The game of blackjack is one in which chance ultimately plays a role: if you score 21, you’re the winner. But there’s also a huge amount of skill and strategy involved in the game, especially when you factor in the decisions made by other players at the table. In this guide, we’ll discuss the fundamentals of blackjack strategy and introduce you to a simple, effective system you can apply when playing blackjack.
Basic Hit and Stand Approach
When playing blackjack at Captain Cooks Casino Canada, you’ll have to decide whether to hit or stand. When making these decisions, you must know the score and hand value of your cards – for example, a hard total of 17 is higher than one of 12.
You need to understand when you should be hitting and standing based on a range of factors, including the total score of your hand, what you’re currently showing, and the dealer’s displayed card. For example, if you have a hard 18 but are showing an ace and the dealer has shown a 7 or higher card, then it might be better for you to stand; but if you’re holding a soft 20 and the dealer has a six or lower showing, then you should hit.
Basic Pair Splitting Strategy
When you’re dealt a pair of cards, you have the option to split these into two separate hands. However, this is a double-edged sword – it can give you more chances to score higher and win more money, but it also means that your risk increases by doubling your bet.
How you play pairs depends on the specific rules of the table and your current hand. It’s generally a good idea to split pairs any time you have two cards with the same value unless you’re holding an ace. For example, if you have two 4s in your hand, it makes sense to place a second bet and split these into two hands.
However, if you have an ace and a king in your hand, then it’s generally best to keep this pair together. That said, make sure that the dealer doesn’t have a 7 or higher card showing before deciding not to split; otherwise, splitting can be advantageous even with an ace-king combination.
Understanding Blackjack Insurance
At certain tables, you may be offered insurance against the dealer having a blackjack. This is a tough decision to make because it’s always better for your hand value if the dealer doesn’t have a blackjack; however, if you can bet at relatively low odds and cover yourself against an unfavourable outcome, then it’s worth considering taking out insurance.
Hopefully, this guide has given you a good idea of some decisions involved in playing blackjack. There’s always more to learn about blackjack strategy, but if you keep these simple concepts in mind, you’ll find yourself making the right moves more often than not and increasing your chances of winning.
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