Blackjack can be highly entertaining and one of the most player-friendly table games at a casino. Whether you’re playing digital versions of blackjack or taking part in live dealer casino games, great satisfaction comes from seeing your blackjack plan pay off.
While the limited number of possibilities means that any given bet will eventually pay out, optimizing your chances of a win in a given blackjack hand does not happen by accident. It’s the result of forming a plan that accounts for the unpredictability of the draw and the array of options that players have in blackjack.
That can seem daunting to new players, but it’s more a matter of experience than expertise. Your preparation is the key to putting yourself in a good position as you play blackjack.
What To Consider Before You Start Playing
Betting on blackjack gives you many choices, but you need to make some decisions before the first cards are dealt. These initial blackjack tips encompass how and where to play.
BetMGM Casino is the best online casino for blackjack players because it’s a licensed and regulated online casino with a huge library of blackjack titles. At BetMGM, you always have several choices for either playing RNG (Random Number Generator) games or games with a live dealer.
Once you’ve decided which game you want to play, you need to set several limits for your blackjack bankroll. Smart players establish an overall budget as well as loss, time, and win limits for their sessions. After all, responsible gambling is winning gambling. A few tried-and-true strategies can help you gamble responsibly and give you a chance to collect some winnings.
The Most Popular Blackjack Strategies
While you’re learning how to play blackjack with confidence, you’ll discover that blackjack is a numbers game. Because there is a limited number of cards in the game, there is a finite set of possible combinations that produce any given result.
Once you and the other players have been dealt your cards and you see what the dealer is showing, you can make educated bets using that information. It’s best to start with the basics.
The Basic Blackjack Strategy
Blackjack strategy charts can be a tremendous way to familiarize yourself with the different card combinations and the probabilities of landing them. Rule variations can change how you apply a blackjack strategy table, so it’s important to note any changes as you use these charts.
In games with traditional rules, some decisions are statistically nearly always the best move. But while the odds might favor you in these situations, there’s no such thing as a guarantee in blackjack. Some common tips for playing blackjack include:
- Stand on hard hands of 17, 18, 19, or 20 — A hard hand means that you have no aces. It’s hard to improve on a hard hand with these values as you’re more likely to bust than to get to exactly 21 if you hit.
- Double down on 11 — A hard 11 makes one of the best starting hands in blackjack. You should generally double down to maximize winning these hands in the long run.
- Split eights and aces — It’s essential to know when to split in blackjack, and it’s always in your best interest to split a pair of eights or aces in your starting hand.
- Don’t split 10s — Having 20 as your starting hand gives you a great chance of winning the hand, so you should never split 10s in the starting hand.
- Hit on ace-7 if the dealer is showing nine, 10, or an ace: — Always hit with this starting hand. In blackjack, this is the most basic strategy.
- Only stand on 12 if the dealer is showing four, five, or six: In this instance, you’re taking on more risk than your potential payoff merits if you hit on 12.
Card Counting
Many pieces of popular media have perpetuated a blackjack myth that card counting in blackjack will get you physically escorted from a casino or even arrested. That only applies if you’re trying to mark the cards, use electronic devices to count, or collaborate on a scheme to defraud the casino. Still, card counting is not a good practice to get into.
Progressive Betting Strategy
Many players swear by their favorite blackjack betting strategy, like a progressive betting strategy. This should not be confused with blackjack games that offer progressive jackpots.
A progressive betting strategy means that you alter the amount of your wager following a loss or a win. In a progressive blackjack strategy, you increase wagers after wins, while decreasing your bets following losses.
The hope is that you minimize your losses and maximize your wins to produce a small profit in the long run. These systems require players to accept inevitable losses and stay disciplined.
Using Blackjack Betting Systems
Regardless of the finer details, every blackjack betting system tries to reduce the house edge to increase the chances of making a profit. Some types of advantage play in blackjack provide a stellar example of the theory.
One example is watching for promotions that casinos like BetMGM offer for your blackjack play and maximizing the value of those offers. For example, if you get some bonus funds to play a few hands of blackjack with, you could be more aggressive, knowing that you won’t lose any of your real-money bankroll in these instances. But it’s important to review all the conditions and terms attached to these offers to make sure you can use them to your benefit.
It’s impossible to be too well-informed as you play blackjack. Even something as simple as deck count can have a great impact on your play.
How the Number of Decks Can Affect Your Strategy
Suppose the first card you’re dealt is an ace, and you know you just need a 10 or a face card to hit a natural on your first two cards. Before you consider whether to double down, you need to consider the probability of getting the card you want.
That probability varies greatly depending on how many decks are in the shoe for the game you’re playing. The higher that number is, the more possible combinations exist.
The number of decks in play also influences whether blackjack side bets are worth part of your bankroll. That evaluation includes where you are compared to your limits and the odds of hitting versus the expected payout.
Observing the number of decks in play is one of the simplest of all blackjack tips and tricks. Those odds depend to a similar extent on other factors.
Tips To Help You Improve Your Blackjack Game
Whether you’re in the midst of a run of good luck or recovering from a big blackjack loss, there are some simple tips that nearly always apply. Chief among them is never chasing losses, but there are others that are just as vital to success.
Learn the Rules
With all the blackjack variants in play, it’s foolish to just assume that any particular title uses the rules you’re accustomed to. Smart players always verify the rules to ensure they get the games they want.
Start with Smaller Bets
You can’t lose big if you don’t bet big. As you’re gaining experience, it’s best to play cautiously so you can get more experience out of your bankroll.
Deciding on Insurance and Side Bets
In games that allow it, buying insurance and other side bets might be something to consider. It’s best to have a plan for when to place these wagers.
Know When To Split
Splitting pairs can tremendously strengthen your position or represent a huge mistake, depending on
the circumstances. Knowledge and practice will help you know when the time is right.
Spotting Dealer Tells
While dealers at casinos and in live dealer games are trained professionals, they’re still human. If you can spot dealer tells in blackjack, you may be able to reduce the house edge.
Avoid Distractions
When you’re at the blackjack table, that’s a time to put your phone away and limit your conversations with people not involved in the game. Focusing not only helps you make good decisions but is courteous to the dealer and other players.
Practice Careful Bankroll Management
When it comes to gambling spending, failing to plan is planning to fail. A perfect blackjack strategy sticks to pre-set limits regardless of how the games play out.
Know When To Walk Away
When you’ve hit your session or bankroll limits, it’s time to end your session, even if you’re on a run of good luck. There’s a lot to be said for going out on top.
Play Online Blackjack With BetMGM
Players looking for the top blackjack experiences need not look any further than BetMGM. As soon as you register for BetMGM, you’ll discover the valuable promotions, great selection of games, and the best casino rewards program that keeps players coming back to try to build an optimal blackjack strategy.
There’s no better or more convenient way to refine your strategy for cutting down the house edge in blackjack. As you hope to land a natural, you’ll find that there’s no more natural fit than blackjack fans and BetMGM.
