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Blackjack is one of the few casino games in which players can use skill. With an advanced blackjack strategy, it’s even possible to wipe out the house edge completely or even swing the odds in your favor.
This guide unpacks blackjack’s advanced basic strategy, card counting techniques, and betting systems, and you can learn more about them below to help you boost your blackjack experience.
Key Blackjack Terms You Must Know
You should first get to know the blackjack terms to understand your strategy and get the ultimate results. Thus, check out the table below with terms and brief explanations to support your journey.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Blackjack | A hand with an ace and a 10-point card equals 21. |
| Bust | A hand score that goes above 21 |
| Hit | Take another card from the dealer |
| Stand | Not taking more cards |
| Double Down | Double the bet, and take one more card |
| Split | Separate the same cards into two hands and place an extra bet |
| Surrender | End your hand early and get half of your bet back |
| Push | Tie between you and the dealer, resulting in the dealer returning your bet |
| Soft Hand | A hand where the ace counts as 11. |
| Hard Hand | A hand without an ace, or ace equaling 1. |
| Dealer’s Hand | The hand the dealer has, with one card facing up. |
What Is an Advanced Strategy in Blackjack?
An advanced blackjack strategy goes beyond basic strategy and reduces the house edge even further, often giving the player an advantage.
These strategies include incorporating specific rules depending on the number of decks or variants played, using card-counting, bet spread, and instances when players should take insurance. Here are some examples of what advanced blackjack strategies involve.
Advanced vs Basic Strategy in Blackjack
There are several differences between basic and advanced blackjack strategies, but one of the most obvious is the advanced blackjack chart. In basic strategy, a single chart dictating when to hit, stand, split, and double down is used. The chart is always the same, regardless of the variant you play or the number of decks in use.
On the other hand, an advanced strategy uses several charts depending on the specialized rules of the blackjack variant, the number of decks, when to take insurance, and whether a player is counting cards. Because these charts are more specific, they are far more accurate and effective, but they are also more complex and more challenging to remember.
| Basic Blackjack Strategy | Advanced Blackjack Strategy |
|---|---|
| Simple and easy to memorize | More complex and harder to memorize |
| Doesn’t incorporate card-counting systems | Incorporates card counting |
| Firm rule-based decisions that are always the same based on the cards currently showing | Dynamic decisions based on the current count |
| Never take insurance | Certain situations call for taking insurance |
How an Advanced Blackjack Strategy Chart Can Help
Using an advanced blackjack strategy chart has several advantages. First, it simplifies complex decisions on what to do in a scenario and informs betting decisions. It also adapts to different games, meaning your actions are more accurate. Most importantly, it maximizes a player’s edge and gives them an advantage over the casino.
Why a Solid Blackjack Strategy Matters
By creating a solid strategy, you can reduce the house edge and increase your winning chances. Since the game is based on skills, developing a strategy will surely help you learn the game and ensure you’re not losing.
Understanding the House Edge
Advantage play in gambling refers to legal methods players can use to reduce their house edge in a game and, in certain circumstances, gain a statistical advantage over a casino.
The leading advanced advantage play in blackjack is card counting. In a standard game of blackjack, the house edge is around 2%, meaning, on average, for every $100 a player bets, they will receive $98 back.
Implementing a basic blackjack strategy reduces the house edge to around 0.5%. Using an advanced blackjack strategy and card counting, a player can reduce the house edge to -1%, giving the player a statistical advantage, and on average, for every $100 bet placed, the game will pay $101 back.
Variance, Risk Management, and Bankroll Protection
Variance includes normal ups and downs in your blackjack experience, which is why it’s crucial to develop a risk management strategy and protect your finances and bankroll. Sometimes, you may not have enough luck to win, which is when these strategies come in handy.
You can utilize management strategies like the Kelly Criterion to protect your well-being. It helps you calculate the bet size according to the odds and the edge; simply divide the two to know how much you should bet. It’ll help you manage risk and have control over each game.
Using Probabilities to Inform Your Bets
Once you start counting cards and half of the cards in the shoe have been used up, the probabilities start to change. If the majority of the cards remaining are high-value cards, the probability of hitting blackjack increases; in other words, you can bet more aggressively.
For instance, you can learn that the probability of drawing an Ace is 7.7% or that hitting a blackjack is 4.8%, and create a strategy accordingly. This knowledge and familiarity can help you decide when to surrender as well as salvage a portion of your bet.
Make Use of Insurance Bets – But Only at the Right Time
Basic strategy says never to take insurance because the house edge of an insurance bet is 7.4%, so it’s a bad bet. However, blackjack strategy for advanced play dictates certain scenarios where taking insurance is the right call.
The time to take insurance is when the true count is +3 or more, and the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. This is because we know that there are a lot of high cards left in the deck, and the probability of them having a ten card and hitting blackjack is high.
Advanced Blackjack Strategy and Card Counting
There are several ways to count cards in blackjack. The most common is the Hi-lo strategy, but there are many others. We run through some popular advanced card counting and how they compare to others below.
When to Hit, Stand, Double Down, Split, or Surrender
Splitting and doubling down are essential blackjack strategies that players can use at specific moments to increase their chances of winning and their profits.
Hit
Asking the dealer for another card can help you get the total close to 21, which may be crucial for your blackjack strategy. You can check out some basic blackjack examples when to hit below:
- 8 or less: always hit
- 9 total: hit unless the dealer shows 3-6 (double-down in this case)
- 10 total: hit unless the dealer shows 2-9 (double-down)
- 11 total: hit unless the dealer shows 2-10 (double-down)
- 12 total: hit if the dealer shows 2,3,7- Ace
- 13-16 total: hit if the dealer shows 7-Ace
- Soft 13-16 (with an Ace): hit unless the dealer shows 5 or 6
- Soft 18 (Ace + 7): hit if the dealer shows 9-Ace
However, the advanced strategy differs since you deal with the cards left on the table. Some situations may require different decisions, such as the ones below:
- Hard 16 and Dealer 10: stand if the count is high
- Hard 15 and Dealer 10: stand at a true count of +4
- Hard 12 and Dealer 3: hit if the count is negative
- Soft 18 and Dealer 9 or 10: stand if the count is high
- Soft 19 and Dealer 6: Double if the true count is high
As you can see, the strategies differ from basic to advanced, so you should keep that in mind for your next game and act accordingly to win.
Stand
The stand move can help you avoid unnecessary risks and prevent potential loss. The basic blackjack strategy follows these “rules” during the game:
- Hard 17 and higher: always stand
- Hard 13-16: stand if the dealer shows 2-6
- Hard 12: stand if the dealer shows 4-6
- Soft 19 and higher: always stand
- Soft 18: stand if the dealer shows 2, 7, or 8
The advanced strategy has some differences that can help you predict the outcome and learn when to stand. You can compare some scenarios below to see the difference between the basic and advanced moves:
- Hard 12: The advanced strategy opts for hitting if the total count is negative
- Soft 19: The advanced strategy advises doubling if the total count is higher than 1
These differences may affect your play and lead to better blackjack performance.
Double Down
A double down is when a player doubles their initial stake and commits to stand after receiving precisely one more card. Basic strategy dictates that you should double down only in these cases.
- You have 11
- You have 10, and the dealer has 9 or fewer
- You have 9 against a Dealer’s 3-6
- You have a soft 16-18 against a Dealer’s 2-6.
- However, when using a blackjack advanced strategy and card counting, you need to adjust these rules when the true count is +3 or more to include the following.
- Always double down on 10 or 11, whatever card the dealer is showing
- Double down on a 9 against a dealer 7
It’s also advisable to double down on soft hands of 14-17 when a dealer shows a card below 10 and the count is +3 or more. However, you need to be confident in your counting abilities, and instead, you can always double down on soft 13-16 when a dealer has a 4-6 upcard; otherwise, you can stand.
Joe YarnoldCasino & Betting Expert
Pair Splitting
Splitting is possible in blackjack when you have two cards of the same rank. For example, 8,8 or K, K. When a player splits, the cards are split into two hands, one new card is dealt to each hand, and the player must double their initial stake. In basic strategy, the splitting rules are as follows.
- Always Split Aces and 8s
- Never Split 5s and 10s
- Split 2s and 3s if the dealer’s upcard is 4 through 7
- Split 6s if the dealer shows 2 through 6
- Split 7s if the dealer shows 2 through 7
- Split 9s if the dealer shows 2 through 6 or 8-9
In an advanced strategy, the basic splitting rules are followed, but with a few differences depending on the count. The differences between advanced and basic strategies in blackjack are as follows.
- Split 10s if the count is high, +6 or more, and the dealer has a 5 or 6
- Consider splitting nines if the count is +3 or more and the dealer has 2-10 (even 7 or 10)
- Split 7s against a dealer 2-8 if the count is +2 or more
- Split 6s against a dealer’s 2-7 if the count is +2 or more
- Split 3’s if the count is +6 or higher and the dealer shows a 4-8
Surrender
- Hard 16 and dealer 9, 10, or Ace: Surrender unless you have two 8s (split)
- Hard 15 and dealer 10: Surrender
- Hard 14: Surrender if the total count is more than 3
- Hard 17: Surrender if the total count is more than 3
Combine Negative & Positive Advanced Blackjack Strategies
Progressive betting strategies involve adjusting your bet size based on previous outcomes. Positive progression involves increasing your wager size by a certain amount after a win. On the other hand, negative progressive systems require increasing your bet after a loss.
It is possible to combine both strategies. As an example, you could use the Martingale system after a loss and the Paroli system after a win, which may look like this.
- First Bet: $10
- Lose → Next Bet: $20 (Martingale)
- Lose → Next Bet: $40 (Martingale)
- Win → Next Bet: $60 (Paroli, increased but not doubled)
However, using one progressive betting strategy can be risky, so two is extremely risky. You can see huge swings in your bankroll, and casino maximum table limits can quickly prevent you from carrying on the system.
Psychological Factors in Blackjack
Blackjack is also a psychological game, where you must stay calm and focused in order to count cards accurately. Your psyche can also affect other players at the table. If you seem confident and know what to do in specific scenarios, your fellow players may feel discouraged.
This might not be ideal for you, as other players at the table help you penetrate the deck faster. In other words, you want to save as many chips as possible until you get to the point where the odds are in your favour. This can also happen in live dealer games, where other players notice what you are doing.
Advanced Blackjack Strategy Tips to Keep in Mind
Here are some essential advanced blackjack strategy tips to consider to give yourself the optimal chance of success at the blackjack table.
Alternative Advanced Blackjack Strategies
Let’s examine some alternative blackjack strategies, advanced techniques, and betting systems. These systems can also be used in any in-person or online casino game that offers 1 to 1 odds.
The Martingale system is one of the most well-known betting strategies. It’s most commonly associated with roulette, but can be played on any casino game that offers even money bets. It’s a negative progressive betting strategy that requires players to double their bet after each loss, and after a win, players switch back to their original betting unit.
The Paroli System uses a progressive method to lock in your winnings. You can start with a locked bet (base bet) and double the amount each time you win the round. After winning 3 rounds, go back to your base bet to secure it. If you lose a round, you should also get back to the base bet and start again.
The 1-2-3-5 strategy, also known as the Fibonacci system, is a negative progressive betting strategy that works using the famous Fibonacci sequence, where each number is the sum of the previous two. The system requires players to add the previous two wagers together to determine their next wager after a loss. The bet is decreased by two numbers after a win.
In this positive progressive betting strategy, you start with a single betting unit, and if you win, you multiply it by the next number in the sequence for the following round. Whenever you lose, you go back to the start of the sequence. If you win 4 times in a row, you restart the sequence again. Assuming your betting unit is $10, your betting sequence should be $10, $30, $20, $60.
The D’Alembert strategy is a negative progressive betting system where players increase their bet size by one unit after a loss and decrease by one unit after each win. It’s one of the lower-risk negative progressive systems and can be used with smaller bankrolls.
Oscar’s Grind
Oscar’s Grind is a progressive betting system where players bet in cycles, with each cycle’s goal being to win one betting unit. In this positive progression system, the player increases the bet size by one unit after each win.
However, the bet size is not increased after a loss. If a win pushes the total profit above the target of one unit, the player reduces the bet size to ensure the goal is met precisely.
Best Games to Practice Your Advanced Online Blackjack Strategy
If you’re new to the advanced blackjack world, you may want to practice before getting to the table. Try some of these games to improve your skills:
| Game | House Edge | Decks | Soft 17 | Double After Split | Surrender |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Handed European Blackjack (Concept Gaming) | 0.01% | 6 | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Ezugi Blackjack | 0.11% | 6 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Playtech Blackjack Switch | 0.14% | 6 | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Single-deck blackjack (Espresso Games) | 0.15% | 1 | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Red Queen Blackjack (1×2 Gaming) | 0.18% | 6 | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Saucify (Single deck) | 0.23% | 1 | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Amaya (Single deck) | 0.26% | 1 | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Vegas single deck (Microgaming) | 0.31% | 1 | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Pontoon (Playtech) | 0.32% | 8 | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Blackjack (Playson) | 0.33% | 6 | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
More Useful Blackjack Guides for US Players
Advanced Blackjack Betting Strategy – Our Final Thoughts
As you’ve seen in this advanced blackjack strategy guide, using an advanced blackjack betting strategy is the best way to achieve success in blackjack, as it completely wipes out the casino’s advantage and actually gives you the upper hand.
When you are confident enough to start trying these strategies for yourself, we recommend heading to one of the best offshore casinos online, Wild Casino. This site has multiple excellent live blackjack tables with betting limits suitable for all budgets. Plus, the site offers a wide array of casino bonuses you can use to boost your blackjack bankroll.
Advanced Strategy Blackjack Guide: FAQ
Is blackjack controlled?
How accurate are blackjack strategy charts?
Can anyone learn to play blackjack with an advanced strategy?
Is placing side bets a good idea?
Is card counting illegal?
Where can I find advanced blackjack strategy cards?
Responsible Gambling
Gambling can be an enjoyable way to relax, but it also comes with serious risks. For more information on responsible gambling and addressing gambling-related problems, check out our guide or explore the recommended sites below.
