Photo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-tobacco-on-black-ashtray-2224832/
Blackjack has built its own classic casino reputation in recent years due to its association with private European rooms, celebrity utopias, and use in movies. Already a cultural marker in European gaming parlors, the game has also transferred this aura of luxury to online casinos.
Blackjack’s simplicity makes it easy and ideal to play among friends. On the other hand, since the odds are always in favor of the player and with impressive payouts, it is now more popular than ever in gaming establishments. In this piece, we look at strategies you need to ensure you have full confidence the next time you are at the blackjack table.
Understand the basic Blackjack strategy
The basic blackjack strategy helps you understand when to hit or stand, when to double down, and when to split pairs. The strategy is mathematically proven after Edward Thorp ran a computer program that found every possible action for every possible hand in blackjack.
The strategy works since we already know that the dealer is bound by the rules that they must stand on 17 and can only continue to draw if their hand is less than 17. To hit refers to taking another card while standing means holding your hand. Hitting comes in handy when your hand total is 11 or lower or when the dealer has a stronger upcard (7 or higher), and your hand’s total value ranges between 12 and 16.
On the other hand, you need to stand when your hand total value is 17 or higher. Besides, if the dealer’s upcard is 6 or lower and you have 13-16, you can stand.
So, what about doubling down? Well, this strategy involves doubling your bet with the caveat that you only receive one more card. It is advisable to double down when your initial hand adds up to 11, and the dealer’s hand is lower than your total. You can also double down if the dealer’s upcard is between 4 and 6 and you have a soft 16-18 hand. That said, while doubling down can increase your chances of winning, timing is key. For instance, if the dealer has a 10 or an Ace, avoid doubling down at all costs.
The last basic strategy involves splitting your hands. This is recommended when you are dealt a hand containing a pair of Aces or 8s. Splitting your Aces allows you to start two hands with an 11, giving you a better chance of reaching 21, while the two 8s help you avoid the weak hand of 16, which makes your odds of winning even more difficult.
Luckily for you, various blackjack experts have already come up with blackjack strategy charts that map all the possible situations on an x-y graph. You only need to memorize the charts perfectly to help you gain the 1% edge over the house.
Once you’ve aced the basic strategy, you can now proceed to more complex strategies to enhance your gameplay within blackjack.
Oscar’s Grind
The Oscar’s Grind approach helps you avoid risking too much money. It is considered a low-risk strategy since it advises that you only increase your bet slightly after a win. In case of a loss, you bet with a similar stake.
Therefore, if you stake $100 for your first bet, you keep betting the same amount on each losing hand. However, when you win the first bet, increase your stake by another $100 for the next bet. For every win, you increase the stake by the initial $100.
This strategy is quite conservative, hence you’ll win small steady profits without exposing your bankroll to huge risks.
Martingale system
The Martingale is the direct opposite of Oscar’s grind in that you offset your losses by betting double your initial bet. It is considered a negative progression betting strategy since it applies the logic that by doubling your bet amount, you eventually recover all your previous losses once you land a winning hand.
Therefore, if you stake $100 and lose, you double your next bet stake to $200. If you lose this, you double it to $400. When this 3rd bet wins, you’ll have recovered the initial $100 for the 1st bet and the $200 for the 2nd bet and still get a profit equal to the first stake, in this case $100.
The downside of the Martingale system is that you need a substantial bankroll, which can lead to massive losses if you go on an extensive losing streak.
Other notable strategies include the Paroli system and the 1-3-2-6 approach. The latter allows you to progressively bet in a sequence of 1, 3, 2, and 6 units when you win, and resets after a loss.
Stay disciplined to prevent losing too much
Remember, at the end of the day, your ideal strategy for gambling will mean nothing if you can’t manage your bankroll. You don’t want to fall into emotional pitfalls and lose everything. To be successful in a game of blackjack, you need brains and a bankroll. A risk management strategy with clear bankroll limits that align with your budget increases he potential for significant returns.
Set aside a blackjack bankroll separate from finances in your gambling account. Once you have a separate bankroll set aside each session’s bankroll. This is the amount you are willing to use in that specific blackjack session.
Whether you are gambling in online casinos that offer no deposit bonuses USA or in a land-based casino, you need to embrace a progressive betting strategy. It allows you to increase or decrease your bet systemically depending on whether you are winning or losing. That said, it’s always advisable to gamble responsibly and set your betting limits, especially if you are a beginner. Failure to set these limits may lead to huge losses which increases the risk for mental health issues.