Of all the games that are based on chance, blackjack stands out due to the fact that it’s the only one where the player is able to shift the odds in their favour. It’s not the easiest feat to accomplish, but it’s appealing enough that it’s not the second most popular card game in the world and is catching up to poker at an astounding rate.
Players that are brand new to blackjack will undoubtedly want to learn every tip, trick, and strategy to attain the highest chances of winning as many games as they possibly can. Use these helpful hints to find improved blackjack success.
Focus on Basic Strategy
Basic strategy is a type of strategy that’s well known among experienced players, and it revolves around reducing the house edge as much as possible, usually from up to 2 percent to as low as 0.5 percent. The lower the house edge, the higher the potential winnings for the player may be, so it’s something that a player will want to pursue as much as they can. Some good basic strategy tips to keep in mind include:
- A player should stand when they have 12-16 and the dealer has 2-6
- Always split 8 and Ace cards
- Always double an 11 when faced with a dealer’s 2-10
- Always hit or double Aces to 6
- A player will want to hit when their player is 12-16 but the dealer has a 7-Ace
Understanding these basic aspects of the strategy can help cut the house edge, so it might be worth writing them down and memorising them before playing another round of blackjack.
Avoid Insurance Bets At All Costs
An insurance wager in blackjack is when the player essentially takes out another bet with a new set of money that’s based on whether the dealer has a blackjack or not. Here, the house has an advantage over the player that’s often as high as 6 percent, meaning that even if the player is successful, they will only win the original bet. It’s a situation that means no win or loss, and only losing money to the house at the end of the day.
Start As Small As Possible
Although this applies more to land-based casinos, it’s also an important to keep in mind when playing any game, for example, after making blackjack deposits, a player should always try and avoid putting down as much money as possible when starting off – if things don’t initially go to plan right off the bat, it means losing all of their playing money. Starting small, managing a bankroll well, and knowing when to turn back and call it quits before the money’s run out is how the pros are able to keep going and earn decent returns.
The Gambler’s Fallacy
The gambler’s fallacy can apply to any casino game, and it can easily ruin a person that doesn’t take it seriously. It’s the belief that luck can change at any moment, and that someone on a losing streak will eventually start winning. Blackjack is based largely on chance, and while it’s possible to better the odds, there is never a guarantee.