Winning Blackjack Strategies

One of the best things you can do in a casino is to play blackjack. It has one of the highest payback percentages in the house if played with good strategies. That doesn't mean professional blackjack players are millionaires; they aren't. But some do make a living just playing this game.

Blackjack Strategies - Use basic strategy.

No blackjack player should do without basic strategy charts. If you don't use them, you are playing a losing game. In fact, strategy charts is what makes blackjack a favorite of advantage gamblers. Like video poker, you get told in print exactly what to do in what situation. Buy a strategy card for this. Don't worry. The casino allows it. You get a .5% house edge (down from 2% or higher).

Blackjack Strategies - Count cards.

If you like blackjack strategy cards, you will like card counting even more. This is the first blackjack advantage playing technique that actually gives the player an edge over the house. To count cards, you don't memorize single cards. Cards are grouped into three kinds: good, bad and neutral. You will only keep track of the number of cards of each type that show up. When you know there are more cards in the deck that are good for you, you can bet more. And the reverse if true if there are more bad and neutral cards.

Blackjack Strategies - Get rated for comps.

To defray costs of playing, ask the pit boss to rate you for comps when you play blackjack. However do this only if you are not a card counter. As a card counter, the last thing you want is to get the pit boss to keep an eye on you. Rather, use comps if you use only basic strategy. Doing so might just give you a positive expected return or very close.

Blackjack Strategies - Don't play blackjack games with bad rules.

Games with no surrender, 6/5 blackjack and multiple-deck games or games with low penetration are bad choices. They increase the house edge. Instead, play those games that have provisions good for the player. Look for 2 to 1 blackjack payoffs, late or early surrender, and a payoff in case of a blackjack tie between player and dealer. It is also good to have no limitations on double down and split moves.

We have selected some of the best blackjack games with favorable rules on the Web. Check out these online blackjack sites and play other variations of the game of 21 too!