How to Win at Blackjack TIPS

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

How to win at blackjack: Tip #1

PLAY AT A SINGLE-DECK BLACKJACK TABLE.

Look for a blackjack table playing with a single deck of cards. I'll tell you right up front that these are hard to find nowadays. Some casinos don't even offer single-deck blackjack games anymore.

I recommend that you ask local gamblers, pit bosses or a hotel concierge where you can find a single deck blackjack game. If you are serious and want to increase your chances of winning at blackjack, find a single deck game first.

Why is this so important?

Casinos realize that they have better odds of beating you when they deal from a "shoe" (multiple decks). This is because it's much more difficult for "card counters".

What is a "card counter?"

This is someone who keeps track of the number of "face cards" (10's, Jacks, Queens & Kings) that have been dealt. Card counters do this to determine their chances of drawing a face card if they need a card or the chances of the dealer drawing a face card.
Step 2

How to win at blackjack: Tip #2

PLAY ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE DEALER.

This is often out of your control. But the fewer players there are at the table increases your ability to count cards (face cards). This is because when there are other players, you can't see their cards (usually), so you won't know how many face cards are out for the current hand.

If there's one other player, sometimes they'll share with you what they've been dealt, and that works OK too.

When the group gets bigger than that, my blackjack strategy is to walk away and find another table if I am serious about winning.
Step 3

How to win at blackjack: Tip #3

COUNT CARDS.

Keep track of the number of face cards that have been dealt during the hand (as described in Tip #1 above). I also like to keep track of the number of aces.

It takes a little practice and your full attention to get good at this. This is another reason that you should try to play one-on-one with the dealer (fewer distractions).

Here's why you should learn to count cards:

This will make your blackjack decision-making much easier. If you know that most of the face cards have been dealt (there are 16 total in a single deck) and there are still a good number of cards left in the deck, the odds of the next card dealt being a face card are lower.

Similarly, if only a small number of face cards have been dealt, the odds of the next card dealt being a face card are higher.
Step 4

How to win at blackjack: Tip #4

DO NOT DRINK - EVEN IF IT'S FREE.

If you're serious about winning, avoid alcohol. You can't give the game your full attention and count cards effectively if you are impaired.

There is a reason that casinos offer free drinks to gamblers. Alcohol diminishes your inhibitions and impairs your focus and decision-making ability.
Step 5

How to win a blackjack: Tip #5

KNOW WHEN TO "HIT" AND WHEN TO "STAND".

Taking a "hit" in blackjack, means asking for another card. Knowing when to take a hit or when to "stand" (not take a hit) is critical to your blackjack strategy.

Every gambler has a general set of blackjack strategies, whether they know it consciously or not. Some people will hit any hand until they get to 20 or 21 or bust trying. Others won't hit any hand if it totals 12 or higher. While I don't recommend either of these examples, you get the general idea, right?

Here are a couple of my basic blackjack rules about taking hits or standing after each player has been dealt 2 cards:

A. Assuming there are a lot of face cards still in the deck:
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i.) If the dealer has a "bust" card showing (2, 3, 4, 5, or 6) I will assume they have a 10 hidden (most blackjack games have the dealer exposing one card and keeping one card hidden).

If I know I have a "bust hand" (cards adding up to 12 or higher), based on my card counting, I have to assume that the next card is a face card.

If my cards total 11 or lower (not including a blackjack of course), it's a no-brainer -- I have to take a hit.

If my cards total 12 or 14, in this situation, it's a split decision: 50% of the time I'll hit and 50% I'll stand. Just depends on how I feel at the time.

If my cards total 15 or higher, in this situation, I'll almost always stand.

ii) If the dealer has a 7 or higher card showing with a face card 'rich' deck AND:

If I have 11 or lower, again, it's a no brainer, I have to take a hit.

If I have 12 - 16, it's another toss up for me. I'm 50-50 on these.

If I have 17 or higher, I stand.

B. Assuming there are very few face cards left in the deck:
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i) If the dealer has a 2-7 showing I will assume they have to take a hit.

If I have 11 or lower, I have to take a hit.

If I have 12-15, I am 50-50.

If I have 16, two thirds of the time I will stay and not hit.

If I have 17 or above, I will stand.

ii) If the dealer has an 8 or higher card showing (including an ace):

If I have 11 or lower, I have to take a hit.

If I have 12-16, I will take a hit two thirds of the time.

If I have 17 or higher, I will stand.

Those are my basic tips on how to win at blackjack.

Comments

johnhanlin said

on 7/13/2009 Counting cards is not illegal. However, if you make it obvious, most casinos will ask you to leave - unless you're losing a lot. The key is to get so good at it that it's all in your head and second nature.