Some Ace Blackjack Tips

Don’t play 6-5 Blackjack

Traditionally Las Vegas Blackjack games always offered 3-2 payouts on a winning Blackjack, when a winning bet of $10 pays $15. However, in recent years, Las Vegas casinos started offering 6-5 payouts, when a winning $10 returns $12. The cost of playing 6-5 Blackjack is an increase in the house edge of 1.4%, all other variables being the same. It should usually say on the felt of the Blackjack table if it’s a 6-5 Blackjack or a 3-2 Blackjack game. If not, you should ask the dealer which type of Blackjack pay out the table is offering.

The Surrender Rule

There are two different types of Blackjack surrender rules – early surrender and late surrender. Lots of Blackjack players don’t even know about the surrender rules let alone when you should actually use them. If the Blackjack player chooses to surrender early, the player can forfeit their hand and cut their bet in half before the dealer checks for blackjack. If the Blackjack player chooses to late surrender, the Blackjack player can surrender their hand and have a bet after the dealer checks for Blackjack. You should always surrender 16 against a 10 if the Blackjack dealer permits it. The best time to use the surrender rule is with a total of 16 against a dealer’s 10.

Why You Shouldn’t Make Side Bets in Blackjack

Side bets are quite popular in Blackjack and indeed in many other casino table games. Blackjack experts who analyse the stats state that side bets in Blackjack are rarely good bets. When you make a side bet you are giving a house edge up to 20%.

Don’t take insurance in Blackjack

In Blackjack, insurance and even money bets are side bets which are viewed as being able to help the Blackjack player reduce any possible losses. Most Blackjack tables offer the insurance bet option but Blackjack games that pay 6-5 don’t offer the even money bet. The insurance option rarely works out for the Blackjack player, which is why you shouldn’t use it in Blackjack, including taking even money with a Blackjack against a dealer ace. The house edge of insurance is 7.4%.

When Should You Double Soft in Blackjack?

Blackjack players often forget about the soft doubles. The Blackjack term “doubling down” means doubling your initial bet after you’ve received your two cards. A good Blackjack strategy is to double soft 13 to 18 against a medium dealer card of 4 to 6. A soft 13-18 means your two cards add up to somewhere between 13 and 18 and one of the cards is an ace. If that’s your Blackjack hand, and the Blackjack dealer has one card from 4 to 6, you should double your bet as your odds are good in this situation.

Most Blackjack players blame the Blackjack player on third base when every player at the table loses. This is a Blackjack misconception, you shouldn’t make the last player the excuse for your loss. No matter how the last Blackjack player plays their hand, it’s just as likely to help the table as hurt the table.

With these Blackjack tips you are now ready to try and beat the Blackjack dealer!

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