Blackjack is one of the simplest and yet most fascinating games in any casino, with a ton of tactical approaches to explore. While most beginners prefer to use the basic strategy when playing blackjack, experienced gamblers sometimes practice several strategies at once.
In this guide, we opened all the cards and explained in detail how to:
- Prepare for gambling
- Consistently win online
- Avoid gross errors when playing blackjack
Read ahead for the most useful blackjack tips!
How to Win at Blackjack Without Counting Cards
Blackjack card counting is used to give the player an edge over the casino. However, it is a rather complex strategy that is only possible to implement at an offline blackjack table. And, even in land-based casinos, counting cards does not guarantee success in blackjack.
The player has to devote a lot of time to practice and constantly hone skills and study the game’s strategies. Here is where to start:
1. Learn the Fundamental Rules
Blackjack is played against the dealer. Therefore, the main goal is to collect a combination of cards that is superior to the dealer’s hand but without busting. The best hand has 21 points. Any combination with a higher total is automatically disqualified from the game.
However, you do not always need to score 21 points to beat the dealer. For you to win, it is enough to score more than the dealer but less or equal to 21.
The values of the cards in blackjack:
- King, Queen, and Jack — 10 points
- Ace — 1 or 11 points
- The value of the rest of the cards is equal to their numerical value
The suit of the cards does not affect the score.
For more details, check out our guide on how to play blackjack.
2. Study the Basic Strategy
The basic strategy (BS) is a set of rules for playing a hand in blackjack, allowing any given hand to minimize the expected loss or maximize the expected gain. That is, it is a mathematically correct way to play a hand, based only on the information about the sum of the player’s points and the dealer’s open card. In the absence of any other information, BS is the only one of the blackjack strategies to play the hand.
Each decision of the player, per the BS, depends on two parameters: the sum of points of the player’s cards and the value of the dealer’s card. In each such initial scenario, there is only one optimal solution. Such decisions are summarized in charts and memorized for use throughout the game.
Below is the Basic Strategy for the so-called European rules. The player’s expected value of winning, according to these rules, is approximately -0.55%.
3. Use Blackjack Cheat Sheets
One of the greatest perks of playing blackjack online is the freedom to use whichever supporting materials you need. One fantastic game-booster option is blackjack cheat sheets. Those are charts that recommend the player the most beneficial actions in a specific game situation.
4. Find the Table’s Rules Before You Start Playing
For you to succeed in the game, it is crucial to know which rules are being used at the table you are joining. Firstly, you should know there are two main versions of blackjack:
- American style. In this format, the dealer has one card face up and the other face down. With an ace or 10 points, the second card is immediately checked for blackjack.
- European style. In this format, the dealer does not take the second card until all players have finished drawing cards.
Besides, both in offline and online blackjack, there are tables on which players can play several hands, while the others are strictly one-on-one format.
Some of the blackjack varieties are:
- Spanish 21. This variation has much more rules and nuances in comparison with the classic American version. For example, here, you can make as many splits as you like, and refuse to play while keeping half the bet. For specific combinations, increased payments are due: for 21 out of five cards or more, for combinations 7-7-7, 6-7-8, for a suited twenty-one points.
- Ponton. This is a kind of hybrid between the classic and the “Spanish 21”. Here, the dealer’s cards are initially closed. Because of this, payouts are higher (2:1), and the rules are more liberal.
- Double Exposure. This variant is the open version of blackjack. Gamblers see the dealer’s hand, which gives them an advantage. But they “lose” in payments because the coefficient is always 1 to 1, and push is counted as a defeat. There is no insurance or waiver.
- Blackjack Switch. The addition of a switch indicates a possible exchange of cards. Two hands are dealt at once, from which you can form the best combinations. For example, a gambler will receive 10, 7, and 4, J. It is more profitable to transform them into pairs 10, J, and 7.4. The payout is 1 to 1, and the dealer can score 22 points.
It is highly recommended to choose tables with liberal rules as they typically offer more generous payouts and more exciting gameplay. Also, keep in mind that the tables with single- or double-deck games offer better odds than those with six-eight decks (if games of the same type are compared).
Blackjack Tips to Win
Blackjack is a game based on mathematical probabilities. Therefore, if you take blackjack seriously, use effective tactics, and realize the risks, it may be your ideal option for making money at the casino. Check our detailed guide on blackjack winning tips or read ahead for some essential tips on leveling up your game of blackjack.
1. Know When to Double Down
Doubling down in blackjack implies multiplying one’s bet by two in the middle of a hand and receiving an additional card. It is a risky move yet very well worth making when:
- You have a hard 9 or 10 (no Ace)
- Your hand totals 11
- You have a soft 16, 17, or 18 (with an Ace)
On the other hand, don’t double down when the dealer reveals an Ace, as the odds of them getting a blackjack is high.
2. Understand When to Split
If your initial hand contains two cards of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands and receive an additional card for each. Always split when you have two:
- Aces
- Eights
Never split:
- Tens
- Fives
- Fours
In other cases, the splitting depends on the dealer’s card.
3. Avoid Progressive Betting Systems
Progressive betting systems may be rather traumatizing for your budget. With positive progressions, you may need a long uninterrupted winning streak for significant winnings, whereas negative progressions, such as martingale, would work best with an infinite bankroll.
4. Don’t Rely on Luck
When gambling, you may think that your luck is waiting for you during the next round… or the next one, or the one after that. In actuality, though, it is best to make decisions in blackjack based on the specific game situation and logic instead of raising bets blindly.
5. Choose Online Casinos Over Land-Based Ones
Playing blackjack at land-based casinos may be intimidating, especially for beginners. Luckily, nowadays, it is possible to play online without leaving the comfort of the home. Playing blackjack online has many advantages, including:
- Lower minimal bet
- The possibility of using tips and cheat sheets
- Game speed
- Bonuses and loyalty programs
At XXX, we have collected all the online casino advantages on one platform. Choose the ideal table for you to play live blackjack from our dazzling variety! Playing with live dealers is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a real casino while staying in a more relaxed environment.
Blackjack Winning FAQ
What are the odds of winning at blackjack?
The odds of winning vary depending on the variation of blackjack you are playing. For instance, when implementing a basic strategy, your odds of winning a hand of blackjack are 42.22%. While the tables with more liberal rules are likely to give you winning odds closer to 50%, the house edge remains higher.
Can you consistently win at blackjack?
To win consistently, you have to understand the game probabilities and know its strategies, odds, and risks. However, even if you are familiar with all the game’s aspects, there is no guarantee that you would win at all times, as the outcome of each hand depends on the cards you get.
Can you earn a living playing blackjack?
It takes skill and determination to become a blackjack player who can earn a living playing this game. Nevertheless, it is theoretically possible, yet not advisable. Basing one’s income on gambling is a choice that involves a lot of stress and no stability.
