Top Blackjack Tips to Improve Your Strategy and Chances of Winning

Here are some of the best blackjack tips to arm yourself with whether you're playing at retail or online casinos. With these pointers, you'll be fully equipped to know what move to make and when as you play online blackjack:

If you take one thing away from this article, make it this one. The most critical strategy is knowing when to stand.

One situation in which you can't go wrong is standing when your hand totals 12 to 16, and the dealer shows anything from 2 to 6.

You want to stand in this situation because the dealer is more likely to bust with a weak upcard as they have to hit on any hand of 16 or under, which gives you a higher chance of winning.

For example, if the dealer's upcard is a 6, they will likely need to draw more than one card. Drawing two cards on a 6 gives us good odds to win by default on a dealer bust.

This is kind of the inverse of the previous tip. Statistically, hitting when you have a hand of 12 to 16 is smart when the dealer's up card is a 7 to an Ace.

Hitting in this situation is the right move more often than not because the dealer has to stop hitting when their hand totals 17 or more. While a hand of 16 is good, having a hand of 17 or better gives you a much higher chance of winning.

Another good blackjack tip? Always split Aces and 8s. If you are new to the game, this is where we should explain that if you are dealt two cards of the same value, you can split them and play two separate hands instead of one.

Splitting, in general, is a risky gambit, but the first rule of splitting is to keep an eye out for aces and 8s. The stats are clear on this.

Doubling up on a pair of aces makes a lot of sense, giving you two chances to hit 21 with just two cards.

Regarding 8s, having a pair of 8s or a total of 16 right off the bat is one of the worst hands you can have. But, with 16 of the 50 other cards in a deck having a value of 10, having two separate hands of 8 is very good as there's a good chance of scoring at least one hand with 18.

The idea behind both of these moves is that you are taking hands that present expected losses and turning them into hands with a strong chance of winning.

If any of these terms are going over your head, be sure to check out our blackjack glossary or casino glossary.

If you want to statistically minimize the house edge and maximize your chances of winning in blackjack, you should use a basic strategy chart. These charts are really the only betting strategy you need and tell you exactly how to play every hand. You can always refer to these blackjack strategy charts whether you're playing online or in person, but seeing as practice makes perfect, you'll eventually be able to make the right calls from memory.

Insurance bets are sometimes offered when the dealer's upcard is an Ace. These wagers allow you to bet on whether the dealer has blackjack. Different casinos and tables can have different insurance rules, so check before you take a seat.

Even if the table you are at offers insurance, it is generally considered a "rookie mistake." While it seems tempting, it's better to avoid this option as it presents poor odds compared to not paying for insurance. So even if you have a gut feeling, try avoiding these bets as part of your strategy.

Proper bankroll management is a necessity when playing blackjack or any other casino game. The idea is simple — budget your bankroll, because if you don't, you risk wagering money you can't afford to lose.

You can set two different budgets when you are ready to hit the table. First is how much of your total bankroll you will invest into playing blackjack. For those playing online, it'll help you know the right amount to deposit into your account.

Secondly, you should set a cap on how much you can spend on each gambling session. This helps keep yourself in check and ensures you don't overspend chasing profits. You can also limit how much you plan to win and quit while you are ahead if you hit that mark.

A good rule of thumb is to wager between 1% and 2% of your bankroll on any given hand. This is a conservative approach, but it has been proven to help you stay in the game longer.

So, if your bankroll is $1,000 for your current session, you should keep your bets between $10 and $20 per hand. This keeps your risk low while giving you time to turn a profit.

Betting with emotions is an excellent way to end up on the wrong side of the win/loss column. Playing with anything other than a level head can cloud your judgment and lead to poor decisions in the long run. Staying disciplined and focused will increase your probability of success.

Understanding the specific rules of each table you're playing at is paramount for making the right decisions. Blackjack rules can vary, and it's important to know what to do when certain hands come up at tables using slightly different rules than you're accustomed to.

Despite what we said earlier about the dealer having to stand when their hand is 17, this isn't always the case. Some casinos stipulate that the dealer has to hit on a soft 17, which is a hand that includes an Ace counted as an 11, such as an Ace-6. If the dealer must hit rather than stand on a soft 17, this can affect your strategy.

Blackjack can be played with varying numbers of decks, from single-deck games to eight-deck games. The number of decks directly correlates with the house edge and the effectiveness of card counting.

Fewer decks are better for the player, as they maximize your advantage over the house. If you’re playing at a table with more decks, adjust your strategy as keeping track of the cards becomes more challenging. At some point, depending on your skill, you might want to abandon counting cards when more than a few decks are in play.

Like any other part skill, part luck game, blackjack requires practice to master your strategy to improve your chances of getting paid.

So, before depositing at real money platforms, you might leverage the following resources to perfect your technique:

Some real money online casinos like DraftKings and Golden Nugget have blackjack available in demo mode. You can play these titles for free, which allows you to get the hang of using a strategy card. And thanks to welcome casino bonuses, you can easily switch to real money play at these platforms once you get more comfortable.

You can also explore live dealer casinos if you want to play blackjack in real time.

An alternative to demo mode at real money casinos is games at sweepstakes casinos, which are more widely available. Sweepstakes or social casinos let you play blackjack for free and even have live dealer games. Depending on which virtual currency you play with, you can be eligible for real money prizes.

We don't recommend card counting as operators have measures in place to prevent it, but the practice is still present among blackjack players.

The basic idea is simple: high cards (10s, face cards, and Aces) favor the player, while low cards (2 through 6) benefit the dealer. By tracking the ratio of high to low cards remaining in the deck, you can make more informed decisions about bets and win more hands.

Card counting involves assigning a value to each dealt card in its most basic form. Typically, low cards are assigned a value of +1 and high cards a value of -1. Middle cards (7, 8, 9) are considered neutral and assigned a value of 0. As cards are dealt, you must keep a running tally, or "count."

When the count is positive, more high cards are in the deck, which increases your odds of getting a hand like blackjack. Conversely, a negative count suggests that the remaining deck is rich in low cards, leaving the game in the dealer's favor.

While card counting can offer a slight advantage, it's important to note that it requires significant concentration and practice to master. Additionally, operators know this strategy and often take steps to deter counters, such as using multiple decks or shuffling frequently.

As you refine your strategy with the tips you've learned, do your best to avoid common myths that can lose you money. These myths can lead to poor decision-making, potentially undoing all the hard work you've put into building your skills.

By staying grounded in the fundamentals and trusting the strategies you've developed, you'll be better set up to bet smarter.

A common myth in casino blackjack is that the actions of other players at the table can impact your game. It's easy to get frustrated if someone hits when they shouldn't or makes a play that seems to mess up the flow.

It's important to remember that you're not competing against the other players — you're competing against the dealer.

For example, if a player takes a hit and draws a card you wanted, it's incorrect to believe it would have been yours had they not taken it.

It's best to focus on your game and play according to the basic strategy you've learned rather than worrying about what others are doing.

Another pervasive myth is the belief in winning and losing streaks, where players think that a series of wins or losses is anything more than a statistical anomaly. The truth is that just because you bet and lose a hand does not affect what happens next.

Casino blackjack outcomes are random, and every hand is an independent event. Just because you are "hot" or "cold" means nothing from a mathematical standpoint. Assuming you are making the right decisions, streaks are just a matter of good or bad luck.

Here's more info on blackjack mistakes to avoid.

Maintaining a positive mindset is one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of beating casino games. Keeping your emotions in check and staying patient when you are ready to bet are vital components of any basic strategy.

When you pay to play any casino game, it's easy to let your emotions take over, especially during a hot or cold streak. Managing these feelings is critical for making the right decisions and can be the difference between winning or losing a hand.

One way to lose control of your emotions is to play while you are under the influence. We're not the D.A.R.E program here, but if you want to maximize gambling winnings, save the celebrating until after your sign-off.

Remember that blackjack is a game, and games are meant to be fun. While winning is always a goal, the experience itself should be enjoyable. Take time to appreciate the thrill of the game, the strategy involved, and the camaraderie at the table.

When you approach a bet with the mindset that it’s not just about the outcome but the experience, you’re more likely to stay positive and have a good time, win or lose.

If you find yourself developing signs of problem gambling, don't hesitate to reach out. The National Problem Gambling Helpline is just a call away at 1-800-GAMBLER. If you don't keep responsible gambling at the forefront, blackjack can turn away from being a fun game into an addiction.

For Canadian players, Canada casinos offer a robust selection of online blackjack tables, providing plenty of options for all skill levels.

As we wrap up this guide, we must emphasize the most crucial blackjack tip — always stick to a basic strategy.

Sticking to your basic strategy means trusting the process, even when the outcomes don’t go your way. It’s easy to get swayed by emotions, the actions of other players, or the illusion of streaks, but consistency is the key to long-term success.

When you apply your strategy to a T, you reduce the house advantage and give yourself the best chance to walk away a winner. So, whether you play for fun or to sharpen your skills, remember that a disciplined approach is your most valuable tool at the blackjack table.