Blackjack Betting Strategy – How to Win the Most

Looking to improve your results at the blackjack table? Regardless of whether you’re playing online or in a land-based casino, if you want to win regularly in blackjack, using a blackjack betting strategy is a must.

But, choosing the most suitable blackjack strategy is harder than it seems. This is because the perfect blackjack strategy should suit your preferences and betting bankroll.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best blackjack betting strategies that will help you win the most.

What Is a Blackjack Betting Strategy?

A blackjack betting strategy is a structured wagering system that ensures a methodical and disciplined approach to bet sizing.

While it won’t help you win more often, such a betting system is used to maximize long-term winnings by helping you make the most out of your bankroll.

A good blackjack betting system can be an integral part of ensuring success in the long run. Although blackjack involves a certain degree of skill, it is still a luck-based game, meaning that it is unpredictable.

A blackjack betting system helps mitigate the effect of this aspect, as it enables you to capitalize on winning runs and protects your bankroll during losing streaks.

Blackjack Betting Strategies – What Are The Best Systems?

While choosing the right blackjack betting strategy does require some thought, the good news is that there are more than enough proven options that have been around for decades or more.

Here are the three main types of blackjack betting systems and their most popular examples:

Flat Betting – The Simplest Blackjack Betting System

A flat betting system for blackjack is the most straightforward way to bet in this game. It is the easiest system to master, meaning it’s a great pick for beginner blackjack players.

In simple terms, a flat betting system works just how it sounds. You need to set a flat value for your betting unit. Let’s say that it’s $10. You will then always bet exactly $10 for every bet for the entirety of your session.

Regardless of whether you’re on a losing or winning streak, your bet will always remain the same. The main positives of this approach are that you’ll always be sure what your bet is, and you won’t suffer any drastic losses in any single round. On the other hand, it also limits your winning potential.

Positive Progression Betting Systems

The main concept of positive progression betting systems in blackjack is to increase your bets after every win and decrease them after every loss. The best-known positive progression betting systems include:

• The Paroli System — This simple positive progression betting system involves setting a base stake and increasing your bet by the amount of your base stake after every win. While winning, keep adding one base stake unit for every next bet. After a loss, you should revert to your original base stake.
• The 1-3-2-6 System — This system’s premise is apparent straight from the name, as this is the sequence you need to follow. First, set a base betting unit value. Then, as long as you’re winning, follow the sequence. If you win more than four times in a row, restart the sequence and start from 1 base unit.
• The Reverse Labouchere System — This system works exactly like the standard Labouchere system. The only difference is that it’s a positive progression system, so it focuses on capitalizing on win streaks as you increase bets while you’re winning.

Negative Progression Betting Systems

Negative progression betting systems work completely oppositely compared to positive ones.

The basic rule of these systems is to increase your bet size when you lose and decrease it when you win. Here are the most popular examples of negative progression betting systems in blackjack:

• The Martingale System — The go-to betting system for many blackjack players, the Martingale betting strategy follows a simple approach. After every loss, you should double your bet size. When you win, revert to your original bet size.
• The D’Alembert System — Like most blackjack betting systems, this one starts with creating a base betting unit. After every loss, you should add one betting unit to your next bet. When you win, decrease your following wager by one betting unit.
• The Fibonacci System — This betting system exactly follows the numbers in the famous Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, and so on). Using betting units, progress along this sequence by one place after every loss. Once you win, move two places back in the sequence.
• The Labouchere System — The Labouchere system is arguably the most complicated out of all featured in this guide. It revolves around creating a custom betting sequence that has to follow specific criteria. Because of its complexity, it’s a system most beginners and even intermediate players should avoid.

Optimal Blackjack Strategy – Using A Chart For Best Decisions

In this detailed guide, we are primarily focused on covering the best betting strategies for playing blackjack.

However, there’s another vital segment you should master before betting any real money in this game. To ensure optimal decision-making, you should use a blackjack strategy chart.

A blackjack strategy chart tells you precisely which decision you should make based on your hand and the card the dealer is showing. Using a basic blackjack strategy chart goes a long way in minimizing the casino edge.

For the most immersive and enjoyable experience, it’s best to memorize the chart. Having said that, casinos allow you to use the chart at the table, as this isn’t against any house rules. So, even if you’re a beginner, you can use the chart to play the game optimally.

That said, it’s important to use the right chart based on the blackjack variation you’re playing. For example, here’s a quick overview of a blackjack chart you would use when playing a single-deck variation in which the dealer stands on a soft 17 hand.

• H — Hit
• S — Stand
• SP — Split
• RS — Surrender if allowed or stand
• RH — Surrender if allowed or hit
• SP/H — Split if allowed or hit
• SP/D — Split if allowed or double
• DH — Double if allowed or hit
• DS — Double if allowed or stand

Soft Hand

Your Hand	The Dealer’s Upcard
	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
13	H	H	DH	DH	DH	H	H	H	H	H
14	H	H	DH	DH	DH	H	H	H	H	H
15	H	H	DH	DH	DH	H	H	H	H	H
16	H	H	DH	DH	DH	H	H	H	H	H
17	DH	DH	DH	DH	DH	H	H	H	H	H
18	S	DS	DS	DS	DS	S	S	H	H	S
19	S	S	S	S	DS	S	S	S	S	S
20+	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S

Hard Hand

Your Hand	The Dealer’s Upcard
	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
5-7	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
8	H	H	H	DH	DH	H	H	H	H	H
9	DH	DH	DH	DH	DH	H	H	H	H	H
10	DH	DH	DH	DH	DH	DH	DH	DH	H	H
11	DH	DH	DH	DH	DH	DH	DH	DH	DH	DH
12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
13	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
14	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
15	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	RH	RH
17+	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S

Splits

Your Hand	The Dealer’s Upcard
	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	A
2, 2	SP/H	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	H	H	H	H
3, 3	SP/H	SP/H	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP/H	H	H	H
4, 4	H	H	SP/H	SP/D	SP/D	H	H	H	H	H
6, 6	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP/H	H	H	H	H
7, 7	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP/H	H	RS	H
8, 8	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP
9, 9	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	S	SP	SP	S	S
A, A	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP

Additional Tips That Will Help You Win In Blackjack

Every blackjack player is different, so it's essential to pick a betting system that best works for you. Depending on how risk-prone you are and your other preferences, you have to subjectively pick the right strategy.

That said, there are several objective factors you should take into account, regardless of the system you pick. Here are a few additional tips that will help you optimize your blackjack strategy and help you win more:

• Create a Blackjack Bankroll — Setting a blackjack bankroll ranks at the very top of the most important things you can do to put yourself on the right track. You should put aside a bankroll that can support your betting strategy but is also in line with what you can afford. This ensures two things. You won’t be limited when betting, and your blackjack sessions won’t put you in any financial risk.
• Don’t Switch Up Strategies Often — Whether you pick a flat, positive, or negative progression betting system and a single-deck or multi-deck variation, make sure to stick with your choice. Regularly mixing up strategies or deviating from the optimal gameplay can only negatively reflect on your results.
• Use Bonuses and Comps — When playing online blackjack, look for casino bonuses and promotions, as these can serve as an excellent bankroll boost. You can add free money to your blackjack bankroll and extend your session, giving yourself more winning opportunities.
• Don’t Chase Losses — Losing is a part of the game, and no strategy or betting system can guarantee you win every time. That’s why, besides betting within your means and using a betting strategy, it’s vital to know when to stop playing. This will help you save money for future sessions and make the most of your bankroll.
• Avoid the Insurance Bet — Many inexperienced blackjack players consider the insurance bet a solid option, but stats show this is a losing bet in the long run. With that in mind, always avoid placing this side bet, as the cons of insurance in blackjack outweigh the pros.

Ready To Play Blackjack?

With the blackjack betting strategies you’ve learned on this page, you are ready to start playing this exciting game! Keep in mind the tips we shared, and carefully pick a strategy that works best for you. If you make sure to do so, the desired results are sure to follow.

Still, no matter which strategy you opt for, remember that the house always has the edge in blackjack in the long run. The only way to negate this is to count cards. That said, this requires a lot of practice and an even more serious approach than that with the betting strategies.

With all of this in mind, regardless of your overall experience level, the most important things are to know how to bet in blackjack, to use a betting strategy and a blackjack chart, and to make sure you gamble within your means.

Blackjack Betting Strategy FAQ