Blackjack is a game of skill and luck. If you play it well, you might earn a fortune.
You probably already know how blackjack works. The object is to beat the dealer at blackjack. To win, the player must get closer to 21 points without going over.
So far, I’ve only discussed basic strategies, but now let me show you some advanced strategies and teach you how to master them. These advanced strategies can give you a real edge at the casino tables.
How to Play Online Blackjack
The first thing you need to learn before playing online blackjack is that the house always wins!
Of course, this isn’t really true in reality, but if you follow my rules for winning, then you should have no problem beating the dealer. So what’s the catch? Well, as I said before, the house does not pay out on all hands.
If the dealer has an ace up their sleeve or any other hand with a high total value, there will be no payout. This makes sense when you think about how casinos make money.
In fact, they don’t even payout on straights.
This doesn’t mean that the house will never offer you a straight, just that you’ll have to do something special to cash your chips. For example, the most common “special” bet is called splitting tens. You would place 2 bets on different numbers, one on an 11, and another on 10. Then, if both are dealt face-up, you’re allowed to split them into two separate wagers.
Once again, you’d hope for a natural 20 which pays 5:1 odds. However, this may happen very rarely. To increase your chances of hitting these lucky cards, you could try betting more. One way to double your bets is by doubling your original chip stack. You could also use this technique to create a big advantage against the players who aren’t using it yet—a phenomenon known as “stack chasing.”
For a beginner, we recommend only doubling down until you feel comfortable. If you decide to bet more than twice your initial investment, we strongly suggest that you consult our article where we discuss risk management.
Top Blackjack Strategies for Beginners
1. Always Double Down On A Hard 11
The best way to improve your odds at blackjack is to use the double-down feature. When you receive a hard 11, always choose to double your bet instead of splitting or taking another card. This will increase your chances of winning by more than one percent.
2. Always Hit Upon Busted Hands And The Dealer Beats You
If the dealer has busted their hand (they have an ace on their first two cards), they are automatically paid even money bets. It’s not as easy to bust when playing in casinos because there is often insurance coverage from the house that covers bad hands. But if you’re playing online, you can be sure that your bankroll belongs to you and the dealer won’t pay out for you unless he wins big.
3. Never Bet Less Than 1/4 Of Your Current Stack
Most dealers have a minimum wager of $5 per hand, so don’t risk less than $25. Even if the table limits its players to $10 bets, if you lose more than half your current stack you’ll end up paying more than you originally wagered.
4. Play Only With $100s Or More
You should never play with any amount less than $100s. For example, if you have $120 in your account, you shouldn’t wager more than $20. That way, you keep your entire balance if you lose.
In general terms, you want to avoid risking greater than 50% of your total assets. Remember that you don’t need much wealth to enjoy a good gaming experience.
5. Use A Reasonable Expectation Rate
When you buy stocks, bonds, or other forms of investments, you use what’s called an expectation rate when calculating their return.
For example, if you expect investment to grow five percent per year, then you’d set the expectation rate at 0.05 per year.
- Wait Until After All Other Activities In-Game Have Finished Before Placing Another Wager
This is particularly important if the dealer is showing signs of boredom or fatigue. You’ll find yourself getting better returns if you wait until after the dealer has finished dealing before placing your next wager.
7. Always Give Permission To Exchange Cards
Never allow the dealer to exchange cards without first asking permission of the player. Asking for someone else’s permission may seem like a small thing, but you might save yourself a lot of grief later.
8. Always Take Out Money Early When Winning
Always take out your winnings early. Sometimes this can cost you dearly: The casino could give back your original stake and charge you for the withdrawal fee.
9. Don’t Put Anything Into Your Card Account That You Cannot Spend
This includes things such as free play bonus chips. Also, don’t put all your coins into your card account. Keep some money aside in case you lose everything.
10. Don’t Go Drunk At Casino
Casinos know that people who drink heavily tend to gamble more, so they make it difficult for you to get drunk.
11. Make Sure You Brace Yourself For Strong Fears
Playing casino games can cause intense anxiety and fear. You need to learn how to deal with these feelings because otherwise, they will turn against you.