How to build up your blackjack bankroll when card counting 

When it comes to winning big at blackjack, there is one thing that nearly every winner has in common: card counting. It’s easy to find stories about players who have won millions by using this skill and that’s why we’re always encouraging players to give it a try. However, there’s something else that these big winners also have in common: they started with big bankrolls. So, how do you build your blackjack bankroll? 

When people first look at card counting, lacking a large bankroll can often put them off. However, the good news is that there are ways to deal with a small bankroll and build it up. Starting with around $2,000 is plenty to get you started and we’re going to show you how.

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Build your Blackjack bankroll

Look out for freebies – They help to build your blackjack bankroll

If you’re starting your card counting journey with a low bankroll then you have to take advantage of everything that’s out there to help you. That means looking out for the freebies and bonuses that casinos often have to offer. Casinos are always giving these away as they want to get new players in the door and, while the rewards aren’t always huge, the risk is usually low.

There are players out there who have seen local casinos sending out a match play in every daily paper. These people got into card counting because they took advantage of these freebies every single day and soon they had a bankroll that let them into the world of high-rollers. Never dismiss a freebie – it can help boost those numbers and get you on your way.

Free tournaments 

If your bankroll needs a boost, it makes sense to look into tournaments where you can win cash prizes. Now, there are things to be aware of when it comes to free blackjack tournaments vs regular ones. The major difference is that free tournaments will be drawn out and seem to go on forever. The reason for this is that they’re used to get people through the door and the hope is that contenders will spend money between rounds.

If you enter these free tournaments you need to be doing all that you can to win. However, the main aim is not to lower your bankroll any further. You need to resist the urge to play between rounds so that the blackjack tournament really is free. Yes, this may be boring but you can afford to take more risks when the work has been put in.

Wonging 

When you take an average game of blackjack, almost everything that’s below a true 1 is negative expected value (EV). Now, if you have a small bankroll that you’re looking to build then you need to be avoiding negative EV at all times. This means that you need to be back-counting and then wonging at true 1.

The reality is that this kind of play is tedious, to say the least. However, despite how boring it is, it’s also one of the most intelligent ways that anyone can play blackjack. It takes real discipline but when you can do this, not only do you build your bankroll, but you also become a well-rounded player.

Resist tipping

It seems that playing blackjack and tipping the dealer go hand in hand. The problem is that each time you tip the dealer, you’re eating into your bankroll and making your journey that much longer. It’s easy to win yourself $100 or more and think nothing of giving a $10 tip but stop and think: that money could be building your bankroll. Just how many $10s will you be giving away during the course of the evening?

There will be plenty of other players at the table who will be more than happy to take care of tipping the dealer. If your bankroll is building and you can afford the occasional $5, by all means, go for it but again, this is about self-control and discipline so that you can see your bankroll get to where you want it to be.

Play for free online to build your Blackjack bankroll

If your bankroll is limited, do you really want to head out to a casino and start to risk the bit of money that you do have? The truth is that even the very best players lose and that’s something that you can’t afford to do too many times. That’s why it makes sense to practice for free.

There are plenty of online casinos that offer blackjack for free. No, you can’t win any money but you can hone your skills, risk-free. Once you’ve improved and you feel that you’re ready, it’s time to head out there and play for real money. Just don’t rush it. 

Get saving 

If you really want to get into card counting and hit the floor running, there is a way to start with a healthier bankroll: save for it. Okay, the truth is that this may be a little on the boring side and it doesn’t even let you play blackjack but you need to stop and think about the long term.

While you’re saving you could also be honing your skills so that by the time your bankroll is big enough you know that you’re a force to be reckoned with. Look at some of the treats that you can make miss out on. Look at spends that aren’t really essential. Pump this money into your bankroll and then make the most of card counting.

Team up to build your Blackjack bankroll

There’s an element of risk here as you could find yourself creating a team that’s truly awful. However, if you manage to find someone who has a similar or higher, skill level than you, and someone that you know you can trust, creating a team is a great option.

If you’ve both got $2k to play with then you’ve instantly doubled that bankroll. That means that you can wager more and unlock the opportunity to win more too. Finding the right team member may take some time but it’s certainly time well spent. 

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