Making “Basic Strategy” Work For You In Blackjack

One of the most effective techniques devised to win in blackjack is basic strategy. The method simply involves knowing both the player’s hand as well as the dealer’s up-card to maximize the expectation of the player. Basic strategy actually gives players a slight advantage over the house when used in single deck blackjack. Unfortunately, this technique is already well known among many casino operators, so blackjack games that can be beaten off the top of the deck are not as common as they used to be. That being said, it is still possible to run into promotional games that allow this type of game play occasionally.

Basic strategy is based simply on the blackjack’s mathematics. When done by an expert player, this technique effectively reduces the advantage of the house to as little as one-half percent. The technique is not that hard to learn either: even novice blackjack players can quickly get the hang of it after a few games.

The technique for basic strategy actually differs slightly for single and multiple deck games, and is also dependent on the playing rules of the casino that you will be playing in. Depending on the particular blackjack game, you may have to modify your technique slightly.