If you are a fan of casino games, then you must have heard of blackjack. It is one of the most popular card games in both land-based and online casinos.
However, winning at blackjack is not just about luck; it requires strategy. In this article, we will discuss what the blackjack strategy is and how it can help you improve your chances of winning.
Exclusive BlackJack Casino Offers:
What Is Blackjack?
Blackjack, also known as twenty-one, is a card game that involves comparing cards between the dealer and players. The objective of the game is to have a hand value of 21 or close to 21 without exceeding it.
Aces count as either 1 or 11 points, while face cards (King, Queen, and Jack) count as ten points. The remaining cards have their face value.
The Basic Strategy
The basic strategy in blackjack involves making decisions based on the dealer’s up-card and your own hand value. This strategy is mathematically proven to give you the best chance of winning in the long run.
The first step in basic strategy is to always assume that the dealer’s down-card has a value of ten points because there are more cards with ten-point values (10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings) than any other card value in a deck.
The second step is to check your hand value against the dealer’s up-card to decide whether to hit (take another card), stand (keep your current hand), split (divide your pair into two hands), or double down (double your bet and take one more card).
For example:
– If you have a hand value of 12-16 points and the dealer’s up-card is 2-6 points, then you should stand because there is a high chance that the dealer will bust.
– If you have a pair of Aces or 8s, then you should always split because it gives you a better chance of getting a strong hand.
– If you have a hand value of 9-11 points, then you should double down if the dealer’s up-card is 2-9 points because it increases your chance of getting a strong hand.
Card Counting Strategy
Card counting is another popular blackjack strategy that involves keeping track of the cards that have been dealt to determine the probability of getting specific cards. This strategy can give you an edge over the house because it helps you make more informed decisions on when to hit, stand, or double down.
The most common card counting system is the Hi-Lo system, where cards with a value of 2-6 are assigned +1 point, cards with a value of 7-9 are assigned 0 points, and cards with a value of 10-Ace are assigned -1 point. As the game progresses, you keep adding or subtracting these values to get the running count.
Once you have the running count, you divide it by the number of decks remaining to get the true count. The true count is what tells you how favorable the remaining deck is for player hands. When the true count is high, it means that there are more ten-point cards left in the deck, which favors players.
Conclusion
In conclusion, blackjack is not just about luck; it requires strategy. The basic strategy involves making decisions based on your hand value and the dealer’s up-card while card counting involves keeping track of the cards dealt to determine their probability. By using these strategies in combination with proper bankroll management and discipline, you can improve your chances of winning at blackjack and walk away from the table with more money in your pocket.
