Basic Blackjack Strategy
mano a mano - You v Dealer
The thrill of Blackjack is combining your skills with Basic and Expert Blackjack Strategy to beat the Casino and win the Casino's money. You are not playing against or taking another persons money, the money you win is from the Casino. By learning and applying Basic Blackjack Strategy you can reduce the House edge and with using Blackjack Tactics and some good cards you can win at Blackjack.
There are 3 ways to win a hand at Blackjack
* You are dealt a natural Blackjack
* You beat the Dealers hand by getting a higher number
* The Dealer goes Bust and you are still in the hand
One of the most important things to remember when learning Basic Blackjack Strategy is that the Dealer can and will go Bust.
The Dealer is a Busted
If the Dealer gets over 21 then they are Bust and as long as you are still in the hand you win the hand and the money.
If the Dealer (Casino) has a total of 16 or lower they normally have to hit or take another card. If the Dealers total is 17 or higher they usually have to stick. This depends on the House Rules.
As the Dealer has to automatically hit and receive another card on a total below 16 they regularly will go Bust. This means if you have not gone Bust and stood on any total you will win the hand and the money.
Money for nothing and your chips for free
Perhaps the most important starting Basic Blackjack Strategy is to know the Dealers percentage chances of going bust. Combine this Basic Blackjack Strategy with your hole cards (cards dealt to you) to and you increase your long term percentage chance of winning at Blackjack.
| Dealer's card | % Dealer goes Bust |
|---|---|
| 2 | 35% |
| 3 | 37% |
| 4 | 40% |
| 5 | 42% |
| 6 | 42% |
| 7 | 26% |
| 8 | 24% |
| 9 | 23% |
| 10 (picture card) | 23% |
| Ace | 17% |
For normal online Casino Blackjack games (not the Blackjack variations and bonus games) one of the Dealers card is face up.
Using this Basic Blackjack Strategy knowledge and the chart below (showing the players percentage chance of not going Bust) you can increase your chances of winning cash at Blackjack with the tactic of beating the Dealer by not going Bust! It is Blackjack money for nothing and your chips for free.
In it to win it
How do I increase my chances of winning money from the Casino when playing Blackjack? You need to know the Basic Blackjack Strategy and tactics.
This includes learning and apply the percentage chances of a player NOT going Bust when drawing on a Stiff (starting hand total above 11).Combine this with the percentage chances of the Dealer going Bust and you will increase your long term winning percentages at the Casino's expense.
| Players starting total | % not going Bust |
|---|---|
| 12 | 55.6% |
| 13 | 50.0% |
| 14 | 45.5% |
| 15 | 41.7% |
| 16 | 38.5% |
| 17 | 30.8% |
| 18 | 23.1% |
| 19 | 15.4% |
| 20 | 7.7% |
Remember these are NOT the chances of you winning the hand but are the percentage chances of you not going bust when hitting or doubling down for another card.
Where can I learn more Basic Blackjack Strategy and tactics?
More information about Blackjack Strategies and tactics.
Blackjack Insurance bet Strategy - should you ever accept the Dealers offer of Insurance when playing Blackjack?