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Top Five Tips on How to Win at Blackjack

Kay TurnerMay 6, 2019

You will find thousands of sites which show you how to beat blackjack. There are several things this depends on. First and foremost, your knowledge of blackjack would help you make better informed decisions when choosing what your move should be with the hand you are dealt and what the dealer has in hand.

First things first. You need to learn how not to lose in blackjack. There are cheat sheets you can use which would be good to memorise to know what risk to take depending on the dealt cards. You might even be interested in using particular betting strategies to know how to place your bets in each hand. You are also sure to find some information on card counting strategies to predict what cards are likely to show up and maximise your winnings. This all depends on your level of experience.

Tip #1 – Manage your Bankroll

It’s best to set a limit of the amount of money you wish to spend in this table game. You shouldn’t discard your hard earned money trivially so set a budget for yourself and stick to it. You aren’t going to automatically win every hand, so limit your bets with each hand. If you lose, don’t chase your money and bet big to try win it back. However, if you have won two or three bets, you could gradually increase your bet amount. It’s important to set it lower when your winnings streak ends.

Tip #2 – Practice Online rather than in a Live-based Casino

If you are new to blackjack, then your best bet is to try playing free versions at online casinos. Some software providers give players the option of playing the demo version before betting for real money. This way, you could get used to the rules and improve your strategy skills. Like this, you can bet smart rather than second guess yourself or rely on luck to win. Since, blackjack is a game that requires a relatively high level of skill, this would be the safest way to play and make informed bets rather than throw away your cash.

Tip #3 – Learn How to Play Your Hand

When you are dealt your cards, you would need to consider your next move. Learning a basic strategy could greatly improve your odds. You can use or memorise the basic blackjack cheat sheet. This would reduce the house edge by around 1%. Firstly, you would need to make a decision once your cards are dealt. These are to Stand, Hit, Double, Split or Surrender. The dealt cards can be categorised as soft hands or hard hands. Understanding this better, would make the sheet easier to remember. It’s important to consider the shown card of the dealer which could greatly affect your next moves.

There are several types of strategies you can adopt in order to better your chances at winning with the hand you are dealt. By playing and using a basic strategy would be the best course of action as you keep your tactic simple and straightforward. Essentially, experts believe that these are the best decisions:

Stand if the dealer has a card between 2 and 6 and you have a hand between 12 and 16.
Hit when the dealer has anything between 7 and Ace and when you have a hand between 12 and 16.
Always split Aces and 8s regardless of the dealer’s hand.
Double 11 against the dealer’s 2 to 10 card.
Either hit or double Aces to 6.

Tip #4 – Be Wary of Gambler’s Myths

It’s extremely important to understand the rules of playing blackjack. It is even more important to distinguish myth from fact when it comes to gambling. Your average player can indulge in believing myths related to gambling which would ultimately be utter nonsense. There are several misconceptions in blackjack which you would need to separate fact from fiction in order to have any real chance of being a successful blackjack player.

Some myths associated with blackjack are that card counting is illegal, that you are due to win after several consecutive losses and that betting progressively would increase your chances of winning. Looking at these more closely, you will understand why these are irrational ideas. Firstly, card counting isn’t illegal, however, casinos can ban you if you are caught. When it comes to predicting the next win after consecutive losses is highly unlikely as if that were the case, the table would be played by fortune tellers. You have a 48% chance of winning excluding the chance of ties. Lastly, when it comes to progressive betting, these don’t tend to work as each blackjack hand is completely random.

Tip #5 – Avoid Buying Insurance

When the dealer’s up-card is an Ace, the player will be asked whether you want insurance, as there is a possibility that he would get a 10 and win the hand. Insurance is a side bet, so if you are right and the dealer has a 10, you can win this bet. The insurance price, is half the player’s original bet amount and offers a payoff of 2 to 1. This is done with the aim to breakeven when the dealer has blackjack. As appealing as it may sound, you should never take this bet! It is highly unlikely that the dealer will get a blackjack. You must remember that you are going to win or lose your hand just the same. The side bet is essentially a sucker bet.

These tips could serve any kind of blackjack player in playing this super fun table game with a clear head. It’s of great importance to remember that playing blackjack or other casino games is nothing more than indulging in some fun entertainment. You shouldn’t take your wins and losses too seriously, as at the end of the day, it is just a game.