Blackjack Tips
Blackjack is a complex game that doesn’t easily lend itself to simple, bit-sized blackjack tips. Even so, we have managed to compile a list of simple blackjack tips that will make your life at the tables a little bit easier. If you want to squeeze every last bit of advantage out of the house, learn these tips and apply them to your game.
As you get more experience with blackjack, you’ll start to get this all down by heart. The game itself isn’t super complicated but there is a lot of memorization involved with beating the game. The best way to approach blackjack is to take it one step at a time. These blackjack tips aren’t the end-all solution to blackjack, but they definitely help.
1. Memorize a blackjack strategy card
This is the hardest thing to do but it has the greatest impact on your results. If you can memorize basic blackjack strategy, you will be in a great position to use other blackjack tips to increase your edge even more. The easiest way to memorize basic blackjack strategy is to print off a strategy card and use it at the tables until you no longer need to refer to the card.
2. Don’t take insurance
Insurance is a sucker’s bet in blackjack. This bet has a high house advantage and it ends up costing you more money in the long run. Just say “no” when offered insurance at a blackjack table.
3. Always split Aces and 8s
Every time you are dealt a pair of Aces or 8s, you should split them. Aces are powerful cards to start a hand with, so splitting makes sense. A pair of 8s isn’t a particularly strong hand, so splitting is used to break them up and start new hands.
4. Double down with all 11s unless the dealer has an Ace
If your first two cards total to 11 points, you should double down unless the dealer is showing an Ace. There are a lot of 10s in the decks that can turn your 11 into a 21.
5. Hit on all totals of 11 or less
This blackjack tip is pretty self explanatory. If you have a total of 11 or less, there’s no way you can hurt your hand by hitting. The only thing you can do is improve it.
6. Don’t surrender too often
Many blackjack players surrender way too often and cost themselves good money in doing so. There are only a few special times you should surrender in blackjack. Read more about that on our blackjack surrender strategy page.
7. Never split tens
Do not ever split a pair of 10-value cards. This is a mathematically incorrect play over the long run. Hold on to that 20-point hand and you’ll win the hand more often than not.
8. Manage your money
Make bets that are small compared to your total bankroll to stay in the game longer. It’s just as easy to go on a bad streak as it is to go on a good streak in blackjack. If you keep your bets small, you can weather even the most crushing of streaks with your bankroll intact.
Secondly, remember to only gamble with your entertainment money. Don’t wager the rent money on blackjack. No matter how much blackjack strategy you know, you won’t win every time.
9. Never stop learning
Read all the blackjack strategy you can get your hands on. There’s always a way you can improve your blackjack game. Get out there and buy books, visit websites and join forums so you can learn as much about blackjack as possible.
10. Know when to quit
In the end, blackjack is a game and nothing more. It’s a fun way to pass time and it offers players a low house advantage. If your losses start to mount up, it’s time to quit for the day. Also consider quitting if you hit a lucky run and make a lot of money quickly.