Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world. Because there’s a lot of room for strategy, and the fact that under most rules, the casino only has the smallest of house edges, it’s a lot of fun to play – not to mention potentially lucrative. However, blackjack is still a big moneymaker for the casino, since most players don’t use proper blackjack strategy.

While playing a perfect blackjack strategy is somewhat complex, it can be done; even better, most casinos will allow you to use a card or chart at the table to help you, since they’ll still have a slight advantage, and would rather have you playing well at the table than not at all.

First, there are a few rules you should follow at the blackjack table to make sure you don’t sabotage an otherwise good blackjack strategy by making other mistakes. For the most part, you should avoid side bets unless you understand that you’re only making them for fun. Bets like Super Sevens may look like good deals since you’ll usually play for just a dollar, but they carry huge house edges; in the long run, you’ll only lose money by playing them.

Similarly, any good blackjack strategy will tell you to never take insurance. When the dealer is showing an ace, insurance will pay 2-1 when the dealer has a blackjack; however, the odds of the dealer making a blackjack are slightly less than this (approximately 9-4, since nine ranks will not make a blackjack, and four will). This means that in the long run, while taking insurance may feel “safe,” it’s only going to cost you money. Taking even money on blackjack when the dealer has an ace will also make you win less money on blackjack in the long run.

Finally, you should always play at tables that offer full 3-2 odds on blackjack. If you’re at a table that pays 6-5 or even money on blackjacks, then no blackjack strategy will be able to overcome the reduced odds.

With that in mind, let’s talk about a basic blackjack strategy that anyone can learn quickly and easily. Chances are, you won’t even need a chart at the blackjack table, since this strategy is easy to memorize. It’s based on a strategy devised by Michael Shackleford that takes away most of the complexity of basic strategy, while reducing the house edge to nearly the same level as a more detailed and complete strategy.

There are three kinds of hands in blackjack – hard hands, soft hands, and pairs. A soft hand is one in which you hold an ace that can count as either one or 11; a hard hand is any other hand, though we’ll also treat pairs as a separate category to make things a little simpler.

If you have a hard hand, you should usually hit when you hold 11 or less. If you have 10 or 11, you should double down (when possible) anytime you’re ahead of the dealer’s up card. With a hand of 9, you should double down against a 2 through a 6. If you hold a hand between 12 and 16, you should only hit if the dealer is showing a 7 or higher, otherwise stand.

If you have a soft hand, of 18 or less, you should usually hit. The one exception is when you hold a soft 16, 17 or 18, and the dealer is showing a 6 or less; in that case, double down. If you have a soft 19 or higher, stand.

Finally, let’s talk about pairs. When you have a pair, you need to decide whether to use the regular strategy mentioned above or split the pair into two hands. Always split a pair of aces or eights, no matter what the dealer holds. Similarly, never split fours, fives or tens. In every other case (22, 33, 66, 77 and 99), split only if the dealer is holding a 6 or lower.

By using this simple blackjack strategy, you’ll avoid major mistakes and maximize your winnings at the blackjack table. Good luck!