Blackjack is one of the most popular table games played in both online casinos and offline casinos. Despite being a simple game, blackjack can be intimidating to new gamers.
If you are a newbie, or it has been a while since you have played, and you want to brush up on your skills, we have you covered. We have taken some time to put together a guide to teach you everything you could ever need to know to be a good blackjack player.
All games are designed in different ways, which is the blackjack case. When you first approach a blackjack table, you will see a placard with a specific set of rules for that table.
The casino can choose different ways to run the game, and it is essential to know these ways so you can select the table that suits your style and preferences. The different rules affect how a game is played, the house edge, and the speed of play.
Below are some tips on how to play blackjack.
Play Basic Strategy
Knowing the right way to hit, split, stand, and double down your hand is a must.
- Stand when your hand is 12-16 when the dealer has 2-6.
- Always split Aces and 8s
- Hit when your hand is 12-16 when the dealer has 7-Ace
- Hit or double Aces-6
- Double 11 versus the dealer’s 2-10
Avoid Playing Insurance
Unless you are counting cards, don’t play Insurance. Playing Insurance essentially means placing another bet with new money based on whether the dealer has blackjack. With an insurance bet, the house has almost a 6% advantage over the gamer. And even if you have a blackjack, you will only win your original bet. If the dealer and the gamer have the blackjack, it is a push—no win, no lose.
Start Small
Wait to start placing big bets if you just arrived at a table. Start small to gauge whether the dealer is ‘hot’ or ‘cold.’ The casino will never stop, but you do. Hot and cold streaks affect the player significantly.
Consider the Dealer’s Up Card
Before you can start playing, check the dealer-up card. Is it 2 through 6 (bad) or 7 through Ace (good)? The dealer’s card makes all the difference and influences the action a player should take.
Avoid Side Bets
Most blackjack games have one or more side bets. Most of these bets are designed with a higher house edge than the regular blackjack game.
It is not easy to determine whether a side bet is good. Most side bets have a higher house edge than the regular game; thus, it is recommended to avoid them.
The tips listed here are a good starting point for anyone that wishes to play this game. Most of these tips are helpful to online gamers as well. Look for matches with reasonable rules when playing blackjack and use the best strategy. Consider learning to count cards if you want to try to turn the tables in the casino.
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