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Gutshot Editorial
Posted on 08 Jan, 2025
By Gutshot Editorial
On 08 Jan, 2025
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By Gutshot Editorial
On 08 Jan, 2025
Share

Blackjack Strategies That Still Work In 2025


You probably found out that Blackjack is one of the casino games with the lowest house edge, or in other words a game where your chances of winning are highest. I know that this sounds exciting, but it is not as easy as jumping on a Blackjack table and hoping for the best.

In fact, to get that low house edge, you’ll need a strategy that actually works.

Blackjack is one of the rare casino breeds where your strategy still matters. In other words, it is a game that doesn’t depend solely on luck. Yes, luck plays an important role, but you can still manage to pull off some wins using a well-structured strategy.

But the big question is which strategies still work? We all know that casinos are designed in a way that they only allow small wins, and they do everything in their power to lower your winning chances. That’s why Blackjack is now played with multiple decks of cards that can go up to eight.

The good thing is that there are still some strategies that can help you increase your winning chances, but nothing is guaranteed.

Let’s go through some of them and fine-tune our skills before our next Blackjack session.

Why Blackjack Strategies Matter

As we mentioned before, getting the right strategy means that you can reduce the hose edge to as low as 0.5%, and that’s a big deal in the casino world.

But there are a lot of people that studied this game their entire lives, and some of the strategies are now useless as the game advanced to online casinos, but some of them still work.

Choosing the right strategy is all about calculating chances. In other words, strategies will help you make the right move based on math in scenarios where you have the best chances of getting a particular card to reach 21.

It doesn’t always go in your favor, but this is where luck comes in handy. You still need some luck, after all, Blackjack is played with multiple decks of cards and calculating all of that is nearly impossible.

The Basics

Before we highlight specific strategies, it is really important to know your Blackjack basics. After all, you cannot expect a beginner to deploy an advanced strategy without knowing the basic rules of the game.

Many people don’t know the basic strategy that increases your winning odds when playing blackjack. There are some sets of unwritten rules that give you an advantage in the game, such as:

  • Always hit when your hand is 8 or less.
  • Stand when your hand is 17 or higher unless your dealer has a strong upcard (10 or Ace)
  • You should always split aces and 8s (Yes, even 8s which gives you a higher chance to recover from a lousy hand)
  • Double down on 11 unless the dealer shows an Ace

Additionally, choosing the right Blackjack game is also very important. That’s why you should always check the best real money blackjack apps and their rules before playing.


ALSO READ: What Is The Secret Of Winning At Poker?


Blackjack Strategies That Still Work

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s move on to the juicy part: strategies that still work in 2025. These aren’t pie-in-the-sky theories. These are tried-and-true tactics that keep seasoned players coming back for more.

1. Card Counting: Still Alive and Kicking

Ah, card counting—the holy grail of blackjack strategies. Made famous by movies like 21, card counting is the ultimate way to tilt the odds in your favor. And guess what? It still works.

  • The gist: Card counting involves keeping track of high cards (10s, face cards, Aces) and low cards (2-6) to determine when the deck is in your favor.
  • Modern challenges: Casinos have caught on, using multiple decks and automatic shufflers to throw off counters. But skilled players can still adapt by focusing on smaller-scale games or live online blackjack with fewer decks.

Pro Tip: While card counting isn’t illegal, it’s frowned upon by casinos. If you’re too obvious, expect a polite request to leave—or worse, the dreaded “backroom chat.”

2. The 1-3-2-6 Betting System

This strategy isn’t about the cards—it’s about how you bet. The 1-3-2-6 system is a low-risk progression strategy designed to maximize profits during winning streaks while minimizing losses during losing streaks.

  • How it works:
    • Start with 1 unit (e.g., $10).
    • If you win, bet 3 units ($30).
    • Win again? Drop to 2 units ($20).
    • Win the fourth hand? Bet 6 units ($60).
    • After four wins, reset to 1 unit and start over.

If you lose at any point, go back to 1 unit. It’s simple, effective, and doesn’t require deep pockets.

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3. Surrender Smartly

Surrendering feels like giving up, but in blackjack, it’s sometimes the smartest move. If the casino allows it, the surrender option lets you forfeit half your bet in exchange for not playing a hand.

  • When to surrender:
    • When you have a hard 16 and the dealer shows a 9, 10, or Ace.
    • When you have a hard 15 and the dealer shows a 10.

It’s not glamorous, but surrendering can save you money in the long run.

4. Play Soft Hands Correctly

A “soft hand” is a hand with an Ace that can be counted as 1 or 11 without busting. These hands are goldmines when played right.

  • Examples:
    • Always hit a soft 17 or lower.
    • Double down on a soft 16-18 if the dealer shows a weak upcard (e.g., 3-6).

Soft hands give you flexibility—don’t waste it by playing too conservatively.

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Final Words

The most important thing when starting to play blackjack with a certain strategy is to lower your expectations and always follow the rules. Remember, these strategies don’t work 100% of the time.

So, you should first develop some budgeting skills, and after that, you can try some of the things we mentioned in this article.

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Gutshot Magazine is India’s leading real money gaming magazine that covers news, updates, previews, highlights, features and much more across verticals like poker, rummy, and fantasy sports. Our rich history that has spanned over a decade now, Gutshot Magazine has always tied up with events and tournaments that have helped push the awareness of skill gaming in the country. If you are looking for the latest updates across real money gaming, then you have arrived at the perfect destination.



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