When it comes to blackjack, skill is often a bigger factor in winning than luck. Using a basic strategy can improve your chances of beating the dealer, and can help you recover from losing streaks. It can also make the game more fun. However, even with the best strategies, there are still times when you’ll hit a bad streak and lose money. This article will look at a few tips that will improve your odds of winning.
There are many different blackjack strategies that can be used to maximize your chances of winning. Some of these techniques involve counting cards, while others require memorizing betting patterns. Regardless of the method you choose, it’s important to understand how the game works so you can make accurate decisions.
A good way to increase your chances of winning is to avoid playing side bets. These bets generally have a high house edge, and should be avoided at all costs. Many blackjack games feature side bets, such as Perfect Pairs and 21+3, but they should be avoided if possible. In addition, it is advisable to only play for real money. This will protect your bankroll and keep you from gambling beyond your means.
Another important tip is to follow a consistent betting strategy. While it is tempting to chase your losses after a loss, this can be very expensive and is not recommended. It is also a good idea to avoid progressive betting increases, as these can quickly get out of hand and lead to large losses.
Using a card-counting system can also increase your chances of winning. This involves keeping track of two numbers – the running count and the true count. The running count is the number of high cards dealt, whereas the true count takes into account the number of decks remaining. The higher the true count, the lower the house edge, and the more likely you are to win.
When you’re dealt a hand, you can choose to hit or stand. A hit is when you ask for more cards, while a stand is when you keep the cards you’ve already been given. You can also split pairs of cards in blackjack, but this is only a good idea when the cards are of equal value.
If you have a soft hand and the dealer shows a 2, 3, or 4, hitting is usually the right move. There is a 5% chance of a push, so you’ll lose less money than if you had stood. However, if the dealer shows an ace, it’s better to surrender.
Hitting on a soft 18 against a dealer’s 2 or 3 is also generally a good move, but you should never take insurance. This is because it’s a sucker bet, and the house edge is very high.