Every casino players aspire to be a professional player by breaking the bank with blackjack. However, people do not know what it takes to really "win" this game or think they lack the "secret formula" to succeed.
Here are the blackjack tips you need to win consistently.
What it Means to Win at Blackjack
Winning in blackjack is possible if you know how to minimize risk and take advantage of opportunities in particular scenarios. You must learn basic strategies and stick to them to capitalize on all of the blackjack hands given to you. While using a blackjack strategy will not let you win 100% of your hand, It can boost your odds and increase your win rate.
Remember that the dealer always wins if you keep playing. "Always win" means you "leave the table with more money than you took in." Though there aren't guarantees, applying the basic blackjack strategies below can help increase your odds of always leaving the table as a winner. Even if you bet $100 and walk away with $110, that will always be a win.
Using a Blackjack Basic Strategy
Blackjack is a game that requires both skills and knowledge. You can win this game if you follow the right strategies and know the rules well. This method provides profitable moves a player can make under specific instances according to the dealer's up card and your hand. Using the basic blackjack strategy is a way to consistently win even without learning how to count cards.
Please note that the easiest way is to learn the blackjack basic strategy and commit it to memory before playing. You do not need to trouble yourself by looking up ways to cheat in blackjack. All you need to do is to know what is the best option to use for each hand.
Here are some samples of the basic strategy to follow:
- Double-down on hard and soft 11
- Split pair of
- Do not split pair of
- Always split aces
- Stand on hard 17
There are several variations of the basic strategy that gamblers can choose from depending on their goals. These include composition-dependent strategy, single deck blackjack, 4- to 8-Deck blackjack, and more. Many professional players apply basic strategy because they know it will provide them with everything they need to do to get the upper hand over the casino as much as possible. Doing so helps them be aware of every complicated situation. They can determine their strategies and how they should proceed in these situations.
The history of basic strategy started way back 1950s. The US Army Engineers, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, formulated the basic strategy. These are the best blackjack players who laid the fundamentals to make this a beatable game:
- Edward O. Thorp - is a mathematician who presented some strategy tweaks and modifications to improve the game. Eventually, he developed the Ten Count System - the first-ever card counting strategy that allows blackjack players to get an advantage over the house.
- Julian Braun - experimented with nearly 9 billion potential combinations of the dealer's upcard and the player's hands. Deck composition is among his significant contribution to the blackjack strategy.
- Peter A. Griffin - In 1970, developed the composition-dependent basic strategy - an even more objective approach.
Using a Card Counting Technique
Card counting is the most general and practical approach to gaining an edge when playing blackjack. This technique of getting an edge over the casino is entirely legal. It is one of the reasons why blackjack is one of the most accessible beatable casino games. You do not need to be a savant or genius to do card counting since it's the easiest way to be an advantage gambler. All you need to do is to master how to subtract one and add 1 in your head from a running count. Simply put, "counting cards" indicates a way to keep a tally of particular cards as the dealer burns through the deck. Once you save that tally, you can approximate which cards will likely come up for both the dealer and yours in the following.
Given that information, you will know when to bet, small or big. Take note that it is wrong to have more low-numbered cards left in the deck because it implies that the dealer is less likely to bust, and you will be less likely to acquire a blackjack. On the contrary, having more high-numbered cards can be advantageous. If you know how to count cards correctly, it can improve your probabilities by nearly 1%. Though that may not sound as much, you can rely on netting in the green over more hands of cards and even several hours.
If you are interested in card counting and blackjack, you have multiple systems to choose from. Every system differs based on its complexity and degree of accuracy. However, regardless of the differences, many gambling experts would immediately suggest the Hi-Lo system - one of the most straightforward counting systems to utilize. You can use this system in a few easy steps:
- Assign values to every card
- Convert to the actual count
- Raise bets when needed
If you want to be successful with card counting, learning and mastering the Hi-Lo system can contribute to your consistent wins. Although, remember that you still have to advance your strategy by obscuring your play. Furthermore, be wary of pit bosses hired to root out card counters since casinos do not like losing fortunes to players with an advantage. While you will not get arrested for card counting, you still risk getting kicked out of a casino if staff catches you. So, you need to master holding an accurate count without being too noticeable about the matter. To accomplish this, you must blend in with other players by acting casual and looking like the average gambler. This method involves making losing bets when you are still counting the cards.
Another method of counting cards without getting caught is to play live dealer blackjack games. These are online games that are hosted by actual croupiers dealing real cards, allowing you to track the running count on these games.
Essential Tips to Winning in Blackjack
Remember the essential tips below to help you winning blackjack games:
Avoid any Side Bet
Side bets, such as 21+3 and insurance bets, come in different figures and forms and generally has a high-reward potential at a low stake. Though the prospect is striking, particularly for new players, there is a much higher house edge on these bets. You could win some of these side bets, but the odds of winning them in numerous hands are much lower. Side bets will eventually hinder you from making a profit by depleting your bankroll at a slow pace. This is why avoiding them is one of the helpful tips for winning at blackjack.
Do Not Use any Betting System
The term "betting system" is a method of using your bankroll systematically or strategically. Similar to many casino games, you need to have a betting strategy all the time to guarantee that you boost the odds of leaving the table with more money. Players usually take this up in an attempt to produce profits. The betting systems are grounded on mathematical progression that helps players guarantee a consolidated profit and recover most of their losses.
However, like most betting strategies, each system has pros and cons. For instance, the Martingale betting system can be ideal for short-term betting. However, this betting system can deplete your bankroll faster, especially if you need to boost your bet and you are on a losing streak. In general, using betting systems might lead you to bankruptcy, mainly if you use a method not associated with any form of a strategy geared to earning profits.
Have a Sound Mind When Playing
It is crucial to have a clear mind as you play a blackjack game. That means you should never try playing this game while you are in a bad mental state or if you are under the influence. Remember that your bankroll is at stake in this game. So, a good blackjack player picks their option wisely and is in good condition to focus on their strategies and eventually gain more profit.
Memorize the Basic Blackjack Strategy
To learn and master blackjack, it is crucial to understand its primary strategy. However, this exciting casino game's basic strategy alone is very elaborate and requires players years of practice to apply such a blackjack strategy in the most desired way.
One way to learn and be familiar with it is to use a simple blackjack strategy. Simplifying it can help you remember the best actions depending on your hands. You can also use basic strategy charts or cards that tell you the best way to play any hand. Moreover, you can practice and play on your phone by downloading fun blackjack tools or apps and applying the basic blackjack strategy. Eventually, you will be able to memorize the basic strategy by heart and will play blackjack with more confidence and profit.
Know When to Walk Away
You need to know when to set a win-or-lose cutoff. Once you start making a profit, that's your cue to walk away. Many players will continue playing even when they begin losing. Never make the mistake of betting more to increase your odds of winning.
You can win blackjack if you know the best strategies and game rules and constantly practice them. These methods will help you win this game and make money like the pros. In addition, walking away with more money than coming in is how to win at blackjack.
This article was published on October 24, 2022, and last updated on October 25, 2022.