Winning Tips When Playing Blackjack Articles | Casino

By: Richard Bleuze

Blackjack is one of the most exciting and best loved of all casino games, and a skillful player can do a lot to tip the odds in his or her favor. Blackjack is a game of skill much more than one of luck and by knowing what to do the good blackjack player can enjoy a winning day at the casino. Of course there is no one blackjack tip that can ensure the player that every hand will be a winner, or that you will come away with more money than you left with. Even so, we hope these blackjack tips will help you enjoy a winning day at the blackjack table.  

1)  Double-down when holding a two card combination totaling: - 9 if the dealer is showing a 3, 4, 5 or 6 - 10 if the dealer is showing anything but than an Ace or 10 - 11 if the dealer is showing anything other than an Ace

2)  Unless you are certain of your ability to count cards, do not take insurance

3)  Regardless of what the dealer is showing, it is always a good idea to split a hand of Aces or 8s

4)  The player should never split a hand of two 10 value cards - Never split 10's or 5's. Always split 8's or 7's against a dealer's card of equal or lower value. Always split 2's or 3's against a 4, 5, or 6. Always split aces. Never split face cards, 10's, or 5's.

5)  The player should hit a soft 17 when the dealer's up card is a 10. If the player stands on 17 or less, they will have to rely on the dealer going bust to win the hand

6)  Hit on a soft 13 through 17 if the dealer is showing a 7 or higher.

7)  When holding a hand containing three or more cards do not hit a soft 13 through 17

8)  The player should double down when holding a two card hand totaling a soft 13 through 17 if the dealer is showing a 5 or a 6.

9)  The player should double down on a soft 17 if the dealer is showing a 3

10)  Find a table whose minimum is no more than 5% of you total stash. In picking a table, consider rule variations that help the player like the option of doubling down on any two cards, or the dealer having to stand on soft 17. Even if you don't completely understand them, these rule variations can work to your advantage.

11)  Since the dealer has to hit (take a card) on any hand 16 or lower, you'll never win with less than 17 unless the dealer busts. Take a hit on any hand below 17 when the dealer shows ace, K, Q, J, 10, 9, or 8, cards that are unlikely to make the dealer bust. Stand on any hand above 11 when the dealer shows a 4,5, or 6, cards that will lead then dealer to bust more than 40% of the time.