Blackjack Basic Strategy

Blackjack basic strategy

Interested in a table game like blackjack? When you play, you want to do so with a clear strategy! Here we will discuss the basic strategy that you use in blackjack. First, however, we briefly discuss the game of blackjack itself. After that, we go into detail about the basic strategy before drawing our conclusion about it. Finally, we answer a number of important questions about this topic. At the end of this article you will know exactly how to get started with blackjack and the correct strategy!

This is the game of blackjack

Blackjack is a card game. The aim of the game is to get as close to 21 points as possible with your cards, but not to go over. You want to beat the dealer to make a profit. Various values ​​are assigned to the cards and the game is played with a complete deck. For example, the Ace is worth 1 or 11 points as desired. The King, Queen and Jack are worth 10 points each. The rest of the cards are worth as much as the number printed on them.

Why choose a blackjack strategy?

You choose a blackjack strategy because it allows you to bet better and simply increases your chances of winning. A blackjack strategy is suitable for both novice and advanced players. In addition, it can be used freely both online and offline and you will notice that most other players do this. The good news is that there is one basic strategy that you apply to many variants and that is easy to understand. This way you don’t have to worry about the strategy and you can achieve optimal profit.

This is how the basic blackjack strategy works

The most commonly used blackjack strategy is what we call the basic strategy. You use a blackjack card that indicates what is the right decision at what time. You always have options and you win the game by consistently making the right choices. You can choose to take a card, but you can also pass, split or insure. By applying a blackjack strategy efficiently, you can significantly lower the house edge.

The blackjack card can be found below and it is easy to use. In general, the different possible hands are listed on the left of the card. At the top you see the different cards that the dealer can hold. The combination in the matrix now tells you what the best action is. If you have two of the same cards, separate advice applies. The value including the A is also stated separately. The different actions are abbreviated and usually shown in different colors. The legend tells you what the different characters mean, but the cards usually have a standard format. Online you of course have the option to choose a card that you find practical.

So there are mathematicians who have calculated exactly what the best option is for different hands. This way you can play as well as possible against the casino. Now we tell you which actions are a good idea in which cases. We also discuss splitting and doubling. If you have two cards with the same number, you always have the right to split them. This can be a useful strategy if you need to avoid going over a hand.

It is best to split if you have two Aces. This is especially good to do when you consider that there are relatively many 10s in play. That’s why it’s recommended by players to do this almost all the time. With cards under 8 it is rarely necessary to split, although the dealer’s hand is always relevant. Check the card for further instructions on what to do with each number and how the dealer’s hand affects it.

When to double depends first of all on the dealer’s card. There are fixed rules that have been laid down throughout Europe. In principle, doubling is only allowed if your cards together amount to a maximum of 9, 10 or 11 points. You can easily reach a maximum of 21. Of course you can combine splitting and doubling in most cases.

Counting cards

By counting cards you can make a profit during the Blackjack game. It takes some preparation and knowledge, but after that it is very effective. It is important that you keep an eye on whether cards are coming into the pot. You give these cards a positive or a negative value. All cards with a value of 10 get a +1 and the rest a -1. You can adjust your strategy accordingly and thus make a high chance of winning.

Conclusion

Always use the Blackjack strategy. This is the basic strategy for a reason and is used all over the world. Only if you are an advanced, or even almost professional blackjack player is it recommended to add personal adjustments to taste. Always try the Blackjack strategy first during a free game or, for example, during a game of live blackjack. This way you can get to know a specific variant in advance and avoid unnecessary losses.

Questions and answers about this strategy

  • Can I also use the Blackjack strategy as a beginner? Yes, that is even highly recommended! This way you can ensure that you win money immediately and do not play like a headless chicken. The blackjack strategy is simple enough for this.
  • Is it always allowed to use the Blackjack strategy? Yes, this is also highly recommended. There are personal blackjack schemes available at land-based casinos and on this page. In addition, you benefit from a reduction in the casino advantage. There are no restrictions online either. You can easily download the maps or it is provided by the online provider.
  • Do I make a guaranteed profit with a blackjack strategy? No, unfortunately that is not the case. You should realize that (online) casinos are commercial parties that ultimately make a profit on you. It is therefore recommended in most games to stop when you have won. That is actually the only way to win at the casino.

By Filip Mishevski

As a person that has been involved in the gambling industry for over 5 years, Filip knows all the tricks and trades of online casinos and casino games. He’s here to provide you with the best content and help you have a fun gaming experience. His specialities include online slots, gambling regulations, casino game strategies, bonuses and promotions and much more.