Want to increase your odds of winning in blackjack, whether you’re playing at a casino or from the comfort of your home? Here are a few simple rules collected from the advice given by online players. Paying attention to just a few things will help you reduce the houses edge and improve your chances of going away with a little bit of money. No gambling tip will ever be a sure thing, but if you know what you’re doing, there are some pitfalls you can avoid.
If you have a nine or lower, it’s time to hit. A ten or eleven means you should double down, as long as your cards add up to more than the up card the dealer is showing. If that’s not the case, hit. If you have twelve through sixteen, hit if the dealers card is seven or higher. Otherwise, just stand. Stand on seventeen or higher, too. These are most likely to get you the best results in ordinary blackjack.
If you’re playing with soft hands, things get a little different. What’s a soft hand? When you can use an ace as an eleven instead of a one, that’s what’s going on. A soft sixteen, for instance, would be an ace and a six. If you have numbers between thirteen and eighteen in this playing style, double down if the dealer has five or six as an up card. Seventeen or lower should be a hit, and eighteen should be a hit if the dealers card is six or lower. If the dealer has seven or more, stand. Stand when your cards add up to seventeen or higher as well. When it comes to pairs, there are a few rules as well. Never split tens, fours, or fives, but always split aces and eights, as well as all other pairs if the dealer has an up card of six or less.
That’s just some basic blackjack strategy. However, there are a few other things to remember, too. Check out players and tables to find a fun, fast paced playing environment that offers minimal interruption and interference. If you’re playing in person, avoid drunk players. If you’re online or at a casino, slow players are also an issue.
Don’t take insurance unless you’re an experienced card counter, and manage your bankroll carefully to get the most fun for the amount of money you have. Don’t sit down at any table where the bet size is more than a twentieth of your bankroll. Your risk is lessened and you’ll keep your money longer. This applies to lots of other games, too. Treat everyone with courtesy and respect, including the dealer, and make sure to have fun!
