Advanced Blackjack Tips - Basic Strategy

Blackjack is not a complicated game - it has simple rules, a simple gameplay and an even simpler pay table. Getting the most out of it is the trick - and for this you have to make the right decisions. In blackjack no decisions should be made on gut feelings, but strictly based on your own hand and the upcard the dealer has revealed, turning blackjack from a game of chance into a game of strategy, and reducing the house edge to the minimum.

First of all, choose the right casino for your needs - one which has a wide variety of casino games including blackjack - and the table with the right rules for you - preferably one which allows you to surrender or one that required the dealer to hit on a soft 17. Even if these options are not available, though, you can make better decisions on your gameplay depending on the setup of your hand. Let's see a few examples: Two-card vs. Three-card setup

Suppose you have a hand with a total value of 16, and the dealer has a 10 revealed. Surrender is the best option in such a case, but if it's not available, you should consider the setup of your hand to make the decision on what to do next - hit or stand. If you have a hand consisting of three cards with a total value of 16 (say 3-6-7), these lower value cards (needed for a hand of 21 or below) are not available in the deck, so the chances of you getting a high card next (and going bust) are higher. In this case standing is the better option. If the hand consists of two cards (9-7 or 10-6) you are better off asking for a new card, as you have a better chance of receiving a low value card and have a pat hand.

Betting on another player's hand

Placing a bet on another player's hand is another good strategy to reduce the house edge and possibly increase your own winnings. Even if the player whose hand you are betting on is not that good, having a double win once in a while is an extra addition to your bankroll. Actually, betting on another player's hand and winning an extra bet on average once every half an hour reduces the house edge by 0.15%, according to Fred Renzey, author of the Blacjkack Bluebook II.

There are many more advanced blackjack techniques you can use to make your play (and chances to win) considerably better, and many of that are simpler than you might imagine. If you plan to make money playing blackjack you should consider adopting them, or at least testing them to see if they work for you. And even if you play blackjack for fun only... well, it's more fun if you win, right?