Casino

Blackjack Tips and Tricks: Raise Your Winning Chances with Expert Strategies

Published

5 months ago

November 25, 2023

Sam Jonson

Blackjack is one of the most famous online casino games involving players trying to beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding a total of 21 points. Each player is dealt two cards and can choose to “Hit” for additional cards or “Stand” with their current total. The game requires strategic decisions and a combination of luck and skill. The player with the highest hand value without going over 21 wins the round.

Blackjack game elements

In a standard blackjack game, the key elements comprise –

Cards and card values

A standard 52-card deck is used, and each card has a specific value – number cards are worth their face value, face cards (King, Queen, Jack) are worth 10, and Aces can be worth 1 or 11, depending on the player’s choice to best benefit their hand.

For instance, if your initial cards are 6 and an Ace, you’d want the Ace to count as 11, giving you a total of 17. However, if your cards are 9, 8, and an Ace, you’d prefer the Ace to be 1, resulting in a total of 18 to avoid going over 21. The hand’s overall value is determined by adding up the combined values of the dealt cards.

Dealer

The casino representative who deals the cards and represents the house. The dealer’s actions are governed by specific rules, and they must follow a predefined strategy.

Blackjack Dealer from our PlaySQR Prive Salon tables

Players

The individuals participating in the game aim to beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding 21.

Betting area

The designated place on the table where players place their bets.

Initial deal

Every participant is dealt two cards, face-up, while the dealer receives one face-up card and one face-down card (hole card).

Hit

Players can request additional cards (hits) to improve their hand’s value. However, if the total exceeds 21, they bust and lose the round.

Stand

When a player is satisfied with their hand, they can stand and not take any more cards.

Surrender

When a player chooses to surrender the hand, they will lose only half of their original bet.

Bust

When a player’s hand value exceeds 21, they lose the round, regardless of the dealer’s hand.

Blackjack

Achieving a total of 21 with the first two cards (an Ace and a 10-value card) results in an automatic win, usually paying out at 3:2 odds.

Double down

Some situations allow players to double their original bet after receiving the first two cards in exchange for receiving one more card. This is typically made when the player feels confident in their hand’s potential to beat the dealer.

Split

When the first two cards are of the same rank, players can choose to split them into two separate hands and place an additional bet. Each hand is then played independently.

Insurance

When the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, players can opt for insurance against the dealer having blackjack. This side bet is usually half the player’s original bet and pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack.

Push

If both the player and the dealer have the same hand value (tie), the player’s bet is returned, resulting in no win or loss.

Side Bets

Some online blackjack variations offer optional side bets with different payouts, like Perfect pairs (betting on getting a pair), 21+3 (combining the player’s two cards and the dealer’s up-card for specific poker hand combinations), and others.

These elements form the basic framework of a blackjack game; understanding them and the blackjack rules to play is essential to make the most of the game. Strategy, skill, and luck all play a role in determining the outcome of each hand.

How to play blackjack?

Playing blackjack involves the basic steps mentioned below –

Start by placing your bet in the designated betting area on the table. Then the dealer will deal two cards to each player, including themselves. One of the dealer’s cards will be face-up, while the other (hole card) remains face-down.

Add up the values of your two cards. Based on your initial hand, decide whether to “hit” (request additional cards) to improve your total or “stand” (not take any more cards). You bust and lose the round if your total exceeds 21 after hitting. If you stand, it’s the dealer’s turn to play.

The dealer reveals their hole card. The dealer must follow specific rules for hitting or standing based on their hand value. If neither you nor the dealer bust, the one with a hand value closest to 21 wins the round.

If your initial two cards are an Ace and a 10-value card, you have blackjack and automatically win unless the dealer also has blackjack, resulting in a tie (push).

Payouts are typically 1:1 (even money) for regular wins and 3:2 for blackjack. After the round is settled, you can place a new bet and start the next hand.

Blackjack is a game depending on skill and luck, so employing a basic strategy for blackjack can raise your odds of winning.

If you are thinking about how to win in blackjack, the below strategy might be just what you need to help with that.

Blackjack strategy chart

A basic or blackjack strategy chart is a visual representation of the optimal moves a player should make in different blackjack scenarios. It provides guidance on what action to take (hit, stand, double down, or split) based on the player’s hand value and the dealer’s up-card.

The blackjack chart is usually organized in a grid format, with the player’s hand value listed vertically on the left side and the dealer’s up-card shown horizontally across the top. Each cell in the chart contains the recommended action for that specific combination of the player’s hand and the dealer’s up-card.

For instance, if a player has a hand value of 15 and the dealer’s up-card is a 5, the chart might recommend the player to stand, as it statistically gives the player the best chance of winning or minimizing losses in that specific scenario.

Blackjack strategy cards, blackjack tables, and other forms of charts are widely available online. They are considered an essential tool for blackjack players, especially those learning the game and wanting to improve their decision-making skills.

Following this chart allows players to reduce the casino’s edge and make more informed moves during gameplay. However, it’s essential to find the correct chart that matches the specific blackjack rules used in your game, as rule variations can impact the optimal strategy.