Blackjack is probably the most famous and widely played casino game around. While it seems that others have crept in on its popularity such as poker and slot machines, there’s no sign that this game is slowing down anytime soon. Want to gain an edge over the house? Use our blackjack cheat sheet!
Even as card counting has certainly bolstered the game’s popularity and its image as beatable and lucrative, blackjack pulls in the majority of its players simply because it’s fun.
With a little basic strategy, blackjack players can walk away with their bankrolls in the black — and you don’t need to read a how-to book before sitting down at the table to have a good time!
However, there are a few things that players should know before hitting the tables that don’t involve memorizing a chart of moves.
For example, for every 100 hands dealt, the dealer is expected to win 49 while the player is anticipated to win 42 (the other hands are ties). This is only one interesting aspect of Blackjack you might want to know before you think about getting serious.
If you don’t want to crack open a volume on blackack card counting, no worries. Just keep reading and it could help you and your stack of chips in the long run.
To make sure you take full advantage of the odds, Planet 7 proudly presents: The only BLACKJACK CHEAT SHEET you’ll ever need.
Count the Fives
When it comes to the cards in Blackjack, each one has a numerical value that affects each hand dealt, but they also affect the entire game. Card counters look for decks loaded with high cards, which benefit the gambler’s chances of seeing winning hands. Obviously, if high cards benefit the player, then low cards benefit the dealer.
The smallest card with the biggest disadvantage for you is the 5 – for every 5 that is removed from the deck, there is an added 0.67% to the player’s expected return. Multiply that by the number of 5’s in a 6-deck shoe and you’re looking at a significant advantage. So watch those fives – the fewer left in the shoe, the better.
21, 20, 11
The best possible hand in Blackjack is, obviously, a perfect 21, and the second-best is unsurprisingly 20. So the third-best has to be 19, right? Statistically, that is wrong.
It might shock new players to know that the third-best hand is 11. Why? Because when you’re dealt an 11, you just need a ten to complete your win, making this hand extremely favorable. Since the jacks, queens, and kings all have a value of 10, there are four times as many 10’s in a Blackjack deck as any other card, giving your 11 hand a high chance of getting to 21. In fact, as long as the dealer doesn’t have an ace facing up, you should always double down on 11.
Not-So-Sweet 16
The 16 is the hand that all blackjack players loathe because it brings the most indecision and uncertainty. Should I hit and risk busting? Should I stand and lose to the dealer’s higher hand?
The truth is, there are a number of options depending on what the dealer’s up card shows, whether you have a hard or a soft 16, and if the casino offers the surrender option. If you’re serious about your Blackjack gameplay, you should definitely look into this and keep it in mind when you sit down at the tables.
Don’t Buy Insurance
When the dealer draws a face-up ace, the player has the option of buying insurance. The insurance bet involves putting down half your original bet in case the dealer receives a blackjack – if he does, you win 2:1 on your insurance bet.
So, let’s say you originally bet $10 when the dealer puts up an ace. You place $5 down on insurance, and he turns over a king, making 21. You get your $10 from your insurance bet but lose the $10 you bet originally, resulting in a push.
What if the dealer doesn’t get 21? You lose the $5, but you still have the chance of winning your original bet by beating the dealer’s hand. Seems like a good deal.
However, the odds against the dealer having a blackjack are 9:4. Meaning out of 130 hands, you’d win your insurance bet 40 times and lose it 90 times. The statistics speak louder than the dealer – don’t go for the insurance bet and you’ll save money in the long run.
So, you’ve learned some interesting facts and tips on Blackjack, the world’s favorite casino game. Ready to learn more? Try out your new knowledge at Planet 7’s casino online – you can even play blackjack online for free before you try for real money.
Open up the sheet in a separate window while you play. Together with The Super Easy Beginner’s Guide to Blackjack and our 3 Basic Blackjack Strategies you should always keep in mind you’ll be well armed to dive right in to an amazing, winning, gaming experience!
