How would you like to master the game of Blackjack - one of the leading deck games in every brick-and-mortar and online casino around the world? It’s fun to play, simple to understand, and taking advantage of the Blackjack Basic Strategy may increase your chances of winning if you’re lucky! Distinct variations of this game have been developed throughout the years, offering players multiple ways to enjoy playing this all-time favourite game. The introduction of online casinos has even made it much more convenient to play Blackjack, dispelling the need to dress up and visit a physical casino to have fun.

• Blackjack Basic Strategy Guide For Dummies
• Blackjack Strategies And Tips
• Blackjack Basic Strategy Guide Pdf
• Blackjack Basic Strategy Guide Training

BlackJack basic strategy is a set of rules for the player that tells them how to most effectively play their hands based on what the dealers up card is showing. It maximized the opportunity the player has regarding Double Down, Split and Surrender. For an upcard showing between 3 to 6, take a double down, but just stand when the casino rules don’t permit a double down. You should always take a hit with a soft 17, but if a double down is allowed, you should double when the dealer’s upcard is between 3 to 6. Always take a hit for a soft 16 and soft 15.

In this article you'll learn:

• The origins of basic strategy.
• Why you should use the basic strategy when playing Blackjack.
• How to apply the basic strategy.
• Best strategic actions to take.
• Basic strategy tips.

Despite being a fast-paced, straightforward game, Blackjack is not solely a game based on chance. On the contrary to what casino novices may think, the decisions the blackjack player makes can have a significant impact on whether he leaves the table with a win or a loss. You can fire out actions at random, but chances are you’ll return home empty-handed. Otherwise, if you want to play responsibly and manage your money better, playing with a strategy in mind is the way forward. Although luck is undeniably a significant influencer, knowledge, skill and a strategic approach can reduce the house edge, increase your chances of winning, and, subsequently, change the outcome of the game.

Unlike other casino games, such as Roulette, where luck is the primary influencer, the way Blackjack unfolds hinges on the choices the player makes. How will you know which actions are the most favourable? This is where basic strategy comes into play. As a mathematical strategy based on the theory of probability, it illustrates the best possible actions to take in all possible situations and how to play in relation to the value of yours and the dealer’s hands. Rather than following your instincts, you can use this approach to exploit the most favourable odds, maximise your wins and keep your losses to a minimum. Bear in mind that 100% success can never be guaranteed, but following this Blackjack strategy may help you remain in the game for a longer time.

You may have heard about basic Blackjack strategy but got disheartened as soon as you saw the strategy chart with its array of colour-coded numbers and letters. However, in this blackjack strategy guide, you’ll be able to learn how to apply each action in the most effective way possible and, consequently, make your casino experience more enjoyable.

History of Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack originated in Spain around the 15th or 16th century and has made its mark in several countries around the world. However, it was only in the 1950s that four US Army engineers - Baldwin, Cantey, Maisel and McDermott (also known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse), started carrying out tests to come up with a way to beat the casino at Blackjack. They published their findings in their journal ‘Playing Blackjack to win’, which data was then used by Edward O. Thorp to conduct further testing on an IBM computer in an endeavour to test its accuracy. Thorp is the man credited with developing the first card counting strategy. Later in the 1970s, Peter A. Griffin produced a composition-dependent basic strategy. Another IBM mathematician - Julian Braun - is also known for refining Thorp’s strategy on a more powerful computer.

The Blackjack strategy we know today is derived from millions of computer simulations which determined the most favourable actions for each combination of cards that could occur in Blackjack.

Why should you use the basic Blackjack Strategy?

Using this strategy has certain valuable benefits. It will help you:

• Increase your chances of winning.
• Make better decisions - if you always carry out the recommended actions, you may keep losses to a minimum and enjoy playing Blackjack more.
• Decrease the house edge between 0.20% and 0.50% - Blackjack has the lowest house advantage when compared to other deck games, so it would be wise to exploit that percentage by playing strategically. Although you can never gain a higher edge over the casino, you might be able to boost your chances of winning.

How to apply the basic playing strategy

Before you kick off your strategic Blackjack journey, you must acknowledge that it requires time and effort to understand the strategy’s fundamental mechanics. You might initially be discouraged by the seemingly complex numbers, but you can memorise the moves and get the hang of it with some patience, dedication, and most importantly, practice. The best way to go about it is to learn how to tackle hard hands, then move on to pairs and soft hands. Make sure you keep playing strategically throughout each game, even if you’re on a losing streak. The strategy is based on probability, so it may be helpful in the long-run, as long as you manage your bankroll responsibly.

How to play Blackjack?

The primary objective of Blackjack is simple - you try to build a hand as close as possible to the value of 21 without going over (also known as busting). Although you can play this blackjack game with other blackjack players at the same table, you only compete against the dealer, so your focus should be on outscoring the dealer’s hand.

Knowing the Blackjack card values is crucial before you start playing. Cards 2 to 10 are worth their numeric value, the face cards (Jack, Queen and King) are worth ten and the Ace can have a value of 1 or 11, depending on your hand’s total value. Generally, its value is deemed 11 and becomes worth one point if you exceed 21. You can have two types of hands in Blackjack - a hard or a soft hand. A hard hand has no ace, or an ace valued as 1, while a soft hand has an ace valued as 1 or 11. Which one you have will determine the actions you take.

The best blackjack hand you can build consists of an Ace and a ten-value card (known as a classic Blackjack) and boasts a 3 to 2 payout. There are three ways you can win - by building a higher-value hand than the dealer’s, getting dealt two cards worth 21 from the start, or by remaining in play when the dealer goes bust. Read our How to play blackjack for beginners, to learn more tips and tricks.

How does Blackjack work?

Blackjack uses multiple decks of regular playing cards. Although you might find some tables which only use a single deck of cards, most tables use between six and eight decks to hamper players from card counting. The dealer shuffles the cards, and after the players place their bets, he deals two cards face up to each player, and one face down and face-up card for himself. Depending on your hand’s value and that of the dealer, you must choose from five options - surrender, double down, split, hit or stand. As soon as you pinpoint the most favourable action, the dealer’s turn is up. His actions are dictated by a set of rules which illustrate when he can hit or stand. In some tables, the dealer hits if his hand is 16 or lower and stands even on soft 17. Before you start playing Blackjack, make sure you go through the table’s set of rules - which would indicate the betting ranges, the availability of the surrender option and whether a tie is regarded as a win or a loss for the player.

Blackjack actions

As we’ve already mentioned, there are five actions you can take during a game of Blackjack:

• Hit - draw more cards.
• Stand- refrain from drawing any more cards.
• Double down - double your original bet.
• Split - split your hand in two if your two cards are an identical pair.
• Surrender - withdraw after the dealer deals your initial cards.

Playing Blackjack using the basic strategy

If you wish to maximise your chances of winning in the long-run, you might want to use the basic strategy to determine the most favourable actions in all possible scenarios. We’ll go over each one below:

When to surrender

If the Blackjack table provides the surrender option, you may withdraw from the game after your initial two cards are dealt. The basic strategy advises players to surrender when you have:

• A hard 16 against dealer 9, 10 or Ace.
• A hard 15 against dealer 10 or Ace.

When to split

If you don’t surrender, your next step is to decide whether to split or not. This is only possible when you have an identical pair of cards, and if you do split your hand, you must place a second bet equal to the original bet on the second hand. Here are all the strategic rules you need to know with regards to this action:

• Always split a pair of aces and eights.
• Never split fives and tens.
• Split nines against dealer 2 to 9 (except for 7), otherwise stand.
• Split sevens against dealer 2 to 7, otherwise hit.
• Split sixes against dealer 2 to 6, otherwise hit.
• Split fours against dealer 5 to 6, otherwise hit.
• Split twos and threes against dealer 2 to 7, otherwise hit.

When to double down

You can double your bet as soon as your hand is dealt, but you need to remember that you may only hit one more time after doubling down. In case of a classic Blackjack, you’re not allowed to double your bet. The basic strategy recommends you double on a:

• Hard nine against dealer 3 to 6.
• Hard ten except against dealer 10 or ace.
• Hard 11 except against dealer ace.
• Soft 13 or 14 against dealer 5 to 6.
• Soft 15 or 16 against dealer 4 to 6.
• Soft 17 or 18 against dealer 2 to 6.
• Soft 19 against dealer 6.

When to hit and stand

After you split or double your hand, it's time to choose whether to hit or stand, depending on the dealer’s and your hand’s value, and on whether you have a soft or hard total.

Soft hands (Hands with an ace worth 11 or 1)

• Always stand on soft 19 and 20.
• Always stand on soft 18, unless the dealer has 9, 10 or Ace.
• Always hit soft 17 and less.

Hard Hands (Hands with no ace or an ace which can only count as 1)

• Always stand on a hard 17 and up.
• Always stand on hard 13 to 16 against dealer 2 to 6.
• Always stand on hard 12 against dealer 4 to 6.
• Always hit hard 11 or less.

You must keep in mind that this basic strategy may change slightly depending on the casino and the active table rules. Does the dealer hit on a soft 17? How many decks are being used? Is the surrender option available? All these factors may have a minor impact on the way you play your round.

Blackjack Betting Strategies

Now that you’re familiar with the basic Blackjack strategy, you must also understand that money management is a crucial element of each strategy. You should only play what you can afford to lose, or you may end up with serious financial repercussions if you get carried away. Here are some betting Blackjack strategies you may wish to consider:

• Start with low stakes and only increase your bet when you win.
• Double your bet every time you lose. This approach requires players to have a large bankroll to start with, or else your funds will be depleted in no time.
• Use the 1-3-2-6 betting system - you’d start with €10 and increase your bet to €30, €20 and €60 if you win. When you lose, you start anew with the original amount.

Blackjack Strategy Tips

Using the basic strategy may help you maximise your wins, but a sure win can never be guaranteed. However, you may find yourself in a more advantageous position if you choose a Blackjack table with a lower house edge. Here are some valuable tips you should follow:

• Choose a table with a small number of decks if you want to base your actions on the theory of probability.
• Never take insurance - it’s a high-risk betting option as the probability of the dealer’s hole card being a ten is very low.
• Take note of the payouts before selecting a table - always opt for a 3:2 payout rather than a 6:5 payout.
• Don’t go over your budget and stop playing when you use all your funds.
• Check out the table rules - does the dealer stand on soft 17? Does the dealer push a tie forward? What are the minimum betting limits?
• Try to memorise a basic blackjack strategy chart, especially when playing at a land-based casino.
• Promotions can grant you extra wins without using your funds.
• Other players’ hands have no significance. Keep your attention focused on your hand and the dealer’s.
• You can find free Blackjack versions at EnergyCasino. Practise the basic strategy using virtual currency before risking your money.

Summary

Blackjack is not a random game. With some skill and strategy, you can transform a loss into a possible win and have more fun! Sure, the casino will always be at an advantage, but adopting this Blackjack strategy can help you manage your money better and possibly win some money and cut down the losses. Sometimes the actions you need to take are self-evident - you most definitely stand on a 20 and always hit if you just have a total of 5, but in most cases, the way forward is not that straightforward. Following the basic strategy will require dedication and patience, but in the long-run, it’s the best way to increase your chances of winning and beat the dealer.

Learn basic strategy, and have fun!

FAQ

⭐ Does the Blackjack strategy work?

Following the basic strategy can effectively maximise your chances of winning if you play responsibly. Although it can never guarantee an absolute win, it will reduce the house edge and help you survive longer in the game.

⭐ What is the best strategy to win at Blackjack?

Your best chances of winning at Blackjack is to carry out the most favourable actions recommended by the basic strategy. Since they are based on the mathematical theory of probability, you’ll reduce the casino edge if you play strategically and take into account both your hand and that of the dealer before making a decision.

⭐ Who invented the basic strategy for Blackjack?

BM is considered as one of the pioneering companies who conducted one of the first Blackjack simulations. The basic strategy dates back to the 1950s when the mathematician Edward O. Thorp used the data collected by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse to test out the strategy on an IBM computer. He created a computer simulation which played millions of Blackjack hands to determine the most favourable actions for each hand combination which may occur.

⭐ How effective is the Blackjack strategy?

Like in every casino game, the house will always have a higher edge. Otherwise, casinos will go bankrupt. However, if you base your decisions on the basic strategy, you can expect to make the optimal choices every time, consequently reducing the house edge.

⭐ How can you memorise the Blackjack strategy?

It requires time, effort, and most importantly, practice, to memorise each recommended action for every possible combination. You may take advantage of the free demo Blackjack versions to practise the strategy without risking your own money.

⭐ Where can you play online Blackjack?

EnergyCasino is one of the fastest-growing online casinos in the world which offers its players a vast selection of Blackjack tables to choose from. Place your bets and enjoy the game of Blackjack with our online and live dealers!

BlackJack Basic Strategy and Advanced Betting Methods

Blackjack is one of the most widely played card games to ever grace the gaming felt, with millions of Blackjack hands contested at Blackjack tables around the world each day. The game of twenty-one is a strategic endeavor that allows an advanced player room for aggressive betting maneuvers and subtle strategy plays to gain an advantage over the dealers inherent statistical edge. Players attempt to achieve a count that is both twenty-one or less and higher than the dealers count at the end of the round, using a number of available tactics to maneuver themselves into the most favorable position as possible. The guide assumes that you're already familiar with the rules of the game and are playing against a 4-6 deck shoe where the Dealer Hits a Soft 17 and soft doubling is allowed. Here's a quick review of the options available to the player, all of which are non-reversible once selected:

• Hit - Tells the dealer that you would like another card dealt to your hand. You may use this option as many times as you choose unless your last requested action caused your hand count to exceed 21. At that point your hand is busted, your bet is forfeited to the dealer and no further action is permitted until a new hand begins.
• Stand - Instructs the dealer that you do not want any more cards dealt to your hand. Once you Stand, you may no longer build your hand in any way. You may Stand on your first two cards or on any other count that does not exceed 21. Standing declares your hand is ready to face the hand of the dealer to determine a winner.
• Split - If your starting hand consists of a pair (two cards of the exact same value, including two Ten value cards) you may Split them at your option. After announcing your intention to Split the hand, you must first place a wager equivalent to your original bet into the betting circle. The dealer will then proceed to separate the two cards of the original hand into two independent hands and deal one card to each of them. The player then plays each hand out individually (in sequence) until they Double, Stand or Bust during the same turn.
• Double - Certain hands have the option of being Doubled. After announcing your intention to Double, you must first place a wager equivalent to your original bet into the betting circle. The dealer then deals out only one additional card to your original hand. No further action is permitted after you receive this one additional card. Your hand is then ready to face the hand of the dealer and determine a winner.
• Surrender - Players may have the option to Surrender certain hands. When you announce your intention to Surrender the hand, half of your original bet is forfeited immediately while the other half is returned to you without further play. This action ends your hand, which does not proceed to a showdown.

Using the Blackjack Basic Strategy Charts

In the following sections, you'll be presented with a number of basic strategy charts that will allow you to cross-reference each recommended play based on the players hand count versus the Dealer upcard. The top row of each chart shows a listing of numbers starting with 6 and working its way progressively to the right, eventually ending with the Ace (A). These headlining numbers represent the Dealers upcard, the card the Dealer has dealt face-up to their own hand. The Dealer upcard is the basis from which all Blackjack basic strategy is derived, since certain dealer upcards will actually give the player using Blackjack basic strategy a mathematical advantage over the Dealer. Of course, some Dealer upcards decrease the players advantage. The reason each chart uses the 6-5-4-3-2-7-8-9-T-A (left-to-right) sequence is that these numbers represent the weakest dealer upcards on the left up to the strongest on the right, in order of strength. For example, the 6up is the weakest upcard for the Dealer, and conversely the strongest dealer upcard for the player. Next is the 5up, also a very weak upcard for the dealer, continuing on to the Aup on the far right. The Aup is the single strongest Dealer upcard and therefore the worst upcard for the player. The dealer upcards are shown as the card value with 'up' (such as 7up) in the text explanations that accompany the the basic strategy charts in our guide.

Blackjack Basic Strategy Guide For Dummies

The leftmost column in each chart shows either the players Hand Count (for the Hard hands) or specific hands (for Soft or Paired hands). A player determines the count, or total, of a Hard hand (explained below) by adding their cards together. Cards 2 through 10 are counted at face value, with Kings, Queens and Jacks (known as Paint cards due to their elaborate, colorful designs) also being counted as 10's. The total arrived at when adding the cards together is known as the Hand Count and is indicated by a tiny 'c' in the notation. For example, a hand of 86 would make a Fourteen count (14c) since 8+6=14, while a hand of K4 would also result in a 14c since the King is valued at ten and 10+4=14. The only exception to arriving at a count by this method concerns hands that contain Aces. In Blackjack, an Ace may count as either 11 or 1 depending on whether or not counting it as an eleven would cause the player to go over 21 and bust. If counting the Ace as 11 would cause a hand to exceed a 21c an Ace must be counted as 1 instead, and this rule holds true for hands that contain multiple Aces. For example, a hand of A4 would result in a 15c (11+4) since counting the Ace as 11 wouldn't cause the total to exceed a 21c, but a hand of AA4 would only result in a 16c (11+1+4). The second Ace counts as only One to avoid putting the count over 21. Note that the suits of the cards do not effect the count of a Blackjack hand and can be entirely disregarded. Paired hands are covered in a separate section apart from the standard Hard hands.

In the Blackjack Basic Strategy Guide to follow, each of the five playing options from above (Hit, Stand, Split, Double and Surrender) are indicated by their own specifically colored entry in each of the strategy charts. A summary of each color-coded indicator is shown to the right. While a player is always allowed to Hit or Stand on any count (unless their last play caused them to bust) and they may always Split a starting hand that consists of a Pair, occasionally there are a few rule-based restrictions to some of the recommended plays depending on where you're playing the game of Blackjack. The options of Double and Surrender are sometimes restricted or not allowed under certain rules conditions even though they are the recommended optimal play on our chart. If this is the case, consult the accompanying text in each section for a thorough explanation of how to handle this situation and consider finding a more favorable game that will allow these optimal playing decisions! Now let's get started learning the correct Blackjack basic strategy. Be sure to take your time and work through each section until you understand every play based on the corresponding dealer upcard before you move on to the next. We'll start with the most encountered type of hand, the Hard Counts.

Blackjack Basic Strategy : Hard Hand Counts

The first group of starting hands we'll examine are known as the Hard Hands. Hard Hands are un-paired and contain no Aces, such as T5 or 76. Hard hands make up the majority of the starting hands you'll receive from the dealer, so playing them correctly is essential for solid play. Hard hand counts are discussed separately from starting hands that contain a single Ace, known as Soft hands, and also paired hands. Both of these types of hands will be examined shortly after the Hard hand counts.

The primary choice for Hard hand counts of 11c or below is whether you'll Double or Hit the hand. Hand counts of eight or less are always Hit due to the fact that mathematically they are not profitable to Double against any dealer upcard (and hitting them will never result in a bust). The more flexible counts are the 9c, 10c and 11c, where doubling takes on more importance and frequency. Nine counts are doubled against only the four weakest Dealer upcards (6-5-4-3) but Ten counts are doubled against almost all of them, only hitting versus the powerful Dealer Tup or Aup. An 11c is the most Doubled hand of all, aggressively pushing in another bet against all dealer upcards. While using the chart returns maximum value for each of these counts, if you find yourself short on chips and unable to afford the additional wager necessary to Double (or you've already Hit the hand previously) just Hit any 11c or less and then proceed as normal.

With the Hard counts of 12c or higher, the chart indicates that a more conservative approach (Standing) is now necessary against several of the weaker Dealer upcards. This is partially because of the new threat of potentially busting the hand with a hit, but also that the various counts will have statistically better chances of winning a showdown by Standing against the applicable dealer upcard as compared to Hitting them. It is also useful to note that now Surrender is a recommended option for the 15c and 16c versus the strongest Dealer upcards. Both of these counts are surrendered versus Dealer Tup and Aup, and a 16c is even surrendered versus a 9up as well. These two counts will bust a high percentage of the time so the best option is to take back half your bet and live to fight another day. If you are unable to Surrender these hands due to rules restrictions (or you've already Hit the hand previously) you should Hit them instead. The counts of 17c or higher are always Standing hands, regardless of the dealer upcard.

Blackjack Basic Strategy : Soft Hand Counts

The second group focuses on Soft Hands, which are starting hands that have a single Ace in them, such as A3 or A6. These types of hands are called soft because they will never bust when taking just one card to them (the initial hit). Soft hands have the additional element that Hitting may actually cause them to become a Hard Hand, and they may also stay soft (able to use the Ace as an 11) even with additional cards added to the hand. We'll examine these situations shortly after we take a look at the first subsection of Soft hands, the soft 13c (A2) through soft 17c (A6).

Soft hand counts are arrived at by adding the Ace as an 11 with the second card of the hand. The soft 17c or less hands actually have the same options available to them as the hard 11c or less: Double or Hit. You may also note the hand entries A2/A3 and A4/A5, which list two hands on the same line. This is because the strategy for both of these hands is identical. The A2 is played the exact same way as the A3, and the A4 is handled like the A5. As before, if you can't afford to double the hand as suggested (or are not allowed to based on the rules) just Hit instead and proceed as usual.

When you've hit any of these soft hands and arrived at a Hard hand count, it's time to switch back to the appropriate strategy line from the previous Hard Count strategy section to determine the correct play. For example, let's say you were dealt A6 versus a dealer 8up, and based on the strategy chart you proceeded to hit the hand, receiving a 7 as your third card. Your previously soft hand count of 17c has now become a hard count of 14c (1+6+7). Of course, the Ace is only counted as 1 now since counting it as 11 would cause a bust. Now, a player must revert to the Hard Hand strategy guide to play the 14c since the hand is no longer soft. This aspect of strategy applies to all soft hands that subsequently transform into Hard hands, with only one rub. Most Blackjack rules state that three-card hands are NOT allowed to be Surrendered under any circumstances. So even if your soft hand becomes a Hard 16c versus a Dealer Tup, you'll have to default to Hitting the hand as the preferred option.

Concerning the soft hands that stay soft after the third card is taken, consider the following scenario: You are dealt A2 versus a Dealer 4up and Hit the hand based on the basic strategy chart, receiving another 2 as your third card. Your hand count is now a soft 15c (11+2+2), so you'll now use the soft hand strategy for your soft 15c (the A4 line, since your hand is now effectively A2+2) to make your play as the hand does not yet qualify as Hard. However, even though an A4 indicates that it should be Doubled versus the Dealer 4up most blackjack rules state that three-card hands are NOT allowed to be Doubled under any circumstances. If the correct strategy was to double, you'll have to default to Hitting the hand as the preferred option for this group of soft hands.

Blackjack Strategies And Tips

For the next group of soft hands, A7 or higher, we'll once again add the tactic of standing into the mix. The soft 18 (A7) is the most aggressively doubled of this group, adding another bet against the five weakest dealer upcards. A player also stands with it against a 7up or 8up and even Hits it against the strongest three dealer upcards. The soft 19 (A8) is kept against just about any dealer upcard except the 6up, where it most profitable to actually double it! Lastly, the A9 is always held regardless of the dealer upcard with excellent, but not indestructible, chances of holding up at the showdown.

As we've previously discussed, there will be times where either your bankroll or the rules of the game prevent you from making a correct doubling play. In previous sections, we've always recommended that the hand be Hit whenever this situation arises. However, for these soft hands, considering their already high count totals, the default play is to Stand when you can't double them. So if you have an A7 versus 2up but your hand is a three-card hand, you'll have to simply Stand as the rules preclude you from doubling anything other than two-card hands.

Blackjack Basic Strategy : Paired Hands

The last group are the Paired Hands, where a player was dealt two cards of identical value, such as 44 or 55. Remember that since the Paint cards all count as 10's, hands containing two ten value cards like KT or QJ are also considered pairs. Pairs have the additional option of being Split into two separate hands, which requires one additional bet from the player for the new hand.

With this group of hands the options are fairly cut-and-dry. Most of these paired hands will either be Split or Hit, with only one exception: a pair of fives. It is never recommended to split a pair of fives, instead the chart suggests you actually play the hand as if it were simply a hard count of 10c. In fact, if you reference the correct strategy for a 10c in the previous chart you'll find that it is identical to the strategy for 55. For any of the other pairs, they are split fairly aggressively against several dealer upcards. If you are unable to Split any of these pairs the default move would be to treat them as Hard hand and play accordingly. However, the only reason you'd ever do so is that you are down to your last chip. There is no other reason not to follow the chart, since you won't have to worry about three-card hands with pairs and any other play is clearly sub-optimal.

For the bigger pairs, we see the options are much more clear. In fact, the second biggest pair TT (any two ten-count cards) is always a Standing hand. Conversely, the beautiful starting hand of AA will always be Split. A pair of 99's is Split against all but three dealer upcards, the 7up-Tup-Aup. The only exception to the basic play of Pairs in Blackjack occurs when we are dealt a pair of eights. As the chart shows, they will be split against all of the upcards excepting a dealer Aup. But when facing the strongest dealer upcard of them all, Surrendering the pair of eights is actually the mathematically best play. Notice that we're not treating the 88 as a hard hand in this strategy line (otherwise, we'd be surrendering against a few more dealer upcards). Just the specific case of being dealt 88 versus Aup requires Surrender. Against any of the other dealer upcards we'll favorably Split the eights and proceed as usual.

Blackjack Card Counting : The Running Count

One of the more advanced Blackjack concepts is Card Counting. In the ChessandPoker.com Blackjack guide we use card counting to determine the amount of our initial bet. To count the cards, we'll use the method detailed in the chart to the right to adjust the Running Count, which is the current indicator of the value of the deck in comparison to players advantage. Determining the always-changing Running Count is fairly simple. You start out with a count of zero in your head. Then, everytime you see a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 valued card come out of the deck in any players hand, including the dealers, you mentally add +1 to the count in your head for each of these cards. Whenever you see a Ten value card (any Ten, Jack, Queen or King) or Ace dealt into any players hand, you subtract (-1) from the count in your head. This ongoing total in your head is called the 'running count' (RC). The 7, 8 or 9 value cards do not affect the Running Count and can be disregared for counting purposes. Here are some example card groups and the resulting Running Count for counting each clump of cards (negative values shown in parentheses).

Whenever the running count is positive, it is said that the player has an advantage. When negative, however, the player is at an disadvantage. The larger (or smaller) the running count, the more pronounced the advantage (disadvantage) is for the player. As you'll soon discover, even though the process of card counting is sometimes presented as a difficult talent to acheive, it is actually not that hard at all. In fact, it will quickly become second nature once you get the hang of it. An added benefit is that our Blackjack guide does not depend on Card Counting to alter our Blackjack playing strategy, just the betting aspect of the game. So if you happen to lose count for any reason, you can usually approximate where you were to a close enough degree that your betting will not be altered to a point where you'd need to start over. Of course, you can always default to one chip betting and be just fine! However, for those of you that would like to look at a more advanced method of betting your hand, the next step is to use Card Counting to effectively structure your bet sizes.

Blackjack Basic Strategy Guide Pdf

Advanced Blackjack Wagering : Betting Ramps

ChessandPoker.com has developed our own Blackjack betting system, often known as a betting ramp, based on the counting system we just discussed. This method is designed to gradually increase a players bets when they hold an advantage over the dealer based on a favorable deck, and cut them back when they are at a disadvantage. It has the added benefit of disguising your counting endeavors by adjusting your bet sizes in a way that seems natural to the dealer, instead of drastically changing them on a hand-by-hand basis. Remember, it's entirely acceptable to simply bet the minimum on each hand. However, if you'd like an extra edge and enjoy sliding your chips into the betting circle when you're favored then let's have a look at our progression chart!

It's useful to note that whenever you lose at the appropriate count in both the Third and Fourth levels, you'll actually drop back two levels instead of just one. This aspect of the strategy, while slightly inaccurate, is partially designed to protect your bankroll while at the same time giving the impression to the dealer that you're simply playing your rushes (betting more when you're winning) and then regaining your common sense when you lose a few hands. Keep in mind that while no betting system can offer the player using it any guaranteed edge, our advanced methods effectively position the player to take advantage of premium situations in a much safer, gradual way than is the case with standard counting systems.

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