Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games due to its low house edge compared to slots or roulette. When played optimally using basic blackjack strategy, the house edge can be under 1%. With some additional advanced techniques like card counting, the odds can actually be tipped in the player’s favor.
While luck always plays a role, there are proven strategies you can use to dramatically increase your chances of walking away a winner at Boomerang Online Casino. In this guide, we’ll cover fundamental blackjack strategy and bankroll management along with some more advanced tips.
Fundamentals of Basic Strategy
Basic blackjack strategy refers to the mathematically optimal decisions for every possible hand combination. This chart shows you exactly when you should hit, stand, double down, split pairs, or take insurance based on your cards and the dealer’s up card.
Memorizing and correctly applying basic strategy takes the house edge down from around 5% (for random play) to under 1% at most online casinos. When you combine basic strategy with some of the other tips below, winning sessions become much more achievable.
Here are some key elements of basic blackjack strategy:
- Always split Aces and 8s
- Double 11 versus dealer up cards 2-10
- Hit soft 17 (Ace + 6)
- Stand on hard 17 (10 + 7)
- Take insurance when dealer shows an Ace (optionally)
Card Counting Techniques
Card counting involves tracking the high and low cards that have already been played to predict when the deck will favor the player or dealer. When more high cards are left in the deck, the player is more likely to get blackjacks and 20+ hands. When more low cards are left, the dealer is more likely to bust.
The most common card counting system is the Hi-Lo method:
- High cards (10-Ace): +1
- Low cards (2-6): -1
- Mid cards (7-9): 0
As more low cards come out, the running count will become increasingly negative. This signals that the remaining deck is rich in high cards, favoring the player. When the running count turns positive, more low cards have been played so the edge shifts towards the dealer.
The true count is the running count divided by the number of decks left to play. True counts of +2 or higher signal a player advantage while -2 or lower signals a dealer advantage. Use basic strategy but increase your bets significantly at +2 or higher counts.
Obviously card counting live can get you kicked out of a casino. But it’s extremely difficult for online casinos to detect so many players use this strategy to erase the house edge entirely.
Bankroll Management Guidelines
Even with perfect basic strategy and card counting, variance and luck determine results in the short run. You must manage your bankroll to survive natural losing streaks and capitalize on hot runs.
Here are some bankroll tips:
- Have at least 100 bets at your minimum bet size
- Bet less than 5% of your total bankroll per session
- Increase bets in proportion to edge (via count)
- Stop playing if bankroll drops 50% from peak
So if your minimum bet is $10, have at least a $1,000 bankroll. Even with great strategy, you could lose 10 bets in a row. But over time, blackjack becomes a game of skill instead of just luck and you can also play slots such as https://slotspeak.com/swintt/.
Additional Blackjack Tips & Strategies
- Learn the rules inside out – small changes in rules can shift the odds
- Find good single deck or double deck games (best for card counters)
- Avoid bad rules like dealer hits soft 17
- Use blackjack basic strategy charts
- Stand on all 17s (if the rule says so)
- Practice card counting until proficient
- Sign up for bonus offers when depositing
- Find casinos with favorable payout rates
Mastering the fundamentals takes practice but is necessary to overcome the house edge. Stay disciplined with your bankroll and only increase bets when you gain an edge via card counting. Over time, blackjack transitions from gambling to a skilled beatable game.