One of the most common misconceptions amongst new Blackjack players is that the aim of the game is to get a points total as close to 21 as possible. However it isn’t. Unfortunately this way of thinking has led many an unsuspecting novice player into losing their entire bankroll.
The simple fact of the matter is this: the aim of Blackjack is not to get to 21 points, but to beat the dealer.
This can be done with a point total of 19, 17, or even just 13! You simply have to get more points than the dealer and not go beyond 21 points in total.
Now, with keeping this in mind, let’s get started with our beginners guide to increase Blackjack success.
A Low House Edge
The rules of Blackjack, just like all other casino games, favour the house in the long run and this is an irrefutable fact.
The good news is that the house edge in Blackjack is amongst the lowest of all casino games at approximately 0.6%, which means the casino will still make an overall profit, but the margin of profit will be lower than other casino games with a larger house edge.
Even though it might seem that the dealer has the advantage, in certain circumstances the player actually holds the edge and this is because players are free to play their hands any way they like.
You can choose to hit or stand on any points total below 21, but the dealer has to abide by certain set of house rules regarding what he can or cannot do – whether you’re playing land-based or online Blackjack. The dealer’s rules still favour the casino in the long run, but it won’t work to the dealer’s advantage in every game.
How to Win with Just 13 Points
Many Blackjack beginners would never consider standing on a total as low as 13, but there is nothing shameful about winning on a low score – remember you just have to beat the dealer’s total!
Consider the following: you have a point total of 13 and the dealer’s up-card is a 5. The dealer has to hit on this card as the house rules dictate this and his next card will always leave him with a total lower than 17, so he will have to hit again – edging him ever closer to going bust.
Of course, your predictions will never be entirely accurate as you can only see one of the dealer’s cards, but basic probability will give you an indication of his total.
Adopting a Winning Strategy
Winning at Blackjack is essentially a matter of calculated risk. Given your total and the dealer’s up-card, what are the most likely results that could occur? As always – as with all casino games – is: it depends. However, in Blackjack the variables are much lower than for other casino table games such as Roulette and the best strategy can actually be predicted.
There are many Blackjack strategies which can be learned which will show you what do under every possible combination of your hand and the dealer’s up-card. If you’re aiming for ultimate Blackjack success, it’s imperative that you learn these strategies.
Good luck!