Keeping it simple: a guide to simple blackjack strategies

By Eugene Katrell

May 29th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

Despite all the economic chaos of the last year, there are certain industries that are enjoying more success than ever.

This is particularly true of the online casino sector, which has posted industry records for the last year, including increases in revenue and the number of new users signing up to online gambling platforms.

The preferences for online casino gamers seems to be the more fast-paced games.

Online casinos have become particularly popular as many of us wait for society to open up again in the summer months.

As more and more individuals sign up to online casino platforms for the first time, a new generation of online casino goers is discovering the enjoyment of playing classic games in an online format.

What is interesting about the preferences of online casino gamers, however, is that it seems to be the more fast-paced games that are proving to be the games of choice for these new players.

Of the many games enthralling this new wave of online casino goers, blackjack is proving to be particularly popular. This is certainly true of SuperSeven Casino, where new players have been flocking to the many blackjack variations they have on offer.

Although one of the oldest casino games around – with roots stretching all the way back to the French casinos of the 1700s – blackjack has proved to be consistently popular among casino fans. Part of this popularity is to do with the pace of the gameplay. With shorter rounds and a higher rate of turnover between games, it is a popular choice for those players looking to hop in and out of a game.

But what really helps to make blackjack a popular choice among players is the fact that it has one of the lowest house edges out of all the most popular casino games. In most standard blackjack game types, players will benefit from a house edge of just 1%, which gives you a decent possibility of seeing a return on your stake over time.

With this in mind, what are the best strategies for players looking to increase their chances? Are there any concrete steps you can take or is it truly all in the hands of Lady Luck?

To answer this question, we first need to acknowledge the fact that there are not necessarily any strategies you can follow or adopt that will assure you of victory. Just like many other casino games, as a game of chance – where you have no control over what cards you or your tablemates get dealt – there is not a lot you can do to sway the odds in your favour.

Nevertheless, there are some tips, strategies and approaches you can take that might help nudge the odds in your favour over time. While not guaranteeing a victory, they might help you to see a return on your stake over the course of a few rounds.

Know the basic blackjack strategy

One of the most popular strategies is what is known as basic blackjack strategy. Adopting this approach allows you to chip away at the house edge and to reduce it to as low as 0.5%.

Knowing the value of each card is vital – if you haven’t got these memorized – perhaps you shouldn’t be playing the game.

It entails sticking to a few basic rules:

• Stand when your hand is 12 to 16 or the dealer has a 2 to 6.
• Take a hit when your hand is 12 to 16 and the dealer has a 7 to Ace.
• Always ask to split Aces and 8s.
• Go double on 11 when the dealer has a 2 to 10.
• Ask for a hit or double on Aces to 6.

Pay attention to the dealer’s up card

Although it seems obvious, newer players tend to be too focused on their own hand and forget what the dealer is working with. Always pay attention to the dealer’s up card and try to gauge what sort of hand they might have. Bad hands for the dealer will generally fall between 2 and 6, while a decent hand will be a 7 card through to an Ace.

Ignore your tablemates

When you’re playing at a crowded table, you need to remember that the only two hands that matter are your own hand and that of the dealer. Anything else is superfluous.

Don’t get caught up worrying whether the person beside you has a more competitive hand – focus on what your hand is and what you think the dealer might have to work with.

Avoid progressive betting strategies

Unlike games like roulette where there is a decent statistical chance of them paying off in the long run, progressive betting strategies don’t tend to work in a blackjack setting.

Rather than ramping up your bets in response to a win or a loss, focus on intelligent bankroll management. Blackjack is a game that rewards over the long run, so try and stay at the table for as long as possible to increase the chances of a return on your stake.