Blackjack is a firm favorite in both physical and online casinos. Many people love Blackjack as you play against the dealer instead of other players or a machine, which makes it easier for even casual players to come up with some simple strategies to win.
The idea of the strategies in Blackjack is to decrease the house edge. There are various tactics players can employ to walk away from the table with some winnings. Some popular methods players use include Blackjack charts and betting routines or strategies.
This article will cover some of these strategies, tactics, and other tips for winning more money at the Blackjack table.
Blackjack Basic Rules and Terminology Overview
Before getting on to some of the tips for winning, it is important to cover the basic rules of play and the terms used in a game of Blackjack.
The idea of Blackjack is to beat the dealer’s hand by getting closer to 21 without going over (known as going “bust”). Each round starts by the players being dealt 2 cards each. The dealer also deals themself 2 cards but one is placed face down on the table.
Players then take turns to play their hands out by giving the dealer a set of instructions from the list below:
Hit – The player would like the dealer to deal them an additional card
Stand or “Stick” – The player would like to stick with their current hand
Double Down – The player’s initial bet can be doubled if they commit to stand after drawing one and only one more card.
Split – If the player’s first 2 cards are a pair, an additional bet of equal value to their initial wager can be placed and the cards can now be played as individual hands.
Surrender – Surrendering permits the player to surrender at the start of the round. When surrendering, you automatically lose 50% of your stake. However, some casinos don’t allow the player to surrender.
5 Tips for Winning at Blackjack
Playing Blackjack with no strategy means the house edge can be around 2% but a basic strategy can cut this all the way down to 0.5%. Some methods can cut the house edge down even further.
As you can see, this is a big difference that can have a big impact your winnings. Here are 5 tips that can help to give you a greater chance of coming away with some winnings.
Play the Right Rules
In different casinos, you’ll find variations of Blackjack with their own sets of rules. The key to winning more is to play games with more liberal rules that decrease the house edge.
For example, it is possible to find tables that pay both 3 to 2 and 6 to 5. In this instance, you should only play the tables that pay 3 to 2 where possible since your chances of winning are highest.
Other rules to look out for and try and play include pair splitting, doubling down, surrender and the dealer stands on soft 17.
All of these rules cut the house edge and will improve your chances of winning as long as you know how to play them and use a solid strategy.
Employ the Basic Strategy
Playing on tables with more liberal rules is only worth it if you use a strategy that takes full advantage of them. The basic Blackjack strategy has been developed by expert mathematicians and used with success for many years so it would be crazy not to use it as well.
This strategy removes guesswork from the game and is the optimal way to play Blackjack. Of course, the strategy will vary depending on the set of rules you are playing. This means you need to know exactly what the table’s rules are so you can match your strategy to them.
Use BlackJack Charts
A blackjack chart or strategy card can be used as a reference to remind you of your strategy. On the card, you’ll be able to see exactly what you should do based on the cards you are dealt and what the dealer is showing.
It is perfectly legal to bring a strategy card into the casino with you, which is something many people don’t realise. This is great news since it makes it very simple even for beginners to stick to a strategy.
Set your Limits Before Playing
When your playing games for cash, it is very easy to let your emotions take over in the heat of the moment. This can mean getting too greedy when you’re winning or trying too hard to recoup losses on a losing streak. Both scenarios can leave you in a regret-filled hole.
The best way to avoid this is to set your limits before you play and make sure you stick to them without fail. Only ever gamble an amount that you can afford to lose.
Of course, losing is never going to be a pleasant experience but it should never hurt you financially in a way that impacts other areas of your life or cause financial stress.
A healthy way to look at your bankroll during a Blackjack session is to see it as the fee for playing the game and having fun.
Just like you would pay a fee to attend a music concert for your entertainment, you’re simply paying a fee to enjoy playing Blackjack and any winnings you make are a bonus.
Never Play Insurance
The insurance wager can be placed when the dealer is showing an ace. Essentially, you are betting that the dealer’s second card has a value of 10 because you only win when the dealer has Blackjack.
The insurance bet tends to pay 2 to 1 but the odds of the dealer having Blackjack will be lower, which makes it a poor bet to take.