Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games you will come across. It is easy to understand and super exciting to play. The game has evolved over many decades into various variants.
From offline casinos to igaming, blackjack is a popular choice. Many players, novices to experts, choose blackjack for the fun and the unpredictability it offers. Whether you are a newbie or have been playing for many years, blackjack is a game that you can never refuse to play.
While you already know the basic rules of blackjack and have played it quite a few times, there are some tricks that you might be missing. In order to ace your game, you need to know certain inside tricks that will help you win.
If you have been struggling with improving your blackjack techniques, this guide will surely be of help. If you are looking for a cheatsheet to understand your game better, you are at the right place!
Avoid Side Bets
The house edge is comparatively higher than the edge in the base gameplay. So, avoiding side bets is thus the best option. Side bets are also called sucker ones, the insurance wager bet is the most standard one among them. While side bets have to be avoided, they have a house advantage of 5.8% at single deck tables and that of 7.39% at six deck ones. These percentages also apply equally for online blackjack games.
Use Strategy Charts
Strategy charts are tables of all possible combinations of cards a player may deal with during the play. The chart has hints for the action to be performed in each case scenario. Whether to stand or hit, split or not. You should always keep a chart by your side while playing online blackjack. Memorising the strategy chart is an even better option to increase your chances of winning.
Split the Eights and Aces
When the player’s first two cards have the same value, he is allowed to split them into two separate hands. He can play both the cards separately, therefore, increasing his chances of winning. When a player gets 8 and an Ace, the action of splitting saves the player from busting. He can never bust, no matter what!
The Hard Eleven
When a player gets an eleven as a total, he can double up his original wager. If a court card happens to come next, the player will get to 21 and this increases his chances of winning big. On the other hand, if the player gets an Ace, the total will sum up to 12. So, in any case, the player cannot bust. Therefore, doubling down in blackjack is an excellent move when faced with a hard eleven.
Playing with Soft 17s
As a blackjack player, you might already be knowing this, you should always go to tables where dealers stand on soft 17. To remind you, soft hands are card combinations involving an Ace. when an Ace is involved in a card combination, it can play the role of 1 or 11. So, when a dealer has an Ace playing out as an eleven and the other cards adding up to 6, he is on a soft 17. Playing with a dealer in this position drastically increases your chances of winning. This equally applies in online blackjack.
Betting Patterns
Some casinos promote the use of betting patterns. In this, the players are encouraged to increase their wager amount after every loss. This is definitely advantageous for the casino but not for you. So, no matter whether you are playing online blackjack or offline blackjack, you need to stay away from betting patterns. If you still get involved, this can enormously increase your chances of getting into a big financial mess.
Use Logic
Of course, this is more of an advice than a trick. You know your game. Do not engage in emotional wagering just because you think you are winning or you guess you will get through. Use logic and calculate your risks. Always risk as much as you can lose. If you cannot lose the amount you have wagered, you should not wager that much in the first place.
Play by the Basics
No need to use a complicated strategy when you can win easily. Always think simple and wager less. Follow the basic rules and be strong in your basics. Memorise the strategy chart if possible. Do not try to over analyse and stick to simple calculations. Although quick decision making is necessary, do not rush.
Whether you are playing online blackjack or in an offline casino, it is always a good idea to know your game before you start. Blackjack is a game that is beneficial for your cognitive function.
It is now known that people who play non-digital games like board games and card games have better memory and computational skills. Of course, here , it is not so important, yet it is worth making a point.
So, whether you play for fun or money, playing blackjack has multiple benefits!
