A blackjack strategy chart is very important for professional players, it can help them to make the absolute best decisions, with regards to knowing when to: Hit, Stand, Double Down, Split, or Surrender, while playing a game of blackjack. Optimal Blackjack Strategy The rules of play 1. The number of players. At most blackjack tables, there is one dealer and from one to six players. The player to the dealer's left receives his cards rst, and is said to be on rst base.' The nal player on the dealer's right is the.
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Casino games are known for being unfair for the player and odds are stacked in favour of the casinos. After all, if the house didn't always win, why would they exist in the first place? In the majority of instances, this logic is completely sound, but blackjack happens to be one of the few exceptions to this rule. Unlike most other casino games, your strategy and skills can actually make a big impact on your game. Winning at live blackjack consistently is not easy, but with a little bit of learning and a lot of practice, it can definitely be done.
Before continuing, you need to make sure that you understand the rules of the game completely; hit vs. stand, what it means to double down, etc. You can only have a real chance at winning once you have a firm grasp on the basics of the game. Even then, live blackjack is still a game of chance and you cannot expect to win every hand. You have to play as well as you can and then hope for the best in the long run.
However, we will aim to make sure that you have the best head start you can have with our list of strategies that should bring the house edge down!
Blackjack Strategy : Try Online
When it comes to playing blackjack live, one of the first things you can do to ensure your winning streak is to pick a great online casino to play at. With so many options available on the market nowadays, this is no easy feat.
Luckily, you won't have to spend hours trawling through Google to find the best live casino as we've done all the dirty work for you. Our trusty team of casino experts have put their investigative skills to work and successfully managed to draw up a list of the top online casinos where you can play live blackjack.
When compiling this list, we took into consideration factors like streaming quality, the dealers' personality, the outcomes of the games as well as the number of live blackjack options available. This thorough approach should guarantee you the best pick of live casinos for your blackjack gameplay. What's more, we make sure to update our list on a monthly basis so you'll always be kept updated on new live casinos that may pop up.
Even after you have picked your live casino, which is an important decision, you still have to decide which blackjack table is right for you. The rules of your table will ultimately determine how you play. Pay attention to whether the dealer stands on all seventeen's, or if they are supposed to hit on soft seventeen's. Also, the limits of your live blackjack table are crucial. If you pick a table with limits that are too high, you may lose your bankroll too quickly. This is especially true if you are a new player. In fact, if you don't have much experience at all, it would probably be smart to start by playing for free to get a feel for the rules of the game. Free blackjack can even be useful for veteran players who need a little warming up before putting their bankrolls on the line.
Top Tips for Playing Blackjack
- Always pick a live blackjack table that has suitable limits for your bankroll. When picking a variant of the game, consider the house edge. The lower this is, the better as this means that it is more likely to pay out. Go for variants with a house edge of lower than 1%.
- Play one hand at a time rather than multiple hands at once so you can concentrate all your efforts on that one hand, thereby increasing your chances of winning
- Refuse insurance if you have a 10
- Keep to your blackjack strategy and don't get carried away and bet more if you find yourself on a winning streak. Sticking to the plan will always pay off.
- Late positions are better as you can check out the cards that have already been played.
Get an Online Casino Bonus
There's no denying that a good ol' casino bonus is instrumental in helping blackjack players to get more bang for their buck. Many online casinos, like Genting, now offer live casino bonuses to their members as an incentive to play on their site. When you come across such an offer, you should take advantage of it while you can!
Know the Game Like the Back of Your Hand
Knowing the game rules before you start playing for real money is essential. Since no two blackjack variations are the same, applying the same strategy to different games is counter-productive. Start off by learning the specific rules of the variation you're about to play before settling on a strategy for that game.
How much does it pay out? How many decks does the shoe consist of? When and how many times can you split your hand? Is splitting aces allowed? Is there the option to surrender? This is the kind of information you should be seeking out in order to find the perfect blackjack strategy.
Watch how to avoid the most regularly misplayed hands here. Credit: 888casino.com
Optimal Blackjack Strategy
Most blackjack strategies are founded on logic and mathematics. This is one game that has more to do with skills and numbers rather than luck, superstitions or rituals. If your maths skills aren't quite up to scratch, however, don't fret. You can still make use of some tried and tested live blackjack strategies without having to rack your brains too much.
Using basic strategy cards, like the one provided here will help you to make the right decision whatever happens throughout gameplay. Strategy cards like these are super useful since they give players a visual representation of how to play against the dealer according to what hand you're holding.
Card counting is another strategy to use in live dealer blackjack, This tactic helps players follow the amount of high and low cards in the shoe, thereby giving some indication as to what might follow.
There are a finite number of situations that can occur in live blackjack, and each one of them has an ideal response. Some of these situations are obvious, but unless you are uncommonly smart, you will want a reference for playing blackjack properly. Luckily, there are simple charts all over the Internet that tell you how to play based on your current hand and the dealer's visible card. Since you are playing online, you can have one of these charts up on your screen at all times and feel totally comfortable referring to it.
Assuming that you follow the advice of your strategy card every time, the house edge will be reduced to only half of a percent, which is excellent. You just have to make sure the strategy chart you use corresponds to the number of decks in play and the dealer rules regarding soft seventeen's. Not only will using a chart help you play live blackjack perfectly online but as you get used to making the right decisions, it will be easier to transition your game into a traditional casino setting. Note that the perfect blackjack strategy is automatically the default when playing in a live blackjack game with an early payout option.
Live Blackjack Card Counting
Card counting is a legitimate blackjack strategy, but forget what you have seen in the movies. You don't have to be a genius to count cards. Basically, card counting involves counting how many high and low cards have been dealt from the deck. If you have seen either a lot of high or low cards, then there are fewer of those left in the deck. Knowing this can give you some insight into the ever-changing chances that your dealer will bust. Since you are basically looking for a stacked deck, card counting will not work in a standard online blackjack casino. You need to either play live blackjack online or take your game to a brick and mortar casino.
Card counting is doable but difficult because you cannot afford to make any mistakes. Your advantage over the house can only be maintained if you always make the right decision. Remember, practice makes perfect. There are many different card counting strategies, but once you pick one, stick with it and master the technique. Ultimately, no matter what strategy you use, nobody can guarantee that you will win every time. Even if you have a statistical advantage over the house, you will have to play a lot of hands and aim to win over the long run. It's called The Law of Large Numbers for a reason!
Types of Blackjack Variation
As well as this, there are several other types of variation on traditional blackjack and side bets that you can get involved in which may also dramatically affect your advantage in live dealer blackjack. You can find guides about most of them on our site. Check them out below and follow the links to learn more:
Any of these variations and sidebets will either spice up your gameplay or give you the opportunity to win some more money as you play. So check them out and see if you can find the perfect blackjack gameplay for you!
Live Blackjack FAQs
What's the difference between playing virtual blackjack and live blackjack?
Strategy-wise, not much. Both the live and virtual versions of this popular table game require the same skills. However, virtual blackjack is operated by random number generators to ensure all outcomes of the games are fair and random. With live blackjack on the other hand, players will play against real, professional dealers and not against computer programs. In this way, not only will you feel more like you're in a physical land-based casino, but the outcomes of the game will depend on the skills of the dealer to a certain extent.
How do I interact with the dealer?
Most online casinos offer a live chat feature that allows players to communicate with both the dealer and the casino manager in real time. What's more, while you will be able to see the dealer on your screen, they will not be able to see you. They will have access to basic information about the game and receive your chat messages which they may respond to orally.
Do I need to download any software in order to play live blackjack?
Generally, no. Many reputable online casinos offer the option of playing live games like blackjack, directly by streaming in your browser. That being said, you'd do well to make sure your browser is updated and you have all multimedia plugins installed to ensure streaming goes off without a hitch.
Can I play live blackjack on my mobile, smartphone or tablet device?
A lot of great online casinos games are conveniently accessible from all mobile devices so you can get those authentic casino thrills whether at home or on the go.
We hope you'll take on our advice on board and implement the best game strategy for the blackjack variation you've set your sights on. Also, keep in mind that a good live casino bonus won't hurt either so make sure to choose the best live casino that rewards you for your custom.This should help you achieve your desired results ie boost your winning streak and make some decent cash when playing live blackjack.
Finally, remember to enjoy yourself! The purpose of the game should be to have fun and let off a little steam, while perhaps making some nice wins in the process. However, don't let yourself get carried away and spoil all the fun. If you believe that your live blackjack playing is becoming an addiction or taking a toll on other areas of your life, be sure to get in touch with an organization like GamCare to seek the support you need.
Of all the casino games the world over, blackjack is just about the gambler's best friend. Unlike some other offerings that rely solely on chance, this is a game, as mentioned several times, where skill, knowledge and concentration are just as important as getting the right cards. So with the right intel, a sound game-plan and a little bit of luck, we can make a sizeable profit at the 21 tables.
Blackjack for online players
Blackjack for online players
Instructions & the Deal
It would be remiss of us not to have a page detailing the rules of blackjack on a site with the domain name blackjack.com.au. Blackjack is a variation of 21, which covers a broad range of card games that have been played in continental Europe since the 17th century. The object of the game is to beat the dealer by scoring more points in a hand without exceeding 21. Cards are scored by their numerical ranking, with all picture cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) worth 10 points. Aces can play as one point or 11, depending on which number benefits the player best.
A typical casino-style game uses between one and eight standard decks of 52 cards, which are shuffled together. A table can often hold up to seven people, although most online games are one-on-one affairs with a single player and a dealer.
- American blackjack: After bets are placed, all players, (starting from the left of the dealer), are dealt one up-card, the dealer then receives one card face down, players then receive their second up-card. The dealer then draws his/her second card face down (hole card), flips over his/her first-dealt card, and places the hole card under the now visible up-card. All players now play out their hand in turn, in the same order they were dealt. Once finished, the dealer turns over his/her face down card, and draws or stands according to the set rules (detailing below).
- European blackjack: After bets are placed, all players (starting from the left of the dealer), are dealt one card face up, the dealer then draws one up-card, and players are then dealt a second face-up card. The dealer does not draw a hole card, but instead allows players to play out their turn, and only after all have completed their turns, draws him/herself a second up-card.
Note: In these distinct versions, the order of the deal has merely been changed, and neither way is more or less advantageous. However, the resultant rules which come with the European way of dealing affect the player (as explained below).
Checking for Blackjack
If playing American variants of blackjack, then in some games, if the dealer's up-card is an Ace or 10-point valued card, he/she will look at the hole card to check for blackjack – a 21-point hand total made up of an Ace and any 10-point card. If the dealer has blackjack, he/she will reveal the hand, and this immediately beats all other player hands (even those which total 21 in a different combination). If a player holds blackjack when the dealer also reveals the same hand, then the player's and dealer push (player's bet is returned without any winnings).
Note: What is important if playing European blackjack, or American versions where the dealer does not check for blackjack, is whether the player stands to lose more than their mandatory, original bet, if the dealer hits blackjack. In these versions, because we do not know whether the dealer has blackjack, it is possible for us to double and split our hands having already (but unknowingly) been beaten by the dealer. If we do stand to lose more than our original bet, we must be more careful when opting to double and split when the dealer has a potential blackjack.
In order to find out more about how standing to lose more than just our mandatory bet when the dealer has blackjack affects our winning chances, refer to our house edge page and read the ‘resulting rules of no hole card or no peeking games' section, where we discuss ‘original bets and busted only' (OBBO) and busted bets plus 1 (BB+1).
Playing Options
After the deal, there are a number of actions we can take depending on the make-up of our hand. In land-based casinos, these moves are accompanied by hand signals (this is because most tables are subject to video surveillance, so the casino can keep track of any dealer errors, cheating, and advantage play such as card counting). In a standard game, you may take the following actions:
Stand – End your turn and await the dealer's reveal. When you stand, whatever cards you have make up your final score for that round. The signal is a horizontal wave of the hand.
Hit – Draw another card, dealt face-up. If you don't bust (exceed 21 and lose), you can choose to stand or hit again. The signal is tapping the table with your finger. Some games use the Charlie rule, where if you hit a certain number of times (usually five) without busting, you automatically win. It can significantly decrease the house edge.
Double down – Make an additional bet (equal to your original bet) and draw only one additional card (dealt face-up and turned sideways). After this, you must stand and your turn is ended. The signal is placing the chips for the additional bet as next to and touching your original wager. Read in-depth instructions about doubling here.
Split – When dealt a pair, you can choose to split the cards to make two separate hands. This requires another bet, usually equal to the first, and can only be played as the first action. The signal is placing the chips for your additional bet next to your original wager, further apart than you would a double (outside the betting box). Browse over our article about splitting to find out about the restrictions on doing so.
Surrender – In some games, you will have the option to forfeit your hand and half your bet, reclaiming the remaining half. This can only be done as the first action. There are two kinds of surrender: early, where the option is offered before the dealer checks for blackjack; and late, where players can only surrender after the dealer checks for blackjack. The signal is moving your finger from right to left on the table, like drawing an imaginary line (although a verbal request is also required). To learn more about this option and when to perform it, we talk about surrendering in more detail here.
Insurance
When the dealer's up-card is an Ace, there will often be an option to take insurance. Here, you can choose to open a side-bet (usually half your initial bet) at 2/1 odds that the dealer has a blackjack. The idea is that you recoup your losses (ie. you are ‘insured') if the dealer's second card turns out to be a Ten or a picture.
For example: our bet is $10, and with the dealer showing an Ace we take a $5 insurance. If the dealer has a blackjack, we lose the initial $10 but gain $10 from the side-bet to come out square. If the dealer doesn't have a blackjack, we lose the $5 insurance bet regardless of whether we end up winning the hand. If you are dealt a blackjack and the dealer is showing an Ace, you may also be offered even-money insurance. If you take this option, you forfeit the potential 3:2 payout to settle for a guaranteed 1:1 return, regardless of the dealer outcome. For example: we bet $10 and hit a blackjack. The dealer shows an Ace and we opt for even-money. Note we do not need to lay down any more chips when taking even-money, unlike regular insurance. We are simply making it certain that we aren't subject to a push/tie if the dealer has 21 too, and that we get some return (also known as full insurance, as we are guaranteed a profit). If we take this option, we are paid out immediately.
There is a simple strategy for insurance bets: don't take them. There are some specific instances where you could justifiably do so (if you count cards, for one) but by and large the numbers suggest you'd be well advised to ignore insurance offers. This is particularly true with even-money: in the long run, you'll do better hanging out for the 3:2 payout on a blackjack, because the chances the dealer has blackjack are less than one in three. To learn more about why insurance should be avoided at all costs, read why insurance is a sucker bet.
Optimal Strategy
There are endless variations to rules, actions and dealer instructions that can have a significant impact on optimal strategy. For our purposes, we'll base our tactical advice on a fairly stock-standard set-up of 21:
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- Between four and eight decks in play
- Dealer stands on all 17s (soft and hard)
- Doubling down is allowed after splitting
- Dealer checks for blackjack
Note that the following is the full ideal way to play outline; what to do with any soft or hard total you might have (or pairs). For the most simple of simple advice on when to hit and stand, read over the general strategic advice.
Charts explaining basic strategy are all over the web, and are useful for those who get more out of a diagram than they do reading content. But we know many people aren't that keen on diagrams and prefer a step-by-step list of what to do. So what we have created below is a written format which translates those charts in to plain and simple English. For tips on what not to do, read our guide to bad blackjack strategy.
Note: When we say Ten, we are referring to a Ten and all face cards (J, Q and K).
Hard Hands
A hard hand is one without an Ace, or where an Ace can only be played as one point. For example: K, 5, A is called a ‘hard 16' because if you played the ace as an 11, you would bust with 26. As hard values are set in stone, they come with a similarly rigid instruction manual on how to play each one. Below is a run-down of what to do when you are dealt hard hands in a standard blackjack game. Most actions are influenced by the value of the dealer's up-card.
Blackjack Optimal Strategy
Hand total of eight or less – Always hit.
Hand total of nine – Double down if dealer's up-card is a Trey through to a Six (hit if doubling is not allowed at that stage). If any other card, hit.
Hand total of 10 – Double if dealer shows a Nine or lower (hit when you can't double). If dealer shows a Ten or Ace, hit.
Hand total of 11 – Double if dealer shows a Ten or lower (hit when you can't double). If Ace, hit.
Hand total of 12 – Stand if dealer shows a Four through to a Six, otherwise hit.
Hand total of 13 or 14 – Stand if dealer shows a Six or lower, otherwise hit.
Hand total of 15 – Stand if dealer shows a Six or lower. If 10, surrender if allowed, otherwise hit. For any other card, hit.
Hand total of 16 – Stand if dealer shows a Six or lower. If Seven or Eight, hit. If Nine or higher, you can surrender if allowed, otherwise hit.
Hand total of 17 or higher – Always stand.
Soft Hands
A soft hand contains an Ace that can play as either a one or an 11. For example: the hand of Ace and Eight is a ‘soft 19' because it can be rated as either 19 or nine. As the values of soft hands are flexible, they carry a different set of strategic options when compared to hard hands
Ace and a Deuce, or Ace and a Trey (soft 13/14) – Double if dealer shows a Five or Six (hit when you can't double). If any other card, hit.
Ace and a Four, or Ace and a Five (soft 15/16) – Double if dealer shows a Four through to a Six (hit when you can't double). If any other card, hit.
Ace and a Six (soft 17) – Double if dealer shows a Trey through to a Six (hit when you can't double). If any other card, hit.
Ace and a Seven (soft 18) – Double if dealer shows a Trey through to a Six (stand when you can't double). If dealer shows a Nine or higher, hit. If dealer shows a Deuce, Seven or Eight, stand.
Ace and an Eight, or Ace and a Nine (soft 19/20) – Always stand.
Pairs
When dealt a pair, the option to split gives you more strategic leeway than with non-paired soft or hard hand. While it is often best to divide such a hand into two, as it gives you a chance to win twice as much, there are some pairs that are better off left together (two Tens, for instance).
A pair of Deuces or Treys – Split if the dealer shows a Seven or lower. If Eight or higher, hit.
A pair of Fours – Split if dealer shows a Five or Six, otherwise hit.
A pair of Fives – Double if dealer shows a Nine or lower (hit when you can't double). If 10 or Ace, hit.
A pair of Sixes – Split if dealer shows a Six or lower, otherwise hit.
A pair of Sevens – Split if dealer shows a Seven or lower, otherwise hit.
A pair of Eights – Always split.
A pair of Nines – Stand if dealer shows a Seven, Ten or Ace. If any other card, split.
A pair of Tens – Always stand.
A pair of Aces – Always split.
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Note: Once your cards are split and you are dealt an additional card for each hand, refer to the above strategies (for whatever your new hand might comprise of) to play out the hand.
Additionally, if you can't split because there is a limit on re-splits, then follow the strategy where you consider your hand a hard total. Furthermore, this detailed strategy should always be your first point of reference. If playing a game where the dealer hits on a soft 17, there are some minor differences, but none which will have detrimental effects of your chances, so using the above strategy is perfectly fine. It has been calculated that the cost, in terms of errors, is around two-and-a-half times higher if we play a ‘stand on soft 17' game with the ‘hit on 17 strategy,' than the other way around.
Strategy For Blackjack
For more tips, check out these detailed blackjack strategy guides:
