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Casino games are known for being unfair for the player and odds are stacked in favour of the casinos. After all, if the house didn’t always win, why would they exist in the first place? In the majority of instances, this logic is completely sound, but blackjack happens to be one of the few exceptions to this rule. Unlike most other casino games, your strategy and skills can actually make a big impact on your game. Winning at live blackjack consistently is not easy, but with a little bit of learning and a lot of practice, it can definitely be done.
Before continuing, you need to make sure that you understand the rules of the game completely; hit vs. stand, what it means to double down, etc. You can only have a real chance at winning once you have a firm grasp on the basics of the game. Even then, live blackjack is still a game of chance and you cannot expect to win every hand. You have to play as well as you can and then hope for the best in the long run.
However, we will aim to make sure that you have the best head start you can have with our list of strategies that should bring the house edge down!
Blackjack Strategy : Try Online
When it comes to playing blackjack live, one of the first things you can do to ensure your winning streak is to pick a great online casino to play at. With so many options available on the market nowadays, this is no easy feat.
Luckily, you won’t have to spend hours trawling through Google to find the best live casino as we’ve done all the dirty work for you. Our trusty team of casino experts have put their investigative skills to work and successfully managed to draw up a list of the top online casinos where you can play live blackjack.
When compiling this list, we took into consideration factors like streaming quality, the dealers’ personality, the outcomes of the games as well as the number of live blackjack options available. This thorough approach should guarantee you the best pick of live casinos for your blackjack gameplay. What’s more, we make sure to update our list on a monthly basis so you’ll always be kept updated on new live casinos that may pop up.
Even after you have picked your live casino, which is an important decision, you still have to decide which blackjack table is right for you. The rules of your table will ultimately determine how you play. Pay attention to whether the dealer stands on all seventeen’s, or if they are supposed to hit on soft seventeen’s. Also, the limits of your live blackjack table are crucial. If you pick a table with limits that are too high, you may lose your bankroll too quickly. This is especially true if you are a new player. In fact, if you don’t have much experience at all, it would probably be smart to start by playing for free to get a feel for the rules of the game. Free blackjack can even be useful for veteran players who need a little warming up before putting their bankrolls on the line.
Top Tips for Playing Blackjack
- Always pick a live blackjack table that has suitable limits for your bankroll. When picking a variant of the game, consider the house edge. The lower this is, the better as this means that it is more likely to pay out. Go for variants with a house edge of lower than 1%.
- Play one hand at a time rather than multiple hands at once so you can concentrate all your efforts on that one hand, thereby increasing your chances of winning
- Refuse insurance if you have a 10
- Keep to your blackjack strategy and don’t get carried away and bet more if you find yourself on a winning streak. Sticking to the plan will always pay off.
- Late positions are better as you can check out the cards that have already been played.
Get an Online Casino Bonus
There’s no denying that a good ol’ casino bonus is instrumental in helping blackjack players to get more bang for their buck. Many online casinos, like Genting, now offer live casino bonuses to their members as an incentive to play on their site. When you come across such an offer, you should take advantage of it while you can!
Know the Game Like the Back of Your Hand
Knowing the game rules before you start playing for real money is essential. Since no two blackjack variations are the same, applying the same strategy to different games is counter-productive. Start off by learning the specific rules of the variation you’re about to play before settling on a strategy for that game.
How much does it pay out? How many decks does the shoe consist of? When and how many times can you split your hand? Is splitting aces allowed? Is there the option to surrender? This is the kind of information you should be seeking out in order to find the perfect blackjack strategy.
Watch how to avoid the most regularly misplayed hands here. Credit: 888casino.com
Optimal Blackjack Strategy
Most blackjack strategies are founded on logic and mathematics. This is one game that has more to do with skills and numbers rather than luck, superstitions or rituals. If your maths skills aren’t quite up to scratch, however, don’t fret. You can still make use of some tried and tested live blackjack strategies without having to rack your brains too much.
Using basic strategy cards, like the one provided here will help you to make the right decision whatever happens throughout gameplay. Strategy cards like these are super useful since they give players a visual representation of how to play against the dealer according to what hand you’re holding.
Card counting is another strategy to use in live dealer blackjack, This tactic helps players follow the amount of high and low cards in the shoe, thereby giving some indication as to what might follow.
There are a finite number of situations that can occur in live blackjack, and each one of them has an ideal response. Some of these situations are obvious, but unless you are uncommonly smart, you will want a reference for playing blackjack properly. Luckily, there are simple charts all over the Internet that tell you how to play based on your current hand and the dealer’s visible card. Since you are playing online, you can have one of these charts up on your screen at all times and feel totally comfortable referring to it.
Assuming that you follow the advice of your strategy card every time, the house edge will be reduced to only half of a percent, which is excellent. You just have to make sure the strategy chart you use corresponds to the number of decks in play and the dealer rules regarding soft seventeen’s. Not only will using a chart help you play live blackjack perfectly online but as you get used to making the right decisions, it will be easier to transition your game into a traditional casino setting. Note that the perfect blackjack strategy is automatically the default when playing in a live blackjack game with an early payout option.
Assuming that you follow the advice of your strategy card every time, the house edge will be reduced to only half of a percent, which is excellent. You just have to make sure the strategy chart you use corresponds to the number of decks in play and the dealer rules regarding soft seventeen’s. Not only will using a chart help you play live blackjack perfectly online but as you get used to making the right decisions, it will be easier to transition your game into a traditional casino setting. Note that the perfect blackjack strategy is automatically the default when playing in a live blackjack game with an early payout option.
Live Blackjack Card Counting
Card counting is a legitimate blackjack strategy, but forget what you have seen in the movies. You don’t have to be a genius to count cards. Basically, card counting involves counting how many high and low cards have been dealt from the deck. If you have seen either a lot of high or low cards, then there are fewer of those left in the deck. Knowing this can give you some insight into the ever-changing chances that your dealer will bust. Since you are basically looking for a stacked deck, card counting will not work in a standard online blackjack casino. You need to either play live blackjack online or take your game to a brick and mortar casino.
Card counting is doable but difficult because you cannot afford to make any mistakes. Your advantage over the house can only be maintained if you always make the right decision. Remember, practice makes perfect. There are many different card counting strategies, but once you pick one, stick with it and master the technique. Ultimately, no matter what strategy you use, nobody can guarantee that you will win every time. Even if you have a statistical advantage over the house, you will have to play a lot of hands and aim to win over the long run. It’s called The Law of Large Numbers for a reason!
Types of Blackjack Variation
As well as this, there are several other types of variation on traditional blackjack and side bets that you can get involved in which may also dramatically affect your advantage in live dealer blackjack. You can find guides about most of them on our site. Check them out below and follow the links to learn more:
Any of these variations and sidebets will either spice up your gameplay or give you the opportunity to win some more money as you play. So check them out and see if you can find the perfect blackjack gameplay for you!
Live Blackjack FAQs
What’s the difference between playing virtual blackjack and live blackjack?
Strategy-wise, not much. Both the live and virtual versions of this popular table game require the same skills. However, virtual blackjack is operated by random number generators to ensure all outcomes of the games are fair and random. With live blackjack on the other hand, players will play against real, professional dealers and not against computer programs. In this way, not only will you feel more like you’re in a physical land-based casino, but the outcomes of the game will depend on the skills of the dealer to a certain extent.
How do I interact with the dealer?
Most online casinos offer a live chat feature that allows players to communicate with both the dealer and the casino manager in real time. What’s more, while you will be able to see the dealer on your screen, they will not be able to see you. They will have access to basic information about the game and receive your chat messages which they may respond to orally.
Do I need to download any software in order to play live blackjack?
Generally, no. Many reputable online casinos offer the option of playing live games like blackjack, directly by streaming in your browser. That being said, you’d do well to make sure your browser is updated and you have all multimedia plugins installed to ensure streaming goes off without a hitch.
Can I play live blackjack on my mobile, smartphone or tablet device?
A lot of great online casinos games are conveniently accessible from all mobile devices so you can get those authentic casino thrills whether at home or on the go.
We hope you’ll take on our advice on board and implement the best game strategy for the blackjack variation you’ve set your sights on. Also, keep in mind that a good live casino bonus won’t hurt either so make sure to choose the best live casino that rewards you for your custom.This should help you achieve your desired results ie boost your winning streak and make some decent cash when playing live blackjack.
Finally, remember to enjoy yourself! The purpose of the game should be to have fun and let off a little steam, while perhaps making some nice wins in the process. However, don’t let yourself get carried away and spoil all the fun. If you believe that your live blackjack playing is becoming an addiction or taking a toll on other areas of your life, be sure to get in touch with an organization like GamCare to seek the support you need.
Allstar Gambling USA / Guides / For centuries, the strategic potential of blackjack has defied the chances and reduced the house edge to the point of complete elimination. The advanced card counting strategies were fought off by the casino operators through a gradual increase of the card decks inside the shoe.
Nowadays, it is next to impossible to find a live blackjack variant played with 1, 2, or even 4 decks; instead, 6 and 8-deck blackjack games are dominating the market, thwarting the beginner-level card counters. This, along with the RNG (Random Number Generator) blackjack, has created the need for alternative solutions, and a number of players resorted to blackjack betting strategies that exploit the winning and losing streaks, focusing on money management rather than trying to predict the next card. At the same time, these are much easier to master than some of the advanced blackjack techniques, such as Shuffle Tracking, Zen, or Omega 2.
Where to Start – The Most Popular Blackjack Betting Strategies
The complexity and dedication are not the only reasons people shy away from card counting techniques. Casino operators frown upon any skill that will give you an unfair advantage over other players (and the house), which is why advanced budget management methods are your safest resorts. They can also be arranged according to the difficulty level, starting with the simplest form of betting (flat) and gradually advancing to the complex patterns used by experienced players (Labouchere):
- Flat Betting
- Martingale
- 1-3-2-6 System
- Paroli
- D’ Alembert
- Oscar’s Grind
- Labouchere
Apart from the complexity level, each of the systems can also be classified according to the risk degree and the type of progression it entails – negative or positive.
Flat betting
Flat betting is somewhat of an exception, and many do not even consider it a strategy at all. The only requirement of this “system” is to remain in the game by constantly submitting the same size bet. Ideally, the player needs to establish a budget and divide it into equal portions of up to 5% of the total balance. Clearly, flat betting will not make you rich, but the strategy is deemed successful if you manage to generate around 10-20% profit.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Flat Betting
Apart from the extreme simplicity, the strongest suit of flat betting is the damage control it delivers. The fixed stakes will prevent you from suffering a sudden, substantial loss that some of the other methods are prone to.
On the other hand, the results that flat betting can produce are modest and rest on the assumption that you will win more than 50% of the time. This is why most players outgrow this strategy fairly quickly. The monotony makes it quite easy to abandon this process and move onto potentially more profitable (and riskier) blackjack betting strategies described below.
Risk Rate: Low
Positive Progressive Betting Systems – Definition and Popular Variants
Positive progressive betting systems are designed to get the most of the players’ winning streak, commanding a bet increase every time you score a winning blackjack hand. The stakes are raised systematically and lowered after the first losing hand. The most popular representatives of positive progressive strategies are Paroli and Oscar’s Grind.
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Play NowParoli
Paroli is often defined as a reversed Martingale system, prompting the players to top the stake after every winning hand. Every next bet should be doubled and re-set after three consecutive winning rounds. For example, if we are to start our betting session with a $1 stake, the next two stakes should be increased by 2:
$1 > $2 > $4
For the sake of illustration, let us assume that you have placed a $10 bet and your hand trumped the dealer’s, resulting in an even money payout. Your next bet should, therefore, be $20, which is your base bet + $10 that you have won in the previous round. If you manage to win that hand as well, the follow-up stake should amount to $40 – again, the $10 base stake, plus the winnings from the previous rounds. The third win will result in an $80 bet, after which you will need to go back to the initial $10 bet, regardless of the outcome. Looking at the starting point, we can easily deduce that a $10 starting bet generated a total of $160.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Introducing Paroli Betting System to Your Gameplay
As you can see, the Reversed Martingale is very easy to use, as it requires the player to press the bet only 3 times and revert to the original wager in two cases – after a loss or when a series of three winning hands in a row is completed.
An added value of Paroli is that you do not need to have a substantial budget to implement this strategy, which is the main drawback of some other progressive betting patterns.
On the downside, three linked winning hands are not that easy to land, and the players may find themselves operating at a loss before long.
Risk Rate: Medium
Oscars Grind
A medium complexity system with a low-risk rate, Oscars Grind (aka Hoyle’s Press) starts off with a single unit bet and aims at generating an equivalent profit amount. The losing hands will follow the flat betting pattern whereas the winning hands will be followed by the bet increase – but only if it will result in the desired profit of one unit. Otherwise, the bet size is decreased to assure that the accurate amount is acquired, as shown in the table below:
Bet | Outcome | Return | Your next move |
---|---|---|---|
$1 | Loss | -1 | No change in bet |
$1 | Loss | -2 | No change in bet |
$1 | Loss | -3 | No change in bet |
$1 | Loss | -4 | No change in bet |
$1 | Loss | -5 | No change in bet |
$1 | Win | -4 | Next bet increases by 1 unit |
$2 | Loss | -6 | Bet remains the same (2 units) |
$2 | Win | -4 | Next bet increased to 3 units |
$3 | Win | -1 | Next bet adjusted to 2 units needed for a single unit profit |
$2 | Win | 1 | Round completed |
The desired result is a single unit win on every session as well as the increased damage control during the losing streaks.
Pros and Cons of Oscars Grind
The method is not aggressive which means that you will be able to sustain longer losing streaks without suffering irreparable damage to your finances. The proceeds, although modest, will gradually accumulate, recuperating the losses incurred across ten rounds in no more than 4 wins.
At the same time, you may find the system frustrating as it requires a lot of self-discipline and restraint.
Risk Rate: Low
What Are Negative Progressive Betting Systems?
As opposed to the progressive betting methods, the negative strategies demand that the bets are increased during the losing streaks; the idea is to recover all that you have previously lost and to gain a profit. By default, negative progressions are more aggressive than their counterparts and they carry a somewhat higher risk rate. The representatives of this methodology are Martingale, D’Alembert, and Laboucher systems.
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Play NowMartingale Betting System
When you first come across to Martingale, it may seem like a heaven-sent system that simply cannot fail. You will soon discover that not all share your initial enthusiasm; there will be those who might urge you to avoid this strategy, especially if your gambling budget is limited.
As a negative progression system, Martingale mandates that you double the stake after every losing hand and go back to flat betting after a win. In the perfect world, this should generate a series of cumulative winnings and recuperate the losses in a course of a single losing streak.
But what happens if the streak prolongs and you budget dries out? Even if you start wagering with the betting minimum, you are running a risk of leaving the table empty-handed. To illustrate, let us assume that you begin the session with a $5 wager and start losing. To get back on the track, you will now need to double every next wager, which means that it will take no more than 8 consecutive losses to find yourself short of $1,275:
Bet | Outcome | Total in Losses |
---|---|---|
$5 | Loss | $5 |
$10 | Loss | $10 |
$20 | Loss | $35 |
$40 | Loss | $75 |
$80 | Loss | $155 |
$160 | Loss | $315 |
$320 | Loss | $635 |
$640 | Loss | $1,275 |
If the trend keeps up, you can soon end up with a considerable debt, which is probably not what you have signed up for when joining the blackjack table and introducing a betting structure to your game. High rollers will, of course, be able to disregard the elevated risk rate of the Martingale system, but average online or land-based casino visitors will probably need to adjust their strategy to the amount of money they can afford to lose. For most of them, this means that Martingale is off the limits.
The benefit of using Martingale is that it can produce excellent results in a relatively short time span.
Pros:
- Can be effective in short-term sessions
- Simple to use
Cons:
- Uncomfortably risky
- More suitable for high rollers
- Possibility of the stake amount exceeding the payout rate
- Table limits can easily stop the progression
As you can see, the cons, in this case, outweigh the pros, which means that you may want to leave the strategy to those with more money to waste.
Risk Rate: Extremely High
D’Alembert
D’Alembert is a great alternative to Martingale, since it offers a reduced risk rate but has the same complexity level, which makes it suitable for beginners. The system has an alternating pattern, urging the players to increase the stakes by a single unit after a loss or deduct one unit from the follow-up wager after a win. So, if you should happen to lose $5 bet, the next amount that you need to wager is $10 and the one after that $15 (as $5 is considered a single unit). Should the $15 result in a win, the subsequent bet should be re-set to $10. Example:
Bet | Outcome | The follow-up bet | Total Balance |
---|---|---|---|
$1 | Loss | $2 | $99 |
$2 | Loss | $3 | $97 |
$3 | Win | $2 | $100 |
$2 | Loss | $3 | $98 |
$3 | Loss | $4 | $95 |
$4 | Win | $3 | $99 |
$3 | Win | $2 | $102 |
Pros of D’Alembert Betting System
The entire scheme is very easy to follow through – all you need to do is remember your previous bet and act accordingly. Also, since the increase is moderate, you will not risk losing a large portion of your budget. Last but not least, thanks to the controlled variations in bet size, you are less likely to hit the table limits.
Cons of D’Alembert
The main defect of this system is that it’ll take forever to recover the lost bets, not to mention the perils of the long losing streaks that are likely to severely affect your balance.
Risk Rate: Medium High
Labouchere Betting System
In Laboucher, the players start with any sequence of numbers, where the first and the last number in the chain determine the bet total. Let’s say that you select the following string:
2 – 3 – 4 – 6 – 9
When you add up the first and the last number, you will get a total of 11, which should be the initial bet. If you happen to win, the relevant numbers should be eliminated from the sequence, leaving you with 3 – 4 – 6.
Assuming that you win again, the remaining number (4) should be doubled.
If, on the other hand, you lose the initial bet, the total must be added to the chain:
2 – 3 – 4 – 6 – 9 – 11
The bet will now amount to $13 (2 + 11), adding the number $13 to the string if the player loses again, or removing both 2 and 11 if the outcome is favorable.
The sequence total will depend on the target amount, which means that the players whose objective is to make a profit of $20 will create any sequence that can add up to that sum.
Pros of Laboucher
The increased control of both the budget and the progression of your bets is the main perk of Laboucher, but the players should make sure to use it at high limit tables.
Cons of Laboucher
Just like Martingale, this system threatens to hit the table limits, although, not as fast.
Risk Rate: Medium
The “In-Between” Split System: 1-3-2-6 Blackjack Betting System
Seemingly complicated, the 1-3-2-6 blackjack betting strategy is actually much simpler than it looks at first glance. After deciding on the betting unit, the players will just need to make sure that the system is executed correctly, in accordance with the 1-3-2-6 sequence. On a $5 unit bet, the process would look like this:
- Step 1: bet the single $5 unit. If you lose, repeat. If you win, proceed to Step 2.
- Step 2: bet 3 units ($15). If you lose, start over. If you win, proceed to Step 3
- Step 3: bet 2 units ($10). If you lose, start over. If you win, proceed to Step 4
- Step 4: bet 6 units ($30)
Pros of 1-3-2-6 System
The upside of this betting pattern is that you will have no difficulties mastering it – the formula is in the name itself, so it does not get any easier than that. The losses will not be severe, and you will be quite happy with the results this system provides in the short-run.
Cons of 1-3-2-6 System
You might not need a huge bankroll to execute the 1-3-2-6 betting scheme but bear in mind that the system’s “expiration date” is just around the corner. While the maneuver is efficient enough to be included in the list of the best blackjack betting strategies, it will not eliminate the house edge and provide lasting results.
Risk Rate: Low to Medium
Conclusion on the most successful Blackjack betting strategies
Adding some structure and limitation to your gambling routine might be just what you need to handle your money more efficiently. Still, you will need to remember that these systems are flawed, especially in the long run. As they have zero effect on the house edge, the end results they produce will be modest, but some of the low-risk systems mentioned above will prove quite handy in cutting down the unwanted losses.
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