Blackjack Strategy for Beginners
Blackjack is a simple game, which can also be deceptively complicated. However, there is a basic blackjack strategy which can be learnt relatively quickly. When put into practice this reduces by a large percentage the chances of losing. The strategy does not teach you how to win at blackjack, for there is no definite way of guaranteeing a win; rather it allows you to be safe in the knowledge that you have the optimum winning potential on any given hand. While there are all sorts of blackjack strategies, the basic one is essential to ensure you have fun when you play this classic game.
Before learning blackjack strategy, beginners must first get their heads round the regular rules of the game. Luckily, there aren’t too many rules so the basic game play can be summed up in a couple of sentences:
The players and the dealer both receive two cards – the players’ are both face up while the dealer has one card face up and one face down. The aim is to create a hand which is closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand without going “bust” (creating a hand worth more than 21). There are two chances to place a bet: before the cards are dealt and after the two cards are dealt to each player.
Blackjack Choices
After receiving the two cards, each player must choose one of four main options:
- Hit – take another card and hope you don’t go bust
- Double – double your bet and only receive one more card
- Stand – stay with what you have and hope it is enough to beat the dealer,
- Split – split the cards into two separate hands and try your luck twice (only if you have two cards of the same value).
With the split and hit options, the player can continue accepting more cards until he is bust or decides that he has gone far enough and decides to stand.
The basic blackjack strategy is therefore used to determine which of the four actions to take after you receive your first two cards. The strategy does not help you decide on a blackjack betting strategy, or whether you should hit or stand on your third or fourth turn.
Playing Smart
In blackjack the aim is to try to end up with a better hand than the dealer. So each time a blackjack player makes a decision, it is based on the one face up card held by the dealer. If the dealer’s card shows he has a good chance of ending up with 21 then the strategy allows you to take more risks in order to get as high a total hand as possible. However, there is no need to go over the top. So, for example, if you have 17 there is never any point taking another card according to the basic blackjack strategy as the odds dictate you are more likely to get a five or more and go bust than receive an ace, two, three or four.
While the rules are easy to remember, the easiest thing to do is to get a blackjack strategy card which lists what to do on all the possible permutations. Then just follow the card and you’ll never be in a more dangerous blackjack situation than necessary.
