Using a solid blackjack strategy can improve your odds on the best real money blackjack apps by guiding you on the best actions to take for every hand. While there are no guarantees in the game of 21, following our suggested betting system should help you perform better and learn when to hit, stand, double down, or surrender.
Learning basic blackjack strategy is quick and easy. We’ve highlighted the key points for easy reference. Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can explore intermediate and advanced strategies to further improve your game.
Basic Blackjack Strategy
A beginner’s blackjack strategy involves making the best decision based on your hand and the dealer’s face-up card. This strategy works for any blackjack variant as long as you play your hand before the dealer and can see the dealer’s up card.
Using a blackjack strategy chart is the best way to know what action to take for every round. Follow these three steps:
- Identify your hand: Find your hand’s value or combination in the leftmost column of the blackjack strategy card.
- Check the dealer’s up card: Find the dealer’s up card on the top row of the chart.
- Make your move: Follow the instructions where your hand and the dealer’s up card intersect.
Understanding the Actions on the Blackjack Strategy Chart
There are seven actions you need to be familiar with to learn this blackjack basic strategy before playing at the best offshore casinos. We recommend keeping a chart handy so that you won’t need to memorize them.
- Hit: Take a card and reassess your hand.
- Stand: End your round without taking more action.
- Split: Split your hand into two separate hands.
- Double Down or Hit: Double down if possible, otherwise hit.
- Double Down or Stand: Double down if possible, otherwise stand.
- Split if Double Down is Possible, or Hit: Only split if the table allows a double down afterward, otherwise hit.
- Surrender or Hit: Surrender if the table allows it, otherwise hit.
Depending on your blackjack basic strategy chart, the above instructions may be summarized or abbreviated. However, it’s important to always find a legend that explains each letter or symbol.
Pro Tip: Using the basic blackjack strategy card in a classic online game can reduce the house edge to just 0.5%. This applies to tables where the dealer must stand on 17, and you can double down on any two cards.
The Top 5 Blackjack Strategy Principles
While it might not always be possible or practical to carry a blackjack strategy card around with you, remembering these five basic principles should help you take the best actions in most instances.
1. Always Stand on a Hard 17 or Higher
When you have a hard 17 or higher, standing is crucial since hitting would likely cause you to bust. Any card over four will bust your hand. Standing also allows you to take advantage of a potentially weak dealer’s hand.
Pro Tip: A hard number does not include an Ace, which can be valued at 1 or 11. A soft hand includes an Ace.
2. Always Hit if Your Hand Totals 8 or Lower
If your hand totals eight or less, hitting is a smart move. The likelihood of improving your hand without busting is high, and hitting increases your chances of getting a competitive hand value, no matter what the dealer’s up card shows.
3. Always Double Down on a Hand Worth 11
When your hand totals 11, doubling down is a great strategy. The chances of drawing a card worth 10 are high, as all 10s and face cards are valued at 10.
Pro Tip: Doubling down means you double your initial bet and receive one additional card. After doubling down, you must stand.
4. Always Split Aces and 8s
Splitting Aces allows you to play two hands starting with a strong card. Splitting 8s breaks up a potentially weak hand of 16 into two hands with better chances of improvement, as explained in the second tip.
Pro Tip: You can only split when your first two cards are of the same rank. The rules for splitting can vary, so check them before playing with real money.
5. Never Split 5s and 10s
Splitting 5s results in two weak hands, so it’s better to double down and strengthen your bet. Splitting 10s is unnecessary since a hand totaling 20 is very strong and almost unbeatable.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can improve your blackjack game and make more informed decisions at the table.
Basic Blackjack Strategy Examples
To help you get a better grasp of blackjack table strategies, here are a few practical examples.
Blackjack Strategy Example 1
In this example, your starting hand is worth 8, and the dealer’s upcard is a 6. According to the basic blackjack strategy chart, you should hit.
After hitting, you receive an 8, doubling your hand’s value to 16. The strategy chart advises you to stand.
Unfortunately, this time, the dealer wins.
Blackjack Strategy Example 2
You’ve been dealt a 10 and a 6, giving you a total of 16, while the dealer’s upcard is a King. Considering the dealer’s strong position, you should surrender to minimize your losses.
By surrendering, you get back half of your wager. The dealer’s hand turns out to be worth 20, which would have beaten you. So, while you still lose, it’s a smaller loss.
Blackjack Strategy Example 3
Your starting hand has a value of 12, and the dealer’s upcard is an 8. The basic strategy chart suggests you should hit.
After hitting, you get a 3, bringing your hand’s value to 15. The strategy still recommends hitting.
You are then dealt a 4, bringing your hand total to 19. Following the perfect blackjack strategy, you should stand and see what the dealer does.
With a starting hand of hard or soft 18, the dealer is forced to stand, so you win this round.
Pro Tip: When you win most classic blackjack games, you’ll receive a 1:1 payout. However, if you win with a blackjack, meaning your starting hand equals 21, the payout is 3:2.
Top Tips for Implementing the Basic Blackjack Strategy
These tips will help you use the blackjack strategy card effectively, minimizing losses and making the most of strong hands:
- Familiarize Yourself with the Strategy Card: Spend some time reviewing the chart to understand how to use it and what each action means.
- Start playing online blackjack for free: Many top US blackjack casinos offer demo modes. This allows you to test the chart without risking any money.
- Leave Emotions Out of the Game: Stick to the chart’s instructions and avoid gut feelings. This approach helps you play responsibly and effectively.
- Learn About Different Variants: Top offshore casinos offer multiple blackjack versions, some with better player odds than the classic version.
- Place Affordable Wagers: Since there’s no perfect blackjack strategy, only wager what you can afford to lose for safer gambling.
Is Taking Blackjack Insurance a Good Idea?
Insurance is an optional side bet available when the dealer shows an Ace. It allows you to bet up to half your original wager that the dealer has a Blackjack. If the dealer does, you lose your original bet but win the insurance bet, which pays 2:1.
Most players avoid insurance bets due to their low odds. The house edge on insurance bets is about 6%, making them a losing proposition over time.
The exception is for skilled card counters. If you can track a significant number of 10-value cards remaining in the deck, taking insurance might be a better option. For those following basic blackjack strategy, it’s best to avoid insurance bets.
Blackjack Strategy for Intermediate and Advanced Players
Once you’ve got the basic blackjack strategy down, you might want to explore more advanced techniques.
Card Counting
Card counting involves tracking high and low cards to predict if the next hand will favor you or the dealer. High cards (10s, Aces) are good for you, while low cards (2-6) benefit the dealer.
Pro Tip: Card counting isn’t part of the basic strategy because it requires sharp tracking and memory. However, it can reduce the house edge by about 0.1% to 0.5%.
Shuffle Tracking
This technique involves predicting the distribution of cards after they are shuffled. By tracking clusters of high and low cards, you can identify favorable sections of the deck.
Wonging
Named after gambling author Stanford Wong, this strategy involves joining a game only when the count is favorable. By sitting out during unfavorable counts, you minimize losses and take advantage of better situations.
Pro Tip: Wonging and similar strategies work best in land-based casinos or online games with a live dealer, like Live Blackjack.
Which Blackjack Variant is Best for the Basic Strategy?
Leading blackjack apps and casino sites offer various games, including those with live dealers. The best ones for basic strategy meet the following criteria. You can check the game rules by launching it and opening the menu.
- Single Deck Play: Most games use multiple decks (six to eight), but Single Deck Blackjack is played with a standard 52-card deck. More decks mean a higher house edge.
- Doubling Down Allowed: Many strategy charts recommend doubling down. Some games don’t allow it, so it’s best to avoid those.
- Doubling Down After Split: There are several instances where doubling down after a split is part of a good basic strategy. Avoid games that don’t offer this option.
- Dealer Stands on Soft 17: Some games require the dealer to stand on a soft 17. This rule can reduce the house edge by about 0.2%.
- Blackjack Pays 3:2: This is the classic payout. Be cautious of games that pay 6:5 or similar, as these are less favorable.
- Surrender Option: Games that allow surrender let you minimize losses by offering 50% of the wager back if you choose to surrender.
Pro Tip: Besides classic and single deck options, try Atlantic City Blackjack, European Blackjack, and Vegas Strip Blackjack. These variations have player-friendly rules and are great for basic strategies.
Blackjack Variants to Avoid
If you plan to use a strategy chart, steer clear of these variants:
- Spanish 21: This game removes all 10s from the deck, increasing the house edge despite offering high bonus payouts.
- Super Fun 21: Although it has player-friendly rules, its standard payouts are lower.
- 6:5 Blackjack: Pays 6:5 instead of 3:2 on a Blackjack win. For a $1 bet, you’d win $1.20 instead of $1.50.
- Double Exposure Blackjack: Both dealer cards are dealt face up, but the rule that a dealer’s 22 results in a push increases the house edge.
- Blackjack Switch: Similar to Double Exposure Blackjack, the dealer’s 22-hand rule increases the house edge to about 0.67%.
Blackjack Strategy for Live Dealer Games
Online casinos allow you to play classic blackjack and popular variants alongside other players. Professionally-trained dealers replace computer algorithms, and real cards are used, shuffled by mechanical shuffling machines tested for fairness.
When it comes to strategy, playing blackjack at live casinos is similar to virtual games. Keep your blackjack strategy chart handy to make the best decisions. You might also consider adjusting your bet size during winning and losing streaks. Always manage your bankroll and never wager more than you can afford to lose.
Check for any casino promotions that fit the blackjack game you want to play. Many sites offer live game bonuses or loyalty programs that reward you for wagering real money on Live Blackjack.
The Perfect Blackjack Strategy
Unfortunately, there is no blackjack perfect strategy. If there were, casinos would quickly go out of business. However, there are steps that you can take to improve your chances of winning.
Step 1: Determine Your Bankroll
Before starting a game, decide how much you want to spend during the session. Stick to your budget and don’t let emotions or results sway you.
Step 2: Plan for Your Winnings
Decide in advance what you’ll do with any winnings. Some people add them to their current bankroll, others save them for the next session or withdraw them. Having a plan helps you stay disciplined.
Step 3: Avoid Side Bets
Side bets like Perfect Pairs and 21+3 might seem tempting, but they have high house edges. The same goes for insurance bets unless you’re card counting.
Step 4: Avoid Distractions
Using a blackjack strategy chart or advanced techniques like card counting requires focus. Avoid noisy environments and stay away from alcohol, as they can impair your decision-making.
Step 5: Know When to Stop
Stop playing once your bankroll is exhausted. Also, take a break if you feel tired or frustrated. Don’t chase losses, as it usually leads to more losses.
Read Other Helpful Gambling Guides
If you found this blackjack strategy guide useful, you might want to learn about other casino games.
- Baccarat Strategy: Learn how to use mathematical systems to decide what to bet on and how much to wager.
- Craps Strategy: Discover low-risk betting strategies for this popular table game.
- Gambler’s Fallacy: Understand why believing a particular result is “due” can lead to significant losses.
- Roulette Odds and Payouts: Learn the basics of roulette, including the differences between American, European, and French versions.
- James Bond Roulette Strategy – Explore this popular betting system featuring three simple bets.
- Slot Tips and Tricks: Find out how to extend your bankroll when playing slots online.
- Learn How to Play Video Poker – Use strategy to win more electronic poker games.
FAQs
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