The Top 10 Best Blackjack Tips

Blackjack is a classic card game and a very popular choice for nearly every casino gambler in the UK. A blackjack game requires the right strategy to play with the best odds of winning, which is why new and experienced players alike are always looking for the best blackjack tips to help them ace the game.

While our blackjack tips and tricks won’t guarantee you’ll beat the dealer every time you play at Betiton UK, they’ll help you avoid the most common mistakes that will significantly impact your odds of success.

Read our full blackjack guide to find the best online blackjack tips and how to implement them in your next game.

Get to Know the Basic Rules

To play the game optimally, you must know the best blackjack rules and tips to play your cards right. In the following sections, we’ve listed our best tips on winning blackjack. However, before you try them out, make sure you’re familiar with the basic rules of blackjack, the blackjack card values, and how the game is played.

Stand When Your Hand is 12-16 and the Dealer Has 2-6

If you’re the first two cards dealt to you total a value between 12 and 16, you should stand only if the dealer’s upcard is between two and six. The reason is that although you won’t have a strong hand with a total of 12 to 16, the dealer must hit until they reach 17.

With a low card ranging from two to six, the dealer will likely take multiple cards and bust in the process. This is one of the most important blackjack dealer tips because although you’ll be holding a weak hand, taking another card is still risky because there are many scenarios where you can go bust.

Hit When Your Hand is 12-16 and the Dealer Has 7-Ace

If the dealer has anything from a seven or higher, you should hit with the same hand described above. Although hitting on a hand total between 12 and 16 is risky, the dealer is likely to get a higher total if they have a seven or higher. For this reason, it’s recommended that you take the risk of taking another card. If you stand on a hand of 16 or lower, the odds of beating the dealer will be very low.

Split Aces and 8s Whenever You Can

All blackjack rules tips will tell you to split Aces and eights, regardless of what the dealer shows. A pair of Aces is an excellent hand for splitting because you can’t bust when doing so, and you also have a good chance of getting a total of 21 on at least one hand.

According to basic blackjack strategy, a pair of eights should always be split because a hand of 16 won’t give you a good chance of beating the dealer. If split, you’ll probably form at least one strong hand that will provide you with much better odds.

Know When to Double Down

The general and rather obvious rule regarding doubling down is when you have a very strong hand that you’re almost certain you can beat the dealer with if you take another card.

 Most winning blackjack tips agree that the best hand to double down on is when you’re holding a 10 or 11. Doubling is similar to hitting because the dealer gives you another card, but you also double your initial bet, making it a riskier move.

If the Dealer Has a 2 or 3 Upcard, Always Hit on a Hard 12

With a hard 12 (any two cars totalling 12 without an Ace), you should always hit if the dealer has a two or a three. Although the risk of busting is relatively high when holding a 12, the dealer also has a chance of busting if they take multiple cards.

Remember, the dealer usually hits until they reach 17. A hard 12 is never a favourable position to be in, and it’s usually a losing hand, so the best blackjack strategy is to take the risk of hitting.

Avoid Placing Insurance Bets

The insurance bet is offered whenever the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. By taking it, you’ll add an additional bet equal to half your initial wager to insure it if the dealer gets a blackjack. If they do, you get a payout of 2:1 and break even. If they don’t, you lose your initial wager and your insurance bet, too.

In the long term, any tips for playing blackjack will tell you to avoid the insurance bet. Statistically, you’re better off not taking this bet because the dealer’s odds of getting a blackjack are rather low.

Stick to a Strategy

Next in our top blackjack tips is about getting your blackjack strategy right. As you may know, one of the most effective ways to play blackjack is to follow basic strategy, a system that tells you what to do with any combination of your two cards and the dealer’s upcard.

Many betting strategies like the Martingale or Fibonacci systems may also be used to structure your bets and play with a system rather than randomly. Whatever betting strategy you choose, the most useful of our tips for winning blackjack is to stick to it consistently. Blackjack strategies won’t guarantee a win, but it’s best if you don’t change your strategy during a game.

Keep Your Bets Consistent

Keeping your bets consistent by betting the same amount on each round or increasing the size of your stake by the same unit is another of the best tips for online blackjack. This will also help you stretch your bankroll better and avoid the risk of big losses.

It can be tempting to bet big after a win, but there’s no telling what cards you’ll get in the next round, so it’s better to have a consistent strategy. Additionally, be careful when using progressive betting because they can quickly use your bankroll.

Set an Amount of Money You are Willing to Wager and Stick to It

Proper bankroll management is key to your chances of success in the long run when playing a game like blackjack. One of the most effective blackjack tips for beginners is to set aside a bankroll for playing the game rather than playing without a limit and then deciding when to stop.

Your blackjack bankroll should always be a reasonable amount you can afford to lose without any consequences should you not succeed. More importantly, this amount should be split into multiple small bets to last you longer in the game.

Practice at Reliable Casinos

One of the simplest but highly effective tips for blackjack is to get plenty of practice.  The best way to master a game that involves strategy, like blackjack, is to put your knowledge into practice by trying out a real blackjack game.

Whether you want to play blackjack in demo mode or for real money, practising at a reliable online casino like Betiton UK is important. You can enjoy various demo blackjack games on our platform, with the option to switch to real money play when and if you wish.

Our online casino is licensed by the UKGC and works with iTechLabs to ensure the fairness and legitimacy of our games. This means you can rest assured that you’re playing at a reliable online casino whenever you want to practice your blackjack strategy.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions About Blackjack Tips