Six Perfect Tips for Blackjack Success

Blackjack is one of the world most popular casino card game. It is accepted fact that the casinos have a very slight edge over their clients. In Blackjack, the advantage to the house is that once a player busts, he has lost the wager – no matter if the dealer also busts. It is entirely possible to minimise the house’s advantage by employing basic strategies that can ensure that the statistical disadvantage is kept to a minimal deficit as low as 5%. Look carefully at your first two cards and the dealer ones, and then follow your plan.

1. Stack the odds in your favour

Stack the odds in your favour – keep the things simple. If you have the choice, go for a single-deck game. If all tables have the same rules, the single-deck game gives slightly better odds for the player.

2. What to do when dealt HARD HANDS

Put most simply, any two-card total that does not include an Ace is called a Hard Hand. Just one hit could bust.

When to hit:

• If your total is from Five through Eight, hit your hand against whichever card the dealer has shown.
• If your total is Nine, take a look at your dealer’s hand – double against a dealer who has two through six but HIT if he has Seven – Ace.
• Got Ten? Double against a dealer that has two through nine.
• Holding Eleven, then double against a dealer who holds totals from two through ten.
• It gets trickier on totals from Twelve to Sixteen – hitagainst a dealer with Seven – Ace. However, if he doesn’t – be sure to STAND.
• With a total of Seventeen to Twenty-one – you’re almost there. Protect it. ALWAYS stand.

3. Soft Hands

Conversely, any two-card total that includes an Ace is called a Soft Hand, as the Ace can be counted as one or eleven.

The strategy here is slightly more simple to remember:

• Your hand totals Thirteen to Fifteen: Take a hit.
• Sixteen to Seventeen: Double if the dealer holds from Two through Six. However, if not – Hit.
• When holding an Eighteen, study the dealer’s hand carefully: Double if the dealer has 2 – 6. Stand against 7 or 8. But hit if up against 9, 10 or Ace.
• Nineteen to Twenty-One: Always stand.

4. Splits

When you have been dealt two of the same card number, you can choose to “Split” the cards into two separate hands. This will double your bet as you are dealt an additional two cards but will also give you another chance to beat the dealer.

Be careful to remember this rule:

• ALWAYS split your Aces and 8’s, and DO NOT when you have 4’s, 5’s, or 10’s.
• Do split your 9’s. However, when a dealer holds 7’s, 10’s and Aces you’d better Stand.
• Do Split your 2’s, 3’s, 6’s and 7’s when up against a dealer showing 2 – 7.
• BUT hit if you are playing 6’s and 7’s against a dealer showing 7-Ace.

5. Things you should NEVER DO

 

• No Surrender – the only time to consider this is if you are holding a 15 against a dealer with a hand showing a 10, or if you hold a 16 against a 9, 10 or Ace.
• Chase any money you have lost. Ramping up your bets to try and recover what has gone is a slippery slope and NEVER a good idea.

6. Always

• Try to play your set strategy – don’t deviate from the plan or ad lib. Things can escalate quickly.
• Stay in Control by not letting emotion get the better of you and ensure you know how long you want to be at the table.
• Consider handing the dealer a chip or offering a token bet. It is good manners to show appreciation for the service they are offering you.
• When winning, raise your bets a little. NEVER do this if you are losing.
• Once you have reached your limit, stop. Whether it be a set amount to lose or a win-level – enjoyment is the aim of the game.