So you have finally learned how to play blackjack, it’s really easy to learn. But somehow, you are not winning consistently or feel that you are not winning enough? If you’re unsure of the basic strategies, here we will cover the top seven best blackjack strategies to help you advance from a beginner to an intermediate.
Blackjack is one of the more simple live casino games. It is as simple as making bets on whether or not you will have better cards than the dealer. Therefore, the basic strategies are rather simple as well. So, you definitely would not want to miss this strategy guide.
#1 Do Not Split 10s or Face Cards
There are only two hands that can beat 20 points. Which is either 21 or a blackjack hand. With only such small odds of losing, every player should stand when they get a pair or 10s or face cards.
If you split, you are at risk of losing double your original bet. The chances of getting a strong hand after splitting are lower. So, never ever split 10s or face cards. It is not worth risking with such a strong hand.
Sometimes the temptation is high, especially when you noticed the dealer’s hand has a lousy card. This is usually a 2 to a 6. But, basic strategies are there to keep your chances of winning high. So, following this will give you a better average winning in the long run. Check out here for sgonlinecasino.org/blackjack-online-singapore/.
#2 Soft Hand Tips
The only soft hands that you should always stand on are the total points of 19 and 20. The logic and reasoning are the same as above. There are only three hands that can beat those. Which is either, 21, blackjack or 20 (if your soft hand is only 19).
With such a good hand, It is just not worth risking strong hands although the temptation is high sometimes. Stick to the basic strategies and aim for long-run profits.
#3 How To Split on 9s
This strategy is tricky because most of the time the correct decision is to stand with a pair of 9s, which is a hard total of 18. The problem is that it is actually more profitable on average to split a pair of 9s when the dealer’s hand has a 7, a card worth 10 points, or an ace.
If you never try to split a pair of 9s, don’t worry, it’s not the worst mistake that you could make. It still leaves you with an 18. The odds of winning is still very high. However, every playing decision needs to be based on the most profit in the long run.
When the dealer’s upcard has a 7, 10 point card, or an ace, it’s actually more profitable to split the pair than to stand with the hard 18. By doing this, you stand to increase your long-run profits. More on detail on play blackjack guide.
#4 Double Down On An 11
The best starting hand in blackjack is always an 11. A single deck for blackjack has 52 cards, so all you need is a 10 or a face card to hit 21 points. That’s a whopping 30% chance to achieve 21 points!
Even if you are not very optimistic, the chances of getting a strong hand (either 19, 20 or 21) with 1 more additional card are 46%! Which is still very high. On top of that, you have the opportunity to double down the amount of your original bet.
Therefore, this is the best betting strategy that should never be missed.
#5 Learn The Art Of Card Counting
Any blackjack strategy guide is never complete without mentioning the art of card counting. A single deck of blackjack has 52 cards and this strategy is best employed on a single deck game. That’s why most casinos will increase the number of decks at the blackjack table in order to increase the house edge.
Most gamblers believed that this is too difficult or complicating. Having to monitor every player’s hand including the dealer’s hand. Hence, they give before even trying. But counting cards is actually quite simple. Especially when you have more experience.
It will only be overwhelming at the beginning stage. When you are struggling to juggle various strategies or trying to remember a lot of things at the same time, you will feel overwhelmed. The key is to practice step by step. Master 1 strategy at a time.
All in all, card counting can definitely be improved with experience. So, every gambler should learn to count cards.
#6 Focus On The Fundamentals
The focal point of the game is not to get as close to 21 without going over. Your only task as a blackjack player is beating the dealer. Many times not chasing the elusive 21 will pay more dividends than going for broke.
#7 Play On The Right Blackjack Table
Due to its popularity, casinos are constantly trying to find innovative and sneaky ways to separate gamblers from their money in blackjack games. So, you will bump into several blackjack derivatives that closely mimic the original game we all know and love.
Looks like blackjack, plays like blackjack, but somehow not blackjack. What a confusion.
Therefore, do not assume all blackjack are the same. Especially in online casinos with a massive variety of games to choose from. Avoid playing any variations of blackjack even though it has a better payout. Chances are, the mechanism has been changed to increase the house edge. If you want to win the blackjack game, check out here http://sgonlinecasino.org/blackjack-online-singapore/.
Closing Thoughts
Being one of the casino games with the lowest house edge, blackjack players who consistently stick to these basic blackjack strategies tend to enjoy the highest long-term profit. So, put the strategies we shared here into a blackjack strategy chart or a cheat sheet.
As you would have noticed by now, mastering these strategies comes with experience. So, an online casino with a free online blackjack option that does not involve real money is one of the best simulations to practice on.
Now that you have understood these strategies, print out your strategy card to refer to when playing. You can get the highest return every time you play a game of blackjack.