The Comprehensive Guide to Basic & Advanced Blackjack Strategy Cloudbet Blog
This guide explores the science behind advanced strategies for winning at blackjack. Learn the rules of the game, how to decide on your game plan, and how to practice your strategy.
The Comprehensive Guide to Basic & Advanced Blackjack Strategy
October 8, 2024 Curiously, Blackjack gets its name from a successful promotional gimmick. To promote the game, once known as 21, Las Vegas gambling halls decided to give bonus payouts if a black Jack (Clubs or Spades) was dealt along with an Ace of Spades. The promotion is gone, but the snappier name stuck.
Compared to other casino games, Blackjack boasts the smallest house edge. That means you’re more likely to win in terms of probability. You don’t have to beat other players, just the dealer. And while luck is involved, you also have a huge say in whether you win and how you win, as you decide what to do with your cards. Someone else can have the same cards and play them entirely differently.
Blackjack’s roots are in an early form of European gambling that goes back centuries and has since evolved into one of casinos’ most popular table games. Its popularity is due to its simple rules and strategy, which anyone can easily learn. However, advanced blackjack strategy requires years of practice to perfect. More on that later.
How to play Blackjack: The rules
Quite simply, the aim of the game is to get to 21. Between you and the dealer, the closest wins the hand. But 22 and above is a ‘bust’ and that means a loss.
In Blackjack, each card has its face value, except for the Ace which doubles up as 1 or 11, you can choose what it means which makes it a good card to have. Remember, suits are irrelevant. You get dealt a card face up, then other players, then the dealer. This happens the same for the second card. However, while the dealer’s first card is face up, the second is face down.
If you get an Ace with a 10, Jack, Queen, or King then you’ve hit the ‘Natural’ or ‘Blackjack’, an instantly winning hand. However, if the dealer also gets it in two cards, the hand is tied and bets are returned.
After receiving the initial deal, it’s time to play. You can ‘Hit’, which means you get dealt another card, ‘Stand’, keep your hand and force the dealer to play, or ‘Double down’, which means you can bet up to 100% of your original stake in return for committing to stand after receiving one more card.
If you’re dealt the same numbered card twice, you can split them into separate hands and place another bet. An equal hand to the dealer is a Push and means your bet money is returned.
Blackjack rules summarized
Understanding the basic rules is essential for any aspiring blackjack player. The following section breaks down the game flow, from the initial deal to determining the winner, providing a clear and concise overview for beginners. Here’s a breakdown of how the game unfolds:
- Card values:Each card has its face value, except for the Ace, which can be 1 or 11. Suits are irrelevant.
- The deal: Cards are dealt one at a time, face up, to each player and the dealer. The dealer’s second card is dealt face down.
- Blackjack!: An Ace and a 10-value card as your initial hand is a Blackjack, an automatic win (unless the dealer also has Blackjack).
- Player’s turn: Choose to ‘Hit’, ‘Stand’, or ‘Double Down’.
- Splitting pairs: Split two cards of the same value into separate hands with an additional bet.
- Dealer’s turn: The dealer reveals their face-down card and hits or stands based on specific rules.
- Determining the winner: The hand closest to 21 without exceeding it wins. A tie is a ‘Push’.
Key Blackjack terms
Before you can master Blackjack strategy, it’s crucial to understand the language of the game. Familiarize yourself with these key terms and actions to navigate the blackjack table:
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Hit | Request another card from the dealer to increase your hand total. |
| Stand | Keep your current hand total and end your turn. |
| Double Down | Double your initial bet and receive only one more card. You must stand after receiving this card. |
| Split | If you are dealt a pair (two cards of the same value), you can split them into two separate hands. You must place an additional bet equal to your original bet, and each hand will be played independently. |
| Blackjack | An Ace and a 10-value card (10, Jack, Queen, or King) dealt as the initial two cards. Blackjack is an automatic win unless the dealer also has Blackjack, in which case it’s a push (tie). |
| Bust | When your hand total exceeds 21. A bust results in an automatic loss. |
| Push | A tie between the player and the dealer. When a push occurs, your original bet is returned. |
| Dealer’s Rules | The dealer must follow specific rules for hitting and standing. Generally, the dealer must hit on a hand total of 16 or less and must stand on a hand total of 17 or more. The specific rules may vary slightly depending on the casino and the blackjack variation. |
Understanding these key terms and actions is your first step to mastering the game of Blackjack.
Blackjack payouts
Winning a hand in Blackjack usually means you receive even more money. This means you get your original stake back, plus an amount equal to your stake. For example, if you bet $10 and win, you’ll receive your $10 back plus an additional $10 in winnings.
However, Blackjack offers a special payout. Here’s a breakdown:
| Blackjack outcome | Payout | Example: $10 bet |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Win | 1:1 (Evens) | $10 (Stake) + $10 (Winnings) = $20 total |
| Blackjack (21 in two cards) – Common | 3:2 | $10 (Stake) + $15 (Winnings) = $25 total |
| Blackjack (21 in two cards) – Less Common | 6:5 | $10 (Stake) + $12 (Winnings) = $22 total |
While most casinos offer a 3:2 payout for Blackjack, some have shifted to a less favorable 6:5 payout. This slightly reduces the player’s advantage, so always be aware of the payout at your table before you start playing.
Blackjack strategy: Basic and advanced tips
Mastering blackjack involves more than just understanding the rules—it’s about making strategic decisions to increase your chances of winning. While luck plays a role, employing the right strategies can significantly impact your outcomes. This section explores both basic and advanced blackjack strategies to help you make informed choices at the table.
- A basic strategy is a set of rules designed to make the game fairer for both players, no matter what cards they draw. An example is using a basic blackjack strategy chart.
- Advanced blackjack strategy involves keeping track of the dealer’s upcard and the number of decks still in play. This helps to predict whether you’ll get an edge over the house.
Does basic Blackjack strategy work?
Much has been made about basic Blackjack strategy. There are two schools of thought: one is that learning basic strategy is a vital weapon in the gambler’s armory, and the other is that the only real way to reduce a casino’s edge is to count cards.
It’s difficult to know for certain how much a basic strategy will help players in the long run because of the random nature of the game. The only way we can measure the variation in card distribution is with Monte Carlo simulations. And even those give such a long-term view, that they can’t say for certain how successful a strategy will be.
Understanding house edge
In Blackjack, the casino’s advantage (the house edge) is typically around 0.8%, but this can vary depending on the rules and the number of decks used. For example, a single-deck game might have a house edge as low as 0.18%, while a game with unfavorable rules (like a 6:5 payout on Blackjack and the dealer hitting on soft 17) will have a higher edge.
One of the first steps in developing a Blackjack strategy is understanding how these rule variations impact your chances of winning. Before you even place a bet, take note of the table rules, especially whether the dealer hits or stands on a soft 17 (a 17 that includes an Ace). If the dealer hits on soft 17, the house edge increases by about 0.2%.
Using house edge to your advantage
Even though the house has an edge, understanding it empowers you to make smarter decisions. Here’s how:
- Choose favorable tables: Look for games with a lower house edge. Fewer decks, favorable rules (dealer stands on soft 17), and higher Blackjack payouts all work in your favor.
- Master basic strategy: By following a basic strategy chart, you make statistically optimal decisions, minimizing the house edge’s impact.
- Manage your bankroll:The “Odds” section on the table is there for a reason. Use it to understand the probabilities and bet responsibly. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a table if you’re on a losing streak or your bankroll is getting low.
Even with the best strategy, Blackjack is still a game of chance. You won’t win every hand, but by understanding the house edge and making informed decisions, you can increase your chances of walking away a winner in the long run.
Using a Blackjack strategy chart
Strategy charts are the best way to learn basic blackjack strategy as they list every possible combination of dealer and player hands. Because casinos only shuffle after every game, the game is predictable when you’ve played enough.
It would be best to use a basic blackjack strategy chart until you feel that you’ve memorized all possible combinations in a game. Once this happens, players can switch to testing their skills at recalling playing habits or using a table instead of a chart.
What is the best Blackjack strategy chart?
Blackjack strategy charts might seem daunting at first, but they’re straightforward to use and can dramatically improve your gameplay.
Where:
- S = Stand
- H = Hit
- DH = Double if allowed. If not, Hit
- DS = Double if allowed. If not, Stand
- SP = Split
- SU = Surrender. If not allowed, hit.
Doubling down in Blackjack
When you’re given the option to double down, you’re allowed to double your initial bet, but you only get one more card. This makes it a powerful move, but only under the right conditions.
- Strategic advantage: Double down only when your hand has a strong statistical likelihood of winning with one more card.
- Consult the chart: A basic strategy chart will be your guide, showing you the most effective times to double down based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard.
- Double down restrictions:Not all tables are the same. Some might restrict doubling down (like only on 10 or 11), which gives the house an extra 0.2% edge. Always check the rules before playing.
Splitting pairs in Blackjack
When you’re dealt a pair, you can choose to split – separating your two cards and getting an additional card for each. You then effectively play with two hands, each with a bet equal to your original wager.
- Favorable splits: Some splits, like Aces and 8s, are almost always advantageous.
- Chart guidance:Just like with doubling down, a basic strategy chart will outline the best times to split based on the dealer’s upcard.
Taking the insurance bet in Blackjack
If the dealer’s up-facing card is an ace, you’ll be offered insurance. This is a side bet separate from your original bet, and you win it only if the dealer has blackjack.
How insurance works and why it’s usually a bad bet
- Payout and limits: In most casinos, you can bet up to half your original bet on insurance, and it pays out at 2:1.
- Break-even at best:The best you can hope for with insurance is to break even – to cover your losses if the dealer does indeed have blackjack.
- The odds are against you: More often than not, taking insurance isn’t advantageous. The odds generally favor the dealer not having blackjack, making insurance a statistically losing bet in the long run.
When insurance might be a good idea (Advanced)
- Card counting:The main exception to the “avoid insurance” rule is if you’re using card counting. If you’ve been tracking the cards and are confident the remaining deck is very heavy in 10-value cards, insurance becomes a more appealing bet.
- Online play and pattern recognition:In online blackjack, if you suspect your opponent might be card counting (e.g., two 10s are showing), taking insurance could be a strategic move.
Insurance with Blackjack
Even if you’re dealt Blackjack, you might be offered “even money” instead of insurance. This pays 1:1, essentially guaranteeing your win. However, from a purely mathematical perspective, taking even money is usually not the most profitable choice.
Blackjack side bets
On top of Insurance, several side bets may be available on your table. Be wary: side bets have a higher house edge than the main game, meaning the casino is more likely to win your money in the long run. Regardless, these are the most popular:
- Lucky Lucky – Player hand and dealer’s up card sum to 19, 20, or 21
- Perfect Pairs – The player’s initial hand is a pair
- Royal Match – The player’s initial hand is suited, suited, and connected, or a suited K-Q
- 21+3 – The player’s initial hand plus the dealer’s card makes a flush, straight, or three-of-a-kind poker hand
- Lucky Ladies – The player’s initial hand totals 20
- In Bet – The dealer’s upcard is in between the value of the player’s two cards
- Bust It! – The first card drawn to the dealer will result in a dealer bust
- Match the Dealer – One or both of the player’s cards is the same as the dealer’s card
All these bets must be placed before the cards are dealt.
Instead of side bets, concentrate on mastering basic strategy and potentially card counting to improve your overall Blackjack odds.
The strategic surrender: Know when to fold in Blackjack
While the goal of Blackjack is to beat the dealer, sometimes the smartest move is to cut your losses. This is where the “Surrender” option comes into play. Available in some Blackjack variations, surrendering allows you to forfeit your hand after the initial deal and receive half of your original bet back.
When should you consider surrendering?
Surrendering is a strategic decision, not a sign of defeat. It’s most beneficial in specific situations where the odds are heavily stacked against you. It’s important to note that some casinos offer “early surrender,” allowing you to surrender before the dealer checks for Blackjack, which can be even more favorable to the player. However, not all Blackjack tables offer the surrender option. Always check the table rules before you play.
Here are some common scenarios where surrendering might be the best play:
- Dealer upcard is an Ace and you have a hard 16: A hard 16 (no Ace) is a weak hand, and the dealer having an Ace significantly increases their chances of making a strong hand (17 or higher).
- Dealer upcard is a 10, and you have a hard 15 or 16: Similar to the previous scenario, a 10 upcard for the dealer puts you at a significant disadvantage with a hard 15 or 16.
- Dealer upcard is a 9, and you have a hard 16:While not as clear-cut as the previous scenarios, surrendering with a hard 16 against a dealer’s 9 can be statistically advantageous, depending on the specific rules of the game.
Remember, surrendering means giving up any chance of winning the hand. However, in the long run, using the surrender option strategically can help you minimize losses and improve your overall Blackjack performance.
Advanced Blackjack strategy: Card-counting techniques
While basic strategy can significantly improve your Blackjack odds, card counting offers the potential to shift the advantage slightly in your favor. This advanced technique involves keeping track of the cards that have been dealt to estimate the composition of the remaining deck.
Card counting is legal when done using memory and mental calculations. However, casinos are private businesses and can refuse service or ban players suspected of card counting.
Here are some popular card-counting systems:
The Hi-Lo System
The Hi-Lo system is one of the most popular and accessible card-counting methods. It assigns a value to each card:
- High Cards (10-A): -1
- Neutral Cards (7-9): 0
- Low Cards (2-6): +1
As cards are dealt, you keep a running count. A higher count indicates more high cards remaining in the deck, which benefits the player.
A higher concentration of high cards increases the likelihood of the player getting Blackjack (and receiving a 3:2 payout) and makes it more likely the dealer will bust.
Wonging (Back Counting)
To succeed at blackjack, one must know the cards and count them. A card counter does just this by positioning him or herself behind or beside a dealer’s table to be able to watch all activities during play.
Named after gambling expert Stanford Wong, Wonging involves observing the game without playing until the count becomes favorable. Once the count is advantageous, the Wonger joins the table and plays aggressively until the count shifts back in the house’s favor. Once their advantage goes back to the house, players typically stop playing, then look for another spot with more advantageous odds.
The Zen Card System
The Zen Count is a more complex, two-level system that assigns values based on both rank and suit. It requires memorizing specific card combinations and their associated values, making it more challenging than the Hi-Lo system.
For this system, you’re going to want to memorize these numbers. If you can commit them all to memory and quickly recall them, you’ll have a powerful tool on your hands to help you win.
Basically, it is a two-level system, with cards worth:
- Plus or minus 1 point
- Plus or minus 2 points
In this system, the
- 8s & 9s: 0 (Do nothing)
- 2s, 3s & 7s: Add 1
- 4s, 5s & 6s: Add 2
- Aces: Subtract 1
- 10s & face cards (K, Q, J): Subtract 2
When you are ready to start counting cards with the Zen Count system, start by setting your value at 0 and then add up each card as seen from the above chart.
Omega II
The Omega II system is another variation of Hi-Lo, but it’s less common and might attract less attention from casino staff. It assigns values to cards based on their distance from the dealer’s upcard.
Using low-card layouts to your advantage
When card counting, pay close attention to the dealer’s upcard. If it’s a 7 or higher (a “high-card layout”), it’s generally advantageous to bet more conservatively. This is because high-card layouts are statistically more likely to result in a dealer win.
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FAQ about playing Blackjack
Here are answers to some common questions about Blackjack that go beyond the basics:
Why is Blackjack called Blackjack?When Blackjack first came to the US hundreds of years ago, many casinos decided to add some extra excitement to the game by offering 10-1 bonuses on winning hands including either the ace of spades, a jack of spades or a jack of clubs, or, in other words, a black jack.Whilst the aim of the game is to get to 21, winning with the bonus bet became hugely popular amongst fans of the card game – who then proceeded to refer to the entire game as ‘blackjack’. And even though casinos have since stopped issuing the bonus (although some now offer it in the form of a side bet), the name appears to have stuck.
Is Blackjack rigged?Reputable online casinos like Cloudbet use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure fair gameplay. These RNGs are regularly audited by independent third parties to guarantee fairness and randomness. In live dealer games, real cards and shuffling techniques are used, further ensuring a fair game.
Is Blackjack the same as 21?Yes, “21” is simply another name for Blackjack. The objective is to achieve a hand value as close to 21 as possible without going over.
Is Blackjack a 50/50 game?No, Blackjack is not a 50/50 game. While luck is a factor, skill plays a significant role. By mastering basic strategy and possibly even card counting, you can improve your odds against the house.
How do Blackjack tournaments work?Blackjack tournaments pit players against each other rather than the house. Players start with the same number of chips, and the goal is to have the most chips at the end of a set number of rounds or a specific time limit.
Why shouldn’t you split 10s?Splitting 10s is generally not recommended because a starting hand of 20 is very strong. Splitting them creates two weaker hands that are less likely to beat the dealer.
What is advantage play in Blackjack?Advantage play refers to techniques that skilled players use to gain an edge over the casino. This can include card counting, hole carding (trying to see the dealer’s downcard), and shuffle tracking. However, casinos actively try to prevent advantage play, and using these techniques can lead to being banned from playing.
What are composition-sensitive hands?Composition-sensitive hands are those whose value is significantly affected by the remaining cards in the deck. For example, a hand with multiple low cards (2s, 3s, 4s) becomes more valuable if many high cards have already been dealt.
What are positive and negative progressive betting systems?Positive and negative progressive betting systems are strategies used in various casino games, including Blackjack. Positive progression involves increasing your bet after a win to maximize profits during winning streaks, while negative progression involves raising bets after a loss to recover quickly. These systems add excitement but don’t change the game’s odds or house edge.
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