For those looking to increase their chances of success at the blackjack table, there are a few simple strategies that can help you maximize your odds of winning. Whether you’re playing in a land-based casino or online, these tips can help give you an edge over the house.
The first strategy is to always split Aces and 8s when dealt. Splitting Aces gives you two hands with which to beat the dealer, while splitting 8s gives you two chances to get a stronger hand than the dealer’s. This increases your odds of winning by giving you more options.
Another strategy is to double down on 11 when it’s possible. Doubling down means you double your bet when it looks like your hand has a better chance of beating the dealer’s than what he has showing. It’s important to remember that this should only be done if the dealers up-card is less than 9, as otherwise this could result in a bust for both hands.
It’s also important to know when not to take insurance when offered by the house. Insurance allows players to protect against losing their entire wager if the dealer gets blackjack, but it comes at a price – half of your original stake will be paid out automatically if the dealer does get blackjack regardless of whether or not it was taken out beforehand. As such, it’s usually best avoided unless you have strong evidence that the dealer may have blackjack on his next card draw.
Finally, knowing when to stand and hit can make all the difference in blackjack games. Generally speaking, players should stand on 12 or more and hit on 11 or lower as this limits losses and maximizes wins overall. Of course, this does depend on what cards are showing so sometimes it might be necessary to deviate from these rules depending on specific scenarios presented during gameplay – but this should be done sparingly as sticking with basic strategy will often bring better results overall in most situations.
By following these strategies, any player can significantly increase their chances of success while playing blackjack – no matter if they’re playing online or in a brick-and-mortar casino setting!
