Blackjack Strategies

Knowing when to hit or stand is really what separates the amateurs from the pros on the Blackjack table. Sure, learning card counting and other mean techniques can bolster your chances and even almost let you beat the house. But, let's face it, pulling off those advanced strategies is no walk in the park, and you'll end up losing out on all the fun trying to guess which card comes up next.

The best Blackjack strategies for beginners are not nearly as stressful. They're easy to recall, and they actually do a fine job of increasing your winning chances and still let you enjoy the game.

In this guide, we'll be giving a quick introduction to Blackjack basic strategy as well as the best Blackjack strategies from the experts.

Blackjack Basic Strategy

This is a chart that shows when to hit, stand, split, double down, and surrender for over 30 different hand combinations. It’s the cheat sheet for playing online Blackjack and is perfectly legal to use at online casinos.

The patterns listed in the chart are really just based on logic. For instance, the basic strategy says to stand with a hand total of 18. Rationally, this is the best choice to make as there's a high risk of going over 21 with an additional card.

It might not be one of the most profitable Blackjack strategies, but it's sure to keep you going in the game in the long run. You can see the complete Blackjack strategy sheet here:

The Best Blackjack Strategies from the Pros

Pro Blackjack strategies can be grouped into two categories. One is the game strategies that influence what moves you make. The other is non-game strategies which affect how profitable your bets will be.

Game Strategies

Split Aces & Eights

One technique used by the pros is always to split a hand of aces or eights. The reason is simple. Two aces equal 22, which is more than the threshold for Blackjack. When you split them up, you increase your chances of getting a Perfect Blackjack on either hand.

Meanwhile, a hand of eights equals 16, and the general rule is that the dealer's hand stands on 17. Since there's a high risk of going bust if you take an extra card, splitting is your best shot at winning.

Use a Betting System

Betting systems are some of the best Blackjack strategies for beginners and seasoned bettors alike. They reduce your losses while helping you win more. Martingale, Paroli, D'Alembert and Fibonacci are popular betting methods used for casino gambling. However, bear in mind that progressive systems like Martingale are best for high rollers, while conservative options like Paroli are better suited for smaller bankrolls.

Avoid the Insurance Bet

When the dealer's up-card is an Ace, the insurance bet allows you to take a chance on the dealer's hand total being a perfect Blackjack. While this seems quite reasonable, the odds of it happening are low. Considering that the payout is just 2: 1, it's unprofitable in the long run.

Non Game Strategies

Manage Your Bankroll

If you have, say, $100 to bet at the Blackjack table, putting down $20 on a single stake will mean you can only go five rounds if the game doesn't swing in your favour. On the other hand, staking $2 per hand will mean you can play up to 50 hands. That leaves plenty of room for you to win and either play more or take home the extra.

In other words, it's indispensable to have a good bankroll management plan in place before you face off against the dealer.

Play at the Right Table

The table you play at significantly impacts how successful your efforts will be. It's a no-brainer to check the bet limits before joining in, but you should also ensure that the table rules will benefit your strategy.

Some Blackjack variants have different payouts, so you should endeavor to check the payouts offered. For instance, a table that pays 3: 2 for Perfect Blackjack will be more lucrative in the long run than one that pays 6: 5.

Card Counting in Blackjack

The infamous card counting is undeniably one of the best Blackjack strategies. It's a complicated method of keeping track of the cards that have been dealt and the ones left in the deck.

For instance, with the Hi-Lo card counting method, you assign a count (usually +/-1) to high and low-value cards. Then you keep track of the calculation as the game progresses. If you've mastered the technique, you can know when you'll most likely land a high or low-value card and then bet accordingly.

The famous tale of six MIT students who beat Vegas casinos and won millions in the late 90s is proof that card counting methods are the most profitable Blackjack strategies.

That said, it takes a lot of mental effort to calculate in your head while making smart bets, and this method falls apart once you lose track of the count. Besides, this technique is of little to no use when playing online Blackjack. The software automatically reshuffles the deck every time, so it's practically impossible to keep track. You’re better off sticking to other kinds of strategies.

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