Basic Blackjack Strategy — Practical Play and how COVID Changed Online Play for Beginners
Hold on — if you only take two things away from this article, let them be these: (1) basic blackjack strategy reduces the house edge dramatically and is simple to learn, and (2) COVID pushed most casual play online, which changed table speeds, bankroll needs, and where you should practice. Here’s a compact, usable start: memorize the 10–12 core decisions below and treat your first 10 online sessions as practice-only bankroll work.
Here’s the thing. You don’t need card-counting, fancy software, or a huge bankroll to play blackjack sensibly. Learn when to hit, stand, double, and split in common situations, size your bets, and adjust for slower or faster online tables created during the COVID-era shift to remote live dealers. This will save you money and frustration on your first few dozen sessions.
Quick practical benefit (two-paragraph summary)
Basic strategy reduces the casino edge from roughly 2% (random play) to about 0.5% or less depending on rule variations. That difference matters: over 1,000 hands at $10 average bet, a 1.5% swing equals $150 less expected loss — and you can preserve that money by following a small set of rules.
COVID’s effect: more online tables, more short-timed decisions at live streams, and a higher share of players using crypto and fast withdrawals. That changes your approach — especially bet sizing and session structure — because multi-hour in-person sessions were replaced by short online sprints where variance looks sharper.
Core Basic Blackjack Moves (memorize these)
Wow! These are the moves you want etched in your mind before you sit down at a table (online or live):
- Always stand on hard 17+.
- Hit on hard 8 or less.
- With a hard 12–16 vs dealer 7–Ace, hit; vs dealer 2–6, stand (dealer bust zone).
- Double on 11 always; on 10 unless dealer shows Ace or 10-value; on 9 vs dealer 3–6.
- Split Aces and 8s; never split 10s or 5s. Split 2s/3s vs dealer 2–7, split 6s vs 2–6, split 7s vs 2–7.
- Always surrender (if offered) hard 16 vs dealer 9–Ace and hard 15 vs dealer 10.
Why these rules work — short reasoning
My gut says they feel counterintuitive at first, but here’s why: basic strategy is derived from exhaustive simulation of millions of hands; it minimizes expected loss by choosing the mathematically optimal action for every player total and dealer up-card. On the one hand, it’s simple; on the other, it slices house edge consistently.
Mini calculation: what basic strategy buys you
Example case: Game rules are 6 decks, dealer stands on soft 17, double after split allowed — typical online rules. Random amateur play: house edge ≈ 2.0%. With basic strategy: house edge ≈ 0.5%. If you play 1,000 hands at $10 bet, expected loss changes from $200 to $50 — a $150 difference. That’s real money saved by learning small decision rules.
Two short, practical examples (realistic)
Case A — You have 12 vs dealer 4 (online live table): Stand. You’d be tempted to “hit a small total,” but dealer’s 4 is a bust-prone card; standing preserves the better expectation.
Case B — You have A,6 (soft 17) vs dealer 6: Double if allowed. Doubling converts the favorable situation into a higher-expectation play and wins more in the long run even though it’s riskier short-term.
Comparison table — Options and when to use them
| Approach/Tool | When Useful | Complexity | Practical Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic strategy chart | All beginners, pre-learning, smartphone at table | Low | Reduces house edge to ~0.5% |
| Hi-Lo card counting (simple) | Advanced players in low-shuffle settings (rare online) | High | Can swing EV positively in very specific land-based situations |
| Bet sizing / Kelly-lite | Bankroll management and variance control | Medium | Limits drawdown and stabilizes sessions |
Where COVID changed things for blackjack players
Something’s off if you expect pre-2020 rhythms. Live floors disappeared; online studios increased live-stream tables to meet demand. That meant quicker rounds, more mixed rule sets, and a surge of short-session players who chase variance. Results:
- Higher table density and variable rule sets — some online tables are more favorable than others (look for S17, DAS (double after split), and late surrender).
- Shorter sessions — players often log in for 20–40 minutes now. This amplifies variance psychology; you must scale bets accordingly.
- Payment shift — crypto adoption rose for faster withdrawals; that can affect bankroll planning (crypto volatility + quick payouts).
Practice and platform note (golden middle recommendation)
Alright, check this out — if you want to practice basic strategy in a low-friction environment, choose a platform that offers plenty of live tables and good filtering by rules so you can find S17/DAS games while you learn. One reputable site that expanded its live and slots offering post-COVID and lets you filter by rules is onlywin — use it to practice smaller bets on live blackjack tables and check game rules before sitting down.
Quick Checklist — before you sit at an online blackjack table
- Confirm game rules (deck count, dealer S17/H17, DAS, surrender options).
- Open a basic strategy chart on your phone or memorize the 8–12 core moves above.
- Set a session bank and a stop-loss (e.g., 3–5% of monthly bankroll per session).
- Decide bet unit and maximum session loss (e.g., $5 unit, stop at 10 units lost).
- Choose payment method and confirm withdrawal times (crypto vs card).
- Enable reality checks and adhere to time limits introduced during the COVID-era online surge.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Mistake: Playing by “feel” instead of strategy. Fix: Use a chart until rules are automatic.
- Mistake: Ignoring table rule differences. Fix: Filter tables; prefer S17/DAS/late surrender for better EV.
- Bias: Gambler’s fallacy — thinking a deck is “due” to pay. Fix: Treat hands independently and follow strategy.
- Mistake: Overbetting during short online sessions (COVID-era sprinting). Fix: Reduce unit size and cap consecutive increases.
- Operational: Not checking withdrawal rules/verification — KYC delays can lock funds. Fix: Complete KYC before playing big.
Mini-FAQ (3–5 questions)
Q: Can a beginner beat blackjack with basic strategy?
A: No guaranteed wins — but basic strategy minimizes losses and maximizes your long-term expectation. It turns a high-loss hobby into a controlled, lower-edge game.
Q: Is card counting useful online?
A: Not practically. Online dealers shuffle more frequently and many live tables use automatic shufflers, so counting rarely applies. Count techniques are mostly land-based tools.
Q: How large should my bankroll be?
A: For casual play, a 100–200 unit bankroll (unit = your base bet) gives a buffer. So if your base is $5, aim for $500–$1,000 bank to handle variance and avoid tilt.
Short strategy for bet sizing and session structure
To cope with post-COVID online dynamics, prefer conservative bet sizing: 1–2% of your session bankroll per hand, lower if you’re still learning. Example: $500 bankroll, $5 unit = 1% unit size. Limit sessions to 30–60 minutes and re-evaluate performance after 10–20 hands to avoid emotional decisions that follow quick swings.
Two small practice drills
- Session Drill A — Basic moves: Play 50 hands at $1 unit using only the basic strategy chart; treat wins as a learning bonus. Record deviations and correct them next session.
- Session Drill B — Rule eye test: Spend one session sitting at three different tables and note the S17/H17 and DAS flags. Only play at tables with rules you’ve decided are acceptable.
Responsible play & Canadian regulatory notes
To be honest, the pandemic made online play easier to overdo. If you’re 18+ (verify your provincial age), use reality checks, deposit limits, and self-exclusion if needed. Complete KYC early — delayed verification has been the top complaint since 2020. If you need help, check provincial support services (e.g., ConnexOntario) or national resources such as the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
18+. Gambling can be addictive. Set limits, never chase losses, and contact local problem-gambling services if you’re concerned. KYC/AML checks are standard; expect document verification for larger withdrawals.
Final echo — a practical takeaway
On the one hand, blackjack is one of the friendliest casino games for a beginner who’s willing to learn a short rule set. On the other hand, the COVID-driven move online changed session dynamics and payment behavior, meaning learning the table rules and practicing on low-stakes live tables before betting real money is essential. If you start with the checklist above, learn the 8–12 core decisions, and manage bet sizing, you’ll enjoy more controlled, less costly sessions.
Sources
- https://wizardofodds.com/games/blackjack/ (strategy breakdowns & simulations)
- https://www.igamingontario.ca (regulatory guidance for online gambling operators)
- https://www.camh.ca — Responsible gambling resources
About the Author
Alex Mercer, iGaming expert. Alex has six years of experience playing and analyzing online casino games, specializing in blackjack strategy, payment flows, and responsible-play systems. He writes practical guides for beginners and advises players on risk-aware play.