Blackjack has been a fan favorite ever since its inception as the American contribution to the world of banking games. Its earliest literary appearance was in the 16th century by the author of Don Quixote as twenty-one. Blackjack is the perfect casino game. It’s not as random as a coin toss, nor is it as strategic as Texas Hold ‘Em. It’s somewhere in between. There’s enough personal decision making that allows you to take in and weigh the odds against you. If you make the right decision, you win money. If you make the wrong decision, you lose money. It’s as simple as that. If you’re looking to win big, you must employ a strategy.

Here are some tips that can take your game from purely chance to a calculated win.

Tip 1: Mind The Payout

Never play a table that’s paying out 6:5. This goes for any space that you’re playing in. Whether you’re playing the Win Big tables online, or you’re at a smoke-filled casino, always go with the full 3:2. There’s an illusion of cutting losses in the disguise of fractionated payouts. This is where strategy comes in. Always take the bigger plunge and play at the 3:2 tables. Your chances of winning, even with the 8 deck setup, are brighter with “normal” payout rules.

Tip 2: Simple Strategies First

If you’re a beginner, employ a beginner’s strategy. It’s easy to get sucked into complex systems online, especially ones with heavy marketing. A lot of these are designed by professionals and have a specific audience in mind. For example, The Martingale Betting System. This system is rooted in the double-down. Every time you lose, you double your bet until you win. That’s playing the odds very recklessly. It’s the easiest way to completely lose track of your bankroll and find yourself in the poorhouse or, even worse, owing money. Stick to what you know and keep that bankroll safe.

Tip 3: Don’t Take Insurance

Insurance looks like a good idea. It always looks like a safe bet. In actuality, it’s far from it. First off, would a casino put out something like “insurance” thinking they’re saving you money? Absolutely not. They know people will buy into it, not fully weighing the odds and weight of the bet. There are only 4 out of 13 possible cards that can result in blackjack under an Ace. That’s a little over 30%. That’s not the smartest bet to make. It does work if you’re employing an advanced system, and only if you’re knee-deep into card counting. If not, don’t take the insurance. Stick to your preferred strategy and keep raking in cash.

Blackjack rose to popularity because it’s fun. There’s a rush every single round, and it’s paced just slow enough for you to process every loss and win. There’s little “fat” in the game, unlike poker. It’s concise, it’s direct, and it makes millionaires. If you’re jumping into the blackjack game cold, find yourself a good simple strategy. They’re all variations on the same theme: know when to stand and know when to hit. That’s all. Enjoy.