Blackjack offers great odds compared to other casino games. By using proper blackjack strategy, you can decrease the house edge and potentially walk away a winner. Master these tips from the experts at Official CasinoUSA to beat the house at blackjack.
Learn the basic strategy for what to do based on your hand versus the dealer’s upcard. Train with a strategy card until these moves become second nature. Avoid common mistakes like hitting 17s.
Careful bankroll management will keep you in action longer. Take advantage of blackjack bonuses and loyalty programs. With practice and discipline, you can overcome the house advantage.
Learn Basic Strategy
Memorizing a basic strategy chart is crucial. This tells you the optimal move for each hand situation – when to hit, stand, double, split, or surrender based on your cards and the dealer’s upcard.
Having a printed strategy card at the table ensures you make the statistically best decision each hand. Never deviate from basic strategy even if you “have a hunch.” Trust the math.
Online blackjack trainers are helpful for drilling basic strategy until these moves become second nature and you can play perfectly without the chart.
Know When to Split Pairs
When dealt a pair, splitting your cards into two hands often increases your odds of winning at least one hand. Here are the pairs you should always split:
- 8s
- Aces
- 2s (if dealer has 2-7)
Aces should always be re-split too. Avoid splitting 5s and 10s even though the option exists.
Double Down at the Right Times
Doubling your bet is advised when your starting hand totals 9-11 versus weaker dealer upcards like 5 or 6 since the odds favor you. Make sure the rules allow doubling after splits.
Hard totals of 10 like 8/2 are ideal for doubling down. Be selective when doubling soft hands like A/5.
Understand Soft and Hard Hands
Having an Ace gives you a “soft hand” since the Ace counts as 1 or 11. With a soft hand like A/5, it is safer to hit versus a hard hand like 6/5.
Memorize the proper plays for soft hands, as the strategy differs from hard hands. Learning when to leverage the Ace as 1 or 11 takes practice.
Choose Tables with Player-Friendly Rules
Rules like allowing late surrender, re-splitting Aces, and hitting/doubling after splits favor the player. Seek out games with fewer decks, lower minimums, and generous payouts.
Official CasinoUSA identifies the best blackjack casinos and tables based on favorable rules and low house edge.
Learn Simple Card Counting
Card counting tracks the ratio of high to low cards left in the deck. You increment a count as high cards are played, and decrement as low cards are dealt.
A higher count means more high cards are left in the shoe favoring the player. Adjust your bet up when the count is high.
Know the House Edge
The house edge ranges from 0.5% for a liberal game with favorable rules up to 2% for restrictive rules. Single-deck blackjack has the lowest house edge when played perfectly.
Reduce the house edge by making optimal strategy plays, capitalizing on player-friendly rules, and avoiding side bets.
Manage Your Bankroll Smartly
Set betting limits, stop playing after hitting goals, and avoid chasing losses. Spreading bets over multiple hands reduces volatility.
Never take insurance. Avoid side bets. Stop when card counting loses efficacy as the shoe depletes. Bankroll management maximizes playtime.
Take Advantage of Bonuses
From signup bonuses to free bet offers, blackjack bonuses allow you to overcome the house edge and potentially walk away a winner.
Loyalty programs offer cashback and rewards to help recoup losses. Reload bonuses give your bankroll a boost when adding more funds.
Brush Up with a Blackjack Trainer
If basic strategy doesn’t come naturally at first, software trainers help reinforce the right moves through repeated practice hands.
Trainers grade your accuracy, track where you deviate from optimal play, and allow drills until hitting 100% on your strategy.
Trust the Strategy Long-Term
Sticking to basic strategy, even when you lose hands, provides the best statistical results over hundreds of hands. Avoid hunches and unwise deviations.
While card counting shifts the odds in your favor, for casual play basic strategy brings you closest to even with the house over time.
Explore Blackjack Variants
For variety, try blackjack variants like Single Deck, Double Exposure, Spanish 21, Switch, and Blackjack Switch. Different rules change the optimal strategies.
European Blackjack Gold Series allows splitting up to 4 hands. Blackjack Surrender has late surrender options. Mix up games to keep learning.
Mastering blackjack strategy takes diligence and practice. But doing so means you can be a savvy player ready to beat the house. Start with our top tips, and may good cards be on your side.
