Good Betting Strategy For Blackjack

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For the bet to be fair, the chances of the dealer having a blackjack need to be the same as the payout. The payout of 2 to 1 means that the percentage chance of the dealer having a blackjack needs to be 33.33%. In any situation where the chance the dealer has a blackjack is over 33.33%, the insurance wager is a good bet. (whata' name) anyway he says he has a 78% win average with this betting strategy. The strategy says your first bet must be twice the table minimum for example at a $5 table your first bet would be $10. If you win you regress your next bet to $5, win, your next bet is back to $10, win again you bet up one unit which would be $15, win $20 etc you. Side bets at blackjack are offered for two basic reasons: to add a little excitement for players who want more out of the game than trying to grind out a profit one bet at a time, and to increase action to generate more profit for the house.

  • 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.

Blackjack betting systems are used to avoid heated betting decisions at the table by following a system that dictates how to bet each time.

Types of Blackjack Betting Strategies

Most Blackjack betting strategies are progressive betting systems.

Progressive systems involve increasing or decreasing the amount of your bet, depending on the outcome of the previous hand.

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:

Bets are placed in line with the sequence of 1,3,2 & 6 after a winning bet.

You only trigger the sequence after you win a bet. It ends when you lose a bet.

How does it work?

Good Betting Strategy For Blackjack Games

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

Oscars Grind betting system is a progressive betting strategy that revolves around the concept of neutralizing losing streaks and always winning one unit of profit per progression.

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 SizeResultRunning Profit
1 UnitLoss-1
1 UnitLoss-2
1 UnitLoss-3
1 UnitLoss-4
1 UnitWin-3
2 UnitsWin-1
2 UnitsWin1
STOP

How to read the table:

You see, while you’re losing, you keep the bet at the minimum unit size while accumulating losses.

Good Betting Strategy For Blackjack Game

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 SizeResultRunning Profit
1 UnitWin1
2 UnitsWin3
3 UnitsWin6
4 UnitsWin10
5 UnitsWin15
6 UnitsWin21
7 UnitsLoss14
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.

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.

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.

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!

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Blackjack Betting Strategies are quite popular, especially since the game has been featured in hit movies likeRain 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.

Roulette strategies are perhaps the most prominent as roulette strategies and systems have been offered for sale for centuries.

As a dealer and a player, I have been able to see and try many of the most famous Blackjack Betting Strategies.

Blackjack strategies don’t change around the world but it is interesting to see different perspectives. A good blackjack resource for Canadians is CanadianCasinos.ca.

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The Two Best Systems

There are two strategies that every player should use every time they take a seat at or swim up to a blackjack table.

Good Betting Strategy For Blackjack Rules

Play to Have Fun

Napoleon was a fan of Vingt-un (blackjack) near the start of the 19th century. For more than two centuries, blackjack has grown in popularity to become the most popular casino table game.Mathematicians have analyzed the game, hundreds of books have been written about it, and a number of myths and legends have been created.

Earning a place in the Blackjack Hall of Fame at the Barona Casino in California is the only honorary award for players of any casino table game. There is a reason that blackjack has remained popular for a couple of centuries; it’s fun! There are many varieties of blackjack. Mr. Green offers a great selection of 15 blackjack games by 6 software providers, including Double Exposure Blackjack Professional Series by Net Entertainment, VIP Blackjack by Extreme Live Gaming, and 6-in-1 Blackjack by Felt.

Spin Palace offers a remarkable amount of blackjack games. There are over 40 blackjack games in total on offer. They also offer practice play which is perfect for sharpening your blackjack skills before you start playing for real money. Most of their games are developed by Microgaming which are very popular in English speaking countries like Australia, New Zealand, UK and Canada.

Yes, the game has a really low house edge, which makes it appealing, but it is a very social game, so in many cases, the table wins or loses as a group. This builds comradery and makes it fairly common for players to talk with one another. The social aspect of the game is a very important one to most players.

Bet the Right Amount

Good

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Set up a bankroll before you go to the table. This is your total stake.

As has been mentioned numerous times, blackjack is supposed to be fun. Playing with money you can’t afford to lose (what dealers and players call “scared money”) practically guarantees you won’t enjoy the game.

It is fairly easy to find table limits to fit most bankrolls.

The Martingale – Blackjack Betting Strategies

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The Martingale system originated in 18th century France and is one of the oldest systems around. The original theory was used to prove that someone with infinite wealth could always avoid a loss in even money bets by doubling the best after each loss. Most likely the first casino game where the Martingale system was touted was roulette, but it can also be used in other areas, such as in stock market trading.

You will often see players use the Martingale system at the blackjack table, doubling their wager after each loss. In theory, this strategy sounds solid. However, blackjack is not an even money game. And additionally, players will occasionally run into a bad streak of cards. At a $5 table using the Martingale system if you lose 8 hands in a row, you will be wagering $1280 on your next hand, so unless you are a legendary high-roller, you are probably better off taking the $5 loss.

2-1-2 (Manhattan) Strategy – Blackjack Betting Strategies

One of the common laments one hears from players is the one where they were “way ahead” but gave it all back. These players are the same ones that usually talk about “playing with ‘house’ money.”

Here is a fact: Once the chips are in your stack, they are your chips, not the house’s.

The second most common lament you will hear is a player talking about missing out on a hot streak. The 2-1-2 strategy helps address both.

First, there is no mathematical foundation for “hot” or “cold” streaks at the blackjack table. Mathematicians will tell you (truthfully) that there is no such phenomenon. Blackjack players know they exist.

As a player you want to capitalize on a good run of cards and this strategy has some merits. Start with a 2 unit bet. If you win you reduce the bet to one unit. If you win that bet you increase to 3 units. Once the dealer wins you go back to your original 2 unit bet.

A run of 10 hands could look like this:

Wager Result +/-

  • 2 W +2
  • 1 W +3
  • 2 W +5
  • 3 W +8
  • 4 L +4
  • 2 W +6
  • 1 L +5
  • 2 W +7
  • 3 W +10
  • 4 L +6

With the 2-1-2 strategy, players will win a bit more with a hot run yet not sacrifice all of their winnings.

Oscar’s System – Blackjack Betting Strategies

Oscar’s System was proposed in the 1960’s in a book by mathematician Dr. Allan Wilson. It is a fairly decent system. The goal of the strategy is to win exactly one unit per series.

The player starts a series by betting one unit. After a win, the player adds a unit; after a loss, the next bet is exactly the same as the previous one. That’s it.

Here are two examples:

Wager Result +/-

  • 1 L -1
  • 1 L -2
  • 1 W -1
  • 2 W +1

Series complete

Wager Result +/-

  • 1 L -1
  • 1 L -2
  • 1 L -3
  • 1 W -2
  • 2 L -4
  • 2 W -2
  • 3 W +1

Series complete.

Playing Multiple Spots

Many players feel that playing multiple hands increases their odds of winning. Playing multiple spots can be exciting, but it does absolutely nothing to increase your win rate.

Most of these systems fall under the heading of progressive bets. While these are among the most common, they are by no means the only strategies out there. It is perfectly fine to sit at the table and make the exact same wager every hand. While this strategy is a bit boring for me, if it works for you that is what counts. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking out a deck of cards and developing your own strategy as well.

Blackjack Betting Systems in the Long Run

Blackjack

Ok so we’ve covered the popular blackjack betting systems here and highlighted how they are used but are any of them really useful in the long run? The answer is a resounding NO (this article goes into great depth as to why).

While you might make great short term wins, any betting system will not be a formula for success in the long term. To truly gain an advantage against the casino you must start with learning basic strategy and then moving to card counting.

There are plenty of resources to get started. We recommend:

  • BlackjackInfo’s Blackjack School – A comprehensive free resource that covers both basic strategy and card counting principles.
  • Blackjack Apprenticeship – Run by Colin Jones, a professional counter who featured in the blackjack documentary Holy Rollers, this site provides a paid course offering video training material, private coaching and more.
  • WizardofOdds – The wizard has some great strategy charts but only for 4-8 decks. If you need more customized charts then BlackjackInfo has a good strategy chart builder.
  • HolyMolyCasinos.com – Offers a how to guide on the rules and how to play blackjack as well as other popular casino games.

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