Blackjack Betting Strategies – Blackjack Strategies That Work

The first step many players take when learning how to play blackjack, or any other game for that matter, is to determine the table minimum and maximum bets. There are several betting strategies you can use in blackjack to help you achieve this goal. Learning several of these strategies will allow you to improve your odds of winning a round, or several rounds, over your% of the time.

The Strategies

When playing blackjack, you can use several different strategies to help you improve your odds of winning. If you are playing at a single – deck game, you can use the strategies outlined below:

Here are some additional blackjack betting strategies that many players overlook:

  • Note that because the dealer must hit to a 17 or higher, the dealer can lose only half of the bet if the dealer has an ace as their first card.
  • If the dealer has an ace and a 10-valued card as their first card, the dealer can not hit unless the dealer also has a 10-valued card.
  • If the dealer has a 9 as their first card, the dealer cannot hit unless the dealer also has a 10-valued card.
  • Now for the dealer’s worst card: a 7, 8, 9, 10-valued card, or ace, the dealer must draw a card if the dealer’s hand consists of these cards.

Although not useful in determining how to bet, these cards can be Used as Wild Cards in your game, meaning that they can be used as part of your hand in stead of being a part of the dealer’s hand. In addition, aces can be used as 11 because they are the highest cards in the deck (obviously, not in our example).

Here are some additional blackjack betting strategies that can be helpful:

  • Many players also try to get a blackjack on the first four cards. Because the dealer has to hit if the player has a blackjack, and the player does not, this is a risky strategy. But, it is possible.
  • Try counting cards. Card counting is not illegal, but casinos reserve the right to ban players that are known or suspected card counters. Card counting is a method for a player to determine if the deck is rich in high cards (ten-value cards and aces) or low cards (Dewalive). If more high cards enter the deck, the player should bet more, with the intent of driving the dealer out.

This idea is a simplification of a card-counting system, but you can end up with a strategy that will get you closer to 21 than the dealer. Why not 21? Because the deck is rich in tens, so more tens will be coming out. The opposite is true if the deck is rich in low cards. The dealer is more likely to bust as there are more low cards left in the deck. And, the player has a better chance of drawing a ten card if there are more ten-value cards in the deck.

In summation, blackjack betting systems like the martingale, red/black, and odd/even have the greatest chance for success. There are better strategies, but they prove only that a player must have enough money to keep the bankroll healthy enough to handle the variance associated with blackjack. Expensive strategies are worthwhile when the goal is to win money, but…)