Blackjack can be quite tricky, but there are a few basic strategies you should follow. These include the Basic Strategy, Insurance bets, Standing, and Splitting. These basic strategies will help you win in the long run. After you’ve mastered them, you can move on to more complex strategies such as Blackjack High/Low.
Basic strategy
The basic blackjack strategy is a straightforward formula that players can use to improve their blackjack game. It is applicable to all blackjack games, including European no-peak and those which allow players to surrender. Using this strategy can help players improve their blackjack wins and reduce the risk of hunches.
Insurance bets
Insurance bets are side bets in blackjack that play out separately from the initial wager. They can only be made after the initial cards have been dealt and the dealer shows an ace. To make an insurance bet, players must bet half of the original wager. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the insurance bet pays out at odds of 2 to 1.
Standing
When you play blackjack, the decision to stand is an important one. Standing means that you have a better hand than the dealer, but you do not want to bust out or ask for additional cards. This is a risky move, and you want to avoid it as much as possible. However, there are times when standing makes sense. For instance, if the dealer has a hard 12 or 13, you should stand and don’t take another card. On the other hand, if the dealer has a soft 18 or a soft 19, you should change your decision.
Splitting
Blackjack splitting can be a great strategy to maximize profits. However, it is important to know when to split. Generally, you should split when you are in a position that is unfavorable to the dealer.
No-peek (European) blackjack
No-peek European blackjack has a few differences from standard blackjack. For example, in the European version, aces can’t be resplit. As a result, the player loses the chances to double down and split with an ace. Moreover, if the dealer gets blackjack, the player loses any splits or doubles he has made.