Let's be honest. You'll probably never make it as a card counter.
On the next race he will take the original stake ($5) plus the profit ($5) and bet the total amount ($10) for a chance at a greater profit. In blackjack, things are a little different. You cannot fully parlay your bet each time and hope to win because you never know when a losing hand will end the parlay. Here's an example. In order to capitalize on the information you get from counting, you have to raise your bets as the true count rises. You want to bet really big when the cards favor the player and really small when the count is negative or neutral and doesn't favor the player. Typically, any true count over 1 or 1.5 (depending on the rules) is in your best interest to raise your bet. For a six deck game you should have your max bet on the table by a tc of +5 or better.
If you're serious about winning more when you play blackjack, then I encourage you to utilize the following Best Blackjack Strategies I'm about to share with you.
Note: The following strategies can be used in all games unless stated otherwise. The strategies discussed below also assume you are a recreational player, and not a card counter.
Still, blackjack offers relatively good odds for players who understand a few simple rules.
I tapped into my inner circle to find out how rookies can win at the table.
Training Wheels
The cards, the cash, the cocktails. As a game, blackjack just looks cool. In casino movies from 'Rain Man' to '21' to 'Vegas Vacation,' Blackjack plays a major role and is one of those iconic casino games everyone wants to give a shot.
If you're new to the game or a casino veteran in need of a refresher, here's what every blackjack player needs to know about basic strategy. Hopefully your luck is a bit better than Clark Griswold's.
To start a game, each player is dealt 2 cards, usually face up, from a shoe usually with four, six, or eight decks. You can find single- and double-deck blackjack at higher stakes. The dealer also is dealt 2 cards with only one of those face-up. The dealer has a major advantage in getting to act last.
A player dealt an ace and a 10 or face card hits a 'natural' 21, also known as blackjack. The player is paid immediately in most circumstances at 3-to-2 (bet $200 and win $300), although more casinos have gone to the inferior 6-to-5 payout (bet $500 to win $600).
If the dealer is also dealt a blackjack, however, the hand is a push. No win, no loss.
Blackjack strategy is pretty simple: If your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer's, then you win. Also, if the dealer happens to bust (go over 21), you win. It sounds easy, but there are more caveats and things to remember.
Hit Me
The worst hands you will get at blackjack are hard 12 through 17. The reason is that no matter what the dealer's upcard happens to be, you stand to lose more hands than you will win in the long run.
One exception: in a soft 17 game with two or more decks, a 17 vs. a 6 is a slight winner. In other words, virtually all these hands are overall losers for blackjack players.
Surprised?
Here's one more grave statistic. You are going to be dealt one of these losers about 4 out of every 10 hands.
So what's a blackjack player to do when 40% of the time you are going to get a 12 through 17 whether you like it or not?
Since you can't change the cards that you are dealt, the best you can do is follow the basic playing strategy for hard and soft hands. You'll still take your lumps but you'll lose less money in the long run when you follow the basic strategy than if you depend upon divine intervention, or worse, play by the seat of your pants.
Maybe you've seen someone playing blackjack in a movie say 'hit me.' That means you're taking another card in the quest to get the elusive 21. A tap of the finger or hand also works, and the dealer will deal you another card.
When to Stand
You 'stand' when you don't want any more cards. Usually this happens when you hit a 17 or higher and sometimes even lower depending on the dealer's card.
A simple waving of the hand as if saying 'no' will do the trick. The dealer will then go on to the next player.
Soft 17
If you have a 'soft 17,' that means you have an ace and 6. Because an ace counts as 1 or 11, this hand can be either 7 or 17 and a player isn't hurt by taking a hit as a 10 won't bust this hand.
Dealers must draw until reaching 17 or higher, but usually must hit a soft 17. Staying on all 17s works in the player's favor. Different casinos have different rules dictating the dealer's move on soft 17.
Don't Take Insurance
A bet players can make when the dealer's upcard is an ace. The player can usually bet half of his bet and 'insure' some of his bet against a Blackjack. This is a sucker bet and a loser in the long run.
Splitting Hands
The casino rules for pair splitting are pretty straightforward. When you are dealt two cards of the same value, you may split them into two separate hands.
For example, if you bet $5 and receive a pair of 2s, you have a single hand totaling 4. You could play the hand as a 4 and draw additional cards or you could split the 2s into two hands.
You activate the pair splitting option by placing another equal bet next to the original bet on the layout. If your original bet was $5, then you would place another red chip on the layout. Do not place your chips on top of the original wager. Simply place it next to your original bet.
By doing this, you are signaling the dealer that you want to split your 2s, and play two hands. One hand has a $5 bet and contains a 2, ditto for the second hand. You must play out your first hand (to your right) before you are permitted to play out the second hand.
Got two 10s?
Never split, that 20 already has a high likelihood of being a winner.
Two fives?
Another hand that's a keeper. That 10 has a nice likelihood to get another high card, hopefully, an ace and the win.
Double down
When a casino allows you the option to double down, it means you can double the amount of your initial bet in return for receiving one, and only one, drawcard.
The best player-friendly doubling rules are when you can double down on any two cards.
The two variables that determine whether or not you should double down are the total of the cards in your hand and the dealer's upcard. As a general rule, the hands you are most likely to double are hard 8, 9, 10, and 11, and the soft 13 (A-2) through 18 (A-7) hands.
Players are allowed to (and should) double their bets on certain hands for an extra score.
The catch to doubling down is the player will only receive one card, so if you pull a 3, and have 13, you're done. Consider carefully before making this move.
It's important to know the best strategy when it comes to splitting and doubling down
Play basic strategy
Memorizing the right way to hit, stand, split and double down your hand is a must if you want to win long term. You can cut the house edge from 1 to 2 percent to 0.5 percent by following a few simple rules.
A good base looks like this:
- Stand when your hand is 12-16 when the dealer has 2-6.
- Hit when your hand is 12-16 when the dealer has 7-Ace
- Always split Aces and 8s
- Double 11 versus the dealer's 2-10
- Hit or double Aces-6
Pro tip: Purchase a basic strategy card in the gift shop so you don't have to memorize all this.
To win at blackjack, you need to get closer to 21 than the dealer, without going over. That sounds simple, but a key to blackjack for beginners is understanding the odds and basic strategy of when to draw another card (hit) and when to stop (stay).
This blog will cover what every blackjack player needs to know about basic strategy. So, you'll get the basic rules, strategy, and lingo so you can feel comfortable playing real money blackjack online or in a brick-and-mortar casino.
Conclusion
Blackjack is one of the best games in the casino for a player, but it's important to learn basic strategy if you want to take it seriously and have the best odds of winning. With numerous cards valued at a 10 or 11 (10, jack, queen, king, ace), there are a variety of things to consider when it comes to hitting, standing, doubling down, or splitting.
There are numerous resources to check out and learn the best strategy when playing blackjack, and it's highly recommended. Applying the strategy perfectly can reduce that house edge down to as low as .05 percent.
There's also one more thing to remember: Unlike the movies, players are not allowed to touch the cards. Simple hand movements are the norm in most games. Gamble on.
How To Know When To Bet Big In Blackjack Card Game
Table Of Contents
Are you looking for the best blackjack strategy to maximise your winning odds when you play online? You'll love these tips.
Finding a way to get higher chances to win at blackjack shouldn't be so hard.
The basic strategy is the best way to play blackjack — and when you combine it with some strategy tips on bankroll management and what to do after you win, you have really reached the maximum you can.
How To Bet Big In Blackjack
In other words, if you are looking for the best blackjack betting strategy to increase your chances to win, you'll love this guide.
In the parts that follow you will find:
- And lots more
We also put together a collection of the best bonuses to play online. This way, you can use those freebies to test the blackjack basic strategy and all the tips in this article.
EXCLUSIVE: Claim Your Bonus and Play!Register a FREE account and claim your bonus to play online blackjack!
What this guide is NOT
- A collection of tips to win at blackjack
- A list of systems that promise to make blackjack profitable
- The illusion that you can beat the game
Blackjack is a gambling game where the casino has an advantage. It doesn't matter what approach you take or what blackjack strategy you follow. In the long run, the casino always wins.
Why Follow a Blackjack Betting Strategy?
Let's face it - we have all been there. We have all looked for the best and the most effective strategy to win at blackjack after we lost our first hands online.
With the right blackjack strategy it's possible to increase your winning chances, and that's because blackjack isn't a gambling game like roulette, video poker, or slots.
If you follow the basic betting strategy and you learn how to use the information you have at your disposal, you can reach optimal play giving yourself the best chances to win include in the game.
Professional players have worked hard to 'solve' the game of blackjack and find how to play each hand to get the best winning odds.
They analysed how the number of decks in play affects your chances to win and how you can make the best decision based on the cards you see on the table.
- That's what they call the 'blackjack basic strategy. A list of dos and don'ts where you find exactly how you are supposed to play each and every hand you are dealt.
This is the best strategy for blackjack.
The goal of the blackjack basic strategy isn't to help you win at blackjack every time you play. That's impossible. Instead, it is to help you maximize your winning chances and to minimize your losses.
That's also the goal of this guide. We don't list all the strategies for blackjack out there. Instead, we focus only on the best blackjack strategies that are known to work and should help you get better results when you play.
Starting from the tips and tricks included in our cheat-sheet.
READ ALSO: How to play online blackjack with friends.
What Is the Blackjack Basic Strategy?
Knowing how to manage your money is as important in blackjack as it is in all gambling games. A correct 'bankroll management' is essential when you play — regardless of the blackjack strategies you apply to your games.
Knowing how to bet (and how much) and how to select the right game when you play online blackjack for real money is extremely important.
Once you have those basics covered, you can move into the basic blackjack strategy and learn how you are supposed to invest your money once the dealer gives you the initial two cards.
How To Know When To Bet Big In Blackjack Winnings
As soon as the cards reach you and the dealer opens one of their cards, you have to make your first choice. In a game of blackjack, that means you need to pick one of these options:
- Stand
- Hit
- Double
- Split
- Surrender
Do you know why the basic blackjack strategy is also considered to be the best way to discover how to win at blackjack? Because it uses basic logic.
Would you hit if your first two cards gave you 20 points? Of course not.
Would you stand if your starting hand was worth five points? Not a chance.
While these choices are very simple on hands like the ones I use in my example, things get (a lot) more complicated with different cards on the table.
Let me give you a few examples.
- How do you play soft 17 in blackjack?
- When do you hit on a 16?
- What to do with 15 in blackjack?
This is where the basic blackjack strategy comes in to help you get the best chances to win.
This collection of tips shows you the optimal play for every blackjack hands, calculating your winning odds in combination with the dealer's open card.
The basic strategy to win at blackjack has nothing to do with concepts like card counting or any of those tricks some 'clever' players adopt to beat the house.
This is a simple-to-use guideline that shows you exactly how you are supposed to play every possible hand of blackjack. Use it to know when it is recommended to hit, to stand, or to do something else.
Hard totals | ||||||||||
Dealer's card > | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
Player's hand | ||||||||||
17-20 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
16 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | SU | SU | SU |
15 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | SU | H |
13-14 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
12 | H | H | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
11 | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H |
10 | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H |
9 | H | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H | H | H | H |
5-8 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
Soft totals | ||||||||||
Dealer's card > | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
A,8-A,9 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
A,7 | S | Ds | Ds | Ds | Ds | S | S | H | H | H |
A,6 | H | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H | H | H | H |
A,4-A,5 | H | H | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H | H | H | H |
A,2-A,3 | H | H | H | Dh | Dh | H | H | H | H | H |
Pairs | ||||||||||
Dealer's card > | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
A,A | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP |
10,10 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
9,9 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | S | SP | SP | S | S |
8,8 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP |
7,7 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H |
6,6 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H | H |
5,5 | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H |
4,4 | H | H | H | SP | SP | H | H | H | H | H |
2,2-3,3 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H |
Key:
S = Stand
H = Hit
Dh = Double (if not allowed, then hit)
Ds = Double (if not allowed, then stand)
SP = Split
SU = Surrender (if not allowed, then hit)
A Blackjack Cheat Sheet
To make things even easier for you and help you follow the best betting strategy whenever you play blackjack, we created a quick cheat-sheet with the basic strategy explained in full.
Download the blackjack cheat-sheet (it's free) and print it or save it on your mobile phone to keep it always with you when you play.
The blackjack basic strategy cheat-sheet is 100% legal and you can use it both when you play online and at a brick-and-mortar casino.
A Conservative Blackjack Strategy
Don't play high-stakes games unless you feel ready for them and you have enough money to spend on online games.
If you are reading this blackjack strategy guide and you are a beginner, you should be afraid of high-stakes games.
When you spend too much money on your games, you risk getting the opposite of what you want. You play to have fun and to find out how to get more chances to win at blackjack - and you end broke and frustrated.
The best way to play blackjack is to start with what I call a conservative approach. Because finding the right way top handle betting in blackjack is key to long-term fun.
Like many blackjack strategies suggest, you should increase the stakes only when things go well and any potential losses are compensated by the money you have already won, not the one you might win if you get lucky.
In other words, raise your bet every time you win.
Many players believe wins and losses come in streaks. They think you might lose five or six times in a row — but when you win…you are not going to do it just once.
How To Know When To Bet Big In Blackjack Real Money
Obviously, that's not true.
Blackjack is a gambling game and there are no patterns for you to exploit or streaks that you can use to win more money every time you play.
There are, however, smart betting strategies like the basic blackjack strategy that can help you increase the chances of a victory.
With that in mind, a conservative blackjack strategy works like this:
- Start from the lowest bet (e.g. $1)
- Increase your bet by 1 unit only after you win
- Go back to the original bet after you lose
When you use this blackjack strategy, you need to go back to the original bet as soon as you lose one hand. This is the best way to be in control of your money and end a gaming session in the black.
All you need to do is to make the right choices (use the basic strategy) and raise your stakes little by little - but only when you win.
READ ALSO: Bets sites to play live dealer blackjack online.
An Aggressive Approach to Blackjack: the Martingale Strategy
The Martingale betting strategy sits at the opposite side of the spectrum. This is the perfect blackjack strategy for those players who:
- Play blackjack to win a lot of money
- Can afford to lose a lot of money
- Don't fear the swing of big losses
In other words, this is the perfect blackjack strategy for big spenders but isn't one that you should try if you are still a beginner who is looking for ways to learn how to play blackjack.
The Martingale blackjack strategy is expensive. This is a blackjack system that will help you win often - but only when I have a lot of money to invest on your games.
How To Know When To Bet Big In Blackjack Poker
If you can't spend at least $500 on your games - the Martingale is not the best blackjack strategy for you.
But if you do — continue reading to discover how to use this betting strategy to increase your chances to win.
In short:
The Martingale strategy is the exact opposite of the conservative approach to betting in blackjack we have just seen.
When you follow this strategy, you need to double your bet every time you lose. Which, in case of a losing streak, can become very expensive very quickly.
The rationale of this audacious blackjack betting strategy is that you will need only one win to go back to square one and recoup all your losses in one hand.
The caveat is: your bankroll needs to be deep enough for you to play and play until that one win comes.
Again, this isn't a betting strategy for beginners. If you decide to try it, make sure your bankroll covers at least 10 consecutive losses from the hand #1.
1-3-2-6 Blackjack Betting System
The 1-3-2-6 blackjack betting strategy is not as exciting as the Martingale strategy, and that's a good thing. This betting strategy doesn't require a huge bankroll and is a lot more suitable for players looking for a way to have better chances to win at blackjack without investing a fortune in the game.
The numbers in the strategy's name indicate the way you should bet after you win a hand of blackjack.
You first winning is the trigger that starts the sequence while your first losing hand is the one that ends everything.
This blackjack betting strategy is built to get the most value out of winning streaks. If you are lucky enough to use it at the beginning of a four-hand winning streak, you are in for a treat.
READ ALSO: How to play blackjack for beginners.
How to Win More Often at Blackjack: A Few Important Tips
We all want to win at blackjack every time we play, but we also know that's impossible.
What is possible, however, is to maximise your chances to win and get better winning odds when you play blackjack online. All it takes a few simple tips.
Follow them carefully, as these blackjack tips are as important as the best blackjack betting strategy.
- Don't spend money on the 'insurance'. The insurance bet is a money-draining option created to confuse beginners. All the best blackjack strategies fail to mention is for one simple reason: no real blackjack player will ever spend their money on it.
Think about the house edge. Like we said when we went through some of the game's best betting strategies, you can't expect to win at blackjack every time you play.
Like all other casino games, the house edge is what makes sure that the casino has an advantage over the players in the long run. With that in mind, the next of our blackjack tips is one that can make a great difference for you.
Set a budget and abide to that. Experienced blackjack players know that you need to set a losing and a winning limit before the first hand is dealt.
Stop playing as soon as you hit one of them. If you lose and hit your lower limit, take a break and end your session.
If you win and you hit your highest limit, collects your winnings and leave the table. You can continue to play if you want, but you'll need to set a new bankroll and establish new limits first.
Don't miss the rules sheet. Trust me, there are more blackjack variations that you will ever play. All of them are based on the same core gameplay — but adopt rules that could break you if you aren't ready for them
One of the best parts of playing online is that the rules are always available at the table. If you are not sure you know everything about the game you want to play, click on the 'info' icon and read the rules.
Choose 3:2 over 6:5 payout. Different casinos have different payout policies - and not all of them are great for you.
Make sure you read the payout table before you begin to play a hand of real money blackjack and always choose the games with the 'regular' 3:2 payout. These are a much smarter choice compared to the 6:5 payout blackjack games you find at some online casino sites.
Use Bonuses to Find Your Favourite Blackjack Strategy
Now that you know what are the best blackjack strategies, there is only one thing left: play a few games online to find out which one works best for you.
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Here's what you should fo to get the best results:
- Base all your decisions on the basic blackjack strategy
- Pick the betting strategy that suits your bankroll
- Follow all the blackjack strategy tips above to maximise your chances to win
To help you find the right games and the right betting strategy, we created a list of the best blackjack bonuses on the market.
So what's a blackjack player to do when 40% of the time you are going to get a 12 through 17 whether you like it or not?
Since you can't change the cards that you are dealt, the best you can do is follow the basic playing strategy for hard and soft hands. You'll still take your lumps but you'll lose less money in the long run when you follow the basic strategy than if you depend upon divine intervention, or worse, play by the seat of your pants.
Maybe you've seen someone playing blackjack in a movie say 'hit me.' That means you're taking another card in the quest to get the elusive 21. A tap of the finger or hand also works, and the dealer will deal you another card.
When to Stand
You 'stand' when you don't want any more cards. Usually this happens when you hit a 17 or higher and sometimes even lower depending on the dealer's card.
A simple waving of the hand as if saying 'no' will do the trick. The dealer will then go on to the next player.
Soft 17
If you have a 'soft 17,' that means you have an ace and 6. Because an ace counts as 1 or 11, this hand can be either 7 or 17 and a player isn't hurt by taking a hit as a 10 won't bust this hand.
Dealers must draw until reaching 17 or higher, but usually must hit a soft 17. Staying on all 17s works in the player's favor. Different casinos have different rules dictating the dealer's move on soft 17.
Don't Take Insurance
A bet players can make when the dealer's upcard is an ace. The player can usually bet half of his bet and 'insure' some of his bet against a Blackjack. This is a sucker bet and a loser in the long run.
Splitting Hands
The casino rules for pair splitting are pretty straightforward. When you are dealt two cards of the same value, you may split them into two separate hands.
For example, if you bet $5 and receive a pair of 2s, you have a single hand totaling 4. You could play the hand as a 4 and draw additional cards or you could split the 2s into two hands.
You activate the pair splitting option by placing another equal bet next to the original bet on the layout. If your original bet was $5, then you would place another red chip on the layout. Do not place your chips on top of the original wager. Simply place it next to your original bet.
By doing this, you are signaling the dealer that you want to split your 2s, and play two hands. One hand has a $5 bet and contains a 2, ditto for the second hand. You must play out your first hand (to your right) before you are permitted to play out the second hand.
Got two 10s?
Never split, that 20 already has a high likelihood of being a winner.
Two fives?
Another hand that's a keeper. That 10 has a nice likelihood to get another high card, hopefully, an ace and the win.
Double down
When a casino allows you the option to double down, it means you can double the amount of your initial bet in return for receiving one, and only one, drawcard.
The best player-friendly doubling rules are when you can double down on any two cards.
The two variables that determine whether or not you should double down are the total of the cards in your hand and the dealer's upcard. As a general rule, the hands you are most likely to double are hard 8, 9, 10, and 11, and the soft 13 (A-2) through 18 (A-7) hands.
Players are allowed to (and should) double their bets on certain hands for an extra score.
The catch to doubling down is the player will only receive one card, so if you pull a 3, and have 13, you're done. Consider carefully before making this move.
It's important to know the best strategy when it comes to splitting and doubling down
Play basic strategy
Memorizing the right way to hit, stand, split and double down your hand is a must if you want to win long term. You can cut the house edge from 1 to 2 percent to 0.5 percent by following a few simple rules.
A good base looks like this:
- Stand when your hand is 12-16 when the dealer has 2-6.
- Hit when your hand is 12-16 when the dealer has 7-Ace
- Always split Aces and 8s
- Double 11 versus the dealer's 2-10
- Hit or double Aces-6
Pro tip: Purchase a basic strategy card in the gift shop so you don't have to memorize all this.
To win at blackjack, you need to get closer to 21 than the dealer, without going over. That sounds simple, but a key to blackjack for beginners is understanding the odds and basic strategy of when to draw another card (hit) and when to stop (stay).
This blog will cover what every blackjack player needs to know about basic strategy. So, you'll get the basic rules, strategy, and lingo so you can feel comfortable playing real money blackjack online or in a brick-and-mortar casino.
Conclusion
Blackjack is one of the best games in the casino for a player, but it's important to learn basic strategy if you want to take it seriously and have the best odds of winning. With numerous cards valued at a 10 or 11 (10, jack, queen, king, ace), there are a variety of things to consider when it comes to hitting, standing, doubling down, or splitting.
There are numerous resources to check out and learn the best strategy when playing blackjack, and it's highly recommended. Applying the strategy perfectly can reduce that house edge down to as low as .05 percent.
There's also one more thing to remember: Unlike the movies, players are not allowed to touch the cards. Simple hand movements are the norm in most games. Gamble on.
How To Know When To Bet Big In Blackjack Card Game
Table Of Contents
Are you looking for the best blackjack strategy to maximise your winning odds when you play online? You'll love these tips.
Finding a way to get higher chances to win at blackjack shouldn't be so hard.
The basic strategy is the best way to play blackjack — and when you combine it with some strategy tips on bankroll management and what to do after you win, you have really reached the maximum you can.
How To Bet Big In Blackjack
In other words, if you are looking for the best blackjack betting strategy to increase your chances to win, you'll love this guide.
In the parts that follow you will find:
- And lots more
We also put together a collection of the best bonuses to play online. This way, you can use those freebies to test the blackjack basic strategy and all the tips in this article.
EXCLUSIVE: Claim Your Bonus and Play!Register a FREE account and claim your bonus to play online blackjack!
What this guide is NOT
- A collection of tips to win at blackjack
- A list of systems that promise to make blackjack profitable
- The illusion that you can beat the game
Blackjack is a gambling game where the casino has an advantage. It doesn't matter what approach you take or what blackjack strategy you follow. In the long run, the casino always wins.
Why Follow a Blackjack Betting Strategy?
Let's face it - we have all been there. We have all looked for the best and the most effective strategy to win at blackjack after we lost our first hands online.
With the right blackjack strategy it's possible to increase your winning chances, and that's because blackjack isn't a gambling game like roulette, video poker, or slots.
If you follow the basic betting strategy and you learn how to use the information you have at your disposal, you can reach optimal play giving yourself the best chances to win include in the game.
Professional players have worked hard to 'solve' the game of blackjack and find how to play each hand to get the best winning odds.
They analysed how the number of decks in play affects your chances to win and how you can make the best decision based on the cards you see on the table.
- That's what they call the 'blackjack basic strategy. A list of dos and don'ts where you find exactly how you are supposed to play each and every hand you are dealt.
This is the best strategy for blackjack.
The goal of the blackjack basic strategy isn't to help you win at blackjack every time you play. That's impossible. Instead, it is to help you maximize your winning chances and to minimize your losses.
That's also the goal of this guide. We don't list all the strategies for blackjack out there. Instead, we focus only on the best blackjack strategies that are known to work and should help you get better results when you play.
Starting from the tips and tricks included in our cheat-sheet.
READ ALSO: How to play online blackjack with friends.
What Is the Blackjack Basic Strategy?
Knowing how to manage your money is as important in blackjack as it is in all gambling games. A correct 'bankroll management' is essential when you play — regardless of the blackjack strategies you apply to your games.
Knowing how to bet (and how much) and how to select the right game when you play online blackjack for real money is extremely important.
Once you have those basics covered, you can move into the basic blackjack strategy and learn how you are supposed to invest your money once the dealer gives you the initial two cards.
How To Know When To Bet Big In Blackjack Winnings
As soon as the cards reach you and the dealer opens one of their cards, you have to make your first choice. In a game of blackjack, that means you need to pick one of these options:
- Stand
- Hit
- Double
- Split
- Surrender
Do you know why the basic blackjack strategy is also considered to be the best way to discover how to win at blackjack? Because it uses basic logic.
Would you hit if your first two cards gave you 20 points? Of course not.
Would you stand if your starting hand was worth five points? Not a chance.
While these choices are very simple on hands like the ones I use in my example, things get (a lot) more complicated with different cards on the table.
Let me give you a few examples.
- How do you play soft 17 in blackjack?
- When do you hit on a 16?
- What to do with 15 in blackjack?
This is where the basic blackjack strategy comes in to help you get the best chances to win.
This collection of tips shows you the optimal play for every blackjack hands, calculating your winning odds in combination with the dealer's open card.
The basic strategy to win at blackjack has nothing to do with concepts like card counting or any of those tricks some 'clever' players adopt to beat the house.
This is a simple-to-use guideline that shows you exactly how you are supposed to play every possible hand of blackjack. Use it to know when it is recommended to hit, to stand, or to do something else.
Hard totals | ||||||||||
Dealer's card > | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
Player's hand | ||||||||||
17-20 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
16 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | SU | SU | SU |
15 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | SU | H |
13-14 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
12 | H | H | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
11 | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H |
10 | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H |
9 | H | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H | H | H | H |
5-8 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
Soft totals | ||||||||||
Dealer's card > | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
A,8-A,9 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
A,7 | S | Ds | Ds | Ds | Ds | S | S | H | H | H |
A,6 | H | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H | H | H | H |
A,4-A,5 | H | H | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H | H | H | H |
A,2-A,3 | H | H | H | Dh | Dh | H | H | H | H | H |
Pairs | ||||||||||
Dealer's card > | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
A,A | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP |
10,10 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
9,9 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | S | SP | SP | S | S |
8,8 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP |
7,7 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H |
6,6 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H | H |
5,5 | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H |
4,4 | H | H | H | SP | SP | H | H | H | H | H |
2,2-3,3 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H |
Key:
S = Stand
H = Hit
Dh = Double (if not allowed, then hit)
Ds = Double (if not allowed, then stand)
SP = Split
SU = Surrender (if not allowed, then hit)
A Blackjack Cheat Sheet
To make things even easier for you and help you follow the best betting strategy whenever you play blackjack, we created a quick cheat-sheet with the basic strategy explained in full.
Download the blackjack cheat-sheet (it's free) and print it or save it on your mobile phone to keep it always with you when you play.
The blackjack basic strategy cheat-sheet is 100% legal and you can use it both when you play online and at a brick-and-mortar casino.
A Conservative Blackjack Strategy
Don't play high-stakes games unless you feel ready for them and you have enough money to spend on online games.
If you are reading this blackjack strategy guide and you are a beginner, you should be afraid of high-stakes games.
When you spend too much money on your games, you risk getting the opposite of what you want. You play to have fun and to find out how to get more chances to win at blackjack - and you end broke and frustrated.
The best way to play blackjack is to start with what I call a conservative approach. Because finding the right way top handle betting in blackjack is key to long-term fun.
Like many blackjack strategies suggest, you should increase the stakes only when things go well and any potential losses are compensated by the money you have already won, not the one you might win if you get lucky.
In other words, raise your bet every time you win.
Many players believe wins and losses come in streaks. They think you might lose five or six times in a row — but when you win…you are not going to do it just once.
How To Know When To Bet Big In Blackjack Real Money
Obviously, that's not true.
Blackjack is a gambling game and there are no patterns for you to exploit or streaks that you can use to win more money every time you play.
There are, however, smart betting strategies like the basic blackjack strategy that can help you increase the chances of a victory.
With that in mind, a conservative blackjack strategy works like this:
- Start from the lowest bet (e.g. $1)
- Increase your bet by 1 unit only after you win
- Go back to the original bet after you lose
When you use this blackjack strategy, you need to go back to the original bet as soon as you lose one hand. This is the best way to be in control of your money and end a gaming session in the black.
All you need to do is to make the right choices (use the basic strategy) and raise your stakes little by little - but only when you win.
READ ALSO: Bets sites to play live dealer blackjack online.
An Aggressive Approach to Blackjack: the Martingale Strategy
The Martingale betting strategy sits at the opposite side of the spectrum. This is the perfect blackjack strategy for those players who:
- Play blackjack to win a lot of money
- Can afford to lose a lot of money
- Don't fear the swing of big losses
In other words, this is the perfect blackjack strategy for big spenders but isn't one that you should try if you are still a beginner who is looking for ways to learn how to play blackjack.
The Martingale blackjack strategy is expensive. This is a blackjack system that will help you win often - but only when I have a lot of money to invest on your games.
How To Know When To Bet Big In Blackjack Poker
If you can't spend at least $500 on your games - the Martingale is not the best blackjack strategy for you.
But if you do — continue reading to discover how to use this betting strategy to increase your chances to win.
In short:
The Martingale strategy is the exact opposite of the conservative approach to betting in blackjack we have just seen.
When you follow this strategy, you need to double your bet every time you lose. Which, in case of a losing streak, can become very expensive very quickly.
The rationale of this audacious blackjack betting strategy is that you will need only one win to go back to square one and recoup all your losses in one hand.
The caveat is: your bankroll needs to be deep enough for you to play and play until that one win comes.
Again, this isn't a betting strategy for beginners. If you decide to try it, make sure your bankroll covers at least 10 consecutive losses from the hand #1.
1-3-2-6 Blackjack Betting System
The 1-3-2-6 blackjack betting strategy is not as exciting as the Martingale strategy, and that's a good thing. This betting strategy doesn't require a huge bankroll and is a lot more suitable for players looking for a way to have better chances to win at blackjack without investing a fortune in the game.
The numbers in the strategy's name indicate the way you should bet after you win a hand of blackjack.
You first winning is the trigger that starts the sequence while your first losing hand is the one that ends everything.
This blackjack betting strategy is built to get the most value out of winning streaks. If you are lucky enough to use it at the beginning of a four-hand winning streak, you are in for a treat.
READ ALSO: How to play blackjack for beginners.
How to Win More Often at Blackjack: A Few Important Tips
We all want to win at blackjack every time we play, but we also know that's impossible.
What is possible, however, is to maximise your chances to win and get better winning odds when you play blackjack online. All it takes a few simple tips.
Follow them carefully, as these blackjack tips are as important as the best blackjack betting strategy.
- Don't spend money on the 'insurance'. The insurance bet is a money-draining option created to confuse beginners. All the best blackjack strategies fail to mention is for one simple reason: no real blackjack player will ever spend their money on it.
Think about the house edge. Like we said when we went through some of the game's best betting strategies, you can't expect to win at blackjack every time you play.
Like all other casino games, the house edge is what makes sure that the casino has an advantage over the players in the long run. With that in mind, the next of our blackjack tips is one that can make a great difference for you.
Set a budget and abide to that. Experienced blackjack players know that you need to set a losing and a winning limit before the first hand is dealt.
Stop playing as soon as you hit one of them. If you lose and hit your lower limit, take a break and end your session.
If you win and you hit your highest limit, collects your winnings and leave the table. You can continue to play if you want, but you'll need to set a new bankroll and establish new limits first.
Don't miss the rules sheet. Trust me, there are more blackjack variations that you will ever play. All of them are based on the same core gameplay — but adopt rules that could break you if you aren't ready for them
One of the best parts of playing online is that the rules are always available at the table. If you are not sure you know everything about the game you want to play, click on the 'info' icon and read the rules.
Choose 3:2 over 6:5 payout. Different casinos have different payout policies - and not all of them are great for you.
Make sure you read the payout table before you begin to play a hand of real money blackjack and always choose the games with the 'regular' 3:2 payout. These are a much smarter choice compared to the 6:5 payout blackjack games you find at some online casino sites.
Use Bonuses to Find Your Favourite Blackjack Strategy
Now that you know what are the best blackjack strategies, there is only one thing left: play a few games online to find out which one works best for you.
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Here's what you should fo to get the best results:
- Base all your decisions on the basic blackjack strategy
- Pick the betting strategy that suits your bankroll
- Follow all the blackjack strategy tips above to maximise your chances to win
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