Mastering Blackjack: Your Ultimate Basic Strategy Chart
Blackjack is one of the most common card games played throughout the world. You can find this played in casinos, and there are also online options for those who would rather not attend one of these establishments. It has been popular for many years, and will likely continue to be so for a long time, thanks to its easy to play nature.
In Blackjack, you play against the dealer. You will be dealt two cards, both face up, and the dealer will also be dealt two cards, but only one will be face up. From here, the player determines whether they want to hit (get another card), or stand (not get another card) based on the total value of the cards they have, and the card they can see from the dealer. The goal is to get as close to 21 as possible, outscoring the dealer.
It's a simple game, but one that is tough to master. As there are so many elements and considerations that need to be made, people often make mistakes. In this article, we're going to be talking you through some of the elements that you need to master in order to master the game, including the basic strategy chart.
Key Strategies For Blackjack Success
As with all other card games, there are key strategies that you need to learn if you have any hope of seeing success. It's true that you can play blackjack any way you want, but the chances are that you won't see as much success as you could if you don't learn the basics.
Never Split 10's
One of the key strategies that you should know is that you never split 10's. If you have two tens that are dealt face upwards for you, your best option here is to stand, and if you get beat by the dealer here, that's simply unlucky. There is a huge element of luck in this game, as well as skill, but splitting tens won't increase your chances of success.
20 is a good number to stand on, so your odds of winning are higher by keeping your tens together.
Learning What To Split
You need to learn what you should be splitting, and what you should keep together. The basic strategy chart that we're going to talk about in this article gives you a better understanding of this, as it will depend on what you have, and what the dealer has.
It's common for people to think that if you have big cards, this automatically means a split, but it doesn't.
Consider The Dealer Hand, Always
When you're playing blackjack, you're playing against the dealer, so you must always watch carefully how the dealer plays their hands. Gain an understanding of what they do when they have certain hands, and look at what card they have facing up to help determine what you should do next.
Understanding The Basic Strategy Chart
The basic strategy chart is a chart that goes through what you should do based on the position that you are in. For example, if you have a pair of 3's, should you split, should you double, should you just play as though it's a regular hand? It's hard to know, especially as a beginner, but even those who are seasoned blackjack players don't always know what move they should make based on strategy.
Understanding the basic strategy chart enhances your understanding of the game, and helps you to improve the way that you play overall. You should find that if you follow the basic strategy chart, you end up winning far more hands than you lose, based on probability.
This is not to say that you always must follow what is written on the chart, as that would simply not be true - you can play however you want. The chart, though, shows you what has a higher chance of bringing a favorable outcome for you.
It's important to understand that there are no guarantees in blackjack though, as there is a huge element of luck. It's based on mathematical probability, but short of card counting (which is not allowed in casinos), there's no way to be sure you're going to win.
How To Use Strategy Chart Effectively
To use the chart effectively, you need to study it and ensure that you fully understand it. Study the different hand combinations, look at the probability of what is coming next, and understand why the basic strategy is what it is. The more that you understand, the higher chance there is of you seeing success in your game.
Of course, you're not allowed to use your mobile device at the table if you're playing in person, so you can't just quickly refer to the chart when you're playing. That's why studying and learning are so important though - so that you can use them when needed.
Not all strategies are 100% effective, and there are times where you simply need to use your judgment. While the chart is fantastic, it will always only be able to take you so far.
Tips For Improving Your Blackjack Game
Research The Game And The Basics Before You Play
Researching the game, understanding the basics, and understanding the terminology is a must before you play blackjack. How are you supposed to win if you don't have a clue what you are doing? So, if you've tried, and you have found that you're not very good at it, then completing more research is going to be in your best interests.
Practice Makes Perfect
As with most other things in life, practice makes perfect. Blackjack is no different, as the more you play, the more you get a feel for the game. If you continue to play, make mistakes, refer back to the basic strategy, and then try that, you will improve your game in no time.
Don't Expect To Win All Of The Time
You're not going to win all of the time, even when you do everything right. As you are playing against the dealer, there are going to be times where it's impossible to win, especially if they make blackjack and you do not.
If you expect to win all of the time, then you're going in with the wrong mindset and this is going to put you off the game. You will find yourself on tilt, making poor decisions, leading to a poor outcome.
Common Mistakes To Avoid In Blackjack
Standing On A Soft 18
A common mistake people make when playing blackjack is always standing on a soft 18, but basic strategy tells you that this is a mistake. For those of you who don't know what a soft 18 is, it's a combination of an Ace and a 7, named such because the Ace can switch to a 1 if needed.
If the dealer is showing a 2,7, or 8, then you should stand. If they are showing a 9, 10, or Ace, you should usually hit. If they show a 3,4,5, or 6, then you should double down.
Splitting 10's And Face Cards
As it's a pair, and it's a big one, a common assumption is that these should be split to double your chances to win. However, as we briefly touched on earlier in this article, 20 is a good number to stand on, meaning that it's tough to beat. You should never split 10's or face cards when you're playing blackjack.
You Don't Always Need To Split Pairs
Speaking of splitting, according to basic strategy, there are times when splitting pairs is a good idea, and times when it's not. It depends on the card that the dealer is showing, and you need to use the basic strategy chart to determine if you should or should not.
The only pairs that you should ever immediately split are Ace's and 8's, whereas splitting 5's for example is a mistake as 10 is a fantastic number to double down on.
Not Understanding The Basic Rules
Too many people think that they can take to the blackjack table without even understanding the basic rules and terminology, but this is not going to provide you with a favorable outcome more often than not. Of course, you may get lucky a few times, and you may even find yourself on a sun run for a little while, but it will come to an end, and you will find that it's a one-off rather than a habit.
As such, it's essential that you learn the basics at the very least, including terms such as hit, stand, double down, split, and more.
Copying The Dealer And Other Players
This is a colossal mistake. You never know what strategy someone else is using, if they are even using one. You never know how they have learned to play the game, and just because they are a dealer, or they look as though they are doing well, doesn't always mean that they are good at playing the game.
Copying what other people are doing is not guaranteeing you a win like some people believe. Instead of doing this, you need to research on your own, learning as much as you can about the game, and consulting basic strategy, rather than just relying on other people's knowledge to carry you to a successful outcome.
Maximizing Your Chances At The Blackjack Table
Avoid Insurance Bets
It might be tempting to take insurance bets, even more so when the dealer's upcard is an Ace. Statistically though, these bets don't have a positive outcome, and actually have a negative expected value in the long-run. As such, it's a far better option to focus, making informed decisions based on the basic strategy you know, and the dealer that you are facing.
Know When To Hit Or Stand When Your Value is 12-16
Blackjack can be a cruel game, and knowing when to hit or stand is crucial for winning. If you know when and how to play a stiff hand then you are doing one step better than the beginners. There is one main rule to follow when you have a value of 12-16, let the dealer bust if they are likely to and hit if they aren't. It all comes down to the dealer's up card, if this is between 2 and 6 then they have a much higher chance of busting that turn. If the dealer's up card is between 7 and 10, or an ace then you will need to improve your hand as 12-16 then becomes a guaranteed loser.
Double Down On 11 When Facing 2-10
Doubling down is one of the most profitable and beneficial moves in blackjack. If you have a total of 11 from the initial draw, you have an incredibly high possibility of totaling 21 with the deck cards you take. There is zero risk of busting if you hit for another card, as any other one will give you a maximum score of ten. Many players will double their bet if they have a starting 11, the odds are certainly in your favor, especially if the dealer's face up card is between 2 and 10.
Ensure You Use Basic Strategy
Finally, when you go into a blackjack game you should ensure you are using the basic strategy, always. This will ensure you have the best chance at winning your hand. Whichever combination of cards you have, this mathematical strategy will help you get through it. When you use this, you are reducing the house's chance of winning, which is exactly what you need. Using your gut feeling, or straying from the strategy can raise the house edge to more than 2%. If the odds are in your favor then you should always go for it, doubling down for example to give yourself the best chance.
If you do everything that we've talked about in this article, taking it all into account, you should be able to master blackjack in no time. This is not to say that you're going to win every hand, as this is never going to happen, but it will improve your chances of winning tenfold, bringing you larger levels of success.
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