Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack is widely regarded as the world's most popular casino card game. This table game, which has popularized the number 21, is one of the most recognizable, along with roulette, even to those who are not casino gamblers.

Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack is that rare table game in which the odds can be turned almost entirely to your favor. Conveniently, you can alter your bet halfway through a game if you believe you have a potentially winning hand. Reliably, a fluctuating house edge moves along your skill level in game play; also, subscribers to what is known in blackjack as "basic strategy" believe the house edge can become virtually non-existent.

Blackjack Basic Strategy

"Basic strategy" is arguably the most popular term associated with blackjack strategies. And like a casino champion having both fans and detractors, some blackjack players believe that basic strategy is all you need to know to win the game while others think it leaves something else to desired. Basic strategy is a statistical method of assessing an action given a game situation in blackjack. It theorizes that, given the variables governing game play—like the number of decks in a shoe or specific table rules, it is possible to determine what moves are statistically profitable in the long term. Commonly, basic strategy is presented in a chart that indicates when it is good to hit, stand, split, or double down; and you need simply look up the chart to be guided into maximizing your wins. Here is the lowdown:

Applying basic strategy to the letter can reduce the house edge to lower than 1%.

Playing blackjack solely on instinct, and disregarding basic strategy, can raise the house edge to 3% up to 6%.

Mimicking the dealer, rather than using basic strategy, can increase your expected loss 10 times over. Dealers hit all 16s, stand on all 17s, and never split or double down. Instead, always stand on a hard total of 17 or more, or a soft total of 19 or more.

To determine a suitable bankroll, multiply your normal bet by 40.

Being dealt an Ace as your first card right away gives you an advantage of 52% over the house.