Mastering Basic BlackJack Strategy

Everyone knows that casino games are, at their core, games of chance. As far as pure maths, chances are that over time your bankroll will slowly be eroded. However, you might make a big score every now and then, plus, if you’re able to utilize proven strategies, you could have excellent short bursts of wins.

Indeed, if you learn the game of blackjack inside and out, you should be able to eke out a small profit. Everyone may go to the casino to get lucky, but at the higher levels, casino games strategy is a lot more about skill. If you put in the time and effort required to learn basic blackjack strategy, you might be able to rake in the big bucks.

Looking to learn when to hit, stand, and double down? Here are a few pointers that should set you on your way.

Play Against the Dealer

Everyone knows the basics of blackjack hands – middling hands like 12s and 13s are deadly, higher ones like 20 and 21 are pure gold, and anything over that, you’re busted. But you can’t make decisions about the strength of your own hand in a vacuum – you need to consider the strength of the dealer’s hand as well.

For example, if the dealer’s up card is a low one (anything between 2 and 6), this is a great situation for you and you have no need to be aggressive. Even if your own hand looks very weak (e.g., say, a 13) you can stand, knowing that your opponent could easily hit and go over 21. Let the dealer’s odds dictate your own. There’s no shame in winning a hand with a subpar holding. In fact, that’s half the fun of it.

Double Down When It Makes the Most Sense

Much of your profit at the blackjack table will come from knowing when to double down, maximizing your winnings when you’re ahead. You almost always want to double down when you’re holding a 10 or an 11, since you’re very likely to hit a card with a 10 value to give you 20 or 21 after you hit. Indeed, you want to push your edge as much as possible in that situation. Be careful not to double down, however, when your opponent’s hand is just as strong as yours. If you have 10 and the dealer is showing a 10 of their own, you’re not a favorite. Remember, you need to beat the dealer, not tie.

You can also double down on lower hands in certain situations. An 8 or 9 might be strong enough, if the dealer is showing a low card and is thus likely to bust.

Know When in Blackjack It’s Best to Split

If you’re dealt two of the same card, splitting can be a good way to maximize your earnings. It’s not always the best idea, though. Imagine if you have two 3s and the dealer is showing a 9. In this situation, you could easily split, then hit on both 3s and lose both hands. All of a sudden you’ve lost two bets instead of one. In an unfavorable situation like that, it’s best simply to hit your 6 and cut your losses. If you’re holding higher cards, though, or the dealer has lower ones, splitting is much more likely to help you get ahead. So, in a nutshell, it pays to know when you should split pairs in blackjack.

Blackjack is a great casino game for the math-oriented gambler. Learning basic blackjack strategy doesn’t take long, and it can quickly make you into a winner. Study up today, and you might strike it rich tomorrow at O'Town Casino