Blackjack strategy

Understanding when to hit, stand, split or double down usually improves the winning chances of a player, while reducing the house edge to a partly 0.5%. In fact, even without using any strategies for black jack, any blackjack player has a slight advantage over the dealer as they can choose to hit, stand, double down or split. Usually the dealer doesn’t have this option!

Furthermore, blackjack players can opt to stand on a hand value of between 12-16 whereas the dealer’s required to hit. This consequently increases their chance of busting. This means that Blackjack hit chart might prove to be very useful in such an instance.

Remember, before you use any of the strategies for black jack, it’s always advisable that you consider the value of the dealer’s card.

  • Is the value of the dealer’s card bad – 7 through to ace?
  • Is the value of the dealer’s card good – 2 through to 7?

When playing at the table, you’ll be playing against the dealer and not the other players seated at the table. Therefore, when working out the dealer’s chances of landing a blackjack is as importance as determining your chances of landing the same.

Strategies For Blackjack – When Not To Hit In Blackjack & Blackjack Card Counting

  • 2 or 3 with an Ace – You should double down if a dealer has a 5 or 6 or hit against any other dealer’s card
  • 4 or 5 with an Ace – You should stand if the dealer has a 4 – 6 or hit against any other dealer’s card
  • 6 with an Ace – You should stand if the dealer has a 3 – 6 or hit against any other dealer’s card
  • 7 with an Ace – Stand if the dealer has a 2, 7, or an 8. If the dealer has a 3-6, then double. Otherwise, hit against any other dealer’s card
  • 8 or9 with an Ace – Automatically stand
  • 10 with an Ace – Congratulations! You’ve got yourself a Blackjack and you deserve a 3:2 payout!
Strategies For Blackjack – When Not To Hit In Blackjack & Blackjack Card Counting

What is card counting in Blackjack?

Basically, card counting in blackjack is a system that assigns a negative, positive or zero value to every card value available. Once you have all your cards and determined the value, you are required to adjust the count according to the system (assign a positive, negative or a zero). How much you wager on the bet will be determined on whether you have a positive, negative or zero value.

How to count cards in Blackjack – Popular Strategies Online

There are a number of blackjack counting systems online, but these are the most common and frequently used ones.

  • Thorp’s Ten-Count: This is perhaps the easiest way to count blackjack cards online. In this, you should assign the ace-card and all the cards with numbers (2-10) with a value of +4. Face cards bear a -9 value. Once all the cards are dealt, Thorp’s Ten-Count card dictates that if you get a higher value of the cards, then you should also go for higher bets.
  • The Red Seven Counting Strategy: This is a blackjack strategy where colours are also taken into consideration. When using the Red Seven Counting Strategy, players need to assign -1 to face cards and all cards with the 10 value. If you have cards that are valued from 2 to 6, you’ll have to assign them +1 while those with the value of 8 or 9 are valued at 0.

The colour of the card also plays a significant role in this strategy. Black is assigned 0 while red is assigned +1. As already stated, the higher the hand value, the higher the bet that you are supposed to wager.

  • The Knock-Out Strategy: We like to refer to it as the K.O card counting strategy. In this, Kings, Queens, Jacks, Aces and 10s are assigned -1. Cards with the face value of 2 to 7 are valued at +1 while cards with the face value of 8 and 9 are assigned the value of 0.

When using the knock out strategy, if you have a hand value of +2, we advise that you place a bet, otherwise, it’s best to hold back.

popup

Receive an impressive bonus from secure online casino

$300

Get my Bonus
No, thank you