How to Use a Basic Blackjack Strategy

blackjack

Blackjack is a card game where you play against the dealer. It may seem a bit different, but it’s not hard to learn the rules and use a strategy to win. The odds of winning are based on the cards you have and what the dealer has, but there is also an element of luck involved in the game.

The most basic strategy involves learning which moves to make based on the value of your hand and what the dealer has shown. We have charts on our site that explain these basic moves, so you can get a feel for what to do at any stage in the game.

Stand (Stay, Stick): When you have a high hand with a low dealer card, stick to it. It can be a good idea to do this when the dealer’s card is high and the chances of winning are low, or if you think that they will bust after your next card.

Hit: When the dealer’s upcard is an ace, you should consider hitting. This will give you a better chance of winning, but it will also have a slightly higher risk of losing.

Pair Splitting: When your hand contains a pair, you can “split it” into two separate hands, making them each double your original bet. To do this, you move a second bet equal to the first into the betting box next to your original bet.

The dealer will then draw a new card for each hand you make, and you’ll get to decide which of the two to keep or discard. If you’re lucky, you might get to draw a third card.

Surrender: This is an option available only at some casinos, but it’s one of the best ways to minimize your house edge. It’s a bit of a risk, but if you believe that you’re not going to win the next hand, it can be worth it.

Counting Cards: This is another popular strategy used by blackjack players. By counting the cards that come out of the deck, players can determine whether there are more small or larger cards in the deck. This will help them determine which bets to make and how much they should bet.

Know Your Limit: It’s important to know the limit on your bet before playing. If you don’t, it can be easy to lose too much money. You should aim to bet a reasonable amount of money each time you play, and never exceed it.

Losing streaks: It’s normal to have bad beats at blackjack. You might be tempted to overbet when you’re losing, but this can lead to big losses.

Keeping cool is always important in blackjack, and it’s a good idea to not become anxious when you’re losing. Getting stressed can change your mind and affect your decisions, which can lead to losing even more money.