Blackjack is an extremely complex game that has multiple strategies and techniques that can be employed at every turn. Knowing these strategies and their variations can mean life or death when playing blackjack. There are several types of Blackjack strategy deviations, including the “basic strategy deviation” and the “progressive strategy deviation”. But, what are they? Let’s have a closer look below.
What Are Blackjack Strategy Deviations?
The goal of playing Blackjack (or 21) is to beat the dealer without going over 21 and get closer to 21 by matching the dealer’s cards. If you go over 21 then you automatically bust, meaning you lose whatever was left on the table. This means that even though you might be ahead after each hand, you can never win unless you come within 2 points of hitting 21.When playing blackjack, you must develop a solid strategy before playing. However, once you start betting, you may deviate from the original strategy. These deviations can happen depending on various circumstances. For instance, if the casino allows players to double down after splitting pairs and you split them, you would be able to increase the amount of money bet on subsequent hands. Below, we look closely at the common Blackjack strategy deviations.
A Closer Look at the Most-Used Blackjack Strategy Deviations
1. Basic Strategy Deviation
Here, you use basic strategy principles but you sometimes deviate from your set plan. The most common example of this is doubling down. When you double down, you’ll bet $10 more than the initial wager. So doubling down on 5/6 would mean you’re betting $20 (5 + 10). On any winning hand, you can either continue with the same bet or double down again for another $10.
2. Progressive Strategy Deviation
This occurs when you have a great hand like a pair of Jacks or better and you decide to keep it rather than risk losing it all.
3. Split Strategy Deviation
Another way that you can deviate from standard rules is when you split a pair versus taking the full amount. Splitting increases the size of your bet. However, when you split, you need to place your entire bet and not half of it.
4. Double Down Strategy Deviation
Some people believe that if you double down on a hand, you’ve already lost. That’s nonsense. Many casinos offer additional bonuses when you double down on certain hands. But there are many times when you can still win even if you double down.
How Can You Identify Them?
If you find yourself having trouble developing and sticking to a strategy, you probably aren’t using the right kind of strategy. This is where you need to consider deviating from the basic strategy. To help you make good decisions, here are some tips:
- Be familiar with basic strategy rules
- Know which hands deserve a break
- Understand the house’s edge
- Understand the pros and cons of different strategy options
- Consider the variance of games played
- Know when to fold
Conclusion
The most important rule for any blackjack player is to stay disciplined. Do not change your strategy based on what you think will work best in the current situation. Instead, stick with the basic strategy as much as possible. The more you deviate from this basic strategy, the greater the risk of losing money. So make sure you always keep your head in the game!