Blackjack is played in many variations, but generally speaking, the player is engaged in a 1 on 1 duel with the dealer; whoever reaches 21 or is closest to 21 wins the round.
But there are many moments where you as a player must make a decision. To ask or not to ask, to split or not to split your cards. The tricky thing about playing blackjack well is that these decisions are not always the same. Therefore, some strategy is required if you want to play the game well.
Blackjack strategy to win
This table game is incredibly well known thanks to its simple rules and fast pace. As with many other casino games, active players are constantly looking for tactics to beat ‘the house’.
Blackjack strategyBlackjack has special strategies for this that will give you a greater chance of winning. Which strategy will let you win in blackjack?
Strategies
Blackjack is a suitable casino game for strategy. One of the better known strategies is based on the dealer’s face-up card and whether it is high or low. So it’s very important what the dealer’s first card is, but also take a closer look at the cards that other players already have on the table. For example, if the dealer starts with an A or 10, this is the least favorable card. In some variants of blackjack, you have the option to “insure” yourself against blackjack, getting half your bet back if this actually happens. Anyway, the lower the card for the banker, the more likely the dealer is to go over 21 with a 3rd, 4th or possibly 5th card.
Standard situations
There are some fixed rules of thumb that you should follow when using this strategy. If the banker has a card with the value 2 to 6, then you pass at 12 points or higher. If the banker’s card is 7 to A, then you pass at 16 or higher. This rule does not apply if you have an Ace in your hand, because then if the dealer has a 2-6 card you pass at 18 or higher, while if the dealer has a 7 to A card you stop at 19 or higher.
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More about Blackjack Strategy
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Counting Cards
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Counting Cards in Blackjack
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Counting Cards
Another blackjack strategy is card counting. This strategy is not appreciated by all casinos, as it is considered a form of cheating. Nothing could be further from the truth, however, as counting cards is an extremely effective and useful strategy that will seriously increase your chances of winning. When using the card counting strategy, not only your own hand and that of the dealer are important, but also the cards of the other players at the table.
If you want to carry out the strategy as efficiently as possible, it is advisable to take your place at the last seat at the table. Just pay attention in the Holland Casino; almost every table will be filled on the last seats and less well filled on the first seats. It may even show that people on the last seats at the table usually win more. Anyway, how does blackjack strategy work with respect to card counting?
Plus 1 or minus 1
This strategy is based on low numbers, neutral numbers and high numbers. This looks the following way:
- Low card: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Neutral card: 7,8
- High card: 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King
The Ace is not necessarily a high card, as it can represent two values, the 1 and the 11. If you have one of the lower cards in your hand, you are more likely to overplay it and end up with a hand above 21. One therefore takes as the value for this card -1. The neutral card has a value of 0, while the high cards have a value of +1. There are also hard and soft hands. A soft hand means that you have an Ace in your hand and this gives you more possibilities. When receiving a hard hand, you do not have an Ace.
To play or not to play?
If, after counting all the cards, you are on a point number in the ‘minus’, then this means that many small cards are already out of the game. If you have 16, for example, that is an indication that it is better not to ask for any more cards, since most low cards such as a 4 or 5 are already out. If you have a hand of 14 and your score is in the ‘+’ range, it is wise to ask for another card. There is a good chance that another low card will be hit. However, there is never any certainty.
Introduction to blackjack
In blackjack you play against the dealer. As a player you receive two cards face up and the dealer also receives two cards, only one face down and one face up. As a player you try to get to or near 21 as quickly as possible without going over. You can ask for as many cards as you want, but there is a risk that you will exceed 21 points and then you will lose anyway.
Only after all the other players at the table have received their cards does the dealer lay open his 2nd card and the game begins for the dealer. If the dealer’s hand exceeds 21 and you have, say, 16, then you win the dealer’s round and that pays 1x your stake. In blackjack, you get 1.5x your bet back. Fixed terms in blackjack are:
- Hit: Another card for the player
- Stand: You are satisfied and don’t need another card
- Double: Double your bet if it’s allowed
- Split: Splitting your first two cards, for example with A-A as a hand
Conclusion
Various strategies in blackjack can drastically reduce the house edge and increase your chances of winning. Just make sure you know in advance how many decks are present in the game so you can estimate how much you might stand to gain from counting cards. Preferably don’t insure against a possible blackjack from the dealer either, as this reduces your chances by 7 to 8% in the long run. Want to win more with blackjack? Then first learn various strategies in a free online blackjack environment.