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Basic Tactics and Blackjack Strategies for Red Stag Rookies
ExpiredIf you are a Red Stag rookie you probably find terms like ‘blackjack strategies’ intimidating. It conjures up complex scenarios where you have to be a maths whizz to succeed. That is so not the case – and we will share a few tips and tactics to get you into winning ways!
The Table Game with the Top Payback Percentage
Before we discuss basic blackjack strategies, here is something to think about. Blackjack is one of the easiest table games to play online at Red Stag Casino. The average payback percentage hovers around 99% - and that is as good as you will get anywhere!
All you have to do is focus on a few core tactics and you too can be a winner. The type of online blackjack variant you choose to play is a major factor. So too are the rules and side bets.
Once you are more confident in your abilities, there is one more element that can up your game. You may want to consider one or two different blackjack strategies relating to the stakes. That way, you can mitigate the risk and maximize the gains!
Tips for Choosing the Best Online Blackjack Game
Your first step to winning more hands more often is to be considered about your game selection. At Red Stag Casino we feature Classic Blackjack, plus five other variations. They are:
- Atlantic City Blackjack
- Downtown Vegas Blackjack
- Perfect Pair Blackjack
- Vegas Single Deck Blackjack
- Vegas Strip Blackjack
All the games pay 3 to 2 odds for a natural blackjack. That of course is hitting 21 in the first two cards.
Similarly, all the games offer an insurance side bet that is only active when the dealer’s initial up card is an ace. This bet offers 2 to 1 odds across the board, with the exception of the Vegas Single Deck variant. The insurance bet pays 3 to 1 in Single Deck blackjack – and that is significant.
Check Out the Dealer Rules for 17
Apart from the blackjack and side bet odds, the third element to consider is the dealer rule for 17. According to basic blackjack strategies, the optimal play is to always stand on 17 and more. In most of the blackjack variants at Red Stag Casino the dealer also stands on all 17s.
The only exceptions to the rule are:
- Vegas Single Deck - where the dealer hits on soft 17.
- Atlantic City Blackjack - where the dealer stands on soft 17.
Based on this one rule, the game to play is Atlantic City Blackjack for the simple reason that dealer hitting on soft 17 increases the house edge. That is until you take the number of decks into consideration.
The Number of Decks is Key
In most blackjack variants there are four through to eight decks of cards in the shoe. Vegas Single Deck is an anomaly. As the name suggests, there is only ever one deck in play.
The advantage of a single deck to players is two-fold. The house edge is lower and the payback percentage is consequently better. Plus, you are more likely to get a positive outcome when you double down on 10 or 11. That is due to the fact there are fewer cards of the ‘wrong’ ranking in circulation.
Vegas Single Deck and the Insurance Bet
Let’s get back to a factor we mentioned previously – Vegas Single Deck’s 3 to 1 odds for the insurance bet. Most pundits will advise you to avoid the insurance bet altogether. The reason being the low probability of the dealer getting a natural blackjack.
As with most elements in gaming, it all boils down to the odds. According to the number crunchers there are 9 to 4 odds against a player winning an insurance bet. Extrapolate that further and if you wagered $1 on the insurance bet over 49 hands, you would win 16 times and lose 33 times.
As the insurance bet is typically half the value of the initial wager and pays out at 2 to 1 odds, you would end up winning $32 and losing $33. With the 3 to 1 payout in Vegas Single Deck, the win-to-loss ratio reverses to give you a $48 gain against a $33 loss!
When you take the positive outcome of the insurance bet into account, along with the advantage of having fewer cards in play, Vegas Single Deck Blackjack should be the number one choice. It does not require one or more complicated blackjack strategies to come to that conclusion!
Betting Blackjack Strategies
Depending on whether they are winning or losing, the best blackjack players nearly always make adjustments to the stake as they play. The most favored of the betting blackjack strategies is the Martingale system.
The Martingale is a simple system that involves doubling the stake after losing a hand. Once a hand wins again the bet is reset to the original starting stake.
That may sound counter-intuitive but just one winning bet can cover all the previous losses. It may even generate a profit. Play a high-stakes game and the gains can be quite significant!
What you must bear in mind is when you adopt the Martingale betting system you need plenty of funds at your disposal. Blackjack betting strategies only really prove their worth over tens or even hundreds of hands. That means your bankroll must be substantial enough to last over the long haul and withstand the inevitable hot and cold streaks.
A Quick Recap of Blackjack Strategies for Beginners
- Play Vegas Single Deck Blackjack for a better payback.
- Only consider taking the insurance bet when the odds are 3 to 1.
- Always double down on 10 and 11.
- Never split a pair of 10s – 20 is a winning hand more often than not.
- Always split eights and aces.
- Stand on 17 and up.
- Consider implementing the Martingale betting system but only at low stakes.
Follow our tips, tricks and tactics and learn to play optimally according to basic blackjack strategies and the odds are you will improve your win-to-loss ratio in leaps and bounds.
Why not sign up at Red Stag Online Casino? Besides blackjack, we offer American, European and D00uble Dragon Roulette, video poker, slots and instant win games! Register now!