The key to winning at blackjack or any table game that requires you to use your knowledge and skill is to develop a blackjack betting strategy. Even the best odds and the biggest payoff require a betting strategy. So how do you go about developing a good blackjack betting strategy. When most people go to a casino, they tend to either shoot craps, poker, or roulette. Blackjack is a game that requires many different skills and should, therefore, be treated as a business venture as opposed to a gambling venture.
While craps and poker are games of luck, you can make a fair amount of money if you have the blackjack betting strategy in place. Most of the latest blackjack strategies were developed based on the mathematical formula found in the basic blackjack betting strategy. Knowing when to hit and when to stand is the hard part about developing a blackjack betting strategy. It is also important to bet against the house if you know the odds are in your favor. It is important to bet against the weaker players and against the more skilled players when possible. Blackjack is the only casino game that pays out 2 to 1 on a natural blackjack instead of the customary 3 to 2 payout. This double down technique dramatically increases the value of your bets and increases your chances of beating the odds.
Now, in order to understand the blackjack betting strategy better, you have to understand the pass and never pass strategy. The Basic Blackjack Betting Strategy (BasicBoker Strategy) states that you should hit on a hand total of 16 or lower, or stand on a hand total of 17 or higher than the dealer’s total. Many players fail to realize that the ace card is counted as 11 in blackjack, not as 1. For example, if you are dealt an Ace and a 9 you have 17 and the dealer has a total of 20. Not a bad hand, right? But you can still lose the hand by making a mistake like standing when the dealer has a total of 20 or 21. Or, even worse, by misplaying your hand and hitting when you should hit.
The worst situation in blackjack is when you have a 12 and the dealer has a total of 15. By making a bet of 4 credits, you are actually putting yourself at a disadvantage by 5%. Remember that you are playing to win, not to just beat the dealer’s hand. Even if you bust the dealer, you still lose! How to avoid this scenario? Don’t make quick decisions! Take your time and stand when you are most likely beat! Play with your head and not your emotions. Understand the game, andlor your next move based on the odds. If you beat the odds, then you have achieved victory! If you lose, you still have money in your pocket!
