Blackjack Strategies

Looking to beat the dealer or just want to master your Blackjack play? We’ve got all of the top 20 strategies that you can use today to maximise your chances of beating the dealer. Find out all of the best strategies and how you can flex your stuff with some of the best online Blackjack games on MrQ.

Want to learn how to play and put those strategies into action? Check out our How to Play guide and learn all of the top Blackjack lingo including card combinations and the different available moves.

Why use Blackjack Strategies?

In any given game of Blackjack, the house has an advantage known as House Edge which dictates the overall percentage won by the venue over a long period of time. For Blackjack, the standard house edge is 2% meaning that for every £10 bet, the average return is £9.80 based on long periods of play. Utilising a sound Blackjack strategy helps lower this House Edge and increase your overall player return over a long period of time. Utilising even a basic Blackjack strategy drops that 2% down to as little as 0.5% meaning you can maximise your winnings when you hit the table or play online.

Blackjack strategies are also important for when you just want to have fun playing Blackjack as it gives you an understanding of how to strategise your moves and play the most effective hand. By having an understanding of both your hand and the dealer’s, you can get the edge over the dealer and have a better chance of securing a win.

Top 20 Blackjack Strategies

Ready to get stuck in? Here are the top 20 Blackjack strategies that you can take to impress in your next game. If you want more info on any strategy, simply click to discover everything you need to know.

• #1 Double down on a hard 11
• #2 Hit a hard 12 if the dealer’s upcard is 2 or 3
• #3 Double down on a hand value of 10 if dealer’s upcard is 9 or less
• #4 Never split a pair of 10s (hand value 20)
• #5 Never split a pair of 5s (hand value 10)
• #6 Always split a pair of 8s
• #7 Always split a pair of Aces
• #8 Hit on a hard 12 if dealer upcard is 2 or 3
• #9 Always hit on an Ace-7 (soft 18) if the dealers upcard is higher than 9
• #10 Stand on hard 16 against a dealers 10 upcard if it is a multi-card hand
• #11 Split if you draw a pair of 2s or 3s against a dealers 2 or 3 upcard
• #12 Stand with a pair of 9s if the dealers upcard is 7
• #13 Never hit on a hand value of 18 or higher
• #14 Always Surrender on a Hard 15 or 16 Hand value if the dealer's upcard is 9 or higher
• #15 Follow a Blackjack Chart for both dealer and player
• #16 Make Insurance side bets if you aren’t feeling confident
• #17 Try out a few side bets
• #18 Manage your spends
• #19 Practice makes perfect
• #20 Take breaks when necessary and keep it fun

Please keep in mind that, while these strategies are optimal for a game of Blackjack, they are not 100% guaranteed to win every game. Luck is still a factor and, with any casino game, sometimes it comes down to the luck of the draw.

#1 Double down on a hard 11

Double down adds an additional 100% bet to your current stake and adds a final card before calculating the results. This strategy has the potential to double your winnings and puts you in good stead against the dealer's hand as it is impossible to bust on a hard 11 and can increase your hand up to 21 for an instant win.

#2 Hit a hard 12 if the dealer’s upcard is 2 or 3

Any number advantage over the dealer is vital and a pair value of 12 has a low chance of busting meaning adding an additional card can seal the win over the dealer. They already have a steep hill to climb from a low upcard so maximise your advantage and increase the chances of busting the dealer or having a higher hand value at the end of the round.

#3 Double down on a hand value of 10 if dealer’s upcard is 9 or less

Having this card advantage over the dealer puts you in good stead to win the hand as it is much easier for you to achieve a strong final hand value than the dealer. Double down your bet as this hand has a very good chance of winning.

#4 Never split a pair of 10s (hand value 20)

Having 2 10s in your hand is a strong pair and has a high potential of winning the game. Splitting them into 2 separate hands with 10 isn’t the riskiest move in the world but increases the chances of having a lower value that can be beaten by the dealer. Stick with your strong hand to have the highest chance of winning.

#5 Never split a pair of 5s (hand value 10)

Similar to splitting a pair of 10s, splitting a pair of 5s weakens the chances of winning. On a split pair, the maximum potential hand value for either 5 is 16 if an A is drawn. Keep these cards together for a stronger chance of winning.

#6 Always split a pair of 8s

Having a pair of 8s puts you in good stead with a solid 16 hand value so why split? The big issue is that hitting on a natural 16 has a decent chance of resulting in a bust as anything above 5 will bust the hand. Sticking with a 16 is also risky as, depending on the dealer’s upcard, any value over that 16 will beat it. By splitting the two 8s, you have a much higher chance of achieving a hand with a value closer to 21 than keeping them together.

#7 Always split a pair of Aces

Ace is the strongest card in Blackjack with a value of 11. By splitting this card, you already have 2 strong hands against the dealer and can have a much better chance of doubling your winnings. This strategy is divide and conquer with some very strong cards.

#8 Hit on a hard 12 if dealer upcard is 2 or 3

A hard 12 has a low chance of busting as any card below 10 will keep it in the running. Maximise your hand value advantage and get as close to that 21 hand value as possible for the best chance to beat the dealer.

#9 Always hit on an Ace-7 (soft 18) if the dealers upcard is higher than 9

This is a risky strategy as the chances of busting are high with a soft 18. However, an 18 is not an automatic win when the dealer has a high upcard as the chances of having a value closer to 21 are higher with a strong upcard. Take the chance and hit or you might be overtaken by the dealer’s strong hand value.

#10 Stand on hard 16 against a dealers 10 upcard if it is a multi-card hand

This is a safe strategy that could prove to be vital against a strong upcard. Standing on a hard 16, while not the strongest available hand against the dealer, relies on the dealer busting which is a strong likelihood if they hit with a 10 upcard.

#11 Split if you draw a pair of 2s or 3s against a dealers 2 or 3 upcard

Having a pair of 2s or 3s means that you have a fairly steep climb to getting up to that precious 21. Split the pair up to give you more chances against the dealer as multiple hits could have the chance of drawing an unexpected bust. By splitting, it gives you a better chance of having a strong pair out of the 2 against the dealer.

#12 Stand with a pair of 9s if the dealers upcard is 7

Standing on a pair of 9s gives you a strong 18 against the dealer who, even if their other card is a 10 or higher, has a maximum potential hand value of 17 meaning which is weaker than your 18. If they have to hit on a 17 to try and beat your hand value of 18, there is a strong likelihood that they will bust unless they draw less than 5.

#13 Never hit on a hand value of 18 or higher

This strategy has its downsides as if the dealer draws a hand value of 19 or higher than it will lose. However, 18 is a strong hand value and the dealer will have to have a lucky draw to beat it without going over 21. Do not hit on an 18 as anything above 3 will bust the hand and the dealer will win automatically.

#14 Always Surrender on a Hard 15 or 16 Hand value if the dealer's upcard is 9 or higher

Hard 15 and 16 are dangerous hands when faced against a dealer with a strong upcard. The chances of busting on a Hit or are high as anything above a 6 will bust both hands. Additionally, the dealer only needs a 6 or higher to win the round. Know when to back down and take the Surrender if the game allows it.

#15 Follow a Blackjack Chart for both dealer and player

Having a Blackjack chart can help with knowing how to strategise for each possible combination. You can either focus on your own hand, the hand of the dealer or try to manage both for optimal strategy. Need some help with understanding the charts? We got you covered with our Blackjack Charts guide

#16 Make Insurance side bets if you aren’t feeling confident

Insurance bets are great if you’re up against a strong upcard and pays 2:1 if the dealer gets an overall Blackjack (Ace and any 10 or face card). Insurance bets take half of your current stake meaning that, even if the dealer wins, you can go away from the round with something in the pocket.

#17 Try out a few side bets

You don’t need to put all of your eggs in one basket in Blackjack. There are ways in which the dealer’s hand and yours can lead to some winning bets. Perfect Pair gets pay 5:1 and just need a same suit, same card, or same value to pay up to 25:1 on your initial stake. The 21+3 bet is also a great one to try as it uses both of your cards and the upcard of the dealer to win up to 100:1 for a three of a kind. Diversify your bets and you’ll discover there are far more ways to win than just hitting 21.

#18 Manage your spends

As with anything, make sure you keep an eye on your budgets and only spend what you are comfortable with. If you are finding you are frequently spending more than you intended, check out some of our Safer Gambling tools that allow you to set daily, weekly, or monthly spending limits and is fully flexible to your limits.

#19 Practice makes perfect

Much like anything you might be learning, getting comfortable and confident takes time. You don’t become a master Blackjack player without trying out some different stuff. Experiment with different strategies and games to get a feel for what you are most comfortable with and go at your own pace.

#20 Take breaks when necessary and keep it fun

Finding yourself getting frustrated with an unlucky streak of games? Consider taking some time to refresh and come back at a later time. If you would like some help with monitoring your play sessions or taking a break from your account, check out our fully flexible selection of Safer  Gambling tools to help give you a breather.

Blackjack Chart

Now that you’re well equipped to impress at the Blackjack table, here are a couple of handy Blackjack Charts to maximise your strategy and know exactly when to hit or stay. We’ve even supplied charts for both dealer Hit and Stand moves so you can always stay one step ahead of the opposition.

Dealer Stand Chart

Dealer Hit Chart

Best Blackjack Games on MrQ

Looking to put your new skills to the test? Try out some of the awesome Blackjack games available now on MrQ and try your strategies against the dealer.

Multihand Vegas Strip Blackjack- If you’re a real Blackjack pro and a natural multi-tasker, then this is the game for you. Featuring up to 5 active hands all pitted against the dealer, this Blackjack game is sure to put your skills to the test. Each hand win is paid individually meaning multiple chances to be a lucky winner.

Live Blackjack- Authentic live Blackjack streamed right into your own home. Featuring all of the popular side bets and a real casino dealer, this is Blackjack at its finest. Test out your new strategies against the dealer and place your bets with confidence.

Infinite Blackjack- Looking to boost your Blackjack experience? Featuring all-new side bets, this Blackjack variant takes it to the next level featuring an original casino table and a live dealer. Once you are comfortable with Blackjack, this exciting version is certainly one to sink your teeth into.

Where to play Blackjack games online

You can play all of the best Blackjack games online today at MrQ. Sign up today for 20 free spins and play live casino games for real cash prizes including Poker, Baccarat, and Blackjack.