Blackjack is one of the most popular casino table games because it combines luck and skill. While the outcome of any hand relies on the cards you are dealt, using blackjack strategy can help improve your odds against the house. With the right moves, knowledgeable players can lower the house edge and beat the dealer more often.
This guide will go over pro blackjack tips and strategy to help you win more hands, especially when playing online blackjack games at Casino RocketPlay. Learn how to make the optimal plays in every situation. We’ll also bust some common blackjack myths and explain why card counting, while effective, may not be necessary to come out ahead.
Basic Blackjack Strategy – When to Hit, Stand, Double Down and Split
The single most important thing you can do to improve your odds at blackjack is learn basic strategy. This tells you the statistically best move to make in every possible hand situation against the dealer. Basic blackjack strategy was created through running simulations of millions of hands to see which decisions worked out best for the player.
Memorizing a simple blackjack strategy chart can help you know exactly when to:
- Hit – Take another card
- Stand – Keep your total and end your turn
- Double down – Double your bet and take only one more card
- Split – Separate cards of the same value into two hands
Having basic strategy down pat keeps the house edge to around 0.5% in a typical blackjack game using 6-8 decks. Without it, the house edge can be as high as 5% or more. Even experienced players should review blackjack charts regularly to keep their skills sharp.
Here are some examples of basic strategy plays:
- Always split Aces and 8s
- Double 11 against dealer upcards 2-10
- Hit soft 17 (Ace + 6)
- Stand on hard 17 vs dealer 9, 10, or A
- Hit hard 12 against dealer 2 or 3
Of course, the optimal play can change slightly based on the specific blackjack rules and number of decks used by the casino. That’s why it’s important to find a basic strategy chart that matches the rules of the game you are playing.
Card Counting – Effective But Not Necessary for Beating the House
Many players have heard tales of teams of MIT students beating casinos by keeping track of the cards dealt in blackjack. This technique, known as card counting, can shift the odds in the player’s favor by helping them determine when the remaining deck is rich in 10s and Aces.
In theory, card counting can give players up to a 2% edge over the house. However, there are several downsides that make it an unrealistic strategy for most people:
- It takes a lot of practice and concentration
- You need a very large bankroll due to variance
- Casinos have countermeasures to stop card counters
- It’s not applicable when playing online blackjack
For most players, basic strategy is enough to beat the house. Card counting provides minimal extra benefit for the effort required. Focus instead on making the right plays, managing your bankroll properly, and finding blackjack games with favorable rules.
Choosing the Best Online Blackjack Games
If you want to regularly beat the dealer playing blackjack online, it’s important to choose the right games. Here are the main factors that affect the house edge:
Number of Decks
The fewer decks used, the better. Single deck blackjack has the lowest house edge at around 0.5% when basic strategy is followed. The more decks in the shoe, the higher the house edge:
| Number of Decks | House Edge |
| 1 | 0.5% |
| 2 | 0.6% |
| 4 | 0.7% |
| 6 | 0.8% |
| 8 | 0.9% |
Dealer Stands Rules
The dealer stands on soft 17 in most blackjack games now, which is better for the player. But there are still some games where the dealer hits soft 17, which adds around 0.2% to the house edge. Always check the rules.
Doubling and Splitting
Games that allow doubling down on any first two cards and after splitting pairs are ideal. Restrictions on doubling and splitting are the main way casinos tilt the odds back in their favor, so choose games with the most flexibility.
Surrender Option
Having the option to surrender bad hands, like hard 16 vs the dealer’s 9, reduces the house edge by around 0.1%
Payout for Blackjack
Games that pay 3:2 for blackjack are standard. But some variants only pay 6:5, which boosts the house edge significantly. Never play 6:5 blackjack if you can avoid it.
By checking the rules and number of decks, you can find the games online with the lowest house edge. This makes it much easier to beat the dealer consistently, even without card counting.
Handy Tips to Boost Your Edge
Beyond basic strategy and game selection, there are a few quick tips that can further optimize your blackjack play:
- Use a Basic Strategy Chart – Have it handy when playing until you memorize it.
- Play for Free First – Master the strategy in free play mode before betting real money.
- Manage Your Bankroll – Set a budget for blackjack and make small bets relative to your total funds.
- Avoid Insurance – Statistically speaking, insurance almost never pays off. Decline this side bet.
- Take Breaks – Mental fatigue leads to mistakes. Take short breaks to stay sharp and avoid costly errors.
- Don’t Drink & Play – Alcohol impairs your judgment and ability to follow optimal strategy. Leave it until after your blackjack session.
Conclusion – Use Proven Blackjack Strategy to Beat the House
Blackjack is one of the fairest casino games you can play because it relies on skill as well as chance. By using time-tested blackjack strategy, you can lower the house edge and win more hands against the dealer, especially when playing online.
Start by thoroughly learning basic strategy, so you know the right play in every hand situation. Find favorable blackjack rules and avoid games with restrictions that tilt the odds in the casino’s favor. Manage your bankroll wisely and stay mentally sharp.
Card counting can potentially give you a slight extra edge, but it’s unnecessary for most players. Instead focus on perfecting your strategic approach. Following professional blackjack tips, like the ones above, will put you in a great position to consistently beat the dealer.
