40. When you win two and lose two (which is six times as common), your average result will be a: (4 points)

a. small loss

b. break even outcome

c. small gain

Watch upcoming columns for the answers.

• For a signed copy of Fred's B/J book, send $16 to "Blackjack Bluebook II", P.O. Box 598, Elk Grove Village, IL 60009.