Ausvegas Blackjack is a staple casino game, and seems relatively simple – try to beat the dealer by getting your cards as close to 21 as possible. However, Blackjack is a game of knowledge and skills, so you should never play it without following some strategy. Luckily, even if you are a beginner, there are basic rules you can follow that will help lower the house advantage.
Use A Strategy Chart
A basic strategy chart shows you the best move you can make in a given situation, after you receive your first two cards and the dealer’s upcard is revealed. It reveals which of the five options – hit, double down, split, surrender and stand – are best for the particular scenario.
Using a basic strategy chart in online Blackjack is not cheating! It is simply using all the information out there to your best advantage. There are now variations of the chart that utilise different strategies, and you should find one that works best for you. However, beginners should start by using a well-established one that is tried and true.
Never Split 5s Or 10s
On top of using a strategy chart, there are some basic rules to always follow when playing Blackjack online. One of these is to never split 5s or 10s. These are great cards, and you should not waste the advantage they give you. A starting hand of 10 gives you a great potential to double down and win!
Double on 9, 10, and 11
If you double on one of these numbers and get dealt a face card, your odds of getting Blackjack are very high. With other cards it’s generally better to hit, but consider yourself lucky if you’ve been dealt one of these!
Split Aces, Especially Pairs
Splitting aces is usually a good strategy, but you’re especially in luck if you end up with two! Always split these, as it gives you very good odds of getting two Blackjacks and earning more profits.
Composition Dependent Strategy
Composition dependent (CD) strategy is probably best to attempt only after you have got the hang of basic strategy. It is more complex and yet helps to lower the house edge even further. CD strategy takes into account the compositions and total number of cards that a player has, as well as the dealer’s visible card. It has an element of card counting in that you think about the likelihood of what is still left in the deck, based on what has been played and what you have. Getting good at CD strategy entails a lot of in-depth research and practice, but it’s a great way to improve your chances of getting big wins.
Manage Your Money
An element of Blackjack strategy that should not be overlooked is how you place your bets. Don’t put all your money on one hand, rather split it up into smaller amounts across many hands. Of course, you can vary it depending on how good your hand is, but in general if you want to walk away with a profit, it’s better to be conservative.
