Top 8 blackjack strategies that work in 2022
If you want to take your game to the next level, it’s important that you learn all that you possibly can about blackjack strategies. As rules change, often becoming less player-friendly, some strategies lose a degree of their effectiveness.We’re going to take a look at some of the strategic moves that you should still be using as well as considering how they may be impacted by any changes to the rules. If you want to enjoy more frequent winning ways at the blackjack table then read on. Read on as we take a look at the Top 8 blackjack strategies.
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1) Never play at a 6:5 table – Top 8 blackjack strategies
It was once the case that a blackjack would always pay 3:2. That means that had you bet 10% and had a blackjack, you’d get $15 in winnings. What’s happening more and more is that tables are offering 6:5 for a blackjack. This means that those $15 winnings are reduced to $12.
The other issue with playing at a 6:5 table is the impact that it has on the house edge. If you’re playing a single deck game with 6:5, the house edge goes up by around 1.45%. If you’re playing a multi-deck game, things get even worse with the house edge increasing by 2% or more. That’s why the best strategy is to stick to blackjack tables that pay 3:2.
2) Always split a pair of 8s and aces – Top 8 blackjack strategies
No matter what the dealer’s upward may be, you should always split a pair of 8s and aces. The problem here is that many players simply won’t split a pair of aces when they can see that the upward is a 9, 10 or ace. They feel that this situation makes them an underdog and so they don’t feel that it makes any sense to bet more. The truth, however, is that you become less of an underdog by splitting these 8s. That’s because you can now hit on two hands starting with 8 rather than hitting on 16.
Most players already understand the benefits that are brought about by splitting aces: it can bring significant gains. Understanding that the same applies to 8s can take your game to the next level.
3) Never split a pair of 5s or 10s – Top 8 blackjack strategies
While knowing when to split is vital to your blackjack game, it’s just as important to know when not to. With a pair of 5s, you’re starting with a hard 10. It will always be better to take a one or more card draw to 10 than it will be to split 5s and play two hands starting at 5.
When it comes to 10s, it’s hard to see why players would even want to split. A starting hand of 20 and standing means y – ou have a great chance of winning without the need to do anything else.
4) Make sure you hit a hard 12 against a dealer’s 2 or 3 upcard – Top 8 blackjack strategies
A hard 12 can be a sticky starting point! It’s fair to say that most players have a sense of dread when they see this as their hand. They, more often than not, fear hitting in case they go bust. Rather than having the fear of going bust, it’s important to bear in mind that, against a dealer’s 2 or 3 upcard, you’re always going to lose money in the long run.
Stand or hit, long-term it’s always going to be you that loses in this scenario. However, hitting is the best strategy (even if you do go bust at times) as you will lose less money over time.
5) Always double down on 10 when the dealer’s upcard is 9 or less
This is a strategy that’s super simple and one that you should always be using. If you have a two-card 10 and the dealer’s card is 9 or less, you’re in the stringiest position. That is why doubling down is the best strategy in these circumstances.
6) Always ignore the insurance bet
If you’ve read our other articles, you’ll already know how we feel about insurance bets: they’re simply not worth your while. Just be sure not to take this when the dealer’s upcard is an ace. Even when you have a great hand, just don’t do it! Why? Well, the payout for the insurance bet is 2:1. This is less than the odds that the dealer will have a blackjack.
7) If the dealer’s upcard is a 7, always stand on a pair of 9s
The majority of blackjack players already know that they should be splitting a pair of 9s if the dealer has an upcard of 9 or less. However, where they find themselves feeling a little unsure is when the upcard is a 7. The strategy here is to stand because, over time, you’ll win a little more money than you would by splitting.
8) When playing a single deck game, always double down on 8 against the dealer’s 5 or 6 upcard
If you’re playing a double or multiple-deck game, it’s important to remember that you should never double down with a two-card 8. Playing single-deck blackjack is an exception as the odds become much more favorable when you follow this strategy.
Final thoughts
While it’s important to remember that blackjack is a game that provides fun and entertainment, there’s certainly nothing wrong with trying to increase your chances of winning. While the game is favored by many because of its low house edge, the only way to bring that edge down further is by taking advantage of the strategies that exist.
We’re extremely lucky in as much as the hard work has already been done for us. Someone else has done the math and assessed probability. All that we’re left needing to do is to read about it and remember as much as we can. These 8 blackjack strategies alone will have a huge impact on your game so be sure to give them a go.
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| $25 FREE on Signup 100% up to $1.000 on First Deposit Hotspot Leaderboard | Visit Casino |
