The Best Blackjack Tips – Learn How To Play Blackjack

Blackjack continues to be one of the most popular casino games online, and if you’re thinking of getting involved with the action, then our exclusive blackjack tips can help point the way.

Whether you are a beginner or experienced player, the following strategies and tips have been carefully selected to help improve your skills, so you are ready and equipped to take on the dealer at blackjack.

Basic Blackjack Gameplay

Winning at blackjack doesn’t depend on pure luck – you can use an efficient blackjack strategy to improve your chances of winning. Fortunately, learning blackjack is easy, and there are many tested and proven tactics that you can borrow from.

There are variations of blackjack, such as blackjack switch, but the basic concept of blackjack is simple. The goal is to get a hand equal to or close to 21 which is higher than the dealer’s without going over. Here is a step-by-step overview of how a blackjack game plays out:

• Step 1: Make an initial bet. The dealer then deals each player two face-up cards. They also deal themselves two cards, one face-up and the other face-down. It is important to always check the dealer’s face-up card before you start playing.
• Step 2: Decide whether to “hit” or “stand,” depending on your hand’s value. Hitting means asking the dealer for another card, while standing means declining an additional card and maintaining your original hand.
• Step 3: Check your new hand’s value – you can remain in the game if the hand’s value is less than 21, but anything over that is a bust.
• Step 4: Finally, the dealer reveals their face-up card, revealing their hand’s value.
• Step 5: Whoever has the closest to 21, either you or the dealer, without going over is the winner.

Learning when to hit or stand is especially important – hitting is recommended when holding a low-value hand with a low risk of busting, while standing is recommended when holding a high-value hand (such as 17) that can easily go bust if you get another card. Overall, you win at blackjack if your hand’s value is 21 or closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand. You can improve your chances of winning at blackjack by using the best blackjack tips discussed below.

Top 10 Blackjack Tips for Beginners

Blackjack is a strategic game, and playing your cards right can increase your likelihood of winning. Here is an overview of ten blackjack tips and tricks to help you get started:

1. Learn Basic Strategy

Blackjack is based on skills and strategy. Overall, learning how to win at blackjack mostly involves knowing which moves to make based on various factors, including your hand’s value and the dealer’s face-up card’s value. A basic blackjack strategy can help tell you which moves to make and when to make them.

The basic blackjack strategy comprises many basic blackjack tips on the best moves to make for different hands. For example, you should always stand on a hand with a value of 17 or higher to avoid going bust, while you should never split 10s. As such, learn the basic blackjack strategy and always use those tips when playing blackjack. Interestingly, you can use a blackjack strategy chart as a cheat sheet when playing online blackjack.

2. Memorize Card Rankings

Winning at blackjack depends on your hand’s value, which depends on the individual cards. To this end, understanding card rankings is one of the basic blackjack tips because it is essential to understanding the game and making quick, informed decisions.

Fortunately, hand rankings in blackjack are simple and work as follows:

• Face cards (Jack, King, and Queen) are worth ten points each.
• Number cards are worth their respective points (for example, the 3 is worth three points).
• The Ace is worth one or 11 points – one point if the hand’s value exceeds 21, and 11 points if it is less than 21.

Overall, the deck contains four cards of each rank. It is also worth noting that suits in blackjack only matter in certain variations.

3. Choose the Tables with the Best Rules/Odds

Overall, the odds of winning and losing at blackjack are 42.22% and 49.10%, respectively. However, the odds vary slightly from one blackjack table to another, as you can see in our blackjack odds and probability guide. Moreover, most casinos offer odds of 6:5 for a perfect blackjack, but the best odds are 3:2. The basic rules of playing also vary from one table to another – for example, some tables have rules requiring the dealer to stand on 17.

Overall, playing at a table with the best odds and favorable rules can increase your chances of winning. Flexible rules and good odds also make playing blackjack feel more enjoyable.

4. Don’t Play Insurance

Insurance is an optional side bet in blackjack meant to protect you in case the dealer’s hand is a natural blackjack. It pays two to one, which is lower than the standard payout. Overall, the payout is too low to be helpful – in contrast, it enables the casino to get more money out of you. Interestingly, only beginners mostly use insurance as they try to protect their bets out of fear or uncertainty.

Overall, you are better off losing your bet than paying insurance on every bet. As such, avoiding paying insurance is one of the blackjack tips and tricks most relevant to beginners.

5. Play the Right Hands Correctly

Overall, learning how to win at blackjack entails knowing which hands to play. Here is an overview of some of the best moves to make for different hands and cards:

• Stand on 17 or higher.
• Split 8s and Aces.
• Never split 10s.
• Double down on 11.

Overall, these moves are among the most useful tips when playing blackjack. You can learn other complex moves for various blackjack hands and cards by learning the basic blackjack strategy. Alternatively, you can make quick references to a blackjack strategy chart before you master the basic strategy – it is one of the easiest tips for playing blackjack for beginners and intermediates.

6. Practice before Playing for Real Money

Blackjack may seem a bit complex and confusing when playing for the first time. To this end, learning and practicing are the best tips for blackjack beginners.

Practicing helps give you a feel and deep understanding of how a blackjack game develops, by exposing you to wins and losses under various situations. It is also prudent and convenient, considering that you don’t lose real money – and you can expect to lose more often than you win when starting out. You can practice blackjack by playing free and demo games, which are available at most online casinos. Once you’ve practiced you can take a look at the best online blackjack casinos to play at some real money tables.

7. Start Playing Small & Responsibly

Blackjack bets range from as little as $1 to as much as $100. Unfortunately, beginners lose more often than they win. To this end, it would be prudent to start off by making small bets and playing responsibly.

You shouldn’t bet more than you can afford to lose – overall, you should ensure proper bankroll management. Moreover, you should apply the basic blackjack strategy and other tips for winning at blackjack to protect your bet. Most online casinos will allow you to play blackjack with both fiat currency and crypto, so if Bitcoin is your preference, try the best bitcoin blackjack sites or best bitcoin live blackjack online casinos.

8. Use Casino Bonuses

No matter what bankroll you have to start with, having a bigger one is always a benefit. A bigger bankroll means more games and bigger bets, while a smaller bankroll means the opposite. As such, you should take every opportunity to increase your bankroll.

Claiming casino bonuses is a quick and free way of padding up your bankroll, and is one of the easiest, most rewarding blackjack tips and tricks. Most casinos offer welcome bonuses for new players signing up for the first time. For example, you can get a $5,000 free bonus at via the best real money blackjack apps. You can also find many ongoing promotions, including small cash prizes. As such, claim casino bonuses whenever possible – however, always check the terms and conditions to see whether they are fair.

9. Check the Casino’s Blackjack Rules

Blackjack rules vary from one table to another. Overall, some casinos and tables have more liberal and player-friendly rules than others. Overall, one of the most important table rules to check is whether the dealer is required to stand or hit on 17, as it affects your likelihood of winning.

As such, always review every blackjack casinos and table’s rules before joining. Moreover, understanding the general blackjack rules for your preferred blackjack variations is also one of the essential tips to win at blackjack. The example below shows the table rules for Multi-hand Blackjack at BetOnline.

10. Counting Cards

Card counting is one of the most reliable tips for winning at blackjack, especially when playing alongside other players and looking for a house edge. Statistics show that card counting can give players an edge of up to 2% over the house. A card counting system involves monitoring the cards dealt and estimating the values and probabilities of the cards not yet dealt. It can help you decide whether to hit or call when holding a tricky hand. However, it requires a thorough understanding of blackjack decks and keen attention to each card dealt.

Blackjack Tips for Experienced Players

The ten blackjack winning tips discussed above are especially suitable for new players. However, there is always room for improving your blackjack skills, even for pros. Here are six tips for playing blackjack like a pro:

• Use Tables with the Best Rules

Blackjack rules vary from one table to another. Most notably, some tables require dealers to hit on 17, while others require them to stand. Some rules also limit doubling down and surrendering. As such, find a blackjack table with player-friendly rules for an easy playing experience and a higher likelihood of winning.

• Find Your Rhythm at the Right Table

Blackjack players’ styles and preferences vary. For example, some players prefer a fast-paced blackjack game, while others are more comfortable with a slower pace. You can get easily confused when playing out of your preferred element, increasing your likelihood of losing. To this end, finding a table that matches your rhythm and preferences is one of the best tips to win at blackjack and enjoy the game. You can also look at different blackjack variations to add extra fun such as the best no bust blackjack casinos.

• Use Casinos with Good Odds

Blackjack odds vary from one casino to another. For example, most casinos offer odds of 6:5 for a natural blackjack, but a few offer odds of 3:2. Good odds mean higher payouts, making this one of the most important and rewarding casino blackjack tips. As such, review the casino’s blackjack odds, house edge, and rules before signing up.

• Use Fewer Decks for Counting

Card counting is one of the most reliable tips to win at blackjack. As explained, it depends on the deck used, and more decks make tracking the dealt cards harder. Most casinos use a 52-card deck, but some use more decks. As such, play blackjack games that use fewer decks if you intend to use the card counting technique.

• Avoid Drinking

Avoiding drinking is one of the most relevant tips when playing blackjack at a brick-and-mortar casino, considering that booze is usually readily available. However, online blackjack players also drink during the game, and the effects are the same. Remember that blackjack is a strategic game, and you need a sober mind to make the right moves. You can always drink after the game, and the drinks will feel more refreshing after you have won.

• Master Your Emotions

Playing blackjack can trigger many different emotions. It is only natural, but emotions can compromise your blackjack strategy and cause you to make flawed decisions. Most notably, you can feel angry, sad, or desperate when you lose, which can compel you to play more in hopes of recovering your losses. You can also feel overly excited when on a winning streak, which can motivate you to place bigger bets and play more games.

Also remember to perform responsible gambling when playing blackjack at all times.

Do’s and Don’ts for Blackjack

Certain blackjack rules are absolute in all situations. Here is an overview of the most important dos and don’ts to complement the other tips for playing blackjack:

You can also learn more via our free blackjack terms glossary.

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