Blackjack is a card game that requires skill and luck to win. But there are strategies that can help you win more often – and lose less sometimes.
Basic Strategy
The first step to learning how to play blackjack is understanding the rules and how to use them. Once you know those basics, you’ll be able to make better decisions and boost your profits.
Using the right strategy will help you to beat the house and keep you from losing too much money. It will also improve your overall enjoyment of the game.
Card Counting
Despite recent efforts to counter blackjack players, card counting is still a valuable skill that can significantly increase your edge in the casino. It takes time and practice, but once you get the hang of it, you can easily tell when to make a bet that will increase your winnings.
Martingale Betting
Another strategy that can be very profitable when you are playing blackjack is the Martingale system, where you double your original bet every time you lose a hand. This can quickly become expensive, however, so it’s important to have a large enough bankroll that you can withstand the losses.
Learn how to count cards effectively
One of the best ways to improve your blackjack skills is to start counting cards before you begin playing. This will give you a good idea of how many cards are left in the shoe and how likely they are to be dealt. You should also be able to identify when your count is in danger of falling below zero, which means that you should raise your bet.
Don’t over-play the cards
The key to success in blackjack is to keep a cool head and stick to your strategy. It’s easy to get carried away when you have a big pot of cash on the table, but you need to remember that this will only lead to further losses.
Don’t play for free or too long
It’s a good idea to limit the number of hands you play in each session. Ideally, you should limit your play to 3 or more hands per round. You should also set a budget for your blackjack games and adhere to it.
Avoid alcohol
Although it’s fun to drink while playing blackjack, too much can have a negative impact on your gaming abilities. Alcohol can impair your ability to think clearly, follow basic strategy and bet sensibly.
Don’t take insurance
Insurance is an extremely unprofitable side bet at the blackjack table and has a house edge of over 7%. It’s not worth it unless you have a really strong hand.
Don’t split Aces and Eights
Even though it can be tempting to split a pair of aces, it’s generally a poor play. The reason for this is that the dealer will usually bust more often than he would if you had a single ace.
Don’t Hit on a Soft 17
A lot of blackjack players mistakenly think that hitting on a soft 17 is a good idea, when in fact it’s almost always a bad idea.