Welcome to DraftKings, your ultimate resource for blackjack strategy! Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting, understanding the nuances of this popular casino game is key. This guide will walk you through the essential elements of mastering blackjack strategy, helping elevate your gameplay experience.
Blackjack is a beloved casino game renowned for its strategic depth and exhilarating gameplay. No matter your experience level, grasping the fundamentals of blackjack is crucial for a successful gaming session. This section will introduce you to blackjack rules, how to play, and some essential terminology to get you started.
Rules of Blackjack: The main goal is to have a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer's without exceeding 21. Players receive two cards at the start, while the dealer gets one card facing up and one facing down. Players can choose to hit (draw additional cards), stand (keep their current hand), double down (double their bet and receive one more card), or split (if they have two identical cards, they can split them into separate hands).
How to Play Blackjack: Place your bet within the table's limits. After bets are placed, the dealer deals the cards. Each card's value is determined by its face value, except for face cards (King, Queen, Jack), which are worth 10, and the Ace, which can be valued as 1 or 11. The objective is to achieve a total value closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. Click here for more information on how to play blackjack.
Basic Blackjack Terminology: Knowing standard terms can enhance your blackjack experience. 'Hit' means to take another card, 'stand' means to keep your current hand, 'bust' refers to exceeding 21, and 'push' occurs when the player and dealer have the exact total, resulting in a tie. Other terms include 'surrender,' 'insurance,' and 'blackjack,' which is achieved when your initial two cards total 21.
When it comes to strategy, you’ll often hear terms like a ‘hard hand’ and ‘soft hand.’ A soft hand has an ace that can be counted as either one or 11, whereas a hard hand does not have an ace or has an ace that must be counted as one.
Having a well-thought-out strategy is essential for improving your odds in blackjack. This section covers the basics of blackjack strategy, advanced techniques, and tips for refining your approach.
Blackjack Basic Strategy
Understanding basic strategy is a cornerstone of blackjack. It involves making decisions based on your cards and the dealer's upcard. Basic strategy charts guide when to hit, stand, double down, or split in various scenarios. Following a basic blackjack strategy helps minimize the house edge and optimize your gameplay. It’s the ideal way of playing every possible hand based on mathematics. The great thing about it is that it takes the emotion out of your choices. Should you split fours when the dealer’s showing a three? (Nope). Should you double down with a soft fifteen against a five? (Yes). Every choice will be based on the numbers, making your chances of winning as high as possible.
Advanced Blackjack Strategies
Advanced strategies like card counting, shuffle tracking, and hole carding can benefit experienced players. These methods require significant skill and practice. While card counting is not illegal, casinos may take measures to prevent its use.
Tips for Improving Your Strategy
Consider these blackjack tips to enhance your strategy:
Manage your bankroll effectively to avoid overspending.
Practice playing blackjack online or with friends to hone your skills.
Always pay attention to the dealer's upcard and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Avoid taking insurance bets, as they generally have a high house edge.
Know when to walk away and set limits on your playing time.
Incorporating these blackjack tips can elevate your strategy and improve your overall gameplay.
The “Soft” table is for when you’re dealt an Ace. It is only used when you can still treat the Ace worth one or eleven. Once your other cards reach a total of eleven or higher--since making the Ace eleven would cause you to bust—it’s assumed the Ace is worth one. That’s a “hard” hand, for which you can return to the first table.
With the “Pair” table, when you start with two cards of the same value (like two 3s, two 8s, or two jacks), you can split them into two beginning hands. The P means “split.” You must equal the bet on your initial hand when you choose to. After that decision, you’ll get another card for each hand and can return to the first table. Together, the three tables are sometimes referred to as a blackjack strategy calculator.
Because those charts have a lot of data and can be hard to follow, we’re giving you relevant, simple rules to stick to. These combine to offer the best blackjack strategy according to the math:
Always double down on 11 unless the dealer shows an Ace.
When the dealer’s upcard is 2-9, always double down on an initial score of ten.
When the dealer’s upcard is a 5 or 6, always double down on a soft 13-18.
Always split Aces and always split eights.
Never split a pair of fives or tens.
Never make the insurance bet
If the dealer has a 2 or 3 upcard, always hit on a hard 12.
If the dealer shows 9,10, or Ace, always hit A-7.
When you are dealt a pair of 2s or 3s, hit against a dealer’s 2 or 3.
Always stand with a pair of 9s when the dealer shows 7.
A solid strategy is crucial for optimizing blackjack outcomes. This section covers essential aspects such as bankroll management, effective betting strategies, and leveraging promotions.
Bankroll management is fundamental in any gambling game, including blackjack. It involves setting a budget for your sessions and sticking to it. Properly managing your bankroll ensures you don't overspend and allows you to play for extended periods. Always bet within your means.
Effective betting strategies can also enhance your results. One popular approach is the Martingale system, where you double your bet after each loss and return to your original bet after a win. This strategy can help you recover losses and potentially gain a profit. However, no betting strategy guarantees success, so play responsibly.
Taking advantage of promotions can provide an edge at the blackjack tables. DraftKings offers various promotions and bonuses, such as deposit matches or free bet credits, which can give you additional funds to play with. Keep an eye out for these offers to boost your gameplay.
Remember, while a robust strategy can improve your chances, it's essential to approach the game responsibly. Set limits, play within your means, and prioritize enjoyment over outcomes. Good luck!
Blackjack comes in several variations, each with unique rules and strategies. Understanding these differences is crucial to developing an effective strategy. Here are key topics to consider:
4-Deck to 8-Deck Strategies: The number of decks used in a game can significantly impact your strategy. Generally, more decks increase the house's edge. Adjust your strategy accordingly, considering the increased likelihood of certain cards being dealt.
Understanding Rule Variations: Different online blackjack games may have varying rules for blackjack, affecting the game's overall odds and strategy. For example, some allow the dealer to hit on a soft 17, while others require the dealer to stand. Understanding these variations and how they impact your gameplay is essential.
Effect of Rule Variations on House Edge: Rule variations can directly affect the house edge. Rules that allow players to double down on any two cards or offer early surrender can decrease the house edge, improving your chances. Conversely, rules like the dealer hitting on a soft 17 or restrictions on doubling down can increase the house edge. Be aware of these variations and choose games with favorable rules to maximize your success.
Understanding different blackjack variations, including strategies for different deck sizes and rule effects on the house edge, allows for more informed gameplay decisions. Always practice responsible gambling and enjoy the excitement of blackjack at DraftKings.
Adopting a solid strategy can significantly enhance your blackjack session. Here are valuable tips for a successful experience:
Playing with confidence: Confidence is crucial in blackjack. Trust your abilities and the strategies you've learned. Make decisions confidently and avoid second-guessing yourself. Blackjack is a game of skill, and playing confidently can lead to better outcomes.
Avoid common mistakes: Be aware of common mistakes hindering your session. One standard error is failing to follow the basic strategy. Familiarize yourself with the basic blackjack strategy chart and adhere to it.
Keep bets consistent: The best betting strategy will almost always be to keep your bet value consistent. Don’t think you’re due for a win when you're having a bad run. Odds don’t care about your streak. It's the same with winning streaks. Just because you feel hot doesn’t change your odds for the next hand.
Progressive betting increases, where you double your bet each time you lose, can get expensive fast. The idea is one win will bring you back to even. However, you must be willing to lose a significant amount. if you hit a bad streak. Some people try progressive betting increases only after a win, so they’re only losing money they’ve won. This is a safer blackjack table strategy, but it can get expensive when splitting or doubting down.
Manage emotions at the table: Emotions can run high in blackjack, especially when money is involved. It's crucial to keep your emotions in check and avoid impulsive decisions. If you feel frustrated or angry, take a break and step away from the table. Remember, blackjack is a game of probabilities, and each hand is independent of the previous one. Stay calm and focused, and make rational decisions.
Minimize alcohol consumption: In-person or online, alcohol drops your inhibitions and increases the chance of risky play and betting. Blackjack is excellent because it involves strategy. So, increase your odds by avoiding alcohol. It may be easier playing online where you aren’t being offered drinks.
Don’t be pressured: Once your strategy is established, don’t let other players pressure you into making a choice. This sadly happens often. Ignore them and stick with your game. One of the perks of an online casino like DraftKings is you can avoid these interactions.
Set an amount and stick with it: Decide the amount you’re willing to lose in advance. No matter how your play progresses, stick with this amount. It’s easy to get swept up with emotions when you gamble, making you take chances at the moment. This is why it’s essential to determine your limit in advance and stick with it.
Following these blackjack tips can enhance your experience and improve your chances of success.
The strategy we’ve laid out will give you the best odds of winning. Basic strategy can seem complicated to memorize and overwhelming at first. Still, there’s good news—whether you’re playing blackjack at a regular casino or online at the DraftKings casino, you can have a strategy card printed out for reference.
With DraftKings, you can play blackjack whenever and wherever you like. You’ll find various themes, such as sports, retro, or your favorite holidays. Start as low as $1 per hand. Play variations with side bets if you want to take your blackjack further. “Four 20s blackjack” lets you play four hands and bet on twenties coming up on any of them. Practice responsible gambling and enjoy the thrill of the game responsibly.
The level of risk you take with your hitting should get more aggressive when the dealer has a likelihood of a good hand. Consider a few basic rules on when to hit in blackjack:
It’s a good idea to hit when your cards add up to 11 or less. It is impossible at this point to bust, so you have nothing to lose when hitting.
If the dealer shows a seven or higher, consider getting aggressive. As long as you have anything worse than 17, think about hitting.
Standing can be one of the most complex parts of blackjack, depending on your willingness to take risks. However, there are some statistically bright moments when you absolutely should stand.
If your hand is a hard 17 or higher, it’s a good time to stand. It will be unlikely to get the small card you need if you hit in this circumstance. The odds are best for you if you stand, even if the dealer shows a face card or Ace.
Stand when you have a hard 12 or higher, and the dealer shows a five or a six. A six is the worst card for a dealer since the likelihood of them busting is highest. No matter what you have, if it’s over 12, standing will be your best chance of coming out ahead.
Insurance is an optional side bet that pays out if the dealer’s initial two cards total 21.
Statistically speaking, you should never buy insurance. The reason is simple. The odds are slightly against you, meaning if you play an infinite number of hands, you will lose more money paying for insurance than you will win back.
Secondary bets are where players increase their payouts and odds of winning at blackjack. One of these bets is doubling down. You can double down on any two initial cards you receive by doubling your initial bet. You then get one more card, but only one. If you win the hand, you win twice your original bet.
When to double down in blackjack? Consider doubling down whenever you’re in a position where one more card may greatly help you. For instance, if you have two cards equaling 10 or 11, a face card or 10 will bring your total to 20 or 21. Likewise, if the dealer has a lousy card showing, like a six, this increases your odds of winning and makes a double-down more strategic.
As you’re starting, consider doubling down whenever you have 11, unless the dealer has an Ace, and whenever you have 10, unless the dealer has a 10 or an Ace. You could also double down with a nine when the dealer has a lousy starting card, like a six, five, four, or three.
Splitting is an option whenever your starting two cards are a pair, like two nines or two threes. When you split, you place a second bet of the same value as your original, turning each card into its hand. You then play each card as a separate hand, hitting until you want to stay or you bust.
When should you split in blackjack? You may have heard the saying, “Always split Aces and eights.” These are good words to live by. Also, consider splitting nines, sevens, sixes, threes, and twos if the dealer shows between a two or a six.
More decks turn the odds slightly more in favor of the house. However, these changes are minimal, and for most players, a six-deck blackjack strategy should be the same as a single-deck blackjack strategy. A single-deck game has the best odds for a player if all else is equal. However, most of the time, a single-deck game will have different payout structures, like 6:5 payouts for a blackjack rather than 3:2. These payout variations hurt the player enough that any advantages of a single deck are wiped out and should be avoided. Based on the odds, you should play only a few hands differently with a single-deck blackjack strategy.
With a single deck, you should double down in this situation. If you’re playing multiple decks, just hit here.
With a single deck, double down against a two. With multiple decks, hit.
With a single deck, double down against a five or six. For a multi-deck game, just hit. The exception is with a 4-4. No matter the number of decks, you’ll want to split fours against a five or six.
Blackjack is what we call a solved game. According to the math, there’s always a clear choice that offers the best mathematical chances of paying off. That brings us to the chart.
Again, this can look intimidating, but it’s a simple way to ensure you can make the best mathematical choice. See the numbers down the left side? Those are possible totals you can have when adding your first two cards. The numbers across the top? The dealer only shows one card to start, so those are the cards the dealer could be showing. Once you’ve added your first two cards and seen the dealer’s up card, if you want to play by the math, find the symbol where the two intersect:
H stands for “hit” or, take another card.
S means “stand” or stay with what you have.
D means “double down.” That means you’re doubling your bet and agreeing to take just one card, a wager you only want to make when you have a strong mathematical edge.
Check out our casino blog for all the tips, tricks and strategies you need to take your gameplay to the next level.
Check out our casino blog for all the tips, tricks and strategies you need to take your gameplay to the next level.
