Dos and Don’ts When Playing Live Blackjack
Live dealer blackjack is a riveting choice for a casino card game. Your goal when you play the game is to get a hand that is better than that of the dealer. But to make the most of your gaming experience, you must play smart. Here are some live blackjack dos and don’ts that will help you increase your odds of winning when playing the game.
1| Do Pick a Blackjack Game Suitable for Your Bankroll
First off, managing your bankroll is essential to increase your longevity in a game. Blackjack games have bet limits that display the minimum and maximum stakes allowable. These details are typically found in a live casino’s pay table so make sure to check them before you play. Take note, though, that the wager limits may depend on the casino and the blackjack game that you are playing.
If you have a low or limited budget, you can opt for low-limit blackjack. This game offers blackjack tables that accept a minimum bet of US$5 or lower. High-limit blackjack, on the other hand, is a riveting choice if you are a high roller as bigger amounts are at stake. Simply put, make sure to play the game you can afford.
Meanwhile, you can opt for online casinos that allow you to play HappiStar games in Free Play mode. Doing this lets you be familiar with a certain game’s gameplay without risking your bankroll.
2| Do Know When to Hit, Stand, or Split
When playing blackjack, you have basic options to deal with your card – hit, stand, split, and double down. While choosing your next move can be fun, you should not hit, stand, split, or double down spontaneously or haphazardly. You must know the viable circumstances to opt for these moves.
Most bettors refer to a blackjack strategy chart that contains a list of exact plays to make based on the upcard of the dealer. Although some of the rules may have minor variations, depending on the player, the basic rules stand the same. Check out this Blackjack Strategy Chart to know more details on when to hit, stand, or split.
When to Hit
Hitting means drawing another card or as many cards as you please to create a hand with an exact value of or closer to 21. This action is typically done to improve a weak or a so-so hand. Blackjack strategy charts recommend hitting during the following scenarios:
- Have cards total to 8 or 12 to 16, and the dealer’s upcard is a 7, 8, 9, 10 or Ace
- The cards total to 11, and the dealer’s upcard is an Ace
- When your cards equals to 10, and the dealer’s upcard is 10
- When cards total to 9, and the dealer’s upcard is 7, 8, or 9
Apart from the aforementioned circumstances, there are other instances when hitting is the most viable move. For a complete list of these scenarios, you can check out the Blackjack Strategy Chart above.
When to Stand
Standing means proceeding with the game with your original cards. You usually stand when you have a strong hand or when you presume that the dealer’s hand holds a lower value or a bust. Choosing to stand is recommendable during the following scenarios:
- Your hand is 17 or above
- Got a pair of 10s or a pair of face cards
- When your hand is 13 or above, and the dealer’s upcard is 6 or below
Going for a Stand when you have a hand that contains 17 or above is recommended because the probability of drawing a card that will result in a bust is high. You can refer to the Blackjack Strategy Chart above to know more scenarios in which standing is applicable.
When to Split
To split means to separate your hole cards into two independent hands. You can opt for this option when your cards hold the same value. First off, you should always split Aces. Otherwise, you will have a soft 12 hand, which is a weak pair. The same approach applies to a pair of 8s. Splitting your 8s is stronger than standing the cards in one hand of 16. Following this tip gives you a fair chance to hit a blackjack or at least a hand close to it. The probability of drawing a 10-value card is fairly high because there are more face cards and 10s than lower-value cards in a deck.
In addition to splitting Aces and 8s, other standard splitting strategies are typically used when playing blackjack. These strategies indicate certain hand values in which opting for a split is viable, such as:
- When you get a pair of 2s or 3s and the dealer’s upcard ranges from 4 to 7
- When you get a pair of 6s or 7s and the dealer’s upcard is 6 or below
Do not split when you get a pair of 5s; you can opt for either a double down or a hit if the dealer’s upcard is a 10 or an Ace. Just take note that opting to split requires you to place another wager, which will either double your win or loss. But under the right circumstances, splitting your pair gives you the best odds.
3| Do not Double Down if Your Hand is 12 or Above
You can opt for a double down after your first two cards are dealt. This move lets you wager twice the amount of your original bet. Unlike hitting, doubling down allows you to draw only one additional card to improve your hand.
Doubling down when you get 9, 10, or 11 is viable because you will not get a bust even if you draw the highest card. In fact, there is a good chance to hit a 19 or 20 when you draw a 10 or a Face card. On the other hand, you must avoid doubling down when your cards total to 12 as there is a big possibility for you to draw a 10 and get a bust hand.
4| Do not Place Insurance Bet Too Often
Insurance bet allows you to place an additional bet, amounting to your original wager or half of which, when the dealer has an upcard of Ace. Making this bet means you presume that the dealer has a blackjack. If you win, you get twice the amount of your insurance bet. But if the dealer does not have a blackjack, you lose both of your bets. Many perceived this bet as a bad bet because the odds of the dealer getting a natural blackjack are fairly low.
Playing live blackjack holds a risk of winning and losing. But with the right strategies and tips, you can make the most out of your betting experience. After all, playing smart is more strategic than just relying on mere luck or gut feeling. Be informed of more gaming tips, guides, and strategies. Simply visit HappiStar Tips – the go-to learning hub for online gambling.
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