Blackjack Strategies: How to Become a Better Player?

Key Takeaways

  • Blackjack strategies increase your winning chances
  • Always split Aces or 8s as they’re unfavorable to players
  • Managing your bankroll is as important as implementing blackjack strategies
  • Don’t take insurance bets unless the dealer has a blackjack.

Employing tested blackjack strategies is one way to reduce the house edge and improve decision-making. However, you need to consider some factors to find the right technique to improve your chances of winning.

You must understand the game rules, mathematical probabilities, and dealer behaviors for context. That way, you choose a strategy that suits you.

Basic Blackjack Strategy 

From experience, a basic blackjack strategy is the optimal decision for each hand based on the player’s cards and the dealer’s upcard. 

Some of the basic blackjack strategies to use for a rewarding gambling experience include:

Hit on 12-16 Against a Dealer’s 7-Ace

When facing a dealer with a strong upcard, such as 7 through Ace, it’s best to hit if your total hand value is between 12 and 16, minus the pairs. 

Stand On 12-16 Against a Dealer’s 2-6

If the dealer’s upcard is 2-6 and your hand’s total value is between 12-16 (minus pairs), it’s best to stand. With this strategy, you’re capitalizing on the dealer’s likelihood to bust when they receive a weak upcard.

Always Split Aces and 8s

Blackjack players hate getting a pair of 8s. That’s because your total hand is be 16, increasing your chances of busting if you hit.

Getting a pair of 8s is risky since if you choose to stand, you likely lose unless the dealer busts. Therefore, the best strategy is to split all your 8s and Aces.

Note that online casinos allow blackjack strategy charts to increase your winning potential. You utilize them to reduce the house edge and optimize your gameplay.

Advanced Strategies to Improve Odds

Now that you’ve learned the basic blackjack strategies, we’ll share some advanced techniques. These methods improve your betting odds, increasing your winning chances.

Doubling down on 10 or 11 when the dealer shows a weak card

One expert strategy guaranteed to increase your winning potential is doubling down when you have a total hand of 10 while the dealer’s upcard is between 2 and 9. In case you’re wondering why this strategy is ideal, we’ll tell you. 

Your chances of creating a strong hand (19 or 20) are high. Also, you double down when you have a total of 11 despite the dealer’s upcard.

Using soft hand strategies

A soft hand involves an Ace and another card. If you’re playing soft hands, the basic rule is usually to hit until you reach at least 17. However, we recommend hitting or doubling on Ace through 6, depending on the dealer’s card.

Avoid common mistakes like splitting 5s or 10s

Most new players always make some common mistakes like splitting 10s or 5s. Dividing a total of 20 (a strong hand) reduces your winning chances. 

A pair of 5s means a total of 10, which is ideal for doubling down. Therefore, avoid splitting them.

Managing Your Bankroll for Online Blackjack

Playing blackjack online is an exciting experience. However, while enjoying your favorite pastime, you must learn how to manage your bankroll. That way, you won’t deplete your gambling funds in a hurry.

Some of our top strategies for bankroll management include:

  • Set Betting Limits: Before you kick-start gameplay, we recommend setting a betting limit. That way, you won’t exceed your budget. Fortunately, many gambling platforms feature responsible gaming tools, allowing you to manage your activities effectively. 

Take advantage of these measures to set a betting limit before each session. 

  • Manage Losses: Losing is inevitable when it comes to playing blackjack online. However, it becomes a problem when you start chasing losses. From experience, trying to recover lost funds is a surefire way to deplete your gambling funds. Therefore, know when to call it quits if Lady Luck isn’t on your side.
  • Maintain a Consistent Betting Strategy: While gambling strategies don’t guarantee wins, they increase your winning chances. If a particular technique works for you, it’s best to maintain it.

Also, avoid progressive betting systems. They require a significant amount to sustain increasing stakes during a losing streak. Therefore, losses quickly deplete your funds, cutting your gambling time short. 

Lastly, only gamble within your means. We strongly condemn betting as a source of livelihood or to pay off debts. Before starting a gambling session, create a budget and don’t exceed it no matter what.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid?

It’s easy to make a few mistakes while using blackjack strategies, especially as a new player. However, knowing what to avoid saves you time and stress.

Here are the top mistakes to avoid while playing live blackjack and the RNG versions at online casinos:

Taking Insurance Bets

Unless you believe the dealer has a blackjack, we advise against taking an insurance bet. That way, you don’t deplete your bankroll quickly, as insurance bets are costly.

Deviating From Basic Strategies Due to Emotions

Although basic blackjack strategies don’t guarantee wins, these techniques have been proven to increase winning chances. Therefore, it’s best to relegate emotions to the back burner and employ these tested methods during gameplay.

Playing at Tables With Unfavorable Rules

Some blackjack rules don’t favor players. Hence, you need to study your chosen game mechanics and payout details before kick-starting gameplay. 

For context, a 6:5 blackjack table pays less than 3:2. Let’s say you wagered $25 and got a blackjack. You’ll receive $37.50 at a 3:2 table. On the other hand, a 6:5 table pays you $30. Therefore, you’re losing $7.50.

Tips for Practicing Blackjack Strategies Online

Practice brings perfection. As such, we recommend playing your chosen blackjack titles in demo mode first to try out a few strategies. Many online casinos only feature slots in the demo version. However, blackjack is available for free on our site Casino Pearls. 

After playing in demo mode, go for low-stakes tables when you’re ready to practice strategies with real money. That way, you won’t burn through your bankroll in only a few rounds.

Playing blackjack online has many advantages, including using a strategy chart during gameplay. This tool helps you to make logical decisions and improve your betting odds.

Why Discipline Matters in Blackjack

As humans, we are bound to make decisions based on emotions. However, allowing them to cloud your judgment while playing blackjack online leads to repeated losses.  

That’s why we recommend taking advantage of tested and trusted blackjack strategies. While these techniques won’t grant you regular winnings, your chances are guaranteed to improve. You also use strategy charts.

Although these charts offer better statistical analysis for improved decision-making, they still don’t guarantee wins.

Note that long-term success comes from consistent, disciplined play rather than luck. Therefore, we recommend choosing a strategy and trying it out repeatedly until you get results. 

Leave a Comment