August 7, 2024
8 Minute Read
Master Blackjack Strategy for Big Wins at Instant Casino
Blackjack is one of the most popular card games worldwide, known for its blend of luck, skill, and strategy. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned player, understanding the right strategies can significantly enhance your chances of winning. At Instant Casino, we want to help you become a Blackjack pro, so we’ve put together this guide to help you master the game. By following these strategies, you’ll not only enjoy the game more but also increase your potential for big wins!
Blackjack Basic Strategy
Basic Strategy in Blackjack refers to the best possible way to play each hand based on your cards and the dealer’s upcard. It’s a mathematically proven approach that minimizes the house edge, giving you the best chance of winning over the long run. Let’s dive into some of the essential components of the Basic Strategy.
Basic Strategy Chart
A Basic Strategy Chart is a handy tool that outlines the optimal decisions for every possible hand combination. The chart shows you when to hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender based on your hand and the dealer’s visible card.
How to Read the Chart:
- Your Hand: On the left column, find the total of your hand or specific pairs.
- Dealer’s Upcard: Across the top, find the dealer’s upcard.
- Intersection: The box where your hand total and the dealer’s upcard meet will indicate the recommended action.
For example, if you have a total of 12 and the dealer is showing a 6, the chart will typically advise you to “Stand.”
Stand on 17+
Always stand when your hand total is 17 or more. This rule applies to both soft and hard hands. The odds of busting with another hit are simply too high, making it safer to keep your current total and hope the dealer busts.
For example, let’s say you have a hard 17 (say, a 10 and a 7), hitting could easily result in going over 21 with the addition of just a medium or high card. Even with a soft 17 (an Ace and a 6), the best move is still to stand because the chances of improving your hand significantly are slim compared to the risk of ending up with a lower hand total.
Double Down on 11
When your total is 11, it’s one of the most favorable situations to double down. Doubling down means you double your bet in exchange for committing to take just one more card. The reason this is such a strong play is that you’re in a prime position to hit a 10 or face card, giving you a total of 21 or close to it.
For example, if you have an 8 and a 3, doubling down allows you to capitalize on this strong position by potentially doubling your winnings.
Never Split 10s
When you’re dealt a pair of 10s, you have a total of 20, which is an exceptionally strong hand in Blackjack. Splitting these cards to create two separate hands might seem tempting, especially if you’re aiming for two hands totaling 21.
But, it’s generally a bad idea because a hand total of 20 already puts you in a strong position to win. Splitting them would likely result in two weaker hands, which could put you at a disadvantage compared to just sticking with the 20.
Split 8s and Aces
Always split a pair of 8s and Aces. When you have two 8s, you have a hard 16, which is one of the worst hands you can have because it’s too high to hit comfortably and too low to stand confidently. Splitting them gives you a fresh chance to improve both hands.
Similarly, with two Aces, splitting is advantageous because each Ace can potentially be paired with a high card, giving you two strong hands that could each total 21. This is far better than being stuck with a single hand with a soft 12.
Surrender
If the rules at your table allow, consider using the surrender option in specific situations where your hand has poor odds against a strong dealer upcard. For example, if you have a hard 16 and the dealer shows a 9, 10, or Ace, surrendering is often the best move.
In this case, you’d lose only half of your initial bet but avoid potentially losing the entire amount if you played the hand out. Surrendering helps you minimize losses in particularly tough situations.
Hit on Ace-7 for Dealer’s 9, 10, or Ace
A hand with an Ace and a 7 is called a “soft 18” because the Ace can count as either 1 or 11. While an 18 might seem like a solid hand, it’s often not strong enough against a dealer’s 9, 10, or Ace.
In these cases, you should hit. The reason is that these dealer upcards are strong, and an 18 is unlikely to hold up. Hitting gives you a chance to improve your hand without the risk of busting, as the Ace can still revert to being counted as 1 if needed.
Only Stand with 12 on Dealer’s 4, 5, or 6
A total of 12 can be an unsafe hand, but if the dealer is showing a 4, 5, or 6, it’s generally wise to stand. These dealer upcards put the dealer at a higher risk of busting, making your 12 a bit more favorable.
The idea is that if you stand, the dealer might draw cards that cause them to go over 21, resulting in a win for you. Hitting in this scenario increases your risk of busting without much upside.
Stand with 13, 14, 15, or 16 on Dealer’s 2 through 6
When you have a hand totaling 13, 14, 15, or 16, and the dealer is showing a 2 through 6, standing is usually the best move. These hands are in a tricky middle ground where hitting could easily lead to a bust, but standing gives the dealer a chance to bust themselves.
The reasoning here is that with these dealer upcards, there’s a good chance the dealer will draw cards that force them to hit and potentially bust, giving you a win by default. It’s a conservative strategy that can pay off in the long run.
Other Important Blackjack Strategies
Beyond the basics, there are additional strategies that can elevate your Blackjack game.
Card Counting Strategy
Card counting involves keeping track of the cards that have been dealt to estimate the likelihood of certain cards coming up.
The basic idea is to count high and low cards to gain an edge. A simple system like the Hi-Lo count assigns +1 to low cards (2-6), 0 to neutral cards (7-9), and -1 to high cards (10-Ace). Keep a running total, and bet higher when the count is positive, indicating a higher proportion of high cards remaining.
Live Dealer Strategy
Playing with a live dealer can offer unique advantages, like observing the dealer’s habits and tendencies. Be attentive to how they shuffle, deal, and reveal cards. While it doesn’t change the fundamental strategy, understanding these nuances can give you a slight edge.
Blackjack Winning Tips
To further improve your chances of winning blackjack, keep these tips in mind:
- Manage Your Bankroll: Set a budget for your play session and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses and know when to walk away.
- Understand the Rules: Different tables may have variations in rules, such as whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17. Knowing these can influence your strategy.
- Avoid Insurance: Taking insurance is rarely a good bet. It may seem like a safety net, but it generally favors the house.
- Stay Focused: Blackjack requires attention. Stay focused on the game and avoid distractions to make the best decisions.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Use free play options at Instant Casino to practice your strategies before playing with real money.
At Instant Casino, we offer a variety of online Blackjack games to suit all players, from beginners to high rollers. Use these strategies and tips to sharpen your skills, and remember, the more you practice, the better you’ll get. Ready to hit the tables? Join us at Instant Casino and start playing!
FAQ
What is the best Blackjack strategy?
The best Blackjack strategy is to follow the Basic Strategy, which provides optimal moves based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard. This strategy minimizes the house edge by advising you when to hit, stand, double down, split, or surrender in each situation.
What is the 777 rule in Blackjack?
The “777 rule” in Blackjack generally refers to a special payout or bonus when a player draws three 7s in a row. This rule is a promotional or special feature and varies by casino, often resulting in a significant bonus if all three 7s are of the same suit.
Is there a trick to winning Blackjack?
While there’s no guaranteed trick to winning Blackjack, consistently applying the Basic Strategy, managing your bankroll, and avoiding side bets can improve your chances. Some advanced players use card counting to gain an edge, though it requires practice and isn’t foolproof.
Do you hit or stay on 16?
It depends on the dealer’s upcard. Generally, you should hit on 16 if the dealer shows a 7, 8, 9, 10, or Ace. If the dealer has a 2 through 6, it’s usually best to stand, as the dealer has a higher chance of busting.
