Expert Blackjack Strategy & Tips
This comprehensive online blackjack strategy guide is filled with helpful tips and useful strategies, from blackjack basics to advanced strategies that will enhance your winning potential.
Explore our list of premier online casinos for real money blackjack, featuring popular games like Double Deck blackjack and Perfect Pairs. Discover handy charts and detailed betting systems that will elevate your gameplay and maximize your odds and winnings.
Top Blackjack Tips When Betting Online
Before you hit the virtual tables, we recommend mastering the following strategic moves to supercharge your blackjack gameplay. Remember, these tips are for standard blackjack – be sure to check the game variations before playing online.
When To Double Down
In situations where you have a strong hand (typically 9, 10, or 11), doubling down allows you to wager double your original bet in exchange for receiving only one more card. This is a strategic move when the dealer’s up card is weak (typically 4, 5, or 6). Doubling down can significantly increase your chances of reaching a winning total.
Expert Tip: If you have a total of 11 and the dealer’s up card is a 6, it’s a perfect opportunity to double down.
When To Split
In blackjack, “splitting” means dividing a pair of cards of the same value into two separate hands, each requiring an additional bet. If you’re dealt a pair, such as two 8s, you can split them to create two individual hands.
Expert Tip: Always split Aces and 8s, as these pairs offer a poor starting value. Splitting allows you a chance at building two winning hands. Splitting Aces gives you a chance to start two hands with a strong value of 11, increasing your odds of winning both hands.
When Not To Split
While splitting seems advantageous, avoid splitting 10s! A pair of 10s is a fantastic starting hand, totaling 20. Splitting them creates two weaker hands, reducing your chance of winning.
When To Stand
In the game of blackjack, “standing” means choosing not to receive any more cards and keeping your current hand value. Once your hand value reaches 17 or higher, it’s generally wise to stand. Going above 17 increases the risk of busting (exceeding 21). The dealer must draw cards until reaching 17 or higher, so a strong hand, like 17+, puts you in a good position.
The 3 To 2 Rule
The 3:2 rule refers to the payout for a natural blackjack (your first two cards are an Ace and a ten-valued card). In the best casinos, a blackjack win pays 3 times your wager. This is a significant payout compared to simply winning a hand (which pays 1:1).
What Is A Push?
A push occurs when your hand value ties the dealer’s final value. In this case, you neither win nor lose your bet; it’s a tie.
How To Get The Best Odds
Look for blackjack variations with a single deck (fewer cards benefit the player) and offer a 3:2 payout for blackjack.
Tip:
Consider online casinos with low minimum bets to practice your strategy before playing for high stakes.
Online Blackjack Strategies
If you’re looking to improve your blackjack gameplay and increase your chances of winning, there are some strategies that you should keep in mind. Mastering these top strategies will help you make informed decisions and ensure a rewarding betting experience:
Card Rankings
Understanding card rankings is essential in blackjack. It involves understanding the relative value of the cards in play at any given moment. By tracking dealt cards, you can adjust your strategy accordingly.
Example: If numerous high-value cards are dealt, the dealer is less likely to “bust” (meaning exceed 21), prompting you to consider standing on a lower-hand total.
Knowing When To Surrender
Surrendering is when players abandon their hand and receive back half of their bet. Mastering this strategy is key to minimizing losses in unfavorable circumstances.
Example: If you have a hand total of 16 and the dealer’s up card is a 10, making the call to surrender can prevent more losses in a situation where the odds of winning are unlikely.
Consider The House Edge
The House Edge in blackjack refers to the statistical advantage the casino holds over players in each game variation.
Example: Single-deck games generally offer better odds for players due to the reduced number of cards, lowering the house edge. Conversely, six-deck games tend to favour the house, increasing the house edge and making it more challenging for players to consistently win. Free bet blackjack, for example, has an average house edge of 1.04%.
Understanding Las Vegas Rules
Las Vegas Rules offer a favorable player advantage and typically involve six to eight decks. Understanding these rules can greatly influence your blackjack strategy and success:
- Dealer stands on a soft 17
- Doubling down on split cards permitted
- Multiple splits allowed
- Only one card is allowed after splitting Aces
- Insurance is available: When the dealer’s up card is an Ace, players can opt for insurance, betting on the dealer having a blackjack. If the dealer does have a blackjack, the insurance bet pays 2:1, offsetting losses on the initial bet.
What Is The Safest Blackjack Betting Strategy?
Knowing When to Surrender is often considered the safest strategy in blackjack. Surrendering provides a straightforward way to mitigate potential losses, when the odds of winning are slim, without the complexities of other strategies.
Blackjack Strategy Chart
Alternative Strategy Card – Dealer Hits on Soft-17
Is It Better To Play At A Full Table?
Playing at a full table in blackjack offers advantages beyond just increasing social interaction.
Example: Observing other players’ strategies can provide valuable insights into various approaches to the game, helping you refine your gameplay. Additionally, a full table can create a more dynamic gaming environment, allowing for a broader range of strategies to be observed and tested.
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Expert Tip: Practice For Free At Ignition Casino
To improve your chances of winning at online blackjack, it’s a good idea to practice your strategies before betting real money. Many casinos offer free play or practice modes, which can help you learn the game and refine your betting systems.
Ignition Casino is one of our top recommended online casinos for blackjack, and it offers free play. This will allow you to become familiar with the game’s various betting systems and rules, as well as different game variations, before you start playing for higher stakes or try the live dealer format.
Card Counting Blackjack Tips
Mastering the basic blackjack strategies we’ve covered above opens the door to more advanced techniques, like card counting. This strategy involves assigning values to cards, tracking their distribution during gameplay, and adjusting betting accordingly.
Basics Of Card Counting
Here’s a breakdown of the basics:
Each card is assigned a value, typically using the Hi-Lo method, where cards 2-6 are counted as +1, 7-9 as 0, and 10-Ace as -1.
As cards are dealt, players add or subtract these values to keep track of the remaining high or low cards in the deck.
This count informs betting decisions based on the probability of drawing favorable cards, like tens and aces, before the deck is reshuffled.
Once a deck is reshuffled, you start your count all over again.
Mastering card counting requires practice, as it involves mental calculations and memorization.
The table below shows the values assigned in some of the more common card-counting strategies:
| Counting Strategy | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10-K | A | Count Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hi-Lo | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | -1 | 1 |
| Hi-Lo Option I | 0 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 | 1 |
| Hi-Lo Option II | +1 | +1 | +2 | +2 | +1 | +1 | 0 | 0 | -2 | 0 | 2 |
| KO | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | 0 | 0 | -1 | -1 | 1 |
| Omega II | +1 | +1 | +2 | +2 | +2 | +1 | 0 | -1 | -2 | 0 | 2 |
| Red 7 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | 0/ +1 | 0 | 0 | -1 | -1 | 1 |
| Halves | +0.5 | +1 | +1 | +1.5 | +1 | +0.5 | 0 | -0.5 | -1 | -1 | 3 |
| Zen Count | +1 | +1 | +2 | +2 | +2 | +1 | 0 | 0 | -2 | -1 | 2 |
| 10 Count | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | -2 | +1 | 2 |
How To Count Cards In Blackjack
In card counting, each card is assigned a value, typically using the Hi-Lo method, which is the easiest to learn and gives these values:
- 2-6 are counted = +1
- 7-9 = 0
- 10-Ace = -1
As cards are dealt (whether from your hand, the dealers’, or any other players’ hand at the table), you mentally add or subtract these values to track the remaining high or low cards in the deck.
Example: If you see a 5, you mentally add +1 to your count.
How Card Counting Helps
Card counting can improve your chances of winning in blackjack by providing you with valuable insight into the composition of the remaining deck. When successfully implemented, card counting can significantly reduce the house advantage — the casino’s statistical edge over players — giving players a competitive edge at the table.
Example: When the count indicates an excess of high-value cards, such as tens and aces remaining in the deck, players are more likely to get natural blackjacks (an Ace and a ten-value card). Conversely, as low cards are played, the count decreases, indicating more unfavorable outcomes.
Card Counting Considerations
While card counting is possible in land-based casinos with physical decks and live dealer games, it’s largely ineffective online due to RNGs (random number generators) and continuous shuffling machines. However, you may have more luck with online live dealer blackjack games. Online live dealers, who deal from a shoe (the device the dealer draws the cards from) offer opportunities for card counting.
TIP: It’s worth noting that card counting is not illegal in land-based casinos. However, the casinos do their best to prevent its use by banning anyone caught doing it. It’s highly recommended to memorize and practice this advanced strategy before attempting it.
When To Try Card Counting
Card counting in blackjack is most effective at an in-person casino when more large cards remain in the deck.
Examples:
- If lots of low cards have been dealt and more high cards are left, this presents a good opportunity to use card counting.
- If your count is particularly high, for example, +4 or above, it is time to start aggressively doubling down or increasing your bet.
This strategy increases the chances of getting a blackjack, makes the dealer hit on a weak hand, and gives players better odds of getting favorable cards while splitting. Conversely, when there are more smaller cards left in the deck, the dealer is less likely to bust, which makes card counting less advantageous.
Betting Systems For Blackjack
Blackjack betting systems are ways to place strategic bets that can enhance your gameplay and increase your chances of success. Here are the top systems:
Flat Betting
Flat betting involves consistently wagering the same amount on each hand, regardless of wins or losses. It’s suitable for players aiming for a stable, long-term approach, and helps to manage bankroll and minimize losses during cold streaks.
Progressive Betting: Positive & Negative
Martingale
The Martingale system is a negative progressive betting system. This involves doubling your bet after each loss, aiming to recover losses and make a profit with a subsequent win. It’s best used with even-money bets and requires a substantial bankroll to withstand potential losing streaks.
Expert Tip: Start with a conservative base bet and have a sizable bankroll to withstand potential losing streaks.
Paroli/Reverse Martingale
Paroli, or Reverse Martingale, is a positive progression betting system. This involves doubling bets after wins, aiming to ride winning streaks and maximize profits. It’s suitable for players who prefer capitalizing on hot streaks rather than chasing losses
One Half Up
One Half Up is a conservative betting system where players increase their bets by half after each win. It aims to protect profits while gradually increasing bets during winning streaks, minimizing losses during losing streaks.
Oscar’s Grind
Oscar’s Grind is a slow, steady betting system where players increase bets by one unit after each win until reaching a predetermined profit goal. It’s designed to exploit winning streaks while limiting losses during choppy sessions.
Expert Tip: Exercise patience and stick to the predetermined betting progression to gradually accumulate profits over time.
Fibonacci
The Fibonacci system follows the Fibonacci sequence, where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones. Bets are based on this sequence, increasing after losses and decreasing after wins. It’s suitable for players who prefer a more gradual betting progression.
Labouchère
The Labouchère system involves creating a sequence of numbers that represent desired profit. Bets are placed based on this sequence, with stakes determined by adding the first and last numbers. It’s a more complex system, requiring careful bankroll management and patience.
D’Alembert
D’Alembert is a balanced betting system where players increase bets by one unit after losses and decrease by one unit after wins. It’s a relatively low-risk system, ideal for players seeking a more conservative approach to betting.
Expert Tip: Maintain discipline and avoid aggressive bet size adjustments by adhering to the gradual increase and decrease in bets after wins and losses.
2-1-2 (Manhattan)
The 2-1-2, or Manhattan, system involves increasing bets by two units after a win, decreasing by one unit after a loss, and returning to the base unit after each win. It provides a structured approach to betting, aiming to capitalize on winning streaks while mitigating losses.
Live Dealer Blackjack Tips
Live dealer online blackjack brings the excitement of a real casino to the comfort of your home. Unlike in-person casino play, online blackjack offers the convenience of RNG-based games or the immersive experience of live dealer technology, where human dealers host interactive games streamed in real-time. Ignition Casino is our recommended online casino for live dealer blackjack.
Here are our top tips to maximize your online live dealer blackjack experience:
Know The Rules
Familiarize yourself with the specific rules of the live dealer blackjack variant you’re playing online, including table limits, payout structures, and any side bets offered. Understanding when you can double down or split pairs can significantly impact your strategy.
Don’t Place Insurance Bets
Avoid insurance bets in live dealer blackjack online, as they typically have a high house edge and are considered unfavorable in the long run. Instead, we recommend focusing on playing basic strategy and making strategic decisions based on your hand and the dealer’s up card.
Look At The Dealer’s Up Card
Pay close attention to the dealer’s up card, as it can influence your decisions on whether to hit, stand, double down, or split pairs.
Example: If the dealer’s up card is a weak card, like a 2 or 3, it may indicate a higher likelihood of the dealer busting, influencing your strategy.
Place Small Bets To Warm Up
Start with smaller bets to familiarize yourself with the live dealer environment and gameplay dynamics. This will allow you to build confidence and adjust to the pace of the game, before increasing your wager size.
Don’t Share Personal Information
In live dealer blackjack online, you can maintain privacy and focus on the game by avoiding sharing personal information or engaging in unrelated conversations during gameplay. Interactions with the dealer and other players should be courteous, but limited to blackjack-related matters.
Stay Focused
Maintain concentration throughout the game to make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Minimize distractions and prioritize analyzing your hand and the dealer’s up card to optimize your strategy and maximize your chances of winning.
Wait Until The Shoe Is Over
Refrain from joining or leaving the game in the middle of a shoe to avoid disrupting the flow of gameplay for other participants. Wait until the shoe is over and a new one begins before making any changes to your participation.
Play Smart, Not Bold
Recognize that your decisions impact not only your own gameplay but also that of other players in live dealer blackjack online. Play strategically and avoid reckless moves that could negatively affect everyone’s experience, such as taking unnecessary risks or deviating from basic strategy.
Where To Play Blackjack Online
If you´re ready to get started, we recommend reading our guide to playing online blackjack for real money. It includes our top five casino recommendations, best bonuses, blackjack variations, and how to find a good online blackjack casino.
Online Blackjack Etiquette
Blackjack is a timeless classic. Accordingly, etiquette remains important, even in the online realm. When engaging in online live dealer blackjack, here is a list of our top considerations:
Glossary Of Blackjack Terms
| Blackjack Term | Definition | Blackjack Term | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorman | The person that is seated next to the dealer who is the last of the players to act. | Bankroll | The sum of total of money that you have set aside to bet on blackjack. |
| Burn Card | This is the card that is placed face down by the dealer before dealing the first card to the first player. | Bust | This either means that you have run out of money in your bankroll or that you have a blackjack hand that is over 21. Either way, you want to avoid going bust when it comes to blackjack. |
| Card Counting | The act of tracking cards in a deck to figure out the likelihood of the dealer going over 21. | Cold Deck | If a blackjack player is running into a streak of bad cards, they sometimes refer to this misfortune as a cold deck. |
| Color Up | The act of trading in a lot of low-value chips in for higher denominations. | Cut Card | The act of the one blackjack player splitting the deck in half for the dealer to ensure everything is thoroughly shuffled. |
| Deck Penetration | This is important blackjack strategy for card counters. Penetration refers to the percentage of blackjack cards that are in play following the previous shuffle. | Discards | These are all the cards that have been dealt and lie in a pile waiting to be reshuffled and brough back into the deck. |
| Double Down | This is a blackjack strategy where the player can double their bet in a moment when the dealer looks weak. You double your bet but are limited to getting only one more card. | Face Card | Face cards are the jacks, queens, and kings. |
| Flat Bets | This is when a player bets the same amount every round. It makes for a boring betting experience. | Griffin Book | This is a black book of known card counters that has been compiled by security workers at land-based casinos. |
| Hard Hand | Because the ace functions as an 11 or a 1, blackjack hands can take on two values. A hard hand is one that has no ace and is, therefore, worth only one value. | Heads Up | This is where there is only one player at the blackjack table. |
| Hit | Asking the dealer for another card to add to your hand. | House Edge | This is the supposed advantage that the house has in a given casino game. In the case of blackjack, it is slightly over 1%. The house edge can be brought down with the use of a basic blackjack strategy. |
| Insurance | A side bet offered to players when the dealer’s up card is an ace. | Multi Deck | Many casinos will utilized over five decks of cards for their blackjack games. |
| Natural | This is the perfect hand when you play blackjack. It is two cards that are exactly equal to 21. | Paint | This is blackjack jargon for face cards: kings, queens, and jacks. |
| Pit | The area of the casino where you sit to play blackjack. | Push | Tying with the dealer. There is no win or loss as a result of the push. |
| Shoe | The device that holds multiple decks of cards from which the dealer draws. | Soft Hand | These are blackjack hands that have one or two aces that can act as either an 11 or a 1. |
| Split | If you have two cards of the same value, you can split them into two separate hands. This matches your initial wager. | Stand | The act of not taking another card from the dealer. |
| Surrender | This is the act of abandoning your hand and getting back half of your bet. | Toke | A tip to the staff of a land-based casino. |
| Up Card | This is the dealer’s one face up card. You can use this information to form your basic strategy. |
Responsible Gambling
We encourage you to gamble responsibly and consider online betting as a form of entertainment, not a source of income. Set loss limits and time limits, and don’t bet more than you’re comfortable losing.
Here are some resources to help you, or someone you care about, gamble responsibly and get help:
Online Blackjack Tips & Strategies Takeaways
This guide has walked you through everything you need to know when it comes to mastering online blackjack betting tips and strategies. From laying the groundwork with a basic strategy to mastering advanced techniques like card counting and betting systems, we’ve stacked the odds in your favour.
Ignition Casino is our top pick for live dealer online blackjack, and offers a royal flush of features. The Sports Geek is here to help you sharpen your skills and embrace the thrill of the game. Good luck! We’re rooting for you!
