Your odds of winning at blackjack are somewhat dependant on how you play the game. Although blackjack does not require a lot of choices, there are strategies and tips that can increase or decrease your odds respectively. Blackjack odds are always in the favor of the dealer; it is just the way it is. No matter if you claim to be the best blackjack player in the world, the odds are still against you. In order to turn those odds in your favor at least enough to make you a profit when you play, you will have to understand your odds and the house odds before you even play the game.

Some basic blackjack odds calculations show that in a given hand with a value of 11 to 13, you or the dealer will bust fewer than 40% of the time. However, if your hand is equal to 14 to 16, your odds of busting just went up to between 50-60%, and any hand with a value over 17 will bust 70% to 90% of the time. So, this being said, you must learn strategies that will help you make smart choices when it comes to hitting or standing depending on what the dealer has on the board. It is also important to understand that the chances of you beating the dealer with any hand less than 17 are dependent on the dealer busting. The dealer has to bide by strict rules, which make him or her continue to draw cards until they reach 17.

Experts will tell you that when the dealer shows any of the following: an ace, K, Q, J, 10, 9, or 8, you should hit. According to blackjack odds and mathematic probabilities, these are cards are unlikely to bust the dealer in the end. Experts also say that you should stand on any hand over 11, only if the dealer has an up card of 4, 5, or 6. Some people will argue that card counting is the way to sway the black jack odds in your favor, however unless you are ready for a huge time commitment, I don’t recommend it. It is difficult to learn and very time consuming to maintain.

If you were serious about winning, I would recommend studying all the blackjack odds tables you can. I would also recommend that you take the time to study strategies and tips that will put the odds of blackjack in your favor. Remember, playing smart means understanding your odds and playing with them in mind at all times.