By Adam Gray.

Blackjack stands out as one of Canada’s most beloved online casino games, and its appeal is immediately evident. Various factors fuel its popularity. First and foremost, Canadian players have the opportunity to explore their preferred Blackjack variants through Slotozilla. Furthermore, the game is enjoyable and easy to grasp, making it an enticing choice for newcomers and experienced players.

This article will discuss the 5 best blackjack strategies Canadian players can use to improve their game. But before that, it is good you appreciate why we have these strategies and their end goal.

Why Do I Need a Blackjack Strategy?

It takes skill and strategy to become a successful blackjack player. Here are some reasons why having a blackjack betting strategy is essential:

• Helps you manage your bankroll. A blackjack betting strategy ensures you spend your bankroll wisely. It lets you plan your bets, set limits, and stick to your budget.
• Increases your chances of winning. It helps you to make calculated decisions and take advantage of favourable situations. You can reduce the house edge and improve your odds with a good strategy.
• Prevents impulsive decisions. A blackjack betting strategy can prevent you from making hasty decisions that can lead to losses. It helps you to remain focused and avoid chasing losses.
• Consistency. A blackjack strategy provides consistency in your gameplay. It ensures that you make rational decisions, even during a losing streak.
• Reduces emotional impact. A blackjack strategy can help to keep your emotions in check. It prevents you from making irrational decisions based on excitement, frustration, or anxiety.

Basic Strategies Canadians Should Try

The basic Strategy in blackjack is a mathematically proven strategy that tells you the best action to take in every possible situation in the sustainable gambling industry. It is based on the player’s hand value and the dealer’s upcard. It involves a set of rules that dictate whether a player should hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender based on their hand and the dealer’s upcard. Below are some basic strategy suggestions you should be aware of:

• Stand on hard 17 and Above

If you have a hand value of hard 17 or above, you should always stand. This is because your chances of busting (going over 21) are high, and the dealer is likely to have a lower hand value.

• Hit on 8 or Below

If you have a hand value of 8 or below, you should always hit. This is because your hand is weak, and you need to improve your chances of getting a better hand.  The exception is if your hand is a soft 8 or less (A2-A7).  In this case, you will want to review basic strategy for double down opportunities.

• Double Down on 10 or 11

If your hand value is 10 or 11, and the dealer’s upcard is lower than your hand value, you should double down. This means that you will double your bet and receive one more card. This is a profitable move as you have a high chance of getting a hand value of 20 or 21.

• Split Pairs of Aces and 8s

You should always split them if you have a pair of Aces or 8s. This is because a pair of Aces is worth 12, which is not a strong hand, and splitting them will give you a chance to get a hand value of 21. Similarly, a pair of 8s is worth 16, which is also a weak hand, and splitting them will give you a chance to get a hand value of 18 or higher.

• Stand on Soft 19 or Higher

Always stand if you have a hand with an Ace that can be worth 1 or 11, and your hand value is 19 or higher. This is because your hand is strong, and there is a high chance of weakening your hand if you hit.

• Hit on Soft 18 or Higher
  

You should always hit if you have a hand with an Ace and your hand value is 18 or higher and the dealer has 9, Ten or an Ace. Only stand against a dealer 2, 7 or 8.  Doubling Soft 18 is your best strategy only against a dealer 3-6.

• Hit On Soft 17 or Lower

You should always hit (and in some cases double) if you have a hand with an Ace and your hand value is 17 or lower. This is because your hand can’t bust with another card.

While it may seem daunting initially, memorizing basic strategy is essential to maximizing your chances of winning at blackjack. Many online casinos offer basic strategy charts that you can use as a reference while you play but you should always verify they are accurate.

Card Counting Strategy

Card counting is a more advanced blackjack strategy that involves keeping track of the cards dealt with and determining the probability of certain cards being dealt with in the future. Card counting is not illegal, but it is frowned upon by casinos and can result in being asked to leave if caught.

To use card counting effectively, players must keep a running count of the cards dealt and assign a value to each card. For example, in the Hi-Lo count, high cards (10, J, Q, K, and A) are assigned a value of -1, while low cards (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) are assigned a value of +1. Cards 7, 8, and 9 are considered neutral and are assigned a value of 0.

By keeping a running count of the cards that have been dealt, players can determine when the deck is rich in high cards (favourable to the player) and when it is rich in low cards (favourable to the dealer).

Progressive Betting Strategy

Progressive betting is a strategy that involves increasing your bet size after each win and decreasing it after each loss. This strategy is based on the idea that you are more likely to win after a series of losses and more likely to lose after a series of wins.

While progressive betting can be a profitable strategy, it is essential to use it with a basic strategy to ensure that you make the best decisions possible. There are several different types of progressive betting systems, including the Martingale system, the Paroli system, and the Fibonacci system. Each system has its own set of rules, but they all involve adjusting your bet size based on the outcome of the previous hand.¹⁾EDITOR NOTE: WARNING – Blackjack Review does NOT recommend the use of progressive betting schemes.  They can be dangerous to your bankroll.  The idea that you are more likely to win or lose after a series of wins or losses is nonsense.  Having said that, some card counters have used, at one time or another, a type of progressive betting to camouflage their card counting.  Of course, any time you add camouflage to your play you reduce any expected advantage in the game.

Avoiding Insurance Bets

One common mistake many blackjack players make is taking insurance bets when the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. An insurance bet is a side bet that pays out if the dealer has blackjack. While taking insurance when the dealer has an Ace may appear like a good idea, it is a losing bet in the long run.

The reason for this is simple – the odds of the dealer having blackjack when their upcard is an Ace are only 9:4, meaning you are more likely to lose your insurance bet than win it. Instead of taking insurance, it is better to stick to the basic strategy and make the best decision based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard.

Avoiding Side Bets

Side bets are additional wagers that can be placed during a blackjack game in addition to the main bet placed on the hand. Some of the most popular side bets in blackjack include Perfect Pairs, 21+3, and Insurance.

Perfect Pairs involves betting on whether your initial two cards will form a pair, while 21+3 consists of whether your two cards plus the dealer’s face-up card will form a three-card poker hand. Insurance involves betting on whether the dealer’s hand will be a blackjack.

Why Should You Avoid Side Bets?

While side bets can offer the potential for big payouts, they also have a higher house edge than the main blackjack game. Some side bets have a house edge that can be as high as 10%,²⁾Compare this to a typical base game of blackjack which usually has a house edge under 1%. meaning that the player will likely lose more money over time than they would by sticking to the main game.

Another reason to avoid side bets is that they can distract from the main game. Instead of focusing on the cards in front of you and making the best decisions possible, you may be tempted to focus on the potential for a big payout from a side bet. This can lead to poor decision-making and ultimately cost you money.

Conclusion

Now that you know the best blackjack strategies and winning tips, there is only one exciting thing left; play a couple of games online to see which works best for you. How could you go about it? First, base most of your decisions on the basic strategy. Second, go for the strategy that suits your bankroll. And last, follow all the betting strategies above to improve your chances of winning. All the best!

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