Blackjack strategy lets you know the right play to make to maximize your winnings. It tells you what to do based on your hand and the card that the dealer is showing. If you perfectly follow the strategies outlined in this guide, you can reduce the casino's advantage to less than.5%, making blackjack the most advantageous game to the player.
Blackjack Betting Strategies are quite popular, especially since the game has been featured in hit movies like Rain Man, 21 and The Hangover. No matter what the game, there is one universal rule; if the casino spreads the game, someone has developed the 'perfect' betting strategy. There are a variety of basic strategies although most of them are very similar, they variances to the strategy are basically referring to the different rules, number of decks and playing style that you wish to adopt. The following rules comprise the important facets of a Basic Blackjack strategy based on a 4 card deck (the most popular). The total betting limit per hand is the sum of the side bet and regular blackjack bet limits. The three side bets are ‘777 Jackpot', ‘Highest Hand Bet' and ‘Safe Bet'. 777 Jackpot gives players the chance to win 1500 units from a 1 unit stake if your first three cards (two initial and first card hit) are all 7. Basic blackjack strategy. The single most important thing that you need to understand about the game of blackjack is that it is a game of player decisions. Unlike any other game in the casino, when playing blackjack your decisions can have an outcome on how the hand plays out and thus can contribute to the wins or losses of the players at the table.
- There are many betting strategies that players use when playing Blackjack
- Martingale, 1-3-2-6, and Oscars Blackjack betting strategies are the most popular ones
- In this article, we look at the most famous one to see if they work or not
Want to play blackjack like a pro? First, you need to know the rules, understand Blackjack odds, and use basic strategy.
Then, knowing how to sound cards own't hurt either.
And that's not always enough.
You wouldn't want to run out of money before you get even close to a lucky streak, would you?
So, like with any other Casino game, you also need to know how to manage your bankroll.
And that's where Blackjack betting systems come into play.
Types of Blackjack Betting Strategies
Most Blackjack betting strategies are progressive betting systems.
They fall into two categories:
- Positive progression – betting more after you win a bet. Aimed to maximize profits during winning streaks and limit losses when things run cold.
- Negative progression – increasing the amount you bet after a loss of a bet. Aimed at recouping losses and winning small amounts of profit very often.
You've probably heard about Martingale Blackjack betting system. It's one of the most famous betting systems used not only in Blackjack but also Roulette and Craps.
And is a perfect example of a negative progression betting system.
You can check the detailed analysis of the Martingale system on this page.
Contrary to popular belief, Martingale is not the only betting strategy you can use for Blackjack.
What other Blackjack betting strategies are there? Let's take a look.
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1-3-2-6 Blackjack Betting Strategy
Although the name of this system makes it seem complicated, it is actually very simple:
You only trigger the sequence after you win a bet. It ends when you lose a bet.
How does it work?
Below are some examples considering a unit bet of $10
- If you lose 4 bets in a row, all your bets would have been $10. Without a winning bet to trigger the sequence, the bet size stays the same.
- If you win 4 bets in a row your bet sizes would be $10, $30, $20 & $60. The sequence is triggered by winning a bet and continues because there is no losing bet. The sequence ends after you win 4 bets in a row. If you win 5 bets in a row your 5th bet would go back down to $10.
- If you win the first 2 bets but lose the 3rd bet, your bet sizes are $10, $30, $20 & $10. The betting system is triggered because you have a winning bet and continues until you have a losing bet. Since the 3rd bet was lost, you would drop back down to the $10 bet and start again.
Mixing up your bet sizes in this way reduces the risk of blowing out and betting everything you have on one hand.
It provides some structure to your play so that you can enjoy the game as much as possible.
The four-step progression adds some excitement to the game. And it reduces the monogamy of betting the same amount every time.
Keep in mind, though:
This Blackjack betting system will not give you an edge over the house. The house edge remains the same regardless of what amount you are betting. No betting strategy can affect it.
Oscars Blackjack Betting Strategy
The system was originally developed around 1965. Back then it aimed to manage small and consistent profits at the game of Craps.
No matter what game you play, the goal of the Oscars betting strategy is to make one unit of profit for each sequence.
Once you win 1 unit, then the whole progression resets and you start again. So, if you win the first bet, the next bet remains the same as the general aim has been achieved.
If you lose your first bet, then the next bet is also 1 unit.
The difference now is that you are down 1 unit. So, the progression system should begin so you can recoup that loss and generate the 1 unit of profit.
If your second bet wins, the next bet is doubled. Each successive winning hand continues to double in stakes until the aim of winning 1 unit is reached.
Once that occurs the progression is reset again, and we begin from scratch.
You need to think of bets in terms of units and not an amount. Select the unit size you want to use and then you can follow the below rules:
- When you lose a bet, your next bet will be down to 1 unit.
- When you win a bet, your next bet needs to be 1 unit higher
- STOP the moment you have a profit of 1 unit on the sequence. The next bet will be 1 unit and you start the process again.
Below are some examples:
| Bet Size | Result | Running Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Unit | Loss | -1 |
| 1 Unit | Loss | -2 |
| 1 Unit | Loss | -3 |
| 1 Unit | Loss | -4 |
| 1 Unit | Win | -3 |
| 2 Units | Win | -1 |
| 2 Units | Win | 1 |
| STOP |
How to read the table:
You see, while you're losing, you keep the bet at the minimum unit size while accumulating losses.
Once you win a bet - the progression begins.
That's when you embark on a mission to recoup the losses and have a profit of 1 unit.
If you're still with me, you may wonder -
Why on the last bet the wager is 2 units and not 3?
That's because your aim is to profit for exactly 1 unit, remember?
At this stage of the sequence, you were losing 1 unit, thus a bet size of 2 units would result in 1 unit of profit.
So, even though you won the previous bet, you don't need to increase your bet size. You've already achieved your goal.
| Bet Size | Result | Running Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Unit | Win | 1 |
| 2 Units | Win | 3 |
| 3 Units | Win | 6 |
| 4 Units | Win | 10 |
| 5 Units | Win | 15 |
| 6 Units | Win | 21 |
| 7 Units | Loss | 14 |
| STOP |
This example shows what can happen when you hit a hot streak.
As long as there are no recorded losses in the sequence, you can continue to add a unit to your bet size as you keep winning.
The idea is to ride the wave until it stops.
It gives you the greatest opportunity to capitalize on a good run. While still locking in some of your profits along the way.
This Blackjack betting system requires a lot of patience.
Image playing Blackjack at brick-and-mortar Casinos. Action can sometimes be already slow at full tables. So, using strategy wouldn't really bring you any significant wins any time soon.
The cult casino moncton. The Australian Pink Floyd Show - All That You Feel World Tour 2020 - New Date! September 14, 2021 Tuesday 14 September 2021 MORE INFORMATION.
But the point of the Oscars betting system is not to make you rich every time you visit Las Vegas Casinos.
It does help to maximize profits when a good run of hands presents itself.
Stringing together 6 or 7 straight winning hands at the Blackjack table will result in a significant win.
Best Betting Strategy For Online Blackjack Free
That also makes this betting system popular with Blackjack players who count cards.
When they see that they have a significant advantage in certain situations, betting higher has a positive expected value.
Best Betting Strategy For Online Blackjack 2019
Summary
If you want to improve your chances to win at Blackjack, you need to know the rules and the basic strategy. If you can handle counting cards - even better.
Blackjack systems and betting strategies won't improve your odds at winning real money. But they can help you to manage your bankroll better.
Disclaimer: Gambling is a game of chance and there's no sure-fire formula that guarantee winnings. You can improve your winning chances by using the right in-game strategies but there is no way to predict when a machine or a Casino game is going to pay. Also, this page contains affiliate links. If you click through and play, we might earn a commission. That's what allow us to keep CasinoSmash free and bring you the best online Casino bonuses!
Bonus info: Terms and conditions apply to the offer. If something isn't clear, have a look at our review of PlayAmo for the T&Cs in full. The offer on this article might have expired by the time you read it. Please refer to the review pages for the latest bonuses and promotions available.
If you ever find yourself in the circle of lovers of this casino game, then you'll probably learn a thing or two about all the different bets you can place. Also, you'll most likely be exposed to different blackjack progressive betting strategies, so it won't hurt if you know what this means. This system teaches you how and when to increase or decrease your wager. In the most general sense, there are two types of progressive betting strategies:
- Positive progression — if you were to follow this, then you'd bet more after each win. With this, players want to maximize their profit and minimize their losses.
- Negative progression — this one includes raising your wager after each losing round. It strives to lessen the effects of losses.
Now that you're acquainted with this, we can delve deeper into the most popular systems you can follow. However, before we start, we should put a disclaimer of some sorts — no matter which strategy you use, it cannot help you determine the outcome. They can only help you plan your bets accordingly before you start playing. In the end, nothing can exert an impact on the results.
The Martingale System
One could trace the roots of the Martingale system back to 18th century France. It has withstood the test of time, as evidenced by the fact that most novice players have heard about it. The overarching strategy is the following: it's inevitable that you'll face losses while playing blackjack. However, at some point, you're bound to win. So why wouldn't you double your wager until you emerge as a victor? Of course, some experts might suggest that believing in this might be the prime example of the gambler's fallacy, but to each their own.
What's more, you'll notice that some blackjack players opt to adhere to this betting system. They increase their wager by 2, hoping that they'll recover all the squandered money. In theory, this sounds appealing and seems like a plausible solution. But in practice, it comes with certain risks. Let's say that you decide to play at a $5 table and abide by this strategy. As you might know, it's easy to lose 8 hands in a row, so this means that, during the 9th bet, you'd actually be required to bet quite a substantial amount — $1,280.
If you're not a high roller, then this professional blackjack betting strategy might not be the best solution.
The Oscar's Grind
Moving onto another blackjack betting system — the Oscar's Grind. It was created back in 1965 and mainly applied to the game of craps. Nevertheless, it started spreading to other games as well, including blackjack. It abides by the following this notion: all of your losing streaks will be countered by one winning hand. If this turns out to be true, then you'll decrease the amount you've lost and get a payout, albeit a small one. However, no one can guarantee that this will happen, as the outcome is unpredictable.
So before you toy with the idea of using this system, you should contemplate your betting range. You'll need to commence with a minimum bet and gradually increase it throughout the game — if you win, that is. It's recommended you start with a wager that isn't too high. Let's say you decide to place $1. If you lose, then you won't need to change the bet amount. However, if the third round turns out to be the winning one, then you should bet $2 on the following one. Another win increases the wager to $4.
Also, you should stop the moment you have a profit of 1 unit. As with the Martingale, you should use the Oscar's blackjack betting strategy at your own risk.
The Manhattan System (2-1-2)
Some players believe in the existence of hot and cold streaks. You might even hear some of them lament that they've failed to make use of a hot streak. Of course, experts would assure you that this phenomenon doesn't exist and that you should just enjoy the game itself. Well, it seems that the proponents of the blackjack betting strategy 2-1-2 side with the players on this issue and want to help them win real money.
So how does it all go down here? Well, as you might have inferred from its name, players begin by wagering two units. For instance, they can place $2. In case of a win, they don't need to increase their bet — they actually decrease it by one unit. So the next one amounts to $1. And if this streak follows them, then they can wager $3. Each consecutive win after that, the players should increase their bet size by one unit. And if during the game, the dealer wins, then those following this system should return to their initial bet. The theory is that you should capitalize on your fortune until it starts declining.
The 1-2-3-5 Strategy
The progressive betting systems are quite prominent in blackjack. During a game, a bet could vary from one round to another — it never remains the same. There are different types of wagers here, but they all share one similarity. In other words, you'll either increase or decrease the bet depending on whether you're experiencing wins or losses. If you're prevailing, then you'll raise the amount of your wager after each hand. For instance, if you begin with $10, then you'll put $20 during the next round.
Of course, there are different patterns that you can follow, and one of them is particularly well known — blackjack betting strategy 1-2-3-5. If you decide to try it out, then you'll increase your wager following this pattern. However, the moment you lose, you'd go back to your initial 1 unit bet. Those who are in favor of this will try to convince you that you'll get more money during those 5 consecutive winning rounds then you'll ever lose in 5 losing ones. However, they fail to tell you that you can't know when you'll win.
The 1-3-2-6 System
Following the previous one, we would be remiss not to mention the blackjack betting strategy 1-3-2-6. Like the above-mentioned one, it's simple to learn, and you won't face any difficulties in implementing it. In essence, you can use it for other casino games as well, but it's primarily popular in blackjack.
Basically, if you want to try it out, you need to opt for the initial wager. But bear in mind that this will serve as 1 unit in the sequence, so maybe choosing the lowest amount would be the best option. And once you've done this, you can start wagering. Naturally, if you win at blackjack, then this will lead you to increase the bet as per the sequence. And once it ends, you'll need to go back to your starting stake. Additionally, this blackjack betting strategy differs from, say, the Martingale in the sense that you only need to keep increasing the amount if you're successful. This way, you might recover all the lost money either in a land-based or an online casino.
Betting Strategy for Hi-Lo and Knockout Card Counting
The hi-lo and knockout card counting players have different approaches to wagering. Some say that you might increase your chances by adjusting your bets. And if you want to be successful, you should determine the true count by dividing your running one by the number of decks that are still remaining in the shoe. Then, you should wager the minimum amount when the true count is at 1, and then increase it when it is at 2. As the true count increases, so does your wager. And once it returns to 1, then you should return to your initial bet.
So before the game starts, you should select the wagering unit that you can use once you employ this blackjack betting system. Your betting unit increases as per the count. Also, always be aware of your bankroll and adjust your wager accordingly. The maximum wager, some say, should be 4 times your initial unit. Just make sure to be present in the game so that you could keep track of the count and your bankroll. Additionally, you can adopt this approach as your knockout blackjack betting strategy as well.
Practice Makes Perfect
Once that occurs the progression is reset again, and we begin from scratch.
You need to think of bets in terms of units and not an amount. Select the unit size you want to use and then you can follow the below rules:
- When you lose a bet, your next bet will be down to 1 unit.
- When you win a bet, your next bet needs to be 1 unit higher
- STOP the moment you have a profit of 1 unit on the sequence. The next bet will be 1 unit and you start the process again.
Below are some examples:
| Bet Size | Result | Running Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Unit | Loss | -1 |
| 1 Unit | Loss | -2 |
| 1 Unit | Loss | -3 |
| 1 Unit | Loss | -4 |
| 1 Unit | Win | -3 |
| 2 Units | Win | -1 |
| 2 Units | Win | 1 |
| STOP |
How to read the table:
You see, while you're losing, you keep the bet at the minimum unit size while accumulating losses.
Once you win a bet - the progression begins.
That's when you embark on a mission to recoup the losses and have a profit of 1 unit.
If you're still with me, you may wonder -
Why on the last bet the wager is 2 units and not 3?
That's because your aim is to profit for exactly 1 unit, remember?
At this stage of the sequence, you were losing 1 unit, thus a bet size of 2 units would result in 1 unit of profit.
So, even though you won the previous bet, you don't need to increase your bet size. You've already achieved your goal.
| Bet Size | Result | Running Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Unit | Win | 1 |
| 2 Units | Win | 3 |
| 3 Units | Win | 6 |
| 4 Units | Win | 10 |
| 5 Units | Win | 15 |
| 6 Units | Win | 21 |
| 7 Units | Loss | 14 |
| STOP |
This example shows what can happen when you hit a hot streak.
As long as there are no recorded losses in the sequence, you can continue to add a unit to your bet size as you keep winning.
The idea is to ride the wave until it stops.
It gives you the greatest opportunity to capitalize on a good run. While still locking in some of your profits along the way.
This Blackjack betting system requires a lot of patience.
Image playing Blackjack at brick-and-mortar Casinos. Action can sometimes be already slow at full tables. So, using strategy wouldn't really bring you any significant wins any time soon.
The cult casino moncton. The Australian Pink Floyd Show - All That You Feel World Tour 2020 - New Date! September 14, 2021 Tuesday 14 September 2021 MORE INFORMATION.
But the point of the Oscars betting system is not to make you rich every time you visit Las Vegas Casinos.
It does help to maximize profits when a good run of hands presents itself.
Stringing together 6 or 7 straight winning hands at the Blackjack table will result in a significant win.
Best Betting Strategy For Online Blackjack Free
That also makes this betting system popular with Blackjack players who count cards.
When they see that they have a significant advantage in certain situations, betting higher has a positive expected value.
Best Betting Strategy For Online Blackjack 2019
Summary
If you want to improve your chances to win at Blackjack, you need to know the rules and the basic strategy. If you can handle counting cards - even better.
Blackjack systems and betting strategies won't improve your odds at winning real money. But they can help you to manage your bankroll better.
Disclaimer: Gambling is a game of chance and there's no sure-fire formula that guarantee winnings. You can improve your winning chances by using the right in-game strategies but there is no way to predict when a machine or a Casino game is going to pay. Also, this page contains affiliate links. If you click through and play, we might earn a commission. That's what allow us to keep CasinoSmash free and bring you the best online Casino bonuses!
Bonus info: Terms and conditions apply to the offer. If something isn't clear, have a look at our review of PlayAmo for the T&Cs in full. The offer on this article might have expired by the time you read it. Please refer to the review pages for the latest bonuses and promotions available.
If you ever find yourself in the circle of lovers of this casino game, then you'll probably learn a thing or two about all the different bets you can place. Also, you'll most likely be exposed to different blackjack progressive betting strategies, so it won't hurt if you know what this means. This system teaches you how and when to increase or decrease your wager. In the most general sense, there are two types of progressive betting strategies:
- Positive progression — if you were to follow this, then you'd bet more after each win. With this, players want to maximize their profit and minimize their losses.
- Negative progression — this one includes raising your wager after each losing round. It strives to lessen the effects of losses.
Now that you're acquainted with this, we can delve deeper into the most popular systems you can follow. However, before we start, we should put a disclaimer of some sorts — no matter which strategy you use, it cannot help you determine the outcome. They can only help you plan your bets accordingly before you start playing. In the end, nothing can exert an impact on the results.
The Martingale System
One could trace the roots of the Martingale system back to 18th century France. It has withstood the test of time, as evidenced by the fact that most novice players have heard about it. The overarching strategy is the following: it's inevitable that you'll face losses while playing blackjack. However, at some point, you're bound to win. So why wouldn't you double your wager until you emerge as a victor? Of course, some experts might suggest that believing in this might be the prime example of the gambler's fallacy, but to each their own.
What's more, you'll notice that some blackjack players opt to adhere to this betting system. They increase their wager by 2, hoping that they'll recover all the squandered money. In theory, this sounds appealing and seems like a plausible solution. But in practice, it comes with certain risks. Let's say that you decide to play at a $5 table and abide by this strategy. As you might know, it's easy to lose 8 hands in a row, so this means that, during the 9th bet, you'd actually be required to bet quite a substantial amount — $1,280.
If you're not a high roller, then this professional blackjack betting strategy might not be the best solution.
The Oscar's Grind
Moving onto another blackjack betting system — the Oscar's Grind. It was created back in 1965 and mainly applied to the game of craps. Nevertheless, it started spreading to other games as well, including blackjack. It abides by the following this notion: all of your losing streaks will be countered by one winning hand. If this turns out to be true, then you'll decrease the amount you've lost and get a payout, albeit a small one. However, no one can guarantee that this will happen, as the outcome is unpredictable.
So before you toy with the idea of using this system, you should contemplate your betting range. You'll need to commence with a minimum bet and gradually increase it throughout the game — if you win, that is. It's recommended you start with a wager that isn't too high. Let's say you decide to place $1. If you lose, then you won't need to change the bet amount. However, if the third round turns out to be the winning one, then you should bet $2 on the following one. Another win increases the wager to $4.
Also, you should stop the moment you have a profit of 1 unit. As with the Martingale, you should use the Oscar's blackjack betting strategy at your own risk.
The Manhattan System (2-1-2)
Some players believe in the existence of hot and cold streaks. You might even hear some of them lament that they've failed to make use of a hot streak. Of course, experts would assure you that this phenomenon doesn't exist and that you should just enjoy the game itself. Well, it seems that the proponents of the blackjack betting strategy 2-1-2 side with the players on this issue and want to help them win real money.
So how does it all go down here? Well, as you might have inferred from its name, players begin by wagering two units. For instance, they can place $2. In case of a win, they don't need to increase their bet — they actually decrease it by one unit. So the next one amounts to $1. And if this streak follows them, then they can wager $3. Each consecutive win after that, the players should increase their bet size by one unit. And if during the game, the dealer wins, then those following this system should return to their initial bet. The theory is that you should capitalize on your fortune until it starts declining.
The 1-2-3-5 Strategy
The progressive betting systems are quite prominent in blackjack. During a game, a bet could vary from one round to another — it never remains the same. There are different types of wagers here, but they all share one similarity. In other words, you'll either increase or decrease the bet depending on whether you're experiencing wins or losses. If you're prevailing, then you'll raise the amount of your wager after each hand. For instance, if you begin with $10, then you'll put $20 during the next round.
Of course, there are different patterns that you can follow, and one of them is particularly well known — blackjack betting strategy 1-2-3-5. If you decide to try it out, then you'll increase your wager following this pattern. However, the moment you lose, you'd go back to your initial 1 unit bet. Those who are in favor of this will try to convince you that you'll get more money during those 5 consecutive winning rounds then you'll ever lose in 5 losing ones. However, they fail to tell you that you can't know when you'll win.
The 1-3-2-6 System
Following the previous one, we would be remiss not to mention the blackjack betting strategy 1-3-2-6. Like the above-mentioned one, it's simple to learn, and you won't face any difficulties in implementing it. In essence, you can use it for other casino games as well, but it's primarily popular in blackjack.
Basically, if you want to try it out, you need to opt for the initial wager. But bear in mind that this will serve as 1 unit in the sequence, so maybe choosing the lowest amount would be the best option. And once you've done this, you can start wagering. Naturally, if you win at blackjack, then this will lead you to increase the bet as per the sequence. And once it ends, you'll need to go back to your starting stake. Additionally, this blackjack betting strategy differs from, say, the Martingale in the sense that you only need to keep increasing the amount if you're successful. This way, you might recover all the lost money either in a land-based or an online casino.
Betting Strategy for Hi-Lo and Knockout Card Counting
The hi-lo and knockout card counting players have different approaches to wagering. Some say that you might increase your chances by adjusting your bets. And if you want to be successful, you should determine the true count by dividing your running one by the number of decks that are still remaining in the shoe. Then, you should wager the minimum amount when the true count is at 1, and then increase it when it is at 2. As the true count increases, so does your wager. And once it returns to 1, then you should return to your initial bet.
So before the game starts, you should select the wagering unit that you can use once you employ this blackjack betting system. Your betting unit increases as per the count. Also, always be aware of your bankroll and adjust your wager accordingly. The maximum wager, some say, should be 4 times your initial unit. Just make sure to be present in the game so that you could keep track of the count and your bankroll. Additionally, you can adopt this approach as your knockout blackjack betting strategy as well.
Practice Makes Perfect
Best Betting Strategy For Online Blackjack Game
Now that you're familiar with a number of strategies, you can start practicing and opting for the ones you find to work the best for you. However, always bear in mind that there are more blackjack betting systems than actual strategies. After all, they don't predict the outcome — they just tell you how to bet.
Best Betting Strategy For Online Blackjack Games
Nevertheless, if you want, you can try out some of the blackjack card counting strategies (which even help you beat the house edge) and see how far you'll get. Who knows, you might even become a proponent of some of them or end up disappointed. Either way — good luck!
