Blackjack is a game of skill as well as luck. While you can’t control the cards you’re dealt, you can choose how to play them. With a basic blackjack strategy, you can make more money. You can boost your chances of winning by understanding how the game is played and making smart bets.
Still, no matter how good you are at blackjack, there will always be times when you lose. Let’s explore how you can minimize your losses and maximize your winnings.
Blackjack Rules and Variations
Blackjack, also called twenty-one and pontoon, is a casino card game first played in France in the 1700s. It is a game of chance and skill and is one of the most popular casino games globally. Origins of the game can be traced back to an old French card game called Vingt-et-Un (Twenty-One).
The basic blackjack rules are simple – players aim to beat the dealer by getting a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. Blackjack can be played with one or more card decks and is usually played against other players, not the house.
Before we move on to tips for winning blackjack, here’s the low-down on the most common blackjack variants, each with its own set of rules:
- European blackjack: The classic version of the game, played with a single deck of cards.
- American blackjack: Played with two decks, the dealer is dealt one face-up and one face-down card.
- Spanish Blackjack: Played with eight decks, and the dealer hits on a soft 17 (a hand containing an ace that totals either seven or 17).
- Atlantic City blackjack: Played with eight decks; the dealer hits on a soft 17.
- Vegas Strip Blackjack: Played with four decks; the dealer stands on a soft 17.
Blackjack Strategy – the Most Popular Approaches
Let’s look at some of the most popular tactics and strategies used in blackjack.
1. Strategy Chart
There are several basic strategy charts that can help you make better-informed moves while playing blackjack. The most popular one is the “basic strategy chart,” developed by Edward Thorp in the 1960s in his bestseller, “Beat the Dealer.” This chart tells you what to do based on the hand you are dealt and takes the dealer’s upcard into account.
The basic blackjack strategy chart has columns and rows showing what action to take for every possible dealer upcard. The dealer’s upcard is across the top row, while your hand is presented down the first column. Start by locating your hand or its total count in the first column. Then, go across to the dealer’s upcard.
The intersecting point will tell you what move to make. Memorizing the chart may take some time, but is well worth it if you want to make better blackjack decisions.
2. Card Counting
Card counting is a basic blackjack strategy of keeping track of which cards have been dealt and which remain in the deck. This information is used to make betting and playing decisions that give the player an advantage over the house. Card counting is not illegal, but it is frowned upon by casinos, so much so that people are often banned from an establishment if found to be doing it.
The most popular card counting system is the hi-lo system developed by Harvey Dubner in 1963. This system is relatively easy to learn and use and effectively gives players a slight but still relevant advantage over the house.
To use the hi-lo system, players keep track of two numbers – the running count and the true count. To take advantage of this blackjack strategy, a calculator should always be at your side. The running count is simply the number of high cards minus the number of low cards dealt. The true count takes into account the number of decks remaining.
To calculate the true count, divide the running count by the number of decks: For example, if the running count is +6 and there are four decks remaining in the shoe, the true count would be +1.5.
The higher the true count, the more likely the player will win. One of the tips for winning at blackjack is that players should bet more when the true count is high and less when it’s low.
3. Splitting Pairs
When you are dealt two cards of the same rank, you can split them into two separate hands. This is called splitting pairs. To do it, you must place a second bet equal to your original bet on the second hand, and then play each hand independently. If an ace is one of the split cards, you can only receive one additional card for that hand. This is called a soft hand. A soft hand cannot be busted by an additional card.
Splitting pairs can be a perfect blackjack strategy if done correctly. It allows you to take advantage of situations where you are likely to win and minimizes your losses in situations where you are likely to lose.
You should always split pairs of eights against dealer upcards, no matter what those are. The same goes for aces – these are rare cards, and by playing two separate hands with aces, you’ll increase your chances of hitting 21.
However, never split a pair of fives or 10s, as these are both strong hands you should keep together. Also, if you have two fours, keep them in one hand; splitting them will just give you two weak hands.
Finally, you should split pairs of sevens against dealer upcards of two through seven. You can look at an online blackjack strategy chart whenever you need assistance with making the correct decision.
4. Double Down
Doubling down is a strategy that can make all the difference. Doubling down is when you double your bet after seeing your first two cards and receive an additional card. This strategy can be very profitable if used correctly.
There are a few things to consider before doubling down. The first is your hand total. If it’s 11 or less, you should always use this blackjack strategy. This is because you have a good chance of getting a card worth 10 points, which would give you a strong hand.
The second thing to consider is the dealer’s up card. If the dealer’s upcard is weak, such as a five or six, you have a good chance of winning if you double down. The third thing to consider is the number of decks. If there are fewer decks in use, the odds of getting a 10-value card are higher. Therefore, it makes more sense to double down with fewer decks.
Finally, you should always use this simple blackjack strategy on a soft hand, as you can hit the ace and not bust your hand.
5. Betting on Insurance
One of the optional side bets you can make in blackjack is insurance. This bet is made when the dealer has an ace up, and it pays out 2:1 if the dealer has a blackjack. Lots of players consider it too risky. So why would you ever want to make this bet?
Well, the odds of the dealer having a blackjack when they have an ace up are actually pretty good. In the long run, you’ll end up winning this bet more often than not. Even though this blackjack betting strategy offers a payout of only 2:1, it’s still a nice little boost to your winnings.
Using card counting, players can estimate when the deck is favorable to them and place an insurance bet when there are fewer 10s left and if the count is +4 or higher.
6. Surrender Strategy
Surrendering isn’t available at many blackjack tables, but it’s a smart play that can reduce the house edge and save you money in the long run. Surrendering allows you to fold your hand and receive half your bet back.
This blackjack table strategy is straightforward and can be early or late. Early surrender is offered before the dealer checks for blackjack, and late surrender is offered afterward. Early surrender is much more beneficial to the player, so if it’s an option at the table you’re playing at, definitely take advantage of it and save money in the long run.
If you’re not sure whether to apply this tactic or not, here’s a rule of thumb: A hard 15 and 16 are the worst hands you can have in blackjack. If you have 15 and 16, but the dealer has a strong upcard such as 9, 10, or ace, surrendering might be the best blackjack betting strategy you can use to minimize your losses.
7. Hit or Stand
When playing blackjack, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is whether to hit or stand. Hitting means taking another card in an attempt to get closer to 21, while standing means sticking with the cards you currently have.
You should always stand on a hand of 17 or higher, no matter what card the dealer has. Second, according to the blackjack strategy chart, you should always hit on a hand of 11 or less. These hard rules should never be broken.
Between those two extremes, there is some room for debate. Generally, you should hit on a hand of 12-16 if the dealer is showing a seven or higher and stand on a hand of 12-16 if the dealer is showing a six or lower. But this isn’t set in stone – there are always exceptions to the rule.
Some players like to use “hit or stand” charts found online, but honestly, it’s not worth the trouble. Once you get a feel for the game, you’ll be able to make the right decision without even developing an advanced blackjack strategy explicitly.
Final Thoughts
Blackjack can be won with a bit of skill and some basic game knowledge. All these strategies, tips, and tricks we’ve talked about can be used for blackjack tournaments, as well as cash games. Remember – practice makes perfect, so spend some time playing blackjack online or at your local casino before you venture into a high-stakes game. Good luck!
FAQ
What is the best strategy for blackjack?
The odds of winning at blackjack with a basic strategy are certainly higher than if you just guessed each hand. However, blackjack has no “best” strategy, as the game can be beaten in different ways, depending on the cards you are dealt with and the casino you are playing at.
However, some basic strategies that can help you improve your chances of winning include hitting when you have a hand of 16 or less, standing when you have a hand of 17 or more, and always splitting aces and eights.
Do you hit or stay on 16?
According to the blackjack strategy table, if you have a hand of 16, you should hit if the dealer shows a seven or higher. If they show a six or lower, it’s better to stand.
Is it illegal to count cards?
No, it is not illegal to count cards in blackjack in the US. Counting cards has been around for decades and is a perfectly legal way to gain an edge over the casino. However, casinos are well aware of card counters and often use various methods to discourage them from playing, such as blacklisting them or increasing the minimum bet amount.
Even though it’s usually frowned upon, nothing is stopping you from employing this popular blackjack strategy the next time you’re playing blackjack.
Why should you not split 10s?
Splitting tens is never a good idea. When you split tens, you’re essentially splitting a hand that has a good chance of winning as is. Another reason to avoid splitting tens is that it can be a risky move – if the dealer has a ten up, they now have a much better chance of winning the hand.
