The best strategy to win at blackjack is to understand the basics. This article will discuss basic strategy, side bets, Insurance, and doubling down. You’ll also learn how to avoid losing streaks. After you master these strategies, you’ll be able to make the best decisions in the casino. However, there are a few things you must keep in mind. Basic strategy There are a few fundamental rules in basic blackjack strategy. The first rule is that you must keep your decisions in order. Usually you will need to decide whether to stand or hit after you have received one or more cards. You must also know how to double and split. The best way to do this is to check the blackjack basic strategy chart. Another basic rule in blackjack strategy is to refuse insurance bets. Insurance bets aren’t worth it. Blackjack players will often tell other players that they are not playing according to basic strategy. Some of them might even double down or split their hands without considering the basic strategy. Side bets Blackjack has several side bets that players can place on each hand. One of these is the perfect pair bet, where players wager on the first two cards being a pair. The payout value for a pair varies depending on the suit and rank of the cards. The same is true for the other side bet, the Royal Match. The house edge on this side bet is 25%. This may seem low to some players, but they should always consider the probability before placing a bet. If the house edge is high, you should avoid making a side bet. Another consideration is the house edge, which is the percentage of the house’s edge that you’re betting on. In general, the lower the house edge, the better. However, a high house edge could mean a higher payout. Insurance Blackjack insurance is a side bet that players may make in order to increase their chances of winning. The benefits of taking insurance depend on the situation, so it’s important to know how to play it effectively. In most situations, insurance is only beneficial if the dealer is holding a blackjack. However, this doesn’t always happen. Blackjack insurance is often an excellent option for advanced players. The side bet pays 2 to 1, so it’s a good choice for players who know how to use basic strategy and card-counting to increase their chances of winning. Doubling down The idea of doubling down is to receive an additional card when the dealer’s hand is less than 21. This strategy is particularly beneficial when you have a low hand; it can increase your winnings over time. However, there are certain rules that you should know. You should only double down if you have a low-card hand. When doubling down, you should always check the rules of your particular casino. Many casinos allow you to double down only when you have a hand worth ten or eleven. During other situations, you should just continue your game as usual. This will give you the chance to split the cards, if possible. Card counting Card counting is an effective strategy to beat the casino. The strategy involves keeping track of the cards in a deck and adjusting bets to increase your chances of winning. The more high-value cards in the deck, the better. If you have three or fewer high-value cards, it’s best to decrease your bet. Card counting is not illegal, but it can be frowned upon by casinos. Casinos may prohibit players from using this strategy, which gives them an advantage over the house. Though card counting is not illegal, casinos are vigilant about suspected card counters, and they ban them if they find out.