Winning at Blackjack: 7 Useful Tricks
Blackjack is a favorite among many gamblers. Online casinos offer a variety of games that are easily accessible with just a few clicks, providing endless entertainment and opportunities to test your luck. While slot players may not be drawn to baccarat and roulette, it’s rare to find a fan of spinning reels who doesn’t enjoy a round of Blackjack every now and then.
The main draw of this game is based on two key factors.
Firstly, Blackjack has straightforward rules that are easy for anyone to understand and have stayed the same across the board.
Secondly, it has a low house edge of just 2%, which can be reduced even further to below 0.5% if a player chooses to use a specific strategy for blackjack games.
These days, you can find Blackjack at pretty much any casino that has a B+ license, as well as on regulated online platforms. Online sites such as Magic Betting Casino typically offer digital version of Blackjack powered by RNG algorithms.
No matter how you decide to play, the blackjack tricks listed here can help increase your chances of winning.
1. Use a Strategy Chart
A blackjack strategy is essentially a chart that guides players on how to act in different game scenarios. It’s like a roadmap that tells you what to do based on the cards you’re dealt. The chart covers everything from hitting and standing to doubling down, splitting pairs, and even surrendering when necessary.
For instance, if you have a total of eleven and the dealer’s showing a ten, the strategy chart will recommend doubling down. It’s risky to play online blackjack without having these strategies memorized.
2. Avoid Side-Bets at All Cost
Side bets in blackjack are often referred to as sucker bets because they have a much higher house edge compared to the main game.
The most common side bet, insurance, has a house advantage of 5.8% in single-deck tables and 7.39% in six-deck tables. These percentages also apply to live online blackjack for real money.
3. Play at Tables Where the Dealers Stand on Soft 17s
Soft hands are those holding an ace, which can be valued as either one or eleven. Therefore, a soft seventeen is a hand total where an ace is counted as eleven, and the remaining cards add up to six in the dealer’s hand.
Certain casinos and top live blackjack websites in Belgium require dealers to stand on soft 17s, increasing the player’s chances of winning. It’s advisable to look for such games, whether playing online or in person. This tip is one of the most valuable pieces of advice for beginners in the world of blackjack.
4. Split Pairs of Eights and Aces
In blackjack, players can split their hand if their first two cards have the same value. This means they can play with two separate hands. Splitting eights and aces is a smart move because it gives players a chance to avoid going bust, no matter what card they get next.
By splitting, players increase their chances of having two strong hands. Even though splitting eights might seem strange, studies show that it’s actually a better strategy in the long run compared to other options.
5. Double Down on Hands with Hard Eleven
When a player doubles down, they are essentially doubling their original bet. This strategy is commonly used when the player has a total of eleven because it’s impossible to bust in this situation.
For example, if a face card is drawn next, the total becomes twenty-one, and if an ace is drawn, the total is twelve. So, doubling down on eleven is essentially a bet that a face card will be drawn next.
6. Neglect Betting Patterns
Many individuals promote the idea of using betting patterns in all casino games. These patterns are known as negative progressive systems, which require players to raise their bet size after a loss. The issue with these systems is that a string of bad luck can result in significant financial losses for anyone.
7. Pass on Tables with Continuous Shufflers
Deck penetration refers to the number of cards a dealer cuts off compared to those already dealt. In live dealer blackjack games, the deck penetration is typically 50%, while tables with continuous shufflers have a penetration of about 20%, making card counting difficult.
Play Blackjack at Magic Betting Casino
Check out our different Blackjack games at Magic Betting Casino and make the most of these tips! If you’re unsure which one to play, take a look at our reviews for American Blackjack, European Blackjack, or Single Deck Blackjack to help you choose.
