Blackjack has long been one of the most popular table games at the casino. Online blackjack has you play against the dealer or a computer and an RNG (random number generator), where you make every call and put your skill and luck on the table.
The game has a low house edge, and when you learn how to play blackjack properly, you can further reduce the house edge to give yourself the best chance of winning. Below we will reveal the best ways to win at blackjack.
Pick the Right Blackjack Table
There are many versions of blackjack, and tables offering better odds than others. You should explore all the blackjack table options and find the game with the most favourable rules. Picking a table that pays 3 – 2 when you hit blackjack is a must, any other version should not be considered.
The table you pick should have the dealer stand on 17. If you are working on a blackjack card counting strategy, the fewer decks in play at the blackjack table is the better one to play at. A single-deck blackjack is the best option. Furthermore, the table should allow doubling down and surrender.
Learn Blackjack Strategy
Blackjack.
The basic blackjack strategy is one of the few casino strategies that is proven to work. This strategy will bring the house edge down and give you a better chance of beating the dealer. The strategy will tell you whether to stand or hit based on the cards you hold and the card the dealer is showing.
For example, if you have a 15 and the dealer has a 10, the strategy will tell you the best chance is to hit. The strategy is based on pure maths and if you are inclined, you could use probabilities to check that the strategy is true. The blackjack strategy has been refined over years and is something every blackjack enthusiast should learn by heart. There are many websites and apps that make it easy to learn the strategy and practice blackjack. The strategy is important! We cannot stress this enough — you shouldn’t gamble on blackjack without knowing how to play and basic blackjack strategy.
Never Take Insurance
You will find that most blackjack games offer insurance when the dealer is showing an Ace card. The insurance is designed to protect the player if the dealer hits blackjack, but don’t be fooled; this is often not the best bet to make. Although a winning insurance bet pays 2 – 1, the odds of winning the insurance bet are way lower. That means it doesn’t make sense to take the insurance. The bottom line is, avoid the insurance bet at all costs.
Avoid Tables that use a Continuous Card Shuffler
Some blackjack tables feature a continuous shuffling machine that shuffles the deck after each round. This means the casino can deal more hands, but it compromises the house edge that does not favour the player. You should only pick a table that uses the standard mechanical shuffler, which shuffles the cards only after the bulk of the cards have been played.
