The most effective way to win at online blackjack is to simply play the very best strategy for the variation of the game that you are playing. By doing that you can reduce the house edge to as little as 0.28%, assuming you are able to take advantage of the most player-favourable rules out there.
That means that for every $1,000 you wager you would expect to lose slightly less than $3. But factor in some of the amazing bonuses on offer from the various online casinos as well as the loyalty schemes and comp points they run and you can soon shift the odds in your favour. Hell, with a little bit of help from Lady Luck and you might even make some serious money!
However, whilst playing basic (optimum) strategy and perfect blackjack is one thing, many players like to vary their stake and think that can give them an edge. Here we take a look at some popular ploys and see if there is any real benefit to using them.
Doubling up on a loss
One of the most popular and abiding theories and betting strategies is to double your stake after losing, a form of negative progression. This, especially when applied to roulette, is known as the Martingale system, and is 100% doomed to failure in any game where a house edge exists.
It will invariably lead to a series of small wins but over time it is a mathematical certainty that one big loss will come along and wipe out all your wins… and more besides. Say you play $10 per hand and win the first hand. Great, you bank the $10 and bet $10 again. If that loses, you bet $20, then $40 if you lose again, then $80: in fact losing just six hands in a row has you staking $640 on the next hand, which is pretty big stakes when your wins are only scraping you $10 here and there.
Increasing stake as you win
This is a positive progression system whereby you increase your bet after a win. This funds bigger stakes from money you have won and is also less likely to wipe you out as you will only lose a large stake after a succession of wins. This is a more conservative method but certainly a better one in our opinion.
Flat stake
To go right back to the start, the best betting system to use in online blackjack is a flat stake with basic strategy. It’s not exciting but it is mathematically proven and winning is more exciting than anything else! Keep it simple and give yourself the best chance of success.
Find the best USA online blackjack sites available and also see other blackjack strategy articles.
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