There's no denying blackjack's popularity at the tables. It's fast to play, fun to participate in, and has a reasonable chance of making money if you use a few simple strategies.

Observe 12 and 13

Most inexperienced blackjack players would keep drawing if their first two cards were 12. However, this is a flagrant error.

Blackjack is a "known quantities" game, and you have to understand that. You only know the up card of the dealer's hand, even though you know the value of your hand (12 or 13). 

Since that value is shared by tens, jacks, queens, and kings, we can assume that his starting hand is most likely a pair of tens.

A 4, 5, or 6 are thrown by the dealer. He probably has a 14 or 15, so he will now have to accept a card that could put him in the hole.

A player can comfortably take a position on a 12 or lower with this knowledge. Why take the chance yourself if you believe the dealer will lose everything if they accept a card?

In the long term, if the dealer has a weak opening hand, you should always stand on any hand that is above 11. In fact, Basketball Insiders' investigation into the top online blackjack sites indicates that there may be instances in which the dealer does not go over 21, in which case you will lose the hand. The only exception to this is if you have a pair. All pairs should be split, with the exception of the 10s and 5s, which should be doubled down and stood, respectively.

If the sheer number of these figures is overwhelming you, look up a blackjack strategy chart online.

Never Split Tens

In blackjack, it's essential to raise your bets when you have good reason to think the dealer is weak. Dividing into two groups is one way to achieve this.

The chance to split tens every time they are dealt, or at least have two high finishing cards, may entice beginners to make a blackjack. Even though splitting tens is feasible and would double the amount of money available, you should never do so.

Even if the dealer is showing a weak card, such as a five, don't split tens. Why risk losing everything you have with a strong hand of 20 if the dealer strikes it lucky? Just hold, you probably have the best hand at this moment.

Go All in on 11

Doubling down is another good way to increase your stake at the right moment. That means you can check your first two cards and then your third card before raising your bet.

Unless the dealer shows an ace, you should always double down if you are dealt an 11 starting hand. The likelihood is that if you have an 11-high hand, the next card will be a 10, which will finish the hand with a 21. Excellent. Regardless of whether you receive an eight or a nine, your hand value will still be 19 or 20.

With a greater range of opening hands, you can double down depending on the dealer's up card. Your chart has instructions on how to play blackjack.

Coverage

At some online blackjack tables, you might be able to place a wager on your hand as "insurance" in case the dealer reveals an ace. You'll break even on this wager if the dealer hits a blackjack.

As appealing as that plan may seem at first, it's not a good one. In the long run, it won't matter. Given the slim chance that the dealer will make a blackjack, insurance is not cost-effective.

Don't overbet when using your bankroll to place bets.

Using common sense to improve your blackjack skills is more important than learning any particular strategy. As with any other type of betting, it's important to exercise caution and only risk money you can afford to lose when playing at a casino or online.

If you only have $100 to spend on gambling in the near future, do not bet $25 per blackjack hand. You will probably run out of money very quickly because of the game's natural ups and downs.

However, you can survive a bad streak of luck without losing everything if you only bet $1 per hand. As your bankroll grows, you can raise your wager.Finally, never lose your composure. One of the best blackjack strategies is to acknowledge right away that the game is one of chance. Even though you might think you have a strong hand, everything could change depending on the card you draw next. In blackjack, bad beats are more noticeable than lucky wins.