What makes blackjack different from the majority of casino games is that, in the long run, the skilled player will come out ahead. Compared to other high-profile table games like poker, blackjack is considerably easier for beginners to get the hang of. It also helps that the average RTP is over 99% and that most blackjack variants give players a nearly 50% chance of beating the dealer. If this sounds like your cup of tea, give this guide a read to begin splitting aces with the best of them.
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The Core: RTP and the Art of Playing Blackjack
Unlike poker, playing blackjack has players going against the dealer. This means multiple players can win at once as long as their playing hands are greater than the dealer’s. There are two different categories of online blackjack strategy guides. The first section is on betting systems, and the other is on game strategies. The difference between the two is simple. Betting systems deal with when you up and lower your bets in size.
Game strategies for blackjack indicate the best time to hit, stand, pat, double down, and split. They tell you the best course of action within the game’s flow. However, they will not give you tips on how much to bet or when to increase or lower a wager. Playing blackjack at the best online casinos allows players to set up responsible gaming measures to help maximize their budgets.
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The Purpose of the Blackjack Strategy Chart
You will need to learn basic blackjack strategy before you begin. Charts are available for all types of games, and the chart at the end combines many games and shows all the exceptions. In particular, when to double down and when to split will vary according to the rules of the particular game you choose to play.
It is important to use the right chart. If you follow this chart and do nothing else, you will get a return of 99.5%, which is better than any other casino game. The basic blackjack chart also helps players know when to hit or stand based on the value of their playing hand.
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The Art of Playing a Blackjack Hand
The most important strategy is knowing when to stand playing blackjack. While not a guarantee that you will win the playing hand, standing with a hand between 12 and 16 is a sound strategy. This is especially so if the dealer’s hand is worth six points or less. Because the dealer has to hit to get to 17, the odds of the dealer busting are incredibly high.
Hitting is when you draw another card. While hitting improves your playing hand, every time you hit, it runs the risk of busting. If the playing is worth eleven or less, always hit because you don’t have to worry about busting.
Yet another decent blackjack tip? Split aces and 8s whenever the option is given. If you are a blackjack novice, this is the point where we would insert a clause to explain that if you get dealt two cards with identical value, you can split them into two separate hands to try to double up.
The first rule of splitting is to watch out for aces and 8s. Doubling up on aces makes perfect sense because it gives you two shots at hitting 21 with just two cards. While some blackjack variants support splitting tens, the odds are to stand pat. Two tens means you are a point away from winning.
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Taking Blackjack to the Next Level
Playing online blackjack comes with perks and benefits like bonuses. Due to the incredible popularity of online blackjack, many of the latest bonuses qualify for them. You can even win big with live dealer blackjack tournaments. Take heed of the rewards program so you can earn bonuses and discounted bets playing the different blackjack variants.
Games like Gravity Blackjack and Blackjack x-Change support side bets. It takes skill and extra bankroll to properly play these games, so they might not be ideal for beginners. Online casinos like Golden Nugget and DraftKings support progressive blackjack games. For extra fee, you can opt into in-house blackjack games worth six to seven figures.