How to Win at Blackjack
As a player, it is crucial to know the basic strategy in blackjack. Once you master the basics, you can expand your knowledge by analyzing blackjack strategies, such as the Insurance bet, splitting pairs, and hitting on soft 17.
Basic strategy
If you want to learn how to win at blackjack, you should begin by mastering the basic strategy. The house edge in blackjack is about 0.50 percent, or less, when the player follows perfect basic strategy. That means that the casino will make $0.50 for every $100 bet you place. This can be significantly higher if you don’t follow perfect basic strategy. However, you can still win big by learning the basics of the game. Here are some things to consider:
Insurance bet
In blackjack, the insurance bet is an additional side bet that is played independently of the original wager. It is available after the dealer has dealt out the first cards and when the dealer shows an ace. You may place an insurance bet by wagering half of your original bet. The insurance bet pays out at odds of two to one, even if the dealer does not have blackjack. However, the insurance bet should only be placed if you are confident of obtaining a blackjack.
Splitting pairs
There are many rules to follow when splitting pairs in blackjack. Aces are always the best to split, as this is like getting a pair of elevens. If the dealer has an Ace and an eight, split those two hands. If you’ve got a pair of nines, only split them if the dealer has two through six, or an eight and nine. Otherwise, you should stand. This is the basic strategy for splitting pairs in blackjack, and you’ll need a lot of practice to master it.
Hitting on a soft 17
Hitting on a soft seventeen is a fairly common situation at the blackjack table. Soft seventeens occur when the dealer has an ace and two other cards. If the dealer does not hit on a soft seventeen, you can split the hand with the player. This is a very good strategy if you have an ace and two other cards. You should also hit if you have a pair of twos or threes.
Double down
You can always double down on your blackjack bet, but it is only recommended if the situation is especially advantageous. A great example is when you are dealt a total of 11 made up of two-through-ten cards. The dealer then starts with a ten-value card. You decide to double down, but you are afraid that you will lose twice as much as the dealer. This can lead to big problems. Instead, you should wait for the dealer to reveal his face-up card before doubling down.