My best blackjack tips
I've been playing blackjack for several years, both online and live, and have been pretty successful. I wouldn't say that blackjack is financing my studies, but there is certainly some extra cash to be made if you put a little effort into it. Since you only compete against the house in blackjack and not other players, I have no problems with sharing my strategies:
Only play under favorable conditions
If you're playing live you should try to find the game that uses the least amount of decks, and also try and locate a table that pays 2 to 1 for a blackjack. Avoid tables where the dealer hits on soft 17 hands. If you're not allowed to double down on soft hands, you should search for another game. If you're playing online, it's a good idea to start by finding a no deposit casino.
Learn basic blackjack strategy
I won't include a blackjack strategy chart here since they can be found almost everywhere online - I've even seen one in an online casino or two. The important thing is to realize that a player can gain a statistical advantage by using basic strategy at the blackjack table. Of course, you can't eliminate the house edge entirely, but you will certainly improve your chances of winning by using basic strategy.
Avoid card counting
This is of course out of the question when you're playing online blackjack, but I think it's a bad idea for live games as well. Sure, it's proven that card counting is amazingly effective, but it's definitely not easy. If you try card counting and fail, you will lose a lot. I've seen some of my college buddies try it, and it wasn't pretty.
Don't take insurance
Insurance isn't a good bet, even though the casino wants you to think so. It's pure and simple: this bet doesn't payoff statistically. So, don't take insurance when the dealer's up card is an ace, I never do.
Always split 8s and aces
If you're dealt a pair of eights, you always need to split since a hard 16 hand is likely to get you beat or busted. Two hands that are valued at eight create more possibilities for profit.
Aces should also be split into two separate hands. If you split your have a good chance of hitting 21 with at least one of your hands.
Never split 10s
I know a lot of players make this mistake but you should not get greedy at the blackjack table. You will win more in the long run by keeping your hand value at 20. Trust me, there is nothing more frustrating than when you split 10s and then go bust and lose both hands.
Double down on 10 or 11
A starting hand value of ten or 11 is definitely something you should take advantage of since your chances to win increase greatly under these circumstances. I always double down when my starting hand is ten or 11.
These are some of the blackjack strategies I have applied over the years. I hope you will find them as useful as I have.