Blackjack is a game of skill, and you can increase your chances of winning by following basic blackjack strategies. The key to successful blackjack is knowing when to hit, stand, or double down based on your card total and the dealer’s card. You can also use card counting to improve your odds of winning by keeping track of the number of high cards and low cards that have been dealt. By utilizing a simple card counting strategy such as the hi-lo method, you can dramatically decrease the house edge and win more money.
The objective of blackjack is to beat the dealer by getting a hand value that is higher than 21 points on your first two cards, while the dealer does not have a Blackjack. Using card counting and applying basic strategy, you can improve your chances of beating the dealer by around 1 percent, which may not sound like much, but it adds up over many hands played.
While most players believe that luck plays a major role in the game of blackjack, it is actually the opposite. Numerous studies have proven that blackjack is a game of probability, and mathematically the correct play (hit, stand, or double down) has the highest likelihood of winning. In addition, maintaining a positive mindset can have a dramatic effect on your blackjack performance and will help you stay focused.
To win more money, you should always try to avoid splitting pairs unless the dealer has an ace showing. Splitting pairs is expensive, since you will have to place a second bet equal to your original one. Moreover, it is not as profitable as playing single hand blackjack.
When you have a strong hand, hitting is the best option because it will give you more chances of getting a 10 or a face card that will increase your overall score to over 21. However, if you have a weak hand such as a 16 against the dealer’s 10, it is better to stand and hope that they will bust.
Another effective strategy is doubling down on your initial bet when you have an 11 or less point total. This will allow you to receive an additional card and potentially boost your hand total to over 21 or a Blackjack. This will increase your chances of winning and will also reduce the amount of money you have to lose if the dealer does not have a Blackjack.
After all the players have placed their bets, the dealer will reveal her hole card. If it is a ten, she will have a Blackjack and will pay out all of the players’ original bets. The rest of the round will proceed as normal.
If the dealer does not have a Blackjack, all of the player’s bets will push (get their original bet back). You should only buy insurance if the dealer has a ten showing. Otherwise, it is not worth the risk.