Blackjack is a timeless classic. Growing in popularity over the years, it is now among the most popular online casino games. The thrill of winning at blackjack surpasses almost any other casino win. It all comes down to the skill element of the game. It isn’t entirely up to chance. With the right strategy, you can improve your chances of winning.
If you’re new to blackjack, understanding the odds can be a good place to start. Knowing the odds of different hand values and how your decisions affect the outcome will significantly improve your chances. In this article, we look at factors affecting the odds and what you can do to boost your chances.
What are the blackjack Odds?
While odds and probability are used interchangeably, in betting, odds are used to calculate the amount of money a player stands to win. Odds simply represent the chance of a win.
The probability of winning may vary depending on the type of blackjack you’re playing. However, the average probability of winning at any variation of blackjack is 42.22%. The odds of winning are 3/2, meaning your bet will return 1.5 times the money you staked.
It is a good idea to learn the probabilities of various hand values. For example, the probability of being dealt a perfect blackjack is 4.80%. Knowing the likeliness of the most common hand values can help you in the long run. The top online blackjack sites offer resources like a list of hand values along with their probabilities.
Another important aspect to consider here is the house edge. A house edge is how casinos make money. It is the percentage of stake that the casino wins over time. This edge varies depending on the type of blackjack.
European blackjack has a house edge of 0.39% while the Face Up 21 variant has a 0.85% house edge. A lower house edge makes the game more profitable for the players.
What are the factors that impact blackjack odds?
Let’s dive into the key factors that impact your chances of winning at blackjack.
Deck Size
Blackjack variations that use a single deck have a very low house edge. It is significantly lower than that of a double or multi-deck game. A single-deck blackjack is also more favourable for strategies like card counting.
Dealer Rules
The payout varies depending on the type of blackjack. While the impact of this rule is clear, you need to understand the different implications of hitting or standing on Soft 17. You have a slightly better chance of beating the dealer who stands on soft 17. Since the dealer cannot improve their hand to further legal hand values, you can beat the dealer even with 18.
Player Choices
Every choice you make to stand or hit has a direct impact on the winning probability. Before you decide to split or double down, remember this can affect the outcome.
Tips to boost your chances
Here are the best tips to improve your odds of winning at blackjack.
Basic strategy
Begin by learning the basic blackjack strategy. In the book titled Beat the Dealer, Edward Thorp developed the ‘basic blackjack strategy chart’ which presents a detailed guide to playing blackjack based on the hand you are dealt with.
This strategy chart is great for beginners who are just starting with online blackjack.
Choosing the right blackjack variation
The payout rules and the number of decks vary depending on the type of blackjack you choose. Hence, make sure you choose the favourable variation of the game that has the rules in your favour such as the number of decks, house edge, and the payout.
Bankroll Management
The importance of managing your bankroll properly cannot be stressed enough. The practice of setting limits on the number of bets and your stake can improve your profitability in the long run.
Conclusion
Blackjack is a great option for someone looking for a strategy-based casino game. While no strategy guarantees a 100% winning outcome, understanding the odds can help you devise the best strategy that will maximize your chances. Go through the probabilities of all the hand values and commit them to memory. In this game, knowledge is power. The more you remember things, the better your decisions, and ultimately a much-improved chance of winning.