Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games. While it is a game of chance, there are strategies that can improve your chances of winning. These strategies can help you increase your bankroll. Moreover, they can also prevent you from making costly mistakes that will cost you your hard-earned money.

Before you play blackjack, decide how much money you are willing to lose and stick to it. This will help you avoid making costly mistakes and will prevent you from betting more than you can afford to lose. Moreover, it will force you to play more carefully and to make better decisions.

You should be familiar with different forms of the game in order to find a strategy that works best for you. Each variation has its own rules and you need to study the basic strategy chart for each one. In addition, you should also learn about the game’s rules for surrender, splitting, double, and hitting. Lastly, you should know whether the dealer peeks for blackjack or not.

A simplified blackjack strategy chart can be very useful for players of any skill level. It is like a cheat sheet that tells you what to do in every situation, based on the cards you have and the dealer’s up card. It is recommended that you print it and keep it near the table or open it in a separate window so that you can quickly consult it whenever needed.

The basic strategy chart advises you to stand on a hand of 17 or higher, even against a dealer’s Ace. However, it also suggests that you should double on a strong hand of 9, 10 or 11. Doubling is a powerful move in blackjack because it capitalises on the dealer’s weakness rather than your own card strength. Besides, it offers you the opportunity to win 3 to 2 on your bets.

Another valuable strategy is the “counting cards” method. While some people are hesitant to try this system, it can be very effective and is a good complement to the basic strategy chart. Moreover, it is easy to implement. Counting cards does not guarantee wins, but it will improve your odds by a significant margin.

Another important aspect of blackjack strategy is playing only when you are ready to focus and concentrate. Many blackjack players have a false notion that streaks of wins and losses occur, so they keep on betting more and more, hoping to recover their losing streak by luck. The reality is that you cannot control a streak of wins and losses, but you can control how much you bet. Hence, you should only increase your stake when you can concentrate on the game. Also, you should not be afraid to walk away when you are winning. This will save you from a lot of unnecessary frustration and stress.