After examining the main aspects of the game of blackjack (from objectives to individual card values), let’s now go to a higher level. As we have understood, even blackjack, as well as the main table games, presupposes a strategy oriented towards the player’s victory.
To get to the fateful 21 there are many different methodologies that also depend on the blackjack variant you are playing. There are clearly more basic strategies and others more sophisticated. In this article we will cover the latter, delving deeper into the meanders of wit and sagacity of the most experienced players.
Types Of Advanced Blackjack Strategy
When we talk about “advanced strategy” we refer to both online blackjack and that practiced live in a gaming room. That said, the following analysis will focus on two aspects to consider during a hand: card strategy and betting strategy.
The first in particular brings into play both visual memory but also a dose of luck, thus not providing ad hoc schemes. On the bet, on the other hand, there are several elements (and consequently certain techniques) to be adopted “on the spot”.
Insurance Bet Vs Side Bet
Both represent typical choices of players at an advanced stage of preparation since they require a maniacal attention to the dynamics of the game. Therefore, no move and no detail should be missed.
The insurance bet, more simply known as “insurance”, is made against the dealer. Its purpose is to ensure a return to the player even in a defeat scenario. In short, the player bets on the winning hand of the bank, ie that the latter reaches the odds of 21 points on the first round. If this actually happens, the player is refunded exactly the amount wagered (in a ratio therefore 1: 1).
In fact, insurance is the only bet that allows you not to lose if the dealer gets blackjack. In the event that the dealer does not win, the insurance is entirely lost. So when would it be correct to opt for insurance? In the situation where you have carefully followed the round of cards and you are therefore certain that the dealer can conquer the fateful blackjack.
Side bets represent in summary the occurrence (or not) of a situation: a card, a score, etc. Let’s see them together in the list below:
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- Under / Over 13: referring to one’s hand as a player, this bet presupposes the obligation of value 1 for the ace and at the same time the blackjack set at odds of 11. The refund in this case is up to seven times the stake.
- Perfect Pair: As easily imaginable, the player assumes that his two cards in hand are identical. There are different repayments depending on suit and color: if the pair is mixed (ie of two different colors such as diamonds and spades) the payout is 7: 1; if the couple has the same color (diamonds and hearts or clubs and spades) the payout is 15: 1; finally if the pair is perfect, then identical cards, the stake is equal to 30: 1. In general, however, this is a play not recommended as it is particularly fallacious.
- Five Card Trick: valid play when you beat the dealer with five cards in hand, without necessarily doing blackjack: possibility recommended only for those who really love risk
- 7’s Magic: This side bet assumes you will receive three 7s consecutively. There is an extra bonus if you have three identical cards. It follows that this play is only possible if at least three standard decks are used