Blackjack Strategy: How to Increase Your Odds of Winning
Blackjack is a popular card game played in casinos worldwide.
The Best Online Blackjack Sites
Blackjack Strategy, Explained
The objective of the game is to beat the dealer’s hand by having a hand value closer to 21, without exceeding 21. While luck certainly plays a role in this game, using the right blackjack strategy can greatly increase your chances of winning. In this article, we will discuss the basics of blackjack strategy and provide tips on how to increase your odds of winning.
Blackjack Strategies
There are several blackjack strategies that players can use to increase their chances of winning. Here are some of the most popular ones used by our most successful players:
Basic Strategy:
The basic strategy is a set of guidelines that tell players what to do based on their hand and the dealer’s up-card. It is based on mathematical probabilities and is designed to reduce the house edge to as low as 0.5%. The basic strategy chart displays the recommended move for every possible combination of player hand and dealer up-card. Learning and practicing the basic strategy is essential for any blackjack player who wants to fully enjoy the game (and increase their chances of winning).
Example
Let’s say you have a hand of 14 and the dealer’s up-card is a 6. According to the basic strategy chart, you should hit your hand because the dealer is likely to have a total of 16 or higher, which is a better hand than your 14.
Basic Blackjack Strategy Chart
|
Dealer's Up-Card
|
Player's Hand
|
Recommended Action
|
|---|---|---|
|
2-9
|
Any
|
Hit
|
|
10, A
|
Any
|
Stand
|
|
2-7
|
2-2, 3-3, 7-7, 9-9
|
Split
|
|
5-6
|
10-10, 11-11
|
Double
|
|
3-6
|
9
|
Double
|
|
A
|
A-A
|
Split
|
|
Other Pairs
|
Any
|
Split
|
|
Other Hands
|
10-11
|
Double
|
|
Other Hands
|
Any
|
Hit
|
This chart outlines the basic strategy recommendations for common scenarios in a simplified format. The recommended action is based on the player’s hand and the dealer’s up-card. For example, if the dealer’s up-card is a 4 and the player’s hand is a 14, the recommended action is to hit. Similarly, if the player’s hand is a pair of 8s and the dealer’s up-card is a 10, the recommended action is to hit.
Again, remember that this is just a basic strategy chart and there are more advanced strategies that can be used. It’s important to study and practice different strategies to improve your skills and chances of winning.
Perfect Blackjack Strategy
Perfect blackjack strategy charts are based on the optimal mathematical play for every possible combination of dealer’s up-card and player’s hand, and are designed to minimize the house edge as much as possible. Here are the perfect strategy charts for both single-deck and multi-deck games:
Single-Deck Perfect Blackjack Strategy Chart
|
Dealer's Up-Card
|
Player's Hand
|
Recommended Action
|
|---|---|---|
|
2-8
|
Any
|
Hit
|
|
9
|
3-6
|
Double
|
|
9
|
2, 7, 8, Ace
|
Hit
|
|
10
|
Any
|
Double
|
|
A
|
2-6
|
Double
|
|
A
|
7-8
|
Stand
|
|
A
|
9, 10
|
Hit
|
Multi-Deck Perfect Blackjack Strategy Chart
|
Dealer's Up-Card
|
Player's Hand
|
Recommended Action
|
|---|---|---|
|
2-8
|
Any
|
Hit
|
|
9
|
2-6, 8-9
|
Double
|
|
9
|
3-6
|
Double if player's hand equals 9
|
|
9
|
7, 10, Ace
|
Hit
|
|
10
|
Any
|
Double if player's hand equals 10
|
|
A
|
2-6
|
Double
|
|
A
|
7-8
|
Stand
|
|
A
|
9, 10
|
Hit
|
These charts may seem more complex than the basic strategy chart, but they provide the most optimal play for each situation. Keep in mind that these charts are based on the assumption that you are playing with perfect basic strategy and are using a consistent betting strategy.
It’s also important to remember that no strategy can guarantee a win every time, but using perfect blackjack strategy can help minimize your losses and improve your chances of winning in the long run.
Card Counting:
Card counting is a strategy that involves keeping track of the cards that have been dealt to determine the likelihood of certain cards being dealt in the future. By keeping track of the cards, players can adjust their bets and make better decisions based on the cards remaining in the deck.
The most popular card counting system is the Hi-Lo system, which assigns a value of +1 to low cards (2-6), a value of 0 to neutral cards (7-9), and a value of -1 to high cards (10-Ace). By keeping a running count of the cards, players can determine when the deck is favorable to them and increase their bets accordingly.
Example
Let’s say you are using the Hi-Lo card counting system and you have been keeping a running count of the cards. After several rounds, you have a count of +4, which means that the deck is favorable to you. You can then increase your bet size because the odds are in your favor.
With that said, you should keep in mind that if detected, card counting is a surefire way to get you ejected and banned from a brick-and-mortar casino.
Martingale System:
The Martingale system is a betting strategy that involves doubling your bet after every loss. The idea is that you will eventually win and recoup all of your losses. However, the Martingale system can be risky, as it requires a large bankroll and there is no guarantee that you will win. If you hit a losing streak, you could end up losing a significant amount of money.
Example
You start the game with a bet of $10 and you lose. According to the Martingale system, you should double your bet to $20 on the next hand. If you lose again, you should double your bet again to $40 on the next hand. The idea is that you will eventually win and recoup all of your losses.
Paroli System:
The Paroli system is a positive progression betting system that involves doubling your bet after every win. The idea is to ride your winning streaks and maximize your profits. However, like the Martingale system, the Paroli system can be risky, as there is no guarantee that you will win. If you hit a losing streak, you could end up losing all of your profits and more.
Example
You start with a bet of $10 and you win. According to the Paroli system, you should double your bet to $20 on the next hand. If you win again, you should double your bet again to $40 on the next hand. The idea is to ride your winning streaks and maximize your profits.
Shuffle:
Shuffle tracking is a strategy that involves keeping track of the sequence of cards after the deck has been shuffled. The idea is to track clusters of high and low cards and use this information to make better betting decisions. Shuffle tracking requires a significant amount of skill and practice, and it can be difficult to do in a casino environment.
Example
Let’s say you notice that the dealer is shuffling the cards in a predictable way that creates clusters of high and low cards. You can use this information to make better betting decisions, such as increasing your bet when the deck is rich in high cards.
Wonging:
Wonging is a strategy that involves observing a blackjack table without playing and joining the game when the count becomes favorable. The idea is to only play when the odds are in your favor. Wonging can be an effective strategy, but it requires a significant amount of time and patience, as well as the ability to accurately track the count without drawing attention to yourself.
Example
Let’s say you are observing a blackjack table and you notice that the count becomes favorable. You can then join the game and start betting, taking advantage of the favorable odds.
Conclusion
It’s important to note that not all blackjack strategies will work for every player or every situation. The best strategy is to find the one that works best for you and to practice it consistently. Remember to gamble responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose. Good luck!
Play Top Blackjack at Our Recommended Online Casinos
Planet 7 Casino
Insanely generous bonuses Huge range of free play casino games 400+ slot games on offer
Slots of Vegas
Hefty bonuses for all players Incredibly low wagering requirements No winning caps
Other Online Casinos
FAQ
The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Blackjack Strategy
There’s no one ‘best blackjack strategy’. Instead, pay attention to the rules we’ve given you above, memorize them, and get to practicing!
Or a hard 16 (no Ace), you should stand if the dealer has a low-value card (2-6), and hit if it’s a high card (7-10 or an Ace). For a soft 16, you should hit.
You should always hit if you have an 8 hand (two cards totaling 8). But also check out the blackjack strategy tips we’ve given you above for more details of when you need to hit or stand.
There is and we’ve outlined it above. Your blackjack strategy really depends on what the dealer holds in their hand, which is why it’s so important you memorize the above!
No. You should never split 10s. A hand consisting of two 10s is a hand that equals 20. Your chances of beating the dealer with a 20 are very high.
When you get to a 16 or a 17, depending on the dealer’s cards, you should stand.
Of course, but only if you memorize it and practice it. We suggest you practice in free play first so you get to know (and learn) the basic blackjack strategy we’ve outlined for you above.
Always! This gives you two very strong but flexible hands to play with!
That’s when you have an Ace as one of your cards to make up your hand. Since the Ace can be either a 1 or a 10 value, it’s a soft hand, because it’s more flexible.
That’s when you have a hand without any Aces, so it’s more rigid — the value you hold doesn’t change because there’s not an Ace there to potentially change it.
