Can You Get Better at Blackjack Through Strategies?
Blackjack is a simple game of cards. You play against one opponent—the dealer. If you beat the dealer in producing a hand of 21, you win. If you tie the dealer’s hand: it’s a draw. Of course, you don’t want a hand above 21 because it’s a loss.
It takes a lot of practice to get better at blackjack. You need to know when to hit, when to stand, and when to double down. Importantly, find a good blackjack online strategy.
A great strategy is like a cheat sheet that tells you what to do when you have specific cards. There are a few well-known blackjack strategies you can use to increase your profits. Below are some of them:
Play Blackjack Games with Friendly Rules
Blackjack has several variations. Some variants have better rules than others. For example, classic blackjack gives you a 1% house edge. By comparison, Hi-Lo blackjack has a high 2.08% house edge.
Blackjack Switch has an even lower casino edge: 0.58%. However, the casino doesn’t lose if the dealer has a 22. Instead, it’s considered a push. Additionally, the game pays you 1:1 and not 3:2 if you have a natural blackjack.
Owing to that backdrop, consider the rules you’re dealing with before you play a blackjack game. Stick to classic blackjack for the best rules. If you decide to play a variation of blackjack, use strategies to lower the house advantage.
That being said, play blackjack at casinos that payout 3:2 and not 6:5. The difference might not look huge. But in the long run, you make more money at casinos that payout 3:2.
Learn the Basic Blackjack Strategy
Although you can use several strategies in blackjack, experts and veteran players agree there's only one system that reigns supreme: basic blackjack strategy. This system works for both online and brick-and-mortar casinos.
How does it work? Basically, basic playing strategy acts as a guide that shows you what to do when you have certain cards. Some of the strategy’s rules dictate the following:
- Hit if you have a soft 13-17 and the dealer has a 2
- Stand on soft 19-21
- Double down if you have a soft 13-18 and the dealer has a soft 6
- Hit if you have a soft 13-18 and the dealer has an ace
- Stand on hard 17-21
- Hit on hard 12 against the dealer’s 7-Ace
- Double with a hard 11 against dealer’s 7-10
Although the basic playing strategy helps increase your odds of winning, it’s not illegal. You can carry a strategy card to your favorite casino and use it in front of the dealer. Similarly, you can use this cheat sheet online.
Skip the Insurance Bet
The insurance bet in blackjack is a terrible wager. First, it pays out 2:1 when you’re correct. Yet, the odds of winning an insurance bet are way worse than 2 to 1. Secondly, some casinos pay you 1:1 if you take an insurance bet but end up producing a hand of 21 yourself.
Casinos give you the option to place insurance bets if the dealer’s up-card is an ace. You win an insurance bet if the dealer’s second card is a 10. If it’s not, you lose. Then the game continues.
Why do people take insurance bets? The odds of having an ace and a face card are decent. But they’re not good enough to warrant a bet. Most people lose the bet anyways.
Avoid Roulette Strategies in Blackjack
Some people recommend roulette strategies like Martingale, Reverse Martingale, and the Fibonacci system to blackjack players. But here's the thing. These systems don't work in blackjack.
Most of the strategies mentioned above recommend that you increase or decrease your bet amount after a win or loss. For example, Martingale says you should double your bet after a loss. Reverse Martingale says the opposite.
The reason roulette strategies fail in blackjack is that you don't just place a bet and wait for an outcome. With blackjack, you need to make decisions like hitting, standing, and surrendering. And these moves require more sophisticated systems.
Use Blackjack Bonuses
Blackjack bonuses increase money in your betting account. And since when has that been a bad idea? Well, there are a few times when a bonus isn't always a solution.
If the bonus has harsh terms and conditions, don’t claim it. Look for bonuses with fair terms and conditions. Look at the wager requirements, validity time, withdrawal limits, and other terms.
A good bonus gives you more money to play blackjack. And that means more chances to win money. You can cash out money won from a bonus. But as mentioned, this happens only if the terms are fair.
Look for both welcome and loyalty blackjack bonuses. Welcome bonuses tend to be bigger in size. But you can only claim them once, meaning you will need loyalty rewards a lot more.
Play Live Dealer Blackjack
Playing blackjack online is more convenient than visiting a brick-and-mortar casino. However, keep in mind that casinos provide two types of blackjack: RNG blackjack and live dealer blackjack.
RNG blackjack relies on software to shuffle and deal cards. Essentially, you compete against the computer. Nothing is exciting about playing blackjack this way.
Live casino blackjack connects you to a virtual casino through a video link. You can see and talk to the human dealer on the other end. The dealer shuffles cards as you see. But that’s not all. You can also engage in multi-player blackjack at live dealer websites.
Avoid Distractions
Distractions can cost you money in blackjack, even if you’re Don Johnson. Some distractions—alcohol or drugs—are worse than others (music). Strive to have as few distractions as possible while playing card games.
That means don't bet when you're stressed, if you have friends around, or if your favorite TV show is playing. Look for a quiet place to enjoy blackjack. Put on your noise-canceling headphones. But also consider playing music if it helps you focus on the game.
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