Explained - Is Blackjack a Game of Luck or Skill?

Blackjack rules the world of online gambling for real money. This classic card game boasts straightforward gameplay rules that even the greenest of gamblers won’t have any troubles mastering. And to make it juicier, blackjack has a tantalizingly low house edge.

But still, most players can’t win a hand to save their lives in this game. So, what should players do to win a blackjack hand in online gambling? Is it all about skill, as most people claim? This article unpacks the whole truth.

How blackjack game works

Before diving deeper, it’s vital to learn how to play this card game. Blackjack needs at least two positions, primarily the dealer and the player. As their name suggests, the dealer deals the cards to themselves and the player. The main objective of the game? Score a 21 or get as close as possible without going bust. A blackjack hand is won if a player scores a 21 with their first two cards.

The skill side of blackjack

In the game of blackjack, players must make multiple game-changing decisions. At the bare minimum, they must decide whether to hit, stand, or double down except when dealt a natural blackjack. For example, it’s advisable to stand on anything more than 17 and hit when holding 10 or 12-16. In addition, only double down when your hand value is 10 or 11.

Card counting

Card counting is one of the most recommended blackjack gambling tips. It basically refers to a math system where players benefit from high-ranking cards like Aces, K, Q, J, and 10. Conversely, dealers benefit from low-ranking cards like 2 through to 6. When playing blackjack at the best online casinos, 9, 8, and 7 are neutral cards.

So, how does card counting work? In every blackjack game, the number of low-value cards in play always matches the number of high-value cards. But the ratio changes after the first dealing round. Now, smart players know how to keep track of the dealt cards. In return, they can correctly predict the type of cards left in the shoe.

Card counting experts suggest that if the first dealing round has low-value cards, the next round will likely have high-value cards. Interestingly, your winning chances increase if the cards remaining in the deck are high-value cards. But, as said before, the dealer gains nothing from these cards. So, raise your bets gradually to get the most out of the high-value cards.

The luck side of blackjack

To be honest, it’s almost impossible to win a blackjack hand without a bit of luck. You can master all the blackjack systems out there, but still suffer a painful losing streak. The thing is that even the most experienced blackjack players can’t be 100% certain about the type of cards dealt. Therefore, you’ll need some luck to land the best possible card combination.

Another point that can’t be emphasized enough is that winning a blackjack hand is possible, although the house always wins. Anything can happen in the short run of any gambling game. That’s because the edge applies only to many bets. For instance, in a blackjack game with a 1% house edge, you’ll need at least 100 wagers before feeling any impact of the low house edge.

Other online gambling tips for blackjack

Apart from card counting, many other blackjack tips can help achieve the desired results. First, strive to learn basic blackjack gambling strategies to be a stronger player. Remember that making those all-important blackjack decisions can be a tricky affair. So, get a blackjack strategy cart to know when to hit, stand, or double down.

Also, choose the paytable wisely. Typically, most blackjack tables offer 3:2 and 6:5 payouts. The difference between these tables is simple. In 3:2 blackjack, you get paid $3 for every $2 bet. On the other hand, you get $6 for every 5 in a 6:5 paytable. Generally, the 3:2 game has a house edge of 0.5% with an optimal strategy, compared to 2% in the 6:5 table. Another thing, the difference magnifies over time.

Most importantly, consider playing with blackjack bonuses. With these incentives, you can play most online casino games for free. This gives you more playtime, increasing your winning chances in the process. In addition, more game time only means more playing experience and learning more effective game systems. Just remember to read the blackjack bonus terms and conditions.

Conclusion

From the discussion above, it’s safe to conclude that blackjack is both a skill-based and luck-based game. Playing with an optimal strategy and choosing the right table can reduce the house advantage to 0.5% or less. But just like with any other gambling activity, luck plays a significant role in the game outcome. This gives the game its unique nature.