Top 4 Ways Blackjack Players Can Use Math to Win More Often
3 minutes
Last Updated: June 5, 2024
Unlike most luck-based games you can find in casinos, blackjack is not solely based on chance and probabilities. It’s no secret that math plays a huge role in blackjack. This card game requires a lot of calculation, and math can be a valuable ally in achieving long-term profitability.
So, how can you use math to boost your success and see more wins at the blackjack table? The answers and tips are pretty simple, and you don’t have to be a math whiz to understand them. Here are my four best ways how math will help you win more often in blackjack!
Learn Proper Wager Sizing Depending on the Situation
If you’re playing blackjack online, it’s absolutely imperative to first pick a trustworthy casino platform. When it comes to this, sites like Boku Mobile Casino can help you choose the right option for yourself and ensure you’re playing in a safe and fair online gambling environment.
Once you’ve made sure of this, arguably, the first thing you should do to ensure you win more often is to establish a proper system for determining your bet sizes. Factoring in how big of a bankroll you have, you need to create wagers that minimize your total risk of ruin. You can do so by setting a fixed bet size amount, using units representing specific values, or any functioning system that works for you.
Of course, if you have the money, you should bet any amount you want and enjoy the game to the full extent. However, always bear in mind how much you can afford and how you should size your bets based on the overall size of your bankroll.
Understand The Game’s Variance
Variance is a term most blackjack players have heard of but don’t really know what it means. To put it in simple words, it’s the difference between the expected advantage and the actual results you’ll see at the blackjack table.
To make this a bit clearer, let me go over a quick example. Let’s say that your expected advantage is $20 per hour and that you played 10 hours of blackjack over a weekend. Simple math indicated that your total EV after this time should be $200. However, it only amounts to $150. The lowered amount is due to variance. Of course, you can also win more than you predicted. This is the beauty of variance.
So, why does understanding variance and knowing how to calculate it matter? It helps you have a more realistic approach to the game and your bankroll. When you have a long-term focus and understand that variance will happen, you can ride through the swings more easily and stay profitable.
Count Cards Effectively
It goes without saying that you won’t be able to count cards effectively without a firm grasp of the math behind this blackjack strategy. The most important task in this strategy is to keep all of the cards that have been dealt. This includes the dealer’s cards as well.
You keep count of the cards as the round progresses and make more sizable bets when you determine you have an edge over the casino. An effective card counting strategy will provide you with a 1% edge, although in some instances this percentage can be twice as much.
Counting cards is not as hard as movies and shows would make you believe. However, keep in mind that most casinos don’t tolerate this strategy. So, if you get caught in the act, you’ll most likely be thrown out of the casino.
Double Down More Efficiently
Math isn’t only useful when accompanied by advanced strategies and terms. So, let’s end these math-oriented tips with a simple one. Understanding basic math will also help you tell when you should double down on a hand. Some hands are always more profitable for this action than others.
For example, if you have a hard 9, 10, or 11, you should almost always double down over hitting. Moreover, soft totals provide even more opportunities for doubling down. This strategy becomes even more effective when you’re counting cards, as you have approximate knowledge of the remaining cards.
Ready To Start Playing?
These tips will aid you in your efforts and help you increase your results and be more successful in blackjack. However, keep in mind that practice makes perfect. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see success initially, and keep practicing. Develop a proper bankroll management strategy and keep your sights on the long game. Good luck!