The Complete Guide To Blackjack Strategies

As the game you probably used to see at any online or real-life casino is so popular and engaging, players are striving to learn more and more about it. It’s about blackjack basic strategy, so the game can be called both simple and complicated at once (yes, that’s what happens). At first glance, it’s an easy game of luck: you just get the cards and rely on the fortune. But when the basic rules are clear and you want to dig a bit deeper, you can learn about the tricks and understand how to win at blackjack more often. All right, what strategies can work and how to start using them? 

Who Plays Perfect Blackjack?

In fact, you shouldn’t read any advice, so only professional players can both explain the game’s details in general and develop the strategies to teach others then. That’s why it’s important to rely on the opinion of players who are completely into blackjack and know all about this game. Mostly, these players are famous and are the authors of the books that serve as the guides to the world of gambling.

Well, who are those who understand blackjack strategy so deeply and can share their knowledge?

1. Russ Hamilton.
   This guy is a real fan of cards, so he is interested in both poker and blackjack games. The famous «Elimination Blackjack» tournament being arranged is also among his achievements.
2. Ken Uston.
   The person who has beaten the casino laws is who this man, in fact, is. With the help of the judge, he has proved that casinos can’t ban players for counting cards (so he has been banned for that at 3 establishments beforehand). 
3. Edward Thorp.
   This man is both a maths professor and an avid player who understands how to count cards and has shared the best blackjack strategy tips of the game in the «Beat the Dealer» book.
4. Bryce Carlson.
   He is a real pioneer of this game, so he has been playing it since the 1970s. The man is famous both for his strategy book and Omega II Blackjack Machine (and then a computer program), the one he has invented to analyze the game. It’s a kind of a blackjack simulator that has helped him to develop the right strategy.
5. Arnold Snyder.
   Being another famous gambling author, this professional player has paid attention not only to the strategy, but to the way the dealer has been shuffling the cards. This skill definitely gives the man an advantage, so his readers can also benefit from it.

They are not the only experts who both enjoy the game and can offer useful blackjack guides. So the extract of all the works of these experts is what can help you master the game as well as these professionals did.

Interesting to know: «Blackjack for Blood» is a famous book by Bryce Carlson, one of the most famous players in the world. The author provides readers with a comprehensive strategy and explains the valuable details of the game.

Blackjack Strategy Chart: How to Use This Feature

Perhaps, you could hear about a blackjack strategy chart. And if you haven’t yet, here it is: a real «aide» for those who want to trust maths and rely on these calculations. So, let’s take a look at this feature!

Yes, so many numbers and different variations. Besides, you have to take into account several other ideas before getting to use it. But don’t worry: as soon as you examine it, you can become a perfect player. 

1. Though a blackjack chart is such a useful thing, you have to learn the basic rules before. So you have to understand the fundamentals first.
2. As soon as you learn the rules, realise that they are not enough, so you always have to be one step ahead.
3. Yes, this blackjack strategy card is a big one, but your task is to memorize it so that you can use it at any time.
4. That’s not the only working strategy, so you don’t have to stop only here.
5. Still, there is no chart that can provide you with 100% winnings (so always remember that you are taking risks).

What to Learn From This Chart

This table includes your possible 2 cards as well as an upcard of the dealer. You have to find them in the chart and look at the key to find out what to do then. So you can learn when to hit, when to stand, to double (if the casino allows you to do that with the value of your cards), to split or to surrender. 

Basic Things to Memorize

There are several things that can make up blackjack optimal strategy even without memorizing the whole chart. Here they come!

Be aware: you can also meet other blackjack basic strategy charts where the numbers or the actions can differ. That’s why it’s up to you to practice and find out which table is the most efficient.

No-Busting Strategy: Real or Not?

Experts share another professional blackjack strategy that has such a winning recipe: «Don’t bust, let the dealer bust for you». Well, of course it doesn’t work as simple as that. But still you have a chance to understand this thing a bit better.

A note: according to the calculations of experts, when the dealer’s face up card is 7+, the average hand total is 18,4. And when you stay on 12-16, you lose more than when you hit (though yes, there is a risk of busting).

As a result, it’s more a blackjack fail strategy, so the casino edge increases up to 4% when following it.

Other Strategies to Try Out

As it was already mentioned, there are dozens of other strategies gamblers can try out. And the only thing that is important about them is that they should be based on maths, so any progressive theories will not do - players should always rely on the cards they see. Anyway, what other famous theories take place?

• Stearn method in blackjack: George is a professional player who has written the whole book that is dedicated to casino games. It highlights various useful features for players, including roulette payout tricks, tips in low stakes blackjack.
• The Martingale strategy: it’s an aggressive style when your stakes are, actually, enormous. So this option is for those who can afford to bet (and lose sometimes) a lot.
• The theories that are introduced by famous blackjack players in their books. Yes, a blackjack strategy guide of each author can be different, so you should understand its principle and practice before trying it out for real money. 
• Blackjack money management strategy is not completely about the gaming strategy, but it’s your way to maintain control, so you select the budget to play for and don’t cross that line.

But be aware: things like an up and pull blackjack system don’t work as well as any other betting systems that aren’t based on maths.

What to Remember

You should also keep in mind some things about the game to be prepared and feel confident. Here they are.

• Blackjack alarm system, as with any other casino game, is the thing that doesn’t accept cheating. So you can use various strategies, but only when it’s within the law.
• Bankroll management in blackjack is the approach that can control both your stakes and budget in general, so moderate and responsible gaming is always a thing.
• A blackjack strategy card pocket size printable chart is the thing you can print and use when visiting any casinos (or just using it at home when playing online). But remember that you can hold it in your hand, but never put it on the table with cards.

FAQ: What You Have to Know About Blackjack Strategy

As soon as you decide to become a perfect blackjack player and master this activity, don’t forget to get familiar with the answers to the questions most newcomers have. Here they are!

What is a blackjack perfect strategy?

In fact, there is no only one strategy, so everyone should start using it then. All the strategies are based on the calculations of the cards the player and the dealer have. Besides, it’s always a matter of luck, so gamblers can’t see the second card of the dealer and can only predict the result.

How to always win blackjack?

Unfortunately for players, it’s impossible. Users can’t predict the results 100%, while the house edge always takes place (about 1%).

How can I know that a blackjack hand chart is not just a table casinos have invented for players to lose?

Well, if this thing wouldn’t work, players wouldn’t use it so massively. Besides, it’s based on the maths calculations, and you can check whether it works even by using a deck of cards at home.

What is the best blackjack practice?

If you want to improve your skills in this game, the best way to do that is playing regularly. That’s why you can use various apps, visit real-life or online casinos and even start playing with friends (or do it alone by being both a dealer and a player, just to understand how it works). While blackjack strategy YouTube videos can also help a lot.

Real-life or online casinos?

Well, while real-life establishments can often offer free drinks, online platforms can offer blackjack bonuses and playing online at any location. So it’s up to you to decide.