By Mark Stein.

Skill-based gaming options are casino games that reward players based on their Strategy and expertise. As a result, every decision you make during the gameplay influences the outcome rather than pure luck. Among these games, Blackjack is the most prominent in land-based and online casinos. It aims to have a hand with a total value close to 21 without exceeding it, but the real object of the game is to simply beat the dealer.

However, enthusiasts often use various ways to gain an edge over the banker (or dealer) while playing. Our article explores some strategies you can use to increase your chances of winning at blackjack tables. They are tested, proven, and endorsed by experts in the field. Hence, be prepared to get the most out of your gambling investments.

Basic Strategy

Players use this fundamental set of rules to maximize their winning chances at the blackjack table. But, you need to memorize the recommended actions for various player’s hand combinations and dealer upcards. As a result, many of the best casinos reviewed by Wagering Advisors offer strategy cards to New Zealanders at the blackjack table. These help newbies learn the fundamentals and double-check their decisions while gambling. The following are the key principles of blackjack’s basic strategy.

• When to Hit or Stand
• When to Split Pairs
• When to Double Down
• When to Surrender (if available)
• When to take insurance (Hint: Never, unless you are card counting)

Card Counting

Card tracking is the most notorious and popular strategy skilled players use in gaining an edge over the casino. It became infamous in the 1960s when a group of MIT students and mathematicians leveraged it to win huge amounts in casinos. It involves tracking the cards the banker (or dealer) deals with and adjusting your bets and decisions accordingly.

To effectively use card counting, you need to assign point values to each card in the deck. As they are dealt, you’re to add or subtract these points to establish a running count.  This information can be used to approximate your advantage (or disadvantage) on the next hand. 

To make it easy for newbies, experts assigned some specific card ranges to count.  An example is the Hi-Lo count:

• A value of -1 was assigned to 10s, face cards, and Aces. They are regarded as High Cards.
• 7s, 8s, and 9s are known as 0 and are regarded as Neutral cards
• A value of +1 was also assigned to 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and 6s. They are widely known as Low-Value Cards.

However, card counting does not guarantee you’ll always win, and casinos often take countermeasures against it. These include:

• Frequently shuffling.
• Increasing the number of decks used.
• Banning suspected counters.
• Continuous shuffling machines.

Bankroll Management

How you handle the funds you allocate for playing blackjack influences your gaming experience. As a result, it’s essential to implement effective bankroll management for a worthwhile and rewarding gaming experience. The following are the prominent ways to handle a blackjack bankroll.

• Have a clear budget for each gaming session. But, while setting aside funds for gambling, see it as a leisure expense rather than an investment. By doing so, you won’t gamble with an amount that’ll affect your daily finances.
• Split the bankroll into smaller sessions. It will help minimize the risk of significant losses and prolong the thrill of playing blackjack.
• Set the amount you wager on each hand between one and two percent of your bankroll. For instance, with $1,000 funds set apart for gambling on blackjack, you may wager about $10-$20 on each hand. It helps minimize the risk of quickly depleting your bankroll when experiencing downturns or losses.
• Manage winning streaks and losses. You could be tempted to raise your bets when winning or chasing losses. But, it would be best to stick to your predetermined betting unit.

Pay Attention to the Tables

Blackjack can be played with a different number of decks. It ranges from one to eight or more. Hence, the deck amounts significantly influence the strategy you can leverage when playing. However, the fewer the decks, the more favorable it is for the players.¹⁾EDITOR NOTE: Be careful with games that only pay 6 to 5 on a blackjack.  The correct payoff for a blackjack is 3 to 2. This is particularly true when it comes to card counting. You can easily manage tracking cards in single-deck games. Meanwhile, multi-deck blackjack requires adjustments in strategy.

Practice and Patience

Becoming a professional player begins with mastering the fundamentals. You need to practice regularly to familiarize yourself with the blackjack rules²⁾EDITOR NOTE: For a complete understanding, check out the rules of the game on this web site., card values, and basic strategies. Every player makes mistakes and encounters financial losses. However, it would be best to learn from these experiences by analyzing your play, identifying areas for improvement, and adapting strategies accordingly.

Conclusion

Blackjack is a classic card game that’s widely played in casinos around the world. Although, luck undeniably contributes to your chances of winning each hand. Gambling on blackjack without a proper strategy can have severe consequences. This includes substantial financial Losses and missed opportunities to leverage favorable situations. The game requires you to maximize your skills to beat the dealer by getting a hand value close to 21 without busting. By following the tips above, you’ll make informed decisions and minimize risks. This will help turn the odds in your favor and make the most out of every hand.

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