Blackjack is a game where your choices matter. Having certain skills can greatly help your chances to come out ahead. While luck plays a role, being prepared in these areas gives you more control.
Currently, there is no official data on what percentage of online casino players worldwide choose to play blackjack. But we are interested in the statistics specifically for India. The platform that has been popular in the market for 4 years, RajBet casino, kindly provided us with their data. As it turns out, 12% of all players on their site prefer Blackjack. This is a significant number.
Let’s start with the most important rules, and then we’ll delve deeper into this topic.
Choose the right table rules:
- Find tables that use fewer decks – single deck is best
- Make sure blackjack pays 3:2 not 6:5
- Accept only late surrender, not early surrender
- Stand on soft 17 is better than hit on soft 17
- Double down allowed on any cards, not just 9-11
Having favorable blackjack table rules boosts your potential win rates when applying other skills. Every little bit matters, so try finding the best ruleset tables.
Be aware of your table image:
- Don’t celebrate in online chat of Blackjack Live
- Don’t sulk or curse when you lose
- Avoid drinking alcohol while playing
- Don’t chat about card counting with others
You want to blend in with the crowd as just another recreational gambler, not stand out as potentially skilled advantage player. Don’t attract unwanted heat that could get you shut down early.
Know the Basic Strategy
This is a set way to play each hand that is based on math of the game. It tells you when to hit, stand, split, double down for each card combo. Follow the basic strategy chart and that alone takes the house edge down from 5% to just 0.5% or less against you. This should be your foundation before using any other skills.
Card Counting
This keeps track of the cards played to figure out when the deck favors you instead of the dealer. You assign values to card ranges as the cards come out. More low cards left mean you should bet more. More high cards mean you bet less. This can tip overall odds in your favor if done right.
Bet Correctly
You want to play low stakes while cards don’t favor you. When they shift in your advantage, that’s when you increase bets to take advantage. Betting properly aligned with true count is key to maximizing this. You don’t need to win every hand. You just have to win bigger bets when the odds align in your favor.
Take What the Game Gives You
Don’t get greedy chasing what you “deserve”. If the dealer shows a 5 and you have 16, stand instead of hitting. That discipline is better long run than trying to hit 21 every time. Avoid insurance side bets. Decline even money payouts on blackjack when you can. Take doubles and splits when offered. Let the math work itself out.
Use Proper Bankroll Management
Don’t bring what you can’t afford to possibly lose. Ensure you have 50-100 times your average bet to handle normal swings. Have strict rules on when to rebuy and when to leave. This prevents going broke before odds can play out. It also means you stay in during favorable counts. Bankroll discipline is key.
Stay Calm Under Pressure
Don’t get emotional during downswings or upswings. Play each hand in isolation using the skills and math. Emotions cause betting errors and payoff chasing. Save the excitement for after once you booked the win. During play, just apply your process.
Practice Using Strategy Games
Whether card counting apps or basic strategy trainers, practice builds card sense and repetition. Playing live has lower limits and slower rounds. Getting in volume prepares you to apply skills easier in live play.
Stay Patient With the Game
Your edge may be tiny – just 0.5% or 1% using card counting. But practiced correctly over thousands of hands, the math takes over. You may lose more hands than you win. But applying skills properly means over time, amounts won will exceed amounts lost. Stay patient for results.
Take Breaks to Stay Sharp
Maintain focus by walking away during bad shoe counts or when feeling tired/distracted. A 5-minute break refreshes your mind so you can go back and apply your top skills. Jumping back in mentally refreshed is better than stubbornly playing while on mental tilt.
Review Where You Can Improve
Analyze any errors you made – not following basic strategy, improper bet spreads, wrong plays with side bets, bankroll mistakes, getting emotional etc. Identify weak points and drill to become consistent everywhere. Review stops errors compounding.
So in summary – learn basic strategy first, blend in card counting, control emotions, practice repeatedly, stay patient allowing math to work, take tactical breaks when needed, review your progress. Mastering a combo of technical and mental blackjack skills stacks odds in your favor.