How much should I bet when playing blackjack?

If you’re looking for answers as to how much you should bet when playing blackjack, there’s a good chance that you’ve stumbled across numerous answers. The thing is that your bet depends on an array of factors. It depends upon the rules of the variant you’re playing, the size of your bankroll, the strategy you’re using and numerous other considerations. Let´s talk about your bet size in Blackjack.

By trying to answer this question, and using the word ‘should’, it suggests that any answer is an instruction that you need to be following. That isn’t the case. What we will be doing instead is suggesting what ideal bet amounts may be based on certain variables. That means that no one is telling you how much you have to bet and you should only ever gamble with an amount that you’re comfortable losing. With that being said, let’s try and get some answers now.

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Bet sizes in Blackjack

Typical bet sizes in blackjack – Bet size in Blackjack

If you want an average of what the minimum bet is on blackjack in the US, this comes in at around the $10 mark. Now, if you take a wander off the Strip in Vegas, you’ll find plenty of tables where the minimum wager is as low as $2. It’s also easy to find numerous tables where $5 is the minimum. You’ll even find a few where $15 is the starting point. 

Now, when it comes to maximum bets, you can easily find tables that allow you to wager up to $10,000. Then there are the VIP rooms where players are literally setting their own limits. These VIP gamblers are in private rooms across the states wagering six, and even seven, figure sums on a single hand of cards. 

If you want a true sense of what the range of wagers is, it’s probably best to say that you can typically bet anywhere between $10 and $10,000. That’s why answering how much you should bet isn’t always clear-cut. 

What about the bet size in Blackjack when you’re managing a small bankroll?

If you’re looking at how much to bet when playing blackjack, you need to be realistic and acknowledge what your bankroll will allow you to do. Let’s say your bankroll stretches to $100, there’s no reason why you can’t have a great playing experience. It just means that you’re going to find those lower-limit tables and slow the pace of the game a little. 

Even if you’re playing on the Strip, $100 is still enough to give you a great evening. Casinos such as Circus Circus have minimum bets of $3 and the pace of play tends to be on the slower side. Let’s say that you’re playing at this $3 table and you’re sticking to basic blackjack strategy. That would mean that for overhand you’re playing, you’re losing $0.015. Providing there are no silly errors, you should find your funds last an astonishing 6,600 hands!

Who should be betting to the max?

While there are those who need to be cautious and stick to the minimum wagers, there are others who should be at the maximum end of the scale. Let’s say that you play perfect strategy or you’ve mastered card counting. If you’re taking any actions to bring that house edge down then you should be betting the most that the casino will allow.

If you’re a player of skill, there’s a great chance that you can get the house edge down as low as 0.15%. That would mean that, when betting $10,000 per hand, you’ll be losing an average of $15 per hand. Playing for four hours could lead to losses of around $5,500. Now, let’s say that the averages don’t work out and you hit a winning streak. It only takes a handful of wins for you to be looking at a pretty impressive profit. 

New blackjack players and unit bet size

New players need to ensure that they’re learning as much as they can about the game and not simply burning through their bankroll. Rather than looking at how much should be bet, the focus should be on creating a unit bet and then ensuring that you stick to it.

Creating a bet unit is incredibly simple. It’s just a case of fixing on an amount that you’re going to bet each hand. When you’ve fixed on that amount, you never go above or below it. So, if that number is $10, that’s how much you wager on every hand, no matter what.

The benefits of doing this are that you have a simple way of managing your bankroll, you don’t need to get hung up on figuring out how much you need to bet, and you can plan an evening knowing roughly how long you’ll be playing for. 

How about the Martingale system?

This system sees you doubling your bet after every loss. The idea is that you recoup your losses much quicker. If it’s something that you’ve read about and want to try, then you should feel free to do so. The reality is that as a short-term strategy, this can work very well. How it works out in the long term is debatable.

If this system is something that you fancy trying then go ahead. Just be sure that when you’re doubling your wager that you’re not reaching insane levels!

How should the rich be betting?

When it comes to blackjack or any other casino game, the rich should be betting one way: the way that they want to. Whereas everyday players may wince at losing $20, some of the wealthier players hardly raise an eyebrow at losing $20,000 or more. 

The thing is that these larger bets are only a fraction of their overall wealth so why wouldn’t they bet big? Every day players will wager amounts that they’re comfortable with and the same should apply to rich players too.

Final thoughts on the bet size in Blackjack

The big takeaway here is that you can bet any amount that you want to while playing blackjack. The only proviso is that you can afford to lose it. The real focus should be on enjoying the entertainment that the game brings. 

21+ | Terms & Conditions Apply | NJ Residents Only
Betmgm$25 FREE on Signup
100% up to $1.000 on First Deposit
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Review
Bet sizes in Blackjack