Blackjack Strategy Guide

Blackjack is one of the most fun casino games to play with a betting strategy because it’s both skill and luck. Although playing blackjack with a specific strategy can only reduce the house edge slightly, it’s important to ensure you’re playing your cards right to have a solid chance of beating the dealer.

Betiton has compiled the ultimate blackjack strategy guide that will explain how to read a basic blackjack strategy chart and apply it in practice. We’ll also examine the most popular betting systems you can implement in your next blackjack game for easier bankroll management.

Blackjack Betting Systems

Multiple betting systems can be used to play blackjack, but none can guarantee winning every time. It’s important to find the right blackjack betting strategy by considering the bankroll requirement, the difficulty level, and the risk level.

Martingale System

The Martingale strategy blackjack system is undoubtedly the one that most blackjack players are familiar with, especially beginners. According to this betting system, bets should be doubled on a loss. If a win occurs, the system states you should return to the original bet size.

Positive Progression Systems

Positive progression betting systems are the opposite of the Martingale system because they state that bets should be doubled on a win rather than a loss. However, the concept is very similar to negative progression betting systems like the Martingale system. Both types of betting systems are highly risky because they require a large bankroll to keep up with, which is something that should be kept in mind.

Oscar’s Grind

The Oscar’s Grind betting system is a less well-known blackjack strategy because it was originally created for craps. According to this system, bets should be increased by one unit on a win. It also states that the bet should be doubled on a consecutive win.

Counting Cards

Advanced and experienced players also consider blackjack card counting strategy an effective way to play the game. This involves counting the cards dealt and using that information to size your bets.  

It should be noted that card counting takes plenty of practice to master, and it’s one of the most complex betting systems you can use. Additionally, keeping a running count is difficult to do in online blackjack.

Blackjack Strategy Key Points

There are too many player-dealer card combinations to memorise the right move for each one, so we suggest learning the key points first to get started. Below, we’ve provided an important summary of the blackjack optimal strategy:

• Stand on 17 or higher – The most basic rule of a blackjack winning strategy is to stand on 17 or higher, regardless of the dealer’s card.

• Double down on 11 – Always double on a hard 11 because it’s one of the best starting hands to take advantage of.  Additionally, you can’t bust if you
• Split 8s and Aces – You should always split aces or eights according to online blackjack strategy because you will likely get two stronger hands.
• Never split 10s – Tens shouldn’t be split because a total of 20 is one of the best hands.
• Hit on Ace-7 if the dealer has a 9, 10, or Ace – If the dealer has a high card, it’s best to hit on soft 17 because they’re likely to beat you once they reveal their hidden card.
• Only stand with 12 if the dealer has a 4, 5, or 6 – Standing on 12 is a risky move that should only be done if the dealer has these cards; otherwise, hit.
• Stand on 13, 14, 15, or 16 if the dealer’s card is 2 through 6 – Similarly, you should stand on these totals if the dealer has a low card.

Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart

A basic blackjack strategy chart is the optimal way to play blackjack because it uses statistical probabilities to determine the best move to play according to the cards you’ve been dealt. It also considers the dealer’s upcard and indicates whether you should hit, stand, double, split, or surrender.

How to Read the Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart?

To read a basic blackjack strategy chart, you need to find your hand on the left side and the dealer’s card to see the move you should make.

Below, we’ve included a guide you can follow for the abbreviations used in most basic strategy charts:

• H – Hit
• S – Stand
• P – Split
• D/H – Double down if allowed, otherwise, stand
• D/S – Split if allowed, otherwise hit
• P/H – Split if doubling after splitting is allowed; otherwise, hit
• R/H – Surrender if allowed, otherwise hit

Besides following the chart without any deviations, there are also a few additional rules we suggest keeping in mind. For example, basic strategy states that the insurance bet should never be taken. Similarly, the best blackjack side bets strategy is to avoid them entirely.

Single Deck Basic Strategy Chart

You can use a standard basic blackjack strategy chart for most blackjack games, but it’s important to be aware that different charts exist according to the number of decks used in the game. You can usually see how many decks are used according to the game variant by checking the game rules.

How to Read the Single Deck Basic Strategy Chart?

A single deck blackjack strategy chart can be used as a guide to play any blackjack game that uses a single 52-card deck. Like any basic blackjack strategy chart, the colour-coded table provides the most statistically advantageous move for any combination of player cards against the dealer’s starting card.

To use it, you must first find your hand on the left. The dealer’s card is usually on the right side at the top of the chart. The correct decision for any specific combination can be found by following this chart.

Double Deck Basic Strategy Chart

As the name suggests, a double deck basic strategy chart should be used for playing blackjack games that use two decks. This strategy chart will indicate the best moves in a blackjack game with multiple decks, as shown below.

How to Read the Double Deck Basic Strategy Chart?

Reading a basic strategy chart for a double-deck blackjack game is the same as reading a regular one. Start by reading the game’s rules and ensuring you’re familiar with how they work.

Once you have your cards, count the total of your hand and find it on the chart. On the other side, find the dealer’s card and follow it to the point where it meets the player’s row. Play your hand according to what the chart indicates.

4-8 Multi-Deck Strategy Chart

4-8 deck charts are also available online. You can also find a 6 deck blackjack strategy chart, but the rules are the same for any number of decks up to eight, so you can follow the chart below to guide you accordingly.

How to Read the 4-8 Multi-Deck Strategy Chart?

Once again, if you know how to read a regular European blackjack strategy chart, you won’t have any trouble reading a multiple-deck chart. The abbreviations for hitting, standing, doubling, and so on are the same ones used in a single deck chart, so you can easily follow it by looking at the player’s hand on the left and finding the dealer’s card at the top.

Remember that there are two separate charts according to the dealer’s rules. The most common dealer rule is that they stand on a soft 17, but if you’re playing a blackjack game with different dealer rules, you’ll need to follow another type of chart.

Blackjack Playing Options

Once every player has placed their bets on the table, the dealer deals two cards to each player. At this point, you’ll need to calculate your hand’s total and decide how to play your hand. Your playing options are generally the following:

• Stand – If you don’t want another card added to your hand, you can choose to stand. This means you want to play your hand as it is, and it’s usually done if you have a strong hand or there’s a high likelihood of busting if you don’t.
• Hit – Hitting refers to taking another card from the dealer. It should be done according to basic strategy, but in general, it’s done when you know you can’t bust by hitting or if you have a very low hand total.
• Double Down – Another playing option is to double down by doubling your initial bet. This option is reserved for very strong hands you want to take advantage of.
• Split – Splitting is ideal for certain pairs like Aces or Eights that aren’t strong hands as pairs.
• Surrender – The blackjack surrender strategy is a good move to make if it’s offered. If you surrender, half of your initial bet will be refunded. Some blackjack games allow you to surrender when the cards are dealt.
• Insurance –The insurance bet is a side bet that can be taken if the dealer’s card is an Ace. According to blackjack strategy insurance shouldn’t be taken. Like any side bet, the 21+3 blackjack strategy side bet should also be avoided because it offers low winning odds like the insurance bet.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions About Blackjack Strategy