Blackjack: A Game of Skill or Luck?

The banking card game has been around for a couple of centuries, and still remains a hugely popular and influential card game. However, you’ll often hear debate about whether or not blackjack is a game of luck, or a game of skill. The truth is a bit more complicated than you’d think.

A lot of people equate gambling games with luck. In fairness, a lot of gambling games are purely luck-based. No amount of strategy can help you win a game of craps, roulette, or slots, for example. However, there are other games, like poker, for example, where skill is much more important than luck. So, where does blackjack fall?

Blackjack falls right in the middle. In truth, blackjack is a luck-based game, as you have to hope for the best. However, there is a degree of strategic thinking that goes into the game. It is this perfect blend of luck and skill that has made blackjack one of the most popular casino games, not just in land-based establishments, but online as well.

In order to understand the role of luck in blackjack, we first must understand the nature of the game. Players do not compete against each other in blackjack. Rather, they all individually play against the dealer. They start with two cards each, with the goal of compiling cards whose worth equals 21, or at least as close to it as possible.

Of course, no player knows what card comes after the two they’ve been dealt. And that is where luck comes into play. Many have tried to mitigate the power of luck in this instance, by coming up with strategies for when you should hit, and when you should hold. However, you also have to take into account the dealer’s hand.

At the end of the day, there is still no way to know what card will be turned over. That is why you’ll often hear that blackjack is a primarily luck-based game. However, this classification may not be completely true. After all, there are many professional blackjack players who are competing using reliable strategies. So, let’s look at the role of different strategies in blackjack.

A lot of gamblers have realized the luck-based nature of casino games. Instead of trying to overcome luck, they’ve decided to work with it. So, rather than coming up with strategies that focus on the game, they’ve come up with strategies that focus on the betting. In simple terms, the idea revolves around how much money you should place, and when.

Betting strategies have been around for a while, and some have attained quite a reputation. For example, there are a lot of gamblers familiar with the concept of progressive betting systems. Though they are incredibly risky, a lot of experienced gamblers enjoy testing them out, and hoping for the best. Examples of these strategies include the Fibonacci system, the Martingale, and the Reverse Martingale.

When it comes to slots or roulette, betting strategies are, really, the only way to go. However, in blackjack, gamblers can combine betting strategies with actual game tactics. So, let’s explore some of the different strategies that actually involve gameplay, and see if they are viable in an online or land-based casino setting.

Every card game has a “meta,” which describes the basic rules and expectations you have before you play. Whether you are playing poker, Magic: The Gathering, or blackjack, you should know the basics and the rules before you start. If you know the rules of blackjack, then you are half-way towards formulating the most basic of blackjack strategies.

If the goal of a player is to reach a sum of 21, then it is all about knowing when to hit and when to stand. For example, if you’ve been dealt two cards, and their sum total is 11, hitting is the best outcome, as ten is the maximum amount you can get in blackjack (with the exception of the Ace card, in specific situations). So, hitting on 11 is the logical step, which constitutes a very basic strategy.

On the other hand, if the first two cards you were dealt were a 10 and a 9, that means your sum total is 19, which means you are only two away from 21. The risk of hitting a card that exceeds that sum is immensely high, so standing is the best bet. While this may not be the most complex strategy, it is a strategy. These are the things that blackjack players consider whenever they sit at the table.

It wouldn’t be a discussion about blackjack strategies if we didn’t bring up card counting. Many people think of card counting as a highly-kept secret – something that only the few genius mathematicians can do. In truth, card counting isn’t as tough as most films or television shows make it seem. All it takes is basic understanding of a card counting system, and a lot of practice.

That being said, card counting is also not a strategy we can recommend. For one, it is difficult, if not impossible to pull off online. Of course, there are some apps and programs that can help count cards at online casinos, but those are highly illegal, and may get the player in a ton of trouble. As for card counting in land-based establishments, well that has its issues as well.

For one thing, most casinos look down on card counters, and consider the practice a form of cheating. It is worth noting that, counting cards without the use of any electronic device is not a crime. You will not be detained for it, and you won’t get into legal trouble. However, you might get kicked out of the gambling establishment, get refused payment, or earn a permanent ban.