Can You Be Good At Blackjack

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Playing Better Blackjack - top 10 misplayed hands. Because playing two hands with a starting count of 8 is much better than a single hand of 16. You are giving yourself two decent starting hands while breaking up a horrible 16. However, both of the split 8 hands will lose you money in the long run. You can play blackjack now at Bovada online casino. What a lot of beginners do not realize about this house edge however is that it is contingent upon perfect play. As you know, the goal of blackjack is to make it closer to 21 than the dealer without busting.

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In this article you'll find:

  • A basic Blackjack cheat sheet for beginners
  • An overview of the best Blackjack strategies to play online
  • Useful online Blackjack tips to increase your chances of winning
Can you be good at blackjack song

Let's face it - we've all looked for the best and the most effective strategy to win at blackjack.

More than once.

As a huge fan of Blackjack, I tried countless betting strategies.

I won big, I lost big. Luckily, all of this experience helped me to understand one thing: moderation is the key.

After all I've been through, I want to share my knowledge with you.

My goal is to maximize your winnings and to minimize your losses.

At the end of the day, we are all on the same boat: 3 diamond slots.

We just want to beat the dealer and bring home as much money as possible.

Even though a fool proof blackjack strategy doesn't exist, the info below can help you play smart and win more.

Losing all your savings won't get you anywhere and will only make you hate casinos.

So, let's make the best out of your blackjack casino experience and help each other to you win more.

After all, the most important thing is to have fun. And the more you know, the more fun blackjack gets.

Check Out This Blackjack Cheat Sheet

First things first. Even though the most important thing that keeps you from losing big is money management - and as a poker player I assume you are A PRO at this - you also have to know the basic tactics to deal with cards effectively.

As you know, there are a few decisions you can take depending on your cards and the dealer's open card.

These decisions are:

  • Stand
  • Hit
  • Double
  • Split
  • Surrender

Sometimes, all it takes is basic logic.

Like you don't want to hit (ask for an additional card) if you have a 20, and you don't want to stand if you have only a 3.

However, things are not always that simple.

That's why our experienced team prepared a detailed blackjack chart to show you how to play every hand at blackjack.

Use it to know when it is recommended to hit, to stand, or to do something else.

Yes, you can use this basic blackjack strategy table when you play online blackjack for real money.

Whether you play virtual or live dealer games, you can (or better, you should) base your blackjack play on what's indicated on this blackjack cheat-sheet.

Alternatively, you can use this downloadable Blackjack basic strategy chart.

Hard totals
Dealer's card >2345678910A
Player's hand
17-20SSSSSSSSSS
16SSSSSHHSUSUSU
15SSSSSHHHSUH
13-14SSSSSHHHHH
12HHSSSHHHHH
11DhDhDhDhDhDhDhDhDhH
10DhDhDhDhDhDhDhDhHH
9HDhDhDhDhHHHHH
5-8HHHHHHHHHH
Soft totals
Dealer's card >2345678910A
A,8-A,9SSSSSSSSSS
A,7SDsDsDsDsSSHHH
A,6HDhDhDhDhHHHHH
A,4-A,5HHDhDhDhHHHHH
A,2-A,3HHHDhDhHHHHH
Pairs
Dealer's card >2345678910A
A,ASPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSP
10,10SSSSSSSSSS
9,9SPSPSPSPSPSSPSPSS
8,8SPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSP
7,7SPSPSPSPSPSPHHHH
6,6SPSPSPSPSPHHHHH
5,5DhDhDhDhDhDhDhDhHH
4,4HHHSPSPHHHHH
2,2-3,3SPSPSPSPSPSPHHHH

Key:
S = Stand
H = Hit
Dh = Double (if not allowed, then hit)
Ds = Double (if not allowed, then stand)
SP = Split
SU = Surrender (if not allowed, then hit)

Now that you have a basic understanding the different blackjack actions (which you can practice HERE for free), let's move to the best blackjack betting strategies.

A Conservative Blackjack Strategy: Win Little by Little

If you're a beginner, I completely understand your fear of high stakes.

I also wouldn't want to lose a fortune on my very first game.

Or on my second. And third one.

That would discourage me from playing blackjack ever again - or even visiting Las Vegas.

That's why I suggest you to use a conservative approach when it comes to betting in blackjack.

The main idea is this:

Raise your bet every time you win.

This strategy is based on the idea that wins and losses come in streaks.

You might lose five times in a row, but then, miraculously, win three consecutive bets.

I know, I know, blackjack is a game of chance, and the outcome is random.

BUT

My long-term experience says that there is a pattern. I just can't explain it logically.

Just look at some random sequences made with the probability theory in mind.

Usually, you can see some sort of streaks, and this can be applied to blackjack too.

So, all you need to do is raise your stakes little by little - but only when you win.

Can You Be Good At Blackjack Movie

You can use our list of the best casinos to play blackjack online and test this strategy for free. Don't forget to use our strategy charts when learning how to win.

An Aggressive Approach to Blackjack: the Martingale Strategy

Now we're talking.

The Martingale blackjack strategy is my favourite.

This is a blackjack system that helps me win often - but only when I have a lot of money to invest on my games.

If you don't have at least $500 to gamble online - don't use it.

If you do - keep reading and get ready to have fun.

The Martingale strategy is completely different from the conservative blackjack approach.

You have to be brave to use this one.

It basically goes like this:

You double your bet… every time you lose.

Now that sounds like a downer.

How can you ever win if you keep losing - and losing more and more as you keep playing?

Listen.

Even if you lose lots of money on several consecutive losses, everything changes when you win.

As you've been doubling your bets, the one that brings you victory makes your bankroll grow to the point of covering the amount you lost before that happened.

However, there's one thing to keep in mind. One very important thing.

Once you go over your initial bankroll, STOP.

The Martingale blackjack strategy doesn't work when it comes to long gaming sessions.

There have been cases when I lost all my money, and that happened because I was greedy.

The best approach is to play blackjack often and stop immediately when you get some extra cash.

This way, you will benefit greatly in the long run and won't be left penniless at the end of the day.

You are very likely to win at least one hand per round of blackjack - and that's all you need when applying the Martingale blackjack strategy.

Just keep in mind that you need a big initial bankroll for this one.

You need to have enough money to keep doubling the bet until you finally beat the odds.

If you feel like it, you can practice this strategy on different blackjack variants to see, which one works best for you.

In case your betting limits are low - don't worry. The next blackjack strategy guide is for you.

1-3-2-6 Blackjack Betting System

The 1-3-2-6 blackjack betting strategy doesn't sound like the most exciting thing ever - especially after you've read about the Martingale strategy - but it can still help you a lot.

Most importantly, it doesn't require to have an enormous bankroll, so that's a plus.

So, what do the numbers in the title of the strategy stand for?

Your bets after you win a hand of blackjack.

In other words, you trigger this system after you win - and cut it once you lose.

This way, you won't lose all your money at once.

Once again, this blackjack strategy is based on the idea that winnings come in streaks.

Also, it gives you a systematic approach to your bets. You don't make your bets randomly and that gives you control over the game. Everything goes as planned - step by step.

Let's take a look at an example of the 1-3-2-6 blackjack strategy.

Say, your initial bet is $10. If you won blackjack game four times in a row, your betting pattern would look like this:

$10-$30-$20-$60

Can You Be Good At Blackjack Song

Of course, let's not forget that you would immediately cut this sequence if you lost.

You would then return to your original $10 and wait for another win.

You might ask, does 1-3-2-6 blackjack strategy really work?

Well, it helps.

It helps you manage your bets, not to overspend, and gives you an advantage when you hit a hot streak.

Even if your winnings might look like rookie numbers at the beginning, you'll have an advantage in the long run.

You can play blackjack for free at this Casino to see if this strategy works for you in reducing the house edge.

How to Win More at Blackjack: A Few Important Tips

Even though we all want to win at blackjack every time we play, it's impossible.

Luckily, you can maximize your winnings and make blackjack odds more favorable with a few simple tips that are as important as an effective blackjack betting strategy.

So, here's what you need to do to be a successful blackjack player:

  • Say NO to insurance. Blackjack insurance is probably the worst thing that could happen to this casino game. It's useless, money-draining, and should be thrown out the window immediately. Don't use it!
  • Keep the house edge in mind. You can't expect to win at blackjack every time you play. That's because it has a house edge which ensures that the casino has an advantage in the long run. The best method to avoid the house edge is to stop playing as soon as you win extra money.
  • Check the rules of blackjack every time you play. It comes as no surprise that such a popular game like blackjack has tons of different variations. Each of them has slightly different rules. Check them out before you make your first bet.
  • Choose 3:2 over 6:5 payout. Some casinos decide to cheat a little and make the payout 6:5 instead of the usual 3:2. Playing at such a casino means that you won't win as much as you should. Avoid casino sites, mobile casinos, and live casinos with bad payouts for blackjack players.

And now it's time to test all these best blackjack strategies in real life.

Also, use these tips and study the blackjack action strategy table. After a short while, you'll find yourself winning more and more.

However, the most important method to win at blackjack game is, once again, moderation.

No blackjack strategy will help you if you waste your winnings playing blackjack all day long.

You must quit as soon as you make even the smallest profit, or otherwise everything will go to waste.

Server mezzanine slot flb 1. If you play small, your winnings will accumulate, and you'll win big in the long run.

And that's the most important thing of all.

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I’ve written a few articles in the past that included advice that said you should never take insurance when you play blackjack. I stand by this advice because, for over 90% of the players who read my articles, the advice is 100% correct.

But I also need to present the other side of the argument to give you a complete understanding of insurance. The truth is that insurance is the correct play in a few specific situations. Most of these situations only become apparent to professional card counters, and because counting pros spend most of their time beating the casinos and not reading my articles, my advice of never taking insurance is correct for everyone else.

So why am I writing an article about taking insurance?

As you’re getting ready to learn, there are a few situations while playing blackjack when clearly it seems that taking insurance is a good bet. The odds are good that these situations are going to surprise you because they’re not why most players take insurance.

The Argument Against Insurance

Can You Be Good At Blackjack Game

The reason why taking insurance is a bad decision most of the time can be explained using simple math. But, as you’re going to see in the next section, this same simple math is used to show in a few situations that insurance is a good bet.

When the dealer has an ace, he or she offers insurance to the payers at the table. Insurance costs half of your original wager and pays 2 to 1 when the dealer has a natural blackjack. The only way the dealer has a natural blackjack is when his or her down card is worth 10 points.

The odds of the face down card being worth 10 points are 9 to 4 against. This is a percentage chance of 30.77% that the dealer has a blackjack. The reason why the odds are 9 to 4 is because of the 13 total card ranks, four of them are worth 10 points, and the other nine aren’t. The four 10-point value ranks are the face cards and the 10s.

When you compare 9 to 4 against the payout of 2 to 1, the casino has an edge. For the bet to be fair, the chances of the dealer having a blackjack need to be the same as the payout. The payout of 2 to 1 means that the percentage chance of the dealer having a blackjack needs to be 33.33%.

In any situation where the chance the dealer has a blackjack is over 33.33%, the insurance wager is a good bet.

The problem is that most of the time, the dealer doesn’t have a 33.33% or higher chance to have a blackjack. This goes back to how you compute the dealer’s percentage, or odds, based on the normal makeup of a deck of cards.

Determining the odds or percentages based on a normal distribution of cards in the deck sounds correct, but it assumes you don’t know the value of any cards. This is the safe way to do it, especially in a shoe game because a single card doesn’t change the odds or percentages much.

But what happens if you take the knowledge of cards played and remaining available in the deck or shoe into account?

Is there a way to use this information to determine when taking insurance is a good bet?

When You Should Take Insurance

Now that you understand how the math behind the insurance bet works, let’s look at a specific example where the bet changes from bad to good.

You’re playing in a single deck blackjack game.

  • On the first round of hands, you see the value of 14 cards. Only one of them is worth 10 points, so the remaining cards have 15 cards valued at 10. With 14 cards played, the deck has a total of 38 cards.
  • The second round of hands is dealt, and the dealer has an ace face up. You haven’t seen the value of the other player’s cards at this point, and you have a king in your hand. Now you’ve seen the values of 17 cards when you include the two in your hand and the dealer’s ace.
  • The remaining unseen cards total 35 and 14 of them are worth 10 points. This means that the odds of the dealer having a 10-point value down card are 21 to 14 or 3 to 2 against. In other words, 40% of the time the dealer is going to have a natural blackjack.

A winning insurance wager pays 2 to 1, so the odds are better than that in this hand. The 2 to 1 payout means that the chance of a dealer blackjack needs to be at least 33.3%, and in this example, the chance is 40%.

While this example is an extreme one to show when insurance is a good bet, you can also learn something from it. Now that you know that the chances of the dealer having a natural blackjack need to be 33.3% or higher, you can use this information in any single deck blackjack game. You can even use it in a double deck game if you do a good job of tracking cards.

This is much like card counting in that you don’t have to memorize every single card that’s been played. All you need to do is keep track of the ratio of total cards played to 10-point value cards. This even works in shoe games, but the truth is if you’re able to keep track of this ratio in shoe games, you should be counting cards.

How Important Is This Knowledge?

While it’s important to recognize and use every small advantage you can find, the truth is that the opportunity to take insurance with an edge is rare. If you play in single and double deck games often, it’s something that you should watch for.

But you should only concern yourself with profitable insurance opportunities after you do a few other things to lower the house edge. The first thing you should do is find blackjack games with good rules. The next thing every blackjack player should do is use basic strategy. It’s a waste of time and energy to worry about insurance before you do these two things.

Once you learn about the rules and learn how to use perfect strategy, then you can start looking for opportunities to take advantage of insurance. But even in this situation, I recommend looking for insurance opportunities as an introduction to learning more about counting cards.

When you start tracking card ratios, which is at the heart of determining when taking insurance is a good bet, you’re starting to use the same techniques card counters use. And the fact is that most popular card counting systems include a breakpoint where players start taking insurance.

In other words, a good counting system already has the insurance wager built in, so you know when to take it and when not to take it.

If you’re looking for every possible edge at the blackjack table, understanding how insurance works and when you should take it is important. But if you don’t want to do the extra work, then stick with good rules and proper strategy. By declining insurance every time, you’re not going to make a mistake often. When you do, it’s only going to cost you a small amount over time.

It’s a much more costly mistake to take insurance when you shouldn’t than to miss an opportunity to take insurance every once in a while, when it’s the correct play.

Conclusion

Taking insurance at the blackjack table is a bad bet most of the time. If you’re a basic strategy player or a seat of your pants player and don’t count cards, your best play is to always decline blackjack insurance. But as you can see from the numbers included in this article, there are certain situations when insurance goes from a bad bet to a good one.

Once you master basic blackjack strategy, start looking for opportunities where insurance is a good bet. When you start recognizing these opportunities, it’s a good sign that you’re ready to investigate card counting. It’s a small step from understanding and using what you learned above to become a successful card counter.

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