Blackjack is a straightforward game at its core, but the better you get at it, the more complex it becomes. Practicing the Blackjack strategy can take a beginner from a beginner level to a level where they can consistently win money at both online and brick-and-mortar casinos. More advanced techniques like card counting and betting strategies can improve your game to the point where you can reduce the casino’s inherent advantage and increase your chances of winning even more. Anyone can learn how to play Blackjack, but practice is required to become completely comfortable with Blackjack strategy and card counting techniques and apply them correctly under pressure. This guide will walk you through basic Blackjack strategy, how to count cards in Blackjack, and the best ways to practice Blackjack strategy online and offline without losing money while you learn.
Blackjack Strategy Practice
- Basic Blackjack Strategy is one of the first tools any potential player needs. In essence, the Blackjack strategy is a guide to making decisions based on the cards in your hand and the dealer’s cards.
- 90JILI’s “Advanced Blackjack Strategy Guide” will explain in detail how the charts work, but essentially you have four main decisions to make with each hand:
- If the casino allows it, should you fold?
- If you are dealt a pair of identical cards, should you split them?
- Should you double down?
- Should you hit more cards or stand?
Split Card Strategy
If you are dealt a pair of identical cards, you can split them and play them into two separate hands for double your initial bet. However, not all pairs should be split, and a good Blackjack strategy chart can tell you when to stand and when to split. For example, you should always split two 8s because 16 is a weak hand if the dealer can stand on 16. You should also always split two Aces, because each Ace counts as either 1 or 11, so a pair of Aces is only worth 12 and you risk getting BUSTED if you draw more cards. If you split them, you have a good chance of drawing a 10 card, and any higher-value card will give you a hand stronger than 12.
On the other hand, if you have a pair of 10s, never split them, as you are more likely to be dealt cards lower than an Ace for each hand, so you will likely end up with two weaker hands instead of the original strong 20.
Double Strategy
After the first two cards are dealt and you can see the dealer’s up card, you have the opportunity to double down and receive an additional card. The cards in your hand and the dealer’s up card will determine whether doubling down is a good idea. A Blackjack strategy chart will tell you which hands offer the best advantage, so you can double down and win more in the long run. For example, if you have a hard 9, and the dealer’s up card is a 6 or lower (but not an Ace), you cannot be busted on the next card, but the dealer must continue to hit until he reaches 17. This means that you have a better chance of winning the hand than the dealer, so it makes sense to double down for better returns. There is no guarantee that every opportunity to double down will result in a win, but following this strategy will result in more wins over time.
Practice Blackjack Strategy Online
You can play Blackjack online for free to practice your strategy, but if you want to learn how to count cards, Live Casino is the best option. Live Casino Blackjack is played against real dealers in real-time, using high-definition live streaming technology.
Live Casino games are not usually free to play, but you can access the table if you have an account at the casino and watch other players. If you spot a player using a good Blackjack strategy, you can bet with them, essentially betting on them winning.
When you’re ready to test your Blackjack strategy and try your hand at card counting, Live Casino offers you the closest online version to the real casino experience. Live Casino Blackjack is typically played with eight decks. The best Blackjack card counting systems will teach you how to keep a running total simply and how to adjust the count to match the number of decks in play.
Although it may sound complicated, any player with the time and patience can learn how to count cards in Blackjack. All you need is a card counting system that works for you and is easy to remember, then practice it until you get the hang of it.