Strategies for playing blackjack

Many at the casino prefer blackjack, realising that there are some winning strategies. But you need to get to grips with them and learn them in order to put them into practice.

Counting cards

This is one of the main strategies that is mostly used by advanced players. These are people who have a deep basic knowledge. What makes this method special is that important information and benefits can be extracted. After all, the player understands which card should go next. This method of counting allows one to make more informed decisions regarding bets and moves, so that there is a greater chance of winning.

But a strategy works best with a base, because without the necessary knowledge, you won’t be able to make the best possible decisions. That said, the number of decks plays a big part for people who count cards.

The counting system. What to consider?

For a long time now, professional players have been creating all sorts of card-counting systems in an attempt to increase their chances of winning. But more often than not, it is based on the fundamental principle of assigning a certain number of points. It’s also important to keep in mind that each variety of blackjack has a different house advantage, so the system may yield different results.

At the moment, there is a wide variety of systems to choose from. They all differ in their sophistication and effectiveness. And among the best today stand out:

1. Red Seven.
2. Hi-Lo.
3. Halfs.
4. Omega Two.
5. KO.

Illustrious 18

The Illustrious 18 is the most effective adjustment to the basic strategy currently available. Mathematician and writer Don Schlesinger has helped many card counters make competent choices and make the most of the information through his writings.  Chart 18 includes ordinal numbers and suggests the best moves in a particular case. And if you get the gist of it, you can gain an advantage over the casino.   

All of the suggested moves are based on the dealer’s open card and the total of the players at the table, assuming the ratio of high to low cards is known. But the counter has the ability, based on the data, to change the strategy. And this always increases the chances of success.

Current and true counting

At the moment the following counting systems are distinguished:

1. Balanced.
2. Unbalanced.

And in order to get the most accurate card data possible, you need to calculate the current count and convert it to true count. In the case of a balanced system, there is no need to convert. But it is a more complicated strategy.