Black Jack Strategy

 The first thing to evaluate when playing online blackjack is: "How many decks of cards are being used?" This number can range from 1 deck to as many as 15 decks, depending on the casino you are looking at. The fewer decks in play, the easier it is keep track of the cards already played and it requires a smaller bankroll because you don’t need the staying power that multiple decks require.  

The advantage of online blackjack is that there is no dealer to watch you taking notes. With a visible chart of the cards played, blackjack strategies can easily be put into place.   

Bet conservatively at the beginning and take inventory of the cards that have been dealt. By the end of the deck you should have a better idea of how many face cards are left and how many of the smaller value cards are left, based on what is left unchecked on your chart. Bet large when you believe you have the odds in your favor and bet small if the house has the edge.

If you are playing blackjack with several decks, utilize the same blackjack strategies as for single-deck, just modify your chart to accommodate the additional decks. Many people play online blackjack in the same manner as if they were in a bricks and mortar casino. Remember to take your time and chart the cards. In a multiple deck game, the rewards can be huge, but you will need a large bankroll to stay in the game until a multi-deck chart starts to show any useful trends.

Advanced BlackJack Strategies

There is one hard and fast rule in this article: don't split 5s, and don't split 10s.

You want to take advantage when you have an edge. You should split the aces as this is a special situation. Most of the time, you are allowed only one card after you split aces. Of course, you want to get a 10 on each.

The strategy at work is that if you don't split your Aces, you have an aggregate value of 2. The peril with this is that if you draw 2 10-value cards in a row you will bust out. You are also trying to maximize your advantage by turning a single wager into twice that amount.

Lucky or Good?

The is an old adage that goes: "I'd rather be lucky than good." I can tell you one story after another of players who made ill-advised decisions winning successive hands, while sitting at the same table with an experienced player, but lose with 20.

This scenario is not uncommon. Anyone can get lucky, but it takes some skill and knowledge to be able to play and win on a consistent basis.

If you are experiencing a losing streak at a table, take a break. Clear your head, go for a walk, change tables, alter the situation. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you “are due.”  If you are getting the worst of it, don't try to force it. Survive to play another day.

Managing your Bankroll

Volumes have been taught concerning this topic but most people don’t understand these principles, and even fewer practice them diligently. There are many betting systems out there that promote the concept of doubling your bet until you recover your losses.

The best money management system has been proven and it is very straight-forward: Bet less when you are losing and more when you are winning.  The casinos know that the typical mindset is to press if you are losing. Advice: go slowly and don't try to hit home runs.

If you find that you are winning on a steady basis, whatever the reason, try betting a little bit more.  

Get up a nice amount and run! If you bought in for $100 and you have doubled your money, take it and run! Remember the odds are with the casino so the longer you play, the better the chance you have of losing it.