Blackjack is a unique casino game mainly because it allows some room for players to reduce the house advantage by selecting the correct next action. Essentially, when playing blackjack you can decide when to draw another card, when to stand, when to double your bet or to split your bet, if you get two cards of the same type. Since the game incorporates the element of player choice, it also means that you can increase your chances of winning by learning the ins and outs of the game.

Isn’t blackjack a game that always favors the house?

The odds of winning at blackjack are dictated by the number of decks the casino employs. While pretty difficult to find and costlier, as bets start at $25, a casino that offers single-deck blackjack or that follows the downtown Las Vegas rules reduces the house’s advantage to 0.16% and hence, increase your chances of winning.

However, in reality most casinos employ between four to seven decks, while online establishments shuffle the cards after each hand. When they use four or more decks, your chances of hitting 21 are considerably reduced, especially since it is impossible to calculate and keep track of all the possible combinations. Still, to counter this player limitation, casinos will typically allows special rules like Surrender or placing a Double Down after a split for instance.

Win by learning the basic blackjack rules

Irrespective of the fact that blackjack is a simple and straightforward game, there is more to it than hitting 21. In fact, if you go over the general rules of the game you will discover several elements that could prove useful while at the table. Here is a list of the rules you should understand before playing:

• You are allowed to Double Down your bet with any two-card hand.
• Double Down is also permitted after a Split.
• You can’t double your wage if you hit blackjack.
• If you have a weak hand, then you can Surrender and take back half of the money you wagered; however, take note that not all casinos accept this rule.
• Holding five or more cards with a total of 21 or less is an automatic win (a “Charlie”).
• You can call for a late surrender and recuperate part of the bet after the cards have been dealt and the dealer asks you for a blackjack.
• Splitting the aces is only viable when you are allowed to draw more than one card.

It is important to note that the blackjack rules will vary from casino to casino. This is why it is highly advisable that you read the terms and conditions as well as the blackjack rules imposed by the casino before signing in. Keep in mind that some of gambling establishments and online casinos can use rules that are detrimental to the player, such as offering a payout that is less than 3 to 2 or, alternatively, the Double Down is restricted to certain totals for instance.