Blackjack Tips To Win
- Quick Tips To Win Blackjack
- Secrets To Playing Blackjack
- Tips To Win At Blackjack
- Blackjack Tips And Tricks To Win
- Winning At Blackjack
Blackjack strategy seems complex at first glance. However, you can quickly improve your skills by mastering certain tips.
This guide features seven blackjack tips that are highly effective and easy to learn. You should lower the house edge to 0.5% or less by using the advice presented here.
This resource will also discuss card counting, the validity of betting systems, and answer FAQs on blackjack strategy. For beginners, consider reading our how to play blackjack guide before you read these tips for playing.
Steve Bourie, author of the American Casino Guide, interviews Michael 'Wizard of Odds' Shackleford about blackjack. Mike answers some of the most common ques. Blackjack strategy seems complex at first glance. However, you can quickly improve your skills by mastering certain tips. This guide features seven blackjack tips that are highly effective and easy to learn. You should lower the house edge to 0.5% or less by using the advice presented here. Blackjack is a simple game to understand, but has many different strategies when it comes to winning. Here you’ll learn all about them, from Martingale to d'Alembert, as well as boosting your. Well, the basic blackjack trick to winning is down to knowing when to hit or stand. There are also other facets to the best blackjack strategy besides hitting or standing. If you want to know how to beat blackjack online you will need to understand the values of different hands and how they payout. One of the things about blackjack strategy is that it is not based on assumptions but comes with mathematical proof. Basic Blackjack Strategy. The first step towards learning to play blackjack and winning is to learn basic blackjack strategy. Basic strategy helps in another big way: it could help bring the house edge down to 0.5% or even lower!
7 blackjack tips for success
1. Not all games offer the same house edge
Blackjack is a simple game on the surface. It requires you to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21.
However, blackjack features small rule differences from one table to the next. These slight rule discrepancies leave the house edge anywhere from 0.3% to 2.0%.
You should familiarize yourself with variable rules and how they impact odds. Below, you’ll see the most-important rules and their effects on the house advantage (pluses favor you):
- Single deck = +0.48%
- Double down on any two cards = +0.23%
- Double deck = +0.18
- Double down after splitting aces (DAS) = +0.15
- Double down on 9 through 11 only = -0.09%
- No DAS = -0.14%
- Double down on 10 and 11 only = -0.18%
- Dealer hits on soft 17 = -0.22%
- Natural blackjack pays 6 to 5 (instead of 3 to 2) = -1.39%
Online casinos feature a blackjack game’s rules in the help screen. Therefore, you can quickly determine which rules are present in an internet game.
Land-based casinos only list the natural blackjack payouts and if the dealer stands/hits on soft 17. You must watch the game to figure out what other rules are available.

2. Online blackjack normally gives you better odds
Land-based and internet blackjack tables can both offer favorable rules. However, the online version generally provides stronger odds across the board.
Software providers don’t need to pay dealers to run online games. They save money through the lack of dealer salaries and can afford to offer lower house edges.
Certain brick-and-mortar casinos still feature attractive odds. Downtown Vegas casinos, especially, carry a reputation for boasting low blackjack house advantages.
Again, though, online casinos offer a larger number of quality blackjack games. You’ll generally face between a 0.3% and 1.0% house edge, depending upon the game and provider.
3. Learn basic strategy
A blackjack game with favorable odds will only get you so far. You still must learn strategy to work the house edge to its lowest point and boost your chances of winning.
Blackjack strategy calls on you to master a large variety of situations. You must know when to hit, stand, split, and double down based on your score and the dealer’s upcard.
This task would normally be extensive and require much study. Luckily, though, you can use a blackjack strategy chart to quickly learn how to handle each situation.
Strategy charts show what action you should take based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard. Here’s an example:
- Your score is 13.
- The dealer’s upcard is 4.
- The chart shows to stand in this scenario.
You always want to use the appropriate chart for the variation you’re playing. You shouldn’t use a Spanish 21 resource, for example, when your chosen game features downtown Vegas rules.
4. Manage your bankroll
Bankroll management helps you accomplish two important goals:
- 1. Avoid risking money that you can’t afford to lose.
- 2. Stretch your bankroll out over time.
You should never play blackjack with funds that are meant for rent or groceries. After all, blackjack is a negative-expectation game that offers no guarantees.
Additionally, you probably hope to enjoy blackjack for hours or days—not just minutes. Bankroll management helps you place sensible wagers and last longer with the game.
You can manage your bankroll in a variety of ways. Assuming you need help getting started, though, you can refer to this example:
- You have a $1,000 blackjack bankroll.
- You want 100 units.
- 1,000 / 10 = 100 units
- You only wager 1-2 units per hand.
- You set a loss limit of 20 units per session.
5. Go for blackjack bonuses
Many online casinos offer blackjack bonuses. These deals can be strictly blackjack deals or listed under table-game offers.
In either case, bonuses let you generate extra money on the side of your play. Most blackjack offers are based on a match percentage of your deposit.
They also include wagering requirements (a.k.a. playthrough). You must meet playthrough before withdrawing a bonus.
Here’s an example on how these deals work:
- A casino offers a 100% match blackjack bonus worth up to $500.
- You deposit $100 and qualify for a $100 bonus.
- Playthrough is 80x.
- 100 x 80 = $8,000
- You must wager $8,000 before cashing out your bonus.
Some blackjack bonuses feature lower wagering requirements than others. You should shop around to find the best deals in terms of playthrough and other terms and conditions.
6. Avoid insurance
Blackjack insurance seems like an attractive offer. Dealers give you the option to take insurance when they’re showing an ace.
You bet half your original wager to take insurance. In turn, you stand to win 2 to 1 if the dealer shows a natural blackjack.
Here’s an example:
- You wager $10.
- The dealer shows an ace.
- You take insurance and bet another $5.
- The dealer flips over a 10 for a natural blackjack.
- You lose the $10 bet.
- However, you win $10 for the insurance wager.
The problem with insurance is that the dealer will only have a 10 hole card approximately 31% of the time.
The 2-to-1 payout isn’t enough to make up for the numerous times that the dealer won’t have a blackjack. You face a 7.69% house edge with insurance as a result.
7. Consider card counting
Blackjack gives you a rare opportunity to beat the house. The catch: you must master card counting to win profits.
Card counting is a famous advantage-play method that involves tracking card values. You assign points to cards based on which group they fall into.
The famed Hi-Lo system features the following groups and point values:
- Ace, king, queen, jack, and 10 (high cards) = -1
- 7, 8, and 9 (neutral cards) = 0
- 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 (low cards) = +1
You assign points to each card that comes out of the shoe. You bet more money when the count is positive for two reasons:
- The dealer stands a higher chance of drawing bust cards (10s and aces).
- You boast stronger odds of getting a natural blackjack (3-to-2 or 6-to-5 payout).
Card counting involves a few more intricacies, including how much to wager and accounting for multi-shoe decks. You should also practice your counting skills before actually trying this technique in casinos.
Nevertheless, card counting becomes an attainable task with the right passion and work ethic.
Will blackjack betting systems help you win?
What is a betting system?
A betting system requires placing wagers in a specific pattern. Some strategies call on you to raise bets when you’re losing to recoup losses (a.k.a. negative-progression systems).
Here’s an example:
- The Martingale requires doubling wagers after every loss.
- You bet $10 (table minimum) and lose.
- You bet $20 and lose.
- You bet $40 and lose.
- You wager $80 and win.
- 80 – 70 = $10 in winnings
Other systems call on you to increase wagers when you’re winning to capitalize on hot streaks (a.k.a. positive-progression systems).
Here’s an example:
- The Paroli requires you to double bets following each win.
- You return to the minimum bet after winning three straight wagers.
- You bet $10 and win.
- You bet $20 and win.
- You bet $40 and win.
- $70 in winnings
- You go back to wagering $10.
Pros of blackjack betting systems
Quick Tips To Win Blackjack
Betting strategies can accelerate your winnings. They can also help you win back losses in quick fashion.
Systems also help break up the monotony of flat betting. You base your wagers on a specific strategy rather than placing the same-sized bets over and over.
Cons of blackjack betting systems
No blackjack betting system can overcome the house edge. You might experience short-term luck with a system, but you won’t truly circumvent the house advantage.
These strategies can also hasten your losses. The Martingale is especially risky, because it requires you to keep doubling bets in the midst of losing streaks.
FAQs on blackjack tips
Should I practice with free blackjack?You can play free blackjack at online casinos after completing registration. Free mode offers an excellent way to practice this game without risking real money.
Another option is to try blackjack for free here on online.casino. We have multiple different blackjack versions for you to try for free.
The best blackjack games are those that feature the most-favorable rules. You’ll generally find tables with the lowest house edges at online casinos.
Tables with “Vegas Strip,” “downtown Vegas,” and “Atlantic City” rules usually feature low house advantages. However, you should always check rules in the help screen to make sure.
The film 21 creates the impression that you must be a mathematical genius to count cards. In reality, you can become a card counter regardless of your background.
You can quickly learn the intricacies of card counting in less than an hour. The challenge, though, comes with counting in an actual casino environment.
You should practice your skills for hours before visiting a casino. You can use free online blackjack trainers to hone your abilities.
No, you can’t effectively count cards in online casinos. Most internet blackjack games shuffle the shoe after every hand.
This aspect eliminates deck penetration. The latter refers to the percentage of the shoe that’s dealt before the cards are reshuffled.
You need reasonable deck penetration to maintain confidence in your count. For example, a +3 count means nothing when only one hand is dealt.
Live dealer blackjack features odds that are competitive with virtual online blackjack. Most live blackjack games boast between a 0.4% and 0.7% house edge.
Can I beat blackjack with basic strategy?Your chances of beating blackjack improve as you learn basic strategy. However, casinos still holds an advantage in every situation.
You can make blackjack into a near coin-flip situation. For example, you’re almost on equal footing with the casino in a game with a 0.4% house edge.
However, card counting is the only way to guarantee long-term profits. You must practice your counting skills for extensive hours before becoming capable of winning profits.
Blackjack is a widely spread casino game based on counting card values to determine the winner. It is believed to have originated from Spain, reaching massive popularity in the early 20th-century United States. The game involves playing against a dealer, and it is heavily dependent on strategy and the gambler’s decisions. Unlike other casino activities, blackjack actually follows a mathematically proven model, meaning that you can build a solid blackjack strategy and sustain your winnings in the long term.
What Is Blackjack Basic Strategy?
Before discussing the blackjack basic strategy, it is essential to understand the actions available to players. Remember that different casinos may impose varying blackjack rules, which are not considered in the basic strategy. After receiving your initial hand, you can make one of the following steps:
- Hit. “Hitting” in blackjack terms means requesting an additional card.
- Stand. “Standing” refers to taking no more cards.
- Double down. This option allows you to increase an initial bet (no more than by 100%) and receive one additional card, but it obliges you to stand until the round ends.
- Split. If you have a pair of cards with identical values, you can create two independent hands.
- Surrender. This step is not available in all gambling houses. A player can surrender as their first decision only.
Knowing the available options allows you to create a simple plan based on logic and common sense. For instance, you clearly won’t hit when your hand’s value is around 19 or 20 and won’t stand if this number is 5 or 6. But what about more complex cases, such as a “soft” 17? What should you do when the total value of your cards is 15 or 16? Well, this is the perfect time to apply the basic blackjack strategy. It is a decent choice for newcomers since it leaves no space for a mistake whatsoever. This method dictates exactly what a player must do in each situation. Every combination of hands is considered to provide you with reliable suggestions and profitable odds. This blackjack strategy can be summarized in the following chart:
The above chart provides enough information for those learning how to play blackjack, but more advanced players should look for better strategies. The base betting strategy decreases the house edge to around 0.50%, which is significantly lower than what other casino games offer. However, this method doesn’t consider multiple variables, such as the number of decks being used or particular rules imposed by the casino. Any deviation from traditional blackjack rules can influence this strategy tremendously.
Martingale
Martingale method is commonly applied in games with a 50/50 chance of winning and even payouts, such as roulette or slots. This betting strategy is known to be aggressive, so it would suit the preferences of risky players who aren’t afraid of losing money. When using the Martingale method, a gambler doubles up their bet after each loss and returns to the initial sum once they win. Several consequent losses may be detrimental to your wallet. Let’s assume that your initial wager is set at $10. After losing just five bets, the total will increase to $160. Add all the losses that had occurred before you reached this point, and you’ll see that the total sum you have to invest is $310.
Despite being risky, the Martingale method provides multiple advantages. It makes the game exciting since you can win a huge sum. The Martingale doesn’t require you to memorize complex strategies or perform any complicated mathematical operations while playing. Still, the Martingale strategy isn’t a smart way to start your professional gambling career, as it involves making risky decisions and requires users to possess significant financial reserves.
Card Counting
Unlike the above-mentioned Martingale strategy, card counting is applied in blackjack only. It involves some strategic thinking, in-depth knowledge of gaming theory, and a significant amount of time to master the method. However, it’s not like card counting can be comprehended by math prodigies only. This skill is totally available to an average punter, though they would need to practice a lot before they can succeed. Card counting is a popular strategy among professional players, as it provides them with a long-term, sustainable advantage over the house and allows turning betting into a source of income.
To use card counting with maximum profit, you should know that it is, essentially, a tracking system. In most casinos, cards are dealt out from a shuffling machine, which guarantees fair play for everybody. The machine can include more than one deck – the more decks there are, the higher the house advantage would be. Commonly, there would be no more than eight decks, so you should be able to keep a record of up to 416 cards. Clearly, there is no need to memorize each one of them; just add and subtract numerical values when you see certain cards: add 1 point for 2 through 6, add 0 for 7 – 9, and subtract 1 for any ace, picture, or ten.
Remember that a casino would never reveal the number of decks in a shoe; you’ll need to figure that out yourself. The hard part of this method is finding a so-called true count. It is derived through dividing the current count by the presumptive number of decks still in the shoe. Once you’re done with this part, you shall receive a pretty accurate way to predict the outcomes of upcoming rounds.
Main Tips for Winning in Blackjack
Blackjack is a gambling activity, so, despite all strategies and tips, it’s still highly unpredictable. However, you can (and should) use the following methods to decrease the house edge:
- Avoid insurance bets. If you want to win sustainably, forget about insurance bets. They seem to be very profitable, but, in fact, they don’t help secure your funds at all.
- Always read the guides carefully. Otherwise, you may miss one rule and end up losing a ton of money. It is especially important for online casino players since gambling sites offer a wide array of blackjack types.
- Don’t spend too much cash. If you want to benefit from blackjack, you’ll need to learn how to manage your budget and avoid going over it.
- Make use of 3:2 payouts. 3:2 is the most profitable deal you can find, so you should look for payouts like this one. On the other hand, 6:5 odds should be avoided.
- Be careful when claiming a bonus. A seemingly perfect offer may actually involve a huge rollover or other unpleasant surprises. Analyze the bonuses carefully before making a decision.
Remember that blackjack is based on skill, so as long as you have access to a computer (or a mobile phone), you should practice online for free to come to the real game well prepared. Consider going through a strategy drill to test your knowledge, and don’t hesitate to ask more experienced punters for advice.
Secrets To Playing Blackjack
Conservative Blackjack Strategy: Win Little by Little
Although some players call this blackjack strategy inefficient and hardly profitable, this opinion is far from true. The main thing about the conservative style is the preservation of your finances. This blackjack strategy involves starting with the least possible bet and increasing it when you win. After every loss, the wager should return back to the minimum. This method would suit more careful punters who prefer avoiding high risks. It’s also favored by newcomers, as conservative betting helps them stay in the game longer.
Blackjack Charts
Blackjack charts are utilized to teach basic strategies to newbies. They provide a convenient way to describe combinations and steps you need to make to win a blackjack round. Each line in a chart can be described with a phrase, so punters can organize information in any preferred way. The efficiency of charts was scientifically proved with a computer simulation of several hundred million blackjack games, so they are quite trustworthy.
The charts can be compared with a space shuttle – they enhance your skill and understanding of the game (reaching the Earth’s orbit) but won’t take you to the outer space directly. You should combine these charts with card counting and a proper betting method to win in blackjack. However, memorizing the charts is a great way to familiarize yourself with the game’s mechanics and avoid losing money while learning how to play.
FAQ
How to win at blackjack?
A decent blackjack strategy should combine all elements that can assist you in predicting the game’s outcomes. This includes card counting, memorizing combinations, studying the house edge and ways to reduce it.
Where are blackjack rules better, online or in land-based venues?
Tips To Win At Blackjack
Video blackjack resembles the traditional game in terms of rules. The choice between web and live casinos is solely a matter of personal preference. However, online betting sites often provide punters with valuable deposit bonuses, such as free spins on different slots.
Blackjack Tips And Tricks To Win
Is online blackjack legal?
Winning At Blackjack
Depending on your country of residence, the answer may vary. Check the local laws for an overview of gambling regulations in your region.