City

The year 2012 was a sweet one for celebrity poker pro Phil Ivey and Cheung Yin “Kelly” Sun, a woman who would become known as the Queen of Sorts. 

A blackjack player’s stress level increases when the dealer flips over an Ace as her upcard. That’s because she has only an 11.5% chance of busting and a whopping 88.5% chance of getting to a final hand that totals17 through 21

When a dealer shows a 10 upcard at online or live blackjack, she or he is in the driver’s seat because they have a 77% chance of getting to a final hand that totals 17 through 21 and only a 23% chance of busting. A ten, therefore, is a very strong dealer upcard. This means we have to be more aggressive when we are a dealt a stiff hand (hit rather than stand) and less aggressive when we are dealt a two-card soft hand (hit rather than double down).

This guide covers the best blackjack strategies—from beginner tips to advanced plays—so you can reduce the house edge and make mathematically correct decisions at the table.

If you’re searching for how to win at blackjack, the real advantage comes from consistently applying basic strategy, not relying on luck. You’ll also learn how to use a blackjack strategy chart and avoid common mistakes that cost players money over time.

The following ten strategy tips are for casual blackjack players who want to increase their odds of winning while having fun playing blackjack.