Blackjack Strategy Charts
The game of blackjack is potentially the most popular live casino game around the world. This is thanks to its easy rules. Players can easily learn and understand the game. The main aim of live blackjack is to create a hand that comes as close as possible to 21 without going over and at the same time, getting a better hand than the dealer's.
Although there is no sure guarantee that you can win at blackjack every time, we have created a blackjack strategy chart that can help both newbies and experienced players to make the right decisions in this game.
Blackjack strategy charts draw a line in the sand. On one side you have the gamblers, you know, the players that don’t use basic strategy charts. On the other side you have varying degrees of advantage players; players that choose to use them to reduce the house edge. The basic strategy for Multiple-Action blackjack (and similar games) is the same as regular blackjack. READING THE BASIC STRATEGY CHART (S) Dealer’s up-card is shown along the top of the chart. Player’s hand is shown vertically on the left side of the chart.
We will go as far as to say, that when you’re playing live blackjack, there are plenty of things to keep in mind. Keep on reading to learn more.
Try out our blackjack strategy chart and play live blackjack at the following live casinos:
Blackjack strategy chart: When to hit or stand
One of the most important things you need to keep in mind when playing the game of blackjack is how to manage your bankroll and how to deal your cards efficiently without losing too many bets.
Although there are very few decisions you need to make when playing blackjack, it is important to also keep an eye on the dealer’s open card. Then you need to make one of the following decisions:
- Hit: To request another card
- Stand: You’re satisfied with your current hand and don’t require more cards
- Double: To double your bet
- Split: When you have two identical cards, you can split to create two hands
- Surrender: This option isn’t available in all variations.
In many cases, you need basic common sense to make your decision. But there are cases where it is a little more complicated than that, say when you have a hand that totals to 15 and 16. This is when the blackjack strategy chart can come in handy and help you.
There are a few rules to keep in mind when you’re playing live blackjack and the dealer as follows:
- The dealer always stands when he has a hard 17
- The dealer always hits when he has a soft 17
- The dealer wins if you bust or has a hand closest to 21
- The dealer must hit if he has 16 or less
- The dealer always stands if he has 18 or more.
Bet Behind in Live Blackjack
Bet behind is a relatively new concept that has taken the live casino world by storm. If you head to the Live Blackjack table, and there is no seat available, you can opt to place bets on a player who is actually playing.
You Bet Behind before the game actually commences and all seated players are placing their bets. You can easily follow the big winners from the little numbers on display next to their Alias, or else, by seeing who is placing the big bets. High Rollers are quite common at the best Live Casinos in the UK. They tend to place big bets and are in essence, confident about their decision-making skills.
Betting on confident players who are placing big bets, is usually a great sign that they know how to play Live Blackjack, so you can rest assured that they are making the best decisions. That being said, the game of blackjack is as much a game of luck as it is a decision-making one. You never know if the player you are placing bets on is going to win.
Regardless, the concept of Bet Behind gives you the opportunity to be part of the action.
How to win at blackjack
1) Use GambleGenie’s Blackjack Strategy Chart
This goes without saying but if you are new to the game or require some assistance with reaching a decision, the blackjack strategy chart is a good place to start from. For starters, if you are playing live blackjack you only have a few seconds to decide whether to hit or stand.
Having the Blackjack Strategy Chart available at your convenience should help seal a few wins.
2) Have a solid blackjack bankroll strategy
It’s all well and good if you are using a blackjack strategy chart, but the most important thing you need to keep in mind is your bankroll. If you have a very small budget, it would be irresponsible of you to sit at a table that only accepts high-roller bets.
Find a table that accepts smaller bets if you have a small budget to boot. There are some live casinos that also offer free games during specific time of the day. Additionally, they also offer a generous live casino welcome offer to help you get started. Keep an eye out on GambleGenie for exclusive live casino bonus offers.
3) Have a basic blackjack strategy
Although blackjack is a game of chance like all casino games, you still need to have a blackjack strategy. You can’t just randomly hit or stand without taking into consideration your hand as well as the dealer’s open card.
Having a blackjack strategy would definitely come in handy when you have some tricky hands such as 15 or 16, and the dealer has an upcard of 10.
The advantage of having a blackjack strategy is that if you play your cards right, you will be able to lower the house edge to under 1%, especially if you use your strategy for every hand. This goes without saying but you should never sit down for a game of blackjack unless you have a blackjack strategy or know the rules of the game. You can learn more about the rules of blackjack here.
4) Avoid blackjack side bets
Not only do they drain your bankroll faster than you can decide on whether you should hit or stand, but they are only there to give the house the advantage. The insurance bet is one such example that you should avoid.
Don’t ever make an insurance bet regardless of how much money you’ve been better. The insurance bet option usually pops up when the dealer has a 10 as an upcard and that there is a small chance that the dealer has a blackjack. The insurance bet covers you against that.
A winning insurance bet pays 2:1 but the chances of winning is are much lower, so it’s best to stay clear and use your blackjack strategy chart instead.
Although they are not quite as costly as bets, some players are tempted to place side bets, even though they know there is a big chance of losing. These types of side bets diminish your bankroll. And although you are playing for fun, presumably you are also playing to win and to make a neat profit.
5) Stick to live blackjack rather than regular blackjack at an online casino
There is a reason for this. Regular blackjack games use random number generators, meaning that in a virtual world, the cards are constantly being shuffled following each round.
Playing live blackjack, means that the dealer shuffles the cards manually. It is also recommended that you play at that tables with multiple players, especially when you are playing live blackjack since this will save and protect your bankroll a little longer since you would play fewer hands.
6) Lay off the alcohol
This one is a little obvious, but playing slightly tipsy or full-on inebriated will give you the confidence of a lion, but it will also increase your bad decisions. Though you might feel confident making certain decisions at blackjack, it is never smart to play under the influence of alcohol as you’re more likely to a) make bad decisions (though using a blackjack strategy chart helps) and you will be throwing your money about frivolously, destroying your bankroll in the blink of an eye.
7) Know when to walk away
8 Deck Blackjack Chart
Remember that this isn’t a video game. You are actually playing with your real money, that you have supposedly worked hard for. Even if you are using a blackjack strategy chart, know the limit before you sit down to play.
Establish a threshold and once this has been met, walk away. This applies to both winning and losing amounts so you make sure you protect your bankroll. And if you’re not in the mood for playing, don’t waste your bankroll away. There are always other days.
8) Never Surrender
And no, we’re not being philosophical here. Don’t use the Surrender option if it’s present in the blackjack game variant you are playing, unless you have a 15 against the dealer’s upcard of 10 or when you have a 16 against an ace, a nine or a face card.
Free Printable Blackjack Strategy Chart
9) Know the rules of the blackjack variant
This applies to any game you are playing at a live casino. Know the rules of the game before you start betting. With games such as blackjack, there are numerous variations of the game available out there. The concept might be the same but the rules vary slightly.
Take your time to go through the rules. You don’t want to be wasting your money away.
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