Blackjack Simple Strategy Chart

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The basic blackjack strategy chart will outline the best possible decision for those that don’t count cards. It goes without saying that the cards which constitute a hand, without the inclusion of an Ace, will have an impact on the chances of making a correct decision in certain scenarios. The perfect blackjack strategy charts are based on the slightly different versions of the game. Blackjack can be played with a single deck or 4-8 decks. Most casinos I’ve been to have single deck or use six decks. Also, some casinos require the dealer to stand with a soft 17, and some mandate the dealer to hit with a soft 17.

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Introduction

Basic strategy blackjack players sometimes ask me for a simple way to overcome the small house edge in blackjack, with little worry over being recognized as a card counter. This is often done with the motive of milking the casinos for comps and offers. What follows is, in my opinion, the easiest card counting strategy to achieve the above goal and still put the odds in the player's favor.

How It Works

1. Establish what your minimum and maximum bets will be. Usually the maximum will be 8, 16, or 32 times the minimum bet, or any power of 2, but you can use whatever bet spread you wish.
2. At the beginning of each shoe, start with your minimum bet, and a count of zero.
3. For each five observed, add one to the count.
4. For each ace observed, subtract one from the count.
5. If the count is greater than or equal to two, then double your last bet, up to your maximum bet.
6. If the count is less than or equal to one, then make the minimum bet.
7. Use basic strategy for all playing decisions.

This strategy was designed to be most effective on a six- or eight-deck game. I recommend playing only on games with liberal Strip rules, which are as follows:

• 4-8 decks
• Blackjack pays 3 to 2
• Dealer stands on soft 17
• Double after split allowed
• Late surrender allowed
• Re-splitting aces allowed
• 75%+ penetration

Such games are easy to find in Las Vegas, although sometimes a higher minimum bet is required. In the low-roller pits, the dealer will usually hit on a soft 17, which is bad, costing the player 0.22%.

Simulation Results

The following results were provided by Norm Wattenberger using his Casino Vérité software. The rules above were used, with six decks, and 75% penetration. In my opinion, Casino Vérité is the most robust and accurate blackjack simulation software on the market. It can be used to test just about any card counting strategy under any set of rules and conditions.

Ace/Five Count Statistics

Easy Blackjack Strategy Chart

Spread	Player Advantage	Average Initial Bet	SCORE
1-8	0.30%	2.7	3.1
1-16	0.45%	4.2	5.3
1-32	0.57%	7.1	6.5

SCORE is an acronym, coined by Don Schlesinger, for Standardized Comparison Of Risk and Expectation. It is defined as the advantage squared divided by the variance. The SCORE may also be interpreted as the expected hourly win per hand for a player with a $10,000 bankroll, who sizes his bets according to the Kelly Criterion, to achieve a 13.5% risk of ruin. As a basis of comparison, a Hi-Lo counter, with a 1 to 8 spread, under the same rules, has a SCORE of 8.40, compared to the 3.1 of the Ace/Five count.

Source: 'Blackjack Attack,' third edition by Don Schlesinger.

Earlier Strategies

After publishing this section, somebody accused me of stealing the idea from Edward Thorp. Indeed, in 1969 Thorp did discuss a similar strategy in his book 'Beat the Dealer,' in the fourth chapter titled 'A Winning Strategy.' The difference is that Thorp's strategy tracks fives remaining against total cards remaining. Later, in 1971, Lawrence Revere published a similar strategy as Thorp's in 'Playing Blackjack as a Business,' chapter 7 titled 'The Revere Five Count Strategy.'

Practice

Practice your card counting skills with our trainer.

Acknowledgments

• Norm Wattenberger: For the simulation results, using his Casino Vérité software.
• Don Schlesinger: For his many edits to this page.

Written by: Michael Shackleford

Ruta Rimkiene

In this article you'll find:

• A basic Blackjack cheat sheet for beginners
• An overview of the best Blackjack strategies to play online
• Useful online Blackjack tips to increase your chances of winning

Let's face it - we've all looked for the best and the most effective strategy to win at blackjack.

More than once.

As a huge fan of Blackjack, I tried countless betting strategies.

I won big, I lost big. Luckily, all of this experience helped me to understand one thing: moderation is the key.

After all I've been through, I want to share my knowledge with you.

My goal is to maximize your winnings and to minimize your losses.

At the end of the day, we are all on the same boat:

We just want to beat the dealer and bring home as much money as possible.

Even though a fool proof blackjack strategy doesn't exist, the info below can help you play smart and win more.

Losing all your savings won't get you anywhere and will only make you hate casinos.

So, let's make the best out of your blackjack casino experience and help each other to you win more.

After all, the most important thing is to have fun. And the more you know, the more fun blackjack gets.

Check Out This Blackjack Cheat Sheet

First things first. Even though the most important thing that keeps you from losing big is money management - and as a poker player I assume you are A PRO at this - you also have to know the basic tactics to deal with cards effectively.

As you know, there are a few decisions you can take depending on your cards and the dealer's open card.

These decisions are:

• Stand
• Hit
• Double
• Split
• Surrender

Sometimes, all it takes is basic logic.

Like you don't want to hit (ask for an additional card) if you have a 20, and you don't want to stand if you have only a 3.

However, things are not always that simple.

That's why our experienced team prepared a detailed blackjack chart to show you how to play every hand at blackjack.

Use it to know when it is recommended to hit, to stand, or to do something else.

Yes, you can use this basic blackjack strategy table when you play online blackjack for real money.

Whether you play virtual or live dealer games, you can (or better, you should) base your blackjack play on what's indicated on this blackjack cheat-sheet.

Alternatively, you can use this downloadable Blackjack basic strategy chart.

Hard totals
Dealer's card >	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
Player's hand
17-20	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	SU	SU	SU
15	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	SU	H
13-14	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
11	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	H
10	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	H	H
9	H	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	H	H	H	H	H
5-8	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
Soft totals
Dealer's card >	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
A,8-A,9	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
A,7	S	Ds	Ds	Ds	Ds	S	S	H	H	H
A,6	H	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	H	H	H	H	H
A,4-A,5	H	H	Dh	Dh	Dh	H	H	H	H	H
A,2-A,3	H	H	H	Dh	Dh	H	H	H	H	H
Pairs
Dealer's card >	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
A,A	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP
10,10	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
9,9	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	S	SP	SP	S	S
8,8	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP
7,7	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H
6,6	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H	H
5,5	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	Dh	H	H
4,4	H	H	H	SP	SP	H	H	H	H	H
2,2-3,3	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H

Key:
S = Stand
H = Hit
Dh = Double (if not allowed, then hit)
Ds = Double (if not allowed, then stand)
SP = Split
SU = Surrender (if not allowed, then hit)

Now that you have a basic understanding the different blackjack actions (which you can practice HERE for free), let's move to the best blackjack betting strategies.

A Conservative Blackjack Strategy: Win Little by Little

If you're a beginner, I completely understand your fear of high stakes.

I also wouldn't want to lose a fortune on my very first game.

Or on my second. And third one.

That would discourage me from playing blackjack ever again - or even visiting Las Vegas.

That's why I suggest you to use a conservative approach when it comes to betting in blackjack.

The main idea is this:

Raise your bet every time you win.

This strategy is based on the idea that wins and losses come in streaks.

You might lose five times in a row, but then, miraculously, win three consecutive bets.

I know, I know, blackjack is a game of chance, and the outcome is random.

BUT

My long-term experience says that there is a pattern. I just can't explain it logically.

Just look at some random sequences made with the probability theory in mind.

Usually, you can see some sort of streaks, and this can be applied to blackjack too.

So, all you need to do is raise your stakes little by little - but only when you win.

You can use our list of the best casinos to play blackjack online and test this strategy for free. Don't forget to use our strategy charts when learning how to win.

An Aggressive Approach to Blackjack: the Martingale Strategy

Now we're talking.

The Martingale blackjack strategy is my favourite.

This is a blackjack system that helps me win often - but only when I have a lot of money to invest on my games.

If you don't have at least $500 to gamble online - don't use it.

If you do - keep reading and get ready to have fun.

The Martingale strategy is completely different from the conservative blackjack approach.

You have to be brave to use this one.

It basically goes like this:

You double your bet… every time you lose.

Now that sounds like a downer.

How can you ever win if you keep losing - and losing more and more as you keep playing?

Listen.

Even if you lose lots of money on several consecutive losses, everything changes when you win.

As you've been doubling your bets, the one that brings you victory makes your bankroll grow to the point of covering the amount you lost before that happened.

However, there's one thing to keep in mind. One very important thing.

Once you go over your initial bankroll, STOP.

The Martingale blackjack strategy doesn't work when it comes to long gaming sessions.

There have been cases when I lost all my money, and that happened because I was greedy.

The best approach is to play blackjack often and stop immediately when you get some extra cash.

This way, you will benefit greatly in the long run and won't be left penniless at the end of the day.

You are very likely to win at least one hand per round of blackjack - and that's all you need when applying the Martingale blackjack strategy.

Just keep in mind that you need a big initial bankroll for this one.

You need to have enough money to keep doubling the bet until you finally beat the odds.

If you feel like it, you can practice this strategy on different blackjack variants to see, which one works best for you.

In case your betting limits are low - don't worry. The next blackjack strategy guide is for you.

1-3-2-6 Blackjack Betting System

The 1-3-2-6 blackjack betting strategy doesn't sound like the most exciting thing ever - especially after you've read about the Martingale strategy - but it can still help you a lot.

Most importantly, it doesn't require to have an enormous bankroll, so that's a plus.

So, what do the numbers in the title of the strategy stand for?

Your bets after you win a hand of blackjack.

In other words, you trigger this system after you win - and cut it once you lose.

This way, you won't lose all your money at once.

Once again, this blackjack strategy is based on the idea that winnings come in streaks.

Also, it gives you a systematic approach to your bets. You don't make your bets randomly and that gives you control over the game. Everything goes as planned - step by step.

Let's take a look at an example of the 1-3-2-6 blackjack strategy.

Say, your initial bet is $10. If you won blackjack game four times in a row, your betting pattern would look like this:

$10-$30-$20-$60

Of course, let's not forget that you would immediately cut this sequence if you lost.

You would then return to your original $10 and wait for another win.

You might ask, does 1-3-2-6 blackjack strategy really work?

Well, it helps.

It helps you manage your bets, not to overspend, and gives you an advantage when you hit a hot streak.

Printable Blackjack Strategy Chart Pdf

Even if your winnings might look like rookie numbers at the beginning, you'll have an advantage in the long run.

You can play blackjack for free at this Casino to see if this strategy works for you in reducing the house edge.

How to Win More at Blackjack: A Few Important Tips

Even though we all want to win at blackjack every time we play, it's impossible.

Luckily, you can maximize your winnings and make blackjack odds more favorable with a few simple tips that are as important as an effective blackjack betting strategy.

So, here's what you need to do to be a successful blackjack player:

• Say NO to insurance. Blackjack insurance is probably the worst thing that could happen to this casino game. It's useless, money-draining, and should be thrown out the window immediately. Don't use it!
• Keep the house edge in mind. You can't expect to win at blackjack every time you play. That's because it has a house edge which ensures that the casino has an advantage in the long run. The best method to avoid the house edge is to stop playing as soon as you win extra money.
• Check the rules of blackjack every time you play. It comes as no surprise that such a popular game like blackjack has tons of different variations. Each of them has slightly different rules. Check them out before you make your first bet.
• Choose 3:2 over 6:5 payout. Some casinos decide to cheat a little and make the payout 6:5 instead of the usual 3:2. Playing at such a casino means that you won't win as much as you should. Avoid casino sites, mobile casinos, and live casinos with bad payouts for blackjack players.

And now it's time to test all these best blackjack strategies in real life.

Also, use these tips and study the blackjack action strategy table. After a short while, you'll find yourself winning more and more.

However, the most important method to win at blackjack game is, once again, moderation.

No blackjack strategy will help you if you waste your winnings playing blackjack all day long.

You must quit as soon as you make even the smallest profit, or otherwise everything will go to waste.

If you play small, your winnings will accumulate, and you'll win big in the long run.

And that's the most important thing of all.

Finding a trustworthy room to play online poker can be a monumental burden. That's all the more true if you're just looking for a place to play poker for free. We've listed five of the best play-money poker sites to enjoy and help hone your skills.

Blackjack Hit Chart

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