Easy-To-Follow Blackjack Strategies

Blackjack has always been one of the most popular games to play in online and offline casinos. Players have pretty good odds of winning, and you are playing against the dealer, not against other players. 

Players always search for ways to improve their winning chances and win good money at casinos. Before we go into easy-to-follow blackjack strategies, let’s first explore the game’s rules so that newbies will become familiar with it. 

In any case, blackjack is one of the simplest games to learn and play in online casinos. 

Scoring and Basics of the Blackjack Casino Game

Players do not have to pay attention to suits in blackjack, just to the card’s value. All cards have a worth according to their number, except for the face cards worth 10 points, and the Ace, which is worth either 1 or 11 points and is the strongest card to get in the game. To calculate your score in hand, add the points of the cards you hold. The hand that has the higher total that does not go over 21 is the winner. 

At blackjack tables in online casinos, you will notice some things written on the table. The most common items are that blackjack pays 3 to 2, the dealer must hit soft 17, the insurance pays 2 to 1, and the minimum/maximum limits for the blackjack table. Here is what they mean:

Finding the Most Suitable Blackjack Strategy

Finding the best blackjack strategy to apply when playing is often very challenging. Some of them work, some don’t, and there are plenty of them to try. Before you start using strategies, we recommend you  to learn the basics and see how it feels. 

Playing Optimal Blackjack Game and Basic Strategies

It is always better to play a blackjack game with fewer decks. This benefits players more, so look for 4-deck and 8-deck blackjack tables, although online casinos usually have many decks in play. Remember that you can never guess what cards come next in online blackjack because online casinos use Random Number Generators. 

The RNG determines which card comes next, which is random, regardless of the decks currently in play. Here you will learn a few essential scenarios and how you should act to increase your odds of winning. The following advice would help both blackjack beginners and experienced players, so write down or remember the following things. 

Splitting Cards

• Always split Aces and 8s

• Never split 10s and 5s

• Split 2s and 3s when the dealer holds either 4, 5, 6, or 7

• Split 6s when the dealer has either 3, 4, 5, or 6

• Split 7s when the dealer holds either 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7

• Split 9s when the dealer holds either 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 9, but never when they have 7

There are some modifications when it comes to this strategy. If the option to Double After Split is allowed in the game, consider a few other moves to improve your chances. They are the following.

• Split 2s and 3s when the dealer also has 2 or 3 in their hand

• Split 4s when the dealer has 2

• Split 6s when the dealer has 2 

Hit and Stand 

• Always hit on hard 11 or less

• Stand when you have hard 12 against dealer’s 4, 5, or 6, and in other situations – Hit

• Always stand on hard 13, 14, 15, and 16 against dealer’s 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, and in other situations – Hit 

• Always stand when you have hard 17 or above

• Stand when you have soft 18 but Hit if the dealer has 9, 10, or Ace

• Always stand on soft 19

Double

• Double hard 9 against Dealer’s 3, 4, 5, or 6

• Double hard 10, but not when the dealer holds a 10 or Ace 

• Double hard 11, but not when the dealer holds an Ace

• Double soft 13 or 14 against the dealer’s 5 or 6

• Double soft 15 or 16 against the dealer’s 4 or 6

• Double soft 17 or 18 against the dealer’s 3 or 6 

Surrender 

• Surrender a hard 16 but never a pair of 8s against the dealer’s 9, 10, or Ace

• Surrender a hard 15 against the dealer’s 10

Additional Blackjack Adjustments to Follow

The following are some things to do in blackjack games when the dealer hits soft 17. Consider the following:

• Double your 11 against the Dealer’s Ace

• Double your soft 18 against the dealer’s 2

• Double your soft 19 against the dealer’s 6

• Surrender 8s, 15, and 17 against the Dealer’s Ace

Winning at Blackjack – Things to Do 

In all online casinos, players are playing against the house edge. Unless you follow good bankroll management and a solid strategy, you are risking losing your money quickly. However, there are many good ways to take and things to do that can help you increase your winning chances and boost your bankroll in the long run. If the right cards fall your way, you can make some decent profits. These are some essential things to do in blackjack games. 

• Choose blackjack tables with appropriate stakes 

Some beginners make a mistake by playing higher limits than they are supposed to. Blackjack is an easy game to learn, so they believe they will make good money quickly. Never play above your bankroll and check the stakes in any online game of blackjack before you start playing. You can even  in some online casinos, so get familiar with the game if you are a beginner, and then proceed towards real money play.

• Play a blackjack game where the dealer stands on Soft 17

This type of blackjack game increases your odds of winning and cuts down the house edge. That means you can win more in such games. 

• Always split Aces and Eights

Most blackjack players know that they have to split Aces but sometimes hesitate to split 8s. Make sure you always split them as it significantly improves your chances of winning. 

• Play a blackjack game with a Double Down option

This helps reduce the house edge. Some online casinos have blackjack games that allow doubling down when holding 10 or 11, while other casinos allow doubling down on any two cards. Always play those games where double down is allowed on any two cards. 

• Always double down Ace against Dealer’s 6 

Not only the dealer’s 6, but you can double down against their 5, unless you hold a soft 19 or 20. Again, following this advice increases your odds of winning. 

• Set your bankroll limits and do not chase down losses

Before you start playing the blackjack game, set a limit to the amount of money you are willing to use for playing. Consider this entertainment money, so you will not feel bad in case you start losing. If you enter a losing streak, which is an inevitable part of gambling, do not chase your losses with higher bets. This is a common trap that many players fall into and quickly lose their bankroll. Instead, keep your calm, quit for the day, and come back when you are able to play again. 

• Always follow a solid blackjack betting strategy

Like when playing any other game, playing with a strategy can increase your odds of winning and making profits. There are many betting systems available for players, including popular ones like the Martingale betting system or Paroli system, so make sure you learn as much as you can and follow them. The mentioned betting systems follow mathematical progressions that can help players recover their losses, but they do require having a good starting bankroll. Otherwise, it can make you go bust very quickly. So, if your bankroll is relatively small, these are not strategies for you to follow, and you should search and explore other betting systems. 

Betting Strategies in Blackjack 

A smart thing to do when playing blackjack is always to bet the same amount. This is strongly recommended for beginning players until they start to comprehend better how to deal with specific blackjack hands. As soon as you learn the game better, you can begin changing your betting patterns.

When sizing your bet in blackjack, always consider the outcome of the previous hand. Modify the bet size to grab the full advantage of your winning streaks and minimize your losses when you enter a losing streak. Every blackjack player is different, so it is up to you to choose whether to take a more aggressive or more conservative betting approach.

Now let’s examine some specific systems and how they can help blackjack players.  

• The cautious approach requires players to raise their bet when they won their previous hand. This strategy will keep you alive in the game even if you enter a losing series. It also ensures you never bet more money than you can afford to lose. The main point behind the cautious approach is to .  

• The Martingale system is for brave bettors that have a pretty good bankroll to start with. With this system, players are required to double their bet size after they lose a hand. This system is risky because it can lead to considerable losses if the player enters a losing streak. However, it requires just one winning hand to secure a profit. 

• Surrender is another betting approach, which players rarely use. Some players believe that this should not even be part of the blackjack game. However, surrendering can come in handy and be in your favor if you use it wisely. It can reduce the house edge on certain occasions, but you should be able to spot the situation when to surrender. With the surrender option, players can give up their hand to forfeit half of their bet when the dealer checks whether they have a blackjack. You should only surrender in specific situations when you see that your chances of winning are relatively low. 

• The game of blackjack is a game of percentages and odds, which means you can win more regularly when you take advantage of options that reduce the house edge. Remember that you cannot Surrender after you have acted on your blackjack hand. Another important thing to remember is always surrendering your hard 16 against the dealer’s 9, 10, or Ace. The second situation to Surrender is when you have a  hard 15 against the dealer’s 10. These are the only situation for you to use Surrender, and for every other hand, you should play by following the basic strategy mentioned above in this article. 

Mistakes to Avoid for Playing Blackjack 

All online casino players want to win when they play casino games. Of course, entertainment is primary, and gambling should not be seen as a way of making a regular income. However, nobody wants to lose when starting to play. 

So, if you want to minimize your losses, you should learn from others’ experiences and avoid some common mistakes that can be detrimental to your bankroll.

If you get too greedy, play carelessly, or use a bad strategy, the blackjack experience may not be that pleasant for you. Therefore, check out the following mistakes and do your best to avoid them when sitting down to play the game of blackjack.

• Not knowing the blackjack rules of the specific variant is the first mistake many online gamblers make. Keep in mind that every blackjack variant has specific rules. Not all blackjack games are the same, and not all online casinos offer the same variants of blackjack. Before you start playing any game, take your time to go over the rules, terms and conditions of the game, payout rate, and other specific things related to that blackjack variant. Explore these important things and find the blackjack variant that is most suitable for you to play. 

• Playing without a blackjack strategy is another mistake. The truth is that without a system, you are risking significant losses. Online gamblers are fortunate today because online, you can find plenty of great resources to use in your favor. There are plenty of blackjack strategy books to order, articles to read, forums, and websites where you can learn everything about blackjack strategies. Never play just by guessing the outcome of the next hand or by following your gut instincts. Although blackjack is a game of luck, you can still use some strategy to increase your chances of winning. 

• Playing when tired or distressed should be avoided as well. The game of blackjack requires keeping a sharp and well-rested mind. The game is based on following strategies and checking odds, so you need to think as clearly as possible when playing. If you are tired, nervous, or drink alcohol, do not make a mistake logging in and playing blackjack. Instead, get some good rest and come back when you feel better. The online casino and blackjack game will be there forever, so you do not have to rush anything. Always play sharp and with a clear mind. 

• Not knowing when to stop playing is the next common mistake that many players make. When you enter a good run and see that you are making profits, that is usually a good sign to stop. Collect your winnings and enjoy for some time before you return back to play again. Many make the mistake of getting carried away and placing larger and larger bets believing now is their time to become rich. Gambling does not work that way. One of the common misconceptions that online gamblers have is that the more you bet, the higher your chances of making profits. Do not believe in that because it is not true. Stop playing when you have made good profits for the day and as soon as you notice that your game is declining. 

• Avoid making assumptions about hands. The house edge will not change regardless of what betting system you use. If you bet progressively, you put yourself in a position to raise your bets constantly. That can break you in the long run because the fact is that you cannot beat a house edge, regardless of your bet sizing. The betting progression concept is suitable for short-term play, but you can never guess which cards will come next. 

• Avoid making side bets in the game of blackjack. Nowadays, there are many online variants of blackjack with some exciting side bets. For example, Three Of A Kind, 21+3, and Flush are exciting side bets in specific blackjack variants. These could be fun if you want to spice things up from time to time, but the fact is that they significantly shift the house edge and lower your chances of winning. Side bets may look very attractive to beginning players, but remember that the house edge is very high in these bets. Of course, you can win from time to time with these bets, but ultimately you will lose more than you win if you play them regularly.  

• Finally, blaming everything for bad luck is a big mistake. Some players tend to blame everything else when they start losing. They believe they are jinxed, which leads to bad decisions on the blackjack table. Regardless of whether you win or lose, always keep your composure and stay focused when playing. Losing is part of blackjack, and there is no chance to avoid losing. You cannot be mad about something you have no control over. Instead of getting angry about bad luck and losing your temper, the best thing you can do is always to try making the best decisions possible, regardless of the outcome. 

You can avoid all these mistakes if you follow the basic blackjack betting strategy and focus from start to finish of your blackjack session. 

Conclusion

These were the most important things to know about blackjack in online casinos. Try to implement easy-to-follow blackjack strategies in your gaming sessions, and remember to have fun when playing. Blackjack is a form of entertainment, and you should not see it as a way to make money regularly. That is why gambling is exciting because you never know what to expect. 

Make good decisions at the tables, and you will see some profits coming your way. Blackjack is an easy game to learn, but it requires hard work to master it, like most other card games. Hopefully, you will find this information, advice, and tips helpful next time you sit down to play this game. Remember to gamble responsibly and choose reputable online casinos where you can test your skills and luck in the exciting game of blackjack.