
Blackjack is one of the most popular card games in the casino, which attracts both novice and experienced players. Unlike many other gambling games, blackjack can use strategies to influence the outcome of the game and increase your chances of winning. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 5 blackjack strategies that will help you become more successful at the table.
1. Basic Blackjack Strategy
The main blackjack strategy is a mathematically verified approach that is based on the probabilities of the outcome of each hand. It assumes that the player must make decisions depending on the cards in his hands and the dealer.
Principles of the main strategy:
- Make a hit (draw a card) if the amount in your hands is less than 11.
- Stop (do not take the card) if the amount is between 17 and 21.
- Double hit (double the bet) if you have a 9, 10 or 11 in your hand and the dealer has a weak card (2-6).
- Split (split of cards), if two identical cards are held, especially pairs of aces or eights.
The basic strategy reduces the casino’s advantage to a minimum of 0.5% if used correctly. This strategy is worth learning by heart, as it serves as the foundation for a successful blackjack game.
Table of the main strategy:
Player | Card Dealer | Card Player Action |
9 | 2-6 | Double |
10 | 2-9 | Double |
11 | Any | Double |
12-16 | 2-6 | Stop |
12-16 | 7 and above | Hit |
17-21 | Any | Stop |
2. The Martingale System
The Martingale system is a popular betting strategy used in various gambling games, including blackjack. Its essence is that the player doubles his bet after each loss. Thus, having won once, you compensate for all previous losses and get a profit.
Example of a Martingale system:
- The initial bid is 10 units.
- If you lose, the next bet is 20 units.
- If you lose again, the bet increases to 40 units.
- Once you’ve won, go back to your initial bet.
Although this system can be effective for short game sessions, it has a significant disadvantage — the need to have a large bankroll in order to withstand long series of losses. Also, don’t forget about the casino’s betting limits, which may limit the use of this strategy.
3. Strategy Passwords
Unlike the aggressive Martingale system, the Password strategy (sometimes called the reverse Martingale system) suggests doubling the bet after each win, rather than losing. This is a less risky method, since you bet the money you win, rather than increasing the bet after losing.
Example of the Passwords strategy:
- You start with a minimum bid of, say, 10 units.
- If you win, double your bet to 20 units.
- The next time you win, double your bet again to 40 units.
- After the third win, you return to the original bet.
This strategy allows you to accumulate winning streaks without risking large amounts of money when losing. It is suitable for those who prefer a cautious approach to playing blackjack.
4. Card account
Card counting is an advanced strategy that involves the player counting cards to determine which cards are left in the deck — large or small. This strategy requires concentration and practice, but if used correctly, it can significantly increase your chances of winning.
How a card account works:
- Cards 2 through 6 count as +1.
- Cards 7 through 9 have no value (0).
- Cards from 10 to ace count as -1.
When the score becomes positive, it means that there are more big cards left in the deck (tens, aces), and the probability of getting blackjack increases. In this case, you can increase your bids. If the score is negative, you should lower your bets or leave the game.
Example of a card account:
Hand | Score | Action |
10, 6 | +1 | Bet Increase |
Ace, 2 | 0 | No Change |
5, 5 | +2 | Bet Increase |
This strategy is prohibited in some casinos, and when you use it, you may be asked to leave the establishment. However, it is not always as effective in online blackjack, as many casinos use multiple decks or shuffle them after each hand.
5. 1-3-2-6 Strategy
The 1-3-2-6 strategy is a betting management system that allows you to minimize losses and maximize profits in winning streaks. It is based on the fact that the player changes the size of his bet depending on the outcome of previous rounds.
Example of using the strategy:
- The initial bid is 1 unit.
- After winning, the bet increases to 3 units.
- If you win again, the bet is reduced to 2 units.
- On the third win, the bet becomes 6 units.
- After the fourth win, you return to the initial bet.
This system makes it possible to get the most out of a winning streak, while simultaneously controlling losses. It is important to note that the 1-3-2-6 strategy requires discipline and attention.
1-3-2-6 Strategy Table:
Round | Bet | Action |
1st Win | 1 | Increase to 3 |
2nd Win | 3 | Decrease to 2 |
3rd Win | 2 | Increase to 6 |
4th Win | 6 | Return to 1 |
Conclusion
Although blackjack remains a gambling game, using strategies can significantly increase your chances of success. The basic strategy is a basic tool that every player should know, and more advanced systems such as card counting and 1-3-2-6 strategy will help you better control the game and manage your bets. However, it is important to remember that no strategy guarantees a permanent win, so prudent bankroll management and discipline remain key factors for long-term success in blackjack.