Simple Blackjack Strategy
Even with hundreds of options, there is no denying that blackjack has emerged as one of the most enduringly popular casino games of all time, And it continue to claim an ever larger share of the mobile gaming pie. The popularity of blackjack should continue to trend upward.
Unlike classic games online such as slots and roulette, blackjack requires more than luck to be optimally successful. There is a measure of skill that takes time and experience to acquire. Luck may be enough to carry some games to victory. But without practice, most players are leaving money on the table when they play.
The following Thunderbolt tips can help earn a few more tokens, as long as the luck continues as well:
1. What to Do with a 17?
It depends. If it's a hard 17, meaning that the hand does not contain an ace, it's probably worth sticking and hoping that the dealer goes over trying to beat it. But it's not a particularly strong hand, leaving a lot of room for the dealer to maneuver.
If it's a soft 17, however, like if the hand is composed of an ace and a six, it's worth hitting. There is no risk of going over, and the possibility of improving on the 17 is worth it, even if it means rebuilding the hand once again by making the ace count as a one rather than an eleven.
2. Always Split Aces and Eights
If you are fortunate enough to get dealt a hand of two aces right from the start, always take advantage of the situation by splitting them. This will double your chances of getting a blackjack, since you'll have two shots at it. Remember, there are more cards with a value of 10 in the deck than any other value.
Besides, if you don't split them, the two card have a combined value of two or twelve. Neither puts you in a strong position. You have to hit to compete, and then the abundance of tens works against you.
A similar logic dictates that you also split two eights. The combined value is 16, which is too low to stick with and very risky to hit. There are many more cards in the deck that will bring you over than will move you closer to 21.
The only exception may be when the dealer is showing a nine or a ten. Then the frequency of tens works against you. If you get a ten on either of your hands, you have a solid by vulnerable 18. If the dealer with the nine or ten gets one, he sits at 19 or 20, which beat both of your split hands.
3. Beware of the "Hot" Streak
Some days it feels like every hand we play is a winner regardless of the choices we make and other days feel like just the opposite - no matter what strategy we adopt, we can't win a hand. But is it really true that there is momentum building up in the games we play?
While no one can ever fully account for the vagaries of luck in our lives, and especially as it applies to online casino games, it's important to remember that every game is a completely separate event that has no bearing on the games that come after and is not influenced by the games that came before it.
It may feel good to imagine that we are invulnerable and that what feels like a hot streak is going to continue for as long as we choose to play. But it may be wiser to realize that stringing a few wins together (or a few losses) is not going to help you win the next game. It may, however, give you confidence to take risks that end up paying off (or not) but that's not because luck can be controlled or directed.