Simple Blackjack Strategy to Improve Your Chances of Success

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A blackjack strategy makes the game popular because you can influence the outcome of your gaming session. The more skills you apply to your game, the better your chances of a positive outcome. 

While there is still an element of chance involved, and luck of the draw, you can minimise your risk through carefully planned and well-thought-out plays, which is the topic at hand today. 

Ready to master your blackjack strategy at Fruity King? Sign up for a new account using the REGISTER button at the top of this page and play UK blackjack today.

Why Blackjack Strategy Matters

Unlike many online casino games that are entirely down to chance, in blackjack, you are given a choice of play options, so there is an element of skill involved to determine how to get the best possible outcome in each round.

You need a combination of skill and luck to win at blackjack, so the better your strategy, the higher your chances of beating the house.

How to Play Blackjack: Understanding the Basics

Online blackjack is a one-on-one table game against the dealer, played with multiple card decks. Your aim is to end the round with the winning hand to score a payout. Winning hands must be as close to 21 as possible without going over and busting out. 

All picture cards in blackjack carry a value of ten, aces can be 11 or one, and numbers carry their face value. The game starts with the dealer dealing out two cards each; the dealer’s cards are one face down, and one face up.

After receiving your initial cards, you get the following play options based on what’s on the table: 

• Hit: Take another card.
• Stand: Stick with the cards you have.
• Double Down: If you have a strong hand, you can double your bet and request a third card.
• Split: If you have a pair, you can split them into two different hands (and add your initial bet size to the second hand).  
• Insurance: If the dealer’s upcard is an ace, you can take out insurance against them holding blackjack.
• Surrender: Forfeit half your bet and end the game (only on some blackjack variants).

If you haven’t busted out after playing, the dealer takes their shot. The game will end with one of three outcomes: you win, the dealer wins, or there’s a draw. 

Many blackjack games will have set dealer rules to ensure fairness. These might include some of the following: 

• There is no doubling, splitting, or surrender. The dealer cannot make strategic decisions to ensure the game proceeds without bias.
• Hit on less than 16: Prevents the dealer from standing on weak hands and increases the chances of the dealer busting out.
• Stand on 17 or more: Limits dealers playing aggressively and improves consistency. 

Blackjack Winning Hands & Payouts

Blackjack Strategy: Common Plays

Due to the nature of the game, certain hand combinations elicit common plays, which are based on the odds of hitting a winning outcome: 

• Stand on 17 and above: Drawing any card higher than five will bust you out, so you are statistically more likely to bust.
• Always hit on 11 or lower: It’s impossible to bust as your total will be less than 21. 
• Double down on 10 or 11: These have the highest possibility of landing a strong hand.
• Always split Aces: Aces are flexible, and you have two chances to score blackjack, which pays 3:2 rather than the standard 1:1. 
• Always split 8s: A pair of 8s gives you a hand value of 16, a very poor hand in blackjack. Splitting 8s gives you the chance of getting two strong hands of 18.
• Never split 10s: A pair of 10s gives you a strong hand value of 20, which is only beatable by blackjack, or by the dealer taking additional cards and getting exactly 21.

While these plays are mathematically the best option, there is no guarantee that they will result in a win. It’s important to keep this in mind to avoid disappointment.

Blackjack Strategy: Hand Charts

Many players invest in hand charts to improve their blackjack strategy. These charts are visual representations of all the possible hand combinations and the optimal plays based on what is on the table. They use complex algorithms to determine the best play for every hand combination, and are readily available online for you to download. 

Hand charts are split into sections detailing soft hands, hard hands, and pairs, and how you should play in each situation based on statistically likely outcomes. 

As the play is determined mathematically, hard charts are ideal tools when you’re just starting on your blackjack journey. They are especially useful when playing RNG-driven video games, as you can take your time consulting your chart before committing to a play, without worrying about impacting the speed of the game.

Consistently following a hand chart can reduce the house edge on your game to as little as 0.50%.

Advanced Blackjack Strategy: Betting Systems

When you’re ready to take your blackjack game to the next level, there are more advanced strategies you can explore, such as employing betting systems designed to improve your chances of a winning outcome from your gaming session. 

The most common are listed below: 

• Martingale Strategy: This strategy requires you to double your bet after each losing round. The theory is that you will eventually recoup your losses when you hit a winning hand and earn a profit equal to your starting bet. Be careful, though, a long run of losses can drain your account.
• D’Alembert Strategy: The D’Alembert Strategy is similar to Martingale, but rather than doubling your bet each time you lose, you increase your bet by one unit after every loss, and decrease your bet by one unit after each win. It creates a slower bankroll depletion than the Martingale Strategy, helping you to manage your risk better.
• Fibonnaci Strategy: Another progressive strategy that follows the famous Fibonnaci Sequence, where each number in the sequence is the sum of the two previous. After each loss, you move one step forward in the sequence, and after each win, you move two steps back.

Bankroll Management & Responsible Gambling

There is no guarantee that any of these blackjack strategies or betting systems will result in success, so it’s important to manage your expectations when going into a blackjack game. 

The best blackjack strategy you can employ is to gamble responsibly and never bet beyond your means. Use the tools available via our Safe Play Hub to help manage your bankroll and get the best out of your game.

Play Award-Winning Blackjack at Fruity King 

Ready to put your newly acquired blackjack strategy to the test? Try out some of these player favourites from the Fruity King lobby: 

3D Blackjack from Iron Dog Studio

An RNG-driven game with a distraction-free interface to give you time to explore your blackjack strategy and consult with your hand chart. Multihand play is an option to play up to three hands at once. This is a great option for mastering basic blackjack strategy.

Unlimited Blackjack from Playtech Live

A live dealer blackjack game with an unlimited number of seats at the table. As the action is live, you must be mindful of your pace, but it adds a social element to your game that you don’t get with RNG games. You can play up to five hands at a time, and have the choice of optional Perfect Pairs and 21+3 side bets.

First Person Blackjack from Evolution

This RNG-driven game is directly linked to Evolution’s live dealer game via the Go Live button. You can play up to five hands in an immersive, 3D gaming environment, with a choice of optional side bets, Perfect Pairs and 21+3. 

Test Your Blackjack Strategy at Fruity King

When you’re ready to take your blackjack game to the next level, register for an account at Fruity King and put your skills into action. 

Don’t forget to claim your welcome bonus for new players to get your hands on some free spins and bonus cash. Terms and conditions apply.

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