Blackjack has long been regarded as a game of chance, but it is also widely known that skill and strategy can greatly increase your chances of winning. There are many different ways to play the game, and while some methods may be more complicated than others, all of them can help you improve your odds of beating the dealer and walking away with a big win.

Aside from learning the basic rules of blackjack and perfecting your playing strategy, a good way to boost your odds is by using card counting. This involves keeping track of the values of the cards as they are dealt and adding them up to create a running total. You can use a simple system such as Hi-Lo, or try more complex methods that assign different point values to various types of cards. A high true count indicates more favorable conditions for the player, while a low one means the house has an edge.

Another key aspect of winning blackjack is to avoid impulsive decisions. It’s important to maintain a clear mind, even during losing streaks, and not let your emotions get the best of you. This will allow you to make rational choices and minimize your losses.

In addition to learning and practicing perfect basic strategy, you can also increase your odds of winning by using other AP angles such as hole-carding, betting spreads, and doubling down strategically (i.e. splitting aces and eights but not tens). Some casinos also offer side bets such as insurance, which can significantly lower the house edge and is especially beneficial for players who use card-counting strategies.

When to hit in blackjack

There are a few hard and fast rules when it comes to hitting or standing in blackjack. First, you should always stand on a hand of 17 or higher no matter what the dealer is showing. However, you should also hit when the dealer has a weak showing such as a six or lower.

When to double down

Generally, you should double down when your first two cards have a value of 10 or 11 and the dealer’s up card is 2 through 6. This allows you to add more cards to your hand and potentially reach a strong hand with a king, queen, or jack.

The only exception to this rule is when you have a weak hand such as a pair of 3s or 4s. In this case, you should split them instead of doubling down.

Another way to improve your odds of winning in blackjack is to practice effective bankroll management. Managing your bankroll is vital to success at blackjack, as it will prevent you from making emotional decisions after a loss and going broke before the next winning session. You can do this by setting a budget for each blackjack session and only risking about one to two percent of your overall bankroll per hand. By following these simple rules, you’ll be able to play blackjack for years to come without worrying about money.