When you visualize a Vegas casino, you likely first picture the blackjack table, with its suave dealers beckoning as they deal to the VIP players who sit around the table, sipping their drinks, throwing out their chips and sweeping in their winnings. Blackjack is one of the casino's oldest and most popular games. Its mystique comes from its history, the stories of its famous players and the possibilities that winning even one round can offer.
Veteran players are adept at navigating the game's intricacies but new players can experience a rewarding blackjack adventure with the five-step blackjack strategy for beginners.
About the Basic Strategy
The Basic Blackjack Strategy allows gamers to combine blackjack's inherent low house edge with a proven mathematical system that allows them to increase their win rate over time. For centuries, blackjack has been a featured game at casinos worldwide but until the 1950s, it was regarded as a game of luck. In 1953, a group of scientists proved that blackjack can be viewed as a solvable puzzle – players can do more than rely on hunches and superstitions to win.
The Basic Strategy was meant to give blackjack gamers a mathematically perfect way to play every hand. It involved a chart, developed by 4 US Army mathematicians, that details the ideal play for every situation -- when to hit, when to stand, when to double down and when to split based on the dealer’s upcard. By following the Basic Blackjack Strategy, a player can reduce the house edge to nearly 0.5%.
The Strategy was further improved in the '60s and '70s when it became possible to run simulations with a computer and refine the strategy for different numbers of decks (Single Deck vs. 6-Deck) and for different rule variations (like whether a dealer hits on a Soft 17).
When the Strategy first debuted, casinos panicked. But over time, it became clear that only the most dedicated players were prepared to put in the time and effort to learn and implement the Strategy. Today, with online resources, it's easier than ever to give yourself the highest possible opportunities to achieve success at the blackjack table.
Game Overview
When asked, most people say that the object of blackjack involves getting as close to 21 as possible without going over. That's not true. The object of the game of blackjack is to beat the dealer.
To do that, you:
- Don't want to go bust (have your card points exceed 21.
- Do want to outscore the dealer or have the dealer bust.
There are different variations of blackjack, some played with 1 deck and others played with multiple decks. In all variations, aces are counted as either 1 point or 11 points while face cards are counted as 10 points. All other cards are counted as face value. By calculating the point values of the individual cards you determine the value of your hand.
A "Blackjack - a picture card and an ace - is the highest hand and outranks all other hands.
To start, you place your bet and then you'll receive 2 face-down cards. The dealer receives one face up card and one face down card - the "hole card." You can then start to build your hand. Choices are to:
- Stand with your current hand.
- Take hits, additional cards, one at a time. If your total points exceed 21, you bust/lose. As long as your total is under 21, you can take more cards but you are under no obligation to do so.
- Double your bet so that you can receive one more card.
- Split a pair or any two 10-point cards by doubling your bet and separating your cards into two individual hands. Then you play both hands.
- Surrender half your wager and refrain from continuing the hand.
After you (and any other players) finish your hands, the dealer turns over his hole card. The dealer has the option to draw another card if his hand totals 16 points or less. If the dealer's hand exceeds 21 points, if you are still in the game, you win.
Simple 5-Step Blackjack Strategy for New Players
For advanced players, there's a more advanced Blackjack Strategy but beginning players can use this 5-Step Blackjack Strategy to get started as they aim for a more rewarding blackjack event.
- Master the game theory optimal chart. The chart lays out the mathematically perfect way to play every possible combination of cards so you never need to consider your next play. If you memorize the charge, you will automatically know how each hand should be played in order to ensure maximum results.
- Stick to the rule of 10s. In a standard deck, 10-value cards (10, J, Q, K) make up roughly 30.7% of the cards. That gives you insight into the dealer's card since you can always assume that the dealer's hole card is a 10. Proceed with your gameplay from that assumption and enjoy better odds.
- Manage your bankroll aggressively. Never bet more than 2% of your total session bankroll on a single hand so that you can survive a losing streak without going bust.
- Avoid side bets (i.e. Perfect Pairs, etc). These bets offer high payouts but the house edge on these bets is high - often 5% - 10% - so you're more likely to lose than win.
- Play the variations that feature fewer decks. When you play with fewer decks, it's easier to track high-value cards.
Expert Tip
Don't adopt dealer strategies. There are specific blackjack strategies for the dealer, like not doubling or splitting or taking a hit on a 16 or less and standing on a 17 or more. By mimicking those strategies, the house edge will jump to a whopping 5.48%. Leave dealer strategies to the dealer.
Lots of players play blackjack based on hopes, hunches and luck. Forget all that -- your best chance to enjoy success at the blackjack table is to follow the mathematically sound 5-Step Blackjack Strategy and take the path that's proven to deliver the best rewards!
