How to Win at Blackjack

Learning how to win at blackjack takes time and lots of practice. After all, it is a card game. Blackjack is more of a game of mathematics and statistics than chance. So, it's not a good idea to play on hunches. The best way to win at blackjack is to play a basic strategy or "system" that works best for you under all situations.

Where to Play
Before you can apply your system, figuring where to play is important. If you're playing in a casino, find a table where you can be comfortable and the atmosphere is fun. Playing next to mean spirited people or drunks can be distracting and take away from your focus. So, choose wisely. If you're playing on-line, you can always click to another page.

Three Simple Strategies
Knowing the best way to play a hand gives a player the best chance to win on a consistent basis. The simplest strategy is to never bust. A good way to avoid that is to abstain from hitting on anything lower than a twelve. Another strategy is assuming that the dealer's downcard is always a ten and playing to beat what you assume the dealer's hand to be. Another popular strategy is playing by the dealer's rule, hitting on 16 or less and standing on 17 or more.

A More Involved System
A more complex strategy that breaks down every possibility and tells you exactly what to do in each situation requires the use of charts. These charts are very detailed and easy to follow. The left column shows the player's hand and the top row shows the dealer's card. The middle columns tell you how to play each situation through use of color coded symbols. There are different charts for soft hands and hard hands. Not only do they cover every hand combination, but they tell you when to split and when to double down.

Take the Time
Committing the charts to memory is essential. The greater familiarity, the greater feel for the game. But more importantly, understanding why you are using a certain strategy at a certain situation will help you learn faster and hopefully send you off on a winning path.