Improve Your Blackjack Game: Dos and Don’ts

Blackjack is one of those casino games which intrigue us most. Not because its rules are hard to learn, but because there are always new things to learn. It takes time and patience to acquire all the skills that can help you gain an advantage and beat the dealer. In this article, we bring you a list of the most important dos and don’ts you should use to master the game of Blackjack when playing it online.

Blackjack Dos

1. Learn the rules

Blackjack uses simple to learn rules and there’s no excuse for not learning them. Only when you learn the Blackjack basics will you be able to master the game. It’s all about the decisions you make and you should base them on the rules and not on your gut feeling. That’s the only way to beat the game. Apart from hit and stand, you can double down, split or surrender. Learn card values and all about side bets if you want to go for them.

2. Learn the basic strategy

This one goes hand in hand with the previous tip. Once you have understood all the game’s rules, you need to keep learning. The next challenge is learning the basic strategy according to which you should make your decisions. The moves suggested by the strategy are based on the possible situations and you should stick to them. The basic strategy will teach you how to make the most of the information you have – your first two cards and the dealer’s face-up card. Keep in mind that the Blackjack strategy doesn’t guarantee that you will beat the dealer, but applying it will get you as close to it as possible.

3. Use strategy charts

Strategy charts suggest the optimal moves for given situations and you should always use them. The best part of using strategy charts is that they can be used even when you play RNG-operated Blackjack games, which is not the case with advantage play techniques like card counting.   

4. Practice

Before you start wagering real money, make sure to practice the game in free play mode. It is possible to play Blackjack at virtual tables for free and you should take advantage of that option. Once you have learned the basics, go on and play these games with real money. They are cheaper than Blackjack games hosted by live dealers.

5. Choose Blackjack games with fewer decks

The more decks in play the higher the house edge. It is a simple rule that applies to Blackjack games. If you can, play single-deck Blackjack games. However, you should keep in mind that single-deck Blackjack games introduce unfavourable rules like the dealer hitting on a soft 17 which balances the house edge.

6. Take advantage of bonuses and loyalty programs

Using casino bonuses can increase your winning chances as they boost your bankroll and provide you with more opportunities to win. However, they are typically not designed for Blackjack players. The main reason for this is in the fact that Blackjack games come with a house edge that can be lowered. Bonuses for Blackjack players mainly come with unrealistic wagering requirements you won’t be able to meet easily. That’s why it is important to check terms and conditions first. Loyalty programs may be a better option for Blackjack enthusiasts as they awards comp points you earn by placing real money bets. Comp points can be turned into real cash at some casinos. There are other rewards for loyal customers too, so learn all the benefits you can gain with the loyalty program the online casino of your choice has on offer. 

Blackjack Don’ts

1. Don’t play insurance

Insurance is considered a bad bet and you should keep that in mind if you feel tempted to play it. This particularly applies to online casinos where you cannot count cards efficiently.

2. Learning to count cards can be futile

While counting cards can help you beat the game of Blackjack at land-based casinos, it’s no use bothering with this technique when playing it online. Blackjack variants you can play online come with low deck penetration which does not enable you to count cards efficiently. This applies to both RNG-operated and live dealer games.

3. Don’t use progressive betting systems

On the web, you may stumble upon articles which advocate using different betting systems, including the progressive ones. Although it is recommended to change your bet based on your performance, sticking to negative or positive progression betting systems can be detrimental to your bankroll.   

4. Don’t play 6:5 Blackjack games

You should always choose to play those games that pay 3:2 for a natural Blackjack. While most Blackjack variants you can play online pay this amount, there are still ones that pay 6:5, which is a rule designed to increase the house edge. Typically, these are single-deck games.

Closing Thoughts

Playing Blackjack is fun when you know the rules and the proper strategy. One piece of advice that sums up all written above is learn the rules and the strategy for the game variant you choose to play and simply follow them. That’s the only way to make the most of playing Blackjack.