Online Blackjack Master

How to Not Bust in Blackjack

It seems like such a simple goal: keep taking cards from the dealer until you get to 21 while making sure not to go over. There’s limited pressure, no time limit, and all the odds seem stacked in your favor. Yet the art of how to not bust in blackjack seems to elude many gamblers, including many veterans. However, there are some techniques that can be used to increase your odds of landing north of 18 without going over 21, and we’re going to run through some of them now. As it turns out, many of these strategies don’t rely on complex algorithms, but commonsense decisions.

Aim to Beat the Dealer

A lot of players think the goal of blackjack is to hit the number 21. Wrong! 21 is just the limit imposed on the card total in order to give the game focus and structure. Many players find themselves going bust when they don’t need to because they have an overwhelming urge to get to 21. Just remember: all you really want to do is beat the dealer. If that requires 21, then so be it, but if it doesn’t then don’t overcomplicate things by reaching for a higher number than you need.

Know Your Skills and Terminology

It’s important to know that the commands you have at your disposal in blackjack consist of more than just “hit me” or “stay.” You also have the ability to split. This handy ability is only available on your first play of the hand. Furthermore, it can only be done when you have two identical cards. You split the two cards into two different hands and receive another card for each one. At that point you continue with the two separate hands. This is a great way to sidestep what would otherwise be an unfavorable hand.

It’s also important to know the difference between a hard hand and a soft hand. A “soft” hand is one in which the ace is counted as 11 or 1. A “hard” hand is one in which the ace must be counted as 1 in order to avoid busting. Being aware of the differences can help you make more informed decisions and avoid those silly errors that can lead to busting.

While Blackjack is one of the simpler card games available in casinos, it still does require a fair amount of planning and strategy. You can’t just call out “hit me!” a few times and hope you land close to 21. The above strategies are very good approaches to take in order to ensure that you know what you’re getting yourself into as you take that trek toward 21. Just remember, at the end of the day the best strategy is discretion and common sense.