Blackjack is a game where the player’s goal is to beat the dealer. If either the player or the dealer busts, then both players lose. In some cases, a player can lose even if the dealer busts. One possible scenario in blackjack is that the player and the dealer both have the same point value, which is known as a push. This means neither the player nor the dealer will win.
Basic strategy
Basic blackjack strategy is a proven system of playing the game of blackjack that increases your chances of winning and decreases your losses. This strategy comes in the form of strategy charts, and was developed by four mathematicians in the 1950s. They knew that the game of blackjack was based on fixed rules, so they developed mathematical simulations that considered millions of hands. The results showed that basic strategy reduces the house edge by 0.5%. It’s easy to see why so many players rely on it as a proven system to beat the casino.
Insurance
Blackjack insurance is an additional bet that you can make to cover the loss of your main hand in the event that the dealer has blackjack. It is important to understand that blackjack insurance is different from poker insurance.
Double down
A player’s hand has an overall value of eleven or more. While doubling down with a hand like this is a smart idea, it may not be the best strategy for all situations. Before doubling down, players should consider how their hand will fare against the dealer’s next card.
Hitting on soft 17
Hitting on soft 17 increases the house edge. Even though the hand is not as strong as the hard seventeen, it has a higher probability of improving as you receive additional cards. Hitting on soft 17 also increases the chance that you will bust, but the times when you do win will make up for the percentage of busts.
Standing on 9, 10 or 11
When the dealer shows a 3 card, it is usually best for the player to stand on a nine or ten or an eleven. This is because it increases the player’s chances of hitting and making a stronger hand. On the other hand, standing on a 12 over a dealer’s upcard of 3 is a bad choice. The dealer’s upcard has fewer chances of making a blackjack than does the player’s card.
No-peek (European) blackjack
No-peek European blackjack is a variation of the popular American blackjack game. In this variation, the dealer deals only two cards to each player, with one hidden. This gives the dealer a small edge over the player and makes it difficult to double down on aces and soft totals. It also limits the player’s actions to standing, rather than hitting. However, this feature may cost the player their bankroll in the long run.