Jack De Beer | January 10, 2023 | Updated on: January 2nd, 2025
If you are looking for blackjack tips that help you maximize your chances of winning and how to become a better blackjack player, then you have come to the right place. We have gathered all the important tips for playing blackjack from our experts and put together this guide.
Whether you are a beginner or a pro, the blackjack tips that we have listed here will help your gaming experience. All you have to do is try them out and see where they can lead you.
Tips for Playing Blackjack Page Content
Basic Blackjack Tips
Before you can play blackjack, it is always best to know the basics. This is the groundwork that you need to know to get you started with playing the game.
1. Learn the Rules of the Game
To get started with playing blackjack, you will first have to learn the rules of the game. The rules give you an idea of how the game is played and what you can expect from it. Luckily, the basics are not that difficult to learn and remember since they are so simple. The best way to familiarise yourself with the basic rules is to play free blackjack to help you grasp the rules.
2. Know the Number of Deck Used
Different decks are used when playing blackjack, and they will affect the return to player percentage. Even though it is not a huge difference, it can help you a little bit. The basics are that the lower the number of decks, the higher the RTP. So, when you choose a game to play, be sure to check the number of decks that will be used and the RTP.
3. Place Bets Within your Bankroll
It is important to know how to manage your bankroll when playing. You will want to stretch your bankroll to last you over several games. Managing your bankroll is not only about how you will use to play but when you should stop when you have lost or won. So, it is important not to chase your losses and know when you have won enough to walk away.
4. Don’t Pay Attention to Myths
You are playing to beat the dealer, and that is what you need to focus on. So, avoid myths that you might have heard about or read on the internet. You will not only affect your gaming by listening to other people, but you will lose the game as well. The best option is to play the game according to the rules and following a good basic strategy.
5. Choose to Play a Game that Pays 3:2
Playing a blackjack game that pays 3:2 is a better option to go with as compared to a game that pays 6:5. These two are the options available for all the games. So, when you are looking for a game, it offers a 3:2 payout because it is a much better payout.
Advanced Blackjack Tips
Once you understand the basics, you can begin growing your knowledge on playing blackjack so that you can get to being a pro at playing blackjack.
1. Know-How to Use the Basic Strategy
The basic strategy helps you decide what to do with your hand when it is dealt out in a specific way. There are basic strategy charts that you can follow if you find it hard to remember all the possible outcomes. Find the right basic strategy to follow, and you can improve your winning chances. The basic strategy will help you reduce the house edge from 1 to 0.5%.
2. Never take the Insurance Bet
An insurance bet helps you break even when the dealer has a blackjack. However, the dealer’s hand hardly ever has blackjack, and you will likely lose the insurance bet. The reason not to take the bet is that it will make you lose more money in the long run. The insurance bet is not offered on all blackjack games, and it is only offered if the dealer has an ace.
3. Don’t Split 10s
You might think that splitting 10s is a good idea because it will give you a chance to finish the game with high hands, but it is best not to split them. It doesn’t matter what hand the dealer has; you should not split them. It is already a strong hand as it is, and it might just be a winning hand. However, this does not apply to other pairs.
4. When Should You Double Down?
You should only double down when you have an advantage. You will have to double your bet, and in return, you will receive another card. You should consider doubling down when the dealer has a six, and you have an ace. But this is applicable if your hand is not a soft 20. There is another chance to double down when the dealer has a five but not when you have a soft 19 or 20.
5. Try to Not Overuse Surrendering
Only surrender when you know you can maximize your winning potential. For example, you can surrender your 16 when the dealer has a nine, 10, or an Ace. You can also surrender when the dealer has a ten, and you have a 15. However, this is applicable if you are playing a game where they use a multi-deck of cards. If you know how to card count, then you will best know when to surrender.
Blackjack Secret Tips for Pros
Now you have reached a level many dream of, but that does not mean that you should stop learning more about being a good blackjack pro player. Keep the tips below in mind when you play, and you will be certified as a pro when you use them.
1. Do Not Use the Martingale Betting System
The Martingale system requires you to double your bet when you win as a means to try to get your lost money back. You will end up losing more than you had planned because when you double your bet, it does not guarantee a win. It will you hard when you come across a losing streak, so be careful when using this betting system.
2. You Won’t Lose Less Over Time If You Play Lower Stakes
This depends on the game you are playing because your expected loss can be different and probably higher based on that. What’s more, it is also affected by where you play. For example, if you are playing a game with a 6:5 payout, you are betting $20 you can expect a loss of 40c per hand. However, if you are playing a 6-deck high limit and $100 per bet, you can expect a loss of 26c per hand.
3. Don’t Go All In
This is just in the case where you might be dealt pairs that you will need to split. If you go all n, you won’t have any money left over to bet for the other hand when you split pairs. You will have the option to hit, which will lead to a bust, and then you lose. So, if possible, try not to go all-in if you can unless you are 100% certain that you have a winning hand.
4. Card Counting is Not Possible When Playing Online
You can be able to use the card counting strategy if you are playing at a land-based casino. However, it will be a challenge to that when playing online blackjack. Unlike a live dealer, the RNG deals the card way faster, making it difficult to count the cards and keep up with what has been dealt. So, if you intend on playing online blackjack, rather abandon your card counting skills.
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