Learn basic strategy faster with this one tip
Lesson description
Basic strategy takes practice and time, but you can trick your brain into learning this skill faster. Mr Blackjack reveals his one trick to memorizing basic strategy quickly.
Basic strategy takes time and practice to learn. For some players, memorizing the rules can be a struggle, so we've got one simple tip that will help you trick your brain into learning basic strategy faster.
In a deck of cards, you have 13 values. 2-9 are taken at their numerical value. Four cards (10, J, Q, K) have a value of 10, and the Ace has a value of 11.
So, out of 13 cards, you have four that are 10s. Statistically, that means you have a 30% chance of getting a 10 for every card that comes out.
The easiest way to learn basic strategy is to look at the dealer's up-card and pretend they have a 10 under it. Then look at your cards and pretend your next card will be a 10. You also apply that logic to the dealer's third card.
In practice, you have 10 with a combination of 6-4, and the dealer has a five. You pretend the dealer will get a 10, giving him 15, and then his next card will be another 10 giving him 25.
Now look at your hand of 10. If you consider your next card could be a 10 giving you 20. You are in a great position to double down, and you do so because your odds of making 20 versus their odds of making a better hand are definitely in your favor.
Let's see how this plays out.
So, you got a 10 as predicted, and the dealer flips 15 and gets a 7, which makes 22. Perfect textbook blackjack.
The 10 predictor is simply an easy way to remember what to do to learn basic strategy. It will not work in every situation but it does make you think about the mathematics behind blackjack.
Ultimately you should refer to a strategy card on any hand you're unsure of. It is the best resource, and once you memorize that, you can move on to Ace tracking and Hi-Lo card counting, which we discuss in our card counting classes.
What this lesson covers
- How to memorize basic strategy faster
- Why the trick works on basic strategy
- What skills to progress on afterwards
Meet Mr Blackjack
With a career spanning two decades, Mathieu Blake knows his way around a blackjack table. He's taught and entertained over 100,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel NeverSplit10's . In this series he'll take you through basic strategy, card counting, and bankroll management. Take a seat with Mr Blackjack and become a winning player.
Basic Strategy
Basic Strategy 101 for Blackjack
Hit
Stand
Split
Surrender
Double Down
Strategy charts
Mistakes New Players Should Avoid with Basic Strategy
Learn basic strategy faster with this one tip
Want to learn more about Blackjack?
You may also be interested in...
Top 10 most watched videos
Top 10 most searched videos
FAQs
- What else can I do to practice my blackjack strategy skills?
-
There are many tools available online that will help you learn basic strategy faster. Our blackjack apps guide covers the best apps for learning basic strategy and card counting. They feature practice rounds, explainers, even performance dashboards so you can monitor your progress.
- How long does it take to learn basic blackjack strategy?
-
It depends entirely on your time, aptitude, and learning style. Some players can learn basic blackjack strategy in less than an hour, others need to apply it to hundreds of hands before they feel confident in their ability.
- How can I master basic strategy?
-
If you want to master basic strategy, you need to dedicate time, patience, and practice towards building this skill. Use tools like strategy charts to help you learn, and practice your skills with free blackjack games and blackjack apps, too.
- Can anybody learn basic strategy?
-
As long as you know blackjack rules, anyone can learn basic strategy. It all depends on how much time and effort you’re willing to dedicate towards practicing this skill
- **Can I learn basic strategy without having to memorize rules or cards?**
-
If you struggle to memorize basic strategy rules, then repetition is your best alternative. As you revisit hands again and again, your memory should gradually remember the best moves for each scenario.
- Can I practice basic strategy in blackjack by myself?
-
There are several ways you can practice basic strategy on your own. You can find strategy practice and card counting tools on our blackjack apps guide, or you can use our free blackjack arcade. Several of our games feature strategy cards, so you can have it on the screen as you play.
- Is basic strategy enough to win?
-
No; even when you apply perfect blackjack strategy, the casino still has 1-2% edge. Players must also learn card counting, Ace tracking, and blackjack deviations to become an advantage player.