One of the greatest things about Blackjack that drives so many people to the 21 tables is they know the dealer’s advantage in this game is really low, relative to the alternatives. Many people actually view their shot at winning as 50/50, equally as likely to go one way or the other, or they have strategies that they think could tilt the table to their advantage. In fact, this game is notorious for having been abused by mathematicians who’ve “counted” the cards that casinos head yet to deal, to give themselves the upper hand.
This game is quite different from slots, bingo, and pure luck-based games, in that whether you win or lose is largely based on the plan you come in with. So plan well. In order to sharpen your wits, you’re going to have to familiarize yourself with the approaches people employ to win. Too many novices pull up a seat and just go with their guts. That’s all well and good if you just wanna have fun without making a serious effort to come out on top, but you’re leaving wins on the table.
If you want to truly master Blackjack, there is time-tested, statistical strategy for increasing your win rate.
Basic Rules
This game is played between one or more players and a dealer. Each player gets two cards, as does the dealer. Everyone has one card facing up and the other facing down. The goal is to try to come as close to 21 as possible in your point total, without going over it, which is called a “bust”.
- Cards from 2 to 10: worth the number printed on them
- Face cards: Jack, Queen, and King are all worth 10.
- Aces: worth 1 or 11, whatever is more beneficial to your hand.
If you and the dealer have the same point total, the dealer wins. It’s your choice to keep on “hitting”, requesting to be dealt additional cards, until you either bust or are satisfied with your point total. But you have to go first; the dealer goes last. If you decide not to hit, you say “I’ll stand”.
You can also choose to double down, which means raising your bet, a move which requires hitting again. Then, there’s “splitting”, which you can do if you have two identical cards, and in that case, you can play two hands at once. If you hate your hand, you can “surrender” and end the hand, but in doing so only lose half your bet, rather than all of it.
The dealer has specific rules he has to follow, though. Usually, if they have 16 or lower, assuming they haven’t won already, they have to hit. And if they have 17 or higher, they must stand. Casinos have different variations of rules in Blackjack, but this is the gist of it.
Blackjack Strategy
One of the best things to study to figure out how to optimize your winning probability is by memorizing a Blackjack chart. Keep one on hand. It may look a bit dense and heavy on the details, but once you learn what the letters and colors stand for, it becomes a lot easier to grasp. Odds96 login is one way to apply these shrewd moves against live dealers anywhere on their smartphones. Always check out the visible card that the dealer has shown and orient your decision-making based on whose appears better on the chart.
The chart will list:
- H: Hit
- S: Stand
- D; Double
- P: Split
- R: Surrender
Hard and Soft Totals
The first thing to take note of is that, since an Ace can count as either 1 or 11, this will play a part in how the chart lists hands. An Ace 1 hand is a hard hand, having an Ace as an 11 – a soft hand. Then, look to the corresponding section of the chart. They vary in their approaches, though, mostly based on 4 to 8 decks being used at a time.
Splitting
Your chart will display whether or not it’s in your interest to split a pair of cards if you are dealt two identical cards in the beginning.
Surrendering
If you see that the dealer has a face card, a 9, or an Ace, that is a very promising hand. So if you have a number around 15, this is a good scenario in which to just give up and cut your losses before suffering a probable defeat.
Doubling Down
On the contrary, if you have a 10 or an 11, that is a hand you’d be wise to bank on, since the odds are likely in your favor. So in that situation, raising the bet is a good move. Keep in mind, though, that you can’t double down without taking another card. When you see that the dealer’s visible card is less than a 10, that’s a weak hand you can exploit.
Hitting or Standing
This is one that everyone is aware of, and everyone considers, in every round. There is a good rule of thumb that if you have 8 or less without an Ace, you should hit, and if you have 17 or more, you should stay. If you have less than that though but more than 10, that’s when the contemplation arises, and the chart will be a big help.
Dealer Face-Up Cards Are More Important Than Yours
Keep in mind that one of the worst cards for him to be displaying is 2 through 6. You have the probability of winning then. In this case, do not shoot yourself in the foot by risking busting. You’ll do well to stand pat, and let him self-destruct. You shouldn’t hit on as high totals basically.
However, if they have something between a 7 through an Ace, brace for a tougher fight. That means they have a good chance of ending up with an 18, 19, 20, or 21. In this case, hitting when you’re uncomfortable is more warranted.
House Rules That Change Strategy
Blackjack may look universal, but casinos sprinkle in subtle rule variations that can completely shift the house edge – usually in their favor. Here are the biggest rule variations to look out for. It’s also good to see this as entertainment, since as Investopedia recently broke down, any gambler eventually loses ground if they play long enough.
Does the Dealer Have to Hit on a Soft 17?
This means having an Ace worth 11. If so, that will give the house a notable edge, because if the dealer stands on a soft 17, your odds improve. Over time, it makes a difference.
Total Decks Used
The fewer the decks they use, the better the odds are for you. The absolute best-case scenario is when they use just one, but that’s not common, as too many Blackjack players enriched themselves due to that flaw. Today, six-deck and eight-deck shoes are standard, since they swing the odds more in the house’s favor instead.
Being Able to Double after Splitting
This is a golden rule in your favor if they do allow it.
Early Surrendering
This isn’t a feature available everywhere, but if you can trash a bad hand, that’s a clear benefit.
6:5 Payouts
The traditional and fair ratio is 3.2 payouts. Casinos have now also rolled out a 6:5 payout, which is a sneaky way of squeezing extra money out of players who don’t notice. These are tourist traps and are best avoided.
Counting Cards
This isn’t illegal, don’t worry. Cards that leave the shoe don’t magically reappear until a reshuffle. When a lot of small cards get dealt, the shoe becomes rich in 10-value cards and Aces – which dramatically increases the player’s advantage, especially when doubling or aiming for blackjack. Conversely, a shoe full of low cards favors the dealer. It doesn’t require you to memorize every card dealt, nor is it secret wizardry. It’s a simple tally of high vs low cards. It requires mental discipline and nerves, though.
Counting takes focus, bankroll, emotional control, and hours of practice, and you still need perfect basic strategy underneath it.