How To Play Blackjack Strategy

• How To Play Blackjack 21 Strategy
• How To Play Blackjack At A Casino
• How To Play Blackjack At A Casino

For starters, you can play blackjack variants that offer the lowest house edge. Why would you take a seat at a Super Fun 21 table with a house edge of 1.30% when you could play Blackjack Switch with a house edge of just 0.17% instead? Of course, making optimal plays also plays a key factor in getting the best odds in blackjack. Study basic blackjack strategy. Because blackjack is a game of probabilities compared to other casino games, you will be a stronger player by learning how to play certain hands. For example, do you hit on your 16 when the dealer has a ten?

Table Of Contents

Are you looking for the best blackjack strategy to maximise your winning odds when you play online? You'll love these tips.

Finding a way to get higher chances to win at blackjack shouldn't be so hard.

The basic strategy is the best way to play blackjack — and when you combine it with some strategy tips on bankroll management and what to do after you win, you have really reached the maximum you can.

In other words, if you are looking for the best blackjack betting strategy to increase your chances to win, you'll love this guide.

In the parts that follow you will find:

• And lots more

We also put together a collection of the best bonuses to play online. This way, you can use those freebies to test the blackjack basic strategy and all the tips in this article.

Register a FREE account and claim your bonus to play online blackjack!

What this guide is NOT

• A collection of tips to win at blackjack
• A list of systems that promise to make blackjack profitable
• The illusion that you can beat the game

Blackjack is a gambling game where the casino has an advantage. It doesn't matter what approach you take or what blackjack strategy you follow. In the long run, the casino always wins.

Why Follow a Blackjack Betting Strategy?

Let's face it - we have all been there. We have all looked for the best and the most effective strategy to win at blackjack after we lost our first hands online.

With the right blackjack strategy it's possible to increase your winning chances, and that's because blackjack isn't a gambling game like roulette, video poker, or slots.

If you follow the basic betting strategy and you learn how to use the information you have at your disposal, you can reach optimal play giving yourself the best chances to win include in the game.

Professional players have worked hard to 'solve' the game of blackjack and find how to play each hand to get the best winning odds.

They analysed how the number of decks in play affects your chances to win and how you can make the best decision based on the cards you see on the table.

• That's what they call the 'blackjack basic strategy. A list of dos and don'ts where you find exactly how you are supposed to play each and every hand you are dealt.

This is the best strategy for blackjack.

The goal of the blackjack basic strategy isn't to help you win at blackjack every time you play. That's impossible. Instead, it is to help you maximize your winning chances and to minimize your losses.

That's also the goal of this guide. We don't list all the strategies for blackjack out there. Instead, we focus only on the best blackjack strategies that are known to work and should help you get better results when you play.

How To Play Blackjack 21 Strategy

Starting from the tips and tricks included in our cheat-sheet.

READ ALSO: How to play online blackjack with friends.

What Is the Blackjack Basic Strategy?

Knowing how to manage your money is as important in blackjack as it is in all gambling games. A correct 'bankroll management' is essential when you play — regardless of the blackjack strategies you apply to your games.

Knowing how to bet (and how much) and how to select the right game when you play online blackjack for real money is extremely important.

Once you have those basics covered, you can move into the basic blackjack strategy and learn how you are supposed to invest your money once the dealer gives you the initial two cards.

As soon as the cards reach you and the dealer opens one of their cards, you have to make your first choice. In a game of blackjack, that means you need to pick one of these options:

• Stand
• Hit
• Double
• Split
• Surrender

Do you know why the basic blackjack strategy is also considered to be the best way to discover how to win at blackjack? Because it uses basic logic.

Would you hit if your first two cards gave you 20 points? Of course not.

Would you stand if your starting hand was worth five points? Not a chance.

While these choices are very simple on hands like the ones I use in my example, things get (a lot) more complicated with different cards on the table.

Let me give you a few examples.

How To Play Blackjack At A Casino

• How do you play soft 17 in blackjack?
• When do you hit on a 16?
• What to do with 15 in blackjack?

This is where the basic blackjack strategy comes in to help you get the best chances to win.

This collection of tips shows you the optimal play for every blackjack hands, calculating your winning odds in combination with the dealer's open card.

The basic strategy to win at blackjack has nothing to do with concepts like card counting or any of those tricks some 'clever' players adopt to beat the house.

This is a simple-to-use guideline that shows you exactly how you are supposed to play every possible hand of blackjack. Use it to know when it is recommended to hit, to stand, or to do something else.

Key:
S = Stand
H = Hit
Dh = Double (if not allowed, then hit)
Ds = Double (if not allowed, then stand)
SP = Split
SU = Surrender (if not allowed, then hit)

A Blackjack Cheat Sheet

To make things even easier for you and help you follow the best betting strategy whenever you play blackjack, we created a quick cheat-sheet with the basic strategy explained in full.

Download the blackjack cheat-sheet (it's free) and print it or save it on your mobile phone to keep it always with you when you play.

The blackjack basic strategy cheat-sheet is 100% legal and you can use it both when you play online and at a brick-and-mortar casino.

A Conservative Blackjack Strategy

Don't play high-stakes games unless you feel ready for them and you have enough money to spend on online games.

If you are reading this blackjack strategy guide and you are a beginner, you should be afraid of high-stakes games.

When you spend too much money on your games, you risk getting the opposite of what you want. You play to have fun and to find out how to get more chances to win at blackjack - and you end broke and frustrated.

The best way to play blackjack is to start with what I call a conservative approach. Because finding the right way top handle betting in blackjack is key to long-term fun.

Like many blackjack strategies suggest, you should increase the stakes only when things go well and any potential losses are compensated by the money you have already won, not the one you might win if you get lucky.

In other words, raise your bet every time you win.

Many players believe wins and losses come in streaks. They think you might lose five or six times in a row — but when you win…you are not going to do it just once.

Obviously, that's not true.

Blackjack is a gambling game and there are no patterns for you to exploit or streaks that you can use to win more money every time you play.

There are, however, smart betting strategies like the basic blackjack strategy that can help you increase the chances of a victory.

With that in mind, a conservative blackjack strategy works like this:

• Start from the lowest bet (e.g. $1)
• Increase your bet by 1 unit only after you win
• Go back to the original bet after you lose

When you use this blackjack strategy, you need to go back to the original bet as soon as you lose one hand. This is the best way to be in control of your money and end a gaming session in the black.

All you need to do is to make the right choices (use the basic strategy) and raise your stakes little by little - but only when you win.

READ ALSO: Bets sites to play live dealer blackjack online.

An Aggressive Approach to Blackjack: the Martingale Strategy

The Martingale betting strategy sits at the opposite side of the spectrum. This is the perfect blackjack strategy for those players who:

• Play blackjack to win a lot of money
• Can afford to lose a lot of money
• Don't fear the swing of big losses

In other words, this is the perfect blackjack strategy for big spenders but isn't one that you should try if you are still a beginner who is looking for ways to learn how to play blackjack.

The Martingale blackjack strategy is expensive. This is a blackjack system that will help you win often - but only when I have a lot of money to invest on your games.

If you can't spend at least $500 on your games - the Martingale is not the best blackjack strategy for you.

But if you do — continue reading to discover how to use this betting strategy to increase your chances to win.

In short:

The Martingale strategy is the exact opposite of the conservative approach to betting in blackjack we have just seen.

When you follow this strategy, you need to double your bet every time you lose. Which, in case of a losing streak, can become very expensive very quickly.

The rationale of this audacious blackjack betting strategy is that you will need only one win to go back to square one and recoup all your losses in one hand.

The caveat is: your bankroll needs to be deep enough for you to play and play until that one win comes.

Again, this isn't a betting strategy for beginners. If you decide to try it, make sure your bankroll covers at least 10 consecutive losses from the hand #1.

1-3-2-6 Blackjack Betting System

The 1-3-2-6 blackjack betting strategy is not as exciting as the Martingale strategy, and that's a good thing. This betting strategy doesn't require a huge bankroll and is a lot more suitable for players looking for a way to have better chances to win at blackjack without investing a fortune in the game.

The numbers in the strategy's name indicate the way you should bet after you win a hand of blackjack.

You first winning is the trigger that starts the sequence while your first losing hand is the one that ends everything.

This blackjack betting strategy is built to get the most value out of winning streaks. If you are lucky enough to use it at the beginning of a four-hand winning streak, you are in for a treat.

READ ALSO: How to play blackjack for beginners.

How to Win More Often at Blackjack: A Few Important Tips

We all want to win at blackjack every time we play, but we also know that's impossible.

What is possible, however, is to maximise your chances to win and get better winning odds when you play blackjack online. All it takes a few simple tips.

Follow them carefully, as these blackjack tips are as important as the best blackjack betting strategy.

• Don't spend money on the 'insurance'. The insurance bet is a money-draining option created to confuse beginners. All the best blackjack strategies fail to mention is for one simple reason: no real blackjack player will ever spend their money on it.

• Think about the house edge. Like we said when we went through some of the game's best betting strategies, you can't expect to win at blackjack every time you play.

  Like all other casino games, the house edge is what makes sure that the casino has an advantage over the players in the long run. With that in mind, the next of our blackjack tips is one that can make a great difference for you.

• Set a budget and abide to that. Experienced blackjack players know that you need to set a losing and a winning limit before the first hand is dealt.

  Stop playing as soon as you hit one of them. If you lose and hit your lower limit, take a break and end your session.

  If you win and you hit your highest limit, collects your winnings and leave the table. You can continue to play if you want, but you'll need to set a new bankroll and establish new limits first.

• Don't miss the rules sheet. Trust me, there are more blackjack variations that you will ever play. All of them are based on the same core gameplay — but adopt rules that could break you if you aren't ready for them

  One of the best parts of playing online is that the rules are always available at the table. If you are not sure you know everything about the game you want to play, click on the 'info' icon and read the rules.

• Choose 3:2 over 6:5 payout. Different casinos have different payout policies - and not all of them are great for you.

  Make sure you read the payout table before you begin to play a hand of real money blackjack and always choose the games with the 'regular' 3:2 payout. These are a much smarter choice compared to the 6:5 payout blackjack games you find at some online casino sites.

Use Bonuses to Find Your Favourite Blackjack Strategy

Now that you know what are the best blackjack strategies, there is only one thing left: play a few games online to find out which one works best for you.

Here's what you should fo to get the best results:

1. Base all your decisions on the basic blackjack strategy
2. Pick the betting strategy that suits your bankroll
3. Follow all the blackjack strategy tips above to maximise your chances to win

To help you find the right games and the right betting strategy, we created a list of the best blackjack bonuses on the market.

All the sites you find in the list are licensed, pay winnings fast, and offer lots of blackjack games. Pick the ones with the best offers, register an account (it's always free), and sit at the blackjack table to start an epic battle with the dealer!

Contents

Object of the Game

Blackjack is a card game in which one or more people play against the casino dealer. Both the casino dealer and the player are trying to get cards that add up to 21 without going over 21. An ace can count as 1 or 11. Jack, Queen, and King count as 10. Whoever gets the closest to 21 without going over wins. If both the dealer and the player end up with the same total like 19 or 20 then it is a tie or a push.

How the Blackjack Dealer Must Play

The casino dealer has the advantage in this game for the simple reason that the players have to go first. This is an edge for the dealer because as soon as a player goes over 21 and busts, his bet is lost and he is now out of the hand. The dealer may still bust afterwards, but the player has already lost his bet.

The dealer must follow always follow a specific set of rules when playing his hand. If the dealer has less than 16, he MUST HIT. If the dealer has 17 or higher, he MUST STAND (a possible exception is if the dealer has a soft 17 which is an Ace and a 6).

As an example, if everyone at a blackjack table has a hand totaling 13, and the dealer is showing a 6, the basic strategy is to stay. The dealer flips over his other card revealing a 10. The dealer has a total of 16. His hand is higher than everyone else’s at the table.

However, the dealer MUST hit his hand since it is a 16 or less. The dealer hits his hand, has an excellent chance of busting, and the entire table wins.

On the flip side, let’s say everyone at the table is dealt an 18 (and stays) and the dealer shows a 7. The dealer flips over his under card revealing a 10 for a total of 17. Even though he’s losing to everyone at the table, he is not allowed to take a hit, and thus the entire table wins.

Because the dealer must play his hand in this fashion, this is a benefit to the player and by applying perfect blackjack strategy, we can exploit this to the maximum potential. Consulting our blackjack charts while playing blackjack will help you make the best moves possible in any situation.

Overall, the casino dealer has an advantage in this game, however it is very slight if you play perfect blackjack strategy. And if you can learn to count cards – which is not as difficult as it sounds – you can sway the odds to your favor! We discuss card counting in the more advanced strategy section.

How to Play a Hand of Blackjack

Using an example makes it easier to understand how to play blackjack. Suppose Fred sees an empty blackjack table and sits down. The dealer shuffles cards or uses an automatic shuffle machine. The dealer then puts the cards in a shoe. Fred must place his bet down to start the action.

Two cards are dealt to Fred and the dealer gets two cards as well. One of the dealer’s cards is face up and the other is face down. In places like Las Vegas all of Fred’s cards are face up but there are some casinos in places like Reno where the player’s cards are face down.

If your cards are dealt face down, you can only use ONE hand to lift your cards to see their values.

The player is first to act and you have the following options after your first two cards are dealt:

• You can Hit – which is take another card. At the blackjack table, you would point at your finger at your hand or tap the table to signify a hit. If you are holding your cards in your one hand, you would swipe them against the table towards yourself to signify a hit.
• You can Stand or Stay – you will play your hand as is. To signify a stand, you would wave off the dealer with your open hand or wave your hand over your cards. If you are holding your cards, you would slide them under your bet (again while only using your one hand) and leave them there.
• You can Double Down – this means you can double your bet and receive one and only one card. You would place an equivalent bet next to your existing bet (not on top!) and verbally announce “Double Down”. You will receive one card and the dealer may place it face up or face down. You are not allowed to touch the card so if it’s face down, you will have to wait until the dealer flips it over.
• You can Split – if you are dealt two of the exact same cards, like a 7 7, you may elect to split the cards. Like the Double Down, you would place an equal bet beside your current bet and verbally announce “Split”. The dealer will then split up your two cards and you will now play two hands. The dealer will immediately deal you a second card for your first hand, so you will have a 7 and a new card. Now you can play these two cards like any other hand – you may Hit, Stand, Double Down, or Split again (if the re-splitting rule is allowed).
• Finally, if the table rules allow, you may Surrender. You will have to ask the dealer if Surrender is allowed. If you Surrender, you sacrifice your hand and receive 50% of your bet back. This happens before you see the dealer’s hole card. This is a more advanced move and should only be used in certain specific scenarios!

How You Should Play Blackjack

We’ve made mention of the “basic strategy chart”. The basic strategy chart will guide you on how to optimally play your hand. The key, however, is to be consulting the RIGHT basic strategy chart. There are many!

The chart changes depending on:

How To Play Blackjack At A Casino

• how many decks you are playing
• if you are allowed to double down on any 2 cards
• if you are allowed to double down after splitting
• if the dealer stands or hits on soft 17

Visit our Blackjack Charts page to find the right chart for the game you are playing!

All beginners should carry the chart with them when playing blackjack. You ARE ALLOWED to have the chart with you when you are playing real money blackjack! You can keep it in your pocket or place it on your lap and reference it when you need to.

Below is an example of a chart for a typical shoe (6-8 decks) game in Las Vegas.

Blackjack Chart for Multi-Deck Shoe

Feel free to print the image and take it with you!

Using the chart is simple, the top row shows the card the dealer is showing, the left column represents your hand.

The action would go as follows. Fred places his bet and then the hand is dealt.

Suppose the dealer is showing a Ten of clubs and Fred has a 7 of hearts and Jack of diamonds. The action is on Fred to make his move. Fred consults the chart and finds the Dealer’s Card of 10. He then cross-references that column heading with the row that shows 17.

The basic strategy chart shows a red S, which means that Fred should Stand. Fred waves his hand over his cards to signal a Stand.

The dealer turns over his hole card revealing a 6 of spades. The dealer has a hand that is less than 17 so he must hit. In this case let’s say he draws the King of hearts. The dealer now has a total of 10 + 6 + 10 or 26 and busts, so Fred wins.

Practice Blackjack

The best way to learn how to play blackjack is to use the blackjack trainer on our home page. Our trainer simulates real blackjack but you don’t risk losing any money. And, most importantly, our blackjack trainer will tell you when you’ve made a correct move or incorrect move.

You can also use this simple Blackjack Calculator below to tell you the best move to make given your hand and the Dealer’s up card. Simply click on the Dealer’s card (top) and then select which card he has from the deck.

Then click on the Player’s cards below to select your cards from the deck. The tool will then tell you the best move to make. This tool assumes you are playing a 6-deck shoe, double down after splitting is allowed, surrender is allowed, and the dealer stands on soft 17 (a typical Vegas blackjack shoe game).

The blackjack tool below simply reads the blackjack chart for you and tells you the best moves to make.

It is easier to learn blackjack if you understand terms used in the game like third base (the last player to act), hole card (the dealer’s face down card), and busting (having cards that add up to more than 21 which means losing). Check out our blackjack dictionary if you run across any confusing lingo in the blackjack world.

Check out the casino section at FlopTurnRiver.com at http://www.flopturnriver.com/casino/ for a wealth of casino resources.