Blackjack is a game of skill as well as luck, and while no one can guarantee that they will win every hand, learning the basics of proper strategy can make a significant difference in your winning odds. By knowing when to hit, stand, double down, or split based on the dealer’s up card and your hand, you can minimize losses and maximize wins.
Before you sit down at the table, know how much you’re willing to spend and stick to that budget. It’s easy to get carried away in the excitement of blackjack, and if you don’t have a plan, you can end up spending more than you intended to. If you’re new to the game, it may be best to start with a lower minimum table, so you can watch at first and then slowly work your way up.
It is important to practice your blackjack skills before you play in a casino, so you’ll be comfortable making the correct decisions during each round. Learn everything you can about the game, from the points values of each card to what each move means in terms of your chances of beating the dealer. Once you have a firm grasp of the basics, you can then focus on developing your own style of play.
The most basic move in blackjack is to stand when you have a total of 11 points or less, unless the dealer has a strong up card like a 5 or 6. This allows you to avoid taking another card that could bust your hand. In general, this is the best choice if you want to increase your odds of beating the dealer.
Doubling down is a risky move, but it can be very profitable if done correctly. You’ll double your original stake and receive an additional card, but you can only do this on a hand with a value of 11, not on a pair of two cards of the same rank. When you double down on a soft hand, such as an Ace, it becomes a “soft” blackjack, and can’t be busted by a dealer up card.
In some situations, it is advantageous to split pairs of cards with a value of 10 in order to improve your odds of getting a blackjack. However, it is never advisable to split two aces. This is because a split ace only receives one additional card, which can cause your hand to bust.
If you have a pair of aces and a picture card (Jack, Queen, King) in your hand, you have a blackjack, which pays out even money or 3 to 2 depending on the rules of the game. You must place a bet equal to your original wager to qualify for this hand. If the dealer also has a blackjack, you lose your bet and the dealer collects your original wager. Otherwise, the hand is a push and you receive your original wager back.