Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games, known for its rich history and association with some of the world’s most glamorous casinos. Equally popular in online and mobile formats, it challenges players with a sharp mathematical and statistical mind.
Let’s take a closer look at this compelling card game and discover the strategies players use to increase their chances of success.
Blackjack and the Magic Number 21
The number 21 is synonymous with blackjack, and for good reason. 21 is the ideal total of the cards dealt by the dealer, and achieving this total makes a player an instant winner. However, if a player’s total exceeds 21, they lose the hand.
Blackjack revolves around reaching 21, a total that players and dealers keep in mind whether they’re playing at a land-based casino or a live dealer game online.
To reach this number, players are initially dealt two cards, with the option to request additional cards as the game progresses.
The values of the cards in Blackjack are as follows:
- Cards 2 through 10: face value
- Jacks, Queens, Kings: 10 points
- Aces: 1 or 11 points, depending on the player’s choice
Throughout the game, players compare the total value of their cards with 21 and the dealer’s visible card to try to come as close to 21 as possible without going over. A total of 21 results in a payout of 3:2 or 150%. Players should enjoy these odds at online casinos while they can, as Vegas casinos are slowly reducing it.
How a Typical Blackjack Game Works
In a game of blackjack, players compete against the dealer to make a blackjack (21 points), but each player plays their own hand independently.
This is a major difference between blackjack and poker, where players compete against each other.
A blackjack game typically begins with each player placing a bet. When playing online at one of your favorite gambling sites, it’s important to check the table’s minimum bet before you begin. Once bets are placed, the dealer deals two cards—one face-up and one face-down—to themselves.
The face-up card gives players a clue about the dealer’s hand. If the dealer draws an Ace, there’s a good chance they might reach between 17 and 21.
The dealer then deals two face-up cards to each player. At this point, players have the following options:
- Hit: Request another card.
- Stand: Keep the current cards and finalize the bet.
- Double Down: Double the bet and receive one final card.
- Split: If dealt two cards of the same value, the player can split them into two separate hands and place an additional bet on the second hand.
Players make these decisions based on their own cards, the dealer’s visible card, and their proximity to 21.
If a player feels another card will bring them closer to 21 without going over (which results in a bust), they’ll likely request a hit. If they’re satisfied with their total, they’ll stand. Doubling down can be a strategic play when the probability of making blackjack is high, but splitting high-value cards that already total 20 can be risky.
Blackjack Strategy Tips
When playing blackjack online, you’ll typically encounter two main types of games: virtual blackjack using RNG technology and live dealer blackjack.
- RNG-Powered Blackjack: In this version, the deck is reshuffled randomly for each hand, meaning the odds of winning are statistically identical with each hand. To improve your chances, familiarize yourself with the statistical odds for different card combinations.
- Live Dealer Blackjack: This version involves a real dealer using a physical deck of cards. The probabilities of each hand can vary based on the cards that have already been dealt. For example, if most of the high-value cards are gone, the odds of drawing a 10 decrease.
While card counting—tracking which cards have already been played—can be useful in live dealer games, it’s time-consuming and doesn’t guarantee a win. A better focus is learning the odds of winning hands and practicing sound betting strategies.
Betting Strategies in Blackjack
- One popular betting strategy is to increase your bet after a win. This approach allows you to multiply your winnings if you experience a winning streak. After a loss, you would typically return to your original bet until you win again.
- An opposite strategy, known as the Martingale system, involves doubling your bet after each loss to recover previous losses. However, this can be risky.
- If you experience a losing streak, you could max out your casino balance or hit the house betting limit before winning again. For example, a player who starts with a $50 bet and doubles it after each loss could lose $1,000 after just a few unlucky hands.
A more conservative approach is to avoid betting more than 5% of your total casino deposit on a single hand. For example, if you have a $1,000 deposit, bet no more than $50 per hand. This strategy helps ensure that your balance lasts longer, allowing for more entertainment.
Conclusion
Blackjack offers fantastic entertainment for players who enjoy numbers and strategic betting. Once you’ve mastered the basics, including the various betting options, you’ll develop a sense of which strategies work best depending on the hand you and the dealer are dealt.
Card counting may not be necessary for most players, especially beginners. Instead, focus on learning effective betting strategies to increase your chances of winning.
