What Are Blackjack Strategy Charts and Can They Help You Win?

Unlike the majority of other casino games, blackjack comes with a strategy that can boost the player’s chances of winning. The best part about it is that casinos will let you use strategies and even provide charts with a detailed explanation of how and when to use them.

In this article, we’ll talk about blackjack strategy charts. After covering their basics, you can learn how to use them to your advantage. Additionally, we’ll see whether they can actually help you win a game of blackjack. So get ready for an exciting journey.

What Are Blackjack Strategy Charts?

Before we can dive deep into blackjack strategy charts, it’s essential to know what they are. As their name suggests, they are charts laying out the basic blackjack strategy. Apart from being a great tool for players, they’re perfectly legit, and you can use them to help you make your decisions during a game.

If played right, this can help you lower the house edge to less than 0.5%. Nevertheless, a casino will still win in the long run. That’s why blackjack strategy charts are allowed in the first place.

Blackjack games aren’t all the same. They can use different numbers of decks, the sizes of their payouts also vary, and some even have rules that require the dealer to make a certain move. This means that each blackjack game needs a different strategy chart. As we said, when used right, strategy charts can help your money last longer.

Using the Blackjack Basic Strategy Chart

A blackjack chart is essentially a guide, telling you exactly what to do when you have specific cards. Sticking to it will definitely help you make a decision during your game. However, if you want to rely on a blackjack strategy chart, you must know how to read it.

When looking at a blackjack strategy chart, you’ll notice symbols like H, S, D, and SP. Here’s what they mean:

• H stands for “Hit”. Finding this symbol in a chart means you’ll need an additional card from the dealer.
• S means “Stand”. This symbol indicates you should keep your current cards.
• D is for “Double” or “Double Down”. This move is available only after the first two cards. Choosing it will double your bet, and you’ll have to take another card. In case you Hit, the Double option won’t be available later. On the other hand, Hit won’t be among your moves if you choose to double down.
• SP is short for “Split” or “Split Pair”. As you may have guessed, it means you should split your pair.

In land-based casinos, players can combine blackjack strategy cards with card counting. Of course, this option is unavailable online.

Tips for Using Blackjack Strategy Charts

As we already pointed out, using blackjack strategy chars has plenty of advantages. That’s why we wholeheartedly recommend them. Your strategy will definitely vary from one game to another, although there are some tips that can be applied in most cases.

Always Split a Pair of Aces

Splitting pairs is a move suggested by many blackjack strategy charts. However, the exact pair may change depending on the type of game you’re playing. Splitting Aces is always a smart move, as you get an excellent starting point, and it offers plenty of manoeuvring space later.

Doubling Down with an Ace

Make sure to have a strong hand if you wish to double down. Otherwise, you’ll be in no position to Hit. According to blackjack experts, you should double if your hand’s total is 11 and the dealer doesn’t have an Ace. The same move is recommended even if your total is 10 and the dealer doesn’t display a 10 or an Ace.

Knowing When to Surrender

If your blackjack strategy chart suggests surrendering, you should do it, provided the move is allowed. However, keep in mind that surrender may not be among the allowed options. If that’s the case, your next move should be to Hit. Keep in mind that surrendering can be a smart move, and although you’ll lose half of your initial bet, it may help you save money in the long run.

Avoid Taking Insurance

Taking insurance is not a good option. According to blackjack strategies, it’s better to risk losing your wager than to defend it against the dealer.

Choose the Right Strategy and Chart

No tip can help you if you don’t pick the right strategy and a suitable chart for your game. Remember that you’re not guaranteed a win even if you do so. There are other factors to consider, like other players’ cards and their strategies. Luck is an equally vital part of the equation. No matter how good a strategy and the chart are, you may need to adjust them as you play.