Blackjack is one of the most beloved casino table games, having been enjoyed since at least 1700. Since it first appeared, players have tried different ways to gain an advantage over the dealer and the house. Search online and you will find countless articles that promise to teach you how to win at blackjack.
Well this page is another to add to the list, but we are going to do so by covering the topic in an honest way and giving you an online blackjack strategy that can see your performance improve consistently. We will take a look at simple tips that will help you right away and also teach you some of the most common mistakes that can be avoided, so read on for a full overview of winning at blackjack.
Grab a welcome bonus at our recommended blackjack sites
At WIN.gg, we have played at hundreds of online casino sites to determine their strengths and weaknesses. Below is a complete list of the sites that have a vast range of blackjack lobbies, including live dealer versions. Choose any for an elite platform that is ideal for trying out all our tips for how to win at blackjack!
- Blackjack Strategy Basics: How the Game Is Really Won
- Choosing the Best Blackjack Tables (Rules That Lower the House Edge)
- When to Hit, Stand, Split and Double Down
- Using Blackjack Strategy Charts Properly
- Bankroll Management for Blackjack Players
- Can You Count Cards in Online Blackjack?
- Common Blackjack Mistakes to Avoid
- Blackjack Terminology Explained
- Summary: Winning at Blackjack is Possible With Strategy
- Blackjack Strategy FAQs
Blackjack Strategy Basics: How the Game Is Really Won
Just so that you have a definition to hand, winning at blackjack is ultimately about reducing the house edge; the game is already one of the most generous around, but by using some straightforward strategy and tips, it is possible to push the odds in your favor even more.
We must emphasize the fact that a winning blackjack strategy is all about long-term gains and can be assessed over tens or hundreds of hands rather than individual rounds. Therefore, it really is a case of consistency and discipline to maximize each wager.
Choosing the Best Blackjack Tables (Rules That Lower the House Edge)
The first piece of advice when it comes to being able to win at blackjack is to choose your table carefully. Rules are pretty standard across most online casinos sites — not least because the same major providers tend to appear — but always confirm the following elements before placing a real money wager.
1. 3:2 for Blackjack
The most obvious way to get more for your money is to ensure that a win rewards you handsomely. Not all casinos award blackjack — 21 from your first two cards — with the same payout; some award 6:5 instead of 3:2, but you should always ensure that the latter is in place.
It may seem like a minor difference and with a $10 wager you would win $12 instead of $15, but these gains add up over time. Thankfully, the recommended blackjack casino sites that we highlighted above are full of lobbies that pay 3:2.
2. Dealer Standing on 17
One of the most common rules to see is that the dealer is required to stand on 17. That is to mean that they no longer “hit” or take another card once this number has been reached. Confirm this is the case before you start playing as the rule’s presence is at the bedrock of the best blackjack strategies.
3. Decks, Doubling and Splitting
Some other blackjack rules that shouldn’t be overlooked revolve around gameplay itself. Firstly, the number of card decks in play can vary from casino to casino, and as a rule of thumb, fewer is better as it can give a lower house edge.
You should also familiarize yourself with the house rules around doubling — especially double after split (DAS) — and splitting. At any legitimate casino, these rules and others can all be found under the “information” tab so that you can assess what is being offered before choosing to play.
When to Hit, Stand, Split and Double Down
If you want to learn how to win at blackjack then it is crucial that you master the basics of tactics. As you will likely already know, in a round of 21 you will be given the option to make multiple moves that can make or break your hand — let’s take a closer look at each.
➡️ Hitting
After your initial two cards have been dealt by the dealer, if blackjack has not been achieved then you will be offered the chance to “hit” or take another card to improve your hand total. We always suggest hitting when your hand is below 12 as that removes the possibility of a bust but will get you closer to 21.
A major part of deciding whether to hit comes down to the dealer’s upcard — arguably the most important detail when it comes to winning at blackjack. This gives an indication on whether the dealer is likely to bust, especially as they generally have to stand on 17.
So, in simple terms, we suggest that you hit on soft hands of 17 or lower. You should also hit on weak hard hands of 8 or lower and be prepared to consider hitting with a hard hand of 12–16 in the event that the dealer has a strong upcard of 7 or higher.
➡️ Standing
In online blackjack strategy, knowing when to stand is a simple but highly effective move as it is all about letting the dealer fail. Always keep in mind that at most online casinos the dealer is required to stand when they have reached the number of 17; with this knowledge, you can watch the dealer’s upcard and make an assumption on whether they will improve or bust.
With a high upcard of at least 7, it is fair to infer that the dealer is likely to achieve a strong total; therefore, you should only stand in the event that your own hand is strong enough to compete. Conversely, if the dealer has a weak upcard, there is a real possibility that they will have to draw in order to try and reach 17, meaning that there is a good chance they will bust.
➡️ Splitting
Splitting in blackjack is another key strategy that can help transform your fortunes. It can turn a weak hand into two more playable ones and we suggest that, under standard rules, you always split aces and 8s, while avoiding splitting 5s and 10s. This is just a guide, though, so always check the house rules around doubling after a split and resplitting to ensure that you get the full benefit of the move. Also ensure that you do not exceed your set budget.
➡️ Doubling Down
Knowing when to double down in blackjack is another tip that can make a major difference to your chances of winning. As always, it depends on the dealer’s upcard, but it is often a good idea to double down when you have a hard total of 9, 10 or 11 as these hands have a good chance of improving from the single extra card. When utilized correctly, this can be a profitable move, though, of course, the risk is that if you choose wrongly then you will lose double your wager.
Using Blackjack Strategy Charts Properly
Researching how to win at blackjack online will offer you hundreds of sites that offer strategy charts that can aid your play. At WIN.gg, we are big fans of the concept and, in our years of blackjack experience, have utilized them ourselves countless times.
They vary in content but commonly give you tangible advice on when to take certain actions such as doubling down or hitting. It is crucially important that you ensure that the strategy aligns with the type of table that you are playing at and its rules; this is especially the case around the dealer having to stand on 17.
Still, no win is guaranteed, clearly, so always take this into account and play in demo mode before committing real funds. You will also likely have to consider wins over an extended play session rather than an individual round which can easily be affected by a strong dealer hand.
Bankroll Management for Blackjack Players
This leads nicely into our next lesson in learning how to win at online blackjack — bankroll management. These are principles that should be taken into every casino game you play, blackjack or not.
💸 Budgeting
By far the most important thing you can control as a player is your budget. Work this out by what you can afford to lose without it impacting your life negatively; rent, bills, food and socializing should come before gambling. Once you have determined that, you then need to stick strictly to it and ensure that you do not spend more than you can afford.
In terms of blackjack, this means that you should only wager a small amount of this per hand. While it may be tempting to go all-in on one hand, this is clearly a risky strategy and the temptation will always be to spend more if you lose.
💪 Stay in Control
You should accept that blackjack is a game that can quickly eat through your bankroll and you will experience ups and downs. Despite this, even if you have a losing streak, you should never chase this money back in a way that goes outside your budget — set loss limits to your account at the online casino and this will help you bet in a healthy financial manner.
Can You Count Cards in Online Blackjack?
Yes, counting cards is indeed possible and it is a move that has been glamorized by Hollywood. However, particularly at a land-based establishment, where you are under the dealer’s watchful eye, it is frowned upon.
When playing online, it is hard to incorporate into a basic blackjack strategy, in all honesty. When playing against the computer, RNG technology means that the hands are reshuffled frequently, making it almost impossible to get any benefit. Live dealer blackjack is not much better, so you are better off following our other tips on this page.
Common Blackjack Mistakes to Avoid
This page has offered advice on the proactive things that you can do to enhance your chances of winning at blackjack, but sometimes avoiding basic errors can be just as important — let’s take a closer look at some of the most common.
📌 Not Knowing the Rules
Winning at blackjack over an extended period clearly requires learning the rules of the games. Pleasingly, they are easy to pick up and blackjack is one of the most straightforward table games around. On top of that, online lobbies are required to offer game rules that outline card values and any house-specific variations, so be sure to read these before wagering.
📌 Not Following a Strategy
This page has been all about blackjack tips to help you perform better over extended periods. We suggest that you keep these strategies in mind, especially when it comes to moves like hitting, splitting and doubling down. Of course, you can succeed without following a strategy, but you will be making it harder for yourself and will very likely see lots of ups and downs.
📌 Misunderstanding Blackjack
We often see new players get burnt in blackjack by not thinking logically around how the game works. For example, every game is separate from the last and the cards are shuffled, so you should not think that you are “due” a win after a few losses in succession. Also, in the case of a live lobby, it can be easy to forget that it is you against the dealer, and other players’ hands are of no consequence.
📌 Chasing Losses
We have to mention responsible gambling as it is so easy to spend more than you planned when betting. Never exceed your set budget and if you have a bad round then it is best to stay cool and log off; never chase your losses and no blackjack strategy is guaranteed to work.
Blackjack Terminology Explained
We think an ideal way to end this article on how to win at blackjack is by covering the key terms that you will come across as you play.
- Hit: Hitting means you will take another card which will add to your hand’s total.
- Stand: You are happy with your hand and do not take any more cards.
- Double Down: You can take one final card from the dealer for double your wager.
- Split: If your first two cards match then you can double your wager and put them into two separate hands.
- Soft hand: Any hand that includes an Ace card being valued as 11.
- Hard hand: A blackjack hand that does not contain an Ace, or, if it does, it is valued at 1.
- Natural blackjack: When you reach 21 from your first two cards — an Ace and a 10-card.
- Surrender: If you are not confident in your hand, then you can give up your hand for a cost of half your wager. Late surrender takes place after the dealer has checked for blackjack; early is less common but if allowed is before the dealer has made the check of their own cards.
- Insurance: If the dealer’s upcard is an Ace then you can make a side bet; this pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack.
- House edge: This is the casino’s statistical advantage. In a standard game it sits at around 0.5% (assuming optimal play), which is one of the lowest in all casino games.
Summary: Winning at Blackjack is Possible With Strategy
This page has shown that if you want to win at blackjack, there are multiple things that you can do to increase your long-term chances. While no one thing will ever guarantee a win, finding a blackjack strategy that works is key, and we have included some solid tips that you can start to incorporate right away.
So, if you are ready to try them for yourself, why not head to one of our recommended blackjack casinos that we have listed?
Blackjack Strategy FAQs
❓ How can I win at blackjack?
❓ Can I count cards in blackjack?
❓ How to win at blackjack for beginners?
❓ Can you consistently win at blackjack?
❓ Can blackjack strategy beat the house?
❓ Is online blackjack fair?
Simon Day
Simon has been writing about Gaming and Sports for over a decade, with his work featured in a variety of well-known gaming magazines. This year, he joined win.gg as an Editorial Specialist, where he continues to share his passion for the industry through insightful and well-crafted content pieces.
View full profile