Blackjack is one of the least volatile casino games because you have a 46.36% chance of winning any hand (not counting ties). Add in that you can double down and split hands in favorable situations, and you're dealing with a near 50/50 proposition.
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Nevertheless, blackjack can still be a streaky game. It's not uncommon to win or lose 3-4 hands in a row.
Some players try to capitalize on winning streaks by increasing their bets, but they often use a randomized approach that involves betting whatever they feel like in the moment.
If you want to play high stakes blackjack online, a strategy card is a must - using the correct playing strategy will help improve your odds of winning when you play high stakes blackjack either online or offline. With the right blackjack strategy it's possible to increase your winning chances, and that's because blackjack isn't a gambling game like roulette, video poker, or slots. Blackjack is also the most researched game ever. It is also the only casino game with fluctuating odds (or probability). The winning chance changes with the composition of the deck. This is more about blackjack mathematics than anything else.
I'm going to discuss some different ways that you can take advantage of winning streaks through systematic approaches. I'll also cover how you can turn losing streaks into profits.
But let's first dive into what your chances are of experiencing both winning and losing streaks in blackjack. Winning at penny slots.
Probabilities of Blackjack Winning and Losing Streaks
Most blackjack streaks last for 2 to 3 hands. This makes winning and losing runs that last for 4 or more hands an unlikely occurrence.
But, as the statistics show, you can never rule out anything in blackjack. The chances of a 9 hand winning streak are 0.1%, meaning this can happen 1 out of every 1,000 times in a nine hand stretch.
Here's a look at the odds of both winning and losing streaks:
Length of Streak | Chances of Winning Streak | Chances of Losing Streak |
---|---|---|
2 | 22.5% | 27.7% |
3 | 10.6% | 14.6% |
4 | 5.0% | 7.6% |
5 | 2.4% | 4.0% |
6 | 1.1% | 2.1% |
7 | 0.5% | 1.1% |
8 | 0.2% | 0.6% |
9 | 0.1% | 0.3% |
The stats support why blackjack streaks often occur within 2 or 3 hands. Any winning or losing run after this has less than a 10% chance of happening.
Can You Really Win More Money Based on Blackjack Streaks?
Before we get started on the methods that you can use to take advantage of blackjack streaks, I want to discuss if it's feasible to increase profits during winning runs.
Before blackjack strategy became more prevalent thanks to the internet, many players simply thought that blind luck governed winning and losing streaks.
But streaks aren't the result of some mysterious force working for or against you. Instead, this is merely statistics at work.
Mathematicians will tell you that a systematic approach during streaks won't help you win any more money than if you keep flat betting. But there are certain factors that can cause a winning or losing streak.
One example includes an imperfect shuffle, which leaves clumps of high and low cards. And more high cards (a.k.a. aces through jacks) improves your chances of getting a natural blackjack.
The only problem is that it's nearly impossible to predict when the deck hasn't been shuffled thoroughly enough.
Whether or not you can take advantage of blackjack streaks with precision is debatable. But what you can count on is building on your winnings during a hot streak.
Likewise, with the right strategy, you can actually earn profits after a losing streak. And this is exactly what I'm going to cover in the upcoming sections.
Taking Advantage of Blackjack Winning Streaks
A great way to capitalize on blackjack winning streaks is by using a positive progression system. Positive progression strategies involve increasing your bets during hot streaks so that you can win even more money.
The best thing about these systems is that they don't put your bankroll in danger. Instead, a positive progression system only calls on you to increase bets when you're already winning.
Of course, the downside is that you can also blow your earnings because you're betting more, but many blackjack players are willing to take this risk if it means turning marginal winnings into a huge profit.
You and I will cover some of these positive progression systems below. I'll also discuss how you can use winning streaks to camouflage your card counting efforts.
Paroli System
The Paroli system is one of the easiest positive progression strategies to use. You begin by determining a fixed betting unit.
Ideally, this amount will be worth 2% to 5% of your bankroll. For example, if your bankroll is worth $500, you can use a $10 betting unit.
The Paroli works by doubling your betting unit after every win. You then stop after three wins and return to the original stake.
Some players like going to 4-5 wins before returning to the original bet, but this is risky because we already covered that your chances of winning four straight hands are less than 10%.
Here's an example on using the Paroli for a three win sequence:
- You bet $10 and win.
- You bet $20 and win.
- You bet $40 and win.
- You return to the original $10 bet.
The nice thing about the Paroli system is that you win more during hot streaks without being too risky. The trouble, though, is that you only have a 10.6% chance of winning a three hand sequence.
1 3 2 6 System
The 1 3 2 6 strategy isn't as popular as the Paroli, but it's still a simple positive progression strategy that can bring you big winnings.
Secrets To Playing Blackjack
This system begins with choosing a fixed betting unit. And just like with the Paroli, 2% to 5% of your bankroll is a good unit size.
Each number in the 1 3 2 6 system represents how many betting units you risk in the sequence. In other words, you bet one unit, followed by three units, two units, and six units.
You start a fresh sequence every time you lose a bet or win four straight wagers. Here's an example of using this strategy:
- Your betting unit is $10.
- You bet $10 and win.
- You bet $30 and win.
- You bet $20 and win.
- You bet $60 and win.
- Return to a $10 bet.
The primary advantage of the 1 3 2 6 strategy is that you can book profits even if you don't complete the sequence. The downside is that you'll rarely win four blackjack hands in a row and reach the end of the betting string.
Reverse Labouchere
The reverse Labouchere system is one of the most complicated gambling strategies. But you should still be able to pick up this system within a few minutes.
The reverse Labouchere starts with creating a sequence of numbers. The numbers should add up to your desired profit for the betting string.
You then add the first and last number in the sequence to determine your next bet.
If you win the wager, you add the combined amount to the end of your sequence. After a loss, you cross off both numbers and continue to the next wager.
You start over with a new sequence whenever completing the number string. Here's an example of using the reverse Labouchere:
- Your sequence is: 1 2 4 5 4 = $16 profit.
- Your first bet is $5 (1 + 4).
- You win, and your new string becomes: 1 2 4 5 4 5.
- Your next bet is $6 (1+ 5).
- You lose, and your new sequence becomes: 2 4 5 4.
The drawback to this strategy is that it normally takes a while to complete your betting sequence. But the upside is that you can win solid profits after completing the number string.
One Half Increase
The one half increase system is aptly named, because you increase your betting unit by one half after a two-hand winning streak. You continue this half unit increase for every subsequent win.
You can see an example below:- Your unit size is $20.
- You win a $20 bet.
- You win a $20 bet.
- Your next wager becomes $30.
- You win the $30 bet.
- Your next wager becomes $40.
- You lose the $40 bet.
- Return to the original $20 wager.
The one half increase is my favorite positive progression system, because it allows you to capitalize on win streaks without risking the majority of your profits.
Card Counting Cover
One of the biggest challenges in card counting is making sure that the casino doesn't know you're a counter. Trying to take advantage of winning streaks is a good way to accomplish this goal.
This is especially the case when it's early in a shoe hands and there isn't much deck penetration. If the dealer or pit boss notices you increasing bets at this point, they'll think that you're just a regular player who's looking for more wins during a hot streak.
Let's contrast this to a card counter who flat bets while winning 3-4 hands in a row. This becomes suspicious when you suddenly increase your bet by wide margins later in the shoe.
A good time to boost your bets during a winning streak is when the true count is at 0 or +1.
These are points when a normal card counter flat bets. But again, increasing your wagers at this point makes it look like you're simply a progressive better.
Of course, you should avoid spreading your bets too high in these cases, because you don't have a mathematical advantage. But wagering an extra unit can help you with camouflaging when you're taking heat from the pit boss.
Taking Advantage of Blackjack Losing Streaks
Taking advantage of a losing streak sounds like an oxymoron. After all, how is it possible to gain any advantage from losing in blackjack?
But you actually can swing things in your favor with the right negative progression systems. A negative progression strategy calls on you to bet more when you're losing.
This is extremely risky because you can pile up more losses during a cold streak. However, you can also win back all of your losses and book a profit when things go your way.
Below I'll cover a few different negative progression systems along with how these strategies can camouflage card counting.
Martingale
The Martingale is easy to use because the only requirement involves doubling bets after every loss.
You start off by wagering the table minimum. You double this amount every time you lose, and return to the table minimum after any win.
Here's an example of the Martingale:- You bet $5 and lose (bankroll at -5).
- You bet $10 and lose (bankroll at -15).
- You bet $20 and lose (bankroll at -35).
- You bet $40 and lose (bankroll at -75).
- You bet $80 and lose (bankroll at -155).
- You bet $160 and lose (bankroll at -315).
- You bet $320 and win (bankroll at +5).
The upside is that this system actually gives you an advantage in theory. As long as you always win to end a losing streak, you'll earn back your losses plus a small profit.
The major downside is that you can lose your entire bankroll during long losing runs. Another problem is that you'll eventually hit the table betting limit if you lose enough hands.
This is why I suggest finding tables with a low minimum bet and generous max wager if you're going to use the Martingale.
Oscar's Grind
Oscar's Grind is a fairly complicated strategy that involves increasing your bets following a losing streak.
You start out by choosing a unit size, such as $10 or $20. You then wager one unit until you run into a losing streak.
As soon as your losing streak ends, you increase your bet size by one unit. This continues until you've earned a one-unit profit.
At this point, you return to betting a single unit until the next losing streak occurs. Here's an example of how Oscar's Grind works:
- You bet 1 unit ($10) and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -1)
- You bet 1 unit and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -2)
- You bet 1 unit and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -3)
- You bet 1 unit and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -4)
- You bet 1 unit and win – Next bet is 2 units (bankroll at -3)
Chance Of Winning Craps
- You bet 2 units and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -5)
- You bet 2 units and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -7)
- You bet 2 units and win – Next bet is 3 units (bankroll at -5)
- You bet 3 units and win – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -2).
- You bet 3 units and win – Next bet is 1 unit (bankroll at +1).
My favorite thing about Oscar's Grind is that you don't have to risk much money after a losing streak. This allows you to win back your money in a more conservative manner.
The drawback is that some blackjack players won't be happy with how slowly this system works.
Labouchere
Earlier I covered how the reverse Labouchere works, and the regular Labouchere has the same structure, only in a negative progression format.
This strategy begins by creating a number string that represents your bet amounts. The sequence can be however long you'd like, but I suggest keeping it to 5 to 8 numbers.
The next step is to make your first bet by combining the first and last numbers.
This system begins with choosing a fixed betting unit. And just like with the Paroli, 2% to 5% of your bankroll is a good unit size.
Each number in the 1 3 2 6 system represents how many betting units you risk in the sequence. In other words, you bet one unit, followed by three units, two units, and six units.
You start a fresh sequence every time you lose a bet or win four straight wagers. Here's an example of using this strategy:
- Your betting unit is $10.
- You bet $10 and win.
- You bet $30 and win.
- You bet $20 and win.
- You bet $60 and win.
- Return to a $10 bet.
The primary advantage of the 1 3 2 6 strategy is that you can book profits even if you don't complete the sequence. The downside is that you'll rarely win four blackjack hands in a row and reach the end of the betting string.
Reverse Labouchere
The reverse Labouchere system is one of the most complicated gambling strategies. But you should still be able to pick up this system within a few minutes.
The reverse Labouchere starts with creating a sequence of numbers. The numbers should add up to your desired profit for the betting string.
You then add the first and last number in the sequence to determine your next bet.
If you win the wager, you add the combined amount to the end of your sequence. After a loss, you cross off both numbers and continue to the next wager.
You start over with a new sequence whenever completing the number string. Here's an example of using the reverse Labouchere:
- Your sequence is: 1 2 4 5 4 = $16 profit.
- Your first bet is $5 (1 + 4).
- You win, and your new string becomes: 1 2 4 5 4 5.
- Your next bet is $6 (1+ 5).
- You lose, and your new sequence becomes: 2 4 5 4.
The drawback to this strategy is that it normally takes a while to complete your betting sequence. But the upside is that you can win solid profits after completing the number string.
One Half Increase
The one half increase system is aptly named, because you increase your betting unit by one half after a two-hand winning streak. You continue this half unit increase for every subsequent win.
You can see an example below:- Your unit size is $20.
- You win a $20 bet.
- You win a $20 bet.
- Your next wager becomes $30.
- You win the $30 bet.
- Your next wager becomes $40.
- You lose the $40 bet.
- Return to the original $20 wager.
The one half increase is my favorite positive progression system, because it allows you to capitalize on win streaks without risking the majority of your profits.
Card Counting Cover
One of the biggest challenges in card counting is making sure that the casino doesn't know you're a counter. Trying to take advantage of winning streaks is a good way to accomplish this goal.
This is especially the case when it's early in a shoe hands and there isn't much deck penetration. If the dealer or pit boss notices you increasing bets at this point, they'll think that you're just a regular player who's looking for more wins during a hot streak.
Let's contrast this to a card counter who flat bets while winning 3-4 hands in a row. This becomes suspicious when you suddenly increase your bet by wide margins later in the shoe.
A good time to boost your bets during a winning streak is when the true count is at 0 or +1.
These are points when a normal card counter flat bets. But again, increasing your wagers at this point makes it look like you're simply a progressive better.
Of course, you should avoid spreading your bets too high in these cases, because you don't have a mathematical advantage. But wagering an extra unit can help you with camouflaging when you're taking heat from the pit boss.
Taking Advantage of Blackjack Losing Streaks
Taking advantage of a losing streak sounds like an oxymoron. After all, how is it possible to gain any advantage from losing in blackjack?
But you actually can swing things in your favor with the right negative progression systems. A negative progression strategy calls on you to bet more when you're losing.
This is extremely risky because you can pile up more losses during a cold streak. However, you can also win back all of your losses and book a profit when things go your way.
Below I'll cover a few different negative progression systems along with how these strategies can camouflage card counting.
Martingale
The Martingale is easy to use because the only requirement involves doubling bets after every loss.
You start off by wagering the table minimum. You double this amount every time you lose, and return to the table minimum after any win.
Here's an example of the Martingale:- You bet $5 and lose (bankroll at -5).
- You bet $10 and lose (bankroll at -15).
- You bet $20 and lose (bankroll at -35).
- You bet $40 and lose (bankroll at -75).
- You bet $80 and lose (bankroll at -155).
- You bet $160 and lose (bankroll at -315).
- You bet $320 and win (bankroll at +5).
The upside is that this system actually gives you an advantage in theory. As long as you always win to end a losing streak, you'll earn back your losses plus a small profit.
The major downside is that you can lose your entire bankroll during long losing runs. Another problem is that you'll eventually hit the table betting limit if you lose enough hands.
This is why I suggest finding tables with a low minimum bet and generous max wager if you're going to use the Martingale.
Oscar's Grind
Oscar's Grind is a fairly complicated strategy that involves increasing your bets following a losing streak.
You start out by choosing a unit size, such as $10 or $20. You then wager one unit until you run into a losing streak.
As soon as your losing streak ends, you increase your bet size by one unit. This continues until you've earned a one-unit profit.
At this point, you return to betting a single unit until the next losing streak occurs. Here's an example of how Oscar's Grind works:
- You bet 1 unit ($10) and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -1)
- You bet 1 unit and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -2)
- You bet 1 unit and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -3)
- You bet 1 unit and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -4)
- You bet 1 unit and win – Next bet is 2 units (bankroll at -3)
Chance Of Winning Craps
- You bet 2 units and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -5)
- You bet 2 units and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -7)
- You bet 2 units and win – Next bet is 3 units (bankroll at -5)
- You bet 3 units and win – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -2).
- You bet 3 units and win – Next bet is 1 unit (bankroll at +1).
My favorite thing about Oscar's Grind is that you don't have to risk much money after a losing streak. This allows you to win back your money in a more conservative manner.
The drawback is that some blackjack players won't be happy with how slowly this system works.
Labouchere
Earlier I covered how the reverse Labouchere works, and the regular Labouchere has the same structure, only in a negative progression format.
This strategy begins by creating a number string that represents your bet amounts. The sequence can be however long you'd like, but I suggest keeping it to 5 to 8 numbers.
The next step is to make your first bet by combining the first and last numbers.
You cross both numbers off after a win and continue to the next wager. Following a loss, you add the combined bet to the end of the sequence.
Here's an example of how the Labouchere works:- Your number sequence is: 1 4 6 3 4 7.
- Your first bet is $8.
- You lose, and your new string becomes: 1 4 6 3 4 7 8.
- Your next bet is $9.
- You win, and your new string becomes: 4 6 3 4 7.
The good thing about this system is that it's less risky than the Martingale, but you still carry a fair amount of risk because it takes a while to complete each number string.
Card Counting Cover
Negative progression betting systems are another way that you can hide your card counting efforts.
When the true count is at 0 or +1, you increase your units to make it seem like you're temporarily using a negative progression strategy.
And when the count is in your favor later in the shoe, it will merely appear that you're using a positive progression system.
Negative progression strategies don't work as well in camouflaging efforts. The reason why is because pit bosses may think it's strange that you're alternating between negative and positive systems.
But this is still better than increasing your bets later in the shoe during a very positive count, then flat betting at every other point.
Return to Minimum Bet
Another way to handle blackjack losing streaks involves returning to the table minimum.
This doesn't help you to take advantage of losing runs like the systems covered above. But if you've been wagering above the table minimum, decreasing your bet will limit losses during a downswing.
The important thing to realize here is that no gambling system can overcome the blackjack house edge. This is why it's so risky to increase wagers when you're losing.
By making the minimum bet, you can ride out losing streaks and eventually start betting big again when you're winning.
Conclusion
Betting more or less during streaks isn't necessarily a foolproof way to beat blackjack, but betting strategies can at least help you take full advantage of winning and losing streaks.
This is especially the case during winning runs, where a positive progressive system really increases your profits. My favorite positive progression strategy is the one-half increase, but the Paroli, 1 3 2 6, and reverse Labouchere are also widely used.
Negative progression systems help you chase losses and eventually end up with a small profit, but you should be careful with these strategies because they add more risk to a losing situation.
Keep in mind that no betting system overcomes the blackjack house advantage. However, you can at least manipulate your short-term winnings and take advantage of winning/losing streaks with these strategies.
Table Of Contents
Are you looking for the best blackjack strategy to maximise your winning odds when you play online? You'll love these tips.
Finding a way to get higher chances to win at blackjack shouldn't be so hard.
The basic strategy is the best way to play blackjack — and when you combine it with some strategy tips on bankroll management and what to do after you win, you have really reached the maximum you can.
In other words, if you are looking for the best blackjack betting strategy to increase your chances to win, you'll love this guide.
In the parts that follow you will find:
- And lots more
We also put together a collection of the best bonuses to play online. This way, you can use those freebies to test the blackjack basic strategy and all the tips in this article.
EXCLUSIVE: Claim Your Bonus and Play!Register a FREE account and claim your bonus to play online blackjack!
What this guide is NOT
- A collection of tips to win at blackjack
- A list of systems that promise to make blackjack profitable
- The illusion that you can beat the game
Phoenix slot machine. Blackjack is a gambling game where the casino has an advantage. It doesn't matter what approach you take or what blackjack strategy you follow. In the long run, the casino always wins.
Why Follow a Blackjack Betting Strategy?
Let's face it - we have all been there. We have all looked for the best and the most effective strategy to win at blackjack after we lost our first hands online.
With the right blackjack strategy it's possible to increase your winning chances, and that's because blackjack isn't a gambling game like roulette, video poker, or slots.
If you follow the basic betting strategy and you learn how to use the information you have at your disposal, you can reach optimal play giving yourself the best chances to win include in the game.
Professional players have worked hard to 'solve' the game of blackjack and find how to play each hand to get the best winning odds.
They analysed how the number of decks in play affects your chances to win and how you can make the best decision based on the cards you see on the table.
- That's what they call the 'blackjack basic strategy. A list of dos and don'ts where you find exactly how you are supposed to play each and every hand you are dealt.
This is the best strategy for blackjack.
The goal of the blackjack basic strategy isn't to help you win at blackjack every time you play. That's impossible. Instead, it is to help you maximize your winning chances and to minimize your losses.
That's also the goal of this guide. We don't list all the strategies for blackjack out there. Instead, we focus only on the best blackjack strategies that are known to work and should help you get better results when you play.
Starting from the tips and tricks included in our cheat-sheet.
READ ALSO: How to play online blackjack with friends.
What Is the Blackjack Basic Strategy?
Knowing how to manage your money is as important in blackjack as it is in all gambling games. A correct 'bankroll management' is essential when you play — regardless of the blackjack strategies you apply to your games.
Knowing how to bet (and how much) and how to select the right game when you play online blackjack for real money is extremely important.
Once you have those basics covered, you can move into the basic blackjack strategy and learn how you are supposed to invest your money once the dealer gives you the initial two cards.
As soon as the cards reach you and the dealer opens one of their cards, you have to make your first choice. In a game of blackjack, that means you need to pick one of these options:
- Stand
- Hit
- Double
- Split
- Surrender
Do you know why the basic blackjack strategy is also considered to be the best way to discover how to win at blackjack? Because it uses basic logic.
Would you hit if your first two cards gave you 20 points? Of course not.
Would you stand if your starting hand was worth five points? Not a chance.
While these choices are very simple on hands like the ones I use in my example, things get (a lot) more complicated with different cards on the table.
Let me give you a few examples.
- How do you play soft 17 in blackjack?
- When do you hit on a 16?
- What to do with 15 in blackjack?
This is where the basic blackjack strategy comes in to help you get the best chances to win.
This collection of tips shows you the optimal play for every blackjack hands, calculating your winning odds in combination with the dealer's open card.
The basic strategy to win at blackjack has nothing to do with concepts like card counting or any of those tricks some 'clever' players adopt to beat the house.
This is a simple-to-use guideline that shows you exactly how you are supposed to play every possible hand of blackjack. Use it to know when it is recommended to hit, to stand, or to do something else.
Hard totals | ||||||||||
Dealer's card > | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
Player's hand | ||||||||||
17-20 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
16 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | SU | SU | SU |
15 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | SU | H |
13-14 | S | S | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
12 | H | H | S | S | S | H | H | H | H | H |
11 | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H |
10 | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H |
9 | H | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H | H | H | H |
5-8 | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H | H |
Soft totals | ||||||||||
Dealer's card > | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
A,8-A,9 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
A,7 | S | Ds | Ds | Ds | Ds | S | S | H | H | H |
A,6 | H | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H | H | H | H |
A,4-A,5 | H | H | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H | H | H | H |
A,2-A,3 | H | H | H | Dh | Dh | H | H | H | H | H |
Pairs | ||||||||||
Dealer's card > | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | A |
A,A | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP |
10,10 | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
9,9 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | S | SP | SP | S | S |
8,8 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP |
7,7 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H |
6,6 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H | H |
5,5 | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | Dh | H | H |
4,4 | H | H | H | SP | SP | H | H | H | H | H |
2,2-3,3 | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | H | H | H | H |
Key:
S = Stand
H = Hit
Dh = Double (if not allowed, then hit)
Ds = Double (if not allowed, then stand)
SP = Split
SU = Surrender (if not allowed, then hit)
A Blackjack Cheat Sheet
To make things even easier for you and help you follow the best betting strategy whenever you play blackjack, we created a quick cheat-sheet with the basic strategy explained in full.
Download the blackjack cheat-sheet (it's free) and print it or save it on your mobile phone to keep it always with you when you play.
The blackjack basic strategy cheat-sheet is 100% legal and you can use it both when you play online and at a brick-and-mortar casino.
A Conservative Blackjack Strategy
Don't play high-stakes games unless you feel ready for them and you have enough money to spend on online games.
If you are reading this blackjack strategy guide and you are a beginner, you should be afraid of high-stakes games.
When you spend too much money on your games, you risk getting the opposite of what you want. You play to have fun and to find out how to get more chances to win at blackjack - and you end broke and frustrated.
The best way to play blackjack is to start with what I call a conservative approach. Because finding the right way top handle betting in blackjack is key to long-term fun.
Like many blackjack strategies suggest, you should increase the stakes only when things go well and any potential losses are compensated by the money you have already won, not the one you might win if you get lucky.
In other words, raise your bet every time you win.
Many players believe wins and losses come in streaks. They think you might lose five or six times in a row — but when you win…you are not going to do it just once.
Obviously, that's not true.
Blackjack is a gambling game and there are no patterns for you to exploit or streaks that you can use to win more money every time you play.
There are, however, smart betting strategies like the basic blackjack strategy that can help you increase the chances of a victory.
Simple C++ Code For Blackjack
With that in mind, a conservative blackjack strategy works like this:
- Start from the lowest bet (e.g. $1)
- Increase your bet by 1 unit only after you win
- Go back to the original bet after you lose
When you use this blackjack strategy, you need to go back to the original bet as soon as you lose one hand. This is the best way to be in control of your money and end a gaming session in the black.
All you need to do is to make the right choices (use the basic strategy) and raise your stakes little by little - but only when you win.
READ ALSO: Bets sites to play live dealer blackjack online.
An Aggressive Approach to Blackjack: the Martingale Strategy
The Martingale betting strategy sits at the opposite side of the spectrum. This is the perfect blackjack strategy for those players who:
- Play blackjack to win a lot of money
- Can afford to lose a lot of money
- Don't fear the swing of big losses
In other words, this is the perfect blackjack strategy for big spenders but isn't one that you should try if you are still a beginner who is looking for ways to learn how to play blackjack.
The Martingale blackjack strategy is expensive. This is a blackjack system that will help you win often - but only when I have a lot of money to invest on your games.
If you can't spend at least $500 on your games - the Martingale is not the best blackjack strategy for you.
But if you do — continue reading to discover how to use this betting strategy to increase your chances to win.
In short:
The Martingale strategy is the exact opposite of the conservative approach to betting in blackjack we have just seen.
When you follow this strategy, you need to double your bet every time you lose. Which, in case of a losing streak, can become very expensive very quickly.
The rationale of this audacious blackjack betting strategy is that you will need only one win to go back to square one and recoup all your losses in one hand.
The caveat is: your bankroll needs to be deep enough for you to play and play until that one win comes.
Again, this isn't a betting strategy for beginners. If you decide to try it, make sure your bankroll covers at least 10 consecutive losses from the hand #1.
1-3-2-6 Blackjack Betting System
The 1-3-2-6 blackjack betting strategy is not as exciting as the Martingale strategy, and that's a good thing. This betting strategy doesn't require a huge bankroll and is a lot more suitable for players looking for a way to have better chances to win at blackjack without investing a fortune in the game.
The numbers in the strategy's name indicate the way you should bet after you win a hand of blackjack.
You first winning is the trigger that starts the sequence while your first losing hand is the one that ends everything.
This blackjack betting strategy is built to get the most value out of winning streaks. If you are lucky enough to use it at the beginning of a four-hand winning streak, you are in for a treat.
READ ALSO: How to play blackjack for beginners.
How to Win More Often at Blackjack: A Few Important Tips
We all want to win at blackjack every time we play, but we also know that's impossible.
What is possible, however, is to maximise your chances to win and get better winning odds when you play blackjack online. All it takes a few simple tips.
Follow them carefully, as these blackjack tips are as important as the best blackjack betting strategy.
- Don't spend money on the 'insurance'. The insurance bet is a money-draining option created to confuse beginners. All the best blackjack strategies fail to mention is for one simple reason: no real blackjack player will ever spend their money on it.
Think about the house edge. Like we said when we went through some of the game's best betting strategies, you can't expect to win at blackjack every time you play.
Like all other casino games, the house edge is what makes sure that the casino has an advantage over the players in the long run. With that in mind, the next of our blackjack tips is one that can make a great difference for you.
Set a budget and abide to that. Experienced blackjack players know that you need to set a losing and a winning limit before the first hand is dealt.
Stop playing as soon as you hit one of them. If you lose and hit your lower limit, take a break and end your session.
If you win and you hit your highest limit, collects your winnings and leave the table. You can continue to play if you want, but you'll need to set a new bankroll and establish new limits first.
Don't miss the rules sheet. Trust me, there are more blackjack variations that you will ever play. All of them are based on the same core gameplay — but adopt rules that could break you if you aren't ready for them
One of the best parts of playing online is that the rules are always available at the table. If you are not sure you know everything about the game you want to play, click on the 'info' icon and read the rules.
Choose 3:2 over 6:5 payout. Different casinos have different payout policies - and not all of them are great for you.
Make sure you read the payout table before you begin to play a hand of real money blackjack and always choose the games with the 'regular' 3:2 payout. These are a much smarter choice compared to the 6:5 payout blackjack games you find at some online casino sites.
Use Bonuses to Find Your Favourite Blackjack Strategy
Now that you know what are the best blackjack strategies, there is only one thing left: play a few games online to find out which one works best for you.
Here's what you should fo to get the best results:
- Base all your decisions on the basic blackjack strategy
- Pick the betting strategy that suits your bankroll
- Follow all the blackjack strategy tips above to maximise your chances to win
To help you find the right games and the right betting strategy, we created a list of the best blackjack bonuses on the market.
All the sites you find in the list are licensed, pay winnings fast, and offer lots of blackjack games. Pick the ones with the best offers, register an account (it's always free), and sit at the blackjack table to start an epic battle with the dealer!
The promotion presented on this page was available at the time of writing. With some Casino promotions changing on daily basis, we suggest you to check on the site if it still available. Also, please do not forget to read the terms and conditions in full before you accept a bonus.