How to Play Blackjack on Stake - Blackjack Strategy Guide
How to play Stake Originals Blackjack: a beginner’s walkthrough
Learning how to play blackjack starts by knowing the basic rules. The goal is to beat the dealer by getting a card value as close to 21 as possible without busting. This is done by adding the values of face cards and number cards together from a standard deck of 52 cards. Number cards count at face value, face cards count as 10, and Aces count as 1 or 11.
Here’s how to get started:
Set your bet amount.
Make decisions based on the cards dealt.
Wait for the dealer to play.
Receive your payout or loss.
This is a good place to start, but playing Stake Blackjack takes more. This guide explores blackjack strategies, bust probabilities, betting systems, and popular blackjack variants available at Stake Casino.
If you’re new to playing at Stake, start by reading our online casino guide. You’ll find handy playing tips, learn gaming strategies, and more.
Blackjack basic strategy: when to hit, stand, double, and split
Blackjack basic strategy uses mathematical probability to choose an action for each hand you’re dealt. Based on your point total, the dealer’s cards, and game rules, you must decide when to hit or stand. Basic strategy covers doubling down and splitting in the same way.
Hit: Take another card when adding to your hand is worth the risk of busting.
Stand: Keep your current point total when drawing another card is too risky.
Double Down: Double your wager when the outcome justifies the additional risk.
Split: Play your current hand as two separate hands with an additional bet when the odds of winning are higher.
Here’s how to use these rules when playing blackjack:
| Your hand | Basic strategy |
|---|---|
| Hard 11 or lower | Hit |
| Hard 17 or more | Stand |
| Hard 13 - 16 | Stand if the dealer shows 2-6Hit if the dealer shows 7-Ace |
| Hard 10 or 11 | Double down if the dealer has a weaker hand |
| Pair of Aces or 8s | Always split |
| Pair of 10s or 5s | Never split |
| Soft 17 or less | Hit or double down against a weak dealer card |
Knowing when to hit or stand is an important part of having a blackjack strategy. When your hand totals between 12 and 16, the dealer’s upcard can drastically change the final outcome. That’s why you shouldn’t rely on your own point total alone. Check the dealer’s upcard before proceeding.
Hard hands versus soft hands in blackjack
In blackjack, an Ace card can have a value of 1 or 11, based on the rest of your hand. This is what determines hard and soft hands.
A hard hand contains no Ace. For example: a 10 and an 8 is a hard hand of 18. A soft hand is one containing an Ace. If you have an Ace and a 7, you have a soft 18, or you can elect to play it as a total of 8 and take another card.
A soft 17 gives you more flexibility because the Ace can change value after another card is dealt. This is why basic strategy often recommends playing a soft 17 differently from a hard 17. Understanding hard and soft hands helps you use basic strategy correctly.
When to take insurance in blackjack?
A good blackjack insurance strategy focuses on whether a separate wager is worthwhile when the dealer has an Ace card. Insurance bets cost half of a standard wager and pay out 2:1 when a dealer has a natural blackjack.
Insurance bets don’t protect you from possible losses because they pay out independently from your main wager. An insurance bet is generally not recommended. With an Ace showing, the dealer has blackjack about 31% of the time, but insurance needs over 33% to break even.
For beginners, avoiding insurance bets is recommended. It shouldn’t be treated as a guaranteed way to recover losses.
Are blackjack side bets like 21+3 and Perfect Pair worth it?
Side bets provide additional wager options based on different card combinations, but they often have a higher house edge. The potential payouts can look good, but the odds may not be as favourable.
A smart blackjack side bets strategy starts with checking the paytable and comparing the RTP and house edge. Consider the chances of landing a qualifying combination as well as its payout, instead of only focusing on the highest-possible rewards.
Ensure that you understand how the basic outcomes of the main hand you play work before adding side bets. These are optional wagers that increase how much you could lose without improving your odds of winning.
Blackjack odds and bust probability
Blackjack odds rely on your cards, the dealer’s upcard, the remaining cards in the deck, and the game rules. The bust probability measures the chance of another card taking your hand value above 21.
Take a look at the table and learn about the approximate bust probabilities for hard hands when drawing one more card.
| Hand Total | Bust Probability |
|---|---|
| 12 | 31% |
| 13 | 38% |
| 14 | 46% |
| 15 | 54% |
| 16 | 62% |
| 17 | 69% |
| 18 | 77% |
| 19 | 85% |
| 20 | 92% |
A high bust probability doesn’t mean you will automatically lose. It means that standing, rather than hitting, may be a better option.
Two-card frequency
The chances of a two-card starting hand appearing are random, but you can track them. Here’s a look at the frequency with which this can happen:
| Two-card count | Percentage of frequency |
|---|---|
| No bust | 26.50% |
| Decision hands (1-16) | 38.70% |
| Hard standing hands (17-20) | 30.00% |
| Natural blackjack | 4.8% |
Card counting in blackjack explained
Card counting is a system that tracks the cards that are dealt when playing blackjack and estimates the remaining cards.
In land-based casinos, players may use card counting to adjust their wagers. They believe it can help them learn how to beat the dealer. This doesn't apply to online blackjack, where each round uses a reshuffled shoe and random number generators (RNG). Because of this, previously dealt cards don’t affect upcoming hands in the same way.
Games like Stake Blackjack use a provably fair system to verify the outcome of every round. This is done via cryptographic methods that generate a combination of server seeds and client seed values.
Blackjack betting systems and bankroll management
Many blackjack betting systems require you to change your bet size based on previous outcomes. However, these systems can’t overcome the house edge.
Some of the most popular blackjack betting systems include:
Martingale: This system requires you to increase your wager after a loss, usually by doubling it. This aims to recover losses, but long losing streaks can quickly drain your bankroll.
Fibonacci: This system uses a numerical sequence to determine how much you should wager after a loss. This carries the chance of a losing streak that can leave you without a bankroll.
Flat betting: This system keeps bets consistent between hands, making it easier to track your spending. However, you can still lower your flat stake if your bankroll drops.
The smartest way to play blackjack is by managing your bankroll. Use our budget calculator to determine how much you can afford to lose. Check the table’s limits before you set your bet size. Stick to this limit, avoid chasing losses, and always play responsibly.
Blackjack variants: American, European, and live dealer
We have many blackjack variants available, including American, European, and Live Dealer Blackjack. These games have the same objective but use different rules and provide different player options.
Each variant will also have its own return-to-player (RTP) percentage, house edge, and number of decks used. These details depend on the software provider and the game rules.
These are the most popular Blackjack variants at Stake:
American Blackjack: This game typically deals the dealer a face-up card and a face-down card. The rules allow for an early check for a natural blackjack. The dealer usually stands on a soft 17, but this varies by table. The standard payouts range from 3:2 to 6:5.
European Blackjack: This game generally deals the dealer a single card. A second card is dealt after you’ve made your playing decisions. Payouts are fixed at 1:1, 3:2, or 2:1 based on the outcome. The dealer must stand on a soft 17.
Live Dealer Blackjack: This form of blackjack comes in many variations, all hosted by a live dealer. The games are streamed live from a studio, use a physical table, and have rules and limits that vary.
Learn more about American vs European blackjack with our guide.
Where to play blackjack at Stake?
If you want to put your blackjack strategy and knowledge to the test, play Stake Blackjack today. This Stake Originals title is a provably fair game with a 99.43% RTP and a house edge of 0.57%.
Deposit with crypto or a local currency to start playing, and check our casino promotions.