Best Way To Win At Blackjack Rating: 4,2/5 9914 votes
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Blackjack is one of my favorite games in the casino. Not because there is a lot of excitement generated like with craps but because with some very basic strategies and knowledge you can turn what I find a relaxing experience into a profitable one.

The best thing about playing blackjack for real money is that everything that happens when you play is controlled by a specific set of cards. Most blackjack players don’t think about the game this way, but there are only 52 cards in a deck. Even if the game is using six or eight decks of cards, there are still only 52 possible cards.

Having spent hours (which may equate to days) at the blackjack table, I have seen a lot of different strategies to no strategy at all. Playing blackjack can be fun and rewarding. I recommend that you keep it as simple as possible and use the people around you, including the dealer.

When at the table I’d like to encourage you to get involved with the table. Whether that is from the perspective where you are learning or an expert at the game. I read somewhere along the way that “if you help enough people get what they want you too shall get what you want”. Consider that when you have a player considering to take a card when holding 15 when the dealer shows a 6.

  1. Card counting is the best legal way to gain a big advantage over the House. Card counting is completely legal, and though it requires a lot of study and practice, it turns the game of blackjack into a positive expectation game, meaning card counters actually have the edge over the casino.
  2. On the one hand, Blackjack is known to be the Casino game with the best odds of winning. But on the other oneit's impossible to win at Blackjack every time you play. Experienced players say you only need to apply the 'optimal basic strategy' to get a better ROI and improve your chances to win at Blackjack but.

First Things First

We all have to start somewhere and like with much of what we do in life we learn the most while on the go. Blackjack, for most, is learned in the same manner. I cannot remember the last time that I sat down at a blackjack table and there was not at least one person that either needed some guidance or could use some guidance. So here are some starting points:

  1. Know the basics.The goal is to beat the dealer – not to reach 21. There are a lot of players that have what I refer to as “card paralysis”. They see the two cards that are dealt and they are counting in their heads to see what they might need to get 21. We are all playing to win and winning means beating the dealer. Not achieving 21.
  2. Never hand the dealer your cash.You have to set the cash down on the table so that the cameras can see the money being accepted by the dealer.
  3. Cards stay on the table. You have to keep the cards on the table, even if you are playing a game where they allow you to pick up the cards. IN a game where they deal the cards face down and allow you to pick them up you must keep them on the table and only touch the cards with one hand. Otherwise in the vast majority of blackjack games you are not to ever touch the cards.
  4. Know the basic hand gestures.As we all know, casinos are filled with cameras so the player must point or gesture to either hit to receive another card or wave to stay. Knowing the hand gestures would essentially allow a player to be able to play, for the most part, without saying a word during the course of the game.
  5. Get online. Before playing it is almost a must to become a student of the game. Going to one of the free online sites allows for you to learn how to bet, when to split, how to double down or when to use insurance.
  6. Download an app. The vast majority of us have a smart phone that will allow us to download a game. I recommend downloading a blackjack game that will allow you to track your statistics and practice your strategy.
  7. Practice with friends. It is always helpful to practice with a live deck of cards and with friends that know how to play. There are a lot of players now that have been introduced to casino style gambling online but lack the experience at the tables. As I mentioned before, you have to start somewhere. So try to get a feel for the live gaming experience by practicing what you have learned with friends or family that know what the actual live experience is like.
  8. Respect the table.On countless occasions I have seen people walk up to the table and cash in $20.00 and walk away in less than 2 hands. For the most part it is disruptive to the players that have been playing at the table. Blackjack is a progressive game and the players at the table are working and observing trends in the cards. A “floater” coming in and not investing time at the table is distracting.
  9. Know the numbers.The dealer busts 28% of the time. This is equal to two (2) times out of every seven (7) hands. Keep this important stat in mind and try not to act too quickly and help the dealer out. When a player mishandles a hand there is a 28% chance that it was going to equal a bust with the dealer. Remember, it is not the first to 21 but the first to not bust. Another angle to consider is that 85% of the player’s hands are lost when holding a hard 12 through 17. Also, when a dealer is holding an Ace as their up card there is a 31% chance that they have a 10 underneath.
  10. Probability Theory and Blackjack. The Encyclopedia Britannica defines Probability Theory as:
    1. a branch of mathematics concerned with the analysisof random phenomena. The outcome of a random event cannot be determined before it occurs, but it may be any one of several possible outcomes. The actual outcome is considered to be determined by chance.

There are a lot of people in the gambling industry that have done the math for us and conclude that a win in blackjack happens approximately 42% of the time. A tie with the dealer occurs roughly 9% of the time. So you are going to lose 51% of the time. Knowing these odds helps you to work a strategy that helps you to maximize your betting during the 42% of the wins.

Getting into the Game

There are a lot of moving parts in almost every game in the casino. Each and every one of them have a draw for different players and provide a sense of thrill. Having a good base of knowledge will enhance your ability to both enjoy the game and turn it profitable.

Just as any game we play, the longer we play, the better we get. Aside from all the tips I am mentioning here, the best little known way to become a winner at blackjack, is to play and play often.

  1. How to Bet.The table has the minimum and maximum bets posted at the table. The player places a minimum bet in the designated location and play begins with the dealer dealing the cards. During play you will have the opportunity to increase your bet by splitting pairs or doubling down.
  2. The Deal. Once bets have been placed on the table the dealer deals two cards to each player (in most games they are face up) and two cards to the dealer, one face up and the other face down.
  3. Basic Play. Once the cards have been dealt, play begins. Players and the dealer can have blackjack and players are paid out and the rest of the table plays their hands. If the dealer has blackjack play is over and the players lose their bets. Aside from blackjack, players play out their hands by either taking additional cards, splitting or doubling down. If a player busts then their bet is surrendered and game continues for the other players at the table.
  4. Play of the Dealer. Everyone at the table is playing their hands to beat the dealers hand. The dealer, in most cases, have to hit on 16 and stay on 17. If dealt an Ace as their up card the dealer can ask players if they wish to use insurance to protect their bet.
  5. Know when to use Insurance.When the dealer’s face-up card is an ace, any of the players may make a side bet of up to half the original bet that the dealer’s face-down card is a ten-card, and thus a blackjack for the house. Once all such side bets are placed, the dealer looks at his hole card. If it is a ten-card, it is turned up, and those players who have made the insurance bet win and are paid double the amount of their half-bet, a 2 to 1 payoff. When a blackjack occurs for the dealer, of course, the hand is over, and the players’ main bets are collected – unless a player also has blackjack, in which case it is a stand-off. Insurance is not good for the player, unless he is sure that there are a high number of ten-cards still left in the deck.
  6. Know when to split your cards.You have the ability to spit any matched pair during the game. When you find yourself looking at a pair of cards on the table there are a number of different scenarios to consider. First you want to know if there is a better chance to win against what the dealer is showing if you split your cards. The basic rules for splitting your cards are:
YouDealerResult
i.Pair of 2’s or 3’s4,5,6 or 7Split
ii.Pair of 4’sAnythingNever Split
iii.Pair of 5’s2 through 9Never Split; Double Down
iv.Pair of 5’s10 and upNever Split; Hit
Pair of 6’s3,4,5 or 6Split
vi.Pair of 6’sAnything elseHit
vii.Pair of 7’s2 through 7Split
viii.Pair of 7’s8 and upHit
ix.Pair of 8’sDoesn’t matterAlways Split
x.Pair of 9’s2 through 6Split; Double Down
xi.Pair of 9’s7Stand
xii.Pair of 9’s8 or 9Split
xiii.Pair of 9’s10 and upStand
xiv.Pair 10’s – KingDoesn’t matterNever Split; Stand
xv.Pair of Ace’sDoesn’t matterSplit
  1. Know when to double down.The quickest way to build your personal bank is to double down as often as you have the chance. Totaling the cards dealt to you are what initiates the opportunity to double down and here are the rules to follow when doubling down:
    YouDealerResult
    a.93,4,5 or 6Double Down
    b.102 through 9Double Down
    c.112 through 10Double Down
    d.Ace and 2 or 35 or 6Double Down
    e.Ace and 4 or 54,5 or 6Double Down
    f.Ace and 63 through 6Double Down
    g.Ace and 73 through 6Double Down
  2. Always hit on soft 17.I know that when the average person looks at this they scratch their head and wonder why in the world anyone would hit on a soft 17. Many players get dealt a soft 17 (which is a hand that is equal to 17 where an Ace and a 6 has been dealt) and decide to stay. The general rule of thumb is that when dealt a hard 17 is to stay because the number of potential bust cards is great. Conversely, when a dealer shows any up card not a three through 6 the player usually loses with a 17. As a result, always hit on a soft 17.
  3. When you Win (the Payout).The player always goes first in blackjack and if a player busts they lose their bet at that moment (even if the dealer later busts). The player is paid immediately when a player gets a blackjack otherwise the table players play out the hand. Most blackjacks are paid out at 3:2. Some tables pay out differently so be aware of what the payout is at the various tables. Aside from the payout of a blackjack the table pays 1:1 on your standard bet. That same bet is paid out when you split pairs and double down.
  4. Most casinos have auto shufflers and deal multiple decks. Some of the multiple decks are 6 to 8 decks in total. About one in every six tables you’ll find a single deck game and the cards are shuffled at a more frequent rate.
  5. Play more than one position.Playing two or more positions allows you to deploy a number of strategies as well as opening up a lot of advantages. Most casinos allow you to play multiple positions but they have rules that require you to double the table minimum bet. Be mindful of the table minimum because it will apply to the splitting of any cards and doubling down on any bets. There are a few strategies to consider and when playing three or more positions it is recommended that you stand, at all times, on any one of the hands with a hard 16 and play the others with your developing strategy. Also, when playing three positions, make one of the positions an aggressive position when you play. You will take more risks in this position. While playing multiple positions it is good to play a progressive betting style. As you grow your bets, make sure that you are raking profits.
  6. Play a progressive betting system.There are a lot of ways to bet progressively while playing blackjack. This is one of the optimal ways you can rake significant profits. This style of betting can be used when playing one or multiple positions. I have used a number of progressive styles over the years and there is one style that I use regularly. First, begin by betting the table minimum and if playing multiple positions make sure that you are betting the required minimums. When you win the first time with a hand, double your next bet. When you win the second time, rake the profits and go back to the table bet. Follow these tips until your profits reach a level that you desire and begin increasing your minimum bet. I generally double the table bet as I win and keep that level until I lose three hands in a row. At that time, I lower my bet to the table minimum and repeat the process as described previously. While I am playing multiple positions I don’t always win at all positions. I generally will run a streak where I win one and lose or push with the other position. When this occurs, I use the profits of the winning position to finance the bet of the other position(s). Doing this will keep you from dipping back into your pocket. With the multiple position progressive betting I grow my table minimum bets just as I described above and reset my betting strategy back to the table minimum once I have lost three in a row.
  7. Pick a strategy and follow it through.Blackjack, like any gambling game, it is a game of numbers and strategy. I have seen dozens of people walk up to the blackjack table and sit down for a few moments and burn through their cash in a matter of moments. Personally, I do not have that kind of money to burn. When I play I try to deploy the strategy and I remain committed to that strategy. It has been tested and proven that if you can tweak and adjust a strategy, rather than abandon it at the first sign of losses, your career earnings at the tables can be significant.
  8. Practice your strategy. Go to one of the free online sites and work with strategies that you have found over the internet or what you have learned from friends or the movies. Additionally, download an app for your phone so that you can practice on the go. Looking at both of the options, online and an app, make sure that you use one that keeps track of your statistics. It is important also that you can reset your statistics as you work to deploy new strategies. Once you have identified your strategy, make it your own but know that tables at time will go cold. When you have found a table that has gone hot you need to be taking as many calculated chances as you can and make the most out of every bet.
  9. Play with people that know how to play. This is by far one of the hardest things that you can do in most cases. A lot of people that show up at a table does not know how to play and it can negatively impact your pocketbook. Many people think that the objective is to get to 21 rather than play to beat the dealer. So, if you find yourself with players that don’t know how play offer to help. If they make a bad decision that you could have helped with it could (and usually does) have an adverse effect on your hand. It is also these players that can turn a hot table too cold very quickly. As this is occurring you must have the presence of mind to reduce your bets quickly.

Conclusion

In my opening I mentioned that there are a lot of strategies and there is a lot of time invested in practicing and cultivating a strategy that works well for your style of play. You have to be willing to practice and work on your strategy.

Think about your chosen career and how long it took you to get to your current level of compensation. It took time to reach that level. Much like this example, you need time to develop your strategy and practice often if you want to see your blackjack play turn from just a game to a profitable pastime.

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Blackjack is one of the least volatile casino games because you have a 46.36% chance of winning any hand (not counting ties). Add in that you can double down and split hands in favorable situations, and you’re dealing with a near 50/50 proposition.

Nevertheless, blackjack can still be a streaky game. It’s not uncommon to win or lose 3-4 hands in a row.

Some players try to capitalize on winning streaks by increasing their bets, but they often use a randomized approach that involves betting whatever they feel like in the moment.

I’m going to discuss some different ways that you can take advantage of winning streaks through systematic approaches. I’ll also cover how you can turn losing streaks into profits.

But let’s first dive into what your chances are of experiencing both winning and losing streaks in blackjack.

Probabilities of Blackjack Winning and Losing Streaks

Most blackjack streaks last for 2 to 3 hands. This makes winning and losing runs that last for 4 or more hands an unlikely occurrence.

But, as the statistics show, you can never rule out anything in blackjack. The chances of a 9 hand winning streak are 0.1%, meaning this can happen 1 out of every 1,000 times in a nine hand stretch.

Way

Here’s a look at the odds of both winning and losing streaks:

Length of StreakChances of Winning StreakChances of Losing Streak
222.5%27.7%
310.6%14.6%
45.0%7.6%
52.4%4.0%
61.1%2.1%
70.5%1.1%
80.2%0.6%
90.1%0.3%

The stats support why blackjack streaks often occur within 2 or 3 hands. Any winning or losing run after this has less than a 10% chance of happening.

Can You Really Win More Money Based on Blackjack Streaks?

Before we get started on the methods that you can use to take advantage of blackjack streaks, I want to discuss if it’s feasible to increase profits during winning runs.

Before blackjack strategy became more prevalent thanks to the internet, many players simply thought that blind luck governed winning and losing streaks.

But streaks aren’t the result of some mysterious force working for or against you. Instead, this is merely statistics at work.

Mathematicians will tell you that a systematic approach during streaks won’t help you win any more money than if you keep flat betting. But there are certain factors that can cause a winning or losing streak.

One example includes an imperfect shuffle, which leaves clumps of high and low cards. And more high cards (a.k.a. aces through jacks) improves your chances of getting a natural blackjack.

The only problem is that it’s nearly impossible to predict when the deck hasn’t been shuffled thoroughly enough.

Whether or not you can take advantage of blackjack streaks with precision is debatable. But what you can count on is building on your winnings during a hot streak.

Likewise, with the right strategy, you can actually earn profits after a losing streak. And this is exactly what I’m going to cover in the upcoming sections.

Taking Advantage of Blackjack Winning Streaks

A great way to capitalize on blackjack winning streaks is by using a positive progression system. Positive progression strategies involve increasing your bets during hot streaks so that you can win even more money.

The best thing about these systems is that they don’t put your bankroll in danger. Instead, a positive progression system only calls on you to increase bets when you’re already winning.

Of course, the downside is that you can also blow your earnings because you’re betting more, but many blackjack players are willing to take this risk if it means turning marginal winnings into a huge profit.

You and I will cover some of these positive progression systems below. I’ll also discuss how you can use winning streaks to camouflage your card counting efforts.

Paroli System

The Paroli system is one of the easiest positive progression strategies to use. You begin by determining a fixed betting unit.

Ideally, this amount will be worth 2% to 5% of your bankroll. For example, if your bankroll is worth $500, you can use a $10 betting unit.

The Paroli works by doubling your betting unit after every win. You then stop after three wins and return to the original stake.

Some players like going to 4-5 wins before returning to the original bet, but this is risky because we already covered that your chances of winning four straight hands are less than 10%.

Here’s an example on using the Paroli for a three win sequence:

  • You bet $10 and win.
  • You bet $20 and win.
  • You bet $40 and win.
  • You return to the original $10 bet.

The nice thing about the Paroli system is that you win more during hot streaks without being too risky. The trouble, though, is that you only have a 10.6% chance of winning a three hand sequence.

1 3 2 6 System

The 1 3 2 6 strategy isn’t as popular as the Paroli, but it’s still a simple positive progression strategy that can bring you big winnings.

This system begins with choosing a fixed betting unit. And just like with the Paroli, 2% to 5% of your bankroll is a good unit size.

Each number in the 1 3 2 6 system represents how many betting units you risk in the sequence. In other words, you bet one unit, followed by three units, two units, and six units.

You start a fresh sequence every time you lose a bet or win four straight wagers. Here’s an example of using this strategy:

  • Your betting unit is $10.
  • You bet $10 and win.
  • You bet $30 and win.
  • You bet $20 and win.
  • You bet $60 and win.
  • Return to a $10 bet.

The primary advantage of the 1 3 2 6 strategy is that you can book profits even if you don’t complete the sequence. The downside is that you’ll rarely win four blackjack hands in a row and reach the end of the betting string.

Reverse Labouchere

The reverse Labouchere system is one of the most complicated gambling strategies. But you should still be able to pick up this system within a few minutes.

The reverse Labouchere starts with creating a sequence of numbers. The numbers should add up to your desired profit for the betting string.

You then add the first and last number in the sequence to determine your next bet.

If you win the wager, you add the combined amount to the end of your sequence. After a loss, you cross off both numbers and continue to the next wager.

You start over with a new sequence whenever completing the number string. Here’s an example of using the reverse Labouchere:

  • Your sequence is: 1 2 4 5 4 = $16 profit.
  • Your first bet is $5 (1 + 4).
  • You win, and your new string becomes: 1 2 4 5 4 5.
  • Your next bet is $6 (1+ 5).
  • You lose, and your new sequence becomes: 2 4 5 4.

The drawback to this strategy is that it normally takes a while to complete your betting sequence. But the upside is that you can win solid profits after completing the number string.

One Half Increase

The one half increase system is aptly named, because you increase your betting unit by one half after a two-hand winning streak. You continue this half unit increase for every subsequent win.

You can see an example below:
  • Your unit size is $20.
  • You win a $20 bet.
  • You win a $20 bet.
  • Your next wager becomes $30.
  • You win the $30 bet.
  • Your next wager becomes $40.
  • You lose the $40 bet.
  • Return to the original $20 wager.

The one half increase is my favorite positive progression system, because it allows you to capitalize on win streaks without risking the majority of your profits.

Card Counting Cover

One of the biggest challenges in card counting is making sure that the casino doesn’t know you’re a counter. Trying to take advantage of winning streaks is a good way to accomplish this goal.

This is especially the case when it’s early in a shoe hands and there isn’t much deck penetration. If the dealer or pit boss notices you increasing bets at this point, they’ll think that you’re just a regular player who’s looking for more wins during a hot streak.

Let’s contrast this to a card counter who flat bets while winning 3-4 hands in a row. This becomes suspicious when you suddenly increase your bet by wide margins later in the shoe.

A good time to boost your bets during a winning streak is when the true count is at 0 or +1.

These are points when a normal card counter flat bets. But again, increasing your wagers at this point makes it look like you’re simply a progressive better.

Of course, you should avoid spreading your bets too high in these cases, because you don’t have a mathematical advantage. But wagering an extra unit can help you with camouflaging when you’re taking heat from the pit boss.

Taking Advantage of Blackjack Losing Streaks

Taking advantage of a losing streak sounds like an oxymoron. After all, how is it possible to gain any advantage from losing in blackjack?

But you actually can swing things in your favor with the right negative progression systems. A negative progression strategy calls on you to bet more when you’re losing.

This is extremely risky because you can pile up more losses during a cold streak. However, you can also win back all of your losses and book a profit when things go your way.

Below I’ll cover a few different negative progression systems along with how these strategies can camouflage card counting.

Martingale

The Martingale is easy to use because the only requirement involves doubling bets after every loss.

You start off by wagering the table minimum. You double this amount every time you lose, and return to the table minimum after any win.

Here’s an example of the Martingale:
  • You bet $5 and lose (bankroll at -5).
  • You bet $10 and lose (bankroll at -15).
  • You bet $20 and lose (bankroll at -35).
  • You bet $40 and lose (bankroll at -75).
  • You bet $80 and lose (bankroll at -155).
  • You bet $160 and lose (bankroll at -315).
  • You bet $320 and win (bankroll at +5).

The upside is that this system actually gives you an advantage in theory. As long as you always win to end a losing streak, you’ll earn back your losses plus a small profit.

The major downside is that you can lose your entire bankroll during long losing runs. Another problem is that you’ll eventually hit the table betting limit if you lose enough hands.

This is why I suggest finding tables with a low minimum bet and generous max wager if you’re going to use the Martingale.

Oscar’s Grind

Oscar’s Grind is a fairly complicated strategy that involves increasing your bets following a losing streak.

You start out by choosing a unit size, such as $10 or $20. You then wager one unit until you run into a losing streak.

As soon as your losing streak ends, you increase your bet size by one unit. This continues until you’ve earned a one-unit profit.

At this point, you return to betting a single unit until the next losing streak occurs. Here’s an example of how Oscar’s Grind works:

Best Way To Win At BlackjackWinning blackjack strategy
  • You bet 1 unit ($10) and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -1)
  • You bet 1 unit and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -2)
  • You bet 1 unit and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -3)
  • You bet 1 unit and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -4)
  • You bet 1 unit and win – Next bet is 2 units (bankroll at -3)
  • You bet 2 units and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -5)
  • You bet 2 units and lose – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -7)
  • You bet 2 units and win – Next bet is 3 units (bankroll at -5)
  • You bet 3 units and win – Bet stays the same (bankroll at -2).
  • You bet 3 units and win – Next bet is 1 unit (bankroll at +1).

My favorite thing about Oscar’s Grind is that you don’t have to risk much money after a losing streak. This allows you to win back your money in a more conservative manner.

The drawback is that some blackjack players won’t be happy with how slowly this system works.

Labouchere

Earlier I covered how the reverse Labouchere works, and the regular Labouchere has the same structure, only in a negative progression format.

This strategy begins by creating a number string that represents your bet amounts. The sequence can be however long you’d like, but I suggest keeping it to 5 to 8 numbers.

The next step is to make your first bet by combining the first and last numbers.

You cross both numbers off after a win and continue to the next wager. Following a loss, you add the combined bet to the end of the sequence.

How to win at blackjack tableHere’s an example of how the Labouchere works:
  • Your number sequence is: 1 4 6 3 4 7.
  • Your first bet is $8.
  • You lose, and your new string becomes: 1 4 6 3 4 7 8.
  • Your next bet is $9.
  • You win, and your new string becomes: 4 6 3 4 7.

The good thing about this system is that it’s less risky than the Martingale, but you still carry a fair amount of risk because it takes a while to complete each number string.

Card Counting Cover

How To Win Casino Blackjack

Negative progression betting systems are another way that you can hide your card counting efforts.

How To Win At Blackjack Table

When the true count is at 0 or +1, you increase your units to make it seem like you’re temporarily using a negative progression strategy.

And when the count is in your favor later in the shoe, it will merely appear that you’re using a positive progression system.

Negative progression strategies don’t work as well in camouflaging efforts. The reason why is because pit bosses may think it’s strange that you’re alternating between negative and positive systems.

But this is still better than increasing your bets later in the shoe during a very positive count, then flat betting at every other point.

Return to Minimum Bet

Another way to handle blackjack losing streaks involves returning to the table minimum.

This doesn’t help you to take advantage of losing runs like the systems covered above. But if you’ve been wagering above the table minimum, decreasing your bet will limit losses during a downswing.

The important thing to realize here is that no gambling system can overcome the blackjack house edge. This is why it’s so risky to increase wagers when you’re losing.

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By making the minimum bet, you can ride out losing streaks and eventually start betting big again when you’re winning.

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Conclusion

Betting more or less during streaks isn’t necessarily a foolproof way to beat blackjack, but betting strategies can at least help you take full advantage of winning and losing streaks.

This is especially the case during winning runs, where a positive progressive system really increases your profits. My favorite positive progression strategy is the one-half increase, but the Paroli, 1 3 2 6, and reverse Labouchere are also widely used.

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Negative progression systems help you chase losses and eventually end up with a small profit, but you should be careful with these strategies because they add more risk to a losing situation.

Keep in mind that no betting system overcomes the blackjack house advantage. However, you can at least manipulate your short-term winnings and take advantage of winning/losing streaks with these strategies.