How to win at blackjack

Over time I’ve had some good fortune at the blackjack table so I’m often asked by friends for my advice. I’ve summarized some thoughts below in hope that it helps pad your pockets more often than not.

General advice: Be sensible managing your money. Stay in your league. Never use cash advances. Avoid ATM fees by going to a fee free ATM before you arrive. Settle on an amount you’re comfortable losing beforehand and stop if you get there. Tip your waitress well. Do not chide others at your table for their play. Make friends with the dealer.

Conditions: If possible, play at a table with a 6 or 8 deck shoe that pays 3:2 on blackjack and stays on all 17s. You should be able to find these in Vegas and at most Native American casinos. Less reputable places will only pay 6:5 on blackjack and hit on soft 17s, both of which slightly increase the house edge.

Playing strategy: Follow basic strategy at all times (as outlined in the image below) regardless of your bet size or cards on the table. This removes the stress from the 50/50 decisions such as when you have 16 and the dealer is showing a 7. ALWAYS HIT in that circumstance.

Betting Strategy: This is how you make your money. Decide on a unit bet at the start of each shoe. Every time you win one hand or lose three hands in a row TRIPLE your unit bet. Never pull your bet back until you lose. For example, if your unit bet is $10 and you win the first hand then increase your bet to $30 and win that hand as well, leave the $30 bet out there. Do not return to the $10 bet until you lose a hand. When you push do not let that impact your betting pattern. For example, if you lose a hand then push two hands in a row it’s still as if you have only lost one hand. After a good shoe feel free to raise your unit bet to increase your upside moving forward.

May the odds be ever in your favor.