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Blackjack has been around for many, many years but you can still find gamblers all over the world giving bogus advice on how to beat the blackjack tables.

You’ve doubtless heard people in the casino saying that they have a ‘system’. You might even have come across people on the internet trying to sell you the ‘no-lose-sure-fire-method-to-win-at-blackjack’. Don’t be fooled. These systems don’t work. All you have is your commonsense and a few straightforward blackjack strategies.

The reason I’m writing this is to make you – the avid blackjack fan – use your head when playing the game at any casino, either land based or online.

Here we have the five blackjack tips that I think everyone needs to be aware. These will ensure your time at the table is as enjoyable as it can be.

Tip #1 – Knowing when you should stand

The standard version of casino blackjack means that the dealer can only stand on 17 or above. So, unless the dealer busts, you are unlikely to win a hand where your cards are lower than 17.

So if the dealer is showing an 8 or above for his card, you need to take the hit because his chances of busting out are not good, but if the dealer is showing a 6 or lower, and you have 11 or higher, you can stand with the dealer having a 40% or higher chance of busting out.

Tip #2 – Doubling Down

If your two cards total 10 or 11 you should double down (double your bet) if your total is more than the dealers up card. If they arent, then just take a hit.

When you double down, youre doubling your bet and get an additional card. Always do this when you suspect that you will beat the dealer when doing so. A player has a great advantage when they are at a table that allows doubling down, so do not overlook this option.

Tip #3 – When You Should Hit

If your cards total 12 through to 16, you should take a hit if the dealer’s card is a 7 or higher. However, if the dealer’s card is anything lower than a 7 then stand. The odds are in your favor for the dealer to bust. Even if his hold card is a 10, the most he can have is 16 and will have to take a hit.

Tip #4 ” Know What and When to Split

If you have a pair of 8s or aces, you should pretty much always split them. However, it is unwise to ever split pairs of fours, fives or tens. However, if you see that the dealer’s card is lower than a six, split all other pairs.

Tip #5 – Why You Shouldn’t Take The Insurance Bet

It sounds inviting, and looks like a good bet and covers you in case the dealer has a natural blackjack, but the truth is you will lose more money this way than you win. 80% of the time the dealer will NOT have blackjack and you will lose your side bet for the insurance and probably the hand bet also.

Here’s a brief explanation of how the insurance bet actually works and why, of course, it isn’t a good idea. The dealer’s up card happens to be an ace, so you take the insurance bet in order to win back half your bet if the dealer has blackjack. However, four times out of five, the dealer won’t have blackjack, so you have just lost 50% more than you would have otherwise.

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