Blackjack is a game of skill as much as luck, that is why there are as many strategies for playing the game as there are players; here you will find the top five blackjack strategies which net results on a frequent enough basis to make the game a challenge and a reward.

1. Easy On The Wine and Spirits

Yes, Blackjack is a game of strategy where most of the work goes on inside the mind of the player and the dealer, you really can’t beat the dealer or the other players unless your thinking is sharp and you are feeling mentally prepared. Having a little too much alcohol can lead to sloppy mistakes, bad moves, and slow reactions at the table – this can be a real game spoiler!

2. Develop Your Own Basic Strategy

There are many books about developing strategy as well as apps and computer games which will help you to improve your ‘plan’ for each hand which you are dealt; each player will have their own strategy at the start so the more comfortable you are with your strategy the more likely your odds of winning become. One resource is Dr Edward O Thorp’s guide Beat the Dealer which offers you ways of having as little as a 0.5% disadvantage against the house.

3. Read The Limits

It is a common, albeit rookie mistake to sit down at a Blackjack table and not know the basics of how this particular game will run, make sure you understand all of your options – surrender early or late – minimum and maximum bets per hand, what are the first cards which you can double down and which two first cards can you split – in addition to how many times they can be split, and of course be sure that you are on a standard Blackjack game.

4. Pick a Friendly Dealer

It makes for a nice experience, though you are betting against the house your dealer is a representative of that house and as such having a friendly, outgoing dealer can really enhance or detract from the overall experience of the game. Find a dealer who matches your preferences – reserved or outgoing, gregarious or shy, and you will enjoy yourself more.

5. Know Your Limits

Decide ahead of time how much you are willing to wager, and don’t go beyond that. This will ensure you do not bet more than you wanted out of frustration. Some players prefer to only wager one quarter of what they want to bet at a time while others like to start with heavier bets.

Be comfortable with your own knowledge and style and the Blackjack table will always be a welcoming place for you at any casino.