Top 10 Strategies for Winning Big in Live Blackjack

Live Blackjack is one of the most popular online casino games around. Live Blackjack comes with one of the lowest house edges of any table game, but that's only if you're playing the game correctly and utilizing basic strategies. What are those strategies? We're glad you asked! Today, we're going to take a look at blackjack strategy - like when to hit, stand, split and more - that will help you get the most out of your gaming experience and hopefully score some big wins at the table. Let's dive in!

Blackjack Basics

Just in case we have some novice gamblers in the house, let's go over the basics first. Blackjack is a table game where the player goes head to head against the dealer to see who can get closer to 21 without going over. The player is dealt two cards face up - cards 2-10 are worth their face value, face cards are worth 10 and aces are 1 or 11 - while the dealer has one card face up and one face down. Depending on the cards dealt, the player will hit, stand, double down or split their two cards in the hope of getting as close to 21 as possible. If a dealer is dealt a 21 on the first two cards that's a natural blackjack and they win with a payout of 3:2 - assuming the player doesn't also have a natural 21.

You'll hear phrases like a 'hard 15' or a 'soft 15'. If a player is showing a 'hard 15' that means they have two cards like a 10 and 5 or a 9 and 6. A 'soft 15' means they have an ace and a 4. It's 'soft' because the ace counts as either a 1 or 11.

If the player goes over 21 they bust and lose the hand. If the dealer busts then the player wins - as long as they don't bust as well. If the player is closer to 21 than the dealer when all cards are dealt then the player wins.

Top 10 Strategies for Winning Big in Live Blackjack

Always hit on 11 or less. Depending on what the dealer has, but you can't bust here so no risk.
Hit below 17 if dealer shows 7 or higher. Get aggressive against strong dealer upcards.
Stand on 17 or higher. Even vs dealer face or ace, low chance to improve safely.
Stand on 12-16 if dealer shows 5 or 6. Let dealer bust on weak cards.
Double down on 10 or 11 if dealer shows less than 10. Boost winnings in favorable spots.
Double down on 9 if dealer shows 3, 4, 5 or 6. Another good doubling opportunity.
Always split aces and eights. Best splits for better hands.
Split 9s, 7s, 6s, 3s and 2s if dealer shows 2-6. Turn one weak hand into two potential winners.
Double down on soft 13-18 if dealer shows 5 or 6. Can't bust, dealer weak.
Never split 5s or 10s; never buy insurance. Protect strong starting hands; insurance is a bad bet long-term.