ck444|ck444 game|ck444 casino appIn this part of our comprehensive blackjack guides, designed to help you improve your game, we’ve conducted an interview with blackjack expert and industry leader, Michael Shackleford. Here, he provides you with incredible insight into how to get started with the game and how to develop a basic blackjack strategy. Note that Michael does not recommend using betting systems such as Martingale or Andrucci here, simply optimal strategy based on mathematical probabilities.
ck444|ck444 game|ck444 casino appIf you want to know why it’s important to have a basic strategy which will statistically increase your chances of success at the game, read on to find out more.
Here are some of the blackjack strategy questions we will be looking at in this article. Scroll down or click on the links below to jump to a specific section:
When should you Hit?
When should you Stand?
ck444|ck444 game|ck444 casino appWhen should you Double Down?
When should you Split Pairs?
When should you Surrender?
When should you Take Insurance?
If you prefer to read on before getting to the nuts and bolts of blackjack play, we will introduce you to Michael Shackleford and also explain the importance of using the correct tactics when you sit down at a (real or virtual) blackjack table.
If you’re interested in blackjack and learning about charts that teach you optimal plays, it’s likely that you may have already come across Shackleford’s well-known site. But where did it all begin for this blackjack aficionado? The computer programmer with a passion for mathematics began analysing casino games as a hobby before starting his own website in 1997. Since then, WizardofOdds.com has gone on to become one of the most trusted sources for gambling advice in the online world.
In recent years, Shackleford has also started to create YouTube videos that explain how to play games with the most effective tactics. Here, we’ve compiled some of Shackleford’s most important points and extensive knowledge, alongside some easy-to-understand charts. Feel free to peruse the whole article, or jump to the section that you need most assistance with. It’s unlikely that you’ll commit this all to memory and so it’s important to remember that you can refer to this guide at any time: you’ll never need to feel stuck in the middle of a blackjack game, ever again.
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Why is Strategy Important in Blackjack?
You may be questioning why it’s so crucial to have a strategy for blackjack games in the first place. After all, a lot of it comes down to chance. It is always worth bearing in mind that there are limitations on how much a player can affect a game, although there are certain ways to play which will statistically improve your chances of winning at blackjack. Here are a few of the reasons why Shackleford thinks strategy in blackjack is so important:
ck444|ck444 game|ck444 casino appUnlike some casino games, Blackjack allows the player to have an impact on the outcome of the game
Having a strategy saves money
Strategies demonstrate a healthy appreciation of maths
If you are going to play, why not take it seriously and play to the best that you can?
Strategies are pretty easy to get into
Players can build on foundational knowledge to improve their skills
Sticking to a strategy helps players reduce the house edge
While using strategy to play blackjack will never guarantee that you will win, it will statistically improve your chances of success.
ck444|ck444 game|ck444 casino appHow do Players Get Started with Blackjack Basic Strategy?
Shackleford believes that it’s easy for anyone to build up a strong basic knowledge of blackjack which will help players to understand which cards to play in different situations. The first step is to start studying basic strategy charts that show you what the general approach should be in any given situation. These charts display what the dealer’s upcard is and what the players hand is, and all you need to do is find the corresponding square to know what to do. These charts can all be found on Shackleford’s site, and you can also refer to some of the basic ones in this article.
Basic blackjack tips charts can be printed off in the form of a basic strategy card, and it’s perfectly legal to use these for reference during a game. These charts are easy to memorise as well, and Shackleford recommends going for the top half of hard hands first. This way, you’ll already know how to play 80% of hands before moving onto the soft hands and splits.
ck444|ck444 game|ck444 casino appYou need to be aware that there are slightly tweaked strategies for different forms of blackjack. Depending on the strain you are playing and the number of decks, you will need to consult different strategy cards. You should also familiarise yourself with the basic strategy rules at different sites and in varied games. For example, you need to know if the dealer stands on a soft 17, and whether a double or split is allowed. In some games, the dealer is also allowed to peek for a blackjack.
Blackjack Betting Chart: Know What to do in Any Situation
According to research from blackjack expert Peter Griffin on the cost of mistakes, recreational blackjack players give the house an extra edge of 1.4% simply through misplaying. Shackleford believes that players should be fighting for every 0.01% gain they can get, and this can be achieved with even the simplest strategy.
ck444|ck444 game|ck444 casino appIn our detailed interview with the Wizard of Odds, Shackleford laid out the information that everyone needs to know for different circumstances in blackjack. Let’s examine some of the diverse scenarios in more detail.