Tips for Playing Blackjack

The following list is a guide to some of the tips and advice given by some experienced blackjack players to supplement the basic blackjack strategy.

1. Always keep your emotions under control.
2. Set loss limits and win goals.
3. Look for the following combination of rules, these will all act in your favour:
• single deck game
• surrender, both early and late
• multiple pair splitting allowed
• resplitting aces allowed
• double down allowed after splitting pairs
• double down allowed on any two cards
• deep deck penetration
• dealer stands on a soft 17
4. It is always to your advantage to play on a game that offers the fewest decks. The house edge goes up substantially when you go from one deck to two, but the change is less dramatic as you add more decks.
5. If the dealer has a 10, hit until you have 17 or higher.
6. Always split 2's or 3's against a 4, 5, or 6.
7. Always stand on hard 17 or higher.
8. Always split 7's against a dealer's card of equal or lower value.
9. Hit a soft 17 against a dealer's 10.
10. Never take insurance unless you are counting cards.
11. Study the last person at your blackjack table; if they seem inexperienced or desperate, move on to another table.
12. If other players at the table are upsetting you with their playing strategies, move on.