Blackjack is one of the most popular
online casino
games in the world for a reason: It's a player's game. There are several ways to reduce the edge of the house if you
play blackjack correctly
.
Follow the top ten below and you're on your way to
blackjack
success:
Stick to the basic strategy
It's true. There is a set strategy that works in your favour. Authors, experts, computer simulations... they've all found conclusive evidence to support the statistical advantage a player can have using basic strategy at the blackjack table. Start studying a basic strategy chart, and watch your odds go up instantly.
Always hit a hand of 11 or less
Your hand can only improve. If you're hand is at 12, things get trickier, but if your hand is 11 or less, it's hit all the time.
Never hit a hand with a value over 17
If the dealer's up card is ten, keep hitting until you get to 17. If you have a soft 17 (one of your cards is an ace), hit again. Any other hand needs to stand.
If your hand value is ten or 11, consider doubling down
A starting hand of ten or 11 is good. There are so many cards in the deck valued at ten, your odds of winning are very high right now. Doubling down is a great bet.
Always split aces
If you're dealt two aces, always split them into two separate hands. In a 52-card deck, there are 16 cards with a value of ten. If you split your aces, you're very likely to hit 21 with one of them. Anytime you can increase the odds of a higher payout, do so.
Always split eights
Same deal: If you're dealt two eights, always split. A hard 16 hand will likely get you beat or busted. Two hands valued at eight give you lots more possibilities to profit.
Never split 10s
That's pushing it a little too far. Keep your hand value at 20. It's more profitable.
Leave the card counting for Rain Man
Stick to perfecting the basic strategy. Yep, it's been proven. Card counting is incredibly effective. But seriously. Do you think you can really keep up with the dealer? Forget it. And it is off course important to count cards if you play online.
Insurance is a bad call
When the dealer's up card is an ace, they'll give you the option of taking "insurance." If the dealer has a natural 21 (two cards that total 21), your insurance bet protects you. The real chances statistically, though, are that the dealer wasn't dealt 21, so insurance is a bad move.
Only play with the best conditions
Find the game that uses the least amount of decks. Sit at a table that pays 2 to 1 for a
black jack
. Avoid tables where the dealer hits soft 17s, or ones where you can't double down on soft hands. When the game isn't the best it can be, take the time to find another table where it is.
