How To Learn Blackjack Basic Strategy

Basic blackjack strategy

The single most important thing that you need to understand about the game of blackjack is that it is a game of player decisions.

Unlike any other game in the casino, when playing blackjack your decisions can have an outcome on how the hand plays out and thus can contribute to the wins or losses of the players at the table. Because of this fact, there is a mathematically proven strategy that gives you the best advantage when playing, and this should be used every time you play if you want the best odds in the long run.

This strategy is known as basic strategy and is illustrated in the blackjack strategy chart shown below:

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As you can see from the diagrams in the chart, basic strategy outlines exactly how you should optimally play when considering what you have been dealt in relation to the dealer’s hand. Many new blackjack players make the mistake of going with gut feeling and being afraid to bust when they play, but using basic strategy every time is the best way to give yourself favorable odds during play.

Learning whether to hit or stand is the crux of blackjack. At first it can be difficult to know what to do, but with practice you’ll soon learn which moves to make. If you want to learn perfect blackjack strategy, I advise you to learn one chart at a time. Also, if you know you’ll be playing a specific type of blackjack (e.g. 6 decks, dealer hits on soft 17) at a casino, just focus on the charts that are applicable to the game you'll be playing. Play Online Blackjack and learn how to play Blackjack games online. ⭐ Find the best Blackjack Games and earn consistent bonuses at CasinoTalk. If, for example, the first card is a 4, say “plus 1” and if the one that follows is a Jack, say “minus 1.”. Do the same for the whole deck, so that you can be able to associate each card with its tag. Next, flip the cards in the same deck over one at a time while making a mental note of the running count. Blackjack is the most popular table game in the casino, and offers excellent odds. The house edge is a tiny 0.5% if you learn the basic strategy (covered below). That's just about the best odds on any game as you're likely to find, making blackjack very attractive for those willing to put in just a little bit of work to learn the strategy (a couple of hours or so).

If you are familiar with casino games, you will know that the house has the advantage in every game in the casino, which is how they turn a profit. Blackjack is no exception, however is one of the lowest house edge games in the casino, which is why it’s such a great game for players to learn and play.

The house edge in a typical blackjack game is around 0.50 percent when a player uses perfect basic strategy during play. This means that for every $100 you bet, the casino expects to win $0.50 from you over an infinite number of hands. The reason why basic strategy is so important is because if you take this same example of a $100 average bet and apply it to an unskilled player, the house advantage can go as high as 2.5 percent or more, meaning that the house would expect to win $2.50 or more over time.

How to memorize blackjack basic strategy

Because of this, it’s easy to see why playing with basic strategy is the best choice for players each and every time.

How to memorize basic strategyDrill

All online casino games have an edge. When it comes to blackjack, the advantage to the house is meagre at best. If you want to learn how to beat the edge, you can find all the tips and tricks to help you accomplish your mission right here at Springbok Casino!

Learn How to Influence the Outcome of Online Blackjack

Blackjack may be simple in structure and game mechanics – but it takes a skilled player to beat the dealer. Unlike many other online casino games featured at Springbok Casino – like roulette, baccarat and slots – it is possible to influence the outcome of blackjack by making the right moves at the right time.

Why is blackjack so different in this respect? The game is played with a defined number of 52-card decks that vary from one up to six or eight. That means it is possible to calculate the probability of hitting a winning hand based on the initial two cards that are dealt and the dealer’s up card.

Too Many Variables in Games of Fortune

In online casino games such as roulette or slots, the gaming hardware is such that it is impossible to predict where the ball will land on the wheel, or when a winning combination will appear in the reels. There are just too many variables to consider.

In games of fortune, the only element that determines whether you win or lose is luck. As a result, there is no way of reducing the edge or beating the online casino. When you play blackjack at Springbok Casino, the opposite is true. With the basic blackjack strategy as a reference point, you can reduce or even beat the edge.

What is the Basic Blackjack Strategy?

What is the basic blackjack strategy? It is the theoretically perfect way of playing each hand. It is usually presented in chart form. All the possible two-card totals dealt to your hand are typically listed in a column on the far left of the chart. The dealer’s up cards, ranging from 2 to ace, are displayed in a row at the top of the chart.

How do you use the chart to guide you in the game? That’s easy. You basically determine the best course of action on every hand you are dealt by matching the column with the row and playing accordingly. If, for example, you are holding a total of 16 and the dealer shows 4, the chart reveals that the best strategy is to stand. That is on hard 16.

Soft 16 – an ace and 5 – requires a different strategy. This time the mathematically correct move to make is to double your bet and draw just one more card to your hand. According to the statisticians, it is possible to reduce the edge significantly when you adopt the basic blackjack strategy.

Proper Strategy Reduces the Edge Significantly

As the advantage to the house for six-deck online blackjack is just 0.54% – and that is the game we feature at Springbok Online Casino – that essentially means you are virtually playing without an edge when you use the strategy chart to guide your every move.

Having said that, it is important to emphasise that the basic blackjack strategy is a long-term concept. In other words, you will only reap the benefits of playing the game the best way you can over thousands of hands and hours of gambling at the online casino. It also means you won’t always win but you will lose a lot less frequently than had you not adopted the strategy.

The beauty of playing blackjack online at Springbok Casino is you have the freedom to refer to the chart during your gambling sessions. That obviously enhances your chances of banking a few rand here and there – and that’s exactly why all of us visit the online casino in the first place.

Where can you find the basic blackjack stratgey chart? Online, of course – but be sure to search for the correct strategy for a six-deck game. Why? There are different tactics for games that have more or less than six decks in-play.

The Benefits of Free Blackjack Trainers

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The chart offers one way of beating the house. There is another, arguably better way of getting to grips with the nuances of blackjack. What is that? They are known as blackjack trainers. The standout feature of these training apps is they give you instant feedback the moment you deviate from the best blackjack strategy.

Blackjack training apps are a practical solution that effectively teach you as you play the game. As most of the apps are built for mobile devices, you can practice playing blackjack on your phone whenever you have a spare moment in your day. Over time, there is every chance you will learn how to play blackjack like a pro.

How To Learn Blackjack Basic Strategy Tactics

The good news is there are literally dozens of free blackjack trainers and simulators available at the respective app stores. BC Blackjack: Blackjack – Free Casino Style Blackjack 21 Gambling Simulator, and Blackjack Trainer HD Free are a sample of what is available right now for iOS and Android handsets and tablets.

Play Blackjack for Free at Springbok Online Casino

Once you have the basic blackjack strategy down pat, you can sign up at Springbok Casino, download the software and play blackjack on your desktop for free. Alternatively, you can enjoy instant access to the best online casino games in the blackjack genre on your mobile phone.

How To Learn Blackjack Basic Strategy For Beginners

Then it is simply a matter of finding the confidence to upgrade to the real money mode where winning hands in blackjack – and all other online casino games – are so much more meaningful!