Question Do Blackjack charts work?

[conker]

I've always been intrigued about Blackjack strategies, in particular, the use of Blackjack charts to determine your next move.

If you are not familiar with Blackjack charts, they can be found online very easily. They offer the player a response to the outcome of a) what they have have been dealt, b) what they can see of what the dealer has been dealt. I have attached an image of a Blackjack Chart, purely for reference.

I know that playing perfect Blackjack strategy still wont beat the house. But I am aware that you can certainly reduce the house edge to a very small percentage if you play solid strategy.

So, my question to the forum members: Do Blackjack charts work? Or have they worked for you?

If no, then have you found any other strategies that have helped you achieve a positive bankroll when playing Blackjack?

 

[satchnz]

Anything that helps you make the most optimal decision (bar counting cards) is always good. So for that reason, blackjack basic strategy cards work if you follow them and leave the “gut feel” decisions to the side

EDIT: Some (if not all) live providers put a basic strategy card in their help files that you can access during the hand.

 

[SYPlayer95]

In short,
Yes they work. But youll still lose money in the long run, all you're doing is reducing house edge.

 

[Lemon]

Following basic strategy to the letter makes a huge difference and you'll notice it quite quickly. All the common mistakes people make are usually on the sort of situations that you get most frequently, such as 15 and 16 against a 9 or 10, and 12 against a 2 or a 3.

99.50% RTP is not to be sniffed at - that's an average loss of 1 bet unit per 200 hands assuming you stick to the same bet value throughout. If you're playing live and the dealer makes a mistake and pays you out on a stand-off just once in those 200 hands then you're basically playing the game for free.

Basic strategy is the way to go for sure if you want maximum entertainment for your money.

 

[Reelsoffun]

Yes they work, but you have to use the correct one for the game rules as there are some subtle changes, for example in the one posted above I wouldn’t use for the uk esp online due to not checking for blackjack, online you could be doubling an 11 when dealer shows 10 but already has hidden BJ so pretty sure it’s a hit instead on that game

Obvious other strategies are counting cards, but getting backed off is pretty quick these days.

 

[conker]

Basic strategy is the way to go for sure if you want maximum entertainment for your money.

Thanks you @Lemon and other members for your answers.

One thing I don't get is 'surrender' can someone help me out on this one. Is this only available in land-based casinos or can you also get this option online?

 

[Reelsoffun]

I don’t think I have ever seen online, and even land based it’s not overly common and not seen it land based in uk ever.

 

[conker]

Explanation from Google:

In blackjack, surrender is an option that allows a player to forfeit their hand and recover half of their initial bet, rather than playing it out and potentially losing the entire bet.

I have never seen it either, I have just read a little bit about it on some of the Blackjack Strategy sites. I am guessing it is something more common State-side in Land-based casinos.

 

[Lemon]

They used to have surrender in Vegas up until the early 2010's - I remember them having it in Harrahs when I first went. You can simply surrender your hand without playing it, and get 50% of your bet back.

Obviously the best strategy is to only use it on hands where your expected loss is greater than 50% regardless of how you play it, such as 16 v A, 10 or 9, and 15 v A or 10 if I remember correctly. To surrender you would draw a line with your index finger, between your bet and your two cards.

Wizard of Odds is your best bet for casino game strategy and analysis

 

[conker]

Nice explanation, thanks.

 

[mulven]

Explanation from Google:

In blackjack, surrender is an option that allows a player to forfeit their hand and recover half of their initial bet, rather than playing it out and potentially losing the entire bet.

I have never seen it either, I have just read a little bit about it on some of the Blackjack Strategy sites. I am guessing it is something more common State-side in Land-based casinos.

I always use blackjack surrender when possible, also called Atlantic city blackjack. Blackjack switch is good too. I've probably found it on 25-50% of the casinos I've played at under either name.

If America ever becomes a first world country again, I want to visit Vegas to get backed off for card counting as a casino beating badge of honour.

 

[conker]

Can't wait for the first thread from your Vegas trip @mulven

I sort of imagine it starting with a photo like this:

 

[Webzcas]

I suppose with blackjack charts they are not frowned upon by casinos and are allowed. Unless the info I have is out of date.

Unlike card counting which is not allowed and in itself requires a great deal of skill.

 

[conker]

I suppose with blackjack charts they are not frowned upon by casinos and are allowed. Unless the info I have is out of date.

As previously said by Lemon and others, its a strategy for very tight play. You are not gaming the house, you are just creating an opportunity to reduce the RTP to potentially 99.50%. If you get on a heater and the cards go your way then you can possibly build up a nice positive bankroll.

Unlike card counting which is not allowed and in itself requires a great deal of skill.

This is trying to game the house. Only possible in land-based as far as I am aware. You need to be exceptionally good with numbers and memory and to be honest that rules out 99.9% of us. Plus, if you get caught card counting then you will be turfed out of the casino, a bit like the photo above.

 

[andysbetting1187]

Yes they work, but you have to use the correct one for the game rules as there are some subtle changes, for example in the one posted above I wouldn’t use for the uk esp online due to not checking for blackjack, online you could be doubling an 11 when dealer shows 10 but already has hidden BJ so pretty sure it’s a hit instead on that game

Obvious other strategies are counting cards, but getting backed off is pretty quick these days.

Agree 100% - the strategy has to be right for the game and you need to know the rules - lots of different casinos have differing approaches which all affect the strategey (not checking blackjack, ;c;an you double after a split, can you split more than once - if so how many times, can you hit split aces or is it one card only etc.)

 

[satchnz]

As previously said by Lemon and others, its a strategy for very tight play. You are not gaming the house, you are just creating an opportunity to reduce the RTP to potentially 99.50%. If you get on a heater and the cards go your way then you can possibly build up a nice positive bankroll.


This is trying to game the house. Only possible in land-based as far as I am aware. You need to be exceptionally good with numbers and memory and to be honest that rules out 99.9% of us. Plus, if you get caught card counting then you will be turfed out of the casino, a bit like the photo above.

Is card counting really gaming the house though? Of course casinos will look for it, and if they catch you, they will ban you. But technically speaking, you are only making decisions based on the information available to all players at the table.

Overall, card counting is not illegal.

 

[dealer wins]

Theres actually a strategy card for slots too, not many people know about it

 

[neilw]

I don’t think I have ever seen online, and even land based it’s not overly common and not seen it land based in uk ever.

It's available on Evolution & Playtech Live blackjack tables. You might see it referred to as cash out, as you can cash out at any point before the dealer completes their hand. Visionary Igaming were the first to offer both Early and Late surrender, but cashout seems to be the more popular method online. Either way its a valuable option,but only play it when Basic Strategy says so.

 

[Reelsoffun]

I don’t play BJ online as the rules are not favourable, not even close on any games I found. Not checking for BJ on dealer 10’s and only 1 split allowed is more than enough to make it unplayable for me.

 

[satchnz]

I don’t play BJ online as the rules are not favourable, not even close on any games I found. Not checking for BJ on dealer 10’s and only 1 split allowed is more than enough to make it unplayable for me.

It’s amazing how these seemingly innocuous things can make such a difference to the game.

 

[Webzcas]

Eye opening thread, for me at least. I must admit, when I play at a casino, I never thought about using any systems. I realise the house has the edge, most certainly when playing slots. Not been to a land based casino in a while now, but when I do, may check the blackjack tables out and see how people play