Blackjack, a.k.a. Vingt-et-un or 21, is a popular classic table game widely played across the globe. You’ve probably played the game before, but how good are you at it? As much as luck is part of the equation, skill is necessary to effectively challenge for a win. A blackjack strategy is crucial to getting better odds against the dealer’s hand. This article will cover all the ins and outs necessary to master this casino game.
What Are the Basic Rules of Blackjack?
The best way to understand blackjack is by knowing the basic terms used in the game. ‘Blackjack’ is the best possible hand in the game, which consists of an Ace and a 10. ‘Busting’ is going over 21, which means you automatically lose the game. ‘Doubling down’ is when you place an additional bet equivalent to your initial bet, and in the process, you receive an extra card.
A ‘hard hand’ is a hand without an Ace, which counts as an 11. ‘Hitting’ is requesting another card. An ‘insurance’ is a side bet, usually up to half of your original bet, that you can make when a dealer shows an ace. A ‘push’ ties your hand to that of the dealer, which keeps your original bet.
A ‘soft hand’ is a hand whose Ace is valued as 11 and not 1. ‘Splitting’ involves separating two hands by placing an extra bet equivalent to your initial bet when dealt with 2 equal cards. ‘Staying/standing’ is sticking with your hand and not requesting more cards. ‘Surrendering’ is withdrawing from the game before seeing the dealer’s hand.
How to Play Blackjack Games
The goal in blackjack is to beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding 21. Players place their bets before cards are dealt. Each player begins with two face cards worth 10. Aces are worth 1 or 11, depending on which makes your hand better. The dealer also has two cards, one facing up and the other down. The latter is revealed at the end when all players are done.
You can stick to your current hand or ask for another card to play. You can continue until you’re pleased with your hand or eventually go over 21. The dealer will automatically win when you bust, regardless of their eventual hand. On the other hand, the dealer must hit until they have a hand that totals 17 or higher.
What Are the Best Blackjack Strategies?
Blackjack strategies are the most powerful tools to have in your arsenal. They help you improve your chances of winning by minimising the dealer’s chances or house advantage in a live casino. A sound strategy provides a solid game plan with a clear roadmap for making the best decisions based on the combination of your hand and the dealer’s face card. The best strategies to opt for include:
Blackjack Basic Strategy
The basic blackjack strategy is the most popular and widely used strategy among other options. It was created in the 1950s by four US Army engineers who utilised simple ‘adding’ machines to determine the best strategy for playing blackjack. Their approach was later refined with computers, simulating millions of blackjack hands.
Although this strategy will not guarantee a profit in both the short and long term, it’s known to reduce the house advantage to less than 0.5%, making it among the lowest house edges. This causes you to lose less money. It is based on a chart highlighting when to hit, stand, double down, or surrender.
Hits
Always hit on 8.
Hit on soft 18 (Ace and 7) against a dealer’s 9, 10, J, Q, K, or Ace; otherwise stand.
Stand
Always stand on 17+.
Stand on 16, 15, 14, or 13 against a dealer’s 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, otherwise hit.
Stand on 12 against a dealer’s 4, 5, or 6, otherwise hit.
Double Down
Double down a soft 19 (Ace and 8) against a dealer’s 6; otherwise stand.
Double down a soft 18 (Ace and 7) against a dealer’s 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; otherwise stand.
Double down a soft 17 (Ace and 6) against a dealer’s 3, 4, 5, or 6; otherwise hit.
Double down a soft 16 (Ace and 5) and soft 15 (Ace and 4) against a dealer’s 4, 5, or 6; otherwise hit.
Double down a soft 14 (Ace and 3) and soft 13 (Ace and 2) against a dealer’s 5 or 6; otherwise hit.
Always double down on 11.
Double down on 10 against a dealer’s 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9; otherwise hit.
Double down on 9 against a dealer’s 3, 4, 5, or 6; otherwise hit.
Double down a pair of 5s against a dealer’s 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9; otherwise hit.
Splits
Always split 8s and Aces.
Never split 10s.
Split a pair of 9s against a dealer’s 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 9; otherwise stand.
Split a pair of 7s against a dealer’s 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7; otherwise hit.
Split a pair of 6s against a dealer’s 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; otherwise hit.
Split a pair of 4s against a dealer’s 5 or 6; otherwise hit.
Split a pair of 2s and 3s against a dealer’s 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7; otherwise hit.
Surrender
16 surrenders if the dealer’s up card is 9, 10, J, Q, K, or Ace; otherwise, revert to hard totals.
15 surrenders if the dealer’s up card is 10; otherwise revert to hard totals.
Blackjack Card Counting
The blackjack counting cards strategy is the most basic advantage-playing game plan. It gives you a 1% to 2% shift in advantage in the long run. The strategy allows players to keep track of dealt cards to estimate the probability of the cards to follow. Counting cards is legal when done using your memory and through mental calculations.
The popular card-counting systems include:
Hi-Lo system
To keep track of the dealt cards, start your count and add 1 for every 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 cards on the table. The count doesn’t change for 7s, 8s, and 9s. However, the count goes down by 1 if a 10, J, Q, K, or Ace comes up. A higher count indicates there are more high cards remaining, which is beneficial to you. A higher number of high cards improves the likelihood of landing a blackjack and increases the probability of the dealer to bust.
Wonging
This system was developed by Stanford Wong and involves observing the game without playing and waiting for the count to become advantageous. Once the count is favourable, you join the table and play until it reverts to the house’s favour. After withdrawal, you keep counting, waiting for another spot with advantageous odds.
The Zen Card System
This is a two-level system that assigns values dependent on rank and suit. It requires memorising specific card combinations and their respective values, making it more complex. The counting gives cards +/-1 points or +/-2 points. In the system, 8s and 9s add 0 and do nothing; 2s, 3s, and 7s add 1; 4s, 5s, and 6s add 2. Aces subtract 1; 10s, Ks, Qs, and Js subtract 2.
Omega II
This system is another variation of Hi-Lo but is less common. It assigns values to cards by considering their distance from the dealer’s face card.
Martingale Betting Strategy
This is a negative progression system used to determine your bet sizes. It follows a very simple concept, where you increase the size of your bet after every loss. The logic behind it is that you’ll eventually win; when you do, you’ll wipe out previous losses and break even. The primary step is to set aside a budget and choose a portion of the amount as your base unit.
Your original stake will be 1 unit. If the round wins, you wager 1 unit again and keep going until you lose. When you do, increase the stake to 2 units. If you lose again, double the stake to 4 units and continue doing so until you win again. When you win, begin the process all over by betting with 1 unit.
With a 50% chance of winning a hand on blackjack online, this strategy can be effective for your gameplay. However, it might get a little complicated when splitting and doubling down Aces. Always stick to the mechanism if you lose both hands or split cards for the strategy to work.
It helps you recoup previous losses through a single bet and accumulates small profits over time. Martingale’s betting strategy is an aggressive, easy-to-follow strategy and can work in short bursts. Nevertheless, it demands a large bankroll and appeals for a table with broad wagering limits.
Winning Streak Strategy
Also known as the positive progression strategy, this is ideal if you have a good risk appetite. It has a carbon copy system like the Martingale strategy, but unlike the latter, it capitalises on the wins. You first set aside a budget and choose a starting wagering amount.
For instance, you can select €10 as your initial stake. When you win, you double the stake to €20 and proceed to double the stake until you lose. If you lose at this point, you will reduce your bet to €10 and stick to that amount in recurrent losses until you win again.
This strategy is exceptionally good when you’re having recurrent wins. If you’re on a good streak, it’s ideal to call it in after a few successful runs. With each bet becoming an increasingly bigger swing, you might lose a lump sum in a single hand. It’s best to have a big bankroll for this strategy.
Steady Betting Strategy
We couldn’t offer high-risk strategies and leave out the more cautious bettors. The steady betting strategy is a simple, slow-burn approach to playing blackjack. With this system, you maintain your bet amount throughout the game, whether you win or lose the previous hand.
This is a ‘safer’ tactic aiming to limit large losses and balances with your profits. It also gives you clarity and consistency in your bet amount, which is vital for bankroll management. It makes it easy to plan ahead, and time can always equalise your accrued losses.
How to Win Blackjack Games
Winning blackjack games requires you to be attentive to the proceedings on the table. Monitor the hands and always work with a budget. Avoid side bets and adjust your bet sizes effectively. Always enjoy your winnings and know when you withdraw.
When choosing the right blackjack strategy, always consider your style of play, budget, and the type of blackjack game you’re playing. The strategies are not a one-shoe-fit-all solution for all blackjack variants because they might have different rules. It also depends on your bankroll; some have higher needs than others.
FAQs
What is the 777 rule in Blackjack?
The rule states that you win if one of the first two cards in your hand is a 7. You get a larger payout if both of the first two cards in your hand are 7s. You win even more if the dealer’s face card is also a 7.
Do you hit on 13 against a 2?
In the blackjack basic strategy, you stand on 13 against a dealer’s 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, otherwise hit.
What is Advantage Play in Blackjack?
]Advantage play in blackjack is employing legal methods, also referred to as blackjack strategies, that offer a positive expected value. These advantage plays can be manufactured by the player, but in some cases, casinos can give you deals with positive EV plays.
What is the best blackjack strategy?
The best blackjack strategy ought to be the basic strategy that has stood the test of time and has been modified over the years to make it more efficient. It is also the most popular option among many blackjack players.
Why shouldn’t you split 10s?
Splitting 10s is discouraged because standing on your 20 is a better strategy. It wins about 85% of the time, and if split, you can end up losing five or more consecutive hands. You should take the profit and be happy about it rather than risking more.
Last Updated: 22.11.2024
Sports News
website focused on news and information about the world of football. This is one of the popular websites in Indonesia accessed by sports fans, especially football enthusiasts, to get quick and reliable information.
