Blackjack is a classic game popular among most players, both in online and land-based casinos. It is one of the best casino games with player-friendly odds.
Blackjack is most players’ favorite game, mainly because it has a low house edge of about 0.5%. This classic game is a blend of luck and skill. Using the right strategy will help you play a smarter game and ultimately increase your winning potential.
In this article, we will be looking at the best blackjack strategies to improve your chances of winning, and also a few tips from our blackjack experts. Continue reading to find out more.
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Basic Blackjack Strategies
The basic blackjack strategies are an introduction to blackjack strategies in general. They’re not as complex as the advanced blackjack strategies.
Take a look at a basic blackjack strategy below:
Surrender
This allows players to hand their cards back to the dealer. In turn, they receive half of their bet.
When should you surrender?
- When you have a hard 16.
- When you hold a hard 15 against the dealer’s 10.
Split
This means that a player is allowed to split his hand when he holds two cards of equal value.
- Split Aces and 8’s
- Never Split 4’s, 5’s, and 10’s
Double Down
This means that a player can double their bet to receive one more card from the dealer.
When should you double down?
- Hard 9 vs dealer’s 3,4,5 or 6.
- Hard 10 vs dealer’s 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 or 9.
- Hard 11 vs any dealer’s upcard.
- Soft 16,17,18 vs dealer’s bust cards.
Hit
This means that the dealer deals another card to the player.
When should you hit?
- Hit on 9,10,11 vs any dealer’s card.
- Hit on soft 13,14,15,16,17,18 or 19 vs any dealer’s upcard.
Stand
This means that players no longer request cards from the dealer.
When should you stand?
- Stand on hard 12 vs 4,5 or 6.
- Stand on hard, 13,14,15, or 16 vs dealer’s 2,3,4,5 or 6.
Basic Blackjack Strategy Chart
The basic blackjack strategy chart is easy to understand. Here’s an example of a basic blackjack chart.
| Your Hand | Dealer Card: 5 | Dealer Card: 6 | Dealer Card: 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard 10 | Double | Double | Double |
| Hard 11 | Double | Double | Double |
| Hard 12 | Stand | Stand | Hit |
Blackjack Glossary
There are certain terms in blackjack that players must get familiar with. Take a look at a few of them below.
- Black chip: A $100 chip.
- Brown chip: A $5000 chip.
- Bust card: A card that is a result of a dealer or player’s hand exceeding 21.
- Green chip: A $25 chip.
- Half shoe: Occurs when the dealer cuts the shoe in half.
- Hard hand: A hard hand is without an Ace or with an Ace with a value of 1.
- Purple chip: Also called Barney chip. A $500 chip.
- Red chip: A $5 chip.
- Shoe: A gaming device used to hold multiple-deck cards.
- Soft Hand: Hand with an Ace scoring 11, but you can’t bust if you hit.
- True Card: Count per deck.
- Third Base: The final player at the table.
- Upcard: The dealer’s first card which is always dealt upwards.
- Yellow chip: Also called Pumpkin chip. A $1000 chip.
Abbreviations in Blackjack
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| BSE | Basic Strategy Edge |
| D9 | Double only 9,10,11. |
| DA2 | Double any two cards. |
| DAS | Double After Split |
| DOA | Double on any first two playing cards. |
| D10 | Double on only 10 or 11. |
| Dh | Double Down if allowed. Otherwise, Hit. |
| Ds | Double Down if allowed. Otherwise, Stand. |
| H17 | Hit 17. A dealer hits when they have a soft 17. |
| LS | Late Surrender |
| MSE | Mid-Shoe Entry. This means that you can start playing at any point during the shoe. |
| N0 | N-Zero |
| NDAS | No Double After Split |
| NMSE | No Mid-shoe Entry. This means that you can only start playing at the beginning of the shoe. |
| NRSA | No Resplit Aces |
| RSA | Resplit Aces |
| S17 | Stand 17. A dealer stands when sitting on a Soft 17. |
| O/U | Over / Under 13 side bets |
| Rh | Surrender if allowed. Otherwise, Stand. |
| Rs | Surrender if allowed. Otherwise, Split. |
| Rp | Surrender if allowed. Otherwise, Split. |
Advanced Blackjack Strategies to Win Online
The advanced blackjack strategies are a bit more complex than the basic strategies. But they are easy to understand and implement once you learn the ropes. Below are some of the top advanced blackjack strategies to win online blackjack.
Martingale Strategy
The Martingale strategy is one of the most popular strategies to play most casino games. It is a progressive betting strategy that requires a huge bankroll. This strategy dates back to 18th-century France. The theory is based on the theory that all markets will eventually return to their long-term mean.
Using the Martingale betting strategy, you’re expected to double your bet after every loss until you eventually win. It is believed that your winnings will be enough to cover up your losses.
- You bet $10 and win. You restart the strategy by betting $10 again.
- Let’s say you bet that $10 and lose, double your bet to $20.
- If you lose again, double your bet to $40.
- If you win, restart the strategy by going back to the initial bet of $10.
At the end of the round, you have won enough to cover up for your previous losses.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| No matter how many hands you lose, you will eventually win and recoup all your losses. | It requires high maximum bet limits to work. |
| It is quite expensive to execute so make sure your bankroll fits this strategy |
1326 Betting Strategy
The 1326 is a progressive betting strategy that is a bit similar to the Fibonacci Sequence. This betting strategy relies on you winning four hands in a row. The 1326 represents the betting units that tell you how much to bet.
The number 1 represents your first bet unit, say $10. If you keep winning, you’re expected to multiply that amount by the following numbers in the sequence, which is 3, 2, 6. Many players believe this to be the best betting strategy. But we can’t say for sure that it is the best betting strategy as that is entirely subjective.
Take a look at the example below;
- You bet $10 and win.
- The next number on the 1326 sequence is 3. So, $10×3 = $30.
- If you win, your profit becomes $40. Take the profit off the table.
- According to the 1326 strategy, your next bet will be 2 units. So, $10×2=$20.
- If you win, combine all your profits and bet on the next hand. So, your next bet is 6 units which means you will be betting $60.
- If you win that hand, you’ve won four hands in a row which is a winning streak. Therefore, you have completed the 1326 sequence.
Note that if you lose a hand at any point in the sequence, you’re expected to restart the sequence to the first unit which is 1.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| It is a low-risk strategy. | It is a bit more complex than the Martingale strategy. |
| It helps you manage your bets. | There is no guarantee that you will win four hands in a row. |
| You don’t need a huge bankroll to use this strategy. |
The 212 Manhattan Strategy
The 212 Manhattan strategy is a progressive betting strategy. It is called the 212 Manhattan strategy because 212 is the area code for Manhattan. It is a blackjack strategy that favors players who go on a winning streak.
The 212 Manhattan strategy is similar to the d’Alembert system. Your bets should follow the 212 sequence. In this strategy, you reduce your bet after the first win and go back to the original unit amount after you lose.
You begin by choosing a betting unit. Let’s say the table’s minimum wager is $5, then your unit amount is $5.
Following the 212 sequence, Take a look at the example below;
- Bet 2 units. You bet $10 and win.
- Bet 1 unit. You bet $5 and win.
- Bet 2 units. You bet $10 and win.
- Bet 3 units. You bet $15 and win.
- Bet 4 units. You bet $20 and win.
- Bet 5 units. You bet $25 and lose.
- Return to the original 2-unit bet.
What if you encounter more losses? Then, take a look at the second example below also using $5 using a unit amount;
- Bet 2 units. You bet $10 and lose.
- Bet 2 units. You bet $10 and win.
- Bet 1 unit. You bet $5 and lose.
- Bet 2 units. You bet $10 and win.
- Bet 1 unit. You bet $5 and win.
- Bet 2 units. You bet $10 and win.
- Bet 3 units. You bet $15 and lose.
- Return to the original 2-unit bet and start again.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| It does not require a huge bankroll. | Like every other betting strategy, there’s no guarantee that you would make profits. |
| It is a low-risk strategy. | |
| It helps blackjack players take advantage of their winning streaks. |
Card Counting
Card counting is a strategy mostly used in land-based casinos. Reputable and standard online casinos will always shuffle the cards after every round. Card counting helps you to keep track of the low and high cards left, providing you with an advantage over the house in the long run.
Card counting helps you to make more informed decisions. Card counters use this strategy to increase or decrease their bets at the right time.
The Hi-Lo System is the most popular method of card counting. In this system, you assign values to each card in the deck.
Take a look at the table below showing the Hi-Lo count value levels.
| Value System | Card Types | Value |
|---|---|---|
| High Cards | 10, J, Q, K, A | -1 |
| Neutral Cards | 7, 8, 9 | 0 |
| Low Cards | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | 1 |
You can use the table above to count cards. For example,
- If a dealer shows a 6 which has a value of 1 according to the table, then the count goes up by 1.
- If you have a 7 (which has a value of 0) and a Jack (which has a value of -1), then the count becomes 0.
- If the dealer then shows a 3 (which has a value of 1) and hits an 8 (which has a value of 0), the count becomes 1 at the end of the hand.
Although card counting is not illegal, most casinos do not allow it. If the casino suspects that you’re card counting, you’ll be sent out of the table or the casino. Even worse, you can be banned from the casino.
Choose the Right Blackjack Game
There are different variants of blackjack and they each have different house edges. They also have different settings and rules. Most online casinos offer a wide variety of blackjack games.
These variants each have different side bets so we recommend that you go through each of them before you begin. Also, make sure that you read the rules of the different variants of blackjack as well as the rules and regulations of the casino.
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Know When to Hit and When to Stand
Knowing when to stand and when to hit is very important when playing blackjack both in online and land-based casinos. You can increase your odds of winning when you pay attention to these details.
Earlier in this article, we talked about when to stand and when to hit. We advise that you go over it again to get a better understanding.
Know the Odds
Knowing the odds of the different types of blackjack is important to maximize your winning potential. Each blackjack variant has a different house edge as seen in the table below.
| Blackjack Variant | House Edge |
|---|---|
| Atlantic City Blackjack | 0.35% |
| Blackjack Switch | 0.17% |
| European Blackjack | 0.39% |
| Double Exposure Blackjack | 0.69% |
| Multi-Hand Blackjack | 0.63% |
| Single Deck Blackjack | 0.58% |
| Perfect Pairs Blackjack | 0.42% |
| Pontoon | 0.39% |
| Spanish 21 | 0.38% |
| Super Fun 21 | 1.30% |
As demonstrated by the table, the house edge of the most popular variants of blackjack varies from 0.17%-1.30%, with Blackjack Switch having the lowest house edge and Super Fun 21 having the highest.
Try Live Dealer Blackjack
Live dealer blackjack is a version of blackjack that is available in most online casinos. In Live dealer blackjack, you can see real-life dealers dealing the cards at a physical table.
All bets are done virtually and the cards are dealt from a shoe until a major part of the deck is played. This is an advantage for you especially if the remaining decks have more high-value cards than low-value cards. At that point, you’re more likely to go on a hot winning streak.
Credit: Spin Casino
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Claim your Welcome Bonus Now!Expert Tips to Win in Blackjack
Apart from basic and advanced strategies, there are a few things you need to know that can help you become a better blackjack player. Below are a few expert tips to win in blackjack.
Play at a Reputable Casino
The casino you choose to play any casino game plays a major role in your overall gambling experience. Ensure that the online casino is licensed and legit. Licensed online casinos have a seal of approval at the bottom of their page.
Practice For Free
Before hitting a land-based or online casino, you need to learn the basics of blackjack. Most online casinos provide demo versions of blackjack games. Free versions help you to practice different blackjack games and learn their rules.
Avoid Side Bets
Many blackjack variants have side bets that may be hard to resist. We advise that you stay clear from these side bets as they have high house edges of up to 10%.
Don’t Take Insurance Bets
Insurance bets become available when the dealer has an ace on the faceup card. Theoretically, they sound good as they help you protect your losses if the dealer holds blackjack. Insurance isn’t a wise decision, you have to increase your bet to get it. We advise you not to take insurance bets.
Utilize Bonuses
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One way to increase your chances of winning is to take advantage of the generous bonuses and rewards that most online casinos offer. Most online and land-based casinos offer bonuses and promotions such as free spins, loyalty points, and deposit bonuses.
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Claim your Welcome Bonus Now!Don’t Chase Your Losses
We advise that you set a strict loss limit to prevent you from betting more and ultimately losing more. Your loss limit will help you know how much you can afford to lose. Once you reach that limit, end the game.
Set a Strict Budget
Before you head to a land-based casino or log in to an online casino, set a budget that you must follow strictly no matter the situation. We recommend that you head to the casino with only the money you plan to spend for that day.
Set a Strict Time Limit
We advise that you set a timer on your phone or wristwatch. Once the timer hits the time you have set, head home or log off from the site.
Stay Sober
You need a clear mind to play blackjack, especially when you’re using a blackjack strategy. To avoid making bad decisions, avoid drinking alcohol.
Final Thoughts – What is the Best Blackjack Strategy?
There are so many blackjack strategies in the industry with some more complicated than the others and it can be a hassle trying to learn all of them. We highly recommend practicing free online blackjack so that you can try out different strategies and see which one works best for you. To answer the question, the best blackjack strategy depends on whatever you prefer.
You can win at blackjack if you play the right variant of blackjack and practice proper bankroll management. We recommend combining the right blackjack strategy and the right variant of blackjack to maximize your winning potential.
FAQ
Where Can I Play Real Money Online Blackjack?
You can play online blackjack for real money at the best online blackjack sites. Check out these recommendations and begin your journey.
Can I Play Blackjack For Free?
Yes, you can play online blackjack for free at these free blackjack sites. Learn the rules of the game and practice different strategies without risking your money.
Is Card Counting Legal?
The short answer is no. However, if you’re caught, you might be sent out of the casino.
What is the Best Blackjack Strategy?
The best strategy depends on whatever works for you. Find out what works best for you and stick to it.
What Do R, Rs, Rp, and P Mean on a Blackjack Strategy Card?
R means Surrender. Rs means Surrender if allowed, otherwise hit. Rp means Surrender if possible, otherwise split. P means Split the pair.
Is Online Blackjack Rigged?
Online blackjack isn’t rigged at reputable online casinos. Licensed casinos use RNG to ensure that the outcomes of blackjack and other casino games are fair.
What is the House Edge in Blackjack?
Blackjack has a low house edge of about 0.5%, making it one of the casino games with the best odds.
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