If you play for long term, consistent profits and make the effort to learn basic blackjack strategy, apply card counting, and play to a predetermined plan, you will gain a distinct advantage when you play.

Below is a list of ten tips that will help you win in blackjack:

1. Learn the Basic Strategy

For each one of the hands a player is dealt, statistically he has one perfect action he can make against the dealer’s up card.  This is known as the basic strategy and is what all other winning blackjack strategies are based upon.

2. Correct Money Management

Managing your bankroll is an important aspect of blackjack strategy since every player will have losing streaks and bad runs.  An effective basic money management rule is to bet with one percent of your bankroll.  For example, if you are holding $2,000, your betting size is one percent or $20.  If you are playing with a 1.5% advantage over the house and you are using a card counting strategy, the chances of you losing your entire bankroll is only five percent.  Since it is mathematically certain that you will eventually hit a losing streak, you must be able to ride out those streaks.

3. Learn to Count Cards Using a Specific System

Most blackjack players usually don’t apply anything beyond basic blackjack strategy, but serious players can actually achieve a positive advantage over the casino by counting cards.  This has been mathematically proven.  When you keep a running count you can work out the probability of the un-dealt cards still to come out of the deck.  There are a number of different card counting techniques and it is important that you find the one most suitable to you.  You can even gain an advantage with the simplest of card counting techniques.

4. Estimate the True Count

You can calculate the true count once you have determined the running count.  The true count is calculated by dividing the running count by the number of decks of un-dealt cards.  The true count gives a better indication of how favorable the remaining cards are than the running count does, and it only needs to be calculated when you want to perform an action such as betting.

5. Learn to Adjust Your Bet Size According to the True Count

Bet size should increase as the true count increases.  Conversely, bet size should decrease as the true count decreases.  You will undoubtedly win fewer hands than you will lose, meaning that you need to up your bet size when the odds are favorable in order to make money over a long period of play.. This tip is the key to winning big in blackjack.

6. Play With Favorable House Rules

Play with favorable house rules.  In order to get a house edge, scout how those tables with favorable house rules.  It is the house rules that dictate how much money you will win over the long run.

7. State of Mind
Stay sharp and focused while you are playing.  If you are playing for money, be sure to stay alert and pay attention – especially if you are playing for money.  It is better not to play after you have had an argument with your spouse or drank too much wine etc.

8. Discipline is the Key to Success
While the final tip may seem obvious, it is important and well-worth repeating.  Once you have formulated a plan, stick to it.  This will help you achieve greater profits.  If you cannot stick to your plan, you might as well not even have a plan.