In playing this live blackjack game, there are many different blackjack strategies to apply, learn, and try to win the game. Learning the right way to make smart decisions can help you earn this game. Here, we will provide you with playing tips in this basic guide to blackjack. Continue reading to learn all about the best ways to play 21 in online casinos at trusted gaming sites.
Highlights: Key Points Before Playing Blackjack
These are basic strategies to help you play blackjack effectively.
- Stand on 17 or higher. Even if the dealer has a powerful card, it’s usually best to keep your hand as it is.
- If you have a total of 11, it’s a good idea to double your bet. This gives you a better chance of winning in the long run.
- Split a pair of aces or eights – Separating them into two separate hands, even if it costs extra. With nines, only split if the dealer has a weak card.
- Never split a pair of tens. Having a total of 20 is very strong, so keep it that way.
- If you have an ace and a seven, consider taking another card if the dealer has a strong card like a 9, 10, or ace. This is because the dealer is likely to have a strong hand.
- If you have a total of 12 and the dealer has a 4, 5, or 6, it’s best to keep your hand. Otherwise, take another card.
If you have a total of 13 to 16, and the dealer has a 2 to 6, keep your hand. If the dealer has a higher card, take another card to try to improve your hand. Lastly, if you have a 16 and the dealer has a 9, 10, or ace, consider surrendering if that’s an option.
Choose a blackjack variation that you know better
One of the more accessible blackjack variations for potentially earning profits is “Single Deck Blackjack.” This variant is advantageous for players due to its simplified deck composition, making card counting easier and more effective. Having fewer cards in play makes it easier to track the ratio of high-value to low-value cards, which is a key factor in successful gameplay.
Additionally, casinos often offer more favorable rules for single-deck games, providing better odds for players. However, it’s crucial to note that finding single-deck games may require some scouting, as they have become less common in many casinos.
Mr Mega is currently offering several blackjack tables where only one player hand is dealt and multiple players share this hand. Playing this variation can make it easier to count cards and to keep players from worrying too much about whether another player will screw them over by getting a good card and result in them losing. Some of these tables are Unlimited Blackjack and Infinite Blackjack.
The second step is to learn the strategy chart
The second step to learning how to beat blackjack game involves becoming familiar with a basic strategy chart. It provides an optimal way to play the game, with the correct move for every situation that arises at the table. This is based on the cards you have and on the dealer’s upturned card.
We recommend you to print the basic strategy chart below and keeping it in front of you, memorize, or simply opening this chart on your computer screen when you play. If you find yourself in a casino and haven’t memorized all the plays, you can refer to a basic blackjack strategy chart while you play.
How to read the blackjack chart?
H= Hit
S= Stand
Dh= Double down if allowed; if not, hit
Ds= Double down if allowed; if not, stand
Rh= Surrender if allowed; if not, hit
Rs= Surrender if allowed; if not, stand
Rp= Surrender if allowed; if not, split
P= Split
Ph= Split if double after hit is allowed; if not hit
Pd= Split if double after hit is allowed; if not double
Ps= Split if double after hit is allowed; if not, stand
The blackjack chart can seem a bit confusing at first, but you can definitely understand how it works by consulting solutions for each situation as you play blackjack.
In the leftmost column, you will find your hand, which can be a total value or a particular starting combo of two cards. After you identify this based on the hand you have been dealt, you need to check the dealer’s upcard. Navigate to the corresponding position on the right, and the box will display the best possible move for that situation.
You can stand, split, double down, or surrender. If doubling down or surrendering isn’t supported in the version of blackjack you are playing, you can simply hit or stand instead. It’s best to play games that permit doubling down and surrendering.
Hit on 12 against 2 or 3 dealers up card
If the dealer reveals a 2 or 3, it’s a good idea to take another card when you have a total of 12. This gives you a better chance of winning because having any number higher than the dealer is really important. When you have a pair value of 12, it’s not very likely that you’ll go over 21 and bust. So, adding one more card can help you beat the dealer, especially when they start with a low card. This way, you increase your chances of either making the dealer go over 21 or ending up with a higher total in the end.
Split a pair of 8s and Aces
It’s best to split a pair of 8s or a pair of Aces. Even though having a 16 is okay, hitting can easily lead to going over 21. Keeping it as 16 is risky because the dealer might beat it with any card higher than 16. This applies regardless of what the dealer shows, even though it requires an additional bet. With nines, the situation is nearly the same, but it’s best to stand if the dealer has a 7, 10, or Ace.
Employing card counting approach
One of the best ways to play is to count your cards. There isn’t a basic blackjack technique that will teach you how to count cards because you need to know how to mark cards, figure out blackjack odds, and match what the player shows each round.
In the long term, it will give you a 1 to 2 percent edge. This method can only be used in real-life gambling, though. In most web games, the cards are shuffled after each hand, which means that you can’t count them. The same is true for games in real-life casinos that use computers that shuffle the cards all the time to stop people from betting tactics.
People who play blackjack keep track of the cards that are dealt from the shoe to figure out what cards are most likely to come up next. High cards help you more in 21. If the deck has more red cards, 10s, and Aces, you’re ahead, so it makes sense to raise your bet. It also lets you double down again in the future.
To keep track of the cards that have been dealt from a shoe, bettors maintain a running count. They add one to the count for every 2♥, 3♥, 4♥, 5♥, or 6♥ that is dealt. The count remains the same for cards 7♥, 8♥, and 9♥. If a 10♥, J♥, Q♥, K♥, or A♥ is revealed, the count decreases by one.
| +1 | 2♥3♥4♥5♥6♥ |
| 0 | 7♥8♥9♥ |
| -1 | 10♥J♥Q♥K♥A♥ |
Once you learn how to count cards in blackjack, you raise your bet as the count goes up.
How Card Counting Works?
Using card counting in games with multiple decks is possible but a bit trickier. Start by figuring out your running count, just like in a single-deck game. Next, adjust the running count by dividing it by the total number of unplayed decks. This gives you the “true count,” which helps you see if you have an advantage or not, much like the running count does. Learn this key blackjack strategy and take control of your game.
Blackjack Betting Systems
There are different betting systems in blackjack that bettors use to try and improve their chances against the dealer. Here are some common ones:
1. Martingale: Players double their bets after losing, aiming to recover losses with one big win. It’s risky!
2. D’Alembert: Every player increases their wagers by one unit after a loss and decreases after a win. It’s considered a safer system.
3. Fibonacci: Based on a math sequence, players follow a pattern of increasing bets after losses. It’s like Martingale but less aggressive.
4. 1-3-2-6: This strategy involves betting 1, 3, 2, and 6 units consecutively. Bets only increase after a win.
5. Parlay: It’s a positive progression system where winnings and the original bet are combined for the next bet after a win. If the player loses, they go back to the original bet.
These systems are used to manage bets in a series of plays, but they’re different from playing strategies. Keep in mind that all betting strategies come with risks.
Conclusion
There are a lot more blackjack strategies that you can use, but the ones above are proven with our website among the most commonly used in other blackjack playing styles. But every bettor should remember that blackjack is a game of chance, and your losing and winning streaks are still up to Luck.
FAQs
What is the basic blackjack strategy?
Blackjack’s basic strategy is to set guidelines that suggest the best decisions to make based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard.
Should I always hit on 16?
It depends on the dealer’s upcard. Generally, you should hit on 16 against a dealer’s seven or higher but stand against lower upcards.
When should I double down?
You should double down on a hard 11 against any dealer upcard and sometimes on a hard 10 or 9, depending on the situation.
Should I always split pairs?
No, you should only split pairs in certain situations, like a pair of eights or aces, according to basic strategy.
What is surrender in blackjack?
Surrender is an option to forfeit half your bet and end the round if you feel you have a low chance of winning.
