How to Win at Blackjack
Blackjack is a casino card game played between the dealer and players. The game is a combination of luck and skill, with practice improving your chances of winning. Learning basic strategy is essential to your success in the game, as it will help you make informed decisions about when to hit, stand, double down, and split based on the dealer’s upcard. Using blackjack charts can also help you minimize the house edge and optimize your gameplay.
A player’s goal is to get closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand without going bust. If you have a better hand value than the dealer’s, you win and are paid an amount equal to your original wager. Ties are a push, and the player’s bet remains on the table.
During the game, each player will be dealt two cards face up. The dealer will then reveal their own face-down card and proceed according to predetermined rules. The dealer must hit a hand that is 16 or lower, and they must stand on a soft 17 (Ace and a six).
If you have a total of 21 in your first two cards, you have a “natural,” which pays one and a half times your initial bet. This is the best possible hand in the game, and it can be made even stronger by splitting a pair of identical cards into separate hands, or by counting an Ace as either 1 or 11 depending on your situation.
Some casinos offer 6 to 5 payouts for blackjacks, which greatly increases the house edge and renders card counting useless. This is an obvious ploy to take money from players, so be sure to check the rules of the specific tables you’re playing at.
Once all players have completed their hands, the dealer will reveal their hole card and hit or stand as per predetermined rules. The dealer must always hit a hand with a total of 16 or less, and stand on a soft 17. In some games, the dealer will hit a hard 17 if they are showing an Ace, and in others they will have to stand on a soft 19.
Doubling down is an option when your initial two cards are of the same value, like two eights. You will place a second bet equal to your original bet and play each hand separately. It is most often used when the dealer has a weak starting card, such as a 6, 4, or 3.
Standing is another option in blackjack that can be extremely profitable. If your two cards add up to 11, you should always stand, especially if the dealer is showing a weak card, such as a three or four.
Managing your bankroll is crucial to long-term success in blackjack. Having specific, predetermined limits for how much you’re willing to lose in a session will keep you from making impulsive decisions that can lead to bigger losses. It’s also important to practice responsible gambling, and to walk away from the table when you start losing.
