Around card games there are always numerous legends, myths and beliefs that often lead players to develop particular strategies. Among these to attract the most interest are the strategies to win at blackjack, also thanks to the daring story that accompanies the game. In this article, we will uncover the myths vs statistics and real probabilities.
Strategies to win at Blackjack: between myth and legend
Whether in a real casino or from a device to play Blackjack online, the strategies to win at the game of twenty-one are many, some fade into myth, others instead draw on mathematical studies. One of the most common myths is waiting for the winning bet: the player thinks that after so many unfavorable hands, the winning one will eventually come. Nothing more wrong. Blackjack is a game that relies on randomness, so there is no certainty that at some point two lucky cards will come out. Betting systems are also part of the legends which, while helping to manage money by making the player stay in the game as long as possible, cannot beat the house.
Counting Cards in Blackjack
Myth or reality? Card counting is one of the most discussed and researched strategies to win at blackjack. The system, introduced in 1963 thanks to a study by Harvey Dubner, is based on a relatively simple calculation that sees mathematics applied to Blackjack. Essentially through the subtraction and addition of values assigned to the cards, it is possible to establish the most prolific time to bet. As the dealer deals the cards, you can assign a value to each as follows:
from 2 to 6 = +1
from 7 to 9 = 0
10, ace and face cards = -1
Players, adding or subtracting, wait until the value grows exponentially, which reveals that only the highest cards are left in the deck and therefore is the best time to bet.
Contributing to the legendary aura of this method are the winnings of MIT and Harvard students who broke several Las Vegas casinos from the seventies to the nineties, implementing this methodology.
Although card counting was initially prohibited, it became legal in the United States in 2012. However, casinos strongly oppose it by adopting measures such as using multiple decks of cards to counter card counting. Therefore, card counting is one of the most effective voslot strategies to win at blackjack, but applying it during a playing session may not be so simple.
The 5 best strategies for winning in real blackjack
So what are the best blackjack strategies to win the game? While there is no real strategy that guarantees a winning game of twenty-one, there are small precautions that can be adopted to favor one’s game.
Split a pair of 8’s or Aces
If the cards dealt are a pair of aces or a pair of 8s, a specific type of play can be applied: the split. Calling for the split is possible on two more prolific hands.
Don’t split a pair of 5’s or 10’s
Having a pair of fives could come in handy if you manage to double down, much more than splitting a pair of 5s, for example getting a 15 and 15.
No insurance
Insurance is one of the major myths of Blackjack. Many players are inclined to take insurance before starting the game, believing they will cover themselves in case the dealer hits twenty-one. In reality, the payoff of 2 to 1 is less than the odds that the dealer can do blackjack, therefore disadvantageous.
Double After Split
Not all casinos allow this play, so make sure you make sure before starting the game. Essentially it allows you to split and place an additional bet equal to the original, doubling on the preferred half. It especially applies in cases where you have a pair of 2s, 3s, 4s, or 6s.
Don’t play 6 to 5 paid games
It is always better to play a 3 to 2 paid game as the house edge is lower (around 0.80%). Margin that rises in matches 6 to 5 where the house profit margin can reach 2%.
It is really possible to beat the dealer in Blackjack
History, legend and myth are mixed when it comes to strategies to win at Blackjack, but the reality of the facts suggests that there are very few moves that can really lead to a winning game. Most of these are based on mathematical calculations and the science behind the cards. It’s possible to beat the bank: all you need is practicality with calculations, but also experience and a touch of luck.
